What shall I do Whether shall I go I can not hide me from his sight How oft haue I trespassed against him How oft haue I deserued his displeasure And yet how seldome hath he punished me How oft hath he beene good and mercifull vnto me How oft haue I promised and vowed amendment and how little and seldome haue I performed it This is a wofull case Who will haue pitie on me I dare not lift vp mine eies towards heauen because I haue sinned against it and in earth I can looke for no refuge because I haue beene a slander and shame vnto it What then Should I despaire No God is mercifull and a good Sauiour he doth visit them that liue in darknes and is a cheerfull light to them that sit in the shadowe of death He willeth vs to forgiue our brother though he offend seuentie tunes yea infinitelie And God is more mercifull than anie man can be and he must be the onlie refuge and comfort he will not despise his creature the image of himselfe Returne thee therefore O my soule vnto thy Lord God praie to him humblie on thy knees for grace and continue to bewaile thy sinnes past because that he which loueth thee prouoketh thee dailie with his gratious gifts and blessings to loue him and will not leaue thee vntill he haue made perfect his worke begunne and brought his mercie to full effect in thee What naturall cause beginneth his worke and leaueth it in the halfe waie imperfect The vertue of seed sowne doth not cease till the fruit be brought to perfection yet that nature worketh not at once but first prepareth the matter and then disposeth and makes it fit to receiue the shape which is the perfection and end thereof And as by naturall order and right course things do proceede and increase by little and little from the lesse to the more euen so doth God first dispose vs to his mercie and then increasing his goodnesse dailie bestoweth on vs in the end the treasure of his grace and inheritance of euerlasting ioies What bird forsaketh hir yong till they be able to liue of themselues and yet no auaile for their paine commeth to them Uerie loue worketh in naturall causes to bring foorth their affects to perfection If it be so in creatures what will the Creator doo which is loue it selfe and infinite goodnesse he will withdrawe thee from thy sinnes make thee cleane and pure and finallie blesse thee with eternall life which he hath prepared for thee O Lord I come to thee sad and mourning I sit at thy feete humblie waiting for thy mercie Thou art my hope and helper according to thy great mercies haue mercie vpon me Amen A praier to be purged from sinne and vncleannesse TAke awaie from me O Lord the burden of my corruption which by the continuall exercise of my sinne and wickednesse hath wounded my soule wofullie with the dangerous darts of transgression so that I feele my putrifaction abounding and my festered conscience ouerladen with vncleannesse so that I haue no other meane nor remedie but to prostrate my selfe before the throne of thy glorious maiestie beseeching thee intirelie of thy gratious goodnesse to salue my sores with the comfortable oile of thy mercie Thou onlie O Iesu art the sweete Physition of my soule sprinkle vpon me hysope and I shall be made whiter than snowe If thou of thine exceeding bountie and fauour good Lord wilt vouchsafe to wash awaie the spots of my sinne and wickednesse that heapeth thine indignation and furie against me I shall then excell the gold that hath beene purified in the fornace seuen fold Let it therefore good Lord and mercifull father seeme pleasant vnto thy diuine maiestie to touch my corrupted and vncleane hart with the heauenlie finger of thy grace that I may bring foorth the fruits of true repentance which are more acceptable to thy glorious and diuine presence than the offering of calues bullockes sheepe goates or anie other burnt offerings or sacrifice of peace A contrite and sorowfull soule is the thing that thou doest most delight in An humble and a lowlie spirit is the oblation that thou dooest desire A cleane and pure hart O Lord my God I knowe thou dooest loue and fauour Wherefore I beseech thee to purge me from my sinne and inquitie of thy great mercie Let the bitter deploration of mine offences and hartie contrition through thy glorious merits and painefull passion O Iesu be the onlie meane and waie to set me free from the powers of hell death and damnation And sith I am by thy goodnes begotten and borne anew strengthen me good Lord that I neuer slide nor fall from thee but that I may continuallie beare in my remembrance the state wherevnto I am called by thee Through thine aboundant loue and kindnesse wipe awaie good Lord all my sins out of thy remembrance Cleanse me in the bloud of thy spotlesse Lambe Iesus Christ and I shall be made cleane pure and safe Graunt this most mercifull God for the honour and glorie of thy name sake through the bitter death of thy sonne Iesus Christ my onlie mediatour and aduocate to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be giuen all laud glorie power and praise for euer and euer Amen Another praier of the penitent for mercie O Lord I am a sinner my sinnes are heauie vpon me the burden of them is intollerable refresh me with thy grace wash awaie mine offences and I shall be whiter than the snowe Let the cheerefull beames of thy countenance shine vpon me and giue light to the darkenesse of my life We can looke for nothing as deserued but punishment due to our offences Wherefore good Lord not according to thy iustice but in the multitude of thy mercies deale with thy seruant Remember not the sinnes of my forefathers thinke not on the milde meanour of my youth passed haue pitie on thy creature which according to the likenesse of thy selfe thou hast made and shaped of earth How long wilt thou turne thy face awaie from me Forsake me not O my God but renew in me thy holie spirit Plucke awaie from me all that withdraweth me from thee Graffe in my hart thy grace that I may loue thee and feare thee and so finallie reioice in thy goodnesse with the elected and praise thee in thy woonderous works for euer Graunt this most mightie God for our Sauiour Iesus Christ his sake to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honor and glorie for euer and euer Amen Another praier to be said of the sinfull soule MY sinfull life increasing and my sinnes still abounding good Lord to whome shall I flee or to whome shall I resort for succour From offending thee I can not cease neither daie nor night and my sinnes are heauie vpon me pressing me downe euen to hell such is the weight thereof Moreouer when I prepare my selfe to amendment of life and thinke stedfastlie to serue and please thee euen
Christ for this thy blessed oblation haue mercie on me now and in the houre of death that in the dreadfull daie of iudgment sinne death and hell may not preuaile against me sinfull creature but haue mercie vpon me according to thy greatest mercie which is this thy death and passion for which be praise to the holie Trinitie for euer and euer Amen The Hymne of the passion of Christ IEsus which is the liuelie well of wisdome And the heauenlie truth of the father eternall Which from heauen to this world did come To deliuer vs thrales from paines infernall Of Iudas was sold and of the Iewes taken And of his Disciples at midnight was forsaken We laud thee father for thy grace We praise the sonne which made vs free We thanke the holie spirit for our solace Which is one God and persons three In the dawning of the daie they did him fast bind And before Pilate he was then conuented False witnesse against Iesus they did then find When the cruell Seniours in iudgement him presented Beaten was his bodie defiled was his face And yet God and man the verie well of grace We laud thee father c. When thrée houres were past before Pilates throne All the people cried Kill Iesus the Iewes king His crowne was thornes in purple he made mone With a crosse ouer Cedron they did him bring And prepared his deadlie place on Galgatha hill To suffer pains for Adams gilt so was his fathers will We laud thee father c. The sirt houre approched his painefull end When on the trée his bodie they nailed In heauen was his helpe in earth he had no freud He died betwéene two théeues on him the Elders railed Then he thirsted for his elect which subiect were to thrall Unthankefullie they offred him vinegre mingled with gall We laud thee father c. This verie God Gods onlie begotten child Said to his father Why hast thou me forsaken Yet receiue this sacrifice and my spirit vndefild The heauens were darkned asunder the stones were shaken Bloud and water then sprang from this blessed lamb Then graues opened the dead aliue foorth came We laud thee father for thy grace c. The second Meditation or praier of our frailtie and miserie O Miserable wretched woman that I am how may I be compared to any of thy saints that shall dwell in thy Tabernacle or holie hill For they loue to be in holie contemplation and I in the vaine multitude forgetting thee they be meeke and I vnpatient they do not forget thee but my good Lord when do I remember thee but when affliction enforceth me or the lamentable fall of my breethren constraine me to thanke thee Thou most mightie and fearefull God of hosts thy holie name be blessed foreuer Amen What shall I saie my God Thou art most good and I euill thou holie and I miserable thou art light and I am blind thou art the blessed ioie and I am carefull and full of sorowe My Lord thou art the Physician and I the miserable patient I am nothing but vanitie and corrupt as euerie liuing man is What shall I saie O Creator but this that I am thy creature and shall I perish Thy hands haue made me and were wounded for me thy bloud was shed for me and hath washed me thy holie Ghost hath sanctified me and taught me yet Lord my daies are nothing What should I mortall creature thus talke with my selfe Lord God but that need hath no lawe Sorowe hath compelled me to seeke comfort sicknesse enforceth me to folowe the Physician conscience pricketh me to crie to thee my Lord for a heauenlie cordiall of comfort which am in great discomfort borne of a woman full of miserie and shortnesse of time and passe awaie like a shadowe neuer content with one estate but in earth remaine for euer The Hymne to God the Creator O Creator to thée thy creature I call Who made of mould do liue in paine And sicke in soule my flesh is thrall O wo is me my daies be vaine Yet vnto God I call for grace My soule in heauen to haue a place A praier to the blessed Trinitie Let vs praie O Holie blessed and glorious Trinitie three equall and coeternall persons but one God almightie haue mercie vpon me vile abiect abhominable and sinfull wretch meekelie acknowledging before thy diuine Maiestie my long continued life in sinne euen from my childhood hitherto Then good gratious Lord as thou giuest me the grace to acknowledge them so giue me grace not in word onlie but in hart also with sorowfull contrition to repent and vtterlie to forsake them Forgiue me also those sinnes through which by mine owne fault wicked affection and euill custome my reason is with sensualitie so blinded as I cannot discerne them for sinne Illuminate my hart good Lord and giue me grace to acknowledge them Forgiue me my sinnes negligentlie forgotten and bring them to my mind with grace to be throughlie repentant for them O mercifull God grant me thy grace so to despise sinne and all worldlie vanities that I may saie with the blessed Apostle Saint Paule The world is crucified to me and I to the world Christ is to me life and to die is my gaine and aduantage I desire to be loosed and to be with Christ Lord giue me thy grace to amend my life and to haue an eie to mine end without anie grudge or feare of death which to them that die in thee is the gate of eternall life Almightie God teach me to doo thy will take my right hand and leade me in the true waie from mine drawe me after thee bind my mouth with snaffle and bridle when I will not drawe vnto thee Oh gratious God all sinfull feare all sinfull sorowe and pensiuenesse all sinfull hope all sinfull mirth and gladnesse take awaie from me On the other side concerning such feare such heauinesse such comfort consolation and gladnesse as shall be profitable for my soule doo with me according to thy great goodnesse O Lord giue me grace in all my feare and agonie to haue recourse to that great feare and wonderfull agonie that thou my sauiour hadst at the Mount of Oliuet before thy most bitter passion and in the meditation thereof to conceiue ghostlie comfort and consolation profitable for my soule Almightie God take from me all vaine-glorious minds all appetites of mine owne praise all enuie couetise gluttonie sloth and lecherie all wrathfull affection all appetite of reuenging all desire of delight of other mens harmes all pleasure in prouoking anie person to wrath and anger all delight in taunting or mocking anie person in their affliction or trouble And giue vnto me O Lord an humble quiet peaceable patient charitable kind tender and pitifull mind in all my words my works and thoughts to haue a tast of thy holie and blessed spirit Giue me good Lord a full faith a firme hope a feruent charitie a loue to thee good Lord incomparable
and euer and especiallie all things that shall turne to thy displeasure And with all my hart I thanke thee most mercifull Lord for the great benefits that thou hast bestowed vpon me largelie in this world afore manie creatures which are more woorthie a thousand times than I but my most gratious Lord I wot and knowledge verelie that all good gifts doo come freelie from thee of thine abundant mercie Wherefore with all my hart I thanke thee and all worship praises and thanks be to thee and none other Therefore I saie with the Prophet Dauid Not vnto vs Lord not vnto vs but vnto thy name be giuen all honour glorie Also I commit to thy mercie mine enimies persecutors and slanderers beseeching thee to turne their harts and to giue vs grace one to forgiue another from the verie botome of our harts that from hence-foorth we may liue in loue and charitie to thy glorie and to the increase of thy kingdome I doo commit to thy mercie our Queene Elizabeth and this Realme beseeching thee to incline hir hart to all godlinesse and vertue that she may long reigne ouer vs in peace and tranquillitie to liue in thy feare and call vpon thy holie name and to be readie at all times to set foorth thy blessed lawes and commandements and that thou O omnipotent God with thy mightie hand and stretched out arme wilt confound all Idolatrie and superstition and set vp thy true and holie religion that thy faithfull seruants may triumph and reioice in thee with merie harts and sing vnto thy praise that this the mightie hand of GOD hath brought to passe and to thy name giue the honour and glorie to whome all honour and glorie is due I doo commit vnto thy mercie all those that in this transitorie life be in sorowe sicknesse neede tribulation or anie other aduersitie and speciallie all those that for the profession of thy Gospell and the defence of the saine doo put their liues vnto the edge of the sword O Lord for thy mercies sake forgiue them and vs our offences past comfort them in their greeuous afflictions strengthen them in their weakenesse send them patience in their tribulations abate the pride of their and our enimies asswage the malice of them confound their wicked deuises that we and they being armed with thy mightie defence may be preserued euermore from perils to glorifie thee which art the onlie giuer of all victorie through y e merits of Christ So be it I commit to thy mercie all those that doo faithfullie professe thy holie Gospell beseeching thee to giue vs grace to liue according to thy lawes that by well dooing we may stop the mouthes of the vngodlie aduersaries of the Gospell and thereby win them to the right waie that we may all with one hart and one mouth glorifie thee O Lord God in the daie of visitation to whome all honour and glorie is due And now O my most mercifull Lord and louing father I finallie commit vnto thy mercie my wretched soule and bodie humblie beseeching thee to haue mercie vpon me according to thy great bountifull mercie and according to the multitude of thy tender compassions doo awaie I beseech thee my most greeuous iniquities Unto God the father the sonne and the holie Ghost be now and euer eternall honour and glorie world without end Amen A praier at night going to bed THe God of Angels and men the founder of all creatures visible and inuisible in whose hand is life and death light and darknesse and all the motions of soule and bodie without whome there is no good gift nor perfect quietnesse of conscience but onlie vanitie and vexation of mind and vtter confusion of soule and bodie and finall torments in the horrible pit of darknesse now my Lord God darknesse doth approch this daie hath lost his beautie I as vnworthie of thy benefits most humblie praie thee this night to blesse me and with thy holie Angels assist me thy holie spirit this night lighten me which hast of earth made me and by thy creatures doest nourish me and with thy bloud hast consecrated me with thee to dwell eternallie in glorie when death hath dissolued me which am but vanitie c. And banish Sathan from me that neither mine owne conscience now vexe me nor mine old offences trouble me I most humblie beseech thee this night to pardon me which haue sore offended thee in thought word and deede against thy diuine maiestie which sore repenteth me Saue me good Lord this night sleeping from dreadfull dreames and painefull slumber deliuer me that I may awake in Christ and rest in peace So be it The Hymne or praier for night PRaise ye the Lord his seruants all lift vp to him your hands The night singers in Gods courts in all Christian lands Praise we the Lord our God king which made the earth heuen His blessing be on vs this night which made the planets seuen Into thy hands O Lord our God our soules we do commend This night from sinne Sathans power thy mercie vs defend We laud thee Father for thy grace We praise the Sonne which made vs free We thanke the holie Spirit for our solace Which is one God and persons three Amen Another Hymne or praier to be said when ye go to bed I Go to bed I hope to sléepe God knoweth when I shall rise My soule O Lord defend and kéep from it turne not thine eies This daie I haue committed sinne a hundred times and more I was conceiued and borne therein forgiue me Lord therefore To thée I will my soule betake sinfull it is to sée For I do knowe thou canst it make as pure as néede to bée Forgiue me mine offences all my soule Lord do not kill To thée I will betake my soule accept my zealous will Thy pardon Lord I trust to haue as Dauid had and mo My soule I trust thou wilt now saue from death damned wo. In thée O God I put my trust to guide and aide me still To kéepe me alwaies true and iust according to thy will Thou God of might great renowme I trust thou wilt me kéepe Lord with thy leaue I will lie downe to take my rest and sléepe So be it M. W. The Antheme WE looke for our sauiour euen the Lord Iesus Christ which shall change our vile bodie that it may be like to his glorious bodie according to the power whereby he is able to subdue all things vnto himselfe Amen Let vs praie Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Christ haue mercie vpon vs. Lord haue mercie vpon vs. * Our Father which art in heauen c. VIsit we beseech thee O Lord this our dwelling and driue from it all the assaults of our enimie let thy holie Angels dwel in it which may keepe vs all this night in thy peace and euer let thy blessing be vpon vs. Grant this O most mercifull father for thy sonnes sake Iesus Christ who with thee and
and soule This fraile life is nothing else but a continuall warfare in this world our sinnes most like to cruell enimies assault vs on euerie side againe our daies are but few in number Guide me therefore with thy grace so to spend my small short and transitorie time in this world the verie fountaine welspring and vale of all miserie that I may be made a member of Christ partaker of thine eternall felicitie To the which seeing that through mine owne desert I shall neuer be able to aspire for sinne trulie so aboundeth in me that ech deed and act of mine is not onelie infected but altogither polluted therwith none other remedie haue I to ease my selfe none other salue to heale my sore but onelie to take hold of that promise of thine wheras thou saiest Come vnto me all ye that ye that labour and be ouerladen and I will refresh you This is my hold-fast this is mine anchor and sure staie For verelie sweet Sauiour when I looke vpon mine owne frailnesse and behold how readie I am to offend thee then I quake for feare then I am almost in vtter despaire but as soone as I call to mind thy great loue and kindnesse and how that thou wilt not the death of a sinner but rather that he should repent and liue and that in what daie soeuer he doth hartilie repent and call vnto thee thou wilt heare him then I am releeued then I am not a little comforted knowing surelie that thou wilt performe that which thou hast promised in faithfull assurance whereof I now saie vnto thee Turne thou me O my God and I shall be turned from all my wickednesse deliuer me Heale my soule which is wounded with sinne for I doo acknowledge mine iniquitie and am hartilie sorie for mine offences correct me O Lord but yet not in thy furie looke not vpon my weaknesse but thinke vpon thine owne worthinesse remember thy louing kindnesse and in the abundance and multitude of thy mercies wipe cleane awaie pardon and forget all my sinnes through which I haue either in word deede or though or anie other kind of way offended thee blot them out of thy remembrance and let the bloud of that immaculate lambe Iesus Christ wash them awaie let mine old offences so decaie and die in me that I neuer commit them any more or by anie meanes renew them in thy sight And in the meane time doo not withdrawe thy grace from me but cause me to doo all that which good is O Father remoue thy wrath awaie from me and restore vnto me thy fauour turne thou thy louing countenance vnto me and plentifullie powre foorth thy mercie vpon me Incline my hart to doo that onelie which is acceptable in thy sight guide thou my footesteps in thy paths and suffer me not at any time to straie from thy waies let me alwaies haue the feare of thee in my hart and the remembrance of thy benefits fresh in my memorie and if at anie time through weakenesse and failtie I doo transgresse thy commandements yet doo not therefore reiect and cast me out of thy sight but be thou that good Samaritane and powre the oile and wine of mercie and forgiuenesse into those wounds which sinne shall make in me Disdaine me not for my reuolting but haue mercie vpon me according to thy great goodnesse and according to the multitude of thy mercies wipe awaie mine iniquitie Hide me vnder the shadowe of thy wings and protection lighten mee with thy holie spirit Make me thy seruant so indue me with thy grace that I may vnfeinedlie with hart and voice serue honour and praise thee all the daies of my life Amen Another praier for the obteining of grace and mercie O Most mercifull Lord God whose Maiestie is incomprehensible power infinite whose magnificence is exalted aboue the heauens vouchsafe I beseech thee frō thy high throne to behold the worke of thy hands haue pitie on the vnhappie and desolate condition of thy creature I am a sinner conceiued in sinne and of my selfe I haue no good thing wherefore O Lord I cleaue to the altar of thy mercie Thou art my anchor my hope my refuge and staie Therefore O Lord haue mercie vpon me for no flesh can be iustified in thy sight Thou knowest the frailtie and weakenesse of men We are taught by the fall of Peter that we can doo nothing without thee Graunt vs therefore good Lord thy grace without which in this world we are like by the waues of temptations to be swallowed in the gulph and whirlepoole of sinne to be drowned as the ship without anchor and Pilote in euerie tempest to runne on the rocke and perish Guide vs therefore by thy grace good Lord through the flouds of this carefull world that we may rest for euer in the pleasant port and happie hauen of euerlasting ioie with thine elected through our blessed Sauiour Iesus Christ to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie in all worlds Amen A Confession to be said of the penitent person O Most mercifull Lord God I haue offended against the throne of thy Maiestie my sinnes are euer before mine eies I am not worthie to liue or enioie the fruits wherewith thou hast blessed the earth Mine owne conscience is my tormenter bringing testimonie and witnesse against me The Sunne doth hide his light against me and the place is the woorsse wherein I become O Lord what shall I doo Shall I despaire No thou art mercifull and more readie to forgiue than we to aske I will confesse my sinnes to thee I am wearie of my sinfull life I am sorie in my soule for mine offences Wherefore good Lord thou which dooest ease them that are laden and refresh them that trauell thou which hast promised mercie to the penitent looke on me thy seruant with thy cheerefull countenance behold me with those pitifull eies with which thou didst Marie Magdalen and the woman taken in adulterie Thou which hast shed thy bloud ou the altar of the Crosse offering thy most pretious bodie an eternall sacrifice for our sinnes despise not that which thou hast redeemed Thou which cammest into the world to call sinners to repentance and to saue the lost sheepe of Israel haue mercie vpon me and leade me by thy grace to the fold amóng thy sheepe for they go in sweet pasture and are not in danger of Wolues for thou art their shepheard and keepest good accompt of euerie one of them Though I haue gone astraie wandring from thy flocke and borne the marks of the world yet good Lord disclaime not thy right I beseech thee but take me vnto thee that I may be safe vnder the shadowe of thy wings He may sleepe soundlie whome thou dooest keepe Thou art the watchman of Israel All honour and glorie be vnto thee for euer Amen Another godlie Confession and meditation of the penitent I Altogether vnhappie and comfortlesse haue greeuouslie offended my Lord God
prosperitie at the Lords hand and not to be content with aduersitie And alwaie to thinke vpon this Happie are they whome thou doest punish For though thou make a wound thou also giuest a plaister though thou smitest thy hand maketh whole againe Mine iniquitie is great but be thou merciful vnto my wickednes O deliuer me from thine anger and presse me not further than I shall be able to beare But now that I acknowledge that whatsoeuer trouble thou hast sent me or wilt laie vpon me is either for the punishment of mine iniquitie or for the triall of my constancie I may with repentant Dauid find remission of my sins and with patient Iob release of mine aduersitie and obtaine such fauour in thy sight that thou neuer againe so greeuouslie punish me but that I may so passe this life that I may afterward liue with thee to whome be honour and glorie for euer and euer Amen Another praier in trouble and aduersitie HAue mercie vpon me O Lord haue mercie vpon me most miserable creature which doo that which I ought not feare that which I haue most iustlie deserued If I weigh with my selfe the wickednesse that I haue done the punishment thereby deserued is not halfe so great as the sinne that I haue committed But thou art a mercifull God and thy iudgements are right neither dooest thou at anie time punish vs vniustly Thou almightie God madest vs when as we were not and when as we were lost and damned thou didst miraculouslie restore vs. I knowe and I am sure that our life is not led by sudden and vncertaine motions but is disposed and directed by thee thou hast a fatherlie care of vs all but especiallie of such as doo put their whole trust and confidence in thy mercie Therefore I humblie praie and beseech thee that thou wouldest not deale with me after my deseruings but according to thy great mercie which doth exceede the sinnes of the whole world And as often as thou dooest punish me outwardlie giue me grace inwardlie with patience to beare the same and that thy praise neuer depart out of my mouth Order my dooings euen as shall be most necessarie both for my bodie and soule Thou onlie hast power ouer all things thou knowest all things to thee be all honour for euer Amen Another praier in trouble for the obteining of mercie BEhold out from the bottome of my hart doo I crie vnto thee O Lord beseeching thee that thou wouldest saue me from the bottomlesse pit of hell I knowe that there is mercie with thee doo not therefore marke what I haue done amisse Enter not into iudgment with thy seruant for then can I by no meanes be iustified in thy sight The remembrance of mine offences is greeuous vnto mee and therefore I right humblie craue pardon thereof My hart is troubled my soule is vexed there is no health in my flesh Forsake me not mine onlie staie and comfort despise not my contrite hart open the bosome of thy mercie take cleane awaie mine iniquitie bring my soule out of tribulation turne the extremitie of thy iustice into thy tender mercie And when thou shalt come to iudge the quicke and the dead be not reuenged on me by eternall damnation but to take mee amongst thine elect into the blessed state of saluation Grant this O Father for Christ his sake our mediator and aduocate Amen Another O Lord my God although I haue committed that whereby I am an offender can I make my selfe not to bee thy creature Though through sinne I haue lost my cleannesse and puritie haue I also taken awaie thy goodnesse and mercie Though I haue committed that wherefore thou maiest condemne me hast thou not done that whereby thou maiest saue me True it is O Lord that my conscience doth shew me that I haue deserued damnation but thy mercie exceedeth all offension Spare me O God bicause it is not vnpossible for thy power it is not vnmeete for thy mercie it is not vnaccustomed or yet contrarie to thine infinite goodnesse Wherefore thou which hast created me doo not destroie me Thou O Iesu which hast redeemed me doo not condemne me Thou which hast made mee let not thy worke be cast awaie by my wickednesse Wipe awaie all that is mine and draweth me from thee and knowledge all that is thine in me and may bring mee vnto thee which liuest and reignest one God in persons three to whom be all honour now and euer Amen Another praier wherin the penitent longeth for comfort HOw long O Lord wilt thou turne awaie thy face from me How long wilt thou bee angrie with thy seruant How long shall I abide mourning and solitarie as the bird that hath lost hir yoong O Lord thinke on me in thy mercies and doo not correct me in thy wrath for then shall I become as the dust and smoke in the wind O Lord forsake not thy seruant Israel whom thou hast chosen My hart being comforted in thy mercies shall reioice and I will sing vnto thee and praise thee in thy good works and miracles which thou hast done in our fathers time So be it Being tempted by the ghostlie enimie as all that feare God are to doubt in anie article of the Catholike faith to despaire in Gods mercie to yeeld to melancholie fansies to be vexed with vnkindnes of friends or the malice of enimies to be troubled with sicknesse or anie other waies oppressed with griefe of bodie and mind saie deuoutlie as followeth I Humblie accept most mercifull Iesus this heauie temptation which now I suffer at the hands of thy diuine prouidence and would a greater if thou please to laie it on me for thy sake who hast ordeined this from the beginning for the tender loue thou bearest to the health of my sinfull soule and I most hartilie thanke thee for it I confesse I haue deserued woorse for my sinne and vnkindnesse towards thee and am not woorthie to receiue anie comfort or consolation at thy hands Therfore to the honour of the passion and death which thou willinglie sufferedst on the crosse I offer my selfe to sustaine this or anie other aduersitie with all my hart not seeking otherwise ease or reliefe than in and by thee O Lord and as thy good will and pleasure shall appoint Yet this one thing I craue and beseech thee for the tender loue thou bearest to me and all mankind for in me is no vertue or ought that good is to helpe and assist me with thy holie spirit as my trust is thou wilt who promisest that no man shall be tempted more than he shall be able to beare And giue me all what euer shall be necessarie to sustaine with patience this crosse and temptation which thy diuine wisdome hath appointed for me to the intent that I bearing the same willinglie with thee here in this world may conceiue assured hope to be partaker of thy glorie in the world to come Grant this my request most mercifull
if thou carefullie behaue thy selfe walke in the waies that I haue commanded thou shalt be woorthilie honored indeed with that name wherby mine authoritie ouer all men is declared and I thy GOD and heauenlie Father will imbrace thee with my speciall fauour as my deerelie beloued Dooue and obedient child Yea so shall the KING haue pleasure in thy fairenes and loue thy goodlie personage and it shall come to passe that thou shalt bee more and more in the high fauour of thy spirituall spouse Christ my sonne to whom onlie it is meete that thou shouldst be subiect as to thy souereigne Lord King and head and vnder whose gouernement thou shalt remaine most honourable and admirable for the singular and vnspeakeable gifts of his grace to all maner of people strangers others of whom euen the most mightie and most rich shall desire to see thee and to be linked in friendship with thee For then shalt thou come foorth of thy princelie yuorie palace and statelie roiall throne most gloriouslie adorned with gorgious garments and roiall robes that smell most fragrantlie and yeeld their sweete sauours and odoriferous odours most pleasantlie spred ouer all those men and people who to declare their ioie and good-wils towards thee shall run and presse togither by thousands to see praise and extoll thy renowmed name and Maiestie crieng alowd and saieng GOD saue the QVEENE To conclude here in my house the Church thou shalt see thy children and offspring who by publishing and promoting my Gospell thou hast borne after a maner vnto thy husband Christ flourishing and spred both abroad and at home and nothing inferiour vnto those thy most noble Elders reigning ouer the prouinces of the whole world But at home chieflie euen in heauen with mee thy Father and with thy husband Christ thou shalt sit at my right hand beautified with all my gifts and most richlie beedecked all ouer with glorious garments broidered with gold hauing a crowne of most pure gold vpon thy head Euen thus roiallie I saie shalt thou then O Uirgin ô QVEENE O deerlie beloued Daughter be set before the KING thy husband with such and so pretious apparell the Uirgins thy companions waiting vpon thee and going with thee vnto the most glorious KING of kings whilest that you altogither with most great triumph mirth ioie reioicing shall enter into the highest mansion of the heauenlie Paradise most holie palace there to enioie a most certaine vnchangeable and euerlasting kingdome glorie dignitie blisse and felicitie and to sing praises vnto the name of the holie Trinitie together with all Kings Queenes Saints Uirgins and elect people of the world that euer were are or shall bee worlds without end The Queenes Vow or selfe-talke with GOD Collected out of the Psalmes of the princelie Prophet King DAVID as they are paraphrasticallie expounded by that godlie learned man THEODORE BEZA Wherein the Queenes Maiestie after a most Christian maner euen with Dauids spirit his sweet words and diuine sentences first inciteth prepareth hir hart and mind to deuotion Secondlie acknowledgeth the omnipotent power of God ouer all kings kingdoms and creatures and after a true rehearsall of his manifold benefits bestowed vpon hir from hir birth with an acknowledgement of hir souereigntie to come onelie from the Lord she thirdlie confesseth hir vnwoorthinesse and reioiceth greatlie in his protection and mercie towards hir since hir comming to the Crowne Fourthlie hauing his wonderous works and benefits done for hir preseruation in great admiration shee not onelie yeeldeth condigne thanks for the same but exhorteth all creatures both in heauen and earth to praise God together with hir And so lastlie she bindeth hir selfe as it were by a solemne oth vow and promise to consecrate hir life wholie to the true worship and sincere seruice of God in all holie obedience to his lawes to the glorie of God and full discharge of hir dutie both in hir Court and Realme * The first part of the VOW RABBONI my hart so voileth within mee that I must needes burst foorth that which it hath conceiued euen a magnifical Uow of a QVEENE consecrated to the KING of heauen himselfe and that with such zeale and feruencie that no penne may seeme to be able to attaine vnto the voice of the speaker Therefore O my God I being now prepared with my whole hart with my whole hart and mind I saie haue great desire to speake vnto thee and in this my present most happie estate to call into my remembrance thy woonderfull works wrought and brought to passe by thine almightie power for me from my conception euen vntill this houre Neither will I doo it O Lord with my mouth onlie as hypocrites vse to doo but I will vnfeinedlie testifie thee my God to be mine onlie maker redeemer preseruer and Sauiour with praise that shall proceed euen from the deepe bottome of my hart Go to then my tongue go to my mouth I saie bee thou no longer dumbe but open thy selfe wide to speake out the most excellent praises of my God and make thy hartie Uowes and saie as followeth The second part conteining foure Chapters CAP. I. O Heauenlie Father my almightie maker my greatest King mine onlie GOD and souereigne Sauiour thou which art the King of glorie and most glorious King the Lord of hosts strong valiant and mightie whose seate is in the highest heauens and thy dominion is stretched foorth ouer all things without exception I humblie acknowledge thee to be the verie God of Angels and of men the most sacred Emperour of the most mightie spirits and holie companie of the heauenlie armies which celebrate thy truth and praise perpetuallie in the regions aboue vs yea the greatest God highest Lord and most magnificall King far aboue all Emperours Kings Lords and Princes how great soeuer Euen the God of Abraham Isaac and Iacob and of my father Dauid and his posteritie Kings and Queenes my predecessors which art higher than the heauens and the mightie Monarch of the whole world hauing of nothing made heauen and earth and all things therein by thine almightie power guiding preseruing and ruling by the same the state of kingdoms and all the creatures and people that dwell in the world reseruing in thy power and authoritie as the Lord of all both the lowe secret parts of the earth the deepe bottoms of the Sea and the high tops of the mountaines reigning euer full of Maiestie power and authoritie and that most gloriouslie and triumphantlie in an eternall and euerlasting kingdome For whereas all other kingdoms trulie are transitorie and subiect to destruction thy kingdome onlie O God I confesse is not limited in anie bounds nor subiect to anie tearme of yeares or time but alwaies endureth one and vnchangeable from all eternitie to eternitie as he whose throne is for euer and euer and which hast raised a kingdome for thy selfe among thine Angels and people both in heauen and in
than to giue hartie and continuall thanks by all possible meanes vnto God who besides that he is God and therefore hath bound all men vnto himselfe by good right hath bestowed vpon vs so manie peculiar benefits And againe what can be more ioifull and more to be desired than such a testimonie of his fatherlie loue who hath deliuered vs from so manie not onlie dangers but deaths also CAP. IIII. GO to also O all ye Kings Princes Gouernours and Iudges of the earth hold vp your hands humblie vnto God the eternall KING acknowledge his power which sitteth vpon the most high heauens from all eternitie as it were vpon a chariot and maketh a terrible and most mightie sound from the clouds O yee mightie Monarchs and Potentates of the world now worship and praise ye the LORD our GOD together with me doo him all possible reuerence and reioice vnto him with feare and trembling as I doo O ye Kings and all ye of power giue place vnto the Lord giue vnto the Lord I saie the honour of all glorie and power giue vnto the Lord the maiestie and glorie due vnto his name fall downe before his footestoole and worship him in his most holie temple for he is holie and seeke his glorie carefullie as I doo For this chieflie becommeth all Princes to doo whom God of his vnspeakable fauour hath consecrated vnto himselfe and brought them into the most high state of dignitie aboue others but speciallie it becommeth me to reioice and to set foorth thy praises O God after a most exquisite maner in whom thy most excellent Maiestie doth so gloriouslie shine and who haue receiued so manie rare and singular benefits of thee from my conception to this houre Go to then O my deere soule and mine inward bowels giue thanks vnto God with all your power praise the Lord O my soule and declare thy selfe that thou art mindfull of all his benefits For what honour is not the Lord woorthie of which of his vnspeakable mercie and compassion hath forgiuen thee all thy sinnes healed the deadlie wounds thereof cured thy diseases borne thine infirmities redeemed thy life from death preserued thee from miserie renewed thy youth like the Egle that liueth most long and adorned thee so richlie with all his benefits as testimonies of his singular goodnes and fatherlie mercie towards thee Go to therefore with me you mightie spirits being his apparitours and the diligent executioners of his will so soone as ye heare him speake celebrate yee the praises of the Lord. O yee mightie armies of his most obedient souldiours praise the Lord I saie O ye euen the verie Angels worship him as your Lord and King Praise ye the Lord O all his works in what place soeuer of his dominion and whatsoeuer hath breath let it sound and set foorth his glorie finallie thou my deere soule set thou foorth the praise of God CAP. V. AND I O my God my King euen I thy handmaid and annointed in thankefull remembrance and worthie memoriall of thy woonderfull works and benefits wrought and shewed vnto me continuallie doo againe as it is meete render vnto thee this acceptable sacrifice of praise and thankesgiuing I paie the vowes vnto thee which I haue promised both secretlie among the faithfull and openlie before the whole assemblie of thy people and that in the courts of thy house O Lord and in the midest of the Citie Ierusalem wherein by thy power and benefit I thus flourish I will praise thee with my whole hart and magnifie thy name for euer because I haue experience of thine infinite goodnesse in my selfe and am deliuered from so manifold dangers of death and destruction Neither will I be ashamed to sing foorth thy praises also in songs before the assemblie of the mightie and before the verie Angels that stand about thine arke I will together with all Angels Spirits soules and with all Kings Queenes virgins and creatures both in heauen and earth incessantlie magnifie thee in the palace consecrated to thy Maiestie and will sing of thy mercie and truth because thou hast gotten vnto thee now at the length most great honour for that thou hast so maruellouslie aboue expectation surelie performed vnto me that which thou didst promise in thy word I with the residue of the people of my dominion as a mother with hir daughters and the virgin with virgins being for this cause replenished with incredible ioie and comforted with thy iudgments O Lord will reioice in thee which seeing nothing in me that should so moue thee hast neuerthelesse embraced me with so great fauour and mightilie also defended me and with all the iust I will magnifie the holie remembrance of thee so great a King continuallie which sitting vpon thy most holie throne rulest the whole earth and exaltest thy selfe far aboue all that is aloft anie where For to this end chieflie thou O Lord hast consecrated and set me ouer them that I should diligentlie exercise the rites of thy diuine worship among them Therefore I will delight my selfe in setting foorth thy praises more and more and I will testifie my selfe in my whole life to be desirous of thy honour and glorie to whome all honour and glorie of right belongeth O my God my King I will highlie extoll thee and celebrate thy name for euer and euer I will consecrate all the daies of my life to set foorth thy glorie and will amplifie thy name with songs that neuer shall haue end For thou art great O Lord and no praise is sufficient for thee neither can anie man attaine to thy greatnesse For thy woonderfull works endure not for one generation and age alone but as one age succeedeth another so likewise must some men commit the memoriall of them vnto others vnlesse they will be negligent in dooing their dutie Wherefore trulie be it far from me thy handmaid that anie thing should be of greater authoritie with me than that I should carefullie thinke that the brightnesse of thy Maiestie which shineth vnto vs in the verie dailie vse of things and that thy deeds to me and my people-ward are greater than can be comprehended by the admiration or capacitie of all mortall men and women And doubtlesse Lord though verie manie be most blockish and woonderfull thankelesse yet can there neuer be wanting some which shall euen against their willes confesse at the least thy terrible power euen ouer all princes and people of the world But admit that others be silent and vnthankefull yet I will neuer cease to declare thy greatnesse and the nations most far off shall heare me publishing thy praises and singing vnto thee for deliuering and sauing me by thy power whome thou hast chosen and loued But God forbid that I alone should labour to doo this my dutie For verelie there will be alwaies some assemblie which will by all meanes testifie the remembrance of thy peculiar goodnesse and thy most vndoubted promises Namelie that thou art most mercifull and
breed in vs anie carnall desire of our vaine life but to enable our bodies with all good works during the time of this present pilgrimage that so thy good creatures may be our good releefe so long as thou wilt and so much as thou knowest to be expedient for vs thy seruants to finish our daies which thou hast numbred in the edifieng of thy Saincts and glorifieng of thy holie name And because O Lord we knowe nothing of our selues but our ignorant harts are full of darkenesse therefore we beseech thee that this thy word which is thine eternall wisdome that now we haue read and wherein we haue had our conference may be in our minds a burning lampe and shining light of thine onlie truth in our harts and in our soules a fruitefull seed of a new birth so that thine owne image may be happilie againe restaured in vs that we may bee made before thee a holie and righteous people by the inward working of thy gratious spirit dailie strengthening our harts in earnest loue of thy truth and carefull obedience of thy commandements through Iesus Christ our onlie mediator who in the sacrifice of his owne bodie hath purchased vnto vs all thy fauour and hath giuen vs boldnesse to call vpon thee vnto whome O father with thee and the holie Ghost bee all honour and glorie world without end Amen Another praier after meate on the Lords daie SAnctified be thy name O eternall father who by thy Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord dooest euermore protect and prouide for thy Church both spirituall and corporall blessings bestowing most liberallie vpon vs all good things asked according to thy will Lift vp thine eies O Christ and behold thy miserable people which depend altogither vpon thy prouision and acknowledge our selues to be fed and defended miraculouslie by thee Assist vs that we also may withdrawe our eies from the consultations of flesh and bloud and looke vpon thee our Lord by whose blessing we eate and store our selues And albeit all worldlie helps do faile yet bee thou a firie wall still about vs and feed and defend thy Saincts in the feelds of comfort vntill thou begin that ioifull Passouer and euerlasting Sabboth and bring vs out of the wildernesse out of the sea and penurie into the court of ioie wealth satietie and euerlasting welfare In the meane while make vs thankfull for the benefits which we enioie Let vs gather vp the remnants or fragments cast from thy sumptuous and rich banket vnto vs. Preserue our baskets and blesse our store euen the arts and schooles of learning that by them thy doctrine may be spread abroade in the world Make vs not onlie to honour thee for these thy corporall benefits but much more for giuing thy selfe vnto vs which art the bread of life Be thou our King defending vs in this life against the power of Sathan and feed vs with thy heauenlie bread which may nourish vs to eternall life and happinesse Amen Another praier after meate that daie you haue receiued the holie Communion SEeing that of thy free grace and mercie O almightie God thou hast made vs partakers this daie of all thy riches both in spirituall and corporall things in Christ Iesu who of our selues are vnwoorthie to haue gathered the crumbs vnder thy table make vs more and more mindfull of so great mercies and continuallie thankefull to thee for so manifold benefits and to walke woorthie the honour and dignitie thou hast done vnto vs that we may receiue the full accomplishment of thy loue towards vs in the life to come through the same our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie world without end Amen Another thanks-giuing vnto God for our food to be read and meditated vpon after meate WE thanke thee O King of glorie Lord of heauen and earth because thou hast from our youth to this present houre maruellouslie nourished vs giuing vs meate drinke cloathing with all other things perteining to the sustentation of this present life Naked and bare came we out of our mothers wombs wee brought nothing into the world but whatsoeuer we haue thou gauest the same yea it was afore we were borne and in our mothers wombe didst thou ordeine things necessarie for this life and sufferedst vs to enioie all things aboundantlie Alwaie thou hast a care of vs as a father vseth his children neither art thou ignorant that we stand in need continuallie of thy blessings and dailie are destitute of new releefe all which thou giuest after thy woonted and vnspeakable goodnesse We acknowledge that whatsoeuer we haue or possesse it is thy gift and confesse thee to be the fountaine of all good things and perceiue thy fatherlie goodnesse to be spread not onlie ouer all mankind but also ouer the liuing creatures Thou giuest meate to all flesh thou giuest fodder to the cattell and feedest the yoong rauens that call vpon thee For corporall goods are not distributed among men by chance or without thy prouidence neither be they atteined by the onlie industrie and power of man Thou giuest and we gather thou openest thy hand and all liuing creatures are filled with thy blessing For without thee all our endeuours be in vaine and if thou blesse not our labours we doo but eate the wind and receiue no profit Great is thy mercie O Lord which disdainest not to prouide for sinfull flesh O Lord our God great are thy woonderous works which thou hast done for vs the which we can not so much as in thought comprehend muchlesse in words expresse When we would report and vtter them we found them more than we could recite but notwithstanding thine infinite benefits can not be comprehended of mortall man yet will we not surcease to set foorth thy praise nor hide thy goodnesse from the sonnes of men but will declare it and speake of thy truth from one generation to another Blessed art thou O our God for euer and euer all that is either aboue in the heauens or in the earth beneath is thine All things come from thee and from thine hands we receiue whatsoeuer we possesse and all these things of thy meere mercie without our merits or woorthinesse Therefore we will magnifie the Lord which doth mightie things in all corners of the earth which dooth nourish vs from our mothers wombs and giueth vs all good things Grant vs likewise quietnesse of mind and peace in our time that thy grace may abound toward vs continue and defend vs while we liue O almightie and mercifull father by thy breath we take life the which through thy blessing doth abide in vs. In thee we liue moue and haue our being For man liueth not by bread onlie or by his owne wisedome and forecast neither art thou bound with a fatall chaine of second causes but by thy decree and will we enioie life and all things created at thy becke doo continue while thou thinkest good
towards thee being like a deceitfull bowe My pride and presumption accuse me to my face I am ouerthrowne in mine owne wickednesse I doo seeke thee O Lord I beseech thee that I may find thee thou art separated from me for I haue greedilie followed filthinesse Yet will I accuse mine owne sinfull waies before thee O Lord vntill thou haue mercie vpon me and receiue me againe into thy fauour God forbid that euer I should depart from thee againe and not diligentlie seeke for thy promises I will neuer hold my peace nor keepe silence vntill thou haue established that couenant with me which thou hast made and ordeined in times past That is to saie like as the iustice of a iust man shall not deliuer or saue him what time soeuer he shall offend so the wickednesse of a wicked man shall not hurt him what time soeuer he shall returne from his wickednesse In hope of this O Lord God I will tarie thy pleasure for thou art good to them that trust in thee and to the soule that seeketh thee Thou keepest thy truth for euermore and the words which issue foorth of thy mouth shall not be void and of none effect Destroie me not good Lord for my sinnes nor reserue not eternall punishment for me Open thine eies and behold the greatnesse of my paine and mine affliction for mine iniquitie is great in thy sight and my sinnes haue brought me into this trouble Destroie me not vtterlie nor leaue me in my sinnes for thou art God of mercie and verie gratious Execute not the punishment vpon me which thou haddest purposed doo to me according to thy name although my defaults and sinnes be manie O Lord thou art my God and thy name hath beene put vpon me leaue me not in the deepenesse of my troubles Thou hast chastised and reformed manie and hast strengthned the wearie hands thy words haue set vp him that staggered and thou hast made streight the crooked knees Wherefore I will seeke thee O Lord God which hast wrought great things vnsearchable innumerable Thou hast taken vp the poore out of the dust and hast exalted them which were abiects For thou dooest deliuer the poore in his miserie out of the straite and bottomlesse pit of tribulation and out of the wide mouth of anguish and affliction into rest and quietnesse Thou art gratious and mercifull for that thou shewest mercie to them which be not yet come into the world and thou art verie mercifull to them which diligentlie obserue and keepe thy lawes and thou dooest patientlie suffer sinners giuing them time and place wherby they may be changed from their malice Heare me poore wretch making supplication vnto thee for in thee and thy name I haue put my trust and affiance Take me thy seruant vnto thee and make me good and let me not be disappointed of that that I looke for Come againe O Lord God and saue my soule destroie me not whome thou hast redeemed by thy great might and power Looke not vpon the hardnesse of my hart nor vpon my sinnes but like as thou hast manie times shewed mercie so now be mercifull and forgiue me Heare me O Lord and be pacified regard my praier and doo according to thy great name O Lord I looke to haue helpe and saluation from thee and this is my dailie meditation and exercise For thy mercies be great and thy goodnesse is inestimable Heare me now fauourablie and with-hold thy mercies no longer from me In the waie of thy iudgements I will looke after thee my soule desireth to magnifie thy name and to haue thee in memorie Incline my hart to doo thy commandements and direct my waies euermore in thy sight Let me neuer heereafter go awaie from thy waies nor leaue me not now in the deepenesse of my troubles Turne not thine eies awaie from me but teach me O Lord to doo those things which are pleasant in thy sight Make a perpetuall league and couenant with me that thou wilt put thy feare into my heart that I neuer swarue from thee in all my life Withdrawe not thy goodnesse from me for euer but keepe thy promise and fidelitie Be good vnto me with beneuolence and fauour for thou art mercifull and thy displeasure continueth not for euer Remember me with fauour and kindnesse and visit me with thy saluation I knowe O Lord God that thou art gratious and mercifull patient and of great mercifulnesse Thou art good and mercifull thou keepest couenant and mercie with thy seruants which walke before thee in their whole heart There is none other God but thou which regardest and carest for all For thou hast beene euer verie mercifull to me deliuering my soule from the deepe hell Let thy goodnesse O Lord be euer with me for all my wealth resteth onlie in thee In the time of tribulation I call vpon thee O Lord for thou art nigh vnto them which call vpon thy holie name Succour me O God and looke merilie vpon me shew me the light of thy countenance in thee my soule trusteth and my hart reioiceth Let my praier come vnto thy throne bow downe thine eare vnto my crie Heare me now being penitent O Lord whom thou hast hitherto patientlie suffered to the intent I should repent and amend my life O God I haue opened vnto thee my life saue mee for thy name sake for my trust is in thee What care I for worldlie things this one thing onlie I need and desire that I may find grace and fauour in thy sight Wherefore I beseech thee O Lord take awaie from me this paine and sorrowe or at least-wise mitigate and asswage it either by comfort or by counsell or by what meanes soeuer it shall bee seene good to thee Another Psalme or complaint of a penitent sinner which is sore troubled and ouercome with sinne O Lord God mercifull and patient and of much mercifulnesse and truth Which for thine aboundant charitie and according to thy great mercie hast taken vs out from the power of darkenesse and hast saued vs by the fountaine of regeneration and new birth and the renewing of the holie Ghost whome thou hast shed vpon vs aboundantlie by Iesu Christ our sauiour If I haue found grace and fauour in thy sight suffer me to speake a word vnto thee and be not displeased with me Why dooest thou euer forget me and leauest me in the middest of my troubles and euils Where is become thy zeale thy strength Where is the multitude of thy tender affections and of thy mercies O Lord may not he which is fallen rise vp againe Or may not he which hath gone awaie from thee returne to thee againe Shall my sorrowe euer endure Shall my wound be incurable and neuer healed How commeth it to passe that I turne still awaie from thee My sinne dailie increaseth and of my selfe I can not returne In as much as it is not giuen to man to direct his owne waies neither to make perfect his owne
within booke or without and repent from the bottome of my hart the often omission of it in times past so I wish you good readers which christianlie haue consecrated and vowed to giue your selues to this holie exercise as the Lord I saie in mercie shall giue you grace leisure time and occasion and not suffer you to be tired with anie worldlie necessitie in the name and feare of God to obserue this or that order method forme or direction which he in his word dooth allow of or you knowe best will keepe you in the continuall faith feare and fauour of God For trust me if you will but a little together with me call these ten memorable things to your christian remembrance in this so holie an exercise First the commandements of almightie God himselfe whom in consideration of our owne great miserie and necessitie and common lacke of the christian congregation hath willed vs to call vpon him saieng Praie alwaies with all maner of praiers and supplications in the spirit and watch therevnto with all perseuerance Secondlie his most sweet and comfortable promises made gratiouslie both to heare and grant our godlie and lawfull requests saieng Aske and ye shall haue seeke and ye shall find knocke and it shall be opened vnto you for euerie one that calleth vpon the name of the Lord and departeth from iniquitie shall be saued c. Thirdlie our great and manifold sinnes whereof we are guiltie which will not suffer vs to sit still without care but briueth vs of necessitie to beg his most gratious pardon Fourthlie our feeble flesh and weake nature vnable in euerie respect to doo anie good thing which requireth continuall praier to aid and strength it Fiftlie the wilie subtiltie of our spirituall enimie sathan who priuilie lurketh in the inward parts waiting euen in our best actions to trip and ouerthrowe vs against whom we must by feruent praier vehementlie striue Sixtlie our owne greeuous assalts and cruell temptations which neuer giue vs truce rest nor quietnesse but hasten vs verie much vnto God for helpe Seuenthlie the zeale of the glorie of God and aduancement of his kingdome which ought wholie to drawe and moone vs continuallie to exercise our selues in the seruice of GOD. Eightlie the dailie dangers and continuall calamities that hourelie hang ouer our heads which giue vs all cause enough yea euen the most holie and that with sighs and grones continuallie to flie vnto God our heauenlie father and call vpon him by feruent praiers Ninthlie the infinite benefits and great blessings of God so bountifullie and plentifullie euerie waie powred continuallie vpon vs which giue vs both ample matter and iust occasion hourelie by thankesgiuing euen from the bottome of our harts to praise and magnifie him for the same Tenthlie and lastlie the great excellencie woorthinesse necessitie vertue fruit and profit of true and christian praier consisting partlie in the dignitie of God the commander and partlie in the effect of obteining of whatsoeuer we aske according to his will These things I saie good reader well considered I suppose you will saie here is nothing superfluous but all little enough to so needfull and profitable an exercise of our faith praier I meane as wherein the peace of conscience yea our whole saluation consisteth and whereby God himselfe is said to be present with vs not onelie by his prouidence to watch ouer vs but also by his power to susteine and succour vs and by his goodnesse and mercie to receiue vs into his fatherlie grace and fauour Yea I doubt not but you will willinglie confesse with me I saie that all sorts of deuout women haue great cause and that continuallie to take these lamps into their hands thereby either with vanished Hagar to acknowledge Gods graces towards them or with desolate Naomi to praie that God would blesse their children to be staies and staues of their age to their comfort or with heuie Hanna to powre out their harts before the Lord in teares for a sonne and for his mercie and fauour towards them or with wise Abigael by praier to preuent the mischeefes that hang as well ouer their heads as their families yea or with hir often on their knees to praie for the good prosperitie and preseruation of their gratious gouernour Queene ELIZABETH or with the church and faithfull soule of all christians to long for the kisses of the peace of Christ their spirituall spouse and neuer to cease daie nor night to seeke him whom their soule loueth till by praier and meditation they haue found him or with the wofull daughter of Sion to lament and mourne pitiouslie for their sinnes till their miseries be mitigated and they comforted or with sorrowfull Sara Tobit in fasting and teares to be deliuered from dailie reproches and slanderous roongs or wich vertuous Iudith in sack cloth and ashes to obteine strength and courage mightilie to destroie and ouercome proud Olophernes with all the huge host of his bloudie ruffians or with noble Queene Hester to proclaime a fast and call their virgins families and people together to praie daie and night to the hazarding of their owne liues also if need so require for their owne further preseruation and their peoples and subiects safetie and deliuerance out of the hands of cruell Haman and all his seditious conspirators or with chast and innocent Susanna to appeale to God the high iudge of iudges to be acquitted from a violeut death by false accusation and more vniust condeinuation or with the afflicted church in exile to acknowledge their sinnes and call for mercie to be deliuered from distresse or with the woman of Canaan to flie vnto Christ in all necessities to be releeued both bodilie and ghostlie or with our most gratious Souereigne Ladie Queene ELIZABETH to muse diuinelie of the inward loue of the soule towards Christ their spouse their Lord and father mother and brother or with the vertuous Ladie Queene KATHERINE to vewaile the ignorance of their blind life led in superstition and with hir also in all their troubles to stir vp their godlie minds patientlie to suffer all afflictions for the loue of euerlasting felicitie or with the right godlie Ladie Iane Dudley to endure the crosse to death most patientlie or with good Ladie Tirwit to exercise them selues morning and euening in fruitfull and godlie praiers psalmes hymnes and meditations or with the honourable Ladie Aburgauennie by the like to tread the path to paradise for the health of their soule or with holie Agnus and Eulalia the martyrs to triumph in the victorie of Christs death or with Anne Askew the marryr to praie hartilie for their enimies or with maister Bradfords mother to be petitioners vnto God for the constancie in faith to death of their children or with mistresse Dorcas Alarten carefullie to instruct their whole familie in the principall points of christian religion or with other graue and godlie matrones vnknowne to exhort others to mortification and holinesse of life
