leasings and vaine stories O be mercifull vnto me and enter not into Iudgement with thy seruant for how shall Dust and Ashes stand vp before thee or the worke of thy hands contend with his Creator Haue pitie on me O Lord according to thy great goodnesse and in the multitude of thy mercies blot out all my Iniquities Saue me and be neere vnto me in the day of trouble that I may magnifie thy Name and giue all honour power and glorie to thee who art the Father and Fountaine of all comfort and consolation Amen AT NOONE. 20. A Prayer concerning the benefit of Creation I Am amazed O Lord to consider of thy wonderfull mercie my soule is lost in the depth of thy neuer-ceasing goodnesse and like the wisest of Philosophers the more I learne the lesse I may truly professe to know so bottomelesse and vnsearchable is thy loue and fauour When I was Nothing O Lord why thoughtst thou of me and calledst me to be Something which hauing any subsistence of Beast or Plant is better then not to be at all but thou hast created me according to thine owne Image giuing me a reasonable soule like the Angels endued with noble faculties and powers enabling me to reach the height of thy mysticall Diuinitie and diuine Mysterie and made me capable of euerlasting and infinite glorie O Lord before thee and in comparison of thy Maiestie I am iust Nothing and how wast thou then mindfull of me to create me Alas my soule thou wast hidden in the Abysse of Nothing and in this Abysse of Nothing shouldst thou haue remained vntill this present if God had not drawne thee forth from thence and what couldst thou haue done within this Nothing O my great and good Creator how infinitely am I indebted vnto thee for that thou hast taken me out of this Nothing to make me by thy mercie that something which I am What shall I euer be able to doe worthily to blesse and magnifie thy Name and to render thankes to thine exceeding Bountie But alas my Creator in stead of vniting my selfe vnto thee by pure loue and loyall seruice I haue alwayes beene rebellious by vnruly affections separating and withdrawing my selfe from thee to ioyne and vnite my selfe vnto sinne and iniquitie doing no more to thy Goodnesse then if thou hadst not beene my Creator What wickednesse hath there beene O Lord that I haue not had a thought readie to put in a mind apt to contriue and a hand willing to execute it Wherein haue I testified my obedience in following thy Lawes and Precepts Wherein my truth and loyaltie in resisting thy vowed and knowne enemies But O my soule know that our Lord is thy God it is he that hath made thee and not thou thy selfe O God I am the worke of thy hand I will then no more henceforth take pleasure in my selfe since in my selfe and of my selfe I am truly Nothing Blesse thy God O my soule and let all thy bowels prayse his holy Name for his Bountie hath drawne me forth of the Abysse of Nothing and his Mercie hath created me O my God I offer vnto thee with all my heart the essence and being which thou of thy Bountie hast bestowed vpon me and most willingly doe I dedicate and consecrate it to thee O my God strengthen me in these affections and resolutions and giue me perseuerance to the end 21. Euening Prayer I Humbly confesse and acknowledge O mercifull Lord and Sauiour that I haue not imployed and bestowed the blessed Time of this hallowed Day so deuoutly and religiously as I ought and am commanded to doe I beseech thee of thy infinite mercie to forgiue and pardon so weake and frayle a Creature that cannot entertaine the least good thought one moment vvithout thee and vouchsafe of thy accustomed goodnesse and clemencie continually to visit nay my most blessed Sauiour to inhabite and dwell with mee that so I may doe the things which please thee Giue vnto me O Lord a kindly relenting and remorse for the sinnes I haue this day committed against thy diuine Maiestie and against my Neighbour by thought word and deed and by omission of those things thou hast left me in charge to haue done Moderate O Lord my sleepe and banish from me all vaine and wandering fancies vncleane and idle illusions that I may awake in thee and to thee offer my Morning thoughts who art onely worthie of all that onely hast created redeemed sanctified and preserued me for which be thou euer praysed and honoured world without end Amen 22. A Prayer to our blessed Sauiour and Redeemer PRostrate thy selfe O my soule before the Lord of all Maiestie and Glorie sitting at the right hand of his Father crowned with Mightinesse and Power richly adorned with a garland of all Vertues brightly shining in the companie of his glorious Angels holy Saints and bloudie Martyrs honouring and seruing him without ceasing or intermission singing Hymnes of his Goodnesse and Mercie and hauing thus beheld him in this great Pompe and Triumph cast thine eye vpon this blessed Sauiour poorely lying in the Manger hauing scarce any thing to couer his tender and delicate Bodie or saue it from the iniurie of the Ayre Consider well and seriously how he which giueth heat and motion to the Sunne is here contented as vnable to helpe himselfe to take warmth and comfort from the breath of the Beasts whom he there disdained not to be his Chamber-fellowes O wonderfull example of all humilitie How darest thou from henceforth contemned Dust and Ashes swell in thy Vaine-glorie and decked with a few gay Ragges forget thy Creator who is cloathed with Eternitie Humble O Lord my high and proud thoughts abase and bring downe my loftie and rebellious imaginations make me abiect in my owne eyes that walking with my poore Brethren who wander naked and hungrie lying vpon the bare cold Earth I may with them prayse and glorifie thy holy Name who wert the first founder and beginner of this poore and contemned Order Why shall we from henceforth so highly esteeme Honour and Riches when thou the Lord of both didst so contemne it voluntarie for our instruction submitting thy selfe to so great and miserable Pouertie Happie are wee if wee be distressed and patiently suffer it happie if wee be contemned and neglected for thy sake Teach me O Lord the way to despise all worldly preferment and promotions that hauing my thoughts only fixed vpon thee I may passe forth these transitorie short miseries to dwell in eternall rest and felicitie in thy Kingdome which is promised to all those which serue thee to whom be ascribed all honor power and glorie world without end Amen 23. Another Prayer for assistance in dangers and troubles COmplaynest thou discontented and vngratefull Creature that thy enemies lye in wait to take thy life from thee and thinkest thy selfe not well dealt with to be so persecuted and afflicted when thou mayest behold the Creator of Heauen and Earth
Prayer O Most mercifully louing God who gatherest and keepest thy beloued vnder thy wings as the Henne doth her Chickens defending them by thy mightinesse from all the perils and misfortunes which their weakenesse and the Deuils suggestions might bring vpon them I giue thee most humble and heartie thankes that thou hast safely protected me this day from all bodily dangers and mischances from the crueltie of Fire the mercilesnesse of Water the rage of the Sword the spoyle of Sicknesse and the vnsparing hand of Death which hath suddenly and vnexpectedly ouertaken many feasting and rioting But now O Lord and aboue measure am I to glorifie and prayse thy euerlasting goodnesse that with thy assisting grace thou hast blessed me from horrible sinnes and transgressions crying vnto thee for Iudgement Incest committed with the neerest of our bloud and remotest from the bloud of our Sauiour Murther of mans bodie with the slaughter of our owne soule Rape of Virgins with the deflowring of our owne vertue and many other offences which thou vnknowingly hast taken from vs deliuering vs from the occasions which hanging ouer vs were vnperceiued readie to deuoure vs. Continue O Lord thy louing kindnesse and in the darkenesse of this Night shoot forth thy beames into our soules that wee may inwardly behold and meditate vpon thy neuer-ending mercies Ouer-shadow vs with a companie of Angels who may watch and guard our sleeping bodies lest the Deuill enter and vnawares surprize vs. Keepe from vs O Lord all wanton and lasciuious dreames vaine and idle fancies that hauing peaceably and quietly obtained an vntroubled and vnpolluted Repose wee may awake in thy feare to remember all thy kindnesses employing both soule and bodie to doe him homage and seruice by whose mightie and louing power wee haue enioyed them safe from the oppositions of all our enemies WEDNESDAY 7. Morning Prayer ALmightie and euer-liuing God the first Beginner Mouer and Creator of all things being I render thy diuine Maiestie humble and heartie thanks for the quiet Repose and Rest of the passed Night humbly entreating thee of thy fauour and goodnesse by thy holy direction and assistance to gouerne and commaund all the actions of this day that they may bring forth a Comfort and Repose of a good Conscience Giue O Lord vnto me thoughts pure and vndefiled beseeming the presence of so great and holy a Maiestie before whom I continually stand speeches sparing and modest with the consideration of an account to be made for them that my actions arising from these may be a warrane to me in the peace of a settled mind a profitable example to my weake brethren and a neuer-ending glorie and honour to thee whose workemanship I am Take from me O blessed and carefull Father the occasions of sinne and the oportunitie of committing them Let no euill companie the Nets of Satan ensnare my weake and fraile determinations seducing me by wantonnesse or the desire of vaine-glorie or what other secondarie cause soeuer to the forgetting thee and my owne dutie and saluation Giue me grace and strength O blessed and all louing Creator to labour in the vocation thou hast ordained for me and blesse O Lord the labours of my hand that I may see the comfort and encrease of them for which let thy holy and euer-comforting Spirit inflame me with a burning desire of thankfulnesse and humble acknowledgement that I may not lose thee for not praysing honouring and adoring thy holy Name to vvhich bee ascribed all honour and glorie world without end NOONE. 