for a troubled and wounded Conscience 464 The END of the Table A briefe and necessarie Catechisme Very meet to be knowne of euery one before they bee admitted vnto the Supper of the Lord. Question WHat is the cheefest thing which euery one ought to bee most carefull of as long as they liue An. Euery one ought to be most careful of these two points First and chiefely â—ow we can be saued in the day of iudgement before Gods iudgement seate and so come to life euerlasting Secondly how to liue according to Gods holie will during our life In which two points wholly standeth the glory of God so much as of man ought to bee sought for Que. How can we know this how wee are discharged before Gods iudgement seate An. We can neuer know how we bee discharged before the iudgement seate of God vntill such time as we know our owne miserable estate by reason of the greatnesse of our sinnes and the horrible punishment which we deserue for them Que. How doest thou know the greatnesse of thy sinne and the horrible punishment due to the same An. The greatnes of my sinne and the horrible punnishment thereof I knowe â—y the Law of God rightly vnderstood the sum whereof is contained in the tenne Commandements Quest Rehearse the tenne Commandements An. God spake all these wordes and saide I am the Lord thy God which brought â—hee out of the Land of Egypt out of the House of â—ondage 1 THou shalt haue none other but Gods me 2 Thou shalt not make to thy selfe any grauen Image nor the likenesse of any thing that â—s in Heauen aboue nor in the â—arth beneath nor in the water vnder the earth thou shalt not bowe downe to them nor worship them For I the Lord thy God am a iealous God and visit the sinnes of the Fathers vpon the children to the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shew mercie vnto thousands in them that loue mee and keepe my Commandements 3 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy GOD in vaine for the Lord will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his name in vaine 4 Remember thou keep holy the Sabbath day six daies shalt thou labour and doe all that thou hast to do But the seuenth day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God In it thou shalt do no manner of worke thou thy sonne and thy daughter thy manseruant and thy maidseruant try cattle and the stranger that is within thy gates For in sixe dayes the LORD made heauen and earth the sea and all that in them is and rested the seuenth day wherfore the Lord blessed the seauenth day and hallowed it 5 Honor thy Father thy Mother that thy dayes may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giueth thee 6 Thou shalt do no murder 7 Thou shalt not committe Adultery 8 Thou shalt not steale 9 Thou shalt not beare false witnesse against thy neighbor 10 Thou shalt not couet thy Neighbours house thou shalt not couet thy Neighbours wife nor his manseruant nor his maide nor his Oxe nor his Asse nor any thing that is his Qu. What is the first Commandement An. Thou shalt haue no other Gods but me Que. What is the meaning of this Commandement A. The Lord God straitly chargeth vs in this first commandement that wee worship God alone which worshippe standeth in three points First that wee loue God aboue all SecoÌ„dly that we make our praiers to none but to God Thirdly that we acknowledge God alone to be the guider and gouernour of all things of whom wee receiue all the benefites we haue and therefore that we trust and stay vpon him alone Que. What is the second Commandement An. Thou shalt not make to thy selfe any grauen Image or the likenesse of any thing that is in heauen aboue c. Qu. What is the meaning of this Commandement An. In this second Commandement bee contained three things First that wee should not think God to be like either man or woman or any other thing therefore that we make no image of God in any case Secondly that we make no image of any other thing either to worship the image it selfe either God Saint or Angell by the image neyther yet to this end to bee the better put in minde of God by the Image Thirdly that we worship not God in any other outward worship according to our owne fantasies but as God commandeth vs in his word Que. What is the 3. Commandement An. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine Que. What is the meaning of this Commandement Ans God chargeth vs in this third Commandement these three things First that we vse with a most high reuerence the name of GOD whensoeuer we either speak or thinke vpon him Secondly that wee neuer blaspheme the name of God in our common talke although the matter bee neuer so true but only where the glory of God is sought or the saluation of our Bretheren or else before a Magistrate in witnessing the truth when we are thereunto lawfully called In which causes we must onely sweare by the name of God But as for Saints Angels Rood Book Crosse Masse or any other thing wee ought in no case by them to sweare Que. What is the 4 Commandement An. Remember that thou keepe holy the Sabbath day Que. What is the meaning of this Commandement An. The hallowing of the Sabbath day is to rest from our labours in our Calling and in one place to assemble our selues together and with feare and reuerence to hear marke and lay vppe in our hearts the word of GOD preached vnto vs to pray all together that which we vnderstand with one consent And at the times appointed to vse the Sacraments in Faith and Repentance and all our life long to rest from wickednesse that the Lord by his holy Spirit may work in vs his good worke and so begin in this life the euerlasting rest Que. What is the fift Commandement An. Honor thy Father thy Mother Que. What is the meaning of this Commandement An. The meaning of the fift Commandement is that we should honour that is to say loue feare obey and releeue our Parents or any other that are vnto vs in their stead As our Princes Rulers and Magistrates our Pastours and Teachers our Masters and all other which are aboue vs in any calling placed by God the Aged and â—ray headed and that all Superiors do shew themselues indeed Parents in defending and guiding their Inferiours Qu. What is the sixt Commandement Ans Thou shalt doe no murther Que. What is the meaning of this Commandement An. First the Lord God forbiddeth vs in this Commandement all killing fighting and quarrelling all reproaches mocks and taunts Secondly he forbiddeth all killing in heart that is al anger and malice all desire of reuenge Thirdly on the other side he commandeth vs to preserue life by exercising the workes of
