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
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
other plea I trust in them alwayes without wearines therfore I beseech thee grant mee mercifull audience Mercifully heare mee O Lord mercifully heare me O Lord God First I extoll thy infinite goodnesse and mercy together with thine eternall wisedome and truth that thou hast protected me all this night past and made me to rest and sleep so quietly and securely vnder the shadow of thy wings And I beseech thee from the bottome of my heart to protect me this day with thy mighty hand from all dangers both of body and soule Giue thy holy Angels charge ouer mee to keepe mee in all my wayes driue away from mee the euill angell and deadly enemie remooue all offences of this world Mortifie and kill in me all carnall lustes vnlawfull pleasures and euill affections that they may haue no dominion or raigne in my mortall body giue me a contrite heart to bewaile my former life and let me find comfort in thy mercy for the remission of my sinnes Sanctifie me O holy Father this holy day with thine especiall grace that I may honour thee as a Creator loue thee as a redeemer expect thee as a Sauiour and that I may haue modest cariage in my behauiour true deuotion in my Prayers and reuerent attention to heare thy sacred word and so vnlocke the eares of mine vnderstanding that I may obserue learne and imbrace such things as are necessary for mee to the better confirmation of my faith in Christ Iesus and the saluation of my soule by his blood Rayse mee O Father by the power of thy sonnes resurrection from sinne and iniquitie and giue me spirituall rest in the communion of Saints that hereafter when I shal leaue this world I may keepe the euerlasting Sabbath with thee in the Kingdom of Heauen Behold O Lord I knock at the doore of thy mercy for all these graces with all the powers of my strength soule and mind beseeching thee to continue vnto mee the right vse of all the powers and faculties of the same and to send thy holy Spirit to beare witnesse to my Spirit that I am thy child and shall be heire of thy Kingdome with Christ Iesus our Lord and through his merits for whose sake I beseech thee to grant all those things all that I haue prayed for Amen Noone A prayer for the Ministers of the Word O Lord Iesus which hast coÌ„manded vs to pray for labourers to the Haruest we beseech thee send painefull Ministers into thy Church Endue them with such wisedome and speech as the aduersaries may not be able to gaine-say Open vnto them the doore of doctrine giue them the spirit of boldnesse that they may faithfully dispense thy Mysteries and speake thy Word freely Take away all contentions and differences from among them Make them examples to those that beleeue in soundnesse of Doctrine and purenesse of life And because the rule of our life depends vpon thy word in their mouthes blesse them with all graces fit for their calling that wee may giue thankes vnto thee and praise thy Name for euermore Amen Sunday Euening Prayer Gen. 18. 27. 30. Behold I haue taken vpon mee to speake vnto my Lord. Oh let not my Lord be angry and I will speake OH eternall God and merciful Father from the bottome of my heart I giue thee continuall thanks that of thy mercy thou hast nourished mee preserued me by thy power gouerned me by thy word and holy Spirit this day all this weeke yea at all other times of my life hitherto and I most humbly beseech thee in the merits of Christ Iesus my Sauiour not to respect mine vnworthines but to couer bury all my misdeeds in his graue which I haue either wittingly or ignorantly done especially O Lord those which in this weeke past I haue committed in thought word and deed against thy Diuine Maiestie Water ô Lord the seed â—f thy holy word which I â—aue receyued this day â—ith the dew of thy grace â—hat with sound iudgeâ—ent and godly deuotion â—may put in practise such â—hings as I know to be â—leasing to thy diuine Maâ—estie and that my heart â—eing alwayes obedient to â—hy Commandements â—he feare of mine enemies â—aken away from mee I â—ay passe my time in â—eace holines through â—hy gracious protection Be mercifull vnto me â—O Lord forgiue the euill â—hat I haue committed supply the good which I haue omitted restore what I haue lost heale my sores clense my filthinesse lighten my darkenesse and alter the whole state of my minde that nothing may be wanting to good purposes in mee O LORD stretch out thy hand ouer me and of thy wonted goodnesse defend me this night from all euill keepe me from fearful wicked dreams vnprofitable cares vaine cogitations and outward violence preserue my body from eternall death reserue my soule from euerlasting damnation Compasse me about on euery side with thy grace inwardly and outwardly that when I shall eyther take care for things of this life or carefully seeke for those things which appertaine vnto the Kingdome of Heauen I may heare the voyce of thy holy spirit sounding in my heart from