steppes and pathes of thy iust lawes And of thy goodnesse daily talke with feare end loue and all applause To thee I wholly owe my selfe for thou hast Lord created mee And bought me not with worldly pâ—lfâ— but by thy Sonne hast made me free Whence I doe also learne to loue all men in thee and for thy sake Who beare thy Image from aboue and vnto thee themselues betake O let me thus thy fauours find and peace of conscience vnderstand Thy blessings and thy mercies kind protected still by thy right hand That fill'd my dayes I leaue this life to take a life eternally Where Angels sing continually all glory be to God on high Amen A Morning Prayer O Blessed Lord God great in power fearefull in iudgeâ—ent and rich in mercy which â—indest and no man looseth and â—ooâ—est no man bindeth I yeeld â—hee most humble and hearty â—hankes for that of thy fatherly goodnesse thou hast vouchsafed â—e this last nights sleepe in peace â—nd rest and againe loosing the â—onds wherewith I was tied hast â—iuen me power to see this morâ—ing light Now ô Lord I beâ—ech thee powre vpon mee this â—y the heauenly dew of thy comâ—rtable blessing that through the â—eration of thy gracious beames â—hat am a poore tree weake and â—rren in my selfe may bud forth â—d beare the fruits of true faith 〈◊〉 my life and conuâ—rsation Continue this goodnesse and mercy towards mee and by thy power raise me from the deepe sleepe of all vnrighteousnesse discharge me from the workes of darkenâ—sse and cloath 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 will Increase in me all godly deâ— sires together with true contriâ— tion of heart that I may vnfainedâ— ly despise the pleasures of thiâ— world with hearty repentanâ— be conuerted vnto thee send thâ— holy Angel to guide me and keep me in all my wayes and prospâ— the worke of my hands that I nâ— uer faile in my vocation to dâ— some good to all men and escheâ— if it be possible all euill O Lord I beseech thee pâ— serue and keepe my senses â—aâ— and souÌ„d that I be neither corrup ted by prosperity nor deiected by aduersitie nor be too fearefull of thy iudgements or too bould on thy mercies But grant me grace ô mercifull Lord that I may apprehend all that comes from thee with a religious heart and contented minde O blessed Lord Iesus Christ blessed bee thy name for our redemption great was thy loue sore was thy passion print in our mindes we beseech thee the continuall memory thereof that wee may love thee which so louedst vs and euermore praise thee that hast bought vs at so deare a price Reiect not our prayers which we offer to bee presented to thy Faâ—her but mercifully helpe vs and heale all our infirmities encrease our Faith and teach vs obedience forgiue vs our offences and hide vs in thy wounds from thy faâ—hers iust wrath make good thy â—romises vnto vs for the world to come and enable vs with thy grace for the performance of all thy Commandements prosper ô Lord the workes of our hands and bring vs safe to the end of this day for thy truth and for thy names sake Amen Amen An Euening Meditation I Lay me downe to sleepe in peace for thou Lord onely makest me dwell In safety with great quietnes and doest ill dreames from me expell My body to enormities is subiect without rest and sleepe Because of mine infirmities my life and health it cannot keepe Good Father all sufficient my louing God I yeeld thee praise For this dayes blessings to me sent and guiding me in all my wayes In that thou hast this day now past me strongly guarded with thy hands With loue refresht me first and last with mercies more then sea-shore sands That hast me brought to this dayes end blacke night and darkenes drawing neare Wherein all creatures rest attend and lay them downe till day appeare I finding my debility poore creature run to the diuine O strength mine imbecility and aide this soule and body mine Thou hast me made of matter grosse and brittle substance out of clay Which still is subiect to the crosse a tennis ball for worldlings play He wanting comfort cannot liue after much sorrow and great griefe Therefore I doe my body giue and soule to thee Lord grant reliefe O Lord I doe thee humbly pray as thou art fountaine of all rest Bee thou my succour helpe and stay let me by thee this night be blest Consider me in my weakenesse and let my carefull eyes behold My miseries and my distresse to cry for mercy make me bold And since 't is time that night now brings the bodies rest and quiet sleepe O shadow me vnder thy wings let thy protection safe me keepe Looke ouer me with watchfull eyes when this corrupted flesh of mine In slumbring sleepe and dulnesse lyes depriu'd of sense with closed eyne Vnable my poore selfe to saue from dangers of the darkesome night Keepe me my bed else is my graue and I shall neuer see the light Lord thou that onely mak'st me dwell and in sure safety to abide Thou watchest ouer Israel watch ouer me be by my side Thou art my Castle and my Fort my sword my buckler and defence My rocke my refuge and comfort saue me from force and violence Alas without thee what am I a beast that rightly nothing knowes A senseles blocke sillie flie that no good doe nor no good showes Thy louing fauour Lord extend ouer the house wherein I rest My bed with Angels Lord defend and soule and body by thee be blest Oh lay me downe in rest and peace in rest and peace ô let me rise In rest and peace ô giue some ease from torments troubles teares und cries Let not the sleights of sinne deceiue nor wicked practise ouertake me Let nothing me of hope bereaue oh doe not thou though all forsake me Lord I am poore oh make me rich with those great riches of thy blessing My soule my soule is blacke as pitch let pardon follow my confessing In hope of this I lay me downe depending on thy prouidence I care not if the world doe frowne for I am safe by thy defence Lord let it be for I am thine my rest make sweete and comfortable To thee I doe my selfe resigne Lord grant all this for thou art able An Euening Prayer for a priuate person O Most holy Father and my most gracious God which giuest vnto all men the cheerefull light of the day that in thine assistance they may follow their honest vocations and likewise sendest the silent nights that then they my rest their wearied limbs and busied mindes and so returne their due thankes for thy goodnesse I sinfull creature adore and praise thee for the totall
From head to foote so leprous be our staines That in our selues not one good thought remaines But if we doe or thinke ought that is good It is in vs the effect of Christ his blood Our bloody sinnes are numberlesse and daily call That thou in iudgement should condemne vs all But Lord our God be hold vs in thy Sonne Forgiue forget remit what wee haue done Corruption made vs sonnes of wrath and fire-brands of hell Thy grace in Christ made vs thy sonnes and heires to dwell In heauen where thy kingdome is most glorious be thy name Which hast in Christ elected vs before all worlds frame In glory thou in heauen art in mercy heere with vs below In iudgements with the damned crew the seas thy wonders know Yet sea nor earth nor heauens high thy essence can containe Thou art hast bin and euer shalt I AM of might remaine Seeing thou art to vs a Father deare of heauenly might Giue vs obedience to thy will and in thy lawes delight Humilitie with godly feare heauenly thoughts diuine And whatsoeuer graces else may signe and scale vs thine Most glorious sacred sanctified acknowledg'd be thy name Amongst vs all thy children deare that doe professe the same Although none hallowing we can adde vnto thy essence pure Grant that our liues our thoughts our words thy glory may procure Eâ—due vs with such godly zeale thy honour to maintaine With reuerence due to vse thy name and not in ieast or vaine Seeing that thy wisedome greatnesse cleare and piercing eye Beholds what 's done or thought both farre and nye From swearing lying and blaspheming thee Good Lord in mercy still deliuer me By all we thinke shall doe or act indeed Grant that some glory to thy name proceede Let not our sinnes nor Sathans strong temptation Nor our fraile flesh gaine sinfull approbation Come thou Lord Iesus quickly cleanse and garnish Our sinfull hearts and thine kingdome establish O Sonne of God ô Lambe pure vndefiled The ioy solace which all Saints desired Inflame our hearts let vs not quench thy Spirit Make good to vs what thy owne death did merit God hath ordain'd and thou hast dearely bought A glorious Kingdome by vs seldome sought Lest from that Kingdome we excluded be O work in vs such works as pleaseth thee Thy will is holy perfect right and iust Our wils peruerse possest with sinfull lust O grant vs willing hearts for to perfome Whatsoeuer thy good will shal vs informe Our will 's peruerse corrupted full of sin No good in act or thought we can begin If any thing we