grant me perfect patience in all trâ—bulations and aduersitie Preserue me from pride â—re enuâ—e couetousnesse and from all offences contrarie to thy law suffer no false delight of this deceiueable life by fleshlie temptation and fraude of the â—â—end to blind mee at the houre of my death I beseech thee O Lord grant me such a light of thy ghostlie wisdome that I may doe those things which are most acceptable to thee grant mee grace to doe hurt to nobodie but to helpe those with good counsell which haue offended thee and make me to proceede in vertue vntill such time as I shall see thy Omnipotent Maiestie and let me not turne to those sinnes which I haue sorrowed for and accused my selfe of The horrible sentence of endlesse death the terrible iudgement of damnation thy wrath ire and indignation mercifull Lord let them neuer fall vppon me thy mercie and thy merites euer bee betweene them and me Lord grant mee grace inwardlie to feare and dread thee and to eschew those things whereby I might offend thee giue mee a contrite heart for that I haue offended thee good Father remoue my sinfull dispositions which dull mine heart and like lead doe suppresse me Let me not forget the riches of thy goodnesse of thy patience of thy long sufferance and benignitie let the threatning of paine and torment which shall fall vpon sinners the losse of thy loue and of thy heauenlie inheritance euer make me feare to offend thee Suffer mee not deare Father to liue and die in sinne but soone call me to repentance when I haue displeased thee and grant mee grace trulie to loue thee and when I offend thee smite mee not with thy wrathfull indignation I beseech thee but let it be thy gentle rodde of correction Let the remembrance of thy kindnesse and patience conquer the malicious wretched desire in mee draw me Lord to thee by thy holy spirit and doe with mee according to thy mercie and not after my vnthankefulnesse withdraw tâ—y sword of vengeance O Lord for thy great mercie sake and grant me to be the childe of saluation whereby I may haue glorification cleere fight and fruition of the Deitie and bee euer present to see the glorious Trinitie O sweete Sauiour Lord Iesus Christ grant me grace for to remember perfectlie the danger of death and the great account which I must then giue to thee Lord dispose so of mee then that my soule may bee acceptable in thy sight turne net thy louing face then from me but be a merciful King meeke Iudge at that dreadful houre of my visitation that I may not haue the â—igour of thy righteousnesse which is Goeâ—e câ—rsed into euerlasting fire prepared for the Diuell and his Angels but to heare that comfortable saluation which thou doest giue to thy chosen Come yee blessed of my Father and enioy the Kingdome prepared for you from the beginning of the World Let this hope of thy mercies comfort my sick weake soule that I neuer fall into desperation of thy endlesse mercie For the merites of thy Sonne Christ Iesus I beseech thee grant mee these petitions which I haue asked of thee haue mercie on me awretched sinner And I beseech thee bring me to thine euerlasting glorie there to rest in blisse World without end A Prayer to GOD to defend vs from euill company and our tongues from vttering â—ll words O Lord Iesus grant mee grace to â—lie euill companie and when I come among them for thy glorious passion I beseech thee to preserue me that no occasion of sinne ouercome me and send me comfort from thy omnipotent Maiestie to withstand al illusions of the flesh whereby thy blessed name may be dishonoured Keepe my mouth good Lord from slanders ill speaking lying false witnessebeating cursing swearing vncharitable châ—ding dissolute laughing and words of vanitie Make me blessed Lord with dread to remember that thou presentlie hearest me and that the least of my words shall iudge me Suffer not my heart to be light of credite in hearing that which is detraction obloquy rancour and ire Represse all inordinate affections of carnalitie and where I haue by euil fellowship offended thy Maiestie I beseech thee for the helpe of thy mercies in so offending thee let thy power protect me thy wisdome direct me thy fatherlie pittie correct me and send me a gracious life and a blessed ending and with thy goodnes preserue me from euerlasting damnation and terrour of mine enemie Jn my temptations I beseech thee Lord to helpe me and to keepe my soule from consent to sinne For the tender loue thou bearest to mankinde repell the power of my aduersaries which intend the damnation of mee Possesse my soule O Sauiour with all humble subâ—ection to thy law and make mee pure in spirit meeke in speaking patient in suffering to hunger after righteousnesse and to bee mercifull to all them that be in miserie Make mee peaceable in conueâ—sation cleane in heart vnto godlie meditation and ioyfull to suffer persecution for thee Let all my powers and desires bee ruled according to thy will let all my petitions be ordered by thy wisdome to the euerlasting profit of my soule Lord keepe my soule and my bodie whereby I may