of the worlde O holie ghost the sweet comforter O the diuine essence thrée persons and one God haue mercie vpon me most vile caitife and miserable sinner I haue offended both against heauen earth more than my toong can expresse Whither then may I go or whither should I flie To heauen I may be ashamed to lift vp mine eies and in earth I finde no place of refuge or succour To thée therfore O Lord do I come to thée doo I humble my selfe saieng O Lord my God my sinnes be great but yet haue mercy vpon me for thy great mercie The great mysterie that God became man was not wrought for little or few offences Thou diddest not giue thy sonne O heauenlie Father vnto death for small sinnes onelie but for all the greatest sinnes of the world so that the sinner returne to thee with his whole heart as by grace first receyued from thée I doo héer at this present Wherefore haue mercie vpon me O God whose propertie is alwaies to haue mercy haue mercie vppon mee O Lorde for thy great mercie I craue nothing O Lord for my owne merits but for thy names sake that it may be hallowed thereby and for thy déere son Iesu Christes sake And therfore I continue forth my crie vnto thee from the bottom of my heart saieng Our father which art in heauen hallowed be thy name c. Our Father TO none doth this name Father more truelie belong then vnto thée O God our father For both they which haue begotten vs fostered vs do bring vs vp and also our spirituall pastors which do instruct vs are called fathers But thou O Lord art the father of all creatures which are vpon the earth whome thou hast made of somewhat as thou madest man but of nothing which none else coulde do These thou dooest féede and preserue which else shoulde returne to their nothing againe These thou dooest gouerne teach and stirre vp to do their seuerall and proper offices Thou hast made all things therefore thou art the father of all but more speciallie man whom thou hast formed after thine owne similitude and image Thou dooest rule and gouerne all thinges as thy seruants but man as thy sonne To other liuing creatures thou hast giuen out of thy plentifull storehouse good giftes but vppon man thou hast powred them forth with full hande and hast adorned him with a liuing soule of all giftes one of greatest excellencie Thou doost driue forward al other creatuers as it were with a certain secret spurre but thou gently teachest and instructest vs. Other creatures thou dooest violentlie draw but vs thou doost fatherly teach and direct In al these fatherlie properties we wonder at thy power and adore and worship thy wisedome But amongst al thy fatherly mercies there is one which with great delectation wee consider as more profitable for vs namely our adoption by which thou hast made vs thy sonnes thorough Iesus Christ the sonne of the omnipotent essence and diuine nature Wonderfull is this goodnes of Christ and most swéet is his loue toward vs who wil not haue vs to be terrified with seruile feare and therefore hath not taught vs to cal thee his father Our lord which is a name of power but Our father which is a name of loue He concealeth thy greatnes and setteth forth thy goodnes the sooner to allure vs. What man considering rightlie his vile nature and corrupt will dare cal thee father except thou command him What vngratious and inferiour seruaunt will presume to call his king father except he be beside himselfe But how much greater difference is there betweene thée and vs then betweene a mortal king and a seruant which do not differ in condition of nature but onely in state of fortune We compared with thee in nature are most far different Thou art the essence and the incompresensible fulnes of all things which art all in all and wee are vtterlie nothing And in condition of worthinesse and excellencie wee being with thée compared are vnhappie and most miserable bondslaues of sin and the diuell which is the most vile and execrable state but thou art the most blessed lord of al. We are ignorance and darknesse but thou art wisedome and light Thy excellencie is infinit our shame and reproch more than can be expressed mans mind is not able to comprehend the difference betwéene thée and vs. But thy onlie sonne hath giuen vs boldnes to call thee Our father that we by adoption might be made partakers of that excellent dignitie to be called sonnes through his fauour and grace which he alone in right of his diuine nature possesseth Nowe howe more néerelie and trulie art thou the father of all those that are baptised in thy name and that are purged and clensed by the bloud of thy sonne Christ to whome beeing reconciled with thee and receiued into thy fauour thou hast giuen the earnest of Euerlasting blisse the loue of thee and an assured faith and confidence in thee and thereby perfect peace and rest of conscience Oh howe often do we féele to our great comfort thy fatherlie goodnesse Thou dooest giue vs light in darkenesse thou holdest vs vp when we stumble and are readie to fall thou turnest from vs manie wicked euils which hang ouer our heades and changest them into good and in all goodnes thou doost establish and preserue vs. What dooe our fathers helpe vs which are onelie fathers in name by whom wee haue nothing but that which hirelings and seruants haue that is to say the necessaries of this present life But this is the true fatherhood wherof we may rightlie reioyce by which we haue an euerlasting inheritance Oh woonderfull clemencie of thy son Christ which vouchsafed on vs the dignitie of his proper inheritance What wilt thou not giue O father vnto thy sons now which thou shalt thinke profitable for them We haue attained the greatest gifte that thou shouldest bee called and be indéed our father how then can we misse and bee destitute of thy fatherlie affection and liberalitie towardes vs And forasmuch as wee all which truelie are called Christians are knit togither in one knot of loue and are therfore members of one bodie and so one thing therefore that which wee aske for our selues wee craue of thee O Father for our brethren also And for this cause wee call thee iointlie togither Our father Beséeching thée that as thou vouchestsafe to be called of vs Our father so thou wilt make vs thy obedient children that not with mouth alone but with heart and mind wee may truelie feare thée serue thee loue thee and call thee our father to the honour and glorie of thy holie name Amen Which art in heauen THou art alone O Lord and we are not That being which we haue is heere in Earth that is to saie in the middest of manie tempestes and floudes of all manner of calamities wherewith we are continuallie turmoiled But thou both art and also
