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.
in vs hauing yet a longing desire Let vs then in hart faythfully say Oh Lord increase our faith and let vs bee occupyed in continuall contemplation of heauenly thinges and no doubt but dulnes will soone vanish and the spirit haue his effecte for it is not the tongue onely or lippes that maketh the sacrifice of prayer sweete and acceptable to God but an humbled minde a contrite and sorrowfull spirit declyning from sinne and inclyning to God wherefore it behooueth vs vnder the burden of our sins with Dauid to groane in heart saying wee haue sinned we haue doone amisse we haue dealt wickedly and in the name of that seconde Adam let vs pray for power to tread the fruites of the first Adam vnder our feete for of our selues we are weake we are of no force to remooue that is euill or to imbrace and follow that which is good but all what good is commeth from God to whom we ought at all times to bend our repentaunt heartes and pray him for his sweete and welbeloued sonne Iesus Christes sake to shew vs and guide vs by the working and direction of his holy spirite the right pathe vnto the kingdome of heauē that all things as wel ghostly as bodely may be ministred vnto vs. It were superfluous to make any great collection of proofes of the singuler effect of this most excellent practise of earnest faythfull prayer for praying in the name of Christ he shall obteyne whatsoeuer hee knoweth needefull for vs examples whereof are infinite wherefore omitting further discourse I haue sett before euery perticuler prayer certaine godly motions vnto the prayer following the rather to induce and stirre vppe the godly minded to the vse thereof hoping by his assistāce by whose these small fruites haue proceeded to performe the execution of my small Tallant to a further benefit of others heereafter It resteth now right worshipfull to pray your fauourable pardon for presuming to publish the same vnder your good acceptaunce not standing in deede long in suspence to whose handes firste to committe my trauaile But your woonted clemencye wisedome and zeale soone stirred my willing minde to present it vnto your selues dismaid at nothing but at the simplenes of the painetaker onely who beeing in all respectes poore presenteth this day a poore gift praying pardon for his boldnes and lawfull fauour at your handes for his rewarde And though many be the precious giftes that this day passe from one to another and they tende but as the smallest and simplest to the remembraunce of the newe yeere I most humbly beseech your worships willingly to accept this handfull of cold water flowing from the fountaine of the well of life which gift as it is not mine so I craue but contentation at your hands wylling enterteinment of the simple messenger the presentor heerof with him to giue thanks to the heauenly giuer In whom as all wisdome consisteth so I humbly pray hym to instill into our hearts that water of heauenly life his holy spirite to direct vs al to perfect perfection in heauēly things for his sons sake in whose name I hartely wyshe you as a whole happy new yeere many heereafter to his wil so new ioyes heere and in the end eternall ioyes of eternall blisse Westminster 22. December Your worships bound and obedient Seruaunt Iohn Norden Meditationes siue sententiae piae de huius vite fragilitate et de vita eterna secundum ordinem Alphabetarij in nomen Henrici Knyuet militis H HEC est voluntas Domini vt omnes qui videt filium eius credit in eum habeat vitam eternam Ioh 6. E Estote parati quia filius hominis veniet in hora qua non putatis Luk. 18. N Nolumus nos ignorari fratres de dormientib vt non contristemini sicut et ceteri qui spem non habent 1 Thes. 4. R Recordatus est dominus quia puluis sumus homo sicut foenum dies eius tanquam flos agri sic efflorebit Psal. 102. I In imagine pertransit homo sed et frustra conturbatur Thezaurizat et ignorat cui congregabit ea Psal. 38. C Cuncti dies nostri dilabuntur Annos nostros finimus dicto citius Psal. 89. V Vniuersa vanitas omnis homo viuens Psa. 83 S Statutum est ominbus hominibus semel mori post illud autem iuditium Heb. 7. K Kahos hulus mundi in principio formauit Deus et statuit iterum semel perire cum omnibus in eo continentibus Gen 1. N Nihil intulimus in mundum nec offerre quicquid possumus 1. Tim. 6. I Illi serui beati quos cum venerit dominus inuenirit vigilantes Luk. 18. V Vita nostra quid est vapor est ad modicum