it soundeth daylie in my eares out of heauen promising mee and affirming coÌ„stantly thy selfe to be appeased pleased and at one with mee for thy Sonnes sake whome thou commandest me to heare and beléeue whom I am sure is made of thee my righteousnes my satisfactioÌ„ my reconciliation my peace maker my mediator intercessor with his praier my fulfiller of the law my deliuerer my whole holy accoÌ„plisher of all my iust desires my Sauior Christ Iesus God man in whose name this day I attempt take in hand all my iust doings according to my vocation for his glory my neighbours profit desiring thy gracious goodnes most merciful Lord and father for thy dearly beloued sons sake to prosperit to giue it happie encrease whatsoeuer I take in hand according to thy will graunt me grace to finish the same O holy father blesse all things I take in hand with thy blessed increase and let mee not séeke mine owne will but euer to pray that thy will be fulfilled in all thinges now and for euer So be it Thou maiest if thou wilt after this say the Lords Prayer And so hauing coÌ„mended thy selfe to almighty God maiest fall to some honest and vertuous exercise according to thy calling but whatsoeuer thou doest doe it with purenes of heart and with singlenes of eie yea so doe it as though God were present and looked vppon thee as vndoubtedly he doth A Prayer HEare vs O heauenly King Father of mercie our life our swéetnes our hope for vnto thée doe we crie euen we which are the banished children of Eua vnto thee doe we sigh wéeping and wayling in this vale of lamentation come therefore our aduocate cast vpon vs those mercifull eyes of thine and after this our banishment shew to vs the glorious light in thy heauenly kingdome O mercifull O holy O swéete Sauiour in all our troubles and heauinesse O Iesu our health and glorie succour vs. Amen Another Prayer O Iesu Christ the Son of God our Redéemer which deiectedst and humbledst thy selfe from that glorious state and shape of thy Godhead to the shape of our vile seruitude because thou wouldest reconcile vs being the children of wrath and damnation to thy father so make vs the children of grace wee beséech thée graunt vs such an excellent measure of thy grace that wee may euer followe euen thée thy selfe in all blessed obedience and may euer finde and féele thée to be our present mediator before our father for all ghostly giftes whom wee acknowledge with perfect faith to be our Sauiour which art the liuing God with the father and the holy Ghost liuing and raigning without end Amen A Prayer O Pitifull Lord God alwayes shewing thy mercie vpon me a grieuous sinner I humblie acknowledge the same yet Lord notwtstanding I cannot but hartily pray thée to heare my prayer though I haue bin a sinner I am now thorough thy grace sorie therefore and purpose by thy goodnes assistance to take no more pleasure therein but am glad and willing to exercise the trueth and to forsake all vaineglorie Wherefore therein I humbly pray thée to fortifie mée with thy grace to withstaÌ„d my secret enemie in all my temptations and to assist mee so that thy most holy spirit of sapience and vnderstanding may haue continuall dwelling in mee direct mee vnto the obedience of thy pleasure and will that so I may at the last inherite thine eternall rest Another Prayer OMnipotent and mercifull God Father eternall which doest not despise sinners bewayling with contrite heart the offences which they haue committed against thy high Maiestie wée pray thée by thy grace to drawe vs néere to thée and heare our prayers and forgiue vs our offences comfort vs in our afflictions and forgiue Lord them that oppresse vs and graunt that our ghostly enemie haue no power to deuour vs as he desireth but that we strongly withstanding his fraudes and snares to our comfort may die in the true Catholique faith and rest with thée eternally our Lord Iesu Christ Amen Sundrie holy petitions to our Sauiour Iesus Christ LOrd Iesu haue mercie on mée and forgiue mee my great offences which I haue done in thy sight Grant mée grace also for the loue of thée to despise all sinne and worldly vanitie Lord Iesu inable mee to wcstand and to ouercome the temptation of sinne and the malice of my Ghostly enemie to spend my time in vertue and labour acceptable to thée Lord Iesu strengthen me in soule and bodie to performe the works of godlynes and vertue to the glory and praise of thy name and that afterwards I may come to euerlasting ioy and felicitie Graunt me a stedfast purpose mercifull Iesus to amend my life and recompence those yeares which I haue mispent to the displeasure of thée in euil thoughts delectations consentings words workes and euill customes and also in bâ—eaking thy lawes whereby I haue deserued damnation And good Lord inlighten me so with thy ghostly wisedome that I may knowe thy goodnes those things which are most acceptable to thée and confirme me so with thy grace that I may giue good examples to all men Make me profitable that none be hurt by mee guide me to help those with good counsaile which haue offended thee make me proceede from vertue to vertue vntill I shall cléerely sée thée in thy Maiestie Let mee not returne to any of my wonted sinnes specially those sinnes which I haue sorrowed for and by confession haue iustly accused my selfe of Let not the horrible sentence of endlesse death nor the terrible iudgement of damnation nor thy wrath ire and indignation mercifull Lord fall vpon mée But let thy mercie and merits my Sauiour euer bée betwéene them and me Lord Iesu graunt mee grace to flie euill company and when I come among them for thy passion I beséech thée to preserue mee that no occasion of any eyther mine owne or their sin ouercome mée and send mée ghostly comfort strength by the true loue of thy worde and power of thy spirit shed abroad into