the light of thy glorious gospell and that thy Churche flourishe and increase beeing thorough thy protection ayded supported maintayned and defended we beseeche thee by thy holy Spirit guid and rule euerye parte and member thereof especially thy seruaunt ELIZABETH our Queene whome thy gratious fauoure and prouidēce hath appointed a cheefe member in the same vnder whose winges next vnto thy protection it hathe a cheefe succour and support Graunt vnto her O LORDE a pure and perfecte zeale aboue all thynges to promote thy Glorye first and chiefly in laboring and endeuoring of her self earnestly in wiping away and purging out of thy Church all blots and deformityes to reduce the same to a pure sincere forme of worship agreing to thy blessed word vtterly to mooue all stumblinge blockes which stay and hinder the course of thy gospell giue her in like maner O Lord the spirite of wisdome discretion and gouernment that with equitye and iustice she maye see this whole Realme which thou hast committed to her charge peaceablye and quietly gouerned that she may studiously labour that as wel thorough the whole realm vertue be exalted and vice abandoned as specially in her own house and Court that all wicked vanityes of this world all licentious inordinate life all flattering and dissimulation being vtterly banished the feare of thy glorious Maiestye maye so raigne in the heartes of all within her pallace Court that their liues and conuersation may be agreable to thy blessed wil in sincerity and true holines and integrity of life that from them as from the head maye shine puretye of life and conuersation as an example and patterne of true Godlines to the whole Realme Preserue her wee beseech thee good Lord from all conspyracies and treasons that if it be thy good will shee may haue a long quiet raigne ouer vs to the benefit of thy Church the aduancement of thy glory Indue the whol coūsel good lord with the true perfect wisdom that in all their consultatiōs coūsels hauing thee present before their eies thy mai consult of those things which principally and cheefely may be for the aduauncement of thy glory the cōmodity of thy church and next for the quiet peace and gracious gouernmente of this realm So lightē al inferior magistrats of this realm good Lord with the brightnesse of thy holy Spirite that vnderstanding thy will they may zealously defend maintain further the course of the Gospell with the swoord of iustice cut off the wicked cherish the godly Defend and gouern by the holye spirite the Pastours of thy church labourers in thy vine yarde that they maye zealously earnestly and diligētly feed thy flock committed vnto them with the foode of lyfe thy blessed word wherwith their soules maye bee nourished to life euerlasting Increase the number of them deare Father place ouer euerye flocke a godly learned and painful Pastor who may painfully and carefully trauail euery one in his charge to bring thy people which now alas in most partes doe wander and goe astray like lost sheepe to the true knowledge of thee their lord God and of their deare Son Christe Iesu their Sauiour And for thy mercy we beseech thee to take pity vpon thy poore and simple flocke roote out al rauening wolues whiche haue craftilye crept into thy sheepefolde and do make hauocke of the soules of thy simple flocke Cast out all hirelinges time-seruers and dumbe Dogges whiche to fill theire bellyes onelye haue thrust them selues among the sheep do pitifully suffer the flock of Christ thy sonne to bee deuoured and scattered of the wolfe Stir vp good Lord place in their rooms faithfull shepheards which diligently paynfully carefully and earnestly may labour in thy vineyard seek to win the souls of thy people out of the tyranny and power of Satan to the freedome of thy deere son Christ Iesu our Lord. And that thy Church may be furnished with Godly learned pastors we beseeche thee prosper and encrease in all Godly knowledge all Schooles of learning especiallye the two vnyuersities CAMBRIDGE and OXFORD grant deer father vnto all the students of the same that the cheef end of all their studyes maye be to the furtheraunce of thy Church and maintenance of the common wealth Blesse their studies deare Father that all vaine studies set a side they may so fructify and profit in all profitable and godly sciences that heereafter they may become profitable members in thy Church and godly vpholders of the common wealth Graunt good Lord to all the whole Commons of this realm that their hartes beeing touched with a sincere fear and reuerence of thy heauenlye maiestye acknowledging thy mercy in placing ouer them a godly Princesse they may euery one in their callinges walke in all true and humble obedience vnto her in thee for thee without resistaunce tumultes insurrections conspiracies or rebellions knowing that to resiste the higher powers is to rebell against thy maiesty Finally we beseech thy goodnesse so guid and gouerne the harts of all the whole realme of euery degree that euery one in his calling being by thy grace supported may so occupy his Talent that thy glory in al thinges may be aduanced thy Church enlarged this whole realm into sincere godlinesse vertuously reduced Moreouer we beseech the O Lord our God in mercye beholde all those which suffer persecution for thy glorious wordes sake whether it be imprisonmēt death or banishment or whatsoeuer els strengthen then them good Lord that they hauing thee alwais before their eies and the glorye layde vp for them in the lyfe to come may cōtinue constaunt in defending thy truth with out feare of man or vain alluremēts of the world that whether it come by lyfe or death they may glorify thy holye name in continuing in the truth to the ende Preserue in like maner wee beseech thee all others thy children whome it hath pleased thee with anye other kinde of Crosse to chasten for their amendment whether by pestilence famine war pouerty imprisonment sicknes or banishment trouble of conscience vexation of spirite disquietnes of mind want of spirituall comfort or what soeuer kind of affliction of bodye or minds thou doest try them with that by thy holy spirite beeing fully assured that thou by this thy correction mindest to call them backe to a feeling of their sin and due consideration of their life and conuersation that they maye patiently abide thy Fatherly triall looking for aide helpe and comfort from thee when it seemeth most conuenient to thy godly wisdome and beeing by thy mercyfull hande once deliuered may acknowlege thy singular power and worke giuing all laude and praise to thy glorious Name and afterwardes all the dayes of their life studye to liue before thee in sincerity and perfect holinesse euen to their liues ende Amen A PRAYER FOR all estates O Lorde God Father of light with whōe is no chaunge neither yet shadow of
