the watch men wake but in vayne that kepe it Therefore o lorde God send thy holy spirite in the hartes of theÌ whiche rule our cytie or towne to the intent that we wyth theÌ and they with vs may lyue in thy Godly feare so that it may go well wyth vs. And suffre vs not good lorde to put out trust any more in worldly power as money horse weapon artillery gonnes or stronge walles but much rather in the whiche art a defender of al theÌ that put their whole affiaunce and trust in the For all frutes of the earth Prayer O Good father and geuer of all goodnes god almightie we poore sely wormes of the earth labour and take paynes dyg and delue tyll plow plant sowe can do no more But thou onely mayest wylt gene the encrease in due tyme. Therfore moost best yea onelye good father and God vouchsafe through thy diuine prouideÌce to preserue and kepe all the frutes of the earth suffre the same to grow and encrease too a perfect grouthe althoughe we are not worthy of it out for thy names sake too the intent we may vse them to our necessitie sustinaunce with thankesgeuinge and alwayes to thy glory So be it A generall confession O Lorde God almighty father of mercy and God of all confort Rom. iii. Gene. vi and .iii. we thy pore creatures resort vnto the knowledging and coÌfessing our selues before thy glorious maiestie that we al are greuous sinners can of our selues doo nothyng but synne For al our ymaginacioÌs intentes and thoughtes are enclined and disposed vnto euell from out youth vp Osee xiii ii Cor. ii Phili. ii Gene. iii. Ephe. ii Psal lii Iohn xv Eza lxi ii Iere. xii Our dampnacion commeth of oure selues we oure selues are not able to thynke a good thought It is thou only that doest worke in vs both the will and the dede We are but earth and naturallie the children of wrath We of our selues are but vayn yea lighter then vanite it selfe We can do nothing without the ther is not one of vs whole we are all vnclean and all our rightuousnes is but as a fylthy cloth We haue no more power to do good of our selues then a man of Inde hath power to chaunge his skinnâ or the leopard hir spots Nowe according to this euell and corrupt inclinacion of our nature so haue we liued iÌ thought word and ââde daniâl ix We haue syââed we haue ââââded we haue gone back froÌ thy laid haue not harkened vnto thy worde We haue not loued the o lorde our god vs all our harte with all our soule withall our strength and wyth all our power We haue bene sore transgressours of thy cominaundementes we haue not put our whole trust and confidence only in the. We haue in our troubles nede not sought for helpe onely in the. We haue not called onely vppon thi name but with false confidence with vayne supersticion and vnâaufull othes haue we blasphemed thy name We haue prayed and made intercession vnto stockes and stones and made thy creatures our aduocates and mediatours contrary to thy woorde We haue reposed our trust and affiance in our owne dedes and in suche woorkes as haue bene deuised by meÌnes fantasies ⪠besides the scripture We haue wandred on vayne pilgrimages offringe vp money candels and tapers too ymages and relykes with suche lyke supersticion We haue bene slouthfull in our busines We haue not bene feruent and diligeÌt in doinge of our duetie specially on such dayes as bee appointed for the preaching of thi word we haue not plyed our selues wholy to learne it nor occupied our tyme in prayer and geuyng of thankes vnto the. And as touching the loue that we ought too haue vnto all men and women for thy sake we haue not ben ernest in at al tymes We haue not loued our neighbour as our selues We haue not done as we wolde bee done vnto We haue been vngentle vnpacieÌt vncurteous froward angry displeased we haue reioyced in our neighbours hurt bene sory of his welfare We haue bene ledde with false doctrine âââours froÌ the way of thy truth We haue synned which our fathers we haue done amys We haue dealt wickedly Therfore our moost dere father which art in heaueÌ for as muche as we haue blasphemed the and not sought alway the glory of thy name graunt nowe the from hense forth thy name maye bee sanctified and hallowed in vs Graunt now that thy kingdom may come and that in steade of sinne errour thou onelye mayest raigne iÌ vs graunt nowe that our wil may be coÌformable vnto thine and that in all aduersitie we may be hartely wel content too suffre thy will to bee done in vs. Graunte nowe that we bee neuer destitute of our dayly food but that we may all way be norisshed wyth thy word in our soules and haue suche a competent lyuing in this lyfe as is necessary for our bodyes Graunt now that we may euen from our hart rotes forgiue one an other all maner of trespace as thou for Iesu Chrystes sake thy sonne hast mercifully forgeuen vs. Graunt now that where as the world the deuell our owne flesh doth dayly tempt and prouoke vs to synne we may thorow that strength be able to resist all their temtacion Graunt now that thorow thy helpe and grace we may be delyuereo from all euell from all daunger and parell of soule and body from all synne hell and damnacion from all pride and enuy from al wrath and slouthfulnes from couetous vnmeasurable and fylthy lyuing Graunt nowe that from hence forth we maye bee content wyth suche fatherly prouision as thou hast made for vs alredi Graunt now that we maye bee temperate in eatyng and drinking And of so honest and clenly conuersacion that we gyue no man occasion of euell Graunt now that in stead of our olde fayned workes we may bee occupyed wyth suche frutes of thy holy spirit as thy word maketh mencion of Graunt now that accordyng to thy wholsom monicioÌ of thy blessed apostle Peter and of all the scrâpture besyde Peter we may be faythfull true and obedient vnto the kyng our souereygne lorde and supreme head immediatly vnder chryst And not onlye vnto all suche officers as be sent of hym but also vnto al suche wholsom lawes and iniunctions as by hys auctorite bee made for the tranquilitie welth of vs hys subiectes Graunt now that we all may encrease in the knowledge of the that oure youth may be brought vp in vertu that children maye obeye their fathers and mothers the seruauntes may be true to their masters that laÌd lordes may bee gentle to their tenauntes that husbandes may be louing to their wiues wyues lykewise to their husbaÌdes that men maye kepe their houshold in the feare and knowledge of the that ydle people may bee set to laboure and that all suche as bee poore in
