euen in the lowest degree and breed in me a perfecâ—… hatred of them not in respect of punishment temporall or eternall but in filiall feare and godly affection grant for thy Christ his sake that I may hate and detest them and my selfe in them and for them And to this end Lord open mine eyes that in the hearing and reading of thy word as the linely and most effectuall meanes I may obtaine the assurance of thy loue and fauour and let it be that to mee which it is in it selfe thy strong power and mighty arme to my saluation Let it be vnto mee the sweete sauour of life vnto life and not at any time through my vnworthinesse the sauour of death vnto death Good Lord hereby create in me a cleane heart and renew a right Spirit within mee that I may delight in thy word aboue gold aboue much fine gold yea aboue thousands of gold and siluer let thy word bee a continuall light vnto my patheâ— and a daily lanterne vnto my feet ôlet me not stand at a stay in grace nor in any measure of gift of grace much less decline or goe backe in any grace or gift of grace but grant that I may in the vse of all holy meanes goe on in grace till I come vnto a perfect man in Christ â—esus Lord keepe me this day that I may not like Lots wife looke back again or like the vnthankful Israelites esteeme the homely fare of Egypt of this world of things of this life aboue the heauenly Manna thy word the only true food of life But like Abraham the rich Marchant leaue sell all that this world can affoord to attaine the Kingdome of heauen vnto which thou hast called mee by faith in Christ at this day and for euer Hauing begd these graces I returne vnto thee humble thanks for all thy benefits that I haue receiued not onely before but since my being as for my election before time and for my vocation in time from whence haue followed my iustification and some measure of sanctification in this life and my assured hope of glorification in the life to come For these inestimable blessings which no minde can conceiue nor tongue expresse I returne vnto thee all such possible praise and hearty thankes as my vnderstanding can conceiue beseeching thee that I may this day all the dayes of my life walke worthy of all these thy mercies O Lord I thanke thee for these other inferiour testimonies of thy loue which thou hast made more common with the vniust then with the iust I thanke thee ô Father that thou hast shared mee out so great a portion euen beyond many of thy Saints seruants Lord grant that while thou continuest the trust of them in my hands for they are thy talents and not mine I may soberly vse them to thy glory and to mine owne comfort and the comfort of the Saints O Lord grant I may abound in charitie to all of all sorts that I shall behold to stand in neede of my helpe but especially to the houshold of Faith and grant that I may giue no reliefe in worldly ostentation or vaine glory to bee seene or talked of of men but in an vpright heart good conscience vnto thee And all this I beseech thee to grant for Iesus Christ his sake my onely Lord and Sauiour Last of all I beseech thee as a seeling member of thy holy Church militant howsoeuer or wheresoeuer dispersed scattered or afflicted for all thine that suffer any kinde of sorrow neede sicknesse or any other aduersitie in soule or body by sea or land but especially for all thine that suffer bonds chaines or imprisonments with Ioseph for righteousnesse sake mittigate all their paines and troubles and giue them Faith and patience in all their seueral distresses as may bee most for thine owne glory and their comforts through Christ our Mediator and Redeemer To thee ô Father Sonne and holy Ghost the eternall and most blessed Trinitie bee rendred all praise and glory not onely by all men in generall but by me in speciall with thy holy Church this day and for euermore Amen Amen A particular confession of a sorrowfull sinner MOst mighty and all-knowing Lord â—…true spring of consâ—…ion J doe confesse with heaâ—t and voyce thou art my preseruation I haue offended griâ—uously by my transgâ—…ssions donâ— against thee And haue drawne downe a weight on mee of thy great Iudgements willfully Vnder which burden cannot I but faint and fall in wofull sort Vnlesse thy hand and thy mercy through Iesus Christ doe me support Thou knowest good Father I am weake and cannot beare thy heauy Ire Not knowing what to doe or speake or how to escape my sinfull hire Vnlesse thou point 〈◊〉 oâ—t the way with thy wise Spirit me directing Vnto my foe I am made a pray were not thy power me protecting Not euery one that heares thy word can vnderstand thy wiâ—edome great Nor euery one that cries Lord Lord shall enter in at heauens gate Who is not led by better line then doth proâ—… from fleâ—â— and blood Erres from the trueth and doeth decline from right to wrong to ill from good Whose end is death though for a time seemes sweete to please the outward man That 's nothing else but durt and slyme or like a puffe in length a span As honour riches friends and health Preferment life and Worlds delight Esteeming these true happy wealth but the true blisse is out of sight They thinke that sicknes pouerty imprisonment and enemies fell And worldly crosses verely are gates and entrance into hell So foolish and so ignorant are those thou guid'st not in thy way Mong'st whom euen I through wisdomes want haue bin misled vntill this day But hauing found the truth by triall that earthly ioyes are transitory When they me tempt I make deniall and onely seeke the eternall glory Now I disclaime all confidence in honour health in wealth or feature In wit or worldly Sapience or yet in any earthly creature And Lord I here doe dedicate all thou hast giuen me to thine honour My selfe I wholly consecrate to march and fight vnder thy banner And now I bid these toyes adue that onely-please my flesh and sences Because they all are most vntrue and still doe cause so great offences Because their glorious bounty fades and leaues nought but deformities Because they are nought else but shades and bring forth grosse enormities Because they are most false and fickle because they are indeed hels fewell Because their rose hath many a prickle because their slauery is most cruell Because they are not firme and stable because they are profane not holy Because they are but as a fable because they are but sottish folly Because my soule they coll and kill because they giue me Iudas kisse Because my good they spot and spill and draw me from mine heauenly wish Because like swords they wound my soule because like Serpents they doe
now returne humble and hearty thanks O Lord diddest thou no wonderfully in this life protec◠vs of thy selfe and with thy holy Angels it were not possible fo◠any man to liue one day in health or life O God I thanke thee fo◠the continuall blessings which 〈◊〉 haue receiued euery day night of this present life and for thy liberality in giuing me such plenty of foode and rayment not onely for my necessity but for my plenteous and free liuing not onely in health but in sicknesse And I thanke thee that thou hast giuen me such plenty that I may be able to lend and do good vnto others and that thou hast made my Cup to ouerflowe and hast giuen mee discretion to vse them soberly thankfully and honestly and that thou hast giuen me a heart to take my part of them and kept mee from prodigall vaine and wastfull spending of them so that my family haue not wanted in due season that portion that hath bin fit for them to haue and mee to giue them O Lord I thank thee that since I came to mans estate thou hast kept me from vaine and idle courses of liuing and that I haue not diminished thy blessings but encreased them for it is thou O Lord that giuest meanes and power not onely to keepe the patrimony of our Fathers but to encrease it Yea it is thou that giuest power vnto our hands to get goods thou makest wise thou makest simple thou makest rich and poore thou makest noble and ignoble wee liue moue and haue our Being all in thee and from thee and what soeuer we are in this life wee are at thy will and pleasure and thine especiall appointment for though we rise early and goe to bed late yet without thy blessing wee labour in vaine and haue but paine and sorrow the reward of our desires Wherefore O Lord I thanke thee againe and againe for thine vnspeakeable loue which thou hast manifested vnto mee not onely in blessing mee with an honest vocation and meanes in this world to liue and maintaine my charge at home and abroad in honest profits and recreations whereby thou hast made my life pleasant and comfortable vnto me but aboue all I thanke thee for thy mercy in Christ Iesus wherewith thou louest mee both before and since my being and that thou hast so especially cared for my soule while I knew thee not neither cared for to know thee for I was so dead and hardned in the custome of sinning so that I could not nor did care to call vpon thee but followed the concupiscence of my owne carnall and fleshly desires sauouring nothing but that which did altogether offend and displease thee hating thy word not onely in it selfe but also the Ministers thereof and professours thereof because of it whom otherwise I should haue loued vntill it pleased thee by the power thereof to illuminate my blinde vnderstanding and made mee to see the wretchednesse wherein I lay for want of thy grace O Lord such was and is thy loue that when with the sight of my wretchednesse I began to dispaire thou didst reueale thy Sonne vnto me and promised mee that though my sinnes were as red as scarlet yet if I did beleeue in thy promises confesse my sinnes and forsake them they should bee forgiuen which I did and euer since through thy grace haue done and will doe hereby hast thou iustified mee and sanctified me and giuen me an assured hope of my glorification And thus of the member of Sathan hast thou made mee of thine owne free adoption a member of Christ. Wherefore most louing Creatour support mee by the assistance of thy holy spirit that I may stand fast and perseuere in these Graces and gifts of grace the seales of my adoption vnto my liues end And may abound in all fruits of righteousnesse sanctification and holinesse vnto a perfect man in Christ Iesus This is that mercy of mercies surpassing all others which onely maketh mee happy in whatsoeuer outward wants or condition I shall be in this life and though thou gauest mee all my desire which this world can afford yet without it I should still remaine most miserable though in neuer so great an estate or esteeme of the men of this world Therefore for this blessing whereby thou hast pleased to saue me by faith and repentance I doe praise and thanke thee not with the tongue and lippes onely but with the whole man Let all that is within mee praise praise thee O Lord while I haue breath I will praise thee for thou onely art worthy to bee praised yea my soule praise thou the Lord To thee most glorious Trinity be giuen all possible praise might and maiestie in heauen and in earth by thine elect Angels and vs men in our bodies and spirits for euermore Amen Amen This Meditation inciteth vs to repaire vnto God in Prayers in silent sighes and in inward desires and groanes O Father full of knowledge deepe thou searchest secrets of the heart Behold'st desires wee priuate keepe with hidden silence in the darke But yet thou doest thus much require thy children should knowe and confesse Thee for to be their light some fire that iudg'st their workes in righteousnesse As thou hast fram'd in man a heart wherewith his Maker to beleeue A tongue and lips and euery part wherewith he glory may thee giue And thou doest challenge at his hands free sacrifice of thankes and praise And honours due throughout all lands that all men canst deiect and raise Thy children must not in their minde be dumbe nor in their tongues be mute When they should seeke thine helpe to finde and by petition shew their suite Thy Sonne doth bid me aske and haue and finde to seeke to knocke to enter What they doe want that they may craue by faith in him they may aduenture Thou still art ready to be found and helpe thine owne in their distresse That in their faith are constant found and patient in their heauinesse Therefore deere Father I beset with many miseries distrest Come vnto thee thine ayde to get and after trouble to finde rest And haue thy grace without within but I that am of sinners chiefe Because thou hat'st in me my sinne may doubt thou wilt not giue reliefe Alas poore wretch what shall I doe to aske I am so farre vnfit Vnapt my God to seeke vnto vnworthy to haue benefit Of what I craue or doe desire and yet to cry I will not linne Thy mercies great I will admire and craue to cure my wofull sinne O let thy spirit me sanctifie vntye my tongue open my lips I cannot silence keepe for why my conscience euery houre me whips My miseries growe more and more within my bones I finde no rest Thy grace anew to me restore and let me speake what likes thee best Let thine eares euer be enclinde to my extreame and dolefull cries Let me thy mercies ready finde to take my teares from weeping eyes Thou