8. A Prayer or Meditation acknowledging Gods benefits with an humble Confession of our sinnes WHat is Man O Lord that thou doest so much respect him Or the Sonne of Man that thou giuest heed vnto him Why hast thou sent thy onely Begotten who in glorie excelleth all Creatures to be a Sacrifice for him and giuen thy Angels charge ouer him Why hath thy owne hand conducted him and Miracles made way for him Is he not O Lord slime of the Earth created of nothing and without thy mercie should be happie to returne to nothing Was he able to helpe thee when he had no being in thy great Workemanship Or when it was made vvithout thee could he distinguish it Was he not last formed and all other things for his vse and seruice And in requitall of all this thy exceeding and infinite bountie did hee not leaue thee his onely God and Creator and take part with thy enemie against thee And hast thou yet gathered him to thee and by thy reuealed Will left him thine heire of all those glorious Possessions whose Title cannot be questioned Those inestimable Riches which neither Theeues nor Moths can beguile him of or take away What excellencie is there O mercifull Father in this thy handy worke to deserue such innumerable and vn-imitable benefits What can hee O Lord repay thee for these great and vnspeakable bounties What proportion can there be of a finite vncertainetie with an euerlasting and infinite Deitie With what admirable and vnconceiuable Art doest thou fashion him in the Wombe How wonderfully and strangely doest thou bring him forth How carefully after and most louingly doest thou cherish and succour him his Parents being thy Nurses in whom thou hast inspired such Nature and Loue towards him that they account and call that Trouble a Blessing How most prouidently for this despised Clay didst thou in the beginning diuide the great Time disposing the one halfe for the Rest and Repose of this thy Creature rocking him asleepe with thy all-powerfull and fauourable hand And when he comes in progresse of time to exercise and vse that Reason and Vnderstanding in which thou hast made him lord ouer all thy Creatures what O Father of all Comforts and Blessings doth he returne thee for this thy care and blessings How does he in part and to his power answere these thy exceeding great and high benefits Doth he walke in the Way which thou hast instructed him Or is his delight in seeking after thy Commaundements Doth he not leaue the knowne Path reuealed in thy Word and wander after Vanities searching for their footsteps which lead vnto destruction O all mercifull and louing God whose Charitie and Bountie doth well expresse thy Godhead and Power since it is not in Mortalitie to loue so abundantly so feruently so causelessely graunt I beseech thee euen for the bowels of thy mercie to inflame my heart with the like desires and affections that I may loue thee aboue my selfe with all my soule with all my heart all my vnderstanding despising all things in respect of thee since there is nothing great glorious and high nothing of infinite Beautie euerlasting Maiestie vnspeakable Charitie but God alone who hath filled euery thing with his Blessing with his Being with his Presence who confines all things without being confined who is was and euer shall be of endlesse power honour and glorie Amen 9. Euening Prayer LEt me neuer be vnthankfull O Lord that
without deiection graue without austeritie pleasant without lightnesse fearefull not despairing true not doubling doing good without presumption admonishing my neighbour without arrogancie edifying him by word and example without dissimulation Giue vnto me Lord God a watchfull heart that no curious cogitation may draw me from thee a noble one that no vnworthy affection may triumph ouer it a sincere one that no euill intention may bend it from thee an inuincible heart that no persecution may glory in his ouerthrow a generous one that no peruerse and violent passion may challenge rule ouer it Bestow on me O Lord an vnderstanding knowing thee a diligence seeking thee a wisedome finding thee a conuersation pleasing to thee a perseuerance faithfully expecting thee a confidence finally embracing thee to be pierced with thy punishments through repentance to vse thy benefits in this way fare by grace and at length by glory to enioy thy ioyes in thy countrey who liuest raignest c. 63. A Prayer for great Personages O Most mighty high and euerliuing God King of all Kings Lord of all Lords the onely gouernour Creatour and aduancer of mankinde which hast pleased to call me to honour and promotion making me a Ruler and directer of thy people Teach me O Lord the way to bee humble in mine owne eyes that I may louingly and courteously entertaine any poore brethren as great and noble in thy sight and bought at as deare a rate as the mightiest Giue me O Lord singlenesse of heart cleannesse of hands truth of tongue meekenes of Spirit that I may in all affayres and businesses of the generall State respect aboue all things thy glory next the weale of the publique and lastly my own peace and content which in the vprightnes of a good conscience make O Lord firme vnto me Take from me I earnestly beseech thee the fire of Ambition lest dallying with vnholy flames I returne to in-glorious Ashes Quench in mee O mercifully louing Father the longing thirst of new Titles and Dignities acknowledging it a blessing aboue any desert of mine to be thy Creature and fearing the charge and burden already imposed vpon me endeuour with all lowlinesse to render thee a iust account Grant that my power may be a shelter not oppression to the weaker and the noblenesse of my birth a continuall remembrancer how to bring forth vertues and actions worthy and beseeming that height and superioritie that in all things squaring the line of my life and ordering all my thoughts actions and endeuours by thy precepts and instructions I may leaue my example as a holy practice to others and die in thy fauour that I may liue eternally with thee world without end 64. A Thanksgiuing for the recouerie of our High and Mighty Soueraigne King IAMES April 1619. I INcline thine eare vnto vs O Lord and mercifully heare our supplications and prayers that we make before thee for hauing speedily and happily deliuered our most gracious King thy humble Seruant redeeming vs in preseruing him from the many troubles and vncertaine dangers which any alteration may bring vpon vs. Keepe him O Lord to thee for vs from the bloudy hand of home-bred Treason which endeuoureth violently to spoile him and saue him by thy mighty power from the ambitious desire of Forraine inuasion which vnlawfully plotteth and goeth about to gripe into their hands the rule and state of this Kingdome ouer which by thy ordinance and eternall prouidence he is made chiefe Lord and Ruler Defend him O merciful and all-louing Father from the Tyrannie of sicknes which seeketh to destroy nature and steale away life from him and what other infirmities the weakenesse of nature want of digestion distemperatenesse of Ayre or any other naturall cause may bring vpon him Be pleased O Lord to ease and cure him by thy all-restoring hand who camest into the world to heale all maner of diseases that wee may perfectly enjoy him in his vertuous gouernment with the blessed fruits and increase of it to thy eternall glory his owne saluation and our comfort peace and tranquillitie euen for Iesus Christ his sake our onely Lord Mediator and Sauiour Amen 65. Another A A Wake vs O Lord from sinne and iniquity that we deserue not thy Scourge and Rod in vntimely depriuing vs of thy faithfull Seruant our most gracious King whom thou hast mercifully placed ouer vs. Giue vs loyall obedient hearts that we may truely and humbly vnder thee loue honour and obey him constantly vnite our selues to him and vnperswadably become his followers and liege Seruants Continue O Lord thy care and fauour to him that he may as hitherto reciprocally tender respect the good and weale of vs his poore vnder-Subiects esteeming vs helping and necessarie members of himselfe profitable to execute and vndergo what he shall in thy feare and Religion charge and command that we striuing and endeuouring to become perfect Imitators and Types of thee and thy Church in vnanimitie and tranquillitie may with one consent labour the setting forth of thy honour and glory with our owne well-doing and eternall happinesse Amen 66. A Prayer against our Enemies M MAke vs O Lord mighty and strong armed in the confidence of thy all-preseruing and powerfull Arme. Stretch it foorth O Lord and scatter our enemies who haue conspired and are combined against vs. Behold mercifull Father the infinite and innumerable troupes they haue gathered and mustered together to spoile and ruine thy people who haue no hope nor trust but in thy mercies Their Armies couer the face of the Land and their Ships haue not Sea enough to weild their huge bodies they glory in the desire and assurednesse of bloud and slaughter and meditate all the day long on Rapine and Crueltie They haue in their thoughts the murdering of Sucklings and Infants and the deflowring of Virgins is euer before their eyes they ioy in representing to themselues the Ransacking the substance of poore mens labours and feeding their Ryots with the sweat of others browes determining to leaue no barbarousnes vnpractised or vn-attempted Smite them O Lord in the height of their pride and bring their mightinesse and strength to nothing Let the Sea O Lord which they haue inhabited ouerthrow their proud buildings and destroy them The Sunne and winde O LORD vndoe and put to flight their Land-Souldiers with tempests and heate that wee thy seruants being deliuered from the feare of our enemies may serue thee all the dayes of our life glorifying and magnifying thy holy name who art the giuer of all victorie Amen 67. Another Prayer for deliuerance from our Enemies E EVermore will I cry vnto thee and all my life long meditate on thy mercies who wilt not suffer the scornefull and proud to preuaile against thy seruants nor the mischieuously-minded to haue the vpper hand ouer them The Enemies O Lord presumptuous and ouer-daring in the strength of men and Chariots haue prouided whips and torments for thy people not seeking vvhich
