leasings and vaine stories O be mercifull vnto me and enter not into Iudgement with thy seruant for how shall Dust and Ashes stand vp before thee or the worke of thy hands contend with his Creator Haue pitie on me O Lord according to thy great goodnesse and in the multitude of thy mercies blot out all my Iniquities Saue me and be neere vnto me in the day of trouble that I may magnifie thy Name and giue all honour power and glorie to thee who art the Father and Fountaine of all comfort and consolation Amen AT NOONE. 20. A Prayer concerning the benefit of Creation I Am amazed O Lord to consider of thy wonderfull mercie my soule is lost in the depth of thy neuer-ceasing goodnesse and like the wisest of Philosophers the more I learne the lesse I may truly professe to know so bottomelesse and vnsearchable is thy loue and fauour When I was Nothing O Lord why thoughtst thou of me and calledst me to be Something which hauing any subsistence of Beast or Plant is better then not to be at all but thou hast created me according to thine owne Image giuing me a reasonable soule like the Angels endued with noble faculties and powers enabling me to reach the height of thy mysticall Diuinitie and diuine Mysterie and made me capable of euerlasting and infinite glorie O Lord before thee and in comparison of thy Maiestie I am iust Nothing and how wast thou then mindfull of me to create me Alas my soule thou wast hidden in the Abysse of Nothing and in this Abysse of Nothing shouldst thou haue remained vntill this present if God had not drawne thee forth from thence and what couldst thou haue done within this Nothing O my great and good Creator how infinitely am I indebted vnto thee for that thou hast taken me out of this Nothing to make me by thy mercie that something which I am What shall I euer be able to doe worthily to blesse and magnifie thy Name and to render thankes to thine exceeding Bountie But alas my Creator in stead of vniting my selfe vnto thee by pure loue and loyall seruice I haue alwayes beene rebellious by vnruly affections separating and withdrawing my selfe from thee to ioyne and vnite my selfe vnto sinne and iniquitie doing no more to thy Goodnesse then if thou hadst not beene my Creator What wickednesse hath there beene O Lord that I haue not had a thought readie to put in a mind apt to contriue and a hand willing to execute it Wherein haue I testified my obedience in following thy Lawes and Precepts Wherein my truth and loyaltie in resisting thy vowed and knowne enemies But O my soule know that our Lord is thy God it is he that hath made thee and not thou thy selfe O God I am the worke of thy hand I will then no more henceforth take pleasure in my selfe since in my selfe and of my selfe I am truly Nothing Blesse thy God O my soule and let all thy bowels prayse his holy Name for his Bountie hath drawne me forth of the Abysse of Nothing and his Mercie hath created me O my God I offer vnto thee with all my heart the essence and being which thou of thy Bountie hast bestowed vpon me and most willingly doe I dedicate and consecrate it to thee O my God strengthen me in these affections and resolutions and giue me perseuerance to the end 21. Euening Prayer I Humbly confesse and acknowledge O mercifull Lord and Sauiour that I haue not imployed and bestowed the blessed Time of this hallowed Day so deuoutly and religiously as I ought and am commanded to doe I beseech thee of thy infinite mercie to forgiue and pardon so weake and frayle a Creature that cannot entertaine the least good thought one moment vvithout thee and vouchsafe of thy accustomed goodnesse and clemencie continually to visit nay my most blessed Sauiour to inhabite and dwell with mee that so I may doe the things which please thee Giue vnto me O Lord a kindly relenting and remorse for the sinnes I haue this day committed against thy diuine Maiestie and against my Neighbour by thought word and deed and by omission of those things thou hast left me in charge to haue done Moderate O Lord my sleepe and banish from me all vaine and wandering fancies vncleane and idle illusions that I may awake in thee and to thee offer my Morning thoughts who art onely worthie of all that onely hast created redeemed sanctified and preserued me for which be thou euer praysed and honoured world without end Amen 22. A Prayer to our blessed Sauiour and Redeemer PRostrate thy selfe O my soule before the Lord of all Maiestie and Glorie sitting at the right hand of his Father crowned with Mightinesse and Power richly adorned with a garland of all Vertues brightly shining in the companie of his glorious Angels holy Saints and bloudie Martyrs honouring and seruing him without ceasing or intermission singing Hymnes of his Goodnesse and Mercie and hauing thus beheld him in this great Pompe and Triumph cast thine eye vpon this blessed Sauiour poorely lying in the Manger hauing scarce any thing to couer his tender and delicate Bodie or saue it from the iniurie of the Ayre Consider well and seriously how he which giueth heat and motion to the Sunne is here contented as vnable to helpe himselfe to take warmth and comfort from the breath of the Beasts whom he there disdained not to be his Chamber-fellowes O wonderfull example of all