most mercifull Father for thy Sonnes sake our onely Mediatour and Aduocate Amen A Prayer for a patient Minde in trouble In trouble Lord to thee we call A patient Spirit to giue vs all IN all afflictions and tribulations O GOD Father of all mercy and consolation wée beséech thee to looke vpon vs. in the bowels of compassiō to mittigate and asswage our miseries And as it hath pleased thée of thy fatherly pitty to call vs to thée the running Riuer of all refection and comfort so we beséech thée euen then specially to heare our cryes lamentations when we lie groning vnder the heauie burthen of affliction and trouble Thou hast commanded vs to make our meane vnto thée saying Call vpon me in the time of thy trouble and I will heare thee O bountifull and gracious God doe therefore with thy seruāts according to thy word and as thou art faithfull in thy promises so I humbly beséech thée that I among the rest of thy people may féele and tast the swéetnes of thy fauour and grace which is the most soueraigne succour that can be in al necessities and distresses To thee therefore which art the rich treasure of all goodnes the healthfull welspring of all perfect peace we approch submitting our selues before thy face and crauing at thy handes the spirit of patience wherwith as with an vnpeaceable target being defended we may constantly abide and weare out any kind of crosse and tribulation wayting the good time of thy pleasure for our deliuerance Amen A Prayer in time of Prosperitie or Aduersitie If Poore or Rich O Lord we bee Teach vs to know all comes from thee ALmightie GOD Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which madest Heauen and earth the sea all the wonders of the Déepe wée confesse that thou art the author of al things and that vpon thee the whole estate of man doth depend humbly beséeching thée of thy goodnes to guide vs so farre with thy grace that if we sée our selues blessed with the Wealth of this world which winneth worship and credit among people or oppressed with pouerty which bréedeth contempt and abasement we may notwithstanding neither by the one wax proud or insolent neither yet by the other become mistrustfull or desperate but referring all to thee which distributest thy giftes to thine owne liking vpon the tryall of thy seruants wée may learne this that as thou art able to make the rich poore the poore rich so in thée it is to giue euery man an inward knowledge and assurance of thy will whatsoeuer estate it hath pleased thée to place him or them in the which inward knowledge I beséech thee powre into my spirit that as well in pouerty as in riches I may glorifie thy name vsing my riches as thy blessing in signe of thy careful prouidence and not repining but well contenting my selfe with pouerty as thy chastisement to kéepe me vnder awe and obedience thy will and not my will O Lord be done and fulfilled Amen A praier for patience in time of losse of Goods or Landes The losse of Life of Goods and Lands O gracious God is in thy hands MOst mighty God and merciful father from whō all good things do procéed as tokens of thy kindnesse and all punishments for sinne as signes of thy displeasure which giuest life takest away the same againe at thine appoynted time which inrichest thy seruants with goods of sundry sorts and changest their condition in a moment which blessest thy creatures with Lands and Possessions and turnest all in an instant into extreame need and nakednesse as thou didst deale with Iob. that perfect paterne of patience We beséech thee to inspire vs with an vnderstanding heart that we may so liue as willing to die that we may enioy our goods as not grudging to forgoe them and that wée may hold vs to our Lands as not loth to loose them considering that as they came from thée so in thée it is to dispose them as thou wilt either to blessing or to cursing O gracious God let vs not grow in forgetfulnesse of the life to come by too much louing this present transitorie Life which is but a shadow a smoke and a dreame Let vs not bee drowned in the desires and delights of worldly goods least wee neglect the riches of Paradise which nothing can purchase but Faith in the blood and death of Christ let vs not wed our willes and witts to Landes and Possessions which are but momentany maintenances least in ouerliking them wee loose the sweet inheritance of the holy land Ierusalem not built with hands but glorious and triumphant wherto bring vs O God for his sake that bought vs Iesus Christ the righteous Amen A thankes-giuing for Meat Drinke and Clothing For Meate and Drinke and Cloth to weare Wee praise thy name O God with feare LORD Iesus the Redéemer of all mankind which vouchsafedst to shed thine owne heart Blood vpon the Crosse for the saluation of our soules which else through sinne had miserably perished we praise thée we magnifie thée we worship thée we glorifie thee wee giue thankes to thée for thy great kindnes for thy tender loue for they zealous affection