be patient in suffering iniuries rebukes let me leade that life which thou knowest to be most to thine honor and my eternall felicity Fill mine heart with contrition and mine eies with teares that I neuer be forsaken of thee Awake my dull soule from the sleepe of sin and send mee helpe Lord from Heauen to ouercome the olde serpent with all his crafts Deliuer me from the enemie of daâ—kenesse and his great crueltie let thy obedience recompence for mine obstinacie thy abstinence for my superfluitie thy meekenesse and thy patience for my pride irefull heart enmitie Thy charitie for my malice thy deuotion for my dulnesse thy louing heart for mine vnkindnesse thy holy death for my wretched life Lord grant mee grace in the time of prayer to fixe my minde on thee and at that time to remember the perils of bodie and soule which I haue escaped and the benefits that I haue receiued thorow thy great mercie And I thanke thee most Heauenlie Father for all the Creatures which thou hast made to helpe man and that thou hast made man after thine owne Image in glorie to honour thee The motions of my running mind the desire of mine vnstable heart in time of praier stop and stay Lord I beseech thee and represse the power of my ghostlie enemie which then doth with-draw my minde from thee and thy true seruice to many vaine imaginations Lord I beseech thee to take me into thy power and with thy goodnesse glad me Lord let my minde be so occupied in goodnesse that my prayers may bee acceptable to thee Heare now sweet Sauiour the voice of a sinner who would faine loue thee and with the heart as greatlie please thee as euer hee hath offended thee I
Anâ— thou must purpose with thy selfe to doe â—othing that day which may displease God but meditate in thy minde some godly meditations desiring his assistance for the furtherance of the true seruing his omnipâ—tent Maiâ—sty â— A Prayer before wee settle our selues to our Deâ—â—tions O Most gracious Lord giue me leaue to present my selfe before thy diuine Maiestie and to poure out my vnworthy prayers in the sight of thy most mighty and glorious presence Behold mee O Lord not in my merits but in the multitude of thy mercies I now comâ— to make manifest my necessities and to vtter my griefeâ— vnto thee I come as a poorâ— and needy wretch vnto â— God of infinit glory I comâ— as a worme of the Earth vnto my Soueraigne Makeâ— and Creatour I come as â— guiltie hainous offendeâ—â— I am not worthy to lift vâ— mine eyes to Heauen muâ—â— lesse to open my mouth in thy glorious presence oâ— presume to talke with â— Lord and King of so great â— Maiesty being my selfe buâ— slime and ashes but ô Fatheâ— of mercies and God of all comfort thou promisest that who asketh shall receiue â— who knocketh shall bee leâ— in who seeketh shall findeâ— Thou inuitest the greatest â—inners and refusest not to â—eelde thy assistance to any â—hat will vse it grant mee â—herefore grace now to pray â—nto thee as my duety and â—hy desert requireth grant â—e a pureintention a ferâ—ent deuotion and an attenâ—â—ue mind that it be not carâ—ed away with impertinent â—oughts nor any other diâ—raction but with humble â—eart firme hope and perâ—ct charity I may effectualâ—e pray vnto thee and aske â—f thee that which thou seeâ—t most for thy glory and â—y good graâ—t Lord I beâ—ech thee that thou wilt â—elpe mee to pray worthily â—at thou maiest mercifuâ—ly â—rant my Petitions keepe â—y thoughts from wandring râ—straine my imaginations and preserue my sences from being distractedâ— defend O Lord my weakâ— heart from ghostly assaultsâ— and so fixe my minde vpon thee that I be not carrieâ— away from consideration oâ— thy presence grant mee distinctly to pronounce my words attentiuely to apply my thoughts and to bee wholly rauished and possessed with zeale and true deuotion O Lord grant me to aske forgiuenesse with â— deepe contrition and fulâ— purpose of amendement â— grant me to craue thy benefits with hearty thankfulneâ—â— for those which I haue receiued Grant mee to pray for my selfe with a perfect resignation vnto thy will and â—or all others with true chaâ—itie and sincere affection Affoord O Lord such comâ—ort to my soule as thou â—eest fit â—or mee and by the â—ssistance of thy spirit inspire â—hy good motions into mee â—hat I may feele them forciâ—ly accept them thankefulie and fulfill them effectuâ—llie Finally I humbly beâ—eech thee of thy mercy and goodnesse that I may praise â—hee with a true repentant â—eart to appease the fury of â—hy anger against me whereâ—y I may come to enioy â—ith thy Maiesty eternall â—lorie without end Amen A Morning Prayer O Most gracious LORD and Omnipotent Father thou which madeâ—â— Heauen and Earth the Sea and all that is therein together with thy dearely beloued Son IESVS CHRIST and with thy holy Spirit thou hast brought vs to the beginning of this day thorow thy goodnesse now we beseech thee that this day wee fall into no sinne buâ— that we may accomplish thy holy will by directing ouâ— words framing our thoghts and disposing our doing accordingly