Supplications of SAINTS A Booke of Prayers Diuided into three parts 1 Daniels deuotion prayers for Seuerall dayes 2 Paul and his company prayers for seueral occasions 3 Dauid alone prayers for seuerall parties Wherein are three most excellent Prayers made by the late famous Queene ELIZABETH A third Edition enlarged APOC. 8. 4. The Prayers of the Saints went vp before God LONDON Printed for Nicholas Bourne and are to sould at his shop at the entring in of the Royall Exchange 1612. THE CONTENTS OF the seuerall parts 1 Daniels Deuotion Containing three Prayers for euery day in the weeke with other priuate Prayers for Morning and Euening in number 27. Pag. 2 Paul and his Company Containing Prayers for diuers Occasions generall and particuler in number 23. Pag. 3 Dauid alone Containing Queene ELIZABETHS prayers other Prayers in the name of diuers parties of seuerall estates in number 21. Pag. Prayers accompanying the seuerall parts A three-fold Paraphrase vpon the LORDS Prayer Nine short Prayers beginning with the letters of the name Elizabeth Two Prayers and meditations vpon the passions of the life and death of our sauiour Iesus A generall thankesgiuing c. To the most Gratious Lady Lady ELIZABETH eldest daughter of our Soueraigne Lord the King BEing willing amongst others of my Function to performe some office to the glory of Gods people considering with my selfe the times we liue in together with our owne frailties I haue in that regard most vertuous Lady labored to compose a small volume of short Prayers and to contriue it into this Method assuring my selfe that nothing is or can be more acceptable to Almightie God then the hartie Prayers of his people In which Collection I haue also inserted three most sweete Prayers made by the late Queene Elizabeth of famous memorie Which as vpon her occasions she powred forth before the Lord as it is written of King Salomon kneeling on her knees stretching of her hands to heauen so I thought them most worthy to be registred for perpetuall memorie being compiled by so renowned a person as her selfe and carying in matter pithe in stile Maiestie and in words true deuotion And vnderstanding of your Graces loue of vertue with the humblenesse of your minde and zeale of seruing God I am therefore enboldened in the forehead of this my Myte to stampe your royall Name not doubting of your Graces fauourable allowance Which being my humble suite and desire crauing pardon for this boldnesse I cease not as heartily to pray that the manifold graces of the most High may be multiplyed vpon your Estate and your Grace long preserued to the ioy and comfort of your most roiall Parents our Soueraigne King and Queene the good of Gods Church and the finall saluation of your owne soule From the Parsonage house of S. Mildreds in the Poultry London Septem 7. Anno Dom. 1610. Your Graces most humbly Thomas Sorocold To all deuout People CHRISTIAN brethren I haue bin persuaded to publish to your view and charitable interpretation this handfull of flowers picked sorted and tyed vp into a bundle according to my slender abilitie both of iudgement and inuention I haue presumed also to entitle them SVPPLICATIONS of Saints induced thereunto by three reasons First because they are squared to the practise of the two holy Prophets and the blessed Apostle and Saint Saint Paul Secondly three of these praiers which are indeed praestantiores far more eminent and excellent then al the rest proceeding from humane conceit were vsed and penned by the late noble Queene of famous memorie ELIZABETH and may iustly challenge the Denomination as the remaines of her Deuotion who liuing a Religious and Peerelesse PRINCE was truely accounted as the Wise-man speaketh among the Children of God and now being taken from vs hath her portion among the Saints The third reason is because I hope they may be the dayly exercise of your selues who being called to the participation of Iesus Christ embracing the Gospell of God and hauing receiued the Sacrament of life haue also your part in the Communion of Saints I haue not helde such a course as happily other Collectors of the like Deuotions haue done and yet I hope you will not condemne mee but vpon good deliberation I confesse they are not mingled with discourse for God desireth not to take admonition or information from our reports neither are they interlaced with Meditations for the places of Scripture which I haue prefixed before euery one will minister matter of that Deuotion neither haue I made any of them very long to draw them into a thousand periods as Chrysostom saith as if it were a goodly worke to multiply much speech before GOD But I haue made them somewhat briefe ayming at that Rule which our Lord and Sauiour prescribed saying After this maner pray ye That is saith Chrysostome againe Hee appointed the Disciples to gather the Petitions of their prayers into a short summe Wherefore if ye find them worthy the name of prayers vse them if otherwise yet take them as meane grounds of Prayer and meditation to set your deuout thoughts a worke with this liberty that where I haue been defectiue I referre it to the iudicious to supply and where I haue offered any thing vaine or offensiue I am content to admit a godly Corrector But how euer it be yet let me aduise you not to waxe faint or slacke in Prayer for such as haue learned of the Lord Iesus saith Saint Augustine true humilitie and meeknesse of heart receiue more profit by meditation and prayer then in reading and hearing whereby ye may be sure the religious Father meant not to traduce either the preaching of the word or the reading of any thing that may make a man wise vnto saluation but enforced the more reuerend respect and more frequent vse of this Ghostly exercise that as men are commanded to be Doers of the Word so they should be seekers of Grace to doe it by not Hearers onely for so saith the Apostle they should deceiue themselues For when Paul hath planted and Apollos watered when one hath read a learned treatise and another hath heard a fruitfull Sermon they must refer the rest to him that giueth the increase and vnto whom will he giue it to him that seeketh vnto him that knocketh to him that asketh humbly and deuoutly in his prayer Follow then his counsell which sayeth Put vp your Prayers to him that hee may send downe his grace to you Againe beloued all is not peace if yee consider of what Church we are while we be in this world S. Paul tels vs that we are in a Warfare that Prayer is a principall peece of our Armour therefore his counsell is Pray alwayes watch thereunto For wee cannot as Abishai said to Dauid concerning his blow make so sure worke at one time that we shall not need to come againe But rather so many are
our sinnes as the haires of our heads so many our enemies as the stars in the skye and so fierce and strong the Tempter as a roaring Lyon that as the Man of God was angry with the King of Israel because when he bad him smite the earth with his dart he smote onely thrice who should haue smiten fiue or sixe times that he might haue beene assured of the ouerthrow of his enemies So GOD that bids vs continue in Prayer will be angry with vs if wee pray not againe and againe as the importunate widdow in the Gospel prosecuted her suite yea to speake of Deuotion as he doth of compassion if we pray not seuen times yea seuentie times seuen times that wee may obtaine a blessing I speake to them that haue vnderstanding iudge you what I say and I shall pray vnto the Holy One of Israel in heauen that your inspirations may be heauenly your desires holy your Prayers here feruent and frequent there acceptable before the throne of his Maiestie to the reliefe of your necessities and to the setting forth of his glory in IESVS Christ Amen The faults escaped in some copies amend thus Pag. Lin. for read 4 6 Father Trinity 103 19 hope heart 114 14 apparelled appalled 229 4 Marke Make. 327 6 be begin THE most absolute prayer and best Rule of all holy Petitions is that which our Lord Sauiour