patens deinceps exterminabitur Iam. 4. E Eccemensurabiles posuit dies nostros dominus et substantia nostra tanquam nihilum ante illum Psal. 38. T Traditus est Christus propter dilicta nostra et resurrexit propter iustificationem nostram Rom. 4. Certaine godly precepts Alphabetically sett downe vppon the name of the right worshipfull the Lady Elizabeth Kniuit E Endure temptations patiently L Liue as thou mayst liue eternally I Imbracing trueth vnfeynedly Z Zealously and freely A Aske God mercy heartely B Beware of euill warely E Endure all crosses willingly T Trust in GOD faythfully H Heare his word attentiuely K Know him thy maker rightly N None helpes but hee effectually Y Yeelde him prayses dayly V Vse his gifts reuerently E Embrace them thankfully T Take all thinges of him ioyfully A godly motion to awaken the heartes of such as sleepe in securitye by the Lady Anne Kneuet A Arise Oh sinfull soule in haste lye not in slumber still N Now time beginnes to fly full fast to make his finall will N Now come the dayes of wofull sights or now the dayes of blisse E Eternall ioyes the lost shal see feele paines who doo amisse K Knock now or neuer at thy brest thou soule that liest secure N Neglect not time for tune doth paste tho time for aye endure E Eche 〈◊〉 that hopes to haue good hap that happy life hath led V V 〈…〉 shall hap the same when cleiesh corps are dead E Exchange thy choise of worldly weale for heauenly harbor heer T Too late to turne when Trumpet soundes final flames appeare The Printer to the godly Reader I Craue thy fauourable pardon Gentle Reader for sundry faultes past in the impression and thine owne willing amendment of them in reading as they are heerevnder corrected The cause of so many committed was that the Author could not haue the examination of the proofes therof But at the next impression more care and dilligence shalbe giuen by the grace of GOD whose grace I wish to direct thee Amen Leafe Page Line Fault Correction 4 2 25 thy busines my busines eodem eodem 26 my blessing thy blessing 9 1 18 to y e sanctetie the sanctetie 10
Philosopher beeing demaunded what was the hardest thing in the world aunswered for a man to know himselfe beeing then demanded what was the easiest thing he answered for a man to giue good counsaile vnto another Both which his resolutions to the sayde demaunds I may be thought rightly to verify by this mine enterprise beeing of so slender iudgment and young of experience taking vpon me to discribe vnto the learned and wyse a forme for their better instruction wherein many may condemne my selfe in neglecting the principles of the same But right worshipful notwithstanding my weaknes my good meaning is not heerein altogether to be condemned who of my selfe am nothing and can doo nothing Sed Deus bene facientes adiuuat God is euer ready to further the good attempts of euery man his hand is ready to guyde the pen of all that endeuour to glorifie his name by their dooings from whom if I should not acknowledge all godly desires to proceede and attribute the benefit of euery mans godly trauaile vnto his prouident care of our welfare I should not but thinke my selfe an enemy vnto his diuinity VVherby incurring his heauy displeasure my trauaile should turne to mine own trouble and my desired prayse vnto my deserued paines But for asmuch as Lex domini imaculata est conuertans animas testimonium eius fidele sapientiam prestaus paruulis The Law of the Lord beeing vndefiled conuerting the soule his testimony faithfull and gyuing wisedome euen to the babes and little ones mine hope is that his hand was the directour of my pen and his grace the gouernour of my heart in my proceeding and as my selfe haue had no small comfort and sweetenes in the exercise thereof already And so much as I perswade my selfe it can not be but likewise beneficiall to such as in â—eale shall vouchsafe to bestowe some time in the faythfull practise thereof Notwithstanding some will say there is prayer bookes inough in my iudgement not too many so that they bee consonant and agreeable to that forme of prayer which Christ himselfe sette downe and prescribed wherein is conteyned sixe petitions or requests vnto God whereof the three first are for the setting forth of the glory of God the three last pertayne onely to our owne commodities as for all thinges necessarye for our bodies for remission of sinnes and to bee preserued from temptations which concerne the soule in which sixe