tree whiche is barren and nought moyst to the inteÌt that with ferueÌt loue it maye bringe furth ripe pleasaunt and sauery frute O moost kyude father graunt that we duely iustly may sanctifre and make holy thy sabboth day whiche thou wyth all diligence hast commaunded vs. Suffer all fleshly lustes and wicked desires to cease in vs. And lyke as euery creature both in heauen and earth doth obey the and suffer them selues to be ruled gouerned of ye. But so moât geÌtle father drawe and plucke out of our hartes all such thynges as seameth good in our sight to the inteÌt that thou mayest rule vs not after our but after thyne owne wyl For we knowe that the wayes of man are not his and that it lyeth not in man to stirre or leade his wayes whether he lysteth Pro. xvi Thus good lorde graunt that we paciently whithe a quiet harte may suffer thy hand wheÌ it toucheth vs suffer vs gladly cherefully to beare all such thinges as it shal please the to laye vppon vs whether it be good fortune or euell aduersite sickenes shame stripes yea death also And suâfer our owne nature so to rest to bee quiet and cease that she couet seke and desyre not through superfluitie and desyre of vengaunce to breake or traÌgresse the holy sabboth daye Thy wyll bee done in earth it is in heauen Iohn xii Luk. xxii Prayer and coufession O my lorde God to the I make my mone complaynt that I haue followed myne owne will to thy dishonour to my shame haue resisted thy moost Godly wyll for the whiche I am very sorye Prayer and confession Therfore o moost best father be not myne but thy wyll fulfilled Thy wyll is done and fulfilled in heauen amongest the Aungels whyche wythout all difficulte do accordynge to thy wyll treÌble quake at thy becking The Sunne and Mone kepe their course and neuer transgresse the same Euen so ought it to be with vs also but we wreâched synners are to fraile and in our nature we fynde nothyng that is after thy Godly wyl but agaynst the and thy moost holy Lawes thus doth our poysened olde Adam kycke and stryue according to his olde kynde I graunte in dede that in the in warde man we do fynde a delyte pleasure in thy lawe but in our fleshly menbres is an other lawe that is the lawe of the hart And therfore that we wolde we do not but that thynge that we wolde not Rom. vii we do Therfore O moost louing and gentle Father gyue vs thy Lawe in wardelye in vs and write the same in our hartes to the inteÌt that we may feare and loue the and walke in thy commaundementes Gyue vs a newe harte seÌdyng thy spirite in wardly in vs that he may kindle vs so myth thy loue that we maye loue the with al our hart wyth all our strength aboue all thynges and that we maye loue our neyghbour for thy sake in thankefulnes for the vnspeakable riches whiche thou hast haboundauntlye poured vppoÌ vs euen as our selues For he that hath loue fulfylleth the lawe he that loueth not resteth or sticketh in the death We ought of dutie to be people accordyng to thy harte doing all thynges accordyng to thy wyll Rom. xiii but where is ther one such among vs And who can giue vs a harte to feare the and to kepe thy commaundementes at all tymes so that it maye happen or chaunce well vnto vs our chyldren O lorde thou onelye arte he Thus good lorde clense our hartes and the hartes of our sede that we with all our strength and wyth al our soule may loue the and lyue Make vs whole theÌ are we whole Make vs blessed then are we blessed For thou art our laude prayse Oh howe oft is our wyll contrarye vnto thy wyll and agaynst thy lawes she had manie tymes rather or lyuer that there were no Lawe Psalm L. nor no God nor no trueth Oh howe is oure harte and vnderstandyng darkened so and in such wise that we can not se our selues therfore o lorde haue mercy on vs according to thy great mercy shape or create in vs a newe harte and poure thy perfect spirite in vs so that no more we but rather thou lyue iÌ vs worke al our workes accordinge vnto thy Godly wil to the inteÌt that thy wil be done in earth as it is in heauen in the ãâ¦ã so that the ãâ¦ã rage agaynst thy ãâ¦ã eyther let it be subiecte ãâã the euell lustes but let it be one spirite with thy spirite And let it haue a pleasure displeasure in that thyng that thou arte pleased and displeased with Gyue vs this day our dayly breade Luk. ix Deut. viii Confession I can not deny but must nedes knowledge and confesse that I alas the while good father abhorringe the liuinge breade of my soule haue fylled and fed my soule wyth the draffe and chaffe of straunge worldlye doctrine lyke a swine wherwith I am become feble impotent and withered for the whiche I am sorye with al my harte cry the mercy Prayer and confession Thus louing father and ââuer of al consolacion ⪠ââou that fedest al flesh Gyue ãâ¦ã bread psa cxxxv I meane that ãâã