and waking Keepe vs O Lord this night present euen vs and ours that we bee neither disquieted by dreames nor surprised by any sudden violence nor affrighted by any terrour but graunt vs this fredome libertie that wee may lye downe in peace and rest and rise vp againe in due time safely to the honour and glory of thy name and the managing of our worldly businesse in thy feare through Iesus Christ our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer for Faith O Lord our God thou hast reâ—eaâ—ed in thy word that the iust should liue by Faith and that without â—aith it is impossible to please thee and although aâ—… not faith yet as many as are ordained to eternall life by thy power and gift doe truely beleeue O Lord I doe beleeue encrease my faith and helpe my vnbeliefe and grant that through hearing reading of thy Word I may grow stronge in this grace and encrease from faith to faith And open my heart O Lord as thou didst Lydias that I may beleeue the Word to be thy Word and thy promises therein contained to be giuen not vnto others but vnto me And that when thy word saith Beleeue and yee shall be saued my heart may presently answer thee Command or say what thou wilt I beleeue Lord not historically but sincerely from the bottome of my heart Lord helpe my vnbeâ—eefe And O heauenly Father grant for thy Sonne my Saviours sake that when stormes of temptations shall fall vpon me as on Peter on the water yet beyond his example hauing thy Word to support me I may beleeue in thee and though with the eyes of my flesh I see no hope but that my faith may frustrate mee yet like Peter I may not sinke but seeke for further helpe from thee and being assured that euery word of promise is most certaine let me still aboue hope and beyond hope beleeue in thee yea and though with holy Iob thou kill my body yet will I trust in thee for I know thou wilt saue my spirit and vnite them againe in the day of the Lord. Sweet Sauiour whensoeuer I shall bee stung with the remembrance of my present or passed sinnes graunt I may like the faithfull â—sraelites in the wildernesse looke vnto the pillar of thy Crosse on which thou suffâ—redst death for my sinnes and through the vertue thereof apprehended by faith like the diseased Woman in her bloudy issue and perishing griefe with one glance and touch of sincere and iustifying Faith be suppled comforted and cured of my troubled spirit and wounded conscience O heauenly Father grant that the oyle of Faith in mee may neuer thorow temptation bee weakened much lesse vtterly decayed but as the oyle in the widowes Cruse through thy blessing bee more and more encreased this graunt for the honour of Iesus Christ my Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer for the Remission of sinnes O Lord God in greatnesse infinite in power omnipotent in Counsell wonderfull and in Iudgement tâ—rrible Although 〈◊〉 miserable sinner haue by thy iustice truely deserued everlasting damnation for my horrible sinnes yet I beseâ—ch thee cast mee not away with thâ—m that haue not knowne thee or such as forget God or such as runne on in their wickednesse and neuer say what haue I done for I appeale from thy rightfull iustice to thine vnspeakable mercy and humbly cast downe my selfe at thy feete and confesse my sins beseâ—ching and begging compassion and pardon behold O Lord I am a piece of that purchase that cost so great a price as the bloud of thy deare Sonne my body and soule are the Temples of the holy Ghost the postes whereof are sprinkled with his most precious bloud which cryeth for mercy And therfore enter not into the course of iudgement with me for there I know I shall bee ouerthrowne but forbeare mee forgiue mee and acquit me vpon that satisfaction which he hath made for penitent sinners O Lord though the stipend of my sinne be death and the merit of my transgression eternal perdition yet is thy mercy aboue all thy iudgements and thou canst forgiue more then I can offend Wherefore I pray thee set thy deare Sonnes Crosse and Passion betwixt thy iudgements and my soule Looke vpon me with the eye of mercy and compassion as thou didst vpon the sinnefull Woman at the banquet and the Publican in the Temple whole pardons are registred in thy Booke for my Comfort O Lord bow downe the height of the Deitie to behold my vilenesse and misery a liuely image of the prodigall Sonne who knew no other helpe but onely thee my most loving Father whom I haue so highly offended powre the oyle of mercy into my defiled and fainting heart search it that I may not flatter my selfe to extenuate my sinne cleanse it and season it with the oyle of thy grace to receive and retaine all goodnesse heereafter Lord I thanke thee for thy patience and long suffering that thou hast not suddenly after my desert taken vengeance on mee but giuen mee a longer time of repentance wherfore I beseech thee appease thine anger towards mee now loose in me the workes of darkenesse create in me a newe heart and because thou expectest my amendement that I may haue thy fauour I beseech thee graunt mee thy fauour that I may amend giue me grace to repâ—nt vnfainedly with fasting weeping and mourning and make my faith liuely to beleeue that I am forgiuen in Iesus Christ. Let not the faults of my Forefathers light vpon my head who haue walked in their sinnefull steps neither be angry with mee for their sakes but let the wel-doing of Iesus Christ who hath shed his bloud for me succour me and procure my pardon for giue all my sinnes of youth and age negligences and ignorances thoughts words and deedes and keepe mee from presumptuous sinnes O Lord looke not vpon the Pharisie for he dissembleth nor vpon the Publican first for hee sayeth little for himselfe in outward shew nor vpon Mary Magdalen onely for she had but seuen deuills but looke vpon me that of sinners am chiefe worse then either Pharisie Publicane or Marie who haue as many sinnes as haires vpon my head and a greater clogge vpon my Conscience then any burthen that man hath to beare and doe therefore openly earnestly vnfainedly and continually call vpon thee O Lord keepe vnder Satan that hee compell not my conscience to dispaire quench all the euill motions of my minde striuing against thy diuine pleasure and restore in me the Image of thy Sonne that I may liue in thy feare dye in thy fauour rest in thy peace rise in thy power and remaine in thy glory for Iesus Christ his sake our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen In this Meditation the distressed humbly confesseth his sinnes and the vanities of his former times lewdly mispent and resolueth and exhorteth all others to returne vnto God with speedy true and vnfained repentance AN heart that 's broken and contrite to God
Lord if thou â—ast said Shall not my soule be â—uenged on such a one as this remember thy promise elsewhere I will haue mercy on him that could finde no mercy and let it light vpon me if Sathan prefume that GOD hath forsaken him thinke vpon the decree for the seede of the woman and let the power of thy sonnes passion defeat all the deuises of the deuill against me O Lord heare me speedily if thou doe not I shall be helplesse and hopelesse for my conscience accuseth mee my memory giues euidence against me and my reason condemneth me My spirit is weary of this bondage and I haue bid my life farewell My conscience is clogged when I behold the bloudy wounds of my soule the voyce of ioy and mirth 〈◊〉 gone from me I am deepely pluâ—ged in discomfort I haue neitheâ— worth to appease thy wrath no patience to endure thine indignaâ—tion I pray thee therefore senâ— the comfort of thy holy Spirit iâ— to my heart and strengthen my faith that I be not swallowed vp with ouer much heauinesse O Lord let thy maiestie appeare in thy mercy forgiue my sinnes the vnhappy ground of all this woe and I am recouered of all mine infirmities Try not the law with me lest I come to Iudgement sanctifie all those good meanes vnto me wherein I seeke reliefe as prayer reading and hearing of thy holy Word moderate and mittigate my vexation encrease faith establish hope graunt patience and keepe me from dispaire Take away this Cup from mee if it be thy will if not suffer me not to be tempted aboue my strength I haue an humbled and contriâ—e heart O Lord looke vpon me I goe mourning all the day long am like to him that is at the point â—o dye O Lord comfort me thou â—hat wilt not breake a bruised â—eed spare me thou that delighâ—est not in the death of a sinner reuiue mee though my heart condemne me yet good Lord acquite mee relieue mee release mee say vnto my soule I am thy saluation Hearken Lord vnto my Prayer and graunt my requests for Iesus Christs sake Amen The distressed prayeth to be sanctified and to enioy the renued graces of regeneration O Lord me throughly sanctifie vntye my tongue open my lips I cannot silence keepe for why my conscience euery houre me whips My miseries growe more and more within my bones I finde no rest Thy grace a-new to me restore and let me speake what likes thee best Let thine eares euer be enclinde to my extreame and dolefull cries Let me thy mercies ready finde to take my teares from weeping eyes Thou euermore do'st heare the cries of all that feare thy holy name And comâ—ortst them with thy mercies that trust in thee and begge the same Their soules thou doest from death defend and cheeres their heart in time of neede To me therefore thy comforts send and giue thy helpe with louing speede Thy seruants cannot hold their tongue though oft they muse and cannot see Why thâ—iâ— afflictions last so long and they for mercy â—rie to thee Till at the length the fire of zeale doth kindle then it out must breake Tongue cannot hold but must reueale their groanes griâ—fes needs must speake To shew their hope which like to