taught his Disciples A Prayer large for matter short for Phrase and sweet for order which I hauing thus paraphrased as you see thought not so good to insert it into this bundle as to place it here alone before them all as a Supplication not appropriate to any one part but apperaining giuing life to all and fit to conclude euery one A Paraphrase vpon the Lords Prayer OVR FATHER By right of Creation Merit of Mercie Gracious prouision Which art in Heauen The seate of thy Maiestie The inheritance of thy children The kingdome of blisse Hallowed be thy Name By the thoughts of our hearts By the words of our mouthes By the works of our hands Thy Kingdome come Of grace to inspire vs. Of power to defend vs. Of glory to crowne vs. Thy will be done In weale and woe In fulnesse and wane In life and death In Earth as it is in Heauen In vs as it is in thine Angels Willingly readily faithfully Without murmur Let Deceit Giue vs this day our daily Bread For the nourishing of our bodies For the feeding of our Soules The reliefe of all necessities And forgiue vs our debts Whereby thou art dishonoured Our Neighbour wronged or Our selues indangered As we forgiue our debtors That haue hurt vs in our bodies Hindred vs in our goods Wronged vs in our good Name And lead vs not into temptation Of the wicked World The entising flesh or The enuious Deuill But deliuer vs from euill Forgiue that is past Remoue that is present Preuent what is to come For thine is the Kingdom Power glorie To rule and gouerne all To command and do all In all by all All in all Now and for euer At this present In this world and In the world to come AMEN As thou say'st So it is As thou promisest So it shall be As we pray So be it Lord. PRAYERS Beginning with the letters of the name ELIZABETH E EVery day O Almighty GOD and heauenly Father will I pray vnto thee to haue mercy vpon me and to keepe me in thy grace fauour and loue Euery day will I giue thankes vnto thee ô Lord IESV the Sonne of GOD for thy gratious redemption of my body and soule from sinne death and hell Euery day will I laud thy holy Name ô holy Ghost Gods Spirit hearts ioy elects comforter beseeching thee blessed Trinitie in sacred vnitie to replenish my heart with all charitable desires and heauenly inspirations necessary to Saluation Amen L LAy too thy helping hand ô Lord strengthen my weake condition and powre thine oyle of grace into my wounded heart that I may be able to walke in the wayes of thy commandements without reproofe and receiue comfort in all my needs and necessities Amen I IT is pitie and compassion ô LORD alone which must couer mine vnworthinesse therefore renouncing all merite in my selfe I flie vnto thee for succour Leaue me not ô Lord but preuent mee with thy goodnesse now and euermore Amen Z ZEalous O LORD I am of thy truth Wherefore I pray thee sanctifie my heart to a right conuersation in this world Direct me by thy lawes that I neuer step beyond the limites of my duetie and suffer me not to enter into any action which eyther may dishonour thee or bring my life into infamie Amen A ADmit me O mercifull Lord to thy gracious fauour many are the dangers of this life and I haue no patron to defend mee but thee Heauen is thine and the earth is thine keepe me on earth as one of thine and bring mee to Heauen to raigne with thee Amen B BLessed Lord I haue sinned but my pardon is with thee If I were as sinfull as Marie Magdalen as outragious as the prodigall sonne and as bashfull to come neere as the Publican yet Iesus hath made satisfaction for my sinne therefore in mercy forgiue mee now and euermore Amen E ENter not into iudgement with a poore creature O LORD dust and ashes is my state here onely I am created after thine Image for a better world destroy not then the worke of thine owne hands but shew thy mercy and goodnesse vnto me this day and euermore Amen T THinke vpon me O LORD thy word neuer failed and thy compassions haue no end By the vertue of the one and the substance of the other purifie me from all iniquitie and leade me into all truth this day and euermore Amen H HAue mercy vpon mee O LORD accept my Prayers which I powre out before thee and graunt my requests Mercifully prosper the things that I take in hand saue mee from mine enemies a blessed life and a happie end good Lord send me AMEN Supplications OF SAINTS The first part Daniels deuotion DAN 6. 10. Hee kneeled vpon his knees three times a day and prayed This part containeth priuate Prayers For Morning Noone and Euening euery day in the weeke Also foure other Prayers for Morning and Euening and two Prayers vpon the Passion of our Lord Iesus Sunday Morning Prayer Psal 145. 10. All thy works prayse thee O Lord and thy Saints shal blesse thee Psal 119. 170. O let my Supplication come before thee deliuer mee according to thy word OH LORD GOD Almightie Father and thou welbeloued Sonne of the Father Iesus Christ with the holy Ghost holy blessed and glorious Trinitie eternall God Lord of the Sabbath and the fountaine of all wisdome I do not present these my Supplications before thee for my righteousnesse but for thy great mercies I trust in them truely without diffidence I trust in them only without any
holy Passion Crosse and Death betweene thy iudgement and my Soule both now and at the houre of death Of thy mercie O Lord strengthen my weaknesse and mortifie my corrupt nature enclining to swearing wantonnesse lying or any other sinne whatsoeuer and grant that I may so walke in thy wayes by the light of thy holy word that no worldly vanitie bewitch me to sel my selfe to worke wickednesse O holy Father graunt me a sound mind and the right vse of my senses continually that knowing what I doe and practising what I know I may worthily lament the wickednesse of my life and euer vpon my vnfained repentance feele thy comforts in my soule and neuer forget the desire of the life to come O Lord blesse me in all the passages of this life and after death restore the same body and soule to life eternal Heare my prayers O Lord God for Iesus Christs sake my onely Lord and Sauiour Amen Noone A Prayer to God the Father O Merciful God and louing Father on whose prouidence we depend for all our necessaries wee thanke thee for our royall creation after thine owne Image and all other good graces now and euer bestowed vpon vs. Giue vs grace we pray thee so to liue as becommeth thy children in all holines and righteousnesse Incline our harts to thy law not to couetousnes open our eies that wee may behold the secret things of thy Law Make vs fruitfull in all good works forgiue vs our sinnes and wash vs in the blood of thy Sonne clense our hearts and renew our mindes to thy holy will prosper the workes of our hands and bring vs safely from all dangers to the end of this day for Iesus Christs sake Amen Munday Euening Prayer Euening and Morning and at Noone will I pray and cry aloud and hee shall heare mee ALmighty God which giuest infinite occasions vnto euery creature to prayse thy holy Name I come vnto thee with the holy Prophet that mine eyes may preuent the night-watches beseeching thee to accept this mine Euening Sacrifice of praise and thanks for the depth of thy goodnesse which I am not able to expresse and the Sea of thy mercies which haue ouer-flowed this day to my great comfort Season O Lord my senses inward and outward with the Salt of thy grace that with a sanctified heart I may make a godly vse of all those good things which I haue heard seene or read this day And further lighten mine eies that I sleepe not in death nor walke in darknesse spiritual or corporal to endanger eyther my body or my soule O Lord let mine eyes sleepe and inioy that moderate recreation which thou hast appointed for my wearisome condition but let my soule continually watch vnto thee to attend thy comming that when my sleepe hath not beene vnmeasurable to please excessiuely the ease of my flesh I may be the better disposed to thy seruice to morrow Preserue me Lord from all vncleannesse both of body and soule from all