and for thine excéeding goodnesse in caring for vs in louing vs in tendering vs in susteining vs in relieuing vs and in supplying all our wantes and necessities Thou numbrest all the haires of our head and without thy wil they waxe not one lesse Thou giuest vs food nourishment to comfort and strengthen our bodyes Thou giuest vs Garments of sundry wearing both for the safegard of health also for comelines Thou giuest vs Houses to harbour in whatsoeuer wee stande in need of thou of thine abundant grace pourest the same most plentifully into our bosomes Thou féedest the young Sparrowes thou cloathest the Lillies of the field thou garnishest the trées of the Forrest with gréene leaues thou inrichest the secretes of the earth and the sea with precious treasure is it like that thou wilt not haue an eye to man a creature fashiōed after thy owne image and likenesse for whom all these thinges were made and created No no thy loue is euerlasting and thy mercie excéedeth all measure They shall lacke nothing that pitch the pauilion of their pilgrimage vpon thy Prouidence which that wee may euer do and so be blessed with aboundance wee beséech thee giue vs thy Grace so shall we laude and magnifie thee with heart and voyce for euermore Amen A Prayer for ayde and helpe in all extreamities and need Helpe vs O Lord in all our needes And guide our thoughts our wordes and deedes ALl glory honor praise dominion thankes be giuen vnto thée O King euerlasting which hast made me a reasonable creature furnished mee with discretion and iudgement indued me with knowledge and vnderstanding and bestowed vpon me benefits of most singular excellencie Like glory and thankes be giuen vnto thée for thy prouidence and care for
and clappe your hands all people for God is gratious and fauourable Euermore shall his praise bée in my mouth I will talke of his goodnesse euen among mine enemies yea without ceasing I will extoll and prayse his name Amen The holy Ghost doth sanctifie Such as in faith doth fructifie The wicked stil wax worse wors And run into Gods heauy curse WOrship and honour bee giuen vnto God the holy Ghost by whom we are sancctified vnto life euerlasting Infinite is thy working in holinesse he doth renew the flintie heart maketh it relent at Gods iudgementes Least Satan should triumph ouer vs therefore hath he vouchsafed to clense and purifie our spirit Let vs therefore ascribe vnto him all honour for through sanctification wee are made heires of saluatiō Iniquitie defiled our soules but through fayth increasing in vs we felt an inward reformation And hauing our eyes opened we saw our filthinesse and by the gift of grace became new creatures Many were the enormities which reigned in vs but the holy Ghost purged vs of all and set vs free Long wandred we in by-wayes of wickednesse but are now restored againe vnto righteousnesse As for the vngodly they haue no part of this sanctifying Spirite but dayly waxe worse and worse Much like vnto such as GOD hath cursed in his wrath and denounced sentence of death against thē Be glad O yee iust for you are they whom God loueth in whom he magnifieth his owne name Excellent wonderfull in working is God the holie Ghost who with the Father and the Sonne be praysed and magnified for euer Amen It is not wealth to haue at will That can vs keepe and saue from ill Gods grace it is which worketh that Let vs reioyce therefore thereat WHat is the Wealth of this world but Winde and what Riches but the shadow of Smoke In Wealth to trust is to trust to a broken réede and in Riches to boast is to boast in a thing of naught Lay wealth to the grace of God and what is it Euen filthy Dunge and a worse thing Lay Riches to Gods Grace and what are they Euen painted shewes of transitory vanities In Wealth therefore glory not for there is in it no power to preserue from the euill day And of Riches brag not for in them is no hope of health in the dangerous time of trouble Make the grace of God the perfect ioy of thy heart and trust thereunto as vnto a Brazen wall Looke for safetie from thence in the perilous season for the grace of God is a strong refuge Arme thy soule therewith as with Iron-plate Armour so shall the assaultes of thy aduersaries doe thee no harme Make thy moue vnto the Almightie in the time of tribulation he shall furnish thee with his grace Be thankfull vnto him when thou hast receiued it and shew not thy selfe in any case vnkind Euery day prayse him for his goodnesse and extol his greatnesse among the multitude for he is good and gratious to his chosen O magnifie and prayse him all people Amen To loue to liue in peace and ease The Lord of life doth much displease Let such as lacke and comfort craue Thy helping hand in hazard haue WHen God hath blessed thée with abundaunce of Benefites so vse them as God may be well pleased In peace pamper not thy selfe for that is the way to minister cause of courage and loftinesse to the flesh Looke vnto the Lord who hath giuen thee