humilitie How darest thou from henceforth contemned Dust and Ashes swell in thy Vaine-glorie and decked with a few gay Ragges forget thy Creator who is cloathed with Eternitie Humble O Lord my high and proud thoughts abase and bring downe my loftie and rebellious imaginations make me abiect in my owne eyes that walking with my poore Brethren who wander naked and hungrie lying vpon the bare cold Earth I may with them prayse and glorifie thy holy Name who wert the first founder and beginner of this poore and contemned Order Why shall we from henceforth so highly esteeme Honour and Riches when thou the Lord of both didst so contemne it voluntarie for our instruction submitting thy selfe to so great and miserable Pouertie Happie are wee if wee be distressed and patiently suffer it happie if wee be contemned and neglected for thy sake Teach me O Lord the way to despise all worldly preferment and promotions that hauing my thoughts only fixed vpon thee I may passe forth these transitorie short miseries to dwell in eternall rest and felicitie in thy Kingdome which is promised to all those which serue thee to whom be ascribed all honor power and glorie world without end Amen 23. Another Prayer for assistance in dangers and troubles COmplaynest thou discontented and vngratefull Creature that thy enemies lye in wait to take thy life from thee and thinkest thy selfe not well dealt with to be so persecuted and afflicted when thou mayest behold the Creator of Heauen and Earth
my daily and haynous offences breed in mee a loathing and horrid detestation of all my sinnes that I may flye from them and shun the wayes and occasions which leade vnto them being stricken with an extraordinary sorrow and compunction for hauing dared to offend a Lord of such height and glory and ouercome with shame and ingratitude repent the iniuries offered to so louing and carefull a Master who hath shed his Bloud to saue so vnprofitable a seruant that being by feruent charity reconciled vnto him I may in the day of terrour lawfully claime part of him and being shrowded vnder his wings escape the malice and fury of my accusers euen for thy blessed names sake which shall in that time of trouble bee a sure defence to all thy Chosen 31. A Prayer for Chastity O Almightie and blessed Lord and Sauiour the glorie of thy Father the brightnesse and spotlesse sinceritie of Men who delightest and visitest thy cleane and vnpolluted members sanctifie O Lord and purifie mee that I may not bee a shame and reproach to so immaculary and chaste a Head that I may appeare a sonne some way worthy so holy and heauenly a Father Mortifie and kill in me the loose and powerfull desires of the flesh which borne in me are kindled and inflamed by the diuell and my owne frailtie Fixe my eyes O Lord vpon thy immortall glorious and neuer-fading beautie that I may contemne and despise all earthly and transitorie paintings Strike me in loue wlth the excellencie of vertue that my heart strongly and wholly taken with so faire and worthily beloued a perfection there may be no roome left for Folly and Idlenesse the wel-springs of wanton affection Busie mee O Lord about the day of Iudgement and my Account the torments of hell and their euerlastingnesse that all my study and labour may bee how to auoide them and blesse thee that hast not left me to the world and corrupted tyrannie of man but mercifully laid thy hand vpon me and conducted me to the meanes of my saluation 32. A Prayer in Iournying O Mercifully louing Lord which gouernedst and defendedst thy people Israel from all the vniust oppression and mercilesse fury of their enemies guiding them in all their wayes and trauailes and graciously visitedst thy seruant Iacob in his way and powredst thy blessing on him bee neere at this time to thy vnworthy and sinfull seruant and blesse mee I beseech thee in this my trauell and iourney from any violence of sinne or outward Spoylers and Robbers Prosper O Lord and bring to good end as it shall please thee the businesse I trauell and wander about and vouchsafe to direct mee in it that I do that which shall bee to thy glory and my owne behoofe and profite euen for Iesus Christ his sake Amen 33. A Prayer to bee vsed in any storme of Lightning and Thunder O Holy Holy Holy Lord God of Sabbath Heauen and earth are full of the Maiestie of thy glorie the flouds lift vp their voyce and speake thy wonders the Heauens flie before thy Anger and the vnnaturally mouing Earth trembleth at thy Voyce All which ordained for the vse of Man vpon thy word prooue their scourge and punishment The fire from aboue at the cry of the Prophet eateth vp his Scorners the Sea rageth and deuoureth the people and Chariots of the Egyptians yea the earth gapeth and buryeth men aliue at thy command Preserue vs gentle and infinitely louing Father from this violent and dreadfull storme which raised for our sins threatneth our destruction Put out the lightning O Lord and dissolue the horrid and fearefull stone lest it pash thy people to ashes and we be seene no more Cast thine eye vpon the Merites and Passion of our Sauiour and let his Bloud come betweene thy Iustice and our guilt that we may reioyce and lift vp our voyces with the holy Prophet Dauid I will not feare