doe that please thee may It is thy grace that doth direct our way O Lord my God doe thou so rule my mind That to thy will my will be still inclin'd Let me not thinke nor will nor wish to doe But what thy wil doth wel conâ—ent thâ—rto Thy holy words to feed our soules and natures wants supply For all our base vnthankefull hearts good Lord doe not deny Thy blessings Lord continue still and prouidence diuine And when we daily call on thee ô Lord to vs incline It is not wealth nor ophire gold that can enrich our neede Nor pleasant dainties that wee take that can our bodies feede It is thy blessing mighty Lord thy strong protecting arme That feeds defends thy children dears from penury and harme No desert wild nor person 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 famine sore Shall long oppressâ— thy children deare or quite cosume theiâ—â—…re The Rock the Rauen. Asses jaw and eke the Lyon strong Shall comfort yeeld vnto all those that to thy grace belong The little birds the dainty flowers are fed and cloth'd most gay And euery creature in his kind feeles thee most kind alway But we for whom this vniuerse all things in 't were sign'd Doe take thy gracious benefits and proue to thee vnkind For sinfull debts to Iustice due no payment can we make Eternall death our payment is vnlesse thou mercy take Compassion Lord haue thou on vs be thou a Father kind And seal'd to vs in Christ his blood let vs thy mercie find The blind the lame the dumb and they possest with deuils The leaprous sinfull stained soules were cured of their euils They sinned had thy counsell was they should not sinne againe O soules sole cleanser Sauiour deare our hearts from sinne restraine Small is the wrong that 's done to vs in body goods or name By friends or foes we them forgiue good Lord doe thou the same If comfort any we can yeeld when they beâ— in distresse Grant we for thee our loue to them may willingly expresse Although our many grieuous sinnes deserue thy ragefull ire Repenting hearts with mournefull soules and mercy we desire O let that precious blood of thine to vs be of such force That nothing from the loue of thee may euer vs diuorce Withdraw not Lord thy grace from vs when strong temptations are Lest grosse notorious shamelesse sinnes how fraile we be declare Make vs strong pillars in thine house thy name on vs engraue That neither Sathan sinne nor hell of vs the conquest haue Though sometime Sathan suffered is to try thy children all Defend them Lord succour them when they on thee shall call So shall the glory be thine owne the conquest be their gaine And Sathan with his engins all shall know he wrought in vaine The more assaults the Dragon makes in conscience or in mind The more that man if constant bee the strength of God shâ—ll finde That soule that sacrificed is by sharpe afflictions knife By faithfull sufferance to the end doth gaine a Crowne of life Most mighty and victorious Lord that hast the conquest gain'd Of all the foes of thee and thine that in the world remaine Let no temptations though full strong a captiue make of me But by thy strength and powerfull grace good Lord deliuer me O holy sacred Trinitie that art of â—…ll might Instrust direct inspire our hearts to pray to thee aright And whatsoeuer may aduance or glorifie thy name By gracious will and powerfull might coâ—…erre on vs the same Eternall King immortall God all kingdomes are thine owne Thy power wisedome and thy might to vs doth make thee knowne All honour glory praise and laude be rendered by all men Vnto thy sacred Maiestie for euermore Amen A Morning Meditation ALmighty God which hast me brought in safety to this present day Keepe me from sinne in heart and thought and teach me what to dâ—â— and say Prosper me Lord in all my workes helpe me with thy continuall grace Kâ—… 〈◊〉 from Sathan vile that lurkes â—… soule in euery place Almighty Lord and God of loue dirâ—ct mine heart and guide my wayes Amend my misse my minde remooue from all that from thy glory strayes Thou that of wisedome art true spring and fountaine of felicitie Let mercy meere my prayers bring by Faith in Christ to sight of thee Thou which art authour of all peace and the true louer of concord
Keepe me from fees that neuer 〈◊〉 to take my life from me ô Lord Thy seruice is most perfect free to know thee 't is eternall life Reach out thy helping hand to mee against my foes that gainst me striue O God from whom all good desires from whom all iust workes doe proceedâ— Whose wise great actes all men admires assist me in the time of neede O Lord whose power and qualitie is sinners trespasse to forget Being tied and bound with chaines of sinne for pitty loose me I intreat Assist me in this mortall age what change or chance so ere befall From Sathan sinne and enemies rage Lord still defend me from them all Almighty God which giu'st vs grace now in thy name to pray to thee And promisest in any place when ioynes together two or three Thou wilt giue and grant what they request now Lord doe the desires fulfill Of vs thy serâ—…ts us seeme best and most expedient to thy will In this world knowledge vs granting of thy pure trueth and sanctity And after death let our new being be life with thee eternally O God that no time doest despise the fighing of a contrite heart Nor the desires of sinners cries in troubles anguish griefe and smart Assist our prayers in distresse and graciously vouchsafe to heare When sudden euils vs oppresse and subtill crafâ—s of foes vs fear Let them ô Lord be brought to nought and by thy goodnesse scattered be That so to vs no hurt being brought we may giue thankes and praise to thee Oh God of mercy we thee pray to looke on our infirmities And all those euils turne away which we deserue contâ—…llie Grant that in troubles and sicknes we put our trust and hope in thee And serue thee in true holines in awefull â—rueth and sanctitie Through Christ the onely aduocate and mighty Lord of all mankinde That workes Gods loue from wrath and hate towards his elect to be most kinde Oh God to whom all hearts are seene and hid desires are plainely kâ—owne My life reforme and minde make cleane my spirit inspire to be thine owne That I may loue thee perfectly and magnifie thy holy name Through Christ my Sauiour worthily and all the world confesse the same Lighten my darkenesse Lord I pray thee from daily dangers me defend Let not flesh world nor deuill dismay me keepe me both to and in the end Thy mighty hand and arme protect mee thy mercy in Christ be my saluation Lord euer let thy word direct mee and thy Spirit giue me consolation The peace of God which farre exceeds all vnderstanding of mans wit Preserue my soule from wicked deeds and gâ—ide my heart to doe what 's fit A Morning Prayer for a priuate person ALmighty God and heauenly Father I make my prayer vnto thee in an acceptable time calling most faithfully and feruently vpon thee in the name and mediation of my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ thy well beloued Sonne in whom thou art well pleased trusting that for his sake and for the multitude of thy mercies thou wilt heare me and grant my petitions may be acceptable in thy sight O Lord my strength and my saluation Almighty immortall and invisible God who inhabitest eternitie and dwellest in light that none can attaine vnto whom neuer man saw neither can see as thou art in thy eternall glory with this eye of flesh and liue vnto thee oh Lord God doe I prostrate and direct my selfe most humbly confessing that I am but dust and ashes not worthy to open my lippes to speake vnto thee or once with my eyes to looke vp to thy heauens to behold thy glory in thy wonderfull workes for oh Lord I haue sinned against heauen and against thee and am not worthy to bee counted or called thy Sonne being by nature the child of wrath a fire-brand of hell altogether both in body and soule begotten conceiued and brought foorth in sinne and have euer since my first originall liued and continued therein adding sinne vnto sinne and heaping vp transgression vpon transgression and drinking in iniquitie as the beast doth water so that oh my Lord God if thou shouldest but behold mee with thy pure eyes that can abide no iniquite thou mightest not onely punish and afflict me with diuers crosses with sundry paines sicknesse and diseases in this mortall life but O Lord thou mightest follow and pursue mee with thy secret hatred with thy infinite and eternall displeasure yea and for euer giue me my part portion with the wicked reprobates and damned spirits in infernall darkenesse But oh Lord though by nature and desert hell be my portion yet thou hast pleased for Christ his sake in whom alone I beleeue the pardon of all my sinnes originall and actuall of omission and commission of ignorance and knowledge and of presumption in all which kindes I haue mightily offended thee