the mouth of the Apostle My God shall fulfill all your necesstties through his riches with glory in Iesus Christ Grant O Lord these and all other graces meete for me euen for Iesus Christs sake my onely Lord and Sauiour In whose Name I further pray vnto thee saying that Prayer which thy Sonne in his Gospel hath taught vs Our Father which art in Heauen c. Munday Morning prayer Blessed be God which hath not turned away my prayer nor his mercy from me O Heauenly Father and Almightie God which beyond all measure hast vnlocked the treasures of thy fauour and blessing vnto mee from time to time I most heartily thanke thee forthe sweet sleepe and comfortable rest which I haue taken this night through thy gracious preseruation of me and now O Lord I consecrate my soule and body to thy seruice this day againe and euer hereafter desiring that my prayer earely now this Morning may haue accesse vnto thee O Lord I pray thee blesse preserue and keepe me this day by thy power from sinne shame and all euill and so direct mee with thy grace that all my thoughts words works may please thee Stand I beseech thee between me and mine enemies bodily and ghostly And as thou hast now raised vp my body from a sound and heauie sleepe so deliuer my soule from the dead sleepe of sinne and the darkenes of this world Helpe O Lord the creature which dependeth vpon thy prouidence only Further my businesse that I may truly walke without sinne and safely worke without danger in that vocation whereunto thou hast called me in this life O Lord Iesus haue mercy vpon me miserable sinner pardon and forgiue mee all my sinnes negligences and ignorances Remember not mine obstinacies and haue compassion vpon mine infirmities Set thy
holy Passion Crosse and Death betweene thy iudgement and my Soule both now and at the houre of death Of thy mercie O Lord strengthen my weaknesse and mortifie my corrupt nature enclining to swearing wantonnesse lying or any other sinne whatsoeuer and grant that I may so walke in thy wayes by the light of thy holy word that no worldly vanitie bewitch me to sel my selfe to worke wickednesse O holy Father graunt me a sound mind and the right vse of my senses continually that knowing what I doe and practising what I know I may worthily lament the wickednesse of my life and euer vpon my vnfained repentance feele thy comforts in my soule and neuer forget the desire of the life to come O Lord blesse me in all the passages of this life and after death restore the same body and soule to life eternal Heare my prayers O Lord God for Iesus Christs sake my onely Lord and Sauiour Amen Noone A Prayer to God the Father O Merciful God and louing Father on whose prouidence we depend for all our necessaries wee thanke thee for our royall creation after thine owne Image and all other good graces now and euer bestowed vpon vs. Giue vs grace we pray thee so to liue as becommeth thy children in all holines and righteousnesse Incline our harts to thy law not to couetousnes open our eies that wee may behold the secret things of thy Law Make vs fruitfull in all good works forgiue vs our sinnes and wash vs in the blood of thy Sonne clense our hearts and renew our mindes to thy holy will prosper the workes of our hands and bring vs safely from all dangers to the end of this day for Iesus Christs sake Amen Munday Euening Prayer Euening and Morning and at Noone will I pray and cry aloud and hee shall heare mee ALmighty God which giuest infinite occasions vnto euery creature to prayse thy holy Name I come vnto thee with the holy Prophet that mine eyes may preuent the night-watches beseeching thee to accept this mine Euening Sacrifice of praise and thanks for the depth of thy goodnesse which I am not able to expresse and the Sea of thy mercies which haue ouer-flowed this day to my great comfort Season O Lord my senses inward and outward with the Salt of thy grace that with a sanctified heart I may make a godly vse of all those good things which I haue heard seene or read this day And further lighten mine eies that I sleepe not in death nor walke in darknesse spiritual or corporal to endanger eyther my body or my soule O Lord let mine eyes sleepe and inioy that moderate recreation which thou hast appointed for my wearisome condition but let my soule continually watch vnto thee to attend thy comming that when my sleepe hath not beene vnmeasurable to please excessiuely the ease of my flesh I may be the better disposed to thy seruice to morrow Preserue me Lord from all vncleannesse both of body and soule from all dangers that walke in the night and keep me from all temptations of him that is the prince of darknesse Forgiue me the sins and offences which I haue committed this day in thought word deed against thee or my neighbour Giue mee grace to water my Couch with teares in vnfeined repentance of my sins past so to passe the residue of my life that in regard of thy iustice I may retaine a holy feare to stand alwaies in awe of thee and in regard of thy mercy