compilers whatsoeuer otherwise through ignorance wanteth both in me and perhaps in you also good readers if you be vnlearned Giue them therefore O giue them I saie and that woorthilie of the fruit of their owne hands and let their owne works praise them in all the world I to conclude humbly submit my selfe vnto the graue iudgements of the godlie learned and mine heroicall authors liuing of whom I meeklie craue pardon for this my bold enterprise attempted both with bashfulnesse doubtfulnesse and feare to become a writer in this so learned an age or to trouble your studies with my rude labours And here lastlie I offer these my labours such as they are vnto the good liking and fauourable correction as well in matter as in maner of you my right christian learned readers of whom in full recompense and satisfaction of anie fruit that either you or the simpler sort shall hereby reape I onelie now make this request as dutifullie to reuerence the diuine works of so noble and learned authors by whose holie trauels you perceine your selues to enioie most inestimable benefits so freendlie to take in good part these first fruits of my poore studies proceeding from a well meaning mind and built vpon so good foundations as from him that did that hee could though not that he ought to benefit all and to hurt or offend none That they being now as lamps well esteemed of in the opinion of the rich in vertue and knowledge and gratefullie accepted and approoued of the learneder sort as the monuments of so famous matrones may yet at the least for their sakes become welcome and approoued of all other simple christians and I by that meanes greatlie incouraged to go forward in vertuous studies for the benefit of my countrie with hartie thankesgiuing vnto God both for his mercie and your great curtesie and goodnesse towards me in whom I bid you farewell and vnto whose heauenlie defense almightie protection diuine fauour and continuall blessing I finallie commend and betake both these my labours my selfe and you deere and welbeloued readers beseeching you to loue me as I loue you vnfainedlie to speake of me and my worke no woorse than I doo of you and yours christianlie and that for his sake alone that loued vs all most deerelie in that loue for vs all endured all maner of reproch and slanders that might be most patientlie euen to the effusion of his most pretious bloud often and sundrie times trulie as well in feruent praier as in sweat and otherwise on the crosse for our eternall glorie to whom therefore and for all the inestimable benefits of his bloudie praiers dririe death and bitter passion be euermore rendred and giuen as of writers and readers so of angels men and all creatures in heauen in earth or in the deepe all possible praise and perpetuall glorie that hart can thinke hand can worke or toong can speake Amen Yours as his owne in him that is all in all and our owne for euer THOMAS BENTLEY Facies militantis Ecclesiae IAm propè sexagies redijt centesimus annus Quùm laeso aeternum seruans sub pectore vulnus Incensis animis gerit implacabile bellum Cum serpentino muliéris semine semen Nam pater omnipotens nec iam pater improbus ex quo Seduxit serpens primos errore parentes Nullus amor natis dixit nec foedera sunto Exoriare aliquis pura de virgine vindex Cuius dextra caput serpentis conterat cui Iratus serpens leniter calcanea tundat Nunc olim stirpem pono genus omne futurum Exercendum odijs vtrinque atque impero tolli Infestas aquilas aquilis contraria pilis Pila alas alis signa minantia signis Haec Deus ex illo struere malè nectere serpens Arte dolos coepit bellique opponere molem Nulla quies aetas quae tempore fluxit ab illo Militia est hostis factum iam grande periclis Ingenium longo creuit solertia bello Effrendétque draco ruber immortalibus iris Crudelis reparátque nouas in praelia vires Audet à nobis sumptis confligere telis Nam peccatorum benè quae numerantur ab illo Vel numero miseras animas vel pondere terret Tunc aptè mortem peccati ostendere stipem Tunc stygias turmas totúmque Acheronta ciere Promptus hijs hominem petit exitialibus armis Non par lex huius non ius aequabile pugnae Nos sumus in terris est in coelestibus hostis Non pede congreditur pes densúsque viro vir Sed micat in tenebris spiritualibus armis Vtitur nocet non vult nocuisse videri Improbus infligit vulnus neque vulneris author Extat sic pugnat sic est metuendus Abaddon Adde alios hostes quos intùs habemus extrà Hinc caro nos blandis odijs affabilis hostis Enecat leni peccati imbuta veneno Strangulat inclusas animas conficit intùs Extrà alias scelerum faces dirásque cohortes Et coniuratum cernas obsistere mundum Quacunque aspicimus timor vndique vndique terror Infernaeque ruunt acies praedámque requirunt Christicolas Quem das finem rex magne laborum Nos tua progenies coeli quibus annuis arcem Perdimur ac coeli longè disiungimur oris Haec est illa fides potis est quae vincere mundum Infernique fores Sic nos in sceptra reponis Ollis subridens Christus qui cuncta serenat Oscula libauit natis dein talia fatus Nata Deo proles ex viui semine verbi O multum dilecta mihi dilecta parenti Moestáne per tantos semper iactabere fluctus Nec quae sit tua spes quae sit victoria noris Tu sathanam Tu tela times ignita gehennae Esto tuos quondam potuit superare parentes Nec dum animo exciderint irae saeuóque dolores Et veteres verset fraudes ac pectora tentet Atque omne secum Phlegetonta in praelia ducat Idcircóne tuo poteris diffidere Christo Nec venit in mentem quam crux ferat alma salutem Ille vides Leo terribilis quique omnia saeuus Circuit immanis rugit praedámque futuram Faucibus expectat siccis quem pessima ventris Exigit impransum rabies exutus inermis In cruce confossus iacet en victor Leo Iudae Inferni fregit portas contudit omnes Peccati vires mortem morte peremit Haecspolia aeterna has lauros ex hoste reporto Ecce Deum summum medijs est cernere terris In coelis hominem tibi sese aeterna reseruant Gaudia cum superis homini benè conuenit actum est Vicisti pepigit cum terra foedera coelum Iam Cherubinorum vaginae includitur ensis Atque iterum tibi se tradit paradisus habendum Námque ego quem gremio tellus absorpsit iniquo Vincula perrupi mortis coelúmque petiui Et cupis hijs mecum pariter considere
all the daie long He hath filled me with bitternesse and made me dronken with woormewood and with great anguish and sorowe he hath made me loose my senses He hath smitten my teeth in peeces with stones and rolled me in the dust Thus my soule was farre off from peace I forgat prosperitie and all good things And I said My strength and mine hope is perished from the Lord. O remember yet my miserie and my trouble the woormewood and the gall Yea in remembring my soule doth still remember them and is humbled within me I consider these things in my hart and therefore I get hope againe Namelie it is of the Lords mercies that we are not vtterlie consumed for our wickednesse for truelie his pitifull compassions faile not New mercies shall the Lord shew vpon thee earlie in the daie springing euerie morning O Lord great is thy faithfulnesse for we féele thy benefits continuallie The Lord is my portion saith my soule therefore will I hope in him O how good is the Lord vnto them that put their trust in him and to the soule that seeketh after hun The good man with silence and patience doth both trust and waite for the health and saluation of the Lord. It is good for a man to take and beare the yoke vppon him in and from his youth vp He sitteth alone and murmureth not but is patient and holdeth him still and keepeth silence because he hath taken and borne the Lords yoke vpon him He laieth his face vpon the earth and humbleth himselfe waiting with patience if there may happen to be anie hope of succour He offreth his cheeke to the smiter he will be content with reproches For the Lord will not forsake for euer But though he send affliction and punish yet will he haue compassion and according to the multitude of his mercies he receiueth to grace againe For he doth not plague willinglie nor delighteth to afflict the children of men but doth it of necessitie for our amendment To treade all the prisoners of the earth vnder his feete To ouerthrowe the right of a man before the face of the most high To condemne a man in his cause the Lord hath not pleasure in such things What and who is he then that saith And it commeth to passe And the Lord commandeth it not For without his prouidence nothing is done Out of the mouth of the most high proceedeth not euill and good both prosperitie and aduersitie Wherefore then mourneth the liuing man when God afflicteth him Let him mourne and be sorowfull for his owne sinnes for which he suffereth Let vs search and trie and looke well vpon our owne waies and remember our selues and turne againe to the Lord. Let vs without hypocrisie lift vp both our harts and our hands vnto God that is in the heauens and saie We haue sinned and rebelled therefore hast thou not spared Thou hast couered vs in thy wrath and persecuted vs thou hast slaine without anie fauour Thou hast hid thy selfe as in a cloud that our praiers should not passe through Thou hast made vs the offscowring and reffuse in the mids of the people All our enimies haue opened their mouths against vs and gape vpon vs. Feare and snare is come vpon vs yea desolation and destruction Whole riuers of waters gush out of mine eies for the destruction of the daughter of my people Mine eie droppeth without staie and ceaseth not for there is no rest Till the Lord looke downe from heauen consider Mine eies breake mine hart and I am ouercome with wéeping bicause of all the daughters or people of my Citie Mine enimies hunted and chased me sore like a bird yea and that without a cause They haue shut vp my life in a dungeon and cast a stone vpon me The waters flowed ouer mine head then thought I Now I am destroied I called vpon thy name O Lord out of the deepe pit and lowe dungeon Thou hast heard my voice stop not thine eare from my sighings and crieng Thou drewest neere vnto me in the daie when I called vpon thee and hast said Feare not O Lord thou hast maintained the cause of my soule and hast redeemed my life that was in danger O Lord thou hast seene my wrong take thou my cause vpon thee and iudge it Thou hast seene all their vengeance and all their deuises against mee Thou hast hard their reprochfull despitefull words O Lord yea and all their imaginations against me The lips also of those that rise against me and their deuises and whisperings that they take against me all the daie long Behold also their sitting downe and their rising vp how I am now their song Reward them O Lord according to the works of their hands Giue them sorrowe of hart and an obstinate hart euen thy curse to them Persecute them O Lord with thine indignation and root them out and vtterlie destroie them from vnder the heauen The fift lamentation or praier of Zion CAll to remembrance O Lord what is come vpon vs consider and behold our confusion and reproch Our inheritance is turned to the strangers and our houses to the aliens We are vnderlings without fathers and our mothers are as widowes We haue drunken our water for monie and our wood haue we by sale sold vnto vs. Our necks are vnder persecution we are wearie and haue no rest Aforetime we yeelded our selues to the Aegyptians and now we haue submitted our selues to the Assyrians onlie that we might be satisfied haue bread inough Our fathers which now are gone haue sinned and we must beare their wickednesse Seruants haue the rule of vs and no man deliuereth vs out of their hands We must get our liuing with the perill of our liues bicause of the drought of the wildernesse Our skin is made blacke like as an ouen bicause of the trouble famine and verie sore hunger They rauish and defile the wiues in Zion and the maidens in the citie of Iudea The princes are hanged vp by their enimies hand they haue not honoured the old sage mens faces They haue taken the yoong men for slaues to grind and the boies fainted vnder the burden of wood not able to abide it The elders haue ceased from the gates so that there were no more lawes nor forme of Commonwealth and the yoong men from their songs The ioie of our hart is gone our danse and melodious meeting is turned into mourning The garland or crowne of our head is fallen Wo now vnto vs and alas that euer we sinned Therfore our hart is full of heauinesse and for these things our eies are dimme with wéeping Bicause of the hill or mountaine of Zion which is destroied and desolate insomuch that the foxes runne vpon it But thou O Lord remainest for euer and thy seate throne from generation to generation world without end and therefore thy couenant and mercies can neuer faile Wherefore dost thou forget vs for euer and forsake vs so long time
Turne thou vs vnto thee O Lord and so we shall be turned renew our daies as in old times But thou hast vtterlie banished and reiected vs and thou art exceedinglie angrie and displeased against vs. The praier and thankesgiuing of Sarra Tobits wife which in hir virginitie with fasting and weeping for the space of three daies and three nights she made to be deliuered from the shame and reproch wherewith hir fathers maids vpbraided hir Tobit 3 11. BLessed art thou O Lord my God and thine holie and glorious name is blessed and honourable for euer Let all thy works praise thee for euer O God of our fathers which when thou art wroth shewest mercie and in the time of trouble thou forgiuest the sinnes of them that call vpon thee Unto thee O Lord turne I now my face vnto thee lift I vp mine eies and saie I beseech thee O Lord loose me out of the bonds of this rebuke or else take me vtterlie awaie from out of the earth that I may heare no more anie reproch Thou knowest O Lord minc innocencie that I neuer had desire vnto man and that I haue kept my soule cleane from all vncleanlie lusts Thou knowest O Lord I say that I am pure from all sinne with man and that I haue neuer polluted my name nor the name of my father in the land of my captiuitie I haue not kept companie with those that passe their time in sport neither haue I made my selfe partaker with them that walke in light behauiour I am the onelie daughter of my father neither hath he anie man child to be his heire neither anie neere kinsman or child borne of him to whom I may keepe my selfe for a wife An husband haue I consented to take not for my pleasure but in thy feare and my seuen husbands are now dead one after another and why should I liue to endure so great reproch as to be counted a murtherer of my husbands Now peraduenture either I haue beene vnwoorthie of them or else were they vnmeete for me But if it please not thee that I should die as I desire for thou happilie hast kept me to another husband command then to looke on me to pitie me that I doo no more heare reproch For why thy counsell is not in the power of man but euerie one that serueth thee is sure of this that if his life be in trieng he shall be crowned and if he be in trouble that God no doubt shall deliuer him if his life be in chastening that he shall haue leaue to come vnto thy mercie For thou hast no pleasure in our damnation And why After a storme thou makest the weather faire and still after weeping and heauinesse thou giuest great ioie Thy name O God of Israel be praised for euer Amen And at the same time were hir praiers heard before the maiestie of the great God The praier of Iudith which she made with fasting and teares for the deliuerance of hir people the Bethulians out of the hands of Holophernes and the Assyrians host that besieged their citie Iudith 9 2. O Lord God of my father Simeon which gauest him a sword for a defence against the enimies and to take vengeance of the strangers which vsed violence in their vncleannesse and opened the wombe of the maid Dinah and defiled hir that rauished the virgine and discouered the thigh with shame and polluted the wombe to hir reproch confusion For thou hadst commanded that it should not so be yet they the Sichemites I meane did things for the which thou gauest their princes to the slaughter For they were deceiued and washed their beds with bloud And hast striken the seruants with the gouernors the gouernors vpon their thrones Thou that gauest their wiues for a praie and their daughters to be captiues and all their spoiles for a bootie vnto thy children and seruants the Israelites that thou louedst which were mooued with thy zeale and abhorred the pollution of their bloud and called vpon thee for aid O God O Lord my God heare me also a widowe and helpe mee I beseech thee For thou hast wrought the things afore and these and the things that shall be after and thou considerest the things that are present and the things that are to come For the things which thou dost purpose are present and saie Behold we are heere and looke what thou hast taken in hand and deuised it came euer to passe For all thy waies are readie prepared and thy iudgements are put in thine euerlasting foreknowledge O looke now vpon the armies of the Assyrians like as it was thy pleasure sometime to looke vpon the host of the Aegyptians when they being weaponed persecuted thy seruants and put their trust in their chariots horsemen and in the multitude of their men of war but thou lookedst vpon their host casting a thicke darknes before them And when they came into the deepe the waters ouerwhelmed them euen so Lord behold and let it go with those Assyrians which are multiplied by their power and haue exalted themselues with horses horsemen which glory in the strength of their footmen that trust in shield speare and bowe and do not knowe that thou only art the Lord our God which breakest the battels and destroiest the wars from the beginning The Lord is thy name and it apperteineth vnto thee to be called Lord. O lift vp thine arme now like as euer from the beginning and breake thou their strength by thy power cause their force to fall by thy wrath For they haue purposed yea and make their vaunt and boast to vnhalowe and defile thy sanctuarie to pollute the tabernacle where thy glorious name resteth and to waste spoile and cast downe with sword and weapons the horns of thine altar Behold their pride and bring to passe O Lord that the blasphemie of this enimie Holophernes may be cut downe with his owne sword and send thy wrath vpon their heads Giue into mine hand which am a widowe the strength that I haue conceiued that he may be taken with the snare of his eies in me and that thou maiest smite him with the lips of my loue Smite I saie by the deceit of my lips the seruant with the prince and the prince with the seruant O giue me a stedfast mind that I may despise him and his strength and that I may destroie him This shall bring thy name an euerlasting remembrance if thou abate his strength and ouerthrowe him by the hand of a woman For thy power O Lord standeth not in the multitude of men nor thy might in strong men neither hast thou anie pleasure in the strength of horses neither was there from the beginning anie proud persons that pleased thee But in the praier of the humble and meeke hath thy pleasure beene euermore Thou I saie O Lord art the helpe of the humble and little ones the defender of the weake and the protector of them that are
forsaken and the Sauiour of them that are without hope Surelie surelie thou art the God of my fathers and the God of the inheritance of Israel the Lord of heauen and earth the Creator of the waters the King and Lord of all creatures O heare thou my praiers heare me I saie poore woman calling vpon thee and putting my trust in thy mercie Remember thy couenant O Lord and minister words in my mouth and stablish this deuise in my hart that thy house may continue still in holinesse yea grant me words I saie and craft and a wound and a stroke against them that enterprise cruel things against thy couenant and against thine holie house and against the top of Zion and against the house of the possession of thy children Shew euidentlie among all thy people and all the tribes that they and all the heathen may knowe that thou art the God of all power and strength and that there is none other that defendeth the people of Israel but thou So be it Iudith hir praier that shee made secretlie or mentallie in hir hart when she stroke off the head of proud Holophernes Iudith 13 4. O Lord God of all power behold at this present and haue respect vnto the works of my hands in this houre for the exaltation of Ierusalem that thou maiest set vp thy citie like as thou hast promised Strengthen me O Lord God of Israel and grant that I may performe the thing which in hope that it may be done by thee I haue deuised For now is the time to helpe thine inheritance and to execute mine enterprises to the destruction of the enimies which are risen against vs. Strengthen me therefore this daie O Lord God of Israel now strengthen me I saie O Lord God euen in this houre Iudith hir song of praise and thankesgiuing which she togither with all the people made for their deliuerance from the hands of the Assyrians by the destruction of Holophernes Iudith 16. BEgin vnto my God with Timbrels sing vnto my Lord with Cimbals O tune vnto him a Psalme and sing a new song of thankesgiuing vnto him exalt his praise be ioifull and call vpon his name For it is the Lord that destroieth wars and breaketh battels euen the Lord is his name It is God which hath pitched his tents or campe in the mids of his people and deliuered me and them out of the hands of all the persecutors our enimies Assur came out from the mountaines of the north in the multitude of his strength he came with thousands in his armie so that the multitude of his people stopped the water brookes and their horses couered the vallies He purposed to haue burnt vp my borders and land and said that he would kill my yoong men with the sword dash the suckling children against the ground and lead awaie my children and my virgins as a praie or spoile into captiuitie But the almightie Lord hindered him and deliuered him into the hands of a woman which hath brought him to naught and confusion For the mightie Holophernes did not fall nor was destroied by the yoong men It was not the sonnes of Titan that slue him neither haue the great giants inuaded him or set themselues against him but Iudith the daughter of Merari with hir faire beautie and comlie countenance hath discomfited and brought him to naught For she put off and laid awaie the garment of hir widowhood and put on the apparell of gladnesse for the exaltation and reioicing of those that were oppressed in Israel She annointed hir face with ointment and bound vp hir heare in a coife and tooke a new stole or linnen garment to beguile him Hir slippers rauished his eies hir beautie captiuated and tooke his mind prisoner with the sword or faulchin smote she off his head The Persians were astonished at hir boldnesse and the Medes were troubled with hir hardinesse But mine afflicted reioiced and my feeble ones that appeared drie of thirst showted for ioie then the Persians and Medes feared they lift vp their voice and howled and turned backe The children of maides or the sonnes of the daughters haue pierced them through and wounded them as they fled awaie like fugitiue children they perished in the battell for the verie feare of the Lord my God I will sing vnto the Lord a song of thankesgiuing a new song of praise will I sing vnto my God O Lord Lord thou art a great and glorious GOD maruellous mightie and inuincible in power whom no man may ouercome Let all thy creatures serue thee For thou spakest but the word and they were made thou sentest thy spirit and they were created and there is none that can resist or withstand thy voice For the mountaines mooue and leape vp from their foundations with the waters the stonie rocks melt at thy presence like waxe yet thou art mercifull to them that feare thee For all sacrifices are too little for a sweet sauour and all the fat is too little for thy burnt offering But they that feare thee O Lord shall be great with thee in all things at all times Wo to the people and nations that rise vp against my generation and kindred For the almightie Lord will take vengeance himselfe of them and in the daie of iudgement will hee visit them in sending fire and woormes in their flesh and they shall burne and feele them and weepe for euermore So be it The praier of Queene Hester which she made for the deliuerance of hir selfe and hir people out of the bloudie hands of Haman that conspired their death Hester 14 3. O My Lord thou onlie art our King helpe me desolate woman which haue no helper but thee For my danger miserie and destruction is hard at hand From my youth vp I haue heard in the kindred of my father that thou O Lord tookest Israel from among all people and our fathers from their predecessors and foreelders that they shuld be thy perpetuall inheritance And looke what thou didst promise them thou hast performed and made it good vnto them Now Lord we haue sinned before thee therefore hast thou giuen vs into the hands of our enimies bicause we worshipped their gods O Lord thou art righteous neuerthelesse it satisfieth them not that we are in bitter and heauie captiuitie and oppressed among them But they haue stroken hands with their idols that they will abolish and take awaie the thing that thou with thy mouth hast ordeined and appointed and destroie thine inheritance to shut and to stop vp the mouthes of them that praise thee and to quench the glorie of thy temple and worship of thine house and altar and to open the mouthes of the heathen that they may praise the power and vertue of the gods or idols and to magnifie a fleshlie king for euer O Lord giue not thy scepter vnto them that be nothing least they laugh vs to scorne in our miserie and fall but turne their deuise vpon themselues and
and Dragon than to keepe house with a wicked woman Ecclesiasticus 7 verse 19. Yet depart not from a discreete and good woman that is fallen to thee for thy portion in the feare of the Lord for the gift of hir honestie is aboue gold ¶ The Christian praiers of our Souereigne Ladie Queene Elizabeth which hir grace made in the time of hir trouble and imprisonment in the Tower and after hir Coronation HElpe me now O God for I haue none other friends but thee alone And suffer mee not I beseech thee to build my foundation vpon the sands but vpon the rocke whereby all blasts of blustering weather may haue no power against mee Amen Another praier made by hir Maiestie when she was in great feare and doubt of death by murther GRant O God that the wicked may haue no power to hurt or beetraie me neither suffer anie such treason and wickednesse to proceed against me For thou O God canst mollifie all such tyrannous harts and disappoint all such cruell purposes And I beseech thee to heare me thy creature which am thy seruant and at thy commandement trusting by thy grace euer so to remaine Amen Another praier and thankesgiuing made by hir grace as she rode in hir Chariot from the Tower to be crowned Queene at Westminster O Lord almightie and euerlasting God I giue thee most hartie thanks that thou hast beene so mercifull vnto me as to spare mee to behold this ioifull daie And I acknowledge that thou hast dealt as woonderfully with me as thou didst with thy true and faithfull seruant Daniel the Prophet whom thou deliueredst out of the den from the crueltie of the greedie raging lions euen so was I ouerwhelmed and onelie by thee deliuered To thee therfore be onlie thanks honour and praise for euer and euer Amen The rest of the praiers belonging to hir Maiestie to vse are to be found in the beginning of the third Lampe WILLIAM CICILL hauing taken much profit by the reading of this Treatise following wisheth vnto euerie Christian by the reading thereof like profit with increase from GOD. MOst gentle and Christian Reader if matters should bee rather confirmed by their reporters than the reports warranted by the matters I might iustlie bewaile our time wherin euill deeds be well worded and good acts euill cleaped But sincere truth is that things be not good for their praises but be praised for their goodnesse I doo not mooue thee to like this Christan Treatise bicause I haue mind to praise it but I exhort thee to mind it and for the goodnes thou shalt allow it for whose liking I labour not to obteine onelie mooued by mine example their iudgement Iregard chieflie confirmed by the matter Trulie our time is so disposed to grant good names to euill fruits and excellent termes to meane works that neither can good deeds enioie their due names being defrauded by the euill neither excellent works can possesse their woorthie termes being forestalled by the meane insomuch that men seeke rather how much they can than how much they ought to saie inclining more to their pleasure than to their iudgement and to shew themselues rather eloquent than the matter good so that neither the goodnes of the cause can mooue them to saie more neither the euilnes lesse For if the excellencie of this Christian contemplation either for the goodnes herein to maruell appearing either for the profit herevpon to the Reader ensuing should be with due commendation followed I of necessitie should either trauell to find out new words the old being anticipated by euill matters or wish that the common speech of praising were spared vntill conuenient matters were found to spend it such is the plentie of praising and scarsenes of deseruing Wherefore lacking the maner in words and not the matter in deed of high commendation I am compelled to keepe in my iudgment with silence trusting whom my report could not haue mooued to like this present Treatise the woorthinesse of the matter shall compell to giue it honour Anie earthlie man would soone be stirred to see some mysterie of magike or practise of Alchumie or perchance some inchantment of elements but thou which art christened hast here a woonderfull mysterie of the mercie of God a heauenlie practise of regeneration a spirituall inchantment of the grace of God If ioie and triumph be shewed when a kings child is borne to the world what ioie is sufficient when Gods child is regenerated from heauen The one is flesh which is borne of flesh the other is spirit which is borne of spirit The one also shall wither like the grasse of the earth in short time the other shall liue in heauen beyond all time If the finding of one lost sheepe be more ioifull than the hauing of ninetie and nine what ioie is it to consider the returne of a straie child of almightie God whose returne teacheth the ninetie and nine to come to their fold Euen such cause of ioie is this that the Angels in heauen take comfort herein Be thou therefore ioifull when a noble child is newlie borne shew thy selfe glad when the lost sheepe hath wonne the whole flocke be thou not sad wherein Angels reioise Here maist thou see one if the kind may mooue thee a woman if degree may prouoke thee a woman of high estate by birth made noble by marriage most noble by wisedome godlie by a mightie King an excellent Queene by a famous HENRIE a renowmed KATHERINE a wife to him that was a King to Realmes refusing the world wherein she was lost to obtaine heauen wherein she may be saued abhorring sinne which made hir bound to receiue grace whereby she may be free despising flesh the cause of corruption to put on the spirit the cause of sanctification forsaking ignorance wherein she was blind to come to knowledge whereby she may see remoouing superstition wherewith she was smothered to imbrace true religion wherewith she may reuiue The fruit of this Treatise good Reader is thine amendment this onelie had the writer is satisfied This good Ladie thought no shame to detest hir sinne to obteine remission no vilenes to become nothing to be a member of him which is all things in all no follie to forget the wisedome of the world to learne the simplicitie of the Gospell at the last no displeasantnesse to submit hir selfe to the schoole of the crosse the learning of the Crucifix the booke of our redemption the verie absolute librarie of Gods mercie and wisedome This waie thought she hir honour increased and hir state permanent to make hir earthlie honour heauenlie and neglect the transitorie for the euerlasting Of this I would thee warned that the profit may ensue These great mysteries and graces be not well perceiued except they be surelie studied neither be they perfectlie studied except they be diligentlie practised neither profitablie practised without amendment See and learne hereby what she hath doone then maist thou practise and amend that thou canst
gods Alas how haue I violated this holie pure and most high precept and commandment of the loue of God Which precept bindeth me to loue him with my whole hart mind force strength and vnderstanding And I like vnto an euill wicked and disobedient child haue giuen my will power and senses to the contrarie making almost of euerie earthlie and carnall thing a god Furthermore the bloud of Christ was not reputed by me sufficient for to wash me from the filth of my sinnes neither such waies as he had appointed by his word but I sought for such riffraffe as the Bishop of Rome hath planted in his tyrannie and kingdome trusting with great confidence by the vertue and holinesse of them to receiue full remission of my sinnes And so I did as much as was in me obfuscate and darken the great benefit of Christes passion than the which no thought can conceiue anie thing of more value There cannot be done so great an iniurie and displeasure to almightie God our father as to tread vnder foote Christ his onlie begotten and welbeloued sonne All other sinnes in the world gathered together in one be not so heinous and detestable in the sight of God And no wonder For in Christ crucified God doth shewe himselfe most noble and glorious euen an almightie God and most louing father in his onlie deare and chosen blessed sonne And therefore I count my selfe one of the most wicked and miserable sinners in the world bicause I haue beene so much contrarie to Christ my sauiour Saint Paule desired to knowe nothing but Christ crucified after he had beene rapt into the third heauen where he heard such secrets as were not conuenient meete to vtter to men but counted all his works and doings as nothing to win Christ And I most presumptuouslie thinking nothing of Christ crucified went about to set foorth mine owne righteousnesse saieng with the proud Pharisie Good Lord I thanke thee I am not like other men I am none adulterer nor fornicator and so foorth with such like words of vaine glorie extolling my selfe and despising others working as an hired seruant for wages or else for reward and not as a louing child onlie for verie loue without respect of wages or reward as I ought to haue done Neither did I consider how beneficiall a father I had who did shew me his charitie and mercie of his owne meere grace and goodnesse that when I was most his enimie he sent his onlie begotten and welbeloued sonne into this world of wretchednesse and miserie to suffer most cruell and sharpe death for my redemption But my hart was so stonie and hard that this great benefit was neuer trulie and liuelie printed in my hart although with my words it was oft rehearsed thinking my selfe to be sufficientlie instructed in the same and being in deede in blinde ignorance and yet I stoode so well in mine owne iudgement and opinion that I thought it vaine to seeke the increase of my knowledge therein Paule calleth Christ the wisdome of God and euen the same Christ was to me foolishnesse My pride and blindnesse deceiued me and the hardnesse of my hart withstoode the groning of truth within it Such were the fruits of my carnall and humane reasons to haue rotten ignorance in price for ripe seasonable knowledge such also is the malice and wickednesse that possesseth the harts of men such is the wisdome and pleasing of the flesh I professed Christ in my baptisme when I began to liue but I swarued from him after baptisme in continuance of my liuing euen as the heathen which neuer had begun Christ was innocent and void of all sinne and I wallowed in filthie sinne and was free from no sinne Christ was obedient vnto his father euen to the death of the crosse and I disobedient and most stubborne euen to the confusion of truth Christ was meeke and humble in hart and I most proud and vaine-glorious Christ despised the world with all the vanities therof and I make it my God because of the vanities Christ came to serue his brethren and I coueted to rule ouer them Christ despised worldlie honour and I much delighted to attaine the same Christ loued the base and simple things of the world and I esteemed the most faire and pleasant things Christ loued pouertie and I wealth Christ was gentle and mercifull to the poore and I hard-harted and vngentle Christ praied for his enimies and I hated mine Christ reioiced in the conuersion of sinners and I was not greeued to see their reuersion to sinne By this declaration all creatures may perceiue how far I was from Christ and without Christ yea how contrarie to Christ although I bare the name of a Christian Insomuch that if anie man had said I had beene without Christ I would haue stiffelie denied and withstoode the same and yet in deede I neither knew Christ nor wherefore he came As concerning the effect and purpose of his comming I had a certaine vaine and blind knowledge both cold and dead which may be had with all sinne as doth plainelie appeare by this my confession and open declaration The second Chapter A lamentation of a sinner with hartie repentance in faith to obtaine absolution and remission through the merits of Christ. WHat cause now haue I to lament sigh and weepe for my life time so euill spent With how much humilitie and lowlinesse ought I to come and knowledge my sinnes to God giuing him thanks that it hath pleased him of his aboundant goodnesse to giue me time of repentance For I knowe my sinnes in the consideration of them to be so greeuous and in the number so exceeding that I haue deserued verie often eternall damnation And for the deferring of Gods wrath so manifoldlie due I must vncessantlie giue thanks to the mercie of God beseeching also that the same delaie of punishment cause not his plague to be the sorer since mine owne conscience condemneth my former doings But his mercie exceedeth all iniquitie And if I should not thus hope alas what should I seeke for refuge and comfort No mortall man is of power to help me and for the multitude of my sinnes I dare not lift vp mine eies to heauen where the seate of iudgement is I haue so much offended my God What Shall I fall in desperation Naie I will call vpon Christ the light of the world the fountaine of life the reliefe of all carefull consciences the peacemaker betweene God and man and the onlie health and comfort of all true repentant sinners He can by his almightie power saue me and deliuer me out of this miserable state and hath will by his mercie to saue euen the whole sin of the world I haue no hope nor confidence in anie creature neither in heauen nor earth but in Christ my whole onlie Sauiour He came into the world to saue sinners and to heale them that are sicke For he said The whole haue no neede
of the physician Behold Lord how I come to thee a sinner sicke and grieuouslie wounded I aske not bread but the crums that fall from the childrens table Cast me not out of thy sight although I haue deserued to be cast into hell fire If I should looke vpon my sinne and not vpon thy mercie I should despaire For in my selfe I find nothing to saue me but a dunghill of wickednesse to condemne me If I should hope by mine owne strength and power to come out of this maze of iniquitie and wickednesse wherein I haue walked so long I should be deceiued For I am so ignorant blind weake and feeble that I can not bring my selfe out of this intangled and wayward maze but the more I seeke means waies to winde my selfe out the more I am wrapped and tangled therein So that I perceiue my striuing therein to be hinderance my trauell to be labour spent in going backe It is the hand of the Lord that can and will bring me out of the endlesse maze of death For without I be preuented by the grace of the Lord I can not aske forgiuenesse nor be repentant or sorie for them There is no man can auow that Christ is the onlie Sauiour of the world but by the holie Ghost yea as S. Paule saith no man can saie The Lord Iesus but by the holie Ghost The spirit helpeth our infirmitie and maketh continuall intercession for vs with such sorowfull gronings as can not be expressed Therefore I will first require and praie the Lord to giue me his holie spirit to teach me to auow that Christ is the Sauiour of the world and to vtter these words The Lord Iesus and finallie to helpe mine infirmities and to intercede or intreate for me For I am most certaine and sure that no creature in heauen nor earth is of power or can by anie meane helpe me but God who is omnipotent almightie beneficiall and mercifull welwilling and louing to all those that call and put their whole confidence and trust in him And therefore I will seeke none other meanes nor aduocate but Christes holie spirit who is onlie the aduocate and mediatour betweene GOD and man to helpe and releeue mee The third Chapter VVhat true faith worketh in the soule of a sinner BUt now what maketh me so bold and hardie to presume to come to the Lord with such audacitie and boldnesse being so great a sinner Trulie nothing but his owne word For he saith Come to me all ye that labour and are burdened and I shall refresh you What gentle mercifull and comfortable words are these to all sinners Were he not a frantike madde beastlie and foolish man that would runne for aide helpe or refuge to anie other creature What a most gratious comfortable and gentle saieng was this with such pleasant and sweete words to allure his verie enimies to come vnto him Is there anie worldlie Prince or Magistrate that would shew such clemencie and mercie to their disobedient rebellious subiects hauing offended them I suppose they would not with such words allure them except it were to call them whome they cannot take and punish them being taken But euen as Christ is Prince of princes and Lord of lords so his charitie and mercie exceedeth and surmounteth all others Christ saith If carnall fathers do giue good gifts to their children when they aske them how much more shall your heauenlie father being in substance all holie and most highlie good giue good gifts to all them that aske him It is no small nor little gift that I now require neither thinke I my selfe worthie to receiue such a noble gift being so ingrate vnkind and wicked a child But when I behold the benignitie liberalitie mercie and goodnesse of the Lord I am encouraged boldened and stirred to aske such a noble gift The Lord is so bountifull and liberall that he will not haue vs satisfied and contented with one gift neither to aske simple and small gifts and therefore he promiseth and bindeth himselfe by his word to giue good and beneficiall gifts to all them that aske him with true faith without which nothing can be done acceptable or pleasing to God For faith is the foundation ground of all other gifts vertues and graces and therefore I will praie and saie Lord increase my faith For this is the life euerlasting Lord that I must beleeue thee to be the true God and whom thou didst send Iesus Christ By this faith I am assured and by this assurance I feele the remission of my sins This is it that maketh me bold this is it that comforteth me this is it that quencheth all despaire I knowe O my Lord thine eies looke vpon my faith S. Paule saith We be iustified by faith in Christ and not by the deeds of the lawe For if righteousnes come by the lawe then Christ died in vaine S. Paule meaneth not here a dead humane and historicall faith gotten by humane industrie but a supernall and liuelie faith which worketh by charitie as he himselfe plainlie expresseth This dignitie of faith is no derogation to good works For out of this faith spring all good works yet we may not impute to the woorthinesse of faith or works our iustification before God but ascribe and giue the woorthinesse of it wholie to the merits of Christs passion and refer and attribute the knowledge and perceiuing thereof onlie to faith whose verie true and onlie propertie it is to take apprehend and hold fast the promises of Gods mercie the which maketh vs righteous and to cause me continuallie to hope for the same mercie and in loue to worke all maner of waies allowed in the Scripture that I may be thankfull for the same Thus I feele my selfe to come as it were in a new garment before God and now by his mercie to be taken iust and righteous which of late without his mercie was sinfull and wicked and by faith to obteine his mercie the which the vnfaithfull can not enioie And although S. Iohn extolleth charitie in his Epistle saieng that God is charitie and he that dwelleth in charitie dwelleth in God Truelie charitie maketh men liue like Angels and of the most furious vnbrideled and carnall men maketh meeke lambes Yea with how feruent a spirit ought I to call crie and praie to the Lord to make his great charitie to burne and flame my hart being stonie and euill affected that it neuer would conceiue nor regard the great inestimable charitie and loue of God in sending his onlie begotten and deere beloued sonne into this vale of miserie to suffer the most cruell and sharpe death of the crosse for my redemption Yea I neuer had this vnspeakeable and most high charitie and abundant loue of God printed and fixed in my hart duelie till it pleased God of his meere grace mercie and pittie to open mine eies making me to see and behold with the eie of liuelie faith Christ crucified to be mine
them to take Christ his welbeloued sonne for their Sauior this is the gift of God of all Christians to be required and desired For except this great benefit of Christ crucified be felt and fixed surelie in mans hart there can be no good worke done acceptable before God For in Christ is all fulnesse of the Godhead and in him are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge Euen he is the water of life whereof whosoeuer shall drinke he shall neuer more thirst but it shall be in him a well of water springing vp into euerlasting life S. Paule saith There is no damnation to them that are in Christ which walke not after the flesh but after the spirit Moreouer he saith If when we were enimies we were reconciled to God by the death of his son much more seeing we are reconciled we shall be preserued by his death It is no little or small benefit we haue receiued by Christ if we consider what he hath done for vs as I haue perfectlie declared heretofore Wherefore I praie the Lord that this great benefit of Christ crucified may be stedfastlie fixed printed in all Christians harts that they may be true louers of God and worke as children for loue and not as seruants compelled with threatenings or prouoked with hire The sincere and pure louers of God doo embrace Christ with such feruencie of spirit that they reioice in hope be bold in danger suffer in aduersitie continue in praier blesse their persecutors Further they be not wise in their owne opinion neither high minded in their prosperitie neither abashed in their aduersitie but humble and gentle alwaies to all men For they knowe by their faith they are members all of one bodie and that they haue possessed all one God one faith one baptisme one ioie and one saluation If these pure and sincere louers of God were thicke sowne there should not be so much contention and strife growing on the fields of our religion as there is Well I shall praie to the Lord to take all contention and strife awaie and that the sowers of sedition may haue mind to cease their labour or to sowe it among the stones and to haue grace to sowe gratious vertues where they may both take roote and bring foorth fruit with sending also a godlie vnitie and concord amongst all Christians that we may serue the Lord in true holinesse of life The seuenth Chapter A Christian bewailing of the miserable ignorance and blindnesse of men THe example of good liuing is required of all Christians but speciallie in the Ecclesiasticall pastors and shepheards For they be called in scripture Workemen with God Disbursers of Gods secrets The light of the world The salt of the earth at whose hands all other should take comfort in working knowledge of Gods will and sight to become children of light and taste of seasonable wisdome They haue or should haue the holie spirit abundantlie to pronounce and set foorth the word of God in veritie and truth If ignorance and blindnesse reigne amongst vs they should with the truth of Gods word instruct and set vs in the truth and direct vs in the waie of the Lord. But thanks be giuen vnto the Lord that hath now sent vs such a godlie and learned King in these latter daies to reigne ouer vs that with the vertue force of Gods word hath taken awaie the vailes and mists of errours and brought vs to the knowledge of the truth by the light of Gods word which was so long hid and kept vnder that the people were nigh famished and hungred for lacke of spirituall food Such was the charitie of the spirituall curats and shepheards But our Moses and most godlie wise Gouernour and King hath deliuered vs out of the captiuitie and bondage of Pharao I meane by this Moses King Henrie the eight my most souereigne fauourable Lord and husband one if Moses had figured anie mo than Christ through the excellent grace of God meete to be an other expressed veritie of Moses conquest ouer Pharao And I meane by this Pharao the bishop of Rome who hath beene and is a greater persecutor of all true Christians than euer was Pharao of the children of Israel For he is a persecutor of the Gospell and grace a setter foorth of all superstition and counterfeit holinesse bringing manie soules to hell with his alchimie and counterfeit monie deceiuing the poore soules vnder the pretence of holinesse but so much the greater shall be his damnation bicause he deceiueth and robbeth vnder Christs mantell The Lord keepe and defend all men from his iuglings and sleits but speciallie the poore simple and vnlearned soules And this lesson I would all men had of him that when they begin to mislike his dooing then onlie begin they to like God and certeinlie not before As for the spirituall pastors and shepherds I thinke they will cleaue and sticke to the word of God euen to the death to vanquish all Gods enimies if neede shall require all respects of honour dignitie riches welth and their priuate commodities laid apart following also the examples of Christ and his chosen Apostles in preaching and teaching sincere and holesome doctrine and such things as make for peace with godly lessons wherewith they may edifie others that euerie man may walke after his vocation in holinesse of life in vnitie and concord which vnitie is to be desired of all true Christians It is much to be lamented the schismes varieties contentions and disputations that haue beene and are in the world about Christian religion no agreement nor concord of the same among the learned men Trulie the diuell hath beene the sower of the seede of sedition and shall be the mainteiner of it euen till Gods will be fulfilled There is no war so cruell and euill as this For the war with sword killeth but the bodies and this slaieth manie soules For the poore vnlearned persons remaine confused and almost euerie one beleeueth and worketh after his owne waie and yet there is but one truth of Gods word by the which we shall be saued Happie be they that receiue it and most vnhappie are they which neglect and persecute the same For it shall be more easie for Sodom and Gomor at the daie of iudgement than for them And not without iust cause if we consider the beneuolence goodnesse and mercie of God who hath declared his charitie towards vs greater and more inestimable than euer he did to the Hebrues For they liued vnder shadowes and figures and were bound to the lawe And Christ we being his greatest enimies hath deliuered vs from the bondage of the lawe and hath fulfilled all that was figured in their lawe and also in their prophesies sheading his owne pretious bloud to make vs the children of his father and his brethren and hath made vs free setting vs in a godlie libertie I meane not licence to sinne as manie be glad to interpret the same when as
humblie yeeld our selues vnder the mightie hand of God our Creator LOrd and holie Father be thou blessed now and euer For as thou wilt so it is done and that thou dooest is alwaie best Let me thine humble and vnwoorthie seruant ioie onelie in thee and not in my selfe ne in anie thing else besides thee For thou Lord art my gladnes my hope my crowne and all mine honour What hath thy seruant but that she hath of thee and that without hir desert All things be thine thou hast created and made them I am poore and haue beene in trouble and paine euer from my youth and my soule hath beene in great heauinesse through manifold passions that come of the world and of the flesh Wherefore Lord I desire that I may haue of thee the ioie of inward peace I aske of thee to come to that rest which is ordeined for thy chosen children that be fed and nourished with the light of heauenlie comforts For without thy helpe I can not come to thee Lord giue me peace giue me inward ioie and then my soule shall be full of heauenlie melodie and be deuout and feruent in thy lauds and praises But if thou withdrawe thy selfe from me as thou hast sometime done then may not thy seruant runne the waie of thy commandements as I did before For it is not with me as it was when the Lampe of thy ghostlie presence did shine vpon my head and I was defended vnder the shadowe of thy wings from all perils and dangers O mercifull Lord Iesu euer to be praised the time is come that thou wilt prooue thy seruant and rightfull it is that I shall now suffer somewhat for thee Now is the houre come that thou hast knowne from the beginning that thy seruant for a time should outwardlie be set at naught and inwardlie to leane vnto thee And that she should be despised in the sight of the world and be broken with affliction that she may after arise with thee in a new light and be clarified and made glorious in the kingdome of heauen O holie father thou hast ordeined it so to be and it is done as thou hast commanded This is thy grace O Lord to thy freend to suffer hir to be troubled in this world for thy loue how often so euer it be and of what person so euer it be and in what maner soeuer thou wilt suffer it to fall vnto hir For without thy will or sufferance what thing is done vpon the earth It is good to me O Lord that thou hast meekened me that I may therby learne to knowe thy righteous iudgements to put from me all maner of presumption and statelinesse of hart It is verie profitable for me that confusion hath couered my face that I may learne thereby rather to seeke to thee for helpe and succour than to man I haue thereby learned to dread thy secret and terrible iudgements which scourgest the righteous with the sinner but not without equitie and iustice Lord I yeeld thanks to thee that thou hast not spared my sinnes but hast punished me with scourges of loue and hast sent me affliction and anguish within and without No creature vnder heauen may comfort me but thou Lord God the heauenlie leach of mans soule which strikest and healest which bringest a man nigh vnto death and after restorest him to life againe that he may thereby learne to knowe his owne weakenesse and imbecillitie the more fullie to trust in the Lord. Thy discipline is laid vpon me and thy rod of correction hath taught me and vnder that rod I wholie submit me Strike my backe and my bones as it shall please thee and make me to bow my crooked will to thy will Make me a meeke and an humble disciple as thou hast sometime done with me that I may walke after thy will To thee I commit my selfe to be corrected For better it is to be corrected by thee heere than in time to come Thou knowest all things and nothing is hid from thee that is in mans conscience Thou knowest all things to come before they fall it is not needfull that anie man teach thee or warne thee of anie thing that is done vpon the earth Thou knowest what is profitable for me and how much tribulations helpe to purge awaie the rust of sinne in me Doo with me after thy pleasure I am a sinfull wretch to none so well knowne as to thee Grant me Lord that to knowe that is necessarie to be knowne that to loue that is to be loued that to desire that pleaseth thee that to regard that is pretious in thy sight and that to refuse that is vile before thee Suffer me not to iudge thy mysteries after mine outward senses ne to giue sentence after the hearing of the ignorant but by true iudgement to discerne things spirituall and aboue all things alwaie to search and followe thy will and pleasure O Lord Iesu thou art all my riches and all that I haue I haue it of thee But what am I Lord that dare speake to thee I am thy poore creature and a worme most abiect Behold Lord I haue naught and of my selfe I am naught worth Thou art onlie God righteous and holie thou orderest all things thou giuest all things and thou fulfillest all things with goodnesse I am a sinner barren and void of godlie vertues Remember thy mercies and fill my hart with plentie of thy grace For thou wilt not that thy works in me should be made in vaine How may I beare the miserie of this life except thy grace and mercie do comfort me Turne not thy face from me deferre not the visiting of me ne withdrawe not thy comforts least happilie my soule be made as drie earth without the water of grace Teach me Lord to fulfill thy will to liue meekelie and worthilie before thee For thou art all my wisdome and cunning thou art he that knowest me as I am that knewest me before the world was made before I was borne or brought into this life To thee O Lord be honour glorie and praise for euer and euer Amen ¶ A certaine effectuall praier made by the Ladie Jane Dudley in the time of hir trouble a little before hir death O Lord thou GOD and father of my life heare mee poore and desolate Woman which flieth vnto thee onelie in all my troubles and miseries Thou O Lord art the onlie defender and deliuerer of those that put their trust in thee And therefore I being defiled with sinne incumbred with affliction vnquieted with troubles wrapped in cares ouerwhelmed with miseries vexed with temptations and greeuouslie tormented with the long imprisonment of this vile masse of claie my sinfull bodie and bloud do come vnto thee O mercifull Sauiour crauing thy mercie and helpe without the which so little hope of deliuerance is left that I may vtterlie despaire of anie libertie Albeit it is expedient that seeing our life standeth vpon trieng we
mercie thou keepe me so as at no time I followe the counsell of the vngodlie which knowe thee not or of Hypocrites which with their harts seeke thee not O Lord suffer me not to enter into the waie of sinners with a mind to fulfill the desires and lusts of the flesh But whensoeuer through frailtie of my corrupt nature I shall chance to run astraie then O Lord staie me and plucke my foote backe againe Keepe me that I sit not in the seate of pestilent scorners which cloaking their Pharisaicall and diuellish intents condemne in other men thy veritie Gospell Oh Lord bring to passe that I may burne in the desire of thy lawe that vpon the aduancement of thy word my mind may alwaies be occupied that I may euermore choose that which is most pleasant to thee and hate that both in my selfe and others which to thee is displeasant Make I praie thee that I may be a tree planted by the sweet riuers of thy ghostlie waters to the intent I may bring foorth fruit to thy glorie and to the profit of my neighbour as often as thou shalt minister time and occasion therevnto Least my leaues which are my words and works should fade and fall awaie but that all things may prosper whatsoeuer I shall doo in thy name Assist me I beseech thee and grant O most mercifull father that for Iesu Christs sake I may take roote in the ground of life least with the vngodlie like chaffe and dust I be blowne abrode with the most pernicious winds of this world And grant that I may stand in the assemblie of the righteous and that I may enter into iudgment without punishment and escape euerlasting damnation Glorie be to the father c. As it was in the begin c. The third Psalme TO thee O Lord I lift vp my mind in thee I trust O Lord God let me not be confounded least mine enimies make me a iesting stocke and a matter to laugh at O Lord make thy waies knowne vnto me and trade me in thy paths Direct me in thy truth and instruct me for thou art God my Sauiour I looke after thee euerie daie O Lord thou art sweet and rightfull and bringest againe into the waie them which went out Thou leadest strait into thy iudgement them that be mild and tractable and teachest them that be meeke thy word and testimonies Thou healest them that be contrite in hart and asswagest their paines and griefe Thou holdest vp all them which else should fall and all that are fallen thou liftest vp againe Thou giuest sight to the blind and loosest them that be bound Thou art nigh vnto all them that call vpon thee so that they call vpon thee faithfullie Thou fulfillest the desire of them that doo feare thee and hearest their praier and sauest them Haue mercie vpon me O God haue mercie vpon me for in thee my soule trusteth Uerelie my soule hath a speciall respect to thee For my health my glorie and all my strength cōmeth from thee For thine owne sake oh Lord God laie not my sins to my charge I vnderstand not all mine errours innumerable troubles doo close me round about my sinnes haue taken hold vpon me and I am not able to looke vp Put to thy hand to helpe me and leade me right in all my works Make me to walke perfectlie in thy waies that no kind of sinne ouercome me Set a watch before my mouth and keepe the doore of my lips Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my hart be euer pleasant and acceptable in thy sight Let the word of truth neuer go awaie from my mouth and suffer no malice to dwell in my hart O Lord deliuer my soule from lieng lips and saue me from the deceitfull tongue Put into my mouth thy true and holie word and take from me all idle and vnfruitfull speech Deliuer me from false surmises and accusations of men rule me euen as thou thinkest good after thy will and pleasure Turne awaie mine eies that they behold no vaine things fasten them in thy waie Take from me fornication and all vncleannesse and let not the loue of the flesh beguile me Yea deliuer my soule from pride that it doo not reigne in me and then shall I be cleane from the greatest sinne Staie and keepe my feete from euerie euill waie least my steps swarue from thy paths Mine eies looke euer vnto thee O Lord bicause thou art nigh at hand and all thy waies be the truth Thy mercies be great and manie O Lord blessed is he whosoeuer trusteth in thee For when I said vnto thee My feete be slipped thy mercie O Lord by and by did hold me vp Teach me to doo thy will and leade me by thy path-waie for thou art my God Oh Lord saue my soule and deliuer me from the power of darknesse Let the brightnesse of thy face shine vpon thy seruant for vnto thee O Lord God I haue fled for succor Looke vnto me and haue mercie vpon me for I am desolate and poore Keepe my soule and deliuer me that I be not confounded For I haue trusted in thee O Lord God forsake me not although I haue done no good in thy sight For thy goodnesse grant me that at the least-wise now I may begin to liue well O Lord shew thy seruants thy works and their children thy glorie and the gratious maiestie of the Lord our God be vpon vs. Oh prosper thou the works of our hands oh prosper thou our handie works Glorie be to the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost As it was in the beginning is now and euer shall be world without end Amen A contemplation of Christes Passion O What loue and mercie of man vndeserued from God the father through his onlie sonne Iesu Christ by whose flesh and bloud we haue cleane remission of our offences when we call to mind this mysterie of our redemption and our sufficient sacrifice whereby sinne death and hell be put to exile and grace mercie and peace be obteined For this we haue not onlie occasion to lament our selues which were the verie causes why Iesus did lament in care and became poore in bodie sweat water and bloud against his death praied in affliction and suffered for our redemption but also to giue dailie thanks and to reioice to God the father for this his sonne by whom we haue felowship with Angels and are become Citizens of the saints and of the houshold of God partakers of euerlasting life for euer O happie be they which forget not this heauenlie Philosophie this giltlesse passion of Iesu Christ To knowe beleeue this is life euerlasting and the quietnesse of conscience This passion is our riches in pouertie and helpe in aduersitie and onlie life in death By this his painefull affliction were all the Patriarches Prophets Martyrs and euerie beleeuing bodie saued that euer was or shall be without which all flesh is damned and accursed Now sweet
aboue the loue of my selfe that I may loue nothing to thy displeasure but euerie thing in a due order to thee Giue me good Lord a longing to be with thee not for the auoiding of the calamities of this wretched world nor so much for the auoiding of the paines of hell neither so much for the obteining of the kingdome of heauen in respect of mine owne commoditie as euen for verie loue of thee And beare me good Lord thy loue fauour which thing my loue to thee-ward were it neuer so gret could not but of thy great goodnes deserue And pardon me good Lord that am so bold to aske thee so high petitions being so vile and sinfull a wretch and so vnworthie to attaine the lowest but good Lord such they be as I am bound to desire and wish and should be much neerer the effectuall desire of them if my manifold sinnes were not the let from which O glorious Trinitie vouchsafe of thy goodnesse to wash me with that blessed bloud that thou my sweet sauiour Iesus Christ diddest shed out of thy bodie in the diuers torments of thy most bitter passion that by that same greeuous passion glorious resurrection and ascension I may come to that vnspeakable ioie the which thou hast prepared for thy chosen and elect through the same Iesu Christ our sauiour to whome with the Father and the holie Ghost three persons and one God be all honour and glorie world without end So be it After praier saie this conclusion or Collect. O God that art the strength of such as trust in thee mercifullie assist vs that call vpon thy name and for asmuch as mans infirmitie can do nothing without thee grant I most humblie beseech thee the help of thy spirit that fulfilling thy commandements both in will and deed I may please thee through Iesus Christ our Lord So be it The blessing OH Lord blesse me and defend me O Lord lift vp thy countenance ouer me and be mercifull vnto me O Lord lift vp thy countenance ouer me and giue me thy peace that in thy peace O Lord I may depart to amend my life and doo vnto the poore as much as I can giue me grace to be at vnitie in quietnesse and in charitie with all thy chosen and elect people and that thy feare oh Lord may euer rest in my hart So be it Praise vnto God the Father and peace vnto the liuing As they that depart in thy faith in thée doo rest haue their being The end of Morning praier EVENING PRAIER ¶ A Confession to be said before Euening praier O Father of heauen O sonne of God redeemer of the world O holie Ghost three persons and one God haue mercie vpon me most wretched caitife and miserable sinner I haue offended both heauen earth more than my tongue can expresse My sinnes alas are aboue all mens both in number and greatnesse which I haue committed Whither then may I go Or whither should I flie To heauen I may be ashamed to lift vp my face and in earth I am not woorthie to find a place of refuge or succour To thee therefore O Lord doo I run to thee doo I humble my selfe saieng O Lord my God my sinnes be great and innumerable but yet haue mercie vpon me for thy great mercie The great mysterie that God became man was not wrought for little or few offences Thou didst not giue thy sonne O heauenlie Father vnto death for small sinnes onlie but for all the greatest sinnes in the world so that the sinner returne vnto thee with his whole hart as I doo here at this present Wherefore haue mercie vpon me O God whose propertie is alwaie to haue mercie wherefore haue mercie vpon me O Lord for thy great mercie I craue nothing O Lord for mine owne merits but for thy name sake that it may be halowed therby and for thy deere sonne Iesus Christs sake and now therefore Our father of heauen halowed c. A praier to be said in the Euening MOst mercifull and heauenly father I thanke thee by thy sonne Iesus Christ that this day thou hast giuen me all things needfull both for my soule and bodie preseruing me from all hurt and perill I aske thee mercie for mine offences and I most humblie beseech thee that thou wilt likewise this night keepe me from sinne and all euill so that all my thoughts my words works may please thee I doo commit my selfe both bodie and soule and all that I go about into thy hands I beseech thee that thy holie spirit may be with me least my deadlie aduersarie haue anie power ouer me Amen Another Euening praier O Souereigne dreadfull and most louing Lord my God who neuer ceasest to shew thy mercie towards sinners yea when they offend and trespasse against thee such is thine infinite clemencie and loue As then thou forbearest not to heape thy benefits vpon them I most sinfull and wretched wretch yeeld thee humble thanks for thine inestimable goodnesse shewed towards me in creating me to thine owne likenesse and making me capable of thine euerlasting glorie for the creation of so manie other creatures for my behoofe and sustenance for that inestimable worke of my redemption whereby thou deliuerest me from the slauerie of Sathan and purchasest mee free entrance into thy celestiall region for hauing singled me amongst so many millians that knowe thee not and lie drowned in ignorance superstition and miserable errours to be thy seruant and a true faithfull Christian for both thy blessed Sacraments especiallie for that Sacrament aboue all Sacraments wherein thou thy selfe art spirituallie conteined Finallie for hauing preserued me so manie times from hell wherein I had beene long since plunged hadst not thou of thine vnspeakeable goodnesse susteined and deliuered me from my foes For these and all other thy benefits namelie for those thou hast this daie most bountifullie bestowed vpon me O my souereigne Lord I yeeld thee such sincere dutifull thanks as my poore hart can possiblie affoord thee beseeching thee to haue mercie vpon me in supplie of my wants to accept the mediation and thankesgiuings of Iesus Christ thy onelie sonne and mine onelie Sauiour and intercessour And now mine onlie redeemer and Sauiour I humblie craue the light of thy grace to knowe wherein I haue this daie anie waies offended thee by nature and that by sound discussion and through examination of my conscience I may see mine owne sinnes with sorrowe and detestation and thine ineffable mercie with a zealous firme purpose of amendment of life Thou seest O Lord my lewdnesse and wotest my miserie much better than I my selfe doo Sorie I am with all my hart that I should still offend so louing a Lord and wish to God my sorowes were greatlie multiplied I purposed earst to doo better by thy grace which wanted not yet haue I transgressed in my former trespasses neither yet may I despaire O Lord but will continuallie trust
