rashlie vpon my neighbour Thy holie will requireth that my spirit minde soule be free from coÌ„cupiscence But how often doth my flesh solicite mee to sinne and contaminateth my spirit with wicked concupiscences As a fountayne doeth abound with continuall bubbling of water So doeth my heart alwayes swell with evill concupiscence For these and all other my sinnes and defects I offer vnto thee most holie Father the most perfect obedience of thy Sonne who loved all men with perfect loue and in whose mouth was found no guyle in whose words and deeds no aberrations no corruption in nature To this propitiation I flee with true fayth and by fayth I sucke out of his wounds as much as is sufficient to justifie mee and saue mee Haue mercie on mee my GOD and my Father Amen PRAYER VI. Hee showeth that wee often partake in other mens sinnes HOlie God and just Iudge Thou hast committed vnto mee not only the care of mine own soule but also the care of my neighbours But how often doeth my neyghbour through my negligence suffer great losse of godlinesse How often doe I neglect freelie and boldlie to chyde him when hee sinneth How often doe I being hindred eyther by favour or feare reproue him for his sinnes more slightlie than I ought In pouring out prayers for his salvation I am too remisse in reprehending his sinnes I am too-too timerous in furthering his salvation I am too sloathfull insomuch that thou mayest justly require at my hands the blood of my neyghbour that perisheth If there were in mee a perfect and sincere loue of my neyghbour surelie from thence would proceed freedome in reproving of sinne If the fire of sincere charitie did burne in my heart surelie it would breake foorth more clearlie into the spirituall incense of prayers to be made for the salvation of my neyghbours For a man to pray for himselfe it is a duetie of necessitie But to pray for the salvation of his neyghbour it is a deede of charitie As often therefore as I neglect to pray for the salvation of my neyghbour so often I condemne my selfe for the breach of the commandement of the loue of my neighbour My neighbour dieth the death of the bodie and sorrow filleth all with lamentation and mourning when as yet the death of the bodie bringeth no hurt to a godlie man but rather giveth him a passage into a celestiall countrey My neighbour dieth the death of the soule and behold I am nothing troubled at it I see him die and grieue not at all when as yet sinne is the true death of the soule and bringeth with it the losse of the inestimable grace of God eternall lyfe My neighbour delinquisheth against the king who can onlie kill the bodie and beholde I seeke by all meanes his reconciliation but hoe sinneth against the King of all kings that can cast both bodie and soule into hell-fire and yet I beholde it in securitie and consider not that this offence is an infinite evill My neighbour stumbleth at a stone and I runne presentlie to saue him from a fall or otherwise to raise him vp if hee bee fallen Hee stumbleth at the corner stone of our salvation and beholde I securelie passe by it and labour not with care and diligence to lift him vp againe Mine owne sinnes are grievous anough And yet I haue not beene afrayde to participate in other mens sinnes Bee propitious O God vnto me great sinner and overburdened To thy mercie I flee in Christ and through Christ promised vnto mee I come vnto this lyfe beeing dead in sinne I come vnto this Way having gone astray in the path of sinne I come vnto this Salvation being by reason of my sinne guiltie of damnation Quicken mee guide mee and saue mee thou which art my Life my Way and my Salvation for ever and ever Amen PRAYER VII Hee showeth that wee are manie wayes convinced of sinne HOlie God and just Iudge If I looke vp to heaven I thinke with my selfe that I haue manie wayes offended thee my GOD and Father I haue sinned against heaven and before thee I am not worthie to bee called thy sonne If I looke down vpon the earth I thinke with my selfe how I haue abused thy creatures by my sinnes I haue infinitelie abused not onlie the darknesse of the night but also the light of the day to worke workes of darknesse If I looke vpon the examples of sinners vpon whom thou in thy just judgement hast inflicted punishment I finde that the weyght of my sinnes will counterpoise theirs If I looke vpon the examples of the Sayncts I finde that I come farre short of them in my holie service of thee If I thinke vpon the Angell my keeper I finde that often I put him to flight by my sinnes If I thinke of the devills I finde that I haue often given place to their suggestions If I weygh with my selfe the rigour of thy lawe I finde that my lyfe is manie wayes irregular If I looke vpon my selfe I finde that the verie cogitatioÌ„s of my heart doe accuse mee before thy judgement If I thinke vpon the houre of death to come I finde that it is the just reward of my sinnes and vnlesse thou of thy meere mercie for Christ his sake shalt receaue mee the gate and entrance into everlasting death If I thinke vpon the judgement to come I finde my deserts such that thou mayest justlie call mee to the most exact account and punish my sinnes according to the strict severitie of thy law If I thinke vpon hell I finde that I haue deserved by my sinnes the most just punishment there If I thinke vpon eternall lyfe I finde that I haue by my sinnes justlie fallen away from all hope of attaynment All thinges therefore convince mee of my sinnes Onlie thou thou O my God bee not thou extreame against mee To Christ thy beloved Sonne my onlie mediatour I betake my selfe By him I most firmlie belieue I shall obtayne thy grace remission of my sinnes Thy creatures accuse me the booke of my conscience accuseth mee both the tables of thy divyne law accuse me Satan accuseth mee day and night But take thou vpon thee my patronage O sweet Iesus To thee the poore man is left bereft of all solace of the creatures All my refuge is placed in thy satisfaction for my sinnes and in thy inteâ—cession at the right hand of the Father for mee My soule take thou the wings of the morning and lyke a doue hide thy selfe in the clests of the rocke that is in the wounds of Christ thy Saviour Hyde thy selfe in this rocke till the anger of the LORD bee passed by and thou shalt finde rest and thou shalt finde protection and thou shalt finde deliverance therein AMEN PRAYER VIII Hee by the effects of contrition argueth vs to bee convicted of the haynousnesse of sinne HOlie God and just Iudge My heart is
