our hope be fully sixed vpon him In whome it hath pleased him that the fulnesse of his grace shuld dwel that from thence wee might all drawe as out of a most plenâ—ifull fountaine the waters of eternall lyfe This secrete and greate mysterie is reuealed to such onely whose eies the Lorde hath opened to see light in his light Therefore since we are taught by faith that whatsoeuer wee haue need of and is wanting in vs the same is laid vp with God for vs in Christ it remaineth that wee seeke it in him and with prayer craue it of him The Apostle therefore to shewe that true faith cannot be separate from the inuocation of Gods holie name hath set this order that as faith commeth by the gospell so by the same faith our heartes are stirred vp to call vpon the name of God and therefore he saith that the spirite of adoption which sealeth in our hearts the witnesse of the Gospell raiseth vp our spirites that they dare with boldnesse shew foorth their desires it stirreth vpon vs vnspeakable gronings and causeth vs to crie with confidence Abba Father By the benefit of prayer therfore we attaine to those riches which God hath laid vpon store for vs for thereby we haue familiar accesse to God and boldlie entring into the sanctuarie of heauen we put him in mind of his promises so that now by experience we feele and finde that to bee true indeed which by the word we did before but onely beleeue now we inioy those treasures by praier which by faith wee did before but onelie beholde in the Gospell of our Lord Iesus Now howe necessarie and profitable this exercise of praier is appeareth in that the Lord himselfe witnesseth our whole saluation to consist in the calling vpon his name wherby he is whollie present with vs namelie by his prouidence fatherly care by the which hee watcheth ouer vs by his power by the which hee sustaineth and succoureth our weaknesse being euery moment readie to perish and by his goodnes mercie by the which he receiueth vs into fauour being miserably loaden pressed downe with sin And hereby groweth singular rest and quiernesse to our conscience For when we haue disclosed to him our necessitie herein wee finde most ioyful and perfect quietnesse that none of our euils are hidden from him whom we are perswaded to bee-both most willing and also most able to help vs. Now that our praiers may be made in such wise as it ought to be first we must see that we be in heart and mind no otherwise prepared then be commeth those that enter into talke with God as we are taught Eccl 28 Before thou pray prepare thy self and be not as one that tempreth God We must consider therfore when we pray in whose presence we stande to whome wee speake and what we desire We stand in the presence of the almightie Creator of heauen and earth all things therin contained to whose eternall Maiestie innumerable thousands of Angels do assist serue and obey we speake vnto him who knoweth the secrets of our harts before whom nothing is more odious thé hypocrisie and dissimulation we ask those things which be most to his glory and the comfort of our consciences We must therefore diligentlie endeuour our selues to remoue all such things as may offende his diuine Majestie And first that wee be free from all worldlie cares and fleshlie cogitations wherby our minds are caried hither thither and being drawne out of heauen and from the pure beholding of God are pressed downe to the earth And heere let vs call to mind howe vnreuerently we abuse the great goodnes of god calling vs into familiar talke with him wheÌ„h we haue not that reuerent fear of his sacred Maiestie that we would haue of an earthly creature or a worldlie prince but suffering our hearts to be carried away with wandering thoughts and worldly imaginations are otherwise occupied and forsake him in the mids of our prayer As God is a spirite so will he be worshipped in spirite and truth that is in the inward affections of the heart and with a true faithful vnfained kind of worship And therefore as at all other times hee requireth the heart so specially in the time of prayer when we shew our selues in his presence enter into communication with him and therupon when he promiseth to heare all those that call vpon him he maketh a restraint saith that call vpon him in truth Seeing therfore that the chiefe dutie of praier consisteth in the heart we must with our whole hart pour out our prayers vnto God the searcher of hearts and with a syncere vnfained ardent affection opening of our heart before god call vpon him or els we shal not find him Let vs knowe therefore that none prepare themselues rightlie to prayer but such as haue a reuerende feare of Gods Maiestie which they cannot haue that come not to iâ— vnburthened of earthlie cares and affections And this is it that is meant in the Scriptures by the lifting vp of handes that we should remember our selues to bee farre off from God vnlesse we lift vp our harts and minds also on high And therefore it is said in the Psalme To thee haue I lifted vp my soule 〈◊〉 Scripture vseth also this maner of speeche To lift vp prayer that they which desâ—â—e to be heard of God should not haue their mindes carried away with earthly cogitations and vanitie And though it bee hard to bee so bent to praier but that we shal find that manie by-thoughtes will creep vpon vs to hinder our praier yet the more harde it is the more earnestlie wee must wrastle to ouercome al lets and hindrances labour withinward groaninges vnto the Lorde that he will linke our hearts fast vnto him and not suffer vs to bee ledde awaie from him by the vaine suggestions of Sathan who at all times compassing vs about is neuer more busie then when we addresse our selues to prayer secretelie and subtillie creeping into our breasts calling vs back from God so that oftentimes when we with all reuereÌ„ce shuld speake to God we finde our hearts talking with the vanities of the worlde or with the foolish imaginations of our owne hearts Finally we must be in christian charity loue and concord with al men seeking vnfained heartie and brotherlie reconciliation if we haue offended any man before we enter into prayer or els God wil not heare our praiers yea they are otherwise execrable and ful of damnable hypocrisie in Gods sight And this that is spoken of praier may bee saide also of hearing of Gods word or anie other seruice of God We must therefore laie aside all malice enuie wrath grudge contention wrangling dissimulation all guilefull craftie and subtle dealing and with a single heart doe to other as wee would they shoulde doe to vs Peter willeth that such as haue once tasted how good and bounteous
afterward to Christ and saide If thou canst Lord help and yet afterwarde hee acknowledged the weakenesse of his faithe and desired to be made strong I beleeue Lord saith hee help my vnleefe How often doe the children of God complaine of this imbecillitie and weaknes of faith Such as are exercised in true praier doe feele that in crauing of God the forgiuenesse of their sinnes they bring scarslie the tenth part of that sacrifice which Dauid speaketh of where hee saith An acceptable sacrifice to God is a troubled spirite a broken and an humble heart O God thou vvilt not despise Manie times they are driuen to wrastle with their owne dulnesse and coldnesse in prayer Manie times their mindes slippe aside and wander away in vanitie Manie times they feele not their owne lacke and miserie to pricke them sharplie enough to prayer yea and many times they are so beaten down with the sense and feeling of their owne sinne and miserie as though they were forsaken of God and their faith vtterlie extinguished In what horrour and anguish of heart was Dauid when he said vnto the Lorde VVhy loest thou reiect my soule VVhy hidest thou thy â—ace from me And againe Cease from me vntill I goe avvaie and be not VVhereby it might seem that he like a desperate man desireth nothing els but that the hand of God ceasing he might rot in his euils but it is not so For he saith it not for that he would haue God to depart from him as the reprobate doe but onely hee complaineth that the wrath of GOD was too heauie for him to beare A hard temptation is it when the faithfull are compelled to crie Hovv long â—vilt thoâ— be angrie against the praiers of thy seruants As though their verie praiers made God more angrie So wheÌ„ Ieremie saith The Lord hath shut out my praier no doubt hee was shaken with a vehement pang of temptation These are the imperfections of Gods children which euen in beleeuing and hoping doe oftentimes vtter some vnfaithfulnesse and in the verie remedies fall into new diseases for there is no prayer they make which the Lord would not woorthily loath and abhorre if he should not winke at their spottes imperfections And such example are common in the Scriptures Whereby wâ— see that the Lord oftentimes suffereth his to be grieuouslie tempted and afflicted and â—ideth from them the comfort of his spirite aâ— though they were cleane forsaken but to their great consolation in the end This is the schoole wherin the wisedome of God nurtureth and trieth her children 〈◊〉 we may see Ecclesi 4. First she vvill vvalâ— vvith them saith he by crooked vvaies and bring them vnto feare and dreade and torment theâ— vvith their discipline vntill she haue tried their soules and haue prooued them by her iudgmentes then vvil she returne the straight vvaie uniâ— them and comfort them and shevv them her secretes and heap vpon them the treasures of knowledge and vnderstanding of righteousnes Thuâ— vvee see the state of Gods children thâ—â— when the Lord hath shewed them what theâ— are of themselues by the fight and horror of their sinnes and terrour of Gods iudgement for the same then vvill hee shevv them what they are in Christ as Esay saith For a time a little vvhile I haue forsaken thâ—â— but I vvil gather thee together in vvonderful mercies In a short time of vvrath I hidde 〈◊〉 face a vvhile from thee but I vvill haue mercy â—n thee for euer saith the Lorde thy redeemer Such is the louing kindnesse and mercie of God towards the afflicted when they are sorie for their sinnes lamenting and mourning in their harts to be deliuered from the same that they might serue God in the freedome of conscience This is that mourning this is that hunger and thirst that Christ speaketh of Blessed are they that mourne for they shal bee comforted blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousnesse for they shal be satisfied God for his trueth sake will put the righteousnesse of christ on them and wash their vnrighteousnesse away in his bloud The bruised Reede vvill hee not breake and the smoking Flaxe vvil he not