Physicians answer They leaue vs not destitute they leaue vs inferiour foot-Physicians Wee confesse indeed through the Prouidence of God we are not altogether destitute God mouing the hearts of some Physicians and Chirurgions to stay amongst vs in their Calling but that is no thanke to them for they flee not regarding so many thousands they leaue behinde them whether they sinke or swim liue or die but with what Conscience considering the premisses I leaue to their owne considerations Howsoeuer those Physicians and Chirurgions that haue in a conscionable respect to their Callings more than in respect of gaine stayed with vs giuen and vsed their best counsell and endeuours to such as haue beene visited this great Mortalitie they certes are the men that deserue the honour which we are conselled to giue to the Physician wee may make question whether such as are fled from vs though neuer so braue and wealthy deserue any of that honour or no Yea in my iudgement wee owe those that haue stayed double honour Well for all this that hath beene said or can be said of Magistrates Ministers Physicians and Chirurgions many of each neuerthelesse haue fled from vs and their excuses and apologies are diuers and various yet for the most part they jumpe in this one voyce and song They flee they say for their Liues from the danger of a Contagion to which I answer they were deceiued for some of them vpon my knowledge haue fled for their Deaths I will say no more vnto them Sapienti verbum sat est And for such Magistrates such Ministers and such Physicians as haue stayed and endured the heate of the day with vs I shall not need to name them I make no doubt but their names are taken in Gods Booke who is able to reward the labour of their loue My poore and vnworthy Prayer for them shall euer be The good Lord requite them and the Blessing of him that dwelt in the Bush bee with them for euer That priuate and ordinarie men may not take that libertie they doe to flee in these times some leauing their Callings some their Families promiscuously and preposterously I haue said enough in the premisses to satisfie any reasonable men But now beloued Londoners let vs come and search the cause of this contagious Pestilence which causeth your fearefull flight Surely it is nought else but our sins which haue incensed the heauy wrath of God And which I may reduce these seuen Heads following Swearing and blaspheaming Prophaning and not sanctifying the Sabboth Adulterie and Fornication Drunkennsse and Gluttonie Oppression and Extortion Contempt of Gods word and Sacraments To which I may adde Pride and fulnesse of Bread and Contempt of the Poore I pray God the other not to be named sinne of Sodome be not also perpetrated in some corners and Sinkes of this Citie which sinnes now reigning I briefly display as followech First for Swearing doth any Age or any Record make mention of the like swearing and taking the most sacred Name of God in vaine as in now adayes by Men Women and Children yea many Children no sooner taught to speake but they learne also to sweare by the most sacred name of God before they know God nay there are a sort of swaggering Swearers who thinke themselues not Masters in their cursed Art of swearing till they haue deuised and doe vse some new Oathes and manner af Swearing O fearefull so as I may say for this one sinne the Land mourneth for this sinne this Citie now mourneth Commendable and agreeable to Gods word was that pious Statute Enacted last yeare by the worthy House of Parliament against Prophane Swearing though by negligence of men I feare it taketh not so good effect to restraine that sinne as was hoped For what reformation can we see Secondly for the Saboath day commonly called the Lords day what Feastings what Gaming 's and vnlawfull Recreations what slie and secret Reuellings and haunting of Tauerns and Taphouses more than Gods house on that day by many loose people what Surfetting and Drunkennesse on that day some eating and drinking on that day so much that either they sleepe it out at home or if they come to Gods House they sleepe out the time of diuine Seruice and Sermons Insomuch as I may say they haue polluted the Lords Sabboths which also is an other cause of Gods heauie Visitation of this Citie at this present Thirdly for Adulterie and Fornications they haue beene and I feare me are so common especially about the skirts of this Citie as if there were neither Lawes of God nor Man against them insomuch as I may be bold to say they haue beene so openly and commonly vsed in some places as if they had beene allowed and countenanced by Authoritie Yea there are a company of swaggering Whoremasters about this Citie who not content with their ordinarie prostitute Strumpets but will brag and boast of their abusing this and that mans Bed infamiliarity with his Wife and of their deflowring of this and that Maide