commaundements instruct me continually more and more and defend me from the noisome snares of the wicked that conspire against me and intend to suppresse in mee the good blessings which thou hast lent moe At midnight will I rise to giue thankes vnto thee in commemoration of thy great kindnesse shewed vnto me and with true zeale will I frequent thy temple to praise thee for thine aboundant graces extended vnto me for thou of thy mercy hast blesseâ— me in all my dooings deliuered me out of troubles and euermore defended me from mine enemies Let me put no trust in the vngodly but let me ioyne with such as feare thee and haue a loue to thy statutes the earth O Lord is replenished with thy endlesse mercy O teach me thy lawes wherein I ought to walke 9. An acknowledgement of Gods mercy and that by affliction man is taught true wisedome GRatiously in mercie hast thou dealt with me thy poore obedient seruant according to thy worde yet further I desire thee O Lorde that thou wouldest teach mee that true and sincere knowledge ioyned with iudgement that I may discerne all thinges aright as it were by tasting a sauorie thing for vppon thy commaundements doe I depend Before I was camed by the efficacie of thy rod I wandred to and fro but now am I quickned and haue learned therby to obey thy commaundements be gratious vnto mee O Lord and teach me thy statutes The vngodly haue euer practised mischiefe against me but haue failed for that I endeuored myself to keep thy commadem rnts and they thus neglecting their callings and being puffed vp with the vaine estimation of themselues are become dull and foolish but in thy law is my whole delight and therein wil I meditate all the day long It was therefore for my commoditie that thou didst chasten me for that I zealously do learne to immitate thy statutes for the doctrine and precepts that thou hast by thine owne mouth reuealed before the face of thy people and deliuered vnto me is of more estimation then the finest pearle or greatest heapes of golde Therefore O Lord direct me thy poore seruant with thy holy spirit that this thy sacred word may be so firmely and effectually grafted in my heart that I may cleaue vnto thee for euer 10. A prayer to be strengthned in well doing GIue vnto mee that am the worke of thy hands I beseech thee O God such vnderstanding and so continue thy fauourable mercies daily towards thy seruant that I may learne thy commandements so shall it come to passe that all they which feare thee shall reioyce at my state and giue due thankes vnto thee that hast in mercie vouchsafed to preserue me who haue alwaies trusted in thee and by experience I finde that thou O Lord doest nothing vniustly in visiting my offences with thy scourges for thy iudgements are vpright and nothing repugnant to thy truth but let thy mercie be euer ready to comfort me according to thy promises let thy endlesse mercie be euer present that my spirit may be reuiued and that I neuer faint vnder thy fatherly hand séeing that thy doctrine doth euermore delight me and that therein is my continuall exercise Let the vngodly be ashamed and altogether frustrate of their intent who deale frowardly with thy seruant and pretend the ruine of my zeale and let me safely meditate on thy commaundements that all such as feare and loue thee vnfainedly may be comforted by my example Wherefore I humbly beseech thee O God increase my knowledge in thy statutes that I mny keepe the same with a pure and vpright heart to my soules health and graunt O my good God that I neuer be ashamed of thy eternall truth but that I may perseuere therin vnto the end 11. A lamentable petition for aid in meere distresse GOne is my strength O Lord and my soule fainteth because of thy saluation which I daily expect yet will I still wait for my deliuerance because of thy promise graunted vnto me out of thy sacred word yea mine eyes do faile mee for the long looking after those thinges which thou hast spoken vnto me and I doe quaile vnder my heauy burthen I am constrained often times to expresse my misery in these wordes Alas alas Why doest thou not quickely come and comfort me I am like a bottle dried in the smoake for very heauinesse and anguish of my soule yet doe I not forget thy euerlasting promises and statutes how long shall my griefe endure And when shall the sorrowfull daies of thy seruant cease Shall not thy punishments proceed against them that persecute mee The enemies of my soule digge pittes and lay snares for me contrarie to thy law All thy precepts O Lord are true though the wicked in their furie doe persecute me and goe about to séeke the decay of my zeale Wherefore O Lord in thy good time helpe me that vnworthily am oppressed and although they haue cast mee downe and almost brought me to nought yet haue I not forsaken thy precepts erect and restore me to life O my good God euen for the singular loue that thou bearest vnto thy seruants that I may obserue the thinges that thou hast appointed me out of thy holy worde and carefully keepe them for euermore Graunt this O Father for Iesus Christ his sake our onely Sauiour and redeemer Amen 12. An extolling of Gods vnspeakeable goodnesse with thanksgiuâ—ng for his mercie shewed GOod God why should I seeme to doubt of the certentie of thy promises seeing thou art altogether righteousnesse and thy word doth endure for euer in heauen Yea thy truth I know assuredly shall neuer faile in any age for the very body of the earth doth so abide as it was established by the mightie hand of thy power vpon her foundation all other things O Lord do so continue euidently stand as they were ordained with thee from the beginning both in qualitie and estate obeying theé as their Lord. Now therefore O God giue me an vnderstanding heart that I may faithfully loue and obey thee for except I had trusted in thee and had a delight in thy law I had been enuironed with destruction in my troubles being plunged in the net of calamities Let me not therefore O Lord forget thy eternal precepts for in obseruing of them I am restored to life Saue me therefore for I am thine and make me perfect in thy statutes so shall I still meditate in thy precepts and with zeale seeke and loue thy commaundements though the wicked goe about to destroy my soule yet doe I yeelde my minde to be occupied in thy statutes for I see that all thinges heere on earth be they neuer so perfect and absolute are brought to an end neuerthelesse thy precepts and holy word are prolonged without measure and endure for euer and euer worlde without end Amen 13. A worthy meditation and ioyfulnes for receiuing true vnderstanding GReat is my loue vnto the sacred words of thy
daies at Blackborne Gisborne in Yorkshire at Chalton 6 d Eugenie confess  7 e Enurcius bishop  8 f Nati of Mary  9 g Siluius bishop  10 A Gorgony mart  11 b Porthy Iacint  12 c Martiman  13 d Amanti  14 e Holy Rood  15 f Lambert  16 g Edith virgine  17 A Timotheus The xiiii day being Holy Roode day at Richmond in Yorkshire at Rippon a horse faire at Waltam abbey at Chesterfield 18 b Victor Coron  19 c Ianuarie mart  20 d Fast  21 e Matthevv apostle  22 f Mauricius 14. The Sunne in Libra 23 g Tecla virgin  24 A Andochius mart Matthevv apost At Marlborough at Bedford at Croiden at Sittingborne at Douer at Shrewsbury 25 b Firmin bishop  26 c Ciprâ—an and Iust  27 d Cosme Damia 29. Michael archangel At Canterburie at Blackborne at Westchester at Cockermouth at Leicester 28 e Ecuperie bishop  29 f Michael Archan  30 g Ierom priest  October hath xxxi dayes 1 A Remigius bishop  2 b â—eodagare mart The iiii day at Michel 3 c Candidie matyr The vi day at S. Faiths besides Norwich at maidestone 4 d Francis martyr  5 e Faith virgin The viii day at Harnord at Herbrough and at Bishop Stapford 6 f Gerionis  7 g Marcie Mart. On S. Edwardâ— day at Graues end at Marshfield at Windsor at Colthester at Charing at Roiston 8 A Apolonaris mart  9 b Pelagi virgin  10 c Linus confessor  11 d Denyâ—e his fel. 14. The Sunne in Scorpio 12 e Nichasins bishop 18. Luke Euang. At Cely at Wrickle at Vpan at Thirst at Friswides in Oxford at Tisdale at Bridgenorth at Scanton 13 f Wilfâ—ide bishop  14 g Trans Ed. king  15 A Ealixt bishop  16 b Wolfran bishop at Burton vpon Trent at Charlton at Wigan in lancashire at Holt in Wales 17 c Michael of the mo  18 d Luke Euang.  