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 as meat drinke apparel riches fauour dignity rule knowledge and such like because they are thought good and agreeing either to the body or to the mind or to both for they helpe either to the conseruation or to the pleasure of man accounted of euery one amongst good things Howbeit such is the weaknes of our wit on the one part the blindnes and too much rage of our lusts on the other part that we being left to our selues cannot but in the desire of things which we iudge good and agreeing to our nature by the iudgement af our senses and reason we cannot I say but ouerpas the bounds whereby they might be profitable vnto vs so we make them hurtfull vnto vs which of theÌ„selues are ordained for our health What is more necessary then meate and drinke or more agreeing to nature But yet how few be there which do not hurt theÌ„selues by them In like maner it goeth with riches estimation friends learning c yea although we be in these most temperat yet when there wanteth thy spirit our regenerator we are so drowned in them that we vtterly neglect to lift vp our minds to the good pleasure of God to the end we might imitate and follow God our maker by yeelding our selues ouer duly to vse his gifts to the common and priuate vtility of our neighbors But now God only is life and eternity and cannot but demand of vs his handy work that we should tender our selues and all we haue to the end wherefore we were made that is to resemble for our portion his goodnes as they which be nothing else but witnesses and instruments of his mercy So that when we wholy do naturally striue against that kind of life wherunto 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 endued vs that by all kind of well doing we should resemble his image yea what other thing may ensue but that he should leaue vs and that eternally that we might feele and by experiente proue how bitter a thing it is to leaue the Lord in whom is all goodnes O that I might therefore find such fauour in thy sight deare Father that thou wouldest work in me by thy holy spirit true knowledge to all good things and hearty loue to the same through Christ Iesus our Lord and only Sauiour Amen I. B. A meditation of death and the commodities it bringeth VVHat other thing do we daily in this present life but heape sinne vpon sinne and hoord vp trespasse vpon trespasse so that this day is worse alwaies then yesterday by increasing as daies so sins therfore 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 company then shall we be in most safety of immortality and saluation then shall come vnto vs no sicknes no need no paine no kind of euill to soule or body but whatsoeuer good we can wish that shall we haue whatsoeuer we loath shall bee farre from vs. O dear father that we had faith to behold these things 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 we most loath Oh helpe vs and grant that wee being ignorant of things to come and of the time of our death which to thee is certaine may so loue and finish our iourny here that we may be ready and then depart when our departing may make most to thy glory and our comfort through Christ What is this life but a smoake a vapour a shadow a warfare a bubble of water a word grasse a flower That thou shalt die it is most certaine but the time no man can tel when The longer in this life thou doest remaine the more thou sinnest which will turne to thy more paine By cogitation of death our minds be often in manner oppressed with darknes because wee doe but remember the night of the body forgetting the light of the mind and of the resurrection Here to remember the good things that after this life shall ensue with our wauering in certainty of faith and so shall the passage of death hee more desired It is like a sailing ouer the sea to thy home and Country it is like a medicin or purgation to the helth of the soule body it is the best Physition it is like to a womans trauell for as the child being deliuered commeth into a more larger place then the wombe wherein it did lie before so thy soule being deliuered out of thy body commeth into a much more large and faire place euen into heauen A meditation vpon the passion of our Sauiour Iesus Christ OH Lord Iesus Christ the sonne of the euerliuing God by whom all things were made and be ruled and gouerned thou the liuely image of the substance of the Father the eternall wisedome of GOD the brightnes of his glory GOD of God light of light coequall coeternall and consubstantial with the father thou which of the loue thou haddest to mankind when he was fallen from the fellowship of God into the society of Satan and all euill didst vouchsafe for our redemption to become a mediator between God and man taking to thy Godhead our nature as concerning the substance of it and so becamest man also the heire of all and most mercifull Messias which by the power of thy Godhead and merits of thy Manhood hast made purgation of our sinnes euen by thine owne self whilest thou wast here on earth beeing now set on the right hand of thy father for vs euen concerning our nature in maiesty glory and power infinite I pray and humbly beseech thy mercy to grant me at this preseÌ„t to reherse some of thy passions sufferings for me the last night that thou wast here before thy death that thy good spirit may thereby be effectuall to worke in me faith aswell of the pardon of my sinnes by them as mortification of mine affectiâ—us comfort in my crosses and patience in afflictions Amen In the middest of thy last Supper with thy dear Apostles these things could not but be before thee namely that they all would leaue thee the most earnest would forsweare thee and one of the twelue should most traiterously betray thee which were no small crosses to thee Iudas was admonished of thee to beware but when he took no heed but wilfully went out to finish his worke contemning thy admonition counsell he could not but vex thy most louing heart After supper there was contention amongst thy Disciples who should be greatest after thee yet dreaming carnally of thee and thy kingdome hauing this affection of
If the power be our Fathers of whom should wee be afraid Let the diuell be subiect to the Lords power and kingdome as he is how can the subiect haue power ouer vs which be sonnes and heires in that he hath not power ouer porkets without the prouidence and permissioÌ„ of God Therfore full well should wee pray Lead vs not into temptatioÌ„ rather then let vs not be led into temptatioÌ„ for power is the Lords the Diuel hath none but that he hath of Gods gift No he were notable to receiue power if God did not make him able althogh the execution of it is rather of Godâ— permission Giue all thankâ—s praise and glory to God our Father through Christ our Lord and Sauiour So bee it IOHN BRADFORD Priuate prayers 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 sweet sleepe and comfortable rest which thou hast giuen mee this night past beseeching thee that like as thou hast now awaked my body from sleepe so thou wouldest awake my soule from the sleepe of sinne and darkenesse of this world and that which thou now awaked out of sleep thou wouldest after death whereof this sleepe is but an image restore and raise aga ne to life euerlasting O gratious God make my body I heartily pray thee such a companion or rather a minister of godlinesse to my soule this day and all the time of this present life that in the life â—o comit may be partaker with the same of euerlasting happines through Christ Iesus our Lord. Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ shall shew light vnto thee Ephes 5. Occasâ—ons to meditate Here call to mind the great mirth and blessednesse of the euerlasting resurrection Also remember to muse vpon that most cleer light that bright morning new clearenes of our bodies after the long darkenâ—sse which they haue been in All then shall bee full of vnspeakable ioy and felicity When you behold the day light pray O Lord God thou most glorious true light from whence this light of the day and sun 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 alway a mid day most cleare and faire without whom all is most horrible darkenes and by whom all things are most cleare and bright O thou wisedome of the eternall Father of mercies lighten my minde that I may see those things onely which please thee and may be blinded to all other things Grant mee so to walke in the waies by the light of thy holy word that nothing else may be light and pleasant vnto mee Lighten mine eies O Lord that I sleepe not in death least mine enemies say I haue preuailed against him Psal 30. Occasions to meditate Muse a while how much the light and eye of the mind and soule is better then of the body Also how much more we ought to care for the soule that it may see well thâ—n for the body Morouer that beasts haue bodily eies as well as men but men only haue the eies of the mind and that such as are godly wise When you arise pray OUR f rst parents cast downe themselues from a most excellent high anâ— honourable state into shame and misery and into the deepe sea of all wickednes and mischiefe but O Christ thou pâ—tting forth thy hand didst raise them vp againe Euen so wee except we be raised vp by thee shall he still for euer O good Christ our most gracious Redeemer as thou dost mercifully raise vp now this my body euen so I beseech thee raise vp my minde heart to the true knowledge and loue of thee that my conuersation may be in heauen where thou art If thou be ris n with Christ think vpon those things that be aboue Co. 3 Occasions to meditate Thinke how foule the faâ—l of Adam was by reason of sinne and so of euery one of vs from the height of Gods grace Again thinke vpon the inestimable benefit of Christ by whose help we daily rise again from our fallings When you apparell 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 lusts thereof that I may cleane put off all desiâ—es and crucifie the king ome of the flesh in me Be thou vnto mee a gâ—rment to keepe me warme and to defend mee from the cold of this world If thou bee absent deare Lord all things are cold weake and dead but if thou be with me all tâ—ings are warme fresh and cherefull c. Grant me therfore that as I compasse this my body with this garment so thou wouldest cloth me wholy but especially my soule with thine owne selfe Put vpon you as the elect of God bowels of mercy meeknesse loue peace c. Col 3. Occasions to meditate Call to mind a little how wee are incorporate into Christ Again how he doth cloath vs gouerne and nourish vs vnder his wings protection and prouidence preserueth vs. When you are made ready to begin the day withall pray O Almighty God and most mercifull Father thou knowest and hast taught vs also something to know that the weakenesâ—e of man and woman is great and that with out thy grace they can neither doe nor think any good thing Have mercy vpon mee I humbly beseech thee thy most weake fraile vnworthie child lighten my minde that I may with pleasure look vpon good things only Inflame my loue with the heat thereof that I may carefully couet them and at the last by thy gracious conducting may happily attaine theÌ„ throgh Iesus Christ our Lord. I distrusting altogether mine owne weaknes commâ—nd offer my selfe both soule and body into thy hands Thy louing spirit lead me forth into the land of righteousnes Cogitations meet to begin the day withall Think first that man consisteth of soule body that the soule is from heauen heauenly firm immortall but the body is from the earth earthly fraile â—â—d mortall Again think that though by reason of sinne wherein ye are conceiued and borne the parts of the soule which do vnderstand and dâ—sire bâ— so corrupt that without speciall grace to both parts you can neither know nor loue any good thing in Gods sight much lesse then do that is good yet this notwithstanding think that you are regenerate by Christs resurrection which your Baptisme requireth you to beleeue and therefore haue both those parts some thing reformed both to know and to loue and therefore to doe also some good in the sight of God through Christ for whose sake our poore doings are accepted for good the euill and infirmity cleauing thereunto not being imputed throgh faith Thinke that by faith which is Gods seede for