conceyue sure hope neuer to despaire O Lord keepe me this night both in body and soule that I may ioyfully rise againe be thankefull vnto thee and diligently walke in my vocation and calling to the glory of thy holy Name and the commoditie of my neighbour for Iesus Christs sake our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen Tuesday Morning Prayer Satisfie vs earely with thy mercie that we may reioyce and be glad in all our dayes O Blessed LORD GOD great in power fearefull in Iudgement and rich in mercie which bindest and no man looseth and loosest and no man bindeth I yeeld thee most humble and harty thanks for that of thy fatherly goodnesse thou hast vouchsafed me this last nights sleepe in peace and rest and again loosing the bonds wherewith I was tyed hast giuen me power to see this Morning light Now O Lord I beseech thee powre vpon me this day the dew of thy blessing that through the operation of thy gratious beames I may bud foorth and beare the fruits of true faith in my life conuersation Continue thy goodnesse and mercy towards mee and by thy power rayse mee from the deepe sleepe of all vnrighteousnesse discharge me from the workes of darkenesse and clothe me with the Armour of light that I may walke honestly as in the day and liue soberly righteously and godly in this present world Grant me ô Lord true vnderstanding and knowledge of thy word which is the Glasse of thy wil. Increase in me all godly desires together with true contrition of heart that I may vnfeinedly despise the pleasures of this world with harty repentance be conuerted vnto thee Send thy holy Angell to guide me and keepe me in all my waies and prosper the worke of my hands that I neuer faile in my vocation to doe good and eschew euill O Lord I beseech thee preserue and keepe my senses safe and sound that I be neither corrupted by prosperitie nor cast downe by aduersitie nor be too fearefull of thy iudgements or too bold vpon thy mercy But grant mee grace O mercifull Lord that I may apprehend all things that come from thee with a religious contented mind and in the end of my dayes by a liuely Fayth may ioyfully arriue in the Land of promise the Kingdome of HEAVEN through the merits of IESVS CHRIST my onely Sauiour and Redeemer Amen Noone A Prayer to God the Sonne O Blessed LORD Iesus Christ Sonne of the eternall God blessed be thy name for our redemption Great was thy loue sore was thy Passion Print in our minds we beseech thee the continuall memory thereof that we may loue thee which so louedst vs and euermore prayse thee that hast bought vs at so deare a price Reiect not our prayers which we offer to be pesented to thy Father but mercifully helpe vs and heale all our infirmities increase our faith and teach vs obedience forgiue vs our offences and hide vs in thy wounds from thy fathers iust wrath Make good thy promises vnto vs for the world to come and enable vs with thy Grace for the performance of all thy Commandements Prosper O Lord our handy worke and bring vs safely to the end of this day for thy trueth and for thy Names sake Amen Tuesday Euening Prayer Happy is hee that hath the GOD of Iacob for his helpe whose hope is in the Lord his God O Most holy Father and gracious GOD which giuest vnto all sorts of men the
is nigh vnto all them that call vpon him to all that call vpon him in truth O Lord God which art the light that no man can attaine vnto and yet lightenest euery one that commeth into this world and mercifully driuest away the darknes of the night shadow of death I praise thy holy Name thanke thee that thou hast vouchsafed me this fauour to passe this night in so comfortable rest to be brought again safe sound vnto the morning light Now I beseech thee by the blessed Incarnation and holy Natiuitie of thy Sonne Iesus Christ the blessed day-star that appeared to the world let thy mercy this day arise vpon me let the day-star of thy light shine in my heart that I be not carried away through the power of darkenes to spend this day after mine owne minde and pleasure but that I may carefully follow thy fatherly will reuealed in thy holy word Increase in me O Lord the gift of faith and hope to beleeue in thee and thy promises made in Christ that neither by mine owne negligence nor the infirmitie of the flesh nor the grieuousnes of temptation I be driuen away from faith in his blood Disperse O LORD the thicke mistes and clouds of mine iniquities and wash them away in the blood of thy Sonnes passion Giue me a will to worke duely in my vocation this day that I be not idle and order my skil with the rule of thy wisedome that I bee not vnfruitfull Blesse my body and soule that none euill or harme come vnto me my memory and senses that they passe not the limites which thou hast appointed them O Lord lighten my mind to looke vpon good things onely inflame my heart with the loue of them and conduct mee by thy grace to attaine them that as thou hast awaked my body from sleepe so my Soule may bee raysed from the slumber of sinne