Patience Obedience Humblenesse without Malice Vaine-glory enuying none and fixe all my thoughts actions and endeuours to recouer thee in thy Kingdome to whom be all honour power and glorie world without end Amen 2. A Prayer before Dinner ALmightie and euerlasting God which hast created all things for the good and benefit of Mankind giuing him power and dominion ouer all thy creatures graunt O Lord that I may so moderately vse these blessings thou hast in thy mercie prouided for me as may stand with thy good liking and pleasure Let me eate to helpe not pamper Nature lest of a seruant she become an enemie and make me vnfit for thy seruice and glorie which is the onely end of our creation and being Let Temperance not my Appetite ouersway me euer remembring and with dutifull thankes acknowledging thy loue and fauour who hast vouchsafed to refresh and comfort me when many thousands of my poore brethren whose fearefull sinnes call not for vengeance like mine suffer vnder the Tyrannie of Hunger Giue me grace O Lord to pitie them and meanes to relieue them that we may together glorifie thee in thy Workes and prayse thy Iudgements which are vnsearchable shewing mercie on whom thou pleasest chastising thy children that being made obedient in their punishments they may come to thee and be made partakers of that neuer-ending glorie which thou hast prepared for those that truly serue thee euen for Iesus Christ his sake our onely Lord and Sauiour who with thee and the holy Ghost three persons and one God liueth and raigneth world without end Amen 3. Euening Prayer MOst mercifull and louing God Father of all Consolation who in thy infinite wisedome and prouidence hast ordained the night for rest by which our bodily sences wearied with the dayes labour might be renewed and refreshed wee prayse and glorifie thy holy Name in that thou hast vouchsafed of thy accustomed bountie and goodnesse to protect vs from all the bodily dangers of this day which our Enemie the Deuill practiseth for our destruction How many O pitifull and sweet Sauiour hath his snares betrayed and vndone leading them by temptation and strong perswasion with their owne hands to be their owne Murtherers How many hast thou suffered to fall by fire some by the crueltie of their Brother Fathers by their Children Wiues by their Husbands suddenly and vnexpectedly in apparent danger without thy mercie and benediction of eternall woe and damnation How shall a heart loaden and ouercome with these thy benefits expresse thy power and glorie with his owne shame and opprobriousnesse I acknowledge and confesse most blessed and pitifull Lord that my sinnes dayly encreasing nay howrely growing vpon me haue deserued Hell fire and euerlasting damnation I haue knowne thy Commandements and not followed them I haue hearkened to thy will and not obeyed it pursuing with swift feet the vnlawfull desires and lusts of my flesh Giue me grace O mercifull Lord and Father that I may with all the power of my soule striue and endeuour to amend and reforme this sinfull and abominable course Be pleased to call me vnto thee by what meanes soeuer thou shalt thinke my vnbridled and stubborne disposition will be tamed and subdued I refuse no punishment without exception of greatnesse or choice of qualitie Pouertie sent by thee shall be my chiefest Riches Shame and Contempt being thy affliction shall be the propagation of my glorie the neglect of Friends shall not trouble me for in all things O Lord let thy will be done who wisheth not the death of a sinner but that he may repent and liue with thee in the companie of Angels and Saints who are filled with thy goodnesse and continually sing thy prayses to whom onely belongeth iust prayse and honour world without end Amen TVESDAY 4. Morning Prayer O Almightie and most mercifull Father which hast opened the eyes of thy seruant to behold thy glorious and wonderous workes sending thy blessed and comfortable Light to banish and put to flight the thick and black darknesse which couered the face of the Earth lighten O Lord my vnderstanding that I may see thee in thy reuealed will and not curiously wander farther Giue me grace to know what is good and rectifie my will to follow it that in my life and conuersation I may glorifie thee and profit others I confesse O Lord and humbly acknowledge my sinnes and offences and my transgressions are euer before me Pardon O mercifull Father and be pleased to put away from thy remembrance all my iniquities Let the bloud of thy deare Sonne and my onely Sauiour be auaileable against thy Iustice and burie my misdeedes in his Sepulchre that they may neuer rise vp against me Blesse O mightie and only powerfull God all the labours of this day and graunt thou wilt helpe vs to performe what is thy pleasure wee doe that euerie speech and action hauing his beginning from thee may tend to our owne comfort and saluation Let not O Lord which art the comfort and succour of all distressed and afflicted the greedie and vnlawfull desire of gaine and encrease rayse our hearts to affect falsehood and dissimulation Set a watch O Lord before our lippes that wee may speake truly to euery man in the vprightnesse and sinceritie of a good conscience wee may be at peace with our selues Set ouer vs thou great and onely Protector thy holy Angell to guard and defend vs that the Deuill who lyeth in wait to betray vs may be put to flight and confounded either take away O Lord or giue vs strength to ouercome his subtleties and temptations that endeuouring to spend this day according to thy holy Word wee may rest in peace till thou againe shalt call vs to performe our dutie euen for Iesus Christs sake our onely Lord and Sauiour 5. A Prayer at Noone I Will not cease to crie vnto thee O Lord because thou art mercifull and regardest the complaints of thy seruant who as in a Wildernesse encompassed with rauenous beasts were it not for thy assisting grace looketh instantly to be deuoured My flesh rebelleth against me and my vnbridled and lawlesse sences would giue me vp as a prey vnto the enemie Be neere O Lord vnto me and assist me in the Conflict lest I shamefully fall and be confounded Inspire me O Lord with vertuous and holy motions vnresistable and neuer-yeelding graces that I may fight manfully vnder thy glorious Standard following thee my Captaine and Leader thorow all the dangerous and fearefull oppositions which Satan bringeth against me Giue me O Lord an vnwearied courage that I may neyther faint vnder the heat of my desires nor be dulled and benummed with the cold and â—â—â—â—tie carelesnesse of my lazie and luke-warme deuotion but with able and lustie vigor ouercomming the World the Flesh and the Deuill I may in spirit reioyce with thee and sing thy prayses and glorie who art the onely blessed and gracious Redeemer from all temptations and troubles 6. Euening
flesh infinitely desiring thee of thy grace and fauour to cleanse and sanctifie my polluted and vncleane soule knowing that no Adulterers or Fornicators shall inherite thy Kingdome Giue vnto me O Lord spotlesse and innocent Chastitie being the Lilly among all vertues whose sparkling lustre is seene a farre off Bridle with thy holy hand all wanton and loose desires which runne after their owne destruction Let the delight of mine eyes bee thy miraculous Resurrection the obiect of mine eares the story of thy Passion the subiect of my thoughts the remembrance of the Crosse the foode of my vnderstanding thy wonderfull and vnconceiueable Conception Let mee with St. Thomas thrust my fingers in thy wounds that all faculties and functions of body and soule beeing busied and employed in and about thy workes and wonders I may bee deliuered and bring foorth holy thoughts reuerent and gentle speeches pure and immaculate actions worthy the honour and glory of so pure and innocent a Lord borne of a spotlesse and immaculate Virgin Grant this O sweet Iesus the bestower of all goodnes and vertue that desiring to draw out this short and transitorie life purely and honestly wee may after we shall be warned to giue it ouer dwell with thee in thy euerlasting habitation where abideth all purity sanctitie cleannesse glory world without end Amen 26. A Prayer against Sloth WHen thou calledst thy seruants to account most mercifull gentle Sauiour what reward had he that fearing thy hardnesse and his owne weaknesse laid vp thy talent and employed it not was he not after conuiction sentenced and deliuered to the Sargeant Are wee not commaunded by thy neuer-erring Word to worke our saluation to watch and pray continually because wee know not at what houre our Lord and Master will call vpon vs which are no effects of Sloth and Idlenesse For to banish sleepe and due repose doth require a vvhole mind not a surfetted and lazy soule buried in flesh and bloud and to offer vp with humble feruencie and ardent deuotion pure and earnest prayers asketh due consideration much trouble and a great conquest ouer the outward man not to be obtained without many assaults and labour The slothfull man saith the holy Ghost shall not eate Can we not then attaine bodily foode without dayly care much shift and many times hard and extraordinarie paines and doest thou flatter thy selfe O my soule that either heauen will stoope to thee or our blessed Sauiour fetch thee without mouing or helping thy selfe thither Imitate the greedy Merchant who with vnheard-of fauours seeketh vnknown countries exposing himselfe to the certaine dangers of the Sea vncertaine sicknesses to purchase and returne laden with wealth which hee can neither keep at his pleasure nor will vse at his pleasure Quicken me O Lord with thy holy Spirit that mounted on the wings of Charitie I may flye to thee I will rise duely in the morning saith the holy King and glorifie God I will euery night wash my couch with my teares Giue mee O Lord the care and respect of this holy Prophet his vigilancie stoutnesse in labours perseuerance in good purposes and continuance to the end This life O my soule is a warfare wherein we must not stand idle but take vp our weapons and fight manfully We must preuent the day with our diligence and out-watch the Sunne with our carefulnesse lest the enemy take vs vnawares and slaughter vs We must haue our Lamps still lighted and be euer ready that wee may be taken in and made partakers for our short trauels of eternal and euerlasting rest and repose 27. A Prayer against Couetousnesse SInce it is easier O Lord for a Cammel to enter the eye of a needle then for a rich man to inherite the Kingdome of Heauen Let mee O Lord wander naked and hungry cloathed with sores and botches rather then with Diues his portion to take possession of his punishment For what auayleth it to gaine the whole world and lose my owne soule Yet if it please thee bountifull Father to leaue and bequeath to me a plentifull estate and great riches giue me grace so to vse and bestow them that I come not behinde hand with thee in my account Let mee so dispose them as thou hast by expresse words appointed that my poore Brethren put not vp a Bill against me Set not my heart on them O Lord but as things without mee when either thou pleasest by fire water or any other casualtie to call them from me let mee thankefully surrender them as a Reeue not an Owner yeelding thee immortall and vnfained thanks that I haue had them so long not inwardly grudging and repining that I haue lost them so soone For who placeth al his content on them can neither possesse them long nor safely Giue me O Lord pouertie of spirit in the middest of all abundance that I may fast hauing all plenty taking the delicates from my Table and with my owne hand seruing the poore and needy who are bought at as dear a rate as the mightiest and whose soules are as precious to thee as the greatest Let me euer remember that saying of the blessed Iob Naked came I out of my mothers wombe and naked shall I returne againe Praised bee the Lord for all Leauing to my children the prayers of the poore not the curses of ill-gotten riches the praises of good men not that heauy sentence of Wo be vnto thee at my departure that at that great and terrible day when all accounts shal be examined and laid open bringing in my Bils of cloathing the naked feeding the hungry and giuing drink to the thirstie I may receiue that soule-comforting discharge of Come yee blessed and seat you on my right hand for vnto you belongeth the Kingdome of Heauen 28. A Prayer humbly acknowledging our sins with promise of amendment I Wretched sinner heere personally appearing and standing in the presence of God euerlasting of al the Court of Heauen hauing considered the exceeding mercy of his diuine goodnes toward me most vnworthy miserable caytife whō he hath created of nothing preserued sustained and deliuered from so many dangers endowed with so many benefits But aboue al considering the incōprehensible sweetnes clemency wherwith this most good God hath so bountifully tolerated me in my iniquities and so louingly inspired me inuiting mee to amendment and so patiently expected my repentance conuersion notwithstanding all my vnthankfulnesse disloyalty infidelity whereby deferring my Cōuersion despising his graces I haue so impudently offended him hauing moreouer considered that at the day of my christening I was so happy and holily vowed and dedicated vnto my God to be his child and that contrary to the profession which then was made in my name I haue so many and sundry times so execrably and detestably profaned and violated my soule imploying it and opposing it against his diuine Maiestie At length recalling my selfe and prostrating my selfe in heart and