fire none can suppresse when they beleeue T will pearce the cloudes to thee aspire yet thou doest seeme no helpe to giue At last thy goodnesse doth appeare and thou embracest him with â—…y Time of delâ—uerance draweth neere and thou Lord freedst him from annoy Good God how commeth this to passe that I so long haue sought to thee And thou still seem'st to hide thy face and keep'st thy graces still from mee How long haue I vnto thee pray'd and thou seem'st not to giue me eare This makes mine heart and thoughts afraid ready to faint with deepe despaire I ready was for to surcease the suite which I so long had sought Made vnto thee for to appease thy wrath by Christ that hath me bought O Lord my God thy promises and louing kindnesse onely feede And comfort me in heauinesse with neuer dying hope in neede I know expected time will come when thou for getting all my sinne Wâ—lt see my sorrowes all and some and free the bondage I am in A Prayer in affliction or aduersity MOst mercifull Redeemer which art alwayes full of compassion thou art alwayes our preseruer whether thou sendest vs aduersity or prosperity for great is thy mercy and compassion in that thou healest the inward man by outward afflictions as it were by bitter medicines and preparest vs to euerlasting ioyes by temporall troubles And forasmuch as thou thy selfe hast traced vs out this true way to felicity by thine owne footesteps graunt that I may patiently and obediently drink this cup which thou reachest vnto me Grieuous indeede are these things vnto my nature but yet thou hast suffered grienouser things for mee and I haue deserued farre grieuouser things then these for I haue deserued hell fire Notwithstanding â—hou knowest the frailtie of mans estate and therefore like the mercifull Samaritane thou powrest wine into our wounds which maketh our vices to smart but yet thou alayest it with the oyle of thy comfort If thou think meet to encrease our griefes encrease thou also the gift of patience and graunt that these afflictions may turne vs to the amendment of our sinfull deedes or if thy fatherly louing kindnesse thinke this thy gentle chastisement to be sufficient let this stormeâ—pâ—sse that although heauinesse endure for a night a moment ioy may come in the morning graunt vnto vs in both respects a reuerent thankfulnesse as well for amending and reforming thy vnprofitable sâ—ruant by gentlenesse as also for that thou hast remooued the cup of affliction or allayed the bitternesse of it by the sweetnesse of thy mercie To thee therefore bee thankes and praise for euer Amen Amen Meditations vpon the passion of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ. VVHat man is this whom I behold all bloudie bowing down his head for weaknesse towards his shoulders his body all tormented with sâ—ourges stripes grieous wounds crowned with a Garland of thornes pricking and piercing to the braine and thus fastned to an ignominious Crosse What heauie or haynous crime hath hee done to deserue this intollerable and vnspeakeable torment What Iudge could bee so cruell to sentence him to it or what remorcelesse or mercilesse Executioners could be found to deale so outragiously with this tender and peerelesse body Notwithstanding the deformity of these bloudie wounds yet is this matchlesse body fairer then the Sonnes of men Surely it is Iesus Christ the Sonne of the liuing God Oh hee is my Lord and Sauiour Iesus that is thus crucified for my sin and for my sake Oh art thou he that excellest all men in beauty 〈◊〉 in whose lippes was neuer fouâ—… guile and from whom proceeded such gracious words as neuer man spake where then is that beauty of thine where is that
my carelesse and negligent receiuing by the suddaine hand of sicknesse be struck vnto death but as the faithfull Iewes in their constant and conscionable celebration of their feast of Passeouer by them kept a perpetuall remembrance of their Egyptian deliuerrnce from Pharaohs bondage were exceedingly edified confirmed in the promises of thy loue that thou wouldest be their God and they should be thy people which they sawe fulfilled in their Fathers and still continued vnto themselues through the hope of the Messiah by whom they expected their greatest safety and deliuerance Graunt vnto mee O heauenly Father that as the Minister of thy Word and Sacraments setteth a part the Bread and Wine so I may remember the eternall loue by which in the beginning thou diddest set a part thy Sonne through faith in him to be my saluation promising that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life And as I see the Wine powred out and the Bread broken so I may remember thy patient enduring the breaking of thy body and shedding of thy blood whereby thou hast payed the price and satisfied the punishment that was due vnto me and as the Bread Wine doe presently comfort and refresh my body so most sweet Sauiour let me feele my soule so comforted and edified this day and so often as I shall thinke of thee and thy mercies hereby promised and assured yea graunt that being made one with thee by spirituall vnion I may liue in thee and thou in me in the encrease of a godly life to the honour of thee my Sauiour To whom with the Father and the holy Ghost be giuen by me and all thine both present and eternall praise Amen Amen Another godly Meditation before the receiuing of the holy Communion O Almighty God and mercifull Father I am a secret sinner and my heart is a bottomlesse pit of all corruptions wilfully and foolishly ignorantly and obstinately haue I sinned against thee vnto whose eye all the secrets of my soule lye open but now I come vnto thee as the sick man vnto the Physitian as an vncleane man vnto the Well of mercy and grace offered in the pretious blood-shedding of Iesus Christ and represented to my soule in this blessed Sacrament Haue mercy vpon mee O Lord haue mercy vpon mee and forgiue mee all the euills that I am guilty of Giue mee grace that I may discerne the Lords body and so receiue it in this Sacrament with such chastity of body humblenesse of minde thankfulnesse of soule hearty contrition dread and reuerence as is meete for such a mysterie O Lord Iesus it is truly said of thee that thou didst receiue sinners and eate with them and I verily beleeue that thou art the same still full of goodnesse and mercy wherefore I beseech thee leaue me not to my selfe reiect me not from thy Table come into my heart and purge me from all filthinesse of the flesh and of the spirit Enter into my soule seale and sanctifie me both within and without Inflame me with loue and charity towards all men to forgiue and forget to doe good to pray for them that I may follow the steps of my blessed Sauiour Open the eyes of my vnderstanding and helpe mee to examine my selfe concerning my knowledge faith and repentance Send mee the hunger and thirst after this righteousnesse satisfie me with this heauenly foode make mee verily partaker of all the benefits of his Passion Oh deare Lord Iesus since thou hast suffered so many things for my sake and hast commanded mee not to dispaire nor distrust thy goodnesse graunt me grace to eate of this bread and to drinke of this Cup worthily that I may continually remaine in thy grace and fauour O Lord God the Father giue mee the full consolation of this mysterie and commemoration that my faith may be encreased my hope confirmed my charity enflamed my weake conscience comforted all dangers repelled and my soule assured of her saluation in the blood of Christ let no profanenesse enter into my heart so long as I am about this holy action but giue mee grace to receiue with purity of heart and cleanenesse of soule with loue dread and stedfast faith haue mercy vpon me good Lord that by vnworthy receiuing I be not guilty of his pretious body and blood who came downe from heauen liued with men and swamme through a red sea of blood in his agony and passion to bee my Redeemer Haue mercy vpon the whole Church and to this purpose haue mercy vpon this place and this companie that they may serue and please thee in this holy seruice and all other actions of their life O Lord be not angry with mee a barren and dry tree a creature with a face of brasse and heart of flint I haue not so many teares as are sufficient to wash thy feete with Mary Magdalen but thou hast shed as much of thine owne blood as surficeth to wash away all the sinnes of mee and all the world then be not angry with mee O Lord but let thy grace supply my wants let thy mercy pardon my sinnes let thy holy spirit prepare my soule thy merits enrich my pouerty and thy most pretious blood wash away all the spots of my life that I may worthily receiue this heauenly Sacrament so that I may bee strengthened thereby throughly filled with the heauenly foode of thy body and blood for the mortification of the old man the confirmation of my faith and the finall saluation of my soule O Lord heare my prayers graunt my requests I beseech thee Amen Godly Meditations vpon the loue and mercy of God in bestowing together with his Sonne these holy Mysteries vpon vs the commemoration whereof may moue vs to an awefull reuerence in the participation of the same O Father of mercy and God of all consolation seeing all creatures doe confesse thee to bee their Gouernour and Lord it becommeth vs the workmanship of thine owne hands to reuerence and magnifie thy godly Maiestie First for that thou hast created vs to thine owne image and similitude but chiefely because thou â—ast deliuered vs from that euerlasting death and damnation into which Sathan drew mankinde by the meanes of sinne from the â—ondage whereof neither man nor Angell was able to make vs free But thou O Lord rich in mercy and infinite in goodnesse hast prouided our redemption to stand in thine onely and welbeleued Sonne whom of very loue thou didst giue to bee made man perfect in all things freely exempted and excepted from sinne that in his body he 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 bring againe life vnto the world from which the whole off-spring of Adam was most iustly exiled O Lord we acknowledge that no creature was able to comprehend the length and breadth the deepenesse and height of that