bâ that whiche the soule of man is made alyue gyue vs that same at all tymes to the inteÌt that we wanting the same perish not for hunger Gyue vs faythful and learned Preachers that may iustly duely fede our soules setting bearing before vs thine onely sonne Iesus Christ leauing all fables Treno ii dreames vayne and false doctrine to the intente that we thy shepe bee not slayne vppon thy holy mount in thy holye tabernacle O louing father open our eares of vnderstandinge to the intent that we may vnderstand conceyue trust stedfastly beleue iÌ thi holy worde ther by borne a new in a better lyfe theÌ we haue ledde hitherto maye with Iesus Chrystââs thy âhildren be receyued of the iÌ thy Godly loue and fauour Lorde of thy clemeÌcimekenes and mercy gyue vs vnderstandyng that we may proue the spirites whether they bee of the or of some other i. Ioan. 4 for the wicked and malignaunt spirite can soÌtime alter chaunge hym selfe into an Aungel of lyght ii Cor. xi O lord drawe vs through thy mercy vnto thy sonne Iesus Christ that we may iustly and perfectly receaue hym in our hartes Iohn vi for he is the lyuing breade whiche descended from heauen Gyue vs also most gentle father oure bodelye foade after thy Godly wil Rayne Sunshine and mete wether for the frutes of thy feldes indue ceason to thintent that we takyng sufficiently of the same may laude prayse and magnify the. O mooste worthy father let vs not bee sorrowfull and carefull for those thynges that we shulde eate and drinke or where with we shuld be cladde Let vs cast
al our care vppon the for thou carest for vs thou knowest before we aske of the what is necessary for vs Mat. vi yea many tymes thou geuest it vnto vs before we aske it Giue vs not to great abundaunce of ryches least we be thereby occasioned to exalt our selues against the and agaynst our neighbours or that we forget not thy great goodnes and mercy neyther gyue vs so great pouertie nede the we be coÌstrayned to begge breade or to steale or prouoked too sweare blaspheme thy holy name through vnpacient suffering But gyue vs our daylie sustenaunce neuertheles accordinge to thy Godly wil. We of duety most diligently labour worke but vnto the as he that geueth the encrease we shall cast all our care we are al in thy hande there is none that can resiste thy Godly will Thou good father geuest vnto vs Iob. ix and hast power to take agayn from vs yf thou geuest then doest thou accordyng vnto thy mercye yf thou takest then doest thou accordyng vnto thy rightuousnes Forgyue vs our trespasses as we frogyue them that trespasse agaynst vs. Eccle. 28 Math. 18 Marc. xi Confession O heauenly father I haue bene hardnecked stifnecked and stubborne against those whiche haue offended me haue not willinglye remitted or forgeuen theÌ their trespasses but I haue much more accounted and estemed the offence whiche they haue done agaynst me then that whiche I haue done agaynst thy Godly maiestie I haue set the synne of my neyghbour before mine behinde Luke vi haue muche soner spied a mote in my brothers eye then a blocke in myne owne eye By reason wherof I haue not harteli or duely as I ought to haue done desired that thou woldest forgyue me my synnes the whiche alas wretch that I am are ineffabile and innumerable Wherfore I cry the mercy Prayer and confession Meke and gentle father we are exceding greatly iÌ thy debte haue not nor know not wherwith to pay the. We know nothyng better then that we fall prostrate before thy fete and cast vp our eyes towardes the and cry theâ ãâ¦ã mercifull and ãâ¦ã his ful of thy mercy ãâ¦ã that no man is holy nor saued by hys owne workes only Psal xxii except thou haue mercy on hym forgeue him his synnes Happy are they whose synnes are forgeuen couered Happy is that man whose synnes are not imputed or rekened vnto hym psal xxxi O mercifull father if we go not about to make our selues vngilte fautles or inculpable theÌ shalt thou forgiue vs all oure synnes And if we through or by confessioÌ do knowledge or discouer our sinnes then shalt thou thy selfe couer them cloke or hide our shame In our spirite o heauenly father is a great deceyt the whiche withoute the brightnes of thy Godlye light we can neyther see nor knowe We loue our selues we seke that is ours we feare adââr ãâã we loue not that we seââe not ãâ¦ã is thyne yea not so muche as ãâã corporall or bodelye thynges Therfore we do se our dampnacion wherin we are and there is none that can redeme or delyuer vs excepte we cal cry vnto the out of the depth O father forgyue vs our trespasses through thy greate merci lyke as a louinge father forgeueth his childe for thou hast promised it vnto vs sayinge Ezech. 18. yf the vngodly will turne away from all his sinnes that he hath done and kepe all my commaundementes do the thing that is equal righte doubtles he shal liue not die for I haue no pleasure in the death of a sinner saith the Lorde but rather that he coÌuerte lyue ii Pet. iii Iere. iii. Agayne thou hast committed fornicacioÌ with many louers yet turne agayn to me I wil receaue the. O moost kinde father thinke vppon thy promises haue mercye on vs forgiue vs oure trespasses as we forgiue theÌ that haue trespassed agaynst vs. O moost louing father we confesse graunt that it lyeth not in our power to forgyue our ennemies Luk. vi yea to loue theÌ as thou coÌmaundest so is our nature poysoned infected that it is impossible for vs to do it The loue of our selues which is that roote of all Synne seketh alwayes that whiche is hers not that which is thyne or that which is to thy honour or that which is proffitable to our neyghbour Thus good father plant in vs the true