A pensiue mans practise Very profitable for all personnes wherein are conteyned very deuout and necessary prayers for sundry godlie purposes VVith requisite perswasions before euery prayer VVritten by Iohn Norden Psalm 55. In the euening and morning and at noone day I will call vpon the name of the Lorde and that instantly and he will heare mee Iames. 5. 13. If any be afflicted let him pray AT LONDON Printed by Hugh Singleton 1584. To the Reader GEntle Reader for asmuch as I know the Callender to be a thing for diuers respects purposes very necessary and in nothing hurtfull to be anâ—exed vnto this Booke I haue requested the Printer to extende so much the more his paines for thy profit to collect some principall Rules and most necessary for thy vse to be therevnto added as heereafter may appeare A necessary Almanacke for 16. yeeres The yeere of our Lord. Dominicall Letter Leape yeere GoldeÌ„ number Easter day The first day of Lent Whit sunday 1584 D E 8 19. Aprill 3. March 7. Iune 1585 C  9 11. Aprill 24. February 30. Ma. 1586 B  10 3. Aprill 26. February 22. May. 1587 A  11 16. Aprill 1. Mar. 4. Iune 1588 F G 12 7. Aprill 21. Feb. 26. Ma. 1589 E  13 30. Mar. 12. Feb. 18 May. 1590 D  14 19. Aprill 4. March 7. Iune 1591 C  15 4. Aprill 17. February 23. May. 1592 A B 16 26. March 9. February 14 May. 1593 G  17 15. Aprill 28. February 3. Iune 1594 F  18 31. March 13. February 19. May. 1595 E  19 20. Aprill 5. March 8. Iune 1596 C D 1 11. Aprill 25. February 30. May. 1597 B  2 27. Ma. 9. February 15. May. 1598 A  3 16. Aprill 1. March 4. Iune 1599 G  4 8. Aprill 21. February 27. May. Note that the Golden number and Dominicall letter doo chaunge the first of Ianuary Note also that the yeere of our Lord beginneth the 25. day of March which day is thought to be the day vpon which the world was created and the day wherein Christ was conceiued in the wombe of the Virgin Mary A Rule to know howe many dayes be conteyned in euery moneth in the yeere Thirty dayes hath Nouember Aprill Iune and September The rest haue thyrty and one Except it be February alone Which alwaies hath 28. meere VVhen it is no Bissextile or leape yeere A note of the Moneths weekes dayes and houres throughout the whole yeere The yeere conteineth Monethes 12. Weekes 52. Dayes 365. Houres 8766. Daie Naturall hath 24. houres Daie Artificiall hath 12. houres Ianuary hath xxxj dayes Sunne riseth at vii xlviii minutes Setteth at iiii and ii minutes 1 A Circum The first day of this Moneth Christe was circumcised Luk. 2 21. The tops of the mountaines appeared vnto Noah Gen. 8. 5. The Jsraelites put away their wiues Ezra 10. 16. 2 b   3 c   4 d   5 e   6 f Epipha  7 g  The 5. of this Moneth worde was brought vnto Ezechiel y e Prophet that the Cittie Jerusalem was sinitten Eze 33. 21. 8 A   9 b   10 c   11 d   12 e  The sixt of this Moneth Christ was worshipped of y e wise men Mat. 2. 1 c. baptised Mat. 3. 15. turned water into Wine Ioh. 2. 1. c. as testifieth Epiphanius 13 f   14 g   15 A   16 b   17 c   18 d  The 10. of this Moneth Nebuccadnezzar King of Babel mooued thervnto by the rebellion of Zedechiah besieged Ierusalem most fiercely as may appears 2. King 25. c. Ierem. 52. 4. Also Ezechiel was willed to vtter his parable Eze. 24. 1. c. 19 e   20 f   21 g   22 A   23 b   24 c   25 d   26 e  Paule called and conuerted the 25 of this Moneth Act. 9. 3. 27 f   28 g   29 A   30 b   31 c   Februarie hath xxviii dayes Sunne riseth at vii and xi munites Setteth at iiii and xlix minutes 1 d  The first of this Moneth Moses repeated the Law vnto the children of Israell Deut. 1. 3 2 e Purification of Mary  3 f   4 g   5 A  The 2. of this Moneth our Sauiour was presented to the Lorde and Marie purified Luk. 2 22 6 b   7 c   8 d   9 e  The ninth of this Moneth Noah 40 dayes after he had seene the tops of the Mountaines sent out of the Arke a Rauen and afterwarde a Doue which returned Gen. 8 6 c. 10 f   11 g   12 A   13 b   14 c   15 d  The 15 of this moneth the Jewes spend merilie together for that y e spring of the yéere dooth enter then as they thinke 16 e   17 f   18 g   19 A   20 b  The 16 of this moneth Noah the second time sent out a Doue which returned with an Oliue braunch in her bill Gen 8 10. 