19 e Etheldrede vir  20 f Frideswide virgi The xxi day at Saffron Walden at New Market at Hertford at Ciceter at Stokecley 21 g Austreberte vir  22 A Xi M. virgines  23 b Mary Salome  24 c Romaine bishop  25 d Maglory bishop  26 e Crispin and Cres  27 f Fast  28 g Simon and Iude On all Saints euen at Wakefield at Rithen 29 A Narcissus bishop  30 b Germane confess  31 c Fast  Nouember hath xxx dayes 1 d All saints All Saints 2 e All Soules  3 f Menefriede virg The ii day at Blechingly at Kingstone and at Maxfield 4 g Amantius  5 A Lete priest  6 b Leonard The vi day being S. Leonards day at Salforth at Stanly at Tregnie at Newportpond 7 c Wilbroade  8 d Foure crowned  9 e Theodore  10 f Martine The x. day Lenton 11 g Martine bishop The xi day at Marlborough at Douer 12 A Brise bishop  13 b Paterne martyr 13. The sunne in sagittarius 14 c Trans Orknew  15 d Macure bishop  16 e Dep. of Edmond The xiii day at S. Edmonds burie at Gilford 17 f Init. regni Elizab.  18 g Oct. Martine The xvii day at Low at Hide 19 A Elizabeth martyr  20 b Edmond king The xix day at Horsham 21 c Pres of Mary The xx day being S. Edmonds day at Hytch at Ingerstone 22 d Cicely virg  23 e Clement martyr The xxiii day at Sandwich 24 f Grisogon martyr  25 g Katherine virg  26 A Line martyr 30. Andrevv apostle At Colingborough at Rochester at Peterfield at Maidenhead at Bewdly at Bedford in Yorkshire 27 b Virales confess  28 c Rufus martyr  29 d Saturnini Fast  30 e Andrevv apostle  December hath xxxi daies 1 f Elegie bishop  2 g Libane martyr The v. day a faire at Plucklie 3 A Dep. of Osmond  4 b Barbara virgin The vi day at Spalding at Arnedale at Sinook at Exceter at Northwich in Cheshire 5 c Sabba bishop  6 d Nicolas bishop  7 e Octa. Andrew  8 f Conc. of Mary The vii day at Sandhurst 9 g Cyprian bishop  10 A Enlalie virgin The viii day being the conception of the Virgine Mary at Clitherall in Lancashire and at Malpas in Cheshire 11 b Antippe  12 c Damase confess  13 d Lucie virgin  14 e Nirasius virgin  15 f Otholie virgin  16 g O Saplentia 13. The Sunne in Capricornus 17 A Lazarus confess  18 b Gracian bishop S. Lucie the shortest day in the yeere 19 c Venetia virgin  20 d Fast  21 e Thomas apost  22 f XXX Martyrs  23 g Victor virgin  24 A Fast  25 b Christmas day  26 c Stephan martyr  27 d Iohn Euangelist  28 e Innocents day  29 f  The xxix day at Canterburie at Salisburie 30 g Trans of Iames  31 A Siluester mart  A beautifull Baybush A prayer for morning MOst gratious God deare Father we yeeld vnto thee froÌ„ the bottome of our harts most humble thankes in that it hath pleased thee not onely to defend and preserue vs this night from all our enemies both ghostly and bodily but also of thy fatherly pittie to giue vnto these our earâ—hly and languishing bodies such sufficient sleepe and rest as hath satisfied the earnest desire of our weake and feeble nature And as thou of thy mercie hast safely brought vs to the beginning of this present day and shewed vs the light thereof so wee humbly beseech thee O God graunt that our soules may be spiritually lightened with the brightnesse of thy word and sacred misteries wherby we may walke in the steps of Christianitie lead a life agreeable to our vocation in Christ Iesus our Lord. Assist vs also with thy grace and holy spirit O God that we may neuer shrinke from thee for any earthly torments but dilligently applie our selues to the performance of thy will and giue our selues wholy therevnto hauing a strong and stedfast faith in the truth of thy promises Indue vs with wisedome from aboue that wee may dasly increase in the fulnesse of our sauiour Christ Beholde vs with the eye of thy mercy and vouchsafe to defend vs that commit our selues wholly vnto thee both now and euermore Giue vnto vs a heart alwaies affected to honor thee a mind euer meditating of thy righteousnesse and a spirit burning with zeale of thy worship that wee may warily stand vpon our guard and neuer yeéld to the trecherie of the aduersarie Blesse and prosper our enterprises O Lord that whatsoeuer we take in hand we may by thy direction bring it to good successe and euermore praise thy holy name for thy gratious assistance and singular goodnes grant this O father for Iesus Christ his sake our only sauiour and redeemer An Euening
prayer GOod God the creator and maker of all mankind seéing it hath pleased thee of thy deuine prouidence to ordaine the night as a meane to deliuer vs from the trauailes of the day and to minister ease and gladnes to the wearied lims of our bodies to the great comfort and refreshing of the same by the fruition of quiet sleep and rest according to humane nature wee beseech thee therfore O Lord of thy vnspeakeable goodnes and mercy to be our watchman and defender this night that we be not ouercome by fantasies dreames or other illusions but that through thy permission we may take such quiet rest and voluntarie sleepe as nature requireth and though our grosse sences are at such times stopped yet vouchsafe euer to graunt vs the assistance of thy grace and holy spirit that our soules may respect the comming of thy sonne our sauiour Iesus Christ that at what time soeuer he calleth wee may bee found watchfull and continually ready to performe his will that after this life ended we may eternally rest in glorie and as the brightnesse of the sunne doth in the morning disperse the darke cloudes and thicke mistes from the face of the earth whereby the same was before couered with darkenesse so wee humbly beseech thee vouchsafe to disperse and burie our sinnes in the blend and obedience of thy deare sonne which doe as it were shadow vs from the bright beames of thy fauourable countenance and euermore assist vs with thy gratious goodnesse that our sleepe may be so healthfull vnto vs that we with willing minds arising in the morning may vtterly shake off al maner of drowsinesse and make hast to exercise our selues in such Christian labours as thy deuine prouidence hath ordained vs vnto to the aduancement and renowne of thy holy name credit of thy Church comfort reliefe of our Christian bretheren and our euerlasting saluation In mercy graunt this O Lord we beseech thee for Iesus Christ his sake our onely redeemer and sauiour vnto whom with thee and the holy Ghost be all power and dominion for euer Amen Twentie and one godly and necessary praiers gathered out of the Cxix Psalme wherein are contained petitions crauing aid of Gods spirit against Sathan and al wickednesse complaints against the rage of the vngodly thanksgiuing f r our deliuerance and consolation in aduersitie for that God both can and will assist his people 1. A Prayer for the assistance of Gods holy spirit for to direct our mindes after his holy lawes GRatious God so blesse me I beseech thee thy poore seruant that out of the hidden treasures of thy word I may gather such fruitful delights that I may walk vprightly and lead a blamelesse life in thy sight in keeping those precepts which thou O Lord God hast therein appointed Oh how blessed are those which obserue thy statutes vnto the end seeking thee with a pure heart and carefully obeying thy eternall maiestie may it please thee therefore so to guide my waies that I quaile not in my course neither bend my selfe to follow after vnrighteousnesse but faithfully perseuer in that perfect path which thou hast enclined me vnto out of thy holy word and thou being a righteous and euerlasting God doest not command me to followe any thing which is not lawfull in thy sight nor redounding to my saluation Erect my heart continually to the contemplation of thy blessed lawes whereby my dealings may be ordered through thy gouernance that I may immitate and carefully keepe the same all the daies of my life with zeale and obedience towards thy diuine maiestie then shall all things according â—o thy will goe well with me and I shall turne mine eies to beholde that thing which is good and laudable in thy fight yea and euermore worship thee with an vpright minde in spirit and truth as becommeth thy child without all dissimulation and hipocrisie Lord I am fully purposed to keepe thy statutes euen by the direction of thy spirit