man behind his backe but in all things so 〈◊〉 thy selfe that thou maist neither dishonour thy God nor giue either offence or euill example vnto anie at the table Dinner being ended giue God thankes as followeth A thankes giuing to God after dinner MOst holy father Lord of heauen and earth I giue thée thanks in the name of Iesus Christ for all thy benesites and blessings in mercie bestowed vpon mee euer since I was borne And namelie O Fa ther I praise thée for feeding my hungry body as alwaies heretofore so now presentlie at this time with earthlie foode beséeching thée to féede my soule likewise with the celestiall foode of thy holie worde And I pray thée good Lord that as thou hast giuen vnto mee the vse of these earthlie creatures in great measure so thou wilt in mercie vouchsafe to giue vnto me the continuall supplie of al my necessities and wants néedefull either for my soule or bodie to the end and in the end thorow Iesus Christ our Lord. Meditations after dinner THinke thus with thy selfe As the mouth of my bodie whereby I receyue corporall sustenance is flesh and bloud so the mouth of my soule whereby I receyue the spirituall foode of eternall life is faith towardes God hope in his promises loue from a pure heart towards the brefhren for his sake Thinke also that as the Sun is now in his highest ascent degrée and therefore of necessitie must néedes decline and go downward And as the day also is now at the midst or full and therefore must needs in like maner draw towards his end so my life being once come to his full ripenesse and maturitie must of force draw towards his end which is death the reward or salary of sinne These things thus performed dispose thy selfe to the labors of thy vocation as before doing all things to the glorie of him that made thée and one day will require a straite account of thée for all thy labours and workes done vnder the Sunne Directions how to behaue thy selfe before and after Supper WHen the daie is ended and the night approcheth first praise God for thy preseruation and protection that 〈◊〉 beséeching him to take 〈◊〉 care ouer thee that night This done arraine thy selfe as it were at the barre and call thy conscience to accounts demaunding of thy selfe as wel what good thou hast omitted and hast not done as the euill which thou hast committed and shouldest not haue done And as well repent for the one as be sorowfull for the other This doue drawe towards the table in reuerent maner praâ—g GOD to sanctiâ—e his câ—atures vnto thée either in this or the like forme A thankes giuidg to God before Supper FAther of mercy and God of all trueth looke downe I beséech thée from the throne of thy heauenly pallace vpon vs thy humble seruants albeit most wretched and miserable sinners sanctifie both our bodies and soules by the presence of thy holie spirite and blesse these thy creatures vnto vs giue them strength to nourish our bodies and our bodies their naturall powers and force euerie member to performe his office and dutie according as thou hast appointed as thou séest to bee best for thy glorie and the sustaining and repairing of our ruinous and weake natures And we pray thée good father also to féede our soules with the celestiall Manna of thy blessed worde and bring vs once to suppe with thée in the kingdome of heauen thorow the precious bloud of Iesus Christ. Then sall to thy meate reuerentlie as before at dinner hauing alwaies a diligent eie that thou abuse not the good creatures of God by gluttonie drunkennesse gourmandise or anie other kinde of riot or excesse Remember that nature is satisfied with a little and what is more then wil suffice nature is super fluous and one daie thou shalt be accomptable for it to the great iudge of all the earth Thy bodie being satisfied forget not to relieue the necessitie of the Saints according to thy abilitie that God maie blesse thée and multiplie thy store When Supper is ended giue God thanks eyther as followeth or otherwise as the spirite of God shall illuminate thy heart A thankesgiuing to God after Supper OH Lord our god most gracious holie father we render all praise and thankesgiuing to thy soueraigne maiestie for all thy benefites and blessings so plentifully bestowed vppon vs. And namelie we thanke thée holie father for these thy good creatures which thou hast at this present in full measure giuen vnto vs. Oh Lord make vs thankfull for them pardon our vnthankfulnesse for Iesus Christ his sake Finally make vs al thy true obedient and faithfull seruants and bring vs to euerlasting life in thy good time for thy great mercies sake in thy beloued Amen Directions of Christian behauiour after supper THe rest of the time after Supper vntill thou goest to bed spend with thy familie either in singing of Psalmes and spirituall songs singing and making melodie to the Lord in your hearts or else in conferring reasoning disputing talking of the word of God in reading expounding or interpreting of the same Then when time calleth thée to go to bed call thy whole housholde togither in some conuensent place make publike confession of your sins to God the Father craue pardon and forgiuenesse for Iesus Christs sake and pray for grace to bee able to resist sinne hereafter with all meanes waies and allurements leading there unto Which done repaire to thy chamber reuoluing with thy selfe these and the like things following Meditations when thou coÌ„ mest into thy chamber WHen thou art come into thy chamber call to thy remembrance what euill thou hast committed that day past either in thought word or déed towards GOD or towards man and the good which thou shouldest haue done and hast not done Iâ— thou hast sâ—ne or heard anie good thing in anie man note it learne it and praie for grace to follow it If againe thou hast séene or heard anie cuill in anie man note it in thy selfe and pray for grace to eschue it This done knéele downe by thy bed side confesse thy sinnes to GOD the father craue pardon for Iesus Christ his sake and pray to him to protect thée that night and to defend thée vnder the shadowe of his wings from all perilles and daungers both bodilie and ghostly Thy clothes being put off meditate thus with thy selfe Oh what a filthie vncleane and vgglesome carkasse doe I beare aboute with me that for verie shame had néede to be couered with garments Thinke also from what an excellent state and dignitie in regard of thy first creation thou art fallen by reason of the â—ilthines of sin Then thinke that if thy apparell were giuen thee for verie necessities sake to couer hide thy shame withall what reason hast thou to be proude therof For should a begger bee proude of the cloutes that wrap his sores Thinke also that
