our sinnes as the haires of our heads so many our enemies as the stars in the skye and so fierce and strong the Tempter as a roaring Lyon that as the Man of God was angry with the King of Israel because when he bad him smite the earth with his dart he smote onely thrice who should haue smiten fiue or sixe times that he might haue beene assured of the ouerthrow of his enemies So GOD that bids vs continue in Prayer will be angry with vs if wee pray not againe and againe as the importunate widdow in the Gospel prosecuted her suite yea to speake of Deuotion as he doth of compassion if we pray not seuen times yea seuentie times seuen times that wee may obtaine a blessing I speake to them that haue vnderstanding iudge you what I say and I shall pray vnto the Holy One of Israel in heauen that your inspirations may be heauenly your desires holy your Prayers here feruent and frequent there acceptable before the throne of his Maiestie to the reliefe of your necessities and to the setting forth of his glory in IESVS Christ Amen The faults escaped in some copies amend thus Pag. Lin. for read 4 6 Father Trinity 103 19 hope heart 114 14 apparelled appalled 229 4 Marke Make. 327 6 be begin THE most absolute prayer and best Rule of all holy Petitions is that which our Lord Sauiour taught his Disciples A Prayer large for matter short for Phrase and sweet for order which I hauing thus paraphrased as you see thought not so good to insert it into this bundle as to place it here alone before them all as a Supplication not appropriate to any one part but apperaining giuing life to all and fit to conclude euery one A Paraphrase vpon the Lords Prayer OVR FATHER By right of Creation Merit of Mercie Gracious prouision Which art in Heauen The seate of thy Maiestie The inheritance of thy children The kingdome of blisse Hallowed be thy Name By the thoughts of our hearts By the words of our mouthes By the works of our hands Thy Kingdome come Of grace to inspire vs. Of power to defend vs. Of glory to crowne vs. Thy will be done In weale and woe In fulnesse and wane In life and death In Earth as it is in Heauen In vs as it is in thine Angels Willingly readily faithfully Without murmur Let Deceit Giue vs this day our daily Bread For the nourishing of our bodies For the feeding of our Soules The reliefe of all necessities And forgiue vs our debts Whereby thou art dishonoured Our Neighbour wronged or Our selues indangered As we forgiue our debtors That haue hurt vs in our bodies Hindred vs in our goods Wronged vs in our good Name And lead vs not into temptation Of the wicked World The entising flesh or The enuious Deuill But deliuer vs from euill Forgiue that is past Remoue that is present Preuent what is to come For thine is the Kingdom Power glorie To rule and gouerne all To command and do all In all by all All in all Now and for euer At this present In this world and In the world to come AMEN As thou say'st So it is As thou promisest So it shall be As we pray So be it Lord. PRAYERS Beginning with the letters of the name ELIZABETH E EVery day O Almighty GOD and heauenly Father will I pray vnto thee to haue mercy vpon me and to keepe me in thy grace fauour and loue Euery day will I giue thankes vnto thee ô Lord IESV the Sonne of GOD for thy gratious redemption of my body and soule from sinne death and hell Euery day will I laud thy holy Name ô holy Ghost Gods Spirit hearts ioy elects comforter beseeching thee blessed Trinitie in sacred vnitie to replenish my heart with all charitable desires and heauenly inspirations necessary to Saluation Amen L LAy too thy helping hand ô Lord strengthen my weake condition and powre thine oyle of grace into my wounded heart that I may be able to walke in the wayes of thy commandements without reproofe and receiue comfort in all my needs and necessities Amen I IT is pitie and compassion ô LORD alone which must couer mine vnworthinesse therefore renouncing all merite in my selfe I flie vnto thee for succour Leaue me not ô Lord but preuent mee with thy goodnesse now and euermore Amen Z ZEalous O LORD I am of thy truth Wherefore I pray thee sanctifie my heart to a right conuersation in this world Direct me by thy lawes that I neuer step beyond the limites of my duetie and suffer me not to enter into any action which eyther may dishonour thee or bring my life into infamie Amen A ADmit me O mercifull Lord to thy gracious fauour many are the dangers of this life and I haue no patron to defend mee but thee Heauen is thine and the earth is thine keepe me on earth as one of thine and bring mee to Heauen to raigne with thee Amen B BLessed Lord I haue sinned but my pardon is with thee If I were as sinfull as Marie Magdalen as outragious as the prodigall sonne and as bashfull to come neere as the Publican yet Iesus hath made satisfaction for my sinne therefore in mercy forgiue mee now and euermore Amen E ENter not into iudgement with a poore creature O LORD dust and ashes is my state here onely I am created after thine Image for a better world destroy not then the worke of thine owne hands but shew thy mercy and goodnesse vnto me this day and euermore Amen T THinke vpon me O LORD thy word neuer failed and thy compassions haue no end By the vertue of the one and the substance of the other purifie me from all iniquitie and leade me into all truth this day and euermore Amen H HAue mercy vpon mee O LORD accept my Prayers which I powre out before thee and graunt my requests Mercifully prosper the things that I take in hand saue mee from mine enemies a blessed life and a happie end good Lord send me AMEN Supplications OF SAINTS The first part Daniels deuotion DAN 6. 