quench The afflicted the heauie and broken hearted the vveake and feeble vvill hee not forsake Yea be they neuer so feeble and so fraile yet so long as this lust desire and mourning to bee deliuered from their sinne and miserie remaineth in them God seeth not their sinnes reckneth them not nor laieth them not to their charge for his trueths sake and loue to Christ hee is not a sinnes in the sight of God that would be no sinner Hee that woulde bee deliuered hath his heart loosed alreadie his heart sinneth not but mourneth repenteth and consenteth to the lawe and wil of God and iustifieth God this is he beareth record that God which made the law is righteous and iust and such an heart trusting in Christs bloud in Christs righteousnesse is accepted for righteous and his weaknes infirmitie and frailtie is pardoned and his sinnes not looked vppon vntil god put more streÌ„gth in him the increase whereof he shall dailie feel in such sort that at length he shall in all troubles bee able to say with Dauid If I should goe through the shadovv and daungers of Death I vvil not feare vvhatsoeuer happen Nowe to stirre vp our heartes in consideration of our great miserie and necessitie to a more feruent praier the Lord himself hath commaunded vs to call vpon him for help â—and succour Therefore let vs haue the commaundements of God alwayes in our sight touching prayer and whiles wee pray let 〈◊〉 call them to our remembrance Aske seeke knock vvatch and praie Call vppon me saieth god in the daie of thy trouble Praie alvvay vvitâ— all maner of praier and supplication and vvateâ— therunto vvith all diligence Reioice alvvaâ—â— praie continuaellie in all things bee thankefull 〈◊〉 this is the vvill of God in Christ Iesu tovvardâ— you Continue in praier and vvatch in the saâ— vnto thanksgiuing Let your requests be shevved vnto God in prayer and supplication vviâ—â— giuing of thankes And this wee are also no lesse bounde to doe by the commandement wherby we are forbidden to take the name of God in vain For in that we are there forbiddeÌ„ to take the name of God in vaine we are commaunded also to take and to vse it to his glorie giuing vnto him the praise of all goodnesse helpe and succour whilest we aske and looke for the same at his hande Wherfore except we â—lie vnto him in our trouble necessitie except we call vpon him for releese and succor we prouoke his displeasure no lesse then if we should make vnto our selues Idols or worship strange gods for in the contempt of euerie one of the commandements we shew like contempt and disobedience to the will of God and all those sentences which commaunde vs to call vpon God
all thinges in this world as they be transiâ—orie soone vanishing away and my selfe also with them drawing towardes mine end For nothinge vnder the Sunne may long abide but all is vanitie and affliction of spirite Oh Lorde God which art sweetenesse vnspeakeable turne into bitternesse vnto me all transitorie earthly delights which may drawe mee from the loue of eternall things and for al worldly comforts giue me the sweete comfort of thy holy spirit for thou Lord art my ioy my hope my crowne and my glorie Blessed are they that for the loue of thee set not by the pleasurs of this worlde but crucifie the flesh and the iustes thereof so that in a cleane pure conscince they may offer their praiers vnto thee and be accepted to haue companie with thee together with the Angels heauenly spirits O euerlasting light send down the beames of thy brightnesse and lighten the inward partes of my heart Open my heart that I may behold thy lawes and teach me to walke in thy commaundements Beholde my weaknes O Lord be clarified and made glorious in thy kingdome Oh holie father thou hast ordeyned it so to be and it is done as thou hast appoynted Wherefore O Lorde giue mee the grace to rest in thee aboue all things and to quiet my heart in thee aboue all creatures aboue all glorie and honour aboue all dignitie and power aboue all health and beauty aboue all riches and treasure aboue al ioy and pleasure aboue all fame praise aboue al mirth and consolation that mans hart may take or feele besides thee For thou Lorde art most good most wise most righteous most holie most iust most blessed most high most mightie most comfortable most beautifull most louing most glorious in whom all treasures of goodnesse most perfectâ—y rest And therefore whatsoeuer I haue besides thee it is nothing vnto me or my heart may not rest nor fully bee pacified but onely in thee Oh Lord Iesu who shall giue mee wings of perfect loue that I may fly vp from these worldly miseries and rest with thee Oh Christ the king of euerlasting glorie my soule crieth vnto thee with continual gronings saith How long tarrieth my Lord God to come to me Oh when shall the ende come of all these miseries When shall I cleane be deliuered from the bondage of sinne When shall I Lord haue my minde onely fixed on thee and be merrie in thee with perfect ioy and gladnes When shal that blessed houre come that thou shalt visit mee and make mee glad with thy blessed presence when thou shalt bee to mee all in all When shall I come vp to thee and feele and enioy those sweete consolations which with thy blessed Saints are alwaies present When shall I haue peace without trouble peace without peace within and on euery side stedfast sure O Lord Iesu when shal I stand and behold thee and haue full sight contemplation of thy glorie When shall I bee with thee in thy kingdom that thou hast ordained for thine elect before the beginning Oh blessed mansion of that heauenly citie Oh most cleare daie of eternitie whom the night may neuer darken This is the daye alwaies cleare merrie alwaies sure and neuer changing This daye shineth cleare to thy saints in heauen Oh gracious God with euerlasting brightnesse but to vs heere on earth so great is y e darknes of sinne in vs it shineth obscurely and as it were a farre off wee see but a glimmering thereof Would to GOD this day might shortly appeare and shine vnto vs and that these wordly vanities were at an ende Thy heauenly Citizens know and feele how ioyfull this day is but we the children of Eue strangers exiles here on earth do lament and bewaile the bitter tediousnesse of this present life short and euil ful of sorrow and anguish Where man is oftentimes defiled with sinne disquieted with troubles oppressed with cares busâ—ed with vanities blinded with errors ouercharged with labours vexed with tentations ouercome with vaine delightes and pleasures of the worlde and miserably wrapped in manie kindes of calamities Wherefore O Lord arise helpe mee comfort mine exile asswage my sorrowe destroy the power of mine enemies the kingdom of sinne Sathan the worlde my wicked flesh which alway make battel against me and bring these coÌ„flicting daies to an end So shal I sing praises vn to thee O God of my saluation magnifie thy holy name world with out end Amen A confession of sinnes and a prayer for the remission thereof O Lorde God rich in mercie and of â—reat goodnesse who of thy tender loue towardes vs euen wheÌ„ we were thine enemies didst sende into the worlde thine owne deare Sonne Iesus Christ to be a slayne sacrifice for our sinnes so that whosoeuer beleeueth in him shoulde not perish but haue life euerlasting haue mercy vpoÌ„ me acording to thy great mercies according to the multitude of thy compassions put awaie mine iniquities For mine iniquities are gone â—uer my head and as a weightie burthen they presse me downe Against heauen and against thee haue I stâ—ned O Lorde I am not worthy to be called thy childe I am ashamed to lift vp mine eies vnto thee for my sinnes are asceÌ„ded vp into thy sight There is nothing sounde in my flesh because of thy displeasure neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sinne Behold I am solde vnder sin in my flesh ther dwelleth no good thing For the good which I would doe I doe not but the euill which I would not doe that I doe â—â—tash me therfore O Lord froÌ„ mine iniquities clense me from my sinne Purifie my hart by the sanctifying of thy holy spirite by the sprinckling of the bloud of thy deare Sonne from the filth of sinne and an euil coÌ„science Make mee to heare ioy gladnes that the bones which thou hast broken may reioyce Create in mee a new hart O God and renew a right spirit within mee Cast mee not away from thy presence take not thy holy spirite from mee Restore to me the ioy of thy saluation and stablishe mee with thy free spirite For thou art good to them y â— trust in thee and to the soule that seeketh thee AL thy waies are mercy and trueth to them that seeke out thy couenaunt and thy testimonies The fountaine of thy goodnes is euer full and ouerflowing thy mercie neuer decayeth Thou woundest and healest againe thou killest and reuiuest bringest euen downe to hell and bringest backe againe Thou raysest vp those that are fallen thou comfortest y e broken harted Thou strengthenest the wearie standes and crooked knees out of the gulfe of hel thou deliuerest the afflicted Out of darknes thou bringest light out of death life and out of damnation thou bringest saluation Heare me therefore O Lorde according to thy louing kindnes turne vnto mee according to