but euerlasting confusion both of bodie and soule as a iust reward and guerdon for my deserts Christian directions for the morning WHen thou hast attired thy â—cently comely not 〈◊〉 nor proudlie goe forth of thy chamber and if thou beest a maister of a houshold call thy familie togither confesse your sinnes craue pardon for Iesus Christ his sake pray for grace to resist sinne hereafter prayse God for all his benefites and blessings in mercie bestowed vppon you pray for continuance of them Thanke him for your protection that night besée ching him to protect you thatday and to blesse all your works andlabours And finally desire him to kéepe and defend you that day and cuer from all perils and dangers both bodilie ghostlie whatsoeuer and to bring you to euerlasting life at the time appointed thorow the precious bloud of Iesus Christ. This done go forth to thy labours in the feare of God doing all things with single eie and good conscience to the praise of him that made thée being assured that as in mercie he will not leaue the good good worke that we do vnrewarded so in iustice he will not leaue the least euill that we doe commit either in thought word or déed vnpunished except we repent To God therefore our father to Christ Iesus our Sauiour and redeemer and to God the holie Ghost our comforter and sanctifier thrée persons and one true and euerlasting God be all honour glorie praise dominion thanksgiuing for euer more Amen A short Treatise of praiers and supplications Comprising a briefe summe of all such things as we stande in neede of in this life By the same author P. S. Gent. A praier for the morning I Giue thée thanks most merciful father for all thy tender mercies and louing kindnes shewed towards me in Christ Jesus euer since I was borne and namelie for the quiet rest and sléepe which thou hast giuen to my bodie this night and for preseruing of me from infinite perils and dangers where unto poore man is subiet in this life And I beséech thée holie father to extend thy louing fauour towardes mée this day defend me from all mine enimies both bodilie and ghostlie blesse all the workes of my hands grant good issue and good successe vnto mee in all my godlie actions enterprises and affaires And aboue all things giue me a willing heart and a readie mind to serue thée in true holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of my life that I glorifying thée here vpon earth may be glorified of thée for euer in heauen thorow Jesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier for the Eue ning MOST gracious God I prayse thee thorow Jesus Christ for defending of me this day from all dangers of bodie soule and for all thy other benefites which thou hast plentifullie bestowed vppon me And I pray thée good father to pardon and forgiue me all my sinnes and wickednes wherin I haue offended thy diuine maiestie either this day or anie day of my life here tofore euen to this present houre And receiue mee this night into thy tuition and protection that my enimies may haue no power ouer me nor in anie sort preuaile against me but that my bodie by thy gracious goodnes enioying quiet sleepe my mind my soule spirite maie continually waite vpon thée and thorow faith behold thy blessed maiestie with an assured confidence and an infallible hope after this fraile and transitorie life ended to possesse that immortall and euerlasting glorie wherein thou eternallie reignest to whome bee all honour and glorie for euermore A generall confession os our sinnes to God thesather necessarie to be said at all times OH eternall God father of our lord Iesus Christ without beginning or ending of whom all things haue their being I a poore wretched and mise able sinner lamenting my sinnes from the bottome of my heart prostrate my selfe before the footestoole of thy blessed maiestie acknowledging and confessing that I am a most grieuous sinner begot conceyued and borne in sinne and liuing in all corruption and iniquitie so that in me there is no goodnesse yea my whole nature is so corrâ—pt that my verie righteousnesse it selfe is nothing but sin in thy sight wherefore deare father setting a part al my own pretensed merits as insufficient to purchase thy fauor I come vnto thée in the name of thy beloued son Iesus Christ who is made vnto vs holinesse righteousnesse santification and redemption most humblie beseeching thee for his precious bloud shedding and for his bitter death and passion to haue mercy vpon me pardon and forgiue me all my sinnes and wickednes both original actuall of thoughts words workes and déedes of presumption of frailtie of ignorance and of knowledge or how soeuer els committed against thy souereigne maiestie euer since I was born Good father blot them out of thy remembrance hide them in the bloudie wundes of thy sonne wash them away in the streames of his bloud Accept his holinesse for my holinesse his righteousnesse for my righteousnesse and his precious bloud as a full recampence satisfaction and propitiation for al my sinnes And as I craue pardon for al my sinnes past so I beséech thee for thy great mercies sake in Iesus Christ giue me grace power and strength to resist sinne hereafter with al occasions meanes wayes and allurements leading therevnto And because oh Lord without faith nothing can please thée giue me I beséech thée a true perfect and a iustifying faith without the which no man shall sée thy blessed face Strengthen this faith in mee for euer to the end in the end graÌ„t me thy holie spirit trulie to repent and most heartilie to sorrow for the multitude and heynousnesse of my transgressions Worke in me also good father an inwarde hatred lothing and detestation vnto sume that I walking before thée with vprightnes of hart may after the dissolution of this my earthlie tabernacle inherit eternall glorie in the heauens thorow the merits of thy sonne Christ Iesus Amen A confession of our sinnes to Christ Iesus our sauiour with desireof forgiuenes OH swéete Iesus oh most glorious Iesus sonne of the eternall God whorainest into this world to take away the heauie burthen of them that were laden to seeke them that were lost and to call sinners to repentance to giue life to the faithfull and to be a mediatour betweene God and man I a poore and miserable sinner lamenting my sinne from the bottom of my hart most entirelie beséech thée for thy infinite mercies sake according to thy accustomed woont to pardon and forgiue me all mine offences sinnes and wickednesse of what na ' ture or kind or how manie or grieuous soeuer they be and to be my mediatour and aduocate to God thy father to appease his wrath to satisfie his iustice and to reconcile me into his fauour againe Regenerate renue and sanctfie my heart swéete Iesus with thy holie spirite the spirit of truth that I