shall I tread vnderfoot that hellie dragon Yea so shall I of dutie be bound alwaie with couragious spirit to praise and hallowe thy name not onlie in the morrowe when all things shall chance to my harts desire to ascribe all to thy goodnesse without anie deseruing on my behalfe but also in the night of trouble and aduersitie when I shall call vnto mind thy most faithfull and trustie promises that I despaire not thus to praise thy meere and speciall grace and blesse thee saieng Blessed art thou O Lord God of our fathers for thou art praise and honour worthie and to be magnified for euer Blessed be the glorie of thy holie name for it is worthie to be praised aboue all to be magnified for euer Blessed art thou O father O Sonne and O holie Ghost for thou art worthie to be praised and aboue all to be magnified for euer Blessed be thou in the firmament of heauen for thou art praise-worthie for euer O giue thanks vnto the Lord all his creatures for he is kind-harted and mercifull yea his mercie endureth for euer Oh speake good of the Lord all ye works of his in all places of his dominion and let euerie thing that hath breath praise the Lord and giue him thanks for his mercie endureth for euer O that all men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodnesse and declare the wonders that he doth for the children of men Praise thou the Lord O my soule and forget not all his benefits yea and all that is within me praise his holie name for his louing mercie and for his truth which endureth for euer worlds without end Amen Glorie be to the father c. As it was in the begin c. The second Psalme MY God my God remember me forsake me not suffer me not to be lost sith both night and daie I crie to thee heare me my Lord. Our father 's trusted in thee and thou helpedst them whensoeuer they called vpon thee at no tune thou failedst them but wast alwaies at hand to assist them Come foorth father most deerelie beloued in my hart restore me from Sathans kingdome Thou drewest me foorth of my mothers wombe and hast preserued me vnto this daie Of thy benignitie and mercie which I beseech thee denie me not at this my neede go not awaie from me for anguish and pensiuenesse of hart drawe nigh vnto me and yet is there none that can helpe me but thou onlie Let me escape from these dangers through thy Christ my sauiour who for my sake hath suffered so spitefull and bitter paines who for me was sore vexed cruellie scourged wounded nailed and hanged on the crosse Let me escape I saie for his bloud sake which he so largelie shed for vs to cause vs obteine forgiuenesse of our sinnes and enioie the new and euerlasting couenant made betwixt thee and vs. Stand not farre from me O Lord my refuge and strength come neere and helpe me deliuer my life from the sword and my soule from the wood dogs from the Lions iawes restore me betweene the hornes of the Unicornes heare thou me Then shall I blowe abroade thy name with all praises vnto my brethren and in the assemblie of the holie persons I shall commend thee Despise not the praiers of the poore turne not awaie thy face heare my crie for I will record this thy goodnesse among the miserable painefull and troublesome consciences that they thereof may take hart of comfort growe in hope cleaue more feruentlie vnto thee blowe abroade thy most glorious name and giue thee euerlasting thanks for their saluation Amen Glorie be to the father c. As it was in the beginning c. The third Psalme OUT of the furthest angles of the earth on euerie side thou shalt with a mightie voice call men to iudgement Lord God omnipotent to whome nothing is hid Open our eares that we may heare this thy promise I shall be your God In thee constantlie beleeue we with thy foison we be filled Prudentlie thou dost declare and testifie that of our goods and sacrifices thou hast no need and doest not either regard or measure them for all be thine and in thee it lieth to make the things we now possesse to be ours or not ours Thou onlie requirest sacrifices of thanke sgiuing let vs therefore disclose the bottome of our harts to thee let vs knowledge thee to be our God Let vs halowe thy name in all things flowe in thy word render thanks both in weale and wo require thy succours in straits and necessities in which time thou hast promised to helpe vs then shall we so deliuered blase thy name Lord God most iust true of promise and deerest Father thee beseech I to send succours vnto me euen of thine infinite goodnesse For thy renowmes sake for Iesus Christs sake thy beloued sonne and for his pretious bloud largelie shed for vs on the crosse haue mercie vpon me so that once purged I may come againe in fauour with thee Pitie me heare me out of the straits of this sinfull flesh wherewith on euerie side I am hampered in Set me at large againe rid me from mine enimies which seeke to drawe me awaie from thy true seruice In thy comfort let me reioice and be full of spirituall ioie let me euer brute thy name not vnmindfull of thy benefits Releeue me most pitifull God according to thy word which is the truth Most tender father shew me that thy ioifull health Glorie be to the Father c. As it was in the begin c. The fourth Psalme THy clemencie and blessing most mightie God we craue and require of thee full instantlie Let thy countenance shine vpon vs haue compassion vpon vs that here in earth wee may find out the waie which leadeth vnto thee and may attaine thy saluation among the Gentils O that all people would confesse thee with louing harts for thy manifold benefits and pleasures which they haue receiued at thy hands who dost with iustice gouerne men and art their leader vpon earth Powre downe Lord thy goodnesse and continuall blessings vpon vs and then shall the earth yeeld vnto thee glorie and praise and to vs fruits for meate Thou God the father blesse vs thou God the sonne blesse vs and thou God the holie Ghost blesse vs yea thou holie blessed and glorious Trinitie grant vs thy continuall blessing O that all the coasts of the earth Lord God would feare and stand in awe of thee Would God that we also might studie to worke no man either pleasure or displeasure that should be against thy will but that we may doo all things according to thy commandements Glorie be to the father c. As it was in the begin c. A contemplation and praier exclaming of the carefull passions of the soule and bodie WO is me carefull carcase and filthie defiled flesh conceiued and borne in sinne depriued of originall iustice compared to a beast in Adam fallen as a
rotten apple from a liuing tree What haue I gotten by my fall Darknes care miserie affliction sicknesse paine anguish and finallie dreadfull death And alas what shall I be hereafter A stinking carion woormes meate foode for fire dust and claie doong and forsaken rotten consumed blind poore and naked troden vnder the feete of my posteritie and forgotten of all men not knowing where my bodie is which shall vanish like a shadowe and my life shall wither like a leafe and fade as a flower O holie God the more our bodies doo increase the neerer death doth approch the clocke of our conscience doth ring euerie minute the houre of death to be at hand Death approcheth with his sharpe dart and bloudie chariot Awaie saith he to euerie liuing wight For what is he that shall not see death and come to nothing Oh vncertaine life but most assured death His net is cast ouer all flesh now I doo reioice then I lament now am I whole then sicknesse doth come now haue I friends then am I forsaken now at libertie soone after in bondage now yoong then age drawes neere And thus I neuer remaine in one state made light and proud in prosperitie desperate in aduersitie withered and old with care despised in pouertie flattered when I am in health and finally vncertaine when or where I shall die But yet I most humblie praie thee deere father for Iesu Christs sake which suffered a shamefull death for my sins to haue mercie vpon me according to thy great mercie and take not thy holie Ghost from me and lead me not into temptation but deliuer me for into thy hands I commend my soule O thou God of truth Amen An Hymne of the state of all Adams posteritie I Am the fruit of Adams hands through sin lockt in satans bands Destined to deth the child of ire a flaming brand of infernall fire Borne I was naked bare and spend my time in sorowe care And shall returne vnto the dust and be depriued of carnall lust Yet thou father didst Iesus send to pardon them that did offend We laud him in the work of might that we be blessed in his sight The second meditation of the dreadfull daie of iudgement O What feare and sorowe shall happen to the reprobates when they shall stand helpelesse before the terrible dreadfull throne of God to render accounts of all thoughts words works I saie the acts of the flesh and bloud in the extreame day when he shall come with fire and then all creatures in heauen earth and hell shall tremble at his presence Then shall all guiltie consciences be opened euils endlesse punished where that Iudge will not be corrupted That daie doth come that daie is at hand and where as pure harts shall be accepted and no bribes of vaine gifts shall be preferred but iustice without mercie vnto the vngodlie infernall torments to the wicked endlesse care and affliction to the idolater fornicator extortioner persecutour disobedient murtherer blasphemer theefe false witnesse bearer vsurer heretikes witches and malefactors and to all the vessels of reprobation Where as shall be heard wailing crieng lamenting and gnashing of teeth then they mourne that shall neuer die hell fire neuer bee quenched nor the Iudge intreated but the wicked still molested with dolor agonie dread and in his paine absent from God present with diuels monsters infernall This is the second death when both bodie and soule shall remaine in paine as long as God is which is euerlasting This daie is at hand when the elect and all the Saints Patriarchs Prophets Martyrs and all the blessed shall receiue their rewards not of themselues but onlie of Iesu before whom all the blessed shall kneele and cast off their crownes and giue honour to him that sits on the seate whose holie name is blessed of all tongues and kindreds Amen Amen This is the daie when all teares shall be wiped from the carefull eies of the seruants of God which shall neuer be molested nor of worldlings be afflicted but euerlastinglie glorified with the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost three persons and one God who of his mercie defend vs from damnation and that vnspeakeable paine which wee through sinne haue deserued euer to be punished withall but yet are through Iesus preserued by whome we are elected redeemed iustified and brought from sinne death and hell to whom be laud and praise in the world of worlds of Angels and men Amen The Hymne of the daie of iudgement SWéet Iesus of thy mercie our pitifull praiers heare That we may be on thy right hand when thou shalt appeare For thou shalt come with heauenlie power and sit on the throne None shall iudge the quicke and dead but thou Christ alone O Christ cast vs not awaie in that daie of ire When thou shalt send before thée a hot consuming fire To purge all creatures defild with Adams sinne Then a new heauen and earth O Lord thou wilt beginne Then the elect shall be blessed vpon thy holie hill But the wicked shall be damned that haue withstood thy will Thy shéepe shall be safe and defended in the fold The goats shall wander in hunger storme and cold Thy Saints shall behold thée in thy throne of light The reprobates shall euer haue fearefull things in sight Wailing in wretchednesse with euerlasting paine Yet Lord be mercifull our liues are but vaine Our flesh shall fade death hath digd our graue Yet of thy mercie Lord thy sinfull creature saue And blesse vs in the time of grace before the daie of ire When the corrupt elements shall be purgd with fire We laud thee Father c. A generall praier wherein we commend our selues and the whole state of Christs Church vnto GOD. O God thou Father and God of my life suffer me neither to haue a proud looke nor a proud thought turne awaie all voluptuousnesse from me let not the intisements of the world beguile me let not the concupiscence of the eie deceiue me let not the lusts of the flesh take hold vpon me let not rancor and malice reigne in my hart O Lord God for thy sonne our Sauiour Iesu Christs sake I beseech thee that thou wilt not giue me ouer to an vnshamefast and obstinate mind So be it Unto thee Lord almightie the King of mercie bée now and euer eternall honour glorie Unto thee the same Lord of mercie I doo commit my soule and bodie most humblie beseeching thee for thine abundant mercie sake to take the cure of me and to haue mercie on me I doo commit also vnto thy mercie my faithfull friends and well-willers liuing beseeching thee to forgiue vs all and to haue mercie vpon vs and giue vs grace to liue according to thy lawe and to the glorie of thy name that we may doo that which thou requirest of vs that it will please thee of thy mercie to saue and defend vs from all perils bodilie ghostlie this night
wounds and his glorious bodie all to bee scourged in thy diuine presence who thereby doth mitigate thy wrath and indignation iustlie conceiued against me a miserable and wretched creature and all mankind Make me Lord still to confesse mine vnwoorthinesse and weaknesse to be such and so great that of my selfe I am not worthie to lift vp mine eies to heauen much lesse to be called thy sonne or handmaiden such and so great is the burden of my sinne iniquitie so that by the meanes of my corruption filthinesse I acknowledge my selfe to be the child of death and destruction yet build I still on thy promises good Lord and in this great danger I come vnto thee with teares saieng O Father I haue sinned against heauen against thee and am no more woorthie to be called thy child Of my selfe I haue nothing but by thee I haue althings of my selfe I acknowledge I haue iustlie deserued the heauie sentence of thine ire but by grace of thee O mightie Emanuel I am regenerate and borne againe from death to life from danger to ioie from perill to peace from bondage to libertie and so in fine from hell and damnation to blisse and saluation Such is the effect of thy mercie so abundant is thy loue towards me all those that with contrite harts present themselues vnto thee Increase my faith Lord that it may abound in good and fruitfull works so fortifie me that I neuer swarue from thy veritie giue me thy grace from aboue O mercifull Iesu that I may neuer shrinke from thy sacred testimonies And moreouer I with all humilitie and reuerence of hart and mind beseech thee this night which thou hast ordeined for man to rest in that thou wilt gard and protect me with thy good guiding spirit And albeit my sinfull flesh shall sleepe and slumber yet grant good Lord that my soule may continually keepe watch and ward let not the enunie find me slumbering sleeping as carelesse in the cradle of sinfull securitie least that whilest I am vnarmed that is naked and destitute of thy grace and fauour he enter in and breake vp the house of my sinfull bodie and make such hauocke and spoile that mine infected and leporous soule deformed by meanes of mine iniquitie and wounded with the dangerous darts of transgression be thrown with the bodie of sinne into the lake of destruction wherein is continuall wailing and gnashing of teeth Make me still O good Lord to consider that the bed is a plaine patterne and similitude of the graue which continuallie calleth for me all other thy creatures Make me to vnderstand that when I am laid of my selfe without thy heauenlie prouidence I can not bee able to rise againe Make me to acknowledge that sleepe is the verie figure of death to whose stroke at thine appointed pleasure I must submit my selfe Indue me with loue and charitie to all men let my lampe O Lord be garnished with oile that whensoeuer or at what time soeuer thy messenger death shall drawe me and knocke at the gates of my house I may at his summons in the daie of the resurrection of the dead be readie to attend on thee and thy bride with my burning lampe that is with a stedfast faith when as by thee I shall be cloathed anew For my mortall bodie shall then be couered with immortalitie the corruption of my sinfull and rebelling flesh shall be changed to incorruption and perfect puritie thy righteousnesse shall be mine thy merits shall make me perfect and holie by vertue whereof hell shall loose his victorie death shall loose his sting my faith and hope shall haue end and reward and I with thy Saints continuallie dwell in loue charitie with thee the heauenlie bridegroome Christ Iesus to whom with the father and the holie Ghost bee ascribed all laud glorie power praise and dominion for euer Amen A praier for the remission of sinne and to obteine a vertuous life FOrasmuch as O bountifull Lord it is most meet right and iust that all flesh shuld praise magnifie and worship thee and should without ceasing giue thanks vnto thee who onlie art the Creator and maker of all things as well visible as inuisible who onlie art the treasure of all goodnesse and well of life onlie God and Lord whome the heauens and heauen of heauens the sunne the moone the starres the earth the sea with all that moue therin yea the heauenlie companie of Martyrs the soules of the Prophets and Apostles Angels Archangels togither with the soules of all iust and righteous persons doo laud and glorifie It is most requisite that ech mortall creature liuing in this world should also acknowledge thy magnificence Wherfore most mercifull father I with my hart and mouth doo acknowledge thee to be my King and Lord the giuer of all goodnesse I confesse thee to be omnipotent reuerend merciful long suffering God of all consolation comfort mercie and pitie I knowe that of thine infinite goodnesse onelie thou diddest make man after thy similitude and likenesse placing him in the most delectable place of Paradyse And although he did transgresse thy commandement and thereby deserued eternall death and damnation yet thou like a most louing and pitifull Father diddest not vtterlie reiect him but gentlie correct him and after that thou hadst sent him into the earth commanding him there to increase and multiplie thou didst instruct his posteritie with thy lawe thou didst teach them by thy Prophets and after that sentest downe thine onlie begotten sonne to take vpon him our nature and to suffer death for our sinnes therby to make a recompense for the offence which man had committed against thee and all this thou didst of thine exceeding great mercie and kindnesse without anie desert of mankind not being so much as by anie one praier or yet intreatie therevnto incited Therefore I being boldened with such inestimable benefits so freelie giuen and bestowed doo without any feare at this time appere before thy diuine Maiestie prostrating my slefe before the seate of thy mercie and with all humblenesse of hart and mind doo make this my praier vnto thee Despise me not O Lord God being defiled with sin and iniquitie For behold I present my selfe before thee not presuming vpon mine owne woorthinesse but trusting in thy goodnesse Be mercifull vnto me a sinner light thou the dull sighted eies of my mind open thou the stopped eares of mine hart that I may both see heare perceiue and vnderstand that which thou teachest and alwaies doo that which thou commandest Make me not onelie a hearer of thy heauenlie doctrine but also a perfect folower of the same direct sanctifie and gouerne my life be thou alwaies present and readie both to heare and to helpe me Saue and defend me from all shame and reproch be thou my shield buckler against all temptations clense my mind and thought from all vncleannesse keepe and preserue me from all danger both of bodie
soone after doth my corrupt and infected nature offend and displease thy diuine Maiestie so that I am prone and readie to run headlong into all kind of wickednesse and sin such is my strength such is my force or rather weakenesse in perfourming those things which thou requirest at my hands So that good Lord I am readie vtterlie to despaire and forsake thee vnlesse thou of thy great mercie and pitie send thine aide from aboue and powre into me thy most healthfull grace that I may make hast to flee vnto thee with most bitter teares a sorrowfull hart and bowing knees lamenting my sinfull life and greeuous offences committed against thee trusting most assuredlie and faithfullie in the merits of my Sauiour Iesus Christ that by his most bitter death bloud-shedding which is of far greater force vertue and effect in preseruing me than all my sinnes and offences are in condemning and casting me awaie for whose sake I most assuredlie beleeue all my sinnes and offences are cleerelie forgiuen and shall neuer be laid to my charge but that I shall enter with thee in the last daie into thine euerlasting kingdome there to be with thee for euermore to whome be all honour praise and glorie for euer and euer Amen A praier to God the father ALmightie God the father of our Lord Iesus Christ whome no desert merit or worthinesse of ours but thine owne great clemencie mercie and pitie caused to send downe thine onlie begotten sonne into this world to beare the burden of our sinnes with the which we most miserable sinners were ouerladen and that he should suffer most cruell torments yea and also most bitter and shamefull death and sanctifie the reprochfull name of the crosse with the renting of his blessed bodie and shedding his most pretious bloud thereon thereby to make attonement betweene thee and vs thereby to paie the raunsome for our soules thereby to consummate and finish the perfection of our redemption and saluation Which thing it was thy good will that he should doo not onelie to asswage thy wrath indignation but also to bring vs againe into thy grace and fauour and that we being deliuered out of the bondage of sinne and hell might serue thee in righteousnesse and holinesse all the daies of our life and by the free gift and benefite of his death and passion be made partakers of his resurrection and of thine endlesse and vnspeakable glorie Wherefore my God my maker my Lord my King seeing thou hast so aboundantlie bestowed thy heauenlie gifts vpon me and all mankind and hast so plentifullie powred out thy grace and fauour on vs that for our sakes thou wouldest not spare thine owne sonne how shall we escape thine indignation which for this care and kindnesse of thine are most carelesse and vnkind And among all other which waie shall I poore creature turne me How shall I who haue beene most vnthankefull for thy benefits and most vnmindfull of them be so bold as to lift vp my hart or hands vnto the heauens and to call vpon thee Thou of thy singular goodnesse didst so prouide that the wickednesse of old Adam should be purged and washed awaie with the bloud of Iesus Christ but I haue wilfullie fallen into sinne againe Thou madest me the child of light but I haue made my selfe an inheritour of darkenesse Thou madest me thine by creation I haue made my selfe the child of perdition What shall I now therefore do Shall I doubt of anie further mercie and forgiuenesse No no sweete Lord so great is thy mercie which surmounteth all thy workes so large are thy promises so sure is the performance of them to all such as take hold thereof so deere in thy sight are the merits of thy sonne Iesus so acceptable vnto thee is the hartie repentance of a sinner that with the remembrance thereof I am prouoked to crie vnto thee saieng Father I haue sinned against heauen and against thee I am no more worthie to be called thy child Neuerthelesse behold thou me not as I am a greeuous offender but as thy creature Haue now no respect to mine offences but behold my repentance thinke not vpon my wickednesse but vpon the wounds of my Sauiour Iesus Looke not vpon my false hart which hath wauered from thy lawes but behold the bleeding hart of thy sonne Iesus Christ which was pierced to release me and set me free My sinnes I cast vpon thy backe beseeching thee that his merits may beare them and thy mercie pardon them Heare me O Lord my God heare me for I knowe the more earnestlie that I seeke for and desire thine aide the readier thou art to stretch foorth thine hand to helpe me Heare me therefore O Lord bow downe and incline thine eare vnto my praier inspire me so with thy holie spirit that I may loue thee aboue all things and that I neuer faile to put my hope and trust of saluation in him whome thou wouldest to be my redeemer and sauiour Make me by the forsaking of all wickednesse so to rise from falling into sinne that I may obtaine the true seruing of thee with innocencie and purenesse of life Graunt this O Lord for Iesus Christs sake to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie Amen A praier vnto God the sonne O Most sweet sauiour O most mercifull redeemer O bountifull Iesu the sonne of God who although thou art high yet thou art most humble although thou art omnipotent thou art also most meeke and as thou art most mightie so art thou most mercifull To thee O Christ the guide of all felicitie the father of heauen hath giuen all power both in heauen and in earth Thou art the true pastor of our soules thou art our Messias Thou castest off none that sue vnto thee but as thou hast taken awaie the hand-writing that was against vs and hast fastened it to thy crosse so art thou readie to impart the merits of thy passion vnto all such as with true repentance of their sins call vpon thee faithfullie Wherefore my sweet Iesus I most faithfullie and vnfeinedlie acknowledge the benefits that thou hast bestowed vpon me and stedfastlie beleeue that thou being an immaculate lambe in whose mouth was neuer found guile didst suffer most cruell torments at the hands of sinners for the loue of vs most wretched sinners For the which cause I most hartilie beseech thee and most humblie praie thee to accept me into the number of them whom thou wilt make coinheritours of thy bitter paines And although I of my selfe be most vnworthie thereof yet thy merits can make me woorthie to them do I flie crauing that I may be so armed and defended by them that I may subdue the world the flesh and the diuell euen as thou hast gloriouslie conquered sinne death and hell Thou seest O my sauiour how I am dailie and hourlie beset with these three enimies and so hardlie beseeged of them that without thy helpe I can by
it is thy good will and gratious pleasure to regard the humble and lowlie man giue me such meekenesse from aboue that I may continuallie present thee with the sacrifice of a gentle meeke and contrite spirit that I may auoide the plagues and punishments which thou hast prepared for the proud and haughtie minded Graunt this good Lord for Iesus Christ his sake mine onlie mediator aduocate who liueth and reigneth with thee and the holie Ghost in glorie permanent euerlasting Amen A praier against couetousnesse or too much care of the world GOod Lord seeing that it is thy pleasure that we shall not be carefull for worldlie things if a sparowe falleth not on the ground without thy fore-sight how much more care doest thou take for vs thy children Good Lord thou feedest the birds of the aire and cloathest the lillies of the feeld which take no care Wherefore good Lord so prouide for our necessitie and sicknesse we beseech thee that we casting all our care vpon thee may cheeflie studie to please thee and serue thee which liuest and reignest king of all kings for euer Amen A praier against lieng and euill imaginations O Lord cleanse my hart I beseech thee from all vnpure wicked cogitations and thoughts and giue me a cleere conscience shamefast eies innocent hands and a tongue to tell the truth seeing that there is nothing hid that shall not be discouered Good Lord I beseech thee to search my thoughts and renew in me thy holie spirit Direct my feete in thy waies that walking after thee in the path of the righteous I may passe through this vale of miserie bearing thy banner stoutelie in my warfare and obtaine euerlasting ioie the promised hire to such as here haue patientlie borne thy crosse and valiantlie fought with the armour of faith against temptations and all euils Vouchsafe O Lord to graunt my petitions I most humblie beseech thee for thy onlie begotten sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ his sake Amen A necessarie praier in Meeter against vices O Lord my God make thou my hart repentant for to be The spirit of contrition do thou ingraffe in me Unto mine eies let there be giuen aboundant teares of wéeping And let my hands be occupied with often almes giuing O thou my King quench out of me all foule fleshlie desire And with the loue of thée alone set thou my hart on fire O my redéemer driue awaie the spirit of pride from me And graunt to me that great treasure of méeke humilitie Take from me O my Sauiour the furious rage of ire The shield of patience giue to me the which I do desire O Creator roote out of me all spitefulnesse of mind And graunt in stead thereof againe méekenes that I may find O bountifull father giue me a faith that shall endure With hope agréeing therevnto and charitie most sure O thou my guide kéepe from my lips all lieng vanitie And from my mind driue far awaie all vaine vnconstancie All wauering take thou from my hart from my mouth scoffing With all proud lookes and gluttonie backbiting slandering Couetousnes wipe cleane awaie with curiositie The fond desire of vaine-glorie with all hypocrisie Let me neuer the poore despise nor yet the weake oppresse And let me not blaspheme for then I die remedilesse O thou which didst me forme make take all rashnesse from mée And leaue me not such a mind as will not with peace agrée Take from me ydlenesse and sloth and heauie lumpishnesse Take from me disobedience and eke all stubbornesse O my God for thy déere sonnes sake I humblie beséech thée To graunt me the works of mercie with aboundance of pitie That I may thée both loue and feare and eke pitie the poore Make me good men alwaies to loue and wicked to abhor Make me so little to estéeme those things that worldlie bée With hart voice that I may craue in heauen to be with thée Amen A thankesgiuing for benefits receiued at Gods hand O Most mercifull Father I yeeld thee most humble thanks for thy great benefits bestowed vpon me a sinner of thy free mercie onlie Thou hast of thy fatherlie loue brought me vp tenderlie and instructed me in thy holie lawe Thou hast giuen me knowledge and vnderstanding Thou hast preserued me from manie dangers and euils which diuers men haue felt Thou hast blessed me with health quietnesse ioie plentie and wealth which a number doo want Thou hast taken care of me and done all things for me Lord though I can deserue nothing but punishment by thy iust displeasure yet good Lord I trust to thy goodnesse crauing mercie and not iustice And for thy mercie sake I beseech thee to continue thy grace and to increase thy good gifts towards me and haue me in thy protection till my liues end Good Lord blesse me that I may enioie the fruits of the earth and vse them to thy honour and glorie Good Lord be thou mine aid and guide in all my dooings my buckler and defence in all dangers that I may freelie and ioifullie sing praises to thee which liuest and reignest one God almightie and incomprehensible worlds without end Amen Another thankesgiuing for the goodnesse of God to vs. O Almightie God and euer-ruling King whose infinite power and maiestie our wits can not comprehend whose glorious brightnesse with our mortall eies we can not behold whose woonderous works and manifold mercies the tongs of men can not sufficientlie declare Good Lord I yeeld thee most humble thanks for thy singular great gifts and benefits bestowed vpon me a sinner Good Lord thou hast blessed me with knowledge with increase and plentie of all things thou hast giuen mee friends health and rest that I should eate my meate with ioie and praise thee in all thy gifts and works I knowe that I haue no good thing but it commeth from thee and oulie for thy mercies sake thou hast so regarded me thy seruant Wherefore good Lord I beseech thee to graunt me thy grace withall that I may vse these thy gifts to thy honour and glorie and the comfort of them that neede that vsing the talent which thou hast lent me I may become a good seruant and obtaine eternall blisse the promised hire to such as doo well Uouchsafe good Lord for thy sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ his sake to heare my praiers Almightie God refresh me with thy grace I beseech thee comfort me with thy mercie and blesse me that safe from all euils free from feare of all dangers in peace and quietnesse I may sing praises to thy holie name and reioice in thee with thine elected for euer and euer Amen A praier to be said in time of quietnesse and prosperitie GIue vs good Lord the comfortable healthfull spirit of thy grace and aboundant fauour that we may without ceasing make our continuall boast of thy praise We know and from the bottome of our harts confesse that thou hast dealt more louinglie with vs
the almightie and victorious conquerour sweete Iesus Christ we are the adopted sonnes of thy Father and made fellowe-heires with thee our perfect Emanuel In whose name with all humilitie and lowlinesse of hart and mind I come vnto thee in this great extremitie of sicknesse and danger of death beseeching thee to be present with me to forget mine offences to thinke vpon thy mercies And although I haue not deserued so much as the least drop of thy fauour by meanes of the great burden of my sinnes which are in the presence of thy diuine Maiestie most ouglie and loathsome to behold yet respect thou not O Father mine iniquitie but haue an eie I beseech thee to the merits of my Sauiour Christ Iesus to whom as my Mediator Sauiour and Redeemer I appeale who hath promised comfort and sweete consolation to all those that in his name flie vnto thee for releefe I confesse that woorthilie thou hast visited me with this sicknesse and disease and yet not according to the multitude of my sinnes but in the fulnesse of miseration and fatherlie pitie Giue me grace therefore in these bitter brunts of death who vehementlie at this present beginneth to combat with fainting and feeble life constantlie to cleaue vnto thee Let not the pleasures of this wicked world be a let or impediment for me to come vnto thee let not my fraile and feeble flesh subiect to sinne which hath through my transgression made me a bondman to death mooue me to despaire in thy great mercie neither yet let the caueling aduersarie the enimie of mankind at my last end triumph ouer me Giue me patience to suffer and gladlie to beare and abide this thy scourge and visitation and so fortifie me in soule and bodie that so long as life shall endure in me I may neuer cease to call vpon thy holie and blessed name Yea and when death is most busiest make thou me most constant yea when he seeketh most stronglie to assaile my feeble bodie giue me thy grace good Lord that I may in spirit hart mind and all the powers of my soule giue praises vnto thee that of thy grace and inestimable kindnesse hast sent thy sonne Christ Iesus to ransome me by his bloudie death and passion from the power of hell Giue me grace therfore now that thou hast appointed thy messenger death to finish the daies of my pilgrimage and to call me by his summons from out of this vale of miserie and wretchednesse to build stedfastlie vpon him and faithfullie to hope for life and saluation in alone through him Let the remembrance of my former wickednesse be no more thought vpon let mine offences be blotted out of thy glorious sight Behold my sorowfull true repentant hart which come vnto thee with teares not building on my merits but vpon thy mercies Though I be sinfull thy sonne my Sauiour is righteous though I be wicked yet he is most holie though I be full of impietie yet he is full of all goodnesse though I haue greeuouslie offended thee yet he hath fullie contented thee though I haue transgressed thy lawe yet he hath fulfilled the same and hath promised in his bloud to wash awaie their sinnes that by faith continue in him constant to the end I therefore in this my great and painfull agonie beholding death to be at the gates of my bodie come vnto thee by the vertue of a fruitfull faith beseeching thee when thou shalt see it meete and conuenient that he shall dissolue the bands of this vading life which endureth but a while for a thousand yeeres are as yesterdaie in thy sight to take my soule into thy glorious and blessed hands and so to confirme me in thy truth that at the last when it shall please thee by the sound of a trumpe to raise my bodie from the graue when and in which time bodie and soule shall vnite and come before thy presence I may by faith in thee passe ouer the mount of my corruption shake off the bands of sinne be set free from death and destruction and being by the vertue of thy righteousnesse made holie I may triumph with happie victorie ouer sinne death and all the powers of hell and enter with thee and the felowship of thy chosen Saints into euerlasting rest Grant this most louing Father for Christ Iesus sake to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be rendred all laud glorie honour and praise for euer Amen The Lord God be mercifull to me pardon and forgiue me my sinnes looke vpon me with his gratious and blessed countenance preserue me from the second death and euerlasting destruction of bodie and soule The Lord God iustifie me in his death and bloud cloath me with his euerlasting righteousnesse and register my name in the booke of life The Lord God comfort my guiltie conscience with the euerlasting light of his bountifull fauour and lot my place among his Saints in his heauenlie kingdome The Lord God for his mercies sake after this my bodilie death giue me the fruition of his presence in his rich palace of endlesse glorie to whose mercifull protection I commend with all humilitie and reuerence my soule Lord Iesus preserue me Lord Iesus comfort me Lord Iesus refresh me Lord Iesus praie for me For onlie into thy hands that hast redeemed mee O Lord God of truth I commend my soule Amen A deuout meditation to be vsed after praier REmember not O Lord God thine anger against me an offender but be mindfull of thy mercie towards me a true penitent Forget that through pride I haue prouoked thee to ire and fauourablie harken vnto my praier What is Iesus but a Sauiour Therefore O bountifull Iesu be thou my Sauiour rise vp in thine owne strength to helpe me Saie vnto my soule I am thy safegard In thy goodnesse doo I trust in thee is my helpe And forasmuch as thou hast willed that we should without ceasing seeke and sue vnto thee behold I beeing counselled and foretold by thy commandements doo now both aske seeke and knocke But thou which commandest me to aske graunt that I may receiue thou biddest me seeke make me to find thou hast taught me to knocke open vnto me that stand knocking strengthen me that am weake restore me that am lost reuiue me that am dead by sinne make me to serue thee to liue to thee to giue my selfe wholie to thee I knowe my God that because thou madest me I owe my selfe vnto thee and for that thou hast redeemed me I should owe thee more than my selfe But behold I haue no more to giue neither can I giue my selfe vnto thee vnlesse thou make me willing therevnto Take thou me draw me vnto thee that as I am thine by creation so I may be thine by following of thee which liuest and reignest for euer and euer Amen A Praier deciphering in Alphabet forme the name of the right Woorshipfull Ladie MARY FANE M MOst mightie art thou Lord in all thy deedes
thy poore afflicted seruant Oh how long shall I seeke comfort in my soule and be so vexed in my hart Yea how long shall mine enimies triumph ouer me Consider and heare me O Lord my God lighten mine eies that I sleepe not in death least mine enimies saie I haue preuailed against him For if I be cast downe then they that trouble me will reioice at it But my trust is in thy mercie O Lord and my hart is ioifull in thy saluation For after a storme thou makest the weather faire and still after weeping and heauinesse thou giuest great ioie Thy name O most mightie God be praised for euer and euer Amen Another praier O Lord consider my meditation and complaining Oh harken thou vnto my praiers that go not out of fained lips Let my sentence come foorth from thy presence and let thine eies looke vpon the thing that is equall O hold thou vp my goings in thy waies that my footsteps slip not I haue called vpon thee O God for thou shalt heare me incline thine eare to me and hearken vnto my words Shew thy maruellous louing kindnesse thou that art the Sauiour of all them that put their trust in thee Keepe me as the apple of an eie hide me vnder the shadowe of thy wings from the vngodlie that trouble me Mine enimies compasse me round about to take away my soule Up Lord let not man haue the vpper hand let the heathen be iudged in thy sight that they may knowe themselues to be but men Yet of thy mercie O Lord forgiue all mine enimies and turne the harts of such as hate me Who can tell how oft he offendeth Oh clense thou me from all my secret offences Keepe thy seruant also from presumptuous sinnes least they get the dominion ouer me so shall I be vndefiled and innocent from the great offence Let my mourning teares and the sorowfull sighing of my hart come before thy presence and be alwaies accepted in thy sight O Lord my strength and my redeemer let it be thy good pleasure to rid and deliuer me out of all my troubles I most humblie beseech thee and shew some token of thy fauor to me poore wretched sinner which am as a banished woman Looke vpon me O Lord I beseech thee as thou didst looke vpon Susanna and Sarai the daughter of Raguel Those holie women trusted in thee and thou didst deliuer them they hoped in thee and were not forsaken I knowe Lord thy strength is not weakened neither is thy power abated so that if it be thy good pleasure O Lord thou wilt helpe and make thy power to be knowne In the meane time O mercifull and most gratious Lord God giue me grace thankfullie and patientlie to take all whatsoeuer it shall be thy good will and pleasure to laie vpon me O Lord grant me those things which I hartilie haue praied for euer for Iesus Christs sake my Lord and my redeemer To whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour glorie and praise Amen When God hath deliuered thee out of thy troubles sing those Psalmes the 9 30 33 34 116 145 146. And euer be giuing thanks to God the almightie Lord and King saieng as followeth A thankesgiuing after trouble THe Lord is my strong rocke and my defence my Sauiour my God and my might in whom I will trust the horne also of my saluation and my refuge Yea the Lord is my shepheard therfore can I lacke nothing He hath comforted my soule and brought it out of trouble euen for his mercies sake Though I walke through the vale of the shadowe of death I will feare none euill for thou art with me thy rod and thy staffe comforteth me For in thee O Lord haue I put my trust and I feare not what flesh and bloud can doo vnto me I haue waited long and with weeping teares haue I taried the Lords leasure and now he hath of his great goodnesse deliuered me out of all my trouble Most mightie God of thine accustomed mercie preserue me from all sinne and wickednesse O Lord I feele mine owne infirmitie and weakenesse O most mercifull Lord keepe me in as it were with a bit or bridle that in this my ioifulnesse I doo not forget my dutie to thee and my neighbours For when we haue althings at our owne pleasure and nothing to trouble vs then is our dailie enimie readie to puffe vs vp with pride and vnthankfulnesse yea and with forgetfulnesse of thy lawes Wherefore most mightie Lord looke downe from thy holie heauens euen with thy fatherlie eies of pitie and strengthen my trembling soule with thy holie spirit Guide me that I swarue not frō thy truth taught in holie Scripture but that all my thoughts words and deeds may redound to the glorie honour and woorthie praise of thy most holie name This with teares I most humblie beseech thee to grant euen for Iesus Christs sake in whose name I come to thee and in none other saieng O our Father c. Another thankesgiuing after trouble O Lord I most humblie render lauds thanks and praises vnto thee For thou hast set me vp and not made my foes to triumph ouer me O Lord my God I cried vnto thee and thou hast heard me yea thou broughtest my soule out of trouble and girded me with ioie and gladnes Sing praises vnto the Lord with me Oye Saints of his let vs all giue thanks vnto him for a remembrance of his holinesse For his wrath indureth but the twinkling of an eie and in his pleasure is life euerlasting Heauinesse may endure for a night but ioie commeth in the morning Thou didst turne thy face from me O Lord and lo I was sore troubled then cried I vnto thee O Lord and praied vnto my God right humblie saieng Heare O Lord and haue mercie on me Lord be thou my helpe in all my trouble bow downe thine eare to me and make haste to deliuer me for thou art my strong rocke and deliuerer Into thy hands Lord I commit my spirit for thou hast redeemed me O Lord thou God most high Oh what reward should I giue vnto the Lord for all the maruellous benefits that he hath done vnto mee which I can not woorthilie expresse For in my trouble I called vpon the Lord and he heard me at large and in my temptation with his holie spirit he mightilie preserued me Therefore I knowe that the Lord is on my side and I will not feare what man can doo vnto me For it is better to trust in the Lord than to put anie confidence in Princes for with the Lord there is mercie and with him there is plentious redemption The earth O Lord is full of thy mercie therefore will I talke of thy praise all the daie long and sing Psalmes of thankesgiuing vnto thee It is good for me that I haue beene in trouble else should I not haue learned thy statutes If my delight had not beene in thy lawes I should
surelie haue perished in my trouble The lawe of my God is more deerer vnto me than thousands of siluer and gold yea all the riches in the world is nothing woorth in comparison of thy word For it is more comfortable than the most costliest and pretious restoratiue that anie Physician can make For it comforteth nourisheth and preserueth the soule leading it vnto life euerlasting Oh Lord God of hosts who is like vnto thee Thy truth most mightie God endureth for euermore I will alwaies giue thanks vnto thee for the great benefits that thou hast bestowed on me The righteous shall heare thereof and reioice with me yea and the vnrighteous shall feare the Lord and saie Doubtlesse there is a GOD that defendeth his seruants and he also doth punish the wrong dooers Thou art the God that dooest woonderous things O Lord who may be compared vnto thee For thou deliuerest me thy poore oppressed seruant from the hand of my strong enimie yea from such a one as was too mightie for me to deale withall Thou hast I saie mightilie defended me and now O Lord be mindfull of me and command my spirit to be receiued in grace when it is thy good pleasure Amen An instruction for Christians conteining a fruitfull and godlie exercise as well in wholsome and fruitfull praiers as in reuerend discerning of Gods holie Commandements and Sacraments translated out of French into English by a right vertuous and godlie Matrone and Gentlewoman named Mistresse DORCAS MARTIN Psalme 119. verses 37 133. From vaine desires and worldlie lusts Turne backe mine eies and sight Giue me the spirit of life and power To walke thy waies aright Direct my footesteps by thy word That I thy will may knowe And neuer let iniquitie Thy seruant ouerthrowe The Lords praier 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 trespasse against vs. And lead vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill for thine is the kingdome the power and the glorie for euer and euer Amen The Articles of the Christian faith I Beleeue in God the father Almightie maker of heauen and earth And in Iesus Christ his onlie sonne our Lord which was conceiued by the holie Ghost Borne of the virgin Marie Suffered vnder Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried He descended into hell The third daie he rose againe from the dead He ascended into heauen and sitteth on the right hand of God the father almightie From thence shall he come to iudge the quicke and the dead I beleeue in the holie Ghost The holie Catholike Church The communion of Saints The forgiuenesse of sinnes The resurrection of the bodie And the life euerlasting Amen The ten Commandements of Almightie GOD Exod. 20. The Preface HEarken O Israel I am the Lord thy God which haue brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage The first Table _1 THou shalt haue none other gods before me 2 Thou shalt make thee no grauen image neither anie similitude of things that are in heauen aboue neither that are in the earth beneath nor that are in the waters vnder the earth Thou shalt not bow downe to them nor woorship them For I am the Lord thy God a gealous God visiting the iniquitie of the fathers vpon the children vpon the third generation and vpon the fourth of them that hate me and shewing mercie vnto thousands in them that loue me and keepe my commandements 3 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine for the Lord will not hold him giltlesse that taketh his name in vaine 4 Remember the Sabboth daie to keepe it holie Sixe daies shalt thou labour and doo all thy workes but the seauenth daie is the Sabboth of the Lord thy God In it thou shalt not doo anie worke thou nor thy sonne nor thy daughter thy man-seruant nor thy maide-seruant nor the stranger that is within thy gates For in sixe daies the Lord made the heauen and the earth the sea and all that in them is and rested the seauenth daie therfore the Lord blessed the Sabboth daie and halowed it The second Table _5 HOnour thy father and thy mother that thy daies may bee prolonged vpon the land which the Lord thy God giueth thee 6 Thou shalt not kill 7 Thou shalt not commit adulterie 8 Thou shalt not steale 9 Thou shalt not beare false witnesse against thy neighbour 10 Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours house neither shalt thou couet thy neighbours wife nor his seruant nor his maide nor his oxe nor his asse neither anie thing that is thy neighbours The Summe THou shalt loue the Lord thy God with all thine hart with all thy soule and with all thy mind This is the first and the greatest commandement And the second is like vnto this Thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe On these two commandements hangeth the whole Lawe and the Prophets Matth 7. verse 12. Whatsoeuer ye would that men should doo to you euen so doo ye to them For this is the Lawe and the Prophets Iohn 15. verse 12. This is my commandement that ye loue one another as I haue loued you Iohn 13. verse 35. Heereby shall all men knowe that you are my disciples if ye loue one another A praier to be said in the Morning when one awaketh Our helpe be in the name of the Lord who hath made heauen and earth O My God and father I most humblie praise and thanke thee for this that of thine infinite goodnesse and mercie it hath pleased thee to watch for me this night whiles I slept preseruing me from so manie kinds of dangers wherevnto this miserable life is subiect O Lord I beseech thee bring into my memorie thy other great and innumerable benefits also according as I may be able to comprehend them to the end that I may likewise render thanks for the same least I be vngratefull towards thy maiestie as thou hast done me this good not to forget that thou alone hast preserued me from all inconuenience And herewithall I beseech thee most gratious father through thy mercie to continue this thy fatherlie care which thou hast for me vntill such time as I shall rest in that happie sleepe whereof they reioice which sleepe in peace through our Lord Iesus Christ thy sonne who in the vnitie of the holie Ghost liueth and reigneth God with thee eternallie So be it The exercise of an housholder with his familie to praie in the Morning O Our God Father Sauiour seeing it hath pleased thee to giue vs grace to passe this night to come vnto this daie present vouchsafe now also to bestowe this goodnesse vpon vs that we may emploie our selues altogether to thy seruice in such wise that we neither thinke saie or doo anie thing but onlie to please thee
circumspect that I neither offer iniurie to anie man neither suffer anie to be iniuried that so equitie may be mainteined and iustice among men preserued Let me at no time vnder the shew and colour of equitie vphold or countenance a wicked cause neither yet without sufficient examination and triall of both parties giue sentence against anie Allow me such Counsellers Gouernours and Ouerseers as are of courage fearing God dealing vprightlie hating couetousnesse that by them the burthen charge and care which I susteine may be somewhat lightened Endue both me and them with thine holie spirit that with earnest studie and watchfull minds we may discerne betweene matters that no man through our negligence haue the ouerthrowe in a righteous cause but that sentence be rightlie pronounced betweene a man and his brother and a stranger without respect of anie person in iudgement Let vs heare as well the little as the great and feare no man because the iudgement is thine which standest in the companie of iudges and among the gods thou plaiest the Iudge for the iudgement is not of man but of the Lord and whatsoeuer we shall iudge it will come vpon vs. Wherefore let thy feare be with vs that we may doo all things with care and circumspection that we prooue not children in vnderstanding neither giue our selues to lusts pleasures but to eate our meate in due season and that for strength not for dronkennes For thou wilt make earnest and diligent inquirie of all our works and search all our cogitations because we are thy seruants and deputies to gouerne men of a verie short life and he which is to daie a King to morowe may be dead for we be all mortall and subiect to one and the same corruption Besides an horrible iudgement is nigh for such as walke not after the will of thee our God for he that is most lowe shall finde mercie but the mightie shall be mightilie tormented for thou which art the Lord ouer all regardest not the person of anie neither doest thou feare the greatnesse of the mightie because as well the great as the small are the workemanship of thine hands thy care is equall ouer all thou giuest to godlie Princes eternall happinesse which art the Iudge both of the quicke and dead liuing and reigning with thy Son in the vnitie of the Spirit a God for euermore Amen Another FOrasmuch as it hath pleased thee O King of kings and Lord of lords to appoint me among other a Ruler of thy people giue mee grace I beseech thee so to minister the Common-weale and so to execute mine office that I may please thee and hurt no man in all my dooings but iudge equallie and iustlie rule according to thy will shew my selfe a Mother vnto thy people and so be haue my selfe in all mine enterprises that I seeking thy glorie the furtherance of thy blessed Gospell and the weale of thy subiects may when thou shalt render to euerie one according to his deedes be found blamelesse in thy sight through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another OAlmightie God Lord of heauen and earth which hast appointed me thy seruant to bee a gouernour of thy people and a ruler ouer men I most humblie beseech thee send me thy wisdome from aboue whereby I may vprightlie iudge thy people rightlie discerne betweene good and euill and constantlie continue in dooing my dutie without respect of persons Giue me power and wisdome to do that is gratefull in thy sight profitable for my subiects and good for the continuance of peace Let me alwaies remember that I haue no power of my selfe but of thee and that the iudgement is not of man but of thee my God which standest among the iudges and plaiest the Iudge among the gods Giue me grace likewise to consider that one daie how soone I knowe not thou wilt bring me to a reckning and make diligent inquirie how I haue behaued my selfe in my place and office For I thy seruant haue but a short race to run and such is the state of vs all he which is to daie a King to morrowe may be dead And forasmuch as an horrible iudgement shall be giuen vpon such as rule not vprightlie nor walke after thy will for mightie men shall mightisie be tormented thou being Lord ouer all wilt spare no person nor feare anie greatnesse for thou hast made the small and great and carest for all alike I beseech thee gratious and eternall God giue mee grace to learne what thy will is and to deale wiselie to infer none iniurie vnto anie nor to suffer anie to be iniured to countenance none euill cause nor to slide from the path of iustice For I thy seruant am a fraile person of a short time and full weake in the vnderstanding of iudgments and the lawes Send me therefore wisdome from the throne of thy Maiestie that she may be with me labour with me that I may knowe what is acceptable in thy sight and be led by hir in all my dooings and preserued by hir power so shall my works be acceptable and then shall I gouerne thy people righteouslie in Christ my Lord and Sauiour Amen Another HEare mee O LORD thou high and mightie God whose Maiestie may not bee comprehended whose worde is true whose commandement is strong thou that ridest vpon the Cherubins fliest with the wings of the wind Thou God of all mercie most woorthie to be sought before whome the hosts of heauen stand with trembling whose ordinance is dreadfull whose lookes drie vp the depths whose hands rule the starrie firmament whose goodnesse onelie giueth the fruits of the earth whose wrath maketh the mountaines to melt and consumeth the wicked whose truth beareth witnesse and mercie saueth the sorowfull sinner Thou thou incomprehensible Creator that neuer tookest beginning and wantest end Sith of nothing thou hast wrought me with the woonders of the world to thy most seemelie shape and vouchsafest thy dririe death and passion to drowne the danger of my sinful deserts and hast as a carefull captaine cherished my bodie with comfortable gifts vnto this present daie continue O God such goodnesse towards me vnwoorthie which doo here with contrite hart and bowed knees appeale to the heigth of thy mercie and louing kindnesse to accept mine vnequall thanks for the same humblie beseeching thy fatherlie goodnesse that thy holie hand may stil renew in me thy former gifts plentiouslie powred vpon me from the prime of my birth vnto this present not remembring good Lord mine vnwoorthinesse of the same nor frailtie of my passed yeeres that speaketh against me but altering the ministers of thy wrath into mild mercie Grant I beseech thee that through the assistance of thy holie spirit I may be led to correct that is amisse and that I may now perseuere in setting ordering and reforming all my trauels counsels and studies as best may accord with thy blessed will and cancell the bonds of my heauie charge wherein
assist me most puissant Prince of all power with thy prudent skill and heauenlie grace that I may be truelie able to aduance iustice and to hate wrong and so be found a faithfull minister ouer thy people In whom plant I beseech thee thy heauenlie grace and feare with obedience towards mee thy minister and kindle in me the loue of thy holie spirit that I may perseuere in the truth of thy word without doubt or wauering to the end Grant this oh mightie God of hosts for the merits and passion of thy deere sonne my Lord and Sauior Iesus Christ AMEN The praier of King SALOMON for Wisdome to gouerne well Wisd 9. O GOD of my fathers and Lord of mercie which hast made all things with thy word and ordeined man through thy wisdome that he should haue dominion ouer the creatures which thou hast made and gouerne the world according to equitie and righteousnesse and execute iudgement with an vpright hart Giue me wisdome which is euer sitting aboue thy seate and put me not out from among thy children For I thy seruant and handmaid am a feeble person and of a short time and yet lesse in the vnderstanding of iudgements and the lawes And though a man be neuer so perfect among the children of men yet if thy wisdome be not with him he shall be nothing regarded Thou hast chosen me to be a QVEENE vnto thy people and the Iudge of thy sonnes daughters Thou hast commanded mee to maintaine thy Church which from the beginning thou hast chosen Oh send out of thy holie heauens therefore vnto me that thy wisdome wherewith thou madest the world gouernest thy works and knowest what is acceptable in thy sight right in thy commandements Send hir I saie from the throne of thy Maiestie that shee may be with mee and labour with me that I may knowe what is acceptable in thy sight and right in thy commandements For she knoweth and vnderstandeth all things and she shall leade me soberlie in all my works and preserue mee by hir power and glorie so shall my works be acceptable and then shall I gouern thy people righteouslie and be well and woorthie to sit in my fathers throne Amen Holie Praiers and godlie Meditations desciphering in Alphabeticall forme the Roiall name of our vertuous Souereigne Queene ELIZABETH properlie to be vsed of hir Maiestie ELIZABETH E ENter not into iudgement with thy seruant O LORD for no flesh is righteous in thy sight PSALME 143 verse 2. O GOD which dwellest in light that no man can attaine O God which art hid and canst not be seene with bodilie eies nor comprehended with anie vnderstanding neither expressed with the tongue of men or Angels O my God what is it to be righteous in thy sight It is that wee should bee without sinne before thee which no man euer was since the fall of Adam For which cause the holie Prophet DAVID saith in this wise Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant O Lord for no flesh is righteous in thy sight If then no flesh be righteous in thy sight O vnhappie that I am loden and burdened with sinne who shall haue pitie or compassion on mee or whither shall I go My sinnes are euer before me mine vnrighteousnesse condemneth me What shall I doo Shall I despaire God forbid For mercifull meeke and louing is my Sauiour My refuge therfore shall be in my God for certaine I am he will not forsake his owne image neither wil he forsake the worke of his owne hands Wherfore most meeke louing and mercifull Father to thee come I all sad and sorowfull But what shall I saie vnto thee I will saie Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant O Lord for no flesh is righteous in thy sight And againe I will with the Prophet powre out before thee the words of sorrowe I will hartilie beseech thee saieng Haue mercie on me O God haue mercie on me according to thy great mercie not after the mercie of men but after thy great mercie which is incomprehensible which is vnmeasurable and which passeth all sinnes without comparison According therefore vnto that thy great mercie by the which thou hast so loued the world that thou gauest thy sonne for it by the which thou hast taken awaie all our sinnes by the which through his crosse thou hast lightened all men by the which also thou hast restored all things in heauen and in earth wash me I saie O Lord wash me in his bloud restore me in his resurrection and iustifie me by thy grace and fauour and the redemption which is in Christ AMEN L LORD looke thou no more on my sinnes but according to the multitude of thy compassions wipe awaie all mine iniquities Psal 51. verse 1. THy mercie O Lord is the abundance of pitie thy compassions are the works and processe of thy mercie by the one thou lookest gentlie on the poore and wretched by the other thou forgiuest the multitude of sinnes O sweet and mercifull Sauiour Iesus Christ the sorowfull and penitent sinner Marie Magdalen came prostrate before thy feet she washed them with hir bitter teares she wiped them with the heares of hir head thou forgauest all hir sinnes and sentest hir awaie in peace this was good Lord one of thy compassions Peter thrise denied thee and forsooke thee with an oth thou mercifullie lookedst on him and he beholding thee bitterlie wept and thou Lord forgauest him which was another of thy compassions The theefe on the Crosse was saued with one word Paule in the furious madnesse of persecution was called and by and by was filled with the holie Ghost these all Lord are thy pitifull compassions Sith therefore that thou art the same our GOD with whome is no alteration neither shadowe of change and sith there is but one Mediatour and attonement betweene God and man that is Christ Iesus which endureth for euer why doost thou not powre out thy plentious compassions vpon vs as well as thou didst vpon our forefathers Why standest thou so far O Lord and hidest thy face in the needfull tune of trouble Hast thou forsaken vs Or are all thy mercies spent and none left O Lord my God I hartilie beseech thee most humblie praie thee that thou wilt according to the multitude of thy compassions wipe awaie all mine iniquities that as thou hast drawne and receiued innumerable sinners vnto thee and hast made them righteous in thy sight euen so thou wilt vouchsafe to drawe and take me and also to make mee righteous through thy grace and so to clense and purifie my hart that after all mine iniquities and vncleannesse put out it may be as a cleane table in the which thy finger O GOD may write the lawe of thy loue and charitie AMEN I IN the daie of trouble I will call on thee ô LORD Psa 120 vers 1. Because thou hast said In what houre so euer a sinner doth repent him of his sinnes I will no more
remember his iniquities Ezech. 18 verse 27. BEhold good Lord now are the daies of sorowe now are the daies of calamitie and now is the time wherein I must call on thee For now feele I mine old cankered and festered sores of sinne readie to breake foorth in me to my vtter confusion Behold good Lord all my desires and all my lamentable and sorowfull sighes I powre them all before thee crieng and saieng O Lord cleanse me from my sinnes for I am vncleane and filthie before thee Increase therefore thy light in me that I may be a vessell of thy grace kindle my hart with thy loue put out all feare for perfect loue expelleth feare Let the loue of the world the loue of the flesh the loue of vaine-glorie and the loue of my selfe vtterlie depart from me that I may through thy mercie be cleansed from mine iniquities by the which I haue offended thee Cleanse me therefore O Lord with the water of thy gratious fauour of which water he that drinketh shall no more thirst but it shall be made in him a fountaine of liuing water running and flowing into eternall life Cleanse mee I saie O Lord with the water of thy weeping teares cleanse me with the comfortable waters of thy sacred Scriptures that I may be numbred among them vnto whome thou saiedst Now are yee cleane through the words that I haue spoken to you AMEN Z ZACHE was a perfect man and thou Lord saiedst vnto him when he was in the figtree ZACHE come downe for to daie I will come into thy house and he came downe and ioifullie receiued thee Luke 19 verse 5. O Mercifull God how manie sinnes haue I don in thy sight which I would in no wise haue done before mortall men I feared men more than thee because I was blind and loued blindnesse I had onlie eies of flesh therfore did I onlie feare and looke on men which are flesh O my God behold I stand before thy face that I might finde mercie I stand before thy goodnesse and benignitie looking for thy fauorable answere haue mercie therefore on me Thou saiedst to Zache This daie I will abide in thy house and he ioifullie receiuing thee said Lord the halfe of my goods I giue to the poore and if I haue done anie man wrong I will restore him fourefold But Lord Iesu I will not part halfe that I haue but I bequeath my selfe wholie vnto thee reseruing nothing from thee promising to serue thee for euer with a cleane and pure hart O sweet Lord Iesus what sawest thou in Zache euen thine owne image for he had cast off the image of the diuell which before was on him and had put on him thine image If then thou didst see in Zache by putting from him the image of the diuell that which did drawe thee to his house take then from me sweet Iesus all my sinnes and wickednesse all I praie thee that none may remaine in me which may keepe thee from me that I may put off as Zache did that euill which is in me that thou maist see in me which thou sawest in Zache that when thou shalt call me out of the figtree of this miserable world thou maist saie vnto me Come downe for this daie I will abide with thee AMEN A A Pure heart create in me ô GOD and a right spirit renew within me Psalme 51 verse 10. ALas my Lord and Sauiour my hart hath forsaken thee it is turned from thee and is gone astraie it is wandered into strange countries and ensueth vanities hir eies are in the vttermost part of the world It is lost gone and sold vnder sinne It is stonie yea harder than the Flint or Adamant stone which relented and yeelded at thy sonnes death What now Lord What shall I saie A pure hart create in me a fleshie hart a mollified and soft hart an humble hart a penitent hart a mercifull hart a deuout hart a religious and zealous hart yea and such a hart as will loue thee aboue all things Create therefore good Lord such a hart in me that it may be of such efficacie through thy grace as nature is not able to make it Giue me also a right spirit that I may loue and worship thee which art the chiefe and principall spirit For thou art a spirit and wilt be worshipped in spirit and veritie My soule good Lord is also a spirit and so made of thee that of it selfe it is right For of hir owne nature she loueth thee aboue hir selfe and desireth all things for thy glorie so that hir owne naturall loue is right because it commeth of thee Make stedfast therefore in me O Lord through thy gratious fauour this spirit that it may according to his owne nature leade and keepe me in the waie of thy commandements and that by it my heart may be so inflamed with heauenlie loue that it may cause me to sigh vnto thee to embrace thee continuallie and neuer to forsake thee but alwaies to be firme and constant in thee Giue me therefore an vpright spirit not seeking hir owne glorie but thy will and glorie Renew it in me I praie thee good Lord renew it I saie for my sins haue quenched the first that thou gauest me AMEN B BEhold LORD against thee onlie haue I sinned and done euill in thy sight that thou maist be iustified in thy words and maist ouercome when thou art iudged Psalme 51 verse 4. TO thee onlie O Lord it is proper to forgiue and to be mercifull for through mercie and forgiuenesse thou dooest declare thine almightinesse I graunt therefore Lord and confesse that against thee onlie I haue offended and haue done that which is euill in thy sight Haue mercie therefore on me O Lord haue mercie Expresse and shewe foorth thine omnipotencie in me that thou maist be iustified in thy words For it is written Thou camest not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance Graunt me therefore good Lord a true repentant hart and iustifie me according to thy words Call me receiue me and giue me thy grace so that thereby I may do the works of repentance Thou saiedst When I am lifted vp from the earth I will drawe all vnto my selfe Uerifie Lord the words on me drawe me after thee and let me run with thee in the sweetenesse of thine ointments Againe thou saiedst Come vnto me all yee that labour and are loden and I will ease you Behold my Lord and my God I a sinner do come vnto thee all loden with sinnes daie and night labouring in the sorowe of my hart for thy grace and mercie Refresh and ease me therefore good Lord that thou maist be iustified and proued when thou art iudged For there are manie which saie There is no helpe for him in his God Ouercome Lord these persons when thou art thus iudged of them and forsake not me at anie time but giue to me thy creature thy mercie and pardon and then are they vanquished which