away Thy sunne O most wise worker is as it were a firebrand to this world Thy kingdome whereby light commeth both to the soule and body is a firebrand to the spirituall world After day when the night cometh thou hast giuen for the remedy of darknes a candle After sinne for the remedy of ignorance thou hast giuen thy doctrine which thy deare sonne hath brought vnto vs. O thou that art the author and master of al truth and the true light make vs to see that the dimnes of our minds may be driuen cleane away Lift thou vp the light of thy countenance vpon vs and send vs ioy and gladnesse into our hearts Psal 4. Thy word is a lanterne to my feet and a light vnto my pathes Psal 119. Occasions to meditate Thinke that the knowledge which God giueth vnto vs by the caÌ„dle light whereby we see those thingâ— in this night of our bodies which are expedient for vs should make vs to wish much more for this doctrine of God and spirituall light of our soules and when we get it the more to esteeme it and diligently to embrace it Again that as all would be horrour without candle light so there is nothing but meere confusion where Gods word taketh no place When you make your selfe vnready pray THis our life and weake knit body by occasion of sin by little little shall be dissolued and so shall be restoâ—ed to the earth from whence it was taken then will be an end of this vanity 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 weake members together that I may perceiue my selfe to bee loosed dissolued and so may remember both of whom I was made and also whither I must goe lest I bee had vnprouided vnto thy tribunall seat Put off the old man with his lusts and concupiscences Col. 3. Eph. 4. Be content with Ioseph to put off thy prison apparell that thou maiest put on new Gen. 41. Occasions to meditate Thinke that as wee doe willingly put off our garments because wee shall receiue them againe when the Night is past so we should willingly forsake our bodies when God by death shall call vs because we shall receiue them againe in the resurrection of the lust When you enter into your bed pray THe day now ended men giue themselues to rest in the night and so this life finished wee shall rest in death nothing is more like this life then euery day nothing more like to our graue then our bed O Lord our keeper and defender grant that I now laying mee downe to rest being vnable to keepe my selfe may be preserued from the crafts assaults of the wicked enemy and grant further that when I haue run the race of this life thou wouldest of thy mercy call me vnto thee that I may liue watch with thee for euermore And now gracious God giue me to take my rest in thee and bring to passe that thy goodnes may be giuen in sleep before my eies that sleeping I be 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 holy for euer I will lay me downe in peace and take my rest c. Psal 4. Occasions to meditate Thinke that as the troublesome day is now past and night come and so rest quietnes and pleasant sleepe which maketh most excellent princes and poore wretches alike euen so after the tumults troubles temptations tempests of this life they that beleeue in Christ haue prepared in them an heauen and rest most pleasant ioiful As you are not afraid to enter into your bed to dispose your selfe to sleepe so be not afraide to die but rather cheerfully prepare your selfe thereunto Thinke that now you are neerer your end by one daies iourney then 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 Grant that my bodie sleeping my mind may watch in thee and be made merry by some sight of that celestial and heauenly life wherein thou art the King and Prince together with the Father the holy Ghost where the Angels and holy Soules be most happie citizens Oh purifie 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 publike assemblies O Most mercifull and louing father whose loue is infinit whose mercy endureth for euer we sinfull creatures trusting in thine vnspeakable goodnes and loue toward vs do appeare this morning before thy diuine maiestie most humblie confessing our manifold sinnes and innumerable transgâ—essions of thy commaundements and fatherly will Against thee only against thee O Lord haue wee sinned wee acknowledge our offences we accuse our selues vnto thee O mercifull Lord and will not hide our vnrighteousnesse We find in our selues no thing but ignorance of thy wil disobedience unstrust doubtfulnes in thy goodnes and incredulity hatred and conâ—empt of al spiritual things selfe loue confidence in our selues feruent lusting after carnall things of this world and this tree of our corrupt nature bringeth forth continually in vs none other fruits but rotten and vnsauory workes of the flesh in thoughts words and doings vnto condemnation Wherfore we humbly beseech thy fatherly goodnes euen for thy son Iesus Christs sake whome thou hast set forth for a purchaser of mercy to vs through faith in his bloud make our hearts cleane take away our stony heart and giue vnto vs a true and liuely faith working in vs vnfained repentance and amendmen of our sinnefull life Haue mercy vpon vs and forgiue vs our sinnes for thy sonnes sake certifie our consciences of the remission of the same by thy holy spirit by whose operation so mortifie in vs our old man the whole body of sin that wee continually dying vnto sinne may walke in a newnesse of life to the glory of thy holy name through Iesus Christ our Sauiour Amen Another confession of sinnes O Eternall God most merciful father we confesse and acknowledge here before thy diuine maiesty that we are miserable sinners conceiued and borne in sinne and iniquitie so that in vs there is no goodnesse for the flesh euermore rebelleth against the Spirit whereby wee continually transgresse thy holy precepts and commandements and to purchase our selues through thy iust iudgement death and damnation Notwithstanding O heauenly Father for asmuch as now we are displeased with our selues for the sins we haue coÌ„mitted against thee Gal. 5. Rom 2. Jer. 34. Esa 20. doe vnfainedly repent vs of the same we most humbly beseech thee for Iesus Christs sake to shew thy mercy vpon vs to forgiue vs all our sinnes and to increase thy holy spirit in vs that
thy holy spirit that they may boldly and cheerefully a bid such trial as thy godly wisdome shall appoint 1. Pet. 1. Acts 2. Mat. 10. Luk 21. so that at length aswel by their death as by their life the kingdome of thy Son Iesus Christ may increase and shine throughout all the world In whose name we make our humble petitions vnto thee as he hath taught vs saiing Our father which art c. A Praier to be said before receiuing of the communion O Father of mercy and God of all consolation seeing al creatures do acknowledge and confesse thee to be their gouernor and Lord it becommeth vs the workmanship to thine owne hands at al times to reuerence a magnifie thy godly maiesty First for that thou hast created vs to thine owne imagr similitude Gen. 1. Eph. 2. Gala. 1. Gen. 3. Acts. 4. Heb. 9. Apoc. 5. John 3. Heb. 8. Heb 4. 1. Pet. 1. Esâ— 45.53 Ma. 3.17 Ier. 31. but chiefly because thou hast deliuered vs from that euerlasting death damnation into which Satan drew mankinde by the meanes of sinne from the bondage whereof neither man nor Angeli was able to make vs free but thou O Lord rich in mercy and infinite in goodnesse hast prouided our redemption to stand in thine onely and welbeloued Son whom of very loue thou diddest giue to bee made man like vnto vs in all things Heb. 8. Rom. 5. Heb. 2. John 6. Gen. 3. Rom. 5. Ephe. 3. sinne excepted that in his body 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 authour of death so to bring againe life to the world from which the whole of spring of Adam was most iustly exiled Eph. 2. John 6.17 Gen. 6. Rom. 3. â—sa 64. Psal 5.12 Rom. 7. Mat. 16. 2 Cor. 2. Luk. 11. Mat. 11. O Lord we acknowledge that no creature was able to comprehend the length and breadth the deepnes and height of that thy most excellent loue which mooued thee to shew mercy when none was deserued to promise and giue â—ife where death had gotten victory to receiue vs into thy grace when wee could doe nothing but rebell against thy Maiestie The blind dulnesse of our corrupt nature wil not suffer vs sufficiently to weigh these thy most ample benefits Yet neuerthelesse at the commandement of Iesus Christ our Lord Ma. 16. Luk. 11. 1. Co. 11. Joh. 8. Gala. 5. Rom. 8. 1 Pe. 1. Ephe. 5. Heb. 4. Rom. 3. Ma. 25. Phil. 3. Ephe. 1. Ephe 2. Apo. 13. wee present our selues to this thy table which he hath left to be vsed in remembrance of his death vntill his comming againe to declare and witnesse before the world that by him alone we haue receiued liberty and life that by him alone thou doest acknowledge vs to be thy children and heires that by him alone we 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 whom wee hauour conuersation presently in Heauen and by whom our bodies shall be raised vp again from the dust and shall be placed with him in that endlesse ioy which thou O Father of mercy hast prepared for thine elect before the foundation of the world was laid And these most inestimable benefts wee acknowledge and confesse to haue receiued of thy free mercy and grace by thine only beloued son Iesus Christ For the which therefore we thy congregation moued by thy holy spirit doe render to thee all thanks praise and glory for euer and euer A thanksgiuing after the receiuing of the holy Communion MOst mercifull Father we render vnto thee all praise thanks honour glory for that it hath pleased thee of thy great mercies to graÌ„t vnto vs miserable sinners so excelleÌ„t a gift treasure as to receiue vs into the fellowship and company of thy deare son Iesus Christ our Lord whom thou hast deliuered to death for vs hast giuen him vnto vs as a necessary food and nourishment vnto euerlasting life And now we beseech thee also O heauenly father to grant vs this request that thou neuer suffer vs to become so vnkind as to forget so worthy benefits but father imprint fasten them sure in our harts Luk. 15. Gala. 5. 1. Tim. 4. â—â—h 5. 2. P t. 5. Mat. 5. 1. Pe. 1 that we may gâ—oâ—â— and increase daily more and more in true faith which continually is exercised in all maner of good workeâ— and so much the rather O Lord confirme vs in these perilous dates and rages of Satan that we may constantly stand and continue in the confession of the same to the aduancement of thy glory which art God ouer all things blessed for euer A lamentation of a sinner afflicted in conscience for his offences IN the middest of the desperate assaults of my soule the intollerable heauinesse of my mind both heertofore Lord cried as shrill in thine eare as though I had shricked and with lamentations cried out saying Helpe helpe me my GOD my creatour my most prouident keeper and euerlasting defencer for behold I perish On this occasion Lord when heauinesse of minde did heeretofore assault me I remembred that thou haddest many times set before mine eies the wonderfull greatnes of thy most tender loue towards me by the great multitude of thy benefits powred vpon me which benefits euery of thy workes as they came before mine eies gaue me iust occasion to be mindfull of Would not thought I if I had in any maner any grace at al would not such loue bring now into my heart a wonderfull delectation ioy comfort in God for the same And againe could such delight in Gods sweet mercy tender loue towards mee if I were not as euill as a cast away that were none of Gods children be without loathing of my sin and lust and desire to doe Gods holie will And these things thought I fle vpon mee vnthankfull wretch are either not at all in me or else indeed so coldly and slenderly that they being truely waighed and compared to righteousnesse are mâ—re vile then a filthy cloth starched in corrupt blood O thought I I am afraid I haue deceiued my selfe for thy seruants at all times I trow feele otherwise then I now doe the fruits of thy spirit as loue ioy peace and such like But my loue alas toward thee what is it my ioy is not once almost felt of me for my very soule within mee as Dauid in his heauinesse said refuseth comfort and fareth as though it did vtterly dispare and what peace can I feele then or certainty of thy fauour and loue Iustly I may powre out this dolorous lamentation of Sion The Lord hath forsaken me Isa 49 and my Lord hath forgotten me Euen in the middest I say of these my former desperate assaults and in
and malice of the diuell or by his owne carnall will and frailty Preserue and continue this sick member in the vnity of thy Church Consider his contrition accept his teares asswage his paine as shall be seene to thee most expedient for him And forasmuch as hee putteth his full trust only in thy mercy impute not vnto â—im his former sinnes but take him vnto thy fauor through the merits of thy most dearly beloued sonne Iesus Christ A praier to be said at the houre of death O Lord Iesus Christ which art the onely health of all men liuing the euer lasting life of them that die in thee I wretched sinner doe submit my selfe wholly vnto thy most blessed wil and being sure that the thing caÌ„not perish which is committed vnto thy mercy willingly now I leaue this fraile and sinfull flesh in sure hope that thou wilt in better wise restore it to mee againe at the last 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 defend mee with the buckler of thy mercy against all the assaults 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 mercy and goodnesse I haue no merits or good workes which I may alledge before thee of striues and euill works alasse I see a great heape but yet through thy mercy I trust to be in the number of them to whom thou wilt not impute their sinnes but wilt accept take mee for righteous and iust and to bee an inheritour of euerlasting life Thou mercifull Lord wast borne for my sake thou diddest suffer both hunger and thrst 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 grieuous paines and torments for my sake Finally thou gauest thy most precious body and bloud to be shed on the Crosse for my sake Now most mercifull Sauiour let all those things profit mee that thou freely hast done for mee which hast giuen thy selfe also for mee Let thy bloud clense and wash away the spots and foulenesse of my sins Let thy righteousnes hide couer â—ny vnrighteousnesse let the merits of thy passion and bloud-shedding be the satisfaction for my sinnes Giue me Lord thy grace that the faith of my saluation in thy bloud maner not in me but may be euer firme constant that the hope of thy mercy life euerlasting neuer decay in mee that loue waxe not cold in me Finally that the weaknes of my flesh bee not ouercome with the feare of death Grant me merciful Sauiour that when death hath shut vp the eies of my body yet the eyes of my soule may still behold and looke vpon thee when death hath taken away the vse of my tongue yet my heart may cry and say Lord into thy hands I commend my soule Lord Iesu receiue my spirit A praier for a woman with Child THou art wonderfull O Lord in all thy workes and whatsoeuer thy good pleasure is that doest thou easily bring to passe neither is there any thing vnpossible with thee that thou wilt haue done And albeit this thy mighty 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 commandest them to encrease multiply and replenish the earth If through the subtell enticements of Sathan they had not transgressed thy commandement by eating the forbidden fruit the woman whom thou hast appointed to be the instrument and vessell to conceiue nourish and bring forth man through thy wonderfull workmanship had without any labour paine or trauell brought forth her fruit But that which thy goodnes made easie sin disobedience hath made hard painefull dangerous and without thy speciall helpe and succour impossible to be brought to passe so that now all women bring forth their children in great sorrows paines and troubles Notwithstanding that which through their owne imperfection and feeblenesse they are not able of themselues to passe thou through thine vnspeakable power makest easie in them and bringest vnto a ioyfull end We â—herfore being fully perswaded of thy fauour and gâ—odnesse of thy present helpe and of thy sweete