my heart Kéepe my mouth good Lord from slaunderous speaking lying false witnesse bearing cursing swearing vncharitable chidinges dissolute laughing words of vanity make me blessed Lord with child-like reuereÌ„ce to remeÌ„ber that thou presently hearest mee which of al my words shalt iudge me Lord Iesu make me to perseuer in the blessed seruice of thée in religious exercise all holie and vertuous affaires Lord keepe my soule and bodie make me flée sinfull delectation and patiently to suffer iniuries and rebukes as which my disobedient heart to thée haue deserued more theÌ„ all men can inflict or lay vpoÌ„ me prouide good Lord that state of life for mee which thou knowest shall most tend to thy honour and my eternall felicitie Lord Iesu graunt mee grace at all times but specially in the time of prayer to fixe my minde on thée then also effectually to remember my
and from the bondage of Egypt King Dauid from the power of Saul and Goliah the Giant Daniel from the den of lions the thrée children from the fornace of flaming fire Peter from hands Euen so vouchsafe to deliuer me thy seruant from all troubles and anguishes in which presently I am yea deliuer mee from all my sinnes which haue pulled downe vpon mee all these myseries and frée me from the laying awaite and from the desires of all mine enemies vsible and inuisible And thou Lord Iesus Christ of thy singular goodnes diddest saue that which the olde serpent did hurt and destroy by suggestions and wicked councell vouchsafe mee such a notable measure of thy grace and defence that I may auoyde from the diuellish counsell which mine enemies haue done would doe against mee and frustrate and auoyde all their euill counsailes as thou diddest ouerthrowe the counsels of Achitophell which gaue counsell to Absolon against his father Dauid Amen A fruitfull meditation not to bee sayde with the mouth lightlie but to be cried with heart and minde oft and mightilie O Most excellent goodnes withdrawe not thou thy mercie from mee O most mightie maker despise not me which am the work that thine own hands haue made O most prudent redéemer suffer not to perish that which thou hast bought with so deare a price O most holy and heauenly host and guest both purifie saue dresse and keepe thy house and dwelling place the which thou hast sanctified and dedicated to thy selfe by thy word and spirit When shall I loue thee when shall I bee sorie and contrite for my sins when shall I turne to thee by grace when shall I remember thy benefits thy méeknes thy pouertie and thy painfull and bitter passion thy patience thy obedience thy loue and thy charitie when shall I sanctifie worship magnifie and loue thée If thou be most dreadful where is my dread O Iesus Christ If thou bee a most louing father where is my loue If thou be my Lord and redeemer where is my seruice If thou be mine host and dwel in my soule by thy grace and mercie where is my holines and cleannesse according to such an host Now therefore good Lord Iesus Christ drawe my hart after thée with the sound loue and féeling of thy sufferings moysten my mind with thy most precious bloud that whithersoeuer I turne me I may behold about me and féele within me the merites of thy death that thus beholding thée I may not with delight fixe my sight in any thing but only in thée which liuest and raignest God world without end Amen A godly and deuout prayer GRaunt mee mercifull Lorde God to desire feruently to search wisely to knowe truly to performe effectually all things that thou hast giuen mee in charge by thy holy word and giue mee grace to doe them simply and onely for the glorie and lawde of thy holy name good Lord direct and order the state and maner of my liuing And all things thou wouldest I should doe grant I beséech thée that I may know it will it and haue power to doe it and giue me grace to execute it as I should doe and as it is expedient for thy glorie and the comfort of my soule My way towards thee let it be faire right and well performed not fayling nor wauering betwixt prosperitie and aduersitie but guide me so good Lord that in prosperitie I may continually and vnfainedly giue thée thankes and may bee inabled by thée to hold patience in aduersitie in all estates so carrying my selfe that I bee not exalted in any pride when prosperitie aboundeth neither in the dayes of danger and distresse be depressed by any deiection or heauines of minde aboue that is meete Let mee inwardly ioy in nothing but in that that serueth and promoteth vnto thée neither suffer me to be sorie for any thing but that that leadeth and withdraweth from thée let me couet to please no man but in thée nor feare to displease any for thy sake but onely thée let all transitorie things be vile vnto me good Lord for thy sake and all things that belong to thee let them bee daintie and deare vnto mee and thou good Lord God most deare of all other Let mee bee wearie of that ioy that is without thee and al rest and quiet that is not in thee let it bee tedious and painfull vnto me grant me most to addresse and direct my hart to thée and when I doe amisse giue me grace to know and consider it yea worke in mee for it a godly sorrowe with a full purpose and intent of amendment of life Make me now sweet Lord Iesu méeke without any fayning glad and chéerfull without dissolutenes sorrie without excessiue heauines or distrust sad and sober without hypocrisie quiet and merry without lightnes trusting in thée without presumption readie alwayes to tell my neighbour his fault without neglect of mine owne and without dissimulation and feare as in regard of him labouring alwayes in charitie to edifie him in word and deede Make me obedient without contradiction patient without murmuring content with mine owne without couetousnesse Giue me most louing Father and God a waking and a