euen in the lowest degree and breed in me a perfecâ—… hatred of them not in respect of punishment temporall or eternall but in filiall feare and godly affection grant for thy Christ his sake that I may hate and detest them and my selfe in them and for them And to this end Lord open mine eyes that in the hearing and reading of thy word as the linely and most effectuall meanes I may obtaine the assurance of thy loue and fauour and let it be that to mee which it is in it selfe thy strong power and mighty arme to my saluation Let it be vnto mee the sweete sauour of life vnto life and not at any time through my vnworthinesse the sauour of death vnto death Good Lord hereby create in me a cleane heart and renew a right Spirit within mee that I may delight in thy word aboue gold aboue much fine gold yea aboue thousands of gold and siluer let thy word bee a continuall light vnto my patheâ— and a daily lanterne vnto my feet ôlet me not stand at a stay in grace nor in any measure of gift of grace much less decline or goe backe in any grace or gift of grace but grant that I may in the vse of all holy meanes goe on in grace till I come vnto a perfect man in Christ â—esus Lord keepe me this day that I may not like Lots wife looke back again or like the vnthankful Israelites esteeme the homely fare of Egypt of this world of things of this life aboue the heauenly Manna thy word the only true food of life But like Abraham the rich Marchant leaue sell all that this world can affoord to attaine the Kingdome of heauen vnto which thou hast called mee by faith in Christ at this day and for euer Hauing begd these graces I returne vnto thee humble thanks for all thy benefits that I haue receiued not onely before but since my being as for my election before time and for my vocation in time from whence haue followed my iustification and some measure of sanctification in this life and my assured hope of glorification in the life to come For these inestimable blessings which no minde can conceiue nor tongue expresse I returne vnto thee all such possible praise and hearty thankes as my vnderstanding can conceiue beseeching thee that I may this day all the dayes of my life walke worthy of all these thy mercies O Lord I thanke thee for these other inferiour testimonies of thy loue which thou hast made more common with the vniust then with the iust I thanke thee ô Father that thou hast shared mee out so great a portion euen beyond many of thy Saints seruants Lord grant that while thou continuest the trust of them in my hands for they are thy talents and not mine I may soberly vse them to thy glory and to mine owne comfort and the comfort of the Saints O Lord grant I may abound in charitie to all of all sorts that I shall behold to stand in neede of my helpe but especially to the houshold of Faith and grant that I may giue no reliefe in worldly ostentation or vaine glory to bee seene or talked of of men but in an vpright heart good conscience vnto thee And all this I beseech thee to grant for Iesus Christ his sake my onely Lord and Sauiour Last of all I beseech thee as a seeling member of thy holy Church militant howsoeuer or wheresoeuer dispersed scattered or afflicted for all thine that suffer any kinde of sorrow neede sicknesse or any other aduersitie in soule or body by sea or land but especially for all thine that suffer bonds chaines or imprisonments with Ioseph for righteousnesse sake mittigate all their paines and troubles and giue them Faith and patience in all their seueral distresses as may bee most for thine owne glory and their comforts through Christ our Mediator and Redeemer To thee ô Father Sonne and holy Ghost the eternall and most blessed Trinitie bee rendred all praise and glory not onely by all men in generall but by me in speciall with thy holy Church this day and for euermore Amen Amen A particular confession of a sorrowfull sinner MOst mighty and all-knowing Lord â—…true spring of consâ—…ion J doe confesse with heaâ—t and voyce thou art my preseruation I haue offended griâ—uously by my transgâ—…ssions donâ— against thee And haue drawne downe a weight on mee of thy great Iudgements willfully Vnder which burden cannot I but faint and fall in wofull sort Vnlesse thy hand and thy mercy through Iesus Christ doe me support Thou knowest good Father I am weake and cannot beare thy heauy Ire Not knowing what to doe or speake or how to escape my sinfull hire Vnlesse thou point 〈◊〉 oâ—t the way with thy wise Spirit me directing Vnto my foe I am made a pray were not thy power me protecting Not euery one that heares thy word can vnderstand thy wiâ—edome great Nor euery one that cries Lord Lord shall enter in at heauens gate Who is not led by better line then doth proâ—… from fleâ—â— and blood Erres from the trueth and doeth decline from right to wrong to ill from good Whose end is death though for a time seemes sweete to please the outward man That 's nothing else but durt and slyme or like a puffe in length a span As honour riches friends and health Preferment life and Worlds delight Esteeming these true happy wealth but the true blisse is out of sight They thinke that sicknes pouerty imprisonment and enemies fell And worldly crosses verely are gates and entrance into hell So foolish and so ignorant are those thou guid'st not in thy way Mong'st whom euen I through wisdomes want haue bin misled vntill this day But hauing found the truth by triall that earthly ioyes are transitory When they me tempt I make deniall and onely seeke the eternall glory Now I disclaime all confidence in honour health in wealth or feature In wit or worldly Sapience or yet in any earthly creature And Lord I here doe dedicate all thou hast giuen me to thine honour My selfe I wholly consecrate to march and fight vnder thy banner And now I bid these toyes adue that onely-please my flesh and sences Because they all are most vntrue and still doe cause so great offences Because their glorious bounty fades and leaues nought but deformities Because they are nought else but shades and bring forth grosse enormities Because they are most false and fickle because they are indeed hels fewell Because their rose hath many a prickle because their slauery is most cruell Because they are not firme and stable because they are profane not holy Because they are but as a fable because they are but sottish folly Because my soule they coll and kill because they giue me Iudas kisse Because my good they spot and spill and draw me from mine heauenly wish Because like swords they wound my soule because like Serpents they doe
steppes and pathes of thy iust lawes And of thy goodnesse daily talke with feare end loue and all applause To thee I wholly owe my selfe for thou hast Lord created mee And bought me not with worldly pâ—lfâ— but by thy Sonne hast made me free Whence I doe also learne to loue all men in thee and for thy sake Who beare thy Image from aboue and vnto thee themselues betake O let me thus thy fauours find and peace of conscience vnderstand Thy blessings and thy mercies kind protected still by thy right hand That fill'd my dayes I leaue this life to take a life eternally Where Angels sing continually all glory be to God on high Amen A Morning Prayer O Blessed Lord God great in power fearefull in iudgeâ—ent and rich in mercy which â—indest and no man looseth and â—ooâ—est no man bindeth I yeeld â—hee most humble and hearty â—hankes for that of thy fatherly goodnesse thou hast vouchsafed â—e this last nights sleepe in peace â—nd rest and againe loosing the â—onds wherewith I was tied hast â—iuen me power to see this morâ—ing light Now ô Lord I beâ—ech thee powre vpon mee this â—y the heauenly dew of thy comâ—rtable blessing that through the â—eration of thy gracious beames â—hat am a poore tree weake and â—rren in my selfe may bud forth â—d beare the fruits of true faith 〈◊〉 my life and conuâ—rsation Continue this goodnesse and mercy towards mee and by thy power raise me from the deepe sleepe of all vnrighteousnesse discharge me from the workes of darkenâ—sse and cloath me with the armour of light that I may walke honestly as in the day and liue soberly righteously and godly in this present world Grant me ô Lord true vnderstanding and knowledge of thy word which is the glasse of thy will Increase in me all godly deâ— sires together with true contriâ— tion of heart that I may vnfainedâ— ly despise the pleasures of thiâ— world with hearty repentanâ— be conuerted vnto thee send thâ— holy Angel to guide me and keep me in all my wayes and prospâ— the worke of my hands that I nâ— uer faile in my vocation to dâ— some good to all men and escheâ— if it be possible all euill O Lord I beseech thee pâ— serue and keepe my senses â—aâ— and souÌ„d that I be neither corrup ted by prosperity nor deiected by aduersitie nor be too fearefull of thy iudgements or too bould on thy mercies But grant me grace ô mercifull Lord that I may apprehend all that comes from thee with a religious heart and contented minde O blessed Lord Iesus Christ blessed bee thy name for our redemption great was thy loue sore was thy passion print in our mindes we beseech thee the continuall memory thereof that wee may love thee which so louedst vs and euermore praise thee that hast bought vs at so deare a price Reiect not our prayers which we offer to bee presented to thy Faâ—her but mercifully helpe vs and heale