mine owne conscience beside the testimony of thy word bearing witnesse which is greater then if ten thousands of witnesses should stand vp against me But ô Lord for thy Christ his sake that immaculate and vnspotted I am be that was once sacrificed for the Redemption of the whole world doe away all my sinnes and offences and let them not at any time through Sathâ—ns accusation or aggrauation stand vp against me neither in conscience in this world to accuse mee or in the day of thy second comming to condemne mee wash them away ô Lord in the precious blood of thy Sonne and for his sake bee at peace with mee Seale vp vnto my soule and conscience this day and while I am in this life the assured pardon of all my sinnes of thought word and deed Let thy Spirit dwell in me and testifie vnto and with my Spirit this day the assurance of my Iustification and adoption O Lord sanctifie and regenerate mee to thy Image through thy holy Spirit from whence through Adams sinne and my owne actuall I am fallen should for euer lye plunged therein if thou Lord shuldest denie to reach foorth vnto mee thy mercifull hand or thy hand full of mercy and aboundant kindnesse in Christ. O Lord if when we were dead in sinnes and trespasses and inasmuch as in vs lay thy most malicious enemies when wee were without God and without hope in the world and sought not after thee till thou as to Adam in the garden didst seeke and finde vs out How much more beeing in Christ and in him seeking thee wilt thou be found of vs and nigh vnto vs when wee call vpon thee O Lord thou hast promised that if wee aske wee shall haue if we seeke we shall finde if wee knocke it shall bee opened vnto vs wherefore I beseech thee pardon my weake Faith O Lord encrease in me godly sorrow for all my offences past and present ô let mee sorrow that I cannot sorrow according to the heighâ—… multitude of my transgreâ—… Lord make mee to know my sâ—… not onely open but secret not 〈◊〉 the highest but
euen in the lowest degree and breed in me a perfecâ—… hatred of them not in respect of punishment temporall or eternall but in filiall feare and godly affection grant for thy Christ his sake that I may hate and detest them and my selfe in them and for them And to this end Lord open mine eyes that in the hearing and reading of thy word as the linely and most effectuall meanes I may obtaine the assurance of thy loue and fauour and let it be that to mee which it is in it selfe thy strong power and mighty arme to my saluation Let it be vnto mee the sweete sauour of life vnto life and not at any time through my vnworthinesse the sauour of death vnto death Good Lord hereby create in me a cleane heart and renew a right Spirit within mee that I may delight in thy word aboue gold aboue much fine gold yea aboue thousands of gold and siluer let thy word bee a continuall light vnto my patheâ— and a daily lanterne vnto my feet ôlet me not stand at a stay in grace nor in any measure of gift of grace much less decline or goe backe in any grace or gift of grace but grant that I may in the vse of all holy meanes goe on in grace till I come vnto a perfect man in Christ â—esus Lord keepe me this day that I may not like Lots wife looke back again or like the vnthankful Israelites esteeme the homely fare of Egypt of this world of things of this life aboue the heauenly Manna thy word the only true food of life But like Abraham the rich Marchant leaue sell all that this world can affoord to attaine the Kingdome of heauen vnto which thou hast called mee by faith in Christ at this day and for euer Hauing begd these graces I returne vnto thee humble thanks for all thy benefits that I haue receiued not onely before but since my being as for my election before time and for my vocation in time from whence haue followed my iustification and some measure of sanctification in this life and my assured hope of glorification in the life to come For these inestimable blessings which no minde can conceiue nor tongue expresse I returne vnto thee all such possible praise and hearty thankes as my vnderstanding can conceiue beseeching thee that I may this day all the dayes of my life walke worthy of all these thy mercies O Lord I thanke thee for these other inferiour testimonies of thy loue which thou hast made more common with the vniust then with the iust I thanke thee ô Father that thou hast shared mee out so great a portion euen beyond many of thy Saints seruants Lord grant that while thou continuest the trust of them in my hands for they are thy talents and not mine I may soberly vse them to thy glory and to mine owne comfort and the comfort of the Saints O Lord grant I may abound in charitie to all of all sorts that I shall behold to stand in neede of my helpe but especially to the houshold of Faith and grant that I may giue no reliefe in worldly ostentation or vaine glory to bee seene or talked of of men but in an vpright heart good conscience vnto thee And all this I beseech thee to grant for Iesus Christ his sake my onely Lord and Sauiour Last of all I beseech thee as a seeling member of thy holy Church militant howsoeuer or wheresoeuer dispersed scattered or afflicted for all thine that suffer any kinde of sorrow neede sicknesse or any other aduersitie in soule or body by sea or land but especially for all thine that suffer bonds chaines or imprisonments with Ioseph for righteousnesse sake mittigate all their paines and troubles and giue them Faith and patience in all their seueral distresses as may bee most for thine owne glory and their comforts through Christ our Mediator and Redeemer To thee ô Father Sonne and holy Ghost the eternall and most blessed Trinitie bee rendred all praise and glory not onely by all men in generall but by me in speciall with thy holy Church this day and for euermore Amen Amen A particular confession of a sorrowfull sinner MOst mighty and all-knowing Lord â—…true spring of consâ—…ion J doe confesse with heaâ—t and voyce thou art my preseruation I haue offended griâ—uously by my transgâ—…ssions donâ— against thee And haue drawne downe a weight on mee of thy great Iudgements willfully Vnder which burden cannot I but faint and fall in wofull sort Vnlesse thy hand and thy mercy through Iesus Christ doe me support Thou knowest good Father I am weake and cannot beare thy heauy Ire Not knowing what to doe or speake or how to escape my sinfull hire Vnlesse thou point 〈◊〉 oâ—t the way with thy wise Spirit me directing Vnto my foe I am made a pray were not thy power me protecting Not euery one that heares thy word can vnderstand thy wiâ—edome great Nor euery one that cries Lord Lord shall enter in at heauens gate Who is not led by better line then doth proâ—… from fleâ—â— and blood Erres from the trueth and doeth decline from right to wrong to ill from good Whose end is death though for a time seemes sweete to please the outward man That 's nothing else but durt and slyme or like a puffe in length a span As honour riches friends and health Preferment life and Worlds delight Esteeming these true happy wealth but the true blisse is out of sight They thinke that sicknes pouerty imprisonment and enemies fell And worldly crosses verely are gates and entrance into hell So foolish and so ignorant are those thou guid'st not in thy way Mong'st whom euen I through wisdomes want haue bin misled vntill this day But hauing found the truth by triall that earthly ioyes are transitory When they me tempt I make deniall and onely seeke the eternall glory Now I disclaime all confidence in honour health in wealth or feature In wit or worldly Sapience or yet in any earthly creature And Lord I here doe dedicate all thou hast giuen me to thine honour My selfe I wholly consecrate to march and fight vnder thy banner And now I bid these toyes adue that onely-please my flesh and sences Because they all are most vntrue and still doe cause so great offences Because their glorious bounty fades and leaues nought but deformities Because they are nought else but shades and bring forth grosse enormities Because they are most false and fickle because they are indeed hels fewell Because their rose hath many a prickle because their slauery is most cruell Because they are not firme and stable because they are profane not holy Because they are but as a fable because they are but sottish folly Because my soule they coll and kill because they giue me Iudas kisse Because my good they spot and spill and draw me from mine heauenly wish Because like swords they wound my soule because like Serpents they doe
