our sinnes as the haires of our heads so many our enemies as the stars in the skye and so fierce and strong the Tempter as a roaring Lyon that as the Man of God was angry with the King of Israel because when he bad him smite the earth with his dart he smote onely thrice who should haue smiten fiue or sixe times that he might haue beene assured of the ouerthrow of his enemies So GOD that bids vs continue in Prayer will be angry with vs if wee pray not againe and againe as the importunate widdow in the Gospel prosecuted her suite yea to speake of Deuotion as he doth of compassion if we pray not seuen times yea seuentie times seuen times that wee may obtaine a blessing I speake to them that haue vnderstanding iudge you what I say and I shall pray vnto the Holy One of Israel in heauen that your inspirations may be heauenly your desires holy your Prayers here feruent and frequent there acceptable before the throne of his Maiestie to the reliefe of your necessities and to the setting forth of his glory in IESVS Christ Amen The faults escaped in some copies amend thus Pag. Lin. for read 4 6 Father Trinity 103 19 hope heart 114 14 apparelled appalled 229 4 Marke Make. 327 6 be begin THE most absolute prayer and best Rule of all holy Petitions is that which our Lord Sauiour taught his Disciples A Prayer large for matter short for Phrase and sweet for order which I hauing thus paraphrased as you see thought not so good to insert it into this bundle as to place it here alone before them all as a Supplication not appropriate to any one part but apperaining giuing life to all and fit to conclude euery one A Paraphrase vpon the Lords Prayer OVR FATHER By right of Creation Merit of Mercie Gracious prouision Which art in Heauen The seate of thy Maiestie The inheritance of thy children The kingdome of blisse Hallowed be thy Name By the thoughts of our hearts By the words of our mouthes By the works of our hands Thy Kingdome come Of grace to inspire vs. Of power to defend vs. Of glory to crowne vs. Thy will be done In weale and woe In fulnesse and wane In life and death In Earth as it is in Heauen In vs as it is in thine Angels Willingly readily faithfully Without murmur Let Deceit Giue vs this day our daily Bread For the nourishing of our bodies For the feeding of our Soules The reliefe of all necessities And forgiue vs our debts Whereby thou art dishonoured Our Neighbour wronged or Our selues indangered As we forgiue our debtors That haue hurt vs in our bodies Hindred vs in our goods Wronged vs in our good Name And lead vs not into temptation Of the wicked World The entising flesh or The enuious Deuill But deliuer vs from euill Forgiue that is past Remoue that is present Preuent what is to come For thine is the Kingdom Power glorie To rule and gouerne all To command and do all In all by all All in all Now and for euer At this present In this world and In the world to come AMEN As thou say'st So it is As thou promisest So it shall be As we pray So be it Lord. PRAYERS Beginning with the letters of the name ELIZABETH E EVery day O Almighty GOD and heauenly Father will I pray vnto thee to haue mercy vpon me and to keepe me in thy grace fauour and loue Euery day will I giue thankes vnto thee ô Lord IESV the Sonne of GOD for thy gratious redemption of my body and soule from sinne death and hell Euery day will I laud thy holy Name ô holy Ghost Gods Spirit hearts ioy elects comforter beseeching thee blessed Trinitie in sacred vnitie to replenish my heart with all charitable desires and heauenly inspirations necessary to Saluation Amen L LAy too thy helping hand ô Lord strengthen my weake condition and powre thine oyle of grace into my wounded heart that I may be able to walke in the wayes of thy commandements without reproofe and receiue comfort in all my needs and necessities Amen I IT is pitie and compassion ô LORD alone which must couer mine vnworthinesse therefore renouncing all merite in my selfe I flie vnto thee for succour Leaue me not ô Lord but preuent mee with thy goodnesse now and euermore Amen Z ZEalous O LORD I am of thy truth Wherefore I pray thee sanctifie my heart to a right conuersation in this world Direct me by thy lawes that I neuer step beyond the limites of my duetie and suffer me not to enter into any action which eyther may dishonour thee or bring my life into infamie Amen A ADmit me O mercifull Lord to thy gracious fauour many are the dangers of this life and I haue no patron to defend mee but thee Heauen is thine and the earth is thine keepe me on earth as one of thine and bring mee to Heauen to raigne with thee Amen B BLessed Lord I haue sinned but my pardon is with thee If I were as sinfull as Marie Magdalen as outragious as the prodigall sonne and as bashfull to come neere as the Publican yet Iesus hath made satisfaction for my sinne therefore in mercy forgiue mee now and euermore Amen E ENter not into iudgement with a poore creature O LORD dust and ashes is my state here onely I am created after thine Image for a better world destroy not then the worke of thine owne hands but shew thy mercy and goodnesse vnto me this day and euermore Amen T THinke vpon me O LORD thy word neuer failed and thy compassions haue no end By the vertue of the one and the substance of the other purifie me from all iniquitie and leade me into all truth this day and euermore Amen H HAue mercy vpon mee O LORD accept my Prayers which I powre out before thee and graunt my requests Mercifully prosper the things that I take in hand saue mee from mine enemies a blessed life and a happie end good Lord send me AMEN Supplications OF SAINTS The first part Daniels deuotion DAN 6. 10. Hee kneeled vpon his knees three times a day and prayed This part containeth priuate Prayers For Morning Noone and Euening euery day in the weeke Also foure other Prayers for Morning and Euening and two Prayers vpon the Passion of our Lord Iesus Sunday Morning Prayer Psal 145. 10. All thy works prayse thee O Lord and thy Saints shal blesse thee Psal 119. 170. O let my Supplication come before thee deliuer mee according to thy word OH LORD GOD Almightie Father and thou welbeloued Sonne of the Father Iesus Christ with the holy Ghost holy blessed and glorious Trinitie eternall God Lord of the Sabbath and the fountaine of all wisdome I do not present these my Supplications before thee for my righteousnesse but for thy great mercies I trust in them truely without diffidence I trust in them only without any
other plea I trust in them alwayes without wearines therfore I beseech thee grant mee mercifull audience Mercifully heare mee O Lord mercifully heare me O Lord God First I extoll thy infinite goodnesse and mercy together with thine eternall wisedome and truth that thou hast protected me all this night past and made me to rest and sleep so quietly and securely vnder the shadow of thy wings And I beseech thee from the bottome of my heart to protect me this day with thy mighty hand from all dangers both of body and soule Giue thy holy Angels charge ouer mee to keepe mee in all my wayes driue away from mee the euill angell and deadly enemie remooue all offences of this world Mortifie and kill in me all carnall lustes vnlawfull pleasures and euill affections that they may haue no dominion or raigne in my mortall body giue me a contrite heart to bewaile my former life and let me find comfort in thy mercy for the remission of my sinnes Sanctifie me O holy Father this holy day with thine especiall grace that I may honour thee as a Creator loue thee as a redeemer expect thee as a Sauiour and that I may haue modest cariage in my behauiour true deuotion in my Prayers and reuerent attention to heare thy sacred word and so vnlocke the eares of mine vnderstanding that I may obserue learne and imbrace such things as are necessary for mee to the better confirmation of my faith in Christ Iesus and the saluation of my soule by his blood Rayse mee O Father by the power of thy sonnes resurrection from sinne and iniquitie and giue me spirituall rest in the communion of Saints that hereafter when I shal leaue this world I may keepe the euerlasting Sabbath with thee in the Kingdom of Heauen Behold O Lord I knock at the doore of thy mercy for all these graces with all the powers of my strength soule and mind beseeching thee to continue vnto mee the right vse of all the powers and faculties of the same and to send thy holy Spirit to beare witnesse to my Spirit that I am thy child and shall be heire of thy Kingdome with Christ Iesus our Lord and through his merits for whose sake I beseech thee to grant all those things all that I haue prayed for Amen Noone A prayer for the Ministers of the Word O Lord Iesus which hast coÌ„manded vs to pray for labourers to the Haruest we beseech thee send painefull Ministers into thy Church Endue them with such wisedome and speech as the aduersaries may not be able to gaine-say Open vnto them the doore of doctrine giue them the spirit of boldnesse that they may faithfully dispense thy Mysteries and speake thy Word freely Take away all contentions and differences from among them Make them examples to those that beleeue in soundnesse of Doctrine and purenesse of life And because the rule of our life depends vpon thy word in their mouthes blesse them with all graces fit for their calling that wee may giue thankes vnto thee and praise thy Name for euermore Amen Sunday Euening Prayer Gen. 18. 27. 30. Behold I haue taken vpon mee to speake vnto my Lord. Oh let not my Lord be angry and I will speake OH eternall God and merciful Father from the bottome of my heart I giue thee continuall thanks that of thy mercy thou hast nourished mee preserued me by thy power gouerned me by thy word and holy Spirit this day all this weeke yea at all other times of my life hitherto and I most humbly beseech thee in the merits of Christ Iesus my Sauiour not to respect mine vnworthines but to couer bury all my misdeeds in his graue which I haue either wittingly or ignorantly done especially O Lord those which in this weeke past I haue committed in thought word and deed against thy Diuine Maiestie Water ô Lord the seed â—f thy holy word which I â—aue receyued this day â—ith the dew of thy grace â—hat with sound iudgeâ—ent and godly deuotion â—may put in practise such â—hings as I know to be â—leasing to thy diuine Maâ—estie and that my heart â—eing alwayes obedient to â—hy Commandements â—he feare of mine enemies â—aken away from mee I â—ay passe my time in â—eace holines through â—hy gracious protection Be mercifull vnto me â—O Lord forgiue the euill â—hat I haue committed supply the good which I haue omitted restore what I haue lost heale my sores clense my filthinesse lighten my darkenesse and alter the whole state of my minde that nothing may be wanting to good purposes in mee O LORD stretch out thy hand ouer me and of thy wonted goodnesse defend me this night from all euill keepe me from fearful wicked dreams vnprofitable cares vaine cogitations and outward violence preserue my body from eternall death reserue my soule from euerlasting damnation Compasse me about on euery side with thy grace inwardly and outwardly that when I shall eyther take care for things of this life or carefully seeke for those things which appertaine vnto the Kingdome of Heauen I may heare the voyce of thy holy spirit sounding in my heart from the mouth of the Apostle My God shall fulfill all your necesstties through his riches with glory in Iesus Christ Grant O Lord these and all other graces meete for me euen for Iesus Christs sake my onely Lord and Sauiour In whose Name I further pray vnto thee saying that Prayer which thy Sonne in his Gospel hath taught vs Our Father which art in Heauen c. Munday Morning prayer Blessed be God which hath not turned away my prayer nor his mercy from me O Heauenly Father and Almightie God which beyond all measure hast vnlocked the treasures of thy fauour and blessing vnto mee from time to time I most heartily thanke thee forthe sweet sleepe and comfortable rest which I haue taken this night through thy gracious preseruation of me and now O Lord I consecrate my soule and body to thy seruice this day againe and euer hereafter desiring that my prayer earely now this Morning may haue accesse vnto thee O Lord I pray thee blesse preserue and keepe me this day by thy power from sinne shame and all euill and so direct mee with thy grace that all my thoughts words works may please thee Stand I beseech thee between me and mine enemies bodily and ghostly And as thou hast now raised vp my body from a sound and heauie sleepe so deliuer my soule from the dead sleepe of sinne and the darkenes of this world Helpe O Lord the creature which dependeth vpon thy prouidence only Further my businesse that I may truly walke without sinne and safely worke without danger in that vocation whereunto thou hast called me in this life O Lord Iesus haue mercy vpon me miserable sinner pardon and forgiue mee all my sinnes negligences and ignorances Remember not mine obstinacies and haue compassion vpon mine infirmities Set thy