to loue thee aboue all things so thou wouldest that we loue our neighbours also not in word and toong but in deede and veritie Let this thy will good Father bee fulfilled in vs. And we heartilie praie thée that as in prosperitie we can bee well contented with thy wil so also whensoeuer it shall please thée either for the punishment of our sinnes either for the tryall and exercise of our fayth or for anie other cause as shal séem best to thy fatherlie wisdom to afflict vs with diseases with languishing sicknesses with iniuries and reproches with persecutions or any other crosse whatsoeuer we may patientlie and willinglie euen from our heart saie Thy will bee doone For if we bee not vnder chastisement whereof all thy children are partakers in this life then might we déeme our selues bastards and not sonnes And séeing thy onelie sonne our Sauiour in whose mouth there was no guile for vs miserable and sinfull men vouchedsafe to stand as a méeke lambe dumbe before the fleecer and opened not his mouth but bearing the chastisement of our peace in the moste bitter agonie of death when hee sweat water and bloud most mildelie submitted himselfe to thy holie will wee heartilie praie thee for the same our Christs sake that we may bee appliable to thy will in all thinges after the example of thy deer sonne and maie without murmuring or grudging vnfeinedlie say Thy will be done Jn earth as it is in heauen THe celestiall creatures O God are prest and readie to obaie thy diuine will and whatsoeuer thou commandest them they doo it speedilie Among which are thy angels who alwaies stood stedfast in thy truth since the first beginning and doe still stande in thy presence to serue thee as ministring spirits to defend and gard thine elect These angels doo reioise in heauen for the fulfilling of thy will in the conuersion and repentaunce of sinners yea so prompt is their seruice and so willing is their obedience that nothing is more pleasant vnto them then when thy will O God is performed and executed The blessed saints also departed this life in soule and spirit haue the fulnesse of ioy in thy presence and the pleasures also which are at thy right hand for euermore This thy wil hath brought to passe And therfore being frée from the cares and labours of this life they doo still execute thy holie will falling before thee which sittest in the heauenlie throne and worshipping thee which liuest for euermore and sayeng Thou art worthie O Lorde to receyue glorie and honoure and power for thou hast created all things and for thy wils sake they are and haue beene created As the angels and saints doo thus rest on thy will O God alone euen so other celestiall bodies also doo obeie the same The perpetuall motion and true course of the heauens the sunne the moone and the stars do continuallie kéepe their prescribed order whereunto thou hast appoynted them The temperate and flourishing springtide the hot and dry summer the fruit full haruest and the chilling cold winter haue their times and returnes from yeare to yeare according vnto thy diuine will In the execution whereof they haue thus continued more than fiue thousand and sixe hundred yeares and yet in that same remaineth and endureth still stable and firme Make in like manner O Heauenlie Father wee beséech thee our stubborne disobedient and rebellious wils pliant tractable and obedyent to thy most holie will O that this flesh putting off the olde Adam which is made of earth might submitte it selfe so willinglie vnto thy will as that inwarde manne dooth which is regenerate and illuminated by thy holie spirite and therefore with groanes and sighes desyreth to doo thy will O that it might please thee to breake in sunder for euer the bandes of sinne wherewith our spirit is tied that beeing frée wee might serue thee continuallie as thou wilt O Father wee heartilie praie thee and for Christs sake humblie beséech thee disburthen vs of this earth wherewith we are ouerwhelmed and make vs heauenlie that thy name maie bee sanctified in earth as it is in heauen that wee may desire thy kingdome to come in earth as it is in heauen that wee may will thy will to bee done in earth as it is in heauen that nowe here in earth wee may begin to bee such as one day through thy grace and mercy we shall bee in heauen Where wee shall for euer praise thee and our lord Iesus Christ to whome with the holie Ghost bee all honour and glory world with out end Amen 4 Giue vs this day our daily bread A prayer for all needfull thinges both for the soule and bodie WE are O Father in our selues miserable and néedie beggers but thou art rich in mercie to all that call vppon thee Out of thy heauenlie treasure therefore wee beseech thee plentifullie powre downe thy giftes vppon vs and especiallie giue vs that breade that heauenlie Manna the spirituall foode of our soules thy omnipotent word Iesus Christ by whose word and blessed spirit we are fedde comforted and euermore preserued to come vnto eternall life For thou hast so loued the worlde that thou hast giuen thy onelie begotten sonne that euerie one which beléeueth in him should haue euerlasting life This foode thou dooest giue of thy meere grace make vs by faith to take and digest it And to the end we may be the more able to go forwarde in that state of life where vnto thou hast called vs helpe O God our infirmities and sustaine our earthlie bodies with that corporall food which from sunne to sunne wee can not spare We depende O Lorde vpon thy fatherlie prouidence which openest thy handes and replenishest euerie liuing thing Thou féedest the yoong Rauens that call vpon thee Thou dooest minister food to the hungrie lions when they roare after their prey and thou doost cloth and apparell the lillies and grasse of the field Therfore we humblie beséech thee let thine eie attend vpon vs to féede cherrish and preserue vs in such wise that wee may bee more apt to glorifie thy holy name Break this bread O Father to thy sonnes and giue it vnto them at such time and in such measure as is most méet and conuenient for them so shall it be most swéete and sauorie and wholsom for the children Thou onelie canst giue it thou onelie knowest howe to giue it thou onely art woont to giue it and wilt giue it still vnto thy children in the best measure If thou giue it not wee cannot haue it For who is he among the sons of men that can make the smallest graine of wheat or other seed to growe or the least hearbe to spring without thee It is thou O Lord that doost make the grasse to grow for cattell and herbe for the vse of men It is thou that giuest bread wine to strengthen and make glad the heart of man and Oyle also to make him haue a