sting mee Because my conscience doth controule and saith to hell gates they will bring mee Because they doe besot my senses because they dull my Spirits quicknes Because they cause so great expenses because they cause my sad soules sicknes Because all vertue hindered is by this vile worlds accursed pleasure Because it will bereaue of blisse and of that blessed heauenly treasure And therefore earth and world farewell adue fond fancies flattering fauours Your ioyes are toyes your heauen is hell I hate your poyson'd tast and sauours And thou that art life of my life soule of my soule ô Iesus Christ Point downe the period of worlds strife thou art the Prophet Prince and Priest That wentest vp to prepare that place aboue Sunne Moone and Planets seauen O saue me by thy sauing grace and bring me to that highest heauen Where are such ioyes caelestiall as cannot be exprest by pen Bring me from things terrestriall to raigne with thee for aye Amen A Prayer vnto Almighty God to prepare and dispose our hearts rightly vnto Prayer O Louing God and Father deare I humbly thee beseech and pray For Iesus sake my prayers heare and harken what my soule shall say My heart and thoughts Lord sanctifie thine holy Spirit inspire within me Me from corruptions mundifie and let thy louing mercies win me O let me aske and haue of thee let me by Faith my suite obtaine Thy louing fauour shew to me all other fauour is but vaine Restraine my vaine imaginations preuent by Grace Sathans intrusions Let him not taint my cogitations nor â—â—â—nd mine eyes with vaine illusions Which are the enticements and the baites of that great ghostly enemy That still for worldlings seekes and waites within which rancke poore wretch am I But as my mouth and lippes haue sayd words of a faithfull seruant true So let my soule of Christ craue ayd with inward spirit to liue anewe For now my poore soule is afraid and time mispent alas I rue To thee I runne imploring aid within me doe thy Spirit renue O Lord I see the bloody wounds of thy sweete Sonne my Sauiour 〈◊〉 see thy mercies there abounds and promised by thy fauour And therefore I by sinfull deâ—…des that earst liu'd carelesse in despaire Doe flye vnto those wounds that bleedes and plucke downe grace by force of prayer Oh in that grace grant me to live and in that grace grant me to die And when I die Lord grace me giue to raigne with thee perpetuallie A Prayer for Christian vertues OH my Lord God grant that with a sincere heart I may desire thee and in desyring seeke thee and in seeking find thee and when I haue found thee grant that I may constantly loue thee and not returne to that filthinesse of sinne for which thou hatest me and I become odious loathsome in thy presence that thou art constrained to withdraw thy gracious countenance from beholding so great impuritie Giue me ô my Lord God a repentant heart a contrite Spirit eyes flowing with fountaines of penitent teares quench in me all the concupiscense of the flesh and kindle in me the fire of thy loue Oh my Redeemer take from me the Spirit of pride and most fâ—â—ourably enrich mee with the treasure oâ— thy humilitie remooue from me◠ô my Sauior the fury and distem perance of choller and graciously arme me with the shield of pati ence O my Creator roote out oâ— me all ranck or and malice and en due me with gentlenes and meekâ— nes bestow vpon mee a perfecâ— faith a right hope and constanâ— loue Preserue me ô Lord from aâ— vanitie inconstancy of minde waâ— uering of heart scossing and conâ— temptuous speaking reproches tauntes and slanders against mâ— neighbour busie curiositie hunâ— ger of riches extortion ambitiâ— on vaine-glory from the vice oâ— hypocrisie the poyson of flatte ry contempt of the weake op pression of the poore from gree dy auarice cankered enuy deadly blasphemy Deliuer me ô Lord from rasâ— boldnesse contumacy frowardnesse idlenesse negligence sloath dulnesse of wit blindnes of heart obstinacy of minde sauage conditions contempt of good things the abandoning of wholesome counsell offence of the tongue rapine of the poore malicious and false accusation against the innocent violence against the impotent neglect of inferiours cruelty towards my family impietie and infidelitie towards them that repose trust in me and from vniust and rigorous dealing with all men O my God my merciful God I beseech thee in thy beloued Sonne blesse me with the workes of mercy and zeale of godlinesse to suffer with the afflicted to minister to the needy to succour the miserable to counsell them that go astray to comfort the sorrowfull to releeue the oppressed to nourish the poore to cherish and comfort such as mourne to forgiue my debtors to pardon them that trepasse against mee to loue them that hate mee to render good for euill to despise none but to honour them to imitate the good to beware of euill things and euill vngodly societie to eschew vice and to embrace vertue in aduersitie patience humblenesse in prosperitie to guard the doore of my mouth to watch the enemies that compasse my lippes to despise worldly things and earnestly to thirst after the heauenly O Lord my God blessed be thy name for euer dispose my heart open my lippes and guide mee by thy holy Spirit to a true acknowledgement of all my sinnes and an eternall detestation renouncing and forsaking of them that my prayers may bee heard of thee in the name and for the name of thy Sonne Iesus Christ. To whom with thee and the most holy Spirit three sacred persons one mighty and immortall God bee ascribed attributed and giuen all praise all thankes all honour and glory this day and for euermore Amen Amen A generall confession of sinnes OMnipotent and gracious Father I from thy wayes haue stray'd and err'd Like a lost sheepe and followed rather mine hearts deuises and prefer'd My foolish fancies fond desires and broke the lawes set downe by thee I haue not done what thou requires but done those things that should not be No health in mee but thou ô God haue mercy on me sinfull wretch Spare me oh spare me hold thy rod that to offenders thou doest stretch I doe confesse my faults restore mee I doe repent for Iesus sake That promise euer is before thee which thou in Christ to God didst make And grant for his sake liue I may a godly right and sober life To thy names glory still for aye possessing heauen where is no strife All laude and praise be to thy name for euer and euer now and then To whom all nations sing with fame sweete Psalmes of ioy Amen Amen A Morning Meditation I Laid me downe to rest and slept and in the moring rose againe God me sustain'd and safely kept and by his grace did me maintaine His Angels pitcht me round about sleeping and waking keeping me Both comming in and going out
steppes and pathes of thy iust lawes And of thy goodnesse daily talke with feare end loue and all applause To thee I wholly owe my selfe for thou hast Lord created mee And bought me not with worldly pâ—lfâ— but by thy Sonne hast made me free Whence I doe also learne to loue all men in thee and for thy sake Who beare thy Image from aboue and vnto thee themselues betake O let me thus thy fauours find and peace of conscience vnderstand Thy blessings and thy mercies kind protected still by thy right hand That fill'd my dayes I leaue this life to take a life eternally Where Angels sing continually all glory be to God on high Amen A Morning Prayer O Blessed Lord God great in power fearefull in iudgeâ—ent and rich in mercy which â—indest and no man looseth and â—ooâ—est no man bindeth I yeeld â—hee most humble and hearty â—hankes for that of thy fatherly goodnesse thou hast vouchsafed â—e this last nights sleepe in peace â—nd rest and againe loosing the â—onds wherewith I was tied hast â—iuen me power to see this morâ—ing light Now ô Lord I beâ—ech thee powre vpon mee this â—y the heauenly dew of thy comâ—rtable blessing that through the â—eration of thy gracious beames â—hat am a poore tree weake and â—rren in my selfe may bud forth â—d beare the fruits of true faith 〈◊〉 my life and conuâ—rsation Continue this goodnesse and mercy towards mee and by thy power raise me from the deepe sleepe of all vnrighteousnesse discharge me from the workes of darkenâ—sse and cloath me with the armour of light that I may walke honestly as in the day and liue soberly righteously and godly in this present world Grant me ô Lord true vnderstanding and knowledge of thy word which is the glasse of thy will Increase in me all godly deâ— sires together with true contriâ— tion of heart that I may vnfainedâ— ly despise the pleasures of thiâ— world with hearty repentanâ— be conuerted vnto thee send thâ— holy Angel to guide me and keep me in all my wayes and prospâ— the worke of my hands that I nâ— uer faile in my vocation to dâ— some good to all men and escheâ— if it be possible all euill O Lord I beseech thee pâ— serue and keepe my senses â—aâ— and souÌ„d that I be neither corrup ted by prosperity nor deiected by aduersitie nor be too fearefull of thy iudgements or too bould on thy mercies But grant me grace ô mercifull Lord that I may apprehend all that comes from thee with a religious heart and contented minde O blessed Lord Iesus Christ blessed bee thy name for our redemption great was thy loue sore was thy passion print in our mindes we beseech thee the continuall memory thereof that wee may love thee which so louedst vs and euermore praise thee that hast bought vs at so deare a price Reiect not our prayers which we offer to bee presented to thy Faâ—her but mercifully helpe vs and heale all our infirmities encrease our Faith and teach vs obedience forgiue vs our offences and hide vs in thy wounds from thy faâ—hers iust wrath make good thy â—romises vnto vs for the world to come and enable vs with thy grace for the performance of all thy Commandements prosper ô Lord the workes of our hands and bring vs safe to the end of this day for thy truth and for thy names sake Amen Amen An Euening