bitter and most perilous insomuch as it bringeth shame and confussion to the so vnaduised enterprisers of the same Lord thou sayest that a Sparrow can not light on the grounde without thy permission and prouidence which is a creature of small value in respect of man whom thou hast made to thine owne image and likenes and whom thou accountest of more value then many Sparrowes in respect whereof good Lord and for thy meere mercies sake extende so thy fauourable care vnto me thy frayle creature that all mine intents may haue theyr beginning by the working of thine holie spirite and mine actions end in the same and not according to the motions of mine owne foolish desires Thou like a most louing father willest vs to take counsaile at thee in all our exercises concerning either bodie or soule before we proceede too farre in them Oh Lord blesse me with thine heauenly inspiration that my minde imagine nothing but what is according to the Lawe of righteousnes Oh Lord blesse the workes of mine hands the sight of mine eyes blesse mine eares that they hearkeÌ„ not but to the hearing of godly and vertuous communication and thine holie word my tongue lippes with decent speeche and my feete that they may keepe the way of righteousnes And place within the secret corners of my heart such due regard what I goe about or determine as before I proceed to farr in request of good luckie successe I may vnderstaÌ„d by the secrete working of thine holie spirite whether my request bee according vnto thy will And graunt that I neuer absolutelie craue thy furtherance in accomplishing any my desires vntil by the same spirite I be truelie resolued that my desires be lawfull consonaunt and agreeable to thy diuine wyll but may faithfully referre all my matters vnto thee whether they be heard or not heard whether presently or tarrying long not giuing ouer feeling in my selfe by thy grace that it pleaseth thee constantlie continuing thy good pleasure though it come not as I wish let me not by and by fall from my good beginning but perseuering in continuall prayers for thine assistaunce and fatherly helpe vnto the end for thou hast promised neuer to deceiue our godly disires nor to sende them away frustrate mercifully heare me Oh Lorde in time conuenient And attentiuely heare me approching vnto thee with vnfeyned desire and hope of thy helpe that when any plague any affliction misery or vexation shall come vpon me when the want of any necessary thing oppresseth me or accomplishing of any lawfull sute mooueth me I flying vnto thee as the fountaine from whence floweth all true helpe all perfect assistaunce all good successe and prosperous euents of all godlie endeuours not seeking any other by meane either to auoide the one or to obteine the other then thy fatherly directions and spirituall motions I may obteyne the same according vnto my necessities and in thy good time oh heauenly God for thy sonne our Lorde Iesus Christes sake graunt this sweete God Amen Oh Lord increase my fayth A short prayer to the like purpose COnsidering mine owne blindnes ignoraunce and the wilfull obstinacie of my corrupt nature which seeketh rather the fulfilling of the fantasticall deuises of mine owne brayne then thy diuine will And to vse humaine ayde rather then to craue thine helpe vouchsafe I humbly beseeche thee to establish godlie feare in mine heart and vnfeyned obedience to thine holy ordinaunces that in all mine enterprises which in thy name I take in hande thou wilt vouchsafe to direct me according to thy will and to giue me prosperous successe for thy sonne Jesus Christes sake Amen Oh Lord increase my fayth The sorrowfull sinner afflicted in conscience by reason of his sinnes may say thus If thou with sinne afflicted be Oh then saith Christ come thou to me LEt vs acknowledge our selues to bee wretched sinners and with feare fall downe before the mercies seate of the highest iudge Contemning our selues to be moste vnrighteous and iustly deseruing confusion And then as S. Iohn sayeth 1. Ioh. 1. 9. wee shall finde God moste mercifull vnto vs who is most faithfull and iust to forgiue vs our sinnes and to clense vs from al our vnrighteousnes for hee desireth not the death of a sinner but that he turne from his wickednes and liue And therfore as Ezekiell sayth Ezek. 23. Turne you turne you from your wicked wayes for why sayeth he wil you dye in your sinnes And againe Ioell sayth Ioell 2. 13. Rent your hearts and not your garments and turne to the Lorde your God Because hee is gentle and mercifull and of much mercy and such a one as is sorye for your afflictions wherefore if thou bee afflicted in conscience by reason that thou haste beene a notorious offender remember Mary Magdalen whose wickednes was great vpon repentaunce receyued pardon as also the theefe and the Publicau and many other Dispayre not but in heartie prayer and by vnfeyned repentaunce turne to the Lord. O Almighty god father of merci who art more ready to giue then wee to aske more apt to pardon then we to repent more willing to receiue the contrite in heart into thy fauour and mercy againe then they to offer themselues by vnfeyned repeÌ„taunce Lorde I come heere prostrate in hearte before the throne of thine infinite mercie louing kindnes as one altogether ashamed to looke vpon the detestable vile and abhominable offences which I haue doone against thee beeing so heauie a burden for my poore soule that the shoulders of my poore diseased conscience beginne to sincke vnder the same and am altogether destitute of any proppe or meane to support the same or to ease me therof but onelie thy death and bitter passion sweet Iesus who camest into this worlde to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance Lord I bewayle mine heâ—nous offences and am moste sorye for my sins which are so vile the burden of them so intollerable that when I turne mine eyes but to the beholding them a farre off I am by and by stryken with so great dreade that I am driuen to most heauie sighes greeuous groanes and thinke my life an enemie vnto mee wishing the beginning of my dayes had beene the day of my departure out of this miserable worlde But moste sweete Lorde when I note them perfectlie in my minde take as it were a straight account what the deedes of my youth haue beene beeing indeede most lewde most euill most vile and sinfull what a terror doo I suffer in minde what a dungion of dollours doth open it selfe as it were to swallowe mee vp what gryping greefes doo torment my poore conscience in so much as I am at the pittes brincke of dispayre wauering in minde to and fro seeking rest but loe Lorde vnquietnes of minde oppresseth me so sore that considering with my selfe what I haue beene and what I am a greate matter vexeth me But when I looke into the time to
eodem 27 where were 25 eodem 24. desease deseased 26 2 4 as white be as white 32 eodem 6 learne teache 59 2 9 vndeserudly deseruedly eodem eodem 27 wylles wyles ¶ A pensiue mans practise Before we pray we must forgiue if we haue any thing against any man otherwise our heauenly Father will not forgiue vs. Mar. 11. A prayer to Christ. O Sweete Iesus who haste taken vppon thee to bee our intercessor Aduocate vnto God thine heauenlie Father vouchsafe I humbly be secche thee to accompanye me in these my supplications and prayers presenting them vnto his heauenlie maiestie in such sorte as for thy sake sweete Iesus they may be acceptable vnto him to the washing away of my sinnes obteining thinges necessarie for me and all men according vnto his will in all things Amen O Lord increase my faith O Lorde open thou my lips that my mouth may extoll thee with prayse and bee thankfull vnto thee for thy benefites grant that I speake nothinge but that which may bee to thine honour glorie to the reliefe of our necessities bodelye and ghostlie Amen O Lord make speede to sende vs helpe succor from the Tower of thy strength O Lord let thine heauenly kingdome bee alwayes readie to receiue vs to eternall saluation Eternall praises be vnto thee oh God So be it A praier for the assistaunce of Gods holy Spirite Aske what thou wilt and thou shalt haue If thou in Christ the same doo craue For Christ thy Mediator sees When thou to him doost fall on knees ASke and yee shall haue seeke and yee shal finde knocke it shalbe opened vnto you Matt. 7. If yee that he euill can giue vnto your Children good giftes when they aske them how much more shall our heauenlie father giue his holie spirite to theÌ„ that faithfully desire it Luk. 11. VVe knowe not what to aske nor how to pray as we ought but the spirite it selfe maketh request for vs with sighes which can not be expressed Rom. 8. Seeing therefore our prayers be vaine and of none effecte without the grace and assistaunce of Gods holie spirite let vs fail downe vnto the throne of his Maiestie praying faithfullie for the same and it shall be giuen vs. O Almighty God omnipoteÌ„t father who comfortest such as be sorrowfull and who giuest all good and perfect giftes as thou of thy free fauour and loue hast willed vs in all our afflictions and necessities and as often as we finde our selues burdened with any kinde of tribulation or afflictioÌ„ either of bodie or minde to call for ease at thy mercifull handes So vouch safe to heare my crye and to consider the secrete groanes sighes and sorrowes of my sillye soule Oh blessed and eternall God loe heer before the throÌ„e of thy mercy euen at the gate of thy sweete promises I thy silly creature worke of thine owne hands prostrate my selfe in hearte most humbly beseeching thee to sende downe vppon my darke vnderstanding the bright beames of thine holy spirite to lighten me and to direct me in all my supplications and prayers and especially at this time Oh Lorde for that thou knowest my weakenes wickednes and ignoraunce to be such as I am altogether vnable to frame my requestes according to thy will or to seeke that is truelie for mine owne soules health and am altogether ignoraunt of the right gate to knocke at without thine especiall grace directing and assisting mee VVherefore I most humbly beseeche thee to addresse and prepare mine heart to the true vnderstanding of thy will and my tongue and lippes to the pure and vnfeyned calling on thy holy name euen for thy sonne Iesus Christes sake our onely Mediatour and Aduocate for whose bitter deathes sake I humbly beseeche thee of thy meere fauour and louing kindnes to wasn me and to make me cleane by the operation of thine holy spirite that beeing sanctified I may vtter those thinges which may bee vnto thee an acceptable sacrifice through the same thy sonnes mediation and intercession And that nothing passe the bandes of mine vnstaâ—ed lippes but that which may beseeme a single heart alwaies sounding to thine honour and setting foorth of thy most woorthy prayse both at this time and at all times Let thâ—ne holie spirite Oh Lorde come vnto me let it continue with me worke and preuaile effectuallie in me vnto the ende that I may both at this time beginne and for euermore continue as thou willest I shoulde namelie in faith that I fall not in anie temptations In hope that I may constantliâ— looke for and faithfully attaine vnto perfit vnderstanding of thy will and ablenes in all thinges to fulfill the same Make me also good Lord feruent in charitie that I may freelie and vnfeynedlie euen from mine heart forgiue and forgett all iniuries wronges and euill dooings of such as by any meanes haue ostended me with hartie prayer for their amendment that I approching vnto the throne of thy mercie in a pure and simple hart may hartelie as wel for all others as for my selfe for thinges necessary both for bodie and soule say that prayer which thy deerlie and well beloued sonne Iesus Christ taught vs to say Oh our Father which art in heauen c. Oh Lorde increase our faith A shorter prayer to the like purpose OH God almighty most louing and moste righteeus who vouchsafest to instill into the heartes of thy chosen seruauntes grace vnfeynedly to serue thee and to call vpon thine holy name in their necessitie and distresse Uouchsafe I humbly beseeche thee â—f thy méere mercie to expell out of mine heart all naturall dulnes misbeléefe and blindnes of error And through thine holie spirite to plant in steede thereof perfect zeale and vnfeyned desire to prostrate my selfe in heart before thine heauenlie Maiestie in fayth vnfeyned That at thys time it may please thée so to accept these my supp 〈…〉 cations and prayers as I may obteyne at thy mercifull handes what soeuer thou seest necessary bothe for body and soule through Jesus Christ our onely Sautour and Redéemer Amen Oh Lord increase my faith A morning prayer for the working day Before thou dâ—o thy worke beginne Thanke God craue pardon for thy sin And then thy worke shall prosper so As want shall neuer breede thee woe WHat a great benefit we receiue at the handes of almightie God by our naturall sleepe none is ignoraunt what perrils wee escape in the darke dolefull night wee may easilie iudge And what fauome the almighty extendeth towardes vs in giuing vs lodging not in the fieldes but in houses not vpon the harde and colde grounde but vppon softe pillowes warmelie couered experience teacheth VVhat thankes for this so bountifull benefits of his we are daily bounde to yeelde I woulde we allknewe and had will to yeelde them accordingly as did Dauid who Psal. 55 in the morning at midday and at night calling on the name of the Lord with thankes sayde Psal.