holy Passion Crosse and Death betweene thy iudgement and my Soule both now and at the houre of death Of thy mercie O Lord strengthen my weaknesse and mortifie my corrupt nature enclining to swearing wantonnesse lying or any other sinne whatsoeuer and grant that I may so walke in thy wayes by the light of thy holy word that no worldly vanitie bewitch me to sel my selfe to worke wickednesse O holy Father graunt me a sound mind and the right vse of my senses continually that knowing what I doe and practising what I know I may worthily lament the wickednesse of my life and euer vpon my vnfained repentance feele thy comforts in my soule and neuer forget the desire of the life to come O Lord blesse me in all the passages of this life and after death restore the same body and soule to life eternal Heare my prayers O Lord God for Iesus Christs sake my onely Lord and Sauiour Amen Noone A Prayer to God the Father O Merciful God and louing Father on whose prouidence we depend for all our necessaries wee thanke thee for our royall creation after thine owne Image and all other good graces now and euer bestowed vpon vs. Giue vs grace we pray thee so to liue as becommeth thy children in all holines and righteousnesse Incline our harts to thy law not to couetousnes open our eies that wee may behold the secret things of thy Law Make vs fruitfull in all good works forgiue vs our sinnes and wash vs in the blood of thy Sonne clense our hearts and renew our mindes to thy holy will prosper the workes of our hands and bring vs safely from all dangers to the end of this day for Iesus Christs sake Amen Munday Euening Prayer Euening and Morning and at Noone will I pray and cry aloud and hee shall heare mee ALmighty God which giuest infinite occasions vnto euery creature to prayse thy holy Name I come vnto thee with the holy Prophet that mine eyes may preuent the night-watches beseeching thee to accept this mine Euening Sacrifice of praise and thanks for the depth of thy goodnesse which I am not able to expresse and the Sea of thy mercies which haue ouer-flowed this day to my great comfort Season O Lord my senses inward and outward with the Salt of thy grace that with a sanctified heart I may make a godly vse of all those good things which I haue heard seene or read this day And further lighten mine eies that I sleepe not in death nor walke in darknesse spiritual or corporal to endanger eyther my body or my soule O Lord let mine eyes sleepe and inioy that moderate recreation which thou hast appointed for my wearisome condition but let my soule continually watch vnto thee to attend thy comming that when my sleepe hath not beene vnmeasurable to please excessiuely the ease of my flesh I may be the better disposed to thy seruice to morrow Preserue me Lord from all vncleannesse both of body and soule from all dangers that walke in the night and keep me from all temptations of him that is the prince of darknesse Forgiue me the sins and offences which I haue committed this day in thought word deed against thee or my neighbour Giue mee grace to water my Couch with teares in vnfeined repentance of my sins past so to passe the residue of my life that in regard of thy iustice I may retaine a holy feare to stand alwaies in awe of thee and in regard of thy mercy conceyue sure hope neuer to despaire O Lord keepe me this night both in body and soule that I may ioyfully rise againe be thankefull vnto thee and diligently walke in my vocation and calling to the glory of thy holy Name and the commoditie of my neighbour for Iesus Christs sake our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen Tuesday Morning Prayer Satisfie vs earely with thy mercie that we may reioyce and be glad in all our dayes O Blessed LORD GOD great in power fearefull in Iudgement and rich in mercie which bindest and no man looseth and loosest and no man bindeth I yeeld thee most humble and harty thanks for that of thy fatherly goodnesse thou hast vouchsafed me this last nights sleepe in peace and rest and again loosing the bonds wherewith I was tyed hast giuen me power to see this Morning light Now O Lord I beseech thee powre vpon me this day the dew of thy blessing that through the operation of thy gratious beames I may bud foorth and beare the fruits of true faith in my life conuersation Continue thy goodnesse and mercy towards mee and by thy power rayse mee from the deepe sleepe of all vnrighteousnesse discharge me from the workes of darkenesse and clothe me with the Armour of light that I may walke honestly as in the day and liue soberly righteously and godly in this present world Grant me ô Lord true vnderstanding and knowledge of thy word which is the Glasse of thy wil. Increase in me all godly desires together with true contrition of heart that I may vnfeinedly despise the pleasures of this world with harty repentance be conuerted vnto thee Send thy holy Angell to guide me and keepe me in all my waies and prosper the worke of my hands that I neuer faile in my vocation to doe good and eschew euill O Lord I beseech thee preserue and keepe my senses safe and sound that I be neither corrupted by prosperitie nor cast downe by aduersitie nor be too fearefull of thy iudgements or too bold vpon thy mercy But grant mee grace O mercifull Lord that I may apprehend all things that come from thee with a religious contented mind and in the end of my dayes by a liuely Fayth may ioyfully arriue in the Land of promise the Kingdome of HEAVEN through the merits of IESVS CHRIST my onely Sauiour and Redeemer Amen Noone A Prayer to God the Sonne O Blessed LORD Iesus Christ Sonne of the eternall God blessed be thy name for our redemption Great was thy loue sore was thy Passion Print in our minds we beseech thee the continuall memory thereof that we may loue thee which so louedst vs and euermore prayse thee that hast bought vs at so deare a price Reiect not our prayers which we offer to be pesented to thy Father but mercifully helpe vs and heale all our infirmities increase our faith and teach vs obedience forgiue vs our offences and hide vs in thy wounds from thy fathers iust wrath Make good thy promises vnto vs for the world to come and enable vs with thy Grace for the performance of all thy Commandements Prosper O Lord our handy worke and bring vs safely to the end of this day for thy trueth and for thy Names sake Amen Tuesday Euening Prayer Happy is hee that hath the GOD of Iacob for his helpe whose hope is in the Lord his God O Most holy Father and gracious GOD which giuest vnto all sorts of men the
is nigh vnto all them that call vpon him to all that call vpon him in truth O Lord God which art the light that no man can attaine vnto and yet lightenest euery one that commeth into this world and mercifully driuest away the darknes of the night shadow of death I praise thy holy Name thanke thee that thou hast vouchsafed me this fauour to passe this night in so comfortable rest to be brought again safe sound vnto the morning light Now I beseech thee by the blessed Incarnation and holy Natiuitie of thy Sonne Iesus Christ the blessed day-star that appeared to the world let thy mercy this day arise vpon me let the day-star of thy light shine in my heart that I be not carried away through the power of darkenes to spend this day after mine owne minde and pleasure but that I may carefully follow thy fatherly will reuealed in thy holy word Increase in me O Lord the gift of faith and hope to beleeue in thee and thy promises made in Christ that neither by mine owne negligence nor the infirmitie of the flesh nor the grieuousnes of temptation I be driuen away from faith in his blood Disperse O LORD the thicke mistes and clouds of mine iniquities and wash them away in the blood of thy Sonnes passion Giue me a will to worke duely in my vocation this day that I be not idle and order my skil with the rule of thy wisedome that I bee not vnfruitfull Blesse my body and soule that none euill or harme come vnto me my memory and senses that they passe not the limites which thou hast appointed them O Lord lighten my mind to looke vpon good things onely inflame my heart with the loue of them and conduct mee by thy grace to attaine them that as thou hast awaked my body from sleepe so my Soule may bee raysed from the slumber of sinne and darknesse of this World and they both being companions and fellowes in the way of godlinesse may be made partakers of euerlasting life at the latter day through Iesus Christ our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen Noone A Prayer for Sobrietie O Lord God which hast commaunded vs to be sober and watch direct my pathes in the right way to all sobrietie spirituall and corporal Suffer me not this day nor any other to abuse thy good creatures or turne thy grace into wantonnes let mee not be ouercome with surfetting and drunkennesse but auoide all superfluity vsing all temperance and moderation both in meats and drinkes Graunt me a stayed minde and a lowly conceite of my selfe Blesse mee that I may be wise but to sobrietie that I may liue soberly righteously and godly in this present world for Iesus Christs sake Amen Thursday Euening Prayer The Lord is good to all and his tender mercies are ouer all his workes O Lord God my most louing and mercifull Father great in mercie and constant in truth I doe acknowledge my bounden dutie of thankefulnesse vnto thee for thy manifold graces and benefits imparted vnto mee this day though I bee vnable to recount them and farre more vnworthy to receiue them Neuerthelesse in full assurance and confidence of thy loue to me in Christ Iesus I commit now into thy hands again this night my soule and body and all my senses my thoughts affections wordes and deedes all within me and all without mee my faith and my continuance in the same beseeching thee of thy mercy to keepe them day night blamelesse and vndefiled against the day of thy comming Pardon I pray thee and forgiue mee all the sinnes which this day I haue either wretchedly effected or wickedly imagined against thine honour the good of my Neighbour Lay not the frailty of my younger yeares vnto my charge And for the better confirmation of thy gracious pardon I humbly intreat thee ô Lord to annexe vnto thy Graunt the power of thy grace to attend vpon me that I may this night quietly take my rest vnder the shadow of thy wings void of all feare spirituall darkenes danger and despaire Strike my heart ô Lord with thy feare that fearing I may escape those things which thou threatnest and giue mee the comfort of thy saluation that in louing thee I may obtaine those things which thou promisest and when the darkenesse of this mortall life as the darkenesse of the day now doth shal come grant mee O LORD a watchfull heart willingly disposed and throughly enabled with thy grace to abandon these transitorie nights and dayes and depart hence in the peace of a good conscience into thine euerlasting rest through Iesus Christ my onely Sauiour and Redeemer In whose name I further pray vnto thee saying that forme of prayer that he that taught vs Our Father which art in Heauen c. Friday Morning Prayer Whom haue I in heauen but thee and there is none vpon earth that I desire besides thee O Almighty Lord my most louing Creatour redeemer I thy vnworthy seruant giue thee humble and hearty thankes for thy gracious protection and preseruation of me in health wealth and safety this night past and euermore beseeching thee so to direct me by thy holy Spirit that I may liue and walke this day according to thy godly will and pleasure in all harmelesse manner to the profit of my neighbour and in all holinesse to the glory of thy blessed name Lighten my minde O Lord that I may cleerely see those things that please thee Graunt vnto me the knowledge and true vnderstanding of thy word that without all vanitie or curiositie I may know what is thy holy will and pleasure in all things and also expresse in my liuing those things which I know On bended knees O Lord I beseech thee reiect mee not vtterly for mine offences neither take thy grace and assistaunce from mee Blesse my iudgement and all my senses that no sodaine motion make me to conceiue any griefe so far as to forfeit my reasonable vnderstanding Blesse O Lord my labours and trauailes in this world that I may haue wherewithall to relieue my necessities vpon all occasions Indue mee with thy feare an humble minde godly sorrow and a good conscience that I may cary an honest vpright meaning to deale iustly and truely with all men O Lord temper and order all things vnto mee in such peaceable course that I be neuer further tempted and proued then thou wilt make me able to beare and so helpe me in the same as may be most to thy glory Giue me patience against all prouocations and faith in all temptations forgiue me all those things wherevnto I haue yeelded contrary to thy commaundement and so arme mee with thy holy Spirit that I may walke more warily more wisely all the dayes of my life for Iesus Christs sake mine onely Sauiour and Redeemer Amen Noone A Prayer for Chastitie ALmighty Lord which knowest that in our flesh dwelleth no good and yet hast made our