though the earth bee mooued and throwne into the heart of the Sea for the Almightie is our refuge and strength and helpeth vs in all our trouble Praised be the name of the Lord. 34. A Prayer or Meditation concerning the benefits after Creation COnsider O my soule with reuerence and thanksgiuing how Almightie God placed thee heere of his owne bountie and noblenesse not for any need hee had of thy helpe or seruice but to bestow vpon thee his grace and therefore hath hee enriched thee with vnderstanding to know him remembrance to be mindefull of him will to loue him imagination to represent his benefits vnto thy thoughts eyes to behold the wonders of his workes and a tongue to praise him Wherefore being created and set in the world for this intention reiect and cast away all actions which prooue contrary to this end For alas what did I busie my thoughts vpon O my God when I placed them not vpon thee What was I mindefull of when I forgot thee What did I loue when I did not loue thee Aye me I should haue fed my soule with the veritie and I haue fil'd it with vanitie and haue serued the world which was not made but to serue mee I defie you vtterly O vaine cogitations and vnprofitable fancies I abhorre and abiure you O detestable and friuolous Imaginations I renounce you vnfaithfull and disloyall loues miserable and lost seruices vngratefull gratifications cumbersome and vnpleasing pleasures And thou O my God and my Lord thou shalt bee for the time to come the onely obiect of my thoughts and I will neuer more apply my spirit to any cogitations which may be offensiue or disliking to thee My memorie all the dayes of my life shall be filled with consideration of thy excessiue goodnesse so louingly declared in my behalfe thou shalt be the deliciousnesse of my heart the sweetnesse of my affections Hence therefore from my sight for euer all vaine and idle pastimes whereunto I haue vainely applyed my mind all gamesome and toying exercises in which I fondly spent my dayes and all loose and idle affections which entangled my heart shall henceforth bee a horrour vnto my thoughts because thou hast made me O Lord for thy selfe to enioy euerlastingly the immensitie of thy glorie O when shall it bee that I shall bee worthie and when shall I praise thee according to thy desert and my dutie I offer vnto thee O my deare Creatour all these good affections and holy resolutions with all my heart and all my soule and beseech thee O God to accept these my desires and vowes and to giue my soule thy holy blessing that shee may faithfully accomplish them through the merites of the Bloud of thy blessed Sonne our Sauiour shed for me vpon the Crosse 35. A Prayer against vaine Attire DOth it beseeme mee most mercifull and blessed Redeemer to bee decked and attired in rich and sumptuous Garments when the scornefull and disdainefull Iewes apparell thee in a coate of folly to bee laught at and contemned of the people Doe Iewels and
seruant who remembring thy promise humbly prostrates himselfe before thy diuine Maiestie confessing all his sinnes and acknowledging all his iniquities Remember not O Lord our offences nor the offences of our fore-fathers neither take thou vengeance of our sinnes for who dare abide thy Iudgements Cast me not away from thy face but say vnto my soule I am thy saluation Haue mercie vpon me O Lord haue mercie vpon me and let my crie come vnto thee for my sinnes are heauie vpon me and threaten to ouerthrow me yea they say vnto my soule Where is now thy God Turne vnto me O Lord and they shall be turned speake vnto me and they shall be scattered Be vnto me a sure Rocke in the time of my trouble that I fall not vnder it for I have hoped in thee Oh forsake not thy seruant Forgiue O Lord all the passed errors of this day pardon my irreuerence in thy companie my negligence at prayers my faintnesse in good purposes and what euill I haue committed or what good through frailetie and my owne heedlesnesse I haue omitted be pleased not to remember euen for thy owne Names sake who art God most mightie one and the same world without end Amen FRIDAY 13. Morning Prayer O Most mercifully louing Lord and Sauiour the glorie and brightnesse of thy Father who descendedst from all thy Ioyes taking on thee humane frailetie to recall and recouer the sinner and those which were diseased with the vncurable plagues of sinne and wickednesse vouchsafe of thy infinite goodnesse and vnspeakable loue to be aiding and assisting to me this day and by thy might and power defend me from all temptations which may ouerthrow my vnsettled though well-directed resolutions Preserue me O Lord from all bodily dangers which without thee continually hang ouer me threatening my ruine and destruction Make good O Lord to me my determinations and purposes which may be answerable to thy holy and blessed inspirations and graunt me patience O Lord meekely and contentedly to suffer whatsoeuer I shall faile or be hindered in referring my selfe with all humilitie and ardencie of desires to thy diuine will and pleasure which be done O Lord in Earth as it is in Heauen Take away all rancour and malicious imaginations that I may neither by reuiling defame my brother or swell and torment my selfe with any disgracings he shall lay vpon me but acknowledging my basenesse and wickednesse as worthie of all reproches and dishonours calling to mind the Seruant is not aboue his Master in the comfort of thy example who aboue the meekenesse of a Lambe vnderwentest all kind of paines and reuilings I may behold a timely Euening reioycing my anger hath not awaited the Sunnes setting euer endeuouring and labouring against my fraile concupiscences and desires euen for thy holy Names sake Which whosoeuer ardently and continually calleth on shall not faile to obtaine vnspeakable happinesse and felicitie world without end Amen AT NOONE. 