saie There is no helpe for him in his God AMEN E EStablish me ô LORD with a free and principall spirit and restore vnto mee the ioie of thy sauing health Psalme 51 verse 12. IT is a great thing O heauenlie father that I desire of thee seeing thou art a great Lord and King aboue all gods He doth thee iniurie which asketh of thee small things and he which asketh of thee bodilie things asketh but vaine trifles He therefore that desireth spirituall things desireth great things but he that desireth thy ioie and sauing health desireth the greatest thing thou hast to giue What is thy sauing health but Iesus Christ thy onlie sonne which is verie God and euerlasting life And forsomuch as thou hast bin so louing and liberall a father as to giue him vnto the death of the crosse and there to offer him for me why should I be ashamed to aske him of thee whome thou hast giuen for me Giue me therefore thy principall spirit that I may reioice in thy sauing health And forsomuch as in thy holie word thou biddest me aske and knocke euen till I see me importunate and what can I aske that should be more wholesome to me than that thou shouldest make me reioice in thy sonne our sauing health I will therfore continuallie crie to thee saieng Make me againe to reioice in thy sauing helth and restore to me againe the thing which my sinnes haue lost Restore to me that which through my fault is perished in me Restore me I beseech thee for his mercies sake that euer sitteth on thy right hand and maketh intercession for me that by his gratious fauour I may at my last end enioie the fruitfull benefite of thy sauing health AMEN T THov euer ô LORD hast loued truth and the vnknowne things of thy wisdome hast thou reuealed vnto mee Psalme 51. verse 6. WHat meaneth it to saie Thou louest truth but that of thy gratious mercie thou makest vs promises and fulfillest them for thy truths sake Thou didst promise vnto Abraham a sonne when he was aged thou fulfilledst thy promise in old and barren Sara because thou louest truth Thou madest promise vnto Dauid thy seruant saieng Of the fruit of thy bodie will I set vpon the regall throne and it came to passe because thou louest truth Thou hast promised vnto sinners which will come vnto thee forgiuenesse and fauour and thou hast neuer defrauded anie man for thou louest truth There are other innumerable promises in the which thou hast euer bene faithfull because thou louest truth Loue therefore O father of mercies this truth in me which with repentant hart turneth to thee Behold therefore thy creature in whome thou maist keepe it and to whome thou maist forgiue manie sinnes Spare good Lord spare thy seruant and command me to be of the number of the babes that the vnknowne things of thy wisdome which thou hast opened vnto me may lead me vnto the fountaine of wisdome which is on high that thou maist be praised in the works of thy mercie which thou dooest exercise towards thy seruant O LORD which neuer forsakest them that trust in thee AMEN H HAddest thou ô LORD desired sacrifice I would haue giuen it thee but thou delightest not in burnt offerings Psalme 51. verse 16. MY mouth Lord shall shew foorth thy glorious fame For I knowe it to be most acceptable before thee seeing thou hast declared it by the mouth of the Prophet saieng The sacrifice of praise shall glorifie me by which meane saith the Lord I shall be entised to shew him my sauing health Psal 48. Therefore will I offer praise vnto thee for my sinnes euen the praise of infants and sucklings And why shall I offer praise for my sinnes rather than sacrifice Bicause thou delightest not in burnt sacrifice For if thou hadst desired sacrifice I had surelie offered them but thou delightest not in them And againe thou saiedst I require mercie and not sacrifice Ose 6. Therefore my mouth shall shew foorth thy praise bicause thereby I doo shew foorth thy honour and it sheweth me through thy grace the waie to my sauing health O Lord thou madest the bodie for the spirit therfore seekest thou spirituall things and not bodilie things For thou saiest My sonne giue thy hart vnto me Prou. 23. which is the sacrifice that pleaseth thee Let me therefore offer vnto thee O Lord a hart repenting and sorrowing for my sinnes and inflame it with a desired loue of heauenlie things and then wilt thou desire no more of me for with such sacrifices wilt thou O Lord be pleased AMEN REGINA R REbuke me not ô LORD in thine anger neither chasten thou mee in thy heauie displeasure but haue thou mercie on me for I am weake and in miserie Psalme 6 verse 1. MY sinnes O Lord are so manie that the burden of them hath weakened me My bones are so bruised my sinewes are so shrunken my strength so faileth me the rod of thy displeasure hath so chastened me that I feele no helpe in my selfe I appeale therfore O Lord to thy mercie crieng out with the prodigall and vnthriftie sonne saieng O Father I haue sinned against heauen and before thee haue mercie therefore haue mercie on me not bicause I haue deserued thy mercie but bicause thou art mercifull Sith therefore thou art mercifull what art thou but euen the verie mercie it selfe And what am I but verie miserie Behold therefore O God which art mercie behold miserie is before thee What shalt thou doo O mercie Trulie thy works Canst thou go backe from thy nature And what is thy nature Uerelie to take awaie miserie Haue mercie therefore on mee O God God which art mercie take awaie my miserie for the depth of miserie requireth the depth of mercie The depth of sinne requireth the depth of grace and fauour Greater is the depth of mercie than the depth of miserie Let therfore good Lord the one depth swallowe vp the other Let the bottomlesse depth of mercie swallowe vp the depth of miserie AMEN E EXcept LORD the praier of thy seruant as thou diddest the praier of Cornelius and cast me not confused from thy presence Acts 10 verse 6. O Sweet Iesus who euer came to thee with a pure and stedfast faith and went awaie confused Or who euer desired thy fauour and went without it Surelie thou passest in thine abundant pitie both the deseruings and also the desires of them that praie vnto thee For thou giuest more than man can desire The woman of Canaan followed thee she cried and made a pitious noise she mooued thy Disciples to compassion worshipped thee and said Lord helpe me but yet wouldest thou not answere Yet shee trusting in thy mercie praied againe saieng Lord helpe me Unto whose importunitie thou diddest answere saieng It is not good to take the childrens bread and cast it vnto dogs O Lord who would not haue beene confounded and haue gotten him awaie at these thy words And yet
in his owne sight was righteous O Lord great is thy power great is thy might which declareth it selfe most chieflie in sparing and hauing compassion on sinners shewing to vs that a contrite and humble hart thou wilt not despise Accept therefore sweete Lord Iesu this my sacrifice of praise proceeding out of a broken and sorowfull hart And if it be vnperfect amend thou the fault mercifull Lord which onlie art of power to doo it that it may be an holie and acceptable sacrifice inflamed with the feruent heate of thy bountious charitie that it may be acceptable vnto thee or at the least that thou despise it not I knowe well that I shall find fauour in thy sight and that heereafter none of thy Saincts either in heauen or in earth shall despise me Accomplish therefore in me euen now O Lord that which I so oft do craue of thee which is that thou wilt haue compassion on me according to thy great mercie and that also thou wilt receiue me for a sacrifice of righteousnesse for a holie oblation for a burnt sacrifice of good liuing and for a Calfe to be offered vpon thine Altar or Crosse by the which I may passe this vale of miserie vnto that ioie which thou preparest for them that loue thee AMEN * ANOTHER ELIZABETH E ENgraue thy lawes in the depth of my heart O Lord that being instructed in thy commandements I may serue thee in feare and reioice in thee with trembling and take hold vpon thy discipline in all things least at anie time thou become angrie and I perish from the right waie Amen L LORD giue me helpe from my trouble for vaine is the helpe of man in thee I haue strength and thou bringest vnto nothing those things which trouble me let my soule be subiect vnto thee For from thee proceedeth my patience For thou art my God and Sauiour my helper and I will not depart from thee In thee is my helth and my glorie thou art the God of my helpe and my helpe is in thee Amen I I Haue broken thy fold and wandered long as a lost sheepe let me returne O Lord bicause I haue not forgotten thy commandements The misdeeds and ignorances of my tender yeers remember not Lord but according to thy mercie haue mind on me For thy goodnesse O Lord keepe my soule and deliuer me let me not be ashamed bicause I haue trusted in thee Turne my heauinesse into ioie cut off my sacke of sorowes and gird me with gladnes that my glorie may signe vnto thee and I shall not be greeued Z ZORobabel King of Iuda in the depth of thy displeasure tasted of thy mercie and receiued by the mouth of Aggeus thy Prophet sweete comfort and knowledge of thy fauour and grace yea after thy determination to destroie the whole kingdome of the heathen thy right hand did preserue him and thine incomparable mercie did choose him for a seale to thy selfe Lord this happie King in thy goodnesse was but an earthlie creature and then could he haue no righteousnesse in himselfe to moue such thy compassion If it proceeded from the multitude of thy mercies that surmount the iniquities of the whole world and that thou didst onlie vouchsafe to behold in him the image of thy selfe bow downe thine eies Lord and behold the selfe-same in me Certifie my conscience with remission of my sinnes that my sorowfull soule may be at rest within me Send downe thy holie spirit to remaine with me that I may become with that good King thy chosen seale and seruant and so graunt thy people that I may with them and they with me neuer deserue further than to tast of thy rod of fauorable correction but that all my labours and studies may euer bend to the performance of thy holie will and discharge of my dutie Amen A ARise and illuminate my mind most benigne Sauiour that I sleepe not at anie time in death least mine enimies saie they haue preuailed against me They which trouble me will be glad if I be cast downe but I haue fixed my hope in thy mercie Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant for no liuing creature shall be iustified in thy sight I will euer looke vpon the Lord for he shal be on my right hand that I be not mooued For this my hart is glad and my tongue reioiceth yea moreouer my flesh shall rest in hope Amen B BE thou vnto me O Lord in the daie time a defendour and in the night season a place of refuge that thou maist saue me for thou art my strength and vnto thee I flie Lord God deliuer me from the hand of sinners and from the Lawe-breaker and the wicked dooer for thou Lord art my patience thou art my hope euen from my youth In thee I am confirmed euen from my mothers wombe thou art my protector in thee shall be my song for euer and euer Amen E EUER my tongue shall be telling of thy rich mercie and woonderous works O Lord for thou hast caused me to passe through fire and water and led me into a fresh place thou hast giuen my soule life and hast not suffered my feete to fall According to the multitude of my sorowes thy comforts haue made my soule merrie My soule is like a Sparowe taken out of the Fowlers snare Thou hast deliuered my life from death and my hands from bloud that I may please thee O Lord in the light of the liuing Amen T THOU art iust O Lord and all thy commandements be true and all thy waies mercie truth and iudgement And now Lord be mindfull of me take not reuengement of my sinnes remember not mine offences neither the offences of my fathers because we haue not obeied thy precepts Giue me an hart of vnderstanding and set thy feare alwaies before mine eies that I may be obedient in word deed and thought to all that is thy will Lord giue vnto me the power of thy holie spirit to rule and gouerne thy people committed to my charge in all godlie feare and knowledge of thy word and that I may be vnto them an example in all godlinesse and vertue to the praise of thy holie name Amen H HEALE me Lord and I shall be healed saue me and I shall be saued My life cleaueth vnto the earth Quicken me according to thy word according to thy mercie releeue me and I will keepe the testimonies of thy lips Helpe me Lord so shall I be safe and I will from hencefoorth studie thy righteousnesse Thy mercies are manie O Lord according to thy word restore my health AMEN REGINA R REgard my praiers O thou God of my life leaue me not in the thoughts of euill Deliuer me from the wicked man let not the foote of pride come vpon me and to vaine-glorie giue me not Take from me all sinfull lusts let no desire of vncleannesse take hold vpon me giue me not ouer to an vnshamefast and obstinate mind but correct me in thy mercie
for into thy hands I commit me Amen E ENter thy iudgements in the tables of my hart destroie mine affections with thy loue send thy wisdome from the holie heauens and from the seate of thy Maiestie that she may be with me and labour with me that I may knowe what thing is acceptable before thee and may iudge the people righteouslie and discerne betweene good and euill G GRatious Lord thou that art the most high God aboue all the earth long-suffering and of much mercie sorowing the sinnes of man and of thy great goodnesse hast promised to the penitent remission of sinnes Lord I haue sinned mine iniquitie is multiplied aboue the sands of the sea and there is no hope of life in me because I haue stirred thee to anger in multiplieng offences before thee And now O Lord trusting in thy mercie I bow the knees of my hart beseeching thee of thy goodnesse destroie me not togither with mine iniquitie For the dead whose soules are out of their bodies can neither praise nor thanke thee but the sorowfull hart and the thirstie soule ascribe praise vnto thee O Lord I powre my praiers before thee and require mercie in thy sight saue me which am vnwoorthie and reserue not eternall punishment for mee For thine owne sake I aske it and will praise thee all the daies of my life Amen I ILluminate my hart O Lord with the light of thy word leade me Lord in thy waie and I shall enter into thy truth Print thy feare in my hart that I may reioice in thee Let thy word be a lanterne vnto my feet and a lampe of light vnto my paths so shall I not erre from the right waie but walke like a pure and wise virgin with an vpright hart chaste mind and cleane conscience and single eie before thee this daie and euermore Amen N NEuer will I cease to call vpon thee most mightie God of hosts which sittest vpon the Cherubins and hast dominion ouer all the kingdoms of the earth Thou which madest the heauens all things comprehended in them bow downe thine eare and heare open thine eies and behold saue mee from the hand of mine aduersaries suffer no euill to happen vnto me that all the people may knowe that thou alone art my God Amen A ASsist mee O Lord my God with thy heauenlie grace and renew in mee a right spirit that I may receiue strength ablenesse to doo thy righteous will and to stand against all the assaults of wilie Satan that they may haue no place in mee but that the old man which I beare about in my bodie may be crucified and dailie die in me that the desire of sinne errour and of worldlie vanities may vtterlie be destroied that I may euermore be renewed in the spirit of my mind that the life of my Sauiour Christ may alwaies appeare in me to whome with the Father and the holie Ghost be all honour triumph and glorie for euer and euer Amen The versicle EUen now and euer vouchsafe O LORD for thy deere sonnes sake to heare my humble petitions The answere REceiue my praiers I saie O GOD and in thy truth and mercie pardon mine offences and grant mee thy grace The Collect. O Emanuel my Lord and my GOD Iesus Christ sonne of the pure virgin Marie thou art not onelie the sweete spouse of my soule but with God the Father a most meeke Mediatour full of mercie and truth Wash awaie my sinnes with the most pretious bloud of thy holie passion make me rich in thy mercie and my faith so strong in thee that assisted with thy grace and holie spirit to all duties and works in this life towards thee I may enioie afterwards the glorie of thy blessed kingdome with thy holie Saints and pure Uirgins in euerlasting honour and triumph Amen The Praier O Roote of Iesse my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ which hast redeemed all mankind from sinne death and hell thou which hast said I am the waie truth and life The waie in doctrine commandements and examples truth in promises life in reward I praie thee by thine ineffable loue wherewith thou hast vouchsafed wholie to bestowe thy selfe for our securitie that thou wilt not suffer me euer to straie from thee bicause thou art the waie nor at anie time to distrust thy promses which art the truth and performest whatsoeuer thou promisest neither let me rest in anie other thing bicause thou art eternall life without the which there is nothing that ought to be desired neither in heauen nor in earth By thee we learne the sure and expedient passage vnto true helth that we wander no longer in the Laberinth of this world Thou hast exactlie taught what to beleeue and what to doo what to hope for and in whom we ought to rest By thee wee learne how wee were of that first Adam vnfortunatelie borne by thee we are assured there is no hope of health but through faith in thee that thou art the onlie brightnesse which giuest light to all men trauelling the darke desarts of this world where is nothing but a profound dimnesse wherby we neither see our calamities nor frō whence we ought to seeke remedie of our euill Thou vouchsafedst to descend into the earth disdainedst not to take our nature vpon thee that by thy doctrine thou mightest shake off the dimnesse of our ignorance by thy commandements mightest direct our feete in the waie of truth peace By the examples of thy life thou hast shewed vs the waie to immortalitie and by thy steps hast restored to vs a plaine easie profitable waie out of an vneeuen and rough waie So thou art made vnto vs a waie which knoweth no error in the which least we should be wearie thou hast vouchsafed to vphold vs in thy benignitie with great sure promises For who can be wearie accounting himselfe redie through thy steps to enter thy heauenlie heritage Therefore whilest we be in this iournie thou wouldest be a sure hope vnto vs to be in steed of a staffe vnto vs wherewith we are sustained Neither was thy goodnes content with this but knowing the weaknesse of our flesh in the meane while with the comfort of thy spirit dooest so refresh our strength whereby we run cheerefullie And as thou being made vnto vs the waie dooest driue awaie all errour so being truth dooest thou take awaie all distrust Finallie being made life vnto vs dooest reuiue the dead in sinne to liue by thy spirit releeuing all things vntill in the resurrection all mortalitie vtterlie abolished we may alwaies liue with thee and in thee when Christ shall be to vs all in all For eternall life is to knowe the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost to be one true God where now thorough faith we behold onlie in a glasse and riddle And then seeing more felowlie the glorie of the Lord wee shall be transformed into the same image Therefore I beseech thee most mercifull Sauiour that
earth of old to continue alwaie most stable firme and vnmoueable So that thou Lord onlie maist iustlie challenge vnto thy selfe the authoritie of the kingdome in deede ouer all nations vpon the earth who art that most gelous and dreadfull IEHOVA vnto whome all the Emperours Kings and Gouernours in the world shall bow submit themselues and doo their homage and diuine seruice with their scepters and crownes cast vnder thy feete and who dooest declare thy selfe verie terrible to all the potentates and powers of the world and cuttest off their courage strength and glorie throwing it in the dust euen as the Gardener doth twist and proine his Uine CAP. II. AND therefore most worthilie ascribing and resigning vp the honour and glorie of all empire kingdome rule power and dominion vnto the holie secret maruellous and renoumed name of thy most high and sacred Maiestie which art the father of lights ancient of daies the sauiour of all beleeuers and the onlie redeemer strength glorie and hope of Israel and of all the ends of the earth euen Alpha and Omega the first without beginning and the last without ending that shalt come to iudge both the quicke the dead God blessed for euer Amen I according as it is meete and my verie bounden dutie doo now meekelie confesse and protest to thy perpetuall praise that it is thou O most mercifull God and none other which in the beginning when I laie as a rude lumpe without shape being shut vp in the secret place of my mothers wombe didst forme fashion and nourish me and at the time appointed and set downe in thy booke didst drawe me foorth of the darke caue wherein I was fashioned and broughtst me foorth of the bowels of my mother as it were a midwife So that the verie bowels within me are thine owne by good right and authoritie because thou ioining all my sinewes and bones togither hast made me a mortall woman and couered me within my mothers wombe For there is no King or Queene that had anie other beginning of birth for all men haue one entrance into life and one going out in like manner Which worke of thine surelie when I behold in my selfe it is so wonderfull O Lord that I should vtterlie shew my selfe most senselesse and vnthankefull vnlesse I praise thee for the same and confesse that thy works are exceeding maruellous in deede seeing I doo perceiue the thing so manifestlie as it is So soone also as I thy workemanship came foorth a reasonable creature into this world I receiued like aire as other men and was committed vnto thee my Creator at what time thou didst declare thy selfe to be my God and causedst me to looke vp vnto thee when I did hang yet on my mothers breasts Euen in my verie cradle and swadling clouts O God thou hadst a speciall care regard ouer me and tookest in hand fatherlie to foster and gouerne me so manie yeares ago and to leade and guide me from my tender yeares vnto this daie Euer since I was borne I saie thou my God hast defended me from dangers both when I was strong and in the floure of my youth neither hast thou forsaken me now being in my middle age nor wilt I trust when I am graie-headed O mine inlightener it is thou that hast taught and instructed me with the knowledge of thee from my childhood hitherto Therefore haue I depended wholie vpon thee alone vpon thee I saie O excellent Father haue I set all my hope euen from mine infancie and will doo so still euen vnto mine old age CAP. III. NEither hath thy prouidence and mercie towards me ceased at anie tune For surelie thou hast made me a singular euerlasting example of thy fauour mercie to all men in that thou beholding me alwaies with thy pleasant countenance and obseruing continuallie with thine heauenlie eie what iniurie soeuer was offered me hast not onelie woonderfullie comforted and preserued me in all my troubles but also oftentimes most miraculouslie saued and deliuered mee out of most great and manifold miseries imminent perils and multitudes of mightie enimies wherewith I haue beene assaulted enuironed vexed afflicted persecuted and turmoiled from my tender age Yea so tenderlie O God hast thou loued mee that thou hast not suffered me to be intrapped of thousands of aduersaries that rose vp against me saieng in their harts Hir God can not helpe hir But being the iudge of mine innocencie my glorie my shield and my valiant Champion thou hast thy selfe smitten downe all mine enimies brought me safelie out of distresse and lift vp my head aboue all mine aduersaries Thou hast deliuered my life I saie foorth of the present doores of death staied the teares of mine eies and established my feete that I did not fall for any temptation so that I walked safe sound before thee among the liuing that praised thee And that I liue now to praise thee I may onlie thanke thee my deliuerer who hast caused me thus to taste feele and enioie the most comfortable sweetnesse of thy goodnesse mercie and fauour And though I was forsaken of all men and the most mightie together with my neerest friends had mee in contempt though the superstitious aduersaries I saie heaued vehementlie against me and with great violence sought to cast me downe and laie mine honor in the dust yet hast thou my God by thine owne hand repulsed driuen out all those mine irreligious foes which so wickedlie resisted thy purpose and to their confusion of faces hast exalted me to the highest degree of dignitie Wherefore great cause of continuall ioie and hartie reioicing hast thou O Lord giuen vnto me thine handmaid which acknowledge my selfe mightilie and miraculouslie preserued by thy power Doubtlesse now thou hast woonderfullie deliuered in deed thy QVEENE that was annointed by thee and hast heard me out of the highest Sanctuarie granted vnto me that which I requested in my praiers For I put my trust neither in chariot nor horses men nor munition but onelie remembred thy name and called vpon thee in all my troubles and lo thou ô KING of heauen hast heard me in all my necessities and giuen me my harts desire accomplishing all my purposes I required this thing onlie of thee that I might escape aliue and safe from persecution but thou hast not onelie strengthened and comforted me out of Zion and placed me here in thy dominion and empire in safetie but also hast granted vnto me a life that shall neuer faile and that bicause I onelie set my hope still in thee in whom all power remaineth as I oftentimes by good experience haue prooued Yea thou O most excellent Father hast done a notable worke woorthie to bee set foorth in writing to all posteritie and to be limmed out in gold to euerlasting memorie bicause O Lord thou hast not despised the praiers and teares of thy most miserable people but from thy holie throne hast looked downe vpon me and them to
permanent vnchangable and vnmooueable lift vp the head of thine handmaid as it were of an Unicorne being annointed by thee with fresh oile and laden with new benefits continuallie Thou art he I saie by whose power consisteth whatsoeuer is high in the world euen by thy might which as it establisheth the kingdoms and policies whereby mankind is preserued so also by these testimonies of thy most mightie power the inhabitants of the earth being conuinced doo tremble and keepe silence And this peace being restored in my dominion thou causest that my people againe doo leade their liues both daie and night in comfortable peace godlie tranquillitie Wherefore thou hast giuen me great cause of new ioie and to reioice in thee O Lord my God who hast thus mercifullie dealt with me thine handmaid and especiallie bicause thou hast granted vnto me to ouercome all mine enimies how manie and how mightie soeuer and to compose and set my kingdome in peaceable order and to place in Iuda the throne of iudgement and iustice being directed by thy word O GOD which I haue and whereof I glorie still will glorie To conclude I doo reioice bicause thou Lord art my louing shepheard and feedest me in the greene pastures and sweet medowes of thy word with ioie and solace making me that was sometime as a barren woman without comfort now a ioifull and glad foster mother of manie spirituall children to thee Yea euen in the verie sight of mine enimies dooest thou O most bountifull Father prepare a deintie table for me and reaching vnto me a full cup thou giuest me drinke of thy pleasant springs and causest thy goodnesse and mercie thy bountie and liberalitie to followe me wheresoeuer I become blessing both me and my people with all thy blessings continuallie Finallie it is thou O Lord onlie who of thy singular goodnesse hast assuredlie fortified my hill woonderfullie with honour health peace and securitie and that dooest presentlie keepe me in safetie and causest me quietlie to lie downe and take my rest in thee Thou doost ward the gates of my Cities with bars and mightilie multiplie and cherish thy familie my citizens Thou bringest me into amitie with my neighbors and feedest me with the finest flower of wheate And these things verelie doo testifie most plainlie both thine infinite goodnesse and power yet surelie they are nothing in comparison of that benefit of the doctrine of saluation and holie word which thou hast bestowed vpon thy people and deliuered vnto vs as a rule to lead our liues both godlie and honestlie neither is there anie nation vnder heauen with whom thou hast so dealt as with vs herein Therfore hauing such experience of thy support I will comfort my selfe in thee my strength my shield in whom my hart doth rest neither will thine Annointed trust in anie other but onelie in thee which giuest power vnto Princes Euen I will blesse and praise thee O Lord which thus hast blessed both me and my people with thy continuall blessings And in this my present blessed state I will not cease to magnifie thee O Lord my deliuerer but I will declare set foorth before all people the maruellous works which thou my God hast done for me and whereof I my selfe from the beginning of my life vnto this houre haue had good proofe experience The fourth part of the Vow conteining fiue Chapters CAP. I. OH Lord my God how excellent is thy name ouer all the earth Aduancing mee thus to glorie far aboue my deserts I as one nothing able to compasse such great mercies am euen astonished with the admiration of thine excellent liberalitie and fatherlie prouidence ouer me O how greatlie doo these so manie and so great benefits binde me vnto thee And what shall I giue againe vnto thee for all thy bountie which thou hast bestowed vpon me Uerelie I will paie that which onlie I am able namelie I will take in my hands the Lampe which thou hast ordeined for thine annointed and will therein continuallie magnifie thy mercie I will take in my hands I saie the cup of thankefull sacrifice and calling vpon thee by name O Lord I will testifie openlie that I knowledge this my deliuerance and honour to be onelie of thee And those things which I vowed vnto thee O Lord when I was in danger will I now paie in the presence of all the people For thou art he by whose benefit I remaine aliue thou art my defence my tower my sauiour my sheeld my refuge finallie thou art he who onelie hast subdued all this people vnto me and therefore well deseruest the renowme and praise of all these victories by most worthie right Wherefore by good right O Lord I will declare thy praises euen with a sounding voice And bicause it becommeth all men and women that haue receiued benefits of thee and to whome thou grantest the vse of this life and deliuered from so manie not dangers but deaths to doo this thing diligentlie and continuallie I will labour to commit the memoriall of thy benefits vnto others and exhort them to accompanie me in the dutie of thankefulnesse earnestlie and saie CAP. II. O All yee holie spirits the apparitors of the Lords Maiestie which are diuided into innumerable garrisons go yee before others in this his praise and sound them foorth euen from the most high heauen O yee Citizens of Zion reioice yee in the Lord your King and Gouernour and set foorth his praise far and wide not onlie priuatelie but also publikelie Praise the Lord I saie for his infinite goodnesse and euerlasting mercie deserueth the same O you the innumerable multitude whome God hath deliuered out of manifold dangers and foorth of the hands of your enimies and persecutors praise the Lord for his infinite goodnesse and euerlasting mercie deserueth the same and acknowledge this thing with me For how manie hath he gathered from the beginning of the world which were scattered from the East and the West from the North and South Ocean sea How manie wandering wretches in the waste wildernesse and seeking a Citie commodious to dwell in halfe dead and killed with famine and thirst crieng vnto thee O God in their extreame miseries hast thou heard and drawing them foorth of their distresse hast brought into the right waie and led them into commodious Cities of refuge to dwell in peace O let these men therefore set foorth this thy great mercie before thee O Lord thy selfe and shew foorth thy maruellous works to other men who hast thus refreshed them panting for thirst and fed them so mercifullie being hunger-starued How manie also being shut vp in darke prisons and euen as it were in the darkenesse of death being chained in their mind with sorow and in their bodies most strictlie with iron fetters And that worthilie I confesse because they did not obeie thy commandements oh God which are engrauen in the minds of all men but rather followed their owne lusts than the wholesome counselles
of thee their God Notwithstanding when thou O God thereby well hadst tamed their fiercenesse and hadst brought them to this point that they could find no help in anie thou gratiouslie heardst them crieng vnto thee in their distresse and deliueredst them from their miserie and broughtst them from the dongeons of the prisons and darkenesse of death breaking their iron fetters in sunder O praise yee therefore this so great mercie of the Lord before him and declare his woonderfull actes to other mortall men who hath broken the brasen gates and hath dashed in peeces their iron barres How manie also being driuen awaie through persecution vnto that prophane Babylon euen auoiding so much as laie in you the sight of the wicked enimies did confesse with most dolefull silence euen with abundance of teares both your sinnes and sorowes at the flouds of Euphrates being mindfull of Zion And though you caried your harps euen to be your comfort in so great calamitie yet being outragiouslie mocked and derided in your miserie by the enimie that draue you awaie into most miserable captiuitie you were faine to hang them vp vpon the sallowe trees and make no noise in the sight of the persecutors as they that sawe more cause rather to mourne than sing in that time and place Notwithstanding the Lord did not forget you for euer but seeing the crueltie of the persecutors in his good time turned awaie your captiuitie mourning and restored you to libertie and ioie againe so that you liue and see the daie wherein Babylon is destroied and hir children dashed against the stones For the Lord hath giuen hir prosperitie vnto vs to deale with them againe as they haue dealt with vs. Yea the Lord hath armed his people with double edged swords in their hands wherewith they may punish the prophane Gentiles and auenge the crueltie of the oppressed also may drawe their kings and nobles bound in chaines and iron fetters euen to execute the iudgements appointed and commanded by thee O Lord. And this verelie is the dignitie and the honour of all them whome God hath receiued to his fauour Wherefore O ye glorious people vpon whome the Lord hath bestowed so manie benefits now see that yee in this your great quietnesse and rest sing triumph Praise the Lord in deede O Israel and delight thy selfe in setting foorth his praise continuallie whose worke thou art as it were newlie formed being deliuered from so manie not dangers but deaths What shall I speake Lord furthermore of them who by their owne foolishnesse going in the waie of wickednesse and being oppressed by manifold plagues and diseases doo dailie suffer the reward of their madnesse and loathing all manner of meate are at deaths dore whom notwithstanding thou O Lord diddest heare crieng vnto thee in their miserie and thou deliueredst them out of their distresse yea thou speaking but one word diddest take awaie all the cause of their deadlie disease and restoredst them to health Let these men also I saie praise this thy so great mercies O Lord and publish thy maruellous works before other mortall men Let them offer the sacrifices of praise vnto thee O God in the middle multitude of the people standing about them and let them rehearse with great ioie what he hath done for them in the assemblie of the cheefest Go to therefore O all yee people praise the Lord our God together with me who when wee were oppressed with Pharaos tyrannie was mindfull of vs and with a strong force deliuered Israel from the slauerie of Egypt and hath giuen this dominion to be possessed by ELIZABETH his handmaid for his mercie endureth for euer CAP. III. O All yee people I saie tribes kindreds and inhabitants of the earth both noble and simple rich and poore clap your hands and praise this most holie God with most ioifull voices Giue vnto the Lord the praise of all power worship and glorie giue him the honour due vnto his name and maiestie For lo he is come to gouerne the earth The Lord himselfe reigneth amongst you and gouerneth the whole world with a iust and righteous gouernement and ruleth altogether with the scepter of his iustice and truth Go to therefore O yee yong striplings and old men yong children maidens matrones and you also all other that loue feare God come I praie you praise y e name of y e Lord euen of our most mightie IEHOVA together with mee For he alone deserueth most high praise as he that is more deepe than the verie earth and more high than the heauens and far aboue all the powers and potentates of the world Go to also O ye damsels and virgins stir vp your ioie to daie with songs of praise vpon timbrell lute but voide of wantonnesse so that your ioie may tend to the glorie of God your onlie strength and celebrate this daie of your deliuerance as festiuail to the Lord our deliuerer O ye Uirgins and damsels vnmaried now reioice with me I saie and sing vnto the Lord a triumphant song Praise the Lord also O ye brides in your marriage songs with glorie and maiestie that ye liue to see my daies and that the flower of your youth is not consumed in the flame of Gods furie For the time was when you being desolate and vnmarried did remaine pensife without your marriage songs and liued solitarie sitting at home among the soote of pots but now the women that durst not come out of their houses come foorth glittering like gold and shining like dooues as white as snowe and boldlie diuide the spoile of the enimie Go to therefore O ye damsels of Iuda and multitude of Uirgins seeing ye haue so great cause to reioice shew not your selues vnthankfull in anie wise but praise the Lord together with me in Hymnes and celebrate his name with spirituall songs for his victories goodnesse and mercie towards vs. Come foorth yee daughters of Zion I saie and breake out into gladnesse with me reioice you of the iust iudgements of God vpon our enimies yea compasse you Zion round about account hir towers consider diligentlie hir wals and bulworks and set foorth the praises of hir peace and palaces so that yee may spread foorth the memorie thereof euen to all posteritie And doo you let all men to vnderstand that this is God euen our owne God for euer which hath not forsaken vs neither will leaue vs no not in the last minute of our life Go to now therefore I beseech you let vs altogether praise the Lord as we are bounden let the whole companie of vs Uirgins plaie vpon the Timbrels on euerie side and corner of the citie Zion one exhorting and answering another by course and that with new and excellent songs of praise to the glorie of God Let vs magnitie that mightie and eternal name of his for it is holie let vs continuallie come before the Lord and worship him for he is holie For what should we rather doo
Lord with the hyssope of true repentance and sorowfull contrition that being clensed in the most cleere fountaine of thy grace I may be whiter than snowe and also bee able euer hereafter to serue thee in holinesse and purenesse of liuing through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Wash your hands yee sinners and cleanse your harts ye wauering minded Isaias 4 verse 8. I will wash my hands in innocencie ô Lord and so will I go to thine altar Psal 26 verse 6. Or else praie thus HAue mercie vpon mee O God and pardon the wicked deeds which my hands haue committed Wash my soule with the holie fountaine or well which I beleeue did flow from thy hart and naked side and sanctifie and purifie not onlie my hands and face from filth but my hart soule and conscience also from all contagion of sinne and iniquitie that I may be pure both in bodie and soule and serue thee in holinesse and puritie all the daies of my life So be it Though I wash my selfe with snowe water and purge my hands most cleane yet shalt thou plunge me in the pit and mine owne cloths shall make mee filthie Iob. 9 verse 30. Meditations THinke now of thy vow and promise made to God at thy baptisme to forsake Sathan to renounce the world and to mortifie the flesh and how oft since thou hast broken it and be hartilie sorie therefore Thinke also vpon the vnspeakable loue and mercie of Christ our Sauiour who hath washed vs from our sins in his owne pretious bloud and purged our conscience from dead works to the end we should serue him in holinesse and innocencie of life And consider that it shall little auaile thée to haue washed thy selfe if thou touch filth againe that is if thou confesse thy faults and after commit them againe and so wich the dog returne to the vomit and with the washed sow to the wallowing in the mire againe ¶ When you be made readie first before all things looke that either by your selfe or with your familie with all humblenesse of mind you kneele downe by your bed-side in your parlour or other sweete cleane and conuenient place and there taking both time and leasure to serue the Lord lift vp your hart hands and eies and praie vnto his diuine Maiestie saieng in manner and forme following A premeditation or first forme of praier to be vsed before praier O Mercifull Lord and louing father without whose aid and motion I am not able to stir one member toward heauenlie seruice the burthen of this slowe and sinfull flesh doth so ouercharge my weak soule according vnto thy fatherlie pitie looke vpon me O God prepare my hart to praier and quicken my dull spirit with thy grace to rise out of this miserable puddle and to come before thy presence in humble repentance crauing thy mercie for my miserable sinnes and wickednesse and being released in the bloud and righteousnesse of Iesus Christ I may ioifullie serue honor and praise thine eternall Maiestie through thy deere sonne my mercifull Lord and redeemer to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all glorie and thanks for euer Amen Another meditation before praier VNto thee O heauenlie father doo I heere prostrate on my knees lift vp my hart my hands mine eies and praiers beseeching thy Maiestie and saieng Helpe me O my Lord and God in this my good purpose and holie worshipping or seruing of thee and grant vnto me to make a perfect entrance and beginning this present daie that I maie doo all things in the name of the Father of the Sonne and of the holie Ghost For that which I haue hitherto done is nothing at all The Confession and Praier O Father of heauen O sonne of God redeemer of the world O holie Ghost three persons and one God haue mercie vpon me most wretched caitife and miserable sinner I haue offended both heauen and earth more than my tongue can expresse my sins are aboue all mens both in number and greatnesse which I haue committed Whither then may I go And whither should I flee To heauen I may be ashamed to lift vp my face and in earth I find no place of refuge or succour To thee therefore O Lord doo I runne to thee doo I humble my selfe saieng O Lord my God my sinnes be great and innumerable but yet haue mercie vpon me for thy great mercie The great mysterie that God became man was not wrought for little or few offences Thou didst not giue thy sonne O heauenlie father vnto death for small sinnes onlie but for all the greatest sinnes in the world so that the sinner returne vnto thee with his whole hart as I doo heere at this present Wherefore haue mercie on me O God whose propertie is alwaie to haue mercie wherefore haue mercie on me O Lord for thy great mercie I craue nothing O Lord for mine owne merits but for thy name sake that it may be halowed thereby and for thy deere sonne Iesus Christes sake and now therefore Our father of heauen halowed be thy name c. Another Confession and praier OH almightie euerlasting God and most gratious deere louing father I beseech thee for Iesus Christes sake thy most deere and onlie sonne to haue mercie pitie and compassion vpon me most vile wretched and miserable sinner whose innumerable offenses both old new be most horrible heinous and great where through I haue iustlie deserued thy greeuous wrath and euerlasting damnation But now good Lord heere I do appeale to thy great mercie onlie which far surmounteth all thy works as thou hast promised the same in thy holie and infallible word where thou hast said yea and sworne as trulie as thou liuest that thou wilt not the death of a sinner but rather that he should conuert and liue Ah deere Lord I confesse that I am a great and greeuous sinner and yet now by thy grace and good working of thy holie spirit something turned vnto thee Oh let me liue and not die the euerlasting death of the soule which I so deepelie haue deserued but make me a vessell of thy great mercie that I may liue and praise thy name among thy chosen children for euer Oh let not my horrible sinnes separate me from the sweet sight of thy Maiestie but let thy great power and mercie be magnified in me as it is in Dauid in Peter in Magdalen and in the notable Theefe which was crucified with Christ thy deere sonne in whose most pretious death and bloud-shedding onlie O Lord I put my whole trust and confidence For he onelie hath taken awaie the sinnes of the world he came not to condemne the world but to saue it that none that trulie beleeue in him should perish but haue life euerlasting He saith he came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance Oh gratious God giue me true earnest hartie and vnfeigned repentance that I may from the verie bottome of my hart continuallie lament my manifold
sinnes and wickednesse my great ingratitude and vnthankefulnesse towards thee for all thy mercifull benefits so aboundantlie powred vpon me through Iesus Christ which wouldest vouchsafe he being thine owne deere darling in whome was and is all thy whole pleasure and delight to giue him for me to the verie death of the Crosse yea and that when I was thine vtter enimie of mercie inestimable and loue incomprehensible Who euer sawe such a thing God became man and was crucified for me that by his death I might liue Alas that euer I should become so wicked a wretch and vnkind a creature to displease so louing kind and mercifull a God and father Oh forgiue me forgiue me for thy great mercie sake for thy truth and promise sake and I will neuer trespasse againe against thy diuine Maiestie anie more but will gladlie serue thee in true holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of my life by the grace and assistance of thy good and holie spirit the which I beseech thee to giue me also that he may gouerne me and guide my hart in thy true faith feare and loue that in all my deeds words and thoughts I may glorifie thy holie name which liuest and reignest with the sonne and the holie Ghost three persons and one God to whome be all honour glorie praise thanks power rule and dominion for euer and euer Amen Another confession of sinnes proper for the Sabaoth daie OH my most mercifull father the father of mercies and God of all consolation and comfort my God my father I most wretched sinner confesse and acknowledge my selfe vnfeinedlie with hart mind mouth now before thee to haue most greenoushe offended thy high Maiestie and goodnesse I recognise and acknowledge my selfe to be full of sinne full of vnfaithfulnesse and a seruant vnprofitable For all thy holie commandements haue I transgressed and broken First I haue not set all my whole beleefe confidence trust and hope in thee I haue not loued and honoured thee with all my hart with all my soule mind and powers of my soule Secondlie I haue diuided thine honour and worship from thee and giuen it to thy creatures and dead things imagined of mine owne fond fantasie I meane in the adoring and worshipping of images Thirdlie I haue abused thy most holie name by false and deceitfull swearing to the hinderance of my neighbour and idlelie and vainlie haue I vsed thy holie name I haue not said nor done neither thought all things to thy glorie Fourthlie in the Saboth daie I haue not giuen my selfe to hearing reading learning the holie Scriptures neither haue I giuen meate to the hungrie drinke to the thirstie lodged the harbourlesse clothed the naked visited the sicke comforted nor releeued the poore and men in prison For I haue not expended of how great weight these words of thy sonne my Sauiour Christ are neither beleeued him saieng In as much as ye haue done these things vnto one of the least of these my brethren ye haue done it vnto me Matth. 25. But I haue bestowed and spent my gold and siluer after my lewd lust and concupiscence in excesse of meat and drinke in gorgeous apparell of my bodie of my children seruants and house c. where I should not haue bestowed it or else not so largelie delicatelie nicelie and excessiuelie haue bestowed it as I haue not regarding in the meane time to suffer the deere beloued brethren of Iesu Christ to go naked and to perish for cold and hunger I haue I saie not ceased from mine owne sinfull will and lusts praieng at all times thy will and not mine to be fulfilled Furthermore I haue not honoured my father and mother I haue not so much set by them esteemed them and had them in such reuerence as thou commandest me nor obeied them neither comforted releened or helped them I haue slaine I haue broken wedlocke I haue stolne I haue sold by false weights and measures and borne false witnesse finallie I haue coueted my neighbours house I haue desired his wife his seruant his cattell his other goods vnlawfullie Thus most greeuouslie haue I sinned infinit waies O Lord omitting and leauing thy commandements Oh Father to fulfill the desire of my flesh the world and the diuell Wherefore I crie thee mercie my God most mercifull father and most humblie I desire and beseech thee for the loue which thou bearest to thy deer sonne mine onelie whole and entire Sauiour Iesu Christ to haue mercie on me and to forgiue me most miserable sinner euen in his bloud and for his pretious death sake For when I went about to seeke thee to trust vnto thee or to doo anie thing to thy glorie yet would not this lust and concupiscence that contagious originall poison and fleshlie dregges drawne of our father Adam suffer me perfectlie to doo that I would haue done Through this naturall concupiscence I striue and fight dailie against the holie Ghost in me which vnlawfull lust and desire I knowledge to be a greeuous sinne against thy highnes if thou shouldest iudge me straitlie after thy Lawe without the which concupiscence I cannot be Wherefore I being a wretched yea a most abhominable wretched sinner in my selfe cleerelie destitute of all righteousnesse of all godlinesse of all holinesse and all deseruings am come now by faith before thee vnto Christ his mercie seate and righteousnesse vnto his goodnesse deseruings and satisfactions desiring thee O most mercifull father for his deaths sake that his righteousnesse his wisedome his holinesse his goodnesse his merits and satisfactions may be mine and serue for my forgiuenesse and saluation For like as thou gauest me him to die for my sinnes euen so beleeue I that thou hast giuen me with him all his to be mine and to serue me for my saluation Wherefore glorie honor worship empire and rule be to thee oh father with the sonne and the holie ghost for euer world without end So be it Another Confession of sinnes for Sundaies to be vsed in the forenoone or afternoone O Most mercifull Lord God my tender and deere father vouchsafe I hartilie beseech thee to looke downe with thy fatherlie eies of pitie vpon me most vile and wretched sinner which lie heere prostrate in heart before the feete of thy bottomlesse mercie For I haue sinned against the throne of thy glorie and before thee O most deere Father insomuch that I am not worthie to be called thy daughter Yet neuerthelesse forasmuch as thou art the God and Father of all mercie and comfort and againe desirest not the death of a sinner but like a true Samaritan takest thought for my sillie wounded soule make me I praie thee by infunding of thy pretious oile of comfort into my wounds ioifullie to run with the lost sonne into the lap of thine euerlasting pitie For lo thou art my hope and trust in whom I onlie repose my selfe hauing in thee full confidence and faith And so I saie with a verie faithfull
hart trusting in thy mercie I beleeue in thee O God the Father in thee O God the Sonne and in thee O God the holie Ghost three persons and one true and verie God besides whom I acknowledge none other God in heauen aboue nor in earth beneath Yea and I poore sinner doo accuse my selfe vnto thee deere Father that I haue sore and greeuouslie offended thine almightie goodnesse and diuine Maiestie in committing of mine exceeding greeuous and manifold sinnes and wickednesse For I haue not kept the least of thy most blessed commandements like as thy righteousnesse may require and demand the same of me I haue I saie not honoured thee like my God nor dreaded thee like my Lord loued thee like my Father trusted in thee like my Sauiour and Creator Thy holie and dreadfull name vnto which all honour and glorie belongeth haue I vsed in vaine I haue not sanctified the Saboth and holie daies with works which be acceptable vnto thee nor instructed my neighbour in vertue accordinglie I haue not honoured my father and mother nor beene obedient vnto them through whom as by an instrument thou hast wrought my comming into this world The high powers and rulers which take their authoritie of thee I haue not beene willinglie obedient vnto I haue not kept my hart pure and cleane from man-slaughter yea had not thy mercie and grace defended me the better I should haue committed the verie deed also I likewise am not pure from theft nor from adulterie nor from false-witnesse-bearing but haue in my hart and mind wished and desired my neighbours goods and things I haue folowed the great Prince of the world Satan which hath beene a lier from the beginning in concupiscence of the flesh in pride of liuing in lieng in deceitfulnesse in lecherie in hatred and enuie in backbiting in despaire and also in mis-beleefe My fiue wits also haue I fowlie mis-vsed and spent in hearing seeing smelling tasting and also feeling which thou hast giuen me to vse to thy honour and glorie and also the edification and profit of my neighbour But in what maner soeuer I haue offended and sinned against thine eternall Maiestie for no man knoweth throughlie his sinnes as the Prophet witnesseth whether it hath beene by daie or else by night yea euen from my childhood vnto this daie were it in works words deeds or thoughts secretlie or openlie O my mercifull God I am sorie for it euen from the bottome of my hart yea my soule mourneth for sorrowe most mercifull Father that I am not a thousand times sorier than I am Howbeit in token of great repentance though all harts be knowne well inough to thee I doo knocke and strike my breast and saie in bitternesse of hart and soule Lord God Father haue mercie Lord God Sonne haue mercie Lord God holie Ghost haue mercie Spare me of thine infinite goodnesse and mercie good Lord now and all the daies of my life hereafter and let me haue part of thine abundant grace so as I maie change my sinfull life and put out of me the old man with all his concupiscences and also that I maie die vnto the world and that the world may be a crosse vnto me and so go foorth in a new life Strengthen me O Lord in a true humble hart in perfect loue hope and trust in thee Giue my soule grace to desire thee onlie in thee onlie to reioice and repose my selfe and that I may vtterlie renounce and forsake the vaine affiance of this world so that thou maist find me readie with the good seruant and wise virgins in the midnight of death which shall suddenlie steale vpon me like a theefe ere I be aware Be thou vnto me at that time of need O Lord a tower of strength a place of refuge and a defensible God namelie against the face of the feend who like a roring Lion shall be then most readie to deuoure me and against desperation which then shall be busie to greeue me Let then thy comfort cleane fast vnto me thy mercie keepe me and thy grace guide me Fetch then againe Lord God Father that which thy puissant might hath shapen Fetch then againe Lord God Sonne that which thou hast so wiselie gouerned and bought with thy pretious bloud Take then againe Lord God holie Ghost that which thou hast kept and preserued so louinglie in this region of sinne vale of miserie Three persons and one true and also verie God to whom be all laud and praise for euer and euer Amen Another confession of sinnes and praier for mercie and grace commonlie called Conditor coeli OH maker of heauen and earth King of kings and Lord of lords which of nothing didst make me to thine image and likenesse and diddest redeeme me with thy pretious bloud whom I a sinner am not woorthie to name to thinke on neither to call vpon I most humblie desire thee and meekelie praie thee that gentlie thou behold me thy wicked seruant and haue mercie vpon me which hadst mercy of the woman of Canaan Marie Magdalen which didst forgiue the Publican and the theefe hanging on the Crosse Unto thee I confesse my sinnes most holie Father which if I would I cannot hide from thee Haue mercie on me O Christ for I am a wretch and haue sore offended thee in idolatrie in superstition in blasphemie in prophaning of thy Saboths in disobedience to my gouernours in pride in couetousnesse in gluttonie in lecherie in vaine glorie in hatred in enuie in murder in adulterie in theft in lieng in backbiting and false-witnesse-bearing in sporting in dalliance in dissolute wanton laughing in idle words in vncleane thoughts in hearing in tasting in touching in thinking in sleeping in working and finallie in all waies in which I a fraile woman and most wretched sinner might sinne My default my most greeuous default Therefore I most humblie praie and beseech thy gentlenesse which for my helpe didst descend from heauen which didst hold vp Dauid that he should not fall into sinne haue mercie vpon me O Christ which didst forgiue Peter thine Apostle that did forsweare and forsake thee Thou art my Creator and helper my maker and redeemer my gouernour my Father my Lord and God my King and my spouse Thou art my hope my trust my strength my defense my redemption my sanctification my life my helth and resurrection Thou art my stedfastnesse my refuge succour my light and onlie hope I therfore most hartilie and humblie desire thee to helpe me defend me and make me strong comfort me make me stedfast make me merie giue mee light and visit me reuiue me againe which am dead for I am thy making and thy worke Oh Lord despise me not I am thy seruant thy bond-woman although euill although most vnworthie and a detestable sinner But whatsoeuer I am whether I be good or bad I am alwaies thine Therfore to whom shall I flee except I flee vnto thee If thou cast me off who
shall or will receiue me If thou despise me and turne thy face from me who shall looke vpon me Recognise and knowledge me O Lord to be thine although vnworthie comming to thee although I bee vile and vncleane For if I be vile and vncleane as I confesse my selfe in deede to be thou canst make mee cleane If I be sicke thou canst heale me If I be dead and buried thou canst reuiue me for thy mercie is much more than mine iniquitie Thou canst forgiue me more than I can offend Therefore O Lord doo not consider nor haue respect to the number of my sinnes but according to the greatnesse of thy mercie forgiue me and haue mercie on me most wretched sinner Saie vnto my soule I am thy health which saiedst I will not the death of a sinner but rather that he liue and be conuerted and turne to thee O Lord bee not angrie with me I beseech thee but for thy great mercie sake forgiue and pardon me all my misdeeds and bring me to the blisse that neuer shall cease Amen Another forme of Confession and praier to be vsed of the Maister and Mistresse with their families in priuate houses euerie morning ALmightie God and most mercifull Father we doo not present our selues heere before thy Maiestie trusting in our owne merits or woorthinesse but in thy manifold mercies which hast promised to heare our praiers and graunt our requests which we shall make to thee in the name of thy beloued Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord who hath also commanded vs to assemble our selues together in his name with full assurance that he will not onelie be amongst vs but also be our mediator and aduocate towards thy Maiestie that we may obtaine all things which shall seeme expedient to thy blessed will for our necessities Therefore we beseech thee most mercifull father to turne thy louing countenance towards vs and impute not vnto vs our manifold sinnes and offences whereby wee iustlie deserue thy wrath and sharpe punishment but rather receiue vs to thy mercie for Iesus Christes sake accepting his death and passion as a iust recompense for all our offences in whom onlie thou art pleased and through whome thou canst not be offended with vs. And seeing of thy great mercies we haue quietlie passed this night grant O heauenlie father that we may bestowe this daie wholie in thy seruice so that all our thoughts words and deedes may redound to the glorie of thy name and good example to all men who seeing our good works may glorifie thee our heauenlie father And forasmuch as of thy meere fauour and loue thou hast not onlie created vs to thine owne similitude and likenesse but also hast chosen vs to be heires with thy deere sonne Iesus Christ of that immortall kingdome which thou preparedst for vs before the beginning of the world we beseech thee to increase our faith and knowledge and to lighten our harts with thy holie spirit that we may in the meane time liue in all godlie conuersation and integritie of life knowing that idolaters adulterers couetous men contentious persons drunkards gluttons and such like shall not inherit the kingdome of God And because thou hast commanded vs to praie one for another we doo not onlie make request O Lord for our selues and them that thou hast alreadie called to the true vnderstanding of thy heauenlie will but for all people and nations of the world who as they know by thy wonderfull works that thou art God ouer all so they may be instructed by thy holie spirit to beleeue in thee their onlie Sauiour and Redeemer But forasmuch as they can not beleeue except they heare nor cannot heare but by preaching and none can preach except they be sent therefore O Lord raise vp faithful distributers of thy mysteries who setting apart all worldlie respects may both in their life and doctrine onelie seeke thy glorie Contrariwise confound Sathan Antichrist with all hirelings whome thou hast alreadie cast off into a reprobate sense that they may not by sects schismes heresies and errors disquiet thy little flocke And because O Lord we be fallen into the latter daies and dangerous times wherein ignorance hath gotten the vpper hand and Sathan by his ministers seeke by all meanes to quench the light of thy Gospell we beseech thee to mainteine thy cause against those rauening Woolues and strengthen all thy seruants whom they keepe in prison and bondage Let not thy long-suffering be an occasion either to increase their tyrannie or to discourage thy children neither yet let our sinnes and wickednesse be an hinderance to thy mercies but with speede O Lord consider these great miseries For thy people Israel manie times by their sinnes prouoked thine anger and thou punishedst them by thy iust iudgement yet though their sinnes were neuer so greeuous if they once returned from their iniquitie thou receiuedst them to mercie We therfore most wretched sinners bewaile our manifold siunes and earnestlie repent vs for our former wickednesse and vngodlie behauiour towards thee And whereas we cannot of our selues purchase thy pardon yet we humblie beseech thee for Iesus Christes sake to shew thy mercie vpon vs and receiue vs againe to thy fauour Graunt vs deere father these our requests and all other things necessarie for vs and thy whole Church our Queene and Realme according to thy promise in Iesus Christ our Lord in whose name we beseech thee as he hath taught vs saieng Our Father c. Almightie and euerlasting God vouchsafe we beseech thee to graunt vs perfect continuance in thy liuelie faith augmenting and increasing the same in vs dailie vntill we growe to the full measure of our perfection in Christ whereof we make our confession saieng I beleeue in God the Father almightie c. Almightie God which hast promised to heare the petitions of them that aske in thy Sonnes name wee beseech thee mercifullie to incline thine eares to vs that haue now made our praiers and supplications vnto thee and graunt that those things which wee haue faithfullie asked according to thy will may effectuallie be obteined to the releefe of our necessitie and to the setting foorth of thy glorie through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen The Lord blesse vs and saue vs the Lord make his face to shine vpon vs and be mercifull vnto vs the Lord turne his fauorable countenance towards vs and graunt vs his peace Amen The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ the loue of God and the communion of the holie Ghost be with vs and remaine with vs for euer So be it A Morning praier for Sundaie AFter due examination of my former life with an humble and contrite hart with a sorowfull and repentant spirit I sue vnto thee most mercifull father beseeching thee of mercie and forgiuenesse of mine offences which in this night or at anie time heeretofore I haue committed against thy godlie will and pleasure by anie manner of vncleannesse of soule or bodie that I haue fallen into