petitions is conteyned the some of all prayers whatsoeuer And as it hath beene lawfull for the zealous godly for their owne godly practise heeretofore to writ the same for the benefit of others allowed to bee published I presume acknowledging my trauaile altogether inferior to those to coÌ„mit this my practise to the Print not deemeing it of my selfe worthy but by the iudgment of others learned perswaded to consent therevnto the rather wylling for that my purpose in wryting and intent in publishing rightly wayed and the matter duely considered none or rather the lesse by reason of your good countenaunce wyll seeme to vomit out theyr conteÌ„ptuous termes of the worke or reproches of the poore paintaker as against the best booke and most zealous Author that euer wrote the enuious haue doone but for mine owne part I hold me rather woorthy rebuke then reward for wading so farre into that that belongeth vnto the zealous learned and men of most sounde iudgement to sette foorth and I beeing as it were ignoraunt should put before the eyes of such as haue bothe knowledge and wisedome a glasse or spectacle for their better light and furtheraunce when as in deede I should rather repayre vnto them as blinde for theyr ayde to direct my selfe But right worshipfull acknowledging my fault heerein vpon hope of your taking it in good part I presume to present this my simple trauaile vnto you taking it in hand with no lesse good meaning vnto the highnes my light guyde with no lesse good will to you then he who hath deserued farre better for his trauaile I haue intituled it A pensiue mans practise and I thinke not vnfitly who in my too much liberty in the seruice of the right worshipfull Lady Ann Knyuet your late disceased mother and my good Lady and Mistresse spending many dayes in idlenes and voyd of good but in fryuolous exercises among many inclyning to theyr owne pleasaunt deuises considering that S. Ierom sayth that Per publicaÌ„ viam non ambulemus we shoulde not walke after the moste And weying the sentence of Terence who sayth truely that Omnes deteriores sumus licentia All men are the worsse for too much liberty I withdrewe me from their so familiar society insomuch as I was thought of some sulleyne of some prowde of some foolish and none past with out his verdite of my solitarines wherevnto vpon these considerations I had drawne mine vntoward desires in so much as by sundry sodaine passions and greefes of heart for thinges passed and to come I was often perplexed the grace of God onely of his mercy more preuailing with me theÌ„ an infinite troope of carnall perswasions I betooke me to often sundry prayers vnto almighty God in all my perplixities and troubles with earnest de sire to the reading of that that most might stirre my dulled and vntoward minde to the desire therevnto whereby by little and little feeling a certaine inwarde sweetenes and comfort to grow in myne heart by the practise thereof the flesh being alwayes repugnant it began to be of such force to my comfort in my necessities as I thought it a fitte practise in allpensiuenes a practise in all perplexities most precious in all distresses most delectable yee in all thynges in all places at all tymes most requisite and comfortable which although some wyll condemne my circumstaunce mooued mee to gyue it the tytle of A pensiue mans practise which I speake not to myne owne glory I woulde that euery one in all extreamityes would vse the same I meane prayer he should finde comfort therein yea he shoulde finde as I know by experience pleasure in perplexitye for no thing mooueth sooner desire of inuocation vpon God theÌ„ bodely necessities for the pleasure of the body taketh away the good desire of the soule we ought to pray for the gyft of the spirite of God and then shall not our desires depart empty away a zealous and faythfull inwarde desire without motion of the tongue in our distresse sendeth vppe euen to the throne of God so sweete a sauour That euen the holy ghost in our greatest pensiuenes wylbe most ready to giue assistaunce to our good desires and wyll bring the same to most wished perfection But corruption aboundeth in all men all men are prone to doo euyll euen by nature and none there is that dooth good no not one The spyryte is often wylling but the flesh is alwayes weake we must therefore pray continually and when we are so dull as that the outward showe dooth argue insufficient feruency
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