O sweete Iesus which hast vouchsafed mee this honour to come to thy Table and feed vpon thee graunt me grace I beseech thee so to performe fulfill my duty as this honour which thou hast done mee requireth lincâ—e mee vnto thee giue me power and strength to beleeue thy promises without distrust and to shew my religion by my good life and conuersation Assist me with thy grace that I may walke worthy this blessed Sacrament to loue thee and thy Law vnfeinedly and vtterly to forsake all vanitie Idolatry carnall desires and all the workes of the deuill O Lord God so moderate and order all mine affections that I may be ioyned with the brethren together in loue the bond of peace and truely fastned vnto thee my head for euer Stirre vp my minde that I may alwaies consider the bitternes of thy death the greatnes of thy loue and neuer forget to bee thankefull vnto thee O blessed Lord preserue and maintaine this ordinance amongst vs that it may be alwayes a note and badge of our publique profession and giue vs all one heart and one minde in the vnitie of the Spirit for the reuerent and worthy receiuing of the same whensoeuer we shall come to thy holy Table againe Amen A Prayer for the Fruites of the earth and other nourishments of this mortall life All waite vpon thee O Lord that thou mayest giue them their meate in due season O Eternall GOD ' which feedest with thy blessing euery liuing thing and satiffiest the lawfull desires of thy seruants with good things we beseech thee make vs to couet those things that be pleasing to thee let vs finde them easilie search them wisely know them truelie and exercise them effectually to thy glory and our saluation And we pray thee heare vs fauourably praying earnestly for the fruites of the earth the nourishments of this life that wee may though vnworthy be partakers of thy comforts therein Giue vs O Lord this day our daily bread prepare our ground and prosper our corne Blesse the seed time with the first and latter raine meete temperature of ayre Keepe our fruits while they be in the earth from haile thunder from excessiue droughts and ouermuch raine from Mildewes and all noisome wormes Send vs a ioyfull haruest and blesse that which wee shall reape that for our vnthankefulnesse it waste not away without our releefe Increase our cattell with all other our prouision which wee shall carefully labour for Blesse our Basket and our store that we may haue wherewith as to furnish our selues so to giue some releefe to others Protect our seruants and workemen that they may be strong to labour wise to forecast and faithfull in their businesse Keepe our Garners barnes and store-houses from fiery meteors boysterous winds theeues and sudden invndations Prosper our workes and trauels whether by sea or land and blesse and prosper all them that any way labor for any of those things that we shall haue occasion to vse Send remedie ô Lord for all hardnesse and miserie turne our dearth into cheapnesse and our scarcitie into plentie Open the hearts of rich-men to whom thou hast giuen much that they may haue a charitable respect of the poore at all times Helpe vs ô Lord and giue vs such things as wee stand in need of yet neither of pouertie nor riches too much but a competent store and the lawfull vse of things necessary for this life through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen ⧠A Prayer for Friends and Benefactors Charitie shall couer the multitude of sinnes O LORD which hast said that Hee that giueth vnto the poore lendeth vnto the Lord and looke what hee layeth out it shall be payd him againe wee beseech thee to be gracious and mercifull to all those for whom wee are bound to pray by Nature by desert or any other duetie whatsoeuer Of thy speciall fauour remember all our benefactors and friends aliue euen all those our parents kinsfolks and others which haue brought vs vp taught promoted or any way releeued vs. Blesse them with all blessings that haue done good either to our bodies with temporall benefits or our soules with profitable instructions Blesse their estates that in their godly disposition they may haue alwayes wherewith to relieue comfort others in their discretion Giue them the consolation of the holy Ghost to the keeping of Faith a good conscience And as they haue shewed mercie vnto vs and comforted vs so Lord helpe and comfort them in their greatest needs that both they and their Families may both haue comfort in their estate and condition here and finde mercy with thy Sonne our Sauiour Iesus at the latter day Lord let their almesdeeds and prayers be alwayes in thy sight as those of Cornelius that as they haue beene vnto vs an odour that smelleth sweete whereby wee haue receiued plentie beene filled so they may be as Sacrifices acceptable and pleasant vnto thee Vouchsafe vs this grace ô Lord that wee be not guilty of any ingratitude towards them but rather ready according to our abilities to recompence them if neede require Let not that which they haue bestowed vpon vs be cast away but make it fruitfull and vs worthy of it Graunt this O thou GOD which doest good both to the iust and vniust for Iesus Christs sake our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer in time of Warre Remember this that the enimie hath reproached O Lord and that the foolish people haue blasphemed thy Name O God mighty in battel wee beseech thee beare not in mind our vile deserts but of thy mercy pitty thy poore afflicted endangered persecuted Church Consider and beholde how they which hate thy Sanctuary are now vp in armes to root vs out for our profession Therefore ô Lord wee pray thee maintaine thine owne cause Blesse our forces by Sea and by Land and grant to the people one heart one minde and one strength Giue vnto the Counsellors and Captaines wisedome and courage wisely to foresee and valiantly to defeate the deuises of their enemies Keepe all the souldiers from treason and treachery the leaders from wrong plots the people from tumults and all of them from the sinnes and enormities that follow the campe Strengthen ô Lord and hold vp the hands of Moses and the weapons of the Church Preces lachrymas that our fasting and prayer may be heard and Israel may haue the victorie Put Sisera to flight in thy good time and rather then he returne to doe mischiefe bring him to his end by an hand vnlooked for Turne the weapons of him and his followers into their owne bosomes scatter breake and sincke their ships destroy their armies and confound their forces Consider ô Lord the end of our enterprises how wee fight for thy Truth and either reconcile vs and our enemies by thy Spirit to worship one God and hold one Truth or else abate their pride and confound their malice to
Supplications of SAINTS A Booke of Prayers Diuided into three parts 1 Daniels deuotion prayers for Seuerall dayes 2 Paul and his company prayers for seueral occasions 3 Dauid alone prayers for seuerall parties Wherein are three most excellent Prayers made by the late famous Queene ELIZABETH A third Edition enlarged APOC. 8. 4. The Prayers of the Saints went vp before God LONDON Printed for Nicholas Bourne and are to sould at his shop at the entring in of the Royall Exchange 1612. THE CONTENTS OF the seuerall parts 1 Daniels Deuotion Containing three Prayers for euery day in the weeke with other priuate Prayers for Morning and Euening in number 27. Pag. 2 Paul and his Company Containing Prayers for diuers Occasions generall and particuler in number 23. Pag. 3 Dauid alone Containing Queene ELIZABETHS prayers other Prayers in the name of diuers parties of seuerall estates in number 21. Pag. Prayers accompanying the seuerall parts A three-fold Paraphrase vpon the LORDS Prayer Nine short Prayers beginning with the letters of the name Elizabeth Two Prayers and meditations vpon the passions of the life and death of our sauiour Iesus A generall thankesgiuing c. To the most Gratious Lady Lady ELIZABETH eldest daughter of our Soueraigne Lord the King BEing willing amongst others of my Function to performe some office to the glory of Gods people considering with my selfe the times we liue in together with our owne frailties I haue in that regard most vertuous Lady labored to compose a small volume of short Prayers and to contriue it into this Method assuring my selfe that nothing is or can be more acceptable to Almightie God then the hartie Prayers of his people In which Collection I haue also inserted three most sweete Prayers made by the late Queene Elizabeth of famous memorie Which as vpon her occasions she powred forth before the Lord as it is written of King Salomon kneeling on her knees stretching of her hands to heauen so I thought them most worthy to be registred for perpetuall memorie being compiled by so renowned a person as her selfe and carying in matter pithe in stile Maiestie and in words true deuotion And vnderstanding of your Graces loue of vertue with the humblenesse of your minde and zeale of seruing God I am therefore enboldened in the forehead of this my Myte to stampe your royall Name not doubting of your Graces fauourable allowance Which being my humble suite and desire crauing pardon for this boldnesse I cease not as heartily to pray that the manifold graces of the most High may be multiplyed vpon your Estate and your Grace long preserued to the ioy and comfort of your most roiall Parents our Soueraigne King and Queene the good of Gods Church and the finall saluation of your owne soule From the Parsonage house of S. Mildreds in the Poultry London Septem 7. Anno Dom. 1610. Your Graces most humbly Thomas Sorocold To all deuout People CHRISTIAN brethren I haue bin persuaded to publish to your view and charitable interpretation this handfull of flowers picked sorted and tyed vp into a bundle according to my slender abilitie both of iudgement and inuention I haue presumed also to entitle them SVPPLICATIONS of Saints induced thereunto by three reasons First because they are squared to the practise of the two holy Prophets and the blessed Apostle and Saint Saint Paul Secondly three of these praiers which are indeed praestantiores far more eminent and excellent then al the rest proceeding from humane conceit were vsed and penned by the late noble Queene of famous memorie ELIZABETH and may iustly challenge the Denomination as the remaines of her Deuotion who liuing a Religious and Peerelesse PRINCE was truely accounted as the Wise-man speaketh among the Children of God and now being taken from vs hath her portion among the Saints The third reason is because I hope they may be the dayly exercise of your selues who being called to the participation of Iesus Christ embracing the Gospell of God and hauing receiued the Sacrament of life haue also your part in the Communion of Saints I haue not helde such a course as happily other Collectors of the like Deuotions haue done and yet I hope you will not condemne mee but vpon good deliberation I confesse they are not mingled with discourse for God desireth not to take admonition or information from our reports neither are they interlaced with Meditations for the places of Scripture which I haue prefixed before euery one will minister matter of that Deuotion neither haue I made any of them very long to draw them into a thousand periods as Chrysostom saith as if it were a goodly worke to multiply much speech before GOD But I haue made them somewhat briefe ayming at that Rule which our Lord and Sauiour prescribed saying After this maner pray ye That is saith Chrysostome againe Hee appointed the Disciples to gather the Petitions of their prayers into a short summe Wherefore if ye find them worthy the name of prayers vse them if otherwise yet take them as meane grounds of Prayer and meditation to set your deuout thoughts a worke with this liberty that where I haue been defectiue I referre it to the iudicious to supply and where I haue offered any thing vaine or offensiue I am content to admit a godly Corrector But how euer it be yet let me aduise you not to waxe faint or slacke in Prayer for such as haue learned of the Lord Iesus saith Saint Augustine true humilitie and meeknesse of heart receiue more profit by meditation and prayer then in reading and hearing whereby ye may be sure the religious Father meant not to traduce either the preaching of the word or the reading of any thing that may make a man wise vnto saluation but enforced the more reuerend respect and more frequent vse of this Ghostly exercise that as men are commanded to be Doers of the Word so they should be seekers of Grace to doe it by not Hearers onely for so saith the Apostle they should deceiue themselues For when Paul hath planted and Apollos watered when one hath read a learned treatise and another hath heard a fruitfull Sermon they must refer the rest to him that giueth the increase and vnto whom will he giue it to him that seeketh vnto him that knocketh to him that asketh humbly and deuoutly in his prayer Follow then his counsell which sayeth Put vp your Prayers to him that hee may send downe his grace to you Againe beloued all is not peace if yee consider of what Church we are while we be in this world S. Paul tels vs that we are in a Warfare that Prayer is a principall peece of our Armour therefore his counsell is Pray alwayes watch thereunto For wee cannot as Abishai said to Dauid concerning his blow make so sure worke at one time that we shall not need to come againe But rather so many are