by the illusion of the diuell or else by frailtie of mine owne flesh trespassing against thy godlie Maiestie either in thought consent delectation word or deede And I most hartilie thanke thee for the sweet sleepe and comfortable rest which thou hast giuen me this night and that to the innumerable benefits hitherto powred vpon my soule and bodie thou hast vouchsafed to preserue me this night past from sudden death and all other euill and mischiefe spirituall and corporall that anie person man or woman hath beene striken withall by thy permission and sufferance knowing of a suretie that the selfe-same or such like had worthilie light on my head also haddest not thou defended and preserued me and giuen me time to amend my life so that I might liue henceforth not as I will but as thou wilt And now seeing thou O almightie God and most mercifull father in the tables of the commandements deliuered to the hands of thy seruant Moses vpon the mount Sina among other precepts diddest giue charge vnto thy chosen children of Israel that in sixe daies they should doo all such works and aaffaires as they had to doo and rest from labour the seuenth daie graunt I beseech thee blessed father that siuce I haue by thy mercie happilie passed ouer this whole weeke vnder thy gratious protection I may not onelie rest this daie from my dailie trauels but that I may abstaine also from the works of sinne and iniquitie and sanctifie this daie wholie vnto thee with praiers and thankes-giuing abounding in all works of loue and charitie as thou hast commanded in thy holie word that I may be found pure without spot or blemish at that daie when thy Sonne Iesus Christ shall come to iudge the world with righteousnesse and equitie And forasmuch as thou hast ordeined this daie among the rest wherein we should meete all together with brotherlie loue and affection to yeeld thee praises for the innnumerable benefits we haue receiued at thy hand to acknowledge thy fatherlie loue and pitie towards vs from time to time and to giue thee thanks in generall for all and vniuersall thy benefits hitherto bestowed vpon vs I beseech thee to grant me thy holie spirit that I may be the more zealouslie inflamed to serue thee in true holinesse and integritie of life and by the operation of that spirit I may kill all carnall lusts vnlawfull pleasures concupiscence and all other spots of vncleannesse whereby I may be made thy child by adoption and grace and my bodie the temple of the holie Ghost being throughlie purged and purified from the dregs of iniquitie and abhomination Giue me grace most mercifull Father to spend this daie to thy pleasure in all good works of the spirit and charitie proceeding from an vndefiled faith in Christ Iesu that I fall not into anie kind of danger but that all my dooings may be ordered by thy gouernance to doo alwaies that is righteous in thy sight through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another Morning praier on the Lords daie O Almightie and mercifull God eternall Father Sonne and holie Ghost three in persons one in substance God in verie deede and from euerlasting I extoll thy sacred Maiestie I praise thine vnspeakeable mercie thy diuine truth I exceedingly commend for that of thy fatherlie and woonderfull goodnesse thou hast protected me this night vnder the shadowe of thy wings Yea thou also hast made me quietlie to take my rest notwithstanding the dangerous snares of my deadlie enimie the diuell Thou art the God which exaltest vs from the gates of the shadowe of death and from the power of darknesse thou deliuerest vs. Therefore I will acknowledge thee for thy goodnes and for the woonderfull things which thou dooest among the sonnes of men I will magnifie thee in the great congregation and among much people will I praise thee My hart is readie O my God my hart is readie I will praise thee O Lord among the people and sing to thee among the nations For thy mercie is aboue the heauens and thy truth vnto the clouds I will not hide thy mercie and truth in the great congregation bicause it is a good thing to praise the Lord and to sing to thee O thou most high to declare thy louing kindnesse in the morning and thy truth in the night Blesse the Lord O my soule and all that is within me praise his holie name Which forgiueth all thine iniquities and healeth all thine infirmities Which redeemeth thy life from destruction crowneth thee with mercie and compassion Which satisfieth thy longing with good things and protecteth thee from thy youth Which also hath kept all my bones this night not one of them is broken To the King euerlasting immortall inuisible and onlie wise God be honor and glorie for euer and euer Amen VNto thee O Lord doo I lift vp my soule O God earlie will I seeke thee my soule thirsteth for thee my flesh lusteth after thee in a barren and drie land where no water is to see thy strength and glorie O eternall God which hast brought me to the beginning of this daie defend me with thy mightie power that this daie I fall into no sinne nor run into anie kind of danger but let all my cogitations words and works tend to the setting foorth of thy righteousnesse Lighten my mind this morning with the shining and clearnesse of thy wisdome that in my hart that true daie-star may rise and shine as it were a candle in a darke place Giue me the spirit of wisdome and reuelation in the knowledge of thee and lighten the eies of mine vnderstanding that I may knowe what my hope is how great the glorie of mine inheritance and what the excellent greatnesse of thy power towards me is Fill me with thy mercie in this morning so shall I be glad and reioice all my life long Mercifull God endue me with thine holie spirit that I may neither thinke speake or doo anie thing this daie but that which may please thee and tend to the aduancement of thy glorie and health of my soule Gouerne thou mine vnderstanding and will and so direct all the cogitations of my hart that I may wholie be thine and sauour of nothing besides thee my God and redeemer Teach mee the waie of thy commandements O Lord and I will keepe it vnto the end Giue me vnderstanding to keepe thy lawes and to loue thee my Lord and God with all my hart with all my soule and with all my strength and let all thy testimonies be my delight and counsellers Comfort the soule of thy seruant for vnto thee O Lord haue I lifted vp my soule For thou Lord art good and gentle and of great kindnesse to as manie as call vpon thee Behold O God earlie now this morning I doo offer my selfe a morning sacrifice vnto thee a troubled spirit a broken and an humble hart O Lord thou wilt not despise Make me fit that I may likewise dailie offer vp
my bodie a liuing sacrifice holie and acceptable vnto thee which is a reasonable seruice gratefull obedience Both now and euerie daie Lord I commend my soule and bodie into thy hands thou hast redeemed me O God of truth Compasse me about with the watch of thine Angels which are ministring spirits sent out for their defence which are the children of saluation that they may pitch their tents about me and incounter with Satan the dragon to defend me from euill Giue thine holie Angels charge of me that they protect me in all my waies least happilie I hurt my feete against a stone so will I praise thee and magnifie thy name which liuest and reignest a true and eternall God worlds without end Amen Another praier verie effectuall to be vsed vpon the Lords Sundaie or other holie or festiuall daies SEing that the verie solemne times festiuall holidaies doo vndoubtedlie greatlie renew the reioicing of the godlie yea that more is with a certaine heape as a man would saie doo maruelouslie augment and increase their spirituall ioie in thee O most holie Lord God of Saboth and make it greater than it was For they are kept to continue and stir vs vp vnto the remembrance and recounting of thy woonderfull acts things and miracles wrought and done by thine almightie Maiestie for the conseruation and saluation of mankind and by that occasion doo exceedinglie cheere vp and fill the harts of the godlie with spirituall ioies in thee Moreouer bicause good exercises are to be renewed often but especiallie vpon the Sundaie and holie daies as though at that time we were departing out of this life and going to the euerlasting holie daies of spirituall rest and continuall ioie and therefore ought we at that time especiallie to prepare our selues with carefulnes to shew our selues more godlie and to doo thy cōmandements more straightlie as they y t shall receiue reward of our trauels at thy hand ere it be long Behold I thy sillie creature desirous to keepe the godlie rest of the new Saboth better than hitherto I haue done for which as for all other my defaults I crie thee hartilie mercie doo now therefore most humblie beseech thee O holie Father to powre plentiouslie vpon me thy blessed spirit through whose diuine power vertue and grace I may this daie be throughlie sanctified clensed dedicated and prepared both bodilie and ghostlie perfectlie to serue and worship thee according to thy will O holie God which hast commanded vs to sanctifie our selues and to be holie as thou art grant me grace with S. Iohn to be in the spirit on the Sundaie and this daie to be holie with them that be holie and altogither giuen to serue please thee in spirit and truth as becommeth the true worshippers of thee Make thou me this daie to refraine my selfe from dooing anie bodilie labour or seruile worke and vtterlie to forbeare all maner of vngodlinesse displeasant vnto thee as namelie not to abuse or mispend this holie daie in pranking packing priinting pointing frisling or vaine attiring of my selfe to be gorgious and gaie and to prance in pride neither yet in vnlawfull plaies idle sports games Ethnicall pastimes feasting banketting bellie-cheere gluttonie riot excesse chambering wantonnes nicenesse contention pride couetousnesse or in anie other fleshlie filthinesse and vaine pleasures of this transitorie world but contrariwise to occupie and giue my selfe obedientlie vnto the vertuous works and holie exercises of thy diuine precepts namelie vnto the expending of the spirituall rest and euerlasting repose of all Christian soules in heauen vnto the meditation of thy woonderfull works and vnspeakable benefits which thou O God continuallie bestowest vpon thy Church and to bee thankefull for the same to studie the Scriptures to heare and reade thy sacred word and followe the same to call vpon thee by ardent praier with hartie thankesgiuing for all thy mercies to exercise thy holie Sacraments and to comfort and giue almes gladlie according to mine abilitie to the releefe of the poore and comfort of the needie Make me I saie O Lord with holie Dauid both most willing and glad this daie to go foorth with my whole familie and the multitude into thy house and temple in the voice of praise and thankes-giuing among such as keepe it holiedaie vnto thee and at all seasons by common order appointed diligentlie to frequent the populous resort and Christian assemblie of the congregation in the Church and to be present with other thy people often in that most sacred place on earth at the most holie and alwaies to thee O God most acceptable sacrifice of praise inuocation diuine worship giuing of thanks singing of hymnes hearing of thy word vsing of thy holie Sacraments praiers intercessions and supplications which at the comming together of the whole congregation is vsed ordinarilie to be made vnto thee in the Church with verie great ceremonie and reuerence that thus being free from the trauels and drudgerie of this world and by thy grace cleansed from all mine owne carnall affections and wholie giuen ouer to serue and sanctifie thee in true rest and spirituall ease as also to bestowe consecrate and hallowe this thy sacred Sabboth or Sundaie with all other festiuall holie daies most glorious vnto thee in all holie and spirituall exercises of a faithfull and obedient Christian according to thy will I may euen heere in this vale of teares amidst all my miseries be thereby occasioned with cheerefull hart both outwardlie and inwardlie exceedinglie to reioice and trust in thee my most mercifull God and louing sauiour and after this transitorie life ended be worthie happilie to enter into thy holie Mountaine the Tabernacle of thine elect and kingdome of euerlasting blessednesse where the soules of all holie folke doo rest and there with them to be partaker of perfect holinesse and of the vnspeakable benefit of the wished wealefull rest and eternall endlesse ioie of ioies in the Paradise of God to see loue and praise thee most ioifullie in happie mirth for euer and euer through Iesus Christ our Lord to whome with thee O Father and the holie Ghost be immortall glorie infinite power euerlasting kingdome perpetuall praise and continual thanks-giuing by all creatures through all ages worlds world without end Amen See more for Sundaie afterward Meditations HEere call to mind the commandements of almightie God concerning the kéeping of the Sabboth daie holie vnto him as namelie the third commandement Remember thou keepe holie the Sabboth daie c. Exod. 20 verse 11. Call to mind also his promises touching the same who saith If thou turne awaie thy foote from the Sabboth from dooing thy will on the Sabboth daie and call the Sabboth a delight to consecrate it as glorious vnto the Lord and shalt honor him not dooing thine owne waies nor seeking thine owne will nor speaking a vaine word then shalt thou delight in the Lord and I will cause thee to mount vpon the high places of the earth
highest coasts of the heauen of heauens and sittest in the celestiall throne of eternall glorie betweene the Cherubins and Seraphins Looke downe I saie O most mightie Iehoua and haue respect now I beseech thee vnto thy sacred Sanctuarie and holie house of praier Let thine eies I saie O Lord be euer open towards thy blessed Tabernacle night and daie euen towards thy Church thy Temple and most sacred place on earth where thine honor dwelleth and whereof thou hast said My house shall be an house of praier for all people and nations and my name shall be called vpon therein that thou maist harken this daie vnto the praiers which we thy poore creatures and most vnwoorthie seruants make before thee in this place Heare thou therefore O our God euen from heauen the place of thy glorious habitation the supplications of thy seruants and also what praiers and supplications soeuer shall be made vnto thee of anie particular man or woman and of all the people Giue good eare I saie O Lord vnto all the cries praiers and petitions of thy people heere assembled or that shall be gathered together in thy name who with rent harts bowed knees and stretched out hands returne vnto thee and present themselues here this daie to confesse thee call vpon thy holie name in this place And when thou hearest pardon the sinnes of thy seruants and be mercifull vnto the offences and iniquities of thy people wherewith they haue sinned and transgressed or shall offend against thy Maiestie Heare vs I saie O Lord O holie Lord God heare vs we praie thee be mercifull vnto thine inheritance and doo and giue to euerie one of vs according vnto all and euerie thing that we call and praie for vnto thee this daie in this thy holie house according to thy will thorough Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Amen A psalme of preparation to praier in the morning I will giue thanks vnto the Lord with my whole hart secretlie among the faithfull and in the congregation and will saie O God my hart is readie my hart is readie here now now in thy holie house to paie thee my vowes which I promised with my lips and spake with my mouth when I was in trouble My voice shalt thou heare beetimes O Lord earlie in the morning will I direct my praiers vnto thee will looke vp I my selfe will awake right earlie to sing and giue praise vnto thee with the best member that I haue Unto thee my God will I lift vp my hands hart in this thy holie habitation towards the mercie-seat of thy holie temple In the voice of praise and thankes-giuing among such as keepe it holie daie For this is the daie which thou O Lord hast made I will reioice be glad in it In this daie of thy power will I offer the free-will offerings with an holie worship and magnifie thee in the congregation of the people From the ground of my hart will I reioice and giue thanks vnto thee my God in the seate of the elders for a remembrance of thy holinesse O let my mouth be filled with thy praise that I may sing of thy glorie and praise now and for euermore Glorie be to the c. As it was in the c. A Psalme to be vsed priuatelie before Euening praier in the Church IN the euening and morning and at noone daie will I praie and that instantlie he shall heare my voice My hart is fixed redie O God my hart is fixed redie I will praise thee and thy faithfulnesse yet more more with the best member that I haue euen with all my hart will I thanke thee and praise thy name for euermore My lips be faine to sing vnto thee and so is my soule whom thou hast deliuered yea my soule shall be satisfied with marowe and fatnesse when my mouth praiseth thee with ioifull lips For it is a good thing to giue thanks vnto the Lord and to sing praises vnto thy name O most high to tell of thy louing kindnesse earlie in the morning and of thy truth in the euening and night season yea a ioifull and pleasant thing it is to be thankfull vnto thee our God alwaie Therefore I will sing seuen times a daie and will praise thy mercie late in the euening bicause of thy righteous iudgements As for me I will be talking of thy worship thy glorie thy praise and woonderous works from time to time For great art thou O Lord and maruelous worthie to be praised and feared aboue all the gods yea thou canst not woorthilie be praised for there is none end of thy greatnesse nor goodnesse Behold now therfore praise the Lord all ye seruants of the Lord ye that by night stand in the house of the Lord euen in the middest of the courts of the house of our God Lift vp your hands in the sanctuarie and praise the Lord together with me For he is good and gratious and his mercie endureth for euer Yea let euerie good man and woman sing of thy praise O God and speake of thine honour in thy temple with cheerfull minds and that without ceasing for euer and saie The Lords name be praised from the rising vp of the sunne vnto the going downe of the same blessed be the Lord God of Israel from euerlasting worlds without end Amen Glorie be to the Father c. As it was in the c. Another preparation of the hart before euening praier in the Church LORD behold mine hart is at this present readie to sing praises more and more vnto thee and againe and againe to render vnto thee woorthie thanks here now in the assemblie of Saints Onelie I desire thee to hallowe vs from heauen thy dwelling place powre downe vpon vs thy holie sanctifieng spirit which may so wholie possesse our soules and preserue vs from all euill cogitations and motions of sinne and iniquitie that we may hallowe thy name this euening and euermore in all things flowe in thy word render the sacrifice of praise and thankes-giuing vnto thee and worship thee onelie in spirit and truth as our God most mightie in heauen and earth our righteous maker and the worker of all goodnesse in all such as beleeue in thee A cleane hart O God make thou in me restore in me a willing and a right spirit denie me not the holie Ghost For of my selfe I can performe nothing that is good Blesse me therefore O benigne Lord and indue me plentifullie with thy grace to the intent I may offer the acceptable euening sacrifice of thankes-giuing for nothing else verelie requirest thou and with glad semblance imbrace and celebrate thy righteousnesse espied in the releasing forgiuing of my sinnes Giue mee of thy goodnesse to this end that I may continuallie praise thy Maiestie daie and night with mysticall Psalmes spirituall songs Be thou euermore working through thy holie spirit in me which presentlie keepeth the godlie rest of the new Saboth
belongeth all praise all commendation all honour blessing and loue Glorie power and might be vnto thee our God for euermore Amen Another praier verie forceable to mooue the mind vnto the praises of God O Iesus who art our redemption our loue and desire GOD of God helpe me thy seruant Upon thee doo I call vnto thee doo I crie from the verie bottome of mine hart for thee doo I call into my soule O enter thereinto and ioine it to thee that thou maist possesse the same without spot or wrinkle For a most cleane Lord must haue a cleane habitation O then sanctifie me thy vessell which thou hast made purge me from all wickednesse fill me with thy grace and being replenished keepe me so that I may be a meete temple for thy dwelling both here and foreuer O most good most gratious louing deere mightie desired pretious amiable and glorious God thou art to me sweeter than honie whiter than milke or snowe more pleasant than Nectar more pretious than gold and iewels and deerer than all the wealth and promotions of the world What doo I saie O my God mine onlie hope and so infinite mercie What doo I saie O happie and quiet sweetnesse What doo I saie when I saie these things I saie what I am able but I saie not all that I should Would to God I could saie as the melodious quiers of Angels doo saie O how willinglie would I powre out my selfe wholie in thy praises How deuoutlie without ceasing would I sing foorth those Psalmes of heauenlie musicke vnto the laud and praise of thy name in the middest of the congregation Notwithstanding because I cannot doo so shall I be still Wo to them which talke not of thee who openest the mouth of the dumbe and makest the tongues of babes eloquent Wo to them which talke not of thee for they which babble much are dumbe when they sing not thy praises Who can praise thee woorthilie ynough O vnutterable power and wisedome of the father And albeit I cannot find words wherewithall I maie sufficientlie expresse the almightie and all-skilfull word yet vntill thou call me vnto thee where I may praise thee as I should and ought I will saie what I am able Wherefore mine humble request is that thou wouldest respect not that which I now doo saie but that which I desire to saie For indeed I doo mightilie desire to speake of thee as I ought and as becommeth me bicause to thee praise to thee Psalmes to thee honor and glorie is due A complaint that we be not moued nor pricked in our contemplations and praiers like as the Angels be which tremble at the sight of GOD. PArdon mee O LORD pardon mee mercifullie forgiue mee and haue mercie vpon mee spare mine ignorance and my great vnperfectnesse doo not reprooue me as a rash woman bicause I dare be so bold which am but thy seruant But would to God I were either a good seruant or none vnprofitable or euill seruant And therefore am I an euill woman because I praise blesse and worship thee not as I ought to doo which art our God almightie terrible and verie much to be feared I worship thee I saie without contrition of hart and without a well of teares For if so be that the Angels when they worship and praise thee doo tremble beeing fulfilled with maruellous gladnesse I which am a sinner whiles I stand before thee saieng praises and offering sacrifice why am I not affraid in my hart why am I not pale in my countenance why doo not my lips quake and tremble why is not all my bodie afraid and why doo I not mourne and bewaile before thee after such a sort that teares might spring out of mine eies I would faine but I am not able bicause I cannot doo that which I desire to doo This maketh mee trulie woonderfullie to maruell that I am no more mooued when I see with the eies of my faith thee which art so fearefull But who can doo anie thing without the helpe of thy grace Except thou make our stonie harts to relent we of our selues are not able to mollifie them For all our helth dependeth vpon thy great mercie O wretch that I am How is my soule made without anie feeling or perceiuerance that it is not afraid with ouermuch feare whiles it standeth before God and singeth to him his owne praises Alas how is my hart so hardned that mine eies doo not gush out great flouds of teares without ceassing when I which am but a seruant or bondwoman doo commune talke in my Lord maisters presence Yea a woman with God a creature with a Creator I that am made of the slime of the earth doo speake with him that made all things of nothing Put me before thee O Lord and whatsoeuer I perceiue of my selfe in the secrets of my hart I doo not keepe it close from thy gratious eares Thou art rich in mercie and liberall in rewards Giue me of thy goods that with them I may serue thee For with nothing else can we serue or please thee but with thine owne gifts which thou hast vouchsafed to bestowe vpon vs. Fasten I beseech thee thy feare in my flesh Let my hart reioice and be glad to feare thy name Would God my sinfull soule feared thee so much as that holie man the which said I alwaies feared God as though it were great swelling flouds should come and tumble vpon me O God the giuer of all good things giue me among thy praises a well of teares with the purenesse of hart and reioicing of mind that I louing thee perfectlie and worthilie praising thee may feele taste and fauour in the palate of my hart how sweete and pleasant thou art O Lord as it is written Doo ye taste and see how sweet and delectable the Lord is Blessed is the man that putteth his trust in him Blessed is that people which knoweth glad and ioifull praising Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee in whose hart are thy waies which going through the vale of miserie vseth it for a well Blessed are the cleane in hart bicause they shall see God Blessed are they that dwell in the house of the Lord they shall praise thee world without end Amen A verie deuout praier for grace to praise God and to be thankfull for his benefits O LORD Iesus Christ which art the word of the father which camest into this world to saue sinners I beseech thee by the most louing bowels of thy mercy to amend and repaire my life Make better my deeds take thou the ordering of my manners Take from mee that that noieth hurteth me and displeaseth thee and giue me that which thou knowest will please thee and profit me Who can make cleane that which is conceiued of an vncleane seed but thou alone Thou art the God almightie of infinite pietie which dooest iustifie and make righteous euen those that are wicked men and raisest againe to life them
heare the praiers of thy people which they shall make in this place of thy holie temple behold now that thou hast shut vp heauen and there is no raine giuen vnto the earth but a drought doth vtterlie destroie the fruites of the earth for our sinnes and iniquities we come vnto thee and confesse our sinnes wherewith we haue prouoked thee thus to anger against vs and thy creatures for our sakes We I saie whome thou dooest iustlie thus afflict with drought and barrennesse of the earth returne vnto thee with all our harts in fasting weeping and mourning beseeching thee by hartie and earnest praier to haue mercie vpon vs and deale not with vs as we haue righteouslie deserued Heare thou now in heauen and pardon the sinnes of thy seruants and giue raine vnto the land that thou hast giuen the people to inhabit Heare O Lord I saie the crie of man and beast and open the treasures of the heauens and giue vnto vs moderate showres to water the earth that our cattell may bee satisfied and our drought ceasse Oh Lord hast thou vtterlie reiected vs or doth thy soule abhorre thy people for euer that thou hast so long plagued vs with drought and want of water Our iniquities in deede testifie against vs and our rebellions are more than can be numbred For we haue sinned against heauen and against thee and haue beene verie noisome to the earth and all thy creatures therin But O Lord thou hope of Israel thou comfort helpe and sauiour of all that are in trouble haue mercie vpon vs haue mercie vpon vs and doo not abhorre vs nor cast vs off for euer O Lord are there anie among the gods of the Gentiles that can send raine Or can the heauens of themselues giue showres to the earth Is it not onlie thou O Lord our God which hast made heauen and earth and dooest all things by thy mightie power that must doo it O saue the people therefore that call vpon thee O let the daie come wherein thou wilt vouchsafe to heare vs O Lord when I saie thou wilt heare the heauens and the heauens may heare the earth the earth heare the corne and the wine and the oile and they all heare one another and thou heare Israel that thou maist haue mercie vpon vs and cause to come downe for vs the raine euen the first raine and the latter raine in the first and second moneths in due seasons vpon the earth that our barns may be full of wheate and our presses abound with wine and oile our cattell serue to labour by thy blessing that both man beast may cease their mourning and haue cause to reioice in thy mercie Graunt vs this O father for Iesus Christs sake our onlie mediator and aduocate to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honor and glorie now and for euer Amen Another praier for the fruits of the earth O Lord God almightie King of heauen and earth which of thine abundant goodnesse doost adorne and replenish the earth with all kind of fruit and graine whereby the life both of man and beast is susteined we beseech thee euen for thy free mercie that thou wouldest vouchsafe to blesse our feelds and ground and to make them prosperouslie to yeeld their corne and increase For without thy blessing and fauour neither can the earth of it selfe bring foorth anie whit nor we by our paines make the same to prosper Wherefore grant to all things springing from the earth a meet temperature of aire that luckilie they may take and increase Keepe our fruit vpon the face of the earth from all infection of the aire from thunder haile from vntimelie showers from too great drinesse and ouermuch heate from woormes hurtfull and beasts deuouring it before their prime and from all other corruption that our land in thine anger be not desolate and denie vs fruit enioieng hir wofull Sabboth Shut not vp the heauens in thine indignation for our sinnes that it be not as iron nor the earth as brasse wherby it can not be tilled ploughed nor sowne and so come to a verie plaine and vtter wildernesse but of thy goodnesse giue vs both the earlie and latter raine that we may haue abundance of all fruit and a ioifull haruest with a plentifull vintage O God send a gratious raine vpon thine inheritance and giue thy blessing that our ground may bring foorth hir fruit Cause thy raine to powre downe in due season that it may be raine of blessing whereby both trees may giue their fruit the ground yeeld foorth hir graine Grant also that the aire be pure from infection our bodies free from sicknesse to our whole Realme peace and quietnesse that safelie without trouble we may enioie thy gifts Driue awaie and repell from vs malediction and the destroier Giue vs not in stead of raine dust and ashes but open thy good treasures and visit the land with thy blessing make it drunken and enrich it abundantlie Thy riuer O Lord is full of water prepare our corne and dispose our earth to prosper water abundantlie the furrowes of the same and cause the raine to descend into the vallies thereof make the same soft with showers and blesse our buds Crowne the yeere with thy goodnesse and let thy clouds drop fatnesse let them drop vpon the pastures of the wildernesse and make the little hils reioice on euerie side Let the plaines be replenished with sheepe and the vallies with corne that the inhabitants of the earth may reioice and be merie O Lord thou causest grasse to growe for cattell and herbs for y e vse of man thou bringest foorth bread out of the earth wine to make glad the hart of man oile to make the countenance cheerfull bread for to strengthen the hart Haue therefore a care O heauenlie Father of the seed and other things springing from the earth keepe them both in cold raine ice and snowe from the beating of winds and iniurie of weather Preserue them in extreame heat drinesse moistnesse and such like that they perish not afore their time Roote out the destroier that there be neither blasting mildew nor grashopper neither caterpiller hurting the fruits of the earth Keepe vs O Lord in the time of dearth that we perish not for hunger nor be confounded in the perilous time For thou art our God and Creator which satisfiest the thirstie soule and fillest the hungrie with goodnesse which hast said I will not faile neither forsake thee whereby being faithfull we may saie The Lord is with vs therefore we will not feare what man can doo vnto vs. Behold we miserable great sinners doo confesse our wickednes with groning griefe of hart crieng vnto thee which art in heauen Heare our praiers in thy dwelling place be mercifull to thy people which haue sinned against thee and forgiue vs all our iniquities wherein we haue transgressed against thee By our sinnes wee haue brought all these
miseries which hang ouer our heads but blot out all our offences O God after thy manifold mercies and take awaie from vs the curse of our ground that the people may praise thee O God yea that all the people may praise thee and the earth bring foorth hir increase through our Lord Iesus Christ thine onelie sonne which liueth and reigneth with thee in the vnitie of the holie spirit a God for euermore Amen For faire weather O Lord God which for the sinne of man didst once drowne all the world except eight persons afterward of thy great mercie didst promise neuer to destroie it so againe we humblie beseech thee that although we for oure iniquities haue woorthilie deserued this plague of raine and waters yet vpon our true repentance thou wilt send vs such weather whereby we may receiue the fruits of the earth in due season and learne both by thy punishment to amend our liues and for thy clemencie to giue thee praise and glorie through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier in time of vnseasonable showers for faire weather O God and mercifull Father wee acknowledge that we through our manifold sinnes haue deserued to be sharpelie rebuked and corrected of thee but if thou shouldest deale with vs after our sinnes we are not able to abide thy wrath and heauie hand Wherfore deale mercifullie with vs O Lord after the greatnesse of thy goodnesse and the multitude of thy mercies that wee rather may reioice and be thankfull vnto thee for the abundance of thy great mercie and louing kindnesse than be cast downe and discouraged by the heauie weight of thy hand In thy hands O Lord are both heauen and earth so gouerne them therefore we beseech thee for thy name sake that we may haue seasonable weather to receiue the fruits of the earth Staie the unmoderate plentie of raine and vnseasonable weather and powre rather vpon vs the plentifull dew of thy spirit that we may dailie growe to the perfection of Christian men and women Take awaie from vs our stonie harts and giue vnto vs in stead there of harts of flesh that we may cease at the length thus to prouoke thy wrath to bring vpon vs either this so great a plague as the losse of the fruits of the earth either else other plagues of thy iust iudgments Grant that we may so repent vs of our former euils that hereafter the woorthie fruits of true repentance may continuallie appeare therein and so to passe ouer and to end our mortall liues that at the last we may attaine vnto the blessed resurrection and life euerlasting through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen In time of thunder lightening raging tempests and vnseasonable weather praie thus O Most wise mightie God thou art a glorious King in all the world thy woonderfull maiestie doth shine and is knowne also by raine thundering lightening and other meteors ingendred in the aire Thy throne is among the clouds thou hast made darkenesse thy secrete place and thy pauilion about thee euen darknesse of water and clouds of the aire At the brightnesse of thy presence the clouds doo passe awaie so doo the haile-stones and firie coales Thou dooest thunder from the heauens and giuest thy voice hailestones and coales of fire Thou sendest thine arrowes and scatterest them thou increasest lightenings and destroiest them Who is so great a god as thou our God Thou art the God which dooest woonders and declarest thy power among the nations Thou redeemest thy people with thine arme The waters sawe thee and were afraid the depths trembled The clouds powred out water the aire thundered and thine arrowes went abroad The voice of thy thunder was heard round about the world the earth trembled and shooke The foundations of the earth shooke and were discouered at thy rebuking O Lord at the blasting of the breath of thy nostrels Therefore shall the verie heauens extoll thy woonderous works and the Saints set foorth thy truth in the congregation For who is equall to thee in heauen And who like thee among the sonnes of the gods Thou art verie terrible in the assemblie of the saints and to be reuerenced aboue all that are about thee O Lord God of hosts who is like vnto thee which art a mightie Lord and thy truth is about thee Thou rulest the raging of the sea thou stillest the waues thereof when they doo arise Thou onlie art of power to resolue into vapours the drops of the sea by the heat of the sunne thou takest the same vp being turned into airie substance and againe turnest it into meere water and makest it to come powring downe vpon the face of the earth Whatsoeuer thou wilt thou dooest in heauen and in earrh and in the sea and in all deepe places With thy power thou madest the earth with thy wisdome thou hast established the world and with thy discretion stretchest out the heauens As soone as thou lettest thy voice be heard the waters in the aire waxe fierce Thou drawest vp the clouds from the ends of the earth thou turnest the lightening into raine and bringest foorth the wind out of thy treasures Thou couerest the heauens with clouds and preparest raine for the earth Thou makest the grasse to growe vpon the mountaines and prouidest herbs for the vse of man Thou giuest to beasts their food and to the yoong rauens that crie Behold so great art thou that thou passest our knowledge neither can the number of thy yeeres be searched out When thou restrainest the drops of water the raine powreth downe by the vapours thereof and falleth abundantlie vpon man Thou bringest foorth the winds out of thy treasures that is from thy secret places where thou diddest hide them in great abundance that they might be readie at thy commandement and come foorth when thou thinkest good Thou makest the clouds to labour to giue water to the earth and scatterest the cloud of thy light thou turnest it about by thy gouernement that they may doo whatsoeuer thou commandest them vpon the whole world O God mine hart is troubled verie sore when I behold the immoderate showers and heare the terrible thunder yea it forsaketh his place when I heare the noise of thy voice and the speech proceeding from thy mouth O God which rulest heauen and earth I most humblie beseech thee mercifullie to driue awaie or atleast to mitigate these mightie streames and most raging tempests Restraine the thunderbolts and thy firie darts that they hurt vs not Keepe vs and our nests that we perish not through lightenings nor be destroied by thy thunderclaps Protect our houses and vs that we be neither consumed by thy firie meteor nor drowned by thy sudden floud O mercifull God raine not I beseech thee hailestones vpon the face of the earth neither strike such as are in the fields be they man or beast Strike not thou therewith all the herbes of the feeld neither breake thou gratious Lord the trees of our land Destroie not our
corne with hailestones nor with hailestones smite thou our cattell and deliuer our flocks from the thunderbolt Cast not the feercenesse of thy wrath anger and displeasure vpon vs. Giue vs not hailestones for raine neither flames of fire in our land but of thy mercie conuert the thunder into gentle raine whereby it may bring out fruit aboundantlie Send not among vs either vntimelie or vntemperate showres which be either noisome to the fruits and bring the mildew or destroie the corne Restraine in like sort the winds and violent tempests that they bring none hurt neither to vs or our goods euen for Christes sake our Lord and Sauiour Amen In time of dearth or famine O GOD heauenlie father whose gift it is that the raine doth fall the earth is fruitfull beasts increase and fishes doo multiplie behold we beseech thee the afflictions of thy people and graunt that the scarsitie and dearth which we doo now most iustlie suffer for our iniquitie may through thy goodnesse be mercifullie turned into cheapenesse and plentie for the loue of Iesu Christ our Lord to whome with thee and the holie Ghost bee praise for euer Amen Another praier in time of anie plague or sicknesse warre penurie orscarsenesse c. O Eternall and euerliuing God most mercifull father which of thy great long suffering and patience hast hitherto suffered and borne with vs most miserable offenders who haue so long straied out of thy waie and broken all thy lawes and commandements and haue neither by thy manifold benefits bestowed vpon vs vnworthie and vnthankefull sinners nor by the voice of thy seruants and preachers by continuall threatnings out of thy holie word hitherto bin moued as the children of loue to returne vnto thee our most gratious father either for feare of thy iudgements as humble and lowlie seruants to turne from our wickednesse And therefore most righteous iudge thy patience being as it were ouercome at the last with our obstinate repentance thou hast most iustlie executed those thy terrible threats now partlie vpon vs by plaguing vs so with most dreadfull and deadlie sicknesse with troubles of warres with penurie and scarsenesse of foode and victuall whereby great multitudes of vs are dailie afflicted and consumed We beseech thee O most mercifull father that in thy wrath thou wilt remember thine old great mercies to correct vs in thy iudgements and not in thy iust anger least we be all consumed and brought to naught Looke not so much vpon our deseruings O most righteous Iudge to take iust vengeance on our sinnes but rather remember thine infinit mercies O most mercifull father promised to vs by thy deerelie beloued sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ for whose sake and in whose name we doo earnestlie and humblie craue mercie and forgiuenesse of our sinnes and deliuerance from this horrible sicknesse wars dearth c. being thy iust punishment and plague for the same And as thy holie word doth testifie that thy people of all ages being iustlie plagued for their sinnes and yet in their distresse vnfeinedlie turning vnto thee and suing for thy mercie obteined the same so likewise we most worthilie now afflicted with greeuous and dreadfull plagues for our iniquities praie thee O most mercifull father to grant vs thy heauenlie grace that we may likewise both trulie and vnfeinedlie repent and obtaine thy mercie and deliuerance from the same which we beseech thee O father of all mercies God of all consolation grant vs for the same Iesus Christs sake our onlie sauiour mediator and aduocate Amen In time of anie common plague or sicknesse ALmightie God which in thy wrath in the time of King Dauid diddest slea with the plague of pestilence threescore and tenne thousand and yet remembring thy mercie didst saue the rest haue pitie vpon vs miserable sinners that now are visited with great sicknesse and mortalitie that like as thou didst then command thine Angel to cease from punishing so it may now please thee to withdrawe from vs this plague and greeuous sicknesse through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A forme of meditation and praier verie meete to be vsed dailie of all honsholders in their houses especiallie in the dangerous and contagious time of the plague The Maister Mistres kneeling with their familie in some conuenient place of their house well perfumed before with frankincense or some other wholesome thing as iuniper rosemarie rosewater and vineger c. shall with feruent harts saie or cause to be said that that followeth The seruants and familie to euerie petition shall saie Amen Maister or Mistresse WE reade in thy holie word O Lord what blessings thou hast of thy mercie promised to them that liue obedientlie according to thy blessed will and commandements Wee reade also the cursses that thy instice hath pronounced against such as despise thy word or negligentlie passe not to liue thereafter And among the rest of thy heauie cursses thou threatenest by name the plague and the pestilence with other noisome and most painfull diseases to such as forsaking thee worship strange gods and followe their owne vaine fantasies in stead of thy sacred ordinances We find also how extreamelie thine owne people the Iewes haue oftentimes fealt the performance of these thy bitter threatenings and that for sundrie and diuers offences bicause they loathed Manna and were not contented with thy miraculous prouision but would haue Qualies and other daintie victuals to content their luxurious appetites thou slewest so manie with a sudden and mightie plague that the place of their buriall was named thereof and called The graues of lust Also for murmuring against the ministers of thy word Moses and Aaron thou destroiedst with a sudden plague xiiij thousand and more besides those traitors whom the earth swallowed for their rebellion And had not Aaron intreated for them and gone betweene the quicke and the dead thou wouldest haue consumed them all as thou wast minded to haue done before when they despised the plentifull land which thou hadst promised them had not Moses staied thy wrath when thou saiedst I will strike them with the pestilence and vtterlie destroie them Furthermore when they had lost thine Ark through their owne sinnes and the sinnes of their priests the keepers therof after that the Philistines were forced through thy plaguing hand religiously to send it home againe thou strookest with the plague fiftie thousand of the Beth-samites thy people for rashlie presuming to looke into the same not hauing thy warrant so to doo In the time of King Dauid thou destroiedst three score and ten thousand of thy people in three daies with thy wasting plague of pestilence mooued thereto by the transgression of Dauid the King whom for the sinnes of the people thou sufferedst to be tempted and subdued with a vaine curiositie to number the people Also shortlie after the death of that immaculate Lambe our Sauiour thou sufferedst the plague to reigne among the members of his bodie the Church of the Corinthians
Lord dailie with the true Manna of thy heauenlie word and with the grace of thy holie Sacraments Giue vs grace continuallie to read heare and meditate thy purposes iudgments promises and precepts not to the end we may curiouslie argue therof or arrogantlie presume thervpon but to frame our liues according to thy will that by keeping thy couenants we may be sure of thy promises and so make our election and vocation certaine through our constant faith vertuous and godlie liuing Seru. Amen Maister Confirme vs O Lord to the image of our Sauiour So lighten the lamps of our harts with the fire and burning flames of thy loue that no enuie rancor hatred or malice doo remaine in vs to quench it but that we may gladlie forgiue whatsoeuer wrong is or shall be either maliciouslie or ignorantlie done or said against vs. And here Lord in thy presence for thy Maiestie is euerie where we forgiue whatsoeuer hath beene by anie man or woman practised against vs beseeching thèe of thy goodnesse likewise to forgiue it And further for thy mercies sake and for our Sauiour Iesus Christs sake we beseech thee O deere Father to forgiue vs these horrible and damnable sinnes which we haue committed against thy Maiestie for which thou hast now iustlie brought the pestilence and plague vpon vs. Let the ceasing thereof we beseech thee certifie vs of thy mercie and remission Seru. Amen Maister We knowe O Lord the weakenesse of our selues and how readie we are to fall from thee Suffer not therfore Satan to shew his power and malice vpon vs. For we are not able to withstand his assalts Arme vs O Lord alwaies with thy grace and assist vs with thy holie spirit in all kinds of temptations Seruants Amen Maister Deliuer vs O deere father from all euils both bodilie and ghostlie Deliuer O Lord from trouble of conscience all that are snarled in their sins Deliuer O Lord from feare of persecution and tyrannie our brethren and sisters that are vnder the crosse for profession of thy word Deliuer O mercifull father those that for our sinnes and offences are alreadie tormented with the rage of pestilence Recouer those O Lord that are alreadie striken and saue the rest of my houshold and else-where from this greeuous infection Seruants Amen Maister Finallie O Lord God which for our innumerable sinnes dooest heere fatherlie correct vs to the end we should not feele the rigour of thy seueare iudgement in eternall condemnation we humblie submit our selues vnto thy grace and pitie beseeching thee for our Lord Iesus Christes sake that although we haue iustlie deserued this plague now laid vpon vs yet it may please thee in the multitude of thy mercies to withdrawe thy rod from vs. Grant O Lord true repentance of our sinnes which as it did in that good King Ezekias may deliuer vs from the plague laid vpon vs and cause those that be sicke heere in my house or otherwhere to recouer Or if thou haue determined to take a number of vs out of the miseries of this present euill world giue vs the comfort of thy holie spirit that may make vs glad and willing to come vnto thee Giue vs grace O Lord so to prepare our selues that we may be readie with the wise virgins to enter into life with our sauiour Christ whensoeuer it shall please thee to call vs. Seruants Amen Maister Grant this O deere father for Iesus Christes sake our onlie Mediator Aduocate Lord Redeemer and Sauiour to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honor and glorie world without end and in whose name we altogether with one hart and voice crie furthermore and praie vnto thee as he in his holie word hath taught vs saieng Maister and seruants altogether Our Father c. Other Psalmes and praiers to be said in the time of anie common plague sicknesse or other crosse and visitation of God by the Maister and Mistresse with their familie O Come let vs humble our selues fall downe before the Lord with reuerence and feare For he is the Lord our God and we are the people of his pasture and the sheepe of his hands Come therefore let vs turne againe vnto our Lord for he hath smitten vs and he shall heale vs. Let vs repent and turne from our wickednesse and our sinnes shall be forgiuen vs. Let vs turne and the Lord will turne from his heauie wrath and will pardon vs and we shall not perish For we knowledge our faults and our sinnes be euer before vs. We haue sore prouoked thine anger O Lord thy wrath is waxed hot and thy heauie displeasure is sore kindled against vs. Thou hast made vs heare of the noise of warres and hast troubled vs by the vexation of enimies Thou hast in thine indignation striken vs with greeuous sicknes and by and by we haue fallen as leaues beaten downe with a vehement wind Indeede we acknowledge that all punishments are lesse than our deseruings but yet of thy mercie Lord correct vs to amendment and plague vs not to our destruction For thy hand is not shortened that thou canst not helpe neither is thy goodnesse abated that thou wilt not heare Thou hast promised that afore we crie thou wilt heare vs and whilest we yet speake thou wilt haue mercie vpon vs. For none that trust in thee shall be confounded neither anie that call vpon thee shall be despised For thou art the onlie Lord who woundest and dooest heale againe who killest and reuiuest bringest euen to hell and bringest barke againe Our father 's hoped in thee they trusted in thee and thou didst deliuer them They called vpon thee and were helped they put their trust in thee and were not confounded O Lord rebuke vs not in thine indignation neither chasten vs in thy heauie displeasure Oh remember not the sinnes and offences of our youth but according to thy mercie thinke vpon vs O Lord for thy goodnesse Haue mercie vpon vs O Lord for we are weake O Lord heale vs for our bones are vexed And now in the vexation of our spirits and the anguish of our soules we remember thee and we crie vnto thee heare Lord and haue mercie For thine owne sake for thy holie name sake incline thine eare and heare O mercifull Lord. For we doo not powre out our praiers before thy face trusting in our owne righteousnesse but in thy great and manifold mercies Wash vs throughlie from our wickednesse and cleanse vs from our sinnes Turne thy face from our sinnes and put out all our misdeeds Make vs cleane harts O God and renew a right spirit within vs. Helpe vs O God of our saluation for the glorie of thy name O deliuer vs and be mercifull vnto our sinnes for thy name sake So we that be thy people and sheepe of thy pasture shall giue thee thanks for euer and will alwaies bee shewing foorth thy praise from generation to generation Glorie be to the Father c. As it was in the
most comfortable nor preaching by monsters most ouglie nor preaching by fire most strange nor preaching by earthquakes most terrible neither yet by plagues and pestilence most horrible will stirre vp our stonie harts and awake vs from our sinnes We feare oh Lord that the Turks with all the rest of the vnbeleeuing will condemne vs in the last daie which if they had beene so long instructed by the comfortable preaching of thy word and sweete promises of thy Gospell or thy woonders both in heauen and earth which we haue seene no doubt their righteousnes would haue shined at this day to our great shame and confusion Thou hast no lesse warned vs oh Lord of thy fearefull displeasure heauie plagues at hand for our great wickednesse than thou didst the Israelits of the horrible destruction which came vpon them whom thou first in mercie didst call to repentance by the preaching of thy word but when no warning would serue thou didst send them monstrous and fearfull signes and tokens to declare that thy visitation was not farre off But they like vnto vs at this daie did alwaies interpret these things after the imagination of their vaine harts promising to themselues peace when destruction was ouer their heads Which things when we doo call to mind for as much as they are written for our learning example warning it maketh vs to tremble and quake for feare of thy iust iudgments For if thou hast thus dealt with thine owne deere and chosen children in token of thy great wrath against sinne what shall we looke for who doo no lesse deserue thy fearfull scourge and of mercie it is that thou dooest thus long forbeare vs but liue as though there were no God at all to be reuenged vpon our sinnes It maketh vs to feare and crie unwardlie in our soules Come Lord Iesu holie and true in all thy dooings and shorten our daies bring this our pilgrimage to an end suffer vs not to heape sinne vpon sinne vnto the daie of vengeance least we be caught vp amongst the number of the wicked and reprobate which shall neuer see thy louing countenance It maketh vs to crie to thee O Lord let thy kingdome come and end this our sinfull life wherein we doo nothing but prouoke thee to wrath Correct vs not O Lord in thine indignation neither chasten vs in thine heauie displeasure And though to vs belongeth nothing but shame and confusion though our offences haue deserued to be visited with the rod and our sinnes with scourges yet in mercie Lord and with fatherlie correction chasten vs and thy louing kindnesse take not awaie from vs. To thee we flie for succour vnder the wings of thy mercie shall be our refuge vntill thou turne thy wrathfull countenance from vs. We knowe that thy mercie is aboue all thy works and euen as great as thy selfe therefore will we saie with holie Iob Though thou kill vs yet we put our trust in thee Thou camest to comfort and plucke out of the dungeon of hell such wretches as we are Thou art the good Samaritane that camest to heale our deadlie wounds Thou art that good Physician that camest to cure our mortall infirmities Thou art the good shepheard that camest to seeke vs wandering lost sheepe and to bring vs to thy fold againe And more than that thou art our brother flesh of our flesh and bone of our bones which hast tasted of our infirmities felt our temptations borne the burden of our sinnes Therefore at thy hands we looke for mercie against the daie of vengeance And though thou punish vs yet our hope is and euer shall be that thy rod shall no further touch vs than shall make to thy glorie our commoditie and the strengthening and increase of our faith Let this thy preaching sundrie waies O Lord be sufficient for our warning and grant that we may speedilie and from the bottome of our harts repent endeuour to doo thy righteous and blessed will reuealed in thy word and frame our liues according to the same that we may here liue in thy feare all the daies of our life and after this our sinfull course is ended may dwell with thee in thy blessed kingdome through the death and merits of Iesus Christ our onelie redeemer Amen A Psalme of thankes-giuing for deliuerance from the plague or anie other kind of sicknesse trouble or affliction LOrd thou art become gratious vnto thy land thou hast turned awaie the afflictions of thy seruants Thou hast taken awaie all thy displeasure turned thy selfe from thy wrathfull indignation For if thou Lord hadst not helped vs it had not failed but our soules had beene put to silence But when we said Our feete haue slipped thy mercie O Lord helped vs vp In the multitude of the sorowes that we had in our harts thy comforts haue refreshed our soules Our soules waited still vpon the Lord our soules hanged vpon his helpe our hope was alwaies in him In the Lords word did we reioice in Gods word did we comfort our selues For the Lord said Call vpon me in the time of trouble and I will heare thee and thou shalt praise me So when we were poore needie sicklie and in heauinesse the Lord cared for vs he was our helpe and our sauiour according to his word In our aduersitie and distresse he hath lifted vp our heads and saued vs from vtter destruction He hath deliuered our soules from death he hath fed vs in the time of dearth he hath saued vs from the noisome pestilence Therefore will we offer in his holie temple the oblation of thankes-giuing with great gladnesse wee will sing and speake praises vnto the Lord our Sauiour We will giue thanks vnto the Lord for he is gratious and his mercie endureth for euer The Lord is full of compassion and mercie long suffering plentious in goodnesse and pitie His mercie is greater than the heauens and his gratious goodnesse reacheth vnto the clouds Like as a father pitieth his owne children euen so is the Lord mercifull vnto them that feare him Therefore will we praise thee and thy mercies O God vnto thee will we sing O thou holie one of Israel We will sing a new song vnto thee O God we will praise the Lord with Psalmes of thankes giuing O sing praises sing praises vnto our God O sing praises sing praises vnto our King For God is the King of the earth sing praises with vnderstanding We will magnifie thee O God our King we will praise thy name for euer and euer Euerie daie will we giue thanks vnto thee and praise thy name for euer and euer Our mouth shall speake the praises of the Lord and let all flesh giue thanks to his holie name for euer and euer Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for euer and blessed be the name of his Maiestie world without end Amen Glorie be to the Father c. As it was in the c. In the time of anie particular or
generall earthquake praie OH eternall mightie and most louing Father which hast no desire of the death of a sinner but that he conuert and liue and vnto whom nothing is so pleasant as the repentant contrite and sorowfull hart of a penitent person For thou art that kind father that fallest most louinglie vpon the necke of the lost sonne kissest imbracest and feastest him when he returneth from the puddle of pleasures and swill of the swine and disdainest not the repentant praier of thy poore and sinfull seruants whensoeuer with true faith they returne and call vpon thee as we haue most comfortable examples in Dauid Manasses Magdalen Peter and the theefe vpon the gibbet We most hartilie and humblie beseech thy fatherlie goodnesse to looke downe from the throne of thy mercie-seate vpon vs most miserable and sinfull slaues of Satan which with fearfull and trembling harts doo quake and shake at the strange and terrible tokens of thy wrath and indignation appearing most euidentlie vnto vs by the shaking moouing of the earth which is thy footestoole whereby if we be not vtterlie destitute of grace we be warned that thy cōming-downe amongst vs to visit our sinnes in most terrible maner can not be farre off seeing thou treadest so hard vpon this thy footestoole the earth which we most shamefullie haue polluted and defiled with our most wicked sinfull and rebellious liues notwithstanding thy continuall crieng and calling vpon vs by thy seruants the prophets and preachers by whome we haue learned thy will but haue not followed it We haue heard much and done little yea nothing at all but like most peruerse and vnthankfull children haue made a mocke of thy word derided thy ministers and accounted thy threatenings trifles and thy warnings of no weight or moment Wherefore we haue iustlie deserued to taste most deeplie of the bitter cup of thine anger and bengeance by wars famine pestilence yea and eternall death if thou shouldest not temper the rigour of thy iustice with the mildnesse of thy mercie But such is thy fatherlie affection towards vs that thou shewest thy selfe slowe to anger long suffering and of much patience and mercie yea thou art a thousand times more readie to forget and forgiue than we to aske and require forgiuenesse Therefore though we be not woorthie of the least mite of thy mercie yet gratious Lord looke not vpon vs and our sinnes but vpon thine owne selfe and thy sonne Iesus Christ the fountaine of grace the treasure of mercie the salue of all sicknesse the iewell of ioie and the onlie hauen of succour and safetie By him we come to thee in him and for him we trust to find that we haue lost and gaine that he hath got He is the scale of Iacob by whom we climbe vp to thee and thou by the Angels of thy mercie cōmest downe to vs. Him we present vnto thee and not we our selues his death and not our dooings his bloudie wounds and not our detestable deseruings whose merits are so great as thy mercie cannot be little and our ransom so rich that our beggerlie and beastlie sinnes are nothing in thy sight for the great pleasure and satisfaction that thou takest of his paines and passion Turne this late earthquake O Lord to the benefite of thine elect as thou didst when thou shookest the prison loosedst the locks fetters and chaines of thy seruants Paule and Silas and broughtst them out of prison and conuertedst their keeper so gratious Lord strike the harts of tyrants with the terrour of this thy woorke that they may knowe that they are but men and that thou art that Samson that for their mocking and spiting of thee and thy word canst shake the pillers of their palaces and throwe them vpon the furious Philistines heads Turne thy wrath oh Lord from thy children that call vpon thy name to the conuersion or confusion of thine enimies that despise and abhorre thy name and deface thy glory Thou hast knocked long at their doores but they will not open to let thee in Burst open therefore the brasen gates of their stonie harts thou that art able of stones to raise vp children to Abraham And finallie so touch our harts with the finger of thy grace that we maie deeply muse vpon our sinfull liues to amend them and call for thy mercie to forgiue and pardon them through Christ our Lord who liueth with thee and the holie Ghost three persons and one eternall God to whome be all dominion and glorie with praise and thanks-giuing for euer and euer Amen Or else praie thus O Almightie God and most mercifull Father which willest not the death of a sinner but rather that hee should returne and liue we thy seruants most humblie confesse that we haue most greeuouslie offended against thy diuine Maiestie and prouoked thy heauie wrath against vs in that we haue not beleeued and folowed thy Gospell preached vnto vs nor beene thankfull for thy manie verie great benefits bestowed vpon vs yea and being warned by the dangers of other haue beene too carelesse to serue thee oh Lord the Father of all mercie and the God of all consolation which in thy wrath remembrest mercie We acknowledge that in the late terrible earthquake which suddenly shooke vs out of our houses and dwelling places thou didst warne vs of thy iustice and that we for our great vnthankfulnesse and disobedience haue deserued most iust iudgement O Lord we thy seruants being vile earth and miserable sinners yet trembling and quaking at the remembrance of that terrible looke of thy wrathfull displeasure neuer to be forgotten most humblie craue pardon for our sinnes and grace to conuert vnto thee in time Conuert vs O Lord and we shall be conuerted Mollifie our hard harts grant vs a contrite spirit and to turne vnto thee vnfeinedlie in fasting weeping praier Enter not into iudgement with thy seruants spare thy people O Lord spare them and let not thine heritage be brought to confusion Haue mercie vpon vs for thy sonne Iesus Christs sake Giue vs grace hencefoorth to amend our liues and to serue thee in holines and righteousnesse So we acknowledging thy iustice and remembring alwaies that fearefull signe of thy furie in the memorable earthquake which thou sentest y e sixt of Aprill in the yeare one thousand fiue hundred fourescore we shall praise thee for thy mercie and glorifie thy holie name for euer through Iesus Christ our Sauiour Amen At the sight of a blasing starre or other meteors or prodigious signes of Gods iudgment in the heauens praie to preuent the euils foreshewed thereby and saie O Almightie Lord and God whose workemanship is the whole world the heauen and the earth with all the beautie and blessings of the same at the presence of whose power all things doo quake and tremble whose indignation when it threatneth vengeance vnto sinners is vnsufferable and whose promises of mercie are vnmeasurable bicause thou art euen the most high Lord ouer
occasion that thy holie name hath beene blasphemed among the ignorant hast of late yeeres sore abashed the whole Realme people of England with the terrour and danger of rebellion thereby to awake vs out of our dead sleepe of carelesse securitie and hast yet by the miseries following the same rebellion most sharpelie punished part of our countriemen and Christian brethren who haue most neerelie fealt the same and most dreadfullie hast scourged some of the seditious persons with terrible executions iustlie inflicted for their disobedience to thee and to thy seruant their Souereigne to the example of vs all and to the warning correction and amendment of thy seruants of thine accustomed goodnesse turning alwaies the wickednesse of euill men to the profit of them that feare thee who in thy iudgements remembring thy mercie hast by thine assistance giuen the victorie to thy seruant the Queene hir Nobilitie and faithfull Subiects with so little or rather no effusion of Christian bloud as also might iustlie haue ensued to the exceeding comfort of all sorrowfull Christian harts and that of thy fatherlie pitie and mercifull goodnesse onelie and euen for thine owne name sake without anie our desert at all Wherefore we render vnto thee most humble and hartie thanks for these thy great mercies shewed vnto vs who had deserued sharper punishment most humblie beseeching thee to grant vnto vs all that confesse thy holie name and professe the true and perfect Religion of thy holie Gospell thy heauenlie grace to shew our selues in our liuing according to our profession that we trulie knowing thee in thy blessed word may obedientlie walke in thy holie commandements and that we being warned by this thy fatherlie correction doo prouoke thy iust wrath against vs no more but may enioie the continuance of thy great mercies towards vs thy right hand as in this so in all other inuasions rebellions and dangers continuallie sauing and defending our Church our Realme our Queene and people of England that all our posterities ensuing confessing thy holie name professing thy holie Gospell and leading a holie life may perpetuallie praise and magnifie thee with thy onlie sonne Iesus Christ our sauiour and the holie Ghost to whome be all laud praise glorie and empire for euer and euer Amen In time of extreame troubles by reason of the tyrannie of strange and forraigne gouernours ETternall and euerlasting God father of our Lord Iesus Christ thou that shewest mercie and keepest couenant with them that loue thee and in reuerence keepe thy commandments euen when thou powrest foorth thy hot displeasure and iust iudgements vpon the obstinate and inobedient we heere prostrate our selues before the throne of thy Maiestie from our harts confessing that iustlie thou dooest punish vs by the tyrannie of strangers and that more iustlie thou maist bring vpon vs againe the bondage and the yoke which of thy mercie for a season thou hast remoued Our kings princes and people in blindnesse haue refused the word of thine eternall veritie and in so dooing we haue refused the league of thy mercie offered vnto vs againe in such aboundance that none can be excused by reason of ignorance Yet neuerthelesse to the iudgement of men impietie ouerfloweth the whole face of this Realme For the great multitude delight themselues in ignorance and idolatrie And such alas as appeere to reuerence and embrace thy word doo not expresse the fruits of repentance as it becommeth the people to whome thou hast shewed thy selfe so mercifull and fauourable These are thy iust iudgements O Lord whereby thou punishest sinne by sinne and man by his owne iniquitie so that there can be no end of sinne except thou preuent vs with thy vndeserued grace Conuert vs therefore O Lord and we shall be conuerted Suffer not our vnthankefulnesse to procure of thy most iust iudgments that strangers againe haue empire aboue vs neither yet that the light of thy Gospell bee taken from vs but howsoeuer it be that the great multitude be altogether rebellious and also that in vs there remaine perpetuall imperfections yet for the glorie of thine owne name and for the glorie of thine onlie begotten sonne Iesus Christ whose truth and Gospell thou of thy meere mercie hast manifested among vs it will please thee to take vs into thy protection and defence that all the world may know that as of thy mercie thou hast begun this worke of our saluation by the publishing and preaching of thy Gospell among vs so of this same mercie thou wilt continue it maugre the heads of all our malicious enimies Grant vs this mercifull father for Christ Iesus thy sonnes sake So be it A thanks-giuing after our deliuerance from the tyrannie of strange enimies with praier for continuance of peace betwixt Realmes NOW Lord seeing that we enioie comfort both in bodie and in spirit by reason of this quietnesse of thy mercie granted vnto vs after our most desperate troubles in the which we appered vtterlie to haue beene ouerwhelmed we praise and glorifie thy mercie and goodnesse who pitiouslie lookedst vpon vs when we in our selues were vtterlie confounded But seeing O Lord that to receiue benefits at thy hands and not to be thankefull for the same is nothing else but a seale against vs in the daie of iudgement wee most humblie beseech thee to grant vnto vs harts so mindfull of the calamitie past that we may continuallie feare to prouoke thy iustice to punish vs with the like or worsse plagues And seeing that when we by our owne power were altogether vnable to haue freed our selues from the tyrannie of strangers and from the bondage thraldome pretended against vs that of thine especiall goodnesse didst moue the harts of our neighbours of whome we had not deserued so much fauour to take vpon them the common burthen with vs and for our deliuerance not onlie to spend the liues of manie but also to hazard the state tranquillitie of their Realme and Common-wealth Grant vnto vs O Lord that with such reuerence we may remember thy benefits receiued that after this in our default we neuer enter into hostilitie against those Realmes and Nations Suffer vs neuer O Lord to fall to that ingratitude and detestable vnthankefulnesse that we should seeke the destruction and death of those whome thou hast made instruments to deliuer vs from the tyrannie of mercilesse strangers Dissipate thou the counselles of such as deceiptfullie trauell to stir vp the harts of the inhabitants of either Realme against the other Let their malicious practises be their owne confusion and grant of thy mercie that loue concord and tranquillitie may continue and encrease among the inhabitants of both Realmes especiallie of this Isle of England euen till the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ by whose glorious Gospell thou of thy mercie dooest call vs both to vnitie peace and Christian concord the full perfection whereof we shall possesse in the fulnesse of thy kingdome when all offences shall be remooued