mercie compassion towardes our Brethren yea euen towards our Enemies Fourthly to loue one another inwardly in heart as our selues yea euen our enemies and them that hate vs. Que. What is the seauenth Commandement An. Thou shalt not commit Adultery Que. What is the meaning of this Commandement An. We are forbidden in this seauenth Commaundement first all Adultery Fornication and all other vncleannesse in our bodies Secondly all vnpure thoughts and lustes of the heart Thirdly all other things which might intice to such vncleannesse as all vnchast behauiour filthy talke and songs wanton apparrel leud and idle pastimes gluttony drunkennesse houses of open whoredome and whatsoeuer else may allure vs to vncleannesse Fourthly on the other side he commandeth vs to keepe our bodies and soules chaste and pure as Temples of the holy Ghost Or if the guift of Chastity be not giuen vs then to vse the lawful remedy appointed by God which is marriage Que. What is the 8. Commandement An Thou shalt not steal Que. What is the meaning of this Commandement An. In this eighth Commandement the Lord God forbiddeth all stealing and robbing in ouâ—ward deeds Secondly he forbiddeth all stealing in heart that is all desire of any mans Goodes wrongfully Thirdly hee forbiddeth all false and wrongfull dealing Fourthly on the other side he chargeth vs that we bee content with the portion of goodes which the Lord giueth vs to apply our selues in our vocation and calling to get our owne liuing and liue of that which is our owne and also to be helpfull to others Que. What is the 9. Commandement An. Thou shalt not beare false witnesse against thy Neighbour Qu. What is the meaning of this Commandement Ans The Lord God in this ninth Commandement doth command vs first that we should neuer speak falsly in witnesse-bearing Secondly that not onely in witnesse-bearing but also in other matters wee should neuer lye flatter or dissemble Thirdly that we should neuer tell any false tales behinde our neighbors backe or heare them of others that we shold neuer beleeue any euill spoken of them behind their backes vntill we fully know the certainty Fourthly in priuate offences to speake nothing although it be true to the hurting of our Brothers good name if by priuate admonition hee may be wonne Que. What is the 10. Commandement Ans Thou shalt not couet thy neighbors house Que. What is the meaning of this Commandement An. Heeâ—e the Lord God in plaine words doth forbid all inward desire whatsoeuer is vnlawfull to be done although we neuer consent vnto it as the rebellion of the flesh all corruption of the old man all blot of originall sinne so that by this Commaundement most clearely we may see the Image of that man that pleaseth God euen such an one in whom nothing is impure neither in will nor nature Que. Canst thou fulfill all these Commandements of God without breaking any one of them An. These are the Commandements of Almightie God the perfect fulfilling whereof no flesh can attain vnto No although I do all that I can yet I breake them daily both in thoght word and deede Que. What punishment doth God appoint for breaking any one of these An. The punishment for the breaking of the least Commandement euen in thought yea if it were but once broken in all my life is the euerlasting curse of God which containeth al the torments that can bee deuised both of soule and body and in the Scripture is called by diuers names to expresse the paine as hel fire the worme that neuer dyeth vtter darknesse burning Lake second death damnation and such like Qu Is there nothing which a man can do in the World to serue as a sufficient recompeÌ„ce to God for one sinne An. No althogh I should giue all my goodes vnto the poore or suffer my bodie to be whipped all my life long or suffer any other punnishment which might be deuised it is not sufficient for one of my least sinnes Que. Yea but God is mercifull will he therefore punish sin so sharply thinkest thou An. Our God indeede is mercifull but he is also iust and true and therefore must needes of iustice and trueth punish mans sinne with the punishment which hee hath appointed Que. Seeing then this punishment must needs bee suffered are we in our selues able to suffer and ouercome it An. None is able to suffer and ouercome this great punishment of sinne being onely man Quest Is there then no meanes at all whereby we may be saued from those pains euerlasting An. The pains which our sinnes deserue must needes bee suffered by man beecause that God of his iustice must needes bee suffered by man because God of his iustice must needes punnish sinne in man which vvas committed by man and therefore our Sauiour Christ being euerlasting God became also man and hath fully suffered whatsoeuer was due for mans sinne Que. Are not then all people discharged seeing the punnishment is paid An. None are discharged sauing those that take holde vpon Christ and his merites with a true Faith Que. What callest thou this true Faith An. This true and liuely Faith is a full perswasion assurance of my hart grounded vpon the promise of God and wrought in me by the holy Ghost whereby I am fully assured that whatsoeuer Christ hath wrought for mans saluation pertayneth not onely to others but euen to me and is whollie mine as surely as if I performed the same in mine owne person Que. How can it be that thy sinnes are forgiuen thee yet according to Gods trueth fullie punished with the punishment which God hath appointed for sinnes An. By this my true faith I see my sinnes both to bee forgiuen and yet fully punished for in Iesus Christ to satisfie Gods iustice they be fully punished and yet to me they be forgiueÌ„ because in me they be not punished but in Christ for me to set forth Gods mercy and therfore shall neuer be laide to my charge In this manner therefore I see the Lord my God to be both mercifull iust Que. Yea but although the punishment of my sins be paide in Christ yet seeing there can no vnrighteousnesse dwel with God how canst thou stand before Gods iudgement seate as righteous and iust s ing thou hast no righteousnesse but such as is staind with so many sins An. I stand as iust righteous before the Throne of God not clothed with mine owne righteousnesse which I haue wrought in mine owne person but with the righteousnes of Iesus Christ Which righteousnes being taken hold vppon by a true faith is made mine thus am I iust in the sight of God not in respect of mine owne workes which I haue done but taking hold vpon Christ his Workes to be mine by Faith Quest Doth not this make men to runne into all sinne wickednesse An. No for this true faith as soone as it hath wrought in vs through the holy ghost doth frame our hearâ—s anew