10. Hee kneeled vpon his knees three times a day and prayed This part containeth priuate Prayers For Morning Noone and Euening euery day in the weeke Also foure other Prayers for Morning and Euening and two Prayers vpon the Passion of our Lord Iesus Sunday Morning Prayer Psal 145. 10. All thy works prayse thee O Lord and thy Saints shal blesse thee Psal 119. 170. O let my Supplication come before thee deliuer mee according to thy word OH LORD GOD Almightie Father and thou welbeloued Sonne of the Father Iesus Christ with the holy Ghost holy blessed and glorious Trinitie eternall God Lord of the Sabbath and the fountaine of all wisdome I do not present these my Supplications before thee for my righteousnesse but for thy great mercies I trust in them truely without diffidence I trust in them only without any
vpon our distressed brethren comfort the desolate widdowes and prouide for all fatherlesse children Gather vs together againe that by these means are dispersed continue thy mercifull worke in diminishing our dead number till wee may iustly say in confidence thanks with the Prophet Wee shall not die but liue and declare the workes of the Lord. Grant this O Lord for Iesus Christs sake our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen The ancient Prayer called O bountifull IESV O BOVNTIFVLL Iesu ô sweet Iesu ô IESV the Sonne of the Virgin Mary which art full of mercy and truth ô sweet Iesu haue pittie vpon mee according to thy great mercie O benigne Iesu by the same precious blood which thou wast content 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 who thus humbly beg of thee crying and calling vpon thy holy Name Iesus This Name Iesus is a sweet Name this Name Iesus is a Name of Saluation for what is Iesus but a Sauiour O good Iesus which hast created me and redeemed me with thine owne blood suffer not mee whom thou hast made of nought to be damned O good Iesus let not my wickednesse haue power to destroy me whom thine Almightie goodnesse hath made O good IESV reknowledge that which is thine in mee and that which is not of thee take that away from mee O good Iesus euen now while the time of mercie is haue mercie vpon me and let me not be confounded at the time of thy fearefull iudgement O good IESVS although I vile sinner by thy streight Iustice haue deserued to be punished euerlastingly for my most grieuous sins yet hauing sure confidence in the truth of thy righteousnesse I appeale to thine vnspeakeable 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 nor any that goe downe into the place of silence O most mercifull Iesu haue mercy vpon mee ô most sweet Iesus deliuer mee O most holy Iesus be mercifull vnto me a sinner O IESVS accept mee wretched sinner among the number of them whom thou hast elected to saluation O Iesus the health of all that hope in thee the life of all that beleeue in thee haue mercie vpon me O sweet Iesus the remission of all my sinnes O Iesus the Sonne of the Virgin Mary powre thy grace into my heart endue mee with wisedome charitie chastitie and humilitie and in all mine aduersitie grant me a holy inuiolable and stedfast patience that I may perfectly loue thee and haue my onely delight and affiance in thee world without end Amen Supplications OF SAINTS The Third Part. Dauid alone PSAL. 142. 1. 2. With my voyce vnto the Lord did I make my Supplication I powred out my complaint before him This Part containeth Prayers in the names of diuers parties of seuerall estates with a forme of generall thanskgiuing PSALME 112. 6. The righteous shall be had in euerlasting remembrance Queene Elizabeths Prayer of Thanksgiuing for the ouerthrow of the Spanish Nauy sent to inuade ENGLAND Anno 1588. MOst omnipotent Creator Redeemer and Conseruer When it seemed most fit time to thy worthy Prouidence to bestow the workmanship of this worlds Globe with thy rare iugdement thou didst diuide into foure singular parts the forme of all this Mold which after-time hath tearmed Elements all they seruing to continue in orderly Gouernment of all the masse Which all when of thy most singular bountie and neuer yerst seene care thou hast this yeere made serue for instruments to daunt our foes and to confound their malice I most humbly with bowed heart and bended knees doe render my humbliest acknowledgments and lowliest thanks And not the least for that the weakest Sexe hath been so fortified by thy strongest helpe that neither my people need finde lacke by my weaknesse nor Forreiners tryumph at my ruine Such hath beene thy vnwonted grace in my DAYES as though Sathan hath neuer made Holy-day in practising for my life and state yet thy mightie hand hath ouerspread both with the shade of thy wings so that neither hath beene ouerthrowen nor receiued shame but abide with blessing to thy most glory and their greatest ignominy For which Lord of thy meere goodnesse graunt vs grace to be hourely thankfull and euer mindfull And if it may please thee to pardon my request giue vs thy continuance in my dayes of like goodnesse that my yeares neuer see change of such grace to me but especially to this my kingdome which LORD graunt for thy Sonnes sake may flourish many ages after my end Amen Queene Elizabeths Prayer for the successe of her Nauie Anno Domi. 1596. MOst omnipotent MAKER and GVIDER of all Worlds Masse that onely searchest and fadomest the bottome of all hearts-conceits and in them seest the true originall of all actions intended Thou that by thy foresight doest truely discerne how no malic of reuenge