cheereful light of the day that in thine assistance they may follow their honest vocations likewise the silent night that then they may returne thanks vnto thee for thy benefits and so rest their wearied limbes and busied minds I sinnefull creature giue thee thankes for the totall summe of all this thy goodnes whereof I haue beene this day partaker through thy mercy O Lord looke not vpon mine vnworthinesse folly and wickednesse but appease thy iust anger conceiued against mee and forgiue what hath beene amisse in mee this day euen for his sake who is thy welbeloued Sonne and my deare Aduocate Root vp the thornes of mine euill inclinations and affections and in their place make the fruites of vertue spring Inflame my heart with the desire of heauenlie loue that I may keepe thy commandements with zeale as hot as fire louing thee aboue all things and mine neighbour as my selfe Giue me grace ô Lord to serue thee in true faith and holines all the dayes of my life to ouercome my mortall enemies the desires of the world the pleasures of the flesh and the suggestions of the wicked spirit remembring my promise made to thee in Baptisme for the performance whereof I depend onely vpon thy holy spirit Let thine Angels pitch their Tents round about this house for defence now in the time of this darkenesse and grant that this nights sleep may be quiet vnto me without griefe or trouble Preserue me mine both in body and soule from al dangers which may come either by foolish dreames noisome spirits or vncleannesse of corrupt Nature Waken me againe O Lord in due time and let mee behold the light of the next day prepare me to thy seruice euery day in all truth and sinceritie that when I haue run the race of this life thou mayest be pleased to call mee to be partaker of a better that so I may liue and raigne with thee euermore through Iesus Christ my onely Lord and Sauiour Amen Wednesday Morning prayer Cause mee to heare thy louing kindnesse in the Morning for in thee doe I trust cause me to know the way wherein I should walke for I lift vp my soule vnto thee O Blessed GOD and merciful father the Sun of the world neuer going downe which bringest forth nourishest and refreshest all things both in heauen and earth I most humbly thanke thee that thou hast preserued me this night and euer hitherto vnder thy protection suffering mee to liue vntill this present houre that thou hast succoured and defended me in all my needs necessities and hast prouided so graciously and mercifully for mee Now I beseech thee ô Lord not to abridge the hand of thy mercy toward mee but let the spring of thy grace flowing from the sanctuary of thy goodnes arise to all the parts of my soule in such proportion as may be for thy glory and my comfort Mortifie O my God all corrupt affections in mee and pardon my innumerable sinnes Fill me this day with thy grace that I may spend it to the honour of thy Name Set a Watch before my mouth and order my lippes that I may vtter nothing vnaduisedly either before thee or men Keepe my sences within their limits direct my will to that which is good and order my iudgement for the accomplishing of those things that appertaine to my vocation O Lord defend me from all shame and disgraces shield me from al violence and guide mee safely from all perillous dangerous wayes Make mee as thy Spouse inwardly and outwardly prepared by thy grace to bee presented a pure Virgine vnto Christ Display vpon me thy banners of loue spred abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost that with the eye of Faith I may beholde and see the Crosse of Christ and his sacred wounds the comfortable price of my redemption and stand so fast in this Christian warfare that nothing make me yeeld to the temptations of the Diuell O Lord so strengthen mee with thy grace in this vale of miserie that all my outward members may follow the direction of my heart and my heart being sincerely dedicated vnto thee I may serue thee in holinesse and Righteousnesse all the dayes of my life for Iesus Christs sake my onely Sauiour and Redeemer Amen Noone A Prayer to God the holy Ghost O Holy Spirit the Authour and giuer of life which hast guided me thus farre this day and guarded me from manifold euils I praise thee I blesse thee I glorifie thee for thy great mercie Continue thy goodnes towards me I beseech thee though I deserue it not inspire my minde with holy motions conuert me from euil confirme me in al that is good Comfort mee thou comforter when I shall haue most neede Cleare the stormes of temptation and inflame the coldnesse of my zeale with the fire of thy loue Lead me into all truth and reclayme mee when I goe astray Oh prosper the works of my hands bring mee safely from all dangers to the end of this day for Iesus Christs sake Amen Wednesday Euening Prayer Withhold not thy tender mercies from me ô Lord let thy louing kindnesse and thy truth alwaies preserue me O Lord God thou who art my life the length and strength of my dayes I most heartily thanke thee for keeping mee this day from manifold dangers both of Body and Soule which might iustly haue fallen vpon mee Nowe I humbly beseech thee bring not into iudgement what I haue done amisse this day but mercifully pardon the escapes and offences of the same Forgiue and forget O LORD all mine idle and vaine words and impute not my foolishnes vnto mee Destroy in me the kingdome of sinne the power of Sathan the desires of the world the vaine delights of the flesh Lord into thy hands I commend my selfe euen soule and body this night and euer Lighten my darkenesse that I sleepe not in death defend me that no euill happen vnto me Take not thy holy Spirit from mee but continue the motions thereof in my heart that when as the Tempter shall come with his assaults I may be furnished with the shield of faith to quench his fiery darts Comfort me ô Lord in all those things wherein I haue beene any wayes dismayed this day Confirme my weakenesse and grant that this nights sleepe may be sweet and healthfull to my body and a profitable memoriall of that sleepe which at my last end in that great night shall make a separation betweene my body and soule Let thine vnspeakeable mercy preserue me thy endles sweetnes reioyce mee thy heauenly truth strengthen mee thy knowledge embolden me and thy goodnes keep me now for euermore from mine enemies visible and inuisible that I may awake in the Morning in perfect sense good health and for the same be thankefull vnto thee carefully betake mee to my vocation calling for Iesus Christs sake my onely Lord and Sauiour Amen Thursday Morning Prayer The Lord
bodyes the Temple of the Holy Ghost giue me grace this day and euer to crucifie the flesh with al the affections and desires thereof to bring it in subiection vnto the Spirit Quench the flames of all carnall desires in mee abate the heate of lust and let me not be led away by any wanton company I know my members are the members of Christ sanctifie me I beseech thee that whether I be married or liue single I may auoyd all vncleannes and alwayes know how to possesse my Vessell in holinesse and not in the lust of Concupiscence for Iesus Christs sake Amen Friday Euening Prayer It is good for mee to draw neere vnto God I haue put my trust in the Lord God that I may declare all thy workes O Eternall GOD my mercifull and louing Father in Christ Iesu our Lord I render vnto thy Maiestie due praise and thankes for thy fatherly goodnesse in protecting mee this day from many damages and daungers which might haue happened vnto mee and now I beseech thee to keepe and protect me this night me and all those that depend vpon mee that we be neither disquieted by dreams nor afraid of any terrour Haue mercy vpon mee O God haue mercy on mee and of thy wonted goodnesse forgiue mee all my transgressions especially those which I haue committed this day against thy holinesse shew mee the light of thy countenance and let me finde comfort in the remorse of my conscience Blesse mee ô Lord and water mee with the dewe of thy blessings and let the drops of thy sonnes blood shed for my sinnes and yet crying for mercy distill into my heart by a liuely faith for the comfort of my soule and the amendment of my life I beseech thee O Lord take from mee all manner of darkenesse misbeliefe infidelitie carnall lusts and affections so strengthen me with thy grace that the Barke of my weake Faith sinke not nor I be ouerturned by the stormes of Sathan the waues of wickednesse nor the tempest of a biting Conscience Enter thy iudgements in the Tables of my heart that I may be content to spare of my ordinarie sleepe and be more earnest vpon the meditation of thy sacred word then the kings of the Nations haue beene to turne ouer their records in the night season Bee mindefull of mee when I happen to forget my selfe and thinke vpon me sleeping and waking Graunt me ô Lord this freedome and liberty that I may lie downe in peace and rest and rise vp againe in due time safely to the honour and glory of thy Name and the managing of my worldly businesse in thy feare through Iesus Christ our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen Saturday Morning Prayer The Lord will command his louing kindnesse in the day time and in the night season his song shall be with me and my Prayer vnto the God of my life OH IMMORTAL and euerlasting God Father of our Lord Iesus Christ I thy vnworthy seruant beseech thee to accept this my Morning Sacrifice of prayse and thankes due vnto thee alone for protecting me with thy mighty hand from the feares of this night past refreshing my weary body with naturall and kindely rest and herevnto I humbly intreat thee to ioyne thy further grace for the rousing vp of my slothfull and sluggish nature that I may arise from sinne and walke in the way of thy Commandements with all chearefulnesse this day and euermore Pardon O Lord I beseech thee the euils and abhominations of my life and conuersation Cut off the rootes boughs leaues and fruits of the euill tree of my heart put away the inward lusts doubtings and denying of thy prouidence with all those grosse and out-ward sinnes which I haue committed daily against thee and giue me a sure hope of euerlasting life that alwaies while I am in this world I may haue the tast and feeling of it in my heart Giue me grace O Lord to shun and auoid all those things which thou either hatest or hast no pleasure in Take from mee a proud looke and a deceitfull tongue bloody hands and a heart any wayes giuen to wicked imaginations Keep me this day from all perils that may come vnto my soule and body either by Sathan himselfe or his Ministers Blesse my senses and vnderstanding that in all things I may heare and speake reason and suffer me not I beseech thee to speake thinke or doe any thing this day but that which may please thee be answerable to my vocation and tend vnto the aduancement of thy glory and the health of my soule O Lord I pray thee send thy blessing vpon all my labours and giue me a mind to helpe them that haue neede according to my abilitie And so prepare my heart in all my businesse that I may alwayes begin it in thy Name and goe forward in thy feare and finish it with thy blessing that whatsoeuer I shall doe it may prosper Grant this O Lord for Iesus Christs sake our onely Mediator and Redeemer Amen Noone A Prayer for Patience O God which art the God of Patience and consolation to the Patient stay my vnbridled nature this day and euer from all discontentednes of minde and furious actions Giue mee grace to take in good part whatsoeuer doth befal me and let my heart acknowledge it to be the Lords doing and not by chance Quiet my minde in the manifold disquietings of this world and open mine eyes that I may see helpe in thee Preuent all that is against mee and all that falleth out turne to the best for mee Thy will be done and graunt mee patience for Iesus Christs sake Amen Saturday Euening Prayer I will praise thee for I am fearefully and wonderfully made Meruailous are thy workes and that my soule knoweth right well HOnour and praise be vnto thee Oh Lord most high and immortall GOD for thy gracious goodnesse and mercie extended to me this day and alwayes notwithstanding all my wickednesses which cry daily against mee and mine enemies that would swallow mee vp I beseech thee ô Lord continue thy gracious and mercifull fauour vnto mee let the shadow of thy wings be my couer thy Holy-ghost my comfort thy holy Name my Rocke and defence against all feare and trembling which may ouertake mee this night or any other time Forgiue me all that is past euen all the euill that I haue done or thought and graunt that I may euer hereafter serue and please thee in holinesse and newnesse of life Be thou my shield defence against the suggestions illusions and temptations of Sathan and all the allurements baits of the flesh with all alterations prouocations changes chances of the world Sanctifie mee with thy grace that my body may be kept vndefiled as the Temple of the holy Ghost and my soule defended cherished and tendered as the apple of thine eye O good GOD the Sunne is gone downe the Webbe of this day is almost spun and the