so manie and great things to no other end but that I should destribute them to the poore and needie Oh Lord giue mee a willing heart and readie minde to doe good according to that abilitie that thou in mercie hast bestowed vppon me And as I acknowledge them to be thy gifts so giue me grace good Lord that I neuer mispend them in glâ—tonie drunkennesse riot or exceâ—e neither yet in prsde or anis other vncleannesse vanitie or follie knowing that thou wilt one day requier a straite account of me both howe I haue gotte my goods how I haue kept them and howe I haue spent and layd them forth And as thou hast made mee rich in temporall blâ—ssings and things of this life so make me much more rich in spirituall gifts and graces that in the end I being founde a faithfull and 〈◊〉 Steward of thy goodes may receiue the crowne of immortall glorie in the kingdome of heauen thorow the merits of Iesus Chrâ—st to whom be all honor and glorie foreuer A praier for those that bee poore and needie GRacious father who hast apoin ted in thy vnsearchable wisedome sundrie states and conditions of men and hasâ— commaunded euerie one to bee contented with his state and calling where in thou hast placed him without all repâ—ning murmuring or grudging against thée for the same I a poore worme before thée and one whom thou hast placed in the lowest degrée and meanest state amongest men most intirelie beséech thy fatherly goodnesse to giue me grace to be heartilie well contented with thy good will and pleasure being assured that thou knowest what is best for me and workest all thinges for thy owne glorie and our good Make me therefore good father willinglie to submit my will to thy blessed will to depend vpon thy prouidence and to cast all my care vpon thee who hast promised to be carefull for mee And albeit I bee poore and néedie yet kéepe me farre from all infidelitie and incredulitie from all mistrust and distrust and from all dispaire of thy help whatsoeuer Finallie grant O Lord that I walking in thy holie feare and doing those things which please thee may at the last receiue the reward of euerlasting glorie thorow Iesus Christ our Lord. A praier for the increase and preseruation of the fruits of the earth AS thou hast appointed man how long he hath to liue vpon the face of the earth most mercifull father so hast thou ordained him meanes to preserue and continue this his life withall as séemeth best to thy godlie wisedome and to that end hast appoinnted the earth to bring forth all maner of fruites of infinite varietie for his reliefe and sustenance Blesse therefore I beséech thée the fruits of the earth vniuersallie and of me particularlie whose ground for the multitude of my sinnes thou hast made barren Enter not into iudgment with me O Lord neither punish me according to my deserts but in mercie looke vpon me and so multiplie my store as thou diddest the Oyle of the woman of Sareptha thy seruant And if it please thée good Father to multiplie and increase the fruits of the earth generally and of mee particularlie grant seasonable and temperate weather also for the gathering and reaping of them that we hauing plentie of all things may be rich and plentifull in all good works and with ioifull hearts may laud and praise thy souereigne maiestie all the daies of our liues thorow Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A praier against couetousnes and auarice OH lord my God most blessed and holie Father who hast commanded euerie man to labor and trauaile in his vocation for the maintenance of his estate hast promised therto thy blessing blesse I beséeth thée all my labours actions enterprises affaires which I shall take in hande in thy holie name at anie time hereafter for the necessarie maintenance of my poore estate so as I hauing alwaies sufficient maie be frée from all couetousnes ambition and filthie auarice being alwaies perswaded that godlinesse is great riches if a man bee content with that that he hath for we brought nothing into this world neither shall we carie anie thing out Grant good Lord that I hauing sufficient foode and raiment for my bodie with al other necessaries néedfull for this my life may be heartilie well content therewith not desiring or coueting more Withdrawe my heart O Lord from the loue of this vaine world and of all things in the worlde Make mee to loue and desire â—hée and nothing but thée knowing that he that loueth anie thing beside thée loueth thee so much the lesse To thee therefore oh Father with thy Sonne and the holy Ghost be all glorie and prayse for euer Amen A praier to be said before the reading studying or hearing of Gods word FOr that thy word O Lord as Dauid thy seruant witnesseth is a light vnto our paths and a lanterne vnto our feet and for that all humaine wisdom is nothing but foolishnessé before thee and altogether vnable to pearce into the bowels and secrets of thy reuealed will without the illumination of thy holie spirite Instill therefore O Lord into my heart and soule the spirite of wisedome knowledge and vnderstanding that I may be able to vnderstand the â—isteries of thy law Kéepe me farre from all sects schismes heresies and errours contrarie to thy worde and so roote thy truth in my heart that it may neuer be remoued but alwies remaine firme and stedfast in thée And in the reading hearing studying conferring reasoning disputing or talking of thy word giue me most glorious father not onelie the spirite of holie wisdom to vnderstand it aright but also grace to humble my selfe vnto thée in all holie obedience reuerence humilitie and feare that I obeying thee in thy worde and liuing thereafter may come to those euerlasting ioies which thou hast prepared for them that loue thée thorowe Iesus Christ our Lord. A praier against swearing SEing that thy holie name oh most gracious God and louing father is both so honourable maiestiâ—all as the same is neuer to bee either remembred or once spoken of without great reuerence feare and dread at the glorious naming wherof the verie deuils themselues doquake tremble as thy holie Apostle Iames recordeth And seeing thou hast commanded vs that wee should not sweare at all but that all our communication should be yea yea nay nay and in as much as thy holie reuerence hast promised that thou wilt not holde him guiltlesse that take◠〈◊〉 name invain I besâ— thâ—e therefore good father so to direct me by thy spirite that I may neuer thinke nor speake of thée but with al holy reuerence feare and dread And in all my communications speeches good Lorde keepe me I prâ—y thée from all maner of swearing forswearing blaspheming and prophaning of thy sacred name And for that thou hast giuen vnto mankind onelie tho vse of the tongue aboue other creatures to this end no doubt that
