the diuel rage the powers of the world daily rise vp the flesh with all her bond slaues coÌ„spire against the kingdom of thine onely begotten son Iesus Christ our Lord yet make vs to vnderstand and with constant faith bee perswaded that thou deridest and contemnest all such whom thou canst in thine anger fierce displeasure when thou wilt suddenly destroy bring to nought In this faith seeing wee are sometimes so weak that being ouercome with sundry kindes of terrors and dread we are not so obedient to thy commandements as we ought to be wee therefore beseech thee for thy great goodnes sake to be mercifull vnto vs and grant that we may coÌ„stantly beleeue thy sonne our King and our redeemer to haue the highest power and dominion with thee in all things For seeing thou hast begotten him thou hast also deliuered to him all natioÌ„s to be ruled by his power as his owne inheritance grant therefore vnto vs that yet at length wee may be wise and vnderstand in such sort as we may serue thee with al due feare and worship that in the last day wee be not dashed in peeces as earthen vessels with the rodde of thine indignation through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier which M. Iohn Bradford said alittle before his death in Smithfield MErcifull God and Father to whom our Sauiour Christ approched in his feare need by reson of death sound comfort gracious God and most bounteous Christ on whom StepheÌ„ called in his extreame need and receiued strength most benigne holy spirit which in the midst of all crosses and death didst comfort the Apostle S. Paul with more consolations in Christ than hee felt sorrows and terrors in the world haue mercy vpon mee a most miserable vile and wretched sinner which now draw neer the gates of death deserued both in soule and body eternally by reason of my manifold horrible old and new transgressions which to thine eyes O Lord GOD are open and knowne Oh be mercifull vnto mee and forgiue mee for the bitter death and bloudshedding of thine onely Sonne Iesus Christ And though thy iustice do require in respect of my sinnes that now thou shouldest not heare mee contemning thy daily callings yet let thy mercy which is aboue all thy works and wherwith the earth is filled let thy mercy I say preuaile towards me through the merits and mediation of Christ our Sauiour for whose sake it pleaseth thee to bring me forth now as one of his witnesses and a record bearer of thy verity and truth taught by him to giue my life therefore of which dignity I doe acknowledge deare God that there was neuer any so vnworthy and vnmeete no not the thiefe that hanged with him on the crosse I humbly therefore pray thee that thou wouldest accordingly aid helpe and assisâ— mee with thy strength and heaueÌ„ly grace that with Christ thy Sonne I may finde comfort with Stephen I may see thy presence and gracious power with Paul and all other which for thy name sake haue suffered affliction and death I may find so present with me thy gracious consolation that I may by my death glorifie thy holy name set forth and ratifie thy verity comfort the harts of the heauy confirme thy Churcâ— in thy truth conuert some that are to be conuerted and so depart out of this miserable world where I doe nothing but daily heape sinne vpon sinne and enter into the fruition of thy blessed mercy whereof now giue and increase in me a liuely tast sense and feeling where through the terrour of death the tormenâ—s of fire the paines of sin the darts of Satan and the dolours of hell may neuer ouercome me but may be driuen away through the working of the most gracious spirit which now pleÌ„teously endue me withal that throgh the same spâ—rit I may offer as now I desire am ready to doe in Christ and by him my selfe wholy soule and body to a liuely sacrifice holy and acceptable in thy sight deare father whose I am and always haue been euen before the world was made to whom I commend my selfe faith name family and friends countrie all the whole Church yea euen my very enemies according to thy good pleasure beseeching thee entirely to giue once more to this Realme of England the blessing of thy word againe with godly peace to the teaching and setting forth of the same O deare father now guide mee to come vnto thee so purge and purifie me by this fire in Christs death passion through the spirite that I may bee a burnt offering of sweet smel in thy sight which liuest and raignest with the sonne and the holie Ghost now and euermore world without end The Letany O God the father of heauen haue mercy vppon vs miserable sinners O God the father of heauen c. O God the sonne redeemer of the world haue mercy vpon vs miserable sinners O God the sonne redeemer c. O God the holy ghost proceeding from the father and the sonne haue mercy vpon vs miserable sinners O God the holy Ghost c. O holy blessed and glorious Trinity three persons one God haue mercy vpon vs miserable sinners O holy blessed and glorious c. Remember not Lord our offences nor the offences of our forefathers neither take thou vengeance of our sins spate vs good Lord spate thy people whome thou hast redeemed with thy most precious bloud and be not angry with vs for euer Spate vs good Lord. From all euill and mischiefe from sinne from â—he crafts and assaults of the diuell from thy wrath and from euerlasting damnation Good Lord deliuer vs. From blindnes of heart from pride vaineglory and hypocrisie from enuy hatred and malice and al vncharitablenesse Good Lord deliuer vs. From fornication and al other deadly sinne and from all the deceits of the world the flesh and the diuell Good Lord deliuer vs. From lightning and tempest from plague pestileÌ„ce famine from battell murder from sodaine death Good Lord deliuer vs. From all sediâ—iâ—n and priuy conspiracy from all false doctrine and heresie from hardnes of heart contempt of thy word commandemeÌ„t Good Lord deliuer vs. By the mystery of thy holy incarnation by thy holy natiuity and circumcision by thy Baptisme fasting and temptation Good Lord deliuer vs. By thine agony and bloudy sweat by thy crosse and passion by thy glorious resurrection and assension and by the comming of the holy Ghost Good Lord deliuer vs. In all time of our tribulation in all time of our wealth in the houre of death and in the day of iudgement Good Lord deliuer vs. We sinners do beseech thee to heare vs O Lord God and that it may please thee to rule and gouerne thy holy church vniuersally in the right way We beseech thee to heare vâ— c. That it may please thee to keep and strengthen in the true worshipping of thee in righteousnesse holines of
Elijahs fiery-Chariot OR GLOWING-COALS Taken from GODS ALTAR Being excellent Prayers and Meditations fitted for all Persons in all Conditions Composed by divers learned Fathers and Martyrs in the Church of God The like never before extant London Printed for Thomas Rooks and are to be sold at his Shop at the sign of the Lamb at the East-end of St. Pauls Church 1659. The Epistle Reader LEt no prejudicate opinion divert or fiery passion impedeâ— thy â—erusual of this little Manuâ—l because it adventures inâ—o a litigious world without 〈◊〉 Guardian for know ussuâ—edly it is no other than a Dove sent out of the Ark Gods Church to view the frame of the children of men and amidst the various actions of contentious spirits will certainly return with the Olive branch of Peace to each faithful Soul for indulgent mercy being alwayes ready with unwearied beams of Love and Light to guide the staggering steps of the rebellious and sinful yet returning man will never permit the great Abaddon to destroy the lives of precious Souls either by devouring their Religion in the flames of pretendâ—d but ignorant zeal or devouring their devotion in the overflowing deluge of a licentious tolleration for Heavens propâ—â—ious eye is ever watchful over his own peculiar Flock taking care that his inheritance may not be destroyed by that strange fire which is daily offered up from the usurped unlawful censors of pretended gifts by the many presumptious Corahs which like the Egyptian Flyes have of late overspread the whole Land that the grand Impostors of the world may no longer prevail upon the hearts of good people It hath pleased Almighty God to inspire stir up the hearts of some they of the faithfullest and most eminent Watchmen of our Israel in this ensuing Treatise to furnish us the unlearned and ignorant with Prayers Arguments and fervent ejaculations so to cast some glowing coals into the hearts and minds of the most excellent Christians whereby the fervor of their devotions may be increased The work is short but pithy as containing in it the Elixar of all religious service the epitomy of all piety and the whole of every man furnishing them with Prayers and Meditations for all times in all conditions and upon all occasions In short it is the platform both of prayer and meditation wherein is copied out Elijahs fiery-Chariot that with speed will carry fainting Souls to the place of comfort and rest Jacobs Bethel wherein the strongest man in Christ Jesus may strive and wrestle with his maker the Key of David which if turned by the hand of Faith will open the dore of Heaven to the greatest of sinners AN INTRODVCTION to Praier FOrasmuch as of our selues we are destitute of all good things and vtterly voide of all necessary helpes to saluation the Lord our God of his owne free mercie and goodnesse offereth himselfe to vs in Christ and in him he giueth vnto vs in the stead of our misery al felicity in the stead of our pouerty the vnspeakable riches of his grace he openeth vnto vs in him the treasures of heaueÌ„ that our faith might wholy behold him and our hope bee fully fixed vpon him Jn whom it hath pleased him that the fulnesse of his grace should dwell that from thence we might all draw as out of a most plentifull fountaine the waters of eternall life This secret and great misterie is reuealed to such onely whose eies the Lord hath opened to see light in his light Therefore since we are taught by faith that whatsoeuer we haue need of is wanting in vs the same is laid vp with God for vs in Christ it remaineth that we seeke it in him Rom 10 with praier craue it of him The Apostle therefore to shew that true faith cannot be separated from the inuocation of Gods holy name hath set this order that as faith commeth by the Gospell so by the same faith our hearts are stirred vp to call vpon the name of Gâ—d and therefore he saith that the spirit of adoption which sealeth in our hearts the witnesse of the Gospell raiseth vp our spirits that they dare with boldnesse shew forth their desires it stirreth vp in vs vnspeakeable gronings and causeth vs to cry with confidence Abba Father By the benefit of prayer therefore we attaine to those riches which God hath laide vp in store for vs for thereby we haue familiar accesse to God and boldly entring into the sanctuarie of heauen we put him in mind of his promises so that now by experience wee feele and finde that to be true indeede which by the word we did before but onely beleeue now we enioy those treasures by Prayer which by faith wee did before but onely behold in the Gospell of our Lord Jesus Now how necessary and profitable this exercise of prayer is appeareth in that the Lord himselfe witnesseth our whole saluation to consist in the calling