to loue thee aboue all things so thou wouldest that we loue our neighbours also not in word and toong but in deede and veritie Let this thy will good Father bee fulfilled in vs. And we heartilie praie thée that as in prosperitie we can bee well contented with thy wil so also whensoeuer it shall please thée either for the punishment of our sinnes either for the tryall and exercise of our fayth or for anie other cause as shal séem best to thy fatherlie wisdom to afflict vs with diseases with languishing sicknesses with iniuries and reproches with persecutions or any other crosse whatsoeuer we may patientlie and willinglie euen from our heart saie Thy will bee doone For if we bee not vnder chastisement whereof all thy children are partakers in this life then might we déeme our selues bastards and not sonnes And séeing thy onelie sonne our Sauiour in whose mouth there was no guile for vs miserable and sinfull men vouchedsafe to stand as a méeke lambe dumbe before the fleecer and opened not his mouth but bearing the chastisement of our peace in the moste bitter agonie of death when hee sweat water and bloud most mildelie submitted himselfe to thy holie will wee heartilie praie thee for the same our Christs sake that we may bee appliable to thy will in all thinges after the example of thy deer sonne and maie without murmuring or grudging vnfeinedlie say Thy will be done Jn earth as it is in heauen THe celestiall creatures O God are prest and readie to obaie thy diuine will and whatsoeuer thou commandest them they doo it speedilie Among which are thy angels who alwaies stood stedfast in thy truth since the first beginning and doe still stande in thy presence to serue thee as ministring spirits to defend and gard thine elect These angels doo reioise in heauen for the fulfilling of thy will in the conuersion and repentaunce of sinners yea so prompt is their seruice and so willing is their obedience that nothing is more pleasant vnto them then when thy will O God is performed and executed The blessed saints also departed this life in soule and spirit haue the fulnesse of ioy in thy presence and the pleasures also which are at thy right hand for euermore This thy wil hath brought to passe And therfore being frée from the cares and labours of this life they doo still execute thy holie will falling before thee which sittest in the heauenlie throne and worshipping thee which liuest for euermore and sayeng Thou art worthie O Lorde to receyue glorie and honoure and power for thou hast created all things and for thy wils sake they are and haue beene created As the angels and saints doo thus rest on thy will O God alone euen so other celestiall bodies also doo obeie the same The perpetuall motion and true course of the heauens the sunne the moone and the stars do continuallie kéepe their prescribed order whereunto thou hast appoynted them The temperate and flourishing springtide the hot and dry summer the fruit full haruest and the chilling cold winter haue their times and returnes from yeare to yeare according vnto thy diuine will In the execution whereof they haue thus continued more than fiue thousand and sixe hundred yeares and yet in that same remaineth and endureth still stable and firme Make in like manner O Heauenlie Father wee beséech thee our stubborne disobedient and rebellious wils pliant tractable and obedyent to thy most holie will O that this flesh putting off the olde Adam which is made of earth might submitte it selfe so willinglie vnto thy will as that inwarde manne dooth which is regenerate and illuminated by thy holie spirite and therefore with groanes and sighes desyreth to doo thy will O that it might please thee to breake in sunder for euer the bandes of sinne wherewith our spirit is tied that beeing frée wee might serue thee continuallie as thou wilt O Father wee heartilie praie thee and for Christs sake humblie beséech thee disburthen vs of this earth wherewith we are ouerwhelmed and make vs heauenlie that thy name maie bee sanctified in earth as it is in heauen that wee may desire thy kingdome to come in earth as it is in heauen that wee may will thy will to bee done in earth as it is in heauen that nowe here in earth wee may begin to bee such as one day through thy grace and mercy we shall bee in heauen Where wee shall for euer praise thee and our lord Iesus Christ to whome with the holie Ghost bee all honour and glory world with out end Amen 4 Giue vs this day our daily bread A prayer for all needfull thinges both for the soule and bodie WE are O Father in our selues miserable and néedie beggers but thou art rich in mercie to all that call vppon thee Out of thy heauenlie treasure therefore wee beseech thee plentifullie powre downe thy giftes vppon vs and especiallie giue vs that breade that heauenlie Manna the spirituall foode of our soules thy omnipotent word Iesus Christ by whose word and blessed spirit we are fedde comforted and euermore preserued to come vnto eternall life For thou hast so loued the worlde that thou hast giuen thy onelie begotten sonne that euerie one which beléeueth in him should haue euerlasting life This foode thou dooest giue of thy meere grace make vs by faith to take and digest it And to the end we may be the more able to go forwarde in that state of life where vnto thou hast called vs helpe O God our infirmities and sustaine our earthlie bodies with that corporall food which from sunne to sunne wee can not spare We depende O Lorde vpon thy fatherlie prouidence which openest thy handes and replenishest euerie liuing thing Thou féedest the yoong Rauens that call vpon thee Thou dooest minister food to the hungrie lions when they roare after their prey and thou doost cloth and apparell the lillies and grasse of the field Therfore we humblie beséech thee let thine eie attend vpon vs to féede cherrish and preserue vs in such wise that wee may bee more apt to glorifie thy holy name Break this bread O Father to thy sonnes and giue it vnto them at such time and in such measure as is most méet and conuenient for them so shall it be most swéete and sauorie and wholsom for the children Thou onelie canst giue it thou onelie knowest howe to giue it thou onely art woont to giue it and wilt giue it still vnto thy children in the best measure If thou giue it not wee cannot haue it For who is he among the sons of men that can make the smallest graine of wheat or other seed to growe or the least hearbe to spring without thee It is thou O Lord that doost make the grasse to grow for cattell and herbe for the vse of men It is thou that giuest bread wine to strengthen and make glad the heart of man and Oyle also to make him haue a