hainous crimes When I should walk sin drowneth me with sleepe for one good thought I sinne a thousand times Sigh O my soule weepe sorrow and lament and seeke for helpe if any hope be left Pray vnto Christ for grace thou mayst repent before his merits from thee be bereft Though by his rod afflictions humble thee and for thy sinnes thou suffer grieuous paine Yet with his flesh he still vpholdeth thee frō deepe despaire in bliss with him to raigne All glory be to God on high and to his Son our Sauiour wise and iust To whom with ioy still pray and sing will I and to my Comforter the holy Ghost Whose being was from all eternity one Deitie distinct in persons three According to the blessed Trinity distinguisht to three yet one in vnitie Abba ben Ruach sacred trinitie one drop of Nectar Lord on me bestow That glorious blood to cure sinnes miserie that all mankinde thy loue to me may know Let not sinnes hire nor grieuous punishment be condemnation to my stained soule Be pleased with Christ his all-sufficient payment who ransom'd vs from sinnes eternall thralls A prayer to be said on a Sunday morning for the right sanctifying of the Sabbath O Lord of Sabbath that in the beginning after the finishing of the sixe dayes workes in which by thy most mightie word thou didst create the heauen and the earth and produce all this wonderfull variety of things which wee perceiue euery day most admirably to be made not onely in the sensible but also in all insensible liuing things of all which workes thou hast caused man chiefely to excell hauing in him most curiously epitomised all the glory of this earthly fabrick and for all this thy great goodnesse thou hast done vnto him hast onely required of him that he in the contemplation of these created things not only without but within himselfe might finde out thee a louing Father and Creatour and doe vnto thee that high homage that thou hast commanded on this day not as slaues and seruants but as sonnes filled with all duty obedience which that wee might doe thou hast charged vs on the seuenth day to remember our Creatour not onely by refraining our seruile labour which in the sixe dayes thou hast appointed vs but by leauing the wicked workes of darknesse vnto which we are by nature and wicked desires so much addicted O Lord graunt that I may sequester my selfe this day vnto thy praise not onely in thy holy Congregation but in the secret cogitations of my heart And graunt that euery word or thing that I shall this day heare with my eares or see with my eyes may be so digested in my soule as fit subiects out of which I may bee occasioned to magnifie thy praise and glory O heauenly Father graunt that all those Sabbath dayes which haue passed in my youth and manhood while I knew thee not may be now recalled by double diligence in the deuout hearing of thy Word receiuing of the Sacraments and calling vpon thy name which on this day thou hast for euer commanded to bee done vnto thee in thy Church and holy Congregation And O Lord let my heart depart edified in thy most holy feare not for the present while I am hearing but for euer while I shall liue and let some part of thy holy Word which I shall heare expounded this day abide in me that at all times when I shall haue occasion or be called thereunto I may bee fitted and furnished to giue a full account and reason of the hope I haue in thee O Lord thy Apostles haue called this day not now the seuenth day from the Creation but the first day and the Lords day putting vs in mind of that high and admirable benefit of our Redemption as on this day accomplished by his glorious resurrection for the which wee can neuer rēder too much thanks neither publick nor priuate O Lord make my heart like the good ground mentioned in the Parable that when it had receiued good seede it brought forth thirty sixty and an hundreth fold so most sweet Sauiour graunt that I may haue thy Word so deepely rooted by the power of thy holy spirit this day sent downe into my heart that I may bring it forth in an hundreth fold thy power in my saluation And let it abide this day and euer in my soule the most sweet sauour of life vnto life O Lord driue from mee all impediments arising from the thoughts of the world the flesh and the deuill by which Sathan laboureth to frustrate in me the sauing hearing of thy Word and make me to heare thy precious Word with all reuerence and humility not as the word of man but as it is indeede the word of God And seeing thou hast said not the hearers of the law but the doers of the law are iustified O Lord make me a doer of the law And as thou hast againe said Blessed are yee if ye doe these things Wherefore Lord that I may bee capable of thy blessing graunt that this day when I haue heard I may doe the things and as thy blessed Mother pondered all thy sayings and layd them vp in her heart to remember them O sweet Sauiour helpe me this day and other dayes and times so often as I shall heare thy word or reade the same that my memory may be so quicke and fresh that I may retaine and remember all that shal most especially concerne me and not to be filled with idle knowledge but with constant doing that I may be accepted among those builders that set their house vpon the rocke most blessed Lord let me not be so simple as to thinke my selfe blessed by bare looking into thy law by an outward conformity in comming to thy Church to heare lest in so doing I become as a forgetfull hearer that offers to thee a sacrifice of fooles and so in sanctifying this thy Sabaoth so idely thou cast mee out among the hypocrites the chiefe profaners of the Sabbath in the burning lake and vnquenchable fire O Lord let no wicked temptation of sathan or of my flesh enter into my minde in the hearing of thy Word to make it vnsauourie or bitter vnto my soule but let it be this day and euer more sweet vnto my soule then honey vnto my lips O Lord let it be in some measure my meate and drinke to doe thy will and graunt that I may this day learne so much thereof that I may become wiser then my Teachers or those that regard not to keepe thy law graunt all these my requests most louing Lord both to mee and all thine this day and for euermore Amen Amen A Prayer for godly zeale O Lord knowing that zeale doth sauour our knowledge sweeten our vnderstanding confirme our faith and make acceptable all our sacrifices and seruices vnto thee and being a most excellent and perfect gift that commeth from thee the Father of gifts and how all thy seruants Moses Iosuah
pardoned my sinne through thee in the life to come eternally to be saued Amen Amen Another Prayer after the receiuing of the holy Communion O Iesus the Sonne of God my Lord and Sauiour with all humble and hearty thanks I praise thee for suffering death vpon the Crosse for my sinnes and admitting me a miserable sinner to the participation of this blessed Sacrament the memoriall of my Redemption Let mee O Lord finde and feele in my heart the inuisible power of thy heauenly grace effectually working the transformation of mee into thee the wonderfull vnion of me with thee and the spirituall habitation and aboade in me Apply all thy merits and good things vnto my soule let me neuer doubt the forgiuenesse of my sinnes but euer open the doore of this Sanctuarie vnto me that I may runne thither in my greatest neede and apprehend thy gracious pardon ratified by this scale of thy couenant Quicken me O Lord in this life râ—â—â—ue and renue mee that I may disclaime my olde conuersation and become a new man keepe mee that I slippe not cut of this building nor become as a branch cut off and good for nothing but as thou hast seuered mee from the wicked in calling mee to the knowledge of thee so keepe mee from all their corruptions giue me a perfect loue towards thee that I may not delight in any thing but in thee nor seeke any other honour but thine O Lord Iesus I meekely beseech thee let thy holy Spirit strengthen mee against my frailty thy power and strength defend me against worldly troubles and aduersities thy merits purchase my needefull pardon and thy blood be the medicine for all my sores euen for thy truth and for thy names sake Amen O Iesus Christ the Lambe of God which hast so loued mankinde that thou hast beene contented not on ly to become one with him but also meaâ—e vnto him and to dye for him vpon the Crâ—sse graunt I beseâ—ch thee that this my receiuing of this Sacrament may be a true testimony vnto my conscience that I hauâ— through faith in thee receiued full remission of all that is past and am become as it were a new creature in thy sight O sweet Iesus which hast vouchsafed mee such fauour and honour as to come to thy Table and feede vpon thee graunt mee grace I humbly entreâ—te thee so to performe and fulfill my duty as this honour which thou hast done mee requireth Linke mee vnto thee and giue mee power and strength to beleeue thy promises without distrust and to shew my religion by my good life and conuersation Assâ—st mee with thy grace that I may walke worthy this blessed Sacrament to loue thee and thy children vnfaiâ—â—dly and vtterly to forsake all vaâ—ity idolatry carnall desires and all the workes of the