Meditation I Lay me downe to sleepe in peace for thou Lord onely makest me dwell In safety with great quietnes and doest ill dreames from me expell My body to enormities is subiect without rest and sleepe Because of mine infirmities my life and health it cannot keepe Good Father all sufficient my louing God I yeeld thee praise For this dayes blessings to me sent and guiding me in all my wayes In that thou hast this day now past me strongly guarded with thy hands With loue refresht me first and last with mercies more then sea-shore sands That hast me brought to this dayes end blacke night and darkenes drawing neare Wherein all creatures rest attend and lay them downe till day appeare I finding my debility poore creature run to the diuine O strength mine imbecility and aide this soule and body mine Thou hast me made of matter grosse and brittle substance out of clay Which still is subiect to the crosse a tennis ball for worldlings play He wanting comfort cannot liue after much sorrow and great griefe Therefore I doe my body giue and soule to thee Lord grant reliefe O Lord I doe thee humbly pray as thou art fountaine of all rest Bee thou my succour helpe and stay let me by thee this night be blest Consider me in my weakenesse and let my carefull eyes behold My miseries and my distresse to cry for mercy make me bold And since 't is time that night now brings the bodies rest and quiet sleepe O shadow me vnder thy wings let thy protection safe me keepe Looke ouer me with watchfull eyes when this corrupted flesh of mine In slumbring sleepe and dulnesse lyes depriu'd of sense with closed eyne Vnable my poore selfe to saue from dangers of the darkesome night Keepe me my bed else is my graue and I shall neuer see the light Lord thou that onely mak'st me dwell and in sure safety to abide Thou watchest ouer Israel watch ouer me be by my side Thou art my Castle and my Fort my sword my buckler and defence My rocke my refuge and comfort saue me from force and violence Alas without thee what am I a beast that rightly nothing knowes A senseles blocke sillie flie that no good doe nor no good showes Thy louing fauour Lord extend ouer the house wherein I rest My bed with Angels Lord defend and soule and body by thee be blest Oh lay me downe in rest and peace in rest and peace ô let me rise In rest and peace ô giue some ease from torments troubles teares und cries Let not the sleights of sinne deceiue nor wicked practise ouertake me Let nothing me of hope bereaue oh doe not thou though all forsake me Lord I am poore oh make me rich with those great riches of thy blessing My soule my soule is blacke as pitch let pardon follow my confessing In hope of this I lay me downe depending on thy prouidence I care not if the world doe frowne for I am safe by thy defence Lord let it be for I am thine my rest make sweete and comfortable To thee I doe my selfe resigne Lord grant all this for thou art able An Euening Prayer for a priuate person O Most holy Father and my most gracious God which giuest vnto all men the cheerefull light of the day that in thine assistance they may follow their honest vocations and likewise sendest the silent nights that then they my rest their wearied limbs and busied mindes and so returne their due thankes for thy goodnesse I sinfull creature adore and praise thee for the totall
hands and liues by which wee haue this day offended thee iniured and oppressed others but that thou mightest as on Iobs children suffer the deuill by his instigation of wicked men to robbe and spoyle vs not onely of our goods and cattell and other our personall estates but also of our liues But ô our good God wee are confident that through thy mercy and loue in Christ no euill shall come vnto vs for thou hast promised that thou wilt bee a refuge and fortresse to keepe safe all those that trust in thee not onely from the arrow of the day but from the terror of the night which thou at thy will and pleasure sendest for the punishmeÌ„t and correction of our sinnes as thou â—iddest Shemâ—i with his rayling â—ongue to aâ—â—â—ict Dauid O Lord for the wâ—rthinesse of thy Sonne our Sauiour in whom onely wee lay down our bodies to rest turne backe this night and at all other times of our sleepe all the euill and wicked purposes of those that intend vs any hurt in our bodies or goods and send thy holy Angels to protect vs with their hands as they did thee our Sauiour against the prince of darkenesse when he had ended on thee his three temptations in the wildernesse And as they fought against the Assirans hoaste that proudely boasted themselues against thy seruant Hezekiah So ô Lord let thine Angels fight against all our enemies and the enemies of thy church not of flesh but of Spirit which resolue our hurt whether walking in the day or sleeping in the night And though our sinnes in which wee so much abound haue deserued that thou shouldest send those ministring Spirits as on Egypts first borne in the night to take away this our dying life or life full of death yet for thy mercies sake let them be our gardians not ouely this night but all the dayes and nights of this life for euer to further our soules and bodies in thy obedience and in and after death to conduct them to Abrahams bosome to rest in ioy and blisse with thee for euermore yea let thine Angels of light that continually behold thy face in heauen bee about our bodies night and day and with louing and kind assistance keeping euill from vs and vs from euill not onely of sinne but of temptation with which that worldly Gouernour and Prince of the Ayre neuer ceaâ—eth millions of wayes to withdraw vs from thee if he cannot through couetousnesse as Iudas â—or through the world as Deâ—as and Achan yet through pleasure as into our first mother Eue Dauid Solomon Sampson hee will a thousand to one craftely enter and seate himselfe in our hearts O Lord if by thy holy Spirit we happen to be so strong as by none of these baites to bee caught then hee laboureth by temporall crosses and afflictions of body and minde as on Iob to draw vs to distrust and dispaire in thy mercie and loue in all which assaults let thy grace and our faith keepe vs that we may not bee ouercome but as valiant souldiers in Christ and through the Armory of God in which by our holy calling we are girt we may leade captiuitie captiue and bee more then Conquerours through him that loueth vs. So that neither the feares of the day nor the terrours of the night of death and hell should separate vs from the assured guard of thee and thy Angels the conductors and furtherers of our saluation This thy great helpe and especiall assistance wee are continually enforced to craue not for our owne sakes but for thy Sonne his sake and that as hee himselfe hath taught vs in his most holy word saving Our Father which art in heauen c. To the Lord of Hoastes and God of glory our Creatour to thee ô Christ Iesus our Mediator thee most holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Sonne bee ascribed all praise and glory this night and for euermore Amen Amen Another for the Euening O Eternall God and most mercifull Father wee acknowledge and confesse against our selues that our hearts and hands are full of all filthinesse and sinnes whatsoeuer and we are altogether vnworthy to speake vnto thee or to come neere thy presence Neuertheles being so much bouÌ„d vnto thee as this day past and all other times of our liues doe witnesse we most humbly offer vnto thy holinesse by the hands of Iesus Christ our Mediatour our humble duties of praise thanksgiuing for our Creation Election Redemption Vocation and Sanctification with all other good graces appertaining to this life or that which is to come And namely ô Lord our tongues and lippes shall glorifie thee sitting aboue the Cherubims for preseruing vs this day past from so many miseries and casualties whereunto wee might iustly haue fallen if thou wouldest haue entered into iudgement with vs but Lord thou art mercifull and passest by our manifold offences to winne vs by thy long sufferance we beseech thee make vs thankefull for thy mercies and carefull to doethy will O Lord pardon and forgiue vâ— all our sinnes and grant vs euery day more and more the sight oâ— them true vnfained sorrow anâ— repentance for the same Giue vs faith and grace to beleeue all the sweete promises that thou hast made to vs in Christ Iesus both for the remission of our sins and the hope of a better life strengtheÌ„ vs from aboue with thy mighty hand to walke in euery good way and to bring forth the fruits of a true liuely faith in our liues and conuersation all the daies of our pilgrimage here Arme vs ô Lord with thy grace and holy Spirit against all the corruptions of the world the temptations of the deuill the allurements of the flesh and settle our mindes to the continuall exercise of deuout prayer with the hearing of thy sacred word watching for thy comming both publicke and priuate Continue thy goodnes towards vs in prouiding for vs such things as are necessary for the maintenance of this present life blesse the same vnder our hands that the little which wee haue by thy goodnesse may be encreased and the encrease may serue as well to furnish our necessary vses as to minister vnto the necessitie of others according to our abilities Keepe vs Lord this night from all euils which may happen either to our bodies or soules Extend thy goodnesse towards all those that depend vpon vs or wee on them Giue vs quiet sleepe and rest and when we shall awake let all our thoughts and cogitations be holy meditations on thee and thy law Blesse vs ô Lord all the nights and dayes of our liues and at the end thereof send vs a blessed departure and afterward a ioyfull resurrection vnto life eternall grant vs these good things most mercifull Father and all other needefull graces for Iesus Christ his sake in whose name wee further call vpon thee as our Lord and Sauiour hath taught vs in his Gospell saying Our Father which are in heauen