vpon his name whereby he is wholly present with vs namely by his prouidence and fatherly care by the which he vvatcheth ouer vs by his power by the which hee sustaineth and succoureth our weakenesse being euery moment ready to perish and by his goodnesse and mercy by the which he receiueth vs into fauour being miserably loaden and pressed down with sinne And hereby groweth singular rest and quietnesse to our conscience For when wee haue disclosed to him our necessity herein we finde most ioyfull 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 helpe vs. Now that our praier may be made in such wise as it ought to be first wee must see that we be in heart and minde no otherwise prepared then becommeth those that enter into talke with God as we are taught Eccl. 28. Before thou pray prepare thy selfe and be not as one that tempteth God We must consider therfore when we pray in whose presence wee stand to whom wee speake and what we desire We stand in the presence of the Almighty creator of heauen and earth all things therein contained to whose eternall Maiesty 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 then hypocrisie dissimulation we aske those things which be most for his glory the comfort of our consciences VVee must therefore diligently endeuour our selues to remoue all such things as may offend his diuine maiestie And first that wee bee free from all worldly cares and fleshly cogitations whereby our minds are carried hither thither and being drawne out of heauen from the pure beholding of God are pressed downe to the earth And here let vs call to mind how vnreuerently we abuse the great goodnesse of God calling vs into familiar talke with him when we haue not that reuerent feare of his sacred Maiestie that we would haue of an earrhly creature or
a worldly Prince but suffering our hearts to be carried away with wandring thoughts worldly imaginations are otherwise occupied and forsake him in the midst of our praiers As God is a Spirit so will â—e be worshipped in spirit and truth that is in the inward affections of the heart and with a true faithfull and vnsained kind of worship And therfore as at all other times hee requireth the heart so specially in the time of praier when we shew our selues in his presence and 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 therefore that the chiefe dutie of praier consisteth in the heart we must with our whole hart poure out our praiers vnto God the searcher of all harts with a sincere vnfained and ardent affection opening of our hart before God call vpon him or else we shall not finde him Let vs know therefore that none prepare themselues right to praier but such as haue a reuereÌ„t feare of Gods Maiestie which they caÌ„not haue that come not to it vnburthened of earthly cares and affections And this is that is ment in the Scriptures by the lifting vp of hands that wee should remember our selues to bee farre off from God vnlesse we lift vp our hearts and minds also on high And therefore it is said in the Psalme To thee haue I lifted vp my soule The Scripture vseth also this manner of speech To lift vp praier that they that desire to be heard of God should not haue their mindes carried away with earthly cogitations and vanitie And though it be hard to bee so bent to praier but that we shall finde that mâ—nie by-thoughts will creepe vpon vs to hinder our praier yet the more hard it is the more earnestly we must wrestle to ouercome all lets and hinderances and labour with inward groanings vnto the Lord that hee will linke our hearts fast vnto him and not suffer vs to be ledde away from him by the vaine suggestions of Satan Psal 8â— who at all times compassing vs about is neuer more busie then when we addresse our selues to prayer secretly and subtlely creeping into our brest and calling vs backe from God so that oftentimes when we with all reuerence should speake to God we find our harts talking with the vanities of the world or with the foolish imaginations of our owne hearts Finally we must be in christian charity loue and concord with all men seeking vnfained hearty and brotherly reconciliation if we haue offended any man before we enter into praier or else God will not heare our praiers yea they are otherwise execrable and full of damnable hypocrisie in Gods sight And this that is spoken of praier may be said also of hearing of Gods word or any other seruice of God VVe must therefore lay aside all malice enuie wrath grudge contention wrangling dissimulation all guilefull craftie and subtle dealing and with a single heart doe to others as we would they should doe to vs. 1. Pet. 8 Peter willeth that such as haue once tasâ—ed how good and bounteous the Lord is and are become new creatures by the heauenly regeneration through the doctrine of the gospell should like holy and innocent babes lay aside all such works of the flesh which doe depriue a man of the kingdom of God Galat. 5 and Saint Paul commandeth vs that laying a side all those cursed workes of darkenesse we should in the stead thereof put on euen as the elect of God holy and beloued tender mercy kindnesse humblenesse of minde meekenesse long suffering forbearing one another forgiuing one another if one haue a quarrell to another as Christ forgaue vs. And aboue al these thingâ— saith he put on loue which is the bond of perfection let the peace of God rule in your hearts When ye shal stand pray saith Saint Marke Mark 11 forgiue if yee haue any thing against any man thaâ— your Father also which is in heauen may forgiue you your trespasses for if yee will not forgiue your father which is in heauen vvill not pardon your trespasses Moreouer we must haue such a feeling of our owne misery and wretchednes as may worke in vs an earnest sorrow and vexation of minde for the same Example whereof we may see in the deare seruants of God when they say that cut of the deepe deepenesse and out of the middest of the iaws of deaths they vtter vnto the Lord a sorrowfull voice Hee that desireth mercie must haue a feeling of his owne misery And therefore saith Dauid Heale my soule O Lord for J haue sinned against thee There is nothing in my flesh saith he because of thy displeasure neiâ—her is there any rest in my bones because of my sinne This anguish sorrow stirreth vp in Gods children a feruent desire to obtaine comfort helpe and succour at Gods hand and therefore such as feele themselues oppressed with great calamitieâ— hauing by the helpe of man no hope of deliuerance doe cry vnto God with afflicted hearts as Dauid did in his distresse My soule thirsteth for God euen for the liuâ—ng God and as the Hart being wounded braieth for the riuers of waters so panteth my soule after thee O God This is that godly sorrow which S. Paul saith worketh in Gods children repentance to saluatio The Lord is nigh to them saith Dauid that are of a contrite heart and vvil saue al such as are afflicted in spirit To him vvil I looke euen vnto him saith the lord that is afflicted and broken hearted and trembleth at my words Therefore Dauid calleth the time of trouble the fit and conuenient time for the faithfull to flie vnto God by prayer And albeit they be not at all times in like distresse or continually groning vnder the burden of present euils yet they must needs be euer in dread of new dangers and carefully afraid of furâ—her troubles to follow As trouble and feare therefore are the verie spurres to stirr them vp to hearty and feruent Praier so by occasion thereof they haue more free accesse vnto God as though hee did thereby 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 goodnes of God for wee are of our selues dull and without all list to pray yea so grâ—at is our imperfection that wee know not how to pray as we ought and therefore the spirit helpeâ—h our infirmitieâ— and instructeth vs what is right and guideth our affections He maketh intercession for the Saints saith Saint Paul according to the vvil of God that vvith sighes gronings vvhich cannot be expressed that is hee stirreth vp out harts giueth vs a desire boldnes to pray and causeth vs to mourn when wee are by any meanes hindred from it and feele not our selues moued therunto with
mutability in thee for thou art God and art not changed with thee there is no variablenesse and therfore they pray not as men which would haue thy determination and ordinances which are in most wisdome and mercy to bee altered but rather that they might submit their wils to thine and make them more able to beare thy will and pleasure They know thou hast promised to help them calling vpon thee wherfore they doubt not but so thou wilt doe and therefore pray accordingly They loue thee harâ—ely and therefore they cannot but desire much to talke with thee that is to pray euen as a wel mannered and louing wife will not take vpon her to aske any thing of her husband at al but what she hopeâ—h he will take in good part do of his owne f ee will alâ—hough she had spoken nothing therof When she knoweth what her husbands will is in things shee gladly talketh with him thereof and according as shee seeth hee is disposed to doe she wil often desire him to doe it Euen so thy children I say which heartely loue thee in that they know thy wisedome and will is best how can they but often talke with thee and desire thee to do that which they know is best which they know also thou wouldest do if none should aske or pray for the same Thy chiâ—dren vse prayer as a meane by thâ— which they see plainly thy power thy presence thy prouidence mercy and goodnesse towards them in graunting their petitions and by praier they are confirmed of them Yea thy children vse praier to admonish them how that all things are in thy hands In pâ—ayer they are as it were of thee put in minde of those things which they haue ione against thee their good Lord By reason whereof repentance ensâ—eth and they conceiue a purpose to liue moâ—e purely euer afterward and more hartily to appâ—y themselues to all innocencie and goodnesse Who now conâ—idâ—ring so manâ—e great commodities to come by reason of praier would maruell why thy children are much in praier and labouring to prouoke others therevnto For as none that is a suter to any other will vse any thing which might offend or hinder his sute so no man that vseth praier will flatter himselfe in anie thing that should displease thee to whom by praier he moueth sute whensoeuer he praieth so that nothing is a more prouocation to all kind of godlinesse then praier is As concerning outward things which thy childreÌ„ pray for although they know thy will and decree is not variable and thy purpose must needs come to passe yet doe they receiue by their prayer no small commoditie For either they obtaine their requests or not If they doe obtaine them then proue they by experience that thou dost the will of them that feare thee and so they are more kindled to loue and serue thee And indeed for this purpose thou art wont when thou wilt doe good to any to stir vp their minds to desire the same good of thee to the end that both thou and thy gifts may bee so much the more magnified and set by of them by how much they haue beene carnest suters and petitioners for the same For how can it but inflame them with loue towards thee to perceiue and feele thee so to care for them heare them and loue them If they doe not obtaine that