deuill O Lord God so moderate and ordâ—r all my affections that I may be ioyned with the brethren together in holy loue which is the bend of peace and truly fastned vnto thee my Head for euer Stirre vp my minde that I may alwayes consider the bitternesse of thy death the greatnesse of thy loue neuer forget to be thankfull vnto thee O blessed Lord preserue and maintaine this ordinance amongst vs that it may be alwayes a note and a badge of our publique profession and giue vs all one heart and one minde in the vnity 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 Catholique Church and all the estates thereof O Most glorious euer liuing and euer louing Lord God the iust Master of the Vineyard and louing Head of the Church send thy holy Spirit into the hearts of all them that teach oâ— professe thy most holy truth alâ— men religious or secular Yea men and women Princes and subiects rich and poore euen all the people beleeuing in thy name and depending vpon thy grace and mercy Giue vnto them all O Lord one law one baptisme one hope one spirit that there may be but one voyce among all that professe the Catholique faith Keepe backe the famine of thy word and send such labourers into thy haruest as be sound in doctrine faithfull in their worke and godly in their conuersation that they may be in number many and in power wonderfull Open we beseech thee the hearts and eares of the people for the receiuing of thy Word that it may dwell in them plentifully in all wisedome and bring forth fruit against all the cares crosses and courses of this wrâ—tched world O Lord thou hast found iniquity in thy Saints and the heauens are not cleare in thy sight Oh then correct vs in thy iudgement not in thy fury lest wee should be consumed and brought to nothing Purge the garden of the Church and let no weedes ouergrowe the flowers suffer neither sinne nor superstition to choake the good growth of faith or manners in thy people buâ— keepe them from all heresies phanaticall opinions se â—ucing spirits deadly contentions Keepâ— our neckes from the grieuouâ— yoke of Antichristian bondageâ— whose Religion is rebelliâ—nâ— whose faith is faction and whosâ— practise is the murthering oâ— soules and bodies good Lord re presse the furâ—ousnesse of all Tyrants which labour nothing buâ— the spoile of the Church and thâ— abolishment of true doctrine prayer and true Religion O Lorâ— Iesus amend all that is amisse anâ— graunt vs thy grace all the dayeâ— of our life euen for thy truth anâ— for thy names sake Amen A Prayer for the Kings Maiestie O Almighty God King of all Kings the fountaine rule â—nd stay of all soueraignty wee most humbly thanke thee that â—hou hast not left vs vnto our â—elues to doe what seemeth best â—nto vs in our owne eyes but â—ast set ouer vs a noble wise and â—racious-King thy seruant Charles â—ame head next vnder â—hee Lord make all thy good to â—oe before him day and night â—phold his Crowne maintaine â—is estate giue him continuall â—eace long life and much happiâ—esse Endue him with such wisâ—ome and vnderstanding to doe â—ch things both in the Church â—d Câ—mmon-wealth as may be â—ceptable in thy sight profitable 〈◊〉 his Subiects and hurtfull to â—one that loue thy truth merciâ—ly heare him in all his petitions and effectually work for him in all dangers in the day of battell in his greatest consultations in the time of his recreations from all plots of Treason and in phe houre of death Make vs thankfull for all thy preseruations of him both â—t home and abroad in this Kingdome and else-where Blesse preserue and keepe his Royall Consort Queene Maryâ— Frederick the Prince Elector Paâ—atine the Lady Elizabeth his wife with all their Prinâ—… Let our noble King still embrace the truth and manfully maintaine it against all treacherous plotâ— and 〈◊〉 perswasions distastiâ—â— as he hath alwayes done both alteration of true Religion and to leration of any other Let thy po wer alwayes
thee and be comforted O Lord though they bee compassed about with death on euery side yet there is assured safety in thee wherefore keepe firmâ— their tacklings that they deceiuâ— them not in the raging windes nor mountaine billowes that beaâ— against their sides that their Ship in which they are be not broken O Lord if thou force them to cast out their goods for safety yet will it not auaile vnlesse therewith they cast forth by vnfained repentance their loades of sinnes through which bodies and goods are made to sinke And let them be in safety as the Marriners that were trauailing from Ioppa to Tarsus when they had cast forth rebellious Ionas O Lord of hoasts and God of heauen send thy Angels with them to guide them forth and conduct them safe in their return be with them in their greatest necessities as thou wast with thine Apostle S. Paul in his dangerous voyage to Rome This temporall blessing and all others that are needfull and that thou knowest better to giue then I to aske though a chiefe of sinners and therefore most vnworthy yet I begge aske it if it be thy good pleasure for thy Sonne Iesus sake my only Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer for the fruits of the earth and other nourishments of this mortall life O Eternall God which feedest with thy blessing euery liuing thing and satisfiest the desires of thy seruants with thy bountifull goodnesse wee wretched sinners vnworthy of the least of thy blessings and benefits doe most humbly beseech thee to be pleased to blesse all the fruits of the earth that wee and all thy seruants may be partakers of thy comforts therein for the nourishment of this life Giue vs O Lord this day our daily bread prepare our ground and prosper our corne Blesse the seede time with the first and latter raine and meete temperature of ayre Keepe our fruits while they bee in the earth from haile and thunder from excessiue droughts and immoderate raines from mildewes and all noysome wormes Send vs a ioyfull Haruest and giue a blessing to that which wee shall reape that for our vnthankfulnes it waste not away without our reliefe Increase our cattell with all other our prouision which we shall carefully labour for Replenish our basket and blesse our store that wee may haue wherewith as to furnish our selues so to giue some reliefe vnto others Protect our seruants and workefolkes that they may be strong to labour wise to forecast and faithfull in their businesse Keepe our Garners Barnes and Store-houses from fire and boysterous windes Theeues and suddaine inundations Prosper our workes and trauels whether by sea or land and blesse and prosper all them that any way labour for any of those things that we shall haue occasion to vse Send remedy O Lord for all hardnesse and misery turne our dearth into cheapenesse and our scarcity into plenty 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 O Lord and giue vs such things as we stand in neede of and make vs to desire such things onely as may bee pleasing vnto thee to search them wisely and to finde them easily Oppresse vs not with too much pouerty neither puffe vs vp with too much plenty but giue vs a competent store of things necessary for this life and grace to vse them soberly to thy glory and our comfort through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen A thanksgiuing for our Benefactours O Lord which hast said that hee that giueth vnto the poore lendeth vnto the Lord and looke what he 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 duty whatsoeuer Of thy especiall fauour remember all our Benefactours and friends aliue euen all those our Parents kinsfolkes and others which haue brought vs vp taught promoted or any way relieued vs. Blesse them with all blessings that haue done good either to our bodies with temporall benefits or our soules with profitable instructions Bless their estates that in their godly dispositions they may haue alwayes wherewith to relieue and comfort others in their discretion giue them the consolation of the holy Ghost to the keeping of faith and a good conscience And as they haue shewed mercy vnto vs and comforted vs so Lord helpe and comfort them in their greatest needes that both they and their families may both haue comfort in their estate and condition heere and finde mercy with thy Sonne our Sauiour Iesus at the latter day Lord let all their almes-deedes and prayers be alwayes in thy sight as those of Cornelius that as they haue been vnto vs an odour that smelleth sweet whereby we haue receiued plenty and beene filled so they may bee as sacrifices acceptable and pleasant vnto thee Vouchsafe vs this grace O 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 bee cast away but make it fruitfull vs worthy of it Graunt this O thou God which doest good both to the just and vniust for Iesus Christs sake our only Lord Sauiour Amen LACHRIM 5. Wherein the distressed sheweth his desire