21 c   22 d   23 e   24 f Mathias  25 g apo The 24. of this moneth Zachariah was commaunded to Prophesie Zach. 1 7 Mathias was elected into the number of the Apostles Act 1 26 26 A   27 b   28 c   29 d   March hath xxxi dayes Sunne riseth at vi and xix minutes Setteth at v. and xli munutes 1 e  The temple of Jerusalem was finished the third day of this moneth Ezra 6 15 in the 1 of Esdr. 7 5 it is said to be the 23 of this moneth 2 f   3 g   4 A   5 b  The tenth of this Moneth Christe was aduertised that Lazarus was sicke Ioh. 11. 3 6 c   7 d   8 e  A feast was celebrated among the Jewes for the ouerthrowe of Nicanor the 13. of this moneth 2 Mac 15. 37. also vpon the same day all the Jewes vnder Ashuerosh were commaunded to be put to death Esther 3. 13 vppon the same day the Jewes had a priuiledge giuen them to stay all their enemies Esther 8. 12 this day the Jewes also solemnized for theyr ioyfull deliuerance Esther 8. 17 9 f   10 g   11 A   12 b   13 c   14 d   15 e   16 f   17 g   18 A   19 b  The 14. day of this moneth was called of the Jewes Mardocheus day 2 Mac 15 37. also Purim as may appeare Esther 9 21. 26. 20 c   21 d   22 e   23 f  The 15.
also is another day of Purim Esther 9 21. 24 g   25 A The anuÌ„ciation of Mary The 16. of this moneth Lazarus was raysed from the dead Ioh. 11. 43. 26 b   27 c   28 d   29 e   30 f   31 g   Aprill hath xxx dayes Sunne riseth at v. and xvii minuts Setteth at vi and xliii minutes 1 A  The first of this moneth Noah vncouered the Arke and sawe earth Gen. 8. 13. Moses reared the tabernacle Exo. 40. 2. 17. the Temple began to be sanctified 2. Chro. 29 17. 2 b   3 c   4 d   5 e   6 f  The 10. of this moneth the children of Israell passed through the Ryuer Iorden on drye foote Ioshua 4. 19. the Paschal Lambe was chosen Exo. 12 3. 7 g   8 A   9 b   10 c  The 13. of this moneth the edicte of King Ahashuerosh came out for the murthering of the Iewes Esther â— 12. 11 d   12 e   13 f  The 14. of this moneth the Passouer was kept Exo. 12. 6. Leuit. 23. 5. Ioshua 5. 10. 14 g   15 A   16 b  The 15. of this Moneth the Israelits departed out of Egipt Num. 33. 5 17 c   18 d  The 16. of this Moneth Hezekiah made an ende of sanctifieng purging the Temple 2. Chro. â—9 17. 19 e   20 f   21 g  The 18. of this moneth the Children of Israell walked on drye land through the midst of the Red sea Exo. 14. 19. 22 A   23 b   24 c  The 24. Daniel saw his vision Dan 10. 14. 25 d S. Marke  26 e   27 f   28 g   29 A   30 b   May hath xxxj dayes Sunne riseth at iiii and xxiii minutes Setteth at vii and xxxviii minutes 1 c Phillip Iacob The first of this moneth Moses was commannded to number the children of Israell Num. 1. 1. c. 2 d   3 e   4 f  The fift of this Moneth Christe is thought to haue ascended vpp into heauen Mar. 16. 19. Luk. 24. 51. 5 g   6 A   7 b  They which could not keepe the passouer at the day appointed by y e Lorde were willed to celebrate the same the 14. of this moneth Num. 19. 10. 11. so did the Israelites at the commaundement of King Hezechiah 2. Chron. 30. 15. 8 c   9 d   10 e   11 f   12 g   13 A   14 b  The 16. day Manna rayned from heauen Exo. 16. 14. 15 c   16 d  The 17. day Noah entred the Arke and the flud began Gen. 7. 11. 13. 17 e   18 f  The 22. fire from heauen consumed such as murmured against the Lorde Num. 11. 1. 19 g   20 A   21 b  The 23. the Israelites with great ioy triumphingly entred into the Castel of Ierusalem 1. Mac. 13. 51. Noah the 27. the waters beeing dryed vp came foorth of the Arke Gen. 8. 14. 22 c   23 d   24 e   25 f   26 g   27 A   28 b   29 c   30 d   31 e   Iune hath xxx dayes Sunne riseth at iii. and xliiii minutes Setteth at viii and xvi minutes 1 f  The first comming of the children of Israell vnto Mount Sinai was the first of this moneth where they abode eleueÌ„ monethes and 20 dayes in which time all those thinges were donne recorded in Exo. 19 1 c 2 g   3 A   4 b   5 c   6 d   7 e   8 f  The firt of this moneth Alexander that mightye Monarch of the worlde was borne of whom Dan. 11. 3. doth pro phesie Also on this day the famous tem ple of Diana in Ephesus numbred among the seuen wonders of the world was sette on fire by Herostratus The Iewes likewise kept their feaste of Penticoste on this day 9 g   10 A   11 b   12 c   13 d   14 e   15 f   16 g   17 A   18 b   19 c  The 23 of this moneth the first edict came out for the safetye of Gods people the Iewes against Haman and the rest of theyr enemies Esther 8. 