and darknesse of this World and they both being companions and fellowes in the way of godlinesse may be made partakers of euerlasting life at the latter day through Iesus Christ our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen Noone A Prayer for Sobrietie O Lord God which hast commaunded vs to be sober and watch direct my pathes in the right way to all sobrietie spirituall and corporal Suffer me not this day nor any other to abuse thy good creatures or turne thy grace into wantonnes let mee not be ouercome with surfetting and drunkennesse but auoide all superfluity vsing all temperance and moderation both in meats and drinkes Graunt me a stayed minde and a lowly conceite of my selfe Blesse mee that I may be wise but to sobrietie that I may liue soberly righteously and godly in this present world for Iesus Christs sake Amen Thursday Euening Prayer The Lord is good to all and his tender mercies are ouer all his workes O Lord God my most louing and mercifull Father great in mercie and constant in truth I doe acknowledge my bounden dutie of thankefulnesse vnto thee for thy manifold graces and benefits imparted vnto mee this day though I bee vnable to recount them and farre more vnworthy to receiue them Neuerthelesse in full assurance and confidence of thy loue to me in Christ Iesus I commit now into thy hands again this night my soule and body and all my senses my thoughts affections wordes and deedes all within me and all without mee my faith and my continuance in the same beseeching thee of thy mercy to keepe them day night blamelesse and vndefiled against the day of thy comming Pardon I pray thee and forgiue mee all the sinnes which this day I haue either wretchedly effected or wickedly imagined against thine honour the good of my Neighbour Lay not the frailty of my younger yeares vnto my charge And for the better confirmation of thy gracious pardon I humbly intreat thee ô Lord to annexe vnto thy Graunt the power of thy grace to attend vpon me that I may this night quietly take my rest vnder the shadow of thy wings void of all feare spirituall darkenes danger and despaire Strike my heart ô Lord with thy feare that fearing I may escape those things which thou threatnest and giue mee the comfort of thy saluation that in louing thee I may obtaine those things which thou promisest and when the darkenesse of this mortall life as the darkenesse of the day now doth shal come grant mee O LORD a watchfull heart willingly disposed and throughly enabled with thy grace to abandon these transitorie nights and dayes and depart hence in the peace of a good conscience into thine euerlasting rest through Iesus Christ my onely Sauiour and Redeemer In whose name I further pray vnto thee saying that forme of prayer that he that taught vs Our Father which art in Heauen c. Friday Morning Prayer Whom haue I in heauen but thee and there is none vpon earth that I desire besides thee O Almighty Lord my most louing Creatour redeemer I thy vnworthy seruant giue thee humble and hearty thankes for thy gracious protection and preseruation of me in health wealth and safety this night past and euermore beseeching thee so to direct me by thy holy Spirit that I may liue and walke this day according to thy godly will and pleasure in all harmelesse manner to the profit of my neighbour and in all holinesse to the glory of thy blessed name Lighten my minde O Lord that I may cleerely see those things that please thee Graunt vnto me the knowledge and true vnderstanding of thy word that without all vanitie or curiositie I may know what is thy holy will and pleasure in all things and also expresse in my liuing those things which I know On bended knees O Lord I beseech thee reiect mee not vtterly for mine offences neither take thy grace and assistaunce from mee Blesse my iudgement and all my senses that no sodaine motion make me to conceiue any griefe so far as to forfeit my reasonable vnderstanding Blesse O Lord my labours and trauailes in this world that I may haue wherewithall to relieue my necessities vpon all occasions Indue mee with thy feare an humble minde godly sorrow and a good conscience that I may cary an honest vpright meaning to deale iustly and truely with all men O Lord temper and order all things vnto mee in such peaceable course that I be neuer further tempted and proued then thou wilt make me able to beare and so helpe me in the same as may be most to thy glory Giue me patience against all prouocations and faith in all temptations forgiue me all those things wherevnto I haue yeelded contrary to thy commaundement and so arme mee with thy holy Spirit that I may walke more warily more wisely all the dayes of my life for Iesus Christs sake mine onely Sauiour and Redeemer Amen Noone A Prayer for Chastitie ALmighty Lord which knowest that in our flesh dwelleth no good and yet hast made our