the multitude of thy tender mercies Looke vpon mine affliction and my trauell and forgiue mee my sinnes Remember not the offences of my youth nor my rebellioÌ„s against thee For if thou Lord shouldest marke our iniquities Lord who should bee able to stand in thy sight Seeing thou hast found iniquity euen in thine Angels the heauens are not clean in thy sight much more is man abhominable filthie which drinketh iniquite like water Notwithstanding thou hast said O lord that as the reghteousnes of the righteous man shal not saue him whensoeuer he offendeth so shal not the wickednesse of the wicked man hurt him whensoeuer hee forsaketh his wickednes and turneth to thee For thou knowest thine owne handie work thou remeÌ„brest what wee are thou seest that we are but weake and feeble flesh Looke not therefore vpon my sinnes O Lorde but looke vpon the face of thine annoynted For he hath borne our iniquities he hath caâ—ried our sorrowes Hee was wounded for our transgressioÌ„s he was broken for our iniquities the chastisemeÌ„t of our peace is laid vpon him He gaue his bodie to be beaten and his cheekes to bee stricken he bare y â— sinnes of manie and prayed for the offenders He came to bring glad tidings to the poore to bind vp y e broken hearted to preach liberty to the captiues to coÌ„fort them that mourne in Sion and to giue vnto them beauty for ashes the oyle of ioy for mourning the garment of gladnes for y e spirite of heauinesse that they might be called trees of righteousnes the planting of the Lord. For his sake therefore O Lorde be mercifull vnto me and saie vnto my soule behold I come to thee thy health and thy saluation A prayer for the true knowledge and vnderstanding of the worde of God LEt my praier come before thee O Lord giue mee vnderstanding according to thy worde Blessed art thou O Lord teach me thy statutes That with my lips I may declare all the iudgements of thy mouth That I may delight in the way of thy testimonies aboue all riches That I may meditate in thy precepts and consider thy waies That I may take pleasure in thy statutes and not forget thy word Be good vnto mee thy seruant O Lord y â— I may liue keep thy word Open mine eies that I maye see the wonders which are in thy lawe I am a stranger vpon earth notwithstanding hide not from mee thy commaundementes For my hart languisheth with the desire that it hath to thy iudgments Thy testimonies are my delighte and my counselles I will praise thee with an vpright â—â—art when thou hast taught mee the â—udgmentes of thy righteousnesse Shewe mee thy waies O Lorde and teach me thy paths Leade mee foorth in thy trueth and each mee for thou art my God and â—y saluation in thee doe I trust al the day long Make mee vnderstand the way of â—hy preceps and I will consider thy â—onderous workes Thy handes haue made mee and â—ashioned mee giue mee vnderstanâ—ing that I may learne thy commandementes That they which feare thee seeing mee may reioyce because I haue trusted in thy word Shewe the light of thy countenance vpon thy seruant and teach me thy ordinances Thou art good and gracious therefore according to thy goodnesse teach me thy statutes O Lorde of whose goodnesse the earth is ful teach me thy ordinances O lorde I beseech thee accept the sacrifice of my lippes and teach mee thy iudgements The righteousnesse of thy testimonies is euerlasting graunt me vnderstanding and I shall liue Deale with thy seruaunte according to thy mercies and teach me thy statutes I am thy seruant graunt mee vnderstanding that I may knowe thy testimonies My lips shall shewe foorth thy praise wheÌ„ thou hast tanght me thy statutes My tong shall talke of thy word for al thy commandements are righteous For in thee is awel of liuing waters aud euer flowing in thy light shall wee see light A prayer for the leading of a godly life I Crie vnto thee with my whole heart heare me O Lord guide â—e that I may keepe thy statutes I call vpon thee saue mee that I may keepe thy testimonies Let my prayer bee directed in thy â—â—ght as incense the lifting vp of â—y handes as an euening sacrifice I haue gone astray like a loste â—eepe seeke thy seruant for I doe not forget thy commandements Teach me thy way O Lord that I may walke in thy trueth knit my heart vnto thee that I may feare thy name Let thy louing kindnes come vnto mee O Lorde and thy saluation according to thy promise Let my heart be vpright in thy statutes that I be not confounded Oh that my waies were so directed that I might keepe thy statutes Then shall I not bee confounded when I haue regarde vnto all thy commandements I made my supplication in thy preseÌ„ce with my whole hart be mercifull vnto mee according to thy promise Guide mee O Lorde that I may consider my waies and turne my feeâ— into thy testimonies Wherewith shal a man redresse his waies In taking deed therto according to thy word Teach me O Lorde the may of thy statutes that I may keepe them to the ende Giue me vnderstanding that I may keepe thy law yea that I may keepe it with my whole heart Direct me in the path of thy commaundements for therein is my delight Turne away mine eies that I regard not vanitie quickeÌ„ me in thy waie Stablish thy promise to thy seruaunt whereby he may be taught to feare thee Direct my steppes in thy worde and let not iniquity haue dominion euer me Let not the foote of pride come against me let not the hande of the wicked moue mee Gather not my soule with the sinners nor my life with y e bloudy men Let my foote stand in vprightnes that I may praise thee O Lorde in the congregation Let not the word of trueth depart out of my mouth for I trust in thy iudgements Set a watch O Lorde before my mouth keepe the dore of my lips Let not mine heart bee inclined to euil to worke wicked workes with them that worke iniquitie Teach me good iudgment knowledge for I do beleeue thy commandements Staie my steps in thy pathes that my feete do not slide Stablish mee in thy promise that I may lâ—ue and let me not be disappoynted of my hope Staie thou me O Lord I shal be safe and I will delight continually in thy statutes O God create in me a pure heart renue a right spirit within mee Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thy holy spirite from mee Restore me to the ioy of thy saluation and stablish mee with thy free spirite Let me heare thy louing kindnes in the morning shew mee the waye that I should walke in for in thee is my trust
gouernour of all thinges whose power no creature is able to resist to whome it belongeth iustly to punish sinners and to be mercifull to them that truely repent saue and deliuer vs we humbly beseech thee froÌ„ the hands of our enimies abate their pride asswage their malice and confound their deuises that wee being armed with thy defence may be preserued from all perils to glorifie thee which art the onely giuer of all victorie through the merites of thy only sonne Iesus Christ our Lord So be it In the time of anie common plague or sicknesse O Almightie God which in thy wrath in the time of King Dauid diddest stay with the plague of pestilence threescore and ten thousand and yet remembring thy mercie didst saue the rest haue pittie vpon vs miserable sinners that 〈◊〉 are visited with great sicknesse mortalitie that like as thou diddest then commaund thine Angel to cease from punishing so it may now please thee to withdrawe from vs this plague grieuous sickenesse through Iesus Christ our Lord. A prayer for the strength and comfort of the holy Ghost ALmightie most mercifull God which giuest to thine elect people thy holy spirit as a sure pledge of thy heauenly kingdome wee most humbly beseech thee so to replenish our hearts with the grace of thy holy spirit that he may bear witnes to our spiritâ— y e we be thy children heires of thy kingdome that by thy gratious working of this thy good spirite we may kil al carnal lustes vnlawful pleasures concupiscences and euil affections contrarie to thy most blessed pleasurs concupiscences and euill affections contrarie to thy most blessed wil through our Lord sauiour Iesus Christ So be it For 〈◊〉 hope and sure taste of euerlasting life O Almightie God which hast prepared euerlasting life for al those that be thy faithfull seruants grant vnto vs 〈◊〉 hope of this 〈◊〉 euerlasting y t whites we bee heere in thit miserable world we may haue some tast and feeling of it in our heartes through the merits of our Lorde and sauiour Iesus Christ So be it For the true knowledge of God and his word and a life agreeable to the same GRaunt vnto vs O mercifull God we most heartelie beseechâ— thee knowledge and true vnvnderstanding of thy blessed will and word that all ignorance being expelled we maie know what thy wil and pleasure is in all things and how to doe our duetie and truly to walke in our vacation and that also wee may expresse in our liuing those thinges that me doe knowe that wee bee not onely knowers of thy wil woorde good Lord but also may be heartie faithfull workers of 〈◊〉 same through our Lord and sauiour Iesus Christ So be it A prayer for the strength and increase of faith O Almighty and euerlasting God which not onely 〈◊〉 euerye good and perfect gift but also increasest those giftes that thou haste giuen â—e most humbly beseech thee 〈◊〉 in vs y e gift of faith that we may true lie beleeue in thee in thy promises made vnto vs in Christ su our Lorde and that neyther our negligence nor infirmitie of the flesh nor by grieuousnesse of tentations neither by the subtil craftes and assaultes of the diuel wee be driuen from this faith in the bloud of our Lord and sauiour Iesus Christ So be it For a godly life ALmighty God giue vs grace that we may cast away the works of darknes put on vs the armour of light now in the time of this mortall lifâ— in the which thy soâ—l Iesus Ihrist came to visit vs in great humilitie that in the last day when be shal come again in his glorious maiesty to iudg the quick the dead we may rise to the life immortall through him who liueth raigneth with thee y â— holie Ghost now and for euer So be it A prayer for the true perseuerance and assured hope of eternall life BLessed God which hast caused all holy scriptures to be written for our learning grant that we may in such wise heare them reade them marke them and inwardly printe them in our heartes that by patience comfort of thy holy word we may imbrace and euer hold fast the blessed hope of euerlasting life which thou hast giuen vs in our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ So be it A prayer for the obtaining of our petitions ALmightie God which hast giuen vs grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications vnto thee and doest promise that when two or three be gathered together in thy 〈◊〉 thou wilt grant their requests fulfill now O Lorde the desires and petitions of thy seruants as may be most expedient for them graunting vs in this world knowledge of thy truâ—â— and in the world to come life euerlasting Amen The end of the Letanie A GODLIE INSTRVction conteining the summe of all the diuinitie necessary for a Christian conscience Made by Iohn Bradford A Man that is regenerate and borne of GOD the which thing that euerie one of vs bee our Baptisme the Sacrament of regeneration doth require vnder paine of damnation and therefore let euerie one of vs with the Virgin Marie say Bee it vnto mee O Lorde according to thy worde according to the sacrament of baptisme wherin thou â—â—st declared our adption and let vs lament y â— doubting hereof in vs 〈◊〉 against it as we shall be made able of the Lorde a man I say that is regenerate consisteth of two men as a man may say namely of the old man and of the newe man The old man is like to a mightie Giant such a one as was Goliah for his birth is now perfect but the newe man is like vnto a little child such a one as was Dauid for his birth is not yet perfect vntil the day of his generall resurrection The olde man therefore is more stronger lustie and stâ—ring then is the newe man because the birth of the new man is but begun now and the olde man is perfectlie borne And as the oldeman is more stirring lustie and stronger than the newe man so is the nature of him cleane contrarie to the nature of the new man as being earthly and corrupt with Sathans seed the nature of the newe man beeing heauenly and blessed with the celestial â—eed of God So that one man in as much as hee is corrupt with the seede of the serpent is an olde man and in as much as he is blessed with the seede of God from aboue hee is a new man And as in as much as hee is an olde man he is a sinner and an enemie to God so in as much as he is regenerate hee is righteous and holie and a friend to God the seede of God preseruing him from sinne so that he cannot sin as the seede of the serpent wherewith he is corrupt euen from his conception inclineth him yea inforceth him to sinne and nothing