of a Christian the most excellentest name or title in the world so I may in my life and conuersation bring forth the fruits of true Christianitie that thy holie name bee not blasphemed nor euill spoken of amongst the heathen which know not thee Make me able and willing oh my good God to doe thy will and to stoppe the mouthes of all them that lyinglie falselie and deceitfullie go about to take my good name from me Finallie bring me to euerlasting life in thy appointed time thorow the merits of thy son Iesus Christ to whom be praise for euer A praier for patience in sicknesse THy holie Apostle O Lorde dooth teach vs that thou doost chastice euerie childe whom thou receyuest and that him whom thou chastenest thou louest and further that if we be not vnder â—hastisement we are bastards and not children therefore most holie father in as much as thou hast at this present laide vpon me thy heauy rod of correction and chastisement as a iust punishment for my sins I most humblie beséech thée good father for Iesus Christs sake to giue me the excellent gift of pacience and contentation of mind Make me O Lord to humble my selfe vnder â—hy hand to rest contented with thy good will and pleasure and not to repine grudge or murmur against thy iudgements but in all things to submit my will to thy blessed will being assured that thou workest all things for the best to them that loue thée knowing most certenlie that thou workest my saluatioÌ„ by these meanes subduest the flesh to the spirite and renuest me in the inward man that I may serue thée in newnesse of life to the praise and glorie of thy blessed name thorow Iesus Christ our Lord. A praier for the assistance of Gods bolie Angels in any extremitie or neede whatsoeuer FOrasmuch oh most gracious Lorde God as thou hast created thy holie Angels not onelie for the execution of thy blessed will but also for the preseruation protection and defence of shine elect and chosen vpon earth and for that I thy poore seruant weake and féeble am at this present and at all times and in all places sundrie waies assaulted with infinite both spirituall and corporall enemies which daylâ— séeke my destruction I beseech thée good father looke down from heauen vpon me send thy holy angels those ministring spirits to take care charge of 〈◊〉 to watch ouer me to pitch their tents round about me and to saue and defende me from all the raging furie and cruell tyrannie of all my enimies Let me not fal into their hands O Lord lest they be too proude and say where is now his God But abaâ—e thou their pride asswage their malice confound their deuises and bring their counsels to naught and make them â—ares to take the mselues with all Finallie graunt O Lord that I being deliuered and set â—rée from all perils and dangers and from all the rage and fâ—rie of mine enemies may giue thée thanks and so wholie to rest vpon thy mercies Grant this oh Father of all mercie thorowe Iesus Christ our Lord and for his saké Amen A praier against sudden death O Lorde our God who in thy secret iudgements as a punishment for sinne hast appointed euerie man to die once keepe me I beséech thée from sodaine death and from euerlasting condemnation Make me alwaies readie and prepared good Lord that the day of my departure hence come not soddenlie vppon mee to my vtter destruction for euer Make me also mindâ—ull and willing to die knowing that so long as we are at home in the bodie we are strangers from thee Teach me to number my daies O Lord that I maie know how long I haue to liue Giue me also not only true repentance for all my sinnes but also sufficient time and space to repent in that I neuer depart hence in thy wrath and heauie displeasure Giue me a true faith and a constant hope looking for yâ— accomplishment of thy promises made vnto vs in thy beloued as also a zealous care and feruent desire to walke in the true obedience of thy blessed lawes and holy commandements that after the finall dissolution of this life I may dwell with thée for euer in the kingdome of heauen thorow Iesus Christ Amen A praier for one that is sicke and at the poynt of death O Lord our God who as thou hast appoynted all men to die once so hast thou ordained sicknes and diseases as ordinarie meanes to bring him to the same and as it were to summon him to the doome I a poore wretch and iniserable sinner visited by thy hande with extreame sicknesse and grieuous diseases most humblie beséech thée for Iesus Christs sake to looke downe from heauen vpon me with the eies of thy pitie and compassion Pardon and forgiue me all my sinnes which are the causes both of sickenesse and death it selfe Enter not into iudgement with mo O lord for no flesh is righteous in thy sight Punish me not O Lord my God according to my deserts neither in this life nor in the life to come for then I must néeds perish so manifolde are my sinnes and so hainous are my transgressions Giue mee grace that I may willinglie leaue this wicked world in ful certain hope of the blessed resurrection of my bodie to eternall life in thy good time Make strong my soule O Lord against all temptations of the wicked enemie and strengthen my faith that I neuer wauer nor fall away from thée neither for loue of life nor feare of death Grant good father that I mate humble my selfe vnder thy hand and take pacientlie whatsoeuer it shall please thée in mercie to laie vppon mee without all grudging and murmuring whatsoeuer And if it be thy blessed wil restore me to health of body againe as thou didst thy seruant Ezechias prolonging his life xv yeares more that I may praise thee al the daies of this my transitorie and miserable life but if it séemeth better vnto thee to take me out of this wretched worlde at this present thy blessed will bee done onâ—lie this oh father giue thy holie Angels 〈◊〉 to carrie and conueigh my soule into thy euerlasting kingdome of heauen there to reigne with thée for euer thorow Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen A praier for those that be rich and wealthie MOst gracious God and louing father who giuest thy blessings and thy benefites sundrie waies to maÌ„ to some more to some lesse according to the purpose of thy will and as thou séest to be best for thy glorie and their good I praise thée and I thanke thée for that it hath pleased thée in thy great liberalitie to bestow vpon mee thy vnworthie seruant so great a portion of earthlie riches temporall blessings I beséech thee to giue meâ— grace that I may vse them to thy honour and glorie and to the comfort and helpe of others that haue néed being assured that thou hast made me a steward of
his holie spirite but also doth reuiue and quicken both our bodies and our soules being dead in sin and also maketh vs fruitfull and plentifull in all good workes to the praise and glorie of his holie name Thinke also of the immensitie of this visible Sunne which beeing in appearance but a small creature yet such is the maiestie and glorie thereof that it conueyeth his beames vnto euerie corner of the earth and thereby gather thou the immensitie and vnmeasurablenes of the son of God Christ Iesus who being the verie light and life of the world sitteth as a most glorious sonne in the middest of his creatures imparting to euerie one of them certaine sparkes of his glorie which beeing taken away they all consume and come to nothing These meditations ended humble thy selfe before God and pray as followeth or otherwise as the spirit of God shall 〈◊〉 thy spirite A praier for the morning OH most glorious God and louing Father who as thou hast by thy mightie power created all things so hast thou by thy vnsearchable wisdome ordered and disposed them as may best serue for the benefit and comfort of man I render most humble and heartie thankes â—nto thée for all thy benefites and blessings both infinite and inestimable in merciâ— bestowed vpon mee and namely for the swéete sléepe quiet rest which thou hast giuen to my bodie this