all our infirmities encrease our Faith and teach vs obedience forgiue vs our offences and hide vs in thy wounds from thy faâ—hers iust wrath make good thy â—romises vnto vs for the world to come and enable vs with thy grace for the performance of all thy Commandements prosper ô Lord the workes of our hands and bring vs safe to the end of this day for thy truth and for thy names sake Amen Amen An Euening Meditation I Lay me downe to sleepe in peace for thou Lord onely makest me dwell In safety with great quietnes and doest ill dreames from me expell My body to enormities is subiect without rest and sleepe Because of mine infirmities my life and health it cannot keepe Good Father all sufficient my louing God I yeeld thee praise For this dayes blessings to me sent and guiding me in all my wayes In that thou hast this day now past me strongly guarded with thy hands With loue refresht me first and last with mercies more then sea-shore sands That hast me brought to this dayes end blacke night and darkenes drawing neare Wherein all creatures rest attend and lay them downe till day appeare I finding my debility poore creature run to the diuine O strength mine imbecility and aide this soule and body mine Thou hast me made of matter grosse and brittle substance out of clay Which still is subiect to the crosse a tennis ball for worldlings play He wanting comfort cannot liue after much sorrow and great griefe Therefore I doe my body giue and soule to thee Lord grant reliefe O Lord I doe thee humbly pray as thou art fountaine of all rest Bee thou my succour helpe and stay let me by thee this night be blest Consider me in my weakenesse and let my carefull eyes behold My miseries and my distresse to cry for mercy make me bold And since 't is time that night now brings the bodies rest and quiet sleepe O shadow me vnder thy wings let thy protection safe me keepe Looke ouer me with watchfull eyes when this corrupted flesh of mine In slumbring sleepe and dulnesse lyes depriu'd of sense with closed eyne Vnable my poore selfe to saue from dangers of the darkesome night Keepe me my bed else is my graue and I shall neuer see the light Lord thou that onely mak'st me dwell and in sure safety to abide Thou watchest ouer Israel watch ouer me be by my side Thou art my Castle and my Fort my sword my buckler and defence My rocke my refuge and comfort saue me from force and violence Alas without thee what am I a beast that rightly nothing knowes A senseles blocke sillie flie that no good doe nor no good showes Thy louing fauour Lord extend ouer the house wherein I rest My bed with Angels Lord defend and soule and body by thee be blest Oh lay me downe in rest and peace in rest and peace ô let me rise In rest and peace ô giue some ease from torments troubles teares und cries Let not the sleights of sinne deceiue nor wicked practise ouertake me Let nothing me of hope bereaue oh doe not thou though all forsake me Lord I am poore oh make me rich with those great riches of thy blessing My soule my soule is blacke as pitch let pardon follow my confessing In hope of this I lay me downe depending on thy prouidence I care not if the world doe frowne for I am safe by thy defence Lord let it be for I am thine my rest make sweete and comfortable To thee I doe my selfe resigne Lord grant all this for thou art able An Euening Prayer for a priuate person O Most holy Father and my most gracious God which giuest vnto all men the cheerefull light of the day that in thine assistance they may follow their honest vocations and likewise sendest the silent nights that then they my rest their wearied limbs and busied mindes and so returne their due thankes for thy goodnesse I sinfull creature adore and praise thee for the totall
summe of all thy mercies whereof I haue beene this day partaker O Lord I am vile looke not vpon mine vnworthinesse folly and wickednesse but appease thy anger iustly conceiued against me and forgiue what hath beene amisse in me this day or at any other time euen for his sake who is thy well beloued Sonne and my deare Aduocate Roote vp ô Lord the thornes of mine euill inclination and affections and in their places make the fruits of vertue to spring inflame my heart with the desire of heauenly loue that I may loue obedience to thy Gommandements with zeale as hot as fire louing thee aboue all things and my neighbour as my selfe Giue me grace ô Lord to serue thee in true faith feare and holinesse all the dayes of my life and to ouercome my mortall enemies the desires of the world the pleasures of the flesh and the suggestious of the wicked Spirit remembring my promise made to thee in Baptisme for the performance whereof I depend onely vpon thy holy Spirit O God of glorious light let thine Angels pitch their tents round about this house for our defence now in the time of this darkenesse and grant that this nights sleepe may bee quiet vnto mee without griefe or trouble preserue me and mine both in body and soule from all dangers and offences which may come either by foolish dreames noysome spirits or vncleannesse of corrupt nature waken me againe ô Lord in due time and let me behold the light of the next day to my comfort prepare my heart and minde to thy seruice euery day in all trueth and sinceritie that when I haue runne the race of this life thou mayest please to call mee to be partaker of a better Comfort mee ô Lord in all those things wherein I haue beene any wayes dismayed this day take not thy holy spirit from me but continue the motions thereof in my heart that when as the tempter shalâ— come with his assaults I may bee furnished with the shield oâ— faith to quench his fiery darts Confirme my weakenesse and grant that this nights sleepe may be sweet and healthfull for my body and a profitable memoriall of that sleepe which at my last end in that great night shall make a separation betweene my body and soule Let alwayes thine vnspeakeable mercies preserue mee thy endlesse sweetnesse reioyce mee thy heauenly trueth strengthen mee thy knowledge embolden mee and thy goodnesse keepe me now and for euermore from mine enemies visible and inuisible that I may awake in the morning in perfect sense and good health and for the same bee thankefull vnto thee and carefully betake mee to my vocation and calling for Iesus Christs sake my onely Sauiour Amen Amen Another for the Euening MOst glorious and sacred Trinitie the most mighty God the Father the Sonne and the holy Spirit which art the authour and originall of all things both in heauen and in earth and that hast appointed vnto euery thing his end and way in this life The eyes of all things are towards thee to finish in their courses that obedience they owe vnto thee The Sunne the Moone the Starres in most constant order extend their light heate to the comforting not onely of fowles and beasts but specially to the direction of man how to know thee and walke in thy wayes as being the bookes and characters wherein wee may reade thy power wisedome and incomprehensible glory for their sound and language as a Harold is gone foorth to proclaime vnto the Nations both Pagan Christian that thou art the Lord God Almighty and most worthy to be praised as in the Morning so in the Euening also Therefore knowing the great dependancy that all things caelestiall and terrestriall haue on thee I doe humbly intreate thee to take mee into thy custody this night knowing that if a Sparrow cannot with safetie fall to the ground but by thee that without thee so great refreshing of sleepe cannot be attained vnlesse I begge it of thee many are the visions of the night as idle dreames and fancies that would interrupt my sleepe if thou Lord by thy gracious power and presence of thy good Spirit driue them not away And Sathan would like Abiâ—hai â—nto Saul in his sleepe with fearefull darts of despaire strike 〈◊〉 dead at once as Jacl did Siseâ—… vnto eternall death in soule 〈◊〉 body Therefore vnto thee the keeper of Israel that neither slumberest nor sleepest by night nor by day doe I come beseeching thee that laying my selfe to rest in thee I may in the acustomed time which thou hast appointed wake again but if thou pleasest that this night shall bee my last and that this mortall shall bee swallowed vppe in immortallity O Lord grant though I die in body yet I may awake in soule and liue with thee for euermore and that my body so sleeping yet againe may awake at the resurrection of the iust and with those that shall not sleepe bee caught vp with soule vnited by the same power by which thou ô Sauiour didst at once rise from death to life euen as that life which thou hadst with the father before the world was And as thou art one with him so grant that after my last sleepe I may be one with thee in the presence of the Father and the holy Ghost for euermore But ô Lord if thou please to raise me vp againe to spend more dayes in this vale of teares grant that I may liue honestly in the workes of my vocation which thou hast ordained me to liue in or liue by Grant that I may set thee before mine eyes day and night and behold thee alwayes in my presence that when I am tempted to any eueill in the work of my calling or any other wayes I may not bee tickled with the profit or pleasures therein obiected and so prouoked to sinne against thee Keepe my tongue from lying lest thereby I become the child of Sathan for hee is a lyer and the Father of lyes from the beginning keepe my tongue from swearing and that I may not take thy name in vaine empty my heart of couetousnesse of pride of vaine-glory and let mee not respect worldly vanitie let me not be selfe-conceited but ô Lord giue mee to bee of humble gentle harmelesse and courteous disposition and behauiour both in my words and deeds to my superiours and inferiours O Lord giue me to be of a charitable nature and of a pittifull affection toward all men in generall but especially towards all those that are of the houshold of Faith of broken and contrite hearts which thou Lord hast promised that thou wilt not despise Grant ô heauenly Father that Christ both sleeping and waking in this life and after this life may be to me aduantage O let me not fall into a custome or habite of sinning lest therewith my heart become hardened that I cannot repent but giue mee such a conscience of sinne that I may neuer commit sin either great or