the Lorde is and are becom new creatures by the heauenlie regeneration through the doctrine of the gospell should like holie and innocent babes lay aside all such workes of the flesh which do depriue a man of the kingdome of God And Saint Paule commaundeth vs that laying aside those cursed vvorkes of darknesse vve should in the steed thereof put on euen as the elect of God holie and beloued tender mercie kindness humblenesse of minde meeknesse long suffering forbearing one another forgiuing one another if anie haue a quarrell to another as Christ forgaue vs end aboue all these things saith he put on loue vvhich is the bond of perfection let the peace oh God rule in your hearts vvhen ye shall stand and praie saith Sâ— Marke forgiue if ye haue anie thing against anie man that your Father also vvhich is in heauen maie forgiue you your trespassesâ— for if yee vvill not forgiue your father vvhich is in heauen vvill not pardon you your trespasses Moreouer we must haue such a feeling of our owne miserie and wretehednes as may worke in vs an earnest sorrowe and vexation of minde for the same Example whereof wee may see in the deare seruantes of God when they say that out of the deep deepenesse and out of the middes of the iawes of death they vtter vnto the Lord a sorrowfull voice He that desireth mercy must haue a feeling of his owne miserie And therefore saith Dauid Heale my soule O Lord for I haue sinned against thee There is nothing in my flesh saith hee because of thy displeasure neither in there any rest in my bones because of my sin This anguish and sorrowe stirreth vp in Gods children a feruent desire to obtain coÌ„fort help and succour at Gods hande and therfore such as fâ—ele themselues oppressed with great calamities hauing by the help of man no hope of deliuerance doe crie vnto God with afflicted hearts as Dauid did in his distresse My soule thirsteth for God euen for the liuing God and as the hart being vvounded braiâ—th for the riuers of vvater so panteth my soule after thee O God This is that godlie sorrow which S. Paule saith worketh in Gods children repentaunce to saluation The Lorde is nigh to them saith Dauid that are of a contrite heart and vvill saue all such as are afflicted in spirite To him vvill I looke euen vnto him saith the Lord that is afflicted and broken hearted and trembleth at my vvordes Therefore Dauid calleth the time of trouble the fit and conuenient time for the faithful to fly vnto God by prayer And albeit they be not at al times in like distresse or continuallie groning vnder the burthen of present euils yet must they needes bee euer in dread of new daungers and carefully â—ffraid of further troubles to follow As trouble and feare therfore are the verie spurs to â—ir them vp to heartie and feruent prayer â—o by occasion thereof they haue more free accesse vnto God as though he did therby call them vnto him This godly sorrow for sinne and feruent desire and longing for Gods louing mercie and fauour commeth not of our selues but of the speciall goodnesse of God for we are of our selues dul and without al lust to pray â—ea so great is our imperfection that wee know not howe to pray as wee ought and therefore the spirite helpeth our infirmities instâ—ucteth vs what is right and guideth our affections Hee maketh intercession for the Saintes saith 〈◊〉 Paule according to the vvill of God and that vvith Vighes and grâ—anings vvhich cannot be expressed that is hee stirreth vp our he arts giueth vs a desire and boldnesse to pray causeth vs to mourn when we are by any meanes hindred from it and feele not our selues moued therunto with such feruent zeale and affection as we should be Now although wee knowe that it is the only work of the holie Ghost thus to moâ—e and incline our heartes to prayer notwithstanding we may not be negligent slouthfull to dispose and stirre vp our selues therevnto but rather contrariwise so often as we feele our selues colde and not disposed to praier as we ought to be wee must make our supplication vnto the Lorde that it woulde please him to inflame vs with his holie spirit wherby we may be framed to pray with such feruencie of mind as we ought to doe When we are cast downe by the sence feeling of our owne infirmity sinne aud miserie Yet must we pray notwithstanding in sure and stedfast hope to obtaine our requests These be things in deed contrarie in shewe to ioyne with the feeling of the iust vengeance of God sure affiance of fauour which things doe yet verie wel agree in that it is the goodnesse of God onlie that raiseth vs vp being oppressed with our owne euils from the which of our selues we cannot rise For as repentance and faith are knit as companions together albeit the one driueth vs downe with feare and the other lifteh vs vp again with comfort so in praying they must needs go together And this agreement Dauid expresseth in few wordes I vvill saith he in the multitude of thy mercies enter into thy house and in the temple of thy holinesse I vvill vvâ—rship thee vvith feare Therefore when wee are once touched with true repentance and feling of our own miserie we must withall haue such a perswasion of Gods fauor and mercie towards vs in all our praiers that they shall be accepted of God so far foorth as it shall be necessary for â—s This is the assurance saith S. Iohn that vve haue in God that if vve aske anie thing according to his vvill he heareth vs. If we haue not a sure â—rust and confidence in the mercie and promises of God it is vnpossible to make our praier to him aright and whosoeuer doubteth whether God heareth his prayer that man obteineth nothing to such praiers God hath made no promise But contrariwise he saith vvhatsoeuer ye shall aâ—ke in praier if ye beleeue ye shall receiue it And againe VVhatsoeuer yee desire beleeue that yee shall obtaine it and it shal be done vnto you Ask saith Saint Iames in faith and vvauer not for hee that vvauereth is like to the vvaues of the sea vvhich are tossed of the vvind and caried avvaie And why should wee wauer or doubt seeing the holie scriptures testifie of God that he is faithful iust and true in all his wordes and promises saying The Lord is faithfull in all his vvordes hee vvill euer bee mindfull of his couenant the trueth of the Lorde endureth for euer And although our faith be not so strong and therfore our prayer so hearty and zealous as it ought to be yea though our faith be faint and cold yet let vs hold fast this principle that our praiers are not frustrate or in vaine For our comfort herein we haue an example in the father which brought his sonne first to the Apostles and
our tentations giue vs truce so that we shall not need to hasten vnto God for helpe Finallie the desire of the kingdom and glory of God ought to drawe vs whollie vnto it not by fits but continuallie that all times should be fit and conuenient for vs to pray Wherefore not without cause wee are so often commaunded to pray continuallie And though we be not driuen with like necessitie at all times to praie yet in this case S Iames teacheth vs what we ought to doe If anie man be heauy or afflicted saith he let him praie that is let him craue Gods helpe and comfort and vvho so is merrie let him sing that is let him praise God Moreouer the benefites and blessinges of God are large and plentifull towardes vs which way soeuer we turne vs that wee can neuer want matter and occasion of praise and thanksgiuing And seeing wee ought to acknowledge God to be the author and giuer of all good things we should alway receiue the same at his hande with thanksgiuing for to that end God continually bestoweth his good blessinges and benefits vpon vs that we should continuallie shew foorth his praise and be thankful vnto him for the same and so we render vnto him his due honour And S. Paul when he saith that they are sanctified by the word and praier signifieth that to vs they are not holy and cleane without the word and prayer and therefore Dauid saith when he had felt the liberalitie of the Lorde that there was put into his mouth a newe song that is a new occasion of praise and thanksgiuing Whereby he signifieth that it is a wicked silence if we passe ouer anie of Gods benefits without praise seeing that as often as he doth good vnto vs so often he giueth vs occasion to speake good of him We should therefore continually that is as much as is possible at all times in all places and in things as occasions are continually offred vnto vs lift vp our prayer vnto God in crauing helpe at his hande and confessing his praise whereby we may both obtaine of him all good thinges and also praise and magnifie his name for all Howe this perseuerance in prayer is required of vs Christ himselfe teacheth vs by the parable of the three loaues and of the widdowe and wicked Iudge VVherby wee are taught to continue in peaier with all earnestnes and feruent supplication and neuer to faint or giue ouer vntill we be assured in our spirit that our praiers be heard The prayer of the humble saith the Sonne of Sirach goeth through the clouds it ceaseth not vntill it come neare and it vvill not depart vntill God the most high God haue respect thereto Beholde saith Dauid as the eyes of the seruants looke vnto the hand of their maisters and as the eies of a maiden vnto the hand of her mistresse of our eyes vvaite vpon the Lorde our God vntill he haue mercie vpon vs. And thus muste wee not cease to doe vntill wee may boldlie say also with Dauid The Lord hath heard the voyce of my vveeping the lorde hath hearde my humble petition the lorde hath receiued my praier Now concerning the forme and manner of praying least wee shoulde followe our owne fantasie being of our selues so blinde that wee knowe not howe to praye or what is meet and expedient for vs The Lord him selfe hath sufficientlie instructed vs who as he hath taught vs throughout the whole Scripture howe and for what thinges wee ought to pray so hath he set foorth one