leasings and vaine stories O be mercifull vnto me and enter not into Iudgement with thy seruant for how shall Dust and Ashes stand vp before thee or the worke of thy hands contend with his Creator Haue pitie on me O Lord according to thy great goodnesse and in the multitude of thy mercies blot out all my Iniquities Saue me and be neere vnto me in the day of trouble that I may magnifie thy Name and giue all honour power and glorie to thee who art the Father and Fountaine of all comfort and consolation Amen AT NOONE. 20. A Prayer concerning the benefit of Creation I Am amazed O Lord to consider of thy wonderfull mercie my soule is lost in the depth of thy neuer-ceasing goodnesse and like the wisest of Philosophers the more I learne the lesse I may truly professe to know so bottomelesse and vnsearchable is thy loue and fauour When I was Nothing O Lord why thoughtst thou of me and calledst me to be Something which hauing any subsistence of Beast or Plant is better then not to be at all but thou hast created me according to thine owne Image giuing me a reasonable soule like the Angels endued with noble faculties and powers enabling me to reach the height of thy mysticall Diuinitie and diuine Mysterie and made me capable of euerlasting and infinite glorie O Lord before thee and in comparison of thy Maiestie I am iust Nothing and how wast thou then mindfull of me to create me Alas my soule thou wast hidden in the Abysse of Nothing and in this Abysse of Nothing shouldst thou haue remained vntill this present if God had not drawne thee forth from thence and what couldst thou haue done within this Nothing O my great and good Creator how infinitely am I indebted vnto thee for that thou hast taken me out of this Nothing to make me by thy mercie that something which I am What shall I euer be able to doe worthily to blesse and magnifie thy Name and to render thankes to thine exceeding Bountie But alas my Creator in stead of vniting my selfe vnto thee by pure loue and loyall seruice I haue alwayes beene rebellious by vnruly affections separating and withdrawing my selfe from thee to ioyne and vnite my selfe vnto sinne and iniquitie doing no more to thy Goodnesse then if thou hadst not beene my Creator What wickednesse hath there beene O Lord that I haue not had a thought readie to put in a mind apt to contriue and a hand willing to execute it Wherein haue I testified my obedience in following thy Lawes and Precepts Wherein my truth and loyaltie in resisting thy vowed and knowne enemies But O my soule know that our Lord is thy God it is he that hath made thee and not thou thy selfe O God I am the worke of thy hand I will then no more henceforth take pleasure in my selfe since in my selfe and of my selfe I am truly Nothing Blesse thy God O my soule and let all thy bowels prayse his holy Name for his Bountie hath drawne me forth of the Abysse of Nothing and his Mercie hath created me O my God I offer vnto thee with all my heart the essence and being which thou of thy Bountie hast bestowed vpon me and most willingly doe I dedicate and consecrate it to thee O my God strengthen me in these affections and resolutions and giue me perseuerance to the end 21. Euening Prayer I Humbly confesse and acknowledge O mercifull Lord and Sauiour that I haue not imployed and bestowed the blessed Time of this hallowed Day so deuoutly and religiously as I ought and am commanded to doe I beseech thee of thy infinite mercie to forgiue and pardon so weake and frayle a Creature that cannot entertaine the least good thought one moment vvithout thee and vouchsafe of thy accustomed goodnesse and clemencie continually to visit nay my most blessed Sauiour to inhabite and dwell with mee that so I may doe the things which please thee Giue vnto me O Lord a kindly relenting and remorse for the sinnes I haue this day committed against thy diuine Maiestie and against my Neighbour by thought word and deed and by omission of those things thou hast left me in charge to haue done Moderate O Lord my sleepe and banish from me all vaine and wandering fancies vncleane and idle illusions that I may awake in thee and to thee offer my Morning thoughts who art onely worthie of all that onely hast created redeemed sanctified and preserued me for which be thou euer praysed and honoured world without end Amen 22. A Prayer to our blessed Sauiour and Redeemer PRostrate thy selfe O my soule before the Lord of all Maiestie and Glorie sitting at the right hand of his Father crowned with Mightinesse and Power richly adorned with a garland of all Vertues brightly shining in the companie of his glorious Angels holy Saints and bloudie Martyrs honouring and seruing him without ceasing or intermission singing Hymnes of his Goodnesse and Mercie and hauing thus beheld him in this great Pompe and Triumph cast thine eye vpon this blessed Sauiour poorely lying in the Manger hauing scarce any thing to couer his tender and delicate Bodie or saue it from the iniurie of the Ayre Consider well and seriously how he which giueth heat and motion to the Sunne is here contented as vnable to helpe himselfe to take warmth and comfort from the breath of the Beasts whom he there disdained not to be his Chamber-fellowes O wonderfull example of all humilitie How darest thou from henceforth contemned Dust and Ashes swell in thy Vaine-glorie and decked with a few gay Ragges forget thy Creator who is cloathed with Eternitie Humble O Lord my high and proud thoughts abase and bring downe my loftie and rebellious imaginations make me abiect in my owne eyes that walking with my poore Brethren who wander naked and hungrie lying vpon the bare cold Earth I may with them prayse and glorifie thy holy Name who wert the first founder and beginner of this poore and contemned Order Why shall we from henceforth so highly esteeme Honour and Riches when thou the Lord of both didst so contemne it voluntarie for our instruction submitting thy selfe to so great and miserable Pouertie Happie are wee if wee be distressed and patiently suffer it happie if wee be contemned and neglected for thy sake Teach me O Lord the way to despise all worldly preferment and promotions that hauing my thoughts only fixed vpon thee I may passe forth these transitorie short miseries to dwell in eternall rest and felicitie in thy Kingdome which is promised to all those which serue thee to whom be ascribed all honor power and glorie world without end Amen 23. Another Prayer for assistance in dangers and troubles COmplaynest thou discontented and vngratefull Creature that thy enemies lye in wait to take thy life from thee and thinkest thy selfe not well dealt with to be so persecuted and afflicted when thou mayest behold the Creator of Heauen and Earth
thee for that eternal and all-comforting name of thy sweet Son Iesus to giue mee a feeling of my owne desperate and dangerous estate to take away the dead and impostume vices which haue ouer-growne goodnes and vertue so that I may perceiue what is wicked or sinfull made the same with me by a long custome Grant me O bountifull and louing Lord constancie and perseuerance in the good determinations wherewith thou shalt inspire lest I fal into a relapse perish vnsuccourably euen for thy owne mercies sake which from the beginning of the world was intended to saue sinners Amen 71. A Prayer in Sicknes NOw I am weakest O Lord in estate be thou strongest and inlighten and comfort my Soule in this darknes and torments of my Body Satan hath incompassed me on euery side and as assured of victory hath laid aside all his faire and eye-pleasing disguises pulling off his beautifull visor and in his owne horrible and dreadfull deformitie telleth me plainely I am his There is no sinne my most mercifull and euerlasting Redeemer which hee is not in the vgliest and desperatest manner ready to lay before me more carefull now to call them to my memory then he was before to banish them for euer He telleth me it is thine own Doctrine that the wages of sinne is Death and that euerlasting world without end But shall hee O iust and righteous Iudge be my accuser and witnes against mee Shall he betray me to a sinne and be rewarded for reuealing it I protest before the Throne of thy diuine Maiestie that he alone ioyned with the world and the flesh hath wrought vpon my frailtie and subtilly seduced mee to all kinde of sinne and enormitie that he alone hath perswaded mee to offend thee my Lord and Maker laying thy heauy displeasure and terrour of thy iudgements before me seeking either to draw me to despaire or an vnwillingnes to enter into the due consideration of my hainous mis-deeds I doe therefore wholly abiure and detest him abandoning for euer his friendship and seruice and relying on thy powerfull and auailable Passion in the preciousnesse and value of it offer vp my selfe vnto thee beseeching thee for thy owne merits and goodnes to accept a forlorne and despayring sinner who without thy mercy is readie to bee swallowed vp by the eternall gulfe of hell fire Moderate O Lord my sicknesse and paines that I may the freelier haue recourse vnto thee strengthen and confirme my fainting and decaying voyce that I may the earnestlier cry vnto thee And aboue all O my most sweete and amiable Lord comfort and aide my drooping and fearefull heart that I may continually meditate on thee that if it bee thy will and pleasure I may escape the vengeance prepared for those that dye out of thy fauour and if thou shalt please to call mee forth of this mortall life I may liue with thee put on immortality euen for thy holy Names sake to which be all honour glory world without end Amen 72. A Prayer to be said before any worke wee goe about IN vaine O Lord rise wee earely and sit vp late eating the bread of carefulnesse turmoyling and tormenting our selues with great labour and wearisomnesse vnlesse thou O Lord giue a blessing In vaine toyleth the Husbandman plowing and sowing vnlesse thou water it and giue the increase In vaine endangereth himselfe the Marchant furrowing and turning vp the waters vnlesse thou prosper and guide his Ship Since thou fillest euery thing with blessing be pleased at this time onely Lord and Sauiour to looke mercifully and fauourably on the industries and labours of thy seruant and multiply them as thou didst the old womans Iar who gaue of it to the Prophet grant that wee may prosper and haue giuing of our abundance to those poore brethren that want it rather then to bee driuen to aske it Yet in all O Lord thy will bee done to the extremest pouertie nay death it selfe Giue me O Lord a true feeling of my selfe that I may rather respect goodnesse then gaine and aime rather to liue honestly then richly affecting a mediocritie not aboundance lest I be puffed vp with the vaine and gawdy shew of vncertaine wealth Grant O blessed Lord and Sauiour that I may in all my courses and enterprises haue before my eyes the end whereunto they should be directed which is onely in this warfare and pilgrimage to prouide me necessaries for my voyage to that holy Land wherein al thy children and seruants haue before the beginning of the world a portion and inheritance laid out and reserued that I may with that prouidence and care so furnish and store my selfe that I be neither forced with Esau for want and indiscretion to sell my birth-right for fading and transitory reliefe nor with the proud and mighty exalted with the infinitenesse of their treasure despise and grow carelesse of it but in all things making my selfe obedient to thy will be found worthy to take possession of it Grant this O sweete Iesus Amen 73. A Prayer for Remission of sinnes I Humbly confesse O Almightie and euer-liuing Lord that I am vnworthy the bread thou in thy mercie bestowedst on me vnworthy to infect the ayre with my breath who spend it to thy dishonour and my owne defamation most vnworthy the least of thy blessings which I haue plentifully receiued of thee and that I tremble to come into thy presence my sinnes striking horrour and terrour to my heart lest I be swallowed vp for my offences and wickednesses daily committed and yet vnrepented But O most mercifull and all-louing Father take thy Eye I beseech thee from them lest thou in thy iustice bring me to destruction and fixe it on the bitter Passion of thy deare Sonne behold him O Lord scourged buffeted reuiled spet vpon and despitefully crucifyed for the hainousnesse of these my transgressions and in the preciousnesse of this satisfaction be pleased O Lord to giue eare to the humble and sorrowing lamentation of a despised and contemned sinner who is heartily and truely sorry for these his misdeeds and trespasses desiring thee of thy infinite bounty to inspire him with thy grace that hee may for euer hate and detest the guilt and monstrousnesse of them Strike mee O Lord with a true feare not onely of thy mightinesse and iudgements but of thy mercies and louing kindnesse that I may bee vtterly ashamed and confounded to offend so fauourable and indulgent a Father who hath not dis-inherited nor cast off so notorious and disobedient a sonne but in his mercy reserued a portion for mee which O blessed and all-louing Lord make me worthy of that I may euer praise and glorifie thy clemencie world without end 74. A Prayer for Perseuerance SInce O Lord not hee that attempteth the course but he that continueth to the end not those Virgins who came late but they that watched continually haue the promised and expected reward giue me aboundantly of thy blessing that I