dangers that walke in the night and keep me from all temptations of him that is the prince of darknesse Forgiue me the sins and offences which I haue committed this day in thought word deed against thee or my neighbour Giue mee grace to water my Couch with teares in vnfeined repentance of my sins past so to passe the residue of my life that in regard of thy iustice I may retaine a holy feare to stand alwaies in awe of thee and in regard of thy mercy conceyue sure hope neuer to despaire O Lord keepe me this night both in body and soule that I may ioyfully rise againe be thankefull vnto thee and diligently walke in my vocation and calling to the glory of thy holy Name and the commoditie of my neighbour for Iesus Christs sake our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen Tuesday Morning Prayer Satisfie vs earely with thy mercie that we may reioyce and be glad in all our dayes O Blessed LORD GOD great in power fearefull in Iudgement and rich in mercie which bindest and no man looseth and loosest and no man bindeth I yeeld thee most humble and harty thanks for that of thy fatherly goodnesse thou hast vouchsafed me this last nights sleepe in peace and rest and again loosing the bonds wherewith I was tyed hast giuen me power to see this Morning light Now O Lord I beseech thee powre vpon me this day the dew of thy blessing that through the operation of thy gratious beames I may bud foorth and beare the fruits of true faith in my life conuersation Continue thy goodnesse and mercy towards mee and by thy power rayse mee from the deepe sleepe of all vnrighteousnesse discharge me from the workes of darkenesse and clothe me with the Armour of light that I may walke honestly as in the day and liue soberly righteously and godly in this present world Grant me ô Lord true vnderstanding and knowledge of thy word which is the Glasse of thy wil. Increase in me all godly desires together with true contrition of heart that I may vnfeinedly despise the pleasures of this world with harty repentance be conuerted vnto thee Send thy holy Angell to guide me and keepe me in all my waies and prosper the worke of my hands that I neuer faile in my vocation to doe good and eschew euill O Lord I beseech thee preserue and keepe my senses safe and sound that I be neither corrupted by prosperitie nor cast downe by aduersitie nor be too fearefull of thy iudgements or too bold vpon thy mercy But grant mee grace O mercifull Lord that I may apprehend all things that come from thee with a religious contented mind and in the end of my dayes by a liuely Fayth may ioyfully arriue in the Land of promise the Kingdome of HEAVEN through the merits of IESVS CHRIST my onely Sauiour and Redeemer Amen Noone A Prayer to God the Sonne O Blessed LORD Iesus Christ Sonne of the eternall God blessed be thy name for our redemption Great was thy loue sore was thy Passion Print in our minds we beseech thee the continuall memory thereof that we may loue thee which so louedst vs and euermore prayse thee that hast bought vs at so deare a price Reiect not our prayers which we offer to be pesented to thy Father but mercifully helpe vs and heale all our infirmities increase our faith and teach vs obedience forgiue vs our offences and hide vs in thy wounds from thy fathers iust wrath Make good thy promises vnto vs for the world to come and enable vs with thy Grace for the performance of all thy Commandements Prosper O Lord our handy worke and bring vs safely to the end of this day for thy trueth and for thy Names sake Amen Tuesday Euening Prayer Happy is hee that hath the GOD of Iacob for his helpe whose hope is in the Lord his God O Most holy Father and gracious GOD which giuest vnto all sorts of men the
sake Amen A short Prayer for the Euening I Thanke thee O Father for thy gracious protection of me this day I beseech thee keepe me also this night vnder thy wing that I resting in thee may finde such comfort and strength both in body and soule as may enable mee to the performance of my duty Grant this I humbly beseech thee for Iesus Christs sake my onely sauiour in whose name I further call vpon thee as he hath taught vs in his Gospell saying Our Father which art in Heauen c. A Prayer to God the Father as a Preparatiue to the Meditation ensuing O Gracious Lord almightie and euerlasting God the father of my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ who was borne at Bethlem in great pouerty Graunt me I beseech thee a roome among the wise men of the East to offer the poore talent of my weake deuotion vnto him all the dayes of my life euen a true Faith for pure Gold the perfume of deuout Praier for sweet Frankincense and hearty Sorrow with bitter Teares of Repentance for dropping Myrrhe And because hee came into this world in such humilitie yet furnished with such a measure of loue that hee was content for my sake to be laden with the burthen of all our infirmities to carry our sorrowes to vnder goe a world of iniuries and miseries and at the last in a shamefull death to offer vp himselfe in Sacrifice to thee for my redemption vouchsafe me thy Grace that I may pick vp some Crummes vnder his Table and gather vp some fruits at the foote of his Crosse that when I haue seene what Iudas sould the Iewes bought what Iudas lost and I haue gained I may bathe my soule in the purple streame of his most precious blood and then entombe him lay him vp in a beleeuing heart vntill his glorious appearance So that all the dayes of my life being washed as the Apostle saith being sanctified and being iustified in the name of the Lord Iesus and by the spirit of my God I may neuer be without sorrow for my Sinnes thankfulnes for thy Benefits feare of thy Iudgements loue of thy Mercies nor remembrance of thy presence Amen A Meditation or Prayer vpon the Life Death and Passion of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ O LORD Christ Iesus Sonne of God thou holy mighty wonderfull God and Man who art the life of the liuing and the death of Death and therefore both in life and death aduantage Whose life for my sake was feebled with naturall infirmities and death caused by violent sorrowes yet thy life milde and thy death qiuet I beseech thee giue mee a fleshie heart to weepe and shedde teares downe my cheekes if not for thy paines who didst sweat drops of blood trickling downe to the ground afterward dyedst for my sake yet for my sins which then bred thy sorrow and now worke my woe Lord I know that for me the tempest of thy Fathers anger and fire of his wrath was stirred and kindled against thee wherfore now with the wise men of the East and all the Iewes I come to seeke thee in the Stable at Bethleem and in Mount Caluarie At Bethleem where the Manger was thy Bed to be borne in in Mount Caluarie where the Crosse was thy Bed to dye on In Bethleem where a handfull of Straw was the pillow for thy sacred Head to rest on in Mount Caluary where a crowne of Thornes and a number of Nailes pierced and fastened both head and body In Bethleem where course swadling clothes were thy best Roabes and in Mount Caluarie where thou didst hang naked in much miserie I come to adore thee to prayse thee to pray thee that as in thy life time thou wast content to be bred borne brought vp in manifold infirmities to strengthen our frailtie and to demonstrate the truth of thy Humanitie and then at thy death to disarme thy selfe and to be broken with them for the discharge of our Captiuitie the assurance of our accesse to the Throne of grace So thou wilt bee pleased as a gracious King to holde out thy golden Scepter of mercy to my fearefull conscience that I may come neere to looke into thy wounds to sue for compassion and pardon to taste of thy goodnesse who am a sinnefull wretch full of corruption and manifold infirmities 2 O sweet Iesus how shall I recount the large seuerals of thine innocent passions from thy poore Natiuity to thy guiltles death From thy bloodie sweat and heauie agonie in one garden to thy strange buriall in another How can I thinke