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
are heauy loaden to come vnto thee I come I come sweete Lorde as one burdened with greefe receiue me and helpe me showe thy louing countenaunce extend the helpe of thine holy arme and I shall be safe mercifully heare me after thy wonted goodnes consider my distresse weigh mine afflictions looke vpon my troubles So shall my sorrowe be turned againe into ioye my pouerty shall bee releeued with sufficiency and all shall goe well with me for sweete Lord although when I consider mine estate wheÌ„ I viewe my present mysery and feele my want I be striken with greate sorrowe in minde and vexed with intollerable greefe yet when I consider the cause of my troubles with due consideration of thine intent therein Then can I not but comfortably resolue my selfe Then doth inwarde comfort asswage the extreamitye of my greefe and sorrowe remembring that thou hast sayde that whome thou louest thou punishest VVherfore I cannot but giue thee thanks sweet Lord for this thy fatherly correction in altering mine estate for better try all of my patience That by patience I may take hold of hope that so by hope of thy goodnes louing kindnes and fatherly promises which deceiuest no man that vnfeynedly dependeth vpon thee I may enioy a moste comfortable renuing of mine happie estate againe at thy good pleasure I cast all my burden vpon thee as thou willest all those that are heauy loaden to doo Refresh me most louing and mercifull God refresh me with the timely showers of thy fauour and loue That the ioy and gladnes of mine heart may growe vppe and choake the weedes of sorrow and anguish of mind Oh my surpassing comforter leaue me not distitute of thy defence and patronage vouchsafe euermore to be present with me in all my troubles that I faint not but may rather reioyce in tribulation knowing that a crowne of life is layde vppe in store for as many as beare thy yoke with patience Assist me therefore good Lord in all these vexations and temptations of mine that I may patiently looke for thy good deliueraunce which although it come not as I wish yet that staying thy leasure in thy good time I may bee satisfied of my godly desire which thou hast promised neuer to defraude vs off nor suffer vs to depart empty away There was neuer any confounded that trusted in thee nor any forsaken that called on thine holye name Thou raisest the simple out of the myre and dust Thou puttest downe the mighty from theyr high seate and exaltest such as are meeke and of a lowly minde Lord I cleaue vnto thee I trust in thee I depend onely on thee beeing poore thou rich I weake thou strong I blind thou giuing sight mine ayde is of thee my comfort in thee and all my ioye commeth from thee Graunt therefore sweete Lorde that I thinke not the continuaunce of this my hard estate to be long or burdensome vnto me but may willingly accept the same as most sweete light and wholsome for me and of a short time alwaies referring it to thy good pleasure whether thou wilt rayse me vppe or keepe me lowe Thou knowest what is most necessarie and expedient for me And therefore doo with me what thou wilt sende mee helpe when thou wilt and as thou wilt Loe heere I lye at the gate of thy goodnes and mercy still looking for thy stretched out arme to remooue that which not of mallice but of loue thou hast layde vpon me Good Lord for thy mercies sake giue mee not ouer leaue me not altogether helples take not thy fauour vtterly from me But as thou hast fatherly corrected me so vouchsafe louingly to embrace me againe sweete God for thy sonne Iesus Christes sake Amen Oh Lord increase our fayth A short praier to the like effect often to bee sayde WHen thou wilt Oh Lorde remooue this heauy burden from me renue my comfort and driue away the cares of mine heart by the hand of thy louing kindnes whom by my sinne I haue offended come againe vnto me Oh Lorde in loue and shewe me thy louing countenaunce take away these miseries which I haue deserued and as in loue thou punishest to the ende I shoulde conuert froÌ„ sinne So Lord I beeing sory for my sinnes hartelie pray thee to giue me grace and comfort againe through the same thy loue for Iesus Christes sake Amen Oh Lord increase my fayth A prayer to be defended from enimies If thou take God to be thy stay Thy foes shall not thy soule dismay IF it be possible as much as in thee lyeth haue peace with all men Rom. 12. And offende none but if it