An exercise for a Christian FAMILIE Contayning a short sum of certayne poyntes of Christian religion with certaine godly Prayers psalmes thanâ—â—giuings both before and after meales ¶ Very necessary to be vsed in euery Christian Familie By R. M. AT LONDON ¶ Printed by Robert Walde-graue 1585. ¶ A short SVMME OF THE cheefe groundes of christian religion set down in fiue speciall points Sanctify the lord God in your hearts 1. Pet. 3.15 be ready alwayes to giue an answere to euery one that asketh you a reason of your fayth that with meekenesse and reuerence Keepe the true patern of the wholsome words which thou haste heard of me in faith and loue 2. Tim. 1.13 which is Iesus Christe I Beleeue and confesse first Rom. 10.10 that there is * one God onelye who * is a spirituall nature Ioh. 45.5 without any bodily or visible sharpe Ioh. 4.24 1. Tim. 6 16. Exo. 34.6 Psa 95.4 * of infinite power wisedome * goodnesse and glory creator and gouernour of heauen and earth that this one god is distinct into * three persons the father Iohn 5.7 the son and the holy ghost Secondly that the same God did in the beginning * make mankinde in an excellent state of all perfection happines Gen. 1.26 euen according to his owne * holinesse righteousnesse Eph 4.24 Thirdly that we fell afterwards through the disobedience of Adam into a cursed kind of al misery Rom. 5.12 euen * into the wrath of God and eternal damnation of body and soule Fourthly that the deliuerance and redemption from this misery is fully wrought by * Iesus Actes 4.12 Christ onely both God man who hath * suffered all the punishments of our sinns Rom. 13 4 that we might not bee damned for them 1. Ioh. 1 7 1. Pet. 2 24. * hath perfectly kept the * ten commaundements for vs which we could not do to bring vs again to the * loue of God Rom. 5.19 21 and to eternal life Fiftly that they onely are partakers of Iesus Christe and * this great worke of our redemption Math. 7.7 which do earnestly and faithfully praye for the grace of his holy * Spirite Rom. 10 11 that thorough the * preaching of the Worde Iohn 3.36 there maye bee wroughte in their heartes a * stedfast fayth Iam. 2.18 21. to be saued by his sufferings and holinesse onely and that their fayth may be shewed and iustyfied by continuall repentance and a Godly life that is Deu. 12 12. by * shunning those thinges which hee forbiddeth and dooing those thinges which he commaundeth This is lyfe eternall Iohn 17.3 to knowe thee to bee the onelye true God and him whome thou haste sente Iesus Christe Ioh. 17.3 Iesus sayd take heede and beware of the leauen of the pharisees saduces Mat. 16.6 12. which is their doctrine Cast away prophane and old wiues fables 1. Tim. 4.7 exercise thy selfe vnto godlinesse I will pray vnto God Psal 55.16 and the Lord shall saue mee euening and morning and at noone day will I pray and he will heare my voyce Prayers for the morning necessary to be vsed of all housholders in their families MATH 26.41 VVatch and pray least ye enter into temptation O moste mighty God our heauenly and mercifull father we most wretched sinners humblye confesse vnto thy maiesty that all good thinges wee haue doe come from thy onelye mercy that we are most vnworthy of them and yet altogether vnable heartily to pray for the continuaunce thereof yet seeing thy dear son Iesus Christe hathe commaunded vs in his name to pray and that with assurance to speed and to be heard wee beseeche thee for his sake to prepare oure heartes by thy holye spirite to put oute of our mindes all worldlye thinges and vayne fantasies and to stir vs vp earnestly to coÌ„sider what greate neede wee haue of thy continuall help both in our soules and bodies O Lord we haue through our manifold sinns deserued thy wrath and eternall damnation of body soul yet by the vertue of the great sufferinges of Iesus Christ and the shedding of his precious bloud forgiue and wash away al our offences wee are vnworthy of thy fauour either in this life or in the life to come yet thorough his holines receiue vs vnto mercy make vs heirs of thy blessed kingdom and so increase in oure hearts euery day vnfained repentaunce for our former wickednes in that we haue neither worshipped thy maiesty nor liued towardes others accordinge to thy worde Strengthen our faith O Lord in Iesus Christe for the forgiuenesse of our sinnes and for thy tender mercy sake powre into our hearts the grace of thy holy spirite which may stirre vp in vs a more hearty loue vnto thee and thy blessed worde that by it we may learn to worship thee aright and to liue faithfullye truelye towardes all men in our callings striuing coÌ„tinually against all sinne chiefly in our selues and then also in others so that whensoeuer it shall please thee to call any of vs out of this short sinfull life we may willingly deliuer vp our soules into thy blessed kingdome and may come with ioy as louing children to thee our heauenly and merciful Father O lord make vs thankful for all thy corrections giuing vs grace by them to fear thee more carefully to sorow for our sinnes more heartily Make vs also thankfull for all thy benefites namely for the sweete sleepe and quiet rest wherby thou haste this nighte refreshed vs wee beseeche thee now in like manner O gratious God for Christs sake to receiue vs this day into thy blessed keeping preserue vs froÌ„ al perils dangers froÌ„ sinn froÌ„ the wicked cares of this life and the vaine desires of the flesh shinning into our hearts by the grace of thy holy spirit and the true knowledge of Iesus Christ the true light of the worlde that wee may guid al ourthoghts words deeds according to the same and walk painfully and truly in our callings to the glorye of thy blessed name the good example of al others and the great assuraunce of our own saluation through thy deare Sonne Iesus Christe our onely sauiour in whose name we pary for these and al other graces as hee hath taught vs saying Our father c. Another Prayer for the Morning ALmighty God and moste mercifull Father Dan. 9 we do not * preseÌ„t our selues heere before thy maiesty trusting in oure owne merites or worthinesse but in thy manifolde mercies which hast promised to heare our prayers and * graunt oure requests Iohn 16. which we shall make to thee in the name of thy beloued Sonne Iesus Christ our Lorde who hath also commanded vs to asseÌ„ble our selues together in his * name Math. 18. with full assurance that he will not onely bee amoÌ„g vs but also be our mediator
