that Father to whome we are made Children of adoption through thee Oh our head raigning on high in glorie forget not vs thy poore members heere on earth whereunto abasing thy selfe thou camest downe and sufferedst for vs most cruell death Out of this thy throne of Maiesty glore thou puttest vs in assured hope and confidence that wee also shall attayne to that blessed place whither thou art gone before to take possession for vs. Oh our stroÌ„g tower of defence and succour what can hurt vs nowe trusting in thee Most vnhappie are they which are ignorant of thee Most happy are they which alwaies behold thee Blessed are they which haue knowne thee heere in the dayes of their mortalitie But more blessed are they which see thee in the heauens and shall see thee reigning with thy father in ioyes incomparable Oh Lorde the onelie ioye and comfort of our souls shew vs thy louing countenance embrace vs with the armes of thy mercie receiue vs O good Ioseph thy younger brethreÌ„ with the kisse of comfort powre into our hearts thy holy spirite pluck vs vp from the earth earthly things open our eies and lift them vp vnto thee open thy mouth call vs vnto thee open our eares that wee may heare thee so that whatsoeuer we do speake or thinke it may bee directed vnto thee alone our redeemer mediator and aduocate If ye be risen againe with Christ seeke the thinges which are aboue where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God set your affection on thinges that are aboue and not on thinges which are on earth Col. 3. Another THou Lord diddest put away Marie Magdalen from the kissing of thy feete because thy flesh was not yet exalted and she knew not yet the dignitie of thy clarified bodie and beautified with the glorie of immortalitie but was addicted only to thy bodily presence She yet sought the liuing among the dead neither was it knowne to her that thou was equall with thy father Wherfore thou wouldest not suffer her so much as to kisse thy feet because it was a thing vnworthy for thy maiesty Oh thou mighty Lion of the tribe of Iuda thou conquerour of hel and death euerliuing and immortall thou art nowe risen from death for vs thou art now ascended to thy father and our father and sittest at his right hand in glorie suffer vs to come neere vnto thee that wee may kisse thee yea Lorde thou louer of our soules come thou rather vnto vs and kisse vs with the kisse of thy mouth that wee may bee glad and reioyce in thee drawe vs that wee may runne after the sauour of thy sweete oyntments that wee may behold thee in righteousnesse and when thy glorie shall appeare wee may bee satisfied for in thy presence there is fulnesse of ioy and in thy right hande there are pleasures for euermore A prayer for true repentance MOst gratious God and mercifull father of our Sauiour Iesus Christ because I haue sinned done wickedlie through thy goodnesse haue receiued a desire of repentaunce whereunto this thy longâ— suffering doth drawe my hard heartâ— I beseech thee for thy great mercies sake in Christ to worke the same repentaunce in mee and by the spirite power and grace so to humble mortifie and feare my conscience for my sinnes to saluation that in thy good time thou maiest comfort and quickeÌ„ me again through Iesus Christ thy dearely beloued sonne So be it I. B. A prayer for the strength and increase of faith O Merciful God and deare father of our Lorde Sauiour Iesus Christ in whome as thou art well pleased so hast thou commaunded vs to heare him for as much as hee often biddeth vs to aske of thee and also promiseth that thou wilt heare vs and graunt vs that which in his name we shall aske of thee loe gracious father wee are bold to beg of thy mercie through thy sonne Iesus Christ one sparkle of true faith and certaine perswasion of thy goodnesse loue towardes vs in Christ where through I being assured of y e pardon of all my sins by the mercies of Christ thy sonne may be thankful to thee loue thee a serue thee in holinesse and righteousnes al the daies of my life I. B. A prayer for the true sense and feeling of Gods fauour and mercie in Christ OH Lorde God and deare Father what shall I say that feele all thinges to bee in manner with mee as in the wicked blind is my mind crooked is my will and peruerse concupiscence is in mee as aspring or stinking puddle O howe fainte is faith in mee How little is my loue to thee or to thy people How greate is selfe loue Howe harde is my heart By the reason whereof I am mooued to doubt of thy goodnesse towardes mee whether thou art my mercifull father and whether I bee thy childe or 〈◊〉 In deede worthily might I doubt of that the hauing of these were the cause and not the 〈◊〉 rather of thy children The 〈◊〉 why thou art my father is thy mercie goodnesse grace and trueth in Christ Iesus which cannot but remaine for euer In respect whereof thou haste borne me this good will to bring me into thy Church by baptisme and to accept me into the number of thy children that I might bee holy faithfull obedient and innocent and to cal me diuers times vp the ministerie of thy worde into thy kingdome besides thy innumerable other benefites alwayes hitherto powred vpon mee All which thou hast done of this thy good will which thou of thine owne mercie barest to mee in Christe and for Christe before the world was made The which thing as thou requirest straitely that I should beleeue without doubting so wouldest thou that in all my needes I should come vnto thee as vnto a Father and make my moâ—e without mistrust of being heard in thy good time as most shall make to my comfort Loe therefore to thee deare Father I come through thy sonne our Lorde mediator and aduocate Iesus Christ who sitteth on thy right hand making intercession for mee and pray thee of thy great goodnesse and mercy in Christ to bee mercifull vnto mee that I may feele in deede thy sweete mercie as thy childe The time Oh deare Father I appoint not but I praie thee that I may with hope fâ—ll expect and looke for thy helpe I hope that as thou for a little while hast left mee so thou wilt come and visit mee and that in thy great mercie wherof I haue neede by reason of my great miserie Thou art wont for a little season in thine anger to hide thy face from them whom thou louest but surelie O Redeemer in eternal mercies thou wilt shew thy compassions For when tho â—eauest vs O Lord thou doest not leaue vs verie long neyther doest thou leaue vs to our own losse but to our lucre aduantage men that thy holy spirite with bigger portion of thy power and
Apostle S. Paule with more consolations in Christ than he felt sorrowes and terrors in the world haue mercie vpon mee a most miserable vile and wretched sinner which now draw neere the gates of death deserued both in soule and bodie eternallie by reasoâ— of my manyfolde horrible olde and newe transgressions which to thine eies O Lorde God are open and knowen Oh bee mercifull vnto mee and forgiue mee for the bitter death and bloudshedding of thine onely sonne Iesus Christ And though thy iustice do require in respect of my sinnes that nowe thou shouldest not heare mee conteraning thy dailie callinges yet let thy mercie which is aboue al my workes and wherewith the earth is filled let thy mercy I say preuaile towards me through the merits and mediation of Christ our fauiour for whose sake it pleaseth thee to bring me foorth now as one of his witnesses and a recorde bearer of thy veritie and trueth taught by him to giue my life therefore of which dignitie I do acknowledge deare God that there was neuer any so unworthie and unmâ—ete no not the thiefe that hanged with him on the crosse I humbly therefore pray thee that thou wouldest accordingly aid helpe and assist me with thy strength and heauenly grace that with Christ thy Sonne I may finde comfort with Stephen I may see thy presence and gratious power with Paule and al others which for thy names sake haue suffered afliction and death I may 〈◊〉 present with mee thy gratious 〈◊〉 that I may by my death glorist thy holy 〈◊〉 set forth and retifie thy veritie comfort the hearts of the heauie confirme thy church in thy truth conuertsome that 〈◊〉 be conuerted 〈◊〉 so depart out of this 〈…〉 where I do nothing but daiâ—e heape 〈◊〉 vpon 〈◊〉 and enter into the fruition of thy blessed mercie whereof howe giue and increase in me a liuely taste 〈◊〉 and feeling where through the terâ—our of death the tormentes of 〈◊〉 the paines of â—â—me the dartes of Sathan and the dotours of hell may neuer ouercome 〈◊〉 but may be driâ—en away through the working of y â— most gratious spirit which now 〈…〉 me withall y â— through the samespirit I may offer as nowâ— I 〈◊〉 readie to doe in Christ and by him myselfe wholy soule and bodie to be a liuely sacrifice holy and acceptable in thy sight deare father whose I am and al waieâ— haue beene euen from my mothers wombe yea euen before the worlde was made to whome I commend my selfe faith name familie and friendes countrie and all the whole Church yea 〈◊〉 my verie enimies according to thy good pleasure beseeching thee intirely to giue once more to this Real me of England the blessing of thy word againe with godly peace to then teaching and setting foorth of the same O deer father now guide me to come vnto thee so purge and purshe me by this fire in Christes death passion through thy spirite that I may be a buâ—nt offering of sweete 〈◊〉 thy sight which liuest and raignest with the sonne and the holy 〈◊〉 now 〈◊〉 euermore world without 〈◊〉 Amen The Letanie O God the Father of heauen haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners O God the father of heauen c. O God the sonne redeemer of the worlde haue mercy vpon vs miserable sinners O God the sonne redeemer of c. O God the holy Ghost proceeding from the father and the sonne haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners O God the holy Ghost c. O holy blessed glorious Trinitie three persons and one God haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners O holy blessed and glorious c. Remember not Lord our offences nor the offences of our forefathers neither take thou bengeance of our sinnes spake vs good Lord spare thy people whome thou hast redeemed with thy most precious bloude and be not angry with vs for euer 〈◊〉 Spare to good Lord. From all 〈…〉 from sinne from the crafts and assaults of the deuill from thy wrath and from euerlasting damnation Good Lord deliuer vs. From blindnesse of heart from pride vaine glory and hypocrisie froÌ„ 〈◊〉 hatred and malice and all 〈…〉 Good Lord deliuer vs. From fornication and all other 〈◊〉 sin and from all the deceits of the world the flesh and the diuell Good Lord deliuer vs. From lightning and tempest from plague pestilence famine from battâ—l murther from sodaâ—ne death Good Lord deliuervs From all sedition and priuie conspiracie from all false doctrine and herisie from hardnesse of heart contempt of thy word commandement Good Lord deliuer vs. By the misterie of thy holy incarnation by thy holy natiuitie and circumcision by thy baptisme fasting temptation Good Lord deliuer vs. By thine agonie and bloudy sweat by thy crosse and passion by thy glorious resurrection and assention and by the comming of the holy Ghost Good Lord deliuer vs. In all time of our tribulation in all time of our wealth in the houre of death and in the day of iudgement Good Lord deliuer vs. We sinners do beseech thee to heare vs O Lorde God and that it may please thee to rule and gouerne thy holy Church vniuersally in the right way We beeseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to keepe strengthen in the true worshipping of thee in righteousnes and holines of life thy seruant Elizabeth our most gracious Queene and goâ—ernor We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to rule her hearte in thy faith feare a loue and that she may euermore haue affiance in thee and euer seeke thy honour glorie We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to be her defender and keeper giuing her the victorie ouer all her enemies We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to illuminate all bishops pâ—stors Ministers of the church with true knowledge vnderstanding of thy worde and that both by their preaching and liuing they may set it forth and she in it accordingly We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to endue the Lorde of the councell and all the nobilitie with grace wise dome and vnderstanding We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to blesse keepe the Magistrates giuing them grace to execute iustice and to maintaine trueth We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to blesse keepe all thy people We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to giue to all nations vnitie peace and concord We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to giue vs an heart to loue and dread thee and diligently to liue after thy commandements We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to giue all thy people increase of grace to heare meekely thy worde and to receiue it with pure affection
of the gift and calling neither wilt thou at any time breake thy couenant of race and mercy in Christ thy sonnes merites confirmed in vs by that seale loue token For what though wee be weake in our beleefe shal our vnbeleefe make thy promise of no effect No thou wilt alway bee founde true but all men are lyars And yet Lord thou doest most graciously behold accept bee it neuer so little a sparke of faith We say therfore cry vnto thee with one y e wept said I beleeue Lord helpe my vnbeleefe Yea that little be it neuer so little is thy meere gift also The which as thou hast begun so most merciful Lord increase the same more more to the peace and comfort of our conscience and the glorie of thy name through Iesus Christ Amen A thankesgiuing to God for his great benefites HOnour and prayse bee giuen to thee Lorde God almightie most deare Father of heauen for all thy mercies and louing kindenesse shewed vnto vs in that it hath pleased thy gracious goodnesse freelie and of thine owne accorde to elect and choose vs to saluation afore the beginning of the worlde and euen like continuall thankes bee giuen vnto thee for creating vs after thine owne image for redeeming vs with the precious bloud of thy deare Sonne when we were vtterlie lost for sanctifying vs with thy holie spirite in the reuelation and knowledge of thy sacred word for helping and succouring vs in all our neede and necessity for sauing vs from all daunger both of bodie and soule for comforting vs so fatherlie in al our troubles and afflictions for sparing vs so long and giuing vs so large a time of repentance These benefites O most mercifull Father like as we do acknowledge that wee haue receiued of thy onelie goodnesse euen so wee beseech thee for thy deere sonne Iesus Christ his sake to graunt vs alwaies thy holy spirite whereby we may continually growe in thankefulnesse towardes thee be lead in all trueth and comforted in all aduersitie Strengthen our faith O lorde kindle it more and more in feruentnesse and loue towardes shee and our neighbours for thy sake Suffer vs not most deere Father to receiue thy word any more in vaine but graunt vs alwaies the assistance of thy grace and holy spirite that in heart word and deede we may sanctifie and doe worship to thy holy name that wee may helpe to amplifie and increase thy kingdome and that whatsoeuer thou sendest we may heartily wel be content with thy good wil and pleasure Suffer vs not to lacke the thing O Father without the which wee cannot serue thee but blesse thou so all the workes of our hands that we may haue sufficient and not to bee chargeable but rather helpefull vnto other Bee mercifull O Lorde vnto our offences and seeing our debt is great which thou hast forgiuen vs in Iesus Christ make vs to loue thee and our neighbors so much the more Be thou O father our captayne defender in all temptations holde thou vs by thy mercifull hande that we thereby may be deliuered from al inconueniences and end our liues in the sanctifying and honouring of thy name through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen A prayer for true mortification O God my creator preseruer and euerlasting defender where first in my creation I was made like vnto thine owne likenesse the deuil alas hath since by Adams fall made mee vgly monstrous and euill fauored like to him self For what are nowe Lorde mine earthly members but as thine Apostle writeth adulterie whoredome vncleanesse vnnaturall lustes euill concupiscence couetousnes which is the worshipping of Idols such other for the which thy wrath is wont to come vpon the children of vnbeleefe Neuerthelesse Lord of thy great mercy and goodnesse against this so greate a mischiefe a much greater remedy thy fatherly prouidence hath or dayned for thou hast sent Iesus Christ thy deare only natural sonne into this world the vale of miseries to loose the workes of the deuill and to take away my sinnes Therefore Sathan hath nowe nothing to brag of for through Christ al that beleeue in thee and so become thy children do ouercome the world the flesh the deuil And this is the victorie which ouercometh them al euen our faith That faith I meane which is perswaded that whosoeuer beleeueth in Christ shall not perish but haue euerlasting life That faith which beleeueth the testimony to be true which thou God the father doest testifie of thy sonne so making thee no lyar and this is y â— testimonie that thou hast giuen vs eternall life That faith which beleeueth that thou Father who raisedst vp Christ from death shalt also quicken our mortall bodies through thy holie spirit dwelling in vs. That faith which beleeueth it to bee true which thy Sonne Christe affirmed with a double oth saying Verily velily I say vnto you hee that beleeueth in mee the works that I doe the same shall hee doe and greater workes than these shall he doe because I goe to my Father And finally that faith which beleeueth that nowe Christ hath been lift vpon the crosse he shal drawe all thinges vnto him This faith I say is the victory which ouercommeth our enemies the deuil the world and our flesh Thou therfore deare father which hast promised to giue whatsoeuer I shall aske in thy deare sonne Iesus name for thy great mercie and infallâ—ble truethes sake do now in mee y e thing that he came for loose in me the workes of the diuel take away my sinnes I beseech thee make stedfast my faith and confidence in thy promised mercies and merciful promises so that I assuredlie beleeuing in thee may haue as thou hast promist euerlasting life making thee deare God no â—iâ—r may beleeue feele know in my heart and conscience that the same euerlasting life is thy meere and free gift vnto mee yea all readie of thy great goodnes vndoubtedly giuen me being now traslated from death to life Of a thankfulnesse wherof Lord cause me now dailie to mortifie my earthlie members yea deare father â—â—th thy spirit which raysed vp christ from death dwelleth within me doe thou who raisedst Christ froÌ„ death quicken my mortal bodie throgh thy spirit so dwelling within me I beseech thee yea Lord Iesu according to thy promise because thou art now gone to thy father make mee worke this woÌ„derful great work that thou speakest of I meane make me being of my selfe but a lumpe of sinne and a monster most vgly as the vices whereon the members of my earthlie body are aboue declared to be compact doe proone make me I say yet through thy grace to hate abhorre flee and subdue all adultery whoredome vncleannesse vnnaturrall lusts euill concupiscence vnordinate desires wantonnesse tendernesse delicatenesse idlenesse drunkennesse gluttonie slouthfulnesse distrust despaire ignorance