diligent heart that no vaine or vncleane cogitation withwrawe it from thée giue me a noble heart that no vnworthie affection plucke it downewardes to earthly things giue me a firme and constant heart alwayes labouring to breake or ouercome euill giue mee a frée heart yea a heart of such libertie that no wicked thought or euill thing hold it at any time in bondage or slauerie Grant to me my sweet Lord God vnderstanding that I may know thée diligence that I may séeke thée wisdome that I may find thée conuersatiō that I may please thée long perseuerance that trustily I may abide for thée and sure hope that finally I may embrace thée Grant that I be not here so afflicted with paines and torments in the way of this life that I should any maner of way be drawen from thee but so Lord let mee haue the vse of thy benefits here by grace that also I may haue fruition of thy ioyes and rewards in thy heauenly kingdome euerlasting glorie thorow Iesus Christ Amen A godly prayer to desire the life to come THis my body is the verie darke and filthie prison of my soule this world is an exile and a banishment this life is care and miserie But where thou art O Lord there is the very countrey and kingdome of libertie and euerlasting blessednesse stirre our mindes therefore continually to remember so great felicitie powre into our hearts a desire of such precious things and of all things most to bee desired Giue quicknes vnto our minde and grant that euen in this life wee may haue a good taste of euerlasting ioyes whereby these things of the world may séeme filthie and be loathsome vnto vs. And howsoeuer we doe now too earnestly and too gréedily séeke for thē yea account
RIGHT GODLY RVLE How all faithfull Christians ought to occupie and exercise themselues in their dayly prayers Luke 22. Matth 26. Christ teacheth vs in his Gospel 〈◊〉 Watch and pray least yee fâ—â—â— into temptation Imprinted at London by F. Kingston 1602 GODLY PRAYERS For Munday Morning Prayer O Most louing God and gracious father in Christ wee thanke thee for that sweete sleepe and comfortable rest that thou hast giuen vs this night and forasmuch as thou haâ—t commaunded vs by thy 〈◊〉 wâ—rd that no man sâ— bee idle but alwaies ocâ—pied in vertuous exercises euerie man according to his calling wée most humblie beséech thée that thine eies may attend vs dayly and defend vs and in sorrowe succour cherish and comfort vs. And so gouerne good Lord all our counsailes studies and labours that wee may spend this day according to thy most blessed â—â—ll without hurting of our â—â—â—â—hbour yea that 〈…〉 diligently and warily eschew and auoyd all things that should displease thée set thée alwayes before our eyes and liue in thy feare and euer worke thou so in vs that wee may bee found continent pure of liuing temperate and acceptable before thy diuine Maiestie vnto the praise of thy most holy blessed name through Iesu Christ our Lord and Sauiour Amen For Tuesday Morning Prayer SEeing that thou oh heauenly Father art that one and alone Almightie God which art in euerie place beholdest the counsailes deuices and workes yea the very thoughts of all men and giuest to euery one â—â—cording to their déedes wee humbly beseech thee for Christ Iesus his sake to giue vs this grace that forasmuch as thou hast graciouslie preserued vs this night past wee may not spend this day present nor any other day of our liues after our owne mindes and pleasure which is alway euil and wicked but more earnestly looke vpon and diligently follow thy fatherly will thy euerlasting counsaile thy faithfull word and pleasure which is alwaies good perfite and holy and performe the same with chearefulnes that thy diuine name may alway bee sanctified both now and euermore of vs miserable sinners thorough thy dearely beloued Son Iesus Christ our Lord and Sauiour Amen For Wednesday A Morning prayer O Lord Iesus Christ which art the bright Sun of the world euer rising neuer falling which with thy wholesome looke preseruest nourishest and makest ioyfull all thinges that are in heauen and earth shine fauourablie I beséech thée into my spirite that the night of sinnes and mists of errors being driuen away by thy inward light I may walke this day and all the daies of my life without stumbling or offeÌ„ce comely as in the day time being pure froÌ„ the works of darknesse Grant this O Lord which liuest raignest with God the Father in vnitie of the holy Ghost world without end Amen For Thursday Morning Prayer O Lord Iesu Christ to whom before whom all things are manifest and plaine which also sufferest not a Sparrow to light on the grounde without thy prouidence and which in times past by thy holy Spirit diddest guide our forefathers Abraham Isaac and Iacob in thy pathes and waies in a strange countrey didst appoint the same thy blessed Spirit and messenger to bee their guide Graunt me this day most wretched sinner whom by thy word thou doest encourage to call vpon thee in all time of neede necessities that I may haue the same thy holie Spirit to direct my pathes and waies this day that I may walke according to thy godly will and pleasure to the profite of my neighbour and glorie of thy name which liuest and raignest world without end Amen For Friday A Morning prayer O Mercifull Lord God heauenly Father I render most high lande praise and thanks vnto thée for that thou hast preserued me both this night and all the time and daies of my life hetherto vnder thy defence hast suffered me to liue vnto this present hower I beséech thée heartilie that thou wilt vouchsafe to receiue me this day and the residue of my whole life from hencefoorth into thy tuition ruling and gouerning mee with thy holie Spirite that so all manner of darkenes of misbeliefe infidelitie carnall lustes and affections may bee vtterly chosed driuen out of my heart