they praie for yet vndoubtedly they receiue great comfort to see that the euils which presse them and wherof they complaine still doe not oppresse and ouercome them and therefore they receiue strength to beare the same the better O good father helpe me that I may heartily loue thee complaine to thee in all my needs alwaies by praier to powre out my heart before thee Amen Iohn Bradford A meditation vpon the Lords prayer Our Father THou good Lord which madest heauen and earth the sea and all that is therein Exod. 1. together with thy dearâ—ly beloued sonne Iesus Christ and with thy holy spirit thou the same God which openedst thy self to Adam by thy promise Gen. 3. Gen 12.22.23.24.25 Exod. 13.14 15. Exod. 19.20 thou the God of Abraham Isaac and Iacob then which broughtest thy people of Israel forth of Egypt with a mighty haÌ„d a stretched out power thou which gauest the Law vpon Mount Sinai thou which spakest by thy prophets and last of all in these latter daies Heb. 1 by the dearely beloued Son Iesus Christ whom thou wouldest should be made a second Adam that as by the first wee are children of wrath 1 Cor. 15. Rom. 5. carnall and full of concupisâ—ence so by him we might bee made children of grace and spirituall by communicating with him in qualitie merits vertues and grace of his flesh through the operation of his holy spâ—rit as hee communicated wi h vs the substance of our flesh in the wombe of the Virgin Mary Maâ— 1. Luke 1. in the operation of the same holy spirit beeing that blessed seede which was promised to Adam Abraham â—saac Iacob and Dauid which should bruse the Serpents head Gen. 3.12.26 â—8 Psaâ— 89 2. Reg. 1 Luke 1. Psal 110. which should bring the blessing on all Nations which should raigne ouer his house for euer and mightily ouercome thine and our enemies as indeede he did by his incarnation natiuitie Rom. 8. circumcision exile baptisme fasting temptation doctrine miracles watchings agonies bloudie prayer passion death resurrection and ascension Mat. 24. 2. Cor. 15. 2. Thes 4. 2 Cor. 5. Exo. 31.33 Joel 3. Psal 15. Gen. 6. and yet still so doth by his mediation and intercession for vs and at the length will on all parts fully accomplish by his comming to iudgement which will bee suddenly in the twinkling of an eye with the blast of a trumpet and shout of an Archangell when hee shall bee seene with thousands of Saints innumerable thousands of Angels all the whole world being on fire al the people that euer were are or shall be then standing before his tribunall or iudgement seate to render an account of that they haue done in this body be it good or bad Thou I say this God which are holie righteous true wise pure chast mighty mercifull good gracious an hater of sin and a reuenger of vnrighteousnes c a Our heart is by naâ—ure so corrupt vnsercheably euill that out of it springeth al wicked concupiscence so that the inclination thereto is prone to euill euer from our bi r h vp our miâ—de and vnderstanding is so darkened that of our selues we cannot perceiue those things that â—e of God aâ— is all the wisedome which we receiue from Adam na uralâ—y or otheâ—wise aâ—taine by labour or study before regeneraâ—ioÌ„ wouldest that I which am borne in sinne and conceiued in iniquitie which by nature am a child of wrath and in whom dwelleth continuall enmitie against thee that I which am nothing but sinne and one that doth
euil alwaies before thee should call thee and beleeue thee this God and Father of our Lord Sauiour Iesus Christ to be in very deed my Father that is thou wouldest I should be most assured that thou of thine owne good will which thou barest to mewards before I was yea before the world was hast in Christ chosen mee to be thy childe and through him art become my most louing Father from whom I should looke for all good things be most certainly perswaded that loâ—ke how much thou art more then a man so much thy loue and fatherly prouidence towards me passeth the loue and prouidence of any Father towards his child in louing mee caâ—ing how to helpe mee prouiding for mee nurturing mee and heâ—ping me in all my needs So certaine thou wouldest haue mee to bee of this that to doubt of it doth most displease thee and dishonour thee as though either thou were not true or not able to doe these things or else becamest not my father in respect of thine owne goodnesse in Christ only but also in respect of my worthinesse and deserts Causes to comfort our f i th that God is our father And that I should not wauer or doubt of this that thou art my deare Father and I thy childe for euer through Iesus Christ it is required in the first commandement which saith I am the Lord thy God thou shalt haue none other Gods but me Againe thy sonne doth here command mee to call thee by the name of Father Moreouer in the fâ—rst article of my beleefe I professe the same in saying I beleeue in God the Father almighty Besides this there are manie other things to confirme me herein as the creation and gouernement of the world generally and of euerie creature particularly for all is made and kept for man and so for me to serue me for my commoditie necessitie and admonition Again the creation of me in that thou hast made mee after thy image hauing a reasonable soule body shape c. where thou mightest haue made me a Toad a serpent a Swine deformed franticke c. Moreouer thy wonderfull conseruation nourishing and keeping of me hitherto in my infancy childhood youth c. All these I say should confirme my faith in thy fatherly loue But of all things the opening of thy selfe by thy word and promise of grace made after mans fall fâ—rst 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 Amen the opening of thy selfe thus I say in and by Christ is the most chiefe and sure certificate that thou art my Father for his sake and I thy deare childe although of my selfe I am most vnworthie For thou according to thy promises hast not spared thy deare Son Iesus Christ but giuen him to the death of the Crosse for my sinnes Thou wouldest he should be made flesh of our flesh and blood of our blood in the wombe of the Virgin Maâ—y by the operation of thy holy spirit that we by the working of the same spirit through the merits of his flesh and blood might be made flesh of his flesh and blood of his blood that is as he hath the substance of our flesh and blood euen so wee might haue and for euer enioy in him and through him the qualities vertues and gifts oâ— righteousnesse holinesse innocencie immortalitie and glorie wherewith he hath endued our nature in his owne person for vs all that as now in faith and hope we haue the same so in his comming Phil. 3 wee might fully enioy them in very deede for then shall our bodies now vile bee like to his glorious bodie Heerein appeareth thy loue not that we loued thee but that thou louedst vs 1. John â— and hast giuen thy Sonne for vs. Heerein doest thou commend vnto vs thy loue that when wee were yet sinners Christ thy deare Sonne died for vs Rom. 5. so that nothing should seperate vs from the loue in Christ Iesus Rom. 8. neither affliction anguish persecution famine neither life nor deaâ—h c. For when we were enemies Rom. 5. wee were reconciled vnto thee by the death of thy Son much more we being reconciled shall bee saued in his life And that I should not doubt heereof but certainely be perswaded all this to pertaine to mee where I might haue beene boâ—ne of Turks and infidels loe thou wouldest I should bee borne of Christian Parents What Baptisme is and what it requireth brought into thy Church by Baptisme which is a Sacrament of adoption and requireth faith as well of remission of my sinnes as of sanctification and holinesse to bee wrought of thee in me by thy grace and holy spirit Where I might haue beene borne in an ignorant time Region thou wouldest I should bee borne in this time and Region wherein is more knowledge reuealed then euer was heere or many place is Where I might haue beene of a corrupt iudgement and intangled with many errors loe thou of thy goodnesse as thou hast reformed my iudgement so dost thou keepe it and now for the same iudgements sake doest vouchsafe What is the effâ—ct or fruiâ— that commeth of this certain perswasion that God is our father somewhat by the Crosse to try mee By all which things I should conâ—â—rme my faith of this that thou alwaies hast been art and wilt bee for euer my deare father In respect whereof as I should be certaine of saluation of the inheritance of heauen for euer so should I be thankefull cast my whole care on thee trust to thee and call on thee with comfort and certaine hope for all things that I want For in that thou hast giuen to me this benefit to bee thy child vndeserued and vndesired on my behalfe simply and onely in respect of thine owne goodnesse and grace in Christ least at anie time I should doubt of it how should I but hope certainely that nothing profitable to me can be denied in that thy power is infinite For as thy good will is declared in adopting me so nothing can be finally wanting in mee which may make for my weale for then should not thy power be almighty and therefore my beleefe requireth that I should beleeue in thee the father almightie In consideration wherof I should in all things behaue my selfe as a child reioice in thee praise thee trust in thee feare thee serue thee loue thee call vpon thee c. But alas how heauy hearted am I How vnthankefull am I How ful of vnbeleefe and doubting of this thy rich mercy How little do I loue thee feare thee call vpon thee c. Oh be mercifull vnto mee forgiue me good father for thine owne sake and grant mee the spirit of thy children to reueale thy selfe vnto me and Iesus Christ thy deare Sonne our Lord by