blessed Lawes and Commandments the greatnesse of my sinnes and wickednesse yea I see O Lord my God the whole course of my life to be almost nothing else but a continuall breaking of thy holy Lawes and Commandements The thoughts of my heart eyther in vanitie or else open wickednesse are in number infinite daily in the aboundance of them causing my mouth to speake and my bodie to execute and doe contrarie to thy holie will And againe O Lord I see thy heauie wrath vengeance and iudgement against sin to be intollerable that euen the least wicked thoughtes and most secret cogitations of my heart procureth thy heauy wrath and euerlasting curse the torments of hell and euerlasting fire euen although I had but once in all my life broken any of thy Commandements so much as once in thought And I know O Lord GOD that thou art true and iust and canst not abide sinne and wickednesse but will iustly punish euerie sinne euen with the selfesame torments of hell which thy iustice hath appointed This O Lord my God throweth me downe and euen amazeth me so that I know not what to doe I looke into my selfe viewing mine owne power whether I am able to ouercome this punishment of my sinne or no and I see that all euen the most exquisite punishment which I can deuise of my selfe in whipping of my body as long as I liue wearing Hair-cloth pining my selfe with fasting or any other paine I see I see O Lord that all this punishment is not sufficient for one of my least sinnes because it deserueth euen the euerlasting paines of hell I looke to Heauen I see there is no Saint nor Angell able to abide and ouercome this punishment of sinne I looke to men in this woâ—ld euen to the Popes Treasure that wicked man of sin and I see that neyther his Masse nor Purgatory Pilgrimage Pardons Pennance Satisfactions nor any of such like wicked stuffe alas I see they are nothing for the satisfying for one of my least wicked thoughts seeing the punishment is due by the iust decree and sentence of thy euerlasting cursse Wherefore I am driuen out from my selfe and all that I can doe to seeke this punishment dischargd other wher or els to quaile vnder the burden I see there is no help for me in Angels Saints nor Mortall men but onely in that perfecte man Christ Iesus thy deare Sonne in whom I see the full punishment of my sinne wholy paide satisfied discharged and ouercome death vanquished the paines of hell in victory swalowed vp the cursse satisfied and the eternity of the punishment thorough his euerlasting power ouer-reached This I see O Lord by the eyes of faith being through thy holy spirit wholy assured that all the whole punishment of sinne payd by my Sauiour Christ is not onely paide for other men but euen also for mee and my sinne This assurance of faith beeing thine onely worke in me I beseech thee in mercy to strengthen and increase for I feele it often full of wauering and doubting Grant that I may dayly more and more in my soule and conscience feele my selfe knit and ingrafted into the body of thy Sonne whereby I may be assured that whatsoeuer hee hath done pertaineth to me and is fully and wholy mine that I may through the power of his death feele sinne dayly dye in mee and thorough the power of his resurrection feele my selfe risen from sinne to haue my full ioy and comfort in those things which bee agreeable to thy holy will onely detesting hating and abhorring from my heart all things which be contrary to thy will and pleasure that euen in this life I may still looke for his endlesse ioy felicity vsing the things of this world as though I vsed them not till that good time that it shall please thee to call me to thine euerlasting kingdome of glory there to raigne with my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ for euer and euer Amen A Prayer vpon the Lords prayer The first petition Our Father which art in heauen O Most mighty Lord and eternall God who hast by thy deere sonne Chrtst Iesu our Lord and Sauiour reconciled vnto thy selfe all things in Heauen and earth and in him hast made an euerlasting bonde and Couenant with vs thy faithfull Children that thou wilt not onely be our God but also our most louing and mercyfull Father whereof as a pledge uhou hast giuen vs thy holy spirit of adoption wherby we may with boldnesse and full trust and confidence come to thee by hearty prayer as vnto our most louing and mercyfull Father being assured that thou wilt not deny ought which thou knowest shall be expedient for vs grant wee beseech thee deere Father that being fully perswaded in our hearts of this thy Fatherly loue and affection toward vs we may be stird vp to make our petitions with such an affection ardent desire loue and reuerence to thy Maiesty that our minds be not carried away with by-thoughts creeping in but without all wandring may be fully bent and attentiue to the things we aske and fully staid vppon thy mercifull and iust protection Hallowed be thy name WE then beseech thee deere Father that thou wilt strenghen our hearts with thy holy spirit that considering thou hast made al things for the glory of thy name so we may in all our doings enterprises counsels and purposes cheifely aboue all things seeke thy glory that wee may fully acknowledge thee not onely the Auther of all things but the Ruler Guider and Gouernor of all things both in heauen and earth that we neuer diminish thy incomprehensible glory by attributing vnto our selues any power strength or ability to doe will or thinke that which is good but from our hearts we may acknowledge all our goodnes to come from thee yeelding for the same continuall praise thankesgiuing to thy glorious Name that we neuer by distrusting thy mercyfuâ—l prouidence dishonour thy Name but that euen in our greatest desires we may put our full confidence in thee not looking vpon our weaknes but staying vppon thy power promises by harty prayer flying vnto thee our onely refuge that our whole life may be framed according to thy holy will in all pointes that thy glorious name in vs may be sanctified and that we be not an occasion that thy holy Name be any way blasphemed throgh our wicked life and conuersation The Second Petition Thy kingdome come LEt thy Kingdome most mercifull Father appeare and manifestly be declared in all the world but especially amongst thy Church faithfull Flocke declare thy selfe Lord and King ouer them ruling them by the scepter of thy holy word force of thy holy spirit Encrease the number of faithfull Pastors and Preachers among the people blesse their labours to the increase of this kingdome of thy deere sonne Iesus Christ and to the destruction of the kingdome of Sathan and Antichrist Suppresse the rage of the Enemies that they mâ—y