nor quittance of iniurie nor desire of bloodshed nor greedines of lucre hath bred the resolution of our now set-out Armie but a heedfull care and a wary watch that no neglect of foes nor ouersuertie of harme might breed either danger to vs or glory to them These being the grounds thou that didst inspire the mind we humbly beseech thee with bended knees prosper the worke and with the best fore-windes speed the Iourney giue the victorie and make the returne the aduancement of thy glory the trump of thy Fame and suertie of thy Realme with the least losse of English blood To these deuout petitions Lord giue thy blessed graunt Amen Queene Elizabeths Prayer for her Nauie Anno Dom. 1597. O GOD All-maker Keeper and Guider Inurement of thy rare seene vnused and seeldheard-of goodnes powred in so plentifull sort vpon vs full oft breeds now this boldnes to craue with bowed knees and hearts of humilitie thy large hand of helping-power to assist with wonder our iust cause not founded on prides motion nor begun on malice-stock but as thou best knowest to whom nought is hid grounded on iust defence from wrongs hate and bloody desire of conquest For sithens means thou hast imparted to saue that thou hast giuen by inioying of such a people as scornes their blood-shed where safetie ours is none Fortifie deare GOD such hearts in such sort as their best part may be worst that to the truest part meant worst with least losse to such a Nation as despise their liues for their Countryes good That all forraine Lands may laud and admire the omnipotencie of thy worke a fact alone for thee onely to performe So shal they name be spred for wonders wrought and the faithfull encouraged to repose in thy vnfellowed grace and we that minded nought but right be in chained in thy
bonds for perpetuall slauery and liue die the sacrificers of our soules for such obtained fauour Warrant deare Lord all this with thy command Amen The Housholders Prayers Cast thy burthen vpon the Lord and he shall sustaine thee he shall not suffer the righteous to be moued O MOST mightie God mercifull and louing Father I wretched sinner come vnto thee in the Name of thy dearely beloued sonne Iesus Christ my onely Sauiour and Redeemer and most humbly beseech thee to be mercifull vnto me and to cast all my sinnes out of thy sight remembrance through the merites of his bloody death and Passion Powre vpon me O Lord thy holy Spirit of wisedome and grace gouerne and leade mee by thy holy word that it may be a Lanthorne vnto my feete and a light vnto my steps Shew thy mercy vpon me and so lighten the naturall blindnesse and darknesse of my heart thorough thy grace that I may dayly be renewed by the same Spirit and grace By the which O Lord purge the grossenesse of my hearing vnderstanding that I may profitably read heare and vnderstand thy word and heauenly will beleeue and practise the same in my life and conuersation and euermore hold fast the blessed hope of eternall life Mortifie and kill all vice in me that my life may expresse my Faith in thee mercifully heare the humble sute of thy seruant and grant me thy peace all my daies graciously pardon all mine infirmities and defend mee in all dangers of body goods or name but most chiefly my soule against all assaults temptations accusations subtile sleights and baites of that old enemie of mankind Sathan that roaring Lyon euer seeking whom hee may deuoure Fauourably protect and keepe all that thou hast giuen mee as Wife Children or Seruants and aide me ô Lord with thy grace that I may be able to gouerne nourish and bring them vp in thy feare and seruice Cast a gracious eye vpon mee and lend mee thy directing hand that the labour and paines which I am to vndertake this day may prosper and let all my dealings be iust and true Blesse ô Lord thy Vniuersall Church and perfect the worke which thou hast begun amongst vs Beare out most gracious King Iames the Queene his wife their royall Sonne Prince Henry and all their Children alwaies in thine owne bosom and set thine eies alwayes vpon them for good Let the spirit of knowledge and holinesse remaine in his Ministers Blesse all his Counsell with wisedome and discretion his Nobles with fortitude courage his Iudges with iustice and mercie his Magistrates with diligence and faithfulnesse his people with feare obedience that we may all with one minde and one mouth say with the Prophet He that is mightie hath done great things for vs and Holy is his Name Amen ¶ Another of the Housholders Know that your Maister also is in Heauen neither is there respect of persons with him LEad me ô Lord in the way of thy truth and righteousnes and gouerne all mine actions to thy glory the good of thy Church and the discharge of my dutie Defend and deliuer me from all temptations from all mine enemies and from all deceits and dangers Kindle my heart and minde with a feruent zeale of thy holy word that I may vnderstand and know thy will and walke in thy wayes Strengthen mee with thy holy spirit boldly and constantly to professe the honour and seruice of thy holy Name least at any time through feare of worldy afflictions I fall from thee Giue mee a contented minde with my estate and such blessings as thou O LORD of thy bountifull goodnesse and mercie hast bestowed vpon mee that I may vse them be thankfull for them Graunt mee patience in all my troubles and afflictions that I neither grudge at thy fatherly corrections knowing them to be tokens of thy loue and instruments of my exercise and tryall neither seeke reuenge of my wrongs knowing vengeance to bee thine and that thou wilt