c. A godly Meditation wherein the distressed sheweth his vnfained griefe and sorrow for hauing offended so powerfull a God and so-mercifull and gracious a Father ALas that I offended euer this God of gods this Lord of powers That can in peeces all men shiuer and ouerturne the stateliest towers Ah woe is me that I offended and iustly God stirr'd vp to ire Who by his Law hath sinne condemned vnto the pit of endlesse fire I daily see Gods creatures all iustly for sinne displeas'd with me Mens hearts are hardned and with gall feede me that haue offended thee My God thy blessings all on earth tho duoest with-hold and from me keepe Alas my soule sustaines a dearth of grace vnto thy grace I creepe But what to doe or what to say I know not Lord but I know this My griefes encrease more day by day my mirth is moane bane is my blisse One euill doth another call like waues on waues in raging seas My weary burthen makes me fall I finde no comfort helpe nor ease I hope of helpe but that hope quailes in crosses are my comforts ended I flie to Faith but then Faith failes when I neede most to be defended As if I were the onely man prepos'd by thine intendement Whom heauen ond earth must curse and ban as subiect of all punishment Thy iustice damnes me I appeale to mercy then appeal'd I feare To be reiected thus cold zeale and secret sinnes with griefe I beare Shall I thinke it a fruitlesse taske vnto my God for to repaire That sinners cals and bids them aske and they shall haue all things by prayer Can it be bootelesse downe to fall before his throne of Maiestie And with repentant tongue to call for pardon for mine iniquitie May not vnfaigned cries at last preuaile with him that 's pittifull To pardon mine offences past reuiue my soule which now is dull I le frame my heart to meditate my tongue to vtter what may please Him whom best knoweth my estate and seeke his wrath for to appease To him I le goe in Christ his name in whom I know he is well pleas'd And will confesse my sinne with shame and so mine heart shall sure be eas'd For Christs sake looke on me againe he is God all-sufficient He doth behold and see my paine my inward faithfull hearts intent He knoweth what I goe about all I thinke speake or doe amisse He writes or notes without all doubt in his remembrance booke it is I know he will in worth accept what iustly I intend to be And cannot it performe except he put his helping hand thereto He knoweth that I am but flesh and what is flesh but fraile and ill And what is man a lumpe of trash whom vaine desires doe fully fill And will this God Iehouah high so strong and powerfull set his might Against a worme so weake as I a silly man a shade of night What conquest can there be in God to worke reuenge on me poore soule Who still corrects me with his rod whose Iustice doth my sinnes controle Shall I dispute with thee nay rather poore wretch I should fall prostrate downe And humbly kneele vnto my Father and pray with teares when he doth frowne If he afflict more be it so if further plague me le't be so If he will kill with paines and woe doe what he will let it be so For I am his doe what he will with me and all that mine can bee It is his owne and must be still there 's no disputing Lord with thee There is no Art or Eloquence can quench thy coales of burning ire It is not words can make defence nor friends can saue me from the fire Nor take me from thy powerfull hands so full of might force strength and power Or breake in sunder thy strong bands nor ease one minute of an houre I le yeeld me therefore to his will Lord doe what thy good pleasure is Turne me as may thy minde fulfill I le waite the time of happy blisse I le waite thy pleasure time will come wherein I may the issue see Of my afflictions all and some and what thy purpose is with me The meane time I will with thy word consult and vse my exercise And comfort take through hope ô Lord refresh dull spirits and cleare dimme eyes With dewe of thy sweete promises laying aside all fleshly aide I onely rest on thy mercies in holy word as thou hast saide And in true faith will I remaine and seeke thee being the true way Wherein who walkes at length shall gaine true blisse and happinesse for aye Who this embraceth shall not erre wherein who liues shall neuer dye But weare a crowne past reason farre and liue with God eternally An Euening Meditation O Most deare Lord Iesus to whose euerlasting goodnes wee are daily engaged for all the good things we haue which hast granted the cheerefull light of the day vnto all men both good and bad to follow their affaires and seuerall employments in and mercifully giuest the sweete stilnesse of the night to refresh their wearred bodies and to put away the cares of their mindes and to asswage their sorrowes wee â—…seech thee that those things 〈…〉 haue done amisse this day 〈…〉 our common imbecillit 〈…〉 gence ignorance or â—…g 〈…〉 rash and vnaduised presumptiâ—… 〈…〉 wherein we haue offended 〈…〉 cred eyes they may be paâ—… and forgiuen for thy 〈…〉 goodnesse sake and according 〈…〉 the innumerable multitude 〈…〉 mercies And grant herewithall that this night may be blessed and prosperous vnto vs safe by thy protection ouer vs and free from the dangerous illusions of wicked spirits so as this refreshment by quiet rest and sleepe may make both our bodies and mindes more cheerefull to morow and we the more enabled to doe thee seruice and faithfully to follow those employments thou hast appointed for vs blesse vs ô Lord and water vs with the dew of thy blessings and let the drops of thy Sonnes blood shed for our sinnes and yet crying for mercy distill into my heart by a liuely Faith for the comfort of our soules and the amendment of our sinfull liues wee beseech thee ô Lord take from vs all manner of darkenesse misbeleefe infidelitie carnall lustes and affections and so strengthen vs with thy grace that the Barke of our weake Faith sinke not through the stormes of Sathans temptations nor our hopes be ouer whelmed through the weight of our vnworthinesse nâ—r any of thy good graces in vs extinguished or blemished by the waues of a wicked conuersation Enter thy Iudgements into the tables of our hearts that wee may bee content to spare of our ordinanary sleepe to muse of all thy CoÌ„mandâ—ments and that wee may bee more earnest vpon the meditation of thy sacred word then the Kings of the Nations haue beene to turne ouer their Records in the night season Be mindfull of vs when wel appen to forget our selues and think vpon vs ô Lord sleeping
and waking Keepe vs O Lord this night present euen vs and ours that we bee neither disquieted by dreames nor surprised by any sudden violence nor affrighted by any terrour but graunt vs this fredome libertie that wee may lye downe in peace and rest and rise vp againe in due time safely to the honour and glory of thy name and the managing of our worldly businesse in thy feare through Iesus Christ our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer for Faith O Lord our God thou hast reâ—eaâ—ed in thy word that the iust should liue by Faith and that without â—aith it is impossible to please thee and although aâ—… not faith yet as many as are ordained to eternall life by thy power and gift doe truely beleeue O Lord I doe beleeue encrease my faith and helpe my vnbeliefe and grant that through hearing reading of thy Word I may grow stronge in this grace and encrease from faith to faith And open my heart O Lord as thou didst Lydias that I may beleeue the Word to be thy Word and thy promises therein contained to be giuen not vnto others but vnto me And that when thy word saith Beleeue and yee shall be saued my heart may presently answer thee Command or say what thou wilt I beleeue Lord not historically but sincerely from the bottome of my heart Lord helpe my vnbeâ—eefe And O heauenly Father grant for thy Sonne my Saviours sake that when stormes of temptations shall fall vpon me as on Peter on the water yet beyond his example hauing thy Word to support me I may beleeue in thee and though with the eyes of my flesh I see no hope but that my faith may frustrate mee yet like Peter I may not sinke but seeke for further helpe from thee and being assured that euery word of promise is most certaine let me still aboue hope and beyond hope beleeue in thee yea and though with holy Iob thou kill my body yet will I trust in thee for I know thou wilt saue my spirit and vnite them againe in the day of the Lord. Sweet Sauiour whensoeuer I shall bee stung with the remembrance of my present or passed sinnes graunt I may like the faithfull â—sraelites in the wildernesse looke vnto the pillar of thy Crosse on which thou suffâ—redst death for my sinnes and through the vertue thereof apprehended by faith like the diseased Woman in her bloudy issue and perishing griefe with one glance and touch of sincere and iustifying Faith be suppled comforted and cured of my troubled spirit and wounded conscience O heauenly Father grant that the oyle of Faith in mee may neuer thorow temptation bee weakened much lesse vtterly decayed but as the oyle in the widowes Cruse through thy blessing bee more and more encreased this graunt for the honour of Iesus Christ my Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer for the Remission of sinnes O Lord God in greatnesse infinite in power omnipotent in Counsell wonderfull and in Iudgement tâ—rrible Although 〈◊〉 miserable sinner haue by thy iustice truely deserued everlasting damnation for my horrible sinnes yet I beseâ—ch thee cast mee not away with thâ—m that haue not knowne thee or such as forget God or such as runne on in their wickednesse and neuer say what haue I done for I appeale from thy rightfull iustice to thine vnspeakable mercy and humbly cast downe my selfe at thy feete and confesse my sins beseâ—ching and begging compassion and pardon behold O Lord I am a piece of that purchase that cost so great a price as the bloud of thy deare Sonne my body and soule are the Temples of the holy Ghost the postes whereof are sprinkled with his most precious bloud which cryeth for mercy And therfore enter not into the course of iudgement with me for there I know I shall bee ouerthrowne but forbeare mee forgiue mee and acquit me vpon that satisfaction which he hath made for penitent sinners O Lord though the stipend of my sinne be death and the merit of my transgression eternal perdition yet is thy mercy aboue all thy iudgements and thou canst forgiue more then I can offend Wherefore I pray thee set thy deare Sonnes Crosse and Passion betwixt thy iudgements and my soule Looke vpon me with the eye of mercy and compassion as thou didst vpon the sinnefull Woman at the banquet and the Publican in the Temple whole pardons are registred in thy Booke for my Comfort O Lord bow downe the height of the Deitie to behold my vilenesse and misery a liuely image of the prodigall Sonne who knew no other helpe but onely thee my most loving Father whom I haue so highly offended powre the oyle of mercy into my defiled and fainting heart search it that I may not flatter my selfe to extenuate my sinne cleanse it and season it with the oyle of thy grace to receive and retaine all goodnesse heereafter Lord I thanke thee for thy patience and long suffering that thou hast not suddenly after my desert taken vengeance on mee but giuen mee a longer time of repentance wherfore I beseech thee appease thine anger towards mee now loose in me the workes of darkenesse create in me a newe heart and because thou expectest my amendement that I may haue thy fauour I beseech thee graunt mee thy fauour that I may amend giue me grace to repâ—nt vnfainedly with fasting weeping and mourning and make my faith liuely to beleeue that I am forgiuen in Iesus Christ. Let not the faults of my Forefathers light vpon my head who haue walked in their sinnefull steps neither be angry with mee for their sakes but let the wel-doing of Iesus Christ who hath shed his bloud for me succour me and procure my pardon for giue all my sinnes of youth and age negligences and ignorances thoughts words and deedes and keepe mee from presumptuous sinnes O Lord looke not vpon the Pharisie for he dissembleth nor vpon the Publican first for hee sayeth little for himselfe in outward shew nor vpon Mary Magdalen onely for she had but seuen deuills but looke vpon me that of sinners am chiefe worse then either Pharisie Publicane or Marie who haue as many sinnes as haires vpon my head and a greater clogge vpon my Conscience then any burthen that man hath to beare and doe therefore openly earnestly vnfainedly and continually call vpon thee O Lord keepe vnder Satan that hee compell not my conscience to dispaire quench all the euill motions of my minde striuing against thy diuine pleasure and restore in me the Image of thy Sonne that I may liue in thy feare dye in thy fauour rest in thy peace rise in thy power and remaine in thy glory for Iesus Christ his sake our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen In this Meditation the distressed humbly confesseth his sinnes and the vanities of his former times lewdly mispent and resolueth and exhorteth all others to returne vnto God with speedy true and vnfained repentance AN heart that 's broken and contrite to God