the ende and in the end so be it O Lord increase our fayth A PRAIER TO BE sayde of the childe before he study his lesson PSALME 119. Wherein shall the childe addresse his way In guiding him selfe according to thy Worde Open myne eyes I shall knowe the maruails of thy Lawe Giue me vnderstanding and I shall keepe thy Lawe yea I shall keepe it with mine whole heart LOrde which art the fountain of all wisdome and knowledge seeing it hath pleased thee to giue mee the meane to bee taught in my youth for to learne to guide me godly and honestly all the course of my life it maye also please thee to lighten myne vnderstandinge the which of it selfe is blind that it may comprehende and receiue that doctrine and learning which shall bee taught me it may please thee to strengthen my memory to keep it wel it maye please thee also to dispose my hart willingly to receiue it with such desire as appertayneth so that by my ingratitude the occasion which thou giuest me be not lost That I may thus do it maye please thee to powre vpon me thine holy spirit the spirite I say of al vnderstāding truth iudgement wisdom learning the which maye make mee able so to profite that the paines that shall be taken in teaching me be not in vaine And to what study soeuer I applye my selfe make me O lord to addres it vnto the right end that is to know thee in oure Lord Iesus Christ that I may haue full trust of saluation in thy grace and to serue thee vprightly according to thy pleasure so that whatso euer I learne it may be vnto me as an instrumēt to helpe me therevnto and seing thou dost promise to giue wisdom to the little and humble ones and to confound the proude in the vanity of their wits likewise to make thy selfe knowne to them that be of an vpright heart and also to blinde the vngodly and wicked I beseech thee to fashion me vnto true humility so that I may be taught first to be obedient vnto thee and next vnto my superiors that thou haste appoynted ouer me Further that it may please thee to dispose mine heart vnfaynedly to seek thee and to forsake all euill and filthye lusts of the flesh that in this sort I may nowe prepare my self to serue thee once in that estate which it shalplease thee to appoint for me whē I shall come to age A PRAIER TO BE sayde before a man begin his worke PSALME 25. The Lorde reuealeth his secretes vnto them that fear him and maketh them to knowe his alliance O Lorde God moste mercifull Father sauiour seeing it hath pleased thee to commaunde vs to trauaile that we may relieue our neede we beseech thee of thy grace so to blesse our labor that thy blessing may extende vnto vs without the which we are not able to continue that this great fauour may be a witnes vnto vs of thy boūtifulnes assistance so that thereby we may know the fatherlye care that thou hast ouer vs. Moreouer O Lorde wee beseech thee that thou wouldest strengthen vs with thy holye spirit that we may faith fullye trauaile in our estate vocation without fraud or deceit and that we maye indeuour oure selues to followe thine holy ordināce rather thē to seek to satisfy our greedy affections or desire to gaine And if it please our labour giue vs a minde also to help thē that haue need according to that ability that thou of thy mercye shalt giue vs and knowing that all good thinges come of thee graunt that wee maye humble oure selues to our neighbours not by any meanes lift our selues vp aboue them which haue not receiued so liberal a portion as of thy mercye thou hast giuē vnto vs. And if it please thee to trye exercise vs by greter pouerty and need then our flesh would desire that thou wouldst yet O Lorde grant vs grace to know that thou wilt nourish vs continually through thy bountifull liberality that wee bee not so tempted that we fall not into distrust but that wee may patiently waite till thou fill vs not onely with corporall graces and benefites but cheefely with thine heauenly spirituall treasures to the intent that wee may alwayes haue more ample occasiō to giue thee thankes and so wholly to rest vppon thy mercyes Heare vs O Lorde of mercy through Iesus Christe thy sonne our Lorde Amen APR AIER FOR the Morning O Gratious God and louing Father according to thy cōmandement we do here present our selues before thy maiestye humblye prostrating our selues before the throne of mercy acknowledging and confessing from the bottome of our heartes that wee bee miserable sinners dayly breaking thy commandementes both in thought word and deede wherein we iustlye deserue euerlasting damnatiō to be vtterly throwne frō thy presence yet O lord we see thy goodnes againe towardes vs who not suffering vs thus to perish in our sins hast sent thine owne deare Son Iesus Christ to take vppon him whatsoeuer is due to reconcile and make vs at one with thee again in him therfore good Lorde and throgh him do we com vnto thee beseeching thee for his sake that we feeling the greeuosnes of our sins and groning vnder the burden of them may feele the release ease of them in that we be thorough thy holy spirit assured and stedfastly beleeue that Christ hath borne the burden of them euen for vs. Graunt O Lorde that wee being assured hereof in oure consciences may thorough thy holye spirite be renued in the inner man to hate detest and abhorre sinne and to study to liue according to thy blessed will during our whole life We do not only pray for our selues but also for all thy whol church especially such as bee persecuted for thi word graunt vnto them that whether it be by death or life they may glorifye thy name to theire liues end Bee mercifull to this Church of England and Irelande wee besech thee good lord and preserue euery part member of the same especially thy seruaunt ELIZABETH oure Queene graunt her all such giftes as be needeful for so high a calling to the aduancement of thy glory and benefite of this commō wealth to the establishing of a perfect gouernment of thy Church according to the prescript rule of thy blessed word to the rooting out of al superstition and reliques of Antichrist to the gouerning of her subiectes in all peace and traquillitie Defend her O lord from all conspiracies treasons rebellions and so woorke in the harts of all her subiects that knowing her authorise doth come frō thy heauenly maiestie they may with obediēt harts humbly obey her in thee for thee Preserue the whol counsell the. Magistrats of the realme that being lightened through thy holy spirite they maye defend thy truth suppresse wickednes maintain equity Beholde all the Pastors Preachers of the worde blesse their labours
increase the number of them place ouer euerye Church a painfull watch man remooue all idle lubbers confound the power of Antichrist tourne the heartes of the people that they may be obedient to thy trueth Blesse the two Vniuersities Cambridge and Oxenforde and all the Studentes of the same with all Schooles of learning Beholde all those that bee afflicted with any kind of crosse that they may profit by thy correction in newnesse of life Lastly for our selues heere gathered together wee heartily craue at thy handes that it woulde please thee to make vs thankfull vnto thy maiestie for all thy louing kindnes shewed vnto vs euen from our infancy especially that thou haste this present night deliuered vs frō all dangers both of body and soule wherinto many haue fallen as we in like maner shoulde haue doone if wee had not beene stayed with thy merciful hand that thou hast also graunted vnto vs so sweet comfortable reste and haste now presently brought vs to the beginning of this daye For these thinges good Lord we yeelde vnto thee moste harty thanks besehcing thee to make vs more more daylye thankfull vnto thy maiestye for thē pardon oure vnthākfulnes And as thou hast safely preserued vs vnto this presenthowre frō all the daungers of this life so we beseech thee continue thy fauor towardes vs this day the whole course of our life Defend vs O lord that we now entring into the affayres of this daye bee not drawne away with the vayne alluremēts of this world to sinn and wickednes that we walk not in the shadowes of death that we be not intangled in the snares of sinne that wee stumble not at the blockes of iniqnity that