God wilt answere me That mercie is the aboundance great of thy heauenlie pitie With which thou viewst the afflicted sort that on the earth doo lie And what is this compassion then but proofes of thy mercie Our fathers old the same haue felt and now in rest do raigne And thou art still the selfe-same God for euer to remaine Our fathers were conceiued in sin and so are we likewise Wilt thou compassion shew on them and children theirs despise One faith in Christ we all professe one God in persons thrée As thou compassion hadst on them compassion haue on me Ponder O God my harts desire most humblie doo I craue And doo awaie all my misdéeds and so compassion haue And as of sinners manie a one whose number is vnknowne Thou didst vouchsafe to drawe to thée make them all thine owne So now vouchsafe most gentle God likewise to drawe me in And make me righteous by thy grace forgiuing me my sin So shall my soule reioice and still for mercie crie Peccaui peccaui miserere mei The sixt meditation MOst mightie God I doo confesse ten thousand times more Thou hast me washed from my sin and salued still my sore But I through sin am falne againe and fowler now am made Than euer was the filthie swine with mire ouer laid How oftentimes shall we forgiue each other that offend Seuentie times seuen the scripture saith which signifieth no end If man to man such fauour shew that wretched caitiues be How much more thou O gratious God to them that call on thée It is thy nature to forgiue my nature can but fall Though thou be iust in all thy works thy mercie passeth all What time a sinner doth repent and turne to thée at last All sins foredone thou wilt forget thy promise so hath past Behold O God I turne to thée with sorrowe for my sin And do repent euen from my hart that I so lewd haue bin Now wash me Lord yet once againe with fountaine of thy grace That I among the sacred saincts with thee might haue a place So shall my soule reioice and still for mercie crie Peccaui peccaui miserere mei The seuenth and last meditation LIke as the guiltie prisoner stands before the iudge so tride With quaking breath shiuering lims his iudgement to abide Euen so O God before thy face in fearefull state I stand And guiltie crie to thée my iudge and now hold vp my hand Nothing have I to pleade for life no goodnes is in me Of sin deceipt and wickednes guiltie good Lord guiltie Thus by thy righteous doome O God and sacred lawe diuine Condemnd am I to endles paine through iust deserts of mine Alas what then is to be said or what is to be done For mercie yet will I appeale to Iesu Christ thy sonne For neuer yet hath it béene heard since first the world began That Iesu Christ did turne his face from anie sinfull man Which unto him for mercie came with sad repentant minde O Lord shall I then be the first that shall no mercie finde Shall I be she thou wilt despise that humblie commes to thée No no swéet Christ thy promise is for to deliuer mée Wherefore my soule be glad and crie incessantlie Peccaui peccaui miserere mei FINIS W. H. A praier to be said of a widowe immediatlie after the death of hir husband ETernall and mercifull God father of our Lord Iesus Christ which according to thine heauenlie pleasure hast taken now my deere and louing husband R. B. out of this world whereby I am a poore afflicted widowe and my seelie children fatherlesse vnto thee doo I crie in this my miserie O mine assured aduocate haue mercie on mee a forsaken orphane and after thy great goodnes pardon all my sinnes which I haue committed against thee Turne vnto me O Lord and take mercie on me for my soule is become a widowe and I am alone and comfortlesse looke vpon the teares of my widowhood and behold mine affliction and miserie Oh my Lord now releeue my necessitie as thou didst releeue that widowe of Sarepta whom thou didst most miraculouslie preserue by thy prophet Elias Take the like pitie on me now I saie untill thou returne ah shew thy selfe vnto me that I may be comforted assist me behold my necessitie and deliuer me out of all my troubles Grant likewise that sith thou hast taken awaie from me the vaile of mine eies mine head and deer husband with whom I was preserued from all dangers and of whom peraduenture I was vnworthie I may yet find fauour now in the sight of all gouernours and magistrates whom in thy holie word thou hast commanded to be as an husband and guid vnto me that I be not iniuried by the vngodlie contrarie to all reason and equitie In like sort let me find patrons and honest men which will haue a tender consideration of this my present estate and succour me at times with godlie counsell Protect me oh my God from all false tongues which are like rasures cutting deceitfullie and as the sharpe arowes of a mightie man Deliuer me O Lord from slander and from the obloquie of wicked men which with poisoned words haue bent their bowe to cast downe the poore and needie and to slay such as be of a right conuersation Furthermore I beseech thee giue me grace to liue in this my desolate state of widowhood chastlie and godlie shewing my selfe an example of godlines to others and trusting wholie in thy mercie at all times Let me patientlie and christianlie endure all crosses laid vpon me and continue faithfullie in making of supplications night and day Behold as the eies of a maiden are vpon hir mistresse so are mine eies bent vpon thee my Lord God vntill thou haue mercie Haue mercie on me O Lord haue mercie on me for I am full of reproch and my soule is euen as a weaned child from the mothers brests Heare me O Lord as my trust is in thee for Iesus Christs sake thy sonne our Lord and sauiour Amen Another praier of a widowe O Lord I thanke thee that thou hast scourged me thus with the death of mine husband He was deer vnto me O Lord euen bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh for whom I forlooke both father and mother to cleaue vnto him He by the couenant of matrimonie was made one bodie with me thou gauest him vnto me and thou hast taken him from me blessed be thy name for euer The bands of death haue sundred me from him for a while but I hope O Lord by the power of thy holie spirit that nothing shall be able to separate me from thee mine onelie Iesus the onelie ioie of my soule Put the axe of thy mercie to the roote of my wanton nature and cut it off that I doo not marrie the vanitie of this wicked world but put vpon me the garment of innocencie and tie about my hart the iewell of faith that
in peace bicause mine eies haue seene thy saluation which thou hast prepared before the face of all people a light to be reuealed vnto the gentiles and the glorie of thy people Israell through our Lord Iesus Christ Amen Another praier to be vsed of old women OH my sweet Lord Iesus Christ my creator and reformer which wilt that no man perish neither delightest in the destruction of soules heare me wretched woman and inueterated sinner which walowe in wicked life The whole time of my pilgrimage is threescore yeres few and euill haue the daies of my life beene and I am now placed in the darke euening of my life neither looke I to attaine vnto the yeres of the life of my forefathers or mothers in the daies of their pilgrimage I am full of yeres and daies I saie O Lord but in deed more full of vices and sinnes Mine offences are not a few but an huge heape of an innumerable sort of sinnes neither are they small or veniall sinnes but great mortall and deadlie My sinfull conscience accuseth me and the large abundance of mine iniquitie beateth my hart in peeces This deceitfull world in which I dreame and loiter faileth me my forworne and withered bodie threateneth my decaie This house of claie waxeth verie ruinous in euerie part thereof The graie heares a token of my manifold afflictions for sinnes are plentifullie growen vpon me and my strength is quite gone to teach me to knowe the vanitie and brittle state of this life To conclude my life is short mine end doubtfull my destruction horrible Death now beginneth to search me out euerie where the diuell doth laie snares for me on euerie side time passeth awaie the houreglas is almost run my candle is almost burned out and thine euerlasting iudgement draweth on Alas what shall I sinfull woman doo for I haue prouoked thee my God and all other thy creatures against me bicause thou knowing my forepassed sinfull life dooest see nothing in me without spot and offence I haue shut my selfe out of thy presence when thou didst call me to euerlasting life and I haue receiued that old enimie of my grandmother Eue into my soule which persecuteth me vnto death my conscience I saie doth vexe me the damnation to come which I haue so deepelie and often deserued doth feare me which through mine owne merits or deserts I can not possiblie put awaie or auoid When I consider it with my selfe oh how intollerable is that horror vnto me When I doo well ponder and regard it in my selfe oh how ineuitable is death to be differred or put awaie from me that now am euen a figure of death it selfe and carrie him euidentlie about me in my pale face and leane lims yea so far am I from flieng awaie from death that as it seemeth I rather now post speedilie after him Moreouer to acquit my selfe before thee I cannot possiblie doo it for that I haue as manie accusers as sins as many witnesses as hoarie heares Yea thou thy selfe my sweet God who best knowest me art my iust accuser thou art the true witnes of my deeds thou art my righteous iudge and if thine euerlasting iustice refuse me then both thine enimies and also mine with whom I haue plight the troth of my friendship are my heauie accusers No holie man or woman yong or old doth speak for me or in the life euerlasting may speake for me and those that might in their dailie praiers in this life helpe me towards thee I alas with all scornefull reproch and contempt haue cast them awaie and vtterlie refused their good companie but my verie mortall aduersaries I haue too willinglie receiued euen into my bosome Now therefore being alone in secret I lie flat vpon the ground destitute of all helpe confounded and had in derision of all Now in the last age of my withered life when my glorie should be my graie head that is my wisedome and feare of God ioined with much experience my reproch alas is increased by my follie and bicause I haue not behaued my selfe iustlie and wiselie before other my iuniors old age that should be a crown of glorie when it is found in the waie of righteousnes and ioined with vertue is now turned into infamie in me and to be abhorred by reason of my manifold sins and vices For though I haue liued long yet bicause I am waxed old in wickednes I shall be nothing regarded and my last age shall be without honor through my doting defiled life To conclude there draweth on apase the daie of thy fearefull iudgements in which all my deeds shall be tried and sifted to the vttermost and innermost secret thoughts of my hart My reproofes shall be reuealed and my opprobrious and shamefull works shall be brought to light and openlie seene for that I haue beene a barren and vnfruitfull tree and being throwne into euerlasting fire I shall there burne foreuer and of those whom I haue lewdlie accompanied my selfe with shall I be vexed who also after the sentence of eternall damnation giuen vpon me shall teare me and without anie intermission or end most cruellie shall minister torments vnto me whom they shall not cease crucifieng for euermore neither will there euer at anie time anie waie of mitigation ease or mercie appeare or be found at their hands Wherefore O louing Lord and souereigne Sauiour there remaineth now no more vnto me sinfull woman worne out with miserie but thy branching mercie to reioice my hart to quicken mine appaled spirits and to renew mine age as doth the eagle for that in the same thy mercie and through the same thy compassion and fauour I almost spent wasted and consumed to dust doo yet breath and liue to call vpon thee who art gentle mild and verie mercifull both to old and yoong man woman and child and wilt not the death no not of an old and ancient sinner as I am O be mindfull therefore of me my sweet God bicause thou art my creator and I thine vnworthie creature and hand-maid Do not loose the works of thine own hands through my greeuous sins and lewd deserts Thou art my redeemer and sauiour therefore saue me sinfull woman through thy grace mercie and fauour whome through thine owne iustice thou maist worthilie cast awaie into damnation O God be mercifull vnto me a sinner and grant pardon to hir that repenteth from the bottome of hir heart O giue not foorth I beseech thee the voice of thy sentence according to my demerits but like as thy mercie before hath come in the beginning of my life when thou tookest me out of my mothers wombe so let it conclude the end thereof when thou shalt turne me againe into the mother of all things to remaine with thee for euer world without end Amen Another praier to be said of an old Woman OH God which continuest still the same and dooest remaine for euer subiect to no tearme of yeares and time whose yeares shall neuer faile