brotherly loue the we as thou hast done taught vs may with all our harte loue theÌ forgiue theÌ pray for theÌ Verely I do know most louig father that if we forgiue not oure neyghbour thou shalt neuer forgiue vs our synnes Furthermore I knowe that no sacrifice or prayer is acceptable or pleasaunt vnto the as longe as we reconsyle not our selues with our brother Therfore geue vs grace that we may forgiue our devtoures then shalt thou also forgeue vs our offeÌces for thou art kynd and full of mercy And thou art come downe from heauen here vpoÌ this earth for synners that repent and amend their lyfe And let vs not bee led into temptation Psal xii zacha 14. i. Pet v. But delyuer vs from euyll Amen Confession O my lord God my heaueÌly father I haue oft many times alas the while geuyng place vnto temptacion Lyke an vnfaythfull depute or liuetenaunt who through slouthfulnes and neglygence towardes his lorde yeldeth and geueth ouer hys castel or bulwarke vnto the ennemies Neyther haue I beue only satisfied with this miserable wretchednes or fragilitie and synne but haue had pleasure and delite therein in such maner that I haue willingly stirred moued and geuen my selfe ouer and defiled my selfe lyke aswine in the muddy and filthy puddle and myre And haue not endeuoured my selfe to that whiche is euerlasting and good Forgeue o father helpe the feble and weake Prayer and confession O moost bounteous father thou whiche art a kynde and louyng helper of all theÌ that feare the and call on the in nede trouble and persecutioÌ Beholde consider that our life is a strife and continual warrefare here in this world Our ennemies cease not the deuell goeth about lyke a roaringe lyon sekinge whome he may deuoure The glorious flatteting worlde in lyke case laugheth vpon vs on euery side And our owne flesh and ghostly or inward enemie ceaseth neuer to spurre and striue agaynst the spirite and that so vehemently that of very necessite we are coÌpelled to cal vppon the for helpe ayde and comforte as to a fayth full father who wil not suffer vs to bee tempted aboue our power but shal faythfull ye helpe vs at oure right side i. Cor. iiii to the intente we shulde not be ouercome of our ennemies O comforter and father of al consolacion comfort vs in all our aduersitie for thou art a father of all consolacion thou shalt strength âââs and
neuertheles God the heauenly father through his only beloued sonne Iesus christ full of grace and veritie hath declared publyshed commaunded vnto al men none excepted whiche thinge also we christians do promys sweare advow in our baptisme to obserue and kepe all the dayes of our lyfe Nowe might men aske what haue we sworne wherunto haue we made our vowe promis in baptime to the inteÌte wemight kepe the same and liue as christiaÌs ought to lyue I answere reade searche reuise this lytell booke diligently praying to God for his grace to illuminate thyne vnderstandinge and I hope thou shalt bee the better all the dayes of thy lyfe a briefe summe of the whole Byble Of God Fyrst the holy Wrytinges of the bible teache vs that there is one God almightye Deut. vi i. Tim. ii Gen. xvii Exod. xv Gene. i. Psal c. iii and .x. Exod. iii. Iere. ix Roma ix i. Lozin xii that hath neither beginning nor eÌding whiche of his owne goodnes did create al thinges of whoÌ all thinges procede without whome there is nothinge which is rightuous and mercifull and whiche worketh al thinges in al after his wyll of whome it may not bee demaunded wherfore he doth this or that The creacion of man Then that this very God did create Adam the fyrst man after his owne Image similytude Esay xiv and. liiii Iere. x. xviii and dyd ordeyne and appoynte him lorde of all the creatures in the earth Synne Whiche Adam by the enuy of the deuell Sapi. ii Roma v. disobeying the commaundement of his maker did fyrst synne brought sinne into this world such so great that we which be sprong of him after the fleshe are subdued vnto sinne death dampnacioÌ brought vnder the yoke and tiranny of the deuell Ephe. ii Chryst was promysed And further that Chryst Iesus was promysed of God the father Genes iii xii xvii xxviii to be a sauyour to this AdaÌ Abraham Isaac Iacob Dauid the other fathers which shulde delyuer them from their sinnes tirannye of the deuell that with a quycke lyuynge faythwolde beleue this promis and trust of this Iesus Christ hoping too haue this delyueraunce of and by him And truely this promes is very oft rehearsed in the bookes of the olde testament yea the olde Testament is this promys as it is called the newe whiche teacheth that this promys is fulfylled The lawe And that in the meane ceason whyle the fathers loked for saluation and delyueraunce promised because maÌs nature is suche that he not onely can not Exod. xx and. xix but also wyll not coÌfesse hymselfe to be a sinner and specially suche a Sinner that hath neade of the sauinge health promysed Rom. v. the Lawe was geuen wherthrough men might knowe synne that they are sinners when they se that they do none of the thinges that the law biddeth or coÌmaundeth them with so glad and wyllynge a mynde as God requireth but rather agaynst their wylles without affection as though they were constrayned wyth the feare of that hel whiche the lawe threateneth sayinge cursed bee he that mainteineth not all the wordes of this lawe to kepe theÌ And that this law was geuen to the intent that synne the malyce of mens hartes beinge thereby the better knowen men shulde the more feruently thryst after the comminge of Chryst Deut. 27 Gal. iii. i. corin i. whiche shulde redeame theÌ from their synnes As it was figured vnto the Iewes