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
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
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
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
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
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
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
a worldly Prince but suffering our hearts to be carried away with wandring thoughts worldly imaginations are otherwise occupied and forsake him in the midst of our praiers As God is a Spirit so will â—e be worshipped in spirit and truth that is in the inward affections of the heart and with a true faithfull and vnsained kind of worship And therfore as at all other times hee requireth the heart so specially in the time of praier when we shew our selues in his presence and enter into communication with him and therupon when he promiseth to heare all those that call vpon him he maketh a restraint saith that call vpon him in truth Seeing therefore that the chiefe dutie of praier consisteth in the heart we must with our whole hart poure out our praiers vnto God the searcher of all harts with a sincere vnfained and ardent affection opening of our hart before God call vpon him or else we shall not finde him Let vs know therefore that none prepare themselues right to praier but such as haue a reuereÌ„t feare of Gods Maiestie which they caÌ„not haue that come not to it vnburthened of earthly cares and affections And this is that is ment in the Scriptures by the lifting vp of hands that wee should remember our selues to bee farre off from God vnlesse we lift vp our hearts and minds also on high And therefore it is said in the Psalme To thee haue I lifted vp my soule The Scripture vseth also this manner of speech To lift vp praier that they that desire to be heard of God should not haue their mindes carried away with earthly cogitations and vanitie And though it be hard to bee so bent to praier but that we shall finde that mâ—nie by-thoughts will creepe vpon vs to hinder our praier yet the more hard it is the more earnestly we must wrestle to ouercome all lets and hinderances and labour with inward groanings vnto the Lord that hee will linke our hearts fast vnto him and not suffer vs to be ledde away from him by the vaine suggestions of Satan Psal 8â— who at all times compassing vs about is neuer more busie then when we addresse our selues to prayer secretly and subtlely creeping into our brest and calling vs backe from God so that oftentimes when we with all reuerence should speake to God we find our harts talking with the vanities of the world or with the foolish imaginations of our owne hearts Finally we must be in christian charity loue and concord with all men seeking vnfained hearty and brotherly reconciliation if we haue offended any man before we enter into praier or else God will not heare our praiers yea they are otherwise execrable and full of damnable hypocrisie in Gods sight And this that is spoken of praier may be said also of hearing of Gods word or any other seruice of God VVe must therefore lay aside all malice enuie wrath grudge contention wrangling dissimulation all guilefull craftie and subtle dealing and with a single heart doe to others as we would they should doe to vs. 1. Pet. 8 Peter willeth that such as haue once tasâ—ed how good and bounteous the Lord is and are become new creatures by the heauenly regeneration through the doctrine of the gospell should like holy and innocent babes lay aside all such works of the flesh which doe depriue a man of the kingdom of God Galat. 5 and Saint Paul commandeth vs that laying a side all those cursed workes of darkenesse we should in the stead thereof put on euen as the elect of God holy and beloued tender mercy kindnesse humblenesse of minde meekenesse long suffering forbearing one another forgiuing one another if one haue a quarrell to another as Christ forgaue vs. And aboue al these thingâ— saith he put on loue which is the bond of perfection let the peace of God rule in your hearts When ye shal stand pray saith Saint Marke Mark 11 forgiue if yee haue any thing against any man thaâ— your Father also which is in heauen may forgiue you your trespasses for if yee will not forgiue your father which is in heauen vvill not pardon your trespasses Moreouer we must haue such a feeling of our owne misery and wretchednes as may worke in vs an earnest sorrow and vexation of minde for the same Example whereof we may see in the deare seruants of God when they say that cut of the deepe deepenesse and out of the middest of the iaws of deaths they vtter vnto the Lord a sorrowfull voice Hee that desireth mercie must haue a feeling of his owne misery And therefore saith Dauid Heale my soule O Lord for J haue sinned against thee There is nothing in my flesh saith he because of thy displeasure neiâ—her is there any rest in my bones because of my sinne This anguish