remembrance our manifold sinnes and wickednesse He. 9.10 whereby we continually prouoke thy wrath and indignation against vs neither our negligeÌ„ee nor our vnkindnes which haue neither worthily esteemed nor in our liues sufficiently expressed the sweet comfort of thy holy Gospel reuealed vnto vs but rather to accept the obedience and death of thy Son Iesus Christ our Lord who by offering vp his body in sacrifice once for all Psa 107 hath made a sufficient recompence for all our sinnes Haue mercy therefore vpon vs O Lord and forgiue vs our offnces Psa 9.10 Teach vs by thy holy spirit that we may rightly weigh them and earnestly repent vs for the same and so much the rather O Lord our God because that the reprobate and such as thou hast forsaken Psal 8. Pâ—al 5. cannot praise thee nor call vpon thy name but the repenting hart the sorrowful mind the conscience oppressed hungring thirsting for thy grace shal euermore set forth thy praise and glory And albeit we be but worms and dust yet thou art our Creator we be the worke of thy hands yea thou art our father we thy childreÌ„ thou art our shepheard Psal 22. 1. Cot. 6. and we thy flocke thou art our redeemer and wee thy people whom thou hast dearely bought thou art our God and wee are thine inheritance Jer. 10. Psal 6. Correct vs not therefore in thine anger O Lord our God neither according to our deserts doe thou punish vs but mercifully chastice vs with a fatherly affection that al the world may know that at what time soeuer a sinner doth repent him of his sinne from the bottome of his heart thou wilt put away all his wickednesse out of thy remembrance as thou hast promised by thy holy Prophet Finally forasmuch as it hath pleased thee to make the night for man to rest in as thou hast ordained him the day to trauaile grant O dear father that we may so take our bodily rest that our soules may continually watch for the time that our Lord Iesus Christ shall appeare for our full deliuerance out of this mortall life and in the mean season that we be not ouercome by any fantasies dreames or other temptations but may fully set our minds vpon thee loue thee feare thee and rest in thee in such sort that our very steep also may be to the glory of thy holy name Furthermore that our sleepe bee not excessiue or ouermuch after the insaciable desire of the flesh but only sufficient to content our weake nature that we may the better be disposed to liue in all godly conuersation to the glory of thy holy name and profit of our brethren through Iesus Christ our Lord in whose name we make our humble petitioÌ„s vnto thee as he hath taught vs. Our father which art c. Almighty and euerlasting God vouchsafe we beseech thee to grant vs perfect continuance in thy liuely faith augmenting increasing the same in vs daily vntill we grow to the full measure of our perfection in Christ whereof we make our confession saying I beleeue in God the father c. The Lord blesse vs and saue vs the Lord make his face to shine vpon vs. Lord be mercifull vnto vs the Lord turne his fauourable countenance towards vs and grant vs this peace The grace of the Lord Iesus Christ the loue of God and the communion of the holy Ghost be with vs and remaine with vs for euer So be it 2. Cor. 9.13 Another Euening praier MOst mercifull God and tender Father which besides thine inestimable mercies declared giuen vnto vs in the making of the world for our sakes in the redeeming of vs by the death of thy dear Son Iesus Christ in the calling of vs to the knowledge of thy blessed word in keeping of vs hitherto in thy holy Church and in thy most gracious gouerning of vs and all things hitherto for our singular wealth and commodity hast also most fatherly cared for vs and kept vs this day from all dangers both of soule and body giuing vs health food apparell all other things necessary for the comfort and succour of this poore miserable life which many other do want for these and all other thy good gifts and gracious benefits which thou of thine owne goodnes onely and fatherly prouidence hast hitherto powred vpon vs and doest presently powre vpon vs and many other we most humbly thanke thee and praise thy holy name beseeching thee that as al things are now hidden by meanes of the darkenesse which thou hast sent ouer the earth so thou wouldest vouchsafe to hide and bury all our sinnes which this day or at any time heretofore wee haue committed against thy holy commandements and as now wee purpose to lay our bodies to rest so grant the guard of thy good Angels to keepe the same this night and for euermore and whensoeuer our last sleepe of death shal come grant that it may be in thy good fauour so that our bodies may rest both temporally and eternally to thy glory and our ioy through Iesus Christ our Lord. So be it Another Euening Praier O Eternall God and most mercifull father who this day and all the time of our life hast graciously