age of the fulnesse of Christ which is the head by whom the whole bodie being coupled and knit together by euerie ioint for the furniture thereof according to the effectuall power which is in the measure of euerie part receiueth increase of the bodie vnto the edifieng of it selfe in loue O most holie Father keepe vs by thy name that wee may be one in thee and that among vs which are beleeuers there may be one hart and one mind O Christ our onlie Sauiour and Mediatour which before thy passion didst praie that we might be one in thee euen as thou art in thy Father grant that thy Church may be at concord and agree in one true faith and confession Let there continue among vs a godlie counsell let there be one agreement in faith one mind in praier that we may growe vp in thee and that all our harts may be coupled togither by the bond of the spirit vsing thy gifts as they should be to the aduancement of thy glorie and to the common profit both of thy Church and Common-weale and walking woorthie our calling wherevnto we are called with all humilitie and gentlenesse with all lenitie forbearing one another through charitie being carefull to keepe the vnitie of the spirit in the bond of peace Represse the furiousnesse of Satan which soweth dissention among thy flocke to weaken our faith and to hinder our praiers whereby thy glorie is defaced Grant therefore that we prooue not desirous of vaine glorie prouoking one another and enuieng one another that we bite not one another to our destruction For of emulation springeth contention which being once inflamed boile out into mortall diuisions And as manie as maintaine emulations contentions and factions are carnall and walke as men Wherefore take from vs the zeale of the flesh which is foolish and let all enuie wrath pride and arrogancie be far from vs. Likewise let vs auoid foolish and vnlearned questions knowing that they engender strife and contention and serue for nothing but to the subuerting of the hearers ingraffing of errors Where a desire of strife is there certainlie God dwelleth not and they which raise tumults of nothing and disquiet thy flocke those wilt thou O sonne of God destroie Come holie spirit replenish the harts of the faithfull here assembled and else where and inflame in them the fire of thy loue which once didst gather the nations into the vnitie of the faith through the diuersitie of tongues Ioine our harts togither that wee may nourish christian concord among vs and that wee all glued as it were together in louing harts may be of one mind in thee so shall thy pure doctrine zealouslie be mainteined and no false interpretation of the scripture obstinatelie be defended Bring home to thy fold all such as are turned from the vnitie of true religion that thrre may be one pastor and one fold To such as are gone out from vs grant constancie that they may continue with vs teaching the Gospell to the saluation of the hearers And if it happen that anie contrarie to the doctrine which they haue learned raise dissention and offences grant that we may auoid them least the harts of the simple through their sweet persuasions and flatterie be deceiued O God author of peace and concord giue grace that euerie of vs may thinke the same thing acording to our Sauior Christ Amen ⧠The Letanie O God the Father of heauen haue mercy vpon vs miserable sinners O God the Father of heauen haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners O God the Sonne redeemer of the world haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners O God the Sonne redeemer c. O God the holie Ghost proceeding from the Father the Sonne haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners O God the holie Ghost proceeding from c. O holie blessed and glorious Trinitie three persons and one God haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners O holie blessed and glorious Trinitie c. Remember not Lord our offences nor the offences of our forefathers neither take thou vengeance of our sinnes spare vs good Lord spare thy people whom thou hast redeemed with thy most pretious bloud and be not angrie with vs for euer Spare vs good Lord. From all euill and mischiefe from sinne from the crafts and assaults of the diuell from thy wrath and from euerlasting damnation Good Lord deliuer vs. From blindnesse of hart from pride vaine glorie and hypocrisie from enuie hatred and malice and all vncharitablenesse Good Lord deliuer vs. From fornication and all other deadlie sinnes and from all the deceits of the world the flesh the diuell Good Lord deliuer vs. From lightening and tempest from plague pestilence and famine from battell and murther and from sudden death Good Lord deliuer vs. From all sedition and priuie conspiracie from all false doctrine and heresie from hardnesse of hart and contempt of thy word and commandement Good Lord deliuer vs. By the mysterie of thy holie incarnation by thy holie natiuitie and circumcision by thy baptisme fasting and temptation Good Lord deliuer vs. By thine agonie and bloudie sweat by thy crosse and passion by thy pretious death and buriall by thy glorious resurrection and ascension and by the comming of the holie Ghost Good Lord deliuer vs. In all time of our tribulation in all time of our wealth in the houre of death and in the daie of iudgement Good Lord deliuer vs. We sinners doo beseeth thee to heare vs O Lord God and that it may please thee to rule and gouerne thy holie Church vniuersallie in the right waie We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to keepe and strengthen in the true worshipping of thee in righteousnesse and holinesse of life thy seruant Elizabeth our most gratious Queene and Gouernour We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to rule hir hart in thy faith feare and loue and that she may euermore haue affiance in thee and euer seeke thy honour and glorie We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to be hir defender and keeper giuing hir the victorie ouer all hir enimies We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to illuminate all Bishops Pastors and Ministers of thy Church with true knowledge and vnderstanding of thy word and that both by their preaching and liuing they may set it foorth and shew it accordinglie We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to indue the Lords of the counsell and all the Nobilitie with grace wisdome and vnderstanding We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to blesse and keepe the Magistrates giuing them grace to execute iustice and to mainteine truth We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to blesse and keepe all thy people We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to giue to all nations
intituled Miserere mei Deus Haue mercie vpon me O God which in most deuout manner she said to the verie end with these hir last words LORD into thy hands I command my spirit ¶ Morning and Euening praiers with diuers Psalmes Hymnes and Meditations made and set forth by the Ladie ELIZABETH Tyrwhit A Confession to be said before Morning praier I Doo acknowledge and confesse vnto thee O most mercifull and heauenlie father mine often and grieuous offences that I haue committed against thy diuine Maiestie from my youth hitherto in thought word and deed leauing vndone those things which I ought and should haue done and dooing those things which I ought not to haue done prouoking thy wrath and indignation against me And now lamenting this my wickednes I appeale vnto thy mercie saie with the Publicane O Lord GOD be mercifull vnto me a most wretched sinner forgiue all that is past saue and defend me from euill and confirme me in good life to the glorie of thy name So be it A praier to be said at our vprising I Doo thanke thee my most mercifull and heauenlie Father by thy deerelie beloued sonne Iesu Christ that this night thou hast giuen me sleepe and rest preseruing me from hurt and perill I crie thee mercie for mine offences and most humblie beseech thee that thou wilt likewise this daie keepe me from sinne and all euill so that all my thoughts words and works may please thee I doo commit my selfe both bodie and soule and all things that I go about into thy hands beseeching thee that thine holie spirit may abide with me least my deadlie aduersarie the diuell haue power ouer me Amen Another praier at our vprising OBlessed Iesu this daie I commend me and all my proceedings into thy hands this daie I most humbly praie thee to helpe me which hast made me to thine owne image and in thy bloud hast clensed me which art my hope in heauiuinesse my comfort in care and trust in trouble Although sweete Lord my conscience accuseth me and the lawe condemneth me yet thy pretious death and testament hath deliuered me with thee to reigne in glorie after death hath arrested me the earth consumed me yet good Lord I trust in the resnrrection to dwell with thee eternallie through thy promise made to me and to all that doo beleeue in thee and call vpon thy holie name Thy kingdome come this daie to me from Sathan deliuer me with the bread of Angels feede me from fleshlie lusts purge me from sudden death and deadlie sinne O Lord take me Giue me an hart to beleeue in thee and that all my senses may obey thee and of thy mercie accept my praiers this daie before thee which art one God in Trinitie to whom be all honour and glorie Amen The Hymne or praier to the sonne of God THe beamie sun large light doth giue chase away the night So blesse vs with thy benefits endue vs with thy spirit Swéet dews frō heuen to earth God grant of peace quiet mind That we may serue the liuing God as his statutes doo bind O mightie Lord our helpe at néed driue far awaie the féend That sinne nor hell doo vs molest when as our life shall éend Thou art the euer lasting daie which shinst in euerie place And féedest euerie liuing wight with plentious gifts of grace Into thy heauenlie hands déere God my spirit I doo commend This day from sin and Sathans power thy seruant me defend We laud thée Father for thy grace We praise the Sonne which made vs frée We thanke the holie Spirit for our solace Which is one God and persons thrée An Antheme HIs deerlie beloued sonne God did not spare but for vs all deliuered him How shall he not with him giue vs all things also A praier to God the father to be vsed before Morning praier OUr mercifull father which in teaching vs to praie by thy sonne Christ hast commanded vs to call thee father and to beleeue that we are thy beloued children who stirrest vp none of thine to praie but to the intent that thou wouldest heare them giuing vnto vs also all things more effectuallie and plentiouslie than we can either aske or thinke We do beseech thee for thy sonnes sake to giue vs grace to beleeue and knowe assuredlie that thy sonne our Sauiour Christ is giuen of thee vnto vs to be our Sauiour our righteousnesse our wisdome our holines our redemption and our satisfaction O Lord suffer vs not to trust in anie other saluation but in thy sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ So be it The Hymne of our redemption by Christ. PRaise we our father louinglie which gentlie vs preserued When we forsooke him wretchedlie death by sinne deserued His mercie was so bountious that though we from him fell Fréelie in Christ he pardoned vs and vs redéemd from hell Glorie be to the Trinitie the Father Sonne and spirit liuing Which art one God persons thrée to whom be praise without ending Amen A forme of priuate Morning Praier Our father which art in heauen c. O Lord open thou my lips that my mouth may speake and shew foorth that which is to thy glorie and praise And shut my mouth from speaking of anie thing whereby I should offend thy diuine maiestie or be hurtfull to my neighbor O God make speede to saue vs. O Lord make haste to helpe vs. Glorie be to the Father and to the Sonne and to the holie Ghost As it was in the beginning is now and euer shall be world without end Amen Praise ye the Lord. Thanks be giuen to God The first Psalme at Morning Praier O Lord heare my words marke my crieng O my King and my God for vnto thee onelie come I to praie neither doo I looke for succour anie where else than of thee O Lord I beseech thee that thou wilt gratiouslie hearken to my petitions that thy grace may spring in my hart with the morrowe light of thy comfort the night of care and perturbation being ouerpassed suffer me not to perish with the vngodlie folke whome thou cursest I come running to thee not trusting in mine owne righteousnes but to thy great and manifold mercies O Lord with the rule of thy iustice will I be directed For thy name sake make plaine thy waie before me and my waie before thee least the spirit of malice doo turne me thence Let them reioice that repose themselues and trust alwaies in thy mercie let them sing Hymnes and Psalmes which doo glorie and reioice in thee let them triumph which loue thy name Defend me O Lord with thy grace as with a shield in time of perill to the intent that when I am assaulted with them I may yet with constant cheere growe vp vnto my full perfection Glorie be to the father c. As it was in the c. The second Psalme OH Lord GOD and father I beseech thee by Christ our Lord that of thine infinite
of thee their God Notwithstanding when thou O God thereby well hadst tamed their fiercenesse and hadst brought them to this point that they could find no help in anie thou gratiouslie heardst them crieng vnto thee in their distresse and deliueredst them from their miserie and broughtst them from the dongeons of the prisons and darkenesse of death breaking their iron fetters in sunder O praise yee therefore this so great mercie of the Lord before him and declare his woonderfull actes to other mortall men who hath broken the brasen gates and hath dashed in peeces their iron barres How manie also being driuen awaie through persecution vnto that prophane Babylon euen auoiding so much as laie in you the sight of the wicked enimies did confesse with most dolefull silence euen with abundance of teares both your sinnes and sorowes at the flouds of Euphrates being mindfull of Zion And though you caried your harps euen to be your comfort in so great calamitie yet being outragiouslie mocked and derided in your miserie by the enimie that draue you awaie into most miserable captiuitie you were faine to hang them vp vpon the sallowe trees and make no noise in the sight of the persecutors as they that sawe more cause rather to mourne than sing in that time and place Notwithstanding the Lord did not forget you for euer but seeing the crueltie of the persecutors in his good time turned awaie your captiuitie mourning and restored you to libertie and ioie againe so that you liue and see the daie wherein Babylon is destroied and hir children dashed against the stones For the Lord hath giuen hir prosperitie vnto vs to deale with them againe as they haue dealt with vs. Yea the Lord hath armed his people with double edged swords in their hands wherewith they may punish the prophane Gentiles and auenge the crueltie of the oppressed also may drawe their kings and nobles bound in chaines and iron fetters euen to execute the iudgements appointed and commanded by thee O Lord. And this verelie is the dignitie and the honour of all them whome God hath receiued to his fauour Wherefore O ye glorious people vpon whome the Lord hath bestowed so manie benefits now see that yee in this your great quietnesse and rest sing triumph Praise the Lord in deede O Israel and delight thy selfe in setting foorth his praise continuallie whose worke thou art as it were newlie formed being deliuered from so manie not dangers but deaths What shall I speake Lord furthermore of them who by their owne foolishnesse going in the waie of wickednesse and being oppressed by manifold plagues and diseases doo dailie suffer the reward of their madnesse and loathing all manner of meate are at deaths dore whom notwithstanding thou O Lord diddest heare crieng vnto thee in their miserie and thou deliueredst them out of their distresse yea thou speaking but one word diddest take awaie all the cause of their deadlie disease and restoredst them to health Let these men also I saie praise this thy so great mercies O Lord and publish thy maruellous works before other mortall men Let them offer the sacrifices of praise vnto thee O God in the middle multitude of the people standing about them and let them rehearse with great ioie what he hath done for them in the assemblie of the cheefest Go to therefore O all yee people praise the Lord our God together with me who when wee were oppressed with Pharaos tyrannie was mindfull of vs and with a strong force deliuered Israel from the slauerie of Egypt and hath giuen this dominion to be possessed by ELIZABETH his handmaid for his mercie endureth for euer CAP. III. O All yee people I saie tribes kindreds and inhabitants of the earth both noble and simple rich and poore clap your hands and praise this most holie God with most ioifull voices Giue vnto the Lord the praise of all power worship and glorie giue him the honour due vnto his name and maiestie For lo he is come to gouerne the earth The Lord himselfe reigneth amongst you and gouerneth the whole world with a iust and righteous gouernement and ruleth altogether with the scepter of his iustice and truth Go to therefore O yee yong striplings and old men yong children maidens matrones and you also all other that loue feare God come I praie you praise y e name of y e Lord euen of our most mightie IEHOVA together with mee For he alone deserueth most high praise as he that is more deepe than the verie earth and more high than the heauens and far aboue all the powers and potentates of the world Go to also O ye damsels and virgins stir vp your ioie to daie with songs of praise vpon timbrell lute but voide of wantonnesse so that your ioie may tend to the glorie of God your onlie strength and celebrate this daie of your deliuerance as festiuail to the Lord our deliuerer O ye Uirgins and damsels vnmaried now reioice with me I saie and sing vnto the Lord a triumphant song Praise the Lord also O ye brides in your marriage songs with glorie and maiestie that ye liue to see my daies and that the flower of your youth is not consumed in the flame of Gods furie For the time was when you being desolate and vnmarried did remaine pensife without your marriage songs and liued solitarie sitting at home among the soote of pots but now the women that durst not come out of their houses come foorth glittering like gold and shining like dooues as white as snowe and boldlie diuide the spoile of the enimie Go to therefore O ye damsels of Iuda and multitude of Uirgins seeing ye haue so great cause to reioice shew not your selues vnthankfull in anie wise but praise the Lord together with me in Hymnes and celebrate his name with spirituall songs for his victories goodnesse and mercie towards vs. Come foorth yee daughters of Zion I saie and breake out into gladnesse with me reioice you of the iust iudgements of God vpon our enimies yea compasse you Zion round about account hir towers consider diligentlie hir wals and bulworks and set foorth the praises of hir peace and palaces so that yee may spread foorth the memorie thereof euen to all posteritie And doo you let all men to vnderstand that this is God euen our owne God for euer which hath not forsaken vs neither will leaue vs no not in the last minute of our life Go to now therefore I beseech you let vs altogether praise the Lord as we are bounden let the whole companie of vs Uirgins plaie vpon the Timbrels on euerie side and corner of the citie Zion one exhorting and answering another by course and that with new and excellent songs of praise to the glorie of God Let vs magnitie that mightie and eternal name of his for it is holie let vs continuallie come before the Lord and worship him for he is holie For what should we rather doo
that they may speake the mysteries of Christ and manifest them as they ought to doo so shall their dooings bee profitable vnto the godlie Assist them also with thine especiall grace that they disgrace not their doctrine by impuritie of life but let their conuersation answer vnto the doctrine which they teach and preach and especiallie for the pastor of this parish and shepheard of my soule heere present from whose mouth I learne thy blessed will I hartilie praie that thou wilt keepe him in religion sincere and pure from enorme offences in outward conuersation Endue him with a long and healthfull life if it be thy good pleasure that manie a good daie and yeare he may continue in preaching the gladsome voice of thy gratious Gospell among vs without contention and strife And O sonne of God which art the Lord of all the flocke worke thou effectuallie by thy preachers speake thou within vs to our harts the blessed will of thine eternall father and confirme thy doctrine in our minds by thine holie spirit Grant that we may trulie knowe and discerne the same from the howling of woolues and from the inchanted songs of seducing hirelings And grant that we may knowe thee euen as thou knowest thine heauenlie father and to walke religiouslie and righteouslie in thy sight shewing our selues to be of that holie seede which praiseth thy name for euermore Come holie spirit open mine hart and eares that I may conceiue the profit of thy whoalesome doctrine and the sweet comforts reuealed in thy holie word by the preaching of the Gospell O Lord I acknowledge with teares my sluggishnesse and carelesnes in seeking thy truth and bewaile the wretched coldnesse and hardnesse of my hart beseeching thee to endue me with an vnfeigned longing and an ardent desire of holie Sermons Grant that in this life I may worship the feet of the preachers of peace and reuerence the true dispensers of thy mysteries thy faithfull ministers with double honor and none otherwise to obeie their godlie sermons than I would if a voice should sound from the heauens Let me not for the blemishes and imperfections of some particular men vnreuerentlie conceiue of thy whole ministerie Worke also within me that despising thy word deliuered vnto vs I neuer seeke after strange reuelations or violent rauishings both besides and contrarie to thy word but bearing alwaies in mind the order which thou hast appointed may constantlie embrace thy word manifested in thy Church Finallie impart such grace vpon vs that we may imitate and followe the good works of holie men casting off the old man by putting on the new which is created after God in righteousnesse and true holinesse Amen A praier that God would both feede and defend his Church to be vsed before the Communion O Heauenlie heardman and nursse of all things liuing which of thy meere goodnesse satisfiest all creatures that haue life suffer not thy Church to pine awaie and be famished for lacke of the food of thy blessed word but feed vs continuallie with thy goodnesse Suffer not thou O Lord which giuest sustenance to all flesh thy faithfull seruants to be depriued of perfect doctrine and most pure and sound Sacraments which are indeede the food of eternall life but feed vs continuallie with Angels food that is with thy holie word and with Christ Iesus whereby our harts may bee made righteous strong to him-ward Let vs not like the children of Israel loath this heauenlie manna which thou so mercifullie and aboundantlie powrest downe vpon vs neither let vs lust againe after the flesh-pots of Aegypt least thy wrath being kindled against vs also thou cause it not onelie to cease and to fall no more from heauen vpon vs but also thou smite vs with most greeuous plagues as thou diddest the Israelites But rather as new-borne babes remembring how it is written that man shall not liue by bread onlie but by euerie word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God let vs hartilie desire the sincere milke of thy word let our soules delight in fatnesse let vs come earelie and late to the waters to buie and eate to satisfie our hunger and thirst let vs harken diligentlie vnto thee and eate that which is good and labour continuallie without wearinesse for the meate that perisheth not O Lord let vs neuer see the daie wherein thou shalt be prouoked to send a famine in our land againe a famine I saie not of bread nor a thirst of water but of the hearing of thy word O God Far bee that famine from vs good Lord. Neither let vs anie more deserue to be cast out of our owne cities townes and houses and to wander in strange lands from Sea to Sea from the North to the South from East to West running to and fro like hunger-starued wretches to seeke the food of thy word as we sometimes haue done O Lord and yet not find it least by that meanes we doo not onelie perish in bodie but also in soule for lacke of thy word which is the verie food thereof But let thy word O God be still neere vs euen in our mouthes and in our harts the word of truth I saie which now is preached taught and receiued and feed thou vs whensoeuer the famine either of bodie or spirit vexeth vs. O our father giue vs this daie our daily bread that we may walke in the strength thereof daie and night vntill we come to the holie hill of Horeb. Behold Lord according to thy commandement we doo open our mouths wide fill thou it full of thy heauenlie dainties as thou hast promised Lord euermore giue vs the bread of life and of heauen that we may stedfastlie beleeue in thee For behold O Lord we come vnto thee as though we were famished let vs not therfore go awaie vnfed We are an hungred let vs not be sent awaie fasting Our minds alas hunger and thirst greatlie after toies and gauds of this world and we haue nothing to set afore it because wee are poore and beggerlie wretches But thou O Lord art rich in all good things and the most plentifull giuer of the dainties of heauenlie satietie O therefore we beseech thee giue vs somewhat to eate giue meate I saie vnto the wearie wandering souls yet not such as they lust after but such as is conuenient for them that being refreshed of thee which art the liuing and heauenlie bread wherewith when we are once well fed and that our strength is come to vs againe we may ascend vnto more high things and neuer heereafter hunger or thirst anie more after vanities Amen Another praier to be vsed at the Sermon before a Communion THou vsest O most mightie God to preserue those thy children whom thou hast louinglie adopted with no lesse care and diligence than if they were sheepe and the same alwaies fed led of thee being their most louing shepherd toward their owne health and perfect commoditie who so long as they haue thee
hath offended thee make me free from the guilt of my transgression for I acknowledge mine iniquitie and am sorie for my sinnes I haue forsaken thy waie and I knowing thy commandements haue done all things contrarie to them I haue broken the couenant that I made with thee and haue despised to keepe thy lawe Uerelie I haue sinned against thee O Lord GOD and the blemish of my sinne abideth still with me euen vnto this daie I haue forsaken thee O God my maker and gone awaie from thee my Sauiour haue rebelled against thee like an oxe that winceth and striueth when hee should be yoked I haue hardened my hart against thee and I haue lifted vp my necke proudlie after my sinne I haue trusted in lies and through deceit would not knowledge thee but I haue followed the lewdnesse of mine hart My pride and arrogancie haue beguiled me and the foolish boldnesse of mine hart hath brought me into desolate waies Mine owne counsels and aduises haue brought me these things such is the malice and rebellion that possesseth the harts of men My soule is put from quietnesse and rest and I can not thinke of anie good thing The yoke of my sinnes is waxed verie heauie it is lifted vp and fastened about my necke Thou hast spoken to me but I would not heare thou hast called me but I would not answere I beleeued not thy words nor would abide thy counsell I regarded not thine holie word and I gaue not my mind to thy saiengs Thou hast striken me but I would not knowe the cause thereof thou hast corrected me but I would not take thy discipline I did not consider in mine hart that thou wouldest not forget my sinne and malice With my mouth and my lips I glorified thee but mine hart was farre from thee I hid my sinne as Adam did to the intent to haue mine iniquitie vnknowne I asked not counsell of thy mouth and I would not followe thy lawe I haue sinned before thine eies and therefore my soule is made vnstable I forsooke thee which art the fountaine of continuall springing waters to the intent to dig to my selfe muddie pits which haue no water In all these things I am not returned to thee nor I haue not praied vnto thee that I might leaue my wicked waies See Lord and behold how vile I am made all the beautie of my soule is perished and gone in so much that now I dare not in anie wise behold and looke vpon thee And there was no cause why I should forsake thee and vainlie followe vaine things Lord haue mercie vpon me and heare my praiers for thou art my God and there is no Sauiour besides thee Turne awaie from me thy heauie displeasure and destroie me not for the sinnes of my youth I humblie beseech thee O Lord forgiue me forgiue me for thine exceeding mercie O Lord God of hosts if thou be determined to saue who can let orresist If thou stretch out thine hand who shall turne thee awaie Thou maist doo to me as the potter doth to his pot for behold I am in thine hand as the claie is in his Amend me O Lord but in mercie not in thine anger least thou vtterlie consume me make me to vnderstand and knowe how hurtfull and deadlie a thing it is to forsake thee my Lord GOD and to cast awaie from me the feare of thee There is no man that can heale mee nor cure my plague no man can deliuer mee but thou O Lord which woundest and makest whole which strikest and healest againe My destruction commeth of my selfe my helpe and saluation standeth onelie in thee For none is like vnto thee thou art mightie and great is the name of thy strength Turne me to thee O Lord and I shall be turned take awaie from mee this sinfull hart that thy lawe may bring foorth fruit in me Remember me Lord for thy goodnesse sake and for the great loue thou bearest towards me O Lord God behold thou hast made both heauen and earth by thy great might and nothing is hard to thee Thou art that puissant and mightie whose name is the Lord of hosts great maruellous in thy counsell As soone as thou hast spoken the word all things be done as soone as thou hast commanded things be and thy word returneth not to thee void and without effect Thou O Lord GOD she west mercie vnto all for thou canst doo all and thou makest as though thou sawest not the sinnes of men bicause they should doo penance and amend their liues For thou louest althings that be and hatest nothing that thou hast made for nothing thou madest or hast ordeined of anie hatred Thou sparest and tenderest all men for all things be thine and thou louest the soules of men Thou doost minister mercie equitie and iustice in the earth and therefore in these vertues thou greatlie delightest Trulie O Lord thou art righteous and gratious notwithstanding I haue offended thee transgressing thy couenant and trespassing against thee O Lord thou hast seene all mine abhominations looke on my cause and consider how vile and wretched I am see and behold my great confusion In the time of reconciliation heare me and in the daie of saluation haue mercie on me Be mercifull vnto me and haue mercie on me which haue none other helpe but thee whose will nothing can resist whensoeuer thou doost purpose to saue Heare me which am a wretch making supplication vnto thee make me to trust in thy name and deliuer me by thy power Haue regard to me from heauen O Lord and looke downe from thine holie habitation from the throne of thy glorie Destroie me not bicause of mine iniquitie but remember the sorowe and paine that I suffer Be not still angrie with me O Lord forget all my sinnes and remember them no longer Let my praier ascend vp vnto thee saie vnto my soule Behold I am come to thee thy helth and thy saluation Amen Another Psalme for the remission of sinnes O GOD eternall iust and holie which keepest couenant and mercie with them that loue thee and keepe thy commandements Looke at me and haue mercie vpon me for I haue trespassed against thee done euil in thy sight Shew foorth vpon me the tender affections of thy mercie that thy seruant may haue an hart to praie vnto thee I humblie make my praier before thy face not trusting in mine owne righteousnesse but in thy great mercies For I am vncleane and filthie and all my righteousnesse is like a foule bloudie clowt Unto thee O Lord be iustice mercie and pitie but vnto me be confusion and shame for mine iniquities Certainlie euen from my beginning I haue vsed my selfe proudlie against thee dooing wickedlie and not ceasing O Lord thou hast redeemed me and yet I haue not ceased to offend thee and mine hart hath not beene straight in thy sight Thou hast taught and instructed me and stablished my power and I haue beene euill affected
namelie among the rest the godlie and learned treatise called The lamentation of a sinner written long since by the vertuous Ladie Queene Katherin which for the excellencie thereof was first published in print by Sir William Cicill now the right Honourable Lord Treasurer of England as by his verie godlie learned and eloquent Epistle therevnto prefixed and here also in this edition now inserted to Gods glorie and his high commendation doth and may appeere but especiallie and aboue all the most diuine learned and godlie treatise intituled The Queenes meditation written first in French by the vertuous Ladie Margaret Queene of Nauar and after verie exactlie and faithfullie translated by our mostgratious souereigne and learned Ladie Queene ELIZABETH who among manie Queens virgins and women through the feare of the Lord hath doone verie vertuouslie and gotten thereby great renowme And therevpon considering with my selfe what great profit and singular pleasure might thereby come also to other of like mind to my selfe if the same their excellent and rare works dispersed into seuerall pamphlets and in part some thing obscured and worne cleane out of print and so out of practise were by some painefull hand collected togither and reuiued or brought againe to their former good and godlie vse in the church mee thought I could not better spend my time nor emploie my talent either for the renowme of such heroicall authors and woorthie women or for the vniuersall commoditie of all good christians than in and by some apt treatise or collection to reduce these their manifold works into one entire volume and by that meanes for to register their so rare and excellent monuments of good record as perfect presidents of true pietie and godlinesse in woman kind to all posteritie Wherevpon God working in me both the will and consent I vndertooke the same in his feare which when after a sort I had doone and perceiued that there wanted per manie things to make the same an absolute and perfect booke for the simpler sort of women according to my mind to satisfie my selfe further in this my purposed collection I fell to the pervsing of the holie Bible and manie other good bookes as well of praier as of other diuine matter such as from time to tune haue beene penned by diuers godlie learned men out of the which that I might now particularlie applie that vnto them women I meane which generalise hereto fore was written of them or by some other for them as also to the inter that all godlie and deuout women readers might haue in some measure wherewith to exercise their faith to stir vp their deuotion and to satisfie their godlie desires and also verie readilie find without tediousnesse or distraction of the mind vertuouslie inclined whatsheuer they would either by praier aske by meditation ponder by precepts learne or by examples imitate or auoid to their comfort edification I indeuoured for their sakes by all possible diligence to cull and bring out of the rich store and treasurie of the approoued works of manie learned men things both old and new concerning the same both for priuate and publike vse adding therevnto such plentie of heauenlie and spirituall helpes both for profit and pleasure as the diuersities of so diuine matter and varietie of so honourable inuentions would affoord Besides to auoid confusion and disorder a thing verie preiudiciall to so holie an exercise I haue carefullie digested the same into such a plaine easie familiar and certeine method order and direction both for matter and maner as I could possiblie deuise or was requisite for such a worke to make it profitable to the simple and vnlearned reader Lastlie bicause the diuersitie of matter forced a distinction of the treatises I fitly as I could haue diuided and contriued the whole booke into seuen seuerall parts or Lampes all which for diuers good and approoued considerations I terme or intitle by this generall name THE MONVMENT OF MATRONES And now make bold yet vnder the deliberate view and carefull correction of manie vevie graue wise learned and godlie Diuines therevnto appointed by authoritie as also with the approbation and allowance of the right reuerend father in God my Lord the bishop of London to publish the same abroad in print as a booke in the iudgement of them that are learned not vnprofitable to the church but verie necessarie and in some respect more proper and peculiar for the priuate vse of women than hertofore hath beene set out by anie Which I haue doone not for that there lacked praier bookes sufficient for women to read but onelie to increase the plentie of heauenlie comforts wherewith this our church and realme of England thanks be to God floweth as also to make this treatise heretofore in part priuate to my selfe and a few of my freends now publike and common also to you good christian readers For behold I protest I haue not laboured for my selfe but for you and all them that seeke knowledge feare God be deuout and would not by fits and starts as those that can find scarse anie leisure to attend vpon the Lord and his seruice as they ought but daie and night continuallie and incessantlie either silentlie in hart with Hanna or openlie in mouth with Marie as they are bound spend their whole life and make it their whole worke to praie meditate and read Gods word with other such good bookes or at the least to allow to themselues some little portion or part of the daie and night to prostrate themselues apart from all companie in praier and meditation before the Lord of heauen and earth their creator redeemer and sauiour and that in all christian perfection and humble obedience to his word and commandements So haue you good reader by the goodnesse of God who worketh all our works for vs here now at the length in this Monument or collection conteined if you list so for distinction or names sake to call or intitle them not onelie a burning Lampe for virgins but also a christall Mirrour for Matrones as also a delectable Diall for to direct you to true deuotion with a perfect President or register of holie praier for all women generally to haue recourse vnto as to their homelie or domestical librarie First a Lampe readie replenished and prepared of the wise virgins with that fragrant oile pretious perfume and odoriferous incense of holie inuocation pure praier diuine sacrifice and heauenlie worship wherewith God is so highlie pleased and whereby at his holie hand the virgine or single woman through the intercession of Christ obteineth the gift of puritie modestie shamefastnesse and chastitie the deflowred woman findeth grace to repent and to be restored to fauour both with God and men the naturall or stepdaughter to reuerence and obeie hir parents in all childlike duties the wooed woman not to be by anie meanes cosined or abused in marriage the yoong married wife to consecrate hir selfe to liue holilie in that honourable estate
within booke or without and repent from the bottome of my hart the often omission of it in times past so I wish you good readers which christianlie haue consecrated and vowed to giue your selues to this holie exercise as the Lord I saie in mercie shall giue you grace leisure time and occasion and not suffer you to be tired with anie worldlie necessitie in the name and feare of God to obserue this or that order method forme or direction which he in his word dooth allow of or you knowe best will keepe you in the continuall faith feare and fauour of God For trust me if you will but a little together with me call these ten memorable things to your christian remembrance in this so holie an exercise First the commandements of almightie God himselfe whom in consideration of our owne great miserie and necessitie and common lacke of the christian congregation hath willed vs to call vpon him saieng Praie alwaies with all maner of praiers and supplications in the spirit and watch therevnto with all perseuerance Secondlie his most sweet and comfortable promises made gratiouslie both to heare and grant our godlie and lawfull requests saieng Aske and ye shall haue seeke and ye shall find knocke and it shall be opened vnto you for euerie one that calleth vpon the name of the Lord and departeth from iniquitie shall be saued c. Thirdlie our great and manifold sinnes whereof we are guiltie which will not suffer vs to sit still without care but briueth vs of necessitie to beg his most gratious pardon Fourthlie our feeble flesh and weake nature vnable in euerie respect to doo anie good thing which requireth continuall praier to aid and strength it Fiftlie the wilie subtiltie of our spirituall enimie sathan who priuilie lurketh in the inward parts waiting euen in our best actions to trip and ouerthrowe vs against whom we must by feruent praier vehementlie striue Sixtlie our owne greeuous assalts and cruell temptations which neuer giue vs truce rest nor quietnesse but hasten vs verie much vnto God for helpe Seuenthlie the zeale of the glorie of God and aduancement of his kingdome which ought wholie to drawe and moone vs continuallie to exercise our selues in the seruice of GOD. Eightlie the dailie dangers and continuall calamities that hourelie hang ouer our heads which giue vs all cause enough yea euen the most holie and that with sighs and grones continuallie to flie vnto God our heauenlie father and call vpon him by feruent praiers Ninthlie the infinite benefits and great blessings of God so bountifullie and plentifullie euerie waie powred continuallie vpon vs which giue vs both ample matter and iust occasion hourelie by thankesgiuing euen from the bottome of our harts to praise and magnifie him for the same Tenthlie and lastlie the great excellencie woorthinesse necessitie vertue fruit and profit of true and christian praier consisting partlie in the dignitie of God the commander and partlie in the effect of obteining of whatsoeuer we aske according to his will These things I saie good reader well considered I suppose you will saie here is nothing superfluous but all little enough to so needfull and profitable an exercise of our faith praier I meane as wherein the peace of conscience yea our whole saluation consisteth and whereby God himselfe is said to be present with vs not onelie by his prouidence to watch ouer vs but also by his power to susteine and succour vs and by his goodnesse and mercie to receiue vs into his fatherlie grace and fauour Yea I doubt not but you will willinglie confesse with me I saie that all sorts of deuout women haue great cause and that continuallie to take these lamps into their hands thereby either with vanished Hagar to acknowledge Gods graces towards them or with desolate Naomi to praie that God would blesse their children to be staies and staues of their age to their comfort or with heuie Hanna to powre out their harts before the Lord in teares for a sonne and for his mercie and fauour towards them or with wise Abigael by praier to preuent the mischeefes that hang as well ouer their heads as their families yea or with hir often on their knees to praie for the good prosperitie and preseruation of their gratious gouernour Queene ELIZABETH or with the church and faithfull soule of all christians to long for the kisses of the peace of Christ their spirituall spouse and neuer to cease daie nor night to seeke him whom their soule loueth till by praier and meditation they haue found him or with the wofull daughter of Sion to lament and mourne pitiouslie for their sinnes till their miseries be mitigated and they comforted or with sorrowfull Sara Tobit in fasting and teares to be deliuered from dailie reproches and slanderous roongs or wich vertuous Iudith in sack cloth and ashes to obteine strength and courage mightilie to destroie and ouercome proud Olophernes with all the huge host of his bloudie ruffians or with noble Queene Hester to proclaime a fast and call their virgins families and people together to praie daie and night to the hazarding of their owne liues also if need so require for their owne further preseruation and their peoples and subiects safetie and deliuerance out of the hands of cruell Haman and all his seditious conspirators or with chast and innocent Susanna to appeale to God the high iudge of iudges to be acquitted from a violeut death by false accusation and more vniust condeinuation or with the afflicted church in exile to acknowledge their sinnes and call for mercie to be deliuered from distresse or with the woman of Canaan to flie vnto Christ in all necessities to be releeued both bodilie and ghostlie or with our most gratious Souereigne Ladie Queene ELIZABETH to muse diuinelie of the inward loue of the soule towards Christ their spouse their Lord and father mother and brother or with the vertuous Ladie Queene KATHERINE to vewaile the ignorance of their blind life led in superstition and with hir also in all their troubles to stir vp their godlie minds patientlie to suffer all afflictions for the loue of euerlasting felicitie or with the right godlie Ladie Iane Dudley to endure the crosse to death most patientlie or with good Ladie Tirwit to exercise them selues morning and euening in fruitfull and godlie praiers psalmes hymnes and meditations or with the honourable Ladie Aburgauennie by the like to tread the path to paradise for the health of their soule or with holie Agnus and Eulalia the martyrs to triumph in the victorie of Christs death or with Anne Askew the marryr to praie hartilie for their enimies or with maister Bradfords mother to be petitioners vnto God for the constancie in faith to death of their children or with mistresse Dorcas Alarten carefullie to instruct their whole familie in the principall points of christian religion or with other graue and godlie matrones vnknowne to exhort others to mortification and holinesse of life
them among princes and to make them inherit the seate of glorie for the pillers of the earth are the Lords and he hath set the world vpon them therefore he may dispose all things at his pleasure and prefer whom he will to honour He will keepe the feete of his Saints so that they shall neither walke nor fall into any euill the wicked shall keepe silence in darkenesse for in his owne might shall no man be strong The Lords aduersaries shall be destoried and out of heauen shall he thunder vpon them y e Lord shall iudge the ends of the world and shall giue power vnto his king Iesus exalt the horne of Christ his annointed The song of the women of Israël in the praise of Dauids victorie ouer Goliah 1. Samuel 18 7. SAule hath slaine his thousand and Dauid his ten thousand The praier or wish of Abigaël for king Dauid against his enimies 1. Samuel 25 24 OH my Lord I haue committed the iniquitie and I praie thee let thine handmaid speake vnto thee and heare thou the words of thine handmaid Let not my Lord I praie thee regard this wicked man Nabal for as his name is so is he Nabal is his name and follie is with him but I thine handmaid sawe not the yoong men of my Lord whome thou sentest Now therefore my Lord as the Lord liueth as thy soule liueth the Lord I say that hath withholden thee from comming to shed blood and that thine hand should not saue thee nor reuenge thée on thine enimies So now I pray God that thine enimies and they that intend to doo my Lord euill may be as Nabal and I praie thee forget the trespasse of thine handmaid c. The song of Sion or the familiar talke and mysticall communication or diuine dialogue of the speciall loue betwene the spirituall bridegrome Iesus Christ and the bride the faithful soule his sanctified chaste and holie spouse the Church commonlie called The Song of songs or Ballat of ballats made by king Salomon Cantic 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. The Church or faithfull soule speaketh to Christ O That thou wouldest kisse me with the kisses of thy mouth euen with thy peace which passeth all vnderstanding for thy loue O Christ is better and more pleasant vnto me than wine and that bicause of the good and pleasant sauour of thy most pretious balmes or ointments euen of thy great benefits which I taste and féele from thée Thy name O Christ is as a sweet smelling ointment when it is powred out and shed foorth thy mercie is set foorth and published by preaching thy Gospell therefore the Uirgins euen they that are pure in hart and conuersation doo loue thee Drawe thou me O swéete Christ vnto thee and wee will run after thee for otherwise I confesse we can not come to thée except we be drawne of thée The King hath brought me into his priuie chambers and reuealed vnto me the secret ioies not knowne to the world we will therefore be glad and reioice in thee yea wee thinke more of thy loue than of wine For they that be righteous loue thee aboue all things I am blacke I confesse through the spots of sinne persecution and troubles O ye daughters of Ierusalem but yet comelie faire and welfauoured through faith in the blood of Christ in whose fauour I haue confidence and trust as the fruites or tents of the Kedarens or Arabians and as the hangings or curtens of Salomon which within were all set with pretious stones and iewels Maruell not therfore at me bicause I am so blacke nor regard or consider me by the outward apperance for why the sunne euen the corruption of nature through sinne and affliction hath looked and shined vpon me Yea and my mothers children euen mine owne brethren which should haue most fauoured me were angrie against me and hauing euill will at mee they made me the keeper of the vineyards but mine owne vineyard haue I not kept such alas hath béene mine owne negligence Therefore féeling my faults and imperfections I flie now vnto thée O Christ my spirituall husband onlie for succour beséeching thée and saieng Tell me O thou whom my soule loueth where thou feedest the sheepe O shew me I saie where thou liest and makest them rest at the noon day for why should I be like hir that turneth aside or goeth wrong about the flocks of thy companions whome thou hast called to the dignitie of pastors in thy Church and yet they like apostataes not onelie set foorth their owne false dreames and traditions in stéed of thy true doctrine but also are become the domesticall enimies that persecute the Church Christ speaketh to his Church or the faithfull soule O Thou the fairest among women if thou knowe not thy selfe but art ignorant in my waies then go thy way foorth after the footsteps of the flock of sheepe euen after the doctrine of the Apostles and feede thy goates and kids by the tents of the shepheards and learne of the true pastors and spirituall doctors I haue compared thee O my loue vnto the troupe of horses in the chariots of Pharao bicause that for thy spirituall beautie and excellencie there was no worldlie treasure to be compared vnto thée Thy cheekes and thy neck are beautifull as the turtles and behanged with spangles chaines and goodly iewels a neckband also imbrodered with gold and studs or buttons of siluer will I make thee The Church WHen the King sitteth at the table and is at his repast hee shall smell my Nardus or spikenard for I reioice that I am admitted to the companie of my husband Christ yea my welbeloued is as a bundle of Mirrh vnto mee and he shall lie betwixt my brests for he is most déere vnto me my welbeloued I saie is as a cluster of Camphire vnto me in the vineyards of Engedi wherfore so long as I followe my Christ I can not erre from the true faith of saluation CHRIST O How faire art thou my loue Oh how faire art thou Thine eies are like the dooues eies behold most acceptable art thou vnto me and I commend thy beautie The Church OH how faire art thou also my beloued How welfauoured and pleasant art thou Our bed euen the hart of the faithfull where thou O Christ dwellest by thy spirit is all greene bedecked with flowers the beames or seelings of our house are of Cedar trees and our crosse ioints of Cipresse I am the rose of the field and the lillie of the vallies CHRIST YEa like as the lillie among the thornes so is my loue among the daughters for my Church is to be preferred before aboue all other things yea so am I also among mine enimies The Church LIke as the apple tree among the trees of the forest so is my welbeloued among the sonnes of men I can not but testifie my loue and great desire towards him for my delight is to sit and rest vnder his
desolate And why Because the enimie hath gotten the vpper hand and preuailed Zion casteth out hir hands and there is none to comfort hir the Lord hath laid the enimies of Iacob round about him and Ierusalem is as a menstruous woman who for hir pollution is separate from hir husband and is become abhomination in the middest of them The Lord is righteous for I haue rebelled against his commandements prouoked his countenance to anger O heare I praie you and take heede all ye people behold my sorowe and consider my heauinesse my virgins my maidens and my yong men are led awaie prisoners and gone into captiuitie I called for my louers but they deceiued me for my priests and counsellers but they perished and died for hunger in the Citie euen whiles they sought for meate to saue their liues and refresh their soules Behold O Lord and consider how I am troubled my bowels swell my wombe is disquieted my hart turneth about within me and I am full of heauinesse because I rebelled stubbornelie the sword spoileth me abroade as death doth at home They heare my mourning but there is none that will comfort me all mine enimies haue heard of my trouble and are glad thereof because thou hast done it but thou wilt bring forth the daie and time that thou hast pronounced and calledst when they also shall be like vnto me Let all their wickednesse come before thee and do thou vnto them as thou hast done vnto me for all my transgressions and trespasses For my sorowe is verie great my sighes are manie and mine hart is heauie The second lamentation of Zion ALas how hath the Lord darkned the daughter of Zion in his wrath and brought hir from prosperitie to aduersitie How hath he cast the beautie and honour of Israel downe from heauen vnto the earth and giuen hir a most sore fall not remembring his owne footestoole the Temple of Ierusalem in the daie of his wrath when he was angrie The Lord hath cast out and destroied all the habitations of Iacob without anie fauour all the strong places or holdes of the daughter of Iuda hath he broken in his wrath and throwne them downe to the ground and not spared hir kingdome and the princes thereof hath he prophaned and polluted In the wrath of his fierce indignation he hath broken all the horne or power and strength of Israel he hath drawne backe his right hand of succour from before the enimie yea a flame of fire was kindled in Iacob which hath consumed deuoured vp all round about He hath bent his bowe like an enimie his right hand was stretched vp and fastned as an aduersarie and euerie thing that was pleasant to the eie to see he hath slaine he hath powred out his wrath like a fire into the tabernacle of the daughter of Zion The Lord is become as it were an enimie he hath deuoured Israel and consumed all his palaces yea all his strong holds hath he destroied and filled and greatlie increased the daughter of Iuda with much sorrowe and heauinesse lamentation and mourning For he hath destroied his tabernacle as a garden his solemne meetings or congregation hath he put downe yea the Lord hath brought it so to passe that the high solemne feasts and sabboths are cleane forgotten in Zion and hath despised in the heauie displeasure and indignation of his wrath both the king and the priest The Lord hath forsaken his owne altar and hath abhorred his owne Sanctuarie he hath giuen the walles of hir palaces and towers into the hand of the enimies who haue made a noise with blasphemous shoutings and criengs in the house of the Lord as in the daie of solemnitie and feasting when the people were accustomed to praie The Lord hath determined to breake downe the walles of the daughter of Zion he spread out his line and hath not withdrawne his hand from destroieng therefore he maketh the insensible things euen the rampart turrets and walles as it were to take part of the sorowe and to mourne lament because they fell downe and were destroied together Hir gates are sunke downe to the ground hir bars are broken and smitten in sunder hir king and princes are caried awaie to the Gentiles they haue not the lawe neither haue hir Prophets anie vision from the Lord. The Senatours and Elders of the daughter of Zion sit vpon the ground and keepe silence they haue cast vp dust and ashes vpon their heads and girded themselues with sackcloth the virgins or maides of Ierusalem hang downe their heads to the ground Mine eies do faile through weeping and abundance of teares my bowels swell my liuer is powred vpon the earth for the great hurt and destruction of the daughter of my people bicause the children babes and sucklings faint and sowne in the streetes of the Citie They haue said to their mothers Where is bread and drinke when they sowned and fell downe as the wounded in the streetes of the citie and when they gaue vp the ghost and died in their mothers bosome What thing shall I take to witnesse against thee Or what thing shal I liken to thee O daughter Ierusalem Thy calamitie is so euident that it néede no further proofe To whome then shall I compare thee O thou virgin daughter Zion to comfort thee withall For the breach in thy hart is like the breach in a maine sea Who may heale thee Thy false Prophets haue looked out vaine and foolish things for thee and they haue not discouered thine iniquitie or shewed thee of thy wickednesse to turne awaie thine affliction and to keepe thee from captiuitie but they to flatter thée in thy sinnes haue seene or looked out for the false prophesies and causes of banishment and destruction All that passe by the waie clap their hands at thee hissing and wagging their heads vpon the daughter Ierusalem and saie Is this the Citie that men call so faire the perfection of beautie and the ioie of the whole earth Al thine enimies gape vpon thee with open mouths they hisse at thee and grinde their teeth saieng Let vs deuoure it for certainlie this is the daie the time that we looked for is come we haue found and seene it The Lord hath fulfilled the thing that he was purposed to doo and performed his word that he had deuised and determined of old time long ago he hath throwne downe destroied and not spared he hath caused thine aduersarie to reioice and triumph ouer thee and hath set vp the horne or power of thine enimie Their hart cried vnto the Lord O thou wall or citie of the daughter Zion let thy teares run downe like a riuer daie and night take thee no rest neither let the apple of thine eie cease or leaue off wéeping Arise stand vp and crie in the night in the beginning of the watches powre out thy hart like water before the face of the Lord lift vp thine hands towards him for the liues of the
all the daie long He hath filled me with bitternesse and made me dronken with woormewood and with great anguish and sorowe he hath made me loose my senses He hath smitten my teeth in peeces with stones and rolled me in the dust Thus my soule was farre off from peace I forgat prosperitie and all good things And I said My strength and mine hope is perished from the Lord. O remember yet my miserie and my trouble the woormewood and the gall Yea in remembring my soule doth still remember them and is humbled within me I consider these things in my hart and therefore I get hope againe Namelie it is of the Lords mercies that we are not vtterlie consumed for our wickednesse for truelie his pitifull compassions faile not New mercies shall the Lord shew vpon thee earlie in the daie springing euerie morning O Lord great is thy faithfulnesse for we féele thy benefits continuallie The Lord is my portion saith my soule therefore will I hope in him O how good is the Lord vnto them that put their trust in him and to the soule that seeketh after hun The good man with silence and patience doth both trust and waite for the health and saluation of the Lord. It is good for a man to take and beare the yoke vppon him in and from his youth vp He sitteth alone and murmureth not but is patient and holdeth him still and keepeth silence because he hath taken and borne the Lords yoke vpon him He laieth his face vpon the earth and humbleth himselfe waiting with patience if there may happen to be anie hope of succour He offreth his cheeke to the smiter he will be content with reproches For the Lord will not forsake for euer But though he send affliction and punish yet will he haue compassion and according to the multitude of his mercies he receiueth to grace againe For he doth not plague willinglie nor delighteth to afflict the children of men but doth it of necessitie for our amendment To treade all the prisoners of the earth vnder his feete To ouerthrowe the right of a man before the face of the most high To condemne a man in his cause the Lord hath not pleasure in such things What and who is he then that saith And it commeth to passe And the Lord commandeth it not For without his prouidence nothing is done Out of the mouth of the most high proceedeth not euill and good both prosperitie and aduersitie Wherefore then mourneth the liuing man when God afflicteth him Let him mourne and be sorowfull for his owne sinnes for which he suffereth Let vs search and trie and looke well vpon our owne waies and remember our selues and turne againe to the Lord. Let vs without hypocrisie lift vp both our harts and our hands vnto God that is in the heauens and saie We haue sinned and rebelled therefore hast thou not spared Thou hast couered vs in thy wrath and persecuted vs thou hast slaine without anie fauour Thou hast hid thy selfe as in a cloud that our praiers should not passe through Thou hast made vs the offscowring and reffuse in the mids of the people All our enimies haue opened their mouths against vs and gape vpon vs. Feare and snare is come vpon vs yea desolation and destruction Whole riuers of waters gush out of mine eies for the destruction of the daughter of my people Mine eie droppeth without staie and ceaseth not for there is no rest Till the Lord looke downe from heauen consider Mine eies breake mine hart and I am ouercome with wéeping bicause of all the daughters or people of my Citie Mine enimies hunted and chased me sore like a bird yea and that without a cause They haue shut vp my life in a dungeon and cast a stone vpon me The waters flowed ouer mine head then thought I Now I am destroied I called vpon thy name O Lord out of the deepe pit and lowe dungeon Thou hast heard my voice stop not thine eare from my sighings and crieng Thou drewest neere vnto me in the daie when I called vpon thee and hast said Feare not O Lord thou hast maintained the cause of my soule and hast redeemed my life that was in danger O Lord thou hast seene my wrong take thou my cause vpon thee and iudge it Thou hast seene all their vengeance and all their deuises against mee Thou hast hard their reprochfull despitefull words O Lord yea and all their imaginations against me The lips also of those that rise against me and their deuises and whisperings that they take against me all the daie long Behold also their sitting downe and their rising vp how I am now their song Reward them O Lord according to the works of their hands Giue them sorrowe of hart and an obstinate hart euen thy curse to them Persecute them O Lord with thine indignation and root them out and vtterlie destroie them from vnder the heauen The fift lamentation or praier of Zion CAll to remembrance O Lord what is come vpon vs consider and behold our confusion and reproch Our inheritance is turned to the strangers and our houses to the aliens We are vnderlings without fathers and our mothers are as widowes We haue drunken our water for monie and our wood haue we by sale sold vnto vs. Our necks are vnder persecution we are wearie and haue no rest Aforetime we yeelded our selues to the Aegyptians and now we haue submitted our selues to the Assyrians onlie that we might be satisfied haue bread inough Our fathers which now are gone haue sinned and we must beare their wickednesse Seruants haue the rule of vs and no man deliuereth vs out of their hands We must get our liuing with the perill of our liues bicause of the drought of the wildernesse Our skin is made blacke like as an ouen bicause of the trouble famine and verie sore hunger They rauish and defile the wiues in Zion and the maidens in the citie of Iudea The princes are hanged vp by their enimies hand they haue not honoured the old sage mens faces They haue taken the yoong men for slaues to grind and the boies fainted vnder the burden of wood not able to abide it The elders haue ceased from the gates so that there were no more lawes nor forme of Commonwealth and the yoong men from their songs The ioie of our hart is gone our danse and melodious meeting is turned into mourning The garland or crowne of our head is fallen Wo now vnto vs and alas that euer we sinned Therfore our hart is full of heauinesse and for these things our eies are dimme with wéeping Bicause of the hill or mountaine of Zion which is destroied and desolate insomuch that the foxes runne vpon it But thou O Lord remainest for euer and thy seate throne from generation to generation world without end and therefore thy couenant and mercies can neuer faile Wherefore dost thou forget vs for euer and forsake vs so long time
forsaken and the Sauiour of them that are without hope Surelie surelie thou art the God of my fathers and the God of the inheritance of Israel the Lord of heauen and earth the Creator of the waters the King and Lord of all creatures O heare thou my praiers heare me I saie poore woman calling vpon thee and putting my trust in thy mercie Remember thy couenant O Lord and minister words in my mouth and stablish this deuise in my hart that thy house may continue still in holinesse yea grant me words I saie and craft and a wound and a stroke against them that enterprise cruel things against thy couenant and against thine holie house and against the top of Zion and against the house of the possession of thy children Shew euidentlie among all thy people and all the tribes that they and all the heathen may knowe that thou art the God of all power and strength and that there is none other that defendeth the people of Israel but thou So be it Iudith hir praier that shee made secretlie or mentallie in hir hart when she stroke off the head of proud Holophernes Iudith 13 4. O Lord God of all power behold at this present and haue respect vnto the works of my hands in this houre for the exaltation of Ierusalem that thou maiest set vp thy citie like as thou hast promised Strengthen me O Lord God of Israel and grant that I may performe the thing which in hope that it may be done by thee I haue deuised For now is the time to helpe thine inheritance and to execute mine enterprises to the destruction of the enimies which are risen against vs. Strengthen me therefore this daie O Lord God of Israel now strengthen me I saie O Lord God euen in this houre Iudith hir song of praise and thankesgiuing which she togither with all the people made for their deliuerance from the hands of the Assyrians by the destruction of Holophernes Iudith 16. BEgin vnto my God with Timbrels sing vnto my Lord with Cimbals O tune vnto him a Psalme and sing a new song of thankesgiuing vnto him exalt his praise be ioifull and call vpon his name For it is the Lord that destroieth wars and breaketh battels euen the Lord is his name It is God which hath pitched his tents or campe in the mids of his people and deliuered me and them out of the hands of all the persecutors our enimies Assur came out from the mountaines of the north in the multitude of his strength he came with thousands in his armie so that the multitude of his people stopped the water brookes and their horses couered the vallies He purposed to haue burnt vp my borders and land and said that he would kill my yoong men with the sword dash the suckling children against the ground and lead awaie my children and my virgins as a praie or spoile into captiuitie But the almightie Lord hindered him and deliuered him into the hands of a woman which hath brought him to naught and confusion For the mightie Holophernes did not fall nor was destroied by the yoong men It was not the sonnes of Titan that slue him neither haue the great giants inuaded him or set themselues against him but Iudith the daughter of Merari with hir faire beautie and comlie countenance hath discomfited and brought him to naught For she put off and laid awaie the garment of hir widowhood and put on the apparell of gladnesse for the exaltation and reioicing of those that were oppressed in Israel She annointed hir face with ointment and bound vp hir heare in a coife and tooke a new stole or linnen garment to beguile him Hir slippers rauished his eies hir beautie captiuated and tooke his mind prisoner with the sword or faulchin smote she off his head The Persians were astonished at hir boldnesse and the Medes were troubled with hir hardinesse But mine afflicted reioiced and my feeble ones that appeared drie of thirst showted for ioie then the Persians and Medes feared they lift vp their voice and howled and turned backe The children of maides or the sonnes of the daughters haue pierced them through and wounded them as they fled awaie like fugitiue children they perished in the battell for the verie feare of the Lord my God I will sing vnto the Lord a song of thankesgiuing a new song of praise will I sing vnto my God O Lord Lord thou art a great and glorious GOD maruellous mightie and inuincible in power whom no man may ouercome Let all thy creatures serue thee For thou spakest but the word and they were made thou sentest thy spirit and they were created and there is none that can resist or withstand thy voice For the mountaines mooue and leape vp from their foundations with the waters the stonie rocks melt at thy presence like waxe yet thou art mercifull to them that feare thee For all sacrifices are too little for a sweet sauour and all the fat is too little for thy burnt offering But they that feare thee O Lord shall be great with thee in all things at all times Wo to the people and nations that rise vp against my generation and kindred For the almightie Lord will take vengeance himselfe of them and in the daie of iudgement will hee visit them in sending fire and woormes in their flesh and they shall burne and feele them and weepe for euermore So be it The praier of Queene Hester which she made for the deliuerance of hir selfe and hir people out of the bloudie hands of Haman that conspired their death Hester 14 3. O My Lord thou onlie art our King helpe me desolate woman which haue no helper but thee For my danger miserie and destruction is hard at hand From my youth vp I haue heard in the kindred of my father that thou O Lord tookest Israel from among all people and our fathers from their predecessors and foreelders that they shuld be thy perpetuall inheritance And looke what thou didst promise them thou hast performed and made it good vnto them Now Lord we haue sinned before thee therefore hast thou giuen vs into the hands of our enimies bicause we worshipped their gods O Lord thou art righteous neuerthelesse it satisfieth them not that we are in bitter and heauie captiuitie and oppressed among them But they haue stroken hands with their idols that they will abolish and take awaie the thing that thou with thy mouth hast ordeined and appointed and destroie thine inheritance to shut and to stop vp the mouthes of them that praise thee and to quench the glorie of thy temple and worship of thine house and altar and to open the mouthes of the heathen that they may praise the power and vertue of the gods or idols and to magnifie a fleshlie king for euer O Lord giue not thy scepter vnto them that be nothing least they laugh vs to scorne in our miserie and fall but turne their deuise vpon themselues and
me but by the speciall grace of God which of my selfe I can not deserue but by Christ his onelie sonne whose brightnesse giueth light to my darknesse whose power examining my fault breaketh the vaile of ignorance and giueth mee cleare vnderstanding what thing abideth in mee where I am and wherefore I labour He it is whom I haue offended he it is to whom I did obeie so seldome wherefore it is conuenient that my pride be suppressed With weeping hart and sorowfull sighs I humblie therefore confesse that I am much lesse than nothing Before my birth mire after a dunghill hauing a bodie prompt to all euill not willing other studie subiect to care sorowe and paine short of life the end vncertaine and vnder sin by Adam sold and by the lawe condemned For of my selfe I neuer had yet the power to obserue one onelie commandement of God the force of sinne was such in me and therefore is my sinne no whit the lesse to be hidden and the more I cloaked and dissembled my sinne outwardlie the more it increased within my hart For what God would that could I not will and what hee would not I oft times desired to performe which thing doth constraine mee by importable sorowe in this wearie and raging life to wish the end of this miserable bodie through a desired death Who shall he then be that shall deliuer or recouer anie good for me Alas it can be no mortall man For his power and strength is not such as can deliuer me Who then The onlie grace of the almightie GOD who neuer is slacke to helpe the penitent with his mercie Oh what a maister is that which without deseruing will shew his mercie on sinners I serued him slothfullie and without ceasing offended him euerie daie yet is he not slacke in helping me He doth see the euill that I haue what and how much it is and that I of my selfe can doo nothing that is good but with hart bodie so inclined I am to the contrarie that I feele no strength in me vnlesse it be to doo euill Yet doth he not tarie till I humblie praie him or that seeing my hell and damnation I doo crie vpon him but his spirit whurling in my hart greater than I can declare asketh for mee a gift whereof the vertue is vnknowne to my little power And this the same vnknowne gift or whurling in my hart doth bring mee a new desire shewing the good that I haue lost by my sinne and giuen me againe thorough his grace and bountie that which hath ouercome all sinne O my Lord what grace and goodnesse is this which doth put out so manie sinnes Now may I see that thou art full of all godlie loue to make me of a sinner thy seruant and child Alas my God I did not seeke thee but fled and ran awaie from thee and here beneath thou camest downe to mee which am nothing but a woorme of the earth all naked What doo I saie A woorme Naie woorse than a woorme full of pride deceit malice and treason The promise which my friends made when I was baptised is such that I alwaies thorough faith in thy passion should feele the mortification of my flesh and dwell alwaies with thee in the crosse where thou wast fast nailed as I beleeue and yeelded death dead as I also should yeeld all sinne This haue I oftentimes vntied taken downe and set at large I haue broken denied and falsified my promise and through pride I haue lifted vp my will in such maner that through sloth my dutie towards thee was forgotten and that much more is as well the profit or value which I had of thee in the daie of my baptisme as also thy sauing loue and promises folowing I haue all alike neglected What shall I saie more Albeit that oftentimes thou perceiuing mee wretched and vnhappie hast giuen me so manie warnings in faith and sacraments admonishing mee by preachings and comforted mee by the receiuing of thy blessed bodie and sacred bloud promising by the same to put me in the number of them that now are adorned with perfect innocencie yet haue I all these high benefits throwne into forgetfulnesse Oftentimes O Lord haue I with thee broken couenant partlie for that my poore soule was too much fed with the euill bread or damnable doctrine of hypocrites I despised such succour and ghostlie physicke in Gods word as would haue helped mee if I had beene willing to looke for it yet knew I at that time no teacher conuenient For there is neither man Saint nor Angel that can without thy spirit change the hart of a sinner Alas good Iesus thou beholding my blindnesse and that at my neede I could haue no succour of men didst open the waie of my saluation O how great is thy goodnesse and how inestimable the sweetenesse which thou hast shewed therein Is there anie father so naturall to the daughter or brother to the sister which would euer haue done as thou hast done For thou camest downe into hel to succour my soule where against thy will shee was intending to haue perished bicause she did not loue thee Alas sweet Lord thou hast loued hir yea euen to the verie outshedding of thy most pretious bloud O charitie feruent and incomparable Nothing slacke art thou in loue that so louedst euerie sinner yea and also thine enimies not onelie in forgiuing their offences but also in giuing thy selfe for their saluation libertie and deliuerance to the death crosse trauell paine and sufferance When I cast in mind what should be the occasion of thy loue towards mee I can see nothing else but a loue woonderfull which moueth thee to giue me that which I can not deserue Then as far foorth as I can see I ought to giue no thanks for my saluation but onlie to thee my Lord Iesu to whom I owe the praise thereof as to him which is my Sauior and Creator The second Chapter Of the soules affinitie with Christ WHat a thing is it O God that thou hast done so much for me Thou art not onelie contented to haue forgiuen me my sinnes but also hast giuen vnto mee the right fortunate gift of grace For it should suffice mee I comming out of such a danger to be like a stranger vsed But thou doest handle my soule if I durst so say it as a mother daughter sister and wife notwithstanding my Lord I am the trespasser which am not woorthie to come neere the doore of thy right high place to aske bread where thy dwelling is Oh what grace is this that so suddenlie thou vouchsafest to drawe my soule into such highnes that she feeleth hir selfe ruler of my bodie She poore ignorant and lame doth find hir selfe with thee rich wise and strong bicause thou hast written in hir hart the roote of thy spirit and holie word giuing hir true faith to receiue it which thing made hir to conceiue thy sonne in beleeuing him to be man God
welspring of all goodnesse and faithfull promise I did leaue thee But whither went I Into a place where nothing was but cursednesse I haue left thee my trustie friend and louer worthie to be beloued aboue all others I haue put thee aside O welspring of all health somnes by mine owne wretched will yea I haue forsaken thee full of beautie goodnesse wisedome and power and sought to withdrawe me from thy loue I haue accepted thy great enimies that is the diuell the world and the flesh against whome for my sake thou foughtedst so sore on the crosse to set me at libertie which was by them of long time a prisoner and slaue and so bound that no man could cause me to humble my selfe And as for the loue and charitie that I should haue had towards thee they did quench it so that the name of Jesus my deare husband which before I had found so sweet was to me tedious and hatefull so that oftentimes I did iest at it and when I haue heard the Gospell preached or taught the word which I haue hard hath not tarried with me but as a feather doth in the winde I went neuer yet to heare thy word preached but for a fashion onlie which was a worke of hypocrisie I was also annoied when I hard speake of thee because I was more willing to go at my pleasure Now brieflie to conclude all that thou didst forbid me I fulfilled and all that thou commandedst me to do I did eschue and this was the cause why I loued not thee But yet Lord for all that I did thus hate thee and forsake thee ran awaie from thee and betraied thee should I giue place to anie other Hast thou suffered that I should be mocked either yet beaten or killed Hast thou put me in darke prison or banished me for euer setting naught by me Hast thou taken awaie thy gifts and pretious iewels againe from me to punish me for my vnfaithfull fruits Haue I lost my iointure which thou promisedst me through mine owne offence done against thee Am I accused by thee afore the eternall father for a naughtie woman Hast thou forbidden me thy presence as I haue deserued and that I should neuer appeare in thine house O most true husband pure and perfect friend the most louing among all louers Alas thou hast done otherwise for me For thou hast diligentlie sought for me when I was going into the most deepe place of Hell where all euils are done When I was farthest from thee both in hart and mind and directlie out of the waie then didst thou louinglie call me backe saieng My deare daughter hearken and see and vow thine eare toward me forget that strange nation with whome thou hast run astraie and also the house of thine owne father where thou hast dwelt so long and then shall the King of all faithfulnesse desire thy beautie But when thou Lord sawest that thy sweete and gratious calling did not profit me then begannest thou to crie to me with a lowd voice saieng Come vnto me all you which are wearilie loden with labour for I am he that shall plentiouslie refresh you and feed you with the bread of life Alas sweet Lord vnto all these sweet words would I not hearken but rather doubted whether it were thou that so spake vnto me or else a fabulous writing that so said I was so foolish that without loue I read thy word I considered not the comparison of the Uineyard which brought foorth thornes and briers in stead of good fruit and that it signified me that so had done I knew also that when thou didst call the barren wife saieng Returne Shulamite that thou didst speake it that I should forsake my sinnes Yet for all these words did I as though I had vnderstood neuer a whit But when I had perused the Prophet Ieremie I confesse that I had in the reading thereof feare in my hart and bashfulnesse in my face I will tell it yea with teares in mine eies and all Lord for thine honor to suppresse my pride Thou hast said by that holie Prophet If a woman haue offended hir husband and is so left of him for going astraie with other if he therevpon refuseth hir is she not to be esteemed polluted and of no value The lawe doth consent to put hir in the hands of iustice or to driue hir awaie and so neuer to take hir againe Thou hast made a separation betweene thy bed and mine saith he vnto me and placed forren louers in my roome committing with them fornication yet for all this thou maist returne to me againe for I will not alwaies be angrie against thee Lift vp therfore thine eies and looke about thee on euerie side and then shalt thou well see into what place thy sinne hath lead thee and how filthilie thou liest in the earth O poore soule looke where thy sinne hath put thee euen vpon the high waies where thou didst waite and tarie to beguile them that came by euen as a theefe doth which is hidden in the wildernesse Therefore thou in fulfilling thy wicked pleasure hast with fornication infected all the earth which was about thee thine eies thy forehead and thy face haue lost all their good maner for they were such as an harlot hath and yet thou hadest no shame of thy sinne And the surplus that Ieremie saith constreineth me to knowe my wretched life and to wish with sorowfull sighes the houre the moneth the daie the yeare and time that my life might haue an end yeelding my selfe condemned and worthie to lie for euer in the euerlasting fire The same feare which proceedeth of thee and not of my selfe putteth me rather in hope than in despaire as often as I do remember my sinne For as soone as thou knowest my will bowing vnder thine obedience then putting in me a liuelie faith thou didst vse great clemencie so that after I knewe thee to be that same Lord Maister and King whome I ought to haue feared then found I my feare not quenched but mixed with loue beleeuing that thou art so gratious gentle and sweete and so pitifull an husband that I which should rather haue hid me than to haue shewed my selfe was not then in feare to go foorth and to looke for thee so seeking I found thee But what didst thou then Didst thou refuse me No Lord but rather hast excused me Hast thou turned thy face from me No for thine eie so sweetlie penetrated my hart that wounding it almost to the death it did giue to me remorse of my sinnes Thou hast not put me backe with thy hand but with both thine armes and with a sweet and manlie hart thou didst meete with me by the waie and not once reprouing my faults embracedst me I could not see in beholding thy countenance that euer thou didst once perceiue mine offences wherefore thou hast done so much for me as though I had neuer broken promise with thee For thou didst
doo so shalt thou practise with ease hauing a guide and amend with profit hauing a zeale It is easier to see these than to learne begin at the easiest to come to the harder see thou hir confession that thou maiest learne hir repentance practise hir perseuerance that thou maiest haue like amendment despise thy selfe in eschewing vice that thou maiest please God in asking grace let not shame hinder the confession which hindered not the offense Be thou sure if we knowledge our sinnes God is faithfull to forgiue vs and to clense vs from all vnrighteousnes Obeie the Prophets saieng Declare thy waies to the Lord. Thus far thou maist learne to knowe thy selfe next this be thou as diligent to releeue thy selfe in Gods mercie as thou hast beene to reueale thy selfe in thine owne repentance For God hath concluded all things vnder sinne bicause he would haue mercie vpon all who hath also borne our sinnes in his bodie vpon the tree that we should be deliuered from sinne and should liue vnto righteousnes by whose stripes we be healed Here is our anchor here is our shepheard here we be made whole here is our life our redemption our saluation and our blisse let vs therefore now feed by this gratious Queenes example be not ashamed to become in confession Publicanes since this noble Ladie will be no Pharisie And to all Ladies of estate I wish as earnest mind to followe our Queene in vertue as in honour that they might once appeare to prefer God before the world and be honourable in religion which now be honourable in vanities so shall they as in some vertuous Ladies of right high estate it is with great comfort seene taste of this freedome of remission of the euerlasting blisse which exceedeth all thoughts and vnderstandings and is prepared for the holie in spirit For the which let vs with our intercession in holines and purenes of life offer our selues to the heauenlie father an vndefiled host to whom be eternall praise and glorie throughout the earth without end Amen The Lamentation or Complaint of a sinner made by the most vertuous and right gratious Ladie Queene CATHERINE bewailing the ignorance of hir blind life led in superstition verie profitable to the amendment of our liues The first Chapter Of an humble confession of sinnes to the glorie of God WHEN I consider in the bethinking of mine euil and wretched former life mine obstinate stonie and vntractable heart to haue so much exceeded in euilnesse that it hath not onelie neglected yea contemned despised Gods holie precepts and commandements but also imbraced receiued and esteemed vaine foolish and feined trifles I am partlie by the hate I owe to sinne who hath reigned in me and partlie by the loue I owe to all Christians whom I am content to edifie euen with the example of mine owne shame forced and constrained with my hart and words to confesse and declare to the world how ingrate negligent vnkind and stubborne I haue beene to God my Creator and how beneficiall mercifull and gentle he hath been alwaies to me his creature being such a miserable and wretched sinner Trulie I haue taken no little small thing vpon me first to set foorth my whole stubbornesse and contempt in words the which is incomprehensible in thought as it is in the 12. Psalme Who vnderstandeth his faults Next this to declare the excellent beneficence mercie and goodnesse of God which is infinite and vnmeasurable Neither can all the words of Angels and men make relation thereof as apperteineth to his most high goodnesse Who is he that is not forced to confesse the same if he consider what he hath receiued of God doth dailie receiue Yea if men would not acknowledge and confesse the same the stones would crie it out Trulie I am constrained and forced to speake and write thereof to mine owne confusion and shame but to the glorie and praise of God For he as a louing father of most abundant and high goodnesse hath heaped vpon me innumerable benefits and I contrarie haue heaped manifold sinnes despising that which was good holie pleasant and acceptable in his sight and choosing that which was delicious pleasant and acceptable in my sight And no maruell it was that I so did For I would not learne to knowe the Lord and his waies but loued darknesse better than light yea darknesse seemed to me light I embraced ignorance as perfect knowledge and knowledge seemed to me superfluous and vaine I regarded little Gods word but gaue my selfe to vanities and shadowes of the world I forsooke him in whom is all truth and followed the vaine foolish imaginations of my hart I would haue couered my sinnes with the pretence of holinesse I called superstition godlie meaning and true holinesse errour The Lord did speake manie pleasant and sweet words vnto me and I would not heare he called me diuerslie but through frowardnesse I would not answere Mine euils and miseries be so manie and so great that they can accuse me euen to my face Oh how miserablie and wretchedlie am I confounded when for the multitude and greatnesse of my sinnes I am compelled to accuse my selfe Was it not a maruellous vnkindnesse when God did speake to me and also call me that I would not answere him What man so called would not haue heard Or what man hearing would not haue answered If an earthlie Prince had spoken either called I suppose there be none but would willinglie haue done both Now therefore what a wretch and caitife am I that when the Prince of princes the King of kings did speake manie pleasant and gentle words vnto me and also called me so manie and sundrie times that they can not be numbred and yet notwithstanding these great signes and tokens of loue I would not come vnto him but hid my selfe out of his sight seeking manie crooked and biwaies wherin I walked so long that I had cleane lost his sight And no maruell or woonder For I had a blind guide called Ignorance who dimmed so mine eies that I could neuer perfectlie get anie sight of the faire goodlie streight and right waies of his doctrine but continuallie trauelled vncomfortablie in foule wicked crooked and peruerse waies Yea and bicause they were so much haunted of manie I could not thinke but that I walked in the perfect and right waie hauing more regard to the number of the walkers than to the order of the walking beleeuing also most assuredly with companie to haue walked to heauen wheras I am most sure they would haue brought me down to hell I forsooke the spirituall honouring of the true liuing God and worshipped visible idols and images made of mens hands beleeuing by them to haue gotten heauen yea to saie the truth I made a great idole of my selfe For I loued my selfe better than God And certainlie looke how manie things are loued or preferred in our harts before God so manie are taken and esteemed for idols and false