Helpe vs anâ— further vs O Lord in all ouâ— Prayers that whatsoeuer wâ— doe may alwaies take beginning from thee and being so begun wee may proceede in true seruing of thee who art the Fountaine 〈◊〉 light and most peerelessâ— spring of Wisdome LORD vouchsafe that the beames of thy wonderfull glorie may beate against my darke and smal vnderstanding and driue from me two kinde of mists to wit sinne and ignorance wherein I was borne Thou O Lord that makest the tongues of little Infants to be eloquent teach me to rule my tongue and let thy grace and blessing bee pouâ—ed on my lippes Giue mee sharpnesse of vnderstanding thy heauenly word and ability to retaine it a facility to serue a good kind of interpretation a good place to vtter my words and that they may tend to thy glory and guide my entrance to the matters I speake of direct my proceeding in the same and make perfect my conclusion Come Holy Ghost fill my heart with thy faith and kindle in mee the fire of thy loue doe thus good Lord who diddest bring the Gentiles to the vnity of thy saith by all kindes of diuers and strange languages send out Lord thy holy Spirit and all things shall be created and thou shalt make fresh the face of the Earth and thou that hast taught the Hearts of thy faithfull by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost giue mee the same spirit right vnderstanding and alway to reioice in thee make mee forsake Sathan and cleaue to thee ô Christ who art the way truth and life shew me thy wayes ô Lord and teach me thy pathes direct my steps according to thy word that no vnrighteousnesse reigne ouer mee Maâ—e my going perfect in thy wayes that my steps be not moued Lord whi hart the Father of grace anâ— mercie desend me from my enemies and receiue mee at the houre of my death Good Lord grant I may depart in a good houre out of this World and that I may arise from the death of sinne and walke in newnesse of life that when I shall rise againe at the latter day when our life shall be seene manisestly of all men I also may bee openly but fauourably seene of thy glory who liueâ—â— and reiguest one GOD World without end Amen Another Prayer for the Morning O Lord God and my heauenly Father I do here present my selfe with my morning sacrifice vnto thy Omnipotent Maiestie crauing thy mercifull aide for the strengthening of my weake faith at this present that thereby I may be made the more apt and able to serue thy heauenly Maiesty in all holinesse and true sincerity of heart And now that the time allotted for my feeble senses is expired and that the spring of the morning approacheth I offer vp my bounden duety of praise and thankesgiuing to thy euer blessed and glorious Maiestie vpon whom all the houres and moments of life depend for adding yet more space vnto my daies for granting me a larger time of repentance for the obtaining of thy grace and exercise of vertue and amendement of my sinfull life O eternal and euerliuing God who art the guardian to all true beleeuers make me euermore to magnifie and extoll thy mercies and in true token of this my thankefulnesse hauing nothing more neere vnto me then my selfe I here offer and present my selfe body and soule vnto thy heaâ—enly will and pleasure beseeching thee to dispose of me as of thine owne to direct the remainder of my life to thy Honour and seruice
longer to abide in this state will not bee permitted them If we did but vnderstand and know what manner of battell this is and what manner of burthen is then to bee borne by man in this houre wee would then verily bee other manner of persons then heretofore we haue beene All these things Faith teacheth Nature proclaimeth Experience testifieth and it is euident to euerie one of vs that wee shall come vnto that state wherein wee will desire with all our heart that wee had bridled ourselues from all our wickednesse that we 〈◊〉 exercised all the workes of vertue that we had liued 〈◊〉 al holinesse and not spent our time in vanitie Let vs not imitate foolish men who looke vpon present things onely let vs wisely â—rouide for things to come and so by the grace of God wee shall bring to passe by our godly meditation and praiers that the same houre which to others is the beginning of sorrowes to vs shall be the beginning of joy and felicitie Thus far is shewed what may befall a man at the point of death vntill the moment of his departure Now let vs see how the body is bestowed after the separation of the soule from it After the dissolution the body lieth vpon the ground not a humane body but a dead carcasse without life without sense without strength and so fearefull to looke vpon that the sight thereof may hardly be indured to be short it is little better as touching the substance then the body of a horse or a dogge which lyeth dead in the fields and all that passe by stop their noses and make hast away that they be not annoyed with the sight and â—linke thereof Such is Mans body now becom though it were the body of a monarch Emperor or King Where is now that maiestie that excellencie that authoritie which it