vanities of this world all licentious and inordinate life all flattering and dissimulation being vtterly banishâ—d the fâ—are of thy glorious Maiesty may so reigne in the harts of all within his Highnesse Pallace and Court that their liues and conuersation may bee agreeable to thy blessed will in sinceritie and true holinesse and integritie of life that from them as from the head may shine purity of life and conuersation as an example and patterne of true godlinesse to the whole Realme Preserue him wee beseech thee good Lord from all conspiracies and Treasons that if it bee thy good will he may haue a long quiet raigne ouer vs to the benefite of thy Church and aduancement of thy glory Indue the whole Counsell good Lord with true and perfect wisedom that in all their consultations Counsels hauing thee present before their eies they may consult of those things which principally cheefly may bee for the aduancement of thy glory and the commodity of thy Church and next for the quiet peace and gracious gouernment of this his Realme So lighten all inferior Magistrates of this Realme good Lord with brightnesse of thy holy Spirit that vnderstanding thy will they may zealously defend maintaine and further the course of the Gospell with the sword of iustice cut off the wicked and cherish the godly Defend and gouerne by thy holy Spirit the Pastours of thy Church and labourâ—rs in thy vineyard that â—hey may zealously earnestly and diligently feed thy flocke committed vnto them with the food of life thy bl ssed word wherewith their soules may bee nourished to life euerlasting Increase the number of them deare Father place ouer euery flocke a godly learned and painfull Pastor who may painfully carefully trauell euery one in his charge to bring thy people which now alasse in many parts doe wander and goe astray like lost sheepe to the true knowledge of their Lord and God and of thy deare Son Iesus Christ their Sauiour And for thy mercy wee beseech thee to take pitty vppon thy poore and simple flocke roote out all rauening woolues which haue craftily crept into thy sheepfold and doe make hauocke of the soules of thy simple Flocke Câ—st out all hirelings time-seruers dumbe Dogges which to fill their bellies onely haue thrust themselues among thy sheepe and doe pittifully suffer the Flocke of Christ thy Sonne to be deuoured and scattered of the Woolfe Stirre vp good Lord and place in their roomes faithfull Sheepeheards which diligently painefully carefully and earnestly may labour in thy Vine-yard seeke to winne the soules of thy people out of the tyranny and power of Sathan to the freedome of thy deare Sonne Christ Iesus our Lord. And that thy Church may better be furnished with godly learned Pastors wee beseech thee good Lord to prosper and increase in all Godly knowledge all schooles of leaâ—ning especially the two Vniuersities Cambridge and Oxford Grant deare Father vnto all the students of the same that the chiefe end of all their studies may bee to the furtherance of thy Church and maintenance of the common-wealth Blesse their studies deare Father that al vaine studies set aside they may so fructifie in all profitable and godly Sciences that hereafter they may become profitable members of thy Church godly Vpholders of the Common-wealth Grant good Lord to all the whole Commons of this Realme that their hearts being touched with a sincere feare and reuerence of thy Heauenly Maiesty acknowledging thy mercy in placing ouer them a godly Religious Prince they may euery one in their callings walke in all true and humble obedience vnto him in thee and for thee without resistance tumults Insurrections conspiracies or rebellions knowâ— grâ—at to resist the higher Powers is to rebel against thy Maiesty Finally wee beseech thy goodnesse so to giude gouerne the hearts of all the whole Realme of euery degree that euery one in his calling being by thy holy wisedome supported may so occupy his Talent that thy glory in all things may be aduanced thy church inlarged this whole Realme into sincere godlines vertuously reduced Moreouer wee beseech thee O Lord our God in Mercy to behold all those which suffer persecution for thy glorious words sake whether it bee imprisonment death or banishment or whatsoeuer else strengthen them good Lord that they hauing thee alwaies before their eyes and the glory laide vp for them in the life to come may continue constant in defending thy truth without feare of man or vaine allurements of the world that whether it come by life or death they may glorifie thy holy Name in continuing in the truth to the end Preserue in like manner wee beseech thee all others thy Children whome it hath pleased thee with any kind of Crosse to chasten for their amendment whether by pestilence famine warre pouerty Imprisonment sicknesse or banishment trouble of conscience vexation of spirit vnquietnesse of minde want of spirituall comfort or whatsoeuer kinde of affliction of body or minde thou dost try them with that by thy holy spirit being fully assured that thou by this thy correction mindest to call them backe to a feeling of their sinne due consideration of their life conuersation they may patiently abide thy Fatherly tryall looking for aide helpe and comfort from thee when it seemeth most conuenient to thy holy wisedome and being by thy mercifull hand once deliuered may acknowledge thy singular power and worke giuing all laud and praise to thy glorious name and afterwards all the daies of their life study and liue before it hee in sincerity and perfect holinesse euen to their liues end This O Lord we beseech thee in Mercy to grant for thy beloued Sonnes sake Iesus Christ our Lord and onely Sauiour Amen Morning prayer for priuate Houses and Families O Gracious God and louing Father according to thy commandement wee doe here present our selues before the throne of thy mercy acknowledging and confessing from the bottome of our hearts that we be miserable sinners daily breaking thy commandements both in thought word and deed wherein wee iustly deserue euerlasting damnation and to bee vtterly throwne from thy presence yet O Lord wee see thy goodnesse againe toward vs who not suffering vs thus to perish in our sins hast sent thine owne deare Sonne Iesus Christ to take vppon him whatsoeuer is due to reconcile and make vs at one with thee againe In him therfore good Lord and through him doe wee come vnto thee beseeching thee for his sake that wee feeling the grieuousnesse of our sinnes and groaning vnder the burthen of them may feele the release ease of them in that we bee thorough thy holy Spirit assured and stedfastly beleeue that Christ hath borne the burthen of them euen for vs. Grant likewise O most mercifull Lord heauenly Father that wee being assured hereof in our consciences may through thy holy Spirit be renued in the inner man to hate detest and abhorre sinne and