maner of prayer in the which he hath brieflie comprehended all such thinges as we ought yea or in anie wise may aske of God VVherein hee hath expressed what is due pleasing and acceptable to him what is necessarie for vs and what he will grant so that there is nothing heerein omitted that might be thought vpon to the praise glory of God or come into the mind of man for his profite and commoditie And this is that praier that our Lord Iesus Christ taught his Disciples when they asked of him how they should praie VVhosoeuer therefore shall ask any thing that is not contained in this praier they presume to adde some thing of their owne to the wisedome of God they are not obedient to his will and they pray without faith hauing no word of God to warrant them and therefore they shall obtaine nothing This praier saith Tertullian is the doctrine of the wisedome of God wherein he hath taught whatsoeuer hee willed and willed whatsoeuer was needfull Albeit wee are not so bounde to this forme of praier that wee should not vse anie other kinde of wordes then the Lord himselfe heerein hath vsed For there are elswhere set forth in the scriptures manie prayers farre differing from this in words and yet written by the same spirit and verie profitably to be vsed of vs. And many prayers also are continuallie vttred of the faithful by the same spirit which vary from the same in wordes But this is required of vs that none shuld look for seek or ask anie other thing at all then that which is brieflie cōprehended in this praier which though it differ in words yet differeth not in sense substance like as it is certaine that all the praiers which are found in the scriptures which do continually proceed from the hart of the faithful are referred by the direction of Gods spirite vnto this praier howsoeuer they differ in the varietie of words Manie good and godlie men euen in our daies well exercised in praier haue left vnto vs most worthy examples and testimonies hereof furnished with ample and large matter to forme holie and true praiers and full of power to inflame the heart to a feruent inuocation of Gods holy name whereof wee haue giuen here some taste to the Godly and specially to the simple not yet wel exercised Read them meditate and praie and ye shal find comfort in your soules A Meditation concerning prayer THe mind of men hath so large roomth to receiue good things that not king in deede can fully sit it but onely God whome thou the mind fully possesseth when it fullie knoweth him fullie loueth him and in all things in framed after his mill They therefore deare Lord God that are thy children and haue taken somewhat of thy goodnesse doe perpetually sigh that is doe may vntill they come thereto in that they loue thee also aboue all things it wonderfully woundeth them that other men doe not so that is loue thee and 〈◊〉 for thee with them Whereof it commeth to 〈◊〉 that they are inflamed with continuall praiers and desires that thy kingdome might come euerie where and thy goodnesse might bee both knowen and in life expressed of euerie man And because there are innumerable many thinges which as well in themselues as in others bee against thy glory they are kindled with continuall prayer and desire sighing vnspeakably in thy sight for
the increase of thy spirite And sometimes when they see thy glorie more put backe than it was wont to bee eyther in themselues or in any other then are they much more disquieted and vexed But because they knowe that thou doest rule all thinges after thy good will and that none other can helpe them in their neede they oftentimes doe goe aside al businesse laide apart and giue themselues to godly cogitations talke with thee complaining to thee as to their Father of those thinges that grieue them begging thereto and that most earnestly thy helpe not onely for themselues but also for others specially for those whome singularly they imbrace in thee and often doe repeate and remember thy gracious benefits both to others and to themselues also where through they are prouoked to render to thee heartie thankes theirby beeing inflamed as well assuredlie to hope well of thy good will towardes them and patiently to beare al euils as also to study and labour to mortifie the affections of the flesh and to order all their whole life to the seruice of their brethren and to the setting forth of thy glory This they knowe is that prayer which thy Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord coÌ„maunded to be made to thee in the chamber the doore being shut In this kind of praier hee himselfe did watch often euen all the whole night Heâ—rein was Paule frequent as all the Saints bâ— This kind of praier is the true lifting vp of the minde to thee This standeth in the affections of the heart not in words and in the mouth As thy children be endued with thy spirite so frequent they this talke with thee The more thy spirit is in theme the moreâ— are they in talke with thee Oh giue me plentifully thy spirits which thou hast promised to powre out vpon all fleshe that thus I may with thy Saintes talke with thee night and daie for thy onely beloued Sonnes sake Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Moreouer thy Saintes to prouoke them to this kinde of praier do vse first there necessitie which they consider in three sortes inwardlie concerning their soules outwardly concerning their bodies and finally concerning their name fame wherto they adde the necessitie of these that he committed to them the necessitie of thy Church and of the common weale Secondly they use thy commandements which require them vnder paine of sinne to pray to thee in all their neede Thirdly they vse the consideratioÌ„ of thy goodnesse which art naturallie mercifull to young Rauens calling vpon thee much more then to them for whome Rauens and all thinges else were made for whome thou hast not spared thy deare sonne but giuen him c. Fourthly they vse the 〈◊〉 sweet and free promises made to heare and helpe all them that call vpon thee in Christes name Fiftly they vse examples ho we that thou which art the GOD of all and rich vnto all them that call vpon thee in Christs name hast hard and holpen others calling vppon thee Sixtly they vse the benefites giuen them before they asked thereby not onely prouoking them to aske more but also certifying their faith that if thou wast so good to graunt them many thinges vnaskt nowe thou will not denie them any thing they aske to thy glory and their wealth Last of all they vse the reading and weighing of Psalmes and other good praiers because they knowe that thereby peculiarlie besides the other Scriptures there is no small helpeâ— as may appeare by Paule Ephes â— whereby he willeth the congregation to vse Psalmes hiâ—â—es and spirituall songes but so that in the heart wee woulde sing and say them Not that thy children doe not vse their tongues and wordes in praying to thee for they doe vse their tongues speeche and wordes to stirre vp their inwarde desire and feruencie of the minde ful wel knowing that else it were a plaine mocking of thee to pray with lippes and tongues onely Oh that I might feele nowe the spirite so to affect mee that both with heart and mouth I might heartily and in faith pray vnto thee Now concerning the things that are to bee prayed for thy children knowe that the prayer taught by thy sonne most surely and plainly doth containe the same and therefore they often vse it first asking of thee their heauenly father through Christ that thy name might euerie where bee had in holynesse and praise then that thy kingdome by regeneration the ministerie of the Gospell might come so thirdly that willinglie perfectlie and perpetuall they might studie to doe yea doe indeede thy will with thy holy and heauenly Angels and spirits These things they seeke and pray for namely thy kingdome and thy rigâ—hteousnesse before anie worldly benefite After which petitions because all thinges yea euen the benefits of this present life doe came from thee they doe godly desire the same vnder the name of daily bread being instructed of thy wisdome that after spiritual benefites to aske corporal is not vnseemly vnto thy children which knowe both spirituall and corporall to come 〈◊〉 thy mercie In the other petitions they prair for thinges to bee taken from them beginning with forgiuenesse of sins which were impudentlie praied for if that their heartes were not so broken that they coulde forgiue all things to al men for their part They adde their profession that is charytie whereby they professe that they haue forgiuen all offences doone to them How be it because it is not enough to haue pardon of that which is past except they bee preserued from newe offences they pray thee not to kinde them into temptation by permitting them to the peruerse suggestions of Sathan but rather to deliuer them from his importunitie and power vnderstanding Sathan the authour of all euill Oh deare God that thou wâ—uldest endue mee with thy spirite of grace and prayer with thy children accordinglie to make this prayer alwaies whensoeuer I doe pray As for outwarde euils so long as they doe not as it were inforce thy people to sinne in that Christian perfection doth account them amongest thy benefites Thy Sonne hath not taught thy Church to pray for the taking away of them in their prayer for heere he hath contained but those thinges for the which all Christians generally and particularlie may of faith pray at all times It often commeth to passe that exterior euils because they bee not euils indeede that is they bee not against Gods grace in vs therefore they cannot of faith bee praied for to bee taken away for thy children that haue faith doe alwaies preferre thy iudgement before their owne The which iudgement when they knowe by that which hapneth to them they submit themselues thereto wholy although the spirit make his vnspeakable gronings to helpe their infirmities by prayer not to haue them taken away but that they might haue strength and patience to beare the burden accordingly Which burthen if it bee too heauie in the bitter sense end feeling thereof they