members of the mysticall bodie of Christ Iesus wee made out requestes vnto thee O heauenly father for all such as are afflicted with any kinde of crosse or tribulation as war plague â—â—mine sicknesse pouertie imprisonment persecution banishment or my other kinde of thy rooddes whether it be griefe of bodie or vnquietâ—es of minde that it would please thee to giue them patience and constancie till thou sende thein full deliuerance out of all their troubles Finally O Lord we most humbly beseech thee to shewe thy great mercie vpon our brethren which are persecuted cast in prison and dayly condemned to death for the testimonie of thy trueth and though they be vtterly destitute of all mans aide yet let thy sweet comfort neuer departe froÌ„ theÌ„ but so inflame their harts with thy holy spirit that they may boldly cheerefully abide such trial as thy godly wisedome shall appoint so that at length aswel by their death as by their life the kingdome of thy sonne Iesus Christ may increace shine throughall the worlde In whose name wee make our humble petitions vnto thee as he hath taught vs saying Our father which art c. A praier to be said before the receiuing of the communion O Father of mercie and God of al consolation seeing all creatures do acknowledge and confesse thee to be their gouernor Lord it becommeth vs the workmanship of thine own hands at al times to reuerence magnifie thy godly maiestie First for that thou hast created vs to thine owne image and stmilitude but chiefly because thou hast deliuered vs froÌ„ that euerlasting death damnation into which Sathan drew mankind by the meanes of sinne from the bondage whereof neither man nor Angell was able to make vs free but thou O Lord rich in mercy and inâ—â—nite in goodnesse hast prouided our redemption to stand in thine onely wel beloued sonne whom of verie â—oue thou diddest qiue to bee made man like vnto vs in all things sinne excepted that in his bodie hee might receiue the punishment of our transgression by his death to make satisfaction to thy iustice and by his resurrection to destroy him that was the author of death and so to bring a gaine life to the worlde from which the whole ofspring of Adam was most iustly exiled O Lorde wee accknowledge that no creature was able to comprehende the length and breadth the deepenesse and height of that thy most excellent loue which mooued thee to shewe mercie where none was deserued to promise and giue life where death had gotten victorie to receiue vs into thy grace when wee could doe nothing but rebell against thy Maiestie The blinde dulnesse of our corrupt nature will not suffer vs suffâ—â—antly to weigh these thy most ampâ—â— benefites Yet neuerthelesse at the commaundement of Iesus Christe our Lorde wee present our selues to this thy table which hee hath left to bee vsed in remembrance of his death vntill his comming againe to declare and witnesse before the worlde that by him alone wee haue receiued libertie and life that by him alone thou doest acknowledge vs to be thy children and heires that by him alone wee haue entrance to the throne of thy grace that by him alone wee are possessed in our spirituall kingdome to eate and drinke at his Table and with whome wee haue our conuersation presently in heauen and by whome our bodies shall be raised by againe from the dust shall be placed with him in that eâ—dlesse ioye which thou O Father of mercie hast prepared for thine elect before the foundation of the worlde was laide And these most inestimable benefites wee acknowledge and confesse to haue receiued of thy free mercy and grace by thine onely beloued son Iesus Christ For the which therefore we thy congregation moued by the holy spirite doe render to thee all thanks praise and glory for euer and euer A thankesgiuing after the receiuing of the holy Communion MOst mercifull father wee render vnto thee al praise thankes honour glory for that it hath pleased the of thy great mercies to grant vnto vs miserable sinners so excelleÌ„t a gift and treasure as to receiue vs into the fellowship and companie of thy deare son Iesus Christ our lord whom thou hast deliuered to death for vs hast giuen him vnto vs as a necessary foode and norishment vnto euerlasting life And now wee beâ—â—ech thee also O heauenly father to grant vs this request that thou neuer suffer vs to become so vnkind as to forget so worthie benefits but father imprint and fasten them sure in our hearts that wee may grow increase daily more and more in true faith which continually is exercised in all manner of good works and so much the rather O Lorde confirm vs in these perillous daies â—ages of Sathan that wee may constantly stand and continue in the confession of the same to the aduancement of thy glorie which art God ouet all thinges blessed for euer A lamentation of a sinner afflicted in consciencâ—â—â— his offences IN the midde stâ—â— the desperate assaultes of my soule the intollerable heauinesse of my minde hath hereto fore LORD cried as shrill in thine eare as though I had shriked and with lamentations cried out saying Helpe helpe me my God my creator my most prouident keeper euerlasting defender for beholde I perish On this occasion Lorde when heauinesse of minde did heeret ofore assault mee I remembred that thou haddest many times set before mine eyes the wonderfull greatnesse of thy most tender loue towardes mee by the great multitude of thy benefites powred upon met which benefites euerie of thy workes as they came before mine eies gaue mee iust occasion to be mindfull of Would not thought I if I had in any manner any â—â—â—race at al would not such loue brinâ—â— nowe into my heart a wonderâ—â—â—â—electation ioy and comforte in God for the sameâ— And againe coulde such delight in Gods sweete mercie and tender loue towards mee if I were not as euil is a cast-awaye that were none of Gods children bee without loathing of my sinne and lust and desire to doe Gods holy will And these thinges thought I fie vpon mee vnthankefull wretch are either not at all in mee or else in deed so coldly and stenderly that they being truely weighed and compared to right cousnesse are more vile than a filthy cloth starched in corrupt bloud O thought I Iain afraid I haue deceiued my selfe for thy seruantes at all times I trowe fâ—â—â— otherwise than I now doe the fruitâ— of thy spirit as loue ioy peace such like But my loue alas towardes thee what is it my ioy is not once almost felt of mee for my very soule within mee as Dauid in his heauinesse said refuseth comfort and fareth as though it did vtterly despaire what peace
afterward to Christ and saide If thou canst Lord help and yet afterwarde hee acknowledged the weakenesse of his faithe and desired to be made strong I beleeue Lord saith hee help my vnleefe How often doe the children of God complaine of this imbecillitie and weaknes of faith Such as are exercised in true praier doe feele that in crauing of God the forgiuenesse of their sinnes they bring scarslie the tenth part of that sacrifice which Dauid speaketh of where hee saith An acceptable sacrifice to God is a troubled spirite a broken and an humble heart O God thou vvilt not despise Manie times they are driuen to wrastle with their owne dulnesse and coldnesse in prayer Manie times their mindes slippe aside and wander away in vanitie Manie times they feele not their owne lacke and miserie to pricke them sharplie enough to prayer yea and many times they are so beaten down with the sense and feeling of their owne sinne and miserie as though they were forsaken of God and their faith vtterlie extinguished In what horrour and anguish of heart was Dauid when he said vnto the Lorde VVhy loest thou reiect my soule VVhy hidest thou thy â—ace from me And againe Cease from me vntill I goe avvaie and be not VVhereby it might seem that he like a desperate man desireth nothing els but that the hand of God ceasing he might rot in his euils but it is not so For he saith it not for that he would haue God to depart from him as the reprobate doe but onely hee complaineth that the wrath of GOD was too heauie for him to beare A hard temptation is it when the faithfull are compelled to crie Hovv long â—vilt thoâ— be angrie against the praiers of thy seruants As though their verie praiers made God more angrie So wheÌ„ Ieremie saith The Lord hath shut out my praier no doubt hee was shaken with a vehement pang of temptation These are the imperfections of Gods children which euen in beleeuing and hoping doe oftentimes vtter some vnfaithfulnesse and in the verie remedies fall into new diseases for there is no prayer they make which the Lord would not woorthily loath and abhorre if he should not winke at their spottes imperfections And such example are common in the Scriptures Whereby wâ— see that the Lord oftentimes suffereth his to be grieuouslie tempted and afflicted and â—ideth from them the comfort of his spirite aâ— though they were cleane forsaken but to their great consolation in the end This is the schoole wherin the wisedome of God nurtureth and trieth her children 〈◊〉 we may see Ecclesi 4. First she vvill vvalâ— vvith them saith he by crooked vvaies and bring them vnto feare and dreade and torment theâ— vvith their discipline vntill she haue tried their soules and haue prooued them by her iudgmentes then vvil she returne the straight vvaie uniâ— them and comfort them and shevv them her secretes and heap vpon them the treasures of knowledge and vnderstanding of righteousnes Thuâ— vvee see the state of Gods children thâ—â— when the Lord hath shewed them what theâ— are of themselues by the fight and horror of their sinnes and terrour of Gods iudgement for the same then vvill hee shevv them what they are in Christ as Esay saith For a time a little vvhile I haue forsaken thâ—â— but I vvil gather thee together in vvonderful mercies In a short time of vvrath I hidde 〈◊〉 face a vvhile from thee but I vvill haue mercy â—n thee for euer saith the Lorde thy redeemer Such is the louing kindnesse and mercie of God towards the afflicted when they are sorie for their sinnes lamenting and mourning in their harts to be deliuered from the same that they might serue God in the freedome of conscience This is that mourning this is that hunger and thirst that Christ speaketh of Blessed are they that mourne for they shal bee comforted blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousnesse for they shal be satisfied God for his trueth sake will put the righteousnesse of christ on them and wash their vnrighteousnesse away in his bloud The bruised Reede vvill hee not breake and the smoking Flaxe vvil he not quench The afflicted the heauie and broken hearted the vveake and feeble vvill hee not forsake Yea be they neuer so feeble and so fraile yet so long as this lust desire and mourning to bee deliuered from their sinne and miserie remaineth in them God seeth not their sinnes reckneth them not nor laieth them not to their charge for his trueths sake and loue to Christ hee is not a sinnes in the sight of God that would be no sinner Hee that woulde bee deliuered hath his heart loosed alreadie his heart sinneth not but mourneth repenteth and consenteth to the lawe and wil of God and iustifieth God this is he beareth record that God which made the law is righteous and iust and such an heart trusting in Christs bloud in Christs righteousnesse is accepted for righteous and his weaknes infirmitie and frailtie is pardoned and his sinnes not looked vppon vntil god put more streÌ„gth in him the increase whereof he shall dailie feel in such sort that at length he shall in all troubles bee able to say with Dauid If I should goe through the shadovv and daungers of Death I vvil not feare vvhatsoeuer happen Nowe to stirre vp our heartes in consideration of our great miserie and necessitie to a more feruent praier the Lord himself hath commaunded vs to call vpon him for help â—and succour Therefore let vs haue the commaundements of God alwayes in our sight touching prayer and whiles wee pray let 〈◊〉 call them to our remembrance Aske seeke knock vvatch and praie Call vppon me saieth god in the daie of thy trouble Praie alvvay vvitâ— all maner of praier and supplication and vvateâ— therunto vvith all diligence Reioice alvvaâ—â— praie continuaellie in all things bee thankefull 〈◊〉 this is the vvill of God in Christ Iesu tovvardâ— you Continue in praier and vvatch in the saâ— vnto thanksgiuing Let your requests be shevved vnto God in prayer and supplication vviâ—â— giuing of thankes And this wee are also no lesse bounde to doe by the commandement wherby we are forbidden to take the name of God in vain For in that we are there forbiddeÌ„ to take the name of God in vaine we are commaunded also to take and to vse it to his glorie giuing vnto him the praise of all goodnesse helpe and succour whilest we aske and looke for the same at his hande Wherfore except we â—lie vnto him in our trouble necessitie except we call vpon him for releese and succor we prouoke his displeasure no lesse then if we should make vnto our selues Idols or worship strange gods for in the contempt of euerie one of the commandements we shew like contempt and disobedience to the will of God and all those sentences which commaunde vs to call vpon God
do appertaine vnto this commaundement Thou shalt not â—ake the name of the Lord thy God in vaine and so praier is a worke and chiefe seruice belonging to this commandement Wee may not therefore thinke that there are no sins but Idolatrie murther theft whoredome and such like but that it is vndoubtedlie a great sin also not to render this seruice to GOD that is not to praie not to aske not to looke for helpe from God in our necessities not to render thanks for the benefits we haue receiued Therefore if our vnworthines at any time do crie out against vs stop or feare vs in such â—orte that our consciences are astonied and flie from God if we doubt whether God hath respect to our paiers groannings and teares we must set before our eies how that we are commanded though we be neuer so vnworthy and our sinnes neuer so manie and great to pray for reconciliation Gods fauour and forgiuenes of our sinnes For els whereas God commaundeth vs to abstain from theft murther whordome c. we maie in like sort excuse our selues and say that we are vnworthie to obeie Gods commandements great is our iniquitie manifest is our contempt and despising of God when wee neglect and delaie to call for his help Such as flie vnto God therefore to call vpon him in their necessities obeie his will and find therein no small consolation knowing that therby they doe vnto him most acceptable seruice for as much as he pronounceth that nothing is to him more acceptable then obedience to his wil and commandement As wee are commanded of God boldlie and without all respect of our owne vnworthinesse to come vnto him as a mercifull father and one that knoweth our necessity pittieth our miserie so hath he promised verie gratiously to heare vs and graunt our requestes And hereof riseth yet a farre more comfortable and greater consolation wherin conâ—isteth our whole coâ—â—idence and trust of obtaining succour and mercie at Gods hand VVherefore he allureth vs with manie sweete promises to call vppon him Aske saith he and ye shall haue seeke and ye shall find knocke and it shall bee opened vnto you yee shall crie vnto me and I vvill heare you ye shall seeke me and ye shall find me Call vpon me in the daie of trouble and I vvill deliuer thee The Lord is nigh to all them that call vpon him that cal vpon him in truth hee doth the vvil of them that feare him and hee vvill heare their prayers Hee shall call vpon me and I vvill heare him I vvill bee vvith him in his trouble I vvil deliuer him and glorifie him At the voice of thy crie hee vvill certainlie haue mercie on thee vvhen he heareth thee he vvill ansvvere thee He that is lorde ouer all is rich and bountifull tovvardes them that call vpon him Hee vvill fulfill the desire of them that feare him he vvil heare their crie and vvill saue them And God to declare his readinesse in hearing of sinners saith Before they cry I vvill ansvvere and vvhiles they are yet thinking vvhat to speak I vvil heare Among many sweete promises of GOD though these might be sufficient to prouoke vs to feruent and hearty prayer yet there be certaine other notable and most comfortable promises which we shuld speciallie hauein remembrance as these If yee vvhich are euill can giue good giftes to your children havv much more shall your heauenlie father giue the holie Ghost to them that desire him Consider the olde generation and marke them vvell vvas there euer anie confounded that put their trust in the Lord or vvho hath continued in his feare and vvas forsaken or vvhom did he euer despise that called vpon him And of all other that is the most notable which by the Prophet Ioel is added immediatlie after the prophesie of that horrible destruction that was at hande saying VVhosoeuer shall call vpon the name of the Lord shal be saued Heere let vs consider the order of promises which pertaine either outwardlie to the bodie or inwardly to the soule Which parte the soule I mean because it is much more precious than the other wee must firste craue such things as properlie belong to the saluation thereof But first of all confessing our sinnes vnto God with most humble and penitent hearts let vs set before vs the promises of remission of the same For this sentence is true God heareth no sinners that is such as delight and continue in sin Wherfore in all other praiers yea when we bee about to aske any other thinges whatsoeuer they be let vs first thinke of the remission of sinnes hauing alway in our sight some comfortable promises thereof as this If vve confesse and acknovvledge our sinnes hee is faithfull and righteous to forgiue our offences and to cleanse vs froÌ„ all iniquities And hereunto let vs craue the light of the holie Ghost to kindle and confirme in vs the true knowledge of God Let vs pray for the continuance of Gods holie word and Gospel among vs for the enlarging of his kingdome and the aduancing of his glorie Let vs beg the gift of faith repentance feare patience prayer hope loue ioy peace of conscience with such other fruites of the spirit and for euerlasting lyfe And here also we must remember that we do not onely call our selues continuallie to account for our new sinnes crauing at gods hand mercie and forgiuenes of the same but also for those sinnes which might seeme to haue been long agoe forgotten as Dauid hauing confessed an hainous offence by that occasion returneth euen to his mothers wombe wherein he had gathered the infetion heaping together the sins of the whole life Euen so in another place when hee asketh another thing hee saith Remember not the sinnes of my youth remember me according to thy mercie for thy goodnesse sake O lord Againe Looke vpon mine affliction and trauell and forgiue all my sinnes VVhen we haue thus prayed for thinges pertaining to the soule and to the kingdom of God we must praie also for corporall benefits as well common as priuate as peace and tranquillitie of those Countries which giue harbrough to the true professors of the gospel and godlie congregations being in this life as Daniell in the mids of the Lyons Pray for the peace of Ierusalem saith Dauid Also for defence from miserie deliuerance froÌ„ trouble for happy successe in the workes of our vocation for health liuing protection of life goods name c. And although the Lorde knoweth before we aske what we haue need of and is ready to giue liberally yea doth giue oftentimes vndesired and furthermore hath promised that seeking first the kingdome of god the righteousnes thereof all other things should be giuen vs yet he commaundeth vs to aske corporall benefits and that for three causes First that wee shoulde knowe that hee is the author and giuer thereof and