and that I may be iustified and saued both body soule through a right and stedfast faith and so walke in the light of thy most godly truth to thy glorie praise and to the profit and furtherance of my neighbour through Iesus Christ our Lord and Sauiour Amen For Saturday Morning Prayer O Heauenlie Father which like a diligent watchman attendest alwaies vpon thy faithfull people whether they wake or sleepe and mightily defendest theÌ„ not only froÌ„ Sathan that old enemie of mankind but also froÌ„ al their aduersaries so that through thy godly power they bee preserued harmelesse I huÌ„bly thanke thee for that it hath pleased thy goodnesse so to take care for me thy vnprofitable seruaÌ„t this night past that thou hast both safely kept me from all mine enemies and also giuen mée swéete sléepe vnto the great comfort of my bodie I farther entirely beseech thée most mercifull and swéete father to shewe the like kindnesse towardes me this day in preseruing my bodie For Sunday or the Sabboth Morning Prayer O Gracious Lord God and heauenly Father I humblie beséech thée in Christ so to sanctifie me thoroughout in body soule and spirit that I may religiously kéep and sanctifie this Sabbath vnto thee according to thy holy word not thinking therein mine own thoughts nor speaking mine owne words nor doing mine own works but thinking speaking and doing that which is agréeable to thy blessed will Giue me grace carefully to frequent the publike assemblies of thy Saints and diligently to profite by all holy exercises there Graunt me a religious heart to consent to the praiers of the Church and an attentiue minde to heare and vnderstand the good things of truth and life that shal be deliuered to mee out of thy word And assist me so further that when I shal depart from thy people I may call mine owne heart to account in the thinges I haue heard and may confer christianlie with others for the strengthening of our faith in our hearts and for a glorious confession of the same with our mouthes to the euerlasting praise of thy glorious name and the eternall saluation of our soules through Iesus Christ thy deare son our only mediator and aduocate So be it A generall Morning prayer O Almightie God and our most mercifull father in Iesus Christ I confesse and acknowledge that I am a miserable a wretched sinner and haue manifold waies most grieuously transgressed thy most godly and blessed commaundementes through wicked thoughts vngodly lustes sinfull words and déedes all my whole life In sinne was I conceiued and borne and there is no goodnesse in mée insomuch that if thou shouldest enter into thy narrow iudgment with
mée iudging mée according vnto the same I were not able to suffer or abide it but must needes perish and be damned for euer So little helpe comfort or sucour is there either in me or in any other creature whatsoeuer Only this is my cōfort O heauenly father the thou diddest not spare thy only dearely beloued Son but diddest giue him vp vnto the most bitter most vile and slaunderous death of the Crosse for mee that so hee might in his obedience pay the ransome for my sinnes satisfie thy iudgement still and pacifie thy wrath recōcile mée vnto thée againe purchase mée thy grace and fauour and euerlāsting life Wherefore through the merites of his most bitter death and passion through his innocent bloudshedding I beséech thee O heauenly Father that thou wilt vouchsafe to bee gracious mercifull vnto mee to forgiue and pardon me all my sinnes to lighten my heart with thy holy Spirit to renew confirme and strengthen mee with a right and stedfast faith and to enflame mee in loue towardes thee and my neighbour for thy sake that I may henceforth with a willing and a glad heart walke as it becommeth mee in the obedience of thy most godly and most blessed Commandements and so glorifie and praise thée euerlastingly and also that I may with a frée conscience a quiet spirit in al manner of temptations afflictions and necessities and euen in the very pangs of death boldly faithfully say I beleeue in God the Father almighty maker of heauen and earth And in Iesus Christ his onely Sonne our Lord which was conceiued by the holy Ghost borne of the virgin Mary Suffered vnder Ponce Pilate Was crucified dead and buried Hée descended into hell The third day hée rose againe from the dead Hee ascended into Heauen and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almightie from thence he shal come to iudge the quicke and the dead I beléeue in the holy Ghost The holy Catholike Church The communion of Saints The forgiuenesse of sinnes The resurrection of the bodie And the life euerlasting Amen But O Lord heauenly Father to comfort my selfe in afflictions temptations with the assured féeling of these Articles of the Christiā faith it is not in my power for faith is thy gift And therefore forasmuch as thou wilt be praied vnto and called vpon for it I come vnto thée to pray and beséech thée both for that for al my other necessities bodily and spirituall euen as thy dearely beloued sonne our Sauiour Christ Iesus himselfe hath taught vs and from the very bottome of my heart I cry and say vnto thée Our Father which art in heauē halowed be thy name Thy kingdome come Thy will bée done in earth as it is in heauen Giue vs this day our dailie bread And forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse against vs. And lead vs not into temptation But deliuer vs from euill For thine is the kingdome the power and the glorie for euer and euer Amen vnto the lappe of thy pitie For loe thou art my hope and trust in whom I onely repose my selfe hauing in thee ful confidence and faith so that now I may say with a very faithfull heart trusting in thy mercie I beléeue in thee O God the Father in thee O God the Sonne and in thee O God the holy Ghost thrée persons and one