who haply are honest Women and chaste Maides that neuer had any acquaintance at all with such Companions This sinne therefore I may as boldly say is another cause of Gods Visitation of this Citie Fourthly for Drunkennesse and Gluttonie they abound as if they were vncontrollable sinnes nay as if they were no sins at all many taking such libertie in Drinking that they thinke they are not truly merry vntill they be verily drunke and they being friends one with another cannot as they say loue each other except they be drunke together and such when they are told of it by any true Friends indeed such as feare God they are ready fearefully to plead for their Drunkennesse c. We call such Drunkards Beasts but certes they are worse than Beasts for what dumb Beast is there that vseth to be drunke This sinne therefore must needs be another cause of Gods Visitation of this Citie Fiftly for oppression of the Poore and the couetous extortion of many griping Vsurers and Lease-munging Landlords the carefull complaint of many poore Prisoners and Tenants both Men and Women in and about this Citie doth cry lowd in the Lords eares and proclaime this Sinne Yea how many a sad weeping and mournfull Countenance haue I and may wee daily see of Men and Women especially at the Quarter dayes as we call them that are subiect to viperous Vsurers and vnconscionable Land-Lords This sinne therefore is vndoubtedly no small cause of this Gods heauy Visitation Sixtly for Contempt of Gods word and Sacraments and the faithfull Ministers thereof this manifestly appeares by the small reformation of mens liues especially with the prophane multitude who giue no eare nor regard to heare the sacred word of God which ought to be heard as it is Preached in season and out of season and for their persons that are the sincerest and most zealous Preachers euery foule mouthd Rabshecay hauing his tongue set on fire by the flame of Hell
hath the most odious termes and aspersions to cast vpon them and their doctrine though it be the message of Christ and they the Messengers thereof And for the Sacrament of the Lords Supper a Reuerend and zealous Diuine hath deliuered publikely and is perswaded that this present Pestilence was sent and did begin about Easter last when a multitude of miscreant people came vnprepared and vnworthily hand ouer head to receiue the Sacrament viz. Such as were Swearers and Blaspheamers Sabboth-breakers Common Whoremongers and Whores Panders and Bawdes Drunkards and Epicures or Belly-gods Oppressours and Couetous wretches Contemners and Scoffers of Gods word and his Ministers yea of the Sacrament they came to receiue which they came to receiue only for fashion sake or else because they would not be lyable to the Law penall in that kinde Seuenthly for Pride this Luciferian Sinne hath infected the Citie as much if not more than the Plague at this present And though by the hawtie lookes of Men and Women we may iudge and discerne too much of the Pride of their hearts yet because God is the tryer of the heart I leaue that and come to the horrible Pride and and prodigalitie more apparant in Apparaill For wee haue seene Merchants and their wiues apparelled like Princes wee haue seene ordinary Tradesmen and their wiues like Noblemen and great Ladies Knaues Cheaters and Cunny-catchers clad like Knights Lawyers like Lords Taylours like Theeues Shoomakers in Sattin Tapsters in Taffety Horse-scoursers and Hostlers wearing gold lace Nay I haue seene a Coblers Daughter attyred like a Merchants Daughter a Kitchen-maide wearing a silken Cobweb-lawne Ruffe and it is not ordinary to see Seruingmen in siilken Stockings and Prentices weare farre better clothes than their Masters And this sinne of Pride the premisses considered we may perswade our selues that it is in a higher degree than the Pride of Sodome Which Sin therefore must needs be one speciall cause of drawing downe Gods Vengeance of this present Pestilence And lastly for fulnesse of Bread and Contempt of the Poore because I haue spoken of them in the Premisses though I could speake much more yet I desist to display them further There is another sinne lurking nay too apparant in and about this Citie which is the pride of the Clergie many Ministers and their Wiues who should be Lamps of Humilitie the which I heard a zealous Preacher of Gods word deliuer publikely hee was perswaded was not the least cause of incensing Gods wrath of the Present Pestileuce for me therefore Satis superque In respect of which heynous sinnes before named the Prophet Zephanies Denunciation or Gods by his mouth and complaint may be fitly applied to London in these words following Woe to her that is filthy and polluted to the oppessing Citie Shee obeyed not the voyce Shee receiued not correction Shee trusted not in the Lord Shee drew not neere to her God Her Princes within her are roaring Lyons Her Judges are