more in vs by the vertue of the word of God by the vse of preaching and ministration of the Sacramentes which knowledge of thy will is a spirituall knowledge and an heauenly science whereby we being also endued doe those things that are right and pleasant before thee yea wherewith we haue such knowledge that wee take nothing in hand but that onely which thou most of all doest approoue Graunt that we being fruitfull in good works may encrease in the same knowledge that wee may bee made strong in all vertue and godly power according to the excéeding abundant glory of thy Maiestie that we may be enarmed with patience long suffering chéerefull perseuerāce so well in aduersitie and perill as in sorrow death Thorow Iesus Christ our Lord. So be it A prayer for true christen loue O God the almighty Lord which art the very loue it selfe he that abideth in loue abideth in thée thou in him thorowe Iesu Christ wee miserable Creatures cry this day vnto thée with a bitter and sorrowfull hearte and for our little strength we earnestly desire that thou wilt powre out into our hearts the true christen and vnfayned charitie through the holy ghost whereby wee may loue one another not only in words but also in workes that we may aboundantly declare our faith as newely borne from aboue of the immortal séede by the word of the liuing God Helpe vs O God and giue vs so much light that wee may knowe perfectly all fayned loue wherewith we behelde our selues our false boasting which commeth not from a pure heart lest vnder the pretence of loue wee doe against fayth against the godly trueth and by thys meanes fall away from the true loue which is gotten by the same crosse bloude of Christ. Through the same our Lord Iesu Christ. So be it A prayer to obtaine godly learning THy seruaunt am I giue me vnderstanding O Lorde that I may learne thy commandements For thy lawe is pure and vndefiled it turneth soules it giueth wisedome to babes Thy ordinaunces are right making heartes chéerefull Thy commandementes are bright lightening eies The declaration and preaching of thy wordes maketh them to see that are blind and giueth vnderstanding to the litle ones Lighten therfore my eyes O Lorde and giue me knowledge and vnderstanding in thy holy lawe For thou O Lord alone giuest wisedome and out of thy mouth commeth prudence and knowledge So shall I with a glad heart searche thy lawe and sing perpetuall prayses to thy most blessed name A prayer for the faythful ministers of Gods worde and for the fruite of the Gospel O Lorde Iesu Christ let very mercy moue thée to haue pitie and compassion on vs which being destitute of all other helpe wander abroade and are dispersed like sheep that are without a shepheard And for as much as there is much haruest and fewe worke men sende foorth thou which art Lorde of the haruest many faithful workemen to finish it And those that thou shalt sende endue and replenish them with thy grace yea to guide them that they may bring forth much fruit that great heapes of them that beleeue may plenteously be gathered into thy barne that there may bee plentie of that pure spirituall wheat vnto thy praise which liuest and reignest with God the father in the vnitie of the holy Ghost verie God for euermore So be it A prayer for the Magistrates and heade officers O Almightie euerlasting God of whom al power is ordained we commende vnto thée all them which by thine ordinance are our superiours as Emperours Kings Princes and other Magistrates to whom thou hast committed the sworde and giuen power to gouern the subiects Wee beséech thée that thou wilt make them to be feared of the vnrighteous and trāsgressors and that through thy gifte they may ouercome the enemies of thy name maintaine publique peace and tranquilitie looke vpon and defend widowes and them that be succurlesse Moreouer graunt to the subiects an obedient mind that they do not resist thine ordinance vnto their great hindrance but that they diligently obeye their Magistrates in all lawful things not onely for the feare of paine but also for conscience Thorow Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen A prayer for the common people O Mercifull euerlasting God thou knowest right wel how earnestly our most cruell aduersary Satan as a roaring Lyon wandreth about the congregation of the faithfull and through the weakenes of our fleshe bringeth in among vs manifolde incommodities diseases and sundry temptations In consideration whereof we are prouoked according to the commaundement of thy sonne our Lord Iesus Christ continually to watch that is to say to vse feruent prayer Wherefore wee desire O most merciful father that thou wilt helpe and comfort them that are afflicted lighten thē that are blinde teach the ignorant graunt to the weake strength to them that beginne to go shew the paths of thy way to them that are going already sende dayly the encrease of grace and giue thē that haue obtayned some perfection of godlines constancie and stedfastnes that euery one of vs according to the measure of the gifte of his faith may bee made perfecte Through Iesus Christ our Lord. A prayer to be sayd in affliction trouble or sicknes O Most gentle redeemer which art always mercifull alwaye a Sauiour whether thou sendest vs prosperitie or aduersitie this is a token of great mercie and of louing kindnesse while by afflictions as by bitter plastures or salues thou doest heale the inwarde man and by temporal paines preparest vnto vs euerlasting ioyes And for as much as thou hast before declared vnto vs euē by thine owne steps that this is the way vnto the true felicitie graunt I beséech thée that I may paciently obediently drink out this cuppe which thou hast reached vnto me Uerely these thinges are vnto fraile nature verie gréeuous but yet thou suffered more gréeuous thinges for me and I haue deserued far more gréeuous things which haue so ofte deserued hell Notwithstandinge