for my trust resteth in thee 2. A prayer to withstand the frailty of flesh cleaue vnto the Lord. GOuerne and direct mee O Lord according to thy worde that I may order my life by the rule therof and by the direction of thy holy spirit dilligently obserue those thinges which thou hast commanded me I haue sought thee O God with my whole heart let me not therfore goe astray from thee And though by frailety of my flesh I haue vnaduisedly heretofore falleÌ„ from thee yet I beseech thée of thy endlesse mercy slay me that I be not cast downe for euer and quicken me that I wander not any longer from thy precepts vnite my minde to thy sacred misteries that I may lay vp thine euerlasting promises in my hart least through the vaine entisements of my ghostly enemies I be enforced to forget negligently for want thereof to offend thy diuine maiestie for except thou O Lord which art altogether mercy dost guide and teach mee to leade my life aright truely my weakenesse would not permit mee to ioy or preuaile in that which is good teach me therefore O Lord zealously to keepe thy statutes that I may boldly speake to the land praise of thy name and openly shewe foorth thy holy word and blessed will graunt that I may take more delight in the keeping of thy exhortations and commandments then in al maner of earthly treasures and may meditate continually in thy precepts endue me with heauenly wisedome that I may vnderstand thy lawes aright and be euermore occupied therin vnto my liues end Amen 3. A prayer to be guided in all puritie and godlinesse GIue eare I most humbly beseech thee O Lord vnto the prayers that I offer heere vnto thy deuine maiestie Continue thy fauour towards me in directing me with thy holy spirit that I may ouercome that which sauoureth of euil and imbrace those things which thou hast commanded Abandon from the eies of my soule the vale of darknesse that I may view and beholde the true light and see the wonderfull secrets which euermore shine out of thy heauenly doctrine and lead my life in quietnesse to thy honor and glorie Thou knowest that I am a stranger and vnacquainted on the earth and that I desire to be brought to another place euen to thy heauenly habitation wherfore I beseech thée O God encline thine eare towards me hide not from me thy statutes neither yet take thy holy spirit from me that should leade me to imbrace thy righteousnesse I am desirous with great care to liue acording to thy lawes and to keepe thine ordinance both in prosperitie aduersity wherfore O Lord I beseech thee let this zeale consume me Thou rebukest and destroyest the proud persons and such as stubbornely striue against thee and appointest destruction and bitternesse vnto those that refuse to keepe thy precepts Though all men enuie me and haue me in despight for the truthes sake yet thou in thy good time wilt remoue them far
mouth O Lord yea I consume whole daies in meditating vpon the same and I doe find by experience that I haue not done this in vaine seeing that by thy precepts I haue proued to be much wiser then all my aduersaries yea and thou O my God hast giuen me an vnderstanding heart in feeling thy goodnesse towards me and euer making thy testimonies thy meditation yea thou hast quickned me and made me more skilfull then the graue men of vnderstanding because I was bent to knowe thy precepts and incitned to keepe them indeede for I held backe my feete from euery euill way that I might tread the path which thou hast now alreadie declared vnto me out of the treasures of thy eternall testament Strengthen me O Lord that I turne not from thy lawes but that I may meditate therein night and day to my incomparable comfort whereby through thy direction I may zealously perseuere in the knowledge of thee and euermore abide constant in thy truth to my eternall saluation let me be occupied continually in thy worde for I feele the same to be an euerlasting comfort to my soule and of more sweetnesse then if I had tasted of hony and by obseruation of thy precepts haue I gotten wisdome and therfore I do vtterly abhorre the entising shewes of worldly vanities which are nothing but falshood 14. A prayer for Zeale and constancy GRaunt I beseech thee most mercifull God that thy holy word opening dispersing the darksome clouds of my mind may declare such light vnto my footsteps that all my waies may be safely guided according to the sincerity of thy lawes and let this light O Lord so illuminate my heart and vnderstanding that I may by a solemne vow binde myselfe for euer vnto thee and obteine abilitie from thee with all humillitie and quietnes of life to performe the same that I haue promised vnto thee Thou seest O Lord how sore I am afflicted and vexed on euery side wherefore saue me and quicken me according to thy eternall verity accept the prayers and vowes of my mouth that I now offer vnto thee and teach me thy statutes more and more and extend thy mercies O Lord vnto my miseries for my life is laid open to all troubles and danger as though I did cary it in my hand but let not the same O God pull backe my zeale from thy law The wicked haue imagined deceit against me yet will I not wander from thy precepts Blesse me I beseéch thee O deare Father with thy grace that I make no estimation of worldly thinges but that I may accept thy testimonies as mine inheritance foreuer for they are the ioy of my heart instruct me to apply my minde for euer euen to my last gaspe to obserue thy statutes Amen 15. A prayer to flie worldly vanities and to delight in godlinesse GRant I beseech thee O God that I may hate the vaine inuentious of such as wander from thy truth and account thy doctrine most dear vnto my soule Be thou most mercifull Lord my refuge and shield whereunto in my grieuous distresse and daunger I may alwaies flie for succour Let thy word O God be my trust vnto the end and banish the wicked out of my company that I may euermore keepe thy precepts more purely Establish and quicken me O Lord according to thy promise that I may be vpholden least I perish let me not be disappointed of my expectation but strengthen me in thy good time I most entirely beseech thee and holde me vp with thy mercifull hand both now and euer that I being safe may delight continually in thy eternall statutes let the crafty practises of them that contemne thy lawe be brought to naught and take away the wicked that infect the people euen as drosse with the pure mettall that my zeale in thy testimonies may be full Thy iudgements O Lord are of such power that they not onely teach me obedience but cause me to feare considering mine owne weakenesse thereby enclining me to repentance and amendment of life for the which O Lord I thy poore seruant do render vnto theé most humble and hearty thanks beseeching thee stil to increase my knowledge in thy sacred misteries Amen 16. A prayer to deale vprightly and not to be put to shame by the vngodly GOod God in thy great mercie teach me thy lawes â—hat I oppresse no man with vnrighteous iudgement but that I may deale iustly and truely with all men in thy sight that I be not slaundered of mine enemies neither brought to open shame Assist me O Lord with thy power stand on my side against the vngodly that they triumph not ouer me for my verie eyes do faile me in waiting for my deliueraÌ„ce and my strength quaileth in expecting thy promises deale not with me thy vnworthie seruant according to my deserts but of thy endlesse mercie teach me thy statutes for thou art my eternall Lord and I am thy seruant graunt therefore that I neuer swarne from thee but that I may know thy will and faithfully imbrace thy testimonies In thy good time arise O Lord and destroy the wicked that goe about to bring thy lawes into vtter ruine and decay and pretend the confusion of my zeale for I will loue and firmely cleaue to thy precepts aboue all treasure and fine gold yea and my whole delight shall be therein for euer For I know that thy commaundements are altogether equitie and truth it selfe yea and a certaine rule for me to trast vnto therefore do I abhore whatsoeuer dissenteth from the hidden priuitie of thy word beseeching thee O Father still to increase in me the desire that I haue vnto thy sacred mysteries 17 A meditation on the excellencie of Gods holy word GRatious God thy testimonies containe such high mysteries and are of such excellencie that I am mooued with admiration and reuerence when I doe thinke thereupon and therfore are they so precious vnto my soule that it greatly desireth to imbrace and keepe them aboue all earthly treasures for the entrance into thy holy word is so vnspeakeable that it giueth light to them that are indarknes and instructeth the simple in the knowledge of thy will it stirreth vp quietnes and moueth peace in conscience therefore O Lord graunt me vnderstanding and open my mouth that I may with vnfained lippes euermore praise thee and swallow thy precepts euen as the thirsty man doth earnestly desire to drinke looke on thy seruant O Lord both now and euer and be mercifull vnto me as thou vsest to doe vnto thy elect them that loue thy name Direct my pathes O God and lead me in the way wherein I ought to walke that If all not into the snares that the wicked haue laid to entrap me withall but zealously perseuer in thy commaundements and let not afflictions assault me aboue my strength but deliuer and defend me from the baites of my enemies that I may serue thee shine on me with the