reward it in due season Keepe my minde from all euill thoughts my tongue from lewd and vaine speeches my body and euery member thereof from all sinfull actions Let all my loue my faith and hope my delight and confidence only and alwaies be in thee Open my heart to haue pitty vpon the poore brethren giue mee the gift of chastitie that I may possesse my vessell with sanctification and honour and not in the lust of concupiscence euen as the Heathen doe which know not God Giue me ô Lord sorrow for my sinnes thankfullnes for thy benefites feare of thy iudgements and loue of thy mercies and teach me to bring vp my children and gouerne my seruants in good order and godly discipline according to thy holy ordinance because by thy grace I am that I am let thy demaunds be no greater then thou hast giuen mee grace to performe O Lord pardon and forgiue all my sinnes and grant me grace to liue in thy feare and die in thy fauour that I may rise to liue with my Lord Iesus euermore dwell with him in thy most glorious and ioyfull kingdome the onely thing which I desire and hope for through the merits and mercie of the same Iesus Christ thy onely Sonne and my onely Sauiour and Lord Amen The Wiues Praier for her Husband in absence or otherwise Delight thy selfe also in the Lord and he shall giue thee the desires of thy heart O Lord God which hast made euerie marryed Couple one flesh and hast ordained that they should be of one mind and one iudgement and carefull one for another as members one of another I beseech thee leade mee and my husband in the way of thy Truth and Righteousnesse Gouerne all our actions to thy glory the good of thy Church and the discharge of our duties Defend and deliuer vs ô Lord from all temptations from all our enemies and from all deceits and dangers here or elsewhere Grant my husband being abroad to prosper in his businesse send him a healthfull and happie returne home that I who without him am sorrowfull in my selfe and should be a stranger to the world if he were not may with him liue in the estate of thine honourable ordinance in peace and comfort and alwayes for thy great goodnesse and mercie towards vs prayse thy most holy Name Grant vs both grace ô Lord one to loue cherish the other one to be faithfull dutifull towards the other and giue vs both the gift of Chastitie and Sobrietie that both in body and minde wee may liue a pure life bring vp our children and gouerne our seruants with godly Discipline and good order in and according to thy holy word O LORD pardon and forgiue both of vs all our sinnes and grant vs both grace to loue honor feare and serue thee all the dayes of this our miserable and sinfull life that in this life wee may haue comfort in that which thou hast giuen vs
and after our death we may receiue the fruites of that hope which wee haue layde vp in thy mercies through the merites and mediation of thy Sonne Iesus Christ our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen The VViddowes Prayer The Lord doth execute the iudgement vnto the fatherlesse Widdow loueth the stranger in giuing them food and rayment O Lord God which art neerely touched with a care of the afflicted and despisest not the Widdow when she powreth out her Prayers before thee I beseech thee to haue compassion vpon mee a poore and desolate Widdow And whereas the bands of death haue made a separation between me my husband who was my head the best stay I had in this World next vnder thee I beseech thee let me not take this crosse impatiently but trust in thy goodnesse that nothing may be able to separate mee from thee which art mine onely stay the ioy of my soule Preserue me Lord from the pawes of rauenous and greedy cormorants which lye in waite to supplant the weakest and deuoure our Houses vnder the pretence of godlinesse and colour of right Grant that in the sight of all Gouernours and Iudges I may finde fauour and equall dealing in my suites and complaints against all violence and oppressors Giue vnto all men willing and ready mindes to doe mee good and open their hearts to helpe and pleasure mee in all reasonable demands Prouide for mee by ministring cloths and nourishment fit for mine estate haue pitty vpon me in all my necessities and stretch out thy hand to deliuer me Blesse mee as thou didst that poore Woman of Sarepthah that that small thing which thou hast giuen mee may serue to supply the necessarie vses of me mine Dispose the hearts of my children seruants to obedience peace and holinesse that I which am the weaker vessell depriued of him whose countenance should haue kept them in awe may by thy help bring them vp in godly Discipline Giue mee the grace of thy holy Spirit that at all times and in all mine afflictions I may trust in thee and continue in Prayers and Supplications day and night not giuen to any qualitie but such as befitteth a modest matrone and the hand-maid of the Lord for Iesus Christs sake our onely Sauiour and Redeemer Amen ¶ The Prayer of Women with Child A woman when she is in trauell hath sorrow because her houre is come O Lord GOD by whose Decree for the offence of our first Parents wee beare in our wombs bring forth children in paine sorrow be mercifull vnto me that now feele the accomplishment of that sentence in my selfe and as thou hast vouchsafed me this blessing to conceiue in my wombe and to nourish that which thou hast wrought vntill this time so graunt that in due time I may see the fruit of my body safe sound and perfect without blemish or deformitie Keepe me ô Lord from an vntimely birth graunt that through Prayer faith and patience