to study to liue according to thy blessed will during our whole life Wee doe not onely pray for our selues but also for all thy whole Church especially such as bee persecuted for thy word grant vnto them that whether it be by death or life they may glorifie thy Name to their liues end Be mercifull to this Church of England Scotland Ireland we beseech thee good Lord preserue euery part and menber of the same especially thy seruant Iames our King grant him all such giftes as bee needfull for so high a calling to the aduancement of thy glorie and benefit of this Common wealth to the establishing of a perfect gouerment of thy Church according to the prescript rule of thy blessed word to the rooting out of all superstition and reliques of Antichrist to the gouerning of his subiects in all peace and tranquilitie Defend him O Lord from all conspiracies treasons rebellions and so worke in the hearts of all his subiects that knowing his authoritie doth come from thy heauenly Maiesty they may with obedient hearts humbly obey them in thee and for thee Preserue the whole Councell and the Magistrates of the Realme that being lightened through thy holy Spirit they may defend the truth suppresse wickednesse and maintaine equitie Behold all the Pastours and Preachers of thy word blesse their labours increase the number of them place ouer euery Church a painefull watchman remoue all idle lubbers and confound the power of Antichrist and turne the hearts of the people that they may be obedient to thy truth Blesse the two famous Vniuersities Cambridge and Oxford all the students of the same with all Schooles of Learening Behold all those that bee afflicted with any kind of crosse that they may profit by thy correction in newnesse of life Lastly for our selues here gathered wee humbly O Lord craue at thy handes that it would please thee to make vs thankefull vnto thy Maiestie for all thy louing kindnesse shewed vnto vs euen from our infancie especially that thou hast this present night deliuered vs from all dangers both of body and soule whereinto many haue fallen as wee in the like manner should haue done if we had not beene staied with thy mercifull hand that thou hast aâ—so granted vnto vs so sweete comfortable rest and hast now presently brought vs to the beginning of this day For these things good Lord wee yeeld thee most hearty thankes beseeching thee to make vs more more daily thankfull vnto thy Maiestie for them and pardon our vnthankfulnesse And as thou hast safely preserued vs vnto this present houre from all the dangers of this life so we beseech thee continue thy fauour towardes vs this day and the whole course of our life Defend vs O Lord that we now entring into the affaires of this day bee not drawne away with the vaine allurements of this world to sinne and wickednesse that wee walke not in the shadow of death that wee be not intangled in the snares of sinne that wee stumble not at the blockes of iniquitie that we finally fall not into the pit of death and destruction but beeing shadowed vnder thy wings we may cheerefully constantlie goe on forward to the end of our course Grant vnto vs O Lord our God that this good time which thou grantest vnto vs in this life be not idlely or vainly of vs consumed but that euery one of vs may be diligently exercised in his calling this day and all our life long being assured that thou wilt once call vs to yeeld an account of our Stewardship Indue vs we beseech thee with those gifts and graces which bee needfull for vs in our calling that with a pure heart sincere conscience wee may vse them to the benefit of our bretheren and discharge of our owne conscience before thy Maiestie We beseech thee O Lord that in all our consultations words and workes this day and the whole course of our life we may alwayes haue thee presnet before our eyes knowing that thou seest euen the very deepe thoughts of our hearts which alwaies may bee as a bridle to pull vs backe that wee neither do nor yet consent to any sinne or wickednesse but that alwaies wee may bee so exercised in the affaires of this life that wee looke still to the end of our course when it shall please thee to bring vs through the pilgrimage of this life to our euerlasting rest with thy deere Sonne Iesus Christ our Sauiour In whose Name for these mercies and whatsoeuer thou knowest to bee needfull for vs for thy whole Church wee pray vnto thee as hee himselfe hath taught vs in his holy word saying Our Father c. The Lord blesse vs saue vs the Lord make his face shine vppon vs and bee mercifull vnto vs the Lord turne his fauorable countenance towards vs grant vs his peace The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ the loue of God the Father and the most comfortable fâ—llowshippe of the holy Ghost bee with vs preserue vs this day and euermore Amen Euening Prayer for priuate Houses and Families O Gracious God and louing Father according to thy Commandement we do heere present our selues againe before thy Maiestie humbly prostrating our sinfull selues before the Throne of thy mercy acknowledging and confessing from the bottome of our hearts that wee are miserable sinners daylie breaking thy Commaundements both in thoght word and deede wherein we iustly deserue euerlasting damnation and to bee vtterly throwne from thy presence Yet O Lord wee see thy goodnesse againe towardes vs who not sâ—ffering vs thus to perish in our sinnes hast set thine owne deere Sonne Iesus Christ to take vppon him whatsoeuer is due â—o reconcile and make vs at one with thee againe In him theâ—efore good Lord and through him doe wee come vnto thee beseeching thee for his sake that wee feeling the greeuousnesse of our sins and groaning vnder the burthen of them may feele the release and ease of them in that we be through thy holie Spirit assured and stedfastly beleeue that Christ Iesus our Lord hath borne the burden of them euen for vs. Graunt O Lord that wee being assured heereof in our Consciences may thorough thy most holy and blessed Spirit be renewed in the inner man to hate detest and vtterly abhorre all sinne and that wee may studie to liue according to thy blessed will during our whole life And now O Lord God we pray not onely for our selues but likewise for all thy whole Church especiallie for such as be persecuted for the testimony of a good conscience Grant vnto them O Lord that whether it be by death or life they may glorifie thy Name to their liues end Blesse these Churches good Father wherein wee liue and therein our gracious Soueraigne and thy seruant Iames King of Great-Britaine France and Ireland Keepe him O Lord from all Conspiracies Treasons and Rebellions Preserue the Noble and hopefull Prince Charles the