sorrow stirreth vp in Gods children a feruent desire to obtaine comfort helpe and succour at Gods hand and therefore such as feele themselues oppressed with great calamitieâ— hauing by the helpe of man no hope of deliuerance doe cry vnto God with afflicted hearts as Dauid did in his distresse My soule thirsteth for God euen for the liuâ—ng God and as the Hart being wounded braieth for the riuers of waters so panteth my soule after thee O God This is that godly sorrow which S. Paul saith worketh in Gods children repentance to saluatio The Lord is nigh to them saith Dauid that are of a contrite heart and vvil saue al such as are afflicted in spirit To him vvil I looke euen vnto him saith the lord that is afflicted and broken hearted and trembleth at my words Therefore Dauid calleth the time of trouble the fit and conuenient time for the faithfull to flie vnto God by prayer And albeit they be not at all times in like distresse or continually groning vnder the burden of present euils yet they must needs be euer in dread of new dangers and carefully afraid of furâ—her troubles to follow As trouble and feare therefore are the verie spurres to stirr them vp to hearty and feruent Praier so by occasion thereof they haue more free accesse vnto God as though hee did thereby call them vnto him This godly sorrow for sinne and feruent desire and longing for Gods louing mercie and fauour commeth not of our selues but of the speciall goodnes of God for wee are of our selues dull and without all list to pray yea so grâ—at is our imperfection that wee know not how to pray as we ought and therefore the spirit helpeâ—h our infirmitieâ— and instructeth vs what is right and guideth our affections He maketh intercession for the Saints saith Saint Paul according to the vvil of God that vvith sighes gronings vvhich cannot be expressed that is hee stirreth vp out harts giueth vs a desire boldnes to pray and causeth vs to mourn when wee are by any meanes hindred from it and feele not our selues moued therunto with
hearts to be deliuered from the same that they might serue God in the freedome of conscience This is that mourning this is that hunger and thirst that Christ speaketh of Mat. 5 Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousnesse for they shall be satisfied God for his truths sake will put the righteousnesse of Christ on them and wash their vnrighteousnes away in his blood Esay 42 The brused Reed will he not breake and the smoking Flaxe will he not quench The afflicted the heauy and broken hearted the weake and feeble will he not forsake Yea be they neuer so feeble and so fraile yet so long as this lust desire and mourning to be deliuered from their sinne and misery remaineth in them God seeth not their sinnes reckoneth them not laieth them not to their charge for his truths sake and loue of Christ hee is not a sinner in the sight of God that would be no sinner Hee that would bee deliuered hath his heart loosed already his heart sinneth not but mourneth repenteth and consenteth to the law and will of God and iustifieth God that this is hee beareth record that God which made the law is righteous and iust and such an heart trusting in Christs blood in Christs righteousnes is accepted for righteousnes his weaknes infirmity and frailty is pardoned and his sinnes not looked vpon vntill God put more strength in him the increase whereof he shal daily feele in such sort that at lengâ—h he shall in all troubles bee abâ—e to say with Dauid Psal 23 If I should go through the shadow and danger of death I will not seare what soeuer happen Now to stirre vp our hearts to consideration of our great misery and necessity to a more feruent prayer the Lord himselfe hath commaunded vs to call vpon him for helpe and succour Therefore let vs haue the commaundements of God alwaies in our sight touching Prayer and whiles wee pray let vs call them to our râ—membrance Aske seeke knocke Mat. 7 Psal 50 Eph. 6 watch pray Call vpon mee saith God in the day of trouble pray alway with all maner of praier and supplication watch thereunto with all diligence Reioice alwayes pray continualâ—y 1. Tim. 5 in all things be thankefull for this is the will of God in Christ Iesus towardes you Col. 4 Continue in praier and watch in the same vnto thanksgiuing Let your requests bee shewed vnto God in praier and supplication with giuing giuing of thankes And this wee are also no lesse bound to doe by commandement whereby wee are forbidden to take the name of God in vain For in that we are there forbidden to take the name of God in vaine we are commanded also to take it and vse it to his glory giuing vnto him the praise of al goodnes helpe and succour whiles we aske and looke for the same at his hand Wherefore except we flie to him in our trouble and necessitie except we call vpon him for reliefe and succor we prouoke his difpleasure no lesse then if wee should make vnto our selues Jdols or worship strange gods for in the