thy grace and mercie may reigne continuallie in our hearts so that we may be worthie to bee partakers of thy realme of glorie and maiestie Grant that vnto the verie death we refuse not to follow thy diuine will and that wee according vnto the example of the celestiall citizens agréeing togither quietlie vnited in spirit all controuersie in opinions set apart the lustes of the flesh being subdued and the flattering assaults of the world and the diuel ouercom neuer wrastle agaynst thy most holie will but obeie it in all things Grant O Lord for our bodie néedfull sustenance that we may the more freely serue thée Giue vs wee beséech thee O mercifull father that heauenlie bread the bodie of thy son Iesus Christ the verie foode and health of our soules giue vs the bread of thy diuine precepts that wee may trulie walke and liue after them Giue vs the bread of thy heauenlie worde which is the strong castle and sure defence of our foules that wee being wel fed filled with this food may worthilie come to the celestiall feast where is no hunger Grant O Lord that we patientlie bear and suffer our enimies and such as hurt vs and willinglie to forgiue the offences committed agaynst vs so that wee may find thee Lorde in forgiuing vs our trespasses milde and mercifull Grant O Lord that we be not vtterlie ledde into temptation that thereby we should bee lost but in all perilles of temptation and in the middest of the stormie tempests of tribulations let vs thy children receyue and féele thy fatherly succor ready to helpe vs least that wee ouercome with the craftie deceiptes of the temptor should be drawn into euerlasting destruction but when we be well assailed approoued and purged with the fire of temptation then let vs finish our course and so well and valiantlie fight that wee maie for euermore liue with thee in that heauenlie citie where agaynst thee no manner of temptation can preuaile Finallie grant most mercifull father that we through thy benigne goodnesse maie bee deliuered from all euils present or to come both of bodie and soule and that at the last the yoke of the foule feend being shaken of we may possesse the heritage of thy heauenlie kingdome which thy sonne with his pretious blood bought for vs thy children and therefore euer to haue the fruition of celestiall delectation accompanied with Angels and blessed Saints thorough the helpe benignitie and grace of our Sauiour Iesus Christ to whome and to thee our Father and to the holie ghost bee glorie and honour nowe and for euer Amen A praier for the morning I Render vnto thée O almightie and most mercifull father most heartie thankes by thy déerelie beloued sonne Iesus Christ for that thou hast vouchsafed of thy fatherlie goodnesse and frée mercie to giue mee this night sweete sleepe quiet and most comfortable rest and for somuch as it hath pleased thee safely to preserue me this night from all perilles hurts and dangers I wretched sinner most humblie beseech thee that thou of thy gratious goodnesse wilt vouchsafe to shewe the like kindenesse towards mee this daie in defending cherishing comforting and gouerning mee and all my counsels studies and labours in such wise that I may neither thinke speake or doo anie thing that may be displeasant to thy fatherlie goodnesse dangerous to my selfe or hurtfull to my neighbour but that I maie euermore by thy gratious gouernance so lead my life that whensoeuer it shall please thée to call mee from this vale of miserie and soile of sorrowe I may receiue the crowne of euerlasting ioy and felicitie which thou hast prepared for thy faithfull seruantes and them that loue thee graunt this mercifull god for thy deer sonnes sake Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another praier to be said in the morning O Almightie most gentle God I most hartilie giue thee thankes for the swéet sléepe and comfortable rest that thou hast giuen me this night And forsomuch as thou hast commanded by thy lie word that no man should be idle but alwayes occupied in vertuous exercises euerie man according to his calling I most humblie beséech thee that thine eyes maie attende vpon me dailie defend me in sorrow succour mee cherish comfort and gouerne all my counsels studies labors in such wise that I may spende this day according to thy wil without hurt that I may eschew al things that should displease set thée alwaies before mine eies liue in thy feare and euer work that that maie bee found acceptable before thy diuine maiestie vnto the praise of thy most holie name through Iesu Christ our lord who liueth and raigneth both now and euer Amen An Euening praier ALmightie God who as thou hast made the daie for labour and trauell so hast thou created the night for rest refreshing our wearied minds and bodies Wee most humbly beséech thée that as the night darkeneth and shadoweth all thinges so thou wouldest for thy deere sonne Iesus Christes sake hide our sinnes remoouing them from thy sight and putting awaie the memorie of them by eternall obliuion that as our bodies shall haue the rest of sléepe so also our mindes by hope of thy mercie maie enioy the rest of a quiet conscience and so being wholie refreshed wee may awake and rise vnto thy seruice the next day and all the dayes of our life as that when death shall come from the which it is as easie for thee to raise vs as from bodilie sleepe wee may rest in hope of the most ioyfull resurrection wherein our bodies shall awake vnto the euerlasting day vnto the which and vnto the kingdome of thy sonne wee beséech thée bring vs for the same our Sauiour Iesus Christs sake Amen An other praier for the Euening THis our mortall bodie which thorow sinne daylie decaieth and diminisheth must at the last altogither perish and become earth whereof it is come and made and then shall our vanitie which wee through our owne ignorance haue made vnto our selues take an end But most mercifull creator maker of all things vouchsafe so to breake diuide and dissolue me thy poore creature who am gathered knit and made of thee and grant that I may alwaies haue in mind thy dissolution and of whome I am knit togither hauing an eye to what place I must go to the intent that I not being prepared be not broght without the nuptiall or bridall garment before thy iudgement seate For like as when the daie is once past we giue our selues to rest euen so must wee this life being ended rest in death Nothing is more like life than the day nor nothing more like death than the night and nothing so like the graue then the couch or bed Thus good God kéepe and defend vs from al euil grant vs now liuing in impotencie and feeblenesse of our selues that through thee we may bee preserued this night and euer Amen The confession of our sinnes vnto God the Father