euerlasting light of thy fauourable countenance and teach me thy statutes mine eyes gush out with teares when I do heare thy enemies how contemptuously they speake and intend to subuert thy law that endureth for euer 18. A prayer to beare the crosse of affliction and reproch patiently GOod God thou art altogether iust and righteous and all thy ordinances are truth and equitie grant that I may obserue thy lawes dilligently as a most iust and perfect rule of thy truth and sincere religion for thy wordes and sweete promises O Lord are so ioyful vnto me that the â—oue therof doth consume me because the vngodly doe despise thy precepts yet shall thy truth for euermore endure and flourish in puritie wherefore extend the same vnto me and quicken thy seruant therein for euer that I may imbrace it with vnderstanding and though the wicked therefore haue me in no estimation but account me an abiect yet will I not thereby be exempted from the studie of thy commaundements nor neglect my so necessary a calling for thy righteousnesse O God is an euerlasting righteousnesse though other ordinances and lawes which mans wisedome hath set downe are subiect to innumerable changes and at length come to an end and the zeale of thy word induceth such comfort vnto my soule that in afflictions when troubles and anguish oppresse me I am busily occupied in repeating the same in my songs oh how excellent is thy sweetnesse vnto them that are in miserie yea thou hast prepared a blessed and an euerlasting fountaine in heauen for them that loue thee Graunt me vnderstanding therefore especially in thy truth that I may liue with thee for euermore 19. A prayer for helpe in aduersitie GIue eare o Lord I beséech thee vnto the crie and lamentable voyce of my sorrowfull heart for I haue called vpon thee with my whole heart day and night graunt that I may dilligently obserue thy statutes and in all my dangers vouchsafe to send mee thy aide and assistance whereby I may continually be stirred vp to meditate on thy testimonies let my praiers preuent the early light of the morning and in the night-watches O Lord quicken my minde with the commemoration of thy goodnes and hearken vnto my earnest petitions acording to thy louing kindenes extended vnto thy children and as thou hast promised restore me to the inioying of thy fauour that am without life thou seest how neere they assault me which are continually giuen to iniquitie and earnestly bent to destroy thy testimonies praising thee with their lippes but in hart are farre from thee But my trust is onely in thee O Lord that thou wilt cleaue vnto thy seruant and increase my zeale more and more Teach mee I beseech thee most mercifull God the assured way of thy commaundements for I know certainely that by the obseruation of thy testimonies I shal neuer be in error neither yeâ— frustrate of my hope which I haue in thy mercy For thou hast established the same for euer and euer Heare me O Lord God I most humbly beseech thee and assist me euermore with thy grace and holy spirit that I may rest with thee eternally 20. A prayer for to be strengthned being weake GOod Lord I most humbly beséech thée regard me that am sore oppressed and in thy good time deliuer me which doe not forget the doctrine that thou hast taught me I appeale for mercie vnto thy soueraigne bountie pleade thou my cause therefore and be my Iudge and in thy good time preserue and defend me For saluation is farre from the vngodly because they neither feare thee nor obserue thy statutes I expect thy mercies O Lord and not mine owne righteousnesse to helpe me Quicken me therefore according to thy iudgements and although they that vniustly persecute me are many in number and mighty yet do I incline my heart to the obseruation of thy testimonies and euermore delight in thy precepts yea I haue had such a loue to thy law that I neuer conceiued more griefe of any thing then when I did euidently perceiue these men to despise thy words and neglect thy law but let thy mercie take hold on me that haue had my felicitie in thy commaundements and accounted them most deare vnto me increase my zeale O Lord and saue me that I perish not vouchsafe to assist me with thy perpetuall graces that I may walke vprightly before thy presence seruing thee continually with feare and reuerence and esteeming the wordes of thy mouth to be the ordinary meane to bring me vnto saluation for they are infallible and thou hast ordained them to stand for euer therefore are they the eternal and vnchaungeable rule of thy iustice world without end 21. A ioyfull reckoning vp what spirituall comfort and how precious we enioy by Gods word GRatious God the threatenings and iniurious persecutions of the mightie ones of this world could not make me once to deny thee for my heart stood more in awe of thy most sacred worde then of their indignation continue still thy assistance therefore towards me thy poore seruant that by the vertue of thy holy spirit working in my heart I may enioy and take more delight and comfort in thy sacred worde which quickneth me in all troubles then in all the kingdomes and vaine treasures in this world and that I may willingly reiect abhorre all manner of deceit and wickednesse euer imbracing thy most comfortable testimonies for when I doe narrowly see into thy iudgements sacred mysteries how excellent they are I am often and sundrie times enforced to land and praise thy holy name the loue of thy heauenly lawe bringeth into great prosperitie all such as retaine the same for they doe zealously search out the secrets thereof and are in their consciences assured that they please thee therefore graunt O Lord that I may faithfully beleeue in thee and still depend vppon thy saluation giue me euer patience in my troubles and let me still obserue and keepe thy testimonies and haue a continuall loue thereunto graunt that I may haue no respect vnto men but to set thee alwaies before my eies as the iust Iudge of all my doings Amen A prayer to be kept vnder the protection of the most highest GIue eare I most humbly beseech thee O God vnto the complaints of me poore sinner and graunte mée the true vnderstanding of thy diuine precepts oh let my supplications come before thee and saue me O Lord that put my whole trust and confidence in thée according to thy promise that I may ioyfully yéeld vnto thee vncessant praises and obserue thy statutes wherein thou hast instructted me with diligence for euâ—r Let nothing cause me to quaile O God but that the words of my tongue may set forth thy vpright iuddements and glory for thou art my louing God on whome I euermore depend and my comfort consisteth in thy precepts erect thy hand to helpe me poore sinner for I haue not neglected thy statutes let my whole