father euen in corporall thinges that I may see thy mercye thy presence power wisedome and righteousnesse in euery creature and corporall benefite and that in such sort that I may be throughly affected truely to reuerence feare loue and obey thee to hang vpon thee to bee thankfull to thee in all my neede to come vnto thee not onelye when I haue ordinarie meanes by the which thou commonly woorkest but also when I haue none yea when all meanes helps are cleane against me Heere remember the state of your children and family also your parents neighbors kinsfolks also your friends countrie magistrates c. as you shall haue time thereto and by Gods good spirite shall be prouoked Forgiue vs our debts as we forgiue them that are debtors vnto vs. BY Our debts wee vnderstand not onely the things wee haue done but the omission and leaueing vndone of the good thinges we ought to doe By Our we vnderstand not onely the particular sinnes of one but also generally the sinnes of all and euery one of the church By Forgiuenesse wee vnderstand free pardon remission of sinnes by the merites and desertes of thy deare sonne Iesus Christ who gaue himselfe a raunsome for vs. By Our Forgiuing of other mens offences to vs ward weé vnderstand thy good will not onely that it pleaseth thee that we shoulde liue in louâ— and amitie but also that thou wouldest haue vs to be certaine of thy paâ—â—doning vs of our sinnes For as certain as we are that we pardon theâ— that offend vs so certaine should wâ— be that thou doest pardon vs whereof the forgiuing our trespasses is as it were a sacrament vnto vs. So that by this petition I am taught to see that thy children although by imputation they bee pure from sinne yet they acknowledge sin to be and remayne in them and therfore doe they pray for the remission and forgiuenesse of the same Againe I am taught heereby to see how thy children do consider and take to heart not onely the euils they doe but also the good they leaue vndoone and therefore they pray thee heartily for pardon Moreouer I am heere taught is for that thy children are careful for other men and for their trespasses and therfore pray that they might be pardoned in saying Our sinnes and not my sinnes Besides this I am taught heere to see how thy children not onlie forgiue all those that offende them but also pray for the pardoning of the offences of their enimies and such as offend them So farre are they from maliciousnesse pride reuengement c. Last of al I am taught to see how mercifull thou art which will haue vs to aske pardon wherof thou woldest that we should in no point doubt but be most assured that for Christs sake thou hearest vs and that not only for our selues but also for many others for thou doest not commaunde vs to aske for any thing which thou wilt not giue vs. By reason whereof I haue greate cause to lament and reioyce To lament because of my miserable estate which am so farre from these affections that are in thy children which am so ignorant and carelesse of sinne not onely in leauing good vndone but also in doing euil and that daily in thought word and deede c. I speak not of my carelesnes for other folkes sinnes as of my parents children family magistrates c. neither of the sinnes of them to whom I haue giuen occasion of sinne To reioyce I haue greate cause because of thy mercie in opening to mee these things in commaunding me to pray for pardon in promising mee pardon and commanding others to pray for mee And surely I ought to be perswaded of thy mercie though my sinnes be innumerable for I see not only in this but in euery petition how that euery one of the Church praieth for mee yea Christ thy sonne who sitteth on th right hand praieth for me c. Oh dearey father be merciful vnto me and forgiue me all my sinnes and of thy goodnesse giue mee thy holie spirite to open mine eies that I may see sinne the better to knowe it the more truelie to hate it and most earnestlie to striue against it and that effectually both in my selfe and others Againe graunte mee the same thy holy spirite to reueale vnto mee the remedy of sinne By Christ onlie and to worke in mee faith to imbrace the â—ame by Christe and thy mercies in him that I may henceforth be indued with thy holy spirite to beginne to obey thy good will more and more and to increase in the same for euer Heere call to minde the special sins you haue committed heeretofore Remember if you haue occasioned anie to sinne to praie for them by name Remember that Gods lawe shoulde bee so deare vnto vs that the breaking thereof in others shoulde be an occasion to make vs to lament with teares c. Leade vs not into temptation BEcause of our continuall great infirmities because of the greate diligence and subtilties of our enemies and because thou art wont to punish sinne with sinne which of all punishmentes is the greatest and most to bee feared in this petition thou wouldest haue thy children to haue the same in remembrance and for a remedie heereof thou hast appoynted praier so that the only cause why anie are ouercome and led into temptation to see that they forget what they desire in the petition going before this which should neuer be out of their memorie to prouoke them to bee more thankefull to thee and more vigilant and heedy heereafter for falling into the like perils For which to be auoyded thou dost most gratiously set forth a remedy in commaunding vs to pray ofter pardon for our sinnes past and for thy grace to guide vs so that wee be not lid into temptation but might be deliuered from euil And because thou wouldest haue all thy children to hang wholy vpon thee to feare thee only and ouly to loue thee noht dost not teach theÌ„ to pray Suffer vs not to be led but lead vs not into temptation that I say they might only feare thee and certainly know that Sathan hath no power ouerso much as a pigge but whatsoeuer thou giuest vnto him and of thy secrete but most iust iudgment doest appointe him to vse not as hee will for then wee were all lost but as thou wilt which canst will nothing but that which is most iust as to giue them to the guiding of sathan which will not be guided by thy grace as then diddest Saul c. Occasions to euil are in two sorts One by prosperitie and successe an other by aduersitie and the crosse c. The euils coming of successe commonly are vnthankfulnes pride securitie and forgetting of our selues forgetting of others forgetfulnesse of God of our mortalitie c. The euls comming of aduersitie commonly are impatiencie murmuring grudging dispairing contemning of God flattering of men stealing
to lament and reioyce To lament because I consider not these thinges in prayer in such sorte as should moue mee to admiration and gratitude because I consider not thy power and wisedome generally in all things because I am so carelesse for thy kingdome and because I am so full of dubitation and doubting of thy goodnesse To reioyce I haue great cause because thou reuealest these things vnto me on this sorte because of thy power kingdome and glorie which maketh to the hearing of my prayers and helping of mee because thou wilt vse me as thine instrument to set forth thy kingdome power and glorie and because iâ— pleaseth thee to heare my prayer and assuredly wilt saue mee for euer But alas howe farre am I from these lamentings and reioycinges By reason whereof I deserue damnation O bee mercifull vnto mee and forgiue me and of thy goodnesse grant me thy holy spirite to reueale to mee my blindnes obliuion contempt of thy kingdome power and glore with the greatnes of my doubtings that as I may heartily lameÌ„t them so haue them pardoned taken from mee through the merites of Iesus Christ thy sonne Againe giue me thy holy spirit to reueale to me in such sort thy kingdome power glorie eternitie that I may alwaies haue the same before mine eies be moued with the admiration thereof labour effectually to set forth the same finally as to haue the fruition thereof after this life so to increase in an assured certaine and liuelie expectation of the same that I may alwaies and in all thinges reioyce in thee through Christ and giue laudes thanks and praises perpetually vnto thy most holie name Oh blessed Father Sonne and holie Ghost three persons and one God to whome bee all honour and glorie world without ende Hâ—ere thinke that if the kingdome power glorie and eternitie bee Gods which is our Father what our dignity is which be his children If the power bee our fathers of whome should wee bee afraide Let the diuell bee subiect to the Lordes power and kingdom as he is how can the subiect haue power ouer vs which be sonnes and heirs in that he hath not power ouer poâ—kets without the proudence and permissioÌ„ of God Therefore ful well should wee pray 〈…〉 power is the Lords and the Diuel hath none but that he hath of Gods gift No he were not able to receiue power if God did not make him able although the execution of it is rather of Gods permission Giue al thanks praise and glorie to God our Father through Christ our Lord and Sauiour So be it Iohn Bradford PRIVATE PRAIERS for the Morning and Euening and for other times of the day When you awake out of your sleepe pray thus MOst mercifull God and Father of our Sauiour Iesus Christ I most humbly thanke thee for the sweete sleepe and comfortable rest which thou hast giuen mee this night past beseeching thee that like as thou hast nowe awaked my bodie from sleepe so thou wouldest awake my soule from the sleepe of sinne and darkenesse of this worlde and that which thou hast new awaked out of sleepe thou wouldest after death whereof this sleepe is but an image restore and rayle againe to life euerlasting O gratious God make my body I heartilie pray thee such a coÌ„panion or rather a minister of godlinesse to my soule this day all the time of this preseÌ„t life that in the life to come it may be partaker with the same of euerlasting happines through Christ Iesus our Lord. Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead Christ shal shew light vnto thee Ephes 5. Occasions to medâ—tate Here call to minde the great mirth blessednesse of the euerlasting resurrection Also remember to muse vpon that most cleare light that bright morning and new clearenesse of our bodies after the loÌ„g darknes which they haue bin in All then shall be ful of vnspeakable ioy and felicitie When you beholde the dailight pray O Lorde God thou most glorious and true light from whence this light of the day sunne doth spring and shine vnto vs O light which lightenest euery man that commeth into this world O light which knowest no night nor euening but art al way a midday most cleare and faire without whom all is most horrible darkenesse and by whome al thinges are most cleare and bright O thou wisedome of the eternall father of mercies lighten my minde that I may see those thinges onely which pleasethee and may be blinded to all other thinges Grant me so to walk in thy waâ—â—s by the light of thy holie word that nothing else may bee light and pleasant vnto me Lighten mine eies Oh Lord that I sleepe not in death least mine enemies say I haue preuailed against him Psal 30. Occasions to meditate Muse a while howe much the light and eie of the mind and soule is better than of the bodie Also howe much more we ought to care for the soule that it may see well than of the bodie Moreouer that beasts haue bodily eies as wel as men but men onely haue eies of the mind and that such as are godly wise When you arise pray OVR first parentes cast downe themselues from a most excellent high and honorable state into shame miserie and into the deepe sea of all wickednesse and mischiefe but oh Christ thou putting forth thy hande didst raise them vp againe Euen so wee except we be raised vp by thee shal ly still for euer O good Christ our most gracious Redeemer as thou doest mercifully raise vp now this my bodie euen so I beseech thee raise vp my minde heart to the true knowledge loue of thee that my conuersation may be in heauen where thou art If thou be risen with Christ thinke vpon those things that be aboue Col. 3 Occasions to meditate Thinke howe foule the fall of Adam was by reason of sinne and so euerie one of vs froÌ„ the hight of Gods grace Againe thinke vpon the inestimable benefite of Christ by whose helpe wee daily rise againe from our fallings When you apparrell your selfe pray O Christ cloath mee with thine owne selfe that I may be so far from making prouision for the flesh to fulfill the Iustes thereof that I may cleane put off all desires and crucifie the kingdome of the flesh in mee Be thou vnto me a garment to keepe me warme and to defend me from the cold of this world If thou be absent deare Lorde all thinges are colde weake and dead but if thou be with me all thinges are warme fresh and cheerefull c. Graunt therefore that as I coÌ„passe this my body with this garment so thou wouldest cloath me wholy but specially my soule with thine owne selfe Put vpon you as the elect of God bowels of mercie meekenesse loue peace c. Col. 3. Occasions to meditate Call to minde a little howe we are incorporate into Christ Againe howe he doth cloath vs
gouerne and nourish vs and vnder his winges protection prouidence preserueth vs. When you are made readie to begin the day withall pray O Almighty God and most mercifull father thou knowest and hast taught vs also something to knowe that the weakenesse of man and woman is great and that with out thy grace they can neither do nor think any good thing Haue mercy vpoÌ„ me I huÌ„bly beseech thee thy most weake fraile and vnworthy Childe Lighten my mind that I may with pleasure looke vpon good things onely Inflame my hart with the therof that I may carefully court them and at the last by thy gratious conducting may happily attaine them through Iesus Christ our Lorde I distrusting altogether mine owke weakenes commend a offer my selfe both soule and body into thy hands Thy louing spirit lead me forth into the land of righteousnesse Cogitations meete to begin the daie withall Thinke first that man consisteth of soule body that the soule is from heauen heauenly firm and immortall but the body is from the earth earthly fraile and mortall Againe thinke that though by reason of sinne wherein you are conceyued and borne the partes of the soule which do vnderstande and desire bee so corrupt that without speciall grace to both partes you can neither know nor loue anie good thing in Gods sight much lesse then doe that is good yet this notwithstanding thinke that you are regenerate by CHRISTES resurrection which your Baptisme requireth you to beleeue and therefore haue both those partes some thing reformed both to knowe and to loue and therefore to doe also some good in the sight of God through Christ for whose sake our poore doings are accepted for good the euil and infirmitie cleauing therevnto not beeing imputed through faith Thinke that by faith which is Gods seede for they which beleefe we are borne of GOD and made Gods children giuen to those that bee ordayned to eternall life thinke I say that by faith you receiue more and more the spirite of sanctification through the vse of Gods worde and sacramentes and earnest prayer to illuminate your mindes vnderstanding iudgement and reason and to bowe forme frame and inflame your affections with loue and power to doe that which is good therefore vse you the meanes aforesaid accordinglie Thinke that by this spirite you are through fayth coupled to Christ as a liuelie member and so to God and as it were made one with him and by loue which springeth out of this faith you are made one also with al that be of God and so you haue fellowshippe with GOD and all good men that euer were or shall be in al the good that God and all his saintes haue or shall haue Thinke that as by faith and loue through the spirite of GOD you are now entred into his communion the blessednesse wherof no tongue can expresse so after this life you shall first in soule and in the last day in body also enioy for euer the same society most perfectly which nowe is but begunne in you Thinke then of your negligence that doe so little care for this your happie estate Thinke vpon your ingratitude to God for making you redeeming you calling you and solouingly adopting you Thinke vpon your folly in fantasing so much earthly and bodily pleasures Thinke vpon your deaâ—nee blindnes which heare not God nor see him he calling you so diligently by his works word and sacraments Thinke vpon your frowardnes which will not be lead of God and his spirit Thinke vpon your forgetfulnesse and in consideration of your heauenly estate how your bodie is the temple of the holy Ghost your members are the members of Christ the whole world and all things there in are your owne Therefore say vnto your soule O my soule arise follow God contemne this world purpose well and pursue it long for the â—ords comming be readie and 〈…〉 And forsomuch as you must liue to Gods pleasure see the vocation and state of your life wherevnto God hath called you and pray to God for grace knowledge abilitie to take the most profitable things in hand wel to begin better to go on and best of all to ende the same to Gods glorie to the profite of your brethren and thinke that time lost wherein you speake not or do not or at the least thinke not somthing to Gods glorie and the commoditie of your brethren When you go forth of the doores pray NOw must I walke among the snares of death stretched out of Sathan and of his mischieuous ministers in the worlde carrying with mee a friende to them both a foe to myselfe euen this bodie of sinne and sinnefull flesh Oh graund captaine Christ leade me and guide me I beseech thee Defend mee from the plagues and subtilties wherof I am in daunger Graunt that I may take al things that happen as I shoulde doe and setting mine eyes vpon thee onely I may so goe on foreward in thy waies as by nothing I be hinde red but rather furthered so that all my doings may tend to thy glorie Shewe mee thy waies O Lorde and teach me thy paths Psal 25. Occasions to meditate I Consider howe vainelie the moste part of men are occupied howe many waies they trouble and cumber themselues thereby much alienating their mindes from the knowledge and cogitation of that which they shoulde most esteeme and so become a let and an offence to others As in going abroad you will see that your apparell bee seemely in the sight of men so see how seemely you appeare in the sight of God When you are going any iourney praie THis our life is a pilgrimage From the Lord we came and to the Lorde wee make our iourney howbeit through daungerous and perillous waies which our cruel the enemies hâ—ue and do prepare for vs being nowe more then starâ—â— blinde by reason of sinne O Christ which arâ— a most true loades man and guide and also most expert faithfull and friendly put thou ouâ— thine hand open mine eies make thy high waie knowen vnto mee which thou diddest first enter into out of this corruptible life and hast prepared the same for vs to immortalitie Thâ—â— art the way leade vs vnto the father by thy selfe that all wee may bee one with him as thou and hee together be one Shewe mee the way that I shoulde walk in for I lift vp my soule vnto thee Psal 124. Or praie thus MErcifull father thou art wont to send to thy seruants and men of simple heartes thine Angels to be their keepers as it were guids as elder brother to watch vpon thy weake children So diddest thou to yong Tobias to Iacob to Abrahams seruant to Iosua c. O gratious GOD though wee bee much vnlike vntothem so many are our sins yet for thine owne goodnesse sake sende thine holy angels to pitche their tentes about vs to hide vs defend 〈◊〉 from Sathan his slaues to carie vs