we finallye fall not into the pit of death and destructiō but being shadowed vnderthy wings we may cheerfully and constantlye goe on forward to the end of our course Graunt vnto vs O Lorde our God that this good time which thou grantest vnto vs in this life bee not idly or vainly of vs consumed but that euerye one of vs maye bee diligentlye exercised in his calling this day and all our life long being assured that thou wilt once call vs to yeelde an account of our stewardship Indue vs we besech thee with those giftes and graces which bee needfull for vs in our calling that with a pure and sincere conscience we may vse them to the benefite of our brethren and discharge of our own consciences before thy maiesty We beseech thee O Lord that in all oure confultations words works this day and the whole course of oure life wee maye alwayes haue thee present before our eyes knowing that thou seest euen the very deepe thoughts of our harts which alwais maye bee as a brydle to pull vs backe that wee neither do nor yet consent vnto anye sinne or wickednes but that alwayes we may be so exercised in the affayres of this life that we loke still to the ende of our course when it shall please thee to bring vs through the pilgrimage of this life to our euerlasting reste with thy deare Sonne IESVS CHRIST oure Sauiour In whole name for these mercies and what soeuer thou knowest to be needefull for vs and for the whole Church we pray vnto thee as he him selfe hath taught vs in his holye worde saying Our father c. The Lorde blesse vs and saue vs the Lorde make his face to shyne vppon vs and be mercifull vnto vs the Lorde tourne his fauourable countenaunce towards vs grant vs his peace The grace of our Lorde Iesus Christ the loue of God the Father the moste comfortable fellowshippe of the holye Ghoste be with vs preserue and keepe vs this day and euermore Amen A CONFESSION of sinnes with faith and repentance O Merciful and Heauenlye Father wee thy seruaunts do humbly prostrate our selues before thy maiestye acknowledging heere in thy sight our hainous offences committed against thy maiestye seeing and beholding thy heauye wrath againste them wee feele oure selues laden O Lorde our God with a huge companye of horrible sinnes wherof euen the verye leaste beeing but conceiued in thought is sufficient in iudgement to throw vs down to the euerlasting burning lake Our owne consciences O Lorde do beare witnes against vs of oure manyfolde transgressions of thy blessed law of our security sencelesse blindnes running head-long to destruction committing sinne after sinne although not notorious to the world yet horrible before thine eye The thoughtes of oure hartes rise vp in iudgement against vs the vanity of our talke before thy maiestye condemneth vs the wickednes of our deedes from thy sight reiecteth vs al our wicked thoghts words and deeds with the inward corruption of our nature do altogeather as it were a whole lump and loade of sinne lye heauie vppon vs and with their intollerable weight do euen presse vs down to hell Wee do daylye grone vnder the burthen of them inwardly lamenting our owne folly so greedily running into them In Heauen Earth or Hel wee see none able to sustaine the weight of them but euē the dearlye beloued Sonne Iesus Chrst who in mercy infinite and compassion endlesse hath sustained and ouer come that endlesse punnishement due vnto them in him therefore in him most meeifull father through him wee come to thee being fully assured according to thy promise that thou wilt accept and take that ful recompence which hee thy deere Sonne hath made for vs as a iust raunsome for all the sinnes of all those who with a true faith take houlde on him In him therefore we see thine anger towards vs appeased thy wrath satisfied and our debts payde Increase in vs good Lord we beseech thee this liuely and feeling faith for wee feele it oftentymes in vs verye weake troubled with many doubtes increase it in vs O Lorde that wee may through thy holy spirite bee assured that the punnishement of our sinnes is fully in thy sonne discharged Make vs O Lorde our God to feele this same in our soules and consciences that IESVS CHRIST is ours and all that hee hath done that we are graffed into his body and made one with him and therfore fellow heires with him of euerlasting life Let vs not onely haue these wordes in our mouthes good Lord but through thy holye spirite lette vs feele the comfort of them in our heartes fully sealed and setled in vs that we feling our selues inwardly before thy iudgment seat discharged and our consciences towardes thee appeased may bee swallowed vp with an vnfained loue towarde thy heauenly Maiestie and towardes thy brethren for thy sake Make sin to dye in vs dayly more more that we may hate detest vtterly abhor all sin and wickednesse in all men but especiallye in oure selues that wee maye strongly thorough thy holye spirite sette our selues in open warre defiance against all sinn and wickednesse that we please not ourselues in our sinnes but straitlye examining sin
death And finally we most humbly thanke thee for that it hath pleased thee to keepe vs this daye and all the dayes and times of our liues beseeching thee that thou wouldst receiue vs this night in to thy holye keeping that we may haue quiet rest not of bodies alone but of our soules also restinge from all those thinges that are contrarye to thy most holy wil atēding while thou raisest vs vp in the morning to do al those thinges that thou hast appointed vs. These thinges wee desire of thee all other things which thou knowest to bee more needfull for vs and thy whole Church better then we ourselues do know for Iesus Christes sake saiing the same praier that hee hym selfe hath taught vs. Our father c. A forme of euening prayer necessary to be vsed of all christians in their houses and families Psal 55. vers 16. I vvill call vnto GOD and the Lord vvill saue me Euening Morning and at noone will I pray make a noise and hee vvill he are my voice VVE mostehumblye beseeche thee O gratious God and heauenlye Father euen for thy sonne Iesus Christes sake to pardon and forgiue vs all our sinnes in thought worde and deede committed against thy holy lawes and commandementes to tourne away from vs gratiouslye all those plagues which we most iustlye haue deserued for them both in this lyfe and in the lyfe to come working in our harts euery day by the holye spirite more true and vnfayned sorrow for thē with greater care euer hereafter to know thy blessed wil reuealed in thy worde and to order all our opinions and doings according to the same so much the rather O Lorde because of thy manyfolde blessinges wherby thou dost dayly mooue vs herevnto for the which O heauenlye father make vs more hartely thankfull specially for our recreation at the firste after thine owne holinesse righteousnesse for our redemption by IESVS CHRIST when wee were vtterly loste for that knowledge of our Sauiour which by the preaching of thy blessed Gospell thorough thy holye Spirite thou haste wrought in oure heartes for true repentaunce for fayth hope and loue for watchfulnesse in oure dooinges and all other gyftes of thy