defended nourished preserued our soules and bodies made such fatherly prouision for vs poore sinners that of thy louing kindnesse wee haue rich portions not only in the creatures of heauen and earth but also in that plentifull redemption which thy most deare Sonne Iesus Christ hath purchased for vs grant vnto vs O mercifull father the assistance of thy grace and holy spirit that as our bodies shall now take their naturall rest euen so our soules and minds at the beholding of thy goodnesse towards vs may quiet themselues in thee conceiue such inward pleasure heauenly sweetnes in thy loue that whatsoeuer we shall from henceforth either thinke speake or do it may be all to the honor of thy holy name through Iesus Christ thy deare sonne our Lord and onely Sauiour Amen Thy mighty hand and our streched arme O Lord be still our defence thy mercy and louing kindnesse in Iesus Christ thy deare sonne be our saluation thy truth and holy word our instruction thy grace and holy spirit our comfort and consolation vnto the end and in the end A praier for the remission of sinnes O Almighty and euerlasting Lord God the deare Father of our Sauiour Iesus Christ which hast made heauen and earth the sea and all that therein is which art the only ruler and gouernor conseruer and keeper of all things together with thy dearely beloued Sonne Christ Iesus our Lord and with the holy Ghost our comforter O holy righteous wise O strong terrible mighty and fearefull Lord God gouernor of the whole world Iudge of al meÌ„ O exorable patient and most gratious Father whose eies are vpon the waies of all men and are so cleane that they
pride and ambition busie amongst them notwithstanding thy diligence in reprouing and teaching them After thy admonition to them of the crosse that should come thereby to make them more vigilant so grosse were they that they thought they could with their two swordes put away all perils which was no little griefe vnto thee After thy comming to Bethlehem heauines pressed thee and therefore thou willedst thy disciples to pray thou diddest tell to Peter and his fellows that thy heart was heauy to death Thou diddest will them to pray being carefull for them also least they should fall into temptation After this thou wentest a stones cast from them didst pray thy selfe falling flat groueling vpon the earth but alasse thou feltest no comfort and therfore thou camest to thy disciples which of all others were most sweet deare vnto thee but loe thy further discomfort they passe neither of thy perills nor of their owne and therefore sleepe apace After thou hadst awaked them thou goest againe to pray but thou foundest no comfort at all and therfore diddest returne againe for some comfort at thy detest friends hands But yet againe alas they are fast asleep Wherupon thou art enforced to goe again to thy heauenly father for some sparke of comfort in these thy wonderfull crosses and agonies Now here thou wast so discouraged and so comfortles that euen streams of bloud came running from thine eies and eares and other parts of thy body But who is able to expresse the infinitnesse of thy Crosse euen at thy being in the garden All which thou sufferedst for my sake as well to satisfie thy Fathers wrath for my sinnes as also to sanctifie all my sufferings the more gladly to be sustained for euer After thy bloudy praier thou camst and yet againe foundest thy disciples a sleepe and before thou canst well awake them loe Iudas commeth with a great band of men to apprehend thee as a theefe and so doth leading thee away bound to the high Bishops house Annas and so from him to Caiphas Here now to augment this thy misery behold thy disciples flie from thee false witnesses be brought against thee thou art accused and condemned of blasphemie Peter euen in thy sight forsweareth thee thou art vniustly stricken for answering lawfully thou art blindfolded stricken buffered al the whole night in the Bishop Caiphas house of their seruants In the morning betimes thou art condemned againe of the Priests of blasphemy and therfore they bring thee before the secular power to Pilate by whom thou art openly arraigned as other theeues and malefactors were and when he saw that thou wast accused of malice yet hee did not dismisse thee but send thee to Herod where thou wast shamfully derided in comming and going to him and from him al the way especially after Herod had apparelled thee as a foole Afore Pilate againe therefore thou wast brought and accused falsly no man did take thy part or speake a good word for thee Pilate caused thee to be whipped and scourged to be handled most pittifully to see if any pitty might appeare with the Prelates but no man at all pittied thee Barrabas was preferred before thee al the people head and taile was against thee and cried Hang him vp vniustly to death wast thou iudged thou wast crowned with thorns they pearced thy brains thou wast made