thee debter and guiltie in my roome It is I that trespassed and thou makest satisfaction It is I that committed rapine and thou makest restitution It is I that sinned and thou vndergoest the passion O Iesu most benigne I acknowledge the bowels of thy mercie and the fierie heat of loue Thou seemest to loue me more than thy selfe seeing thou deliverest vp thy selfe for mee O most innocent Iesu what hast thou to doe with the sentence of death O thou most beautifull amongst the sonnes of meÌ„ what hast thou to doe with spittings vpon thee O thou most righteous what hast thou to doe with whips and bonds These thinges belong not vnto thee They are all due vnto mee But thou of thine vnspeakable loue didst descend into the prison of this world and take vpon thee the shape of a servant and most willinglie vndergoe the punishment that was due vnto mee I was for my sinnes to bee adjudged to the lake that burneth with everlasting fire But thou by the fire of loue beeing burnt vpon the altar of the crosse doest free mee from it I was to bee cast away for my sinnes from the face of my heavenlie Father And thou for my sake complainest that thou art forsaken of thy heavenly Father I was to bee tormented of the devil his angels for ever and thou of thine infinite loue dost deliver thy selfe vnto the ministers of Satan to be afflicted and crucified for me As many Instruments as I see of thy passion so manie tokens doe I see of thy loue towards mee For my sinnes are those bonds those whips and those thorns which afflicted thee al which of thine vnspeakable loue thou enduredst for mee Thy loue was not yet satisfied with taking my flesh vpon thee but thou wouldest make it as yet more manifest by that most bitter passion of thy soule and bodie Who am I most mightie Lord that for mee disobedient servant thou thy selfe wouldst become a servant so manie yeares Who am I most beautifull Brydegroome that for mee the most filthie vassall of sinne and whore of the devill thou hast not refused to die Who am I most bountifull Creatour that for mee most vile creature thou hast not beene afrayde of the passion of the crosse I am to thee most loving Brydegroome the true spouse of blood for whom thou doest poure foorth such plentie of blood I am to thee most beautifull Lillie a thorne indeede that is full of prickles It is I that layde vpon thee a heavie and sharpe burthen with the weyght whereof thou wast so squeezed that drops of blood did distill aboundantlie from thy sacred bodie To thee Lord Iesu my alone redeemer and Mediator for this thine vnspeakable loue will I sing prayses for ever AMEN PRAYER VI. Hee rendereth thankes for our calling by the word VNto thee O Lord my God is most due all praise honour and thanksgiving for that thou wouldest by the preaching of thy word make manifest vnto vs that thy Fatherlie will and determinate counsell concerning our salvation By nature 〈◊〉 are darknesse wee sit in darknesse and in the region of the shadow of death But thou by the most cleare light of the Gospell doest dispell this darknesse In thy light doe we see light that is in the light of thy word wee see true light that lighteneth everie one that commeth into this world What vse were there of a treasure that is hid and a light that is put vnder a bushell I doe therefore declare with thankfulnesse that great benefite in that thou hast by the word of thy Gospell revealed vnto vs that treasure of benefits in thy Sonne How beautifull are the feete of those that bring good tydings and tell of salvation This peace of conscience and salvation of the soule by the preaching of the Gospell thou doest yet declare vnto vs and call vs vnto the kingdome of thy Sonne I was led into the by-paths of errours as it were a weake and miserable sheepe But thou hast called mee into the way again by the preaching of thy word I was condemned and vtterlie lost But thou in the word of thy Gospell doest offer vnto mee the benefits of Christ and in the benefits of Christ thy grace and in thy grace remission of sinnes and in remission of sinnes righteousnesse and in righteousnesse salvation and life everlasting Who can sufficientlie in words expresse those bowels of thy mercie yea who can in mynde conceaue the greatnesse and the riches of thy goodnesse The mysterie of our salvation kept secret from eternitie by the manifestation of thy Gospel thou doest lay open vnto vs. The counsels which thou hadst concerning our peace before the foundations of the world were layde thou doest reveale vnto vs by the preaching of thy word which is a lanthorne vnto our feete whiles wee goe through this darksome valley into light everlasting What had it profited vs to haue beene borne vnlesse by Christ thou hadst delivered vs when wee were captivated through sinne What had it profited vs to haue beene redeemed vnlesse thou hadst by thy word declared vnto vs the great benefit of our redemption Thou doest spread foorththy hands vnto vs all the day Thou knockest at the gaâ—â— of our heart everie day callest vs all vnto thee by thy word O Lord most benigne how manie thousand thousands of men doe liue in the blindnesse of Gentilisme