bloode and purge me with thy grace that I may nowe beginne and for euer continue in liuing according to thine holy and heauenly commaundement to the prayse of thy name and mine eternall saluation sweete Sauiour Amen Oh Lord increase my fayth A short prayer to the like purpose OH Father of mercie and God of all goodnes I confesse vnto thee the corruption which from Adam to vs remaineth in our flesh whereby wee daily rebell against thy diuine Maiestie vouchsafe Oh Lorde I humbly beseeche thee for Jesus Christes sake to forgiue my sinnes and to pardon mine iniquities And instill into my heart vnfeyned repentaunce that the death of him thy Sonne may take away the heaâ—e burden which the fall of our first Parents layde vpon vs Amen Oh Lorde increase my fayth A praier for the euening When thou betakst thee to thy rest Commit thee to tha'lmighties hest For when thou lyest downe at night Thou art not sure to see day light ALthough that wee can not at all times duely examine our selues as concerning our life past yet once in the day it is most requisite to consider howe we haue spent the time past namely at night to weigh what we haue doon the day before and in the morning to consider howe we haue past the night For although the night was ordeyned for rest yet as sayth Paule 1. Thes 5. we should then watch and bee sober singing prayses vnto the Lord as Dauid did Ps. 42 giuing him thankes for the helpe of his presence that is to say for his protection the day past praying the same in the darke night when all thâ—â—â—es by reason of the darknes are hidden and when the wicked god about theyr euill pretended purposes to the disturbance of the godlye Therefore whatsoeuer thou doo Dan. II whether thou lie downe or 〈…〉 be meditaâ—â—ng the law of the Lorde OH heauenlie God and eternall Father giuer of all good thinges and protectour of all that loue thee I yeelde thee moste humble and harty thankes for thine inestimable benefites not onely for keeping and preseruing me this day but all my life that neither mine enemies haue preuailed against me as they sought and desired nor anie other misfortune which within this world is incident vnto mankinde hath ouercome me but hast like a moste louing father and carefull Puruey or giuen and prouided for me all thinges necessary In somuch as I haue beene well refreshed and replenished with thy great benefit of feeding me and with thy gracious benefite of clothing me so that I haue not saynâ—ed throughe want of soâ—de â—â—t beene â—â—â—resieâ— with ouermuch colde for lacke of ravment as with mine eyes to my great greefe I may and doo beholde a number daâ—â—e in diuers corners of the streetes and wayes as I passe who are most greeuously tormented with hunger colde sores and sicknes lamentable to see whom also thou hast bought mâ—st deerelie and yet sâ—sterest them to be oppreiled and I who haue deserued no lesse nay rather good Lord a great deale more then some of them haue by thy fatherly goodnes not onely escaped those afflictions but receiued at thy mercifall handes infinite good gifts and vnspeakable benefites for which thine inestimable loue I cannot sufficientlie prayse thee Oh Lorde forgiue mine offences which this day I haue committed doone against thine almightie maiestie whether they be secrete and vnknowne or open whether they were doone in my youth or at any time since pardon them Oh GOD for Iesus Christes sake and vouchsafe me thy grace to amende my life and to returne vnfeynedly to the seruice of thee And for asmuch as I can not continue without thy continuall protection vouchsafe to extende the same vnto me thy wretched creature this night that I may quietly take my rest which thou haste appointed for a refreshment of our wearyed members and hast ordeined the night and darknesse as a time most conuenient to take the same in beeing a time wherein we shoulde to that ende cease from our labours and daylie affayres And vouchsafe vnto me thy poore creature who am of my selfe neyther of power to lye downe nor beeing layde able to rise vppe thine especiall assistaunce and helpe that in thy name I may lie downe and receyue at thy mercifull handes sweete and comfortable reste not according to the greedines of my corrupt nature but as shall be onely expedient for the refreshment of my weake body And for as much good Lorde as thou knowest with what mortall foes wee are continuallye assaulted both sleeping and waking who endeuor by all meanes to entrappe vs by some euill or other which wee heare or see in thys vale of vanitie to our delighte though contrarye to thy will wherevnto we often yeelde and that in the day time much more in the darke and lothsome night wherin all thinges are couered and hidden and when the heauines of drowsie sleepe keepeth downe our vnderstanding in which time of darknes such as intende to worke wickednes are most ready with dilligence abhorring the light to put in practise theyr mischeuous deuises Therfore I most humbly beseeche thee Oh God almightie to preuent theÌ„ in their euill imaginations that in no wise they hurt me And to graunt though sleepe to my bodie sufficient and not ouermuch yet to my poore soule watchfull and dilligent waking that I fall into no daunger by yeelding to any euill in the sleepe of my bodie vouchsafe also to garde and defende me that nothing hurte me this night that fire consume me not nor anie thing that belongeth vnto me nor any other daunger whatsoeuer dismay me Keepe me also good Lord from suddaine and vnprouided death and preserue me so by the watch of thine holie Angells that I may take my rest in quiet vntill the morning and then giue my selfe vnto the finishing of my duetie to the discharg of my vocation and fulfilling of thy will vnto my lines ende for which thy fauour and for all things els necessary for me and all other for whom thou hast commaunded vs to pray as for all such as are in anie kinde of affliction in bodie or minde for the testimonie of thy trueth that thou wilt strengthen them and thine whole Church in pure religion For all such as are sicke and diseased that thou wilâ— eyther restore them to health giue them patience or receiue them vnto thy selfe for the preseruation of our Queene and gouernesse Elizabeth by thy dinine prouidence ferre ouer vs that shee may continue to thy pleasure long and prosperously ouer vs and for this whole Realme of England that thou wilt graunt vs all true repentaunce for our Parents Brethren Sisters Kinsâ—olkes Neighbours and all them that thou wouldest wee shoulde commende vnto thee in prayer Giue mee grace to say that prayer which thy sonne Iesus Christ taught vs saying Our Father which art in heauen c. And for as much as we cannot pray effectually without thine especiall gift of faith vouchsafe to
ingraffe the same in mine heart that I may both nowe and euer make vnseyned confession thereof as thine Apostls haue sette downe in these wordes I beleeue in God c. Oh Lord now vouchsafe to imbrace me with the Armes of thy mercie vouchsafe to receiue me into the bosome of thy loue shaddowe me with thy winges that I may safely take my rest this night in peace in the name of thy sonne Iesus Christe in whose name I referre me wholie into thy louing protection beseeching thee that when my last sleepe shall come I may take mine euerlasting rest with thee in thy celestiall kingdome sweete God Amen Oh Lord into thine handes I commend my selfe Oh Lord increase my faith A short prayer to the like purpose OH almightie Lord God I thanke thee that this day past thou hast of thy meere mercy vouchsafed vnto me thy poore creature not enelie protection against all daungers and euills But also all thinges necessary So I humbly beseecâ—â— thee of the same thy mercy and for thy sonne Jesus Christ his sake to 〈…〉 de the like protection and fauour towardes me this night that I may enioy at thine handes safe and quiet rest to the comforte and refreshment bothe of my bodie and soule for Jesus Christes sake Amen Oh Lorde increase my fayth A prayer for the increase of Fayth If thou wilt haue what thou doest craue Pray thou in saith the Gospell sayth FAith as saith S. Paule vnto the Hebrues Heb. 11 is a sure foundation of thinges hoped for an euident feeling of the manifolde promises which God the father hath made vnto vs 1. Pet. 1 touching our saluation in his sonne Christe our sauiour and whereby also wee already inwardely taste of the vnspeakable toyes wher of wee shalbe heereafter made full pertakers Heb. 11 in Heauen without it wee can doo nothing But by it Gal. 3. wee are blessed of him and by it 1. Pet. 1 we are saued by it Eph 6 are all the fiery darts of hell and sathan quenched The iust man Aba 2. shall liue by fayth the daughter of the woman of Canaan Ma. 8. was healed by the faith of her mother Elias the Thesbyte 3 Kin. 16. 17. through fayth was fed with Rauens in his distresse and hunger hee prayed for rayne and through fayth obteyned it by his faith was the Oyle of the widdowe of Zarphat encreased Dan. 6. her child raysed from death to life The three Children were deliuered from the whot fornace by fayth and Daniell out of the Lyons denne by sayth the sinfull woman Luk. 7. obteyned pardon the Apostles by sayth Act. 3. healed sundry diseases Nowe wl at greater Iewell can there be had at the handes of God then fayth for haue fayth and all thinges foode sent from heauen defence from Lyons saftye from fire in the whott Ouen forgiuenesse of sinnes and whatsoeuer els concerneth eyther body or soule And therefore let it be a principall requeste vnto his Maiestie that he will vouchsafe that gift VVithout wauering aske it and God will giue thee it aboundantly VVithout sayth Heb. 11. it is impossible to please God Neyther can we haue accesse to Christe Eod. without it who is the Mediator betweene God the Father and vs. O Halmighty God and father of our Lord Iesus Christ by whose worde we are taught that to loue thee feare thee and serue in trueth godlines and sinceretie of life is the onely way and meane to continue thy loue and fauour towardes vs without the which wee can not but perish And beleefe and confidence in thy sonne Iesus Christe the onely meane of our redemption and attonement with thee the onely holde of our saluation whereof we can not be sufficiently assured without thine especial gift of faith which is the ancor wherevnto the cable of our saluation is fastned And beeing broken the hope also of our saluation decayeth waxeth of none effecte plant therfore most merciful God one sparcke of true faith in mine harte that I may certainlye know thee perfectly loue thee and duely feare thee and vnfeynedly acknowledge Iesus Christ to bee sent into this miserablâ— world to saue vs miserable sinneâ—s for vs by his bitter death to purchase thy fauoure and loue againe which we had loste by the fall of our Father Adam Oh Lorde graunt me to take such holde of his death passion resurrection and assention as by his death we may haue pardon by his resurrection rise to righteousnes by his assention ascende with him to celestiall glorie and finally attribute the cause and meane of our saluatioÌ„ to proceede onely by his passion Increase this faith in vs good Lord dayly more and more that it may growe by the working of thine holie spirite to full perfection accompanied with good workes and godlie behauiour without the which I caÌ„ fesse faith caÌ„not be that I may bothe in life and conuersation fulfill thy diuine will in all things with-holde not from me good Lorde that singuler gift of thine which is the stay of our happines the want