a mocking stocke thou wast reuiled beaten and most miserably handled Thou wentest through Ierusalem to the place of execution euen to the Mount of Caluarie a great Crosse to hang thee on was laid vpon thy backe to beare and draw as long as thou was able Thy body was racked to be nailed to the tree thy hands were boared through and thy feet also nailes were put through them to fasteÌ„ thee thereon thou wast hanged between heauen and earth as one spued out of heauen and vomited out of the earth vnworthy of any place the hie Priest laughed thee to sâ—orne the Elders blasphemed thee and said God hath noe care of thee the common people laughed and cried out vpon thee thirst oppressed thee but Vinegar only and gall was giuen thee to drinke heauen shined not vpon thee the sun gaue thee no light the earth was afraid to beare thee satan tempted thee and thine owne senses caused thee to cry out My God my God why hast thou forsaken me O wonderfull passions which thou sufferedst In theÌ„ thou teachest me in them thou comfortest mee for by them God is my father my sins are forgiuen By theÌ„ I should learne to feare God to loue God and neuer to leaue him for any teÌ„ptations but with thee to crie Father into thy hands I commend my spirit A praier to Christ crucified AS thou O Lord wast crucified for me so I beseech thee crucifie me with thee that I may rise againe with thee to euerlasting life Thy flesh was crucified for me crucifie with thee O Christ the kingdome of the flesh which hath dominion in me that I may put off the old Adam and by newnesse of life may be transformed into thee the second Adam sin infidelity and the whole tyranny of Satan being vanquished and ouercome Bring to passe O Lord that by thy crosse and painfull suffering thy yoke may be to me made light thy burden easie that willingly gladly following thee I may come whither thou art gone that is to thy Father most blessed and immortall from whom nothing shall afterward be able to separate vs. God forbid that I should reioyce in any thing but in the crosse of our Lord Iesus Christ whereby the world is crucified vnto me and I vnto the world Gal 6. A praier to Christ ascended and raigning in glory O Good Christ our first begotten brother and tender hearted Ioseph O naturall Sonne of that Father to whom we are made Children by adoption through thee Oh our head raigning on high in glory forget vs not thy poore members here on earth whereunto abasing thy selfe thou camest downe sufferedst for vs most cruell death Out of this thy throne of maiesty and glory thou puttest vs in assured hope and confidence that we also shall attaine to that blessed place whither thou art gone before to take possession for vs. Oh our strong tower of defence and succour what can hurt vs now trusting in thee Most vnhappy are they which are ignorant of thee most happy are they which alwaies behold thee Blessed are they which haue known thee here in the daies of their mortality but more blessed are they which see thee in the heauens and shall see thee raigning with thy father in ioyes incomparable O Lord the onely ioy and comfort of our soules shew vs thy louing countenance embrace vs with the armes of thy mercy receiue vs O good Ioseph thy yonger brethren with the kisse of comfort powre into our hearts thy holy spirit plucke vs vp from the earth earthly things open our eyes and lift them vp vnto thee open thy
thou wilt haue mercy vpon vs. For none that trust in thee shal be confounded Tobit 8. Job 32. neither any that cal vpon thee shall be despised For thou art the onely Lord who woundest and dost heale again Oseas 6. who killest and reuinest bringest euen to hell and bringest backe againe Our Fathers hoped in thee and trusted in thee Sap. 22. and thou diddest deliuer them They called vpon thee and were helped they put their trust in thee were not confounded Psalâ— 6. O Lord rebuke vs not in thine indignation neither chasten vs in thy heauy displeasure O remember not the sinnes and offences of my youth but according to thy mercy thinke thou vpon me Psa 25. O Lord for thy goodnesse Haue mercy vpon vs O Lord for we are weake O Lord heale vs for our bones are vexed And now in the vexation of our spirits and the anguish of our soules wee remember thee and we cry vnto thee heare Lord and haue mercy â—arue Jonas â— For thine owne sake and for thy holy names sake incline thine eare and heare O mercifull Lord. For we do not powre out our praiers before thee â—â—aâ— 6. trusting in our owne righteousnes but in thy great and manifold mercies Wash vs throughly from our wickednes and clense vs from our sins Turne thy face from our sins and put out all our misdeeds Make vs cleane hearts O God and renue a right spirit within vs. Helpe vs O God of our saluation for the glory of thy name O deliuer vs and be merciful to our sinnes for thy names sake So we that be thy people sheepe of thy pasture shal giue