our sins and transgressions committing our selues to his Fatherly protection the ensuing night that awaking in the morning wee may finde a wel-pleasing rellish of holy thoughts timely and maturely digested For the better composing our selues at the time of prayer we ought before duely and earnestly to consider his Greatnesse and Immensitie to whom wee pray the necessitie and height of what we pray for and our own vnworthinesse to obtaine a grant accomplishment of our petitions that being truely humbled and cast down in our selues it may please the Lord of heauen and earth to haue the more pitie compassion on vs. And if men that appeare to speake before an earthly King seriously prepare and examine themselues calling euery word to a iust weight and measure strictly taking care of the lest gesture How ought we in the presence of so great aboue all comparisons infinitely excelling a Lord be sollicitous and heedfull that nothing passe from vs vnworthy or il-beseeming his Diuinitie purenesse Thus praying and behauing our selues we shall no question finde to our neuer-dying comfort the euer-liuingnes of his promises in the accomplishment of our iust petitions being made witnesses of the dissolution of heauen and earth the vanishing away of all things transitorie at the command of his Word one iot or tittle whereof shall not be taken away or diminished but remaine pure and perfect in the iustification of his Elect clothing them with eternitie and immortality to which state of happines our blessed Sauiour send vs all for his holy Names sake A Table containing the seuerall Prayers A Prayer for Munday Morning 1 A prayer for Munday Noone 2 A Prayer for Munday Night 3 A Prayer for Tuesday Morning 4 A Prayer for Tuesday Noon 5 A Prayer for Tuesday Night 6 A Prayer for Wednesday Morning 7 A Prayer for Wednesday Noone 8 A Prayer for Wednesday Night 9 A Prayer for Thursday Morning 10 A Prayer for Thursday Noone 11 A Prayer for Thursday Night 12 A Prayer for Friday Morning 13 A Prayer for Friday Noone 14 A Prayer for Friday Night 15 A Prayer for Saturday Morning 16 A Prayer for Saturday Noone 17 A Prayer for Saturday Night 18 A Prayer for Sunday Morning 19 A Prayer for Sunday Noone 20 A Prayer for Sunday Night 21 A Prayer to our blessed Sauiour for Humility 22 Another for assistance in dangers and troubles 23 A Prayer against Pride 24 A Prayer against the concupiscence of the Flesh 25 A Prayer against Sloth 26 A Prayer against Couetousnesse 27 An acknowledgement of sins with promise of amendment 28 A Prayer in afflictions and troubles 29 A prayer for Remission of sinnes 30 A prayer for Chastitie 31 A prayer to be sayd in a iourney 32 A prayer against Lightening and Thunder 33 A prayer or Meditation concerning the benefites after creation 34 A prayer against vaine Attire 35 A prayer for a Maid against temptations 36 Another to the same effect 37 A prayer for a Maid not to bee puffed vp with her owne perfections 38 A prayer for a Maid to bee directed in her choyse 39 A prayer for a Maid to bee obedient to her Parents 40 A prayer before a Iourney 41 Another for the same 42 A prayer in afflictions 43 A prayer for a Marchant 44 A prayer before Studie 45 A prayer for the Fatherlesse 46 A prayer in afflictions and troubles 47 A Thankes-giuing 48 A prayer in time of Pestilence 49 A prayer in time of War 50 A prayer for a Husbandman to receiue the fruits of the earth 51 A prayer for a Widdow 52 A prayer for a Wife 53 A prayer for Maryners 54 A prayer for Children 55 A prayer for Seruants 56 A prayer for one that is sick 57 A prayer for womens deliuerance 58 A prayer going to bed 59 A prayer against idle talke 60 A Thankes-giuing 61 A prayer for direction in all the course of our life 62 A prayer for great men seated in places of Honour 63 A Thankesgiuing for the recouery of our high and mightie Soueraigne King Iames. April 1619. 64 Another Thankes-giuing 65 A prayer against our enemies 66 Another prayer for deliuerance from our enemies 67 A Thankesgiuing for the ouerthrow of our enemies 68 A Prayer for present necessities 69 Another prayer intreating remission of sins constancie in good purposes 70 A prayer in sicknesse 71 A prayer to bee said before any work we go about 72 A prayer for remission of sinnes 73 A prayer for perseuerance 74 A prayer in affliction 75 A prayer in extremitie of sickenesse 76 A prayer in the Spring time 77 A prayer in Summer 78 A payer to bee sayd in Autumn 79 A prayer to be sayd in Winter 80 A prayer in aduersity and affliction 81 A prayer to our blessed Sauiour 82 A prayer in time of Lent 83 A prayer against temptation 84 A prayer for preparation against the Day of Iudgement 85 Certaine Eiaculations of the Spirit A short Meditation vpon these words of Pilate Behold the Man A Meditation vpon the Resurrection THE EVER-BVRNING Lamps of Deuotion and Pietie MVNDAY MORNING 1. Morning Prayer O ETERNALL and euer-liuing God what humble and heartie thankes ought I render thy diuine Maiestie who hast called me from the image of Death and safely brought me to the beholding of this day giuing me yet farther time to call vpon thy holy Name and to aske forgiuenesse for my sinnes and wickednesses Receiue O Lord an humble and contrite heart and despise not the voice of a miserable and deiected sinner who can offer thee nothing for these and all other thy innumerable benefits but what must graciously proceed from thy owne clemencie and mercie possessing no good but from thee and by thee exercising nothing agreeable to thy will but through thee euen at this instant mercifully led by thy power and gentlenesse to make my humble supplications vnto thee Season me O Lord with thy Spirit endue me with thy gracious and holy gifts that I may bestow this day to thy honour and glorie and my owne comfort and eternall saluation Defend me from the snares and subtleties of Satan who howrely watcheth to enter and ouerthrow me and vnlesse withstood by thy diuine hand how can so poore a Worme resist so mightie an Enemie Saue me O Lord from his Minister the World who with the glorie thereof seeketh to beguile and deceiue me and let not the flesh haue any power ouer me which suggested by him layeth continuall siege to me bringing my sinnes like fearefull Canons before me my owne weakenesse desiring to let him in and all my senses conspiring against me Hasten O Lord to my aide come speedily and redeeme me let not the worke of thy hands how meane soeuer be a prey to thy aduersarie who laboureth to win me from thee and hateth me for thee that being protected by thy out-stretched Arme I may goe forward in goodnesse and vertue Giue me O Lord a heart full of Charitie
Patience Obedience Humblenesse without Malice Vaine-glory enuying none and fixe all my thoughts actions and endeuours to recouer thee in thy Kingdome to whom be all honour power and glorie world without end Amen 2. A Prayer before Dinner ALmightie and euerlasting God which hast created all things for the good and benefit of Mankind giuing him power and dominion ouer all thy creatures graunt O Lord that I may so moderately vse these blessings thou hast in thy mercie prouided for me as may stand with thy good liking and pleasure Let me eate to helpe not pamper Nature lest of a seruant she become an enemie and make me vnfit for thy seruice and glorie which is the onely end of our creation and being Let Temperance not my Appetite ouersway me euer remembring and with dutifull thankes acknowledging thy loue and fauour who hast vouchsafed to refresh and comfort me when many thousands of my poore brethren whose fearefull sinnes call not for vengeance like mine suffer vnder the Tyrannie of Hunger Giue me grace O Lord to pitie them and meanes to relieue them that we may together glorifie thee in thy Workes and prayse thy Iudgements which are vnsearchable shewing mercie on whom thou pleasest chastising thy children that being made obedient in their punishments they may come to thee and be made partakers of that neuer-ending glorie which thou hast prepared for those that truly serue thee euen for Iesus Christ his sake our onely Lord and Sauiour who with thee and the holy Ghost three persons and one God liueth and raigneth world without end Amen 3. Euening Prayer MOst mercifull and louing God Father of all Consolation who in thy infinite wisedome and prouidence hast ordained the night for rest by which our bodily sences wearied with the dayes labour might be renewed and refreshed wee prayse and glorifie thy holy Name in that thou hast vouchsafed of thy accustomed bountie and goodnesse to protect vs from all the bodily dangers of this day which our Enemie the Deuill practiseth for our destruction How many O pitifull and sweet Sauiour hath his snares betrayed and vndone leading them by temptation and strong perswasion with their owne hands to be their owne Murtherers How many hast thou suffered to fall by fire some by the crueltie of their Brother Fathers by their Children Wiues by their Husbands suddenly and vnexpectedly in apparent danger without thy mercie and benediction of eternall woe and damnation How shall a heart loaden and ouercome with these thy benefits expresse thy power and glorie with his owne shame and opprobriousnesse I acknowledge and confesse most blessed and pitifull Lord that my sinnes dayly encreasing nay howrely growing vpon me haue deserued Hell fire and euerlasting damnation I haue knowne thy Commandements and not followed them I haue hearkened to thy will and not obeyed it pursuing with swift feet the vnlawfull desires and lusts of my flesh Giue me grace O mercifull Lord and Father that I may with all the power of my soule striue and endeuour to amend and reforme this sinfull and abominable course Be pleased to call me vnto thee by what meanes soeuer thou shalt thinke my vnbridled and stubborne disposition will be tamed and subdued I refuse no punishment without exception of greatnesse or choice of qualitie Pouertie sent by thee shall be my chiefest Riches Shame and Contempt being thy affliction shall be the propagation of my glorie the neglect of Friends shall not trouble me for in all things O Lord let thy will be done who wisheth not the death of a sinner but that he may repent and liue with thee in the companie of Angels and Saints who are filled with thy goodnesse and continually sing thy prayses to whom onely belongeth iust prayse and honour world without end Amen TVESDAY 4. Morning Prayer O Almightie and most mercifull Father which hast opened the eyes of thy seruant to behold thy glorious and wonderous workes sending thy blessed and comfortable Light to banish and put to flight the thick and black darknesse which couered the face of the Earth lighten O Lord my vnderstanding that I may see thee in thy reuealed will and not curiously wander farther Giue me grace to know what is good and rectifie my will to follow it that in my life and conuersation I may glorifie thee and profit others I confesse O Lord and humbly acknowledge my sinnes and offences and my transgressions are euer before me Pardon O mercifull Father and be pleased to put away from thy remembrance all my iniquities Let the bloud of thy deare Sonne and my onely Sauiour be auaileable against thy Iustice and burie my misdeedes in his Sepulchre that they may neuer rise vp against me Blesse O mightie and only powerfull God all the labours of this day and graunt thou wilt helpe vs to performe what is thy pleasure wee doe that euerie speech and action hauing his beginning from thee may tend to our owne comfort and saluation Let not O Lord which art the comfort and succour of all distressed and afflicted the greedie and vnlawfull desire of gaine and encrease rayse our hearts to affect falsehood and dissimulation Set a watch O Lord before our lippes that wee may speake truly to euery man in the vprightnesse and sinceritie of a good conscience wee may be at peace with our selues Set ouer vs thou great and onely Protector thy holy Angell to guard and defend vs that the Deuill who lyeth in wait to betray vs may be put to flight and confounded either take away O Lord or giue vs strength to ouercome his subtleties and temptations that endeuouring to spend this day according to thy holy Word wee may rest in peace till thou againe shalt call vs to performe our dutie euen for Iesus Christs sake our onely Lord and Sauiour 5. A Prayer at Noone I Will not cease to crie vnto thee O Lord because thou art mercifull and regardest the complaints of thy seruant who as in a Wildernesse encompassed with rauenous beasts were it not for thy assisting grace looketh instantly to be deuoured My flesh rebelleth against me and my vnbridled and lawlesse sences would giue me vp as a prey vnto the enemie Be neere O Lord vnto me and assist me in the Conflict lest I shamefully fall and be confounded Inspire me O Lord with vertuous and holy motions vnresistable and neuer-yeelding graces that I may fight manfully vnder thy glorious Standard following thee my Captaine and Leader thorow all the dangerous and fearefull oppositions which Satan bringeth against me Giue me O Lord an vnwearied courage that I may neyther faint vnder the heat of my desires nor be dulled and benummed with the cold and â—â—â—â—tie carelesnesse of my lazie and luke-warme deuotion but with able and lustie vigor ouercomming the World the Flesh and the Deuill I may in spirit reioyce with thee and sing thy prayses and glorie who art the onely blessed and gracious Redeemer from all temptations and troubles 6. Euening
thou hast yet continued thy fauourable and commanding hand ouer me in placing me before thee reseruing me and redeeming me from the continuall assaults of Satan who awaiteth to make a prey on me mercifully O Lord forgiue the euill which I haue committed and the good which I haue had meanes to lay hold of and ouerslipped be pleased not to remember against me who am nothing but pollution and vncleanenesse vncapable without thee of goodnesse and vnworthie by my owne negligence and carelesnesse to be called vnto it Forgiue O Lord my customarie and irreligious taking thy Name in vaine my wandering and idle speeches pride of my selfe or towards others detraction for my owne glorie Enuie or whatsoeuer in thought word or deed this day committed displeaseth thy diuine Maiestie that my soule vnloaded and vnburdened of the deadly and condemning weights of sinne may comfortably take the refreshing of this Night thou in thy mercie hast ordained for me euen for Iesus Christ his sake thy onely and well-beloued Sonne and our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen THVRSDAY 10. Morning Prayer AS out of my graue O Lord by thy mightie hand and out-stretched arme hast thou this day called me raysing me from the depth of sleepe wherein many haue beene vnexpectedly and suddenly for euer buried and called me to the beholding of thy glorious and all-comforting Light and in that the admirable worke of thy hand and more especially and graciously taking away the darke and thicke clouds of sinne and wickednesse hast illumined my inward spirit with thy mercifull beames to thinke and meditate vpon thy holy Name and neuer-ending kindnesses opening with the day my eyes as thou didst to Hagar that I might be comforted in beholding desperate of helpe and succour the bottomelesse Well-spring of thy fauour and prouidence wherewith thou cherishest and maintainest all things created taking care by thy eternall wisedome of the poorest things in Nature And since O Lord one haire cannot fall from the head without thy fore-seeing knowledge mercifully and louingly sustaine and vphold me this day and euer that I slide not and fall from thee the head and author of my being and well-being without whom I was nothing and should be happie to returne to nothing Plant in me O Lord the timely fruit of Consideration and water it with thy heauenly dew that seriously and carefully setting before my eyes the end of my Creation the dreadfull account I must render in not applying my selfe to it with the glorious certaine promised Rewards belonging to Goodnesse and Vertue I may now and euer in all my thoughts words and deedes so carrie and behaue my selfe that I may be thought in the precious bloud of thy onely Sonne worthie to be made capable of that eternall Sacrifice hee hath long since offered for all sinners Amen AT NOONE. 