contempt of euery one of the commandements we shew like contempt and disobedience to the will of God and all these sentences which command vs to call vpon God doe appertaine vnto this commandement Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine and so praier is a worke chiefe seruice belonging to his commandement Wee may not therefore thinke that there are no sinnes but idolatry murther theft whordome and such like but that it is vndoubtedly a great sinne also not to render this seruice to God that is not to pray not to aâ—ke not to looke for helpe from God in our necessities not to render thanks for the benefits we haue receiued Therefore if our vnworthines at any time do cry out against vs stop or feare vs in such sort that our consciences are astonied and flie from God if we doubt whether god hath respect to our praiers groanings and teares we must set before our eies how that we are commanded though we be neuer so vnworthy and our sinnes neuer so many and great to pray for reconciliation Gods fauour and forgiuenesse of our sinnes For else whereas God commandeth vs to abstaine from theft murther whordome c. we may in like sort excuse our selues and say that we are vnworthy to obey Gods commandements great is our iniquity and manifest is our contempt and despising of God when we neglect and delay to call for his helpe Such as fly vnto God therefore to call vpon him in their necessities obey his will and finde therein no small consolation knowing that thereby they doe vnto him most acceptable seruice forasmuch as he pronounceth that nothing is to him more acceptable then obedience to his will and commandement As we are commanded of God boldly and without all respect of our owne vnworthinesse to come vnto him as a mercifull father and one that knoweth our necessity and pittieth our misery so hath he promised very graciously to heare vs and grant our requests And hereof riseth yet a farre more comfortable and greater consolation wherein consisteth our whole confidence and trust of obtaining suâ—cour and mercy at Gods hand Mat. 7 wherefore he allureth vs with many sweete promises to call vpon him Aâ—ke saith he yee shall haue seeke and ye shall finde knocke and it shall bâ—e opened vnto you Iere. 25 Psal 50 Psal 145 ye shall crie vnto mee and I will heare you ye shall seeke me and yee shall find me Call vpon mee in the day of trouble and I will deliuer thee The Lord is nigh to all them that cal vpon him that cal vpon him in truâ—hâ— hee doth the will of them that feare him and he will heare their prayers He shal call vpon mee and J will heare him Psal 91 I will bee with him in his trouble I will deliuer him and glorifie him At the voice of thy cry he wil cerâ—ainly haue mercy on thee vvhen he heareth thee he vvil answere thee Hee that is Lord ouer all Esay 7.5 Rom 8 Psal 149 is rich bountifull towards them that call vpon him He will fulfil the desire of them that feare him he wil heare â—heir cries and will save them And God to declare his readines in hearing of sinners Esa 16.5 saith Before they cry I will answere and whiles they are yet thinking vvhat to speake J will heare Among many sweet promises of GOD though these might be sufficient to prouoke vs to feruent and hearty prayer yet there be certaine other notable comfortable promises which wee should specially haue in remembrance as these If yee which are euill can giue good gifts to your children how much more shall your heauenly Father giue the holy Ghost to them that desire him Luk 12. Eccles 2.
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
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
mouth and call vs vnto thee open our eares that we may heare thee so that what soeuer we do speake or thinke it may be directed vnto thee alone our redeemer mediator and aduocate If ye be risen again with Christ seek the things which are aboue where Christ setteth at the right haÌ„d of God set your affection on things that are aboue and not on things which are on earth Col. 3. Another THou Lord diddest put away Mary Magdalen from the kissing of thy feet because thy flesh was not yet exalted and she knew not yet the dignity of thy glorified body beautified with the glory of immortality but was addicted only to the bodily presence She yet sought the liuing among the dead neither was it known to her that thou wast equall with thy father Wherfore thou wouldest not suffer her so much as to kisse thy feet because it was a thing vnworthy for thy maiesty O thou mighty Lion of the Tribe of Iuda thou conqueror of hell and death euerliuing and immortall thou art now risen from death for vs thou art now asceÌ„ded to thy Father and our Father and sittest at his right hand in glorie suffer vs to come neer vnto thee that we may kisse thee yea Lord thou louer of our soules Cant. 1. come then rather vnto vs kisse vs with the kisse of thy mouth that we may bee glad and reioice in thee draw vs that we may runne after the sauour of