bodyes the Temple of the Holy Ghost giue me grace this day and euer to crucifie the flesh with al the affections and desires thereof to bring it in subiection vnto the Spirit Quench the flames of all carnall desires in mee abate the heate of lust and let me not be led away by any wanton company I know my members are the members of Christ sanctifie me I beseech thee that whether I be married or liue single I may auoyd all vncleannes and alwayes know how to possesse my Vessell in holinesse and not in the lust of Concupiscence for Iesus Christs sake Amen Friday Euening Prayer It is good for mee to draw neere vnto God I haue put my trust in the Lord God that I may declare all thy workes O Eternall GOD my mercifull and louing Father in Christ Iesu our Lord I render vnto thy Maiestie due praise and thankes for thy fatherly goodnesse in protecting mee this day from many damages and daungers which might haue happened vnto mee and now I beseech thee to keepe and protect me this night me and all those that depend vpon mee that we be neither disquieted by dreams nor afraid of any terrour Haue mercy vpon mee O God haue mercy on mee and of thy wonted goodnesse forgiue mee all my transgressions especially those which I haue committed this day against thy holinesse shew mee the light of thy countenance and let me finde comfort in the remorse of my conscience Blesse mee ô Lord and water mee with the dewe of thy blessings and let the drops of thy sonnes blood shed for my sinnes and yet crying for mercy distill into my heart by a liuely faith for the comfort of my soule and the amendment of my life I beseech thee O Lord take from mee all manner of darkenesse misbeliefe infidelitie carnall lusts and affections so strengthen me with thy grace that the Barke of my weake Faith sinke not nor I be ouerturned by the stormes of Sathan the waues of wickednesse nor the tempest of a biting Conscience Enter thy iudgements in the Tables of my heart that I may be content to spare of my ordinarie sleepe and be more earnest vpon the meditation of thy sacred word then the kings of the Nations haue beene to turne ouer their records in the night season Bee mindefull of mee when I happen to forget my selfe and thinke vpon me sleeping and waking Graunt me ô Lord this freedome and liberty that I may lie downe in peace and rest and rise vp againe in due time safely to the honour and glory of thy Name and the managing of my worldly businesse in thy feare through Iesus Christ our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen Saturday Morning Prayer The Lord will command his louing kindnesse in the day time and in the night season his song shall be with me and my Prayer vnto the God of my life OH IMMORTAL and euerlasting God Father of our Lord Iesus Christ I thy vnworthy seruant beseech thee to accept this my Morning Sacrifice of prayse and thankes due vnto thee alone for protecting me with thy mighty hand from the feares of this night past refreshing my weary body with naturall and kindely rest and herevnto I humbly intreat thee to ioyne thy further grace for the rousing vp of my slothfull and sluggish nature that I may arise from sinne and walke in the way of thy Commandements with all chearefulnesse this day and euermore Pardon O Lord I beseech thee the euils and abhominations of my life and conuersation Cut off the rootes boughs leaues and fruits of the euill tree of my heart put away the inward lusts doubtings and denying of thy prouidence with all those grosse and out-ward sinnes which I haue committed daily against thee and giue me a sure hope of euerlasting life that alwaies while I am in this world I may haue the tast and feeling of it in my heart Giue me grace O Lord to shun and auoid all those things which thou either hatest or hast no pleasure in Take from mee a proud looke and a deceitfull tongue bloody hands and a heart any wayes giuen to wicked imaginations Keep me this day from all perils that may come vnto my soule and body either by Sathan himselfe or his Ministers Blesse my senses and vnderstanding that in all things I may heare and speake reason and suffer me not I beseech thee to speake thinke or doe any thing this day but that which may please thee be answerable to my vocation and tend vnto the aduancement of thy glory and the health of my soule O Lord I pray thee send thy blessing vpon all my labours and giue me a mind to helpe them that haue neede according to my abilitie And so prepare my heart in all my businesse that I may alwayes begin it in thy Name and goe forward in thy feare and finish it with thy blessing that whatsoeuer I shall doe it may prosper Grant this O Lord for Iesus Christs sake our onely Mediator and Redeemer Amen Noone A Prayer for Patience O God which art the God of Patience and consolation to the Patient stay my vnbridled nature this day and euer from all discontentednes of minde and furious actions Giue mee grace to take in good part whatsoeuer doth befal me and let my heart acknowledge it to be the Lords doing and not by chance Quiet my minde in the manifold disquietings of this world and open mine eyes that I may see helpe in thee