thy louing bridegroome to followe the filthie fleshlie pleasures of the world O sinfull soule how wretched is thy state O wicked wretch how sinfull is thy fall Oh my God whence proceede these irkesome stings of sinne Or who can make satisfaction for such heapes of iniquities O thou miserable wretch my sinfull soule why dooest thou not cast thy selfe headlong into the dungeon of griefe which of thine owne accord didst throwe thy selfe into the filthie sinks of sinne O thou polluted creature why dooest thou not burie thy selfe in the bowels of sorowe which so willinglie wallowedst in the kennell of shame O thou sinfull helhound why dooest thou not drowne thy selfe with the waues of weeping which hast so often swoome in the seas of fornication O sting of sinne O rod of sorrowe O daughter of heauines torment me scourge me plague mee crucifie mee and trample and tread me as a filthie rag vnder your feet I haue deserued it yea I haue sought it for I haue most impudentlie contemned yea and most arrogantlie prouoked you nay rather God not you and therefore now shew your authoritie in executing the giltie to death that ye may be reuenged for your God Let the sinfull fornicatrix feele the punishments she hath deserued and drinke deepe of the cup of shame she hath desired O thou my sinfull soule it is now high time for thee to shew the fruits of repentance which hast so long straid from the fold of the godlie virgins and erred from the paths of the righteous women Bath thy selfe I saie in the sweet streames of repentance which so often hast wallowed in the filthie puddles of vnrighteousnes O God of all consolation and securitie I durst not sue for anie fauour at thine hands vnlesse I had brought in my bosome a pardon for my sinnes procured by repentance in the death of Christ which heere with teares I present vnto thee desiring thee good God of consolation if again with the dog I returne to my vomit and wallowe in my sinnes as the sow in the mire then to driue me from the countrie of the godlie and to banish me like a vagabond from the court of my sauiour and spouse yea I desire of God it may be so and I hope in Christ it shall be so And although I am not woorthie to lift vp mine eies to heauen to call to my God for grace by reason of the multitude of my misdeeds which alwaies are as red as scarlet in my sight yet am I not vnworthie with continuall weeping and crieng for grace to loose them For seeing my soule is constrained through greef of conscience to powre forth praiers to my God for his mercie and grace it is meete it should be done with great contrition of heart and continuall mourning Consider therefore O my soule what thou hast done and what plagues thou hast deserued for losing thy virginitie Ponder I say lament and remember O my soule before thou end the short pilgrimage of this life how thine aduersarie the Diuell like a roring lion lies lurking in euerie corner to deuoure thee and sends out his messengers into all places to entrap thee O my God what doo I see on earth but engins to entrap me What I say can I behold but baites to entise mee Alas and out alas what doo I heare A cōfession of mourners a crashing of teeth and a great multitude of howlers Wo is me alas For me thinks I see great flames of fire huge balles of wild fire and fornaces full of boiling leade and all approching neere vnto me Alas what meanes these strange cries of monstrous woormes What diuelish spite doth thus inflame them and what firie flame doth so torment them O yee hellish hagges frieng with heate and frowning with furie why are yee so cruell to those that lie howling amongst you Is there no meane no remedie nor no end of this your punishments and are these O my God the torments which are prepared for filthie fornicators and contemners of thy commandements of which I am one yea the cheef of all sinners And must I needs abide these infernall plagues Then O my soule why art thou not afraid And thou my hart why dooest thou not rent in sunder Alas alas how suddenlie yea and how greeuouslie the serieants of sinne now seeme to arrest me Alas I saie what wicked actions mine aduersarie sinne hath found against mee But oh cruell sinne whether wilt thou carrie me And thou my God whither wilt thou leade me If I haue committed this horrible crime which deserueth death O yet remember I praie thee that thou art my Sauiour If I haue broken the bands of chastitie O yet call to mind that thou art my redeemer O my God if I haue done any thing that deserueth death and damnation yet forget not how that thou sheddest thy pretious bloud to saue me And therefore O my mercifull God be not so seuere in marking what is done amisse of me but let thy mercie preuaile and couer all my secret and open faults Remember thou saiedst by the mouth of the Prophet I will not the death of a sinner but that he should conuert and liue My God which canst not lie what meanest thou to say that thou wouldest not the death of a sinner if thou throwe him into the bottomlesse pit of hell Dooest thou meane that thou carest not for the death of a sinner when thou committest him to the slauerie of the diuell Is this thy meaning I say when thou saiedst I had rather he should turne and liue I am a sinner O my God if therefore thou haue no delight in the death of a sinner then who shall let thee to take compassion vpon mee sillie woman If thou hadst rather he should turne and liue then who shall withhold thy countenance from me sinfull wretch If the hugenesse of my sinnes deserues a wound the care of so gratious a father prepares a salue God forbid that the wickednesse of a sinner repenting hir of hir sinne from the bottome of hir heart should surmount the mercies of so bounteous a Sauiour O therefore remember me most louing father I beseech thee because thou art my redeemer and take compassion vpon thine vnwoorthie handmaid because thou art my sauiour Respect not O my God the iustice due to so greeuous a sinner but remember thy louing kindnesse towards thy creature Remember not O Lord the offences of a sore transgressor but call to mind the mercies of a louing sauiour I confesse O Lord that my sinnes both old and new deserues eternall condemnation and that no repentance is able to make satisfaction for the least of my faults and yet by faith I am assured of my saluation bicause thy mercies surpasse thy iudgements Spare me therefore O Lord for my soule appealeth from the seate of thy iustice to the throne of thy mercie O deliuer me because thou art almightie Oh saue me sinfull woman because thou art mercifull and take compassion vpon
both sense of that celestiall wisedome and a true desire of our coupling to thee In thee a true and burning good will towards man whose nature thou tookedst on thee is inflamed such a comfortable affection of vnfeigned loue should the chast bridegroome beare towards his beloued wife and the bride likewise to hir husband Thou louest and makest much of thy flesh thou nourishest and dooest comfort the faithfull ingraffed into thee by true faith and so should man and wife beeing one â—â—esh loue togither hartilie without all dissimulation Behold the Church according to the auncient custome of espousals lieth before the altar beseeching thee to reconcile thine eternall father vnto vs and to receiue vs into thy societie O our spouse most heauenlie make vs partakers of that couenant which thou entredst into with our nature Blot out all the filthinesse of our sinfull flesh by thy merite transforme vs into new through thine holie spirit and make vs by the same spirit to be one with thee depending vpon thee And forasmuch as thy diuine pleasure is to haue this heauenlie marriage to be celebrated among manie troubles in this miserable life where wine is not alwaies to be had and the face of thy Church is manie times like our water pots our fraile bodies oppressed with euils filled to the full with water and teares where also we are troubled if we be not heard when we make our praiers and hardlie we can bridle our selues with patience to expect thine houre assist and strengthen vs that these fraile vessels of ours in which thy Church hath hir nest be not broken through the malice of Sathan and rage of tyrants Graunt that in crosses and troubles of this life we may constantlie depend vpon thy counsell and assistance and doo that thing onlie which thou hast commanded and gratiouslie prouide that in that ioifull houre thy seruants and ministers may powre out the sweet wine of thy voice giue comfort in our greatest needs and bring vs to thee which art the truth and the life so that when this temporall marriage shall take an end wee may drinke new wine with pleasure in the feast of thy father Amen Ecclesiasticus 15 verse 2. As a pure virgin newlie married doth friendlie entreate hir husband so shall iustice and wisedome being pure and vndefiled greatlie entertaine hir louers Or thus Wisedome as a wife married of a virgin shall receiue or entertaine him that feareth God and keepeth the lawe A praier to be vsed of a virgin newlie married togither with hir husband the first night before they ioine togither in the dutie of marriage after the godlie example of Sara and Tobias who made and vsed the same before they laie togither for the space of three daies as appeareth Tob. cap. 8. 9. A sentence out of Tob. cap. 6. verse 17. worthie to be called to memorie of all new married folkes THey that receiue marriage after such a fashion that they shut God out from them and from their hart and giue themselues to their owne lusts euen as it were in Horsse and Mule which haue no vnderstanding vpon such hath the diuell power Therefore when thou takest an husband and art come into the chamber withhold thy selfe from him awhile and giue thy diligence vnto nothing but vnto praier with him that Sathan may haue no power ouer you that ye may be receiued into the companie of the holie Patriarchs and finallie that ye may obteine the blessing and fauour of God euen holie and sound children the fruits of your bodie and knéeling on your knées saie one after another as followeth ¶ The Praier or petition Husband BLessed and praised be thou O Lord God of our fathers and blessed is thine holie and glorious name for euer Wife Let the heauens blesse thee O God yea the earth the sea the welles the flouds and all the creatures that be therin praise and magnifie thee Husband Thou madest Adam of the mould of the earth and gauest him Eua his wife for an helper and staie Wife Of them came mankind O Lord and thou hast said It is not good that a man should be alone let vs make him an aid like vnto himselfe Husband And now O Lord thou knowest I take not this my sister to wife for fornication or voluptuousnes but vprightlie in thy feare for continencie and onlie for the loue and desire of children in whome thy name may be blessed for euer Wife Thou knowest also O Lord that I thine handmaid am pure from all sin with man and that I haue consented to take this my brother whome thou hast kept for me to be mine husband not for anie pleasure or fleshlie lust but in thy feare and for the desire also of children that in the seed of Abraham I may obteine thy blessing in children Husband Therefore haue mercie on vs twaine being the deerelie beloued children of our parents and cause vs to magnifie thee more perfectlie and to offer continuallie vnto thee the sacrifice of thy praise and of our health and sweetnesse for thy mercies extended towards vs. Wife Haue mercie vpon vs O Lord haue mercie vpon vs and as thou hast put awaie from vs the enimie that persecuted vs and made vs ioifull in thee so according to thy great mercie deale mercifullie with vs still and grant that we may come whole and sound each to other and become aged togither Husband Thy blessing O God be now and euermore vpon vs and vpon both our parents and as thou O Lord of thy goodnesse hast ioined vs togither so by the vertue and power of thy holie spirit blesse vs and multiplie and increase vs that we may togither see our children and our childrens children vnto the third and fourth generation Wife Yea let our seed be blessed of thee our most high and holie God that all people may knowe that thou onlie art God reigning in all the earth and to be blessed and praised for euer Husband Heare our praiers O God and for thy holie name sake grant our request through the intercession of our onlie mediatour and sauiour Iesus Christ our Lord. Wife Amen deere God Amen God the Father blesse vs God the Sonne blesse vs God the holie Ghost blesse preserue and kéepe vs the Lord mercifullie with his fauour looke vpon vs and so fill vs with all spirituall benediction and grace that we may so liue togither in this life that in the world to come we may haue life euerlasting Amen Another verie necessarie and fruitfull praier to be often vsed of all married couples for the obteining of a godlie louing and quiet life in that honourable state of Matrimonie FOrasmuch as it hath pleased thee O almightie God the creator and anthor of all things to direct both our minds rule our hearts and call vs from single life vnto this holie state of honourable wedlock whereby through thy mercie we haue not onlie escaped the entising snares of Sathan our ancient enimie the euill example of