thy sweet ointments that wee may behold thee in righteousnesse Psal 17. and when thy glory shal appeare we may be satisfied for in thy presence there is fulnesse of ioy Psal 16. and in thy right hand there are pleasures for euermore A Praier for true repentance MOst gratious God and mercifull father of our Sauiour Iesus Christ because I haue sinned and done wickedly and through thy goodnesse haue receiued a desire of repentance whereunto this thy long suffering doth draw my hard heart I beseech thee for thy great mercies sake in Christ to worke the same repentance in me and by thy spirit power and grace so to humble mortifie and feare my conscience for my sinnes to saluation that in thy good time thou maist comfort quicken me again through Iesus Christ thy dearely beloued Son So be it I.B. A praier for the strength and increase of faith O Merciful God and deare father of our Lord and Sauior Iesus Christ in whom as thou art well pleased so hast thou commanded vs to heare him forasmuch as hee often biddeth vs to aske of thee and also promiseth that thou wilâ— heare vs and granâ— vs that which in his name we shall aske of thee loâ— gracious father we are bold to beâ—â— of thy mercy through thy sonne Iesus Christ one sparkle of true faith and certaine perswasion of thy goodnesse and loue towards vs in Christ where through I being assured of the pardon of all my sinnes by the merits of Christ thy sonne may be thankfull to thee loue thee and serue thee in holinesse and righteousnes all the daies of my life I.B. A praier for the true sense and feeling of Gods fauour and mercy in Christ OH Lord God and deare Father what shall I say that feele all things to be in maner with mee as in the wicked Blind is my mind crooked is my will and peruerse concupiscence is in me as a spring or stinking puddle O how faint is faith in me How little is my loue to thee or to thy people How great is selfe loue How hard is my heart By reason whereof I am mooued to doubt of thy goodnesse towards mee whether thou art my mercifull Father and whether I be thy child or no. Indeed worthily might I doubt if that the hauing of these were the cause and not the fruit rather of thy children The cause why thou art my father is thy mercy goodnesse grace and truth in Christ Iesus which cannot but remaine for euer In respect whereof thou hast borne me this good will to bring me into thy Church by baptisme and to accept me into the number of thy children that I might bee holy faithful obedient and innocent and to call me diuers times by the ministery of thy word into thy kingdome besides thy innumerable other benefits alwaies hitherto powred vpon me All which thou hast done of this thy good will which thou of thine owne mercy barest to mee in Christ and for Christ before the world was made The which thing as thou requirest straitly that I should beleeue without doubting so wouldest thou that in all my needs I should come vnto thee as vnto a Father and make my mone without mistrust of being heard in thy good time as most shall make to my comfort Loe therefore to thee deare Father I come through thy sonne our Lord mediator and aduocate Iesus Christ who sitteth on thy right hand making intercession for me and pray thee of thy great goodnesse mercy in Christ to be mercifull vnto mee that I may feele indeed thy sweet mercy as thy child The time Oh deare father I appoint not but I pray thee that I may with hope stil expect and looke for thy helpe I hope that as thou for a litle whil hast left me so thou wilt come and visit mee and that in thy great mercy whereof I haue need by reason of my great misery Thou art wont for a little season in thine anger to hide thy face from them whom thou louest but surely O Redeemer in eternall mercies thou wilt shew thy compassions For when thou leauest vs O Lord thou dost not leaue vs very long neither dost thou leaue vs to our owne losse but to our lucre and aduantage euen that thy holy spirit with bigger portion of thy power and vertue may lighten and cheare vs that the want of feeling of our sorrow may be recompenced plentifully with the liuely sense of hauing thee to our eternall ioy and therfore thou swarest that in thine euerlasting mercy thou wilt haue compassion on vs. Of which thing to the end we might be most assured thine oath is to bee marked for thou saiest As I haue sworne that I will neuer bring any more the waters to drown the world so haue I sworne that I will neuer more be angry with thee nor reproue thee The mountaines shall remoue the hils shall fall downe but my louing kindnesse shall not moue the bond of my peace shall not faile thee Thus saiest thou the Lord our mercifull redeemer Deare Father therefore I pray thee remember euen for thine owne truth and mercy sake this promise and euerlasting couenant which in thy good time I pray thee to write in my heart that I may know thee to be the only true God and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent that I may loue thee with all my heart for euer that I may loue thy people for thy sake that I may be wholy in thy sight through Christ that I