serpents head that thou alone in vs mightest haue the preheminence and that we might bee made partakers of the blessed inheritance of thy heauenlie kingdome Of this kingdome thou haste long since spoken by the mouthes of thy holie Prophets As that thou hast set thy king vppon Sion thy holie Mountaine and that thy throne O God is for euer and euer and the Scepter of thy kingdome a Scepter of righteousnesse To this kingdome of thy welbeloued son thou hast translated vs from the kingdome of darkenesse setting vs frée from the penaltie of sin and deliuering vs into the glorious libertie of thy sonnes Who then shall be able to laie anie thing to our charge It is thou O god which doost iustifie who shall then condemne It is Christ thy sonne and our king and Sauiour that died for vs nay rather which is risen againe and sitteth at thy right hande making intercession continuallie to thee for vs to bring vs vnto that heauenlie kingdome By this kingdome thou hast giuen vs euen in this life peace of conscience righteousnesse and reioicing in the holie ghost Encrease this ioy in vs O Lorde that our whole delight may bee to serue thée in holines and righteousnes all the dayes of our life Keepe vs O Lord from the poyson of false doctrine idolatrie superstition and incredulitie by which sathan vpholdeth his tyrannicall kingdome Mortifie and subdue in vs all carnall desires and lusts by thy holie spirite and by the same abandon out of our mindes vncleane thoughts breake the snares of sinne that the whole kingdome of the deuill may be destroied in vs. Renue thy kingdome in vs O heauenly Father we humblie beséech thee by giuing vnto vs the true knowledge of thée and thereby a liuelie faith in thy sonne Christ and regenerate vs by his holie spirit and word that by the obedience of faith wee maie wholelie be subiect vnto thée alone Make vs O Lorde to despise the glorie pompe and plesures of this worldly kingdome which sathan promiseth to the worshippers of him that we may still desire from our hearts euen as the Hart desireth the water Brookes the fruition of thy heauenlie kingdome The glorie and pleasures whereof are eternall and most delectable But the pleasures of this life momentanie and vaine and yet mixed with manifolde myseries Heere wee are vexed with tyrannies of beastes and of men The earth the water and fire as wearie of vs continuallie warreth agaynst vs. Those good creatures which thou hast giuen vs manie times through our sinnes are hurtfull and noysome vnto vs yea we are disquieted with our own bodies and with our own affections As menne therefore wearie of this wretched worldlie kingdome and desiring to be dissolued from the burthen of the flesh we heartilie praie thee that thy celestiall kingdome may come for our deliuerance where there is no hunger no nakednes no labour no infirmiite no sickenesse no infamie no hatred no enimie no dissimulation no warre no sorrow no moorning no feare no death All thinges are there ioyfull and full of blisse saluation and peace are euerie where and whatsoeuer happines may be wished for in such wise as neither the eie hath séene nor the eare hath heard nor at anie time hath entred into the heart of man Let this thy kingdome come O heauenly father we humblie pray thée For all the afflictions of this life are not so grieuous vnto vs as the ioy of this kingdome delights vs. Therefore with sighes and groues wee desire that this thy kingdom may come vppon vs as the reward of our conflict as the garlande and crowne of our course as the happie hauen of rest after our tossing on the surging Seas of this world which thou shalt giue vs for the merits of thy déere sonne Iesus Christ to whom with thée and the holie Ghost be all honor praise and glory world with out end Amen 3 Thy will be doone OUr knowledge our vnderstanding and our wil by naturall corruption O Lord is blind dul and rebellious against thy holie will insomuch that the naturall man vnderstandeth not heauenlie thinges nor desireth the participation of thy euerlasting kingdome but is an enimie vnto the same Therefore thy sentence remaineth true at what time thou saiedst Man is but flesh and all the imaginations of mans heart are euill For this cause we pray as thy beloued sonne hath taught vs héere that not ours but Thy will be doone Thy will is iust holie good and full of sauing health euen as thou art the bottomlesse well of all goodnesse and righteousnesse it selfe And as thou art our louing and most mercifull Father so there is no cause whie we shoulde doubt of thy good will which surmounteth the louing kindnesse of all earthlie fathers Thy will O god is omnipotent and euerlasting without shadowe of change thou wilt doo whatsoeuer séemeth good vnto thee and thy will shall stande for euer and euer and the thoughts of thy hart throughout alages Giue vs grace louing Father wee beseech thée that as we are ignorant of this thy secret will so we may alwayes humblie like obedient children submit our selues vnto the same to bee ordered thereby as shall séeme best to thy diuine wisedome But at this time O Lord especiallie wee pray for the execution of thy reuealed will which thy onely begotten son our sauiour hath manifested vnto vs in his most holy gospell and which at this day is reuealed vnto vs by the preaching of the same that wee might bee saued through Iesus Christ in whom thou hast chosen vs from euerlasting that wee might bee heires of his kingdome For this is thy wil saith our sauior christ that euerie one which beléeueth in the son should haue eternall life Giue vs fayth therefore O heauenlie Father wee beseech theee that this thy will may bee perfected and accomplished in vs that wee may tend vnto that end whereunto thou hast appointed vs That wee may beléeue in thee feare thee and loue thee for thy so great and fatherlie mercyes in Iesus Christ our Sauiour powred vpon vs. Let this thy most holie and holsome will be fulfilled in vs that being iustified through the merits of thy beloued sonne and thorough faith in him we may bee ioyned with thée Furthermore thy will is O god that they which are redéemed by thy sonne and doo stedfastlie beleeue in him should shew themselues obedient thankefull and readie to walke in his commaundements and that wee beeing wholie consecrated vnto him shoulde giue our selues to innocencie and puritie should not anie more defile our bodies with the filthines of sins which hee hath made the temples of the holie ghost For this is thy will O God euen our holinesse that wee should abstaine from fornication that euery one of vs should kéepe our vessell in sanctification and honour and not to walke in the lust of concupiscence as do the heathen which know not thee And as thou O father wouldest haue vs