11. A Prayer or Meditation for Patience WHither wilt thou goe O my Soule to find a Patterne of all Vertues Where wilt thou ensample this perfect and diuine Patience of which thou standest in need of Get vpon thy wings and flye to Bethleem sacred by the birth of our Sauiour thence trace him through the whole course of his blessed and innocent life where thou shalt behold it so rarely pourtrayed and set forth so sweetly and modestly described that thou canst not if thou hast any feeling of Goodnesse but be enamoured with her beautie Did euer this blessed and meeke Lambe for all his despightfull and base vsage grace a frowne with his Countenance Did euer an angry word dwell vpon his well-formed lippes Did hee so much as rebuke those which contemned him resist those which buffetted him nay gainesay those which spat in his reuerend Countenance Art thou oppressed with Pouertie Consider that the Lord of Heauen and Earth had not wherein to hide his head Art thou wronged with slanderous and disgracefull Speeches Was not this temperate and all-vertuous Man tearmed a Glutton and a Wine-bibber Doth Shame and Ignominie compasse thee in on euerie side See see my Soule the King of Kings and Lord of all Lords who raysed the dead to life lying vpon the Crosse and he who by his Mightinesse and Power exalted sinners to be glorious Saints hanging betweene two Theeues condemned as a foule Offendor Marke his mild and louely Countenance his sober and demure Speeches the modest glance of his Eyes and the composure of his whole Bodie cast in so Noble a Mould of vnconquered Patience that they sooner wanted occasions to tyrannize then he vertue meekely to suffer them Here fixe thy selfe kneele at the Root of the Crosse and with all those blessed Women and Saints which accompanied him reuerently say vnto him O thou eternall and most bountifull Sauior who vouchsafedst to descend from the Throne of thy glorie and putting on our fraile and weake humanitie didst for the redemption of Mankind vvander so many yeeres hungrie and naked contemned and despised suffering intolerable Paines and Torments without being moued or troubled graunt I beseech thee by thy precious Death and Buriall that I may willingly embrace those crosses thou pleasest to lay vpon me that I may run to meet them as thou didst the betraying Kisse of Iudas Giue me O Lord power and strength most meekely and patiently to vndergoe and abide all Persecutions Tribulations Wants Shames Sicknesses Hurts Maimes vvithout inwardly repining or grudging outwardly murmuring or speaking against them let me freely goe not violently be drawne to entertaine them Did not thy glorious Martyr and Souldier Saint Stephen whilest they stoned him prayse thee and pray for them Could he begin this Worke without thy grace or finish it without thy Power No no my most mercifull and gracious Lord it is thy Spirit which quickeneth for the flesh profiteth in nothing but repineth against it Be liberall therefore vnto me O Lord of thy soueraigne and precious Balme which healeth and cureth all sorts of Diseases anoint my rancorous and angrie flesh big-swolne with Malice that the sting being drawne out it may appeare white and faire let me drinke O Lord a large draught of this Cordiall to confirme strengthen me against all the poysons and infirmities of Nature For certainely Lord who is perfectly patient obeyeth thy will and who is obedient humbleth himselfe to all disaduantagious losses or what dishonour else the World can inflict Which Humilitie bringeth vs to that height and glorie which onely they shall enioy that haue patiently endured and expected this their reward to the end 12. Euening Prayer TVrne not thy face away from me O Lord incline thine eare and bow downe vnto me Heare me for thy mercies sake and according to the multitude of thy bounties blot out all my iniquities for what flesh is righteous or who dare stand vp against thee Doe not the Hills flye before thee and Mountaines melt at thy indignation Doth not the Sunne lose his light and the starres when thou commandest them hide their glorie Be mercifull O Lord and gracious to thy
seruant who remembring thy promise humbly prostrates himselfe before thy diuine Maiestie confessing all his sinnes and acknowledging all his iniquities Remember not O Lord our offences nor the offences of our fore-fathers neither take thou vengeance of our sinnes for who dare abide thy Iudgements Cast me not away from thy face but say vnto my soule I am thy saluation Haue mercie vpon me O Lord haue mercie vpon me and let my crie come vnto thee for my sinnes are heauie vpon me and threaten to ouerthrow me yea they say vnto my soule Where is now thy God Turne vnto me O Lord and they shall be turned speake vnto me and they shall be scattered Be vnto me a sure Rocke in the time of my trouble that I fall not vnder it for I have hoped in thee Oh forsake not thy seruant Forgiue O Lord all the passed errors of this day pardon my irreuerence in thy companie my negligence at prayers my faintnesse in good purposes and what euill I haue committed or what good through frailetie and my owne heedlesnesse I haue omitted be pleased not to remember euen for thy owne Names sake who art God most mightie one and the same world without end Amen FRIDAY 13. Morning Prayer O Most mercifully louing Lord and Sauiour the glorie and brightnesse of thy Father who descendedst from all thy Ioyes taking on thee humane frailetie to recall and recouer the sinner and those which were diseased with the vncurable plagues of sinne and wickednesse vouchsafe of thy infinite goodnesse and vnspeakable loue to be aiding and assisting to me this day and by thy might and power defend me from all temptations which may ouerthrow my vnsettled though well-directed resolutions Preserue me O Lord from all bodily dangers which without thee continually hang ouer me threatening my ruine and destruction Make good O Lord to me my determinations and purposes which may be answerable to thy holy and blessed inspirations and graunt me patience O Lord meekely and contentedly to suffer whatsoeuer I shall faile or be hindered in referring my selfe with all humilitie and ardencie of desires to thy diuine will and pleasure which be done O Lord in Earth as it is in Heauen Take away all rancour and malicious imaginations that I may neither by reuiling defame my brother or swell and torment my selfe with any disgracings he shall lay vpon me but acknowledging my basenesse and wickednesse as worthie of all reproches and dishonours calling to mind the Seruant is not aboue his Master in the comfort of thy example who aboue the meekenesse of a Lambe vnderwentest all kind of paines and reuilings I may behold a timely Euening reioycing my anger hath not awaited the Sunnes setting euer endeuouring and labouring against my fraile concupiscences and desires euen for thy holy Names sake Which whosoeuer ardently and continually calleth on shall not faile to obtaine vnspeakable happinesse and felicitie world without end Amen AT NOONE. 14. A Prayer to our blessed Sauiour asking him forgiuenesse for our sinnes which crucified him O Bountifull Iesu O sweet Iesu O Iesu the Sonne of the liuing God how dare I wretched and detestable sinner approch before thy diuine Maiestie How can I ouercome with sinne and shame stay any longer in thy presence Did euer the murtherer and slaughterer of his Lord and Master presume to offend him with his sight whilest yet the wounds were fresh and bleeding whilest his bodie was cruelly mangled and torne and his head with an vn-vsed crueltie pained and tormented lest the smart and rage of his wounds the shame and dishonour of his vsage should take away all hope and pitie of pardon deliuering him in his furie to the Iudge and he to the Executioner to carrie him where is continuall weeping and gnashing of teeth But consider O my Soule how this mercifull and meeke Sauiour behaueth himselfe towards his bloudie and tyrannous persecutors behold him dropping with bloud buffetted by the wicked ministers scorned of the people forsaken of his Disciples hoysted into the ayre cruelly nayled on the Crosse not cursing not reuiling but praying not for himselfe but those that persecuted him Amongst whom running with the formost mayest thou in thy eternall Prouidence O glorious Patterne of all Sufferings behold me with more crueltie laying on thee with my sinnes then the stonie-hearted Iewes vvith their weapons tearing thee if it were possible peece-meale with my horrible and blaspheming Oathes my loose and lasciuious thoughts wounding thy faire Head with more spight and rigour then the sharpe-pointed Thornes my Malice Enuie Pride Drunkennesse Concupiscence with innumerable other sinnes and transgressions flaying thy reuerend Bodie All this O Lord haue I done all this committed knowing thee and confessing thee to be Iesus the eternall Sonne of God and only Redeemer of the World Pray for me most gentle and mild Lord speake for me to thy eternall Father without which most abominable and wretched sinner I shall for euer be condemned Forsake me not now O Lord goe not away from me but renew in me a cleane heart and create a right spirit within me that I may plainely see the deformitie of sinne and the ouglinesse of my misdeedes Giue me grace earnestly to seeke thee and hauing found thee ardently to loue thee ouercome with which I may imploy all my actions endeuours and labours wholly to serue thee which if I faithfully and truly doe I shall at the end of my yeeres hauing so indulgent and louing a Master be made a Free-man of Heauen and those vnconceiuable Ioyes which no eye hath seene eare hath heard or tongue can tell they onely know them that enioy them Which O benigne and mercifull Lord graunt all thy seruants to inherite for thy holy Names sake which shall be honoured and praysed world without end 15. Euening Prayer GRaunt me O Lord after the many and wild distractions of this day a holy and inward recollection that I may returne into my selfe with due care and examination how I haue spent and imployed my faculties of soule and functions of bodie which thou hast lent me for thy vse and seruice and giue vnto me a true compunction and sorrowfull feeling for all the passed errors and transgressions of this day that I may heartily lament and bewayle my sinnes and wickednesses with a full resolution and constant determination of my amendment And graunt me O Lord this Night I beseech thee by thine incomprehensible Diuinitie and Maiestie chastitie of mind cleanenesse of heart simplicitie of spirit and most sincere puritie of soule and bodie that I may earnestly seeke after thee and in thee alone take my rest since whatsoeuer is without thee is onely vexation and trouble of mind that hauing enioyed a comfortable and peaceable Repose both of soule and bodie I may awake with much alacritie and cheerefulnesse of spirit to prayse and honour thee in all my workes and labours which the following day shall call me to for his onely sake in whom wee are
enabled to exercise whatsoeuer is good and vertuous Amen SATVRDAY 16. Morning Prayer BE mercifull vnto me O Lord and let thy holy hand be ouer me Let my first Meditation be of thy goodnesse and my Morning thoughts imployed about thy fatherly care and protection which hath from my infancie ouershadowed me preseruing me from the vile and shamefull fires of Lust and Riotousnesse recalling me still to a feeling and dislike of my passed sinnes and offences Rectifie O Lord my sinfull will and strengthen my frailetie that with the burning wings of filiall pietie and humble deuotion for so many and those vnspeakable gifts and graces I may flye by prayers and thanks-giuing to the Throne of thy Diuinitie where fixing all my aymes and intents I may change my pronenesse and inclination to ill and wickednesse with vertuous and feruent desires of louing and honouring thee for thy selfe who art onely and all goodnesse without the respect of my dependance or being from thee that reuerencing thy greatnesse and rauished with thy goodnesse I may with a loue full of awe and feare eschew those wayes which may displease thee euer carefuller of thy anger then my owne hurt or disaduantage to which height of Charitie graunt me O Lord to attaine for the merits of thy onely Sonne who alone is able to deserue so infinite a blessing for so infinite and vile a sinner Amen AT NOONE. 17. A Prayer against Drunkennesse GIue to me the water of Life O Lord and I shall neuer thirst but say the word and I shall be satisfied Send downe thy heauenly dew to asswage and coole my disordered and vnlimitted desires whose burning heat and raging fire runnes me into sinne and excesse In vaine haue I laboured without thee to stay my intemperance in vaine opposed my selfe against my wild and lawlesse sences Strengthen O Lord my weakenesse and confirme me against the temptations of the Deuill who finding a breach in me hath entred and made prey banishing all things good and vertuous which thou hast placed to keepe me and hath peopled me with strong and sinfull thoughts mortall and well-armed Offences who dare iustifie their Rapine and Extortion Drunkennesse Whoredome readily committing more sinnes then I haue names to cloath them in Hasten O Lord and helpe me for I am wearie of their tyrannie cast them out of me and plant thy grace that they returne not and multiplie Whole Dayes haue I pleased my selfe in displeasing thee and broken many Nights to breake thy Commaundements sore longing for their companie whose feet run to Iniquitie abusing thy Creature prouided by thy care and prouidence for the refreshing and sustentation of our naturall bodies to our ruine and without thy great mercie vtter damnation Did not thy seruant Lot O Lord a iust and righteous man in his drinke abuse his owne Daughter What sinne hath Hell in store so horrid that it dare not act and glorie of the deed O most mercifully louing Lord and Father who desirest not the death of a sinner but rather that he should liue and repent I request thee by the bowels of thy Mercie thy bitter precious Passion thy glorious Resurrection and Ascension thou wilt take away from me this Monster and Hell-borne wickednesse which hath subtilly perswaded me to offend thee my Lord and Maker and stealingly surprized me and giuen me vp to all manner of sinnes and transgressions taking away all reason blinding the sences that being wholly in his power he might carrie me headlong to all perdition Preserue me O Lord by thy might and power from all occasions which may bring me to him for I am fearefull of him and dare not without thy gracious assistance and mercie endure his slye and powerfull perswasions No age is warranted from him hee adulterateth both sexes he vnsanctifieth the most religious and creepeth into the priuatest and most retired places bewitching all sorts with his cunning and alluring charmes Stand O my Redeemer at the gates of my eares and shut out all his faire-seeming treaties which would conclude a peace betweene my frailetie and the Deuill Cleare O Lord my eyes and take away the myst from them that I may plainely see and perceiue his ouglinesse and deformitie wallowing in beastlinesse and sensualitie mercifully touch my heart with thy illumining Spirit that I may hate and detest him shun his friends and companions and flye from the place of his abode and entertainement within whose Circle no soule is safe no thought pure no sence perfect Amen 18. Euening Prayer LAy thy blessed hands vpon me O Lord as thou didst on thy seruant Lot delaying his owne safetie and conduct me out of this sinfull and euerie-way polluted Sodome that I may quickly flye from it lest vnquenchable fire and brimstone ouertake me whilest I protract and refuse thy heauenly inspirations Let no day passe me without some progresse in goodnesse and vertue and euerie houre O mercifull Father graunt I may determine a full amendment and detestation of my former lewdnesse and misse-spent behauiour Let me account my selfe an vnprofitable Scholler when I haue not learnt and aspired to some higher measure of vnderstanding thee an vnthriftie and riotous worldling when I haue not gathered and laid vp somewhat to maintaine and defend me in the day of trouble Touch O Lord my heart with thy heauenly Spirit that I may esteeme this life in his full value onely a Pilgrimage and Thorow-fare to another Land where I must truly liue for euer and accordingly despising all the lets and hinderances be neither tempted with the gawdie pleasures nor terrified with the rough passages of my Iourney but in thy holy feare making way through them I may at last arriue to thee the promised Land where euer-continuing and flourishing content and happinesse abideth Amen SVNDAY 19. Morning Prayer O My most mercifull Lord and Redeemer how shall a guiltie and sinfull soule appeare in the presence of an innocent and vnspotted Deitie or what hope of Pitie or Pardon when he shall be my Iudge who may onely accuse me bearing about him wide and gastly wounds which my sinnes haue giuen him by which his most glorious Passion and admirable Resurrection he as this day finished that great and neuer to be forgotten benefit of the Redemption of Mankind which I as much as in me lyeth by my horrid and abominable lust and desire haue sought to frustrate and annihilate Who shall take me from his Iustice or rescue me from his Omnipotencie I haue sinned O Lord I haue sinned and am no more worthie to be called thine I haue risen with the Sunne to meditate on vanities and all the day long haue I followed my owne wayes at the going downe of the same I haue forgotten thy Blessings and sate in darkenesse without remembring thee the Light and Guide of those that goe astray I haue forgotten thy Lawes and thy Statutes haue beene farre from me my thoughts haue beene busied in vncleanenesse and my lippes acquainted with