serpents head that thou alone in vs mightest haue the preheminence and that we might bee made partakers of the blessed inheritance of thy heauenlie kingdome Of this kingdome thou haste long since spoken by the mouthes of thy holie Prophets As that thou hast set thy king vppon Sion thy holie Mountaine and that thy throne O God is for euer and euer and the Scepter of thy kingdome a Scepter of righteousnesse To this kingdome of thy welbeloued son thou hast translated vs from the kingdome of darkenesse setting vs frée from the penaltie of sin and deliuering vs into the glorious libertie of thy sonnes Who then shall be able to laie anie thing to our charge It is thou O god which doost iustifie who shall then condemne It is Christ thy sonne and our king and Sauiour that died for vs nay rather which is risen againe and sitteth at thy right hande making intercession continuallie to thee for vs to bring vs vnto that heauenlie kingdome By this kingdome thou hast giuen vs euen in this life peace of conscience righteousnesse and reioicing in the holie ghost Encrease this ioy in vs O Lorde that our whole delight may bee to serue thée in holines and righteousnes all the dayes of our life Keepe vs O Lord from the poyson of false doctrine idolatrie superstition and incredulitie by which sathan vpholdeth his tyrannicall kingdome Mortifie and subdue in vs all carnall desires and lusts by thy holie spirite and by the same abandon out of our mindes vncleane thoughts breake the snares of sinne that the whole kingdome of the deuill may be destroied in vs. Renue thy kingdome in vs O heauenly Father we humblie beséech thee by giuing vnto vs the true knowledge of thée and thereby a liuelie faith in thy sonne Christ and regenerate vs by his holie spirit and word that by the obedience of faith wee maie wholelie be subiect vnto thée alone Make vs O Lorde to despise the glorie pompe and plesures of this worldly kingdome which sathan promiseth to the worshippers of him that we may still desire from our hearts euen as the Hart desireth the water Brookes the fruition of thy heauenlie kingdome The glorie and pleasures whereof are eternall and most delectable But the pleasures of this life momentanie and vaine and yet mixed with manifolde myseries Heere wee are vexed with tyrannies of beastes and of men The earth the water and fire as wearie of vs continuallie warreth agaynst vs. Those good creatures which thou hast giuen vs manie times through our sinnes are hurtfull and noysome vnto vs yea we are disquieted with our own bodies and with our own affections As menne therefore wearie of this wretched worldlie kingdome and desiring to be dissolued from the burthen of the flesh we heartilie praie thee that thy celestiall kingdome may come for our deliuerance where there is no hunger no nakednes no labour no infirmiite no sickenesse no infamie no hatred no enimie no dissimulation no warre no sorrow no moorning no feare no death All thinges are there ioyfull and full of blisse saluation and peace are euerie where and whatsoeuer happines may be wished for in such wise as neither the eie hath séene nor the eare hath heard nor at anie time hath entred into the heart of man Let this thy kingdome come O heauenly father we humblie pray thée For all the afflictions of this life are not so grieuous vnto vs as the ioy of this kingdome delights vs. Therefore with sighes and groues wee desire that this thy kingdom may come vppon vs as the reward of our conflict as the garlande and crowne of our course as the happie hauen of rest after our tossing on the surging Seas of this world which thou shalt giue vs for the merits of thy déere sonne Iesus Christ to whom with thée and the holie Ghost be all honor praise and glory world with out end Amen 3 Thy will be doone OUr knowledge our vnderstanding and our wil by naturall corruption O Lord is blind dul and rebellious against thy holie will insomuch that the naturall man vnderstandeth not heauenlie thinges nor desireth the participation of thy euerlasting kingdome but is an enimie vnto the same Therefore thy sentence remaineth true at what time thou saiedst Man is but flesh and all the imaginations of mans heart are euill For this cause we pray as thy beloued sonne hath taught vs héere that not ours but Thy will be doone Thy will is iust holie good and full of sauing health euen as thou art the bottomlesse well of all goodnesse and righteousnesse it selfe And as thou art our louing and most mercifull Father so there is no cause whie we shoulde doubt of thy good will which surmounteth the louing kindnesse of all earthlie fathers Thy will O god is omnipotent and euerlasting without shadowe of change thou wilt doo whatsoeuer séemeth good vnto thee and thy will shall stande for euer and euer and the thoughts of thy hart throughout alages Giue vs grace louing Father wee beseech thée that as we are ignorant of this thy secret will so we may alwayes humblie like obedient children submit our selues vnto the same to bee ordered thereby as shall séeme best to thy diuine wisedome But at this time O Lord especiallie wee pray for the execution of thy reuealed will which thy onely begotten son our sauiour hath manifested vnto vs in his most holy gospell and which at this day is reuealed vnto vs by the preaching of the same that wee might bee saued through Iesus Christ in whom thou hast chosen vs from euerlasting that wee might bee heires of his kingdome For this is thy wil saith our sauior christ that euerie one which beléeueth in the son should haue eternall life Giue vs fayth therefore O heauenlie Father wee beseech theee that this thy will may bee perfected and accomplished in vs that wee may tend vnto that end whereunto thou hast appointed vs That wee may beléeue in thee feare thee and loue thee for thy so great and fatherlie mercyes in Iesus Christ our Sauiour powred vpon vs. Let this thy most holie and holsome will be fulfilled in vs that being iustified through the merits of thy beloued sonne and thorough faith in him we may bee ioyned with thée Furthermore thy will is O god that they which are redéemed by thy sonne and doo stedfastlie beleeue in him should shew themselues obedient thankefull and readie to walke in his commaundements and that wee beeing wholie consecrated vnto him shoulde giue our selues to innocencie and puritie should not anie more defile our bodies with the filthines of sins which hee hath made the temples of the holie ghost For this is thy will O God euen our holinesse that wee should abstaine from fornication that euery one of vs should kéepe our vessell in sanctification and honour and not to walke in the lust of concupiscence as do the heathen which know not thee And as thou O father wouldest haue vs