chéerfull countenance Wee that plant and water are nothing Thou art all in all that giuest the increase Therefore we stand like poore beggers at thy doore crauing thy dailie almes and saying Giue vs this day our daylye bread And also we praie thee O Father that as thou makest these creatures of thine ours by thy frée gift so also they may bee ours by our labour and studie in that vocation whervnto we are called Giue vs thy grace wee beséech thee that wee eate not our breade with idlenesse that wee take not from our brethren theyr bread by rapine theft oppression vsurie briberie extortion and by such other vnlawfull meanes but that wee may receiue from thy liberal and most merciful hands our owne bread in the sweate of our owne browes that wee may bee blessed in the labour of our owne hands And as thou hast from daie to daie all the daies of our life hither to fed vs most liberally and preserued vs so wee beseech thee good lord that forsomuch as this daie wee doo hunger and thirst and shall daylie so long as wee are in this flesh stand in need of thy goodnesse thou wilt vouchsafe to giue vs this day our daylie bread And when thou hast satisfied our mouth with good things giue vs O Father contented mindes that wee followe not the insatiable lusts of our flesh which beeing neuer contented with thy good gifts abuse them intemperatly and deuise and desire new daintie dishes for lust and cause vs to say with the wanton Israelites Can God prepare a table in the wildernes Can he giue bread also prepare flesh for his people Represse in vs these carnall delights giue vs temperance that we maie liue not to eat but eat to liue For thy kingdome O God is not meate drinke but a reioysing in the holie ghost And as for the bellie and the meate thou shalt destroy them both If therefore it shall please thy goodnesse to giue vs our daylie bread in abundance giue vs also aboundance of thy grace that we be not proude intemperate or luxurious but that wee maie vse thy gifts to the relieuing of our faint and weake bodyes to the comfort and helpe of our brethren and also to the honour and prayse of thy holie name Make vs mindfull thankfull O heauenlie Father for thy great goodnesse that wee doo not sit downe at thy table as thy ghestes to eate thy bread and drinke thy drinke and then to rise vp to plaie and so to forget thee the author giuer of all good gifts Far be this grosse vnthankefulnesse from vs. For the oxe knoweth his owner and the asse his maisters crib and shall wee forget thee The horse loueth his keeper and the dog will fight for his maister The brute beare and the fierce Lion are thankefull to them that féede them And the earth yeeldeth fruite to him that tilleth it and shall wée so far degenerate that we shall bee more vnreasonable then brute beastes Farre be this O Lorde from thy children Make vs therefore O father to receiue our daylie breade with thankesgiuing that hauing thee alwaies before our eies which art the giuer of all good thinges and refreshest the hungrie soule with goodnes and considering also our owne néede and necessitie we may continuallie for our daily bread ascribe vnto thée our father with thy sonne our sauiour and the holie ghost our comforter all honour praise and glorie for euer and euer Amen 5 And forgiue vs our trespasses A praier for remission of sinnes WHen wee present our selues O father before thy diuine Maiestie sathan our aduersarie our continuall accuser and sworne enimie dooth trouble vs and striketh our consciences with the sting of our sinnes which aforetime wee haue committed agaynst thée Howe darest thou saith hee miserable man presume to come into the presence of God with thy praiers with what face canst thou call him thy father when as thou at no time hast shewed thy selfe an obedient son Art thou not ashamed to pray that he will sanctifie and glorifie his name when as thou dooest daylie prophane and dishonour the same what reason hast thou to desire him to come vnto thee with his kingdome which hitherto hast not submitted thy selfe vnto him and hast not suffered him to raigne in thee Also why doest thou praie that the will of God maie bee doone in thee when as thou hatest his will and willinglie runnest into disobedience Is it not impudent temeritie that thou askest thy daylie bread of God when as thou hast so ledde thy life hitherto that thou rather deseruest to bee called a dog then a sonne hast thou forgotten that the Lord hath said It is not meete to take the childrens bread and to giue it vnto dogges These such like heauie cogitations O Lord our enemie dooth assayle our mindes to discourage vs and to drawe vs away from calling vppon thy name But we being here taught by thy son Christ our sauior to make our petitions to thee and also he hauing giuen vs boldnesse to haue accesse vnto thee and hauing also giuen vs the earnest of his holie spirit whereby we crie Abba Father doo repell these gréeuous temptations and fierie darts of the diuell crieng vnto thee with true repentance Forgiue O father our trespasses and sinnes for wee haue sinned in déede agaynst heauen and agaynst thee and are no more worthie to bee called thy sonnes but haue in our selues deserued the wages of sinne eternall death For wee haue all sinned wee haue all gone out of the waie and are become vnprofitable Wee are Lorde conceiued in sinne and borne in iniquitie all the thoughts of our hearts are euill euen from our natiuitie we haue not beene so thankefull vnto thée for the benefits bestowed on vs as becommeth vs we haue manie waies abused thy gifts wee haue not receiued thy worde with that reuerend regarde that appertained to the same neither haue wee obeyed thy will therein reuealed yea in manie things wee offend all And although wee be renewed by the immortall seede of thy worde yet the corruption of our nature and the dregs of sinne remaine still in vs and the lawe of sinne in our members which holdeth vs captiue against the will of the spirit hath place in vs which is the cause that wee breake thy holie commandements We are therefore O father in respect of our guiltines inforced to crie vnto thée Forgiue vs our sinnes and thou in respect of the punishment which wee thereby haue deserued must forgiue vs for thy sonnes Christs sake or els wee shall for euer perish For if thou Lord doe in extremitie and iustice looke vppon our sinnes whoe shall abide it If thou enter into iudgement with thy seruant what flesh shall bee iustified in thy sight Wherefore we appeale to the high throne of thy mercie humblie beseeching thee O most louing God and mercifull Father according to thy great mercie and according to the multitude of thy compassions