in their handes that wee come not into further danger that thou wilt delmer vs out of for thine owne sake His angels are ministers for them that are heirs of saluation Heb. 1. Sathan sleepeth not but seeketh al waies to destroy vs. 1. pet 5. Occasions to meditate Thinke some thing howe wee are straungers from our countrie from our home from our originall I meane from God againe thinke vpon our madnesse that doe linger and loyter so gladly in this our iourney and pilgrimage also how foolish wee are to fantasie thinges which we cannot carrie with vs and to condemne conscience which will alwaies be a companien to vs to our ioy if it bee good but to our shame and sorrowe if it be euill and corrupt Finally howe vnnatuturall we are which so litle desire to be at our home to be with our only father master fellowes and friends When you are about to receiue your meat praie thus THis is a wonderfull mystery of thy worke O maker and gouernour of the world that thou doest sustaine the liues of men and beastes with these meates Surely this power is neither in the bread nor foode but in thy will and worde by which worde all things do liue haue their being Againe howe great a thing is it that thou art able continually to giue sustenance to so many creatures This is spoken of by the Prophet in setting forth thy praises All thinges looke vp to thee and thou giuest them meate in due season thou openest thy hand and fillest with thy blessing euerie liuing thing These doubtlesse are wonderfull workes of thine almightinesse I therefore heartily pray thee O most liberal Lord and faithful father that as thou by meate through thy word dost minister life to these our bodies euen so by the same word with thy grace thou wouldest quicken our soules that both in soule and bodie we may please thee til this our mortall carcasse shal put on immortality and we shall neede no more any further foode but thee onely which then will be all in all Taste and see howe good the Lorde is Psal 14. Blesse the Lorde O my soule which feedeth filleth my mouth with good things Psal 103. Occasions to meditate Think a little how great Gods power is that made vs. Also thinke howe greate his wisedome is to preserue vs. But most of all thinke howe manie things are giuen to our vse how wonâ—derfull it is to giue vs life but most of all to propagate and aduance to immortalitie the life of the soule by his onely beeke Last of all thinke that God by his prouidence for thy body would haue thee to confirme thy faith of his prouidence likewise for thy soule In the meane time pray O Most liberall distributer of thy gifts which giuest vs all kinde of good thinges to vse and being pure giuest pure thinges being holy giuest holy thinges graunt to vs grace that wee misuse not these thy gratious giftes giuen to our vse and profite Let vs not delight in the thinges but let vs delight in thee from whome they come as necessary for vs for a season till we come vnto thee Graunt vs to be conuersant amongest the giftes soberly purelie temperately and holily because thâ—â— art so Then shall we not turne that to the poyson of our soules which thou hast giuen for the medicine of our bodies but vsing thy benefites thankefully we shall finde them profitable both in soule and bodie Occasions to meditate Thinke that the meates and drinks set before you are giuen to you to vse not to abuse Thinke that they are giuen to profite and not to hurte you Thinke that they are not giuen to you alone but vnto others also by you In eating and drinking thinke that you doe but feede the wormes Remember the poore prisoners the sicke the afflicted c. as though you were in their case Thinke vpon the food of your soule Christs bodie broken and bloudshed desire the meat that lasteth for euer labour for it Christes meate was to do his fathers will After your meate praie BY corporall meates thou doest sustaine our corporall daily life readie otherwise to perish The which surely is a great worke but yet this is much greater more profitable aud more holie that thy grace O Iesu Christ dooth preserue vs from the death of the soule For this life wee ought much to thanke thee and because thou dorst prolonge it with thy good giftes we most heartilie praise thee How be it this life is but the way to eternall life which wee beseech thee for thy deathes sake that thou wilt giue vs and so shall we not onely giue thee as wee may thankes for a time for temporall things but also eternall thanks for eternall things O grant to vs these our desires for thy mercies sake Amen Occasions to meditate Thinke nowe that God hath giuen thee this his blessing of foode and sustenance and thereto time that thou mightest as repent so seeke his glory and the commoditie of thy brethren therefore goe there abouts but first pray for grace well to beginne Againe consider how thou hast beene partaker of other mens labours as of the Husbandmans the Milners the Bakers the Bruers the Butchers the Cookes c. See therefore that thou bee not as a drone Bee but rather such a one as may helpe the hiue If God haue thus fed thy body which he loueth not but for thy soules sake howe can it bee then but that hee will bee much more ready to feed the soule Therfore take a courage to thee and goe to him for grace accordingly Cogitations for about the midday As thy bodie is nowe compassed on euery side with light so see that thy mind may be also As God giueth thee thus plentifullie this corporall lighte so pray him that hee will giue thee the spirituall life Thinke that as the Sunne is nowe most cleare so shal our bodies be in the day of Iudgement As now the Sunne is come to the highest and therefore will beginne to drawe downeward so is there nothing in the worlde so perfect and glorious which when it is at the full will not decrease and so weare away When you come home againe pray THere is nothing O Lord more like to thy holy nature than a quiet minde Thou hast called vs out of the troublesome disquietnesse of the world into that thy quiet rest and peace which the world can not giue being such a peace as passeth all mens vnderstanding Houses are ordained for vs that thereby we might be defended from the iniury of the weather from crueltie of beasts froÌ„ disquietnesse of people and rest from tâ—yles of the worlde O gracious father grant that through thy great mercie my body may enter into this house from outward actions but so that it may become â—uxome and obedient to the soule and make no resistaunce against the same that in soule and body I may haue a godlie quietnesse and peace
to prayse thy holy name Amen Peace bee to this house and to all that dwell in the same Math. 10. Occasions to meditate Thinke what a returne and howe merrie a returne it will bee to come to our eternall most quiet and most happie home then will all griefe and sorrow cease Whatsoeuer here is pleasant and ioyfull the same is nothing but a verie shadowe in comparison of that which is to come At the Sunne going downe praie HOwe vnhappie are they O Lorde from whome thy Sunne goeth downe giueth no light I meane thy grace which is alwaies â—â—eare as the midday Darke night vnto them is the midday which 〈◊〉 part froÌ„ thee In thee is neuer night but alwaies day light most cleare This corporall sunne hath his courses nowe vp nowe downe but thou deare Lorde if wee loue thee art alwaies one O that this blacke and vaile of sin were taken away from mee that there might bee alwaies cleare daie in my mind Occasions to meditate Thinke that as wee are not sorie when the Sunne goeth downe because we knowe it shall rise againe euen so we should not sorrow for death where through the soule and body doe parte a sunder for they shal eftsoones returne and come together againe in most glorious wise So long as the Sunne is â—p wilde beastes keepe their 〈◊〉 Foxes their burrowes Owles their holes c. But when the Sunne is downe then come they abroad so wicked men and hypocrites keep their dennes in the time of the Gospell but it being taken awaie then swarme they out of their holes like Bees as this day doth â—each When the candles be light pray MOst thicke and darke cloudes do couer our mindes except thy light O Lorde doe driue them away Thy sunne O most wise worker is as it were a firebrand to this worlde Thy kingdome whereby light commeth both to the soule and bodie is a firebrande to the spirituall worlde After day when the night commeth thou hast giuen for the remedie of darkenesse a candle After sinne for the remedie of ignorance thou hast giuen thy doctrine which thy deare sonne hath brought vnto vs O thou that art the author and master of all trueth the true light make vs to see that the dimnesse of our mindes may be driuen cleane away Lift thou vp the light of thy countenaunce vpoÌ„ vs and send vs ioie gladnes into our heartes Psal 4. Thy worde is a lanterne to my feete and a light vnto my paths Psal 1â—9 Occasions to meditate Thinke that the knowledge which God giueth vnto vs by the candle light whereby wee see those things in this night of our bodies which are expedient for vs shoulde make vs to wish much more for this doctrine of God spirituall light of our soules when wee get it the more to esteeme it and diligently to embrace it Againe that as all woulde bee horrour without candle light so there is nothing but meere confusion where Gods worde taketh no place When you make your selfe vnreadie pray THis our life and weake-knit bodie by occasion of sin by little little shall be dissolued and so shal be restored to the earth from whence it was taken then will be an end of this vanitie which by our folly wee haue wrought to our selues O most meek father so do thou vnite me for thou art he that hath knit these our weak members together that I may perceiue my selfe to be loosed and dissolued and so may remember both of whome I was made also whither I must goe least I be had vnprouided vnto thy tribunall seat Put off the olde man with his lustes and concupiscences Col. 3. Ephes 4. Be content with Ioseph to put off thy prison apparrell that thou maiest put on newe Gen. 4. 1. Occasions to meditate Thinke that wee doe willinglie put off our garments because wee shall receiue them againe when the night is past so we should willingly forsake our bodies wheÌ„ God by death shall cal vs because we shall receiue them againe in the resurrection of the iust When you enter into your bed praie THe daie nowe ended men giue themselues to rest in the night and so this life finished we shall rest in death Nothing is more like this life than euery day nothing more like to our graue then our dedde O Lorde our keeper and defender graunt that I now laing me downe to rest being vnable to keepe my selfe may be preserued from the craftes assaultes of the Wicked enemie and graunt further that when I haue run the race of this life thou wouldest of thy mercie call mee vnto thee that I may liue â— watch with thee for euermore And nowe gracious God giue mee to take my rest in thee and bring to passe that thy goodnes may be giuen in sleepe before my eies that sleeping I bee not absent from thee but may haue my dreames to draw me vnto thee and so both soule and body may be kept pure and holie for euer I will lay mee downe in peace and take my rest c. Psal 4. Occasions to meditate Thinke that as the troublesome day is nowe past and night come and so rest quietnesse and pleasant sleepe which maketh most excellent princes and poore wretches alike euen so after the tumults troubles temptations and tempests of this life they that beleeue in Christ haue prepared for them an hauen and rest most pleasant and ioyfull As you are not afraid to enter into your bedde and to disposâ— your selfe to sleepe so be not afraide to die but rather cheerefully prepare your selfe thereunto Think that now you are neerer your end by one daies iourney than you were in the morning When you feele sleepe to be comming pray O Lord Iesus Christ my watchman and keeper take mee into thy protection Graunt that my bodie sleeping my minde may watche in thee and be made merrie by some sight of that celestiall and heauenlie life wherein thou art the King and Prince together with the father and the holy Ghost where the Angels and holie soules be most happie citizens Oh puriâ—â—e my soule keepe cleane my body that in both I may please thee sleeping and waking for euer Amen A GENERALL CONfession of sinnes with other praiers for the Morning and Euening to be vsed in families and publicke assemblies O Most mercifull and louing father whose loue is infinite whose mercy endureth for euer wee sinfull creaturs trusting in thine vnspeakeable goodnesse and loue towarde vs doe appeare this morning before thy diuine maiestie most humblie confessing our manifolde sinnes and innâ—merable transgressions of thy commandements and fatherlie will Against thee only against thee O Lorde haue we sinned wee acknowledge our offencesâ— wee accuse our selues vnto thee O mercifull Lord and will not hide our vnrighteousnesse We finde in our selues nothing but ignorance of thy wil disobedience mistrust doubtfulnesse in thy goodnes and incredulitie hatred and contempt of all spiritual things selfeloue
confidence in our selues feruent lusting after carnall thinges of this worlde and this tree of our corrupt nature bringeth forth continually in vs none other fruites but rotten and vnsauorie workes of the flesh in thoughts words and doings vnto condemnation Wherefore we humbly beseech thy fatherlie goodnesse euen for thy sonne Iesus christes sake whome thou hast set foorth for a purchaser of mercie to vs through faith in his bloud make our heartes cleane take away our stony hearte and giue vnto vs a true and liuely faith working in vs vnfained repentance and amendement of our sinfull life Haue mercie vpon vs and forgiue vs our sinnes for thy sonnes sake certifie our consciences of the remission of the same by thy holy spirite by whose operation so mortifie in vs our olde man the whole body of sin that we continually dying vnto sinne maie walke in a newnesse of life to the glory of thy holy name through Iesus Christ our Sauiour Amen Another confession of sinnes O Eternall God most merciful father wee confesse and acknowledge here before thy deuine maiestie that we are miserable sinners conceiued and borne in sinne and iniquitie so that in vs there is no goodnesse for the flesh euermore rebelleth against the spirite whereby we continually transgresse thy holy precepts and commaundements and to purchase to ourselues through thy iust iudgment death and damnation Notwithstanding O heauenly father for asmuch as we are displeased with our selues for the sinnes we haue committed against thee doe vnfainedly repent vs of the same we most humbly beseech thee for Iesus Christs sake to shewe thy mercie vpon vs to forgiue vs all our sinnes to increase thy holy spirit in vs that wee acknowledging from the bottome of our hearts our own unrighteousnesse may from hence foorth not onely mortifie our sinfull lustes and affections but also bring foorth such fruits as may be agreeable to thy most blessed wil through Iesus Christ our onely Sauiour whome thou hast alreadie giuen an oblation and an offering for our sinnes and for whose sake we are certainly perswaded that thou wilt denie vs nothing that we shall aske in his name accorâ—ding to thy will For thy spirit doth assure our consciences that thou art our mercifull Father and so louest vs thy children though him that nothing is able to remoue thy heauenly grace and fauour from vs. To thee therefore with the sonne the holy Ghost be all honor and glory world without end So be it A prayer to be said in the Morning O Eternall GOD and heauenly Father seeing that by thy great mercie we haue quietly passed this night graunt we beseech thee that we may bestowe this day wholy in thy seruice so that all our thoughts wordes and deedes may redounde to the glorie of thy name and good example of our brethren And as it hath pleased thee to make the Sun to shine vpon the earth to giue vs bodily light euen so vouchsafe to illuminate our vnderstanding with the brightnesse of thy spirit to direct vs in the way ofrighteousnes so that what thing so euer wee shall applie our selues vnto our speciall care and purpose may be to walke in thy feare and to serue and honor thee looking for all our wealth and prosperitie to come from thy onely blessing that we may take nothing in hand which shal not be agreeable to thy most blessed will Furthermore that we may in such sort trauail for our