these good giftes and become not slouthfull with ease Life commeth from the Lord and whatsoeuer belongeth therevnto it proceedeth from his goodnes In prosperitie be mindfull of aduersitie and let not the plentie of thy peace make thee proud A Father of the fatherles shew thy selfe in necessity shut not vp the sluces of mercy against the poore Make not thy Mony thy God and hoord it not vp for thine owne profit onely not regarding others need Let not the poore lie comfortlesse let not them starue and perish whom it is in thee to helpe Apply thy selfe to works of mercy and stretch out thy hand to them that are needy and succourlesse Mooue not God who gaue thee these giftes to wrath least in his anger he turne all to thy shame Beware therefore and let Wisedome rule thee in thy wayes so shalt thou not offend or doe amisse Extoll thy Creator and say that he is gracious mercifull a louing God and a most bountifull Father vnto his Children Amen Looke ere thou leape and vse thine eyes Else shalt thou shew thy selfe vnwise The simple sort with councell ayde Thus ought thy talent out be layde WIsedome is the blessing of God and it is much more excellent then Gold Siluer or precious Stones In time of necessitie it is a present remedie and a sufficient refuge in perill and ieobadie Little auayleth worldly policie where this Wisedome wanteth O happie is he whom God hath armed therewith Leaue riches forsake honor set pleasure at naught to come to the enioying of this preacious treasure Immortalitie followeth this wisdome and such as haue it are sure to grow in estimation and fame Aske it of him who is the Well of Wisedome from whom it commeth euen the Lord God Almighty Make not thy boast thereof neither apply it to thy priuate profite but extend the same to the succour of the simple Learne this lesson That it is but lent vnto thee of the Lord thou art the Steward therof but for a time Abuse it not lest it turne to thine owne cōfusion for as it is the gift of God so will be he honored therein Make it not an instrumēt of follie least God ouerthrow thée in the vanitie of thine owne mind Be a counseller to the vnlearned and teach the ideot vnderstanding so shalt thou glorifie GOD in thy wisedome Enterprise nothing vnaduisedly in all thy beginnings procéedings and endings remember God Amen If thou be poore hold thee content It is a crosse which God hath sent Remember Iob a man most iust From stately seat cast downe to dust WIth thine estate not to be contented it is to repine and murmure at the appoyntment and ordinance of God In pouertie be not desperate but fixe all thy hope vpon the rocke of Gods prouidence for he is faithfull Lament thy sin and bée sorry for the same consider also with thy selfe that pouertie is Gods chastisement Let not pouerty therfore so pull thee downe that thou shouldest thereupon mistrust the Lord God to be mercifull It is a crosse layd vpon thee in this life to keepe thee in subiection and to make thee know thine owne estate A happy child art thou that canst reforme thy selfe and amend that which is amisse in thee by his fatherly correction Marke the example of Iob a man so iust so faithfull so righteous that the Diuell of Hell could not preuaile against him Look vpon him how he was tormented how hee was brought low being sometimes placed in exceeding
passions of death I may lay fast hold vpon Iesus Christ my Sauiour hoping in him to liue who by his death purchased euerlasting life for all the faythfull O heare my prayer O God and let my cry come vnto thee for Iesus sake vnto whom with thee and the holy Ghost be all laude honour and prayse for euermore Amen A Prayer to leade our liues according to the law and will of God Giue me O Lord a mind and will To loue thy Law and it fulfill LOuing Lord and most mercifull Father thou that art righteous in thy workes iust in thy iudgements faithfull in thy words true in thy promises make me I heartily beseech thee alwayes plyant like Waxe both in mind and will to loue thy Law and to liue after the same Giue my heart the cleere light of true Christian knowledge that I hauing the eies of my soule broad waking may discerne betweene light and darknesse Christ and Beliall God and the Diuell Hell and Heauen the Flesh and the Spirit Guide thou O Lord all my goings by thy grace that all my thoughtes may rest vpon thée Gouerne thou my will and all mine affections that they may keepe within the limits of thy holie Law and Commaundements that all my endeauour may be directed to the accomplishment and fulfilling of thy Statutes and Ordinances so farre foorth as my weaknesse can wade through the rough waues of this most wicked world let thy spirit lead me to doe those things that please thy diuine maiestie that at the last day whē thou shalt sit vpon the Raine bowe treading the Cloudes of the skies vnder thy féete and compassed round about with legions of Angels Cherubim and Seraphim armies of Saintes and holy Martyres I may be receiued into the