illustrious Prince Palatine the Lady Elizabeth with their Princely Issue Blesse the Lords of his Maiesties most honourable Priuie Counsell the Magistrates Ministers of this Land Shower downe thy blessings O Lord vpon both the Vniuersities and all Schooles of Learning Comfort all those that bee afflicted with any kind of crosse that they may profit by thy correction to newnesse of life And lastly gracious Lord God we come vnto thee for our selues heere gathered together rendering vnto thy glorious Maiesty most hearty Thankes which hast hitherto from our infancy presetued vs by thy mercy from all perils and daungers both of soule and body whereunto fraile man is subiect that thou hast sent vnto vs euerie thing necessarie for this present life as health foode apparrell and such like which many of thy deere Children do want being notwithstanding as preciouslie bought with the precious bloud of thy deere Sonne as we be yet be in misery and calamity oppressed with pouertie nakednesse imprisonment and banishment in vvhose case also deare Father thou mightest haue brought vs saue onely that thou dealest herein more fauourably with vs then with them For the which thy louing kindnesse we giue thee hearty thankes desiring thee that as thou hast hitherto thus fauorably in mercie preserued vs by thy protection and euen presently this day hast brought vs past all dangers therof so we beseech thee good Lord in like fauour to behold vs this night that we taking our naturall rest and quietnes may through thy protection bee defended that our Bodies resting our soules may bee occupied in beholding thy fauour and mercie towardes thy Children still looking for the comming of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ for our full Redemption Graunt that our sleepe bee not immoderate according to the lust of our flesh but as much as is sufficient to refresh our weake nature that being thus refreshed both the body and the mind may be more able to doe their seuerall office and Function in that Vocation wherein thou hast placed vs. Grant that we laying our bodies downe to rest mâ—y be thereby put in minde oâ— our long rest of death that as we do now lay down our bodies in bed so we may be therby admonished that heereafter they shall be layde downe in the Graue to bee consumed to dust earth ashes from whence they were taken That we hauing this before our eyes may be stirred vp in minde warily to walke in this our Pilgrimage not knowing when the time shall be of our departure but alwaies to be found readie with ouâ— Lampes of pure faith clearly burning that we may be accepted to meete the Bridegroome when our mortall earthly and corruptible Bodies shall be made like to the glorious body of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ there to reigne with him in perpetuall ioy and consolation together with all the Elect children of God continually lauding with thy Heauenly multitude the glorious Maiesty of thee our Lord God and heauenly Father in our God and Sauiour Iesus Christ For these and whatsoeuer else thou knowst to be needfull for vs and thy whole Church we pray vnto thee as he himselfe hath taught vs saying Our Father c. The Lord blesse vs saue vs the Lord make his face to shine vpon vs and be mercifull vnto vs The Lord turne his fauourable countenance vnto vs and graunt vs his peace The grace of our Lord Iesu Christ the loue of God the Father and the most comfortable Fellowship of God the holy Ghost be with vs preserue and keepe vs this night forth and for euermore Amen A forme of Prayer dayly to bee vsed of all faithfull Christians in their houses or elswhere ALmighty God and mercifull Father in and thorough Iesus Christ our Lord in whom and by whom we trust that thou art our God and Father we most humbly heere prostrate our selues before the Throne of thy Maiestie beseeching thee first good Father and God to pardon all our sinnes which wee confesse and acknowledge against our selues bâ—seeching thy gracious Spirit to worke in vs the knowledge of them daily more and more that thereby we may coâ—e vntâ— true Repentance for them together therewith vnto the knowledge of the heighth bredth depth and fulnesse in all sorts of thy grace and mercie whereby through Iesus Christ thou hast forgotten them and remoued them as farre from vs as the East is from the West And althogh we know by them too well good Lord that wee haue as much as in vs lay lyeth laboured to prouoke thine anger against vs heaping sinne vpon sinne and multiplying offences and transgressions against thy high grace and Maiesty breaking thy holy word Commandements yet thou O Lord hast not beene as Man nor thy affections as the affections of the Sonnes of men but hast continued gracious and mercifull and bountiful vnto vs in pardoning our sinnes and daily renewing in vs with the morning thy graces diuers and manifold Therefore we beseech thee most mercifull Father so to giue vs thy holy Spirit that wee prouoke thee no more that thou rise not against vs to destroy vs as we haue deserued for we haue bene are dry as stubble and yet thou hast not dispersed and consumed vs we haue beene vnfruitfull and thou hast not cut vs downe yea Lord we haue brought forth wild and sower Fruite corrupt and detestable and yet thou lettest thy raine to fall and Sun to shine vpon vs. Make vs therefore wee beseech thee sorry as becometh thy Children for that wee haue disobeyed thee so mercifull and louing a Father and frame vs daily and fashion vs to the likenesse of thy wel beloued Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord that in knowledge and true holinesse wee may glorifie thee before the world and by the fruits of godlinesse and righteousnesse be assured and made certaine of thy holy Spirit and of the loue wherewith thou louest vs. Make vs thankfull deere Father for the infinite vnspeakeable benefites of our election to life and euerlasting glory before all time and for our creation redemption and sanctification in time to bring thy glorious counsell to passe Worke in vs certaine faith and assured hope in thy promises the true feare of thy Maiesty perfect hate and detestation of all disordered and sinfull affections Worke in vs eternal loue of thy trueth and Gospell sincere affection and loue towards thy Children and amongst our selues patience knowledge vertue loue compassion with all graces of thy kingdome that in all on behauiour thou O God mayest be glorified in vs. Also wee beseech thee most mercifull Father for the benefites of this life That as thou art not onely the God of our spirites and soules but also of our bodies so it would please thee notwithstanding our sinnes to grant vs thy blessings of health peace and maintenance of which by thy gracious prouidence some of vs doe feele the want and some of vs haue for long time enioyed