night at hand Blesse me I beseech thee this night and take mee into thy custodie saue me waking keepe me sleeping that I may both sleep and wake in peace and safetie Prepare me O Lord for the day following the holy sabbath the hallowed day of thy rest and my great dutie and then so vnlocke the mysteryes of thy holy word vnto mee that I may therein learne the lessons of thy glorious Maiestie and mine owne mortalitie Graunt me ô Lord such grace as I may make a right vse of all things and that the hearing of thy word the good examples of thy seruants agreeing with the rule of thy word may bee both as a bridle to restraine me from sin and a spurre to set me forward to all holinesse of life and conuersation in this world O Lord grant mee these all other good things euen for Iesus Christs sake my onely Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer for the Morning O Lord God most mightie mercifull Father I vnworthy creature acknowledge mine owne vilenes naturall corruption and abhominable sinnes many times committed against thee I beseech thee admit mee to render thee my bounden thankes for thy manifold mercies extended towards me this night past and all other times of my life for my rest and sleep my food and rayment my health peace and liberty and the hope of a better life in the merites of thy Sonnes bitter passion Now deare Father I beseech thee to continue thy mercifull fauour vnto me this day and euer hereafter Forgiue me all mine vnthankfulnes vnkindnes and prophanenes towards thee thy word and seruice or towards my Neighbour Set all my sinnes ouer to that reckoning which thy Sonne Iesus Christ my Lord hath made vp for them vpon his Crosse neuer lay any of them to my charge but freely forgiue and forget all O Lord strike my heart with thy rod that I may alway be furnished for a true and vnfained repentance that I may not be blinded in my sinnes to delight in them or to think that thou wilt not respect my vntowardnesse but that I may be weary of them grieue for them and by all means possible striue to attaine to a true mortification of the flesh and so liue holily and iustly and soberly in this present world O good God I humbly intreat thee leaue me not to my selfe mine owne lusts and desires but assist mee with thy grace to hearken vnto thee and thy word to passe my time in feare and trembling as an obedient childe of so good a Father Blesse me Lord this day and prosper all that I shall take in hand let mee haue all my directions from thy will and the successe from thy mercifull hand Giue mee a competent stay for the maintenance of this mortall life Continue may food and rayment health peace and liberty that I may with a quite minde thankefull heart passe my time in this vale of miserie doing good to all men after mine abilitie without disgrace to my selfe or harme to any one Grant these good things most mercifull God and all other needefull graces not onely vnto me but vnto all thy deere children in the world to the good of our soules and bodies for Iesus Christs sake in whose name I further call vpon thee as he hath taught vs in his Gospell saying Our Father which art in Heauen c. A Prayer for the Euening O Eternall GOD and most mercifull Father I doe confesse against my selfe that my heart and hands are full of all filthines and sinnes whatsoeuer and I am altogether vnworthy to speake vnto thee or to come neere thy presence Neuerthelesse beeing so much bound vnto thee as this day past and all other times of my life doe witnesse I offer vnto thy holines by the hands of Iesus Christ my Mediator my humble dutie of praise and thanksgiuing for my creation election redemption vocation and sanctification with all other good graces appertaining to this life or that which is to come And namely ô Lord my tongue and lippes shall glorifie thee sitting aboue the Cherubins for preseruing me this day past from so many miseries and casualties whereinto I might iustly haue fallen if thou wouldest haue entred into iudgement with mee But Lord thou art mercifull passest by my offences to winne me by thy long sufferance I beseech thee make mee thankfull for all thy mercies O Lord pardon and forgiue mee all my sinnes graunt me euery day more and more the sight and feeling of them with heartie sorrow and vnfained repentance for the same Giue mee grace to belieue all the sweet promises that thou hast made vnto mee in Christ Iesus both for the remission thereof and the hope of a better life strengthen me from aboue with thy mighty hand to walke in euery good way without feare and to bring forth the fruits of a true liuely faith in my life and conuersation all the dayes of my life Arme me O Lord with thy grace and holy spirit against all the common corruptions of the world the temptations of the Diuell and the allurements of the flesh and settle my minde to the continuall exercise of deuout prayer with the hearing of thy sacred word watching for thy comming both publike and priuate Continue thy goodnesse towards mee in prouiding for mee such things as are necessarie for the maintenance of this present life and blesse the same vnder my hand that the little which I haue may be increased and the increase may serue as well to furnish my necessarie vses as to minister vnto the necessities of others according to mine abilitie Keepe mee Lord this night from all euils which may happen either vnto my body or my soule Extend thy goodnesse toward all those that depend vpon me or I on them Giue me quiet sleepe and rest and when I shall awake let all my thoughts and cogitations be holy meditations on thee and thy law Blesse me O Lord all the nights and dayes of my life and at the end thereof send me a blessed departure and afterward a ioyfull resurrection vnto life eternall Graunt me these good things most mercifull father and all other needfull graces for Iesus Christs sake in whose name I further call vpon thee as hee hath taught vs in his Gospell saying Our Father c. Short Prayers for Morning and Euening by I. F. 1581. A short Prayer for the Morning GOD of Light who hast preserued mee and brought mee from the darkenesse of this night shine into my heart this day and euer by thy blessed and holy spirit that I may be enlightened and ledde into all Truth that I may walke faithfully as the childe of light before thee casting away the workes of darknesse in the place that thou hast set me doing and performing diligently those things that thou hast required of me either to the praise of thy name or to the comfort of my Brethren Graunt this good Lord I humbly beseech thee for Iesus Christs
Citie and place wherein we liue remoue the punishments due for the sinnes thereof and giue them grace with Niniue to repent in time lest they be destroyed Blesse all our friendes kinsfolkes and others for whom thy will is that wee should pray Strengthen them that suffer for thy cause and send them the Comforts of thy Spirit Comfort them that lye in anguish of conscience for remorse of sinne and conuert them that goe astray and teach vs by their example to see our owne weakenesse and to looke better to our wayes Blesse this Familie with grace and peace that the rulers children and seruants thereof may all know their seuerall duties practise the same in thy feare for Iesus Christ his sake our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen ¶ Another for the same vse I will prayse the Lord among the people and I will sing prayses vnto thee among the Nations O Lord God most heauenly and merciful father though we be vnworthy the least of thy mercies yet hast thou from time to time made vs partakers of many for which we praise and magnifie thy holie Name Beseeching thee to giue vs vnderstanding hearts to feele our euils and direction from thy spirit to auoid the same And as thou hast in great mercy kept vs this night in the time of darkenes and dangers so we beseech thee to keepe vs this day that the Sunne of righteousnes may rule in our hearts all the darkenesse that lurketh in them may be scattered to the comfort of our soules and wee may walke as thy Children in cleare light without daunger Indue vs with giftes and graces needfull for vs and grant that with a pure sincere conscience wee may vse them to the benefit of our brethren the discharge of our owne duties Keepe the watch of our tongues and the doore of our lips in such sort that no rash euill or vaine word passe thereby and so rule and gouerne our harts that we may not thinke any thing but that which shall be to thy glory Grant vs thy blessings of health peace and maintenance and thy holy spirit to instruct vs as well in the wants thereof as in the lawfull vse of them In all our Consultations words and workes let vs remember thy presence that thou seest vs wheresoeuer we doe bestow our selues and wilt iudge-vs if wee goe astray and doe amisse Chase away from vs all rancour and malice couetousnes vncharitablenesse and vnkindnesse and whatsoeuer is contrary to thy loue which is to vs ward in Iesus Christ our Lord. Take from vs all ignorances and negligences with the want of iudgement and discretion and preuent all those things that thou knowest may hinder vs in our Christian calling Increase our Faith patience and obedience Let thy blessing be vpon this whole housholde to lead vs in thy truth protect vs in our wayes and al those whom thou hast made deere vnto vs whether they bee present or absent Be good to our children seruants and friends that liue with vs that wee may liue together in the seruice of thy Gospell to grow vp in godly conuersation and soundnesse of faith Giue vs grace by thy corrections to feare thee more carefully and to sorrow for our sinnes more heartily O LORD grant these things and whatsoeuer thy knowest to bee necessary for vs for Iesus Christs sake Amen An Euening Prayer for priuate Families What shall I giue vnto the Lord for all his benefits towards me Because he hath inclined his eare vnto mee therefore will I call vpon him as long as I liue O Lord God Father of all that is called Father in Heauen and in earth wee render thee thankes in all abundance for thy mercifull preseruation of vs this day and all the times and daies of our life that thou hast brought vs safe and sound through so many dangers and powred vpon vs contrary to our deseruings so many excellent and notable blessings both Spirituall and corporall Good Lord we beseech thee keep vs euermore from day to day as thou hast done and make vs constant in the profession of thy holy name and the practise of thy law that neither the violence of man nor subtiltie of Sathan be able to make vs to turne away from 〈◊〉 LORD turne thy face from our sinnes wherein we haue so delighted alter our hearts and wash cleanse vs from all staines and corruptions in the blood of thy sonne For giue vs all that is past and grant vs the assurance of that forgiuenesse sealed vp in our consciences by thy holy Spirit Kindle thy loue so feruently in our hearts that wee may detest whatsoeuer is against thee and thy word Forgiue vs our great contempt and intollerable barrennesse in good works our foule vnthankfulnesse and the abuse of thy graces and strike our stony hearts with the rod of thy feare that we may attaine vnto a due thankfulnes for thy benefits and a most vnfained and earnest repentance for our sinnes O Lord blesse vs all this night that after our bodies haue beene refreshed with competent sleepe we may see the light of the next morning and arise safe and sound to serue thee in our seuerall vocations Sanctifie our minds that by the help of thy mercy wee may enioy the rest of a quiet conscience Blesse thy Church and her Ministers preserue our King with the Queene his wife and the noble Prince HENRY protect the Magistrates of Iustice all faithfull people reare vp the heauy hearted and turne the chastisements of thy children to their good LORD be mercifull vnto them whom thou hast made any way helpfull vnto vs and blesse euery one of vs in our place that wee may truely serue thee feare thy Maiestie and loue thy authoritie These things O Lord and all other needfull for vs wee craue at thy hands in the Name and for the righteousnesse of Iesus Christ our onely Sauiour and Redeemer saying as he hath taught vs Our Father which art in Heauen c. ¶ Another for the same vse From the rising of the Sunne vnto the going downe of the same the Lords name is to be praysed O Euer-liuing God and euer-louing Father which hast not left vs comfortlesse but hast giuen vs thy Son for a ransome thy word for a guide reserued a Kingdome for our inheritance in heauen wee giue thee thankes for these and all other thy most gracious benefits beseeching thee that we may haue the grace to make such vse of them that they may neuer be in vaine to vs. O Lord forgiue vs all our sinnes and remooue from vs those things which our consciences are afraid of Assure vs of thy gracious pardon and renew vs by thy holy Spirit that wee may vnfainedly hate detest whatsoeuer is displeasing vnto thee Lord giue vs a sincere heart to serue thee and let this be the houre of our conuersion In all tentations giue vs strength to resist in all troubles patience to beate and