good father help me that I might heartily loue thee complaine to thee in all my needes alwaies by prayer to powre out my heart before thee Amen Iohn Bradford A meditation vpon the Lords prayer Our Father THou good Lorde which madest heauen and earth the sea and all that is therein together with thy dearlie beloued sonne Iesus Christ and with thy holy spirite thou the same God which openedst thy selfe to Adam by thy promise thou the god of Abraham Isaac Iacob thou which broughtest thy people of Israel forth of Egipt with a mightie hand and a stretched out power thou which giuest the Lawe vpon Mount Sinai thou which spakest by thy prophets and last of all in these latter daies by thy dearely beloued sonne Iesus Christ whom thou wouldest should be made a second Adam that as by the first wee are children of wrath carnall and full of concupiscence so by him wee might bee made children of grace and spirituall by communicating with him the qualitie merites vertues and grace of his flesh through the operation of his holy spirite as hee communicated with vs the substance of our fleshe in the wombe of the Virgin Marie in the operation of the same holy spirite being that blessed seede which was promised to Adam AbrahaÌ„ Isaac Iacob and Dauid which should bruse the serpents heade which shoulde bring the blessing on all nations which should reigne â—uer his house for euer and mightily â—uercome thine and out enemies as in deede he did by his incarnation natiuitie circumcision exile baptisme fasting temptation doctrine miracles workings agonies bloudie prayer passion death resurrection and ascension and yet hee still doeth by his mediation intermission for vs and at the length will on all partes fully accomplished by his com ming to iudgement which will bee sodainly in the twinckeling of an â—ie in the blast of a trumpet and shoute of an Archangell when hee shall bee seene with thousandes of Saintes innumerable thousands of Angels al the whole world being on fire al the people that euer were are or shall bee then standing before his tribunall or iudgmente seate to render an account of that they haue done in this bodie be it good or bad Thou I say this God which are holy righteous true wise pure chast mightie mercifull good gratious an hater of sinne a reâ—enger of vnrighteousnes c. wouldest that I which am borne in sinne and conceiued in iniquitie which by nature am a childe of width and in whome dwelleth continuall enmitie against thee that I which 〈◊〉 nothing but sinne and one that doth euil alwaies before thee should call thee and beleeue thee this God and Father of our Lorde Sauiour Iesus Christ to be in veâ—ie deede my father that is thou wouldest I should be most assured that thou of thine owne good will which thou barest to me wards before I was yea before the worlde was hast in Christ chosen mee to be thy Childâ— and through him art become my most louing Father from 〈◊〉 I should â—ooke for all good things be most certeinly perâ—â—â—aded that looke howe much thou art more than a man so much thy loue and fatherly prouidence towardes mee passeth the loue and prouidance of any father towardes his childe in louing mee caring howe to helpe mee prouiding for mee nurturing mee helping me in all my needes So certaine thou mouldest haue mee to hee of this that to doubt of it doeth most displease thee and dishonour thee as though either thou were not true or not able to doe these thinges 〈◊〉 else becamest not my father in respect of thine owne goodnesse in Christ only but also in respect of my worthinesse and descrets And that I should not 〈◊〉 or doubt of this that thou art my deare Father and I thy childe for euer through Iesus christ it 〈◊〉 required in the first 〈…〉 saith I am the Lord thy God thou shaâ—â— haue none other Gods but me Againe thy sonne doth here commaunde mee to call the by theâ—name of father Moronuer in the first article of my beleefe I professe the same in saying I beleeue in God the Father almightie Besides this there are many other thinges to confirme me he erein as the creation and gouernement of the worlde generally and of euerie creature particularlie for all is made and kept for man and so for me to serue me for my commoditie necessitie and admonition Againe the creation of me in that then hast made mee after thy things hauing a reasonable soule bodie shape c. where thou mightest haue made me a Toad a Serpent a Swine deformed frantick c. Moreover thy wonderful conâ—etuation nourishing keeping of mee 〈◊〉 in my infanâ—◠〈…〉 c. An these I say shoulde confirme my faith in thy fatherly loue But of al things the opening of thy selfe by thy word and promise of grace made after mans fall first to Adam then to Abraham Isaac Iacob and so to other being published by the Prophets from time to time and last of all accomplished by thy deare Sonne Iesus Christ in whom thy promises are yea and Amâ—n the opening of thy selfe thus I say in and by Christ is the most thiefe and sure certificat that thou art my father for his sake I thy deare child although of my selfe I am most unworthy For thou according to thy promises hast not spared thy deare Sonne Iesus Christ but giuen him to the death of the Crosse for my sinnes Thou wouldest he shoulde he made flesh of our flesh and bloud of our bloude in the wombe of the Virgin Marie by the operation of thy holy spirite that we by the working of the same spirite through the merrits of his flesh and bloud might be made flesh of his fleshe and bloud of his bloud that is as he hath the substance of our fleshe and bloude men so we might haue and for euer enioy in him and through him the qualities vertues giftes of righteousnesse holinesse innocencie immortalitie and glory wherewith he hath endued our nature in his owne person for vs all that as nowe in faith and hope we haue the same so in his comming we might fullie enioy them in verie deed for then shall our bodies nowe vile bee like to his glorious bodie Herein appeareth thy loue not that we loued thee but that thou louedst vs and hast giuen thy Sonne for vs. Heerein eocst thou commend vnto vs thy loue that when wet were yet sinners Christ thy deare sonne died for vs so that nothing shoulde seperate vs from thy loue in Christ Iesus neither affliction anguishe persecution famine neither life nor death c. For when wee were enimies wee were reconciled vnto thee by the death of thy sonne much more wee being reconciled shal be saued in this life And that I shoulde not doubts
not simply to be vnderstoode concerning thy omnipotent wil vnreuealed against the which nothing is nor can be done but rather concerning thy will reuealed in the lawe and Gospell the which thou heere teachest mee that wee shoulde desire not onely to know it but also to do it and that in such perfection and willingnesse as it is in heauen The which thing I perceiue hereby that thy children doe desire daily in and for themselues and othrs and doe la ment the contrarie in whom so euer it be so that often their eies gush out with riuers of teares because men keepe not thy lawes By reason hereof I see that I am far from the sighes and teares of thy people I see my ignorance of thy wil if thou hadst not opened the same by thine owne mouth I see my ignorance how acceptable a seruice obedience to thy wil is and therefore do est thou place this petition amonge the first and continuall desires of thy children Againe I see my pouertie in godlie obedience which had neede to be taught to praie for it therby to signifie vnto me my want vnability to attaine it but by thy gift Thirdlye I see my disobedience for else neuer wouldest thou haue commanded me to haue praier for the doing of thy holy wit if I seeing my want would haue prayed so Last of all I see thy goodnesse which wilt giue to me and others to obey thy will that is to loue thee with al our harts to loue our neighbor as our selues to dy to our selues to liue to thee to take by our crosse and to followe thee to beleeue to repent c. for els thou wouldest neuer haue bidden vs to pray for a thinge which we should not looke for So that I haue great cause to lament and reioyce To lament because of my miserable estate and condition because of my sinne ignorance pouertie and peruersitie and because thy will is euery wher either not known or contemned and Sathans wil the will of the world and of the flesh readily obeied To reioice I haue great cause for that thou hast opened thy selfe will vnto mankind for that also thou peculiarlie hast taught me these things because thou wilt graunt me grace to doe the same But alas how vnthankfull I am and how hard hearted thou Lord doest know Oh be mercifull vnto me and forgiue me I beseeche thee gracious God Graunt me thy holie spirit to reueale to mee my ingnorance of thy will my pouerty peruersitie that I may heartilie be watle it c. and by the helpe and working of the same spirit may suppresse the wil of the fleshe Againe graunt mee thy holie spirit to reueale to mee thy wil declared in thy lawe and Gospell that I may trulie knowe the same and inflame so my affections that I may wil and loue the same in such sorte that it may be my meat and drinke to doe thy wil. Heere call to mind the ten commandementes of God particularlie or generally what therein herequireth and praie for the same particularlie as you see your neede and that not onelie for your selfe but also for others Praie for patience to suffer what crosse soeuer God shall lay vpon and pray for them that be vnder the crosse that they may be patient praie for spirituall wisedome in euery crosse peculiar or publike that you maye see and loue Gods will Giue vs this day our daily bread BY Bread the foode of the body are vnderstode all thinges necessarie for this corporall life as meate drinke health sâ—ccesse in our vocation c. By this worde Giue wee shoulde vnderstand that not onely spirtuall thinges but also corporall benefites are Gods free gifts a come not for our worthines or trauel taken about the same although our trauels be of tentimes meanes by the which God doth giue corporall things By daylie we vnderstand the contented mindes of thy children with that which is sufficient for the preseÌ„t time as hauing hope in thee that they shall not want but daily shall receiue at thy handes plentie and inough of all thinges By this word Our are as wel vnderstood publike benefites as peace in the common weale good Magistrates good lawes reasonable weather c. also particular benefites namely children helth succes in the workes of our vocation c. And besides this by it wee shoulde see the care euen for corporal things which thy children haue for others as wel as for themselues So that heere I may learne how farre I am from that I shoulde bee and that I see thy children are come vnto I see my ignorance also howe that as spirituall thinges do come from thee so doe temporall thinges and as they come from thee so are they conserued and kept of thee and therefore thy children are thankefull and look for them as thy meer gifts notwithstanding the meanes which they vse if they haue them howbeit they vse them but as meanes for except thou worke therewith all is in vaine Againe heere I am taught to bee content with that which is sufficient for the present