gods Alas how haue I violated this holie pure and most high precept and commandment of the loue of God Which precept bindeth me to loue him with my whole hart mind force strength and vnderstanding And I like vnto an euill wicked and disobedient child haue giuen my will power and senses to the contrarie making almost of euerie earthlie and carnall thing a god Furthermore the bloud of Christ was not reputed by me sufficient for to wash me from the filth of my sinnes neither such waies as he had appointed by his word but I sought for such riffraffe as the Bishop of Rome hath planted in his tyrannie and kingdome trusting with great confidence by the vertue and holinesse of them to receiue full remission of my sinnes And so I did as much as was in me obfuscate and darken the great benefit of Christes passion than the which no thought can conceiue anie thing of more value There cannot be done so great an iniurie and displeasure to almightie God our father as to tread vnder foote Christ his onlie begotten and welbeloued sonne All other sinnes in the world gathered together in one be not so heinous and detestable in the sight of God And no wonder For in Christ crucified God doth shewe himselfe most noble and glorious euen an almightie God and most louing father in his onlie deare and chosen blessed sonne And therefore I count my selfe one of the most wicked and miserable sinners in the world bicause I haue beene so much contrarie to Christ my sauiour Saint Paule desired to knowe nothing but Christ crucified after he had beene rapt into the third heauen where he heard such secrets as were not conuenient meete to vtter to men but counted all his works and doings as nothing to win Christ And I most presumptuouslie thinking nothing of Christ crucified went about to set foorth mine owne righteousnesse saieng with the proud Pharisie Good Lord I thanke thee I am not like other men I am none adulterer nor fornicator and so foorth with such like words of vaine glorie extolling my selfe and despising others working as an hired seruant for wages or else for reward and not as a louing child onlie for verie loue without respect of wages or reward as I ought to haue done Neither did I consider how beneficiall a father I had who did shew me his charitie and mercie of his owne meere grace and goodnesse that when I was most his enimie he sent his onlie begotten and welbeloued sonne into this world of wretchednesse and miserie to suffer most cruell and sharpe death for my redemption But my hart was so stonie and hard that this great benefit was neuer trulie and liuelie printed in my hart although with my words it was oft rehearsed thinking my selfe to be sufficientlie instructed in the same and being in deede in blinde ignorance and yet I stoode so well in mine owne iudgement and opinion that I thought it vaine to seeke the increase of my knowledge therein Paule calleth Christ the wisdome of God and euen the same Christ was to me foolishnesse My pride and blindnesse deceiued me and the hardnesse of my hart withstoode the groning of truth within it Such were the fruits of my carnall and humane reasons to haue rotten ignorance in price for ripe seasonable knowledge such also is the malice and wickednesse that possesseth the harts of men such is the wisdome and pleasing of the flesh I professed Christ in my baptisme when I began to liue but I swarued from him after baptisme in continuance of my liuing euen as the heathen which neuer had begun Christ was innocent and void of all sinne and I wallowed in filthie sinne and was free from no sinne Christ was obedient vnto his father euen to the death of the crosse and I disobedient and most stubborne euen to the confusion of truth Christ was meeke and humble in hart and I most proud and vaine-glorious Christ despised the world with all the vanities therof and I make it my God because of the vanities Christ came to serue his brethren and I coueted to rule ouer them Christ despised worldlie honour and I much delighted to attaine the same Christ loued the base and simple things of the world and I esteemed the most faire and pleasant things Christ loued pouertie and I wealth Christ was gentle and mercifull to the poore and I hard-harted and vngentle Christ praied for his enimies and I hated mine Christ reioiced in the conuersion of sinners and I was not greeued to see their reuersion to sinne By this declaration all creatures may perceiue how far I was from Christ and without Christ yea how contrarie to Christ although I bare the name of a Christian Insomuch that if anie man had said I had beene without Christ I would haue stiffelie denied and withstoode the same and yet in deede I neither knew Christ nor wherefore he came As concerning the effect and purpose of his comming I had a certaine vaine and blind knowledge both cold and dead which may be had with all sinne as doth plainelie appeare by this my confession and open declaration The second Chapter A lamentation of a sinner with hartie repentance in faith to obtaine absolution and remission through the merits of Christ. WHat cause now haue I to lament sigh and weepe for my life time so euill spent With how much humilitie and lowlinesse ought I to come and knowledge my sinnes to God giuing him thanks that it hath pleased him of his aboundant goodnesse to giue me time of repentance For I knowe my sinnes in the consideration of them to be so greeuous and in the number so exceeding that I haue deserued verie often eternall damnation And for the deferring of Gods wrath so manifoldlie due I must vncessantlie giue thanks to the mercie of God beseeching also that the same delaie of punishment cause not his plague to be the sorer since mine owne conscience condemneth my former doings But his mercie exceedeth all iniquitie And if I should not thus hope alas what should I seeke for refuge and comfort No mortall man is of power to help me and for the multitude of my sinnes I dare not lift vp mine eies to heauen where the seate of iudgement is I haue so much offended my God What Shall I fall in desperation Naie I will call vpon Christ the light of the world the fountaine of life the reliefe of all carefull consciences the peacemaker betweene God and man and the onlie health and comfort of all true repentant sinners He can by his almightie power saue me and deliuer me out of this miserable state and hath will by his mercie to saue euen the whole sin of the world I haue no hope nor confidence in anie creature neither in heauen nor earth but in Christ my whole onlie Sauiour He came into the world to saue sinners and to heale them that are sicke For he said The whole haue no neede
of the physician Behold Lord how I come to thee a sinner sicke and grieuouslie wounded I aske not bread but the crums that fall from the childrens table Cast me not out of thy sight although I haue deserued to be cast into hell fire If I should looke vpon my sinne and not vpon thy mercie I should despaire For in my selfe I find nothing to saue me but a dunghill of wickednesse to condemne me If I should hope by mine owne strength and power to come out of this maze of iniquitie and wickednesse wherein I haue walked so long I should be deceiued For I am so ignorant blind weake and feeble that I can not bring my selfe out of this intangled and wayward maze but the more I seeke means waies to winde my selfe out the more I am wrapped and tangled therein So that I perceiue my striuing therein to be hinderance my trauell to be labour spent in going backe It is the hand of the Lord that can and will bring me out of the endlesse maze of death For without I be preuented by the grace of the Lord I can not aske forgiuenesse nor be repentant or sorie for them There is no man can auow that Christ is the onlie Sauiour of the world but by the holie Ghost yea as S. Paule saith no man can saie The Lord Iesus but by the holie Ghost The spirit helpeth our infirmitie and maketh continuall intercession for vs with such sorowfull gronings as can not be expressed Therefore I will first require and praie the Lord to giue me his holie spirit to teach me to auow that Christ is the Sauiour of the world and to vtter these words The Lord Iesus and finallie to helpe mine infirmities and to intercede or intreate for me For I am most certaine and sure that no creature in heauen nor earth is of power or can by anie meane helpe me but God who is omnipotent almightie beneficiall and mercifull welwilling and louing to all those that call and put their whole confidence and trust in him And therefore I will seeke none other meanes nor aduocate but Christes holie spirit who is onlie the aduocate and mediatour betweene GOD and man to helpe and releeue mee The third Chapter VVhat true faith worketh in the soule of a sinner BUt now what maketh me so bold and hardie to presume to come to the Lord with such audacitie and boldnesse being so great a sinner Trulie nothing but his owne word For he saith Come to me all ye that labour and are burdened and I shall refresh you What gentle mercifull and comfortable words are these to all sinners Were he not a frantike madde beastlie and foolish man that would runne for aide helpe or refuge to anie other creature What a most gratious comfortable and gentle saieng was this with such pleasant and sweete words to allure his verie enimies to come vnto him Is there anie worldlie Prince or Magistrate that would shew such clemencie and mercie to their disobedient rebellious subiects hauing offended them I suppose they would not with such words allure them except it were to call them whome they cannot take and punish them being taken But euen as Christ is Prince of princes and Lord of lords so his charitie and mercie exceedeth and surmounteth all others Christ saith If carnall fathers do giue good gifts to their children when they aske them how much more shall your heauenlie father being in substance all holie and most highlie good giue good gifts to all them that aske him It is no small nor little gift that I now require neither thinke I my selfe worthie to receiue such a noble gift being so ingrate vnkind and wicked a child But when I behold the benignitie liberalitie mercie and goodnesse of the Lord I am encouraged boldened and stirred to aske such a noble gift The Lord is so bountifull and liberall that he will not haue vs satisfied and contented with one gift neither to aske simple and small gifts and therefore he promiseth and bindeth himselfe by his word to giue good and beneficiall gifts to all them that aske him with true faith without which nothing can be done acceptable or pleasing to God For faith is the foundation ground of all other gifts vertues and graces and therefore I will praie and saie Lord increase my faith For this is the life euerlasting Lord that I must beleeue thee to be the true God and whom thou didst send Iesus Christ By this faith I am assured and by this assurance I feele the remission of my sins This is it that maketh me bold this is it that comforteth me this is it that quencheth all despaire I knowe O my Lord thine eies looke vpon my faith S. Paule saith We be iustified by faith in Christ and not by the deeds of the lawe For if righteousnes come by the lawe then Christ died in vaine S. Paule meaneth not here a dead humane and historicall faith gotten by humane industrie but a supernall and liuelie faith which worketh by charitie as he himselfe plainlie expresseth This dignitie of faith is no derogation to good works For out of this faith spring all good works yet we may not impute to the woorthinesse of faith or works our iustification before God but ascribe and giue the woorthinesse of it wholie to the merits of Christs passion and refer and attribute the knowledge and perceiuing thereof onlie to faith whose verie true and onlie propertie it is to take apprehend and hold fast the promises of Gods mercie the which maketh vs righteous and to cause me continuallie to hope for the same mercie and in loue to worke all maner of waies allowed in the Scripture that I may be thankfull for the same Thus I feele my selfe to come as it were in a new garment before God and now by his mercie to be taken iust and righteous which of late without his mercie was sinfull and wicked and by faith to obteine his mercie the which the vnfaithfull can not enioie And although S. Iohn extolleth charitie in his Epistle saieng that God is charitie and he that dwelleth in charitie dwelleth in God Truelie charitie maketh men liue like Angels and of the most furious vnbrideled and carnall men maketh meeke lambes Yea with how feruent a spirit ought I to call crie and praie to the Lord to make his great charitie to burne and flame my hart being stonie and euill affected that it neuer would conceiue nor regard the great inestimable charitie and loue of God in sending his onlie begotten and deere beloued sonne into this vale of miserie to suffer the most cruell and sharpe death of the crosse for my redemption Yea I neuer had this vnspeakeable and most high charitie and abundant loue of God printed and fixed in my hart duelie till it pleased God of his meere grace mercie and pittie to open mine eies making me to see and behold with the eie of liuelie faith Christ crucified to be mine
them to take Christ his welbeloued sonne for their Sauior this is the gift of God of all Christians to be required and desired For except this great benefit of Christ crucified be felt and fixed surelie in mans hart there can be no good worke done acceptable before God For in Christ is all fulnesse of the Godhead and in him are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge Euen he is the water of life whereof whosoeuer shall drinke he shall neuer more thirst but it shall be in him a well of water springing vp into euerlasting life S. Paule saith There is no damnation to them that are in Christ which walke not after the flesh but after the spirit Moreouer he saith If when we were enimies we were reconciled to God by the death of his son much more seeing we are reconciled we shall be preserued by his death It is no little or small benefit we haue receiued by Christ if we consider what he hath done for vs as I haue perfectlie declared heretofore Wherefore I praie the Lord that this great benefit of Christ crucified may be stedfastlie fixed printed in all Christians harts that they may be true louers of God and worke as children for loue and not as seruants compelled with threatenings or prouoked with hire The sincere and pure louers of God doo embrace Christ with such feruencie of spirit that they reioice in hope be bold in danger suffer in aduersitie continue in praier blesse their persecutors Further they be not wise in their owne opinion neither high minded in their prosperitie neither abashed in their aduersitie but humble and gentle alwaies to all men For they knowe by their faith they are members all of one bodie and that they haue possessed all one God one faith one baptisme one ioie and one saluation If these pure and sincere louers of God were thicke sowne there should not be so much contention and strife growing on the fields of our religion as there is Well I shall praie to the Lord to take all contention and strife awaie and that the sowers of sedition may haue mind to cease their labour or to sowe it among the stones and to haue grace to sowe gratious vertues where they may both take roote and bring foorth fruit with sending also a godlie vnitie and concord amongst all Christians that we may serue the Lord in true holinesse of life The seuenth Chapter A Christian bewailing of the miserable ignorance and blindnesse of men THe example of good liuing is required of all Christians but speciallie in the Ecclesiasticall pastors and shepheards For they be called in scripture Workemen with God Disbursers of Gods secrets The light of the world The salt of the earth at whose hands all other should take comfort in working knowledge of Gods will and sight to become children of light and taste of seasonable wisdome They haue or should haue the holie spirit abundantlie to pronounce and set foorth the word of God in veritie and truth If ignorance and blindnesse reigne amongst vs they should with the truth of Gods word instruct and set vs in the truth and direct vs in the waie of the Lord. But thanks be giuen vnto the Lord that hath now sent vs such a godlie and learned King in these latter daies to reigne ouer vs that with the vertue force of Gods word hath taken awaie the vailes and mists of errours and brought vs to the knowledge of the truth by the light of Gods word which was so long hid and kept vnder that the people were nigh famished and hungred for lacke of spirituall food Such was the charitie of the spirituall curats and shepheards But our Moses and most godlie wise Gouernour and King hath deliuered vs out of the captiuitie and bondage of Pharao I meane by this Moses King Henrie the eight my most souereigne fauourable Lord and husband one if Moses had figured anie mo than Christ through the excellent grace of God meete to be an other expressed veritie of Moses conquest ouer Pharao And I meane by this Pharao the bishop of Rome who hath beene and is a greater persecutor of all true Christians than euer was Pharao of the children of Israel For he is a persecutor of the Gospell and grace a setter foorth of all superstition and counterfeit holinesse bringing manie soules to hell with his alchimie and counterfeit monie deceiuing the poore soules vnder the pretence of holinesse but so much the greater shall be his damnation bicause he deceiueth and robbeth vnder Christs mantell The Lord keepe and defend all men from his iuglings and sleits but speciallie the poore simple and vnlearned soules And this lesson I would all men had of him that when they begin to mislike his dooing then onlie begin they to like God and certeinlie not before As for the spirituall pastors and shepherds I thinke they will cleaue and sticke to the word of God euen to the death to vanquish all Gods enimies if neede shall require all respects of honour dignitie riches welth and their priuate commodities laid apart following also the examples of Christ and his chosen Apostles in preaching and teaching sincere and holesome doctrine and such things as make for peace with godly lessons wherewith they may edifie others that euerie man may walke after his vocation in holinesse of life in vnitie and concord which vnitie is to be desired of all true Christians It is much to be lamented the schismes varieties contentions and disputations that haue beene and are in the world about Christian religion no agreement nor concord of the same among the learned men Trulie the diuell hath beene the sower of the seede of sedition and shall be the mainteiner of it euen till Gods will be fulfilled There is no war so cruell and euill as this For the war with sword killeth but the bodies and this slaieth manie soules For the poore vnlearned persons remaine confused and almost euerie one beleeueth and worketh after his owne waie and yet there is but one truth of Gods word by the which we shall be saued Happie be they that receiue it and most vnhappie are they which neglect and persecute the same For it shall be more easie for Sodom and Gomor at the daie of iudgement than for them And not without iust cause if we consider the beneuolence goodnesse and mercie of God who hath declared his charitie towards vs greater and more inestimable than euer he did to the Hebrues For they liued vnder shadowes and figures and were bound to the lawe And Christ we being his greatest enimies hath deliuered vs from the bondage of the lawe and hath fulfilled all that was figured in their lawe and also in their prophesies sheading his owne pretious bloud to make vs the children of his father and his brethren and hath made vs free setting vs in a godlie libertie I meane not licence to sinne as manie be glad to interpret the same when as
counted as sheepe appointed to bee slaine neuerthelesse in all these things wee ouercome through him that loueth vs. For I am sure that neither death nor life neither Angels nor rule neither power neither things present neither things to come neither quantitie or qualitie neither anie creature shall bee able to depart vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesu our Lord. They are not by this godlie faith presumptuouslie inflamed nor by the same become they loose idle or slowe in dooing of godlie works as carnall men dreme of them so much the more feruent they be in dooing most holie and pure works which God hath commanded them to walke in They wander not in mens traditions and inuentions leauing the most holie and pure precepts of God vndone which they knowe they be bound to obserue and keepe Also they worke not like hirelings for meede wages or reward but as louing children without respect of lucre gaine or hire They be in such libertie of spirit and ioie so much in God that their inward consolation can not be expressed with tongue All feare of damnation is gone from them for they haue put their whole hope of saluation in his hands which will and can performe it neither haue they anie post or piller to leane to but God and his smooth and vnwrinkled Church For he is to them all in all things and to him they leane as a most sure square piller in prosperitie and aduersitie nothing doubting of his promises and couenants For they beleeue most surelie they shall be fulfilled Also the children of God be not curious in searching the high mysteries of God which be not meet for them to knowe neither doo go about with humane and carnall reasons to interpret Scripture persuading men by their subtile wits and carnall doctrine that much knowledge of Scripture maketh men heretikes without they temper it with humane doctrine Sophistrie Philosophie and Logicke wherewith to bee seduced according to the traditions of men after the ordinances of the world and not after Christ S. Paul doth most diligentlie admonish vs which arts are not conuenient meet to be made checkmate with Scripture For the Scriptures be so pure and holie that no perfection can be added vnto them For euen as fine gold doth excell all other mettals so doth the word of God all mens doctrines I beseech the Lord to send the learned and vnlearned such abundance of his holie spirit that they may obeie and obserue the most sincere and holie word of God and shew the fruits thereof which consisteth chieflie in charitie and godlie vnitie that as we haue professed one God one faith and one baptisme so we may be all of one mind and one accord putting awaie all biting and gnawing For in backbiting slandering and mis-reporting our Christian brethren we shew not our selues the Disciples of Christ whom we professe In him was most high charitie humilitie and patience suffering most patientlie all ignominie rebukes and slanders praieng to his eternall father for his enimies with most perfect charitie and in all things did remit his will to his fathers as the Scripture doth witnesse when he praied in the Mount A godlie example and lesson for vs to followe at all times and seasons as well in prosperitie as in aduersitie to haue no will but Gods will committing and leauing to him all our cares and greefes and to abandon all our policies and inuentions For they be most vaine and foolish and indeed verie shadowes and dreames But we be yet so carnall and fleshlie that we run headlong like vnbrideled colts without snaffle or bridle If we had the loue of God printed in our harts it would keepe vs backe from running astraie And vntill such time as it please God to send vs this bit to hold vs in we shall neuer run the right waie although wee speake and talke neuer so much of God and his word The true followers of Christs doctrine haue alwaies a respect and an eie to their vocation If they be called to the ministerie of Gods word they preach and teach it sincerelie to the edifieng of others and shew themselues in their liuing followers of the same If they be maried men hauing children and familie they nourish and bring them vp without all bitternesse and fiercenesse in the doctrine of the Lord in all godlinesse and vertue committing the instruction of others which apperteine not to their charge to the reformation of God and his ministers which chieflie be Kings and Princes bearing the sword euen for that purpose to punish euill dooers If they be children they honour their father and mother knowing it to be Gods commandement and that he hath thereto annexed a promise of long life If they be seruants they obeie and serue their maisters with all feare and reuerence euen for the Lords sake neither with murmuring nor grudging but with a free hart and mind If they be husbands they loue their wiues as their owne bodies after the example as Christ loued the congregation and gaue himselfe for it to make it to him a spouse without spot or wrinkle If they be women maried they learne of S. Paule to be obedient to their husbands and to keepe silence in the congregation and to learne of their husbands at home Also they weare such apparell as becommeth holinesse comlie vsage with sobernesse not being accusers or detractors not giuen to much eating of delicate meats and drinking of wine but they teach honest things to make the yong women sober minded to loue their husbands to loue their children to be discreet chaste houswifelie good and obedient vnto their husbands that the word of God be not euill spoken of Uerelie if all sorts of people would looke to their owne vocation and ordeine the same according to Christs doctrine we should not haue so many eies and eares to other mens faults as we haue For we be so busie and glad to find and espie out other mens dooings that we forget and can haue no time to weigh ponder our owne which after the word of God we ought first to reforme and then we shall the better helpe an other with the straw out of his eies But alas we be so much giuen to loue and to flatter our selues and so blinded with carnall affections that we can see and perceiue no fault in our selues And therfore it is a thing verie requisite and necessarie for vs to praie all with one hart and mind to God to giue vs an heauenlie light and knowledge of our owne miseries and calamities that we may see them and acknowledge them trulie before him The twelfe Chapter The conclusion with a Christian exhortation to the amendement of life IF anie man shall be offended at this my lamenting the faults of men which be in the world fantasing with themselues that I doo it either of hatred or of malice to anie sort or kind of people verelie in so dooing they shall doo me
mercie thou keepe me so as at no time I followe the counsell of the vngodlie which knowe thee not or of Hypocrites which with their harts seeke thee not O Lord suffer me not to enter into the waie of sinners with a mind to fulfill the desires and lusts of the flesh But whensoeuer through frailtie of my corrupt nature I shall chance to run astraie then O Lord staie me and plucke my foote backe againe Keepe me that I sit not in the seate of pestilent scorners which cloaking their Pharisaicall and diuellish intents condemne in other men thy veritie Gospell Oh Lord bring to passe that I may burne in the desire of thy lawe that vpon the aduancement of thy word my mind may alwaies be occupied that I may euermore choose that which is most pleasant to thee and hate that both in my selfe and others which to thee is displeasant Make I praie thee that I may be a tree planted by the sweet riuers of thy ghostlie waters to the intent I may bring foorth fruit to thy glorie and to the profit of my neighbour as often as thou shalt minister time and occasion therevnto Least my leaues which are my words and works should fade and fall awaie but that all things may prosper whatsoeuer I shall doo in thy name Assist me I beseech thee and grant O most mercifull father that for Iesu Christs sake I may take roote in the ground of life least with the vngodlie like chaffe and dust I be blowne abrode with the most pernicious winds of this world And grant that I may stand in the assemblie of the righteous and that I may enter into iudgment without punishment and escape euerlasting damnation Glorie be to the father c. As it was in the begin c. The third Psalme TO thee O Lord I lift vp my mind in thee I trust O Lord God let me not be confounded least mine enimies make me a iesting stocke and a matter to laugh at O Lord make thy waies knowne vnto me and trade me in thy paths Direct me in thy truth and instruct me for thou art God my Sauiour I looke after thee euerie daie O Lord thou art sweet and rightfull and bringest againe into the waie them which went out Thou leadest strait into thy iudgement them that be mild and tractable and teachest them that be meeke thy word and testimonies Thou healest them that be contrite in hart and asswagest their paines and griefe Thou holdest vp all them which else should fall and all that are fallen thou liftest vp againe Thou giuest sight to the blind and loosest them that be bound Thou art nigh vnto all them that call vpon thee so that they call vpon thee faithfullie Thou fulfillest the desire of them that doo feare thee and hearest their praier and sauest them Haue mercie vpon me O God haue mercie vpon me for in thee my soule trusteth Uerelie my soule hath a speciall respect to thee For my health my glorie and all my strength cōmeth from thee For thine owne sake oh Lord God laie not my sins to my charge I vnderstand not all mine errours innumerable troubles doo close me round about my sinnes haue taken hold vpon me and I am not able to looke vp Put to thy hand to helpe me and leade me right in all my works Make me to walke perfectlie in thy waies that no kind of sinne ouercome me Set a watch before my mouth and keepe the doore of my lips Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my hart be euer pleasant and acceptable in thy sight Let the word of truth neuer go awaie from my mouth and suffer no malice to dwell in my hart O Lord deliuer my soule from lieng lips and saue me from the deceitfull tongue Put into my mouth thy true and holie word and take from me all idle and vnfruitfull speech Deliuer me from false surmises and accusations of men rule me euen as thou thinkest good after thy will and pleasure Turne awaie mine eies that they behold no vaine things fasten them in thy waie Take from me fornication and all vncleannesse and let not the loue of the flesh beguile me Yea deliuer my soule from pride that it doo not reigne in me and then shall I be cleane from the greatest sinne Staie and keepe my feete from euerie euill waie least my steps swarue from thy paths Mine eies looke euer vnto thee O Lord bicause thou art nigh at hand and all thy waies be the truth Thy mercies be great and manie O Lord blessed is he whosoeuer trusteth in thee For when I said vnto thee My feete be slipped thy mercie O Lord by and by did hold me vp Teach me to doo thy will and leade me by thy path-waie for thou art my God Oh Lord saue my soule and deliuer me from the power of darknesse Let the brightnesse of thy face shine vpon thy seruant for vnto thee O Lord God I haue fled for succor Looke vnto me and haue mercie vpon me for I am desolate and poore Keepe my soule and deliuer me that I be not confounded For I haue trusted in thee O Lord God forsake me not although I haue done no good in thy sight For thy goodnesse grant me that at the least-wise now I may begin to liue well O Lord shew thy seruants thy works and their children thy glorie and the gratious maiestie of the Lord our God be vpon vs. Oh prosper thou the works of our hands oh prosper thou our handie works Glorie be to the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost As it was in the beginning is now and euer shall be world without end Amen A contemplation of Christes Passion O What loue and mercie of man vndeserued from God the father through his onlie sonne Iesu Christ by whose flesh and bloud we haue cleane remission of our offences when we call to mind this mysterie of our redemption and our sufficient sacrifice whereby sinne death and hell be put to exile and grace mercie and peace be obteined For this we haue not onlie occasion to lament our selues which were the verie causes why Iesus did lament in care and became poore in bodie sweat water and bloud against his death praied in affliction and suffered for our redemption but also to giue dailie thanks and to reioice to God the father for this his sonne by whom we haue felowship with Angels and are become Citizens of the saints and of the houshold of God partakers of euerlasting life for euer O happie be they which forget not this heauenlie Philosophie this giltlesse passion of Iesu Christ To knowe beleeue this is life euerlasting and the quietnesse of conscience This passion is our riches in pouertie and helpe in aduersitie and onlie life in death By this his painefull affliction were all the Patriarches Prophets Martyrs and euerie beleeuing bodie saued that euer was or shall be without which all flesh is damned and accursed Now sweet
Christ for this thy blessed oblation haue mercie on me now and in the houre of death that in the dreadfull daie of iudgment sinne death and hell may not preuaile against me sinfull creature but haue mercie vpon me according to thy greatest mercie which is this thy death and passion for which be praise to the holie Trinitie for euer and euer Amen The Hymne of the passion of Christ IEsus which is the liuelie well of wisdome And the heauenlie truth of the father eternall Which from heauen to this world did come To deliuer vs thrales from paines infernall Of Iudas was sold and of the Iewes taken And of his Disciples at midnight was forsaken We laud thee father for thy grace We praise the sonne which made vs free We thanke the holie spirit for our solace Which is one God and persons three In the dawning of the daie they did him fast bind And before Pilate he was then conuented False witnesse against Iesus they did then find When the cruell Seniours in iudgement him presented Beaten was his bodie defiled was his face And yet God and man the verie well of grace We laud thee father c. When thrée houres were past before Pilates throne All the people cried Kill Iesus the Iewes king His crowne was thornes in purple he made mone With a crosse ouer Cedron they did him bring And prepared his deadlie place on Galgatha hill To suffer pains for Adams gilt so was his fathers will We laud thee father c. The sirt houre approched his painefull end When on the trée his bodie they nailed In heauen was his helpe in earth he had no freud He died betwéene two théeues on him the Elders railed Then he thirsted for his elect which subiect were to thrall Unthankefullie they offred him vinegre mingled with gall We laud thee father c. This verie God Gods onlie begotten child Said to his father Why hast thou me forsaken Yet receiue this sacrifice and my spirit vndefild The heauens were darkned asunder the stones were shaken Bloud and water then sprang from this blessed lamb Then graues opened the dead aliue foorth came We laud thee father for thy grace c. The second Meditation or praier of our frailtie and miserie O Miserable wretched woman that I am how may I be compared to any of thy saints that shall dwell in thy Tabernacle or holie hill For they loue to be in holie contemplation and I in the vaine multitude forgetting thee they be meeke and I vnpatient they do not forget thee but my good Lord when do I remember thee but when affliction enforceth me or the lamentable fall of my breethren constraine me to thanke thee Thou most mightie and fearefull God of hosts thy holie name be blessed foreuer Amen What shall I saie my God Thou art most good and I euill thou holie and I miserable thou art light and I am blind thou art the blessed ioie and I am carefull and full of sorowe My Lord thou art the Physician and I the miserable patient I am nothing but vanitie and corrupt as euerie liuing man is What shall I saie O Creator but this that I am thy creature and shall I perish Thy hands haue made me and were wounded for me thy bloud was shed for me and hath washed me thy holie Ghost hath sanctified me and taught me yet Lord my daies are nothing What should I mortall creature thus talke with my selfe Lord God but that need hath no lawe Sorowe hath compelled me to seeke comfort sicknesse enforceth me to folowe the Physician conscience pricketh me to crie to thee my Lord for a heauenlie cordiall of comfort which am in great discomfort borne of a woman full of miserie and shortnesse of time and passe awaie like a shadowe neuer content with one estate but in earth remaine for euer The Hymne to God the Creator O Creator to thée thy creature I call Who made of mould do liue in paine And sicke in soule my flesh is thrall O wo is me my daies be vaine Yet vnto God I call for grace My soule in heauen to haue a place A praier to the blessed Trinitie Let vs praie O Holie blessed and glorious Trinitie three equall and coeternall persons but one God almightie haue mercie vpon me vile abiect abhominable and sinfull wretch meekelie acknowledging before thy diuine Maiestie my long continued life in sinne euen from my childhood hitherto Then good gratious Lord as thou giuest me the grace to acknowledge them so giue me grace not in word onlie but in hart also with sorowfull contrition to repent and vtterlie to forsake them Forgiue me also those sinnes through which by mine owne fault wicked affection and euill custome my reason is with sensualitie so blinded as I cannot discerne them for sinne Illuminate my hart good Lord and giue me grace to acknowledge them Forgiue me my sinnes negligentlie forgotten and bring them to my mind with grace to be throughlie repentant for them O mercifull God grant me thy grace so to despise sinne and all worldlie vanities that I may saie with the blessed Apostle Saint Paule The world is crucified to me and I to the world Christ is to me life and to die is my gaine and aduantage I desire to be loosed and to be with Christ Lord giue me thy grace to amend my life and to haue an eie to mine end without anie grudge or feare of death which to them that die in thee is the gate of eternall life Almightie God teach me to doo thy will take my right hand and leade me in the true waie from mine drawe me after thee bind my mouth with snaffle and bridle when I will not drawe vnto thee Oh gratious God all sinfull feare all sinfull sorowe and pensiuenesse all sinfull hope all sinfull mirth and gladnesse take awaie from me On the other side concerning such feare such heauinesse such comfort consolation and gladnesse as shall be profitable for my soule doo with me according to thy great goodnesse O Lord giue me grace in all my feare and agonie to haue recourse to that great feare and wonderfull agonie that thou my sauiour hadst at the Mount of Oliuet before thy most bitter passion and in the meditation thereof to conceiue ghostlie comfort and consolation profitable for my soule Almightie God take from me all vaine-glorious minds all appetites of mine owne praise all enuie couetise gluttonie sloth and lecherie all wrathfull affection all appetite of reuenging all desire of delight of other mens harmes all pleasure in prouoking anie person to wrath and anger all delight in taunting or mocking anie person in their affliction or trouble And giue vnto me O Lord an humble quiet peaceable patient charitable kind tender and pitifull mind in all my words my works and thoughts to haue a tast of thy holie and blessed spirit Giue me good Lord a full faith a firme hope a feruent charitie a loue to thee good Lord incomparable
aboue the loue of my selfe that I may loue nothing to thy displeasure but euerie thing in a due order to thee Giue me good Lord a longing to be with thee not for the auoiding of the calamities of this wretched world nor so much for the auoiding of the paines of hell neither so much for the obteining of the kingdome of heauen in respect of mine owne commoditie as euen for verie loue of thee And beare me good Lord thy loue fauour which thing my loue to thee-ward were it neuer so gret could not but of thy great goodnes deserue And pardon me good Lord that am so bold to aske thee so high petitions being so vile and sinfull a wretch and so vnworthie to attaine the lowest but good Lord such they be as I am bound to desire and wish and should be much neerer the effectuall desire of them if my manifold sinnes were not the let from which O glorious Trinitie vouchsafe of thy goodnesse to wash me with that blessed bloud that thou my sweet sauiour Iesus Christ diddest shed out of thy bodie in the diuers torments of thy most bitter passion that by that same greeuous passion glorious resurrection and ascension I may come to that vnspeakable ioie the which thou hast prepared for thy chosen and elect through the same Iesu Christ our sauiour to whome with the Father and the holie Ghost three persons and one God be all honour and glorie world without end So be it After praier saie this conclusion or Collect. O God that art the strength of such as trust in thee mercifullie assist vs that call vpon thy name and for asmuch as mans infirmitie can do nothing without thee grant I most humblie beseech thee the help of thy spirit that fulfilling thy commandements both in will and deed I may please thee through Iesus Christ our Lord So be it The blessing OH Lord blesse me and defend me O Lord lift vp thy countenance ouer me and be mercifull vnto me O Lord lift vp thy countenance ouer me and giue me thy peace that in thy peace O Lord I may depart to amend my life and doo vnto the poore as much as I can giue me grace to be at vnitie in quietnesse and in charitie with all thy chosen and elect people and that thy feare oh Lord may euer rest in my hart So be it Praise vnto God the Father and peace vnto the liuing As they that depart in thy faith in thée doo rest haue their being The end of Morning praier EVENING PRAIER ¶ A Confession to be said before Euening praier O Father of heauen O sonne of God redeemer of the world O holie Ghost three persons and one God haue mercie vpon me most wretched caitife and miserable sinner I haue offended both heauen earth more than my tongue can expresse My sinnes alas are aboue all mens both in number and greatnesse which I haue committed Whither then may I go Or whither should I flie To heauen I may be ashamed to lift vp my face and in earth I am not woorthie to find a place of refuge or succour To thee therefore O Lord doo I run to thee doo I humble my selfe saieng O Lord my God my sinnes be great and innumerable but yet haue mercie vpon me for thy great mercie The great mysterie that God became man was not wrought for little or few offences Thou didst not giue thy sonne O heauenlie Father vnto death for small sinnes onlie but for all the greatest sinnes in the world so that the sinner returne vnto thee with his whole hart as I doo here at this present Wherefore haue mercie vpon me O God whose propertie is alwaie to haue mercie wherefore haue mercie vpon me O Lord for thy great mercie I craue nothing O Lord for mine owne merits but for thy name sake that it may be halowed therby and for thy deere sonne Iesus Christs sake and now therefore Our father of heauen halowed c. A praier to be said in the Euening MOst mercifull and heauenly father I thanke thee by thy sonne Iesus Christ that this day thou hast giuen me all things needfull both for my soule and bodie preseruing me from all hurt and perill I aske thee mercie for mine offences and I most humblie beseech thee that thou wilt likewise this night keepe me from sinne and all euill so that all my thoughts my words works may please thee I doo commit my selfe both bodie and soule and all that I go about into thy hands I beseech thee that thy holie spirit may be with me least my deadlie aduersarie haue anie power ouer me Amen Another Euening praier O Souereigne dreadfull and most louing Lord my God who neuer ceasest to shew thy mercie towards sinners yea when they offend and trespasse against thee such is thine infinite clemencie and loue As then thou forbearest not to heape thy benefits vpon them I most sinfull and wretched wretch yeeld thee humble thanks for thine inestimable goodnesse shewed towards me in creating me to thine owne likenesse and making me capable of thine euerlasting glorie for the creation of so manie other creatures for my behoofe and sustenance for that inestimable worke of my redemption whereby thou deliuerest me from the slauerie of Sathan and purchasest mee free entrance into thy celestiall region for hauing singled me amongst so many millians that knowe thee not and lie drowned in ignorance superstition and miserable errours to be thy seruant and a true faithfull Christian for both thy blessed Sacraments especiallie for that Sacrament aboue all Sacraments wherein thou thy selfe art spirituallie conteined Finallie for hauing preserued me so manie times from hell wherein I had beene long since plunged hadst not thou of thine vnspeakeable goodnesse susteined and deliuered me from my foes For these and all other thy benefits namelie for those thou hast this daie most bountifullie bestowed vpon me O my souereigne Lord I yeeld thee such sincere dutifull thanks as my poore hart can possiblie affoord thee beseeching thee to haue mercie vpon me in supplie of my wants to accept the mediation and thankesgiuings of Iesus Christ thy onelie sonne and mine onelie Sauiour and intercessour And now mine onlie redeemer and Sauiour I humblie craue the light of thy grace to knowe wherein I haue this daie anie waies offended thee by nature and that by sound discussion and through examination of my conscience I may see mine owne sinnes with sorrowe and detestation and thine ineffable mercie with a zealous firme purpose of amendment of life Thou seest O Lord my lewdnesse and wotest my miserie much better than I my selfe doo Sorie I am with all my hart that I should still offend so louing a Lord and wish to God my sorowes were greatlie multiplied I purposed earst to doo better by thy grace which wanted not yet haue I transgressed in my former trespasses neither yet may I despaire O Lord but will continuallie trust
the holie Ghost liueth and reigneth one God world without end Amen SAue vs O good Lord waking and keepe vs sleeping and be so mercifull to vs that with Christ we may wake and quietlie to rest in peace So be it The conclusion after Euening praier O Lord Iesu Christ that art in heauen perfect God and man heare my praiers haue mercie vpon me and praie vnto thy father for me Be thou my mercifull mediator vnto thy father that I might find mercie for my sinnes at all times and thy holie Angels to guide me this night and all the time and daies of my life and at the generall daie of iudgement that I may be partaker of that ioifull voice of thine saieng Come hither ye blessed and possesse euerlasting life Amen The Blessing GOD euen our owne GOD blesse vs and graunt vnto vs and all our faithfull and deere freends his continuall benediction and health Yea let thy mightie hand and outstretched arme O Lord be still my defence thy mercie and louing kindnesse in Iesu Christ thy deere sonne my saluation thy true and holie word my instruction thy grace and holie spirit my comfort and consolation vnto the end and in the end So be it ¶ Certaine godlie sentences written by the Ladie E. T. Vse inuocation of Gods holie name Thinke vpon the needie once a daie The life to come forget not Further the iust sute of the poore Prefer Christ his kingdome Offend not in euill doing Set little by the iudgement of man but feare the iudgement of God Be at peace with all men Vse to be acquainted with the godlie Helpe to pacifie displeasure Hastilie iudge not anie bodie Kill anger with patience VVith pitie rebuke Make much of modestie Harbour a harmelesse hart Let no good deed Speake in season He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life In being well occupied thinke not long Lose as little time as ye may Be alwaies one Fauour the friendlesse Be not vnthankefull Trust not the world Deceiue none Rather take hurt than do anie Auenge not Let once be amended Fauour not flatterie Looke cheeflie on your selfe Do not forget your charge Let your mind be occupied well Vse pleasures after a meane Once you were not heere Awaie you must and turne to dust Finis ê™ E. T. The Praiers made by the right Honourable Ladie Frances Aburgauennie and committed at the houre of hir death to the right Worshipfull Ladie MARIE Fane hir onlie daughter as a Iewell of health for the soule and a perfect path to Paradise verie profitable to be used of euerie faithfull Christian man and woman A fruitfull praier to be said in the Morning AL mightie God and most mercifull father the fountaine of all felicitie from whom onelie proceedeth all good gifts most humblie I beseech thee of thine abundant mercie exceeding kindnesse so to direct and gouern me this daie and euer with thy good guiding Spirit that all my thoughts words and deeds may onelie be occupied in thy seruice faith feare and loue and so assist and strengthen me with thy grace O most mercifull and louing father for thy sonne Iesus Christ his sake that neither sinne death hell nor Sathan haue the dominion and vpper hand of me Indue my hart with the true vnderstanding of thy true and liuelie word that I may be readie and prone manfullie to fight vnder the standard of my glorious captaine Iesus Christ against the world the flesh and that cruell Serpent the old Leuiathan which hunteth continuallie like a roring Lion seeking the vtter destruction of my soule Make me constant in time of temptation that when or at what time my rebelling and sinfull flesh shall intise me to lust after the pompes and vanities of this wicked world I may by a strong liuelie and vnspeakable faith through the bitter torments that my Sauiour Christ Iesus suffered for me and all that faithfullie beleeue and call vpon him so mortifie and subdue the old Adam that I may be dead and buried from sinne and all iniquitie and the new man Christ Iesus may continuallie dwell and reigne in me by whose meanes I shall be garnished and decked by the means of a fruitfull faith with immortalitie and heauenlie blessednesse Uouchsafe O Lord I beseech thee according to the multitude of thy mercies to looke vpon me and by thy celestiall prouidence so illuminate the eies of my soule that I may continuallie watch for the glorious comming of thine annointed son Iesus Christ Roote out O Lord in and from me the vile and corrupt branches of rapine deceit auarice luxurie concupiscence and all vngodlinesse let the motions of my mind altogether depend vpon thee prepare my tongue to publish thy praise let my lips be locked vp from all scurillitie and vncomlie talke let mine eares loath and abhor to heare thy glorious and blessed name blasphemed and thy truth to be by anie Sectarian ill spoken of slandered keepe and defend me vnder the wings of thy comfortable protection from all errours schismes and detestable heresies Make me without faining firmelie and constantlie to build vpon the truth wherein is perfectlie set forth thy great mercie and diuine iustice Let the zeale of thy promises in all distres be my chiefest ioie and consolation giue me grace from aboue that as I make my boast of thy mercies and louing kindnesse by vertue whereof I am by my Sauiour Christ Iesus quickened from death to life and in his deerest death and pretious bloud-shedding regenerated and borne anew not of water but of the spirit by faith So Lord I may with thine abundant loue shewed to me ward and the whole posteritie of Adam I may be afraid wilfullie or of a set purpose to transgresse thy commandements and so incur therby thy displeasure that the effects of thy iustice in the day of thy comming to iudgement be pronounced against me to the vtter destruction of bodie and soule Make me alwaies willing good Lord to heare thy word by the power wherof my faith is increased and there withall plant in me perfect loue and obedience and so direct my footesteps in this vale of miserie that I may tread the path that leadeth to thee with whom my soule thirsteth to rest euen as vehementlie as the Hart longeth after the water brookes Grant this O mercifull God for the honour and glorie of thy name sake Amen A fruitfull praier to be said at the going to bed of euerie Christian. MOst mercifull Father I most wretched and vnwoorthie sinner prostrate my selfe before the throne of thy heauenlie grace yeelding vnto thee most humble and hartie thanks that hast of thine exceeding loue and fauour preserued me this daie from all perill and danger humblie beseeching thy diuine Maiestie this night to preserue me for the loue of thine onlie sonne and my sweet Sauiour Iesus Christ mediatour and aduocate who continuallie pleadeth and maketh intercession to thee for me and all the rest of thy chosen children presenting his bloudie
and soule This fraile life is nothing else but a continuall warfare in this world our sinnes most like to cruell enimies assault vs on euerie side againe our daies are but few in number Guide me therefore with thy grace so to spend my small short and transitorie time in this world the verie fountaine welspring and vale of all miserie that I may be made a member of Christ partaker of thine eternall felicitie To the which seeing that through mine owne desert I shall neuer be able to aspire for sinne trulie so aboundeth in me that ech deed and act of mine is not onelie infected but altogither polluted therwith none other remedie haue I to ease my selfe none other salue to heale my sore but onelie to take hold of that promise of thine wheras thou saiest Come vnto me all ye that ye that labour and be ouerladen and I will refresh you This is my hold-fast this is mine anchor and sure staie For verelie sweet Sauiour when I looke vpon mine owne frailnesse and behold how readie I am to offend thee then I quake for feare then I am almost in vtter despaire but as soone as I call to mind thy great loue and kindnesse and how that thou wilt not the death of a sinner but rather that he should repent and liue and that in what daie soeuer he doth hartilie repent and call vnto thee thou wilt heare him then I am releeued then I am not a little comforted knowing surelie that thou wilt performe that which thou hast promised in faithfull assurance whereof I now saie vnto thee Turne thou me O my God and I shall be turned from all my wickednesse deliuer me Heale my soule which is wounded with sinne for I doo acknowledge mine iniquitie and am hartilie sorie for mine offences correct me O Lord but yet not in thy furie looke not vpon my weaknesse but thinke vpon thine owne worthinesse remember thy louing kindnesse and in the abundance and multitude of thy mercies wipe cleane awaie pardon and forget all my sinnes through which I haue either in word deede or though or anie other kind of way offended thee blot them out of thy remembrance and let the bloud of that immaculate lambe Iesus Christ wash them awaie let mine old offences so decaie and die in me that I neuer commit them any more or by anie meanes renew them in thy sight And in the meane time doo not withdrawe thy grace from me but cause me to doo all that which good is O Father remoue thy wrath awaie from me and restore vnto me thy fauour turne thou thy louing countenance vnto me and plentifullie powre foorth thy mercie vpon me Incline my hart to doo that onelie which is acceptable in thy sight guide thou my footesteps in thy paths and suffer me not at any time to straie from thy waies let me alwaies haue the feare of thee in my hart and the remembrance of thy benefits fresh in my memorie and if at anie time through weakenesse and failtie I doo transgresse thy commandements yet doo not therefore reiect and cast me out of thy sight but be thou that good Samaritane and powre the oile and wine of mercie and forgiuenesse into those wounds which sinne shall make in me Disdaine me not for my reuolting but haue mercie vpon me according to thy great goodnesse and according to the multitude of thy mercies wipe awaie mine iniquitie Hide me vnder the shadowe of thy wings and protection lighten mee with thy holie spirit Make me thy seruant so indue me with thy grace that I may vnfeinedlie with hart and voice serue honour and praise thee all the daies of my life Amen Another praier for the obteining of grace and mercie O Most mercifull Lord God whose Maiestie is incomprehensible power infinite whose magnificence is exalted aboue the heauens vouchsafe I beseech thee frō thy high throne to behold the worke of thy hands haue pitie on the vnhappie and desolate condition of thy creature I am a sinner conceiued in sinne and of my selfe I haue no good thing wherefore O Lord I cleaue to the altar of thy mercie Thou art my anchor my hope my refuge and staie Therefore O Lord haue mercie vpon me for no flesh can be iustified in thy sight Thou knowest the frailtie and weakenesse of men We are taught by the fall of Peter that we can doo nothing without thee Graunt vs therefore good Lord thy grace without which in this world we are like by the waues of temptations to be swallowed in the gulph and whirlepoole of sinne to be drowned as the ship without anchor and Pilote in euerie tempest to runne on the rocke and perish Guide vs therefore by thy grace good Lord through the flouds of this carefull world that we may rest for euer in the pleasant port and happie hauen of euerlasting ioie with thine elected through our blessed Sauiour Iesus Christ to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie in all worlds Amen A Confession to be said of the penitent person O Most mercifull Lord God I haue offended against the throne of thy Maiestie my sinnes are euer before mine eies I am not worthie to liue or enioie the fruits wherewith thou hast blessed the earth Mine owne conscience is my tormenter bringing testimonie and witnesse against me The Sunne doth hide his light against me and the place is the woorsse wherein I become O Lord what shall I doo Shall I despaire No thou art mercifull and more readie to forgiue than we to aske I will confesse my sinnes to thee I am wearie of my sinfull life I am sorie in my soule for mine offences Wherefore good Lord thou which dooest ease them that are laden and refresh them that trauell thou which hast promised mercie to the penitent looke on me thy seruant with thy cheerefull countenance behold me with those pitifull eies with which thou didst Marie Magdalen and the woman taken in adulterie Thou which hast shed thy bloud ou the altar of the Crosse offering thy most pretious bodie an eternall sacrifice for our sinnes despise not that which thou hast redeemed Thou which cammest into the world to call sinners to repentance and to saue the lost sheepe of Israel haue mercie vpon me and leade me by thy grace to the fold amóng thy sheepe for they go in sweet pasture and are not in danger of Wolues for thou art their shepheard and keepest good accompt of euerie one of them Though I haue gone astraie wandring from thy flocke and borne the marks of the world yet good Lord disclaime not thy right I beseech thee but take me vnto thee that I may be safe vnder the shadowe of thy wings He may sleepe soundlie whome thou dooest keepe Thou art the watchman of Israel All honour and glorie be vnto thee for euer Amen Another godlie Confession and meditation of the penitent I Altogether vnhappie and comfortlesse haue greeuouslie offended my Lord God
to slander and backbite their neighbours the poison of Adders lieth hidden vnder their lips and in fine they as thine enimies blaspheme thy holie and blessed name and contemne thy testimonies O Lord giue me thy grace to be conuersant with good and godlie men such as fauour thy glorious Gospell and doo their indeuour to practise thy precepts to the glorie of thy holie and blessed name Make me by their example to exercise my selfe in the heauenlie veritie that thereby I may be instructed in the liuelie knowledge of thy commandements and obtaine such wisdome from aboue that by faith I may cleaue to thee and the felowship of those that feare thy holie name and so auoide the companie of the wicked and vngodlie worldlings which haue laid snares to intrap mee Graunt this O most mercifull Father for thy sonne Iesus Christs sake who euer liueth and reigneth with thee and the holie Ghost to whome be all laude glorie power and praise for euer and euer Amen A praier to be said before or after the Sermon MOst mightie GOD which by thy word hast made all things whose voice the flouds and hils doo knowe whose heast both quicke and dead heauen and hell obey at whose displeasure the diuels in hell doo tremble let thy word so lighten our harts that by our good works we may testifie our profession seeing that the tree which beareth not fruit shall be cut downe throwne into the fire Grant that I may not onelie be a hearer but also a dooer of thy holie word that so finallie I may be partaker of thine euerlasting ioie and blisse O Lord grant me wisdome to knowe thee and grace to followe thee in true humilitie that as thou didst suffer to be spitted at and smitten of thine enimies so we may beare the displeasures of the world and rage of our enimies with patience Thou hast blessed the little ones and reuealed vnto them the things hidden from the wise For thou wilt haue mercie where it pleaseth thee O set thy feare alwaies before mine eies make me to vnderstand wisdome secretlie and graffe thy faith so in my hart that I may both knowe thee and loue thee and glorifie thy holie name for euer Amen A praier for faith O Blessed Sauiour Iesus sonne of the euerliuing God the vnspeakeable ioie of thy seruants most present cōfort to sinners which camest into the world to saue offenders which so louedst the world that thou sparedst not thy most pretious bloud to redeeme the losse of our first father Adam and to make vs coheires of the forfeited inheritance with thy selfe that all which beleeue in thee might be saued Good Lord which hast promised to them that knocke it shall be opened and that they which seeke shall find grant I beseech thee that I may search thy holie lawes and find the truth of thy holie word that I may alwaies constantlie confesse and shew thee and thy goodnesse as well in my words as liuing Inspire me with thy holie spirit that I may knowe thee stedfastlie trust in thee and serue thee in praiers and well-dooing all the time of my life O most mercifull Lord and Sauiour of the world for the glorie of thy name sake I beseech thee to heare my praiers My soule reioice in God my sauing health for hee hath been good to thee he hath kept thee from the snare of the hunter and blessed thee The Lord is a mercifull God let all the earth feare him let the mouths of all men sound praises vnto him God is a good Lord and dailie increaseth his good gifts to his seruants the Lord will increase my faith in him and I shall be saued So be it A praier to be said before the receiuing of the Lords Supper OMnipotent GOD and father euerlasting whose mercie is infinite and whose kingdom hath none end vouchsafe I beseech thee of thine exceeding goodnes to increse our faith that as thy ghests repaire to the table of thy sonne Iesus Christ who hath left vnto vs before he gaue his bodie to be crucified and his bloud to be shed largelie on the crosse for our redemption as a pledge of his great loue and abundant kindnesse the celebration of his glorious supper wherein as it were in a looking glasse the death of our great maister the high shepheard of our soules Iesus Christ is most liuelie set foorth vnto vs. Giue vs grace therefore from aboue rightlie to vnderstand the diuine mysteries offered vnto vs thereby and not to wrest or wring the same contrarie to thy will Let it be far from our thoughts good Lord to leaue thine eternall veritie and to build on the doctrine of men who following their owne imaginations run headlong to the gaping gulph of danger and destruction Plucke the scales of ignorance from our eies that we may cleerlie descerne and behold by the light of thy glorious Gospell how we may truelie communicate and participate the fruits of thy grace represented vnto vs in this comfortable Sacrament Indue vs plentifullie with such pure knowledge that we may not once thinke or saie after anie grosse forme or carnall maner we feede vpon or eate thy flesh reallie or carnallie but make vs alwaies constantlie to beleeue that thy glorious bodie is ascended vp into heauen and sitteth on the right hand of thy Father concerning thy humanitie and cannot be thence remooued till the time that thou shalt come with legions of Angels to iudge the quicke and the dead before whose presence shall run a consuming fire And moreouer wee doo most humblie beseech thee so to confirme vs in the truth of thy blessed testament that we may confesse thy diuine nature to be equall with the Father and the holie Ghost and to beleeue that thy power is not a power particular but a power generall and such as doth and shall gouerne in heauen and earth in the deepe and lowe waters yea and in the nethermost parts of hell Strengthen vs therefore good Lord that stand least that in falling from the true knowledge of thee we perish euerlastinglie And sith thou hast called vs by thy word as thy ghests to this blessed banket wherin y e mouths of our carnall bodies are fostered fed with bread and wine so Lord confirme our faith in thee that the mouths of our soules may feed spirituallie vpon thy sweetest flesh and drinke thy deerest blood and so be nourished to euerlasting life and heauenlie blessednesse Which reward as a dowrie due thou hast promised to all those that faithfullie build vpon thee which art the rocke and strong piller of our saluation And as these most holie mysteries must set foorth vnto vs most liuelie thy death and passion so make vs thankefull to thee for the same and thereby giue vs grace to print in our harts thy great loue and exceeding clemencie that sparedst not to giue thy bodie to the most vile shamefull and slanderous death of the Crosse and thy bloud to be shed
forgiue vs our iniquities Whosoeuer calleth on thy name shall be saued Thou hast no pleasure in the death of a sinner but rather desirest that they should liue and be conuerted Thou hast so loued the world that thou not onlie didst become man and tooke our nature vpon thee but wert content also to suffer most cruell death on the Crosse to purge our nature from mortall sinne and corruption and adorne it with immortalitie and eternall glorie not onelie in thine owne person but in vs also to satisfie the iustice of the Father for our sinnes Oh blessed shepheard thou doubtedst not to spend thy most pretious blood to saue thy beloued sheepe from rauine and spoile Good Lord so increase thy grace in me that thy holie word may take roote and flourish in me that the good seed may not be choked with thornes So order my liuing that when by course of nature I shall be dissolued from the prison of my bodie I may come to thee that when thou more bright than the sun shalt come in the midst of the legions of Angels in thy shining glorie and Maiestie to iudge the quicke the dead I may be in the number of the blessed ones whom thou shalt call to possesse the kingdome prepared for them by thy Father saieng Come ye blessed children of my Father receiue the kingdome prepared for you before the beginning of the world Thou which didst die and rise againe wilt raise and bring to life all those that are dead beleeuing in thy faith So be it A praier to liue well GOod Lord so rule the eies of my hart that they being kept simple and pure my bodie may be a cleere and shining temple of thy holie spirit So kindle in vs the loue of thy glorious sonne that we following his steps may doo that which is good and decline from the euill so that our light shining before men we may glorifie thee by our good works with thy blessed sonne our Sauiour and the holie Ghost to whose infinite Maiestie in trinitie and vnitie be all honour and glorie for euer Amen A praier for humilitie O Lord I am a sinner and sorie for mine offences I can not make satisfaction for my defaults If I haue anie good thing it commeth of thee The most acceptable sacrifice to thee is a contrite and humble hart O God let mee not be oppressed with the waues of sinne let mee not sinke into the whirlepoole and gulph of despaire Thou which liftest vp the fallen and raisest the humble and meeke clothing them with purple and settest them vp with princes in the seates of honour thou which despisest the imaginations of the proud and resistest their enterprises blesse me in all my dooings send mee happie successe in all mine affaires that I may reioice in thy goodnesse with thine elected for euer and euer Accept my humble suite good Lord I beseech thee for the glorie of thy name sake Amen A praier for the obteining of Gods grace O Almightie and mercifull God shine we beseech thee through the power of our Lord Iesus Christ and the comfortable working of thy sacred spirit the heauenlie comforter vpon our minds and harts with the glorious beames of thy heauenlie grace Giue vs such plentie of wisedome and vnderstanding from aboue that through the knowledge of thee the man of sinne that is our fraile and feeble flesh with the wicked lusts and desire of concupiscence may lie dead and buried in vs. Giue vs good Lord the feeling of thy grace that by the vertue and diuine operation of thy word the eies of our soules may be illumined and made so light that the Prince of darkenesse with all his vnrighteous ministers may be expulsed and banished from our memories So establish vs in thy truth that our harts minds and thoughts may continuallie be occupied in thy testimonies that thereby thou good Lord effectuallie shining in our harts by the vertue of thy good spirit we may learne to knowe and vnderstand what is the fulnesse of our calling and how rich thou art in the glorie of thy celestiall and heauenlie heritage of thy Saincts and that excellent greatnesse of thy power and louing kindnesse towards vs which beleeue without faining thy holie Gospell according to the might and force of thy strength which thou shewedst in Christ Iesus when thou didst raise him from the dead and didst set him on thy right hand far aboue all empire power authoritie and dominion and euerie name that is named not onlie in this world but in the world to come By whose pretious death and deerest bloud-shedding we are assured that sinne death and hell are vanquished ouercome and vtterlie destroied And if we beleeue without wauering we shall in him be able to resist all the power of hell and in Christ as conquerors to triumph with victorie ouer sinne death and Sathan and at the last to haue and enioie the fruition of his rich and glorious kingdome which he by most painefull agonie bloudie stripes greeuous and bloudie wounds and lastlie by his most painefull death purchased for his chosen and elect To whome for our sanctification iustification redemption and our saluation be rendred with his celestiall Father and the holie Ghost all laud glorie power honour and dominion for euer and euer Amen A praier against presumptuous pride and vaine-glorie WE heare O heauenlie Father and are dailie taught and instructed out of thine eternall word how greatlie the greeuous sinne of presumption pride and vaine-glorie displeaseth thy diuine maiestie We are learned that for the practise of this pestilent and heinous euill thou hast not spared the verie Angels but hast throwne them in thy displeasure for their pride vaine-glorie and presumption from beatitude to miserie from ioie without end to perdurable paine from brightnesse of thy glorious presence to vtter extreame and palpable darkenesse from the glorious fruition and participation of thine euerlasting kingdome to the bottomlesse pit of hell death damnation and endlesse flames of fire Besides this we are taught that by the transgression of Adam whose haughtie presuming through the entisement of the subtile and perillous allurement of the Serpent thought to be as thy selfe but in fine thy iustice condemned him and all his posteritie This pestiferous sinne of pride drowned him in the flouds of all dangerous euils as gluttonie luxurie and such other perils that had not thy mercie taken effect to keepe and hold plea for his and our safegard and thy sonne Christ embased the glorie and power of his diuine essence and taken vpon him our flesh and fraile nature sinne onlie except who freelie offered his innocent bodie to the death of the crosse we had perished euerlastinglie and beene vtterlie confounded Print therefore good Lord and write these examples in my memorie that I fall not from thy fauour by the exercise of this detestable sinne Make me still to consider that the proud and disdainefull are alwaies abhorred in thy sight And sith
and holie in all thy works Haue mercie vpon me and giue me vnderstanding therefore from aboue to consider the substance whereof thou hast framed me and by the knowledge thereof make me to consider mine owne weakenesse and infirmitie to be such that vnlesse thou set to thy hand speedilie to helpe me that am oppressed with sinne I shall perish in my wickednesse A AS my sins are innumerable and redder than scarlet so giue me grace to acknowledge thy greate mercies which are surmounting the sands of the seas and that thou by thy grace at thy good pleasure canst wash awaie my deformitie and make me to excell the snowe of Libanus I beseech thee O mercifull father let it be far from my thought wilfullie or of a set purpose to fall into the danger of sinne or to commit anie heinous sinne or greeuous wickednes against thine eternall maiestie For by the exercise of such and so great euill I by meanes of my presumption prouoke thee to displeasure Giue me grace therefore to stand in awe of thy iustice least that thy mercie be with-held and kept from me and thou giue me ouer as thou didst proud Pharao to the lust and affections of mine owne hart and so I be drowned in the dangerous gulph of destruction R REadie art thou Lord at all times to heare and giue eare vnto the petitions of thy people but more readier are we to run astraie from thy will and to transgresse thy sacred lawes and diuine statutes than we are to leaue the lusts of carnalitie the pleasures of this vaine and wicked world so greatlie are we affected to licentious libertie and all other kind of notorious euill But yet O mercifull father of thine abundant loue fauour and exceeding kindnesse giue me grace to renounce sinne to hate this transitorie and vading world to mortifie my fraile and feeble flesh which rebelleth against the spirit and by faith in Christ in this my dangerous pilgrimage so giue me strength that mine enimies may be ouerthrowne and I being deliuered from the snares of hell may by thee which art the author of mans felicitie haue the fruition of thy kingdome and celestiall mansion of endlesse and sempiternall glorie Y YDlenesse is the nurse and roote of all infectious euils Giue me thine aid therefore O Lord to loath and detest this deadlie and dangerous sinne least therby I run headlong into thy heauie displeasure Make me alwaies and euer to be occupied good Lord in thy holie lawe that with all the powers of my soule hart mind and vnderstanding I may giue thee continuall praise honor and glorie Yeeld plentiouslie vnto me also good Lord thy grace from aboue that I may continuallie make my boast of thine euerlasting name by hartie contrition and bitter deploration of my sinnes and wickednesse obtaine thy fauourable pardon and by thee being sanctified and made cleane from all mine vncleannesse and vngodlinesse I may enter with thee at the last daie into the celestiall and glorious kingdome purchased in the bloudie death of my Sauiour Iesus Christ Yea illuminate mine eies I saie O good Lord that I sleepe not in darkenes but giue me grace good Lord continuallie to keepe watch and ward least that the enimie find me slumbering in the cradle of carelesnesse the gates of my bodie be broken vp and in the daie of thy comming to iudgement the sentence of thy displeasure be pronounced against me to the vtter confusion of my bodie and soule F FAith is to be embraced of all those that hope for felicitie and blessednesse in Iesus Christ Giue me therefore such wisdome from aboue that I may be dailie desirous to learne thy sacred precepts and walke in the path-waie of thy glorious statutes that by the exercise of thy will sinfull vice and iniquitie may be vanquished and vertue may haue the dominion and souereigntie in me A ABstinence coupled with constant and faithfull praier is a thing that much pleaseth thy maiestie and withdraweth from vs the force of thy heauie indignation Giue me grace then with praier to exercise such fasting as may hold downe the man of sinne that he swell not in pride excesse gluttonie or superfluous eating or drinking Make me alwaies to vse thy gifts so moderatelie that thy name may be glorified and I fasting from sinne with hartie praier faithfullie may beate at the gates of thy grace and so obtaine the full effects of thy fatherlie loue and fauourable kindnesse Finallie abate I beseech thee the pride of the vngodlie that trouble me Confound in thy iustice the imaginations of the foolish which sticke not to saie in their harts There is no God Breake the iawe bones of those in sunder that consult and take counsell togither how they may harme the innocent and weake From the bloud-thirstie and deceiptfull man deliuer me O Lord my God Looke fauourablie vpon me glad thou my hart with the cheerefull lookes of thy gratious and louing countenance Saie vnto my soule I am thy safegard Be thou euer with me then shall I not need to feare the power of my subtile and cruell enimies but at thine appointed will and heauenlie pleasure I shall be made safe and with the felowship of thy chosen Saints enioie the fruition of thine euerlasting kingdome N NOthing O Lord I brought into this world and nothing shall I carie hence with mee Giue mee grace and power therefore to consider that all worldlie things are vaine and shall vanish awaie like smoke Make me to vnderstand that I am a stranger heere and far from my countrie the new Citie of Ierusalem which thou hast in the fulnesse of thy great mercie ordeined for those that continue faithfull in thee to the end And sith that all earthlie things are subiected to consuming as meere vanities endue me with such vnderstanding that I may laie my treasure plentifullie in heauen with Iesus Christ to whome in the water of baptisme by grace in spirit I am coupled and knit Withdrawe me therefore from the delight of worldlie pleasures and giue me streugth to offer my selfe vp wholie into his blessed and heauenlie hands that my hart my mind the powers of my soule and all that I haue may depend on him with whome my treasure resteth that being vnder the comfortable gard of his defence I may be deliuered from all danger of bodie and soule Naked was I borne and naked to the graue shall I returne againe the Lord giueth and the Lord taketh awaie euen as it pleaseth his maiestie all things are brought to passe whose glorious name be praised for euer No man can escape the sting of death all flesh must bow vnto the graue Giue me a feruent faith therefore O Lord to continue faithfull in Iesus Christ that whensoeuer it shall please thee to send thy messenger death to arrest me I may be readie at his summons ioifullie to beare his stroke and by the power of a liuelie faith so to withstand sinne and Sathan that death
may with the enimies of mans felicitie be vanquished and subdued and I by him may liue in Iesus Christ E EXpell and roote out in and from my remembrance the detestable branches of wrath pride concupiscence vaine-glorie and all other horrible vices and noisome euils that heape vp thy greeuous displeasure against me Take from me all abuse let me neuer blaspheme thy blessed and glorious name let my tong be purged by thee from all corrupt and vncomelie talke let all my thoughts be occupied in thy seruice faith feare and loue Make me good Lord alwaies obedient to doo thy will and to walke in the waies of thy commandements and to delight in thy blessed testimonies And graunt me thy grace that by the hearing of thy Euangelicall and heauenlie doctrine my faith may be increased made strong and fruitfull to exercise the works of charitie and loue to all men and chieflie to those that constantlie fauour thy Gospell and continue faithfull in Christ Iesus Euermore I saie good Lord giue me thy blessings from aboue and let my hart my soule and tong be euer readie for thy gratious benefits receiued to publish and set foorth thy glorie and praise in weale and wo in pouertie and prosperitie in time of peace and in time of danger Stretch foorth thy hand to protect me and I by thee deliuered from all perils shall make my boast of thy mercies freelie showne vnto me without my deserts and with the felowship of thy Saints giue such honour praise and reuerence vnto thee as of right and bounden dutie I ought to doo And forasmuch as not euerie one that saith Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdome of God and Christ make me not then a professor of thy word with my lips but an earnest louer of the same a faithfull folower of thy commandements least at the comming of the great and rich Bridegroome Iesus Christ I be refused as were the fiue vndiscreet and foolish virgins that wanted oyle to garnish their Lamps For if thou O Lord passe by and finde me vnprouided the gates of thy grace being fast shut vp and locked close I shall then stand knocking and calling the Lord all in vaine For thou wilt giue answere thou knowest me not and being forsaken of thee I shall perish euerlastinglie Giue me grace therefore O good Lord to be readie prepared with my wedding garment and oyle in my Lampe that I may continuallie watch thy comming and so enter with thee as thy ghest to the rich banqueting house of euerlasting glorie Amen F From sinfulnesse preserue me Lord R Renew thy spirit in my hart A And let my tongue therewith accord V Vttering all goodnesse for his part N No thought let there arise in me C Contrarie to thy statutes ten E Euer let me most mindfull be S Still for to praise thy name Amen A As of my soule so of my bodie B Be thou my guider O my God V Vnto thee onlie I do crie R Remoue from me thy furious rod. G Graunt that my head may still deuise A All things that pleasing be to thee V Vnto mine eares and to mine eies E Euer let there a watch set bee N None ill that they may heare and see N No wicked deede let my hands do Y Yn thy good paths let my feete go Finis ¶ Certaine praiers made by godlie women Martyrs The praier of Agnes the Martyr at hir death O Eternall Gouernour vouchsafe to open the gates of heauen once shut vp against all the inhabitants of the earth and receiue my soule oh Christ that seeketh thee The song of Eulalia the Martyr at hir death BEhold O Lord I wil not forget thee What a pleasure is it for them O Christ that remember thy triumphant victories to attaine vnto those high dignities The praier of Anne Askue the Martyr before hir death O Lord I haue mo enimies now than there be heares on my head yet Lord let them neuer ouercome me with vaine words but fight thou Lord on my side For on thee cast I my care With all the spite they can imagine they fall vpon me which am thy poore creature yet sweete Lord let me not set by them which are against me for in thee is my whole delight And Lord I hartilie desire of thee that thou wilt of thy most mercifull goodnesse forgiue them that violence which they doo and haue done vnto me Open also thou their blind harts that they may hereafter doo that thing in thy sight which is onlie acceptable before thee and to set foorth thy veritie aright without all vaine phantasies of sinfull man So be it O Lord So be it The praier that maister Bradfords morher said and offered vnto God in his behalfe a little before his martyrdome AH good Father which dooest vouchsafe that my sonne Iohn Bradford being a greeuous sinner in thy sight should find this fauour with thee to be one of thy sonne Christ his captaines and men of war to fight and suffer for his Gospels sake I thanke thee and praie thee in the same thy deere sonne Christs name that thou wouldest forgiue him his sinnes and vnthankfulnesse and make perfect in him that good which thou hast begun in him Yea Lord I praie thee make him worthie to suffer not only imprisonment but euen verie death for thy truth religion and Gospell sake As Hanna did applie dedicate and giue hir first child and sonne Samuel vnto thee euen so doo I deere Father beseeching thee for Christs sake to accept this my gift and giue my sonne Iohn Bradford grace alwaies trulie to serue thee and thy people as Samuel did Amen Amen Other godlie praiers taken out of the Psalmes written by a godlie harted Gentlewoman POnder my words O Lord consider my meditation O harken thou vnto the voice of my wofull mourning my King and my God for vnto thee will I make my praier Heare my voice O Lord betimes earlie in the morning will I direct my praier vnto thee for thou art the God that hast no pleasure in wickednesse neither shall anie euill dwell with thee Thou hatest all them that worke vanitie leade me therefore in thy righteousnesse O Lord for I am weake and without thee I haue no strength at all therfore O Lord God rebuke me not in thine indignation neither chasten me in thy heauie displeasure Haue mercie vpon me O Lord and deliuer my soule Oh saue me for thy mercie sake I am almost wearie of my groning Euerie night wash I my bed and water my couch with my teares O Lord my God in thee haue I put my trust saue mee from all them that persecute me and deliuer me O Lord my God if I haue done anie such thing as is laid to my charge or if there be anie such wickednesse in me then let mine enimie persecute my soule and take me captiue Hast not thou O Lord my God defended me from such vngodlinesse Oh how long wilt thou hide thy selfe from me