I may escape all sudden feares and vnaduised thoughts Comfort me when I shall draw neere vnto my hard labour and when I shall fall into those terrors horrors and pangs which accompany that houre shew thy mercie vpon mee and my Babe that my sinnes may be forgiuen me and that it may not be punished for my offences Giue me patience that I be not too fearefull and vnruly but that I may remember what modestie befitteth a woman in those dangers and repose all my affyance in thee O Lord send mee help and preserue mee that I perish not Grant thee O Lord safe deliuerance in due time make me a ioyfull Mother when that hour commeth let not my sinnes so many be called in question either now or at that instant but forget O LORD and forgiue them blesse my poore infant and lodge it in the vertue of thy couenant and when thou shalt be pleased to call it into open light giue me wisedome strength to bring it vp in thy feare and as it were to trauell againe with it till it be borne againe vnto a heauenly life to thy greater glory and my further ioy through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen The Midwifes Prayer O God wonderfull art thou in thy holy places euen the God of Israel he will giue strength and power vnto his people Blessed be God O LORD GOD who onely hast power to take all children out of their mothers wombes and to bring them to the light of this world I thine vnworthy seruant whom thou hast deputed to this great Businesse for the helpe and comfort of many in their extremities doe most humbly on bended knees beseech thee to vouchsafe me thy gracious assistance in the same Haue mercy vpon mee ô Lord and in all mine actions let me haue thy feare before mine eyes that I may be carefull both for rich and poore to doe good and not hurt to saue life and not to destroy Helpe mine infirmities c imperfections that I be neither too feareful nor too violent in doing my dutie and grant me skill and iudgement happily to finish euery worke that I shall vndertake Giue mee O Lord an vnderstanding and tender heart a readie steedie and gentle hand a watchfull eye and a willing minde Mercifully looke vpon me ô Lord that whensoeuer I shal be called to doe mine office either by night or day to the sicke or to the sound I may be defended from all bodily harmes preserued from the infection of all contagious diseases by thy gracious fauour Prosper ô Lord the workes of my hands ô prosper thou my handie worke that I may doe all things to thy glory the comfort of all good women and mine owne credite through Iesus Christ our Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer in time of womens trauell Let thy worke O Lord appeare vnto thy seruants and thy glory vnto their Children O Gracious God and louing father of whom the whole familye in heauen and earth is named wee beseech thee mercifully heare the voyce of all vs thy hand-maydes heere assembled in thy name for the help of this our Sister in her Agonie now approaching Lord looke vpon her in mercie and mittigate the iudgement which thou hast laid vpon her and all Women for sin Giue her courage of heart and strength of body to beare the pangs of her labour so fearfull and vehement Sweeten them with the drops of thy mercy and qualifie them by thy gracious power pardon her offences and receaue her prayers Louing Father giue her patience and willingnesse to be aduised and ordered by her friends in so great a worke that shee may remember that as in iustice thou hast greatly increased her sorrowes and conceptions so it is thy will to haue a holy seed brought forth into the world which being sanctified by thy grace may be consecrate here to such godly seruices as thou hast appointed and afterward made partaker of thy glory in the kingdome of heauen And
Supplications of SAINTS A Booke of Prayers Diuided into three parts 1 Daniels deuotion prayers for Seuerall dayes 2 Paul and his company prayers for seueral occasions 3 Dauid alone prayers for seuerall parties Wherein are three most excellent Prayers made by the late famous Queene ELIZABETH A third Edition enlarged APOC. 8. 4. The Prayers of the Saints went vp before God LONDON Printed for Nicholas Bourne and are to sould at his shop at the entring in of the Royall Exchange 1612. THE CONTENTS OF the seuerall parts 1 Daniels Deuotion Containing three Prayers for euery day in the weeke with other priuate Prayers for Morning and Euening in number 27. Pag. 2 Paul and his Company Containing Prayers for diuers Occasions generall and particuler in number 23. Pag. 3 Dauid alone Containing Queene ELIZABETHS prayers other Prayers in the name of diuers parties of seuerall estates in number 21. Pag. Prayers accompanying the seuerall parts A three-fold Paraphrase vpon the LORDS Prayer Nine short Prayers beginning with the letters of the name Elizabeth Two Prayers and meditations vpon the passions of the life and death of our sauiour Iesus A generall thankesgiuing c. To the most Gratious Lady Lady ELIZABETH eldest daughter of our Soueraigne Lord the King BEing willing amongst others of my Function to performe some office to the glory of Gods people considering with my selfe the times we liue in together with our owne frailties I haue in that regard most vertuous Lady labored to compose a small volume of short Prayers and to contriue it into this Method assuring my selfe that nothing is or can be more acceptable to Almightie God then the hartie Prayers of his people In which Collection I haue also inserted three most sweete Prayers made by the late Queene Elizabeth of famous memorie Which as vpon her occasions