had afore-time when men trembled to behold it and might not come in presence thereof without all reuerence and obeisance Where are all those things become were they a dreame or a shadow After all those things the funerall is prepared which is all they haue of all their riches and possessions and this also they should not haue if in their life time they did not appoint it for their dignitie and honour The Prophet Dauid saith truely Be not thou afraid though one be made rich or if the glory of his house be encreased for hee shall carry nothing away with him when he dieth neither shall his pompe follow him A pit is digged seuen or eight foot long and that must serue euen Alexander the Great whom the World could not containe In this pit the dead carkasse must dwell alone continually whereto as soone as it is come the wormes doe welcome it and the bones of other dead men are constrained to giue place In this house of perpetuall obliuion and silence the carkasse being wound in a sheete and bound hands and feete is shut vp though it neede not to haue so great labour bestowed vpon it for it would not runne away out of that prison though the hands and feete were loose If we doe but consider a little of the Tombes and Sepulchers of Princes and Noble men whose glory and maiesty we haue seene when they liued heere on earth and do behold the horrible formes and shapes which they now haue shall wee not erie out as men amazed Is this that glory is this that highnesse and excellencie where now are the degrees of their waiting seruants where are their ornaments and jewels where is their pompe their delicacie and nicenesse all these things are vanished away with the smoake and there is now nothing left but dust horror and stinke Now leauing the Body in the graue let vs consider how the soule entreth into the new World As soone as the soule of the sinner is dissolued from the flesh it beginneth to passe through a Region vnknowne where there are new Inhabitants and a new manner of liuing What then shall the miserable and sinfull pilgrime doe when he shall see himselfe alone in such an vnknowne Region being full of feare and horror how and by what meanes shall he defend himselfe from those most fierce theeues and horrible monsters which in those vast Deserts doe assaile passengers this verily is a fearfull journey and yet the iudgement is much more fearefull which in that place is exercised Who is able to expresse the vprightnesse of the Iudge the seueritie of the iudgement the diligence of inquisition and the multitude of witnesses in this iudgement teares will not preuaile praiers will not be heard promises will not be admitted repentance will be too late riches honourable Titles Scepters Diadems these will profite much lesse The inquisition will be so curious and diligent that not one light thought nor one idle word not repented of in the World past shall be forgotten For truth it selfe hath said that of euery idle word which men haue spoken they shall giue an account in the day of iudgement how many which doe now â—in with great delight yeâ— euen with greedinesse of heart will be then astonished ashamed and silent Then shall the daies of thy mirth be ended and thou shalt be ouerwhelmed with euerlasting darknesse and instead of thy pleasures thou shalt haue euerlasting torments When Ieremy had remembred all the calamities and sinnes of the Iewes at the last he imputed all to this Shee remembred not her end So if wee may iudge why naturall men care for nothing but their pompe why great men care for nothing but their golden gaine why voluptuous Epicures care for nothing but their pleasure why the pastor careth not for his flock nor the people for their pastor we may say with Ieremy They remember not their end When Salomon had spoken of all the vanities of men at last he opposeth this against all Remember thou shalt come to iudgement As if hee should haue said Men would neuer speake as they speake thinke as they think nor doe as they doe if they were perswaded that their thoughts words and deeds should come to iudgement What if wee had died in the â—aies of our ignorance like Iudas that hanged himselfe before he could see the passion resurrection or ascention of CHRIST IESVS We are therefore to number our daies and our sinnes too But alas how many daies haue we spent and yet neuer thought why aâ—y day was giuen vs but as the old yeer went and new came so wee thought that a new would follow that and that another will follow this and God knoweth how soone we may be deceiued for so they thought that are now in their graues This is not to number our daies but to prouoke God to shorten our daies Which of vs haue not liued twenty yeeres yea and some thirty or forty and happely some many more and yet we haue neuer applied our hearts aright vnto wisedome O if we had learned but euery yeere one vertue since we were borne we might