fall out that the worlde hate thee take it not greeuously Ioh. 15. if thou haue not deserued it but if thou haue deserued it be sorry and seeke vnity concorde quickly least sodainly thine aduersaries entrap thee in thy wayes and soâ—â— scredite thee The most iuste men haue beene wrongfully accused haue guiltles beene condeÌ„ned in many sundry thinges as Christ himselfe the patterne of all integritie the sauior of the worlde was accused of drunkennes of working by the power of deuils such like yet prayd he for his enemies so likewise pray for thine enemies do for theÌ„ what lyeth in thee as to seede theÌ„ when they bee hungry Ro. 12. giuing theÌ„ drinke when they bee thirsty clothing them harboring them Blesse them that cursse you Mat. 5. doo good to theÌ„ that hate you pray for them that hurt you so shal you haue recompence at the handes of God And in any wise seeke not to reuenge for it is the office of God Serue him he wil blesse thee will laye his â—nrsse vpon thine enemies Pro. 30. will saue thee out of theyr handes Saule could not hurt Dauid in respecte that Dauid put his trust in God although hee were his mortall enemye 1 Sam. 18. Reioyce not at thine enemyes fall nether be thou glad when hee decayeth Pro. 24. but praye for his amendment And GOD as hee hath promised will bee thy rocke thy deliuery thy shield horne of thy saluation and thy refuge from cruell enemies 2. Sam. 22. for in fearing him thine enemies shall feare thee Fyue shall chace an hundred and an hundred shall putt tenne thousande to flight Le. 26 for the Lorde hath respecte to them that loue him and keepe his couenaunt he wyll aryse and scatter theyr enemies yea as the smoak vani sheth so shall hee driue theÌ„ away Psal. 48 as waxe melteth at the fire so will he make thyne enemies to perish at his presence trust in him faithfully feare not thy foes KEEpe me Oh God from the hands of such as goe about to doo mee hurte and vndeseruedly to take away my life for manye there be that hate me seking my shame my distruction and ouerthrow in so much as without thine assistance thy protection and ayde I shall not escape theyr hands I shall not auoyde their
hold of thy miracles wonders which thou so apparantly diddest worke to declare and manifest thy selfe to be our redeemer and aduocate and to confirme the same in our heartes by faith as thou diddest in the heartes of thy Disciples who notwithstanding there beeing present with thee continued yet neuerthelesse in darknes and misbeleefe without the working of thine holy spirite in them whereby they confessed thee to be very Christe son of the liuing God and onely sauiour of the world Among all which thy great benefits Oh good Iesus we yeelde thee all possible thankes for that it hath pleased thee to leaue vnto vs after thy departure vnto the right hande of thy father the Lanterne of light the Gospell of comfort the word of trueth the foode whereon our soules may continually feede at full without the which wee had beene left vnto our former darknes walking in error in our wonted ignoraunce And for that thou knowest vs from the beginning to be carryed into blindnes and error wrongfully interpreting the parrables darke sentences of thy gospel through the same thy loue hast left vs a continuall coÌ„forter euen thine holy Ghoste proceeding froÌ„ thy father thee who in the likenes of a Doue discended froÌ„ heauen vpon thee showing himselfe vpon the Apostls in fiery tongues Oh holy ghost our coÌ„forter we yeeld thee most huÌ„ble thanks that through the gift of thy grace we haue our harts prepared our vnderstaÌ„ding lightned mouthes opened to conceiue rightly thy word to declare abroad the wonderfull thinges of thy lawe and to manifest the secrete misteries of the kingdome of God Thou â—rt the true light and the light of trueth without the which it is impossible to please God the father nor haue accesse to God the Sonne who together with thee Oh holy ghost are but one God in esseÌ„ce though three in person Make our heartes pure make vs cleane sanctifye vs and seale vs among the number of the electe and chosen that when wee shall approche vnto the seate of iudgment we may receiue through the merittes of Iesus Christ not onely the stipende of seruants but the rewarde of obedient children euen the inheritaunce of the kingdome of heauen There to rest with thee Oh Father our maker with thee sweete Iesus our Sauiour and with thee Oh holy ghoste our comforter and sanctifier for euer