dies of mercy and look vpon this thy sicke seruantâ— who most earnestly destreth pardoÌ„ forgiuenesse Renue in him most louing Father whatso euer hath been decayed by the fraud and malice of the Diuell or by his owne carnal will and frailtie Preserue continue this sicke member in the vnitie of the Church Consider his contrition accept his teares asswage his paine a shall bee seene to thee most expedient for him And for as much as he putteâ—h his full trust onely in thy mercie impute not vnto him his former sinnes but take him vntoty fauour through the merits of thy most dearly beloued sonne Iesus Christ A praier to be said at the houre of death O Lorde Iesus Christ which arl the onely health of all men liuing and the euerlasting life of them that die in thee I wretched sinner doe submit my selfe wholy vnto thy most blessed will and being sure that the thing cannot perish which is committed vnto thy mercie willinglie now I leaue this fraile and sinneful flesh in sure hope that thou wilt in better wise restore it to meE againe at the lost day in the resurrection of the iust I beseech thee most mercifull Lord iesus Christ that thou wilt by thy grace make strong my soule against all tentations and defende mee with the buckler of thy mercie against all the assaultes of the diuell I see and acknowledge that there is in my selfe no hope of saluation but all my confidence hope and trust is in thy rich mercie and goodnesse I haue no merites or good workes which I may alledge before thee of sinnes and euill workes alas I see a great heape but yet through thy mercie I trust to be in the number of them to whom thou wilt not impute their sinnes but wilt accept and take mee for righteous and iust and to bee an inheritour of Euerlasting life Thou mercifull Lorde wast borne for my sake thou diddest suffer both hunger and thirst for my sake thou diddest teach pray and fast for my sake all thy holy actions and works thou wroughtest for my sake thou sufferedst most greeuous painEs and torments for my sake Finally thou gauest thy most precious bodie and bloud to be shed on the crosse for my sake Now most merciful Sauiour let all those thinges profite mee that thou freely hast done for mee which hast giuen thy selfe also for mee Let thy blond clense and wash away the spottes and fowlnesse of my sinnes Let thy righteousnes hide and couer my righteousnesse Let the merites of thy passion and bloodshedding be the satisfaction for my sinnes Giue mee Lord thy grace that the faith of my saluation in thy blood wauer not in me but may euer be firme and constant that the hope of thy mercy and life euerlasting neuer decay in mee that loue waxe not colde in mee Finally that the weakenesse of my flesh bee not ouercome with the feate of death Graunt mee mercifull Sauiour that when death hath thut vp the eies of my body yet the eies of my soule may stil behold and looke vpon thee when death hath taken away the vse of my tongue yet my hearte may crie say Lorde into thy handes I commend my soule Lord Iesu receiue my spirite A praier for a woman with childe THou art wonderfull O Lorde in all thy workes and whatsoeuer thy good pleasure is that doest thou easily bring to passe neither is ther any thing vnpossible with thee that thou wilt haue doon And albeit this thy almightie power sheweth it selfe abundantly in all thy workes yet in conceiuing forming and bringing forth of man it shineth most euidently At the beginning O Father when thou madest man and woman thou commaundest them to increase multiplie and replenish the earth If through the subtile inticementes of Sathan they had not transgressed thy commaundement by eating the forbidden fruite the woman whome thou haddest appointed to be the instrument vessell to conceiue nourish and bring foorth man through thy woonderful workmanship had with out any labour paine or trauaile brought forth her fruite But that which thy goodnes made easie sin and disobedience hath made harde painfull daungerous and without thy speciall helpe and succour imposible to bee brought to passe so that nowe all women bring forth their childreÌ„ in great sorrows paines and troubles Notwithstanding that which through their own imperfection and feeblenes they are not able of themselues to passe thou through thine vnspeakable power makest easie in them and bringest vnto a ioyfull ende Wee therefore being fully perswaded of thy fauour and goodnesse of thy present helpe and of thy sweete comfort in all miseries and necessities knowing also by the testimonies of thy holy word how great and intollerable the paines of women are that trauell of child if through thy tender mercy they be not mittigated and eased most humbly praye thee for Iesus Christes sake thy son our Lorde to helpe and assist this thy seruant nowe in trauell and labour that by thy almightie power shee may safely bring foorth that which by thy goodnesse shee hath conceaued and that thy louing kindnesse may make that easie and tollerable vnto her which sinne hath made hard and painefull Ease O Lorde the paines which thou most righteously hast put vpon her and all women for the sinne and diso bedience of our Graundmother Eue is whome al we haue sinned Be present with her in her trouble according to thy mercifull promise Giue her strength and make perfect that which thou hast so gratiousLie begun Let thy power be shewed no lesse in the safe bringing forth than in the wonderfull forming fashioning of that shee beareth Make her a glad and ioyfull mother that shee through thy goodnes being safely deliuered and restored to health again may liue and praise thy blessed name for euer A Psalme to be saide in the time of any common plague sicknesse or other crosse and visitation of God O Come let vs humble our selues and fall downe before the Lord with reuerence and feare For he is the Lord our God and we are the people of his pasture and sheepe of his handes O come therefore let vs turne againe vnto our Lorde for he hath smitten vs and he shall heale vs. Let vs repent and turne from our wickednesse and our sinnes shall be forgiuen vs. Let vs turne and the Lorde will turne from vs his heauy wrath and will pardon vs and wee shal not perish For we acknowledge our faultes and our sinnes are euer before vs. Wee haue sore prouoked thine anger O Lorde thy wrath is waxed hote thy heauy displeasure is fore kindled against vs. Thou hast in thine indignation stricken vs with greeuous sicknesse and by and by wee haue fallen as leaues beaten downe with a vehement winde In deede wee acknowledge that our punishmentes are lesse than our deseruings but yet of thy mercy lord correct vs to amendment and plague vs not to our
destruction For thy hand is not shortned that thou canst not helpe neither is thy goodnesse abated that thou wilt not heare Thou hast promised O Lord that afore wee crye thou wilt heare vs whilest wee yet speake thou wilt haue mercie vpon vs. For none that trust in thee shal be confounded neither any that call vppon thee shall be despised For thou art the onely Lord who woundest and dost heale againe who killest and reuiuest bringest euen to hel and bringest backe againe Our fathers hoped in thee trusted in thee and thou diddest deliuer them They called vpon thee and were helped they put their trust in thee and were not confounded O Lord rebuke vs not in thine indignation neither chasten vs in thy heauie displeasure O remember not the sinnes and offences of my youth but according to thy mercie think thou vpon vs O Lord for thy goodnesse Haue mercie vpon vs O Lord for we are weake O Lord heale vs for our bodies are vexed And nowe in the vexation of our spirites and the augnish of our souls we remember thee and we crie vnto thee heare Lord and haue mercie For thine owne sake and for thy holie names sake incline thine care heare O merciful Lord. For wee doe not powre out our praiers before thee trusting in our owne righteousnesse but in thy great and manifolde mercies Wash vs thoughly from our wickednesse and clense vs from our sins Turne thy face from our sins and put out all our misdeeds Make vs cleane heartes O God and renue aright spirite within vs. Helpe vs O God of our saluation for the glorie of thy name O deliuer vs and be mercifull to our sinnes for thy names sake So wee that bee thy people sheep of thy pasture shal giue thee thankes for euer and will alwaies be shewing foorth thy praise from generation to generation Glorie be to the father c. As it was in the beginning c. A psalme of thankesgiuing for deliuerance from the plague or any other kinde of sicknes trouble or affliction LOrde thou art become gracious to thy lande thou hast turned away the afflictions of thy seruants Thou hast taken away all thy displeasure and turned thy selfe from thy wrathfull indignation For if thou Lorde hadst not helped vs it had not failed but our soules had been put to silence But when wee said our feet haue slipped thy mercy O Lorde helped vs vp In the multitude of the sorrowes that wee had in our hearts thy comforts haue refreshed our soules Our soules waited still vpon the Lorde our soules hanged vppon his helpe our hope was alwaies in him In the Lordes word will wee reioyce in Gods worde did wee comfort onr selues For the Lord said Call vpon mee in the time of trouble I wil heare thee and thou shalt praise mee So when wee were poore needie sickly in heauines the Lord cared for vs hee was our helper â—nd our deliuerer according to his word In our aduersitie and desiresse he hath lifted vp our head and sauâ—â— vs from vtter destruction He hath deliuered our soules froâ— death hee hath fed vs in the time 〈◊〉 dearth hee hath saued vs from thâ— noysome pestilence Therefore wil wee offer in his holy temple the oblation of thankesgiuing with great gladnes wee wâ—â—sing and speake praises vnto the lorâ— our Sauiour Wee will giue thankes vnto thâ— Lord for he is gratious and his meâ—â—cie endureth for euer The Lord is ful of compassion anâ— mercie long suffering plenteous iâ— goodnesse and pitie His mercie is greater than the hâ—â—uens and his gracious goodnes reaâ—cheth vnto the cloudes Like as a father pitieth his owâ— children euen so is the Lord merciful vnto them that feare him Therefore will we praise thee and thy mercies O God vnto thee will wee sing O thou holy one of Israel We will sing a new song vnto thee O God wee will praise the Lorde with psalmes and thankesgiuing O sing praises sing praises vnto our God O sing praises sing praises vnto our king For God is the king of the earth sing praises with vnderstanding We will magnifie thee O God our king wee will praise thy name for euer and euer Euery daye wil wee giue thankes vnto thee and praise thy name for euer and euer Our moutn shall speake the praises of the Lord let all flesh giue thanks to hs holy name for euer and euer Blessed bee the Lorde God of Israell for euer and blessed be the name of his maiesty worlde without end Amen Glorie be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. Prayers to be said before meales and after ALL things depend vpon thy prouidence O Lord to receiue at thy hands due sustenance in time conuenient Thou giuest to them and they gather it thor openest thy hand and they are sanctified with all good things O heauenly father which art the fountaine and full treasure of all goodnesse Wee beseech thee to shewe thy mercie vpon vs thy children and sanctifie these thy giftes which we receiue of thy merciful liberalitie granting vs grace to vse them soberly and purely according to thy blessed will so that thereby we may acknowledge thee to be the author and giuer of all good thinges and aboue all that we may remember continually to seeke the spiritual foode of the world wherwith our soules may be norished euerlastingly through our Sauiour Christ who is the true breade of life which came downe from heauen of whom whosoener eateth shal liue for euer and raigne with him in glorie world withour end So be it Another prayer before meales VVHether ye eat or drinke saith S. Paule or whatsoeuer ye do else let all be done to the praise glorie of God Eternall and euerlasting God fathere of our Lord Iesus Christ who of thy most singular loue which thou barest to mankinde hast appointed to his sustenance not only the fruits of the earth but also the fouls of the aire the beastes of the field and fishes of the sea and hast commaunded thy benâ— fites to be receiued as from thy handes with thankesgiuing assuring thy children by the mouth of thine Apostle that to the cleane al things are cleane as the creatures which be sanctified by the worde and prayer grant vnto vs so moderatly to vse these thy giftes present that our bodies being refreshed our soules may be more able to proceede in all good works to the praise of the holy name through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Our father which art in heauen c. Another O Eternall God the very God of peace and al consolation which broughtest againe from death our Lorke Iesus the greate shepheard of the sheep through the bloud of the euerlasting couenante make vs fruitful in all good works to do thy wil and
to lament and reioyce To lament because I consider not these thinges in prayer in such sorte as should moue mee to admiration and gratitude because I consider not thy power and wisedome generally in all things because I am so carelesse for thy kingdome and because I am so full of dubitation and doubting of thy goodnesse To reioyce I haue great cause because thou reuealest these things vnto me on this sorte because of thy power kingdome and glorie which maketh to the hearing of my prayers and helping of mee because thou wilt vse me as thine instrument to set forth thy kingdome power and glorie and because iâ— pleaseth thee to heare my prayer and assuredly wilt saue mee for euer But alas howe farre am I from these lamentings and reioycinges By reason whereof I deserue damnation O bee mercifull vnto mee and forgiue me and of thy goodnesse grant me thy holy spirite to reueale to mee my blindnes obliuion contempt of thy kingdome power and glore with the greatnes of my doubtings that as I may heartily lameÌ„t them so haue them pardoned taken from mee through the merites of Iesus Christ thy sonne Againe giue me thy holy spirit to reueale to me in such sort thy kingdome power glorie eternitie that I may alwaies haue the same before mine eies be moued with the admiration thereof labour effectually to set forth the same finally as to haue the fruition thereof after this life so to increase in an assured certaine and liuelie expectation of the same that I may alwaies and in all thinges reioyce in thee through Christ and giue laudes thanks and praises perpetually vnto thy most holie name Oh blessed Father Sonne and holie Ghost three persons and one God to whome bee all honour and glorie world without ende Hâ—ere thinke that if the kingdome power glorie and eternitie bee Gods which is our Father what our dignity is which be his children If the power bee our fathers of whome should wee bee afraide Let the diuell bee subiect to the Lordes power and kingdom as he is how can the subiect haue power ouer vs which be sonnes and heirs in that he hath not power ouer poâ—kets without the proudence and permissioÌ„ of God Therefore ful well should wee pray 〈…〉 power is the Lords and the Diuel hath none but that he hath of Gods gift No he were not able to receiue power if God did not make him able although the execution of it is rather of Gods permission Giue al thanks praise and glorie to God our Father through Christ our Lord and Sauiour So be it Iohn Bradford PRIVATE PRAIERS for the Morning and Euening and for other times of the day When you awake out of your sleepe pray thus MOst mercifull God and Father of our Sauiour Iesus Christ I most humbly thanke thee for the sweete sleepe and comfortable rest which thou hast giuen mee this night past beseeching thee that like as thou hast nowe awaked my bodie from sleepe so thou wouldest awake my soule from the sleepe of sinne and darkenesse of this worlde and that which thou hast new awaked out of sleepe thou wouldest after death whereof this sleepe is but an image restore and rayle againe to life euerlasting O gratious God make my body I heartilie pray thee such a coÌ„panion or rather a minister of godlinesse to my soule this day all the time of this preseÌ„t life that in the life to come it may be partaker with the same of euerlasting happines through Christ Iesus our Lord. Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead Christ shal shew light vnto thee Ephes 5. Occasions to medâ—tate Here call to minde the great mirth blessednesse of the euerlasting resurrection Also remember to muse vpon that most cleare light that bright morning and new clearenesse of our bodies after the loÌ„g darknes which they haue bin in All then shall be ful of vnspeakable ioy and felicitie When you beholde the dailight pray O Lorde God thou most glorious and true light from whence this light of the day sunne doth spring and shine vnto vs O light which lightenest euery man that commeth into this world O light which knowest no night nor euening but art al way a midday most cleare and faire without whom all is most horrible darkenesse and by whome al thinges are most cleare and bright O thou wisedome of the eternall father of mercies lighten my minde that I may see those thinges onely which pleasethee and may be blinded to all other thinges Grant me so to walk in thy waâ—â—s by the light of thy holie word that nothing else may bee light and pleasant vnto me Lighten mine eies Oh Lord that I sleepe not in death least mine enemies say I haue preuailed against him Psal 30. Occasions to meditate Muse a while howe much the light and eie of the mind and soule is better than of the bodie Also howe much more we ought to care for the soule that it may see well than of the bodie Moreouer that beasts haue bodily eies as wel as men but men onely haue eies of the mind and that such as are godly wise When you arise pray OVR first parentes cast downe themselues from a most excellent high and honorable state into shame miserie and into the deepe sea of all wickednesse and mischiefe but oh Christ thou putting forth thy hande didst raise them vp againe Euen so wee except we be raised vp by thee shal ly still for euer O good Christ our most gracious Redeemer as thou doest mercifully raise vp now this my bodie euen so I beseech thee raise vp my minde heart to the true knowledge loue of thee that my conuersation may be in heauen where thou art If thou be risen with Christ thinke vpon those things that be aboue Col. 3 Occasions to meditate Thinke howe foule the fall of Adam was by reason of sinne and so euerie one of vs froÌ„ the hight of Gods grace Againe thinke vpon the inestimable benefite of Christ by whose helpe wee daily rise againe from our fallings When you apparrell your selfe pray O Christ cloath mee with thine owne selfe that I may be so far from making prouision for the flesh to fulfill the Iustes thereof that I may cleane put off all desires and crucifie the kingdome of the flesh in mee Be thou vnto me a garment to keepe me warme and to defend me from the cold of this world If thou be absent deare Lorde all thinges are colde weake and dead but if thou be with me all thinges are warme fresh and cheerefull c. Graunt therefore that as I coÌ„passe this my body with this garment so thou wouldest cloath me wholy but specially my soule with thine owne selfe Put vpon you as the elect of God bowels of mercie meekenesse loue peace c. Col. 3. Occasions to meditate Call to minde a little howe we are incorporate into Christ Againe howe he doth cloath vs
to prayse thy holy name Amen Peace bee to this house and to all that dwell in the same Math. 10. Occasions to meditate Thinke what a returne and howe merrie a returne it will bee to come to our eternall most quiet and most happie home then will all griefe and sorrow cease Whatsoeuer here is pleasant and ioyfull the same is nothing but a verie shadowe in comparison of that which is to come At the Sunne going downe praie HOwe vnhappie are they O Lorde from whome thy Sunne goeth downe giueth no light I meane thy grace which is alwaies â—â—eare as the midday Darke night vnto them is the midday which 〈◊〉 part froÌ„ thee In thee is neuer night but alwaies day light most cleare This corporall sunne hath his courses nowe vp nowe downe but thou deare Lorde if wee loue thee art alwaies one O that this blacke and vaile of sin were taken away from mee that there might bee alwaies cleare daie in my mind Occasions to meditate Thinke that as wee are not sorie when the Sunne goeth downe because we knowe it shall rise againe euen so we should not sorrow for death where through the soule and body doe parte a sunder for they shal eftsoones returne and come together againe in most glorious wise So long as the Sunne is â—p wilde beastes keepe their 〈◊〉 Foxes their burrowes Owles their holes c. But when the Sunne is downe then come they abroad so wicked men and hypocrites keep their dennes in the time of the Gospell but it being taken awaie then swarme they out of their holes like Bees as this day doth â—each When the candles be light pray MOst thicke and darke cloudes do couer our mindes except thy light O Lorde doe driue them away Thy sunne O most wise worker is as it were a firebrand to this worlde Thy kingdome whereby light commeth both to the soule and bodie is a firebrande to the spirituall worlde After day when the night commeth thou hast giuen for the remedie of darkenesse a candle After sinne for the remedie of ignorance thou hast giuen thy doctrine which thy deare sonne hath brought vnto vs O thou that art the author and master of all trueth the true light make vs to see that the dimnesse of our mindes may be driuen cleane away Lift thou vp the light of thy countenaunce vpoÌ„ vs and send vs ioie gladnes into our heartes Psal 4. Thy worde is a lanterne to my feete and a light vnto my paths Psal 1â—9 Occasions to meditate Thinke that the knowledge which God giueth vnto vs by the candle light whereby wee see those things in this night of our bodies which are expedient for vs shoulde make vs to wish much more for this doctrine of God spirituall light of our soules when wee get it the more to esteeme it and diligently to embrace it Againe that as all woulde bee horrour without candle light so there is nothing but meere confusion where Gods worde taketh no place When you make your selfe vnreadie pray THis our life and weake-knit bodie by occasion of sin by little little shall be dissolued and so shal be restored to the earth from whence it was taken then will be an end of this vanitie which by our folly wee haue wrought to our selues O most meek father so do thou vnite me for thou art he that hath knit these our weak members together that I may perceiue my selfe to be loosed and dissolued and so may remember both of whome I was made also whither I must goe least I be had vnprouided vnto thy tribunall seat Put off the olde man with his lustes and concupiscences Col. 3. Ephes 4. Be content with Ioseph to put off thy prison apparrell that thou maiest put on newe Gen. 4. 1. Occasions to meditate Thinke that wee doe willinglie put off our garments because wee shall receiue them againe when the night is past so we should willingly forsake our bodies wheÌ„ God by death shall cal vs because we shall receiue them againe in the resurrection of the iust When you enter into your bed praie THe daie nowe ended men giue themselues to rest in the night and so this life finished we shall rest in death Nothing is more like this life than euery day nothing more like to our graue then our dedde O Lorde our keeper and defender graunt that I now laing me downe to rest being vnable to keepe my selfe may be preserued from the craftes assaultes of the Wicked enemie and graunt further that when I haue run the race of this life thou wouldest of thy mercie call mee vnto thee that I may liue â— watch with thee for euermore And nowe gracious God giue mee to take my rest in thee and bring to passe that thy goodnes may be giuen in sleepe before my eies that sleeping I bee not absent from thee but may haue my dreames to draw me vnto thee and so both soule and body may be kept pure and holie for euer I will lay mee downe in peace and take my rest c. Psal 4. Occasions to meditate Thinke that as the troublesome day is nowe past and night come and so rest quietnesse and pleasant sleepe which maketh most excellent princes and poore wretches alike euen so after the tumults troubles temptations and tempests of this life they that beleeue in Christ haue prepared for them an hauen and rest most pleasant and ioyfull As you are not afraid to enter into your bedde and to disposâ— your selfe to sleepe so be not afraide to die but rather cheerefully prepare your selfe thereunto Think that now you are neerer your end by one daies iourney than you were in the morning When you feele sleepe to be comming pray O Lord Iesus Christ my watchman and keeper take mee into thy protection Graunt that my bodie sleeping my minde may watche in thee and be made merrie by some sight of that celestiall and heauenlie life wherein thou art the King and Prince together with the father and the holy Ghost where the Angels and holie soules be most happie citizens Oh puriâ—â—e my soule keepe cleane my body that in both I may please thee sleeping and waking for euer Amen A GENERALL CONfession of sinnes with other praiers for the Morning and Euening to be vsed in families and publicke assemblies O Most mercifull and louing father whose loue is infinite whose mercy endureth for euer wee sinfull creaturs trusting in thine vnspeakeable goodnesse and loue towarde vs doe appeare this morning before thy diuine maiestie most humblie confessing our manifolde sinnes and innâ—merable transgressions of thy commandements and fatherlie will Against thee only against thee O Lorde haue we sinned wee acknowledge our offencesâ— wee accuse our selues vnto thee O mercifull Lord and will not hide our vnrighteousnesse We finde in our selues nothing but ignorance of thy wil disobedience mistrust doubtfulnesse in thy goodnes and incredulitie hatred and contempt of all spiritual things selfeloue
shall finde knocke and it shall be opened vnto you O deare God and most meeke and mercifull father we heartily beseech thee to be mercifull vnto vs for this thy Christs sake for his deaths sake for thy promise trueth mercies sake Haue mercie vpon vs pardon and forgiue vs all our sinnes iniquities and trespasses whatsoeuer we haue committed against thee in thought word or deed euer or at any time hitherto by any meanes Deare father haue mercy vpon vs. Though we be poore yet our Christ is rich though wee be sinners yet hee is righteous though wee be fooles yet he is wise though we be impure yet he is pure and holie for his sake therefore bee merciful vnto vs. Call to minde how thou hast promised that thou wilt powre out of thy cleane waters wash vs from our filthe and cleanse vs from our euils Forget not that thou hast promised to take from vs our stonye heartes and to giue vs soft heartes newe heartes to put in the middest of vs right spirits Remember thy couenant namely that thou wilt be our God and wee shal be thy people that thou wilt put out of thy memory for euer al our vnrighteousnesse and hast promised to write in our mindes and hearts thy law and testimonies Remember that thou doest straitly charge vs to haue none other Gods but thee saying that thou art the Lorde our God O then declare the same to vs all we heartilie now beseech thee Forgiue vs our sinnes forget our iniquities cleanse vs from our filthines wash vs from our wickednesse powre out thy holy spirite vpon vs. Take from vs our harde heartes our stonie heartes our impenitent heartes our distrusting and doubtfull heartes our carnall our secure our idle heartes our impure malitious arrogant enuious wrath full impatient couetous hypocriticall and epicurall hearts and in place thereof giue vs new harts soft harts faithfull hearts mercifull hearts louing obedient chast pure holy righteous true simple lowly and patient hearts to feare thee to loue thee to trust in thee for euer Write thy law in our hearts graue it in our mindes we heartilie beseech thee Giue vs the spirite of prayer make vs diligent and happie in the workes of our saluation sake into thy custodie and gouernaunce for euer our soules and bodies our liues all that euer we haue Tempt vs neuer further than then wilt make vs able to beare and whatsoeuer thou knowest wee haue neede of in soule or bodie deare God gratious father vouchsafe to giue vs the same in thy good time and alwayes as thy children guide vs so that our life may please thée and our death praise thee through Iesus christ our Lorde for whose sake wee hartilye praye thee to graâ—nt these thinges thus asked and all other things necessarie for soule bodie not onely to vs but to all others also for whome thou wouldest that we should pray specially for thy children that bee in thraldome in exile in prison misery heauinesse pouertie sickenesse c. Be mercifull to the whole realme of England and graunt vs all true repentance and turne from vs the euils that wee so wickedlie haue deserued Pardon our enemies persecutors slaunderers and if it bee thy pleasure turne their harts Bee mercifull vnto our parents brethren and sisters friendes kinsfolkes and familiars neighbours and such as by anie meanes thou hast coupled and lincked to vs by loue or other wise and vnto vs poore sinners here gathered together in thy holie name graunt thy blessing and holie spirite to sancâ—fie vs dwell in vs as thy deare children to keepe vs this day and for euer from all euill to thy eternall glorie and euerlasting comforte and the profite of thy Church which mercifully maintaine cherish and comfort strengthenning theÌ„ that stand so that they neuer fall lifting vp them that bee fallen and keepe vs from falling from thy trueth through the merits of thy dearelie beloued sonne Iesu Christ our onelie Sauiour which liueth and raigneth with thee and the holy Ghost to whome bee al praise and honour both now for euer Amen I. B. A prayer for the true knowledge of the mysterie of our redemption in Christ O Almightie God and father of our Lorde Iesus Christ and by him also our Father the Father of all mercy God of all consolation haue mercy vpon vs and heare our praiers wee most humblie beseeche thee for thy deare sonne Iesus christ his sake for his merites and cruell death which he suffered to deliuer vs from eternal death and the power of darkenesse sende into our hearts the spirit of truth to worke in vs a true liuely stedfast faith that the cleere light and brightnesse of thy Gospell the glorie of Christ may shine vnto vs and lighten our minds that wee may learne and vnderstand the wonderfull and vnspeakeable riches of y e mystery of our redemption in Christ and by Christ O Father of glorie giue vnto vs the spirit of wisedome and bring vs vnto the true knoweledge of this thy beloued Sonne Iesus Christ and the knowledge of thy selfe Open and lighten the eyes of our mindes and vnderstanding that wee may knowe what the hope is whereunto thou hâ—st called vs and howe rich the glorie of thine inheritance is vpon thy Saints and the exceeding greatnesse of thy power towardes vs that by trne faith by vnderstanding knowledge of thine eternall-wisedome which is Iesus Christ we may be indeede as wee are called true Christians and vnfained professours of thy holy name to worship thee in spirit and trueth to set forth the glory of thy grace giuen vnto vs in Christ Iesu our lord Amen O deare father write in our harts loue of thy law hate to al sin thankfulnesse of heart and continual heat of thy holie spirite for thy sonne Iesus Christs sake To whome with thee and thy holy spirit be al honour maiestie glory thanks rule empire and dominion for euermore Amen A forme of thankesgiuing for our redemption and prayer for the strength increase of faith Lord incrâ—ase our faith Luc. 17. ETernall praise and thankes bee giuen vnto thee deare God and Father of our Lorde Iesus Christ which hast blessed vs with all spirituall blessings in heaueÌ„ly things by Christ in that thou hast chosen vs in him before the foundation of the world was laide that we should bee without blame before thee through him by whom we haue redemption through his bloud euen the forgiuenesse of our sinnes in whome after we heard y e word of truth the Gospell of our saluation wherein we beleeued we are sealed with the holie spirite of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance which spirit hath and doeth beare witnesse vnto our spirits that we are thy children and therefore crieth into our harts Abba Father And thus most gracious father when thou hast once giuen the earnest penie of our saluation into our heartes thou doest not repent