time as thy children bee which haue the shortnesse of this life alwayes before their eyes and therfore they aske but for dailie sustenance knowing this life to be compared to a day pea a watch a sound a shadow c. Moreouer I may learn to see the compassion and brotherly care which thy children haue one for another Last of all heere I may see thy goodnesse which as thou wilt giue me all things necessarie for this life or els thou wouldest not bid me aske c. so thou commandest all men to pray and care for mee and that bodily much more then if they be able they are commanded to help mee both in body and soule By reason wherof I haue greate cause to lament and reioyce To lament because I am not so affected as thy children be because of my ignorance my ingratitude my peruersitie and contempt of all goodnes and of the necessitie of thy people which alas be in great miserie some in exâ—â—e some in prison som in pouertie â—â—cknesse c. To reioice I haue great cause because of thy goodnes in teaching mee these things in commaunding mee to aske whatsoeuer I want in giuing me so many thinges vnasked in keeping the benefites giuen me in commaunding men to care for me to pray for me to helpe me c. But alas how far I am either froÌ„ true lamenting or reioycing Lorde thou knowest Oh be merciful vnto mee and helpe mee forgiue mee and grant me thy holie spirite to reueale to mee my neede ignorance great in gratitude and contempt of thy mercies thy people that in such sort that I might hartely lament and be wail my misery through thy goodnesse bee altered with thy people to mourne for the miseries of thy children as for mine owne Againe reueale to mee thy goodnesse deare
shall finde knocke and it shall be opened vnto you O deare God and most meeke and mercifull father we heartily beseech thee to be mercifull vnto vs for this thy Christs sake for his deaths sake for thy promise trueth mercies sake Haue mercie vpon vs pardon and forgiue vs all our sinnes iniquities and trespasses whatsoeuer we haue committed against thee in thought word or deed euer or at any time hitherto by any meanes Deare father haue mercy vpon vs. Though we be poore yet our Christ is rich though wee be sinners yet hee is righteous though wee be fooles yet he is wise though we be impure yet he is pure and holie for his sake therefore bee merciful vnto vs. Call to minde how thou hast promised that thou wilt powre out of thy cleane waters wash vs from our filthe and cleanse vs from our euils Forget not that thou hast promised to take from vs our stonye heartes and to giue vs soft heartes newe heartes to put in the middest of vs right spirits Remember thy couenant namely that thou wilt be our God and wee shal be thy people that thou wilt put out of thy memory for euer al our vnrighteousnesse and hast promised to write in our mindes and hearts thy law and testimonies Remember that thou doest straitly charge vs to haue none other Gods but thee saying that thou art the Lorde our God O then declare the same to vs all we heartilie now beseech thee Forgiue vs our sinnes forget our iniquities cleanse vs from our filthines wash vs from our wickednesse powre out thy holy spirite vpon vs. Take from vs our harde heartes our stonie heartes our impenitent heartes our distrusting and doubtfull heartes our carnall our secure our idle heartes our impure malitious arrogant enuious wrath full impatient couetous hypocriticall and epicurall hearts and in place thereof giue vs new harts soft harts faithfull hearts mercifull hearts louing obedient chast pure holy righteous true simple lowly and patient hearts to feare thee to loue thee to trust in thee for euer Write thy law in our hearts graue it in our mindes we heartilie beseech thee Giue vs the spirite of prayer make vs diligent and happie in the workes of our saluation sake into thy custodie and gouernaunce for euer our soules and bodies our liues all that euer we haue Tempt vs neuer further than then wilt make vs able to beare and whatsoeuer thou knowest wee haue neede of in soule or bodie deare God gratious father vouchsafe to giue vs the same in thy good time and alwayes as thy children guide vs so that our life may please thée and our death praise thee through Iesus christ our Lorde for whose sake wee hartilye praye thee to graâ—nt these thinges thus asked and all other things necessarie for soule bodie not onely to vs but to all others also for whome thou wouldest that we should pray specially for thy children that bee in thraldome in exile in prison misery heauinesse pouertie sickenesse c. Be mercifull to the whole realme of England and graunt vs all true repentance and turne from vs the euils that wee so wickedlie haue deserued Pardon our enemies persecutors slaunderers and if it bee thy pleasure turne their harts Bee mercifull vnto our parents brethren and sisters friendes kinsfolkes and familiars neighbours and such as by anie meanes thou hast coupled and lincked to vs by loue or other wise and vnto vs poore sinners here gathered together in thy holie name graunt thy blessing and holie spirite to sancâ—fie vs dwell in vs as thy deare children to keepe vs this day and for euer from all euill to thy eternall glorie and euerlasting comforte and the profite of thy Church which mercifully maintaine cherish and comfort strengthenning theÌ„ that stand so that they neuer fall lifting vp them that bee fallen and keepe vs from falling from thy trueth through the merits of thy dearelie beloued sonne Iesu Christ our onelie Sauiour which liueth and raigneth with thee and the holy Ghost to whome bee al praise and honour both now for euer Amen I. B. A prayer for the true knowledge of the mysterie of our redemption in Christ O Almightie God and father of our Lorde Iesus Christ and by him also our Father the Father of all mercy God of all consolation haue mercy vpon vs and heare our praiers wee most humblie beseeche thee for thy deare sonne Iesus christ his sake for his merites and cruell death which he suffered to deliuer vs from eternal death and the power of darkenesse sende into our hearts the spirit of truth to worke in vs a true liuely stedfast faith that the cleere light and brightnesse of thy Gospell the glorie of Christ may shine vnto vs and lighten our minds that wee may learne and vnderstand the wonderfull and vnspeakeable riches of y e mystery of our redemption in Christ and by Christ O Father of glorie giue vnto vs the spirit of wisedome and bring vs vnto the true knoweledge of this thy beloued Sonne Iesus Christ and the knowledge of thy selfe Open and lighten the eyes of our mindes and vnderstanding that wee may knowe what the hope is whereunto thou hâ—st called vs and howe rich the glorie of thine inheritance is vpon thy Saints and the exceeding greatnesse of thy power towardes vs that by trne faith by vnderstanding knowledge of thine eternall-wisedome which is Iesus Christ we may be indeede as wee are called true Christians and vnfained professours of thy holy name to worship thee in spirit and trueth to set forth the glory of thy grace giuen vnto vs in Christ Iesu our lord Amen O deare father write in our harts loue of thy law hate to al sin thankfulnesse of heart and continual heat of thy holie spirite for thy sonne Iesus Christs sake To whome with thee and thy holy spirit be al honour maiestie glory thanks rule empire and dominion for euermore Amen A forme of thankesgiuing for our redemption and prayer for the strength increase of faith Lord incrâ—ase our faith Luc. 17. ETernall praise and thankes bee giuen vnto thee deare God and Father of our Lorde Iesus Christ which hast blessed vs with all spirituall blessings in heaueÌ„ly things by Christ in that thou hast chosen vs in him before the foundation of the world was laide that we should bee without blame before thee through him by whom we haue redemption through his bloud euen the forgiuenesse of our sinnes in whome after we heard y e word of truth the Gospell of our saluation wherein we beleeued we are sealed with the holie spirite of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance which spirit hath and doeth beare witnesse vnto our spirits that we are thy children and therefore crieth into our harts Abba Father And thus most gracious father when thou hast once giuen the earnest penie of our saluation into our heartes thou doest not repent
destruction For thy hand is not shortned that thou canst not helpe neither is thy goodnesse abated that thou wilt not heare Thou hast promised O Lord that afore wee crye thou wilt heare vs whilest wee yet speake thou wilt haue mercie vpon vs. For none that trust in thee shal be confounded neither any that call vppon thee shall be despised For thou art the onely Lord who woundest and dost heale againe who killest and reuiuest bringest euen to hel and bringest backe againe Our fathers hoped in thee trusted in thee and thou diddest deliuer them They called vpon thee and were helped they put their trust in thee and were not confounded O Lord rebuke vs not in thine indignation neither chasten vs in thy heauie displeasure O remember not the sinnes and offences of my youth but according to thy mercie think thou vpon vs O Lord for thy goodnesse Haue mercie vpon vs O Lord for we are weake O Lord heale vs for our bodies are vexed And nowe in the vexation of our spirites and the augnish of our souls we remember thee and we crie vnto thee heare Lord and haue mercie For thine owne sake and for thy holie names sake incline thine care heare O merciful Lord. For wee doe not powre out our praiers before thee trusting in our owne righteousnesse but in thy great and manifolde mercies Wash vs thoughly from our wickednesse and clense vs from our sins Turne thy face from our sins and put out all our misdeeds Make vs cleane heartes O God and renue aright spirite within vs. Helpe vs O God of our saluation for the glorie of thy name O deliuer vs and be mercifull to our sinnes for thy names sake So wee that bee thy people sheep of thy pasture shal giue thee thankes for euer and will alwaies be shewing foorth thy praise from generation to generation Glorie be to the father c. As it was in the beginning c. A psalme of thankesgiuing for deliuerance from the plague or any other kinde of sicknes trouble or affliction LOrde thou art become gracious to thy lande thou hast turned away the afflictions of thy seruants Thou hast taken away all thy displeasure and turned thy selfe from thy wrathfull indignation For if thou Lorde hadst not helped vs it had not failed but our soules had been put to silence But when wee said our feet haue slipped thy mercy O Lorde helped vs vp In the multitude of the sorrowes that wee had in our