Fethers become my head when I inwardly behold thee crowned with Thornes And shall my wrists be guarded with precious Bracelets where thine were bound with cords My fingers glistring with Diamonds and thine iewell'd with thine owne Bloud starting out with the vnmercifull vsage of thy persecuters O my most sweet and gentle Sauiour let my sorrowfull and wofull thoughts for my deadly and horrible offences bee to my head a torment like thy mercilesse Thornes my vaine and idle behauiour more despised then that many-coloured coate and the awe and reuerence of thy iustice terrible to offenders chaine my hands harder and with more crueltie then the whipcord that I may in some measure haue a feeling and vnderstanding of those vnheard of and new-inuented Tyrannies laid vpon thee for my transgressions Let the memorie of thy wounds pierce my heart with true compunction so to haue iniured a Lord of such greatnesse and Maiestie for my sake willingly aboue the meeknesse of a Lambe vndergoing those base and vnworthy disgraces the fore-runners of thy cruell death Giue me O Lord since we must bee perfect imitators of thee obedience to yeeld and submit my selfe to thy diuine Will and Pleasure in all sufferings and torments a noble patience to beare them manfully and charitie inflamed like thine to blesse my persecuters praying for their amendment and conuersion that suffering with thee obediently patiently and louingly I may enioy with thee that happie reward fore-promised to all those that take vp their Crosse and follow thee euen for thy precious and vnvaluable bloud which shed vpon the Crosse is an vndenyable Sacrifice for all sinnes and offences 36. A Prayer for a Mayd against Temptation GIue vnto God the first fruits saith the Prophet And our Sauiour commandeth vs to offer him those things that are his Thou hast planted me here O Lord and opened the gates of heauen to water mee Thou hast made me flourish spreading like a faire Vine and my lussious and swelling fruite haue tempted vnholy hands to steale away what belongeth to thee Strengthen mee O Lord against their violence and let their subtile perswasions come to nothing the Pit which they haue digged for others proue their own Sepulchre and let their nets bee ouerthrowne and broken that glorifying thee I may ioyfully say The Lord hath beene my deliuerer I need not feare what men can do to me he hath helped and saued his hand-maiden out of the hands of his enemies Blessed bee the name of the Lord now and for euermore Amen 37. Another Prayer for a Maide to the same effect O Almightie GOD Creator of heauen and earth who glorifyest the Firmament with Starres the Sun with a great light the God of all beautie all proportion all order holding in thy hand the motion and being of all things created I humbly offer vp vnto thy Diuine Maiestie whatsoeuer is good and vertuous in me whatsoeuer beautifull or proportionable entreating thee of thy infinite mercie to take into thy custodie an innocent vnexperienced Maiden to direct and gouerne me by thy neuer-erring wisedome lest my youth betrayed by frailtie and indiscretion should traiterously yeeld mee vp to the lewd suggestions and temptations of the diuell who apparelled in flesh and bloud waiteth hourely for my destruction leauing no meanes vntryed to captiuate my weake soule Suffer him not O Lord to haue the vpper-hand giue me not into his power vnlesse thou place a guard of Angels with mee holy vnresistable thoughts within me that in thy name putting on my Sauiour Christ for my Armour aduancing the glorious Crosse for my Banner I may put my enemies to flight and triumph in the Conquest which thou hast gotten for me to my owne and all their eternall comfort which put their trust in thee Amen 38. A Meditation or Prayer for a Mayden not to be proud of her owne perfections DID not thy hand O Lord giue those many excellent and indistinguisht colours to the Raine-bow Didst not thou O Lord giue glorie to the Sun and apparell the earth in all her beauties And doth not the Raine-bow at the with-drawing of the Sun discolour it selfe the Sunne at the interposing of the Moone hide his glorie and the earth in the absence of the Sun lose all her gay and flourishing Ornaments O momentanie and fading painting washt away with a little sickenesse and blowne off by the rough breath of a violent wind Shall I for thee abandon my Creator and to keepe thy friendship fall out with Almightie God Will the wormes forbeare thy excellency and perfections and strucke with reuerence fall off and retire into their Cabins Is sicknesse afraid of it or dare not death venter vpon it No no my soule they will breake thorow thy Coffin and as a daintie dish eagerly deuoure it the Leprosie will make a prey on it and too well we know that death feareth no colours If thē thou beest bewitched to this outward glosse and shining seeke the waies to make it permanent apply thy selfe to vertue whose raritie and lustre strikes a far off and all men will call thee beautifull Let modestie sit on thy cheekes and thy blushes will out-last the Roses Truth vpon thy lips and they will exceed the Rubies Mildnesse in thy eyes and they will out-shine the Diamond Innocencie on thy brest and thy whitnesse will surpasse the Lillies thou shalt bee beloued of men at peace with thy selfe and acceptable to Almightie GOD. Away then all artificiall and sophisticate drugs idle and besotting waters neuer more will I meddle with you O my sweete Sauiour and Redeemer let nothing seeme beautifull but thy mercie nothing louely but thy bountie enamored on which let me woo intreate sigh zealously protest and vse all meanes and industrie to obtaine them For all other exterior formall beauties the babies of flesh and bloud let me onely acknowledge them as thy glorious workemanship loue them as badges of thy fauour admire and praise thee for them from whose euerlasting store-house they proceed thy selfe being all beautie all excellencie all perfection more to be desired thē much gold or precious stones in whose companie all things are fill'd with perfection and glorie world without end Amen 39. A Prayer for a Maid to be directed in her Choyse SInce thou O Lord in thy euerlasting wisedome hast ordained Marriage honourable amongst men as the meanes for succession and propagation Giue mee O Lord an vnderstanding heart that I bee not euilly seduced to my ouerthrow Grant that I may ayme at no other end but the fulfilling thy commandement not my owne lusts wilfull desires let me choose by the aduice of my friends and the eyes of my Parents lest blinded with affection I fall into those inconueniences which I may too late feele without meanes of remedying Grant O Lord a pure and vnspotted loue may be the cause of our ioyning and a peaceable and vndiuided amitie the effect Let the feare of displeasing thee make vs please
thee for that eternal and all-comforting name of thy sweet Son Iesus to giue mee a feeling of my owne desperate and dangerous estate to take away the dead and impostume vices which haue ouer-growne goodnes and vertue so that I may perceiue what is wicked or sinfull made the same with me by a long custome Grant me O bountifull and louing Lord constancie and perseuerance in the good determinations wherewith thou shalt inspire lest I fal into a relapse perish vnsuccourably euen for thy owne mercies sake which from the beginning of the world was intended to saue sinners Amen 71. A Prayer in Sicknes NOw I am weakest O Lord in estate be thou strongest and inlighten and comfort my Soule in this darknes and torments of my Body Satan hath incompassed me on euery side and as assured of victory hath laid aside all his faire and eye-pleasing disguises pulling off his beautifull visor and in his owne horrible and dreadfull deformitie telleth me plainely I am his There is no sinne my most mercifull and euerlasting Redeemer which hee is not in the vgliest and desperatest manner ready to lay before me more carefull now to call them to my memory then he was before to banish them for euer He telleth me it is thine own Doctrine that the wages of sinne is Death and that euerlasting world without end But shall hee O iust and righteous Iudge be my accuser and witnes against mee Shall he betray me to a sinne and be rewarded for reuealing it I protest before the Throne of thy diuine Maiestie that he alone ioyned with the world and the flesh hath wrought vpon my frailtie and subtilly seduced mee to all kinde of sinne and enormitie that he alone hath perswaded mee to offend thee my Lord and Maker laying thy heauy displeasure and terrour of thy iudgements before me seeking either to draw me to despaire or an vnwillingnes to enter into the due consideration of my hainous mis-deeds I doe therefore wholly abiure and detest him abandoning for euer his friendship and seruice and relying on thy powerfull and auailable Passion in the preciousnesse and value of it offer vp my selfe vnto thee beseeching thee for thy owne merits and goodnes to accept a forlorne and despayring sinner who without thy mercy is readie to bee swallowed vp by the eternall gulfe of hell fire Moderate O Lord my sicknesse and paines that I may the freelier haue recourse vnto thee strengthen and confirme my fainting and decaying voyce that I may the earnestlier cry vnto thee And aboue all O my most sweete and amiable Lord comfort and aide my drooping and fearefull heart that I may continually meditate on thee that if it bee thy will and pleasure I may escape the vengeance prepared for those that dye out of thy fauour and if thou shalt please to call mee forth of this mortall life I may liue with thee put on immortality euen for thy holy Names sake to which be all honour glory world without end Amen 72. A Prayer to be said before any worke wee goe about IN vaine O Lord rise wee earely and sit vp late eating the bread of carefulnesse turmoyling and tormenting our selues with great labour and wearisomnesse vnlesse thou O Lord giue a blessing In vaine toyleth the Husbandman plowing and sowing vnlesse thou water it and giue the increase In vaine endangereth himselfe the Marchant furrowing and turning vp the waters vnlesse