by manye ceremonies hostes sacrifices wich were ordeyned of GOD not to the inteÌt to take awaye sinnes Heb. xii but to shewe and declare that he shulde be put awaye by fayth in Ioan. i. the saluacioÌ promysed thorowe Christ and whiche nowe be put awaye by the comminge of that Christ whiche is the very hoost of the father that taketh awaye all synne The comming of Christ Luke ii Last of all by the bookes of the newe testameÌt Gal. iiii Ephe. i. Roma v. Tâum â Ephe. ii Roma v. Ioan. i. we are taught that Christ whiche was promysed and shadowed in the olde Testament is sent of the father at such tyme as he had determined with hym selfe at suche tyme I saye as all wickednes florished And that he was sent not for ani mans good workes for they all were synners but to the intent that he wolde truely shew the haboundaunt ryches of hys grace Esay iiii i. Iohn ii ii peter i. Hebr. ii whiche he had promised The lambe of God In the newe testament therfore it is moost euid entlye declared that Iesus Christ the true Lambe and hoste is come to the âarent to reconcile vs to the father paying on the crosse the punyshment due vnto oure sinnes and to delyuer vs from the bondage of the deliell vnto whome we serued through synne and to make vs the sonnes of God syth he hath geuen vs the true peace and tranquilitie of conscience Rom. v. Iohn iii. and. vi that we no longer doo feare the paynes of hell whiche feare is put awaye bi the fayth confidence and assuraunce that the father geueth vs drawynge vs vnto hys soÌne For that faith is the gift of God whereby we beleue that Christ is come into this worlde to saue sinners whiche is of so great pyth that they whiche haue it desire to perfourme all the duties of loue to all men after the example of chryst The holyghoost For fayth ones receyued i. corin i. and. v. God geueth his holyghost wherwith he tokeneth and marketh al that beleue Ephesi i. wich is the pledge and erneste that we shal surely possesse euerlasting lyfe and that geueth witnes vnto our spirite Rom. viii and. v. grafteth this fayth in vs that we be the sonnes of God pouring therwith that loue in our hartes which Paule describeth setteth out to the corinthians i cor xiii By that fayth and confidence in Chryst Galo v. wiche by loue is mightie in operacion and that shewed it selfe thorowe the workes of loue stering men therto but that Isay we are Iustified that is by that fayth Chrystes father which is become ours also thorowe that Chryst our brother Hâbr ââ counteth vs for rightuous for his sonnes Citn ii imputing not our sinnes vnto vs thorow his grace Good workes To conclude he came to the intent the we beyng clensed from our wicked abhominable sinne and sanctified vnto God the father that is halowed vnto the vse of the father to exercise good workes forsaking the workes of the fleashe shulde feelye serue in rightuousnes and holynes al our lyfe longe Luke i. Ephe. ii thorowe good workes which God hath ordeyned to the intent that we shulde walke in them declaring our selues therby to be surely casted vnto this grace wyche woorkes who so euer hath not declareth that he hath not fayth in Christ
can not lie let vs praye to GOD with the father of the possed yongman saying Lorde strengten encrease our fayth for without the we can do nothyng so wretched so corrupt and so frayle is our nature yea through her owne loue so blynded that that of her owne selfe she caÌ not wyll nor obeye the commaundement of God so farre is our minde and inclynacion ronne astray frome the pristine or former innocency in the transgressinge of the commaundementes of God by our first father AdaÌ So that in case we shulde be compelled to striue agaynst our ennemies the deuell the worlde and our owne flesh which standeth vs in hand to do so long as we are cladde with thys mortall body wyth our owne strength without the assistence and helpe of God we shuld by and by eueÌ at the first assault and sounde of the trumpet caste bothe our weapon and shylde frome vs and wholye despayringe leaue our courage fal and yelde Mat. ix and suffer oure selues to be ouercome in such wyse that they shulde easelye beare rule haue dominion ouer vs. But the grace of God workyng in vs a perfect fayth and hope with the dedes of charite is able ynough to worke al thing in vs wich other wise we shuld not be able to fulfyl Now to the intent we lose not this fayth or belefe and that the same decrease or diminish not in vs but rather may encrease augment and waxe fruteful there is nothynge better Luk. xi more profytable or necessary then to pray to God without ceasyng For our lorde Iesus Chryst sayth hymselfe Seke ye shal finde knock and it shal be opened vnto you pray it shal be geuen vnto you But he that wyll pray to God Marc. ix with an ernest harte must bee thus disposed First a maÌ must knowe hys owne infirmitie and weakenes and confesse to haue nede of helpe For as we reade the sycke hath onelye neade of the Phisician and hym wyll he gladly helpe lyke as the blessed virgin mary her selfe witnesseth in her songe Luke li. saying he hath fylled the hungry wyth all goodnes hath sent the ryche awaye empty and voyde What auayleth it that thou prayest when thou doest not know fele that thou hast nede Is it not to scorne mocke wyth God Ipocrisy and fayned prayer Thou wilt aske how and in what maner shal we pray to God for to obteyne those thynges whiche are necessarye for vs Heare therfore least perchaunce thou praye for those thynges whiche are not lawful and mete in the steade of theÌ whiche are moost necessarye profytable for the. For therby it oft chaunceth that God dooth not heare vs as S. Iames sayth