temptations of Sathan vnlesse thou O most mightie protector defend vs alas we perish For thou knowest our weaknesse and how vnable we be to resist so subtill and strong an enimie But thou hast brused in péeces that monstrous Leuiathan and hast brought vnder foote the mightie and strong Goliah which vpbraided thine hoast Thou hast by thy sonne our Sauiour that blessed séed broken the hed of the most subtill serpent who came in the flesh to destroy the workes of the diuell with whom he encountred in temptations most victoriouslie ouercame him and on his crosse openlie tryumphed ouer him to purchase a crowne for vs. By this thy victorie so obtained O heauenlie father wee beseech thee holde him fast bounde that he maie not execute his tyrannie vpon vs as he desireth that although he séeke to sift vs like wheate yet thorough thy grace wee may bee able to stand Let vs not be tempted O Lorde beyond our strength but in the middest of temptation make a waie for vs whereby wee may escape with victorie for thou knowest how to deliuer thy children out of temptation Preuent vs O Father with thy heauenly grace that wee take no truce or peace with this our ghostlie enimie but that wee maie manfullie fight vnder thy standert agaynst sinne our flesh the worlde and the diuell all the dayes of our life that there may bee continuall enmitie betwéene the womans seede and the serpent for euer that at the last the dreadfull redde dragon may be ouercome by the blood of the lambe Mortifie this flesh of ours O Lord with thy holie spirit with all the lustes and concupiscences therof that we may the better serue thee Subdue our carnall reason and vnder standing to the obedience of faith that we followe not our owne fantasies but may depend wholie vpon thy worde Giue vs a right iudgement to discerne and iudge of this worlde that wee may rather hate than loue it and rather abhor it than followe the example thereof Turne awaie our eies O Lord that we look not after vanitie Stop our eares from all alluring entisements and temptations to euil and refraine our toong from filthie communication that wee maie speake onelie such things as serue to the edification and profitte of our brethren Make vs to loue sobrietie in our apparell and temperance in all our meats and drinkes that wee being in all our actions euermore directed and gouerned by thy good spirit wee may glorifie thy holie name Giue vnto vs O heauenly father all thy armour that like right soldiours wee maie ouercome in the euill daie vanquish our enemie Gird vs therefore with the truth put vpon vs the brestplate of righteousnesse and let vs bee shod to the preparing of the gospell of light Aboue all things O God giue vs the shield of faith which can extinguish all the fierie darts of wicked spirits Bestow vpon vs the helmet of saluation and the sworde of the spirit which is thy word that throgh thee wee maie encounter valiantlie and gloriouslie attaine the victorie Deliuer vs O Lorde our God from all euill that wee may serue thée and consecrat our soules and bodies yea all our members to be seruants of righteousnes vnto sanctification that wee maie wholie and trulie serue honour and praise thee our most louing father heere in the kingdome of grace and after this life in the kingdom of glory Amen ¶ For thine is thy kingdome the power and the glorie for euer and euer Amen THou O Father art king of Heauen and of earth and of all things in them contained For thou hast prepared thy throne in heuen and thy kingdome ruleth ouer all as thou hast made all thinges by thy worde and breath of thy mouth so thou doost still rule and gouerne all things Thou sittest vppon the circle of the earth and the inhabitantes thereof are as grashoppers thou stretchest foorth the heauens like a curtaine and spreadest them out like a tent to dwell in Thou makest Pleiades and Orion and turnest the shadowe of death into the morning and makest the daie as darke as night thou callest the waters of the sea and powrest them out vpon the open earth the Lord is thy name Thou dooest lighten and thunder from heauen and doost moderate all the influences of the heauens Thou art the Lord of hosts the strong and mightie Lorde of battaile and the king of glorie Thou deposest and settest vp kinges at thy pleasure And although thy seat be in heauen yet thou humblest thy selfe to beholde the things that are doone in earth Insomuch that thy prouidence extendeth it selfe to sparrowes to rauens to the lillies of the field yea to the haires of our head so that they cannot fall but at thy pleasure Thou art the father whose name ought to be sanctified in all things Thou art the king which oughtest to raigne euerie where and in all thinges thy will alone ought to bee doone in heauen and in earth Thou alone dooest féede all thinges with thy daylie bread Thou alone dooest forgiue vs all our sinnes and thou onelie turnest all euill temptations whatsoeuer they be from vs. Thou alone dooest euermore arme and defend vs from all the trappes assaultes and snares of that foule feend and ghostly enimie the diuell as the onelie and mightie Lorde of hostes to whome all Angels whether they bee good or bad do obey Thou art also omnipotent O Lord in this thy kingdom For thou O God art in heauen and dooest whatsoeuer thou wilt If thou determine a thing who shall disanull it and if thy hande bee stretched out who shall turne it awaie All vnder the heuens is thine and thou art present euerie where To thee therefore we flie for succour and to thee wee make our prayers ascrybing vnto thee alone all glorie maiestie For thou Lord art a iealous God and wilt not giue the glorie of thy name vnto another Make thy power O God knowne to the sons of men and the glorious renowme of thy kingdome For thy kingdome is an euerlasting kingdome and thy dominion endureth throughout all ages euen for euer and euer We beseech thee therefore O heauenlie father to heare our supplications and grant that as thy promises in Christ to vs ward are yea and Amen that is most certaine and assured so also our praiers may with thee be yea and Amen that fauourably allowed and firm lie ratified for thy son Christs sake to whome with thee and the holie ghost be all honour and power and glorie worlde without end Amen A Meditation vpon the Lordes prayer O Almightie and eternal God which dooest vouchsafe that we as it wer heauenlie children shoulde euerie one of vs call thee our heauenlie father grant that amongst vs by purenesse and example of godlie and innocent life thy most holy name may bee sanctified that all other nations beholding our goodnes and vertuous liuing maie be stirred to hallow and glorifie thee Grant O Lorde that the kingdome of