is a sweet sacrifice Repentant sinners him delight farre more then iust men in their eyes What I haue bene my God hath knowne What I now am the Lord doth see What I shall bee to him is showne from him no secret kept can be How I consum'd so many yeares mispent so many months and dayes Both houres and minutes all appeares to God who markes my life and wayes Time is the meane that all things tries Time worketh what mens wits deuise Time with his swiftnesse euer flyes And Time in time will make men wise Fly from me follies of my youth packe hence my sinnes that burd'ned me Welcome to me is Age and Truth now I by faith in Christ will be Whose sinnes doe make my heart to bleed let them examples take by me Whose wickednesse all mens exceeds come Lord in mercy pardon me Lord now let me depart in peace I â—â—ele thy rod I finde thy loue My paines doe grow my ioyes encrease this mercie comes from thee aboue My sicknesse is a present meane to heale and cure my wounds of sinne Lord purge all my corruptions cleane and let my death my life beginne A Prayer for the forgiuenesse of Sinnes ETernall God and louing Sauiour before thy Baptisme thou didst send Iohn the Baptist to preach remission of sins through repentance and faith in thy name And after thou wert Baptized and entered into thy Ministrie thou that didst exhort all that were weary and laden with their sinnes to come vnto thee saying that thou cammest to call sinners to repentance and that the whole had no need of the Phisitian but the sicke Wherefore o Lord being deadly sicke with the sence of my sinnes and with the Samaritane wounded vnto death I entreate thee in the teares of a sorrowfull heart to wash me not onely my hands feete and head but also my heart from sinne O Lord powre into my wounds the oyle of mercy that it may pacifie and quiet my minde in thee O Lord wash me with the bloud of thy Sonne as with Hysop for I haue with the Prodigall sonne and Lost sheepe erred in the vanitie of my minde But ô Lord as Philip found Nathaniel when hee looked not for him So by true repentance and hearty confession let me be found of thee and in thee now seeking after thee O Lord I thirst after thee and for thee wherefore send thy holy Spirit into mee to mollifie and comfort my hard and vnrepentant heart O Lord it cannot by nature enter into my minde that I am so wretched a sinner but by thy word as vnto Nichodemus thou hast made me to see that except by true repentance I be regenerat and so as it were borne againe I cannot enter into the Kingdome of heauen that is possibly be saued But ô Lord thou hast made me to know sinne and how sinne became sinne by the reuerent vse of thy word for though there be sinne in vs before the knowledge of thy Law yet sinne without thy Law was not imputed but thou hast giuen vs Christians this thy law as a touchstone to know sin and that sinne is the transgression of the Law for if there were no Law there would be no transgression wherefore thy Law which was ordained vnto me vnto life by the search thereof hath slaine mee vnto death and made me immeasurably sinfull for by the Law thou hast made mee to know sinne which by no other meanes I could know or should euer haue found out for how should I haue knowne lust to be sinne if thou hadst not said I should not lust Wherefore O Lord seeing it is so with me that I doe the euill which I would not and leaue vndone the good that I would binde this strong man in mee that though Sinne dwell in mee yet hee may not raigne ouer or rule in mee yea mortifie the wicked deeds of my flesh by thy holy word and mighty operation of thy spirit O grant that by the dying of the Lord Iesus sinne in all his kindes and force may be subdued and dye in me lest that thereby I be made to come short of thy glory which thou hast promised to all repentant sinners Good God grant that I may not yeeld my members seruants vnto sinnes but reserue them seruants vnto thee in true righteousnesse and holinesse all the dayes I haue to liue in this life O Lord as Ammon hated his sister Tamar after hee had abused her with himselfe and himselfe with her so that hee could not abide â—ere nor well might himselfe by reason of himselfe giue mee grace I may hate sinne not onely after but before it is committed with no lesse indignation then they did each other and thou them both O Lord let the old man that is in me be so crucified with Christ in the power of his death that I may henceforth be no more seruant vnto sinne for that thou hast said that a carnall man liuing in sinne cannot please thee O Lord giue me thy spirit that I may hate the things of the flesh which are nothing but san against thee and loue the things of thy spirit as ioy in the holy Ghost peace of conscience long-suffering patience in bearing and forbearing wrongs with faith and the like graces and fruits of thy most holy spirit O Lord seeing I haue to the subduing of sin desired the gift of thy holy spirit let mee be carefull by the vse of all holy meanes to walke in the spirit And seeing thou hast condemned sinne in him that knew no sinne for my sake O Lord condemne it not in me againe and as the first birth is nothing but sinfull Adam Lord graunt that by this my second birth I may be a continuall liuing spirituall man in Christ thus hauing confessed my sinnes with hearty sorrow I beseech thee for my Sauiour his sake to forgiue me my sinne and to strengthen mee all the dayes of my life to come that with the man in the Gospell I may follow thy heauenly counsell and sinne no more neither in action affection nor intention lest this my confession and contrition should be in vaine which O Lord forbid for thy Christ his sake Amen Amen The Repentant complaineth of the grieuousnesse of his sinnes and desireth mercie and pardon and to be deliuered from Sinne and the guilt and punishment thereof HIdden O Lord are my most horrid sinnes vnto the world though open plain to thee He neuer betters that no time begins corruption killeth all good thoughts in me What sinne doth dwell in this vild flesh of ours but doeth encrease like monsters huge in me Committing them both minuts dayes houres as swift as time so fast grow they in me Rent thine own flesh teare thy wretched haire scrape clean corruptions marrow froÌ„ thy bones Put out thine eyes cut off thy tongue stop eares lame all thy senses to kill sinne at once I faine would walk that know not how to creepe I am opprest with such most
Phineas Sampson Dauid S. Paul and Stephen and all the rest of the Prophets and holy Martyrs both ancient and late haue abounded herein I doe prostrate and cast downe my selfe before thy most high Maiestie beseeching thee to giue mee this coale from thine Altar that I may delight my soule to be talking and singing thy continuall praise and inflame my spirit like the men that trauailed to Emmaus to be astonied in admiration and contemplation of thy exceeding loue O God my Sauiour let not my zeale be headie preposterous or ignorant zeale that there with I may neither offend thee disquiet thy Church or afflict my selfe as the Scribes and Pharisees in Ierusalem and the Israelites in the absence of Moses at mount Sinah or as Saul in his Pharisaicall deuotion giue me not knowledge without zeale nor zeale without knowledge and that all my vnderstanding in thy Word may euermore bee mixed with true zeale O let not my zeale be aboue knowledge lest while I thinke to serue thee in the breath of charity by the distemper thereof I bee inforced to dishonour and blaspheme thee as the blinde Heathen ignorant Papists or vndiscreete Protestants at this day doe Graunt this O Lord for the honour of my Aduocate and Mediatour Iesus Christ. Amen A feruent Prayer vnto God that the repentant may finde fauour in Christ. ATtend vnto my teares O Lord regard my wofull moane And seeke to saue me by thy Word or I am ouerthrowne For sinne doth so oppresse my minde that I am damn'd to hell Vnlesse by Christ I fauour finde whose wounds must make me well Cure thou my soule so sicke with sinne by merits of thy Sonne Marke not the estate that I liue in but marke what he hath done Most perfect hee though I be vilde to please when I offend He sits with thee though I exilde in glory to the end My nature is inclin'd to euill though his with good accord My sences seeke to serue the deuill his will to please the Lord. Wherefore O God that art most iust in him my debts to pay In his desert my soule doth trust thy wrath for to allay O Father full of knowledge deepe thou searchest secrets of each heart Beholdst desires wee priuate keepe with hidden silence in the darke But yet thou doest thus much require thy children should know and confesse Thee for to be their lightsome fire that iudgest their workes in righteousnesse As thou hast fram'd in man a heart wherewith his Maker to beleeue A tongue and lips and euery part wherewith he glory may thee giue And thou doest chalenge at his hands free sacrifice of prayers praise And honours due throughout all lands that all men canst deiect and raise Thy Children must not in their minde be dumbe nor in their tongues be mute When they should seeke thy helpe to finde and by petition shew their suite Thy Sonne doth bid me aske and haue and finde to seeke to knock to enter What they doe want that they may craue by faith in him they may aduenture Thou still art ready to be found and helpe thine owne in their distresse That in their faith are constant found and patient in their heauinesse Therefore deare Father I beset with many miseries distrest Come vnto thee thine ayde to get and after trouble to finde rest And haue thy Grace without within but I that am of sinners chiefe Because thou hat'st in me my sinne they doubt thou wilt not giue reliefe Alas poore wretch what shall I doe to aske I am so farre vnfit Vnapt my God to aske vnto vnworthy to haue benefit Of what I craue or doe desire and yet to cry I will not linne Till thou doest send refining fire and purifie me from my sinne A Prayer for the obtaining of Faith Hope and Charity and all Christian vertues O Lord and Father of lights from whom proceedeth euery good and perfect gift I beseech thee to blesse mee with all spirituall blessings in heauenly things in Christ. Increase the little graine of my weake and feeble Faith direct it to the true obiect the merits of Christ Iesus and let it not be bare and bad but effectually working by loue Make me strong therein and constant to giue credit to thy Word without doubting and protect mee among the diuers and manifold errors sects and heresies of this world that fight against the foundation Lord let me not be disappointed of my hope which I haue in thee but make good thy promises vnto mee and so worke in my heart that I may haue courage in conflict patience in trouble and comfort in all things Keepe mee from insolencie and pride and graunt mee true humility and lowlinesse of minde that I bee not puffed vp to contemne my brethren but giue mee that due consideration of my owne vilenesse and infirmities that as dust and ashes I may tremble and stand in awe of thy Iudgements and as a sinfull man esteeme better of others then my selfe O deare Father when Sathan shall accuse mee my owne conscience beare witnesse against mee the whole world forsake mee and all things set themselues against mee for my sinnes then strengthen mee in thy Faith that I fall not from thee inflame my cold heart with the vnfained affection of heauenly loue that I may loue thee O blessed Trinity withall that I haue aboue all my neighbour as my selfe Graunt me a compassionate and a charitable minde to helpe and succour others to my ability to forbeare and forgiue them though they bee mine enemies Inflame me with loue and charity towards all men to forgiue and forget to doe good to pray for them that I may follow the steps of my Sauiour open the eyes of my vnderstanding and helpe me to examine my selfe concerning my knowledge faith and repentance send me the hunger and thirst after righteousnesse and make mee verily and fully partaker of all the benefits of that bitter passion of my Lord Sauiour Iesus Christ To whom with thee and thy most holy Spirit be all honour and glory this day and for euermore Amen Amen The sighes and meditations of an afflicted conscience O Most mercifull God which by the sending of thy Sonne into the world hast brought to passe that where sinne abounded there grace abounded much more I forlorne wretch disquieted in minde and afflicted in conscience for feare of thy Iudgements vpon my sinne doe with bended knees and teares vnfained a most humble Suppliant begge and craue of thee some succour and reliefe open open the gates of thy mercies to the greatnesse of my miseries my abiect countenance witnesseth my distressed minde My spirit is sorrowfull my heart is heauie my words are stopt with sighes and my plants watered with teares to thee I hold vp my hands to thee I lift vp my heart to thee 〈◊〉 pray requiring thee of mercie O Lord what shall I desire of â—hee that deserue nothing at thy â—ands What can I hope for that â—m euen heartlesse