of thy labours in preaching thy wearinesse in trauailing thy watchfulnesse in Praying thy temptings in fasting thy teares in pittying and not confesse more iustly of thee then Dauid did of his Ionathan Very kinde hast thou beene vnto mee thy loue to mee was wonderfull passing the loue of women Was it not inough euen for loue to mee to be cloathed with the vaile of flesh but that thou must be compassed with the shadow of death Was it not inough to become Earth Earth Earth but thou must become also Woe Woe Woe The God of heauen to become the Sonne of Man The Lord of life to bee made the childe of death The Maister to be turned to be a Seruant and from a Seruant to be counted a bad Seruant No proofe brought and yet scourged without measure No Inditement found and yet crucified without mercie Oh the beloued of the Lord ran through Bryars of Passions Oh the holy Lambe was betrayed carried away bound condemned consorted with malefactors and Theeues and like Ionas plunged in the maine depth of sorrowes and swallowed vp of the whale of death O Lambe of God that takest away the sinnes of the world haue mercy vpon mee 3 O Lord Iesus it is the ioy of my heart that thou hast taken and borne all mine infirmities All spirituall and corporall true euidences of thy humanity but no impediments to thy Charitie All of Soule all of Body and yet neither deformed in fashion nor distempered in passion nor tainted with any guilt of sinne Thy soule heauie to the death shall bring my soule to life I should neuer haue beene heartily merry except thou hadst beene painefully sad and grieuously sorrowfull I should neuer haue beene verily satisfied except thou hadst truely hungred and thirsted I should neuer haue beene deliuered from feare and absolutely bold except thou hadst naturally feared O thou euer-glorious God the consolation of Israell and the hope of all the ends of the earth relieue my carefull Conscience that am sadde disordered and disturbed in minde for feare of thy iudgements and because I haue displeased so gracious a God and louing Father Oh neuer let my soule be ouertaken with feare so farre as to dispaire nor ouerwhelmed with the Sea of thy wrath nor apparailed with the suggestions of Sathan But let it alwayes heare the voyce of thy Blood speaking better things then the blood
bond or free LEad me ô Lord I beseech thee in the way of thy Trueth and righteousnesse Gouerne all mine actions to thy glory the good of thy Church and the discharge of my dutie Defend and deliuer me O Lord from all temptations from all mine enemies and from all deceits and dangers Blesse O Lord I beseech thee my Lord Master and Mistresse with all heauenly wisedome vnderstanding and godlynesse and with worldly health and happinesse that I who am their Seruant may by them and vnder them receiue not onely the spirituall food of my soule but also the temporall sustenance of my bodie doing my seruice not outwardly as desirous to please men but with singlenesse of minde from the heart as fearing thee O Lord my God that thereby I may receiue that reward which thou hast promised Giue me ô Lord an obedient and duti-full mind towards them that I may submit my selfe to their honest and lawfull commandements and do them true and faithfull seruice with all humblenesse and patience Grant me grace ô Lord to frame my life according to thy holy word nourish mutual loue and good wil between me my fellowes preserue me from all euill wayes from lewd company from idlenesse Keepe my minde from euill thoughts my tongue from lewd vaine speeches and my body and euery member thereof from all sinfull actions Mortifie in mee O Lord the raging lusts and follyes of youthfull affections O Lord pardon and forgiue me all my sins and grant me grace to loue honour and serue thee in holines righteousnes all my dayes that I may glorifie thee in this world and be glorified of thee in the world to come through Iesus Christ my onely Lord and Sauiour Amen The Maydes prayer Let thy hand-mayd I Pray thee speake in thy audience and heare the words of thine hand-mayd BLessed LORD which in former times hast not despised the low estate of thy Hand-mayds when they sought vnto thee vouchsafe to lend thine eares to the heartie desires of mee thy poore seruant Consider O Lord that in the labours both of body and minde I am the weaker vessel of lesse capacitie and more infirmitie and bestow vpon my youth such competent strength that I may grow in stature wisedome and fauour with God and man As I grow vp in years so Lord let me grow vp in grace Crowne my Virginitie with chaste and religious thoughts and my body and mind with godly watchfulnesse to waite for thy comming with the wise virgins Giue me grace to thinke alwayes that a good Name and honest reputation is better then any dowry to a modest Maide Make my behauiour meeke my talke sober my body chast and keep me from lewd wanton company that I partake not with them in the follies of youth Pardon my fore-past vanities and by the power of thy Spirit enable my weaknesse to auoyde all euill Defend me from slanderous and bad tongues surmising mindes and wicked temptations I beseech thee O Lord make mee faithfull and trusty wise and warie in the ordering of such goods as are committed to my custody by my Master or Mistresse father or mother Marry me vnto thee O Lord in righteousnes in iudgement in mercy and compassion and if it be thy will hereafter to call mee to the honorable estate of corporal Matrimonie make me to follow Rachel in loue Rebecca in wisedom Sara in faithfulnesse and obedience to my husband and all other worthy Matrons in modestie and honestie for Iesus Christs sake our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen The Prayer of one afflicted in conscience for sinne O Lord heare O Lord forgiue O Lord hearken and doe deferre not for thine owne sake O my God O Most mercifull God which by the sending of thy Sonne into the world hast brought to passe that where sinne abounded there grace abounded much more I forlorne wretch disquieted in mind and afflicted in conscience for feare of thy iudgements vpon my sin doe with bended knees and teares vnfeined a most humble supplyant beg craue of thee some succour and reliefe open ô open the gates of thy mercy to the greatnes of my miseries my abiect countenance witnesseth my distressed minde My spirit is sorrowfull my heart is heauie my words are stopt with sighes and my plants watered with teares to thee I hold vp my hands to thee I lift vp my heart to thee I pray requiring thee of mercie O Lord what shall I desire of thee that deserue nothing at thy hands what can I hope for that am euen heartlesse Lord if thou hast said Shall not my soule be auenged on such a one as this remember thy promise else where I will haue mercy on him that could finde no mercy and let it light vpon me if Sathan presume God hath forsaken him thinke vpon the decree for the seed of the Woman and let the power of thy Sons Passion defeate all the deuises of the deuill against me O Lord heare mee speedily if thou doe not then I am out of hope my conscience accuseth me my memory giues euidence against me my reason condemneth mee My spirit is weary of this bondage and I haue bid my life farewell My conscience is clogged when I behold the bloody wounds of my soule the voyce of ioy and mirth is gone from me I am deepely plunged in discomfort I haue neither worth to appease thy wrath nor patience to endure thy indignation I pray thee therefore send the comfort of thy holy Spirit into my heart and strengthen my faith that I be not swallowed vp with ouer much heauinesse O Lord let thy Maiestie appeare in thy mercy forgiue my sinnes the vnhappy ground of all this woe and I am recouered of all mine infirmities Trye not the lawe with mee lest I come to iudgement sanctifie all those good means vnto me wherein I seeke reliefe as Prayer Conference Reading and hearing of thy holy WORD Moderate and mitigate my vexation increase Faith establish hope graunt patience and keepe mee from despaire Take away this Cup from me if it be thy will if not suffer mee not to be tempted aboue my strength I haue an humbled and contrite heart O LORD looke vpon me I go mourning all the day long and am like vnto him that is at the point to die O Lord comfort me thou that wilt not breake a bruised Reed spare me thou that delightest not in the death of a sinner reuiue me though my heart condemne mee yet good Lord acquite me relieue me release me say vnto my soule I am thy saluation Hearken Lord vnto my Prayer and grant my requests for Iesus Christs sake Amen The Sicke-mans Prayer Naked came I out of my Mothers wombe and naked shall I returne thither O Louing LORD and most holy Father I poore wretch thy seruant feeling in this sickenesse which thou hast layd vpon mee the punishment of that corruption transgression that is in mee and all flesh doe most willingly submit