be we aske a misse And as Paule sayth to the Romaynes we ourselues know not what is moost necessary for vs to aske Iacob iiii And therfore the most highest doctour master Iesus Christ who best knoweth what is proffytable necessarye for our health saluacyon hath described and taught vs a moost sure rule how we shulde ought to praye settynge GOD his heauenlye Father as a sure Marke before our eyes to whome we shuld lyft vp our hartes inwardde thoughtes to hym I saye aboue in the highest we that labour are ladeÌ wyth synne here in this vale of feares And he sayth when thou wylt pray thou shalt pray thus Our father whiche art in heauen psal cxiii hallowed be thy name Now is to bee noted as before sufficientlye is declared that it is impossible to make an earnest harty and perfect prayer except a man first and before all thynges confesse his owne faute and disease And therfore I haue set a brief lamentacion and confession before euery peticion of the lordes prayer to the intent that the sinfull conscieÌce might therby be stirred kindled to make the more feruent earnest prayer vnto God desyring hys helpe And after that the coÌtent and declaracyon of the same ryght goodly expounded and opened to the honour of God and vtilyte and edifycacyon of all men First vppon that poynte Our father whiche art in heauen Confession O merciful euerlasting god moost louynge father of whome all fatherlye mercy fauour and goodnes commeth procedeth both in heauen erth I poore miserable and wretched creatur knowledge confesse before thy fatherly mercy that I lyke the ryottous sonne haue despised not regarded all the same thy fatherlye loue and trust haue shewed my selfe dysobedieÌte towardes the and haue not geueÌ eare to thy moost blessed worde and louyng exhortacyons but haue folowed the voyce of straungers and haue cleaued more to the doctrine of men then to thy commaundementes O bountuous louyng God father of vs all who manifoldly shewest thy benefyttes doest distribute and gyue thy gyftes as wel to the wicked as to the good yea somtyme more corporally to the wicked then to the good I knowledge and coÌfesse before the that I haue not loued other men as my brethern nor reuereÌced them as thy chyldren but in pride haue exalted my selfe aboue my brother despising hating and enuying hym as the vnfaythful seruaunt did his fellow brethern in the Gospel And furthermore I confesse mooste mâke louynge father that I haue fyrst sought helpe and counsel by the creatures here beneth vppoÌ erth and not by the who art aboue in the heauens euerlastyng and almighty Mat. 24 and onely canst wilte helpe as a good father of vs all I haue most of all set my thoughtes yea alas the whyle my whole harte mynde trust and all my desire vppon erthely temporal and transitory thynges and haue not lyfted the same vp vnto the whiche art in heauen lyke as I ought to haue done for the whiche I crye the mercy Prayer and confession O louyng father thou hast of thyne entier goodnes created vs vppon earth and for nothing hast thou deliuered vs from euer lastyng death whiche we were gilty and had deserued O good father we are not worthy to bee thy chyldren for we haue synned agaynst thy rightuousnes Psal xv Neuertheles by the commaundement of thyne onelye sonne we do boldly say our father O thou faythfull father what shall we gyue the agayne or wherewith shal we recompence the for thi greate loue goodnes which thou through thi mercy synguler goodnes hast geueÌ vs power to be thi childreÌ to becoÌ heyres of thy kyngdome wyth thy dere sonne Iesus Christ Thou art truely our faythfull and trusty father for thou bearest vs lyke a moost geâle and kinde father hys chylde in his armes thou ledest vs wyth thy rightaude that we although we sometime through weakenes do stumble are not al together broused Psal xv and destroyed of our enemies zacha ii Thou doest preserue and kepe vs lyke the apple of thyne eyes and he that toucheth vs o father toucheth the. O mylde lyberall father howe richely hast thou endued
power with a perfect beleue in the same may stedfastly continue agaynst our ennemies Amen Finis The ordenary ãâ¦ã Christians to âende a uertuous and Godly lyfe heare in thys vale of mysery Translated out of Doutch into Inglish by Anthony Scoloker i. Cor. vii Let every one abyde in the calling wherin he is called To the christen Reader Pââââ ãâ¦ã that ãâ¦ã âhâ ãâ¦ã of our great graund mâââer Eue â Tim. ii who after that she was deceyued subdued vnto the transgression brought forth death vppon all her posterite declareth that to heale so gread a wound and to appeare beautifully in the eyes of the mighty lorde whose deare sonne Iesus Chryst sayde Father those that thou hast geuen vnto me I wyl that where I am they be also wyth me Iohn 17. that they may see my glory After the fyrst rudiment of a Christian the whyche is fayth iii. waytynge virgins ought to bee attendaunt and seruiceable vnto hym that in thys vale of mysery intendeth too leade a perfect lyfe loue holynes and discrecion Vnder the whiche discrecion as it may bee gathered by thâ properte of the Greke terme in that place sophrosin are comprised chastitie teperaunce modestie and decent shamefastnes because all these vertues are alwayes coherent ioyned together And holynes lyke as she requireth to flie froÌ al vice so doth she require the exercise of all vertuous âorkes ãâ¦ã âhat proceâââ ãâ¦ã ââorow loue ãâ¦ã may be sanctifiââ ãâ¦ã âys father I haue ãâ¦ã them that name And wyll ââââare it that the loue wherewith thou hast loued me may be in them and I in them Wherfore that by loue the duetie of all men from the lowest to the highest may bee