thou prosper and guide his Ship Since thou fillest euery thing with blessing be pleased at this time onely Lord and Sauiour to looke mercifully and fauourably on the industries and labours of thy seruant and multiply them as thou didst the old womans Iar who gaue of it to the Prophet grant that wee may prosper and haue giuing of our abundance to those poore brethren that want it rather then to bee driuen to aske it Yet in all O Lord thy will bee done to the extremest pouertie nay death it selfe Giue me O Lord a true feeling of my selfe that I may rather respect goodnesse then gaine and aime rather to liue honestly then richly affecting a mediocritie not aboundance lest I be puffed vp with the vaine and gawdy shew of vncertaine wealth Grant O blessed Lord and Sauiour that I may in all my courses and enterprises haue before my eyes the end whereunto they should be directed which is onely in this warfare and pilgrimage to prouide me necessaries for my voyage to that holy Land wherein al thy children and seruants haue before the beginning of the world a portion and inheritance laid out and reserued that I may with that prouidence and care so furnish and store my selfe that I be neither forced with Esau for want and indiscretion to sell my birth-right for fading and transitory reliefe nor with the proud and mighty exalted with the infinitenesse of their treasure despise and grow carelesse of it but in all things making my selfe obedient to thy will be found worthy to take possession of it Grant this O sweete Iesus Amen 73. A Prayer for Remission of sinnes I Humbly confesse O Almightie and euer-liuing Lord that I am vnworthy the bread thou in thy mercie bestowedst on me vnworthy to infect the ayre with my breath who spend it to thy dishonour and my owne defamation most vnworthy the least of thy blessings which I haue plentifully receiued of thee and that I tremble to come into thy presence my sinnes striking horrour and terrour to my heart lest I be swallowed vp for my offences and wickednesses daily committed and yet vnrepented But O most mercifull and all-louing Father take thy Eye I beseech thee from them lest thou in thy iustice bring me to destruction and fixe it on the bitter Passion of thy deare Sonne behold him O Lord scourged buffeted reuiled spet vpon and despitefully crucifyed for the hainousnesse of these my transgressions and in the preciousnesse of this satisfaction be pleased O Lord to giue eare to the humble and sorrowing lamentation of a despised and contemned sinner who is heartily and truely sorry for these his misdeeds and trespasses desiring thee of thy infinite bounty to inspire him with thy grace that hee may for euer hate and detest the guilt and monstrousnesse of them Strike mee O Lord with a true feare not onely of thy mightinesse and iudgements but of thy mercies and louing kindnesse that I may bee vtterly ashamed and confounded to offend so fauourable and indulgent a Father who hath not dis-inherited nor cast off so notorious and disobedient a sonne but in his mercy reserued a portion for mee which O blessed and all-louing Lord make me worthy of that I may euer praise and glorifie thy clemencie world without end 74. A Prayer for Perseuerance SInce O Lord not hee that attempteth the course but he that continueth to the end not those Virgins who came late but they that watched continually haue the promised and expected reward giue me aboundantly of thy blessing that I
may not onely endeuour well purpose good things and perhaps beginne a reformation and vertuous amendment but continue O Lord and perseuer all my life long that by the practice of a holy and religious life I may bee weaned and with-drawne from the transitory and seducing pleasures which gawdinesse and custome haue made strong in mee and awaite the subuersion and rooting out of all things good and vertuous settle firme in me O Lord an vnwearied determination of a daily progresse and going forward in thy seruice since to stand still is to expect the enemie and bridle and take from me the feeds and bloomings of vice that I deceiued with their seducing yeeld not to them but perfectly and zealously labouring to follow the steps of so good and great a Maiestie may at last receiue the hire which thou hast reserued for those that diligently employ themselues in thy Vineyard 75. A Prayer in Affliction MOST gracious Redeemer which art alwaies mercifull alwaies a preseruer whether thou send vs ioy or sadnesse for great is thy mercy which by outward afflictions as by a sharpe medicine heatest the inward man and by temporary troubles preparest vs for euerlasting ioy euen as thy selfe hast opened the way for vs to true felicitie by thy owne steps Grant that I may drinke this cup patiently and obediently as giuen of thee But these troubles O blessed and meek Sauiour fall heauy on me my proud and enuious disposition grudging and repining at them Giue me O Lord in cure the happie and heart comforting spectacle of thy precious Passion that beholding thee ouer-flowed with bloud and sweate cruelty hauing vsed seuerall torments to let it forth I may account my selfe happie in so sweet a societie and my rancour and swollen desires ambitiously puffed vp with malicious and aspiring thoughts may at this sight fall low and bee asswaged the venemous and poysoning sting of the subtill serpent bee drawne and cast from me by beholding thee the example of all patience and gentlenes Endue me O Lord with an absolute contempt of all these vaine and gawdie shadowes whose pompe and outward glorie are rated at so high an estimation Let me look inwardly onely and all my care be to be richly and sumptuously attired within Let mee aime at no peace but that of a good conscience fearing onely thy rebuke and displeasure but for thy sake highly esteeme all the contempt the world can throw vpon me the scoffes disdaine and base regard they can afflict me with the reuilings slanders imputations which enuie and ill tongues can lay vpon me since promotion and high respect are no badges of thy seruants commendation and gracefull language no titles of thy followers nor security and worldly felicitie any testimonies of thy loue and fauour to which onely O glorious example of all vertue let me ambitiously aspire thorow the burning Furnaces the Lyons Den the Axe Stones or what new crueltie soeuer Tyrants witty onely in mischieuous inuentions can for the professing thee inflict vpon mee since to lose all the world and win thee is a purchase vnualuable vnspeakeable which grant for thine owne Names sake I may happily attaine Amen 76. A Prayer in extremity of sicknesse O Iesu Christ the onely hope of them that liue and eternall life of them that die I wretched sinner submit my selfe wholly to thy Diuine Will whether it pleaseth thee my soule shall longer remaine in the prison of this my bodie to serue thee or depart out of this world I am sure what is cōmitted to thy mercy can neuer perish I wil lay down this my fraile and miserable body with a willing minde namely in hope of resurrection which renders it to me againe much more happie Strengthen O truely-mercifull and all-louing Sauiour my soule with thy grace against all temptations against all the assaults of Satan Inuiron me with the shield of thy mercy by which in times past thou restoredst thy Martyrs vnconquered against grieuous torments and cruell deaths I see nothing in my selfe which can bee a help vnto me all my hope is in thy inestimable goodnesse I haue no merits or good workes to alledge to thee but alas I behold on euerie side many wicked and sinfull offences many malicious and enuious transgressions many lewde and lasciuious acts which are here readie to accuse and condemne and as much as their exclamations can further desirous to throw me to euerlasting hell and perdition What Aduocate so mercifull as thy selfe Who so powerfull And who more willing and readie Who can better deliuer what must at this time preuaile for me being a story of thy owne loue and mercy Who can shew the skars of those honourable wounds which were gotten in the redemption of mankinde but thy Almightie selfe Who the print of those lashes which all ouer skarrified thy innocent flesh for the painting and artificiall discolouring ours Who with fortie dayes Fasting expiated our riotous and superfluous Feasts but thy most mercifull selfe Wash away O Lord with thy precious Bloud the contagious spots of my hainous offences and let thy neuer-failing Iustice answere in iudgement for my presumptuous iniustice thy great and mightie merites be an acceptable propitiatorie for the multitude of my misdeeds and grant O louing and all-gracious Lord that thy grace may increase aboue my sicknesse let not my faith faile my hope faint my charity waxe cold nor humane infirmity ioyned with the feare of death cast mee into the bottomelesse gulfe of despaire but that when the eyes of my body are shut and closed vp the euer-waking eye of my minde may looke vp and bee comforted in thee and that when the vse of my tongue shall be taken from me my soule may then incessantly and continually cry vnto thee O Lord into thy hands I commend my spirit to whom bee honour and glorie world without end 77. A Prayer in the Spring time O Almightie and euer-liuing God the powerfull Creator of heauen and earth ordaining them with their seuerall Lights and Ornaments for the necessarie vse of mankinde appointing them in their distinguisht seasons to yeeld food and sustenance for the maintenance of thy People Wee giue thee humble and heartie thankes for this moderate and timely Spring refreshing the decayed earth with the kindly heate of the Sun and temperate falls of raine and water renewing in vs a comfortable expectation of our Resurrection in beholding how thy mercifull and All-able hand hath freshly apparelled the naked and barren fields beautifying them with seuerall sorts of flowers loading the Trees disroabed and withering with new buds and blossomes the earth her selfe shooting forth her seeds long time buried in her womb with the hope of a happie and plentifull increase to the great ioy and consolation of thy seruants Grant I beseech thee that wee being renewed and borne againe by holy Baptisme and hauing cast and throwne off the old man may become new creatures neuer more to returne to our old sinnes but