thou knowest the frayltie of mans condition and therefore euen as that mercifull Samaritane doest thou poure into our woundes wyne which fretteth and sharpely biteth our vices but thou puttest to it also y e oyle of thy consolation thorow the which we may suffer those thinges that are intolerable to vs. If it bée thy pleasure to encrease my paines giue mee also the gift of patience and graunt that these afflictions of the body may turne vnto the remission of my sinnes O if thy fatherly pitie be contented with this gentle chastysement where-wyth thou diddest nowe nurture mee then let mee receiue at thy hande my health againe that I may giue thée thankes for both that is because thou hast mercifully chastened mee thine vnprofitable seruant and also taken away y e bitternes of my affliction with y e swéetnes of thy comfort So shall I remember thy benefits sing praise glory to thée for euer
¶ The perfect path to Paradice Contayning diuers most ghostly and wholsome Prayers fruitfull and Christian Meditations for the comfort of euery afflicted conscience Published in these dangerous dayes of wickednesse and deliuered to all those that feare God and hope for saluation in Christ Iesus as a spirituall weapon to beate downe sinne sathan and all the power of hell c. By Iohn Phillips Matthew 3. Repent and amend your lines for the kingdome of God is at hand ¶ Imprinted at London in Fleetstreete by H. Iackson 1588. To the Right Honourable Lord Robert Deuorax Erle of Essex and Ewe Visecounte of Herrifard and Bourchire L. Ferres of Chartley Bourchire and Louaine Maister of the Queenes Maiesties horsse Knight of the most noble order of the Garter Iohn Philips his humble well-willer wisheth the feare of God continuall health of body and minde peace and quietnesse of conscience with all other the giftes of grace prrceeding from God the Father through the intercession of Christ Iesus c. RIght honorable when I call to memory how apt and redie wee are of our selues to fall into the filthy quagmire of the olde Adams corruption wherein wee are moste monstrously soyled with all kindes of wickednesses which make vs detested in the eyes of our heauenly father whose loue wee by the exercise of our notorious euils dayly committed against his deuine maiestie we most wilfully conuert to hatred I am driuen into no small admiration But truly as these are the dangerous dayes of wickednesse wherein sinne aboundeth and iniquitie hath obtayned the preheminence and vpper hand so it is expedient for all those that haue the feeling of GODS grace in their consciences to arme thēselues in this worldly Laberinth of vncleannesse with a liuely faith and earnest repentance and to continue in prayer and supplication to the almightie to abridge these dayes of wickednesse and to hasten his comming For vnlesse this perillous season as Christ himselfe hathe foretolde vs should be shortned wherein sinne is exalted to the subuersion of vertue there shoulde no fleshe be saued It shall bee necessary for vs therefore that seeke dayly and hourely by the vsuall practise of our innumerable euiles to offend the Lord our gracious God whose heauy indignation we haue worthely heaped vp vnto our selues and whose vengeaunce wee haue iustly deserued Nowe euen nowe and hencefoorth for cuer to return with Dauid from our impieties to mourn with Magdalin for oure iniquities to weepe with Peter for our offences and to crye out with the prodigal child for the mispending of oure portions ryotously Yea and thē the Lord our God whose wrath we haue kindled vp agaynst vs like consuming coales of fire beholding the sorrowes of oure contrite hartes the grieuous gronings of our sinful soules and our wet and blubbered eyes weeping for oure wickednesses wil repēt him of these plagues that he had prepared to poure forth vpon vs for our destructiōs Yea he wil cast aside the vioals of his wrath yea hee wil in his mercy quenche the burning coales of his furie Yea he will vnbend the bowe of his anger and breake asunder the arrowes of his displeasure wherewith he had in his diuine iustice prepared to wound vs For faithful praier and hartie repentance are acceptable to God The which weapons if we wil take vpon to vse vndoubtedly in steede of cursinges wee shal obtayne blessings in steed of penury we shal reape plentie in steed of battel wee shal haue peace in steed of sicknesse wee shal finde health yea and at the last of vncleane vessels we shalbe made vessels of honor and heires of his heauenly kingdome God for hys sonne Christ his sake giue vs the grace therefore whilest mercy as yet keepeth his indignation at a baye to continue in prayer and to shew vs hartie repentant for our sins for the day of oure visitation draweth nigh Thus ceasing right honorable I leaue you to the merciful protection of the almightie beseeching him in this life to blesse and defend you from al peril and daunger to continue your health to his good guiding wil prouident pleasure to giue you victorie ouer al the enemies of God and hir royal maiestie and in the world to come to crown your head with honour and glorie Your honours in al humilitie and reuerence IOHN PHILIPS ¶ When that thou preparest thy selfe to pray look that thou with all humblenesse of mynde kneelest downe and lifting vp thy hart thy handes and thine eyes vnto heauen to God the Father almightie praye on this manner O Lorde open thou my lippes that my mouth may speake and shew forth that whiche is to thy glorie and praise A prayer for the Morning O Omnipotent Father and euerliuing GOD the Fountayne of al felicitie from whom onely procéedeth all good giftes most hūblie I beséech thée of thyne aboundante mercye and exceding kindnes so to direct and gouerne me this day and euer with thy good guyding spirite that all my thoughts words and déeds maye onely be occupyed in thy seruice fayth feare and loue and so assist strengthen me with thy grace O