raeuening Wolues they gnaw not the bones till to morrow Her Prophets are light and treacherous persons her Priests haue polluted the Sanctuary they haue done violence to the law J haue cut off their Nations their Towres are desolate I made their Streets waste that none passed by their Citie is destroyed so that there is no Man no Inhabitant J said surely they will feare me thou wilt receiue instruction so their dwelling should not be cut off howsoeuer J punished them but they rose earely and corrupted all their doings The Prophet Jsaiahs saying and accusation may also bee verified and applyed to this Citie in these words following How is the faithfull Citie become an Harlot It was full of judgement Righteousnesse lodged in it but now Murthers Thy Siluer is become drosse thy Wine mixt with Water Thy Princes are rebellious and companions of Theeues Euery one loueth Guifts and followeth after Rewards they judge not the Fatherlesse neither doth the cause of the Widow come vnto them Therefore saith the Lord the Lord of Hosts the mightie one of Israel Ah J will ease me of mine aduersaries and avenge me of mine Enemies And J will turne my hand vpon thee and purely purge away all thy Sinne. And J will restore thy Judges as at the first and thy Counsellers as at the beginning afterward thou shalt bee called the Citie of righteousnesse the faithfull Citie And the same Prophet Isaiah prosecuteth his Complaint which wee may still apply to London in these words following The Lord will enter into judgement with the Ancients of his people and the Princes thereof For yee haue eaten vp the Vineyard the spoyle of the Poore is in your Houses What meane yee that yee beat my people to pieces and grinde the faces of the Poore saith the Lord God of Hosts Moreouer the Lord saith because the Daughters of Zion London are haughtie and walke with stretched forth Neckes and wanton Eyes walking and mincing as they goe and making a tinkling with their feete c. And so vnto the latter end of that third Chapter obseruable and worthy your reading with Chapter endeth in these words And her Gates shall lament and mourne and shee being desolate shall sit vpon the ground And now let mee come againe to yee beloued Londoners that fled from me your Mother Tell me haue not yee your parts and shares in these reigning sinnes of this Citie before named Surely such of you as haue not and haue your Consciences to beare you witnesse that you are guiltlesse it is well for you But then tell me which of you euen the best of you can say but you haue beene slacke and backwards in performance of Holy duties to God and just duties to your Neighbour If there bee any such amongst you I dare pronounce them guiltlesse and Righteous Persons that need no Repentance But otherwise yee that did and are runne away must all ioyne with vs that remaine in Repentance and Humiliation to God before wee can looke that God will with-hold his hand and cease the Plague wholly To which end take this Counsell in briefe from me your indulgent Mother following Let him and her that hath beene accustomed to Swearing sweare no more but rather let your yea bee yea and your nay nay and so let euery one speake truth to his Neighbour And consider who hath said The Curse of God shall not depart from the House of the Swearer Let euery Sabboth-breaker learne from him that hath commanded it to keepe holy the Sabboth day that you may be the better prepared to celebrate an euerlasting Sabboth with God in his Kingdome Let all Adulterers Fornicatours Whoremongers and Whores learne to possesse their Vessells in Chastitie considering your bodies are or ought to be the Temples of the Holy Ghost and remember who hath said Whoremongers and Adulterers the Lord will surely Iudge Let all Drunkards and Gluttons leaue their Drunkennesse and Gurmandizing considering who it is that hath denounced Woe to them
not be afraid and though Warre be raised against vs we will trust in this euen that thou wilt deliuer vs and giue our Faith the Victorie But because thou hast said likewise by Salomon that Warre must be enterprised with Counsell Our humble Prayer and Supplication in Christ Iesus is That it would please thee to grant vnto Him who by thy appointment is chosen of our Gracious King to be his Admirall to rule and gouerne this whole Fleet assembled together in Ships prepared as wee hope and trust to fight thy Battailes vpon the Waters or else-where by Land against thine Enemies ours vniustly prouoking vs to fight to Him wee say and to all the rest of the Captaines and Commanders of the Ships of Warre in this whole Fleet now in this present Voyage Wisdome Discretion aud Policie carefully to fore-see and diligently to preuent all the inconueniences that may hinder the Atchieuement of the hoped Victorie To this end O gracious God giue grace to Him and to all such as are called by way of assistance for