night And as thou hast preserued me this night from all perils and daungers so I beséech thée to kéepe my body and my soule this â—ate not onely from committing that which is euill in thy sight but also from sustaining any euil thorow the enuy of the diuel the malice of his ministers the allurements and intisements of the worlde or the corruptions of the 〈◊〉 And for that thou 〈◊〉 commaunded euerie man to labor and 〈◊〉 in his vocation and calling for the maintenance of his estate I pray thée 〈◊〉 father so to blesse all my labours and the workes of my handes which I shall take in hand in thy blessed and holiâ— name this day so as they may tend to thy honour and glorie the reliefe of my necessities and the common benefite of all men In all which my labours giue mee grace I beséech thée most mercifull Father to deale faithfullie trulie vprightly with all men and not to increase my wealtth by 〈◊〉 wicked or vnlawful means Grant that I maie spende this daie in such holie exercises as thou hast commanded in thy blessed word 〈◊〉 those things which are euill and following those thinges which be good And for that we are as it were besieged and on euerie side beset and most stronglie assailed with many and puissant enemies as the deuill his members which are infinite on the one side the world the flesh on the other I beséech thée good father to preserue mee thy seruaunt from all their rage and furie from al their force violence And to this end let thy holie Angels pitch their tents round about me conduct me by their ministery preserue me by thy mightie power so shall I prayse thée for euer in the congregation of thy Saints thorow Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Precepts at thy going foorth of thy Chamber WHen thou goest forth of thy chamber salute thy bedfellow if thou hast any giuing him the time of the day in méeting others do the like for ciuilitie requireth it And when thou commest into the presence of thy parents not onely salute them but also fall downe vpon thy knees before them and desire them to praie to God to blesse thée When thou hast so done wash thy face and thy hands and kéepe thy bodie cleane and neat in the doing wherof meditate thus with thy selfe Meditations in the washing of ones face and hands AS the filthinesse and pollution of my bodie is washed and made cleane by the element of water so is my bodie and soule purified and washed from the spottes and blemishes of sinne by the precious bloud of Iesus Christ. Thinke also this washing putteth me in remembrance of my baptisme of my spirituall birth and regeneration whereby I am not onelie borne anew by the operation of the holie Ghost but also am sealed vp to eternall saluation thorowe the redemption that is in Christ. These Meditations ended pray as followeth A praier to be said at the wa shing of ones face and hands MOst gratious God ind louing father who hast giuen thy onelie begotten son Jesus Christ to suffer death vpon the Crosse for my redemption graunt I most intirelie beséech 〈◊〉 for his sake that as this my bodie is nowe washed and made cleane by the element of materiall water so my bodie and soule may both be purified and purged from all vncleannesse and filthinesse of sinne thorow the efficacie of thy sonne his most precious bloud These things thus ordered go forth to thy labours in the feare of God doing all things to his glorie and the good of thy brethren Meditations before and at dinner WHen dinner time approcheth meditate thus with thy selfe as this earthly tabernacle of my bodie hath néed to be relieued and sustained with common aire and materiall foode so my sonle hath much more néede to be refreshed and fedde with the incorruptible food of the word of God and then as thou dost hunger after the one so thirst thou much more after the other This done draw néere to the table with reuerence and with heartie affection pray as followeth A praier before meate MErcifull father who in thy great wisedome and incomprehensible power hast not only created the foules of the aire the beasts of the earth and the fishes of the sea of infinite varietie for the benefite and vse of man but also by thy blessing doest dailie multiplie and increase them for the sustentation of mans bodies sanctifie I beseech thee these thy creatures by the power of thy worde giue them strength to nourish my bodie and me grace to vse them to thy glorie and my owne comfort And as in mercie thou doest feede my bodie with these earthlie creatures which are transitorie so vouchsafe to feede my soule with the spirituall foode of thy blessed word which is euerlasting and neuer shall decay thorow Jesus Christ my onelie Lord and sauiour and for hs sake Amen Directions how a Christian should behaue himselfe at the table WHen thou comest to the table shew all obeysance and curtesy be hauing thy selfe modestlie humblie and soberlie as in the presence of God Eate so much as nature requireth not how much insaciable appetite desireth Be spare as well of hande as tongue Let thy countenance be amiable and pleasant toward all men Let all thy communication bee seasoned with salt as the Apostle speaketh that it may giue grace to the hearers remembring that wee must giue accounts at the day of iudgement for euerie idle word Use not to laugh much to iest or scoffe to floute or mocke to deride backbite 〈◊〉 detract anie
as thou canst not without shame stand before men naked and bare so canst thou not without shame and confusion of face stand before the maiestie of God except thou be clothed muested with the garment of Christs righteousnes and holines Finallie thinke that as thou puttest off and laiest aside thy materialgarments so shalt thou once and peraduenture before thou â—ysest againe put off and lay away the earthlie mansion of thy bodie committing it to mother earth againe from whence it first came When sléepe commeth vppon thée pray as followeth A prayer when sleepe com meth vpon one MOst mercifull father with whom there is no difference of time nor varietie of chaunge séeing thou hast appointed the day for man to trauaile in and the night for him to take his naturall rest I beséech thee that as my bodie hash béene occupied and employed this day in the labors of this life so it may receiue by thy protection quiet rest and sleepe this night that I may be the abâ—er to go forwarde in the exercise of good works in the rest of my life that I haue to liue to the praise and glorie of thy blessed name And in this my sléepe defend me I beséech thée from all perilles and daungers and from all the force violence of mine enemies both spirituall and corporall And as it maie please thée to graunt to my bodie quiet rest and sléepe so let it bee thy good pleasure to make my soule watchful and vigilant to waite vpon thee and diligentlie to looke for yâ— comming of thy deare sonne Iesus Christ vnto iudge ment for my redemption Kéepe me from al fearefull dreams and visions from all phantasticall apparitions diuelish illusions of the wicked enemie from all carnall pollusions vngodlie suggestions of