most mercifull and louing father for thy sonne Iesus Christ his sake that nether sinne death hell nor Sathan haue the dominion vpper hande of mée Indue my heart with the true vnderstanding of thy true and liuely word that I may be ready proane manfully to fight vnder the standerd of my glorious captain Iesus Christ agaynst the world the flesh that cruell Serpente the olde Leuiathan which hunteth continually like a roaring lion seeking the vtter destruction of my soule Make me constant in time of temptation y e whē or at what time my rebelling and sinfull fleshe shall intice me to luste after the pomps and vanities of this wicked worlde I may by a strong liuely and vnshakeable fayth thorowe the bitter tormentes that my sauiour Christe Iesus suffered for me and al that faythfully beleue and cal vpon him so mortifie and subdue the olde Adam that I maye bée dead and buryed from sinne and all iniquity the new man Christ Iesus may continually dwell and raign in mee by whose meanes I shall be garnished decked by the meanes of a fruitfull fayth with immortalitie heauenly blessednes vouchsafe O Lord I beséech thée according to the multitude of thy mercies to looke vpon mée and by thy celestiall prouidence so illuminate the eyes of my soule that I may continually watche for the glorious cōming of thy anoynted son Iesus Christ. Roote oute O Lorde in and from me the vilde and corrupt branches of rapine deceipte auarice luxurie concupiscence and all vngodlinesse let the motions of my minde altogether depende vppon thée prepare my tongue to publishe thy prayse let my lippes be locked vp from all scurillitic vncomely talke let myne eares loathe and abhorre to heare thy glorious and blessed name blasphemed thy trueth to be by any Sectarian ill spoken of and slaundered kéepe and
defend mée vnder the winges of thy coÌ„fortable protection from al errors sismes and detestable heresies make me with out fayning firmely constantly to builde vpon the truth wherein is perfectly set forth thy great mercie diuine iustice Let the zeale of thy promises in al distres be my chiefest ioy and consolation and giue me grace from aboue that as I make my boast of thy mercies and louing kindnes by vertue wherof I am by my Sauiour Christ Iesus quickned from deathe to life in his dearest death and precious bloudsheding regenerated borne a new not of water but of the spirit by fayth so Lorde I maye with thy aboundaunt loue showne to mée warde the whole posteritie of Adam I may bée afrayde wilfully or of a set purpose to transgresse thy commaundementes and so incurre therby thy displeasure that the effectes of thy iustice in the day of thy coÌ„ming to iudgement be pronounced against mee to the vtter destruction of bodie soule make me alwais willing good Lord to heare thy worde by the power wherof my faith is increased and therewithall plante in mée perfite loue and obedience and so directe my footsteppes in this vale of miserie that I may treade the pathe that leadeth to thée with whome my soule thirsteth to rest euen as vehementlye as the Hart longeth after the water brookes Graunt this O merciful God for the honor and glorye of thy names sake Amen ¶ A fruitfull Prayer to bee sayde at the gâ—yng to bedde of euery Christian. MOste mercyfull Father I moste wretched and vnworthye sinner prostrate my selfe before the Throane of thy heauenlye grace yeelding vnto thée moste humble and heartye thankes that hast of thy excéeding loue and fauor preserued mee this day from al perill and daunger humbly beséeching thy diuine maiestie this night to preserue me for the loue of thy onely sonne my sweetest Sauiour Iesus Christ my Mediatour aduocate who continuallye pleadeth and maketh intercession to thée for mée all the rest of thy chosen children presenting hys bloudy wounds and his glorious body al to be scourged in thy diuine presence who thereby doth mittigate thy wrathe indignation iustly conceiued agaynst me a miserable and wretched creature and all mankynde Make me Lord still to confesse myne vnworthynesse and weakenesse to be suche and so great that of my selfe I am not worthye to lift vp myne eyes to heauen much lesse to be called thy sonne such and so great is the burthen of my sinne and iniquitie so that by the meanes of my corruption filthinesse I acknowledge my selfe to be the child of death and destruction yet build I still on thy promises good Lord and in this greate daunger I come vnto thée with teares saying O father I haue sinned agaynst heauen and agaynst thée and am no more worthy to bée called thy sonne of my selfe I haue nothing but by thée I haue al things of my selfe I acknowledge I haue iustly deserued the heauy senteÌ„ce of thine yre but by grace of thee O mightie Emanuel I am regenerate and borne agayne from death to life from daunger to ioy from perill to peace from bondage to libertie so in fine from Hell damnation to blisse saluation Such is the effect of thy mercie so abundant is thy loue towardes me and all those that with contrite heartes presente themselues vnto thée Increase my fayth lord that it may abound in good and fruitfull workes so fortifie mée y t I neuer swerue from thy veritie giue mée thy grace from aboue O merciful Iesus that I may neuer shrinke from thy sacred testimonies And more ouer I with all humilitie and reuerence of heart and mynde beséeche thée thys night whiche thou hast ordayned for man to rest in thou wilt gard and protecte mée with thy good guidyng spirite and albeit my sinfull flesh shall sleepe slumber yet graunt good Lorde that my soule may continually kéepe watch and ward let not the enemie finde me slumbering and sléeping as careles in the cradle of sinfull Securitie leaste that whilest I am vnarmed that is naked destitute of thy grace and fauour he enter in and breake vp the house of my sinnefull bodye and make such hauocke spoile that my infected and leaporous soule deformed by meanes of myne