restore in me that which my sins haue hindered and corrupted and either take from me the great labour and dangerous trauell that my sins haue deserued the feare that it hath brought me into for the same so that I shall not need such power and strength such care and industrie as my corruption now seeketh and requireth or else so qualifie mitigate and order all my throwes paines pangs and pinches of this my child-birth that the trauell thereof doo not surmount nor ouercome my strength further than thou oh father wilt make mee able to beare endure the same or else encrease my strength encourage my mind and fortifie my senses so that I may without mistrust despaire or grudging against thy maiestie beare the labour to the end For my God and deere Father I doo knowe and assuredlie beleeue that all my paines and throwes are so in thy fatherlie ordering and working that onlie so far foorth shall they be painefull and greeuous vnto mee and no further but as thy diuine prouidence doth appoint Assist mee therefore oh most deere father with thy most cheerefull present and readie helpe and comfort me with thy holie Ghost For deere father as thou didst laie this rod of correction vpon vs for our sins that we should conceiue in sorrowe and beare in perill so Lord thou of thy goodnes didst promise that we should bring foorth Therefore oh most louing and pitifull father according to this thy holie promise I beseech thee send me good deliuerance of such a child as may be to the praise of thy holie name a witnes and testimonie of thy good will and blessing to this most honourable state of matrimonie and also by thine holie institution of baptisme may be made of the number of thine elect children and heire of thine eternall kingdome by the merits and deseruings of thy deere Sonne Iesus Christ in whose name I beseech thee furthermore as he hath taught and commanded me saieng Our father which art in heauen c. The same praier more breefe THY wisedome and power shine foorth in all thy works O Lord but yet much more greater more manifest and more woonderfull are they in the shaping of man Of how small beginning dooest thou make so maruellous a liuing thing infusing a soule into it whose originall is from heauen to the intent he should long to returne thither as into his countrie And now that thou hast â—â—uchsafed to make me as it were thy worke-house wherein to fashion so singular a worke I most humblie and hartilie thanke thee beseeching thee that as thou hast giuen me abilitie to conceiue so thou wilt giue me strength to the perfecting of the thing that is in breeding that I may safelie both beare it and bring it foorth Trulie thou O mercifull father hadst of thine owne goodnes made this worke of child-bearing easie but our sinne hath made it sorrowfull and full of danger O most gratious worke-man let thy pitifulnes amend the thing which our sinfulnes hath marred and either abate my paine that I may not haue need of so great strength tendance and running or else increase my strength power and courage that I may be able to ouercome all the paines of my trauell Amen The same praier againe in Meeter THY wisedome Lord in all thy waies and power great to performe it We cease to search and onlie praise They passe so far the reach of wit And thus we muse and maruell much at all thy works and yet we find No maruell nor no wonder such as dailie forming of man-kind Of such beginning such an end and of such séed such fruit to growe With Dauid well we may contend to maze to muze and nothing knowe The matter earth the shape from heauen doth knit both soule and flesh in one Whereof such strife is them betwéene from whence they canie they would be gone And yet in all thy wonders great thy mercie Lord doth far passe all Which dooest vouchsafe to worke this feate in me poore wretch thy bond and thrall And as good Lord thou dooest me make thy shop to shape thy worke therein Thy hand-worke so doo not forsake but end the thing thou dooest begin Thy goodnes Lord did once make light this burthen now which sore doth gréeue Untill which wo did wrap each wight the wofull worke of wofull Eue. That Eue hath lost let Christ restore that guilt hath made let grace amend Why should the fault of Eue doo more than grace in Christ God it defend Oh Lord the time approcheth néere that throwes of Eue I must sustaine And that I may the same well beare increase my strength or lesse my paine Thy will this burthen on me laid thy goodnes eke will ease the same Where Christ hath once the ransome paid why should the déed of Eue bring blame Thus O Lord I me in thy will doo put eke wholie in thy hand I will not once swarue from thy skill to die or liue to fall or stand Amen Another godlie and earnest praier to be said of euerie Christian and faithfull woman in the time of hir trauell or child-birth vsed of the vertuous Ladie Frances Aburgauennie ALmightie God my heauenlie and most mercifull father I feele thy promised punishment at this present to take effect on me which for the gilt and transgression of my progenitors hath beene by thy diuine maiestie iustlie pronounced against me and the whole generation of Adam Great and intollerable are these bitter pangs and pearsing paines that in this my trauell of child-birth I endure and abide Now feele I as it were a cruell and sharpe conflict betwixt death and life now feele I O Lord the rod of thy correction according to thy iustice laid heauie vpon me for the vse and exercise of sin and iniquitie yet when it shall please thee good Lord looke vpon me with the eies of thy fatherlie compassion and pitie and according to the multitude of thy manifold mercies be thou now present with me Armâ— mee O mightie God with perfect patience ioifullie to beare thy correction and in the middest of these my sharpe and bitter brunts of greefe giue me grace still to call vpon thee Strengthen me a poor wretched woman giue mee comfort and heauenlie consolation from aboue and when thou shalt thinke it meet and conuenient send me safe deliuerance that I may enioie the fruit of my wombe the sight whereof shall adorne and decke me anew with ioie and gladnes otherwise good Lord if in this season thou determine to take mee hence vnto thy selfe by thy messenger death to whose stroke all creatures when thou thinkest it meet and expedient shall bow make me constant and faithfull in thee whose I am whether I die or liue Forget my sins and offences committed by mee against thee Let the bloud of the Lambe Iesus wash away my deformitie Let the spots of my corruption be purged and taken awaie Let my infected soule that is putrified therein be purified therein
Giue me grace alwaies whether I liue or die to call vpon thee continuallie Giue me power to pitch my confidence onelie and alone in the bloudie wounds of Christ Iesus to whome in this my distresse I flie and appeale for remedie and comfort Grant this O gratious God which liuest and reignest world without end Amen Another praier of a woman being in trauell LORD saue mee or else I perish Lord haue mercie vpon me a sinner Pitifull Iesu shew thy mercie vnto me and let the light of thy countenance shine vpon me that I be not swallowed vp of greefe and sorrowe Lord sweet Lord thou sendest thy seruants to call me to the marriage the fatlings and oxen are killed and dinner is readie Lord giue me grace to come vnto thee that I beeing freed from sin and eased of sorrowe the fruit of sin may marrie thee in the couenant of thy mercie and banquet with thee face to face at the table of ioie in the heauenlie Ierusalem Lord louing Lord and gratious God blesse the fruit of my wombe and take it into thy familie For I beleeue Lord that thou becamest of God the son of man to make it and all other whome thy father hath giuen thee the children of God thy heauenlie father According to my faith therefore O Lord be it vnto me Open the doore of thy mercie and lodge my child in the vertue of the couenant that being my God and the God of my seed I may glorifie thee both now and euer and offer vp the sacrifice of praise and the fruits of a ioious spirit vnto thee Lord and father of heauen it is thy will that all men should be saued thy will be done and saue me and my child by thy mercie I beseech thee Amen Another meditation in Meeter to be said of a woman with child made by W.H. In time of trouble call on mee And I will then deliuer thee THE time drawes nigh of bitter painefull throwes how long I shall the same endure God knowes O Lord my God I humblie aske of thée make haste swéet Christ and safe deliuer me As I by sin deserued haue right well such paine as this yea more than tongue can tell Yet ah my God turne not awaie thy face nor me forsake in this so sharpe a case This wombe and fruit that springeth in the same hast thou create to glorie of thy name Opprest with paine O Lord when I shall bée make lesse the same so much as pleaseth thée And grant good God thy creature may procéed safelie on liue with mercie at my néed In Christes name I will my trauell sho now holie Ghost come comfort me in wo. Come father déere and let thy power descend O Iesu Christ thy mercies great extend Ah God behold my dolour and my smart swéet holie Ghost my comforter thou art Take part with me and heare my wofull crie Exâ—uli me miserere mei Amen In long and sore labour call earnestlie vpon God and saie to your comfort the 6. 38. 51. 102. 30. and 142. Psalmes of Dauid commonlie called the seauen penitenti all Psalmes or the Psalme of a penitenâ— sinner Or else this 22. Psalme of DAVID following called The complaint of Christ on the Crosse. MY God my God why hast thou forsaken me It seemeth that I shall not obteine deliuerance though I seeke it with lowd cries My God I will crie all the daie long but thou wilt not answer and all the night long I make pitious mone without taking anie rest The meane time thou most holiest seemst to sit stil not caring for the things y â— I suffer which so oft hast helped me heeretofore hast giueÌ„ to thy people Israel sufficieÌ„t argument and matter to praise thee with songs wherwith they haue giuen thanks to thee for thy benefits Our fore-fathers and mothers were woont to put their trust in thee and as often as they did so thou didst deliuer them out of their distresse As oft as they cried for helpe to thee they were deliuered as oft as they committed themselues to thee they were not confounded nor put to anie shame But as for me I seeme rather to be a worme than a woman the doonghill of Adam and Eue the outcast of the vulgar people As manie as haue seene me laugh haue laughed me to scorne and reuiled me and shaking their heads in deriston at me haue cast me in the teeth saieng She is wont to boast and glorie that she is in great fauour with God wherefore let God now deliuer hir if he loue hir so well By thy procurement O Lord I came out of my mothers wombe and thou gauest me good comfort euen when I sucked my mothers breasts Through thy meanes I came into this world and as soone as I was borne I was left to thy tuition yea thou wast my God when I was yet in my mothers wombe Wherefore go not far awaie froÌ„ me for danger is euen now at hand so none in earth will or can help me Manie buls haue closed me in both strong and fat they haue compassed me round about They haue opened their mouth against me like vnto a lion that gapeth vpon his praie and roareth for hunger I am powred out like water and all my lims losed one from another and my hart is melted within me as it were waxe All my strength is gone and dried vp like vnto a tilestone my tongue cleaueth to the roofe of my mouth and at the last I shall be buried in the earth as the dead be woont For dogs haue compassed me round about and the most wicked haue conspired against me they wound euen my verie hart hands head and feet I was so vngentlie intreated of them that I might easilie number all my bones and after all the paine and torment that they did to me with greeuous countenance they stared and looked vpon me They diuided my cloaths among them and cast lots for my coate Wherefore Lord I beseech thee go not far from me but for-as-much as thou art my power my strength make haste to helpe me Deliuer my soule from danger of the sword and keepe my life destitute of all mortall helpe from the violence of the infernall dog Saue my soule from the mouth of the lion and take me from the hornes of the vnicornes So will I shew vnto my breethren and sisters the maiestie of thy name and when the people are most assembled togither I will praise and set foorth thy most worthie acts and deeds All that worship the Lord praise him all the posteritie of Iacob magnifie him all ye that be of the stocke of Israell with reuerence serue and honour him For he hath not despised and set at naught his poore hand-maid bicause of hir miserie nor he hath not disdainefullie turned awaie his face from hir but rather as soone as his poore hand-maid cried vnto him for helpe he heard hir by and by I will praise thee therefore with my songs