through the merits of thy sufferings that I may a so bee made partaker of thy blessed Resurrection Amen 7. O Lord Iesus the very freedome of the Angels and the pleasure of Paradise remember the terrour and griefe which thou didst endure at the time when as all thine enemies stood round about thee like a sort of roaring Lyons vexing thee with buffetings spettings scratchings and other intollerable dealings and martvring thee with reproachfull words grieuous stripes and most grieuous torments I beseech thee O Lord for thine owne sake and for thy exceeding great mercies sake which caused thee to endure and suffer these things for our redemption deliuer mee from all mine enemies visible and inuisible and graunt that I may finde protection in this life and endlesse felicity in the life to come Amen Amen O Lord the Creatour and framer of the world whom no measure can comprehend within bounds and which holdest the earth in thine hand call to minde thy most bitter paine which thou didst endure when they nayled thy most holy hands to the Cross and likewise pearced through thy most tender feete making thy wounds still more and more painfull and so drawing and stretching out thy body to the length and breadth of the crosse I beseech thee graunt that my continuall minding of this thy most holy and bitter paines vpon the Crosse may also cause me to stand in awe of thee and also to loue thee with an vnquenchable loue 8. O Iesus the heauenly Phisitian remember the anguish paine and griefe which thou diddest suffer by the renting crucifying tearing of all the parts of thy body when thou wert lifted vp and nayled to the Crosse insomuch as there was not any one of them whole and vnbruised so that there was neuer any paine found like vnto thine for there was not any place of thee left whole from the sole of the foote to the crowne of the head and yet euen then vnmindfull of all thy paines thou prayedst earnestly and mildly for thine enemies saying Father forgiue them for they know not what they doe I beseech thee by thy louing kindnes and mercie which caused thee to suffer these paines for my sake let thy passion be the full satisfaction absolution and pardon for all my sinnes Amen 9. O Iesus the mirrour of eternall brightnesse and fountaine of vnconsumeable goodnesse which crucifying vpoÌ„ the Cross didst thirst for the saluation of mankinde I beseech thee kindle in vs the desire of all good works quench in vs the thirst and concupiscence of all fleshly lusts and both coole and kill in vs the loue of all worldly delight O Princely Iesus the strength and triumph of our minds which for our sakes didst suffer such anguish of heart that the bitternesse of thy death and the exclamation of the Iewes vpbraiding and reuiling thee made thee to cry out with a loude voyce O God my God why hast thou forsaken me I beseech thee forsake mee not in my distresse but bee at hand to comfort mee and deliuer me especially at the time of death O Iesu the bottomlesse sea of all mercy I beseech thee by the deepe wounds which pearced through thy flesh into the marrow of thy bones and into the very bowels of thee pull me out of the gulph of my sinnes and hide mee in the holes of thy wounds from the sight of thy Fathers iust wrath vntill his displeasure be ouer-past 10. O Lord the mirrour of truth the standard of vnity and the bond of charity remember thine innumerable wounds wherwith thou wert torne from top to toe by the wicked Iewes so that thou wert all on a gore blood which torment thou didst suffer in that most holy body of thine for our sakes O most sweet and milde Iesus leauing nothing vndone on thy behalfe that might be for our benefit I beseech thee write the memoriall of these thy bloody wounds in my heart with thy most pretious blood that in them I may reade thy great loue towards mee let the remembrance of them be layd vp continually in the closet of my heart that the consideration of the paines and griefes which thou sufferedst for my sake in thy passion may make mee to loue thee more and more and neuer to giue ouer vntill I be come vnto the treasure of all goodnesse ioyes which I beseech thee to graunt me for thine owne sake O most sweet Iesus Amen 11. O Iesu the onely begotten Sonne of the heauenly Father and the brightnesse and Image of his substance remember thy heartie commending of thy spirit into thy Fathers hands when hauing thy body all torne and thy heart full of anguish and sorrow and the curse of our bloody sinnes pressed thee euen to the death and to the expiration of thy humane soule I beseech thee for this thy pretious deaths sake O King of Saints giue mee strength to withstand the deuill the world and the flesh that being dead to the world I may liue onely vnto thee And whensoeuer this wayfaring and banished poore soule of mine shall depart hence I beseech thee receiue it home into the hands and protection of thy mercy and graunt it may be deare and pretious in thy sight and liue and remaine with thee in glory for euermore Amen 12. O Iesus the true fruitfull vine remember the abundant flowing out and shedding of thy blood which thou didst send out of thy body most plentifully as out of Grapes pressed at the wine-presse at which time as thou didst tread the wine-fatte alone and begannest to vs of the cup of water and wine which streamed forth out of thy most glorious side I beseech thee O most sweet Iesus by this most bitter death of thine and by the shedding of thy most pretious blood wound my heart with such repentance of my sinnes and â—oy of thy loue as my teares may be my food day and night Turne â—hou mee wholy vnto thee that my heart may dwell with thee continually and my conuersation be acceptable vnto thee And let my life bee such through thy goodnesse as I may praise thee â—or euer with all thy Saints in the â—ife to come Amen O Lord Iesus Christ the Son of the liuing God who thirsting â—or the full accomplishment of mans redemption didst taste of â—he vinegar and gall despightfully offered vnto thee and diddest dyâ—ng vpon the Crosse commend â—hy spirit into the hands of thy heauenly Father So doe I betake my soule into thy mercifull hands beseeching thee both to preserue it here from all sinne and in the end to receiue it in peace into the company of thy chosen that are departed that I may with them praise thee euerlastingly which liuest and raignest with the Father and the holy Spirit coequall and coeternall one glorious wonderfull and immortall God for euer and euer Amen Amen In the pangues of death and in all tribulations the Remedies to be learned in the sufferings of Christ. VVHat 's death a seperation
of mortall body from our breath What 's that but a cessation from cares and from a liuing death What 's that cessation Why it is a sleepe by which we wholly are refreshed Yea but in sleepe who shall vs keepe euen he that guards his owne redeemed But who made death it was made by sinne and what is sinne the lawes transgression Of that how should I vantage winne all sinne is weakened by confession But by death's dint 't is ouercome and whence came sinne from hell beneath When was 't first bred in Mothers wombe when will it end not till our death This seemeth strange but this is true by nature sinne is hatch'd in vs Old Adams Rules till God renue Why then I see the case stands thus As sinne goes in so life goes out as sinne goes out so life comes in So by the Lord 't is brought about sinne conquers life life conquers sinne Though life by sinne be still annoy'd and sinne of death by strength and sting Yet viprous sinne by death 's destroy'd life killeth death when death kills sinne The death of body or of nature is that where to all subiect bee Cause sinne hath taintod euery creature according vnto Gods decree When bodies life doth â—ade away and we giue vp our dying ghost And thâ—… our corpes is clad in clay and vnto God our soulâ—s doth post It is ordained and decreed that all men by necessity Through that first Adams sinfull deede are subiect made the death to dye To dye for sinne 't is due for sinne to aye in sinne a heauie case To dye to sinne is to beginne to leaue our sinne and liue to grace The death in sinne without repenting in affect effect and aspecting In thinking doing and frequenting and offered grace of God reiecting I wretched wofull execrable haue plague of God by sinne for sinne Of miseries most miserable to them that liue and dye therein But he that dies before he dies when he is dead he is not dead But old age dies and he shall rise with glory from the graue his bed And he that 's toucht with conscience pricke whose sence of sinne is sharpe and quicke That man is sicke ere he is sicke and when he 's sicke he is not sicke I looke poore wretch on mine estate and others monish by mine harmes That was neere death but now of late by sinne enchanted by her charmes Had I not dyed sure I had dide O happy Phaenix liuing death Still let my flesh be mortifide O let me breath a liuing breath Sweet Iesus thou didst dye for me and in thy death with thee I dide O liue in me and I in thee shall liue and euermore abide And wormes meate thou durt clay slime kill carnall lust thy soule to saue Quaile vild affections whilst hast time that life through death by