things aboue renue therfore thy spirit in thy seruant that the same instructing my heart daiely in true wisedome and feare of thee I may come to the feeling of mine owne euils and know the cause of thy scourge that so my wound being apparant to mine eyes I may with all speede see to the cure thereof and deserre no time to seeke the salue to heale it Heare the voice of thy seruant O God that crieth vnto thee consider my complaint and weigh my inward woe conceiued through hate of mine owne infirmities and for want of thy knowledge for I flie from my selfe as from an vnwalled castle fearing my footsteps euen as though I walked on thornes deale not with me in thy displeasure neither let my sinnes seperate thy fauour from me but quicken me in my afflictions and make me ware wise by thy punishments giue me such a sence of my infirmities and so perfect a perseuerance of my rechlesnes in seruing of thee that I may dispose my selfe to contrarie order erecting my mind vnto thee and thereunto so ioyne the increase of thy grace and strenghtning spirit as that I may be able therby to performe my race and continue in that good way which thy goodnesse hath mooued me to in the times of my heauinesse be neere vnto me and open my eyes of faith to behold thy eternall loue so that I be not too much shaken by the enemies assaults but may be replenished with abilitie constancie and patience to giue him his finall repulse and ouerthrow Amen A prayer for our Soueraigne Lord King Iames. MOst mightie God of maiestie and heauenly father deare vnto the humble sutes of vs thy seruants poore giue eare that call on thee still to maintaine and blesse with thy great power our noble King and his ofspring our stay gouernour whōe thou ouer thy little flock vnto our comforts great ordained hast to fit vpon the high and princely seat from forraine force of foes vouchsafe good God to guard his grace that all their subtile sleights and snares he doubtlesse may deface Lend vnto him long life O Lrod and eke a royall raigne and grant that he thy graces great for euermore may gaine Thy blessings bountifull bestowe vpon him we thee pray that his delight may be to loue thy lightsome law for aye And earnestly for to imbrace thy Gospell pure at large vnto the comfort of thy church committed to his charge Vnder the shadow of thy winges Lord keepe him to the end and from conspiracies also vouchsafe him to defend Conuert or els confound all such as mischiefe do deuise against his grace and to thy truth are vtter enemies God graunt him peace in conscience and health without annoy that we long time and many yeares his presence may enioy Amen The confession of a Sinner RIghteous God thou that art the father of all mercies and comforter of all mankind euen of thy tender loue behold me poore sinner that haue straied from thy precepts through ignorance and frailtie of my flesh and most wickedly erred from thy holy commaundements like vnto a wandring sheepe hauing no shepheard O Lord I do confesse I haue followed too much the deuises and desires of my vnrighteous heart whereby I haue at sundry times grieuously offended thy maiestie in breaking and neglecting thy holy lawes which thou hast commaunded me to keepe and contrary to thy will followed these vngodly actions which I ought not to doe leauing vndone those good thinges that thy sacred word hath taught me so that in me there is no goodnes except thou O Lord do speedily looke vpon me and in thy great mercy pardon my hainous offences Forgiue me O deare father and forget my iniquities I most entirely beseech thee that here with a sorrowfull heart confesse my faultes vnto thee O God requesting thee of thy fauorable goodnesse to restore me that am penitent and in thy mercy send reliefe vnto thy seruant satisfie my soule with thy fauour againe according to thy promise which thou hast declared vnto an such as come vnto thee in the name of thy beloued sonne Iesus Christ my sauiour wherefore O my God I come vnto thee with an humble minde beseeching thee from the very inwards of my soule to graunt me the assistance of thy grace and holy spirit that I may euer hereafter in newnes of life liue as becōmeth thy seruant vprightly in thy sight and deale faithfully with all men to thy honour and glory and the comfort of my soule Amen Another prayer vnto almightie God IN mercy O Lord vouchsafe to heare my prayers and let my cries haue accesse vnto to thée hide not thy face from me I be seech thee in the time of my trouble but with speed incline thine eares vnto me when I call behold there is no certenty in my flesh for my life consumeth as the smoake and my daies do wast in sorrow mine enemies lie in wait for me and they that rage against me haue conspired my death wherefore the feeling of thy wrath and heauie displeasure hath quite consumed me but thou O Lord whose promises I know endure for euer continuest all one God in mercy vnto such as call vpon thee therefore do I flie vnto thee in my distresse beseeching thee to assist me with thy grace and holy spirit that the cause of my mourning and piteous complaints being taken away I may daily proceed and goe forward in newnesse of life to the honour and glory of thy holy name Confirme thy good worke begunne in me O God and let me neuer want thy assistant aid therein lest it be vtterly frustrate Let not mine iniquities be any hinderance to thy bountiful goodnesse neither yet my negligences in seruing of thee mooue theé to detract the operation of thy holy spirit in thy seruant but with speede consider my frailty and pardon my offences for Iesus Christ his sake so shall I declare thy worthinesse and extell thy great kindenesse shewed vnto me at all times Haue mercy vpon me O God haue mercy vpon me according to thy eternall promises make me plentifull in all good workes to doe thy fatherly will and let thy commandments be my whole delight refresh my hart with the fruition of thy blessings and let me not at any time be vnmindful of thy goodnes but yeeld continuall thankes vnto thee for thy great benefits extended towards me take me not away O God in the middest of my daies but prolong my time and conduct my footsteps that hauing viewed at full thy graces inestimable kindenesse I may neuer cease vntill the last gasp to sing praises vnto thy holy name for euer and euer Amen A prayer to be vsed when a man is in any kind of trouble COnsider O my God I beseech thee the wofull complaints and prayers that I here offer vp to thy diuine Maiesty vnto thee alone doe I sue for helpe remit therefore my iniquities for the multitude thereof doe speedily craue thy aid and in
fathers our onely trust is in thy mercy for thy goodnesse exceedeth all earthly fathers with reuerence therefore and humilitie of heart loue obedience and faithfull dutifulnesse as becommeth the children of so louing a father doe we call for thy helpe and comfortable assistance for who is like vnto thee or can bring to effect the thing which thou canst doe thy seat is in heauen where thou raignest in all dignitie for euermore thy power is in heauen and earth and in the sea yea and thy regiment appeareth in all places thou seest all things thou hearest all things and by thy eternitie gouernest all things and we thy poore children doe craue succour of thee onely beseeching thee O Lord to raise our hearts from earthly things and vnite our minds to the contemplation of heauenly things and make vs ready at all times with stedfast hope to expect our heauenly inheritance praised be thy name O Lord which aboue all other names ought to be had in reuerence for thou art altogither holy graunt therefore that we may vtterly detest and abolish the names of all faigned gods and euermore vouchsafe to assist vs in mercie with thy grace and holy spirit that we may refraine the company of such euill persons as vnreuerently blaspheme thy name neither suffer vs by retchlesnes to dishonour thee our God in any of our actions moreouer graunt we most humbly beseech thee O Lord that thy kingdome may euer remaine amongst vs and that thy truth and holy word neuer depart from vs but abide in our hearts by thy inspiration as a fruitfull doctrine daily instructing vs wherby we may with more earnest zeale walke as Christians in newnesse of life to the honour and praise of thy name that all men seeing the same may truly turne vnto thee in hope to attaine thy euerlasting kingdome O most gratious God let thy blessed will be done in all things with vs both now and euer and as thou art our heauenly father so graunt that we may not request