she powred forth before the Lord as it is written of King Salomon kneeling on her knees stretching of her hands to heauen so I thought them most worthy to be registred for perpetuall memorie being compiled by so renowned a person as her selfe and carying in matter pithe in stile Maiestie and in words true deuotion And vnderstanding of your Graces loue of vertue with the humblenesse of your minde and zeale of seruing God I am therefore enboldened in the forehead of this my Myte to stampe your royall Name not doubting of your Graces fauourable allowance Which being my humble suite and desire crauing pardon for this boldnesse I cease not as heartily to pray that the manifold graces of the most High may be multiplyed vpon your Estate and your Grace long preserued to the ioy and comfort of your most roiall Parents our Soueraigne King and Queene the good of Gods Church and the finall saluation of your owne soule From the Parsonage house of S. Mildreds in the Poultry London Septem 7. Anno Dom. 1610. Your Graces most humbly Thomas Sorocold To all deuout People CHRISTIAN brethren I haue bin persuaded to publish to your view and charitable interpretation this handfull of flowers picked sorted and tyed vp into a bundle according to my slender abilitie both of iudgement and inuention I haue presumed also to entitle them SVPPLICATIONS of Saints induced thereunto by three reasons First because they are squared to the practise of the two holy Prophets and the blessed Apostle and Saint Saint Paul Secondly three of these praiers which are indeed praestantiores far more eminent and excellent then al the rest proceeding from humane conceit were vsed and penned by the late noble Queene of famous memorie ELIZABETH and may iustly challenge the Denomination as the remaines of her Deuotion who liuing a Religious and Peerelesse PRINCE was truely accounted as the Wise-man speaketh among the Children of God and now being taken from vs hath her portion among the Saints The third reason is because I hope they may be the dayly exercise of your selues who being called to the participation of Iesus Christ embracing the Gospell of God and hauing receiued the Sacrament of life haue also your part in the Communion of Saints I haue not helde such a course as happily other Collectors of the like Deuotions haue done and yet I hope you will not condemne mee but vpon good deliberation I confesse they are not mingled with discourse for God desireth not to take admonition or information from our reports neither are they interlaced with Meditations for the places of Scripture which I haue prefixed before euery one will minister matter of that Deuotion neither haue I made any of them very long to draw them into a thousand periods as Chrysostom saith as if it were a goodly worke to multiply much speech before GOD But I haue made them somewhat briefe ayming at that Rule which our Lord and Sauiour prescribed saying After this maner pray ye That is saith Chrysostome againe Hee appointed the Disciples to gather the Petitions of their prayers into a short summe Wherefore if ye find them worthy the name of prayers vse them if otherwise yet take them as meane grounds of Prayer and meditation to set your deuout thoughts a worke with this liberty that where I haue been defectiue I referre it to the iudicious to supply and where I haue offered any thing vaine or offensiue I am content to admit a godly Corrector But how euer it be yet let me aduise you not to waxe faint or slacke in Prayer for such as haue learned of the Lord Iesus saith Saint Augustine true humilitie and meeknesse of heart receiue more profit by meditation and prayer then in reading and hearing whereby ye may be sure the religious Father meant not to traduce either the preaching of the word or the reading of any thing that may make a man wise vnto saluation but enforced the more reuerend respect and more frequent vse of this Ghostly exercise that as men are commanded to be Doers of the Word so they should be seekers of Grace to doe it by not Hearers onely for so saith the Apostle they should deceiue themselues For when Paul hath planted and Apollos watered when one hath read a learned treatise and another hath heard a fruitfull Sermon they must refer the rest to him that giueth the increase and vnto whom will he giue it to him that seeketh vnto him that knocketh to him that asketh humbly and deuoutly in his prayer Follow then his counsell which sayeth Put vp your Prayers to him that hee may send downe his grace to you Againe beloued all is not peace if yee consider of what Church we are while we be in this world S. Paul tels vs that we are in a Warfare that Prayer is a principall peece of our Armour therefore his counsell is Pray alwayes watch thereunto For wee cannot as Abishai said to Dauid concerning his blow make so sure worke at one time that we shall not need to come againe But rather so many are