thee thanks for euer and will alwaies be shewing forth thy praise from generation to generation Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the begâ—nning c. A Psalme of thanksgiuing for deliuerance from the plague or any other kind of sicknes trouble or affliction LOrd thou art become gracious to thy land thou hast turned away the afflictions of thy sâ—ruants Thou hast taken away al thy displeasure and turned thy selfe from thy wrathfâ—l indignation For if thou Lord hadst not helped vs it had not failed but our soules had beene put to silence But when we said our feet haue slipped thy mercy O Lord helpes vs vp In the multitude of the sorrowes that we had in our hearts thy comforts haue refreshed our soules Our soules waited still vpon the Lord our soules hanged vpon his helpe our hope was alwaâ—es in him In the Lords word wil we reioyce in Gods word did wee comfort our selues For the Lord said Call vpon mee in the time of trouble I wil heare thee and thou shalt praise me So when wee were poore needy sickly and in heauines the Lord cared for vs he was our helper our deliuer according to his word Psâ— 27. In our aduersiâ—y and distresse hee hath lifted vp our head and saued vs from vtâ—er destruction Psa 33. He hath deliuered our soules from death he hath fed vs in the time of dearth hee hath saued vs from the noisome pestilence Therefore will we offer in his holy temple the oblation of thanksgigiuing Psa 37. with great gladnesse we wil sing speake praises vnto the Lord our Sauiour Psa 106. Psa 86. Wee will giue thankes vnto the Lord for he is gracious his mercy endureth for euer Psa 103. The Lord is full of compassion mercy long suffering plenteous in goodnesse and pitty John 5.7 Psa 108. His mercy is greater then the heauens and his gracious goodnes reacheth vnto the clâ—â—ds Psa 103. Like as a father pittieth his own children euen so is the Lord merciful vnto them that feare him Psal 72. Therefore will we praise thee thy mercies O God vnto thee will we sing O thou holy one of Israell Pâ—al 98. We will sing a new song vnto thee O God we will praise the Lord with Psalmes and thanksgiuing Psal 47. O sing praises sing praises vnto our God O sing praises sing praises vnto our king For God is the king of the earth sing praises with vnderstanding We will magnifie thee O God our King Psal 145. we will praise thy name for euer and euer Euery day will we giue thankes vnto thee and praise thy name for euer and euer Our mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord let all flesh giue thanks to his holy name for euer and euer Psal 72. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for euer and blessed be the name of his maiesty world without end Amen Glory be to the father c. As it was in the beginning c. Praiers to be said before and after meales AL things depend vpon thy prouidence O Lord to receiue at thy hands due sustenance in time conuenient Thou giuest to them and they gather it thou openest thy hand and they are satisfied with all good things O heauenly father which art the fountaine full treasure of all goodnesse We beseech thee to shew thy mercy vpon vs thy children and sanctifie these thy gifts which we receiue of the mercifull liberality granting vs grace to vse them soberly purely according to thy blessed will so that thereby we may acknowledge thee to be the author and giuer of all good things and aboue all that we may remember continually to seeke the spiritual food of thy word â— Tim. 2. wherwith our soules may be nourished euerlastingly through our Sauiour Christ who is the true bread of life which came down from heauen of whom whosoeuer eateth shall liue for euer Joh â— and raigne with him in glory world without end So be it Another praier before meales WHether ye eat or drinke faith S. Paul or whatsouer ye do else let all be done to the praise and glory of God Eternal and euerlasting God father â—f our Lord Iesus Christ 1. Cor. 10 who of thy most singular loue which thou barest to mankind hast appointed to his sustenance not only the fruits of the earth but also the foâ—â—ls of the aire the beasts of the field and fishes of the sea and hast commanâ—ed thy benefits to be receiued as from thy hands with thanksgiuing assuring thy children by the mouth of thine apostle that to the cleane all things are cleane as the creatures which be sanctified by thy word and praier grant vnto vs so moderatly to vse these thy gifts present that our bodies being refreshed our soules may be more able to proceed in all good works to the praise of thy holy name through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Our father which art in heauen c Another O Eternall God the very God of peace and al consolation which broughtest againe from death our Lord Iesus the gâ—eat shepheard of the sheepâ— through the bloud of â—he euerlasting couenant make vs fruitfull in all good works to d◠〈◊〉 will and worke