to all euill and continually desire the dissolution of it with Paule and the deliuerance from it as much as euer did prisoner his deliuerance out of prison for alâ—â—ely by it the Diuell hath a doore to tempt and so to hurt mee in it I am kept from thy presence thou from being so conuersant with me as else thou wouldest be by it I am restrayned from the sense and feeling of all the ioyes and comfortes in maner which are to bee taken as ioyes and comfortes indeede If it were dissolued and I out of it then coulde sathan no more hurt me then wouldest thou speak with me face to face then the conflicting time were at an end then sorrowe would cease and ioy would increase and would I enter into inestimable rest Oh that I could consider this accordingly I. B. Another meditation concerning the sober vsage of this bodie and pleasure in this life The beginning of all euill in our kinde of liuing springeth out of the deprauation and corruptnesse of our iudgement because our will alwaies followeth that which reasoÌ„ iudgeth to be followed Nowe that which euery man taketh to be friendly and agreeing to his nature the same doth he iudge necessarily to be good for him and to be desired This is meate drinke apparel riches fauour dignitie rule knowledge and such like because they are thought good agreeing either to the bodie or to the minde or to both for they helpe either to the coÌ„uersation or to the pleasure of man accounted of euerie one amongst good things Howbeit such is the weakenes of our wit on the one part the blindnes and too much rage of our lustes on the other part that wee being left to our selues cannot but in the desire of things which we iudge good and agreeing to our nature by the iudgement of our senses and reason â—e cannot I say but ouerpasse the boundes whereby they might be profitable vnto vs so wee make them hurtful vnto vs which of theÌ„selues are ordained for our health What is more necessarie than meat and drinke or more agreeing to nature but yet how few be there which do not hurt themselues by them In like maner it goeth with riches estimation friends learning c. yea although wee be in these most temperate yet when there wanteth the spirite our regenerator we ar so drowned in them that we vtterly neglect to lift vp your minds to the good plesure of God to the ende we might imitate and follow God our maker by yeelding our selues ouer dulie to vse his giftes to the common priuate vtilitie of our neighbors But now God only is life and eternitie and cannot but demaund oâ— vs his handy woorke that we should render our selues and al we haue to the end wherefore wee were made that is to resemble for our portion his goodnesse as they which be nothing else but witnesses and instruments of his mercie So that when wee wholly doe naturally striue against that kind of life whereunto he hath created vs by seeking alwaies our selues what other thing ought to ensue but that he should again destroy vs and take away his notable gifts wherwith he therfore indued vs that by al kind of wel doing wee should resemble his image yea what other thing may ensue but that hee should leaue vs and that eternally that wee might feele and by experience proue howe bitter a thing it is to leaue the Lord in whome is all goodnes Oh that I might therfore â—â—nde such fauour in thy sight deare father that thou wouldest work in mee by thy holy spirite a true knowledge of all good thinges heartie loue to y e same through Christ Iesus our Lorde and onelie Sauiour Amen I. B. A meditation of death and the commodities it bringeth VVHat other thing doe we daylie in this present life but heape sinne vpon sinne and hoorde vp trespasse vpon trespasse so that this day is wâ—rse alwaies then yesterday by increasing as daies so sins and therefore thy indignation good Lord against vs but when we shall be let out of the prison of this body and so taken into thy blessed companie then shall we be in most safetie of immortalitie and saluation then shal come vnto vs no sickenesse no neede no paine no kind of euil to soule or bodie but whatsoeuer good we can wish that shall we haue and whatsoeuer wee loath shall be farre from vs. O deare father y t wee had faith to behold these thinges accordingly O that our hearts were perswaded thereof and our affections inflamed with the desire of them Then should we liue in longing for that which now wee must loath Oh helpe vs and graunt that wee beeing ignorant of thinges to come and of the time of our death which to thee is certayne may so loue finish our iourney here that we may be readie and then depart when our departing may make most to thy glorie our comfort through Christ What is this life but a smoke a vapour a shadowe a warre farre a bubble of water a worde grasse a flower That thou shalt die it is most certaine but the time no man can tell when The longer in this life thou doest remayne the more thou sinnest which wil turne to thy more paine By cogitation of death our mindes be often in maner oppressed with darkenesse because we doe but remember the night of the body forgetting the light of the minde of the resurrection Hereto remeÌ„ber the good thinges that after this life shall insue without wauering in certaintie of faith and so shall the passage of death bee more desired It is like a sailing ouer the sea to thy home and countrie it is like a medicine or purgation to y e health of soule body it is the best Phisition it is like to a womans trauell For as the childe being deliuered commeth into a more large place than the womb where in it did lie before so thy soule being deliuered out of the bodie commeth into a much more large and faire place euen vnto heauen A meditation vpon the passion of our Sauiour Iesus Christ OH Lorde Iesus Christ y e sonne of the euerliuing God by whom all things were made and bee ruled and gouerned thou the liuely Image of the substance of the Father the eternall wisedome of God the brightnesse of his glorie GOG of God light of light coequall coeternall and substantiall with the father thou which of the loue thou hadst to mankinde when hee was fallen from the fellowshippe of God into the society of Sathan and al euil didst vouchsafe for our redemption to become a mediator betweene God man taking to thy godheade our nature as concerning the substance of it and so becamest man also the heire of all and most merciful Messias which by the power of thy Godheade and merites of thy manhoode hast made purgation of our sinnes euen by thine own selfe whilest thou wast heere on earth beeing nowe set
Apostle S. Paule with more consolations in Christ than he felt sorrowes and terrors in the world haue mercie vpon mee a most miserable vile and wretched sinner which now draw neere the gates of death deserued both in soule and bodie eternallie by reasoâ— of my manyfolde horrible olde and newe transgressions which to thine eies O Lorde God are open and knowen Oh bee mercifull vnto mee and forgiue mee for the bitter death and bloudshedding of thine onely sonne Iesus Christ And though thy iustice do require in respect of my sinnes that nowe thou shouldest not heare mee conteraning thy dailie callinges yet let thy mercie which is aboue al my workes and wherewith the earth is filled let thy mercy I say preuaile towards me through the merits and mediation of Christ our fauiour for whose sake it pleaseth thee to bring me foorth now as one of his witnesses and a recorde bearer of thy veritie and trueth taught by him to giue my life therefore of which dignitie I do acknowledge deare God that there was neuer any so unworthie and unmâ—ete no not the thiefe that hanged with him on the crosse I humbly therefore pray thee that thou wouldest accordingly aid helpe and assist me with thy strength and heauenly grace that with Christ thy Sonne I may finde comfort with Stephen I may see thy presence and gratious power with Paule and al others which for thy names sake haue suffered afliction and death I may 〈◊〉 present with mee thy gratious 〈◊〉 that I may by my death glorist thy holy 〈◊〉 set forth and retifie thy veritie comfort the hearts of the heauie confirme thy church in thy truth conuertsome that 〈◊〉 be conuerted 〈◊〉 so depart out of this 〈…〉 where I do nothing but daiâ—e heape 〈◊〉 vpon 〈◊〉 and enter into the fruition of thy blessed mercie whereof howe giue and increase in me a liuely taste 〈◊〉 and feeling where through the terâ—our of death the tormentes of 〈◊〉 the paines of â—â—me the dartes of Sathan and the dotours of hell may neuer ouercome 〈◊〉 but may be driâ—en away through the working of y â— most gratious spirit which now 〈…〉 me withall y â— through the samespirit I may offer as nowâ— I 〈◊〉 readie to doe in Christ and by him myselfe wholy soule and bodie to be a liuely sacrifice holy and acceptable in thy sight deare father whose I am and al waieâ— haue beene euen from my mothers wombe yea euen before the worlde was made to whome I commend my selfe faith name familie and friendes countrie and all the whole Church yea 〈◊〉 my verie enimies according to thy good pleasure beseeching thee intirely to giue once more to this Real me of England the blessing of thy word againe with godly peace to then teaching and setting foorth of the same O deer father now guide me to come vnto thee so purge and purshe me by this fire in Christes death passion through thy spirite that I may be a buâ—nt offering of sweete 〈◊〉 thy sight which liuest and raignest with the sonne and the holy 〈◊〉 now 〈◊〉 euermore world without 〈◊〉 Amen The Letanie O God the Father of heauen haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners O God the father of heauen c. O God the sonne redeemer of the worlde haue mercy vpon vs miserable sinners O God the sonne redeemer of c. O God the holy Ghost proceeding from the father and the sonne haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners O God the holy Ghost c. O holy blessed glorious Trinitie three persons and one God haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners O holy blessed and glorious c. Remember not Lord our offences nor the offences of our forefathers neither take thou bengeance of our sinnes spake vs good Lord spare thy people whome thou hast redeemed with thy most precious bloude and be not angry with vs for euer 〈◊〉 Spare to good Lord. From all 〈…〉 from sinne from the crafts and assaults of the deuill from thy wrath and from euerlasting damnation Good Lord deliuer vs. From blindnesse of heart from pride vaine glory and hypocrisie froÌ„ 〈◊〉 hatred and malice and all 〈…〉 Good Lord deliuer vs. From fornication and all other 〈◊〉 sin and from all the deceits of the world the flesh and the diuell Good Lord deliuer vs. From lightning and tempest from plague pestilence famine from battâ—l murther from sodaâ—ne death Good Lord deliuervs From all sedition and priuie conspiracie from all false doctrine and herisie from hardnesse of heart contempt of thy word commandement Good Lord deliuer vs. By the misterie of thy holy incarnation by thy holy natiuitie and circumcision by thy baptisme fasting temptation Good Lord deliuer vs. By thine agonie and bloudy sweat by thy crosse and passion by thy glorious resurrection and assention and by the comming of the holy Ghost Good Lord deliuer vs. In all time of our tribulation in all time of our wealth in the houre of death and in the day of iudgement Good Lord deliuer vs. We sinners do beseech thee to heare vs O Lorde God and that it may please thee to rule and gouerne thy holy Church vniuersally in the right way We beeseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to keepe strengthen in the true worshipping of thee in righteousnes and holines of life thy seruant Elizabeth our most gracious Queene and goâ—ernor We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to rule her hearte in thy faith feare a loue and that she may euermore haue affiance in thee and euer seeke thy honour glorie We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to be her defender and keeper giuing her the victorie ouer all her enemies We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to illuminate all bishops pâ—stors Ministers of the church with true knowledge vnderstanding of thy worde and that both by their preaching and liuing they may set it forth and she in it accordingly We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to endue the Lorde of the councell and all the nobilitie with grace wise dome and vnderstanding We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to blesse keepe the Magistrates giuing them grace to execute iustice and to maintaine trueth We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to blesse keepe all thy people We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to giue to all nations vnitie peace and concord We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to giue vs an heart to loue and dread thee and diligently to liue after thy commandements We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to giue all thy people increase of grace to heare meekely thy worde and to receiue it with pure affection