that by the sweet assistance of thy holy Spirit wee may increase in continuall innocencie and day by day more and more bee adorned with the flowers of vertue alwaies growing vp in the knowledge of thy excellencie that wee may receiue a blessing at thy hand to spread and flourish bringing forth good fruits of a quiet conscience and sweete smelling sauours of a pure zeale and charitable deuotion euen for Iesus Christs sake Amen 78. A Prayer in Summer EVer-mouing time O mercifull Father deliuereth according to thy behests in their due seasons the foure quarters of the yeare and from thy bountie we receiue their timely fruits the Spring hath alreadie discharged and vnloaded himselfe bestowing with a full hand the small store he hath beene entrusted withall leauing great hope of plentie and aboundance Prosper it O Lord and bring it along to maturitie and ripenesse for now that blessed and great Light which thou madest to rule the day sheadeth his influence and comfort to all things mouing vpon the earth The Hills leape and are ioyfull the Flouds clap their hands and all creatures growe buxome and liuely hauing a feeling and sense of thy blessing Grant vnto vs O Father of all goodnesse that we bee not more insensible then the beasts but that wee may giue thee honour and glorie in the acknowledgement of thy innumerable and vnmatchable benefits for whose onely seruice the Earth is thus gayly apparelled the Trees thus plentifully enriched and the wombe of the earth great with assured expectation of a happie deliuerie Let not O Lord the violent burning of the Sunne ioyned with the locking vp thy heauenly Conduits parch it and dry it to nothing profitable nor the remisnesse or slackenesse ioyned with an ouer-flowe of waters leaue it raw and vnseruiceable but giue euerie fruit O Lord maturity and perfection that we may ioyfully receiue the blessing of it and prayse thee the bestower and giuer Amen 79. A Prayer to bee sayd in Autumne THou hast showred O Lord fulnesse and perfection vpon the fruites of the earth and euerie growing thing laboureth with a happie increase the rancke grasse boweth itselfe to the Mowers hand the heauie loaden Trees acknowledging homage offer themselues to be gathered and the fulnesse of the Vine yeeldeth his iuice without the wine-presse the ripe hanging eares listen for a Sythe and all the works of thy hand which thou hast planted heere for the seruice of man acknowledge thy command and are readie to bee tasted All these O Lord obedient to thy will in the course of nature answere the ends of their creation onely wee miserable creatures following our sences and the lusts of the flesh refuse thy holy inspirations and seduced by Satan oppose our selues against thy reuealed will New mould vs O Lord and breake our stubborne and stony hearts that the seeds of thy Gospell may take deepe roote in vs and bring forth the fruits of a liuely faith constant hope and burning charitie to thy Honour and our owne saluation Amen 80. A Prayer to bee said in Winter THE yeere is waxen old as a garment and all the fresh colours which beautified the face of the earth are withered and decayed the Sun with-holdeth his influence the heauens their brightnes and the day his comfort taken from him by the vncomfortable hand of desolate Night The Trees haue lost their Ornament the Fields their rayment and all beasts and cattell their vigour and liuelihood Man himselfe is discomforted in the poorenesse and barrennesse and the vnprouident man who hath not laid vp nor taken from the fruitfulnesse of Summer growes desperate certaine of nothing but perishing The Season affoording no worke nor the day any continuance the lately broad-leaued branches no shelter nor the fields any sustenance Grant vs O mercifull Father warned by the example of his extreme and vnredeemable miseries to labour in the Haruest and lay vp of our well-gotten store against the vncomfortable day of sicknesse or latest Age when weakenesse and naturall infirmities giue vs no time or thought to get in new prouision and our vncharitablenesse to our selues take from vs the charitie of others hardening their hearts against vs Giue vs grace to watch and labour continually supplying our Lamps daily with holy Oyle lest at the dead of night we be called on and being vnprouided be left behind or wander in the darkenesse astray and comming late be shut out for euer and euer from all happinesse and blessednesse confined to a place where there is nothing to be heard but perpetuall howling and gnashing of Teeth Amen 81. A Prayer in Aduersitie and Affliction LET not my enemies O Lord triumph ouer mee nor the hand of the oppressor preuaile against mee Bee neere vnto me in the day of trouble and say vnto my soule I am thy helper thou which mercifully redeemedst Ioseph from the hands of his brethren who causelesly sought his life and turnedst their hate to his glorie and promotion deliuering him from the lust of his Masters wife and her wilye accusation Thou which rescuedst thy people Israel by a mightie hand and strong arme from the tyrannie of Pharaoh and the vnequall Taxes of the hard Egyptians Thou which gauest Iacob grace in the sight of his brother Esau boyling against him and threatning fire and destruction planting a sure shield before thy beloued seruant Dauid to keepe him safe from the inuasion of the terrible Goliah and a wise guard to preuent the plots of subtill Saul proclaiming Susanna innocent contagiously spotted by the poysonous breath of the fore-sworne Elders Thou which raisedst thy glory from the three Children condemned and throwne into the Furnace whose fire and extreme heate came forth and eate vp the Feeders yet spared and against his nature sindged not the garments of thy seruants walking and singing euerlasting and glorious Hymnes of thy Deitie in the midst of it Thou which neuer forsakest any of thy seruants in their torments and persecutions giuing them either an vnconquered patience to suffer or a glorious courage to ouercome all the temptations which hell can fasten Bee pleased Almighty euer-liuing and onely powerfull Iehouah to be neere thy seruant in these his afflictions and troubles and to stand by him in this day of his tryal lest he fall confounded and sinke vnder the heauy burden of his tyrannous oppressions Want O Lord in the lowest degree hath incompassed me Shame and Ignominy in the highest degree haue set me round about Slanders oppose themselues against me and beare me downe face to face and ill tongues in secret at my back oppresse me my friends are fled my acquaintance hath forsaken me and my kindred deresting my pouerty deny my Allyance Where can I then plant my hope Where should I else seeke for refuge and harbour then of so mercifull and all-louing a Father and who vpon sub-mission disdaineth not his basest and most riotous son who came into the world to bee a Father to the fatherlesse an eye
to the blinde a staffe to the lame and a most heauenly and neuer-erring Physician to all that labour vnder any disease Come vnto mee saith our blessed Lord all yee that are oppressed and I will ease you O mercifull and generall comfort as certaine to be done as it is spoken I prostrate my selfe humbly before thee and desire thee of thy infinite mercy if such be thy will and pleasure to let this transitorie and bitter cup passe from me yet not my will but thy blessed will bee done who alone knowest what is fittest to tame my stubborne and rebellious affections and to morrifie in me all vaine and aspiring thoughts that I may wholly desire to bee dissolued and liue with thee where eternall and neuer-ending peace and piety haue their habitation 82. A Prayer to our blessed Sauiour MOST mercifully louing Lord Redeemer and Sauiour of the world I wretched and detestable sinner leprous all ouer and more spotted with sinne then the blessed Iob with sores which no Poole can euer cure all humble prostrate my selfe before thee not desiring thee to lay thy blessed and happy-making hand vpon so vlcerous a creature nor to cast thy pittying and fauourable eye vpon so displeasing and hatefull an obiect but onely O Lord if so poore and vnworthy a worme may aspire to request of so high and great a Deitie one word from thy heauenly lips to make me whole but say the word O Lord and I shall passe the Snow in whitenesse and cast my sicke and aged imperfections renewing my selfe like the strong Eagle at thy command whole Legions of sinnes which carry mee head-long to ruine and perdition shall passe from mee and I remaine praysing and gloryfying thy holy name the numnesse and deadnesse of my vncharitable hand vpon thy Word shall stretch it selfe forth and bee exercised in deeds of loue and mercy vpon thy Word my wilfull and naturall blindnesse shall bee taken away and I restored to a perfect and good sight gloriously beholding thee in thy reuealed Wil and wonderfully in thy workes vpon thy Word I shall easily heare and fully vnderstand thy Diuine and heauenly Mysteries and lay them vp in my heart for my comfort and consolation The Iewes O Lord had eares and heard not eyes and saw not hands and felt not thy apparant and astonishing miracles they saw before their eyes the blind receiue their sight the dead restored to life they heard with their eares the dumbe speake and glorifie thy holy Name they felt thy naturall and heauenly begotten Bodie and yet beleeued not Blessed are they which haue not seene and haue beleeued But say the word O Lord and I shall be made partaker of that heauenly benediction acknowledging thee the Son of the euer-liuing God borne of the blessed Virgin crucified vnder Pontius Pilate giuing ouer thy life buried and rising againe on the third day for the redemption and saluation of mankinde I shall lay hold of thy precious Passion and bury all my misdeeds in thy life-giuing wounds to bee washt away with thy vnualuable bloud for euer will I kneele for this Word for euer remaine a deuout and humble Petitioner that all these things may bee done vnto mee and I become a new creature spirited anew with thy holy Spirit for euer praysing and magnifying thy holy Name louing it aboue my selfe and adoring it to the end all generations may approoue thy power in the conquest of hell death and sinne Amen 83. A Prayer in time of Lent O Benigne and bountifull Sauiour our onely Aide Comforter and Redeemer the preseruer of all Mankinde the glorie and hope of all mortality who whilst thou wandredst here amongst vs putting on perfect Humanity sufferedst thy selfe to be carryed into the Wildernesse and tempted of the deuil gloriously ouercomming him by prayer fasting to leaue vnto vs the ordinary ready meanes to resist all his subtill suggestions prescribing the same meanes to thy Apostles for the dispossessing Satan and hast also left vs many examples in thy holy Prophets blessed Fore-runner who liued in the Woods on Locusts and wilde Hony giuing vs a liuely and perfect Patterne who didst all for our example of thy owne blessed abstinence and moderation Grant O mercifull and blessed Sauiour that wee may this blessed and holy time of Lent attend more especially the spirituall food of our soules chastising and subduing the lusts and heate of the flesh by temperate and thrifty dyet lest of a seruant hee become a Master rebelling against the Spirit Mortifie in vs O Lord all wilde and loose desires ranging and disordered appetites which sowe dissention betwixt me and thee making me fearefull to enter and vnworthy to stand in thy presence and plentifully enrich mee with thy grace that I may do thy workes seriously meditate on thy Passion and take it to heart detesting and abandoning my sinnes the onely cause so great a Lord was so meanely intreated so gentle a Sauiour so vngently vsed and so mercifull and louing a Redeemer so vnmercifully and hatefully tormented by his owne