in my flesh there dwelles no good thing For the good which I should doe I doe not Rom. 7. but the euill which I would not doe that I doe Psal 51. Wash me therefore O Lord from mine iniquities and clense me from my sinne Psal 1. Purifie my heart by the sanctifying of thy holy spirit and by the sprinckling of the bloud of thy deare son from the filth of sin and an euill conscience Make me to heare ioy gladnesse that the bones which thou hast broken may reioice Create in me a new hart O God and renew a right spirit in me Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thy holy spirit froÌ„ me Psal 8 Restore to me the ioy of thy saluation and stablish me with thy free spirit For thou art good to them that trust in thee and to the soule that seeketh thee All thy waies are mercy and truth to them that seek out thy couenant and testimonies The fountaine of thy goodnes is euer full and ouerflowing thy mercy neuer decaieth Thou woundest and healest again thou killest and reuiâ—est bringest euen down to hell and bringest backe againe Thou raiseth vp those that are fallen thou coÌ„fortest the broken harted Thou strengthnest the weary standers crooked knees and out of the gulf of hell thou deliuerest the afflicted Out of darknes thou bringest light out of death life and out of damnation thou bringest saluation Heare me therefore O Lord according to thy louing kindnes turne vnto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies Look vpon mine affliction and my trauell and forgiue me my sinnes Psal 63. Remember not the offences of my youth nor my rebellions against thee Psal 130. For if thou Lord shouldest marke our iniquities Lord who should bee able to stand in thy sight Job 15. Seeing thou hast found iniquitie euen in thine Angels the heauens are not clean in thy sight much more is man abhominable filthy which drinketh iniquity like water Notwithstanding thou hast saide O Lord that as the righteousnes of the righteous man shal not saue him whensoeuer he offendeth so shall not the wickednesse of the wicked man hurt him whensoeuer hee forsaketh his wickednes and turneth to thee Psal 83. For thou knowest thine owne handy worke thou remembrest what we are thou seest that we are but weak and feeble flesh Looke not therefore vpon my sinnes O Lord but looke vpon the face of thine anointed For he hath borne our iniquities Isay â— he hath carried our sorrowes Hee was wounded for our transgressions he was broken for our iniquities the chastisment of our peace is laid vpon him He gaue his body to be beaten and his cheekes to bee stricken hee bare the sinnes of many and praied for the offenders He came to bring glad tidings to the poore to bind vp the broken harted Isay 6 to preach liberty to the captiues to comfort them that mourne in Sion and to giue vnto them beauty for ashes the oile of ioy for mourning the garment of gladnesse for the spirit of heauines that they might bee called trees of righteousnes and the planting of the Lord. For his sake therefore O Lord be mercifull vnto me and say vnto my soule behold I come to thee thy health and thy saluation A praier for the true knowledge and vnderstanding of the word of God LEt my praier come before thee O Lord and giue me vnderstanding according to thy word Psal 119. Blessed art thou O Lord teach me thy statutes That with my lips I may declare all the iudgements of thy mouth That I may delight in the way of thy testimonies aboue all riches That I may meditate in thy precepts and consider thy waies That I may take pleasure in thy statutes and not forget thy word Be good vnto me thy seruant O Lord the I may liue keep thy word Open mine eies that I may see the wonders which are in thy law I am a stranger vpon earth notwithstanding hide not from me thy commandements For my hart languisheth with the desire that it hath to thy iudgments Thy testimonies are my delight and my counsellâ—rs I will praise thee with an vpright heart when thou hast taught me the iudgements of thy righteousnes Shew me thy waies O Lord teach me thy paths Lead me forth in thâ— truth and teach me for thou art my God and my saluation in thee doe I trust all the day long Make me vnderstand the way of thy preceâ—â—s and I wiâ—l consider thy wondroâ—s works Thâ— hands haue made me and fashioned me giue me vnderstanding that I may scarâ—e thy commandements That they which feare thee seeing me may reioyce because I haue trusted in thy word Shew the light of thy countenance vpon thy seruant and teach me thy ordinances Thou art good gracious therefore according to thy goodnes teach me thy statutes O Lord of whose goodnesse the earth is ful teach me thy ordinances O Lord I beseech thee accept the sacrifice of my lips and teach me thy iudgements The righteousnes of thy testimonies is euerlasting grant me vnderstanding and I shall liue Deale with thy seruant according to thy mercies and teach mee thy statutes I am thy seruant