and euer To whome bee all prayse and eternall glory world without ende Amen Oh Lord increase our fayth A praier to be saide before the receiuing of the Communion THere is sayde sufficient in a certaine exhortation set downe in the booke of coÌ„mon prayer to stirre vppe the minds of all well disposed persons willingly and zealously to come to this holy table wher vnto before we come wee ought to addresse and prepare our hearts to put of all rancor mallice wickednes and all kinde of vice with the fruites of the olde man which is disobedience and sinne and to put on the newe man which is righteousnes comming therevnto in a pure cleane hart abounding with loue peace fayth charity that wee may receiue it to our comfort Reade the 11. chap. of the firste Cor. from the 20. verse vnto the 29. and there shall you finde not onely the manner of the institution and celebration thereof but also howe to receiue it with heauenly profit the daunger in the vnreuerent and vnfaythfull receyuing of the same to the cosort of the Godly shame of the wicked SVVeete Iesus sonne of the euerliuing and omnipotent GOD vouchsafe I humblye pray and beseeche thee euen for thy death sake to instill into mine hart the gift of thy grace whereby approching vnto the sweete banquet of thine holy body blood which thou vouchfafest to giue for the redemption of vs miserable sinners I may by faith eate and drinke the same and be made a fitte and faithfull member of thy misticall body laying aside the darknes of olde Adam embracing the light of thine obedience loue and patience that that most preacious bodye of thine bee not giuen not thy blood shed for me in vaine but may direct the whole course of the residue of my life by thine holy spirite according to thine heauenly wil in all thinges that after this life ended I may appeare before the tribunall seate of his high and heauenly maiestie as a faythfull member of thine and enioy that heauenly enhearitaunce which thou our head and guide hast purchased for all true beleeuers in thee Amen Oh Lord increase my fayth At the receiuing of the breade say thus Vouchsafe oh sweet Iesus that as thou hast giuen thy flesh to be the breade of our eternall saluation So vouchsafe to worke in me by a liuely faith that I receiuing the same may be and euermore continue one in thee and thou in me Amen Oh Lord increase my fayth At the receiuing of the cuppe say thus Oh lorde vouchsafe that as thy blood was shed for me a sinner So graunt that it may through a liuely faith wash me from the filth of sinne and renue in mee the fruites of righteousnes that I may become a fitte member of thee liue and dye in thee for euermore Amen Oh Lord increase my fayth A prayer after the receiuing of the Communion VSe not the manner of many who in the day wherein they repayre vnto the holy table of the Lorde doo not onely lightlye esteeme the weightines of the matter but lewdly gyue themselues to wanton companyes gadding heere there to banquets tauerns loosly aboue other dayes giue theÌ„ selues to wanton behauiour but remember thy promise that thou hast made to god to become a new man to 〈…〉 all wantonnes and cleaue vnto godlines of life Be not like the dog that 〈…〉 â—o his vomit or the â—â—w to her wanted wallowing in the dyrt of sinne 〈…〉 â—e holy as your heaueÌ„ly 〈…〉 er is holy Seeke the 〈…〉 me of God and the 〈…〉 thereof and all thinges shall bee gyuen â—â—u and as the true members of Christ in the ende râ—igne with him in eternal glory OH omnipotent most mercifull father I thy silly creature praise thee not able to yeeld thee thanks sufficiently for thine vnspeakable fauour and louing kindnes in feeding mee at this time with the spiritual foode of the body blood of thy sonne our sauior Iesus Christe whom thou vouchsafest to send for our redemptioÌ„ into this miserable world and to giue him euen to the death in remembraunce whereof vntyll his second comming hee hath willed vs to eate his bodye and to drinke hys blood to thende by sayth we should be vnited and knitte vnto his body and beeing washed from all our sinnes to leade a new life vouchsafe I humbly beseeche thee for his sake to endue mee with thine holy spirit wherby heerafter casting aside the workes of darknes I may from hencefoorth walke in the light of thy Gospell in the number of thy chosen wayting faithfully when he shall come
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