mee with thy presence and let all thy Children feele the effectual working of thy power which is euer made perfect through weakenesse euen for Iesus Christes sake our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer for the Remission of Sinnes and all things necessary thereto Wee haue sinned with our Fathers wee haue committed iniquitie and wee haue done wickedly O Lord God in greatnes infinit in power omnipotent in counsell wonderful in iudgement terrible although I miserable sinner haue by thy Iustice truely deserued euerlasting damnation for my horrible sinnes yet I beseech thee cast me not away with him that had not on a wedding garment for I appeale from thy rightfull iustice to thine vnspeakeable mercy humbly cast downe my selfe at thy feete and beseech thee of compassion and pardon Beholde Lord I am a piece of that purchase that cost so deere a price as the blood of thy deare Sonne my body and soule are the temples of the holy Ghost the postes whereof are sprinkled with his precious blood which cryeth for mercie therefore enter not into the course of iudgement with me for there I know I shall bee ouerthrowen but forbeare forgiue me acquite me vpon that satisfaction which he hath made for penitent sinners O Lord though the stipend of my sinne be death and the merit of my transgression eternall perdition yet is thy mercy aboue all thy iudgements and thou canst forgiue more then I can offend wherefore I pray thee set his Crosse and passion betweene thy iudgements my soule looke vpon mee with the eye of mercy and compassion as thou didst vpon the sinfull woman at the banket and the Publican in the Temple whose pardons are registred in thy booke for my Comfort O Lord bow downe the height of thy Deity to behold my vilenesse and miserie a liuely image of the prodigall sonne who know no other helpe but onely thou my most louing Father whom I haue so highly offended Powre the oyle of mercy into my defiled and fainting heart search it that I may not flatter my selfe to extenuate my sin cleanse it season it with the Salt of thy grace to receiue and retaine all goodnesse hereafter Lord I thanke thee for thy patience and long suffering that thou hast not suddenly after my desert taken vengeance on me but giuen me a longer time of repentance wherefore I beseech thee appease thine anger towards mee now but loose in me the workes of darknesse create in me a new heart and because thou lookest for my amendment that I may haue thy fauour I beseech thee grant mee thy fauour that I may haue amendment giue mee grace to repent vnfeinedly with fasting weeping and mourning and make my faith liuely to beleeue that I am forgiuen in Iesus Christ Let not the faults of my forefathers light vpon my head who haue walked in their sinfull steppes neither be angry with mee for their sakes but let the wel-doing of Iesus Christ who hath shed his blood for mee succour mee and procure my pardon Forgiue mee all my sinnes of youth and age negligences and ignorances thoughts words and deedes and keepe me from presumptuous sinnes O Lord looke not vpon the Pharisee for hee dissembleth nor vpon the Publicane first for he saith little for himselfe in outward shew nor vpon Mary Magdalen onely for she had but seauen diuels but looke vpon me that of sinners am chiefe worse then either Pharisee Publicane or Mary who haue as many sins as hayres vpon my head and a greater clogge vpon my conscience then any burthen that man hath to beare O Lord keepe vnder Sathan that he compel not my troubled Conscience to despaire quench all the motions of my minde striuing against thy diuine pleasure and restore in me the Image of thy Son that I may liue in thy feare dye in thy fauour rest in thy peace rise in thy power remaine in thy glory for Iesus Christs sake our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer for obtaining of Faith Hope and Charitie and all Christian vertues My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Iesus Christ O Father of Lights of whom is euery good giuing and euery perfect gift I beseech thee to blesse me with al spiritual blessings in heauenly things in Christ Increase the little graine of my weake and feeble faith direct it to the true obiect the merites of Christ Iesus and let it not be bare and dead but effectuall working by loue Make mee strong therein constant to giue credite to thy word without doubting and pro tect mee among the diuers manifold errours sects and heresies of this world that fight against the foundation Lord let me not be disappointed of my hope which I haue in thee but make good thy promises vnto mee and so worke in my heart that I may haue courage in conflict patience in trouble comfort in al things Keepe me from insolencie and pride and graunt mee true humilitie and lowlinesse of mind that I be not puffed vp to contemne my brethren but giue mee that due consideration of mine owne vilenesse and infirmities that as dust and ashes I may tremble and stand in awe of thy iudgements and as a sinfull man esteeme better of others then my selfe O deare Father when Sathan shall accuse mee my conscience beare witnesse against mee the whole world forsake mee and all things set themselues against me for my sins then strengthen mee I beseech thee in thy faith that I fall not from thee inflame my colde heart with the heauenly affection of vnfained loue that I may loue thee O blessed Trinitie with all that I haue aboue all and my Neighbour as my selfe Graunt me a compassionate charitable minde to help and succour others to my abilitie to forbeare and forgiue them though they be mine enemies Purge my veines and suffer not the stinking poison of enuy and wrath to infect my blood and so moderate my affections that the Sunne goe not downe vpon my wrath but that I may be satisfied in knowing that vengeance is thine Giue me grace to follow the examples of all painefull and godly labouring men in matters of my vocation keepe me from the hatefull sinne of sloth and idlenesse the high-way to beggery Graunt mee a contented mind against couetousnes amoderate appetite against gluttony and surfets and a chast bodie from disordered lust Comfort mee O Lord in all grieuous accidents and at the point of death giue mee grace to fasten all thy confidence in thee that whereas now I see by Faith onely as it were in a glasse darkely I may then see face to face the onely thing which I desire and hope for thorough Iesus Christ Amen A Prayer before the receiuing of the Holy Communion As often as yee eate this Bread and drinke this cup ye doe shew the Lords death vntill he come O Lord God mercifull FATHER which after the sacrament of
In the Name of him that was wearied in his iourney and sate downe vpon the Wel euen Christ Iesus I beseech thee to direct my paths in this my iourney as thou didst Iacob in his Voyage too and from Haran Ionas at Sea and in the Whales belly and the children of Israel when they passed ouer Iordan Graunt mee health giue me strength and courage and also refresh mee when I am weary keepe me from the hands of spoylers the sleights and deceits of theeues and robbers from sauage beasts and euil workers Graunt that wheresoeuer I come I may alwaies find godly men which may honestly entertaine curteously entreat mee Keepe mee from lewde company that I cast not in my lotte with them to be partaker of their wickednes but let me alwayes haue thy feare before mine eyes to auoid all wandring pathes knowing that whersoeuer I walk thou spiest out al my waies Shew mee ô Lord in the day time thy comfortable Pillar of Cloud and in the night thy Pillar of fire that both day and night I may escape the hands of all mine enemies and they likewise may be afraid to attempt any thing against me when they shall see thy wonderfull protection of mee Yet Lord if thou hast so appointed that before I returne I must goe to my long home and dye in this voyage I beseech thee that vpon whatsoeuer this vessell of my body be split or wheresoeuer this Tabernacle fall yet my soule may be safe and arriue at the euerlasting land of Promise the common Home of the Elect. Make me partaker of all good prayers and giue me grace likewise to remember that duetie for all my brethren Furnish me with necessaries while I shall be abroad giue mee bread to eate and clothes to put on and when I shall haue finished my businesse LORD bring mee home againe if it be thy will and shew me this fauour that I may find my friends and fauourers wife children and Family in perfect health at my returne for Iesus Christs sake Amen A Prayer in time of present danger or any other affliction in bodie or minde What shall we receiue good at the hand of God and shall wee not receiue euill O Eternall GOD which shuttest and no man openeth and openest no man shutteth my humble request vnto thee is for my selfe and all such as suffer any crosse or affliction in body or mind that it would please thee to open such speedy way and meanes as they may be eased and deliuered from the same O Lord in this affliction which doth so grieuously pierce my soule I beseech thee giue mee grace to acknowledge it thy Fatherly correction for my sinne that I may learne to be more carefull of my dutie to thee I thanke thee that thou hast laid no more vpon me nor punished me to my confusion I beseech thee grant mee a more patient minde and stay thy hand in due time that I may recouer my strength with comfort in thee All is thine and thou art all to thee therefore doe I flie for succour because there is no succour but vnder thy wings The sorrowes of hell doe compasse me round about the feare of death is before mine eyes helpe ô helpe mee saue me oh saue me for thine owne sake for thy SONNES sake for thy glories sake for I am the workemanship of thy hands Keepe my senses vnder standing and iudgement and saue mee from euery conceite that tendeth to feare furie or distrust in thy mercie O Lord aduise and teach mee wisedome and moderation in my griefe yea with thy power ouer-rule mee that it be not my ouerthrow Of thy mercy LORD comfort the appalled consciences of all those that grieue vnder the burthen of their sinnes fearing the heauinesse of thy wrath for the same Haue mercie vpon all those whose tender affections are too neerely touched with the losse of their companions children or friends let them not take any thing to heart otherwise then may stand with discretion reason and Christian moderation Giue thy comforts and consolations vnto all those that by any meanes suffer trouble or torments for the profession of thy Gospel of the seruice of their Prince And if it please thee to detaine some vnder a longer Crosse for thy greater glory of their further tryall yet Lord let them not be tempted aboue their strength but arme them with further patience and hope in thee that so they may perseuere vnto the end O Lord weaken the power of Sathan the tiranny of his ministers which eyther by inward tentations or outward violence haue bred the woe of thy seruants and ridde thy seruants from all their troubles that they may sing ioyfull praises vnto thee through Iesus Christ Amen See the Prayer of one afflicted in Conscience In Part. ◠A Prayer in time of plague or other extraordinary sicknesse The Lord killeth and maketh aliue bringeth downe to the graue and raiseth vp O Lord our GOD in whose Name standeth 〈◊〉 help and who amongst other euils hast promised vs to deliuer thy people from the snare of the hunter from the noysome pestilence we beseech thee take this thy plague away from vs and as the stench of our sinnes hath ascended vp into thy nosthrils to prouoke thy wrath against vs in it so let our humble supplications vpon our knees come before thee to procure our happy release from it Lord call back thine angel cause him to sheath the sword againe Wee are thy children and the worke of thy hands wee are sorry for our sinnes which are the cause of all this and wee purpose amendment wee are but Men dust and Ashes wee are not able to beare long therefore Lord haue mercy vpon vs and that soone God Lord accept our sorrowes and send vs comfort and suffer vs not to perish after so miserable a sort We thanke thee ô Lord that thou hast not left vs altogether comfortles nor cast vs off without hope but hast somewhat with drawne thy hand and spared many hundreds of vs in comparison of those whom thou slewest a little before and wee reioyce at this abatement yet wee stand in awe wee presume vpon this thy fauour but with feare and trembling wee trust it shall be euery day better yet we are carefull to winne it by pleasing thee Wherefore ô Lord wee beseech thee blesse vs and all those that depend vpon vs set thy sauing marke vpon our houses as thou diddest for the Israelites in Egypt giue order to the destroyer that hee hurt vs not Put thy strength to our medicines guard our regard which wee haue of our selues let thy good blessing make the preseruatiues of the Physitians ourshifting places for more security profitable vnto vs. Giue vs grace ô Lord that we trust not too much in outward meanes but onely in thy mercie and blessing vpon them Keepe vs in our downe lying and vp-rising and protect vs walking in our vocations Haue pittie