hauing no piece of Earth to abide with safetie in Doest thou value thy selfe aboue thy Maker and canst wish a share in his Glories but to be no partner with him in his Troubles O blessed Sauiour is it not thy owne saying that who will enioy thee must take vp his Crosse and follow thee How strictly liued thy fore-runner how imprisoned how died how poorely and dangerously thy followers glorifying thee in hunger in stripes in death Crowne me O Lord in this life with Thornes that I may hereafter receiue a Crowne of Glorie Let me be here imprisoned scourged and reuiled so I may be hereafter released acknowledged and receiued And graunt most mercifull and louing Redeemer that as thou didst in thy Godhead shew vs the fraileties of Man in thy Suffering so thou wouldst in our Manhood shew vs the power of thy Godhead manfully to resist and ouercome all feare of Dangers nay Death it selfe which Satan and our weake flesh painteth out so horrible to vs that cowardly flying the Combate wee may lose the promised Reward Strengthen vs O Lord and be vnto vs a sure shield in the day of Battaile Let the Angels fight for vs and shew themselues mightie in the destruction of our enemies Let them be scattered as Chaffe before the Wind and not be able to stand in opposition with thy seruants who put their trust in thee Let them O Lord be ruined and confounded that wish euill to them that feare thee and desire to be perfect imitators of thy life and doctrine that wee remaining Conquerors may prayse and glorifie thee the giuer of all Victorie Amen 24. A Prayer against Pride DId Almightie God who is iealous of his Honour throw downe the Heauens for their Presumption and thinkest thou fond Man he will exalt base Earth for his Pride Doth he pull downe the mightie and the loftie and aduance the humble and meeke and darest thou yet reare vp thy proud head in his presence Was not the great King Nabuchadonozor turned for his arrogancie into a Beast for that in the shape of a Man hee liued like a Beast And did not the Wormes feede vpon Herod vn-coffind and aliue because he did proudly aduance himselfe of his naturall gifts and graces Who dare contend with the Almightie which darteth Lightning and holdeth Thunder Or what canst thou boast of presumptuous flesh that is thine owne Thy soule is heauenly thy bodie earthly both from God the one inspired the other fashioned in the Wombe lent thee for a season and to be recalled at his pleasure Why doest thou therefore lay vp Honours and Preferments for many yeeres Why doest thou pursue and search for glorious Armes and Titles forgetting thy Father Adam because a Gardener and deriuing thy Pedigree from some great and Noble Conqueror hauing not certainely so much time here as the Herald must necessarily require to perfect thy gawdie Coat For this Night may God say vnto thee O foole thy soule shall be taken from thee Let me not therefore O mercifull Father come vnprepared like the foolish Virgins and be shut out hauing ouer-slept my houre Giue me grace to repent whilest there is time for in Death who acknowledge thee or who findeth pardon in Hell Graunt that I may seriously ponder and consider thy manifold and manifest benefites that I may with all humilitie and thankfulnesse prayse and glorifie the giuer Lay before me the haynousnesse and multitude of my offences that strucken downe with shame and sorrow I may fall at thy feet and with the abundance of my teares wash away the stayne and guilt of my aspiring soule Let the greedinesse of my Ambition satisfie it selfe in seruing of thee being the highest Honour the Earth can glorie of and when it euidently perceiues how little of his owne it is able to bring to discharge those offices which are necessarily required my towring thoughts will fall and breake their owne necke Endue me O Lord with spirituall knowledge and vnderstanding to retyre into my selfe and take a suruey of my owne soule how shee is garnished how decked with what vertues adorned with what heauenly gifts and graces apparrelled and let me be confounded and ashamed to find her the Mistresse and Queene of this frayle and corrupted bodie naked or worse apparrelled and to imploy all my studie and endeuours to garnish and set out her seruant Let selfe-basenesse O Lord attained by a certaine knowledge of my weakenesse and vnworthinesse banish away all selfe-affection vainely gotten by a false conceit of my owne graces Health vigour strength and lustinesse of bodie thou giuest and takest away at thy pleasure by sicknesse hunger wants and torments Proportion and Beautie but thy all-making Hand who can to the life fashion which are spoyled and defaced by Age the necessarie seruant of Time and Decrepitnesse the diligent follower of Age Be it therefore farre from me to glorie but in the Crosse of my Sauiour Iesus Christ Let me take pride in his Sufferings and boast of his Wounds whose precious bloud hath conquered Hell and Sinne leading Captiuitie captiue and redeeming the lost Sheepe reducing them againe to their louing and carefull Shepheard who will recall them wandering vphold them sliding and saue them eternally from the rauening Wolfe which goeth about roaring to seeke who he may deuoure 25. A Prayer against the concupiscence of the flesh WHo shall enter into thy Tabernacle O Lord Hee that hath vndefiled hands and a pure heart sanctified and vnpolluted members as worthie Vessels to receiue the holy Ghost The house must be cleane swept by Confession purified and perfumed by good purposes and prayers before it can be made a fit habitation for our Lord and Sauiour Those be the sweet-smelling sauors which laid vpon the Altar of our heart enflamed and set on fire by perfect Charitie are acceptable Sacrifices vnto him Were not the people O Lord commanded by thy Seruant and Prophet Moses to put off their shooes because the ground whereon they trod was holy How shall they enter then before thee whose feet are swift to defile their neighbours Bed whose hands haue beene employed in rauishing young Virgins and whose tongues haue spent all their force and Oratorie to corrupt and betray honest thoughts to wicked and loose desires Didst thou so seuerely rebuke and punish thy Seruant Dauid a man as the Scripture testifieth according to thy owne heart for one Transgression that neither his Contrition Penance Fasting Almes-deedes could diuert or turne away thy Anger And shall I miserable and leprous sinner who haue all my life worne my heart in my eyes lusting after euery obiect hope to escape thy furie What Woman haue I not coueted What Complexion hath not beene the fuell of my lewd thoughts Pardon O mercifull Lord and Sauiour an humble and penitent sinner who confesseth and acknowledgeth his hainous sinnes and offences and much sorroweth and lamenteth to haue mis-imployed his time and bodie in the lasciuious acts and concupiscences of the
flesh infinitely desiring thee of thy grace and fauour to cleanse and sanctifie my polluted and vncleane soule knowing that no Adulterers or Fornicators shall inherite thy Kingdome Giue vnto me O Lord spotlesse and innocent Chastitie being the Lilly among all vertues whose sparkling lustre is seene a farre off Bridle with thy holy hand all wanton and loose desires which runne after their owne destruction Let the delight of mine eyes bee thy miraculous Resurrection the obiect of mine eares the story of thy Passion the subiect of my thoughts the remembrance of the Crosse the foode of my vnderstanding thy wonderfull and vnconceiueable Conception Let mee with St. Thomas thrust my fingers in thy wounds that all faculties and functions of body and soule beeing busied and employed in and about thy workes and wonders I may bee deliuered and bring foorth holy thoughts reuerent and gentle speeches pure and immaculate actions worthy the honour and glory of so pure and innocent a Lord borne of a spotlesse and immaculate Virgin Grant this O sweet Iesus the bestower of all goodnes and vertue that desiring to draw out this short and transitorie life purely and honestly wee may after we shall be warned to giue it ouer dwell with thee in thy euerlasting habitation where abideth all purity sanctitie cleannesse glory world without end Amen 26. A Prayer against Sloth WHen thou calledst thy seruants to account most mercifull gentle Sauiour what reward had he that fearing thy hardnesse and his owne weaknesse laid vp thy talent and employed it not was he not after conuiction sentenced and deliuered to the Sargeant Are wee not commaunded by thy neuer-erring Word to worke our saluation to watch and pray continually because wee know not at what houre our Lord and Master will call vpon vs which are no effects of Sloth and Idlenesse For to banish sleepe and due repose doth require a vvhole mind not a surfetted and lazy soule buried in flesh and bloud and to offer vp with humble feruencie and ardent deuotion pure and earnest prayers asketh due consideration much trouble and a great conquest ouer the outward man not to be obtained without many assaults and labour The slothfull man saith the holy Ghost shall not eate Can we not then attaine bodily foode without dayly care much shift and many times hard and extraordinarie paines and doest thou flatter thy selfe O my soule that either heauen will stoope to thee or our blessed Sauiour fetch thee without mouing or helping thy selfe thither Imitate the greedy Merchant who with vnheard-of fauours seeketh vnknown countries exposing himselfe to the certaine dangers of the Sea vncertaine sicknesses to purchase and returne laden with wealth which hee can neither keep at his pleasure nor will vse at his pleasure Quicken me O Lord with thy holy Spirit that mounted on the wings of Charitie I may flye to thee I will rise duely in the morning saith the holy King and glorifie God I will euery night wash my couch with my teares Giue mee O Lord the care and respect of this holy Prophet his vigilancie stoutnesse in labours perseuerance in good purposes and continuance to the end This life O my soule is a warfare wherein we must not stand idle but take vp our weapons and fight manfully We must preuent the day with our diligence and out-watch the Sunne with our carefulnesse lest the enemy take vs vnawares and slaughter vs We must haue our Lamps still lighted and be euer ready that wee may be taken in and made partakers for our short trauels of eternal and euerlasting rest and repose 27. A Prayer against Couetousnesse SInce it is easier O Lord for a Cammel to enter the eye of a needle then for a rich man to inherite the Kingdome of Heauen Let mee O Lord wander naked and hungry cloathed with sores and botches rather then with Diues his portion to take possession of his punishment For what auayleth it to gaine the whole world and lose my owne soule Yet if it please thee bountifull Father to leaue and bequeath to me a plentifull estate and great riches giue me grace so to vse and bestow them that I come not behinde hand with thee in my account Let mee so dispose them as thou hast by expresse words appointed that my poore Brethren put not vp a Bill against me Set not my heart on them O Lord but as things without mee when either thou pleasest by fire water or any other casualtie to call them from me let mee thankefully surrender them as a Reeue not an Owner yeelding thee immortall and vnfained thanks that I haue had them so long not inwardly grudging and repining that I haue lost them so soone For who placeth al his content on them can neither possesse them long nor safely Giue me O Lord pouertie of spirit in the middest of all abundance that I may fast hauing all plenty taking the delicates from my Table and with my owne hand seruing the poore and needy who are bought at as dear a rate as the mightiest and whose soules are as precious to thee as the greatest Let me euer remember that saying of the blessed Iob Naked came I out of my mothers wombe and naked shall I returne againe Praised bee the Lord for all Leauing to my children the prayers of the poore not the curses of ill-gotten riches the praises of good men not that heauy sentence of Wo be vnto thee at my departure that at that great and terrible day when all accounts shal be examined and laid open bringing in my Bils of cloathing the naked feeding the hungry and giuing drink to the thirstie I may receiue that soule-comforting discharge of Come yee blessed and seat you on my right hand for vnto you belongeth the Kingdome of Heauen 28. A Prayer humbly acknowledging our sins with promise of amendment I Wretched sinner heere personally appearing and standing in the presence of God euerlasting of al the Court of Heauen hauing considered the exceeding mercy of his diuine goodnes toward me most vnworthy miserable caytife whō he hath created of nothing preserued sustained and deliuered from so many dangers endowed with so many benefits But aboue al considering the incōprehensible sweetnes clemency wherwith this most good God hath so bountifully tolerated me in my iniquities and so louingly inspired me inuiting mee to amendment and so patiently expected my repentance conuersion notwithstanding all my vnthankfulnesse disloyalty infidelity whereby deferring my Cōuersion despising his graces I haue so impudently offended him hauing moreouer considered that at the day of my christening I was so happy and holily vowed and dedicated vnto my God to be his child and that contrary to the profession which then was made in my name I haue so many and sundry times so execrably and detestably profaned and violated my soule imploying it and opposing it against his diuine Maiestie At length recalling my selfe and prostrating my selfe in heart and