comfort in all miseries and necessities knowing also by the testimonies of the holâ— word how great intollerable the paines of women are that trauell of child if through thy tender mercy they be not mitigated and eased most â—umbly pray thee for Iesus Christs sake thy son our Lord to helpe and assist this thy seruant now in trauell and labour that by thâ— almighty power sâ—e may safely bring forth that which by thy goodnesse she hath conceiued that thy louing kindnesse may make that easie and tollerable vnto her which sinne hath made hard and painefull Ease O Lord the paines which thou most righteously hast put vpon her and all women for the sinne and disobedience of our Grand-mother Eue in whom all 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 graciously begun Let thy power be shewed no lesse in the safe bringing forth then in the wonderfull forming and fashioning of that she beareth Make her a glad and ioyfull mother that sâ—ee through thy goodnes being safly deliuered and restored to health againe may liue and praise thy blessed name for euer A Psalme to be said in the time of any common plague sicknes 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 hands O come therefore let vs turne againe vnto our Lord for hee hath smiâ—ten vs and he shall heale vs Let vs repent and turne from our wickednes and our sinnes shall bee forgiuen vs. Let vs turne and the Lord will turne from vs his heauy wrath and will pardon vs and wee shall not perish For we acknowledge our faults ' and our sinnes are euer before vs. Wee haue sore prouoked thine anger O Lord thy wrath is waxed hoâ—e and thy heauy displeasure is sore kindled against vs. Thou hast in thine indignation stricken vs with grieuous sicknesse and by and by wee haue fallen as leaues beaten downe with a vehement winde Indeed we acknowledge that our punishments are not worse then our deseruings but yet of thy mercy Lord coâ—reâ—t vs to amendment and plague vs not to our destruction For thy hand is not shortned that thou canst not helpe neither is thy goodnes abated that thou wilt not heare Esay 65. Thou hast promised O Lord that afore we crie thou wilt heare vs and whilest we yet speak
euil alwaies before thee should call thee and beleeue thee this God and Father of our Lord Sauiour Iesus Christ to be in very deed my Father that is thou wouldest I should be most assured that thou of thine owne good will which thou barest to mewards before I was yea before the world was hast in Christ chosen mee to be thy childe and through him art become my most louing Father from whom I should looke for all good things be most certainly perswaded that loâ—ke how much thou art more then a man so much thy loue and fatherly prouidence towards me passeth the loue and prouidence of any Father towards his child in louing mee caâ—ing how to helpe mee prouiding for mee nurturing mee and heâ—ping me in all my needs So certaine thou wouldest haue mee to bee of this that to doubt of it doth most displease thee and dishonour thee as though either thou were not true or not able to doe these things or else becamest not my father in respect of thine owne goodnesse in Christ only but also in respect of my worthinesse and deserts Causes to comfort our f i th that God is our father And that I should not wauer or doubt of this that thou art my deare Father and I thy childe for euer through Iesus Christ it is required in the first commandement which saith I am the Lord thy God thou shalt haue none other Gods but me Againe thy sonne doth here command mee to call thee by the name of Father Moreouer in the fâ—rst article of my beleefe I professe the same in saying I beleeue in God the Father almighty Besides this there are manie other things to confirme me herein as the creation and gouernement of the world generally and of euerie creature particularly for all is made and kept for man and so for me to serue me for my commoditie necessitie and admonition Again the creation of me in that thou hast made mee after thy image hauing a reasonable soule body shape c. where thou mightest haue made me a Toad a serpent a Swine deformed franticke c. Moreouer thy wonderfull conseruation nourishing and keeping of me hitherto in my infancy childhood youth c. All these I say should confirme my faith in thy fatherly loue But of all things the opening of thy selfe by thy word and promise of grace made after mans fall fâ—rst to Adam then to Abraham Isaac Iacob and so to other being published by the Prophets from time to time and last of all accomplished by thy deare Sonne Iesus Christ in whom thy promises are yea and Amen the opening of thy selfe thus I say in and by Christ is the most chiefe and sure certificate that thou art my Father for his sake and I thy deare childe although of my selfe I am most vnworthie For thou according to thy promises hast not spared thy deare Son Iesus Christ but giuen him to the death of the Crosse for my sinnes Thou wouldest he should be made flesh of our flesh and blood of our blood in the wombe of the Virgin Maâ—y by the operation of thy holy spirit that we by the working of the same spirit through the merits of his flesh and blood might be made flesh of his flesh and blood of his blood that is as he hath the substance of our flesh and blood euen so wee might haue and for euer enioy in him and through him the qualities vertues and gifts oâ— righteousnesse holinesse innocencie immortalitie and glorie wherewith he hath endued our nature in his owne person for vs all that as now in faith and hope we haue the same so in his comming Phil. 3 wee might fully enioy them in very deede for then shall our bodies now vile bee like to his glorious bodie Heerein appeareth thy loue not that we loued thee but that thou louedst vs 1. John â— and hast giuen thy Sonne for vs. Heerein doest thou commend vnto vs thy loue that when wee were yet sinners Christ thy deare Sonne died for vs Rom. 5. so that nothing should seperate vs from the loue in Christ Iesus Rom. 8. neither affliction anguish persecution famine neither life nor deaâ—h c. For when we were enemies Rom. 5. wee were reconciled vnto thee by the death of thy Son much more we being reconciled shall bee saued in his life And that I should not doubt heereof but certainely be perswaded all this to pertaine to mee where I might haue beene boâ—ne of Turks and infidels loe thou wouldest I should bee borne of Christian Parents What Baptisme is and what it requireth brought into thy Church by Baptisme which is a Sacrament of adoption and requireth faith as well of remission of my sinnes as of sanctification and holinesse to bee wrought of thee in me by thy grace and holy spirit Where I might haue beene borne in an ignorant time Region thou wouldest I should bee borne in this time and Region wherein is more knowledge reuealed then euer was heere or many place is Where I might haue beene of a corrupt iudgement and intangled with many errors loe thou of thy goodnesse as thou hast reformed my iudgement so dost thou keepe it and now for the same iudgements sake doest vouchsafe What is the effâ—ct or fruiâ— that commeth of this certain perswasion that God is our father somewhat by the Crosse to try mee By all which things I should conâ—â—rme my faith of this that thou alwaies hast been art and wilt bee for euer my deare father In respect whereof as I should be certaine of saluation of the inheritance of heauen for euer so should I be thankefull cast my whole care on thee trust to thee and call on thee with comfort and certaine hope for all things that I want For in that thou hast giuen to me this benefit to bee thy child vndeserued and vndesired on my behalfe simply and onely in respect of thine owne goodnesse and grace in Christ least at anie time I should doubt of it how should I but hope certainely that nothing profitable to me can be denied in that thy power is infinite For as thy good will is declared in adopting me so nothing can be finally wanting in mee which may make for my weale for then should not thy power be almighty and therefore my beleefe requireth that I should beleeue in thee the father almightie In consideration wherof I should in all things behaue my selfe as a child reioice in thee praise thee trust in thee feare thee serue thee loue thee call vpon thee c. But alas how heauy hearted am I How vnthankefull am I How ful of vnbeleefe and doubting of this thy rich mercy How little do I loue thee feare thee call vpon thee c. Oh be mercifull vnto mee forgiue me good father for thine owne sake and grant mee the spirit of thy children to reueale thy selfe vnto me and Iesus Christ thy deare Sonne our Lord by
word with thy grace thou wouldest quicken our soules that both in soule and body we may please thee till this our mortall carcase shall put on immortality and wee shall need no more any further foode but thee only which then will be al in all Taste and see how good the Lord is Psal 14. Blesse the Lord O my soule which seedeth and filleth my mouth with good things Psal 103. Occasions to meditate Think a litle how great Gods power is that made vs. Also thinke how great his wisedome is to preserue vs. But most of all thinke how many things are giuen to our vse how wonderfull it is to giue vs life but most of all to propagate and aduance to immortality the life of the soule by his onely beâ—ke Last of all thinke that God by his prouidence for thy body would haue thee to confirm 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 kind of good things to vse and beeing pure giuest pure things being holy giuest holy things grant to vs grace that wee misuse not these the gracious gifts giuen to our vse and profit Let vs not delight in the things but let vs delight in thee from whom they come as necessarie for vs for a season till we come vnto thee Grant vs to be conuersant amoÌ„gst thy gifts soverly puâ—ely temperatly and holily because thou art so Then shall we not turne that so the poison of our soules which thou hast giuen for the medicine of our bodies but vsing thy benefits thankfully we shall find them profitable both in soule and body Occasions to meditate Thinke that the meats and drinke set before you are giuen you to vse and not to ab se Think that they are giuen to profit and nâ—t to hurt you Thinke that they are not giuen to you alone but vnto others al o by you In eating and drinking thinke that you doe but feed the wormeâ— Remember the poore prisoners the sick the afflicted c. as though you were in their case Thinke vpon the food of your soule Christs body broken and bloud shed desire the meat that lasteth for euer labor for it Christs meat was to doe his Fathers will After your meat pray BY corporall meates thou doest sustaine our corporall daily life ready otherwise to perish The which surely is a great worke but yet this is much greater more profitable and more holy that thy grace O Iesus Christ doth preserue vs from the death of the soule For this life wee ought much to thanke thee and because thou doest prolong it with thy good gifts we most heartily praise thee Howbeit this life is but the way to eternall life which we beseech thee for thy deaths sake that thou wilt giue vs and so shall wee not only giue thee as we 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 now that God hath giueâ— thee this his blessing of food sustenance and thereto time that thou mightest repent â— so seeke his glory and the commodity of thy brethren therefore goe thereabouts but first pray for grace well to beginne Again consider now thou hast been partaker of others mens labours as of the husbandmans the Milners the Bakers the Bruers the Butchers the Cookes c. See therefore that thou be not as a drone bee but rather such a one as may helpe thâ— hiue If God haue thus fed thy body which he loueth not but for thy soules sake how can it bee then but that he will be much more ready â—o feed the soule therfore take a courage to thee and go to him for grace accordingly Cogitations for about the midday As thy body is now compassed on euâ—â—y side with light so see that thy miâ—d â—ay be also As God giueth th e thâ—s plentifully this corpo all light so pray hiâ— thâ—t he wil giue thee the spirituall light Think that as the sun is now moâ—t cleare so shall our bodies be in the day of iudgement As now the sun is come to the highest and therefore will begin to draw downeward so is there nothing in the world 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 mind Thou hast called vs out of the troublesome disquietnesse of the world into that thy quiet rest and peace which the world cannot give being such a peace as passeth mens vnderstanding Houses are ordained for vs that therby we might be defended from the iniury of the weather from cruelty of beasts froÌ„ disquietnes of people and rest from toiles of the world O gracious father grant that through thy great mercy my body may enter into this house from outward actions but so that it may become buxome and obedient to the soule and make no resistance against the same that in seule and body I may haue a godly quietnes and peace to praise thy holy name Amen Peace be to this house and to all that dwell in the same Matth. 10. Occasions to meditate Think what a return and how merâ—e a returne it will bee to come to our eteâ—nall most quiet and most happy home then will all griefe and sorrow cease Whatsoeuer here is pleasant and ioyfull the same is nothing but a very shadow in comparison of that which is to come At the Sunne going downe pray HOw vnhappy are they O Lord from whom thy Sunne goeth downe and giueth no light I meane thy grace which is alwaies cleare as the mid day Darke night vnto them is the mid-day which depart from thee In thee is neuer night but alwaies day light most cleare This corporall sin hath his courses now vp now downe but thou deare Lord if we loue thee art alwaies one O that this block and vaile of sin were taken away from mee that there might bee alwaies cleere day in my minde Occasions to meditate Think that as we are not sorie wheÌ„ the Sun goeth downe because wee know it shall rise againe Thiâ— is ment of the bloody time of Queene Mary euen so we should not sorrow for death where through the soule and body do part a sunder for they shal eftsoones returne and come together againe in most glorious wise So long as the Sunne is vp wilde beasts keep their dennes foxes their burrowes owles their holes c. But when the Sun is downe then come they abroad so wicked men hypocrites keepe their dennes in the time of the Gospell but it being taken away then swarm they out of their holes like bees as this day doth reach When the Candles bee light pray MOst thicke and darke cloudes doe couer our minds except thy light O Lord doe driue them