9 20 d   21 e   22 f   23 g   24 A S. Iohn Baptist. The 29 of this moneth the Arke of Noah through the increase of waters was lifted vppe from the earth Gen. 7 17 25 b   26 c   27 d   28 e   29 f S. Peter  30 g   Iuly hath xxxi dayes Sunne riseth at iiii and lii minutes Setteth at viii and viii minutes 1 A   2 b  The 5 of this moneth Ezekiel sawe his vision Eze 1 1 3 c   4 d   5 e  The 6 of this moneth the Capitoll of Roome counted one of the 7 wonders of the world was burned and the mirror of Christian Princes King Edward the 6. dyed the sixt of this moneth Anno. 1553 6 f   7 g   8 A   9 b   10 c   11 d   12 e  The 9 of this moneth Ierusalem after it had a long while bin besteged by Nebuccadnezzer was taken Ierem 39 2 13 f   14 g   15 A   16 b   17 c  The 12 of this moneth Iulius Caesar the first Romaine Emperor was born Of him is this moneth called Iulie 18 d   19 e   20 f   21 g  The 18 of this moneth the Egiptians begin theyr yéere Plin. li. 8 cap. 47 22 A   23 b   24 c   25 d Iames. ap   26 e   27 f   28 g   29 A   30 b   31 c   August hath xxxj dayes Sunne riseth at iiii and xliiii minutes Setteth at vii and xvii minutes 1 d  The first of this moneth Aron 40. yeeres after the children of Israel were come out of Egypt dyed on Mount Hor Num. 33. 38. Also on this day Ezra with his company came out of Babel vnto Jerusalem Ezra 7. 9. 2 e   3 f   4 g   5 A   6 b   7 c   8 d  The 7. of thys Moneth Nebuccadnezzer burnt the house of the Lorde and all Jerusalem 2. Kin. 25. 8. 9. 9 e
bloode and purge me with thy grace that I may nowe beginne and for euer continue in liuing according to thine holy and heauenly commaundement to the prayse of thy name and mine eternall saluation sweete Sauiour Amen Oh Lord increase my fayth A short prayer to the like purpose OH Father of mercie and God of all goodnes I confesse vnto thee the corruption which from Adam to vs remaineth in our flesh whereby wee daily rebell against thy diuine Maiestie vouchsafe Oh Lorde I humbly beseeche thee for Jesus Christes sake to forgiue my sinnes and to pardon mine iniquities And instill into my heart vnfeyned repentaunce that the death of him thy Sonne may take away the heaâ—e burden which the fall of our first Parents layde vpon vs Amen Oh Lorde increase my fayth A praier for the euening When thou betakst thee to thy rest Commit thee to tha'lmighties hest For when thou lyest downe at night Thou art not sure to see day light ALthough that wee can not at all times duely examine our selues as concerning our life past yet once in the day it is most requisite to consider howe we haue spent the time past namely at night to weigh what we haue doon the day before and in the morning to consider howe we haue past the night For although the night was ordeyned for rest yet as sayth Paule 1. Thes 5. we should then watch and bee sober singing prayses vnto the Lord as Dauid did Ps. 42 giuing him thankes for the helpe of his presence that is to say for his protection the day past praying the same in the darke night when all thâ—â—â—es by reason of the darknes are hidden and when the wicked god about theyr euill pretended purposes to the disturbance of the godlye Therefore whatsoeuer thou doo Dan. II whether thou lie downe or 〈…〉 be meditaâ—â—ng the law of the Lorde OH heauenlie God and eternall Father giuer of all good thinges and protectour of all that loue thee I yeelde thee moste humble and harty thankes for thine inestimable benefites not onely for keeping and preseruing me this day but all my life that neither mine enemies haue preuailed against me as they sought and desired nor anie other misfortune which within this world is incident vnto mankinde hath ouercome me but hast like a moste louing father and carefull Puruey or giuen and prouided for me all thinges necessary In somuch as I haue beene well refreshed and replenished with thy great benefit of feeding me and with thy gracious benefite of clothing me so that I haue not saynâ—ed throughe want of soâ—de â—â—t beene â—â—â—resieâ— with ouermuch