their experience to ayde and further the Common Cause as well with sound Policie as with strength of Armes for in the multitude of them that can giue Counsell is health giue grace wee say and pray vnto them O Lord if it be thy pleasure to be so fauorable vnto our King and Countrie that with true and perfect Knowledge of Wisdome and Vnderstanding which increaseth strength they may preuent all dangers For thou dost strengthen by Wisedome and sauest by Vnderstanding when and whom it pleaseth thee insomuch as with one man guided by thy Spirit thou preuailest against thousands destituted thereof Giue vnto them all a constant Resolution grounded vpon firme Faith in thee by which they may be emboldned when they encounter the Enemie to say in the Spirit Wee trust in God wee will not feare what Flesh can doe vnto vs. Cause the spirit of our Enemies to faile in the midst of them Destroy their Counsells let them be for the spreading of Nettes in the midst of the Sea wherein they are emboldned through the multitude of men and in the confidence of a fleshly Arme to fight against thy people which call vpon thy Name O Lord for that they haue vndertaken a false quarrell and doe encourage themselues in a wicked purpose Let them be a spoyle vnto vs that all other Princes seeing how valiant thou art in Battailes may cloath themselues with a Robe of Astonishment and say Verily the Lord fighteth for his people the Lord went forth with their Armies and conducted them hee is the Shield and strength of their Deliuerance No Counsell can stand against God no Counsell nor Force of Armes may dare to oppose it selfe and preuaile against them whom he is pleased to protect and defend by his Counsell And the Nations seeing how thou hast executed Vengeance vpon our Enemies with rebukes of thy Indignation may confesse thee to be the only Lord God Mightie in Battailes and Powerfull in all Wisdome and so bee prouoked thereby the more seriously to giue to thee the Glory due to thy Name which is a name of great feare and wonder ouer all the World Furthermore wee beseech thee be pleased in mercy to hearken vnto vs praying in the Name of thy Sonne Christ forasmuch as thou art the Lord which sittest vpon the Flouds to moderate the Tempests of the Winde and weather during their Voyage as that neither our Shippes nor men suffer any annoyance by raging surges of the Waters which otherwise in thy iudgement might ouerwhelme and destroy all For we confesse that our vnworthinesse is great and our sinnes deserue the furie of thine Anger But remember O Lord that thy Name is called vpon of vs and we are thy people to whom thou hast graciously made thy selfe knowne by many mercies and fauours enriching vs both Prince and People with infinite blessings of Peace and Tranquilitie aboue all Nations For which we heartily thanke thee desiring thee for thy Christs sake to increase thy Faith in vs daily more and more and that wee may still growe forward in true loue and thankfulnesse towards thee both Prince and People So shall the King reioyce in his strength whom thou hast made glad with the Ioy of thy Countenance we thy People his Subiects for all thy fauourable kindnesses and for this Sea-Victorie giue thee praise and glory saying the Lord is our Rocke and our Fortresse in him doe we put our trust Grant vs these and all other thy good Blessings which thou knowest to be necessarie for vs and thy whole Church euen for thy deare Sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christs sake Amen A briefe Prayer for priuate Persons in tempestious weather ALmightie and most mercifull God Eternall strong and magnificent at whose voyce the highest Mountaines lowest deepes and all things vnder the Sunne doe tremble and quake preserue vs from thy insupportable anger pardon our sinnes let thy amiable countenance shine vpon vs and alwayes be neere vnto vs Grant that this grieuous and terrible Tempest may passe away without hurting of vs or any of our Brethren Keepe our bodyes our Houses or any thing else that belongs vnto vs from Lightning Fire or any other destruction Holy Father defend vs from all euill sudden and vnprepared death and for thy deare Sonne Christ Iesus sake bring vs to thy eternall habitation of Eternall Blisse where wee may sing perpetually amongst the company of the Angells and Saints in Heauen Halelujah vnto the glory of thy holy Name Amen A briefe Prayer for our afflicted Brethren wheresoeuer MOst gracious God wee beseech thee to looke vpon the aduersitie of our poore Brethren relieue their necessities and rid them out of their miseries that they may the more quietly set their mindes vpon thee if in thy Wisdome thou shalt see it expedient otherwise giue them patience with constant mindes and willing hearts thankfully to beare this thy Fatherly Visitation without grudging or repining against thee humbly submitting themselues vnto thy