my daily and haynous offences breed in mee a loathing and horrid detestation of all my sinnes that I may flye from them and shun the wayes and occasions which leade vnto them being stricken with an extraordinary sorrow and compunction for hauing dared to offend a Lord of such height and glory and ouercome with shame and ingratitude repent the iniuries offered to so louing and carefull a Master who hath shed his Bloud to saue so vnprofitable a seruant that being by feruent charity reconciled vnto him I may in the day of terrour lawfully claime part of him and being shrowded vnder his wings escape the malice and fury of my accusers euen for thy blessed names sake which shall in that time of trouble bee a sure defence to all thy Chosen 31. A Prayer for Chastity O Almightie and blessed Lord and Sauiour the glorie of thy Father the brightnesse and spotlesse sinceritie of Men who delightest and visitest thy cleane and vnpolluted members sanctifie O Lord and purifie mee that I may not bee a shame and reproach to so immaculary and chaste a Head that I may appeare a sonne some way worthy so holy and heauenly a Father Mortifie and kill in me the loose and powerfull desires of the flesh which borne in me are kindled and inflamed by the diuell and my owne frailtie Fixe my eyes O Lord vpon thy immortall glorious and neuer-fading beautie that I may contemne and despise all earthly and transitorie paintings Strike me in loue wlth the excellencie of vertue that my heart strongly and wholly taken with so faire and worthily beloued a perfection there may be no roome left for Folly and Idlenesse the wel-springs of wanton affection Busie mee O Lord about the day of Iudgement and my Account the torments of hell and their euerlastingnesse that all my study and labour may bee how to auoide them and blesse thee that hast not left me to the world and corrupted tyrannie of man but mercifully laid thy hand vpon me and conducted me to the meanes of my saluation 32. A Prayer in Iournying O Mercifully louing Lord which gouernedst and defendedst thy people Israel from all the vniust oppression and mercilesse fury of their enemies guiding them in all their wayes and trauailes and graciously visitedst thy seruant Iacob in his way and powredst thy blessing on him bee neere at this time to thy vnworthy and sinfull seruant and blesse mee I beseech thee in this my trauell and iourney from any violence of sinne or outward Spoylers and Robbers Prosper O Lord and bring to good end as it shall please thee the businesse I trauell and wander about and vouchsafe to direct mee in it that I do that which shall bee to thy glory and my owne behoofe and profite euen for Iesus Christ his sake Amen 33. A Prayer to bee vsed in any storme of Lightning and Thunder O Holy Holy Holy Lord God of Sabbath Heauen and earth are full of the Maiestie of thy glorie the flouds lift vp their voyce and speake thy wonders the Heauens flie before thy Anger and the vnnaturally mouing Earth trembleth at thy Voyce All which ordained for the vse of Man vpon thy word prooue their scourge and punishment The fire from aboue at the cry of the Prophet eateth vp his Scorners the Sea rageth and deuoureth the people and Chariots of the Egyptians yea the earth gapeth and buryeth men aliue at thy command Preserue vs gentle and infinitely louing Father from this violent and dreadfull storme which raised for our sins threatneth our destruction Put out the lightning O Lord and dissolue the horrid and fearefull stone lest it pash thy people to ashes and we be seene no more Cast thine eye vpon the Merites and Passion of our Sauiour and let his Bloud come betweene thy Iustice and our guilt that we may reioyce and lift vp our voyces with the holy Prophet Dauid I will not feare though the earth bee mooued and throwne into the heart of the Sea for the Almightie is our refuge and strength and helpeth vs in all our trouble Praised be the name of the Lord. 34. A Prayer or Meditation concerning the benefits after Creation COnsider O my soule with reuerence and thanksgiuing how Almightie God placed thee heere of his owne bountie and noblenesse not for any need hee had of thy helpe or seruice but to bestow vpon thee his grace and therefore hath hee enriched thee with vnderstanding to know him remembrance to be mindefull of him will to loue him imagination to represent his benefits vnto thy thoughts eyes to behold the wonders of his workes and a tongue to praise him Wherefore being created and set in the world for this intention reiect and cast away all actions which prooue contrary to this end For alas what did I busie my thoughts vpon O my God when I placed them not vpon thee What was I mindefull of when I forgot thee What did I loue when I did not loue thee Aye me I should haue fed my soule with the veritie and I haue fil'd it with vanitie and haue serued the world which was not made but to serue mee I defie you vtterly O vaine cogitations and vnprofitable fancies I abhorre and abiure you O detestable and friuolous Imaginations I renounce you vnfaithfull and disloyall loues miserable and lost seruices vngratefull gratifications cumbersome and vnpleasing pleasures And thou O my God and my Lord thou shalt bee for the time to come the onely obiect of my thoughts and I will neuer more apply my spirit to any cogitations which may be offensiue or disliking to thee My memorie all the dayes of my life shall be filled with consideration of thy excessiue goodnesse so louingly declared in my behalfe thou shalt be the deliciousnesse of my heart the sweetnesse of my affections Hence therefore from my sight for euer all vaine and idle pastimes whereunto I haue vainely applyed my mind all gamesome and toying exercises in which I fondly spent my dayes and all loose and idle affections which entangled my heart shall henceforth bee a horrour vnto my thoughts because thou hast made me O Lord for thy selfe to enioy euerlastingly the immensitie of thy glorie O when shall it bee that I shall bee worthie and when shall I praise thee according to thy desert and my dutie I offer vnto thee O my deare Creatour all these good affections and holy resolutions with all my heart and all my soule and beseech thee O God to accept these my desires and vowes and to giue my soule thy holy blessing that shee may faithfully accomplish them through the merites of the Bloud of thy blessed Sonne our Sauiour shed for me vpon the Crosse 35. A Prayer against vaine Attire DOth it beseeme mee most mercifull and blessed Redeemer to bee decked and attired in rich and sumptuous Garments when the scornefull and disdainefull Iewes apparell thee in a coate of folly to bee laught at and contemned of the people Doe Iewels and
one another the obedience to thee teach vs obedience in our selues that wholly submitting our selues to thy will we may labour together in this transitorie life to come to thee the life euerlasting with whom dwelleth vnspeakable loue and neuer-ending charitie world without end Amen 40. A Prayer for a Maid to be obedient to her Parents O My most mercifull Lord and Redeemer subdue and bridle my head-strong and vntamed affections who delighting in their owne wayes repine at the direction of my Superiours Let mee euer remember thy holy commandement Honour thy Father and Mother that thy dayes may be long in the land of the liuing Giue me grace to vnderstand it truely lest forgetting thy precept I be banished into that wilde and barbarous Country where to liue is terribler then death and dying the onely comfort of the liuing Let their reprehensions bee the cause of my amendment not repining their iust and lawfull precepts an vndeniable practice of all my actions Let me reuerence their age lending them my youth to help them pray for their imperfections and in them remember humane weaknesse that in my obedience I may receiue the vertue of their blessing which thou alwayes grantest to them that endeuour to fulfill the least of thy commandements 41. A Prayer before a Iourney O Almightie and euerliuing God which by the hand of thy seruāt Moses broughtst the people of Israel out of Egypt and the crueltie of Pharaoh and madest them walke ouer the Red-Sea keeping back with a mighty winde the raging waters who returning in their Furie ouer-whelmed all that great Host and after went'st before them and conducted them thorow the vast and wilde Desert feeding them in their extreme Famine with Manna showred from Heauen Be pleased O mercifull Father at this instant to accompany mee in all my iourneyes and trauailes and with thy louing and mightie protection defend me from all dangers of those that lye in awaite to murther and spoile thy Liege people Bee vnto mee O Lord a guide in my going out a safeguard and defence vpon the way a shaddow in heat a shelter in raine cold a waggon in wearinesse an helper in time of extremitie a stay in slipperie passages a Hauen in shipwracke that vnder thy safe and sure conduct we may march quietly and peaceably to our iourneyes end and vnder the couer of thy wings ioyfully and prosperously returne to our homes againe for his onely sake who was a continuall Pilgrime heere vpon earth to make all our prayers acceptable vnto thee Amen 42. Another short Prayer for the same O Almighty God which hast made this our life as it were a short Pilgrimage to visit holy places and doe penance by thee appointed for mans first transgression giuing vs as in an Inne a space to refresh our wearied bodies not to dwell and settle our selues Grant mercifully thy assistance in these my iourneys and remouings and with thy holy Spirit blesse and comfort me on the way that I be not left alone to the crueltie of those that would assaile mee but hauing thy Angell for my guide and defender I may not feare the oppression of the Wicked but happily arriue at the desired Hauen where I vvill magnifie and praise thy holy name for thy mightie ayde and protection 43. A Prayer in Afflictious WHy art thou sorrowfull my soule and why doest thou trouble mee Why doest thou hang sleepe vpon mine eye-lids and fasten heauinesse on my foot-steps Doth not God regard the prayers of the afflicted or doth he not from his high holy place looke downe to the earth that he might heare the gronings of the fettered and those that are persecuted and afflicted Can thy eye see into heauen or is thy vnderstanding of counsell with God to perceiue how neere his holy hand is to deliuer thee Euery instant is time enough for his Omnipotency and impossible occasions easie to the infinitenes of his Deitie Put thy trust in him my soule and thou shalt not be confounded Say with the Prophet Dauid Though a thousand fall on my right hand and ten thousand on my left yet I will not bee afraid because God hath beene my helper Bee comforted by the mercifull examples which he hath shewed to his people Did not Almighty God with a strong hand punishments enforce the Prophet Ionas to preach destruction to the Niniuites limiting them a short time that within three dayes their Citie should bee destroyed and yet vpon their submission humbling themselues before him with prayers fasting did he not most mercifully remit their punishment and take them into his grace and fauour Fall therefore prostrate before him and with perfect resignation of thy owne will yeeld thy selfe into his hands to do what it please him with thee entreate him of his loue and fauour who neuer absenteth himselfe to those that seeke him relye vpon his mercy who so much loued his people that he sent his onely begotten Sonne to dye for the Redemption of mankinde Aske him forgiuenesse of thy sinnes and offences by reason of whose guilt thou sufferest these light and temporary punishments which haue in iustice deserued euerlasting damnation and disburdened of which the yoke will be easie and the waight light yea thy miseries wil be pleasing like wounds honourably gotten in a glorious conquest and then maist thou ioyfully sing vnto the Lord Mine enemies that troubled me themselues are weakened and falne One thing yet I haue asked of our Lord this will I seeke for that I may dwell in the house of our Lord al the daies of my life 44. A Prayer to be said by a Merchant for the safe returne of his goods IN the time of my trouble who shall I flye vnto what power can fetch me from the bottome of the Sea or whose arme reacheth to the end of the world O most merciful and gracious Lord the Sea is thine and thou madest it and thy hands prepared the dry land with thy Word thou calmest the raging waters and with a beck layest the furie of the winde Grant of thy accustomed clemencie and goodnes such seasonable and temperate weather that they may safely arriue at the appointed Port. Bee vnto them O Lord their Pylote lest the hidden Rocks or vnknowne Sands deuoure them Be their defence and safegard lest their enemies make prey on them that relying on thy fauour aboue the vertue of their Load-stone they may ioyfully and merrily touch the desired Land acknowledging thy goodnesse and might to whom alone that mercilesse element obeyeth at thy command yeelding vp all her treasure Grant this O my sweet Lord and Sauiour euen for thy tender mercy which refuseth no Petitions that are offered with a pure and vnfained zeale Amen 45. A Prayer before Study O Vnspeakable Creatour which in the Treasure of thy Wisedome hast ordained learning as a secondary meanes to raise our declined soules wrapt by the fall of Adam in sinne and ignorance to a perfected and surer