iniquitie and wounded with the dangeruos Darts of transgression bée throwne with the body of sinne to the Lake of destruction wherein is continuall wayling and gnashing of téeth Make me stil O good Lorde to consider that the bed is a plaine patterne and similitude of the Graue which continually calleth for me and all other thy Creatures make me to vnderstand that when I am layd of my self without thy heauenly prouidence I can not bée able to ryse agayne make me to acknowledge that sléepe is the very figure of death to whose stroak at thy appoynted pleasure I must submit my selfe Indue me with loue charitie to all men let my Lampe O Lord be garnished with Oyle that whensoeuer or at what tyme soeuer thy messenger death shall drawnie and knock at the gates of my house I maye at hys sommons in the daye of the resurrection of the dead be ready to attend on thée and thy bride with my burning Lampe that is with a stedfast fayth when as by thée I shalbe clothed a newe for my mortall body shall then be couered with immortallitie the corruption of my sinful rebelling flesh shal be changed to incorruption and perfite puritye thy righteousnesse shalbe mine thy merites shal make me perfite holy by vertue wherof hell shal loose his victory death shall loose his sting my fayth and hope shal haue ende and rewarde I wyth thy Saintes continuallye dwell in loue and charitie with thée the Heauenlye Bridegrome Christ Iesus To whome with the father and the holy ghost be ascribed all lawd glory power prayse and dominion for euer Amen A Prayer for the remission of sinne and to obtayne a vertuous life FOr as muche as O Bountifull Lorde it is most méete right and iust that all fleshe shoulde prayse magnifie and worship thée and shoulde without ceasing giue thankes vnto thée who onely art the Creator and maker of all thinges as well visible as inuisible who onely art the Treasure of all goodnesse the Well of life onely God and Lord whom the Heauens and Heauens of Heauens the Sunne the Moone the Starres the earth the Sea with all that mooue therein yea the heauenly companie of martyrs the soules of the Prophets and Apostles Aungels Arckeaungels togither with the soules of al iust righteous persons do lawd glorifie It is moste requisite that ech mortal creature liuing in this worlde shoulde also acknowledge thy magnificence wherefore most mercifull Father I wyth my hart and mouth do acknowledge thée to be my king Lorde the giuer of all goodnesse I confesse thee to bee omnipotent reuerent merciful long suffering God of all consolation comforte mercie
ingrafte in me Unto myne eyes let there be giuen aboundance of weeping And let my handes be occupied With often almes gyuing O thou my king quench out of me all foule fleshly desire And with the loue of thee alone set thou my hart on fire O my Redeemer dryue away the spirite of pride from me And graunt to mee that great treasure of meeke humilitie Take from me O my Sauiour the furious rage of yre The shield of pacience giue to me the which I doe desyre O Creator roote out of mee all spitefulnesse of mynde And graunt in steede thereof agayne meekenâ—sse that I may fynde O Bountifull father giue me a fayth that shall indure With hope agreeing therevnto and charitie most sure O thou my guyde keepe from my lips all lying vanitie And from my minde driue farre away all vayne vnconstancie All wauering takâ— from my heart and from my mouth scoffing With all proud lookes glottony backbiting slandering Couetousnesse wipe cleane away with curiositie The fond desire of vayne glory with all hipocrisie Let me neuer the poore despise nor yet the weake oppresse And let me not blaspheme for then I dye remedilesse O thou which didst mee forme and make take all rashnesse from me And leaue me not such a minde as will not with peace agree Take from me ydlenesse and sloth with heauie lumpishnesse Take from me disobedience and also stubburnnesse O my God for thy deare Sonnes sake I humbly beseeche thee To graunt me the works of mercy aboundance of pitie That I may thee both loue feare and eke pitie the poore Make mee good men alwayes to loue and wicked to abhorre Make me so little to esteeme those thinges that worldly bee With harte and voyce that I maye craue in Heauen to be with thee amen ¶ Beeyng tempted by the ghostly ennemy as all that feare God are to doubt in any article of the Catholike Fayth to dispayre in Gods mercye to yeelde to melancholye fantasies to bee vexed with vnkindnes of friends or the malice of ennemies to bee troubled with sicknesse or any other wayes oppressed with griefe of body and mynde say deuoutly as followeth I Humblye accept moste mercifull Iesus this heauie temptation whiche nowe I suffer at the handes of thy diuine prouydence and would a greater if thou please to laye it on me for thy sake Who hath ordayned this from the beginning for the tender loue thou bearest to the health of my sinfull soule and I most hartily thanke thée for it I confesse I haue deserued worse for my sinne and vnkindenesse towardes thée and I am not worthie to receyue any comfort or consolation at thy handes therefore to the honor of the passion and death whiche thou wyllinglye sufferedst on the Crosse I offer my selfe to sustayne this or any other aduersitie with al my hart not séeking other ways ease or reliefe then in and by thee O Lorde and as thy good will and pleasure shal appoint yet this one thing I craue and beséech thée for the tender loue thou bearest to mée and all mankinde for in mée is no vertue or ought that is good to helpe and assist me with thy holy spirite as my trust is thou wilt who promiseth that no man shall be tempted more than he shalbe able to beare and giue me all what euer shalbe necessary to sustayne with patience this painfull Crosse temptation which thy deuine wisdome hath apointed for me to the inteÌ„t that I bearing y e same wyllingly with thée here in this worlde may