diuine pleasure with full assurance that in the end thou wilt bring them vnto thy euerlasting rest there to remaine with thee world without end Amen A briefe priuate Prayer for preparation to the publike Fasts whether in Citie or Countrie O Iust and righteous God who as thou art the God of Plentie who fillest with thy blessings euery liuing Creature so thou art the God that commandest Abstinence and Humilitie for sinne and seeing that by thy Iudgements vpon vs at this present thou callest for our humiliation repentance and amendment of life and this Day is thereupon set apart and dedicated to humble our selues before thee by fasting from food good Lord grant that wee may now and euer fast from sinne also and giue vs grace and abilitie to performe this dayes Fast with all humilitie deuotion and such repentant hearts as may through Christ be acceptable in thy sight Amen HALELVIAH FINIS Vox Civit. Ier. 9. 1. Isai 10. 1. Ier. 9. 1. Iuly August Lam. 1. 1. Verse 4. Verse 7. Verse 8. Doct. Hall Epist. Decad. 4. Epist. 9. Ecclus 38. Zeph. 3. 1 2 3 4. Verse 5. Isa 1. 21 Isai 3 14. Deut. 1. 18.
away dung till all bee gone For how haue wee multiplied our iniquities before thee and to what a shamelesse and intollerable measure are our sinnes increased Many warnings haue beene giuen vs by thy Ministers thou hast risen earely and late and sent vnto vs by them yet we haue made our hearts as Adamant stones and haue put farre from vs the Euill-day perswading our selues that their Sermons were but winde and that they did but commend vnto vs their owne fancies Thus haue wee encouraged our selues in Euill and haue set thy judgements at naught euery one turning to his owne course as the Horse rusheth into the Battaile adding Drunkennesse to thirst and falling away from thee more and more But O Lord giue vs now at the last remorsefull and repentant hearts make vs as it were to smite vpon our thighes as a signe that wee see our wandrings and that we are ashamed of our sinnes Embolden vs in the name of Christ to come into thy Presence and in all earnestnesse of spirit to cry vnto thee Take away our Iniquities and receiue vs gratiously Teach vs as well to feare sinne the cause of this wasting Sicknesse as we doe the Sicknesse itselfe which is the fruit of Sinne. Comfort vs according to the dayes that thou hast afflicted vs and let the sweet feeling of the gracious testimony of thy Spirit speaking Peace vnto our Soules preuaile against all other sadnesse or cause of griefe or sorrow whatsoeuer Say O Lord vnto the destroying Angell It is sufficient hold thy hand Or if it bee thy pleasure to stretch thy hand yet further and to take vs or any of vs away also O prepare vs to thine owne purpose endue vs with a holy patience to endure the vtmost Tryall and grant that whatsoeuer befall our earthly Tabernacles yet our soules may be alwaies acceptable vnto thee and all this for Christ Iesus his sake who hath loued vs and giuen himselfe to be a Sacrifice of a sweet smelling sauour vnto thee Amen A Zealous Prayer in time of the Plague to bee vsed by all Londoners that are fled from the Citie and all others that are sensible of the Cities Calamitie wheresoeuer O LORD GOD our onely helper and Defender who amongst all other Euils hast promised to deliuer thy People from the noysome Pestilence Wee beseech thee take this thy heauy Plague away from vs and especially withhold thy hand from off the Citie of London the Metropolis of this Kingdome where thy Name is daily called vpon And let our humble Supplications which at this time vpon our knees wee make vnto thee in the name of CHRIST IESVS procure our happie Release and appease thy Wrath which wee haue justly procured against vs thorow sinne Lord wee being heartily sorry for our sinnes fully purposing by the assistance of thy holy Spirit to amend our liues doe humbly intreat thee to haue mercy vpon vs to take away this Plague from vs and not to suffer vs to perish after so miserable a sort Wee thanke thee O Lord that thou hast not left vs altogether comfortlesse nor cast vs off without hope but hast somewhat withdrawne thy heauy hand and spared many of vs wee pray thee to continue thy fauour daily more and more towards vs to deale with vs in Mercy not in Iustice to blesse vs all those that depend on vs To set thy sauing Marke vpon our Houses as thou diddest for the Jsraelites in AEgypt To giue order to the Destroyer that hee hurt vs not to put thy strength to our Medicines to let thy good blessing make the preseruatiues of Physicians effectuall and to make our shifting places for more securitie profitable vnto vs. Giue vs grace O Lord not to trust too much on outward meanes but only on thy Mercy Protect vs alwaies in all our wayes haue pitie vpon our destressed Brethren and Sisters whether in London or else-where Comfort the desolate Widow prouide for all Orphanes and Fatherlesse Children