thy poore afflicted seruant Oh how long shall I seeke comfort in my soule and be so vexed in my hart Yea how long shall mine enimies triumph ouer me Consider and heare me O Lord my God lighten mine eies that I sleepe not in death least mine enimies saie I haue preuailed against him For if I be cast downe then they that trouble me will reioice at it But my trust is in thy mercie O Lord and my hart is ioifull in thy saluation For after a storme thou makest the weather faire and still after weeping and heauinesse thou giuest great ioie Thy name O most mightie God be praised for euer and euer Amen Another praier O Lord consider my meditation and complaining Oh harken thou vnto my praiers that go not out of fained lips Let my sentence come foorth from thy presence and let thine eies looke vpon the thing that is equall O hold thou vp my goings in thy waies that my footsteps slip not I haue called vpon thee O God for thou shalt heare me incline thine eare to me and hearken vnto my words Shew thy maruellous louing kindnesse thou that art the Sauiour of all them that put their trust in thee Keepe me as the apple of an eie hide me vnder the shadowe of thy wings from the vngodlie that trouble me Mine enimies compasse me round about to take away my soule Up Lord let not man haue the vpper hand let the heathen be iudged in thy sight that they may knowe themselues to be but men Yet of thy mercie O Lord forgiue all mine enimies and turne the harts of such as hate me Who can tell how oft he offendeth Oh clense thou me from all my secret offences Keepe thy seruant also from presumptuous sinnes least they get the dominion ouer me so shall I be vndefiled and innocent from the great offence Let my mourning teares and the sorowfull sighing of my hart come before thy presence and be alwaies accepted in thy sight O Lord my strength and my redeemer let it be thy good pleasure to rid and deliuer me out of all my troubles I most humblie beseech thee and shew some token of thy fauor to me poore wretched sinner which am as a banished woman Looke vpon me O Lord I beseech thee as thou didst looke vpon Susanna and Sarai the daughter of Raguel Those holie women trusted in thee and thou didst deliuer them they hoped in thee and were not forsaken I knowe Lord thy strength is not weakened neither is thy power abated so that if it be thy good pleasure O Lord thou wilt helpe and make thy power to be knowne In the meane time O mercifull and most gratious Lord God giue me grace thankfullie and patientlie to take all whatsoeuer it shall be thy good will and pleasure to laie vpon me O Lord grant me those things which I hartilie haue praied for euer for Iesus Christs sake my Lord and my redeemer To whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour glorie and praise Amen When God hath deliuered thee out of thy troubles sing those Psalmes the 9 30 33 34 116 145 146. And euer be giuing thanks to God the almightie Lord and King saieng as followeth A thankesgiuing after trouble THe Lord is my strong rocke and my defence my Sauiour my God and my might in whom I will trust the horne also of my saluation and my refuge Yea the Lord is my shepheard therfore can I lacke nothing He hath comforted my soule and brought it out of trouble euen for his mercies sake Though I walke through the vale of the shadowe of death I will feare none euill for thou art with me thy rod and thy staffe comforteth me For in thee O Lord haue I put my trust and I feare not what flesh and bloud can doo vnto me I haue waited long and with weeping teares haue I taried the Lords leasure and now he hath of his great goodnesse deliuered me out of all my trouble Most mightie God of thine accustomed mercie preserue me from all sinne and wickednesse O Lord I feele mine owne infirmitie and weakenesse O most mercifull Lord keepe me in as it were with a bit or bridle that in this my ioifulnesse I doo not forget my dutie to thee and my neighbours For when we haue althings at our owne pleasure and nothing to trouble vs then is our dailie enimie readie to puffe vs vp with pride and vnthankfulnesse yea and with forgetfulnesse of thy lawes Wherefore most mightie Lord looke downe from thy holie heauens euen with thy fatherlie eies of pitie and strengthen my trembling soule with thy holie spirit Guide me that I swarue not frō thy truth taught in holie Scripture but that all my thoughts words and deeds may redound to the glorie honour and woorthie praise of thy most holie name This with teares I most humblie beseech thee to grant euen for Iesus Christs sake in whose name I come to thee and in none other saieng O our Father c. Another thankesgiuing after trouble O Lord I most humblie render lauds thanks and praises vnto thee For thou hast set me vp and not made my foes to triumph ouer me O Lord my God I cried vnto thee and thou hast heard me yea thou broughtest my soule out of trouble and girded me with ioie and gladnes Sing praises vnto the Lord with me Oye Saints of his let vs all giue thanks vnto him for a remembrance of his holinesse For his wrath indureth but the twinkling of an eie and in his pleasure is life euerlasting Heauinesse may endure for a night but ioie commeth in the morning Thou didst turne thy face from me O Lord and lo I was sore troubled then cried I vnto thee O Lord and praied vnto my God right humblie saieng Heare O Lord and haue mercie on me Lord be thou my helpe in all my trouble bow downe thine eare to me and make haste to deliuer me for thou art my strong rocke and deliuerer Into thy hands Lord I commit my spirit for thou hast redeemed me O Lord thou God most high Oh what reward should I giue vnto the Lord for all the maruellous benefits that he hath done vnto mee which I can not woorthilie expresse For in my trouble I called vpon the Lord and he heard me at large and in my temptation with his holie spirit he mightilie preserued me Therefore I knowe that the Lord is on my side and I will not feare what man can doo vnto me For it is better to trust in the Lord than to put anie confidence in Princes for with the Lord there is mercie and with him there is plentious redemption The earth O Lord is full of thy mercie therefore will I talke of thy praise all the daie long and sing Psalmes of thankesgiuing vnto thee It is good for me that I haue beene in trouble else should I not haue learned thy statutes If my delight had not beene in thy lawes I should
and to obey thy good will to the end that by this means all our works may be to the praise of thy name and to the edifieng of our neighbours And as it hath pleased thee to cause thy Sunne to shine vpon the earth to lighten vs corporallie vouchsafe also by the cleerenesse of thy spirit to illuminate our vnderstandings and our hearts to direct vs vnto the streight waie of righteousnesse Euen so to what thing soeuer we may applie our selues let our chiefe end purpose be alwaies to walke in thy feare to serue and honour thee looking for all our wealth and prosperitie from out of thy holie blessing to the end we enterprise nothing which shall not be agreeable vnto thee Moreouer let vs so trauell for our bodie and for the life present that we alwaie haue a further regard namelie to the life of heauen which thou hast promised vnto thy children Neuerthelesse let it please thee to be our protector both touching the bodie and touching the soule strengthening vs against all temptations of the diuell and deliuering vs from all the dangers that may come vnto vs. And because there is nothing well begun which doth not continue vouchsafe to receiue vs into thy holie gouernance not onlie for this present daie but for our whole life continuing and increasing dailie thy grace in vs till thou hast brought vs vnto the full coniunction of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lord who is the true Sun-light of our soules shining daie and night without end perpetuallie And to the intent that we may obteine these graces of thee O vouchsafe to forget all our faults past pardoning vs them through thine infinite mercie as thou hast promised vnto all them that seeke thee with a good heart Heare vs O father of mercie for thy sonne our Lord Iesus Christ his sake So be it Out of the 143 Psalme 8 Let vs heare thy louing kindnesse in the morning for in thee is our trust O shew vs the waie that we should walke in for we haue lift vp our hart vnto thee 9 Deliuer vs O Lord from our enimies for we haue cried vnto thee 10 Teach vs to doo thy will for thou art our God A praier to saie before one begin his worke THE Lord God and Father vouchsafe to assist vs through his holie spirit and by him to gouerne and guide vs in such sort as all that we shall doo saie or thinke may be to his glorie in the name of his sonne Iesus Christ our Lord So be it Another praier to the same purpose O Our God Father and Sauiour seeing it hath pleased thee to command vs to trauell for the sustentation of our necessitie vouchsafe through thy grace so to blesse our labour that thy blessing may extend vnto vs without the which also we are not able to continue And let such fauour of thine serue vs for a testimonie of thy bountifulnesse and assistance and that we by the same may knowe the fatherlie care which thou hast for vs. Moreouer let it please thee O Lord to assist vs by thy holie spirit to the end that we may be faithfullie exercised in our estate and vocation without anie guile or deceit but that we rather regard to followe thine ordinance than to satisfie our owne desire of gaine And if it please thee to prosper our labor giue vs also a willing mind to succour those that are in necessitie according to the abilitie which thou hast granted vs so yet that we mind not to lift vp our selues aboue those which haue not receiued of thee such liberalitie And when thou wilt handle vs with greater pouertie and necessitie than our flesh shall desire let it please thee O Lord to shew vs this grace euen to knowe that thou through thy bountifulnes wilt continuallie nourish vs least we be tempted with mistrust but that we patientlie abide vntill thou replenish vs not onelie with thy corporall gifts but also with thy spirituall graces that we may still haue more ample matter and occasion to thanke thee sincerelie to staie our selues vpon thine onlie goodnesse Heare vs O Father of all mercie through thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lord So be it A praier to saie afore one begin to studie his lesson Out of the 119 Psalme verses 9 18 34. WHerewithall shall a yoong man redresse his waie Euen in taking heede therevnto according to thy word Open thou mine eies that I may see the maruellous works of thy lawe O giue me vnderstanding and I shall keepe thy lawe yea I shall keepe it with my whole hart O Lord which art the fountaine of all wisdome and knowledge seeing it hath pleased thee to giue mee the meanes to be instructed in the age of mine infancie to make mee knowe how to gouerne the whole course of my life holilie and honestlie vouchsafe also to illuminate mine vnderstanding which of it selfe is blind that it may comprehend the learning which shall be taught me O vouchsafe to confirme my memorie for to keepe it well O let it be thy pleasure to dispose my hart to receiue it willinglie and with such a desire as is conuenient that through mine ingratitude the occasion that thou offerest me be not lost For to doo this vouchsafe to powre vpon me thy holie spirit the spirit I saie of all vnderstanding veritie iudgment prudence and learning which may make me able to profit well to the end that the trauell which shall be taken to teach me be not lost And to what studie soeuer I applie my selfe make me to reduce it vnto the true end namelie to knowe thee in our Lord Iesus Christ to haue full affiance of saluation and life in thy grace and to serue thee vprightlie purelie according to thy good pleasure so as all that I shall learne may be as an instrument to aid me vnto the same And seeing thou promisest to giue wisdome vnto babes and to the humble and to confound the proud in the vanitie of their owne minds likewise to shew thy selfe vnto those that are of a right hart and contrarilie to blind the wicked peruerse vouchsafe to bring me vnto true humilitie whereby I may yeeld my selfe apt to learne and obedient first vnto thee secondlie to my superiours whom thou hast ordeined to rule and to teach me Furthermore vouchsafe to dispose my hart to seeke thee without feinednesse renouncing all carnall and euil affections and that in such sort I may prepare my selfe now to serue thee once in that estate vocation to the which it shall please thee to ordeine me when I shall come to age Heare me O Father of mercie through our Lord Iesus Christ So be it Psalme 25. verse 13. THe Lord sheweth his secrets vnto them that feare him and maketh them to knowe his couenant A praier or grace to saie afore meate ALl things wait vpon thee O Lord and thou giuest them meate in due season when thou giuest it them they gather it and
when thou openest thy hand they are satisfied with good things O Lord in whom consisteth the fulnesse of all good things vouchsafe to extend thy blessing vpon vs thy poore seruants sanctifie vnto vs thy gifts which we receiue of thy liberalitie that we may vse them soberlie and purelie according to thy good will and by this meanes to knowledge thee to be the Father and author of all goodnesse still seeking principallie the spirituall bread of thy word whereby our soules may bee nourished eternallie through Iesus Christ thy sonne our Lord So be it Matthew 4. verse 4. MAn liueth not by bread onlie but by euerie word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God Grace after meate LEt all nations praise the Lord let all people sing praise vnto him For his mercie is multiplied vpon vs and his truth endureth for euer We render thanks vnto thee O Lord God for all the benefits that we receiue continuallie at thy hand for that it pleaseth thee to sustaine vs in this corporall life ministring vnto vs all our necessities and speciallie for that it hath pleased thee to regenerate vs into the hope of a better life which thou hast reuealed vnto vs by thy holie Gospell We beseech thee not to suffer our affections to be here rooted in these corruptible things but that we alwaies haue an higher respect waiting for our Lord Iesus Christ vntill he appeere in our redemption So be it A praier to be said before sleepe Exhortation LEt vs all fall downe humbling our selues before the high and soeuereigne Maiestie of our good God and Father acknowledging vs to be as we are namelie poore and miserable sinners praieng hartilie vnto him as followeth O Lord God Father eternall we beseech thee that it will please thee to cast the eie of thy fatherlie mercie vpon vs thy poore seruants not laieng to our charge so manie faults and offences whereby we are worthie to be brought vnto thy iudgement and whereby wee cease not to prouoke thy wrath against vs. And forasmuch as we are too vnwoorthie to appeare before thy holie Maiestie vouchsafe to receiue vs in the name of thy welbeloued sonne our Lord Iesus Christ accepting the merits of his death and passion for a recompense of all our faults regarding rather the obedience which he hath rendred vnto thee and not the manifold faults that we dailie commit against thy Maiestie O Lord God seeing it hath pleased thee to create the night for mans rest so as thou hast ordeined him the daie to trauell grant vs grace so to take our bodilie rest this night that our soules may alwaie watch vnto thee that our harts be lift vp in thy loue and that we so renounce all earthlie cares that we succour our selues according as our infirmitie requireth Let vs neuer forget thee but let the remembrance of thy goodnesse and grace continue alwaie printed in our memorie and by this meanes our consciences also shall haue their spirituall rest as our bodies take theirs Furthermore let not our sleepe be excessiue to accomplish the ease of our flesh beyond measure but onelie to satisfie the frailtie of our nature that we may be disposed to serue thee Moreouer let it please thee to preserue vs vnderfiled both in our bodies and in our spirits and to keepe vs against all dangers that our verie sleepe may be to the glorie of thy name And seeing the daie is not so passed but that we haue offended thee manie waies according as we are poore sinners so that all is now hid through the darknesse that thou sendest vpon earth vouchsafe also to burie all our faults through thy mercie least we thereby bee taken from thy presence Let it please thee also O Lord God to illuminate vs by thy holie spirit in the true vnderstanding of thy holie will and bring to passe also that we may yeeld vnto thee the loue and feare that true and faithfull seruants doo owe vnto their masters and children vnto their parents seeing it hath pleased thee to shew vs such grace as to receiue vs into the number of thy seruants and children Amen The praier of the Church of the faithfull to speake the word of God with all boldnesse Acts 4. verse 24 c. O Lord thou hast made the heauen the earth the sea all things that be in them Which through thine holie spirit hast said by the mouth of Dauid thy seruāt Wherfore haue the nations raged the people haue imagined vaine thoughts The kings of the earth haue assembled and the princes are come togither against the Lord and against his Christ For trulie Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentils and the people of Israel haue gathered themselues together in this citie against the holie child Iesus whom thou hast annointed to doo those things which thy hand and thy counsell hath determined to be done And now Lord behold their threatnings giue vnto thy seruants that they may speake thy word with all boldnesse so that thou stretch foorth thine hand that healing signes and woonders be done by the name of thy holie child Iesus Amen ¶ The maner how to examine such yong persons as be willing to receiue the Supper of our Lord Iesus Christ Mother IN whome beleeue you Child In God the Father and in Iesus Christ and in the holie Ghost Mother The Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost are they more than one God C No. M Must God be serued after his owne commandements or after the traditions of men C He must be serued according to his owne commandements and not according to the commandements of men M May you accomplish Gods commandements of your selfe C No. M Who is it then that accomplisheth them in you C The holie spirit M And when God giueth you his holie spirit can you perfectlie accomplish them C No. M And yet notwithstāding God cursseth reiecteth all such as do not sincerelie fulfill his cōmandements C It is true M By what meanes then shall you be saued and deliuered from the cursse of God C By the death passion of our Lord Iesus Christ M How is that C Because that by his death he hath restored life vnto vs and reconciled vs vnto God his father M And whome praie you vnto C To God M In whose name praie you C In the name of our Lord Iesus Christ who is our aduocate and intercessor M How manie Sacraments are in the Christian Church C Two M Which be they C Baptisme and the Lords Supper M What is the signification of Baptisme C It hath two parts For our Sauiour doth therein represent vnto vs the remission of our sinnes then our regeneration or spirituall renouation M And the Supper what signifieth it vnto vs C It signifieth vnto vs that by the communion of the bodie and bloud of our Lord Iesus Christ our soules are nourished in hope of the life euerlasting M What is it that the bread and wine which
of the Lord as well as Abraham and his seed by circumcision M Seeing that by baptisme we are borne clothed washed and regenerated in the house of God which is the Church with what meat and with what drinke are we nourished and fed C Euen with himselfe who hath begotten vs. For as he is our washing and clothing so is he vnto vs meate and drinke M Is this bicause he is the word of God which is the true food of our soules C Yea and we must go further seeing that his word became flesh whereof it commeth that we are nourished with his flesh with his bloud into life eternall M And how is it that his bodie was made meate or heauenlie bread and his bloud drinke vnto vs C By his death and passion as he declareth in his holie Supper M Where shall we find the institution of the holie Supper C In three Euangelists and verie largelie declared in the first to the Corinthians the xi Chapter M Reade the place C I receiued of the Lord that which I haue giuen vnto you namelie that the Lord Iesus in the same night that he was be traied tooke bread and when he had giuen thanks hee brake it and said Take eate this is my bodie which is broken for you doo this in remembrance of me Likewise after supper he tooke the cup saieng This cup is the new testament in my bloud doo this as often as you shall drinke it in the remembrance of me For as often as you shall eat of this bread and drink of this cup ye shall declare the Lords death vntill he come Wherefore whosoeuer shall eate of this bread or drinke of this cup vnwoorthilie shall be guiltie of the bodie and bloud of the Lord. But let a man examine himselfe and so let him eat of this bread and drinke of this cup. For whosoeuer eateth and drinketh vnwoorthilie eateth and drinketh his owne damnation making no difference of the Lords bodie or not discerning the bodie of the Lord. M Did not the Lord then minister vnto all equallie one bread and one wine in his Supper C Yea as indifferentlie as he died for all and commanded to take eate and drinke M What signifieth then the bread of the Supper C The pretious bodie of Iesus which he gaue vnto the death of the Crosse for vs. M And what signifieth the wine C His pretious bloud which he shed vpon the Crosse for vs. M This bread and wine being called the bodie and bloud of the Lord doo they change their substance and nature C No but as we corporallie eate the bread drinke the wine so spirituallie we eate the bodie and drinke the bloud of the Lord. M And how may we ascend vp to heauen where he is to eate his flesh and to drinke his bloud C By loue and liuelie faith seeing that alreadie we haue there our conuersation and that the words of the Lord are spirit and life M And he being in heauen how is it that he communicateth vnto vs his bodie and his bloud we being heere belowe vpon the earth C By the vertue of his holie spirit by whome he ioineth vs vnto himselfe and maketh vs partakers of himselfe in true holinesse of soule and bodie M The Infidels may they eate the bodie and drinke the bloud of the Lord C Naie for through their infidelitie they receiue it to their condemnation as did Iudas M How must we prepare our selues before we come to this holie Table C Euerie one must proue himselfe whether he come with true faith and repentance and with Christian charitie as he witnesseth M The true preparation then and worthinesse consisteth not in this that our faith charitie be so great as it ought to be C No for though we ought continuallie to tend therevnto yet shall we neuer be able to come at it M How is it then that our faith so little and vnperfect saueth vs and maketh vs worthie to receiue that which is offered vnto vs by the Gospell and the Sacraments C In that that it soundeth vs and maketh vs wholie to rest in the righteousnesse dignitie and perfection of Iesus vnto whome onlie the father hath regard M Must all they be receiued that present themselues to the Supper C Yea all those whom we knowe to be disciples and members of Iesus willing to liue and die in this faith and doctrine thereof A collection of the principall points which they ought to knowe that will communicate at the holie Supper of the Lord Iesus Christ THere is one onlie God on whome all things depend 1 The first point to honor God well consisteth in this that we haue all our confidence in him and that we perceiue the meanes to knowe him namelie in Iesus Christ Heerevnto serueth the confession of faith before recited The said confession conteineth foure parts The first is of God the father who is the beginning and principall cause of all things The second of his sonne Iesus Christ who is the eternall wisdome of God And in this part is comprehended the whole historie of our redemption to know that by Iesus Christ alone we obteine saluation and the meanes whereby he hath purchased it for vs The third of the holie spirit who is the vertue and power of God which he powreth vpon his creatures and neuerthelesse is resident still in himselfe The fourth of the Church and of the graces of God towards the same 2 The second point to honour God aright consisteth in this that we obey his will The rule to obey him is giuen vs in the ten commandements of the lawe The foure first commandements conteine the dutie that we owe vnto God The sixe following conteine the dutie that we owe vnto our neighbours 3 The third point to honor God aright consisteth in this that in all our necessities we call vpon him alone The instruction to call rightlie vpon God is giuen vs in the praier of our Lord Iesus Christ The three first petitions of the same praier concerne the glorie of God The other three concerne our owne welfare profit 4 The fourth point to honour God aright lieth in this that we looke for all good things at his hand as it is he onlie from whom all good things proceede The promises of this free goodnesse that God vseth towards his owne are conteined in the Gospell The same promises are comprehended by faith Faith is an assured knowledge of the good will of God towards vs grounded vpon the free promises which is giuen vnto vs in Iesus Christ and confirmed in our hearts by his holie spirit Because of the weakenesse of our faith our Lord hath giuen vs the Sacraments A Sacrament is an outward testimonie which by a visible signe representeth vnto vs the promises of God spirituallie accomplished in vs. Baptisme is vnto vs as an entrance into the Church of God and representeth vnto vs the remission of our sinnes and our renouation of life The water as the
raged blasphemed and conspired against thee O GOD and thy truth like hypocrites against mee and my Crowne like traitours and against their Common-wealth and countrie like spoilers and that for no offence of mine to themward LORD thou knowest but onelie of cruell spite they beare mee bicause in truth I professe thy Christian religion and seeke by establishing the same through good and godlie lawes to serue thee zealouslie sincerelie and purelie according to the rule and veritie of thine eternall word Which thy great benefits when I well consider togither with mine vnwoorthinesse thereof I am euen forced with my father DAVID to giue humble thanks and to blesse thee before all the congregation and saie Blessed be thou O LORD GOD of Israel our Father for euer and euer Thine O LORD is greatnesse and power and glorie and victorie and praise For all that is in heauen and in earth is thine Thine is the kingdome O LORD and thou excellest as head ouer all Both riches and honour come of thee and thou reignest ouer all and in thine hand is power and strength in thine hand I saie O mightie GOD it is to make great and to giue strength vnto all now therefore I thanke thee and praise thy glorious name for euer But who am I O Lord GOD and what is my people that thou hast brought mee to this honour and thus redeemed and deliuered both mee and thy people out of thrall vnto thy selfe and art beecome our GOD Dooth this apperteine to man O LORD Or commeth not this rather of thy free mercie more than of anie our woorthinesse And what can ELIZABETH saie more vnto thee For thou Lord God knowest thy seruant euen for thy words sake according to thine owne hart hast thou made my fountaine become a floud and my light to shine as the sunne and done all these great things to make them knowne vnto thy seruant Now therefore for this thy gratious fauour after so long restraint so great dangers ouerpassed such blusterous storms ouerblowne so many iniuries digested wrongs susteined by thy mightie protection O mercifull God to my no small comfort thy peoples commoditie in exalting erecting and bringing me out of thrall to libertie out of darknesse into light out of danger to peace and quietnesse from dread to dignitie from miserie to maiestie from mourning to ruling breeflie of a prisoner to make me a Prince and to place me in the roiall throne there to sit as Queene now full 24. yeeres in the admirable rest blessed quietnesse and long peace which I now enioie For this thy diuine wisdome O heauenlie father in vnfolding reuealing frustrating the proud platformes peeuish practises of Achitophels all mine enimes For this thy meere mercie O deere Christ in spacing me and my people so long frō the bloudie hands of spoilers oppressors traitors vsurpers For this thy heauenlie prouidence O holie Ghost in preuenting their diuelish purposes and so gratiously protecting preseruing and defending me as wel before I was Queene as since from so extreme miseries and manifold dangers as also frō the hands and violences of al mine enimies visible inuisible domesticall foraine Finallie for these for all other thy great graces singular blessings and mestimable benefits principall vertues spirituall corporall O glorious Trinitie which through the mercie merits of my sweet Sauior Iesus Christ thou hertofore frō my birth hast presentlie dooest or hereafter vnto my death shalt bountifullie bestowe vpon me and my people I most hartilie laud entirelie magnifie and incessantlie extoll thy most high holie and renowmed name and sacred Princelie Maiestie And as I meeklie euen of dutie from the bottome of my hart render vnto thee my GOD and my King all condigne honour woorthie praise and possible thanks togither with the vnfeined resignation of all empire kingdome power rule dominion maiestie and glorie both in heauen and in earth as to thee onlie and most iustlie belongeth so now I most humblie and hartilie beseech thy diuine Maiestie O excellent Father and most mercifull GOD to haue mercie vpon me thine humble handmaid and sinfull seruant And be not prouoked good Lord with my sinnes nor with the sinnes of my parents people to giue vs ouer to the lust of our enimies Make vs not a reproch vnto the foolish nor let our aduersaries in our ouerthrowe triumph against vs saieng Where is now their God But of thy rich mercie and woonted compassion in Christ Iesu forgiue me my sinnes both old and new both secret and open both past present and to come yea from both mine owne and others faults O God I beseech thee deliuer me and cast all mine offences into the bottomlesse depth out of thy remembrance and sight for euer making the crosse and passion the death and resurrection of thy most deere and onlie sonne my sweete Sauiour and onlie Redeemer Iesus Christ the righteous and immaculate Lambe most effectuall in mee to all vertue godlinesse of life and pietie as best becommeth thy daughter thy virgin thine annointed and elect vessell of honour That to all other thy good graces bountifull benefits alredie shewed towards me the which of thine accustomed goodnesse I beseech thee to confirme finish and worke out in mee as thou hast gratiouslie begun and continue towards mee to the end according to thy good pleasure with such further increase thereof from time to time as best shall serue to the setting foorth of thy glorie the benefit of thy Church to all posteritie mine eternall peace in Christ Iesus the Prince of peace Grant I saie O Lord this also may be added namelie that as it hath pleased thee in thy secret wisdome to quicken me that was Tanquam ouis euen as a seelie sheepe or lambe led to be slaine to raise me vp out of the dust and mire of persecution to lift me vp out of the pit and dungeon and to set me the chiefe of the Princes of this land and to make mee meete to inherīt the seate of glorie yea to build me the chiefe and head piller of this thy Church of England France and Ireland wherevpon the whole bodie of thy Saints therein doo staie themselues in thy blessed peace and vnitie As I saie it is thy good will not my deserts to exalt the horne of thine annointed to appoint me a fraile woman thy Lieutenant here on earth and to giue power vnto thy QVEENE to iudge the ends of thy dominions and execute thine office here amongst thy people for a space in the regall seate of iustice and mercie so vouchsafe thou O gratious God and louing Father in like mercie to powre downe continuallie vpon me all those thy speciall good gifts princelie vertues and heauenlie graces fit for this my so high calling that being plentiouslie indued therewith the bright shining beames thereof as from a glittering Star in the firmament or the glorious Sunne in his orient arising to the
Lawe and sincere Religion which I professe Let backbiters together with such as are proud and those that dare shameleslie presume anie thing be vtterlie rooted out but contrariwise let there be space in especiallie for such as be verie zealous of the truth that they onlie may be conuersant with me before thee and cause me to feede them with a singular faith and innocencie and minister all things diligentlie vnto them Finallie let not the enimies of thy Gospell I beseech thee O gratious and mightie God thus despise thy grace offered them vnto repentance but those that are to be conuerted conuert and turne them O God speedilie if it be thy will Make thou Saule at the length to become a Paule and let not the persecutor persist in his errours but let them rather accompt thy long suffering and my peaceable and vnbloudie gouernement an occasion of saluation to their soules and of vnfeigned loue to thy Church Otherwise if they will needes remaine still disobedient to thy truth disloiall vnto me dangerous to the state and enimies to their Countrie and Common-wealth then O God of my saluation arise and helpe to wound the head of thine enimies and the hearie scalpe of such as go on still in their wickednesse Let thy right hand find out them that euerie daie prouoke thee and reuenge thy selfe on those blasphemous hypocrites that thus proudlie contemne thee to thy face And as thou hast discouered them and their peeuish practises against thee and thine annointed so discouer them still As thou hast preuented their diuelish purposes and execrable intents so preuent them still Yea let their firie eies waxe wearie with looking their bloudie harts and hands faint with waiting for their golden daie and that which commeth not yet neither let come O Lord I beseech thee but in thy good time and according to thy will a blessed and healthfull reigne vnto my selfe much ioie and comfort to my subiects and long peace to Zion for euermore Lastlie O most mightie God looke what remaineth yet of the happie building enlarging and finishing of thy Church and to the establishing and planting of thy Religion perfectlie therein according to the prescript rule of thy blessed word and full discharge of my dutie when I shall be called to render an accompt before the iudgement seate of Christ because that without thee I can do nothing neither is it possible to please thee do thou O father of light from whome all good gifts doo come and proceede vouchsafe to powre downe plentifullie of thy principall spirit vpon me and so rauish my hart with the flame of the loue of thee and thy people with an earnest zeale of thy house that with Ioseph I may carefullie and faithfullie prouide for thy people with Moses painefullie leade them out of the deserts of errour and oppression and with Ioshua bring thy people into the land of promise with Debora fight thy battels with Iahel knocke Sisera of Roome in the temples of his vsurped headship with Iudith cut off the head of proud Holophernes with Hezekias and Iosias roote out and destroie all superstition and relikes of idolatrie with Dauid and Salomon finish and consecrate to eternitie thy glorious Temple among thy people and with them all most earnestlie and continuallie to praie vnto thee for their saluation That heere on earth for the time after their vertuous example dooing that which is good in thy sight reigning blessedlie ruling prudentlie and like a louing mother and tender nursse giuing my fostermilke the foode of thy word and Gospell aboundantlie to all in all places of my dominion and endeuouring my selfe faithfullie to discharge the great trust committed vnto me when thy sonne to whome not onlie the sea and windes but all creatures are subiect shall come as King of kings to require an accompt of the charge committed vnto me I may be found faithfull and not faile finallie in heauen but in the purenesse of my virginitie and holinesse of mine innocencie be presented to the Lambe my souereigne Lord and onlie God my heauenlie Bridegroome and spirituall spouse my euerlasting King deere Christ and onlie sweet Sauiour Iesus there to see the Saincts and to be a Sainct and with all the holie Patriarches Iudges Kings and Queenes yea with all the Archangels Angels Saints Martyrs Confessors Uirgins and the whole companie of thy celestiall and blessed spirits to reigne with him ouer spirituall powers and principalities for euer and sing the sugred songs of my wedding-daie to my perpetuall ioie and thine eternall praise O most glorious Trinitie the Father the Son and the holie Ghost one inuisible God almightie blessed for euer and euer Amen Amen Another praier to be said of the Queenes Maiestie BLessed art thou Lord God of Sabbaoth for vnto thee apperteineth all magnificence and power and glorie to thee belongeth all honour and authoritie For whatsoeuer is either in the heauens aboue or in the earth beneath it is thine Thine O Lord is the kingdome thou art aboue all Princes Kings Riches are thine glorie is thine and thou art Lord ouer all In thee remaineth vertue and power greatnesse and gouernement O God of my fathers and Lord of mercie which hast made all things by thy word and by thy wisdome appointed man to rule the creatures which thou hast made and to gouerne the world with equitie and iustice I praise thee and extoll thy glorious name for appointing me thy seruant to rule and gouerne this thy people committed vnto my charge Now therefore gratious Lord fauourablie behold me that I may treade the path of truth righteousnesse and sinceritie of hart in thy sight Let me not abuse mine authoritie but gouerne with lenitie and gentlenesse the people vnder me that liuing a godlie and honest life mankind may enioie their desired peace Giue therefore vnto thy seruant an hart desirous of instructions that I may iudge the people and discerne betweene good and euill and neither declining to the right hand or to the left stoutelie and valiantlie mainteine the cause of the righteous Grant me counsell and assistance to doo such things as are gratefull vnto thee good for thy Church and profitable for my people and Common-weale Giue me thy wisdome and reiect me not from thy children for I thy seruant and handmaiden am a fraile woman of a short time and full weake in the vnderstanding of iudgements and the lawes Thou hast chosen me a Gouernour of thy people and a Iudge of thy sonnes and daughters send mee therefore wisdome from thy sacred heauens and from the seate of thy magnificence that it may be with me and labour with me whereby I may perceiue what is acceptable in thine eies and learne that I haue no power of my selfe but from thee which art Almightie and reignest ouer the kingdomes of men giuing them at thy pleasure Graunt that I neuer conceiue proudlie of my selfe but may receiue in patience the discipline of thy Lawe Make me wise and
circumspect that I neither offer iniurie to anie man neither suffer anie to be iniuried that so equitie may be mainteined and iustice among men preserued Let me at no time vnder the shew and colour of equitie vphold or countenance a wicked cause neither yet without sufficient examination and triall of both parties giue sentence against anie Allow me such Counsellers Gouernours and Ouerseers as are of courage fearing God dealing vprightlie hating couetousnesse that by them the burthen charge and care which I susteine may be somewhat lightened Endue both me and them with thine holie spirit that with earnest studie and watchfull minds we may discerne betweene matters that no man through our negligence haue the ouerthrowe in a righteous cause but that sentence be rightlie pronounced betweene a man and his brother and a stranger without respect of anie person in iudgement Let vs heare as well the little as the great and feare no man because the iudgement is thine which standest in the companie of iudges and among the gods thou plaiest the Iudge for the iudgement is not of man but of the Lord and whatsoeuer we shall iudge it will come vpon vs. Wherefore let thy feare be with vs that we may doo all things with care and circumspection that we prooue not children in vnderstanding neither giue our selues to lusts pleasures but to eate our meate in due season and that for strength not for dronkennes For thou wilt make earnest and diligent inquirie of all our works and search all our cogitations because we are thy seruants and deputies to gouerne men of a verie short life and he which is to daie a King to morowe may be dead for we be all mortall and subiect to one and the same corruption Besides an horrible iudgement is nigh for such as walke not after the will of thee our God for he that is most lowe shall finde mercie but the mightie shall be mightilie tormented for thou which art the Lord ouer all regardest not the person of anie neither doest thou feare the greatnesse of the mightie because as well the great as the small are the workemanship of thine hands thy care is equall ouer all thou giuest to godlie Princes eternall happinesse which art the Iudge both of the quicke and dead liuing and reigning with thy Son in the vnitie of the Spirit a God for euermore Amen Another FOrasmuch as it hath pleased thee O King of kings and Lord of lords to appoint me among other a Ruler of thy people giue mee grace I beseech thee so to minister the Common-weale and so to execute mine office that I may please thee and hurt no man in all my dooings but iudge equallie and iustlie rule according to thy will shew my selfe a Mother vnto thy people and so be haue my selfe in all mine enterprises that I seeking thy glorie the furtherance of thy blessed Gospell and the weale of thy subiects may when thou shalt render to euerie one according to his deedes be found blamelesse in thy sight through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another OAlmightie God Lord of heauen and earth which hast appointed me thy seruant to bee a gouernour of thy people and a ruler ouer men I most humblie beseech thee send me thy wisdome from aboue whereby I may vprightlie iudge thy people rightlie discerne betweene good and euill and constantlie continue in dooing my dutie without respect of persons Giue me power and wisdome to do that is gratefull in thy sight profitable for my subiects and good for the continuance of peace Let me alwaies remember that I haue no power of my selfe but of thee and that the iudgement is not of man but of thee my God which standest among the iudges and plaiest the Iudge among the gods Giue me grace likewise to consider that one daie how soone I knowe not thou wilt bring me to a reckning and make diligent inquirie how I haue behaued my selfe in my place and office For I thy seruant haue but a short race to run and such is the state of vs all he which is to daie a King to morrowe may be dead And forasmuch as an horrible iudgement shall be giuen vpon such as rule not vprightlie nor walke after thy will for mightie men shall mightisie be tormented thou being Lord ouer all wilt spare no person nor feare anie greatnesse for thou hast made the small and great and carest for all alike I beseech thee gratious and eternall God giue mee grace to learne what thy will is and to deale wiselie to infer none iniurie vnto anie nor to suffer anie to be iniured to countenance none euill cause nor to slide from the path of iustice For I thy seruant am a fraile person of a short time and full weake in the vnderstanding of iudgments and the lawes Send me therefore wisdome from the throne of thy Maiestie that she may be with me labour with me that I may knowe what is acceptable in thy sight and be led by hir in all my dooings and preserued by hir power so shall my works be acceptable and then shall I gouerne thy people righteouslie in Christ my Lord and Sauiour Amen Another HEare mee O LORD thou high and mightie God whose Maiestie may not bee comprehended whose worde is true whose commandement is strong thou that ridest vpon the Cherubins fliest with the wings of the wind Thou God of all mercie most woorthie to be sought before whome the hosts of heauen stand with trembling whose ordinance is dreadfull whose lookes drie vp the depths whose hands rule the starrie firmament whose goodnesse onelie giueth the fruits of the earth whose wrath maketh the mountaines to melt and consumeth the wicked whose truth beareth witnesse and mercie saueth the sorowfull sinner Thou thou incomprehensible Creator that neuer tookest beginning and wantest end Sith of nothing thou hast wrought me with the woonders of the world to thy most seemelie shape and vouchsafest thy dririe death and passion to drowne the danger of my sinful deserts and hast as a carefull captaine cherished my bodie with comfortable gifts vnto this present daie continue O God such goodnesse towards me vnwoorthie which doo here with contrite hart and bowed knees appeale to the heigth of thy mercie and louing kindnesse to accept mine vnequall thanks for the same humblie beseeching thy fatherlie goodnesse that thy holie hand may stil renew in me thy former gifts plentiouslie powred vpon me from the prime of my birth vnto this present not remembring good Lord mine vnwoorthinesse of the same nor frailtie of my passed yeeres that speaketh against me but altering the ministers of thy wrath into mild mercie Grant I beseech thee that through the assistance of thy holie spirit I may be led to correct that is amisse and that I may now perseuere in setting ordering and reforming all my trauels counsels and studies as best may accord with thy blessed will and cancell the bonds of my heauie charge wherein
assist me most puissant Prince of all power with thy prudent skill and heauenlie grace that I may be truelie able to aduance iustice and to hate wrong and so be found a faithfull minister ouer thy people In whom plant I beseech thee thy heauenlie grace and feare with obedience towards mee thy minister and kindle in me the loue of thy holie spirit that I may perseuere in the truth of thy word without doubt or wauering to the end Grant this oh mightie God of hosts for the merits and passion of thy deere sonne my Lord and Sauior Iesus Christ AMEN The praier of King SALOMON for Wisdome to gouerne well Wisd 9. O GOD of my fathers and Lord of mercie which hast made all things with thy word and ordeined man through thy wisdome that he should haue dominion ouer the creatures which thou hast made and gouerne the world according to equitie and righteousnesse and execute iudgement with an vpright hart Giue me wisdome which is euer sitting aboue thy seate and put me not out from among thy children For I thy seruant and handmaid am a feeble person and of a short time and yet lesse in the vnderstanding of iudgements and the lawes And though a man be neuer so perfect among the children of men yet if thy wisdome be not with him he shall be nothing regarded Thou hast chosen me to be a QVEENE vnto thy people and the Iudge of thy sonnes daughters Thou hast commanded mee to maintaine thy Church which from the beginning thou hast chosen Oh send out of thy holie heauens therefore vnto me that thy wisdome wherewith thou madest the world gouernest thy works and knowest what is acceptable in thy sight right in thy commandements Send hir I saie from the throne of thy Maiestie that shee may be with mee and labour with me that I may knowe what is acceptable in thy sight and right in thy commandements For she knoweth and vnderstandeth all things and she shall leade me soberlie in all my works and preserue mee by hir power and glorie so shall my works be acceptable and then shall I gouern thy people righteouslie and be well and woorthie to sit in my fathers throne Amen Holie Praiers and godlie Meditations desciphering in Alphabeticall forme the Roiall name of our vertuous Souereigne Queene ELIZABETH properlie to be vsed of hir Maiestie ELIZABETH E ENter not into iudgement with thy seruant O LORD for no flesh is righteous in thy sight PSALME 143 verse 2. O GOD which dwellest in light that no man can attaine O God which art hid and canst not be seene with bodilie eies nor comprehended with anie vnderstanding neither expressed with the tongue of men or Angels O my God what is it to be righteous in thy sight It is that wee should bee without sinne before thee which no man euer was since the fall of Adam For which cause the holie Prophet DAVID saith in this wise Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant O Lord for no flesh is righteous in thy sight If then no flesh be righteous in thy sight O vnhappie that I am loden and burdened with sinne who shall haue pitie or compassion on mee or whither shall I go My sinnes are euer before me mine vnrighteousnesse condemneth me What shall I doo Shall I despaire God forbid For mercifull meeke and louing is my Sauiour My refuge therfore shall be in my God for certaine I am he will not forsake his owne image neither wil he forsake the worke of his owne hands Wherfore most meeke louing and mercifull Father to thee come I all sad and sorowfull But what shall I saie vnto thee I will saie Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant O Lord for no flesh is righteous in thy sight And againe I will with the Prophet powre out before thee the words of sorrowe I will hartilie beseech thee saieng Haue mercie on me O God haue mercie on me according to thy great mercie not after the mercie of men but after thy great mercie which is incomprehensible which is vnmeasurable and which passeth all sinnes without comparison According therefore vnto that thy great mercie by the which thou hast so loued the world that thou gauest thy sonne for it by the which thou hast taken awaie all our sinnes by the which through his crosse thou hast lightened all men by the which also thou hast restored all things in heauen and in earth wash me I saie O Lord wash me in his bloud restore me in his resurrection and iustifie me by thy grace and fauour and the redemption which is in Christ AMEN L LORD looke thou no more on my sinnes but according to the multitude of thy compassions wipe awaie all mine iniquities Psal 51. verse 1. THy mercie O Lord is the abundance of pitie thy compassions are the works and processe of thy mercie by the one thou lookest gentlie on the poore and wretched by the other thou forgiuest the multitude of sinnes O sweet and mercifull Sauiour Iesus Christ the sorowfull and penitent sinner Marie Magdalen came prostrate before thy feet she washed them with hir bitter teares she wiped them with the heares of hir head thou forgauest all hir sinnes and sentest hir awaie in peace this was good Lord one of thy compassions Peter thrise denied thee and forsooke thee with an oth thou mercifullie lookedst on him and he beholding thee bitterlie wept and thou Lord forgauest him which was another of thy compassions The theefe on the Crosse was saued with one word Paule in the furious madnesse of persecution was called and by and by was filled with the holie Ghost these all Lord are thy pitifull compassions Sith therefore that thou art the same our GOD with whome is no alteration neither shadowe of change and sith there is but one Mediatour and attonement betweene God and man that is Christ Iesus which endureth for euer why doost thou not powre out thy plentious compassions vpon vs as well as thou didst vpon our forefathers Why standest thou so far O Lord and hidest thy face in the needfull tune of trouble Hast thou forsaken vs Or are all thy mercies spent and none left O Lord my God I hartilie beseech thee most humblie praie thee that thou wilt according to the multitude of thy compassions wipe awaie all mine iniquities that as thou hast drawne and receiued innumerable sinners vnto thee and hast made them righteous in thy sight euen so thou wilt vouchsafe to drawe and take me and also to make mee righteous through thy grace and so to clense and purifie my hart that after all mine iniquities and vncleannesse put out it may be as a cleane table in the which thy finger O GOD may write the lawe of thy loue and charitie AMEN I IN the daie of trouble I will call on thee ô LORD Psa 120 vers 1. Because thou hast said In what houre so euer a sinner doth repent him of his sinnes I will no more
remember his iniquities Ezech. 18 verse 27. BEhold good Lord now are the daies of sorowe now are the daies of calamitie and now is the time wherein I must call on thee For now feele I mine old cankered and festered sores of sinne readie to breake foorth in me to my vtter confusion Behold good Lord all my desires and all my lamentable and sorowfull sighes I powre them all before thee crieng and saieng O Lord cleanse me from my sinnes for I am vncleane and filthie before thee Increase therefore thy light in me that I may be a vessell of thy grace kindle my hart with thy loue put out all feare for perfect loue expelleth feare Let the loue of the world the loue of the flesh the loue of vaine-glorie and the loue of my selfe vtterlie depart from me that I may through thy mercie be cleansed from mine iniquities by the which I haue offended thee Cleanse me therefore O Lord with the water of thy gratious fauour of which water he that drinketh shall no more thirst but it shall be made in him a fountaine of liuing water running and flowing into eternall life Cleanse mee I saie O Lord with the water of thy weeping teares cleanse me with the comfortable waters of thy sacred Scriptures that I may be numbred among them vnto whome thou saiedst Now are yee cleane through the words that I haue spoken to you AMEN Z ZACHE was a perfect man and thou Lord saiedst vnto him when he was in the figtree ZACHE come downe for to daie I will come into thy house and he came downe and ioifullie receiued thee Luke 19 verse 5. O Mercifull God how manie sinnes haue I don in thy sight which I would in no wise haue done before mortall men I feared men more than thee because I was blind and loued blindnesse I had onlie eies of flesh therfore did I onlie feare and looke on men which are flesh O my God behold I stand before thy face that I might finde mercie I stand before thy goodnesse and benignitie looking for thy fauorable answere haue mercie therefore on me Thou saiedst to Zache This daie I will abide in thy house and he ioifullie receiuing thee said Lord the halfe of my goods I giue to the poore and if I haue done anie man wrong I will restore him fourefold But Lord Iesu I will not part halfe that I haue but I bequeath my selfe wholie vnto thee reseruing nothing from thee promising to serue thee for euer with a cleane and pure hart O sweet Lord Iesus what sawest thou in Zache euen thine owne image for he had cast off the image of the diuell which before was on him and had put on him thine image If then thou didst see in Zache by putting from him the image of the diuell that which did drawe thee to his house take then from me sweet Iesus all my sinnes and wickednesse all I praie thee that none may remaine in me which may keepe thee from me that I may put off as Zache did that euill which is in me that thou maist see in me which thou sawest in Zache that when thou shalt call me out of the figtree of this miserable world thou maist saie vnto me Come downe for this daie I will abide with thee AMEN A A Pure heart create in me ô GOD and a right spirit renew within me Psalme 51 verse 10. ALas my Lord and Sauiour my hart hath forsaken thee it is turned from thee and is gone astraie it is wandered into strange countries and ensueth vanities hir eies are in the vttermost part of the world It is lost gone and sold vnder sinne It is stonie yea harder than the Flint or Adamant stone which relented and yeelded at thy sonnes death What now Lord What shall I saie A pure hart create in me a fleshie hart a mollified and soft hart an humble hart a penitent hart a mercifull hart a deuout hart a religious and zealous hart yea and such a hart as will loue thee aboue all things Create therefore good Lord such a hart in me that it may be of such efficacie through thy grace as nature is not able to make it Giue me also a right spirit that I may loue and worship thee which art the chiefe and principall spirit For thou art a spirit and wilt be worshipped in spirit and veritie My soule good Lord is also a spirit and so made of thee that of it selfe it is right For of hir owne nature she loueth thee aboue hir selfe and desireth all things for thy glorie so that hir owne naturall loue is right because it commeth of thee Make stedfast therefore in me O Lord through thy gratious fauour this spirit that it may according to his owne nature leade and keepe me in the waie of thy commandements and that by it my heart may be so inflamed with heauenlie loue that it may cause me to sigh vnto thee to embrace thee continuallie and neuer to forsake thee but alwaies to be firme and constant in thee Giue me therefore an vpright spirit not seeking hir owne glorie but thy will and glorie Renew it in me I praie thee good Lord renew it I saie for my sins haue quenched the first that thou gauest me AMEN B BEhold LORD against thee onlie haue I sinned and done euill in thy sight that thou maist be iustified in thy words and maist ouercome when thou art iudged Psalme 51 verse 4. TO thee onlie O Lord it is proper to forgiue and to be mercifull for through mercie and forgiuenesse thou dooest declare thine almightinesse I graunt therefore Lord and confesse that against thee onlie I haue offended and haue done that which is euill in thy sight Haue mercie therefore on me O Lord haue mercie Expresse and shewe foorth thine omnipotencie in me that thou maist be iustified in thy words For it is written Thou camest not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance Graunt me therefore good Lord a true repentant hart and iustifie me according to thy words Call me receiue me and giue me thy grace so that thereby I may do the works of repentance Thou saiedst When I am lifted vp from the earth I will drawe all vnto my selfe Uerifie Lord the words on me drawe me after thee and let me run with thee in the sweetenesse of thine ointments Againe thou saiedst Come vnto me all yee that labour and are loden and I will ease you Behold my Lord and my God I a sinner do come vnto thee all loden with sinnes daie and night labouring in the sorowe of my hart for thy grace and mercie Refresh and ease me therefore good Lord that thou maist be iustified and proued when thou art iudged For there are manie which saie There is no helpe for him in his God Ouercome Lord these persons when thou art thus iudged of them and forsake not me at anie time but giue to me thy creature thy mercie and pardon and then are they vanquished which
saie There is no helpe for him in his God AMEN E EStablish me ô LORD with a free and principall spirit and restore vnto mee the ioie of thy sauing health Psalme 51 verse 12. IT is a great thing O heauenlie father that I desire of thee seeing thou art a great Lord and King aboue all gods He doth thee iniurie which asketh of thee small things and he which asketh of thee bodilie things asketh but vaine trifles He therefore that desireth spirituall things desireth great things but he that desireth thy ioie and sauing health desireth the greatest thing thou hast to giue What is thy sauing health but Iesus Christ thy onlie sonne which is verie God and euerlasting life And forsomuch as thou hast bin so louing and liberall a father as to giue him vnto the death of the crosse and there to offer him for me why should I be ashamed to aske him of thee whome thou hast giuen for me Giue me therefore thy principall spirit that I may reioice in thy sauing health And forsomuch as in thy holie word thou biddest me aske and knocke euen till I see me importunate and what can I aske that should be more wholesome to me than that thou shouldest make me reioice in thy sonne our sauing health I will therfore continuallie crie to thee saieng Make me againe to reioice in thy sauing helth and restore to me againe the thing which my sinnes haue lost Restore to me that which through my fault is perished in me Restore me I beseech thee for his mercies sake that euer sitteth on thy right hand and maketh intercession for me that by his gratious fauour I may at my last end enioie the fruitfull benefite of thy sauing health AMEN T THov euer ô LORD hast loued truth and the vnknowne things of thy wisdome hast thou reuealed vnto mee Psalme 51. verse 6. WHat meaneth it to saie Thou louest truth but that of thy gratious mercie thou makest vs promises and fulfillest them for thy truths sake Thou didst promise vnto Abraham a sonne when he was aged thou fulfilledst thy promise in old and barren Sara because thou louest truth Thou madest promise vnto Dauid thy seruant saieng Of the fruit of thy bodie will I set vpon the regall throne and it came to passe because thou louest truth Thou hast promised vnto sinners which will come vnto thee forgiuenesse and fauour and thou hast neuer defrauded anie man for thou louest truth There are other innumerable promises in the which thou hast euer bene faithfull because thou louest truth Loue therefore O father of mercies this truth in me which with repentant hart turneth to thee Behold therefore thy creature in whome thou maist keepe it and to whome thou maist forgiue manie sinnes Spare good Lord spare thy seruant and command me to be of the number of the babes that the vnknowne things of thy wisdome which thou hast opened vnto me may lead me vnto the fountaine of wisdome which is on high that thou maist be praised in the works of thy mercie which thou dooest exercise towards thy seruant O LORD which neuer forsakest them that trust in thee AMEN H HAddest thou ô LORD desired sacrifice I would haue giuen it thee but thou delightest not in burnt offerings Psalme 51. verse 16. MY mouth Lord shall shew foorth thy glorious fame For I knowe it to be most acceptable before thee seeing thou hast declared it by the mouth of the Prophet saieng The sacrifice of praise shall glorifie me by which meane saith the Lord I shall be entised to shew him my sauing health Psal 48. Therefore will I offer praise vnto thee for my sinnes euen the praise of infants and sucklings And why shall I offer praise for my sinnes rather than sacrifice Bicause thou delightest not in burnt sacrifice For if thou hadst desired sacrifice I had surelie offered them but thou delightest not in them And againe thou saiedst I require mercie and not sacrifice Ose 6. Therefore my mouth shall shew foorth thy praise bicause thereby I doo shew foorth thy honour and it sheweth me through thy grace the waie to my sauing health O Lord thou madest the bodie for the spirit therfore seekest thou spirituall things and not bodilie things For thou saiest My sonne giue thy hart vnto me Prou. 23. which is the sacrifice that pleaseth thee Let me therefore offer vnto thee O Lord a hart repenting and sorrowing for my sinnes and inflame it with a desired loue of heauenlie things and then wilt thou desire no more of me for with such sacrifices wilt thou O Lord be pleased AMEN REGINA R REbuke me not ô LORD in thine anger neither chasten thou mee in thy heauie displeasure but haue thou mercie on me for I am weake and in miserie Psalme 6 verse 1. MY sinnes O Lord are so manie that the burden of them hath weakened me My bones are so bruised my sinewes are so shrunken my strength so faileth me the rod of thy displeasure hath so chastened me that I feele no helpe in my selfe I appeale therfore O Lord to thy mercie crieng out with the prodigall and vnthriftie sonne saieng O Father I haue sinned against heauen and before thee haue mercie therefore haue mercie on me not bicause I haue deserued thy mercie but bicause thou art mercifull Sith therefore thou art mercifull what art thou but euen the verie mercie it selfe And what am I but verie miserie Behold therefore O God which art mercie behold miserie is before thee What shalt thou doo O mercie Trulie thy works Canst thou go backe from thy nature And what is thy nature Uerelie to take awaie miserie Haue mercie therefore on mee O God God which art mercie take awaie my miserie for the depth of miserie requireth the depth of mercie The depth of sinne requireth the depth of grace and fauour Greater is the depth of mercie than the depth of miserie Let therfore good Lord the one depth swallowe vp the other Let the bottomlesse depth of mercie swallowe vp the depth of miserie AMEN E EXcept LORD the praier of thy seruant as thou diddest the praier of Cornelius and cast me not confused from thy presence Acts 10 verse 6. O Sweet Iesus who euer came to thee with a pure and stedfast faith and went awaie confused Or who euer desired thy fauour and went without it Surelie thou passest in thine abundant pitie both the deseruings and also the desires of them that praie vnto thee For thou giuest more than man can desire The woman of Canaan followed thee she cried and made a pitious noise she mooued thy Disciples to compassion worshipped thee and said Lord helpe me but yet wouldest thou not answere Yet shee trusting in thy mercie praied againe saieng Lord helpe me Unto whose importunitie thou diddest answere saieng It is not good to take the childrens bread and cast it vnto dogs O Lord who would not haue beene confounded and haue gotten him awaie at these thy words And yet
in his owne sight was righteous O Lord great is thy power great is thy might which declareth it selfe most chieflie in sparing and hauing compassion on sinners shewing to vs that a contrite and humble hart thou wilt not despise Accept therefore sweete Lord Iesu this my sacrifice of praise proceeding out of a broken and sorowfull hart And if it be vnperfect amend thou the fault mercifull Lord which onlie art of power to doo it that it may be an holie and acceptable sacrifice inflamed with the feruent heate of thy bountious charitie that it may be acceptable vnto thee or at the least that thou despise it not I knowe well that I shall find fauour in thy sight and that heereafter none of thy Saincts either in heauen or in earth shall despise me Accomplish therefore in me euen now O Lord that which I so oft do craue of thee which is that thou wilt haue compassion on me according to thy great mercie and that also thou wilt receiue me for a sacrifice of righteousnesse for a holie oblation for a burnt sacrifice of good liuing and for a Calfe to be offered vpon thine Altar or Crosse by the which I may passe this vale of miserie vnto that ioie which thou preparest for them that loue thee AMEN * ANOTHER ELIZABETH E ENgraue thy lawes in the depth of my heart O Lord that being instructed in thy commandements I may serue thee in feare and reioice in thee with trembling and take hold vpon thy discipline in all things least at anie time thou become angrie and I perish from the right waie Amen L LORD giue me helpe from my trouble for vaine is the helpe of man in thee I haue strength and thou bringest vnto nothing those things which trouble me let my soule be subiect vnto thee For from thee proceedeth my patience For thou art my God and Sauiour my helper and I will not depart from thee In thee is my helth and my glorie thou art the God of my helpe and my helpe is in thee Amen I I Haue broken thy fold and wandered long as a lost sheepe let me returne O Lord bicause I haue not forgotten thy commandements The misdeeds and ignorances of my tender yeers remember not Lord but according to thy mercie haue mind on me For thy goodnesse O Lord keepe my soule and deliuer me let me not be ashamed bicause I haue trusted in thee Turne my heauinesse into ioie cut off my sacke of sorowes and gird me with gladnes that my glorie may signe vnto thee and I shall not be greeued Z ZORobabel King of Iuda in the depth of thy displeasure tasted of thy mercie and receiued by the mouth of Aggeus thy Prophet sweete comfort and knowledge of thy fauour and grace yea after thy determination to destroie the whole kingdome of the heathen thy right hand did preserue him and thine incomparable mercie did choose him for a seale to thy selfe Lord this happie King in thy goodnesse was but an earthlie creature and then could he haue no righteousnesse in himselfe to moue such thy compassion If it proceeded from the multitude of thy mercies that surmount the iniquities of the whole world and that thou didst onlie vouchsafe to behold in him the image of thy selfe bow downe thine eies Lord and behold the selfe-same in me Certifie my conscience with remission of my sinnes that my sorowfull soule may be at rest within me Send downe thy holie spirit to remaine with me that I may become with that good King thy chosen seale and seruant and so graunt thy people that I may with them and they with me neuer deserue further than to tast of thy rod of fauorable correction but that all my labours and studies may euer bend to the performance of thy holie will and discharge of my dutie Amen A ARise and illuminate my mind most benigne Sauiour that I sleepe not at anie time in death least mine enimies saie they haue preuailed against me They which trouble me will be glad if I be cast downe but I haue fixed my hope in thy mercie Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant for no liuing creature shall be iustified in thy sight I will euer looke vpon the Lord for he shal be on my right hand that I be not mooued For this my hart is glad and my tongue reioiceth yea moreouer my flesh shall rest in hope Amen B BE thou vnto me O Lord in the daie time a defendour and in the night season a place of refuge that thou maist saue me for thou art my strength and vnto thee I flie Lord God deliuer me from the hand of sinners and from the Lawe-breaker and the wicked dooer for thou Lord art my patience thou art my hope euen from my youth In thee I am confirmed euen from my mothers wombe thou art my protector in thee shall be my song for euer and euer Amen E EUER my tongue shall be telling of thy rich mercie and woonderous works O Lord for thou hast caused me to passe through fire and water and led me into a fresh place thou hast giuen my soule life and hast not suffered my feete to fall According to the multitude of my sorowes thy comforts haue made my soule merrie My soule is like a Sparowe taken out of the Fowlers snare Thou hast deliuered my life from death and my hands from bloud that I may please thee O Lord in the light of the liuing Amen T THOU art iust O Lord and all thy commandements be true and all thy waies mercie truth and iudgement And now Lord be mindfull of me take not reuengement of my sinnes remember not mine offences neither the offences of my fathers because we haue not obeied thy precepts Giue me an hart of vnderstanding and set thy feare alwaies before mine eies that I may be obedient in word deed and thought to all that is thy will Lord giue vnto me the power of thy holie spirit to rule and gouerne thy people committed to my charge in all godlie feare and knowledge of thy word and that I may be vnto them an example in all godlinesse and vertue to the praise of thy holie name Amen H HEALE me Lord and I shall be healed saue me and I shall be saued My life cleaueth vnto the earth Quicken me according to thy word according to thy mercie releeue me and I will keepe the testimonies of thy lips Helpe me Lord so shall I be safe and I will from hencefoorth studie thy righteousnesse Thy mercies are manie O Lord according to thy word restore my health AMEN REGINA R REgard my praiers O thou God of my life leaue me not in the thoughts of euill Deliuer me from the wicked man let not the foote of pride come vpon me and to vaine-glorie giue me not Take from me all sinfull lusts let no desire of vncleannesse take hold vpon me giue me not ouer to an vnshamefast and obstinate mind but correct me in thy mercie
for into thy hands I commit me Amen E ENter thy iudgements in the tables of my hart destroie mine affections with thy loue send thy wisdome from the holie heauens and from the seate of thy Maiestie that she may be with me and labour with me that I may knowe what thing is acceptable before thee and may iudge the people righteouslie and discerne betweene good and euill G GRatious Lord thou that art the most high God aboue all the earth long-suffering and of much mercie sorowing the sinnes of man and of thy great goodnesse hast promised to the penitent remission of sinnes Lord I haue sinned mine iniquitie is multiplied aboue the sands of the sea and there is no hope of life in me because I haue stirred thee to anger in multiplieng offences before thee And now O Lord trusting in thy mercie I bow the knees of my hart beseeching thee of thy goodnesse destroie me not togither with mine iniquitie For the dead whose soules are out of their bodies can neither praise nor thanke thee but the sorowfull hart and the thirstie soule ascribe praise vnto thee O Lord I powre my praiers before thee and require mercie in thy sight saue me which am vnwoorthie and reserue not eternall punishment for mee For thine owne sake I aske it and will praise thee all the daies of my life Amen I ILluminate my hart O Lord with the light of thy word leade me Lord in thy waie and I shall enter into thy truth Print thy feare in my hart that I may reioice in thee Let thy word be a lanterne vnto my feet and a lampe of light vnto my paths so shall I not erre from the right waie but walke like a pure and wise virgin with an vpright hart chaste mind and cleane conscience and single eie before thee this daie and euermore Amen N NEuer will I cease to call vpon thee most mightie God of hosts which sittest vpon the Cherubins and hast dominion ouer all the kingdoms of the earth Thou which madest the heauens all things comprehended in them bow downe thine eare and heare open thine eies and behold saue mee from the hand of mine aduersaries suffer no euill to happen vnto me that all the people may knowe that thou alone art my God Amen A ASsist mee O Lord my God with thy heauenlie grace and renew in mee a right spirit that I may receiue strength ablenesse to doo thy righteous will and to stand against all the assaults of wilie Satan that they may haue no place in mee but that the old man which I beare about in my bodie may be crucified and dailie die in me that the desire of sinne errour and of worldlie vanities may vtterlie be destroied that I may euermore be renewed in the spirit of my mind that the life of my Sauiour Christ may alwaies appeare in me to whome with the Father and the holie Ghost be all honour triumph and glorie for euer and euer Amen The versicle EUen now and euer vouchsafe O LORD for thy deere sonnes sake to heare my humble petitions The answere REceiue my praiers I saie O GOD and in thy truth and mercie pardon mine offences and grant mee thy grace The Collect. O Emanuel my Lord and my GOD Iesus Christ sonne of the pure virgin Marie thou art not onelie the sweete spouse of my soule but with God the Father a most meeke Mediatour full of mercie and truth Wash awaie my sinnes with the most pretious bloud of thy holie passion make me rich in thy mercie and my faith so strong in thee that assisted with thy grace and holie spirit to all duties and works in this life towards thee I may enioie afterwards the glorie of thy blessed kingdome with thy holie Saints and pure Uirgins in euerlasting honour and triumph Amen The Praier O Roote of Iesse my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ which hast redeemed all mankind from sinne death and hell thou which hast said I am the waie truth and life The waie in doctrine commandements and examples truth in promises life in reward I praie thee by thine ineffable loue wherewith thou hast vouchsafed wholie to bestowe thy selfe for our securitie that thou wilt not suffer me euer to straie from thee bicause thou art the waie nor at anie time to distrust thy promses which art the truth and performest whatsoeuer thou promisest neither let me rest in anie other thing bicause thou art eternall life without the which there is nothing that ought to be desired neither in heauen nor in earth By thee we learne the sure and expedient passage vnto true helth that we wander no longer in the Laberinth of this world Thou hast exactlie taught what to beleeue and what to doo what to hope for and in whom we ought to rest By thee wee learne how wee were of that first Adam vnfortunatelie borne by thee we are assured there is no hope of health but through faith in thee that thou art the onlie brightnesse which giuest light to all men trauelling the darke desarts of this world where is nothing but a profound dimnesse wherby we neither see our calamities nor frō whence we ought to seeke remedie of our euill Thou vouchsafedst to descend into the earth disdainedst not to take our nature vpon thee that by thy doctrine thou mightest shake off the dimnesse of our ignorance by thy commandements mightest direct our feete in the waie of truth peace By the examples of thy life thou hast shewed vs the waie to immortalitie and by thy steps hast restored to vs a plaine easie profitable waie out of an vneeuen and rough waie So thou art made vnto vs a waie which knoweth no error in the which least we should be wearie thou hast vouchsafed to vphold vs in thy benignitie with great sure promises For who can be wearie accounting himselfe redie through thy steps to enter thy heauenlie heritage Therefore whilest we be in this iournie thou wouldest be a sure hope vnto vs to be in steed of a staffe vnto vs wherewith we are sustained Neither was thy goodnes content with this but knowing the weaknesse of our flesh in the meane while with the comfort of thy spirit dooest so refresh our strength whereby we run cheerefullie And as thou being made vnto vs the waie dooest driue awaie all errour so being truth dooest thou take awaie all distrust Finallie being made life vnto vs dooest reuiue the dead in sinne to liue by thy spirit releeuing all things vntill in the resurrection all mortalitie vtterlie abolished we may alwaies liue with thee and in thee when Christ shall be to vs all in all For eternall life is to knowe the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost to be one true God where now thorough faith we behold onlie in a glasse and riddle And then seeing more felowlie the glorie of the Lord wee shall be transformed into the same image Therefore I beseech thee most mercifull Sauiour that
heare the mournings of the prisoners thy persecuted members and to loose them foorth of bonds and fetters of whose life it was vtterlie despaired that in Zion once againe thy name O Lord and thy praises I saie in Ierusalem might be published by my ministerie as it is this daie manie nations and people running together to worship thee who hast now shewed thy selfe much more glorious therein than at anie time before Therefore O God which art indeed the Gouernor and Lord ouer all people in heauen and in earth thou art our God by a peculiar right and mine onlie honor For so great glorie haue I attained by this thy defence and saluation and so bright is the glittering of this honour wherewith thou hast crowned me that I may woorthilie triumph in thee being thus preserued and deliuered by thee and also condignelie celebrate this daie wholie to thee with banners displaied which hast so gratiouslie granted all the petitions of thine handmaid Namelie for that thou Lord being euer mindfull of thy promise and word which is of force for euer and prouiding for thine owne onlie glorie didst so mercifullie and miraculouslie preserue me from dangers and rebuking euen Kings and Princes for my sake so pretious and deere was my bloud in thy sight that none should touch thine Annointed nor doo me anie harme at the time appointed by thee thou allowing iustifieng and commending me as innocent whom others did maliciouslie condemne as guiltie of wickednesse didst most faithfullie and freelie performe thy promises towards me and changing my miserable estate into blisse didst bring me foorth glad and ioifull whom thou hadst appointed thine elect handmaid and chosen seruant to gouerne thy people and affaires in this kingdome CAP. IIII. WHerefore I humblie acknowledge that it is thou O almightie GOD which raisest vp the abiects and exaltest the miserable from the dunghill to place them among the Princes of the people and which somtime laiedst helpe vpon one that was mightie and didst exalt one chosen of the people my father DAVID thy seruant I meane whom thou tookest from the sheepfold and with thy holie oile didst annoint and broughtest to feed thy people and inheritance in Israel Euen thou O God I saie the selfe-same good God it is I confesse which hast also consecrated ELIZABETH to thy selfe to gouerne thy people ouer whome thou dooest chieflie rule and who hast vouchsafed in like fauour and in as great mercie to call me out of the prison to the palace and to appoint me to be the Prince and Pastor to feede the posteritie of Iacob and most deere people of Israel with the spirituall food of thine eternall word My preferment Lord and promotion I knowe is come neither from the east nor from the west from the south nor from the north neither as I haue well perceiued was it in mine owne power to exalt my selfe and to mount vp out of so great miserie to so high dignitie But it was thou my KING and my God euen thou most iust Gouernour of all things which bringest to passe mightie things farre passing the condition of mankind and rulest the state of kingdoms to whom alone it belongeth and in whose power and authoritie it is to cast downe whom thou wilt and to exalt whom it pleaseth thee which hast exalted mee thine handmaid and giuen vnto me thine absolute authoritie ouer all the great Princes and people of England that I should gouerne the verie Magistrates Commons thereof by the direction of thy word wisdome and counsell Yea I take thee to record O Lord against the slanders of all men that I neuer desired this honour as though I had deserued it neither laboured that I should be brought vnto this dignitie nor that I am now proud being promoted by thee thervnto nor that I doo so much as thinke or reioice that I am brought to this Kinglie office by bloud birth or by mine owne endeuour or power But alwaies I haue and still will confesse and humblie acknowledge to thy glorie that it was thou onlie O Lord my Redeemer and Sauiour vpon whome I did earnestlie call and set mine eies which at what time it pleased thee to heare me didst vouchsafe to embrace me with thy speciall grace and fauour and to bestowe this so great a benefit vpon me First to choose and take me onelie out of the rest of the people and to exalt me aboue others and then to consecrate mee to thy selfe and to annoint me with thy holie oile to be the QVEENE of this Realme and that not for anie desert of mine at all I saie but onlie bicause it so pleased thee to vse my seruice and endeuour in this so weightie businesse to defend thy people by my power receiued from thee Finallie it was thou O heauenlie KING who fauouring me thine handmaid more than I deserued didst richlie apparell mee in the roiall robes and all ouer cloathedst and beedeckedst me with statelie garments brodered with gold and pretious stones and as vpon this daie settedst me in the regall throne and causedst me most gloriouslie to come foorth from the yuorie Palace of my Coronation accompanied with manie noble Princes goodlie Uirgins and bearing the diademe or Crowne of pure gold vpon mine head At what time also thou madest the most fragrant odours of my sweet garments so spread it selfe that nothing was more pleasant vnto the beholders who as then vpon that happie daie so continuallie euer since doo runne together and presse in great multitudes vnto me to see me and to declare their thankefull harts to thee for me and their good willes they beare toward me in thee euermore they crie with lowd voices and ioifull harts vttering foorth to the praise of thy name and my great comfort these and such like hartie praiers vnto thy Maiestie for mee saieng God saue the QVEENE God saue the Queene ELIZABETH So that I may now iustlie saie O most excellent father that this is the daie in deede wherein thou hast chieflie shewed thy mercie vnto me and that this daie thou didst as it were beget me a deere Daughter vnto thy selfe in that as vpon this daie thou didst so gratiouslie annoint me thy Minister and Queene to deliuer thine afflicted Church to reigne vpon thy holie mount Zion there to declare to all nations the woonderfull works that thou hast done for me and thy people Israel as I doo at this present Go to therefore O my soule returne now to thy rest and take thine ease seeing that so notable a change of thine estate is happilie wrought by the Lord for he hath well deserued thereby euerlasting praise for his mercie The third part conteining three Chapters CAP. I. BUT O Lord my God who am I thy sinfull seruant that thou hast been thus mindfull of me And what haue I deserued who of all others haue least deserued and am thy most vnworthie handmaid that thou shouldest thus regard me and exalt me to so high dignitie
permanent vnchangable and vnmooueable lift vp the head of thine handmaid as it were of an Unicorne being annointed by thee with fresh oile and laden with new benefits continuallie Thou art he I saie by whose power consisteth whatsoeuer is high in the world euen by thy might which as it establisheth the kingdoms and policies whereby mankind is preserued so also by these testimonies of thy most mightie power the inhabitants of the earth being conuinced doo tremble and keepe silence And this peace being restored in my dominion thou causest that my people againe doo leade their liues both daie and night in comfortable peace godlie tranquillitie Wherefore thou hast giuen me great cause of new ioie and to reioice in thee O Lord my God who hast thus mercifullie dealt with me thine handmaid and especiallie bicause thou hast granted vnto me to ouercome all mine enimies how manie and how mightie soeuer and to compose and set my kingdome in peaceable order and to place in Iuda the throne of iudgement and iustice being directed by thy word O GOD which I haue and whereof I glorie still will glorie To conclude I doo reioice bicause thou Lord art my louing shepheard and feedest me in the greene pastures and sweet medowes of thy word with ioie and solace making me that was sometime as a barren woman without comfort now a ioifull and glad foster mother of manie spirituall children to thee Yea euen in the verie sight of mine enimies dooest thou O most bountifull Father prepare a deintie table for me and reaching vnto me a full cup thou giuest me drinke of thy pleasant springs and causest thy goodnesse and mercie thy bountie and liberalitie to followe me wheresoeuer I become blessing both me and my people with all thy blessings continuallie Finallie it is thou O Lord onlie who of thy singular goodnesse hast assuredlie fortified my hill woonderfullie with honour health peace and securitie and that dooest presentlie keepe me in safetie and causest me quietlie to lie downe and take my rest in thee Thou doost ward the gates of my Cities with bars and mightilie multiplie and cherish thy familie my citizens Thou bringest me into amitie with my neighbors and feedest me with the finest flower of wheate And these things verelie doo testifie most plainlie both thine infinite goodnesse and power yet surelie they are nothing in comparison of that benefit of the doctrine of saluation and holie word which thou hast bestowed vpon thy people and deliuered vnto vs as a rule to lead our liues both godlie and honestlie neither is there anie nation vnder heauen with whom thou hast so dealt as with vs herein Therfore hauing such experience of thy support I will comfort my selfe in thee my strength my shield in whom my hart doth rest neither will thine Annointed trust in anie other but onelie in thee which giuest power vnto Princes Euen I will blesse and praise thee O Lord which thus hast blessed both me and my people with thy continuall blessings And in this my present blessed state I will not cease to magnifie thee O Lord my deliuerer but I will declare set foorth before all people the maruellous works which thou my God hast done for me and whereof I my selfe from the beginning of my life vnto this houre haue had good proofe experience The fourth part of the Vow conteining fiue Chapters CAP. I. OH Lord my God how excellent is thy name ouer all the earth Aduancing mee thus to glorie far aboue my deserts I as one nothing able to compasse such great mercies am euen astonished with the admiration of thine excellent liberalitie and fatherlie prouidence ouer me O how greatlie doo these so manie and so great benefits binde me vnto thee And what shall I giue againe vnto thee for all thy bountie which thou hast bestowed vpon me Uerelie I will paie that which onlie I am able namelie I will take in my hands the Lampe which thou hast ordeined for thine annointed and will therein continuallie magnifie thy mercie I will take in my hands I saie the cup of thankefull sacrifice and calling vpon thee by name O Lord I will testifie openlie that I knowledge this my deliuerance and honour to be onelie of thee And those things which I vowed vnto thee O Lord when I was in danger will I now paie in the presence of all the people For thou art he by whose benefit I remaine aliue thou art my defence my tower my sauiour my sheeld my refuge finallie thou art he who onelie hast subdued all this people vnto me and therefore well deseruest the renowme and praise of all these victories by most worthie right Wherefore by good right O Lord I will declare thy praises euen with a sounding voice And bicause it becommeth all men and women that haue receiued benefits of thee and to whome thou grantest the vse of this life and deliuered from so manie not dangers but deaths to doo this thing diligentlie and continuallie I will labour to commit the memoriall of thy benefits vnto others and exhort them to accompanie me in the dutie of thankefulnesse earnestlie and saie CAP. II. O All yee holie spirits the apparitors of the Lords Maiestie which are diuided into innumerable garrisons go yee before others in this his praise and sound them foorth euen from the most high heauen O yee Citizens of Zion reioice yee in the Lord your King and Gouernour and set foorth his praise far and wide not onlie priuatelie but also publikelie Praise the Lord I saie for his infinite goodnesse and euerlasting mercie deserueth the same O you the innumerable multitude whome God hath deliuered out of manifold dangers and foorth of the hands of your enimies and persecutors praise the Lord for his infinite goodnesse and euerlasting mercie deserueth the same and acknowledge this thing with me For how manie hath he gathered from the beginning of the world which were scattered from the East and the West from the North and South Ocean sea How manie wandering wretches in the waste wildernesse and seeking a Citie commodious to dwell in halfe dead and killed with famine and thirst crieng vnto thee O God in their extreame miseries hast thou heard and drawing them foorth of their distresse hast brought into the right waie and led them into commodious Cities of refuge to dwell in peace O let these men therefore set foorth this thy great mercie before thee O Lord thy selfe and shew foorth thy maruellous works to other men who hast thus refreshed them panting for thirst and fed them so mercifullie being hunger-starued How manie also being shut vp in darke prisons and euen as it were in the darkenesse of death being chained in their mind with sorow and in their bodies most strictlie with iron fetters And that worthilie I confesse because they did not obeie thy commandements oh God which are engrauen in the minds of all men but rather followed their owne lusts than the wholesome counselles