groanes incident therevnto for hir sins and be thou present with hir O blessed God to helpe both hir and hir babe in this hir sore labour O comfort and ease hir in the midst of this hir anguish and greefe for without thine assistance vndoubtedlie she must needs perish for vaine is the helpe of man we nor all the world can not helpe hir O come quicklie therefore we beseech thee good Lord and helpe thou hir in this hir great need and extremitie worke thou all our works for vs to thy glorie and hir comfort Defend hir from this imminent danger of deliuerance Keepe hir in perpetuall peace hope patience and safetie Strengthen hir faith and womanlie weakenes and visit hir O Lord according to the time of life as thou didst Sara Rebecca Thamar Hanna and Elizabeth thy holie hand-maids Blesse hir and preserue hir we beseech thee O Lord that no waie being terrified frighted or troubled extreamelie she neither murmur against thy works and saie with Rebecca Seeing my greefs are so great why am I thus with child Neither faint through sorrowe nor be vntimelie or vnluckilie deliuered but grant that in true faith and continuall inuocation of thy holie name she may be saued and now suffer thee quietlie to worke thy good will and pleasure according to thy diuine decree and secret iudgements vpon hir either for hir sins or for thy glorie and our example vntill according to thy promise in thy good time she do receiue comfort for hir sorrowe mirth for hir mourning gladnes for hir sadnes ioie for hir woe euen by mitigation of these hir miseries ease of hir anguishes release of hir labours dispatch of hir pangs deliuerance of hir burthen and speedie birth of hir babe borne into the world through the might of thy mercie and power of thy compassion to the glorie and high exaltation of thy name as both she and we most hartilie wish long for eâ—pect and desire yea and with teares and sighs doo vnfeignedlie craâ—e of thee and that through the onlie mysterie of Christ his holie incarnation blessed birth and painfull passion So be it For a woman that trauelleth before hir time and is in great perill praie as followeth ALmightie God which in thy secret iudgements diddest once strike the wife of Phinees being great with child with such a sudden fright and feare when she heard that thy arke was taken by the enimie and both hir husband and hir father slaine by thee with sudden death that thou causedst hir presentlie through grieuous pangs and bitter paines that came vpon hir in that instant to bow hir selfe and trauell before hir time wherein with great sorrowe she died We beseech thee in the name of thy deere sonne our sauiour Iesus Christ be mercifull vnto this wofull woman thy hand-maid and humble seruant whom now in thine vnsearchable iudgments thou hast visited also as it seemeth with the wofull chance of vntimelie trauell to the triall of hir faith hope and patience in thee And let not this time of hir sorrowe we praie thee be vnto hir as the time and houre of Rachel and Phinees wiues trouble was vnto them but by thy mightie power and mercie deliuer hir there-from if it be thy will as hir onelie trust is in thee And to this purpose staie we beseech thee the furiousnes of the wicked spirits that they shew not at this time their tyrannie and malice either vpon hir or hir seelie babe and so blesse preserue and keepe both hir and it that she may be no waie terrified frighted vexed or troubled either in bodie to faint or in mind to murmur and despaire through the extremitie of intollerable paines nor at this time for anie anguish be compelled to be deliuered before hir time to hir discomfort But grant that she may yet tarrie quietlie and patientlie vntill the time be fulfilled which thou in the course of nature full wiselie hast set at which time of life and not before we beseech thee O Lord then certinlie to come againe vnto hir that she maie dulie and safelie be deliuered and hir child come to life to hir comfort and thy glorie Neuerthelesse if it shall seeme good vnto thee for all this now in thy secret iudgements either for hir sins or for thy glorie and our terrour by example to hasten through laborous pangs pinching throwes an vntimelie birth vpon hir or if it shall please thee to cause without offence be it spoken an vnluckie or vnnaturall deliuerance to happen as now vnto hir at this time as iustlie we confesse thou maist if thou respect hir and our sinnes committed against thy maiestie and not rather thy mercie promised to all that faithfullie call vpon thee as we here now doo then not our wils but thy will which is euer in all things best be now euer fulfilled done both in hir hir babe and in vs to the glorie of thy holie name Onelie we craue of thee and that in the bowels and for the tender mercie of our Sauiour Iesus Christ that thou wilt yet grant hir abundance of thy grace both patientlie to abide thy fatherlie correction faithfullie to beleeue thine infallible promises so that for no paine or extremitie of torment or anguish either in bodie or mind she may not be discouraged discomforted shrinke faint or fall from hir faith or hope in thee but thanking thee for all things that may happen vnto hir let hir feele yet in hir bodie such ease and mitigation of hir paines and in hir soule and conscience such comfort and consolation from thee that she may assure hir selfe of thy fauour and mercie in Christ to haue forgiuenes of all hir sins togither with the release of all hir miseries and so after triall this thy troubled hand-maid may take comfort hoping to be crowned and after trouble this thy afflicted seruant may find deliuerance grace health and euerlasting saluation through Iesus Christ our Lord and onelie Sauiour Amen If the woman trauelling be at the point of death praie as followeth O Most mercifull God which according to the multitude of thy mercies doest so put away the sinnes of those which truelie repent that thou remembrest them no more open thine eies of mercie vpon this thy hand-maid now in great danger of death who most earnestlie calleth vpon thee desiring pardon and forgiuenesse of all hir sinnes and offences committed against thee and thy people Renew in hir therefore O most tender harted father whatsoeuer hath beene decaied by the fraud and malice of satan or neglected by hir owne carnall will and frailenes Preserue and continue this weake and distressed member in the vnitie bosome of thy Church consider hir broken and contrite hart accept hir lamentable teares mitigate hir intollerable throwes and pangs asswage hir paines greefes and release hir vtterlie of all hir miserie and wo as shall be seene to thy heauenlie wisedome most expedient for hir and conuenient for thy Church And forasmuch as
mercifullie shewedst vpon them in their great trauels labours and paines when they fled vnto thy holie name for succour as vnto a strong tower bulworke and holie defence Go foorth O Lord to make them the ioifull mothers of manie children endue them with long life that they may see their childers children and the children that thou giuest vnto them make thou as in age so likewise in wisedome and in the abundance of thy holy spirit to increase that they may haue fauour both with thee and with all good men vnto the glorie of thy most blessed name Amen The mothers praier for hir childrens good education O Eternall God creator and preseruer of all man-kind the giuer of all spirituall grace and the onlie author of eternall life I most hartilie thanke thee that it hath pleased thy fatherlie goodnes to giue me these thy creatures the fruit of my bodie as a witnes and testimonie of thy fatherlie fauour and good will towards this most honourable state of matrimonie Oh Lord as thou hast giuen them vnto me so I beseech thee vouchsafe to giue me thy gifts both spirituall and bodilie that I may haue competent wherwith to educate and bring them vp Haue mercie on me oh Lord and giue vnto them thy grace and holie spirit and open thou their wits and senses and giue them the true knowledge and vnderstanding of thy holie word a louing affection and obedience vnto the same and a true faith in it Giue them wisedome vnderstanding knowledge and discretion docilitie capacitie and facilitie to comprehend take and receiue doctrine learning nouriture and discipline that they may be made worthie instruments of thy glorie and profitable members of thy Church to the aduauncement of thy glorie the edifieng of thy Church and the comfort of my conscience by Iesus Christ our Sauiour Amen Another praier to be vsed of euerie godlie mother for the godlie proofe of hir child made for the Ladie Lettice O Most mercifull Lord God almightie onelie which art gratious and good as by thy diuine will power this my child was formed and made a liuing creature consisting of bodie and soule in the wombe of me his naturall mother from whom he is departed into this world by naturall birth weake and impotent of fraile and sinfull substance by his owne propertie inclined to ignorance and sinne and now inuironed with thousands of malicious mightie and subtill enimies both bodilie and ghostlie which waite for the seducing leading of him to perill death and destruction wherevnto all mankind is prone and were it not for thy mercifull grace and tuition soone ouercome So be it thy will O most graâ—ious Lord in the abundance of thy mercies and loue for Christs thy deere sonnes sake with thy fatherlie eie to looke vpon him to blesse him powring plentifullie of thy heauenlie gifts vpon him that being preserued brought vp and nourished in diuine knowledge faith feare and obedience of thee through true profession of thy sweete sonne Iesus in the sinceritie of the Gospell he may growe rich and beautifull in all godlines and vertue in all his waies and proceedings seeking the kingdome of eternall glorie through firme abundant faith and holie conuersation in Christ our sauiour working all righteousnes filled with meeknes brotherlie loue obedience cheerfull hope desire of heauenlie things contempt of the world and mightilie armed with thy grace and strengthened by thine assistance to vanquish the power of sinfull flesh and satan that hauing victorie in the end he may ioifullie triumph in thy presence O God with the rest of thy beloued saints to giue honour and continuall praise to thy most holie name in blisse euerlasting through thy deere sonne our mercifull Lord and Sauiour Amen Another praier of the mother for hir child ALmightie euerlasting God which of thine infinit mercie and goodnes hast promised vnto vs that thou wilt not onelie be our God but also the God father of our children I beseech thee that as thou hast vouchsafed to call vs to be partakers of this thy great mercie in the felowship of faith so it may please thee to sanctifie with thy spirit into the number of thy children this infant which thou hast giuen me to the end that he comming to perfect age may confesse thee onelie the true God and whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ and to serue him and be profitable vnto his Church in the whole course of his life that after this life beeing ended he may be brought as a liuelie member of his bodie vnto the full fruition of thy ioies in the highest heauens where thy sonne our sauiour Christ reigneth with thee world without end Amen Another praier to be vsed of the mother for the good education of hir youth and children OH gratious God in knowledging that thou louest all things which thou hast made of thy goodnes and that thing cannot perish which is committed to thy charge now I come vnto thee with my tender children committing them into thine hands and desiring thee to couer them vnder the wings of thy prouident mercie Hew and square the rough table of their hearts of stonie make them fleshie that being softened by the deaw of thy blessings they may beare the seales of adoption in thy Sonne Christ. O Lord guide them in this darke vale of vanitie with the light of thy fauour that escaping the dongeon of sin they may walke in newnes of life and lodge alwaies in thine holie will Imprint in their harts faith hope humilitie chastitie and charitie that following thee they may be humble and meeke holie vertuous perfect and godlie as thou art Indue them with the spirit of feare that they may kisse thee in faith liuelie obedience and thou be neuer angrie with them but louing vnto them as the mother is to hir tender sucklings Amen Another praier for the godlie and vertuous life of thy childe O Lord God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ and father of all them that beleeue which hast said by the mouth of Salomon the sonne of Dauid that an vndiscreet sonne is a greefe vnto his father and an heauines vnto his mother that bare him and that the wise sonne maketh a glad father but an vndiscreet bodie shameth his mother that it would please thee so to conduct and guide this my sonne S. in his waie that he may acknowledge and confesse that thou art the author of his life that he may serue and honor thee without feare in all truth and righteousnes and growing in age he may be mortified in spirit that he may be filled with wisedome and that thy grace be with him To conclude that by that meanes keeping thy precepts he may prolong his daies heere vpon earth obeieng vs his parents whom thou hast chosen as instruments for to place him in this world Giue vnto him O Lord such ease for the commoditie of this life that vnder colour of pouertie he doo not couet or