therof a most certaine token of our perdition It is the strength of the weake feeble ones the staffe stay that guids the blind the onlie way that leads vnto the vnspeakable ioies of eternal blisse the meane to obteine possesse enioy the only good which is the knowledge of thy will the bande of mutuall peace the Forte the Castell and comfort of a distressed minde and the onelie harbour of a sorrowfull soule no good thing wanteth to him on whom thou vouchsafest to bestowe the same to whom all thinges are light in whom remaineth no darknes at all Banish therefore sweete Lorde all misbeleefe all wauering and doubting out of mine heart and plant insteede thereof vnfeyned fayth that applying the same to euery affliction both of bodye and minde I may vanquish and ouercome sathan with stande the delightes of the worlde and suppresse the corruptible motions of the flesh ouercome my bodely enemies and enioy at thy good pleasure health of bodie soundnes of minde perfection of limmes and all thinges els requisite for me as no thing is impossible to him that enioyeth this thy gift estecttually indeede a most precious iewell an vnspeakable good thing for thou sayst VVho so heareth thy word and beleeueth in Iesus Christe whome thou haste sent shall haue euerlasting life Then Lorde on the contrary he that beleeueth not is in daunger of euerlasting death Oh Lord increase my faith wher by I may beleeue in that thy sonne and take hold of all his promises who said That who so beleeueth in him shall want no manner of thing that is good Lord I beleeue helpe mine vnbeleefe Giue mee fayth but as the grayne of a Musterde seede and I shall be able to doo great wonders yea I shall bee able to remooue sathan out of his desired habitation expelling him and his ministers out of my minde and walke no longer according to the will of the
flesh but casting away the workes of darknes enioy the pure light of the Gospell and perseuer and abide therein enioying thy fauour loue vnto the ende without fainting in anie tribulation or vexation of Spirite going forwarde in hope in feare in loue and vnfeyned zeale towardes thee That I may obteine at thy mercifull hands whatsoeuer is necessarie in this life or for the obteyning of the life to come and after this life ended enioye thy celestiall purchased inheritaunce sweete Sauiour Amen Oh Lord increase my fayth A short prayer to the like purpose I Humbly beseeche thee Oh mercifull God for thy sonne Jesus Christes sake to powre into mine heart by the operation of thine holie spirite one sparckle of true sayth whereby I may truelie beleeue in thy Son Jesus Christe as our onelie mediatour and â—duocate through whose death and passion we are restored to our former happines wherein we were in the beginning placed which none can beleeue but through the holie ghaste Encrease therefore my faith that working by charitie I may doo that which may be acceptable vnto thée all the dayes of my life Through Jesus Christ. Amen Oh Lord increase my faith A prayer against the deuill the world and the fleshe very necessary to bee often sayde If thou these Captaine foes wilt flye Thou must craue ayde of God on hie THe deuill who is Prince of darknes Eph 6. and wbo ruleth in this world goeth about seeking whom he may deuoure and leade headlong into destruction by putting before our eyes the vaile of the vanities of this worlde that we should not see the light of the trueth but to continue in darknes in hautines and pryde as bondslaues and captiues to him whose children they are 2. Tim. 2. that continue in voluntarye blindnes whose end shalbe the fire euerlasting Ioh. 8. prepared for him and his Angells Mat. 25. Pray that the worlde ouercome you not 1. Ioh. 5. wherein resteth nothing but wickednes and sinne The whole world 2. Esd. 4. is full of vnrighteousnes and wickednes which who so loueth is an enemye to God They that are in the fleshe can not please God Ro. 8. but shall die Eâ—de That is such as yeelde them selues to followe the lustes thereof shall haue the rewarde of the wicked in eternall perdition Praye therefore that ye enter not into temptation but that yee may walke godly as the seruauntes of Christe and not as the seruants of sinne OH Christ sonne of the liuing GOD who in the time of thy humanitie wheÌ„ thou walkedst heere in the vaile of this miserable worlde in the forme of a seruaunt in the substance of mankinde art not ignoraunt of the sundrye greeuous assaultes and temptations wherewith sathan that monstrous enemie to mankind tryed thee thou beeing altogether cleane and cleere from all corruption yea without all desire of sin yet hardlie assaulted by sundrie meanes to procure thee to yeelde to his allurings wherby sweet Iesus thou haddest sufficient try all and experience of his like assaultes vnto our corruptible and weake flesh who are by reason of the fall wilfull transgression of our great Graundfather Adam as thou knowest moste easie to bee ouercome who in all assaults haue none other refuge or defence but onely to flie vnto thee and to reste vnder the shaddowe of thy winges which is so sure a haâ—bour and so strong a defence as who so faithfully betaketh him vnto the same is safe froÌ„ al the raging stormes of sathan the deceites of the worlde and motions of the vnbrideled fleshe all which are vnto our soules moste monstrous mortall and most cruell enemies Oh Lorde let thine holy spirite dwell in mee let it neuer depart from the inner part of mine hearte but decking the house of my soule with the flowres of loue faith and vnfeined zeale it may please thy diuine Maiestie to settle thee and frame thy selfe therein to abide that thy presence may bee so terrible vnto his assaultes as he approching neere vnto me seeing thee and hearing thy name Oh Iesus may flye away as hee did from thee in the wildernesse as hee dyd from thee on the Penicle and in all his temptations Thou wert pure at that time without spotte of sinne I am sinfull and full of corruption He could not ouercome or preuaile against thy sanctetie but I am prone to fall therefore easie to be ouercome strengthen me therefore stande with me fyght for me that he take mee not captiue and make me a bondslaue of sinne keepe me free out of his clawes sweet Iesus let the brightnes of thy grace so shine about me that his darknes come not neere me to ouershadowe mee with the darknes of iniquitie Let thy sauour bee a wall a bulwaâ—ke and strong buckler for my defence for Lorde thou knowest that his force is so great his will so ready his doings so wily as if thou doo but pluck backe thine hande he striketh vs if thou turne thy face he winneth vs to his will and if thou depart vtterlie from vs we shall runne headlong into moste horrible destruction Wherefore Oh sweete Iesus saue me sweete Iesus keepe me sweete Iesus imbrace me holde thine holy hand ouer me conducte me and leade me in the middest of the path of truth to celestiall happines and let me not bee drawen awrye to the left hande or to the right but keepe a middle and directe course vntill I come to the place of celestiall blisse where neither sathan shall ouercome me the world deceiue me nor the fleshe procure me to sin but be in the light of thy most glorious presence with the residue of thy saints singing eternall praises vnto thee But Oh my most louing redeemer my time is not yet come my iourny is not yet at an end my daies which though they be but a span long are not yet finished And vntill this body of mine shal passe to the graue my poore soule must haue and abide continuall conflictes with the deuil the king and Emperor of this world and with as many his ministers as my tongue can not number and principally with the world who setteth before mee insteede of diuine and heauenly contemplations worldlie vanities insteede of celestial and true comfort worldly delights insteede of heauenly hope worldly and vnauailable promises to bring as much as in him lyeth my godly enterprises to wicked end Lord he labours by all meanes to drawe vs into dispayre by loding our mindes with too much doubt of the performaunce of thy most comfortable promises But sweet Iesus though his power be in show great thine is in deede greater though he be strong thou art stronger though his instigations prickings for warde to wickednes be many thy louing and father lie callinges to grace are more Thou hast promised vs thy helpe and that most meruey lous to our eyes for thou hast said that thou wilt giue vs power to doo not onelie as thou didst but more and greater
that it often happeneth wheÌ„ we think least thereon it commeth sodamly as the lightninge and taketh vs vnwares VVherefore grant Oh GOD of my life that I may haue such continuall care foresighte and dylligent respect vnto the direction of my dealinges cogitations and wordes that I loade not my poore soule so muche with the burden of scenlesse securitye sinne and iniquitye that the bodye beeing sodainly intangled with the snare of deathe it bee carryed where there is no reste no ioye no comforte or consolation but continual mourning weeping and anguishe of minde as the Glutton spoken of in thine holy Gospell who going on blindly loosly and carelesly without regarde eyther of thee or remem braunce of his ende in moste detestable couetousnes and all kinde of wickednes was sodainly taken from hys mucke wealth which he had wrongfully gotten and myserably whorded vppe and yet denying poore Lazarus the croomes that fell and were taken from his table but was carried by the deuyll and his Angells into euerlasting and moste bitter tormentes where was weeping and gnashing of teeth Oh my sweete Lord let not mine heart be so blinded with the vale of vanitie nor nouseled in the delightes of this world so intangeled in the nette of concupiscence nor clad in the weedes of wilfull forgetfulnes of mine estate that I bee taken as the ritch man who deuising within him selfe to enlarge hys Barnes wherin he might conuey his graine so much encreasing who standing in his euill conceite of couetousnes thinking himselfe most secure was taken vnawares from his aboundaunce and left hys riches he knew not to whom Oh most gratious and most louing God a most vnhappy end wherin steed of heauenly contemplations and godly cogitations which thou requirest at al times of such as are thine but especially at the houre of death there appeared a most horrible intent of couetousnes which thou vtterly abhorrest a manifest token good Lorde of forgetfulnes of his ende and an argument that hee was the childe of Sathan But thou shewest mercye to as many as conuert and turne to thee Oh my most louing father lighten mine eyes that I sleepe not in sinne nor wander in darknes according to the will of the fleshe that I fall not vnawares into the dungion of distruction death and hell but make me alwaies ready and willing to come vnto thee euen with desire when it pleaseth thee to call me by laying thy hande by any plague or sicknes vpon me let me not drawe me as it were backwarde when thou inuitest me to the sweete banquet of thine heauenly kingdome as by the worde and gospell preached and reueiled vnto vs which is an especiall calling vs or when I feele my selfe distempered greeued or vexed with any kinde of sicknes plague or disease which is another of thy callinges and an especiall warning that we must dye or when by course of time in extreame age wee may imagine our ende to be neere but Lord when I am at my dayly busines and laboure when I eate or drinke when I am in my best temperature health in childehoode and young yeeres at all