blindnes corruption of our hearts is such that we are not able to arise vp vnto thee by faithfull and hearty praier according to our great necessity without thy singular grace and assistance grant vnto vs gracious Lord thy holy and sanctifying spirit to worke in vs this good worke with grace to weigh and consider the need and greatnesse of that wee doe desire and with an assured faith and trust that thou wilt grant vs our requests because thou art good and gracious euen to yong Rauens calling vpon thee much more then to vs for whom thou hast made all things yea and hast not spared also thine owne deare sonne because thou hast commanded vs to call vpon thee because thy throne wherto we come is a throne of grace and mercy because thou hast giuen vs a mediator Christ to bring vs vnto thee being the way by whom we come being the doore by whom we enter being our head on whom we hang hope that our poor petitions shal not be in vain through him for his names take We beseech thee therefore of thy rich mercy wherin thou art plentifull to all them that cal vpon thee to forgiue vs our sinnes namely our vnthankfulnes vnbeleefe selfeloue neglect of thy word security hypocrisie contempt of thy long suffering omission of prayer doubting of thy power presence mercy and good wil towards vs vnsensiblenesse of thy grace impatience c. And to this thy benefit of correcting vs and this gracious gift of repentance faith the spirit of praier the contempt of this world and hearty desiring of euerlasting life Indue vs with thy holy spirit according to thy couenant of mercy aswell to assure vs of pardon and that thou doest accept vs in thy fauour as thy deare children in Christ and for his sake as to write thy law in our hearts and so to worke in vs that wee may now begin and go forward in beleeuing louing fearing obeying praysing hoping seruing thee as thou doest require most fatherly and most iustly of vs accepting vs as perfect in thy sight through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier of the afflicted for the profession of Gods Word O Gratious God which seekest all meanes possible how to bring thy children into the feeling sure sense of thy mercy and therefore when prosperity will not serue then sendest thou aduersity graciously correcting them here whom thou wilt haue elsewhere to liue with thee for euer we poore wretches giue humble praises and thanks to thee that thou hast vouchsed vs worthy of thy correction at this present heereby to worke that which wee in prosperity and liberty did neglect For the which neglecting and many other our grieuous sinnes whereof we now accuse our selues before thee most mercifull Lord thou mightest most iustly haue giuen vs ouer and destroied vs both in soul body But such is thy goodnes towards vs in christ that thou seemest to forget all our offences and as though we were far otherwise then we bee indeed thou wilt that we should suffer this crosse now laid vpon vs for thy truth and Gospels sake and so be thy witnesses with the Prophets Apostles Martyrs Confessors yea with thy dearely beloued son Iesus Christ to whom thou dost now here begin to fashion vs like that in thiâ— glory we may be like to him also O good God what are we on whom thou shouldest shew this great mercy Oh louing Lord forgiue vs our vnthankfulnesse and sinnes Oh faithfull Father giue vs thine holy spirit now to crie in our hearts Abba dear Father to assure vs of our eternall election in Christ to reueale more and more thy truth vnto vs to confirme strengthen and stablish vs in the same that we may liue die in it as vessels of thy mercy to thy glory and to the commodity of thy Church Indue vs with the spirit of thy wisedome that with good conscience we may alwaies so answer the enemies in thy cause as may turn to their conuersion or confusion our vnspeakable consolation in Christ Iesus for whose sake we beseech thee henceforth to keepe vs to giue vs patience and to wil no otherwise our deliuerance or mitigation of our misery then may stand alwaies with thy good pleasure and mercifull will towards vs. Grant this deare Father not only to vs in this place but also to all others elsewhere afflicted for thy names sake through the death and merits of Iesus Christ our Lord Amen I.B. A praier to God the Father the Son and the holy Ghost O Almighty and euerliuing God the eternall Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which of thy vnmeasurable goodnes hast opened thy self vnto vs and with a loud voice hast said of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lord Heare him O maker and preseruer of all things with thy coeternall son our Lord Iesus Christ which raigneth with thee and was manifested in Ierusalem with thy holy spirit which was poured vpon the Apostles O wise God mercifull Iudge and mighty Lord which hast said