God vntill thou which dwellest in the heauens haue mercie vpon me and the eies of thy hand-maid attend and looke diligentlie vnto the hand of hir mistresse that my soule be neuer filled with the scornfull reproofe of the wealthie nor with the despitefulnes of the proud Make me true both in word and deed vnto those whom I serue and with all possible care and industrie to declare my fidelitie and obedience by my faithfull painfull and trustie seruice and by preferring still their busines to mine owne necessitie Make thou me godlie religious and holilie giuen to all vertuous exercises Giue me grace to praie often and hartilie for my master and mistresse their children friends and all their familie and for the whole Church And let thy holie feare be alwaies before mine eies to shunne and auoid all occasion of sinne and offence both in my selfe and others that I may be worthilie accompted in the number of those godlie seruants and maids on whom thou hast promised to powre thy holie spirit and that thou also my souereigne Lord and master maist testifie for my righteous and faithfull seruice by blessing my labours and rewarding mine industrie and diligence as thou didst all the godlie seruants and hand-maids in the old time and thereby giue me ample occasion to laud and praise thee all the daies of my life Finallie whatsoeuer I shall go about to doo doo thou vouchsafe to blesse me O God let it both be begun continued and ended in thee and also tend euermore to the glorie of thy name the wealth of my master and mistresse the full discharge of my dutie and the increase of my faith and blessing in thee euer for Iesus Christs sake thy sonne and my sauiour who being verie God equall with thee laid aside his glorie and being Lord of all made himselfe of no reputation and tooke on him the forme of a seruant willinglie to submit himselfe to the most shamefull death of the crosse for our redemption to whom therfore with thee and the holie ghost three persons and one God be all honour praise power rule and dominion for euer and euer Amen The poore widowes mite conteining seuen meditations or praiers in meeter for the obteining of Gods mercie and the forgiuenes of sin against desperation to be said or soongâ— gathered by William Hunnis one of the Gentlemen of hir Highnes Chappell and maister to the children of the same AH helples wretch what shall I doo or which way shall I run The earth be wraies heauen records the sins that I haue doâ—â— The gates of hell wide open stand for to receiue me in And fearefull fâ—ends all readie be to torment me for sin Alas where shall I succour finde The earth doth me denie And to the sacred heauens aboue I dare not lift mine eie If heauen and earth shall witnes be against my soule for sin Untimelie birth alas for me much better then had bin And now despaire approcheth fast with bloudie murthering knife And willeth me to end my gréefes by shortning of my life Shall I despaire Thou God forbid for mercie more is thine Than if the sins of all the world were linked now with mine Despise not then most louing Lord the image of thy face Which thou hast wrought and déerelie bought with goodnes of thy grace And since the bloodie price is paid and bitter paines all past Receiue my plaints accept my spirit and mercie grant at last So shall my soule reioice and still for mercie crie Peccaui peccaui miserere mei The second meditation THou God that rulst reignst in light that flesh can not attain Thou God that knowst the thoghts of men are altogither vain Thou God which neither tongue of man nor angell can expresse Thou God it is that I doo séeke thou pitie my distresse Thy seate O God is euerie-where thy power all powers extend Thy wisedome cannot measured be for that it hath no end Thou art the power and wisedome too and sole felicitie But I a lumpe of sinfull flesh nursse of iniquitie Thou art by nature mercifull and mercie is thy name And I by nature miserable and thrall of sin and shame Then let thy nature O good God now worke his force in me And cleanse this nature of my sin and heale my miserie One depth good Lord another craues my depth of sinfull crime Requires thy depth of mercie great for sauing health in time Swéet Christ grant y â— the deapth of grace may swallow vp my sin That I thereby may whiter be than euer snowe hath bin So shall my soule reioice and still for mercie crie Peccaui peccaui miserere mei The third meditation BEfore thy face and in thy sight haue I deuoid of shame O Lord transgressed willinglie I doo confesse the same Yet was I loth that men should knowe or vnderstand my fall Thus feard I man much more than thée thou righteous iudge of all So blind was I and ignorant yea rather wilfull blind That suckt the combe and knew the Bée had left hir sting behind My sins O God to thée are knowne there is no secret place Where I may hide my selfe or them from presence of thy face Where shall I then my selfe bestowe Or who shall me defend None is so louing as my God thy mercies haue none end In déed I grant and doo confesse my sins so heinous be As mercie none at all deserues but yet thy propertie Is alwaie to be mercifull to sinners in distres By which thou wilt declare and shew thy great almightines Haue mercie Lord on me therefore for thy great mercies sake Which camst not righteous men to call but sinners part to take So shall my soule reioice and still for mercie crie Peccaui peccaui miserere mei The fourth meditation MOst gratious God doo not behold the number of my sin Nor yet consider with thy selfe how wicked I haue bin But rather thinke I am but dust or as the withered haie Which flourisheth to daie in féeld to morrowe shorne awaie My flesh rebels against the spirit my spirit too weake is found By sin conceiued in mothers wombe my soule first caught hir wound My flesh is fraile too weak vain to do the thing I should And what I would not that doo I contrarie that I would Thou séest O Lord how weake I am not able for to stand Without the succour helpe and aid of thy most mightie hand And what is he that will not staie the man thats like to fall Or will refuse the sicke to helpe for helpe when he doth call If thou wilt laie vnto my charge the burden of my sin O Lord the conquest is but small that thou thereby shalt win For why thy glorie and thy praise in mercie doth consist Unto the which I yéeld my selfe to doo with what thou list My soule shall trust in thée and still for mercie crie Peccaui peccaui miserere mei The fift meditation IF I demand what mercie is thou
crauing that the oblation of thine annointed which is the iustifier and sanctifier of all that are to be iustified and sanctified may make vs cleane and so receiue vs into thy tuition And seeing obedience pleaseth thee better than the fat of sheep and the sacrifice of our lips better than the flesh and blood of beasts grant that we may finish our mortall race in shewing foorth thy praise and keeping thy holie will And forasmuch as thou hast thought good to set vp thy seruant our Queene a woman and a fraile vessell ouer vs to gouerne this kingdome and that she must render an account thereof a hard thing so to doo before the iudgement seat of thy Sonne Christ send downe we beseech thee O Father send downe such grace from thy high throne vpon thy daughter our Queene Elizabeth as thou knowest most necessarie for the performance and execution of so great a charge Thou hast giuen hir Councellers grant that she may vse their counsell happilie indue them with godlie righteous and carefull harrs that they may be both willing and able simplie faithfullie to consult and also prouidentlie to prouide aswell for thy church as for hir and vs hir people It is thy grace O Lord that we hir people renewed with thy word doo suffer our selues to be nourished with the same send foorth therfore faithfull shepherds godlie and true teachers to feed vs and driue awaie all hirelings and rauening woolues from this flocke of thine and of thy sonne Iesus Christ. Besides this so blesse vs the sheepe of thy pasture that we may neuer denie thee the chiefe honour our Queene thy deputie hir obedience and our neighbours mutuall loue Furthermore of thy goodnes mainteine peace and tranquillitie defend our Queene hir kingdome and countrie from bloudie warres and especiallie protect hir and vs from hollowe harts from ciuill tumults and conspiracies which haue shaken the greatest part of Christendome And bicause the affliction of euerie poore creature apperteineth to hir in so much as she is thine inspire the magistrates vnder hir with thy holie spirit that they may willinglie and carefullie mainteine iustice and prouide for the releefe of Christs poore members whose treasures both she and we and all others are whom thou hast blessed with thy earthlie benefites Heare our praiers we beseech thee for the sake of thy sonne Iesus Christ our redeemer to whom with thee and thy holie spirit bee all honour and glorie for euer Amen Morning and Euening praiers A praier to be said in the morning ALmightie and eternall God my Creator and louer I praise adore and blesse thee for that in mine offences and vngratefulnes thou hast so mercifullie and leisurelie forborne and suffered me to liue euen vnto this houre wherevnto by thy benefites thou hast brought me giuing to me thine vnworthie and reprochfull hand-maid both life and necessaries therevnto belonging appointing angels to be my keepers O good God who knoweth whether til euening my life shall be prolonged or what death is appointed for me Oh mercifull Lord God and heauenlie Father that I may with hartie repentance truelie repent my sinnes and inwardlie bewaile that euer I offended thy godlie maiestie suffer not my soule to depart this bodie before it be through thy mercie perfectlie reconciled adopted vnto thee by thy grace bedeckt with thy merits and vertues inflamed with perfect charitie and acceptable vnto thee according to thy will O mercifull Lord Iesu Christ if these things which I desire doo stand with thy pleasure grant them I beseech thee although I be not worthie to be heard Yeeld and giue I beseech thee of thine infinite mercie that by the merits of thy passion I may be purged from all my sinnes and that at the houre of my death I may be striken with true and vehement contrition and beeing knit with thee in perfect charitie I may immediatlie die vnto thee my sooeet Redeemer safelie and freelie from all damnation Neuertheles in all these my requests O best beloued Iesu I doo fullie and wholie offer and resigne my selfe vnto thee to be altogither disposed and ordered according to thy will and to suffer for thy glorious name sake desiring this one thing at thy hands that thou wilt remember my fragilitie vnworthines vnstablenes and miseries togither with thine owne goodnes and most charitable mercie praieng thee neuer to forsake or leaue me but that thou wilt alwaies possesse and gouerne me according to thy will Amen Another Morning praier OH Lord my God and most benigne Sauiour Iesus Christ who when I was not didst creat and make me capable of the souereigne and onelie good and being made a thrall and bondslaue through my forefathers trespasse didst redeeme me with thy most pretious blood and losse of thy sacred life abiding the torments due to my trespasses to acquite and rid me from the same For these O Lord and all other thine inestimable benefites namelie for hauing preserued me this night past and all the time and daies of my life hitherto I yeeld thee most humble zealous and obedient thanks offering my selfe wholie to thee as I am wholie thine beseeching thee also of thine infinite clemencie to preserue me this daie and euer from anie waies offending thee and to direct all my thoughts words and works to thine euerlasting glorie Mine estate and calling is as thou knowest O Lord inuironed with manie difficulties and dangers and through mine euill customes and wicked inclinations hardlie can I without thy speciall assistance passe this daie no not one minute thereof without offending thee in manifold sinnes Keepe vnder therefore O Lord my concupiscence and refresh my conscience with the dewes of thy diuine grace O giue me strength I praie thee to fight the good fight of faith more coragiouslie and perseuerantlie than hitherto I haue done and make thou me able to subdue all wicked suggestions of the enimie Trulie Lord heere in humilitie and sinceritie of hart I protest neuer willinglie by thy gratious fauour to offend thy lawes and commandements anie more I detest all sin and whatsoeuer may anie waies displease thy sacred maiestie I desire to loue thee feare thee and serue thee this daie and euermore and to direct all mine actions to thine honor and glorie Assist me Lord with thy grace and enrich my pouertie with the plentie of thy merits for in the vnion of that charitie wherwith thou discendedst from heauen in the blessed virgins wombe and afterward offredst vp thy selfe on the crosse in sacrifice for our sinnes in the vnion of this thy incomprehensible charitie I saie I offer vnto thee whatsoeuer I shall doo thinke or speake this day beseeching thee through thy mercifull goodnes to accept gouerne blesse and enrich me and all that I go about in such sort as thy glorie may be thereby procured my neighbours welfare occasioned and mine owne soule better fortified and prouided To thee my sweet and onlie sauiour Christ with the Father and the