I beholding the excellent iudgements of thy iustice in crowning thy gifts in the righteous seuen times a daie doo I celebrate thy praises neither doo the watchmen doubtlesse so carefullie keepe their watch as I am diligent in meditating thy Heast and commandements CAP. II. ANd bicause O Lord though man be increased with neuer so high dignitie riches and honours yet if he want thy wisedome hee shall be counted to differ little or nothing in this life from the brute beasts which wholie perish For he doth not long remaine in this worldlie pompe and glorie but all his power shall vanish and flowe awaie like water spilt on the ground and brought to naught I will therefore number my daies while I haue time so that I may betimes applie my hart vnto thy wisedome endeuour my selfe to learne thy statutes by thine instruction and to be taught the true knowledge ioined with such a iudgement whereby I may discerne all things aright as it were by tasting a sauourie thing bicause I desire to depend on thy commandements and to fulfill thy Heast Uerelie Lord I will meditate thy commandements continuallie and will applie my whole mind to obserue thy waies I will delight my mind I saie in thy statutes neither will I at anie time forget thy words For neither hast thou O Lord my heauenlie father commanded mee anie thing vnaduisedlie in thy Heast neither are they things that I shuld onlie vnderstand or lightlie consider of but thou hast wiselie spoken and commanded them vnto me that they should be obserued and kept of me with all diligence And would to God that my maners and state might so be ordered by thy gouernement that I might sincerelie seeke to please thee and holilie walke after the rule of the doctrine prescribed by thee that I might most constantlie perseuere in keeping most carefullie thy statutes For then verelie I should leade an vpright and blamelesse life at harts ease with a quiet mind and all things should go well with me yea by that meanes shall I onelie worship thee rightlie and purelie without following this or that maner of worship not prescribed by thy lawe nor alowed by thy word Therefore am I fullie purposed to keepe thy statutes firmelie to the end and to hold the waie prescribed by thy word For I haue chosen this as the true waie and I doo prefer this before all other things O Lord I endeuour my selfe I saie with a pure hart to cleaue fast vnto those things which are approoued by thy testimonies of the which my good purpose grant I beseech thee that I doo neuer repent But direct me that am well entred into the waie of these thy precepts and inflame me wholie more more with great desire both of true knowledge ioined with iudgement wherby I may discerne all things aright and also keepe thy lawes as well in prosperitie as aduersitie vnto the end of my life that I may finish the whole course of my reigne by the direction of thy precepts which are mine onelie counsellers thy mercie and thy truth being my two keepers and assistants wherevpon I also onlie trust Neither am I O Lord of their number who haue no regard whither they walke in the right or wrong waie before thee but I haue searched carefullie by good aduise what waie I should keepe and I haue fastened my steps in those paths which thou hast testified doo please thee Neither haue I staied when I did knowe the matter so to be but straightwaies bent my selfe to obserue thy commandements and beene most willing and readie to accomplish thy will in all things that might aduance thy glorie Oh how do I loue thy doctrine Surelie thou knowst Lord that I am woont to consume whole daies and nights in meditating of thy lawes And I doo find by experience that I haue not done this in vaine For I haue proued to be much wiser by thy precepts than all mine aduersaries which labour with all their power to destroie me of how great dignitie or authoritie soeuer they be For I haue obteined by thy gift a wisdome that will neuer forsake me Yea thou hast made me better learned than my teachers and maisters euen because I haue giuen my selfe wholie not to mans inuentions but to meditate those things onlie which thou hast giuen vnto vs for sound learning Finallie I am more skilfull than anie of the ancient because I was bent not onelie to knowe thy commandements but also to keepe them in deede For I held backe my feete that I should not go the waie that leadeth vnto euill but that I should alwaies rather hold the waie which thou hast taught vs by thy mouth Thy precepts O Lord haue bene and shall be like a burning Lampe in my hand and as a light shining before me to shew me the waie that I shall go yea they haue taught me the true wisdome And therefore I now abhor the other guids rules of the order of this life as wicked and false For I see all the most absolute and perfect works come to an end yea both the decrees lawes which mans wisdome doth set downe to be subiect vnto change and at length euen to come to naught Onlie thy precepts most true and most stable are prolonged without measure and without anie end Wherefore I am wholie consumed being inflamed with the loue of thee because I see thy words despised of mine aduersaries Surelie I feele thy words more pleasant and sweet to my mouth than if I had tasted honie yea thy precepts are more pretious vnto me than anie gold or iewels be they of neuer so high price and estimation I doo and will still affirme that all thy commandements are the most certaine and perfect rule of thy iustice and truth to direct me to equitie and godlinesse and therefore I vtterlie abhor as a thing appointed to deceiue vs whatsoeuer leadeth vs from them neither will I at anie time forsake thee nor turne from thy lawes but rest vpon thee my teacher and ghostlie instructer O Lord thou knowest that I hate and abhorre all deceits I saie and that I embrace thy doctrine yea and that I neuer conceiued more greefe of anie thing than when I did perceiue those men that are thine and mine enimies to despise thy word so stubbornelie and impudentlie Mine eies verelie doo swimme with teares when I behold the generall contempt of thy doctrine and too bold prophanation of all thy holie Heasts and lawes the which thing I neither would nor could dissemble For euen so oft as I perceiued thy glorie to be diminished I burnt with sorowe I accompted my selfe to be wounded with the reproches cast out against thee Uerelie there is nothing more pure than thy words Wherefore I euen I thy seruant doo embrace them with an incredible loue and desire yea I haue bound my whole heart for euer euen to my last gaspe to obserue thy statutes CAP. III. IAm determined O Lord to
imbrace with most great loue those things which thou hast testified vnto me and to keepe all thy Heasts most diligentlie yea I will so behaue my selfe in this my gouernement that none shall worthilie complaine of me that I haue committed anie thing against them contrarie to right and equitie For I doo beare thy Heast in my hand as a Lampe ordeined of thee for to lighten me in thy perfect paths and waie And I laie vp thy word in my hart as a pretious treasure least I offend thee in anie least thing And how sincerelie I doo this that is how without all hypocrisie I applie my selfe to fulfill thy commandements and to accomplish and doo to the vttermost of my power all things that thou hast testified vnto me it is best knowne vnto thee who being my witnesse and priuie to all my thoughts and doings I doo whatsoeuer I doo O Lord vnto whome I appeale and whome I can not deceiue though I would I am throughly knowne and manifest vnto thee I saie For no part of my life is vnknowne vnto thee whether I sit or I rise yea thou doest euen vnderstand all my thoughts a far off and thou obseruest narrowlie my walking and my lieng downe neither is anie of those things hidden from thee which I go about For thou knowest euen my words O Lord before my tongue pronounce them I submit my selfe O God in this thing therefore to thy triall how I doo prefer the consideration of thy woonderfull works words and benefits before all others which are so great verelie that I am not able once to accompt the summe of them nor to reach to the height depth length and bredth of thy great mercies towards me For I find them mo than the sands of the sea or the heares of my head Wherefore I onlie refer my selfe to thee my God I saie that thou maiest throughlie prooue thine handmaid and see if my hart be not altogether fixed vpon thee and vtterlie search out all my thoughts to write them downe in thy booke of consciences Finallie consider Lord I praie thee whether I haue prouoked the vngodlie with giuing anie offence as thou knowest me innocent so preserue thou me and gouerne the course of my life with thy counsels Yea thou knowest O Lord that I haue neuer bent mine eies to high things nor entangled my selfe willinglie with great matters whereby I might win to my selfe the opinion of excellencie aboue all other neither yet haue reached vnto such things as were aboue my capacitie But contrarilie vnlesse I haue bene content with my state howsoeuer and haue staid my mind to depend wholie on thee as they teach the weaned child to forget the Nursse and to regard the mother alone vnlesse I saie I haue so behaued my selfe hitherto as the weaned infant let me in deede be refused of thee Therefore according to this mine innocencie O Lord by the assistance of thy grace I will proceed yea surelie Lord according to my power as I haue begon in thee so I will endeuour my selfe to end in thee and to walke with thee vprightlie and setting all my confidence in thee alone I am fullie minded to continue to the end of my life without wauering in the faith of a right Christian feare and loue to thee That I stand vpright in the waie of thy truth I doo attribute it onlie vnto thee O Lord my God and will therefore magnifie thy name in the publike congregation And I doubt not but thou O Lord thine owne selfe wilt sullie performe the worke that I haue enterprised by thine authoritie For this is thine euerlasting mercie testified by thy word neither wilt thou I knowe leaue the worke vnperfect which thou hast once begun by me and in me And now surelie mine eies are still alwaies bent vpon thy goodnesse and I haue appointed thy truth to be the guide and leader of my life yea I vnfeinedlie vow and make a solemne promise before thee and all thy holie Angels that I will giue all possible diligence both that I may throughlie knowe the right waie appointed by thee and also may obserue the same purelie in my house and Realme I will neuer set before me to doo anie wicked thing but will endeuour my selfe to godlines more and more and keepe my hands pure from all iniurie and wrong that I may so liue the true life and spend the whole course of this my peregrination in setting foorth thy glorie CAP. IIII. HEnce from me therefore ye wicked ones that I may keepe the precepts of my God so much more purelie For I abhor the wauering and wanderings to and fro in religion and I count thy word and doctrine most deere and pretious I will forsake them that are of corrupt maners neither will I take such vnto me I will put far from me the authors of euill counsels neither will I embrace at anie time the thing that I knowe to be euill Yea Lord thou knowest how carefullie I haue auoided the companie of these most vaine men and I haue fled awaie from these deceitfull dealers They that run after another God I vtterlie detest Their drinke-offrings of bloudie sacrifice which I am afraid euen once to name will I not offer All such abhomination my soule doth vtterlie abhor For I as thou knowest loue righteousnesse and holinesse and hate whatsoeuer is against it And bicause they hate thee O Lord which art righteousnesse it selfe therefore doo I againe hate them and doo euen abhor them bicause I perceiue them to rise vp against thee I hate the superstitious crue of the vngodlie I saie vtterlie and count them for my greatest enimies much lesse will I ioine my selfe vnto them or can abide to winke at their wickednesse and rebellion Yea I fullie determine to exercise thy power giuen vnto me and to destroie the wicked and prophane vtterlie that thy Church may be well purged and free from these cruell and bloud-thirstie hypocrites from these men I saie which speake blasphemie against thee so great and so proud is the crueltie of those not of mine enimies so much as of thine For they abuse thy holie name and Maiestie Those superstitious men I saie Lord that beare thy name in hypocrisie shall haue their mouthes stopped and be put to silence in the congregation and that bicause they be deadlie enimies to thy word and holie Gospell which I professe Therefore bicause they resist not me but thee O God thy selfe therefore thou shalt carie in thy hand a cup full of troubled wine and full of dregs the which thou shalt giue to all the wicked to sucke vp and to drinke euen the verie dregs thereof Yea with the edge of the sword will I cut off the horns of the wicked and rebellious and will execute the iudgement appointed and commanded by thee my God vpon them till they be consumed that the honor dignitie of thy Saints may flourish in Israel in all pietie and peace All those
Lord with the hyssope of true repentance and sorowfull contrition that being clensed in the most cleere fountaine of thy grace I may be whiter than snowe and also bee able euer hereafter to serue thee in holinesse and purenesse of liuing through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Wash your hands yee sinners and cleanse your harts ye wauering minded Isaias 4 verse 8. I will wash my hands in innocencie ô Lord and so will I go to thine altar Psal 26 verse 6. Or else praie thus HAue mercie vpon mee O God and pardon the wicked deeds which my hands haue committed Wash my soule with the holie fountaine or well which I beleeue did flow from thy hart and naked side and sanctifie and purifie not onlie my hands and face from filth but my hart soule and conscience also from all contagion of sinne and iniquitie that I may be pure both in bodie and soule and serue thee in holinesse and puritie all the daies of my life So be it Though I wash my selfe with snowe water and purge my hands most cleane yet shalt thou plunge me in the pit and mine owne cloths shall make mee filthie Iob. 9 verse 30. Meditations THinke now of thy vow and promise made to God at thy baptisme to forsake Sathan to renounce the world and to mortifie the flesh and how oft since thou hast broken it and be hartilie sorie therefore Thinke also vpon the vnspeakable loue and mercie of Christ our Sauiour who hath washed vs from our sins in his owne pretious bloud and purged our conscience from dead works to the end we should serue him in holinesse and innocencie of life And consider that it shall little auaile thée to haue washed thy selfe if thou touch filth againe that is if thou confesse thy faults and after commit them againe and so wich the dog returne to the vomit and with the washed sow to the wallowing in the mire againe ¶ When you be made readie first before all things looke that either by your selfe or with your familie with all humblenesse of mind you kneele downe by your bed-side in your parlour or other sweete cleane and conuenient place and there taking both time and leasure to serue the Lord lift vp your hart hands and eies and praie vnto his diuine Maiestie saieng in manner and forme following A premeditation or first forme of praier to be vsed before praier O Mercifull Lord and louing father without whose aid and motion I am not able to stir one member toward heauenlie seruice the burthen of this slowe and sinfull flesh doth so ouercharge my weak soule according vnto thy fatherlie pitie looke vpon me O God prepare my hart to praier and quicken my dull spirit with thy grace to rise out of this miserable puddle and to come before thy presence in humble repentance crauing thy mercie for my miserable sinnes and wickednesse and being released in the bloud and righteousnesse of Iesus Christ I may ioifullie serue honor and praise thine eternall Maiestie through thy deere sonne my mercifull Lord and redeemer to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all glorie and thanks for euer Amen Another meditation before praier VNto thee O heauenlie father doo I heere prostrate on my knees lift vp my hart my hands mine eies and praiers beseeching thy Maiestie and saieng Helpe me O my Lord and God in this my good purpose and holie worshipping or seruing of thee and grant vnto me to make a perfect entrance and beginning this present daie that I maie doo all things in the name of the Father of the Sonne and of the holie Ghost For that which I haue hitherto done is nothing at all The Confession and Praier O Father of heauen O sonne of God redeemer of the world O holie Ghost three persons and one God haue mercie vpon me most wretched caitife and miserable sinner I haue offended both heauen and earth more than my tongue can expresse my sins are aboue all mens both in number and greatnesse which I haue committed Whither then may I go And whither should I flee To heauen I may be ashamed to lift vp my face and in earth I find no place of refuge or succour To thee therefore O Lord doo I runne to thee doo I humble my selfe saieng O Lord my God my sinnes be great and innumerable but yet haue mercie vpon me for thy great mercie The great mysterie that God became man was not wrought for little or few offences Thou didst not giue thy sonne O heauenlie father vnto death for small sinnes onlie but for all the greatest sinnes in the world so that the sinner returne vnto thee with his whole hart as I doo heere at this present Wherefore haue mercie on me O God whose propertie is alwaie to haue mercie wherefore haue mercie on me O Lord for thy great mercie I craue nothing O Lord for mine owne merits but for thy name sake that it may be halowed thereby and for thy deere sonne Iesus Christes sake and now therefore Our father of heauen halowed be thy name c. Another Confession and praier OH almightie euerlasting God and most gratious deere louing father I beseech thee for Iesus Christes sake thy most deere and onlie sonne to haue mercie pitie and compassion vpon me most vile wretched and miserable sinner whose innumerable offenses both old new be most horrible heinous and great where through I haue iustlie deserued thy greeuous wrath and euerlasting damnation But now good Lord heere I do appeale to thy great mercie onlie which far surmounteth all thy works as thou hast promised the same in thy holie and infallible word where thou hast said yea and sworne as trulie as thou liuest that thou wilt not the death of a sinner but rather that he should conuert and liue Ah deere Lord I confesse that I am a great and greeuous sinner and yet now by thy grace and good working of thy holie spirit something turned vnto thee Oh let me liue and not die the euerlasting death of the soule which I so deepelie haue deserued but make me a vessell of thy great mercie that I may liue and praise thy name among thy chosen children for euer Oh let not my horrible sinnes separate me from the sweet sight of thy Maiestie but let thy great power and mercie be magnified in me as it is in Dauid in Peter in Magdalen and in the notable Theefe which was crucified with Christ thy deere sonne in whose most pretious death and bloud-shedding onlie O Lord I put my whole trust and confidence For he onelie hath taken awaie the sinnes of the world he came not to condemne the world but to saue it that none that trulie beleeue in him should perish but haue life euerlasting He saith he came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance Oh gratious God giue me true earnest hartie and vnfeigned repentance that I may from the verie bottome of my hart continuallie lament my manifold
my bodie a liuing sacrifice holie and acceptable vnto thee which is a reasonable seruice gratefull obedience Both now and euerie daie Lord I commend my soule and bodie into thy hands thou hast redeemed me O God of truth Compasse me about with the watch of thine Angels which are ministring spirits sent out for their defence which are the children of saluation that they may pitch their tents about me and incounter with Satan the dragon to defend me from euill Giue thine holie Angels charge of me that they protect me in all my waies least happilie I hurt my feete against a stone so will I praise thee and magnifie thy name which liuest and reignest a true and eternall God worlds without end Amen Another praier verie effectuall to be vsed vpon the Lords Sundaie or other holie or festiuall daies SEing that the verie solemne times festiuall holidaies doo vndoubtedlie greatlie renew the reioicing of the godlie yea that more is with a certaine heape as a man would saie doo maruelouslie augment and increase their spirituall ioie in thee O most holie Lord God of Saboth and make it greater than it was For they are kept to continue and stir vs vp vnto the remembrance and recounting of thy woonderfull acts things and miracles wrought and done by thine almightie Maiestie for the conseruation and saluation of mankind and by that occasion doo exceedinglie cheere vp and fill the harts of the godlie with spirituall ioies in thee Moreouer bicause good exercises are to be renewed often but especiallie vpon the Sundaie and holie daies as though at that time we were departing out of this life and going to the euerlasting holie daies of spirituall rest and continuall ioie and therefore ought we at that time especiallie to prepare our selues with carefulnes to shew our selues more godlie and to doo thy cōmandements more straightlie as they y t shall receiue reward of our trauels at thy hand ere it be long Behold I thy sillie creature desirous to keepe the godlie rest of the new Saboth better than hitherto I haue done for which as for all other my defaults I crie thee hartilie mercie doo now therefore most humblie beseech thee O holie Father to powre plentiouslie vpon me thy blessed spirit through whose diuine power vertue and grace I may this daie be throughlie sanctified clensed dedicated and prepared both bodilie and ghostlie perfectlie to serue and worship thee according to thy will O holie God which hast commanded vs to sanctifie our selues and to be holie as thou art grant me grace with S. Iohn to be in the spirit on the Sundaie and this daie to be holie with them that be holie and altogither giuen to serue please thee in spirit and truth as becommeth the true worshippers of thee Make thou me this daie to refraine my selfe from dooing anie bodilie labour or seruile worke and vtterlie to forbeare all maner of vngodlinesse displeasant vnto thee as namelie not to abuse or mispend this holie daie in pranking packing priinting pointing frisling or vaine attiring of my selfe to be gorgious and gaie and to prance in pride neither yet in vnlawfull plaies idle sports games Ethnicall pastimes feasting banketting bellie-cheere gluttonie riot excesse chambering wantonnes nicenesse contention pride couetousnesse or in anie other fleshlie filthinesse and vaine pleasures of this transitorie world but contrariwise to occupie and giue my selfe obedientlie vnto the vertuous works and holie exercises of thy diuine precepts namelie vnto the expending of the spirituall rest and euerlasting repose of all Christian soules in heauen vnto the meditation of thy woonderfull works and vnspeakable benefits which thou O God continuallie bestowest vpon thy Church and to bee thankefull for the same to studie the Scriptures to heare and reade thy sacred word and followe the same to call vpon thee by ardent praier with hartie thankesgiuing for all thy mercies to exercise thy holie Sacraments and to comfort and giue almes gladlie according to mine abilitie to the releefe of the poore and comfort of the needie Make me I saie O Lord with holie Dauid both most willing and glad this daie to go foorth with my whole familie and the multitude into thy house and temple in the voice of praise and thankes-giuing among such as keepe it holiedaie vnto thee and at all seasons by common order appointed diligentlie to frequent the populous resort and Christian assemblie of the congregation in the Church and to be present with other thy people often in that most sacred place on earth at the most holie and alwaies to thee O God most acceptable sacrifice of praise inuocation diuine worship giuing of thanks singing of hymnes hearing of thy word vsing of thy holie Sacraments praiers intercessions and supplications which at the comming together of the whole congregation is vsed ordinarilie to be made vnto thee in the Church with verie great ceremonie and reuerence that thus being free from the trauels and drudgerie of this world and by thy grace cleansed from all mine owne carnall affections and wholie giuen ouer to serue and sanctifie thee in true rest and spirituall ease as also to bestowe consecrate and hallowe this thy sacred Sabboth or Sundaie with all other festiuall holie daies most glorious vnto thee in all holie and spirituall exercises of a faithfull and obedient Christian according to thy will I may euen heere in this vale of teares amidst all my miseries be thereby occasioned with cheerefull hart both outwardlie and inwardlie exceedinglie to reioice and trust in thee my most mercifull God and louing sauiour and after this transitorie life ended be worthie happilie to enter into thy holie Mountaine the Tabernacle of thine elect and kingdome of euerlasting blessednesse where the soules of all holie folke doo rest and there with them to be partaker of perfect holinesse and of the vnspeakable benefit of the wished wealefull rest and eternall endlesse ioie of ioies in the Paradise of God to see loue and praise thee most ioifullie in happie mirth for euer and euer through Iesus Christ our Lord to whome with thee O Father and the holie Ghost be immortall glorie infinite power euerlasting kingdome perpetuall praise and continual thanks-giuing by all creatures through all ages worlds world without end Amen See more for Sundaie afterward Meditations HEere call to mind the commandements of almightie God concerning the kéeping of the Sabboth daie holie vnto him as namelie the third commandement Remember thou keepe holie the Sabboth daie c. Exod. 20 verse 11. Call to mind also his promises touching the same who saith If thou turne awaie thy foote from the Sabboth from dooing thy will on the Sabboth daie and call the Sabboth a delight to consecrate it as glorious vnto the Lord and shalt honor him not dooing thine owne waies nor seeking thine owne will nor speaking a vaine word then shalt thou delight in the Lord and I will cause thee to mount vpon the high places of the earth
and feede thee with the heritage of Iacob thy father for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Esaie 58 verses 13 14. Yea blessed is he that keepeth the Sabboth and polluteth it not and keepeth his hands from doing anie euill Esaie 56 verse 2. Then his threatenings where he saith Yee shall therefore keepe the Sabboth for it is holie vnto you he that defileth it shall die the death therefore whosoeuer worketh therein the same person shall be euen cut off from among his people Exod. 31 verse 14. Of going to Church AND to the end you may the spéedilier addresse your selfe to frequent the Church often not alone but with your whole familie as you ought first call diligentlie to your mind some of these sentences of holie Scripture following ¶ Esaie 66 verse 23. AND it shall come to passe that from Moone to his Moone from Sabboth to his Sabboth all flesh shall come to worship before me saith the Lord. ¶ Esaie 2 verses 2 3. AND it shall come to passe in the latter daies the hill of the Lords house shall be prepared in the height of the mountaines and shall be higher than the hilles and all nations shall prease vnto him and a multitude of people shall go speaking thus one to another Come let vs ascend to the hill of the Lord c. ¶ Agge 1 verses 4 5 6 c. Zach. 14. THus saith the Lord of hostes Consider your owne waies in your harts ô yee people get yee vp to the mountaine and fetch wood and build this house and I will take pleasure in it and I will be glorified saith the Lord. Is it time for your selues to dwell in seeled houses and this house lie waste Ye haue sowne much but ye bring little in ye eate but ye haue not ynough ye drinke but ye are not filled ye cloath you but ye be not warme and he that earneth wages putteth it into a broken bagge ye looke for much and lo it came to little And when ye brought it home I did blowe vpon it and why saith the Lord of hosts Because of my house that is waste and you run euerie one into his owne house Therfore vpon you is the heauens staied from deaw and the earth is staied from yeelding her increase and I haue called for a drought vpon the land and vpon the mountaines and vpon the corne and vpon the wine and vpon the oile and vpon all that the earth bringeth foorth vpon men and vpon cattell and vpon all the labour of thy hands c. Thus hauing well perused and weied these holie sentences stir vp your selfe and exhort all your children seruants strangers and neighbours about you with chéerefull minds willinglie and diligentlie to resort to the Church especiallie euerie Sundaie and Holiedaie saieng vnto them as followeth An exhortation to be vsed of Maisters and Dames euerie Sundaie morning COme let vs ascend to the hill of the Lord to the house of the God of Iacob and he will there instruct vs of his waies and teach vs how to walke in his paths For out of Zion shall come a lawe and the word of the Lord from Ierusalem and hee shall giue sentence among the heathen and shall reforme the multitude of the people Come therfore I saie let vs cheerfullie ascend and go vp to Ierusalem the hill and house of the Lord. O let vs go our waies into his gates with thanks-giuing and into his courts with praise that we may present our selues to daie holie before the Lord and serue him with gladnesse ¶ When you be going towards the Church the better to expell idle thoughts and noifull cogitations and to prepare your harts to deuotion euen by the waie as ye go meditate and saie with your selfe some of these Psalmes and praiers following the which also for more readinesse would be learned by hart and said without booke Praiers to be vsed going to Church A Psalme I Was glad when they said vnto me We will go into the house of the Lord our feete shall stand in thy gates O Ierusalem Ierusalem is builded as a Citie that is at vnitie in it selfe For thither the Tribes go vp euen the Tribes of the Lord to testifie vnto Israel and to giue thanks vnto the name of the Lord. For there is the seate of iudgement euen the seate of the house of Dauid O my soule praie for the peace of Ierusalem they shall prosper that loue it Glorie be to the Father c. As it was in the c. Another Psalme LORD I haue loued the habitation of thy house and the place where thine honour dwelleth yea the zeale of thine house hath euen eaten me Therefore will I wash my hands in innocencie O Lord and so will I go to thine altar that I may shew the voice of thankes-giuing and tell of all thy woonderous works in the great congregation Behold I will go with the multitude that by the motion of the spirit are brought forth into thy house O God euen vpon the multitude of thy mercies in thy feare will I among such as keepe holiedaie worship towards thy holy Temple make haste vnto thy Tabernacle to vnderstand thy worthie wais diuine wil. For vnto thee O God which hearest the praiers vnto thee shall all flesh come to worship thee in Zion praier shall be made euer vnto thee and dailie shalt thou be praised in Ierusalem O therefore let the congregation of thy people come about thee O God that they may shew all thy praises within the portes of the daughter of Zion and reioice in thy saluation Remember also I beseech thee good Lord according to the fauour that thou bearest vnto thy people and visit me with thy saluation that I may see the felicitie of thy chosen children and reioice in the gladnesse of thy people giue thee thanks with thine inheritance O make me one of the houshold of faith and congregation of them that seeke thee euen of them that seeke thy face O Iacob saieng Lo I come to fulfill thy will O God O send out the light of thy truth that they may leade me and bring me vnto thy holie hill and to thy dwelling and that I may go vnto the altar of God euen vnto thee the God of my ioie and gladnesse With ioie and gladnesse I saie cause thou me to be brought to thy mansion house and to enter into the Kings palace That I may ascend vnto the hill of the Lord and rise vp holilie in his holie place That I may receiue the blessing from the Lord and righteousnesse from the God of health and saluation Another verie godlie praier to be vsed going to Church either at morning or euening praier IAm now entred into the voiage of saluation conduct me O Lord luckilie vnto the port that deliuered by thee from the verie death I may escape all dangers and come to the verie life Behold Lord my hart hunteth thee out and would God I
such things as be allowed and pleasant vnto thee least at anie time cleauing to superstition and hypocrisie I doo worship thee amisse but fill my hart with grace and stuffe it with sweetnesse of spirit euen as my bodie is stuffed with abundance of meats Lord rid me out of mine vngodlinesse plucke from me mine ignorance of thee banish my slothfulnesse of insearching thee Compell my flesh through thy spirit to his bounden dutie and obedience and bring to passe that I may now alwaies applie my selfe wholie without wearinesse and drinesse of mind vnto the right sincere worshipping and seruing of thee here in thy presence O Lord open thou my lips and then shall my mouth extoll thy renowmed name and publish thy praise not with fained lips but with a full glad hart lustie stomach and quicke spirit and saie with the congregation Our Father c. As at euening praier in the Church Another Meditation before Euening praier in the Church SEing thou hast beautified all those with a notable promise O most mightie God which are knit together in the honouring of thy blessed name so that thou wilt not onlie be present with them but also bestowest excellent gifts and benefits vpon these men whosoeuer they are that excell in sincere faith and pure godlinesse and haue an exceeding desire to be often in the blessed congregation in so much as there is nothing which they more couet or desire than to appeare diuers times in the daie before thee in the sacred assemblies yea it ought to be a most pleasant thing vnto vs to celebrate thy high praises perpetuallie and shew foorth thy maruellous works without ceasing For the performance whereof godlinesse would require that wee should not onlie doo the same in the daie time but also in the night season We will therefore lift vp pure hands in all places touching the publishing of thy glorious name and render perpetuall thankes according to our bounden dutie for thine vnspeakable goodnesse and louing kindnesse extended towards vs. But seeing that this ought to be done in the most sacred and holie assemblies our earnest request is to haue thee present heere with vs and to bestowe thy plentifull blessings vpon thy beloued Israel First deliuer vs wee humblie beseech thee from our heinous faults enorme sinnes and lewd corruptions wherewith we haue greatlie defiled our selues And then let our weake and feeble harts be strengthned in thy blessed waie and the withered powers of our mind which are dried vp watered with the holie Ghost that we being altogither repaired and wholie renewed may continuallie celebrate and praise thee and haue a great desire to direct our praiers vnto thy mercie-seate with a most holie intent as Christians ought to doo Cause vs now not constrained and brought thereto by compulsion but of a willing hart to come before thy presence and become true worshippers of thee yea and such as doo thinke it a goodlie matter to spend not onlie houres but daies and nights yea and all our yeares and life in the sincere seruice and right worshipping and honouring of thee in the sacred Church Let nothing be so deere and pretious vnto vs as to continue in the praises and commendations of thy glorious name from morning to night praieng both publikelie and priuatelie for all other as well as for our selues Graunt O excellent father that we in giuing due thanks for thy benefits may ioifullie sing double praises to thy glorious name for euermore that our minds I saie may dailie more and more bee strengthened hartilie to confesse couragiouslie to extoll and aboue all things to exalt thy wonderfull praises vncessantlie through Iesus Christ our Lord and Sauiour Amen A Psalme of exhortation to praier in the morning or euening O Come let vs worship fall downe and kneele before the Lord our maker and let vs hartilie reioice in the strength of our saluation Let our soules reioice I saie in the mercie of the Lord and not be ashamed to publish his praise Let vs doo our duties betimes both earlie and late and he will giue vs a reward in his due time For a good thing it is to giue thanks vnto the Lord and to tell of his louing kindnesse earlie in the morning O come therefore praise the Lord with me and let vs magnifie his name together Bring hither the booke take the Psalter and sing vnto the Lord a new song Let vs sing praises I saie lustilie vnto him with a good courage and shew our selues glad in him with Psalmes euen now in the time appointed and vpon our solemne feast-daie For great is the Lord and highlie to be praised in the Citie of our God euen vpon his holie hill of Zion Glorie be to the c. As it was in the c. Another Psalme exhorting all creatures to praise God O Praise the Lord of heauen yee Angels of his ye Saincts that excell in strength and fulfill his commandements yee seruants of his that harken to the voice of his words and doo his pleasure Praise him in the height ye children of Zion and be ioifull in your King with glorie For God is verie greatlie to be feared in the counsell of his Saincts and to be had in reuerence of all them that are about him Praise him all yee heauens and ye waters that bee aboue the heauens O God the verie heauens shall praise thy woonderous works and thy truth in the congregation of the Saincts Yea let heauen and earth praise thee the Sea and all that moueth therein O sing vnto the Lord all the whole earth woorship him and stand in awe of his iudgements ye multitude of Isles Praise the Lord O Ierusalem praise thy God O Zion Praise the name of the Lord O yee seruants of the Lord yee that by daie or by night stand in the house of the Lord euen in the courts of the house of our God O all yee righteous that loue and seeke the Lord and be true-harted towards him praise his holie name and magnifie him all yee seed of Israel that feare and dread his Maiestie Praise the Lord also all ye heathen and nations of the world worship you him and glorifie his name For he is great passing all praise Praise the Lord O ye Kings of the earth Princes and all Iudges of the world yea worship him all yee gods For he is higher than the heauens and far exalted aboue all gods O yee kindreds of the people ascribe vnto the Lord the worship power and honour due vnto his name bring presents and come into his courts with praise Let the people praise thee O God yea let all the people praise thee both yong men and maids old men and children let them all remember thy holie name and declare thy power from one generation to another world without end O speake good of the Lord all yee works of the Lord in all places of his dominion Let euerie thing that hath breath praise the Lord. For his
name onlie is most excellent and his praise aboue heauen and earth Praise the Lord O my soule and all that is within me praise his holie name My mouth shall speake the praises of the Lord and let all flesh giue thanks vnto his holie name for euer and euer Glorie be to the father c. As it was in the c. A Psalme of Gods presence in the Church THE Lord hath chosen Zion to be an habitation for himselfe he hath longed for hir saieng This shall be my rest for euer here will I dwell For I haue a delight therein Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people and God himselfe shall be their God with them The Lord is in his holie Temple euen among thousands of thine Angels as in the holie place of Sinai Gods seate is in heauen the Lord is in the midst of the holie place euen of the Tabernacle of the most high This is Gods hill euen an high hill in the which it pleaseth him to dwell yea the Lord will abide in it for euer As the hilles stand about Ierusalem euen so standeth the Lord round about his people from this time foorth for euermore Glorie be to the Father c. As it was in the c. Another Psalme of the beautie of Gods house and the soules delight to be therein O GOD wonderfull art thou in thy holie places euen thou God of Israel It is well seene O God how thou goest how thou my God and King goest in the Sanctuarie The singers go before the musicians follow after in the midst are the virgins plaieng with the timbrels Thou Lord hast giuen thy word plentiouslie and great is the companie of the preachers The Lord is King he sitteth betweene the Cherubins the Lord is great in Zion and high aboue all people Thou O God art gone vp on high thou hast led captiuitie captiue and receiued gifts for men yea euen for thine enimies that thou Lord mightest dwell among them Righteousnesse and equitie are the habitation of thy seate mercie and truth shall go before thy face Glorie and worship are before thee power and honour are in thy sanctuarie This therefore shall be my resting place here will I dwell O Lord euen in the temple and tabernacle of the mightie God of Israel For I haue a delight therein Lord here is verie good being for vs. For such as bee planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of the house of our God They shall bring foorth more fruit in their age and shall be fat and well liking that they may shew how true thou my Lord and strength art and that there is no vnrighteousnesse in thee Yea blessed is the man whom thou choosest and receiuest vnto thee he shall dwell in thy courts and shall be satisfied with the pleasures of thy house euen of thy holie temple Blessed I saie are they that dwell in thy house they will be alwaie praising thee For in thy temple doth euerie man speake of thine honour and that bicause holinesse becommeth thine house O God for euer This therefore shall be my resting place euen here in thy temple will I dwell For it is a good thing for me to be here continuallie in thy tabernacle before thee my God for euer Yea here doo I wait for thy mercie and louing kindnesse O God euen in the mids of thy temple O when wilt thou come vnto mee that I may walke in thy house with a perfect hart and praise thy name for euer Amen Glorie be to the Father c. As it was in the c. A psalme for the prosperitie of the Church and that all people may praise and blesse the Lord. REturne O Lord to thy many thousands of Israel Arise now I saie to come into thy resting place thou and the arke of thy strength when the people are gathered together and the kingdoms also to serue the Lord. O thou shepheard of Israel thou that sittest vpon the Cherubins be fauourable and gratious vnto Zion build it vp and let thy glorie and worship appeere therein throughout all generations Decke hir priests with health and hir Saints shall reioice and sing Let the priests be clothed with the white reines of righteousnesse and let thy Saints sing Psalmes with ioifulnesse Giue vs thy word still plentiouslie and let the companie of the godlie preachers be great Let none touch thine annointed ones nor doo thy prophets anie harme O Lord saue thy people and giue thy blessing vnto thine inheritance feed them and set them vp for euer Let the congregation of the people come about thee O God that they may offer the sacrifice of righteousnesse and shew foorth thy praises within the ports of the daughter of Zion In this daie of thy power let the people make their humble supplication before thee and offer the free-will offrings with an holie worship In the Temple let euerie man speake of thine honor euerie good man sing of thy praise without ceasing O let the nations reioice and be glad let the people praise thee O God yea let all the people praise thee and all creatures both in heauen and earth blesse thee and saie Blessed be thou O Lord God of our fathers For thou art praise and honor-worthie yea and to be magnified for euermore Blessed be the holie name of thy glorie For it is worthie to be praised and magnified in all worlds Blessed be thou O God in the holie Temple of thy glorie For aboue all things thou art to be praised yea and more than worthie to be magnified for euer Blessed be thou in the throne of thy kingdome For aboue all thou art worthie to be praised and well spoken of and to be more than magnified for euer Blessed be thou that sittest vpon the Cherubims lookest through the deepe For thou art worthie to bee praised and aboue all to be magnified for euer Blessed be thou in the firmament of heauen For thou art praise and honor-worthie for euer Blessed be the Lord God euen the God of Israel which onlie doth woonderous things and blessed bee the name of his Maiestie for euer and the earth shall be filled with thy Maiestie Amen Amen Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time foorth for euermore Blessed I saie be the Lord God of Israel from euerlasting and worlds without end and let all the people saie Amen Amen Blessing and glorie and wisdome and thanks and honour and power and might be vnto our God for euermore Amen Amen Amen A praier to be vsed at your first comming into the Church for a pure and cleane soule SEeing that by the good motion and happie conduction of thy holy spirit O gratious God I am now entred into this thy holy house the Church and most sacred place on earth to worship thee and forasmuch as holines apperteineth to thee O Lord for thou art holie and nothing
belongeth all praise all commendation all honour blessing and loue Glorie power and might be vnto thee our God for euermore Amen Another praier verie forceable to mooue the mind vnto the praises of God O Iesus who art our redemption our loue and desire GOD of God helpe me thy seruant Upon thee doo I call vnto thee doo I crie from the verie bottome of mine hart for thee doo I call into my soule O enter thereinto and ioine it to thee that thou maist possesse the same without spot or wrinkle For a most cleane Lord must haue a cleane habitation O then sanctifie me thy vessell which thou hast made purge me from all wickednesse fill me with thy grace and being replenished keepe me so that I may be a meete temple for thy dwelling both here and foreuer O most good most gratious louing deere mightie desired pretious amiable and glorious God thou art to me sweeter than honie whiter than milke or snowe more pleasant than Nectar more pretious than gold and iewels and deerer than all the wealth and promotions of the world What doo I saie O my God mine onlie hope and so infinite mercie What doo I saie O happie and quiet sweetnesse What doo I saie when I saie these things I saie what I am able but I saie not all that I should Would to God I could saie as the melodious quiers of Angels doo saie O how willinglie would I powre out my selfe wholie in thy praises How deuoutlie without ceasing would I sing foorth those Psalmes of heauenlie musicke vnto the laud and praise of thy name in the middest of the congregation Notwithstanding because I cannot doo so shall I be still Wo to them which talke not of thee who openest the mouth of the dumbe and makest the tongues of babes eloquent Wo to them which talke not of thee for they which babble much are dumbe when they sing not thy praises Who can praise thee woorthilie ynough O vnutterable power and wisedome of the father And albeit I cannot find words wherewithall I maie sufficientlie expresse the almightie and all-skilfull word yet vntill thou call me vnto thee where I may praise thee as I should and ought I will saie what I am able Wherefore mine humble request is that thou wouldest respect not that which I now doo saie but that which I desire to saie For indeed I doo mightilie desire to speake of thee as I ought and as becommeth me bicause to thee praise to thee Psalmes to thee honor and glorie is due A complaint that we be not moued nor pricked in our contemplations and praiers like as the Angels be which tremble at the sight of GOD. PArdon mee O LORD pardon mee mercifullie forgiue mee and haue mercie vpon mee spare mine ignorance and my great vnperfectnesse doo not reprooue me as a rash woman bicause I dare be so bold which am but thy seruant But would to God I were either a good seruant or none vnprofitable or euill seruant And therefore am I an euill woman because I praise blesse and worship thee not as I ought to doo which art our God almightie terrible and verie much to be feared I worship thee I saie without contrition of hart and without a well of teares For if so be that the Angels when they worship and praise thee doo tremble beeing fulfilled with maruellous gladnesse I which am a sinner whiles I stand before thee saieng praises and offering sacrifice why am I not affraid in my hart why am I not pale in my countenance why doo not my lips quake and tremble why is not all my bodie afraid and why doo I not mourne and bewaile before thee after such a sort that teares might spring out of mine eies I would faine but I am not able bicause I cannot doo that which I desire to doo This maketh mee trulie woonderfullie to maruell that I am no more mooued when I see with the eies of my faith thee which art so fearefull But who can doo anie thing without the helpe of thy grace Except thou make our stonie harts to relent we of our selues are not able to mollifie them For all our helth dependeth vpon thy great mercie O wretch that I am How is my soule made without anie feeling or perceiuerance that it is not afraid with ouermuch feare whiles it standeth before God and singeth to him his owne praises Alas how is my hart so hardned that mine eies doo not gush out great flouds of teares without ceassing when I which am but a seruant or bondwoman doo commune talke in my Lord maisters presence Yea a woman with God a creature with a Creator I that am made of the slime of the earth doo speake with him that made all things of nothing Put me before thee O Lord and whatsoeuer I perceiue of my selfe in the secrets of my hart I doo not keepe it close from thy gratious eares Thou art rich in mercie and liberall in rewards Giue me of thy goods that with them I may serue thee For with nothing else can we serue or please thee but with thine owne gifts which thou hast vouchsafed to bestowe vpon vs. Fasten I beseech thee thy feare in my flesh Let my hart reioice and be glad to feare thy name Would God my sinfull soule feared thee so much as that holie man the which said I alwaies feared God as though it were great swelling flouds should come and tumble vpon me O God the giuer of all good things giue me among thy praises a well of teares with the purenesse of hart and reioicing of mind that I louing thee perfectlie and worthilie praising thee may feele taste and fauour in the palate of my hart how sweete and pleasant thou art O Lord as it is written Doo ye taste and see how sweet and delectable the Lord is Blessed is the man that putteth his trust in him Blessed is that people which knoweth glad and ioifull praising Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee in whose hart are thy waies which going through the vale of miserie vseth it for a well Blessed are the cleane in hart bicause they shall see God Blessed are they that dwell in the house of the Lord they shall praise thee world without end Amen A verie deuout praier for grace to praise God and to be thankfull for his benefits O LORD Iesus Christ which art the word of the father which camest into this world to saue sinners I beseech thee by the most louing bowels of thy mercy to amend and repaire my life Make better my deeds take thou the ordering of my manners Take from mee that that noieth hurteth me and displeaseth thee and giue me that which thou knowest will please thee and profit me Who can make cleane that which is conceiued of an vncleane seed but thou alone Thou art the God almightie of infinite pietie which dooest iustifie and make righteous euen those that are wicked men and raisest againe to life them
may be compared to the ranke Oliues and exceeding fertile Uines and grant that a continuall ofspring of thy deere children may be multiplied in thy blessed Church and become notable in peace in praises and in puritie of life and doctrine to the renowmed honour of thy glorious name through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another praier for the preseruation of the Church O Celestiall God and Father of infinite mercie and compassion which not onelie gatherest to thy selfe an holie Church in this world out of mankind through the operation of the holie Ghost and preaching of thy word but also preseruest the same being gathered and adornest it with all kind of temporall things and which more is with eternall blisse we humblie beseech thee gratious Lord that of thy goodnesse thou wouldest vouchsafe euermore to mainteine this thy little flocke embracing preaching and professing thy word through thine especiall grace Continue thy fauour toward the same keepe it in sound doctrine constant in confessing in the lawfull vse of thy holie Sacraments and in purenesse of life that neither the gates of hell the rage of Sathan nor yet the rigorousnesse and tyrannie of this world oppresse the same Protect and keepe this thy boate and little barke tossed among manie perillous tempests and miserable surges in the raging sea of this trouble some world that it perish not being ouerwhelmed Uphold thy Church which is builded vpon a sure rocke and dependeth vpon Christ a sound and vnmoueable foundation O Lord of hostes returne looke downe from heauen and behold visit thy Uine and make it perfect which thy right hand hath planted and thou hast chosen to thy selfe Hedge the same about with thy strong defence that the branches thereof being spread out and pruned may bring foorth aboundance of fruite Raise vp thy power come O God and saue vs. Conuert vs shewe foorth thy countenance and we shall be saued Encrease thy sheepe within thy hardels so shall we be quiet from all inuasion and scatterings neither can anie drawe vs by force out of thy hands Defend vs from such as seeke the vtter ouerthrowe of pure religion and in place thereof labour to bring in the shamefull instauration of blasphemous idolatrie Suffer not thy word that most cleere and vnchangeable light to be corrupted or put out by our meanes but gather to thy selfe through the sound of the Gospell such a Church as may harken vnto thee honour and sanctifie thy name as well in word as in honest conuersation that so thou maist haue a righteous and holie generation celebrating thy goodnesse for euermore O ioine vs vnto that companie which doth worship thee continuallie that we may be citizens of thy kingdome among thy Saincts Grant that we erre not frō the foundation of wholsome doctrine answering to the rules of the sacred Scripture and that we offend not against our conscience but separate vs from the companie of the vngodlie ones and from the damned crue of the reprobate Let vs not so much as take their names into our mouths which powre out heapes of blasphemies to thy great dishonour and defacing of thy truth vnto whom thy sonne is a destruction and stone of offence For they despise his base estate and the foolish preaching of thy Gospell and the deformed shew of the Church placed in the midst of all kind of miseries they loath and abhor preferring vncertaine riches lordlie authoritie and the vaine pleasures of this transitorie world before the profession of the truth so making warre with thy sonne they doo purchase euerlasting destruction vnto themselues Keepe vs euermore that wee may abide in that Church which is trulie Catholike consisting of members of manie nations but linked vnto thee in one and the same confession Sanctifie vs with thine holie spirit that our sinnes being forgiuen vs wee may take another trade of life in acknowledging thee to be the onlie true God and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent Giue vnto thy Church resting places and nests where they may sound thy sacred Gospell purelie without corruption Suppresse the diuell which spredeth blasphemies against thy doctrine that so neither feined gods may be erected nor superstitious inuocations confirmed nor thy glorie defaced Weaken the power of thine enimies which boile in hatred against thy truth and conspire the death of thine elect so neither shall stables of woolues be made nor dennes of theeues established O Lord returne and quicken vs so shall thy people reioice in thee Let all such as trust in thee reioice and triumph for euer Dwell thou in them and let those which loue thy name reioice in thee O Lord remember not our offences Thou which wast somtime mercifull and forgauest the wickednesse of thy people and hidst all their sinnes which withdrawedst all thine anger and turnedst from the fiercenesse of thine indignation be mindfull of thy woonted mercie and receiue vs into thy fauour For we depend vpon thee alone being destitute of all worldlie aid our trust wholie is in thee and all our confidence resteth in thy stretched-out arme O Lord couer vs with thy grace as it were with a shield that so we may be blessed and abiding in the house of thy congregation may acknowledge and call vpon thee according to thy word reuealed and praise thee euermore through our Lord Iesus Christ Amen A praier for vnitie in faith and religion O Eternall God and most mercifull Father which hast called vs to the vnitie of the true Catholike faith and gathered vs by thy word into the lap of the Christian congregation that wee may be all of vs one bodie and one spirit euen as wee are called in one hope of our calling one Lord one faith one baptisme one God and Father of all which is aboue all and through all and in vs all For euen as thou O Father art in thy sonne and he in thee so should we also be one in thee our God And therefore we crie vnto thee O almightie Father and eternall God teach vs thy waies that we may walke in thy truth O knit our harts vnto thee that we may feare thy name Grant that all the faithfull may be like affected and of one mind as thou art thinking the same thing after the ensample of Christ our Sauiour and that as well in minds as with mouth we may agree among our selues both in true doctrine and in outward behauiour of conuersation For the scope of the Churches felicitie consisteth in the vnitie of true faith and religion Keepe vs in the true vnderstanding and right knowledge of thy sacred Scriptures that without strife and contention we may speake one thing Let there be no dissentions nor schismes among vs. Let nothing be done through contention or of vaine glorie but let vs be one bodie indued with one mind and iudgment according to thy word reuealed vntill we attaine to the vnitie of faith and knowledge of thy sonne into a perfect man according to the measure of the
vnitie peace and concord We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to giue vs an hart to loue and dread thee and diligentlie to liue after thy commandements We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to giue all thy people increase of grace to heare meekelie thy word and to receiue it with pure affection and to bring foorth the fruits of the spirit We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to bring into the waie of truth all such as haue erred and are deceiued We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to strengthen such as doo stand and to comfort and helpe the weake-harted and to raise vp them that fall and finallie to beate downe Sathan vnder our feete We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to succour helpe and comfort all that be in danger necessitie and tribulation We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to preserue all that trauell by land or by water all women labouring of child all sicke persons and yoong children and to shew thy pitie vpon all prisoners and captiues We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to defend and prouide for the fatherlesse children and widowes and all that bee desolate and oppressed We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to haue mercie vpon all men We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to forgiue our enimies persecutors and slanderers and to turne their harts We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to giue and preserue to our vse the kindlie fruits of the earth so as in due time we may enioie them We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to giue vs true repentance to forgiue vs all our sinnes negligences and ignorances and to endue vs with the grace of thy holie spirit to amend our liues according to thy holie word We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. Sonne of God we beseech thee to heare vs. Sonne of God we beseech thee to heare vs. O Lambe of God that takest awaie the sinnes of the world Grant vs thy peace O Lambe of God that takest awaie the sinnes of the world Haue mercie vpon vs. O Christ heare vs. O Christ heare vs. Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Christ haue mercie vpon vs. Christ haue mercie vpon vs. Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Our father which art in heauen c. The Versicle O Lord deale not with vs after our sinnes The Answere Neither reward vs after our iniquities Let vs praie O God mercifull father that despisest not the sighing of a contrite hart nor the desires of such as be sorowfull mercifullie assist our praiers that we make before thee in all our troubles and aduersities whensoeuer they oppresse vs and gratiouslie heare vs that those euils which the craft and subtiltie of the diuell or man worketh against vs be brought to naught and by the prouidence of thy goodnesse they may be dispersed that we thy seruants being hurt by no persecutions may euermore giue thanks vnto thee in thy holie Church through Iesus Christ our Lord. O Lord arise helpe vs and deliuer vs for thy name sake O God we haue heard with our eares and our fathers haue declared vnto vs the noble works that thou diddest in their daies and in the old time before them O Lord arise helpe vs and deliuer vs for thine honour Glorie be to the Father and to the Sonne c. As it was in the beginning is now and euer c. From our enimies defend vs O Christ Gratiouslie looke vpon our afflictions Pitifullie behold the sorrowes of our harts Mercifullie forgiue the sinnes of thy people Fauourablie with mercie heare our praiers O sonne of Dauid haue mercie vpon vs. Both now euer vouchsafe to heare vs O Christ Gratiouslie heare vs ô Christ Gratiouslie heare vs ô Lord Christ The Versicle O Lord let thy mercie be shewed vpon vs. The Answere As we doo put our trust in thee Let vs praie WE humblie beseech thee O Father mercifullie to looke vpon our infirmities and for the glorie of thy name sake turne from vs all those euils that we most worthilie haue deserued and grant that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercie and euermore serue thee in holinesse and purenesse of life to thy honour and glorie through our onlie mediator and aduocate Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier for the Queenes Maiestie O Lord our heauenlie father high and mightie King of kings Lord of lords the onlie ruler of princes which dooest from thy throne behold all the dwellers vpon earth most hartilie we beseech thee with thy fauour to behold our most gratious souereigne ladie Queene Elizabeth and so replenish hir with the grace of thy holie spirit that she may alwaie incline to thy will and walke in thy waie Indue hir plentifullie with heauenlie gifts graunt hir in health and wealth long to liue strengthen hir that she may vanquish and ouercome all hir enimies and finallie after this life she may attaine euerlasting ioie and felicitie through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier for Bishops and Curates ALmightie and euerlasting God which onlie workest great maruels send downe vpon our Bishops and Curates and all congregations committed to their charge the healthfull spirit of thy grace and that they may trulie please thee powre vpon them the continuall dewe of thy blessing Grant this O Lord for the honour of our Aduocate and Mediatour Iesu Christ Amen A praier of Chrysostome ALmightie God which hast giuen vs grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications vnto thee and dooest promise that when two or three be gathered together in thy name thou wilt grant their requests fulfill now O Lord the desires and petitions of thy seruants as may be most expedient for them granting vs in this world knowledge of thy truth and in the world to come life euerlasting Amen 2. Corinth 13 verse 13. THE grace of our Lord Iesus Christ and the loue of God and the fellowship of the holie Ghost bee with vs all euermore Amen ¶ Other godlie Collects and praiers to be vsed after the Letanie as occasion serueth and first In time of drought for raine O GOD heauenlie father which by thy sonne Iesus Christ hast promised to all them that seeke thy kingdome and the righteousnesse thereof all things necessarie to their bodilie sustenance send vs wee beseech thee in this our necessitie such moderate raine and showers that we may receiue the fruites of the earth to our comfort and to thy honor through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another ALmightie God mercifull Father who in thy holie word hast promised to
corne with hailestones nor with hailestones smite thou our cattell and deliuer our flocks from the thunderbolt Cast not the feercenesse of thy wrath anger and displeasure vpon vs. Giue vs not hailestones for raine neither flames of fire in our land but of thy mercie conuert the thunder into gentle raine whereby it may bring out fruit aboundantlie Send not among vs either vntimelie or vntemperate showres which be either noisome to the fruits and bring the mildew or destroie the corne Restraine in like sort the winds and violent tempests that they bring none hurt neither to vs or our goods euen for Christes sake our Lord and Sauiour Amen In time of dearth or famine O GOD heauenlie father whose gift it is that the raine doth fall the earth is fruitfull beasts increase and fishes doo multiplie behold we beseech thee the afflictions of thy people and graunt that the scarsitie and dearth which we doo now most iustlie suffer for our iniquitie may through thy goodnesse be mercifullie turned into cheapenesse and plentie for the loue of Iesu Christ our Lord to whome with thee and the holie Ghost bee praise for euer Amen Another praier in time of anie plague or sicknesse warre penurie orscarsenesse c. O Eternall and euerliuing God most mercifull father which of thy great long suffering and patience hast hitherto suffered and borne with vs most miserable offenders who haue so long straied out of thy waie and broken all thy lawes and commandements and haue neither by thy manifold benefits bestowed vpon vs vnworthie and vnthankefull sinners nor by the voice of thy seruants and preachers by continuall threatnings out of thy holie word hitherto bin moued as the children of loue to returne vnto thee our most gratious father either for feare of thy iudgements as humble and lowlie seruants to turne from our wickednesse And therefore most righteous iudge thy patience being as it were ouercome at the last with our obstinate repentance thou hast most iustlie executed those thy terrible threats now partlie vpon vs by plaguing vs so with most dreadfull and deadlie sicknesse with troubles of warres with penurie and scarsenesse of foode and victuall whereby great multitudes of vs are dailie afflicted and consumed We beseech thee O most mercifull father that in thy wrath thou wilt remember thine old great mercies to correct vs in thy iudgements and not in thy iust anger least we be all consumed and brought to naught Looke not so much vpon our deseruings O most righteous Iudge to take iust vengeance on our sinnes but rather remember thine infinit mercies O most mercifull father promised to vs by thy deerelie beloued sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ for whose sake and in whose name we doo earnestlie and humblie craue mercie and forgiuenesse of our sinnes and deliuerance from this horrible sicknesse wars dearth c. being thy iust punishment and plague for the same And as thy holie word doth testifie that thy people of all ages being iustlie plagued for their sinnes and yet in their distresse vnfeinedlie turning vnto thee and suing for thy mercie obteined the same so likewise we most worthilie now afflicted with greeuous and dreadfull plagues for our iniquities praie thee O most mercifull father to grant vs thy heauenlie grace that we may likewise both trulie and vnfeinedlie repent and obtaine thy mercie and deliuerance from the same which we beseech thee O father of all mercies God of all consolation grant vs for the same Iesus Christs sake our onlie sauiour mediator and aduocate Amen In time of anie common plague or sicknesse ALmightie God which in thy wrath in the time of King Dauid diddest slea with the plague of pestilence threescore and tenne thousand and yet remembring thy mercie didst saue the rest haue pitie vpon vs miserable sinners that now are visited with great sicknesse and mortalitie that like as thou didst then command thine Angel to cease from punishing so it may now please thee to withdrawe from vs this plague and greeuous sicknesse through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A forme of meditation and praier verie meete to be vsed dailie of all honsholders in their houses especiallie in the dangerous and contagious time of the plague The Maister Mistres kneeling with their familie in some conuenient place of their house well perfumed before with frankincense or some other wholesome thing as iuniper rosemarie rosewater and vineger c. shall with feruent harts saie or cause to be said that that followeth The seruants and familie to euerie petition shall saie Amen Maister or Mistresse WE reade in thy holie word O Lord what blessings thou hast of thy mercie promised to them that liue obedientlie according to thy blessed will and commandements Wee reade also the cursses that thy instice hath pronounced against such as despise thy word or negligentlie passe not to liue thereafter And among the rest of thy heauie cursses thou threatenest by name the plague and the pestilence with other noisome and most painfull diseases to such as forsaking thee worship strange gods and followe their owne vaine fantasies in stead of thy sacred ordinances We find also how extreamelie thine owne people the Iewes haue oftentimes fealt the performance of these thy bitter threatenings and that for sundrie and diuers offences bicause they loathed Manna and were not contented with thy miraculous prouision but would haue Qualies and other daintie victuals to content their luxurious appetites thou slewest so manie with a sudden and mightie plague that the place of their buriall was named thereof and called The graues of lust Also for murmuring against the ministers of thy word Moses and Aaron thou destroiedst with a sudden plague xiiij thousand and more besides those traitors whom the earth swallowed for their rebellion And had not Aaron intreated for them and gone betweene the quicke and the dead thou wouldest haue consumed them all as thou wast minded to haue done before when they despised the plentifull land which thou hadst promised them had not Moses staied thy wrath when thou saiedst I will strike them with the pestilence and vtterlie destroie them Furthermore when they had lost thine Ark through their owne sinnes and the sinnes of their priests the keepers therof after that the Philistines were forced through thy plaguing hand religiously to send it home againe thou strookest with the plague fiftie thousand of the Beth-samites thy people for rashlie presuming to looke into the same not hauing thy warrant so to doo In the time of King Dauid thou destroiedst three score and ten thousand of thy people in three daies with thy wasting plague of pestilence mooued thereto by the transgression of Dauid the King whom for the sinnes of the people thou sufferedst to be tempted and subdued with a vaine curiositie to number the people Also shortlie after the death of that immaculate Lambe our Sauiour thou sufferedst the plague to reigne among the members of his bodie the Church of the Corinthians
for not worthilie preparing themselues and for misvsing the Sacrament of the bodie and bloud of our Sauiour Iesus Christ and manie died thereof as thine holie Apostle Saint Paule hath taught vs. Since which time O Lord as the Monuments of thy Church and other Chronicles doo declare thou hast from time to time so plagued with pestilence not onelie cities but also whole countries for these and other like causes that we may iustlie looke for the comming of our Sauiour so manie and so horrible pestilences haue beene among vs alreadie All which causes O Lord for the which thou hast so afflicted thy people are through the malice of Satan and our wilfull consenting vnto him growne so ripe in vs that were it not for the exceeding greatnes of thy mercie and compassion we should all presentlie perish and that woorthilie so horrible and outragious are our iniquities For we loath not onelie the plentifull prouision of wholesome victuals and apparell which thou hast giuen vs for our bodies more abundantlie than to manie nations trauelling by all meanes to get wherewith to pamper our flesh with wines spices silks and other vaine costlie and delighting things but the pretious Manna of our soules thy holie word and Sacraments we can not awaie with we are so full that we are glutted therewith We so little esteeme the heauenlie kingdome which our Sauiour hath so deerlie prepared and kindlie promised to vs that we abhor it and are readie to stone those few that commend it and exhort vs for our owne good to trauell thitherward better liking and crediting those false prophets the Epicures and Atheists that with their lies discourage vs therefrom What murmuring and grudging make we against the ministers of thy word which thou of thine especiall goodnesse hast in mercie giuen vs How despise wee our bishops preachers and other ministers of thy holie Sacraments whom thou hast commanded vs to reuerence and honour Did not we through our wicked liues wretchedlie leese the Arke of thy holie word and the true ministration of Sacraments not manie yeeres agone which the popish Philistines tooke from vs And now when thou through thy plagues laid vpon them hast miraculouslie sent it againe see how hold we be with the Beth-samites vnreuerentlie to receiue it For manie make of it a gazing-stocke to serue their eies and tongues rather than a lawe to obeie and followe in their liues Yea the knowledge of thy truth goodnesse and mercie breedeth in manie of vs a carelesse securitie and a contempt of thy holie ordinances For we presume vpon thy mercie and promises not regarding the conditions nor anie of thy commandements which in our baptisme we vowed to obserue Yea we make thy Gospell a cloke of our couetousnesse vnder colour whereof we seeke our owne lucre and hide all our wicked and filthie practises If the Corinthians deserued to be plagued for abusing thy holie Sacraments how much more are wee woorthie of fierce wrath that not onelie abuse it but also abhor contemne it bicause it is ministred as it ought For thou knowest O Lord what a sort there are which bewitched with the diuell and the Popes doctrine doo vtterlie abhor Christs holie communion and sauing for feare of the lawe would neuer come at it In what sort these receiue and how they be prepared is not vnknowne vnto thee How rashlie also and vnaduisedlie and vnprepared the common multitude doo frequent it partlie appeareth in that manie of them neuer forgiue old offences nor reconcile themselues nor in anie thing doo amend their old sinnes and vices Seeing then that we Lord the common sort and multitude doo thus abound in all kind of wickednesse how can it be but that thou of thy iustice must suffer our magistrates to offend also in somewhat to the end thou maist iustlie take vengeance of our sinnes For these manifold heapes of sinnes and wickednesses O Lord thou hast iustlie at this present sent this dangerous pestilence among vs as thou hast often and long time threatened by the mouthes of thy faithfull preachers who continuallie haue called vpon vs to staie thy wrath by earnest repentance amendement of life but we haue alwaies beene deafer and deafer The delight in our sinnes not onlie stopped our eares but also hardened our harts against their hartie and friendlie admonitions And in that we now O Lord doo begin to feele and acknowledge our sinnes it commeth more of thy rigour in plaguing vs than of anie good inclination of our selues Mollifie therefore O Lord our flintie harts with the suppling moisture of thy holie spirit Make vs to reuerence thee as children for loue of thy mercies and not to dread thee like slaues for feare of punishment Seruants Amen Maister or Maistres O deere Father reclaime vs thy lost children O mercifull Sauiour pitie vs thy putrified members O holie Ghost repaire vs thy decaied temples O holie and glorious Trinitie haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners Seruants Amen Maister Grant vs O Lord such true repentance as may through the bloud of our Sauiour blot out the staines of our heinous iniquities Forgiue vs our sinnes O Lord forgiue vs our sinnes for thine infinite mercies sake Seruants Amen Maister Forgiue vs our blasphemies idolatries and periuries Forget our vaine and outragious oths As thou hast by thy rigour and plagues forced vs to acknowledge thee to be our iust and righteous Lord so let vs through thy mercie and forgiuenesse feele thee to be our mild louing Father and giue vs grace for euer hereafter to reuerence this thy glorious name Seru. Amen Maister Take from vs O God the care of worldlie vanities Make vs content with necessaries Plucke awaie our harts from delighting in honours treasures and pleasures of this life And ingender in vs a desire to be with thee in thine eternall kingdome Giue vs O Lord such taste and feeling of thine vnspeake able ioies in heauen that we may alwaie long therfore saieng with thine elect Hasten thy kingdome O Lord take vs to thee Seru. Amen Maister Make vs O Lord obedient to thy will reuealed in thy holie word Make vs diligent to walke in thy commandements Forgiue vs our contempt and murmuring against the magistrates and ministers whom thou hast in thy mercie appointed make vs obedient vnto their godlie lawes doctrine Saue and preserue O Lord thine annointed our QVEENE ELIZABETH that she in thy grace and feare may long reigne amongst vs. Giue peace to all Christian nations Mooue vs by thy spirit to loue one another as the members of our bodie that we may all doo thy will in earth as it is in heauen Seru. Amen Maister Dig out of vs O Lord the venemous roots of couetousnesse and concupiscence or else so represse them with thy grace that we may be contented with thy prouision of necessaries and not to labour as we doo with toile strength guile wrong and oppression to pamper our selues with vaine superfluities Feed our soules O
Lord dailie with the true Manna of thy heauenlie word and with the grace of thy holie Sacraments Giue vs grace continuallie to read heare and meditate thy purposes iudgments promises and precepts not to the end we may curiouslie argue therof or arrogantlie presume thervpon but to frame our liues according to thy will that by keeping thy couenants we may be sure of thy promises and so make our election and vocation certaine through our constant faith vertuous and godlie liuing Seru. Amen Maister Confirme vs O Lord to the image of our Sauiour So lighten the lamps of our harts with the fire and burning flames of thy loue that no enuie rancor hatred or malice doo remaine in vs to quench it but that we may gladlie forgiue whatsoeuer wrong is or shall be either maliciouslie or ignorantlie done or said against vs. And here Lord in thy presence for thy Maiestie is euerie where we forgiue whatsoeuer hath beene by anie man or woman practised against vs beseeching thèe of thy goodnesse likewise to forgiue it And further for thy mercies sake and for our Sauiour Iesus Christs sake we beseech thee O deere Father to forgiue vs these horrible and damnable sinnes which we haue committed against thy Maiestie for which thou hast now iustlie brought the pestilence and plague vpon vs. Let the ceasing thereof we beseech thee certifie vs of thy mercie and remission Seru. Amen Maister We knowe O Lord the weakenesse of our selues and how readie we are to fall from thee Suffer not therfore Satan to shew his power and malice vpon vs. For we are not able to withstand his assalts Arme vs O Lord alwaies with thy grace and assist vs with thy holie spirit in all kinds of temptations Seruants Amen Maister Deliuer vs O deere father from all euils both bodilie and ghostlie Deliuer O Lord from trouble of conscience all that are snarled in their sins Deliuer O Lord from feare of persecution and tyrannie our brethren and sisters that are vnder the crosse for profession of thy word Deliuer O mercifull father those that for our sinnes and offences are alreadie tormented with the rage of pestilence Recouer those O Lord that are alreadie striken and saue the rest of my houshold and else-where from this greeuous infection Seruants Amen Maister Finallie O Lord God which for our innumerable sinnes dooest heere fatherlie correct vs to the end we should not feele the rigour of thy seueare iudgement in eternall condemnation we humblie submit our selues vnto thy grace and pitie beseeching thee for our Lord Iesus Christes sake that although we haue iustlie deserued this plague now laid vpon vs yet it may please thee in the multitude of thy mercies to withdrawe thy rod from vs. Grant O Lord true repentance of our sinnes which as it did in that good King Ezekias may deliuer vs from the plague laid vpon vs and cause those that be sicke heere in my house or otherwhere to recouer Or if thou haue determined to take a number of vs out of the miseries of this present euill world giue vs the comfort of thy holie spirit that may make vs glad and willing to come vnto thee Giue vs grace O Lord so to prepare our selues that we may be readie with the wise virgins to enter into life with our sauiour Christ whensoeuer it shall please thee to call vs. Seruants Amen Maister Grant this O deere father for Iesus Christes sake our onlie Mediator Aduocate Lord Redeemer and Sauiour to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honor and glorie world without end and in whose name we altogether with one hart and voice crie furthermore and praie vnto thee as he in his holie word hath taught vs saieng Maister and seruants altogether Our Father c. Other Psalmes and praiers to be said in the time of anie common plague sicknesse or other crosse and visitation of God by the Maister and Mistresse with their familie O Come let vs humble our selues fall downe before the Lord with reuerence and feare For he is the Lord our God and we are the people of his pasture and the sheepe of his hands Come therefore let vs turne againe vnto our Lord for he hath smitten vs and he shall heale vs. Let vs repent and turne from our wickednesse and our sinnes shall be forgiuen vs. Let vs turne and the Lord will turne from his heauie wrath and will pardon vs and we shall not perish For we knowledge our faults and our sinnes be euer before vs. We haue sore prouoked thine anger O Lord thy wrath is waxed hot and thy heauie displeasure is sore kindled against vs. Thou hast made vs heare of the noise of warres and hast troubled vs by the vexation of enimies Thou hast in thine indignation striken vs with greeuous sicknes and by and by we haue fallen as leaues beaten downe with a vehement wind Indeede we acknowledge that all punishments are lesse than our deseruings but yet of thy mercie Lord correct vs to amendment and plague vs not to our destruction For thy hand is not shortened that thou canst not helpe neither is thy goodnesse abated that thou wilt not heare Thou hast promised that afore we crie thou wilt heare vs and whilest we yet speake thou wilt haue mercie vpon vs. For none that trust in thee shall be confounded neither anie that call vpon thee shall be despised For thou art the onlie Lord who woundest and dooest heale againe who killest and reuiuest bringest euen to hell and bringest barke againe Our father 's hoped in thee they trusted in thee and thou didst deliuer them They called vpon thee and were helped they put their trust in thee and were not confounded O Lord rebuke vs not in thine indignation neither chasten vs in thy heauie displeasure Oh remember not the sinnes and offences of our youth but according to thy mercie thinke vpon vs O Lord for thy goodnesse Haue mercie vpon vs O Lord for we are weake O Lord heale vs for our bones are vexed And now in the vexation of our spirits and the anguish of our soules we remember thee and we crie vnto thee heare Lord and haue mercie For thine owne sake for thy holie name sake incline thine eare and heare O mercifull Lord. For we doo not powre out our praiers before thy face trusting in our owne righteousnesse but in thy great and manifold mercies Wash vs throughlie from our wickednesse and cleanse vs from our sinnes Turne thy face from our sinnes and put out all our misdeeds Make vs cleane harts O God and renew a right spirit within vs. Helpe vs O God of our saluation for the glorie of thy name O deliuer vs and be mercifull vnto our sinnes for thy name sake So we that be thy people and sheepe of thy pasture shall giue thee thanks for euer and will alwaies bee shewing foorth thy praise from generation to generation Glorie be to the Father c. As it was in the
c. Another praier to be said in the time of the plague sicknesse and mortalitie O Lord our God great and fearefull art thou keeping couenant and mercie with them that loue thee and keepe thy commandements We haue sinned O Lord and haue committed iniquitie We haue don wickedlie yea wee haue rebelled and haue departed from thy iudgements We haue not obeied thy seruants the Prophets which spake in thy name to our kings and princes to our forefathers and to all the people of the land O Lord righteousnesse belongeth vnto thee but vnto vs open shame and confusion as it is come to passe this daie by the plague and sicknesse reigning among vs and among all the dwellers of this land because of the sins which we haue done against thee Unto thee O Lord and God pertaineth compassion and forgiuenesse though we haue rebelled against thee We haue not obeied thy voice to walke in the lawes which thou hast laid before vs. We haue hitherto despised thy diuine word yea we haue loathed preaching and haue loased the bridle to all beastlinesse of desires Therefore the cursse and oth which is written in the lawe of Moses thy seruant is powred vpon vs and we through the plague and corrupt aires with burning feauers and greeuous sicknesse are lamentablie consumed euerie daie Yea in our knees and legs are we smitten with most lothsome botches and those incurable from the sole of the foote vnto the top of the head Because we repent not neither obserue all the words written in thy lawe nor feare thy glorious and dreadfull name thou doest according to thy threatnings aforetold increase our plagues the plagues of our seed Thou sendest great plagues and of long continuance euill sicknesse and of long durance Thou bringest vpon vs vncurable diseases all maner of sicknesse and all kinds of plagues besides those written in the booke of the lawe All these plagues according to thy word are come vpon vs yet haue we not praied vnto thee our Lord that we might euerie one turne from our vngodlie waies Therefore hast thou bin wrathfull in punishing vs and in bringing these euils vpon vs. Thou art righteous O Lord and true is thy iudgement O God Father of our Lord Iesus Christ thou hast got thee a glorious name as may appeare this daie O Lord our God we haue sinned we haue done wickedlie we haue behaued our selues vngodlie in all thine ordinances Turne thy wrath away from vs we beseech thee for we are but a few left in this place O Lord God which hast promised that when either pestilence among vs or the aire infected or anie other plague or sicknesse is hot thou wilt heare the praiers and grant the requests of anie man or woman among the people praieng from the bottome of his hart acknowledging his sinnes vnfeinedlie and lifting vp his hands vnto thee thorough Iesus Christ before the throne of grace Be thou mercifull giue vnto euerie man according to all his petitions For thou alone knowest the harts of all the children of men Heare thou our praiers and petitions and deliuer vs from this contagious and deadlie pestilence Command thine Angel which striketh vs to put vp his swoord into the sheath that he strike not to our finall and vtter destruction Proceede not in thy wrath spare vs from death bring not our end by the plague Let the heauens be mild and our dwelling places healthfull least the aire being infected powre downe the contagion thereof vpon vs to our destruction O Lord turne awaie thine hand it is sufficient let now thine hand cease that all the earth may knowe how that thou Lord art our GOD and that we doo call vpon thy name O Lord looke downe from thine holie house vpon vs incline thine eare and heare open thine eies and behold the affliction and mortalitie of thy people For the dead whose spirits are taken awaie giue vnto thee neither praise nor righteousnes but the soule that is vexed for the multitude of hir sins which goeth on heauilie and weaklie whose eies begin to faile yea the hungrie soule is it that ascribeth due praise and righteousnesse vnto thee O Lord. For we powre out our praiers before thee and require mercie in thy sight O Lord our God not for anie woorthinesse either of our owne or of our fathers but in the name of thy sonne Iesus Christ in whome thou art well pleased we beseech thee be mercifull vnto vs and helpe vs in necessitie Turne thee againe O Lord at the last and be mercifull vnto thy seruants that this poisoned infection maie be taken from vs. Notwithstanding if it be thy pleasure to visit our offences with the rod thy blessed will be done and giue vs grace to beare thy fatherlie correction laid vpon vs patientlie remembring alwaies that we are chastined of thee our Lord in this world that we be not condemned with the reprobate in the world to come Amen A fruitfull Praier verie necessarie to be hartilie said at the appearing of monsters and in anie earthquake or other plagues that God would turne awaie his vengeance hanging ouer vs for our sinnes OH Lord God strong and mightie great and dreadfull which dwellest in the heauens and workest great woonders we thy miserable children here prostrate vpon the earth doo most humblie beseech thee to be mercifull vnto vs to pardon our offences and to forgiue vs all our sinnes O Lord enter not into iudgement with thy seruants for if thou doo there shall no flesh be saued in thy sight We confesse and acknowledge O Lord that it is our sinnes which haue mooued thee to wrath and to shew such fearefull tokens of thy displeasure towards vs in these our daies First with fire from heauen betokening thy hot burning indignation and wrathfull displeasure for sinne which aboundeth at this daie and then with such horrible and monstrous shapes against nature as it was neuer seene here in our daies nor in anie time before vs which betoken to vs none other thing but thy plagues to come vpon vs for our degenerate and monstrous life and conuersation and of late by the strange terrible earthquake that shooke or rather that euen vomited vs with fearfull trembling harts and amazed spirits out of our houses which we so shamefully haue polluted and defiled with our vile sinnes and wickednesse and now last of all by the long and great mortalitie plague and pestilence thou doost hast terribly threatened vs fatherlie warned vs and mercifullie called vs to repentance The axe is set to the roote of the tree and if we be not as rotten members without all sense and feeling we may perceiue our fearefull destruction and desolation to be at hand vnlesse we speedilie repent and turne to thee bicause we haue beene so long taught out of thy most holie and sacred word and yet no fruits of true repentance or Christian life will appeare Wo and alas to these our daies that neither preaching by word