subiects and seruants in the recouerie of their inheritance and freedome And if the children of men after the decease of a louing father expresse their griefe to the world by putting on mourning garments confining themselues to their Chamber and through anguish of heart forbearing their necessarie food was euer a worthier cause or a sorrow better beseeming the sonnes of Adam or a time more conuenient then in the yeerely obseruing and celebrating the dayes of their Lord and Masters torments and funeralls who dyed and was persecuted for them Grant vs therefore O Lord we may fast and deuoutly pray bitterly lamenting our sins and misdeeds which gaue thee vp to the death of the Crosse 84. A Prayer against temptation LEade vs not into temptation O Lord but deliuer vs from all euill sinne lyeth in waite to betray vs and Satan baiteth vs with opportunity he knoweth O mercifull Father our affections and by our actions ghesseth at our thoughts our inclinations he is cunning in and in subtilty who can surpasse him He deceiued our first parents whom thou hadst endued with excellent and Angell-like vnderstanding colouring his malice with carefull pretences many of thy choysest seruants he hath beguiled and triumphed neither is his inueterate and cankred enuy mitigated his power abated his knowledge decayed or his delight in wickednesse measured or lessened He is mighty in perswasions mighty in the meanes and most cunning in applying them He hath conquered the world that world our flesh and our flesh vs Who can suspect so great offers for dissimulation or mischiefe And who so neere and inseparable a friend which tendreth them Thus are the wisest O blessed Lord and Sauiour by a seeming shew of what is good circumuented thus the strongest with their owne confidence ouerthrowne Against so powerfull an enemie so powerfully followed but by thy neuer-yeelding grace what hope of resistance Stay him O Lord in his swiftnesse and bring
him back lest I fall and be confounded Suffer him not to draw me to the incounter for how can mortality hold out all the glories of the earth are armed on his part to bewitch ambitious spirits all the vanities in the world serue vnder his colours to allure the lighter phantasies Am I a match for so infinite and puissant an Army Leade me not into temptation O Lord but deliuer me from all euill I humbly confesse and heartily beleeue one word of thine is able to discomfort all his Hoast scatter them and make them in their hastie flight ruin one another he flyeth from thy presence and trembleth amazedly asking What haue we to doe with thee thou euer-liuing Son of God com'st thou before thy time to torment vs But O Father of all mercies how can I deserue thy aide or ouertaken with shame request thy gracious assistance hauing from my cradle beene a follower of his if not contemning yet neglecting thy often and lowde Callings Can I hope that haue refused to walke with Almightie God in securitie and safety that hee will daigne to find out me in danger and ieopardy and reskue me from the common enemie Thy mercie O Lord is infinite and hath beene infinitely exprest to ingratefull humanitie thy louing kindnesses innumerable vnable to be deliuered or set down There is no end I well know of thy euerlasting goodnesse bee pleased therefore O mercifull Father if so great a sinner may hope for fauour by the depth of all these either to take from me the violence and rage of all forcible temptation or else to giue me grace and strength to resist and withstand them lest I be taken prisoner by them and cast to the bottomelesse dungeon whence nothing resoundeth but the continuall acclamations and curses of damned and desperate persons euen for that holy and vertuous name of Iesus knowne mighty in the saluation of thy people Amen 85. A Prayer for preparation against the day of Iudgement IF the righteous O eternall and iust Iudge shall scarse be saued what shall become of sinners And if the iust shall tremble to behold the dreadfull signes which shall fore-run the day of Iudgement in what terrour and amazement shall the wicked be How earnestly shall they cry out for the Hils to couer them or to be hidden in the bottome of the Sea that they may not see the angry countenance of the wrathfull Iudge But alas the Sea shall yeeld vp all her inhabitants the graues their Tenants and the Hils be laid plaine and consumed to nothing all shall be laid open and euerie secret reuealed the closest crannie of the heart shall be searcht into and the priuatst deed be proclaimed the intent of the best actions examined and the foulest and most mischieuous in the hearing of all that haue beene borne since the beginning of the world knowne and brought to tryall What a terrour what a horrour what a confusion shall the Murtherer Blasphemer and lasciuious person be in at that day All this we haue heard nay and beleeue and yet the most cunning and subtill Serpent hauing nothing to say against the truth of thy Word with his perswasions induceth vs to flatter our selues that there is more eternitie in three-score yeeres the longest span of our short life then in that Eternity of eternities which shall follow it But thou O mercifull and gracious Lord which camest into the world to saue sinners from the vengeance prepared at this day desiring that wee may repent and be accepted Giue vnto vs a liuely feeling of the danger of it call it I beseech thee to our consideration as a thing certaine so present no soule being assured of her abode one minute Giue vs grace so to prouide our selues that wee may make our account here since after death no man returneth to recall or alter whatsoeuer is left amisse Let vs enter into iudgement of our selues that we be not iudged and carefully weigh euery word that wee be not found to haue respected none Giue vs grace to begin heere while there is helpe lest we would helpe our selues when there is no beginning for from hell there is no returning and after death no repenting repinings are there the fruits of an ill-led life and curses of our follies all the consolations of our punishment from which let thy mightie and all-redeeming Passion defend vs which whosoeuer faithfully layeth hold on shall at that Day with great ioy and alacrity behold thee shewing thy selfe a seuere Iudge against those who would not beleeue nor entertaine that Peace-offering Certaine Eiaculations of the Spirit O My most gentle and sweet Sauiour grant me I beseech thee pure thoughts vndefiled actions and a respect to thy glory in all my proceedings Let me alwaies O blessed Iesu remember that thou art in presence that I may with feare and reuerence take account of my speeches settle my behauiour and all my actions as it beseemeth a Lord of such height and Maiestie Bee thou O eternall and most meeke Lambe the obiect of mine eyes the Musicke of mine eares the food of my vnderstanding and the content and solace of all my senses that putting wholly on my Sauiour Iesus I may bee armed against all temptations and assaults of the deuill Iesu Lord of my life Patron of my substance Reconciler of my friends Inspirer of my soule Preseruer of my renowne and Master of my liberty I commend them all to thy holy protection dispose of them to thy honour and glory What part of me O Lord can challenge or shew euidence for mine My Soule is Heauens my Body Earths both thy blessing Take me O Lord as thy due nourish me as thy charge and loue me as thy childe O God the giuer of all victorie stand on my side in all temptations powre of thine owne Bloud into my emptied veines raise me as thou didst thy seruant Lazarus to a new and better life when I am dead to righteousnesse turne not away from me if I flye and let me not bee confounded for euer whose trust hath beene alwaies in thee Giue me O Lord a noble sufferance in afflictions lowlinesse of Spirit in the height of honours an vnmoued resolution in all conflicts and conquest ouer all my spirituall aduersaries Giue mee mercifull Father a vertuous shamefastnesse that I may blush and shunne the companie of wickednesse an vnaffected carriage slow and deliberate speeches vncorrupted thoughts and holy endeuours Let thy Word O Lord be the light of mine eyes the repast of my soule the repose of my senses the apparell of my body and my defence in all extremities Lay thy holy hands O Lord ouer mine eyes that I behold not vanity stand at the gates of my eares and turne aside all euill and vncleane speeches Set a watch before my lips lest I wander in vnlawfull discourses touch with thy holy hand all my senses to stay them from ryot and intemperance Let my will O Lord resigne it selfe to thy pleasure
one another the obedience to thee teach vs obedience in our selues that wholly submitting our selues to thy will we may labour together in this transitorie life to come to thee the life euerlasting with whom dwelleth vnspeakable loue and neuer-ending charitie world without end Amen 40. A Prayer for a Maid to be obedient to her Parents O My most mercifull Lord and Redeemer subdue and bridle my head-strong and vntamed affections who delighting in their owne wayes repine at the direction of my Superiours Let mee euer remember thy holy commandement Honour thy Father and Mother that thy dayes may be long in the land of the liuing Giue me grace to vnderstand it truely lest forgetting thy precept I be banished into that wilde and barbarous Country where to liue is terribler then death and dying the onely comfort of the liuing Let their reprehensions bee the cause of my amendment not repining their iust and lawfull precepts an vndeniable practice of all my actions Let me reuerence their age lending them my youth to help them pray for their imperfections and in them remember humane weaknesse that in my obedience I may receiue the vertue of their blessing which thou alwayes grantest to them that endeuour to fulfill the least of thy commandements 41. A Prayer before a Iourney O Almightie and euerliuing God which by the hand of thy seruāt Moses broughtst the people of Israel out of Egypt and the crueltie of Pharaoh and madest them walke ouer the Red-Sea keeping back with a mighty winde the raging waters who returning in their Furie ouer-whelmed all that great Host and after went'st before them and conducted them thorow the vast and wilde Desert feeding them in their extreme Famine with Manna showred from Heauen Be pleased O mercifull Father at this instant to accompany mee in all my iourneyes and trauailes and with thy louing and mightie protection defend me from all dangers of those that lye in awaite to murther and spoile thy Liege people Bee vnto mee O Lord a guide in my going out a safeguard and defence vpon the way a shaddow in heat a shelter in raine cold a waggon in wearinesse an helper in time of extremitie a stay in slipperie passages a Hauen in shipwracke that vnder thy safe and sure conduct we may march quietly and peaceably to our iourneyes end and vnder the couer of thy wings ioyfully and prosperously returne to our homes againe for his onely sake who was a continuall Pilgrime heere vpon earth to make all