loue deuoiâ—â— of all â—ypocâ—isie from a purâ— heart to â—oue our Neighbourâ— This Honourable Lord iâ— true Religion whereunto â—â— GOD in great mercy hatâ— called you so gâ—â— cheerefullâ— forward Beware of thiâ— vaine World and of thaâ—â—â—ine trust that wiched mâ—â— are wâ—â—t to put in it leanâ—â—â—t vpon it but stoppe youâ— eares against the eâ—eâ—anting and fawning whisperingâ— of the hollowâ—esse thereof and the dissolute Professors for there can bee â—â— greater trespasse against the Lâ—â—â— theâ—to â—â—â—â— vpon Assyria to rest in the strength of Egypt to goe downe into Ethâ—opia Cursed is that Man that putteth his trust in Man and maketh flesh his â—â—â—e hee shall be like the Heath that groweth in the Wildernesse But con 〈◊〉 He that trusteth in the Lord mercy shall â—mbrace him on euerie side he shall neuer be confounded hee shall bee â—s Mount 〈◊〉 and shall neuer be remoâ—ed for the Lord is his secret place is with him therefore who can â—â— against him What is a â—â—ns â—owe what are his legges what is the swiftnesse of Horses 〈◊〉 the strength of an Hoaâ—â— or the fauour of all thâ— Princes of the World iâ— comparison of God iâ— whom is onely the assurance of that euerlastinâ— inheritance It is the Goâ— of Iacob that must be ouâ— defence our strong Tower and Rock the Chariâ— and Horsemen of Israeâ— the testimony of his prâ—sence and fauour thâ—â— onely can make vs glad Wherefore againe and â—gaine I most humbly beseech your Honour bewaâ—â— of vaine trust and consâ—denâ— in Men and in things thâ—â— are lesse worth then Mâ—â— â—nd as GOD hath in mercy â—estowed vpon your Honour â—reat wisedome so pray that â—ou may haue a discerning â—pirit that the deceiuable â—lory of this World make you â—ot forget your greatest duty â—hat so you may shine in his â—â—erlasting Kingdome True Religion Honouâ—able Lord is effected by â—at diuine and eternall wisâ—â—ome whereby the contemâ—atiue vertue of man is lifâ—d vp to the happy knowâ—â—dge of the Maiesty of God all other the greatest verâ—â—e and wherein resteth the â—â—iefest contentment in this 〈◊〉 For if there be a Pareâ—e in this life it is seated in one of these two either in Religious Meditations or iâ— holy studies and godly specâ—lation because whatsoeuâ—â— is not in one of these two 〈◊〉 full of griefe vexation biâ—ternesse fearefulnesse caâ—â— and sorrow But as Christiâ—â— moâ—esty Right Honourablâ—â— hath moued me to giue to eâ—â—rie thing his due in not ceâ—sing from setting forth aâ— thing in the praise of thâ— which of right deserueth 〈◊〉 be commended so Christiâ—â— Iustice and equity would 〈◊〉 suffer mee to let that paâ—â— without some commendaâ—â—on whereunto I am not abâ— sufficiently to giue any Bâ— considering that slightly commend a thing were the next way to dispraise it exâ—ept withall it were shrâ—wâ—ded under the Patronage of â—ome worthy Person and â—hinking it vnmeete to let â—hat go like an Orphan withâ—ut a father at home I haue â—resumed to commit it vnto our Honours protection not bare Lawrell which of it â—lfe for the greennesse when â—ther be withered may seem 〈◊〉 bee accepted but the same â—ecked and adorned with â—ost heauenly Meditations 〈◊〉 that as I thinke if your â—onour were presented with materiall Lawrell wherein â—esides naturall greennesse â—ere but this neceâ—â—â—ry vse that it could defend you iâ— your Garden from the heatâ— of the Sunne you would accept if not of the gift yet oâ— the good will of the giuer So relying my selfe still vppon your Honours wonteâ— accustomed fauour and clemency I doubt not but yoâ— will affoord mee a fauourable and friendly acceptatioâ— hereof For herein is not thâ—â— greennes which consisting 〈◊〉 naturall qualities must theâ— wither when all things haâ—â— their ending according tâ—â— their nature but the flourishing greene promises of thâ— coâ—enant of God which 〈◊〉 God himselfe last alwaieâ— immutable and vnchangeable Here are not the beautifull leaues of a materiall tree which delight onely the outward sight but a most familiar view and patterne of God himselfe in Christ euen to the delight of the soule and inward comfort of the spirit which take pleasure onely in Heauenly things To conclude here you are not shrowded from the heate of the Sunne but shall finde most coole shade from the parching heate of sinne from which as in duety I am bound I will pray that God in this life shield and defend you and in the life to come grant you euâ—rlasting rest Thus presuming on your Honors wonted fauours and curtesies shewed vnto mee and crauing pardon for this my bold enterprise I humbly take my leaue Your Honors to be commanded in all duty and seruice HENRY THOMPSON An Admonition to the zealous Reader concerning the most godly exercise of PRAYER MAny are the godly and zealous Treatises which are already extant tending to the encouragement of those that hunger and thirst for the true seruice of the liuing God yet gentle Reader I craue thy Christian patience friendly to accept this small trauell of mine and these my simple Admonitions For among all our godly and deuoute Meditations good Christian Reader there can bee none better more acceptable to GOD more commodious and necessary to Man or more fit for vs to the attaining