the wicked spirit Finallie graunt that both my bodie and my soule resting vnder thy diuine protection may be safe from all enmitie and hostilitie whatsoeuer and at the last may attaine euerlasting life thorow Iesus Christ my onelie Sauiour and redéemer This done dispose thy selfe to rest committing both thy bodie and soule into the hands of God praying him to be thy watchman that night Then discend thou into the secret closets and priuie chambers of thine heart search euerie place and ransacke euerie corner and if thou findest anie filthinesse or vncleannes therein as in deed thou shalt find nothing else wash it away with the teares of repentance make itcleane with the broome of contrition Then thinke thus with thy selfe My bed dooth represent vnto me my graue wherein I must once sléepe and the clothes the earth where with all I shall shortlie be couered in my sepulchre or graue And as these flees and gnats do bite and gnaw my skinne so shall the wormes cate and consume the frame of my bodie in the dust of the earth when the Lord doth please When the morning beginneth to dawn and the daystarre to appeare thinke thus As nowe the morning commeth on and the daie starre beginneth to appeare so shall Christ Iesus the true morning star shewe himselfe at the time appointed of his father to iudge both the quicke and the dead And when thou hearest the crowing of the cocke the sounding of belles or anie other noise whatsoeuer think alwaies that thou hearest the trumpe of the Archangell sound saying arise you dead and come vnto iudgement When thou awakest out of sléepe praie to this effect as followeth A prayer when one awakes out of sleepe MErcifull father grant that as thou hast now awaked my earthlie bodie out of this materiall sléepe so thou wilt also vouchsafe to raise me vp from the sleepe of sinne and in the generall resurrection of all flesh to eternall life thorowe Iesus Christ my onelie Sauiour and redéemer Meditations when one awa keth out of sleepe CAll to remembrance the vnspeakeable 〈◊〉 glory and beatitude the ineffable blessednes comfort and solace which all the chosen of God haue and shall haue for euer after this life in the kingdome of heauen Thinke also of the wonderfull beautie that our bodies shall haue and 〈◊〉 at the day of iudgement being made like to the glorious bodie of Christ Iesus and shining for euer as the Sun in the kingdome of heauen A prayer to be said at the breake of the day OH Lorde thou great and euerlasting light from whome all other lights whatsoeuer haue their being in comparison of whom they are all but grosse and palpable darknes illuminate my heart and inlighten my vnderstanding with the perfect knowledge of thy blessed will And grant that I knowing it maie faithfullie obcie thee in the same all the daies of my life that at the last I may attaine to euerlasting rest both of body and soule thorow Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Meditations at the appea ring of the day THinke with thy selfe that as thy earthlie bodie is guided and gouerned by thy bodilie eies so and much more is thy soule and mind guided ruled and gouerned by the direction and inspiration of Gods holie spirit And therefore howe much more precious the eie of the soule is then the eie of the eie of the bodie so much more is the one to be sought for then the other Think that brute beasts haue their bodilie eies but man hath not onelie corporall eies but spirituall also whereby hee 〈◊〉 strange thinges conceiueth infinite things vnderstandeth woonderfull things beléeueth all things and hopeth all things This done pray as followeth A praier when one ariseth forth of his bed I Confesse most merciful father our first parents by sinne threw themselues and all their posâ—eritie into a most deadly lethargie and sléepe of sinne whome thou in great mercie vouchedstsafe to restore againe and renue by the death of thy sonne Grant holie father that as thou hast now raysed my bodie from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all sleepe so thou wilt also raise both my bodie and 〈◊〉 from the deadlie sléepe of sinne and at the last from the dust of the earth to dwell with thée for euer in thy euerlasting kingdome thorow Jesus Christ. Meditations when one ari seth out of his bed THinke that as thou now arisest forth of thy bed so shouldst thou rise from sinne 〈◊〉 the liuing God in holinesse and righteousnesse all the 〈◊〉 of thy life Thinke also that thy bodie shall rise againe in the end of the world either to euerlasting life if thou doo well or to euerlasting death if thou do euill Then put on thy apparell in the dooing whereof pray thus A praier to be said at the put ting on of a mans clothes BLessed father séeing my naturall corruption and silthines is such and so great that of necessity it must be couered with these earthly garments least oâ— my nakednesse and shame should appeare to the world clothe me I beséech thée with the garments of Christs righteousnesse and holines and impute not vnto me my manifold sinnes and offences least I receiue not shame onlie
in this worlde but also defendest them from infinite perils and dangers in the same vouchsafe to holde thy holie hands of protection ouer me and defende me from all hostilitie and enmitie whatsoeuer in this my intended iourney which by thy diuine assistance I purpose to take in hand at this time And because O Lord my enimies are manie and stong in this world which lie in waite for me and séeke my destruction I most humblie beséeth thée for Iesus Christ his sake to command thy holie Angels to conduct me by their ministerie and to preserue me by thy mighty power let them goe before me and deliuer me as they did why seruant Tobias trauailing into a strange countrie Prosper me also in this my iournie good father that my businesse maie haue good successe and that I maie by thy blessed assistance returue home again safe sound both in bodie and soule to gloriâ—e thée the onelie true God to whom with thy deare sonne Iesus Christ and the holie comforter be all honour and glorie for euermore A thanksgiuing to God after ones returne home from his iourney MOst holie father I praise thée in thy sonne Iesus Christ for that it hath pleased thée of thy singular grace and goodnesse to giue me prosperous happie returne home againe from this my iournie and for preseruing of me from all perils and dangers in the same as namelie from drowning by water from stroke of thunder and blasts of lightning from the vnsaciable iawes of cruell beasts and from the bloodie hands of théeues and robbers and infinite the like dangers whereto wes â—iserable men are subiect in this life I praise thée also good Lord not onelie for preseruing of me in this my iournie but also for prospering my businesse and graunting good issue and good successe vnto me in all things I haue taken in hand O Lord I acknowledge it to bee thy onelie blessing to procéede onlie from thy meere mercie and not from anie deserts of mine to thée therefore with thy son Iesus Christ and the holie ghost be all praise and