the clowdes with most sweete wordes of comfort but such as haue seene thee euen the poore and little ones to bee sicke and comfortles and haue denyed them helpe releefe and ayde or hungrye and haue with-helde foode Thirstye and haue not giuen drinke naked and haue not clothed them Such sweete Lorde shall suffer hunger colde nakednes and thirst with vnspeakable greefe of conscience which shall neuer haue ende Oh that it woulde please thee therefore Oh mercifull God of thy greate goodnes fauour and louing kindnes to consider of these latter dayes and perrilous times wherein we liue wherein eniquitie hath gotten the vpper hand charity waxing cold and loue banisht from amongst brethren and thy selfe sweete Lorde euen thy poore and little ones the Orphanes and Widowes not onely not releeued not comforted not defended but troden vnder feete neglected and forgotten euen of such as haue aboundaunce Vouchsafe vouchsafe good Lorde according to thy promise to shorten these dayes least also thine elect be seduced with vanitie and forsake thee theyr onely comfort It is come to passe which thou hast sayde That as towardes the Summer trees and plantes of the earth doo budde so before thy comming to make vs so much the more prepared thou hast promised to sende vs foreknowledge by sundry signes and tokens bothe in the earth belowe which hath by thy passing as it were by vs quaked already at thy presence as also by the Sunne and moone other thy creatures apparantly showing thy rodde of vengeaunce to be ouer our heades ready to strike Oh Lorde wee cannot but looke for vtter distruction according to the weight and aboundance of our sins and iniquities vnles it may please thee to show thy mercy for Iesus sake in coÌ„uerting vs we haue sinned we haue gonne astray we haue wrought wickednes in yeelding to the will of the flesh but most sweete Lorde let thy light so shine into our hearts that we may now beginne to seeke onely thy kingdome leaue the darknes of sinne growe to all goodnes and be mortefied as touching the olde man which is corruption dye to the world And remooue sathan that with godly desires we may attayne vnto the perfecte feeling of thy grace that hauing obteined the pure vnderstanding of thy word we may guide our liues by the rule therof that after the finishing of this our pilgrimage we may thorow the merites of thy sonne Iesus Christ enter into thy kingdome of eternall glory there for euer and euer to raigne enioying the sight of thee and to thy name with the rest of thy saintss sing laude and prayse eternally Oh Lord increase our fayth and giue vs grace vnfeynedly to repent vs of our sinnes Amen A praier necessarie to bee sayd after and at the end of all our prayers VOuchsafe Oh Lord and mercifull Father in whose handes resteth the harts of all men who knowest what wee want before we pray what wee will aske before we speake what wee doo in al thinges Vouchsafe to forgiue mine ignorance dulnes and slacke comming vnto thee the fountaine of all health and helpe encrease my faith dayly more and more and kindle in me the perfecte gift of prayer that I may at all times serue thee in trueth and whatsoeuer I haue asked according vnto thy wyll at this time giue me and what I haue omitted vnrequested for my selfe or any for whom thou wouldest we should pray for for thy sonne Iesus Christes sake gratiously graunt for which and for al thinges els necessary for mee and theÌ„ for body or soule I pray thee as thy sonne taught vs saying OVr father which art in heauen hallowed bee thy name Thy kingdome come Thy will be doone in earth as it is in heauen Giue vs this day our daily breade And forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse agaynst vs. And leade vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from all euill Amen Oh Lord increase our fayth and continue the same effectually in me all men vnto the end Amen Great plagues remaine for the vngodly but who so putteth his trust in the Lorde mercy imbraceth him on euery syde Psal. 32. PAule before he would presume to eate gaue thanks Act. 27 35 Christ likewise before hee gaue the bread and Fyshes to them that were wyth hym in the wyldernes yea although he were Lord of all looking vppe to heauen from whence commeth all goodnes blessed it and gaue thankes and brake it vnto them Mat 14. the store beeing small replenished many thousandes and left many Baskets full wherefore take the blessings of God with thankes A prayer before meate OH bountifull GOD vouchsafe to looke downe with thy fauourable eyes