to hold more fast the promises of God O Lord thou art my hope and strength thou help'st in trouble doe not hide Thy selfe for euer but at length for men distrest doe thou prouide For I by thee will hold most fast I le trust in thee while I doe liue And till those stormes be ouer-past I le neither faint nor feare nor grieue Tremble thou earth rage sea and land winde tempest stormes and all about I see thee Lord hold out thy hand for my defence I le neuer doubt What though hills quake staggering stumble and fall into the midst of seas Though waters roare rage and tumble thou canst this change and all appease Should I then faint at troubles small which like small darts thou throw'st at me In loue but not to kill at all but make me leaue my vanity Forsake my follies euery deale reclayming errors to the truth T is thou didst hurt and thou canst heale thou hast preseru'd me from mine youth I must confesse I merited the death of death with paines of hell And to be disinherited of heauens high where iust doe dwell But Lord doe mittigate thine anger and turne thy heauie wrath to loue Deliuer me from all this danger let thy compassion mercy moue And with true comforts Christ all fountaine my dry and thirsty soule refresh And powre on me from holy mountaine sweet dewes to glad my soule and flesh Thy darts in me O Lord sticke fast O pull them out cast them away And cure my wounds to helpe make hast binde vp my sores soules sorrowes stay Cleanse the corrupt affections of
doe me teach In vnderstanding truth instruct me vouchsafe me perfect patiencâ— And to freedome Lord conduct me where is no loss nor paine of sence And from these dangers Lord me free which most I feare and soon'st possesse The comforts most desir'd by me and so enioy true happinesse O make not Lord thy absence long but hasten my deliuerance Against my foes Lord make me strong which doe themselues 'gainst me aduaâ—ce That ready are with onset new for to assault my silly soule Wearied with stormes that doe accrewe and plung'd with waues which o're me roule Wherefore hast thou left vnto vs by thy word a commandement To cast our care on thee which thus with weighty burthens vs torment With promise to vs helpe and ease thou seest and know'st Lord our desire Our secret hearts and all our wayes all 's plaine to thee as light as fire If therefore I should iustifie my selfe I should condemned be Thou find'st me out and do'st me trie my righteousnesse is nought to thee Disclayming my integrity I cast me downe Lord at thy feete And pray for pure sincerity that I doe all in all that 's meete Wherefore thou art most mercifull when wants and weakenesse we confesse Yea then thy gifts are plentifull vs to relieue in our distresse On thee my burthen Lord I lay for well I know thou câ—r'st for all That thee beleeue loue feare obay and for thy grace and mercy call My faith and hope is all in thee I am of imperfections full I aske why thou doest visite me should I that blockish am aâ—… dull Defil'd within and eke without plead duties done â—r else be mute It is in vaine to goe about with thee O Lord for to dispute Who euill am in my best way in purest thoughts yea most impure Pardon my weakenesse Lord I pray and giue me zeale and truth to endure With humblenesse and perfect loue which Lord thou doest of me require Instruct me God with wisedome moue me guide and leade to thy desire Shew me the way that tends to blisse after this my long straying hâ—â—re And bring me home where all peacâ—â—s let thy free fauour Lord appeare Wherein is life and liberty comfort ioy and societie With rest peace and tranquility for them that liue in piety O happy he whom thou protectest most happy he whom thou doest loue He is happy and sure whom thou respectest he is fed and clad from thee aboue In all good things he is rich indeede when he doth call thou doest him heare What he doth aske thou giu'st at neede he seekes and findes them euery where When he is sicke thou doest him â—ure when poore thou doest his wants supply When he is sad he shall be sure thy sauing helpe and health is niâ— When he is troubled doest defend him in danger doest securenesse giue him When men him hate thy loue wilt send him when almost dead life doth reuiue him And giu'st him then such ioyes for euer as no mans wit can apprehend Me fauour graunt Lord bring me thither to these thy blessings without end This fauour Lord vnto me shew and blesse my contemplation Onely in heauen and hee I know is perfect contentation My sorrowes shall be turn'd to ioy my wants vnto sufficiencie My teares to gladnesse from annoy mourning to mirth and melodie My soule keepe safe from death and hell my feete from sliding and from falling Let mâ— vprightly walke and dwell and on thee still O Lord be calling Who do'st performe thy promises and let'st none empty part away That with their hearts seeke thy mercies or doe for helpe or comfort pray Send helpe therefore and saue me from them that would me quite deâ—oâ—re And daily grieue me and depraue me my soule 's with Lyons euery houre I wads as through the raging sea I dwell amongst them set on fire Whose teeth are spears whose tongue beares sway like two-edg'd sword with wrath and ire Thy mercy therefore and thy truth let be my bucklen and strong sâ—…ld Hast beene mine hope euen from my youth let troubles cease new ioyes me yeeld Set me vpon thy rocke for 〈◊〉 of perfect loue and true reliefe Let rest and refuge faile me nâ—uer and thy protection saue from griese Bring thou to passe what 's fit for me what thou doest know expedient That righteous men thâ—â—nd may see and how my hope obâ—â—in'd conâ—â—nt That they may of thy glory talke and speake of thy eternall praise All men shall say that see me walke doubtlesse God will the righteoâ—s raise There is a God thâ—â—'s gracious goâ—d to them that be of perfect heart When he hath all their foes with stood heauens ioyes to them he will impart A Prayer in the time of plague or other extraordinarie sicknesse O Lord our GOD in whose name standeth our helpe and who amongst other euills hast promised vs to deliuer thy people from the 〈◊〉 of the Hunter and the noysome Pestilence wee beseech thee take this thy Plague away from vs And as the stench of our sinnès hath ascended vp into thy nosthrills to prouoke thy wrath against vs so let our humble supplications come before thee to procure our happy and speedie release from it Lord call backe thine Angell and cause him to sheath the sword againe We are thy children the worke of thy hand we are sorrie for our sinnes which are the cause of all this and wee purpose amendment wee are but men dust and ashes not able to beare long therefore Lord haue mercy vpon vs and that soone send vs comfort and suffer vs not to perish after so miserable a sort We thanke thee O Lord that thou hast not left vs altogether comfortlesse without hope but hast somewhat withdrawne thine hand and spared many hundred of vs in comparison of those whom thou slewest before and now wee reioyce at this abatement yet stand in awe we 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 O Lord wee beseech thee blesse vs and all those that depend vpon vs set thy sauing marke vpon our houses as thou didst for the Israelites and giue or er 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 blessings make the preseruatiues of the Physitians and our shifting places for more security profitable vnto vs and let vs not trust too much to outward means but chiesely in thy mercy and blessing vpon them Keepe vs downe-lying and vp-rising and protect vs walking in our vocations haue pittie vpon our distressed brethren comfort the desolate widowes prouide for all fatherlesse children Gather vs together againe that by these meanes are dispersed and continue thy mercifull worke in deminishing our dead numbers till wee may iustly say in confidence and thankes with the Prophet we shall not die but liue and declare the