14. A Prayer to our blessed Sauiour asking him forgiuenesse for our sinnes which crucified him O Bountifull Iesu O sweet Iesu O Iesu the Sonne of the liuing God how dare I wretched and detestable sinner approch before thy diuine Maiestie How can I ouercome with sinne and shame stay any longer in thy presence Did euer the murtherer and slaughterer of his Lord and Master presume to offend him with his sight whilest yet the wounds were fresh and bleeding whilest his bodie was cruelly mangled and torne and his head with an vn-vsed crueltie pained and tormented lest the smart and rage of his wounds the shame and dishonour of his vsage should take away all hope and pitie of pardon deliuering him in his furie to the Iudge and he to the Executioner to carrie him where is continuall weeping and gnashing of teeth But consider O my Soule how this mercifull and meeke Sauiour behaueth himselfe towards his bloudie and tyrannous persecutors behold him dropping with bloud buffetted by the wicked ministers scorned of the people forsaken of his Disciples hoysted into the ayre cruelly nayled on the Crosse not cursing not reuiling but praying not for himselfe but those that persecuted him Amongst whom running with the formost mayest thou in thy eternall Prouidence O glorious Patterne of all Sufferings behold me with more crueltie laying on thee with my sinnes then the stonie-hearted Iewes vvith their weapons tearing thee if it were possible peece-meale with my horrible and blaspheming Oathes my loose and lasciuious thoughts wounding thy faire Head with more spight and rigour then the sharpe-pointed Thornes my Malice Enuie Pride Drunkennesse Concupiscence with innumerable other sinnes and transgressions flaying thy reuerend Bodie All this O Lord haue I done all this committed knowing thee and confessing thee to be Iesus the eternall Sonne of God and only Redeemer of the World Pray for me most gentle and mild Lord speake for me to thy eternall Father without which most abominable and wretched sinner I shall for euer be condemned Forsake me not now O Lord goe not away from me but renew in me a cleane heart and create a right spirit within me that I may plainely see the deformitie of sinne and the ouglinesse of my misdeedes Giue me grace earnestly to seeke thee and hauing found thee ardently to loue thee ouercome with which I may imploy all my actions endeuours and labours wholly to serue thee which if I faithfully and truly doe I shall at the end of my yeeres hauing so indulgent and louing a Master be made a Free-man of Heauen and those vnconceiuable Ioyes which no eye hath seene eare hath heard or tongue can tell they onely know them that enioy them Which O benigne and mercifull Lord graunt all thy seruants to inherite for thy holy Names sake which shall be honoured and praysed world without end 15. Euening Prayer GRaunt me O Lord after the many and wild distractions of this day a holy and inward recollection that I may returne into my selfe with due care and examination how I haue spent and imployed my faculties of soule and functions of bodie which thou hast lent me for thy vse and seruice and giue vnto me a true compunction and sorrowfull feeling for all the passed errors and transgressions of this day that I may heartily lament and bewayle my sinnes and wickednesses with a full resolution and constant determination of my amendment And graunt me O Lord this Night I beseech thee by thine incomprehensible Diuinitie and Maiestie chastitie of mind cleanenesse of heart simplicitie of spirit and most sincere puritie of soule and bodie that I may earnestly seeke after thee and in thee alone take my rest since whatsoeuer is without thee is onely vexation and trouble of mind that hauing enioyed a comfortable and peaceable Repose both of soule and bodie I may awake with much alacritie and cheerefulnesse of spirit to prayse and honour thee in all my workes and labours which the following day shall call me to for his onely sake in whom wee are