remembrance our manifold sinnes and wickednesse He. 9.10 whereby we continually prouoke thy wrath and indignation against vs neither our negligeÌ„ee nor our vnkindnes which haue neither worthily esteemed nor in our liues sufficiently expressed the sweet comfort of thy holy Gospel reuealed vnto vs but rather to accept the obedience and death of thy Son Iesus Christ our Lord who by offering vp his body in sacrifice once for all Psa 107 hath made a sufficient recompence for all our sinnes Haue mercy therefore vpon vs O Lord and forgiue vs our offnces Psa 9.10 Teach vs by thy holy spirit that we may rightly weigh them and earnestly repent vs for the same and so much the rather O Lord our God because that the reprobate and such as thou hast forsaken Psal 8. Pâ—al 5. cannot praise thee nor call vpon thy name but the repenting hart the sorrowful mind the conscience oppressed hungring thirsting for thy grace shal euermore set forth thy praise and glory And albeit we be but worms and dust yet thou art our Creator we be the worke of thy hands yea thou art our father we thy childreÌ„ thou art our shepheard Psal 22. 1. Cot. 6. and we thy flocke thou art our redeemer and wee thy people whom thou hast dearely bought thou art our God and wee are thine inheritance Jer. 10. Psal 6. Correct vs not therefore in thine anger O Lord our God neither according to our deserts doe thou punish vs but mercifully chastice vs with a fatherly affection that al the world may know that at what time soeuer a sinner doth repent him of his sinne from the bottome of his heart thou wilt put away all his wickednesse out of thy remembrance as thou hast promised by thy holy Prophet Finally forasmuch as it hath pleased thee to make the night for man to rest in as thou hast ordained him the day to trauaile grant O dear father that we may so take our bodily rest that our soules may continually watch for the time that our Lord Iesus Christ shall appeare for our full deliuerance out of this mortall life and in the mean season that we be not ouercome by any fantasies dreames or other temptations but may fully set our minds vpon thee loue thee feare thee and rest in thee in such sort that our very steep also may be to the glory of thy holy name Furthermore that our sleepe bee not excessiue or ouermuch after the insaciable desire of the flesh but only sufficient to content our weake nature that we may the better be disposed to liue in all godly conuersation to the glory of thy holy name and profit of our brethren through Iesus Christ our Lord in whose name we make our humble petitioÌ„s vnto thee as he hath taught vs. Our father which art c. Almighty and euerlasting God vouchsafe we beseech thee to grant vs perfect continuance in thy liuely faith augmenting increasing the same in vs daily vntill we grow to the full measure of our perfection in Christ whereof we make our confession saying I beleeue in God the father c. The Lord blesse vs and saue vs the Lord make his face to shine vpon vs. Lord be mercifull vnto vs the Lord turne his fauourable countenance towards vs and grant vs this peace The grace of the Lord Iesus Christ the loue of God and the communion of the holy Ghost be with vs and remaine with vs for euer So be it 2. Cor. 9.13 Another Euening praier 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 dear Son Iesus Christ in the calling of vs to the knowledge of thy blessed word in keeping of vs hitherto in thy holy Church and in thy most gracious gouerning of vs and all things hitherto for our singular wealth and commodity hast also most fatherly cared for vs and kept vs this day from all dangers both of soule and body giuing vs health food apparell all other things necessary for the comfort and succour of this poore miserable life which many other do want for these and all other thy good gifts and gracious benefits which thou of thine owne goodnes 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 al things are now hidden by meanes of the darkenesse which thou hast sent ouer the earth so thou wouldest vouchsafe to hide and bury all our sinnes which this day or at any time heretofore wee haue committed against thy holy commandements and as now wee purpose to lay our bodies to rest so grant the guard of thy good Angels to keepe the same this night and for euermore and whensoeuer our last sleepe of death shal come grant that it may be in thy good fauour so that our bodies may rest both temporally and eternally to thy glory and our ioy through Iesus Christ our Lord. So be it Another Euening Praier O Eternall God and most mercifull father who this day and all the time of our life hast graciously defended nourished preserued our soules and bodies made such fatherly prouision for vs poore sinners that of thy louing kindnesse wee haue rich portions not only in the creatures of heauen and earth but also in that plentifull redemption which thy most deare Sonne Iesus Christ hath purchased for vs grant vnto vs O mercifull father the assistance of thy grace and holy spirit that as our bodies shall now take their naturall rest euen so our soules and minds at the beholding of thy goodnesse towards vs may quiet themselues in thee conceiue such inward pleasure heauenly sweetnes in thy loue that whatsoeuer we shall from henceforth either thinke speake or do it may be all to the honor of thy holy name through Iesus Christ thy deare sonne our Lord and onely Sauiour Amen Thy mighty hand and our streched arme O Lord be still our defence thy mercy and louing kindnesse in Iesus Christ thy deare sonne be our saluation thy truth and holy word our instruction thy grace and holy spirit our comfort and consolation vnto the end and in the end A praier for the remission of sinnes O Almighty and euerlasting Lord God the deare Father of our Sauiour Iesus Christ which hast made heauen and earth the sea and all that therein is which art the only ruler and gouernor conseruer and keeper of all things together with thy dearely beloued Sonne Christ Iesus our Lord and with the holy Ghost our comforter O holy righteous wise O strong terrible mighty and fearefull Lord God gouernor of the whole world Iudge of al meÌ„ O exorable patient and most gratious Father whose eies are vpon the waies of all men and are so cleane that they
our distrusting and doubtfull hearts our carnall our secure our idle hearts our impure malitious arrogaÌ„t enuious wrathfull impatient couetous hypocriticall and epicurall hearts in place therof giue vs new harts soft harts faithfull harts mercifull hearts louing obedient chast pure holy righteous true simple lowly patient hearts to feare thee to loue thee to trust in thee for euer Write thy law in our harts graft it in our minds we heartily beseech thee Giue vs the spirit of praier make vs diligent and happy in the works of our saluation take into thy custody and gouernance for euer our soules and bodies our liues and all that euer we haue Tempt vs neuer further then thou wilt make vs able to beare and whatsoeuer thou knowest we haue need of in soule and body dear God and gratious Father vouchsafe to giue vs the same in thy good time alwais as thy children guide vs so that our life may please thee and our death praise thee though Iesus Christ our Lord for whose sake we heartily pray thee to grant these things thus asked and al other things necessary for soule and body not only to vs but to all others also for whom thou wouldest that we should pray specially for thy children that bee in thraldome in exile in prison misery heauinesse pouerty sicknesse c. Be mercifull to the whole realme of England and grant vs all true repentance and turne from vs the euils that we so wickedly haue deserued pardon our enemies persecutors slanderors and if it be thy pleasure turn their hearts Be mercifull vnto our parents brethren sisters friends kinsfolkes and familiars neighbours and such as by any meanes thou hast coupled and linked to vs by loue or otherwise and vnto vs poore sinners here gathered together in thy holy name grant thy blessing and holy spirit to sanctifie vs and dwell in vs as thy deare children to keepe vs this day and for euer from all euill to thy eternall glory our euerlasting comfort and the profit of thy Church which mercifully maintaine cherish and comfort strengthning them that stand so that they neuer fall lifting vp them that be fallen and keep vs from falling from thy truth through the merits of thy dearely beloued son Iesus Christ our onely Sauiour which liueth and raigneth with thee and the holy Ghost to whom be all praise and honour both now and for euer Amen I. B. A praier for the true knowledge of the mystery of our redemption in Christ O Almighty God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ and by him also our Father the father of all mercy and God of al consolation haue mercy vpon vs and heare our praiers We most humbly beseech thee for thy deare son Iesus Christ his sake for his merits and cruell death which he suffered to deliuer vs from eternall death and the power of darknes send into our hearts the spirit of truth to worke in vs a true liuely stedfast faith that the clear light and brightnes of thy Gospell the glory of Christ may shine vnto vs and lighten our minds that wee may learn and vnderstand the wonderful and vnspeakable riches of the mystery of our redemption in Christ and by Christ O Father of glory giue vnto vs the spirit of wisedom bring vs vnto the true knowledge of this thy beloued Sonne Iesus Christ the knowledge of thy selfe Open and lighten the eyes of our minds and vnderstanding that we may know what the hope is whereunto thou hast called vs and how the rich glory of thine inheritance is vpon thy Saintes and the exceeding greatnes of thy power towards vs that by true faith by vnderstanding and knowledge of thine eternall wisedome which is Iesus Christ we may be indeed as wee are called true Christians and vnfained professors of thy holy name to worship thee in spirit and truth and to set forth the glory of thy grace giuen vnto vs in Christ Iesus our Lord Amen O deare father write in our harts loue of thy law hate to al sin thankfulnes of heart and continuall heate of thy holy spirit for thy Son Iesus Christs sake To whom with thee and thy holy spâ—rit be all honor maiesty glory thanks rule empire and dominion for euermore Amen A forme of thanksgiuing for our redemption and praier for the strength and increase of faith O Lord increase our faith Luk 17. ETernall praise and thanks bee giuen vnto thee deare God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which hast blessed vs with ali spiritual blessings Ephe. 4. in heauenly things by Christ in that thou hast chosen vs in him before the foundation of the world was laid that we should bee without blame before thee through him by whom we haue redemption through his blood euen the forgiuenesse of our sinnes in whom after we heard the word of truth the Gospel of our saluation wherein we beleeued Rom. 8. we are sealed with the holy spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance which spirit hath and doth beare witnesse vnto our spirits that we are thy children and therefore crieth in our hearts Abba Father And thus most gracious father when thou hast once giuen the earnest penny of our saluation vnto our hearts thou doest not repent of thy gift and calling neither wilt thou at any time breake thy couenant of grace and mercy in Christ thy sonnes merits confirmed in vs by that seale loue token For what though we be weake in our beliefe Rom. 3. shall our vnbeliefe make thy promise of none effect No thou wilt alway be found true but all men are lyers And yet Lord thou dost most graciously behold and accept be it neuer so little a sparke of faith Wee say therefore and cry vnto thee Mar. 9 with one that wept and said I beleeue Lord help my vnbeliefe Yea that little be it neuer so litle is thy meer gâ—ft also The which as thou hast begun so most merciful Lord increase yâ— same more and more to the peace and comfort of our conscience and the glory of thy name through Iesus Christ Amen A thanksgiuing to God for his great benefits HOnour and praise be giuen to thee Lord God Almighty most deare Father of heauen for all thy mercies and louing kindnesse shewed vnto vs in that â—t hath pleased thy gracious goodnes freely and of thine owne accord to elect and choose vs to saluation afore the beginning of the world and euen like continuall thanks bee giuen vnto thee for creating vs after thine own image for redeeming vs with the precious bloud of thy deare sonne when we were vtterly lost for sanctifying vs with thy holy spirit in the reuelation and knowledge of thy sacred word for helping and succouring vs in all our need and necessity for sauing vs from all danger both of body and soule for comforting vs so fatherly in al our troubles afflictions for sparing vs so long and giuing