Preuent all that is against mee and all that falleth out turne to the best for mee Thy will be done and graunt mee patience for Iesus Christs sake Amen Saturday Euening Prayer I will praise thee for I am fearefully and wonderfully made Meruailous are thy workes and that my soule knoweth right well HOnour and praise be vnto thee Oh Lord most high and immortall GOD for thy gracious goodnesse and mercie extended to me this day and alwayes notwithstanding all my wickednesses which cry daily against mee and mine enemies that would swallow mee vp I beseech thee ô Lord continue thy gracious and mercifull fauour vnto mee let the shadow of thy wings be my couer thy Holy-ghost my comfort thy holy Name my Rocke and defence against all feare and trembling which may ouertake mee this night or any other time Forgiue me all that is past euen all the euill that I haue done or thought and graunt that I may euer hereafter serue and please thee in holinesse and newnesse of life Be thou my shield defence against the suggestions illusions and temptations of Sathan and all the allurements baits of the flesh with all alterations prouocations changes chances of the world Sanctifie mee with thy grace that my body may be kept vndefiled as the Temple of the holy Ghost and my soule defended cherished and tendered as the apple of thine eye O good GOD the Sunne is gone downe the Webbe of this day is almost spun and the
constancy to perseuer in our Faith hope and Patience vnto the end that the hope of mercy may keepe vs from the horrour of despaire and the feare of Iustice for the sinne of presumption O good God order our times in such comfortable sort that we hauing peace in thee our bodyes and mindes may be the more able to doe their seuerall offices in our vocations Instruct vs by thy word guide vs by thy spirit mollifie vs by thy grace humble vs by thy corrections and winne vs by thy benefits O Lord wee beseech thee let all things worke for the best to them that loue thee Continue thy fauour and goodnesse vnto vs this night that wee taking our natural rest and quietnesse may through thy protection be all defended from immoderate sleepe fearefull dreames and outward violence of our Enemies Touch our hearts with a desire and longing after Heauenly things that whensoeuer it shall please thee to call for vs wee may be willing to come vnto thee as Children to their Father strangers vnto their countrey and members of thy body vnto the head Graunt vs O Lord these and all other things needefull and meete for vs for Iesus Christs sake our onely Sauiour and redeemer Amen A Prayer for the Catholique Châ—â—ch and all the estates thereof Doe good O Lord vnto those that be good and to them that are vpright in their hearts O Sun of the eternall God thou sweet Spouse of the CHVRCH blesse wee beseech thee preserue and keepe thy poore CHVRCH militant here in earth the blessed company of all faithfull people Make all Kings and Princes and the supreame gouernors of euery nation carefull hâ—â—sing Fathers nursing Mothers to thy Church Let all the members thereof be of one minde and one heart that there may be such holy coÌ„cord in knowledge of thy truth and such obedience to their superiours with brotherly vnity in all matters as they may neither procure thy scourge nor the Princes sword against them Graunt the Gospell a free passage and long continuance and remooue not the Candlesticke for their vnfruitfulnesse or vnthankefulnesse Put thy principall spirit vpon the Ministers of the Word the Arch-bishops Bishops and Pastors of seuerall congregations and giue them grace to follow the steps of thy holy Apostles and blessed Martyres that being inflamed with true zeale and furninished with sufficient knowledge they may be willing able to labour in season and out of season for the feeding of thy flock Blesse their labours to the winning of Soules to thee and blesse them with boldnesse of speech and innocency of life that like sworne Souldiers to the crosse of Christ they may liue and dye vnder thy banner Cast downe the beames of thy heauenly light vpon such publike places as are appointed for the trayning vp of younger yeares in sound knowledge and commendable qualities namely our Vniuersities Oxford Cambridge the Innes of Court and all Grammer Schooles the seed-plots of the Church Sanctifie their memories to treasure vp good things purge their consciences to haue peace in thee reforme their wils to thy will and let all their affections be ordered aright their Vessels seasoned with the best liquour in the beginning and so to continue Blesse the higher powers of authoritie make them truely humble in the top of their height that their heads being lifted vp to honour their hearts may not be puffed vp nor swell with pride but so rule their hearts and mindes that all Kings Princes may truely serue thee reuerence and stand in awe of thee abette maintaine thy Church and truth and wisely foresee what is best for the aduancement of thy glory the good of the common-wealth So