him back lest I fall and be confounded Suffer him not to draw me to the incounter for how can mortality hold out all the glories of the earth are armed on his part to bewitch ambitious spirits all the vanities in the world serue vnder his colours to allure the lighter phantasies Am I a match for so infinite and puissant an Army Leade me not into temptation O Lord but deliuer me from all euill I humbly confesse and heartily beleeue one word of thine is able to discomfort all his Hoast scatter them and make them in their hastie flight ruin one another he flyeth from thy presence and trembleth amazedly asking What haue we to doe with thee thou euer-liuing Son of God com'st thou before thy time to torment vs But O Father of all mercies how can I deserue thy aide or ouertaken with shame request thy gracious assistance hauing from my cradle beene a follower of his if not contemning yet neglecting thy often and lowde Callings Can I hope that haue refused to walke with Almightie God in securitie and safety that hee will daigne to find out me in danger and ieopardy and reskue me from the common enemie Thy mercie O Lord is infinite and hath beene infinitely exprest to ingratefull humanitie thy louing kindnesses innumerable vnable to be deliuered or set down There is no end I well know of thy euerlasting goodnesse bee pleased therefore O mercifull Father if so great a sinner may hope for fauour by the depth of all these either to take from me the violence and rage of all forcible temptation or else to giue me grace and strength to resist and withstand them lest I be taken prisoner by them and cast to the bottomelesse dungeon whence nothing resoundeth but the continuall acclamations and curses of damned and desperate persons euen for that holy and vertuous name of Iesus knowne mighty in the saluation of thy people Amen 85. A Prayer for preparation against the day of Iudgement IF the righteous O eternall and iust Iudge shall scarse be saued what shall become of sinners And if the iust shall tremble to behold the dreadfull signes which shall fore-run the day of Iudgement in what terrour and amazement shall the wicked be How earnestly shall they cry out for the Hils to couer them or to be hidden in the bottome of the Sea that they may not see the angry countenance of the wrathfull Iudge But alas the Sea shall yeeld vp all her inhabitants the graues their Tenants and the Hils be laid plaine and consumed to nothing all shall be laid open and euerie secret reuealed the closest crannie of the heart shall be searcht into and the priuatst deed be proclaimed the intent of the best actions examined and the foulest and most mischieuous in the hearing of all that haue beene borne since the beginning of the world knowne and brought to tryall What a terrour what a horrour what a confusion shall the Murtherer Blasphemer and lasciuious person be in at that day All this we haue heard nay and beleeue and yet the most cunning and subtill Serpent hauing nothing to say against the truth of thy Word with his perswasions induceth vs to flatter our selues that there is more eternitie in three-score yeeres the longest span of our short life then in that Eternity of eternities which shall follow it But thou O mercifull and gracious Lord which camest into the world to saue sinners from the vengeance prepared at this day desiring that wee may repent and be accepted Giue vnto vs a liuely feeling of the danger of it call it I beseech thee to our consideration as a thing certaine so present no soule being assured of her abode one minute Giue vs grace so to prouide our selues that wee may make our account here since after death no man returneth to recall or alter whatsoeuer is left amisse Let vs enter into iudgement of our selues that we be not iudged and carefully weigh euery word that wee be not found to haue respected none Giue vs grace to begin heere while there is helpe lest we would helpe our selues when there is no beginning for from hell there is no returning and after death no repenting repinings are there the fruits of an ill-led life and curses of our follies all the consolations of our punishment from which let thy mightie and all-redeeming Passion defend vs which whosoeuer faithfully layeth hold on shall at that Day with great ioy and alacrity behold thee shewing thy selfe a seuere Iudge against those who would not beleeue nor entertaine that Peace-offering Certaine Eiaculations of the Spirit O My most gentle and sweet Sauiour grant me I beseech thee pure thoughts vndefiled actions and a respect to thy glory in all my proceedings Let me alwaies O blessed Iesu remember that thou art in presence that I may with feare and reuerence take account of my speeches settle my behauiour and all my actions as it beseemeth a Lord of such height and Maiestie Bee thou O eternall and most meeke Lambe the obiect of mine eyes the Musicke of mine eares the food of my vnderstanding and the content and solace of all my senses that putting wholly on my Sauiour Iesus I may bee armed against all temptations and assaults of the deuill Iesu Lord of my life Patron of my substance Reconciler of my friends Inspirer of my soule Preseruer of my renowne and Master of my liberty I commend them all to thy holy protection dispose of them to thy honour and glory What part of me O Lord can challenge or shew euidence for mine My Soule is Heauens my Body Earths both thy blessing Take me O Lord as thy due nourish me as thy charge and loue me as thy childe O God the giuer of all victorie stand on my side in all temptations powre of thine owne Bloud into my emptied veines raise me as thou didst thy seruant Lazarus to a new and better life when I am dead to righteousnesse turne not away from me if I flye and let me not bee confounded for euer whose trust hath beene alwaies in thee Giue me O Lord a noble sufferance in afflictions lowlinesse of Spirit in the height