true and also verie God besides whom I acknowledge none other God in heauen aboue nor in earth beneath And yet I poore sinner cannot but accuse my selfe vnto thee deare Father that I haue fore and grieuously offended thy almightie goodnesse and Maiestie in the committing of mine exceeding grieuous and manifold sins and wickednes For I haue not kept the least of thy most godly and blessed commaundementes like as thy righteousnes may require indéed doth demād the same of me I haue not I say honoured thee like my God dread thée like my Lord loued thée like my father nor trusted in thee like my creator my sauiour Thy holy and dreadful name vnto which al glory honour belongeth haue I vsed in vaine I haue not sanctified the Sabboth day with workes which bee acceptable to thée nor instructed my neighbour in vertue accordingly I haue not honored my parents nor bin obedient vnto thē through whom as by an instrumēt thou hast wrought my comming into this world The high powers and rulers which receiue authoritie of thee I haue not willingly obeyed I haue not kept my heart pure and cleane from malice and manslaughter yea had not thy grace and mercy defended mee the better I should haue committed the verie deede also I likewise am not pure from theft nor from adulterie nor frō false witnesse bearing but haue in my heart and mind wished and desired my nighbours goods and thinges I haue followed the great Prince of this Worlde Sathan which hath been a lyer from the beginning in concupiscence of the flesh in pride of liuing in deceiptfulnes in lecherie in hatred and also enuie in backbiting in despaire and also misbeléefe And as I haue abused my will vnderstanding which are faculties and powers of my soule so my senses also which thou hast giuen mee to vse to thy glorie and my neighbours good and mine own lawfull delight I haue misused and mispent in hearing séeing smelling tasting and feeling also things that I should not or else suffring thē to be too violētly caried to things I might haue vsed But in what manner soeuer that I haue offended and sinned against thy eternall Maiestie for no man knoweth throughly his sinnes as the Prophet witnesseth whether it hath béen by day or else by night yea euen from my childhood vnto this day were it in workes wordes or thoughts secretly or openly O my mercifull God I am sorie for it euen from the very bottome of my heart yea my soule mourneth for very sorowe most mercifull Father that I am not a thousand times more sorie than I am howbeit in token of great repentance though all hearts bée knowne well enough vnto thée I doe knocke strike my breast and say in bitternesse of heart and soule Lord GOD the Father Sonne and holy Ghost haue mercie Spare mee of thine infinite mercie deare Lord now and all the daies of my life let me bee made partakers of thine abundant grace in such sort that I may chaunge my sinfull life and put thou out of mee the olde man with al his concupisences and lustes graunting mee grace dayly to die vnto the world and that the world may bée crucified vnto mee and I so dayly goe forward in newnes of life Strengthen mee O Lord in a true humble heart in sound loue hope and trust in thée giue my soule grace to desire in thée onely to reioyce and repose my selfe that I may vtterly renounce and forsake the vaine assistance of this world so that thou mayst finde me readie to méete
to euerlasting blessednes through Christ Iesus Amen A Prayer against worldly carefulnes O Most deare and tender father our defender and nourisher endue vs with thy grace that wee may cast off the great blindnes of our minds and carefulnes of worldly thinges and may imploy our whole studie and care in kéeping of thy holy lawes and yet that wee may trauaile and labour for our necessities in this life like the birdes of the aire and the lillies of the field without carefulnesse for thou hast promised to be carefull for vs and hast commanded that vpon thée we should cast all our care which liuest and raignest world without ende Amen A Prayer against the diuel IEsu Christ our Lord which by the mouth of thy holy Apostle S. Peter didst say that our aduersarie the diuell goeth about like a roring lyon séeking whom hee may deuour wee know the truth of this by our owne experience and féele that hee is busie and fierce and breaketh in vpon vs so that if thou helpe not hee will soone deceaue vs with his craft ouerturne vs with his might and with his crueltie teare vs in péeces But if thou which hast vanquished him wilt appeare but as it were a farre off thou wilt make him afraide and with thy onely looke put him to slight Vouchsafe O Lord to receiue vs into thy tuition being but infants weake féeble and vnskilful lest the â—â—â—rce and cruell beast all to teare vs yea giue vs grace alwayes not onely to beare before vs the sworde of the spirit in our sight and to tarrie it in our hands but also couragiously to vse it as from thée that so our enemies may well know that we doe our busines by thy counsaile aid and strength and in thy power may bee put to flight to thy glorie and our euerlasting comfort through Christ Amen A thankes-giuing vnto God for all his benefites WE verie humbly in Christ thanke thée O heauenly Father for thy manifold and inestimable benefits which thou hast giuen to vs both for our soules and bodies yea and that fréely of thine owne goodnes not onely without but contrarie to our deseruing We thanke thée that it hath pleased thee of thy great mercie first to create and make vs according to thine owne image and likenes and to place vs in ioyfull Paradise where we should haue continually remained in a blessed and quiet state if through the subtile and deceitfull suggestions of Satan our old enemie we had not transgressed thy holy commandements We thanke thee also O most gentle Father for thy louing