bodies and for this present life that wee may haue alwaies a further regard that is to the heauenly life which thou hast promised to thy children and in the in meane seasone that it way please thee to preserue and defende vs both iâ— body and soule to strengthen vs against all the temptations of the diuell and to deliuer vs from all perils and daungers that may happen vnto vs if we be not defended by thy godly power And for as much as to begin wel and not to continue is nothing wee beseech thee to receiue vs not onelie this day into thy holy protection but also for the time of our whole life continuing and increasing in vs daily thy good grace gifts thereof vntill thou shalt bring vs to that happy state where wee shall fully for euer bee ioyned vnto thy Sonne Iesus Christ our Sauiour which is y â— true light of our soules shining day and night perpetually And to the ende that we may obtaine such grace at thy hand vouchsafe most mercifull Father to forgiue and forget all our sinnes which wee haue heeretofore committed against thee for thine infinite mercies sake to pardon the same as thou hast promised to those that aske of thee with vnfained heart for whom as for our selues we make our humble petitions vnto thee in the name of thy sonne our Lord Sauiour Iesus Christ in such sorte as he hath taught vs saying Our Father c. Another praier to be saide in the Morning O Almightie and most gratious God we heartely thank thee for the sweete sleepe and comfortable rest which thou hast giuen vs this night past and forasmuch as thou hast commanded by thy holy worde that no man should bee idle but all occupied in godly and vertuous exercises euery man according to his calling wee most humblie beseeche thee that thine eies may attende vpon vs daily defend vs cherish comfort gouerne vs and al our counsels studies and labors in such wise that wee may spend and bestow this daie according to thy most holy will seting thee alwaies before our eyes liuing in thy feare working that may be found acceptable before thy diuine maiestie through Iesus Christ our Lord So be it Another prayer for the Morning VVE humbly and heartily giue thanks vnto thee O heauenly Father through thy deerely beloued son Iesus Christ that to thy innumerable benefits hither to powred vpon our soules and vppon our bodies thou hast kept vs this night past from manie euils both spirituall and corporall and 〈◊〉 of thy mercie doest offer giue vs time to repent and amende our liues so that we might liue henceforth not as we will but as thou wilt and as our bodies do draw continually neerer neerer their ende the graue I meane so our soules might approch to their end that is heauen not hel for in one state we stand not still but either we are neerer y â— neerer happie state of life or else the vnhappie condition of death eternall Wherefore wee beseech thee to be mercifull vnto vs good Father and as of thy goodnesse thou giuest vs time to repent and liue godlie so of y e same thy goodnesse in Christe wee humbly beseech thee to giue vs thy gracious gift of true holy perfect perpetuall repentance that we may more and more lamente our former sinnefull life trusting vnfainedly in thy rich mercie through the merites of Iesus Christ for the pardon of all â—ur sinnes
and that wee may vnfainedly purpose and effectually labour to amend our liues this day so long as wee haue to liue in all our doings and wordes and euen in our verie thoughtes to the prayse of thy holy name and good example of our doings and words and euen in our brethren And for as much as thou knowest our weakenesse our ignorance and great vntowardnesse to carrie anie great crosse or affliction wee beseech thee our sweete Father so temper and order all things towards vs this day and for euer that we bee neuer further proued tempted than thou wilt make vs able to beare and so to helpe vs in the same as may be most 〈◊〉 thy glorie our saluation through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An Euening prayer O Lord God Father euerlasting and full of pitie wee acknowledge and confesse that wee bee not worthy to lift vp our eies to heauen much lesse to present our selues before thy diuine maiestie with confidence that thou wilt heare out praiers and graunt our requests if wee consider our owne wretched deseruings For our consciences doe accuse vs our sinnes witnes against vs wee know that thou art an Vpright Iudge which doest not â—ustifie the sinners and wicked men but punishest the faultes of such as transgresse thy commandements Yeâ— most mercifull Father since it hath pleased thee to commaunde vs to caâ—â— vpon thee in all our troubles and aduersities promising euen then tâ— helpe vs when we feele our selueâ— as it were swallowed vp of death 〈◊〉 desperation we vtterly renounce alâ— wordly confidence and trust flie to thy soueraigne goodnes as our only stay and refuge beseeching thee not to cal to remembrance our manifold sinnes and wickednesse whereby we continually prouoke thy wrath and indignation against vs neither our negligeÌ„ce nor our vnkindnes which haue either worthelie esteemed nor in our liues sufficieÌ„tly expressed the sweet comfort of thy holy Gospel reuealed vnto vs but rather to accept the obedience and death of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lord who by offering vp his bodie in sacrifice once for all hath made a sufficient recompence for all our sinnes Haue mercie therefore vpon vs O Lorde and forgiue vs our offences Teach vs by thy holy spirit that we may rightly weigh them earnestly repent vs for the same and so much the rather O Lord our God because that the reprobate such as thou hast forsakeÌ„ caÌ„not prayse thee nor cal vpoÌ„ thy name but the repenting heart the sorrowfnl minde the conscieÌ„ce oppressed hungring thirsting for thy grace shall euermore set forth thy praise and glorie And albeit we be but wormes and dust yet thou art our creator and we be the worke of thy handes yea thou art our father we thy childreÌ„ thou art our shepheard and we thy flocke thou art our redeemer and wee thy people whome thou hast deerelie bought thou art our God and wee are thine inheritance Correct vs not therefore in thine anger O Lord our God neither according to our desertes doe thou punish vs but mercifully chastice vs with a fatherly affection that all the worlde may knowe that at what time so euer a sinner dooth repente him of his sinne from the bottom of his hart thou wilt put away all his wickednesse out of thy remembraÌ„ce as thou hast promised by thy holie Prophet Finally forasmuch as it hath pleased thee to make the night for man to rest in as thou hast ordayned him the day to trauell graunte O deare father that we may so take our bodily rest that our soules may continuallie watch for the time that our Lord Iesus Christ shall appeare for our full deliuerance out of thâ—â— mortalll life and in the meane seasoÌ„ that wee be not ouercome by anie fantasies dreames or other temptations but may fully set our mindes vpon thee loue thee feare thee and rest in thee in such sort that our very sleepe also may be to the glorie of thy holie name Furthermore that our sleepe bee not excessiue or ouermuch after the insatiable desire of the flesh but only sufficient to contente our weake nature that wee may the better be disposed to liue in all godlie conuersation to the glorie of thy holy name profit of our brethren through Iesus Christ our Lord in whose name we make our humble petitions vnto thee as he hath taught vs. Our Father which art c. Almightie and euerliuing God vouchsafe we beseech thee to graunt vs perfect continuance in thy liuelie faith augmenting and increasing y e same in vs dailie vntil we growe to the full measure of our perfection in Christ whereof wee make our confessior saying I beleeue in God the father c. The Lorde blesse vs and saue vs the Lord make his face to shine vpon vs and bee mercifull vnto vs the Lordâ— â—urne his fauorable countenaunce towards vs and graunt vs his peace The grace of the Lord Iesus Christ the loue of God and the communion of the holy Ghost bee with vs and remayne with vs for euer So bee it 2. Cor. 9. 13. An other Euening prayer MOst mercifull God and tender father which besides thine inestimable mercies declared giuen vnto vs in the making of the world for our sakes in the redeeming of vs by the death of thy deare Sonne Iesus Christ in the calling of vs to the knowledge of thy blessed worde in keeping of vs hitherto in thy holie Church and in thy most gratious gouerning of vs and all thinges hitherto for our singular wealth commoditie hast also most fatherlie cared for vs and kept vs this daye from all daungers both of soule and bodie giuing vs health foode apparell and al other things necessary for the comfort and succour of this poore and miserable life which manie other doe want for these and all other thy good giftes and gracious benefites which thou of thine own goodnesse onely and fatherly prouidence hast hitherto powred vpon vs and doest presently powre vpon vs and many other we most humbly thanke thee and praise thy holy name beseeching thee that as all things are now hidden by meanes of the darkenesse which thou hast sent ouer the earth so thou wouldest vouchsafe to hide and burie all our sinnes which this daie or at anie time heeretofore wee haue committed against thy holie commandements and as nowe wee purpose to laye our bodies to rest so graunt the gard of thy good Angels to keepe the same this night for euermore and whensoeuer our last sleepe of death shall come grant that it may be in thee good father so that our bodies may rest both temporally and eternally to thy glorie and our ioy through Iesus Christ our lorde So be it Another Euening prayer O Eternall God and most mercifull-father who this day and al the time of our life hast graciouslie defended nourished and preserued our soules and bodies
shall finde knocke and it shall be opened vnto you O deare God and most meeke and mercifull father we heartily beseech thee to be mercifull vnto vs for this thy Christs sake for his deaths sake for thy promise trueth mercies sake Haue mercie vpon vs pardon and forgiue vs all our sinnes iniquities and trespasses whatsoeuer we haue committed against thee in thought word or deed euer or at any time hitherto by any meanes Deare father haue mercy vpon vs. Though we be poore yet our Christ is rich though wee be sinners yet hee is righteous though wee be fooles yet he is wise though we be impure yet he is pure and holie for his sake therefore bee merciful vnto vs. Call to minde how thou hast promised that thou wilt powre out of thy cleane waters wash vs from our filthe and cleanse vs from our euils Forget not that thou hast promised to take from vs our stonye heartes and to giue vs soft heartes newe heartes to put in the middest of vs right spirits Remember thy couenant namely that thou wilt be our God and wee shal be thy people that thou wilt put out of thy memory for euer al our vnrighteousnesse and hast promised to write in our mindes and hearts thy law and testimonies Remember that thou doest straitly charge vs to haue none other Gods but thee saying that thou art the Lorde our God O then declare the same to vs all we heartilie now beseech thee Forgiue vs our sinnes forget our iniquities cleanse vs from our filthines wash vs from our wickednesse powre out thy holy spirite vpon vs. Take from vs our harde heartes our stonie heartes our impenitent heartes our distrusting and doubtfull heartes our carnall our secure our idle heartes our impure malitious arrogant enuious wrath full impatient couetous hypocriticall and epicurall hearts and in place thereof giue vs new harts soft harts faithfull hearts mercifull hearts louing obedient chast pure holy righteous true simple lowly and patient hearts to feare thee to loue thee to trust in thee for euer Write thy law in our hearts graue it in our mindes we heartilie beseech thee Giue vs the spirite of prayer make vs diligent and happie in the workes of our saluation sake into thy custodie and gouernaunce for euer our soules and bodies our liues all that euer we haue Tempt vs neuer further than then wilt make vs able to beare and whatsoeuer thou knowest wee haue neede of in soule or bodie deare God gratious father vouchsafe to giue vs the same in thy good time and alwayes as thy children guide vs so that our life may please thée and our death praise thee through Iesus christ our Lorde for whose sake wee hartilye praye thee to graâ—nt these thinges thus asked and all other things necessarie for soule bodie not onely to vs but to all others also for whome thou wouldest that we should pray specially for thy children that bee in thraldome in exile in prison misery heauinesse pouertie sickenesse c. Be mercifull to the whole realme of England and graunt vs all true repentance and turne from vs the euils that wee so wickedlie haue deserued Pardon our enemies persecutors slaunderers and if it bee thy pleasure turne their harts Bee mercifull vnto our parents brethren and sisters friendes kinsfolkes and familiars neighbours and such as by anie meanes thou hast coupled and lincked to vs by loue or other wise and vnto vs poore sinners here gathered together in thy holie name graunt thy blessing and holie spirite to sancâ—fie vs dwell in vs as thy deare children to keepe vs this day and for euer from all euill to thy eternall glorie and euerlasting comforte and the profite of thy Church which mercifully maintaine cherish and comfort strengthenning theÌ„ that stand so that they neuer fall lifting vp them that bee fallen and keepe vs from falling from thy trueth through the merits of thy dearelie beloued sonne Iesu Christ our onelie Sauiour which liueth and raigneth with thee and the holy Ghost to whome bee al praise and honour both now for euer Amen I. B. A prayer for the true knowledge of the mysterie of our redemption in Christ O Almightie God and father of our Lorde Iesus Christ and by him also our Father the Father of all mercy God of all consolation haue mercy vpon vs and heare our praiers wee most humblie beseeche thee for thy deare sonne Iesus christ his sake for his merites and cruell death which he suffered to deliuer vs from eternal death and the power of darkenesse sende into our hearts the spirit of truth to worke in vs a true liuely stedfast faith that the cleere light and brightnesse of thy Gospell the glorie of Christ may shine vnto vs and lighten our minds that wee may learne and vnderstand the wonderfull and vnspeakeable riches of y e mystery of our redemption in Christ and by Christ O Father of glorie giue vnto vs the spirit of wisedome and bring vs vnto the true knoweledge of this thy beloued Sonne Iesus Christ and the knowledge of thy selfe Open and lighten the eyes of our mindes and vnderstanding that wee may knowe what the hope is whereunto thou hâ—st called vs and howe rich the glorie of thine inheritance is vpon thy Saints and the exceeding greatnesse of thy power towardes vs that by trne faith by vnderstanding knowledge of thine eternall-wisedome which is Iesus Christ we may be indeede as wee are called true Christians and vnfained professours of thy holy name to worship thee in spirit and trueth to set forth the glory of thy grace giuen vnto vs in Christ Iesu our lord Amen O deare father write in our harts loue of thy law hate to al sin thankfulnesse of heart and continual heat of thy holie spirite for thy sonne Iesus Christs sake To whome with thee and thy holy spirit be al honour maiestie glory thanks rule empire and dominion for euermore Amen A forme of thankesgiuing for our redemption and prayer for the strength increase of faith Lord incrâ—ase our faith Luc. 17. ETernall praise and thankes bee giuen vnto thee deare God and Father of our Lorde Iesus Christ which hast blessed vs with all spirituall blessings in heaueÌ„ly things by Christ in that thou hast chosen vs in him before the foundation of the world was laide that we should bee without blame before thee through him by whom we haue redemption through his bloud euen the forgiuenesse of our sinnes in whome after we heard y e word of truth the Gospell of our saluation wherein we beleeued we are sealed with the holie spirite of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance which spirit hath and doeth beare witnesse vnto our spirits that we are thy children and therefore crieth into our harts Abba Father And thus most gracious father when thou hast once giuen the earnest penie of our saluation into our heartes thou doest not repent