whom wee are made thy children that I may truely know thee heartily loue thee faithfully hang vpon thee in all my needs with good hope call vpoÌ„ thee tender faithfully this honor to thee that thou art my God and Father and I thy dear Child through thy grace in Christ and so alwaies bee endued with an assured hope of thy goodnesse and a faithfull obedient heart in all things to thy holy will As thy hands and from thee as I must looke for all things so come I vnto thee and pray the to giue me those things which thy deare children haue and thou requirest of me that I come and aske them of thee as now I do through Iesus Christ our Lord. As by this word Father I am taught to glorie of thee and in thee and all that euer thou hast for thou art wholy mine my Lord my God my father so by this word Our I am taught to glorie of all the good that all and euerie of thy seruants that euer were are or shall bee had haue or shall haue For now I am taught to beleeue that thou hast called mee into the communion of thy Church and people whom hereby I perceiue thou hast commanded to be as carefull for mee as for hâ—mselues and in all their praiers â—o bee as mindefull of me as of themselues Againe as by this word Father I am taught to remember render my duty I owe to thee-wards faith loue feare obedience c so by this word Our I am taught my duety towards thy people to be carefull of them and to take their sorrow pouerty afffiction c. as mine owne and therefore to labour to helpe them in heart and hand after my vocation and ability vtterly abhorring all pride selfe-loue arrogancy and contempt of any By reason whereof I haue great cause to lament and to reioyce To lament because I am so farre from consideration much more from doing my duty to thy people in thoughts words and deeds To reioice because I am called of thee placed in the blessed society of thy Saints and made a member and citizen of the heauenly Ierusalem because thou hast giuen in commandement to all thy Church to bee as carefull for mee as for themselues But alas how farre am I heerefrom As I am guilty of vnthankfulnesse for this thy calling mee vnto the blessed communion of thy deare sonne and Church yea of thy selfe so am I guilty of selfe-loue vnmercifulnesse pride arrogancy forgetfulnesse and contempt of thy children for else I could not but be otherwise affected and otherwise labour then I doe Oh bee mercifull vnto mee good Father forgiue mee and grant for Christes sake that as my tongue soundeth this word Our so I may in heart feele the true ioy of thy blessed communion and the true loue and compassion which thy children haue and feele towards their brethren that I may reioice in al troubles in respect of that ioifull communion that I may deny my selfe to honour thy children vpon earth and endeauour my selfe to doe them good for thy sake through Iesus Christ our Lord I come only to thee to giue me that which I cannot nor must not else where haue and thou requirest it of mee that therefore I should as thy childe come and craue it to thy glory Which art in heauen AS by these words Our Father I am taught to glory and reioice for the blessed communion which I am called to with thee deare Father with thy Christ and wiâ—h the holy Church so also am I heere taught by these words Which art in heauen to reioice in respect of the place and blessed ioyes whereunto at the length in thy good time I shall come For now I may perceiue that as heauen is thy home so is it mine also being as I am thy childe through Christ although here for a time I am bodily on earth and in misery Againe by these words which art in heauen I am admonished not only to discerne thee from earthly Fathers and to know how that thou art almighty present in all places and of most purity to confirme thereby my faith to bee prouoked the more to feare thee to reuerence thee c. But also I am admonished to iudge of thy fatherly loue by heauenly benefits and not by corporall simply alonely for oftentimes the wicked prosper more in the world and haue more worldly benefites then thy children So that by this I see thou wouldest pull vp my minde from earth and earthly things to Heauen and heauenly things and that I should see further by corporall benefits thy heauenly prouidence for mee For if thou place mee thus on earth and thus blesse me as thou doest and hitherto hast done from my youth vp in that thou art nothing so carefull for my body as for my soule how should I but thinke much of thy prouidence for it is thy home where is such glory as the eie hath not seene c Of which things these corporall benefits of thine giuen mee on earth should bee as it were inductions and the takng of them away admonitions to bee more mindeful of permanent things and lesse mindefull of transitorie things By reason hereof I haue great cause to lament and to reioice To lament because I am so earthly minded so little desirous of my home so vnthankefull for thy prouidence and fatherly protection heere on earth To reioice because of my home and the great glorie thereof because thou dost so prouide for me heere because thou doest so correct and chasten me c. But alas I am altogeather a wretch earthly and vnthankfull not only for these corporall benefits health riches friends fame wisedome c. for thy fatherly correction sicknesse temptation c. but also for thy heauenly benefits for Christ Iesus for the promise of thy spirit for thy Gospell c. yea euen for heauen it selfe and thy whole glory as the Israelites were for the land of Canaan Psal 106. and therefore neuer enioyed it but perished in the wildernesse I am proude in prosperitie and forget thee waxing secure and careles I am impatient in the crosse and to much consider worldly discommodities Oh deare Father forgiue mee for thy Christs sake aâ—l mine vnthankefulnesse loue of this world contempt and obliuion of thy heauenly benefits and grant mee thy holy spirit to illuminate the eies of my minde with the light and liuely knowledge of thy presence power wisedome Col. 3 â—hil 3. and goodnesse in thy creatures but specially in Christ Iesus thy sonne and so by the same spirit inflame mine affections that I may desire nothing in earth but thee and to bee present with thee that my conuersation may bee in Heauen continually from whence grant mee still to looke for the Lord Iesus to make this my vile body like vnto his owne glorious and immortall body according to his own power by which he is able to do all things As thou hast giuen
whereof thou wouldest haue mee to bee in a certainty of my saluation for euer For else I cannot belieue my pâ—aier to be heard if that fâ—nally I should not bee deliuered from euill and therfore thou ioinest here to a giuing of thankes which with thy Church I should say For thine is the kingdom thine is the power thine is the glory for euer By reason whereof I haue great cause to lament and to reioice To lament because of my corruption infirmity weakenesse obliuion and carelesnesse for thy people ingratitude c. because of Satans power vigilance and prudency which hath ouercome most graue wise and holy men whereof some neuer recouered as Cain ChaÌ„ Achitopel Saul Iudâ—s c. To reioice because of thy good nes which teachest mee this and shewest mee the remedy commaundest all thy Church to pray for mee and will at length deliuer mee from all euill and giue mee glory But alas I am altogeather carelesse and miserable O bee mercifull vnto me deare Father for Christs sake forgiue mee all my sinnes grant mee thy holy spâ—rit to reueale to mee mine infirmities weakenes perills dangers c in such sort that as I may heartily lament my miseries so I may aske and obtaine thy grace to guide me from all euill for euermore Againe grant mee the same thy holy spirit to reueale to mee thy loue and kindnesse towards me and that in eternity in such sort that I may be throughly perswaded of the same become thankefull vnto thee daily expect and looke for the reuelation of thy kingdome power and glory as one that for euer shall haue the fruition of the same through thine own goodnes and mercy in Christ prepared for me before the beginning and foundation of the world was laid Here call to mind our security Sathans vigilancy our negligence his diligence our infirmity his aility our ignorance his craft and subtlety c. Againe call to mind how that hee hath ouerthrowne for a time many of the deare Saints of God to whom we are to be compared in nothing as Adam 〈◊〉 Lot Iudas Thâ—mar Mâ—ses Aaron M ri n Samsan Gâ—deon Eli Dauid Salomon Ezechias Iosias Peter Thmas and innumerable moe Also call to mind the goodnesse of God and of our shepheard Christ which hath kept vs hitherto keepeth vs still and teacheth vs here to know that hee will keepe vs for euer for hee would not haue vs aske for deliuerance from euil if that he would not we should certainely looke for the same If thou doubt of finall perseuerance thou dishonorest God Be certaine therefore rest in hope be still in his word See also how he hath commanded his whole Church and euery member thereof to pray for thee as well as for themselues in these all other things Now and then goe about to reckon how many and diuers kinds of euils there bee and thereby as you may know you are deliuered froÌ„ nâ—ne but by Gods great goodnes so may you see that the number of euils that you haue are nothing to be compared to the multitude of euils wherewith if your Christ were not the diuel would al to betray you insect corrupt you But what are all the miseries and euils that can be to be compared to the least ioy prepared for vs in heaue O thinke of these ioies and pray that when the tide of death commeth we may haile forth of the hauen of this flesh and this world ioyfully In praying this petition call to mind the euils you haue been in the euils you are in the euils you may fall into if God should not preseue you that you might be stirred vp the more to thankfulnes to praier and to trust in God For thine is the kingdome thine is the power thine is the glory for euer AS in the beginning of this praier by these words Our Father which art in heauen thy children are excited stirred vp to a ful confideÌ„ce of obtaining the petitions following all things necessary so in the later end thou hast added for the same purpose these words For thine is the kingdom thine is c. wherin I am taught these many things First that in praier I should haue such consideration of thy kingdome power glory and eternity that my minde should be stricken with an admiration of the same Secondly that I should so consider them especially in praier that I should not doubt but that thou workest rulest and gouernest althings euery where in al persons and creatures most wisely iustly and mercifully Thirdly that in praier all my petitions should tend to the setting forth of thy power of thy kingdome and of thy glory Last of all that in praier I should in no wise doubt of being heard but be assured that thou which hast commanded me to pray and hast promised to heare me doest most graciously for thy mercies sake and truthes sake heare my petitions according to thy good wil throgh Iesus Christ thy deare sonne our Lord and onely Sauiour By reason whereof I haue great cause to lament and reioyce To lament because I consider not these things in praier in such sort as should moue mee to admiration and gratitude because I consider not thy power and wisedom generally in all things because I am so careles for thy kingdome because I am so full of dubitation and doubting of thy goodnesse To reioyce I haue great cause because thou reuealest these things vnto me in this sort because of thy power kingdom and glory which maketh to the bearing of my praiers and helping of mee because thou wilt vse me as thine instrument to set foorth thy kingdome power and glory and because it pleaseth thee to heare my praiers and assuredly wilt saue me for euer But alas how far am I from these lamentings and reioycingâ— By reason whereof I deserue damnation O bee mercifull vnto mee and forgiue me and of thy goodnesse grant me thy holy spirit to reueaâ—e to me my blindnes obliuion contempt of thy kingdome power and glory with the greatnes of my doubtings that as I may hartily lament them so haue them pardoned and taken from me through the merits of â—esus Christ thy sonne Againe giue me thy holy spirit to reueale to mee in such sort thy kingdom power glory and eternity thaâ— I may alwaies haue the some before mine eyes be moued with the admiration theâ—eof labour effectually to set forth the same and finallâ— as to haue the fruition thereof after this life so to encrease in an assured certaine and liuely expectation of the same that I may alwaies and in all things reioyce in thee through Christ and giue landes thanks and praises perpetuall vnto thy most holy name Oh blessed Father Sonne and holy Ghost three persons and one God to whom bee all honour and glorie world without end Here thiâ—ke that if the kingdome power glory and eternity be Gods which is our fâ—ther what our dignity is which be his children