any thing contrary to thy will but accept whatsoeuer thou sendest with reuerent minds saying with chearefull heartes Thy will be done O Lord for euermore here on earth as it is in thy holy sanctuary of heauen quicken vs O Lord that we may learne more and more to be obedient vnto thy heauenly will in all things as becommeth thy deare children and euen as thy holy Angels and blessed companie doe obserue the same with ioy so direct our inward affections that we may wholly apply our selues thereunto and that our whole felicitie in this life may be altogether imployed in meditating on thy sacred Scriptures which thou in mercy hast sent and left amongst vs to the comfort of our soules and our eternall saluation and euermore in mercy O deare Father vouchsafe of thy prouidence to nourish and comfort vs continually with such things as thy onely goodnesse doth know to be most expedient both for our soules and bodies whereby we may goe foreward with a quieter conscience to serue thee so that we in this life may be maintained and preserued wherby we may be helpfull vnto our Christian brethren not chargeable vnto them any waies especially good Lord graunt that we abuse not thy blessings of meat and drinke but vouchsafe that we may thankefully receiue thy fatherly benefits in such modest sort that thy name may be glorified our soules and bodies gratiously comforted and if it shall please thee at any time to lay thy rodde of correction vpon vs for our disobedience and so to afflict vs with any kind of penurie yet graunt to vs such grace that we may continually with all humilitie be thankefu l vnto thee without either murmuring or grudging and with armed patience stâ—ll abide thy leisure for thou of thy fatherly goodnesse hast willed vs to lay our care vpon thee who art able in thy good time to relieue our need but aboue all things O mercifull God graunt that our soules may be nourished and spiritually fed with the liuely word of thy glorious Gospell which giueth knowledge vnto such as delight therein and leadeth to life euerlasting behold O Lord our weakenesse for thou knowest our frailty and the wickednesse of our youth is not hiâ— from thee we confesse that we were conceiued and brought forth in sinne so that through our corrupt nature we daily and hourely offend thy diuine maiestie by Sathans interceptions in breaking thy commaundements and neglecting our dutie towards thee but O our good God we most humbly beseech thee with sighing hearts to giue vs a feeling of our infirmities and stirre vs vp with all speed in the times of our triall to seeke after thee and to proceed in repentance and amendment of life for thou art our mercifull Lord more ready to forgiue than we for to aske and therefore we come to thee alone for none in heauen nor in earth Saint nor Angell can forgiue sinnes but thou onely through Iesus Christ our redeemer who hath suffered the paine due vnto our sinnes and furthermore we craue of thee O deare father so to assâ—st vs with thy holy spirâ—t that we may put out of our hearts all manner of mallice debate and thoughts of reuengement and with Chr stianitie from the very inwards of our hearts forgiue them that trespasse against vs that with stedfast hope we may craue at thy hands forgiuenesse for our sinnes thou most mightie God direct our paths and guide oâ—r waies stretch foorth thy right hand to succour vs that we may be euer armed with thy defence against the violent snares and manifold temptations of the world the flesh and the diuel stay vs good Lord that we perish not through their cruell inuasions nor turne from thee to our owne destruction for except thou doest still continue a good father vnto vs in protecting and defending vs thy children and blessing vs with thy spirituall graces we shall suddenly fall into all iniuries wherefore our hope both now and euer shall wholy depend vpon thy mercies with full assurance that thou wilt in thy good time not onely deliuer vs from all euill but also nourish and preserue vs in our necessitie and sâ—ue vs from such cruell and grieuous afflictions as are readie to molest vs either in body or mind Thy kingdome O deare father we faithfully confesse and acknowledge is an heauenly and euerlasting kingdome and thy power is exceeding infinite yea and thy glorie so incomprehensible that it passeth mans reason and the limits of his vnderstanding to attaine to the knowledge therefore we most entirely beseech thee graunt vs these things that we haue faithfully asked in humilitie of heart according to thy wil and giue vnto vs O Lord such grace that our prayers may be alwaies directed in perfect faith vnto thy diuine maiestie without wauering or doubting of thy assistance remembring thy promises that so praying vnto thee with a stedfast hope we may expect the speedie approach of thy euerlasting comfort
in Christ Iesus Amen A prayer or thankesgiuing for Gods benefits bestowed vpon vs. COnduct and preserue me O Lord for in thee alone doe I trust thou art my health and the portion of my inheritance yea thou hast blessed me with increase and allotted vnto me a faire heritage graunt therefore O Lord that with reuerence I may render vnto thee due thankes for all the blessings which thou hast lent me and may imploy the same to the benefit of thy children let thy feate be euer apparant before mine eyes that I may liue vprightly in thy sight saue me O God from the daungerous euents of this trouâ—lesome and wretched life and hold thy hand continually ouer me to defend my cause against the furie of my aduersaries guide me O God in all my wayes that my course may be ruled according to thy word whereby I may faithfully perseuere with all dutifull obedience in that necessarie vocation whereunto thy onely goodnesse hath ordained me for so long as thy graces haue domâ—nion ouer me I am altogether stedfast and immouable wherefore I reioyce boâ—h in bodie and soule at thy wonderfull workes established within me thou quicknest me from the mind of earthly carefulnesse and makest me oftentimes to feele thy mercy and relieuest my conscience with the reuelation of thy word wherefore with delight shall I declare thy goodnes and praise thy name for euer and euer A prayer for aid in the time of afflictions COnsider my crie O Lord and giue eare vnto me that am oppressed helpe me O God and deliuer me against them that doe iniuriously resist me preserue thy seruant that flieth vnto thee and respect me in mercie that am continually conuersant in calling vpon thee refresh my soule which is lifted vp vnto thee for vnto thee alone doe I call and crie Thou art verily good and mercifull and vsest great clemencie vnto them that call on thee giue eare Lord vnto my prayer and hearken vnto my meditation for in the day of my trouble I will call vnto thee yea all nations shall extoll thy name because of thy wondrous workes teach me the way of thy righteousnes and I will walke therein knit my heart vnto thee that I may feare thy holy name I will praise thee O Lord my God with all my heart yea I will alwaies glorifie thy name for great is thy mercie towards me and thou hast deliuered my soule from the lowest graue O gratious God the prowd are risen against me the assembles and iniurious dealings of violent men haue sought my soule to destroy it vtterly and haue not set thee before them but thou O Lord God on whom onely I doe depend art kind and mercifull not hastie vnto anger but full of truth take care now of me therefore O Lord and helpe me for thy mercy sake graunt finally that I may manifestly know and perceiue that thou louest me that my enemies may be grieued and ashamed of themselues when they see that thou doest yeeld comfort and help vnto me so shall I be endued with greater ioy to serue thee and to yeeld vnto thee eternall praise and vncessant thankesgiuing for euer Amen A prayer crauing aid of God against all our enemies WIth speed O Lord come forth to deliuer me make hast to helpe and succour me my God let them be confounded and put to shame that pretend to doe me euil and let them be turned backward and put to endlesse confusion that desire my death let them turne home with shame as a recompence disappointed of their purpose which haue vaunted a-against me as though I had bene