and in errours and haue not seene that light of thy heavenlie word which thy bountie hath granted vs of all men most vnthankfull Alace how often through our contempt and vnthankfulnesse doe wee deserue that thou shouldest take from vs the candlesticke of thy word But thou of thy long patience doest make as if thou sawest not our sinnes of thy vnspeakable mercie doest yet continue vnto vs that most holie pledge and most precious treasure of thy word For which thy great benefite wee render vnto thee eternall thankes and wee humblie beseech thee to continue it still vnto vs. Amen PRAYER VII Hee rendereth thankes vnto God for the expectation of our conversion I Render vnto thee most mercifull Father immortall thankes for that thou wouldest with so great patience and long-suffering expect my conversion and hast brought mee out of the path of sinne vnto the fellowship of thy kingdome How great is thy long-suffering that thou hast not cast mee away from thy face and thrust mee downe into everlasting torments whereas I haue deserved it a thousand times How manie thousands hath death prevented before they could attaine vnto true repentance How manie sinners hath the devill made obstinate that they might not obtaine forgivenesse of their sinnes There was no distinction in nature betweene mee and them onelie thy goodnesse and long-suffering My offence was no lesse than theirs but thy grace did abound Thy mercie stroue with my miserie I went on in my sinne and thou didst goe on in thy mercie I differred my
shyne by the same first themselues beeing set on fire by the holie Spirit Before the words of exhortation bee heard let them first proclayme by their workes whatsoever they shal speake with their tongues Thrust foorth faithfull labourers into thy harvest that they may gather together many handfulls of Saincts Open lykewyse the hearts of the hearers that they may receaue the seed with holy obedience Giue vnto them thy grace that with a pure heart they may keepe thy holie word committed vnto them bring foorth plentifull fruit with patience Let them hearkeÌ„ attentiuelie let them heare carefullie let them practice fruitfullie that the word which is preached vnto them for want of faith condemne them not in the last day There is a notable promise of thy bountie that thy word shall not returne vnto thee spoken in vaine Bee mindfull of this thy promise and blesse the labour of him that planteth and him that watereth Suffer not the infernall crowes to picke out of the fielde of the hearers hearts the seede of thy holie word Suffer not the spinie thicket of the thorns of pleasures riches to choake it Suffer not the hardnesse of the stonie ground to hinder the fructification of it But poure downe the dew of thy heavenlie grace from aboue and water thy heavenlie seede that the fruit of good workes lyke standing corne may spring vp most plenteouslie Knit together in a neare bond of loue and charitie the hearts of the pastors and of the hearers that they may labour together with mutuall prayers and raise vp one another with mutuall comfort Amen holie that Nurserie of the Church and Common-weale Giue vnto virgins widows and married persons true sanctitie of mynde and pure chastitie of bodie Let virgins cleaue vnto thee without anie distraction Let widows persevere in prayers and supplications night and day Let those that are married loue one another with mutuall loue Let them all serue thee with their whole heart in holinesse Let the marriage bed bâ—e vndeâ—â—â—ed and let the mindes of them all bee vnspoted Let them bee violets of humilitie and lillies of chastitie Let them bee roses of charitie and balsame of sanctitie Tye the hearts of them that are knit together in holie wedlocke with the bond of chaste loue that they may mutuallie embrace obey one another and persevere in thy holie service Preserue thou them from the treacheries of Asâ—â—â—deâ—â— that they burne not with mutuall hatred one towards the other Let the wife bee an helpe vnto her husband and comfort him in adversitie Let the indissoluble bond of matrimonie bee a token and seale vnto vs of the loue that is betweene Christ and the Church By how much the nearer the societie is betweene the man and the wyfe by so much the more fervent let their zeale bee in prayer By how much the more obnoxious and subject they are to dangers and calamities by so much the more conjoyned let their myndes bee in pietie and prayer Bee present by thy grace with religious parents that they may bring vp their children in holie admonitions and instructions and good discipline Let them acknowledge those fruits of wedlocke to bee thy gift and restore them againe vnto thee by godlie and faithfull instruction Let them shyne before them by the example of their godlie lyfe and not become guiltie of that grievous sinne of scandall Bende lykewyse the hearts of the children that they may performe due obedience vnto their parents that they may become sweete smelling plants of the heavenlie paradise and not vnprofitable wood adjudged to the flames of hell-fire Let them cast foorth a most pleasant smell of pietie obedience reverence and all kinde of vertue that they fall not into that most filthie sinke of sinne and so consequentlie into the pit of hell Let them remember the commandement of honouring their parents let them bee carefull to recompense their parents after the manner of storks let them remember to feede them as they haue beene fed by them that they precipitate not themselues into the gulfe of sundrie evills Let parents and children with joynt desires studie in this lyfe to worship thee the true GOD that they may beare parts in consort and together prayse thee in the lyfe to come Let servants â—â—ey their masters with alacritie and with feare and with singlenesse of heart not with eye-service or to please men but