most comfortable nor preaching by monsters most ouglie nor preaching by fire most strange nor preaching by earthquakes most terrible neither yet by plagues and pestilence most horrible will stirre vp our stonie harts and awake vs from our sinnes We feare oh Lord that the Turks with all the rest of the vnbeleeuing will condemne vs in the last daie which if they had beene so long instructed by the comfortable preaching of thy word and sweete promises of thy Gospell or thy woonders both in heauen and earth which we haue seene no doubt their righteousnes would haue shined at this day to our great shame and confusion Thou hast no lesse warned vs oh Lord of thy fearefull displeasure heauie plagues at hand for our great wickednesse than thou didst the Israelits of the horrible destruction which came vpon them whom thou first in mercie didst call to repentance by the preaching of thy word but when no warning would serue thou didst send them monstrous and fearfull signes and tokens to declare that thy visitation was not farre off But they like vnto vs at this daie did alwaies interpret these things after the imagination of their vaine harts promising to themselues peace when destruction was ouer their heads Which things when we doo call to mind for as much as they are written for our learning example warning it maketh vs to tremble and quake for feare of thy iust iudgments For if thou hast thus dealt with thine owne deere and chosen children in token of thy great wrath against sinne what shall we looke for who doo no lesse deserue thy fearfull scourge and of mercie it is that thou dooest thus long forbeare vs but liue as though there were no God at all to be reuenged vpon our sinnes It maketh vs to feare and crie unwardlie in our soules Come Lord Iesu holie and true in all thy dooings and shorten our daies bring this our pilgrimage to an end suffer vs not to heape sinne vpon sinne vnto the daie of vengeance least we be caught vp amongst the number of the wicked and reprobate which shall neuer see thy louing countenance It maketh vs to crie to thee O Lord let thy kingdome come and end this our sinfull life wherein we doo nothing but prouoke thee to wrath Correct vs not O Lord in thine indignation neither chasten vs in thine heauie displeasure And though to vs belongeth nothing but shame and confusion though our offences haue deserued to be visited with the rod and our sinnes with scourges yet in mercie Lord and with fatherlie correction chasten vs and thy louing kindnesse take not awaie from vs. To thee we flie for succour vnder the wings of thy mercie shall be our refuge vntill thou turne thy wrathfull countenance from vs. We knowe that thy mercie is aboue all thy works and euen as great as thy selfe therefore will we saie with holie Iob Though thou kill vs yet we put our trust in thee Thou camest to comfort and plucke out of the dungeon of hell such wretches as we are Thou art the good Samaritane that camest to heale our deadlie wounds Thou art that good Physician that camest to cure our mortall infirmities Thou art the good shepheard that camest to seeke vs wandering lost sheepe and to bring vs to thy fold againe And more than that thou art our brother flesh of our flesh and bone of our bones which hast tasted of our infirmities felt our temptations borne the burden of our sinnes Therefore at thy hands we looke for mercie against the daie of vengeance And though thou punish vs yet our hope is and euer shall be that thy rod shall no further touch vs than shall make to thy glorie our commoditie and the strengthening and increase of our faith Let this thy preaching sundrie waies O Lord be sufficient for our warning and grant that we may speedilie and from the bottome of our harts repent endeuour to doo thy righteous and blessed will reuealed in thy word and frame our liues according to the same that we may here liue in thy feare all the daies of our life and after this our sinfull course is ended may dwell with thee in thy blessed kingdome through the death and merits of Iesus Christ our onelie redeemer Amen A Psalme of thankes-giuing for deliuerance from the plague or anie other kind of sicknesse trouble or affliction LOrd thou art become gratious vnto thy land thou hast turned awaie the afflictions of thy seruants Thou hast taken awaie all thy displeasure turned thy selfe from thy wrathfull indignation For if thou Lord hadst not helped vs it had not failed but our soules had beene put to silence But when we said Our feete haue slipped thy mercie O Lord helped vs vp In the multitude of the sorowes that we had in our harts thy comforts haue refreshed our soules Our soules waited still vpon the Lord our soules hanged vpon his helpe our hope was alwaies in him In the Lords word did we reioice in Gods word did we comfort our selues For the Lord said Call vpon me in the time of trouble and I will heare thee and thou shalt praise me So when we were poore needie sicklie and in heauinesse the Lord cared for vs he was our helpe and our sauiour according to his word In our aduersitie and distresse he hath lifted vp our heads and saued vs from vtter destruction He hath deliuered our soules from death he hath fed vs in the time of dearth he hath saued vs from the noisome pestilence Therefore will we offer in his holie temple the oblation of thankes-giuing with great gladnesse wee will sing and speake praises vnto the Lord our Sauiour We will giue thanks vnto the Lord for he is gratious and his mercie endureth for euer The Lord is full of compassion and mercie long suffering plentious in goodnesse and pitie His mercie is greater than the heauens and his gratious goodnesse reacheth vnto the clouds Like as a father pitieth his owne children euen so is the Lord mercifull vnto them that feare him Therefore will we praise thee and thy mercies O God vnto thee will we sing O thou holie one of Israel We will sing a new song vnto thee O God we will praise the Lord with Psalmes of thankes giuing O sing praises sing praises vnto our God O sing praises sing praises vnto our King For God is the King of the earth sing praises with vnderstanding We will magnifie thee O God our King we will praise thy name for euer and euer Euerie daie will we giue thanks vnto thee and praise thy name for euer and euer Our mouth shall speake the praises of the Lord and let all flesh giue thanks to his holie name for euer and euer Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for euer and blessed be the name of his Maiestie world without end Amen Glorie be to the Father c. As it was in the c. In the time of anie particular or
generall earthquake praie OH eternall mightie and most louing Father which hast no desire of the death of a sinner but that he conuert and liue and vnto whom nothing is so pleasant as the repentant contrite and sorowfull hart of a penitent person For thou art that kind father that fallest most louinglie vpon the necke of the lost sonne kissest imbracest and feastest him when he returneth from the puddle of pleasures and swill of the swine and disdainest not the repentant praier of thy poore and sinfull seruants whensoeuer with true faith they returne and call vpon thee as we haue most comfortable examples in Dauid Manasses Magdalen Peter and the theefe vpon the gibbet We most hartilie and humblie beseech thy fatherlie goodnesse to looke downe from the throne of thy mercie-seate vpon vs most miserable and sinfull slaues of Satan which with fearfull and trembling harts doo quake and shake at the strange and terrible tokens of thy wrath and indignation appearing most euidentlie vnto vs by the shaking moouing of the earth which is thy footestoole whereby if we be not vtterlie destitute of grace we be warned that thy cōming-downe amongst vs to visit our sinnes in most terrible maner can not be farre off seeing thou treadest so hard vpon this thy footestoole the earth which we most shamefullie haue polluted and defiled with our most wicked sinfull and rebellious liues notwithstanding thy continuall crieng and calling vpon vs by thy seruants the prophets and preachers by whome we haue learned thy will but haue not followed it We haue heard much and done little yea nothing at all but like most peruerse and vnthankfull children haue made a mocke of thy word derided thy ministers and accounted thy threatenings trifles and thy warnings of no weight or moment Wherefore we haue iustlie deserued to taste most deeplie of the bitter cup of thine anger and bengeance by wars famine pestilence yea and eternall death if thou shouldest not temper the rigour of thy iustice with the mildnesse of thy mercie But such is thy fatherlie affection towards vs that thou shewest thy selfe slowe to anger long suffering and of much patience and mercie yea thou art a thousand times more readie to forget and forgiue than we to aske and require forgiuenesse Therefore though we be not woorthie of the least mite of thy mercie yet gratious Lord looke not vpon vs and our sinnes but vpon thine owne selfe and thy sonne Iesus Christ the fountaine of grace the treasure of mercie the salue of all sicknesse the iewell of ioie and the onlie hauen of succour and safetie By him we come to thee in him and for him we trust to find that we haue lost and gaine that he hath got He is the scale of Iacob by whom we climbe vp to thee and thou by the Angels of thy mercie cōmest downe to vs. Him we present vnto thee and not we our selues his death and not our dooings his bloudie wounds and not our detestable deseruings whose merits are so great as thy mercie cannot be little and our ransom so rich that our beggerlie and beastlie sinnes are nothing in thy sight for the great pleasure and satisfaction that thou takest of his paines and passion Turne this late earthquake O Lord to the benefite of thine elect as thou didst when thou shookest the prison loosedst the locks fetters and chaines of thy seruants Paule and Silas and broughtst them out of prison and conuertedst their keeper so gratious Lord strike the harts of tyrants with the terrour of this thy woorke that they may knowe that they are but men and that thou art that Samson that for their mocking and spiting of thee and thy word canst shake the pillers of their palaces and throwe them vpon the furious Philistines heads Turne thy wrath oh Lord from thy children that call vpon thy name to the conuersion or confusion of thine enimies that despise and abhorre thy name and deface thy glory Thou hast knocked long at their doores but they will not open to let thee in Burst open therefore the brasen gates of their stonie harts thou that art able of stones to raise vp children to Abraham And finallie so touch our harts with the finger of thy grace that we maie deeply muse vpon our sinfull liues to amend them and call for thy mercie to forgiue and pardon them through Christ our Lord who liueth with thee and the holie Ghost three persons and one eternall God to whome be all dominion and glorie with praise and thanks-giuing for euer and euer Amen Or else praie thus O Almightie God and most mercifull Father which willest not the death of a sinner but rather that hee should returne and liue we thy seruants most humblie confesse that we haue most greeuouslie offended against thy diuine Maiestie and prouoked thy heauie wrath against vs in that we haue not beleeued and folowed thy Gospell preached vnto vs nor beene thankfull for thy manie verie great benefits bestowed vpon vs yea and being warned by the dangers of other haue beene too carelesse to serue thee oh Lord the Father of all mercie and the God of all consolation which in thy wrath remembrest mercie We acknowledge that in the late terrible earthquake which suddenly shooke vs out of our houses and dwelling places thou didst warne vs of thy iustice and that we for our great vnthankfulnesse and disobedience haue deserued most iust iudgement O Lord we thy seruants being vile earth and miserable sinners yet trembling and quaking at the remembrance of that terrible looke of thy wrathfull displeasure neuer to be forgotten most humblie craue pardon for our sinnes and grace to conuert vnto thee in time Conuert vs O Lord and we shall be conuerted Mollifie our hard harts grant vs a contrite spirit and to turne vnto thee vnfeinedlie in fasting weeping praier Enter not into iudgement with thy seruants spare thy people O Lord spare them and let not thine heritage be brought to confusion Haue mercie vpon vs for thy sonne Iesus Christs sake Giue vs grace hencefoorth to amend our liues and to serue thee in holines and righteousnesse So we acknowledging thy iustice and remembring alwaies that fearefull signe of thy furie in the memorable earthquake which thou sentest y e sixt of Aprill in the yeare one thousand fiue hundred fourescore we shall praise thee for thy mercie and glorifie thy holie name for euer through Iesus Christ our Sauiour Amen At the sight of a blasing starre or other meteors or prodigious signes of Gods iudgment in the heauens praie to preuent the euils foreshewed thereby and saie O Almightie Lord and God whose workemanship is the whole world the heauen and the earth with all the beautie and blessings of the same at the presence of whose power all things doo quake and tremble whose indignation when it threatneth vengeance vnto sinners is vnsufferable and whose promises of mercie are vnmeasurable bicause thou art euen the most high Lord ouer
we be tied and bound with the chaine of our sinnes yet let the pitifulnesse of thy great mercie loose vs for the honour of Iesus Christes sake our onlie mediator and aduocate Amen The end of the Letanie Praiers to be vsed before and after the first and second lessons the Gospell and Pistle and before and after the Sermon or Homilie Before the first or second lesson praie BLessed Lord which hast caused all holie Scriptures both in the old and new Testaments to be written and red for our learning grant vs that we may now in such sort heare them reade them marke learne and inwardlie digest them that by patience and comfort of thy holie word we may embrace and euer hold fast the blessed hope of euerlasting life which thou hast giuen vs in our Sauiour Iesus Christ Amen After the first or second lesson praie GRatious God and most mercifull father which hast vouchsafed vs the rich and pretious iewell of thy holie word assist vs with thy spirit that it may be written in our harts to our euerlasting comfort to reforme vs to renew vs according to thine owne image to build vs vp and edifie vs into the perfect building of thy Christ sanctifieng and increasing in vs all heauenlie vertues Grant this O heauenlie father for Iesu Christs sake Amen Or thus THanks be vnto thee O our celestiall father through Christ our Redeemer that thou hast so cleerelie by thy Patriarchs Prophets and Apostls reuealed vnto vs these so secret mysteries of our saluation in Christ for whose sake also we beseech thee to giue vs the verie feare and faith in thee that we constantlie beleeuing thy truth and following that thou commandest vs in thy word may by no meanes hinder thy glorie or the course of thy word by our lewd conuersation but in all obedience helpe to amplifie and increase thy kingdome to the perpetuall praise of thy name through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Before the reading of the Epistle or Gospell praie ALmightie God and most mercifull Father who by thy holie spirit in thy seruants the Apostles and the Euangelists hast left vnto vs the storie of the doctrine and deedes of our Sauiour Christ that thereby as he is in deede so we might beleeue him to be thy Sonne and the Sauiour of the world put our trust in thee through him that so beleeuing we might attaine to euerlasting life grant vs we beseech thee the same most holie spirit to open our harts and lighten our minds that by the reading and hearing of the same our faith in thee through him may continuallie be strengthened till we attaine to the end thereof euen the saluation of our soules through Iesus Christ our Lord and Sauiour Amen After the reading of the Epistle or Gospell WE giue thee thanks most mercifull Father for that it hath pleased thee in great mercie towards vs to cause the holie writings and traditions of the Apostles and Euangelists to come to this our time place and eares that thou hast vouchsafed also to open reueale thy holie will vnto them to approue thy sonne so manifestlie to the world and to confirme vnto vs by them the truth of thy Gospell that in the mouth of so manie faithfull witnesses we might haue more full assurance in thy mercifull promises Helpe vs O good Father we beseech thee that by thy grace we may doo in deede that which we now by them doo vnderstand And least heerein we be through thy iustice more greeuouslie condemned and punished if that we neglect to doo thy will which through thy grace thou hast reuealed graunt vs the fruit of this thy care towards vs in the strength of faith that hauing read and heard so notable things in this his holie storie and acts and writings of the holie Apostles recorded and left vnto vs by so true and most faithfull witnesses appointed and ordeined therevnto by thee we may now by the effectuall working of thy holie spirit receiue and acknowledge him for thine onlie sonne and our onlie sauiour to the saluation of our soules and the glorious praise of thy name and so being lead from one witnesse to another we may according to thy holie word go from faith to faith till we atteine to the euerlasting life which thou hast prepared for vs in thy sonne to whome with thee O Father and the holie Ghost be all honor glorie and praise both now and for euer Amen Before the Sermon or Homilie read some of these sentences of Scripture exhorting to the attentiue hearing of the word Deuteronomie 18. THE Lord said to Moses I will raise them vp a Prophet from among their breethren like vnto thee and will put my words in his mouth and he shall speake vnto them all that I shall command him vnto him shall yee harken And whosoeuer will not harken vnto my words which he shall speake in my name I will require it of him Psalme 119. GReat is the peace they haue which loue thy lawe and they are not offended at it Prouerbs 8. BLessed is that man or woman that heareth me watching dailie at my gates and giuing attendance at the posts of my doores For he that findeth me findeth life and shall obteine fauour of the Lord but he that sinneth against me hurteth his owne soule and all that hate me loue death Prouerbs 28. HE that turneth awaie his eare from hearing the lawe euen his praiers shall be abhominable VVisdome 3. WHo so despiseth wisdome discipline is miserable and their hope is vaine and their labours are foolish and their works vnprofitable and their wiues are vndiscreet their children wicked and their of-spring is accursed Ecclesiasticus 5. BE humble to heare the word of God that thou maist vnderstand it and make a true answere with wisdome Be swift to heare good things and followe the word of peace and righteousnesse Luke 11. THE Queene of the South shall rise in iudgement with the men and women of this generation and shall condemne them For she came from the vttermost parts of the earth to heare the wisdome of Salomon and behold saith Christ of himselfe a greater than Salomon is heere speaking vnto you Iohn 8. HE that is of God heareth Gods word Yee therefore heare them not because ye are not of God Reuelation 2. LET him that hath an eare heare what the spirit saith to the Churches or congregation c. A praier for the heedfull hearing of Gods word FOR as much O most mercifull God as faith without the which it is impossible to please thee in anie thing we doo commeth by hearing and hearing by the word of God in so much as he or she that turneth awaie his eare frō hearing the lawe euen his praier shall be abhominable and turned into sinne yea bicause also it is a farre more blessed thing to heare and keepe thy word than to haue had the honour to haue borne or nursed thine owne sonne grant vs grace therefore I
most humblie beseech thee in zeale and loue to doo this one thing so acceptable a seruice to thee and most needfull for vs to be done euen with attentiue and desirous minds to heare thy holie word preached and so farre to exceed the Queene of Saba and those which haue sought for wisdome from the vttermost parts of the earth as the wisdome thou offerest vs in it exceedeth all other and so much more redilie to practise it than they did which heard thy Prophets as thy sonne is aboue all the Prophets that we with wise Martha making our choise by thy grace of the better part may be made wise in him vnto saluation and it neuer be taken from vs but remaine with vs till it put vs in possession of that happie life which in a blessed hope we looke for by it And grant vs so to be carefull ouer our dutie which thou hast commanded that wee especiallie regarding that which is chiefest with thee and most needfull for our selues may therby declare our selues to be in deed of God bicause we heare Gods word and to be the true sheepe of thy fold bicause we harken diligentlie to thy voice and followe thee with Susanna Ioanna Marie Magdalen and all other godlie men and women and so by this meanes finallie not faile of thy promises but obteine to our endlesse comfort and the glorie of thy name the blessing and gift of eternall life among all faithfull beleeuers in the kingdome of heauen through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another verie Christian praier both of the preacher and auditorie present OH Lord how beautifull are the feete of them that bring the glad tidings of the Gospell of peace of saluation of all good things Surelie without preaching we should all perish Blessed and praised be thou therefore O Father for that thou hast giuen to vs thy Gospell life foode doctrine and peace in our time Blessed and praised be thou therefore O Christ bicause thou giuest and renewest often the light of thy Gospell and maitainest the ministers of thy word and preseruest cherishest and defendest thy catholike Church against the diuell and all thine enimies Yea blessed I saie and praised also be thou therefore O holie spirit bicause thou being powred vpon the Apostles dooest now also kindle thy light in our harts rulest instructest admonishest helpest vs gouernest and guidest oâ—â— labours to a prosperous end and sanctifiest vs to eternall life And now for as much as the chiefe authoritie of speaking is indeed of thee O Lord alone for a mortall man hath but a dead hart I humblie beseech thee to blesse this thy preacher heere present with thy diuine grace that he may doo the worke of an Euangelist and make thy Gospell knowne vnto vs. Giue vnto him the spirit of feare godlinesse fortitude counsell zeale knowledge discretion wisedome vnderstanding and constancie and let him as he hath receiued thy gifts so like a good and faithfull disposer of thy manifold graces trulie minister the same vnto vs. Lord let him come vnto vs with abundant knowledge and abilitie of the diuine mysteries of the blessings of the Gospell of Christ to communicate and impart vnto vs. And now that he is about to speake grant that he may speake in thee that is by thy helpe and grace and as he is allowed of thee so to vtter the words of God as he hath receiued them from thee that thou in althings maist be glorified Put vpon his hart the breast-plate of perfect iudgement the Urim of knowledge and the Thumim of holines and righteousnes of life and puritie of doctrine Let thy word be in his hart as a burning fire shut vp in his bones yea let his bellie be as the wine which hath no vent or like the new bottles that burst that being full of good matter thy spirit within may compell him to speake his mind effectuallie Yea doo thou O Lord I saie secretlie speake and worke in him and let thy secret power and vertue be put here vnto this action to this his labour and exercise of faith that he may accomplish that thou requirest to be done for the conuersion and saluation of thy people present Giue him the earnest-penie of thy spirit in his hart and open the doore of vtterance vnto him that he may make manifest the sauour of thy life and knowledg vnto vs. Lord thou hast said Open thy mouth wide and I will fill it Open thou therefore his lips that his mouth may shew forth thy praise and shew vs the waie wherein we may walke straight to thee O let his mouth I saie be filled with thy praise that he may preach thine vndefiled lawe to the conuerting of soules and giue wisdome to the simple and light to the blind Let vtterance be giuen now vnto him that he may open his mouth boldlie to publish the secrets of the Gospell whereof he is an Ambassadour that therein he may speake boldlie as he ought to speake not sparing anie man nor hauing regard to please anie maner of person Touch thou O God the mouth of this thy preacher with the hot glowing cole of thy spirit whereby he being first clensed may the more feruentlie and purelie preach thy Gospell vnto his brethren in the discharge of his dutie as he that first is mooued with the zeale of thy glorie and then touched with a carefull affection towards thy people as Esaie was Giue vnto this thy preacher the audacitie of Eliah Iohn Baptist that like the true minister of God he may stoutlie boldlie without anie respect of persons or desire to please men as he that feareth God more than the faces of men reproue the people of their sinnes Let him as thou hast giuen in commendement crie alowd and spare not let him lift vp his voice like a trumpet and with all diligence and discretion shew thy people their transgressions and reprooue vice vnfeinedlie And bicause O Lord in vaine shall he cast the net of thy word except thou blesse the draught and his labour yeeld no profit vnlesse thou prosper it doo thou therefore luckilie set him on loose thou his tongue to speake and put thou into his hart what to saie Blesse him that thy word may be with him that he may be able thoroughlie to instruct vs what is thy will that he may catch our soules and by thy secret diuine power drawe vnto him the harts minds and eares of the hearers so shall he conuert and win manie vnto thy Christ and thou thereby be highlie glorified Let thy spirit speake by him and thy words be in his tongue that he vtter nothing rashlie or vndiscreetlie but by the motion of thy good spirit speaking sincerelie and holilie of thee as in thy sight Giue to him and to all such as beare thy word and are the ministers of the spirituall life such care zeale and diligence that they may indeuour faithfullie and painfullie to fulfill their office to the vttermost And
finallie let him not defile the euangelicall function by anie meanes no not with the least suspicion of glorie or lucre neither let his mouth speake wickednesse nor his tongue set foorth deceit but as he dooth preach thy lawes and take thy couenant in his mouth so grant he himselfe also may not hate to be reformed nor at anie time cast thy holie word behind his backe And now bicause thou O Lord so mercifullie offerest vnto vs thy saluation I am to desire thee furthermore in the behalfe of this congregation present that we also for our parts may of our owne accord willinglie receiue the same saluation of the Gospell now so gratiouslie offered vs that as thy preachers for their parts doo publish thy glorious name so we as greene grasse may receiue the heauenlie dew of thy doctrine and that the barren earth of our harts may be thereby moistened with the liuelie water of thy grace and holie spirit to fructifie in the same Grant that we may receiue these holie things high mysteries and most pretious pearles not as dogs or swine to tread them contemptuouslie vnder our feete as wicked Atheists and vngodlie contemners of thy Gospell to our damnation but as thy children and those that are of God and sheepe of his fold with all meeknesse obedience christian feare and reuerence grant that we may both heare receiue and fulfill them to thy glorie and our saluation Furthermore as thou in mercie openest their mouth to speake vnto vs so giue vs grace to open our harts and eares to receiue the wholesome instructions and fatherlie admonitions which proceed thereout O giue vs grace I saie to applie our harts to instruction and our eares to the words of knowledge Let vs be still desirous of thy heauenlie kingdome Let the holie bread of thy Gospell and foode of heauenlie dainties be onlie sweet vnto vs and sauorie in our mouths that we may depart well refreshed and full fraught with the largesse and plentie of thy word and Euangelike feast Make thou vs true Conuerts and more and more to increase and growe from faith to faith vertue to vertue Let vs neuer loath this heauenlie Philosophie but let vs be as the learned that are taught of thee and made meet by this thy preacher to receiue thy doctrine to our health The preacher heere present is vndoubtedlie thy mouth and messenger whom thou hast sent O therfore let vs not dare either barbarously to misvse our selues towards him in word deed or thought or scornefullie disdaine to be taught of him but with all feare of thy Maiestie and reuerence towards him let vs with all attentiue and ghostlie greedinesse marke his words well to followe whatsoeuer shall be godlie vttered by him And finallie touch thou so our harts we beseech thee O God to beleeue thy word and to repent with speed that the preaching of thy Gospell may take place in vs to practise the works of faith and shew foorth fruits worthie the same so that we with this and all other thy preachers and they togither with vs leading a right vertuous and godlie life according to the rules prescribed in thy word may be brought in the end vnto thee the chiefe shepheard of our soules where wee may iointlie be partakers of eternall good things and most excellent felicitie thorough Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another IN this great darknesse of our soules O Lord thou shinest vnto vs with the lightsome lampe of thy grace but in nothing so effectuallie as in preaching of thy word Great is the haruest as thou thy selfe hast said and the workemen are few The most part of men are ignorant and wrapped in miserable blindnesse and few there are that teach thy word trulie and as they ought I beseech thee therefore that thou wilt send foorth workemen into thy haruest send teachers O Lord which are taught of thee and instructed by thy spirit of godlie wisdome and vnderstanding which by their preaching will seeke not themselues but thee because they are godlie and can so doo because they are wise and vnderstand Giue to the preacher of thy word heere present out of the treasures of thy wisedome that which he may powre vpon vs to our saluation And in vs open the windowes of our harts that they may receiue into them the most holie and wholsome light and that the good seede which falleth vpon vs be not choaked with thornes or withered awaie with drought nor be deuoured by the fowles of the aire but may growe vp in good ground and that fruitefullie with great increase to thy glorie and our saluation Amen Another praier to be vsed of anie hearer of Gods word I Giue thee most hartie thanks O eternall God father of our Lord Iesu Christ for that it hath pleased thee of thine vnspeakable mercie and goodnesse in all ages continuallie to send into the world men woonderfull in the gifts and knowledge of thy will to be renuers and spreaders foorth of thy truth Like thanks I ascribe vnto thy sacred Maiestie for allowing vs shepheards and preachers in these our daies for the gathering together of thy Church out of all mankinde to the building of the bodie of Christ Humblie I beseech thee gratious God continue alwaie among vs thy pure word through thy Ministers gather vnto thy selfe an euerlasting congregation and so instruct mine hart with thy spirit of truth that vnfeinedlie I may assent to thy wholesome word proue a liuelie member of thy bodie and be incorporated into that societie which both in this world doth sincerelie confesse thee and euermore extoll thy holie name Keepe those preachers which thou dooest and wilt giue in the certaine knowledge of thy blessed will that they may from time to time both open vnto vs thine intent concerning the repairing of mankind the saluation and redemption of our soules through thy free mercy and also teach vs how to liue in new obedience and to abstaine from carnall desires which fight against the soule Inspire the ministers and preachers of thy word with thine holie spirit that they may vtter thy will purelie as they haue receiued it from thy hands reteining the forme of whoalsome words and sounding onlie that doctrine which is vttered by thy sonne out of thy bosome For otherwise departing from the order of faith and the rule of thy word they will greatlie obscure the light of thy doctrine and obtrude vpon vs the vanitie of their owne inuentions Wherefore let them speake thy word not deceiptfullie but sincerelie euen as from thee and in thy sight Grant also that by transforming thy ministerie into policie they lord not ouer thine elect neither contend about superioritie and primacie in the Church but onlie to seeke the glorie of thy name and the saluation both of themselues vs. Giue them libertie of speech boldlie without feare to blame and rebuke all false doctrine blasphemous superstition and abuses in the Church Open vnto them the doore of vtterance
for their Maister and Gouernour they shall be destitute neither of the meate nor drinke of thy most wholesome doctrine and Sacraments Whereby it is manifest that if we pine awaie so long as we liue in this miserable and wretched life for the hunger and thirst of true and perfect goodnesse it happeneth for this cause in that wee haue forsaken thee and followed strange guides wherof and of none other come the great perils and miserable troubles of mind which fall vpon vs. Wherefore we humblie beseech thee O most faithfull and louing shepheard to call vs backe from errours into the right and perfect waie Correct the vices of the wandering and straieng flocke with the rod and sheephooke of thy righteousnesse so that we may feed at length orderlie purelie and chastlie of the most wholsome delicates of thy sacred word blessed Sacraments by which meanes the whole head hart and all the powers of our mind may be made fat and well liking and we alwaies so vnderpropped with thy louing mercies as we may finallie enioie in thy house the souereigne delights and deinties of euerlasting life through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another praier to be said before the Sermons at the Court. ALmightie God and most mercifull Father who hast in thine infinite wisedome hidden honour in shame and life in death that thou mightest make foolish the wisdome of this world and that hee that glorieth should glorie in the Lord giue vs grace that we stumble not as some did at the base estate and small shew that outwardlie appeared in thy sonne but that rather denieng our owne wisedome to seeke for our saluation where thou hast hidden laid it vp for vs that is in the simple ministerie of thy Gospell that it may haue such place amongst vs as it may reforme both Kingdoms and Courts and our priuate houses and persons that we may ioie in the present light of that lampe to our feet and followe it whither it goeth giuing no rest to the dealers of it till they haue satisfied our hungrie soules withall assuring our selues that we shall not want things needfull for this life but shall be nourished by thee haue thine assistance and helpe to deliuer vs from all trouble and finallie the enioieng of thy presence where anie trouble shall not come neere vs anie more but we shall be satisfied and haue perfect ioie in the sight of thee our most louing God and Father in Iesus Christ to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be praise and glorie for euermore Amen Another ALmightie God and most mercifull Father who hast annointed thy sonne with thy holie spirit and sent him to preach the Gospell that we who before were in prison and bondage to sinne and to death might by him be set at libertie and haue our wounded harts healed by faith of his sweete doctrine grant vs that we loue not bondage rather than libertie nor death rather than life but that we may so receiue his word as we may attaine to euerlasting freedome and life by it And for as much O Lord as thou declarest that for contempt of thy word thou dooest oftentimes withdrawe the preachers of it euen from those to whom they seemed especiallie to haue beene sent grant vs so to receiue the teachers of thy truth as they may be continued amongst vs to our euerlasting comfort in thee to whom with the sonne and the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie for euer Amen Another praier against hardnesse of hart and contempt of the word of God FOr as much as thy sacred doctrine O most mightie God is especiallie taught in the sacred Church wherby both thou thy selfe art manifestlie knowne singularlie preached and highlie magnified and we also thereby still called to heauen and heauenlie things it behooueth vs as manie as professe to be of thy schoole greatlie to reioice to be there and as thy faithfull Disciples with all our harts to desire for to giue diligent eare vnto thee alone and thy most wholsome instructions For thou hast oftener than once as thou diddest vnto the Israelites both by thy sacred Scriptures and also through the ministers of thy blessed word protested vnto vs on this wise Giue eare vnto me O my people acknowledge me trulie to be thy God not in words I saie onelie but in mind verelie and with a perfect and most pure worshipping But we alas haue turned our harts from thy holie words and so wretchedlie despised the doctrine of thy sacred lawe and Gospell that we haue alwaies hitherto beene a slander vnto the same But now are we verie hartilie sorie for it who trusting in the death and bloudshedding of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Sauiour doo with great feruencie and most earnest praiers lamentablie call vpō thee for pardon of all our sinfull crimes And seeing we acknowledge thee to be our onlie God we earnestlie desire thy gratious goodnesse to grant vs this request that we may now and from hence-foorth for euer giue eare onelie vnto thy diuine Maiestie and honour thee alone neither make anie thine equall or prefer anie thing before thee Suffer not our sinfull hart which of nature is disposed vnto euill to be hardened at thy fatherlie and friendlie admonitions make the same soft we hartilie praie thee with the inspiration of thy good grace and holie spirit neither suffer vs whom thou of thine infinite goodnesse and not for our merits sake hast chosen to be thy blessed people and sheepe of thy pasture to striue struggle against thy blessed commandements like vnto the stiffe-necked Iewes who wouldest oftentimes put therto the traill of thy mightie power But grant thou O most deere and excellent Father who speakest alwaie peaceable matters and those things which are for our singular commoditie that we which haue heretofore beene maruellous rebellious stubborne burdenous and troublesome vnto thee may now become thy tractable conformed and obedient children and euer hereafter haue so great a regard to thy blessed words that with verie attentiue minds we may giue good eare to those things which thou speakest and willest vs to doo So dooing we shall not onlie be saued adorned with glorie but also euerie thing of ours shall be replenished with goodnesse truth righteousnesse and peace Faith shall abound and through the same shall we be plentiouslie iustified through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen From all sedition and priuie conspiracie from all false doctrine and heresie from hardnesse of hart and contempt of thy word and commandement good Lord deliuer vs. That it may please thee to giue to all thy people increase of grace to heare meekelie thy word and to receiue it with pure affection and to bring foorth the fruits of the spirit we beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to bring into the waie of truth all such as haue erred are deceiued to strengthen such as doo stand and to comfort and helpe the weake-harted and to raise
supplication is not onlie for those aboue mentioned but also for such as either although they resist not thy truth and pure religion openlie and obstinatelie professe our religion yet mingled with manie superstitions and abuses worshipping and calling vpon Saints departed out of this life or be addicted to outward ceremonies and rudiments of this world burdening their consciences with mans obseruations and traditions of their fathers or trusting to their owne righteousnesse or rather to the works and deedes of the flesh refuse and make little accompt of thy righteousnesse which is the true iustification and go about to establish their owne righteousnesse But Christ is the end of the lawe for righteousnesse to as manie as beleeue and another foundation can no man laie than that is laid in thy sonne the Messias which is the waie the truth the life and the end of the lawe For by his perfect obedience and fulfilling of the lawe by his innocent and bitter death hee hath restored vnto vs saluation and perfect righteousnesse that euerie one which beleeueth on him might not perish but haue euerlasting life O God the sight of the blind bring them home againe which through ignorance either are intangled in doubtfull labyrinths and grosse errours or countenance polluted religion that lightened by thy spirit they may returne into the right waie And such as with impudent faces and stiffe neckes doo obstinatelie with an affected ignorance withstand thine holie spirit whose senses the god of this world hath blinded that the light of thy glorious Gospell shine not ouer them represse and bridle their malice that by slaughter and persecutions they neither trouble nor destroie thy Church Amen After the Sermon reade some of these sentences of Scripture exhorting to the diligent obseruing and following of Gods word beard Deuteronomie 28 verse 1. IF thou shalt obeie diligentlie the voice of the Lord thy God walke in his ordinances and obserue keepe and doo all his commandements which I command thee this daie then all these blessings shall come on thee and ouertake thee Blessed shalt thou be in the citie and blessed in the field c. But and if thou wilt not obeie the voice of the Lord thy God to keepe and doo all his commandements and his ordinances which I command thee this daie then all these curses shall come vpon thee and ouertake thee Curssed shalt thou be in the citie and curssed in the field c. as in the whole Chapter Ecclesiasticus 35. WHO so keepeth the lawe bringeth offrings inough he that holdeth fast the commandements offereth an offering of saluation Matthew 7. WHO soeuer heareth of me saieth Christ these words and doth the same I will liken him to a wise man which hath builded his house on a rocke c. But whosoeuer heareth these my words and doth them not shall be likened vnto a foolish man which hath builded his house vpon the sands c. Luke 11. BLessed are they that heare the word of God and keepe it Luke 12. THE seruant that knoweth his maisters will and doth it not shall be beaten with manie stripes Romans 2. THE hearers of the lawe are not righteous before God but the dooers of the lawe shall be iustified Iames. 1. WHerefore be yee dooers of the word and not hearers onelie deceiuing your owne selues For if anie heare the word and doo it not he is like vnto a man that beholdeth his naturall face in a glasse For when he hath considered himselfe he goeth awaie and forgetteth immediatlie what manner of one he was But who so looketh in the perfect lawe of libertie and continueth therein he not beeing a forgetfull hearer but a dooer of the worke shall bee blessed in his deed Iohn 15. NOw are yee cleane through the word which I haue spoken vnto you Abide in me and I in you c. I am the vine yee are the branches he that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth foorth much fruit For without me can ye doo nothing If yee abide in me and my word abide in you aske what yee will and it shall be done vnto you Reuelation 2. FOR he that ouercommeth and keepeth my words vnto the end to him will I giue power ouer nations Reuelation 3. REmember therefore how thou hast heard and receiued and hold fast and repent Hold that I saie which thou hast that no man take thy crowne and watch Then giue thanks and praie vnto God after the Sermon and saie IMmortall praise and thanks be giuen vnto thee O almightie God and most mercifull father who hast giuen vs so pretious a gift of thy holie word and vouchsafed vs to heare so glad tidings of thy sacred Gospell by the hand of this thy minister who presentlie by thy mercy hath vttered it vnto vs. And seeing thou hast delt so gratiouslie with vs in the free publishing of thy Gospell amongst vs this foure and twentie yeeres that it seemeth thou hast euen lifted vs vp to heauen with the cities wherein our Sauiour taught most in his being vpon the earth and hast now in a manner throwne them downe to hell and left in them a terrible and a fearfull example of thy iudgements against those that walke not woorthie the graces offered vnto them Grant vs so to profit by this their chastisement and correction that as of thy grace thou hast reuealed thy will vnto vs which otherwise we could neuer haue knowne so now strengthen vs O Lord that we neuer refuse thy Gospell in vnbeleefe nor seeke in the persons of the preachers of it anie causes and pretences of our infidelitie but hauing thy word alwaies in our harts and thy praises in our tongues we may walke woorthie thy so great graces bestowed vpon vs and haue our conuersation in heauen that after wee may be taken vp thither vnto thee alwaies to glorifie thee with thy Sonne and the holie Ghost Amen A thankes-giuing for the knowledge of God in his word WE giue thee thankes O Father Lord of heauen and earth because thou hast hid the mysterie of thy word which is the Gospell of our saluation by thy Sonne from the wise and men of vnderstanding in this world and hast reuealed the same to babes of base degree certeinlie such was thy good pleasure Thou hast giuen vs all things in thy Sonne whom none knoweth but thou Father neither dooth anie knowe thee except thy Sonne and he to whom thy Sonne shall reueale thee We worship thee we praise thee we glorifie thee we giue thee thanks for the hid wisedome which thou didst determine before the world for our glorie which was neuer knowne to the princes of this world nor at anie time to the sonnes of men as it is now reuealed by the spirit to whom the communion of the mysterie which was hid from all ages but is now opened to thy Saints to whom thou wouldst haue made knowne what be the riches of this glorious mysterie It is thine owne working
and of thy free mercie that we are made heires and partakers of thy promise in Christ Iesu through the Gospell which bringeth vs tidings and full assurance of the euerlasting riches of thine infinite goodnesse and mercie Blessed be God euen the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which hath blessed vs with all spirituall blessings in heauenlie things by Christ and hath chosen vs in him before the foundations of the world that we should be holie and without blame before him in loue who hath predestinated vs to be adopted through Iesus Christ vnto himselfe according to the good pleasure of his will whereby he loueth vs by his beloued in whom we haue redemption in his bloud euen the forgiuenesse of sinnes according to the riches of his grace wherein he hath abounded towards vs in all wisdome and vnderstanding and hath opened vnto vs the mysterie of his will according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himselfe euen vntill the dispensation of the fulnesse of time that he might gather in one all things both which are in heauen and which are in earth euen in Christ by whom also we are chosen when wee were predestinated according to the purpose of him which maketh althings after the counsell of his owne will that we might be to the praise of his glorie which hoping haue beleeued in Christ when we heard the word of truth euen the Gospell of saluation And this grace thou didst extend toward vs not by the works of righteousnesse which we had done but according to thy mercie thou sauedst vs and didst call vs with an holie calling not according to our works but according to thine owne purpose grace which was giuen to vs through Christ before all times and is now made manifest by the appearing of our Sauiour Iesus Christ which hath abolished death and brought life and immortalitie vnto light through the Gospell To thee therefore which art of power to establish our harts according to the reuelation of the mysterie which was kept secret since the world began but now is opened and published among all nations by the Scriptures of the Prophets at the commandement of the euerlasting GOD for the obedience of faith to thee we saie God onelie wise be praise through Iesus Christ for euer Amen We beseech thee that according to the operation and working of thy mightie power we may continue constant in true faith and wholesome doctrine and at no time forsaking the wisedome opened in the Gospell may followe the iudgement of worldlie reason and fleshlie vnderstanding which thou hast beesotted and altogither confounded in searching thy hidden mysteries For thy spirituall wisedome dooth farre exceed all wisedome and vnderstanding of the creatures wherevnto flesh can not attaine neither can our bloud reueale nor yet the naturall man although he be indued with great sharpenesse of wit and worldlie vnderstanding perceiue the same Grant we beseech thee that we may be thy simple sheepe and little-ones receiuing from thee the word of truth without contradiction and disputation and that in the articles of faith we bring not fleshly wisedome but being made void of our proper vnderstanding may bring our minds into a godlie captiuitie Let thy Sonne which descending from aboue brought with him the eternall wisedome of the Gospell from thy bosome and was made a sacrifice on our behalfe but now exalted to thy right hand bestoweth his gifts let him we beseech thee shine in our harts Likewise cause thine holie spirit to instill into vs his diuine light and breath vpon vs the new flame of thine heauenlie knowledge till departing into the eternall life we may behold thee the onlie and true God face to face which liuest and reignest in perpetuall glorie Amen Another thankes-giuing after the Sermon WE render vnto thee O heauenlie father most hartie thanks for this spirituall heauenlie nourishment of thy blessed word wherewith our soules are not onelie well refreshed at this present but also our faith is strengthened our loue kindled and our conscience quieted Wee most humblie beseech thee to giue vs grace not onelie to be hearers of thy word but dooers also of the same not onelie to loue but also to liue thy Gospell not onlie to fauour but also to followe thy godlie doctrine not onelie to professe but also to practise thy blessed commandements that whatsoeuer we outwardlie heare and inwardlie beleeue we may shew foorth the same in our conuersation and liuing vnto the honour of thy holie name the comfort of our Christian brethren and the health of our soules Amen Another O GOD wee haue heard with our eares and our fathers and preachers haue declared vnto vs the noble works that thou hast done of old time for vs. Grant therefore we beseech thee O thou heauenlie husbandman that this seed of thy word now sowne amongst vs may take such deepe root in our harts that neither the burning heate of persecution cause it to wither neither the thornie cares of this life doo choke it but that as seed sowne in good ground it may bring foorth thirtie sixtie and an hundred fold as thy heauenlie wisedome hath appointed to the glorie of thy holie name Amen Another praier or thankes-giuing after the Sermon I Giue thee most humble thankes Lord Iesu Christ that thou hast vouchsafed euen now abundantlie to refresh and feed vs with the food of thy word And I beseech thee that the vnderstanding and knowledge of this thy word may be wholsome comfortable and effectuall in vs that this heauenlie seed now sowne doo not die or perish in vs without fruit Keepe our harts O Lord inuiron and compasse them about with the inclosure or hedge of thy grace and by thy holie Angels preserue and watch ouer the same that the infernall fowle bird Satan pull not out thy sacred word out of our harts But prepare our breast and make apt our harts vnto thee good Lord that they may firmelie keepe thy word and that they may alwaie sticke and be as new and fresh in our memories Giue vs also strength possibilitie and power that our life may answere to thy doctrine heard Giue increase also to thy word O heauenlie husbandman that in vs it may augment growe and that by thy holie speech and heauenlie eloquence it may not onlie bring vs to the knowledge of thy will but also that we may execute accomplish and fullfill that thou commandest and willest and so perseuering to the end may at the last aspire to thy celestiall kingdome Amen Another O Gratious God and most mercifull Father which hast vouchsafed vs the rich and pretious iewell of thy holie word assist vs with thy spirit that it may be written in our harts to our euerlasting comfort to reforme vs to renew vs according to thine owne image to build vs vp and edifie vs into the perfect building of thy Christ sanctifieng and increasing in vs all heauenlie vertues Grant this O heauenlie Father for Iesus
of thee and this congregation present who may be eie-witnesses of the same But because O Lord the externall confession and outward acknowledgement of my sinnes without the inward contrition dolour of the hart and soule auaileth nothing in thy presence which art the searcher of the hart and sifter of the reines I most humblie beseech thee that thou wilt so touch my hart and conscience and effectuallie worke in me perfect remorse and detestation of my former offences that without anie hypocrisie and with true compunction of soule and sincere confession of the mouth I vtterlie loathing and condemning mine owne impietie and damning that which the lawe pronounceth vniust and damnable may attaine to some sense and feeling of thy mercie which thou hast aboundantlie shewed vnto all mankind in Christ Iesu our Lord. Conuert me O Lord and I shall be conuerted because thou art my God and being conuerted I will doo penance Heale me O Lord and I shall be healed saue thou me and I shall be saued for thou art my praise To me I confesse shame and confusion of face is due as I iustlie suffer this daie but to thee honor and glorie for my redemption who by thus iudging and punishing me dooest by little and little giue me place to amend and space to repent and hast not suddenlie and at vnwares taken me awaie from the face of the earth and ouerwhelmed me by and by through thy iustice in my wicked deedes dooing as I deserued and thou iustlie mightest For which thy lenitie patience long-suffering and mercie O thou louer of my soule I most humblie thanke thee beseeching thee so to mollifie my hart that I may repent and esteeme greatlie of so great riches and inestimable treasures of thy goodnesse Moreouer O good Lord Iesus Christ grant I beseech thee that among all the feares and terrours of my conscience I may take hold of thee by a liuelie faith which hast redeemed me from the cursse of the lawe and art made for me wisedome and righteousnesse sanctification and redemption and may not in the fight of conscience yeeld my selfe a slaue still to Sathan and despaire of thy mercie but vpholden by the voice of thy Gospell may flee vnto thee my mediator and iustified by faith may haue peace with God that so comming vnto thee by hearing thy word to repentance the Angels in heauen may continuallie haue occasion to reioice and I auoiding the fearefull vengeance which most assuredlie shall fall vpon the inobedient may be restored into the right of thy lawe and receiued againe into the bosome of thy Church as a member of thy mysticall body and from my hart walke in all holie obedience to thee and thy holie word to the praise of thy name the comfort of thy Church and the confusion of Sathan Amen A thankes-giuing and praier vnto God of a reconciled offender or excommunicate person restored into the Church to be vsed after open penance done at a Sermon or otherwise HEauenlie father fountaine of all mercie and consolation I confesse my selfe the chiefest of all sinners and a wretch most vnworthie to bee counted amongst thy children or to be a member of thy Church if thou haue respect to the corruption of my nature and horror of my manifold misdeeds But seeing it hath pleased thy fatherlie goodnesse not onlie freelie to elect and choose me in thy deere sonne our Lord Iesus Christ by his death to redeeme me by his Gospell to call me and by his holie spirit which both are thine to illuminate me but also that thou hast commanded thy holie word and sacred Gospell to be preached not onlie to me but to all the world to the end that the penitent may haue an assurance of the remission of all their sinnes great and small old and new not onlie for a time but euen as oft as they from sorowfull harts and broken spirits in bitter teares shall bewaile the same and call for thy grace and mercie In consideration of this thy fatherlie adoption and ineffable clemencie shewed vpon mee an vnwoorthie wretch I can not but highlie praise and magnifie thy fatherlie mercie A testimonie whereof I not onelie feele now in my selfe but others also see the same euidentlie in this my conuersion and confession of my fore-passed faults in the which my penance dooing I am assured that I haue not so much shamed my selfe before this godlie congregation as I haue thereby confounded and ouercome mine enimie Satan who for a time had me in bondage and by whose venem and deceiuable entisements I heretofore haue beene verie rebellious to the wholesome admonitions of the Church for the which vile sinnes rebellion and contempt I confesse I haue beene woorthilie excommunicate and punished by the censures of the same But now O Lord seeing that the spirit of our Lord Iesus Christ hath so farre preuailed in me that by the power therof I am now set at freedome by thy mercie am returned againe to the societie of thy Saints and mysticall bodie of thy Church I beseech thee for the obedience of our Lord Iesus Christ so to accept me sorowfull conuert and to allow of this mine vnfeined repentance and confession that my former inobedience and faults be neuer laid to my charge Haue mercie vpon me O God haue mercie vpon me and absolue me thy poore creature not onelie from the sentence of excommunication but also from the sinnes by me committed and from all censures of the Church laid against me for the same or before and that Lord giuen according to this my hartie and vnfeined repentance before thee and all this congregation and as I hartilie forgiue all the world that in anie thing hath offended against me O Lord pronounce thou my sinnes to be cleansed and they shall be cleansed absolue thou me from the chaine of mine iniquities wherewith I am fast tied and bound and I shall be absolued loose thou my sins in earth and they shall be loosed in heauen that being now by thy great goodnesse and mercie acquited and sent awaie vncondemned of thee as that sinfull woman taken in adulterie was from hir accusers and receiued againe to the societie of Iesus Christ into the bosome of his Church to the participation of his blessed Sacraments and finallie to the fruition of all thy benefits I may by the perpetuall assistance of thy holie spirit not onelie more and more be displeased with my sinnes and bridle hencefoorth my corrupt affections till Satan be cleane troden vnder my feet by the power of my redeemer Christ but also be so conducted in all the course of my life hereafter that I neuer fall into the like sinnes impietie and contempt of God and godlinesse anie more but that continuallie I may be subiect to the voice of the Church and to the ministers of the same and proceed dailie in all maner of good works and Christian obedience to the praise of thy holie name and edifieng of thy Church by
Iesus Christ our Lord and onelie Sauiour to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be giuen all honour glorie praise and thankes-giuing not onelie of me miserable sinner and vnwoorthie wretch but also of all men Angels and creatures both in heauen and in earth from this time foorth for euermore Amen Luke 15 verses 6 7. Reioice with me saith Christ For I haue found my sheepe which was lost yea I saie vnto you there is ioie in heauen in the presence of the Angels of God ouer one sinner that repenteth more than ouer ninetie and nine iust persons which neede no repentance A praier to be vsed for the conuersion of anie notorious sinner that doth open penance in the Church PItifull God omnipotent Lord and mercifull Father who for that good will thou bearest vnto vs in Iesus Christ thy deere sonne wilt not the death and destruction of a sinner but rather that he by the inspiration and moouing of thy holie spirit conuert and liue who also doost witnesse the vertue and strength of thy word to be such that it causeth the mountaines to shake the rocks tremble and the flouds to drie vp behold we thy children and people here prostrate before thee most humblie beseech thee for Iesus Christs sake pitifullie to looke vpon all sinners and especiallie vpon this our sister here present who once was baptised in thy name and hath professed hir selfe subiect to this religion and vnto the discipline of thy Church though Satan alas now for a while hath so blinded hir that wilfullie shee hath contemned both the one and the other But O Lord as thou alone knowest so maist thou alone change and mollifie the harts of the impenitent sinners thou I saie which by the voice of the prophet Nathan awakedst Dauid from his deadlie securitie and who without anie prophet didst beate downe the pride of Manasses in the prison after that he had filled Ierusalem with all kind of impietie thou which turnedst the hart of Peter at the onelie looke of thy deere sonne our Lord Iesus Christ after that fearfullie with horrible imprecations hee had thrise denied and openlie forsworne thee thou which openedst the eies of the blind excommunicate man and causedst him to beleeue thy saiengs which forgauest the woman taken in adulterie sentst hir awaie vncondemned of thee hir accusers thou I saie O Lord whose mercies without measure endure for euer To thee doo we praie for this our sister heere presentlie punished and dooing open penance for hir offences earnestlie desiring thee O father of mercies first so to pierce and moue hir heart with the feare of thy seuere iudgements which sufferest no child of thine to go vncorrected in this world to the end they may escape vnpunished in the world to come and so to open hir eies that she may begin to see and vnderstand how fearefull and terrible a thing it is to fall into thy hands and to prouoke thy wrath and indignation against hir Let it please thy Maiestie by the vertue of thy holie spirit so to mollifie hir hard hart I saie that she may now at length feele how greeuouslie she hath offended both against thee and the Church and giue hir thy grace to acknowledge accuse and damne as well before vs whome she hath offended as before thy presence this hir contempt and sinne so notorious and damnable least that by hir obstinacie and wilfull rebellion thy Church and congregation being further prouoked be compelled with greefe of harts to cut hir quite off from thy mysticall bodie whome we O Lord vnfeinedlie desire to receiue within the Church as a liuelie member of thy deere sonne our Lord Iesus Christ Heare vs mercifull father call backe againe this our deere sister from eternall destruction where-into Sathan would leade hir that we all who before thy presence euen for hir rebellion and transgressions doo mourne may receiue hir againe with gladnes and ioie and so render praise and honour vnto thee before this thy holie congregation We grant our selues O Lord vnworthie whome thou shouldest heare because we cease not to offend thee by our continuall transgressing of thy holie precepts Looke not vpon vs mercifull father in this our corrupt nature but looke downe to thy deere sonne whome thou of thy meere mercie hast appointed our head high Bishop aduocate mediator and onlie propitiator In him and in the merits of his death we humblie beseech thee mercifullie to behold vs and suffer not the most innocent bloud of thy deere sonne shead for vs and this our penitent sister to be prophaned by the tyrannie and sleight of Sathan but by the vertue of the same let our sister be brought to vnfeined repentance and conuersion that so she may escape that fearfull indignation into the which she appeareth to haue fallen Grant I saie O Lord vnto this our sister the repentance of the hart and sincere confession of the mouth to the praise of thy name to the comfort of thy Church and to the confusion of Sathan And vnto vs grant O Lord that albeit we cannot liue altogether cleane from sinne and void of offences yet that we fall not into the like horrible crimes of impietie and contempt to the dishonour of thy holie name to the slander and offence of our brethren and sisters and infamie of thy holie Religion and Gospell which we professe Let thy godlie power O Lord so perpetuallie assist and strengthen our weakenesse and conduct vs in all the course of our whole life that neither the craft of Sathan nor the tyrannie of sinne drawe vs vtterlie from the obedience required in true Christians but that contrarilie beeing subiect to the voice of thy Church and to the ministers of the same vnder thee by holinesse and innocencie of life we may declare to the wicked generation what difference there is betweene the children of light and the children of darkenesse that all men seeing our good works may praise thee in the daie of visitation This we aske of thee O heauenlie Father in the boldnesse of our head and mediator Iesus Christ praieng furthermore as he hath taught vs Our Father c. Another praier to be said of the beholders of anie offender in the Church or else-where ALmightie God and most mercifull father whose iudgements are vnsearchable and whose waies are past finding out teach vs to iudge wiselie of this our sister and all other afflicted with thy hand not condemning them but rather profiting by them that their example may leade vs to repentance and bringing foorth such fruits as thou requirest of all those that are planted in thy Church least by continuing fruitlesse we prouoke thee at the last to the cutting of vs downe And because thou hast giuen vs a sauiour able to heale all our infirmities deliuer vs by him O Lord from all the bonds of Sathan that being set at libertie by him we may fore-see the straight doore and enter into it leauing the wide gate that leadeth
to destruction that we may be saued with those few that are appointed therevnto in Iesus Christ to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honor praise and glorie for euermore Amen A thanks-giuing for the conuersion of an excommunicate person or other publike offender after penance WE thanke the mercie and goodnesse of our God through Iesus Christ our Lord for the conuersion patient penance doing of this our sister whereby she hath not so much endured the reproch and infamie of hir owne sinnes as in deede she hath confounded and ouercome Satan hir deadlie foe who went about to make hir his continuall slaue and by whose subtile sleights and euill suggestions she hath heretofore beene disobedient to thy holie lawes and wholsome admonitions of thy Church And now O Lord seeing that the spirit of our Lord Iesus Christ hath so farre preuailed in hir that she is returned to our societie let it please thee for the obedience of the same our Lord Iesus Christ so to accept hir that hir former disobedience and sinnes be neuer laid to hir charge but that she may increase in all goodnesse till Satan finallie be troden vnder hir feete and ours by the power of our Lord Iesus Christ to whom with thee and the holie Spirit be all honor and glorie now and euer Amen Before the publike administration of the holie sacrament of Baptisme the better to call to mind our owne vow and promise made long since vnto God praie priuatelie to your selfe and saie O Most blessed fore-goer and guide of Christian people Iesu Christ who submitting and humbling thy selfe vouchsafedst to be baptised of Iohn in the riuer Iordan and wast not onlie baptised in water but also in blood and in the holie Ghost vouchsafe euen so to incline bow and dispose our outwarde life with our inward mind affects and desires in the fulfilling of all righteousnesse so that we being now mortified dead to the old Adam through thy holie witnesse of baptisme by the working and operation of the holie Ghost may alwaie haue our holy couenant in remembrance before our eies that couenaunt vow and promise I saie which we haue taken vpon vs in our baptisme to the intent that we as faithfull champions striuing against the world the flesh and the diuell may vanquish and ouercome them with all other which might be noifull and hurtfull vnto vs Amen Or giue thanks for our regeneration and sanctification as afterward in the praier vpon Whitsundaie Or praie thus for the spirituall washing awaie of thy sinnes HAue mercie on me O GOD according to thy great tendernesse of hart For in wickednesse borne I was and in sinnes my mother conceiued me so that of nature all that I am I am but sin This my confession of the truth I knowe well is right acceptable vnto thee wheras in the most part of others thou hast either hid the same or made it vnknowne Purge and sprinkle mee with the bloud of Iesus Christ thine vnspotted lambe If thou wash me I shall be as white as snowe wash me thoroughlie therfore from mine errours clense me not onlie of my sinnes passed but also of my whole life to come so shall I receiue these glad tidings into my hart that my sins be forgiuen me With the baptisme of spirit in the fire of thine illumination baptise me which is the might efficacie of baptisme which we receiued in our childhood Grant that the same spirit might alwaie conduct vs let this spirituall washing of baptisme continue with vs vntill the infection and vice which we haue by nature of old Adam be perfectlie taken awaie by the death of the flesh through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Or praie that the benefits of both the holie Sacraments may be applied vnto our soules health O Blessed Trinitie and eternall God of one essence giue grace that in euerie combate and especiallie at the point of death being mindfull of thy couenant made with vs at our Christening of thy most comfortable promise anexed He which beleeueth and is baptised shall bee saued we may neuer doubt either of thy mercifull good-will towards vs or of the free remission of our sinnes but by often remembring this signe and couenant may dailie more and more be confirmed in faith and hope of perpetuall happinesse and applie thy benefits which certainlie thou hast promised and faithfullie wilt performe vnto our selues For thy promises made to such as beleeue and trust in thee be not vaine and to no purpose Likewise vphold our soules by the Sacrament of thy Supper that strengthened with the seale of this new testament we may be the more certaine and confirmed touching our reconciliation and euerlasting righteousnesse alwaies beare it fixed in our minds For if the testament of a man which is prooued after the death of the Testator be not small accounted of much more should the last testament and holie Sacrament of our Sauiour Christ remaine pure and in continuall force and remembrance Or praie that we may rightlie and trulie receiue the blessed Sacraments O Most mercifull God and louing father who by thy son Iesus Christ hast abrogated the superfluous ceremonies of the Lawe and hast deliuered vs from the bondage thereof giuing vnto vs sure certaine seals and sacraments of thy grace and our free redemption through the most pretious bloud of thy deere Sonne Iesus Christ Grant O Lord we beseech thee that we may euermore vse them according to thy sonne our Sauiours institution who hath left them as pledges of his great loue towards mankind as continuall remembrances of his most pretious death which he suffered vpon the wood of the crosse for our redemption who by the fountaine of water hath regenerated vs and by his most pretious bloud hath purged vs. Make vs therefore to receiue these holie mysteries without corruption to vse them without alteration to continue them without superstition to the honour and glorie of thy most holie name through Iesu Christ our Lord to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie now and for euer Amen After publike baptisme praie and giue thanks secretlie to yourselfe as time will serue saieng WE yeeld thee most hartie thanks O heauenlie Father for that it hath pleased thee to regenerate vs with the fountaine of water by faith in the bloud of thy sonne Iesus Christ and to purge vs from that originall sinne which we receiued of the old Eue. But who is able oh Lord to to giue thee sufficient praises Or who can expresse thy louing kindnesse and great mercies towards mankinde who hast not onlie redeemed him from the yoke of the lawe the bondage of hell and destruction of the diuell but also like a mercifull and louing father euen in our first entrance into this world washedst vs from iniquitie and hast giuen vs the Sacrament of Baptisme euen as a memoriall of our election in thy Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord whereby
doo through the onelie merits of our Lord and Sauiour Jesus Christ to whom be all honour glorie dominion power and praise for euer and euer Amen The praier ALmightie and most mercifull God my heauenlie Father I thy poore child and most vnwoorthie bidden ghest to this thy prepared sacrifice and celestiall feast after due examination of my former life with an humble and contrite hart with a sorowfull and repentant spirit and with a forgiuing and charitable mind heere prostrate on my knees before thy throne of mercie with most lowelie hart humblie beseech thy Maiestie euen for thy deere and onelie sonne Iesus Christs sake whom thou hast once for all euer alreadie giuen an oblation and offering for our sinnes to haue mercie pitie and compassion vpon me most vile wretched and miserable sinner and to forgiue me all mine innumerable and horrible offences both old and new committed against heauen and earth and against thee And new I praie thee sanctifie me throughlie O God and make me who hartilie desire in feare trembling to please thee in all things that I doo a woorthie communicant a godlie ghest and fit partaker heere this daie of thy heauenlie food in this great and sumptuous Supper of my Lord and my God by giuing vnto me of thine accustomed goodnesse the right knowledge and vnderstanding out thy word of the thing it selfe these holie mysteries I meane and the manifold fruits and benefites thereof and also by causing me through the working of thy mercie and grace to bring now with me a true and constant faith the roote and wel-spring of all newnesse of life as well in praising thee and louing my neighbour as purging mine owne conscience by earnest repentance and continuall contrition from dead works and filthinesse of sinne so that neither the ignorance of the thing O gratious God may cause me to contemne it nor vnfaithfulnesse make it void of fruit nor sinne and iniquitie procure me thy heauie plagues but grant that I may by faith in knowledge and amendment of life in faith be heere now so vnited to thy sonne Christ my head and most deerelie beloued spouse in these his holie and heauenlie mysteries to my comfort both in bodie and soule that afterward I may haue full fruition of him in deede to mine euerlasting ioie and saluation in eternall life through the same Iesus Christ our Lord blessed for euer Amen Another godlie praier O Iesu Christ holy and eternall God I miserable woman and wretched sinner acknowledge and confesse that I am not woorthie the least of all thy mercies and most vnwoorthie to receiue thee vnder the roofe of my soule by participating of thy most blessed bodie and bloud For horrible and infinite are the sinnes wherewith I am defiled Wo is me Lord. For I am a woman of polluted lips and dwell among people that haue vncleane lips And therefore the verie entrailes of my hart are troubled and my bones doo shake because I finde my soule a most vnworthie ghest for so heauenlie a supper And yet againe mine hart is woonderfullie lightned when I call to mind that thou the deere sonne of almightie God camest not into this world to call the righteous but sinners vnto repentance For they that be whole need not the Physician but they that are sick Besides I knowe right well and constantlie doo beleeue that notwithstanding my filthinesse thou canst make mee woorthie which alone canst make that cleane which is conceiued of vncleane seed and righteous men of sinners when thou forgiuest our sinnes of thy woonted grace thine holie spirit being powred vpon vs. Through which thy power and mercie I beseech thee graunt such grace vnto me a sinner that I may woorthilie approch to this heauenlie sacrament least otherwise by mine vnwoorthinesse I be made giltie of thy bodie and bloud and so in stead of life receiue my iudgement and condemnation Giue grace therefore that afore I presume to come vnto the participation thereof I may examine my selfe by calling my sinnes into mind searching out my waies and by vnfeigned and hartie repentance returning vnto thee my Lord least otherwise by concealing my sinnes with Iudas the traitor I eate the bread of the Lord against the Lord and by abusing thy gentlenesse heape vengeance vnto my selfe against the daie of vengeance O make me therefore I saie to confesse my sinnes and that with hartie sobs so thou being a faithfull and iust God wilt abandon all mine offences and cleanse me from my sinnes and wilt not disdaine to accept me into fauour when I doo not refraine to acknowledge my wickednesse Moreouer powre into me a true and liuelie faith that I neuer mistrust thy word annexed to the Sacraments which promiseth vnto mankind the remission of sinnes For to eate or drinke with the mouth onelie is to no purpose but faith must come therevnto and apprehend the word with the promises annexed for they are the grounds and principles of this sacrament so that whosoeuer giueth credit to these words Which was giuen and shead for you in the remission of sinnes the same man hath that which is promised by them namelie eternall life and saluation For where the remission of sinnes is there likewise righteousnes life and saluation is But he which doubteth of these words he without doubt is an vnworthie receiuer and commeth vnprepared For the doubting man neither eateth the flesh spirituallie nor yet drinketh the bloud though carnallie and to our eies he seemeth to consume the Sacrament of the bodie and bloud with his teeth and mouth but his damnation rather not bicause thy supper is poison but for that an euill man taketh a good thing naughtilie Finallie grant also that receiuing this thy Sacrament of the new Testament I may put off according to the former conuersation the old man which is corrupt according to the lusts of error and be renewed in the spirit of my mind putting on the new man which after God is shapen in righteousnesse and holinesse of truth And albeit my nature be such that I can not liue without spots of wickednesse yet so blesse me that I may neuer offend willinglie but altogether depending vpon thy goodnesse whose manner is to pardon the true penitent that sinners may boldlie approch to thine holie supper especiallie seeing we haue libertie to enter into the holie places through thy bloud by the new and liuing waie which thou hast prepared for vs through the vaile that is by thy flesh And seeing we haue an high Priest ouer the house of God make vs to drawe nigh with true harts in assurance of faith sprinkled in our minds from an euill conscience and washed in bodie with pure water Cause vs to hold fast the profession of the hope without wauering For he is faithfull that promised and let vs consider one of another to prouoke vnto loue to good works not forsaking the assemblie of the faithfull as the maner of some is but exhorting one another
vnto thee by repentance and through consideration of this new and eternall couenant touching the remission of sinnes made with vs be erected and vpholden vnto a liuelie and puissant hope O sweet Iesu grant that being fast linked vnto thee by this holy mysterie I may receiue power strength from thee beleeuing thy promises and be wholie addicted therevnto without anie doubting that so my conscience in feare and troubles may haue perfect consolation Suffer me not to be separated from the members of thy bodie which is the Church whereof thou art head fulfilling all in all but graunt that abiding in thy word and kingdome I may be without fault in the foundation and without sinne against my conscience and walke worthie this Sacrament forsaking vtterlie and renouncing the diuell and all idolatrie all vices and carnall desires which fight against the soule For we cannot be partakers of the Lords table and of the diuels too Make me also to remember that by this Sacrament I am bound to doo good vnto others For as manie graines of corne doo make one loafe and manie grapes make one wine so being manie yet are we but one loafe and one bodie in asmuch as we all participate of one bread and drinke of one cup. Ioine vs therefore togither O Sauiour of the world at this common banket through the band of loue that we may be fastened vnto thee our head that as thou didst die for vs so we againe may not feare to suffer and to giue our liues for the glorie of thy name that we neuer be separated from thee neither in life nor death Make vs also hartilie to loue one another like the true and liuelie members of thy bodie that if neede require we may giue our liues for our brethren Suffer not concord of minds to be broken For he that receiueth the mysterie of vnitie and keepeth not the bond of peace he doth not receiue the mysterie for himselfe but a testimonie against himselfe Giue grace therefore that leauing aside all wrath fiercenesse maliciousnesse and enuie we may forgiue one another euen as thou forgiuest vs and beare one with another for the better auoiding of strife dissention sectes and pernicious heresies Keepe this thine ordinance and right vse of thy Sacrament amongst vs euermore that this good worke and diuine ceremonie may alwaies be a note and badge of our publike profession whereby we are knowne from pagans and tokens of loue confession and thankefulnesse Remoue awaie all abuses and prophanations of this holie and sacred supper together with the horrible and idolatrous adorations inuented by Sathan and his members to the shamefull deforming of thy godlie goodlie institution but maintaine I humblie beseech thee the true and vnpolluted vse thereof till thy pleasure is to returne in the clouds to iudgement with great power and glorie that it neuer be out of remembrance and last of all at our resurrection from death appoint vs places of thine heauenly table where we may taste the new wine in the kingdome of thy father abiding with thine elect Angels and blessed Saincts for euermore Amen A meditation of the trust which a Christian soule ought to haue in the passion of our Lord Iesu with a thanks-giuing vnto God for the manifold benefits thereof I Might despaire verelie because of my manifold sinnes and negligences without number if it were not that thy word O God was made flesh and dwelt amongst vs. But I can not neither dare I now despaire because that seeing when we were enimies we were reconciled by the death of thy Sonne who being obedient vnto thee to the death yea euen to the shamefull death of the Crosse hath taken awaie the hand-writing of our sinnes and nailing the same to his crosse hath crucified both sinne and death How much more are we now reconciled and saued by him For all the hope certitude and surenesse of all my trust is in his pretious bloud which was shead for vs and for our saluation In him doo I take hartening and by meanes of him who sitteth at the right hand of God and sueth for vs I looke backe with a carelesse eie and now trusting in him in whome I am alreadie risen againe and receiued alreadie mounted vp into heauen and there doo sit among the Angels I haue a desire to come vnto thee not hauing mine owne righteousnesse but that which I haue through the same thy Sonne our Lord Iesu Christ For the which O most mercifull God and most gentle louer of mankind we giue thee thanks who through Iesus Christ thy Sonne our Lord when we were not didst mightilie make vs and when we were lost through our sinnes most maruellouslie didst deliuer and recouer vs againe To thy goodnesse I saie doo I giue thanks and manifold praises doo I shew foorth to thee with all my hart mind which through the vnspeakable loue wherewith thou hast vouchsafed of thy maruellous goodnesse to loue vs wretches and vnworthie to be beloued didst send the same thine onelie begotten Sonne from thy bosome vnto our Common-weale to saue vs sinners which were at that time the children of perdition and damnation I render vnto thee all possible thanks for his holie incarnation and natiuitie and for the blessed virgin Marie his mother vpon whom he did vouchsafe to take flesh for vs and for our saluation to the intent that like as he is verie God of God so he might be verie man of man I giue thee condigne thanks for his passion and crosse for his death and resurrection for his ascension into heauen and his seate of his Maiestie on thy right hand I giue thee thanks I saie for that most sacred shedding foorth of his pretious bloud wherewith we are redeemed and also for the most holie and quickening sacrifice of his blessed bodie bloud which this daie and dailie in thy Church we feed of and drinke of wherewith also we are washed cleansed and sanctified are made partakers of the onelie high diuinitie Finallie I giue thee thanks for the maruellous and vnspeakable charitie and loue wherewith thou didst loue vs vnwoorthie persons and didst saue vs by thine onelie and beloued sonne For so thou didst loue the world that thou gauest thine onlie begotten sonne to the intent that none which trulie beleeue in him shuld perish but haue euerlasting life And this thing verilie is euerlasting life to knowe thee and also Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent to be verie God by an vpright faith and works woorthie for such a faith Wherefore with all my hart and mouth I doo confesse praise and blesse thee O God the father vnbegotten and thee O God the sonne onlie begotten also thee O holie Ghost and comforter To thee O blessed trinitie be all glorie and praise thanks togither with all power dominion and might in the world of worlds for euer Amen A meditation to be vsed after the receiuing of the holie Communion to stirre vs vp through the