vs so large a time of repentance These benefits O most mercifull father like as we do acknowledge that we haue receiued of thy only goodnes euen so we beseech thee for thy deare son Iesus Christ his sake to grant vs alwayes thy holy spirit whereby we may continually grow in thaÌ„kfulnes towards thee he led in all truth and comâ—orted in all aduersity Strengthen our faith O Lord kindle it more more in feruentnes and loue towards thee our neighbours for thy sake Suffer vs not most deare father to receiue thy word any more in vaine but grant vs alwaies the assistance of thy grace and holy spirit that in heart word and deed we may sanctifie and doe worship to thy holy name that wee may helpe to amplifie and increase thy kingdome and that whatsoeuer thou sendest Thy kingdome come Thy will be done Giue vs this day c. we may hartily well be content with thy good wil and pleasure Suffer vs not to lack the thing O Father without the which we cannot serue thee but blesse thou so al the workes of our hands that we may haue sufficient and not to bee chargeable but rather helpfull vnto others Be mercifull O Lord vnto our offences Forgiue vâ— c. and seeing our debt is great which thou hast forgiuen vs in Iesus Christ make vs to loue thee our neighbours so much the more Bee thou O Father our captain defender in all temptations Lead vs not into temptation hold thou vs by thy mercifull hand that we thereby may be deliuered from al inconueniences and end our liues in the sanctifying and honouring of thy name But deliuer vs from euâ—ll through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen A aier for true mortification O God my creator preseruer and euerlasting defender where first in my creation I was made like vnto thine owne likenesse the diuell alas hath since by Adams fal made me vgly monstrous and euill fauored like to himselfe For what are now Lord mine earthly members but as thine Apostle writeth adultery whoredome vncleannesse vnnaturall lusts euill concupiscence Colos 3. couetousnes which is the worshipping of Idols and such other for the which thy wrath is wont to come vpon the children of vnbeliefe Neuerthelesse Lord of thy great mercy and goodnesse against this so great a mischiefe a much greater remedy thy fatherly prouidence hath ordained for thou hast sent Iesus Christ thy dear and only naturall sonne into this world the vale of miseries to loose the works of the diuell and to take away my sinnes 1. Joh. 3. Therefore Sathan hath now nothing to brag of for through Christ all that beleeue in thee 1. Joh 5. so become thy children doe ouercome the world the flesh the diuel And this is the victory which ouer commeth them al euen our faith that faith I meane which is perswaded that whosoeuer beleeueth in Christ Ioh. 3. Ioh. 5. shall not perish but haue euerlasting life That faith which beleeueth the testimony to be true which thou God the Father dost testify of thy son so making thee no liar and this is the testimony that thou hast giuen vs eternall life that faith which beleeueth that thou Father who raisedst vp Christ froÌ„ death shalt also quicken our mortall bodies Rom. 8 through thy holy spirit dwelling in vs. That faith which beleeueth it to bee true which thy Sonne Christ affirmed with a double oath saying Verily Joh. 1. verily I say vnto you he that beleeueth in me the works that I doe the same shall he doe and greater works then these shall he doe Ioh. 15. because I goe to my Father And finally that faith which beleeueth that now Christ hath been lift vpon the crosse he shal draw al things vnto him this faith I say is the victory which ouercommeth our enemies the diuell Joh. 12. the world and our flesh Thou therfore dear father which hast promised to giue whatsoeuer I shall aske in thy dear Sonne Iesus name 1. Joh. 3â— for thy great mercy and infallible truths sake do now in me the thing that he came for loose in me the works of the diuel take away my sinnes I beseech thee make stedfast my faith and confidence in thy promised mercies and merciful promises so that I assuredly beleeuing in thee may haue as thou hast promised euerlasting life making thee deare God no lyer may beleeue feele and know in my heart and conscience that the same euerlasting life is thy meere and free gift vnto me yea already of thy great goodnes vndoubtedly giuen me being now translated from death to life Colos 3. In thankfulnesse whereof Lord cause me now daily to mortifie my earthly meÌ„bers yea dear father sith thy spirit which raised vp Christ from death dwelleth within me doe thou who raisedst Christ froÌ„ death quicken my mortal body through thy spirit so dwelling within me I beseech thee yea Lord Iesu according to thy promise because thou art now gone to thy Father make me worke the wonderful great work that thou spakest off Ioh. 6.4 I meane make me being of my selfe but a lumpe of sinne and a monster most vgly as the vices whereof the members of my earthly body are aboue declared to be compact doe proue make me I say yet through thy grace to hate abhorre flee and subdue all adultery whoredom vncleannes vnnaturall lusts euill concupiscence vnordinate desires wantonnes tendernesse delicatenes idlenesse drunkennesse gluttony slothfulnes distrust despaire ignorance weaknes wilfulnes idolatry superstition hypocrisie heresie error sects variaÌ„ce strife wrath enuy slanders lying swearing cursing vainglory pride couetousnes theft deceit flattery and whatsoeuer else O Lord fighteth or rebelleth against thy holy spirit and then O Father I will boast and make vant against mine enemy the diuell that I haue done greater works then thy deare Sonne Iesus did at what time hee spake these words amongst the Iewes because albeit he vanquished Sathan yet in as much as he himselfe was vtterly without sinne the victory seemed the more easie But I to vanquish Sathan being my self altogether sinful yea contrary to my most sinful nature to subdue sinne the Diuel and mine owne flesh it seemeth a more victory a greater worke then the other For the which neuerthelesse I will with all submission acknowledge vnto thy diuine maiesty that the whole victory Lord indeede is thine and thy holy spirit the beginner and finisher both of the wil and the worke Now therefore Lord Iesu strengthen me with thy grace and might that thou maiest by me a most sinful wretch draw all these our earthly members and horrible vices before rehearsed vnder my feet that I may not only fight against them but also subdue them so that they may all turne to the best for me as meete matter whereon I may exercise my faith powre forth my hearty praier and giue thee most hearty thanks for victory whereby
not be compared to the reward of faith that glorious sight which we shall see in the life to come when faith and hope shall cease Now thy children know that they be thy sons though they yet appeare not what they shall bee Wee know say they that when our Christ God and man shal appear then shal we be like vnto him for we shall see him euen as he is O great prerogatiue to see Christ as he is which is not to be considered so much for the manhood as for the godhead it selfe as Paul doth also write that when all things are subiect vnto the Sonne theÌ„ shal he be subiect vnto thee deare Father also that God may be al in al. And therfore Christ our sauior praied for vs that we might know thee the onely true God Not that our Christ the sonne is not with thee the true coequall and substantiall God but that we might know how that after the iudgement such a mystery of his mediatorshippe shall not be in heauen as is now in earth Then thou blessed Trinity God the Father God the Sonne and God the holy ghost shal be all in al thou shalt be the end of our desires thou shalt be looked vpon without end thou shalt be loued without lothing thou shalt be praised without wearinesse although loathsomnesse be wont to follow fulnes yet our fulnes in the contemplation of thy pleasures shal bring with it no kind at all of loathsomnesse Society of ioyes shal be in the beholding of thee Pleasures are on thy right hand for euer We shal be satisfied when we arise after thine image I meane in the resurrection O deare Father shew thy selfe vnto vs and we aske no more Oh grant vs with thy Saints in euerlasting life to praise with perpetuall praises thy holy name Happy then and happy againe were we if that day were come that we might sing with the Angels Elders and innumerable thousands a new song and say Thou Christ Iesu which was slain art worthy to receiue power and riches and wisedome and strength honour and glory and blessing In this blessed life al kind of maladies griefs sorrowes and euils be farre away and all full of all kind of mirth ioy and pleasure Oh that we might see now a little with S. Iohn that holy City new Ierusalem descending from heauen prepared of God as a bride trimmed for her husband O that we might now something hear the great voice speaking out of the throne Behold the tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people and hee shall bee vnto them their God hee will wipe away all teares from their eies and death shall be no more nor weeping nor crying nor sorrow for the former things are gone I.B. Another meditation of the blessed state and felicity of this life to come THis body is but a prison where in the soule is kept and that verily not beautifull nor bright but most foule and dark disquiet fraile and filled vp with much vermin and venimous vipers I mean it concerning our affections standing in an aire most vnholesom and prospect most lothsome if a man consider the extremities of it by the eies nose mouth eares hands feet and all the other parts So that no Bocardo no Litleease no Dungeon no Bishops prison no Gatehouse no sinke no pit may be compared in any point to be so euill a prison for the soule as the body is for and of the soule wherethrough the children of God haue been occasioned to cry and lament their long being in it Oh saith Dauid How long shall I lie in this prison Oh wretch that I am saith Paul who shall deliuer me out of this body of sinne Rom. 7. which is an heauy burden to the soul as the wise man saith And the godly cry Luke 2â— Now let thy seruant depart in peace O that I were dissolued and had put off this earthly fraile tabernacle Psal 143. Take me vnto thee and bring my soule out of this prison that it may giue thanks vnto thee O Lord. For so long as wee bee in this body we cannot see the Lord yea it is an heauy habitation depresseth down sore the spirit from the familiarity which it selfe should haue with God This world and life is an exile a vale of misery a wildernes of it selfe being void of all vertues necessary for eternall life full of enemies sorrowes sighings sobbings gronings miseries c. In danger to hunger cold heat thirst sores sicknesse tentations trouble death and innumerable calamities being momentany short vnstable and nothing but vain and therfore is compared to a warfare a womans trauaile a shadow a smoke a vapor a word a storme a tempest in the which Gods people feele great molestations griefs and troubles now of satan himselfe now of the world now of their own flesh and that so wonderfully diuersly dangerously and contrarily that they are enforced to cry O Lord when shall we come appear before thee when shall this misery end when shall we be deliuered out of this vale of misery out of this wildernes out of these continuall afflictions and most perilous seas But where thou art Lord and deare father of mercy there is not onely no prison no dolours nor sorrow no sighings no tears no sicknesse no hunger no heat no colde no paine no tentations no displeasure no malice no pride no vncleannesse no contention no torments no horror no sinne no filth no stinch no bearth no death no weeping no teares no misery no mischiefe there is I say not only no such thing or any euill not some or displeasant thing but all liberty all light all pleasâ—ntnesse all ioy reioycing mirth pleasure health welth riches glory power treasure honour triumph comfort solace loue vnitie peace concord wisedome vertue melody meeknesse felicitie beatitude and all that euer can be wished or desired in most securitie eternity and perpetuity that may be thought not onely of man but of Angels and Archangels yea aboue all thoughts The eie hath not seene the like the eare hath not heard 1. Coâ— 2. nor no heart is able to conceiue in any point any part of the blissefull beatitude which is with thee most deare Lord and Sauior most gracious God and comforter Where thou art O blessed God the Archangels Angels Thrones Powers Dominions Cherubins Seraphins Patriarchs Prophets Apostles Martyrs Virgins Confessors and righteous spirits cease not to sing night and day Holy Apoc. 4. holy holy Lord God of hosts honour maiesty glory power empire and dominion be vnto thee O God the creator O Lord Iesus the redeemer O holy spirit the comforter Apoc. 5. In recordation of this O how thy children reioice How contemne they the pleasures of this world How little esteeme they any corporall griefe or shame How desire they to be with thee How amiable are thy Tabernacles O Lord God of hostes say they My soule
thy most holy and sacred word and yet no fruits of repentance or Christian life will appeare Woe and alas to these our daies that neither preaching by word most comfortable nor preaching by fire most terrible nor preaching by monsters most strange and vgly neither yet by plagues and pestilence most horrible will stir vp our stony hearts and awake vs from our sinnes Wee feare O Lord that the Turkes with all the rest of the vnbeleeuing wil condemn vs in the last day which if they had been so long instructed by the comfortable preaching of thy word and sweet promises of thy Gospell or seen the wonders which we haue seen no doubt their righteousnesse would haue shined at this day to our great shame and confusion Thou hast no lesse warned vs O Lord of thy fearefull displeasure heauy plagues at hand for our great wickednes then thou diddest the Israelits of that horrible destruction which came vpon them whom thou first in mercy diddest call to repentance by the preaching of thy word but when no warning would serue thou diddâ—st send them monstrous and fearefull signes tokens to declare that thy visitation was not far off But they like to vs at this day did alwaies interpret those things after the imaginaion of their owne vaine hearts promising to themselues peace when destruction was ouer their heads Which things when we do call to mind forasmuch as they are written for our learning example and warning it maketh vs to tremble and quake for feare of thy iust iudgements For if thou hast thus dealt with thine owne deare and chosen children in token of thy great wrath against sinne what shall we looke for who do no lesse deserue thy fearefull scourge for of mercy it is that thou dost thus long forbeare vs and liue as though there were no God at all to be reuenged vpon our sinnes It maketh vs to feare and cry inwardly in our soules Apo. 22. Come Lord Iesu holy and true in all thy doings and shorten our daies and bring this our pilgrimage to an end suffer vs not to heape sinne vpon sinne vntill the day of vengeance lest we be caught vp amongst the number of the wicked and reprobate which shall neuer see thy louing countenance It maketh vs to cry to thee O Lord Let thy