glorie for euer A praier for euerie subiect of a common wealth O Lord God wee acknowledge consesse that as in thy vnsearchable wisedome thou hast appointed some to rule and gouerne that thy glorie maie bee increased and the common societie of men maintained so hast thou ordained also other some to obey and to be subiect And for that it hath séemed good to thy blessed maiestie to appoint me in the number of subiects I praie thée good Lord giue mee a faithfull heart and an obedient mind to my superiours rulers and gouernours Keepe me farre from all disobedience rebellions treasons conspiracies and practises against them knowing that who so resisteth the powers resisteth thy holie ordinaunce for there is no power but of thée and purchaseth to himselfe eternall damnation as thy holie worde beareth recorde Make mee O Lorde faithfâ—llie to obey them and trulie to honour them according to thy blessed worde and ordinance in all things not derogating from thy honour that they iustlie ruling and I dutifully obeying maie all in the end receyue the crowne of euerlasting glorie purchased for vs by the bloud of Jesus Christ to whom be all honor glorie both now for euer A praier to be said of those that be vnmaried OH Lord our god in as much as thou hast commaunded in thy blessed worde the worde of trúeth that we abstaining from all whordome and fornication and vncleannesse should kéepe our vessels in holines and not in the filthie lusts of the flesh as doe the heathen who know not thée I beseechthee therfore to giue mee grace to performe this thy most holy coÌ„maÌ„dement and grant that I neuer pullute nor defile my bodie with whordome fornication nor anie other vncleannes And because O Lord chastitie of the bodie is nothing withóut the continencie of the minde bridle therfore I beséech thée al the motions and affections of my hart that I banishing all wicked thoughts and vncleane imaginations out of my mind may liue in al holie innocencie puritie and integritie both of bodie soule vnto my liues end thorowe the efficacy power strength of the precious bloud of Aesus Christ. Amen A praier to be said of those that are maried HOlie father we are taught by thy sacred worde the breath of thy own mouth that after thou hadst created all things the last of all other thou createdst man woman of a rib of his side giuing her vnto him in holie wedâ—ke adding vnto them thy blessing saying increase and multiplie and replenish the earth I giue thée most humble and heartie thanks for that it hath pleased thee to call me to the honorable state of mariage And I most hartilie beséeth thée that we may liue togither in thy true faith feare and loue all the daies of our liues Giue vs grace the one to loue the other and both of vs to loue thee and our brethren for thy sake Keepe vs good Lord farre from all wicked ielosie hatred malice and contention one with the other And as our bodies are incorporate togither and become as it were but one bodie so vouchsafe holie father that as thy owne turtle doues we may liue togither in chastitie and contenencie both of bodies and mindes without deâ—rauding one 〈◊〉 other And if it please thee to blesse vs with children giue vs grace to bring them vp in such holy exercises discipline and learning as thou requirest of vs in this life Grant that we may labour and trauaile either of vs in our vocation that by thy blessing we may haue alwaies sufficient to maintain onr estates withal in thy holie feare that wee be not chargeable to others but liuing forth of debt and daunger of all men maie be rich and plentifull in all good works to the praise glorie of thy blessed name thorow Iesus Christ our lord to whom be praise and glorie for euermore Amen A praier to be said of those that be maisters of housholds THou hast commaunded oh gracious lord God by thy blessed Apostle that maisters should intreate their seruants gentlie and courteouslie putting away all bitternesse and threatning doing vnto them all equitie and iustice knowing that thou art our commaÌ„ maister in heauen graunt me grace theerfor good lord so to order my seruants as I neuer attempt nor enterprise anie vnrighteous thing against them but so to execute my authoritie ouer them as I may alwaies remember that thou art the Lorde and maister of vs all and respectest no mans person Make me O Lord to be the same vnto them that a good pastor is to his flocke to teach them by wordes thy holie lawes and by example of life true righteousnesse and holinesse in conuersation that they I togither in thy good time may all inherit euerlasting life by Christ our Lorde Amen A praier to be said of seruants O Lord our God sééing thou hast ordained
hee might glorifie thée therewith I pray 〈◊〉 holie father so to qualifie the affections of my minde and to order the words of my mouth that in all my thoughts wordes and déedes I maie do worship to thy glorious name thorow Iesus Christ thy onelie begotten sonne to â—hom with thy blessed maiestie and the holie spirit be all honour and glorie for euer A praier against drun kennesse MOst mercifull and holie father who in thy great liberalitie hast giuen vnto man the fishes of the sea the foules of the heauens and the beasts of the earth with other thy good creatures of infinite varietie for the sustentation and maintenance of this his life and hast commaunded them to bee receyued with praise and thankesgiuing vnto thée for the same I beséech thée therefore O Lord my good God and holie father to giue me grace to vse all thy creatures both soâ—erlie and temperatelie and alwaies to rest thankefull vnto thée for them Giue me grace blessed Lorde that I neuer abuse them nor offend thee in them thorow drunkennesse gluttonie or anie other kind of superfluity riot or excesse knowing that the abusing of thy good creatures reacheth euen to thy owne reuerence Finallie grant that I walking in al sobriety and integritie of life may at the 〈◊〉 receiue the reward of euerlasting glorie in the kingdome of heauen thorow Iesus Christ and for his sake Amen A praier against slouthfulnes and idlenesse WE are faught O Lord in thy holie worde that solenesse is the mother nurse of al wickednes and sinne for the bodie being idle the mind is naturallie occupied in vaine thoughts and foolish imaginations and so consequently made weaker readier for the enimie to assault I beséech thée therfore oh my good God kéepe me from all idlenesse and slouth and grant that I may be alwaies occupied in some good thing to the glorie of thy name and the benefite of my brethreâ— And as it may please thée O Lord in mercy to keepe my bodie from all maner of idlenesse slouth so I beséech thée to kéepe my soule euer exercised in bolie meditations and 〈◊〉 contemplations thinking alwaies of thée louing thée and euer praysing thée in all things till I come to the perfect fruition of thy heauenly ioies thorow Iesus Christ. Amen A praier for those that 〈◊〉 persecuted for the truth OH Lord Iesus Christ who comming into this miserable worlde and taking our nature vpon thée didst thereby not onelie