by the diuell man thou hast againe of thine infinite goodnesse through thy sonne prepared a sumptuous supper and great feast And for as much as thy people among whom the tower of thy daily iunkets was placed togither with the most part of the world do despise thy holie table and suffer themselues to be caried about vnto the bankets of Satan and vaine pleasures of this world Thou hast vouchsafed to call vs most vnwoorthie wretches being lame blind and beggerlie in this last age of the world that the number of thine elect may be filled yea thou compellest some lieng in the high waies and about hedges by reason of the troubles and decaie of kingdoms through the preaching of thy word to come to the participation of thy banket We humblie beseech thee bring vs to thine heauenlie table appoint vs a place therein euermore Grant that from thy sonne which is the bread and liuelie wine we may drawe nourishment and iuice that the drinesse of our nature may be watered and we at length taste of thy supper in the table of euerlasting life and drinke the new wine of thy sonne enioieng his visible sight in the blessed societie of all thine elect Amen When you begin to eate immediatelie blesse and saie LORD God which art the sanctifier of thy Saints and the euerlasting suffisance that shalt be giuen to the hungrie blesse thou from heauen these thy good creatures and great benefits which thou hast created to releeue the want of thy hungrie children and to be receiued with thanks-giuing with thy celestiall benediction that they may be as a healthfull medicine or remedie to our humane nature And grant that by the inuocation of thy holie name we now soberlie taking and temperatelie and thankfullie tasting hereof may therewithall receiue both helth of bodie and safegard of soule through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Or else praie thus for the sober vsing of your meate and drinke GRant O most mercifull God that so long as we wander in this wretched world we may so take our meate and drinke for the infirmitie of our flesh that we neuer be corrupted by fine fare wherein the flesh delighteth neither yet by anie foolish superstition nor that we be drawne awaie at anie time from temperance and sobrietie but let vs alwaies remember so to vse our abundance that when we abound in all things most plentifullie we may giue our selues to moderate abstinence continuallie as also that we may patientlie beare all pouertie and hunger when it commeth and that wee may so vse libertie in our meates and drinks that alwaies the glorie of thy name O Lord may be before our eies and that such frugalitie may appeare in all our life that we may continuallie seeke that satietie and fulnesse whereby we shall be satiate for euer most abundantlie when the glorie of thy countenance shall appeere vnto vs in the heauens through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen When you take salt meditate a little to your selfe and saie EUerie man shall be salted with fire and euerie sacrifice shall be seasoned with salt Salt is good but if the salt be vnsauourie wherewith shall it be seasoned O God giue vs grace to haue salt in our selues and to haue peace one with another let all our communication now be so well sauoured and powdered with salt that is to saie seasoned with godlie wisedome that we knowing how and when to speake all our talke may tend to the glorie of thy name and the edifieng of our owne soules through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen In the meale time LET one of your children or seruants that best can reade this caution following and after that some chapter or portion of the Scripture distinctlie and reuerentlie that all at the boord may giue diligent eare therevnto The cautions or remembrances to be said of the child in the meate time REmember that these meates and drinkes heere set before you are giuen you of God to vse but not to abuse in surfeting and dronkennesse Remember that they are giuen you to profit your bodies and not to hurt your soules Remember that they are not giuen to you alone but vnto others also that need the same by your liberalitie and almes to their releefe In eating and drinking remember that you doo but feed the woormes and pamper the carcasse and ouercharge your soule if yee surfet with taking too much In the midst of your mirth and abundance remember the poore prisoners the sicke and the afflictions of Ioseph and his persecuted members as though yee were in their case Finallie remember the food of your soules Christs bodie broken and his bloud shead Desire the meate I saie that lasteth for euer Labour for it and harken diligentlie to his word which now shall be read vnto you And first let vs praie A praier to be said of the child or seruant in the meale time before the reading of the Chapter out of the Bible O Lord which hast prouided these earthlie creatures for the feeding of our mortall bodies direct vs carefullie to seeke and with delight to tast of thy most holie word that we may by that immortall seed be begotten to be thy children and thereby be nourished and fed vntill we become perfect men in thy Sonne Christ Iesus So be it Or else thus BLessed Lord which hast not onlie created all things for mans sustenance but also hast caused all holie Scripture to be written for our learning grant vs to be so conuersant among these thy gifts purelie and holilie because thou art so that we may in such sort also now both reade thy word heare it marke learne and inwardlie digest this heauenlie food of our soules that being well refreshed and vertuouslie transformed both in bodie and soule we may holilie walke in the strength thereof to glorifie thee through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen After the Chapter read saie thus BLessed are they that heare the word of God and keepe it Grant therefore we beseech thee O Lord that we may not onlie be readers and hearers of thy word but dooers and followers also of the same that beeing now fed and nourished at thy hands both in soule and bodie we may heere bee apt and readie to doo all good works which thou hast prepared for vs to walke in and in the life to come be receiued to thine eternall kingdome of glorie through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another thanks-giuing after the receiuing of our bodilie sustenance and reading of some part of Gods holie word or spirituall food O Lord our God the onlie giuer of all good gifts who of thy great mercies hast made vs partakers both of the heauenlie gifts of thy holie word to feed our minds and of thine earthlie creatures for the necessarie sustenance of our weake bodies grant we beseech thee that through thy grace these thy gifts may be made perfect vnto vs. Giue strength vnto our meate that it may be our healthfull nourishment not to
breed in vs anie carnall desire of our vaine life but to enable our bodies with all good works during the time of this present pilgrimage that so thy good creatures may be our good releefe so long as thou wilt and so much as thou knowest to be expedient for vs thy seruants to finish our daies which thou hast numbred in the edifieng of thy Saincts and glorifieng of thy holie name And because O Lord we knowe nothing of our selues but our ignorant harts are full of darkenesse therefore we beseech thee that this thy word which is thine eternall wisdome that now we haue read and wherein we haue had our conference may be in our minds a burning lampe and shining light of thine onlie truth in our harts and in our soules a fruitefull seed of a new birth so that thine owne image may be happilie againe restaured in vs that we may bee made before thee a holie and righteous people by the inward working of thy gratious spirit dailie strengthening our harts in earnest loue of thy truth and carefull obedience of thy commandements through Iesus Christ our onlie mediator who in the sacrifice of his owne bodie hath purchased vnto vs all thy fauour and hath giuen vs boldnesse to call vpon thee vnto whome O father with thee and the holie Ghost bee all honour and glorie world without end Amen Another praier after meate on the Lords daie SAnctified be thy name O eternall father who by thy Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord dooest euermore protect and prouide for thy Church both spirituall and corporall blessings bestowing most liberallie vpon vs all good things asked according to thy will Lift vp thine eies O Christ and behold thy miserable people which depend altogither vpon thy prouision and acknowledge our selues to be fed and defended miraculouslie by thee Assist vs that we also may withdrawe our eies from the consultations of flesh and bloud and looke vpon thee our Lord by whose blessing we eate and store our selues And albeit all worldlie helps do faile yet bee thou a firie wall still about vs and feed and defend thy Saincts in the feelds of comfort vntill thou begin that ioifull Passouer and euerlasting Sabboth and bring vs out of the wildernesse out of the sea and penurie into the court of ioie wealth satietie and euerlasting welfare In the meane while make vs thankfull for the benefits which we enioie Let vs gather vp the remnants or fragments cast from thy sumptuous and rich banket vnto vs. Preserue our baskets and blesse our store euen the arts and schooles of learning that by them thy doctrine may be spread abroade in the world Make vs not onlie to honour thee for these thy corporall benefits but much more for giuing thy selfe vnto vs which art the bread of life Be thou our King defending vs in this life against the power of Sathan and feed vs with thy heauenlie bread which may nourish vs to eternall life and happinesse Amen Another praier after meate that daie you haue receiued the holie Communion SEeing that of thy free grace and mercie O almightie God thou hast made vs partakers this daie of all thy riches both in spirituall and corporall things in Christ Iesu who of our selues are vnwoorthie to haue gathered the crumbs vnder thy table make vs more and more mindfull of so great mercies and continuallie thankefull to thee for so manifold benefits and to walke woorthie the honour and dignitie thou hast done vnto vs that we may receiue the full accomplishment of thy loue towards vs in the life to come through the same our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie world without end Amen Another thanks-giuing vnto God for our food to be read and meditated vpon after meate WE thanke thee O King of glorie Lord of heauen and earth because thou hast from our youth to this present houre maruellouslie nourished vs giuing vs meate drinke cloathing with all other things perteining to the sustentation of this present life Naked and bare came we out of our mothers wombs wee brought nothing into the world but whatsoeuer we haue thou gauest the same yea it was afore we were borne and in our mothers wombe didst thou ordeine things necessarie for this life and sufferedst vs to enioie all things aboundantlie Alwaie thou hast a care of vs as a father vseth his children neither art thou ignorant that we stand in need continuallie of thy blessings and dailie are destitute of new releefe all which thou giuest after thy woonted and vnspeakable goodnesse We acknowledge that whatsoeuer we haue or possesse it is thy gift and confesse thee to be the fountaine of all good things and perceiue thy fatherlie goodnesse to be spread not onlie ouer all mankind but also ouer the liuing creatures Thou giuest meate to all flesh thou giuest fodder to the cattell and feedest the yoong rauens that call vpon thee For corporall goods are not distributed among men by chance or without thy prouidence neither be they atteined by the onlie industrie and power of man Thou giuest and we gather thou openest thy hand and all liuing creatures are filled with thy blessing For without thee all our endeuours be in vaine and if thou blesse not our labours we doo but eate the wind and receiue no profit Great is thy mercie O Lord which disdainest not to prouide for sinfull flesh O Lord our God great are thy woonderous works which thou hast done for vs the which we can not so much as in thought comprehend muchlesse in words expresse When we would report and vtter them we found them more than we could recite but notwithstanding thine infinite benefits can not be comprehended of mortall man yet will we not surcease to set foorth thy praise nor hide thy goodnesse from the sonnes of men but will declare it and speake of thy truth from one generation to another Blessed art thou O our God for euer and euer all that is either aboue in the heauens or in the earth beneath is thine All things come from thee and from thine hands we receiue whatsoeuer we possesse and all these things of thy meere mercie without our merits or woorthinesse Therefore we will magnifie the Lord which doth mightie things in all corners of the earth which dooth nourish vs from our mothers wombs and giueth vs all good things Grant vs likewise quietnesse of mind and peace in our time that thy grace may abound toward vs continue and defend vs while we liue O almightie and mercifull father by thy breath we take life the which through thy blessing doth abide in vs. In thee we liue moue and haue our being For man liueth not by bread onlie or by his owne wisedome and forecast neither art thou bound with a fatall chaine of second causes but by thy decree and will we enioie life and all things created at thy becke doo continue while thou thinkest good
much to thirst after the bitter potion of sinne to followe after vanities of this world to suffer the incommodities of this slipperie life and the dominion of Sathans tyrannie and not rather to flee vp to the felicitie of Saincts to the fellowship of Angels and to the solemnitie of the heauenlie ioies where we shall see behold and enioie the plentifull aboundant riches of the inestimable treasures of Gods goodnesse for euer and euer world without end Amen A meditation of Gods woonderfull works and a thanks-giuing for our creation O Most heauenlie father and eternall God which art neither made nor begotten but before all worlds from euerlasting diddest beget a Sonne an image of thine owne substance we honor thee we praise thee we glorifie thee we yeeld thee most hartie thanks for all thy benefits especiallie for creating the heauens the Sunne Moone and all the starres by thy liuelie word for gouerning through thy wisdome and for thy gratious mainteining them The Sunne in his vprising doth manifest the daie a woonderfull worke of the highest Great is the Lord which made and commanded the same to take his course from the top of heauen vnto the end thereof The ornaments of heauen be the glorious starres the Lord on high doth lighten the world at his commandement they keepe their order and will not faile nor be wearie in their watch O Lord our God how woonderfull is thy name in all the world which hast set thy glorie aboue the heauens Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings wilt thou be praised because of thine enimies that thou maist confound thine aduersaries and him that enuieth thy renowme We see the workemanship of thy hands the Moone and Starres which thou hast ordeined and we will signifie thy glorie vnto all nations and among all people will we declare thy woonderfull things For thou art mightie O Lord and worthie to be praised great is thy vertue and thy power woonderfull We thanke thee holie father God of heauen because thou hast created by thy word of power the vniuersall world with all the creatures and whatsoeuer is liueth or moueth in the same By thy wisdome thou dooest gouerne and by sending of thy spirit as yet doest vphold and cherish the same For all woods fruitfull trees stones graine flowers herbes and all the grasse of the feeld hast thou ordeined for the vse of man Wee magnifie thee O God most wise for creating the Sea and springs of water by the power of thy word and for giuing them vertue to bring foorth fishes of all kind to be eaten of man We blesse thee O eternall God for making the superiour and lower regions of the aire with all birds and feathered fowles of sundrie kinds for the food of man We glorifie thee for giuing the whole frame of this earth with all the creatures in the same vnto mankinde and setting man ouer the works of thine hands hast subiected all things vnder his feet all sheepe and oxen yea and all the beasts of the feeld the fowles of the aire and the fish of the Sea which walke through the paths of the Sea Especiallie we praise thee our Lord and maker for making vs thy creatures reasonable men and women according to thine owne similitude for giuing vs reason and all the senses and for preseruing vs hitherto Thou didst nourish vs and that woonderfullie being within our mothers wombe and out thereof hast thou brought vs sound in all parts without imperfection and yet continuest thy fauour and dooest keepe vs against all dangers and deliuerest vs from all euill and all these things dooest thou of thy fatherlie and diuine goodnesse without anie merit or desert of ours for all which we are bound to thanke thee to praise thee to serue honor and obeie thee We extoll thy sacred name O God most high for separating from the rest a Sabboth daie that so men ceassing from their handie labour might the better serue and celebrate thine honour Who is he that can recite all the power of the Lord or declare all his works Who can number out all his praises No man can vtter all his benefits Notwithstanding although we be miserable men and wretched sinners and therefore most vnmeete to extoll thee according to thy deserts yet will we not be still we will praise thee euermore to the vttermost of our power We will declare thy iustice and mercie and while we liue we remember thy goodnesse and at no time forget thy benefits O our soules praise the Lord we will praise the Lord during our life we will sing to the Lord while we haue breath We will bee mindfull of our maker euen from our youth and seeke him euermore yea euen vnto our old age and graie head O God forsake vs not vntill we haue declared thy power vnto all nations that are to come Praise the Lord all ye nations praise him all ye people For his louing kindnes is great toward vs and his truth endureth for euer Praise ye the Lord in his Sanctuarie praise him in the firmament of his power praise him in his mightie acts praise him according to his excellent greatnesse Let euerie thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord Amen Another meditation and thanks-giuing for the creation of the world MOst mightie most wise and most maruellous Lord GOD which of nothing hast created heauen and earth with all that is therein and hast prepared with due new properties euerie worke which thou hast brought foorth by thy diuine word holie commandement and hast ordeined and established all the holie works of thy hands so that they yet stand and serue to the vse and seruice of men For through the course of the heauens which neuer stand still is ingendered vnto vs all that euer we haue need of and through the same course also dieth withereth and rotteth all that is old bicause that for the old and decaied there should arise vp new and fresh And this course hast thou O mightie God made so maruellouslie and so agreeably that man thorough the agreeable works of thine hands without anie other externall learning teaching or instruction might come to the knowledge of that which is inuisible in thee that is thy holie exalted and euerlasting blessed Godhead and inuisible might Insomuch as there is none that can make himselfe vngiltie and inexcusable of misbeleefe or ignorance how farre soeuer he be departed from thy holie word For the verie heauens giue knowledge inough of thy diuine glorie the which though they haue no tongue to speake neither doo we heare anie thing of their mouth yet neuerthelesse their voice is gone out to all corners of the world and there is no place but men heare their voice sounding in their eares For no man is so farre distant from them but he both feeleth alwaies the benefits that come from the heauens and also seeth continuallie thy maruellous handie works which the firmament dooth shew and declare vnto
haue it but by hope they see thee face to face I see thee in a riddle through a glasse they see thee fullie and I but partlie Howbeit when the thing commeth which is perfect then shall the vnperfect be done awaie at such time as we shall behold thee vncouered face to face And what should let vs to be counted little inferiour to Angels seeing that thou O Lord hast crowned vs with the garland of hope which is decked with glorie and honour and seeing thou hast inhonoured vs exceedinglie as thy friends or rather as fellowes and coequals in all things with thine Angels Uerelie euen so saith thy truth They are equall with the Angels and they be the sonnes of God And what be they else than the sonnes of God if they be made fellowes with the Angels They shall be the sonnes of God in verie deede For the sonne of man is become the sonne of God Trulie when I bethinke me of this I am bold to saie that man is not onlie little inferiour to the Angels yea or haile-felowe with the Angels but also superiour to them bicause a man is God God is a man not an Angel And in this respect I may saie that man is the woorthiest creature because the word which in the beginning was God with God the word whereby God said Let light be made and light was made the word whereby God created althings in the beginning euen the selfe-same word became flesh and dwelt among vs and we haue seene the glorie of it Lo heere the glorie when I glorie discreetlie lo heere the ioie when I ioie discreetlie O Lord my God the whole life and glorie of my soule Therefore I acknowledge vnto thee my Lord God that when thou createdst me indued with reason thou didst create me after a sort equall with the Angels For by thy word I may be perfect to attaine to equalitie with the Angels so as I may haue the adoption of thy children by thine onlie begotten word O Lord by thy deer beloued Son in whom thou art well pleased by our onelie coheire which is of the same substance euerlastingnes that thou thy selfe art yea euen by Iesus Christ our onlie Lord and redeemer our inlightner and comforter our spokesman with thee the light of our eies who is our life our sauiour our onlie hope who hath loued vs more than himselfe by whome we haue assured trust laid vp in store and stedfast faith to thee-ward and entrance to come vnto thee because he hath giuen them power to become the children of God as manie as beleeue in his name I will giue praise vnto thy name O Lord who by creating me after thine owne image hast made me capable of so great glorie as to become the sonne of God This trulie can not trees doo this can not stones doo this to speake generallie can not anie of the things doo that moue or growe in the aire or in the sea or on the earth in asmuch as he hath not giuen them power by thy word to become the sonnes of God because they haue not reason For the power whereby we knowe consisteth in reason But he hath giuen this power vnto men whome he created reasonable after his owne image and likenesse Certesse Lord it is by thy grace that I am a woman and by grace I may be thy child which thing the other can not be Whence haue I this O Lord the souereigne truth and true souereigne and the beginning of all creatures Whence haue I this O Lord that I may become the child of God which the other things cannot Thou art he that endurest for euer and thou hast made all things at once Thou hast made man and beasts stones and greene things of the earth all at once For there went no desert of theirs afore there went no good turne of theirs afore Thou hast created all things onlie of thine owne goodnesse no creature hath deserued more than other for none of them had deserued ought at all And why then did thy goodnesse shewe it selfe more in this creature which thou hast made reasonable than in all other that be without reason Why was not I as all they be or why are not all they as I am or I alone as they be What had I deserued that thou shouldest make me able to become the child of God and denie the same abilitie to all the rest God forbid that I should thinke so It was thine onlie grace it was thine onlie goodnesse which brought it to passe that I might be partaker of that sweetnesse Of that grace therefore whereby thou hast created me of nothing I beseech thee O Lord to giue me the grace to be thankefull vnto thee And I thy creature will put my trust vnder the shadowe of thy wings and in the goodnesse wherethrough thou hast created me Helpe thy creature whome thy gratious goodnesse hath created Let not that perish through my naughtinesse which thy goodnesse hath wrought Let not that perish through my wretchednesse which thy singular mercie hath made For what auaileth it me that thou hast created me if I shall sinke downe into mine owne corruption O God hast thou made all the sonnes of men in vaine Thou hast created me O Lord rule thou the thing that thou hast created Despise not the worke of thine owne hands O God Thou hast made me of naught O Lord and if thou gouerne me not I shall returne to naught againe For like as when I was not thou madest me of nothing so if thou gouerne me not I shall yet againe be brought to nothing in my selfe Helpe me O Lord my life least I perish in mine owne naughtinesse Lord if thou hadst not created me I should not haue beene at all but because thou hast created me I am Now if thou gouerne me not I am vndone For it was not mine owne merits or mine owne deserts as I haue said that made thee to create me but thine owne most gratious goodnesse and mercifulnes That louingnesse of thine O Lord my God which made thee to create me I beseech thee let the same make thee to gouerne me For what booteth it that thy louingnesse caused thee to create me if I must perish in mine owne wretchednesse and that thy right hand gouerne me not O Lord my God let this mercifulnesse which caused thee to create that that was not created cause thee also to saue that which is created Let the louingnesse which wan thee to create win thee also to saue sith it is no lesse now than it was then For thou art the verie loue and mercie it selfe and thou continuest alwaie one vnchangeable immortall and inuisible God blessed and praised for euer and euer Amen That God hath put all things vnder the seruice of man and that by the consideration of the temporall benefits we coniecture the heauenlie wisedome and goodnesse of God THou O gratious God hast put all things vnder mans feet to
by thine owne name and sealed me with thy blood that the remembrance of thee should be euermore with me and that he should neuer depart from my hart who for my sake shunned not the crosse Thou hast annointed me with the oile wherewith thou thy selfe wert annointed that I might be called a Christian after thy name Christ Behold thou hast registred me vpon thine hands to the end that the remembrance of mee might be alwaies present with thee yet notwithstanding so as if the remembrance of thee be alwaies present with me Thus then haue thy loue thy grace and mercie alwaies preuented me For thou hast oftentimes deliuered me from manie and great perils O my deliuerer When I went astraie thou broughtest mee backe againe when I was ignorant thou taughtest mee when I sinned thou diddest chastise me when I haue beene in heauines thou hast cheered me when I haue beene in despaire thou hast recomforted me when I haue beene fallen thou hast lifted me vp when I haue stood thou hast vpholden me when I haue gone thou hast guided me when I haue come thou hast receiued me when I haue slept thou hast watched me and when I haue cried vnto thee thou hast heard me O Lord where shall I haue words to vtter the signes of thy singular loue toward me considering thine innumerable benefits wherin thou hast brought me vp from the beginning Namelie euen from the benefit of the creation when at the first beginning thou madest me of nothing after thine owne image in honouring and aduancing me among the creatures which thou madest and innobling me with the light of thy countenance which thou imprintedst vpon the lampe of my hart thereby disseuering me as well from sensible as from senselesse creatures and abasing mee but little beneath the Angels And yet was all this but a small matter in the sight of thy Godhead For without ceassng thou hast dailie nourished this vnprofitable woorme which stinketh with sinne with all the singular and exceeding great store of thy good gifts and benefits and thou hast as it were suckled and strengthened me thy little tender babe with the teates of thy comfort For to the intent that I should wholie serue thee thou hast appointed all thy creatures to serue me These and manie other good turnes hast thou done vnto me O Lord my God the life of my soule for all which I render vnto thee againe most humble and hartie thanks-giuing beseeching thee O Lord that it may be a pleasure to me wretch that I am to be alwaies talking of them alwaies thinking vpon them and alwaies giuing thee thanks for them O my God shew me I saie how much I am bound to loue thee make it appeare to me how much I ought to please thee Open me the doore of thy light that I may enter in and both knowe acknowledge vnto thee with my whole hart that thy mercie is great toward mee and that thou hast deliuered my hart from the bottome of hell so as I might euer praise thee for all thy good gifts and loue thee with all my hart and with all my soule and with all my mind and with all my strength yea and that with the verie bowels and intrailes of my hart and of all my sinewes O Lord my God the blessed sweetnesse of all that delight in thee whose name is woonderfull and praise woorthie through heauen and earth So be it Another forme of thanks-giuing vnto God for all his benefits and praier for grace to confirme and increase the same O Most highest almightie and eternall God whose glorie replenisheth heauen and earth If thy holie and celestiall powers doo neuer cease in lauding thy most holie Maiestie how should we cease earthlie and lowlie seruants which are redeemed with the pretious bloud of thy onelie sonne And for as much as thy louing kindnesse and fauour in especiallie worketh towards vs we also ought continuallie to giue thanks for thy great goodnesse but haue mercie O mercifull father For the necessitie of this life dooth not suffer vs to thanke thee continuallie Wherefore though not continuallie as I ought I worship thee my maker with trembling feare I giue thee thanks for all thy benefits that when I was nothing thou madest mee gauest me a liuing soule quickened with thy holie spirit formed mee with thine owne image that it might be able to receiue thee which art the high God By thy prouidence thou hast brought me to those things that are expedient for me giuen to me knowledge and true faith in thee and planted a godlie mind in me and instructed me in the mysteries of thy holie word Sacraments But oh Lord how dare I recite thy benefits by number seeing thy louing kindnesse is an vnsearchable bottomlesse sea and an innumerable For I can not so soone giue thanks for thy benefits shewed of old as new haue euen ouerwhelmed me Oh Lord how great a benefit is this that I may to thee giue thanks For what fellowship hath vnrighteousnesse with righteousnesse What partaking darkenesse with light What agreement filthinesse with puritie Follie with wisedome Mortalitie with thee that art immortall Oh my vilenesse Oh thy goodnesse Yea though the spirit were readie yet is the flesh fraile but thou O Lord if thou wilt canst make me strong And so O most mercifull father vouchsafe that I may euer giue thanks and laud to thee For what good gift did I euer desire of thee but thou first willedst it to me Who better knoweth what is good for me than thou And because I need a mediator accept thine innocent Sonne Iesus Christ with his crosse and passion bloud-shed death and resurrection for me I haue not this deserued but thou father of thy mercie and truth hast by the same thy deerelie beloued Sonne promised and giuen vs thy mercie and fauour Open therefore O my mercifull Father for this thy deerelie beloued Sonnes sake euen this daie thy woonted hand of mercie and fulfill my mind and hart with a good will and let thy right hand defend me And if my sinnes which I acknowledge to be great and innumerable therefore I repent and am hartilie sorie doo let thy goodnesse O father wipe them awaie for this is thy glorie to forgiue sinnes and therefore no flesh may reioice before thee for thou Lord onlie art pure and without sinne Haue mercie vpon me thy bondseruant and vppon all people and O father bring them vnto the knowledge of thee that art onlie God and of Iesus Christ whome thou hast sent the onlie sauiour and redeemer mediator and aduocate for vs and after this present life bring vs to eternall blisse and felicitie by the deere merits of thy Sonne Iesus Christ For thine is the power kingdome and glorie for euer Amen Another to the same effect HOnour and praise be giuen to thee O Lord God almightie most deere father of heauen for all thy mercies and louing kindnesse shewed vnto vs in that it hath
pleased thy gratious goodnesse freelie of thine owne accord to elect and choose vs to saluation afore the beginning of the world and euen like continuall thanks be giuen vnto thee for creating vs after thine owne image for redeeming vs with the pretious bloud of thy deere Sonne when we were vtterlie lost for sanctifieng vs with thy holie spirit in the reuelation and knowledge of thy sacred word for helping and succouring vs in all our need and necessitie for sauing vs from all dangers of bodie and soule for comforting vs so fatherlie in all our troubles and afflictions for sparing vs so long and giuing vs so large time of repentance These benefits O most mercifull father like as we acknowledge to haue receiued of thine onlie goodnesse euen so we beseech thee for thy deere sonne Iesus Christes sake to grant vs alwaie thy holie spirit whereby we may continuallie growe in thankefulnesse towards thee be led into all truth and comforted in all aduersitie Strengthen our faith O Lord kindle it more and more in feruentnesse and loue towards thee and our neighbours for thy sake Suffer vs not most deere father to receiue thy word anie more in vaine but grant vs alwaie the assistance of thy grace and holie spirit that in hart word and deede we may sanctifie and doo woorship to thy holie name that we may help to amplifie thy kingdome and that whatsoeuer thou sendest we may bee hartilie well content with thy good will and pleasure Suffer vs not to lacke the thing O father without the which we can not serue thee but blesse thou so all the works of our hands that we may haue sufficient and not to be chargeable but rather helpfull vnto others Be merciful O Lord vnto our offences and seeing our debt is great which thou hast forgiuen vs in Iesus Christ make vs to loue thee and our neighbors so much the more Be thou O father our Captaine and defender in all temptations Hold thou vs by thy mercifull hand that we thereby may be deliuered from all inconuenience and end our liues in the sanctifieng and honouring of thy holie name through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen ¶ On the seuenteenth daie of Nouember commonlie called The Queenes daie Sundrie formes of Christian praiers and thanks-giuings vnto God for the preseruation of the most vertuous Ladie Elizabeth our most deare and dread souereigne Quéene of England France and Ireland defender of the faith c. verie necessarie to be vsed as generallie of all faithfull subiects continuallie so especiallie of the Mother and hir Daughter vpon the seuentéenth daie of Nouember and euerie Sabboth and holie daie in honourable remembrance of that ioifull Sabboth rest and peace from carefull mourning which that memorable seuententh daie brought to vs the banished exiles of England and persecuted members of Christ by the most happie entrance of hir most roiall and excellent Maiestie into this hir Emperiall Crowne and kingdome A Psalme Mother COme O all you that feare God come hither I praie you and giue eare a while and reherse with me y e great benefits that he the Lord hath bestowed vpon vs. Daughter For lo when the most mightie men gathered their power against vs and laie in wait for our life they conspired togither to worke our destruction as though the Lord had determined the same and exhorted one another saieng God hath forsaken them therefore persecute them now flieng awaie and take them being destitute of all helpe Moth. These men our aduersaries I saie wheresoeuer we remoued or went by sea or by land laie in wait most diligentlie for vs yea multitudes of the cruell enimies did not ceasse craftilie to enuiron and beset vs round about and ran vpon vs with gaping mouthes like raging and roring lions of malicious minds to bring vs to extremitie and to deuoure vs. Daugh. For thy sake O Lord alone were we killed euerie daie neither were we in anie better condition than sheepe appointed of butchers to the slaughter Moth. Manie of vs wandered in the waste wildernesse and sought strange cities commodious to dwell in halfe dead and killed with famine and thirst ouerwhelmed with the shadowe of death and being cast downe by the burthen of our miseries laie downe flat cleauing to the earth Daugh. The bands of death compassed vs round about and bound vs most wicked men like most raging flouds made vs afraid enuironing vs round about Moth. We were snared and cast fast bound with chaines into most darke dungeons yea we tasted the heate of the fire and the force of the water Daugh. Then we called vpon the Lord in these extremities We called vpon the Lord I saie and he heard our voice out of his high palace and receiuing into his eares the crie that we made vnto him he deliuered vs from our miseries and distresse Moth. He gathered vs home which were scattered from the East the West from the North South and brought vs from the dungeons of the prisons and darkenesse of death breaking the fetters and giues of iron in peeces Daugh. The Lord hath deliuered our life from death he staid the teares of our eies and established our feet that they did not fall he hath brought vs out of our distresse Hence haue we our light whereby he causeth vs to shine and hath driuen awaie our darkenesse Moth. Therfore will we praise thee O Lord among the nations and will sing lauds vnto thy Maiestie yea we will declare thy power and will shew foorth thy praise and mercie earlie in the morning because thou hast defended vs and wast our refuge in extreme dangers Daugh. Oh acknowledge and declare ye openlie that the Lord is good for his bountious goodnesse is for euer Let all the sincere worshippers of the Lord now confesse that his louing kindnesse is perpetuall Praise ye the Lord. Moth. Glorie be to the Father and to the c. Daug. As it was in the beginning is now c. ¶ The Versicles Mother O Lord shew thy great mercie vpon vs miserable sinners Daughter And grant thine euerlasting helth and saluation vnto vs. Moth. O Lord saue Elizabeth our gratious Queene and Gouernor Daugh. Which putteth hir onlie confidence in thee O God hir tower Moth. Oh send hir still continuall helpe from thy most holie place Daugh. And euermore from dangers all defend thou hir most roiall Grace Moth. O let not the infernall fo haue anie aduantage of hir Daugh. Nor let the wicked enimie once approch to hurt hir Moth. Indue hir ministers alwaie with righteousnesse and equitie Daugh. And make thou thy chosen seruants full ioifullie to praise thee Moth. O Lord saue thy people from all perils and dow them with thy gifts Daugh. And blesse thou thine inheritance with all thy bountious benefits Moth. In our time O Lord giue vs thy peace which passeth all vnderstanding Daugh. Bicause none other God dooth fight for vs but onelie thou our King Moth. O soften thou our hardened
rapine and murder the people killed strangled starued spoiled and mocked bound and caried awaie to be sold as beasts in the market to seruitude and slauerie there to consume their daies in miserable thrall and sorows the kingdome and inheritance transported to the possession of the destroier who raised vp in thy wrath and armed with the power of thy displeasure ministreth due punishment for the sinne and disobedience of ech reuolting nation that falleth away from thee and will not be reconciled to grace witnesse of all the states empires kingdoms tongues nations peoples and kindreds of the earth from the beginning of the world to this daie but in these latter daies speciallie of the Iewes Aegyptians Armenians Graecians Italians Hungarians Polonians and others whose seruile thrall and calamities ought neuer to be out of our remembrance which should mooue vs continuallie to behold the blessing of thy loue and the heauie sorrowes of thy displeasure Wherefore in the abundance of thy mercies and louing kindnesse and for loue of thy deere Sonne whom through the gift of thy grace we professe in the truth of his Gospell we beseech thee O mercifull Father fauourablie to looke vpon this Realme and people of England Turne not awaie thy face O Lord take not thy grace and holie spirit from vs let vs still enioie the blisse and comfort of thy louing countenance keepe vs in thy waie and couer vs vnder the shadowe of thy wings suffer vs not to be taken from thee make vs to followe and to put our whole trust and confidence in thee then shall we be safe Thy mightie hand O God giueth the victorie and in the power of thy fauour shall the enimie be vanquished and his strength brought to nothing Safe is the citie where thou O Lord art the watch-man but who so standeth out of thy tuition he is a readie praie vnto y e destroier therefore go not farre from vs O God For thine elect sake were the heauens and the earth with all their implements formed made of nothing for their preseruation maintenance was rule gouernment deuised and stablished And for their sakes are empires kingdoms countries and nations preserued saued and blessed and for iniurie and ignominie done to them and to thy truth and holie name are they changed plaged subuerted and destroied Great is thy mercie compassion O Lord long suffering ready to forgiue behold vs O Father and haue mercie vpon vs remember not our iniquities nor the iniquities of our forefathers take not iust vengeance of our sinnes neither reward thou vs after our deserts Spare vs good Lord spare vs and for thy sweet Sonnes sake Christ Iesus our Sauiour haue mercie vpon vs. Yea Lord haue mercie vpon vs and vpon our posteritie holding continuallie thy holie hand ouer vs and blesse vs. Increase our faith make our children childers childrē obedient to thy word and through holie conuersation in thy Sonne our redeemer make vs and them acceptable vnto thy selfe O GOD that being sanctified in faith and loue toward thy heauenlie will and Maiestie we and they may be deliuered from thy wrathfull displeasure for euermore Powre foorth abundance of thy grace and blessing vpon our Queene that in the fulnesse of thy gratious fauour she may haue long life in health and happie daies aided with faithfull vertuous prudent counsellers and ministers to doo all things to the nourishing and maintenance of true religion and vertue Increase the light of thy Gospell the number of faithfull and godlie preachers and ministers of thy word whose industrie and labour by the peace and tranquillitie of thy Church may largelie augment the number of thy Saints to the glorie of thy name and to the ioie and blessing of the land and people For the preseruation and continuance whereof in the bowels of thy fatherlie care and fauor remember vs O louing God Leaue neither vs nor our posteritie headlesse neither put vs ouer to the yoke of a strange nor irreligious Prince but after the blisse-full daies of this thy gratious handmaid our Queene whom O Father let it please thee to reserue in happie and ioifull state to the end giue peace and concord to thy people with a vertuous wise godlie and fortunate Prince whose constant zeale care industrie and endeuour towards the cherishing and aduancement of thy truth and glorie may purchase thy fatherlie loue and furtherance to fill the land and people with all maner of blessings as thy heauenlie wisedome knoweth necessarie where beautified with vertue and godlinesse it shall prosper and triumph in continuall peace and victorie giuing honor and gladsome thanks to thy glorious Maiestie that with thy deere Sonne our Lord and Sauiour and with the holie Ghost reignest in vnitie of power glorie and dominion praised for euer and euer Amen Another verie godlie praier meete to be said of all true subiects in time of anie priuie conspiracie or open rebellion for our gratious Souereigne Queene Elizabeth and for the present state O Almightie God King of kings Lord of lords the onelie God and gouernour of all things thou art he by whom alone kings doo reigne Thou most high bearest the rule ouer the kingdoms of men Thou in Christ thine onelie Sonne being the most gratious Father of thy chosen Church doost for the comfortable nourishing of it dispose the roiall state among men Through this thy grace it is come to passe that we the English nation now a portion of the same thy Church doo enioie the gouernement of Elizabeth our Queene whom thou hast against all practises of thine and hir aduersaris deliuered out of perils and by thy mightie hand brought to reigne ouer vs. Mercifullie guiding hir thou hast made hir to vs a mother to thine afflicted flocke a nurse in that benefit which we haue in libertie in true religion and common peace maruelouslie protecting hir thou hast kept hir to defend vs to vse and hold this benefit quietlie And euen now in thy mightie maruelous mercie thou hast discouered the practises of such craftie cruell enimies as purposed to spoile hir of vs vs of hir and both hir and vs of thy religion and of peace determining to deliuer vs ouer to the tyrannie of that shamelesse man of Rome and the bloudie sword In which purpose of mischiefe if thou haddest permitted them to preuaile we had suffered for our sinnes at thy hand O Lord most iustlie but at their hands most vnnaturallie and vniustlie For we doo offend thy Maiestie manie waies we offend not them anie waies yet such is their wickednesse that they will hate vs onelie bicause we in truth doo professe to serue thee For this cause they conspire against thee O God like hypocrites against our Queene like traitours against our Commonwelth and countrie like spoilers against vs euen as Cain did against Abel But thy great goodnesse hath deuised better for vs than they doo Thou hast spared vs whom they would haue spoiled
with hir Who so leadeth a godlie life men of good conscience let such be hir seruants Let no deceitfull person haue anie place in hir house him that telleth lies or is a reuenger of bloud cause hir speedilie to cast out of hir sight Finallie grant hir will and power O Lord of hosts dailie to suppresse all the vngodlie in the land that she may root out from the citie of God all wicked dooers Queene Elizabeth hath done that is lawfull right wherefore O Lord leaue hir not to such as doo offer hir wrong For thine owne goodnesse sake take hir thine handmaid vnto thy protection let not the proud oppresse hir with wrong Deale with thine handmaid according to thy louing kindnesse and teach hir thy statutes She is thy seruant grant hir vnderstanding that she may knowe thy testimonies Thy testimonies conteine woonderous things therefore cause hir hart to be zealous in keeping of them The first entrance of thy words will illuminate giuing vnderstanding euen vnto the simple Worke in hir hart so feruent desire of thy word that through affection thereto she may be like one that panteth openeth his mouth for breath Looke thou vpon hir O Lord and be mercifull vnto hir as thou vsest to doo vnto them that loue thy name Direct hir steps in thy word and so let no wickednesse haue dominion ouer hir Redeeme hir from the fraudulent dealings of men and cause hir to keepe thy commandements Make the light of thy countenance shine vpon our Queene Elizabeth thine handmaiden and teach hir thy statutes Heare my praiers O God and giue good eare vnto mine intercessions For behold from the ends of the earth I call vnto thee for our deere Souereigne Ladie Queene Elizabeth whensoeuer hir hart is in heauines oh set hir vp vpon the rocke that is higher than she For hitherto thou hast beene hir defence and a strong tower for hir against the face of the enimie Let hir dwell I beseech thee in thy tabernacle for euer let hir trust be vnder the couering of thy wings For thou O Lord heardst hir desires and hast giuen hir an heritage ouer those that feare thy name O grant vnto the Queene a long life that hir yeeres may endure manie generations Let hir dwell before the Lord for euer O appoint thy louing mercie and truth that they may preserue hir so cause hir alwaies to sing praise vnto thy name that she may daie by daie performe hir vowes and keepe thy heasts Finallie giue thy iudgment O Lord vnto hir Grace and thy righteousnesse vnto hir Counsell that they may iudge the people with iustice and the poore with equitie Let the mountaines bring peace and the little hils righteousnes vnto the people Let them iudge the afflicted among the people and saue the sonnes of the poore make them to destroie the backe-slider that he persist not to afflict the miserable and such as trust in thy mercie and protection so shall quietnesse and peace abound among vs like the hillocks on the earth Cause hir enimies to feare hir so long as the sunne and moone shineth from one generation to another Water hir with thy grace from heauen as thou didst Gedeons fleece of wool with dew and as thou refreshest with drops of raine the new cut grasse vpon the earth In hir daies let the righteous flourish and great abundance of peace so long as the moone is in the firmament Defend the dominions that thou hast giuen hir within the seas and from the floud vnto the end of the earth Cause hir foes to kneele downe before hir and hir enimies to licke the dust of hir feete Giue hir a long and prosperous reigne indue hir with abundance of riches and wealth heape glorie and honour vpon hir head and let hir be partaker alwaies of the praiers of the iust and be dailie blessed The Lord euen the God of Israel which onelie worketh woonderous things blesse our gratious Queene Elizabeth and blessed be the name of his Maiestie for euer yea let all the earth be filled with his glorious praise Amen And she shall magnifie thee O Lord hir King and she shall praise thy name for euer Euerie daie let hir giue thanks vnto thee O Lord and praise thy name for euer and euer Grant this O most mercifull Father for thy deere sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christs sake Amen Amen Another praier for the Queenes most excellent Maiestie WOnderfull O most excellent and almightie GOD is the depth of thy iudgements Thou King of kings Lord of lords thou which at thy pleasure doost take awaie and transpose roote out and plant confound and establish kingdoms Thou of thy singular goodnesse hast deliuered our gratious Souereigne Queene Elizabeth thy chosen Handmaid when she was almost at deaths dore yea thou hast deliuered hir out of prison and setled hir in hir fathers throne to thee therefore doo we render thanks to thee doo we sing laud and praise thy name doo we honour daie and night Thou hast restored againe the libertie of our countrie and the sinceritie of the doctrine with peace and tranquillitie of thy Church Thine thine O Lord was the benefit the meanes the labour and seruice was hirs a burthen too heauie alas for a womans shoulders yet easie and tollerable by thy helping hand Assist hir therefore O most mercifull father neither respect hir offences or the deserts of hir parents or the manifold sinnes of vs hir people but thinke vpon thy woonted compassion alwaies at hand to thy poore afflicted Preserue hir kingdome mainteine religion defend thy cause our Queene Elizabeth vs thy sheepe and hir people scatter thine enimies which thirst after war let them be ashamed and confounded that woorship idols let vs not be a praie vnto forraigne nations nor to the people that knowe not thee neither call vpon thy name Strengthen and confirme O Lord the good worke which thou hast begun inspire our gratious Queene thy seruant and vs thy poore flocke with thy holie spirit that with vncorrupt life we may ioine puritie of religion as we may not yeeld and bring foorth wild and bastard fruits but mild and sweet grapes and fruits beseeming a liuelie faith and true repentance and meet and conuenient for thy Gospell to the intent we may enioie this immortall treasure and that liuing and dieng in thee we may finallie possesse the inheritance of thy heauenlie kingdome through Iesus Christ our Lord. For thine is the kingdome the power and the glorie for euer Amen A forme of blessing or praier for our most gratious Queene Elizabeth Christ his deere spouse out of the Scriptures COme downe O Lord come with thousands of thy Saincts and appeare gratiouslie vnto thy Church of Saincts Come visit the people and congregations of Iacob whersoeuer assembled whome thou so tenderlie louest and which are humbled at thy feet to yeeld thee thanks for all thy blessings and benefits receiued Come downe I saie O God of Iacob and blesse Israel yea come
and blesse thy chosen and deere beloued seruant Elizabeth our Queene whome thou hast set vp a mightie Prince and mother ouer thy people and Citie Zion and made the chiefe gouernour among the nations O let Elizabeth liue and not die neither let hir honour be anie thing diminished for our sinnes and offences Heare O Lord the voice of hir humble and dailie praiers and let hir continue a Prince of peace roiall Ruler ouer thy people Hir hands shall be good ynough for hir if thou helpe hir still as thou hast done against hir enimies Right and light be with thine holie handmaid whome thou didst prooue with great temptations and triall as thou didst Ioseph before thou didst annoint hir Queene and whome hitherto thou hast preserued a pure and vndefiled virgin to promote thy glorie as thou didst Dauid She that in all hir manifold afflictions hath more esteemed the seruing of thee hir God than sauing of hir selfe and loued not hir life so deere as she loued thy lawe yea that preferred thine obedience before sacrifice and all things in the world beside O let hir our gratious Queene Elizabeth I saie who hath thus don hir dutie be plentifullie rewarded therefore of thee hir God from heauen with the perpetuall crowne of glorie and palme of victorie She euen she hath taught Iacob thy iudgements and Israel thy lawe she hath put incense before thy face and the burnt offering vpon thine altar She euen she O God hath with Hezechias restored thy sincere religion and woorshippeth thee aright with euerie one that is godlie in thee Blesse therefore O Lord hir substance and first fruits and accept the works of hir hands Smite through the loines of them that rise vp against hir and of them that hate hir that they rise not againe O let the beloued of the Lord dwell euer in safetie by thee yea doo thou Lord vouchsafe stil to be hir vale and defence all hir life long and dwell with hir heere in the Church as hir beloued spouse head and gouernour Laie thy left hand vnder hir head and let thy right hand embrace hir that she may find continuall comfort in thy presence O fountaine of the gardens O well of liuing waters Arise O North and come O South and blowe on thy spouse which is as a goodlie and pleasant garden inclosed and as a fountaine sealed vp for thy selfe and water it with the springs of Lebanon that it may growe great and that the sweet spices and smell therof may flowe out into thy nostrels and thou eate of the pleasant fruit in hir Kisse hir with the kisses of peace and righteousnes and let hir two breasts satisfie thee be like two yoong roes that are twins feeding vpon the lillies Set hir as a seale on thine hart and as a signet vpon thine arme and let the lampe of hir loue be a verie vehement flame vnquenchable Let hir be a sure wall or foundation wherevpon thou maist build a golden palace and let hir breasts be as towers vnassaultable that she may be meet for thee hir spouse to dwell in and be in thine eies as she that findeth perpetuall peace and quietnesse O God in whose sight hir fathers did walke thou O God which hast fed hir all hir life long vnto this daie and deliuered hir hither to from so manie not euils but deaths blesse hir still euen with the blessing of Abraham Isaac Iacob and all the Patriarchs with all the blessings of thy mercies promised vnto hir father Dauid In hir let Israel also be blessed in hir let thy graces so plentifullie and manifestlie appeare that the people may thence take a patterne of blessing thee and teach their posteritie to blesse and praise thee for thy goodnesse and mercie both towards hir and them For she is to vs thy might thy strength the noblenesse of dignitie and the excellencie of power She as a lionesse is laid downe and couched safelie after the spoile Who shall stir hir vp Hir enimies doo all feare hir And doo thou still charge the daughters of Ierusalem that they stir not vp thy loue nor awake hir by troubling hir quietnes peace vntill she please Hir fellowe virgins praise hir hir hand shall be in the necke of hir enimies hir fathers people doo bow downe vnto hir saieng Good lucke haue thou with thine honour Ride on because of the word of truth which thou embracest with meekenesse O let not the brethren of euill the reuengers of bloud nor the instruments of violence and crueltie bee in hir court and habitation O let not crueltie or falsehood come into hir soule Into their secrets let not hir soule come neither let hir glorie be ioined nor stained with the assemblie or damned crue of the wicked Curse them that curse hir blesse them that blesse hir diuide them in Iacob and scatter them in Israel which shameleslie in their rage dare cruellie attempt anie treacheries or treasons against hir innocent and roiall person yea let them be condignelie punished whosoeuer go about to trouble the state or ouerthrowe hir kingdome Let not the scepter depart out of hir hand nor hir kingdome be diminished but let this thy most wise lawe-giuer our meeke Moses continue amongst vs with honour to iudge thy people and gather them vnto thee long in rest and peace euen vntill Silo our Sauiour Iesus the giuer of all prosperitie come to crowne hir in his euerlasting kingdome with his saluation Let hir see that rest and peace is good and that it is thou that hast made hir to ouercome all hir enimies at the last Blesse hir Lord with great increase of all maner of good profitable and pleasant things Hir bread let it be fat that she may giue pleasant gifts woorthie such a Queene Let hir be as an Hind sent vnto vs from thee for a pretious present giuing goodlie words to hir people Let Elizabeth be the daughter of increase and like a flourishing and fruitfull palme tree by the waters side whose small branches or virgins may run and spread themselues fruitfullie also and shew verie greene vpon the wals of thy house The archers hir enimies haue greeuouslie prouoked hir and shot against hir with venemous darts they haue hated hir to hir hinderance and griefe great and manie haue beene hir afflictions and persecutions But hir bowe abode fast and strong and the hands of hir armes were strengthened by the hands of the mightie God of Iacob Hir deliuerance was euen by the stone of Israel by whom she is appointed a mother in Israel euen by the God of hir father who hath helped hir and by the almightie who hath blessed hir with heauenlie blessings from aboue with blessings of the deepe that lieth beneath and with blessings of the brests and of the wombe The time now is come that the blessings of GOD shewed vnto hir father shall take effect and be stronger in hir than the blessings of hir elders Unto the vttermost ends
sakes but for thy name sake and through the merits of Iesus Christ our onlie guide and chiefe shepheard who liueth and reigneth with thee and the holie Ghost now and euer Daughter Amen For all Vniuersities and Schooles Mother BLesse thou therefore O Lord with the dew of thy spirit all Uniuersities and Schooles that sith it hath pleased thee that from them as by thine appointed meanes we should haue our preachers and teachers they may be there instructed in all godly knowledge and learning and be made fit to walke woorthilie in their vocation at what time soeuer it shall please thee to call them forth Grant we besech thee that as they ought to be lights and nursses vnto their countries euen so they may giue vnto them a godlie and perfect life and nourish them vp in good and sound doctrine to thy glorie our comfort and the discharge of their duties And for bicause that now a daies charitie waxeth cold and the number of couetous worldlings is much increased which seeke rather to keepe backe their liuings and to plucke awaie from them rather than to bestowe anie thing to the maintenance of their studie blesse thou them therfore with all things sufficient to the seruice of thee and increase of good learning that the lacke thereof be no hinderance to the building of thy house and to the setting foorth of thine honour and glorie And remooue from among vs most mercifull Father whatsoeuer is occasion of let or hinderance vnto all those that couet knowledge to the sanctifieng of thy holie name through Iesus Christ our Lord. Daughter Amen For the good estate of this Realme Mother BEcause also thou hast commanded vs to call vpon thee in the daie of troble promising that thou wilt heare our praiers we therefore humblie beseech thee to be fauourable vnto this our Realme and not to visit our offences so sharpelie neither to giue vs to drinke of so bitter a cup as vnto our iudgement it seemeth thou hast prepared for vs. What are we O Lord that wee may abide the force of thy iudgments We denie not but that we haue most woorthilie deserued whatsoeuer punishment thou hast euer hertofore powred forth vpon anie other nation But sith thy name is now called on among vs sith we make no account of anie helpe but onlie in thee sith we acknowledge our offences and humblie desire pardon for the same in Iesus Christ O let not thy iust iudgements laie hold vpon vs if it be expedient for vs and more to thy honour and glorie that we taste of thy mercie Thou hast hitherto dealt exceeding mercifullie with vs thou hast planted among vs a goodlie vineyard and that of the best plants thou hast walled it round about and watered it plentifullie with the dew of thy blessing in so much that thou couldest haue done no more for vs than thou hast done neither hast thou dealt so with other nations But we alas wretched sinners contrarie to the deserts of this thy louing kindnesse haue brought foorth wild grapes which thou hatest in steed of good and sweet grapes which thou lookest for Wee haue taken thy word into our mouthes but we haue hated to be reformed thereby yea we haue vtterlie despised thy holie word and had the preachers thereof in derision and so haue we made open the readie waie vnto all our damnable works blasphemie idolatrie murther adulterie pride couetousnesse disobedience sensualitie vnmercifulnesse oppressions slanders vnthankfulnesse whatsoeuer else our corrupt natures casting aside grace and discipline is woont to bring foorth And whilest we did all these things thou heldest thy peace and winkedst thereat therefore did we foolishlie imagine that thou art like vnto vs and delighted with sinne as we are And thus haue we in all our works prouoked thy diuine Maiestie to greeuous displeasure against vs. But now O holie God seeing that by thy long sufferance thou hast so mercifullie striken our hard harts with secret consideration of our miserable estate we beseech thee for Iesus Christs sake to giue vs likewise a repentant hart sorowfull for all our former misdeeds that thereby we may also attaine to the promises which thou hast annexed therevnto namelie that thou breake not downe the wall of this thy vineyard that thou suffer it not to be eaten vp or troden downe that thou laie it not waste so that briers and thorns growe vp therein And that thou command not the clouds not to raine vpon it neither that thou turne our roote into rottennesse neither yet that thou make our buds to rise vp like dust bicause we haue cast off thy lawe O Lord God of hosts and contemned thy word O holie one of Israel O make vs not a byword vnto our neighbours and a scorne vnto those that dwell about vs but rather grant we beseech thee that hencefoorth we may hartilie repent and walke before thee in newnesse of life to thy honor and glorie to the example of our neighbours to the conuersion or confusion of our enimies and to our euerlasting comfort through Iesus Christ our Lord. Daughter Amen A praier for repentance Mother ALthough our infirmities doo euidentlie appeare and by diuers waies shew foorth themselues vnto vs almightie and most mercifull God yet in nothing more than that we cannot perceiue and behold our owne wickednesse in such sort as it is indeed With our tongs we can not but confesse because thou thy selfe hast said it that we are altogither vnrighteous that there is not one of vs that doth good that we all imagine mischiefe But although we are driuen by thine eternall truth outwardlie to confesse the same yet haue we no such inward feeling thereof as we ought to haue because we are altogither closed vp in our owne stubbernesse and selfe-loue Wherfore it commeth to passe that we can neither repent vs of that we should amend neither yet hartilie acknowledge that we certainlie knowe to be within vs. But O holie God how long shall we be cleane without vnderstanding How long shall our flesh haue dominion ouer thy good spirit in vs How long shall the cloud of our vnsensiblenesse darken and blemish our inward sight Uerelie our sinnes haue deserued that not onlie thou hide thy face awaie from vs for a time but that thou shouldest vtterlie cast vs off from thy fauour and grace to eternall damnation But sith that thou art wont to deale more mercifullie euen with the sonnes of men and vnto vs also hast giuen a good likelihood thereof in that that now thou hast striken our harts with some feeling of our owne wretchednesse which putteth vs in good comfort and hope that thou hast done it to this end to the intent that thou maist bestowe larger graces on vs also therefore we are somewhat emboldened although we are but dust and ashes humblie to desire of thee that in the name of thy sonne Iesus Christ euen now at the length thou wilt vouchsafe to giue vnto vs the
and properlie vpon all the holie Feasts and Saints daies throughout the yeere as they fall in order and are commonlie kept here in the Church of England and Ireland And first vpon the principall Feast daies of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ that is to saie On Aduent Sundaie In memorial of Christ his First comming in the flesh Christmas daie In memorial of Christ his Natiuitie and birth On New yéeres daie In memorial of Christ his Circumcision On Twelfe daie In memorial of Christ his Apparition On Ashwensday the 1. day of Lent In memorial of Christ his Fasting On First Sundaie in Lent In memorial of Christ his Temptation On Maundie Thursdaie In memorial of Christ his Last Supper On Good Fridaie In memorial of Christ his Passion On Easter daie In memorial of Christ his Resurrection On Ascension daie In memorial of Christ his Ascension On Whitsundaie In memorial of Christ his Sending of the holie Ghost On Trinitie Sundaie In memorial of Christ his The blessed Trinitie On Euerie Sundaie holie-day and working-day In memorial of Christ his Last comming to iudgment 1. On Aduent Sundaie Of the comming of Christ in the flesh The Preface BE of good cheere and feare not O you that are of a fearfull hart for behold your God commeth his owne selfe to take vengeance on his enimies and will deliuer you Hosanna to the sonne of Dauid O daughter Zion be glad O daughter Ierusalem reioice For lo the King commeth vnto thee euen the righteous thy Sauiour lowlie meeke and simple riding vpon the fole of an asse and bringing his recompense with him Blessed is he that commeth in the name of the Lord. Out of Zion hath God appeared in perfect beautie Hosanna in the highest Remember me O Lord according to thy fauor that thou bearest vnto thy people O visit me with thy saluation Hosanna Shew me thy waies O Lord and teach mee thy path Hosanna in the highest Hosanna The praier THE time is now at hand when the Church calleth into mind the benefits of the sonne of GOD which taking vpon him our fraile nature appeared to the world and came to visit vs in great humilitie And at the last daie and resurrection of all mankind will come againe in his glorious Maiestie to iudge both the quicke and the dead and shew himselfe both to punish his enimies with euerlasting paines and to adorne his Church and chosen people with eternall glorie Wherefore O Sonne of God Lord and Sauiour Christ which as this daie in roiall pompe didst enter into the holie citie Ierusalem for a publike testimonie of thine appearing remooue all impediments we praie thee that may hinder thy comming and make a plaine and most easie waie for thy selfe vnto vs. Gather vs we beseech thee into that companie which are prepared to receiue thee the King of all kings and which set foorth thy glorie in spirituall songs not onelie this daie through all the world but also continuallie and beare palmes of victorie before thee and spred their garments in the waie for ioie of thy comming Assist vs that being greatlie separated from the damned crue of diuels and wicked persons wee may sound and set foorth thy truth in perfect confession and righteousnesse all the daies and time of our life Bee thou our King both here in this world and hereafter in the world to come replenishing vs against all the wicked enterprises of thine enimies and making vs though babes and littleones to extoll and magnifie thy name for euer Keepe vs thy weake children depending vpon thee and running vnto thy lap euen as infants vnto their parents Make vs to followe thy words which through thy spirit doo sound within vs and powre thy wisedome into vs miserable men and women that the pride and power of thine enimies may be confounded Grant that with gratefull minds we may publish abroad thy glorious victorie according to our calling and abilitie cherish thy ministers and venter both our life liuing for the maintenance of thy truth Moreouer blesse vs O thou blessed seed of Abraham by the vertue of thy presence number vs among thy chosen which haue their names from thee And finallie giue vs grace now in the time of this mortall life so to cast awaie from vs the works of darknes and to put vpon vs the armour of light that in the last daie of thy second comming in the clouds we may rise through thee to life immortall and so being adorned with that glorie which thou hast receiued from thine eternall Father we may perpetuallie praise and extoll thy Maiestie both heere in this world and for euermore in the world of worlds to come Amen Hosanna to thee O sonne of God in the highest Hosanna 2. On Christmas daie Of the natiuitie and birth of Christ our Sauiour The Preface A Child is borne vnto vs and a sonne is giuen vnto vs. Glorie be to God on high Unto vs is borne this daie in the citie of Dauid a Sauiour which is Christ the Lord. Halleluiah The Lord sent a word vnto Iacob the same is come into Israel an euerlasting Prince of peace Halleluiah Mercie and truth are met togither righteousnesse and peace haue kissed each other truth shall flourish out of the earth and righteousnesse hath looked downe from heauen vpon vs to speake peace vnto his people and gladnesse to his Saints Halleluiah Of the fruit of thy bodie will I set vpon thy throne and in Zion shall I make the horne of Dauid to flourish Halleluiah The Sunne commeth foorth of his tabernacle the heauens as a bridegroome out of his chamber and reioiceth as a Giant to run his course Halleluiah He shall giue his Angels charge ouer thee to keepe thee in all thy waies they shall beare thee in their hands that thou hurt not thy foot against a stone Halleluiah For thou art fairer than the children of men full of grace are thy lips bicause God hath blessed thee for euer yea God euen thine owne God hath annointed thee with the oile of gladnesse aboue thy fellowes Halleluiah Therefore in this daie of thy power shall the people offer the free-will offerings with an holie worship bicause the dew of thy birth is of the wombe of the morning Halleluiah Glorie be vnto God on high in earth peace and good will towards men Halleluiah Halleluiah Halleluiah The Praier NOW is the ioifull time wherein all Saincts both in heauen and earth doo magnifie and praise almightie God for the incarnation of his onlie begotten Sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ who as this daie was borne of the pure Uirgin Marie the which also the holie Angels of the Lord did celebrate with a most heauenlie song And no doubt the blessed companie of the elect departed out of this world enioieng the comfortable sight of God replenished with eternall wisedome light and righteousnesse yeeld most humble thanks vnto the Sonne of God their Sauiour and Redeemer for his incomprehensible goodnesse declared vnto mankind
and righteousnesse all the daies of our life through the same thy deere sonne our Lord Iesus Christ to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all praise honour and glorie for euer and euer Amen Glorie be to God on high Another Meditation of the maruellous incarnation of the word which is Christ by whose meanes it pleased God to helpe mankind fallen from him BEhold now O almightie God the viewer and searcher of mine hart Like as with hart I beleeue which is counted righteousnesse vnto me so with mouth doo I confesse before thee which is to my saluation after what sort and maner thou didst vouchsafe in the end of the world to succour and aid mankind Thou in deed onelie O God the Father art not read at anie time or in anie place to be sent but of thy Sonne the Apostle saith When that the time was fulfilled God sent his Sonne In that he saith he sent he doth sufficientlie declare that he being sent came into this world When as he being thy Sonne O our God and a gentle and kind louer of mankind did take vpon him to be the seed of Abraham not of Angels and so taking mans nature not Angels did vouchsafe to humble himselfe to be borne a verie perfect man of blessed Marie a pure virgin and so being made like vnto vs in all things sinne onlie excepted for he was the verie lambe without spot that tooke awaie the sinnes of the world did appeare and shew himselfe in the similitude of flesh subiect to sinne that he might condemne sinne for sinne and that wee might be made the righteousnesse in him But what is that which he that is the chiefe of the Euangelists doth saie He was in the world and the world was made by him Thither trulie was he sent by his humanitie where he alwaies is and alwaie hath beene by his diuinitie The which sending or embassage I beleeue with all my hart and confesse with my mouth to be the consent worke of all the whole Trinitie I beleeue also that his manhood being in this my nature during his infancie was trobled with creeping and scrallings and was wrapt in cloths after the maner of other children and was vexed in his youth with labours and troubles I beleeue I saie that the Godhead which was sent of them did take vpon him mine humanitie and nature to the intent he the Sonne of God being made man might cure mine infirmitie and redeeme the sinnes of sinfull man Therefore doo I blesse thy name euerlastinglie and glorifie the same with all mine hart O almightie and mercifull Lord for that vnspeakable and maruellous coniunction of Godhead and manhood together in the vnitie of a person and not after this sort that the one should be God and the other man but one and the same was both God and man man and God Neuerthelesse although by thy maruellous will the word was made flesh yet neither of both the natures was changed into other substance In the mysterie of the Trinitie there is not a fourth person added For the substance of the word of God and of man was vnited and knit togither but not confused and mixt that that thing which was taken of vs should be turned into God and that which neuer had been before that time that is his flesh and manhood should be the same that had beene euer without anie beginning that is his Godhead Oh maruellous mysterie Oh vnspeakeable fellowship Oh maruellous meeknesse of the heauenlie mercifulnesse which is euer woorthie marueling and euer to be loued We were but vile seruants and behold we are made the sonnes of God yea and heires of God togither with Christ From whence came this goodnesse And who brought vs to this state But I require thee O most mercifull Father by thine inestimable pitie goodnesse and charitie to make vs woorthie of these manie and great promises of the same thy sonne our Lord Iesu Christ Send foorth thy strength O God and establish the thing that thou hast wrought in vs make perfect that which thou hast begun that we may be able to come vnto the fulnesse and perfectnesse of thy pitie Make vs through the holie Ghost to vnderstand and through thy sonne to desire and with due honour alwaie to worship this great mysterie of thy pitie in Christ his blessed natiuitie so manifest in our flesh that as thou hast giuen vs him thine onelie begotten Sonne I meane to take our nature vpon him and this daie to be borne of a pure virgin so wee being regenerate and made thy children by adoption and grace may dailie be renewed by thy holie spirit to glorifie thee from our birth through the same thy deere Sonne our souereigne Lord and sweet Sauiour Iesus to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be immortall praise and thanks-giuing now and for euer Amen A meditation concerning the true knowledge of Christes incarnation THE knowledge of the truth is first to knowe thy selfe and to endeuour to be that which thou oughtest to be and to amend that which ought to be amended And secondlie to knowe and to loue thy maker and creator for that is the whole happines of a christian man or woman See then how vnspeakable the gratious goodnesse and entire loue of God towards vs is He hath created vs of nothing and giuen vs all that we haue but alas forasmuch as we haue loued the gift more than the giuer and the creature more than the Creator therefore we are fallen into the diuels snare and become his bondslaues Neuertheles God being moued with compassion sent his most deere and onlie Sonne to redeeme vs slaues and his holie spirit to make vs his sonnes and daughters againe He hath giuen his Sonne I saie euen his best beloued child to be the price of our ransome the holie Ghost as an assurance of his loue and to be short he reserueth himselfe whole for vs to be the heritage of our adoption And so almightie God according to his exceeding gratiousnesse and mercie hath for verie loue and good will to mankind bestowed not onlie his benefits but also himselfe vpon him to recouer him againe not so much to himselfe as to him To the intent that man might bee borne of God God I saie was first borne of them O then who is so hard-harted that he will not bee softened by the tender loue of God thus preuenting wretched man with so great hartie and vnspeakable good will in that he vouchsafed to become man for mans sake Yea who can anie more find in his hart to hate man or woman whose nature and likenesse he or she so plainelie seeth in the manhood of God Doubtles he or she that hateth from hencefoorth a man or a woman hateth God and so looseth all his or hir labour whatsoeuer taken vnder pretence of Christianitie For God as is said became man for mans sake that he might be a redeemer as well as a creator and that man might
the former subtiltie of sathan represse thine enimie which corrupteth thy word and vseth the same for the confirmation of damnable opinions Quench all the flames of ambition pride and curiositie Leade vs not into temptation neither suffer vs to tempt thee to contend with thee through pride in setting our owne wisedome and subtiltie against thee which was the ouerthrowe of our first parents Suffer vs not to forsake thy word neither permit that fowle and lieng spirit to falsifie the same in vs but make vs constantlie to rest vpon thy promise as to a sacred and sure anchor setting it against all the motions of curiositie and pride Last of all remoue from vs that horrible torment of idolatrie The world at this daie is wrapped in idle seruice yea vnwittinglie the whole world is full of idols to the great dishonor of thy name Fained gods are erected superstitious inuocations are confirmed idolaters swimme in wealth and rule the rost thy glorie is defaced thy maiestie blasphemed the diuell rageth and reigneth he giueth kingdomes and disposeth the goods of this world if his words be true as he lieth shamefullie For thou it is and thou alone which alterest Empires and confirmest them at thy pleasure If order be obserued thou causest it but all misorder is raised by the diuell for the which he shall be punished of thee with paines eternall Wherefore haue mercie on vs O God haue mercie on vs deliuer vs from the thicke mud of idolatrie make vs to lift vp our eies vnto thee the sonne of glorie that abhorring all feined seruice and ceremonies contrarie to thy word wee may acknowledge serue and sanctifie thee the true God Father Sonne and holie Ghost which by and for thy Sonne dooest deliuer vs from the power of Sathan and make vs heires of thine euerlasting kingdome which alone knowest the harts and grones of all creatures which onlie wilt be called vpon in the name of thy Sonne and heare vs onelie for his sake Wherefore vnto thee O our God and Iehoua doo we speake thee onelie through thine assistance will we serue and neuer giue thy glorie to another Take vp that impudent theefe Satan which would steale awaie thine honour banish him far from thy Church But gard both our bodies soules with the gard of thine holie Angels which may pitch their tents about vs and encounter with Sathan which besetteth vs on all sides Deliuer vs out of his hands from all miseries of this life and last of all passing out of this world carie our soules vnto the societie of thy Saints in life eternall Amen I haue sinned I haue sinned haue mercie vpon me Of the Diuel and his manifold temptations THere wanted a tempter and thou wert the cause that he was wanting there wanted time and place and thou wert the cause that they wanted the tempter was present and there wanted neither place nor time but thou holdest me backe that I should not consent The tempter came full of darknesse as he is and thou didst harden me that I might despise him The tempter came armed and stronglie but to the intent he should not ouercome me thou didst restraine him and strengthen me The tempter came transformed into an Angel of light and to the intent he should not deceiue me thou diddest rebuke him and to the intent I should knowe him thou diddest inlighten me For he is that great red dragon and that old serpent called the diuell and Sathan which hath seuen heads and ten horns whom thou hast created to take his pleasure in this huge and broad sea wherein there creepe liuing wights innumerable and beasts great and small that is to saie diuers sorts of fiends which practise nothing else daie nor night but to go about seeking whom they may deuoure except thou rescue him For it is that old dragon which was bred in the paradise of pleasure which draweth downe the third part of the starres of heauen with his taile and casts them to the ground which with his venem poisoneth the waters of the earth that as manie men as drinke of them may die which triumpheth vpon gold as if it were mire and is of opinion that Iordan shall runne into his mouth and which is made of such a mould as he feareth no man And who shall saue vs from his chaps Who shall plucke vs out of his mouth sauing thou O Lord who hast broken the heads of the great dragon Helpe vs Lord spread out thy wings ouer vs O Lord that we may flie vnder them from the face of this dragon that pursueth vs and fence thou vs from his hornes with thy sheeld For his continuall endeuour and onelie desire is to deuoure the soules which thou hast created And therefore we crie vnto thee our God deliuer vs from our dailie aduersarie who whether we sleepe or wake whether we eate or drinke or whether wee be dooing anie thing else presseth vpon vs by all kind of meanes assaulting vs daie and night with traines and policies and shooting his venemous arrowes at vs sometime openlie and somtime priuilie to slea our soules and yet are we most lewdlie ouerseene O Lord in that whereas we see the dragon continuallie in a readines to deuoure vs with open mouth we neuerthelesse doo sleepe and riot in our owne slothfulnesse as though we were out of his danger who desireth nothing else but to destroie vs. Our enimie to the intent to kill vs watcheth continuallie and neuer sleepeth and yet will not we wake from sleepe to saue our selues Behold he hath pitched infinite snares before our feet and filled all our waies with sundrie traps to catch our soules And who can escape them He hath laid snares for vs in our riches he hath laid snares in our pouerty he hath laid snares in our meate in our drinke in our pleasures in our sleepe and in our waking he hath set snares for vs in our words and in our works and in all our life but Lord deliuer vs from the net of the fowlers and from hard words that we may giue praise to thee saieng Blessed be the Lord who hath not giuen vs vp to be torne with their teeth Our soule is deliuered as a sparowe out of the net of the fowler the net is broken and we be escaped Against the temptation of Sathan praie thus O Lord Iesu Christ the onlie staie and fence of our mortall state our onlie hope our onlie saluation our glorie and our triumph who in the flesh which thou hadst for our only cause taken vpon thee didst suffer thy selfe to be tempted of Sathan and who onlie and alone of all men diddest vtterlie ouercome and vanquish sinne death the world the diuell and all the kingdome of hell whatsoeuer thou hast so ouercommed for our behalfe it is that thou hast ouercommed it neither hath it been thy will to haue anie of thy seruants keepe battell and fight with anie of the foresaid euils but of purpose to reward vs
Father making intercession for vs sounded continuallie in the eares of God Worke so that we be not found in the number of those into whome sathan hath entred which blaspheame thee despise thy benefits and destroie themselues vtterlie Increase our faith and knowledge of thee that the eternall Father through thy sacrifice being pleased may forgiue all our sinnes and receiue vs into that companie which is glorious in thine eies Under the crosse standeth thy noble but sorowfull mother hir sister and other good women with thy disciple Iohn whome thou louedst O blesse vs and of thy goodnes ioine vs to that companie In thy mother there shineth a notable light and strength of faith she beholdeth in thee hir Sonne those sights than which none could be more greeuous in this world she sawe the rage of thine enimies and thine intollerable torments yet she beleeued notwithstanding the greeuousnes of thy paine the shedding of thy pretious bloud the flight of thy disciples the crueltie of thine enimies and the odiousnes of thy death she beleeued I saie O the force of faith that thou wast God by nature and shouldest rise againe and reigne euerlastinglie ouercome death and the diuell and subdue all thine enimies O Sonne of God kindle within vs we praie thee the like sparks of faith giue vs grace with thine elect neuer to be ashamed to stand vnder thy crosse And as thou euen of an entire good will mercifullie among thy seruants didst speake vnto and comfort thy pensiue and moorning mother so speake vnto vs and thy troubled Church in miserie comfort hir with thy sweet voice and presence Thou commendedst thy mother to thine Apostle Make vs vnfeignedlie to loue the Church thy sweet and true mother and grant that euerie of vs may cherish the same louinglie and mainteine it to the vttermost of our powers Especiallie guide the Preachers that they may loue the mother nourish the vnitie of pure doctrine auoid the seed of heresies and remooue all stumbling-blockes all occasions of hindering of faith and praier in yoong Christians At thy sides hang two theeues punished for their sinnes according to the lawe and their deserts whereof one desperatelie powring out blasphemous speeches the other godlie requiring thy fauour he ended his daies All mankind Lord doo likewise hang in miseries for their sinnes whereof some are so captiued in their minds that at the point of death they scoffe blaspheme and desperatelie to their vtter condemnation finish their daies but giue vs grace we beseech thee that we may imitate the example of the gratious theefe which before his passage out of this life moued by infallible arguments of thine almightinesse and mercie required pardon of his offences and obteined the same according to his request Giue grace that we may imitate his hartie repentance his sorowe for sin his notable faith his zealous confession and other good works of his We beseech thee mercifull Lord be mindfull of vs. O Lord be mindfull of vs. Thou sittest in the kingdom of thy Father we are in the miseries of the world but be thou mindfull of vs. Begin thy kingdome in vs heere in this world and in euerie combate of our conscience especiallie at the point of death pronounce to our hearts this comfortable absolution This daie shalt thou be with me in Paradise Shew vnto vs thy paradise that departing out of this life we may find rest for our soules Open to our soules the gates of Paradise place them in the seates of immortalitie and state of blisse where thy Father togither with the blessed companie of Angels and men sheweth himselfe euen as he is In the meane while thy combate is not yet finished thou criedst in most pittifull maner My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Thy diuinitie was not then separated from thy humanitie which neuer lost that which once it tooke neither surcessedst nor dooest thou surcesse at anie time to be equall and one with thine eternall father but then was the houre of thy humiliation wherein after a woonderfull and vnspeakable maner thy diuinitie hid it selfe as it were and would haue this obedience to be showne and thought not best to destroie the Iewes thine enimies and murtherers Yea it hid it selfe that the streames of Gods displeasure against the sinnes of men should so fall vpon thee O Christ that they should wrestle with extreame torments such as for a certeine space thou perceiuedst no comfort notwithstanding thy diuinitie confirmed thine humane nature which was to suffer all the passions For thy diuinitie could not suffer anie passion at all therefore it confirmed the same that there might be a sufficient satisfaction for the sins of men For they which haue endured most greeuous torments could neuer abide these for if God comfort vs we may abide the punishment of men and then it may be said Though bodies greefe did feele Yet had their soules great ioie And vertuous hope did strengthen so That paines did naught annoie But intollerable is it for a creature to suffer the punishment of God and be saued thereby Wherefore O Sonne of God in displeasure bee mindfull of thy mercie be thou our protection that the wrath of thine eternall father doo not destroie vs. Euen a little taste of Gods displesure bursteth in peeces all the bones of men like a lion And therfore by and by after thou vtteredst the like complaint saieng I thirst thy soule languished through the greatnesse of thy paines Thy spirits were resolued through thy woonderfull greefe of hart Thy bowels dried awaie and no moisture abode in them and therefore trulie didst thou both inwardlie thirst and desire some vertue and comfort from thy Father and outwardlie to haue thy bodie refreshed O Iesu Christ which art the fountaine of eternall life giuing the water which quencheth all thirst from whose bellie springeth the well of life suffer vs not to taste such a greeuous thirst as did that merciles rich glutton in hell which neuer was quenched but with the godlie to saie My soule stucke vnto my iawes I had no quietnes in my bones Lord in thy iudgements correct me not in thy furie least I come vnto nothing If thou obseruest iniquities O Lord Lord who shall be able to abide Thus doo thy Saincts crie I saie in their troubles Wherefore kindle not thy wrath altogither against vs. Cease not to comfort our weake nature striuing against thy iudgements with the iuice of thy word and comfortable waterings of thy spirit Unto thee did thine eternall Father manifest his presence and comfort for our sakes when some while after being better quieted thou saiedst It is finished Thou gauest thanks to thine eternall father for helping thee whereby the sacrifice of welfare to the elect for euermore was fulfilled Oh most sacred Priest imprint within vs this celestiall conclusion this notable finishing of thy sacrifice that vndoubtedlie we may thinke that by this sacrifice the remission of sinnes and life eternall is purchased for vs.