grant mee vnderstanding that I may know thy testimonies My lippes shall shew foorth thy praise when thou hast taught mee thy statutes My tongue shal talke of thy word Psal 36. for al thy commandements are righteous For in thee is a wel of liuing waters and euer flowing and in thy light shall we see light A praier for the leading of a godly life I Crie vnto thee with my whole hart heare me O Lord Psal 119. and guide me that I may keepe thy statutes I call vpon thee saue me Psal 141. that I may keepe thy testimonies Let my prayer bee directed in thy sight as incense and the lifting vp of my hands as an euening sacrifice I haue gone astray like a lost sheepe seeke thy seruant Psali 11â— for I doe not forget thy commandements Psal 86. Teach me thy way O Lord that I may walke in thy truth knit my hart vnto thee that I may feare thy name Let thy louing kindnes come vnto me O Lord and thy saluation according to thy promise 9 Let my heart be vpright in thy statutes that I be not confounded O that my waies were so directed thaâ— I might keep thy statutes Then shall I not be confounded whâ—n I haue regard vnto all thy commandements I make my supplication in thy presence with my whole heart bee mercifull vnto me according to thy promise Guide me O Lord that I may consider my wares and turn my feet into thy testimonies Wherwith shal a man redresse his waies In taking heed thereto according to thy word Teach me O Lord the way of thy statutes that I may keep them to the end Giue me vnderstanding that I may keep thy
Bishops and Ministers of the Church ALmighty and euerliuing God which onely workest great maruels send downe vpon our Bishops and Pastors and all congregations coÌ„mitted to their charge the healthfull spirit of thy grace and that they may truely please thee powre vpon them the continuall dew of thy blessing Grant this O Lord for the honour of our aduocate and mediator Iesus Christ For raine O GOD heauenly father which by thy sonne Iesus Christ hast promised to all them that seeke thy kingdome and the righteousnesse thereof all things necessary to their bodily sustenance send vs we beseech thee in this our necessity such moderate raine showres that we may receiue the fruits of the earth to our comfort and to thine honour through Iesus Christ our Lord. For faire weather O Lord God which for the sin of man diddest once drowne all the world except eight persons and afterward of thy great mercy diddest promise neuer to destroy it so againe wee humbly beseech thee that although wee for our iniquities haue worthily deserued this plague of rain and waters yet thou wilt send vs such weather whereby wee may receiue the fruits of the earth in due season and learne both by thy punishment to amend our liues and for thy clemency to giue thee praise and glory through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen In the time of dearth and famine O Mercifull God and heauenly father whose gift it is that the raine doth fall the earth is fruitful men and beasts increase and fishes do multiply behold we beseech thee the afflictions of thy people grant that the scarsity and dearth which we doe now most iustly suffer for our iniquities may through thy goodnes be mercifully turned into cheapnes and plenty for the loue of Iesus Christ our Lord to whom with thee and the holy Ghost be praise for euer Amen In the time of warre ALmighty God King of all kâ—ngs and gouernour of all things whose power no creature is able to resist to whom it belongeth iustly to punish sinners and to be mercifull to them that truly repent saue and deliuer vs wee humbly beseech thee from the haÌ„ds of our enemies abate their pride asswage their malice confound their deuices that we being armed with thy defence may bee preserued from all perils to glorifie thee which arte the onely giuer of all victory through the merites of thy onely Son Iesus Christ our Lord So be it In the time of any common plague or sickenesse O Almighty God which in thy wrath in the time of King Dauid didst slay with the plague of pestilence threescore and ten thousand and yet remembring thy mercy didst saue the rest haue pitty vpon vs miserable sinners that now are visited with great sickenesse and mortality that like as thou didst then commaÌ„d thine Angel to cease from punishing so it may now please thee to withdraw from vs this plague and grieuous sickenesse through Iesus Christ our Lord. A praier for the strength and comfort of the holy Ghost ALmighty most mercifull God which giuest to thy elect people thine holy spirit as a sure pledge of thy heauenly kingdome wee most humbly beseech thee so to replenish our harts with the grace of thy holy spirit that he may bear witnes to our spirits that we be thy childreÌ„ heirs of thy kingdome that by thy gracious working of this thy good spirit we may kil al carnal lusts vnlawful pleasures concupiscences euil affections contrary to thy most