kindnes which thou shewedst to vs when wee were all perished and lost through the sinne of our first parents Adam and Heua For when thou mightest iustly haue condemned vs and cast vs into perpetuall damnation thou like a father of singular great loue hadst pitty on vs and sauedst vs by the death and passion of thy welbeloued sonne our Lord and sauiour Iesus Christ who gaue himselfe a ransome for all our sinnes and payed a sufficient price by his precious bloud for all the wickednesse that wee at any time heretofore haue committed or hereafter shall commit through our frailtie and weakenes so that wee beléeue thy promises and repent and amend our liues Neither wast thou thus contented that hee onely should die for our sinnes but also diddest raise him vp againe for our iustification and to make vs righteous in thy sight Moreouer after that he had shewed himselfe vnfainedly to liue to his Apostles by manifest and euident tokens certainelie through the power of his Godhead hee ascended vp into heauen perfect God and perfect man where he now sitteth on thy right hande and maketh intercession for vs being our alone mediator and aduocate from thence we looke for him to come againe at the day of iudgement not as a fearefull Iudge to condemne and cast vs away but as a most louing Lord and gentle Sauiour to carry vs with him into euerlasting glorie there world without end to remaine in such ioyes as eye hath not seene nor eare hath not heard nor yet any heart is able to thinke For these thy most bounteous giftes and for all other thy benefites which thou daylie giuest to vs of thy great mercie both for our body and soule wee humbly thanke thee most mercifull Father beséeching thee to giue vs grace through thy holy spirit not to bee either vnmind full of them or vnthankefull for them but to walke worthy of this thy kindnes and so behaue our selues all our life time in this wretched world according to thy holy will that at the last day we may bee found in the number of them to whom thy onely begotten soone shall say Come ye blessed of my father possesse the kingdome prepared for you from the beginning of this world Lord let it so come to passe euen for Christ Iesus sake Amen A deuout Prayer to bee daylie sayd O Almighty and eternal God which vouchsafedst that wee as it were heauenly children should euery one of vs call thee our heauenly father Grant that among vs by purenes and example of innocent life thy most holy name may bee sanctified that all other nations beholding our goodnesse and vertuous liuing that thou workest in vs may bee stirred to hallow and glorifie thée Grant O Lord that the kingdome of thy grace and mercie in this life may so rule and raigne continually in our hearts that we may bee by thée accepted and accounted as worthie in Christ to bee partakers of thy kingdome of glorie and maiestie in the life to come Grant that vnto the very death yea and in death it selfe also wee refuse not to follow thy diuine will but that wee according to the example of the celestiall citizens agréeing together quietly vnited in spirit all controuersie in opinions contrarie to thy holy truth being laide apart and the lust of the flesh being subdued and the flattering assaults of the world and the diuell ouercome we may willingly faithfully and constantly obey thy blessed will in all things Graunt O Lord for our bodie such a measure of necessarie and néedefull sustenance that thereby we may be the better enabled more freely and hearefully to serue thée and abound in all good workes towards thy saints and seruants here vpon earth knowing that our goodnesse reacheth not to thee but to the excellent that are in the world whom wee beseech thée make vs more and more to delight in and to loue for thy sake Giue me grace O Lord not onely patiently to beare and suffer our enemies and such as hate vs together with the iniuries which they doe lay vpon vs making good vse of them for thy glorie and our instruction but also vnfaignedly to forget and forgiue whatsoeuer they haue deuised sayd or done against vs euen as wee our selues would gladly obtayne at thy mercifull hands and féele in our selues the frée pardon and full forgiuenesse of all our transgressions And for such temptations
delighted in into a wildernes Wilt thou Lord be auenged of these things Wilt thou holde thy peace and scourge vs euer so grieuously Before the receiuing of the Sacrament say thus LOrd although I be not worthy to receiue thee into the house of my soule for mine innumerable offences and sinnes done against thy great goodnes yet trusting in thy great pity and infinite mercie I come to receiue thy blessed body not grossely and carnally as the blinde suppose but spiritually and by faith together with all the fruits and effects of thy sufferings yea as a sicke creature to thee that art the health of life vncleane to thée that art the well of mercie and holynes blinde by ignorance to thee that art the light euerlasting needy of grace and power yea of will to any good thing to thée that art the King of heauen and earth and workest therein whatsoeuer pleaseth thée naked of good works to thée that art the author of all grace I come as a wretch to thée my Lord and maker all desolate and comfortles to thee my refuge and succour for besides thée there is no consolation I come as a sinner to thée that art the mediator betwéene God and man I come as a caitife to thée my most mercifull Sauiour I come all sinfull to thee granter of remission and pardon I that am dead by sin come to thee the restorer of life euill to thee that art all goodnesse hard hearted to bée relieued by the infusion of thy superaboundant grace desiring thée to heale mine infirmitie and sicknes to wash away my sinne and filthines to lighten my blindnes to reduce me to the right way when I am out thereof to