conceiue assured hope to bée partaker of thy glorye in the worlde to come grant me my request moste mercifull Sauioure not for my merite or deseruing but onely for the merites of thy death and bitter passion I humblye beséeche thée Amen A Prayer for the obtayning of grace and mercy O Moste mercifull Lorde God whose Maiestie is incomprehensible and power infinite whose magnificence is exalted aboue the heauens vouchsafe I beséech thée from thy high Throne to beholde the worke of thy handes Haue pitie on the vnhappy desolate condition of thy creature I am a sinner conceiued in sin of my selfe I haue no good thing wherefore O Lord I cleaue to the Altare of thy mercy Thou art my Ankor my hope my refuge staye Therefore O Lorde haue mercy vpon me for no flesh can be iustified in thy sight Thou knowest the frayltie weakenes of men we are taught by the fall of Peter y t we can doe nothing wythout thée Graunt vs therfore good lord thy grace without which in this world we are lyke by the waues of temptations to be swallowed in the gulph whyrlepoole of sinnes to be drownd as the ship without Ankor Pylate in euerye Tempest to runne on the Rocke and perishe Guide vs therfore by thy grace good Lorde thorow the flouds of this carefull worlde that wee maye rest for euer in the pleasant Porte and happye hauen of euerlasting ioy with thyne elected thorough our blessed Sauiour Iesus Chryst. To whome wyth thée and the holye Ghoste bée all honour and glorye in all worldes Amen A Prayer for the Penitent O Lord I am a sinner my sins are heauy vpon me the burthen of them is intolerable refresh me with thy grace washe away mine offences I shall be whiter than the snow let the chéerfull beames of thy countenance shine vppon mée and giue light to the darknes of my life We can looke for nothing as deserued but punishment due to oure offences Wherfore good lord not according to thy iustice but in the multitude of thy mercies deale with thy seruant Remember not the sinnes of my forefathers think not on the misdemeanor of my youth passed haue pitie on thy creture which acording to the likenesse of thy selfe thou hast made shaped of earth How long wilt thou turne thy face away froÌ„ me forsake me not O my God but renewe in me thy holy spirit Pluck away from me all that withdraweth mée from thée Graft in my hart thy grace y t I may loue thée and feare thée and so finallye reioyce in thy goodnesse with thy elected and prayse thée in thy wondrous works for euer Graunt thys most mightie God for our Sauiour Iesus Christ his sake To whome with thée and the holye Ghost be all honour and glory for euer and euer Amen A Prayer for Fayth O Blessed sauiour Iesus sonne of the euerliuing God the vnspeakeable ioye of thy seruantes moste present coÌ„fort to sinners which camest into y e world to saue offenders whiche so louest the world that thou sparedst not thy most pecious blood to redéeme the losse of oure first father Adam to make vs Coheires of the forfaited inheritance with thy selfe that al which beléeue in thée might be saued good Lorde whiche hast promysed to them that knocke it shal be opened that they whiche seeke shall finde graunt I beséeche thée that I maye search thy holye lawes and finde
and intollerable are these bitter pange and piercing paynes that in this my trauaile of Childe-byrth I indure and abyde Now féele I as it were a cruell and sharpe conflicte betwixt death and lyfe now féele I O Lord the rod of thy correction according to thy iustice layde heauy vpon me for the vse and exercise of sinne and iniquitie yet when it shall please thée good Lord looke vpon mée wyth the eyes of Fatherlye compassion and pittie and according to the multitude of thy manifold mercyes bée thou now present with mée arme me with perfite pacience ioyfullye to beare thy correction and in the midst of these my sharpe and bitter bruntes of griefe giue me grace styll to call vppon thée strengthen me a poore wretched woman giue mée comforte and heauenly consolatioÌ„ from aboue when thou shalt thinke it meete conuenient send me safe deliuerance that I may enioy the fruite of my wombe the sight whereof shall adorne deck me anew wyth ioy and gladnesse Otherwise good Lord if in this season thou determine to take me hence vnto thy self by thy messenger Death to whose stroake all Creatures when thou thinkest it méete and expedient shall bowe make mée constant faithfull in thée whose I am whether I dye or liue forget my sins and offences committed by mée agaynst thee let the bloude of the Lambe Iesus washe awaye my deformitie let the spottes of my corruption bee purged and taken awaye let my infected soule that is putrified therein be purified therein Giue mée grace alwayes whether I liue or dye to call vpon thée continually giue me power to pitch ny confidence onely and alone in the bloudye woundes of Christ Iesus to whome in this my distresse I flye and appeale for remedie and comforte Graunt this O gracious God which liuest and raignest worlde without end Amen A Prayer to be sayde of euery woman after the tyme of deliueraunce HOw muche and how greatly am I bound to laud prayse and extol thée O my Lorde God euen nowe was I assayled in my body being a wretched and sinfull woman with sundry and diuers dolors and gréeuous grypes of perrillous paynes in such sort that my Agonyes abounding Death himselfe séemed to mée to knocke at the gates of my bodye thy rodde of Iustice lay so heauy vpoÌ„ me so that I iudged my self a creature more méete for the graue whose clamor I thought stil sounded in my eares then to reape the benefite of life By my paynes Lorde God in this my trauayle I am forced to confesse acknowledge that thou arte iuste in thy promises and art ready to punishe sinne and iniquitie by this my safe and sure deliueraunce I am bounde to acknowledge that wyth thy iustice thou alwayes frequentest pittie commixing thy mercye iustice together in such sort y