blessed wil through our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ So be it For sure hope and sure tast of euerlasting life O Almighty God which hast prepard euerlasting life for al those that be thy faithfull seruants grant vnto vs sure hope of this life euerlasting that whiles we be here in this miserable world wee my haue some taste and feeling of it in our hearts through the merits of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ So be it For true knowledge of God and his word and a life agreeable to the same GRant vnto vs O mercifull God wee most heartily beseech thee knowledge and true vnderstanding of thy most blessed will and word that all ignorance being expelled we may know what thy will pleasure is in all things and how to do our duety and truly to walk in our vocation and that also we may expresse in our liuing those things that we doe know that wee bee not only knowers of thy will and word good Lord but also may be hearty faithful workers of the same throgh our Lord and Sauior Iesus Christ So be it A praier for the strength and increase of faith O Almighty and euerliuing God which not onely giuest euery good and perfect gift but also increasest those gifts that thou hast giuen we most humbly beseech thee to increase in vs the gift of faith that we may truly beleeue in thee and in thy promises made vnto vs in Christ Iesu our Lord that neither by our negligence nor infirmity of the flesh nor by grieuousnes of temptations neither by the subtle crafts and assaults of the diuell wee be driuen from this faith in the bloud of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ So be it For a godly life ALmighty God giue vs grace that we may cast away the workes of darknes and put on vs the armor of light now in the time of this mortall life in which thy Son Iesus Christ came to visite vs in great humilitie that in the last day when hee shall come againe in his glorious maiesty to iudge the quicke and the dead we may rise to the life immortall throgh him who liueth and raigneth with thee and the holy Ghost now and for euer So be it A praier for true perseuerance and the assured hope of eternal life BLessed God which hast caused al holy Scriptures to be written for our learning grant that we may in such wise heare theÌ„ reade them marke them inwardly print them in our hearts that by patience and coÌ„fort of thy holy word we may imbrace and euer holde fast the blessed hope of euerlasting life which thou hast giuen vs in our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ So be it A praier for the obtaining of our petitions ALmighty God which hast giuen vs grace at this time with one accord to make our coÌ„mon supplications vnto thee and doest promise that when two or three be gathered together in thy name thou wilt grant their requests fulfil now O Lord the desires and petitions of thy seruants as may be must expedient for them granting vs in this world knowledge of thy truth and in the world to come life euerlasting Amen The end of the Lateny A GODLY INSTRVCTIon containing the summe of all the Diuinity necessary for a Christian conscience Made by M. Iohn Bradford A Man that is regenerate born of God the which thing that euery one of vs bee our Baptisme the Sacrament of regeneration doth require vnder paine of damnation
not be compared to the reward of faith that glorious sight which we shall see in the life to come when faith and hope shall cease Now thy children know that they be thy sons though they yet appeare not what they shall bee Wee know say they that when our Christ God and man shal appear then shal we be like vnto him for we shall see him euen as he is O great prerogatiue to see Christ as he is which is not to be considered so much for the manhood as for the godhead it selfe as Paul doth also write that when all things are subiect vnto the Sonne theÌ„ shal he be subiect vnto thee deare Father also that God may be al in al. And therfore Christ our sauior praied for vs that we might know thee the onely true God Not that our Christ the sonne is not with thee the true coequall and substantiall God but that we might know how that after the iudgement such a mystery of his mediatorshippe shall not be in heauen as is now in earth Then thou blessed Trinity God the Father God the Sonne and God the holy ghost shal be all in al thou shalt be the end of our desires thou shalt be looked vpon without end thou shalt be loued without lothing thou shalt be praised without wearinesse although loathsomnesse be wont to follow fulnes yet our fulnes in the contemplation of thy pleasures shal bring with it no kind at all of loathsomnesse Society of ioyes shal be in the beholding of thee Pleasures are on thy right hand for euer We shal be satisfied when we arise after thine image I meane in the resurrection O deare Father shew thy selfe vnto vs and we aske no more Oh grant vs with thy Saints in euerlasting