gather vs together againe that by these meanes are dispersed Send vs Health Peace with men vpon Earth and peace of Conscience towards thee through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A Prayer for our gracious King Charles O Thou mightie Jehouah whose habitation is in the highest Heauens who rulest all things euery where by that same wisdome by which thou didst first create them euen thou the Lord of Lords exalted farre aboue the Princes of the Earth who haue no power rule nor Authoritie but what is giuen them from thee For by thee Kings Reigne and Princes Rule Forasmuch as thou hast commanded by thy Apostle Paul that we shall make Jntercessions for Kings as being a thing good and acceptable in thy sight Wee are bold vpon this Warrant to appeare before thy Throne of Grace and to present thee with a Prayer and Supplication in the behalfe of our Dread Soueraigne and Liege Lord King Charles for whom wee thy Seruants his most loyall and faithfull Subiects by thy appointment doe most humbly Supplicate that seeing thou hast chosen him as thou hadst appointed it long before to be now a King to vs thy people and a Iudge of thy Sonnes and Daughters and hee knowing that the Throne on which he sitteth as King in thy stead is thy Throne may bee illuminated with thy Spirit of Vnderstanding and all Princely knowledge from aboue fully replenished with that Wisdome which sitteth by thy Throne So doe according to Equitie and Righteousuesse and execute Iudgement with an vpright heart For he thus enabled by thee shall know how to goe out and in among thy people whom he is to judge being now in the midst of them Kindle rherefore in his heart which is in thy hands as the Riuers of Waters a true and constant zeale of godlinesse which may argue in him a sound and perfect knowledge of thy heauenly Will that so principally and aboue all things seeking and procuring th' aduancement of thy glory hee may be vnto thy people a Noursing Father to defend maintaine and preserue thy Church against all Enemies Forraine Domesticall Atheist or Papist open or secret which trecherously seeke to disturb the peace of it and of his Kingdomes For the better maintenance whereof as also for establishing a common tranquilitie in his State politique in thy feare giue him the wise heart of Moses thy Seruant to obey the godly Counsell of some Iethro cause him to prouide Ministers vnder him such as are men of courage fearing Thee his and their God dealing truly hating Couetousnesse And grant O Lord that these so ordained and constituted Magistrates vnder him for his ease For who is able to ouercome such a People alone as Iethro speaketh may bee as his Eyes Eares and Hands to see and looke cleerely in all parts of his Kingdomes with a sincere and single sight heare the Causes and Controuersies of his people with an Eare of Wisdome and vnderstanding deale righteously in all matters with euery Man and his Brother and
thy Almightie protection most humbly intreating that he being in that high place aboue the rest of his Brethren for their good so appointed thou wilt giue him so much the more wisdome and vnderstanding that may truly guide and conduct both his minde and will to the true obedience of thy heauenly Will knowing that to bee the Squire and Rule of godly Actions aboue which his Function of Rule and Gouernment is and ought to be alwayes chiefly conuersant euen to lay forth all his paines and industrie to maintaine by an honest externall Discipline the publique peace and quietnesse of the people of all sorts vnder his gouernment in speciall to countenance Vertue for the encouragement of them that doe well and are willingly subiect for Conscience sake because to such thou hast made him thy Minister for their Wealth Againe to represse and beat downe Vice for the terrifying and keeping in awe such as doe Euill and are contumatious and stubbornly disobedient therein resisting thy Ordinance that they may learne to feare the Power of thy Magistrate whom thou hast made also thy Minister to take vengeance on him that doth euill for hee beareth not the Sword which thou hast put into his hand for nought For this cause good Lord instill into his minde a zealous care of thy Religion to feare thee O Lord aboue all for thy feare is the beginning of Wisdome Infuse into him the Spirit of Fortitude and courage to deale truly in this his place of Lieutenancie to execute Iudgement therein without respect of persons neither fauouring the Poore nor honouring the Mightie but hearing the Small as well as the Great to iudge his Neighbours iustly knowing that the Authoritie which is committed to him mediatly by our King is for the administring true Iustice vnder him with moderation and Equitie to the great comfort of euery one of his Charge and that he is and must be accomptable both to our King and to thee for the same To our King here in this life