and people slandered but deere God giue mee perfect patience I beseech thee and cause thou me to plucke mine eies from this my husband and yokefellow in too narrowlie beholding his infirmities and make me to behold thee my God in this thine holiâ— ordinance and to looke vpon my selfe and the wallet before me that I may see mine owne slips and faults and learne to pull the beame out of mine owne eie first before I find fault with the moâ—e in his Grant I saie that we may louinglie and with the spirit of meekenes beare one anothers burthen and that I for my part may quietlie beare the frailtie infirmities and faults of my husband with more patience mildnesse and modestie than hitherto I haue so that mine example may be to the comfort and commoditie of other to doo the like Oh Lord thou seest the great corruption of my nature and the pronesse thereof to sin and my weakenesse infirmitie and vnablenes to stand in temptation laie no more on me therefore deere father than thou wilt make me able to beare nor suffer me not to be tempted aboue my strength but in the middest of my temptations make such a waie and issue for me to escape out of dangers that may happen by the instigation of Sathan or his members as shall seeme best to thy diuine prouidence and wisedome so as the same may be to the furtherance of thy glorie the profit of the Church and the comfort of my conscience by Iesus Christ mine onlie mediatour and sauiour So be it A praier to be vsed of the wife for hir husband before or in his trauelling by land TO thee O Lord Iesu Christ I commend my husbands going foorth and his comming in his iourneie and his returning beseeching thee happelie by the hand of thy grace to leade him the way he is about to go or ride and purposeth now to take gratiouslie defend him O good God from the crafts deceits and lieng await of all his enimies as well bodilie as ghostlie Mercifullie keepe and preserue him from all perils both externall and internall and finallie by thine ineffable clemencie grace bring him safe whole and vnhurt home againe from all danger So be it Another O Lord which art the waie the truth and life thou hast promised in the holie scriptures that they which put their trust in thee and looke for helpe at thy hand and take thee for their mightie defender and strong castell shall be preserued harmelesse and walke in all their iourneie safelie and without danger for thou thy selfe wilt take charge of them and shadow them vnder thy mercifull wings so that none euill shall chance vnto them Yea as thou didst send thy holie Angell with Abraham and Tobit and with other thy faithfull seruants to be their guide and defender and to make their iournie prosperous so wilt thou send thy blessed Angels with them that wholie depend on thee and with strong faith commit themselues to thy most godlie tuition which shall safelie keepe them in all their waies yea and sooner hold them vp with thine hands then they shall dash their foote against a stone This thine accustomed gentlenesse towards thy seruants and these thy louing promises encourage methine handmaid greatlie at this present to come vnto thy maiestie and according to my dutie most humblie to beseech thee that as my husband now in thy name hath taken this his iournie vpon him so thou wilt vouchsafe him thy mercy and grace both in the beginning entrie gate and ending of this his trauell and iournie and that thou which art our God wilt keepe him both going out and comming in and direct his feet that he erre not in his waies O Lord I beseech thee giue thine holie Angels charge ouer him to keepe him in thy faith and â—eare wheresoeuer he goeth to take care for him to defend him from all misfortunes and to bring him prosperouslie to that place where his busines lieth Let them guide him I saie O Lord too and fro throughout all his iournie euen as Tobit the yonger was guided of the Angell Raphaell vnto Gabaell habiting in Ragis a Citie of the Medes O Lord our God direct thou his steps that he fall into no perill either of soule or bodie Blesse thou him I saie in this his iournie and preserue him both from the clawes of theeues and murtherers and from the iawes of deuouring beasts Let him find fauour wheresoeuer he commeth and let him honestlie be intreated in all places and his busines being happilie ended and his iournie prosperouslie finished doo thou vouchsafe to bring him safelie home againe of thy mercie and goodnesse that I may praise thee In all his waies be thou present with him as thou wast with Iacob trauelling into Mesopotamia and descending into Egypt Likewise as thou didst conduct the Israelites through the red sea and through the vncomfortable and perillous wildernesse going before them by day in a piller of a cloud and by night in a piller of fire so be thou with my deere husband alwaies in all places and leade him in all this his iournie and bring him home againe in safetie Be thou both his companion and conducter O Lord for into thy hands I commend both his life and all that he hath Finallie graunt that I continuing his faithfull trustie and louing spouse heere at home he may find both me and all his in good health and peace both of bodie and soule at his returne through our Lord Iesus Christ which liueth and reigneth with thee in the vnitie of the holie spirit a God for euermore Amen A praier to be vsed of the wife for hir husband being a Captaine or Souldiour and gone a war-fare ALthough O most sweet Iesu there is nothing more commended and set forth vnto vs in thy holie scriptures than peace vnitie quietnes and concord vnto the which also not onlie Moses and the Prophets but thou and thine Apostles also doo therein diligentlie exhort and contrariwise vehementlie dehort and dissuade all men from discord enmitie malice and war bicause nothing is more seemelie for man than to embrace amiable peace friendlie concord and quiet amitie yea the verie creation shape birth of man proueth euidentlie man to be formed and made vnto peace yet such is the monstrous malice of Sathan that old enimie of mankind that he goeth about like a roaring Lion seeking whom he may deuoure and with all manner of labour sweateth to banish peace from the children of men and in sted thereof violentlie to thrust in discord tumults seditions wars bloud-sheading man-slaughter destruction of realmes and countries cities and villages intending by this meanes to make hauocke of all togither so that he furiouslie raging in his members prouoketh manie times thy seruants for the defence of their countrie and the safegard of their wife children families and people to go on warfare and to wage battell with their enimies I therefore most humblie beseech thee to assist my
husband or friend is in prison and endurance or otherwise persecuted or in trouble and affliction see that hartilie you praie for him and saie as followeth O Lord Father of mercie and God of all consolation which rulest and disposest all things after thine vnsearchable wisedome and workest in thy creatures according to thy blessed will which is alwaie good and godlie howsoeuer blind fraile flesh iudgeth of it I knowe and vnfeignedlie confesse thine omnipotencie and almightie power I knowe that thou art able to doo what thy good pleasure is I knowe that thou bringest downe to the graue and fetchest vp againe Thou punishest with pouertie and makest wealthie againe Thou throwest men into the darke dongeons and loosest them out of prison againe breaking euen the gates of brasse and smiting the bars and bolts of iron asunder Thou dooest put downe and exalt againe Thou woundest and healest yea thou O Lord killest makest aliue againe Oh woonderfullie dooest thou worke in thy creatures especiallie in them whome thou hast appointed to be vessels of mercie and inheritors of thine eternall glorie If they at anie time greeuouslie offend thy diuine maiestie as we be all sinners and readie at euerie moment to fall thou dooest neither long winke at their wickednes nor yet euer cast them off from thy fauour but like a louing phisician with some emplaister or salue although bitter to the flesh yet wholesome to the soule thou healest them and like a tender and gentle father correctest them with some temporall punishment that by this meanes they escaping euerlasting punishment may repent them of their vngodlie behauiour confesse their wickednes flie vnto thy mercie and for euer after be the more circumspect in treading the paths of thy holie lawe On this manner didst thou handle the Israelits when they offended thy fatherlie goodnes On this manner didst thou deale with King Dauid and the Prophet Ionas for their disobedience with manie other whome notwithstanding for thy mercies sake after they had acknowledged their offences and called vpon thy holie name thou woonderfullie deliueredst aâ—d broughtest againe as it were out of the perillous seas into the hauen of quietnes I therefore thy poore creature and sorrowfull hand-maid perceiuing in thy holie word so large fountaines of thy great mercies plentifullie issuing out towards all them that be of a contrite heart and broken spirit am bold notwithstanding mine vnwoorthines by reason of my manifold sins to come at this present vnto thee and that for thy promise sake most humblie he seeching thee that as thou deliueredst Ionas out of the whales bellie Ioseph and Daniel from prison Peter thine Apostle out of ward and durance Dauid from the hands of his enimies Susanna from the power of hir aduersaries with manie other so in like manner thou wilt deliuer and set at libertie thy seruant and my faithfull and deere husband T.B. and that in such sort that it may be to thy glorie to his health to the comfort of me his wofull wife and sorowfull children and friends and to the reioicing of so manie as vnfeignedlie loue thy blessed word And although O God I formine imperfection am not worthie to craue and enioie so great and comfortable a benefit at thy mercifull hands yet I doubt not but for thy deerelie beloued Sonne Iesus Christes sake thou wilt most fauourablie heare me most fatherlie pitie me and most bountifullie grant me this mine humble request and I againe receiuing this notable benefit of my deere husbands deliuerance at thy hand shall not be vnthankefull but continuallie magnifie thy holie and glorious name which dealest so fauourablie with thy seruants when they call vpon thee in the name of Iesu Christ thine onlie begotten Sonne and our alone mediator and aduocate to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all praise and honor for euer and euer Amen When your husband or other friend is deliuered out of anie trouble looke that you giue God hartie thanks therefore and saie SO often as I consider thy woonderfull works O blessed and heauenlie father which thou workest of thine owne good will for so manie as in their trouble and aduersitie flie for refuge vnto thy holie name as vnto a strong hold and mightie fortresse I cannot but confesse and acknowledge thy singular kindnes and vnspeakeable good will which thou continuallie through thy fatherlie goodnes bearest towards thy seruants and for the same not merited of anie but freelie of thy mercie giuen I render vnto thee according to my most bounden dutie most hartie praises and entire thanks in consideration whereof the children of Israell being in miserable captiuitie lamentablie lamenting before thee their too much sorrowfull state by hartie praiers after that thou hadst deliuered them from the land of seruitude brast out into exceeding great praises glorifieng thy most holie and blessed name for their sweet and comfortable deliuerance The Citizens of Bethulia likewise being in great distresse called vpon thy glorious name and thou most mercifullie deliueredst them and they againe with merie voices and more ioifull harts soong vnto thee most hartie thanks In like manner when thou hadst deliuered Ioseph Daniel Dauid Peter and manie other thy seruants from their sorowes and calamities oh who is able to expresse with how readie and glad minds they magnified thee thy holie name I therefore sinfull woman excited and stirred vp with the godlie examples of these thy seruants knowing how greatlie thou delightest in the sacrifice of praise confessing also such is my beggerie that I haue none other thing woorthie to offer vnto thy diuine maiestie at this present addressed and prepared to celebrate thy great mercies do magnifie thy blessed name and render vnto thee most humble thanks and immortall praise that it hath pleased thee of thine exceeding goodnes the rather at the contemplation of my poore praiers to shew thy fauourable mercie in the deliuerance of thy seruant and my deere husband T.B. vnto my singular ioie and great comfort For this thy benefit most beneficiall father I so hartilie thanke thee as hart can thinke most intirelie be seeching thee that thou wilt giue him and me and vs all euen so manie as loue thy blessed word neuer to be vnmindfull of this thy benefit nor to commit any thing heereafter that should offend thy fatherlie goodnes or prouoke thy wrath against vs least through our disobedience we after this feele more bitter tokens of thy heauie displeasure than hitherto we haue done but in all our enterprises so to behaue our selues according to thy blessed will that thou maist delight in vs as a father in his children And vouchsafe to blesse vs with all spirituall blessings to enrich vs with the knowledge of thy heauenlie word and to worke in vs a life conformable to the same that other seeing our godlie manners and christian conuersation may be encouraged to embrace thy blessed word to magnifie thy holie name and in all points to frame their life