vpon our distressed brethren comfort the desolate widdowes and prouide for all fatherlesse children Gather vs together againe that by these means are dispersed continue thy mercifull worke in diminishing our dead number till wee may iustly say in confidence thanks with the Prophet Wee shall not die but liue and declare the workes of the Lord. Grant this O Lord for Iesus Christs sake our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen The ancient Prayer called O bountifull IESV O BOVNTIFVLL Iesu ô sweet Iesu ô IESV the Sonne of the Virgin Mary which art full of mercy and truth ô sweet Iesu haue pittie vpon mee according to thy great mercie O benigne Iesu by the same precious blood which thou wast content to shed vpon the Altar of the Crosse for vs miserable sinners I beseech thee vouchsafe to cast all mine iniquities out of thy sight and despise not mee who thus humbly beg of thee crying and calling vpon thy holy Name Iesus This Name Iesus is a sweet Name this Name Iesus is a Name of Saluation for what is Iesus but a Sauiour O good Iesus which hast created me and redeemed me with thine owne blood suffer not mee whom thou hast made of nought to be damned O good Iesus let not my wickednesse haue power to destroy me whom thine Almightie goodnesse hath made O good IESV reknowledge that which is thine in mee and that which is not of thee take that away from mee O good Iesus euen now while the time of mercie is haue mercie vpon me and let me not be confounded at the time of thy fearefull iudgement O good IESVS although I vile sinner by thy streight Iustice haue deserued to be punished euerlastingly for my most grieuous sins yet hauing sure confidence in the truth of thy righteousnesse I appeale to thine vnspeakeable mercy I am sure thou wilt haue mercy vpon mee like a louing Father and a mercifull Lord. O good IESVS what profit is there in my blood if I descend into the pit of eternall corruption For surely they that be dead shall not magnifie thee nor any that goe downe into the place of silence O most mercifull Iesu haue mercy vpon mee ô most sweet Iesus deliuer mee O most holy Iesus be mercifull vnto me a sinner O IESVS accept mee wretched sinner among the number of them whom thou hast elected to saluation O Iesus the health of all that hope in thee the life of all that beleeue in thee haue mercie vpon me O sweet Iesus the remission of all my sinnes O Iesus the Sonne of the Virgin Mary powre thy grace into my heart endue mee with wisedome charitie chastitie and humilitie and in all mine aduersitie grant me a holy inuiolable and stedfast patience that I may perfectly loue thee and haue my onely delight and affiance in thee world without end Amen Supplications OF SAINTS The Third Part. Dauid alone PSAL. 142. 1. 2. With my voyce vnto the Lord did I make my Supplication I powred out my complaint before him This Part containeth Prayers in the names of diuers parties of seuerall estates with a forme of generall thanskgiuing PSALME 112. 6. The righteous shall be had in euerlasting remembrance Queene Elizabeths Prayer of Thanksgiuing for the ouerthrow of the Spanish Nauy sent to inuade ENGLAND Anno 1588. MOst omnipotent Creator Redeemer and Conseruer When it seemed most fit time to thy worthy Prouidence to bestow the workmanship of this worlds Globe with thy rare iugdement thou didst diuide into foure singular parts the forme of all this Mold which after-time hath tearmed Elements all they seruing to continue in orderly Gouernment of all the masse Which all when of thy most singular bountie and neuer yerst seene care thou hast this yeere made serue for instruments to daunt our foes and to confound their malice I most humbly with bowed heart and bended knees doe render my humbliest acknowledgments and lowliest thanks And not the least for that the weakest Sexe hath been so fortified by thy strongest helpe that neither my people need finde lacke by my weaknesse nor Forreiners tryumph at my ruine Such hath beene thy vnwonted grace in my DAYES as though Sathan hath neuer made Holy-day in practising for my life and state yet thy mightie hand hath ouerspread both with the shade of thy wings so that neither hath beene ouerthrowen nor receiued shame but abide with blessing to thy most glory and their greatest ignominy For which Lord of thy meere goodnesse graunt vs grace to be hourely thankfull and euer mindfull And if it may please thee to pardon my request giue vs thy continuance in my dayes of like goodnesse that my yeares neuer see change of such grace to me but especially to this my kingdome which LORD graunt for thy Sonnes sake may flourish many ages after my end Amen Queene Elizabeths Prayer for the successe of her Nauie Anno Domi. 1596. MOst omnipotent MAKER and GVIDER of all Worlds Masse that onely searchest and fadomest the bottome of all hearts-conceits and in them seest the true originall of all actions intended Thou that by thy foresight doest truely discerne how no malic of reuenge nor quittance of iniurie nor desire of bloodshed nor greedines of lucre hath bred the resolution of our now set-out Armie but a heedfull care and a wary watch that no neglect of foes nor ouersuertie of harme might breed either danger to vs or glory to them These being the grounds thou that didst inspire the mind we humbly beseech thee with bended knees prosper the worke and with the best fore-windes speed the Iourney giue the victorie and make the returne the aduancement of thy glory the trump of thy Fame and suertie of thy Realme with the least losse of English blood To these deuout petitions Lord giue thy blessed graunt Amen Queene Elizabeths Prayer for her Nauie Anno Dom. 1597. O GOD All-maker Keeper and Guider Inurement of thy rare seene vnused and seeldheard-of goodnes powred in so plentifull sort vpon vs full oft breeds now this boldnes to craue with bowed knees and hearts of humilitie thy large hand of helping-power to assist with wonder our iust cause not founded on prides motion nor begun on malice-stock but as thou best knowest to whom nought is hid grounded on iust defence from wrongs hate and bloody desire of conquest For sithens means thou hast imparted to saue that thou hast giuen by inioying of such a people as scornes their blood-shed where safetie ours is none Fortifie deare GOD such hearts in such sort as their best part may be worst that to the truest part meant worst with least losse to such a Nation as despise their liues for their Countryes good That all forraine Lands may laud and admire the omnipotencie of thy worke a fact alone for thee onely to performe So shal they name be spred for wonders wrought and the faithfull encouraged to repose in thy vnfellowed grace and we that minded nought but right be in chained in thy
and after our death we may receiue the fruites of that hope which wee haue layde vp in thy mercies through the merites and mediation of thy Sonne Iesus Christ our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen The VViddowes Prayer The Lord doth execute the iudgement vnto the fatherlesse Widdow loueth the stranger in giuing them food and rayment O Lord God which art neerely touched with a care of the afflicted and despisest not the Widdow when she powreth out her Prayers before thee I beseech thee to haue compassion vpon mee a poore and desolate Widdow And whereas the bands of death haue made a separation between me my husband who was my head the best stay I had in this World next vnder thee I beseech thee let me not take this crosse impatiently but trust in thy goodnesse that nothing may be able to separate mee from thee which art mine onely stay the ioy of my soule Preserue me Lord from the pawes of rauenous and greedy cormorants which lye in waite to supplant the weakest and deuoure our Houses vnder the pretence of godlinesse and colour of right Grant that in the sight of all Gouernours and Iudges I may finde fauour and equall dealing in my suites and complaints against all violence and oppressors Giue vnto all men willing and ready mindes to doe mee good and open their hearts to helpe and pleasure mee in all reasonable demands Prouide for mee by ministring cloths and nourishment fit for mine estate haue pitty vpon me in all my necessities and stretch out thy hand to deliuer me Blesse mee as thou didst that poore Woman of Sarepthah that that small thing which thou hast giuen mee may serue to supply the necessarie vses of me mine Dispose the hearts of my children seruants to obedience peace and holinesse that I which am the weaker vessell depriued of him whose countenance should haue kept them in awe may by thy help bring them vp in godly Discipline Giue mee the grace of thy holy Spirit that at all times and in all mine afflictions I may trust in thee and continue in Prayers and Supplications day and night not giuen to any qualitie but such as befitteth a modest matrone and the hand-maid of the Lord for Iesus Christs sake our onely Sauiour and Redeemer Amen ¶ The Prayer of Women with Child A woman when she is in trauell hath sorrow because her houre is come O Lord GOD by whose Decree for the offence of our first Parents wee beare in our wombs bring forth children in paine sorrow be mercifull vnto me that now feele the accomplishment of that sentence in my selfe and as thou hast vouchsafed me this blessing to conceiue in my wombe and to nourish that which thou hast wrought vntill this time so graunt that in due time I may see the fruit of my body safe sound and perfect without blemish or deformitie Keepe me ô Lord from an vntimely birth graunt that through Prayer faith and patience I may escape all sudden feares and vnaduised thoughts Comfort me when I shall draw neere vnto my hard labour and when I shall fall into those terrors horrors and pangs which accompany that houre shew thy mercie vpon mee and my Babe that my sinnes may be forgiuen me and that it may not be punished for my offences Giue me patience that I be not too fearefull and vnruly but that I may remember what modestie befitteth a woman in those dangers and repose all my affyance in thee O Lord send mee help and preserue mee that I perish not Grant thee O Lord safe deliuerance in due time make me a ioyfull Mother when that hour commeth let not my sinnes so many be called in question either now or at that instant but forget O LORD and forgiue them blesse my poore infant and lodge it in the vertue of thy couenant and when thou shalt be pleased to call it into open light giue me wisedome strength to bring it vp in thy feare and as it were to trauell againe with it till it be borne againe vnto a heauenly life to thy greater glory and my further ioy through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen The Midwifes Prayer O God wonderfull art thou in thy holy places euen the God of Israel he will giue strength and power vnto his people Blessed be God O LORD GOD who onely hast power to take all children out of their mothers wombes and to bring them to the light of this world I thine vnworthy seruant whom thou hast deputed to this great Businesse for the helpe and comfort of many in their extremities doe most humbly on bended knees beseech thee to vouchsafe me thy gracious assistance in the same Haue mercy vpon mee ô Lord and in all mine actions let me haue thy feare before mine eyes that I may be carefull both for rich and poore to doe good and not hurt to saue life and not to destroy Helpe mine infirmities c imperfections that I be neither too feareful nor too violent in doing my dutie and grant me skill and iudgement happily to finish euery worke that I shall vndertake Giue mee O Lord an vnderstanding and tender heart a readie steedie and gentle hand a watchfull eye and a willing minde Mercifully looke vpon me ô Lord that whensoeuer I shal be called to doe mine office either by night or day to the sicke or to the sound I may be defended from all bodily harmes preserued from the infection of all contagious diseases by thy gracious fauour Prosper ô Lord the workes of my hands ô prosper thou my handie worke that I may doe all things to thy glory the comfort of all good women and mine owne credite through Iesus Christ our Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer in time of womens trauell Let thy worke O Lord appeare vnto thy seruants and thy glory vnto their Children O Gracious God and louing father of whom the whole familye in heauen and earth is named wee beseech thee mercifully heare the voyce of all vs thy hand-maydes heere assembled in thy name for the help of this our Sister in her Agonie now approaching Lord looke vpon her in mercie and mittigate the iudgement which thou hast laid vpon her and all Women for sin Giue her courage of heart and strength of body to beare the pangs of her labour so fearfull and vehement Sweeten them with the drops of thy mercy and qualifie them by thy gracious power pardon her offences and receaue her prayers Louing Father giue her patience and willingnesse to be aduised and ordered by her friends in so great a worke that shee may remember that as in iustice thou hast greatly increased her sorrowes and conceptions so it is thy will to haue a holy seed brought forth into the world which being sanctified by thy grace may be consecrate here to such godly seruices as thou hast appointed and afterward made partaker of thy glory in the kingdome of heauen And