grace maist haue Shake hands with sinnes and all offences and learne to dye before thou dye When bidst adiew vnto thy sences then shalt thou liue eternally The cause of death The cause of death is wicked sinne for out of sinne our death did flowe From thence did all our plagues begin out of this tree our ills did growe Hunger fire death and all created were for punishment And layd on man for Adams fall and was the cause of our torment God said to Adam Scripture saith what houre soeuer thou shalt eate Thou shalt be sure to dye the death doe thou not taste forbidden meate Through enuious malice of the deuill into the world came this estate Sinnes entered with all actions euill by Adams fault not by our Fate Two sorts of death from death by sinne proceedes as effects from their cause The death of nature doth begin and death of grace next by Gods lawes By which we are made slaues for euer in darknesse called death eternall From worme of conscience freed neuer depriu'd of all the ioyes supernall As by example euident two sorts of death approued well The glutton rich to hell was sent his body buried quick in hell And Lazarus poore beggar dead to Abrahams bosome carried is With Angels wings with glory spread where is true ioy and comforts blisse The one hath heauen the other hell the one hath blisse the other bale The one in heauen still must dwell and the other deuils pull and hale He died with his conscience euill in death he sawe his wickednesse And his damnations with the deuill as holy Scriptures doe expresse This is the consolation great of them that in their death-beds lie Their mindes flie vp to the mercy seate and there for mercy lowdly crie By Christ which death abollished and sinne that 's cleans'd by his blood Whose merits pardon purchased for all our sinnes and death withstood To vs his goodnesse is imputed to him the sinnes that we committed And we for righteous are reputed and all our sinnes they are remitted For he alone by death hath bought vs from power and paine of deuill of hell Beat Sathan downe with iron rod to place where damned spirits dwell Eternall death could not preuaile 'gainst him nor ouer him haue power Christ strengthned those whom sinne did quaile his might the mighty did deuoure O're death o're sinne and hideous hell he gaue vs life and victory To all those that keepe his precepts well and them enstalls in endlesse glory For as by Adam all men dyed for sinne and by iniquity In Christ shall all men be reuiu'd to liue with him eternally The godly and iust people haue most comfort though with paine and griefe They suffer death and lye in graue and seeme forsaken saue reliefe They are sheepe which men ordaine to death and slaughter to be put As silly guiltlesse Lambes are slaine when Butchers knifes their threats doe cut For we which liue shall giuen be to death for Jesus Christ his sake If they doe not dispaire in thee no feare of death can cause them quake But rest assured they shall passe through death to life eternally Who aske for mercy and for grace and vnto God for Faith doe cry They suffer both his hand and rod and when he strikes are patieut They put their hope and trust in God who comforts them with hearts content Their death is good and of great price they also know through Christ his passion Death 's ouercome in wonderous wise and so receiue they consolation If any touch'd in latest paines of dire full death this faith holds fast In midst of death his liâ—t attaines and shall haue lasting life at last The Christians surely doe beleeue that when they seeme to be most dead That then they most of all doe liue and so with ioy lift vp their head Christ calls the death of godly men a sleepe his owne a death and why The souldiers speare was made a pen his blood the Inke to write thereby Quietus est for-Christians all and then the same to vs was sealed A sleepe he iustly may it call cause by his stripes our wounds were
healed His was a death cause death was due in him di'd all he died for all Gods Iustice vs to death doth sue he pay'd it and repair'd the fall That we might sleepe he suffered paines that we might laugh he oft did weepe His was the losse ours was the gaines thus did he change death to a sleepe To Christ did Stephen yeeld vp his spirit for he 's the way the truth the life He purchast life by death and merit the husband's he the Church his wife He is that Noah his Church the Doue that holds his hand for to receiue vs He bids vs come to embrace his Loue we flye to him when all deceiues vs. The heauens the earth the Lord commands to him all creatures runne but wee None can vs take out of his hands in life and death to him we flee Pillar of faith Basis of blisse of true Religion true supporter The point of Resurrection is in death it is the chiefe Comforter If this doe fall all faith may faile what Article doth vs refresh When life and health and strength doth quaile the Resurrection of the flesh Our bones shall blossome as the grasse we shall be raised out of dust The body that before time was by Christ his power arise it must The first fruits Christ the head is rais'd the members shall the same likewise The Lord God for the same be prais'd we know that we shall also rise If he ad aboue the water be how can the body then be drowned We shall arise and Iesus see and with him shall be Kingly crowned Of life and death the true directour who in his life and in his dying Of our misdoing is Correctour and into all our actions prying Christ is afflicted for our sake left vs example that we should Follow his steps and his way take thy crosse to beare with courage bold Our Sauiour Iesus teacheth thee how can that be say'st thou behold Example if thou punish'd be with sicknesse hunger thirst and cold With thy selfe reckon and account how it cannot compared be With his thornes his nayles surmount the greatest paine that paineth thee Art thou restrain'd of thy desire and lusts that draw thou know'st not whither Thinke on Christs Crosse his wrath and ire and put his tortures all together If pride puffe vp thy minde with motions looke on Christ nayl'd on the Crosse And thinke as bound by due deuotions of our great gaine by his great losse If thou in filthy lust doest burne or any other ill desire Thinke but how Christ his flesh was torne to saue thy soule from flames of fire With stripes thrust through and all to broken his drinke was Eysell mixt with gall With his last gaspe the earth was shaken who suffered for the sinnes of all If enuie hate reuenge thee grieue thinke with thy selfe how Christ did pray O Father doe them all forgiue for them that tooke his life away God vs commanded to forgiue and sayeth then we shall be forgiuen Without offence no man can liue and God his ballance hangeth euen He â—hat doth not forgiue his brother will then the Lord his faults remit No as he deâ—…h with another another shall repay 't is sit And when you kneele to God and pray forgiue if you haue any thing Gainst any liuing man that day that Christ may you remission bring And when thy gift thou do'st present and on the Altar sacrifice First with thy brother make consent and him forgiue in any wise When thou to Christ wast enemie and strengthened in great extreames Yet then did he giue remedie and o're thee spread his mercy beames He gaue to thee his holy spirit to guide and leade thy soule aright And gaue thee heauen there to inherit all ioyes and blisse aye in his sight When thou from him was gone astray be sought thee out and did thee finde And finding thee brought thee away vnto his fold he thee resignde Thanke God therefore and render praise exalt and laude his holy name Vnto the heauens sing alwayes All men on earth doe yee the same Henceforth my soule walke in his path and erre not from him any more Lest thou prouoke his heauy wrath and then art worse then wert before Let not Gods gifts be giuen thee to worke thy condemnation With feare and trembling walke sincere confirming thy Saluation Shunne thou all wicked Company with doers ill associate not Lest thou from faith should'st fall and 〈◊〉 and soule and body soile and spot But blesse his name who called thee vnto the state of righteousnesse And thy sinnes vengeance tane hath he to giue thee heauens happinesse Blesse thou his blessed Holinesse his praise let heart and minde record And let thy tongue and voyce confesse the gracious goodnesse of the Lord Prostrate thy selfe downe at his feete offer thy seruice with free heart O yeeld God all for 't is most meete since he made sau'd and blest each part Who spared not his onely Sonne but let him dye thy soule to saue To pay and ransome thy faults done and to redeeme thee from the graue So in the Prayer of our Lord we doe forgiue what 's done against vs As God forgiuenesse shall afford our Sauiour Christ doth teach vs thus A Prayer to beare patiently the Crosse of Christ or any affliction And if God so please to call vs to that triall euen to reioyce in Martyrdome O Almighty God most mercifull and louing Father that hast decrced that through manifold tribulations and afflictions in this world we that trust in thee must enter into the Kingdome of heauen And those that will follow thee my Sauiour and be thy Disciples must take vpon them by the constraint of the world as Simon of Cyrene to beare thy Crosse and to follow thee and those that liue godly in thy Son must suffer reproach and affliction And that there is neuer a Son whom thou louest but must like Peter drinke of thy Cup and endure chastening And in so doing thou offerest thy selfe an assured louing Father and assurest vs that wee are thy sonnes because it is giuen vs not onely to beleeue in thee but also that wee should suffer for his names sake O Lord I am willing not onely to liue with thee but also to dye with thee My Spirit is willing though my flesh bee weake Wherefore if it bee possible let this bitter Cup passe from me or if thou please and hast appointed that I by death should glorifie thee and with my blood seale and confirme thy truth sweet Iesus giue mee strength comfort and patience blessed be thy name and thy most holy will be done O Lord manifest thy power in my weakenesse and strengthen me that I may by the same power whereby thou raisest thy selfe from death to life patiently beare and willingly suffer that for thy name sake which otherwise for flesh and blood seemeth fearefull to be endured O Lord when I consider the hazards that wee runne through for the obtaining of