as it becommeth the servants of Christ. In lyke manner let masters embrace their servants with fatherlie kindnesse that they turne not their just government into tyrannicall crueltie Let their societie in their private house bee an oeconomicall private Churce beloved of God and of the Angells AMEN PRAYER V. Hee prayeth for parents brethren sisters kinsfolke and benefactours MOst holie and mercifull God from whom large heapes of sundrie benefites descende downe vpon vs who hast given vnto mee kinsfolke and benefactours to bee helps vnto mee in this present lyfe I beseech thee to bestow vpon them in the lyfe to come everlasting rewards Those whom thou hast joyned vnto mee in a speciall bond of nature and blood I doe speciallie coÌ„mend vnto thy protection Those vnto whom I doe owe speciall loue and respect with serious and fervent prayers I commend vnto thy keeping Grant that my kinsfolke may with joynt consent and vnanimitie serue thee in the true fayth and with true pietie that they may receaue all of them heereafter a crowne of eternall glorie Vnto my parents whom thou hast made next after thee the authours of my life and my informers in true pietie I cannot by anie meanes render deserved rewards I humblie beseech thee therefore who art the authour of all good and the rewarder of all benefits to recompence their benefits heere with temporall rewardes and heereafter with eternall Let the example of Christ thy Sonne who about the agonie of his death commended vnto his disciple the care of his mother let his example teach mee even to the last breath to take care for my parents Let nature it selfe by the example of the storke teach mee that I owe perpetuall thanks and rewards vnto them for their merits Vnto thee mercifull Father I commend the care and tuition of my brethren sisters and kinsfolke Let them become the brethren and sisters of Christ and so heirs of the kingdome of heaven Let vs all be joyned together in the kingdome of grace whom thou hast joyned together In the lyfe of nature And let vs all together with those whom by death thou hast separated from vs and taken vnto thy selfe let vs all at length be joyned together in the kingdome of glori Make vs all citizens of the heavenlie Ierusalem as thou hast made vs in this lyfe members of the true Church The same lykewyse I intreate of thee for all my benefactours whose health welfare both of soule bodie I am bound to desire and further even by the law of
for righteousnesse sake that they may get the conquest over all their enemies and purchase the everlasting crowne of martyrdome Bee present with all those that bee in danger and calamitie and grant that they may possesse their soules in true patience and denying their owne wills take vp their crosse Let them follow him vnder the crosse on whom they belieue that hee died for vs vpon the crosse And especiallie I commend vnto thee most gracious Father those which are about the gates of death and are betweene time and eternitie wrestle with all their strength with that last enemie Confirme them O thou most potent Conquerour of death Deliver them O most glorious Captaine and Author of lyfe that they bee not overwhelmed in the waues of tentations but by thy conduct they may be brought vnto the haven of everlasting rest Haue mercie vpon all men thou which are the Creatour of all Haue mercie vpon all men thou which art the Redeemer of all To thee bee prayse and glorie for ever and ever Amen FINIS The summe of GERARD'S prayers reduced into a forme of morning prayer for the vse of an English familie The foure capitall words signifie the foure parts of Gerards prayers and the Arithmeticall figures poynt at every prayer of those parts HOlie GOD and just Iudge Thy eyes are more pure than the sunne and cannot beholde anie thing that is vncleane The Cherubims and Seraphims cover their faces before thy glorious majestie The heavens of heavens are not cleane in thy sight How then shall earth sinfull earth dust and ashes appeare before thee Wee prefume not O LORD to come before thy tribunall to plead for our righteousnesse for all our righteousnesse is as filthie rags But wee prostrate our selues with all humilitie of bodie and soule at thy mercie-seate to make CONFESSION of our sinnes Heare Lord and haue mercie Wee confesse that 1 Wee sinned in the loynes of our first parenteâ— wee were conceâ—ved in sinne wee were shapeâ— in iniquitie 2 In our chyldhood originall sinne brought foorth actuall and actuall sinnes haue increased in vs ever since as our dayes haue increased Who can reckon vp the sinnes of his youth Who can tell how oft hee offendeth The just man sinneth seaven tymes a day But 3 Wee haue sinned seaventie tymes seaven tymes everie day 4 5 All thy holie lawes and coÌ„mandements wee haue broken in thought word and deed 6 We haue beene partakers of other mens sinnes 7 Wee are manie wayâ—s convinced of our sinnes We are convinced 8 By the contrition of heart and the testimonie of 〈◊〉 conscience 9 By the greatnesse of thy mercie and thy benefits bâ—stowed vpon vs 10 By the severitie of thy justice declared in the death and passion of thy Sonne our Saviour Iesus Christ. Thou art an holle God and hearest not sinners Thou art a just Iudge and thy justice must bee satisfied Wee are sinners and the wages of sinne is death Thy justice must bee satisfied or else wee cannot escape death Wee haue nothing of our owne to giue for the ransome of our soules Therefore wee offer vnto thee holie Father that which is not ours but thy Sonnes 1 For our originall sinne wee offer vnto thee just Iudge his originall righteousnesse who is righteousnesse it selfe for our conception in sinne we offer vnto thee his most sacred conception who was conceaved by the holie Ghost for our birth in sinne we offer vnto thee his most pure nativitie who was borne of a pure virgin 2 For the offences of our youth wee offer vnto thee his most perfect innocencie in whose mouth was found no guile 3 For our daylie slips and falls wee offer vnto thee his most perfect obedience who made it his meat and drinke to doe thy will in all things 4.5 For our often breach of thy commandements wee offer vnto thee his most perfect righteousnesse who fulfilled all thy commandements 6 For our communicating in other mens sinnes wee offer vnto thee his most perfect righteousnesse communicated vnto vs. 7. 