kingdome come and end this our sinfull life wherein wee do nothing but prouoke thee to wrath Correct vs not O Lord in thine indignation Psal 6. neither chasten vs in thine heauy displeasure And though to vs belongeth nothing but shame confusion psal 89 though our offences haue deserued to be visited with the rod and our sinnes with scourges yet in mercy Lord with fatherly correction chasten vs and thy louing kindnesse take not away from vs. To thee we fly for succour ps vnder the wings of thy mercy shall be our refuge vntill thou turne thy wrathful countenance froâ— vs. Eccl. 23. Wee know that thy mercy iâ—â—boue all thy works and euen as â—at as thy selfe Therefore will wâ— say with holy Iob Though thou ill vs Job 13. yet will we put our whole â—rust in thee Thou camest to comfort and pluch out of the dungeon of hell such wretches as we are Thou art the good SamaritaÌ„ that camest to heal our deadly wounds thou art that good Physition that camest to cure our mortall infirmities Luk. 15. thou art the good Shepheard that camest to seek vs wandring and lost sheep to bring vs to thy fold againe Eâ—â—â— more then that thou art our brother flesh of our flesh Isa 53. bone of our bones which hast tasted of our infirmities felt our temptations and borne the burden of our sinnes therefore at thy hands â—e looke for mercy against the day of â—â—ngeance And though thou punish â—â—â—â—er our hope is and euer shall be thaâ—â—hy rodde shall no farther touch vs â—en shall make to thy glory our commâ—dity and the strengthning and increaâ— of our faith Let this thy preaching sundry waies O Lord be sufficient for our warning and grant that we may speedliy and from the bottome of our hearts repent endeuour to doe thy righteous and blessed will reuealed in thy word and frame our liues according to the same that wee may here liue in thy feare all the daies of our life after this our sinful course is ended may dwell with thee in thy blessed kingdome through the death and merits of Iesus Christ our only redeemer So be it Another praier for the auoiding of Gods deserued wrath hanging ouer vs for our sinnes VVHen we looke back and behold our sinful life past what a dungeon of errours vice and wickednesse openeth it selfe vnto vs So that there is no man but he must needs be ashamed of himselfe when he cals to mind what e hath been and tremble when he considereth the wickednesse and sinfull course of hiâ— life to come for who shall vndertake that the rest of our life shall be any better then is past How can wee then sufficiently magnifie and praise thy great mercy which hast deferred thy punishment so long Beholding therefore this our dangerous miserable state we come vnto thee O thou great and mighty Iudge in trembling and fear humbly beseeching thee not to heap vpon vs thy deserued vengeance but let thy tender kindnes and loue thou barest to Iesus Christ thy Sonne our gracious Lord and redeemer couer our iniquities for whose sake though we deserue al extreamity thou dost pardon vs. If thou Lord shalt straightly marke our iniquity O Lord who shall be able to abide it Psal 103. A praier to be said of all such as suffer any kind of crosse ALmighty God king of all kings and gouernour of all things whose power no creature is able to resist to whom it belongeth iustly to punish sinners and to be mercifulâ— vnto them that truly repent we confesse that thou dost iustly punish vs for we haue grieuously sinned against thee And we acknowledge that in punishing vs thou doest declare thy selfe to be our most mercifull father as wel because thou doest not punish vs in any thing as we haue deserued as also because by punishing vs thou doest call vs and as it were draw vs to increase in repentance in faith in praier in contemning of the world and in hearty desiring of euerlasting life and thy blessed presence Graunt vs therefore gracious Lord thankfully to acknowledge thy great mercy which hast thus fauorably dealt with vs punishing vs not to our confusion but to our amendment And seeing thou hast sworne that thou wilt not the death of a sinner but that he turn and liue haue mercy vpon vs and turne vs vnto thee for thy dearely beloued Sonne Iesus Christs sake whom thou wouldest should be made a slain sacrifice for our sinnes thereby declaring thy great and vnspeakable anger against sinne thine infinite mercy towards vs sinfull wretches And forasmuch as the dulnesse
inspiration quicknest the mindes of them that afore were dead in sinne makest ioifull the hearts of the faithfull penitent bringest into the way of truth all such as haâ—e erred and gone astray comfortest the soules of such as hunger and thirst after righteousnesse and plenteouslie enrichest those with diuers gifts which aske them in Iesus Christs name purifie our hearts wee beseech thee and inflame them with the fire of thy loue replenish them with thy heauenly benefits and spirituall blessings that they may bee made meere temples for thee leade vs into all truth which aet the onely fountaine of truth and mortifie in vs whatsoeuer proceedeth not of thee Or else pray thus O holy spirit powred into the Apostles which hast promised vnto vs by the sonne of God our Redeemer to kindle in vs a true knowledge and inuocation of God as it is written I will powre vpon you the spirit of grace and compassion make to arise in our harts a true feare of God and faith and knowledge of thy mercy which the eternal father of our Lord Iesus Christ hath promised vnto vs for his sons sake Be our comforter in all our counsels and dangers Illuminate our vnderstanding and fill our hearts with new affections and spirituall motions and renew vs both in soule and body that we may die to sinne and liue to righteousnes and so in true obedience may praise the father of our Lord Iesus Christ and his sonne our redeemer and theâ— also our comforter euerlastingly A thanksgiuing to God the Father the Son and the holy Ghost VVE reÌ„der thanks vnto thee O Almighty and eternall God with the deare sonne our Lord Iesus Christ and with thy holy spirit for that of thin exceeding great goodnes thou hast made thy selfe knowne vnto vs by most assured and euidenâ— testimonies and for that thou hast gaâ—hered and chosen vnto thy selfe a perpetuall Church and wouldest that thy Sonne our Lord Iesus Christ should suffer death to restore vs from death to life for that thou hast giuen to vs thy Gospel and the holy Ghost for that thou forgiuest vs our sinnes deliuerest vs from the power of the diuel and from eternall death and giuest vnto vs euerlasting life finally for that thou hast visited vs with many great benefits giuing vs life food doctrine peace in such places as we haue liued in and hast diminished the pains which we haue iustly deserued We giue thankes vnto thee O Lord Iesus Christ A thanksgiuing to the Son sonne of the liuing God crucified for vs and risen againe because thou hast coupled vnto thee our humane nature and of thy inestimable loue diddest giue thy selfe to death for vs turning vpon thee the great wrath of GOD the Father conceiued against vs to reconcile vs vnto him and â—o purchase vs eternall redemption because thou hast brought vs to this grace wherin we stand and reioice in hope of the glory of GOD because thou doest preserue cherish and defend send thy Church against the Diuell and all thine enemies because thou giuest and renewest often the light of thy Gospell and maintainest the ministery of thy word because thou doest forgiue vs our sinnes and giuest vnto vs euerlasting life because thou art our mediator and makest continuall intercession for vs finally because thou doest succour preserue vs in all our necessities dangers and afflictions A thanksgiuing to God the holy Ghost We giue thanks also vnto thee O holy spirit the giuer of life which wast powred vpon the Apostles be cause thou kindlest thy light in our hearts because thou rulest instructest admonishest and helpest vs because thou gouernest and guidest the labours and works of our vocation and sanctifiest vs to eternall life A praier to God for his helpe and protection against the obstinate enemies of the truth MOst righteous Iudge God of all mercy and comfort which by thy secret iudgement and wisedome doest suffer the wicked to triumph a increase for a time for triall of the faith of thy welbeloued litle flocke and the mortifying of their lusts now at length to the vtter confusioÌ„ ot thy enemies and ioifull deliuerance of thy people look downe we beseech thee on thy dispersed sheepe out of thy holy habitation in heauen and strengthen our weaknesse against their furious rages abate their pride asswage their malice confound their deuises wherwith they lift vp themselues against Christ Iesus thy sonne our Lord and Sauiour to deface his glory and to set vp Antichrist We be not able our selues to thinke a good thought much lesse to stand against their assaults except thy vndeserued grace and mighty arme defend and deliuer vs. Performe thy promises made to Iacob stop the mouthes of the wicked Edomits Cal them to repentaÌ„ce whom thou hast appointed to saluationâ— bring home them that run astrayâ— lighten the blind and teach the ignorant forgiue all those that wilfully and obstinatly rebel against thy holy will Let thy fearefull threatnings pearce our stony hearts and make vs tremble at thy iudgements make the examples of theÌ„ whom thou hast ouerthrowne in their owne deuises as Cain Cham Nimrod Esau Pharoh Saul Aâ—chitophel Iudas and such other to be a warning for vs that we set not vp our selues against thy holy will Grantfree passage to thy holy word that it may worke effectually in vs the worke of life and blessed hope of our saluation to the eternall praise of thy maiesty through our mediator Christ Iesus to whom with thee and the holy Ghost three persons and one God be praise and thanksgiuing in all congregations world without end So be it A praier for the afflicted and persecuted vnder the tyranny of Antichrist O Mercifull Father who neuer doest forsake such as put their trust in thee stretch forth thy mighty arme to the defence of our brethren by the rage of enemies persecuted and grieuously tormented in sundry places for the true profession of the holy Gospell who in their extream necessities cry for coÌ„fort vnto thee Let not thy long suffering O Lord be an occasioÌ„ either to increase the tyranny of thy enemies or to discourage thy children but with speed O Lord consider their great miseries and afflictions Preuent the cruell deuise of Haman stay the rage of Holofernes breake off the counsell of Achitophel Let not the wicked say Where is now their God Let thy afflicted flocke feele present aid and releefe from thee O Lord looke downe vpon them with thy pitifull eie from thy holy habitation send terror and trembling among their enemies make an ende of their outragious tyranny beate backe their boldnesse in suppressing the truth in destroying thy true seruants in defacing thy glory and in setting vp Antichrist Let them not thus proudly aduance themselues against thee and thy Christ but let them vnderstand and feele that against thâ— they fight Preserue and defend the vine which thy right hand hath planted and let all Nations see the glory of thine annointed Amen
thou wilt haue mercy vpon vs. For none that trust in thee shal be confounded Tobit 8. Job 32. neither any that cal vpon thee shall be despised For thou art the onely Lord who woundest and dost heale again Oseas 6. who killest and reuinest bringest euen to hell and bringest backe againe Our Fathers hoped in thee and trusted in thee Sap. 22. and thou diddest deliuer them They called vpon thee and were helped they put their trust in thee were not confounded Psalâ— 6. O Lord rebuke vs not in thine indignation neither chasten vs in thy heauy displeasure O remember not the sinnes and offences of my youth but according to thy mercy thinke thou vpon me Psa 25. O Lord for thy goodnesse Haue mercy vpon vs O Lord for we are weake O Lord heale vs for our bones are vexed And now in the vexation of our spirits and the anguish of our soules wee remember thee and we cry vnto thee heare Lord and haue mercy â—arue Jonas â— For thine owne sake and for thy holy names sake incline thine eare and heare O mercifull Lord. For we do not powre out our praiers before thee â—â—aâ— 6. trusting in our owne righteousnes but in thy great and manifold mercies Wash vs throughly from our wickednes and clense vs from our sins Turne thy face from our sins and put out all our misdeeds Make vs cleane hearts O God and renue a right spirit within vs. Helpe vs O God of our saluation for the glory of thy name O deliuer vs and be merciful to our sinnes for thy names sake So we that be thy people sheepe of thy pasture shal giue thee thanks for euer and will alwaies be shewing forth thy praise from generation to generation Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the begâ—nning c. A Psalme of thanksgiuing for deliuerance from the plague or any other kind of sicknes trouble or affliction LOrd thou art become gracious to thy land thou hast turned away the afflictions of thy sâ—ruants Thou hast taken away al thy displeasure and turned thy selfe from thy wrathfâ—l indignation For if thou Lord hadst not helped vs it had not failed but our soules had beene put to silence But when we said our feet haue slipped thy mercy O Lord helpes vs vp In the multitude of the sorrowes that we had in our hearts thy comforts haue refreshed our soules Our soules waited still vpon the Lord our soules hanged vpon his helpe our hope was alwaâ—es in him In the Lords word wil we reioyce in Gods word did wee comfort our selues For the Lord said Call vpon mee in the time of trouble I wil heare thee and thou shalt praise me So when wee were poore needy sickly and in heauines the Lord cared for vs he was our helper our deliuer according to his word Psâ— 27. In our aduersiâ—y and distresse hee hath lifted vp our head and saued vs from vtâ—er destruction Psa 33. He hath deliuered our soules from death he hath fed vs in the time of dearth hee hath saued vs from the noisome pestilence Therefore will we offer in his holy temple the oblation of thanksgigiuing Psa 37. with great gladnesse we wil sing speake praises vnto the Lord our Sauiour Psa 106. Psa 86. Wee will giue thankes vnto the Lord for he is gracious his mercy endureth for euer Psa 103. The Lord is full of compassion mercy long suffering plenteous in goodnesse and pitty John 5.7 Psa 108. His mercy is greater then the heauens and his gracious goodnes reacheth vnto the clâ—â—ds Psa 103. Like as a father pittieth his own children euen so is the Lord merciful vnto them that feare him Psal 72. Therefore will we praise thee thy mercies O God vnto thee will we sing O thou holy one of Israell Pâ—al 98. We will sing a new song vnto thee O God we will praise the Lord with Psalmes and thanksgiuing Psal 47. 