is the daie which the Lord hath made we will reioice and be glad therein and euermore sing Halleluiah Halleluiah The Praier OF thy woonderfull victorie and resurrection from death and glorious kingdome O Sonne of God it was said In that daie the roote of Iesse shall stand to be a signe to the people vnto him shall the nations flie and his rest shall be glorie Thou art that blessed branch of Dauid thou tookest mans nature vpon thee and camest of the line of Dauid but in the time of thy humiliation thou wast but a sprig as it were in a drie ground a notable and heauenlie plant but oppressed with miseries Thy soule dried awaie being beaten with the mightie tempest of Gods displeasure against our sinnes notwithstanding that goodlie roote through the power of thy diuine nature was not vtterlie choaked Thou art deliuered from the midst of death and by thy diuine power thou standest victoriouslie ouer thine enimies and art readie to bring vs thy souldiers from all euils and make vs partakers of thy most glorious conquest in thy kingdome which is altogither otherwise than the triumph and glorie of this world Death endeth all the pride power and pompe of this world but thy death and rest is glorious thy kingdome and glorie beginneth when our life is ended O Christ Sonne of God how woonderfull was thy rest Man at the first was made to be a noble and holie Temple wherein a perpetuall Sabboth should be celebrated and a diuine nature should abide filling and comforting him with plentie of heauenlie riches But this rest was turned into vnquietnes and this ioie into sorowe through the hatred of sathan thine enimie which prophaned this temple and sabboth brought in an horrible misorder and wickednes Wherefore it pleased thine almightie Father of his goodnes to send thee his onlie Sonne from his owne bosome to restore againe this Sabboth Hence it was that after a woonderfull manner in the daie of the great Sabboth according to the lawe of Moses thine humane nature through death which separated the soule from the bodie rested in the sepulchre and the word which forsooke not that nature no not at the graue reuiued that flesh the third daie and so thou rosest againe when the time of our redemption was expired victoriouslie vnto thy kingdome and giuest an eternall Sabboth and rest to such as flie vnto thee O Sonne of God call thou sinners euen vs miserable and vncleane persons vnto that sacred feast which in this world through thee the cheefe Priest is begun and shall be then made perfect when the elect for euermore shall followe the Lambe whithersoeuer he go Put on vs the festiuall garment the garment of thy righteousnes and benediction that we putting awaie the leauen of malice and wickednes may celebrate the feast in the sweet bread of sinceritie serue thee in purenes of liuing and truth This yeare from thine incarnation 1582. are passed 3091 yeares since the first passouer which the Israelites did celebrate going out of Egypt so long hast thou preserued thy Church and we beseech thee preserue it euerlastinglie notwithstanding the rage of the diuell and his ministers And as thou defendedst thy people which eate of the Lambe and moreouer going through out Egypt slaiedst in thy righteous iudgements all the first borne in the land so assist vs that with a liuelie faith we may feed on thee the true Lamb. Keepe vs among all the miseries of this last age of the world The carcases remaining were cast awaie and condemned but thy oblation is gratefull in the sight of God it appeaseth the wrath of the eternall Father and by the eating of thee which art the Lamb of God taking awaie the sinnes of the world righteousnes and life is giuen to beleeuers The word raiseth againe and quickneth the flesh that vnto vs ingraffed therevnto by faith the like life may be giuen and the bodie of sinne mortified in vs and thou liue and reigne in vs for euermore wherefore let thy glorious rest be in vs. We are made of earth and after sinne our bodies were appointed to the earth yea the vngodlie shall abide for euer in the earth and neuer appeare in thy glorious heauen But after thou touchedst the death with thy liuelie flesh thou madest it light thou tookest awaie the heauinesse thereof Through the blast of the first serpent manie times euen mans flesh is turned into verie serpents And in the graue of the wicked more horrible is the filth of spirituall dragons and serpents which deuour them euerlastinglie and keepe them in perpetuall death But thou O Sonne of God makest the graues of thy saincts euen pleasant chambers as it were Thou driuest far awaie from thence all filthinesse of sathan Thou settest about them the watchmen euen thy pure Angels which bring their soules into paradise commending them into the hands and bosome of thy Father and keepe also their ashes which both were and shall be at thy returne the house of the holie ghost Beautifie vs in like manner with this thy glorie of true knowledge and calling vpon thee Be present with vs at the point of death receiue our soules at their departure into thine hands shew thou thy comfort ioie till at the resurrection of mankind thou crowne thine elect with perfect endlesse glorie a taste wherof might be seene in those fortie daies after thy resurrection Neuer was there so goodlie a world as that was when thou rosest from death and broughtest out of their graues a great companie of thy Saincts as the Scripture plainelie but breeflie for the vngodlie doth testifie Familiarlie did the holie fathers and matrones remaine with thy sweet mother and Apostles Pleasant speeches and much talke was made no doubt of the miseries of man of the vnspeakable benefits gotten by thee and of the glorie of eternall life O Lord raise thou vp our harts that with a true desire we may long to come into this faire companie Let vs turne our selues in cogitation vnto that holie assemblie Let vs hearken vnto and learne thy wisedome reuealed in thy word In this life thy Church is in darkenesse in miseries men are occupied in the obseruation of outward ceremonies as those godlie women they will annoint thy bodie Manie times thy Church seemeth to be depriued of thy sweet presence and vttereth these sorrowfull words They haue taken awaie my Lord and I can not tell where they haue laid him But O Sonne of God amend the mortall darkenesse within vs kindle in our soule thine inward seruice which pleaseth thee manifest thy selfe vnto vs in affliction speake these comfortable words in our calamitie vnto vs Weepe not that euen in death we may thinke with our selues that thou art present and after death rise againe to the fruition of eternall life with thy blessed Saincts Amen Another ALmightie God and most mercifull heauenlie Father who hast raised vp thy Sonne for our iustification as thou gauest him to
the lowest bottoms of the darke vallie and least the shadowe of the earth should come betweene and separate it from thee that art the bright sunne of righteousnes and least it once hid with the clouds of darknesse should not haue libertie but be letted to looke for heauenlie things which be aboue Therefore I doo assaie to go vpward vnto the ioies of quietnesse and peace and vnto the delectable and pleasant state of light O hold mine hart with thine hand bicause it cannot be drawne vnto high things without thee Thither doo I make haste whereas most chiefe and principall peace reigneth and continuall quietnesse shineth foorth Hold and gouerne my spirit and take it according to thy will that thou being a guide vnto it it may ascend into the region and countrie of plentifulnesse wheras thou feedest Israel euerlastinglie with the food of truth to the intent that there at the leastwise with my swift cogitation and thought I may come nigh thy wisedome which remaineth aboue all things ouerpasseth all things and gouerneth all things But alas there be manie things which when my soule would flie vnto thee doo crie out vpon it Command them all O Lord to hold their peace and speake not vnto me As for my soule it selfe let it giue neuer a word to answer Let it passe by all things Let it clime aboue althings that be created come vnto thee And that it may fasten the eies of faith vpon thee which art the onlie Creator of all things Let it couet vnto thee and be bent towards thee Let it thinke vpon thee by meditation and contemplation let it laie thee before hir eies for it selfe Let it roll and tosse thee in hir hart thee I saie which art the true and chiefe goodnesse and the ioie that will remaine without ending There are surelie manie contemplations in the which mans soule is maruellouslie fed of thee but in none of them is my soule so much delighted or yet hath so good rest in as in thee and when as it thinketh vpon thee and hath thee onelie in contemplation Oh how much is thy sweetnesse O Lord How maruellouslie dooest thou inspire the harts of them that loue thee How delectable is thy loue the fruition whereof they haue that loue nothing but thee they seeke nothing else they couet nothing else happie are they whose onelie hope thou art which haue no trust but in thee onlie and all their whole worke is praier Blessed is he that sitteth solitarie alone and holdeth his peace and standeth vpon his ward that he is set to keepe continuallie daie and night that yet whilest he is in this fraile bodie he may be able to taste somewhat thy pleasures I require thee by those thy wounds which bring health vnto vs which wounds thou sufferedst vpon the crosse for our health out of the which thy pretious bloud wherewith thou redeemedst vs did distill and drop downe wound this my sinful soule for the which also thou didst vouchsafe to die wound it I saie with the fire and mightie dart of thy great charitie For the word of God is liuelie and effectuous and more pearcing and sharpe than anie two edged sword Thou O chosen dart and most sharpe sword which art able by thy power to pearce through the hard shield or buckler of mans hart fasten and strike the shaft of thy loue in mine hart that my soule may saie vnto thee I am wounded with thy charitie so that foorth of that same wound of thy loue teares may flowe most plentiouslie both daie and night Strike O Lord strike I beseech thee this most indurated and hardened hart and mind of mine with the sharpe dart of thy loue and pearce it deeper deeper into the innermost parts thereof by thy mightie power and so bring out of my head aboundance of water and out of mine eies a verie well of teares continuallie running through the great affect and maruellous desire to see thy glorie that I may moorne daie and night without taking anie comfort in this life vntill in thy heauenlie wedding chamber I may see thee my welbeloued and beautifull spouse my God and my Lord and that there when I see thy glorious maruellous and beautifull face full of all sweetnes togither with them which thou hast chosen then I saie I may worship humblie thy Maiestie and there at the last being replenished with heauenlie and vnspeakable reioicing of euerlasting gladnesse I may euer crie out with them that loue thee saieng Behold that which I haue long desired now I haue obteined for I am ioined in heauen vnto him whome when I was in earth I loued with all my strength with all my charitie I embraced him vnto whome with all my loue I did sticke and cleaue Him doo I praise blesse and woorship that liueth and reigneth God world without end Amen Another praier to Christ ascended and reigning in glorie OH good Christ our first begotten brother and tender-harted Ioseph Oh naturall Sonne of that father to whome we are made children of adoption through thee Oh our head reigning on high in glorie forget not vs thy poore members heere on earth where-into abasing thy selfe thou cammest downe and sufferedst for vs most cruell death Out of this thy throne of maiestie and glorie thou puttest vs in assured hope and confidence that we also shall atteine to this blessed place whither thou art gone before to take possession for vs. Oh our strong tower of defence and succour what can hurt vs now trusting in thee Most vnhappie are they which are ignorant of thee and most happie are they which alwaies behold thee Blessed are they which haue knowne thee heere in the daies of this mortalitie but more blessed are they which see thee in the heauens and shall see thee reigning with thy Father in ioies incomparable Oh Lord the onelie ioie and comfort of our soules shew vs thy louing countenance embrace vs with the armes of thy mercie Receiue vs O good Ioseph thy yonger brethren with the kisse of comfort Powre into our harts thy holie spirit Plucke vs vp from the earth and earthlie things Open our eies and lift them vp vnto thee Open thy mouth and call vs vnto thee Open our eares that we may heare thee so that whatsoeuer wee doo speake or thinke it may be directed vnto thee alone our redeemer mediator and aduocate Amen Another THou Lord didst put awaie Marie Magdalen from thee kissing of thy feet because thy flesh was not yet exalted and she knewe not yet the dignitie of thy clarified bodie and beautified with the glorie of immortalitie but was addicted onlie to thy bodilie presence She yet sought thee liuing among the dead neither was it knowne to hir that thou wast equall with thy Father wherefore thou wouldest not suffer hir so much as to kisse thy feet because it was a thing vnworthie for thy Maiestie O thou mightie Lion of the tribe of Iuda thou conqueror of hell and death
art also the substantiall amitie betweene the Father and the Sonne we worship thee we praise and glorifie thee and with our whole hart we thanke thee for all thy benefits especiallie for calling vs by the voice of thy Gospell vnto the Christian congregation for illuminating vs with thy gifts for sanctifieng vs with a stedfast faith and for keeping vs hitherto in the same For by the fount of the wholesome lauour that is by the water of holie Baptisme being powred into vs thou dooest continuallie worke in vs regeneration and renewing of the inward man Harken we beseech thee vnto our supplication and teach vs miserable women which by the proper strength of our onlie reason can by no meanes trust in or approch to Christ our Lord and Sauiour teach vs O our God what thy pleasure is and leade vs into all truth For without thine assistance none can saie that Iesus is the Lord. O blessed Lampe of light fill the inward parts of the faithfull with the holie oile of thy manifold heauenlie gifts and graces without the which nothing is light and pleasant in man but euerie thing darke obscure and hurtfull Wash thou that is filthie water that is drie heale that is wounded bow the obstinate cherish the frosen and reclaime them which wander Giue to the faithfull trusting in thee the reward of wel-doing the entrance into happines and euerlasting comfort Thou in thy gifts seauen-fold which art the spirit of the Lord the spirit of wisedome and vnderstanding the spirit of counsell and strength the spirit of knowledge and of the feare of the Lord inspire into vs through the preaching of the Gospell thine heauenlie wisedome about thine essence and dinine pleasure which is hid from the world Grant that we may knowe the Father and the Sonne by thee and may alwaies beleeue that thou art the spirit of them both so worship one God in Trinitie and the Trinitie in vnitie whose will is that not one should perish but be conuerted liue and that as manie as beleeue in the Sonne should haue euerlasting life For the Father sent the Sonne not to condemne the world but that the world through him might be saued O lightener of the mind powre vpon vs thy new light and purge the horrible darkenes of our minds so that we may see knowe our chiefe Father whome pure eies onlie doo behold O thou heauenlie comforter giue vnto vs a testimonie and grant vnto our minds a token of the certaintie of our beleefe so that we doubt not neither wauer about thy diuine goodnes towards vs. Make our harts quiet and secure that with a full trust and confidence we may approch to the throne of thy heauenlie grace receiuing by adoption the right of children and inflamed with spirituall ioie in all boldnesse and libertie may crie Abba Father Thou most faithfull aduocate strengthen vs against all the assaults and temptations of sathan so that we may neuer doubt of thy diuine prouidence and predestination whereby we are chosen and called in Christ vnto euerlasting life and neuer being stroken with a seruile feare and oppressed with dreadfull doubtings may in a rage flee and forsake our God O surpassing comforter leaue vs not destitute of thine aid and patronage but vouchsafe euermore to be present with vs in our crosses troubles least otherwise we faint but rather make vs to reioice in tribulations knowing that a crowne of life is laid vp for such as loue him O thou teacher of men instruct vs how and what we ought to praie for according to thy will that we may be heard and make thou intercession for vs with sighes that can not be expressed O thou cleanser of the heart giue vs the simplicitie of mind without gall and bitternes which descendedst in Iordan vpon our Lord and Sauiour Christ in the likenes of a dooue that we may be void of bitter enuie and contention in our harts and haue no roote among vs that bringeth foorth gall and woormewood O thou substantiall flame proceeding from the breast of the Father and his eternall Sonne lighten our harts with the fire of chaste and burning loue Thou which appearedst as vpon this daie at the feast of Pentecost vnto the Apostles in clouen tongs like fire see our coldnesse and comfort vs with thy quickening heate and breathings that we may receiue thy chrisme and annointment O thou ghest of the soule make thee a mansion place within the secret parts of our hearts that we may be an house for thy diuinitie which may dwell perpetuallie in our members and neuer depart from vs through our Lord Sauiour Iesus Christ Amen A thanks-giuing WE lift vp our harts vnto thee O Lord GOD. For it is verie meet right and our bounden dutie that we should at all times and in all places giue thanks vnto thee O Lord holie Father the almightie euerlasting GOD through Iesus Christ our Lord according to whose most true promise the holie Ghost came downe this daie from heauen with a sudden great sound as it had beene a mightie wind in the likenes of fierie tongues lighting vpon the Apostles to teach them and lead them to all truth giuing them both the gift of diuers languages and also boldnesse with feruent zeale constantlie to preach thy Gospell vnto all nations whereby we are brought out of darknesse and errour into the cleere light and true knowledge of thee and of thy Sonne Iesus Christ Therefore with Angels and Archangels with all the blessed cōpanie of heauen we laud and magnifie thy glorious name euermore praising thee and saieng Holie holie holie Lord God of hosts heauen and earth are full of thy glorie Glorie be to thee O Lord most high So be it 12. On Trinitie Sundaie An acknowledgement of the almightie Trinitie and his vndiuided God-head essence power and maiestie The Preface WHen Iesus was baptised in the water lo the heauens opened and the spirit of God descended like a dooue and lighted vpon him and behold there came a voice from heauen saieng This is my deerlie beloued Sonne in whom I am well pleased Holie holie holie Lord God almightie Halleluiah There are three which beare record in heauen the Father the Word and the holie Ghost and these three are one Holie holie holie Lord God of Saboth Halleluiah The Praier O Most high Trinitie one onlie power and vndefiled maiestie our God God almightie the beholder and searcher of mine hart I the abiect and hindmost of all thy seruants confesse and acknowledge thee and being the least member of thy Church I woorship thee with a due sacrifice of praise for so much as I am able and can according to that which thou hast vouchsafed to endue me withall And forasmuch as I am destitute of outward gifts to offer vnto thee those vowes of praise which I haue of the gift of thy mercie behold willinglie and gladlie I offer them vnto thee which be an vnfeigned faith and a
vnspeakable maner that thy humane nature might suffer and die Quench also in vs by thy spirit mercilesse fires of hatred and desire of reuenge which as worldlie men doo saie is sweeter than life it selfe with all the flames of pride Grant that acknowledging our filthines prostrate before thy face in true lowlinesse we may aske thine helpe being healed may perseuere in the imitating of thy perfect example Assist vs that while we liue in euerie trouble and temptation of ours we may drawe the water of comfort from thee which art the well of life and afterward enioie perfect ease and a ioifull sabboth and feastfull holidaies in the heauens at such time as thou wilt shew thy Father to thine elect where each shall behold the other face to face Amen 9. On the feast daie of the annuntiation of the blessed virgin Marie Shew vs thy mercie O Lord and grant vs thy saluation BY thy wisedome O eternall God are the times distinguished whereby we are certified of thy benefits and euerlasting blisse which after this life and destruction of the world is prepared for thine elect Now are there passed 5543 yeeres sith the creation of heauen and earth of thine Angels of all creatures By thy word thou madest man out of the slime of the earth thou breathedst on him the breth of life and inspiredst into him a soule adorned with perfect wisedome and righteousnesse Afterward thy Sonne did vtter a secret decree about the restoring of man fallen through sinne out of thy fauour into euerlasting death About the same time of the yeere was innocent Abel murdered which was a figure of the sacrifice to come whose bloud indeed crieth vnto thee Father in heauen and beggeth the forgiuenesse of sinnes to all beleeuers In the like time was Isaac carried to be offered and thou commandedst the people of Israell to keepe holie these daies in which thou wouldest haue thy benefits to bee spoken of Likewise on this solemne and ioifull daie of the Equinoctiall spring time which sithence is 1582 yeeres thy Sonne as the Angel Gabriel signified to Marie the virgin by the working of the holie Ghost coupled the humane nature to himselfe after a woonderfull and vnspeakable maner The same daie 1549 yeeres sithence thy Sonne redeemer of mankind in his weake and bloudie flesh hoong vpon the Crosse being the true Silo. And when the sunne going betweene Orion and the Pleiades leeseth his light he left his life through intollerable sorowe and torments And an old saieng it hath beene that about this time of the yeere our Lord and Sauiour Christ will returne in the clouds both to vanquish his enimies and to exalt his Church and chosen most gratiouslie vnto a new and eternall kingdome O Sonne of God stir vs vp vnto the consideration of those so excellent mysteries and worke thou so in our harts by thy grace that as we haue knowne thy holie incarnation by the message of an Angel so by thy crosse and passion we may be brought vnto the glorie of thy resurrection Through the protection and watch of thine Angel the holie families of chaste virgins and matrons remained safe and vnspotted among infinite dangers by thy spirit the truth was sealed in them that they could not be subdued by the errours of the Pharisies and Saduces Preserue likewise in this last age of the world some holie assemblies and suffer not the whole world before thy cōming againe to become blasphemers This shall be the wisedome of eternall life in which thou wilt open the causes why thou wouldest after this maner restore mankind and how God the word could couple our flesh to himselfe Assist vs that in this life we may learne the elements and in true faith be ioined through the holie spirit to thy bodie which thou tookest from the sanctified bodie of the sacred virgin And as thou cariest and liuest in the same flesh so make vs branches of the tree of life and fruitfull vine and replenish vs with like light life and glorie Be thou our Sauiour through thy merit and vertue Thine eternall Father hath placed thee in the throne of Dauid that thou maist be the head of the Church working all in all and the giuer of all good things and of the blessings promised to Dauid Thou reignest in this life by thy ministerie gathering to thy selfe an eternall Church and repressing thine enimies by thy mightie power Thou sittest exalted in light and incomprehensible glorie at the right hand of thy Father making alwaies intercession for vs vntill thou bring thy Church vnto thy selfe in glorie at the generail resurrection and shine in them visiblie and for euer O Sonne of God we are bone of thy bones and flesh of thy flesh Thou broughtest not thy flesh from heauen neither was the same borne of the substance of thy Father but truelie thou tookest thy flesh from the seed of Abraham out of the sanctified wombe of the holie and blessed virgin S. Marie This nature did the word couple to himselfe by an eternall couenant and adorneth the same with surpassing glorie which thou she wedst not in the time of thine humiliation Therefore in truth did blessed Marie beare God euen that person in which two natures that is to saie the word and flesh were vnited togither and that without anie confusion euen as the soule and bodie are coupled in vs men Wherefore we come vnto thee our Mediator God and man and respecting thy promise in a liuelie faith we beseech thee haue mercie vpon vs wash vs with thy bloud and make vs members of thy bodie and nature No man at anie time hath hated his owne flesh make vs to sticke vnto thee by the same spirit and to drawe from thee the iuice which may strengthen vs to eternall life Amen 10. On Saint Marks daie Thou hast made them princes in all lands therefore shall they remember thy name O Lord from one generation to another O Eternall omnipotent and euerliuing God Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which togither with the Sonne and the holie Ghost hast not onelie created the whole frame of this world with all things therein conteined but also appointed thy Sonne the word to be a Mediator for vs men and for our saluation we beseech thee most humblie from the bottome of our harts thou which art the good husbandman ingraffe vs in thy Sonne which is the true vine make vs branches of his bodie purge vs from the horrible corruption of our nature giue vs grace to continue in the vine that being deliuered from sinne we may bring foorth abundance of fruit to thy honour and glorie O Christ thou art the vine we are the branches through thy grace not of our owne goodnesse gratiouslie behold vs we beseech thee that euermore we may cleaue to thee For alas without thee what can we doo that good is Abide thou in vs that we may abide in thee giue vs of thy vertue let thy light shine in our
harts to the extinguishing of the fowle darknesse of our filthie flesh and quicken vs to the bringing out of that fruit which both may please thee and profit thy Church so shall we escape the vnquenchable fire into which they which depart from thee are cast and be sure to obtaine whatsoeuer we shall aske at thy mercifull hands in true faith and feare For thy Father is glorified through our willingnesse which is also his gift to obeie him Furthermore as thou hast instructed thy holie Church with the heauenlie doctrine of thine Euangelist S. Marke giue vs grace likewise that we be not like children caried awaie with euerie blast of vaine doctrine but firmelie to be established in the truth of thy holie Gospell And thou holie Ghost come thou incessantlie into our harts first to instruct our minds with thine heauenlie and eternall will and being instructed confirme vs in the feare of thy Maiestie that at no time we depart from the path of thy commandements For our continuance in the race of the commandements of God is a speciall argument that we loue God vnfeinedlie whom we see not And secondlie that we may find ioie and comfort in all our troubles crosses and persecutions whatsoeuer that in this life we may alwaies abide among the companie of the regenerate and in the other be made partakers of eternall happinesse ordeined for the elect before the beginning of the world Amen 11. On Saint Philip and Iames daie The heauens declare the glorie of God and the firmament sheweth his handie worke O Sonne of GOD whom truelie to knowe is euerlasting life and without whom no man commeth vnto the Father grant vs perfectlie to knowe thee to be as thou hast said of thy selfe the waie the truth and the life as thou hast taught Saint Philip other the Apostles Bring vs wandering trauellers into the waie of saluation shew vnto vs thy truth quicken vs by thy spirit lead vs to thy Father that by thee and thine humane flesh now exalted and glorified the light and life of thine heauenlie Father may be spred in vs. Make vs miserable exiles citizens of thine euerlasting kingdome prepare vs places mansions where we may drawe from thee which art the true vine of eternall life in the house and table of thy Father the new iuice of heauenlie comfort and may continuallie be there where thou art that trulie thine eternall Father may be glorified in vs Amen 12. On Saint Barnabas daie Praise the Lord O my soule and forget not all his benefits O Christ Sonne of GOD which art perfect charitie louing vs to the end and sufferedst vpon the altar of the Crosse a most shamefull death for our sakes to deliuer vs from death and damnation and to allure vs by that thine example vnto mutuall amitie and good-will we beseech thee inflame our cold harts with the burning affections of hartie loue And as thou hast indued thine holie Apostle Barnabas with singular gifts of the holie Ghost so let vs not be destitute of thy manifold gifts nor yet of grace to vse them alwaie to thine honour and glorie as he did Giue vs grace I saie first aboue all things to loue thee the true and onelie God with the Father and the holie Ghost with all our harts with all our soule and with all our strength that continuallie we may cleaue vnto thee with full purpose of hart as this thine holie Apostle exhorteth Raise vp secondlie a desire of brotherlie good-will towards our neighbours that we may helpe one another and as members of one bodie haue a mutuall compassion ech of other so that we may loue among our selues vnfeinedlie and abound in mutuall good-will that our harts may be vnblameable in holinesse before God Inflame our breasts that by thine example we may loue euen our verie enimies and blesse them which curse vs doo good to them which hate and hurt vs leauing reuengement alwaies vnto thee For he which loueth not his brother knoweth not God but abideth in death and dooeth vainelie boast against the truth Wherefore let not the Sunne go downe vpon our wrath but make vs quiet putting on tender mercie kindnesse humblenesse of mind meeknesse and aboue all charitie which is the bond of perfection the end of the cōmandements and fulfilling of the lawe so that by loue our faith may be fruitfull and we at no time seuered from thee For thou art loue and he that dwelleth in loue dwelleth in God and God in him so that we shall be no more seruants but friends in dooing the will of the heauenlie Father through the gratious good-will of thee his onelie begotten Sonne our Sauiour which hast chosen vs to bring foorth fruit whereby we shall so please his and thy sacred Maiestie that we shall be sure to obteine whatsoeuer we aske at his hands through faith in thy name Amen 13. On Saint Iohn Baptists daie I giue mine owne selfe the blame and take repentance in dust and ashes O Eternall Father of our Lord Iesu Christ wee yeeld thee most hartie thanks for gathering to thy selfe for and through thy Sonne an holie companie praising and celebrating thy goodnesse for euermore Also for sending from time to time teachers adorned with excellent gifts and warrants from heauen to spread foorth and publish the truth to mankinde among whome we knowe right well that the famous fore-runnner of thy Sonne euen the holie and reuerent Saint Iohn the Baptist excelled He by thy prouidence was woonderfullie borne and sent to prepare the way of thy Sonne our Sauiour by preaching repentance He was the first publisher of the new Testament the first purger of the Gospell from the grosse errours of the superstitious Pharises the spreader abroade of the articles of our faith and the imprinter of Iesus Christ the Sonne of God in the harts of men We humblie beseech thee gather from among vs an eternall Church Teach our harts by thine heauenlie spirit that vnfeignedlie we may listen to and loue the doctrine which Iohn soundeth to the world Make vs so to followe his doctrine and holie life I saie that we may trulie repent according to his preaching and after his example constantlie speake the truth boldlie rebuke vice and patientlie suffer for the truth sake as he did that being ingraffed into thy flocke we may become his disciples and bring foorth fruit woorthie repentance and behold the diuinitie which he sawe so shall we be deliuered from the wrath of God and admitted into the fellowship of eternall life Amen 14. On Saint Peters daie Their spéech is gone out into all lands and their words into the ends of the world O Lord Iesu Christ Sonne of God which art the word of the eternall Father and the Embassador sent frō the beginning vnto thy Church speake thou inwardlie to our harts thine heauenlie wisedome lighten our nature vnderstanding with thy newe light that being demanded in euerie anguish we may trulie acknowledge and confesse
that light should be made and so not onlie bodies shining with noble light yet vnreasonable were made but besides also other spirituall natures as Angels were brought foorth into which thou powredst the beames of thy light of thy wisedome of thy righteousnesse and life and appointedst a companie of them which remained in their innocencie to euerlasting righteousnes and life that alwaies they might behold the countenance of the eternall Father being replenished with perfect goodnesse Thou hast ordeined and constituted in a woonderfull order that most excellent nature of all Angels to serue thy Church to defend the weake and feeble companie of men which in this life turne vnto thy Sonne our verie Michael Thou commandest those heroicall and valiant spirits to protect thy Church kingdoms and godlie schooles and places where thy Church doth abide calling vpon thee in feare and continuing in thy seruice We thanke thee from our harts for this great and vnspeakable benefit beseeching thee most humblie mercifullie to grant that they which alwaie doo thee seruice in heauen may by thine appointment succour and defend vs here in earth Conuert vs O Lord and we shall be conuerted teach vs to confesse this thy goodnesse and following the example of thine holie Angels to serue thee and thy congregation in true and sincere humilitie Compasse our Churches Common-weales and houses with the watch of thine Angels driue awaie from vs and our houses diuels thine enimies lieng blasphemous cruell murdering and incestuous spirits which through extreme hatred of thee and thy Sonne torment man labouring to bring it about that all flesh may blaspheme thee Represse the rage of them in their members in false teachers in the enimies of thy truth in Turks and other tyrants which persecute vs. Helpe vs in this world being ingraffed into that Church which thou dooest protect and may continue faithfull vnto the death and afterward being translated into eternall life be like the Angels yeelding immortall thanks vnto thee for thine infinite benefits Amen 19. On Saint Luke the Euangelists daie It is neither herbe nor emplaster that restoreth vs to health but thy word O Lord which healeth all things O Omnipotent almightie and euerliuing God which calledst Luke the Physician whose praise is in the Gospell to be a Physician of the soule it may please thee by the wholsome medicine of his doctrine to heale all the diseases of our soules And as by thy Sonne our Lord and Sauiour Christ thou hast commanded vs to praie that labourers may be thrust into thy haruest so grant vnto vs for the same thy sonne Bishops of thine owne instructing good shepherds sound preachers faithfull workmen and godlie ministers which may faithfullie ouersee and by thy word of saluation prosperouslie gouerne thy Church being deerlie bought with the pretious bloud of thine onelie Sonne Giue vnto vs such teachers as are both learned in thy word and commended for their good liuing direct them being illuminated with thine heauenlie light that they may rightlie deliuer and diuide vnto vs the principles of good doctrine the word of truth and the Gospell of life and open the difference betweene the lawe and the Gospell teach vs to beware of the leauen of the Pharisies and the contagious doctrine of mans traditions informe vs in all spirituall wisedome and bring vs by the operation of thine holie spirit vnto perfection both in the eies of God and sight of the world Grant that their labours may take good successe to the increase of thy celestiall haruest Giue them grace to continue constant in their profession fearing neither the hatred nor ingratitude of this world beleeuing certainlie that such as despise them are despised of thee and that thou neither wilt of thine holinesse nor wilt of thy iustice suffer such blaspemous impietie to go vnpunished Amen 20. On Simon and Iudes daie Apostles Thou hast made them princes in all lands therefore shall they remember thy name O Lord from one generation to another ALmightie God which hast builded thy congregation vpon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Iesu Christ himselfe being the head corner stone grant vs so to be ioined togither in vnitie of spirit by their doctrine that we may be made an holie temple acceptable to thee And O Lord Iesu Christ which after this maner diddest comfort thine Apostles whom the world would hate and abhorre saieng I haue chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you Separate vs we humblie beseech thee from the darknesse idolatrie and wickednesse of this world and ioine vs to that companie among which thy Godhead dooeth dwell Grant that in true loue we may be ioined vnto thine eternall Father through thy spirit which is the bond of peace Make vs nothing to dread the sinister iudgements of the world neither yet for anie perils to forsake thy truth but patientlie suffer the iniuries from which thy selfe wast not free Let vs alwaies thinke that the seruant is not greater than the maister and so togither with thee and thine Apostles suffer those troubles and crosses which of God for our sinnes and amendement shall be laid vpon vs Amen 21. On All Saints daie Let the righteous be glad and reioice before God let them also be merie and ioifull WE thanke thee O almightie God our heauenlie Father for that of thine infinite mercie through our Lord and Sauiour and working of thine holie spirit thou gatherest out of mankind an euerlasting Church hast knit togither thine elect in one communion and felowship in the mysticall bodie of the same thy Sonne Christ our Lord defendest the same mightilie against the rage of the diuels and tyrannie of his members yea and hast promised one daie by thy Sonne to raise the same from death and to adorne it with vnspeakable glorie We beseech thee haue mercie on vs for the sake of the same thy Sonne our Mediator and Sauiour and grant vs grace so to followe thy holie Saints in all vertue and godlie liuing that we may come to those vnspeakable ioies which thou hast prepared for them that vnfeinedlie loue thee And gather from among vs euermore some religious companie which may serue thee in faith and a good conscience Assist that in this life that benefit of eternall life may begin that we may in a contrite hart obeie thee patientlie suffer the troubles which accompanie thy Gospell shew our selues meeke and mercifull hungring and thirsting from our hart after thy righteousnesse and seeking for the food of our soule aboue all things Make our ioie perfect and reioice in deed looking through faith vpon that blessed companie of Angels and men which enioie thy visible presence among whom thy Sonne is whom they see face to face and filled with vnspeakable delight here discoursing of thy woonderfull wisedome both in gathering and preseruing thy Church bring vs gratious Lord vnto the blessed cōpanie of thy Saints in this world and afterward make vs citizens of thine eternall kingdome togither
health and my tongue shall sing of thy righteousnesse Thou shalt open my lips O Lord and my mouth shall shew thy praise For thou desirest no sacrifice else would I giue it thee but thou delightest not in burnt offerings The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit a broken and contrite hart O God shalt thou not despise O be fauourable and gratious to Sion build thou the walles of Hierusalem Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousnesse with the burnt offerings and oblations then shall they offer yong bullocks vpon thine altar 5. Domine exaudi Psal 102. HEare my praier O Lord and let my crieng come vnto thee Hide not thy face from me in the time of my trouble incline thine eares vnto me when I call O heare me and that right soone For my daies are consumed awaie like smoke and my bones are burnt vp as it were a firebrand My hart is smitten downe and withered like grasse so that I forget to eate my bread For the voice of my groaning my bones will scarse cleaue to my flesh I am become like a Pellicane in the wildernesse and like an Owle that is in the desert I haue watched am euen as it were a Sparowe that sitteth alone vpon the house top Mine enimies reuile me all the daie long and they that are mad vpō me are sworne togither against me For I haue eaten ashes as it were bread and mingled my drinke with weeping And that because of thine indignation and wrath for thou hast taken me vp and cast me downe My daies are gone like a shadowe and I am withered like grasse But thou O Lord shalt endure for euer and thy remembrance throughout all generations Thou shalt arise and haue mercie vpon Sion for it is time that thou haue mercie vpon hir yea the time is come And why thy seruants thinke vpon hir stones and it pitieth them to see hir in the dust The heathen shall feare thy name O Lord and all the kings of the earth thy Maiestie When the Lord shall build vp Sion and when his glorie shall appeare When he turneth him vnto the praier of the poore destitute and despiseth not their desire This shall be written for those that come after and the people which shall be borne shall praise the Lord. For he hath looked downe from his Sanctuarie out of the heauen did the Lord behold the earth That he might heare the mournings of such as bee in captiuitie and deliuer the children appointed vnto death That they may declare the name of the Lord in Sion and his woorship at Hierusalem When the people are gathered togither and the kingdomes also to serue the Lord. He brought downe my strength in my iournie and shortened my daies But I said O my God take me not awaie in the midst of mine age as for thy yeares they endure thoroughout all generations Thou Lord in the beginning hast laid the foundations of the earth and the heauens are the worke of thy hands They shall perish but thou shalt endure they shall all waxe old as doth a garment And as a vesture shalt thou change them and they shall be changed but thou art the same and thy yeares shall not faile The children of thy seruants shall continue and their seed shall stand fast in thy sight 6. De profundis Psal 130. OUt of the deepe haue I called vnto thee O Lord Lord heare my voice Oh let thine eares consider well the voice of my complaint If thou Lord wilt be extreame to marke what is done amisse oh Lord who may abide it For there is mercie with thee therefore shalt thou be feared I looked for the Lord my soule doth wait for him in his word is my trust My soule flieth vnto thee Lord before the morning watch I saie before the morning watch O Israell trust in the Lord for with the Lord there is mercie and with him is plentious redemption And he shall redeeme Israell from all his sinnes 7. Domine exaudi Psal 143. HEare my praier O Lord consider my desire hearken vnto me for thy truth and righteousnesse sake And enter not into iudgement with thy seruant for in thy sight shall no man liuing be iustified For the enimie hath persecuted my soule he hath smitten my life downe to the ground he hath laid me in the darkenesse as the men that haue beene long dead Therefore is my spirit vexed within me and my heart within me is desolate Yet doo I remember the time past I muse vpon all thy works yea I exercise my selfe in the works of thy hands I stretch foorth my hands vnto thee my soule gaspeth vnto thee as a thirstie land Heare me O Lord and that soone for my spirit wareth faint hide not thy face from me least I be like vnto them that go downe into the pit O let me heare thy louing kindnes betimes in the morning for in thee is my trust shew thou me the waie that I should walke in for I lift vp my soule vnto thee Deliuer me O Lord from mine enimies for I flee vnto thee to hide me Teach me to doo the thing that pleaseth thee for thou art my God let thy louing spirit leade me foorth into the land of righteousnesse Quicken me O Lord for thy name sake and for thy righteousnesse sake bring my soule out of trouble And of thy goodnesse slaie mine enimies and destroie all them that vexe my soule for I am thy seruant Glorie be to the Father to the Sonne and to the holie Ghost As it was in the beginning is now and euer shall be world without end Amen Heerevnto you may adde as occasion and time will serue these select and notable Psalmes of Dauid as they are at large in the Psalter that is to saie the 5 7 13 17 22 25 31 35 42 43 55 56 57 69 71 77 86 88. Other Psalmes or Praiers compiled out of holie Scriptures verie necessarie to be vsed of the afflicted soule for obteining the remission of sinnes and mitigation of miseries O Lord of lords GOD almightie great and dreadfull which by thy word hast made heauen earth the sea all things conteined in them Nothing is able to resist thy power thy mercie is ouer all thy works All things be vnder thy dominion and rule both man and beast and all liuing creatures Thou art mercifull to whome thou wilt and hast compassion on whome it pleaseth thee Thy counsell shall stand for euer and whatsoeuer thou wilt shall be done Power dominion and glorie is thine which art aboue all things and in all things and in vs all Thou art Father of mercies and God of all grace peace and comfort which wilt not the death of a sinner nor delightest in the damnation of soules O Lord God which art rich in mercie and of thine especiall loue towards vs euen when we were thine enimies didst send into the world thine onelie begotten Sonne Iesus Christ that whosoeuer beleeueth dulie in him
shall not perish but haue euerlasting life Haue mercie vpon me haue mercie vpon me according to thy great mercie And according to the multitude of thy mercies put awaie mine offences O God most holie wash me from my wickednesse and make me cleane from mine vncleannesse For I acknowledge O Lord my heinous sinnes and accuse my selfe of mine vnrighteous deeds I confesse against my selfe the wickednesse of mine hart which hath beene euer vnfaithfull and rebelling against thy precepts I haue beene an vntrue and froward child to thee and haue prouoked thee with my vanities O holie Father I haue offended thy diuine Maiestie and am not woorthie to be called thy child Bicause I prouoked thee to anger through the multitude of my sinnes and haue not exercised my selfe in thy righteous lawes I haue turned backe from thy waies and done euill before thee I haue done wickedlie and vniustlie behaued my selfe leauing thy commandements and murmuring against thy correction I haue turned my selfe awaie and not kept my promise made vnto thee I haue walked in an euill waie after mine owne thoughts and fantasies choosing the things that thou wouldest not O Lord God almightie I haue not feared thee nor shewed due reuerence vnto thee but I haue beene disobedient and stubborne vnto thee As a common harlot is without shame euen so am I without shame of my sinnes for behold I speake vnto thee and yet I sinne more and more I haue left that which is good and gone backe from thee and I haue not put my trust and hope in thee my maker but haue sought for helpe and safegard otherwise I haue ploughed wickednesse and reaped iniquitie and eaten the fruit of lies bicause I haue trusted in mine owne waie I haue cast thy lawes behind my backe not regarding thy commandements nor leauing mine owne lewd customs I haue not giuen my hart to returne to thy paths for I would not knowe thee but haue fallen through mine iniquitie I neuer vnto this daie turned trulie vnto thee with all my hart but as a woman that breakech hir fidelitie and promise vnto hir husband euen so O LORD God I haue broken my promise vnto thee For I haue liued abhominablie and haue had no remorse nor repentance for my euill deeds but haue run from sinne to sinne following the lewd desires of my hart Thou knowest all things O Lord how I haue prouoked thee to displeasure by my lewd inuentions and none of all my sinnes be hid from thee I hated thy discipline and correction and regarded not thy words and saiengs I haue not done penance for my malice but haue increased in much vanitie Mine hart hath beene void of truth and my hands haue wrought vnrighteousnesse My tongue hath spoken sinfullie and I haue laboured with the imaginations of mine hart to find out lies and deceits and no truth hath beene in my waies I haue accustomed my tongue to speake trifles and vanities fulfilling my fleshlie desires and thoughts my purposes and inuentions haue beene contrarie to thy will whereby I haue offended the eies of thy Maiestie Thou hast seene all these things O Lord and hast holden thy peace and yet they were euill in thy sight and displeased thee In thine anger thou hast cast me awaie and art diuided from me now manie daies Thou hast giuen me vp to the desires of my hart to doo the things which be not seeming Wo I am that I haue gone from thee great is my miserie that I haue led my life in sinne Wo is me that I haue forsaken thee to doo my deuises not after thy mind to accomplish my thoughts which haue not proceeded of thy spirit but haue heaped vp sinne vpon sinne Mine infamie and reproch is dailie before mine eies and for shame I dare not shew my face And now O Lord God why forgettest thou mee Why keepest thou awaie so long thy mercie from me Heare now my cause gratiouslie although thou hast beene displeased with me a great while for thou art mercifull be not angrie alwaies I beseech thee Cast not awaie a contrite and penitent person a wretch and an abiect which humblie calleth vpon thy name Turne againe a little toward me O Lord God and forgiue me my mischieuous deeds Order me not according to my sinnes nor punish me as my wickednesse deserueth Shew not foorth thy power against a poore wretch persecute hir not so sore which is without all strength Turne not thy face awaie from my praiers but according to thy promise take me againe vnto thy fauour For I am thine O righteous Father whom thine onlie deere Sonne hath redeemed with his pretious bloud And now my soule abhorreth mine old conuersation and of thee which art iudge of all men I aske mercie I doo submit my selfe vnto thy mightie hand for after thine anger thou shewest mercie and in the time of tribulation thou dooest forgiue sinnes I acknowledge that I am a sinner beseeching thee Lord God almightie of thy goodnesse to doo with mee according to thy great mercie I am confounded and ashamed to lift vp mine eies vnto thee for my sinnes are ascended vp vnto thy sight Against thee O Father against thee haue I sinned and done euill before thee thou seest that mine iniquitie is great Trulie I haue beene an offender against thee euen from my cradle and since I sucked my mothers brests I haue not ceased to doo euill Behold I was begotten in iniquitie and my mother brought me into this world defiled with sinne For the corne of an euill seed is sowne in mine hart and how much wickednesse hath sproong thereof vnto this daie thou knowest O Lord. I can not shake off my sinnes and offences but I carie still with me the infamie of my youth Behold Lord I am sold vnder sinne and in my flesh I find not that which is good For the good that I would that doo I not but the euill that I hate that I doo All the thoughts and imaginations of mine hart haue beene set to doo euill euer since I was yoong O why doo I die in my sinnes Lord God seeing thy will is not that a sinner die but returne from his sin and liue For thou art good and mercifull and according to thy great mercie sauest them that be vnwoorthie For albeit no man is able to beare the punishment which thou doost threaten against sinners yet the mercie which thou hast promised is great and vnsearchable Thou hast shewed mercie a thousand times heretofore to make the same glorious as it is euen yet still The old fathers in their necessities cried vnto thee and thou diddest deliuer them they put their trust in thee and they were not confounded When they were at their wits end and wist not what to doo this was their onelie refuge to lift vp their eies to thee Thou didst saue them for thy name sake to shew in them thy might and strength Manie a time they prouoked thee through their iniquities and
stirred vp thy goodnesse to displeasure Yet when thou sawest their tribulation and their lowlie submission vnto thee Thou diddest remember thy promise and by and by hadst pitie and compassion vpon them according to the multitude of thy mercies Haue mercie vpon me O Lord God omnipotent haue mercie vpon me for I am a miserable a wretched creature Make me whole I beseech thee whom thou hast striken for my sinne and iniquitie My soule is troubled greatlie and how long O Lord wilt thou not looke towards me How long wilt thou reiect my praier thus crieng out vnto thee Wilt thou heare me at no time How long wilt thou turne awaie thy face from me Where be thine old mercies O Lord whom thou hast stablished in thy truth Wilt thou now O Lord God cease to shew mercie Or wilt thou withdrawe thy goodnesse in displeasure Hast thou cast me awaie for euer that thou wilt neuer hereafter be pleased with me Thine hand is not weakened but it may helpe and thine eares be not stopped that they refuse to heare How long shall my mind be troubled with painfull and heauie thoughts How long shall sorowe torment mine hart How long shall mine enimie haue the vpper hand of me Looke towards me Lord GOD and heare my praier Giue light to mine eies for I haue slept too long in death and my sinnes haue preuailed against me Turne againe O Lord turne againe and deliuer my soule and saue me for thy great mercie sake Lo now is the accepted time now be the daies of health and grace In death who shall remember thee In hell who shall laud or praise thee He that liueth he that liueth shall praise thee and shall make thy mercie knowne Lord rebuke me not in thine anger nor punish me in thy great displeasure Cast not thy darts at me nor laie not thy heauie hand vpon me For I haue borne thine anger a long while of the cup of thy high displeasure I haue droonke verie deepe There is no health in my flesh for feare of thy displeasure I haue no peace nor rest when I behold my sinnes Mine iniquities be gone ouer mine head and like an heauie burden they dailie presse me downe The wounds in my soule doo fester and stinke euen through mine owne follie I am a wretch cast awaie from thy fauour and presence and go moorning all the daie long My soule is full of filthinesse and no part of mee is whole and sound Wherfore mine enimies doo persecute me the more the greatnes of my paine maketh me to rore and crie My heart fainteth and trembleth within me and my strength is gone awaie O Lord thou knowest my desire and thou seest my necessitie Forgiue me all my sinnes O Lord God almightie for thine owne sake and put out of thy sight my hainous offences for according to thy goodnesse thou hast promised forgiuenesse of sinnes to them that doo pennance Haue mercie on me Lord for the glorie and honour of thy name and be no longer displeased with me and then thou shalt surelie be knowne to be iust and true in thy words shalt ouercome when thou art iudged For by this thy great grace shall be knowne that thou takest mercie on them which haue not whereof they may glorie in thy sight And all the dwellers on the earth shall learne and knowe thy goodnesse when thou shalt confer and giue thy benefits to vs for thy great name sake and not after our euill waies and wicked deeds Uerelie Lord God except thou shew vnto vs thy manifold mercies the world shall not haue life nor they that dwell therein And if thou helpe vs not with thy goodnesse how may they which haue offended be raised vp from their sinnes Haue mercie on me O good Father haue mercie on me and for thy glorious name be no longer angrie with me Take me a sinner vnto thy mercie for the name of thy holie Sonne Iesu whome thou hast sent to be the obteiner of mercie for our sinnes through faith in his bloud Behold holie Father behold thy child whome thou hast chosen behold thy welbeloued Sonne in whome thy soule delighteth vpon whome thou hast put thy holie spirit and sent him to preach the Gospell to the poore to heale them which for their sinnes be sorowfull and contrite to comfort them that mourne to preach pardon to the prisoners and sight to the blind Behold thy little one which was borne for vs behold thy Sonne which is giuen to vs whome thou hast not spared but giuen to death for vs all to be a sweet offering and sacrifice to thee Uerelie he tooke vpon him in his bodie our infirmities and he bare our paines He was made weake for our sinnes and he was wounded for our offences The correction for our peace was laid vpon him and by y e strokes that he suffered our wounds were healed All we went astraie like sheepe euerie one followeth his owne waie and thou O Lord puttest on him our iniquitie striking him for the offences of thy people He gaue his bodie to be beaten and his cheekes to be stricken he turned not awaie his face from them that scorned him Through his loue and mercie he hath redeemed them that were lost and by his bloud shead on the crosse he hath pacified all things in heauen and earth He gaue himselfe to death and made his praiers for them which were offenders Looke O mercifull Father and consider who it is that thus did suffer and remember I beseech thee for whome he hath suffered For this is that innocent whome thou gauest to death for vs euen then when we were sinners and shall we not being now iustified by his bloud much rather be saued from wrath through him If we when we were yet enimies were reconciled to thee by the death of thy Sonne shall we not being reconciled much rather be saued by his life Behold that pure and immaculate Lambe which taketh awaie the sinnes of the world by whose pretious bloud we are redeemed from our iniquities Looke vpon that most meeke innocent which like a Lambe was led to his death and being most cruellie intreated once opened not his mouth Behold thine onlie Sonne whome although thou begattest of thine almightie power substance and nature yet thou wouldest he should be partaker of mine infirmitie Which being God in nature thought it no rauine to be equall with God but made himselfe lowe taking vpon him the shape of a seruant and comming in the similitude of sinfull flesh condemned sinne in the flesh submitting himselfe vnto thee O Father euen to the death of the crosse and there put out the hand-writing that was against vs conteined in the lawe written and taking it out of the waie fastned it to his crosse on the which he spoiled potestates and powers and made a shew of them openlie and triumphed ouer them in his owne person Turne the eies of thy Maiestie O Lord God and looke vpon
towards thee being like a deceitfull bowe My pride and presumption accuse me to my face I am ouerthrowne in mine owne wickednesse I doo seeke thee O Lord I beseech thee that I may find thee thou art separated from me for I haue greedilie followed filthinesse Yet will I accuse mine owne sinfull waies before thee O Lord vntill thou haue mercie vpon me and receiue me againe into thy fauour God forbid that euer I should depart from thee againe and not diligentlie seeke for thy promises I will neuer hold my peace nor keepe silence vntill thou haue established that couenant with me which thou hast made and ordeined in times past That is to saie like as the iustice of a iust man shall not deliuer or saue him what time soeuer he shall offend so the wickednesse of a wicked man shall not hurt him what time soeuer he shall returne from his wickednesse In hope of this O Lord God I will tarie thy pleasure for thou art good to them that trust in thee and to the soule that seeketh thee Thou keepest thy truth for euermore and the words which issue foorth of thy mouth shall not be void and of none effect Destroie me not good Lord for my sinnes nor reserue not eternall punishment for me Open thine eies and behold the greatnesse of my paine and mine affliction for mine iniquitie is great in thy sight and my sinnes haue brought me into this trouble Destroie me not vtterlie nor leaue me in my sinnes for thou art God of mercie and verie gratious Execute not the punishment vpon me which thou haddest purposed doo to me according to thy name although my defaults and sinnes be manie O Lord thou art my God and thy name hath beene put vpon me leaue me not in the deepenesse of my troubles Thou hast chastised and reformed manie and hast strengthned the wearie hands thy words haue set vp him that staggered and thou hast made streight the crooked knees Wherefore I will seeke thee O Lord God which hast wrought great things vnsearchable innumerable Thou hast taken vp the poore out of the dust and hast exalted them which were abiects For thou dooest deliuer the poore in his miserie out of the straite and bottomlesse pit of tribulation and out of the wide mouth of anguish and affliction into rest and quietnesse Thou art gratious and mercifull for that thou shewest mercie to them which be not yet come into the world and thou art verie mercifull to them which diligentlie obserue and keepe thy lawes and thou dooest patientlie suffer sinners giuing them time and place wherby they may be changed from their malice Heare me poore wretch making supplication vnto thee for in thee and thy name I haue put my trust and affiance Take me thy seruant vnto thee and make me good and let me not be disappointed of that that I looke for Come againe O Lord God and saue my soule destroie me not whome thou hast redeemed by thy great might and power Looke not vpon the hardnesse of my hart nor vpon my sinnes but like as thou hast manie times shewed mercie so now be mercifull and forgiue me Heare me O Lord and be pacified regard my praier and doo according to thy great name O Lord I looke to haue helpe and saluation from thee and this is my dailie meditation and exercise For thy mercies be great and thy goodnesse is inestimable Heare me now fauourablie and with-hold thy mercies no longer from me In the waie of thy iudgements I will looke after thee my soule desireth to magnifie thy name and to haue thee in memorie Incline my hart to doo thy commandements and direct my waies euermore in thy sight Let me neuer heereafter go awaie from thy waies nor leaue me not now in the deepenesse of my troubles Turne not thine eies awaie from me but teach me O Lord to doo those things which are pleasant in thy sight Make a perpetuall league and couenant with me that thou wilt put thy feare into my heart that I neuer swarue from thee in all my life Withdrawe not thy goodnesse from me for euer but keepe thy promise and fidelitie Be good vnto me with beneuolence and fauour for thou art mercifull and thy displeasure continueth not for euer Remember me with fauour and kindnesse and visit me with thy saluation I knowe O Lord God that thou art gratious and mercifull patient and of great mercifulnesse Thou art good and mercifull thou keepest couenant and mercie with thy seruants which walke before thee in their whole heart There is none other God but thou which regardest and carest for all For thou hast beene euer verie mercifull to me deliuering my soule from the deepe hell Let thy goodnesse O Lord be euer with me for all my wealth resteth onlie in thee In the time of tribulation I call vpon thee O Lord for thou art nigh vnto them which call vpon thy holie name Succour me O God and looke merilie vpon me shew me the light of thy countenance in thee my soule trusteth and my hart reioiceth Let my praier come vnto thy throne bow downe thine eare vnto my crie Heare me now being penitent O Lord whom thou hast hitherto patientlie suffered to the intent I should repent and amend my life O God I haue opened vnto thee my life saue mee for thy name sake for my trust is in thee What care I for worldlie things this one thing onlie I need and desire that I may find grace and fauour in thy sight Wherefore I beseech thee O Lord take awaie from me this paine and sorrowe or at least-wise mitigate and asswage it either by comfort or by counsell or by what meanes soeuer it shall bee seene good to thee Another Psalme or complaint of a penitent sinner which is sore troubled and ouercome with sinne O Lord God mercifull and patient and of much mercifulnesse and truth Which for thine aboundant charitie and according to thy great mercie hast taken vs out from the power of darkenesse and hast saued vs by the fountaine of regeneration and new birth and the renewing of the holie Ghost whome thou hast shed vpon vs aboundantlie by Iesu Christ our sauiour If I haue found grace and fauour in thy sight suffer me to speake a word vnto thee and be not displeased with me Why dooest thou euer forget me and leauest me in the middest of my troubles and euils Where is become thy zeale thy strength Where is the multitude of thy tender affections and of thy mercies O Lord may not he which is fallen rise vp againe Or may not he which hath gone awaie from thee returne to thee againe Shall my sorrowe euer endure Shall my wound be incurable and neuer healed How commeth it to passe that I turne still awaie from thee My sinne dailie increaseth and of my selfe I can not returne In as much as it is not giuen to man to direct his owne waies neither to make perfect his owne
me Be pacified I saie and turne not thy face awaie from me which to the intent thou mightest redeeme me didst not turne awaie thy face from them that rebuked thee scorued thee and spitted vpon thee I confesse and acknowledge that I haue sinned and my conscience deserueth damnation and the penance that I am able to doo is not sufficient to make amends for mine iniquitie but sure and certaine I am that thy mercie exceedeth all offences that a man can doo Oh doo not I be seech thee most pitifull Lord write my heinous sinnes against me that thou shouldest enter into iudgement with thy seruant but according to the multitude of thy mercies now haue mercie vpon me and crosse and blot out all mine iniquities before I depart hence and shall be no more seene in this world For else wo be vnto me wretch that I am when the daie of iudgement commeth and the bookes of consciences shall be laid wide open when it shall be said of me Lo looke vpon this woman and hir works how wicked she is and abhominable they are What shall I doo then I saie O Lord my God when the heauens which I haue offended shall reueale and shew foorth mine iniquitie and the earth which I haue polluted shall arise vp and testifie my manifold misdeeds against me Behold I shall be able alas to giue neuer a word to answere but to stand in thy presence trembling quaking vtterlie confounded and holding downe my head for shame as condemned also by the testimonie of mine owne giltie conscience vnto eternall damnation Alas wretch that I am what shall I saie I will crie vnto thee O Lord my God Why am I consumed and fretted with holding my peace But if I should speake my greefe would not cease and if I hold my peace I shall be most bitterlie vexed within Go to therefore O my soule moorne and lament as a widowe for hir husband that she had in hir virginitie Howle wretch and crie out with weeping because thy spouse Christ hath forsaken thee O caitiffe crie alowd in the eares of thy God and saie O God almightie let not thine anger fall vpon me Deale not with me after my sinnes neither reward me after mine iniquities because that if thou laie so much to my charge as is due for my sinnes it is so much that I cannot receiue it surelie Lord my power is not able for to suffer or beare it Wherefore O Lord haue mercie vpon me least I despaire but in despairing I will take hart to me and be somewhat comforted For although I haue committed so much that thou maist condemne me woorthilie yet thou hast not lost that wherewith thou wast woont to saue sinners neither dooest thou reioice at the destruction and losse of them that die Yea to the intent that dead men might liue thou thy selfe didst die and thy death did kill the death of sinne and if they were reuiued againe and did liue by thy death I beseech thee let not me die now that thou liuest Send downe thy hand and power from high and deliuer me out of the hands of mine enimies that they reioice not ouer me and saie Let vs deuoure him Who euer O good Iesu needed to mistrust of thy mercie which when we were thine enimies didst redeeme vs with thy bloud and reconciled vs vnto God Behold therefore I being hid vnder the shadowe of thy mercie doo come vnto the throne of thy glorie requiring and I doo runne crieng and knocking vntill thou take pitie vpon me For if thou didst call vs to pardon and forgiuenesse before we laboured for pardon how soone shall we obtaine forgiuenesse when wee aske it Doo not remember O most bountifull Iesu thy iustice towards a sinner but thinke vpon thy liberalitie and gentlenesse toward thy creature Doo not remember thine anger toward the giltie but remember thy pitie and mercie toward a wretch Forget me in that I proudlie did prouoke and mooue thee vnto wrath and looke vpon a wretch that calleth vpon thee For what is Iesus but a Sauiour Therefore O good Iesu for thine owne sake arise and helpe me and saie vnto my soule I am thy health and thy safegard Thus I presume much and am verie bold of thy goodnesse O Lord because thou dooest teach vs to aske to seeke and to knocke wherfore I being admonished by thy word doo aske seeke and knocke And thou O Lord that commandest vs to aske make mee able to receiue Thou that giuest counsell to seeke grant that I may finde Thou that teachest vs to knocke open to me when I knocke and confirme me which am vnstable and wauering Restore me that am lost raise me that am dead and vouchsafe to direct and gouerne in thy fauour all my senses my thoughts and dooings that from hencefoorth I may serue thee I may liue toward thee and that I may commit my selfe vnto thee I knowe O my Lord that through this that thou hast made me I owe and am in debt vnto thee euen mine owne selfe and because thou hast redeemed mee and wast made man for my sake for this I owe vnto thee more than my selfe Lo I haue no more neither can I giue that which I haue vnto thee without thee but doo thou take me and drawe me vnto thee that I may be thine in following and louing thee like as I am thine in condition and creation which liuest and reignest one God in blessed Trinitie worlds without end Amen The PSALTER which S. AVGVSTINE composed out of euerie Psalme of Dauid a verse for the vse of his Mother O Lord God almightie and king of eternall glorie who dooest acknowledge him to be a blessed man that abhorreth the waie of sinners and doth meditate in thy lawe daie and night Teach thou me a wretched sinner faithfullie to serue thee with feare and trembling of the heart And seeing with all humilitie of hart I doo call vnto thee with my voice heare me haue mercie vpon mee and so harken vnto my praier that neither thou for thy part rebuke me in thy wrath nor that old enimie to mankinde lieng in wait for his part to deuoure my soule like a Lion and teare it in peeces while there is none to helpe But Lord whose name is excellent in all the world turne thou mine enimie backe that he fall againe and perish at thy presence Let him not intrap my soule with his firie snares and suffer not brimstone and stormie tempests to torment me But for the oppression of the needie and for the sighings of the poore now thou dooest arise behold and heare me O Lord my God because thou art the counsell and trust of the poore Make me to walke vprightlie and to worke righteousnesse that thy fauourable kindnesse may be the portion of mine inheritance Keepe me as the apple of thine eie Hide me vnder the shadowe of thy wings because thou art my strength my rocke and my refuge Cleanse me frō my secret