benefites what is the store prepared for thy seruaunts Oh Lord If thy children find such comforts in the day of tears mourning what shall they find in the day of the mariage If with beastes men being haue y t vse of innumerable blessings Oh how many are the blessings which they shall enioye with thy Angels and with thy selfe O deare God when they shall see thee haue the fruition of thee in whom is fulnes without lothing of al good faire thinges so that nothing can be more desired that for euermore This thy children doe not see as they now beleeue it I say that euen in their bodies they shall see it for euer as Iob saide They beleeue that they shall see thee their owne eies be holde thee when these our corporall eies our bodies being raysed shal do their duties Such a knowledge of thee they beleeue to haue as shall not be onely intellectuall and by faith as now it is but euen a full sight and fruition yea a coniunction and felowship with thee Now they see but as in a glasse euen in a darke speaking but then they shall see thee face to face For faith though it bee the substaunee of things hoped for a certayne darke sight of thee yet it may not be compared to the rewarde of faith and glorious sight whâ—ch we shal see in the life to come wheÌ„ faith and hope shall cease Nowe thy children knowe that they be thy sonnes though it yet appeare not what they shall bee Wee know say they that when our christ God and man shal appeare then shal we bee like vnto him for we shall see him euen as he is Oh great prerogatiue to see Christ as he is which is not to be considered so much for y e manhead as for the Godhead it selfe as Paule doth also write that when all thinges are subiect vnto the Sonne then shal he be subiect vnto thee deare Father also that God may be all in all And therfore Christ our sauior praied for vs that we might knowe thee the onelie true God Not that our Christ thy Sonne is not with thee the true coequall and substantiall God but that we might knowe how that after the Iudgemente such a mysterie of his mediatorship shall not bee in heauen as is now in earth Then thou blessed Trinitie God the Father God the Sonne and God the holie Ghost shalt be al in al thou shalt bee the end of our desires thou shalt bee looked vpon without ende thou shalt be loued without lothing thou shalt be praysed without wearinesse Although loath somnesse bee wont to followe fulnesse yet out fulnesse in the contemplation of thy pleasures shal bring with it no kinde at all of loathsomnesse Satietie of ioyes shal be in the beholding of thee pleasures are on thy right hande foreuer We shall be satisfied when wee arise after thine Image I meane in the resurrection O deare Father shewe thy selfe vnto vs and wee aske no more Oh graunt vs with thy Saints in euerlasting life to praise with perpetuall praises thy holy name Happie then and happie againe were wee if that daie were come that wee might sing with the Angels Elders and innumerable thousands a newe song and say Thou Christ Iesu which wast slain art worthy to receiue power riches and wisedom strength and honour and glorie and blessing In this blessed life all kinde of maladies griefes sorrowes euils be farre away and all ful of al kinde of mirth ioy and pleasure Oh that wee might see now a little with saint Iohn that holy Citie new Ierusalem descending from heauen prepared of God as a bride trimmed for her husband Oh that we might nowe something heare the great voye speaking out of the throne Behold the tabernacle of God is with men and hee will dwell with them and they shall be his people and hee shall bee vnto them their GOD hee will wipe away all â—eares from their eies and death shall bee no more nor weeping nor crying nor sorrowe for the former things are gone I. B. Another meditation of the blessed state and felicitie of the life to come THis body is but a prison wherein the soule is kept and that verilie not beautifull nor bright but most foule and darke disquiet fraile and filled vp with much vermine and venemous vipers I meane it concerning our affections standing in an aire most vnwholsome prospect most loathsome if a man consider the excrementes of it by the eyes nose mouth eares hands feete and all the other partes So that no Bocardo no Little ease no Dungeon no Bishops prison no Gatehose no sinke no pit may be compared in any point to bee so euill a prison for the soule as the bodies for and of the soule wherethrough the children of God haue bin occasioned to crie lament their long being in it Oh saith Dauid How long shall I lie in this prison Oh wretch that I am saith Paule who shall deliuer mee out of this bodie of sinne Which is in heauie burden to the soule as the wise man saith And the godly cry Now let thy seruant depart in peace Oh that I were dissolued had put off this earthly fraile Tabernacle Take me vnto thee and bring my soule out of this prison that it may giue thankes vnto thee O Lord for so long as wee bee in this bodie wee cannot see the Lord yea it is as an heauie habitation and depresseth down sore the spirit from the familiaritie which it self should haue with God This word and life is an exile a vale of misery a wildernesse of it selfe being voide of all vertues and necessarie for eternall life full of enemies sorrowes sighing sobbinges gronings raiseries c. In daunger to hunger colde heate thirst sores sickenesse tentations trouble death and innumerable calamities beeing momentanie short vnstable and nothing but vaine and therefore is compared to a warfare a womans trauaile a shadowe a smoake a vapor a worde a storme a tempest in the which Gods people feele great molestations griefes and troubles nowe of sathan himselfe now of the world now of their own flesh that so wonderfully diuersly dangerously contrarily that they are inforced to cry O Lord when shal we come and appear before thee when shal this misery end when shal we be deliuered out of this vale of miserie out of this wildernesse out of these continuall afflictions and most perilous seas But where thou art Lorde and deare Father of mercy there is not onely no prison no dolours no sorrowe no sighings no teares no sicknesse no hunger no heate no colde no paine no tentations no displeasure no malice no pride no vncleannesse no contention no torments no horrour no sinne no filth no stinch no dearth no death no weeping no teares no misery no mischiefe there is I say not only no such thing or anie euill noysome or displeasant thing
on the right hand of thy father for vs euen concerning our nature in maiesty glory power infinite I praie and humblie beseech thy mercy to graunt mee at this present to reherse some of thy passions sufferings for mee the last night y t thou wast here before thy death that thy good spirit might therby be effectuall to worke in me faith as well of the pardon of my sinnes by them as mortification of mine affections comfort in my crosses and patience in afflictions Amen In the midst of thy last Supper with thy deere apostles these things coulde not but bee before thee namely that they all woulde leaue thee the most earnest woulde forsweare thee and one of the twelue shoulde most trayterously betray thee which were no smal crosses vnto thee Iudas was admonished of thee to beware but when he tooke no heede but wilfully went out to finish his worke contemning thy admonition counsell hee coulde not but vexe thy most louing heart After supper there was contention amongest thy Disciples who should bee greatest after thee yet dreaming carnally of thee and thy kinkdome hauing this affection of pride ambition busie amongest them notwithstanding thy diligence in reprouing and teaching them After thy admonition to them of the crosse that would come therby to make them more vigilant so grosse were they that they thought they coulde with their two swordes put away all perils which was no little greefe vnto thee After thy comming to Gethsemane heauines pressed thee and therefore thou wouldest thy disciples to pray Thou didst tell to Peter and his fellowes that thy harte was heauie to death Thou diddest will them to pray being carefull for them also least they should fall into temptation After this thou wentest a stons cast from them diddest pray thy selfe falling flat goueling vpon the earth but alas thou feltest no comfort therefore thou camest to thy Disciples which of all others were most sweete deere vnto thee but loe to thy further discomfort they passe neyther of thy perils nor of theâ—r owne and therefore sleepe apace After thou hadst awaked them thou goest againe to pray but thou foundest no comfort at al and therefore diddest returne againe for some coÌ„fort at thy dearest friends hands But yet againe alas they are fast a sleepe Wherupon thou art inforced to goe againe to thy heauenly father for some sparke of comfort in these thy wonderfull crosses and agonies Now here thou wast so discouraged so comfortlesse that euen streams of bloude came running from thine eies and eares and other partes of thy bodie But who is able to expresse the infinitenesse of thy crosse euen at thy being in the garden Al which thou sufferedst for my sake as ye l to saâ—isâ—ie thy fathers wrath for my sins as also to sanctifie al my sufferings the more gladly to be susteined for mee After thy bloody prayer thou camest yet againe foundest thy disciples a sleepe before thou canst well awake them loe Iudas commeth with a great bande of men to apprehende thee as a theefe and so doth leading thee away bound to y â— high Bishops house Annas and so from him to Caiphas Heere now to augment this thy misery behold thy disciples fly from thee false witnesses be brought against thee thou art accused and condemned of blasphemie Peter euen in thy sight forsweareth thee thou art vniustly stricken for answering lawfullie thou art blindfold striken and buffeted al the whole night in the bishop Caiphas house of their seruants In the morning betimes thou art condemned againe of the Priests of blaspemie and therefore they bring thee before the seculiar power to Pilate by whome thou art openly arraigned as other theeus malefactors were and when hee sawe that thou wast accused of malice yet hee did not dismisse thee but did send thee to Herod where thou was shamefully derided in comming and going to him and from him al the way especially after Herod had apparelled thee as a foole Afore Pilate againe therefore thou wast brought and accused falsely no man did take thy parte or speake a good word for thee Pylate caused thee to bee whipped and scourged and to be handled most pittifully to see if any pittie might appeare with y u prelates but no man at all pitied thee Barrabas was preferred before thee all the people heade and taile was against thee and cryed hang him vp Vniustly to death was thou iudged thou was crowned with thornes y â— pierced thy braines thou wast made a mocking stockâ— thou wast reueiled beaten and most miserably handled Thou wentest through Ierusalem to the place of execution euen to the Mount of Caluarie a great crosse to hang thee on was laid vpoÌ„ thy back to beare and drawe as long as thou was able Thy body was racked to be nayled to the tree thy hands were boared through thy feete also nailes were put through them to fasteÌ„ thee thereon thou wast hanged between heauen earth as one spued out of heauen vomited out of the earth vnworthie of any place the high Priest laughed thee to scorne the Elders blasphemed thee and saide God hath not care for thee the common people laughed and cried out vpon thee thirst oppressed thee but Vinegar onely and gall was giuen thee to drink heaueÌ„ shined not vpon thee the Sunne gaue thee no light y â— earth was afraid to beare thee sathan tempted thee and thine owne senses caused thee to crye out My God my God why hast thou forsaken mee Oh wonderful passions which thou sufferedst In them thou teachest mee in them thou comfortest mee for by them God is my father my sinnes are forgiuen By them I should learne to feare God to loue God and neuer to leaue him for any temptations but with thee to crie Father into thy handes I commende my spirite A prayer to Christ crucified AS thou O Lorde was crucified for me so I beseech thee crucifie me with thee that I may rise again with thee to euerlasting life Thy flesh was crucified for mee crucifie with thee O CHRIST the kingdome of the fleshe which hath dominion in mee that I may put off the old Adam and by newenesse of life may bee transformed into thee the seconde Adam sinne infidelitie and the whole tyrannie of Sathan being vanquished and ouercome Bring to passe O Lorde that by thy crosse and payneful suffering thy yoake may be to me made light and thy burthen easie that willingly and gladly following thee I may come whither thou art gone that is to thy father most blessed and immortall from whome nothing shall afterward be able to seperate vs. God forbid that I shoulde reioyce in anie thing but in the crosse of our Lorde Iesus Christ wherby the world is crucified vnto mee and I vnto the world Gal. 6. A Prayer to Christ ascended and raigning in glorie OH good Christ our first begotten brother and tender hearted Ioseph Oh naturall Sonne of
vertue may lighten and cheere vs that the want of feeling of our sorrow maye to recompensed plentifully with the liue y â— senâ—e of hauing thee to our eternal ioy therefore thou swarest that in thine euerlasting mercy thou wilt haue compassion on vs. Of which thing to the ende we might bee most assured thine oth is to bee marked for thâ—n sayâ—stâ— As I haue sworne that I will neuer bring anie more the waters to drowne the world So haue I sworne that I wil neuer more bee angrie with thee nor 〈◊〉 thee The mouâ—t◠〈◊〉 shall 〈◊〉 the hilles shall fall downâ— but my louing kindnesse shall not mooue and the bond of my peace shall not faile thee Thus saiest thou the Lord our mercifull redeemer Deare Father therfore I praie thee remember euen for thine owne trueth and mercie sake this promise and euerlasting couenaunt which in thy good time I may thee to write in my hart that I may know thee to bee the onely true God and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent that I may loue thee with all my heart for euer that I may loue thy people for thy sake that I may bee holie in thy sight through Christ that I may alwaies not onely striue against sin but also ouercome the same dayly more and more as thy children do aboue al things desâ—ring the sanctification of thy name the comming of thy kingdome the doing of thy will heere on earth as it is in heauen c. throguh Iesus Christ our redeemer mediator and aduocate Amen I. B. A praier against our spirituall enemies the diuell the world and the flesh O Lorde God the diuell goeth about like a roring Lyon seeking whome hee may deuoure the flesh lusteth against the spirite the worlde perswadeth vnto vanities y â— we may forget thee our Lord God so for euer ve damned Thus are we miserably on euery 〈◊〉 befet and â—eâ—â—eged of cruell a vnrestful enemies and like euerie momente to perish if we be not defended with thy godly power against their tyrannie Wee therefore poore and wretched sinners despayring of our owne strength which indeede is none most heartily praie thee to indue vs with strength from aboue that wee may bee able through thy helpe with strong faith to resist Sathan with feruent praier to mortifie the lustes of the fleshe with continual meditation of thy holie lawe to auoide the foolish vanities and transitorie pleasures of this wicked worlde y â— through thy grace wee beeing set at libertie from the power of these our mortall enemies may serue thee heere in true holinesse and righteousnes and after be partakers of the euerlasting ioyes prepared for thy children which as they are great and vnspeakeable so are there fewe that doe inioy them For straite is the way and narrowe is the gate that leadeth therunto and few there be that find it Notwithstanding O God thou hast a litle flock to whom it is thy pleasure to giue that ioyfull kingdome whose names are written in the booke of life Make vs therefore of that nuÌ„ber for Iesus christes sake place vs amongest those thy sheepe which shal stand on thy right hande to receiue that blessed inheritaunce and dwel with thee for euermore A prayer for present helpe in tentation DEare father to whom it is more easie to doe all thinges then for mee to thinke anie one goodthing Loe doe thou but speake a worde and thy deadlie sicke seruaunte my sonle shall be made whole Helpe O Lorde for the great mercy sake for thy trueth sake and for thy deare sonne Iesus Christs sake set thy sterngth suffice against my weakenesse and the holy-spirit against my sinfull flesh and olde man Thou art faithfull O Father who hast promised that I shall not bee tempted further than thou wilt make me able to beare Giue nowe therefore thy grace and strength vnto thy seruaunt that I may with a strong faith in thy in fallible trueth promised mercie vanquish and subdu whatsoeuer rebelleth against thy most blessed will Preserue and keepe holie my soule and bodie and let them not bee defiled and made a dangeon of diuels wicked spirits through delectation in sinne Behold deare Father the postes thereof are sprinkled with y e precious bloud of thy deare son and of thy great mercy that are made the temple and tabernacle of thy holy spirit Shall nowe alas the Diuell the worlde or the flesh plucke from thee that thing which presently cryeth to thee with assured trâ—st in thy promised helpe Nay father but graunt that I may by thy mightie power turne al their crafts decrits and raging assaultes vnto the increase of my faith and that by experience of thy fatherlie assistance in this my present temptation I may with assured hope and trust in thy readie helpe and comfort ouercame my saide enimies heereafter in like assaults prayse thy holy name for the victory through Iesus Christ our Lord. My sonne if thou wilt come into these rule of the Lorde stande fast in righteousnes feare and prepare thy soule to tentation Eccles 2. Remedies against sinfull motions and tentations First remember that sinne is so hainous a thing that God by his iustice might worthilie damne thee for the same and is therefore to bee abhorred as a sweete poyson a flattering death destruction of the soule which woulde cut thee off from God thy Sauiour and make thee a bondslaue to Sathan thy deadlie enemie Auoide therefore euen at the first the occasions thereof betimes quash out the braines of the childreÌ„ of Babylon against the hard stones whiles yet they bee young and weake least when they be growne elder stronger they dash thee to peeces And for remedie against the same flee vnto God who commandeth thee to call vpon him in thy troubles and promiseth to deliuer thee and wil not suffer thee to be further tempted than hee will make away out whereby thou shalt escape and doubt not but he that causeth thee to hate the sinne which thy nature is to loue will deliuer thee also from the daunger thereof and make thee to triumphouer Sathan to his confusion to Gods glorie and thy great comfort which are causes that our tender louing father sendeth tentations vnto vs he that is not tempted what is he Nowe after thou hast obtained the victory remember two thinges first to giue most heartie thankes to God for his grace and assistance whereby thou hast ouercome and bee not vnthankefull in anie wise and then that hee who continually goeth about like a roring Lion seeking whome he maie deuoure wil not be long or farre away from thee but will attempt againe the same or as euill waies to ouercome thee Watch therefore and praye A prayer for the auoiding of Gods heauie wrath and vengeance for our sins OH Lord God strong and mighty great and feareful which dwellest in the heauens and workest great wonders we thy miserable children heere vpon