my selfe to thy holy ordinance to beare this Crosse and taste of this bitter cup which I haue deserued and much more so I may follow thee whither thou art gone Therefore O Lord since thou hast not yet called me to the Barre of death but sent thy Heralds to sommon mee to a tryall I beseech thee looke on mee with thine eye of mercifull pittie and helpe me in this day of Visitation Poure thine oyle of grace into my wounded conscience purge my defiled soule forgiue me all my sins and giue me competent comfort consolation in this distresse Let me not dye ere I begin to liue giue mee time to repent occasion to amend But if thou wilt needs put any more of thy wine of correction into my festred sores lay no more ô Lord lay no more vpon me then I shal be able to beare make good vnto mee that goodnesse which thou hast granted mee vnder the great Seale of thy promise Supplie my want pardon my sinnes aide me against all temptations I am recouered of mine infirmities I offer here vnto thee O Lord a penitent heart for the time past and promise through thy grace amendment if it shall please thee to draw out the thread of my life any longer yet I neither desire the continuance of this mortalitie nor a more speedy deliuerance otherwise then as thou wilt Lord looke not vpon my merits for they are either none or not good nor vpon my life for it hath been naught but looke vpon Christ thy deare Sonne who from the Altar of the Crosse cryed vnto thee on my behalfe and accept his satisfaction for my sinnes Arme mee with patience to take vp my Crosse and follow thee euen to beare thy visitation willingly and giue mee strength by faith to resist the aduersarie in in the brunt of temptations With my sorrow and paine increase thy grace that when I am in greatest agony I may finde comfort beleeuing and saying with the holy Prophet My flesh faileth and my heart also but GOD is the strength of my heart and my portion for euer O Lord if thy decree be gone foorth as it was to Hezekiah that I shall dye and not liue giue me grace to put in order my things of this world that I may depart in more peace and when the pangs of death haue shut vp the eies of my body and taken away the vse of my tongue I beseech thee let the eyes of my soule still behold and looke vpon thee so that when I shall leaue my earth to earth and my body to the graue thine angels may carie vp my Soule vnto thee and I be partaker of a ioyfull resurrection through Iesus CHRIST our LORD Amen ¶ A Prayer to be sayd at the point of death O Lord my time is at hand my soule is heauy euen vnto death Looke downe vpon me poure thine oyle of grace into my heart pardon my sins strengthen my Faith shorten my paines and driue away Sathan Helpe mee in this conflict Looke vpon thy Christ hee is my Sauiour and Redeemer Come LORD Iesus welcome Into thy hands I commend my soule take it O Lord take mee the worke of thine owne hands and let me die in thy feare and rise againe in thy fauour that I may come to thy blisse for IESVS Christs sake Amen A Generall Thankes-giuing to be vsed by all men at all times I will prayse thee O Lord my God with all my heart and will glorifie thy Name for euermore For great is thy mercy towards me O Blessed LORD and euer-liuing GOD whose mercy is ouer all thy workes and of whose fulnesse wee haue all receiued and Grace for grace I poore SAMARITANE that haue beene holpen healed and honoured by thy holy Hand doe poure foorth my heart vnto thee that I may neither vngratefully remember thy benifits nor vngraciously forget thy seuere iudgements who both in the one and the other hast beene beyond all measure so gracious vnto mee I thanke thee O Lord for all the externall internall graces bestowed vpon mee the Spirituall and corporall the Caelestiall and terrestriall blessings which I haue receiued And in earthly matters ô Lord I acknowledge my selfe deeply bounden vnto thee for my Being breathing life and motion That thou hast made mee of a more noble nature then the rest of the Creatures creating mee after thine owne Image enduing mee with reason furnishing me with excellent faculties of the minde and perfect sense And I giue thee thankes O LORD that thou hast giuen mee a BODIE so sound and so free from great infirmities and hast set mee in a calling so fit for my condition and giuen mee such a competent estate That thou hast preserued mee from so many harmes in such dangerous accidents as in sicknes thunder lightning plague pestilence fire and water and from the assaults of theeues and robbers by Sea and Land attempted or intended against my bodie house or goods and deliuered mee out of so many troubles and vexations as I haue fallen into O Lord how am I bound vnto thee that thou hast lent me such kinde friends and that I liue in such honest reputation among my neighbours that I haue such libertie of seemly recreation such quietnesse of life such opportunitie of well-doing and thine Angels by thine appointment to protect safe-gard mee in all my wayes These things O Lord I enioy though vnworthy by thy goodnesse whereas there be many that haue not found the like fauour at thy hands Blessed be thy Name therefore And yet ô Lord thou hast been much more gracious vnto me thy Spirituall fauours and thy Caelestial blessings exceed all these Therefore as I am bound so much more I blesse thee that thou didst elect me before all worlds to glorie that thou didst worke my redemption by the blood of Christ Iesus in his bitter Passion that I was borne in the light of the Gospel to know thee and through Sanctification in thee haue had the grace to take vpon mee the profession of the Truth to abandon all Superstition and Heresie to doe good vnto any and to doe any thing that may doe good either publike or priuate in some measure to keepe my selfe vnspotted of the world Oh what shall I giue vnto my Lord that hath done so great and mightie things for mee O Lord I giue thee thanks that thou hast giuen mee such an honourable Calling and vocation of Christianitie that thou hast incorporated me a member of the Church giuing me such a gracious portion of Faith hope loue zeale patience peace and ioy the beginnings of Regeneration What am I O Lord that thou hast granted mee such things to receiue such profite by the preaching of thy Word and the Priuiledge of thy blessed Sacraments to bee washed with thy blood to sit at thy Table and to feed on thee the euerlasting Bread These I thanke thee for and for these also euen for my part which I haue