of honours an vnmoued resolution in all conflicts and conquest ouer all my spirituall aduersaries Giue mee mercifull Father a vertuous shamefastnesse that I may blush and shunne the companie of wickednesse an vnaffected carriage slow and deliberate speeches vncorrupted thoughts and holy endeuours Let thy Word O Lord be the light of mine eyes the repast of my soule the repose of my senses the apparell of my body and my defence in all extremities Lay thy holy hands O Lord ouer mine eyes that I behold not vanity stand at the gates of my eares and turne aside all euill and vncleane speeches Set a watch before my lips lest I wander in vnlawfull discourses touch with thy holy hand all my senses to stay them from ryot and intemperance Let my will O Lord resigne it selfe to thy pleasure
one another the obedience to thee teach vs obedience in our selues that wholly submitting our selues to thy will we may labour together in this transitorie life to come to thee the life euerlasting with whom dwelleth vnspeakable loue and neuer-ending charitie world without end Amen 40. A Prayer for a Maid to be obedient to her Parents O My most mercifull Lord and Redeemer subdue and bridle my head-strong and vntamed affections who delighting in their owne wayes repine at the direction of my Superiours Let mee euer remember thy holy commandement Honour thy Father and Mother that thy dayes may be long in the land of the liuing Giue me grace to vnderstand it truely lest forgetting thy precept I be banished into that wilde and barbarous Country where to liue is terribler then death and dying the onely comfort of the liuing Let their reprehensions bee the cause of my amendment not repining their iust and lawfull precepts an vndeniable practice of all my actions Let me reuerence their age lending them my youth to help them pray for their imperfections and in them remember humane weaknesse that in my obedience I may receiue the vertue of their blessing which thou alwayes grantest to them that endeuour to fulfill the least of thy commandements 41. A Prayer before a Iourney O Almightie and euerliuing God which by the hand of thy seruāt Moses broughtst the people of Israel out of Egypt and the crueltie of Pharaoh and madest them walke ouer the Red-Sea keeping back with a mighty winde the raging waters who returning in their Furie ouer-whelmed all that great Host and after went'st before them and conducted them thorow the vast and wilde Desert feeding them in their extreme Famine with Manna showred from Heauen Be pleased O mercifull Father at this instant to accompany mee in all my iourneyes and trauailes and with thy louing and mightie protection defend me from all dangers of those that lye in awaite to murther and spoile thy Liege people Bee vnto mee O Lord a guide in my going out a safeguard and defence vpon the way a shaddow in heat a shelter in raine cold a waggon in wearinesse an helper in time of extremitie a stay in slipperie passages a Hauen in shipwracke that vnder thy safe and sure conduct we may march quietly and peaceably to our iourneyes end and vnder the couer of thy wings ioyfully and prosperously returne to our homes againe for his onely sake who was a continuall Pilgrime heere vpon earth to make all our prayers acceptable vnto thee Amen 42. Another short Prayer for the same O Almighty God which hast made this our life as it were a short Pilgrimage to visit holy places and doe penance by thee appointed for mans first transgression giuing vs as in an Inne a space to refresh our wearied bodies not to dwell and settle our selues Grant mercifully thy assistance in these my iourneys and remouings and with thy holy Spirit blesse and comfort me on the way that I be not left alone to the crueltie of those that would assaile mee but hauing thy Angell for my guide and defender I may not feare the oppression of the Wicked but happily arriue at the desired Hauen where I vvill magnifie and praise thy holy name for thy mightie ayde and protection 43. A Prayer in Afflictious WHy art thou sorrowfull my soule and why doest thou trouble mee Why doest thou hang sleepe vpon mine eye-lids and fasten heauinesse on my foot-steps Doth not God regard the prayers of the afflicted or doth he not from his high holy place looke downe to the earth that he might heare the gronings of the fettered and those that are persecuted and afflicted Can thy eye see into heauen or is thy vnderstanding of counsell with God to perceiue how neere his holy hand is to deliuer thee Euery instant is time enough for his Omnipotency and impossible occasions easie to the infinitenes of his Deitie Put thy trust in him my soule and thou shalt not be confounded Say with the Prophet Dauid Though a thousand fall on my right hand and ten thousand on my left yet I will not bee afraid because God hath beene my helper Bee comforted by the mercifull examples which he hath shewed to his people Did not Almighty God with a strong hand punishments enforce the Prophet Ionas to preach destruction to the Niniuites limiting them a short time that within three dayes their Citie should bee destroyed and yet vpon their submission humbling themselues before him with prayers fasting did he not most mercifully remit their punishment and take them