the Lorde is and are becom new creatures by the heauenlie regeneration through the doctrine of the gospell should like holie and innocent babes lay aside all such workes of the flesh which do depriue a man of the kingdome of God And Saint Paule commaundeth vs that laying aside those cursed vvorkes of darknesse vve should in the steed thereof put on euen as the elect of God holie and beloued tender mercie kindness humblenesse of minde meeknesse long suffering forbearing one another forgiuing one another if anie haue a quarrell to another as Christ forgaue vs end aboue all these things saith he put on loue vvhich is the bond of perfection let the peace oh God rule in your hearts vvhen ye shall stand and praie saith Sâ— Marke forgiue if ye haue anie thing against anie man that your Father also vvhich is in heauen maie forgiue you your trespassesâ— for if yee vvill not forgiue your father vvhich is in heauen vvill not pardon you your trespasses Moreouer we must haue such a feeling of our owne miserie and wretehednes as may worke in vs an earnest sorrowe and vexation of minde for the same Example whereof wee may see in the deare seruantes of God when they say that out of the deep deepenesse and out of the middes of the iawes of death they vtter vnto the Lord a sorrowfull voice He that desireth mercy must haue a feeling of his owne miserie And therefore saith Dauid Heale my soule O Lord for I haue sinned against thee There is nothing in my flesh saith hee because of thy displeasure neither in there any rest in my bones because of my sin This anguish and sorrowe stirreth vp in Gods children a feruent desire to obtain coÌ„fort help and succour at Gods hande and therfore such as fâ—ele themselues oppressed with great calamities hauing by the help of man no hope of deliuerance doe crie vnto God with afflicted hearts as Dauid did in his distresse My soule thirsteth for God euen for the liuing God and as the hart being vvounded braiâ—th for the riuers of vvater so panteth my soule after thee O God This is that godlie sorrow which S. Paule saith worketh in Gods children repentaunce to saluation The Lorde is nigh to them saith Dauid that are of a contrite heart and vvill saue all such as are afflicted in spirite To him vvill I looke euen vnto him saith the Lord that is afflicted and broken hearted and trembleth at my vvordes Therefore Dauid calleth the time of trouble the fit and conuenient time for the faithful to fly vnto God by prayer And albeit they be not at al times in like distresse or continuallie groning vnder the burthen of present euils yet must they needes bee euer in dread of new daungers and carefully â—ffraid of further troubles to follow As trouble and feare therfore are the verie spurs to â—ir them vp to heartie and feruent prayer â—o by occasion thereof they haue more free accesse vnto God as though he did therby call them vnto him This godly sorrow for sinne and feruent desire and longing for Gods louing mercie and fauour commeth not of our selues but of the speciall goodnesse of God for we are of our selues dul and without al lust to pray â—ea so great is our imperfection that wee know not howe to pray as wee ought and therefore the spirite helpeth our infirmities instâ—ucteth vs what is right and guideth our affections Hee maketh intercession for the Saintes saith 〈◊〉 Paule according to the vvill of God and that vvith Vighes and grâ—anings vvhich cannot be expressed that is hee stirreth vp our he arts giueth vs a desire and boldnesse to pray causeth vs to mourn when we are by any meanes hindred from it and feele not our selues moued therunto with such feruent zeale and affection as we should be Now although wee knowe that it is the only work of the holie Ghost thus to moâ—e and incline our heartes to prayer notwithstanding we may not be negligent slouthfull to dispose and stirre vp our selues therevnto but rather contrariwise so often as we feele our selues colde and not disposed to praier as we ought to be wee must make our supplication vnto the Lorde that it woulde please him to inflame vs with his holie spirit wherby we may be framed to pray with such feruencie of mind as we ought to doe When we are cast downe by the sence feeling of our owne infirmity sinne aud miserie Yet must we pray notwithstanding in sure and stedfast hope to obtaine our requests These be things in deed contrarie in shewe to ioyne with the feeling of the iust vengeance of God sure affiance of fauour which things doe yet verie wel agree in that it is the goodnesse of God onlie that raiseth vs vp being oppressed with our owne euils from the which of our selues we cannot rise For as repentance and faith are knit as companions together albeit the one driueth vs downe with feare and the other lifteh vs vp again with comfort so in praying they must needs go together And this agreement Dauid expresseth in few wordes I vvill saith he in the multitude of thy mercies enter into thy house and in the temple of thy holinesse I vvill vvâ—rship thee vvith feare Therefore when wee are once touched with true repentance and feling of our own miserie we must withall haue such a perswasion of Gods fauor and mercie towards vs in all our praiers that they shall be accepted of God so far foorth as it shall be necessary for â—s This is the assurance saith S. Iohn that vve haue in God that if vve aske anie thing according to his vvill he heareth vs. If we haue not a sure â—rust and confidence in the mercie and promises of God it is vnpossible to make our praier to him aright and whosoeuer doubteth whether God heareth his prayer that man obteineth nothing to such praiers God hath made no promise But contrariwise he saith vvhatsoeuer ye shall aâ—ke in praier if ye beleeue ye shall receiue it And againe VVhatsoeuer yee desire beleeue that yee shall obtaine it and it shal be done vnto you Ask saith Saint Iames in faith and vvauer not for hee that vvauereth is like to the vvaues of the sea vvhich are tossed of the vvind and caried avvaie And why should wee wauer or doubt seeing the holie scriptures testifie of God that he is faithful iust and true in all his wordes and promises saying The Lord is faithfull in all his vvordes hee vvill euer bee mindfull of his couenant the trueth of the Lorde endureth for euer And although our faith be not so strong and therfore our prayer so hearty and zealous as it ought to be yea though our faith be faint and cold yet let vs hold fast this principle that our praiers are not frustrate or in vaine For our comfort herein we haue an example in the father which brought his sonne first to the Apostles and
in their handes that wee come not into further danger that thou wilt delmer vs out of for thine owne sake His angels are ministers for them that are heirs of saluation Heb. 1. Sathan sleepeth not but seeketh al waies to destroy vs. 1. pet 5. Occasions to meditate Thinke some thing howe wee are straungers from our countrie from our home from our originall I meane from God againe thinke vpon our madnesse that doe linger and loyter so gladly in this our iourney and pilgrimage also how foolish wee are to fantasie thinges which we cannot carrie with vs and to condemne conscience which will alwaies be a companien to vs to our ioy if it bee good but to our shame and sorrowe if it be euill and corrupt Finally howe vnnatuturall we are which so litle desire to be at our home to be with our only father master fellowes and friends When you are about to receiue your meat praie thus THis is a wonderfull mystery of thy worke O maker and gouernour of the world that thou doest sustaine the liues of men and beastes with these meates Surely this power is neither in the bread nor foode but in thy will and worde by which worde all things do liue haue their being Againe howe great a thing is it that thou art able continually to giue sustenance to so many creatures This is spoken of by the Prophet in setting forth thy praises All thinges looke vp to thee and thou giuest them meate in due season thou openest thy hand and fillest with thy blessing euerie liuing thing These doubtlesse are wonderfull workes of thine almightinesse I therefore heartily pray thee O most liberal Lord and faithful father that as thou by meate through thy word dost minister life to these our bodies euen so by the same word with thy grace thou wouldest quicken our soules that both in soule and bodie we may please thee til this our mortall carcasse shal put on immortality and we shall neede no more any further foode but thee onely which then will be all in all Taste and see howe good the Lorde is Psal 14. Blesse the Lorde O my soule which feedeth filleth my mouth with good things Psal 103. Occasions to meditate Think a little how great Gods power is that made vs. Also thinke howe greate his wisedome is to preserue vs. But most of all thinke howe manie things are giuen to our vse how wonâ—derfull it is to giue vs life but most of all to propagate and aduance to immortalitie the life of the soule by his onely beeke Last of all thinke that God by his prouidence for thy body would haue thee to confirme thy faith of his prouidence likewise for thy soule In the meane time pray O Most liberall distributer of thy gifts which giuest vs all kinde of good thinges to vse and being pure giuest pure thinges being holy giuest holy thinges graunt to vs grace that wee misuse not these thy gratious giftes giuen to our vse and profite Let vs not delight in the thinges but let vs delight in thee from whome they come as necessary for vs for a season till we come vnto thee Graunt vs to be conuersant amongest the giftes soberly purelie temperately and holily because thâ—â— art so Then shall we not turne that to the poyson of our soules which thou hast giuen for the medicine of our bodies but vsing thy benefites thankefully we shall finde them profitable both in soule and bodie Occasions to meditate Thinke that the meates and drinks set before you are giuen to you to vse not to abuse Thinke that they are giuen to profite and not to hurte you Thinke that they are not giuen to you alone but vnto others also by you In eating and drinking thinke that you doe but feede the wormes Remember the poore prisoners the sicke the afflicted c. as though you were in their case Thinke vpon the food of your soule Christs bodie broken and bloudshed desire the meat that lasteth for euer labour for it Christes meate was to do his fathers will After your meate praie BY corporall meates thou doest sustaine our corporall daily life readie otherwise to perish The which surely is a great worke but yet this is much greater more profitable aud more holie that thy grace O Iesu Christ dooth preserue vs from the death of the soule For this life wee ought much to thanke thee and because thou dorst prolonge it with thy good giftes we most heartilie praise thee How be it this life is but the way to eternall life which wee beseech thee for thy deathes sake that thou wilt giue vs and so shall we not onely giue thee as wee may thankes for a time for temporall things but also eternall thanks for eternall things O grant to vs these our desires for thy mercies sake Amen Occasions to meditate Thinke nowe that God hath giuen thee this his blessing of foode and sustenance and thereto time that thou mightest as repent so seeke his glory and the commoditie of thy brethren therefore goe there abouts but first pray for grace well to beginne Againe consider how thou hast beene partaker of other mens labours as of the Husbandmans the Milners the Bakers the Bruers the Butchers the Cookes c. See therefore that thou bee not as a drone Bee but rather such a one as may helpe the hiue If God haue thus fed thy body which he loueth not but for thy soules sake howe can it bee then but that hee will bee much more ready to feed the soule Therfore take a courage to thee and goe to him for grace accordingly Cogitations for about the midday As thy bodie is nowe compassed on euery side with light so see that thy mind may be also As God giueth thee thus plentifullie this corporall lighte so pray him that hee will giue thee the spirituall life Thinke that as the Sunne is nowe most cleare so shal our bodies be in the day of Iudgement As now the Sunne is come to the highest and therefore will beginne to drawe downeward so is there nothing in the worlde so perfect and glorious which when it is at the full will not decrease and so weare away When you come home againe pray THere is nothing O Lord more like to thy holy nature than a quiet minde Thou hast called vs out of the troublesome disquietnesse of the world into that thy quiet rest and peace which the world can not giue being such a peace as passeth all mens vnderstanding Houses are ordained for vs that thereby we might be defended from the iniury of the weather from crueltie of beasts froÌ„ disquietnesse of people and rest from tâ—yles of the worlde O gracious father grant that through thy great mercie my body may enter into this house from outward actions but so that it may become â—uxome and obedient to the soule and make no resistaunce against the same that in soule and body I may haue a godlie quietnesse and peace
and that wee may vnfainedly purpose and effectually labour to amend our liues this day so long as wee haue to liue in all our doings and wordes and euen in our verie thoughtes to the prayse of thy holy name and good example of our doings and words and euen in our brethren And for as much as thou knowest our weakenesse our ignorance and great vntowardnesse to carrie anie great crosse or affliction wee beseech thee our sweete Father so temper and order all things towards vs this day and for euer that we bee neuer further proued tempted than thou wilt make vs able to beare and so to helpe vs in the same as may be most 〈◊〉 thy glorie our saluation through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An Euening prayer O Lord God Father euerlasting and full of pitie wee acknowledge and confesse that wee bee not worthy to lift vp our eies to heauen much lesse to present our selues before thy diuine maiestie with confidence that thou wilt heare out praiers and graunt our requests if wee consider our owne wretched deseruings For our consciences doe accuse vs our sinnes witnes against vs wee know that thou art an Vpright Iudge which doest not â—ustifie the sinners and wicked men but punishest the faultes of such as transgresse thy commandements Yeâ— most mercifull Father since it hath pleased thee to commaunde vs to caâ—â— vpon thee in all our troubles and aduersities promising euen then tâ— helpe vs when we feele our selueâ— as it were swallowed vp of death 〈◊〉 desperation we vtterly renounce alâ— wordly confidence and trust flie to thy soueraigne goodnes as our only stay and refuge beseeching thee not to cal to remembrance our manifold sinnes and wickednesse whereby we continually prouoke thy wrath and indignation against vs neither our negligeÌ„ce nor our vnkindnes which haue either worthelie esteemed nor in our liues sufficieÌ„tly expressed the sweet comfort of thy holy Gospel reuealed vnto vs but rather to accept the obedience and death of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lord who by offering vp his bodie in sacrifice once for all hath made a sufficient recompence for all our sinnes Haue mercie therefore vpon vs O Lorde and forgiue vs our offences Teach vs by thy holy spirit that we may rightly weigh them earnestly repent vs for the same and so much the rather O Lord our God because that the reprobate such as thou hast forsakeÌ„ caÌ„not prayse thee nor cal vpoÌ„ thy name but the repenting heart the sorrowfnl minde the conscieÌ„ce oppressed hungring thirsting for thy grace shall euermore set forth thy praise and glorie And albeit we be but wormes and dust yet thou art our creator and we be the worke of thy handes yea thou art our father we thy childreÌ„ thou art our shepheard and we thy flocke thou art our redeemer and wee thy people whome thou hast deerelie bought thou art our God and wee are thine inheritance Correct vs not therefore in thine anger O Lord our God neither according to our desertes doe thou punish vs but mercifully chastice vs with a fatherly affection that all the worlde may knowe that at what time so euer a sinner dooth repente him of his sinne from the bottom of his hart thou wilt put away all his wickednesse out of thy remembraÌ„ce as thou hast promised by thy holie Prophet Finally forasmuch as it hath pleased thee to make the night for man to rest in as thou hast ordayned him the day to trauell graunte O deare father that we may so take our bodily rest that our soules may continuallie watch for the time that our Lord Iesus Christ shall appeare for our full deliuerance out of thâ—â— mortalll life and in the meane seasoÌ„ that wee be not ouercome by anie fantasies dreames or other temptations but may fully set our mindes vpon thee loue thee feare thee and rest in thee in such sort that our very sleepe also may be to the glorie of thy holie name Furthermore that our sleepe bee not excessiue or ouermuch after the insatiable desire of the flesh but only sufficient to contente our weake nature that wee may the better be disposed to liue in all godlie conuersation to the glorie of thy holy name profit of our brethren through Iesus Christ our Lord in whose name we make our humble petitions vnto thee as he hath taught vs. Our Father which art c. Almightie and euerliuing God vouchsafe we beseech thee to graunt vs perfect continuance in thy liuelie faith augmenting and increasing y e same in vs dailie vntil we growe to the full measure of our perfection in Christ whereof wee make our confessior saying I beleeue in God the father c. The Lorde blesse vs and saue vs the Lord make his face to shine vpon vs and bee mercifull vnto vs the Lordâ— â—urne his fauorable countenaunce towards vs and graunt vs his peace The grace of the Lord Iesus Christ the loue of God and the communion of the holy Ghost bee with vs and remayne with vs for euer So bee it 2. Cor. 9. 