grace pertayninge to oure saluation all which graces O Lord are verye weake in vs because of the greate wickednesse of oure heartes striuing against thy holy spirite so as in thy wrath thou mightest iustlye forsake vs vtterly yet O Lorde let it bee thy grations pleasure to increase them in oure heartes euerye daye euen so long as we lyue in this worlde as of thy goodnesse thou haste begun that thereby the assuraunce of oure saluation maye be more certaynelye sealed vppe vnto oure owne consciences that so wee maye also learne to bee more truelye thankfull vnto thy MAIESTIE for the benefites of this lyfe Namelye that thou hast hitherto euer since wee were borne giuen vs those thinges that were needfull for oure bodies as health foode apparrell and such like that thou hast kept vs from many daungers comfort vs in all our troubles and strengthen vs in all our weaknesse and giuing vs grace this daye to labour faithfully truelye in our callinges hauing brought vs safelye paste all the daungers thereof vnto this present howre O Lorde forgiue vs the sinnes of this daye and of oure whole life and speciallye our great vnthankfulnesse for these thy manifold blessings and in IESVS CHRIST thy deare sonne continue them towardes vs euer hereafter both in soules and bodies and speciallye this night receiue vs into thy blessed keeping preserue vs from all daungers from sin frō al vngodly dreames and fansies graunting vnto vs cōfortable rest so as wee maye bee the better strengthened to serue thee faithfully in our calling and giuing vs grace alwayes both sleeping and waking to bee readye when thou shalt call vs out of this miserable worlde Last of all because thou hast commanded vs to pray for others also wee beseech thee good Lorde be mercifull to all Nations specially to those Churches where thy Gospell is truely preached continue thy mercy towards this realme preserue oure Queene blesse her Counsell and all in aucthoritye with necessarye graces increase the number of faythfull Preachers strengthen the Godly lighten the ignoraunt conuert the wicked be merciful vnto al scholes and places of learning to all our friendes and kinsfolkes and others afflicted in bodye or in soule graunting to euerye one of them as to oure selues those necessarye graces whiche thou knoweste to bee needfull for euery one of vs in oure seuerall estates and callinges to the glorye of thy name and the better assurance of our saluation through CHRIST IESVS in whose name we aske of thy maiesty as hee hath taught vs. Our Father c. Euening prayer for priuate houses and families O Gratious God and louing Father according to thy cōmandement wee doe heere presente our selues before thy maiesty humbly prostrating our selues before the throne of mercy acknowledging and confessing frō the bottome of oure heartes that we be miserable sinners daylye breaking thy commandementes bothe in thought word deed wherein wee iustly deserue euerlasting damnation and to be vtterly thrown from thy presence yet O Lorde we see thy goodnes again towardes vs who not suffering vs thus to perish in our sinnes haste sent thine owne deare son Iesus Christ to take vppon him whatsoeuer is due to reconcile and make vs at owne with thee agayne In hym therefore good Lorde through him do wee come vnto the beseching the for his sake that wee feeling the greeuousnesse of our sinnes and groning vnder the burthen of them maye feele the release ease of them in that wee be through thy holy spirit assured and steadfastly beleeue that Christe hath born the burthen of them eaueu for vs. Graunte O Lorde that we beeing assured hereof in our consciences maye through thy holy Spirit bee renuee in the inner man to hate detest and abhorre sinne and to studie to liue accordinge to thy blessed will duringe our whole life Wee do not onelye pray for our selues but also for all thy whole Churche especiallye such as bee persecuted for thy worde graunt vnto them that whether it bee thy death or life they may glorify thy name to their liues end Be merciful to this Church of England Irelande wee beseeche thee good Lorde to preserue euery part and member of the same especially thy seruant ELIZABETH our queen graunt her all such gifts as bee needefull for so high a calling to the aduauncement of thy glory and benefite of this common wealth to the establishishing of a perfect gouerment of thy Church according to the prescript rule of thy blessed word to the rooting out of al superstition and reliques of Antichriste to the gouerning of her subiects in al peace and tranquility Defende her O Lorde from all conspiracies treasons and rebellions and so worke in the heartes of all her subiectes that knowing her authoritye
beloued of the Lorde and that thy graces may abound as the waters of the sea in the Prince and in the people in the Church and in the Common wealth from day to day till the day of our translation into the kingdō where iustice inhabiteth where we also shal inhabite and raign with thee according to thy promise for euer Grant vs these things O mercifull Father for thy deare sonne our Lorde Iesus Christ his sake in whose name we craue them at thy mercifull hande praying furthermore for them as hee hath taught vs to pray Our father which art in heauen c. A PRAYER TO be sayd in visiting of the sicke O Our good GOD Lord Father the Creator and conseruer of all thinges the fountaine of all goodnes benignitye like as among other thine infinite benefites whiche thou of thy great goodnesse and grace doest distribute ordinarilye vnto all men thou giuest them health of body to the end that they should the better know thy great liberalitye so that they might be the more readye to serue glorifye thee with the same so contrarywise when we haue ill behaued our selues in offending thy maiestye thou hast accustomed to admonishe vs and call vs vnto thee by diuers and sundry chastisementes thorough the which it hath pleased thy goodnes to subdue and tame our fraile flesh but especiallye by thy grieuous plagues of sicknesse and diseases vsing the same as a meane to awake stir vp the great dulnes and negligence that is in vs all and aduertising vs of oure euill life by such infirmities dangers especially when as they threaten the verye death which as assured messengers of the same are all to the flesh full of extreame anguishe and torments althogh they be notwithstanding to the spirit of the elect as medicines both good wholsom For by thē thou dost mooue vs to retourne vnto thee for our saluation and to cal vpon thee in our afflictions to haue thine helpe which art oure dear and louing father In consideration wherof wee most earnestlye praye vnto thee oure good God that it wold please thine infinite goodnes to haue pitty on this thy poore creature whome thou hast as it were bounde and tied to the bed by most grieuous sicknesse and brought to great extremitie by the heauinesse of thine hand O Lorde enter not into a count with him to render the rewarde due vnto his workes but through thine infinite mercye remitte all his faults for the which thou hast chastised him so gently and beholde rather the obedience which thy deare Sonne Iesus Christ our Lorde hath