into his grace and fauour Fall therefore prostrate before him and with perfect resignation of thy owne will yeeld thy selfe into his hands to do what it please him with thee entreate him of his loue and fauour who neuer absenteth himselfe to those that seeke him relye vpon his mercy who so much loued his people that he sent his onely begotten Sonne to dye for the Redemption of mankinde Aske him forgiuenesse of thy sinnes and offences by reason of whose guilt thou sufferest these light and temporary punishments which haue in iustice deserued euerlasting damnation and disburdened of which the yoke will be easie and the waight light yea thy miseries wil be pleasing like wounds honourably gotten in a glorious conquest and then maist thou ioyfully sing vnto the Lord Mine enemies that troubled me themselues are weakened and falne One thing yet I haue asked of our Lord this will I seeke for that I may dwell in the house of our Lord al the daies of my life 44. A Prayer to be said by a Merchant for the safe returne of his goods IN the time of my trouble who shall I flye vnto what power can fetch me from the bottome of the Sea or whose arme reacheth to the end of the world O most merciful and gracious Lord the Sea is thine and thou madest it and thy hands prepared the dry land with thy Word thou calmest the raging waters and with a beck layest the furie of the winde Grant of thy accustomed clemencie and goodnes such seasonable and temperate weather that they may safely arriue at the appointed Port. Bee vnto them O Lord their Pylote lest the hidden Rocks or vnknowne Sands deuoure them Be their defence and safegard lest their enemies make prey on them that relying on thy fauour aboue the vertue of their Load-stone they may ioyfully and merrily touch the desired Land acknowledging thy goodnesse and might to whom alone that mercilesse element obeyeth at thy command yeelding vp all her treasure Grant this O my sweet Lord and Sauiour euen for thy tender mercy which refuseth no Petitions that are offered with a pure and vnfained zeale Amen 45. A Prayer before Study O Vnspeakable Creatour which in the Treasure of thy Wisedome hast ordained learning as a secondary meanes to raise our declined soules wrapt by the fall of Adam in sinne and ignorance to a perfected and surer
desperate and death-like estate descended from heauen to cure vs and whereas hee might if it had pleased him haue come in all pompe and glory making himselfe King of the earth and finished our Redemption with the word of his mouth yet he to make it more auaileable to vs and tye vs with a greater obligation to lay hold of that which onely for our good was intended submitted himselfe to all kinde of torments shames and disgraces in the purchasing of our Pardon that wee might then willinglier and heartilier taken with the vnbounded loue of so excellent a Lord in our humble obedience make our selues partakers of it Behold this Man O my Soule his whole life beeing a continuall Passion the stubbornnesse and rebellion of the stiffe-necked People more wounding his noble heart then the thought of his succeeding torments which hee passionately expresses in his complaint ouer Ierusalem Oh Ierusalem Ierusalem how often would I haue gathered you vnder my wings as the Hen doth her Chickens and ye would not mildly admonishing the soft-hearted women who in the way towards his death with teares lamented the ignobly barbarous vsage the regardlesse and cruell Iewes put vpon him wishing them to weepe for themselues not for him still testifying his sorrow for them aboue his owne suffering Let this O my soule be thy continuall meditation this the obiect of thy thoughts this the subiect of thy tongue Let all thy ayme and ambition be to purchase a little holy plot neere to this blessed place which thou maist sow with penitent and heart-sorrowing thoughts watering them aboundantly with vnfained and dayly teares in considering duly how the Lord of all Maiestie and glory was here mangled and torne for the sinnes and transgression of them some of whom shall at the last day be found feasting and making merry hauing no thought of that precious and vnvaluable Bloud was here mercifully shed for them A Meditation vpon the Resurrection IF the Angels reioyce more at the Conuersion of one sinner then in the holy conuersation of all the righteous and the carefull Shepheard hauing charge of many a flocke leaueth them all and with great diligence searcheth after one that is strayed returning home if he finde him bearing him on his back accounting himselfe lesse burdened through the lightnesse of his heart then when hee went empty forth What an vniuersall ioy what a height and fulnesse of comfort and consolation replenished Heauen and Earth and all the Powers of both to behold their Lord and Creator lately so mangled and cruelly torne he scarce retained the shape of Man this day rising in all brightnesse and glory from the Graue shining aboue Angels bearing the Saluation of all the world on his Immortall shoulders If the Sunne before withdrew himselfe as ashamed to be a beholder when hee could not bee a remedier of so horrible a cruelty with a mourning vaile muffling his moueable beauty is it not to bee beleeued that hee riseth early this