when hee shall please to call him to it To thee the King of Kings in that day wherein thou shalt say to him Giue an Accompt of thy Stewardship euen of thy Maioraltie shalt thou say vnto him how hast thou discharged that If he haue walked in Iustice and spoken righteous things refusing gaine of Oppression shaking his hands from taking of Gifts he may dwell on high hauing his defence the Munition of Rockes And what wee pray for him wee doe humbly supplicate in behalfe of the Sheriffs Iustices and Aldermen his Brethren likewise that they may discharge their seuerall Offices of Iustice religiously and conscionably for the good of thy People both in Church and Common-wealth in this Citie and the better peace of our Consciences when thou shalt call them to a reckoning And Lord let thy Power and Wisdome ouershadow them Thy Diuine and heauenly Grace enlighten and preserue them in thy feare and fauour now and euer Amen A Prayer for the Right Honourable the Counsell of Warre now established by Act of Parliament O Lord of Hoasts who hast reuealed thy selfe in thy holy Word to bee a Man of Warre as thou art a GOD of Peace And whereas O most wise God thou onely art the Author and perfiter of all good Workes which are begun in thy Name for thou disposest and gouernest all things in priuate Families and preseruest the publique Estates of Common-wealths as well in Warre as Peace And seeing also that nothing can either bee well begun nor bee proceeded in and ended without good and fit Counsell appropriated to each Action which dependeth vpon occasions and therefore is wisely to bee laid forth by a due consideration of circumstances for the same except it bee both entred and likewise seconded by counsell corresponding to it in particular Let it please thee in Christ to assist with thy Spirit of wisedome all such Honourable persons as are appointed by our Gracious King Colleagues and Associates in Counsell for the administring of Warlike affaires Giue them both a quicke and ripe wit to enquire and search out what is fit and meet to come into their Consultations vpon the present And then a discreet judgement to finde and discerne what is most behoouefull for effecting the present Businesse And lastly a courage and resolution to execute what by mature deliberation shall bee decreed and in all their Consultations let them specially attend vpon thy feare knowing that no counsell can bee administred to preuaile and take effect which is not guided thereby For as Salomon saith J Wisedome dwell with Prudence and J finde out Knowledge and Counsels To this end O Lord illuminate their eyes to behold right and let their eye-lids direct the way before thee that They turning neither to the Right hand nor to the Left for feare nor by meanes of Corruption or otherwise seduced from true fealtie may at all times boldly and faithfully aduance the present Businesse by such Counsell as it requireth to thy Glory in the lawfull managing of those Warlike affaires euen to the conquering of the Enemie without doing wrong and vnnecessary violence against the Law of Armes Therefore abandon farre from out their hearts all false lewd and treacherous Counsels which respect onely profit without a due and Godly regard of right Iustice Remoue all sinister passions and affections working by colourable pretences for priuate gaine or by malice mouing contentious questions of purpose to interrupt the course of their Consultation by which the cause may bee hindred and strength of Armes weakened to the great prejudice of the Common-wealth As it shall seeme good to thy heauenly Will so bee pleased wee beseech thee to be present and President with them at all times in all their Counsels that no pretences no particular respects nor quarrels may draw them apart into Factions But concurring in a mutuall and vnanimous consent of opinions may truely and loyally aduance the Common Cause by presupposing in their first thoughts the end of that which is to bee presented to the Consultation also by fitting the best and safest meanes for the atchieuing the same end And lastly by putting in execution what is determined with the least charge and losse if else it cannot bee done And otherwise O Lord if their Counsels by the fauourable assistance of thy Spirit shall bee furthered to a good and wished successe let them out of the knowledge of thy feare say with thankesgiuing Not vnto vs O Lord not vnto vs but vnto thy Name giue the praise For thou onely giuest Prudence and thou onely sauest by Prudence whom thou makest wise in thee Be thou therefore onely glorified in all the wisedome of Men for thy Mercies sake in CHRIST for euer Amen A Prayer for his Maiesties Nauy-Royall the Forces and Admirall now at Sea O Glorious God wee confesse it to be true that thy Prophet Dauid hath spoken in the Spirit Though an Hoast had pitched their Tents against me yet my heart should