iniquitie shall be suppressed and thy chosen children be fullie endued with that perfect glorie in the which now our Lord Iesus Christ reigneth to whome with thee O father and the holie Ghost be all honour praise and glorie now and euer Amen In time of inuasion by the Turke and Infidels that make warre in anie part of Christendome praie and that earnestlie as followeth OMnipotent and eternall God father of our Lord Iesus Christ maker preseruer and mainteiner both of heauen and earth together with thy coeternall sonne and the holie Ghost we haue sinned O Lord with our fathers we haue done amisse and dealt wickedlie and therfore we confesse that by thy righteous iudgements we are iustlie punished and haue trulie deserued that barbarous nations and cruell Turks making inuasion into Christendome should spoile vs of our goods ouerthrowe Schooles Churches Common-weales make pitifull hauocke of the promiscuous mixt or confused multitude of sillie weake people as they were sheepe prepared to the shambles and carrie miserable men from the sweet bosoms of their deere freends into far and barbarous nations to a slauerie more greeuous than death O God it is thou which hast repelled vs yea thou makest vs a shame to the nations for our sinnes and goest not foorth to war with our armies Thou makest vs to turne our backs vpon our enimies so that they which hate vs spoile our goods Thou lettest vs to bee eaten like sheepe and hast scattered vs among the heathen Thou sellest thy people for naught and takest no monie for them Therefore he the heathen come into thine inheritance thy holie Temple haue they defiled they haue destroied our townes and houses and brought them into an heape of stones The dead bodies of thy seruants haue they giuen to be meate to the fowles of the aire and the flesh of thy Saincts vnto the beasts of the land Their bloud haue they shed like water on euerie side and there was no man to burie them We are become an open shame to our enimies a verie scorne and derision vnto them that are round about vs. O Lord in these mischieuous warres and in the middest of fatall or mortall punishments which threaten an horrible mutation of worldlie empires we flie vnto thee saieng Helpe vs O God of our saluation for the glorie of thy name O deliuer vs and be mercifull vnto our sinnes O Lord deale not with vs according to our sinnes neither reward vs after our iniquities but haue mercie vpon vs and that soone for we are come to great miserie Looke vpon our aduersitie and miserie and forgiue vs all our sinnes Consider our enimies how manie they be and they beare a tyrannicall hate against vs. Thou which aforetime didst remit the offences of thy people diddest couer all their sinnes and didst turne awaie thine heauie indignation from them turne vs we humblie beseech thee O God our Sauiour and remooue awaie thy displeasure from vs also that in true repentance wee may please thee for thy sonne Christs sake Wilt thou be displeased at vs for euer Or wilt thou stretch thy wrath from one generation to another Oh let the sorowfull sighing of the prisoners come before thee according to the greatnesse of thy power preserue thou those that are appointed to die Powre out thine indignation rather vpon the heathen that haue not knowne thee and vpon the kingdoms that haue not called vpon thy name that all nations may knowe that thou takest vengeance of the bloud of thy seruants that is shed Consider the mortall threatenings of our enimies that they exercise not their crueltie vpon vs and saie triumphantlie Where is now their God Keepe from our necks the greeuous yoke of the Turkish bondage and represse the furiousnesse of all tyrants which labour to spoile and make hauocke of thy Church to abolish true doctrine praiers and pure religion that they may bring in paganisme and build vp idolatrie errours and blasphemous ceremonies Defend our Churches our politike gouernance our Schooles and Uniuersities our cities and dwelling places Suffer not good studies learning religion and lawes being ouerthrowne these our townes to be reduced into stables for sauage Mahomets Turkish tyrants or other bloudie tyrants which hate thee and vs extremelie Arme the right arme of our gratious Queene and hir Nobles as also all other Christian Emperours Kings and Potentates that they may fight for our lawes liues and libertie Teach their hands to warre and their fingers to fight Increase in them an inuincible courage of mind that inflamed through the zeale of thy religion they may valiantlie withstand the Turks which are the mortall enimies of thy deere Sonne and of his Church Guide thou the hands of such as doo fight in the cause of thy religion and grant them happie successe ouer all their enimies For a king is not preserued by his great armie and a giant shall not be saued by the multitude of his host nor warlike strength but the victorie proceedeth from the heauens At thy rebuke O God the chariot and horses fall downe Thou shalt take awaie the courage of princes and art terrible vnto the kings of the earth O be thou our helpe in trouble for vaine is the helpe of man Through thee O mightie Iehoua we shall doo great acts and thou wilt tread our enimies vnder thy feet that they come to naught through our Lord Iesus Christ Amen A thanks-giuing vnto God for the Christians victorie had against the Turks O Mercifull Father O Lord God of hosts the onelie protector and defender of thine heritage against whome no might no power nor counsell can preuaile who of thy great mercie without our merit or deseruing hast at all times protected defended vs from the cruell hand of our enimies and mightilie deliuered vs euen out of the mouth of the roring Lion we yeeld vnto thee O father for these thy great goodnesses and mercies most humble hartie thanks and especiallie O father we praise thy holie name that at this present thou hast saued and deliuered thy people from the great assaults and dangers of that same professed mightie enimie of Christian Religion the Turke and also hast giuen vnto the people which fought thy battels battelled vnder thy banner and trusted onlie in thy helpe so great and notable a victorie for the which O Lord God we doo laud and magnifie thy holie name for euer through Christ our Captaine Redeemer and Sauiour beseeching thee for thy mercifull goodnesse that thou wouldest sheeld vs vnder thy mightie protection for euer that we hauing the fruition of godlie peace through thy mercie may the rest of these few daies which we haue to liue lead a peaceable and a quiet life in all pietie and honestie through Christ our Lord to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour glorie and praise for euer and euer Amen O God whose nature and propertie is euer to haue mercie and to forgiue receiue our humble petitions And though
of thee and this congregation present who may be eie-witnesses of the same But because O Lord the externall confession and outward acknowledgement of my sinnes without the inward contrition dolour of the hart and soule auaileth nothing in thy presence which art the searcher of the hart and sifter of the reines I most humblie beseech thee that thou wilt so touch my hart and conscience and effectuallie worke in me perfect remorse and detestation of my former offences that without anie hypocrisie and with true compunction of soule and sincere confession of the mouth I vtterlie loathing and condemning mine owne impietie and damning that which the lawe pronounceth vniust and damnable may attaine to some sense and feeling of thy mercie which thou hast aboundantlie shewed vnto all mankind in Christ Iesu our Lord. Conuert me O Lord and I shall be conuerted because thou art my God and being conuerted I will doo penance Heale me O Lord and I shall be healed saue thou me and I shall be saued for thou art my praise To me I confesse shame and confusion of face is due as I iustlie suffer this daie but to thee honor and glorie for my redemption who by thus iudging and punishing me dooest by little and little giue me place to amend and space to repent and hast not suddenlie and at vnwares taken me awaie from the face of the earth and ouerwhelmed me by and by through thy iustice in my wicked deedes dooing as I deserued and thou iustlie mightest For which thy lenitie patience long-suffering and mercie O thou louer of my soule I most humblie thanke thee beseeching thee so to mollifie my hart that I may repent and esteeme greatlie of so great riches and inestimable treasures of thy goodnesse Moreouer O good Lord Iesus Christ grant I beseech thee that among all the feares and terrours of my conscience I may take hold of thee by a liuelie faith which hast redeemed me from the cursse of the lawe and art made for me wisedome and righteousnesse sanctification and redemption and may not in the fight of conscience yeeld my selfe a slaue still to Sathan and despaire of thy mercie but vpholden by the voice of thy Gospell may flee vnto thee my mediator and iustified by faith may haue peace with God that so comming vnto thee by hearing thy word to repentance the Angels in heauen may continuallie haue occasion to reioice and I auoiding the fearefull vengeance which most assuredlie shall fall vpon the inobedient may be restored into the right of thy lawe and receiued againe into the bosome of thy Church as a member of thy mysticall body and from my hart walke in all holie obedience to thee and thy holie word to the praise of thy name the comfort of thy Church and the confusion of Sathan Amen A thankes-giuing and praier vnto God of a reconciled offender or excommunicate person restored into the Church to be vsed after open penance done at a Sermon or otherwise HEauenlie father fountaine of all mercie and consolation I confesse my selfe the chiefest of all sinners and a wretch most vnworthie to bee counted amongst thy children or to be a member of thy Church if thou haue respect to the corruption of my nature and horror of my manifold misdeeds But seeing it hath pleased thy fatherlie goodnesse not onlie freelie to elect and choose me in thy deere sonne our Lord Iesus Christ by his death to redeeme me by his Gospell to call me and by his holie spirit which both are thine to illuminate me but also that thou hast commanded thy holie word and sacred Gospell to be preached not onlie to me but to all the world to the end that the penitent may haue an assurance of the remission of all their sinnes great and small old and new not onlie for a time but euen as oft as they from sorowfull harts and broken spirits in bitter teares shall bewaile the same and call for thy grace and mercie In consideration of this thy fatherlie adoption and ineffable clemencie shewed vpon mee an vnwoorthie wretch I can not but highlie praise and magnifie thy fatherlie mercie A testimonie whereof I not onelie feele now in my selfe but others also see the same euidentlie in this my conuersion and confession of my fore-passed faults in the which my penance dooing I am assured that I haue not so much shamed my selfe before this godlie congregation as I haue thereby confounded and ouercome mine enimie Satan who for a time had me in bondage and by whose venem and deceiuable entisements I heretofore haue beene verie rebellious to the wholesome admonitions of the Church for the which vile sinnes rebellion and contempt I confesse I haue beene woorthilie excommunicate and punished by the censures of the same But now O Lord seeing that the spirit of our Lord Iesus Christ hath so farre preuailed in me that by the power therof I am now set at freedome by thy mercie am returned againe to the societie of thy Saints and mysticall bodie of thy Church I beseech thee for the obedience of our Lord Iesus Christ so to accept me sorowfull conuert and to allow of this mine vnfeined repentance and confession that my former inobedience and faults be neuer laid to my charge Haue mercie vpon me O God haue mercie vpon me and absolue me thy poore creature not onelie from the sentence of excommunication but also from the sinnes by me committed and from all censures of the Church laid against me for the same or before and that Lord giuen according to this my hartie and vnfeined repentance before thee and all this congregation and as I hartilie forgiue all the world that in anie thing hath offended against me O Lord pronounce thou my sinnes to be cleansed and they shall be cleansed absolue thou me from the chaine of mine iniquities wherewith I am fast tied and bound and I shall be absolued loose thou my sins in earth and they shall be loosed in heauen that being now by thy great goodnesse and mercie acquited and sent awaie vncondemned of thee as that sinfull woman taken in adulterie was from hir accusers and receiued againe to the societie of Iesus Christ into the bosome of his Church to the participation of his blessed Sacraments and finallie to the fruition of all thy benefits I may by the perpetuall assistance of thy holie spirit not onelie more and more be displeased with my sinnes and bridle hencefoorth my corrupt affections till Satan be cleane troden vnder my feet by the power of my redeemer Christ but also be so conducted in all the course of my life hereafter that I neuer fall into the like sinnes impietie and contempt of God and godlinesse anie more but that continuallie I may be subiect to the voice of the Church and to the ministers of the same and proceed dailie in all maner of good works and Christian obedience to the praise of thy holie name and edifieng of thy Church by
to destruction that we may be saued with those few that are appointed therevnto in Iesus Christ to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honor praise and glorie for euermore Amen A thanks-giuing for the conuersion of an excommunicate person or other publike offender after penance WE thanke the mercie and goodnesse of our God through Iesus Christ our Lord for the conuersion patient penance doing of this our sister whereby she hath not so much endured the reproch and infamie of hir owne sinnes as in deede she hath confounded and ouercome Satan hir deadlie foe who went about to make hir his continuall slaue and by whose subtile sleights and euill suggestions she hath heretofore beene disobedient to thy holie lawes and wholsome admonitions of thy Church And now O Lord seeing that the spirit of our Lord Iesus Christ hath so farre preuailed in hir that she is returned to our societie let it please thee for the obedience of the same our Lord Iesus Christ so to accept hir that hir former disobedience and sinnes be neuer laid to hir charge but that she may increase in all goodnesse till Satan finallie be troden vnder hir feete and ours by the power of our Lord Iesus Christ to whom with thee and the holie Spirit be all honor and glorie now and euer Amen Before the publike administration of the holie sacrament of Baptisme the better to call to mind our owne vow and promise made long since vnto God praie priuatelie to your selfe and saie O Most blessed fore-goer and guide of Christian people Iesu Christ who submitting and humbling thy selfe vouchsafedst to be baptised of Iohn in the riuer Iordan and wast not onlie baptised in water but also in blood and in the holie Ghost vouchsafe euen so to incline bow and dispose our outwarde life with our inward mind affects and desires in the fulfilling of all righteousnesse so that we being now mortified dead to the old Adam through thy holie witnesse of baptisme by the working and operation of the holie Ghost may alwaie haue our holy couenant in remembrance before our eies that couenaunt vow and promise I saie which we haue taken vpon vs in our baptisme to the intent that we as faithfull champions striuing against the world the flesh and the diuell may vanquish and ouercome them with all other which might be noifull and hurtfull vnto vs Amen Or giue thanks for our regeneration and sanctification as afterward in the praier vpon Whitsundaie Or praie thus for the spirituall washing awaie of thy sinnes HAue mercie on me O GOD according to thy great tendernesse of hart For in wickednesse borne I was and in sinnes my mother conceiued me so that of nature all that I am I am but sin This my confession of the truth I knowe well is right acceptable vnto thee wheras in the most part of others thou hast either hid the same or made it vnknowne Purge and sprinkle mee with the bloud of Iesus Christ thine vnspotted lambe If thou wash me I shall be as white as snowe wash me thoroughlie therfore from mine errours clense me not onlie of my sinnes passed but also of my whole life to come so shall I receiue these glad tidings into my hart that my sins be forgiuen me With the baptisme of spirit in the fire of thine illumination baptise me which is the might efficacie of baptisme which we receiued in our childhood Grant that the same spirit might alwaie conduct vs let this spirituall washing of baptisme continue with vs vntill the infection and vice which we haue by nature of old Adam be perfectlie taken awaie by the death of the flesh through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Or praie that the benefits of both the holie Sacraments may be applied vnto our soules health O Blessed Trinitie and eternall God of one essence giue grace that in euerie combate and especiallie at the point of death being mindfull of thy couenant made with vs at our Christening of thy most comfortable promise anexed He which beleeueth and is baptised shall bee saued we may neuer doubt either of thy mercifull good-will towards vs or of the free remission of our sinnes but by often remembring this signe and couenant may dailie more and more be confirmed in faith and hope of perpetuall happinesse and applie thy benefits which certainlie thou hast promised and faithfullie wilt performe vnto our selues For thy promises made to such as beleeue and trust in thee be not vaine and to no purpose Likewise vphold our soules by the Sacrament of thy Supper that strengthened with the seale of this new testament we may be the more certaine and confirmed touching our reconciliation and euerlasting righteousnesse alwaies beare it fixed in our minds For if the testament of a man which is prooued after the death of the Testator be not small accounted of much more should the last testament and holie Sacrament of our Sauiour Christ remaine pure and in continuall force and remembrance Or praie that we may rightlie and trulie receiue the blessed Sacraments O Most mercifull God and louing father who by thy son Iesus Christ hast abrogated the superfluous ceremonies of the Lawe and hast deliuered vs from the bondage thereof giuing vnto vs sure certaine seals and sacraments of thy grace and our free redemption through the most pretious bloud of thy deere Sonne Iesus Christ Grant O Lord we beseech thee that we may euermore vse them according to thy sonne our Sauiours institution who hath left them as pledges of his great loue towards mankind as continuall remembrances of his most pretious death which he suffered vpon the wood of the crosse for our redemption who by the fountaine of water hath regenerated vs and by his most pretious bloud hath purged vs. Make vs therefore to receiue these holie mysteries without corruption to vse them without alteration to continue them without superstition to the honour and glorie of thy most holie name through Iesu Christ our Lord to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie now and for euer Amen After publike baptisme praie and giue thanks secretlie to yourselfe as time will serue saieng WE yeeld thee most hartie thanks O heauenlie Father for that it hath pleased thee to regenerate vs with the fountaine of water by faith in the bloud of thy sonne Iesus Christ and to purge vs from that originall sinne which we receiued of the old Eue. But who is able oh Lord to to giue thee sufficient praises Or who can expresse thy louing kindnesse and great mercies towards mankinde who hast not onlie redeemed him from the yoke of the lawe the bondage of hell and destruction of the diuell but also like a mercifull and louing father euen in our first entrance into this world washedst vs from iniquitie and hast giuen vs the Sacrament of Baptisme euen as a memoriall of our election in thy Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord whereby
and so much the more as we see the daie approching Amen Another most Christian and deuout praier to be said before the receiuing of the holie Communion O Christ our Lord and Sauior which before thy greeuous agonie and heapes of trouble thorough the wrath of thine almightie Father lighting vpon thee commandedst thy Disciples Peter and Iohn to prepare the passouer that together they might eate the same Thou longedst for our saluation and didst eate of the lambe which was a figure of thy selfe and expressedst the image of that banket which thy people the Israelits vnder the conduction of thy seruant Moses about to depart out of Aegypt did celebrate Hauing finished the supper of the old couenant thou begannest a new couenant testifieng of thy presence and benefits in the Church Mooue thou our harts to thankfulnesse that with like desire we may desire to come vnto thy table and seeke the nourishment to eternall life Suffer vs not to loath thine heauenlie banket as prophane and curious men doo which contend with thee contemne the order which thou hast appointed Amend all abuses and prophanings of thine holie table horriblie deformed with filthinesse for the which we are punished in all places with manifold plagues and diseases By thy wisedome thou healest our diseases and infirmities and by the visible signes of Sacraments thou confirmest our faith Thou art effectuall by them in the beleeuers according to thy promise We blesse the bread and wine as thou hast willed and beleeue that with them we receiue thee in true faith and puritie of mind Thou declarest by this thy Supper that trulie thou tookedst our flesh vpon thee for our sakes euen to ingraffe vs to thine owne flesh and bring vs to eternall life This is eternall life which is begunne in this world whereby the soule is renewed vnto eternall happinesse Moreouer this blessed meate doth witnesse and testifie that our bodies which are replenished with the sense of thy liuing flesh shall rise againe to perpetuall glorie Increase and nourish by the profitable taking of thee this light within vs. Worke that thy Sacraments taken and digested thou maist come into vs and we into thee Assist vs thy ghests O sweet housholder that woorthilie we may feed vpon thy meate Trie our soule with earnest and vnfeined conuersion Let vs not plaie the hypocrites nor prophanelie dallie with thee and thy holie Sacraments Cause vs rightlie to discerne thy bodie and bloud from other common meate Let vs neuer eate the bodie of the Lord against the Lord. Grant in true and vnfeined faith we may enter into this thy sacred couenant that we may alwaies abide in thee and thou in vs. Likewise by thine holie spirit which is the bond of loue in this publike and common banket ioine vs to thine other members of thy Church Giue grace that all which feed of this bread may be one bodie knit vnto thee which art the head working all things in all Let the diuell at no time disturbe this pleasant concord betweene thee and vs as is betweene the head and other members of the bodie Let vs gather also by the same the summe of doctrine which is preached in the Church Let it raise vs vp vnto thankfulnesse for thy benefits Increase our desire to continuall praier whereby we craue all things which we stand in need of Continue that custome euen till thou returnest gloriouslie in the clouds to iudgement Maintaine some places for preaching and godlie ceremonies and bring in at no time barbarous ignorance Furthermore the dooing herof is a ministerie of our profession against Sathan and all his instruments Confirme in our minds by thy spirit this sound and pure vnderstanding Let vs not be oppressed with idolatrous darknesse approouing horrible abuses in carrieng about in laieng vp in offring the halowed bread without any vse not so much as one sillable of all these things can be seene in thy first institution Wherefore represse the diuell blasphemouslie dealing with this thine ordinance And first consume this world vtterlie with fire before we be wrapped againe in such horrible darknesse of idolatrie and superstition Mitigate the punishments sicknesse infections warre and miseries which for the prophaning of this Supper the whole world doth endure Let thine Angel spare such as with griefe of hart bewaile these abuses Feed vs and fill vs thy ghests with thy liuelie presence Dwell thou in vs. Worke in vs. Sharpen the remembrance of thy benefits within vs. And finallie at our resurrection from the graue giue vs a place in thy seat where we shall find a new taste in the kingdome of thy Father So be it Another praier to be said before the receiuing of the blessed Communion as you kneele at Gods boord O Lord although I be not woorthie to receiue thee into the house of my soule for mine innumerable offences and sins done against thy great goodnesse yet trusting good Lord in thy great pitie and infinite mercie I come to receiue thy blessed bodie as a sicke creature to thee that art the health of life vncleane to thee that art the well of mercie blind by ignorance to thee that art the light euerlasting needie of thy grace and poore in vertue to thee that art the King of heauen and earth naked of good works to thee that art the author of grace I come as a wretch to thee my Lord and maker all desolate and comfortlesse to thee my helpe and succour For besides thee there is no consolation I come as a sinner to thee that art the mediatour and meane betwixt God and man I come as a caitife to thee my most mercifull Sauiour I come all sinfull to thee the granter of remission and pardon dead by sinne to thee that art the restorer to life euill to thee that art all goodnesse hard-harted to be releeued by the infusion of thy super-abundant grace desiring thee meekelie to heale mine infirmities and sicknesse to wash awaie my sinne and filthinesse to lighten my blindnesse to reduce me to the right waie where I am out thereof to comfort me desolate of goodnesse Haue mercie on my wretchednesse pardon my sinfulnes giue me the light of grace thus burdened in sinne that I may receiue thee the food of all Angels the King of glorie the Lord of all lords with such chastitie of bodie with such purenesse of mind and cleannesse of soule with such contrition of hart and abundance of weeping teares with such spirituall ioie and gladnesse with such dread and reuerence with such faith hope and charitie with such obedience and humilitie with such loue deuotion faithfulnesse and thankfulnesse as it is beseeming for such a Lord to be receiued and to my soule most expedient And be not displeased good Lord that I a sinner with an vncleane hart and polluted mind come hither this daie to receiue thy pretious bodie in sacramentall bread and wine but remember mercifull Lord that thou refusedst not the sinfull Marie Magdalen being
penitent from the kissing of thy blessed feet And in likewise despise me not nor put me awaie as vnwoorthie from the receiuing of thy bodie in the blessed Sacrament for my sinnes and wickednesse but grant thou me cōpunction of hart plentie of weeping tears to wash awaie my sinnes wickednesse so that with a pure hart and cleane conscience I may this daie receiue the Sacrament to my soules helth that I may obtaine and possesse thereby euerlasting life with all holie Saints in heauens glorie and in this present life with the holie spirit to be replenished and neuer to admit other louer besides thee Grant me blessed Iesu so to receiue the Sacrament of bread and wine that I may be woorthie to bee accounted for a member of thy mysticall bodie heere in earth And though as yet I be not worthie to be numbered among the simplest and lowest of thy seruants but rather to be reiect and out-cast for my sinfulnesse yet good Lord of thine infinite power thou maist make me able equall and like to the meanest of thine elect seruants Come thou Father of the fatherlesse come thou comforter of the comfortlesse come and cleanse my soule from all contagiousnesse of sinne For it is not conuenient and according there to be anie vncleannes where thou the spouse of virginall chastitie shouldest come in and dwell Come therefore and sanctifie my soule and make it cleane by thy gratious presence that no heapes of soile or remnants of sinne be to be found in anie least cranie or corner of thy spirituall house or temple my bodie and soule I meane to offend the celestiall eies of thy diuine Maiestie so shall thy holie hall which is my cleansed soule ring and resound with thy perpetuall praises to thy glorie Come I saie O God and apparell my naked soule with the rich ornaments of thy vertue and grace and with the white raines of thy righteousnesse and innocencie that I may delight thee therein to abide And as thou disdainedst not to touch the sore leapers with thy holie hands so good Lord vouchsafe to annoint my simple soule with the ointment of remission and pardon that in this life by stedfast hope firme faith and perfect charitie I may so increase in vertue from daie to daie that I may atteine to the glorious fruition of thy Godhead in the kingdome of heauen where I may see thee face to face and praise thee with all thine elect and chosen Saints worlds without end Amen Another verie deuout praier before the receiuing of the holie Communion O Most sweet and louing Lord Iesu Christ whom now I deuoutlie and hartilie desire to receiue this daie thou knowest mine infirmities and necessities which I suffer in how manie euils and vices I lie wherewith I am often greeued tempted troubled and vnquieted and defiled Unto thee doo I come for remedie vnto thee doo I earnestlie praie for comfort and helpe I speake vnto thee who knowest all things vnto whom euen all my verie secret thoughts are manifest and who onlie canst perfectlie comfort and helpe me Thou knowest what good things I lacke before all things and how poore and beggerlie I am in vertues Behold I stand before thee requiring grace and mercie Feed and cherish thy hungrie begger kindle my coldnesse with the fire of thy loue lighten my blindnesse with the bright cleerenesse of thy presence turne all earthlie things into bitternesse vnto me all heauie greeuous hard painfull and contrarie things into patience to me Lift vp my hart vnto thee in heauen and suffer me not to wander or go astraie from thee vpon the earth Thou onlie from this time foorth for euermore dooest waxe sweet vnto me because thou onelie art my meate and my drinke my loue my ioie my sweetnesse Oh would to God thou wouldest vouchsafe altogether to enflame burne and euen consume me with thy presence and to change me into thy selfe that I may be made one spirit with them by grace of the inward vnitie and softning of thy feruent loue Suffer me not to depart an hungred nor thirstie from them but worke mercifullie with me as thou hast often heeretofore maruellouslie wrought with thy Saincts What maruell is it if I should be altogether set on fire inflamed with thee and should faile in my selfe and be changed Sith thou art a fire euer burning and neuer failing a loue purifieng the hart and lightening the vnderstanding Behold therefore I wretched sinner not presuming of mine owne merits but trusting onlie of thy mercie and goodnesse am bold to come in trembling and feare vnto this thy table of most sweete deinties O most holie Lord Iesu Christ For I haue an hart and bodie defiled marred and polluted with manie faults and offences a mind and a tongue not chastlie nor warilie kept Therefore O holie Deitie O dredfull Maiestie I wretched caitife in great perplexitie of mind taken vnwares betwene many troublsome straights doo now run againe to thee the fountaine of all mercie Unto thee doo I hasten me to be healed and cured vnder thy protection doo I flie And whome I can not endure as a Iudge I earnestlie desire to haue a Sauiour To thee O Lord doo I open and shew my woundes vnto thee doo I vncouer and detect my shamefastnesse I knowe that my sinnes are great for the which I am sore afraid but I hope and repose my trust in thy great mercies which are infinite surpassing number Turne thine eies of thy mercie towards me O Lord Iesu Christ heauenlie King euerlasting God man crucified for man heare me trusting in thee and haue mercie vpon me full of all miserie and sinne Thou which art the flowing fountaine and vndrainable wel-spring of all mercie and pitie I beseech thee from the bottome of my hart that thou wilt forgiue me all my sinnes and in this life so to purge awaie the rust and filth thereof that in the life to come they may not be imputed vnto me O God of vnspeakable pitie whose power is infinite without whome I can not possiblie resist sinne comfort and helpe me so greatlie that I neuer heereafter anie more commit anie mortall or deadlie sinne and from hencefoorth may ouercome all the temptations of the diuell that I may direct my whole life thoughts words and works altogether vnto thee and that thou maist in the end of my life so preserue and keepe me that Sathan vrge me not with his terrours and feares and so bring me into desperation O flowing fountaine of charitie make my mind free from all the creatures which might drawe me from thy loue and fauour that in thy loue I may profit go forward and preuaile that now verelie and in the end of my life I may worthilie receiue thee and so my soule being powred out of the sacke of my bodie doo thou in mercie bring it vnto the euerlasting palace of thy heauenlie father to see and behold the cleere renowmed glasse of the holie Trinitie Remember thy
consideration and knowledge of so great a benefit to giue God thanks therefore and to be gratefull for his goodnesse BLesse the Lord O my soule and all mine entrailes laud his most holie name Forget not O my soule the infinite mercies and continuall benefits receiued of his most liberall hand amongst the which well maist thou reckon that which hath been this daie giuen thee that so infinite a Maiestie should vouchsafe to visite thee to enter into thy homelie habitation and with surpassing clemencie wholie to giue himselfe to thee in this most maruellous Sacrament O thou incomprehensible God no lesse pitifull than puissant what shall I saie seeing the depth of thy bottomlesse mercies hath vouchsafed to impart it selfe to the depth of mine vnspekable miseries What thanks can I yeeld thee for so great kindnesse and loue who wot right well that if all the members and muscles of my bodie were turned into tongues yet could I not condignelie thanke thee for the least of all thy benefits How much lesse able shall I then be with one tongue to laud and thanke thee for this present gift being of so great and inestimable a value If Elizabeth the mother of the fore-runner Saint Iohn Baptist being visited of the most sacred virgin Marie thy mother when she perceiued thy presence illuminated with the holie Ghost was so astonished thereat as she cried out alowd and said Whence haue I this that the mother of my Lord dooth come to me How much more iustlie am I to be astonished and to crie out Whence haue I this that the onlie sonne of that most blessed virgin euen my Lord himselfe and Lord of all Angels heauen and earth and of all the creatures of the world hath visited me entred into me honoured me fostered me and filled me in this most woorthie Sacrament Whence haue I this that a Lord so high so puissant so woorthie of all worship hath vouchsafed to come vnto mee a most wretched worme to me the most heinous sinner of all sinners to me that haue so manie times offended him to me that with my lewdnesse and abhominations haue so oft banished and expelled him out of me Woorthilie did the holie Prophets Iob and Dauid woonder at thy diuine clemencie at what time they said What is man that thou so magnifiest him What is the sonne of man that thus thou visitest him But much greater reason haue we most wretched caitifs to saie the same in these our daies What is man that thou hast thus extolled him as for man to make thy selfe man and to giue thy selfe in foode to man wherewith he may euerie daie be visited and refreshed And albeit all men may maruell at this thy diuine clemencie vsed towards man much more yet may I maruell which of all men am the basest and vnwoorthiest If Dauid when king Saule would haue chosen him for his sonne in lawe reputed himselfe vnwoorthie and said What am I or what is my life or my fathers linage that I should be a sonne in lawe to a king How much more cause haue I now to saie the same seeing the King of all kings hath admitted mee to so high a dignitie What am I or what is my fathers offspring What other am I than a vessell of corruption a sacke of doong and filth ingendred of a most vile stinking matter touching my flesh which ere long shall yeeld food to woormes and am concerning my soule all soiled with sinne fraught with ignorance and forgetfulnesse with manie mo defects and wicked inclinations What other is my life than a vanitie a puffe of wind a smoke and shadowe that quicklie vanisheth a confusion and disorder a continuall exercise of sinne and transgressions of thy commandements Such hath my life mine exercises and mine inclinations beene such also is my father Adams offspring and all his ancient familie sith all that descend of him are generallie borne thus blemished thus bent and all like children of a traitour as he was adiudged to suffer death Wherefore O most puissant Prince and dreadfull King aboue all kings thou knowing me and my life to haue been such much woorse than I either knowe or can imagine hast vouchsafed to receiue me not for a sonne in lawe but for thine owne child and as a yoonger one right tenderlie beloued For such are fathers accustomed most of all to cherish as now thou hast cherished and fed me with this Angels bread wherein is found all sauour and all diuine delight S. Luke reporteth how one of those ghests that were at table with thee in a prince of the Pharisies house should saie Blessed are those that shall eate the bread of life in the kingdome of heauen but much more happie am I if I can knowe it and gather fruit out of it which in this life rate the bread wherein is the selfe-same God spirituallie by faith conteined and therewith receiue a pledge to eate him in his euerlasting kingdome Happie eke are all those that shall dispose themselues to repaire to this most gratious banket wherein are found all sweet tasts and sauours all riches and renowme and all the things that happilie be to be desired Yea what is it that man may long for that is not here offered him If he desire delights and pleasures here be the sincerest the choisest the sweetest If he wish for wealth behold here the treasure that inricheth both heauen and earth If state and souereigntie be sought for behold here the highest dignities that can be possiblie atchieued Sith by meanes of this most venerable sacrament the soule is vnited to God and resteth associated and reuerenced with quires of Angels that assist about it Wherefore O ye blind beguiled children of Adam what other pleasure profit doo you prowle for Why doo you as Esaie saith spend your monie and not vpon bread Why imploie you your trauell and not in this that may satiate and content you Why loose you such satietie such sweetnesse and such treasure as is here conteined in this gift Doo not thou so O my soule doo not thou so be not thou henceforth anie more blind see thou seeke not anie carnall contentations hauing meanes to be a partaker of this meere spirituall and celestiall delight Take no more taste and pleasure in the food of death whereof thou earst didst feed hauing this bread of life giuen and granted vnto thee Regard not the pomps and most vaine vanities of this world seeing thou maiest enioie in this Sacrament the true happinesse and good things which in the world cannot possiblie be atteined Imbrace and keepe this treasure which sufficeth to make thee trulie happie possesse this good which exceedeth all good content and quiet thy selfe in this repose which may abundantlie satiate thy desire and be not ingratefull to this thy benefactor but yeeld him hartie thanks as well for this as all other benefits heretofore from the beginning bestowed vpon thee Howbeit my gratious and mercifull Lord
Remember now O my soule that thou art brought from thy vaine conuersation and that thy freedome is purchased neither with gold nor siluer but with the deere price of the most pretious hart bloud of that innocent and immaculate lambe Iesus Christ And euen now at the least O my soule begin and take in hand in the name and feare of God to purge the old leauen of sinne and wickednesse that corrupteth and sowreth the sweetnesse of thy life before the maiestie of God that thou maist be as new and fresh dough void of all sowre leauen of wickednesse so shalt thou shew thy selfe to be sweet bread to God that he may haue his delight in thee so shalt thou declare thy selfe a worthie host for such a ghest and that Christes gifts and graces haue their effect in thee and that thou hast the right beleefe and knowledge of his holie mysteries now receiued of thee finallie so shalt thou in applieng thy faith to the vertue of this holie Sacrament and in thy life and conuersation conforming and fashioning thy selfe to the example and signification meant thereby be most certaine and sure to liue in this life happilie in the world to come to dwell with Christ whome thou hast now receiued in euerlasting glorie which God for his mercies sake and for the deere and pretious merits of his onelie Sonne our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christs sake grant vnto vs Amen The Praier SO great and manifold are thy benefits O most good and mercifull God towards mankind as all people in euerie place ought greatlie to laud woorthilie to praise and highlie to extoll magnifie thy blessed name For what thing can be more pleasant to men than that thou dooest easilie heare them at what time they call vpon thee for such things as they stand in need of In what other good things ought we more to reioice of than this for that thou yeeldest thy selfe appeased and fauourable to our iniquities Or why bee we not right happie and blessed whome thou diddest vouchsafe to annexe vnto thy selfe in thy sacred congregation in feeding our hungrie stomachs with spirituall good things and heauenlie deinties and refreshing vs continuallie with the most exquisite and well furnished banket of thy blessed Sacraments making vs to eate aboundantlie of thy heauenlie Manna and food of Angels and to drinke plentiouslie of the full cup of thy holie spirit and diuine grace to our endlesse comfort and consolation in thee Oh Lord thou dealest fauourablie euen with all other creatures also for thine elects sake Thou stablishest the mountaines stillest the raging of the sea appeasest the madnesse of the people and dooest refresh and lighten with great ioie the vttermost parts of the earth through the brightnesse of the heauenlie fires Thou sendest seasonable weather and timelie showers whereby onlie commeth fertilitie of the feelds woonderfullie garnished with all kinde of fruites whereby both men and beasts haue aboundantlie wherewith to feed Grant thou therefore thus much also vnto vs who art the author of so manie good things that we may alwaie be mindfull thereof to render most condigne thanks vnto thee and that an alteration of our old leauen being now made through the vertue of this blessed Sacrament which we haue receiued we may like the eagle from time to time renew our youth in godlines of life and vse to our health and comfort those things which thou so louinglie bestowest vpon vs thorough Iesus Christ our Lord Amen At the solemnization of Matrimonie praie thus ALmightie God and most mercifull father who hast ordeined marriage to be kept without blame or breach to the end not suffering that anie should put asunder those whome thou hast ioined together Sanctifie those which are called to this estate of life to keepe it according to thy holie institution and ordinance And furthermore as thou requirest that we should loue thee aboue all things esteeming more thy fauour than either the riches or honour of this world or life it selfe so we beseech thee O Lord to teach vs how to vse these transitorie things that we abuse them not in setting our harts vpon them or delighting more in them than is meete but that we may so loue our husbands children house lands and our owne liues or whatsoeuer thou giuest vs for our comfort heere for a time that we may keepe still the highest degree of our loue for thee our spirituall husband so that where the question shall be betweene thee and anie thing else we may make losse of all things to abide perfectlie in our loue towards thee to the end to whome with the father and the holie ghost be all laud and praise for euer and euer Amen Or as at the solemnization of Matrimonie in the fift Lampe At the buriall of anie meditate and praie as followeth O Lord Iesu Christ Sonne of God which art the giuer of eternall life we hartilie thanke thee because thou art inwardlie touched with mercie towards vs oppressed both with temporall and euerlasting miseries thou hast tasted death and with thy flesh thou hast touched the graue and earth wherby it is sanctified and made light to the godlie so that it can not keepe them in etternall death According to thy commandement there stand the bringers and ministers of death euen sinne and Satan but thou pluckest the faithfull out of the iawes of death bringest them to a new life through the comfort of thy Gospell teachest them to speake and sound foorth thy glorie cōmendest them in this life to the mother the Church and at length death and all euils being subdued thou wilt bring them into thy kingdome Wee humblie beseech thee take mercie vpon thy Church in these miserable daies For she is as a widowe destitute of all worldlie helpe and dependeth onlie vpon thy mercifull aid and protection Speake vnto hir with cheerfull voice and saie Weepe not powre vpon thine the true light of faith and comfort lift vs vp in the mids of death with a confidence of thy presence and hope of eternall life Driue awaie the gard of death teach vs to set foorth thy truth and at the length let vs be placed with the sweet mother of all Saints in the true countrie of that happie citie Ierusalem where we shall for euermore enioie the blessed sight both of thee and thy heauenlie congregation Amen Another deuout praier at burials LORD thou art God for euer short is our life alwaies some of vs die other some come into the world and with thee a thousand yeeres bee but one daie yea as the least minute of an houre This life passeth awaie as dooth a dreame euen as grasse in the field greene to daie and drie to morowe If thou be displeased then we be lost if thou chasten then shrinke we for feare For thorough sinnes we be dead vnto thee Certes Lord if thou haue respect to our sinnes who shall continue Shew vs how manie be the daies of our life that we
haue it but by hope they see thee face to face I see thee in a riddle through a glasse they see thee fullie and I but partlie Howbeit when the thing commeth which is perfect then shall the vnperfect be done awaie at such time as we shall behold thee vncouered face to face And what should let vs to be counted little inferiour to Angels seeing that thou O Lord hast crowned vs with the garland of hope which is decked with glorie and honour and seeing thou hast inhonoured vs exceedinglie as thy friends or rather as fellowes and coequals in all things with thine Angels Uerelie euen so saith thy truth They are equall with the Angels and they be the sonnes of God And what be they else than the sonnes of God if they be made fellowes with the Angels They shall be the sonnes of God in verie deede For the sonne of man is become the sonne of God Trulie when I bethinke me of this I am bold to saie that man is not onlie little inferiour to the Angels yea or haile-felowe with the Angels but also superiour to them bicause a man is God God is a man not an Angel And in this respect I may saie that man is the woorthiest creature because the word which in the beginning was God with God the word whereby God said Let light be made and light was made the word whereby God created althings in the beginning euen the selfe-same word became flesh and dwelt among vs and we haue seene the glorie of it Lo heere the glorie when I glorie discreetlie lo heere the ioie when I ioie discreetlie O Lord my God the whole life and glorie of my soule Therefore I acknowledge vnto thee my Lord God that when thou createdst me indued with reason thou didst create me after a sort equall with the Angels For by thy word I may be perfect to attaine to equalitie with the Angels so as I may haue the adoption of thy children by thine onlie begotten word O Lord by thy deer beloued Son in whom thou art well pleased by our onelie coheire which is of the same substance euerlastingnes that thou thy selfe art yea euen by Iesus Christ our onlie Lord and redeemer our inlightner and comforter our spokesman with thee the light of our eies who is our life our sauiour our onlie hope who hath loued vs more than himselfe by whome we haue assured trust laid vp in store and stedfast faith to thee-ward and entrance to come vnto thee because he hath giuen them power to become the children of God as manie as beleeue in his name I will giue praise vnto thy name O Lord who by creating me after thine owne image hast made me capable of so great glorie as to become the sonne of God This trulie can not trees doo this can not stones doo this to speake generallie can not anie of the things doo that moue or growe in the aire or in the sea or on the earth in asmuch as he hath not giuen them power by thy word to become the sonnes of God because they haue not reason For the power whereby we knowe consisteth in reason But he hath giuen this power vnto men whome he created reasonable after his owne image and likenesse Certesse Lord it is by thy grace that I am a woman and by grace I may be thy child which thing the other can not be Whence haue I this O Lord the souereigne truth and true souereigne and the beginning of all creatures Whence haue I this O Lord that I may become the child of God which the other things cannot Thou art he that endurest for euer and thou hast made all things at once Thou hast made man and beasts stones and greene things of the earth all at once For there went no desert of theirs afore there went no good turne of theirs afore Thou hast created all things onlie of thine owne goodnesse no creature hath deserued more than other for none of them had deserued ought at all And why then did thy goodnesse shewe it selfe more in this creature which thou hast made reasonable than in all other that be without reason Why was not I as all they be or why are not all they as I am or I alone as they be What had I deserued that thou shouldest make me able to become the child of God and denie the same abilitie to all the rest God forbid that I should thinke so It was thine onlie grace it was thine onlie goodnesse which brought it to passe that I might be partaker of that sweetnesse Of that grace therefore whereby thou hast created me of nothing I beseech thee O Lord to giue me the grace to be thankefull vnto thee And I thy creature will put my trust vnder the shadowe of thy wings and in the goodnesse wherethrough thou hast created me Helpe thy creature whome thy gratious goodnesse hath created Let not that perish through my naughtinesse which thy goodnesse hath wrought Let not that perish through my wretchednesse which thy singular mercie hath made For what auaileth it me that thou hast created me if I shall sinke downe into mine owne corruption O God hast thou made all the sonnes of men in vaine Thou hast created me O Lord rule thou the thing that thou hast created Despise not the worke of thine owne hands O God Thou hast made me of naught O Lord and if thou gouerne me not I shall returne to naught againe For like as when I was not thou madest me of nothing so if thou gouerne me not I shall yet againe be brought to nothing in my selfe Helpe me O Lord my life least I perish in mine owne naughtinesse Lord if thou hadst not created me I should not haue beene at all but because thou hast created me I am Now if thou gouerne me not I am vndone For it was not mine owne merits or mine owne deserts as I haue said that made thee to create me but thine owne most gratious goodnesse and mercifulnes That louingnesse of thine O Lord my God which made thee to create me I beseech thee let the same make thee to gouerne me For what booteth it that thy louingnesse caused thee to create me if I must perish in mine owne wretchednesse and that thy right hand gouerne me not O Lord my God let this mercifulnesse which caused thee to create that that was not created cause thee also to saue that which is created Let the louingnesse which wan thee to create win thee also to saue sith it is no lesse now than it was then For thou art the verie loue and mercie it selfe and thou continuest alwaie one vnchangeable immortall and inuisible God blessed and praised for euer and euer Amen That God hath put all things vnder the seruice of man and that by the consideration of the temporall benefits we coniecture the heauenlie wisedome and goodnesse of God THou O gratious God hast put all things vnder mans feet to
the end that man alone should wholie be subiect vnto thee And to the end that man should be wholie thine thou hast made man lord of all thy works For thou hast created all outward things for his bodie his bodie for his soule and his soule for thee that he might serue thee onlie and loue thee onlie possessing thee to his comfort and all inferiour things for his seruants For whatsoeuer is conteined vnder the cope of heauen is inferiour vnto mans soule which was made to inherit the souereigne goodnesse aboue and to become happie by possessing it wherevnto if he sticke fast he shall surmount the need of all the inferiour things which are changeable and in euerlasting immortalitie quietlie behold the souereigne maiestie whereof he representeth the image Then shall he enioie those excellent good things in the Lords house in comparison whereof all the things that we see are counted as nothing Those be the things which no eie hath seene nor eare hard nor hart of man conceiued which God hath prepared for them that loue him And trulie Lord these things wilt thou giue vnto my soule with these dooest thou which louest mens soules dailie glad the harts of thy seruants But why woonder I at these things my Lord God Thou inhonourest thine owne image and thine owne likenesse wherevnto they were created For to the end our bodie though it be yet corruptible base might see thou hast giuen vs the light of the skie by the hand of thine vnweariable seruants the Sunne and Moone who according to thy commandement doo continuall seruice daie and night to thy children To the intent it might breath thou hast granted vs the pure aire To the intent it might heare thou hast giuen vs the diuersitie of sounds To the intent it might smell thou hast giuen vs the sweetnesse of sents To the intent it might taste thou hast giuen vs the qualities of sauours To the end it might feele thou hast giuen vs the substances of all bodilie things To helpe vs in our necessities thou hast giuen vs bearing beasts To refresh vs withall thou hast bestowed vpon vs the fowles of the aire and the fishes of the sea and the fruits of the earth For euerie sore maladie and disease of ours thou hast created medicine salue and plaister out of the earth And for euerie seuerall euill thou hast prepared a seuerall remedie to encounter it because thou art mercifull and full of compassion and thou our potter knowest of what mettall we be made and how that all of vs are claie in thy hand O holie Lord God our good maker by these least things we comprehend the great things and by these visible things we comprehend thine inuisible things For if thou send so great and so innumerable benefits vnto me for this base and corruptible bodie of mine from the skie and the aire from the land and the sea from light and darkenesse from heate and shadowe from dew and raine from wind and showers from fowles and fishes from beasts and trees by diuersitie of herbes and things that growe vpon the earth and by the seruice of all thy creatures seruing our turnes by course in their seasons to ease vs of our wearinesse how excellent I praie thee and how great innumerable shall those good things be which thou hast prepared for them that loue thee in that heauenlie Realme where we shall see thee face to face If thou doo so much for vs in prison what wilt thou doo in thy pallace Great and innumerable are thy works O Lord thou King of heauen and earth For sith that all these things be exceeding good pleasant which thou hast deliuered to good men bad men togither in common what maner of things shall those be which thou hast laid vp in store for good men onlie If the gifts be so sundrie and so innumerable which thou dealest now as well to thy foes as thy friends how great innumerable how sweet delightfull shall those be which thou wilt deale onlie to thy friends If thou giue so great solace in this time of mourning how great ioies wilt thou giue in the daie of wedding If our prison conteine so manie delectable things how much more delectable things conteineth our fathers house O God no eie without thee hath seene the things that thou hast prepared for them that loue thee For according to the manifoldnesse of thy mightie works so also is the great aboundance of thy sweetnesse which thou keepest in store for them that loue thee For great art thou O Lord our God yea vnmeasurable art thou and there is no end of thy greatnesse nor number of thy wisedome nor measure of thy mercie neither is there end number or measure of thy bountifulnesse But like as thou thy selfe art great so are thy rewards great for thou thy selfe art both the price and the reward of all thy lawfull combators To thee therefore be all honour glorie and praise for euer Amen A meditation of Gods power beautie and goodnesse BIcause thou Lord wouldest haue vs to loue thee not one lie doost thou will intise allure and prouoke vs but also doost command vs so to doo promising thy selfe vnto such as loue thee and threatening vs with dainnation if we doo otherwise Whereby we may see both our great corruption and naughtinesse and also thine exceeding great mercie toward vs. First concerning our corruption and naughtinesse what a thing is it that power riches authoritie beutie goodnesse liberalitie truth iustice which all thou art good Lord can not mooue vs to loue thee Whatsoeuer things we see faire good wise mightie are but euen sparks of thy power beautie goodnesse wisdome which thou art For to the end thou mightest declare thy riches beautie power wisdome goodnes c. Thou hast not onelie made but still dooest conserue all creatures to be as Dauid saith of the heauens declarers and setters foorth of thy glorie and as a booke to teach vs to knowe thee How faire thou art the beautie of the sunne moone stars light flowers riuers feelds hils biros beasts men and all creatures yea the goodlie scape forme of the whole world dooth declare How mightie thou art we are taught by the creation of the world euen of naught by gouerning the same by punishing the wicked mightie Giants thereof by ouerthrowing their deuises by repressing the rages of the sea and keeping it within hir bounds by stormes by tempests by fires These and such like declare vnto vs thine inuisible almightie and terrible power whereby thou subduest all things vnto thee How rich thou art this world thy great and infinite treasure-house dooth well declare What plentie is there not onelie of things but also of euerie kind of things Yea how doost thou yeerelie and dailie multiplie these kinds How manie seeds doost thou make of one seed Yea what a great increase doost thou bring it vnto These can not but put vs in remembrance of the
vnthankefulnesse doth greatlie displease thee which is the roote of all spirituall euill and a wind that blasteth and burneth vp all good damming vp the fountaine of thy godlie mercie for euer Through it the works that be dead alreadie reuiue not and the works that be aliue doo die out of hand and recouer not againe But I thy creature will giue thanks to thee O Lord least I be vnthankefull to thee my deliuerer for the deliuering of me How often had that dragon swallowed me vp long ago but that thou O Lord hadst plucked me out of his mouth How often haue I sinned he stood readie to snatch me vp but that thou didst defend me O Lord my God When I dealt wickedlie and when I brake thy commandements he stood waiting to carrie me awaie to hell but thou withstoodest him I offended thee and thou didst defend me I feared thee not and yet thou didst keepe me I started awaie from thee and yeelded my selfe to mine enimie and yet thou didst fraie him awaie that he should not take mee These good turnes hast thou done for me O Lord my God I wretch wist it not For so hast thou often times deliuered me out of the diuels chaps plucked me out of the lions mouth and manie and sundrie waies brought me backe againe from hell though I wist it not For I haue gone downe to the verie gates of hell but thou hast held me from going in I drew neere to deaths dore but thou hast not suffered it to take me in Also thou hast oftentimes preserued mée from bodilie death O my sauiour when I haue beene attached with sore sicknesses and when I haue beene in manie dangers by sea and by land thou hast alwaies stood by me deliuering me from fire and from sword and from all perill and mercifullie preseruing me Trulie Lord thou knowest that if death had dispatched me at that time hell had receiued my soule and I had beene damned for euer but thy mercie and thy grace preuented me rescuing me from bodilie death and also from the death of my soule O my Lord God These and manie other good turnes hast thou done for me I saie and I was blind and wist it not vntill thou inlightenedst me Now therefore O light of my soule my Lord God my life whereby I liue the sight of mine eies wherewith I see behold thou hast inlightened me and I perceiue how I liue through thee And I yeeld thee thanks though little woorth and slender and farre from thy benefits howbeit yet such as my frailtie hath to giue For thou onelie art my God and my gratious maker which louest our soules and hatest none of the things that thou hast made Behold I am the chiefe among the sinners whom thou hast saued that I may be an example vnto others of thy most merciful louing kindnes I will acknowledge thy great benefits vnto thee For thou hast plucked me out of the bottome of hell once and twise and thrise and an hundred times and a thousand times Yea I alwaies made toward hell and thou didst alwaies bring me backe againe when thou mightest iustlie haue damned me if thou haddest would but thou wouldest not O Lord my GOD bicause thou louest mens soules and bearest with mens sinnes that they might repent all thy waies be full of mercie Now therefore O Lord my God I see these things and discerne them by thy light and my hart is astonished at thy great mercie towards me in that thou hast deliuered my soule from the bottome of hell and brought me backe againe to life For I was starke dead and thou hast made me thoroughlie aliue againe Therfore am I altogither beholden to thee for my life And whole as I am I yeeld my selfe wholie vnto thee Let my whole spirit my whole hart my whole bodie and my whole life liue vnto thee my sweet life For thou hast deliuered me whole that thou mightest possesse me whole thou hast made me whole new againe that thou mightest haue me whole againe And therefore let me loue thee O Lord my strength let me loue thee O mine vnspeakable ioie and let mee liue hencefoorth not to my selfe but vnto thee All my whole life which was perished in mine owne wretchednesse is reuiued againe in thy mercie For thou art a pitifull and mercifull GOD and manie are thy compassions towards thousands in them that loue thy name And therfore O Lord my God thou my sanctifier hast commanded me in thy lawe that I should loue thee with all my hart with all my might yea euen from the bottome of my hart at all houres and times wherein I enioie the benefits of thy mercie For I should perish for euer but that thou rulest me euer I should euer die but that thou euer quickenest me yea euerie moment thou bindest me vnto thee in as much as euerie moment thou bestowest thy great benefits vpon me Therfore like as there is no houre or instant of time in all my life that I haue not the vse of thy benefits so ought there to be no moment wherein I should not haue thee in remembrance before mine eies and loue thee to the vttermost of my power But this I am not able to doo except thou make me able of whom commeth euerie good gift and excellent gift in whom there is no change nor intercourse of darknes For to loue thee commeth not of our owne will or of our owne running but of thy mercie Lord it is thy gift whose all good things are Thou commandest vs to loue thee giue vs that which thou commandest and command what thou wilt Another meditation of Gods great benefits VNto thee O souereigne light O ghostlie Physician the health of my soule will I now euer giue praise with all my whole hart for all thy benefits wherwith thou feedest me from my youth vnto mine old age and euen till my last gaspe I beseech thee by thy selfe forsake me not For thou madest me when I was not thou redeemedst me when I was forlorne thou inlightenedst me when I was in darknesse thou raisedst me when I was dead yea when I was both forlorne and dead thou camest downe from the bosome of thy Father to me tookest mortalitie vpon thee Thou being my King camest downe to thy seruant To redeeme thy seruant thou gauest thy selfe to the intent that I might liue thou tookest vpon thee to die and ouercamest death Thou diddest set me vp againe by abasing thy selfe lowe I was vndoone I was gone farre awaie in my sinnes I was sold to sinne then camest thou for me to bring me out againe and thou didst loue me so well that thou gauest thine owne blood for my ransome Lord thou hast loued me more than thy selfe For thou diddest find in thine hart to die for me Upon this condition hast thou with so deere a price brought mee backe againe from banishment ransomed me out of bondage rescued me from punishment called mee