royall Issue and Familie Blessed bee thou O Land when thy King is the Sonne of Nobles O Almighty God king of all kings the Fountaine Rule and stay of all Soueraigntie wee most humbly thanke thee that thou hast not left vs vnto our selues to doe what seemeth best in our owne eyes but hast set ouer vs a Noble Wise and gracious King thy seruant Iames our supreame head next vnder thee Lord make all thy good to goe before him day and night vphold his Crowne maintaine his State giue him continuall peace long life and much happines Endue him with wisedome and vnderstanding to do such things both in the Church and Common wealth as may be acceptable in thy sight profitable to his subiects and hurtfull to none that loue thy truth Mercifully heare him in all his petitions and effectually worke for him in all dangers in the day of battell in his greatest consultations in the time of his recreations in the plots of Treason and in the houre of death Make vs thankfull for all thy preseruations of him both at home and abroad in this kingdome and else where Blesse preserue and keepe him together with his royall Queene and the noble Prince Henry his sonne and the rest of all their hopefull Issue that as they are like Oliue branches to his comfort round about his Table so they may be as the tall goodly Cedars for the defence of this kingdome from all euill Let him still imbrace the truth and manfully mainetaine it against all treacherous plots and sinister perswasions distasting as he hath alwayes done both alteration of religion and toleration of another Let thy power alwayes goe forth with his armies and giue them glorious victories Banish from his Court all priuie foes forraine and domestical and keepe him from al sort of dissemblers Let not our sinnes O LORD prouoke thee to shorten his dayes and depriue vs of thy good blessings but conuert vs to thy good will and pleasure and giue him the crowne of old age long and long to continue in the wayes of righteousnesse O holy Father giue him such excellent gifts as be fit the Maiestie which he beareth that hee may be in faith like Abraham in courage like Dauid in wisedome like Salomon and in hearing good and euill as an Angell of GOD. Enrich his Counsell and Nobles with wisedome loyaltie and fortitude and make his seruants that stand before him in their seuerall places with all other subiects as so many lines drawne to one Center that their hearts being tyed vnto him they may be alwayes fearefull to offend willing to obay and faithfull to accomplish whatsoeuer may stand with thy glory our Kings honour and the good of the Common wealth for Iesus Christs sake our onely Lord Sauiour Amen ¶ Another for the same Let Supplications Prayers Intercessions and giuing of thankes be made for all men for Kings and for all that are in authoritie O Almighty GOD which hast the Kings heart in thy hand as the riuers of waters and turnest it whithersoeuer it pleaseth thee we humbly beseech thee to keepe thy Vniuersall Church and our Common-wealth with peace and prosperitie in thy worship and Seruice Giue O Lord grace vnto our most Noble King Iames that hee may loue honour feare and serue thee that he may onely put his trust in thee Indue him with the spirit of wisedome and knowledge and with all other good gifts vertues necessary for his roial function And especially enflame his heart with an earnest true zeale to set forth thy glory and to make thy will knowne vnto all his Subiects that they may both with heart and minde obserue and keepe the same and that both he and al his subordinate Magistrates may indifferently and faithfully minister iudgement and Iustice to all his people Wee beseech thee O Lord preserue his body in health his minde in quietnesse and both in all sincerity and godlinesse that by his good example hee may both stop the mouthes of his aduersaries and winne the hearts of all those that beleeue Make his dayes O Lord as the dayes of Heauen that hee may raigne many yeeres ouer vs and wee his Subiects may long liue a peaceable and quiet life in all godlinesse and honestie vnder his sacred gouernment Graunt vnto him wise and faithfull Councellors louing and obedient Subiects dutifull and true seruants Deliuer him O Lord from all Conspiracies Treasons and other dangers and grant him alwayes a glorious victorie ouer all his enemies Pardon and forgiue him all his sinnes make him walke all the dayes of his life in the way of thy Commaundements that he may liue in thy feare and die in thy fauour and that in the resurrection of all flesh hee may receiue a Crowne of righteousnesse the onely thing which hee doth wish and hope for through the merites and mercy of Iesus Christ our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer against temptations of the World Flesh and the Diuell Watch and pray that ye enter not into tentation O Most mercifull and MIGHTIE God the Fortres of the faithfull rocke of defence and refuge for all distressed soules which knowest wee be set in the midst of so great dangers that without thy help we cannot auoide our ruine I beseech thee keepe my body and soule from all tentations and snares of the I iuell and suffer not my senses to range and wander abroad in matters of pleasure and delight which are to no purpose good Lord take from me that which is deformed by my corrupt nature and continue that which thy GRACE hath wrought in mee that hauing thy whole armour fitted vnto mee I may be able to withstand all assaults of the enemie Let mee not be drawne away by sensualitie and the desires of the flesh but giue me power to tame this body that by sobriety moderation and abstinence from superfluous things I may bring it into such subiection as I may the better serue thee and walke in the spirit Lord sequester mee from the darkenesse filthynesse and deceitfulnesse of this World that I be not fashioned like therevnto to follow the multitude but being changed by the renewing of my minde I may walke vprightly and godly looking for the blessed appearing of my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ O Lord holde backe thy hand in the day of trial and lead mee no further into temptation then thou wilt make mee able to beare Graunt O Lord that I may with strong faith resist Sathan and by watching fasting and Prayer mortifie the lusts of the flesh and by continuall meditation of thy holy Law auoid the foolish vanities and dangerous pleasures of this world Let not knowledge puffe me vp prosperitie mislead mee pouerty dismay mee sicknes turne me to impatiency nor any lack or want of necessaries for this life bring me to distrust in thy prouidence or force me to seeke vnlawfull meanes to winne them Arme me O Lord with thy Spirit encourage
bonds for perpetuall slauery and liue die the sacrificers of our soules for such obtained fauour Warrant deare Lord all this with thy command Amen The Housholders Prayers Cast thy burthen vpon the Lord and he shall sustaine thee he shall not suffer the righteous to be moued O MOST mightie God mercifull and louing Father I wretched sinner come vnto thee in the Name of thy dearely beloued sonne Iesus Christ my onely Sauiour and Redeemer and most humbly beseech thee to be mercifull vnto me and to cast all my sinnes out of thy sight remembrance through the merites of his bloody death and Passion Powre vpon me O Lord thy holy Spirit of wisedome and grace gouerne and leade mee by thy holy word that it may be a Lanthorne vnto my feete and a light vnto my steps Shew thy mercy vpon me and so lighten the naturall blindnesse and darknesse of my heart thorough thy grace that I may dayly be renewed by the same Spirit and grace By the which O Lord purge the grossenesse of my hearing vnderstanding that I may profitably read heare and vnderstand thy word and heauenly will beleeue and practise the same in my life and conuersation and euermore hold fast the blessed hope of eternall life Mortifie and kill all vice in me that my life may expresse my Faith in thee mercifully heare the humble sute of thy seruant and grant me thy peace all my daies graciously pardon all mine infirmities and defend mee in all dangers of body goods or name but most chiefly my soule against all assaults temptations accusations subtile sleights and baites of that old enemie of mankind Sathan that roaring Lyon euer seeking whom hee may deuoure Fauourably protect and keepe all that thou hast giuen mee as Wife Children or Seruants and aide me ô Lord with thy grace that I may be able to gouerne nourish and bring them vp in thy feare and seruice Cast a gracious eye vpon mee and lend mee thy directing hand that the labour and paines which I am to vndertake this day may prosper and let all