my carelesse and negligent receiuing by the suddaine hand of sicknesse be struck vnto death but as the faithfull Iewes in their constant and conscionable celebration of their feast of Passeouer by them kept a perpetuall remembrance of their Egyptian deliuerrnce from Pharaohs bondage were exceedingly edified confirmed in the promises of thy loue that thou wouldest be their God and they should be thy people which they sawe fulfilled in their Fathers and still continued vnto themselues through the hope of the Messiah by whom they expected their greatest safety and deliuerance Graunt vnto mee O heauenly Father that as the Minister of thy Word and Sacraments setteth a part the Bread and Wine so I may remember the eternall loue by which in the beginning thou diddest set a part thy Sonne through faith in him to be my saluation promising that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life And as I see the Wine powred out and the Bread broken so I may remember thy patient enduring the breaking of thy body and shedding of thy blood whereby thou hast payed the price and satisfied the punishment that was due vnto me and as the Bread Wine doe presently comfort and refresh my body so most sweet Sauiour let me feele my soule so comforted and edified this day and so often as I shall thinke of thee and thy mercies hereby promised and assured yea graunt that being made one with thee by spirituall vnion I may liue in thee and thou in me in the encrease of a godly life to the honour of thee my Sauiour To whom with the Father and the holy Ghost be giuen by me and all thine both present and eternall praise Amen Amen Another godly Meditation before the receiuing of the holy Communion O Almighty God and mercifull Father I am a secret sinner and my heart is a bottomlesse pit of all corruptions wilfully and foolishly ignorantly and obstinately haue I sinned against thee vnto whose eye all the secrets of my soule lye open but now I come vnto thee as the sick man vnto the Physitian as an vncleane man vnto the Well of mercy and grace offered in the pretious blood-shedding of Iesus Christ and represented to my soule in this blessed Sacrament Haue mercy vpon mee O Lord haue mercy vpon mee and forgiue mee all the euills that I am guilty of Giue mee grace that I may discerne the Lords body and so receiue it in this Sacrament with such chastity of body humblenesse of minde thankfulnesse of soule hearty contrition dread and reuerence as is meete for such a mysterie O Lord Iesus it is truly said of thee that thou didst receiue sinners and eate with them and I verily beleeue that thou art the same still full of goodnesse and mercy wherefore I beseech thee leaue me not to my selfe reiect me not from thy Table come into my heart and purge me from all filthinesse of the flesh and of the spirit Enter into my soule seale and sanctifie me both within and without Inflame me with loue and charity towards all men to forgiue and forget to doe good to pray for them that I may follow the steps of my blessed Sauiour Open the eyes of my vnderstanding and helpe mee to examine my selfe concerning my knowledge faith and repentance Send mee the hunger and thirst after this righteousnesse satisfie me with this heauenly foode make mee verily partaker of all the benefits of his Passion Oh deare Lord Iesus since thou hast suffered so many things for my sake and hast commanded mee not to dispaire nor distrust thy goodnesse graunt me grace to eate of this bread and to drinke of this Cup worthily that I may continually remaine in thy grace and fauour O Lord God the Father giue mee the full consolation of this mysterie and commemoration that my faith may be encreased my hope confirmed my charity enflamed my weake conscience comforted all dangers repelled and my soule assured of her saluation in the blood of Christ let no profanenesse enter into my heart so long as I am about this holy action but giue mee grace to receiue with purity of heart and cleanenesse of soule with loue dread and stedfast faith haue mercy vpon me good Lord that by vnworthy receiuing I be not guilty of his pretious body and blood who came downe from heauen liued with men and swamme through a red sea of blood in his agony and passion to bee my Redeemer Haue mercy vpon the whole Church and to this purpose haue mercy vpon this place and this companie that they may serue and please thee in this holy seruice and all other actions of their life O Lord be not angry with mee a barren and dry tree a creature with a face of brasse and heart of flint I haue not so many teares as are sufficient to wash thy feete with Mary Magdalen but thou hast shed as much of thine owne blood as surficeth to wash away all the sinnes of mee and all the world then be not angry with mee O Lord but let thy grace supply my wants let thy mercy pardon my sinnes let thy holy spirit prepare my soule thy merits enrich my pouerty and thy most pretious blood wash away all the spots of my life that I may worthily receiue this heauenly Sacrament so that I may bee strengthened thereby throughly filled with the heauenly foode of thy body and blood for the mortification of the old man the confirmation of my faith and the finall saluation of my soule O Lord heare my prayers graunt my requests I beseech thee Amen Godly Meditations vpon the loue and mercy of God in bestowing together with his Sonne these holy Mysteries vpon vs the commemoration whereof may moue vs to an awefull reuerence in the participation of the same O Father of mercy and God of all consolation seeing all creatures doe confesse thee to bee their Gouernour and Lord it becommeth vs the workmanship of thine owne hands to reuerence and magnifie thy godly Maiestie First for that thou hast created vs to thine owne image and similitude but chiefely because thou â—ast deliuered vs from that euerlasting death and damnation into which Sathan drew mankinde by the meanes of sinne from the â—ondage whereof neither man nor Angell was able to make vs free But thou O Lord rich in mercy and infinite in goodnesse hast prouided our redemption to stand in thine onely and welbeleued Sonne whom of very loue thou didst giue to bee made man perfect in all things freely exempted and excepted from sinne that in his body he might receiue the punishment of our transgression by his death to make satisfaction to thy Iustice and by his resurrection to destroy him that was the Author of death and so bring againe life vnto the world from which the whole off-spring of Adam was most iustly exiled O Lord we acknowledge that no creature was able to comprehend the length and breadth the deepenesse and height of that
thy most excellent loue which moued thee to shew mercy where none was deserued to promise and giue life where death had gotten victory to receiue vs into thy grace when wee could doe not hing but rebell against thy maiestie O Lord the blinde dulnesse of our corrupt nature will not suffer vs sufficiently to weigh these thy most ample benefits Yet neuerthelesse at the commandement of Iesus Christ our Lord wee present our selues to this his Table which hee hath left to be vsed in remembrance of his death vntill his comming againe to declare and witnesse before the world that by him alone we haue receiued liberty and life â—hat by him alone thou doest acknowledge vs to be thy children and heires that by him alone we haue entrance to the Throne of thy grace that by him alone wee are possessed in our spirituall Kingdome to eate and drinke at his Table with whom wee haue our conuersation presently in heauen and by whom our bodies shall be raised vp agâ—ine from the dust and shall be placed with him in that endlesse ioy which thou O Father of mercy hast prepared for thine Elect before the foundation of the world was layd And these most inestimable benefits wee acknowledge and confesse to haue receiued of thy free mercy and grace by thine onely beloued Sonne Iesus Christ for thâ— which we therefore thy congregation mooued by thy holy Spirit render vnto thee all thanks praise and glory for euer What tongue or what heart can worthily giue thee thankes O Lord Iesu for thine vnspeakeâ— able loue towards vs who to thâ—â— intent to redeeme mankinde forlâ—rne didst vouchsafe to become man and to take all the miseries of our estates vpon thee insomuch that in the end thou being a pure and vnspotted Lambe wast contented to bee made a sacrifice for vs vpon the Altar of the Crosse and to abide the punishment due for our sinnes that thou mightest reconcile vs to thy Father yea and both in life and death thou didst spend giue and bestow thy selfe wholy vpon vs and for vs. And thy gracious goodnesse was not so contented but also lest we might at any time perchance forget so great a benefit or at least our trust in thee might at any time quaile euen now raigning in heauen thou refreshest our soules from time to time with the foode of thy body and chearest them vp with the holy Cup of thy blood Wherefore I beseech thee let thy spirit cleanse my heart that I may not come vnworthily to that heauenly feast and to the table whereat euen the very Angels doe tremble but that by thy shedding thy selfe into my bâ—wels I may growe manly in thee and become the liuelier by spirituall encreasements so as I may continue vnto the end in the blessed fellowship of thy mysticall body whom it is thy will to haue all one with thee in such wise as thou art all one with the Father by the knitting of the holy Ghost to whom be praise and thanks for euermore Amen I yeeld thee hearty thankes O Lord Iesus Christ for thine vnutterable loue in vouchsafing to redeeme mankinde by thine own death And I beseech thee suffer not thy most holy blood to haue beene shed in vaine for mee but that I growing vp in thee by continuall encrease of heauenly strength may become a fit member of thy mysticall body which