of pittie vpon our weaknes and want and giue vs at this time those things which may be to our coÌ„fort sanctifie these thy gifts that our bodyes beeing replenished we may be thankfull and enioy at thy mercifull handes the bread of eternall life to the releefe of our poore soules through Iesus Christ our onely Sauiour Amen God saue and still increase thy flocke Keepe vs within thy folde Vouchsafe to heare when wee doo knocke Oh Lord our strongest holde Preserue our Queene be thou her stay This Realme of thine defend Indue vs with thy grace for aye On thee we all depend Oh Lord increase our fayth WHen God hath fedde your poore bodyes bee not therewith pust vppe with forgetfulnes what he requireth at our handes for his blessings but in a reuerent and deuout manner giue thankes that he may continue his louing kindnes to your comfort vnto the ende A thankes giuing after meate WE thanke thee most bountifull Lord for this thy fatherly feeding our hungry bodies so vouchsafe to feede our silly soules with the breade of eternall life That after this life ended we may ascend where Christ is gonne before Amen Sith God hath fedde our bodyes poore VVhich els would soone decay Remember such as lye at doore Say not their cryings nay God saue his Church our Queene defende this Realme preserue for aye And graunt vs all a godly ende And ioyfull rysing day Oh Lord increase our fayth FINIS A Table to finde out the principall Prayers conteined in this booke A Prayer to Christ. Folio 1. A prayer for the assistaunce of Gods holy spirite fol. eodem A short prayer to the like purpose fo 3 A morning prayer for the working day fol. eodem A short prayer to the like purpose fol. 5 A prayer for the Queene eodem A prayer for the Sunday morning fol. 7 A short prayer to the like purpose fol 9. A confession of sinnes eodem A short prayer to the like purpose fol. 11 A prayer for the euening fol. 12 A short prayer to the like purpose fol. 14. A prayer for the increase of fayth eodem A short prayer to the like purpose fol 17. A prayer against the deuill the world and the fleshe very necessary to be often sayd eodem A short prayer to the same effecte fol. 20. A prayer for the helpe and assistaunce of God in all our dooings and that we doo nothing but in hys feare and due obedience eodem A short prayer to the like purpose folio 23. The sorrowfull sinner afflicted in conscience by reason of his sins may say thus eodem A short prayer to the like purpose fol. 26. A prayer for a competent necessary liuing fo eod A prayer necessary after the hearing of the worde of God folio 29 A short prayer to the like purpose folio 31 A thankes giuing to God for his benefits eodem A deuout prayer or meditation that we may alwais haue consideration that we must dye which as it is good at all times so especially in the time of any common plague or sicknes a godly meditation folio 33. A short prayer to the like purpose fol. 37 A prayer vpon the Lettany or prayer for all men at all times necessary eodem A prayer for the fulfilling of the tenne commaundements fol. 40 A short prayer to the like purpose foli 44. A prayer for the true ordering of worldly titches very necessary for such as God hath endued with the wealth of this world eodem A short prayer to the like purpose foli 47 A prayer to be sayd of a woman with child fol. 48 A short and most necessary prayer alwayes to bee sayd of one with childe folio 49 A thankes giuing to God after the deliuery fol. eod A prayer for wisedome folio 51. A short prayer to the like purpose foli 53 A prayer in misery and trouble fol 54 A short prayer to the like effecte often to be sayde folio 57. A payer to be defended from enemies eodem A short prayer to the like purpose folio 60 A prayer when a man taketh a iourney folio 61. A thankes giuing after returne folio 62 A thankes giuing to God the father God the sonne and God the holy ghoste woorthy to bee often sayde folio 63 A prayer to bee sayde before the receiuing of the Communion fol. 67 A prayer after the receiuing of the communion fol. 68. A deuout meditation or confession of our sinnes with humble request vnto almighty God c. folio 69 A prayer necessary to be sayde after and at the ende of all our prayers fol. 74. A prayer before meate folio 75 A thankes giuing after meate fol. 76 FJNIS ·GOD· ·IS· ·MY· HELPER a 〈…〉 te the rest 〈…〉 Child be de 〈…〉 ying the 〈…〉 prayâ—r and 〈…〉 at the â—ude 〈…〉 prayer
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