deale also O Lord with all subordinate authorities keepe them from factions treasons and conspiracies Let the Iudges be learned and vncorrupt and the Lawyers men of Conscience to deale sincerely vprightly in their businesse without either feare of greater Personages or vnlawful fauours to friends or desire of rewards from any Calme the Waues and quiet the stormes of all persecution represse the rage and cruelty of all Tyrants Heathen or Christian Take away all Antichristian practisers of the Church of Rome which perswade nothing but the infection of youth and the subuersion of the State Confound all Heresies and Heretikes disperse all Schismes Sects that there be no iars nor difference of opinions amongst thy seruants but that we may be like minded hauing the same loue being of one accord and of one iudgement In fine O Lord comfort them that are ouerworne with Warre wasted with exactions vexed with plagues and sicknesses consumed with famine ouerflowne with waters scattered with fearefull threatnings from the skies Conuert the simple confound the obstinate gather the dispersed heale the broken hearted supply our wants and amend all that is amisse for thy truth and for thy Names sake Amen ¶ Another for the same vse Christ loued the Church and gaue himselfe for it that hee might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word O Lord God thou iust Master of the VINEYARD and louing head of the Church send thy Spirit into the hearts of all them that preach or professe thy holy Truth all men religious and secular yea men and women Princes and subiects rich and poore euen all the people beleeuing in thy Name and depending wholy vpon thee Giue vnto them all O Lord one Law one Baptisme one Hope one Spirit that there may be but one voyce among all that professe the Catholique Faith Keepe backe the famine of thy Word and send such labourers into thy Haruest as be sound in doctrine faithfull in their worke and godly in conuersation in number many and in power wonderfull Open we beseech thee the hearts and eares of the people for the receiuing of thy word that ir may dwell in them plenteously in all wisedome and bring forth fruit against all the cares crosses and courses of this wretched world O Lord thou hast found iniquitie in thy Saints and the heauens are not cleare in thy sight Oh then correct vs in thy iudgement not in thy furie least wee should be consumed and brought to nothing Purge the garden of the Church and let no Weedes ouergrow the flowers Suffer neither sinne nor superstition to choake the good growth of faith or manners in thy people but keepe them from all euill Heresies phanaticall opinions seducing spirits and deadly contentions Keepe our neckes from the grieuous yoke of Antichristian bondage whose religion is rebellion whose faith is faction and whose practise is the murthering of soules and bodyes and represse the furiousnesse of Tyrants which labour nothing but the spoile of the Church and to abolish true Doctrine Prayer and pure religion O Lord Iesus amend all that is amisse and grant vs thy grace all the dayes of our life euen for thy truth and for thy Names sake Amen A Prayer for the Kings Maiestie his
O sweete Iesus which hast vouchsafed mee this honour to come to thy Table and feed vpon thee graunt me grace I beseech thee so to performe fulfill my duty as this honour which thou hast done mee requireth lincâ—e mee vnto thee giue me power and strength to beleeue thy promises without distrust and to shew my religion by my good life and conuersation Assist me with thy grace that I may walke worthy this blessed Sacrament to loue thee and thy Law vnfeinedly and vtterly to forsake all vanitie Idolatry carnall desires and all the workes of the deuill O Lord God so moderate and order all mine affections that I may be ioyned with the brethren together in loue the bond of peace and truely fastned vnto thee my head for euer Stirre vp my minde that I may alwaies consider the bitternes of thy death the greatnes of thy loue and neuer forget to bee thankefull vnto thee O blessed Lord preserue and maintaine this ordinance amongst vs that it may be alwayes a note and badge of our publique profession and giue vs all one heart and one minde in the vnitie of the Spirit for the reuerent and worthy receiuing of the same whensoeuer we shall come to thy holy Table againe Amen A Prayer for the Fruites of the earth and other nourishments of this mortall life All waite vpon thee O Lord that thou mayest giue them their meate in due season O Eternall GOD ' which feedest with thy blessing euery liuing thing and satiffiest the lawfull desires of thy seruants with good things we beseech thee make vs to couet those things that be pleasing to thee let vs finde them easilie search them wisely know them truelie and exercise them effectually to thy glory and our saluation And we pray thee heare vs fauourably praying earnestly for the fruites of the earth the nourishments of this life that wee may though vnworthy be partakers