thee and be comforted O Lord though they bee compassed about with death on euery side yet there is assured safety in thee wherefore keepe firmâ— their tacklings that they deceiuâ— them not in the raging windes nor mountaine billowes that beaâ— against their sides that their Ship in which they are be not broken O Lord if thou force them to cast out their goods for safety yet will it not auaile vnlesse therewith they cast forth by vnfained repentance their loades of sinnes through which bodies and goods are made to sinke And let them be in safety as the Marriners that were trauailing from Ioppa to Tarsus when they had cast forth rebellious Ionas O Lord of hoasts and God of heauen send thy Angels with them to guide them forth and conduct them safe in their return be with them in their greatest necessities as thou wast with thine Apostle S. Paul in his dangerous voyage to Rome This temporall blessing and all others that are needfull and that thou knowest better to giue then I to aske though a chiefe of sinners and therefore most vnworthy yet I begge aske it if it be thy good pleasure for thy Sonne Iesus sake my only Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer for the fruits of the earth and other nourishments of this mortall life O Eternall God which feedest with thy blessing euery liuing thing and satisfiest the desires of thy seruants with thy bountifull goodnesse wee wretched sinners vnworthy of the least of thy blessings and benefits doe most humbly beseech thee to be pleased to blesse all the fruits of the earth that wee and all thy seruants may be partakers of thy comforts therein for the nourishment of this life Giue vs O Lord this day our daily bread prepare our ground and prosper our corne Blesse the seede time with the first and latter raine and meete temperature of ayre Keepe our fruits while they bee in the earth from haile and thunder from excessiue droughts and immoderate raines from mildewes and all noysome wormes Send vs a ioyfull Haruest and giue a blessing to that which wee shall reape that for our vnthankfulnes it waste not away without our reliefe Increase our cattell with all other our prouision which we shall carefully labour for Replenish our basket and blesse our store that wee may haue wherewith as to furnish our selues so to giue some reliefe vnto others Protect our seruants and workefolkes that they may be strong to labour wise to forecast and faithfull in their businesse Keepe our Garners Barnes and Store-houses from fire and boysterous windes Theeues and suddaine inundations Prosper our workes and trauels whether by sea or land and blesse and prosper all them that any way labour for any of those things that we shall haue occasion to vse Send remedy O Lord for all hardnesse and misery turne our dearth into cheapenesse and our scarcity into plenty Open the hearts of rich men to whom thou hast giuen much that they may haue a charitable respect of the poore at all times Helpe vs O Lord and giue vs such things as we stand in neede of and make vs to desire such things onely as may bee pleasing vnto thee to search them wisely and to finde them easily Oppresse vs not with too much pouerty neither puffe vs vp with too much plenty but giue vs a competent store of things necessary for this life and grace to vse them soberly to thy glory and our comfort through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen A thanksgiuing for our Benefactours O Lord which hast said that hee that giueth vnto the poore lendeth vnto the Lord and looke what he layeth out it shall be payd him againe wee beseech thee to be gracious and mercifull to all those for whom wee are bound to pray by nature by desert or any other duty whatsoeuer Of thy especiall fauour remember all our Benefactours and friends aliue euen all those our Parents kinsfolkes and others which haue brought vs vp taught promoted or any way relieued vs. Blesse them with all blessings that haue done good either to our bodies with temporall benefits or our soules with profitable instructions Bless their estates that in their godly dispositions they may haue alwayes wherewith to relieue and comfort others in their discretion giue them the consolation of the holy Ghost to the keeping of faith and a good conscience And as they haue shewed mercy vnto vs and comforted vs so Lord helpe and comfort them in their greatest needes that both they and their families may both haue comfort in their estate and condition heere and finde mercy with thy Sonne our Sauiour Iesus at the latter day Lord let all their almes-deedes and prayers be alwayes in thy sight as those of Cornelius that as they haue been vnto vs an odour that smelleth sweet whereby we haue receiued plenty and beene filled so they may bee as sacrifices acceptable and pleasant vnto thee Vouchsafe vs this grace O Lord that wee be not guilty of any ingratitude towards them but rather ready according to our abilities to recompence them if neede require Let not that which they haue bestowed vpon vs bee cast away but make it fruitfull vs worthy of it Graunt this O thou God which doest good both to the just and vniust for Iesus Christs sake our only Lord Sauiour Amen LACHRIM 5. Wherein the distressed sheweth his desire to hold more fast the promises of God O Lord thou art my hope and strength thou help'st in trouble doe not hide Thy selfe for euer but at length for men distrest doe thou prouide For I by thee will hold most fast I le trust in thee while I doe liue And till those stormes be ouer-past I le neither faint nor feare nor grieue Tremble thou earth rage sea and land winde tempest stormes and all about I see thee Lord hold out thy hand for my defence I le neuer doubt What though hills quake staggering stumble and fall into the midst of seas Though waters roare rage and tumble thou canst this change and all appease Should I then faint at troubles small which like small darts thou throw'st at me In loue but not to kill at all but make me leaue my vanity Forsake my follies euery deale reclayming errors to the truth T is thou didst hurt and thou canst heale thou hast preseru'd me from mine youth I must confesse I merited the death of death with paines of hell And to be disinherited of heauens high where iust doe dwell But Lord doe mittigate thine anger and turne thy heauie wrath to loue Deliuer me from all this danger let thy compassion mercy moue And with true comforts Christ all fountaine my dry and thirsty soule refresh And powre on me from holy mountaine sweet dewes to glad my soule and flesh Thy darts in me O Lord sticke fast O pull them out cast them away And cure my wounds to helpe make hast binde vp my sores soules sorrowes stay Cleanse the corrupt affections of
my defiled wicked heart Prosper and blesse mine actions lighten my knowledge grosse and darke O Wash me from impiâ—tiâ— exhilerate my sicke soules sadnessâ—… In darknesse let me light espie in midst of sorrow graunt me gladnesse On fruitfull ground Lord doe me planâ— and build me vp on surest râ—cke Annoyes to ioyes to wealth turne wâ—… from future ills me keepe and locke As trees that grow by waters side whose leaues and blossomes freshly flourish For euer let my state abide thy loue reuiue thy grace me nourish Let thy spirit daily spring and bud with faiths pure branches from my heart Let dewes and drops of Christs deere blood feede vaines of hope from sinners darâ— My store is decayed thou canst renew it my basket's empty thou canst fill it Refresh my heart againe reuiue it reuiue it Lord for thou didst kill it Thou help'st the simple poore and needie thou seest my state thou canst all mâ—nd I know thou know'st when to be speedie and knowest thy time when to defend Helpe helpe O Lord else downe I fall hold me fast by thy strong hand And lift me vp against them all that by opposing me withstand Thy promise Lord thouâ—…o st performe thy words are deedes thou 〈◊〉 and do'st A happy end thou doest returne and graunt to those that on thee trust My safety Lord thou hast ordain'd by faith my hope doth mount and â—lie And by that hope I am sustain'd if that were lost my soule would die My faith hath fixt an obiect right my will doth farre my power exceede But Lord I know that in thy sight the will is taken for the deede Then Lord for deede my will doe take and I secured shall be then O graunt me this for Christ his sake to whom be praise for aye Amen A conuenient Prayer for all times either for a priuate person or a whole family MOst mighty God Father of our Lord Iesus Christ most louing Sauiour and Redeemer and most blessed Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Sonne the eternall most glorious Trinity which in the beginning didst create the heauen and the earth with all the hoasts of them and from time to time vnto this present moment of their being vpheld and preserued them and all creatures that thou diddest then make haue euer sithence obayed thy first institution man onely for whom thou madest all things excepted which when we doe consider O Lord we cannot but be much deiected in our selues to thinke that wee whom thou hast adorned with thine owne Image should