therefore O Lord we pray thee blesse her and the fruit of her Wombe let thy mercie be no lesse shewed in the birth then in the wonderfull forming and fashioning of that she beareth Guide all our hands that are about her and laie to thy helping hand with vs. Giue her an easie speedy deliuerance But if it be thy will to laye any greater weight of thy wrath vpon her acording to thy doome yet good Lord we beseech thee let thy holy spirit so comfort her inwardly with thy promises made to all and thy goodnes shewed to others that neither her naturall frailtie northe temptations of Sathan nor the extremities of her Throwes cause her to faint Comfort her helpe her finish thy worke in her ô thou preseruer of mankind that she being safely deliuered and her Babe preserued they may both liue to thy will and pleasure and wee altogether prayse thy holy Name through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A Prayer after the deliuerance of women Lo children are an heritage of the Lord and the fruit of the wombe is his reward O LORD God by whom all men and women are wonderfully fearefully made we giue thee most humble thankes that in thy iudgement towards this our Sister thou hast remembred mercie in giuing her safe deliuerance together with a comely fruit of her body Good Lord wee pray thee continue thy great goodnesse towardes her and keepe her from all further annoyance and dangers of Child-bed Preserue her day and night sleeping and waking that so in her time shee may be restored to her former health and strength and walke in her vocation according to thy will with thanksgiuing Giue thy blessing to the Infant now borne that it may in due time increase in wisedome and stature and fauour with God and man that it may be partaker of the sacred Seale of holy Baptisme borne anew by the power of thy Spirit liue a holy and sanctified life in this world afterward be made heire of euerlasting life O Lord blesse the mother also for the BABES good that shee may haue strength meanes to bring it vp to thy glory and vse all such good endeuours as become a carefull and naturall Mother Lord giue thy grace to all vs which haue beene eye-witnesses of this thy mercy and goodnesse and let this and all other thy workes daily put vs in minde to be thankeful vnto thee for our creation preseruation and all other thy good gifts to call vpon thee loue and feare thee walking in thy sight in all sobrietie chastitie and godlines from this day forward for euermore for IESVS Christs sake Amen ¶ The Childrens Prayer in their Parents life time A wise sonne maketh a glad Father but a foolish son is the heauinesse of his mother O HEAVENLY Father Father of our Lord Iesus Christ and all that beleeue in him endue mee I beseech thee with thy holy Spirit that I may be a babe of thy heauenly Family regenerate and made a new creature in the same Christ Iesus my Sauiour Make mee by all meanes to honour my Parents after the example of thy Sonne our Sauiour and not by any means to breed their sorrow griefe that when thou shalt see it good to make mee ancient and blesse mee with children then I may haue ioy in them by their obedience and holinesse Ioyne O Lord vnto the towardnesse of my Nature the ayde of thy grace that I be not seduced by false teachers to corruption either in Faith or manners but that all my vnderstanding and conceits may tend to the good of my soule and the bettering of my life Restraine O Lord the vntamednesse of my youth which at this time is wont to begin to shew it self that I neuer passe the limites of thy good pleasure Keepe me from wandering concupiscence and idlenes from wicked company naughtie fellowship Forgiue me all the misdemeanors which I haue at any time committed against thee my parents and giue mee abilitie and grace to help them in their weakest age and greatest neede remembring the paines which my mother endured for mee and the charges of my father Make mee obedient vnto them and all other my betters teachers and Gouernours help me in all dangers and necessities and grant mee thy fauour all the dayes of my life and thy kingdome at the end for Iesus Christs sake Amen Another Prayer of Children Commit thy way vnto the Lord trust also in him and he shall bring it to passe O LORD GOD I beseech thee to lead my Parents in the way of thy Trueth and righteousnes Gouerne all their actions to thy glory the good of thy CHVRCH and the discharge of their duties Defend and deliuer them from all their enemies and from all deceits and dangers that I who am a childe in age vnderstanding and discretion may by their godly wisedome care and painefulnesse be brought vp in all godly instructions nourture and good order and so liue and serue thee in righteousnesse and holinesse all my daâ—es Grant mee ô Lord an obedient and dutifull mind not onely towards my Parents but all such as it shall please them to make instructors and Rulers ouer mee that I may submit my selfe to their godly admonitions and gouernment Incline my heart now in my tender years to seek for wisedome and good learning with all diligence Preserue mee from all euill wayes and lewd companie Mortifie O Lord the raging lustes and follies of youthful affections O Lord pardon and forgiue mee all my sinnes that I may liue in thy feare and dye in thy fauour so receiue the inheritance of that place which thou in heauen hast prepared for mee through Iesus Christ my onely Lord and Sauiour Amen The Orphans or fatherlesse Childes prayer When my Father and my Mother forsake me then the Lord will take me vp O Lord GOD the succour of all them that are in distresse and Father of the Fatherlesse I poore Orphane by thine appointment depriued of my Parents and chiefest stay in this World beseech thee to heare my desire to set thine eyes vpon mee for good Haue pitty vpon me O Lord and in all perils necessities stretch out thine helping hand deliuer me appoint me faithfull Patrons Gardians which will be touched with an earnest care of my wel-fare that I may be brought vp in thy feare vnto euery good worke Giue mee grace to be obedient to those that haue the ouer-sight of mee to hearken to good counsell to feare thee and flye euill company Grant that I may finde fauour and vpright dealing at the handes of them that haue the ouersight of mee and before all other Gouernors Iudges whatsoeuer Let me not be oppressed by the mightie nor seduced by the craftie and subtile but deliuer me from greedie and deuouring cormorants dissembling friendes that would make a pray of me Let me not run too and fro to seeke my bread but prouide
my selfe to thy holy ordinance to beare this Crosse and taste of this bitter cup which I haue deserued and much more so I may follow thee whither thou art gone Therefore O Lord since thou hast not yet called me to the Barre of death but sent thy Heralds to sommon mee to a tryall I beseech thee looke on mee with thine eye of mercifull pittie and helpe me in this day of Visitation Poure thine oyle of grace into my wounded conscience purge my defiled soule forgiue me all my sins and giue me competent comfort consolation in this distresse Let me not dye ere I begin to liue giue mee time to repent occasion to amend But if thou wilt needs put any more of thy wine of correction into my festred sores lay no more ô Lord lay no more vpon me then I shal be able to beare make good vnto mee that goodnesse which thou hast granted mee vnder the great Seale of thy promise Supplie my want pardon my sinnes aide me against all temptations I am recouered of mine infirmities I offer here vnto thee O Lord a penitent heart for the time past and promise through thy grace amendment if it shall please thee to draw out the thread of my life any longer yet I neither desire the continuance of this mortalitie nor a more speedy deliuerance otherwise then as thou wilt Lord looke not vpon my merits for they are either none or not good nor vpon my life for it hath been naught but looke vpon Christ thy deare Sonne who from the Altar of the Crosse cryed vnto thee on my behalfe and accept his satisfaction for my sinnes Arme mee with patience to take vp my Crosse and follow thee euen to beare thy visitation willingly and giue mee strength by faith to resist the aduersarie in in the brunt of temptations With my sorrow and paine increase thy grace that when I am in greatest agony I may finde comfort beleeuing and saying with the holy Prophet My flesh faileth and my heart also but GOD is the strength of my heart and my portion for euer O Lord if thy decree be gone foorth as it was to Hezekiah that I shall dye and not liue giue me grace to put in order my things of this world that I may depart in more peace and when the pangs of death haue shut vp the eies of my body and taken away the vse of my tongue I beseech thee let the eyes of my soule still behold and looke vpon thee so that when I shall leaue my earth to earth and my body to the graue thine angels may carie vp my Soule vnto thee and I be partaker of a ioyfull resurrection through Iesus CHRIST our LORD Amen ¶ A Prayer to be sayd at the point of death O Lord my time is at hand my soule is heauy euen vnto death Looke downe vpon me poure thine oyle of grace into my heart pardon my sins strengthen my Faith shorten my paines and driue away Sathan Helpe mee in this conflict Looke vpon thy Christ hee is my Sauiour and Redeemer Come LORD Iesus welcome Into thy hands I commend my soule take it O Lord take mee the worke of thine owne hands and let me die in thy feare and rise againe in thy fauour that I may come to thy blisse for IESVS Christs sake Amen A Generall Thankes-giuing to be vsed by all men at all times I will prayse thee O Lord my God with all my heart and will glorifie thy Name for euermore For great is thy mercy towards me O Blessed LORD and euer-liuing GOD whose mercy is ouer all thy workes and of whose fulnesse wee haue all receiued and Grace for grace I poore SAMARITANE that haue beene holpen healed and honoured by thy holy Hand doe poure foorth my heart vnto thee that I may neither vngratefully remember thy benifits nor vngraciously forget thy seuere iudgements who both in the one and the other hast beene beyond all measure so gracious vnto mee I thanke thee O Lord for all the externall internall graces bestowed vpon mee the Spirituall and corporall the Caelestiall and terrestriall blessings which I haue receiued And in earthly matters ô Lord I acknowledge my selfe deeply bounden vnto thee for my Being breathing life and motion That thou hast made mee of a more noble nature then the rest of the Creatures creating mee after thine owne Image enduing mee with reason furnishing me with excellent faculties of the minde and perfect sense And I giue thee thankes O LORD that thou hast giuen mee a BODIE so sound and so free from great infirmities and hast set mee in a calling so fit for my condition and giuen mee such a competent estate That thou hast preserued mee from so many harmes in such dangerous accidents as in sicknes thunder lightning plague pestilence fire and water and from the assaults of theeues and robbers by Sea and Land attempted or intended against my bodie house or goods and deliuered mee out of so many troubles and vexations as I haue fallen into O Lord how am I bound vnto thee that thou hast lent me such kinde friends and that I liue in such honest reputation among my neighbours that I haue such libertie of seemly recreation such quietnesse of life such opportunitie of well-doing and thine Angels by thine appointment to protect safe-gard mee in all my wayes These things O Lord I enioy though vnworthy by thy goodnesse whereas there be many that haue not found the like fauour at thy hands Blessed be thy Name therefore And yet ô Lord thou hast been much more gracious vnto me thy Spirituall fauours and thy Caelestial blessings exceed all these Therefore as I am bound so much more I blesse thee that thou didst elect me before all worlds to glorie that thou didst worke my redemption by the blood of Christ Iesus in his bitter Passion that I was borne in the light of the Gospel to know thee and through Sanctification in thee haue had the grace to take vpon mee the profession of the Truth to abandon all Superstition and Heresie to doe good vnto any and to doe any thing that may doe good either publike or priuate in some measure to keepe my selfe vnspotted of the world Oh what shall I giue vnto my Lord that hath done so great and mightie things for mee O Lord I giue thee thanks that thou hast giuen mee such an honourable Calling and vocation of Christianitie that thou hast incorporated me a member of the Church giuing me such a gracious portion of Faith hope loue zeale patience peace and ioy the beginnings of Regeneration What am I O Lord that thou hast granted mee such things to receiue such profite by the preaching of thy Word and the Priuiledge of thy blessed Sacraments to bee washed with thy blood to sit at thy Table and to feed on thee the euerlasting Bread These I thanke thee for and for these also euen for my part which I haue