and dye to thee with them and for them glorifie thy most holy name for euer and euer We beseech thee also good Lord our God for all our Bretheren wheresoeuer that those which are in thy Church in peace and safety may prosper and goe for ward and stand in thy truth for euer that thy goodnesse may bee assured vnto them-and that thou wouldst keepe their place and maintaine their cause against all that labour to trouble them And for such as doe yet labour vnder tyranny and affliction whose sufferings thou knowest O Lord better then we can declare It may please thee to breake the rodde of their oppressours to quench the fire of their aduersaries to lighten or rather cleane take away that burthen that they so presse them withall that they together with vs may ioyne in thy Congregation and feede safely So that there may bee none to scar vs. Let thy Spirit of comfort possesse our hearts that all trouble may seeme lesse then thy trueth and glory so lighten our eies that in our darknesse we may haue such sight of thy glory and of Iesus Christ who is in that high Mountaine where hee is now so glorious that our griefes may bee swallowed vp A Speciall Morning Prayer for the Sabbath MOst Mighty and glorious Lord of Hosts God of Sabbaths Who though thou didst rest from all thy workes of Creation yet daily workest in all the world disposing and preseruing all things therein by thy generall prouidence and especially rulest in thy Church and Children doing all their workes for them and daily preseruing them from the euils of the time encouraging them daily by the renuing of thy mercies to seeke thy face refreshing thy Beloued daily from Sabbath to Sabbath with the fruits of thy house that they may bee fitted to rest for euer with thee in thine eternall Sabbath It is thy singular mercy great patience O Lord our God that thy vnworthy vnprofitable seruants hauing so often prouoked thee to call vs to an account and take our Talents from vs are yet respited to a further vse of thy blessings and redeeming of the time in better husbanding thereof But O Lord our God how wonderfully and aboue all other vnspeakeable is this thy goodnesse that though wee haue no better then prophaned this thy holy day generally heretofore by speaking our owne words and thinking our owne thoughts therein so far from being bettered by thine ordinances that wee still remaine more hardened and inexcusable thereby more leauened with hypocrisie and worldlynes more barren in vprightnesse and holynesse of conuersation and so deserue for euer to be plucked vp by the rootes and cast out of thy presence Yet hast thou offered vs once againe this gracious opportunity of thy blessed Presence and to drawe neere vnto thee his thy day in the vse of thy holy ordinances How iustly mightest thou long since either fatted vp our hearts and so giuen vs vp to our owne lust and reprobate waies that all good motions might bee vtterly quenched in vs all desire of thy presence wholly extinguished Or though wee had any desire yet thou mightest iustly hide thy face from vs and turne this day of our visitation into a perpetuall night Hast thou not thus reckoned with our neighbours round about And what mightest thou find in vs O blessed Lord that any way could stay this fearefull reckoning Is it because wee haue enioyed more fauours longer then they haue done Lord what may wee truly expect herefrom then to be beaten with more stripes And though thy patience bee more enlarged towards vs yet shall not the reckoning bee the more intollerable Or is it not thy singular wisdome to warne vs graciously by our Bretherens harmes and humble vs the more by the sence of our vnprofitablenes as if our case were bootlesse desperate Or is it because thou hast giuen vs some remorse of Iosephs affliction and enlarged our hearts with some compassion towards them Oh how doth this continue our cruelty towards them that while wee seeke to ease them of their smart by our cold compassions wee yet encorage them by our example in sinne How doth this challenge our want of mercy to our selues while wee more harden our hearts hereby in wickednesse as if we were more righteous then they because wee are spared and they are punished and so heape vp more wrath against our selues by our impenitencie while we labour to reclaime others from the fury thereof Thus find wee nothing by our selues why wee fare better then others but that our best fare is like to proue our deadly bane Onely in thee O our God there is absolute power to doe with thine owne what thou wilt with thee there is free mercy to spare whome thou pleasest In thee there is infinite wisdome to draw thy Children vnto thee by contrary meanes some by feare plucking out of the fire alluring others by thy tender compassions that thou onely mightest haue the glory of all thy workes melting some by thy patience which harden others and hardning some by thy corrections which soften others Meditate O my soule on this Power Wisdome and mercy of thy glorious God Exalt him and say who is like our God that spareth and punisheth whome hee pleaseth that punisheth by sparing and spares by punishing And solet thy heart beginne this day with such deuoute Meditation and rauishment therewith that it may truely cast thee downe before his glorious presence and vtterly cast thee out of all carnall confidence and so wholy cast out of thee all vaine and earthly thoughts that may interrupt thy sweete fellowship with thy glorious God while thou labourest to power out thy soule before him in iudging thy selfe iustifying his free goodnes for thy former preseruation and crying for acceptance in thy Sauiour for the pardon of thy sinnes and to be cloathed with his righteousnesse that thou mayest appeare all faire in the presence of thy God and so be safely carried by his Spirit into the Chamber of thy Mother there to sucke and bee satisfied O grant vs gracious God thus to beginne this day in thee and with thee And that wee may bee better quickened and enabled hereunto and set to the spending thereof wholy in thy feare Perswade our hearts wee pray thee Blessed Lord of the moralitie and equitie of this thine owne ordinâ—nce that what thou hast for thine owne intire and solemme worship so vnchangeably ratified wee may not esteeme common and indifferent as either to seeke my selfe any whit therein or els not to seeke thee in all thy waies as if either thou hadst imposed rest from our worldly imployments because idlenes pleaseth thee and the ease of the flesh were part of the worship or els might excuse vs from spirituall imployments or else that herein also wee might take our ease and serue our selues refreshing the labours of our soules by satisfing the flesh But cause vs gracious God to know that