my soule Preserue my going out and my comming in that my feet may stand in the courts of Ierusalem I lift vp mine eies vnto thee that dwellest in the heauens Deliuer my soule out of the snare of the foulers least I put foorth mine hands vnto wickednesse Fill my mouth with laughter and my tongue with ioie replenish my longing with good things that thy beloued may find rest and blesse me out of Sion that I may see the welth of Ierusalem hauing escaped the cords of wickednesse Let thine eares attend vnto the voice of my praiers O Lord. Let not mine hart be hautie nor mine eies loftie but giue me grace to thinke humblie vntill I find a place for the Lord an habitation for the mightie God of Iacob There the Lord hath appointed the blessing and life for euer There will I lift vp mine hands to thy sanctuarie and praise thee who iudgest thy people and art pacified towards thy seruants O God of gods and Lord of lords now weeping and worshipping towards thine holie temple trie me and knowe me marke and consider my paths and leade me in thy waie for euer Deliuer me O Lord from the euill man and preserue me from the cruell man Let my praier be directed in thy sight as incense Bring my soule out of prison that I may praise thy name Heare my praier O Lord in thy righteousnesse and enter not into iudgement with thy seruant Heare me speedilie O Lord least my spirit faile me for thou God art my refuge and my deliuerer And forasmuch as thou art great and most woorthie to be praised and thy greatnesse is incomprehensible raise vp the crooked loose the shackeled and giue sight to the blind thou which dooest build vp Ierusalem And when thou hast made the barres of thy gates strong let me be coupled to thy children within As the Angels and all the powers in the kingdome of heauen doo praise thee there let me triumphing gloriouslie in the congregation of the Saints with the sounding Cimbals of my lips praise and magnifie thy name the which is holie and glorious and reigneth now and euerlastinglie Amen Shus-hanna hir Psalter conteining verie deuout praiers for remission of sinnes for the auoiding of all kind of sinne and for the leading of a godlie life O Almightie and euerliuing GOD thou God of al power before whose eies all things be naked and bare O Lord thou great and terrible God I saie that keepest couenant mercie with them that loue thee and doo thy commandements Let thine eares bee open that thou maist heare the praiers of thy seruant which I make before thee at this time and let them ascend vp before thy presence and be accepted in thy sight for Iesus Christs sake Haue mercie vpon me thy poore creature and worke of thine hands For I haue sinned and done wickedlie and haue offended thy Maiestie greeuouslie in that I haue gone backe and departed from all thy precepts and iudgements and haue not followed thy seruants the Prophets that spake vnto me in thy name but haue from daie to daie prouoked thy iust wrath and indignation against me O Lord I acknowledge and confesse vnto thee my manifold sinnes and wickednesse the which I haue vnrighteouslie most greeuouslie committed against thee in thought word and deed from my youth vp vntill this daie for the which I am now taught by thy word and grace to be hartilie sorie and doo vnfeinedlie repent purposing euermore through the assistance of thy grace to walke in a new life Desiring thee for the pretious bloud-shedding of Iesus Christ thy deere Sonne our Lord to haue mercie vpon me and forgiue me all those mine offences according to thy great mercie and promise which hast said At what time so euer a sinner dooth repent him of his sinne from the bottome of his hart I will put all his wickednesse out of my remembrance O Lord remember not therefore the multitude of my misdeeds I beseech thee but according to thy great mercies thinke vpon me Call to remembrance for Christs sake thy louing kindnesse and thy tender mercie the which hath euer beene of old Hide not thy face from me nor cast not off thy seruant in thy displeasure For thy mercies sake deliuer me from all my sinnes and make me not a scorne vnto the foolish Turne not awaie thy mercie from me but let thy most louing kindnesse and truth alwaie preserue me Helpe me for thy name sake and deliuer me in thy strength Heare my praier O Lord and consider the words of my mouth for my misdeeds preuaile against me O bee thou mercifull vnto my sinnes Let the sorowfull sighing of the prisoner come before thee O Lord and comfort the soule of thy seruant for vnto thee doo I flie for succour Satisfie me with thy mercie and that soone so shall I reioice and be glad in thee all the daies of my life Looke not extreamlie what is done amisse in me for I haue sinned against heauen and before thee and am no more woorthie to be called thy child yet Lord of thy great goodnesse powre downe some of the crums that fall from thy childrens table and make me as one of the least of them Reward me not according to my deseruings for then I must needs perish for vnto me perteineth nothing but open shame confusion and damnation but with thee there is mercie forgiuenesse and plentious redemption Therefore I come vnto thee O Lord thou louer of soules not hoping in mine owne righteousnesse but trusting onlie in the multitude of thy great mercies which thou hast made and laid foorth before the eies of all people offering saluation to the whole world and hast promised that whosoeuer he or she be of the whole generation of man that will receiue grace repent and turne vnfeignedlie from his sinnes shall haue free remission and forgiuenesse through Iesus Christ our Lord which is our onelie aduocate and mediator in whome our saluation lieth and of whome thou hast said This is my deere Sonne in whome I am well pleased and well pacified For this thy Sonnes sake by whome I am bold to come vnto thee which appeareth now in thy sight making continuall intercession for vs haue mercie vpon me O thou mightie God cleanse me from all my sinnes and doo awaie all mine iniquities Oh let me feele thy mercies towards me for I doo confesse my sinnes vnto thee O Lord and hide not mine vnrighteousnesse I doo acknowledge mine offences and accuse my selfe before thee of all my misdeeds Helpe me O God my sauiour for the glorie of thy name O deliuer me and forgiue me my sinnes for thy rich mercies sake Remember not the offences of my youth O Lord but thinke vpon thy great mercies and couenant made vnto me in Christ Iesus For thy tender mercie sake laie not my sinnes to my charge but forgiue that is past and giue me grace to amend my life to decline from sinne and incline to
vertue that I may walke with an vpright hart a cleane conscience and single eie before thee this daie or night and euermore Put me not from thy presence oh thou God of all comfort but incline thine eare vnto my calling Strengthen thy seruant with the power of thy right hand and helpe thine handmaiden Comfort my soule with thy sweet promises and let thy mercies couer mine infirmities O most mercifull Father consider mine infirmities I saie which are manie and great beare with mine imperfection for thy Sonne my sauiour Iesus Christes sake which had good experience of our infirmitie that he might be mercifull vnto all them that are afflicted Consider the enimie hath gotten an open waie into my flesh wherein I confesse that there dwelleth nothing but sinne wretchednesse and miserie Yea O Lord I acknowledge that I was borne in sinne and conceiued in wickednesse and am by nature a child of wrath For in my flesh dwelleth no good thing and of my selfe I am not able to thinke a good thought much lesse doo that thou in thy lawe requirest of me to bee done which hast said Cursed is he that continueth not in all things that are written in the lawe to doo them Againe the lawe is spirituall but I am carnall sold vnder sinne Therefore O Lord my God I call vnto thee for grace which hast said Aske and yee shall haue seeke and yee shall finde knocke and it shall bee opened vnto you to preuent and drawe my will to all goodnesse for none can come vnto thee except he be drawne and except we be borne from aboue we cannot see the kingdome of God Assist me therefore and guide me with thy holie spirit from time to time Drawe me and I shall runne after thee and giue me strength and ablenesse through Christ our Lord to accomplish and fulfill thy righteous will and to stand against all the assaults of the diuell that they may haue no place in me but that the old man which I beare about in my bodie may be crucified and dailie die in me that the lusts of sinne may vtterlie be destroied that I may euermore be renewed in the spirit of my mind and that the life of Christ may alwaies appeare in me Good Lord for thy great mercies sake deliuer me from all kinds of euill namelie from the spirit of pride boasting vaine-glorie hypocrisie wantonnesse haughtinesse of mind presumption selfe-loue and make mee poore in spirit humble meeke gentle and lowe in mine owne sight that I lift not vp my selfe aboue my brethren and sisters but esteeme my selfe to be as a seruant and hand-maiden to all men and women to doo them good after the example of Christ who came not to be ministred vnto but to minister who also hath said Blessed are the poore in spirit Againe Thou resisteth the proud but giuest grace to the humble Take from me my stonie vnbeleeuing blind doubtfull vnfaithfull and vnthankefull hart and giue me an hart of flesh to loue and incline to thy will my carnall secure and impenitent hart take awaie from me and giue me an hart to feare loue and obeie thee write thy lawe in my hart graue it in my mind that I may beleeue trust and liue in thee for euer Take from me the wicked spirit of suspicion enuie hatred variance strife sedition sects euill gealousie vaine surmises murmuring and grudging backbiting or slandering of anie especiallie such as be in authoritie and ministers of thy holie word O Lord keepe me from all wrath malice and hastinesse all respect of persons in the faith all idolatrie superstition vanities lieng euill words debate contention murther theft false-witnesse-bearing flattering dissimulation hypocrisie blasphemie and vaine swearing by the name of God his works or creatures from all lightnesse idle words and all vnstablenesse of hart Oh Lord deliuer thou my hart from all surfeting dronkennesse gluttonie and leacherie and from all filthinesse of the flesh and spirit from all vncleane thoughts and vnlawfull desires euill concupiscence fornication adulterie and lusts of the bodie Take vtterlie from me also couetousnesse and inordinate care of riches all deceipt and guile or dooing of wrong to anie in my calling and office all idlenesse sloth and beastlie securitie and giue me not ouer vnto an vnshamefast and obstinate minde but hold me alwaies vnto thy nourture and correction and bow my hart alwaies vnto thee that I may serue thee all the daies of my life in such holinesse and righteousnes as is acceptable before thee Giue me thy grace oh Lord that I may haue thee alwaies before mine eies that I may also haue a respect vnto thy iudgements that whatsoeuer I saie thinke or doo it may be agreeable to thy holie will and word that I be not minded as the vngodlie and wicked men and women are let me haue no pleasure in such things as please them and grant that whensoeuer I be ouertaken with anie kind of sinne and wickednesse either in thought word or deede or that I feele mine owne infirmitie and weakenesse I may immediatelie with hartie repentance returne to thee againe and not to lie still in the securitie of sinne Make me able and contented with patience to heare all occasions of offence when they be offered or giuen me and not to recompense euill for euill and suffer me not good Lord to giue occasions of euill to anie man and if I doo make me willing to confesse my fault and to amend it Giue me grace that I neuer enuie anie good mans loue or womans because they doo either loue God and his people more than I or else that they be beloued of him or his more than I. Make me to reioice in other mens gifts and not to enuie them because they be better than mine but rather to giue thanks for them with all my hart desiring that they may be increased in them and in me Increase my faith O Lord my sauiour in thee and in thy Christ make it strong to beleeue thy promises Increase my loue O my redeemer to thee and to thy righteous people and make it perfect true and vnfeined to all vertue and godlinesse Increase a sure hope in me of my saluation O my iustifier without doubt or wauering in aduersitie and without pride or presumption in prosperitie so that I may serue thee with reuerence and godlie feare all the daies of my life Increase in me strength to resist sinne and to get the victorie and masterie to stand against all euill temptations and assaults of the flesh the world and the diuell that they may haue no place in me and that according to thy promise I be neuer further prooued nor tempted than thou wilt giue me strength to ouercome Increase in me O Lord all other vertues agreeable to a godlie life for I come vnto thee my God as vnto the well and euerlasting fountaine of all health and saluation Good Lord giue me grace therefore all the daies of this my
pilgrimage to walke with a good conscience and pure mind both before thee and towards all men in my dooing that I be not a reader of thy holie word and a talker onlie but that it may appeare also in my life and conuersation Regenerate my hart with the spirit of grace dailie more and more giue me an inward taste and feeling of thy fauour and mercie towards me in Christ Iesu our Lord that I may knowe thee to be my God and Father and my selfe to be thy child for euermore Assist thy seruant against this world with the vaine pompe pleasures and beautie thereof that it may be vnto me as vile dust filth and slime that I may vse it as though I vsed it not and that it may serue me and I not it that I may take my part thereof vnto my necessitie with thanks-giuing that I doo not vse thy creatures voluptuouslie but that I may liue soberlie and godlie in this present life to thy glorie Preserue and defend thy seruant from all false opinions that I be not deceiued and caried awaie in the errour of the wicked but that I may growe in grace and knowledge of our Lord and sauiour Iesus Christ O Lord giue me wisedome knowledge and vnderstanding to perceiue those false lieng and flattering spirits which doo deceiue the harts of innocents and begile vnstable soules Giue me also O Lord a right a reuerent and a pure iudgement and vnderstanding of thy holie word and to auoide all rash iudgements and peruerse interpretations that I may neuer swarue from the true sense and meaning therof and grant that my cheefest felicitie may be in the same thy holie word in hearing reading and talking of it and in watching praier fasting mortifieng mine owne will and members O Lord plant in me true obedience to thy lawe and let not the cares of this world choke thy word in me Make me to lift vp my hart oftentimes to thee and if I chance to fall or slip make me to thinke on thee and to be sorie with a stedfast purpose of amendment Oh Lord I offer vp my selfe whollie with all my crooked and corrupt nature so much as it is in will and works vnto thy mercie to be corrected and reformed at thine owne will and pleasure O let not the hand of the vngodlie cast me downe but saue my soule O my Lord God whither it bee through prosperitie or aduersitie losse or gaine sickenesse or health life or death Aid strengthen succour and defend thy seruant in all aduersities tribulations and temptations and suffer me not to be tempted aboue my strength Increase my ioie and comfort in thee and thy holie spirit that I may reioice in all trouble and affliction and imbrace the same to my consolation and comfort and thinke my selfe happie when I am counted woorthie to suffer anie trouble for thy name sake Take from mine hart the thoughts of earthlie comforts onlie set before mine eies the ioie of the crosse of Christ that I may take comfort therein and despise the shame for the great reward that is laid vp in heauen for all those that with patience suffer in aduersitie and continue in well-dooing vnto the end Oh Lord take from me I saie a carefull hart in all worldlie things let them be vile vnto me for thy sake and grant that neither pouertie oppresse me and driue me to despaire or falshood neither wealth and prosperitie lift me vp to forget thee or my selfe but that in prosperitie I may be thankfull and in aduersitie patient and humble Lord let me be merie without lightnesse sad without mistrust sober without dulnesse fearing thee without desperation trusting in thee without presumption let me not be merie with the ioie that is without thee and let me desire nothing besides thee Good Lord giue me ioifulnesse of hart and peace of conscience continuall gladnesse and consolation in thy word and promises that I may euermore be thankfull vnto thee and praise thy name for euer Let thy kingdome come vnto me which is righteousnesse peace and ioie in the holie Ghost long suffering gentlenesse goodnesse faithfulnesse meekenesse temperance strength and patience with all such like vertues as are prescribed vnto me in thy holie word Grant me O God a tender louing and mercifull hart towards my brethren long amitie and perfect patience to beare all things well that thy prouidence shall see meet to laie vpon me Of thy fatherlie mercie O God leaue me not to my selfe but stand thou alwaies by me For I am too weake of mine owne power to doo anie thing that is good but my righteousnesse and strength lieth onelie in thee Therefore O Lord I come vnto thee requiring mercie in thy sight and the assistance of thy grace that I may bee strengthened with power in the inward man and be armed at all assaies with thine holie complet armour which is the breast-plate of righteousnesse the sheeld of faith the hope of saluation for an helmet and the swoord of the spirit which is thy holie word that I may stand perfect in all that is thy will and bee found woorthie through Christ to receiue a crowne of life which thou hast promised to all them that loue thee in purenesse of mind Now therefore O Lord I giue ouer my selfe into thine holie hands desiring thee for Christs sake that I thus armed may remaine vnder the protection and strong defence of thy power and that thine holie Angels may pitch their tents round about me and compasse me alwaies And I beseech thee O Lord giue vnto thy seruant the strength of thine holie spirit to subdue this bodie of sinne with the whole lusts thereof that it may bee made obedient both in will mind and members to doo thine holie will that when thou shalt appeare to reward euerie one according to their deeds I may reioice and not be ashamed of thee at thy comming Moreouer O Lord I beseech thee thinke vpon all thy people which are straied here and there from the farthest part of the earth which be entered into couenant with thee and are minded to walke after thy will Grant O Lord that we may growe togither in loue through the knowledge of thy word to keepe the vnitie of the spirit through the bond of peace to the vtter confounding of errour and all false opinions and to keepe vs cleane from all hypocrisie and superstition and to make vs strong in all trouble and affliction O heauenlie Father grant vnto me and all other I saie wheresoeuer they be dispersed throughout the vniuersall world which professe thy holie word so to liue that we may die to sinne and lead a godlie conuersation walking innocentlie before thee Rule and confirme our harts with thy spirit O Lord lighten our minds and guide vs alwaies with the lightsome lampe of thine holie Gospell Gouerne and preserue thy Church and defend those Realmes and Cities that giue succour and harbour to thy people make vs all diligent
and happie in the works of our vocation take into thy custodie for euer our soules and bodies our liues and all that euer we haue Be gratious and fauourable oh Lord to all men and euen to our verie enimies and according to thy good will and purpose forgiue them their sinnes conuert vnto thy truth all those whom thou hast appointed in Iesus Christ to saluation Be mercifull O God to all our brethren and sisters that suffer anie kind of persecution or affliction whether in mind or in bodie especiallie such as suffer for thy name and Gospell giue them patience constancie and stedfast hope till thou send them full and good deliuerance of all their troubles Be gratious to all those whom thou hast coupled and linked to vs in loue and friendship whose harts thou hast mooued to praie for vs to wish vs good to succour and helpe vs in our necessities grant vs all thy blessing and holie spirit to sanctifie vs in the vnitie of faith and dwell in vs for euer Finallie oh Lord haue mercie vpon mine husband children and familie which thou hast giuen vs make me to be content with him as thy gift and increase thy feare in our harts that we may trulie loue thee and one another of vs in thee so that we may be pure both in soule and bodie and may godlie liue togither according to thine holie ordinance Giue him an hart of wisedome and vnderstanding and set thy feare alwaie before mine eies that as Ioseph cast off all surmises of the mis-behauiour of Marie his spouse and obeied the word of thine holie Angel so he may beare with mine imperfections and bee obedient in word deed and thought to all that is thy will Oh Lord giue vs the power of thy spirit to gouerne our selues holilie and to rule and bring vp these our children and familie in all godlie feare nurture information of the Lord and knowledge of thy holie word and that we may be alwaies vnto them an example in all godlinesse and vertue to the praise of thine holie name Plant in mine hart all vertues that be necessarie and requisite in a Christian woman giue mee grace so to vse them and all other good gifts which I haue receiued at thy mercifull hands as may be most to thy glorie and praise to my consolation and saluation and to the profit of thy Church Behold Lord although I am but dust earth and ashes yet I haue taken vpon me and am bold to come and make these petitions and requests vnto thee not trusting in mine owne woorthinesse or righteousnesse which I doo acknowledge with the Prophet to be stained and defiled but onlie in thy great mercie and promise and through the merits of Christs death bloud-shedding to laie mine humble praiers before thee requiring mercie pardon and forgiuenesse of all my sinnes and also the assistance of thy grace to doo thy will all the daies of my life and to obteine all these my petitions O therefore heare me speedilie good Lord forgiue me fauourablie O Lord and tarie not ouerlong but for thine owne sake doo it and for thy deere Sonne Iesus Christs sake in whom all thy promises are Yea and Amen which is our onelie Redeemer Mediator Sauiour and Iustifier to whom with thee O Father and the holie Ghost be all honour glorie and praise now and euer Amen Another good and godlie praier to be said at all times of euerie Christian both man and woman O Almightie and euerlasting GOD Father Sonne and holie Ghost thou that hast made heauen and earth and all things in them conteined haue mercie vpon me poore wretched sinner dailie assaulted with all kind of miserie and wretchednesse I beseech thee O Father for the loue of thy Sonne Iesus Christ consider my weakenesse frailtie and imperfection and haue mercie vpon me Increase thy graces in me my souereigne Sauiour my deere Redeemer and mine onelie Iustifier For I come vnto thee O Lord according to the words of our Sauiour Christ who hath said Come vnto me all ye that labour and are laden and I will ease and refresh you Oh most mercifull Father ease me of and from the great burden of my sinne which I haue vnrighteouslie committed against thee either in thought word or deed and refresh my soule dailie with thy mercies Sprinkle me with the sweet hysop of thy mercie and then shall I be cleane wash me and then shall I be whiter than snowe Powre vpon me ioie and gladnesse and make my bones reioice which thou hast smitten Turne thy face from my sinnes and put out all my misdeeds Make me a cleane heart O God and renew a right spirit within me Cast me not awaie from thy presence and take not thy holie spirit from me Oh giue me the comfort of thy helpe againe and stablish me with thy free spirit Then shall I teach thy waies vnto the wicked that sinners may be conuerted vnto thee Deliuer me from bloud guiltinesse O God thou that art the God of my health that my tongue may praise thy righteousnesse Open my lips O Lord then shall my mouth shew foorth thy praise Consider mine imperfection and helpe it with thy mercies Remember thine old woonted mercies and faithfull promises made vnto our forefathers Abraham Isaac and Iacob and all other Patriarchs Prophets Apostles Martyrs and other thy Saints in our Sauiour Christ Iesus who being compassed with infirmitie and weakenesse of the flesh came vnto thee O Lord as vnto the well and euerlasting fountaine of their health and saluation and thou mercifullie susteinedst them keepedst them deliueredst them in all their temptations and tribulations If their feet at anie time slipt or went out of the waie and committed sinne against thee yet thy mercie was alwaies readie so that thou by thine holie spirit diddest procure them to repentance so that they turned againe vnto thee which conuersion and turning againe thou mercifullie acceptedst at their hands For bicause they were desirous to liue perfectlie in thy sight thou preseruedst them so that they were found faithfull before thee O Lord thou art the same and thy yeeres endure for euer I beseech thee O Father beare mine imperfection and helpe it likewise with thy mercie if at anie time I happen to fall and commit sinne against thee as thou saiedst by thine holie Apostle Paule Let thy grace at all time be sufficient for me in such wise that I may immediatelie turne againe by true repentance vnto thee which conuersion and turning againe accept alwaies at mine hands for Iesus Christs sake so shall I be found perfect before thee For although the spirit bee willing yet is the flesh vntoward and weake Therefore doo I not leaue mine owne righteousnesse before thee For I knowe and confesse in me that is to saie in my flesh is nothing but plaine miserie wretchednesse and sinne Therefore doo I come vnto thee and beseech thee for Christes sake to extend thy mercifull hand towards me
and to doo awaie mine offences For I knowe O Lord that all grace and goodnesse commeth of thee and therefore art thou praised loued and feared in the congregation among the Saincts For thou art onlie he that giuest victorie O Lord of hosts and that as thou saiest by thy Prophet neither through an host of men nor through strength but through thy spirit Therefore I beseech thee giue me not onlie strength and knowledge of thee but also a readie earnest purpose and will to subdue mine imperfections and grace at all times to liue as thou in thy holie word hast prescribed vnto me Moreouer I beseech thee make me perfect in thy sight that I may render continuall thanks by Iesus Christ to thee And where I haue not hitherto indeuored my selfe according to that power which thou hast giuen me to liue after thy will I praie thee forgiue me for Iesus sake And now I protest before thee through the helpe of the spirit to order my life from hence foorth according to thy word and to walke perfectlie before thee neuerthelesse I beseech thee for Christes sake at all times to beare the imperfections that shall or may at anie time be found in me and deliuer me by thy power and mercie Increase my faith O my sauiour increase my faith O my iustifier increase my faith O my redeemer increase faith hope and charitie and all other vertues in me consonant and agreeable to a godlie life For I come vnto thee the well and euerlasting fountaine of all health and saluation O my heauenlie Father let me and all other men and women liue in thy sight which seeke thy word to the intent to forsake sinne and all vngodlie liuing and to walke in a godlie conuersation innocentlie before thee And I thanke thee O Lord with all my hart and mind that it hath pleased thee of thy great mercie and goodnesse to create and forme me of the mould of the earth and giuen me all my members requisite and needfull to the bodie and that it hath pleased thee to preserue all that which thou hast created in me sith the time of the creation vntill now and that it hath pleased thee to defend me this daie or night and all the daies and time of my life hitherto from all hurt and perils and deliuered me from the hour of temptation and tribulation as well when I was asleepe and forgetfull as when I remembred and called vpon thee And that it hath pleased thee to minister to my necessitie meate drinke and cloathing inward reioicing quietnesse of mind health of bodie and such like and that it hath pleased thee to giue me this man and my brother in profession T. B. to be my husband vaile remedie consolation and comfort in my necessities Grant me grace in him O Lord trulie to honor loue serue and obeie thee for I knowe whatsoeuer I doo to him be it good or euill it shall be rewarded of thee Lighten vs dailie with thy grace that we may gouerne our selues the houshold and children which thou hast giuen vs in the true faith feare and knowledge of thee so that it may be an acceptable sacrifice vnto thee by Iesus Christ our Lord. And seeing it hath pleased thee O Father to lighten the inward eies of my mind with thy grace and to call me from the great blindnesse of ignorance and sinne wherein all men are borne to the knowledge of thee let it now more as S. Paule saith please thee to preserue me and all other whome thou hast called which are dailie oppressed by sinne which desire to turne and to come vnto thee of what tongue or nation soeuer they be through the whole world And seeing it hath pleased thee to call me by grace to the knowledge of thy word giuen me a will to seeke it to loue and beleeue it let it be thy will to direct my waies that I erre not Oh staie my feet with thy holie hand and preserue me with thine arme for I am else farre too weake without thee I can doo nothing Oh let me liue in thy sight O Lord and put me not from thee but giue me a new hart and a new spirit yea a pure mind and a cleane conscience make thou in me then shall I be perfect before thee Then shall I call vpon thee in time of my trouble and offer acceptable sacrifice vnto thee by Iesus Christ euen the fruit of these lips which confesse thy name and patientlie receiue the cup of health at thy hand and call vpon thy name in time of aduersitie Oh heare my praier I beseech thee let my power and pleasure alwaie be in the tree of life and in the fruit thereof which standeth in the midst of the Paradise of God O accept this voluntarie sacrifice at my hand as the sweet smell of incense and let the lifting vp of my hart with my hands be an euening sacrifice pleasant and acceptable vnto thee through Iesus Christ our Lord to whome be euerlasting praise honor and glorie now and euer Amen Another Christian praier for grace and remission to be dailie vsed O Most mightie God mercifull and louing Father I wretched sinner come vnto thee in the name of thy deerelie beloued sonne Iesus Christ my onlie sauiour and redeemer and most humblie beseech thee for his sake to be mercifull vnto me and to cast all my sinnes out of thy sight and remembrance through the merits of his bloudie death and passion Powre vpon me O Lord thy holie spirit of wisedome and grace Gouerne and leade me by thy holie word that it may be a lampe vnto my feet a light vnto my steps Shew thy mercie vpon me so lighten the naturall blindnesse and darknesse of my hart through thy grace that I may dailie be renewed by the same spirit grace by the which O Lord purge the grosenesse of my hearing vnderstanding that I may profitablie reade heare vnderstand thy word heauenlie will beleeue and practise the same in my life conuersation euermore hold fast y t blessed hope of euerlasting life Mortifie and kill all vice in me that my life may expresse my faith in thee Mercifullie heare the humble suite of thy seruant and grant me thy peace all my daies Gratiouslie pardon mine infirmities and defend me in all dangers of bodie goods and name but most chieflie my soule against all assaults temptations accusations subtill baites and sleights of that old enimie of mankind Sathan that roring Lion euer seeking whome he may deuoure And heere O Lord I prostrate with most humble mind craue of thy diuine Maiestie to be mercifull vnto the vniuersall Church of thy Sonne Christ And especiallie according to my bounden dutie I beseech thee for his sake to blesse saue defend the principall member thereof thy seruant our most deere and souereigne Ladie Queene Elizabeth increase in hir roiall heart true faith godlie zeale and loue of the same and grant her
not blind my senses obstinate my maners sauage but let me delight in goodnesse and followe counsell and neuer loose the bridle to my tongue nor cruellie make a praie of the poore nor violentlie oppresse the weake nor vniustlie slander the innocent nor negligentlie regard inferiours committed to my charge Finallie let mee vse neither crueltie towards my seruants nor treacherie towards my friends nor violence vpon my neighbours O my God my mercifull God euen through thy beloued Sonne I beseech thee giue me grace to exercise my selfe in the works of mercie and in godlie cogitations namelie to weepe with them that weepe to instruct such as go astraie to helpe the afflicted to cherish the poore to comfort the sorowfull to releeue the oppressed to nourish the hungrie to refresh them which mourne to forgiue my debters to pardon them which haue hurt me to loue them which hate me to render for euill good to despise none but to honor all to imitate the vertuous to shun the wicked to embrace vertue to flee sinne in aduersitie to be patient in prosperitie to be continent to set a watch before my mouth and a seale of wisedome before my lips to despise earthlie and to couet after heauenlie things Thus my maker I haue asked much and yet haue deserued naught I confesse yet alas I confesse that not onlie I deserue not those blessings which I doo require but also doo deserue manie exquisit torments notwithstanding euen publicans harlots theeues who in a moment pluckt from out the iawes of the enimie are taken into the armes of the shepheard doo embolden me to doo as I doo Wherefore haue mercie vpon me O good Lord I beseech thee and vouchsafe fauourablie to heare me and grant my requests So be it A praier called ô bone Iesu necessarie to be said at all times for mercie and grace O Bountifull Lord Iesu Christ O sweet Sauiour O Christ the sonne of God haue pitie vpon me mercifullie heare me and despise not my praiers Thou hast created me of nothing thou hast redeemed mee from the bondage of sinne death and hell neither with gold nor siluer but with thy most pretious bodie once offered vpon the crosse and thine owne bloud shed once for all for my ransome Therefore cast me not awaie whome thou by thy great wisedome hast made despise me not whome thou hast redeemed with such a pretious treasure nor let my wickednesse destroie that which thy goodnesse hath builded Now whilest I liue O Iesu haue mercie vpon me For if I die out of thy fauour it will be too late afterward to call for thy mercie Whilest I haue time to repent looke vpon me with thy mercifull eies as thou didst vouchsafe to looke vpon Peter thine Apostle that I may bewaile my sinfull life and obteine thy fauour to liue and die therein I acknowledge that if thou shouldest deale with me according to thy iustice I haue deserued euerlasting death therefore I appeale to thy high throne of mercie trusting to obteine thy fauour not for my merits but for thy merits O Iesu who hast giuen thy selfe an acceptable sacrifice to the Father to appease his wrath and to bring all sinners trulie repenting and amending their euill life into his fauour againe Accept me O Lord among the number of them whome thou hast in Christ elected and chosen to saluation forgiue my sinnes giue me grace to leade a godlie and innocent life grant me the heauenlie wisedome inspire my hart with faith hope and charitie giue me grace to be humble in prosperitie patient in aduersitie obedient to my rulers faithfull vnto them that trust me dealing trulie with all men to liue chastlie in wedlocke or in this my single life to abhorre adulterie fornication and all vncleannesse to doo good after my power vnto all men to hurt no man that thy name may be glorified in me during this present life and that I afterward may atteine euerlasting life through thy mercie and the merits of thy pretious death and passion Amen A forme of praier conteining a paraphrasis of these words of Dauid in his 119. Psalme Order my steps in thy word and so shall no wickednesse haue dominion ouer me O Eternall God Father of our Lord Iesu Christ which with thine onlie begotten Sonne and the holie Ghost art the maker preseruer and helper of all creatures Upon thee doo I call in the name of Christ the Mediator Helpe and gouerne mee with thy holie spirit that with a stedfast purpose I may constantlie cleane vnto thy word that my steps my thoughts intents purposes actions and all the course of my life may be directed made conformable to thy commandements and promises and that I may euer haue thy word before mine eies to followe it as the onlie and most infallible rule of my life and lightsome lampe to my feet Order my steps in thy word that I may feare in my hart thy great wrath and threatnings against sinne and quake and tremble at the dreadfull examples of punishments which therefore from the beginning thou hast published in the world against all the wicked and vngodlie ones that haue and doo contemne thy word and that I may acknowledge those punishments to be forewarnings of thy iudgements to come in the which this most dreadfull sentence shall be pronounced against all the vngodlie Go yee cursed into euerlasting fire Order my steps in thy word that in true feare and awe of thy Maiestie I may tame my mind bridle my lusts keepe vnder mine affections rule mine imaginations restraine my thoughts represse and stop all vicious motions shun all wickednesse and kill the life of sinne in me Order my steps in thy word that in frights and feares in terrors and temptations in all astonishments troubles afflictions distresses and dangers bodilie or ghostlie with fixed eie and firme faith I may behold looke vpon thy grace and mercie which for thy sonne our Lord Iesus Christes sake is shewed and declared vnto vs in thy Gospell and neuer seeke thy will anie where else but in thy word and surelie persuade my selfe that trulie to be thy will which in thy word and promises is reuealed and set foorth Helpe me also O God I beseech thee that in all mine agonies feares I may cheere and raise vp my selfe with the heauenlie comfort of thy word and so with a constant faith in thy mercifull promises that I find there I may repose my trust and quiet my conscience in Christ my mercifull Mediator assuring my selfe vndoubtedlie that for his sake I shall be both heard receiued helped deliuered and saued Order my steps in thy word that in all this short course of my life I may be obedient vnto thee and serue thee faithfullie and diligentlie in my vocation that I may keepe my selfe within the limits of my charge and serue thee trulie in those works which thou requirest of me in my seuerall calling Order my steps in thy word that this
Sunne to set bicause we expect his arising againe in the morning no more ought we as men without hope to be sorie for the death of the bodie knowing that in the morning light of the resurrection it shall eftsoones arise receiue the soule againe to ioie or paine eternall VVhen the candles or lamps be light praie THanks be giuen to thee O Lord which after daie when night commeth hast giuen vs for the remedie of darknesse this artificiall light of the candle or lampe whereby we see and discerne those things in this night of our bodies which are expedient for vs to vse But especiallie we render immortall praise vnto thine holie Maiestie for the light of thy doctrine which thy Sonne against the horrour of sinne and ignorance hath brought vnto vs for a remedie against death eternall Grant we beseech thee O Lord of light and Maister of all truth that the most thicke and obscure clouds of our minds may be so driuen awaie and expelled by the lampe of thy grace and candle of knowledge and right vnderstanding that in bodie corporallie and in soule spirituallie wee may euer see by both these lights to glorifie thee both in our liues and in our deaths Thy word ô Lord is a lampe to our feete and a light vnto our paths O light thou our candle and make our darknesse to be light that with our lamps euer burning we may still watch for thy comming Amen Meditation THinke now that as without this materiall light of the candle all would be horrour and vncouth darknesse euen so without the spirituall light of Gods diuine word and wisedome all our light is darknesse our knowledge errour and our life death and vtter confusion Thinke also that as the candle is not put vnder a bushell but set on a candlesticke to giue light to all in the house so likewise ought we to let the light of our faith shine bright before men that other séeing our good works may therefore glorifie God Euening praiers for Sundaie to be said kneeling by the bedside before you make you vnreadie ¶ Here you may saie one of the confessions for the Sabboth daie as before pag. 384 387. WE render vnto thee euerlasting praises most mercifull Father for that of thy gratious fauour and loue towards vs thou hast vouchsafed to preserue vs this daie and the rest of our life hitherto vnder the shadowe of thy most mercifull protection beseeching thee also to take vs into thy tuition this present night and euer that we be not tempted with anie suggestion of Sathan but being thoroughlie armed with the holie Ghost we may haue power and force to resist his assaults by a sure faith and confidence in the bloud of thy blessed Sonne our Lord and Sauiour Christ Iesus Giue vs grace to repent vs of our sinnes vnfeinedlie to craue remission of them vncessantlie to imbrace thy holie word and commandements sincerelie and to expresse them in our liuing effectuallie whereby we may walke vprightlie in our conuersation with sure and certaine hope of the resurrection to eternall life by the merits of Christ Iesus that with the wise virgins we may be found waking and watching for his comming when he shall come to iudge the world with equitie and to reward euerie man according to the works of his bodie Grant vs grace most mercifull Father to behaue our selues so vprightlie in this life that then we may be made partakers of thy kingdome with thine elect there to liue in eternall ioie and felicitie world without end Amen Another Euening praier on the Lords daie O Almightie and eternall God Father of our Lord Iesu Christ which togither with thy Sonne and the holie Ghost didst create man after thine owne likenesse and breath into him the breth of life the which through thy goodnes continueth at thy pleasure Thou hast made of one bloud all mankind and assigned times and length of our life in this world thou giuest life to the people on the earth and breth to the walkers therein which if thou take awaie they shall depart and be turned into dust We blesse thee heauenlie Father and with all our harts giue thee thanks not onelie for sauing vs this daie from dangers but also from our cradles for defending both our soules and bodies from death Wherefore magnifie the Lord O our soules and our spirits reioice in God our Sauiour For he hath looked vpon the basenesse and afflictions of his seruants He that is mightie hath done for vs great things and holie is his name Wherefore we will praise the Lord for euermore bicause his mercie endureth from generation to generation on such as feare him We will shew foorth his power in the euening and when we go to bed we will remember his mercie Arise now our soules in the night praise your God In the beginning of the watches powre out your harts like water before the face of the Lord. For the Saints will be ioifull with glorie sing lowd vpon their beds Wherefore we also will praise thee continuallie and will confesse thy name for euermore For thou art the God which delighteth our harts and maketh our soules merie Therefore in the night we will thinke vpon thy benefits and our spirits shall consider of thy woonderous works For thou hast commanded that thy mercie be celebrated in the daie time and thy truth in the night season O our Lord and God of mercie gentlenesse patience pitie and truth which she west mercie vnto thousands and blottest out all our offences we lift vp our soules vnto thee and from our harts we praie thee put not before thine eies the horrible confusion vncleannesse and wickednesse of our minds being replenished with loathsome darknesse and ignorance full of doubtings and errors Our harts and will are turned from thee our God and all the powers and strength both of our soules and bodies are defiled and filthilie weakened but Lord of thy great merice blot out our offences looke vpon the troubles and dolours of our harts and forgiue all our sinnes For lo our soules are wounded and can not be holpen but onelie through mercie There is no health in our flesh bicause of thine anger neither is there rest in our bones bicause of our sins For our iniquities haue gone ouer our heads and as an heauie burden haue pressed vs down Our wounds are putrified and corrupt bicause of our foolishnesse Asswage thine anger and turne from thine indignation Pardon our faults remit all punishment and restore in vs the light of thy goodnesse which was lost O Lord heare O Lord forgiue harken O our God for thine owne sake For thy name is called vpon by vs. O God of heauen and earth in this euening tide doo we call vnto thee that remitting our sinnes which this daie especiallie we haue committed against thee in breaking thy Saboth and prophaning this our holie daie with our vnholie deeds speech and cogitations thou wouldest receiue vs into thy
protection and keepe vs and all ours this night that the diuell haue no power ouer vs. Be thou watchfull ouer vs O eternall Sauiour least the subtill tempter apprehend vs. For thou art made for vs an euerlasting protector For behold whether we sleepe or wake whether we liue or die we are thine thou art our Creator and redeemer Stand therefore on our behalfe in the watch with the armie of thy celestiall warriers thine Angels which being filled with perfect goodnesse and perpetuall integritie behold thy face alwaies in the heauens Expell from vs and our houses wicked spirits which bee our mortall enimies that they damage vs in no case and deliuer vs from persecutors which laie snares for our destruction Turne not away thy mercie and truth from vs. O God assist vs that peaceablie we may rest and sleepe in quiet We will laie vs downe in peace and sleepe For thou Lord alone makest vs to dwell in safetie without danger Hide vs in thy tabernacle O Lord that sitting in thy secret place and abiding vnder the shadowe of thy wings we may saie vnto thee Lord thou art our keeper and our refuge O God we will trust in thee and will feare no danger And although we were in extreame darknesse yet will wee not feare Though we should walke in the midst of the shadowe of death yet will we dread none euill for thou art with vs thy rod and thy staffe they doo comfort vs. Let thy mercie O God followe vs all the daies of our life that we may dwell in thy house in longnesse of daies praising thee euermore with the Sonne holie Ghost one true God reigning worlds without end Amen Another more large Euening praier with Confession O Lord God Father euerlasting and full of pitie we acknowledge and confesse that we be not woorthie to lift vp our eies to heauen much lesse to present our selues before thy Maiestie with confidence that thou wilt heare our praiers and grant our requests if we consider our owne deseruings For our consciences doo accuse vs and our sinnes beare witnesse against vs and we knowe that thou art an vpright iudge which dooest not iustifie the sinners and wicked men but punishest the faults of all such as transgresse thy commandements Yet most mercifull Father since it hath pleased thee to command vs to call on thee in all our troubles and aduersities promising euen then to helpe vs when we feele our selues as it were swallowed vp of death desperation we vtterlie renounce all worldlie confidence and flie to thy souereigne bountie as our onlie staie and refuge beseeching thee not to call to remembrance our manifold sinnes and wickednesse whereby we continuallie prouoke thy wrath and indignation against vs neither our negligence and vnkindnesse which haue neither woorthilie esteemed nor in our liues sufficientlie expressed the sweet comfort of thy Gospell reuealed vnto vs but rather to accept the obedience and death of thy Sonne who by offering vp his bodie in sacrifice once for all hath made a sufficient recompense for all our sinnes Haue mercie therefore vpon vs O Lord forgiue vs our offences Teach vs by thy holie spirit that we may rightlie way them and earnestlie repent for the same and so much the rather O Lord because that the reprobate such as thou hast forsaken can not praise thee nor call vpon thy name but the repenting hart the sorowfull mind the conscience oppressed hungering and thirsting for thy grace shall euer set forth thy praise and glorie And albeit we be but woorms dust yet thou art our Creator and we be the worke of thy hands yea thou art our Father and we thy children thou art our shepheard and we thy flocke thou art our redeemer we the people whom thou hast bought thou art our God and we thine inheritance Correct vs not therefore in thine anger O Lord neither according to our deserts punish vs but mercifullie chastise vs with a fatherlie affection that all the world may knowe that at what time soeuer a sinner doth repent him of his sins from the bottome of his hart thou wilt put awaie his wickednesse out of thy remembrance as thou hast promised by thy holie Prophet Finallie we humblie thanke thee O mercifull Father by thy deerelie beloued Sonne Iesus Christ our Sauiour for all thy benefits bestowed vpon vs from the beginning of the world to this time for our election our creation our redemption our sanctification continuall preseruation and namelie for that of thy mercie and goodnesse thou hast preserued vs this daie and all the time of our life hitherto from all misfortunes hurts and dangers bodilie ghostlie And forsomuch as it hath pleased thee to make the night for man to rest in as thou hast ordeined him the daie to trauell and that whither we sleepe or wake liue or die we are alwaies thine grant O deere Father that we may so take our bodilie rest this night that our soules and harts being kindled with the light of thy countenance may continuallie watch for the time that our Lord Iesus Christ shall appeare for our deliuerance out of this mortall life And in the meane season take thou O God care and charge of vs and all ours that we perish not in the works of darkenesse and that we not ouercome by anie fantasies dreames or other temptations may fullie set our minds vpon thee loue thee feare thee and rest in thee Furthermore that our sleepe be not excessiue or ouermuch after the insatiable desires of the flesh but onlie sufficient to content our weake nature that enioieng sweet sleepe and comfortable rest both in bodie and mind we may healthfullie and ioifullie rise againe and be the better disposed to liue in all godlie conuersation and perfect obedience of thy word to the glorie of thy holie name and profit of thy Church through Iesus Christ our Lord in whose name we furthermore make our humble petitions vnto thee not onlie for our selues but for all others whome thou wouldest we should continuallie praie for saieng as he in his holie word hath taught vs Our Father which art in heauen c. O Lord increase our faith strengthen it in thy manifold sweet promises and grant vs a perfect continuance therein to our liues end whereof we humblie make our confession saieng I beleeue in God c. Let thy mightie hand and out-stretched arme O Lord be still our defence thy mercie and louing kindnes in Iesu Christ thy deere Sonne our saluation thy true holie word our instruction thy life holie actions our imitation thy grace holie spirit our comfort consolatiō vnto the end in the end and the blessing of God almightie Father Sonne and holie Ghost be with vs and remaine with vs now euer Amen A forme of generall praier to be vsed in priuate houses and families euerie Euening O Lord prepare our harts to praier for if we praie with our lips onlie our praiers
are abhominable O teach vs therefore by thy holie spirit to praie rightlie according to thy will and giue eare gratiouslie to our calling O Gratious Lord louing Father according to thy commandement we doo heere present our selues before thy Maiestie humblie prostrating our selues before thy throne of mercie acknowledging and confessing from the bottom of our harts that we be miserable sinners dailie breaking thy commandements both in thought word and deede wherein we iustlie deserue euerlasting damnation and to be vtterlie throwne from thy presence Yet O Lord we see thy goodnesse againe towards vs who not suffering vs thus to perish in our sinnes hast sent thine owne deere Sonne Iesus Christ to take vpon him whatsoeuer is due to reconcile and make vs at one with thee againe In him therefore good Lord and through him doo we come vnto thee beseeching thee for his sake that we 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 stedfastlie beleeue that Christ hath borne the burthen of them euen for vs. Grant O Lord that we being assured heereof in our conscience may through thy holie spirit be renewed in the inward man to hate detest and abhorre sinne and to studie to liue acording to thy blessed will during this whole life We doo not onlie praie for our selues O Lord but also for all the whole Church especiallie such as be persecuted for thy word grant vnto them that whither it be by death or life they may glorifie thy name to their liues end Be mercifull to this Church of England and Ireland we beseech thee good Lord and preserue euerie part and member of the same especiallie thy seruant Elizabeth our gratious Queene and Gouernour Grant hir all such gifts as be needfull for so high a calling to the aduancement of thy glorie and the benefit of this Common-wealth to the establishing of a perfect gouernement of thy Church according to the prescriptrule of thy blessed word to the rooting out of all superstition idolatrie and relikes of Antichrist to the gouerning of hir subiects in all peace and tranquillitie Defend hir O Lord from all conspiracies treasons and rebellions and so worke in the harts of all hir subiects that knowing hir authoritie doth come from thy heauenlie Maiestie they may with obedient harts humblie obeie hir in thee and for thee Preserue the whole Counsell the Magistrates of the Realme that being lightened by thy holy spirit they may defend the truth suppresse wickednesse and mainteine equitie Behold all the pastors and preachers of thy word blesse their labours increase the number of them place ouer euerie Church a painefull watchman remoue all idle lubbers and confound the power of Antichrist and turne the harts of the people that they may be obedient to the truth Blesse the two Uniuersities Cambridge and Oxford and all the students of the same with all the Schooles of learning Behold all those that be afflicted with anie kinde of crosse that they may profit by thy correction in newnesse of life Lastlie for our selues heere gathered togither we render most hartie thanks to thy Maiestie O Lord which hast hitherto from our infancie preserued vs by thy mercie from all perils and dangers both of soule and bodie wherevnto fraile man is subiect that thou hast sent vnto vs all things necessarie for this present life as health food apparell and such like which manie of thy deere children doo want being notwithstanding as pretiouslie bought with the pretious bloud of thy deere Sonne as we be and yet lie in miserie and calamitie oppressed with pouertie nakednesse imprisonment and banishment in which case also deere Father thou mightest haue brought vs saue onlie that thou dealest heerein more fauourablie with vs than with them For the which thy louing kindnesse we giue thee hartie thanks desiring thee that as thou hast hitherto thus fauorablie in mercie preserued vs by thy protection and euen presentlie this daie hast brought vs past all the dangers thereof so we beseech thee good Lord in like fauour behold vs this night that we taking our naturall rest and quietnesse may through thy protection be so defended that our bodies resting our soules may be occupied in beholding thy fauour and mercie towards thy children still looking for the comming of our Lord and Sauiour Iesu Christ for our full redemption Grant that our sleepe be not immoderate according to the lusts of the flesh but as much as is sufficient to refresh our weake nature that being thus refreshed both the bodie the mind may be more able to doo their seuerall office and function in that vocation wherein thou hast placed vs. Grant that wee laieng our bodies downe to rest may be thereby put in mind of our long rest of death that as we doo laie downe our bodies in bed so we may be thereby admonished that hereafter they shall be laid down in graue to be consumed to dust earth and ashes from whence they were taken that we hauing this before our eies may be stirred vp in minde warilie to walke in this our pilgrimage not knowing when the time shall be of our departure but alwaies be found readie with our lamps of pure faith clearelie burning that we may be accepted to meet the bride groome when our mortall earthlie and corruptible bodies shall be made like to the glorious bodie of our Lord and Sauiour Christ Iesus there to reigne with him in perpetuall ioie consolation togither with all the elect children of GOD continuallie lauding with all the heauenlie multitude the glorious Maiestie of thee our Lord God and heauenlie Father in our Lord and Sauiour Iesu Christ In whose name for these thy mercies and whatsoeuer else thou knowest to be needfull for vs and thy whole Church we praie vnto thee as he himselfe hath taught vs saieng Our Father which art in heauen c. The Lord blesse vs and saue vs the Lord make his face to shine vpon vs and be mercifull vnto vs the Lord turne his fauourable countenance towards vs and grant vs his peace The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ the loue of God the Father and the most comfortable felowship of the holie Ghost be with vs preserue and keepe vs this night and euermore Amen VVhen you vncloth yourselfe and make you vnreadie to bedward praie THis our life and weake knit bodie by reason of sinne by little and little shall be dissolued and so shall be restored to the earth from whence it was taken then will be an end of this vanitie which by our foolishnes we haue wrought to our selues O most meeke Father so doo thou vntie and loose me for thou hast knit me togither that I may perceiue my selfe to be loosed and dissolued and so may remember both of whom I was made and also whither I go least I be had vnprepared vnto thy tribunali and iudgement
seate And as I willinglie now put off my garments which in the morning I shall put on again so let me not vnwillinglie put off this my bodie whensoeuer by death it shall please thee O God to call me especiallie for that I knowe that after the night of this world is expired I shall receiue it on againe in much better light to immortalitie So be it Put off the old man with his lusts and concupiscences and be content with Ioseph to put off your prison apparell that you may put on new I haue put off my cloaths how shall I put them on O Lord I will confesse my wickednesse and that of my selfe I haue nothing Cant. 5 3. VVhen you wash your feete praie thus to your selfe O Most meeke and louing Iesu the perfect paterne of all humilitie who being Lord of heauen and earth didst not disdaine to wash thy Disciples feet and wipe them cleane with the towell wherewith thou wast girt and that for our example to teach vs to loue and serue one another in thee haue mercie on me a miserable sinner which from top to toe both within and without am altogither polluted and defiled with sinne in thy sight And with Peter I humblie beseech thee vouchsafe now to wash me in the sweet bath of thy pretious bloud from all the filth and pollusions of my sinnes that I may be whiter than snowe Wash thou I saie not my feet onelie O Lord but my hands and head yea my verie hart soule and conscience also For if thou wash me not I shall haue no part with thee but if thou wash me I shall be cleane euerie whit in all parts yea cleaner than the glasse O wash mee therfore cleane from mine vncleannesse and doo awaie all my sinnes negligences and ignorances yea so purge and scowre all mine affections by thy grace and mercie that with both my feete that is to saie with perfect loue to thee and true charitie to my neighbor I may walke in the paths of thy peace by the direction of thy spirit and at the last come pure and cleane vnto thee my purifier to the confusion and shame of mine enimies which in the daie of my death shall most busilie watch to trip and ouerthrowe me so shall I blesse and praise thee with thine elect and holie Saints in euerlasting happinesse Amen I haue washed my feete how shall I file them againe Cant. 5 3. Another O Most mercifull Iesu which gentlie sufferedst that sinfull woman Marie Magdalen to approch vnto thy presence and to wash thy blessed feet with hir teares to wipe them with hir heare and to kisse and annoint them with costlie oile and diddest greatlie commend this hir fact to all posteritie haue mercie on me a more sinfull woman in thy sight and grant me grace likewise continuallie to wash thy feete with the teares of true contrition to wipe them with the heare of mine obedience to kisse them with the kisses of feruent loue of thee and thy Saints and to annoint them with the sweet oile of deuout praiers confessions and thanks-giuing that I may obtaine by thy mercie forgiuenesse of all my manifold sinnes and feele my selfe much bound vnto thee for my saluation Finallie let me thine handmaid be a seruant I praie thee to wash the feet of the seruants of my Lord make me I saie of the number of those holie matrons that willinglie wash the feet of thy Saints that minister vnto them that are in aduersitie that are continuallie giuen to euery good worke and be well reported of for their vertues through Iesu Christ our Lord Amen Wash you make you cleane take awaie the euill of your works from before mine eies cease to doo euill and learne to doo well Esai 1 16. VVhen you enter into your bed praie I Enter into my bed and laie mee downe to rest in the name of the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost The Lord Iesu Christ which was crucified dead and buried for me blesse preserue and keepe me both bodie and soule and raise me with him at the last daie by the power of his glorious resurrection to life euerlasting Amen And grant O God I beseech thee that as I am not afraid now to enter into my bed and to dispose my selfe to sleepe so I may not be afraid or loth to die but rather cheerfullie prepare my selfe thervnto and euermore desire to be dissolued and to be with Christ my Sauiour Amen Being new laid in your bed saie this Psalme O Lord thou hast searched me out knowne me thou knowest my downe lieng and mine vprising thou vnderstandest all my thoughts long before Thou art about my path and about my bed and spiest out all my waies For lo there is not a word in my tongue but thou O Lord knowest it altogither Thou hast fashioned me behind and before and laid thine hand vpon me Such knowledge is too woonderfull and excellent for me I can not attaine vnto it Whither then shall I go from thy spirit Or whither shall I go from thy presence If I clime vp into heauen thou art there if I godowne to hell thou art there also if I take the wings of the morning and remaine in the vttermost parts of the sea euen there also shall thy hand lead me and thy right hand shall hold me If I saie Peraduenture the darkenes shall couer me then shall my night be turned to daie yea the darknesse is no darkenesse with thee but the night is as cleere as the daie the darkenesse and light to thee are both alike For my reines are thine thou hast couered me in my mothers wombe I will giue thanks vnto thee for I am fearefullie and woonderfullie made Maruellous are thy works and that my soule knoweth right well My bones are not hid from thee though I be made secretlie and fashioned beneath in the earth Thine eies did see my substance yet being vnperfect and in thy booke are all my members written which daie by daie were fashioned when as yet there was none of them How deere are thy counselles vnto me O God O how great is the summe of them If I tell them they are more in number than the sand when I wake vp I am present with thee Trie me O God and seeke the ground of my hart prooue me and examine my thoughts looke well if there be anie waie of wickednesse in me and leade me in the waie euerlasting Let me neuer imagine mischiefe vpon my bed as doo the vngodlie that set themselues in no good waie and can not sleepe before they haue done some harme but make me to abhorre the thing that is euill and to commune with mine owne hart and in my chamber to be still that with the Saincts I may be ioifull with glorie and reioice on my bed with them that praise thee daie and night Finallie grant that I may behold thy presence in righteousnesse and when I awake vp after thy likenesse bring
to call vpon him in my greatest extremities and he as you your selues see hauing heard me hath exalted me into this most large roome Wherefore I hauing experience that the Lord worketh for me and that he is so neere at hand vnto me God forbid that I should feare the power or the threats of anie man For the Lord himselfe is the chiefe leader of those that helpe me so that I can not doubt at all but that I shall see with mine eies those enimies which remaine iustlie punished of him Oh how far better is it to trust in the Lord than in men How far better is it to trust in the Lord than in anie men how excellent soeuer they be Behold manie nations compas me about but I calling vpon y e Lord shal most vndoubtedlie destroy them They compasse me in I saie they beset me round about but calling vpon the Lord I shall most vndoubtedlie destroie them Mine enimies in great multitudes compasse me like swarmes of Bees but I shall forthwith stiffle them as though they were cast into the fire and calling vpon the Lord I shall most vndoubtedlie destroie them For in deede before the most cruell enimie did so sore thrust at me that I seemed euen now readie to fall but as I was falling the Lord supported me Therefore I accompt him mine onlie strength I acknowledge him to be my Sauiour and praise him in my song Heereof come those voices of those that sing and reioice together with me out of their tabernacles now doubtlesse the Lord hath aduanced the power of his most strong right hand The Lord hath now exalted that his right hand now the Lord hath shewed foorth the power of his most strong right hand Behold me then that am yet aliue and about to set foorth the works of God For though he hath striken me verie sore yet hath he spared me life I praie thee therefore let that gate now at the length be open vnto me which onlie the louers of righteousnesse must go vnto that I being entred thither may praise the Lord. For it is consecrate vnto the Lord therefore is it open to the iust alone Heere will I praise thee O Lord because thou giuing eare hast deliuered me For the stone which the verie chiefe builders haue so stubbornelie as yet reiected as nothing fit is not onlie now counted in the building but euen as a principall it vpholdeth the whole weight of the verie building Uerelie it is a worke of God indeede which maketh all the beholders thereof to be amazed Go to then seeing the Lord hath commanded this most ioifull daie to shine vnto vs let vs passe it wholie in mirth becomming Saincts and saie I beseech thee O Lord preserue the Queene that is giuen vs from heauen I praie thee I saie I praie thee O Lord giue the Queene ELIZABETH all prosperitie Let hir haue prosperitie and blisse that commeth to gouerne vs in the name and commandement of God We wish prosperitie to you also that are the neerer inhabitants of the house of the Lord. Iehoua is the onlie God who shineth vnto vs binde the Lambe with cords that is brought to the hornes of the altar Thou art my God I will praise thee thou art my God I will sing thy praises most lowd Confesse that the Lord is exceeding good for his bountious goodnesse is euerlasting * Glorie be therefore vnto thee ô blessed Trinitie the Father Sonne and holie Ghost as alwaies it hath bin continuallie is and euer shall be worlds without ending So be it The praier O Almightie GOD most gratious Lord and heauenlie Father behold I thine handmaid prostrate here before the throne of thy diuine Maiestie meeklie confesse thee to bee my mercifull God my highest King and euerlasting Sauiour and humblie I acknowledge thee the Souereigne Lord aboue all lords the highest King of all kings and the onelie omnipotent Creator wise preseruer and woonderfull ruler of all thy creatures in heauen and earth high and lowe visible and inuisible and my selfe also to be the worke of thine hands the sheepe of thy pasture a subiect and seruant to thy most high and sacred Maiestie and a child depending alone and wholie vpon thy diuine and fatherlie prouidence for all things And bicause I knowe vnthankfulnesse doth greatlie displease thee For it is the root of all spirituall euill and the onelie thing that dammeth vp the fountaine of thy godlie mercie for euer I will giue thanks vnto thee O Lord least I be vnthankfull to thee my God my deliuerer and Sauiour And I yeeld thee now most humble and hartie thanks for that it hath pleased thee of thy singular mercie to giue mee this especiall honour first to suffer for thy glorious truth much extreme miserie feare care imprisōment perill of bodie trouble of mind hazard of life and danger of death by sicknesse fire conspiracie and sword and afterward blessedlie protecting and preseruing me from so manifold dangers and miraculouslie deliuering me out of the hands of all mine enimies to call me to this excellent state roiall dignitie of a Prince and as this daie to cloath me with the garments of honour to set the Crowne of gladnesse and diademe of dignitie vpon mine head to put the scepter of righteousnesse the globe of glorie and the sword of thy power into mine hands and to annoint and consecrate me thine handmaid QVEENE of this Realme that I might bee the principall member and chiefe instrument in the same to aduance thy glorie and further thy Gospell for the which I suffered Yea to be thy peoples Ioseph their Moses their Iosua their Dauid their Iosias their Samuel and their Salomon finallie to be their Deborah their Iael their Hester their Iudith and their Elizabeth that is their rest staie and staffe of Maiestie their shepheard and ring-leader in the waie of vertue holinesse zeale and sincere religion Which maruellous worke of thine oh gratious GOD for thy name sake giue me grace not onlie this daie but all the daies and time of my life to remember and solemnize with woorthie thanks-giuing that with the Queene of Saba I may continuallie blesse thee and saie Blessed be thou O Lord my GOD which thus hast loued me and thy people to set me in thy throne as QVEENE and to establish them for euer by making me their Gouernour ouer them in thy steed to execute thy iudgement and iustice Neither can I now forget but thankfullie also call to my remembrance all thy other great mercies O mercifull God shewed towards me since my comming vnto the Crowne namelie how often in thy mightie and maruellous mercie thou hast deliuered vnto mee my Counsell the wicked attempts malignant deuises and mischeeuous practises wrought and conceiued of all my common craftie and cruell enimies Sathan and his ministers who to exalt themselues and to rob mee both of thy people kingdome peace and religion euen of verie malice and deadlie hatred haue by all diuellish meanes