wee acknowledging froÌ„ the bottome of our hearts our own vnrighteousnesse may from henceforth not only mortifie our sinnefull lusts and affections but also bring forth such fruit as may bee agreeable to thy most blesses will Col. 3. Rom. 6. Eph. 4.5 1. Pet. 2. through Iesus Christ our onely Sauiour whom thou hast already giuen an oblation and an offring for our sinnes and for whose sake we are â—ertainly perswaded that thou wilt deny vs nothing that we shal aske in his name according to thy will For thy spitit doth assure our consciences that thou art our mercifull Father and so louest vs thy children through him that no thing is able to remoue thy heauenly grace and fauor from vs. To thee therefore with the sonne and the holy Ghost be all honour glory world without end So be it A Pâ—ayer to be said in the Morning O Eternall GOD and heauenly Father seeing that by thy great mercy we haue quietly passed this night grant wee beseech thee that wee may bestow this day wholy in thy seruice so that al our thoghts words and deeds may redâ—und to the glory of thy name and good example of our brethren And as it hath pleased thee to make the sunne to shine vpon the earth to giue vs bodily light euen so vouchsafe to illuminate our vnderstanding with the brightnesse of thy spirit to direct vs in the way of righteousnes so that what thing soeuer we shal apply our selues vnto our speciall care purpose may be to walk in thy fear and to serue and honor thee looking for all our wealth and prosperity to came from thy only blessing and that we may take nothing in hand which shall not be agreeable to thy most blessed will Furthermore that we may in such sort trauaile for our bodies and for this present life that we may haue alwaies a further regard that is to the heauenly life which thou hast promised to thy children and in the mane season that it may please thee to preserue and defend vs both in body and soule to strengthen vs against al the temptations of the diuel and to deliuer vs frâ—m all perils and dangers that may happen vnto vs if we be not defended by thy godly power And forasmuch as to begin well and not to continue is nothing wee beseech thee to receiue vs not onely this day into thy holy protection but also for the time of our whole life continuing and increasing in vs daily thy good grace gifts therof vntill thou shalt bring vs to that happy state where we shall fully foreuer be ioined vnto thy Sonne Iesus Christ our Sauiour which is the true light of our soules shining day and night perpetuaâ—ly And to the end that we may obtaine such grace at thy hand vouchsafe most mercifull Father to forgiue and forget all our sins which wee haue heretofore committed against thee and for thy infinite mercies sake to pardon the same as thou hast promised to those that aske of thee with vnfained heart for whom as for our selues we make our humble petitions vnto thee in the name of thy sonne our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ in such sort as he hath taught vs saying Ou Father c. Another Praier to be said in the Morning O Almighty and most gracious God we hartily thanke thee for the sweet sleepe and comfortable rest which thou hast giuen vs this night past and for as much as thou hast commanded by the holy Word that no man should bee idâ—e but all occupied in godly and vertuous exercises euery man according to his calling wee most humbly beseech thee that thine eies may attend vpon vs daily defend vs cherish comfort gouerne vs and all our counsels studies and labors in such wise that wee may spend and bestow this day according to thy most holy will setting thee alwaies before our eies liuing in thy feare working that may bee found acceptable before thy diuine maiesty through Iesus Christ our Lord. So be it Another Prayer for the Morning VVE humbly and heartily giue thankes vnto thee O heauenly Father through thy dearely beloued son Iesus Christ that to thy innumerable bene â—ts hitherto powred vpon our soules and vpon our bodies thou hast kept vs this night past from many euils both spirituall and corporall and now of thy mercy dost offer and giue vs time to repent and amend our liues so that we might liue henceforth not as we wil but as thou wilt as our bodies doe draw continually neerer neerer their end the graue I mean so our soules might aproch to their end that is heauen not hel for in one state we stand not stil but either we are neerer and neerer the happy state of life or else the vnhappy condition of death eternall Wherefore we beseech thee to be mercifull vnto vs good Father and as of thy goodnes thou giuest vs time to repent and liue godly so of the same thy goodnes in Christ wee humbly beseech thee to giue vs thy gracious gift of true holy perfect perpetuall repentance that we may more and more lament our former sinfull life trusting vnfainedly in thy rich mercy through the merits of Iesus Christ for the pardon of all our sinnes and that we may vnfainedly purpose and effectually labour to amend our liues this day so long as we haue to liue in al our doings and words and euen in our very thoughts to the praise of thy holy name and good example by all our doings and words to all our brethren And forasmuch as thou knowest our weaknes our ignorance and great vntowardnes to carry any great crosse or affliction We beseech thee our sweete Father so temper order all things towards vs this day and for euer that we be neuer further proued tempted than thou wilt make vs able to beare so to help vs in the same as may be most to thy glory our saluation through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen An Euening Praier O Lord God Father euerlasting and full of pitty wee acknowledge and confesse that wee are not worthy to lift vp our eies to heauen much lesse to present our selues before thy diuine maiesty with confidence that thou wilt heare our praiers and graunt our requests if wee consider our owne wretched deseruings For our consciences doe accuse vs and our sins witnes against vs we know that thou art an vpright Iudge which dost not iustifie the sinners and wicked men Exo. 20. but punishest the faults of such as transgresse thy commaundements Yet most mercifull Father since it hath pleased thee to commaund vs to call vpon thee in all our troubles and aduersities Psal 15. Psal 28. promising euen then to helpe vs when wee feele our selues as it were swallowed vp of death desperation we vtterly renounce all worldly confidence and trust fly to thy soueraign goodnesse as our only stay and refuge beseeching thee not to call to
remembrance our manifold sinnes and wickednesse He. 9.10 whereby we continually prouoke thy wrath and indignation against vs neither our negligeÌ„ee nor our vnkindnes which haue neither worthily esteemed nor in our liues sufficiently expressed the sweet comfort of thy holy Gospel reuealed vnto vs but rather to accept the obedience and death of thy Son Iesus Christ our Lord who by offering vp his body in sacrifice once for all Psa 107 hath made a sufficient recompence for all our sinnes Haue mercy therefore vpon vs O Lord and forgiue vs our offnces Psa 9.10 Teach vs by thy holy spirit that we may rightly weigh them and earnestly repent vs for the same and so much the rather O Lord our God because that the reprobate and such as thou hast forsaken Psal 8. Pâ—al 5. cannot praise thee nor call vpon thy name but the repenting hart the sorrowful mind the conscience oppressed hungring thirsting for thy grace shal euermore set forth thy praise and glory And albeit we be but worms and dust yet thou art our Creator we be the worke of thy hands yea thou art our father we thy childreÌ„ thou art our shepheard Psal 22. 1. Cot. 6. and we thy flocke thou art our redeemer and wee thy people whom thou hast dearely bought thou art our God and wee are thine inheritance Jer. 10. Psal 6. Correct vs not therefore in thine anger O Lord our God neither according to our deserts doe thou punish vs but mercifully chastice vs with a fatherly affection that al the world may know that at what time soeuer a sinner doth repent him of his sinne from the bottome of his heart thou wilt put away all his wickednesse out of thy remembrance as thou hast promised by thy holy Prophet Finally forasmuch as it hath pleased thee to make the night for man to rest in as thou hast ordained him the day to trauaile grant O dear father that we may so take our bodily rest that our soules may continually watch for the time that our Lord Iesus Christ shall appeare for our full deliuerance out of this mortall life and in the mean season that we be not ouercome by any fantasies dreames or other temptations but may fully set our minds vpon thee loue thee feare thee and rest in thee in such sort that our very steep also may be to the glory of thy holy name Furthermore that our sleepe bee not excessiue or ouermuch after the insaciable desire of the flesh but only sufficient to content our weake nature that we may the better be disposed to liue in all godly conuersation to the glory of thy holy name and profit of our brethren through Iesus Christ our Lord in whose name we make our humble petitioÌ„s vnto thee as he hath taught vs. Our father which art c. Almighty and euerlasting God vouchsafe we beseech thee to grant vs perfect continuance in thy liuely faith augmenting increasing the same in vs daily vntill we grow to the full measure of our perfection in Christ whereof we make our confession saying I beleeue in God the father c. The Lord blesse vs and saue vs the Lord make his face to shine vpon vs. Lord be mercifull vnto vs the Lord turne his fauourable countenance towards vs and grant vs this peace The grace of the Lord Iesus Christ the loue of God and the communion of the holy Ghost be with vs and remaine with vs for euer So be it 2. Cor. 9.13 Another Euening praier MOst mercifull God and tender Father which besides thine inestimable mercies declared giuen vnto vs in the making of the world for our sakes in the redeeming of vs by the death of thy dear Son Iesus Christ in the calling of vs to the knowledge of thy blessed word in keeping of vs hitherto in thy holy Church and in thy most gracious gouerning of vs and all things hitherto for our singular wealth and commodity hast also most fatherly cared for vs and kept vs this day from all dangers both of soule and body giuing vs health food apparell all other things necessary for the comfort and succour of this poore miserable life which many other do want for these and all other thy good gifts and gracious benefits which thou of thine owne goodnes onely and fatherly prouidence hast hitherto powred vpon vs and doest presently powre vpon vs and many other we most humbly thanke thee and praise thy holy name beseeching thee that as al things are now hidden by meanes of the darkenesse which thou hast sent ouer the earth so thou wouldest vouchsafe to hide and bury all our sinnes which this day or at any time heretofore wee haue committed against thy holy commandements and as now wee purpose to lay our bodies to rest so grant the guard of thy good Angels to keepe the same this night and for euermore and whensoeuer our last sleepe of death shal come grant that it may be in thy good fauour so that our bodies may rest both temporally and eternally to thy glory and our ioy