quite confounded and graunt thou O Lord that not I alone but all they also that haue a desire to worship thee may with a lowe voice ascribe all glorie vnto thee in reioycing and that they may delight to giue solemne and euerlasting praises vnto thee who hast in mercie deliuered thy seruant In the meane season I stand here all alone oppressed with the approach of daily sinnes and destitute of all succour yea and continually grieued with the troublesome assaults of Sathan which keepeth the soule in perpetuall bondage wherefore make hast and draw neere to helpe me O mercifull God for vpon thy gratious aid doe I onely depend O God my deliuerer O Lord. I beseech thee delay not longer but graunt me thy heauenly assistance that I feeling thy great kindnesse may henceforth applie my selfe wholy to the obseruation of thy lawes through Iesus Christ my onely Sauiour vnto whom with thee and the holy Ghost be all power and dominion for euer A prayer to be vsed of all men and at all times WIth the eye of mercy O God see into my sorrowfull soule and gratiously behold my inward cogitations and as thou hast oftentimes shewed thy selfe a most louing and mercifull Lord vnto thy seruants euen so with humble heart I earnestly beseech thee O God satisfie my mind with good things and couer my sins in the multitude of thy mercies change the frowardnes of my corrupt nature release thine anger preteÌ„ded towards me that I may worthâ—ly praise thee shew me thy mercy O deare father and grant me thy saluation instruct me continually by thy holy spirit in the reuelation of thy lawes that I may thereby perceiue thy will in all things and so lead a life acceptable in thy sight and vouchsafe O Lord euermore to graunt me thy heauenly wisdome that I may not be enclined to follie but knowing whereunto thou hast created me I may diligently â—roceed in that necessarie vocation that thy diuine prouidence hath called me vnto seruing thee in righteousnesse and holinesse of conuersation all the dayes of my life Graunt also O Lord that I may altogether imbrace thy true and a heauenly doctrine eschew all such things as are contrarie to thy will that so leading a life agreeable to my calling I may in the end attaine to the ioyes euerlasting A prayer and thankesgiuing vnto God to be vsed of euery man that hath been either troubled in body or mind TO thee O Lord doe I render continuall thankes for thou in mercie hast heard my voyce and inclined thine eare vnto the prayers and petitions of my mouth and therefore will I call vpon thee so long as I liue for when the most cruell snares of death compasseth me and when the dreadfull anguish of the graue held me being ouercome with the troubles of my sorrowfull heart then I called vpon the Lord saying O Lord I beseech thee come speedily and deliuer my soule and thou like a mercifull father didst send and and reliefe vnto me verily thou O God art mercifull and righteous full of truth and compassion for I waâ— in misery and thou didddest saue me O my soule enter now therefore into the place of rest seeing the Lord hath beene so beneficiall vnto thy safetie for he hath deliuered my life from death thou hast staied mine eyes from breaking out into teares and thou hast
established my feet in such a perfect path that I may walke now safe and sound amongst the liuing for I haue euermore beleeued the promises of the Lord and therefore did I speake euen my aith minâ—string voice and words to me being opressed with sorow and thou didst ouercome the dangerous attemps of my foes quickening me for thine infinite mercies sake what shall I render vnto thee therefore for all thy benefits which thou hast bestowed vpon me I will giue thee the sacrifice of praise and call vpon thy name with reuerence yea I w ll pay my vowes vnto thee which I haue promised euen in the mâ—dst of thy faithfull congregation for euer and euer Amen A prayer vnto God desiring him to defend vs from the malice of our aduersaries MOst mercifull God I beseech thee for thy names sake saue me and deliuer me being an innocent by thy power giue eare vnto the wordes of my mouth and refuse not my prayer that I here present vnto thy diuine maiestie defend me O Lord from the wicked and such as rise vp against me confound their deuices and let the snares that they haue set to imtrap me be as a sword lighting vpon their owne heads cut them downe according to thy promises which thou hast made to thy children that I being deliuered by the extended force of thy right hand may willingly performe my vow and solemne promise vnto thee and celebrate thy praises seeing there is nothing more bountifull nor more excellent than the worthinesse of the power namely in that thou hast saued me from all distresse and graunted me my desire on my enemies graunt this O father for Iesus Christ his sake our onely redeemer Amen A prayer for such as intend to enter into the estate of matrimonie made at the request of M Ed. Fenton MOst mightie God and heauenly father from the bottome of my heart I yeeld all honour land praise and thankesgiuing vnto thy diuine maiestie for those thy riches blessings and benefits which thou in mercy hast bestowed vpon me O Lord that by thy incomprehensible power madest Adam out of the dust and slime of the earth and createdst him to thine own image behold me thy seruant whom thy good pleasure hath called to the honourable state of matrimony and as by thy most excellent prouidence thou diddest giue vnto Adam Eua to be his helper and immutably ordainest them to become one flesh from whom proceeded all mankind so O my good God in thy mercy graunt that this woman whom thou hast giuen me may be vnto me a helper and that we may be a comfort one towards another euen as Abraham vnto Sara and Isaac to Rebecca and not to fulfill our vngodly affections nor the corrupt and filthie desire of our fleshly appetites but to loue and liue together withall humble obedience and reuerent feare towards thee as becommeth thy seruants without strife or debate and for the procreation of children to the increase of thy kingdome which if it please thee to blesse vs withall grant that we may bring them vp in thy feare and true religion Lord behold vs that with one heart and voiâ—e doe most humbly beseech thee so to endue direct and sanctifie vs with thy holy spirit that all our actions may stand with thy honour and glory credit of thy Church and our euerlasting saluation and graunt that we with all modesty may liue together with continuall peace of conscience and health of body vntill we become aged that we may see our childrens children and thy name eternally aduanced in the Church and congregation and when thy goodnes hath finished our dayes in this life conduct our soules in safetie vnto that spirituall kingdome which thou hast ordained for thine elect to rest with thee for euer Graunt O most mercifull father that those things which we haue faithfully asked according to thy will may effectually be obtained that we thy lowly and obedient children obtaining the perpetuall fruition of thy fauour may for thy gratious assistance and inestimable treasures yeeld vnto thee eternall praise power and dominion with vncessant thanksgiuing both now and euer thorough our onely mediatour and aduocate Iesus Christ Amen A prayer for a vvoman that is barren and desireth the fruit of her bodie O Lord my God most gratious and louing father in Iesus Christ behold me poore wretch whom thy hand hath hitherto humbled as it were in the sight of all the world at the length take away my reproch I acknowledge thy hand to be vpon me for none in heauen or earth saue thy maiestie only is able to withstand the particular effect of that thy generell commaundement Bring foorth fruit and multiply Thou onely deare father canst doe it because of thy almightinesse and thou also doest it euen in thy children according to the most holy decree of thy vnsearchable wisdome now because when thou vâ—sitest thy children with any wants of outward comforts and blessings thou doest it not deare father for any lacke of loue to them or as though the blessings also of this life pertained not to them for in Christ Iesus who is Lord of all they are likewise our right the vngodly being meere vsurpers of them but thou doest