is the Church and neuer swarne from that most holy couenant which thou madest with thy chosen Disciples in thy last Supper by distributing the bread vnto them and by reaching them the Cup and by them to all those that by a liuely faith apprehend the merits of thy most pretious death and passion My Lord Iesus Christ what am I that thou shouldest vouchsafe to come vnder my roofe Can a sinfull man deserue such grace O Lord my God I am certainly altogether vnworthy Am I better then all my Fathers were thou wouldest not shew thy selfe to Moses one twinkling of an eye and how happeneth it that thou humblest thy selfe so much as to come to a man that is both a Publican and a sinner And thou vouchsafest not onely to eate with him but also to giue thy selfe to be eaten of him Haile O bread of life which cammest downe from heauen and which giuest life to as many as receiue thee worthily Surely whosoeuer receiueth thee wâ—rthily although his soule be seuered from his body by temporall death yet shal he not die for euer because that the separation is not a death but a passing from death to life by reason whereof hee that eateth thee worthyly beginneth to liue with thee for euer when he dieth in this world thou art the bread of the Angels the very sight of thee doth solace and glorifie the Angels thou art the food of the soule the glory of heauen the solace of all Angels Saints O most holy food by the eating whereof by a liuely faith is set free from all euill is filled with all goodnesse and is vndoubtedly made immortall O sacred foode of our pilgrimage by the strength whereof wee passe out of this naughty world to the glorious company in heauen Goe on therfore O beleeuing and faithfull soule be merry and reioyce in God thy Sauiour take thy fill of this feast wherein the body of thy Sauiour is set before thee to feede on man fell from God by eating the fruit of the forbidden tree but by this foode hee is redeemed againe to endlesse glory These â—achrymae following containe godly and deâ—out Prayers for constancâ—e in affâ—ictions and to beare malicious slanders patiâ—â—tly O Lord how doe my woes encrease how many are my miseries My troubles rise and neuer cease men iudge thou wilt not heare my cries They say thou wilt me quite forsake that there 's no helpe for me in thee But Lord they are but such that make their censure with a carnall eye And doe not spiritually discerne thy secret purpose and intents Correcting them whom thou wouldst learne to know thy Law and Commandements Chastising them whom thou do'st loue and scourging them oft with thy rod That thou their hearts and mindes may'st moue to feare and serue thee mighty God The wicked outward meanes preferre and worldly helpes at neede they muster And not to God themselues referre nor comfort take from heauenly lustre Who workes by meanes his sacred will and without meanes brings to effect And against meanes can saue or kill for those him serue his true Elect Therefore let not their malice moue nor yet their taunts diâ—may my minde I will hold fast by God aboue whose promise iust and true I finde I striue thy statutes Lord to keepe what thou command'st I will performe Direct me right to thee I creepe O Lord doe thou my life reforme Defend me Lord from their despight that watch to catch me in their snare And to entrap me day and night with nets and ginnes ere I beware And scoffe me basely with reproach with shamefull
pardoned my sinne through thee in the life to come eternally to be saued Amen Amen Another Prayer after the receiuing of the holy Communion O Iesus the Sonne of God my Lord and Sauiour with all humble and hearty thanks I praise thee for suffering death vpon the Crosse for my sinnes and admitting me a miserable sinner to the participation of this blessed Sacrament the memoriall of my Redemption Let mee O Lord finde and feele in my heart the inuisible power of thy heauenly grace effectually working the transformation of mee into thee the wonderfull vnion of me with thee and the spirituall habitation and aboade in me Apply all thy merits and good things vnto my soule let me neuer doubt the forgiuenesse of my sinnes but euer open the doore of this Sanctuarie vnto me that I may runne thither in my greatest neede and apprehend thy gracious pardon ratified by this scale of thy couenant Quicken me O Lord in this life râ—â—â—ue and renue mee that I may disclaime my olde conuersation and become a new man keepe mee that I slippe not cut of this building nor become as a branch cut off and good for nothing but as thou hast seuered mee from the wicked in calling mee to the knowledge of thee so keepe mee from all their corruptions giue me a perfect loue towards thee that I may not delight in any thing but in thee nor seeke any other honour but thine O Lord Iesus I meekely beseech thee let thy holy Spirit strengthen mee against my frailty thy power and strength defend me against worldly troubles and aduersities thy merits purchase my needefull pardon and thy blood be the medicine for all my sores euen for thy truth and for thy names sake Amen O Iesus Christ the Lambe of God which hast so loued mankinde that thou hast beene contented not on ly to become one with him but also meaâ—e vnto him and to dye for him vpon the Crâ—sse graunt I beseâ—ch thee that this my receiuing of this Sacrament may be a true testimony vnto my conscience that I hauâ— through faith in thee receiued full remission of all that is past and am become as it were a new creature in thy sight O sweet Iesus which hast vouchsafed mee such fauour and honour as to come to thy Table and feede vpon thee graunt mee grace I humbly entreâ—te thee so to performe and fulfill my duty as this honour which thou hast done mee requireth Linke mee vnto thee and giue mee power and strength to beleeue thy promises without distrust and to shew my religion by my good life and conuersation Assâ—st mee with thy grace that I may walke worthy this blessed Sacrament to loue thee and thy children vnfaiâ—â—dly and vtterly to forsake all vaâ—ity idolatry carnall desires and all the workes of the deuill O Lord God so moderate and ordâ—r all my affections that I may be ioyned with the brethren together in holy loue which is the bend of peace and truly fastned vnto thee my Head for euer Stirre vp my minde that I may alwayes consider the bitternesse of thy death the greatnesse of thy loue neuer forget to be thankfull vnto thee O blessed Lord preserue and maintaine this ordinance amongst vs that it may be alwayes a note and a badge of our publique profession and giue vs all one heart and one minde in the vnity of the Spirit for the reuerent and worthy receiuing of the same whensoeuer we shall come to thy holy Table againe Amen A Prayer for the Catholique Church and all the estates thereof O Most glorious euer liuing and euer louing Lord God the iust Master of the Vineyard and louing Head of the Church send thy holy Spirit into the hearts of all them that teach oâ— professe thy most holy truth alâ— men religious or secular Yea men and women Princes and subiects rich and poore euen all the people beleeuing in thy name and depending vpon thy grace and mercy Giue vnto them all O Lord one law one baptisme one hope one spirit that there may be but one voyce among all that professe the Catholique faith Keepe backe the famine of thy word and send such labourers into thy haruest as be sound in doctrine faithfull in their worke and godly in their conuersation that they may be in number many and in power wonderfull Open we beseech thee the hearts and eares of the people for the receiuing of thy Word that it may dwell in them plentifully in all wisedome and bring forth fruit against all the cares crosses and courses of this wrâ—tched world O Lord thou hast found iniquity in thy Saints and the heauens are not cleare in thy sight Oh then correct vs in thy iudgement not in thy fury lest wee should be consumed and brought to nothing Purge the garden of the Church and let no weedes ouergrowe the flowers suffer neither sinne nor superstition to choake the good growth of faith or manners in thy people buâ— keepe them from all heresies phanaticall opinions se â—ucing spirits deadly contentions Keepâ— our neckes from the grieuouâ— yoke of Antichristian bondageâ— whose Religion is rebelliâ—nâ— whose faith is faction and whosâ— practise is the murthering oâ— soules and bodies good Lord re presse the furâ—ousnesse of all Tyrants which labour nothing buâ— the spoile of the Church and thâ— abolishment of true doctrine prayer and true Religion O Lorâ— Iesus amend all that is amisse anâ— graunt vs thy grace all the dayeâ— of our life euen for thy truth anâ— for thy names sake Amen A Prayer for the Kings Maiestie O Almighty God King of all Kings the fountaine rule â—nd stay of all soueraignty wee most humbly thanke thee that â—hou hast not left vs vnto our â—elues to doe what seemeth best â—nto vs in our owne eyes but â—ast set ouer vs a noble wise and â—racious-King thy seruant Charles â—ame head next vnder â—hee Lord make all thy good to â—oe before him day and night â—phold his Crowne maintaine â—is estate giue him continuall â—eace long life and much happiâ—esse Endue him with such wisâ—ome and vnderstanding to doe â—ch things both in the Church â—d Câ—mmon-wealth as may be â—ceptable in thy sight profitable 〈◊〉 his Subiects and hurtfull to â—one that loue thy truth merciâ—ly heare him in all his petitions and effectually work for him in all dangers in the day of battell in his greatest consultations in the time of his recreations from all plots of Treason and in phe houre of death Make vs thankfull for all thy preseruations of him both â—t home and abroad in this Kingdome and else-where Blesse preserue and keepe his Royall Consort Queene Maryâ— Frederick the Prince Elector Paâ—atine the Lady Elizabeth his wife with all their Prinâ—… Let our noble King still embrace the truth and manfully maintaine it against all treacherous plotâ— and 〈◊〉 perswasions distastiâ—â— as he hath alwayes done both alteration of true Religion and to leration of any other Let thy po wer alwayes