their trust in thee Be present O Lord with the Armies which are gone foorth to oppose those who labour our ouerthrow Leade O Lord their Captaine and conduct him through the midst of their enemies Giue him wisedome and discretion warily to foresee all disaduantages inuincible courage to oppose all dangers and truth and loyalty that he sell not the faith bloud of the people Be at their counsels O Lord and determine for them Blesse their stratagems that vnpreuented they may take effect and so order all the state of this Warre that they may returne with conquest and victory Giue vnto the souldiers O Lord ablenes of minde body to be willing strong to vndergoe al labours and assaults concord and vnanimity that obediently labouring for the weale of their Country they may be made fit instruments of the others ouerthrow Blesse the Season of the yeere vnto them moderate the extremitie of heate cold that they bee neither disabled by the one nor distempered by the other Let the Sunne and the Winde O Lord fight for them the aduantages and inconueniency of place be on their side that by thee through thee being made cōquerors of their enemies they may triumph in thy goodnes and boast of thy louing kindnesses which endure from generation to generation Amen 51. A Prayer to be said by a Husbandman for the fruits of the earth O All prouident and carefull Creator which hast giuen charge and influence to the heauenly Powers to apparell and adorne the earth with varified and many coloured beauties for the ornament and glory of this great All and hast likewise blessed her wombe with a fit disposition to receiue the Husbandmans seede comforting and cherishing it with her natiue vertue and the generatiue power of the Sunne till it re-deliuer it againe with great increase and profit for the refreshing and sustentation of all mankinde Powre downe wee beseech thee with thy heauenly and timely showres maturitie and fruitfulnesse into her barren and sterrill wombe Giue her O Lord a timely Conception and let the moderate fals of heate and water deliuer her of plenty and aboundance that all nations may reioyce and be glad Send farre from vs that monster Famine the abortiue issue of her vntimely labour Shut vp the Lightning O Lord and hold backe the Thunder graspe the Clouds that shee perish not with excesse of drought and stay the waters in their fall lest shee miscarry by drinking too much Keep from her vnwholesome ayres destroying Mil-dewes and the deuouring Caterpillers which carried on the wings of the vvinde eate vp the fruits of our labour Giue vs O Lord a timely Haruest that wee may with ioy and comfort carrie into our Barnes what we haue with much labour and expence carefully sowed Blesse O Lord our store like the Widdowes for that giuing out of our necessary prouision to our poore Brethren we may finde thy blessing left behinde that neither casuall fire malice of our neighbours nor the excesse of immoderate showres destroy our Garners and Store-houses but holding our wealth as thy gift to bee recalled at thy pleasure wee may receiue thy bounteous largesse here and full haruest hereafter to those promised that haue beene carefull Stewards in thy Vineyard euen for Iesus c. 52. A Prayer for the Widdowes HOw often O Lord hast thou inuited me by thy holy Word to come vnto thee How often hast thou called Come vnto me all yee that are laden and oppressed and I will ease you Behold me here O Lord a poore and desolate Widdow depriued of my Husband vnder thee giuen to bee my onely stay and comfort shut vp in my house vnuisited vncomforted vncounselled left in a sea of troubles and in a wildernesse of businesse vnskilfull how to begin and vnexperienced which way to wade thorow them my children hungrie after my goods and my kindred gaping after their Legacies my state vncertaine and litigious called by contentious and euill minded persons into question of Titles and Tryals meaning by oppression and might to teare from mee what belongeth not to them In all these my troubles and afflictions heauinesse of minde sad and continuall griefes I neither expect nor desire comfort but from thy holy Tabernacle Looke downe from thy high and holy place O Lord vpon thy carefull and comfortlesse seruant and instruct her which way to take in so many and confused miseries Touch the heart O Lord of some honest and religious man one who hath thy feare before his eyes that hee may helpe and direct me in my vncertaine and doubtfull businesses and if it be my right O Lord that they would violently pluck from mee bee neere vnto me for thy mercie sake and raise vp those that are skilfull in the Law to deale faithfully with me fasten the Iudge O Lord vnto me and open his eyes that hee may see my right and deale according vnto equitie Blesse my children and teach them obedience to thee and dutie towards me that I may be comforted in them and giue mee grace O Lord to dedicate the remainder of my dayes to thy vse and seruice strength to resist and ouercome all contrarie motions and oppositions that hauing faithfully obeyed thee in taking my husband since thou hast pleased to take him from me I may liue onely to thee so that death nor hell be able to diuorce me from so bountifull so blessed and all-pittying a Lord and Father Amen 53. A Prayer for a Wife O Lord God most mightie which hast instituted and ordained Marriage for the holy vniting and ioyning together of one soule in two bodies which should gouerne and direct all their actions to one end mutually supplying each others eare ioyntly labouring through the cumbers and aduersities of this transitorie world together bearing all troubles and discomforts together partaking of all ioyes and solaces Grant I beseech thee for the loue which thou bearest thy holy Church a type of which thou pleasest to make vs that we may together faithfully serue obey thy commandements loue thee aboue our selues and feare thee aboue all things Blesse O Lord I beseech thee my husband in all his businesse and vndertakings and giue him grace to call vpon thee for aide and counsell in all his enterprises accept his labours O Lord and prosper the workes of his hands that endeuoring painefully and honestly to earne our refreshings we may relye vpon thee for the good successe Grant vs O Lord a competent estate to maintaine our selues without ingagements to others and to bring vp our children in thy feare sanctifie vs with thy holy Spirit that a vertuous and heauenly loue may dwell betwixt vs in all sorrowes and mis-fortunes whatsoeuer it shall please thee to lay vpon vs still comforting one another Forgiue O Lord and remit all our sinnes and giue vs both grace to attend thy Diuine Will and Pleasure for the perfecting and establishing of whatsoeuer wee shall desire that being made one by thee and
VNsearchable O Lord are iudgements and wonderful the workes of thy hand thou hast made fashioned a Lump of flesh in my wombe thou hast giuen it life to grow to feed and be nourished thou hast adorned and beautified it with limbes and senses thou hast in thy mercy inspired a liuing soule into it whereby it may hereafter be capable of thy loue and euerlasting felicitie Now the period O Lord draweth neere and the time appointed for the deliuery giuing vp this burden be neer O merciful Father vnto thy seruant strengthen me in this my sore labour and trauell comfort me O Lord in my agony that I faint not vnder the throwes and dreadfull pangs of the approaching neere-ensuing birth let no vaine feares affright me or the thoughts of what I must suffer be terrible vnto me Let me be comforted O Lord in thy promise and the blessing that must proceed from my Ioynes hearten me patiently to endure my torments hasten O Lord my deliuery and giue the fruite of my womb an easie passage that with the sight of a well-formed childe I may be made a ioyfull mother grant it O Lord right shape and keepe the life which thou hast giuen vnto it that it may be borne anew of water and the holy Spirit to be made partaker and heire of thy euerlasting Kingdome But if O Lord thou in thy eternall Wisedome hast otherwise prouided for me appointing me in the neuer-againe dying birth to be restored vnto thee mercifully assist me in this my last passage that confident in thy promises made to all I may ioyfully giue my selfe as a well-pleasing sacrifice awaiting thy diuine Pleasure and commending and committing my selfe into thy hands patiently expect the blessed houre to be deliuered from the sinfull prison of this transitory world into that euerlasting Habitation where dwelleth infinite ioy world without end Amen 59. A Prayer to bee said when you goe into your bed BLesse me O Lord preserue and keepe mee from all the dangers of this night Saue and deliuer me from the ancient enemie who through immoderate sloth negligence hopeth to betray me Visite O Lord my soule though farre too meane to entertaine so royall a Guest yet sending thine owne prouision before thee holy vertues chaste and simple thoughts thy lodging may be the better prepared for thee Settle and gouerne O Lord my phantasie that it range and forme not wilde and vnlawfull apparations stay my memorie that it search not after vaine and idle pleasures fill my vnderstanding with thy goodnesse and mercy that being wholly and inwardly busied with thee I may escape the snares and nets of Satan and wake to my owne comfort and thy glorie sweete IESVS Amen 60. A Prayer against idle Talke SEt a watch O Lord before my lips that I defile not my mouth with dishonest and vnseemely speeches betraying the hearers to sinne and vncleannesse Keepe me from their companie whose delight is in wicked talke lest I perish with them Let my tongue deliuer forth thy prayses and be the Trumpet of thy neuer-ending mercies grant me a single and vnpolluted heart that I may reuerently adore thy Mysteries and bee the honorer of thy Glorie and Maiesty Keepe my eyes from wandring after the concupiscence of my desires that I bee not ouertaken and made prisoner to sinne and death Place my thoughts vpon thy bitter Passion whose mournefull acts may put away all idle delights and pleasures and fasten mee vpon thy Crosse to weepe and lament my passed offences for that sweete Name of IESVS in whose merites all flesh must be saued 61. A Thankes-giuing O God most high most mightie Creator of heauen and earth which out of Nothing hast made and formed this beautifull All createdst the glorious Firmament fretted with Starres the euer-shining Sunne to giue light by day and firest the Moone to banish the nights darkenesse giuing life to the Fowles of the Aire the Beasts feeding on the Earth and the Fishes whose dwelling is in the waters below for the vse and seruice of man making him according to thy owne Image ennobling him with Vnderstāding Will and Memorie to conceiue and apprehend the glorious workes of thy hand Redeemed him with an vnparalell'd example preserued and kept him with an vnimitable care and prouidence How shall hee render thee condigne and worthie prayses for these thy vnspeakeable and vndeserued benefites How shall hee tender to thy diuine Maiestie thankes equall and befitting such infinite and innumerable graces How many O LORD haue dyed in the womb How many neuer attained the blessed regeneration of Baptisme How many reconciled and entred into the state of grace haue through their owne corruption frailtie and the suggestion of the diuell lost it and falne away from the faith of thy neuer-erring Word How often O Lord haue I transgressed and sinned spurned at thy secret Callings and refused to entertaine them and yet O Lord hast thou patiently expected my conuersion giuen me further time to repent me of my carelesnesse and back-sliding sending thy holy grace to enable me to call vpon thee for mercy and forgiuenes Prayse God O my soule for his louing kindnes endureth frō generation vnto generation he hath not dealt so with euery man nor so aboundantly showred his fauor to all his people I wil magnifie him from the rising of the Sun vnto the going downe of the same who hath raised me from death and not suffered mee to goe downe into the Pit who hath forgotten my wickednesse and remembred himselfe of his goodnes glorie be vnto thee on high and praise vpon earth who hath giuen charge to his Angels to keepe vs in all our wayes 62. A Prayer for direction in all our affaires GIue me grace O mercifully and truely louing Lord that I may with all singlenesse of heart ardency and earnestnesse of spirit wisely and carefully search after those things which may be pleasing vnto thee Order and so dispose of me that I may faithfully and truely performe those things which thou requirest of me and giue me knowledge O Lord to doe it as it ought and is most expedient for my owne soule Grant O Lord God that I neither grow presumptuous seated in Prosperity nor be cast downe despairing with the frownes of Aduersitie Let thy fauour be my onely delight and my discontent thy displeasure Let me endeuour to please none nor be afraid to displease any but thy selfe Let all transitorie things be base in my sight and what belongeth to thee be onely acceptable and thou O God aboue all Let the paines O Lord which are for thee be aboue any pleasure and pleasure without thee seeme tedious and vnwelcome Grant me often to desire the accomplishment of good things and in my relapse to spring vp againe with full purpose of amendment Make me O Lord God obedient without grudging poore without quailing chaste without pollution patient without murmuring humble without dissembling merry without dissolutenes sad
without deiection graue without austeritie pleasant without lightnesse fearefull not despairing true not doubling doing good without presumption admonishing my neighbour without arrogancie edifying him by word and example without dissimulation Giue vnto me Lord God a watchfull heart that no curious cogitation may draw me from thee a noble one that no vnworthy affection may triumph ouer it a sincere one that no euill intention may bend it from thee an inuincible heart that no persecution may glory in his ouerthrow a generous one that no peruerse and violent passion may challenge rule ouer it Bestow on me O Lord an vnderstanding knowing thee a diligence seeking thee a wisedome finding thee a conuersation pleasing to thee a perseuerance faithfully expecting thee a confidence finally embracing thee to be pierced with thy punishments through repentance to vse thy benefits in this way fare by grace and at length by glory to enioy thy ioyes in thy countrey who liuest raignest c. 63. A Prayer for great Personages O Most mighty high and euerliuing God King of all Kings Lord of all Lords the onely gouernour Creatour and aduancer of mankinde which hast pleased to call me to honour and promotion making me a Ruler and directer of thy people Teach me O Lord the way to bee humble in mine owne eyes that I may louingly and courteously entertaine any poore brethren as great and noble in thy sight and bought at as deare a rate as the mightiest Giue me O Lord singlenesse of heart cleannesse of hands truth of tongue meekenes of Spirit that I may in all affayres and businesses of the generall State respect aboue all things thy glory next the weale of the publique and lastly my own peace and content which in the vprightnes of a good conscience make O Lord firme vnto me Take from me I earnestly beseech thee the fire of Ambition lest dallying with vnholy flames I returne to in-glorious Ashes Quench in mee O mercifully louing Father the longing thirst of new Titles and Dignities acknowledging it a blessing aboue any desert of mine to be thy Creature and fearing the charge and burden already imposed vpon me endeuour with all lowlinesse to render thee a iust account Grant that my power may be a shelter not oppression to the weaker and the noblenesse of my birth a continuall remembrancer how to bring forth vertues and actions worthy and beseeming that height and superioritie that in all things squaring the line of my life and ordering all my thoughts actions and endeuours by thy precepts and instructions I may leaue my example as a holy practice to others and die in thy fauour that I may liue eternally with thee world without end 64. A Thanksgiuing for the recouerie of our High and Mighty Soueraigne King IAMES April 1619. I INcline thine eare vnto vs O Lord and mercifully heare our supplications and prayers that we make before thee for hauing speedily and happily deliuered our most gracious King thy humble Seruant redeeming vs in preseruing him from the many troubles and vncertaine dangers which any alteration may bring vpon vs. Keepe him O Lord to thee for vs from the bloudy hand of home-bred Treason which endeuoureth violently to spoile him and saue him by thy mighty power from the ambitious desire of Forraine inuasion which vnlawfully plotteth and goeth about to gripe into their hands the rule and state of this Kingdome ouer which by thy ordinance and eternall prouidence he is made chiefe Lord and Ruler Defend him O merciful and all-louing Father from the Tyrannie of sicknes which seeketh to destroy nature and steale away life from him and what