hearts thy comforts haue refreshed our soules Our soules waited still vpon the Lorde our soules hanged vppon his helpe our hope was alwaies in him In the Lordes word will wee reioyce in Gods worde did wee comfort onr selues For the Lord said Call vpon mee in the time of trouble I wil heare thee and thou shalt praise mee So when wee were poore needie sickly in heauines the Lord cared for vs hee was our helper â—nd our deliuerer according to his word In our aduersitie and desiresse he hath lifted vp our head and sauâ—â— vs from vtter destruction He hath deliuered our soules froâ— death hee hath fed vs in the time 〈◊〉 dearth hee hath saued vs from thâ— noysome pestilence Therefore wil wee offer in his holy temple the oblation of thankesgiuing with great gladnes wee wâ—â—sing and speake praises vnto the lorâ— our Sauiour Wee will giue thankes vnto thâ— Lord for he is gratious and his meâ—â—cie endureth for euer The Lord is ful of compassion anâ— mercie long suffering plenteous iâ— goodnesse and pitie His mercie is greater than the hâ—â—uens and his gracious goodnes reaâ—cheth vnto the cloudes Like as a father pitieth his owâ— children euen so is the Lord merciful vnto them that feare him Therefore will we praise thee and thy mercies O God vnto thee will wee sing O thou holy one of Israel We will sing a new song vnto thee O God wee will praise the Lorde with psalmes and thankesgiuing O sing praises sing praises vnto our God O sing praises sing praises vnto our king For God is the king of the earth sing praises with vnderstanding We will magnifie thee O God our king wee will praise thy name for euer and euer Euery daye wil wee giue thankes vnto thee and praise thy name for euer and euer Our moutn shall speake the praises of the Lord let all flesh giue thanks to hs holy name for euer and euer Blessed bee the Lorde God of Israell for euer and blessed be the name of his maiesty worlde without end Amen Glorie be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. Prayers to be said before meales and after ALL things depend vpon thy prouidence O Lord to receiue at thy hands due sustenance in time conuenient Thou giuest to them and they gather it thor openest thy hand and they are sanctified with all good things O heauenly father which art the fountaine and full treasure of all goodnesse Wee beseech thee to shewe thy mercie vpon vs thy children and sanctifie these thy giftes which we receiue of thy merciful liberalitie granting vs grace to vse them soberly and purely according to thy blessed will so that thereby we may acknowledge thee to be the author and giuer of all good thinges and aboue all that we may remember continually to seeke the spiritual foode of the world wherwith our soules may be norished euerlastingly through our Sauiour Christ who is the true breade of life which came downe from heauen of whom whosoener eateth shal liue for euer and raigne with him in glorie world withour end So be it Another prayer before meales VVHether ye eat or drinke saith S. Paule or whatsoeuer ye do else let all be done to the praise glorie of God Eternall and euerlasting God fathere of our Lord Iesus Christ who of thy most singular loue which thou barest to mankinde hast appointed to his sustenance not only the fruits of the earth but also the fouls of the aire the beastes of the field and fishes of the sea and hast commaunded thy benâ— fites to be receiued as from thy handes with thankesgiuing assuring thy children by the mouth of thine Apostle that to the cleane al things are cleane as the creatures which be sanctified by the worde and prayer grant vnto vs so moderatly to vse these thy giftes present that our bodies being refreshed our soules may be more able to proceede in all good works to the praise of the holy name through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Our father which art in heauen c. Another O Eternall God the very God of peace and al consolation which broughtest againe from death our Lorke Iesus the greate shepheard of the sheep through the bloud of the euerlasting couenante make vs fruitful in all good works to do thy wil and
worke in vs that which is acceptable in thy sight SanctifiE vs thoroughout and keepe our whole spirit soule and bodie faultlesse vnto the comming of thy dear sonne our Lord Iesus Christ Thou art faithful O Father who hast promised this who also shall bring it to passe to thee therfore be giuen euerlasting praise honour and glorie Amen A thankesgiuing after meales LEt al nations magnifie the Lord let all people reioyce in praysing and extolling his greate mercies For his fatherly kindnesse is plentifully shewing foorth vpon vs and the truth of his promise endureth for euer Wee render thankes vnto thee O Lord God for thy manifold benefits which we continually receiue at thy bountifull hand not onely for that it hath pleased thee to feede vs in this present life giuing vnto vs al things necessarie for the same but especially because thou hast of thy free mercie fashioned vs anewe into an assured hope of a farre better life the which thou hast declared vnto vs by thy holie Gospel Therefore we humbly beseech thee Oh heauenly father that thou wilt not suffer our affections to bee so intangled and roâ—ted in these earthly corruptible things but that we may alwayes haue our mindes directed to thee oâ— high continually watching for the coÌ„mming of our lord Isesus Christ what time he shal appeare for our full redemption To whom with thee and the holy Ghost bee all honor and glorie for euer and euer So bee it Another thankesgiuing after meales GLorie praise and honour be vnto thee most mercifull and omnipotent Father who hastfed and daylie doest feede of thy most bountifull goodnesse al liuing creatures we beseech thee that as thou hast nourished these our mortal bodies with corporall food so thou wouldest replenish our souls with the perfect knowledg of the liuely word of thy beloued son Iesus Christ to whom with thee the holy Ghost be praise glorie and honour for euer So be it Another MOst bountifull and gratious God which feedest all flesh and hast promised that asking of thee we shall not lacke if wee first seeke thy kingdome the righteousnes thereof we feeling presently the benefit of this thy gratious promise in feeding our bodies with this corporal foode do rendervnto thee most harty thanks for the same beseeching thee likewise to feed our soules with that heauenlie foode which perisheth not but abideth vnto euerlasting life so that we being norished by thy goodnesse both in bodie soule may be apt readie to do al good workes which thou hast prepared for vs to walke in through Iesus Christ our Lord. Vnto him that loueth vs and washed vs from our sinnes in his bloud and made vs Kings and Priestes vnto God his father be all glory power and dominion for euermore Amen Another THe God of glorie who hath created redeemed and presently fed vs be blessed for euermore Amen The God of all power who hath called from death the greate pastor of the sheepe our Lord Iesus comfort defend the flock which he hath redeemed by the bloud of the eternall Testament increase the number of true preachers represse the rage of obstinate tyrants lighten the harts of the ignorant releeue the pains of such as be afflicted but specially of those that suffer for the testimonie of thy truth and finally confound Sathan by the power of our Lord Iesus Christe So be it Prayers commonly called Lydleys prayers with certayne godly additions Before thou prayest forgiue if thou hast any thing against any man and come not to GOD with a double heart but lift vp pure handes without wrath or doubting 1. Tim. 2. AL mightie and most mercifull Father I thy poore creature work of thy hands acknowledge confes vnto thee my manifolde sinnes and â—ffences which I froÌ„ my youth vp vnto this day haue committed against thee in thoughte word deede beseeching thee for Iesus Christ thy deere sonnes sake to haue mercie vpon mee and to pardon the same according to thy greate mercie which hast promised that At what time soeuer a sinner doth repent him of his sinne from the bottome of his heart thou wilt put his wickednesse out of thy remembrance O Lord I confesse that I was borne in sinne and conceiued in wickednesse and am by nature a childe of wrath for in my flesh dwelleth no good thing and of my selfe I am not able to thinke a good thought much lesse to doe that thou in thy lawe requirest of mee saying Cursed is he that continueth not in all thinges that are written in the lawe to doe them Againe thy lawe is spirituall but I am carnall sould vnder sinne Therefore O LORD I come vnto thee for grace which hast said Aske ye shal haue seeke ye shall find knock it shal be opened vnto you to preuent draw my will vnto all goodnesse for none can come vnto thee except he be drawn except we be borne from aboue we cannot see the kingdom of God Therefore O Lord renew in mee a right spirit that I may receiue strength and ablenes to doe thy righteous will Grant that I may euer desire and will that which is most pleasing and acceptable to doe thy will Thy will be my will and my will be alwayes to follow thy will Let there be euer in mee one will one desire with thee and let me neuer desire to will or not to will but as thou wilt Graunt mee that aboue all things I may rest in thee and fully quiet pacifie my heart in thee for thou Lord art the true peace of the heart and the perfect rest of the soule Thou knowest Lord what is most profitable expedient for me where fore doe with mee in al things as it shall seeme best vnto thee For it may not be but well that thou dost which doest most iustly and blessedly dispose al things after thy most godly wisedome Therefore whether it be by prosperitie or aduersitie losse or gain sicknesse or health life or death thy will be done Cast out of my heart al vnprofitable cares of worldly thinges and suffer me not to be lead with the vnstable desires of earthly vanities but giue me grace that all worldlye and carnal affections may bee mortified die in mee Graunt vnto mee the strength of thy holie spirite to subdue this body of sinne with the whole lustes thereof that it may be obedient both in wil minde and members to do thy holy wil Assist me with thy grace O Lord that I may be strenthened in the inwarde man and bee armed with thy holy armor which is the breast-plate of righteousnesse the shielde of faith the hope of saluation for an helmet and the sworde of the spirit which is thy holy word that I may stand perfect in all that is thy will be found worthy through Christ to receiue the crowne of life which thou hast promised to all them that loue thee Giue me grace that I may esteeme