Forgiue vs our sinnes Wash vs thorowly from our iniquities and clense vs from all our sins in such wise that they may no waie preuaile agaynst vs. Cast them into the bottome of the sea that they may neuer arise before thee in the daie of iudgement Let thy wrath and anger and heauie displeasure bee turned from vs which we haue deserued and take vs into thy fatherly fauour againe that we may be thy sonnes Shewe vs thy mercie O Lorde and graunt vs thy saluation for thy names sake It is thou O god alone that canst pardon and forgiue vs our sinnes it is thou alone that doost make vs happie and blessed by couering our iniquities and not imputing our sinnes vnto vs. It is thou alone that canst put awaie our transgressions like to a cloud and our sins as a mist None but thou O God alone can remit so great a debt as that ten thousand talents we owe vnto thee Forgiue vs therefore wee beseech thee O most liberall father which art rich in mercies al our sinnes not for our merits but for thy mercies sake and remooue them so farre from vs as the east is from the west Pardon vs we humbly beséech thee for our Sauiour Iesus Christes sake who hath borne our infirmities and carried our sorrowes who was wounded broken for our iniquities on whom thou hast layd the chastisement of our peace that we might bee healed with his stripes Purge vs with his bloud from all our sins cancel the hand writing which is against vs which thy sonne fastened to his crosse for the full satisfaction of thy iustice Him O Lord wee oppose with his innocencie with his holinesse with his righteousnesse and with all the merits of his sufferings in the flesh agaynst thy iustice as our onlie sufficient mediatour our peacemaker and our reconciler to thy heauenly fauour who by thy will was made sinne for vs that wee might be thy righteousnes through him and also accursed for vs that wee might be blessed for euer Wherefore vpon sure trust and confidence of these thy great mercies offered to vs in thy son Iesus being bolde and ioyfull and also sorrowfull that euer wee offended thee so louing a Father wee doo with deepe sighes of heart crie vnto thee Forgiue vs our sinnes Remit our offences and couer our nakednes with the holines and righteousnes of our eternall Sauiour thy sonne Iesus Christ and from hence forth kéep vs from presumptuous sins and restore in vs the decayed image of thy heauenlie light that we maie hereafter serue thee in feare in holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of our life through our Lorde and Sauiour Iesus Christ Amen As we forgiue them that trespasse against vs. A praier for brotherlie charitie AS thou art our heauenlie Father so O Lord it is necessarie that wee should be like thee in mercie in kindnes in loue shewing mercie kindnesse and loue vnto our enimies as thou hast loued vs when wee were thine enimies And herein wee shall shew our selues to bee led by thy spirit as thy déere sons whome thou hast adopted and therefore assured of remission of sinnes It hath pleased thy sonne our sauiour Christ therfore to adde this condition As wee forgiue them that trespasse agaynst vs that wee might bee ascertained of forgiuenesse to forgiue our brethren which trespasse against vs. What greater thing O Father can we aske of thee then forgiuenesse of our sins whereupon our euerlasting saluation dependeth For the which thou requirest neither gold nor siluer nor anie laborious worke of the bodie at our hands but onelie this that as thou of thy méere grace and fauour hast pardoned vs so we in like maner shoulde forgiue them which haue offended vs. Expresse in vs good Father wee humblie beseech thee this similitude of thy good wil and transforme vs into thy likenesse that our soules by the illumination of thy holie spirite may bee ioyned to thee and that the image of thy fatherlie kindnes mercie and loue may shine in vs. Stirre vp in vs a desire of brotherlie good will and Christian charitie that wee may haue care to helpe one another as members of one bodie Grant vs grace that our loue may bee perfect not fayned false or hypocriticall not in word and toong but in deed and truth That we may be patient curteous long suffering gentle méeke not suspitious not disdainefull nor easilie mooued to anger but forbearing and forgiuing one another through loue O heauenlie Father take from vs all bitternesse and anger and wrath and crying and euill speaking with all maliciousnes and inflame our mindes that after thy example wee may vnfeynedlie loue euen our verie enemies and blesse them that cursse vs doe good to them that hate vs and hurt vs leauing reuengement alwayes vnto thee That thus retayning mercie loue the bonde of all perfection and the fulfilling of the lawe we may declare our selues to dwell in thee and thou in vs to the honour and glorie of thy holie name Amen 6 And leade vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill A prayer agaynst temptation O Heauenlie father and euerlasting God wee most humblie beseech thee protect and strengthen vs weake and feeble men agaynst all euill temptations of sathan the sworne and mortall enimie of mans saluation a lyer and our accuser that great Dragon the olde Serpent which is called the diuell a wicked spirite a deceyuer which goeth about like a roaring lion seeking whom hee may deuoure But especially in this latter age of the worlde he knowing his time of raging to be but short and perceiuing the day of iudgement to be verie nie at hand rangeth in a deadlie hatred against thy children and by all meanes séeketh the destruction of all mankinde and sundrie wayes by diuers subtleties hee layeth snares to entrap our soules bending his whole power against vs and prieng for anie occasion to break thy commandements and so at length to plunge vs horriblie into desperation And because wee of our selues are naturallie prone to all wickednesse hauing in vs the seede of sinne which is concupiscence hee taketh an aduantage héereof to tempt vs to wounde vs or at the least to hurt vs with one pricke or other hee prepareth baites to take vs and intrap vs in wealth in pouertie in pleasure and in the inticements of the flesh in griefe of minde in ambition and desire of glorie hee maketh vs euill contented with our vocation to grudge in our inferiour condition hee troubleth vs with excéeding cares of this life and maketh vs couetous malicious seeking reuenge he prouoketh to pride and presumption and woulde feine bring vs to doubt of thy diuine will and prouidence he taketh great paines to lull vs asléepe in the cradle of securitie Night and daie sléeping and waking eating or drinking hee is about vs seeking with open mouth to deuoure vs. O Lord our God who is able to stand agaynst the manifold assaultes and