rendred vnto thee to witte the sacrifice which it hath pleased thee to accept as a full recompence for all the iniquities of thē that receiue him for their iustice sanctificatiō yea for their onely sauiour Let it please thee O GOD to gyue him a true zeale and affection to receiue and acknowledge him for his onely redeemer to the end also that thou maist receiue this sicke person to thy mercy qualifiyng all the troubles which his sins the horror of death and dreadfull feare of the same may bring to his weake conscience neither suffer thou O Lord the assaults of the mighty aduersary to preuaile or to take from him the comfortable hope of saluation which thou giuest to thy dearely beloued children And for as much as we are all subiect to the like state condition and to bee visited with like battel when it shal please thee to call vs vn to the same we beseech thee moste humblye O Lorde with this thy poore Creature whom thou now presently chastisest that thou wilt not extende thy rigorous iudgement against him but that thou wouldest vouchsafe to shew him thy mercye for the loue of thy deare sonne Iesus Christ our Lorde who hauing suffered the most shamefull and extreame death of the Crosse bare willinglye the fault of this poore patient to the end that thou mightest acknowledge him as one redemed with his precious bloud and receiued into the communion of his body to be participant of eternall felicity in the companye of thy blessed Aungels wherfore O Lord dispose moue his hart to recieu by thy grace with all meekenesse this gentle and fatherly correction which thou haste layde vpon him that he maye indure it patientlye and with willing obediēce submitting himself with heart and minde to thy blessed will and fauourable mercye wherein thou now visitest him after this sort for his profit and saluation It may please thy goodnesse O Lord to assist him in all his anguishes and troubles And although the tongue and voyce bee not able to execute their office in this behalf to set forth thy glorye that yet at the least thou wilt stirre vp his hart to aspire vnto thee only which art the onlye fountaine of goodnesse thou wilt roote and settle in his hart the sweet promises which thou hast made vnto vs in Christe Iesus thy sonne our Sauiour to the intent he may remaine constant against all the assaultes and tumult which the enemy of our saluation maye raise vp to trouble his conscience And seeyng it hath pleased thee that by the death of thy dear Son life eternall shoulde be cōmunicated vnto vs and by the shedding of his bloud the washing of our sinnes should be declared and that by his resurrediō also both iustice and immortality shoulde bee giuen vs it may please thee to apply this holy and wholsome medicine to this thy poore Creature in such extremitie taking from him all trembling dreadfull feare to giue him a stout courage in the middes of all his present aduersityes And for as much as all thinges O heauenly father be knowne vnto thee and thou canst according to thy good pleasure minister vnto him all such thinges as shall be necessarye and expedient let it please thee O Lord so to satisfie him by thy grace as may seeme most meete vnto thy diuine maiesty Receiue him Lorde into thy protection for he hath his recourse accesse to thee alone make him constant and firme in thy commaundements and promises and also pardon all his sinnes both secreat and those which are manyfest by the which hee hath moste grieuouslye prouoked thy wrath seuere iudgementes against him so as in place of death the whiche both he and al we haue iustlye merited thou wilt graunt vnto him that blessed life whiche we also attend looke for by thy grace and mercy Neuerthelesse O heauenlye Father if thy good pleasure bee that hee shall yet lyue longer in this worlde it may then please thee to augment in him thy graces so as the same maye serue vnto thy glorye yea Lord to the intent he may conforme himselfe the more diligentlye and with more carefulnes to the example of thy sonne Christ Iesus and that in renouncing him selfe he maye cleaue fullye vnto him who to gyue consolation and hope vnto all sinners to obtaine remission of all their sins
and offences hath carryed with him into the Heauens the Theefe whiche was crucified with him vppon the crosse But if the tyme by thee appoynted bee come that hee shall depart from vs vnto thee make him to feele in his conscience O Lord the fruite and strength of thy grace that thereby he may haue a new tast of thy Fatherly care ouer him from the beginning of his lyfe vnto the end of the same for the loue of thy dear sonne Iesus Christ our Lord. Giue him thy grace that with a good heart and full assuraunce of faith he maye receiue to his consolation so great excellent a treasure to wit the remission of his sinnes in CHRIST IESVS thy Sonne who now presenteth him to this pore personne in distresse by the vertue of thy promises reuealed vnto him by thy woorde which he hath exercised with vs in thy Church and congregation and also in vsing the sacramentes which thou hast established for confirmation of al their faith that truste in thee vnfaynedly Let true faith O lord be vnto him as a moste sure buckler thereby to auoyde the assaultes of death and more boldly walke for the aduancement of eternall life to the end that he hauing a most liuely apprehension therof may reioyce with thee in the heauens eternally Let him be vnder thy protection and gouernāce O heauēly father and althogh he be sick yet canst thou heale him he is cast downe but thou canst lift him vp he is sore troubled but thou canst sende redres he is weak thou canst sende strength he acknowledgeth his vncleanes his spots his filthines iniquityes but thou canst wash him make him cleane he is woūded but thou canst minister moste souerain salues he is fearefull trembling but thou canst gyue him good courage and boldnesse To be short hee is as it were vtterly lost and as a strayed sheepe but thou canste call him hoame to thee againe Wherfore O Lord seeing that this poore creature thine own workmanship resigneth him wholly into thine hāds receiue him into thy merciful protection Also we poore miserable creatures which are as it were in the field ready to fight til thou with draw vs from the same vouchsafe so to strengthen vs by thine holye spirite that we maye obtayne the victory in thy name against oure deadly and mortal enemye And furthermore that the affliction and combat of this thy pore creature in moste greeuous tormentes maye moue vs to humble our selues with all reuerent feare and trembling vnder thy mighty hande knowing that we muste appear before thy iugement seat when it shal please thee to appoint But O lord the coruption of our fraile nature is such that wee are vtterlye destitute of anye mean to appeare before thee except it pease the to make vs such as thou thy selfe requirest vs to be further that thou gyue vs the spirite of meeknesse and humility to rest and stay wholye on those thinges which thou only commaundest But for as much as we be all togeather vnworthy to inioye such benefites wee beseech thee to receiue vs in the name of thy deare Son our Lorde maister in whose death