through Iesus Christ our Lord. So be it Another Euening Praier O Eternall God and most mercifull father who this day and all the time of our life hast graciously defended nourished preserued our soules and bodies made such fatherly prouision for vs poore sinners that of thy louing kindnesse wee haue rich portions not only in the creatures of heauen and earth but also in that plentifull redemption which thy most deare Sonne Iesus Christ hath purchased for vs grant vnto vs O mercifull father the assistance of thy grace and holy spirit that as our bodies shall now take their naturall rest euen so our soules and minds at the beholding of thy goodnesse towards vs may quiet themselues in thee conceiue such inward pleasure heauenly sweetnes in thy loue that whatsoeuer we shall from henceforth either thinke speake or do it may be all to the honor of thy holy name through Iesus Christ thy deare sonne our Lord and onely Sauiour Amen Thy mighty hand and our streched arme O Lord be still our defence thy mercy and louing kindnesse in Iesus Christ thy deare sonne be our saluation thy truth and holy word our instruction thy grace and holy spirit our comfort and consolation vnto the end and in the end A praier for the remission of sinnes O Almighty and euerlasting Lord God the deare Father of our Sauiour Iesus Christ which hast made heauen and earth the sea and all that therein is which art the only ruler and gouernor conseruer and keeper of all things together with thy dearely beloued Sonne Christ Iesus our Lord and with the holy Ghost our comforter O holy righteous wise O strong terrible mighty and fearefull Lord God gouernor of the whole world Iudge of al meÌ„ O exorable patient and most gratious Father whose eies are vpon the waies of all men and are so cleane that they
our distrusting and doubtfull hearts our carnall our secure our idle hearts our impure malitious arrogaÌ„t enuious wrathfull impatient couetous hypocriticall and epicurall hearts in place therof giue vs new harts soft harts faithfull harts mercifull hearts louing obedient chast pure holy righteous true simple lowly patient hearts to feare thee to loue thee to trust in thee for euer Write thy law in our harts graft it in our minds we heartily beseech thee Giue vs the spirit of praier make vs diligent and happy in the works of our saluation take into thy custody and gouernance for euer our soules and bodies our liues and all that euer we haue Tempt vs neuer further then thou wilt make vs able to beare and whatsoeuer thou knowest we haue need of in soule and body dear God and gratious Father vouchsafe to giue vs the same in thy good time alwais as thy children guide vs so that our life may please thee and our death praise thee though Iesus Christ our Lord for whose sake we heartily pray thee to grant these things thus asked and al other things necessary for soule and body not only to vs but to all others also for whom thou wouldest that we should pray specially for thy children that bee in thraldome in exile in prison misery heauinesse pouerty sicknesse c. Be mercifull to the whole realme of England and grant vs all true repentance and turne from vs the euils that we so wickedly haue deserued pardon our enemies persecutors slanderors and if it be thy pleasure turn their hearts Be mercifull vnto our parents brethren sisters friends kinsfolkes and familiars neighbours and such as by any meanes thou hast coupled and linked to vs by loue or otherwise and vnto vs poore sinners here gathered together in thy holy name grant thy blessing and holy spirit to sanctifie vs and dwell in vs as thy deare children to keepe vs this day and for euer from all euill to thy eternall glory our euerlasting comfort and the profit of thy Church which mercifully maintaine cherish and comfort strengthning them that stand so that they neuer fall lifting vp them that be fallen and keep vs from falling from thy truth through the merits of thy dearely beloued son Iesus Christ our onely Sauiour which liueth and raigneth with thee and the holy Ghost to whom be all praise and honour both now and for euer Amen I. B. A praier for the true knowledge of the mystery of our redemption in Christ O Almighty God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ and by him also our Father the father of all mercy and God of al consolation haue mercy vpon vs and heare our praiers We most humbly beseech thee for thy deare son Iesus Christ his sake for his merits and cruell death which he suffered to deliuer vs from eternall death and the power of darknes send into our hearts the spirit of truth to worke in vs a true liuely stedfast faith that the clear light and brightnes of thy Gospell the glory of Christ may shine vnto vs and lighten our minds that wee may learn and vnderstand the wonderful and vnspeakable riches of the mystery of our redemption in Christ and by Christ O Father of glory giue vnto vs the spirit of wisedom bring vs vnto the true knowledge of this thy beloued Sonne Iesus Christ the knowledge of thy selfe Open and lighten the eyes of our minds and vnderstanding that we may know what the hope is whereunto thou hast called vs and how the rich glory of thine inheritance is vpon thy Saintes and the exceeding greatnes of thy power towards vs that by true faith by vnderstanding and knowledge of thine eternall wisedome which is Iesus Christ we may be indeed as wee are called true Christians and vnfained professors of thy holy name to worship thee in spirit and truth and to set forth the glory of thy grace giuen vnto vs in Christ Iesus our Lord Amen O deare father write in our harts loue of thy law hate to al sin thankfulnes of heart and continuall heate of thy holy spirit for thy Son Iesus Christs sake To whom with thee and thy holy spâ—rit be all honor maiesty glory thanks rule empire and dominion for euermore Amen A forme of thanksgiuing for our redemption and praier for the strength and increase of faith O Lord increase our faith Luk 17. ETernall praise and thanks bee giuen vnto thee deare God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which hast blessed vs with ali spiritual blessings Ephe. 4. in heauenly things by Christ in that thou hast chosen vs in him before the foundation of the world was laid that we should bee without blame before thee through him by whom we haue redemption through his blood euen the forgiuenesse of our sinnes in whom after we heard the word of truth the Gospel of our saluation wherein we beleeued Rom. 8. we are sealed with the holy spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance which spirit hath and doth beare witnesse vnto our spirits that we are thy children and therefore crieth in our hearts Abba Father And thus most gracious father when thou hast once giuen the earnest penny of our saluation vnto our hearts thou doest not repent of thy gift and calling neither wilt thou at any time breake thy couenant of grace and mercy in Christ thy sonnes merits confirmed in vs by that seale loue token For what though we be weake in our beliefe Rom. 3. shall our vnbeliefe make thy promise of none effect No thou wilt alway be found true but all men are lyers And yet Lord thou dost most graciously behold and accept be it neuer so little a sparke of faith Wee say therefore and cry vnto thee Mar. 9 with one that wept and said I beleeue Lord help my vnbeliefe Yea that little be it neuer so litle is thy meer gâ—ft also The which as thou hast begun so most merciful Lord increase yâ— same more and more to the peace and comfort of our conscience and the glory of thy name through Iesus Christ Amen A thanksgiuing to God for his great benefits HOnour and praise be giuen to thee Lord God Almighty most deare Father of heauen for all thy mercies and louing kindnesse shewed vnto vs in that â—t hath pleased thy gracious goodnes freely and of thine owne accord to elect and choose vs to saluation afore the beginning of the world and euen like continuall thanks bee giuen vnto thee for creating vs after thine own image for redeeming vs with the precious bloud of thy deare sonne when we were vtterly lost for sanctifying vs with thy holy spirit in the reuelation and knowledge of thy sacred word for helping and succouring vs in all our need and necessity for sauing vs from all danger both of body and soule for comforting vs so fatherly in al our troubles afflictions for sparing vs so long and giuing
into the fire but as the good wheat that is gathered into the barne then shall they be caught vp to meet thee in the clouds then shall their corrupt body put on incorruption then shall they be endued with immortality and glory then shall they be with thee and go whither thou goest then shal they heare Come ye blessed of my Father possesse the kingdome prepared for you from the beginning c. Then shall they be set on seats of maiesty iudging the whole world then shall they raigne with thee for euer then shall god be al in al with them to them then shal they enter and inherit heauenly Ierusalem and the glorious restfull land of Canaan where is alwaies day and neuer night where is no maner of weeping tears infirmity hunger cold sicknes enuy malice nor sinne but alwaies ioy without sorrow mirth without mesure pleasure without paine heauenly harmony most pleasant melody saying and singing Holy holy holy Lord God of hosts c. Finally the eie hath not seene the eare hath not heard neither hath it entred into the heart of man what they shall inherit and most surely enioy although here they be tormēted prisoned solicited of Sathan tempted of the flesh and intangled with the world where through they are inforced to cry Thy kingdome come Come Lord Iesu c. How amiable are thy Tabernacles Like as the Hart desireth the water brookes c. Now let thy seruant depart in peace I desire to be dissolued and to be with Christ We mourn in our selues waiting for the deliuerance of our bodies c. O gracious Lord when shall I find such mercy with thee that I may repent beleeue hope and look for these things with the full fruition of those heauenly ioyes which thou hast prepared for all them that feare thee and so rest with thee for euermore A meditation of the life euerlasting the place where it is and the incomparable ioyes thereof THat there is an euerlasting life none will deny but such as will deny God For if he be true and iust which he must needs bee or else he is not God then can there not be but an eternall life That he hath both spoken and promised it in Mat. 25. 