times and in all places giue me grace to thinke that death standeth at mine elbowe alwayes ready to strike mee that I sleepe not in sinne and securitie till the time sodainly come of my departure and so be taken vnprouided and perish withour repentaunce who can perswade him selfe to liue long and see many daies especially in daungerous and contagious times of sicknes and seeing so many examples dayly to the contrary euen in the most temperate time of health some we see at their Mothers pappes by humaine indgement likely to liue sodainely to giue vppe the ghoste some in theyr youth some in middle yeeres yea when grauest experience aboundeth to be sodainly called away to be no more seene Al which notwithstanding Oh Lord such is the blindnes of our nature that we think this world a coÌ„tinual being for vs and couer euen with greedines to see many dayes where we heape sinne vpon sinne to the ouerburdening of our poore soules seldome or not at all thinking to dye Graunt sweete Lorde that as I desire to liue so I may haue a greater desire to liue well that I may make an happy ende abandoning all feare of death that the cogitation thereof may dwell in peace with in the mansion of mine heart and when it shall approche neere vnto me I flie not from it but may goe foorth with ioy to meete the same considering that it is a meane to ende my cares and to begin my ioy it is the finishing of sorrow and enteraunce into blisse which made thy seruaunt Paule to say That he desired to be deliuered of the burden of this life and to be with thee where is nothing but ioyes vnspeakable and contrarie heere on earth nothing but care and woe which mooued thy seruaunt Iob to call this life a warfare and this world a wildernes and vale of misery where is nothing but conflictes betweene the flesh and the spirite dayly increase of sinne and continuall care of vanities Oh good God giue vs carefull hearts to loue thee while we liue heere giue vs continual feare vnfeyned zeale perfit faith godly care to doo good to all men and earnest desire to come vnto thee who art the ende of all trouble and laboure and the beginning of ease the ende of strife and the beginning of peace the ende of all misery and the beginning of all blisse wherevnto sweete Lord graunt that with vnseyned desiâ—e we may faithfully endeuour our selues to come and to take possession of that thy most glorious kingdome where thy sonne is gonne before to direct vs the way and where thou sittest to iudge according to euerye mans desertes making all those that thou findest with the Lampe of true faith burning in their harts partakers of the euerlasting ioyes thereof In number of whome Oh sweete Lord accept me heere that I may appeare among them in the world to come through Iesus Christ our Lorde in whose name I commend my selfe into thy handes to liue for euer in thee sweete God Amen Oh Lord increase my fayth A short prayer to the like purpose OH God in whose handes consisteth the life of all mankind for thy Sonne Jesus Christes sake vouchsafe to giue me grace to sett before mine eyes as a most certaine mark where vnto this frayle body of mine must tende it selfe the Image of that which is to the faythfull the ende of payne and beginning of pleasure the ende of misery and beginning of blisse but to the secure and careles the ende of their pleasures and beginning of eternall paynes Ueuchsafe me therefore earnest desire of seruing thée and leading my life according vnto thy will that wheÌ„ so euer it pleaseth thee to call me I be not through feare striken with doubt of condemnation but euen at my laste gaspe through vnfayned faith in Jesus Christ may take
vs not forgitt it leaste God forgett vs. ALL possible thanks we giue vnto thee Oh Lord of mercy King of all the Kinges and kingdomes of the earth for that thou hast vouchsafed to place ouer vs thy little flocke of thys Realme so pure a guide of true religion Elizabeth by thine heauēly prouidēce our Queene vnder whom enioying the free libertie of the true seruice of thee we rest in a quiet estate bothe of bodie and minde We humbly pray thy fauourable regarde to beholde with mercifull eies the same thy seruant our soueraigne Lady and gouernes And so fructify her heart with the good graine of thine holye spirite that she alwayes inclined by the working thereof to the settinge foorth of thy worde may walke according to the truth of the same sincerelie that we thy seruants and vnder thee her subiects seeing her godly example may be ashamed to fall frō that due forme of honouring thy name which for thy glory shee hath through thy grace by the rule of thy worde prescribed vnto vs. Banish good Lord from her heart all ignoraunce and print therein perfect wisdome and knowledge of thine heauenly will giue her an obedient minde abounding withall humilitie towardes thy diuine maiestie Saue and defende her from the tyrannie of forraine power and authoritie and from all such as profesle not inwardlie vnfeyned zeale of thy Gospell giue her godlie Counsellors and such zealous and true harted ministers of thy wyl that she and we according to the trueth of euerye our seueral functions may truelie serue thee in this life and in the ende for euermore raigne with thee in thine heauenly kingdome for Iesus Christes sake our only Redeemer Aduocate and sweete Sauiour Amen Oh Lord increase our fayth A prayer for the Sunday morning Let labour passe let prayer bee This day the cheefest worke for thee AS the Lorde hath assigned vnto mā sixe dayes of seauen for his necessarie trauaile So hath he expreslie commanded Gen. 2. the seauenth to be hallowed and kept onely for the seruice of him wher in all busines sette aparte we should referre our selues to prayer to the hearing or reading of the worde of the Lorde without any vngodlie exercise at all wherfore as did Dauid Psal. 55. 6. euery day so let vs especiallie this day instantlie call vppon the name of the Lord and he will heare vs. And with Esay Esay 26. Let our soules with a longing desire in the night seeke vn to the Lorde and in the morning earelie call vppon his name so shall our dooings please him all shall goe well with vs. And especiallie vpon this day which the Lord hath reserued for the seruice of himselfe Nu. 1◠Punishing such euen with death who breake the same as appeareth in the booke of Numbers by him who was at the commaundement of the Lorde stoned to death for gathering stickes on the Sabaoth day Esay 56. Blessed is the man that keepeth the Sabaoth day vndefiled seruing the Lorde in prayer Esay 58. Not in seeking his ownewil nor speaking a vaine word Pray that it may bee honoured and not abused dishonoured as it is least God the Creator of it and vs punish our disobedience OH almightye Father most wholesome protectoure keeper both of soules and bodyes of the faithfull I yeelde the humble and hartie thankes for defending sauing mee thy sinfull creature this night past and all my life hethervnto frō suddaine death and from other perrils daungers wher into my sillie soule and weake bodie are subiecte to fall And wherewith I am so besette that had I not beene preserued by thee it could not otherwise haue beene but my bodie had perished and my sillie soule beene carryed into eternall perdition But most sweete Lord my strong Castell defence my shield buckler my sure refuge and succour who hast continuall regarde of the safety of thy seruants that thou neuer sufferest them to bee ouercome with any kinde of euill nor to fall into any kinde of daunger vouchsase to forgiue me what soeuer I haue committed and doone against thy diuine will eyther sleeping or waking this night or anie time secretlie or openlie heeretofore by reason of the corruption which remaineth in me And vouchsafe that as I haue quietlie passed this night so I may enioy at thy merciful hands whatsoeuer thy fatherlie prouidence shall thinke meete and conuenient for mine owne and for the releefe of such as thou hast committed vnto my charge and gouernement Establish good Lorde within my weake feeble bodie strength to withstande all euill motions of the flesh all vngodlie desires of the minde worldlie vanities that I may feruentlie as I ought continuallie both in the morning and at night and at noone day yea and at all times and in all places truely serue thee without hypocrisie dissimulation or mallice And for thy mercies sake keepe mee this day and all the rest of my transitory life from suddaine and vnprouided death keepe my tongue and lips that I speake or vtter nothing which may be eyther vncomelie to be spoken or whereof may redownde hurt or hinderaunce to my selfe or others but that I may endeuoure as much as in me lyes to speake and vtter those thinges which may be to the setting foorth of thy glorie maintenaunce of peace and concorde and to the reducing such into the right way as wander and goe astray As for slaundering lying backbyting falsewitnes bearing enuie and such like good Lorde take vtterly from me And keepe mine heart and minde from the moste damnable sinne of murmuring against thee and from dyspayre that in all aduersities tribulations and troubles I may alwayes beare a patient contented faithfull and a thankfull minde with full perswasion that if thou suffer mine aduersaries being maliciousliebent against me to reuile me persecute me to molest or hurte me or if thou permitt either fire to consume me or my substaunce or any other casuall meane to diminish mine estate and stay of my liuing or if I sustaine losse of freendes sicknes of bodie or hurt of my limmes it proceedeth not but by thy diuine prouidence yea onelie of thy meere loue and fatherlie care which thou hast of mine amendment for nothing happeneth to those whome thou louest breede it within theyr weake mindes neuer so great greefe or fall it out neuer so contrary to theyr desires but it bringeth with it some secrete working for their good Wherefore in the name of thy sonne Iesus Christ I most humbly beseeche thee that thou wilt vouchsafe to settle in mine heart such perfection of patience as what soeuer eyther this day or heereafter shall happen or befall vnto me I may accept it as a most wholesome medicine for my so deadlie disease of securitie and so in hope of thy louing kindnes and mercie to goe forwarde this day and all my life in perfect loue vnfeyned zeale and continuall obedience to thy will In hearing thy worde attentiuelie in reading the