knowen from the one to the other Reade ouer thys lytle booke Iohn xv that walking ân the daungerous pathes of thys exyle thou mayest know how to to bee trayned vnto the mansion place prepared vnto the rightuous that neuer shall haue ende Fyrst How the spirituall Prelates ought to vse them selues towardes the commeÌ people BEholde I send you forth as shepe among wolues Go ye your way teache all nacions baptise theÌ in the name of the father of the soÌne of the holi ghoost mat r 7. c And teach theÌ to kepe al thynges what soeuer I haue commaâââed you Col. i. a. Ye haue not choâââ ãâã âut haue chosen you Iohn xv Mat. â0 b ordeined you that ye go bryng furth frute And ye shal beare me witnes not onely at Ierusalem Iohn xv Act. i. a. and .ii. d. but also throughout the land of Iury Samaria to the vttermust coastes of the earth Ioan. xxc Receyue the holyghost Whose sinnes soeuer ye remitt thei are remitted whose siÌnes soeuer ye reteyne Mat. x. mat 18. b thei are reteyned Verely I say vnto you what soeuer ye shall binde vppoÌ earth shal be bound also iÌ heaueÌ and what soeuer ye lowse vppoÌ earth shal be also loused in heaueÌ Take hede vnto your selues and to all the flocke âct xx d. among the whiche the Holyghost hath set you to bee bishopes to feade the congregacion of God whiche he hâââ ãâ¦ã ââowne ãâ¦ã camââ ãâ¦ã ys gone ãâ¦ã all heauens Ephe. iiii to fââââaâ i. Cor. xii hath set some to be apostles some to bee prophetes some to bee Euangelistes some to bee shephardes and teachers wherbithe saynctes myght bee coupled together thorow commeÌ seruice to the edifieng of the body of Christ i. Tim. iii Leuit. xxi Ezech. 44 Titu iii. A byshop must be blamelesse The husband of one wife sober discrete manerly hârberous apt to teach not geuen to moch wyne no fighter not geuen to filthy lucre but geââle abhorring stryfe abhorryng couetousnes one that ruleth hys owne house honestly hauing obedient chyldreÌ wyth al honestie For if he caÌnot rule hys owne house howe shall he care for the ê¯gregacioÌ of God The seruaunt of the lord ought not to striue i. Tim. i Gal. vi a but to be geÌtle vnto euery maÌ apt to teach are ãâ¦ã can forbeare the ãâ¦ã with mekenes enforme ãâã resist if God at any tyme wyl geue theÌ repeÌtaunce for to know the truth and to turne agayn from the snare of the deuel which are holdeÌ i prison of him at his wyll Preach the worde 2. Tim. 4. beferuent be it in season or out of ceasoÌ iproue rebuke exhorte with allong suffering doctrine For the time wil come when they shall not suffer wholsome doctrine but after their own lustes shal thei whose eares itch get theÌ an heap of teachers shal turne their eares froÌ the trueth and shal be geueÌ vnto fables But watch thou i al thinges suffer aduersite do the workes of a precher of the gospell fulfill thine office vnto the vttermust Se the thou know the numbre of thicatell Pro. 27. c loke wel to thy flockes Iohn 10 Titu i. b. A Bishop must cleaue fast vnto the true worde of doctrine the he may be able to exhort wyth wholsom learning to iproue theÌ that sai agaynst it i. Pet. v. Acto v. c. Act. xx d. The elders which are amoÌge you I exhort whiche am also an Elder and a witnes of the affliction in Christ partaker of the glory that shal be opened Fede Christes flock whiche is among you take the ouersight of them not as though ye were coÌpelled therto but willynglye not for the desire of fylthy lucre Titu ii a but of good mide not as though ye were lordes ouer the pharissheÌs but the ye be an exaÌple to the flocke Who soeuer wyl be great amoÌg you let him be your mynister whosoeuer wil be chefe Mat. xx d. let hym be your seruaunt EueÌ like as the sonne of man came not to be serued but to do seruice to geue hys lyfe to a redeÌption for many Go and preach the Gospell Mat. x. saying The kingdom of heauen is at hand Heale the sicke clense the lepers rayse the deade cast out the deuels Frely ye haue receyued frely gyue agayne Matth. xx iiâi mat xxv Who is now a faithful seruaunt who me hys Lord hath made ruler ouer his boushold that he may gyue them meate in due ceason Blessed is that seruaunt whome hys lord whan he commeth shal finde so doing Uerely I say vnto you he shall set hym ouer all his goods But if the euell seruante shal saye i his hart Apoe xvi Tush it will be long or my lorde come begin to smite his fellowes yea and to eate and drinke wyth the droÌken the same seruauntes Lord shall come in a day whan he loketh not for him in an houre the he is not ware of shall heawe hym in peces giue hym hys reward with ypocrites where shal be waylinge gnasshing of teth I haue made the a watch man vnto the house of Israel
dede may be wel and louingly prouided for Graunt that for the loue of the we may fede the hoÌgry gyue drinke to the thursty clothe the ââked giue conââââ to ãâã that âee ãâ¦ã theâ that ãâã priââg ãâã such as ãâ¦ã ãâã now ãâã ââther that what soeues thou forbiddest we may forbeare it what soeuer thou âoââââendest ãâã we may euery one in hys call you performe the same and so continue in thy seruice tyll our lyâes ende that all our thoughtes wordes and dedes may redound vnto the glory of the now and euermore Amen Thankes be geuen to God obedience vnto our prince and loue to our neyghbours The oracion of Iob in his most greuous aduersitie and losse of goodes Nâked cam I out of mi mâchees wombe and naked shall I turn agayne The lorde gaue and the lorde hath taken away is it hath âleased the lord so is it donne now blessed be the name of the lorde Prayer in prosperite I Geue the thankes o God almighte whiche not onely hast endued me wyth the giftes of nature as reason power and strength