it to draw them by some temporal want and short restraint of their desires to seeke at thy hand some eternall blessings which they stand more in need of that thereby in the end thou mightest be seene to multiply thy rich mercies towards them euery way Of which thy wisdome thou hast left vs a leagible euidence in the story of thy seruant Iob who after thou baddest taught him more humilitie thou enrichedst also as his heart could desire Now because thy waies are all iust O Lord and thou walkest euer like thy selfe haue mercie on me thy seruant I beseech thee giue me to vnderstand that which thou wouldest haue me to see in this my affliction and sith through the darkenesse of my mind it is hard for me O Lord to espit out the deformities and wants that are in me may it please thee to vouchsafe me the especiall guiding of thy holy spirit herein so as by it I may make a through visitation of my selfe both for my outward deeds and for my inward affections vntill I shall find out the thing that may please thee and may also be yet further blessed of thee euen in this thing which my heart defireth so shall this thy louing returne wipe away my reproch thy bounteous dealings with thy seruant be ioyfully praised among thy Saints and as for me whose head thou hast thus lifted vp I will neuer cease talking of thy goodnesse and informing those who shall in like case of thy liberall kindnesse towards all that wait on thee and thy most wise and righteous iudgements which thou exercisest amongst those also that feare thy holy name Amen A prayer for iourneying O Most louing and tender Father I commit this my iourney and corporall trauell vnto thy
Amen A prayer to be said in affliction O Thou onely wise God and most louing and mercifull father I thy vnworthy seruant doe humbly beseech thee to look down from heauen and beholde the wounded heart of him whome thou hast stricken and visited according to the good pleasure of thy will and because man in his owne nature is nothing but blindnesse and folly before thee and therefore cannot possâ—bly conceiue rightly of the thinges that are aboue it may therefore please thee according to thy wonted mercy towards me to renew and refresh thy spirit in thy seruant that the same instructing my heart in true wisdome and feare of thee whereby I may willingly and obediently studie thy commaundements and exrecise my selfe in thy Statutes I may come to the vnderstanding of mine owne euils and feele the cause of thy scourge that so my wound being laid open to mine eyes I may deferre no time to seeke the salue to heale it My good God heare the voice of thy seruant that crieth vnto thee consider my complaints and weigh mine inward wo conceiued through hate of mine owne infirmities for I flie from my selfe as from an vnwalled castle and I feare all my footings as though I walked on thornes O Lord therefore deale not with me in thy displeasure neither let my sinnes separate thy fauour from me but quicken me in my afflictions and make me waxe wiser by thy punishments giue me such a feeling of my infirmities and so perfect a perseuerance of my great negligences in seruing of thee as that I may wholly dispose my selfe to a contrary order and thereunto so ioyne the encrease of thy grace and strengthning spirit as I may be able thereby to perfourme my race in that good way which thy goodnesse hath mooued me to And that I may not be a vaine beholder of thy workes a momentaneous â—iewer of thy graces but diligently noting the effectuall working of thy wisdome and making due obseruations of thy profitable exercises in thy children I may locke them in the closet of my heart and make store of them for mine owne vses in the time of my triall in which times also O mercifull father be neere vnto me with thy ioyfull countenance and open my eies of faith to behold thy loue so that I be not too much shaken by the enemies assaults but may be furnished from thee both with abilitie constancie and patience to giue him both his daily and finall repulse and ouerthrow which that I may doe to the greater credit of thy Church and increase of thy kingdome make O sweete Lord now and the rather for that I haue had triall of my enemy his sleights already me thy seruant to arise out of all the fathers of sloth and neuer to trust hereafter to the the trecherie of the enemy but to stand warily vpon my guard and neuer to discend from the watch tower of my health but there night and day to vse the counsell of thy spirit and to exercise my selfe in the spirituall weapons of my saluation that when I haue spent my youthfull daies in the vigilant watch of my charge as thy mercy and louing kindnes shall inable me when thy sonne our Generall shall come to take account I may be indued with the daies of rest which he hath purchased for me with the price of his most pretious blood receiue at his hands the priuiledged rod of liberty for euer The loue of our good God that created vs the grace of our Lord Iesus who hath redeemed vs and the assistant fellowship of the Holy Ghost who hath sanctified vs gouerne and continue with vs euen all thy Israel for euer Before we receiue the Lords supper it shall be profitable thus to meditate ALl the righteousnesse that may rise vnto man or can be in vs we haue it neither from the East nor from the West but from the body of Christ neither is therein the world any other sanctification so that all we that be here this day and all people els of the world except we know perfect manhood and our owne nature to be really vnited to the person of the sonne of God who hath sanctified himse fe for vs there is no sanctification for vs vnder heaueÌ„ Euen as our hands and armes and other members are not nourished but onely by the meat receiued by the head so our spirituall meate of righteousnesse and life is not giuen vs but from our head Iesus Christ And as the veines are meanes by which nourishment is conueighed to euery part so faith is the meanes by which we reteine from Christ all that is healthfull vnto vs. And as by ioynts and sinewes our members are really knit and made a body vnto the head so really truly and indeede by one spirit we be knit vnto Christ as perfectly and substantially made one with him as our members are one with our head A praier before the receiuing of the Lords supper O Almighty God and my most mercifull father in wonderfull mercy I acknowledge it hath pleased thee to purge me vnworthy wretch by the bloody passion of thy sonne from all my sinnes to haue adopted me thy child and gâ—uen me the earnest of my saluation touching my heart with an infallible feeling of thy mercies and setled confidence in thy promises in the ioyfull commemoration of which thy vnspeakeable blessings my soule is now thirstingly entred into thine house to take the wholesome cup of saluation and to call vpon thy holy name giue me now therefore O Lord a wise and vnderstanding heart that I may coÌ„ceiue rightly of thy sacred mysteries discerne them secretly receiue them effectually to the perfect consummation and finishing of that happy building which thy worthy goodnes haâ—h begun in me yea vntill I become to the measure of the age and fulnesse of my Loâ—d and Sauiour Iesus Christ vnto whom with thee O father and the Holy Ghost be all power and doâ—inion for euer Amen of my health in this life O sweete Lord I take no care so that thy good pleasure be therein fulfilled for if thou wilt I liue and recouer of this my bodely infirmitie I haue iust cause to be thankefull vnto thee therefore and if thy wisdome hath now determined to finish in me these daies of sinne I haue double cause to poure forth the teares of a melting heart for ioy not because I would leaue these daies of paine and sorrow which my sinne ten thousand times double deserueth but that I would cease to displease so deare a Lord and louing a father and that being transported into that heauenly life of thy immortall children I may praise and serue thee in that sweet societie of Angels where the burthen of this flesh shall find no place to encumber me for euer Thither therefore O Father if thy wisdome haue so determined speedily conduct me in the meane time make that this my bodily affliction may conduce to thy glory on earth and my saluation in