forwarde in that good course like a louing nurse vnto thy church Giue her wisdom vnderstanding to do that thing which is acceptable vnto thee profitable for vs her subiects and hurtfull to none Grant her O Lorde a perpetuall time long life and continuall felicitie Protect her as the apple of thine eie and deliuer thou her not into the handes of her enimies Giue her victorie O God we beséech thée ouer all thine her enimies and blesse all her godlie actions in such wise that all the worlde maie knowe and the posteritie to come may say that thy mightie arme hath raised vp in England a Debora a Iudith an Hester and a nourcing Queene for thy Church Make her to reioyce in thy strength and mightily to triumph in thy saluation Grant her the desires of her heart and denie not the petitions of her lips Let thy heauie hand O Lord light vpon her enemies and thy right hand find out all such as hate her and enuy her prosperitie Saue our Queene O louing father from all her enimies which either secretlie or openlie go about to bring her life to the graue and her glory to the dust Let her finish her course O God in a good age an old woman and of great yeares to the comfort of thy church and the glorie of thy name and to her euerlasting saluation thorough Iesus Christ in thy heauenlie kingdome Amen A Psalme of praises and thanksgiuing to God for his benefites PRaise the lord ye that feare him magnifie him all ye of the séede of Iacob For hee hath not abhorred nor despised the affliction of the poore neither hath hee hidde his face from him but when he called vnto him hee heard him Sing praises vnto the lord all yee his saintes and giue thanks to him for a remembrance of his holinesse For who is God beside the Lord and who is mightie saue our God Praise ye the Lord with me and let vs magnify his name togither Thy mercie O Lord reacheth vnto the heauens and thy faithfulnes to the clouds How excellent is thy mercie O God therefore the children of men trust vnder the shadow of thy wings Thou art the father of the fatherlesse and a iudge of the widowes euen God in his holie habitation Thou art the god which helpest vs and powrest thy benefits vpon vs. Thou art our god of whom commeth saluation God is the Lord by whom we escape death Blessed is the people O lord that can reioyce in thée they shall walke in the light of thy countenance Thou Lord art slew to anger and of great mercie Thou hast not dealt with vs after our sins nor rewarded vs according to our iniquities O speak good of the Lord al ye works of his in all places of his dominion praise thou the Lord O my soule Another MY hart is fixed O God my heart is fixed I will sing and giue praise Vnto thee O my strength will I sing for God is my defence and my mercifull God For thy louing kindnesse is better than life it selfe my lips shall praise thée As long as I liue will I magnifie thee on this maner and lift vp mine hands in thy name My soule shall be satisfied as it were with marrow and fatnesse when my mouth praiseth thée with ioifull lips I will alwaies giue thanks vnto the Lord his praise shall be in my mouth continually I sought the Lord and hee heard me and deliuered mee out of all my feare Praised be God which hath not put backe my praier nor his mercie from me Thou hast deliuered me fro my strong enimie and from them that hate me and hast drawne mee out of manie troubles Thou hast giuen mee the shield of thy saluation thy right hand hath staied me and thy louing kindnes hath caused me to increase What reward shall I giue vnto the Lord for all the bene fits he hath done vnto me I will thanke thée O Lord my God with all my heart and will praise thy name for euermore For great is thy mercie toward me and thou hast deliuered my soule from the nethermost hell Therfore my praise shall be of thée in the great congregation my vowes will I perform in the sight of them that feare thee Thou art my god and I wil thanke thee thou art my God and I will praise thee Blessed be the Lorde God euen the God of Israel which onelie dooeth woonderous things And blessed be the name of his maiestie for euer and all the earth shall be filled with his Maiestie Amen A Psalme of blessedfulnesse BLessed is he whom thou O Lorde dooest elect and causest to come vnto thée he shall dwell within thy courts Blessed is he whose wickednesse is forgiuen and whose sinne is couered Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth not iniquitie and in whose spirit there is no guile Blessed is the man that putteth his trust in the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord and delighteth greatlie in his commandements Blessed are they that dwell in thine house they will euer praise thee Blessed is the man that doth not walke in the counsell of the wicked nor stande in the waie of sinners nor sit in the seate of the scornfull Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee in whose heart are thy wayes Blessed are they that are vpright in their way and walke in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that kéepe iudgement and doo righteousnesse at all times Blessed is he that considereth the poore and néedie the Lord shall deliuer him in the time of trouble Blessed is the man whome thou chastisest O Lorde and teachest him thy law Blessed are they that kéepe his testimonies and seek him with their whole hart Secrete Meditations of the hart to stir vs vp vnto godlinesse BY creation I am a man made of earth therefore transitorie mortall Yet indued with a minde that is to say with vnderstanding reason and iudgement by which I may vnderstand that most excellent goodnesse which is God and may bee ioyned with him in immortalitie and blessednesse But my reason vnderstanding and iudgement beeing by the malice of Sathan corrupted I do neglect this happinesse I rather séeke to enioy the delights and pleasures of my flesh In the most vile transitorie things I occupie my whole minde I ouerwhelme my selfe wholie with earth of heauenlie I make my selfe earthlie and change my selfe from a reasonable man into a brute beast But god who once loued me in his sonne Christ dooth not forsake mee but calleth mee still outwardlie by his word and inwardlie by his holie spirite and knocketh at the doore of my heart and minde that I might loue him feare him and serue him Yet I am deafe and blind and being more stonie hearted than flint dooth féele nothing O vnthankefull wretch that I am which doo neglect and despise so great benefites God gently offereth to lead me by the hande and I stubbornlie turne awaie my face from him Awake my soule lift vp thy selfe and lette vs not thus wallow in our filthines stoutlie striue thou agaynst wicked custome tread vnder thy foote these contemptible and vile delightes and couet after the most excellent things Nowe God calleth I will hearken to him hee leadeth me and I will follow him he offereth himselfe and I will take the oportunitie hee sheweth the waie to euerlasting blessednesse I will not turne away my face but will séeke to attaine ¶ Print these things in thy minde and let them not be in vaine and ineffectuall cogitations but put them in practise and thou shalt receiue the fruit FINIS To Jesus Christ I Iesus my ioy and comfort onlie good E Euer to stand and neuer to decay S Sathan be fel be fierce and furious wood V vorld do thy worst sin do thou not stay S Speed you to spil plie to beare the sway C Crosse be my share carking be my hire H Hartbreak my cōfort sadnes my feast R Railing my recōpence by toongs of fire I Iesus be mine these things are he lest S So art thou mine ful fixed in my thoght T Trusty O Christ O world vile vaine and nought 1598 SVBLIME DEDIT OS HOMINI ¶ Printed at London Peter Short dwellin Bredstreet hill at the signe of the Star