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 Psal 145. we will praise thy name for euer and euer Euery day will we giue thankes vnto thee and praise thy name for euer and euer Our mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord let all flesh giue thanks to his holy name for euer and euer Psal 72. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for euer and blessed be the name of his maiesty world without end Amen Glory be to the father c. As it was in the beginning c. Praiers to be said before and after meales AL 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 thou openest thy hand and they are satisfied with all good things O heauenly father which art the fountaine full treasure of all goodnesse We beseech thee to shew thy mercy vpon vs thy children and sanctifie these thy gifts which we receiue of the mercifull liberality granting vs grace to vse them soberly purely according to thy blessed will so that thereby we may acknowledge thee to be the author and giuer of all good things and aboue all that we may remember continually to seeke the spiritual food of thy word â— Tim. 2. wherwith our soules may be nourished euerlastingly through our Sauiour Christ who is the true bread of life which came down from heauen of whom whosoeuer eateth shall liue for euer Joh â— and raigne with him in glory world without end So be it Another praier before meales WHether ye eat or drinke faith S. Paul or whatsouer ye do else let all be done to the praise and glory of God Eternal and euerlasting God father â—f our Lord Iesus Christ 1. Cor. 10 who of thy most singular loue which thou barest to mankind hast appointed to his sustenance not only the fruits of the earth but also the foâ—â—ls of the aire the beasts of the field and fishes of the sea and hast commanâ—ed thy benefits to be receiued as from thy hands with thanksgiuing assuring thy children by the mouth of thine apostle that to the cleane all things are cleane as the creatures which be sanctified by thy word and praier grant vnto vs so moderatly to vse these thy gifts present that our bodies being refreshed our soules may be more able to proceed in all good works to the praise of thy 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 Lord Iesus the gâ—eat shepheard of the sheepâ— through the bloud of â—he euerlasting couenant make vs fruitfull in all good works to d◠〈◊〉 will and worke
in my flesh there dwelles no good thing For the good which I should doe I doe not Rom. 7. but the euill which I would not doe that I doe Psal 51. Wash me therefore O Lord from mine iniquities and clense me from my sinne Psal 1. Purifie my heart by the sanctifying of thy holy spirit and by the sprinckling of the bloud of thy deare son from the filth of sin and an euill conscience Make me to heare ioy gladnesse that the bones which thou hast broken may reioice Create in me a new hart O God and renew a right spirit in me Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thy holy spirit froÌ„ me Psal 8 Restore to me the ioy of thy saluation and stablish me with thy free spirit For thou art good to them that trust in thee and to the soule that seeketh thee All thy waies are mercy and truth to them that seek out thy couenant and testimonies The fountaine of thy goodnes is euer full and ouerflowing thy mercy neuer decaieth Thou woundest and healest again thou killest and reuiâ—est bringest euen down to hell and bringest backe againe Thou raiseth vp those that are fallen thou coÌ„fortest the broken harted Thou strengthnest the weary standers crooked knees and out of the gulf of hell thou deliuerest the afflicted Out of darknes thou bringest light out of death life and out of damnation thou bringest saluation Heare me therefore O Lord according to thy louing kindnes turne vnto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies Look vpon mine affliction and my trauell and forgiue me my sinnes Psal 63. Remember not the offences of my youth nor my rebellions against thee Psal 130. For if thou Lord shouldest marke our iniquities Lord who should bee able to stand in thy sight Job 15. Seeing thou hast found iniquitie euen in thine Angels the heauens are not clean in thy sight much more is man abhominable filthy which drinketh iniquity like water Notwithstanding thou hast saide O Lord that as the righteousnes of the righteous man shal not saue him whensoeuer he offendeth so shall not the wickednesse of the wicked man hurt him whensoeuer hee forsaketh his wickednes and turneth to thee Psal 83. For thou knowest thine owne handy worke thou remembrest what we are thou seest that we are but weak and feeble flesh Looke not therefore vpon my sinnes O Lord but looke vpon the face of thine anointed For he hath borne our iniquities Isay â— he hath carried our sorrowes Hee was wounded for our transgressions he was broken for our iniquities the chastisment of our peace is laid vpon him He gaue his body to be beaten and his cheekes to bee stricken hee bare the sinnes of many and praied for the offenders He came to bring glad tidings to the poore to bind vp the broken harted Isay 6 to preach liberty to the captiues to comfort them that mourne in Sion and to giue vnto them beauty for ashes the oile of ioy for mourning the garment of gladnesse for the spirit of heauines that they might bee called trees of righteousnes and the planting of the Lord. For his sake therefore O Lord be mercifull vnto me and say vnto my soule behold I come to thee thy health and thy saluation A praier for the true knowledge and vnderstanding of the word of God LEt my praier come before thee O Lord and giue me vnderstanding according to thy word Psal 119. Blessed art thou O Lord teach me thy statutes That with my lips I may declare all the iudgements of thy mouth That I may delight in the way of thy testimonies aboue all riches That I may meditate in thy precepts and consider thy waies That I may take pleasure in thy statutes and not forget thy word Be good vnto me thy seruant O Lord the I may liue keep thy word Open mine eies that I may see the wonders which are in thy law I am a stranger vpon earth notwithstanding hide not from me thy commandements For my hart languisheth with the desire that it hath to thy iudgments Thy testimonies are my delight and my counsellâ—rs I will praise thee with an vpright heart when thou hast taught me the iudgements of thy righteousnes Shew me thy waies O Lord teach me thy paths Lead me forth in thâ— truth and teach me for thou art my God and my saluation in thee doe I trust all the day long Make me vnderstand the way of thy preceâ—â—s and I wiâ—l consider thy wondroâ—s works Thâ— hands haue made me and fashioned me giue me vnderstanding that I may scarâ—e thy commandements That they which feare thee seeing me may reioyce because I haue trusted in thy word Shew the light of thy countenance vpon thy seruant and teach me thy ordinances Thou art good gracious therefore according to thy goodnes teach me thy statutes O Lord of whose goodnesse the earth is ful teach me thy ordinances O Lord I beseech thee accept the sacrifice of my lips and teach me thy iudgements The righteousnes of thy testimonies is euerlasting grant me vnderstanding and I shall liue Deale with thy seruant according to thy mercies and teach mee thy statutes I am thy seruant grant mee vnderstanding that I may know thy testimonies My lippes shall shew foorth thy praise when thou hast taught mee thy statutes My tongue shal talke of thy word Psal 36. for al thy commandements are righteous For in thee is a wel of liuing waters and euer flowing and in thy light shall we see light A praier for the leading of a godly life I Crie vnto thee with my whole hart heare me O Lord Psal 119. and guide me that I may keepe thy statutes I call vpon thee saue me Psal 141. that I may keepe thy testimonies Let my prayer bee directed in thy sight as incense and the lifting vp of my hands as an euening sacrifice I haue gone astray like a lost sheepe seeke thy seruant Psali 11â— for I doe not forget thy commandements Psal 86. Teach me thy way O Lord that I may walke in thy truth knit my hart vnto thee that I may feare thy name Let thy louing kindnes come vnto me O Lord and thy saluation according to thy promise 9 Let my heart be vpright in thy statutes that I be not confounded O that my waies were so directed thaâ— I might keep thy statutes Then shall I not be confounded whâ—n I haue regard vnto all thy commandements I make my supplication in thy presence with my whole heart bee mercifull vnto me according to thy promise Guide me O Lord that I may consider my wares and turn my feet into thy testimonies Wherwith shal a man redresse his waies In taking heed thereto according to thy word Teach me O Lord the way of thy statutes that I may keep them to the end Giue me vnderstanding that I may keep thy
law yea that I may keep it with my whole heart Direct me in the path of thy commandements for therein is my delight Turn away mine eies that I regard not vanity and quicken me in thy way Stablish thy promise to thy seruant whereby he may be taught to feare thee Direct my steps in thy word and let not iniquity haue dominion oueâ— me Let not the foot of pride come against me and let not the hand of the wicked moue me Gather not my soule with the sinners nor my life with the blody men Let my foot stand in vprightnesse that I may praise thee O Lord in the congregation Let not the word of truth depart out of my mouth for I trust in thy iudgements Set a watch O Lord before my mouth and keepe the dore of my lips Let not my heart bee inclined to euill to worke wicked workes with them that worke iniquity Teach mee good iudgement and knowledge for I doe beleeue thy commandements Stay my steps in thy paths that my feet do not slide Stablish mee in thy promise that I may liue and let mee not be disappointed of my hope Stay thou me O Lord and I shall be safe and I will delight continually in thy statutes O God create in me a pure heart and renue a right spirit within me Psal 52. Cast mee not away from thy presence and take not thy holy spirite from me Restore to me the ioy of thy saluation and stablish mee with thy free spirit Let me heare thy louing kindnesse in the morning Psal 143. shew mee the way that I should walke in for in thee is my trust Teach mee to doe the thing that pleaseth thee for thou art my God let thy good spirit leade mee into the land of righteousnes A praier for deliuerance from sinne and to be restored to Gods grace and fauor againe OH Almighty and euerlasting Lord GOD which hast made heauen and earth and all things therein contained O incomprehensible vnity Oh alwaies to be worshipped most blessed Trinity I humbly beseech thee and pray thee by the assumption and crucified humanity of our Lord Iesus Christ that thou wouldest incline and bow down the great height of thy deity to the bottomles pit of my vtility Driue from me all kind of vice wickednes and sin Create in me a clean heart and renue in me a right spirit for thy holy names sake Oh Lord Iesu I beseech thy goodnes for the exceeding great loue which drew thee out of thy Fathers bosome into the wombe of the holy virgin and for the assumption of mans statute wherin it pleased thee to saue me and deliuer me from eternall death that thou wouldest draw me out of my selfe into thee my Lord God and grant that this my loue may recouer again to me thy grace to increase and make perfect in me that which is wanting to raise vp in me that which is fallen to restore to me that which I haue lost quicken in mee that which is dead should liue so that I may become conformable to thee in al my life and conuersation thou dwelling in me and I in thee my heart being coupled with thy grace and setled in thy faith for euer Oh my God loose and set at liberty my spirit from all inferior things gouerne my soule and worke that both in soule body I may be wholy and liue to thy glory world without end Amen I. B. A praier necessary to be said at all times O Bountifull Lord Iesu O sweet Sauiour O Christ the Son of God haue pitty vpon me mercifully heare me and despise not my praiers Thou hast created me of nothing thou hast redeemed me from the bondage of sinne death and hell neither with golde nor siluer but with thy most precious body once offered vpon the Crosse and thine own blood shed once for all for a ransome Therefore cast me not away whom thou by thy great wisedome hast made Despise mee not whom thou hast redeemed with such a pretious treasure nor let my wickednesse destroy that which thy goodnesse hath builded Now while I liue O Iesu haue mercy on me for if I die out of thy fauour it will be too late afteâ—ward to call for thy mercy While I haue time to repent looke vpon mee with thy mercifull eyes as thou diddest vouchsafe to looke vpon Peter thy Apostle that I may bewayle my sinfull life and obtaine thy fauor to liue and die therein I acknowledge that if thou shouldest deale with mee according to thy iustice I haue deserued euerlasting death Therefore I appeale to thy high throne of mercy trusting to obtaine thy fauour not for my merites but for thy deserts O Iesu who hast giuen thy selfe an acceptable sacrifice to thy Father to appease his wrath and to bring all sinners truly repenting and amending their euill life vnto his fauour againe Accept me O Lord among the number of them whome thou hast in Christ elected and chosen to saluation forgiue mee my sinnes giue mee grace to leade a godly and innocent life graunt mee thy heauenly wisedome inspire my heart with faith hope and charitie giue mee grace to be humble in prosperity patient in aduersity obedient to my rulers in all my doings faithfull dealing truly with all men to liue chastly in wedlocke to abhorte adultery fornication and al vncleannes to do good after my power vnto all men to hurt no man that thy name may be glorified in me during this present life that I afterward may attaine euerlasting life through thy mercy and the merits of thy death and passion Amen A Praier for grace and remission of our sinnes O Lord God mercifull Father I poore wretched sinner come vnto thee in the name of thy dearely beloued Son Iesus Christ my sauiour beseeching thee for his sake to be mercifull vnto me to cast al my sinnes out of thy sight euen through the merits of his bloudy death Powre vpon me O Lord thy holy spirit of grace and wisedome to gouern lead my body and soule in thy holy word commandements shew thy mercy vpon me so lighten the naturall blindnes and darknes of my hart through thy grace that I may daily be renued by thy holy spirit Open my hard hart grosse eares to heare and read thy word and heauenly voice and to beleeue and follow it in my conuersation and euer to holde fast that blessed hope of euerlasting life Mortifie and kill al vice in me that my life may expresse my faith in thee Mercifully heare the humble supplications of thy seruant and grant me thy peace all my daies Graciously pardon my infirmities and defend me in all dangers both outwardly in my body goods and name and inwardly in my soule against all euil temptatioÌ„s and subtile baites of Sathan that roaring lion seeking whom hee may deuoure Grant O Lord that I and euery member of thy Church in his vocation and calling may truely and godlily