by thine owne name and sealed me with thy blood that the remembrance of thee should be euermore with me and that he should neuer depart from my hart who for my sake shunned not the crosse Thou hast annointed me with the oile wherewith thou thy selfe wert annointed that I might be called a Christian after thy name Christ Behold thou hast registred me vpon thine hands to the end that the remembrance of mee might be alwaies present with thee yet notwithstanding so as if the remembrance of thee be alwaies present with me Thus then haue thy loue thy grace and mercie alwaies preuented me For thou hast oftentimes deliuered me from manie and great perils O my deliuerer When I went astraie thou broughtest mee backe againe when I was ignorant thou taughtest mee when I sinned thou diddest chastise me when I haue beene in heauines thou hast cheered me when I haue beene in despaire thou hast recomforted me when I haue beene fallen thou hast lifted me vp when I haue stood thou hast vpholden me when I haue gone thou hast guided me when I haue come thou hast receiued me when I haue slept thou hast watched me and when I haue cried vnto thee thou hast heard me O Lord where shall I haue words to vtter the signes of thy singular loue toward me considering thine innumerable benefits wherin thou hast brought me vp from the beginning Namelie euen from the benefit of the creation when at the first beginning thou madest me of nothing after thine owne image in honouring and aduancing me among the creatures which thou madest and innobling me with the light of thy countenance which thou imprintedst vpon the lampe of my hart thereby disseuering me as well from sensible as from senselesse creatures and abasing mee but little beneath the Angels And yet was all this but a small matter in the sight of thy Godhead For without ceassng thou hast dailie nourished this vnprofitable woorme which stinketh with sinne with all the singular and exceeding great store of thy good gifts and benefits and thou hast as it were suckled and strengthened me thy little tender babe with the teates of thy comfort For to the intent that I should wholie serue thee thou hast appointed all thy creatures to serue me These and manie other good turnes hast thou done vnto me O Lord my God the life of my soule for all which I render vnto thee againe most humble and hartie thanks-giuing beseeching thee O Lord that it may be a pleasure to me wretch that I am to be alwaies talking of them alwaies thinking vpon them and alwaies giuing thee thanks for them O my God shew me I saie how much I am bound to loue thee make it appeare to me how much I ought to please thee Open me the doore of thy light that I may enter in and both knowe acknowledge vnto thee with my whole hart that thy mercie is great toward mee and that thou hast deliuered my hart from the bottome of hell so as I might euer praise thee for all thy good gifts and loue thee with all my hart and with all my soule and with all my mind and with all my strength yea and that with the verie bowels and intrailes of my hart and of all my sinewes O Lord my God the blessed sweetnesse of all that delight in thee whose name is woonderfull and praise woorthie through heauen and earth So be it Another forme of thanks-giuing vnto God for all his benefits and praier for grace to confirme and increase the same O Most highest almightie and eternall God whose glorie replenisheth heauen and earth If thy holie and celestiall powers doo neuer cease in lauding thy most holie Maiestie how should we cease earthlie and lowlie seruants which are redeemed with the pretious bloud of thy onelie sonne And for as much as thy louing kindnesse and fauour in especiallie worketh towards vs we also ought continuallie to giue thanks for thy great goodnesse but haue mercie O mercifull father For the necessitie of this life dooth not suffer vs to thanke thee continuallie Wherefore though not continuallie as I ought I worship thee my maker with trembling feare I giue thee thanks for all thy benefits that when I was nothing thou madest mee gauest me a liuing soule quickened with thy holie spirit formed mee with thine owne image that it might be able to receiue thee which art the high God By thy prouidence thou hast brought me to those things that are expedient for me giuen to me knowledge and true faith in thee and planted a godlie mind in me and instructed me in the mysteries of thy holie word Sacraments But oh Lord how dare I recite thy benefits by number seeing thy louing kindnesse is an vnsearchable bottomlesse sea and an innumerable For I can not so soone giue thanks for thy benefits shewed of old as new haue euen ouerwhelmed me Oh Lord how great a benefit is this that I may to thee giue thanks For what fellowship hath vnrighteousnesse with righteousnesse What partaking darkenesse with light What agreement filthinesse with puritie Follie with wisedome Mortalitie with thee that art immortall Oh my vilenesse Oh thy goodnesse Yea though the spirit were readie yet is the flesh fraile but thou O Lord if thou wilt canst make me strong And so O most mercifull father vouchsafe that I may euer giue thanks and laud to thee For what good gift did I euer desire of thee but thou first willedst it to me Who better knoweth what is good for me than thou And because I need a mediator accept thine innocent Sonne Iesus Christ with his crosse and passion bloud-shed death and resurrection for me I haue not this deserued but thou father of thy mercie and truth hast by the same thy deerelie beloued Sonne promised and giuen vs thy mercie and fauour Open therefore O my mercifull Father for this thy deerelie beloued Sonnes sake euen this daie thy woonted hand of mercie and fulfill my mind and hart with a good will and let thy right hand defend me And if my sinnes which I acknowledge to be great and innumerable therefore I repent and am hartilie sorie doo let thy goodnesse O father wipe them awaie for this is thy glorie to forgiue sinnes and therefore no flesh may reioice before thee for thou Lord onlie art pure and without sinne Haue mercie vpon me thy bondseruant and vppon all people and O father bring them vnto the knowledge of thee that art onlie God and of Iesus Christ whome thou hast sent the onlie sauiour and redeemer mediator and aduocate for vs and after this present life bring vs to eternall blisse and felicitie by the deere merits of thy Sonne Iesus Christ For thine is the power kingdome and glorie for euer Amen Another to the same effect HOnour and praise be giuen to thee O Lord God almightie most deere father of heauen for all thy mercies and louing kindnesse shewed vnto vs in that it hath
harts and clense our filthie soules from sinne Daugh. And by thy spirit and gifts of grace make vs a holie life for to beginne The praier Mother O Lord GOD most mercifull father who as vpon this daie placing thy seruant our most deer Souereigne and most gratious Queene Elizabeth in the Empire of this kingdome diddest deliuer thy people of England from danger of war and oppression both of bodies by tyrannie of conscience by superstition restoring peace and true religion with libertie both of bodies and minds and hast continued the same thy blessings without all desert on our part now by the space of these foure and twentie yeeres We who are in memorie of these thy great benefits assembled here togither most humblie beseech thy fatherlie goodnesse to grant vs grace that we may in word deed and hart shew our selues thankfull and obedient vnto thee for the same and that Elizabeth our vertuous Queene through thy grace may in all honour goodnesse and godlinesse long and manie yeeres liue and reigne ouer vs and we obeie and enioie hir Maiestie with the continuance of thy great blessings which thou hitherto hast by hir thy blessed minister powred vpon vs hir people This we beseech thee to grant vnto vs for thy deere Son Iesus Christs sake our Lord and Sauiour Daughter Amen Or else saie thus WE yeeld vnto thee most mightie and mercifull father immortall thanks for that it hath pleased thee of thy meere mercie and fatherlie bountie after the stormes of so manie troublesome times to conduct vs as vpon this daie out of banishment and exile into the comfortable port of tranquillitie by the hand of thy most gratious seruant and our deere Souereigne Ladie Queene Elizabeth When we were as sheepe wandering astraie in the wildernesse thou ordeinedst hir Maiestie to bee our shepheard to gather vs againe into thy sheepefold When we had beene long tossed hither thither with the outrage and cruell furie of tyrannicall persecution like a poore weather-beaten barke that hath beene continuallie tormoiled and tossed on the perilous surges of the outragious and swelling seas finding no sure rode nor harborough wherein to rest but continuallie in danger either to sinke into the sands or to be ouerwhelmed with waues or violentlie to be dashed in peeces against the maine rocks Euen then I saie when we despaired vtterlie of safegard standing stil in feare of the hazard of euerlasting confusion thou cōmittedst the helme to be guided by hir Graces wisedome who at last conducted vs into the hauen of this long desired peace and tranquillitie Therefore whereas thou hast placed hir in the regal throne to be our Dauid our Iosias our Samuel yea to be our shepheard and ring-leader in the waie of true holinesse and sincere religion Inspire hir mind with the manifold blessings of thy grace that she may walke all the daies of hir life in the path of thy commandements and happilie discharge hir dutie in that stewardship and dispensation which thou hast committed to hir Maiesties hands Inflame hir mind more and more with the loue of thy holie Gospell that all hir deeds thoughts and practises may tend to the propagation and planting of thy word and Christian religion in these hir Maiesties dominions Incline the motions of hir vertuous disposition aboue all things to seeke thine honour and glorie to sowe the seeds of the Catholike faith abundantlie in all places to cut off the brood of superstition and idolatrie to constitute true preachers of thy word and stablish euerie where thine holie Gospell and true religion Preserue hir most mercifull Father as hitherto thou hast most miraculouslie done from the diuelish deuises and practises of hir enimies that she may haue a long and happie reigne among vs to the aduancement of thy glorie and ioie and comfort of all vs hir subiects Let hir naturall disposition continue to hir foes terrible to hir subiects amiable to hir offenders mercifull to the vertuous bountifull indifferent to all men and in all respects parciall in no point neither in causes ecclesiasticall nor yet in matters concerning politike gouernement Assist hir most mercifull Father with the might of thy heauenlie spirit to quaile the pride of the triple-headed Romish Cerberus to banish his beggerlie ceremonies to abridge the terme of his reigne and finallie to cut off and preuent the seeds that continuallie striue to spring vp from abhominable superstition and idolatrie Grant hir grace most mercifull Father to run the remnant of hir race in the right path of thy commandements declining neither to the right hand nor to the left but so vsing all times thy heauenlie word as the rule and compasse to direct hir course Preserue hir Grace most mercifull Father in continuall health of bodie and quietnesse of mind that she may be alwaies able to rule the bridle of hir high charge and to execute right and iustice to all sorts and degrees to the aduancement of thy glorie and the vniuersall commoditie of hir Maiesties subiects And finallie grant O most mercifull Father that when it shall please thee to end the terme of hir daies in this world thou wilt make hir partaker of the celestiall ioies which are prepared for them that feare and loue thee since the foundation of the world Grant this most mercifull Father for thy deere Sonne our Lord Iesus Christs sake to whom with thee and the holie Ghost three persons one God be all glorie honour and praise world without end Amen Another thanks-giuing and praier vnto God for the preseruation of the Queenes Maiestie and the Realme ALmightie God and most mercifull Father which in thy great mercies hast both giuen vnto vs a peaceable Prince and gratious Queene and also haft hitherto verie often and miraculouslie saued hir from sundrie great perils and imminent dangers and by hir mercifull vnbloudie and gratious gouernement hast preserued vs and the whole Realme from manifold mischiefs and dreadfull plagues wherewith nations round about vs haue beene and yet be most greeuouslie afflicted haue mercie vpon them O Lord and grant vs grace we beseech thee for these thy great benefits that wee may be hartilie thankfull and obedient vnto thee to flie from all things that may offend thee and prouoke thy wrath and indignation against vs and to order our liues in all things that may please thee that thy seruant our Souereigne Ladie Queene Elizabeth and we thy people committed to hir charge may by thy protection be continuallie preserued from all treacherous deceits and violences of enimies and from all other dangers and perils both bodilie and ghostlie and by thy goodnesse may be maintained in all peace and godlinesse Grant this O mercifull Father for thy deere sonnes sake our Sauiour Iesus Christ to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie for euer and euer Amen Another meditation to be vsed especiallie vpon the 17. daie of Nouember wherein the godlie English giueth thanks to God for the
of all as fathers and nursses to mainteine and cherish thy Church commanding vs not onlie to obeie and honor them but moreouer to praie for them as watching ouer vs for our good We therefore beseech thee for thy great names sake and for Iesus Christes sake to shew thy mercie to all Kings and Princes that mainteine thy glorious Gospell but especiallie we praie thee to blesse our gratious Queene Elizabeth in all spirituall blessings in Christ Iesus and in all temporall blessings according to thy good pleasure that in the great measures of thine effectuall lawe she may more and more find great increase of vertue and wisedome and strength in Christ Iesu to the faithfull and happie discharge of hir dutie that hir holinesse and ioie and zeale of thy house may be multiplied euerlasting And seeing it hath pleased thee of thy singular mercie to giue hir this especiall honor first to suffer for thy glorious truth and afterward miraculouslie deliuering hir out of the hands of hir enimies to set a Crowne vpon hir head and to make hir the instrument to aduance thy glorie and Gospell for which she suffered and to bring hir out of darkenesse into light out of persecution into this great and long peace as we giue thee most hartie thanks for this singular benefit so we beseech thee to make hir and vs euermore thankefull for it and in thy good pleasure still to preserue hir for the continuance of these blessings towards vs with all increase from time to time to thy glorie the benefit of thy Church and hir infinite peace in Christ Iesus the Prince of peace And furthermore we praise thee for hir and the estate that such as be the enimies of the Gospell and hir enimies also for the defence therof may not despise the peace offered them vnto repentance but that they may accompt thy long suffering and hir peaceable and vnbloudie gouernement an occasion of saluation to their soules and vnfeigned loue to the truth and their mercifull Souereigne Otherwise if they stil remaine disobedient to thy truth disloiall to hir Highnesse and dangerous to the state then O God of all saluation as thou hast discouered them so discouer them still as thou hast preuented them so preuent them still and let their eies ware wearie with looking and their harts faint with waiting for the comming of that which yet commeth not neither let it come O Lord we beseech thee but a blessed and a long reigne to hir Grace and and peace to Zion for euermore Also deere Father so blesse so loue so in thy spirit sanctifie and keepe hir that she maie in the spirit of counsell and fortitude so rule that other sister also namely this hir Common-wealth that they may flourish together and growe vp together as Palme-trees in beautie and in strength giuing aid and help one to another that in the Church the glorie of God may appeare as the Sunne in his brightnesse and that the land may flowe with milke and honie and true peace abound therein as in y e triumphant reigne of Debora These graces O Lord are great and we miserable sinners vnwoorthie of the least of them therefore looke not to vs but to thy selfe not to our iniquities but to thy great mercies accepting the death and passion of thy Sonne as a full ransome for all our offences throwing them into the bottome of the sea and making his crosse and resurrection effectuall in vs to all obedience and godlinesse as becommeth thy Saincts that to all other thy good blessings towards our gratious Souereigne this may be added that she gouerneth blessedlie ouer a blessed people a people blessed of the Lord and beloued of the Lord and that thy graces may abound in the Church in the Common-wealth from daie to daie till the daie of our translation into thy kingdome where iustice inhabiteth where we also shall inhabit and reigne with thee according to thy promise for euer Grant vs these things O mercifull father for thy deere Sonne our Lord Iesus Christes sake in whose name we craue them at thy mercifull hand praieng furthermore for them as he hath taught vs to praie Our Father c. Psalme 72. Another praier for the prosperous estate and flourishing reigne of our right vertuous souereigne Queene Elizabeth O GOD without whose wisedome no kingdome can stand who of a speciall consideration hast ordeined this kingdome in the familie of Dauid teach our Queene Elizabeth whome thou hast appointed the rules of right gouernement teach I saie the Daughter of this thy Dauid whome thou hast chosen to thy selfe the rule of righteousnesse that she may iustlie gouerne not hir people but thine especiallie that she may defend the poore against the iniuries of the mightie thus the people being scattered heere and there in the mountaines and hilles being safe vnder a iust gouernment shall abound with all the commodities of peace Grant this vnto hir that she being far from all tyrannie may be a sure refuge for the poore that she may comfort the families oppressed with pouertie and iniuries that she may keepe vnder y e false accusers with most sharpe punishment so will it come to passe O Lord that the state of this kingdome being ordered by thine authoritie all men as it is meete shall acknowledge and feare thee and not for anie short continuance of time but that the Sunne and Moone shall sooner ceasse their course than thou shalt faile to be woorshipped And thou againe wilt powre downe vpon thy people from heauen all good things like a showre comming downe vpon the new mowne medowes and none otherwise than thou vsest to water the earth with showers in due season whilest Elizabeth reigneth thus gouerned by thy grace and holie spirit the iust shall flourish and great peace shall be so continued as is the firme course of the starres and the Queene hir selfe shall haue dominion from the one sea to the other euen frō Euphrates to the farthest coasts of the earth The inhabitants of the countries of the desert shall come vnder hir yoke falling downe vnder hir feet and hir enimies falling downe before hir shall licke the dust of the earth The kings of Silicia and of the Ilands shall offer presents vnto hir The Ethiopians also and the Arabians shall bring hir gifts finallie all Kings shall haue hir in admiration for hir renowme and vertue and all nations shall reuerence hir name and maiestie For hir righteousnesse shall bee praised through out all the whole world because she heareth the crie of the poore and doth defend the needie forsaken of other She hath mercie on them that are needie and she refresheth those that are in danger of their life She defendeth the poore against the iniurie of the mightie neither doth she suffer the violence done vnto them to be vnreuenged Therefore thou O God wilt keepe hir safe and gold shall be brought vnto hir out of the midst of Arabia all men shall make
by the darkenes of hypocrites and idolaters or by the rage of tyrants which wage mortall battell against thee but grant that endued with new light from thee the true Sunne of righteousnesse we may reioice from our whole harts and acknowledge thee to bee our captaine which wilt gouerne thy people in truth and equitie Let the light of thy grace I saie lighten the darkenes of our conscience O mercifull Iesu our true bright loade-star of the world and by thy ioifull apparition giue vnto vs the full knowledge both of thy selfe and of our owne selues that within we may see thee and inwardlie find thee and that there we may continuallie offer vnto thy holie Maiestie the mirrh of sincere faith and inward contrition and the frankincense of deuout praier and inuocation and the gold of loue righteousnes and patience in trouble and so ascribing vnto thee the honour of a King and the seruice due vnto God may shew all true liberalitie with the godlie both vnto thee and thy poore Church and beare sufficient testimonie to the world of thy kingdome diuinitie priesthood humanitie crosse death and buriall and take hold of the manifold benefits thereof and outwardlie also may in our places office and calling helpe to mainteine thy ministerie to the vttermost of our power And grant that as thou after thou hadst reuealed and manifested thy selfe vnto the three wise men by the leading of a starre causedst them to returne another waie into their owne countrie so wee which by the waie of darkenes and offences haue retired and gone backe from the supernall countrie of blessednes thou the bright daie-star of the world beeing our guide may returne vnto the same by the waie of truth and grace and that now knowing thee by faith when we depart out of this life wee may bee brought into that kingdome where thy diuinitie shall shine without mists or mysteries and there haue the fruition of thy glorious Godhead and woorship thee and praise thee for euer and euer Amen Halleluiah 5. On Ashwednesdaie or first daie of Lent Of Christ his fasting fortie daies The Preface LEt the Bridegroome come forth of his chamber and the Bride out of hir closet and let all sinners weepe before the Lord saie Turne thou vs O good Lord and so shall we be turned Be fauorable O Lord be fauorable to thy people spare vs which rent our harts not our garments turne to thee in fasting weeping praieng For thou art a mercifull God full of compassion long suffering and of great pitie Thou sparest when we deserue punishment and in thy wrath thinkest vpon mercie Oh spare thy people good Lord spare them and let not thine heritage be brought to confusion Heare vs O Lord for thy mercie is great and after the multitude of thy mercies looke vpon vs. Haue mercie vpon vs O God haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners ¶ Heere saie the seuen penitentiall Psalmes following and other praiers for contrition and repentance as you thinke good The Praier O Lord God Iesus Christ our onlie redeemer which tookest vpon thee our sinfull flesh and liuedst therein a life most holie in all righteousnes for our example and didst through the power of thy Godhead and diuine nature most reuerentlie obeie in all things the will of thine heauenlie Father with subduing in this flesh with great triumph glorie and maiestie the power of the diuell the world and the flesh that onlie in thee the spirit of sanctification might myraculouslie appeere and beare swaie with fulnesse in the sight of all flesh during the course of this life and for euer after to remaine with power in glorie verie God with verie God in the kingdome of God the Father We beseech thee most humblie O Lord Iesu which hatest nothing that thou hast made and dooest forgiue the sinnes of all them that be penitent to haue compassion vpon vs in our weakenesse and infirmitie that as thou hast for our safetie taken upon thee our flesh and for our sakes didst fast fortie daies and fortie nights and hast diuerslie in thine owne person felt as a man the fraile state of our mortall nature and how inclinable it is without thy diuine power to fall from the obedience of thy will that is heauenlie to the suggestions of sathan the old enimie and to the allurements of things earthlie vaine and transitorie So we beseech thee O our God to grant vnto vs thine holie spirit that by the strength thereof in vs proceeding from thee we may in our weakenesse haue power that our enimie may be resisted the world defied the flesh vanquished and our spirit quickened whereby we may most gladlie obeie thy godlie will and turne vnto thee with all our hearts both in vnfeigned repentance in hartie contrition and earnest confession and also in true fasting in competent feeding in faithfull praieng in charitable dealing in chast looking in reuerent beholding in godlie hearing in fruitefull speaking in holie thinking free from flattering void of detraction slander lieng false accusation blasphemie outfacing idle talke or filthie communication and to tread steadilie in all things the steps of true holines before thee as thou hast most gratiouslie lead vs and taught vs the waie that with all simplicitie both outwardlie and inwardlie in bodie and soule and in all parts and members of them our fast this Lent and euer may not be prophane earthlie hypocritish superstitious or carnall to the view of the world but holie heauenlie and spirituall to thee Giue vs grace I saie not so much to absteine from meates as from ill manners nor from flesh as from filthie cogitations For as thou O God wilt be worshipped in spirit and truth so the spirituall fast it is which pleaseth thee Suffer vs not gratious God to abuse thy good creatures immoderatelie to the hurt both of our bodies and soules but temperatlie the better to serue thee and as soberlie to take our food so carefullie to absteine from sinne For otherwise to absteine from meate and not to refraine from pride couetousnes concupiscence lewdnes and such like vices it shall but hurt our bodies through an hypocriticall abstinence and cast awaie our soules through our exceeding impietie Assist vs with thy secret grace therefore we beseech thee to vse such abstinence that our flesh being subdued to the spirit we may euer obeie thy godlie motions in righteousnes and true holines to our reioicing with peace of conscience and that obteining of thee the God of all mercie perfect remission and forgiuenes with aboundance of thy grace we may shew foorth fruitfullie thy glorie all the daies of our liues and after this life ended reigne with thee for euer in thy glorious kingdome where all holy folke doo rest and which by thy blessed natiuitie holie circumcision fasting temptation crosse death passion thou hast alone so deerelie purchased for vs to the perpetuall praise of thine eternall name Amen I haue sinned I haue sinned
with a crowne of the more glorie for it and to the intent that thou mightest likewise ouercome sathan in thy members as thou hast afore done in thine owne person Giue thou we beseech thee vnto vs thy souldiers O Lion most victorious of the tribe of Iuda strength against the roring Lion which continuallie wandereth to and fro seeking whome he may deuour Thou being that same Serpent the true giuer of health and life that was nailed on high vpon a tree giue vnto thy little seelie ones wilinesse against the deceiptfull awaitings of the most subtil serpent Thou being a Lambe as white as snowe the vanquisher of sathans tyrannie giue vs thy little sheepe the strength and vertue of thy spirit that being in our owne selues weake and feeble and in thee strong and valiant wee may withstand and ouercome all assaults of the diuell so that our ghostlie enimie may not glorie ouer vs but being conquerours through thee we may giue thanks to thy mercie which neuer leauest them destitute that put their trust in thee who liuest and reignest God for euermore world without end Amen 7. On Thursedaie next before Easter commonlie called Maundie Thursedaie Of Christ his last feast or institution of the Sacrament of the Supper and of his great humilitie in washing his disciples feet afterward The Preface I Saith Wisedome haue killed my victuals drawne my wine and prepared my table Come now vnto me all ye poore in spirit that are emptie and an hungred come ye fat and rich also vpon earth that go astraie and faint for thirst Come I saie O freends eate of my meate woorthilie and worship me drinke of my wine purelie and glorifie me Make ye merrie at my table holilie and praise me O welbeloued For it is I that satisfie the mouth with good things and fill the hungrie soule with spirituall deinties Yea my flesh is meate in deed and my bloud is drinke in deed which I haue prouided for my people and he that eateth me euen he shall liue by me Happie and blessed therefore are they that are called to the Lambs supper for they shall eate Manna euen Angels food in the kingdome of heauen Lord bid me vnto this feast and grant that I may sup with thee and thou with me Lord wash not my feet onlie but my hands and head also for I am altogither vncleane and if thou wash me not I shall remaine filthie still O wash me therefore throughlie from my wickednes and cleanse me from my secret faults and purge me from my presumptuous sinnes For I haue sinned I haue offended oh forgiue me and haue mercie on me The Praier O Blessed Sauiour and deere Redeemer Iesu Christ which in the holie mysterie of thy last Supper with thine Apostles didst deliuer thy blessed bodie and bloud vnder the forme of bread wine and ordeinedst that as thy bodie was broken and thy bloud shead for vs so we should thankefullie celebrate and keepe a solemne memorie of thy death till thou come Grant vs we beseech thee euer stedfastlie to beleeue and kindlie to acknowledge thine infinite and almightie power thine incomprehensible loue towards vs and that we may alwaie worthilie receiue the same blessed Sacrament according to thy holie ordinance that thereby we may obtaine increase of all goodnes in vnitie of spirit with thee our head and by thee and thy spirit with all the companie of them that be trulie thine which be thy spirituall and mysticall bodie and our spirituall and Christian brethren and sisters Suffer vs not also we beseech thee to fall into anie slothfull and carelesse negligence whereby we should vnkindlie forget so inestimable a benefit but rather at all occasions with minds woorthilie prepared for so holie an action thankefullie to renew the memorie of thy so infinite loue towards vs and to receiue the grace which thereby is offered vnto vs to the ioining of vs continuallie neerer vnto thee till we be ioined without anie separation vnto thee through thee Finallie as in thine owne blessed person thou hast giuen an example of perfect loue whereby in humblenesse and meekenesse we should serue one another as thou being the Lord and maister of vs all didst vouchsafe after thy last Supper to wash the feet of thy disciples and seruants grant vs that louing and meeke spirit of thine whereby we may be far from disdaine and despising of our brethren and readie in all good things to be dutifull and seruiceable vnto them in thee and for thee that as thou hast left vs in commandement we may loue one another as thou hast loued vs and thereby be knowne to be thy disciples especiallie O Christ that we may be faithfull in our loue toward thee who for our sakes wast content to be vnfaithfullie and vnfriendlie betraied of him that had liued familiarlie with thee that thou mightest thereby assure vs of thine euerlasting loue and mercie To thee therfore with the Father and the holie Ghost be all praise honour and glorie now and for euer Amen I haue sinned I haue sinned haue mercie on me 8. On Good Fridaie Of Christ his passion and shamefull suffering for our sinnes Leuiti 23 27 c. THIS is the daie of reconciliation to make an attonement for you before the Lord your God therefore shall it be an holie conuocation vnto you And you shall humble your selues this daie in fasting and praier and offer sacrifice made by fire vnto the Lord. And whatsoeuer soule it be that thus humbleth not himselfe this daie euen he shall be cut off and destroied from among his people Let this be a lawe and ordinance in your generations and in all your dwellings for euer saith the Lord. The Preface CHrist now once in the end of the world through the eternall spirit offered himselfe a Lamb without spot to God suffered for sinnes the iust for the vniust died for all and was killed vpon the altar of the crosse as perteining to the flesh but was quickned in the spirit to put awaie sinne by the sacrifice of himselfe Wo and alas that euer I sinned Christ became sinne and a cursse for vs to redeeme vs sinners from the cursse of the lawe and to reconcile vs vnto the blessing and fauour of God his father that we should be made the righteousnes of God in him Wo and alas that euer I sinned Christ was obedient vnto the death euen vnto the most vile and shamefull death of the crosse to deliuer vs from death hell and damnation and to translate and bring vs into the kingdome of God his father Wo and alas that euer I sinned Christ being in the forme of God tooke on him the forme of a seruant and made himselfe of no reputation but for the ioie that was set before him endured such blasphemie railing euill speaking against him of shamelesse sinners and when he was reuiled reuiled not againe when he suffered threatened not but committing the vengeance to him that iudgeth righteouslie despised
Father making intercession for vs sounded continuallie in the eares of God Worke so that we be not found in the number of those into whome sathan hath entred which blaspheame thee despise thy benefits and destroie themselues vtterlie Increase our faith and knowledge of thee that the eternall Father through thy sacrifice being pleased may forgiue all our sinnes and receiue vs into that companie which is glorious in thine eies Under the crosse standeth thy noble but sorowfull mother hir sister and other good women with thy disciple Iohn whome thou louedst O blesse vs and of thy goodnes ioine vs to that companie In thy mother there shineth a notable light and strength of faith she beholdeth in thee hir Sonne those sights than which none could be more greeuous in this world she sawe the rage of thine enimies and thine intollerable torments yet she beleeued notwithstanding the greeuousnes of thy paine the shedding of thy pretious bloud the flight of thy disciples the crueltie of thine enimies and the odiousnes of thy death she beleeued I saie O the force of faith that thou wast God by nature and shouldest rise againe and reigne euerlastinglie ouercome death and the diuell and subdue all thine enimies O Sonne of God kindle within vs we praie thee the like sparks of faith giue vs grace with thine elect neuer to be ashamed to stand vnder thy crosse And as thou euen of an entire good will mercifullie among thy seruants didst speake vnto and comfort thy pensiue and moorning mother so speake vnto vs and thy troubled Church in miserie comfort hir with thy sweet voice and presence Thou commendedst thy mother to thine Apostle Make vs vnfeignedlie to loue the Church thy sweet and true mother and grant that euerie of vs may cherish the same louinglie and mainteine it to the vttermost of our powers Especiallie guide the Preachers that they may loue the mother nourish the vnitie of pure doctrine auoid the seed of heresies and remooue all stumbling-blockes all occasions of hindering of faith and praier in yoong Christians At thy sides hang two theeues punished for their sinnes according to the lawe and their deserts whereof one desperatelie powring out blasphemous speeches the other godlie requiring thy fauour he ended his daies All mankind Lord doo likewise hang in miseries for their sinnes whereof some are so captiued in their minds that at the point of death they scoffe blaspheme and desperatelie to their vtter condemnation finish their daies but giue vs grace we beseech thee that we may imitate the example of the gratious theefe which before his passage out of this life moued by infallible arguments of thine almightinesse and mercie required pardon of his offences and obteined the same according to his request Giue grace that we may imitate his hartie repentance his sorowe for sin his notable faith his zealous confession and other good works of his We beseech thee mercifull Lord be mindfull of vs. O Lord be mindfull of vs. Thou sittest in the kingdom of thy Father we are in the miseries of the world but be thou mindfull of vs. Begin thy kingdome in vs heere in this world and in euerie combate of our conscience especiallie at the point of death pronounce to our hearts this comfortable absolution This daie shalt thou be with me in Paradise Shew vnto vs thy paradise that departing out of this life we may find rest for our soules Open to our soules the gates of Paradise place them in the seates of immortalitie and state of blisse where thy Father togither with the blessed companie of Angels and men sheweth himselfe euen as he is In the meane while thy combate is not yet finished thou criedst in most pittifull maner My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Thy diuinitie was not then separated from thy humanitie which neuer lost that which once it tooke neither surcessedst nor dooest thou surcesse at anie time to be equall and one with thine eternall father but then was the houre of thy humiliation wherein after a woonderfull and vnspeakable maner thy diuinitie hid it selfe as it were and would haue this obedience to be showne and thought not best to destroie the Iewes thine enimies and murtherers Yea it hid it selfe that the streames of Gods displeasure against the sinnes of men should so fall vpon thee O Christ that they should wrestle with extreame torments such as for a certeine space thou perceiuedst no comfort notwithstanding thy diuinitie confirmed thine humane nature which was to suffer all the passions For thy diuinitie could not suffer anie passion at all therefore it confirmed the same that there might be a sufficient satisfaction for the sins of men For they which haue endured most greeuous torments could neuer abide these for if God comfort vs we may abide the punishment of men and then it may be said Though bodies greefe did feele Yet had their soules great ioie And vertuous hope did strengthen so That paines did naught annoie But intollerable is it for a creature to suffer the punishment of God and be saued thereby Wherefore O Sonne of God in displeasure bee mindfull of thy mercie be thou our protection that the wrath of thine eternall father doo not destroie vs. Euen a little taste of Gods displesure bursteth in peeces all the bones of men like a lion And therfore by and by after thou vtteredst the like complaint saieng I thirst thy soule languished through the greatnesse of thy paines Thy spirits were resolued through thy woonderfull greefe of hart Thy bowels dried awaie and no moisture abode in them and therefore trulie didst thou both inwardlie thirst and desire some vertue and comfort from thy Father and outwardlie to haue thy bodie refreshed O Iesu Christ which art the fountaine of eternall life giuing the water which quencheth all thirst from whose bellie springeth the well of life suffer vs not to taste such a greeuous thirst as did that merciles rich glutton in hell which neuer was quenched but with the godlie to saie My soule stucke vnto my iawes I had no quietnes in my bones Lord in thy iudgements correct me not in thy furie least I come vnto nothing If thou obseruest iniquities O Lord Lord who shall be able to abide Thus doo thy Saincts crie I saie in their troubles Wherefore kindle not thy wrath altogither against vs. Cease not to comfort our weake nature striuing against thy iudgements with the iuice of thy word and comfortable waterings of thy spirit Unto thee did thine eternall Father manifest his presence and comfort for our sakes when some while after being better quieted thou saiedst It is finished Thou gauest thanks to thine eternall father for helping thee whereby the sacrifice of welfare to the elect for euermore was fulfilled Oh most sacred Priest imprint within vs this celestiall conclusion this notable finishing of thy sacrifice that vndoubtedlie we may thinke that by this sacrifice the remission of sinnes and life eternall is purchased for vs.
praier to Christ crucified wherein we deuoutlie call to mind what great things he hath done for vs and what benefits we reape by the remembrance of his holie wounds EXceeding greatlie haue I sinned against thy Maiestie O Lord and mine owne conscience findeth mee guiltie of manie offences and yet doo I not despaire neither will I in anie thing at all be doubtfull because that whereas sinne hath abounded there hath thy grace O God ouer-abounded He that despaireth of the forgiuenes of his sinnes denieth thee O God to be mercifull Yea great wrong doth he to thee O God which distrusteth in thy mercie For as much as in him lieth he denieth thee to be louing true and mightie which are the things wherein my whole hope consisteth that is to weet in the loue of thy adoption in the truth of thy promise and in the power of thy redeeming Now let my vnwise imagination murmur as much as it listeth and saie Who art thou how great is thy glorie and by what deserts hopest thou to obtaine it and I will answer boldlie I knowe whome I haue credited and that thou of thine exceeding great loue hast adopted me to be thy child that thou art southfast of promise that thou art mightie of perseuerance and that thou maist doo what thee listeth I can not bee feared with the multitude of my sinnes if I bethinke me of the death of thee my Lord because my sinnes are not able to ouercome thee Thy nailes and thy speare crie vnto me that I am throughlie reconciled to thee O Christ if I loue thee Longius hath opened me thy side deere Iesu with his speare and I am gone into it and there doo I rest in safetie He that is afraid let him loue for loue driueth feare out of the dores There is no remedie so mightie and effectuall against the heate of leacherie as is the death of thee my redeemer Thou stretchest out thine armes vpon the crosse and thou holdest out thy hand in a readines to imbrace vs sinners Betweene the armes of thee my sauiour mind I to liue and die there shall I sing safelie there will I glorifie and exalt thee O Lord because thou hast taken me vp and hast not giuen mine enimies their pleasure ouer me Thou O our Sauiour hast bowed downe thy head at thy death to receiue the kisses of thy beloued and so often doo we kisse thee O Lord as we be throughlie touched with the loue of thee who for loue to mankind being God camest to man camest into man and becamest man who for loue being an inuisible God becainest like thy seruants and who for verie loue wast wounded for our sinnes and in those wounds of thine O my Sauiour is the safe and quiet rest of vs weakelings and sinners there doo I dwell at ease and by thy wounds haue I a waie in vnto the bowels of thy mercie Whatsoeuer is wanting of my selfe that doo I borowe out of the bowels of thee my Lord for in them is aboundance of mercie and there want no holes for it to flowe out at By the holes of thy blessed bodie are opened vnto me the secrets of thy hart a great pledge of thy kindlie loue euen the bowels of the mercie of thee our God whereby the daie spring hath visited vs from aloft Thy wounds O sweet Iesu Christ are full of mercie full of pitie full of sweetnesse and full of loue They bored thy hands and thy feet and pierced thy side with a speare By these holes may I taste how sweet and mild thou art in deed and how mercifull thou art to all that call vpon thee in truth to all that seeke thee and cheeflie to all that loue thee Plentious redemption is giuen vnto vs in thy wounds O sweet Sauiour Iesu Christ Great aboundance of sweetnes great plentie of grace and great perfection of vertues is giuen vs in thy pretious wounds O sweet Sauiour Iesu Christ O most bountifull Iesu grant therefore I humblie beseech thee that whensoeuer anie fowle thought assaulteth me I may forthwith runne to thy wounds O Christ When my flesh presseth me downe I may rise vp again by remembring thy wounds O Lord. When the diuell laieth wait for me I may flee to the bowels of thy mercie O Iesu so shall he quicklie depart from me Or if at anie time the heate of lecherie prouoke my members let it be quenched I praie thee by calling to mind thy wounds O Sonne of God Finallie in all mine aduersities let me find no remedie so effectuall as thy wounds O Christ In them I saie let me sleepe without care and rest without feare Thou O Christ hast died for vs and now is there nothing so bitter to the death which is not swallowed vp by thy death O sweet Iesu All my whole hope therfore is and shall be in thy death O Lord my God Thy death is my desart and my refuge my welfare life and resurrection and thy mercifulnesse O Lord is my merit I am not poore of merit so long as thou the Lord of all compassions failest not As long as thou art manifold in mercie so long am I also manifold of deserts The mightier thou art to saue the more am I without care Wherefore O most excellent goodnes withdrawe not thy mercie O most mightie maker despise not thy worke O most prudent redeemer suffer not to perish the price of thy redemption O most gentle ghostlie and heauenlie hoast and ghest purifie saue dresse and keepe thy house and dwelling place the which thou dedicatedst and sanctifiedst to thee in the sacrament of Baptisme O most blessed most charitable and sweet Iesu O most bounteous excellent and glorious Iesu O most innocent mercifull meeke louing and deere Iesu haue mercie vpon me haue mercie vpon me and forgiue me all my sinnes When shall I loue thee When shall I be sorie for my sinnes When shall I loath and forsake my sinnes When shall I detest and abhore my sinfull life and turne vnto thee by grace When shall I remember thy benefits thy meekenes thy pouertie and bitter passion thy patience thy obedience thy loue and thy charitie When shall I sanctifie worship magnifie and loue hartilie thee in heauen and thy Saints on earth and celebrate thy feasts accordinglie that is to saie thy incarnation passion resurrection ascension and such other with due reuerence Christian deuotion If thou be the most dredfull maister where is my dread Lord Iesu If thou be the most loued Father where is my loue If thou bee my Lord and my Redeemer where is my seruice If thou be mine hoast and dwell in my soule by thy grace and mercie where is my chastitie puritie and cleannesse meet and according to such an hoast If thou be the life of Saints the fairenesse and beautie of Angels where is my thanking Now therfore good Lord Jesu Christ wound my hart with thy most holie wounds moist my mind with thy most pretious bloud that
his infancie was troubled with creeping and scrallings and was wrapt in cloathes after the manner of other children was vexed in his youth with labours made leane with waking and fastings wearied with iournieng afterward whipped and all to torne and rent with diuers kinds of punishments reckoned among the dead and when it was endued with the glorie of resurrection he carried it into the ioies of heauen and placed it vpon the right hand of thy Maiestie This I saie he is my manhood waie and meanes of pacifieng and appeasing thee the waie and meanes of hauing mercie vpon mee Mercifullie looke vpon mee heare the wretch whom he did redeeme and the bond-seruant whom he deliuered Behold him a Creator and doo not despise a creature Receiue the shepheard welcommed with a gentle and louing countenance and mercifullie looke vpon the sheepe which he hath brought home vpon his owne shoulders This is that most faithfull shepheard which by manie and diuers labours and trauels ouer steepe hils and through head-long and deepe vallies did search for his owne sheepe that was straied awaie which also when he had found it faint and almost dead through long wandring gat himselfe vnder it with great reioicing and making it fast vnto him with a maruellous bond of charitie lifted it vp out of the deapth of confusion and brought it home to the ninetie and nine Behold O King my king and God almightie behold a good shepheard which rendereth to thee that which thou committedst to his charge He tooke vpon him through thine ordinance to saue man whom he hath deliuered vnto thee cleane and pure from all spots through the washing in his bloud Lo thy most dearelie beloued Sonne hath reconciled vnto thee thy handie worke which was gone astraie far out of the waie Lo a gentle shepheard bringeth home againe to thy flocke hir that the violent pirate and robber had driuen awaie He hath brought vnto thy sight the seruant whome hir owne conscience had made to run awaie that she which by hir selfe had deserued punishment by thy Sonne being hir solicitor hath deserued forgiuenes vnto whome also for hir offences euerlasting fire was due neuerthelesse being a subiect vnder such a prince and captaine she doth hope to be brought home to hir owne countrie I was able O holie father by my selfe to offend thee but I was not able of my selfe to pacifie and appease thee Thy welbeloued Sonne O my God was made my helper by taking vpon him mine humanitie to the intent he might cure mine infirmitie that wherof the first occasion of thy wrath did spring of the same he might offer vp to thee a sacrifice of praise and that he might render and make me also well-pleasing to thy goodnes by that thing in the which he sitting now at thy right hand did alwaies shew and declare himselfe to be equall with my substance and as it were fellowe with the same Lo my hope behold in whome is all my trust If thou despise me as it were meete for mine iniquities yet looke vpon me at leastwise mercifulle for the charitie of thy welbeloued Sonne Giue heed to thy Sonne whereby thou maiest haue mercie vpon thy bond-seruant Looke vpon the sacrament of flesh and pardon the offences of flesh How often soeuer thou doest remember the wounds of thy blessed Son so oft I beséech thee let mine iniquitie be hid And bicause flesh hath stirred thee to wrath let flesh I beseech thee mooue thee to mercie that like as flesh hath seduced and led me to sinne so flesh may get and obteine for me remission For certainly it is much that mine iniquitie hath deserued but much more it is that the goodnes of my Redeemer may euen of right require Mine vnrighteousnes is great but his righteousnes is bigger For looke how much God is superiour vnto man euen so much is my malice euill inferiour vnto his goodnes both in qualitie and quantitie For what haue I sinned being a man that the Sonne of God being made man hath not redeemed What pride could be in me so exceeding high but such humilitie as was in him should bring it downe What power of death was there in me so great but the punishment which the Sonne of God suffered vpon the crosse might deface it and vtterlie destroie it Trulie my God if the sinnes of sinfull men or women should be weied in a iust and equall balance with the loue and fauour that was in our redeemer towards vs the East is not so far distant from the West nor the innermost part of the earth so much separated from the vppermost part of the heauen as they should be vnlike so much lesse should mine iniquitie be than is his goodnesse Now O most noble Creator of light now pardon mine offences for the vnmeasurable trauels paines that thy beloued Sonne did susteine Now I beseech thee let his goodnesse be set against my wickednes his modestie and temperance against mine vngratious frowardnes and his meekenes against my fierce crueltie Let his humilitie recompense my pride his patience mine impatience his gentlenesse mine vnkind churlishnes his obedience my disobedience his quietnesse mine vnquietnes his pleasant towardnes my bitter frowardnes his sweet facilitie and gentlenes mine angrie and fretting fumes to conclude let his charitie make amends for my heinous and detestable crueltie Amen I haue sinned I haue sinned my God my God haue mercie on me God forbid that I should reioice in anie thing but in the crosse of Christ whereby the world is crucified vnto me and I vnto the world So be it 9. On Easter daie Of Christ his resurrection and the Passouer of Christians The Preface CHrist is risen againe from the dead and now dieth no more Halleluiah Death from hencefoorth hath no more power of him Halleluiah Christ is risen againe the first fruits of them that sleepe Halleluiah By Christ all men that were dead in sinne are restored to life Halleluiah In thy resurrection O Christ both heauen earth doo reioice and saie Halleluiah Thanks be vnto God which giueth vs victorie thorough our Lord Iesus Christ Halleluiah Who hauing spoiled all principalities and powers hath made a shew of them openlie triumphing ouer them in his owne person Halleluiah Awake O my Christ awake vp my glorie and sing Halleluiah For Christ our passouer is offered vp and as this daie reuiued rose again for our iustification Halleluiah Let vs reioice therfore I saie O my soule and keepe it holidaie to the Lord. Halleluiah Not with old leauen of maliciousnes and wickednes but with the vnleauened bread of purenesse and truth Halleluiah That when we awake vp after his likenes we may be satisfied with his presence in righteousnes and glorie Halleluiah And be blessed and holie with those that haue part in the first resurrection and on whom the second death hath no power but sing Halleluiah O death where is thy sting O hell where is thy victorie Halleluiah This
with all thine Angels and men O Lord blessed are they which dwell in thine house foreuer euer they will praise thee Amen Sée another pag. 622. THE DOLEFVLL DOOVE Or Dauids penitentiall Psalmes verie necessarie to be vsed as most effectuall praiers of all godlie and deuout Christians especiallie when being afflicted and chastised of the Lord for their sinnes either by sicknes or otherwise in bodie or mind they feele Gods heauie hand and feare his dreadfull threats whereby they are mooued not onlie trulie to conuert and turne vnto him by hartie repentance earnest contrition and humble confession of their faults and infirmities but also by earnest and feruent petitions in fasting weeping lamentation mourning most desirouslie to craue at Gods hands as well mercie and forgiuenesse of their sinnes as also mitigation of their present miseries and deliuerance from all euils bodilie and ghostlie There with all inwardlie thirsting and longing in soule not onelie to be restored to Gods grace and fauour againe but also to be gouerned by his holie spirit the better to spend the rest of their life in the true feare and seruice of God as Dauid that holie man and his chosen vessell did to the glorie of God and our euerlasting comfort 1. Domine ne in furore Psal 6. O Lord rebuke me not in thine indignation neither chasten me in thy displeasure Haue mercie vpon me O Lord for I am weake O Lord heale me For my bones are vexed My soule is also sore troubled but Lord how long wilt thou punish me Turne thee O Lord and deliuer my soule Oh saue me for thy mercies sake For in death no man remembreth thee and who will giue thee thanks in the pit I am wearie of my groning euerie night wash I my bed and water my couch with my teares My beautie is gone for verie trouble and worne awaie bicause of all mine enimies Awaie from me all ye that worke vanitie for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping The Lord hath heard my petition the Lord will receiue my praier All mine enimies shall be confounded and sore vexed they shall be turned backe and put to shame suddenlie 2. Beati quorum Psal 32. BLessed is the man whose vnrighteousnesse is forgiuen and whose sinne is couered Blessed is the man vnto whom the Lord imputeth no sinne and in whose spirit there is no guile For while I held my tongue my bones consumed awaie through my dailie complaining For thy hand is heauie vpon me daie and night and my moisture is like the drought in summer I will knowledge my sinne vnto thee and mine vnrighteousnesse haue I not hid I said I will confesse my sinnes vnto the Lord and so thou forgauest the wickednesse of my sinne For this shall euerie one that is godlie make his praier vnto thee in a time when thou maiest be found but in the great water-fluds they shall not come nigh him Thou art a place to hide me in thou shalt preserue me from trouble thou shalt compasse me about with sons of deliuerance I will informe thee teach thee in the waie wherein thou shalt go and I will guide thee with mine eie Be ye not like horsse and mule which haue no vnderstanding whose mouthes must be holden with bit and bridle least they fall vpon thee Great plagues remaine for the vngodlie but who so putteth his trust in the Lord mercie embraceth him on euerie side Be glad O ye righteous and reioice in the Lord and be ioifull all yee that are true of hart 3. Domine ne infurore Psal 38. PUt me not to rebuke O Lord in thine anger neither chasten me in thy heauie displeasure For thine arrowes sticke fast in me and thy hand presseth me sore There is no health in my flesh because of thy displeasure neither is there anie rest in my bones by reason of my sinne For my wickednesses are gone ouer my head and are like a sore burthen too heauie for me to beare My wounds stinke and are corrupt through my foolishnesse I am brought into so great trouble and miserie that I go moorning all the daie long For my loines are filled with a sore disease and there is no whole part in my bodie I am feeble and sore smitten I haue roared for the verie disquietnesse of my hart Lord thou knowest all my desire and my groaning is not hid from thee My hart panteth my strength hath failed me and the sight of mine eies is gone from me My louers and my neighbours did stand looking vpon my trouble and my kinsmen stood a far off They also that sought after my life laid snares for me and they that went about to doo me euill talked of wickednesse and imagined deceipt all the daie long As for me I was like a deafe man and heard not and as one that is dumbe which dooth not open his mouth I became euen as a man that heareth not and in whose mouth are no reproofes For in thee O Lord haue I put my trust thou shalt answere for me O Lord my God I haue required that they euen mine enimies should not triumph ouer me for when my foote slipt they reioiced greatlie ouer me And I trulie am set in the plague and my heauinesse is euer in my sight For I will confesse my wickednesse and be sorie for my sinne But mine enimies liue and are mightie and they that hate me wrongfullie are manie in number They also that reward euill for good are against me because I followe the thing that good is Forsake me not O Lord my God be not thou far from me Haste thee to helpe me O Lord God my saluation 4. Miserere mei Deus Psal 51. HAue mercie vpon me O God after thy great goodnesse according vnto the multitude of thy mercies doo awaie mine offences Wash me throughlie from my wickednesse and cleanse me from my sinne For I knowledge my faults and my sinne is euer before me Against thee onlie haue I sinned and done this euill in thy sight that thou mightest be iustified in thy saiengs and cleare when thou art iudged Behold I was shapen in wickednesse and in sinne hath my mother conceiued me But lo thou requirest truth in the inward parts and shalt make me to vnderstand wisedome secretlie Thou shalt purge me with hysope and I shall bee cleane thou shalt wash me and I shall be whiter than snowe Thou shalt make me heare of ioie and gladnesse that the bones which thou hast broken may reioice Turne thy face from my sinnes and put out all my misdeeds Make me a cleane hart O God and renew a right spirit within me Cast me not awaie from thy presence and take not thy holie spirit from me O giue me the comfort of thy helpe againe and stablish me with thy free spirit Then shall I teach thy waies vnto the wicked and sinners shall be conuerted vnto thee Deliuer me from bloud-giltinesse O God thou that art the God of my
health and my tongue shall sing of thy righteousnesse Thou shalt open my lips O Lord and my mouth shall shew thy praise For thou desirest no sacrifice else would I giue it thee but thou delightest not in burnt offerings The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit a broken and contrite hart O God shalt thou not despise O be fauourable and gratious to Sion build thou the walles of Hierusalem Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousnesse with the burnt offerings and oblations then shall they offer yong bullocks vpon thine altar 5. Domine exaudi Psal 102. HEare my praier O Lord and let my crieng come vnto thee Hide not thy face from me in the time of my trouble incline thine eares vnto me when I call O heare me and that right soone For my daies are consumed awaie like smoke and my bones are burnt vp as it were a firebrand My hart is smitten downe and withered like grasse so that I forget to eate my bread For the voice of my groaning my bones will scarse cleaue to my flesh I am become like a Pellicane in the wildernesse and like an Owle that is in the desert I haue watched am euen as it were a Sparowe that sitteth alone vpon the house top Mine enimies reuile me all the daie long and they that are mad vpō me are sworne togither against me For I haue eaten ashes as it were bread and mingled my drinke with weeping And that because of thine indignation and wrath for thou hast taken me vp and cast me downe My daies are gone like a shadowe and I am withered like grasse But thou O Lord shalt endure for euer and thy remembrance throughout all generations Thou shalt arise and haue mercie vpon Sion for it is time that thou haue mercie vpon hir yea the time is come And why thy seruants thinke vpon hir stones and it pitieth them to see hir in the dust The heathen shall feare thy name O Lord and all the kings of the earth thy Maiestie When the Lord shall build vp Sion and when his glorie shall appeare When he turneth him vnto the praier of the poore destitute and despiseth not their desire This shall be written for those that come after and the people which shall be borne shall praise the Lord. For he hath looked downe from his Sanctuarie out of the heauen did the Lord behold the earth That he might heare the mournings of such as bee in captiuitie and deliuer the children appointed vnto death That they may declare the name of the Lord in Sion and his woorship at Hierusalem When the people are gathered togither and the kingdomes also to serue the Lord. He brought downe my strength in my iournie and shortened my daies But I said O my God take me not awaie in the midst of mine age as for thy yeares they endure thoroughout all generations Thou Lord in the beginning hast laid the foundations of the earth and the heauens are the worke of thy hands They shall perish but thou shalt endure they shall all waxe old as doth a garment And as a vesture shalt thou change them and they shall be changed but thou art the same and thy yeares shall not faile The children of thy seruants shall continue and their seed shall stand fast in thy sight 6. De profundis Psal 130. OUt of the deepe haue I called vnto thee O Lord Lord heare my voice Oh let thine eares consider well the voice of my complaint If thou Lord wilt be extreame to marke what is done amisse oh Lord who may abide it For there is mercie with thee therefore shalt thou be feared I looked for the Lord my soule doth wait for him in his word is my trust My soule flieth vnto thee Lord before the morning watch I saie before the morning watch O Israell trust in the Lord for with the Lord there is mercie and with him is plentious redemption And he shall redeeme Israell from all his sinnes 7. Domine exaudi Psal 143. HEare my praier O Lord consider my desire hearken vnto me for thy truth and righteousnesse sake And enter not into iudgement with thy seruant for in thy sight shall no man liuing be iustified For the enimie hath persecuted my soule he hath smitten my life downe to the ground he hath laid me in the darkenesse as the men that haue beene long dead Therefore is my spirit vexed within me and my heart within me is desolate Yet doo I remember the time past I muse vpon all thy works yea I exercise my selfe in the works of thy hands I stretch foorth my hands vnto thee my soule gaspeth vnto thee as a thirstie land Heare me O Lord and that soone for my spirit wareth faint hide not thy face from me least I be like vnto them that go downe into the pit O let me heare thy louing kindnes betimes in the morning for in thee is my trust shew thou me the waie that I should walke in for I lift vp my soule vnto thee Deliuer me O Lord from mine enimies for I flee vnto thee to hide me Teach me to doo the thing that pleaseth thee for thou art my God let thy louing spirit leade me foorth into the land of righteousnesse Quicken me O Lord for thy name sake and for thy righteousnesse sake bring my soule out of trouble And of thy goodnesse slaie mine enimies and destroie all them that vexe my soule for I am thy seruant Glorie be to the Father to the Sonne and to the holie Ghost As it was in the beginning is now and euer shall be world without end Amen Heerevnto you may adde as occasion and time will serue these select and notable Psalmes of Dauid as they are at large in the Psalter that is to saie the 5 7 13 17 22 25 31 35 42 43 55 56 57 69 71 77 86 88. Other Psalmes or Praiers compiled out of holie Scriptures verie necessarie to be vsed of the afflicted soule for obteining the remission of sinnes and mitigation of miseries O Lord of lords GOD almightie great and dreadfull which by thy word hast made heauen earth the sea all things conteined in them Nothing is able to resist thy power thy mercie is ouer all thy works All things be vnder thy dominion and rule both man and beast and all liuing creatures Thou art mercifull to whome thou wilt and hast compassion on whome it pleaseth thee Thy counsell shall stand for euer and whatsoeuer thou wilt shall be done Power dominion and glorie is thine which art aboue all things and in all things and in vs all Thou art Father of mercies and God of all grace peace and comfort which wilt not the death of a sinner nor delightest in the damnation of soules O Lord God which art rich in mercie and of thine especiall loue towards vs euen when we were thine enimies didst send into the world thine onelie begotten Sonne Iesus Christ that whosoeuer beleeueth dulie in him