all meanes and waies possible namely by pride enuie malice couetousnesse gluttonie drunkennesse fornication and all other euill workes wherevnto hee doth moue vs and by him thrust into our hearts and whereby without the assistance of thy grace hee doth bring vs within his baits and snares laid for our soules And contrariwise wee of our selues haue no ability nor any meanes to preuaile against them vnlesse thou of thy mercy vouchsafe to be gracious vnto vs to strengthen vs by thy power and to defend vs in all temptations which he worketh against vs that he may not triumph ouer vs to ouâ— destruction We beseech thee from the bottome of our hearts to vouchsafe to be our comfort in all our troubles to defend vs against all temptations and that it would please thee to lead and gouerne vs in all our thoughts words and deeds so shall wee dwell in safety O Lord thou knowest that among all Creatures man is most rebellious against thee and his offences and transgressions against thee most manifolde and contrariwise euery one creature in his kind doth most worthily shew thy powâ—r might and praise and by them is thine omnipotency declared but we in our liues do shew our selues most vnkind and vnnaturall children towards thee daily offending thy diuine Maiesty and euery minute transgressing against thy Lawes and Commandements nothing regarding thy iudgements which might in a moment destroy vs. But thou O Lord in thy mercy dost vouchsafe notwithstanding to spare vs admonishing vs to repentance and newnesse of life that through our faithfull conuersion wee may bee saued Raise vs vp therefore good Lord from our drowsie sluggishnesse and carelesse security Suffer vs not any longer to wallow and tumble our selues in our grieuous Iniquities Let not sinne haue so much power ouer vs or increase in vs. Destroy and ouerthrow Satan and his wily policies Roote out of our hearts all workes of the world wicked motions of the flesh and pernitious practises of the Diuell that we may no longer offend thy goodnesse And plant in vs such good thoughts good motions and good endeuours that we may diligently serue thee in all things according to thy will and embrace with willingnesse thy holy word to the comfort of our Soules and setting forth of thy glory Open thy bountifull hands O Lord and blesse vs with all good guifts giue vs obedient hearts and willing mindes to search and seeke out the trueth of thy holy word strengthen vs with constancy in the same that in all things wee may leade our liues accordingly not as professors alone but as faithfull performers of the same to the vtter diligence of our power Confirme and establish vs in all good works thar wee may as true Christians sowe such Seeds of thy knowne truth that others from whom the brightnesse of thy Gospell hath beene concealed and kept vnknowne may by our good example take such happy fruites thereof that they may know thee and bee brought home to thy Fold as lost Sheepe Be thou O Lord our Shepheard and let vs be then sheepe of thy Fold and remaine in thy protection both now and alwaies to the end Increase the number of the faithfull diligent and carefull Ministers Preachers and distributers of thy holy word and Sacraments and giue vnto them a single heart towards thee Let them not be such as do onely preach and teach thy word with their lippes and tongues and haue their hearts farre from thee but that they inwardly with all their soule in perfect faith cleaue vnto thee and thy truth and accordingly shew the same in their life and conuersation Driue also out of thy Church all Buyers and Sellers and such as like rauening Wolues seeke to liue by the spoyle of thy sheepe Cast out O Lord wee pray thee such idle Pastors as are crept into thy Church who more respecting gaine then grace imploy their study for promotion and leaue the flocke vnfed which is vnder their charge Lord of thy vnspeakable Mercy deliuer vs from such carelesse keepers and blind guides least we also being made blinde by their negligence may bee kept blind in ignorance and so with them fall into the dangerous pit of thy deepe and heauy displeasure Rehearse and pardon vs all our offences teach vs to serue thee as we ought make strong our faith and hope in thee indue vs with thy heauenly light that wee may perfectly see our foule and manifold enormities and examining our owne conscices and discerning our imperfections wee may learne to amend our liues Make vs willing Followers of thee and diligent louers of thy Law Make vs penitent for our sinnes past and continue in vs thy feare Let vs not fall inro any manner of temptations but by thy mighty power deliuer vs from all euill To thee alone O Lord belongeth mercy and forgiuenesse and thou onely art our louing Sauiour Purge vs and make vs cleane that wee may bee found chosen vessels fit to serue thee in this life and after to obtaine perfect saluation at thy mercifull hands enioy euerlasting rest in thy Celestiall habitation prepared for thy faithfull and elect people and with thy holy and blessed Angels may sing praise vnto thy holy name for euer These blessings O Father wee beseech thee to bestow vpon vs for Iesus Christ his sake in whose name we pray vnto thee as hee himselfe hath taught vs Our Father c. A Thanksgiuing after blessings obtained to acknowledge them aâ— from God BLessed Lord I feele in my selfe how mercifully thou hast dealt with me greeuously I was troubled and now by thy goodnesse partly releasâ—d how dangerouslie I was assaulted and now by thy mercie partly deliuered this releefe although I must needs confesse by infallible arguments â—o bee thy onely worke in me yet such is the pride of my rebellious flesh that it will not suffer me to asâ—â—â—â—e fully the same to proceede of thee and thine onely goodnesse but seeketh out other fained causes according to the vaine deuises of my mind therefore I beseech thee most gracious Father that thou wilt so frame my heart that I may with my whole heart and mind with all the powers of my soule acknowledge aâ— my comfort and ayde to be thy onely worke wrought in me by thy holy Spirit and that I may bee thankfull for the same all the daies of my life O Lord thou hast sworne by thy holinesse that thou wilt not giue thine honor to any other Seeing then deere Father that thou hast sent mee this strength let mee bee perswaded fully in my heart deere Father that it commeth from thee that to thee I may render due honor praise thanksgiuing for the same and the rest of my life that I may be assured in heart of thy mercifull defence in mine extreame dangers as thou hast many times wonderfully deliuered me and thou wilt according to thy promise so continue thy mercifull ayde whereby thy name in mee may be glorified my