my dealings be iust and true Blesse ô Lord thy Vniuersall Church and perfect the worke which thou hast begun amongst vs Beare out most gracious King Iames the Queene his wife their royall Sonne Prince Henry and all their Children alwaies in thine owne bosom and set thine eies alwayes vpon them for good Let the spirit of knowledge and holinesse remaine in his Ministers Blesse all his Counsell with wisedome and discretion his Nobles with fortitude courage his Iudges with iustice and mercie his Magistrates with diligence and faithfulnesse his people with feare obedience that we may all with one minde and one mouth say with the Prophet He that is mightie hath done great things for vs and Holy is his Name Amen ¶ Another of the Housholders Know that your Maister also is in Heauen neither is there respect of persons with him LEad me ô Lord in the way of thy truth and righteousnes and gouerne all mine actions to thy glory the good of thy Church and the discharge of my dutie Defend and deliuer me from all temptations from all mine enemies and from all deceits and dangers Kindle my heart and minde with a feruent zeale of thy holy word that I may vnderstand and know thy will and walke in thy wayes Strengthen mee with thy holy spirit boldly and constantly to professe the honour and seruice of thy holy Name least at any time through feare of worldy afflictions I fall from thee Giue mee a contented minde with my estate and such blessings as thou O LORD of thy bountifull goodnesse and mercie hast bestowed vpon mee that I may vse them be thankfull for them Graunt mee patience in all my troubles and afflictions that I neither grudge at thy fatherly corrections knowing them to be tokens of thy loue and instruments of my exercise and tryall neither seeke reuenge of my wrongs knowing vengeance to bee thine and that thou wilt reward it in due season Keepe my minde from all euill thoughts my tongue from lewd and vaine speeches my body and euery member thereof from all sinfull actions Let all my loue my faith and hope my delight and confidence only and alwaies be in thee Open my heart to haue pitty vpon the poore brethren giue mee the gift of chastitie that I may possesse my vessell with sanctification and honour and not in the lust of concupiscence euen as the Heathen doe which know not God Giue me ô Lord sorrow for my sinnes thankfullnes for thy benefites feare of thy iudgements and loue of thy mercies and teach me to bring vp my children and gouerne my seruants in good order and godly discipline according to thy holy ordinance because by thy grace I am that I am let thy demaunds be no greater then thou hast giuen mee grace to performe O Lord pardon and forgiue all my sinnes and grant me grace to liue in thy feare and die in thy fauour that I may rise to liue with my Lord Iesus euermore dwell with him in thy most glorious and ioyfull kingdome the onely thing which I desire and hope for through the merits and mercie of the same Iesus Christ thy onely Sonne and my onely Sauiour and Lord Amen The Wiues Praier for her Husband in absence or otherwise Delight thy selfe also in the Lord and he shall giue thee the desires of thy heart O Lord God which hast made euerie marryed Couple one flesh and hast ordained that they should be of one mind and one iudgement and carefull one for another as members one of another I beseech thee leade mee and my husband in the way of thy Truth and Righteousnesse Gouerne all our actions to thy glory the good of thy Church and the discharge of our duties Defend and deliuer vs ô Lord from all temptations from all our enemies and from all deceits and dangers here or elsewhere Grant my husband being abroad to prosper in his businesse send him a healthfull and happie returne home that I who without him am sorrowfull in my selfe and should be a stranger to the world if he were not may with him liue in the estate of thine honourable ordinance in peace and comfort and alwayes for thy great goodnesse and mercie towards vs prayse thy most holy Name Grant vs both grace ô Lord one to loue cherish the other one to be faithfull dutifull towards the other and giue vs both the gift of Chastitie and Sobrietie that both in body and minde wee may liue a pure life bring vp our children and gouerne our seruants with godly Discipline and good order in and according to thy holy word O LORD pardon and forgiue both of vs all our sinnes and grant vs both grace to loue honor feare and serue thee all the dayes of this our miserable and sinfull life that in this life wee may haue comfort in that which thou hast giuen vs
in the Communion of Saints for the benefit which I haue of their Prayers in the Church militant the ayde of their counsels with the pleasure and comfort of their godly examples for the bettering of my life that thou hast giuen me a care to vse a good Conscience in dealings in this world and an earnest desire to continue so still yea rather to grow better And in fine I cannot forget O Lord thy mercy of longanimitie and patience towards mee That thou hast granted mee so long and so large a time of Repentance and hast vouchsafed mee therein to haue thy Sonne IESVS Christ for my Mediatour by whose intercession my Prayers haue accesse vnto thee and receiue their happy answeres I prayse thee I glorifie thee I worship thee I magnifie thy blessed Name O Lord by whose goodnesse I want nothing fitte for a Christian nor any thing that may fit mee for Heauen where I thanke thee for making so glorious a prouision and such a gracious preparation for my Soule and whither I beseech thee to bring me O my GOD in thy due time and in the meane time to continue thy goodnesse vnto mee for Iesus Christ sake my onely Sauiour and Redeemer Amen Soli Deo gloria FINIS A Table of the Prayers in euery Part. The first Part. PRayers for Morning Noone and Euening euery day in the weeke Fol. 1. c. A Prayer for the Ministers of the Word 7 A Prayer to God the Father 20 A Prayer to God the Sonne 32 A Prayer to God the Holy Ghost 44 A short Prayer for Sobrietie 55 A short Prayer for Chastitie 66 A short Prayer for Patience 78 A Prayer for the Morning 85 Another Prayer for Euening 91 A short Prayer for Morning 97 A short Prayer for Euening 99 A Preparatiue to the Meditation ensuing 101 A meditation and Prayer vpon the Life death and passion of Christ 105 The second Part. TWo Prayers for a priuate Familie in the Morning 127. 134 Two Prayers for a priuate Familie in the Euening 140. 146 Two Prayers for the Church Catholique and all the Estates thereof 151. 159 Two Prayers for the Kings Maiestie his Issue and Familie 164. 170 A Prayer against temptations of the World the Flesh and the Deuill 175 A Prayer for Remission of sins and all things necessarie thereunto 180 A Prayer for obtaining of Christian vertues Faith Hope and Charitie 188 Two Prayers before the receiuing of the holy Communion 194. 200 Two Prayers after the receiuing of the holy Communion 205. 209. A Prayer for the fruits of the earth and nourishments of this life 213 A Prayer for friends and Benefactors 218 Two Prayers in time of Warres 223. 227 Two Prayers for sicke persons 231. 238 A Prayer before one vndertake a iourney 242 A Prayer in time of affliction 247 A Prayer in time of Plague or other extraordinary sicknesse 253 The ancient Prayer called O bountifull Iesu translated according to the Latine Copie written by the Authour thereof aboue 100. yeeres agone 259 The third Part. QVeene Elizabeths three Prayers 267. 271. 274 The Housholders two Prayers 277. 283 The Wiues Prayer for her Husband 288 The Widdowes Prayer 292 The Prayer of Women with childe 297 The Mid-vifes Prayer 301 A Prayer in the time of women trauell 303 A Prayer after the womans deliuerance 308 Two Prayers for Children in their Parents life time 312. 316 The Fatherles childe or Orphanes Prayer 319 The Schollers Prayer 323 The Souldiers Prayer 328 Two Prayers for seruants 333. 