8 9 10 For our most wicked and vngodlie lyfe wee offer vnto thee his most cruell and bitter death For â—s was hee conceaved for vs was hee borne for vs was hee crucified His blood still cryeth vnto thee in our behalfe Father forgiue them Accept wee beseech then the inestimable pryce of thy Sonnes blood for a full and plenarie satisfaction for all our sinnes yea O Lord wee know that thou hast accepted it alreadie Therefore with confidence wee put vp our PETITIONS vnto thee As thou hast redeemed vs by thy Sonne so also wee beseech thee to sanctifie vs by thy holie Spirit 1 Mortifie in vs everie day more and more all sinfull lusts and affections and quicken in vs all saving graces and vertues 2 Increase our sayth â— Confirme our hope 4 Inflame our charitie Teach vs to imitate the lyfe of Christ the true patterne of perfect obedience and onlie true rule of a godlie lyfe Teach vs 5 Humilitie 6 Patâ—ence 7 Meeknesse Genâ—lenesse 8 Chastitie Temperance Teaâ—h vs 9 To conteâ—â—e all earthlie thinges 10 To denye our selues 11 To overcome the world 12 Grant vs consolation in adversitie and true tranquillitie of the mynde Grant vs 13 Victorie in tentations and deliverance from the devills treacheries Grant vs in thyne appoynted tyme 14 A blessed departure out of this lyfe and a blessed resurrection vnto lyfe everlasting Wee pray not for our selues alone but in obedience to thy commandement wee make our SUPPLICATIONS vnto thee for all men â— Saue and desende the vniversall Church enlarge thou her borders and propagate thy Gospell 3 Blesse all Christian kings and governours especiallie thy servang CHARLES our most gracious Kin and governour Blesse togethe with him our gracious Queene MARIE Blesse vnto them and vs and our posteritie after vs our hopefull Prince Charles season him betymes with true religion that hee may bee an instrument of thy glorie the joye of his parents and the blesing of thy people Remember David and all his troubles the Ladie Elizabeth our Kings onelie sister and her princelie issue Suffer them not still to mourne in a strange land but restore them if it bee thy will to their former inheritance Blesse all our kings loyall subjects from the highest vnto the lowest Giue vnto the Senatours counsell and wisedome 3 To the magistrates justice and fortitude to those that are vnder them Christian subjection and obedience 2 To the ministers of thy word holinesse of lyfe and soundnesse of doctrine to the hearers of thy word diligent attention to the word preached and a care and conscience to liue hereafter Blesse 4 Everie familie in this kingdome this especiallie and all that belong vnto it Blesse our 5 parents brethren sisters kinsfolke benefactours and friends 6 Forgiue our enemies 7 Show pitie and compassion to all those that are afflicted and in miserie Relieue them according to their severall wants and necessities Bee thou a Father to the fatherlesse
conversion and thou didst differre my punishment I went astray and thou didst call mee I refused to come and still thou didst expect mee This thy goodnesse most indulgent Father I cannot extoll with sufficient prayses This thy long patience most mercifull GOD I cannot recompense with anie merits Thou didst preserue mee from manie sins whereinto the corruption of the flesh the deceat of the world and the perswasion of the devill would haue throwne mee headlong as well as others Neyther hast thou onelie kept mee from falling into sinne but also hast most graciouslie expected my conversion from sinne into which I had fallen I finde thee more mercifull than I am sinfull I sinned and thou madest as if thou didst not see it I contayned not my selfe from wickednesse and yet thou didst abstaine from punishment I did long tyme prolong my iniquitie and thou didst prolong thy pitie What were then my deserts Surelie evill and the worst of evills to wit my sinnes manie in number most grievous for weyght and detestable for varietie Therefore to thy grace and bountie alone doe I attribute it that thou hast so long expected my conversion and delivered my soule out of the sâ—ares of sinne To thee O Lord bee praise honour and glorie for ever and ever Amen PRAYER VIII Hee rendereth thankes for our conversion I Render thankes vnto thee my God for that thou hast converted my heart that was hard and knew not how to repent and for that thou hast taken from me my stonie heart and given mee an heart of flesh I had of my selfe power to sinne But I had not of my selfe power to ryse againe to repentance I could goe astray of my selfe But I could not returne againe into the way without thee For even as hee that is borne crooked from his mothers wombe cannot bee made straight by naturall meanes but onlie by divyne and supernaturall power So my soule being by nature crooked and prone to sinne and the loue of earthlie things could by no humane power but thy grace onlie bee rectified and lifted vp to the loue of thee heavenly things I could deforme my selfe by my sinnes most foullie But thou onlie couldst reforme mee As the Ethiopian cannot change his Skinne nor the Leopard his Spots So neyther can I doe that which is good beeing by nature addicted vnto the loue of that which is evill Thou my God didst convert mee and I was converted and when I was converted then I repented and when I was instructed