As truely as I liue I will not the death of a sinner but rather that he shold conuert amend which also hast said Cal vpon me in the day of trouble and I will deliuer thee haue mercy vpon vp for Iesus Christs sake whom thou wouldest of thy meruellous and incomprehensible counsaile should bee made for vs a slaine sacrifice He. 6.11 mediator reconciler and peace-maker to the end that thou mightest shew thine exceeding great wrath against sin and thine inestimable mercy towards mankind Sanctifie and illuminate our hearts and soules with thy holy spirit that wee may truely beleeue in thee call vpon thee bee thankfull vnto thee and obedient to thy holy will Defend gouerne cherish thy Church as thou hast promised saying Esa 55. This is my couenant that I haue made with them My spirit which is in thee and my word which I haue put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seed for euer Preserue those kingdomes common weales which giue harboure to thy people and maintaine the ministery of thy holy word and Gospell that the kingdome of thy sonne Iesus Christ may increase and shine throughout all the world O Iesus Christ Sonne of the euerlasting God A praier to God the Son crucified for vs and raised also from the dead and now raigning at the right hand of thy father that thou maist giue gifts vnto men which hast said Come vnto me all ye that labour and are heauy loaden and I will refresh you Haue mercy vpon vs and pray for vs vnto thy eternal Father Joh. 14. sanctifie and gouerne vs with thy holy spirit helpe and succour vs in al our necessities as thou hast promised saying I will not leaue you comfortlesse O holy and blessed spirit together with the father and the son one true and euerliuing God full of maiesty and power which with thy heauenly
mine intollerable heauines I cried to thee O my God and from heauen thou hardest my gronings thereupon first preparedst my hart to aske comfort of thee and then thou diddest accept my praier and gauest me plentifully my asking Oh my soule consider well that thou art neuer able to declare the exceeding goodnesse of God in this that hee heard the very desires of thee being afflicted who is so redy fauourably to grant the requests of the afflicted that oftentimes hee tarrieth not vntill they do call but or euer they call vpon him fauourably heareth them as the Psalmist saith The desire of the aflicted thou hearest O Lord thou preparest their hearts Psal 77 and thine eares heare them Oh Lord my God maruellous things are these whether I consider of this maruellous maner of thy hearing or else the maruellous nature property of thy goodnesse Maruellous no doubt is that thy hearing whereby the very desires of the afflicted are heard but much more maruellous is this thy goodnesse which tarriest not vntill the afflicted do desire thy help but preparest first their harts to desire and then thou giuest them their desires Yea Lord worthy of all praise it cannot otherwise bee For how shouldest thou doe otherwise then thy nature and property is Art not thou very goodnesse and mercy it selfe How canst thou then but pitty and helpe misery Art not thou both the creator and also the conseruer of all things Insomuch as the Lyons whelpes roaring after their pray doe seeke their food at thy hands and the Rauens birds lacking meat Psal 147. Esa 94. do call vpon thee If then thy fatherly prouidence tender care O Lord vpon all thy creatures bee so great that the very beasts and foules haue this experience of thy goodnesse in their necessities that their roarings cryings haue the strength of earnest calling and desires how much rather doe these sighings groanings and desperate heauinesse of men but chiefly of thy children crie and call lowde in thine eares though they speake neuer a word at all Should I then now despaire of thy fatherly mercy whiles presently I feele thee stirre vp my soule and heart to craue help at thy hand Should I thinke that thou wilt absent thy self for euer that thou wilt be no more intreated that thy mercy is cleane gon that thy promise is come vtterly to an end that thou wilt now shut vp thy louing kindenesse in displeasure Nay Lord for all alterations are of thy right hand and turne alway to the best to them that feare thee All this is but mine owne infirmitie for thou art euer one thy promises bee infallible and thy loue towards thine euerlastingly during I will therefore in this my present tentation grieuous assault powre out the heauinesse of my heart before thee deare Father Out of the deepe will I cry and lift vp my soule vnto thee Psal 1. from whom I assuredly know my helpe is comming I will also for my present comfort call to remembrance O Lord my God thy tender mercies towards me already shewed the multitude of thy benefits the greatnesse of the saâ—e the long continuance of them euen from my onception vntill this instant and sinally thy continuall loue and desire to powre them vpon me And moreouer sith thy goodnesse is