338 The Maydes Prayer 342 The Prayer of the afflicted in Conscience for sinne 346 The sicke-mans Prayer 352 A Prayer to be sayd at the point of death 358 A generall Thankes-giuing for all men and at all times 360 FINIS Wisd 5. 5. a Commoneri aut doceri nostra locutione non quaerit August de Mag. lib. 1. b In mille versus extendunt Orationem suam quasi apud Dominum multitudo sermonum opus sit Chrisost hom demuliere Caman c Collecte voluit discipulos Orare Chrisost Orat. dom d Plus cogitando orando profierunt quam in legendo audiendo Aug. Ep 122. Iam. 1. 22. e Oratio ascendat vt Gratia descendat 2 Cor. 10. 4. Ephes 6. 12. Ephe. 6. 28. 1 Sam. 26. 8. 2 King 13. 19. Coloss 4. 2. Luke 18. 3 Mat. 18. 22. Philip. 4. 19. Psal 66. 20. Psal 55. 17. Psalme 90 14. Psal 46. 5. Psalme 143. 8. Psal 40. â—â— Psalme 145. 18. Psalme 145 9. Psalme 73 25. Psal 73. 28. Psalme â—â— 8. Psalme 139. 14. Mat. 18. 20 Psal 108 3. Psal 116. 21. 13. Psal 113. 3. Psal 125. 4. Ephes 5. 25. 26. Eccles. 10. 17. 1 Tim. 2. 1. 2. Mat. 26. 41. Psal 106. 6. Pihl. 4. 19. 1 Cor. 1â—1 26. 1 Cor. 11. 28. 1 Cor. 5. 7. Iohn 15. 13. Psal 104. 27. 1 Pet. 4. 8. Pro. 19. 27 Psal 74. 18. Psal 34. 7. Hos 6. 1. Iam. 15 Exod. 13. 20. 21. Iob. 2. 10. 1 Sam. 2. 6 Psal 55. 22. Ephes 9 6. Psal 37. 4. Deut. 10 18. Iohn 16. 21. Psal 68. 35. Psa 90. 16 3. Psal 127. 3 Leaue out all this if the child be not born aliue Pro. 10. 1. Psal 37. 5. Psal 27. 10. Pro. 6. 23. Exod. 15. 3 1 Cor. 7. 22 Ephes 6. 8 1 Sam 25. 24 Dan. 9. 19. Iob. 1. 21. Psal 73. 26 Psal 86. 12. 13
and after our death we may receiue the fruites of that hope which wee haue layde vp in thy mercies through the merites and mediation of thy Sonne Iesus Christ our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen The VViddowes Prayer The Lord doth execute the iudgement vnto the fatherlesse Widdow loueth the stranger in giuing them food and rayment O Lord God which art neerely touched with a care of the afflicted and despisest not the Widdow when she powreth out her Prayers before thee I beseech thee to haue compassion vpon mee a poore and desolate Widdow And whereas the bands of death haue made a separation between me my husband who was my head the best stay I had in this World next vnder thee I beseech thee let me not take this crosse impatiently but trust in thy goodnesse that nothing may be able to separate mee from thee which art mine onely stay the ioy of my soule Preserue me Lord from the pawes of rauenous and greedy cormorants which lye in waite to supplant the weakest and deuoure our Houses vnder the pretence of godlinesse and colour of right Grant that in the sight of all Gouernours and Iudges I may finde fauour and equall dealing in my suites and complaints against all violence and oppressors Giue vnto all men willing and ready mindes to doe mee good and open their hearts to helpe and pleasure mee in all reasonable demands Prouide for mee by ministring cloths and nourishment fit for mine estate haue pitty vpon me in all my necessities and stretch out thy hand to deliuer me Blesse mee as thou didst that poore Woman of Sarepthah that that small thing which thou hast giuen mee may serue to supply the necessarie vses of me mine Dispose the hearts of my children seruants to obedience peace and holinesse that I which am the weaker vessell depriued of him whose countenance should haue kept them in awe may by thy help bring them vp in godly Discipline Giue mee the grace of thy holy Spirit that at all times and in all mine afflictions I may trust in thee and continue in Prayers and Supplications day and night not giuen to any qualitie but such as befitteth a modest matrone and the hand-maid of the Lord for Iesus Christs sake our onely Sauiour and Redeemer Amen ¶ The Prayer of Women with Child A woman when she is in trauell hath sorrow because her houre is come O Lord GOD by whose Decree for the offence of our first Parents wee beare in our wombs bring forth children in paine sorrow be mercifull vnto me that now feele the accomplishment of that sentence in my selfe and as thou hast vouchsafed me this blessing to conceiue in my wombe and to nourish that which thou hast wrought vntill this time so graunt that in due time I may see the fruit of my body safe sound and perfect without blemish or deformitie Keepe me ô Lord from an vntimely birth graunt that through Prayer faith and patience I may escape all sudden feares and vnaduised thoughts Comfort me when I shall draw neere vnto my hard labour and when I shall fall into those terrors horrors and pangs which accompany that houre shew thy mercie vpon mee and my Babe that my sinnes may be forgiuen me and that it may not be punished for my offences Giue me patience that I be not too fearefull and vnruly but that I may remember what modestie befitteth a woman in those dangers and repose all my affyance in thee O Lord send mee help and preserue mee that I perish not Grant thee O Lord safe deliuerance in due time make me a ioyfull Mother when that hour commeth let not my sinnes so many be called in question either now or at that instant but forget O LORD and forgiue them blesse my poore infant and lodge it in the vertue of thy couenant and when thou shalt be pleased to call it into open light giue me wisedome strength to bring it vp in thy feare and as it were to trauell againe with it till it be borne againe vnto a heauenly life to thy greater glory and my further ioy through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen The Midwifes Prayer O God wonderfull art thou in thy holy places euen the God of Israel he will giue strength and power vnto his people Blessed be God O LORD GOD who onely hast power to take all children out of their mothers wombes and to bring them to the light of this world I thine vnworthy seruant whom thou hast deputed to this great Businesse for the helpe and comfort of many in their extremities doe most humbly on bended knees beseech thee to vouchsafe me thy gracious assistance in the same Haue mercy vpon mee ô Lord and in all mine actions let me haue thy feare before mine eyes that I may be carefull both for rich and poore to doe good and not hurt to saue life and not to destroy Helpe mine infirmities c imperfections that I be neither too feareful nor too violent in doing my dutie and grant me skill and iudgement happily to finish euery worke that I shall vndertake Giue mee O Lord an vnderstanding and tender heart a readie steedie and gentle hand a watchfull eye and a willing minde Mercifully looke vpon me ô Lord that whensoeuer I shal be called to doe mine office either by night or day to the sicke or to the sound I may be defended from all bodily harmes preserued from the infection of all contagious diseases by thy gracious fauour Prosper ô Lord the workes of my hands ô prosper thou my handie worke that I may doe all things to thy glory the comfort of all good women and mine owne credite through Iesus Christ our Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer in time of womens trauell Let thy worke O Lord appeare vnto thy seruants and thy glory vnto their Children O Gracious God and louing father of whom the whole familye in heauen and earth is named wee beseech thee mercifully heare the voyce of all vs thy hand-maydes heere assembled in thy name for the help of this our Sister in her Agonie now approaching Lord looke vpon her in mercie and mittigate the iudgement which thou hast laid vpon her and all Women for sin Giue her courage of heart and strength of body to beare the pangs of her labour so fearfull and vehement Sweeten them with the drops of thy mercy and qualifie them by thy gracious power pardon her offences and receaue her prayers Louing Father giue her patience and willingnesse to be aduised and ordered by her friends in so great a worke that shee may remember that as in iustice thou hast greatly increased her sorrowes and conceptions so it is thy will to haue a holy seed brought forth into the world which being sanctified by thy grace may be consecrate here to such godly seruices as thou hast appointed and afterward made partaker of thy glory in the kingdome of heauen And