comfort me desolate of goodnesse Haue mercie on my wretchednesse pardon my sinfulnes giue me the light of grace thus buried in sin that I may receiue thee to be the spirituall foode and nourishment of my soule and that with such chastitie of body with such purenes and cleannes of soule with such contrition of heart and abundance of wéeping teares with such spirituall ioy and gladnes with such dread and reuerence with such strong faith stedfast hope and vnfeigned charitie with such obedience and humilitie with such loue deuotion faithfulnesse and thankefulnesse as it is beséeming for such a Lord to be entertained and receiued withall and that to the comfort of my conscience in this life and my endlesse saluation at the last And be not displeased good Lord that I a sinner with an vncleane heart and polluted minde or sure I am not so sanctified outwardly and inwardly as were fit come hither this day to receiue the blessed sacrament of thy precious body and bloud by a liuely faith but remember mercifull Lord that thou refusedst not the sinfull Magdalene being penitent from the kissing of thy most blessed féete And in likewise despise mee not ne put thou me away as vnworthie from this blessed Sacrament for my sinnes and vnkindnes though I confesse thou maist iustly doe so and doe me no iniurie but graunt thou mee godly sorrow of heart plentie of vnfaigned teares to testifie vnto my heart the washing away of my sinnes and wickednes so that with a pure heart and cleane conscience I may this day come to and be partaker of the holy Communion to thy glory and the comfort of my soule and conscience whilest I receiue therein an effectuall pledge of euerlasting life with all holy saints in heauens glory and of the fellowship of thy people in this present life these things being wrought in mee by thy holy spirit inwardly as well as offered vnto me by the outward and visible elements Grant mee blessed Iesu so reuerently and religiously to receiue the Sacrament of thy flesh and bloud that thereby I may assuredly feele my selfe incorporated into thy Church as a sound member of thy body here on earth and though as yet I be not méete or fit by reason of my filthinesse to bee numbred among the simplest and lowest of thy seruants but rather to be reiect for my sinfulnes yet good Lord of thine infinite power I knowe thou canst and of thy singular goodnesse I hope thou wilt and therefore am also the more bold humbly to intreate thee to make me equall and like to thine elect and chosen seruants Come thou father of the fatheries come comfort of the comfortles come I beséech thee and cleanse my soule from contagiousnes of sinne for it is not conuenient and according that there should bee any vncleannes where thou then the fountaine of all true holines yea holines it selfe shouldest come in and dwel Come therefore good Lord and apparell my soule and body both with such ornaments of vertue and grace that it may delight thee therein to abide And as thou disdainedst not to touch the sore Leapers with thy holy hands so good Lord vouchsafe to annoynt my sinfull soule with the oyntment of remission and pardon of sinnes and so to replenish it with strength and power against sinne and to fill it with abilitie to doe good duties that in this life by stedfast hope firme faith and vnfeigned charitie I may so encrease in vertue from day to day that I may attaine to the glorious fruition of thy Godhead in the kingdome of heauen where I may see thee face to face world without ende Amen After the receiuing of the Sacrament say thus I Thank thée good Lord of thine infinit goodnes for that this day thou hast vouchsafed to féed me with thy blessed body in this holy Sacrament of thine and that by a liuely faith thou hast made me a fruiteful partaker thereof humbly desiring thée further to graunt that this thy blessed Sacrament which I haue receiued may bee powerfull in mee to lessen in me and purge from mee the power of my particular iniquities and to fit mee to all good workes of blessed obedience yea make it in me a fortitude and a spirituall strength against my frailtie a sure defence against worldly troubles and aduersitie a sure seale of grace and pardon a medicine of life and a continuall remembrance in my minde and heart of thy blessed passion so that in the way it may conduct and guide me and when I am out of the way it may reduce mee when I stumble it may vpholde mee and when I am falling it may raise me so that by this and other gracious helpes that thou hast ordained and by good continuance and daily growth in the obedience of thy will I may be brought to euerlasting glorie And during my life vpon earth vouchsafe so to order the tallage and taste of my heart that I neuer féele other swéetenes but thee that I neuer seeke other but thee that I care not for any other delight but thee neither that I regard any other honor but thine And giue me such a sound loue towards thee and in thee and for thee towards my brethren that in it I may continually and comfortably féele that I