of a good and happy life then at all times to occupic our selues in the continuall remembrance and meditation of the life and death of our Lord Iesus Christ the which thing is plainly shewed and declared not onely by the example and doctrine of diuers holy and learned Men but also by experience it selfe And if thou wouldest flie from sinne and shunne vice then consider with thy selfe what great things the onely Sonne of God both did and suffered to the end thou mightest deliuered from sinne If thou desire to beautifie thy soule with loue humilitie gentlenes patience obedience châ—rity and other vertues then cast thine eye on the perfect and liuely patterne of all vertue which is thy LORD CHRIST himselfe If thou bee desirous to contemne the world and all worldlie vanities and nothing to care for the same then weigh with thy selfe earnestly what kind of life CHRIST our Lord led when hee was liuing here How full of troubles how full of labour and sorrow and how bitter a death hee sustained for Mans saluation Finallâ— if thou wouldest stâ—re vp and inflamâ— thy mind with the loue of GOD and giue him thankes what can in such a case bee more effectuall then still to call vpon GOD and to remember Christ his life and pâ—ssion and how many â—nd great benefits we haue receiued thereby ' Wherâ—upon the Apostle saide for good cause Remember you him who suffered at the hands of sinners that Man should not quaile not bee dismaied in heart and Saint Peter saith That CHRIST suffered that Man should bee also comforted with the remembrance thereof But to the intent that thâ—â— â—ood Christian Reader maiest vse these Meditations to thy great profit thou must obserue this order that
to thy Heauenly Father brakest it and gauest it to thy Disciples saying Take ye â—ate ye this is my body which is giuen for you doe this in remembrance of me Because the singular and inestimable benefit of our redemption brought to passe by the one and onely oblation of thy blessed bodie broken on the Altar of the Crosse should not bee forgotten Thou brakest the bread in the sight of the Disciples and gauest vnto them commanding them to cate it in the remembrance of the breaking of thy body which then was betraied by the traiterous Disciâ—le Iudas that sonne of perdiâ—ion and the day following was vnfainedly broken on the Crosse for our ransome deliuerance and saluation here â—liddest thou appoint the breaking of the bread among the faithfull gathered together for that purpose a worthy blessed memoriall of thy bodie broken And because the breaking of thy bodie should be the better remembred thou diddest innoble the bread with the name of thy bodie when notwithstanding it was onely the figure signe token and memoriall of thy holy body In like manner when supper was done thou tookest the cup in thy hands gauest thankes to thy Heauenly Father and deliueredst it vnto thy Disciples saying Drinke ye all of this for this is my blood of the â—ew Testament Conenant or Bargaine which shall bee shed for many for the remâ—ssion of sinnes this doe so often as you drinke it in the remembrance of mee As by the breaking of thy blâ—ssed bodie our ransome is perfectly paid so by the shedding of thy blood are all our sinnes euen vnto the vttermost washed away Therefore as by the breaking of the bread thou wouldest the breaking of thy bodie and the benefits gotten by it to bee remembred among the faithfull so to that end that the shedding of thy blood and the merites thereof should not be forgotten Thou gauest them the Cup of Wine to drinke commanding them that so oft as they or any of the faithsull gathered together for that purpose to drinke of the Cup they should remember thy death and the shedding of thy precious blood as thy holy Apostle saith As oft as ye shall eate this Bread and drinke of this Cup yee â—hall shew the Lords death till he come And as thou didst ennoble the Bread with the name of thy body being but the figure of thy bodie because the breaking of thy body should the better be remembred So likewise here doest thou garnish and nobly set forth the wine naming it thy blood when notwithstanding it onely representeth and preacheth vnto vs the shedding of thy blood because it should be the more deepely grauen and the better retained in our minds O most mercifull Redeemer gentle Sauiour we are come together at this present to celebrate the memoriall of thy blessed and glorious passion and to eate and drinke this Bread and wine in the remembrance of thy blessed Body breaking and thy precious Blâ—od shedding Most humbly and from the verie heart beseeching thee to giue vs grace worthily to eate this Bread and drinke of this Cuppe lest by the vnworthy receiuing of them wee be guilty of thy bodie and blood and so eate and drinke out owne damnation and that wee may come the more worthily vnto this thy Table Grant that we may earnestlie bee at defiance with all sins and so inwardly bee ashamed that we at any time haue grieuously offended thy diuine Maiestie by attempting anie thing that is not agreeable to thy good pleasure