so great O Lord that thou doest not onely pitty misery but also callest the heauy hearted and afflicted vnto thee promising that thou wilt ease their misery Mat. 11. for as much as by the motion of thy good spirit I loath and abhorre my sins feele the grieuousnesse of them and thy heauy wrath towards me for the same and sinally what neede I haue of thy gracious aide and succour therfore O Lord in thy Sonne Christs name with sure confidence and trust in thine infallibe promise in this mine anguish and trouble I come vnto thee at thy mercifull calling craue comfort at thy hand For thou hast promised that when I loath my sins thou wilt vtterly forget them when I feele the grieuous but then of them thy mercy swalloweth them vp when I seeke that I want thou wilt assuredly grant it me For sith thou mouest my heart to desire help how should I mistrust but thou wilt for thy truths sake giue me my asking Yea where I know not how or what to desire as I ought thy holy spirit gratiously working in mee maketh intercession mightly for mee with groanings which caÌ„not be expresseth and therwithal certifieth my spirit that by adoption through thy great mercy and goodnesse I am become thy child and heire Why should I not then be of good comfort and ioyfull in thee my God For if thou be on my side who can bee against me Since thou diddest not spare thine owne sonne but gauest him for me euen when I was thine enimy how shalt thou not with him now that by his death I am brought into thy fauour giue me all things with him and for his sake Rom. 8. Who shal lay any thing to the charge of thine elect it is thou Lord which iustifiest mee It is Christ that hath died for mee yea rather that is risen againe for me Who also is set on thy right hand and hath taken possession yea and perpetually there maketh intercession for mee vntill that ioyfull day be come when I shall haue full fruition of the most glorious presence of thy diuine maiesty in the kingdome which thou hast prepared before the beginning of the world â—phe â— but in time to the gracious goodnesse thought best made known to mee by giuing thy holy spirit into my heart whereby when I first Lord beleeued thy holy word which is thine owne power to saue all that beleeue I was sealed Rom. 8. confirmed and stablished in the certainty of that â—hine euerlasting kingdome and inheritance For the which inestimable benefit of thy rich grace Oh Lord my God I beseech thee euen for the loue thou barest to Christ Iesus thy son and the mercy thou haddest on him when he cried on the crosse Maâ— â—7 My God my God why hast thou forsaken mee Help help I say inflame my heart with loue so plentifully towardes thee againe that I may bee euen swallowed vp in the ioyful feeling of the same in such sort that I may of very thankfulnes loue thee my God alone thee I say my deare God and nothing but thee and for thy sake O holy spirit whose work this is in me increase this work of thy inâ—uit mercy and preserue me that I neuer become vnthankfull vnto thee therfore Amen A praier for the sicke O Most mercifull God which according to the multitude of thy mercies doest so put away the sins of those which truly repeÌ„t that thou remembrest them no more open thy eies of mercy and look vpon this thy sicke seruant who most earnestly desireth pardon and forgiuenes renue in him most louing father whatsoeuer hath beene decaied by the fraud
in vs that which is acceptable in thy sight Sanctifie vs throughout and keep our whole spirit soule and body faulâ—ies vnâ—o the comming of thy deare sonne our Lord Iesus Christ â—hou art faithful O father who hast promised this who also shalt bring it to passe to thee therefore be giuen euerlasting praise honour and glory Amen A thanksgiuing after meales LEt al nations magnifie the Lord let all people reioice in praising and extolling his great mercies For his fatherly kindnesse is plentifuly shewed foorth vpon vs and the truth of his promise endureth for euer We render thanks vnto thee O Lord God for thy manifold benefits which we continually receiue at thy bountifull hand not only for that it hath pleased thee to feed vs in this present life giuing vnto vs al things necessary for the same but specially because thou hast of thy free mercy fashioned vs anew vnto an assured hope of a farr better life the which thou hast declared vnto vs by thy holy Gospell Therefore we humbly beseech thee Oh heauenly father that thou wilt not suffer our affections to be so entangled rooted in these earthly corruptible things but that we may alwaies haue our minds directed to thee on hic continually watching for the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ what time he shal appear for our full redemption To whom with thee and the holy Ghost be all honor and glory for euer and euer So be it Another thanksgiuing after meales GLory praise and honor be vnto thee most mercifull and omnipotent father who hast fed and daily dost feed of thy most bountiful