workes of the Lord. The ancient Prayer called O bountifull Iesus O Bountifull Iesu O sweet Iesu O Iesu the Sonne of the Virgine Mary which art full of mercy and truth O sweet Iesus haue pittie vpon mee according to thy great mercy O benigne Iesu by the same pretious blood which thou wast contented 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 that thus humbly begge of thee crying and calling vpon thy holy name IESVS This name IESVS is a sweet name this name IESVS is a name of saluation for what is IESVS but a Sauiour O good IESVS which hast created mee and redeemed mee with thine owne blood suffer not mee whom thou hast made of nought to be damned O good IESVS let not my wickednesse haue power to destroy me whom thine Almighty goodnesse hath made O good IESVS reknowledge that which is thine in mee and that which is not of thee take that away from me O good IESVS euen now while the time of mercy is haue mercy vpon me and let mee not be conâ—ounded at the day of thy fearefull iudgement O good IESVS although I vile sinner by thy straite â—ustice haue deserued to bee punished euerlastingly for my most grieuous sinnes yet hauing sure confidence in the trueth of thy righteousnesse I appeale to thine vnspeakable 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 or any that goe downe into the place of silence O most mercifull IESVS haue mercy vpon mee O most sweet IESVS deliuer mâ—… O most holy IESVS be mercifull to me a sinner O IESVS accept me wretched sinner among the number of them whom thou hast elected to saluation O IESVS the health of all that hope in thee the life of all that beleeue in thee haue mercy vpon mee O sweet IESVS the remission of all my sinnes O IESVS the Sonne of the virgine Mary powre thy grace into my heart endue mee with wisedome charity chastity and humility and in all mine adversity graunt me holy inuiolable and stedfast patience that I may perfectly loue thee and haue my onely delight and aâ—â—iance in thee world without end Amen The Sicke-mans Prayer O Louing Lord and most holy Father I poore wretch thy seruant feeling in this sicknesse which thou hast layd vpon me the punishment of that corruption and transgression that is in me and all flesh doe most willingly submit my selfe to thine holy ordinance to beare this crosse and taste of this bitter cup which I haue deserued and much more so that I may follow thee whither thou art gone Therefore O Lord since thou hast not yet called mee to the barre of death but sent thy Heraulds to summon me to a triall I beseech thee looke on me with thine eye of mercifull pittie and helpe me in this day of visitation powre out thine oyle of grace into my wounded conscience purge my defiled soule forgiue mee all my sinnes and giue mee competent comfort and consolation in this distresse let me not dye ere I begin to liue giue mee time to repent and occasion to amend but if thou wilt needes put any more of thy wine of correction into my festered sores lay no more O Lord lay no more vpon me then I shall bee able to beare Make good vnto mee that goodnesse which thou hast graunted me vnder the great seale of thy promise Supply my want pardon my sinnes and ayde me against all temptations and I am recouered of all 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 threed of my life any longer yet I neither desire the continuance of this mortality 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 deere Sonne who from the Altar of the crosse cried vnto thee on my behalfe and accept his satisfaction for my sinnes Arme mee with patience to take vp my crosse follow thee euen to beare my visitation willingly and giue mee strength by faith to resist the Aduersary in the brunt of temptations With my sorrow and paine encrease thy grace that when I am in greatest agony I may find 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 forth as it was to Hâ—zâ—kiah 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 pangues of death haue shut vp the eyes 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 carry vp my soule vnto thee and be parâ—aker of a ioyfull resurrection through Iesâ—â— Christ our Lord. Amen Amen A Prayer for the sicke O God most high mighty and iâ—uisible I thy vnworthy seruant not worthy for my selfe to be heard in any request vnto thee for I am a sinner Yet Lord being confident of the pardon of my sinnes in Christ in whose power is onely to forgiue sins I am bold to come vnto thee to begge the pardon of my sins as of my sinnes so of the sinnes of this thy weake and sicke seruant that lyes pained and diseased not onely in the outward members but in the inward parts of the body And though thou hast depriued him of experience in naturall Physicke whereby his skill to doe himselfe good yet good Lord be thou his Physitian and let thy helpe and assistance neuer faile in this his weakenesse to doe him good and strengthen him And if it be thy will O Lord restore him againe vnto that health which herâ—tofore to the comfort of himselfe and many others hee hath enioyed O Lord thou art able not onely with meanes as vnto Hezekiaâ— but without meanes as vnto Malchus eare and blinde Bartimaeus but euen against meanes as vnto the widdowes sonne going vnto his Graue and the Sunamites sonne at the Prayer of Elisha O Lord thou didst beyond all hope and expectation raise Lazarus stinking in the graue and Peters wiues mother of a burning beauer and the woman of her bloudie issue and the man that was irrecouerable of the dead Palsie onely by thy vertue and power O Lord now when all meanes seeme to faile that wee know not whither to goe but vnto
Author and giuer of euery good and perfect gift looke downe vpon mee aâ— thou didst vpon Abimelech Abrahams seruant when he prayed vnto thee to guide and prosper him in the great trust that was committed vnto him in the choise of his Masters sonnes wife as thou wast pleased to heare him for his Masters sonne O Lord I beseech thee to heare me for my selfe Thou hast taught in thy Word that he that cannot abstaine let him marrie and that he that marrieth sinneth not that it is better to marrie then to burne in vnchast and vnbrideled lust and for auoyding of fornication let euery man haue his owne wife yea and that it is not good for man to be alone and woe to him that is alone In the beginning thou madest both male and female and didstordaine that for this cause man and woman should leaue father and mother and become one flesh and that hee that hath not the gift to abstaine should haue a care that he be not vnequally yoked but that he marrie in the Lord and thus to liue is a bed vndefiled and most honourable vnto all Wherefore O Lord I beseech thee to guide me vnto a wife and a vertuous woman for thou hast said that a vertuous woman is a crowne vnto her husband And though she bee comely and beautifull and therefore of many much desired yet O Lord guide mine eyes that I may not thus onely looke vpon a woman for thou hast said if shee haue not discretion she is but like a iewell in a swines snout not to be regarded But a wise woman buildeth her husbands house not onely with children but with her prouident care and discretion in the right gaining and a right vsing of the things of this world Vnto such a family O Lord direct my footsteps and keepe mee from the strange woman a contentious and angry woman the woman of brawling lips with whom there is no comfort nor content in this life to dwell neither for ciuill nor religious respects Heauenly Father if it be thy will for thou knowest what is better for mee then I doe my selfe graunt that the woman that I shall chuse and by thy prouidence thinke fit to take to wife may bee chast not onely of body but of spirit and adorned with the hidden man of the heart a meeke and quiet spirit and one who trusteth in God and delighteth in thee well reported of for good workes and loueth children one who in her wisedome affecteth modesty in all things as in her apparell and behauiour and is in her countenance sober and shamefast and one who delighteth in her home and loueth the affaires of her house and with watchfull eyes will be carefull for her children and seruants This O Lord though no way worthy I beseech thee to graunt vnto me houses lands or other portions of thy blessings thou hast appointed our parents to bestowe on vs but this blessing a wise chast sober and religious woman thou hast kept as a most speciall gift from thy selfe vnto vs and not in our parents or friends but thou bestowest it on him whom thou louest as a choise and most speciall fauour O Lord this is she that Salomon among many women could hardly finde yet graunt that I may finde her and being vnited in holy band may loue her both in sicknesse and in health O Lord graunt that I may walke with her as a man of knowledge readie in all things to teach and instruct her in thy commaundements as being heires together of the grace of life and make mee as truely to loue her as thou doest thy Church this great gift and chiefe blessing of this life I beseech thee if it bee thy will for the honour of thy Sonne to bestow vpon me Amen Amen The Uirgine or the Widdowes Prayer for a godly Husband ALmighty GOD the eternall Creatour of heauen earth the giuer disposer of all things that are done heere on earth Looke downe on mee thy sinfull Handmayd not worthy of any fauour spirituall or blessing temporall Yet O Lord I beseech thee to giue vnto mee thy seruant such wisedome that in all things I may be aduised by them whom thou hast appointed to haue care of my welfare and in nothing to bee so headstrong and aduerse as to follow my owne foolish and sinfull appetite and aboue all make me most dutifull in referring my selfe vnto the louing and carefull choise that my parents or guardians shall make in giuing me to an husband