but also hast plentifully geuen me the substaunce of thys worlde I knowlâdge o lorde that these are thy giftes and confesse wyth holy Sainer Iames that ther is no perfet nor good gift but it commeth froÌ the o father of lyght whiche geuest frelye and castest no man in the teth I knowledge wyth the prophet Agge that golde is thyne and siluer is thine and to whom it pleaseth the thou geuest it to the godly that they may bee thy disposets and distributours therof and to the vngodly to heape vp their damnacion wythall Wherefore my moost mercifull God I humbly beseke and desire the to frame in me wyth thy holy spirite a faythfull hart and ready hand to distribute these thy good giftes accordyng too thy wyll and pleasure that I treasure not vp here where theues may robbe and mothes corrupt but to treasure in thy heauenly kyngdome where neyther thefe may steall nor mothe defyle too myne owne comfort whom of thy mercy thou hast promised to reward therfore too the good example of the humble and meke of thy congregacion and to the glorye of thy name To whome with thy sonne anâ holyghost bee all honour and prayse worlde without ende Amen The maner or saying grace after the doctrine of holy scripture Grace afore meate THe eyes of all loke vnto the O lord and thou geuest theÌ their food in due ceason Thou openest thine hand fyllest euery lyuing creature with thy blessyng O our father which art in c Grace afore meate I know sayth the Apostle and am full certified in the lorde Iesu Rom. 1 r â that ther is nothyng vncleane of it selfe but vnto hym that iudgeth it to bee vncleane to hym it is vncleane But if thy brother be greued ouer thi meat theÌ waâkest thou not now after charitâ ãâã not ââth thy meate him âor ãâ¦ã ââed O our father wââch art in c. Grace afore meate Let not our treasure therefore be euell spoken of Rom. 14 For the kyngdom of God is not meate and drinke but rightuousnes peace and ioye in the holyghost O our father which art in c. Grace afore meate Meate doth not further vs vnto God If we eat i. Cor. 8. we shall not therefore bee the better If we eat not we shall not therefore bee the worse But take hede that thys your lybertie bee not an occasion of falling to the weake Grace afore meate Meate hath God created to bee receaued wyth thankes i. Tim. of which beleue and know the truth For euen crââââre of God is good and noâââng to bee refused that is reââaâed wâth thankes geuyng for it is sanctified by the woorde of God and prayer Our father whiche art in c. Receaue your meate without grudgyng Take hede ye neuer abuse the same ⪠Geue thankes to God for euery thyng And alwai prayse his holy name Who so doth not is sore to blame No euell en ensample se that ye gyue Thus dooth Gods worde teache you to lyue What soeuer ye doo in word or dede do al in the name of our lorde Iesu Chryst geuyng thankes vnto God the father by him Grace after meate Tââ ãâ¦ã vs ãâ¦ã openyng ãâ¦ã for fyllyng ãâ¦ã full blessing ãâ¦ã the for thy sonââ ãâ¦ã not onely tââ ãâ¦ã from abuââng oâ ãâ¦ã ââso to lend vs thy ãâã âhat we may euer dee tâââ ãâã vnto the therfore Amen Grace after meate Thankes be vnto the O lord God almightie most beare father of heaueÌ for certifying vs ây thi blessed worde that all kynde of meates are cleane we beseche the lend vs thy grace that we may alway thankfully receaue the same not onely without supersticion or sârupulosyte of conscieÌce but also without greuing ãâ¦ã oure brethern And sâ to wâââ in ãâã wây of Godly loââ and ãâ¦ã wâth our meâte ãâ¦ã hym for whââ ãâ¦ã Iesus Christ dyed aâ ãâã as âor vs. Grace after meate ThaÌkes bee vnto the O God almightie moost deâre father of heaueÌ for openyng vnto vs thy blessed worde which is our treasure our pearle yea our ryches more precious then eyther golde or precious stone And we besech that though corporal meate drike be no part of thy kyngdome yet ordre thou vs also in receauing the same that we neuer geue occasion of slaundring thy woorde or offending the weake Amen Grace after meate ThaÌkes be vnto that O lord God almighty moost deare father of heaueÌ for laying vp our saluacioÌ only in thi selfe not in any kynde of meate And we besech the guide vs so in the âse therof that we may follow such ãâ¦ã make for peace ãâ¦ã edify one an other ãâ¦ã togeue vnto the weake ãâã occasion of falling from thy worde Grace after meate ThaÌkes bee vnto the O lorde god almight ye most deare father of heaueÌ for ordeyning thy creatures to bee meate foode fuste naunce vnto out bodyes hast saÌctified theÌ by thy blessed word c. We besech the make vs so to to encrease in stedfastnes of thy Fayth in perfecte knowledge of thy truth in continuaunce of ferueÌt prayer vnto the that to vs also thei may be sanctified holy the we may euer both thaÌkefully receaue theÌ vertuouslie vse theÌ to the good ensaÌple of other AmeÌ Blessed is he that exerciseth Eccl. 50 d hym selfe in these thynges And who so taketh suche too hart shal be wise If he do these thinges he shal be stroÌg in all For the light of ãâã âord leadeth him Iohn 14. If ye know there thinges Blessed are ye if ye do theÌ Luk. 11. e Iocob 4. Iohn 2. The seruant that knoweth his lordes will doth it not shal be beaten with many strypes But he that fulfylleth the worde of God abideth for euer These thynges are written to the intent the we shuld beleue Iohn xx d that Iesus Christ is the soÌne of God the we thorow hym myght haue life euerlastyng Whiche the chefest goodnes vouchsafe to geue vnto al them that shal eyther heare or rede this present lytle boke FINIS IMPRINTED AT London by Robert Stoughton Dwellynge wythin Ludgate at the singne of the Byshoppis Myter