day fresh as a Bride-groome putting on all his light and glory to meete and reioyce with his Creator and Maker from whom he borroweth his splendour and brightnesse The day of his Passion the Graues sent forth their bodies who met and frighted many in the holy Citie The day of his Resurrection the heauens sent forth their Angels who with tunes of ioy and holy acclamations gladded the hearts of all the earths Inhabitants The time of his Passion Saint Peter for feare denyed him to bee his Lord. The time of his Resurrection his guard for feare confessed him to be their Lord Insensible things at his Passion witnessed against the hardnesse of the Iewes in expressing their owne sorrow and at the time of his Resurrection the same things witnessed against the misbeliefe of the Iewes in confessing his omnipotencie This day was God glorified the Angels highly pleased and Man infinitely exalted At thy Birth the earth enioyed a secure peace in it selfe But at thy Resurrection the earth enioyed peace from Heauen not man with man but God with man not for a momentarie safety but eternall happinesse not onely for sauing vs from hostilitie but for infinite and innumerable benefites certaine and lasting on his behalfe neuer to bee broken without our faithlesnesse and treason In thy life time thou vndertookest for God with men ratifying it vnder thine owne hand confirming it with many miracles and sealing it with thy bloud At thy death thou vndertookest for man with God and at thy Resurrection gauest thy selfe a Pledge for performance what liuing soule hath so past the bounds of all modestie not to bee all ouer-fired with blushes in a thought of violating this holy league what sad issue of Cain so stony and barbarously minded hath the Diuel laid vp for mischiefe to be the Actor of so horrid a Tragedy The Serpentine and Crocodile-like act of Iudas in betraying his Masters life is not so high in wickednes as their back-sliding which breake his eternall word to be Master of which hee freely laid downe his life yet Iudas despaired brought backe the pieces and hanged himselfe What calme and deathfull securitie the fore-runner of imminent ruine as Numnesse before a dying Palsey hath so possessed the bewitched sonnes of Adam not to thinke of their desperate estate What inchanting Syren hath with her cunning diuision set an euerlasting discord in our vncertaine resolutions What voluptuous Circe hath transformed our hearts in the shapes of men making vs carry the mindes of Beasts sensible of nothing but what pleaseth the sence following onely Nature yet most vnnaturall for in her lusts we bury all our disposition to goodnesse Wherein doe we employ that admirable and excelling ornament of seeing but in searching after vanities and idle pleasures returning it home loaden with voluptuousnes and sin wherin our eares but in listning after nouelties leasings stuffing them with wandring stories and lasciuious merriments Wherein our taste but in palliating gluttony and drunkennes surfeiting it with mis-called wines and meates which ryot hastning the intentiō hath yet vnnamed Wherin our feeling but in those enormities and wickednesses which take away all feeling of God and goodnes leauing no touch of a Christian hardly of a Man When do we stay our selues vnlesse gorged and then imploy all our study and care to set a quicke edge on our dulled appetites and procure fresh and new desires In this circle we wander and weary out our daies In this Labyrinth we intangle our selues carelesse of thy grace which onely can returne vs. This is our life these our actions Thus wee runne contrarie to the end of our Creation Thus we lose the inestimable benefit of our Redemption Thus are Christs torments become our tormentors and his Passion our persecution whilest wee not looking on it die for euer For as hee hath mercifully proclaimed his Pardon and sacrificed himselfe for all those rebellious subiects that will come in and take the benefit of it yeelding homage and obedience to his heauenly Father so those obstinate and runnagate traitors who cōfident in their strength confirmed by their multitude or seduced by example stand out in that wilful refusall of offred grace shall in the Day of Tryal receiue their iustly deserued Condemnation Retire therefore into thy selfe foolish mortalitie and with great and serious aduice take a suruay of thy owne estate Let neither selfe loue flatter thee that things are not so bad as they appeare or childish feare in trēbling at thy cure make thee slight thy Disease euer remembring the sore must needs be mortall wherein the remedy is so dangerous in which a little delay is eternall death Search therefore sodainely and throughly lest onely pampering vp proud flesh thy malady fester and growe incurable when euery dressing rebounds woe vpon thy heart that thou feelest an inward compunction and pricking it is an infallible Symptome of a likely amendment thou must forbeare all inflaming drinke and high foode vnquiet and distempered thoughts idle much talke vsing spare and thrifty dyet inward and continuall meditation so to abate the strengthener and feeder of thy sicknes that hauing by good and holy meanes made a perfect and lasting cure thou mayst reioyce in Spirit FINIS