Heauenly Father graunt that they may not like of any without mee nor that I may choose any without them Direct them that they may chuse one in the Lord and that I may like him that is so chosen of them Let not my minde be so wanton as onely to like or dislike for want of beauty or comelinesse of person but if the feare of the Lord the beginning of wisedome appeare vnto mee graunt that I may perswade my selfe that hee is the man that thou hast appointed me O Lord I haue neither wit nor skill how to discerne or make an assured godly choise And thou knowest how cunning and subtill men are to entice and abuse my simple heart and how easily we are ouercome with their vaine complements and flattering words in which they promise much comfort and contentment but when their vnchast desires are satisfied how doe they cast off and scornfully and sinfully reiect those whom they haue abused and allured to folly so they leaue them to perish not onely in worldly misery through outward necessities but for want of teaching and instruction in the Lord Sathan falleth vpon them and through their weakenesse maketh them a prey vnto wickednesse But O Lord though their foule hearts are so deceiptfull that both I and my friends may be deceiued yet thou O Lord canst not be deceiued for thou art the searcher of the hearts and thou knowest what is in man therefore in this weighty worke in which consisteth my worldly weale or wee I doe onely O Lord cast my selfe on thee beseeching thee as thou gauest Euah vnto Adam a man then of innocencie and righteousnesse so thou wilt giue me an honest hearted man and one that truly loueth and feareth thee O Lord if thou haue appointed as is my desire that I shall marrie then I beseech thee send vnto mee a man of good behauiour of good report no extortioner no couetous person no chollericke no quarelsome person no drunkard not couetous of filthy and dishonest gaine no prodigall or vaine person no proud man no adulterer fornicatour whoremaster no swearer or blaspheamer no kinde of inordinate liuer no Papist nor Infidell no Hereticke Schismaticke no traytour vnto his Prince or Countrey no louer of the pleasures of this world either aboue or more than thee no hypocrite vnnaturall false-hearted person vnto mee his parents or friend heauenly Father for my Sauiours sake heare me in these my requests and graunt that if I shall marrie and
beare children that my husband may be wise graue and sober and one that knoweth how to gouerne and rule his houshold children and seruants in faith and good conscience O Lord let him be one that is stedfast in the faith of Christ following righteousnesse loue faith patience and meekenesse and one delighted in good workes and hospitality courteous vnto all men O Lord make him a louer of good men and make him iust holy and in all things temperate euer walking in grace abounding in the fruits of the Spirit O good God send mee such a yoke-fellow that knoweth how to loue me not onely by the guide of carnall affection as for beauty comelinesse of person money goods which thou hast giuen me or for that I haue good friends and kindred whereby he hopeth of this worlds preferment and ability for if all these faile for the which he onely loueth then will his pretended loue be gone and I shall be exposed to the necessity of this world and for want of meanes be tempted to dishonest courses but most sweet Father as thou hast promised to be a Father vnto the fatherlesse vnto the Widdowes and Orphanes So be a Father vnto mee thy silly Handmayd whose trust is alwayes in thee And send mee such an one as knoweth how to loue mee in thee and for conscience sake yea that will striue to loue me as Christ hath doeth and euer will doe his Church to loue me as his owne body This fieâ—h yea as himselfe And keepe mee that I may doe nothing to hinder this his loue or to make him bitter vnto mee but that I may obay him â—care him and loue him in all things that are comely in the Lord and according as thou hast commanded mee in thy holy word and that for Christ Iesus sake to whom with thee and the holy Ghost bee giuen by mee all praise glory both now and for euermore Amen Amen The Prayer of a Woman with child that defireth safe deliuerance O Almighty God that after the floud didst command Noah and his posterity liuing in chast matrimony to replenish and fill the earth I thy poore and most weake seruant haue as thou didst ordaine by the will of my parents embraced the holy and honourable estate of married life and now by thy blessing am made a mother of the liuing through that hopefull â—ruit which after much sorrow and paine in breeding thou hast caused to spring in my wombe by which I am assured it is a liuing soule for which worke of thine I giue thee most hearty thanks still beseeching thee that as thou hast begun this good worke in mee that thou wilt goe on and finish it vnto a perfect birth in all right shape and comelinesse not onely in the outward feature of the body but in the inward parts of the minde that it may growe on vnto such a perfect man as may occasion honour and praise vnto thy great name so long as it shall please thee to giue it life and being And seeing O Lord thou hast for our first sinne in Paradise so wofully afflicted vs with many sorrowes in conception and with farre greater in bringing forth of our posterity in this life I beseech thee for Christ his sake to pardon my sinnes and to asswage those violent and raging paines that they neither deface deforme destroy mee nor yet that which is in my wombe O Lord let the power of the most high euen thy holy Spirit enter into me to strengthen and to vphold me that I faint not in my paines nor in my faith but that if I dye in this my child-bearing yet thy goodnesse supporting me in faith charity and sobriety I may as thou hast promised bee assured of my saluation O Lord if thou please to spare the tree and take the fruit which I beleeue by faith in Christ that thou hast made holy yet I will giue thee thankes because by reason of my sinnes thou mightest most iustly curse mee and my fruit as thou didst the figge tree to perpetual death But most high heauenly Father I thanke thee that thou hast made thy promise so stable that not onely we of ripe yeares that doe beleeue but euen our children as they are our seede are included in the couenant of grace that if they dye yet being borne of holy parents who are ingraffed through faith into the body of Christ they are saued not onely as being a part of vs in Christ but as true and reall members of Christ vnto whoÌ„ through faith into which they are baptized with vs made one with Christ that with his comming they may bee raised at the last day Yet O Lord notwithstanding this assurance I entreate thee to graunt me ioy and comfort of them that trayning them vp in their youth in thy feare they may bee as a staffe in olde age in this life to comfort me anâ— their Father as the children of Noah and Iacob did yea Lord if it be thy will I desire to liue to bee a fruitfull vine on thy house side thy Church to breede to beare and bring forth children to multiply and accomplish thy glorious Kingdome visible and inuisible in earth and in heauen for euermore O Lord hauing taken away from mee the reproach of a barren wombe so much lamented by holy women graunt that after my dissolution my children may continue like oliue plants and flourish a seede mighty on earth not as the Giants in the olde world strong in sinne but valiant and bold in the profession and confession and practise of righteousnesse and good conuersation yea let them be a generation of vpright men and women and such as may remaine an heritage of the Lord as Isaac to Rebecka a blessed fruit of my wombe O Lord thou art my God heare the voyce of thine handmayd in thee is my trust heare my supplications and let not my soule faile of these her desires and that for Iesus Christes sake which was borne of the virgine Mary for my saluation Amen Amen LACHRIM 8. The penitent acknowledgeth mans vildnesse and Gods mercies by faith and example of Gods prouidence relieth on his goodnes O Lord thy name 's most excellent in all the world thy glory is spread Through heauens and the firmament and by all creatures vttered In vniuersall harmonie extoll'd in heauen and in earth Exprest in song and melodie with all alacritie and mirth What thou bestowest what man can number vpon vs slaues and sonnes of men Who by our sinnes are put asunder from thy deare loue by acts vncleane Forgetfull and so capeable of sinne as powder is of fire In all our workes and words vnstable and know not what we should desire Aboue all creatures we forget thy grace are proue to disobay And if thy mercy did not let all Adams broode thou shouldst destroy And I for my part me confesse guilty of all sinnes and all euills And that I haue deseru'd no lesse then to be damn'd