same dilligentlie in following it effectually and in praying vnto thee zealously and faithfully imbracing all goodnes willingly and auoyding all euill watilie that so spending this day I may the better proceede to the execution of my calling this weeke following to the releefe of my necessitie furtheraunce of my neighbours That so continuing vnto the ende I may receiue the reward of thy celestiall kingdome which thy sonne Iesus Christe hath purchased with his bloode for all true beleeuers in thee In number of whome sweete Lorde for the merytes of him thy sonne make me that I with them and they with me may continually sing laude and prayse vnto the Trinitie eternallie which graunt for thy sonne Iesus Christ his sake Amen Oh Lord increase my faith A short prayer to the like purpose ALL possible thankes I render vnto thee most louing and moste mercifull Father that it hath pleased theâ— to bee my carefull watchman this night preseruing me from many euils vouchsafing sleepe vnto mine eyes to the vnspeakable comfort of my poore boâ—â—e Let it likewise please thee I humbly beseeche thee to giue me grace according to thine heauenly will 〈◊〉 expresse commaundement as at all times so this day especially to imploy me to the seruice of thee in all godlines and purenes of life leauing all bodily labours and exercise as to the Sanctetie which thou in the beginning gâ—uest vnto the day when thou hadâ—est sinished all thy worke dooth instly deserue Amen Oh Lord increase my fayth A confession of sinnes Confesse thy sinnes to God on hie Who pardons sinners when they cry FOr asmuch as all men by nature are sinners and none Christ excepted euer liued without man folde offences Let vs with Dameâ—l â—â—â—esse Da. 9 that we haue sinned that we delt wickedlie in trâ—sgressing the lawe of the Lord. Pro. 28. For who so hideth his sinnes shall not prosper but he that confesseth them and forsaketh them shall finde mercie For when Adam Gen. 3. had broken the coÌ„maundement of the Lorde be excused his fault was accursed But Dauid confessing his wickednes found fauour The lost sonne Lu. 15. after long going astray at last returned confessing his fault and obteyned pardon Iohn Baptist. Mat. 3 when hee first preached the gospell he baptized none but such as confessed theyr sinnes wherefore let vs faithfully and continually vpon our knees acknowledge our sinnes and prepare our selues to vnfeyned repentaunce and vndoubtedlie we shal obteine mercie at the haÌ„ds of the Lord For if we acknowledge our sinnes 1. Iohn 1. he is faithfull to forgiue them according to his promise Say with Dauid Psa. 23. I will acknowledge my sinnes vnto the Lord and will not hide mine iniquitie from him yea confesse against thy selfe and he wyll forgiue thy sinnes OH omnipotent father and euerliuing God from whose wisedome foreknowledge no secretes are or may bee hidden but doost plainely consider behold the workes wordes and thoughtes of all creatures I most huÌ„bly beseeche thee of thine infinite mercye to haue compassion vppon my sinnes which are so great and greeuous so many and they so vile and lothsome to thine heauenlie eyes that thou canst not abide to turne thy louing countenaunce towardes me Oh Lorde I doo confesse that my conception my birth yea and all my life hath beene in sin our Fathers and mothers sinfull euen from the stocke of our great Grandfather Adam whose blindnesse shoulde haue beene our light and whose sight was turned to our blindnes darknes by the deceitful most vile alurings of that enemie of ours the wilie and moste subtill serpent sathan by whose â—ntisements our forefather beeing clothed with innocencie and simplicitie in most pure vnspeakable happines was mooued to the desire of the knowledge of that that thou woldest he should haue beene ignorant of And which thou haddest vtterlie forbidden him By breking of which thy commaundement he with Eue whome thou hadst ordeyned out of hys owne flesh to be his companion and comfort where with thine Angell according to thy determinate will driuen out of Parradice a place of ioy to a pitte of sorrow from good to euill from ease to laboure and trauaile from quietnes to trouble from wealth to want from light to darknes from myrth to mourning from succoure to be succourles In so much Oh Lord as he our father purchased for vs his children none other possession or inheritaunce but the vnhappy enteraunce into sinne and corruption And we his children beeing by succession ingrossed in this detestable stocke of sinne haue hethervnto notwithstanding thy most louing and by so sundry meanes calling vs by thine holye Gospell of comfort continued therein to our vtter perdition deserued death and distruction confessing and acknowledging our selues runnagates outcastes and trewantes and of our selues altogether vnable to cast away and lay aside these workes of darknes and to obteine againe the Lanterne of light Yet for as much as I am most sorry from the very bottome of mine heart that I haue offended thee wilfully and disobedientlie strayed from the wayes of thy Lawes And doo vnfeynedly condemne al my former life to be most vile determining in heart by thy grace to forsake sinne and cleaue vnto godlines and purenes of liuing to decline from euill and to doo good I most humbly euen vpoÌ„ the knees of mine heart beseeche thine almightye Maiestie to lysten with a moste willing and attentiue eare vnto my groninges secrete sighes and vnfeyned repentance and with the eyes of thy mercye to beholde my lamenting spyrite and so vouchsafe to accept the same as it may bee vnto thee a sufficient sacrifice for all former euills That I beeing free from sinne not by any deserte or meryte of mine owne but onely by the death and passyon of thy Sonne Iesus Christe may take perfecte holde of the remission thereof and fully perswade my selfe that through the death of him thy sonne I am agayne restored to the former happines and blessed estate which oure first parent Adam was in the beginning placed in And the heade of that subtill Serpent sathan who so wylilye deceyued him by the seede of the Woman to bee altogether bruzed troden downe and vanquished and his power quite taken from him So that hee is not able anye more to lifte him selfe vppe againste the Chyldren of Fayth as hee seeketh and desyreth yea and often preuayleth againste the weake and feeble ones Vouchsafe sweete LORDE and moste loouing Iesus to consider my weakenesse and frayltye and mortefye in mee all delightes of thys miserable worlde and the corrupt fleshe And stande betwene mee and Sathan that hee preuayle no further agaynste mee then I shall bee able to resyste for wee can not stande but doo continually yeelde vnto the deceiueable showes of this worlde the false motions of the fleshe and temptations of Sathan without thy continuall ayde and assistaunce wherewith I beseeche thee both at this time and euer aâ—me me wash me with thy
come the time wherein all mine offences and faults shall bee manifested and laid to my charge Oh then whether shall I flye thinke I whether shall I conueygh my selfe who shall hide mee from thy presence who shall saue me from thy iust iudgement Oh sweete Lord I am euen at my witts ende wishing for death and ende of my dayes And yet then the feare of the torments of hell fire so striueth in me to the contrarie that I quake at the rememberaunce thereof And when I couet to liue longer and see more daies Lord then I am striken with doubt and imagine that as my life hath beene euen from my byrth giuen and inclyned so greedelie to sinne and that the cause of my present dread I then loath and abhorre my longer continuance heere fearing least the aptnes of my corrupt flesh by the dayly rebellion thereof against the spirite heape greater plagues vpon my poore soule What shall I doo Lorde feare and dispayre thus oppressing me on all sides all hope of comfort hath left me onely greefe and sorrowe remaineth knowing not to whom to flie for succour or to whom to make my mone If to man I knowe his strength pollicie and wisedome and comfort to be vaine his nature inclined to weakenes and wickednes as mine and in him to be no helpe And seeking any woâ—ldly meane for pardon and remission of my sinne I acknowledge it altogether transitory superfiuous and to no purpose But the seeking therof to renue and increase my greefe that I shoulde leaue and giue ouer the true and onely platforme of my deliuery and seeke to a counterfeyt showe of ayde Oh God forbid that euer I shoulde but onely seeke for pardon of thy self whom most greeuously I haue offended and therefore to thee I fall prostrate euen in heart sweete Iesus the onely Phisition of all sicke soules in whose power consisteth the alone forgiuenes of sinnes be they neuer so many or great I come I come though altogether ashamed vnto thee my sauiour Iesus Christ who haste promised to be a Mediatour for the penitent vnto God the father It is thy property to call home such as wander and goe astray and to traine them vp in new wayes be theyr sinnes as redde as Scarlet thou hast sayde thou wilt make them as white as snowe and were they as purple thou canst make theÌ„ as white wooll Oh most sweete promise Oh comfortable saying Oh voyce of heauenly consolation whereby I am comforted whereby I am reuiued yea nowe is my conscience lightened now haue I founde the true onely Phisition of my long disease poore soule euen thy self sweet Iesus who callest mee I come I come Lord stretch forth thine hand and receiue mee giue mee perfecte hand fast of thys moste comfortable saying of thine let mee enioy the true working of this most singuler medicine thy death and bytter passion sweete Iesus who sufferedst for our sinnes camest to take away the punishment due for our transgression and to call vs to repentaunce without which there is no hope of remission of our sinnes Thy mercy is infinite thy loue vnsearchable and wisedome incomprehensible whereby thou callest vs whereby thou louest vs and whereby thou guydest vs And euen of meere loue which thou haste to the saluation of my poore soule whom thou wouldest rather should conuert then perish thou hast stirred vp in mine heart a lothing of my sinne wherein I haue walked and imbraced the same eueÌ„ with greedines Oh that I were as ready to come as thou to call So willing to leaue and giue ouer the fulfilling of vnlawfull desires as thou art to forgiue the same So apt to serue thee as thou art to saue me Then should sinne no more dwell in me nor I in it but should enioy thy continuall fauour and rest vnder the winges of thy mercy Oh Lorde I humbly beseeche thee that as it hath pleased thee to stirre me vppe at this time to repentaunce as thou hast called me home froÌ„ the wildernes of wickednes from deepe dispayre so to place me in the pleasaunt fieldes of sinceritie trueth and godlines as thou hast pluckt me out of the clawes of sathan so vouchsafe to holde me vnder the shaddow of thy winges and to imbrace me with the armes of thy mercy that I runne no longer after the vanities of this world nor yeelde vnto the vngodly motions of the fleshe that my minde beeing free from all sinfull cogitations I may keepe my bodie an vndefiled member of thy Church vnto my liues ende And although til thine appointed time this miserable vale must be my continuing cittie And although I must be driuen to vse this worlde according to the necessitie of worldlye causes as thy prouidence hath assigned euery man to exercise his vocation yet graunt that my minde may be continually conuersant in heauenly things and though my bodie wander in earth my soule spirite may haue theyr perfect beeing and abyding by perfect faith in heauen where thou sittest raigneth for euer Amen Oh Lord increase my faith A short prayer to the like purpose OH God whose propertie is euer to haue mercye yea whose mercy is infinite and loue incomprehensible and who haste not delight in the death of a sinner looke fauourably vpon me who haue so deepely offended thine heauenlie maiestie that I confesse nothing but condemnation due vnto me for my so manifolde iniquities my conscience accuseth me and mine heart bewraieth my disobedience beeing but a cast away vnlesse it may please thee for Iesus Christes sake to turne away thine indignation and to take away the plagues which I haue iustly deserued and punishments for the same which thou hast ordeyned Lord cease to be angry and according to thy mercy not to thy iustice deale with me but according to thy most louing promise my sinnes béeing as red as Scarlet may through my fayth in the death of Iesus Christ as white as Snow And as I haue hetherto folowed euen with greedines that which I should not giue me nowe grace to followe and imbrace that which thou commaundest in thy sonne Iesus Christ vnto my liues ende Amen Oh Lord increase my fayth A prayer for a competent and necessary lyuing The God aboue vouchsafeth store To him in faith that prayes therfore ALthough thy store increase so greatly multiply that thou be sayne to enlarge thy roomes to bestowe thy fruites thinke thee not discharged of this most necessary exercise of praier but so much the more bound thervnto â—for it is not the increase of fruites the labour of thy handes or store of wealth that mainteyneth thy lyfe and feedeth thee vnlesse it be seasoned wyth the word of God which preserueth all that faythfully trust in him Matth. 24. For thou canst not liue by Breade alone which is with thinges necessarye for thy bodie but by the worde of almightye GOD And yet we are not onely licensed and permitted but most louinglye called to come