1. Cor 15. Heb. 4.11.13 1. Pet. 1. it plainely appeareth and elsewhere in very many places so that to deny an euerlasting life is to deny God to deny Christ and al that euer he did also to deny all piety and religion to condemne of foolishnesse all good men Martyrs Confessors Euangelists Prophets Patriarches Finally the denial of eternall life is nothing else but a denial of the immortality of the soule and so a plaine making of man nothing better then beasts If it be so 1. Co. 15. let vs then eat and drinke for to morrow we shall die Lord preserue vs from this Saduceall and Epicureal impiety and grant vs for thy mercies sake deare God that we may be assuredly perswaded that there is indeed an eternall life and blisse with thee for them that put their trust in thee amongst whom account me for thy mercies sake Againe this eternall life Where this eternall life is and the place appointed for them that be thy seruants all men do grant to bee with thee Albeit they do not thinke that because thou art euery where therefore eternal life is euery where For they by thy worde doe know that in as much as no man can see thee and liue which eternall life and thy blessed presence is most pleasant and had in fruition Ioh. 14. after in another world whereunto by corporal death they do depart and are translated to a place aboue them wher thou dwellest in a light whereunto no man can approch 4. Tim. 6. Abraham bosom they read was aboue as the place of the wicked was below and beneath Helias was caught vp into heauen Joh. 17. and the deare Sonne our Sauiour praied that where he is those also might be which thou hadst giuen him and might see his glory Now he deare father we learne by the spirit was ascended taken vp in his very body into heauen whither Stephen looked vp saw thy Christ standing on thy right hand to whom he praied Act 17. O Lord Iesus receiue my spirit Grant I beseech thee gratious God Father that I may haue a clean heart more and more to see thee and so in spirit to see and looke often vpon this place whither bring me at the length in body also I humbly pray thee Now what a thing this euerlasting life is no man is able to conceiue much lesse able to vtter For The peace of God which is eternall life passeth all vnderstanding 1. Cor. 6. The eie hath not seen the ear hath not heard neither can mans hart conceiue those things which thou deare God hast prepared for them that loue thee Whatsoeuer therefore can be spoken or imagined of thy kingdome of the clearnes ioy and felicity of the same is nothing in comparison as we may see by the Prophets which because they could not otherwise vnder corporal things haue shadowed the same So that the confidence of eternall life what a thing it is can in no wise be told Howbeit somewhat we may bee brought to some sight of it by earthly things to thinke on this sort What knowledge may be had in this life of the life eurelasting If GOD haue giuen here so many things in a strange place how many are the great good things that be at home If in prison are so many mercies how many are they in the pallace If the wicked haue so many benefits what is the store prepared for thy seruāts O Lord if thy children find such cōfort in the day of teares and mourning what shall they find in the day of the mariage If with beasts men being haue the vse of innumerable blessings O how many are the blessings which they shall enioy with thy Angels and with thy selfe O deare God when they shall see thee haue the fruition of thee in whom is fulnes without lothing of al good faire things so that nothing can be more desired that for euermore This thy children do not see as they now beleeue it I say that euen in their bodies they shall see it for euer as Iob said They beleeue that they shal see thee and their own eies behold thee Job 15. when these our corporall eies our bodies being raised shal doe their duties such a knowledge of thee they beleeue to haue as shal not be only intellectuall and by faith as now it is but euen a full sight and fruition yea a coniunction and fellowship with thee Now they see but as in a glasse 1. Co. 13. Heb. 11. euen in a darke speaking but then they shal see thee face to face For faith though it be the substance of things hoped for a certaine darke sight of thee yet it may
may alwaies not only striue against sin but also ouercome the same daily more and more as thy children do aboue all things desiring the sanctification of thy name the comming of thy kingdome the doing of thy will here on earth as it is in heauen c. through Iesus Christ our redeemer mediator and aduocate Amen I. B. A praier against our spirituall enemies the diuell the world and the flesh O Lord God the diuell goeth about like a roaring Lion seeking whom hee may deuoure the flesh lusteth against the spirit the world perswadeth vnto vanities that we may forget thee our Lord God so for euer be damned Thus are we miserable on euery side beset and besieged of cruell vnrestfull enemies and like euery moment to perish if we be not defended with thy godly power against their tyranny Wee therefore poore and wretched sinners despairing of our owne strength which indeed is none most hartily pray thee to endue vs with strength from aboue that we may bee able through thy help with strong faith to resist Satan with feruent praier to mortifie the lusts of the flesh with continuall meditation of thy holy lawes to auoid the foolish vanities and transitory pleasures of this wicked world that through thy grace wee being set at liberty from the power of these our mortall enemies may serue thee here in true holinesse and righteousnesse after be partakers of the euerlasting ioies prepared for thy children which as they are great and vnspeakable so are there few that doe enioy them For strait is the way and narrow is the gate that leadeth therunto and few therbe that find it Notwithstanding O GOD thou hast a little flocke te whom it is thy pleasure to giue that ioyfull kingdome whose names are written in the book of life Make vs therefore of that number for Iesus Christs sake and place vs amongst those thy sheep which shall stand on thy right hand to receiue that blessed inheritance and dwell with thee for euermore A praier for present helpe in temptation DEare father to whom it is more easie to doe all things then for mee to thinke any one good thing Loe doe thou but speake a word and thy deadly sicke seruant my soule shall be made whole Helpe O Lord for thy great mercy sake for thy truths sake and for thy deare son Iesus Christs sake and let thy strength suffice against my weakenesse and thy ho y spirit against my sinfull flesh and old man Thou art faithfull O Father who hast promised that I shall not be tempted further then thou wilt make me able to beaâ—e Giue now therefore thy grace and strength vnto thy seruant that I may with a strong faith in thy vnfallible truth and promised mercy vanquish and subdue whatsoeuer rebelleth against thy most blessed will preserue and keepe holy my soule and body and let them not be defiled and made a dungeon of diuels and wicked spirits through delectation in sinne Behold deare Father the postes thereof are sprinkled with the precious bloud of thy deare son and of thy great mercy they are made the temple and tabernacle of thy holy spirit Shall now alas the diuell the world or the flesh plucke from thee that thing which presently crieth to thee with assured trust in thy promised helpe Nay further but grant that I may by thy mighty power turne all their crafts deceits and raging assaults vnto the increase of thy fatherly assistance in this my present teÌ„ptation and may with assured hope and trust in thy ready helpe and comfort ouercome my said enemies hereafter in like assaults praise thy holy name for the victory through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen My sonne if thou wilt come into the seruice of the Lord stand fast in righteousnesse and feare and prepare thy soule to tentation Eccles 2. Remedies against sinfull motions and tentations First remember that sinne is so hainous a thing that God by his iustice might worthily damne thee for the same is therfore to be abhorred as a sweet poison a flattering death and destruction of the soule which would cut thee off from God thy Sauior and make thee a bondslaue to Satan thy deadly enemy Auoid therefore euen at the fiâ—st the occasions thereof and be time squash out the braines of the children of Babilon against the hard stones whiles yet they be yong and weake lest when they be growne elder and stronger they dash thee to pieces And for a remedy against the same flie vnto God who commandeth thee to call vpon him in thy trouble and promiseth to deiluer thee and wil not suffer thee to be further tempted then he will make a way out whereby thou shalt escape and doubt not but hee that causeth thee to hate the sin which thy nature is to loue will deliuer thee also from the dangers thereof and make thee to triumph ouer Satan to his confusion to Gods glory and thy great comfort which are causes that our tender louing Father sendeth tentations vnto vs and hee that is not tempted what is he Now after thou hast obtained the victory remember two things first to giue most hearty thankes to God for his grace and assistance whereby thou hast ouercome and be not vnthankfull in any wise and then that he who continually goeth about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may deuour will not be long or farre away from thee but will attempt againe the same or as euill waies to ouercome thee Watch therefore and pray A praier for the auoiding of Gods heauy wrath and vengeance for our sins OH Lord God strong and mighty great and fearful which dwellest in the heauens workest great wonders we thy miserable children here vpon earth do most humbly beseech thee to be mercifull vnto vs to pardon our offences and to forgiue vs all our sinnes O Lord enter not into iudgement with thy seruants for if thou doe there shall no flesh bee saued in thy sight We confesse and acknowledge O Lord that it is our sinnes which haue mooued thee to wrath and to shew such fearefull tokens of thy displeasure towards vs in these our daies first with fire from heauen betokening the hot burning indignation and wrathfull displeasure for sinne which aboundeth at this day then with such horrible and monstrous shapes against natur as were neuer seen here in our daies nor in any time before vs which do betoken to vs none other thing but thy plagues to come vpon vs for our degenerate and monstrous life conuersation And now desides all this by great mortality plagues and pestilence thou hast terribly threatned vs fatherly warned vs and mercifully called vs to repentance The axe is set to the root of the tree and if we bee not as rotten members without all sense and feeling wee may perceiue our fearefull destruction and desolation to bee at hand vnlesse wee speedily repent and turne vnto thee because wee haue been so long taught out of