life to praise with perpetuall praises thy holy name Happy then and happy againe were we if that day were come that we might sing with the Angels Elders and innumerable thousands a new song and say Thou Christ Iesu which was slain art worthy to receiue power and riches and wisedome and strength honour and glory and blessing In this blessed life al kind of maladies griefs sorrowes and euils be farre away and all full of all kind of mirth ioy and pleasure Oh that we might see now a little with S. Iohn that holy City new Ierusalem descending from heauen prepared of God as a bride trimmed for her husband O that we might now something hear the great voice speaking out of the throne Behold the tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people and hee shall bee vnto them their God hee will wipe away all teares from their eies and death shall be no more nor weeping nor crying nor sorrow for the former things are gone I.B. Another meditation of the blessed state and felicity of this life to come THis body is but a prison where in the soule is kept and that verily not beautifull nor bright but most foule and dark disquiet fraile and filled vp with much vermin and venimous vipers I mean it concerning our affections standing in an aire most vnholesom and prospect most lothsome if a man consider the extremities of it by the eies nose mouth eares hands feet and all the other parts So that no Bocardo no Litleease no Dungeon no Bishops prison no Gatehouse no sinke no pit may be compared in any point to be so euill a prison for the soule as the body is for and of the soule wherethrough the children of God haue been occasioned to cry and lament their long being in it Oh saith Dauid How long shall I lie in this prison Oh wretch that I am saith Paul who shall deliuer me out of this body of sinne Rom. 7. which is an heauy burden to the soul as the wise man saith And the godly cry Luke 2â— Now let thy seruant depart in peace O that I were dissolued and had put off this earthly fraile tabernacle Psal 143. Take me vnto thee and bring my soule out of this prison that it may giue thanks vnto thee O Lord. For so long as wee bee in this body we cannot see the Lord yea it is an heauy habitation depresseth down sore the spirit from the familiarity which it selfe should haue with God This world and life is an exile a vale of misery a wildernes of it selfe being void of all vertues necessary for eternall life full of enemies sorrowes sighings sobbings gronings miseries c. In danger to hunger cold heat thirst sores sicknesse tentations trouble death and innumerable calamities being momentany short vnstable and nothing but vain and therfore is compared to a warfare a womans trauaile a shadow a smoke a vapor a word a storme a tempest in the which Gods people feele great molestations griefs and troubles now of satan himselfe now of the world now of their own flesh and that so wonderfully diuersly dangerously and contrarily that they are enforced to cry O Lord when shall we come appear before thee when shall this misery end when shall we be deliuered out of this vale of misery out of this wildernes out of these continuall afflictions and most perilous seas But where thou art Lord and deare father of mercy there is not onely no prison no dolours nor sorrow no sighings no tears no sicknesse no hunger no heat no colde no paine no tentations no displeasure no malice no pride no vncleannesse no contention no torments no horror no sinne no filth no stinch no bearth no death no weeping no teares no misery no mischiefe there is I say not only no such thing or any euill not some or displeasant thing but all liberty all light all pleasâ—ntnesse all ioy reioycing mirth pleasure health welth riches glory power treasure honour triumph comfort solace loue vnitie peace concord wisedome vertue melody meeknesse felicitie beatitude and all that euer can be wished or desired in most securitie eternity and perpetuity that may be thought not onely of man but of Angels and Archangels yea aboue all thoughts The eie hath not seene the like the eare hath not heard 1. Coâ— 2. nor no heart is able to conceiue in any point any part of the blissefull beatitude which is with thee most deare Lord and Sauior most gracious God and comforter Where thou art O blessed God the Archangels Angels Thrones Powers Dominions Cherubins Seraphins Patriarchs Prophets Apostles Martyrs Virgins Confessors and righteous spirits cease not to sing night and day Holy Apoc. 4. holy holy Lord God of hosts honour maiesty glory power empire and dominion be vnto thee O God the creator O Lord Iesus the redeemer O holy spirit the comforter Apoc. 5. In recordation of this O how thy children reioice How contemne they the pleasures of this world How little esteeme they any corporall griefe or shame How desire they to be with thee How amiable are thy Tabernacles O Lord God of hostes say they My soule