t I must needes confesse thee to bée most righteous mercifull I cannot O my God but protest that thou hast dealte fauourablye with mee and those paines which I abode were layde vpon me for my sinne and wickednesse and yet haste thou not dealte seuerely with mee neyther giuen sentence agaynst mée in thy fury which haue iustlye deserued the same for hadst thou O Lorde respected my desertes I had porished euerlastingly and béen vtterly confounded my greuous grones throwne forth vnto thée pierced the verye Bowels of thy annoynted sonne Iesus Christ who beholding my agonyes and bitter payns became an intercessor to thée for mée thorow whose earnest intreaty and louing meditation thou coÌ„uertedst thy displeasure to mercie and for hys sake alone that dyed vppon the crosse for my offences thou hast asswaged my torments and in tâ—e fuâ—nesse of thy bâ—â—nty louing kindnesse thou hast giuen me a liuing soule to glad my hart for the which I am bound of right to giue thée harty and humble thankes humblye be séeching thée being now faint and féeble in body to strengthen me in soule mind and heart that my tongue maye be the Organ that may continually publish forth thy euerlasting prayse Graunt this O gracious God for the loue of thy onely begotten sonne Iesus Christ. To whome wyth thée and the holye Ghoste bee giuen all lawde power dominion for euer and euer Aâ—â—â— A godly prayer for the true worshipping of God EStablyshe oure hartes mindes O moste gracious God in the true worshipping of thy deuine Maiestye make vs to beléeue thy holye and sacred Gospell wherein wée are daylye and hourely instructed to loue feare honoure and obeye thée to hate sinne and iniquitie to renounce al superstitious ceremonies whereby thy worship is defaced thy glory prophaned and thine honoure greatlye dyminished Giue vs thy grace to hate sinne and iniquitie to renounce and forsake the vanities and wanton pleasure of this wicked and sinfull worlde arme vs we beséeche thée to mortifie and bryng vnder the rebellyous appetites and straunge lustes of the fleshe and finallye giue vs power from aboue to wythstande Sathan the prince of darcknesse and all his damnable ministers who by diuers temptations prouoke and alure vs from godly puritie and perfite integrity which passeth onely from Chryste Iesus to vs who is the fulnesse of oure perfection and holynesse to all kinde of euill impietie vncleannesse by meanes whereof thy worship is greatlye prophaned and of a set purpose contemned Make vs constant to skirmishe agaynst the worlde sinne death and hell and by the power of afruitfull faith giue vs grace to resist and brydle the concupiscence of oure fleshe in suche sorte that oure soules may triumph with victorye continue constant in worshipping thee from whome passeth the fulnesse of oure ioye prepare oure heartes and myndes good Lorde to spreade foorth the glory of thy name keepe oure tongues from al filthy talk and vncomely iesture least by the exercise of such sinne we contemne thy worship and prouoke thée to displeasure and indignation set thou a watche before the gates of my mouth that my lippes may by thy grace be always made open to sound forth thy prayse and euerlasting glorye be mercifull to our offences think thou not on our vnrighteousnes but vppon thy clemencye forgiue thou fréely and pardon graciously our sinnes make vs faythfull in Christe Iesus shorten the daungerous dayes of iniquitie increase the number of thy chosen peculier saintes hasten thy comming O sauior Christ that we with the fellowship of thy saintes heauenly Angels and the blessed company of Martirs may celebrate thy prayse and worship thée in thy glorious kingdome before thy father oure God and the holy Ghost to whom be prayse for euer Amen A Prayer agaynst the fellowship of the vngodly PRotect defend me O heauenlye and most mercifull father from the fellowship of the vngodly men whiche dayly imagine mischiefe in their heartes to harm the innocent kepe me from the counsayles of the foolish and vngodly whiche speake proud things against the glorye of thy blessed name defend me from faithlesse and deceiptfull ones
martyrs giue thée prayse glory and veneration the Sunne the Moone and glistering starres eche one of them in their course and quallitie shewe themselues obedient to thy will in earth y e beasts of the field and the siely fethered fowles of the Ayre in their order séeme to sette forth thy glorye and prayse in the déepe waters the fyshes of the Seas are readye to obserue thy will and in their manner they as thy creatures giue thee due honour and reuerence but amongest these man whome thou by thy diuine will and pleasure haste indued with reason and in his creation cōcerning the inward man hast fashioned hym to thy similitude and lykenesse is nowe moste prone and willing to be by thy ministers of darckenesse seduced and carryed awaye from vertue to vyce from godlinesse to all impietie from obedyence to wilfull breache and contempt of thy precepts so that diligence is banished by negligence and suche is the power of oure flesh that our eyes which should haue their chiefest cōtemplation and delight in perusing and reading thy glorious and sacred Gospell wherein wée maye beholde thee crucified and slayne O swéetest Sauiour Christe Iesus perfite God and perfite manne by whose innocent deathe and bloudy passion the attonement betwixte thy Father and vs are so daseled wyth the dimmy and darke mysts of Sathan that they are occupyed in the beholding of mundane and transitorye pleasures al which in effect vanish weare away euen as the Flower that eyther is parched by the force of Phebus radiant beames or by Winter stormes and horye frostes consumed oure eares whiche thou haste gyuen vnto vs to heare and vnderstande the sacred and deuine misteries contained in thy holy lawe are made deafe of purpose so that they glory more in fables lothsome leasinges then they conceiue