13. An other Euening prayer MOst mercifull God and tender father which besides thine inestimable mercies declared giuen vnto vs in the making of the world for our sakes in the redeeming of vs by the death of thy deare Sonne Iesus Christ in the calling of vs to the knowledge of thy blessed worde in keeping of vs hitherto in thy holie Church and in thy most gratious gouerning of vs and all thinges hitherto for our singular wealth commoditie hast also most fatherlie cared for vs and kept vs this daye from all daungers both of soule and bodie giuing vs health foode apparell and al other things necessary for the comfort and succour of this poore and miserable life which manie other doe want for these and all other thy good giftes and gracious benefites which thou of thine own goodnesse onely and fatherly prouidence hast hitherto powred vpon vs and doest presently powre vpon vs and many other we most humbly thanke thee and praise thy holy name beseeching thee that as all things are now hidden by meanes of the darkenesse which thou hast sent ouer the earth so thou wouldest vouchsafe to hide and burie all our sinnes which this daie or at anie time heeretofore wee haue committed against thy holie commandements and as nowe wee purpose to laye our bodies to rest so graunt the gard of thy good Angels to keepe the same this night for euermore and whensoeuer our last sleepe of death shall come grant that it may be in thee good father so that our bodies may rest both temporally and eternally to thy glorie and our ioy through Iesus Christ our lorde So be it Another Euening prayer O Eternall God and most mercifull-father who this day and al the time of our life hast graciouslie defended nourished and preserued our soules and bodies
benefites what is the store prepared for thy seruaunts Oh Lord If thy children find such comforts in the day of tears mourning what shall they find in the day of the mariage If with beastes men being haue y t vse of innumerable blessings Oh how many are the blessings which they shall enioye with thy Angels and with thy selfe O deare God when they shall see thee haue the fruition of thee in whom is fulnes without lothing of al good faire thinges so that nothing can be more desired that for euermore This thy children doe not see as they now beleeue it I say that euen in their bodies they shall see it for euer as Iob saide They beleeue that they shall see thee their owne eies be holde thee when these our corporall eies our bodies being raysed shal do their duties Such a knowledge of thee they beleeue to haue as shall not be onely intellectuall and by faith as now it is but euen a full sight and fruition yea a coniunction and felowship with thee Now they see but as in a glasse euen in a darke speaking but then they shall see thee face to face For faith though it bee the substaunee of things hoped for a certayne darke sight of thee yet it may not be compared to the rewarde of faith and glorious sight whâ—ch we shal see in the life to come wheÌ„ faith and hope shall cease Nowe thy children knowe that they be thy sonnes though it yet appeare not what they shall bee Wee know say they that when our christ God and man shal appeare then shal we bee like vnto him for we shall see him euen as he is Oh great prerogatiue to see Christ as he is which is not to be considered so much for y e manhead as for the Godhead it selfe as Paule doth also write that when all thinges are subiect vnto the Sonne then shal he be subiect vnto thee deare Father also that God may be all in all And therfore Christ our sauior praied for vs that we might knowe thee the onelie true God Not that our Christ thy Sonne is not with thee the true coequall and substantiall God but that we might knowe how that after the Iudgemente such a mysterie of his mediatorship shall not bee in heauen as is now in earth Then thou blessed Trinitie God the Father God the Sonne and God the holie Ghost shalt be al in al thou shalt bee the end of our desires thou shalt bee looked vpon without ende thou shalt be loued without lothing thou shalt be praysed without wearinesse Although loath somnesse bee wont to followe fulnesse yet out fulnesse in the contemplation of thy pleasures shal bring with it no kinde at all of loathsomnesse Satietie of ioyes shal be in the beholding of thee pleasures are on thy right hande foreuer We shall be satisfied when wee arise after thine Image I meane in the resurrection O deare Father shewe thy selfe vnto vs and wee aske no more Oh graunt vs with thy Saints in euerlasting life to praise with perpetuall praises thy holy name Happie then and happie againe were wee if that daie were come that wee might sing with the Angels Elders and innumerable thousands a newe song and say Thou Christ Iesu which wast slain art worthy to receiue power riches and wisedom strength and honour and glorie and blessing In this blessed life all kinde of maladies griefes sorrowes euils be farre away and all ful of al kinde of mirth ioy and pleasure Oh that wee might see now a little with saint Iohn that holy Citie new Ierusalem descending from heauen prepared of God as a bride trimmed for her husband Oh that we might nowe something heare the great voye speaking out of the throne Behold the tabernacle of God is with men and hee will dwell with them and they shall be his people and hee shall bee vnto them their GOD hee will wipe away all â—eares from their eies and death shall bee no more nor weeping nor crying nor sorrowe for the former things are gone I. B. Another meditation of the blessed state and felicitie of the life to come THis body is but a prison wherein the soule is kept and that verilie not beautifull nor bright but most foule and darke disquiet fraile and filled vp with much vermine and venemous vipers I meane it concerning our affections standing in an aire most vnwholsome prospect most loathsome if a man consider the excrementes of it by the eyes nose mouth eares hands feete and all the other partes So that no Bocardo no Little ease no Dungeon no Bishops prison no Gatehose no sinke no pit may be compared in any point to bee so euill a prison for the soule as the bodies for and of the soule wherethrough the children of God haue bin occasioned to crie lament their long being in it Oh saith Dauid How long shall I lie in this prison Oh wretch that I am saith Paule who shall deliuer mee out of this bodie of sinne Which is in heauie burden to the soule as the wise man saith And the godly cry Now let thy seruant depart in peace Oh that I were dissolued had put off this earthly fraile Tabernacle Take me vnto thee and bring my soule out of this prison that it may giue thankes vnto thee O Lord for so long as wee bee in this bodie wee cannot see the Lord yea it is as an heauie habitation and depresseth down sore the spirit from the familiaritie which it self should haue with God This word and life is an exile a vale of misery a wildernesse of it selfe being voide of all vertues and necessarie for eternall life full of enemies sorrowes sighing sobbinges gronings raiseries c. In daunger to hunger colde heate thirst sores sickenesse tentations trouble death and innumerable calamities beeing momentanie short vnstable and nothing but vaine and therefore is compared to a warfare a womans trauaile a shadowe a smoake a vapor a worde a storme a tempest in the which Gods people feele great molestations griefes and troubles nowe of sathan himselfe now of the world now of their own flesh that so wonderfully diuersly dangerously contrarily that they are inforced to cry O Lord when shal we come and appear before thee when shal this misery end when shal we be deliuered out of this vale of miserie out of this wildernesse out of these continuall afflictions and most perilous seas But where thou art Lorde and deare Father of mercy there is not onely no prison no dolours no sorrowe no sighings no teares no sicknesse no hunger no heate no colde no paine no tentations no displeasure no malice no pride no vncleannesse no contention no torments no horrour no sinne no filth no stinch no dearth no death no weeping no teares no misery no mischiefe there is I say not only no such thing or anie euill noysome or displeasant thing
the same doth come to mee by thy most iust ordinance yea by thy mercifull ordinance for as thou art iust so art thou mercifull yea thy mercie is aboue all thy workes And by this knowledge graunte me that I may humble my selfe to obey thee looke for thy helpe in time conuenient not onely when I haue meanes by which thou maiest work and are so accustomed to do but also when I haue no meanes but am destitute thereof yea when al meanes be directlye and cleane against mee grant I say that I may yet stil hang vpon thee and thy prouidence not doubting of a fatherly ende in thy good time Againe least I should contemne thy prouidence or presume vpon it by vncoupling those thinges which thou hast coupled together preserue mee from neglecting thy ordinary lawfull meanes in all my needes if so be I may haue them with good conscieÌ„ce vse them although I know thy prouidence bee not tied to them further than pleaseth thee graunt that I may with diligence reuerence and thankefulnes vse them thereto my diligence wisedome and industrie in all thinges lawfull to serue thereby thy prouidence if it so please thee howbeit so that I hang in no parte on the meanes or on my diligence wisedome and industrie but onely on thy prouidence which more and more perswade mee to bee altogether fatherlie and good how farre soeuer otherwise it appeare seeme yea or else is felt of me By this I being preserued from negligence on my behalfe and despaire or murmuring towardes thee shall become diligent and patient through thy meere and alone grace which giue and increase in me to the praise of thy holy name for euer through Iesus Christ our Lorde and onelie Sauiour Amen I. B. A meditation of Gods power beauty goodnesse c. BEcause thou lord wouldest haue vs to loue thee not onelie doest thou wil entice allure and prouoke vs but also doest commaund vs so to doe promising thy selfe vnto such as loue thee threatning vs with dam nation if we do otherwise Whereby we may see both our great corruptioÌ„ and naughtinesse and also thine exceeding great mercie towards vs. First concerning our corruption and naughtinesse what a thing is it that power riches authority beautie goodnes liberalitie trueth iustice all which thou art good Lorde can not mooue vs to loue thee Whatsoeuer things wee see faire good wise mightie are but euen sparkles of that power beautie goodnesse wisedome which thou art For to the ende thou mightest declare thy riches beautie power wisedome goodnesse c. thou hast not onely made but still doest conserue all creatures to be as Dauid saith of the heauens declarers setters foorth of thy glorie and as a booke to teach vs to knowe thee How faire thou art the beauty of the Sunne Moone Starres lights flowers riuers fieldes hilles birdes beastes men and all creatures yea the goodlie shape and forme of the whole world doth declare Howe mightie thou art wee are taught by the creation of this world euen of nought by gouerning the same by punishing the wicked mightie Giants therof by ouer throwing their deuises by repressing the rages of the sea within her boundes by stormes tempestes fires These and such like declare vnto vs thine inuisible almighty terrible power wherby thou snbduest al things vnto thee Howe rich thou art this worlde thy great and infinite treasurehouse doth well declare What plentie is there not onelie of thinges but also of euery kinde of thing Yea howe dost thou yearely and daily multiply these kinds How many seeds dost thou make of one seede Yea what great increase dost thou bring it vnto These cannot but put vs in remembrance of the exceeding riches that thou hast For if to thine enemies which loue the not as the most part in this world be if to them thou giuest so plentifully thy riches heere what shall we thinke that with thy selfe thou hast laid vp for thy friends Howe good thou art all creatures generally and particularly do teach What creature is there in the world which thou haste not made for our commoditie I wil not say how that thou mightest haue made vs creatures without sense or reason if thou haddest woulde But among all thinges none doth so teach vs thy great loue towardes vs as doth the death of thy most dearelie beloued sonne who suffered the pains terrors thereof yea and of Hell it selfe for our sakes If this thy loue had been but a small loue it would neuer haue lasted so long nor Christ should neuer haue died I. B. A Meditation concerning the sober vsage of the bodie that it may be subiect and obedient to the soule THis our body which God hath made to bee the tabernacle and mansion of our soule for this life if we consider it accordingly we could not but vse it otherwise than we do that is we would vse it for the souls sake being the guest thereof and not for the bodie it selfe and so should it be serued in things to helpe but not to hinder the soule A seruant it is therefore it ought to obey serue the soule that the soule might serue God not as the body will neither as the soule it selfe will but as God will whose wil we should learne to know and behaue our selues therafter The which thing to obserue is harde for vs nowe by reason of sinne which hath gotten a mansion house in our bodie dwelleth in vs as doth the soule To the which sinne I meane wee are altogether of our selues inclined because we naturally are sinners and borne in sinne by reason whereof wee are redie as seruantes to sinne and to vse our bodies accordingly making the soule to sit at reward and pampering vp the seruant to our shame Oh therefore good Lorde that it would please thee to open this geare vnto mee and to giue mee eies to consider effectually thâ—s my body what it is namely a seruant lent for thee soule to soiourne in and serue the in this life yea it is by reason of sin that hath is dwelling ther become nowe hto the soule nothing else but a prison and that most strait vile stinking filthy and therefore in danger of miseries to many in al ages times and places till death haue turned it to dust whereof it came and whither it shall returne that the soule may returne to thee from whence it came vntill thâ— day of iudgement come 〈◊〉 the which thou wilt raise vp that bodie that then it may be partaker with the soule and the soule with it inseparably of weale or woe according to that is done in and by the same bodie here now in earth Oh that I coulde consider often and heartily these things then should I not pamper vp this body to obey it but bridle it that it might obey the soule then should I flie the paine it putt â—t my soule vnto by reason of sinne and prouocation