art in heauen that is to say in a place deuoyde of labour and trouble We do not cal vpon the dead saintes or vppon such as are not able to helpe themselues when they stand in néed Wee runne not vnto those which either for their care and office in the common wealth or for their age are called fathers We make not our petition to Iupiter to Neptune to Mars or to other vaine gods which Sathan the enimie of thy diuine maiestie hath set vp in the worlde whome once almoste to name is great wickednes being false gods opposed agaynst the greatnesse of thy goodnesse and wisdom Some thinke their riches in their chest or bestowed vpon possessions to bee their father which are subiect to a thousand chances perils Some think their power and might which standeth on the loue and fauour of their subiects to be their father then the which thing nothing is more instable Other some thinke the grace and fauor of the prince being a man and by nature mortall in power weake and in will mutable to bee their father Thus euerie one maketh that vanitie wherein he foolishlie trusteth to be his father But we vppon whome through thy rich liberalitie thou hast vouchedsafe the dignitie of sonnes lifting vppe our eies vnto heauen doo call thee our Father and doo beg and craue of thee which arte in heauen whose presence notwithstanding dooth fulfill the whole world But the seat of thy kingdome for the excellencie of the place is saide to bee fixed and sette in heauen This heauen for the forme and beautie thereof and also for the appointed order which keepeth continually a certaine course dooth shewe foorth the highnesse of thine essence the greatnes of thy power and the immortalitie of thy nature O miserable men which hauing gotten so great a Father doo runne as yet to other Fathers of whom they may bee ashamed and from whom we receiue nothing but infirmitie euill and miserie But from thée the true father commeth power goodnesse and felicitie I am able sayth thy Apostle to doe all things through the helpe of Christe which strengtheneth me And in another place complaning of his weaknes thou spakest to him from heauen saieng My grace is sufficient for thee for my power is made perfect through weakenesse Thou art in heauen for vs that wee may know there to find thee our Father and that there a refuge is prepared for vs of the which we can not be disappoynted neither by deceipt nor by the force of enimyes All thinges are there secure safe because thou art there Thou art a moste mightie king and omnipotent God And yet to manie héere on earth thou art neither a king nor a God For euerie one maketh a king and a god to himselfe after his owne fantasie O Father which art in heuen the maker of all things and moste mightie Lorde hear vs we beséech thee which are héere troubled and turmoiled in earth which are trauellers and pilgrimes therein not onelie for a time but for the most part for a small moment of time Our Father is in heauen therefore our inheritance and happinesse is there why then doo wee seeke it on earth where there is nothing to be found but the naturall fruits of the earth as sickenesses cares troubles sorrowes greefes and vexations Make vs O Lorde to séeke thée in the heauens of sempiternall rest where thou hast prepared for vs all blessedfulnes Lift vp our hearts O heauenlie Father wee beséech thee vnto those heauens and inflame our mindes with the loue and desire of those good thinges which thou hast there prepared for vs the greatnes excellencie where of surmounteth the vnderstanding capacitie of man For the which blessed bee thy name for euermore Amen 1 Hallowed be thy Name THat is the true proper name belonging to euerie thing by which name the vertue and inclination of the same thing is declared but who shall giue vnto thee O Lord a conuenient and proper name the greatnes of whose essence neither the mindes of men nor of angels is able to comprehende Yet wee vnderstande that to be thy name by which wee may best comprehende thee As when in thy worde thou art called Schaddai that is to saie All sufficient Iehouah that is to saie Of thy selfe euerlasting Thou art also called immortall the king the Lorde and the maker of all things Thou art called most righteous moste wise and the most mercifull Sauiour And therefore wee saie with the Prophet in the Psalme O God according vnto thy name so is thy praise vnto the worldes end Hallowed bee this thy name in vs O Father that wee maye thinke nothinge more sacred more holie and blessed than the same that we may worship thée and submit our selues onelie to thy name Sende downe wee beséech thee into our hearts thy heauenlie light of true knoledge that we may call vppon thee alone that wee may looke to be holpen by thy helpe and aid alone and that wee put not our trust in other momentanie temporall transitorie and deceyueable helpes but that we may haue our whole confidence onlie in thee which alone canst and wilt and art wont to helpe Glorifie thy name O Father in vs by the Gospell of thy sonne Christ and by the same also finishe the woorke which thou hast begun in vs that we may perseuere in the way of godlinesse to the ende of our life that so abiding in thy name wee may also bee sanctified by thée Sanctifie thy name so in vs O heauenly Father that we may be able to teach others not onelie in worde but also in example of godlie life that thy holie name bee not euill spoken of among the gentils who séeing our corrupte life maie take occasion thereby to condemne thy holy gospel because we which are the professors thereof are not hallowed in our conuersation But make our light so shine before men that they seeing our good works may glorifie thee our heauenlie Father And to the ende thy name may be magnified thoroughout the whole worlde make O Lord all those whom thou hast chosen partakers with vs of this felicitie Spread forth the bright beames of thy light vpon mankind illumine their mindes inflame their affections that all as it is méet and right may sanctifie thy name not in profession onely but also in the true loue of godlinesse For then shall thy name bee hallowed when thy sonne Iesus Christ our onelie Sauiour which is thy glorie is thus knowne To whome with thée and the holie ghost be all honour and glorie world without end Amen 2 Thy kingdome come RAigne thou O lord in vs rule and gouerne vs wee beséech thee for our subiection to thee is a moste happie fréedome By the fall of our first parents wee are made thrall to sinne death and the deuill the power of whose kingdome wee doo too often féele in vs. But thou hast ordained and appoynted thy beloued Sonne to treade down the