sanctification standeth wholly the hope of our saluatiō It may also please thee O Father of comfort consolation to strengthen with thy grace those which imploye theire trauell and diligence to the ayding of this sick persō that they faint not by ouermuch and continuall labour but rather to go heartily and cheerefully forward in doing their indeuours towards him if thou take him frō them thē of thy goodnesse to comfort them so as they may paciently bear such departing and prayse thy name in all things Also O heauenly father vouchsafe to haue pition al other sick persons and such as bee by anye wayes or meanes afflicted also on those who as yet are ignorant of thy trueth appertaine neuertheles vnto thy kingdom In like manner on those that suffer persecution tormented in prisons or otherwise troubled by the enemies of thy veritye for bearing Testimonye to the same finally on all the necessityes of thy people and vpon al the ruins or decayes which satan hath brought vpō thy church O father of mercy spread forth thy goodnes vpon all those that bee thine that we forsaking oure selues may be the more inflamed and confirmed to rest onely vpon thee alone Graunt these our requestes O our deare Father for the loue of thy deare sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ who liueth raigneth with thee in vnity of the holy Ghost true God for euermore PRAYERS AND thankesgiuinges to be said before and after meat A Prayer before meate O Lorde our God and heauenly Father in thy beloued sonne Iesus Christ worke in our harts true repentaunce with increase of a true and liuelye faith make vs thankefull vnto thy Maiestye for all thy benefites whiche wee continually do receiue at thy mercifull hande Graunt vs the grace that we may at this present with thankful harts as from thy handes receiue meat and drincke for the sustenaunce of our bodies with moderation vse them to thy glory and through thy blessing receiue by thē perfect nourishment aboue all wee craue at thy hands good Lord the heauenlye foode of our soules which neuer perisheth that through thy gratious goodnes we maye be nourished and strengthened both in soule and body to eternall life through Iesus Christ our Sauiour Amen A THANKESGIVING after meat ETernall God and mercifull father we yeelde vnto thee moste harty thankes for al thy benefites so plentifully bestowed vppon vs especially that thou hast at this present fed and nourished oure mortall bodyes with meate and drinck we beseech thee in like manner let oure soules feele the sweete taste of thy heauenlye food that we being fed and nourished at thy handes both in soule body maye in this lyfe walke as it becommeth thy children and in the life to come be receiued to thine eternall kingdome of glory through Iesus Christ our Lorde and sauiour Amen A PRAYER BEfore meat O Mercifull and heauenlye Father who giuest food to euery liuing creature and with out whom nothing can liue blesse and sanctifie our meates drinckes whiche wee are now about to receiue that they maye turne to the nourishment of our bodies wherevnto thou hast appointed thē that we acknowledging thy gratious goodnes in prouiding so liberallye for our bodyes maye with cheerful harts be lifted vp earnestly to long after the food of our souls wherby we may be fed eternally through Iesus Christ our sauior Amē A THANKESGIVING after meate O Heauenly Father for these thy benefites wherewith thou haste nowe sufficiently fedde our bodies wee beseeche thee make vs thankful as we feele the sweetnesse of them pleasant to our bodies so wee beseeche thee good Lorde that the food of our soules may be as pleasant cōfortable vnto our soules that wee maye with as carefull hearts prouide for the nourishment of our souls
as we are care ful for the nourishment of our bodies till it shal shall please thy maiesty to bring vs to the place where wee shall neuer hunger nor thirst more but liue eternally thorough Christe our Sauiour Amen A PRAYER BEFORE meate O Lord our God and heauenlye Father which haste prouided meate and drinke for the nourishment of our bodies giue vs grace to vse them reuerentlye as from thine handes with thankfull heartes And as we doe greatlye hunger and thirste for this foode of oure bodies so we beseech thee good Lorde that oure soules maye earnestlye hunger after the lyke food and nourishment that with earnest minds wee maye seeke to haue our soules fed and refreshed eternallye thorough our onely Lorde and sauiour Iesus christ So be it A THANKESGIVING after meate VVOnderful is thy prouidence O Lorde in preseruing all liuing creatures Grant vs grace we besech thee that with thankful harts we maye acknowledge thy bountifull goodnesse so liberally giuing vnto vs all things needful especially feedingvs so plētifully at this present with thy manyfold blessings wherof agreat many of our brethren are destitute as in like manner wee should be if thou didst not deale more liberalitye with vs graunt vs therefore gratious Lord that we maye bee thankfull for this thy goodnesse and to be mindful of them which haue not such aboundance to releeue them that beeing all members of one body we may at length raign with our head Christe to whom be al honour and glory worlde with out end Amen A GODLY PRAYER FOR the Morning And may be sung to the tune of the third Psalme O God which art my part lot my comfort my stay I haue decreed and promised thy law to keepe alvvay Mine earnest heart did humbly sue in presence of thy face As thou therefore hast promised Lord graunt me of thy grace My life I haue examined and tride my secrete heart VVhich to thy statutes caused me my feete straight to conuert I did not stay nor linger long as they that flouthfull are But hastily thy lawes to keepe I did my selffe prepare The cruell handes of wicked men haue made of me their pray Yet vvoulde I not thy lavve forget not from thee go astray Thy righteous iudgement shewde toward me so great is and so high That euen at midnight will I rise thy name to magnifie Companion am I to all them vvhich feare thee in their hart And neither vvill for loue not dread from thy commaundement start Thy mercyes lord most plenteously do all the world fulfill Oh teach me how I may obey thy statutes and thy vvill All laud and prayse be to the Lorde Oh that of might art most To God the father and the sonne and to the holy ghost As it in the beginning vvas for euer heretofore And is novv at this present time And shall be euermore A GODLY PRAYER FOR the Euening And may be sung to the tune of the third Psalme ACcording to thy promise Lord so hast thou with me dealt For of thy grace in sundry sorts haue I thy seruant felt Teach me to iudge alvvaies aright and giue me knovvledge sure For certainly beleeue I do that thy precepts are pure Yet thou didst touch me with thy rod I erred and vvent astray But I vvill keepe thy holy vvord and make it all my stay Thou art both good and gratious and giuest most liberally Thy ordinauces hovv to keepe therefore O Lord teach me The proud and vvicked men haue forgde against me many a lye Yet thy cōmandements still obserue vvith all my hart vvill I. Their hearts are svvoln vvith worldly vvealth as greace so are they fat But in thy lavv do I delight and nothing seek but that VVho so vvith reuerence doth thee seare to me let them retire And such as do they couenats knevv and them alone desire My heart vvithout all vvauering let on thy lavves be bent That no confusion come to me vvherein I should be shent All laud and prayse be to the Lorde Oh that of might art most To God the father and the sonne and to the holy ghost As it in the beginning vvas for euer heretofore And is novv at this present time And shall be euermore FINIS