VV iddowes and be helpfull vnto them in their distresses Lord haue mercy vpon all men forgiue our enemies and such as persecute vs and if it please thee turne the heartes Fructifie those thinges on earth which thou hast appoynted for our vse and so increase the same that we may enioy the fruites thereof with sufficiencie for our necessities in time conuenient And vouchsafe to giue vs grace to fall downe vppon the knees of our hearts with vnfeyned repentannce of all our sinnes that we may obteyne at thy mercifull handes pardon for our offences negligences and ignoraunces and vouchsafe to endue vs with thine holy spirite that we may goe forward in daily amendmēt of our liues gouern the same according to thy wil. Amen Oh sonne of almighty God we beseeche thee to heare vs. Oh Lambe of God that takest away the sins of the world graunt vs thy peace and haue mercy vpon vs. Oh Lord increase our fayth Amen A prayer for the fulfilling of the tenne Commaundements Pray that thou maiest fulfill the will Of him whose hand defends thee still And these precepts forget thou not Which Moyses for thy safety wrot BLessed is the man as sayth Dauid Psalm 1. 2. that delighteth in the Lawe of the Lorde and meditateth therein day and night he shall be blessed in his goodes in all that hee taketh in hand at his going out and his comming in and in all thinges But contrariwise he that declyneth from his commaundemēts and neglecteth them shall be accursed in all his waies and nothing shall prosper with him although for a tyme it flourishe in showe heere the ende of the same will be euill And therfore Dauid in all his prayers considering his owne infirmitie besought the Lord to instruct him in his commaundements saying make mee Oh God to vnderstand thy lawes and I will meditate vppon all thine wonderous works Yea his delight was in the commaundements of God And Saloman sayth Pro. 28. that hee that turneth away his eares from hearing the lawe his prayer shall be abhominable For it is the loue of God that we should keepe his commaundements 1. Ioh 5 Praye therefore that God will stirre vp in you an vnfeyned zeale in all your dooings and enterprises to obserue the law of the Lorde OH almighty Iehouah God of heauen earth who haste promised thy selfe euen from the beginning to be our Lorde and our God our shielde and our Fortresse our buckler and defence our Castell and refuge And who hast brought vs with a mighty and strong hand with an outstretched Arme out of the Lande wherein wee were straungers wherein we liued in bondage vnder the yoke and tytannye of Antechriste and sathan into the lande land that floweth with the Milke and Honny of true religion wherewith thou feedest the soules of thy faithfull ones Grant that as through thy meere mercye and loue thou vouchsafest to bring vs into this worlde and to frame vs to thine owne image and likenes So we may account thee as our onely God worshipping none other besides thee making vnto our selues none image of any likenes either of thinges aboue or thinges beneathe nor bowe or seeke helpe at the handes of any as a God beside thee who as by thy mightye power thou broughtest the children of Israell out of Egipt by the handes of Moses and Aaron where they were in bondage where they were continually oppressed with sundry kindes of vexations both of body and minde So hast thou vhuchsased to bring vs and to deliuer vs from a greater bondage seruitude and stauery euen from the power of Sathan vnder whose tyranny we rested and now escaped not by the pollicie strength or power of any Moyses but by the blod shedding of thine only son Iesus Christ who tooke vpon him the death of the crosse for our sakes to bring vs frō darknes wherein we walked according to the will of the flesh vnto the true knowledge of thee againe to redeeme vs out of the bondage of sin into the land of righteousnes from blinde ignoraunce to the bright shining day-starre of thine heauenly will who art not onely a most loouing and gentle Father but also a moste sharp punisher and reuenger who art not onely desirous that we should come vnto thee but art also most ielious ouer vs least we should seeke or follow any other God besides thee yea in all our afflictions and troubles to seeke onely vnto thee and beeing releeued to attribute the onely meane thereof vnto thy selfe whereby thou hast promised to bee mercifull vnto thousandes that loue thee feare thee seeke thee and truely take hold◠of thee as theyr onely God And againe threatnest thy vengeaunce and heauy displeasnre to continue vppon the thirde and fourth generation of them that hate thee and folow straunge Gods Oh sweete God vouchsafe that it may be farre from our mindes to haue any desire once to put our foote towardes any straunge Gods appeare their helpe neuer so likely or plentifull but that it bee bothe now and euer in our hearts to confesse both in word and conuersation that there is none other God besides thee who art most glorious and a most louing Father haue mercy vpon vs. And so vouchsafe to direct vs in all our dooinges cogitations and wordes as we may alwayes and in all thinges fulfil thy will neuer taking thine holy and most glorious name in vaine by blasphemous speeches dishonouring the same Keepe vs moste louing Father not onely from the most detestable sinne of periury whereby thine holy name is often defaced and as it were troden vnder foote as in making it the author of abhominable falshoodes and lyes but from all friuolous and vaine othes which to the great greefe of thy children are moste vncomly in the mouthes of such as vnreuerently and rashly vse it euen in common speeches without any vrgent cause or matter forcing wherby they fal into the most hemous sinne of taking thy most glorious name in vaine but that we may vse such a reuerent manner godly order of vsing thy name for trial of any matter in lawfull causes as thou maist alwaies find vs true hallowers of it therby And forasmuchas thou within sixe daies didst finish al things in the be ginning in the seauenth day didst rest from the same labor commanding vs likewise to obserue the sanctification of the same for euer and to rest from all labours trauailes and worldly busines and not onely our selues but all other whom thou hast committed to our charge as seruaunts Oxen and Asses and such like graunt that wee may not onely lay aside all worldly cares and busines on the Sabaoth day resting our wearied members but may in all thinges sanctifie it and keepe it holy with godly exercises diuine prayers and heauenly meditations with carefull and diligent regard to the auoyding of all wanton pastimes foolish and vncomly exercises and vnlawfull practises whereby oftentimes the affection beeing mooued to impatience powreth
haue vnto thine hands praying thee to direct me by thy grace wisdome to the bestowing it according vnto thy will In the name of thy sonne Iesus Christe to whome with thee and the holy ghost bee continuall laude and prayse for euer and euermore Amen Oh Lord increase our fayth A short prayer to the like purpose OH God almighty the gyuer of all good thinges the onely stay of mankinde their guide and comfort giue grace vnto mee thy seruaunt that as thou hast blessed my store and increased my wealth in somuch as I haue not onely that which may suffice mine owne necessary want but haue also sufficient to releeue others in neede Driue from mine heart all naturall desire of more and giue me a will to distribute and according to the aboundaunce of my wealth to feede the hungry cloth the naked and to doo all thinges els which thou requirest of them on whom thou bestowest thy blessinges to the furtheraunce of godlines and not to liue to my selfe and for my selfe onely but to the helpe of all that want my furtheraunce That laying vppe a good foundation in the ende I may leaue the world willingly and purchase through Jesus Christ thy kingdome eternallie Amen Oh Lord increase my faith A prayer to be sayd of a woman with childe As Eue thy Grandame causde thy thrall Pray to the Lord case it he shall For as by Eue thy thraldome came Christ Iesus since to â—ase the same PRay that GOD may mittigate the paines of your trauaile which by reason of the transgression of your Graundmother Eue God hath pronounced to be great saying vnto her and in her vnto you all in sorrowe Gene. 3. shall you bring foorth Childe And you daily see that th'extremity thereof doth often ende the dayes of manye a sister of yours before that howre healthfull and strong And therfore I thinke it a parte of great wisdome to prepare addresse yourselues against that howre euen to giue vp the ghost for without the mercifull helpe and fauor of almightye God you can not escape death wherefore I wish as many as are in that case to betake them humbly on their knees vnto him in harty praier without whose outstretched arme no womaÌ„s helpe can bee auailable in that behalfe pray therfore pray that God of his tender mercy will vouchsafe you an howre wherin you may be happily deliuered OH mercifull God and omnipotent father maker and Creatour of all thinges who in the beginning haddest placed mankind in most vnspeakable happines where they should haue continued had not our first parents brokeÌ„thy precept and will wherby they procured thine heauy indignatioÌ„ against theÌ„ selues their posteritye for euer so that the earth for their sakes was accursed denying thinges necessary for their vse with out their great labour industry paines and sweat of body And vnto vs the daughters of Eue for her transgression thou haste appoynted moste greeuous paines and torments of body in the trauaile of childbirth saying that in sorrowe and great paynes wee shall bring foorth childe Oh sweete Lord for as much as thou art almighty and bringest all thinges to passe according vnto thy good pleasure and shewest thy selfe in no thing more omnipotent then in the conceyuing forming and bringing mankinde into the world which although it were in the beginning ordeyned most easie by the subtilty of our continuall enemy sathan in causing our first parents to transgresse thy commaundement and to breake thy will by tasting the forbidden fruite it is nowe most painfull greeuous and perilous In so much Oh sweete Lorde as without thine especiall grace fauour and mercy it is altogether impossible to bee brought to pasâ—e our imperfection and feeblenes is such that of ourselues we are not able to endure the least of all the panges and sorrowes that dooth accompany this kinde of trauaile Wherfore sweete Lord mine humble and moste hartie desire vnto thy maiestie is that thou wouldest vouchsafe to extende vnto me and to all women in this my like case thy mercy and louing fauour to