chéerfull countenance Wee that plant and water are nothing Thou art all in all that giuest the increase Therefore we stand like poore beggers at thy doore crauing thy dailie almes and saying Giue vs this day our daylye bread And also we praie thee O Father that as thou makest these creatures of thine ours by thy frée gift so also they may bee ours by our labour and studie in that vocation whervnto we are called Giue vs thy grace wee beséech thee that wee eate not our breade with idlenesse that wee take not from our brethren theyr bread by rapine theft oppression vsurie briberie extortion and by such other vnlawfull meanes but that wee may receiue from thy liberal and most merciful hands our owne bread in the sweate of our owne browes that wee may bee blessed in the labour of our owne hands And as thou hast from daie to daie all the daies of our life hither to fed vs most liberally and preserued vs so wee beseech thee good lord that forsomuch as this daie wee doo hunger and thirst and shall daylie so long as wee are in this flesh stand in need of thy goodnesse thou wilt vouchsafe to giue vs this day our daylie bread And when thou hast satisfied our mouth with good things giue vs O Father contented mindes that wee followe not the insatiable lusts of our flesh which beeing neuer contented with thy good gifts abuse them intemperatly and deuise and desire new daintie dishes for lust and cause vs to say with the wanton Israelites Can God prepare a table in the wildernes Can he giue bread also prepare flesh for his people Represse in vs these carnall delights giue vs temperance that we maie liue not to eat but eat to liue For thy kingdome O God is not meate drinke but a reioysing in the holie ghost And as for the bellie and the meate thou shalt destroy them both If therefore it shall please thy goodnesse to giue vs our daylie bread in abundance giue vs also aboundance of thy grace that we be not proude intemperate or luxurious but that wee maie vse thy gifts to the relieuing of our faint and weake bodyes to the comfort and helpe of our brethren and also to the honour and prayse of thy holie name Make vs mindfull thankfull O heauenlie Father for thy great goodnesse that wee doo not sit downe at thy table as thy ghestes to eate thy bread and drinke thy drinke and then to rise vp to plaie and so to forget thee the author giuer of all good gifts Far be this grosse vnthankefulnesse from vs. For the oxe knoweth his owner and the asse his maisters crib and shall wee forget thee The horse loueth his keeper and the dog will fight for his maister The brute beare and the fierce Lion are thankefull to them that féede them And the earth yeeldeth fruite to him that tilleth it and shall wée so far degenerate that we shall bee more vnreasonable then brute beastes Farre be this O Lorde from thy children Make vs therefore O father to receiue our daylie breade with thankesgiuing that hauing thee alwaies before our eies which art the giuer of all good thinges and refreshest the hungrie soule with goodnes and considering also our owne néede and necessitie we may continuallie for our daily bread ascribe vnto thée our father with thy sonne our sauiour and the holie ghost our comforter all honour praise and glorie for euer and euer Amen 5 And forgiue vs our trespasses A praier for remission of sinnes WHen wee present our selues O father before thy diuine Maiestie sathan our aduersarie our continuall accuser and sworne enimie dooth trouble vs and striketh our consciences with the sting of our sinnes which aforetime wee haue committed agaynst thée Howe darest thou saith hee miserable man presume to come into the presence of God with thy praiers with what face canst thou call him thy father when as thou at no time hast shewed thy selfe an obedient son Art thou not ashamed to pray that he will sanctifie and glorifie his name when as thou dooest daylie prophane and dishonour the same what reason hast thou to desire him to come vnto thee with his kingdome which hitherto hast not submitted thy selfe vnto him and hast not suffered him to raigne in thee Also why doest thou praie that the will of God maie bee doone in thee when as thou hatest his will and willinglie runnest into disobedience Is it not impudent temeritie that thou askest thy daylie bread of God when as thou hast so ledde thy life hitherto that thou rather deseruest to bee called a dog then a sonne hast thou forgotten that the Lord hath said It is not meete to take the childrens bread and to giue it vnto dogges These such like heauie cogitations O Lord our enemie dooth assayle our mindes to discourage vs and to drawe vs away from calling vppon thy name But we being here taught by thy son Christ our sauior to make our petitions to thee and also he hauing giuen vs boldnesse to haue accesse vnto thee and hauing also giuen vs the earnest of his holie spirit whereby we crie Abba Father doo repell these gréeuous temptations and fierie darts of the diuell crieng vnto thee with true repentance Forgiue O father our trespasses and sinnes for wee haue sinned in déede agaynst heauen and agaynst thee and are no more worthie to bee called thy sonnes but haue in our selues deserued the wages of sinne eternall death For wee haue all sinned wee haue all gone out of the waie and are become vnprofitable Wee are Lorde conceiued in sinne and borne in iniquitie all the thoughts of our hearts are euill euen from our natiuitie we haue not beene so thankefull vnto thée for the benefits bestowed on vs as becommeth vs we haue manie waies abused thy gifts wee haue not receiued thy worde with that reuerend regarde that appertained to the same neither haue wee obeyed thy will therein reuealed yea in manie things wee offend all And although wee be renewed by the immortall seede of thy worde yet the corruption of our nature and the dregs of sinne remaine still in vs and the lawe of sinne in our members which holdeth vs captiue against the will of the spirit hath place in vs which is the cause that wee breake thy holie commandements We are therefore O father in respect of our guiltines inforced to crie vnto thée Forgiue vs our sinnes and thou in respect of the punishment which wee thereby haue deserued must forgiue vs for thy sonnes Christs sake or els wee shall for euer perish For if thou Lord doe in extremitie and iustice looke vppon our sinnes whoe shall abide it If thou enter into iudgement with thy seruant what flesh shall bee iustified in thy sight Wherefore we appeale to the high throne of thy mercie humblie beseeching thee O most louing God and mercifull Father according to thy great mercie and according to the multitude of thy compassions