our prayers acceptable vnto thee Amen 42. Another short Prayer for the same O Almighty God which hast made this our life as it were a short Pilgrimage to visit holy places and doe penance by thee appointed for mans first transgression giuing vs as in an Inne a space to refresh our wearied bodies not to dwell and settle our selues Grant mercifully thy assistance in these my iourneys and remouings and with thy holy Spirit blesse and comfort me on the way that I be not left alone to the crueltie of those that would assaile mee but hauing thy Angell for my guide and defender I may not feare the oppression of the Wicked but happily arriue at the desired Hauen where I vvill magnifie and praise thy holy name for thy mightie ayde and protection 43. A Prayer in Afflictious WHy art thou sorrowfull my soule and why doest thou trouble mee Why doest thou hang sleepe vpon mine eye-lids and fasten heauinesse on my foot-steps Doth not God regard the prayers of the afflicted or doth he not from his high holy place looke downe to the earth that he might heare the gronings of the fettered and those that are persecuted and afflicted Can thy eye see into heauen or is thy vnderstanding of counsell with God to perceiue how neere his holy hand is to deliuer thee Euery instant is time enough for his Omnipotency and impossible occasions easie to the infinitenes of his Deitie Put thy trust in him my soule and thou shalt not be confounded Say with the Prophet Dauid Though a thousand fall on my right hand and ten thousand on my left yet I will not bee afraid because God hath beene my helper Bee comforted by the mercifull examples which he hath shewed to his people Did not Almighty God with a strong hand punishments enforce the Prophet Ionas to preach destruction to the Niniuites limiting them a short time that within three dayes their Citie should bee destroyed and yet vpon their submission humbling themselues before him with prayers fasting did he not most mercifully remit their punishment and take them into his grace and fauour Fall therefore prostrate before him and with perfect resignation of thy owne will yeeld thy selfe into his hands to do what it please him with thee entreate him of his loue and fauour who neuer absenteth himselfe to those that seeke him relye vpon his mercy who so much loued his people that he sent his onely begotten Sonne to dye for the Redemption of mankinde Aske him forgiuenesse of thy sinnes and offences by reason of whose guilt thou sufferest these light and temporary punishments which haue in iustice deserued euerlasting damnation and disburdened of which the yoke will be easie and the waight light yea thy miseries wil be pleasing like wounds honourably gotten in a glorious conquest and then maist thou ioyfully sing vnto the Lord Mine enemies that troubled me themselues are weakened and falne One thing yet I haue asked of our Lord this will I seeke for that I may dwell in the house of our Lord al the daies of my life 44. A Prayer to be said by a Merchant for the safe returne of his goods IN the time of my trouble who shall I flye vnto what power can fetch me from the bottome of the Sea or whose arme reacheth to the end of the world O most merciful and gracious Lord the Sea is thine and thou madest it and thy hands prepared the dry land with thy Word thou calmest the raging waters and with a beck layest the furie of the winde Grant of thy accustomed clemencie and goodnes such seasonable and temperate weather that they may safely arriue at the appointed Port. Bee vnto them O Lord their Pylote lest the hidden Rocks or vnknowne Sands deuoure them Be their defence and safegard lest their enemies make prey on them that relying on thy fauour aboue the vertue of their Load-stone they may ioyfully and merrily touch the desired Land acknowledging thy goodnesse and might to whom alone that mercilesse element obeyeth at thy command yeelding vp all her treasure Grant this O my sweet Lord and Sauiour euen for thy tender mercy which refuseth no Petitions that are offered with a pure and vnfained zeale Amen 45. A Prayer before Study O Vnspeakable Creatour which in the Treasure of thy Wisedome hast ordained learning as a secondary meanes to raise our declined soules wrapt by the fall of Adam in sinne and ignorance to a perfected and surer
apprehension of thy diuine goodnes Enlighten O Lord our vnderstanding and with the rayes of thy brightnesse banish away all mists and darknes by which wee are dulled and disabled Thou O Lord which raisest thy glorie out of the tongues of Infants powre into our lips eloquence and vtterance that we may reueale thy will and sing praises of thy goodnes Quicken O Lord our vnderstanding strengthen our memorie and rectifie our will that wee may truely know faithfully keepe and obediently performe thy precepts and commandements Giue vs O Lord grace in our entrance perseuerance in our progresse and humilitie at our going forth that we may alwaies acknowledge thee the giuer and bestower of what height so euer we attaine to euen for Iesus Christ his sake 46. A Prayer for the fatherlesse O Almightie God which art a Father to the Orphans mercifully assist vs poore comfortles children left as a prey to them who are left to dispose of vs. Behold O Lord how they contend for what we haue enuying one another for a share wherin they can challenge no part But thou O Lord shalt pleade our cause Thou shalt bee our Aduocate and Helper Thou shalt take the prey out of their mouthes and lay that shame vpon them which they haue laid vp for others For vnto thee O Lord we commend our soules our bodies our substance desiring to be disposed by thee and to receiue from thee what thou shalt thinke in thy wisedome will be necessary for the attaining thy loue and fauour without which in vaine wee doe heape vp for after-times in vaine doe we build and rise early bee sollicitous and take care sith who buildeth without thee pulleth downe who soweth without thee scattereth and who gathereth without thee heapeth woe vpon himselfe 47. A Prayer in Afflictions and troubles COmfort thy selfe O my soule in these Afflictions and troubles praise and glorifie thy holy Name that hee hath not giuen thee vp to thy owne affections and desires letting thee wildely runne as a beast to all sensualitie but gently chastising thee as one of his children hath recalled thee into thy selfe to know thy owne weaknesse and frailtie making thee one of the honourable Order of the Crosse whose badge all his Saints Seruants weare vpon their brest for it is better for thee that thy members here languish and suffer then thy whole body to bee cast into euerlasting fire yeeld thy selfe vp to all torments for his sake being heartily sorrie that thou art not able to vndergo more in his seruice who in his owne example hath out-gone all tyrannie for thee Triumph when thou art persecuted and glorie in the bonds of our Sauiour Blessed are they that mourne for they shall reioyce Blessed are they that are humbled with miseries and misfortunes for they shall be exalted and aduanced Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousnesse sake for to them belongeth the Kingdome of Heauen where thou shalt eternally reioyce and triumph with the glorious Saints and Martyrs who haue beene sharers with thee in this vale of teares and miserie 48. A Prayer of thanksgiuing SIng vnto the Lord a new song because hee hath done maruellous things with his owne right hand and his holy arme hath hee gotten himselfe the victory Who is like vnto our God or who dare compare with his mightinesse He hath remembred himselfe of his promise to his seruant that he would not leaue him for euer He hath not suffered my enemies vtterly to preuaile against mee nor left me in the hands of those that hate mee Hee hath onely shewed me the Rod and taken it away againe early in the morning will I recount thy praises and meditate all the day long vpon thy mercies which hast giuen me to taste of thy blessings and filled me with good things I was naked and thou hast cloathed me I was hungry and thou hast refreshed me I was thirsty thou hast grasped the Cloud and powred downe thy heauenly deaw I was weary and thou hast eased me I was loaden thou hast strengthened me I was oppressed and thou hast rescued me O what tongue is able to story thy louing kindnesses or what vnderstanding conceiueth thy wondrous works I will shew mercy saith our Lord vnto thousands of them that loue me keep my cōmandements But how aboundantly ought I to speake of thy gracious fauour who haue rebelled against thy motions spurned at thy precepts statutes and haue yet been embraced recalled home againe cloathed richly and set at thy owne Table I haue riotously consumed thou hast louingly restored I haue in lauish cups dis-honest and lasciuious company proudly vain-gloriously throwne away my saluation thou hast by stripes buffetings most tormenting and cruell death redeemed it againe I haue transgressed O Lord and thou art punished I being a low and contemned vassaile haue offended and mis-done and thou the Son of the mighty King art beaten It is not so O Lord with the sonnes of men who afflict their subiects for their mis-demeanours and make them smart for the Princes offences Who is like vnto our God whose mercie endureth from generation to generation Praise our Lord ye children Praise ye the name of our Lord. The name of our Lord be blessed from henceforth now and for euer 49. A Prayer in time of Pestilence FAmine Plague and Warre are thy scourges O Lord and thou throwest them vpon the people for their offences We haue repined mercifull Father in the aboundance of health and employed our strēgth in dishonoring thy holy Name Our members sanctified for thy vse and seruice haue beene the preyes of Harlots and officers of Satan The very breath thou gauest vs to praise and tell thy wonders hath mis-spoken and blasphemed against thee iustly therefore doth thy consuming Pestilence snatch away our health turne our strength into nothing rot all our members killing vs by the infection of the ayre taken into our bodies who haue continually breathed out of our bodies all blasphemie corruption Yet stay O mercifull Father and hold thy reuenging hand heare the cryes of thy seruants groning vnder the tyrannie of this murdering disease and be pitifull to vs. Remember O Lord that we are conceiued and borne in sinne poore and vnprofitable creatures vnable without thee to deserue the least drop of thy fauour Mercifully assist vs with thy grace and enrich vs with thy holy and spirituall vertues that our prayers may come vp before thee and bee acceptable that hauing taken away this heauy persecution and plague wee may for euer praise thy clemencie and enioying thy louing mercy feare againe to displease thee who hast had so great compassion on vs euen for thy Sonnes sake who gaue himselfe vp to all torments to keepe vs vnpunished 50. A Prayer in time of Warre O Lord God of Hosts that fightest the battels for thy seruants girding thy selfe with power strength to ouercome and put to flight the enemies of those that put