mittigate the paines thereof that we may be able patiently to endure and continue the panges of the same at the howre appointed Make that easie and light vnto vs which our desertes haue made burdensome and heauy that the burden wherewith I am now loden may fortunately be deliuered from the shoulders of my weake body Sende vs all good Lorde happye deliueraunce that we may be made ioyfull mothers And vouchsafe vnto me and to all that haue conceiued and be with Childe strength to bring foorth that which thine omnipotencie hath so wonderfully wrought in vs. Be present with vs in our trauailes Oh Lorde helpe vs most mercifull God and mightily deliuer vs. Let thy power might and loue be no lesse manifested in the deliuery then in the forming of thy creature that beeing through thy goodnes made glad and ioyfull mothers we may obteyne our perfect strength againe and liue to prayse and please thee for euermore Amen Oh Lord increase our fayth A short and most necessary prayer alwaies to be sayd of one with child OH Lord whose goodnes we haue offended and deserued infinite plagues looke vpon me and pardon me laye aside thy iustice and shewe thy mercy let me haue the benefit of thine helping hande and not feele the wright of thine heauy hande Fauourably lighten me of this burden in thy good and gratious time and in the howre and instaunce of my deliuery be present with mee Lorde and tender my safety through Jesus Christe Amen Oh Lord increase my faith A thankes giuing to God after the deliuery As God hath now deliuered thee So well thy prayse deserueth hee For if he had not stoode thy freende These panges of thine had wrought thine end FOr asmuch as it hath pleased almighty God of his great goodnes to giue thee good deliuerance and to ridde thee from the great paynes perril wher with thou were euen nowe afflicted Fall down humble and prostrate thy selfe in heart with the reste that are present giuing no lesse vnfeyned thanks vnto his omnipotent maiestie for his holy help in sauing thee then thou diddest or oughtest to pray for his aide happely to deliuer thee and let not the ioy or glad tydings of a son or a daughter born into the world or the departure of theÌ„ so much possesse thine heart but that it may be alwayes ready to gyue prayse o God for thy safe deliuery as did Hannah who being deliuered of a sonne giue harty thankes to God And thinke not that the extreame plunges of the very birthe beeing past thou art presently acquited of al daunger for the weaknes frailty rawnes of your health is many dayes after great And therefore what soeuer thou be tendringe thine owne safety prayse God continually praying for strength and he will giue it thee for vnthankfulnes is a meane to purchace in steeâ—e of Gods fauour his indignation to punish a newe OH almightye
and merciful God the onely aide stay comfort of all those that trust in thee the principall helpe of them that feare thee we giue thee most humble hearty and vâ— feâ—â—ed thankes for that thou haste vouchâ—â—fed to deliuer this wâ—â—â—aÌ„ M. thy seruant from the great paines and trauaile of childbirth which are so great so greeuous and so daungerous that eâ—en by thine owne wordes they are sayd to be moste greeuous In so much sweete Lord as wheÌ„soeuer thou settest fooâ—th in thine holy scripture any grâ—at paine or daÌ„gâ—r thou resemblest it alwaies to a Womans paine in trauaile Therfore we confesse acknowledge that wee in the behalfe of thys our Syster are so much the more bounde vnto thee so farr extending thy furtheraunce and helpe to her deliuery froÌ„ such extreamitie and anguish we fall downe eueÌ„ vppon the knees of our heartes with vnfeyned thanks for this most mercifull worke of thine but most louing and mercifull God thou knowest that although she bee deliuered of this heauy burden yet the paynes some thing continue which without thy most sweete mitugation thereof will driue her to further greefe and sorrow We humbly beseeche thee therefore to consider of the estate of this thy poore seruaunt by thy goodnes thus deliuered that thou wouldest vouchsafe to mitugate and asswage her paines and greefe that she may be able to beare the same with perfect patience and continuall thanke for her happy deliuerance And forasmuch sweete Lorde as the tendernes misery of mankinde is such that they can not of long time after their birth attaine to any meane to helpe themselues but wanting the 〈…〉 ayde and attendaunce of the mother and 〈…〉 they soone perish Wee beseeche thee to 〈…〉 gthen this little infant and tender babe nowe 〈…〉 e into this vale of misery and if it be thy good pleasure to vouchsafe it life and longer abyding heere graunt it ablenes and strength to receiue such foode and nourishment as thy prouidence hath assigned for such little infants and sucklinges And so increase within the pappes of the mother or Nurce such nuâ—riture as may be sufficient for the maintenaunce of the life and health thereof working with such effect within the bowels of the tender infant as it may thereby growe more and more to the estate of man according to thy good pleasure and strengthen bothe the mother and the infant that they may bothe grow to such perfect health and ablenes as the one may giue the other take sufficient sustenaunce for the preseruation of life and increase of strength through the mighty power and working of thee For which sweete Lorde and for all thinges els necessary for them and for all other in their like case we pray vnto thee as thy sonne Iesus Christe hath himselfe taught vs saying Our Father c. Oh Lord increase our fayth And receiue this woman thy seruant and euer more mightely defend her Oh Lord blesse this little babe and receiue it into the number of thy children Oh Lord guide it euermore to the full obteyning of thy fauour mercy to the perfit fulfilling of thy wil all his daies Amen To thee be all prayse for euermore Amen A praier for wisdome As worldly wisedome seeketh nought In time of neede auayling ought So heauenly wisdome worketh still The things that please gods heauenly wil. WIsdome as sayth S. Augustine is the knowledg how to choose those things that are good and to auoyd those thinges that are euil And Aristotle defineth it to be a vertue of the mind wherby these grâ—ces are obteyned which tend to the felicity of this life and the life to come Thomas Aquâ—nus sayth that wisdom is the meane wherby we are reconciled vnto God If so then what a precious iewel is this what more excelleÌ„t gyft can wee craue at the handes of God then that whereby we may doo that onely which is good such things as are tending to eternall felicity and which reconcile vs to God our maker through Christ our redeemer and Sauiour the beginning whereof is the feare of the Lorde whose loue towardes vs is so greate that he wylleth him that wanteth wisedome I am 1 to aske at his handes and he wil giue the same most aboundauntly asking it in faith as hee gaue it vnto Salomon 1 Kin 3 so plentifully and in such sort as they came froÌ„ the fardest partes of the world to heare the same Pray therefore that thou mayst obteyne it it is better then golde or precious stones Pro. 16 and more sweeter then honny or the honny combe OH almighty and euerliuing GOD whose gift it is that babes sucklings and men of base degree haue the knowledge vnderstanding of thy will and men of profounde learning deepe study and worldly experience often want the same Oh God which expellest darknes giuest light which takest away ignoraunce plaÌ„test knowledg wisdome denying the same to none that vnfeynedly asketh it at thine handes without the which nothing can be obteyned which good is nothing auoyded which is euill nothing continue safe bee it neuer so durable nor any enterprise either rightly begun or happily ended without the same which Salomon considering hauing promise at thine handes that whatsoeuer he asked hee shoulde obteyne aboue all thinges aboue wealth or riches worldly praise renowne or glory beauty or strength yea aboue possessions or kingdoms he onely requested wisedome which thou so aboundantly bestowedst on him that they repayred and came from farre to heare the same which is none other thinge sweete Lorde but the knowledge of thy diuine wil heaueÌ„ly misteries it is the knowledge how to chose the good auoid the euill it proceedeth onely from thee and with thee it hath beene from the beginning Sende it downe from heauen where it attendeth about thy seate replenish mine hart with the knowledge thereof Giue me a newe heart and a right spirite for mans vnderstanding faileth in many thinges but thy wisedome instructeth the simple maketh the tongues of infants eloquent directing the steppes of the blinde VVherefore Oh Lorde I most humbly beseeche thee to establish the same in my spirite and wryte thy Lawes in mine heart that I walke not in the way of error but may abstaine from sinne cleaue vnto righteousnes and walke in innocencie all the dayes of my life Oh sweete Lord graunt me this thine especiall gift of heauenly wisedome that I may perfectly knowe what thy diuine will and pleasure is that I may alwaies directe my waies according vnto the same louing thee in all thinges and aboue all thinges continuing moste thankfull for all thy fatherly benefits bestowed and conferred vpon me And that prosperity ouercome me not nor in aduersity be foolishlie mooued to seeke reamedie or releefe els wher but at thine hands onely who aâ—t my God and my â—auiour and who hast promised to giue wisedome to all theÌ„ that faythfully aske it Oh Lord heare my prayer and let
things for our vse in time conuenient as by the placing the stars in heauen with the son mone their course orderly motiōs the hearbs of the field and due manner of their spring fading withering agayne The sea so inuironed compassed notwithstāding the rage force thereof kept within his limmits appointed boūds with the fishes so infinit therein both smal great the ebbing flowing therof which all serueth only for the vse seruice of man yea with out the which man coulde not continue yet especially aboue al things so great was his loue that he spared not for our sakes to giue his only son euen to dye most vndeseruedly vpon the crosse for our redemption which loue of the father therin as it moueth or shold moue a great desire of thanksgiving in vs so doth the obedience of the son giue vs a greater occasion of thankes giuinge then the tongue of any mortall man can expresse by whose acceptance of the pangs of death came the remission of al our sins as witnesseth the holy ghost the water of life which beeing sprinckled in our harts procureth vnfeyned looue whereby wee haue accesse to Christ our onely mediator to God the father Prayse God the father who made vs prayse God the sonne who redeemed vs and is our continuall aduocate to his heauenly father prayse God the holye Ghoste who hath sanctified gods electe and gyueth light vnto the hearts of all such as serue the Lord vnfeynedly OH almighty God maker and creator of all thinges conseruer of all that thou hast made and protector of all that loue thee who in the beginning madest all thinges of nothing which al rest in thine hādes haue their continuaunce beeing without whose prouidence they shold cōuert againe to nothing we yeeld vnto thee al lawd praise and glory vnto thee ascrib al power maiesty dominion who rulest all things workest al things disposest all things after thy wil to thine owne glory to our vnspeakable vndeserued cōfort who are as Pilgrims and strangers without the same thy continuall protection as creatures