delight in the zealous predication of thy Euangelicall and heauenlye doctrine our hartes are hardened like the Adamāt so y t for the greatest parte they cannot brooke thy testymonies they continually luste and desire to bee satisfied with worldly welth honor and dignitie and who beholdeth not in these dayes what cruel conflict and bloody fyght there is betwixte good conscience and filthy auarice the roote of all myschiefe and euill Naye who seeth not in this age playne dealing murthered by deceyte and faythlesse frawd Who nowe beholdeth not true meaning strangled by forged flatterye loathsome leasinges the bowels of cōpassion and pitty are shut vp by vyolent oppression tyranny our féete are willing to tread the pathes of pryde fornication and vncleannesse our hands are ready to offer wrong iniurie to the innocent yea and in fine whatsoeuer thou hast giuen vnto vs to spreade and set forth thy glory and honor is by sinne so corrupted that wee make the members of our bodyes which by grace and of pure loue are ingrafted in the body of Christ the riche and great shepheard of oure soules the verye members of Sathan so that of set purpose our transgression abounding wée flye from Chryst the rocke and strong piller of our saluation and run headlong to deathe and vtter destruction of body and soule yet like a louing God and mercifull Father thou callest vs home agayne by thy word wherin not onely thy mercies but also thy terrible threats are thundered forth agaynst vs for our impenitencye but when neyther thy manifolde mercies fréely of thy aboundant goodnes offred vnto vs in Iesus Christ can moue nor stir vs to handfast contrition neyther yet thy terrible comminations and threatnynges can exclayme nor call vs backe from the daungerous puddle of our sinnes then y u sendest foorth thy plagues and punishmentes as pestilence famyne and bloudye sworde intending thereby to driue vs to amendement of lyfe and to acknowledge thy omnipotency but when thou beholdest oure true repentaunt heartes oure sobs and sighing teares powred foorth before the Throane of thy deuyne Maiestye thou withdrawest from vs the terroure of thyne indignation and vengeaunce the Rodde of thy correction is layde aside thy displeasure iustly conceiued against vs for the continuall exercise of sinne is vtterly forgotten and by the intercession of thy sonne Iesus Chryste that sitteth on thy right hande in glorye permanēt and euerlasting lyke a louyng Father and moste mercyfull GOD thy Syluered Scepter of peace is offered vnto vs wyth al other thy gracyous benefites that thy anger is conuerted to clemencye thy displeasure is tourned to louing kindenes and in fine thy indignation is so calmed by thyne aboundant grace and mercye that lyke a louing and gentle father thyne armes are stretched foorth ioyfullye to imbrace and receiue vs to thy fauoure agayne all thys I knowe to be moste certaine and true for when or at what tyme soeuer wée shall appeare before the gates of thy mercye by the vertue and power of a constant and liuely fayth knock thereat thou art readie to open vnto vs not for any of oure desertes but for the merites of Iesus Christe the fulnesse of thy deuyne misseration compassion and pittye and whensoeuer we shal cal vpon thee with lowlynesse and méekenesse of our harts and myndes bewayling wofully our heynous offences committed against thée thine eares are most attentiue to heare and willyngly doest graunt vs our peticions wherefore O moste gracious and louing father we come vnto thée with sorrowfull and contrite harts beséeching thée for the loue of thine anointed sonne Iesus Christe our Messias sauioure and redeemer beséeching thée to beholde looke vppon vs wyth the eyes of compassion and pitie albeit wee haue worthely deserued this thy plague and punishmēt yet respect thou not our deseruings least in thy furie indignation we be confounded and perishe haue an eye rather to thy sonne Iesus Christ beholde his bloudy woundes which yet are freshe gréene and neuer stint bléeding thinke vpon the bitter and painfull tormentes that hee suffered for vs vppon the Crosse in whose name we beséech thée fauourably to looke vpō our infirmities mercifullye to heare our prayers and peticions offered vnto thée and graciouslye for the glorye of thy names sake to take and withdraw from vs this thy heauie rodde of correction whiche our sinfull liues and contempt of thy preceptes hath heaped heauily in oure necks giue vs pacience to suffer whatsoeuer it shall please thée to lay vppon vs giue vs grace alway to call and cry vpon thy holy blessed name and faythfullye with teares to say vnto thée continually Spare vs good Lord spare thy people whō thou hast redéemed with thy precious bloode neither yet good Lorde be thou angrye with vs for euer Grant this O mercifull father for the loue of thy onely sonne Iesus Christ to whome wyth thée and the holye Ghost bée all honor glorye and prayse ascribed for euer Amen A prayer to be sayd before the receyuing of the Lords supper OMnipotent God and father euerlasting whose mercy is infinite and whose kingdome hathe no ende vouchsafe I beséeche