mee with thy presence and let all thy Children feele the effectual working of thy power which is euer made perfect through weakenesse euen for Iesus Christes sake our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer for the Remission of Sinnes and all things necessary thereto Wee haue sinned with our Fathers wee haue committed iniquitie and wee haue done wickedly O Lord God in greatnes infinit in power omnipotent in counsell wonderful in iudgement terrible although I miserable sinner haue by thy Iustice truely deserued euerlasting damnation for my horrible sinnes yet I beseech thee cast me not away with him that had not on a wedding garment for I appeale from thy rightfull iustice to thine vnspeakeable mercy humbly cast downe my selfe at thy feete and beseech thee of compassion and pardon Beholde Lord I am a piece of that purchase that cost so deere a price as the blood of thy deare Sonne my body and soule are the temples of the holy Ghost the postes whereof are sprinkled with his precious blood which cryeth for mercie therefore enter not into the course of iudgement with me for there I know I shall bee ouerthrowen but forbeare forgiue me acquite 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 eternall perdition yet is thy mercy aboue all thy iudgements and thou canst forgiue more then I can offend wherefore I pray thee set his Crosse and passion betweene thy iudgements my soule looke vpon mee with the eye of mercy and compassion as thou didst vpon the sinfull woman at the banket and the Publican in the Temple whose pardons are registred in thy booke for my Comfort O Lord bow downe the height of thy Deity to behold my vilenesse and miserie a liuely image of the prodigall sonne who know no other helpe but onely thou my most louing 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 sin cleanse it season it with the Salt of thy grace to receiue and retaine all goodnesse hereafter Lord I thanke thee for thy patience and long suffering that thou hast not suddenly after my desert taken vengeance on me but giuen me a longer time of repentance wherefore I beseech thee appease thine anger towards mee now but loose in me the workes of darknesse create in me a new heart and because thou lookest for my amendment that I may haue thy fauour I beseech thee grant mee thy fauour that I may haue amendment giue mee grace to repent vnfeinedly 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 sinfull steppes neither be angry with mee for their sakes but let the wel-doing of Iesus Christ who hath shed his blood for mee succour mee and procure my pardon Forgiue mee all my sinnes of youth and age negligences and ignorances thoughts words and deedes and keepe me from presumptuous sinnes O Lord looke not vpon the Pharisee for hee dissembleth nor vpon the Publicane first for he saith little for himselfe in outward shew nor vpon Mary Magdalen onely for she had but seauen diuels but looke vpon me that of sinners am chiefe worse then either Pharisee Publicane or Mary who haue as many sins as hayres vpon my head and a greater clogge vpon my conscience then any burthen that man hath to beare O Lord keepe vnder Sathan that he compel not my troubled Conscience to despaire quench all the motions of my minde striuing against thy diuine pleasure and restore in me the Image of thy Son that I may liue in thy feare dye in thy fauour rest in thy peace rise in thy power remaine in thy glory for Iesus Christs sake our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer for obtaining of Faith Hope and Charitie and all Christian vertues My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Iesus Christ O Father of Lights of whom is euery good giuing and euery perfect gift I beseech thee to blesse me with al spiritual blessings in heauenly things in Christ Increase the little graine of my weake and feeble faith direct it to the true obiect the merites of Christ Iesus and let it not be bare and dead but effectuall working by loue Make mee strong therein constant to giue credite to thy word without doubting and pro tect mee among the diuers manifold errours 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 comfort in al things Keepe me from insolencie and pride and graunt mee true humilitie and lowlinesse of mind that I be not puffed vp to contemne my brethren but giue mee that due consideration of mine 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 conscience beare witnesse against mee the whole world forsake mee and all things set themselues against me for my sins then strengthen mee I beseech thee in thy faith that I fall not from thee inflame my colde heart with the heauenly affection of vnfained loue that I may loue thee O blessed Trinitie with all that I haue aboue all and my Neighbour as my selfe Graunt me a compassionate charitable minde to help and succour others to my abilitie to forbeare and forgiue them though they be mine enemies Purge my veines and suffer not the stinking poison of enuy and wrath to infect my blood and so moderate my affections that the Sunne goe not downe vpon my wrath but that I may be satisfied in knowing that vengeance is thine Giue me grace to follow the examples of all painefull and godly labouring men in matters of my vocation keepe me from the hatefull sinne of sloth and idlenesse the high-way to beggery Graunt mee a contented mind against couetousnes amoderate appetite against gluttony and surfets and a chast bodie from disordered lust Comfort mee O Lord in all grieuous accidents and at the point of death giue mee grace to fasten all thy confidence in thee that whereas now I see by Faith onely as it were in a glasse darkely I may then see face to face the onely thing which I desire and hope for thorough Iesus Christ Amen A Prayer before the receiuing of the Holy Communion As often as yee eate this Bread and drinke this cup ye doe shew the Lords death vntill he come O Lord God mercifull FATHER which after the sacrament of