deliuer vs from sinne but also remembring thy mercies diddest also leaue vnto vs the iâ—imable treasure of thy blessed word as a perfect direction and rule for vs to frame our liues by and which alone is able to saue our soules Blesse therefore this thy holie word vnto vs make it a worde of power to regenerate and beget vs a new vnto eternall saluation of our bodies and soules And strengthen all thy seruants which in anie place are persecuted imprisoned condemned and dailie put to death for the sincere profession of the same and for the testimonie of a good conscience Be mercifull vnto them O Lord and although they séeme destitute of all mans ayde or worldly comfort yet let thy swéete comfort and grace neuer depart from them O Lord let no further triall be laid vpon them then they may be made able by thee to beare And as thou hast by the power of thy might not onlie vanquished and ouercome all corporall and bodilie enemiâ—s where or whatsoeuer but also thy and our spirituall aduersaries so strengthen all thy seruans that suffer anie kind of crosse persecution trouble or veration either in bodie or mind for the constant profession of thy holie worde and sacred religion Giue them patience good Lord to beare thy crosse thankfullie with strength to go thorow and to perseuere to the end euen to the effusion of their bloud knowing that they who denie thée before men thou wilt denie them before thy heauenlie father and his holie Angels in heauen And for that there is no true wisdom whereof thou art not the authour inspire their hearts with the spirite of true wisedom knowledge and vnderstanding that they may know thy will aright and that they may bee able by the same spirite to confound and ouerthrow all the enimies of thy truth Grant this swéets Iesus for thy holie names sake Amen A praier for Godly wisedome IConfesse good Father that so long as we beare about vs this earthâ—e tabernacle imprisoning the soule that our nature is so corrupted as it alwaies rebelieth against the spirit accompting that true wisedome which is nothing but méere foolishnesse in déed Wherefore good Lorde vouchsafe to send downe thy holie spirite euen the spirite of wisedome which waiteth vpon thy throne into my heart that I may know and vnderstand what things are good and acceptable before thée that I may attaine euerlasting life thorow the merits of thy sonne his most bitter death passion Amen A praier for grace to be mindfull to die OH lord our God in whose handes standeth the life and death of all mankind vouchsafe I beséech thée for thy sonne Christ his sake to make me mindefull and readie to depart out of this miserable and transitory life And al though my bodie doth creep here vpon the earth yet let my conuersation bee alwaies in heauen from whence we looke for a sauiour euen Iesus Christ the righteous who shall chaunge our vile bodies and make them like to his glorious bodie by the mightie power whereby he is able to subdue all things to himselfe Teach me good Lord to know that wee are al here strangers pilgrims and haue in this worlde no dwelling place but looke for one to come in regarde whereof giue me grace I be séech thee willinglie to forsake this wicked worlde with all the vanities therof to hunger thirst after that life which neuer shall decay Make me good Lorde to estéeme all things in this worlds as dongue that I may winne Iesus Christ. And for that that remembrance of death terrifieth vs from sin as thy seruant Salomon beareth record giue mee grace I most humblie intreat thée alwaies to remember and beare in mind that I am mortall and therefore must once of necessitie depart hence either to euerlasting glorie or else to euerlasting paines and confusion both of bodie and soule Oh Lord assist mee with thy holie spirit that I male so liue in this present euill world as I may not feare either but whensoeuer he approcheth I may with bolde confidence crie out say Oh Death where is thy sting oh Hell where is thy victory Grant this O Lorde my God for Iesus Christ thy onelie begotten sonne his sake Amen A Thanks-giuing to God for all his graces blessings bestowed vpon vs. SUCH is thy liberalitie and mercie O Lord towards mankinde that for all thy blessings and benefits both inâ—nite and inestimable beâ—owed vppon him thou requireth nothing againe but thankfull hearis to thee Wherfore most holy father I render al praise and thanks to thee from the bottom of my heart generallie for all thy benefites and blessings for all thy great mercies and louing kindnesse shewed towards me in Iesus Christ and particularly for that it hath pleased thée to elect and chuse mee in Christ Iesus to euerlasting saluation before the foundations of the world were layde for creating me after thine owne similitude and likenesse for redéeming of me by the death and passion of thy owne Son Iesus Christ when I was 〈◊〉 lost and cast awaie for euer for regenerating and renuing of me by thy holie Spirit for sanctifying of me by the same spirit for instilling into my heart a true a liuely and tustifying faith in Iesus Christ for giuing me grace to be penetent and sorowfull for my sinnes for inspiring my heart with a true and constant hope looking for the accomplishment of all thy gracious promises made vnto me in thy beloued without all doubting or â—uering For giuing me wisedonie vnderstanding and knowledge in some competent measure I praise thée and I thanke thée also O Lord for feeding nourishing clothing and sustaining my bodie euer since I was born for defending of me from infinite perils and daungers yea from infinite deathes which at diuerse times and in sundrie places haue laine in waite for me and threatned my destruction and into which I had certainlie fallen had I not béene by thy gracious goodnes supported protected defended Last of all I thanke thee good Lord and I prayse thée for thy swéete promises of euerlasting saluation made vnto mee in Iesus Christ. For these and all other thy most gracious benefites and blessings oh most glorious Father I prayse thée moste humblie beséeching thée for Iesus Christ thy sonne his sake to pardon and forgiue mee my great vnthankefulnesse ingratitude and vnkindnesse towards thee and from hencefoorth giue mee thy holy grace that I may procéede from thankfulnesse to thankfulnesse from gratitude to gratitude and from kindnesse to kindnesse towards thée that I be neuer accounted amongst the number of those ix vnthankefull leapers who being cleansed from their leprosie returned not againe to giue thée thanks Graunt these my petitions vnto me oh most benigne father with all other good thinges which thou knowest to be necessarie for me better then I can either wish or desire euen for the glorie of thy great name for the truth of thy promises and for Iesus Christ thy Sonne his sake my onelie Lorde Sauiour Kedéemer Mediatour and Aduocate to whome with thy blessed Maiestie and the holie Spirite one true and euerlasting GOD bee all honour glorie prayse dominion power and thanksgiuing for euermore Amen Vni Deo trino sit omnis gloria FINIS