to resist to whom it belongeth iustly to punish sinners and to be mercifull vnto them that truly repent we confesse thou doest most iustly punish vs for vnto haue uâ—â—ously finned against thee and wee acknowledge that in punishing vs thou doest declare thy selfe to be our most merciful father aswell because thou doest not punish vs in any thing as we haue deserued as also because by punishing vs thou doestcal vs and as it were drawe vs to increase in repentance it fayth in prayer in contemâ—ing of the world and in heartie dâ—â—â—ing for euerlasting life thy blessâ—â— presence 〈…〉 therefore gracious 〈…〉 Lorde thankefully to acknowledge thy great mercy which hast thus fauourablie dealt with vs in punishing vs not to our confusion but to our amendement And seeing thou hast sworne that thou wilt not the death of a sinner but that hee turne and liue haue mercie vpon vs and turne vs vnto thee for thy dearelie be oued Sonne Iesus Christs sake whom thou wouldest should be made a slayne sacrifice for our sins thereby declaring thy great and vnspeakable anger against sinne and thyne infinite mercy towardes vs sinnefull wretches And for asmuch as the dulnesse blindnes corruption of our hearts is such that we are not able to arise vp vnto thee by faithful and heartie prayer according to our great necessitie without thy singular grace and assistaunce graunt vnto vs gracious Lord thy holy and sanctifying spirite to worke in vs this good work with grace to weigh and consâ—â—r the neede and greatnesse of that we doe desire and with an assured faith trust that thou wilt graunt vs our requestes because thou are good and pracious â—ueÌ„ to young Raunes calling vpon thee much more then to before whoÌ„ thou hast made al things yea and hast not spared also thyne than deare Sonne because thou hast commaunded vs to call vppon thee because thy throne wherto we come is a throne of grace and mercie because thou hast giuen vs a mediator Christ to bring vs vnto thee beeing the way by whome we come being the doore by whom we enter and being our head on whom we hang and hope y t our poore petitions shall not be in vayne through him and for his names sake Wee beseech thee therefore of thy rich mercie wherein thau art pleÌ„tifull to al them that call vpon thee is forgiue vs our sinnes namely our vnthankefulnesse vnbeleef self loue neglect of thy worde security hypocrisie coÌ„tempt of thy long suffering omission of prayers doubting of thy power presence mercy and good 〈◊〉 towardes vs vnsensible of thy grace â—â—â—patience â—c to this thy benefit ofim correcting vs adde thy gracious gift of repentance sayth the spirit of prayer e the contempt of this worlde and heartie desiringâ— for euerlasting life In due vs with thy holy spirit according to thy couenant and mercy aâ—â—el to assure vs of pardon and that thou 〈◊〉 accept vs in thy fauour as thy 〈◊〉 children in Christ for his sake as to write thy same in our hearts 〈◊〉 to worke in vs that wee may nowe begin and go forwarde in beleeuing â—uing fearing obeying praying hoping a seruing thee as thou doest require most fatherly most iustire of vs accepting vs as perfect in thy light through Iesus Christ our lord â—men A Praier of the afflicted for the profession of Gods worde O Gracious God which seekest almeanes possible how to bring â—y children into the feeling and â—re sence of thy mercie and therfore then prosperity wil not serue then â—ndest thou aduersity graciously corâ—ting them heere whom thou wilt 〈◊〉 elsewhere to liue with thee forâ—er we poore wretches giue huÌ„ble â—aises thanks to thee y t thou hast â—â—ched vs worthy of thy correctioÌ„ at 〈◊〉 preseÌ„t hereby to worke y t which 〈◊〉 in prosperity liberty did neglect For the which neglecting and many other our greeuous sinnes whereof we now accuse our selues before thee Most mercifull Lorde thou oughtest most iustly haue giuen vs ouer and destroied vs both in soule body But such is thy goodnes towards vs in Christ that thou seekest to forget all our offences and as though we were far otherwise than we bee indeed thou wilt that we should suffer this crosse now layd vppon vs for thy trueth and Gospels sake and so be thy witnesses with thy Prophets Apostles Martyrs and Confessors yea with thy dearely beloued Sonne Iesus Christ to whome thou doest now heere beginne to fashioÌ„ vs like that in his glorie we may be like to him also O good God what are we on whâ— thou shouldest shew this great mercie Oh louing Lord forgiue vs our vnthankefulnesse and sinnes Oh faithfull Father giue vs thine holie spirite nowe to crie in our heartes Abba deare father to assure vs of our eternall election in Christ to reueale more and more thy truth vnto vs to confirme strengthen and stablish vs in the same that wee may liue die in it as vessels of thy mercy to the glorie and to the commoditie of thy Church Indue vs with the spirite of thy wisedom that with good conscience we may alwaies so aunswere the enimies in thy cause as may turn to their conuersion or confusion and our vnspeakable consolatioÌ„ in Christ Iesus for whose sake wee besâ—â—che thee hence foorth to keepe vs to giue vs patience and to will no otherwise for deliuerance or mitigation of our misery than may stand alwaies with thy good pleasure and mercifull will towards vs. Graunt this deare father not onely to vs in this place but also to all others elsewhere afflicted for thy names sake through the death and merites of Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen I. B. A praier to God the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost O Almighty and euerliuing God the eternall Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which of thy vnmeasurable goodnes hast opened thy self vnto vs and with a loude voyce hast saide of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lorde Heare him O maker and prâ—seruer of all thinges with thy coeternall sonne our Lorde Iesus christ which raigneth with thee and was manifested in Ierusalem with thy holie spirit which was powred vpon the Apostles O wise God mercifull Iudge and mightie Lorde which hast saide As truelie as I liue I will not the death of a sinner but rather that he should conuert and ameÌ„d which also haste saide Call vppon me in the day of trouble and I will deliuer thee haue mercie vpon vs for Iesus Christes sake whome thou wouldest of thy meruailous incomprehensible counsaiâ—e shoulde be made for vs a staine sacrifice mediatour reconciler and peacemaker to the ende that thou mightest shâ—we â—hine exceeding great wrath against 〈◊〉 and thine in estimable mercy towards mankind Sanctifie illuminate our hearts and soules with thy holy spirit that wee may trulie â—eleeue in thee call vpon thee bee thankeful vnto thee and obedient 〈◊〉 thy holy will Defende gouerne â—nd cherish thy church as thou hast
â—â—omised saying This is my couenant â—â—at I haue made with them my spirite â—hich is in thee and my worde which I haue put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy feede for euer Preserue those kingdomes common weales which giue harborough to thy people and maintaine the ministerie of thy holy worde and Gospell that the kingdome of thy sonne Iesus Christ may increase and shine throughout all the world O Iesu Christ Sonne of the euerliuing God crucified for vs and raised also from the dead and nowâ— raigning at the right hand of thy father that thou maist giue giftes vnto 〈◊〉 which hast saide Come vnto mee all yee that labour are heauie loaden and I will refresh you Hauâ— mercie vpon vs praie for vs vnto thy eternall father sanctifie and gouerne vs with thy holy spirit helpâ— and succour vs in all our necessitieâ— as thou hast promised saying I willâ— not leaue you comfortlesse O holy and blessed spirite together with the father and the son one true and euerlasting God full of maiestie and power which with thy heauenly inspiration quickenest the mindes of those that afore were dead in sinne makest ioyfull the heartes of the faithfull penitent bringest into the way of truth all such as haue erred and gone astray comfortest the soules of such as hunger and thirst after righteousnesse and plenteously inrichest those with diuers giftes which aske them in Iesus Christes name purifie our heartes wee beseech thee and inflame them with the fire of thy loue replenish them with thy heauenly benefites and spirituall blessinges that they may bee made meete temples for thee leade â—s into all truth which art the onely fountaine of truth and mortifie in vs whatsoeuer proceedeth not of thee Or else pray thus O Holie spirite powred vnto the Apostles which hast promised vnto vs by the Sonne of God our Redeemer to kindle in vs a true knowledge and inuocation of God as it is written I will poure vpon you the spirit of grace and of compassion make to arise in our hearts a true feare of God and faith and knowledge of thy mercie which the eternall father of our Lord Iesus Christ hath promised vnto vs for his sonnes sake Be our comforter in all our counsels and daungers Illuminate our vnderstanding and fill our herrtes with newe affections and spirituall motions and renewe vs both in soule and bodie that wee may die to sinne and liue to righteousnes and so in true obedience may praise the father of our Lord Iesus Christ and his sonne our redeemer and thee also our comforter euerlastingly A thanksgiuing to God the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost VVE render thanks vnto the O Almightie and eternall God with thy deare sonne our Lorde Iesus Christ and with thy holy spirite for that of thine exceeding great goodnes thou hast made thy selfe knowen vnto vs by most assured and euident testimonies and for that thou hast gathered and chosen vnto thy selfe a perpetuall Church and wouldest that thy Sonne our Lorde Iesus Christe shoulde suffer death to restore vs from death to life for that thou hast giuen to vs thy Ghospel the Holye Ghost for that thou forgiuest vs our sinnes deliuerest vs from the power of the deuell and from eternall death and giuest vnto vs euerlasting life finally for that thou hast visited vs with manye great benefites giuing vs life foode doctrin peace in such places as we haue liued in hast diminished the pains which we haue iustly deserued Wee giue thankes vnto thee O Lorde Iesus Christ sonne of the liuing God crucified for vs and risen againe because thou hast coupled vnto thee our humaine nature and of thy inestimable loue didest giue thy selfe to death for vs turning vppon thee the greate wrath of GOD the Father conceiued against vs to reconcile vs vnto him and to purchase vs eternall redemption because thou hast brought vs to this grace wherein we stande and reioyce in hope of the glorie of GOD because thou dost preserue cherishe and defend thy church against the Diuell and all thine enemies because thou giuest and renewest often the light of thy Gospell and maintainest the ministerie of thy worde because thou doest forgiue vs our sinnes and giuest vnto vs euerlasting life because thou art our mediatour and makest continuall intercession for vs and finally because thou dost succour and preserue vs in all our necessities dangers and afflictions Wee giue thankes also vnto thee Oh holy spirite the giuer of life which wast powred vppon the Apostles because thou kindlest thy light in our heartes because thou rulest instructest admonishest and helpest vs because thou gouernest and guidest the labours and workes of our vocation and sanctifiest vs to eternall life A prayer to God for his helpe and Protection against the obstinate enemies of the truth MOst righteous Iudge God of all mercie and comfort which by thy secret iudgment and wisedome doest suffer the wicked to triumph and increase for a time for trial of the faith of thy welbeloued little flocke and the mortifiing of their lusts but at length to the vtter confusion of thy enemies and ioyfull deliuerance of thy people looke downe wee beseech thee on thy dispersed sheepe oute of thy holy habitation in heauen and strengthen our weakenesse againste their furious rages abate their pride ass wage their malice confound their deuises wherewith they lift vp them selues against Christ Iesus thy sonne our Lorde and Sauiour to deface his glorie and to set vp Antichrist Wee be not able of our selus to thinke a good thought much lesse to stande against their assaultes except thine vndeserued grace and mightie arme defende and deliuer vs. Performe thy promises made to Iacob stoppe the mouthes of the cursed Edomites Cal them to repentance whom thou hast appointed to saluation bring home them that runne astray lighten the blinde and teach the ignorant forgiue all those that wilfully and obstinately rebell not against thy holie will Let thy fearefull threatninges pearce our stâ—nie heartes and make vs tremble at thy iudgements Make the examples of them whom thou hast ouerthrâ—wne in their owne deuises as Cain Cham Nymrod Esau Pharaoh Saul Achitophel Iudas such other to be a warning for vs that we set not vp our selues against thy holy will Grant free passage to thy holy worde that it may worke effectually in vs the worke of life and blessed hope of our saluation to the eternall praise of thy maiestie through our mediatour Christ Iesus to whome with thee and the holy ghost three persons and one God bee praise and thankesgiuing in all congregatioâ—s world without end So be it A praier for the afflicted and persecuted vnder the tyranny of Antichrist O Mercifull Father who neuer doest forsake such as put their trust in thee stretch forth thy mightie arme to the defence of our brethren by the rage of enimies persecuted and
can I feele then or certaintie of thy fauour and loue Iustly may I powre out this dolorous lamentation of Sion The Lorde hath forsaken me and my Lorde hath forgotten me Euen in the middest I say of these my former desperate assaultes mine intollerable heauines cryed to thee O my God from heauen thou heardest my gronings and thervpon first preparedst my heart to aske comfort of thee and then thou didst accept my praier and gauest me plentifully my asking Oh my soule consider well that thou art neuer able to declare the exceeding goodnes of GOD in this that hee heard the verie desires of thee beeing afflicted who is so readie fauorably to grant the requests of the afflicted that oftentimes he tarieth not vntil they doe call but or euer they call vpon him fauourably hearest them as the Psalmist sayth The desire of the afflicted thou hearest O Lord thou preparest their heartes thine eares heare them Oh Lorde my God meruailous things are these whether I consider this meruailous manner of thy hearing or else the meruelous nature propertie of thy goodnes Meruailous no doubt is that thy hearing whereby the very desires of the aflicted are heard but much more maruailous is this thy goodnes which tarrfest not vntil the afflicted do desire thy helpe but preparest first their hearts to deâ—â—re and then thou giuest them their destres Yea Lorde worthy of all praise it cannot otherwise â—e For howe shouldest thou do otherwise than thy nature and property is Art not thou verie goodnesse mercy it selfe How canst thou then but pitie and helpe miserie Art not thou both the creator and also the conseruer of all thinges In somuch as the Lyons whelpes roaring after their praye doe seeke their foode at thy handes and the Rauenes birdes lacking meate do cal vpon thee If then thy fatherly prouidence and tender care O Lorde vppon all thy creatures be so great that the verie beastes and foules haue this experience of thy goodnesse in their necessities that their roarings and cryings haue the strength of earnest calling and desires howe much rather doe these sighinges groninges and desperate heauinesse of men but chiefely of thy children crie and call lowde in thine eares though they speake neuer a word at all Should I then now despaire of thy fatherly mercie whiles presently I feele thee stirre vp my soule and heart to craue helpe at thy handeâ— Shoulde I thinke that thou wilt absent thy selfe for euer that thou wilt bee no more intreated that thy mercie is cleane gone that thy promise is come vtterly to an ende and that thou wilt now shut vp thy louing kindnesse in displeasure Nay Lorde for all alterations are of thy right hande and turne al waye to the best to them that feare thee All this is but mine owne inffrmitie for thou art euer one thy promises bee infallable and the loue towardes thine euerlastingly during I will therefore in this my present tentation greeuous assault powre â—ut the heauinesse of my heart before thee deare Father Out of the deep wil I crie and lift by my soule vnto thee from whome I assuredly knowe my helpe is comming I wil also for my present comfort call to remembrance O Lord my God thy tender mercies towards mee already shewed the multitude of thy benefits the greatnes of the same the long coÌ„tinuance of them euen from my conception vntill this instant finally thy continuall lust desire to powre them vpon me And moreouer fith thy goodnesse is so great O Lord that thou doest not onely pitie miserie but also callest the heauy hearted and afflicted unto thee promising that thou witt ease their miserie for as much as by the motion of thy good spirit I loath and abhor my sâ—nnes feele the gree uousnesse of them and thy heauie wrath towards mee for the same finally what neede I haue of thy gracious aide and succour heresore O Lorde in thy sonne Christes name with sure confidence and trust in thine infallible promise in this mine anguish and trouble I come vnto thee at thy mercifull calling craue comfort at thy hand For thou hast promised that when I loath my sinnes thou wilt vtterly forget them when I feele the greeuous burthen of them thy mercie swalloweth them vp when I seeke that I want thou wilt assuredly grant it me For â—â—th tthou moouest my heart to desire help how should I mistrust but thou wilt for thy trueths sake guie mee my asking Yea where I knowe not how or what to desire as I ought thy holy spirite gratiously working in mee maketh intercession mightily for me with gronings which cannot bee expresseth and therewith certifieth my spirite that by adoption through thy great mercie and goodnesse I am become thy childe and heire Why should I not then bee of good comfortand ioyfull in thee my God For if thou bee on my doe who can be against mee Since thou diddcst not spare thine owne sonne but gauest him for mee euen when I was thine enemie howe fhalt thou not with him nowe that by his death I am brought into thy 〈◊〉 giue mee all thinges with him and for his sake Who shall lay any thing to the charge of thine elect It is thou Lord which iustifiest mee It is Christe that hath died for mâ—e yea ratheâ— that is risen againe for mee Who also is set on thy right hand and hat taken possession yea and perpetually there maketh interrcession for mâ— vntill that ioyfull day be come whâ— I shall haue ful fruition of the most glorious presence of thy diuine maie sty in that kingdom which thou hast prepared before the begining of the world but in time to thy gratious goodnesse thought best make known to me by giuing thy holy spirit into my hearte whereby when I first Lorde beleeued thy holy worde which is thine owne power to saue al that beleeue I was sealed confirmed stablished in the certaintie of that thine euerlasting kingdom and inheritaunce For the which inestimable benesite of the rich grace Oh Lorde my God I beseech the euen for the loue thou barest to Christ Iesus thy son and thy mercie thou haddest on him when he cried on the crosse My God my God why hast thou forsaken mee Helpe help I say inflame my hart with loue so plentifully towardes thee againe that I may be euen swallowed vp in the ioyful feeling of the same in such sort that I may of very thankefulnesse loue thee my God alone thee I say my deare God and nothing but thee and for thy sake O holy spirite whose worke this is in mee increase this the work of thiue infinite mercie preserue mee that I neuer become vnthankefull vnto thee therefore Amen A praier for the sicke O Most merciful God which according to the multiude of thy mercies doest so put away the sinnes of those which truly repeÌ„t that thou rememberst them no more open thy