* aduocate towardes thy maiestie 1. Tim. 2. that we may obtain * all things which shall seem expedient to thy blessed will for our necessities 1. Ioh. 3. Therefore wee beseech thee most mercifull father to turne thy louing countenāce towards vs Psal 32. and * impute not vnto vs our manifolde sins offences whereby wee iustly deserue thy wrath sharp punishment but rather receiue vs to thy mercy for Iesus Christes sake accepting his death and passion as a iust recompence for all our offences in whom only thou art pleased through whome thou canst not bee offended with vs. And seeing that of thy great mercies wee haue quietli passed this night grant o heauēly father that wee may bestowe this day wholly in thy seruice so that all oure thoughtes wordes and deeds may redound to the glory of thy name and good example to al men who seeing our good works may glorify thee our heauēly father And forasmuch as of thy mere fauour and loue thou hast not only created vs to thine own similitude likenesse but also haste chosen vs to bee heires with thy dear sonne Iesus Christ of that immortall kingdom which thou prepa redst for vs before the begining of the world wee beseech thee to increas our faith know ledge to lighten our heartes with thine holy spirit that we may in the meane time liue in godly conuersation integrity of life knowing that * idolaters Gal. 5 adul terers couetous men contentious personnes drunkardes gluttons such like shall not inherite the kingdome of God And because thou haste commaunded vs to pray one for another we doe not onely make request O Lord for our selues and them that thou hast already called to thee true vnderstanding of thine heauenly will but for all people * natiōs of the world Actes 10. 1. tim 2. who as they knowe by thy wonderful workes that thou art God ouer all so they may be instructed by thine holie spirite to beleue in thee their onely sauiour and Redeemer But forasmuch as they can not beleeue except they * hear Rom. 10. nor cānot hear but by preaching and none can preach except they be sent therfore O lord raise vp faythfull distributers of thy misteries who setting aparte all worldly respectes may both in their life and doctrine only seeke thy glory Contrarily confounde * Sathan Rom. 16. Antichrist with all hirelings and papistes whō thou hast already cast of into a reprobate sense that they may not by sects schismes heresies and errours disquiet thy little flocke And because O Lorde wee be fallen into the latter dayes 2. tim 3. and daungerous times wherin ignorance hath gotten the vpper hand and Satan with his minysters seeke by all meanes to quench the light of thy Gospell we beseeche thee to maintaine thy cause against those * rauenous wolues Mat. 7 and strengthen all thy seruauntes whome they keepe in prison bondage Let not thy long suffering bee an occasion eyther to increase their tyranny or to discourage thy children neyther yet let oure sinnes and wickednesse bee an hynderaunce to thy mercyes but with speede O Lord consider the greate myseries and afflictions of thy poore Church which in sundry places by the rage of enimies is greeuously tormented and this we confesse O Lord to come moste iustlye for our sinnes which notwithstanding thy manifold benefites whereby thou doest dayly allure vs to loue thee and thy sharp thretnings wherby we haue occasion to feare thee and speedily to repent yet continue in our owne wickednes and feel not our hearts so touched with the displeasure of our sinnes as we ought to do Therefore O Lorde create in vs newe heartes that with feruent minds we may bewaile our manifolde sinnes earnestly repent vs for our former wickednesse and vngodly behauiour towardes thee and wheras wee can not of oure selues purchase thy pardon yet wee humblye beseeche thee for Iesus Christes sake to shewe thy mercies vppon vs and receiue vs again to thy fauour Graunt vs deare father these oure requestes and all other thinges necessary for vs and thy whole Church according to thy promise in Iesus Christ our Lord in whose name we beseech thee as hee hath taught vs saying Our Father which art in heauen hallowed be thy name c. A GODLY PRAIER to be sayde at all times HOnour and prayse bee giuen to thee O Lord God almighty moste deare Father of heauen for all thy mercies louing kindnesse shewed vnto vs in that it hath plesed thy gratious goodnesse and freely of thine own accord to elect chuse vs to saluatiō before the begining of the world euē like cōtinual thanks be giuē to thee for creating vs after thine own image for redeeming vs with the precious bloude of thy deare sonne when we were vtterlye loste for sanctifying vs with thine holye Spirite in the Reuelation and knowledge of thyne holy word for helping and succouring vs in all our needes and necessities for sauing vs from all daungers of bodye and soule for comforting vs so fatherly in all our tribulations persecutions for sparing vs so long and giuing vs so large a time of repentaunce These benefits O most merciful father like as wee knowledge to haue receiued them of thine onely goodnesse euen so wee beseech thee for thy dear son Iesus Christes sake to grant vs alwais thine holy spirit whereby we may continually growe in thankfulnes towards thee to bee led into all truethe and comforted in all oure aduersities O Lord strengthen our faith kindle it more in feruentnes and loue towardes thee and our neighbors for thy sake Suffer vs not most dear Father to receiue thy word any more in vain but graunt vs alwayes the assistaunce of thy grace and holy spirite that in heart word and deede we may sanctify and doe worship to thy name helpe to amplify and increase thy kingdome that whatsoeuer thou sendest we maye be hartely well content with thy good pleasure and wil. Let vs not lack the thing o father with out the which we cannot serue thee but bless thou so all the workes of our handes that we may haue sufficient and not to bee chargeable but rather helpfull vnto others Be mercifull O Lorde to our offences and seeing our debt is great which thou haste forgiuen vs in Iesus Christ make vs to loue thee and our neighbors so much the more Be thou oure Father oure captaine and defender in all tentations holde thou vs by thy mercifull hand that we maye bee deliuered from all inconueniences end our liues in the sanctifiing honor of thy holy name through Iesus christ our Lord only Sauioure so be it Let thy mighty hande and out-stretched arme O Lorde bee still our defence thy mercye and louing kindenesse in Iesus Christ thy dear Sonne oure saluation thy true and holy word oure instruction thy grace and holy spirite our comfort and consolation vnto