then I smote my thigh I was dead in sinne And thou didst quicken mee As much power as a dead man hath to raise himselfe So much had I to convert my selfe Vnlesse thou hadst drawne mee I had never come vnto thee vnlesse thou hadst stirred mee vp I had never watched vnto thee vnlesse thou hadst illuminated mee I had never seene thee My sinnes were more sweete vnto mee than honey and the honey combe But I am to thanke thee that now they are sharpe and bitter vnto mee for thou hast given mee a spirituall taste The workes of vertue were more bitter vnto mee than gall and aloes But I am to thanke thee that now they are become pleasant and sweet for thou hast by thy Spirit changed the corrupt judgement of my flesh I went astray as a sheepe that is lost and declined to the way of iniquitie But thou which art the good sheepherd hast found me out and brought mee agayne vnto the flocke of thy Sayncts It was late ere I knew thee for there was a great darksome clowde of vanitie before mine eyes which would not suffer mee to see the light of the trueth It was late ere I saw the true light because I was blinde and loved blindnesse and walked through the darknesse of sinne into the darknesse of hell But thou hast illuminated mee thou soughtest me when I sought not thee thou calledst me when I called not vpon thee thou convertedst mee when I was not converted vnto thee and thou saydst with a most powerfull voyce Let there bee light in the inward parts of his heart and there was a light and I saw thy light and I knew mine owne blindnesse For this thy immense and infinite benefite I will prayse thy Name for ever and ever AMEN PRAYER IX Hee rendereth thankes for the forgivenesse of sinnes I Owe and render vnto thee eternall and mercifull GOD great thankes for that thou hast not rejected mee when I came vnto thee but diddest most readilie receaue mee and most mercifullie forgiue mee all my sinnes I was that prodigall sonne most indulgent Father I was that prodigall sonne that by living riâ—tâ—uslâ—e wasted his fathers substance For I haue defiled the gifts of nature I haue refused the gifts of grace I haue deprived my selfe of the gifts of glorie I was naked and destitute of all good thinges and thou coveredst and enrichedst mee with the robe of righteousnesse I was lost and condemned and thou of thy free grace hast bestowed vpon mee eternall salvation Thou of thyne ardent mercie didst embrace mee and kisse mee in sending thy most beloved Sonne that is in thy bosome and thy holie Spirit which is the kisse of thy mouth as ample witnesses of thyne infinite loue Thou cloathedst mee with my first robe in restoring me my former innocencie Thou gavest mee a ring for my hand by sealing mee with thy Spirit of grace Thou didst put shoes vpon my feete by arming mee with the Gospell of peace Thou killedst the fat calfe for mee by delyvering thy most deare Sonne to death for mee Thou didst cause mee to feast and make merrie by restoring the joye of heart and the true peace of conscience vnto mee I was dead and through thee I was restored to lyfe I went astray and through thee I came agayne into the way I was consumed with povertie and through thee I entred agayne into my former possession Thou mightest in thy just judgement haue rejected mee seeing that I was polluted with so manie sinnes covered with so manie offences and corrupted with so manie iniquities But thy mercie did abound aboue my sins thy goodnesse was greater thaÌ„ mine iniquitie How often haue I shut the gate of my heart when thou diddest knocke Therefore when I knocked thou mightest most justlie haue shut the doore of mercie agaynst mee How often haue I stopt mine eares that I might not heare thy voyce Therefore when I sighed vnto thee thou mightest most justlie haue stopped thyne eares and not hearkened vnto my voyce But thy grace was more aboundant than all my sinne and transgression Thou didst receaue mee with thy handes spread foorth and put away my iniquities as it were a clowde and cast all 〈◊〉 sinnes behind thy backe Thou remembrest my sinnes no more but receavest me into the most ample bosome of thy mercie For this thy inestimable benefite I will giue thankes vnto thee for
I am receaved into the heavenlie familie being made the sonne of my heavenlie Father the brother of Christ and the temple of the holie Ghost This is an holie and heavenlie laver In it therefore I am washed and purged from all my vncleannesse It is the laver of regeneration renovation By it therefore I am regenerated and renewed by the grace of the holie Ghost Whatsoever Christ my Saviour merited by his most holie obedience and by the effusion of his most precious blood of all that hee hath left the saving fount of baptisme as a pledge Therefore the conferring of baptisme is the besprinkling of the blood of Christ. That precious blood of Christ doeth make mee cleane from all my sinnes and maketh mee whiter than snow in the sight of God O eternall God thou hast made an eternall covenant with mee in baptisme vnto which I haue alwayes recourse by true and serious repentance Thou hast betroathed mee vnto thee for ever in judgement and righteousnesse in grace and mercie Thou hast given mee an earnest and pledge of thy Spirit in baptisme Therefore thou wilt not cast mee away from thy face but beeing mindfull of thy promise thou wilt leade mee into the joyes of the celestiall marriage As at the baptisme of Christ my Mediatour and head the heavens were opened So by the communion of the same baptisme thou hast opened vnto mee the gate of paradise As at the baptisme of Christ the holie Ghost descended vpon him and a voyce from heaven did testifie that hee was the beloved Sonne of GOD So by the same communion of the same baptisme I am made a partaker of the holie Ghost and adopted to bee a sonne of GOD. For which inestimable