workes of the Lord. The ancient Prayer called O bountifull Iesus O Bountifull Iesu O sweet Iesu O Iesu the Sonne of the Virgine Mary which art full of mercy and truth O sweet Iesus haue pittie vpon mee according to thy great mercy O benigne Iesu by the same pretious blood which thou wast contented to shed vpon the Altar of the Crosse for vs miserable sinners I beseech thee vouchsafe to cast all mine iniquities out of thy sight and despise not mee that thus humbly begge of thee crying and calling vpon thy holy name IESVS This name IESVS is a sweet name this name IESVS is a name of saluation for what is IESVS but a Sauiour O good IESVS which hast created mee and redeemed mee with thine owne blood suffer not mee whom thou hast made of nought to be damned O good IESVS let not my wickednesse haue power to destroy me whom thine Almighty goodnesse hath made O good IESVS reknowledge that which is thine in mee and that which is not of thee take that away from me O good IESVS euen now while the time of mercy is haue mercy vpon me and let mee not be conâ—ounded at the day of thy fearefull iudgement O good IESVS although I vile sinner by thy straite â—ustice haue deserued to bee punished euerlastingly for my most grieuous sinnes yet hauing sure confidence in the trueth of thy righteousnesse I appeale to thine vnspeakable mercy I am sure thou wilt haue mercy vpon mee like a louing Father and a mercifull Lord. O good IESVS what profit is there in my blood if I descend into the pit of eternall corruption for surely they that be dead shall not magnifie thee or any that goe downe into the place of silence O most mercifull IESVS haue mercy vpon mee O most sweet IESVS deliuer mâ—… O most holy IESVS be mercifull to me a sinner O IESVS accept me wretched sinner among the number of them whom thou hast elected to saluation O IESVS the health of all that hope in thee the life of all that beleeue in thee haue mercy vpon mee O sweet IESVS the remission of all my sinnes O IESVS the Sonne of the virgine Mary powre thy grace into my heart endue mee with wisedome charity chastity and humility and in all mine adversity graunt me holy inuiolable and stedfast patience that I may perfectly loue thee and haue my onely delight and aâ—â—iance in thee world without end Amen The Sicke-mans Prayer O Louing Lord and most holy Father I poore wretch thy seruant feeling in this sicknesse which thou hast layd vpon me the punishment of that corruption and transgression that is in me and all flesh doe most willingly submit my selfe to thine holy ordinance to beare this crosse and taste of this bitter cup which I haue deserued and much more so that I may follow thee whither thou art gone Therefore O Lord since thou hast not yet called mee to the barre of death but sent thy Heraulds to summon me to a triall I beseech thee looke on me with thine eye of mercifull pittie and helpe me in this day of visitation powre out thine oyle of grace into my wounded conscience purge my defiled soule forgiue mee all my sinnes and giue mee competent comfort and consolation in this distresse let me not dye ere I begin to liue giue mee time to repent and occasion to amend but if thou wilt needes put any more of thy wine of correction into my festered sores lay no more O Lord lay no more vpon me then I shall bee able to beare Make good vnto mee that goodnesse which thou hast graunted me vnder the great seale of thy promise Supply my want pardon my sinnes and ayde me against all temptations and I am recouered of all mine infirmities I offer here vnto thee O Lord a penitent heart for the time past and promise through thy grace amendment if it shall please thee to draw out the threed of my life any longer yet I neither desire the continuance of this mortality nor a more speedy deliuerance otherwise then as thou wilt Lord looke not vpon my merits for they are either none or not good nor vpon my life for it hath been naught but looke vpon Christ thy deere Sonne who from the Altar of the crosse cried vnto thee on my behalfe and accept his satisfaction for my sinnes Arme mee with patience to take vp my crosse follow thee euen to beare my visitation willingly and giue mee strength by faith to resist the Aduersary in the brunt of temptations With my sorrow and paine encrease thy grace that when I am in greatest agony I may find comfort beleeuing and saying with the holy Prophet My flesh faileth and my heart also but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for euer O Lord if thy decree be gone forth as it was to Hâ—zâ—kiah that I shall dye and not liue giue me grace to put in order my things of this world that I may depart in more peace and when the pangues of death haue shut vp the eyes of my body and taken away the vse of my tongue I beseech thee let the eyes of my soule still behold and looke vpon thee so that when I shall leaue my earth to earth and my body to the graue thine Angels may carry vp my soule vnto thee and be parâ—aker of a ioyfull resurrection through Iesâ—â— Christ our Lord. Amen Amen A Prayer for the sicke O God most high mighty and iâ—uisible I thy vnworthy seruant not worthy for my selfe to be heard in any request vnto thee for I am a sinner Yet Lord being confident of the pardon of my sinnes in Christ in whose power is onely to forgiue sins I am bold to come vnto thee to begge the pardon of my sins as of my sinnes so of the sinnes of this thy weake and sicke seruant that lyes pained and diseased not onely in the outward members but in the inward parts of the body And though thou hast depriued him of experience in naturall Physicke whereby his skill to doe himselfe good yet good Lord be thou his Physitian and let thy helpe and assistance neuer faile in this his weakenesse to doe him good and strengthen him And if it be thy will O Lord restore him againe vnto that health which herâ—tofore to the comfort of himselfe and many others hee hath enioyed O Lord thou art able not onely with meanes as vnto Hezekiaâ— but without meanes as vnto Malchus eare and blinde Bartimaeus but euen against meanes as vnto the widdowes sonne going vnto his Graue and the Sunamites sonne at the Prayer of Elisha O Lord thou didst beyond all hope and expectation raise Lazarus stinking in the graue and Peters wiues mother of a burning beauer and the woman of her bloudie issue and the man that was irrecouerable of the dead Palsie onely by thy vertue and power O Lord now when all meanes seeme to faile that wee know not whither to goe but vnto
beare children that my husband may be wise graue and sober and one that knoweth how to gouerne and rule his houshold children and seruants in faith and good conscience O Lord let him be one that is stedfast in the faith of Christ following righteousnesse loue faith patience and meekenesse and one delighted in good workes and hospitality courteous vnto all men O Lord make him a louer of good men and make him iust holy and in all things temperate euer walking in grace abounding in the fruits of the Spirit O good God send mee such a yoke-fellow that knoweth how to loue me not onely by the guide of carnall affection as for beauty comelinesse of person money goods which thou hast giuen me or for that I haue good friends and kindred whereby he hopeth of this worlds preferment and ability for if all these faile for the which he onely loueth then will his pretended loue be gone and I shall be exposed to the necessity of this world and for want of meanes be tempted to dishonest courses but most sweet Father as thou hast promised to be a Father vnto the fatherlesse vnto the Widdowes and Orphanes So be a Father vnto mee thy silly Handmayd whose trust is alwayes in thee And send mee such an one as knoweth how to loue mee in thee and for conscience sake yea that will striue to loue me as Christ hath doeth and euer will doe his Church to loue me as his owne body This fieâ—h yea as himselfe And keepe mee that I may doe nothing to hinder this his loue or to make him bitter vnto mee but that I may obay him â—care him and loue him in all things that are comely in the Lord and according as thou hast commanded mee in thy holy word and that for Christ Iesus sake to whom with thee and the holy Ghost bee giuen by mee all praise glory both now and for euermore Amen Amen The Prayer of a Woman with child that defireth safe deliuerance O Almighty God that after the floud didst command Noah and his posterity liuing in chast matrimony to replenish and fill the earth I thy poore and most weake seruant haue as thou didst ordaine by the will of my parents embraced the holy and honourable estate of married life and now by thy blessing am made a mother of the liuing through that hopefull â—ruit which after much sorrow and paine in breeding thou hast caused to spring in my wombe by which I am assured it is a liuing soule for which worke of thine I giue thee most hearty thanks still beseeching thee that as thou hast begun this good worke in mee that thou wilt goe on and finish it vnto a perfect birth in all right shape and comelinesse not onely in the outward feature of the body but in the inward parts of the minde that it may growe on vnto such a perfect man as may occasion honour and praise vnto thy great name so long as it shall please thee to giue it life and being And seeing O Lord thou hast for our first sinne in Paradise so wofully afflicted vs with many sorrowes in conception and with farre greater in bringing forth of our posterity in this life I beseech thee for Christ his sake to pardon my sinnes and to asswage those violent and raging paines that they neither deface deforme destroy mee nor yet that which is in my wombe O Lord let the power of the most high euen thy holy Spirit enter into me to strengthen and to vphold me that I faint not in my paines nor in my faith but that if I dye in this my child-bearing yet thy goodnesse supporting me in faith charity and sobriety I may as thou hast promised bee assured of my saluation O Lord if thou please to spare the tree and take the fruit which I beleeue by faith in Christ that thou hast made holy yet I will giue thee thankes because by reason of my sinnes thou mightest most iustly curse mee and my fruit as thou didst the figge tree to perpetual death But most high heauenly Father I thanke thee that thou hast made thy promise so stable that not onely we of ripe yeares that doe beleeue but euen our children as they are our seede are included in the couenant of grace that if they dye yet being borne of holy parents who are ingraffed through faith into the body of Christ they are saued not onely as being a part of vs in Christ but as true and reall members of Christ vnto whoÌ„ through faith into which they are baptized with vs made one with Christ that with his comming they may bee raised at the last day Yet O Lord notwithstanding this assurance I entreate thee to graunt me ioy and comfort of them that trayning them vp in their youth in thy feare they may bee as a staffe in olde age in this life to comfort me anâ— their Father as the children of Noah and Iacob did yea Lord if it be thy will I desire to liue to bee a fruitfull vine on thy house side thy Church to breede to beare and bring forth children to multiply and accomplish thy glorious Kingdome visible and inuisible in earth and in heauen for euermore O Lord hauing taken away from mee the reproach of a barren wombe so much lamented by holy women graunt that after my dissolution my children may continue like oliue plants and flourish a seede mighty on earth not as the Giants in the olde world strong in sinne but valiant and bold in the profession and confession and practise of righteousnesse and good conuersation yea let them be a generation of vpright men and women and such as may remaine an heritage of the Lord as Isaac to Rebecka a blessed fruit of my wombe O Lord thou art my God heare the voyce of thine handmayd in thee is my trust heare my supplications and let not my soule faile of these her desires and that for Iesus Christes sake which was borne of the virgine Mary for my saluation Amen Amen LACHRIM 8. The penitent acknowledgeth mans vildnesse and Gods mercies by faith and example of Gods prouidence relieth on his goodnes O Lord thy name 's most excellent in all the world thy glory is spread Through heauens and the firmament and by all creatures vttered In vniuersall harmonie extoll'd in heauen and in earth Exprest in song and melodie with all alacritie and mirth What thou bestowest what man can number vpon vs slaues and sonnes of men Who by our sinnes are put asunder from thy deare loue by acts vncleane Forgetfull and so capeable of sinne as powder is of fire In all our workes and words vnstable and know not what we should desire Aboue all creatures we forget thy grace are proue to disobay And if thy mercy did not let all Adams broode thou shouldst destroy And I for my part me confesse guilty of all sinnes and all euills And that I haue deseru'd no lesse then to be damn'd