thy grace and mercie may reigne continuallie in our hearts so that we may be worthie to bee partakers of thy realme of glorie and maiestie Grant that vnto the verie death we refuse not to follow thy diuine will and that wee according vnto the example of the celestiall citizens agréeing togither quietlie vnited in spirit all controuersie in opinions set apart the lustes of the flesh being subdued and the flattering assaults of the world and the diuel ouercom neuer wrastle agaynst thy most holie will but obeie it in all things Grant O Lord for our bodie néedfull sustenance that we may the more freely serue thée Giue vs wee beséech thee O mercifull father that heauenlie bread the bodie of thy son Iesus Christ the verie foode and health of our soules giue vs the bread of thy diuine precepts that wee may trulie walke and liue after them Giue vs the bread of thy heauenlie worde which is the strong castle and sure defence of our foules that wee being wel fed filled with this food may worthilie come to the celestiall feast where is no hunger Grant O Lord that we patientlie bear and suffer our enimies and such as hurt vs and willinglie to forgiue the offences committed agaynst vs so that wee may find thee Lorde in forgiuing vs our trespasses milde and mercifull Grant O Lord that we be not vtterlie ledde into temptation that thereby we should bee lost but in all perilles of temptation and in the middest of the stormie tempests of tribulations let vs thy children receyue and féele thy fatherly succor ready to helpe vs least that wee ouercome with the craftie deceiptes of the temptor should be drawn into euerlasting destruction but when we be well assailed approoued and purged with the fire of temptation then let vs finish our course and so well and valiantlie fight that wee maie for euermore liue with thee in that heauenlie citie where agaynst thee no manner of temptation can preuaile Finallie grant most mercifull father that we through thy benigne goodnesse maie bee deliuered from all euils present or to come both of bodie and soule and that at the last the yoke of the foule feend being shaken of we may possesse the heritage of thy heauenlie kingdome which thy sonne with his pretious blood bought for vs thy children and therefore euer to haue the fruition of celestiall delectation accompanied with Angels and blessed Saints thorough the helpe benignitie and grace of our Sauiour Iesus Christ to whome and to thee our Father and to the holie ghost bee glorie and honour nowe and for euer Amen A praier for the morning I Render vnto thée O almightie and most mercifull father most heartie thankes by thy déerelie beloued sonne Iesus Christ for that thou hast vouchsafed of thy fatherlie goodnesse and frée mercie to giue mee this night sweete sleepe quiet and most comfortable rest and for somuch as it hath pleased thee safely to preserue me this night from all perilles hurts and dangers I wretched sinner most humblie beseech thee that thou of thy gratious goodnesse wilt vouchsafe to shewe the like kindenesse towards mee this daie in defending cherishing comforting and gouerning mee and all my counsels studies and labours in such wise that I may neither thinke speake or doo anie thing that may be displeasant to thy fatherlie goodnesse dangerous to my selfe or hurtfull to my neighbour but that I maie euermore by thy gratious gouernance so lead my life that whensoeuer it shall please thée to call mee from this vale of miserie and soile of sorrowe I may receiue the crowne of euerlasting ioy and felicitie which thou hast prepared for thy faithfull seruantes and them that loue thee graunt this mercifull god for thy deer sonnes sake Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another praier to be said in the morning O Almightie most gentle God I most hartilie giue thee thankes for the swéet sléepe and comfortable rest that thou hast giuen me this night And forsomuch as thou hast commanded by thy lie word that no man should be idle but alwayes occupied in vertuous exercises euerie man according to his calling I most humblie beséech thee that thine eyes maie attende vpon me dailie defend me in sorrow succour mee cherish comfort and gouerne all my counsels studies labors in such wise that I may spende this day according to thy wil without hurt that I may eschew al things that should displease set thée alwaies before mine eies liue in thy feare and euer work that that maie bee found acceptable before thy diuine maiestie vnto the praise of thy most holie name through Iesu Christ our lord who liueth and raigneth both now and euer Amen An Euening praier ALmightie God who as thou hast made the daie for labour and trauell so hast thou created the night for rest refreshing our wearied minds and bodies Wee most humbly beséech thée that as the night darkeneth and shadoweth all thinges so thou wouldest for thy deere sonne Iesus Christes sake hide our sinnes remoouing them from thy sight and putting awaie the memorie of them by eternall obliuion that as our bodies shall haue the rest of sléepe so also our mindes by hope of thy mercie maie enioy the rest of a quiet conscience and so being wholie refreshed wee may awake and rise vnto thy seruice the next day and all the dayes of our life as that when death shall come from the which it is as easie for thee to raise vs as from bodilie sleepe wee may rest in hope of the most ioyfull resurrection wherein our bodies shall awake vnto the euerlasting day vnto the which and vnto the kingdome of thy sonne wee beséech thée bring vs for the same our Sauiour Iesus Christs sake Amen An other praier for the Euening THis our mortall bodie which thorow sinne daylie decaieth and diminisheth must at the last altogither perish and become earth whereof it is come and made and then shall our vanitie which wee through our owne ignorance haue made vnto our selues take an end But most mercifull creator maker of all things vouchsafe so to breake diuide and dissolue me thy poore creature who am gathered knit and made of thee and grant that I may alwaies haue in mind thy dissolution and of whome I am knit togither hauing an eye to what place I must go to the intent that I not being prepared be not broght without the nuptiall or bridall garment before thy iudgement seate For like as when the daie is once past we giue our selues to rest euen so must wee this life being ended rest in death Nothing is more like life than the day nor nothing more like death than the night and nothing so like the graue then the couch or bed Thus good God kéepe and defend vs from al euil grant vs now liuing in impotencie and feeblenesse of our selues that through thee we may bee preserued this night and euer Amen The confession of our sinnes vnto God the Father