my selfe to thy holy ordinance to beare this Crosse and taste of this bitter cup which I haue deserued and much more so I may follow thee whither thou art gone Therefore O Lord since thou hast not yet called me to the Barre of death but sent thy Heralds to sommon mee to a tryall I beseech thee looke on mee with thine eye of mercifull pittie and helpe me in this day of Visitation Poure thine oyle of grace into my wounded conscience purge my defiled soule forgiue me all my sins and giue me competent comfort consolation in this distresse Let me not dye ere I begin to liue giue mee time to repent occasion to amend But if thou wilt needs put any more of thy wine of correction into my festred sores lay no more ô Lord lay no more vpon me then I shal be able to beare make good vnto mee that goodnesse which thou hast granted mee vnder the great Seale of thy promise Supplie my want pardon my sinnes aide me against all temptations I am recouered of 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 thread of my life any longer yet I neither desire the continuance of this mortalitie 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 deare Sonne who from the Altar of the Crosse cryed vnto thee on my behalfe and accept his satisfaction for my sinnes Arme mee with patience to take vp my Crosse and follow thee euen to beare thy visitation willingly and giue mee strength by faith to resist the aduersarie in in the brunt of temptations With my sorrow and paine increase thy grace that when I am in greatest agony I may finde 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 foorth as it was to Hezekiah 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 pangs of death haue shut vp the eies 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 carie vp my Soule vnto thee and I be partaker of a ioyfull resurrection through Iesus CHRIST our LORD Amen ¶ A Prayer to be sayd at the point of death O Lord my time is at hand my soule is heauy euen vnto death Looke downe vpon me poure thine oyle of grace into my heart pardon my sins strengthen my Faith shorten my paines and driue away Sathan Helpe mee in this conflict Looke vpon thy Christ hee is my Sauiour and Redeemer Come LORD Iesus welcome Into thy hands I commend my soule take it O Lord take mee the worke of thine owne hands and let me die in thy feare and rise againe in thy fauour that I may come to thy blisse for IESVS Christs sake Amen A Generall Thankes-giuing to be vsed by all men at all times I will prayse thee O Lord my God with all my heart and will glorifie thy Name for euermore For great is thy mercy towards me O Blessed LORD and euer-liuing GOD whose mercy is ouer all thy workes and of whose fulnesse wee haue all receiued and Grace for grace I poore SAMARITANE that haue beene holpen healed and honoured by thy holy Hand doe poure foorth my heart vnto thee that I may neither vngratefully remember thy benifits nor vngraciously forget thy seuere iudgements who both in the one and the other hast beene beyond all measure so gracious vnto mee I thanke thee O Lord for all the externall internall graces bestowed vpon mee the Spirituall and corporall the Caelestiall and terrestriall blessings which I haue receiued And in earthly matters ô Lord I acknowledge my selfe deeply bounden vnto thee for my Being breathing life and motion That thou hast made mee of a more noble nature then the rest of the Creatures creating mee after thine owne Image enduing mee with reason furnishing me with excellent faculties of the minde and perfect sense And I giue thee thankes O LORD that thou hast giuen mee a BODIE so sound and so free from great infirmities and hast set mee in a calling so fit for my condition and giuen mee such a competent estate That thou hast preserued mee from so many harmes in such dangerous accidents as in sicknes thunder lightning plague pestilence fire and water and from the assaults of theeues and robbers by Sea and Land attempted or intended against my bodie house or goods and deliuered mee out of so many troubles and vexations as I haue fallen into O Lord how am I bound vnto thee that thou hast lent me such kinde friends and that I liue in such honest reputation among my neighbours that I haue such libertie of seemly recreation such quietnesse of life such opportunitie of well-doing and thine Angels by thine appointment to protect safe-gard mee in all my wayes These things O Lord I enioy though vnworthy by thy goodnesse whereas there be many that haue not found the like fauour at thy hands Blessed be thy Name therefore And yet ô Lord thou hast been much more gracious vnto me thy Spirituall fauours and thy Caelestial blessings exceed all these Therefore as I am bound so much more I blesse thee that thou didst elect me before all worlds to glorie that thou didst worke my redemption by the blood of Christ Iesus in his bitter Passion that I was borne in the light of the Gospel to know thee and through Sanctification in thee haue had the grace to take vpon mee the profession of the Truth to abandon all Superstition and Heresie to doe good vnto any and to doe any thing that may doe good either publike or priuate in some measure to keepe my selfe vnspotted of the world Oh what shall I giue vnto my Lord that hath done so great and mightie things for mee O Lord I giue thee thanks that thou hast giuen mee such an honourable Calling and vocation of Christianitie that thou hast incorporated me a member of the Church giuing me such a gracious portion of Faith hope loue zeale patience peace and ioy the beginnings of Regeneration What am I O Lord that thou hast granted mee such things to receiue such profite by the preaching of thy Word and the Priuiledge of thy blessed Sacraments to bee washed with thy blood to sit at thy Table and to feed on thee the euerlasting Bread These I thanke thee for and for these also euen for my part which I haue