colde for lacke of ravment as with mine eyes to my great greefe I may and doo beholde a number daâ—â—e in diuers corners of the streetes and wayes as I passe who are most greeuously tormented with hunger colde sores and sicknes lamentable to see whom also thou hast bought mâ—st deerelie and yet sâ—sterest them to be oppreiled and I who haue deserued no lesse nay rather good Lord a great deale more then some of them haue by thy fatherly goodnes not onely escaped those afflictions but receiued at thy mercifall handes infinite good gifts and vnspeakable benefites for which thine inestimable loue I cannot sufficientlie prayse thee Oh Lorde forgiue mine offences which this day I haue committed doone against thine almightie maiestie whether they be secrete and vnknowne or open whether they were doone in my youth or at any time since pardon them Oh GOD for Iesus Christes sake and vouchsafe me thy grace to amende my life and to returne vnfeynedly to the seruice of thee And for asmuch as I can not continue without thy continuall protection vouchsafe to extende the same vnto me thy wretched creature this night that I may quietly take my rest which thou haste appointed for a refreshment of our wearyed members and hast ordeined the night and darknesse as a time most conuenient to take the same in beeing a time wherein we shoulde to that ende cease from our labours and daylie affayres And vouchsafe vnto me thy poore creature who am of my selfe neyther of power to lye downe nor beeing layde able to rise vppe thine especiall assistaunce and helpe that in thy name I may lie downe and receyue at thy mercifull handes sweete and comfortable reste not according to the greedines of my corrupt nature but as shall be onely expedient for the refreshment of my weake body And for as much good Lorde as thou knowest with what mortall foes wee are continuallye assaulted both sleeping and waking who endeuor by all meanes to entrappe vs by some euill or other which wee heare or see in thys vale of vanitie to our delighte though contrarye to thy will wherevnto we often yeelde and that in the day time much more in the darke and lothsome night wherin all thinges are couered and hidden and when the heauines of drowsie sleepe keepeth downe our vnderstanding in which time of darknes such as intende to worke wickednes are most ready with dilligence abhorring the light to put in practise theyr mischeuous deuises Therfore I most humbly beseeche thee Oh God almightie to preuent theÌ„ in their euill imaginations that in no wise they hurt me And to graunt though sleepe to my bodie sufficient and not ouermuch yet to my poore soule watchfull and dilligent waking that I fall into no daunger by yeelding to any euill in the sleepe of my bodie vouchsafe also to garde and defende me that nothing hurte me this night that fire consume me not nor anie thing that belongeth vnto me nor any other daunger whatsoeuer dismay me Keepe me also good Lord from suddaine and vnprouided death and preserue me so by the watch of thine holie Angells that I may take my rest in quiet vntill the morning and then giue my selfe vnto the finishing of my duetie to the discharg of my vocation and fulfilling of thy will vnto my lines ende for which thy fauour and for all things els necessary for me and all other for whom thou hast commaunded vs to pray as for all such as are in anie kinde of affliction in bodie or minde for the testimonie of thy trueth that thou wilt strengthen them and thine whole Church in pure religion For all such as are sicke and diseased that thou wilâ— eyther restore them to health giue them patience or receiue them vnto thy selfe for the preseruation of our Queene and gouernesse Elizabeth by thy dinine prouidence ferre ouer vs that shee may continue to thy pleasure long and prosperously ouer vs and for this whole Realme of England that thou wilt graunt vs all true repentaunce for our Parents Brethren Sisters Kinsâ—olkes Neighbours and all them that thou wouldest wee shoulde commende vnto thee in prayer Giue mee grace to say that prayer which thy sonne Iesus Christ taught vs saying Our Father which art in heauen c. And for as much as we cannot pray effectually without thine especiall gift of faith vouchsafe to