that from hence forth wee may not onely loath detest and abhor whatsoeuer is displeasant vnto thee but also imbrace and lay hand on that which is good and acceptable in thy sight Forgiue vs all our sinnes and giue vs grace euen with our whole heart to loue all men yea our very enemies and not only to forgiue all such as haue offended vs but also to be readie at all times to doe for them whatsoeuer good or pleasure we be able And that wee may bee the more welcome vnto thee and bee found meete and worthy guests to sit at this Table and to eate of these thy blessed giâ—ts and that our soules may be well comforted nourished fedde and made merrie by the worthy receiuing of them cloath vs we pray thee with that wedding garmeâ—â— euen true and liuely saith wherewith our hearts are purified wherewith we are married vnto thee and made one flesh and one blood with thee wherewith also wee are iustified and counted righteous in thy sight And grant that through the same faith wee earnestly set the eyes of our minde on these thy most sweete and louing promises My Body shall be broken for you my Bloud shall bee shedde for you for remission of sinnes And all this not for our â—ood deeds and merites which â—â— this behalfe are none but for â—he worthinesse of thy blessed â—assion for the dignitie of thy â—recious blood and for the onâ—e and alone sacrifice of thy â—olie bodie For that O Lord is the salue that heâ—â—eth our soules that is the medicine that comforteth our weake and troubled consciences that is the liuing bread whereâ—f whosoeuer cateth shall neuer hunger but liue for euer That is the Iewell of Ioy thaâ— maketh our sorrowfull hearts merrie that is the mighty Bulwarke the strong desence the sure Fortresse that preserueth and keepeth harmelesse against Sathan sinne death Hell desperation and all the infernall Powers to come to the Table to beo present at the Supper to heare and see what is there done yea and to receiue the holy mysteries of the body anâ— blood there set forth vnto vs profiteth vs nothing at all if wâ— faithfully beleeue not That thy Bodie was broken and thy blood shedde for our sinnes and that by the one oblation thereof done once for all our sinnes are forgiuen vs our Heauenly Father is reconciled vnto vs his wrath stirred vp thorow sinne against vs is pacified quietnesse of conscience euerlasting life is giuen vs but it rather turneth vnto our damnation because wee eate of this bread and drinke of this cuppe vnworthily and shal with that hypocrite which â—resumed to come vnto the marriage not hauing the wedding garment bee bound hand â—nd foote and cast into vtter â—arkenesse where shall be weeâ—ing and gnashing of teeth Therefore wee humbly beâ—eech thee to giue vs grace acâ—ording to thy Apostles counâ—â—ll diligently to proue trie and examine our selues whether such repentance such faith such loue such disposition towards all godlinesse bee sound in vs or not as thou dost require in them which will come worthily and with fruite vnto thy Table And for as much as it is thy gift to repent heartily to beleeue truly to loue vnfainedly to be disposed earnestly to embrace true godlinesse and to goe forward in the same from vertue to vertue vnto the ende Grant I most intirely pray thee I may so repent that the fruites thereof may bee found in me so beleeue that I may acknowledge thee my
of friendship and amitie betwixt vs. Namely that thou wilt be my mercifull Father and that againe I may be thy obedient childe Lord thou soest I doe not aske of thee riches honours or long life but onelie this euen this thing alone which with all possible importunity I vrgâ— and neuer wil cease to craue that from this present houre to my liues end I may neuer more offend thy diuine Maiestie nor defile my conscience with anie mortall ofsence O Lord grant â— poore sinner this his humble suite for Christ Iesus his sake my alone Sauiour and Redeemer Come holie Spirit the sweetest comforter of Mankinde I beseech thee take the possession of my soule purge and cleanse mee of all sin sanctifie me throughout wash what is corrupted water what is dried heale what is wounded bow what is â—â—iffened warme what is cooled call home what is straied make mee â—rulie humble and resigned â—hat thou maiest bee pleased â—o stay and abide with thy seruant O most blessed light and glorious lampe illuminate my minde with the heauenâ—ie beames of thy wisdome O Paradise of pleasures â— Fountaine of purest deâ—ights my God giue me thy â—elfe In flame my soule with â—hy celestiall loue teach me â—ouerne me direct and proâ—ect mee through the whole â—ourse of my life Establish my mind against â—ll elusions and inordinate feare grant me a right faith an assured hope a siâ—cerâ— and perfect charity and that I may preferre thy blessed will pleasure before aâ—â— things in Heauen and Earth And now sweete Iesus vpon the knees of my heart I humbly craue pardon oâ— these and all other my trespasses knowne and vnknowne yea so inspire my heart with thy spirit that seriouslie I may resolue of amendement of life for