the diuel rage the powers of the world daily rise vp the flesh with all her bond slaues coÌ„spire against the kingdom of thine onely begotten son Iesus Christ our Lord yet make vs to vnderstand and with constant faith bee perswaded that thou deridest and contemnest all such whom thou canst in thine anger fierce displeasure when thou wilt suddenly destroy bring to nought In this faith seeing wee are sometimes so weak that being ouercome with sundry kindes of terrors and dread we are not so obedient to thy commandements as we ought to be wee therefore beseech thee for thy great goodnes sake to be mercifull vnto vs and grant that we may coÌ„stantly beleeue thy sonne our King and our redeemer to haue the highest power and dominion with thee in all things For seeing thou hast begotten him thou hast also deliuered to him all natioÌ„s to be ruled by his power as his owne inheritance grant therefore vnto vs that yet at length wee may be wise and vnderstand in such sort as we may serue thee with al due feare and worship that in the last day wee be not dashed in peeces as earthen vessels with the rodde of thine indignation through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier which M. Iohn Bradford said alittle before his death in Smithfield MErcifull God and Father to whom our Sauiour Christ approched in his feare need by reson of death sound comfort gracious God and most bounteous Christ on whom StepheÌ„ called in his extreame need and receiued strength most benigne holy spirit which in the midst of all crosses and death didst comfort the Apostle S. Paul with more consolations in Christ than hee felt sorrows and terrors in the world haue mercy vpon mee a most miserable vile and wretched sinner which now draw neer the gates of death deserued both in soule and body eternally by reason of my manifold horrible old and new transgressions which to thine eyes O Lord GOD are open and knowne Oh be 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 now thou shouldest not heare mee contemning thy daily callings yet let thy mercy which is aboue all thy works and wherwith the earth is filled let thy mercy I say preuaile towards me through the merits and mediation of Christ our Sauiour for whose sake it pleaseth thee to bring me forth now as one of his witnesses and a record bearer of thy verity and truth taught by him to giue my life therefore of which dignity I doe acknowledge deare God that there was neuer any so vnworthy and vnmeete no not the thiefe that hanged with him on the crosse I humbly therefore pray thee that thou wouldest accordingly aid helpe and assisâ— mee with thy strength and heaueÌ„ly grace that with Christ thy Sonne I may finde comfort with Stephen I may see thy presence and gracious power with Paul and all other which for thy name sake haue suffered affliction and death I may find so present with me thy gracious consolation that I may by my death glorifie thy holy name set forth and ratifie thy verity comfort the harts of the heauy confirme thy Churcâ— in thy truth conuert some that are to be conuerted and so depart out of this miserable world where I doe nothing but daily heape sinne vpon sinne and enter into the fruition of thy blessed mercy whereof now giue and increase in me a liuely tast sense and feeling where through the terrour of death the tormenâ—s of fire the paines of sin the darts of Satan and the dolours of hell may neuer ouercome me but may be driuen away through the working of the most gracious spirit which now pleÌ„teously endue me withal that throgh the same spâ—rit I may offer as now I desire am ready to doe in Christ and by him my selfe wholy soule and body to a liuely sacrifice holy and acceptable in thy sight deare father whose I am and always haue been euen before the world was made to whom I commend my selfe faith name family and friends countrie all the whole Church yea euen my very enemies according to thy good pleasure beseeching thee entirely to giue once more to this Realme of England the blessing of thy word againe with godly peace to the teaching and setting forth of the same O deare father now guide mee to come vnto thee so purge and purifie me by this fire in Christs death passion through the spirite that I may bee a burnt offering of sweet smel in thy sight which liuest and raignest with the sonne and the holie Ghost now and euermore world without end The Letany O God the father of heauen haue mercy vppon vs miserable sinners O God the father of heauen c. O God the sonne redeemer of the world haue mercy vpon vs miserable sinners O God the sonne redeemer c. O God the holy ghost proceeding from the father and the sonne haue mercy vpon vs miserable sinners O God the holy Ghost c. O holy blessed and glorious Trinity three persons one God haue mercy vpon vs miserable sinners O holy blessed and glorious c. Remember not Lord our offences nor the offences of our forefathers neither take thou vengeance of our sins spate vs good Lord spate thy people whome thou hast redeemed with thy most precious bloud and be not angry with vs for euer Spate vs good Lord. From all euill and mischiefe from sinne from â—he crafts and assaults of the diuell from thy wrath and from euerlasting damnation Good Lord deliuer vs. From blindnes of heart from pride vaineglory and hypocrisie from enuy hatred and malice and al vncharitablenesse Good Lord deliuer vs. From fornication and al other deadly sinne and from all the deceits of the world the flesh and the diuell Good Lord deliuer vs. From lightning and tempest from plague pestileÌ„ce famine from battell murder from sodaine death Good Lord deliuer vs. From all sediâ—iâ—n and priuy conspiracy from all false doctrine and heresie from hardnes of heart contempt of thy word commandemeÌ„t Good Lord deliuer vs. By the mystery of thy holy incarnation by thy holy natiuity and circumcision by thy Baptisme fasting and temptation Good Lord deliuer vs. By thine agony and bloudy sweat by thy crosse and passion by thy glorious resurrection and assension 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 Lord God and that it may please thee to rule and gouerne thy holy church vniuersally in the right way We beseech thee to heare vâ— c. That it may please thee to keep and strengthen in the true worshipping of thee in righteousnesse holines of
a cause but as an instrumeÌ„t whereby we our selues may be certaine of our good husband Christ of of his glorie and therefore when the conscience feeleth it selfe disquieted for feare of Gods iudgment against sin shee may in no wise looke vpon the doctrine pertaining to the old man but to the doctrine onely that pertaineth to the new man in it not looking for that which it requireth that is faith because we neuer beleeue as we should but onely on it which it offereth which it giueth that is on Gods grace and eternall mercie and peace in Christ Iesu so shall she be in quiet when she looketh for it altogether out of her selfe in gods mercy in Christ Iesu in whose lap if she lay her head with S. Iohn John 13. When the conscience is quiet and at peace with God the law serueth only to keepe downe the old man then is shee happy and shall finde quietnes indeede When shee feeleth her selfe quiet then in Gods name let her looke on the law and vpon such things as it requireth thâ—reby to bridle and keepe downe the old Adam to slay the Goliah froÌ„ whom she must needs keepe the sweet promises being the bed wherein her spouse she meet and lie together for as the wife will keepe her bed only for her husband although in other things she is content to haue fellowship with others as to speake sit eate drinke go c. so our consciences which are Christs wiues must needs keep the bed that is Gods sweet promises all onely for our selues and our husband there to meet together to imbrace and laugh together to bee ioifull together If sin the law the Diuell or any thing else would creep into the bed and lie there then câ—mplaine to thy husbâ—nd Christ forthwith thou shalt see him play Phineas part Thus my deerely beloued I haue giuen you in few words a summe of all the Diuinity which a Christian conscience cannot want FINIS The Table AN introduction to praier 17 A meditation concerning praier 49 A meditation vpon the Lords supper 68 A priuate praier for the morning euening and other times of the day 132 VVhen you avvake out of your sleepe eod VVhen you behold the daie light 134 VVhen you arise 135 VVhen you apparrell yourselfe 136 VVhen you are made readie to begin the daie vvithall 138 Cogitations meete to begin the day vvithal 139 VVhen you goe foorth of the doore 143 VVhen you are going anie iourney 145 VVhen you are about to receiue your meat 148 In the meal time 150 After your meate 152 vvhen you come home againe 155 At the sunne going dovvn 156 VVhen the candles bee light 158 VVhen you make your selues vnready 160 VVhen you goe into your bed 161 VVhen you feele sleepe to be comming 163 A generall confession of sins vviâ—h other praiers for the morning euening to be vsed in families and publike assemblies 165 Another confession of sins 167 A praier to be sayd in the morning 169 Another 172 Another 143 An euening prayer 176 Another 181 Another 183 A prayer for remission 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 a praier for the streÌ„gth and increase of faith 200 A thankesgiuing to God for his greate benefits 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 vnfaithfull 215 A meditation of the life euerlasting the place vvhere it is the incoÌ„parablenes thereof 222 Another meditation of the blessed state 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 goodnesse c. 245 A meditation concerning the sober vsage of the body that it may bee subiect obedient to the soule 249 Another meditation concerning the sober vsage of the bodie pleasures in this 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 raining in glory A 8 A praier for true repentance 272 A praier for the strength increase of faith 273 A prayer for the true sense and feeling of gods fauour and mercie in Christ 274 A praier against our spirituall enimies the diuel the vvorld and the flesh 280 A praier for present help in temptation 281 Remedies against sinfull motions and tentations 284 A praier for the auoiding of Gods heauie vvrath and vengeance for our sins 286 Another 293 A praier to be said of such as suffer any 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 holy Ghost 302 A thankesgiuing to God the father the sonne and the holy Ghost 367 A praier to God for his helpe and protection against the obstinate enimies of the truth 301 A praier for the afflicted and persecuted vnder the tyranny of Antichrist 312 A praier to be said before the preaching of Gods vvord 314 A praier to be said after the preaching â— God 's vvord 310 A praier to be said before the receiuing of the communion 322 A thanksgiuing after the receiuing of the communion 326 A lamentation of a sinner afflicted in onscieÌ„ce for his offences 327 A praier for the sicke 333 A prayer to be said at the hour of death 339 A prayer for a vvoman vvith childe 343 A Psalme to bee sayde in the time of any common plague sicknesse or other crosse or visitation of God 346 A Psalme of thankesgiuing for deliueraunce from the plague or anye other kind of sicknesse or afflictions 350 A prayer to be said before meate after 354 Another prayer to be said bâ—fore meate 355 Another 356 A thankesgiuing after meales 357 An other â—hankesgiuing after meales 359 Anâ—ther 360 Another 361 Prayers commonly called Lydleys Prayers with certaine godly additions A Confession of sin 362 A confession of sinnes and a prayer for the remission thereof 374 A prayer for the true knovvledge and vnderstanding of the vvord of God 380 A prayer for the leading of a godly life 383 A prayer for the deliuerance from sins to bee restored to Gods grace fauour againe 387 A prayer necessitie to be said at all times 389 A prayer for grace remission of sin 392 Prayers taken out of the first psalme 395 Prayers taken out of the second psalme 400 A praier vvhich M. Iohn Bradford said a litle before his death in Smithfield 404 The Letany 409 For rhe Kings maiestie 410 For Bishops ministers of the Church 431 For raine 421 For faire vveather 422 Jn the time of dearth and famine 423 Jn the time of vvarre 423 In the time of any coÌ„mon plaâ—ue of sicknesse 424 For strength and comfort of the holie Ghost 425. For sure hope and true tast of euerlasting life 426 For the true knovvledge of god his vvord a life agreeable to the same ibid For the strength increase of faith 427 For a godly life 428 For the true perseuerance and assured hope of eternall life 429 A praier for the obteining of our petitions 429 A godly instruction containing the sum of al the Diuinitie necessarie for a Christian conscience 431 FINIS