death and destruction and being by the vertue of thy righteousnesse made holy I may triumph with happie victorie ouer sinne death and al the powers of hell and enter with thée the felowship of thy chosen Sayntes into euerlasting rest grant this most louing father for Christ Iesus sake to whom with thée and the holy ghost be rendred al laude glory honour and prayse for euer Amen THe Lorde God bee mercifull vnto me pardon forgiue me my sinnes looke vpon me with thy gratious and blessed countenaunce preserue mee from the second death and euerlasting destruction of body soule The Lord God iustifie me in his death bloode cloath mée with his euerlastinge righteousnes and register my name in the booke of life The Lorde God comfort my guiltie conscience with the euerlasting light of his bountiful fauor lot my place among his saints in his heauenly kingdome The Lord God for his mercies sake after this my bodily death giue me the fruition of his presence in his right palace of endlesse glory to whose mercifull protection I commend with al humilitie and reuerence my soule Lord Iesus preserue me Lord Iesus comfort me Lord Iesus refresh mée Lorde Iesus praye for me for only into thy hands that hast redéemed mee O Lorde God of truth I commend my soule Amen A prayer vnto the holy Ghost against the temptations of Satan the malicious and wicked spirite AH Lord the euerlasting and heauenly spirite which sanctifiest and quicknest the hartes of the faithfull For as much as there is an other spirit which cōtrary to thy heauenly mocions moueth and prouoketh vnto infidelitie malice lying pride wrath whoredome fornication glotonie dronkeship enuy couetousnesse contention errour deceyte hypocrisie straunge religion fayned holinesse impietie desperation c. which is called the Prince of the world the great dragon of Hell the authoritie of all euilles the father of lying and a murtherer from the beginning to whom it is euident that we are poore wretched and miserable fallen away frō God walke in th◠lustes of the flesh liue after the trade of the world and doe that that is pleasaunt to the corrupt affections and are far away estraunged from the citie of righteous Israel as straungers partaine nothing vnto the couenaunt and promises of grace Wherefore while we thus consider this our damnation and the word of thy promise and commandement we are earnestly mooued to flie vnto thée humblie to desire and beséech thée trusting that we shal obtayne For thou promisest and also commaundest to trust an looke for this that through the good will of thy spirite thou wilt gather receaue vs into thy people that we may bee made a spirituall Israell renew vs that is to say beget vs a new vnto repentance godly liuing turne vs with an earnest zeale of our heart drawe vs vnto thée that from henceforth we may abstaine from the workes of darkenesse death Destroye in vs the kingdome of sinne that is to say exclude frō vs not onely euill words déeds but also plucke out of our minds all euil thoughts noysome coūcels furious effectes and the stinking course of this flesh Turne vs from euil wayes vnto the right path of repentance Let our members be so addict to righteousnes and sanctification that they may bee made fitte to serue thée Let vs increase and be plenteous in al such works as bee pleasaunt vnto thée Forsake vs not in tentatiō but rather strēgthē vs with that thy secret vertue inward power Bring to passe that we giue no eare to his flattering deceits nor yet to his beautyfull glistering falaces least he corrupt our mindes and abuse our flesh vnto our destruction which at the beginning full craftely hee brought to passe by his subtyle and swéete suggestions but rather throwe downe and treade vnder our féete this our cruel enemie that we being frée frō his deceitfull tyranny may through thy ghostly inspiration obtayne such peace and quietnes in our harts that we may serue thée with a cleane bodie and pure mind through Iesu Christ vnto the laude prayse and glory of God the heauenly father So be it A prayer for true repentaunce and for the comming of the kyngdome of Christ. O Lord and our God Iesu Christ the scripture testifieth of thee that when thou wast in the worlde thou diddest preach repentance and the comming of the kingdome of heauen and after thou wast risen agayne thou saidest that it behoued thée so to suffer on the thirde daye to rise agayne from the deade and that both repentaunce and remission of sinnes shoulde be preached to euery creature in thy name And that whosoeuer beléeued were baptised shoulde bee saued Agayne than full louingly diddest bid them that labor and are laden to come vnto thée and promised that thou wouldest vnlade refreshe them Uerely it is no small company of wicked spirites cleueth which is also a roring Lyō and earnest accuser of the sons of God yea and such an enemy of God and of thē that pertain vnto him as by no means neither will nor may be reconciled Therefore we all of vs which thorow thy grace are bound and giuen ouer to serue God most humbly beséech thée O holy spirit that thou wilt defend vs against al the wicked temptations and pernicious breathings of the most wicked spirite that all vice excluded all vertue and godlinesse may spring growe increase in vs vntil we be made perfect auncient in Christ Iesu our Lord in his holy law Take away infidelity and engraffe in our brest a true and vnfayned faith Take away pride wrath enuye debate whoredome glotonye dronkeshippe couetousnesse errour hypocrisie with all kinde of vngodlines and print in our hearts humilitie loue chastity and concord purity of life temperance sobriety mercy liberality towarde the poore truth pure holynesse with all kinde of vertue Take awaye from vs all that euer is of Sathan the flesh and the world and giue vs that which onely commeth from the heauenly father and from his onely begotten sonne and from thée that holy spirit Teach vs all trueth enarme vs with the shield of true faith that we may so quench the firie dartes of Sathan Graunt that wee may so watch and shewe such diligence that wee may perceiue his craftie assaultes and daungerous vnto thee that wee liue not heare after in the fleshe but rather that wee abhorre from all filthinesse and impuritie thereof and that we being brought into the kingdome through thy precious bloud may obtayne dayly more more perfect remission of our sinnes So be it A prayer for the knowledge of Gods wyll O Lord God our heauenly father giue vs grace that wee may neuer cease diligently to cal vpon thée with most humble minds to desire thée that through thy great mercies we may be fulfilled with plenteous and rich knowledge of thy diuine will and that wée may encrease dayly more