of thy comforts therein Giue vs O Lord this day our daily bread prepare our ground and prosper our corne Blesse the seed time with the first and latter raine meete temperature of ayre Keepe our fruits while they be in the earth from haile thunder from excessiue droughts and ouermuch raine from Mildewes and all noisome wormes Send vs a ioyfull haruest and blesse that which wee shall reape that for our vnthankefulnesse it waste not away without our releefe Increase our cattell with all other our prouision which wee shall carefully labour for Blesse our Basket and our store that we may haue wherewith as to furnish our selues so to giue some releefe to others Protect our seruants and workemen that they may be strong to labour wise to forecast and faithfull in their businesse Keepe our Garners barnes and store-houses from fiery meteors boysterous winds theeues and sudden invndations Prosper our workes and trauels whether by sea or land and blesse and prosper all them that any way labor for any of those things that we shall haue occasion to vse Send remedie ô Lord for all hardnesse and miserie turne our dearth into cheapnesse and our scarcitie into plentie Open the hearts of rich-men to whom thou hast giuen much that they may haue a charitable respect of the poore at all times Helpe vs ô Lord and giue vs such things as wee stand in need of yet neither of pouertie nor riches too much but a competent store and the lawfull vse of things necessary for this life through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen ⧠A Prayer for Friends and Benefactors Charitie shall couer the multitude of sinnes O LORD which hast said that Hee that giueth vnto the poore lendeth vnto the Lord and looke what hee layeth out it shall be payd him againe wee beseech thee to be gracious and mercifull to all those for whom wee are bound to pray by Nature by desert or any other duetie whatsoeuer Of thy speciall fauour remember all our benefactors and friends aliue euen all those our parents kinsfolks and others which haue brought vs vp taught promoted or any way releeued vs. Blesse them with all blessings that haue done good either to our bodies with temporall benefits or our soules with profitable instructions Blesse their estates that in their godly disposition they may haue alwayes wherewith to relieue comfort others in their discretion Giue them the consolation of the holy Ghost to the keeping of Faith a good conscience And as they haue shewed mercie vnto vs and comforted vs so Lord helpe and comfort them in their greatest needs that both they and their Families may both haue comfort in their estate and condition here and finde mercy with thy Sonne our Sauiour Iesus at the latter day Lord let their almesdeeds and prayers be alwayes in thy sight as those of Cornelius that as they haue beene vnto vs an odour that smelleth sweete whereby wee haue receiued plentie beene filled so they may be as Sacrifices acceptable and pleasant vnto thee Vouchsafe vs this grace ô Lord that wee be not guilty of any ingratitude towards them but rather ready according to our abilities to recompence them if neede require Let not that which they haue bestowed vpon vs be cast away but make it fruitfull and vs worthy of it Graunt this O thou GOD which doest good both to the iust and vniust for Iesus Christs sake our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer in time of Warre Remember this that the enimie hath reproached O Lord and that the foolish people haue blasphemed thy Name O God mighty in battel wee beseech thee beare not in mind our vile deserts but of thy mercy pitty thy poore afflicted endangered persecuted Church Consider and beholde how they which hate thy Sanctuary are now vp in armes to root vs out for our profession Therefore ô Lord wee pray thee maintaine thine owne cause Blesse our forces by Sea and by Land and grant to the people one heart one minde and one strength Giue vnto the Counsellors and Captaines wisedome and courage wisely to foresee and valiantly to defeate the deuises of their enemies Keepe all the souldiers from treason and treachery the leaders from wrong plots the people from tumults and all of them from the sinnes and enormities that follow the campe Strengthen ô Lord and hold vp the hands of Moses and the weapons of the Church Preces lachrymas that our fasting and prayer may be heard and Israel may haue the victorie Put Sisera to flight in thy good time and rather then he returne to doe mischiefe bring him to his end by an hand vnlooked for Turne the weapons of him and his followers into their owne bosomes scatter breake and sincke their ships destroy their armies and confound their forces Consider ô Lord the end of our enterprises how wee fight for thy Truth and either reconcile vs and our enemies by thy Spirit to worship one God and hold one Truth or else abate their pride and confound their malice to
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
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