number of the elect and enter into possession of that inheritaunce which neither Gold nor Siluer but the precious Blood of thy beloued Sonne my swéete Sauiour Iesus Christ bought and purchased Grant this most mercifull Father for thy mercies sake which are vnmeasurable and for thy kindnesse sake which is vnsearchable and for thy tender loue sake which is vnspeakable Amen A Prayer to keepe our tongue from speaking ill From an ill tongue Lord make me cleane To great and small good fayrh to meane ALmighty God which canst not away with a double heart and to whom an euill tongue is fowle dishonour giue me grace I beséech thée to speake nothing but that which is true right and iust not hurting any with my tōgue which thou hast giuen mee to doe all men good and to vse as an instrument for the sounding foorth of thy prayse and glory And be cause a lying and an euill Tongue draweth the soul into death and destruction put backe I beséech thée from my lippes all guilefull speaches all deceitfull communications and al lying wordes Moreouer because thou O Lord art truth it selfe and therefore delightest in truth innocencie giue me grace alwayes to enure my tongue vnto truth abhorring all such talke as may offende thy diuine Maiestie and diminish the honour due vnto thy holy name Let thy sanctifying Spirit take charge ouer my heart that I may doe good vnto all and hurt vnto none vttering that with tongue which I meane in heart purposing as well in déede as in word nothing but good fayth true christianitie Grant this O God for Iesus Christs sake Amen A Prayer to fast and pray aright To Fast aright teach vs the way O Sauiour Christ we humbly pray MOst bountifull Iesu most sweet Iesu most louing Iesu which by thine example diddest teach vs to Faste aright not after the painted fashon of Pharisies and Hypocrites but according to the plaine manner of vnfeigned Christians I heartily humbly beséech thée to giue me grace to exercise my selfe in godly Fasting Prayer that the man of sinne may be subdued and brought vnder that my heart may be cleansed from all sinne and vnrighteousnesse that my thoughtes and cogitations may be scoured from corruption and filthinesse that my wordes may not smell of Heathenish vnholinesse wickednesse that my déedes may not be leauened with beastly wantonnesse but that the course of my whole life may be seasoned with the sauorie salt of sanctification that whatsoeuer I thinke whatsoeuer I say or whatsoeuer I do it may carry with it some signe of the true Fast namely the fast from sin vnto which fast whosoeuer apply themselues they are sure to be thy children and are builded vpon a stedfast hope to inherite that place of endlesse happinesse which thou boughtest with thy precious blod This fasting I beseech thee O sweete Sauiour giue me grace to exercise so shall my sinfull flesh bee kept in awe as a seruant and my Spirit shall beare rule ouer it and kéepe it in subiection This O Christ and whatsoeuer else is necessary vouchsafe of thy goodnesse to grant vnto me thy poore creature who aske it euen in zealous and hearty prayer Amen A Prayer against wilfull sins and snares of Satan From wilfull sinne Lord saue vs That Satan may not haue vs. Be vnto vs a brasen wale most mercifull Father against all the assaults of sinne specially preserue vs from wilfull offences and from transgressing of very malice which is a wheting of thy wrath against vs and a kindling of our owne confusion without hope of mercy at thy heauenly hands O Lord let vs not be so farre estranged from obedience as of set purpose to runne into contempt of thy glorious name let not our hearts become so flintie as to be void of all feeling of sorrow for sinne yea as to be emboldened to heape sinne vpon sinne to our vtter shame We know this is Satans séeking we are assured this is the Diuels drift we cannot be ignorant that this is Belsebubs intent therby to haue vs wiped in thy wrath out of the Booke of life and so he to haue full sway ouer vs as children of condemnation But thou O Lord art mercifull thou art gratious thou art carefull ouer vs defend vs therefore from all sinn and chiefely from the sin of wilfulnes and malice for the honour of thy name Amen A Prayer for the feare of the Lord and loue of his word Increase in me O Lord thy feare That to thy word I may giue eare ETernall God omnipotent Creatour whose word layd the foundation of the whole world furnished the same with all things behoofefull for the maintenance of man wee humbly beseech thee increase in vs a louing feare of thee and thy word that whatsoeuer we are inioyned and commanded to doe therein wee may rather neglect life lands goods all precious possessions then to leaue it vndone knowing that by hearing thy word wee vnderstand thy will which who so kéepeth they are assured in spirit to be thy faithfull seruants So fill vs therefore O God with this godlie feare that we stopping our eares and waxing dull against all worldly vanities may bee rauished