that Father to whome we are made Children of adoption through thee Oh our head raigning on high in glorie forget not vs thy poore members heere on earth whereunto abasing thy selfe thou camest downe and sufferedst for vs most cruell death Out of this thy throne of Maiesty glore thou puttest vs in assured hope and confidence that wee also shall attayne to that blessed place whither thou art gone before to take possession for vs. Oh our stroÌ„g tower of defence and succour what can hurt vs nowe trusting in thee Most vnhappie are they which are ignorant of thee Most happy are they which alwaies behold thee Blessed are they which haue knowne thee heere in the dayes of their mortalitie But more blessed are they which see thee in the heauens and shall see thee reigning with thy father in ioyes incomparable Oh Lorde the onelie ioye and comfort of our souls shew vs thy louing countenance embrace vs with the armes of thy mercie receiue vs O good Ioseph thy younger brethreÌ„ with the kisse of comfort powre into our hearts thy holy spirite pluck vs vp from the earth earthly things open our eies and lift them vp vnto thee open thy mouth call vs vnto thee open our eares that wee may heare thee so that whatsoeuer we do speake or thinke it may bee directed vnto thee alone our redeemer mediator and aduocate If ye be risen againe with Christ seeke the thinges which are aboue where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God set your affection on thinges that are aboue and not on thinges which are on earth Col. 3. Another THou Lord diddest put away Marie Magdalen from the kissing of thy feete because thy flesh was not yet exalted and she knew not yet the dignitie of thy clarified bodie and beautified with the glorie of immortalitie but was addicted only to thy bodily presence She yet sought the liuing among the dead neither was it knowne to her that thou was equall with thy father Wherfore thou wouldest not suffer her so much as to kisse thy feet because it was a thing vnworthy for thy maiesty Oh thou mighty Lion of the tribe of Iuda thou conquerour of hel and death euerliuing and immortall thou art nowe risen from death for vs thou art now ascended to thy father and our father and sittest at his right hand in glorie suffer vs to come neere vnto thee that wee may kisse thee yea Lorde thou louer of our soules come thou rather vnto vs and kisse vs with the kisse of thy mouth that wee may bee glad and reioyce in thee drawe vs that wee may runne after the sauour of thy sweete oyntments that wee may behold thee in righteousnesse and when thy glorie shall appeare wee may bee satisfied for in thy presence there is fulnesse of ioy and in thy right hande there are pleasures for euermore A prayer for true repentance MOst gratious God and mercifull father of our Sauiour Iesus Christ because I haue sinned done wickedlie through thy goodnesse haue receiued a desire of repentaunce whereunto this thy longâ— suffering doth drawe my hard heartâ— I beseech thee for thy great mercies sake in Christ to worke the same repentaunce in mee and by the spirite power and grace so to humble mortifie and feare my conscience for my sinnes to saluation that in thy good time thou maiest comfort and quickeÌ„ me again through Iesus Christ thy dearely beloued sonne So be it I. B. A prayer for the strength and increase of faith O Merciful God and deare father of our Lorde Sauiour Iesus Christ in whome as thou art well pleased so hast thou commaunded vs to heare him for as much as hee often biddeth vs to aske of thee and also promiseth that thou wilt heare vs and graunt vs that which in his name we shall aske of thee loe gracious father wee are bold to beg of thy mercie through thy sonne Iesus Christ one sparkle of true faith and certaine perswasion of thy goodnesse loue towardes vs in Christ where through I being assured of y e pardon of all my sins by the mercies of Christ thy sonne may be thankful to thee loue thee a serue thee in holinesse and righteousnes al the daies of my life I. B. A prayer for the true sense and feeling of Gods fauour and mercie in Christ OH Lorde God and deare Father what shall I say that feele all thinges to bee in manner with mee as in the wicked blind is my mind crooked is my will and peruerse concupiscence is in mee as aspring or stinking puddle O howe fainte is faith in mee How little is my loue to thee or to thy people How greate is selfe loue Howe harde is my heart By the reason whereof I am mooued to doubt of thy goodnesse towardes mee whether thou art my mercifull father and whether I bee thy childe or 〈◊〉 In deede worthily might I doubt of that the hauing of these were the cause and not the 〈◊〉 rather of thy children The 〈◊〉 why thou art my father is thy mercie goodnesse grace and trueth in Christ Iesus which cannot but remaine for euer In respect whereof thou haste borne me this good will to bring me into thy Church by baptisme and to accept me into the number of thy children that I might bee holy faithfull obedient and innocent and to cal me diuers times vp the ministerie of thy worde into thy kingdome besides thy innumerable other benefites alwayes hitherto powred vpon mee All which thou hast done of this thy good will which thou of thine owne mercie barest to mee in Christe and for Christe before the world was made The which thing as thou requirest straitely that I should beleeue without doubting so wouldest thou that in all my needes I should come vnto thee as vnto a Father and make my moâ—e without mistrust of being heard in thy good time as most shall make to my comfort Loe therefore to thee deare Father I come through thy sonne our Lorde mediator and aduocate Iesus Christ who sitteth on thy right hand making intercession for mee and pray thee of thy great goodnesse and mercy in Christ to bee mercifull vnto mee that I may feele in deede thy sweete mercie as thy childe The time Oh deare Father I appoint not but I praie thee that I may with hope fâ—ll expect and looke for thy helpe I hope that as thou for a little while hast left mee so thou wilt come and visit mee and that in thy great mercie wherof I haue neede by reason of my great miserie Thou art wont for a little season in thine anger to hide thy face from them whom thou louest but surelie O Redeemer in eternal mercies thou wilt shew thy compassions For when tho â—eauest vs O Lord thou doest not leaue vs verie long neyther doest thou leaue vs to our own losse but to our lucre aduantage men that thy holy spirite with bigger portion of thy power and
vertue may lighten and cheere vs that the want of feeling of our sorrow maye to recompensed plentifully with the liue y â— senâ—e of hauing thee to our eternal ioy therefore thou swarest that in thine euerlasting mercy thou wilt haue compassion on vs. Of which thing to the ende we might bee most assured thine oth is to bee marked for thâ—n sayâ—stâ— As I haue sworne that I will neuer bring anie more the waters to drowne the world So haue I sworne that I wil neuer more bee angrie with thee nor 〈◊〉 thee The mouâ—t◠〈◊〉 shall 〈◊〉 the hilles shall fall downâ— but my louing kindnesse shall not mooue and the bond of my peace shall not faile thee Thus saiest thou the Lord our mercifull redeemer Deare Father therfore I praie thee remember euen for thine owne trueth and mercie sake this promise and euerlasting couenaunt which in thy good time I may thee to write in my hart that I may know thee to bee the onely true God and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent that I may loue thee with all my heart for euer that I may loue thy people for thy sake that I may bee holie in thy sight through Christ that I may alwaies not onely striue against sin but also ouercome the same dayly more and more as thy children do aboue al things desâ—ring the sanctification of thy name the comming of thy kingdome the doing of thy will heere on earth as it is in heauen c. throguh Iesus Christ our redeemer mediator and aduocate Amen I. B. A praier against our spirituall enemies the diuell the world and the flesh O Lorde God the diuell goeth about like a roring Lyon seeking whome hee may deuoure the flesh lusteth against the spirite the worlde perswadeth vnto vanities y â— we may forget thee our Lord God so for euer ve damned Thus are we miserably on euery 〈◊〉 befet and â—eâ—â—eged of cruell a vnrestful enemies and like euerie momente to perish if we be not defended with thy godly power against their tyrannie Wee therefore poore and wretched sinners despayring of our owne strength which indeede is none most heartily praie thee to indue vs with strength from aboue that wee may bee able through thy helpe with strong faith to resist Sathan with feruent praier to mortifie the lustes of the fleshe with continual meditation of thy holie lawe to auoide the foolish vanities and transitorie pleasures of this wicked worlde y â— through thy grace wee beeing set at libertie from the power of these our mortall enemies may serue thee heere in true holinesse and righteousnes and after be partakers of the euerlasting ioyes prepared for thy children which as they are great and vnspeakeable so are there fewe that doe inioy them For straite is the way and narrowe is the gate that leadeth therunto and few there be that find it Notwithstanding O God thou hast a litle flock to whom it is thy pleasure to giue that ioyfull kingdome whose names are written in the booke of life Make vs therefore of that nuÌ„ber for Iesus christes sake place vs amongest those thy sheepe which shal stand on thy right hande to receiue that blessed inheritaunce and dwel with thee for euermore A prayer for present helpe in tentation DEare father to whom it is more easie to doe all thinges then for mee to thinke anie one goodthing Loe doe thou but speake a worde and thy deadlie sicke seruaunte my sonle shall be made whole Helpe O Lorde for the great mercy sake for thy trueth sake and for thy deare sonne Iesus Christs sake set thy sterngth suffice against my weakenesse and the holy-spirit against my sinfull flesh and olde man Thou art faithfull O Father who hast promised that I shall not bee tempted further than thou wilt make me able to beare Giue nowe therefore thy grace and strength vnto thy seruaunt that I may with a strong faith in thy in fallible trueth promised mercie vanquish and subdu whatsoeuer rebelleth against thy most blessed will Preserue and keepe holie my soule and bodie and let them not bee defiled and made a dangeon of diuels wicked spirits through delectation in sinne Behold deare Father the postes thereof are sprinkled with y e precious bloud of thy deare son and of thy great mercy that are made the temple and tabernacle of thy holy spirit Shall nowe alas the Diuell the worlde or the flesh plucke from thee that thing which presently cryeth to thee with assured trâ—st in thy promised helpe Nay father but graunt that I may by thy mightie power turne al their crafts decrits and raging assaultes vnto the increase of my faith and that by experience of thy fatherlie assistance in this my present temptation I may with assured hope and trust in thy readie helpe and comfort ouercame my saide enimies heereafter in like assaults prayse thy holy name for the victory through Iesus Christ our Lord. My sonne if thou wilt come into these rule of the Lorde stande fast in righteousnes feare and prepare thy soule to tentation Eccles 2. Remedies against sinfull motions and tentations First remember that sinne is so hainous a thing that God by his iustice might worthilie damne thee for the same and is therefore to bee abhorred as a sweete poyson a flattering death destruction of the soule which woulde cut thee off from God thy Sauiour and make thee a bondslaue to Sathan thy deadlie enemie Auoide therefore euen at the first the occasions thereof betimes quash out the braines of the childreÌ„ of Babylon against the hard stones whiles yet they bee young and weake least when they be growne elder stronger they dash thee to peeces And for remedie against the same flee vnto God who commandeth thee to call vpon him in thy troubles and promiseth to deliuer thee and wil not suffer thee to be further tempted than hee will make away out whereby thou shalt escape and doubt not but he that causeth thee to hate the sinne which thy nature is to loue will deliuer thee also from the daunger thereof and make thee to triumphouer Sathan to his confusion to Gods glorie and thy great comfort which are causes that our tender louing father sendeth tentations vnto vs he that is not tempted what is he Nowe after thou hast obtained the victory remember two thinges first to giue most heartie thankes to God for his grace and assistance whereby thou hast ouercome and bee not vnthankefull in anie wise and then that hee who continually goeth about like a roring Lion seeking whome he maie deuoure wil not be long or farre away from thee but will attempt againe the same or as euill waies to ouercome thee Watch therefore and praye A prayer for the auoiding of Gods heauie wrath and vengeance for our sins OH Lord God strong and mighty great and feareful which dwellest in the heauens and workest great wonders we thy miserable children heere vpon