shall not perish but haue euerlasting life Haue mercie vpon me haue mercie vpon me according to thy great mercie And according to the multitude of thy mercies put awaie mine offences O God most holie wash me from my wickednesse and make me cleane from mine vncleannesse For I acknowledge O Lord my heinous sinnes and accuse my selfe of mine vnrighteous deeds I confesse against my selfe the wickednesse of mine hart which hath beene euer vnfaithfull and rebelling against thy precepts I haue beene an vntrue and froward child to thee and haue prouoked thee with my vanities O holie Father I haue offended thy diuine Maiestie and am not woorthie to be called thy child Bicause I prouoked thee to anger through the multitude of my sinnes and haue not exercised my selfe in thy righteous lawes I haue turned backe from thy waies and done euill before thee I haue done wickedlie and vniustlie behaued my selfe leauing thy commandements and murmuring against thy correction I haue turned my selfe awaie and not kept my promise made vnto thee I haue walked in an euill waie after mine owne thoughts and fantasies choosing the things that thou wouldest not O Lord God almightie I haue not feared thee nor shewed due reuerence vnto thee but I haue beene disobedient and stubborne vnto thee As a common harlot is without shame euen so am I without shame of my sinnes for behold I speake vnto thee and yet I sinne more and more I haue left that which is good and gone backe from thee and I haue not put my trust and hope in thee my maker but haue sought for helpe and safegard otherwise I haue ploughed wickednesse and reaped iniquitie and eaten the fruit of lies bicause I haue trusted in mine owne waie I haue cast thy lawes behind my backe not regarding thy commandements nor leauing mine owne lewd customs I haue not giuen my hart to returne to thy paths for I would not knowe thee but haue fallen through mine iniquitie I neuer vnto this daie turned trulie vnto thee with all my hart but as a woman that breakech hir fidelitie and promise vnto hir husband euen so O LORD God I haue broken my promise vnto thee For I haue liued abhominablie and haue had no remorse nor repentance for my euill deeds but haue run from sinne to sinne following the lewd desires of my hart Thou knowest all things O Lord how I haue prouoked thee to displeasure by my lewd inuentions and none of all my sinnes be hid from thee I hated thy discipline and correction and regarded not thy words and saiengs I haue not done penance for my malice but haue increased in much vanitie Mine hart hath beene void of truth and my hands haue wrought vnrighteousnesse My tongue hath spoken sinfullie and I haue laboured with the imaginations of mine hart to find out lies and deceits and no truth hath beene in my waies I haue accustomed my tongue to speake trifles and vanities fulfilling my fleshlie desires and thoughts my purposes and inuentions haue beene contrarie to thy will whereby I haue offended the eies of thy Maiestie Thou hast seene all these things O Lord and hast holden thy peace and yet they were euill in thy sight and displeased thee In thine anger thou hast cast me awaie and art diuided from me now manie daies Thou hast giuen me vp to the desires of my hart to doo the things which be not seeming Wo I am that I haue gone from thee great is my miserie that I haue led my life in sinne Wo is me that I haue forsaken thee to doo my deuises not after thy mind to accomplish my thoughts which haue not proceeded of thy spirit but haue heaped vp sinne vpon sinne Mine infamie and reproch is dailie before mine eies and for shame I dare not shew my face And now O Lord God why forgettest thou mee Why keepest thou awaie so long thy mercie from me Heare now my cause gratiouslie although thou hast beene displeased with me a great while for thou art mercifull be not angrie alwaies I beseech thee Cast not awaie a contrite and penitent person a wretch and an abiect which humblie calleth vpon thy name Turne againe a little toward me O Lord God and forgiue me my mischieuous deeds Order me not according to my sinnes nor punish me as my wickednesse deserueth Shew not foorth thy power against a poore wretch persecute hir not so sore which is without all strength Turne not thy face awaie from my praiers but according to thy promise take me againe vnto thy fauour For I am thine O righteous Father whom thine onlie deere Sonne hath redeemed with his pretious bloud And now my soule abhorreth mine old conuersation and of thee which art iudge of all men I aske mercie I doo submit my selfe vnto thy mightie hand for after thine anger thou shewest mercie and in the time of tribulation thou dooest forgiue sinnes I acknowledge that I am a sinner beseeching thee Lord God almightie of thy goodnesse to doo with mee according to thy great mercie I am confounded and ashamed to lift vp mine eies vnto thee for my sinnes are ascended vp vnto thy sight Against thee O Father against thee haue I sinned and done euill before thee thou seest that mine iniquitie is great Trulie I haue beene an offender against thee euen from my cradle and since I sucked my mothers brests I haue not ceased to doo euill Behold I was begotten in iniquitie and my mother brought me into this world defiled with sinne For the corne of an euill seed is sowne in mine hart and how much wickednesse hath sproong thereof vnto this daie thou knowest O Lord. I can not shake off my sinnes and offences but I carie still with me the infamie of my youth Behold Lord I am sold vnder sinne and in my flesh I find not that which is good For the good that I would that doo I not but the euill that I hate that I doo All the thoughts and imaginations of mine hart haue beene set to doo euill euer since I was yoong O why doo I die in my sinnes Lord God seeing thy will is not that a sinner die but returne from his sin and liue For thou art good and mercifull and according to thy great mercie sauest them that be vnwoorthie For albeit no man is able to beare the punishment which thou doost threaten against sinners yet the mercie which thou hast promised is great and vnsearchable Thou hast shewed mercie a thousand times heretofore to make the same glorious as it is euen yet still The old fathers in their necessities cried vnto thee and thou diddest deliuer them they put their trust in thee and they were not confounded When they were at their wits end and wist not what to doo this was their onelie refuge to lift vp their eies to thee Thou didst saue them for thy name sake to shew in them thy might and strength Manie a time they prouoked thee through their iniquities and
stirred vp thy goodnesse to displeasure Yet when thou sawest their tribulation and their lowlie submission vnto thee Thou diddest remember thy promise and by and by hadst pitie and compassion vpon them according to the multitude of thy mercies Haue mercie vpon me O Lord God omnipotent haue mercie vpon me for I am a miserable a wretched creature Make me whole I beseech thee whom thou hast striken for my sinne and iniquitie My soule is troubled greatlie and how long O Lord wilt thou not looke towards me How long wilt thou reiect my praier thus crieng out vnto thee Wilt thou heare me at no time How long wilt thou turne awaie thy face from me Where be thine old mercies O Lord whom thou hast stablished in thy truth Wilt thou now O Lord God cease to shew mercie Or wilt thou withdrawe thy goodnesse in displeasure Hast thou cast me awaie for euer that thou wilt neuer hereafter be pleased with me Thine hand is not weakened but it may helpe and thine eares be not stopped that they refuse to heare How long shall my mind be troubled with painfull and heauie thoughts How long shall sorowe torment mine hart How long shall mine enimie haue the vpper hand of me Looke towards me Lord GOD and heare my praier Giue light to mine eies for I haue slept too long in death and my sinnes haue preuailed against me Turne againe O Lord turne againe and deliuer my soule and saue me for thy great mercie sake Lo now is the accepted time now be the daies of health and grace In death who shall remember thee In hell who shall laud or praise thee He that liueth he that liueth shall praise thee and shall make thy mercie knowne Lord rebuke me not in thine anger nor punish me in thy great displeasure Cast not thy darts at me nor laie not thy heauie hand vpon me For I haue borne thine anger a long while of the cup of thy high displeasure I haue droonke verie deepe There is no health in my flesh for feare of thy displeasure I haue no peace nor rest when I behold my sinnes Mine iniquities be gone ouer mine head and like an heauie burden they dailie presse me downe The wounds in my soule doo fester and stinke euen through mine owne follie I am a wretch cast awaie from thy fauour and presence and go moorning all the daie long My soule is full of filthinesse and no part of mee is whole and sound Wherfore mine enimies doo persecute me the more the greatnes of my paine maketh me to rore and crie My heart fainteth and trembleth within me and my strength is gone awaie O Lord thou knowest my desire and thou seest my necessitie Forgiue me all my sinnes O Lord God almightie for thine owne sake and put out of thy sight my hainous offences for according to thy goodnesse thou hast promised forgiuenesse of sinnes to them that doo pennance Haue mercie on me Lord for the glorie and honour of thy name and be no longer displeased with me and then thou shalt surelie be knowne to be iust and true in thy words shalt ouercome when thou art iudged For by this thy great grace shall be knowne that thou takest mercie on them which haue not whereof they may glorie in thy sight And all the dwellers on the earth shall learne and knowe thy goodnesse when thou shalt confer and giue thy benefits to vs for thy great name sake and not after our euill waies and wicked deeds Uerelie Lord God except thou shew vnto vs thy manifold mercies the world shall not haue life nor they that dwell therein And if thou helpe vs not with thy goodnesse how may they which haue offended be raised vp from their sinnes Haue mercie on me O good Father haue mercie on me and for thy glorious name be no longer angrie with me Take me a sinner vnto thy mercie for the name of thy holie Sonne Iesu whome thou hast sent to be the obteiner of mercie for our sinnes through faith in his bloud Behold holie Father behold thy child whome thou hast chosen behold thy welbeloued Sonne in whome thy soule delighteth vpon whome thou hast put thy holie spirit and sent him to preach the Gospell to the poore to heale them which for their sinnes be sorowfull and contrite to comfort them that mourne to preach pardon to the prisoners and sight to the blind Behold thy little one which was borne for vs behold thy Sonne which is giuen to vs whome thou hast not spared but giuen to death for vs all to be a sweet offering and sacrifice to thee Uerelie he tooke vpon him in his bodie our infirmities and he bare our paines He was made weake for our sinnes and he was wounded for our offences The correction for our peace was laid vpon him and by y e strokes that he suffered our wounds were healed All we went astraie like sheepe euerie one followeth his owne waie and thou O Lord puttest on him our iniquitie striking him for the offences of thy people He gaue his bodie to be beaten and his cheekes to be stricken he turned not awaie his face from them that scorned him Through his loue and mercie he hath redeemed them that were lost and by his bloud shead on the crosse he hath pacified all things in heauen and earth He gaue himselfe to death and made his praiers for them which were offenders Looke O mercifull Father and consider who it is that thus did suffer and remember I beseech thee for whome he hath suffered For this is that innocent whome thou gauest to death for vs euen then when we were sinners and shall we not being now iustified by his bloud much rather be saued from wrath through him If we when we were yet enimies were reconciled to thee by the death of thy Sonne shall we not being reconciled much rather be saued by his life Behold that pure and immaculate Lambe which taketh awaie the sinnes of the world by whose pretious bloud we are redeemed from our iniquities Looke vpon that most meeke innocent which like a Lambe was led to his death and being most cruellie intreated once opened not his mouth Behold thine onlie Sonne whome although thou begattest of thine almightie power substance and nature yet thou wouldest he should be partaker of mine infirmitie Which being God in nature thought it no rauine to be equall with God but made himselfe lowe taking vpon him the shape of a seruant and comming in the similitude of sinfull flesh condemned sinne in the flesh submitting himselfe vnto thee O Father euen to the death of the crosse and there put out the hand-writing that was against vs conteined in the lawe written and taking it out of the waie fastned it to his crosse on the which he spoiled potestates and powers and made a shew of them openlie and triumphed ouer them in his owne person Turne the eies of thy Maiestie O Lord God and looke vpon
hath offended thee make me free from the guilt of my transgression for I acknowledge mine iniquitie and am sorie for my sinnes I haue forsaken thy waie and I knowing thy commandements haue done all things contrarie to them I haue broken the couenant that I made with thee and haue despised to keepe thy lawe Uerelie I haue sinned against thee O Lord GOD and the blemish of my sinne abideth still with me euen vnto this daie I haue forsaken thee O God my maker and gone awaie from thee my Sauiour haue rebelled against thee like an oxe that winceth and striueth when hee should be yoked I haue hardened my hart against thee and I haue lifted vp my necke proudlie after my sinne I haue trusted in lies and through deceit would not knowledge thee but I haue followed the lewdnesse of mine hart My pride and arrogancie haue beguiled me and the foolish boldnesse of mine hart hath brought me into desolate waies Mine owne counsels and aduises haue brought me these things such is the malice and rebellion that possesseth the harts of men My soule is put from quietnesse and rest and I can not thinke of anie good thing The yoke of my sinnes is waxed verie heauie it is lifted vp and fastened about my necke Thou hast spoken to me but I would not heare thou hast called me but I would not answere I beleeued not thy words nor would abide thy counsell I regarded not thine holie word and I gaue not my mind to thy saiengs Thou hast striken me but I would not knowe the cause thereof thou hast corrected me but I would not take thy discipline I did not consider in mine hart that thou wouldest not forget my sinne and malice With my mouth and my lips I glorified thee but mine hart was farre from thee I hid my sinne as Adam did to the intent to haue mine iniquitie vnknowne I asked not counsell of thy mouth and I would not followe thy lawe I haue sinned before thine eies and therefore my soule is made vnstable I forsooke thee which art the fountaine of continuall springing waters to the intent to dig to my selfe muddie pits which haue no water In all these things I am not returned to thee nor I haue not praied vnto thee that I might leaue my wicked waies See Lord and behold how vile I am made all the beautie of my soule is perished and gone in so much that now I dare not in anie wise behold and looke vpon thee And there was no cause why I should forsake thee and vainlie followe vaine things Lord haue mercie vpon me and heare my praiers for thou art my God and there is no Sauiour besides thee Turne awaie from me thy heauie displeasure and destroie me not for the sinnes of my youth I humblie beseech thee O Lord forgiue me forgiue me for thine exceeding mercie O Lord God of hosts if thou be determined to saue who can let orresist If thou stretch out thine hand who shall turne thee awaie Thou maist doo to me as the potter doth to his pot for behold I am in thine hand as the claie is in his Amend me O Lord but in mercie not in thine anger least thou vtterlie consume me make me to vnderstand and knowe how hurtfull and deadlie a thing it is to forsake thee my Lord GOD and to cast awaie from me the feare of thee There is no man that can heale mee nor cure my plague no man can deliuer mee but thou O Lord which woundest and makest whole which strikest and healest againe My destruction commeth of my selfe my helpe and saluation standeth onelie in thee For none is like vnto thee thou art mightie and great is the name of thy strength Turne me to thee O Lord and I shall be turned take awaie from mee this sinfull hart that thy lawe may bring foorth fruit in me Remember me Lord for thy goodnesse sake and for the great loue thou bearest towards me O Lord God behold thou hast made both heauen and earth by thy great might and nothing is hard to thee Thou art that puissant and mightie whose name is the Lord of hosts great maruellous in thy counsell As soone as thou hast spoken the word all things be done as soone as thou hast commanded things be and thy word returneth not to thee void and without effect Thou O Lord GOD she west mercie vnto all for thou canst doo all and thou makest as though thou sawest not the sinnes of men bicause they should doo penance and amend their liues For thou louest althings that be and hatest nothing that thou hast made for nothing thou madest or hast ordeined of anie hatred Thou sparest and tenderest all men for all things be thine and thou louest the soules of men Thou doost minister mercie equitie and iustice in the earth and therefore in these vertues thou greatlie delightest Trulie O Lord thou art righteous and gratious notwithstanding I haue offended thee transgressing thy couenant and trespassing against thee O Lord thou hast seene all mine abhominations looke on my cause and consider how vile and wretched I am see and behold my great confusion In the time of reconciliation heare me and in the daie of saluation haue mercie on me Be mercifull vnto me and haue mercie on me which haue none other helpe but thee whose will nothing can resist whensoeuer thou doost purpose to saue Heare me which am a wretch making supplication vnto thee make me to trust in thy name and deliuer me by thy power Haue regard to me from heauen O Lord and looke downe from thine holie habitation from the throne of thy glorie Destroie me not bicause of mine iniquitie but remember the sorowe and paine that I suffer Be not still angrie with me O Lord forget all my sinnes and remember them no longer Let my praier ascend vp vnto thee saie vnto my soule Behold I am come to thee thy helth and thy saluation Amen Another Psalme for the remission of sinnes O GOD eternall iust and holie which keepest couenant and mercie with them that loue thee and keepe thy commandements Looke at me and haue mercie vpon me for I haue trespassed against thee done euil in thy sight Shew foorth vpon me the tender affections of thy mercie that thy seruant may haue an hart to praie vnto thee I humblie make my praier before thy face not trusting in mine owne righteousnesse but in thy great mercies For I am vncleane and filthie and all my righteousnesse is like a foule bloudie clowt Unto thee O Lord be iustice mercie and pitie but vnto me be confusion and shame for mine iniquities Certainlie euen from my beginning I haue vsed my selfe proudlie against thee dooing wickedlie and not ceasing O Lord thou hast redeemed me and yet I haue not ceased to offend thee and mine hart hath not beene straight in thy sight Thou hast taught and instructed me and stablished my power and I haue beene euill affected
me Be pacified I saie and turne not thy face awaie from me which to the intent thou mightest redeeme me didst not turne awaie thy face from them that rebuked thee scorued thee and spitted vpon thee I confesse and acknowledge that I haue sinned and my conscience deserueth damnation and the penance that I am able to doo is not sufficient to make amends for mine iniquitie but sure and certaine I am that thy mercie exceedeth all offences that a man can doo Oh doo not I be seech thee most pitifull Lord write my heinous sinnes against me that thou shouldest enter into iudgement with thy seruant but according to the multitude of thy mercies now haue mercie vpon me and crosse and blot out all mine iniquities before I depart hence and shall be no more seene in this world For else wo be vnto me wretch that I am when the daie of iudgement commeth and the bookes of consciences shall be laid wide open when it shall be said of me Lo looke vpon this woman and hir works how wicked she is and abhominable they are What shall I doo then I saie O Lord my God when the heauens which I haue offended shall reueale and shew foorth mine iniquitie and the earth which I haue polluted shall arise vp and testifie my manifold misdeeds against me Behold I shall be able alas to giue neuer a word to answere but to stand in thy presence trembling quaking vtterlie confounded and holding downe my head for shame as condemned also by the testimonie of mine owne giltie conscience vnto eternall damnation Alas wretch that I am what shall I saie I will crie vnto thee O Lord my God Why am I consumed and fretted with holding my peace But if I should speake my greefe would not cease and if I hold my peace I shall be most bitterlie vexed within Go to therefore O my soule moorne and lament as a widowe for hir husband that she had in hir virginitie Howle wretch and crie out with weeping because thy spouse Christ hath forsaken thee O caitiffe crie alowd in the eares of thy God and saie O God almightie let not thine anger fall vpon me Deale not with me after my sinnes neither reward me after mine iniquities because that if thou laie so much to my charge as is due for my sinnes it is so much that I cannot receiue it surelie Lord my power is not able for to suffer or beare it Wherefore O Lord haue mercie vpon me least I despaire but in despairing I will take hart to me and be somewhat comforted For although I haue committed so much that thou maist condemne me woorthilie yet thou hast not lost that wherewith thou wast woont to saue sinners neither dooest thou reioice at the destruction and losse of them that die Yea to the intent that dead men might liue thou thy selfe didst die and thy death did kill the death of sinne and if they were reuiued againe and did liue by thy death I beseech thee let not me die now that thou liuest Send downe thy hand and power from high and deliuer me out of the hands of mine enimies that they reioice not ouer me and saie Let vs deuoure him Who euer O good Iesu needed to mistrust of thy mercie which when we were thine enimies didst redeeme vs with thy bloud and reconciled vs vnto God Behold therefore I being hid vnder the shadowe of thy mercie doo come vnto the throne of thy glorie requiring and I doo runne crieng and knocking vntill thou take pitie vpon me For if thou didst call vs to pardon and forgiuenesse before we laboured for pardon how soone shall we obtaine forgiuenesse when wee aske it Doo not remember O most bountifull Iesu thy iustice towards a sinner but thinke vpon thy liberalitie and gentlenesse toward thy creature Doo not remember thine anger toward the giltie but remember thy pitie and mercie toward a wretch Forget me in that I proudlie did prouoke and mooue thee vnto wrath and looke vpon a wretch that calleth vpon thee For what is Iesus but a Sauiour Therefore O good Iesu for thine owne sake arise and helpe me and saie vnto my soule I am thy health and thy safegard Thus I presume much and am verie bold of thy goodnesse O Lord because thou dooest teach vs to aske to seeke and to knocke wherfore I being admonished by thy word doo aske seeke and knocke And thou O Lord that commandest vs to aske make mee able to receiue Thou that giuest counsell to seeke grant that I may finde Thou that teachest vs to knocke open to me when I knocke and confirme me which am vnstable and wauering Restore me that am lost raise me that am dead and vouchsafe to direct and gouerne in thy fauour all my senses my thoughts and dooings that from hencefoorth I may serue thee I may liue toward thee and that I may commit my selfe vnto thee I knowe O my Lord that through this that thou hast made me I owe and am in debt vnto thee euen mine owne selfe and because thou hast redeemed mee and wast made man for my sake for this I owe vnto thee more than my selfe Lo I haue no more neither can I giue that which I haue vnto thee without thee but doo thou take me and drawe me vnto thee that I may be thine in following and louing thee like as I am thine in condition and creation which liuest and reignest one God in blessed Trinitie worlds without end Amen The PSALTER which S. AVGVSTINE composed out of euerie Psalme of Dauid a verse for the vse of his Mother O Lord God almightie and king of eternall glorie who dooest acknowledge him to be a blessed man that abhorreth the waie of sinners and doth meditate in thy lawe daie and night Teach thou me a wretched sinner faithfullie to serue thee with feare and trembling of the heart And seeing with all humilitie of hart I doo call vnto thee with my voice heare me haue mercie vpon mee and so harken vnto my praier that neither thou for thy part rebuke me in thy wrath nor that old enimie to mankinde lieng in wait for his part to deuoure my soule like a Lion and teare it in peeces while there is none to helpe But Lord whose name is excellent in all the world turne thou mine enimie backe that he fall againe and perish at thy presence Let him not intrap my soule with his firie snares and suffer not brimstone and stormie tempests to torment me But for the oppression of the needie and for the sighings of the poore now thou dooest arise behold and heare me O Lord my God because thou art the counsell and trust of the poore Make me to walke vprightlie and to worke righteousnesse that thy fauourable kindnesse may be the portion of mine inheritance Keepe me as the apple of thine eie Hide me vnder the shadowe of thy wings because thou art my strength my rocke and my refuge Cleanse me frō my secret
my soule Preserue my going out and my comming in that my feet may stand in the courts of Ierusalem I lift vp mine eies vnto thee that dwellest in the heauens Deliuer my soule out of the snare of the foulers least I put foorth mine hands vnto wickednesse Fill my mouth with laughter and my tongue with ioie replenish my longing with good things that thy beloued may find rest and blesse me out of Sion that I may see the welth of Ierusalem hauing escaped the cords of wickednesse Let thine eares attend vnto the voice of my praiers O Lord. Let not mine hart be hautie nor mine eies loftie but giue me grace to thinke humblie vntill I find a place for the Lord an habitation for the mightie God of Iacob There the Lord hath appointed the blessing and life for euer There will I lift vp mine hands to thy sanctuarie and praise thee who iudgest thy people and art pacified towards thy seruants O God of gods and Lord of lords now weeping and worshipping towards thine holie temple trie me and knowe me marke and consider my paths and leade me in thy waie for euer Deliuer me O Lord from the euill man and preserue me from the cruell man Let my praier be directed in thy sight as incense Bring my soule out of prison that I may praise thy name Heare my praier O Lord in thy righteousnesse and enter not into iudgement with thy seruant Heare me speedilie O Lord least my spirit faile me for thou God art my refuge and my deliuerer And forasmuch as thou art great and most woorthie to be praised and thy greatnesse is incomprehensible raise vp the crooked loose the shackeled and giue sight to the blind thou which dooest build vp Ierusalem And when thou hast made the barres of thy gates strong let me be coupled to thy children within As the Angels and all the powers in the kingdome of heauen doo praise thee there let me triumphing gloriouslie in the congregation of the Saints with the sounding Cimbals of my lips praise and magnifie thy name the which is holie and glorious and reigneth now and euerlastinglie Amen Shus-hanna hir Psalter conteining verie deuout praiers for remission of sinnes for the auoiding of all kind of sinne and for the leading of a godlie life O Almightie and euerliuing GOD thou God of al power before whose eies all things be naked and bare O Lord thou great and terrible God I saie that keepest couenant mercie with them that loue thee and doo thy commandements Let thine eares bee open that thou maist heare the praiers of thy seruant which I make before thee at this time and let them ascend vp before thy presence and be accepted in thy sight for Iesus Christs sake Haue mercie vpon me thy poore creature and worke of thine hands For I haue sinned and done wickedlie and haue offended thy Maiestie greeuouslie in that I haue gone backe and departed from all thy precepts and iudgements and haue not followed thy seruants the Prophets that spake vnto me in thy name but haue from daie to daie prouoked thy iust wrath and indignation against me O Lord I acknowledge and confesse vnto thee my manifold sinnes and wickednesse the which I haue vnrighteouslie most greeuouslie committed against thee in thought word and deed from my youth vp vntill this daie for the which I am now taught by thy word and grace to be hartilie sorie and doo vnfeinedlie repent purposing euermore through the assistance of thy grace to walke in a new life Desiring thee for the pretious bloud-shedding of Iesus Christ thy deere Sonne our Lord to haue mercie vpon me and forgiue me all those mine offences according to thy great mercie and promise which hast said At what time so euer a sinner dooth repent him of his sinne from the bottome of his hart I will put all his wickednesse out of my remembrance O Lord remember not therefore the multitude of my misdeeds I beseech thee but according to thy great mercies thinke vpon me Call to remembrance for Christs sake thy louing kindnesse and thy tender mercie the which hath euer beene of old Hide not thy face from me nor cast not off thy seruant in thy displeasure For thy mercies sake deliuer me from all my sinnes and make me not a scorne vnto the foolish Turne not awaie thy mercie from me but let thy most louing kindnesse and truth alwaie preserue me Helpe me for thy name sake and deliuer me in thy strength Heare my praier O Lord and consider the words of my mouth for my misdeeds preuaile against me O bee thou mercifull vnto my sinnes Let the sorowfull sighing of the prisoner come before thee O Lord and comfort the soule of thy seruant for vnto thee doo I flie for succour Satisfie me with thy mercie and that soone so shall I reioice and be glad in thee all the daies of my life Looke not extreamlie what is done amisse in me for I haue sinned against heauen and before thee and am no more woorthie to be called thy child yet Lord of thy great goodnesse powre downe some of the crums that fall from thy childrens table and make me as one of the least of them Reward me not according to my deseruings for then I must needs perish for vnto me perteineth nothing but open shame confusion and damnation but with thee there is mercie forgiuenesse and plentious redemption Therefore I come vnto thee O Lord thou louer of soules not hoping in mine owne righteousnesse but trusting onlie in the multitude of thy great mercies which thou hast made and laid foorth before the eies of all people offering saluation to the whole world and hast promised that whosoeuer he or she be of the whole generation of man that will receiue grace repent and turne vnfeignedlie from his sinnes shall haue free remission and forgiuenesse through Iesus Christ our Lord which is our onelie aduocate and mediator in whome our saluation lieth and of whome thou hast said This is my deere Sonne in whome I am well pleased and well pacified For this thy Sonnes sake by whome I am bold to come vnto thee which appeareth now in thy sight making continuall intercession for vs haue mercie vpon me O thou mightie God cleanse me from all my sinnes and doo awaie all mine iniquities Oh let me feele thy mercies towards me for I doo confesse my sinnes vnto thee O Lord and hide not mine vnrighteousnesse I doo acknowledge mine offences and accuse my selfe before thee of all my misdeeds Helpe me O God my sauiour for the glorie of thy name O deliuer me and forgiue me my sinnes for thy rich mercies sake Remember not the offences of my youth O Lord but thinke vpon thy great mercies and couenant made vnto me in Christ Iesus For thy tender mercie sake laie not my sinnes to my charge but forgiue that is past and giue me grace to amend my life to decline from sinne and incline to
vertue that I may walke with an vpright hart a cleane conscience and single eie before thee this daie or night and euermore Put me not from thy presence oh thou God of all comfort but incline thine eare vnto my calling Strengthen thy seruant with the power of thy right hand and helpe thine handmaiden Comfort my soule with thy sweet promises and let thy mercies couer mine infirmities O most mercifull Father consider mine infirmities I saie which are manie and great beare with mine imperfection for thy Sonne my sauiour Iesus Christes sake which had good experience of our infirmitie that he might be mercifull vnto all them that are afflicted Consider the enimie hath gotten an open waie into my flesh wherein I confesse that there dwelleth nothing but sinne wretchednesse and miserie Yea O Lord I acknowledge that I was borne in sinne and conceiued in wickednesse and am by nature a child of wrath For in my flesh dwelleth no good thing and of my selfe I am not able to thinke a good thought much lesse doo that thou in thy lawe requirest of me to bee done which hast said Cursed is he that continueth not in all things that are written in the lawe to doo them Againe the lawe is spirituall but I am carnall sold vnder sinne Therefore O Lord my God I call vnto thee for grace which hast said Aske and yee shall haue seeke and yee shall finde knocke and it shall bee opened vnto you to preuent and drawe my will to all goodnesse for none can come vnto thee except he be drawne and except we be borne from aboue we cannot see the kingdome of God Assist me therefore and guide me with thy holie spirit from time to time Drawe me and I shall runne after thee and giue me strength and ablenesse through Christ our Lord to accomplish and fulfill thy righteous will and to stand against all the assaults of the diuell that they may haue no place in me but that the old man which I beare about in my bodie may be crucified and dailie die in me that the lusts of sinne may vtterlie be destroied that I may euermore be renewed in the spirit of my mind and that the life of Christ may alwaies appeare in me Good Lord for thy great mercies sake deliuer me from all kinds of euill namelie from the spirit of pride boasting vaine-glorie hypocrisie wantonnesse haughtinesse of mind presumption selfe-loue and make mee poore in spirit humble meeke gentle and lowe in mine owne sight that I lift not vp my selfe aboue my brethren and sisters but esteeme my selfe to be as a seruant and hand-maiden to all men and women to doo them good after the example of Christ who came not to be ministred vnto but to minister who also hath said Blessed are the poore in spirit Againe Thou resisteth the proud but giuest grace to the humble Take from me my stonie vnbeleeuing blind doubtfull vnfaithfull and vnthankefull hart and giue me an hart of flesh to loue and incline to thy will my carnall secure and impenitent hart take awaie from me and giue me an hart to feare loue and obeie thee write thy lawe in my hart graue it in my mind that I may beleeue trust and liue in thee for euer Take from me the wicked spirit of suspicion enuie hatred variance strife sedition sects euill gealousie vaine surmises murmuring and grudging backbiting or slandering of anie especiallie such as be in authoritie and ministers of thy holie word O Lord keepe me from all wrath malice and hastinesse all respect of persons in the faith all idolatrie superstition vanities lieng euill words debate contention murther theft false-witnesse-bearing flattering dissimulation hypocrisie blasphemie and vaine swearing by the name of God his works or creatures from all lightnesse idle words and all vnstablenesse of hart Oh Lord deliuer thou my hart from all surfeting dronkennesse gluttonie and leacherie and from all filthinesse of the flesh and spirit from all vncleane thoughts and vnlawfull desires euill concupiscence fornication adulterie and lusts of the bodie Take vtterlie from me also couetousnesse and inordinate care of riches all deceipt and guile or dooing of wrong to anie in my calling and office all idlenesse sloth and beastlie securitie and giue me not ouer vnto an vnshamefast and obstinate minde but hold me alwaies vnto thy nourture and correction and bow my hart alwaies vnto thee that I may serue thee all the daies of my life in such holinesse and righteousnes as is acceptable before thee Giue me thy grace oh Lord that I may haue thee alwaies before mine eies that I may also haue a respect vnto thy iudgements that whatsoeuer I saie thinke or doo it may be agreeable to thy holie will and word that I be not minded as the vngodlie and wicked men and women are let me haue no pleasure in such things as please them and grant that whensoeuer I be ouertaken with anie kind of sinne and wickednesse either in thought word or deede or that I feele mine owne infirmitie and weakenesse I may immediatelie with hartie repentance returne to thee againe and not to lie still in the securitie of sinne Make me able and contented with patience to heare all occasions of offence when they be offered or giuen me and not to recompense euill for euill and suffer me not good Lord to giue occasions of euill to anie man and if I doo make me willing to confesse my fault and to amend it Giue me grace that I neuer enuie anie good mans loue or womans because they doo either loue God and his people more than I or else that they be beloued of him or his more than I. Make me to reioice in other mens gifts and not to enuie them because they be better than mine but rather to giue thanks for them with all my hart desiring that they may be increased in them and in me Increase my faith O Lord my sauiour in thee and in thy Christ make it strong to beleeue thy promises Increase my loue O my redeemer to thee and to thy righteous people and make it perfect true and vnfeined to all vertue and godlinesse Increase a sure hope in me of my saluation O my iustifier without doubt or wauering in aduersitie and without pride or presumption in prosperitie so that I may serue thee with reuerence and godlie feare all the daies of my life Increase in me strength to resist sinne and to get the victorie and masterie to stand against all euill temptations and assaults of the flesh the world and the diuell that they may haue no place in me and that according to thy promise I be neuer further prooued nor tempted than thou wilt giue me strength to ouercome Increase in me O Lord all other vertues agreeable to a godlie life for I come vnto thee my God as vnto the well and euerlasting fountaine of all health and saluation Good Lord giue me grace therefore all the daies of this my
God Grant also that both being in bed asleepe and awake we may alwaies remember our death which is a passing to an immortall life and withall our ioifull resurrection to euerlasting glorie Finallie at our last gaspe when our harts pant our strength faileth our sight departeth our hearing is deafe our mouth dumbe when our feet cannot go nor our hands feele when all our senses forsake vs giue vs O blessed Trinitie some sense of eternall life that we may tast in this world the beginning of thine euerlasting ioie and at our departure out of this world behold by faith thy diuine presence and so sleepe quietlie to eternall life Amen Amen Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Christ haue mercie vpon vs. Lord into thy hands we commend our soules because thou hast redeemed vs. Lord Iesu receiue our spirits At mid-night if you happen to awake praie HAue mercie vpon me O God after thy great goodnesse according to the multitude of thy mercies doo awaie mine offenses Turne thy face from my sinnes and put out all my misdeeds Make me a cleane hart O God and renew a right spirit within me Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thy holie spirit from me I will remember thee O God in my bed and thinke vpon thee now that I am waking because thou hast beene mine helper Euen now in the night season while thou holdest mine eies waking I saie will I thinke of thee my creator and make my praiers vnto thee my redeemer and God of my life that my soule may not refuse hir comfort In my bed now by night will I seeke thee whom my soule loueth O let me find thee and my soule embrace thee For with my soule doo I desire thee now in the night season and with my spirit within me will I seeke thee in the morning Yea at mid-night I will arise vp to giue thanks vnto thee O Lord because of thy righteous iudgements and in the night watches I will lift vp my hands towards thy holie place and blesse thee and powre out my hart before thee and saie Haue mercie vpon me O God haue mercie on me a most miserable sinner From the snares of the diuell O Lord deliuer me from the mid-night euill defend me and in the houre of death helpe me Our father which art in heauen c. Meditation AT mid-night there was a crie made Behold the bridegrome commeth go out to meet him blessed are those virgins whom the Lord when he commeth shall find waking O my soule let vs therfore take héed watch and praie that wée may bée found prepared with our Lamps burning readie to enter with our spouse and Lord Iesus vnto the wedding In the night when you heare the clocke strike praie THE clocke of our conscience dooth ring euerie minute the houre of death to be at hand O mercifull God grant vnto me therefore I beseech thee a happie houre blessed departure out of this life whensoeuer it shall please thee to call me hence and cause my soule to flie out of this bodie Be mercifull vnto me O God be mercifull vnto me a most miserable sinner and deliuer me from the houre of temptation death and damnation through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Meditation HE that hath ears to heare let him heare The daie of the Lord will come as a théefe in the night Watch therefore because yée know neither the daie the time nor the houre when the sonne of man will come to iudgement VVhen you giue your selfe to sleepe againe and commend your selfe last to God Praie INto the hands of thy vnspeakable mercie O Lord I commend my wretched soule and bodie my senses speech counsell thoughts works all things belonging vnto me my lieng downe and rising vp my faith and conuersation the whole course and end of my life the daie and houre of my departure out of this world finallie my death buriall rest and resurrection beseeching thee O Lord now suffer mine eies to sleepe mine eie lids to slumber the temples of my head to take some rest that my bed may comfort me and my couch giue me some refreshing Grant that I may so sleepe gouerne and end my life that I may sleepe in peace and rest in thee Sticke thou to me O my God euen to the end that sleepe with rest and rest with quietnesse quietnesse with euerlastingnesse may receiue me For lo I giue my selfe once againe to sleepe and rest in the name of thee O Father Sonne and holie Ghost euermore crieng and saieng Haue mercie on me O glorious Deitie Haue mercie on me O triumphant humanitie Haue mercy on me O blessed Trinitie and receiue my spirit yea rather thy spirit into thy holy hands send me a ioifull resurrection with all thy Saints elect people Amen Amen The Conclusion NOt vnto vs O Alpha not vnto vs O Omega but vnto thy name O Iehoua be giuen all the glorie for thy louing mercie and for thy truths sake For thou hast directed the thoughts of our harts and prospered the works of our hands vpon vs euen thou I saie O Lord hast gouerned all our counsels enterprises from heauen hast gratiouslie wrought all our works for vs. O let our mouthes therfore be filled with thy praise and make vs continuallie thankefull that we may giue woorthie honor and glorie to thée for so great graces and manifold benefits bestowed vpon vs. And now forsomuch as thou hast giuen euerie one of vs that portion of thy graces that hath pleased thée and hast commanded vs to occupie and vse them to thy honor till thou come grant vs whether we haue receiued little or much that we doo not idelie or slothfullie neglect our dutie herein Suffer vs not I saie O swéet Christ with the rest of the world to fall asléep in the pleasant vanities of this life and to forget the waiting for thy comming but rather stirre vs vp by thy holie spirit faithfullie to vse thy gifts giuen vnto vs and in all warie watching fasting and earnest praier continuallie to prosper and go forward in our holie calling prouoking one another by good example to followe thée in true worship and due obedience and grant that all ambition vaine glorie hypocrisie and dissimulation being remooued our chéefe care may be in all our dooings studies and labours euer to séeke the increase of thine honor and the aduancement of thy kingdome and so with a single eie respecting the praise which is of thée looke and wait for the reward and recompense of our labours not of men but of thée that in that daie of thy second comming which shall be sudden and fearefull to the wicked we may with ioie and comfort méet thy sonne in the aire and when thou shalt heare our accounts we may also receiue of thée through our redéemer Iesus not onlie praise and commendation as thy good and faithfull seruants whose liues are hid in thée but also obtaine the finall
good and bad bitter and sweete ioie and sorrowe and for all things that shall befall vnto me hartilie to thanke thee Keepe me Lord from sinne and I shall then neither dread death nor hell O what thanks ought I to giue vnto thee which hast suffered the greeuous death of the crosse to deliuer me from my sinnes and to obtaine euerlasting life for me Thou gauest vs most perfect example of patience fulfilling and obeieng the will of thy father euen vnto the death Make me wretched sinner obedientlie to vse my selfe after thy will in althings and patientlie to beare the burden of this corruptible life For though this life be tedious and as an heauie burden to my soule yet neuerthelesse thorough thy grace and by example of thee it is now made much more easie and comfortable than it was before thine incarnation and passion Thy holie life is our waie to thee and by following of thee we walke to thee that art our head and Sauiour and yet except thou hadst gone before and shewed vs the waie to euerlasting life who would endeuor himselfe to followe thee Seeing we be yet so slowe and dull hauing the light of thy blessed example and holie doctrine to leade and direct vs. O Lord Iesu make that possible by grace that is to me impossible by nature Thou knowest well that I may litle suffer and that I am anon cast downe and ouerthrowne with a little aduersitie wherfore I beseech thee O Lord to strengthen me with thy spirit that I may willinglie suffer for thy sake all maner of trouble and affliction The second Chapter A confession of our infirmities with a desire to rest in God aboue all things LOrd I will knowledge vnto thee all mine vnrighteousnesse and I will confesse to thee all the vnstablenesse of my hart Oftentimes a verie little thing troubleth me sore and maketh mee dull and slowe to serue thee And sometime I purpose to stand stronglie but when a little trouble commeth it is to mee great anguish and greefe and of a right little thing riseth a greeuous temptation to mee Yea when I thinke my selfe to bee sure and strong and that as it seemeth I haue the vpper hand suddenlie I feele my selfe readie to fall with a little blast of temptation Behold therefore good Lord my weakenesse and consider my frailenesse best knowne to thee Haue mercie on me and deliuer me from all iniquitie and sinne that I bee not intangled therewith Oft times it greeueth mee sore and in a maner confoundeth mee that I am so vnstable so weake and so fraile in resisting sinfull motions Which although they drawe me not alwaie to consent yet neuerthelesse their assaults bee verie greeuous vnto mee And it is tedious to mee to liue in such battell albeit I perceiue that such battell is not vnprofitable vnto mee for thereby I knowe the better my selfe and mine owne infirmities and that I must seeke helpe onlie at thy hands O Lord God of Israel the louer of all faithfull soules vouchsafe to behold the labour and sorowe of mee thy poore creature Assist mee in all things with thy grace and so strengthen me with heauenlie strength that neither my cruell enimie the feend neither my wretched flesh which is not yet subiect to the spirit haue victorie or dominion ouer mee O what a life may this bee called where no trouble nor miserie lacketh Where euerie place is full of snares of mortall enimies For one trouble or temptation ouerpassed another commeth by and by and the first conflict yet during a new battell suddenlie ariseth Wherefore Lord Iesu I praie thee giue me thy grace to rest in thee aboue all things and to quiet mee in thee aboue all creatures aboue all glorie and honour aboue all dignitie and power aboue all cunning and policie aboue all health and beautie aboue all riches and treasure aboue all ioie and pleasure aboue all fame and praise aboue all mirth and consolation that mans hart may take or feele besides thee For thou Lord God art best most wise most high most mightie most sufficient and most full of all goodnesse most sweet and most comfortable most faire most louing most noble most glorious in whom all goodnes most perfectlie is And therefore whatsoeuer I haue besides thee it is nothing to mee For my hart may not rest ne fullie bee pacified but onlie in thee O Lord Iesu most louing spouse who shall giue mee wings of perfect loue that I may flie vp from these worldlie miseries and rest in thee O when shall I ascend to thee and feele how sweet thou art When shall I wholie gather my selfe in thee so perfectlie that I shall not for thy loue feele my selfe but thee onlie aboue my selfe aboue all worldlie things that thou maist vouchsafe to visit mee in such wise as thou dooest visit thy most faithfull louers Now I often mourne and complaine of the miseries of this life and with sorowe and great heauinesse suffer them For manie things happen dailie to mee which oftentimes trouble mee make mee heauie and darken mine vnderstanding They hinder mee greatlie and put my mind from thee and so encumber me manie waies that I can not freelie and cleerelie desire thee ne haue thy sweet consolations which with thy blessed Saints be alwaie present I beseech thee Lord Iesu that the sighings and inward desires of my hart may moue and incline thee to heare mee The third Chapter A recounting of Gods benefits with praier to obtaine a free and cleane mind with hartie wisdome and deliuerance OIesu King of euerlasting glorie the ioie and comfort of all Christian people that are wandering as Pilgrims in the wildernes of this world my hart crieth to thee by still desires and my silence speaketh vnto thee and saith How long tarieth my Lord God to come to mee Come O Lord and visit mee for without thee I haue no true ioie without thee my soule is heauie and sad I am in prison and bounden with fetters of sorowe till thou O Lord with thy gratious presence vouchsafe to visit me and to bring me againe to libertie and ioie of spirit and to shew thy fauourable countenance vnto me Open my hart Lord that I may behold thy lawes and teach me to walke in thy commandements Make me to knowe and folowe thy will and to haue alwaies in my remembrance thy manifold benefits that I may yeeld due thanks to thee for the same But I knowledge and confesse for truth that I am not able to giue thee condigne thanks for the least benefit that thou hast giuen me O Lord all gifts and vertues that anie man hath in bodie or soule naturall or supernaturall be thy gifts and come of thee and not of our selues and they declare the great riches of thy mercie and goodnesse vnto vs. And though some haue mo gifts than other yet they all proceed from thee and without thee the least cannot be had O Lord I accompt it for a
great benefit not to haue manie worldlie gifts whereby the laud and praise of men might blind my soule and deceiue me Lord I knowe that no man ought to be ashamed or miscontent that he is in a lowe estate in this world and lacketh the pleasures of this life but rather to be glad and reioice thereat For so much as thou hast chosen the poore and meeke persons and such as are despised in the world to be thy seruants and familiar friends Witnesse be thy blessed Apostles whome thou madest chiefe pastours and spirituall gouernours of thy flocke which departed from the counsel of the Jewes reioising that they were counted worthie to suffer rebuke for thy name Euen so O Lord grant that I thy seruant may be as well content to be taken as the least as other be to be greatest and that I be as well pleased to be in the lowest place as in the highest and as glad to be of no reputation in the world for thy sake as other are to be noble and famous Lord it is the worke of a perfect man neuer to sequester his mind from thee and among manie worldlie cares to go without care not after the maner of an idle or a dissolute person but by the prerogatiue of a free mind alwaie minding heauenlie things and not cleauing by inordinate affection to anie creature I beseech thee therefore my Lord Iesu keepe me from the superfluous cares of this world that I be not inquieted with bodilie necessities ne that I be not taken with the voluptuous pleasures of the world ne of the flesh Preserue me from all things which hinder my soule health that I be not ouerthrowne with them O Lord God which art sweetnesse vnspeakable turne into bitternesse to me all worldlie and fleshlie delights which might drawe me from the loue of eternall things to the loue of short and vile pleasures Let not flesh and bloud ouercome me ne yet the world with his vaine glorie deceiue me nor the feend with his manifold crafts supplant me but giue me ghostlie strength in resisting them patience in suffering them and constancie in perseuering to the end Giue me for all worldlie delectations the most sweet consolation of thy holie spirit and for all fleshlie loue indue my soule with feruent loue of thee Make me strong inwardlie in my soule and cast out thereof all vnprofitable cares of this world that I be not led by vnstable desires of earthlie things but that I may repute all things in this world as they be transitorie and soone vanishing awaie and my selfe also with them drawing toward mine end For nothing vnder the sunne may long abide but all is vanitie and affliction of spirit Giue me Lord therefore heauenlie wisdome that I may learne to seeke and find thee aboue all things to loue thee Giue me grace to withdrawe me from them that flatter me and patientlie to suffer them that vniustlie greeue me Lord when temptation or tribulation commeth vouchsafe to succour me that all may turne to my ghostlie comfort and patientlie to suffer and alwaie to saie Thy name be blessed Lord trouble is now at hand I am not well but I am greatlie vexed with this present affliction O most glorious father what shall I do Anguish and trouble are on euerie side helpe now I beseech thee in this houre thou shalt be lauded and praised when I am perfectlie made meeke before thee and when I am cleerelie deliuered by thee May it therefore please thee to deliuer me For what may I most sinfull wretch do Or whether may I go for succour but to thee Giue mee patience now at this time in all my troubles helpe me Lord God and I shall not feare ne dread what trouble so euer fall vpon me And now what shall I saie but that thy will be done in me I haue deserued to be troubled and greeued and therefore it behooueth that I suffer as long as it pleaseth thee But would to God that I might suffer gladlie till the furious tempests were ouerpassed and that quietnesse of hart might come againe Thy mightie hand Lord is strong ynough to take this trouble from me to asswage the cruell assaults thereof with them as thou hast oftentimes done before this time that when I am cleerelie deliuered by thee I may with gladnesse saie The right hand of him that is highest hath made this change The fourth Chapter To despise all things in the world and yeeld our selues vp to God that he may be all in all for our redemption in time of neede LOrd grant me thy singular grace that I may come thither where no creature shall let me ne keepe me from the perfect beholding of thee For as long as anie transitorie thing keepeth me backe or hath rule in me I may not freelie ascend to thee O Lord without thee nothing may long delight or please for if anie thing should be liking and sauourie it must be through helpe of thy grace seasoned with the spice of thy wisedome O euerlasting light far passing all things send downe the beames of thy brightnesse from aboue and purifie and lighten the inward parts of my hart Quicken my soule and all the powers thereof that it may cleaue fast and be ioined to thee in ioifull gladnesse and ghostlie rauishings O when shall that blessed houre come that thou shalt visit me and glad me with thy blessed presence when thou shalt be to me all in all Uerelie vntill that time come there can be no perfect ioie in me But alas mine old man that is my carnall affections liue still in me and are not crucified nor perfectlie dead For yet striueth the flesh against the spirit and moueth great battell inwardlie against me and suffereth not the kingdome of my soule to liue in peace But thou good Lord that hast the Lordship ouer all and power of the sea to asswage the rages and surges of the same arise and helpe me destroie the power of mine enimies which alwaies make battell against me shew foorth the greatnesse of thy goodnesse and let the power of thy right hand be glorified in me For there is to me none other helpe nor refuge but in thee onlie my Lord my God to thee be honour and glorie euerlasting O Lord grant me that I may wholie resigne myselfe to thee and in all things to forsake my selfe and patientlie to beare my crosse and to followe thee O Lord what is man that thou vouchsafest to haue mind of him and to visit him Thou art alwaie one alwaie good alwaie righteous and holie iustlie and blessedlie disposing all things after thy wisdome But I am a wretch and of my selfe alwaie readie and prone to euill and do neuer abide in one state but manie tunes doo varie and change Neuerthelesse it shall be better with me when it shall please thee For thou O Lord onelie art he that maiest helpe me and thou maiest so confirme and stablish me that my
we be tied and bound with the chaine of our sinnes yet let the pitifulnesse of thy great mercie loose vs for the honour of Iesus Christes sake our onlie mediator and aduocate Amen The end of the Letanie Praiers to be vsed before and after the first and second lessons the Gospell and Pistle and before and after the Sermon or Homilie Before the first or second lesson praie BLessed Lord which hast caused all holie Scriptures both in the old and new Testaments to be written and red for our learning grant vs that we may now in such sort heare them reade them marke learne and inwardlie digest them that by patience and comfort of thy holie word we may embrace and euer hold fast the blessed hope of euerlasting life which thou hast giuen vs in our Sauiour Iesus Christ Amen After the first or second lesson praie GRatious God and most mercifull father which hast vouchsafed vs the rich and pretious iewell of thy holie word assist vs with thy spirit that it may be written in our harts to our euerlasting comfort to reforme vs to renew vs according to thine owne image to build vs vp and edifie vs into the perfect building of thy Christ sanctifieng and increasing in vs all heauenlie vertues Grant this O heauenlie father for Iesu Christs sake Amen Or thus THanks be vnto thee O our celestiall father through Christ our Redeemer that thou hast so cleerelie by thy Patriarchs Prophets and Apostls reuealed vnto vs these so secret mysteries of our saluation in Christ for whose sake also we beseech thee to giue vs the verie feare and faith in thee that we constantlie beleeuing thy truth and following that thou commandest vs in thy word may by no meanes hinder thy glorie or the course of thy word by our lewd conuersation but in all obedience helpe to amplifie and increase thy kingdome to the perpetuall praise of thy name through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Before the reading of the Epistle or Gospell praie ALmightie God and most mercifull Father who by thy holie spirit in thy seruants the Apostles and the Euangelists hast left vnto vs the storie of the doctrine and deedes of our Sauiour Christ that thereby as he is in deede so we might beleeue him to be thy Sonne and the Sauiour of the world put our trust in thee through him that so beleeuing we might attaine to euerlasting life grant vs we beseech thee the same most holie spirit to open our harts and lighten our minds that by the reading and hearing of the same our faith in thee through him may continuallie be strengthened till we attaine to the end thereof euen the saluation of our soules through Iesus Christ our Lord and Sauiour Amen After the reading of the Epistle or Gospell WE giue thee thanks most mercifull Father for that it hath pleased thee in great mercie towards vs to cause the holie writings and traditions of the Apostles and Euangelists to come to this our time place and eares that thou hast vouchsafed also to open reueale thy holie will vnto them to approue thy sonne so manifestlie to the world and to confirme vnto vs by them the truth of thy Gospell that in the mouth of so manie faithfull witnesses we might haue more full assurance in thy mercifull promises Helpe vs O good Father we beseech thee that by thy grace we may doo in deede that which we now by them doo vnderstand And least heerein we be through thy iustice more greeuouslie condemned and punished if that we neglect to doo thy will which through thy grace thou hast reuealed graunt vs the fruit of this thy care towards vs in the strength of faith that hauing read and heard so notable things in this his holie storie and acts and writings of the holie Apostles recorded and left vnto vs by so true and most faithfull witnesses appointed and ordeined therevnto by thee we may now by the effectuall working of thy holie spirit receiue and acknowledge him for thine onlie sonne and our onlie sauiour to the saluation of our soules and the glorious praise of thy name and so being lead from one witnesse to another we may according to thy holie word go from faith to faith till we atteine to the euerlasting life which thou hast prepared for vs in thy sonne to whome with thee O Father and the holie Ghost be all honor glorie and praise both now and for euer Amen Before the Sermon or Homilie read some of these sentences of Scripture exhorting to the attentiue hearing of the word Deuteronomie 18. THE Lord said to Moses I will raise them vp a Prophet from among their breethren like vnto thee and will put my words in his mouth and he shall speake vnto them all that I shall command him vnto him shall yee harken And whosoeuer will not harken vnto my words which he shall speake in my name I will require it of him Psalme 119. GReat is the peace they haue which loue thy lawe and they are not offended at it Prouerbs 8. BLessed is that man or woman that heareth me watching dailie at my gates and giuing attendance at the posts of my doores For he that findeth me findeth life and shall obteine fauour of the Lord but he that sinneth against me hurteth his owne soule and all that hate me loue death Prouerbs 28. HE that turneth awaie his eare from hearing the lawe euen his praiers shall be abhominable VVisdome 3. WHo so despiseth wisdome discipline is miserable and their hope is vaine and their labours are foolish and their works vnprofitable and their wiues are vndiscreet their children wicked and their of-spring is accursed Ecclesiasticus 5. BE humble to heare the word of God that thou maist vnderstand it and make a true answere with wisdome Be swift to heare good things and followe the word of peace and righteousnesse Luke 11. THE Queene of the South shall rise in iudgement with the men and women of this generation and shall condemne them For she came from the vttermost parts of the earth to heare the wisdome of Salomon and behold saith Christ of himselfe a greater than Salomon is heere speaking vnto you Iohn 8. HE that is of God heareth Gods word Yee therefore heare them not because ye are not of God Reuelation 2. LET him that hath an eare heare what the spirit saith to the Churches or congregation c. A praier for the heedfull hearing of Gods word FOR as much O most mercifull God as faith without the which it is impossible to please thee in anie thing we doo commeth by hearing and hearing by the word of God in so much as he or she that turneth awaie his eare frō hearing the lawe euen his praier shall be abhominable and turned into sinne yea bicause also it is a farre more blessed thing to heare and keepe thy word than to haue had the honour to haue borne or nursed thine owne sonne grant vs grace therefore I
reuiled beaten scourged spit vpon and most miserablie handled Thou wentest through Ierusalem to the place of execution euen to the mount of Caluerie a great crosse to hang thee vp was laid vpon thy backe to beare and drawe as long as thou wast able Thy bodie was racked to be nailed to the tree Thy hands were bored through and thy feet also Nailes were put through them to fasten thee thereon Thou wast hanged betweene heauen and earth as one spued out of heauen and vomited out of the earth vnworthie of anie place The high Priests laughed thee to scorne The Elders blasphemed thee and said God had no care for thee The common people also laughed and cried Out vpon thee Thirst oppressed thee but vineger onlie and gall was giuen thee to drinke Heauen shined not on thee the Sunne gaue thee no light the earth was afraid to beare thee sathan euen then tempted thee and thine owne humane senses caused thee to crie out My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Oh wonderfull passions which thou sweet Iesus sufferedst for me and all mankind In them thou teachest me in them thou comfortest me for by them God is my father my sinnes are forgiuen me By them I should learne to feare God to loue God to hope in God to hate sinne to be patient to call vpon God and neuer to leaue him for anie temptations but with thee to crie Father into thy hands I commend my spirit Amen The praier wherein we confesse our selues to be the verie cause of all these Christ his passions WHat hast thou committed oh Lord that thou shouldest bee so iudged what hast thou offended that thou shouldest be so cruellie handled and ordered what was thy fault what was thine offence what was the cause of thy death what was the occasion of thy condemnation I Lord I am the cause of thy sorowe the fault is in me that thou wast killed for I haue deserued thy death I committed the offences that were aduenged vpon thee Oh maruellous kind of iudgement and vnspeakable disposition or ordering of mysteries The vniust man offendeth and the righteous is punished The guiltie doth euill and the innocent is beaten The euill doth trespasse and the good is condemned That which the euill man deserueth the same doth the good and iust suffer That which the seruant doth amisse the maister maketh amends That which man trespasseth God suffereth it Oh thou which art the Sonne of God how lowe did thine humilitie descend How greatlie did thy charitie euen as it were waxe hot and burne towards vs How far did thy pitie exceed Whither did thy benignitie and gentlenes growe and extend How far did thy loue stretch How far came thy compassion For I did wrongfullie and thou wast punished I committed the mischeeuous deeds and they were aduenged vpon thee I did the fault and thou submittedst thy selfe to the torments I was proud and thou wast humble and meeke I was swelled and puffed vp thou wast extenuate and appaired I was disobedient neuerthelesse thou being obedient barest the paines and punishments of disobedience I obeied and was as it were a seruant to all excesse and gluttonie and thou wast punished with scarsitie and lacke of food The tree did drawe me in my grandmother Eue vnto vnlawfull concupiscence and desires but perfect charitie led thee vnto punishment and to endure the torments vpon the crosse I presumed being forbidden but thou didst smart therefore I tooke my pleasure with delicatenesse thou wast vexed with the crosse I abound and haue plentie of all pleasures thou art all to torne with nailes I doo taste the pleasant sweetnes of the apple and thou the bitternes of gall Behold O king of glorie mine iniquitie and vngodlinesse and thy pitie and goodnes is manifest Behold mine vnrighteousnes and thy iustice is plainelie declared What thing O my God and my King shall I render vnto thee for all these things which thou hast bestowed vpon me For nothing can be found in the hart of man that may worthilie recompense such rewards Can mans wit excogitate or imagine anie thing that is woorthie to be compared vnto thy diuine mercie Neither is it the office of a creature to go about to recompense fullie and iustlie the aid helpe of a Creator There is trulie O Sonne of God in this thy maruellous dispensation and appointments some what in which my frailenesse may helpe a little if so be that my mind once pricked and stirred by thy visitation doo punish the flesh with the vices also and euill concupiscences thereof And this thing if thou wilt grant and giue me grace to doo then shall it begin as it were to suffer and susteine sorrowes and greefes because that thou also didst vouchsafe to die for my sinnes and so by the victorie of the inward man it shall be armed thou beeing a captaine for the externall and outward victorie forasmuch as the spirituall persecution once ouercome it shall not be afraid for thy sake to be obedient vnto the materiall sword and crosse of this world and so the slendernesse of my state and condition if it please thy goodnes shall be able according to the little power thereof to answer vnto the greatnes and excellencie of my Creator And this is y e heauenlie medicine O good Iesu this is as it were a preseruatiue of thy loue this I beseech thee by thine accustomed ancient mercies to powre into my wounds the fowle and filthie matter of the venemous contagion and infection once cast awaie which may refresh and restore me to my former puritie and cleanenesse that when I haue tasted of the pleasant sweetnes which is to abide in thee it may make me to despise and vtterlie set naught by the entisements of this world and to feare for thy sake none aduersities thereof and that I remembring thine euerlasting nobilitie excellencie may alwaies abhor and disdaine the troubles of this transitorie world And as thou O Lord wast crucified for me so I beseech thee crucifie me with thee that I may rise againe with thee to euerlasting life Thy flesh was crucified for me crucifie with thee O Christ the kingdome of the flesh which hath dominion in me that I may put off the old Adam and by newnesse of life may be transformed into thee the second Adam sinne infidelitie and the whole tyrannie of sathan being vanquished and ouercome Bring to passe O Lord that by thy crosse and painefull suffering thy yoke may be to me made light and thy burthen easie that willinglie and gladlie following thee I may come whether thou art gone that is to thy father most blessed and immortall from whome nothing shall afterwards be able to separate vs Amen I haue sinned I haue sinned my God my God haue mercie vpon me God forbid I should reioice in anie thing but in the crosse of our Lord Iesus Christ whereby the world is crucified vnto me and I vnto the world Galath 6. 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