other infirmities the weakenesse of nature want of digestion distemperatenesse of Ayre or any other naturall cause may bring vpon him Be pleased O Lord to ease and cure him by thy all-restoring hand who camest into the world to heale all maner of diseases that wee may perfectly enjoy him in his vertuous gouernment with the blessed fruits and increase of it to thy eternall glory his owne saluation and our comfort peace and tranquillitie euen for Iesus Christ his sake our onely Lord Mediator and Sauiour Amen 65. Another A A Wake vs O Lord from sinne and iniquity that we deserue not thy Scourge and Rod in vntimely depriuing vs of thy faithfull Seruant our most gracious King whom thou hast mercifully placed ouer vs. Giue vs loyall obedient hearts that we may truely and humbly vnder thee loue honour and obey him constantly vnite our selues to him and vnperswadably become his followers and liege Seruants Continue O Lord thy care and fauour to him that he may as hitherto reciprocally tender respect the good and weale of vs his poore vnder-Subiects esteeming vs helping and necessarie members of himselfe profitable to execute and vndergo what he shall in thy feare and Religion charge and command that we striuing and endeuouring to become perfect Imitators and Types of thee and thy Church in vnanimitie and tranquillitie may with one consent labour the setting forth of thy honour and glory with our owne well-doing and eternall happinesse Amen 66. A Prayer against our Enemies M MAke vs O Lord mighty and strong armed in the confidence of thy all-preseruing and powerfull Arme. Stretch it foorth O Lord and scatter our enemies who haue conspired and are combined against vs. Behold mercifull Father the infinite and innumerable troupes they haue gathered and mustered together to spoile and ruine thy people who haue no hope nor trust but in thy mercies Their Armies couer the face of the Land and their Ships haue not Sea enough to weild their huge bodies they glory in the desire and assurednesse of bloud and slaughter and meditate all the day long on Rapine and Crueltie They haue in their thoughts the murdering of Sucklings and Infants and the deflowring of Virgins is euer before their eyes they ioy in representing to themselues the Ransacking the substance of poore mens labours and feeding their Ryots with the sweat of others browes determining to leaue no barbarousnes vnpractised or vn-attempted Smite them O Lord in the height of their pride and bring their mightinesse and strength to nothing Let the Sea O Lord which they haue inhabited ouerthrow their proud buildings and destroy them The Sunne and winde O LORD vndoe and put to flight their Land-Souldiers with tempests and heate that wee thy seruants being deliuered from the feare of our enemies may serue thee all the dayes of our life glorifying and magnifying thy holy name who art the giuer of all victorie Amen 67. Another Prayer for deliuerance from our Enemies E EVermore will I cry vnto thee and all my life long meditate on thy mercies who wilt not suffer the scornefull and proud to preuaile against thy seruants nor the mischieuously-minded to haue the vpper hand ouer them The Enemies O Lord presumptuous and ouer-daring in the strength of men and Chariots haue prouided whips and torments for thy people not seeking vvhich
way to ouercome but to torment as assured to ouercome They come O Lord not to fight but ouer-runne not to giue battaile but destruction vnto thy seruants Preuent O Lord their malice and vndoe their subtill and well-laboured Stratagems Make them acknowledge thee the bestower and man with all his Engines but thy Minister to bee ordered as it pleaseth thee Let them see O Lord their Chariots ouer-turned vvith their owne guiders their Horses made a slaughter by the ill direction of their owne masters and the Souldiers in the day of Battell crushed with the weight of their owne Armour that they may not be able to lift vp their hands against those who put their whole trust and hope of victory in thee Grant this O Lord for the precious bloud of thy onely Sonne in whose name we are assured to obtaine all our iust petitions Amen 68. A Thanksgiuing for the ouerthrow of our Enemies S. SIng vnto the Lord a new Song for hee hath done maruellous things with his owne right hand and with his holy arme hath he gotten himselfe the victorie This is the day wherein the Lord redeemed vs and hath taken vs from the hands of our enemies let vs proclaime it to all generations and let the farthest Nations heare of his louing kindnesses When our Souldiers were amazed our Lord comforted them and in the multitude of their enemies was a stay and Bulwarke vnto them He guided their shot and gaue might and power vnto their armes to beat and disperse the growing Host which threatened in their fury to ouerwhelme them he discomfited them and tooke their heart from them returning them with greater feare then they marcht on with assurednes When our Captaines confounded with the danger of the fight and confused with the tumult of their Souldiers forgat their skill in leading he conducted brought them on againe ordered them giuing life and spirit to the fainting and fearefull troupes that they fell vpon their enemies as enraged Lyons scattered them and pursued them to a shamefull retyring and dis-honourable yeelding This is thy worke O Lord and it is wonderfull in our eyes and shall expresse thy goodnes in the confusion of those mis-beleeuing people that doe not acknowledge thee But giue vnto vs O Lord that haue receiued this blessing at thy hands to vs that haue mightily seene thy euerlastingnesse and power in our owne vnexpected safety and vnthought of ruine to our enemies humble and obedient hearts fired and inflamed with this thy high and vndeserued bounty that wee may neuer forget the Day of our Deliuerance but leaue it holy to all ages magnifying and extolling thee the giuer of all conquest Let no securitie take from our eyes the dreadfull and ouer-passed danger no lasting or confirmed peace the memory of this fierce and cruell battaile fought by thee and obtained by thee but hauing it fresh and eminent before vs continually praise and laud thee who hast preserued vs euen for thy owne honour and glory which bee euerlasting world without end So be it Amen 69. A Prayer for present necessities O Gracious and euer-louing Lord which out of thy bounty infinite fauour hast promised to heare the Petitions of those that aske in thy Sonnes name to whom our necessities are knowne and our wants manifest Grant we beseech thee most mercifull Father that we may by thy eternall prouidence be relieued and succoured miserably languishing and groning vnder the waight of our low and desperate extremities put it into the hearts of some of thy seruants to call vs to them and giue vs employment that we may by the sweat of our browes labour to maintaine and keepe our selues and children and aboue all let vs patiently endure and vndergoe what calamities shal euer fall vpon vs wel knowing they are imposed for our sinnes and farre short of their desert and due still expecting thy mercifull hand to redeem and deliuer vs from them Thou O Lord which takest care of the Flowers of the field and enrobest the Lilly aboue the ornaments of Kings wilt not I know leaue thy Children and Seruants for euer nor giue them ouer to bee an ignominie and shame to their despisers but that they shall at last reioyce and sing vnto thee Our Lord hath heard our prayers and mercifully considered the Petitions and earnest requests of his seruants he hath fulfilled his promise and graciously succoured and sustained them praised be the name of the Lord now and for euer Amen 70. Another Prayer entreating Remission of sinnes and constancie in good purposes GIue mee leaue O Lord to speake vnto thee and in thy presence to vnloade the griefe and troubles of mind which burden and disquiet mee taking away my sleepes and laying violent hands on the comfort and content I should enioy in thee Why am I O most mercifull Father forsaken and giuen vp to the wilde desires and concupiscences of my flesh Why am I left a prey to Satan and laid open to his subtill and secret temptations Why hath the multitude of sinnes as a Sea growne vpon mee and the number and dayly practice of my offences taken away almost hope of my safety and recouerie Am I O Lord markt for a vessell of dis-honour and shall thy Omnipotencie be seene in my destruction Though these things are worthy the hainousnesse of my transgressions yet are they not beseeming thy exceeding and infinite loue and mercy and though it may well accord with my rebellious and traiterous disposition daring to breake and violate thy lawes and commandements yet can they no way sute and agree with thy vnbounded and vnlimited Charitie which left'st Heauen and mingledst Humanitie with thy Deitie to saue and recall sinners and offenders In the bowels therefore of thy mercie I beseech thee by thy vnspeakable and vnexpressible bounty which gaue thee vp to death euen to the Death of the Crosse and all those fore-running spitefull and torturous agonies and abuses not to take away thy grace from me nor leaue me to my selfe who am nothing but pollution and vncleannesse vncertaine what way to take yet certaine to runne into loosenesse and deformitie without thee being O Lord taken as it were with a deadnesse or at least a forgetfulnesse of thee rather carelessely neglecting then violently drawne away from thy holy inspirations growing insensible and as it were stupid in all things which belong to thy honour and my owne saluation which of all others and is the most terrible fearefull back-sliding and Apostasie For were I carried away with other delights or onely bewitched with sensualitie I might well hope when time and sacietie had sufficiently displaied their vanity at last to retire grow weary of them but from this stupidnes cold numnes of my carelesse conscience Without thee O Lord who can reuiue me from this heauy death-like sleepinesse but thy almightie voice what can awake me To thee therefore I humbly submit my selfe and penitently prostrate my selfe before thee desiring
to the blinde a staffe to the lame and a most heauenly and neuer-erring Physician to all that labour vnder any disease Come vnto mee saith our blessed Lord all yee that are oppressed and I will ease you O mercifull and generall comfort as certaine to be done as it is spoken I prostrate my selfe humbly before thee and desire thee of thy infinite mercy if such be thy will and pleasure to let this transitorie and bitter cup passe from me yet not my will but thy blessed will bee done who alone knowest what is fittest to tame my stubborne and rebellious affections and to morrifie in me all vaine and aspiring thoughts that I may wholly desire to bee dissolued and liue with thee where eternall and neuer-ending peace and piety haue their habitation 82. A Prayer to our blessed Sauiour MOST mercifully louing Lord Redeemer and Sauiour of the world I wretched and detestable sinner leprous all ouer and more spotted with sinne then the blessed Iob with sores which no Poole can euer cure all humble prostrate my selfe before thee not desiring thee to lay thy blessed and happy-making hand vpon so vlcerous a creature nor to cast thy pittying and fauourable eye vpon so displeasing and hatefull an obiect but onely O Lord if so poore and vnworthy a worme may aspire to request of so high and great a Deitie one word from thy heauenly lips to make me whole but say the word O Lord and I shall passe the Snow in whitenesse and cast my sicke and aged imperfections renewing my selfe like the strong Eagle at thy command whole Legions of sinnes which carry mee head-long to ruine and perdition shall passe from mee and I remaine praysing and gloryfying thy holy name the numnesse and deadnesse of my vncharitable hand vpon thy Word shall stretch it selfe forth and bee exercised in deeds of loue and mercy vpon thy Word my wilfull and naturall blindnesse shall bee taken away and I restored to a perfect and good sight gloriously beholding thee in thy reuealed Wil and wonderfully in thy workes vpon thy Word I shall easily heare and fully vnderstand thy Diuine and heauenly Mysteries and lay them vp in my heart for my comfort and consolation The Iewes O Lord had eares and heard not eyes and saw not hands and felt not thy apparant and astonishing miracles they saw before their eyes the blind receiue their sight the dead restored to life they heard with their eares the dumbe speake and glorifie thy holy Name they felt thy naturall and heauenly begotten Bodie and yet beleeued not Blessed are they which haue not seene and haue beleeued But say the word O Lord and I shall be made partaker of that heauenly benediction acknowledging thee the Son of the euer-liuing God borne of the blessed Virgin crucified vnder Pontius Pilate giuing ouer thy life buried and rising againe on the third day for the redemption and saluation of mankinde I shall lay hold of thy precious Passion and bury all my misdeeds in thy life-giuing wounds to bee washt away with thy vnualuable bloud for euer will I kneele for this Word for euer remaine a deuout and humble Petitioner that all these things may bee done vnto mee and I become a new creature spirited anew with thy holy Spirit for euer praysing and magnifying thy holy Name louing it aboue my selfe and adoring it to the end all generations may approoue thy power in the conquest of hell death and sinne Amen 83. A Prayer in time of Lent O Benigne and bountifull Sauiour our onely Aide Comforter and Redeemer the preseruer of all Mankinde the glorie and hope of all mortality who whilst thou wandredst here amongst vs putting on perfect Humanity sufferedst thy selfe to be carryed into the Wildernesse and tempted of the deuil gloriously ouercomming him by prayer fasting to leaue vnto vs the ordinary ready meanes to resist all his subtill suggestions prescribing the same meanes to thy Apostles for the dispossessing Satan and hast also left vs many examples in thy holy Prophets blessed Fore-runner who liued in the Woods on Locusts and wilde Hony giuing vs a liuely and perfect Patterne who didst all for our example of thy owne blessed abstinence and moderation Grant O mercifull and blessed Sauiour that wee may this blessed and holy time of Lent attend more especially the spirituall food of our soules chastising and subduing the lusts and heate of the flesh by temperate and thrifty dyet lest of a seruant hee become a Master rebelling against the Spirit Mortifie in vs O Lord all wilde and loose desires ranging and disordered appetites which sowe dissention betwixt me and thee making me fearefull to enter and vnworthy to stand in thy presence and plentifully enrich mee with thy grace that I may do thy workes seriously meditate on thy Passion and take it to heart detesting and abandoning my sinnes the onely cause so great a Lord was so meanely intreated so gentle a Sauiour so vngently vsed and so mercifull and louing a Redeemer so vnmercifully and hatefully tormented by his owne subiects and seruants in the recouerie of their inheritance and freedome And if the children of men after the decease of a louing father expresse their griefe to the world by putting on mourning garments confining themselues to their Chamber and through anguish of heart forbearing their necessarie food was euer a worthier cause or a sorrow better beseeming the sonnes of Adam or a time more conuenient then in the yeerely obseruing and celebrating the dayes of their Lord and Masters torments and funeralls who dyed and was persecuted for them Grant vs therefore O Lord we may fast and deuoutly pray bitterly lamenting our sins and misdeeds which gaue thee vp to the death of the Crosse 84. A Prayer against temptation LEade vs not into temptation O Lord but deliuer vs from all euill sinne lyeth in waite to betray vs and Satan baiteth vs with opportunity he knoweth O mercifull Father our affections and by our actions ghesseth at our thoughts our inclinations he is cunning in and in subtilty who can surpasse him He deceiued our first parents whom thou hadst endued with excellent and Angell-like vnderstanding colouring his malice with carefull pretences many of thy choysest seruants he hath beguiled and triumphed neither is his inueterate and cankred enuy mitigated his power abated his knowledge decayed or his delight in wickednesse measured or lessened He is mighty in perswasions mighty in the meanes and most cunning in applying them He hath conquered the world that world our flesh and our flesh vs Who can suspect so great offers for dissimulation or mischiefe And who so neere and inseparable a friend which tendreth them Thus are the wisest O blessed Lord and Sauiour by a seeming shew of what is good circumuented thus the strongest with their owne confidence ouerthrowne Against so powerfull an enemie so powerfully followed but by thy neuer-yeelding grace what hope of resistance Stay him O Lord in his swiftnesse and bring