deere sonne Iesu Christs sake I saie haue compassion vpon a wretch that calleth vpon thee in his name and vouchsafe now yet at the length to shew some good token of thy fauour and mercie vpon me and that for my good and speedie deliuerance that they which hate me may be ashamed they that loue me be comforted and praise thee togither with me because thou O Lord hast had mercie on me and holpen me and sent me a speedie deliuerance of this burden and made me a ioifull and glad mother of this child to thy glorie So shall my soule magnifie thee O Lord and my spirit shall euer reioice in thee O God my Sauioue yea so shall I be ioifull in thy saluation and I will not cease to celebrate thy name among the saints and sing vnto thee the sugred songs of Sion to the perpetuall praise of thy renowmed name and erernall glorie of thy most sacred maiestie world without end Amen Amen Praiers and thanks-giuings to be vsed of women in child-bed after their trauell and deliuerance and at their churching or purifieng as they call it O My Lord God I thanke thee with all my heart wit vnderstanding and power for that thou hast vouchsafed to deliuer mee out of this my most dangerous trauell and hast sent into this world out of my wofull wombe this child a creature of thine owne fashioning forming and shape like vnto the rest of the children of thy creation for which I am not able worthilie inough of mine owne fraile nature to giue to thee condigne thanks praise honour and glorie for thy so great benefits shewed vnto me in pulling me out from the pit-brinke of death easing and releeuing all my wofull sorrowes labours pangs and most greeuous throwes bitter anguishes vnspeakeable paines which I could neuer haue escaped without out thy most singular aid helpe releefe and succour Wherefore I thy most humble hand-maid with stedfast and pure hart and hands doo powre out before thee my Lord God and onlie sauiour these my simple praiers of thanks-giuing the fruit of my faith hope trust charitie and assured confidence which I haue in thee assertaining my selfe that now thou hast preserued me for a further triall of my vocation and seruice towards thee in this vale of transitorie life wherin I may haue time by thy diuine permission and sufferance to direct all my steps in thy waies and to honour and glorifie thee in my soule and bodie with condigne thanks in reioising in thy holie name according to thy most blessed word wherein thou hast declared that a woman as long as she is in trauell of hir child-bearing she is sorrowfull heauie and full of anguish and intollerable paines but as soone as the child is borne she learneth straight-waies to forget all hir paines not remembring them anie longer and to reioice for that she hath brought foorth a child into the world Euen so O Lord fareth it with me thy poore humble and obedient seruant now reioising in that it hath pleased thee to make me a glad mother in bringing foorth this my child whome now I doo present before the face of thy diuine Maiestie with an earnest zeale of a godlie spirit and most pure affection praieng and beseeching thee O euerlasting God heere to preserue this child according to thy most holie will that it may enioie the benefit of all thy heauenlie sacraments to loue and serue thee in purenes of life as a faithfull member of the christian congregation wherein thy name by it may be glorified honoured and praised world without end Amen Another praier and thanks-giuing to be said of euerie faithfull woman in child-bed after the time of hir deliuerance vsed of the vertuous Ladie Francis Aburgauennie HOW much and how greatlie am I bound to laud praise and extoll thee O my Lord God Euen now was I assailed in my bodie being a wretched and sinfull woman with sundrie and diuers dolours and greeuous gripes of perillous pains in such sort that my agonies abounding death himselfe seemed to me to knocke at the gates of my bodie the rod of iustice laie so heauie vpon me so that I iudged my selfe a creature more meet for the graue whose clamour I thought still sounded in mine eares than to reape the benefit of life By my paines Lord God in this my trauell I am forced to confesse and acknowledge that thou art iust in thy promises and readie to punish sin and iniquitie By this my safe and sure deliuerance I am bound to acknowledge that with thy iustice thou alwaies frequeatest pitie commixing thy mercie and iustice togither in such sort that I must needs confesse thee to be most righteous and mercifull I can not O my God but protest that thou hast dealt fauourablie with me and those paines which I abode were laid vpon me for my sin and wickednes and yet hast thou not dealt seuerelie with me neither giuen sentence against me in thy furie which haue iustlie deserued the same For hadst thou O Lord respected my deserts I had perished euerlastinglie and beeue vtterlie confounded My greeuous groanes throwne foorth vnto thee pearsed the verie bowels of thine annointed sonne Iesus Christ who beholding mine agonies and bitter paines became an intercessor to thee for me through whose earnest intreatie and louing meditation thou conuertedst thy displeasure to mercie and for his sake alone that died vpon the crosse for mine offences thou hast asswaged my torments and in the fulnes of thy bountie and louing kindnes thou hast giuen me a liuing soule to glad my hart for the which I am bound of right to giue thee hartie and humble thanks humblie beseeching thee being now faint and feeble in bodie to strengthen me in soule mind and hart that my tongue may be the organe that may continuallie publish foorth thine euerlasting praise Grant this O gratious God for the loue of thine onlie begotten Sonne Iesus Christ to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be giuen all laud power and dominion for euer and euer Amen Another praier of a woman in child-bed after deliuerance OF dutie O Lord I lift vp mine eies and mind vnto thee and giue thee most humble and hartie thanks for thine infinite goodnes which hast not onelie beautified and blessed me most abundantlie with common rare and woonderfull gifts and benefites but euen now also hast vouchsafed of thy free mercie to send me safe deliuerance and to giue me this infant and child as a token of thy loue towards me the which so great a treasure and blessing though I be not able to deserue yet most louing father for Christs sake I beseech thee that thou wilt confirme thy fauour more and more towards me And take this infant into thy tuition defence whom I offer present vnto thee with hartie praier and neuer suffer him to fall into such vnkindnes wherby he should loose the force of thy grace but that he may perceiue thee continuallie to be
she still calleth vpon thy holie name and putteth hir full trust to be saued onlie in thy mercie impute not vnto hir the manifold sinnes of hir former life passed but pardon them and take hir vnto thy high fauour through the bloudie merits and deere death of thine onelie begotten sonne Iesus Christ our sauiour Amen Or praie thus O Pitifull physician and healer both of soule bodie Christ Iesu vouchsafe to cast thine eies vpon this thy poore sinnefull creature our deere sister M. B. who is here thy captiue bound with the burden of child-birth greefe vnspeakable paines in the chaine of sinne and death for our transgression in our grandmother Eue turning this hir weaknes and greefe to thy glorie hir health and safe deliuerance And vouchsafe good Lord to send hir patient sufferance that she may stedfastlie continue to the end in these extremities that she may with a true and perfect faith in thee fight now a good fight and stand manfullie against all the temptations of the diuell hir mortall enimie when she may no longer continue O Sauiour of the world saue hir which by thy crosse and precious bloud hast redeemed hir Amen Adde this blessing THE almightie Lord which is a most strong tower to all them that put their trust in him to whom all things both in heauen earth and vnder the earth doo bow and obey blesse preserue and keepe this our sister and be now and euermore hir buckler and defence against all hir enimies and make hir to knowe and feele in hir soule and conscience that there is none other name giuen vnto man in whom and through whom she may receiue ease comfort health deliuerance and saluation but onelie in the most holie blessed and venerable name of our Lord Iesus Christ Amen A praier of instruction to be vsed of the women in health attendant about the sicke and languishing woman in sore trauell for themselues O Most mercifull God and most louing Father we beseech thee haue mercie vpon vs and aid vs with thy grace holie spirit that we which be yet in good health and safetie and looke according to the condition of our nature for the like hour of adâ—ersitie but with more mercie and mitigation of our paines than as it seemeth our sister here endureth if it be thy will may learne to feare and dread thee may loue and embrace thy holie word and that we may set thee before vs as a scope and marke wherevnto we may direct all our dooings and that we boing alwaies mindfull of this thy crosse and heauie iudgement laid vpon all women in the loines of our grandmother Eue for hir and our transgression and euermore remembring the vnspeakable pangs intollerable paines and most bitter agonie of death may so prepare our harts and arme our selues that we may order all our deeds from hence-foorth in all holie and chast obedience both towards thee and our husbands or heads as well becommeth right christian women and modest matrones to thy glorie and as doo and and haue done all godlie women which feare thee in all ages that in the end we obteine to be fellow-heires with them of euerlasting life in the kingdome of heauen through the merits of our deere Lord and sweetest Sauiour Iesus Christ the righteous Amen Another godlie and effectuall praier to be hartilie said of the women assistant if the woman in sore trauell or child-bed lie in the pangs of death and be a passing this life O Lord God almightie the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost three persons and one onlie God the Lord of life and the destroier of death with whom to be is life and from whom to be is death who as a louing father mercifull redeemer and freendlie caller to repentance hast now visited with the scourge of hard painefull and greeuous trauell or with vntimelie birth vnfortunate deliuerance and sore sicknes thy most sinfull daughter yea thy spotted creature defiled seruant and greeuous sinner S. B. to cause hir to knowe hir selfe and to confesse hir wickednes and so to come to thee at this thy calling to knowe thee and onelie to crie and call vpon thee for comfort Now thou O Lord whose propertie is euer to haue mercie and freelie to forgiue those that faithfullie come vnto thee we thine humble hand-maids with heauie harts most humblie beseech thee looke downe from heauen with thine accustomed eies of compassion vpon hir cast behind thy backe hir innumerable and greeuous sins throwe them all both old and new from hir as far as is the East from the West yea scrape the memorie of them out of thy sight quite forget them and freelie forgiue them hir as hir onlie trust is in thee O Lord be thou now vnto hir at hir most time of need a tower of strength a place of refuge and a defensible God to keepe strengthen and defend hir from the danger of the diuell now readiest to disquiet hir and destroie hir against desperation now busiest to greeue hir against death now likest to strike hir and against hell now gaping to deuoure hir Oh heauenlie father aid thou now hir Helpe hir and establish hir in the firme faith of thy truth Comfort hir now O sweet Christ and continue hir in the knowledge of thee hir onlie sauiour which art now in hir extreamenes and pangs of death readie to shew thy selfe vnto hir as hir sauiour crucified on the crosse to comfort hir Therefore now saue thou hir from sin deliuer thou hir now from eternall death hale hir from hell embrace hir hide hir in the holes of thy bloudie wounds as thy deere doue and beare hir manifold sins on thy backe And thou O holie spirit strengthen thou now hir weake fainting and sounding spirit against sathan that standeth now nigh hir to seduce hir Saie thou now to sathan Auoid sathan and command thy holie angels and blessed spirits now to aid and assist hir Let thy comfort cleaue fast vnto hir thy mercie keepe hir thy grace guide hir thy paines ease hir thy crosse releeue hir and thy death reuiue hir Oh almightie God the giuer of all health and if it be thy good will to lengthen hir daies in this life to spare hir for a season to mitigate hir pangs to ease hir of hir paines to releeue hir of all these wofull sorowes and most greeuous throwes to deliuer hir of this most dangerous trauell and send into this world out of hir wofull wombe hir child a sound and perfect creature after thine owne image and so restore hir to hir former health as thou hast done hir and manie others heeretofore in like case that she thereby may once againe visit thy temple and be purified sanctified and dedicated vnto thy honor and glorie the commoditie of hirs and comfort of vs all hir friends kindred and neighbours Weioâ—fullie saie Thy will O Lord be done and not ours But if it be not thy will so but that she according to