wretchednesse faithfully to call for helpe of thée Yea good Lord giue me grace to order my life and the workes of my body soule with actuall intent to please thée that through thy merites and mercie at the end I may obtaine the reward of thy infinite ioy and eternall felicitie Let the water and bloud which can from thy blessed heart bee powerfull to wash my soule from sinne and iniquitie and to purchase mee abundāce of thy grace faithfully to serue thée O my Lord my might my life my light lead me féede me and spéede me in the pilgrimage of this mortalitie graunt me O Lord by the merits of thy passion and power of thy most excellent and glorious godhead whatsoeuer thy Wisedome knoweth most expediēt for me which howsoeuer in my miserable life I am most vnworthy of yet vouchsafe them vnto me all the time of my pilgrimage but specially at the houre of death when I shall be accused before thée haue mercie on mee breake my froward heart and make it obedient to thée Preserue me also good Lord from sodaine and vnprouided death and of thy owne singular grace and goodnesse graunt mee these supplications in this prayer which now I haue made to thée according to thy will Yea by thine owne mediation purchase for mee and bestow vpon mee a holy life and blessed ending and grant I beséech thée after my bodily death euerlasting life with endlesse blisse and felicitie thorow thy merites and bitter passion O Lord Iesu who with the Father and the holy Spirit liuest and raignest euer one God world without end Holy Trinitie one very God haue mercie on me Amen A deuout prayer to our Lord Iesu Christ O My soueraigne Lord Iesu the very sonne of almightie God and of the most cleane and glorious virgin Marie who sufferedst bitter death for my sake and all mankind and diddest rise againe the third day I beseech thée Lord haue mercie vpon me that am a wretched sinner but yet thy creature and for thy precious passion saue mee and kéepe me from al perils bodily and ghostly and specially from all things that might turne to thy displeasure And with all my heart I thanke thee most mercifull Lord for thy great mercies that thou hast shewed me in the great dangers that I haue béen in as well in my soule as in my body and that thy grace and endlesse mercie hath euer kept me spared me and saued me from the houre of my birth to this present time For these I say and al other thy mercies I humblie thanke thée Lord Iesus Christ further desiring thée that thy mercie may preserue me alway And I crie thée mercie with all my whole heart for my great offences for my great vnkindnes for all my wretched and sinfull life and for this in particular that I haue not or cannot leade my selfe as becommeth thy seruant I thanke thée also with all my heart my most gracious Lord for the benefites and graces that thou hast giuen mee so largely in this world afore many other of thy creatures vpon whom if it had béene so thy good pleasure thou mightest a thousand times better haue bestowed them than vpon me But most gracious Lord I wot and knowledge verily that it commeth of thée wherefore with all my heart I thanke thee continually crying and saying all honour praise and glorie bee vnto thée O Iesu with the Father and the holy Ghost for euer and euer Amen Another prayer for an householder O Lord GOD almightie most mercifull and heauenly father thorough Christ I fréely confesse that thou art my life my soule and my bodie yea al the good which I haue and all whatsoeuer is mine hast thou giuen vnto me that of thine owne singular grace and goodnes Now sith of thee I haue receiued it and in me there is corruption to abuse it make vpright and order thou O Lord God of heauen all that is in my house And teach mee and mine to handle and guide all these outward things after thy godlie will we being thereby more and more prouoked to loue thée and in thée and for thée euery one of vs to profit another I say vnto thée I beléeue Lorde helpe my vnbeléefe And yet in this weakenes I cannot but intreate thée not to forsake me nor my wife my children nor any of my householde Defend vs Lord from sin before thée from shame in the world and from sicknes in our selues according to thy good pleasure Send vs thy holy Angell to guide and guarde vs that so wee may be defended in the whole course of our liues and may be lead forth the right way so as we may not talke doe or thinke any thought against thy holy commaundements and will but thereafter to liue worshipping thée and praising thée for euermore thorough Christ Iesus our Lord thy onely welbeloued Sonne Amen Blessed be the Father the Son and the holy Ghost Let vs praise him and exalt him world without end Amen An other Prayer ALmightie GOD our heauenly Father in Iesus Christ wée vnfeinedly confesse before thée that thy mercie and goodnes towards vs is infinite and without measure It is thy mercie and no goodnes that is in vs or of vs which mooued thée to send into the worlde thine onely begotten and eternall Sonne to take our nature vpon him and therein to worke the mysterie of our redemption and saluation as thou hadst appointed and spoken before by the mouthes of all thy Prophets which were from the beginning And likewise it was thy blessed will thy mercie and goodnes towardes vs that thy heauenly Sonne did suffer persecution trouble and aduersitie was betraied of his owne friend and disciple Iudas traiterously taken caried awaie to bée falsly accused and vniustly condemned to bee cruelly beaten scourged and finally with most scornefull rebukes to be put to the most painfull shamefull death that could bée deuised All this O heauenly Father was doone through thy mercy and blessed will for our sakes that not only to answere and satisfie thy iust wrath and anger which we had deserued and dayly doe deserue both for the offences of our first parents our actuall transgressing of thy holy commādements but also to restore vs againe to thy grace and fauour to indue vs with thy heauenly gifts that wée might serue thée in holynes and righteousnes all the dayes of our life And finally to make vs by the benefite of thy dearely beloued Sonnes passion and also through the price of his most precious bloud partners with him of his infinite and vnspeakeable glory and blisse in heauen Wherefore O heauenly Father wee béeséech thée powre vppon vs thy holy spirit and make vs in our hearts clearely to sée comfortably to féele and most stedfastly to beléeue this thine infinit gracious goodnes shewed and giuen vnto vs in thine owne sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ and with this beliefe make vs to put all our confidence and hope