benefite I will giue thankes vnto thee my GOD for ever AMEN PRAYER XIII Hee rendereth thankes for the sacrament of the Lords Supper HOw great thanks doe Iowe vnto thee most high God for that in the most sacred mysterie of the supper thou doest feed me with the bodie and blood of thy Sonne What is there in heaven or in earth of more pryce and excellencie than that bodie which is vnited to thy Sonne personallie What more certaine testimonie and pledge of thy grace can there bee than the precious blood of thy Sonne poured out for my sinnes on the altar of the crosse The verie pryce of my redemption thou bestowest vpon mee that I may haue a most certaine testimonie of thy grace towards me As often as I fall through my sinnes from the covenant of baptisme So often by true repentance and the saving vse of this supper I am restored vnto it agayne It is a sacrament of the new Testament and it alwayes enricheth mee with new gifts of the Spirit In this bodie lyfe it selfe dwelleth and therefore it refresheth me quickneth mee vnto everlasting lyfe By the effusion of this blood satisfaction is made for our finnes And therefore by the drinking thereof the remission of my sinnes is confirmed vnto mee Christ sayeth it Trueth it selfe sayeth it Whosoever shall eate my flesh and drinke my blood hath eternall lyfe and I will raise him vp at the last day that is to the lyfe of glorie For this is the bread of lyfe which descended from heaven that whosoever shall eate thereof may not die but haue everlasting lyfe It is the eating by fayth that Christ so commendeth which must needs be added vnto the sacramentall eating that so that which was appoynted to lyfe may bee receaved by vs vn to lyfe I come therefore with true fayth vnto this heavenlie banquet beeing firmlie perswaded that the bodie which I eate was delivered vnto death for mee and the blood which I drinke was poured foorth for my sinnes I cannot in anie wise doubt of the remissioÌ„ of my sinnes when as it is confirmed by the participation of the pryce which was offered for my sinnes I cannot in anie wise doubt of Christ his dwelling in mee when hee sealeth vnto mee the same by the communion of his bodie and blood I cannot in anie wise doubt of the assistance of the holie Spirit when my Infirmitie is strengthened with such safegard I am not afrayde of Satans assaults when as this Angelicall foode doeth make mee strong to fight I am not afrayde of the allurements of the flesh when as this quickning and spirituall foode doeth corroborate mee by the vertue of the Spirit These taken and drunke doe make Christ to dwell in mee and mee in Christ. The good sheepherd will not suffer the sheepe that is fed with his owne bodie and blood to bee devoured by the infernall wolfe Neyther will the power of the Spirit suffer mee to bee overcome by the weaknesse of the flesh To thee O Saviour most benigne bee prayse honour and thanksgiving for ever and ever Amen PRAYER XIV Hee râ—â—ndâ—reth thankes to God for preserving vs from sundrie evills TO thee O eternall and mercifull GOD I render eternall thankes for that thou hast hitherto preserved mee from infinite evills and dangers and hast kept me safe by the guard of thy holie Angells Thy privatiue blessings by which thou doest keepe mee from evill are more in number than thy positiue by which thou doest conferre good vpon mee As manie evills of soule and bodie as I see in others so manie tokens doe I see of thy mercie towards mee For my deliverance from those evills is to be attributed as due onlie to thy goodnesse How great is the power of the devil How great is his subtiltie As often therefore as that malignant and most subtile spirit and our most potent adversarie doeth labour to doe vs anie mischiefe so often by the buckler of thy benignitie and by the guard of the holie Angells being protected I haue beene able to escape his nets But who can reckon vp the treacherous assaults and invasions of the devill Who can therefore reckon vp the riches of thy bountie When redst that I may bee able to endure and overcome all the violent invasions of the infernall powers Let my last word in this lyfe be the same with which thou didst consummate all vpon the crosse and receaue my soule which thou hast redeemed with so deare a pryce when I shall commend it into thy hands Let a blessed resurrection follow a blessed death In that great day of thy severe judgement delyver mee from that cruell sentence thou which in my lyfe didst with thy readie helpe protect mee Let my sinnes bee covered with the shadow of thy grace and overwhelmed in the bottome of the sea Let my soule bee bound vp in the bundle of the living that with all the elect I may come into the fellowship of everlasting joye Amen THE FOURTH PART Of Supplications for others THE ARGUMENT The meditation of our neyghbours wants and indigencies concerneth the common good welfare of the Church common-wealth and maketh vs looke vpon others miseries as our owne This is