members of the mysticall bodie of Christ Iesus wee made out requestes vnto thee O heauenly father for all such as are afflicted with any kinde of crosse or tribulation as war plague â—â—mine sicknesse pouertie imprisonment persecution banishment or my other kinde of thy rooddes whether it be griefe of bodie or vnquietâ—es of minde that it would please thee to giue them patience and constancie till thou sende thein full deliuerance out of all their troubles Finally O Lord we most humbly beseech thee to shewe thy great mercie vpon our brethren which are persecuted cast in prison and dayly condemned to death for the testimonie of thy trueth and though they be vtterly destitute of all mans aide yet let thy sweet comfort neuer departe froÌ„ theÌ„ but so inflame their harts with thy holy spirit that they may boldly cheerefully abide such trial as thy godly wisedome shall appoint so that at length aswel by their death as by their life the kingdome of thy sonne Iesus Christ may increace shine throughall the worlde In whose name wee make our humble petitions vnto thee as he hath taught vs saying Our father which art c. A praier to be said before the receiuing of the communion O Father of mercie and God of al consolation seeing all creatures do acknowledge and confesse thee to be their gouernor Lord it becommeth vs the workmanship of thine own hands at al times to reuerence magnifie thy godly maiestie First for that thou hast created vs to thine owne image and stmilitude but chiefly because thou hast deliuered vs froÌ„ that euerlasting death damnation into which Sathan drew mankind by the meanes of sinne from the bondage whereof neither man nor Angell was able to make vs free but thou O Lord rich in mercy and inâ—â—nite in goodnesse hast prouided our redemption to stand in thine onely wel beloued sonne whom of verie â—oue thou diddest qiue to bee made man like vnto vs in all things sinne excepted that in his bodie hee might receiue the punishment of our transgression by his death to make satisfaction to thy iustice and by his resurrection to destroy him that was the author of death and so to bring a gaine life to the worlde from which the whole ofspring of Adam was most iustly exiled O Lorde wee accknowledge that no creature was able to comprehende the length and breadth the deepenesse and height of that thy most excellent loue which mooued thee to shewe mercie where none was deserued to promise and giue life where death had gotten victorie to receiue vs into thy grace when wee could doe nothing but rebell against thy Maiestie The blinde dulnesse of our corrupt nature will not suffer vs suffâ—â—antly to weigh these thy most ampâ—â— benefites Yet neuerthelesse at the commaundement of Iesus Christe our Lorde wee present our selues to this thy table which hee hath left to bee vsed in remembrance of his death vntill his comming againe to declare and witnesse before the worlde that by him alone wee haue receiued libertie and life that by him alone thou doest acknowledge vs to be thy children and heires that by him alone wee haue entrance to the throne of thy grace that by him alone wee are possessed in our spirituall kingdome to eate and drinke at his Table and with whome wee haue our conuersation presently in heauen and by whome our bodies shall be raised by againe from the dust shall be placed with him in that eâ—dlesse ioye which thou O Father of mercie hast prepared for thine elect before the foundation of the worlde was laide And these most inestimable benefites wee acknowledge and confesse to haue receiued of thy free mercy and grace by thine onely beloued son Iesus Christ For the which therefore we thy congregation moued by the holy spirite doe render to thee all thanks praise and glory for euer and euer A thankesgiuing after the receiuing of the holy Communion MOst mercifull father wee render vnto thee al praise thankes honour glory for that it hath pleased the of thy great mercies to grant vnto vs miserable sinners so excelleÌ„t a gift and treasure as to receiue vs into the fellowship and companie of thy deare son Iesus Christ our lord whom thou hast deliuered to death for vs hast giuen him vnto vs as a necessary foode and norishment vnto euerlasting life And now wee beâ—â—ech thee also O heauenly father to grant vs this request that thou neuer suffer vs to become so vnkind as to forget so worthie benefits but father imprint and fasten them sure in our hearts that wee may grow increase daily more and more in true faith which continually is exercised in all manner of good works and so much the rather O Lorde confirm vs in these perillous daies â—ages of Sathan that wee may constantly stand and continue in the confession of the same to the aduancement of thy glorie which art God ouet all thinges blessed for euer A lamentation of a sinner afflicted in consciencâ—â—â— his offences IN the midde stâ—â— the desperate assaultes of my soule the intollerable heauinesse of my minde hath hereto fore LORD cried as shrill in thine eare as though I had shriked and with lamentations cried out saying Helpe helpe me my God my creator my most prouident keeper euerlasting defender for beholde I perish On this occasion Lorde when heauinesse of minde did heeret ofore assault mee I remembred that thou haddest many times set before mine eyes the wonderfull greatnesse of thy most tender loue towardes mee by the great multitude of thy benefites powred upon met which benefites euerie of thy workes as they came before mine eies gaue mee iust occasion to be mindfull of Would not thought I if I had in any manner any â—â—â—race at al would not such loue brinâ—â— nowe into my heart a wonderâ—â—â—â—electation ioy and comforte in God for the sameâ— And againe coulde such delight in Gods sweete mercie and tender loue towards mee if I were not as euil is a cast-awaye that were none of Gods children bee without loathing of my sinne and lust and desire to doe Gods holy will And these thinges thought I fie vpon mee vnthankefull wretch are either not at all in mee or else in deed so coldly and stenderly that they being truely weighed and compared to right cousnesse are more vile than a filthy cloth starched in corrupt bloud O thought I Iain afraid I haue deceiued my selfe for thy seruantes at all times I trowe fâ—â—â— otherwise than I now doe the fruitâ— of thy spirit as loue ioy peace such like But my loue alas towardes thee what is it my ioy is not once almost felt of mee for my very soule within mee as Dauid in his heauinesse said refuseth comfort and fareth as though it did vtterly despaire what peace
Teach mee to doe the thing that pleaseth thee for thou art my God let thy good spirit leade me vnto the land of righteousnesse A prayer for deliuerance from sinne to be restored to Gods grace fauour againe OH Almightie and euerlasting Lorde GOG which hast male heauen and earth and all thinges therein contained O incomprehensible vnitie Oh alwaies to bee worshipped most blessed trinitie I humblie beseech thee and pray thee by the assumption and crucified humanitie of our Lorde Iesus Christ that thou wouldest incline and howe downe the great depth of thy Deitie to the bottomlesse pit of my vilitie Driue me from al kind of vice wickednes sin Create in mee a cleane heart and renue in me a right spirit for thy holy names sake Oh Lorde Iesu I beseeche thy goodnesse for the exceeding great loue which drew thee out of thy Fathers bosome into the wombe of the holie virgin and for the assumption of mans nature wherin it pleaseth thee to saue mee and to deliuer mee from eternall death that thou wouldest drawe mece out of my selfe into thee my Lord God and graunt that this my loue may recouer againe to me thy grace to increase make perfect in me y t which is wanting to raise vp in me y t which is faln to restore to me that which I haue lost and to quicken in mee that which is dead shoulde liue so that I may become comformable vnto thee in al my life conuersatioÌ„ thou dwelling in me I in thee my heart being coupled with thy grace setled in thy faith for euer Oh my God loose and set at libertie my spirit from al inferior things Gouerne my soule and so work that both in soule and body I may be holie liue to thy glorie world without end Amen I. B. A prayer necessarie to be said at all times O Bountifull lorde Iesu O sweet Sauiour O Christ the sonne of God haue pittie vppon mee mercifully heare mee and despise not my prayers Thou hast created mee of nothing thou hast redEemed mee from the bondage of sinne death hell neither with gold nor siluer but with thy most precious body once offered vpon the crosse and thine owne bloud shed once for al for a ransome Therefore cast me not away whome thou by thy greate wisedome haste made Despise mee not whome thou hast redeemed with such a precious treasure nor let my wickednesse destroye that which thy goodnesse hath buâ—lded Now whiles I liue O Iesu haâ—e mercie on mee for if I die out of thy fauour it wil be too late afterwarde to call for thy mercy Whiles I haue time to repent looke vpon mee with thy mercifull eies as thou diddest vouchsafe to looke vpon Peter thine Apostle that I may bewayle my sinful life obtayne thy fauour to liue and by therein I acknowledge that if thou shouldest deale with me according to thy iustice I haue deserued euerlasting death Therefore I appeale to thy highe throne of mercy trusting to obtayne thy fauour not for my merites but for thy desertes O Iesu who hast giuen thy selfe an acceptable sacrifice to thy father to appease his wrath to bring all finners truly repenting amending their euil life vnto his fauour againe Accept mee O Lorde among the number of them whom thou hast in Christ elected and chosen to saluation Forgiue me my sinnes giue mee grace to leade a godly and innocent life graunt mee thy heauenly wisedome inspire my hearte with faith hope and charitie giue mee grace to be humble in prosperity patient in aduersity obedient to my rulers in al my doinges faithfull dealing truly with al men to liue chastly in wed locke to abhore adultery fornication and al vncleannesse to do good after my power vnto al men to hurt no man that thy name may be glorified in me during this presentlife that I afterward may attain euerlasting life through thy mercie and the merites of thy death and passion Amen A prayer for grace and remission of sinnes O Lorde God mercifull Father I poore wretched sinner come vnto thee in the name of thy dearely beloued sonne Christ Iesus my Sauior beseeching thee for his sake to be merciful vnto me to cast all my sinnes out of thy sight euen through the merites of his bloudie death Powre vpon mee O lorde thy holy spirite of grace and wisedome to gouerne lead my body and soule in thy holy work commandements Shew thy mercy vpon mee so lighten the natural blindnes and darkenes of my heart through thy grace that I may daily be renewed by thy holie spirite Open my heard heart grosse eares to heare and reade thy worde and heauenly voyce and to beleeue and followe it in my conuersation and euer to hold fast that blessed hope of euerlasting life Mortifie and kill all vice in mee that my life may expresse my faith in thee Mercifully heare the humble supplications of thy seruaunt and graunte mee thy peace al my daies Graciously pardon my infirmities and defend mee in al daungers hath outwardlie in my bodie goods and name and inwardlye in my soule against al euil temptations and subtile baites of sathan that roaring Lyon seeking whome hee maye deuoure Graunt O Lorde that I and euery member of thy Church in his vocation and calling may trulie and godlilie serue thee Graft in my hearte the loue of thy name increase in mee true religion replenish mee with all goodnesse and of thy greate mercie keepe me in the same vnto the ende Giue vnto mee the spirite of praier true humilitie perfect patience and continuall ioy in the holy Ghost I commend vnto thy pratection O Father my house all that thou hast giuen me my whole family my wife children and mee that I may wel and holily gouerne nourish and bring them vp in thy feare seruice And forasmuch as in this worlde I must alwayes be at war not with one sort of enimies but with an infinite number not only with flesh bloud but with the diuel which is the prince of darknes grant mee thy grace that being armed with thy defence I may stand in this battaile with an inuincible constancy against all corruption which I am incompassed with on all sides vntil such time as I hauing ended the combat which during this life I must sustaine in y e end I may attaine to thy heauenly rest which is prepared for mee through Christ our Lorde and Sauiour Amen A praier taken out of the first Psalme ALmightie and moste gracious GOD take away from vs all euil counsel and then our sins sufer vs not to runne into an vngodlye and wicked life and finally keepe out mindes farre from the contempt of godlinesse and scorning of vertue 〈◊〉 in the steade of these euils grant 〈◊〉 we may continually bee occupied in thy law and sacred scriptures that we be not carried about like the wicked as like dust and fruitlesse chaffe with
your bed 161 VVhen you feele sleepe to be comming 163 A generall confession of sins vvith other praiers for the morning euening to be vsed in families and publike assemblies 165 Another confession of sins 167 A praier to be said in the morning 169 An other 172 An other 143 An euening praier 176 Another 181 Another 183 A praier for 〈◊〉 of sinnes 185 A praier for the true knovvledge of the mysterie of our redemption in Christ 197 A forme of thankesgiuing for our redemption and a praier for the strength and increase of faith 200 A thankesgiuing to God for his great benefites 202 A praier for true mortification 205 A meditation of the exercise of true mortification 212 A meditation of the coÌ„ming of Christ to iudgement of the revvard both of the faithfull and vnfaithful 215 A meditation of the life euerlasting the place vvhere it is the incoÌ„parable ioyes ther of 222 Another meditation of the blessed 〈◊〉 felicitie of the life to come 231 A meditation of the presence of God 238 A meditation of the prouidence of God 240 A meditation of Gods povver beautie goodnes c. 245 A meditation concerning the sober vsage of the bodie that it may bee subiect obedient to the soule 249 Another meditation concerning the sober vsage of the bodie pleasures in the life 252 A meditation of death and the commodities it bringeth 256 A meditation vpon the passion of our Sauiour Iesus Christ 259 A praier to Christ crucified 267 A praier to Christ ascended and raigning in glorie 268 A praier for true repentance 272 A praier for the streÌ„gth increase of faith 273 A praier for the true sense and feeling of Gods fauour and mercie in Christ 274 A praier against our spiritual enimies the diuel the vvorlde and the flesh 279 A praier for the preseÌ„t help in temptation 281 Remedies against sinfull motions and tentations 284 A praier for the auoiding of Gods heauie vvrath and vengeance for our sinne 286 Another 263 A praier to be saide of such as suffer anie kinde of crosse 295 A praier for the afflicted for the profession of Gods vvord 299 A praier to God the father the sonne and the holie Ghost 302 A thankesgiuing to God the father the sonne and the holie Ghost 307 A praier to God for his helpe and protection against the obstinat enimie of the truth 310 A praier for the afflicted and persecuted vnder the tyrannie of Antichrist 312 A praier to be said before the preaching of Gods vvord 314 A praier to be saide after the preaching of Gods vvord 316 A praier to be said before the receiuing of the communion 323 A thankesgiuing after the receiuing of the communion 326 A lamentation of a sinner afflicted in conscieÌ„ce for his offence 327 A praier for the sicke 33 A praier to be said at the houre of death 339. A praier for a vvomaÌ„ vvith child 343 A Psalme to be said in the time of anie common plague sicknes or other crosse and visitation of God 346 A Psalme of thankesgiuing for deliuerance from the plague or anie other kinde of sicknes or affliction 350 Praiers to be said before meate after 354 An other praier to be said before meate 355 An other 356 A thankesgiuing after meales 357 An other thankesgiuing after meales 359 Another 360 An other 361 Praiers commonly called Lidleys Praiers with certaine godlie additions A ConfessioÌ„ of sin 362 A confession of sins and a praier for the remission thereof 374 A praier for the true knovvledge and vnderstanding of the vvord of God 380 A praier for the leading of a godlie life 383 A praier for the deliuerance from sin to be restored to Gods grace fauour againe 387 A praier necessarie to be said at all times 489 A praier for grace remission of sin 392 Praiers taken out of the first Psalme 39 Praiers taken out of the second psalme 400 A praier vvhich M. Iohn Bradford said a litle before his death in Smithfield 404 The Letanie 409 For the Queenes maiestie 410 For Bishops ministers of the Church 421 For raine 421 For fair vvether 422 In the time of dearth and famine 423 In the time of vvar 423 In the time of any coÌ„moÌ„ plague or sicknes 424 For strength and comfort of the holy Ghost 425 For sure hope true tast of euerlasting lyfe 426 For the true knovvledge of god hâ— vvord and a lyfe agreeable to the same ibi For the strength increase of faith 427 For a godly life 428 For the true perseuerance and assured hope of eternall lyfe 429 A praier for the obteining of our petitions 429 A godly instruction conteining the sum of al the Diuinity necessasrie for a Christian conscience 4â—1 FINIS Printed by R. Robinson for Simon Waterson 1596 Rom. 10. â—sal 25 Psal 86. 1 Pet. 2. Galat. 5. Mark 11 Psal 5. 1. Iohn 5 Matt. 21 Mark 11 Iame. 1 Psal 51. Mark 9 Psal 88. Psal 39. Psal 80. Lamen 3 Math. 5 Esai 42. Psal 23 Math. 7 Psal 50. Ephes 6. 1. Tim 5. Col. 4. Philip. 4 Mat. 7 Iere. 25. Psal 50. Psal 145. Psal 91 Esay 65. Rom. 8 Psal 145. Esai 6â— Luke 12. â—ccle 2. 1. Iohn 1 Psal 51. Psal 25 Psal 88. Iosua â—1 â—â— Reg. 15 Iob. 3. 1. Cor. 15 Iohn 6. Eze. 33. Psal 77 Psal 31. 1. Ioh. 〈◊〉 Actes 10 Ephes 5. Heb. 4. 2. Cor. 1. Luke 11 Iohn 16. Iohn 14. Psal 50. Luke 11 18 â—ccl 35. Psal 123. Mat. 9. Luke 11. Exod. 1. Gen. 3. Gen. 12. 22. 23. 24. 25. Exod. 13. 14. 15. Exod. 19. 20. Heb. 1 1. Co. 15 Rom. 5. Math. 1. Luke 1 Ge. 3. 12 26. 28 Psal 89. 2 Reg. 1 Luke 1. Psal 110 Rom. 8. Mat. 24 2 Cor. 15 1. Thes 4 2. Cor. 5. Exod. 32 33. Joel 〈◊〉 Psal 15. Gen. 6. a Our hart is by nature so câ—rrupt vnserchablie euil that out of it springeth all wicked concupiscence so that the inclination therto is proâ—e to euil euer from 〈◊〉 birth vp our minde vnderstaÌ„ding is so darkned that of our selfe we caÌ„not perceiue those things that be of god as is all the wisdome which we receiue froÌ„ Adâ—m naturally or otherwise attaine by labour or studie be fore regeneration Causes â—o câ—fort our faith that God is our father Phil. 3. 1. Ioha 3 Rom. 5. Rom. 8. Rom. 5. VVhat Baptisme is and what it requireth VVhat is the effect or fruite that commeth of this certaine persuasion that God is our father Psal 106. Col. 3. Phillip 3 Rom. 1. Psal 84. 138. Howe Gods name is halowed The chiefe desire of Gods childrenâ— The greatest grief of Gods people Our ignorance Our greate neede Gods loue Gods kingdom in respect of his power Psal 104 Gods kingdom in respect of his grace Gods kingdom in respect of his glorie Howe Gods kingdom is here considered and enlarged Our peruersitie Gods goodnes Gods omnipotent will vnknowen vnreuealed Gods