daies of my life Another confession of sinnes I Thy poor creature vnworthie to appeare before thy mightie maiesty O moste gracious Lorde doo powre downe euen heere before thee my sacke that is full with sinnes which I haue committed euen from my youth They are great and manie without number Neuerthelesse trusting of thine accustomed and naturall propertie to bee mercifull to all sinners that beeing sorie for the committing of their offences with all their hearts call and turne to thee acknowledging and knowing that thou diddest not sende thy louing sonne to call those that seeme in their owne conceits to be iust but to call those to repentance which confesse themselues to bee sinners I therfore Lord willing by the helpe of thy grace vtterlie to forsake sinne and to fulfill thy holie will héereafter desire thee humblie of forgiuenes and to admit me among the number of those that are blessed and their vnrighteousnesse forgiuen I will not hide from thee my sinnes neither yet excuse them But I praie thee gratious Lorde and most louing Father to hide them in the bloody wounds of thy Sonne Christ where they shall bee put in perpetuall obliuion For who so couereth his owne iniquitie thou wilt discouer it to all the worlde at the daie of iudgement to his shame Thou wilt then haue him stripped as naked as hee was borne that is his shame shall not be hid but manifest to all men in that day Wherfore I will not hide my wound my selfe to the intent thou my good Surgeon maiest lay a playster theron to couer it betime that the deuill mine enimie neuer espie where it was A praier to be said before the receiuing of the holy Communion O Lord although I be not worthie to receiue thee into the house of my soule for mine innumerable offences and sinnes doone against thy great goodnes yet trusting good Lorde in thy great pittie and infinit mercie I come to receiue thy blessed bodie as a sicke creature to thee that art the health of life vncleane to thee that art the well of mercie blinde by ignorance to thée that art the light euerlasting néedie of grace and poore in vertue to thee that art the king of heauen and earth naked of good workes to thée that art the author of grace I come as a wretch to thee my Lord and maker all desolate and comforties thou that art my helpe and succour for besides thee there is no consolation I come as a sinner vnto thee that art the mediator and meane between God and man I come as a caitife to thee my most mercifull sauiour I come all sinfull vnto thée the granter of remission and pardon dead by sinne to thee the restorer of life euill to thee that art all goodnesse hard hearted to bee relieued by the infusion of superabundant grace beseeching and desiring thee most méekelie to heale mine infirmitie and sickenesse to wash and clense awaie all my sinnes and filthinesse and to lighten my blindnesse and reduce mee into the right waie for I am out thereof to comfort mee being desolate and without anie one poynt of goodnesse Haue mercie on my wickednes pardon my sinfulnesse giue mee the light of grace buried drowned in sin that I may receiue thee the foode of angels the king of glorie the Lorde of all lordes with such chastitie of bodie with such purenesse and cleannesse of soule with such contrition of heart and abundance of wéeping teares with such spirituall ioy and gladnes with such dread and reuerence with such faith hope and charitie with such obedience and humilitie with such loue and deuotion faithfulnesse thankfulnesse as it is beséeming for such a Lord to be receiued and to my soule most expedient And bee not displeased good lord that I a sinner with an vncleane hart and polluted minde come hither this daie to receiue thy precious bodie in sacramentall bread wine but remember merciful Lord thou that refusedst not the sinfull Magdalen being penitent from the kissing of thy blessed feet And in like wise despise mee not nor put thou me away as vnworthie from the receiuing of thy bodie in the blessed sacrament for my sins and vnkindnesse but grant thou me compunction of heart plentie of wéeping teares to wash my sins and wickednesse so that with a pure heart and cleane conscience I maie this daie receiue the Sacrament to my soules health that I may obteine and possesse therby euer lasting life with all holie saints in heauens glorie and in this present life to be replenished with thy holie spirite and neuer to admit other louer besides thee Grant me blessed Iesu for to receiue the sacrament of bread and wine that I maie be worthie to be counted for a member of thy mysticall body here in earth and though as yet I bee not anie way worthie to be numbred amongest the simplest and lowest of thy seruants but rather to be reiected and cast out for my simplenes yet good Lorde for thine infinite power thou make me equall and like to the merits of thine elect and chosen seruantes Come thou Father of the fatherlesse comfort of the comfortlesse come and clense my soule from all contagiousnes of sinne for it is not conuenient and according there to bee anie vncleannesse where thou the spouse of virginall chastitie should come in and dwell Come apparell my soule with such ornaments of vertue and grace that it may delight thée therein to dwel and abide And as thou disdainest not to touch the sore leapers with thy holie hande so good Lorde vouchsafe to annoint my simple soule with the ointment of remission and pardon that in this life by stedfast hope firme faith and perfect charitie I may so increse in vertue from daie to daie that I may attaine to the glorious fruition of thy godhed in the kingdome of heauen where I may see thée face to face worlde without ende Amen A thankesgiuing after the receiuing of the Communion I Thanke thee good Lord of thine infinit goodnes that thou this day hast fedde mee with thy bodie and bloud in the Sacrament desiring thee méekelie that this Sacrament which I haue receiued may be to mee a purgation and cleansing of my sinnes a fortitude and spirituall strength against my frailtie and sure defence agaynst worldlie troubles a purchasing of grace and pardon a medicine of life and a continuall remembrance of thy passion so that in the waie it may conduct and guide mee when I am out of the way it may reduce mee when I stumble it may vpholde me and when I am fallen it may raise me so that by good continuance in thy will to euerlasting glorie it may bring me and so to order the tallage and taste of my heart that I nere féele other swéetnes but thee that I neuer séeke other loue but thee nor none other comforter besides thée so that I care for none other honour but thine And giue me such a perfect loue