destruction For thy hand is not shortned that thou canst not helpe neither is thy goodnesse abated that thou wilt not heare Thou hast promised O Lord that afore wee crye thou wilt heare vs whilest wee yet speake thou wilt haue mercie vpon vs. For none that trust in thee shal be confounded neither any that call vppon thee shall be despised For thou art the onely Lord who woundest and dost heale againe who killest and reuiuest bringest euen to hel and bringest backe againe Our fathers hoped in thee trusted in thee and thou diddest 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 O remember not the sinnes and offences of my youth but according to thy mercie think thou vpon vs O Lord for thy goodnesse Haue mercie vpon vs O Lord for we are weake O Lord heale vs for our bodies are vexed And nowe in the vexation of our spirites and the augnish of our souls we remember thee and we crie vnto thee heare Lord and haue mercie For thine owne sake and for thy holie names sake incline thine care heare O merciful Lord. For wee doe not powre out our praiers before thee trusting in our owne righteousnesse but in thy great and manifolde mercies Wash vs thoughly from our wickednesse and clense vs from our sins Turne thy face from our sins and put out all our misdeeds Make vs cleane heartes O God and renue aright spirite within vs. Helpe vs O God of our saluation for the glorie of thy name O deliuer vs and be mercifull to our sinnes for thy names sake So wee that bee thy people sheep of thy pasture shal giue thee thankes for euer and will alwaies be shewing foorth thy praise from generation to generation Glorie be to the father c. As it was in the beginning c. A psalme of thankesgiuing for deliuerance from the plague or any other kinde of sicknes trouble or affliction LOrde thou art become gracious to thy lande thou hast turned away the afflictions of thy seruants Thou hast taken away all thy displeasure and turned thy selfe from thy wrathfull indignation For if thou Lorde hadst not helped vs it had not failed but our soules had been put to silence But when wee said our feet haue slipped thy mercy O Lorde helped vs vp In the multitude of the sorrowes that wee had in our hearts thy comforts haue refreshed our soules Our soules waited still vpon the Lorde our soules hanged vppon his helpe our hope was alwaies in him In the Lordes word will wee reioyce in Gods worde did wee comfort onr selues For the Lord said Call vpon mee in the time of trouble I wil heare thee and thou shalt praise mee So when wee were poore needie sickly in heauines the Lord cared for vs hee was our helper â—nd our deliuerer according to his word In our aduersitie and desiresse he hath lifted vp our head and sauâ—â— vs from vtter destruction He hath deliuered our soules froâ— death hee hath fed vs in the time 〈◊〉 dearth hee hath saued vs from thâ— noysome pestilence Therefore wil wee offer in his holy temple the oblation of thankesgiuing with great gladnes wee wâ—â—sing and speake praises vnto the lorâ— our Sauiour Wee will giue thankes vnto thâ— Lord for he is gratious and his meâ—â—cie endureth for euer The Lord is ful of compassion anâ— mercie long suffering plenteous iâ— goodnesse and pitie His mercie is greater than the hâ—â—uens and his gracious goodnes reaâ—cheth vnto the cloudes Like as a father pitieth his owâ— children euen so is the Lord merciful vnto them that feare him Therefore will we praise thee and thy mercies O God vnto thee will wee sing O thou holy one of Israel We will sing a new song vnto thee O God wee will praise the Lorde with psalmes and thankesgiuing 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 wee will praise thy name for euer and euer Euery daye wil wee giue thankes vnto thee and praise thy name for euer and euer Our moutn shall speake the praises of the Lord let all flesh giue thanks to hs holy name for euer and euer Blessed bee the Lorde God of Israell for euer and blessed be the name of his maiesty worlde without end Amen Glorie be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. Prayers to be said before meales and after ALL things depend vpon thy prouidence O Lord to receiue at thy hands due sustenance in time conuenient Thou giuest to them and they gather it thor openest thy hand and they are sanctified with all good things O heauenly father which art the fountaine and full treasure of all goodnesse Wee beseech thee to shewe thy mercie vpon vs thy children and sanctifie these thy giftes which we receiue of thy merciful liberalitie granting vs grace to vse them soberly and purely according to thy blessed will so that thereby we may acknowledge thee to be the author and giuer of all good thinges and aboue all that we may remember continually to seeke the spiritual foode of the world wherwith our soules may be norished euerlastingly through our Sauiour Christ who is the true breade of life which came downe from heauen of whom whosoener eateth shal liue for euer and raigne with him in glorie world withour end So be it Another prayer before meales VVHether ye eat or drinke saith S. Paule or whatsoeuer ye do else let all be done to the praise glorie of God Eternall and euerlasting God fathere of our Lord Iesus Christ who of thy most singular loue which thou barest to mankinde hast appointed to his sustenance not only the fruits of the earth but also the fouls of the aire the beastes of the field and fishes of the sea and hast commaunded thy benâ— fites to be receiued as from thy handes with thankesgiuing assuring thy children by the mouth of thine Apostle that to the cleane al things are cleane as the creatures which be sanctified by the worde and prayer grant vnto vs so moderatly to vse these thy giftes present that our bodies being refreshed our soules may be more able to proceede in all good works to the praise of the holy name through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Our father which art in heauen c. Another O Eternall God the very God of peace and al consolation which broughtest againe from death our Lorke Iesus the greate shepheard of the sheep through the bloud of the euerlasting couenante make vs fruitful in all good works to do thy wil and
worke in vs that which is acceptable in thy sight SanctifiE vs thoroughout and keepe our whole spirit soule and bodie faultlesse vnto the comming of thy dear sonne our Lord Iesus Christ Thou art faithful O Father who hast promised this who also shall bring it to passe to thee therfore be giuen euerlasting praise honour and glorie Amen A thankesgiuing after meales LEt al nations magnifie the Lord let all people reioyce in praysing and extolling his greate mercies For his fatherly kindnesse is plentifully shewing foorth vpon vs and the truth of his promise endureth for euer Wee render thankes vnto thee O Lord God for thy manifold benefits which we continually receiue at thy bountifull hand not onely for that it hath pleased thee to feede vs in this present life giuing vnto vs al things necessarie for the same but especially because thou hast of thy free mercie fashioned vs anewe into an assured hope of a farre better life the which thou hast declared vnto vs by thy holie Gospel Therefore we humbly beseech thee Oh heauenly father that thou wilt not suffer our affections to bee so intangled and roâ—ted in these earthly corruptible things but that we may alwayes haue our mindes directed to thee oâ— high continually watching for the coÌ„mming of our lord Isesus Christ what time he shal appeare for our full redemption To whom with thee and the holy Ghost bee all honor and glorie for euer and euer So bee it Another thankesgiuing after meales GLorie praise and honour be vnto thee most mercifull and omnipotent Father who hastfed and daylie doest feede of thy most bountifull goodnesse al liuing creatures we beseech thee that as thou hast nourished these our mortal bodies with corporall food so thou wouldest replenish our souls with the perfect knowledg of the liuely word of thy beloued son Iesus Christ to whom with thee the holy Ghost be praise glorie and honour for euer So be it Another MOst bountifull and gratious God which feedest all flesh and hast promised that asking of thee we shall not lacke if wee first seeke thy kingdome the righteousnes thereof we feeling presently the benefit of this thy gratious promise in feeding our bodies with this corporal foode do rendervnto thee most harty thanks for the same beseeching thee likewise to feed our soules with that heauenlie foode which perisheth not but abideth vnto euerlasting life so that we being norished by thy goodnesse both in bodie soule may be apt readie to do al good workes which thou hast prepared for vs to walke in through Iesus Christ our Lord. Vnto him that loueth vs and washed vs from our sinnes in his bloud and made vs Kings and Priestes vnto God his father be all glory power and dominion for euermore Amen Another THe God of glorie who hath created redeemed and presently fed vs be blessed for euermore Amen The God of all power who hath called from death the greate pastor of the sheepe our Lord Iesus comfort defend the flock which he hath redeemed by the bloud of the eternall Testament increase the number of true preachers represse the rage of obstinate tyrants lighten the harts of the ignorant releeue the pains of such as be afflicted but specially of those that suffer for the testimonie of thy truth and finally confound Sathan by the power of our Lord Iesus Christe So be it Prayers commonly called Lydleys prayers with certayne godly additions Before thou prayest forgiue if thou hast any thing against any man and come not to GOD with a double heart but lift vp pure handes without wrath or doubting 1. Tim. 2. AL mightie and most mercifull Father I thy poore creature work of thy hands acknowledge confes vnto thee my manifolde sinnes and â—ffences which I froÌ„ my youth vp vnto this day haue committed against thee in thoughte word deede beseeching thee for Iesus Christ thy deere sonnes sake to haue mercie vpon mee and to pardon the same according to thy greate mercie which hast promised that At what time soeuer a sinner doth repent him of his sinne from the bottome of his heart thou wilt put his wickednesse out of thy remembrance O Lord I confesse that I was borne in sinne and conceiued in wickednesse and am by nature a childe 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 to doe that thou in thy lawe requirest of mee saying Cursed is he that continueth not in all thinges that are written in the lawe to doe them Againe thy lawe is spirituall but I am carnall sould vnder sinne Therefore O LORD I come vnto thee for grace which hast said Aske ye shal haue seeke ye shall find knock it shal be opened vnto you to preuent draw my will vnto all goodnesse for none can come vnto thee except he be drawn except we be borne from aboue we cannot see the kingdom of God Therefore O Lord renew in mee a right spirit that I may receiue strength and ablenes to doe thy righteous will Grant that I may euer desire and will that which is most pleasing and acceptable to doe thy will Thy will be my will and my will be alwayes to follow thy will Let there be euer in mee one will one desire with thee and let me neuer desire to will or not to will but as thou wilt Graunt mee that aboue all things I may rest in thee and fully quiet pacifie my heart in thee for thou Lord art the true peace of the heart and the perfect rest of the soule Thou knowest Lord what is most profitable expedient for me where fore doe with mee in al things as it shall seeme best vnto thee For it may not be but well that thou dost which doest most iustly and blessedly dispose al things after thy most godly wisedome Therefore whether it be by prosperitie or aduersitie losse or gain sicknesse or health life or death thy will be done Cast out of my heart al vnprofitable cares of worldly thinges and suffer me not to be lead with the vnstable desires of earthly vanities but giue me grace that all worldlye and carnal affections may bee mortified die in mee Graunt vnto mee the strength of thy holie spirite to subdue this body of sinne with the whole lustes thereof that it may be obedient both in wil minde and members to do thy holy wil Assist me with thy grace O Lord that I may be strenthened in the inwarde man and bee armed with thy holy armor which is the breast-plate of righteousnesse the shielde of faith the hope of saluation for an helmet and the sworde of the spirit which is thy holy word that I may stand perfect in all that is thy will be found worthy through Christ to receiue the crowne of life which thou hast promised to all them that loue thee Giue me grace that I may esteeme
to bring foorth the fruites of the spirâ—te We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to bring in to the waie of trueth all such as haue erred and are deceiued We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to strengthen such as do stand and to comfort and helpe the weake hearted and to raise vp them that fall and finally to beate downe sathan vnder our feete We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to succour helpe and comfort al that he in daunger necessitie and tribulation We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to preserue all that trauell by lande or by water all women laboring of childe all sicke persons and yong children to shewe thy pittie vpon al prisoners and captiues We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to defende and prouide for the fatherles children and widowes and al that be desolate and oppressed We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to haue mercie vpon all men We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to forgiue our enimies persecutors and slaunderers and to turne their hearts We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to giue and preserue to out vse the kindly fruits of the earth so as in due time we may enioy them We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to giue vs true repentance to forgiue vs all our sinnes negligences and ignorances and to indue vs with thy holy spirit to amend our liues according to thy holy word We beseech thee to heare vs c. Sonne of God we beseech thee to heare vs. Sonne of God we beseech thee c. O lambe of God that takest away the sinnes of the world Graunt vs thy peace O lambe of God that takest away the sinnes of the world Haue mercie vpon vs. O Christ heare vs. O Christ heare vs. Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Christ haue mercie vpon vs Christ haue mercie vpon vs. Lord haue mercy vpon vs. Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Our father which art in heauen c. And lead vs not into temptation But deliuer vs from euil Amen The versicle O Lord deale not with vs after our sinnes The answere Neither reward vs after our iniquities Let vs pray O God mercifull father which despisest not the sighing of a contrite heart nor the desires of such as be sorrowfull mercifully assist our praiers that we make before thee in all our troubles aduersities whensoeuer they oppresse vs gratiously heare vs that those euils which the craft and subtiltie of the diuell or man worketh against vs bee brought to nought and by the prouidence of thy goodnesse they may be dispersed that me thy seruantes being hurt by no persecution â—aie euermore giue thankes vnto thee in thy holy Church through Iesus Christ our Lord. O Lord arise helpe vs and deliuer vs for thy names sake O God we haue heard with our eares and our fathers haue declared vnto vs the noble workes that thou diddest in their daies and in the olde time before them Lord arise helpe vs and deliuer vs for thine honour Glorie 〈◊〉 to the father and to the Sonne and to the holy ghost As it was in the beginning is now euer shall be worlde without end Amen From our enimies defend vs O Christ Gratiously looke vpon our afflictions Pitifully behoulde the sorrowes of our hearts Mercifully forgiue the sinnes of thy people Fauorably with mercy heare our prayers O Sonne of Dauid haue mercie vpon vs. Both nowe and euer vouchsafe to heare vs O Christ Graciously heare vs O Christ graciously he are vs O Lord Christ O Lorde let thy mercy be shewed vpon vs. As we doe put our trust in thee Let vs pray VVE humblie beseech thee O Father mercifully to looke vpon our infirmities and for the glorie of thy names sake turne from vs all those euils that we most righteously haue deserued and graunt that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercie euermore serue thee in holinesse and purenesse of liuing to thy honor and glorie through our onely mediatour aduocate Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A prayer for the Queenes Maiestie O Lord our heauenly father high and mighty king of kings Lord of Lords the onely ruler of princes which doest from thy throne beholde all the dwellers vpon the earth most hartily we beseech thee with thy faâ—our to behold our most gratious soueraine Ladie Queene Elizabeth so replenish her with thy grace of thy holy spirit that she may al waies incline to thy wil walk in thy waies endue her plentifully with heauenly gifts grant her in health welth loÌ„g to liue strengthen her that she may vâ—â—quish ouercome al her enemies finally after this life shee may attaine euerlasting ioy and felicitie through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A prayer for Bishops and Ministers of the Church ALmightie and euerliuing God which onely workest great marueiles send down vpon our Bishops and Pastours and al congregations committed to their charge the health full spirit of thy grace and that they may truely please thee powre vpon them the continual dewe of thy blessing Graunt this O Lorde for the honor 〈◊〉 aduocate and mediatour Iesus Christ For Raine O GOD heauenlie Father which by thy son Iesus Christ hast promised to all them that seeke thy kingdome and thy righteousnes thereof al things necessarie to their bodily sustenance send vs wee beeseech thee in this one 〈…〉 moderate rained showers that wee may receiue the fruits of the earth to our comfort and to thy honor thorough Iesus Christ 〈◊〉 Lorde Amen For â—aire weather O Lorde God which for the 〈◊〉 of man drodest once drowne all the worlde except eight persons afterwarde of thy great mercie diddest promise neuer to 〈◊〉 it so againe we humblâ—e 〈◊〉 if that although we for our 〈…〉 haue worthyly deserued this plague of raine and waters yet thou wilt send vs such weather whereby 〈◊〉 may receiue the fruits of the earth in due season and learne both by thy punishment to amend outlines and for thy clemencie to giue thee praise glorie through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen In the time of dearth and famine O Merciful God and heauenly father whose gift it is that y e raine dothfal the earth is fruitfull man and beastes increase and fishes doe multiply beholde we beseech thee the afflictions of thy people and graunt that the scarcitie dearth which we doe now most iustly suffer for our iniquitie may through thy goodnes bee mercifully turned into cheapnes and plenty for the loue of Iesus Christ our Lorde to whome with thee and the holy Ghost be praise for euer Amen In the time of warre ALmightie God king of al kings and