The Poore Mans Pater noster with a preparatiue to praier Wherto are annexed diuers godly Psalmes and Meditations Collected out of the sacred Scriptures by Thomas Timme Minister Newly Imprinted the second time by Peter Short dwelling on Bredstreet hill at the signe of the Starre 1598. The life of a Christian man 1 Remember thy maker 2 Be thankful alwaies to God for his benefits 3 Loue the Lord thy God with al thy soul and all thy strength 4 Beleeue that he is thy heauenly father for his sonne Iesus Christs sake 5 Serue him with feare worship him and call vpon his holy name 6 As thou louest God so loue thy brother also 7 Let the loue of God in thee restraine the concupiscence of the flesh and prouoke thee to good works Let the loue of thy brother hold thee backe from dooing iniurie and pricke thee forward to doo good And remember alwaies that thou art borne to die A Preparatiue to praier PRaier is a talking not of the toong but of a faithfull mind with God by when wee aske of him some good thing either for our selues or for some others or else doe giue him thankes for his benefites 2 When thou commest to pray first prepare thy minde that it may bee free from all worldlie cares and that the affections of thy minde may bee quiet for the place of the Lorde is not in commotions but in quiet and rest Reuerence 3 Remember the maiestie of him beefore whome thou standest whoe as hee is the maker of heauen and earth so also is he the mightie soueraigne ouer the whole world 4 Remember that his eye seeth all things yea euen the actions the secret thoughts of thy heart Deuotion 5 If thou praye with thy mouth not with thy minde thy praier shal be but a tempting of the Lorde and a sacrifice of fooles Humilitie 6 Praye in humilitie of minde shaking off all confidence of thine owne worthynes and say thus O Lord righteousnesse belongeth vnto thee and to vs open shame We do not present our supplications before thee for our owne righteousnes but for thy great tender mercies I haue begun to speake vnto my Lord I am but dust and ashes Father I haue sinned against heauen before thee and am no more worthie to bee called thy son O God be mercifull vnto mee a sinner 7 Pray not hypocriticallie to seeme deuout in the eyes of men but secretly and thy father which seeth in secret will reward thee openly Contrition 8 Pray with a contrite hart and sorrowfull minde when thou crauest of God remission of sinnes Fasting 9 When thou praiest fast and abstaine from carnall delightes for thereby thou shalt bee made more apte and feruent in praier Faith 10 Pray in faith and with a sure trust and confidence in God without the which thou shalt not obtaine For euerie one that commeth vnto God must beleeue that God is and that hee is a rewarder of them that seeke him 11 Lette him that asketh aske in fayth and wauer not for hee that wauereth is like a waue of the Sea tossed with the winde and let not that man thinke that hee shall receyue anie thinge from the Lord. 12 Faith is the gift of God Therefore praye daylie with the disciples of Christ which said Lord increase our faith Lord helpe my vnbeleefe 13 The true knowledge of God learned out of his word will greatlye confirme thy fayth As when thou shalte knowe that he is louing kind mercifull gratious long suffering iust c. Also that hee is most readie to heare vs and to grant our petitions 14 God is omnipotent therefore hee is able to giue whatsoeuer thou askest God is mercifull and therefore hee will giue that which is profitable for thee 15 God giueth liberallie to those that aske of him For Salomon craued but wisdom and had both it and riches and honor in wonderfull measure And Iehosaphat which desired onelye water in his extreame thirst for him and his hoast had both the same granted and victorie also ouer the Moabites 16 God seeth and knoweth thy neede before thou askest yet to shewe thy obedience by this seruice which hee hath commaunded and also to exercise thy fayth thou muste receyue those thinges whereof thou hast neede by inuocating and calling vppon his name New obedience 17 As thou doest professe thy selfe to bee the son of God by praying vnto him and by calling him thy Father so shewe thy selfe an obedient sonne in deed by walking in his commandements 18 Let thy whole cōuersation be agreeing with thy prayers for thy continuall walking in sin will make thy praiers abhominable 19 Pray for nothing contrarie to the will of God reuealed in his holie worde For if thou praye to this ende to haue the desires of thy fleshe fulfilled thou shalte not receyue 20 That thy principal mark may be the glorifieng of God Seeke first the kingdome of God and the righteousnesse thereof and all other thinges shall be giuen vnto thee Perseuerance in praier 21 Perseuere in prayer and bee not discouraged though at the first thy petition bee not graunted For the Lord dooth sometimes deferre and delaie vs not that hee is vnmindfull of his promises but to trie our faith either els the more to stir vp our godly affections or to make his giftes more sweete and precious vnto vs as appeareth by the woman of Canaan and by Paule himselfe 22 When our Sauior Christ forbiddeth much babling hee meaneth not long prayers but long babling withoute faith and the spirit For length of wordes ioyned with length of earnest affection dooth not displease God 23 Christ himselfe praied all the night vppon the mountaine and before his death hee made long praiers he commandeth vs to pray cōtinually The force of true praier 24 Great is the force of faithfull praier for therby Abraham obteined life for Ismael Lot that Zoar might not be burnt in the destruction of Sodome Moyses victorye agaynste the Amalachites Eliah both drouth and raine Ezechias the prolonging of his life fifteene yeeres and such like 25 Let prayer be thy refuge in all trouble and distresse Call vppon mee in the time of trouble saith the Lord so will I deliuer thee and thou shalt glorifie me 26 Hannah beeing contumeliously handled by Penninnah betaketh hir selfe to praier Sara the daughter of Raguel beeing reproched entereth into her Chamber and there maketh hir praier Dauid being persecuted saith thus For my friendship they were mine aduersaries but I gaue my selfe to praier 27 Praier thus prepared and practised will bee a gard for children an ornament for yoong men a solace and consolation for olde men and a surpassing beautie for women It will driue away diuels It will procure Angelles of defence from heauen and it will bee a sacrifice of a good sauour vnto God pearcing the heauens and will not returne againe emptie The praier of a penitent sinner O Father of heuen O sonne of God Redéemer