forsaken castawaies Lorde thine hād guideth al thinges preserueth al thinges guiueth all thinges for our vse most disobediēt stifnecked childrē who not withstanding thou through thy meere mercy loue vouchsafed in the beginning to place in the garden of happines where we shold haue cōtinued had not our firste parent by transgression made forfeiture therof so highly displeased thee that thou repēting of the makīg of vs didst drown the whole world for our sins sake yet so tender was thy loue so soone was thine anger conuerted into a desire of our saluation that thou vouchsafedst to sende into thys world Iesus Christ to redeeme vs into thy fauor again a surpassing loue where the offended shold seek attonemēt wyth the offendour for which thy singuler loue mercy in finit we can not sufficiēly thanke thee god of our cōfort nor thee sweetsaui our Iesus christ for thine obediēce for thine vndeserued humility and ardent desire of our reconciliation and eternall saluation Lorde increase my faith sende mee thy grace and endue me with thine holy spirite that I may hartely render and continually yeelde all possible thankes vnto thee not onely for creating keeping and preseruing vs hethervnto but also for reaching vnto vs thine hande of loue againe after our so greate and long disobedience I thanke thee Oh sauiour Iesus Christe redeemer and sauiour of our soules who refusedst not but most wilingly acceptedst for our sakes for our redemptiō from hell and eternall death beeing then thine enemies the approbrious death of the crosse among notorious offenders beeing often spightfully intreated buffeted spette at reuiled and most iuiuriously handled not for thine owne sweete Iesus but for our offences for our sinnes yea to purchace that by thine obedience which we lost by willfull rebellion against thyne heauenly fathers precept and will Oh good Iesu we thanke thee that it hath pleased thee to leaue the sacred mansion of thy Fathers right hand thy celestiall beeing and to put on the base attyre of a seruaunt to walke in the troublesome pathes of this miserable world and yet thinking it no robbery to be equall with God though leauing his heauenly habitation for a time according to his prouidence and heauenly knowledge to suffer heer in this vale of misery in this desert of sinne moste cruell and most shamefull abuses onely for our sins which were so odious and vile in the sight of our good God that no sacrifice or oblation coulde appeaze his wrath and deserued displeasure towardes vs for the same but thy death onely and sacrifice of thy precious and vndefiled body vpon the Aulter of the crosse who willingly sufferedst the same for our sakes notwithstanding they were so greeuous so in tollerable and odius that by reason of the extremitie and anguish rhereof thou werte constrained to sweat water and bloode Oh surpassing loue Oh loue without the which the hatred of thine omnipotent father had not been appeazed nor remooued from vs. Oh loue without the which we had beene barred of all accesse vnto the seate of mercy and woonted fauour of almightye God and continued in his heauy displeasure for euer to our vtter distruction death and damnation Oh sweete Iesus Oh healthfull comforter and giuer of health and restorer of life howe can wee but prayse thee how can we but loue thee howe can wee but magnifie and extoll thine holy name for euer who haue receiued at thy mercifull handes so vnspeakable a benefitt yea and who so tenderly louedst vs that by thy meanes without our deserts we are restored from death to life frō the deserued displeasure of our creator to his vnspeakable loue and fauour without which we had perished both body soule we haue attonement now with him that before we had so greatly offended euen God our maker without whose fauoure wee fall and without whose helpe wee perishe and passe to naught Oh sweete Iesus thou haste also taken vppon thee not onely to dye for our redemption and rise againe for our Iustification and to place vs in the sweete mansion of thine heauenly knowledge But haste also promised to continue our mediatour to thine heauenly father for euer while wee mortall men liue sinners on earth making continuall intercession for vs that he will vouchsafe neuer to withdrawe his louing countenaunce from vs his poore creatures but to be our Castell staye and strong refuge vnto the ende Oh Lord Iesus Christ we giue thee thankes not onely for that thou haste beene for a time heer present with vs on earth to manifest thy selfe vnto vs by the visible showe of thine humanity but in making the cause of thy comming certainly known vnto vs which was indeed in that thou wast verie God to call vs from blindnes error wherein we walked according to the will of sathā to take
again for our deliueraunce out of thys mortall life And whilest I liue heere vouchsafe mee an vnfeyned desire to be partaker of that his holy institution and through thine holy spirite to leade my life according vnto thine heauenly will in all thinges keeping my body vndefiled as a fitt receptacle for so heauenly foode that my soule may enioy the benefitte of the mistery thereof by saith according to thine heauenly prouidence through Iesus Christ our sauiour and redeemer Amen Oh Lord increase my fayth A deuout meditation or confession of our sinnes with humble request vnto almightye God that he will vouchsafe to establish true repentaunce in our heartes and of his mercy turne away his plagues which we iustly haue deserued for our manifold iniquities Let vs fall downe with weeping eyes With one consent from heart on knees Our sinnes haue so deserued thâ—all Nothing so sure as sodaine fall LEt vs sette as a glasse before the eyes of our heartes the cause of the firste floode which was falling from God working iniquity where in the whole worlde Noe wyth a small number of persons only excepted perished Gen. 6. Let vs likewise call vnto our remembraunce the sodayne distructioÌ„ of Sodom Gomorra with sue and brimstone from heauen for disobeying the voyce of the lord pronouÌ„ced by Lot for their repentaunce wherein we may as it were beholde before hand what will becoÌ„e of vs without our spedy repentance neglecting as we do the words message of the Lord reuealed vnto vs by his prophers prechers threatning plagues to follow our wilful â—eâ—ellion let vs not be like vnto the deaf Adder stopping our eares froÌ„ hearing of our iniquiry which wee embrace with such greedines but like relenting harted Niniuits put on the sackcloth of vnfeined repentaÌ„ce mourning for our many thousand sins with fasting earnest praier froÌ„ the lowest to the high est after the good example of Dauid Iob prostrate our selues in hearte with lameÌ„ting spirits vnto the mercies seat of our good god who as he is not hastye in plaging expecting our repentaunce so will his punishment bee the greater without our harty speedy conuersioÌ„ let vs not therfore be slowe to turne vnto him let vs not deferr from day to day for sodainly wyl the wrath of god come wheÌ„ we think not of it in hys vengance wil be destroy vs vnawares Paâ—â— 7. yet so louing is he merciful that if we cal vpon his name making our prayers vnto him vnfeinedly repenting vs of our sins from the bottome of our harts he will heare vs from his holy heauens receiue vs again vnto hys mercy Esd 10. according to his promise vnto Israell let vs remember the wicked king Achab who humbling himselfe and clothing himselfe in Sackcloth sleeping in heirecloth obteined pardon for his sinnes The mercye of the Lorde is so great towardes them that repent that the examples thereof are infinite in the scriptures VVherefore let vs speedely for sake our sins and more and more growe in hatred therof Eccl 17. vnfeynedly cleauing vnto rightcousnes and holynes of trueth Eph. 4. Repent repent for the kingdome of God is at hand Mat. 3. OH Lorde vouchsafe to poure thine holye spirite into our heartes whereby we may sighe lament weepe and euen rent our hearts at the consideratioÌ„ of the wicked and abhominable estate of this world which is so farr gonne with the child of selfe loue that without thine vnspeakable mercy it is euen at the point to be deliuered into the pitt of eternall perdition wherefore gyue vs grace wee humblye beseech thee from the high est to the lowest from the greatest to the leaste to repent vs of our sinnes and heartily to turne vnto thee whose high displeasure wee haue deserued through our manifolde transgressions whoÌ„ thou hast in respecte of our disobedience pronounced rebels bastards children of the bondwomaÌ„ without repentance barred froÌ„ the inheritance which thy son Iesus Christe hath purchased for all true beleeuers Lord what shall become of vs we haue so much yeelded our selues to the desire of sin walked according to the coÌ„uersatioÌ„ of the olde man which is corruption so far degenerating froÌ„ thy lawes diuine institutions fellowing so much the wil of sathan the lusts of the flesh the vile alluringes of the wicked world that thou hast caste vs off as none of thy children in so much as when wee consider the heauy intollerable burden which by our vnrighteousnes wee haue deseruedly heaped vpoÌ„ our selues in loosing the fauour of so louing and bountifull a father and so sweete a sauior it driues vs into a greate feare and terrour procuring a great dislike and lo thing of our selues for the time but our nature beeing nothing but corruption falleth into a present forgetfulnes of our ende and turneth forthwith vnto his vomitt againe But most louing God euerliuing when the deserued punishments which hangeth ouer our heades shall light and fall vppon vs for the same what shall wee doo It is prepared and it is comming we can not by any deserts of ours but onely by the intercession mediation and desertes of Iesus Christ which neyther auaileth without our true repentaunce auoyde it Mollifie therefore our harde and stony heartes Oh Lorde for the same thy sonne Iesus Christes sake giue vs lamenting spirites endue vs with vnfeyned sorrow for our sinnes and make vs wylling and ready to returne vnto thee our nature beeing so vile and our blindnes so great that we are moste apte euen with great obedience care and dilligence to serue to please and to obey men of Aucthoritye heere in thys world by whose disâ—auour there can aryse but some smal or no hurte or punishment at all And neuer giue our selues or very seldome to the fulfilling of our duties to thee by executing those thinges which thou commaundest vs wherby we breake and forfeit that bande which thy sonne Iesus Christe sealed with his preacious blood vpon the crosse therby confirming for euermore a league and peace betweene thee and such as forsake sinne and cleaue vnto righteousnes and trueth Oh vnhappye creatures that we are who beeing in the very bosome of so louing and so mercifull a God shoulde by yeelding vnto the desires of the fleshe the vanities of the world and the will of sathan bee thruste out of thy presence wherein consisteth all peace all loue all hope quietnes of minde patience long suffering meekenes and all good whatsoeuer But wandring and going astray after our owne corrupt desires what remaineth in vs but strife hatred misbeleefe dispayre couetousnes adultery witchcraft contempt of thy Lawes and all kinde of euill and rest as accursed Lord we acknowledge that sinne iniquity hath gotten the highest roome it sitteth and ruleth in all corners of the earth and righteous dealing simplicity and innocency is condemned of many Roote out therefore good Lorde roote out of our heartes all hautines deceit