him back lest I fall and be confounded Suffer him not to draw me to the incounter for how can mortality hold out all the glories of the earth are armed on his part to bewitch ambitious spirits all the vanities in the world serue vnder his colours to allure the lighter phantasies Am I a match for so infinite and puissant an Army Leade me not into temptation O Lord but deliuer me from all euill I humbly confesse and heartily beleeue one word of thine is able to discomfort all his Hoast scatter them and make them in their hastie flight ruin one another he flyeth from thy presence and trembleth amazedly asking What haue we to doe with thee thou euer-liuing Son of God com'st thou before thy time to torment vs But O Father of all mercies how can I deserue thy aide or ouertaken with shame request thy gracious assistance hauing from my cradle beene a follower of his if not contemning yet neglecting thy often and lowde Callings Can I hope that haue refused to walke with Almightie God in securitie and safety that hee will daigne to find out me in danger and ieopardy and reskue me from the common enemie Thy mercie O Lord is infinite and hath beene infinitely exprest to ingratefull humanitie thy louing kindnesses innumerable vnable to be deliuered or set down There is no end I well know of thy euerlasting goodnesse bee pleased therefore O mercifull Father if so great a sinner may hope for fauour by the depth of all these either to take from me the violence and rage of all forcible temptation or else to giue me grace and strength to resist and withstand them lest I be taken prisoner by them and cast to the bottomelesse dungeon whence nothing resoundeth but the continuall acclamations and curses of damned and desperate persons euen for that holy and vertuous name of Iesus knowne mighty in the saluation of thy people Amen 85. A Prayer for preparation against the day of Iudgement IF the righteous O eternall and iust Iudge shall scarse be saued what shall become of sinners And if the iust shall tremble to behold the dreadfull signes which shall fore-run the day of Iudgement in what terrour and amazement shall the wicked be How earnestly shall they cry out for the Hils to couer them or to be hidden in the bottome of the Sea that they may not see the angry countenance of the wrathfull Iudge But alas the Sea shall yeeld vp all her inhabitants the graues their Tenants and the Hils be laid plaine and consumed to nothing all shall be laid open and euerie secret reuealed the closest crannie of the heart shall be searcht into and the priuatst deed be proclaimed the intent of the best actions examined and the foulest and most mischieuous in the hearing of all that haue beene borne since the beginning of the world knowne and brought to tryall What a terrour what a horrour what a confusion shall the Murtherer Blasphemer and lasciuious person be in at that day All this we haue heard nay and beleeue and yet the most cunning and subtill Serpent hauing nothing to say against the truth of thy Word with his perswasions induceth vs to flatter our selues that there is more eternitie in three-score yeeres the longest span of our short life then in that Eternity of eternities which shall follow it But thou O mercifull and gracious Lord which camest into the world to saue sinners from the vengeance prepared at this day desiring that wee may repent and be accepted Giue vnto vs a liuely feeling of the danger of it call it I beseech thee to our consideration as a thing certaine so present no soule being assured of her abode one minute Giue vs grace so to prouide our selues that wee may make our account here since after death no man returneth to recall or alter whatsoeuer is left amisse Let vs enter into iudgement of our selues that we be not iudged and carefully weigh euery word that wee be not found to haue respected none Giue vs grace to begin heere while there is helpe lest we would helpe our selues when there is no beginning for from hell there is no returning and after death no repenting repinings are there the fruits of an ill-led life and curses of our follies all the consolations of our punishment from which let thy mightie and all-redeeming Passion defend vs which whosoeuer faithfully layeth hold on shall at that Day with great ioy and alacrity behold thee shewing thy selfe a seuere Iudge against those who would not beleeue nor entertaine that Peace-offering Certaine Eiaculations of the Spirit O My most gentle and sweet Sauiour grant me I beseech thee pure thoughts vndefiled actions and a respect to thy glory in all my proceedings Let me alwaies O blessed Iesu remember that thou art in presence that I may with feare and reuerence take account of my speeches settle my behauiour and all my actions as it beseemeth a Lord of such height and Maiestie Bee thou O eternall and most meeke Lambe the obiect of mine eyes the Musicke of mine eares the food of my vnderstanding and the content and solace of all my senses that putting wholly on my Sauiour Iesus I may bee armed against all temptations and assaults of the deuill Iesu Lord of my life Patron of my substance Reconciler of my friends Inspirer of my soule Preseruer of my renowne and Master of my liberty I commend them all to thy holy protection dispose of them to thy honour and glory What part of me O Lord can challenge or shew euidence for mine My Soule is Heauens my Body Earths both thy blessing Take me O Lord as thy due nourish me as thy charge and loue me as thy childe O God the giuer of all victorie stand on my side in all temptations powre of thine owne Bloud into my emptied veines raise me as thou didst thy seruant Lazarus to a new and better life when I am dead to righteousnesse turne not away from me if I flye and let me not bee confounded for euer whose trust hath beene alwaies in thee Giue me O Lord a noble sufferance in afflictions lowlinesse of Spirit in the height of honours an vnmoued resolution in all conflicts and conquest ouer all my spirituall aduersaries Giue mee mercifull Father a vertuous shamefastnesse that I may blush and shunne the companie of wickednesse an vnaffected carriage slow and deliberate speeches vncorrupted thoughts and holy endeuours Let thy Word O Lord be the light of mine eyes the repast of my soule the repose of my senses the apparell of my body and my defence in all extremities Lay thy holy hands O Lord ouer mine eyes that I behold not vanity stand at the gates of my eares and turne aside all euill and vncleane speeches Set a watch before my lips lest I wander in vnlawfull discourses touch with thy holy hand all my senses to stay them from ryot and intemperance Let my will O Lord resigne it selfe to thy pleasure
and bee gouerned by thy prouidence accounting whatsoeuer thou pleasest to lay vpon me as a portion left for me by a carefull and louing Father Iesu make me willing to doe good to mine enemies sorry to displease the worst milde in speeches modest in my behauiour constant to my friends and charitable to all Giue mee O Lord a hearty and true sorrow for my sinnes a firme resolution of amendment a constant intent to renew my good purposes a perseuerance to continue them euer and an ardent desire to beginne afresh in thy seruice Grant me O sweet Iesu an vnfained and humble repentance for my former transgressions a hearty and zealous thankefulnesse for thy present kindnesses a terrour of thy iustice a doting on thy fauours and an euer-mindfulnesse of thy glorious presence Blesse O Lord with thy eternall prouidence my going forth and with thy holy assistance guide my comming in that I may walke in thy waies and returne to thy honour and seruice Let vs praise the Father Son and Holy Ghost who hath not forgotten his seruants but giuen them taste of good things recalled them wandring staid them sliding and with vnspeakeable loue brought them to his euerlasting Kingdome A Short Meditation vpon these words of PILATE ECCE HOMO Behold the Man LOoke vp O my soule and if thine eye lids be not pressed down with the two waights of shame and sorrow Behold the Lord of all Maiesty and glorie abased with the disgracefullest behauiour the scorne of the Iewes could lay vpon him Behold that reuerent and beautifull countenance which the Angels adored and God himselfe was well pleased in violently defaced with the vnmercifull strokes of his cruell persecutors his modest Eyes in labour with the bloud which from the riuolets of his head ouer-flowed all his face ioyning with a Sea of bloud which issued in euery place from his tender and delicate bodie What vnused torments were these O my soule What new inuented tyrannies Was euer Innocence so rewarded Vertue so glorified and Goodnesse so exalted But alas as if they would out-goe themselues in tyrannie and study for vnheard off cruelty they couple with these paines the basest and vnmanliest shames and disgraces that euer stories haue left vnto vs. Where is the sacred Balme they apply to thy wounded Bodie The precious oyntment they prouided wherewith to anoint thy bruised face Is that coate of folly and robe of ignominie the medicinable Seare-cloth they wrap thy torne flesh in Is their irreuerent and defiled spittle which they contemptuously throw in thy face the onely remedie they can affoord it With the hemme of thy garment O Lord thou stayedst an issue of bloud and with disroabing thee they open a Floud-gate of thine With thy holy wonder-working spittle thou gauest eyes to the blind and they prophane and vnhallowed Rebels with theirs would take away thy sight Was euer King so entreated by his subiects Was euer Master so abused by his seruants Was euer Father so tormented by his owne children O wicked Subiects disobedient seruants and vndutifull Children What mercie can you expect What freedome require what portion hope for Come hither all yee Kings and Princes of the earth which account the enlarging of your Dominions the onely propagation of your glory the feare and trembling of your subiects the testimonie of your Greatnesse and your vncontrouled and vnlimited command a royaltie onely worthy the Maiestie of a King Looke downe from your stately and gorgeous Thrones and Behold the Man borne a King whose Power and Title so amated Herod enflamed with the ambition of gouernement that onely to auoide his right he gaue command for the cruell slaughter of many thousand Innocents To whom newly brought into the world Kings came to offer bowe down on whom the Starres awaited and the Angels of the great and high God attended like seruants Consider well what Crowne inuironeth his sacred Head what Robe adorneth his Bodie and what Scepter hee beareth in his royall Hand Marke the obedience of his Subiects and suruey the largenesse of his Territories Whurry to this place yee noble and honourable Personages spare no treasure but purchase a standing to Behold the Man You that dwell vpon such nice and respectiue termes of honour who rate a Lye at the price of a Life and a Stroke aboue the value of your Soule carefullier to be accounted valiant then honest and fashionable then Religious who purchase vertues onely to sell away your vices rather forsaking God then your Mistresse Marke well and meditate on the behauiour of this onely honourable and all noble Lord See him buffeted by slaues and vassall-ministers spit on by the rascall company lasht and scourged by inferiour and Vnder-officers patiently and with all humility vndergoing and submitting himselfe to all kinde of scornes and reproches and esteeme not the seruant of more worth then the Lord who hath done all these things both for your redemption and example Thrust in among the Iewes yee common and vnder-people heere is a sight worth gaping after to follow and Behold the Man you that groane vnder the Tyrannie of Pouerty the exactions and cruell oppressions of biting Vsurers and hard Land-lords you who in the shade of your fortunes are left comfortlesse and whom the night of darkenesse and desolation hath suddenly ouer-taken Behold the Son of the euer-liuing God displaying the beames of ioy and consolation and if euer fellowship in misery assawage the rancour of it or company be a comfort glory of so noble and vnmatched a partner who couered with sweate and dust disguised with bloud and torments cloathed with shame and contempt is here made a laughing stocke to the people and since God himselfe so vnworthily submitted himselfe for mans offences Let vs glory and be proud to become his fellow and beare a share with him in all troubles for righteousnesse sake O my Redeemer was the wisedome of thy lips which in thy infancy falling as the melting honey from the Combes astonishing all the great Doctors and Rabbins instructing them in the high and hidden Mysteries of heauen now in thy firmer age thought folly and vaine eloquence Was that modest and beautifull countenance striking feare and reuerence in the beholders one looke whereof raised sinners to bee glorious Saints now buffeted and spit vpon Were thy innocent and spotlesse hands whose mightinesse and vertue loosed the chaines of hell leading captiuitie captiue become prisoners to bondage and fettered with base and seruile cords What part of thee was vnfruitfull and yeelded not comfort and blessings to this vngratefull people Flowed not from thy tongue the riuers of peace and euerlasting happinesse Did not thy eye direct them in the way of saluation Were not thy hands continually held vp and in labour for their pardon and penitencie Who followed thy foot-steps could hee euer goe astray Nay walked they not safe in the shadow of thy bodie from infirmities And did not thy outward garments recouer them of long