temptations of Sathan vnlesse thou O most mightie protector defend vs alas we perish For thou knowest our weaknesse and how vnable we be to resist so subtill and strong an enimie But thou hast brused in péeces that monstrous Leuiathan and hast brought vnder foote the mightie and strong Goliah which vpbraided thine hoast Thou hast by thy sonne our Sauiour that blessed séed broken the hed of the most subtill serpent who came in the flesh to destroy the workes of the diuell with whom he encountred in temptations most victoriouslie ouercame him and on his crosse openlie tryumphed ouer him to purchase a crowne for vs. By this thy victorie so obtained O heauenlie father wee beseech thee holde him fast bounde that he maie not execute his tyrannie vpon vs as he desireth that although he séeke to sift vs like wheate yet thorough thy grace wee may bee able to stand Let vs not be tempted O Lorde beyond our strength but in the middest of temptation make a waie for vs whereby wee may escape with victorie for thou knowest how to deliuer thy children out of temptation Preuent vs O Father with thy heauenly grace that wee take no truce or peace with this our ghostlie enimie but that wee maie manfullie fight vnder thy standert agaynst sinne our flesh the worlde and the diuell all the dayes of our life that there may bee continuall enmitie betwéene the womans seede and the serpent for euer that at the last the dreadfull redde dragon may be ouercome by the blood of the lambe Mortifie this flesh of ours O Lord with thy holie spirit with all the lustes and concupiscences therof that we may the better serue thee Subdue our carnall reason and vnder standing to the obedience of faith that we followe not our owne fantasies but may depend wholie vpon thy worde Giue vs a right iudgement to discerne and iudge of this worlde that wee may rather hate than loue it and rather abhor it than followe the example thereof Turne awaie our eies O Lord that we look not after vanitie Stop our eares from all alluring entisements and temptations to euil and refraine our toong from filthie communication that wee maie speake onelie such things as serue to the edification and profitte of our brethren Make vs to loue sobrietie in our apparell and temperance in all our meats and drinkes that wee being in all our actions euermore directed and gouerned by thy good spirit wee may glorifie thy holie name Giue vnto vs O heauenly father all thy armour that like right soldiours wee maie ouercome in the euill daie vanquish our enemie Gird vs therefore with the truth put vpon vs the brestplate of righteousnesse and let vs bee shod to the preparing of the gospell of light Aboue all things O God giue vs the shield of faith which can extinguish all the fierie darts of wicked spirits Bestow vpon vs the helmet of saluation and the sworde of the spirit which is thy word that throgh thee wee maie encounter valiantlie and gloriouslie attaine the victorie Deliuer vs O Lorde our God from all euill that wee may serue thée and consecrat our soules and bodies yea all our members to be seruants of righteousnes vnto sanctification that wee maie wholie and trulie serue honour and praise thee our most louing father heere in the kingdome of grace and after this life in the kingdom of glory Amen ¶ For thine is thy kingdome the power and the glorie for euer and euer Amen THou O Father art king of Heauen and of earth and of all things in them contained For thou hast prepared thy throne in heuen and thy kingdome ruleth ouer all as thou hast made all thinges by thy worde and breath of thy mouth so thou doost still rule and gouerne all things Thou sittest vppon the circle of the earth and the inhabitantes thereof are as grashoppers thou stretchest foorth the heauens like a curtaine and spreadest them out like a tent to dwell in Thou makest Pleiades and Orion and turnest the shadowe of death into the morning and makest the daie as darke as night thou callest the waters of the sea and powrest them out vpon the open earth the Lord is thy name Thou dooest lighten and thunder from heauen and doost moderate all the influences of the heauens Thou art the Lord of hosts the strong and mightie Lorde of battaile and the king of glorie Thou deposest and settest vp kinges at thy pleasure And although thy seat be in heauen yet thou humblest thy selfe to beholde the things that are doone in earth Insomuch that thy prouidence extendeth it selfe to sparrowes to rauens to the lillies of the field yea to the haires of our head so that they cannot fall but at thy pleasure Thou art the father whose name ought to be sanctified in all things Thou art the king which oughtest to raigne euerie where and in all thinges thy will alone ought to bee doone in heauen and in earth Thou alone dooest féede all thinges with thy daylie bread Thou alone dooest forgiue vs all our sinnes and thou onelie turnest all euill temptations whatsoeuer they be from vs. Thou alone dooest euermore arme and defend vs from all the trappes assaultes and snares of that foule feend and ghostly enimie the diuell as the onelie and mightie Lorde of hostes to whome all Angels whether they bee good or bad do obey Thou art also omnipotent O Lord in this thy kingdom For thou O God art in heauen and dooest whatsoeuer thou wilt If thou determine a thing who shall disanull it and if thy hande bee stretched out who shall turne it awaie All vnder the heuens is thine and thou art present euerie where To thee therefore we flie for succour and to thee wee make our prayers ascrybing vnto thee alone all glorie maiestie For thou Lord art a iealous God and wilt not giue the glorie of thy name vnto another Make thy power O God knowne to the sons of men and the glorious renowme of thy kingdome For thy kingdome is an euerlasting kingdome and thy dominion endureth throughout all ages euen for euer and euer We beseech thee therefore O heauenlie father to heare our supplications and grant that as thy promises in Christ to vs ward are yea and Amen that is most certaine and assured so also our praiers may with thee be yea and Amen that fauourably allowed and firm lie ratified for thy son Christs sake to whome with thee and the holie ghost be all honour and power and glorie worlde without end Amen A Meditation vpon the Lordes prayer O Almightie and eternal God which dooest vouchsafe that we as it wer heauenlie children shoulde euerie one of vs call thee our heauenlie father grant that amongst vs by purenesse and example of godlie and innocent life thy most holy name may bee sanctified that all other nations beholding our goodnes and vertuous liuing maie be stirred to hallow and glorifie thee Grant O Lorde that the kingdome of