A praier to be said before the preaching of Gods word ALmighty God and most mercifull father whose word is a lanterne â—o our feet and a light vnto our steps we most humbly beseech thee to illuminate our mindes that we may vnderstand the mysteries contained in thy holy law and into the selfe same thing that we godly vnderstand we may be vertuously transformed so that of no part we offend thy diuine Maiesty through Iesus Christ our Lord. Another IN this great darknes of our soule O Lord thou shinest diuers waies vnto vs by the light of thy grace but in nothing so effectually as in the preaching of thy word Great is the haruest as thou thy selfe hast said and the workmen are few The greatest part of men are ignorant wrapped in miserable blindnes and few there be that teach thy word truely as they ought Wee beseech thee therefore to send foorth workmen into thy haruest Send teachers O Lord which are taught of thee and instructed by the spirit of godly wisedome and vnderstanding which by their preaching will seeke not themselues but thee because they are godly and can so doe because they are wise vnderstand Giue to the preacher of thy word here present out of the treasures of thy wisedome that which he may powre vpon vs to our saluation and vnto vs giue thy grace holy spirit O Lord so to heare and to receiue thy word that the good seed which falleth vpon vs be not choaked with thornes or withered away with heat or deuoured by the foules of the aire but may grow vp in a good ground and fructifie with great increase A praier to Be said after the preaching of Gods word 1 Pet. 4. Num. 26 Deut. 29. Iosu 7. Mat. 13. ALmighty God and most mercifull Father we hartily beseech thee that this seed of thy word now sowen amongst vs may take such deep root that neither the burning heat of affliction or persecution cause it to wither neither the thorny cares of this life do choake it but that as seed sowne in good ground it may bring foorth thirty sixty and an hundred folde as thy heauenly wisedome hath appointed And because we haue need continually to craue many things at thy hands we humbly beseech thee O heauenly Father to grant vs thy holy spirit Luke 17. Rom. 8. Iames. 5. 1 Joh. 5 Rom. 12. Wis 6. to direct our petitions that they proceed from such a feruent mind as may be agreeable to thy most blessed will And seeing that our infirmity is such that we are able to do nothing without thy helpe and that thou art not ignorant with how many and great tentations we poore wretches are on euery side compassed and inclosed 2 Cor. a9 Iohn 5. Phil. 2. Psal 303 1. Pet. 1. 1. Pet. 5. Luk. 17. let thy strength O Lord sustaine our weakenesse assist vs with thy grace that we may be safely preserued against all the assaults of Satan who goeth about like a roaring Lion seeking to deuoure vs. Increase our faith O mercifull father that we doe not swarns at any time from thy heauenly word Augment in vs hope and loue with a carefull keeping of thy commandements Psal 95 Heb 14. 2. Joh. 2. that no hardnesse of heart no hypocrisie no concupiscence of the eies nor inticements of the world doe draw vs away from thy obedience And seeing the times are dangerous wherein we liue let thy fatherly prouidence defend vs against the violence of all our enemies and specially against the furious rage of that Romish Idoll enemy to thy Christ Furthermore forasmuch as by thy Apostle we be taught to make our praiers and supplications for all men Epl. c. 13. Rom. 11. 2. Cor. 4. wee pray not onely for our selues here present but beseech thee also to reduce al such as be yet ignorant from the miserable captiuity of blindnesse and error to the pure vnderstanding of thy heauenly truth that we all with one consent and vnity of mind may worship thee our only God and Saviour We beseech thee also most deare Father for Pastors and Ministers John 21. Mat 18. John 9. Mat. 6. to whom thou hast committed the dispensation of thy holy word and charge of thy choseÌ„ people that both in their life and doctrine they may de found faithfull setting only before their eies thy glory that by them all poore sheepe which wander and goe astray may be sought out and brought to thy fold Againe that it would please thee to deliuer the Church from such idle shepheards wolues and hirelings as seeke themselues their bellies Pro 21. John 16.1 Rom. 13. Iohn 6. and not thy glory and the safegard of thy flocks Moreouer because the hearts of rulers are in thy hands we make our praiers vnto thee for all princes and magistrates to whom thou hast commited the administration of iustice especially O Lord for the Kings Maiesty that it would please thee to endue him with thy plentifull grace and principall spirit that he may with a pure faith acknowledge Iesus Christ thy only sonne to bee king of all kings and gouernour of all gouernors euen as thou hast giuen all power vnto him both in heauen and earth and so worke in his heart that he considering whose minister he is may heartily seeke and zealously promote thy true honour and glory carefully trauelling to bring thy people commited to his charge and yet remaining almost in all parts of his Realms in miserable blindnesse and darke ignorance to the true knowledge of thee ruling and guiding them as hee is taught and commanded by thy holy word Also we beseech thee to indue alâ— such as are in any authority vnder him with thy grace and holy spirit that they may be found vpright and faithfull in their calling fauourers and furtherers of thy holy Gospell maintainers defenders of the true Preachers and ministers therof and such as in singlenes of heart wil seek not themselues but thy glory and the commodity of thy people And for that wee be all members of the mysticall body of Christ Iesus wee make our requests vnto thee O heauenly father for al such as are afflicted with any kinde of crosse or tribulation as war plague 1. Cor. 2. Rom. 12. Jacob. 5. famine sicknesse pouerty imprisonment persecution banishment or any other kinde of thy roddes whether it be griefe of body or vnquietnesse of minde that it would please thee to giue them patience and constancy 2. Co. 12. Heb. 13. till thou send them full deliuerance out of all their troubles Finally O Lord we most humbly beseech thee to shew thy great mercie vpon our brethreÌ„ which are persecuted cast into prison and daily condemned to death for the testimony of thy truth Heb. 13. Rom. 8. Psal 4. John 1. and though they be vtterly destitute of all mans aid yet let thy sweet comfort neuer depart from them but so inflam their harts with
thou wilt haue mercy vpon vs. For none that trust in thee shal be confounded Tobit 8. Job 32. neither any that cal vpon thee shall be despised For thou art the onely Lord who woundest and dost heale again Oseas 6. who killest and reuinest bringest euen to hell and bringest backe againe Our Fathers hoped in thee and trusted in thee Sap. 22. and thou diddest deliuer them They called vpon thee and were helped they put their trust in thee were not confounded Psalâ— 6. O Lord rebuke vs not in thine indignation neither chasten vs in thy heauy displeasure O remember not the sinnes and offences of my youth but according to thy mercy thinke thou vpon me Psa 25. O Lord for thy goodnesse Haue mercy vpon vs O Lord for we are weake O Lord heale vs for our bones are vexed And now in the vexation of our spirits and the anguish of our soules wee remember thee and we cry vnto thee heare Lord and haue mercy â—arue Jonas â— For thine owne sake and for thy holy names sake incline thine eare and heare O mercifull Lord. For we do not powre out our praiers before thee â—â—aâ— 6. trusting in our owne righteousnes but in thy great and manifold mercies Wash vs throughly from our wickednes and clense vs from our sins Turne thy face from our sins and put out all our misdeeds Make vs cleane hearts O God and renue a right spirit within vs. Helpe vs O God of our saluation for the glory of thy name O deliuer vs and be merciful to our sinnes for thy names sake So we that be thy people sheepe of thy pasture shal giue thee thanks for euer and will alwaies be shewing forth thy praise from generation to generation Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the begâ—nning c. A Psalme of thanksgiuing for deliuerance from the plague or any other kind of sicknes trouble or affliction LOrd thou art become gracious to thy land thou hast turned away the afflictions of thy sâ—ruants Thou hast taken away al thy displeasure and turned thy selfe from thy wrathfâ—l indignation For if thou Lord hadst not helped vs it had not failed but our soules had beene put to silence But when we said our feet haue slipped thy mercy O Lord helpes vs vp In the multitude of the sorrowes that we had in our hearts thy comforts haue refreshed our soules Our soules waited still vpon the Lord our soules hanged vpon his helpe our hope was alwaâ—es in him In the Lords word wil we reioyce in Gods word did wee comfort our selues For the Lord said Call vpon mee in the time of trouble I wil heare thee and thou shalt praise me So when wee were poore needy sickly and in heauines the Lord cared for vs he was our helper our deliuer according to his word Psâ— 27. In our aduersiâ—y and distresse hee hath lifted vp our head and saued vs from vtâ—er destruction Psa 33. He hath deliuered our soules from death he hath fed vs in the time of dearth hee hath saued vs from the noisome pestilence Therefore will we offer in his holy temple the oblation of thanksgigiuing Psa 37. with great gladnesse we wil sing speake praises vnto the Lord our Sauiour Psa 106. Psa 86. Wee will giue thankes vnto the Lord for he is gracious his mercy endureth for euer Psa 103. The Lord is full of compassion mercy long suffering plenteous in goodnesse and pitty John 5.7 Psa 108. His mercy is greater then the heauens and his gracious goodnes reacheth vnto the clâ—â—ds Psa 103. Like as a father pittieth his own children euen so is the Lord merciful vnto them that feare him Psal 72. Therefore will we praise thee thy mercies O God vnto thee will we sing O thou holy one of Israell Pâ—al 98. We will sing a new song vnto thee O God we will praise the Lord with Psalmes and thanksgiuing Psal 47. 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 Psal 145. we will praise thy name for euer and euer Euery day will we giue thankes vnto thee and praise thy name for euer and euer Our mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord let all flesh giue thanks to his holy name for euer and euer Psal 72. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for euer and blessed be the name of his maiesty world without end Amen Glory be to the father c. As it was in the beginning c. Praiers to be said before and after meales AL 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 thou openest thy hand and they are satisfied with all good things O heauenly father which art the fountaine full treasure of all goodnesse We beseech thee to shew thy mercy vpon vs thy children and sanctifie these thy gifts which we receiue of the mercifull liberality granting vs grace to vse them soberly purely according to thy blessed will so that thereby we may acknowledge thee to be the author and giuer of all good things and aboue all that we may remember continually to seeke the spiritual food of thy word â— Tim. 2. wherwith our soules may be nourished euerlastingly through our Sauiour Christ who is the true bread of life which came down from heauen of whom whosoeuer eateth shall liue for euer Joh â— and raigne with him in glory world without end So be it Another praier before meales WHether ye eat or drinke faith S. Paul or whatsouer ye do else let all be done to the praise and glory of God Eternal and euerlasting God father â—f our Lord Iesus Christ 1. Cor. 10 who of thy most singular loue which thou barest to mankind hast appointed to his sustenance not only the fruits of the earth but also the foâ—â—ls of the aire the beasts of the field and fishes of the sea and hast commanâ—ed thy benefits to be receiued as from thy hands with thanksgiuing assuring thy children by the mouth of thine apostle that to the cleane all things are cleane as the creatures which be sanctified by thy word and praier grant vnto vs so moderatly to vse these thy gifts present that our bodies being refreshed our soules may be more able to proceed in all good works to the praise of thy 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 Lord Iesus the gâ—eat shepheard of the sheepâ— through the bloud of â—he euerlasting couenant make vs fruitfull in all good works to d◠〈◊〉 will and worke