the time to come That I may carefullie reforme my selfe of those vsual errors into which this day past and so often as heretofore I haue beene accustomed to fal that I may renewall my good purposes and intentions and accordinglie put them in practise that so finallie after this my short life spent in thy seruice I may at length close vp my daies in peace and happilie end in thee who art blessed for euer Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost liuest and raignest euer one God World without ende Amen A Prayer for Night O My most Soueraigne Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ Lampe of light truth I miserable wretch most humbly beseech thee to with-draw and keepe my minde from wandring thoughts distractions this night Lord heare the groâ—nings of those who vnder then of sinne and infirmitiâ—â— crie vnto thee Lord loose â—he bonds and shackles of iniquitie wherewith I haue bound my selfe and out of the darke prison of wickednesse whereinto I haue run and captiuated my selfe deliuer my sinfull soule O Lord As thou art my skilful Phisician and best knowest my diseases take me to thy cure O Soune of God my Creatour Redeemer and Sanctifier let thy vnspeakable loue remaine in my soule for euer that I may enioy thee and ioy in thy countenance Thou that leddest the Israelites thy seruants throgh the red Sea and deliueredst them from the bondage of Pharâ—ah and his cruell Ministers discharge mee of the grieuous weight of my sins where-with my soule is so heauilie laden Thou that desendedst Daniel in the Lions denne desend me this night and euermore Thou that pardonedst Dauids vnspeakable sinnes be mercifull vnto me thou Sonne of God and Sauiour of the World in whom 〈◊〉 lie is my saluation by whom I may become an Angell in Heauen and without whose mercie am a diuell in hell Good God looke graciouslie vpon mee wash me O Lord whose iniquities are as red as bloud and I shall appear before thy almighty Throne as white as snow Lord deliuer mee now this night and in the houre of my death from all the malicious temptations of the old Serpent my enemie adopt mee here thy sonne below that I may become thy seruant aboue and liue with thee and raigne with thee in those ioies which are euer during who with the Father and the Holie Ghost euer liuest raignest World without end Ameâ— O Lord looke downe from Heauen vpon mee miserable wrâ—tch that lie here prostrate at thy feete crauing mercie of thy Omnipotent Maiestie for those sinnes which I haue committed this day against thee I humblie beseech thee O Christ which aâ—â— my onelie Sauiour and Redeeâ—â—er to extend thy accustomed goodnesse to me this night that I may bee defended from the danger of the enemie and all euill which may befall mee this night good Lord take mee into thy protection of safegard that I may take safe and quiet rest this night to the end I may be the better enabled the next day to serue thee in all godlinesse holinesse of liuing whereby I may haue thy blessings powred downe plentifullie vpon me to the reliefe of me and mine and that after this painefull life ended I may dwell with thee in life euerlasting Amen A Praier to GOD for grace and to dâ—spâ—se the vanitie of the World O Gracious and Omnipotent Father haue merâ—ie on mee and forgiue me the great offences which I haue done in the sight oâ— thee Grant me grace for the loue of thee to despise sinneâ— and all worldlie vanitieâ— helpe mee to ouercome all temptations to sinne and the malice oâ— my ghostliâ— enemies and to spend my time in vertue and labouâ— acceptable to thee Repressâ— the motions of my sinfuâ—â— flesh that mine hâ—art may bee enamoured of vertue to liue to thine honour and to the comfort of my soule O Father strengthen mee in soule and bodie to execute the workes of godlinesse to the glorie of thy blessed name and profit of my Christian bretheren whereby I may come to thy euerlasting ioy and feliâ—itie Grant me a firme purpose most mercifull Lord to amend my life and to make recompence for those yeers which I haue misspent to thy displeasure in euill thoughts delectations consentings wordes workes and euill customes whereby I haue deserued damnatioÌ„ Lord make mine heart obedient to thy will comfort mee and giâ—e mee grace to haue my most ioy and pleasure in thee giue me heauenly meditations gostlie sweetenesse and zeale of thy glorie Rauish my soule with a burning desire to the heauenlie ioy where I shall euerlastinglie dwell with thee â—rant me sweet Sauiour contempt of all damnable pleasure of sinne and misery grant mee a true remembrance of my saluation with a feare of damnation and 〈◊〉 remembrance of thy goodnesse thy gifts great â—iâ—dnesse shewed to me from my creation vntill this present houre O Lord reduce into my minde my sinnes and disobedience whereby I haue offended thee Lord grant me a right spirit and perfect contrition to obtaine thy grace and from filthy sinne to purge mee O God make mee constant and stable iâ— faith hope and charity with continuance in vertue direct my will that it may not offend thee but