thy glorious maiestie for this seelie infant and child which hath not the capacitie to praie for it selfe lieng here in paines and pangs of sorrowfull sicknes beseeching thy grace that with y â— same pitie wherewith thou sufferedst the babes and children to come to thee in the Gospell and laiedst thy blessed hands vpon them thou wilt also respect with the same eies of compassion and consider this poore babe seelie child and weake infant sore greeued with sicknesse Grant we beseech thee that as it beareth and here sheweth the image of sinfull Adam by suffering for sinne so it bearing the liuelie image of thy heauenlie gift may by thy grace be deliuered and helped from that which now by nature it suffreth So that like as it is with vs partaker of thy holie baptisme so it may also with vs be partaker of thy helpe and consolation And forasmuch as the paines of the same poore child seeme greeuous and vehement we beseech thee so mitigate the vehemencie thereof that by the releeuing and easing of it we also especiallie his sorowfull parents may be comforted dealing with it according as it shall seeme good to thy diuine wisedome whether by death to call it or by life to restore it so that whether it go or tarie it may be thine and at the last with thine elect be made partaker of that blessed resurrection when thou shalt appeare In whose name we praie furthermore for it and our selues as thou in thy holie Gospell hast taugth vs saieng O our Father which art in heauen halowed be thy name thy kingdome come thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen giue vs this daie our dailie bread and forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespas against vs and leade vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill For thine is the kingdome the power and the glorie for euer and euer Amen Thanks-giuings for women after deliuerance of childe A thanks-giuing and praier to be said of the father so soone as he heareth that a child is borne vnto him and his wife safelie deliuered O Eternall God and heauenlie father the creator and preseruer of mankinde thou knowest the fraile and weake nature of man and hast in thy mercifull louing kindnes for his comfort and remedie ordeined him the most honourable state of marriage to liue and walke in commanding them to increase and multiplie and hast promised the fruit of the bodie to be a blessing and a witnes of thine eternall councell of this most honourable state to all them that loue and feare thee Wherefore oh heauenlie father I most hartilie thanke thee that it hath pleased thee to call me into this most holie and honourable state of marriage and hast vouchsafed to giue me this infant thy creature as a witnes and testimonie of thy good will towards the same and a token of thy promised blessing to thy children And that it hath pleased thee also to deliuer this thy poore hand-maid my yoke-fellowe and mother of this thy creature from the sin-plague of sorrowe and perill in bringing foorth as thou appointedst the same to our grandmother Eue. And now oh deere and most mercifull father I most humblie beseech thee to giue vnto me and to this my yoke-fellowe or wife thy seruant thy grace holie spirit and so renew the same in vs day by day that both we may liue and walke chastlie honestlie and holilie as becommeth thy children to liue and walke in so honourable a state before thee and that we may doo our duties in education and bringing vp of this thy blessing and creature in godlie nourture and discipline and in true information in thee oh Lord thy Sonne Iesus Christ and also that this thy creature may doo his dutie in harkening and obeieng so that of no part anie fault be found in vs that may giue occasion to the vngodlie to speake euill of thy truth and holie name nor of this holie and honourable state but rather that they which knowe not the truth may through the example of our good conuersation be brought to the knowledge of thy truth whereby they may be made members of thy Church and praise thee for all thy benefits through thy mercie and louing kindnes powred vpon vs. Grant this oh most mercifull father for thy deere Sonne sake Iesus Christ our onlie mercie-seate and mediatour in whose name I praie thee as he hath taught me saieng O our father c. Here may be said or soong to the glorie of God and your edifieng the 8. the 127. the 128. Psalmes of Dauid and Benedictus or the song of Zacharie which he made at the birth of his sonne Iohn the Baptist as Luke cap. 1. and in the beginning before the Psalmes in meeter Another thanks-giuing to be vsed of the mid-wife or women assistant after the safe deliuerie of a woman in child-bed O Eternall and almightie God thy power and might is to be praised and magnified for euer for in the greatest weakenes of man thy power is seene in his greatest dangers thy saluation is knowne Therefore we praise thy name and giue thee thanks for all thy great mercies and wonderfull works namelie Lord we giue thee thanks for thy mercie shewed to this our sister at this time in bringing hir through manie and great dangers of child-birth and in giuing hir the fruit of hir bodie It was thy hand O Lord that hath done it for it is a worke greater than all the wisedome power of man Deere father we beseech thee euer hereafter to deliuer the mother and the child out of all their dangers as may best make to thy glorie and their saluation in Iesus Christ our Lord. Touching vs we thanke thee for blessing our labours and furthering the works of our hands beseeching thee that we beholding thy outstretched arme and rich mercies may be drawne by them to serue thee in feare and reuerence all the daies of our liues Amen An other thanks-giuing to be said for the safe deliuerance of anie woman in child-bed or at hir churching as it is called AMong other thy benefites those innumerable which thou dailie bestowest vpon vs thy needie poore creatures this is not the least O most mercifull father that thou of thy tender goodnes doest vouchsafe for the conseruation of man-kind to preserue the women that are with child and to giue them safe deliuerance of their burden by this meanes making them glad and ioifull mothers For this thy benefite and good will towards vs we so hartilie thanke thee as hart can thinke beseeching thee to worke such thankfulnes in the hart of this thy seruant S. B. and all other women in like case by thy spirit that they being not vnmindfull of this high benefite of their safe deliuerance wrought onelie by the sauiour of all man-kind may shew themselues thankfull vnto thee for this thy goodnes and neuer forget that thy present helpe and most sweete comfort which thou
and the remembrance of whom eternallie endureth from generation to generation worlds without end Haue mercie vpon me thy sinfull hand-maid for behold I as all thy works else both in heauen and earth by little and little am waxen old as is the garment by long vse as a vesture am I outworne I saie greatlie changed My strength abateth more more I perish and consume hourelie and am withered awaie like mowne grasse or haie Howbeit Lord if praise bee seemelie in the mouth of so old a sinner or if rottennes and dust may presume to giue thanks vnto thee then lo I thy wretched creature humblie laud and magnifie thy maruellous mercies extended towards mee from my first conception in my mothers wombe vntill this present houre yea would God I could tell what to render vnto thee O Lord my God for all thy benefits towards me which hast not taken me awaie hastilie nor cut off my daies by death as I iustlie deserued but let me run the race of this life and suffered me to passe the tempestuous seas of this dangerous world and liue vnto so good an age Now therefore as it hath pleased thee in mercie to augment the number of my yeares to lengthen thus my daies and to satisfie me with long life heere vpon earth to my comfort for the which I offer and paie vnto thee the sacrifice of praise so I call still vpon thy holie name beseeching thee to vouchsafe in like goodnes to grant me grace that during the remnant of my race and little time of being yet to come I may liue still to glorifie thee by endeuouring my selfe dutifullie to further and helpe not onlie the yonger sort of women and my freends and kindred but also my verie enimies and the Common-weale wherein I liue with such good councell wisedome and discretion as it hath pleased thee in mercie to reueale vnto me or by experience in this long course of my life I haue obteined that shewing my selfe a guide vnto godlines and an example of vertue vnto all I may worthilie haue that honor and dignitie attributed and giuen vnto me which is due vnto the image and portrature of wisdome vnto a matrone of modestie and to an instructer or teacher of honestie and vertue Furthermore take from me the foule vice of auarice wherewith old age is most commonlie infected and incline my hart vnto thy testimonies and not vnto couetousnes and grant that I may euer eschew and auoid all sloth waiwardnes and lasciuiousnes Teach me yet to number my daies that I may applie my hart vnto wisedome and giue me grace to weigh and consider diligentlie with my selfe what the graie heares in my head and this my crooked and riueled bodie postulateth and requireth euen that I vse apparantlie graue manners and vertuous conditions O let me remember how that I doo dailie drawe neerer and neerer vnto death that mine out-worne bodie is bowed downe towards the ground and that my graue is at hand wherein by death I shall ere it be long enter to be consumed into earth and dust from whence I was taken that knowing this my earthlie house and tabernacle shall be destroied I may laie aside all the vaine pleasures and delights of this wretched world and giue my selfe wholie to looke for death and patientlie in watching fasting and praieng abide his comming And bicause my life is now lamed with age broken with infirmitie and oppressed with sorrowes I come crieng vnto thee oh mercifull God sighing in my soule and saieng Oh would God that thou O Christ of thy heauenlie pitie hauing released the heauie burthen of my sins wouldst commaund mee thine humble hand-maid to laie aside the fardell of this flesh that I might passe hence by death vnto the endles ioies of paradise For now I ware weerie of this painefull sinfull and corruptible life I begin to loath and detest this queene of pride this mistres of all mischiefe and hand-maid of hell yea therefore in deed I sigh and grone desiring that this ruinous and rotten tabernacle of mine earthlie house wherewith I am yet clothed and burdened might be destroied to the end I might be clothed and compassed with the building giuen of God euen with our house of unmortalitie which is from heauen that mortalitie might be swalowed vp in life For I loue rather to remoue out of this fraile bodie and to dwell with thee O Lord and with S. Paule I hartilie wish and desire to be dissolued and to be with thee for I would faine see thee And bicause no man can see thee and liue here behold therefore O Lord I can find in my hart to die here leaue this life that I may see thee Let me see thee that I may die here I desire not to liue anie longer I had leuer die that I may liue with thee in the kingdome of heauen which is the blessed the chast and holie life prepared of thee O father for them that loue thee where youth neuer waxeth old where life neuer weareth out where there is no age nor anie miserie or infirmitie of age where there is no lame crooked or foreworne person but all growe vp to perfect men and women after the full measure of the age of Christ there in happie eternitie and full suretie of the incorruptiblenes of thine euerlasting immortalitie to reioice with thine elect saints and praise thee for the gift of perpetuall blisse and happines through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Amen A praier to be said of anie woman generallie for all women that they may haue in remembrance the fall of their grandmother Eue and be moued therby the rather to turne to God and liue in their calling according to his will FOrasmuch O heauenlie Father as at the beginning when thou madest man and woman thou didst place them both in paradise and there blessing them in their state of innocencie didst giue them also a lawe of obedience in paine of eternall death damnation to be straightlie of them obserued and kept which through the spite sleights of satan was most miserably broken working his purpose by the woman Eue whom he foresawe to that speciall end to be an organ most apt instrument of al mischeefe for hir owne destruction hir husband Adams and their whole posteritie for euer Bicause in hir our grandmother Eue as in the first transgressour we are all spotted haue lost our innocencie and haue sinned to eternall death and should therefore haue beene damned for euer vnlesse through thy mercie O God in the promised seede the seede of the woman Christ Iesus thy sonne which brake the head of the serpent we did ground our assured faith and confidence to be saued I beseech thee and that most humblie O louing father to haue mercie vpon thine inheritance the whole generation and ofspring of our old parents Adam and Eue so worke in the harts of all vs women that we especiallie may haue in our remembrance the originall