nature Receaue them into the everlasting tabernacles of the citie which is aboue whoÌ„ thou hast vsed as thy instruments to conferre vpon mee so manie and so liberall benefits My heart propoundeth vnto thee the infallible promise of thy word that thou wilt of thy meere free grace recompence even a cup of colde water How much more then wilt thou bee liberall and bountifull to those that with full hand bestow benefits of all kyndes vpon those that want Let not thy graces cease to runne downe vpon them that poure foorth so plentifullie vpon others Let the fountayne of thy goodnesse alwayes spring vnto them from whom such plentifull rivers of liberalitie doe flow Grant I beseech thee most mercifull GOD that they which â—ow temporall thinges so liberallie may reape with much increase things spirituall Fill their soules with joy that feede the bodies of the poore with meat Let not the fruit of their bountie perish though they show it by bestowing of the goods that perish Giue vnto them that giue vnto others thou that art the giver of everie good gift blessed for ever Amen PRAYER VI. He prayeth for enemies and persecutors LORD Iesu Christ the onelie begoten Sonne of GOD that hast prescribed vs in thy word this rule of charitie Loue your enemies blesse them that curse you doe good to them that hate you pray for them that despitefullie vse you and persecute you I beseech thee who art most gracious and most readie to forgiue to forgiue myne enemies and the persecutours of the Church Giue vnto mee the grace of thy holie Spirit that I may not onelie forgiue myne enemies from myne heart but also pray for their health and salvation even from my soule Whet not against them the sword of severe revenge but anoynt their heads with the oyle of thy mercie and compassion Extinguish the sparks of hatred and anger that are in their hearts that they breake not foorth into the infernall flames of hell Let them know and acknowledge that Our lyfe is but a vapour and a smoake that soone vanisheth away that our bodie is but ashes dust that flyeth away that they beare not immortall anger in their mortall bodies nor entertayne into this brittle tabernacle of clay their soules enemie Let them know lykewyse that inveterate hatred is their greatest enemie because it killeth the soule and excludeth them from the participation of heavenlie lyfe Illumiminate their myndes that they beholding the glasse of thy divyne mercie may see the deformitie of anger and hatred Governe their wills that beeing moved by the example of thy divyne forgiuenesse they may leaue off and cease to bee angrie and to doe harme Grant vnto mee mercifull GOD that as much as in mee lyeth I may haue peace with all men and turne the hearts of myne enemies to brotherlie reconcilement Let vs walke with vnanimitie and concord in the way of this lyfe seeing that wee hope all for a place in our celestiall countrey Let vs not disagree vpon earth seeing that wee all desire to liue together heereafter in heaven Wee call vpon thee our Lord and our God which art in heaven And it is not meet for the servants of the same Lord to fall out one with another Wee are one mysticall bodie vnder Christ our head And it is base and shamefull for the members of the same bodie to fight one with another They which haue one fayth and one baptisme ought to haue one spirit and one mynde Neyther doe I pray alone for my private enemies but also for the publike enemies and persecutoures of the Church O thou which art trueth it selfe bring them into the way of trueth O thou which art power it selfe bring to nought their bloodie endeavours and attempts Let the brightnesse of thy heavenlie trueth open their blinde eyes that the raging madnesse and desire to persecute which they haue in their myndes may heereafter cease Let them know O LORD and acknowledge that it is not onelie a vaine thing but also verie dangerous to kicke against the prickes Why doe they imitate the furie of wolues when as they know that the blâ—â—â— of Christ the immaculate Lambeâ—â— as poured out for vs Why doe they thirst to shed that innocent blood for which they know that the blood of the verie Sonne of GOD was poured foorth vpon the altar of the crosse Convert them O LORD that they may bee converted vnto thee from their heart and so obtayne the fruit of their conversion in this life and in that which is to come Amen PRAYER VII Hee supplieateth for those that are afflicted and in miserie ALmightie eternall and mercifull GOD which art the Saviour of all men especiallie of the â—â—ythfull and by the Apostle hast commanded vs to make prayers for all men I intreate thee for all those that are afflicted and in miserie that thou wouldest support them by the consolatioÌ„ of thy grace and succour them by the ayde of thy power Indue with power and strength froâ— aboue those that labour and sweâ—â— in the most grievous agonie of Satans tentations Make them partakers of thy victorie O Christ thou which didst most powerfullie overcome Satan Let the cooler of thy heavenlie comfort raise vp those whose bones are become dry with the fire of griefe and sorrow Beare vp all those that are readie to fall and raise vp those that are alreadie fallen Bee mercifull vnto those that are sicke and diseased and grant that the disease of the bodie may bee vnto them the medicine of the soule and the adversities of the flesh the remedies of the spirit Let them know that diseases are the handmaydes of sinne and the forerunners of death Giue vnto them the strength of fayth and patience O thou which art the most true Physician both of soule and bodie Restore them againe vnto their former health if it bee for the everlasting salvation of their soules Protect all those that are great with childe and those that bee in labour Thou art he that doest deliver children out of the straytes of their mothers wombe doest propagate mankinde by thy blessing be present with those that bee in labour O thou lover and giver of lyfe that they be not oppressed with an immoderate weyght of sorrows Nowrish those that are orphanes and destitute of all helpe and succour Defende the widows that are subject to the reproaches of all men thou which hast called thy selfe the Father of the fatherlesse and the Iudge and defender of the widows Let the teares of the widows which flow downe from their cheekes breake through the clowds and rest not vntill they come before thy throne Heare those that bee in danger by sea which cry to thee and sende vp their sighes vnto thee seeing before their eyes their neighbours suffer shipwracke Restore libertie vnto those that are captiue that with a thankfull heart they may sing of thy bountie Confirme those that suffer persecution