goodnes all liuing creatures we beseech thee that as thou hast nourished these our mortall bodies with corporall food so thou wouldest replenish our soules with the perfect knowledge of thy liuely word of thy beloued sonne Iesus Christ to whom with thee the holy Ghost be praise glory and honour for euer So be it Another MOst bountifull and gracious God which feedest all flesh and hast promised that asking of thee we shal not lacke if we first seeke thy kingdom and the righteousnes therof we feeling presently the benefit of this thy gracious promise in feeding our bodies with this corporall food do render vnto thee most harty thaÌ„ks for the same beseeching thee likewis to feed our soules with that heauenly food which perisheth not but abideth vnto euerlasting life so that we being nourished by the goodnes both in body and soule may be apt ready to do al good works which thou hast prepared for vs to walke in through Iesus Christ our Lord. Vnto him that loued vs and washed vs from our sinnes in his bloud and made vs kings and Priestes vnto God his Father be all glory power and dominion for euermore Amen Another THe God of glory who hath created redeemed and presently feed vs be blessed for euermore Amen The God of all power who hath called from death the great Pastor of the sheepe our Lord Iesus comfort and defend the flocke which hee hath redeemed by the bloud of the eternall Testament increase the number of true Preachers represse the rage of obstinate tyrants lighten the harts of the ignorant relieue the paines of such as be afflicted but specially of those that suffer for the testimony of thy truth and finally confound Satan by the power of our Lord Iesus Christ So be it Prayers commonly called Lidleys praiers with certaine godly additions Before thou prayest forgiue if thou hast any thing against any man come not to GOD with a double heart but lift vp pure hands without wrath or doubting 1. Tim. 2. ALmighty and most mercifull Father I thy poor creature and worke of thy hands acknowledge and confesse vnto thee my manifolde sinnes and offences which I from my youth vp vnto this day haue committed against thee in thought word and deed beseeching thee for Iesus Christ thy dear soâ—s sake to haue mercy vpon me and to pardon the same according to thy graet mercy which hast promised that at what time souer a sinner doth repent him of his sinne from the bottome of his heart thou wilt put his wickednes out of thy remembrance O Lord I confesse that I was borne in sinne and conceiued in wickednes and am by nature a child of wrath For in my flesh dwelleth no good thing and of my selfe I am not able to think a good thought much lesse to doe that thou in thy law requirest of me saying Cursed is he that continueth not in al things that are written in the law to doe them Againe thy law is spirituall but I am carnall fold vnder sinne Therefore O Lord I come vnto thee for grace which hast said Aske only shall haue seeke ye shal find knock it shal be opened vnto you to preuent and draw my will vnto all goodnes for none can come vnto thee except he be drawn except w be borne from aboue we cannot see the kingdome of God Therefore O Lord renue in mee a right spirit that I may receiue strength and ablenesse to doe thy righteoâ—â— wilâ— Grant that I may euer desire and will that which is most pleasing acceptable to thy will Thy will be my will and my will be alwaies to follow thy will Let there be euer in me one will one desire with thee and let me neuer desire to will or not to will but as thou wilt Grant me that aboue all things I may rest in thee and fully quiet and pacifie my hart in thee for thou Lord art the true peace of the hart the perfect rest of the soule Thou knowest Lord what is most profitable and expedient for mee wherefore do with mee in al things as it shall seem best vnto thee For it may not be but well that thou dost which dost most iustly and blessedly dispose all things after thy most godly wisedome Therefore whither it be by prosperity or aduersity losse or gaine sicknes or health life or death thy will be done Cast out of my heart all vnprofitable cares of worldly things and suffer me not to be led with the vnstable desires of earthly vanities but giue me grace that all worldly and carnall affections may be mortified and dy in me Grant vnto me the strength of thy holy spirit to subdue this body of sinne with the whole lusts thereof that it may be obedient both in will mind and members to do thy holy will Assist me with thy grace O Lord that I may be strengthned in the inward man and be armed with thy holy armour which is the breast-plate of righteousnesse the shield of faith the hope of saluation for an helmet and the sword of thy spirit which is thy holy word that I may stand perfect in all that is thy will and be found worthy through Christ to receiue the crowne of life which thou hast promised to all them that loue thee Giue me grace that I may esteem all things in