worke in vs that which is acceptable in thy sight SanctifiE vs thoroughout and keepe our whole spirit soule and bodie faultlesse vnto the comming of thy dear sonne our Lord Iesus Christ Thou art faithful O Father who hast promised this who also shall bring it to passe to thee therfore be giuen euerlasting praise honour and glorie Amen A thankesgiuing after meales LEt al nations magnifie the Lord let all people reioyce in praysing and extolling his greate mercies For his fatherly kindnesse is plentifully shewing foorth vpon vs and the truth of his promise endureth for euer Wee render thankes vnto thee O Lord God for thy manifold benefits which we continually receiue at thy bountifull hand not onely for that it hath pleased thee to feede vs in this present life giuing vnto vs al things necessarie for the same but especially because thou hast of thy free mercie fashioned vs anewe into an assured hope of a farre better life the which thou hast declared vnto vs by thy holie Gospel Therefore we humbly beseech thee Oh heauenly father that thou wilt not suffer our affections to bee so intangled and roâ—ted in these earthly corruptible things but that we may alwayes haue our mindes directed to thee oâ— high continually watching for the coÌ„mming of our lord Isesus Christ what time he shal appeare for our full redemption To whom with thee and the holy Ghost bee all honor and glorie for euer and euer So bee it Another thankesgiuing after meales GLorie praise and honour be vnto thee most mercifull and omnipotent Father who hastfed and daylie doest feede of thy most bountifull goodnesse al liuing creatures we beseech thee that as thou hast nourished these our mortal bodies with corporall food so thou wouldest replenish our souls with the perfect knowledg of the liuely word of thy beloued son Iesus Christ to whom with thee the holy Ghost be praise glorie and honour for euer So be it Another MOst bountifull and gratious God which feedest all flesh and hast promised that asking of thee we shall not lacke if wee first seeke thy kingdome the righteousnes thereof we feeling presently the benefit of this thy gratious promise in feeding our bodies with this corporal foode do rendervnto thee most harty thanks for the same beseeching thee likewise to feed our soules with that heauenlie foode which perisheth not but abideth vnto euerlasting life so that we being norished by thy goodnesse both in bodie soule may be apt readie to do al good workes which thou hast prepared for vs to walke in through Iesus Christ our Lord. Vnto him that loueth vs and washed vs from our sinnes in his bloud and made vs Kings and Priestes vnto God his father be all glory power and dominion for euermore Amen Another THe God of glorie who hath created redeemed and presently fed vs be blessed for euermore Amen The God of all power who hath called from death the greate pastor of the sheepe our Lord Iesus comfort defend the flock which he hath redeemed by the bloud of the eternall Testament increase the number of true preachers represse the rage of obstinate tyrants lighten the harts of the ignorant releeue the pains of such as be afflicted but specially of those that suffer for the testimonie of thy truth and finally confound Sathan by the power of our Lord Iesus Christe So be it Prayers commonly called Lydleys prayers with certayne godly additions Before thou prayest forgiue if thou hast any thing against any man and come not to GOD with a double heart but lift vp pure handes without wrath or doubting 1. Tim. 2. AL mightie and most mercifull Father I thy poore creature work of thy hands acknowledge confes vnto thee my manifolde sinnes and â—ffences which I froÌ„ my youth vp vnto this day haue committed against thee in thoughte word deede beseeching thee for Iesus Christ thy deere sonnes sake to haue mercie vpon mee and to pardon the same according to thy greate mercie which hast promised that At what time soeuer a sinner doth repent him of his sinne from the bottome of his heart thou wilt put his wickednesse out of thy remembrance O Lord I confesse that I was borne in sinne and conceiued in wickednesse and am by nature a childe of wrath for in my flesh dwelleth no good thing and of my selfe I am not able to thinke a good thought much lesse to doe that thou in thy lawe requirest of mee saying Cursed is he that continueth not in all thinges that are written in the lawe to doe them Againe thy lawe is spirituall but I am carnall sould vnder sinne Therefore O LORD I come vnto thee for grace which hast said Aske ye shal haue seeke ye shall find knock it shal be opened vnto you to preuent draw my will vnto all goodnesse for none can come vnto thee except he be drawn except we be borne from aboue we cannot see the kingdom of God Therefore O Lord renew in mee a right spirit that I may receiue strength and ablenes to doe thy righteous will Grant that I may euer desire and will that which is most pleasing and acceptable to doe thy will Thy will be my will and my will be alwayes to follow thy will Let there be euer in mee one will one desire with thee and let me neuer desire to will or not to will but as thou wilt Graunt mee that aboue all things I may rest in thee and fully quiet pacifie my heart in thee for thou Lord art the true peace of the heart and the perfect rest of the soule Thou knowest Lord what is most profitable expedient for me where fore doe with mee in al things as it shall seeme best vnto thee For it may not be but well that thou dost which doest most iustly and blessedly dispose al things after thy most godly wisedome Therefore whether it be by prosperitie or aduersitie losse or gain sicknesse or health life or death thy will be done Cast out of my heart al vnprofitable cares of worldly thinges and suffer me not to be lead with the vnstable desires of earthly vanities but giue me grace that all worldlye and carnal affections may bee mortified die in mee Graunt vnto mee the strength of thy holie spirite to subdue this body of sinne with the whole lustes thereof that it may be obedient both in wil minde and members to do thy holy wil Assist me with thy grace O Lord that I may be strenthened in the inwarde man and bee armed with thy holy armor which is the breast-plate of righteousnesse the shielde of faith the hope of saluation for an helmet and the sworde of the spirit which is thy holy word that I may stand perfect in all that is thy will be found worthy through Christ to receiue the crowne of life which thou hast promised to all them that loue thee Giue me grace that I may esteeme
euery blast of affectioÌ„ and doctrine but rather that wee as trees planted by the water brooks indued with the life of the spirit and faith may also bring forth y e fruits of good workes and that whatsoeuer weâ— take in hand may prosper tende to the praise and glory of thy name and furtherance of our saluatioÌ„ at the last when the wicked shal fall away in thy iudgment we may stand stedfast and be made perfect through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Out of the same Psalme ALmighty God we are sufficiently taught that grieuous calamiâ—ies and miserable plagues do thereâ—ore daily vex and trouble the church â—ecause we haue not ceased to follow â—he counsel of the vngodly which being once knowne wee ought to haue schewed The way also of y e wicked â—e haue not shunned yea wee haue not ceased to walke their race by conâ—inuall transgressing of thy commanâ—ements wee haue also of long time â—â—ntemned al godly correction disâ—â—pline whatsoeuer hath bin taught â—s out of thy word hath bin too litle â—egarded yea without al shame negâ—ected and scorned Wherfore it is no meruaile if we 〈◊〉 the steede of that happinesse and met peace which we alas haue too â—ing abused bee nowe compelled to suffer all heauie grieuous and most bitter plagues But now O God in humblencs of hart we fly vnto thee confessing our grieuous offences wee most humblie and heartily beseech thee y t those euils which we so foolishly wretchedly haue committed thou wilt mercifully for giuâ— vs and frame our mindes wholiâ— to the obedience of thâ— lawe insuch wise that our hearts might be occupied both day and night in nothing else but in the meditation of thy holy Scriptures for so shall we giuing credite to thy wordes bringâ— foorth seasonable and pleasant fruit and shall not be spoyled of the graceâ— of the holy Ghost yea our doing shal neuer be without happy successeâ— Now we are tossed hither thither not vnlike to leaues and chaffe witâ— the mind of aduersity and affliction yet graunt O most merciful father that our life perish not with the wicked but that y e cause of the iust may bee defended by thy singular prouidence and protectioÌ„ so that in iudgment and in the company of the iust we may be able to stand and not bee confounded through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Out of the same Psalme ALmightie GOD for asmuch as we haue nowe learned that a great part of our felicitie so long as we liue heere consisteth in this that we refrayne from vngodly counsaile and wicked manners and also auoid the companie of those that despise â—eride all good thinges and that in the steade of these euils we giue our selues to the heauenly studie of thy â—olie lawe to be occupied and exercised therein both daye and nighte whereby we doe perceiue that wee haue very much erred straied from this way of our saluation yea wee haue in these things most wickedlie offended therefore we beseech thee euen for thy mercies sake that thou wilt pardoÌ„ our offences that hence forth by continuall study exercise of thy worde thou wilt vouchsafe to make vs fruitfull plants y â— wee may not only bring forth wholsom fruits in thy Church whiles we liue heere but also may be able in y â— other world to stand in iudgment before thee who best knowest the way of the iust thorough Iesus christ our Lord Amen A prayer taken out of the second Psalme VVE perceiue most mercifull and mightie God that not onely Antichrist but also the power strength of the whole worlde conspireth against thee and against thy Christ which thinke the Gospel and the building vp again of the Church to vs an intollerable bondage 〈◊〉 yoke Wherefore they labour by 〈◊〉 possible meanes to breake asunder the societies and congregations of the faithfull and cast away all disciplinâ— But for asmuch as thou â—iuttest to heauen and art not ignorant what the diuell or wicked flesh goeth about laugh thou to scorne their value counsels and bring their purposes to might Let them feele thine 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 kindled against them and make them astonished at the 〈◊〉 of thâ—â—t inâ—â—gnation so that they may not be able to destroy the Church ouer whom thou hast appointed Iesus Christ our onely sauiour to be a gouernour thee in 〈◊〉 raigne vp his 〈◊〉 and spirite with 〈◊〉 might and power Wherefore 〈◊〉 vnto vs although vnworthy and shrinking children such faithe constancie that we may find him and also confesse him to be our only king and that we may nothing doubt but that wee be his nation people and heritage being most assured of this that he is of such strength 〈◊〉 and wee that with his word more 〈…〉 yron be is eble to destroy whom he will and breake them in peeces like earthen â—ots Therefore O GOD turne the Kings and Princes of the world vnto to thee that they may be wise and vnderstand whereby they may vnfainedly acknowledge imâ—race and kisse his sonne least when his wrath shall once bee kindled they perish and be destroyed for euer And wher it shall bee thy good pleasure make them blessed 〈…〉 themselues to thy gouernancâ— and protection by Christ Iesus our Lord Amen Out of the same Psalme MOst mightie and merciful Lord God though the diuel rage the powers of the world daily rise vp the flesh with all her bondâ—aâ—ce conspire against the kingdome of thine onely begotten son Iesus Christ our Lord yet make vs to vnderstand and with constant faith to be perswaded that thou deridest and contemnest all such whom thou canst in thine anger fierce displeasure when thou wilt â—odainelie destroy bring to nought In this faith seeing wee are sometimes so weake that being ouercome with sundrie kinds of terrours and dreade we are not so obedient to thy commandements as we ought to be wee therefore beseech thee for thy great goodnesse sake to be mercifull vnto vs and grant that we may constantly beleeue thy Sonne our king aâ—d our redeemer to hauethe highest power and dominion with thee in all things For seeing thou hast begotteÌ„ him thou hast also deliuered to him all nations to be ruled by his power as his owne inheritance Graunt therefore vnto vs that yet at the length we may be wise understand in such sort as wee may serue thee with all due feare and worshipp that in the last day wee be not dashed in peeces as earthen vessels with the rod of thine indignation through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen A praier which M. Iohn Bradford saide a little before his death in Smithfield MErcifull God and Father to whome our sauiour Christ approched in his feare need by reason of death and found comfort gratious God and most bounteous Christ on whom Stephen called in his extreeme neede and receiued strength most benigne holy spirite which in the midst of all crosses and death didst comfort the