bee fallen backe in our obedience and become worse then the worst of thy creatures thou gauest vs disposition to obay thee but wee haue despised thee and cast away from vs the yoke of obedience yet so great is thy mercy that though we haue reiected thee yet thou hast not reiected vs but hast continued all thy couenants in full force vnto vs as in the beginning vnto our fore-fathers O Lord from the wombe of our Parents are we risen a rebellious seede and like the prodigall sonne haue in the vaine imaginations of our hearts wandered from thee so that thou canst take no pleasure nor delight in vs or in any thing we doe but O Lord wee cast downe our selues in thy sight and presence earnestly beâ—eeching thee as on the poore Publican to haue mercy vpon vs and pardon all our sinnes which wee from time to time haue done against thee O Lord pardon our sinnes of ignorance of omission and commission in the duties commanded forbidden which wee haue neglected and not done O Lord pardon our sins of knowledge by which wee haue often grieued thy good spirit that would haue hindered and detained vs from them if wee out of the loue to them had not too much delighted in them stopped our eares against his holy motions and directions O Lord pardon our sinnes of presumption by which wee haue most mightily offended thee and so hardned our hearts as wee could take no delight in the exercise of thy worship or seruice as by the contempt of thy most holy Word and Sacraments in our owne conscience and in the sight of thy holy Church vnto whom we are knowne is most maniâ—est yet O our most good God doe away all our transgressions at what time or place so euer they haue beene committed or done O Lord seperate them as farre from thee as the East is from the West binde them in a bundle and drowne them from thy sight as thou diddest the sinnes of the old world O Lord drowne them in the huge sea of thy mercy so as they may be cleane forgotten for wee confesse that if thou shouldest call vs to a reckoning and account for them there is not the least of them but like mill-stones tyed about our neckes in the midst of the sea would drown vs in eternall death coÌ„demnation of body soule for euermore But O Lord we beseech thee to naile our sinnes vnto the Crosse of thy deare Sonne Iesus our Sauiour and Redeemer and for his sake we onely entreate thee to be at peace with vs and thy whole Church throughout the world Wash our sinnes away in his most holy bloud which he shed for his Churches sake in his agony on the mount before and in his death on the Crosse for hee is the Lord our righteousnesse who in thy secret counsell was slaine from the beginning of the world that wee which trust in him by his stripes and wounds might of our sinnes bee healed O Lord I beseech thee heare these our petitions which much like forlorne beggers wee put vp vnto thee in thy Sonnes name being imboldened and encouraged this to dee from that promise of thine which in thy holy Gospell thou hast giuen vs saying Aske and yee shall haue seeke and yee shall finde knocke and it shall be opened vnto you Yea thou hast encouraged vs heere vnto saying Can you that are euill giue good gifts to your children when they aske and shall not I giue the holy Ghost to my children when they aske of me And thou hast said that hauing giuen thy Sonne vnto vs that thou wilt with him giue vs all things else and for his sake deny vnto vs nothing in conscience of the truth of this thy holy word wee pray thee to heare vs and to settle our hearts mindes in the knowledge loue and obedience of thy word and commandements to the end and in the end of this our fraile and weake life O Lord considering our weakenesse and how vnable wee are to stand in temptation and considering how many and how great our temptations are both in things spirituall and things temporall and how the deuill as a wandring and raging Lyon raigneth throughout the world and in the Church especially seeking whom hee may deuoure and considering how subtilly hee vseth and offereth this world vnto vs as hee did vnto thee in the beginning of thy Ministerie which thy Father had appointed thee in his
workes of the Lord. The ancient Prayer called O bountifull Iesus O Bountifull Iesu O sweet Iesu O Iesu the Sonne of the Virgine Mary which art full of mercy and truth O sweet Iesus haue pittie vpon mee according to thy great mercy O benigne Iesu by the same pretious blood which thou wast contented to shed vpon the Altar of the Crosse for vs miserable sinners I beseech thee vouchsafe to cast all mine iniquities out of thy sight and despise not mee that thus humbly begge of thee crying and calling vpon thy holy name IESVS This name IESVS is a sweet name this name IESVS is a name of saluation for what is IESVS but a Sauiour O good IESVS which hast created mee and redeemed mee with thine owne blood suffer not mee whom thou hast made of nought to be damned O good IESVS let not my wickednesse haue power to destroy me whom thine Almighty goodnesse hath made O good IESVS reknowledge that which is thine in mee and that which is not of thee take that away from me O good IESVS euen now while the time of mercy is haue mercy vpon me and let mee not be conâ—ounded at the day of thy fearefull iudgement O good IESVS although I vile sinner by thy straite â—ustice haue deserued to bee punished euerlastingly for my most grieuous sinnes yet hauing sure confidence in the trueth of thy righteousnesse I appeale to thine vnspeakable mercy I am sure thou wilt haue mercy vpon mee like a louing Father and a mercifull Lord. O good IESVS what profit is there in my blood if I descend into the pit of eternall corruption for surely they that be dead shall not magnifie thee or any that goe downe into the place of silence O most mercifull IESVS haue mercy vpon mee O most sweet IESVS deliuer mâ—… O most holy IESVS be mercifull to me a sinner O IESVS accept me wretched sinner among the number of them whom thou hast elected to saluation O IESVS the health of all that hope in thee the life of all that beleeue in thee haue mercy vpon mee O sweet IESVS the remission of all my sinnes O IESVS the Sonne of the virgine Mary powre thy grace into my heart endue mee with wisedome charity chastity and humility and in all mine adversity graunt me holy inuiolable and stedfast patience that I may perfectly loue thee and haue my onely delight and aâ—â—iance in thee world without end Amen The Sicke-mans Prayer O Louing Lord and most holy Father I poore wretch thy seruant feeling in this sicknesse which thou hast layd vpon me the punishment of that corruption and transgression that is in me and all flesh doe most willingly submit my selfe to thine holy ordinance to beare this crosse and taste of this bitter cup which I haue deserued and much more so that I may follow thee whither thou art gone Therefore O Lord since thou hast not yet called mee to the barre of death but sent thy Heraulds to summon me to a triall I beseech thee looke on me with thine eye of mercifull pittie and helpe me in this day of visitation powre out thine oyle of grace into my wounded conscience purge my defiled soule forgiue mee all my sinnes and giue mee competent comfort and consolation in this distresse let me not dye ere I begin to liue giue mee time to repent and occasion to amend but if thou wilt needes put any more of thy wine of correction into my festered sores lay no more O Lord lay no more vpon me then I shall bee able to beare Make good vnto mee that goodnesse which thou hast graunted me vnder the great seale of thy promise Supply my want pardon my sinnes and ayde me against all temptations and I am recouered of all mine infirmities I offer here vnto thee O Lord a penitent heart for the time past and promise through thy grace amendment if it shall please thee to draw out the threed of my life any longer yet I neither desire the continuance of this mortality nor a more speedy deliuerance otherwise then as thou wilt Lord looke not vpon my merits for they are either none or not good nor vpon my life for it hath been naught but looke vpon Christ thy deere Sonne who from the Altar of the crosse cried vnto thee on my behalfe and accept his satisfaction for my sinnes Arme mee with patience to take vp my crosse follow thee euen to beare my visitation willingly and giue mee strength by faith to resist the Aduersary in the brunt of temptations With my sorrow and paine encrease thy grace that when I am in greatest agony I may find comfort beleeuing and saying with the holy Prophet My flesh faileth and my heart also but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for euer O Lord if thy decree be gone forth as it was to Hâ—zâ—kiah that I shall dye and not liue giue me grace to put in order my things of this world that I may depart in more peace and when the pangues of death haue shut vp the eyes of my body and taken away the vse of my tongue I beseech thee let the eyes of my soule still behold and looke vpon thee so that when I shall leaue my earth to earth and my body to the graue thine Angels may carry vp my soule vnto thee and be parâ—aker of a ioyfull resurrection through Iesâ—â— Christ our Lord. Amen Amen A Prayer for the sicke O God most high mighty and iâ—uisible I thy vnworthy seruant not worthy for my selfe to be heard in any request vnto thee for I am a sinner Yet Lord being confident of the pardon of my sinnes in Christ in whose power is onely to forgiue sins I am bold to come vnto thee to begge the pardon of my sins as of my sinnes so of the sinnes of this thy weake and sicke seruant that lyes pained and diseased not onely in the outward members but in the inward parts of the body And though thou hast depriued him of experience in naturall Physicke whereby his skill to doe himselfe good yet good Lord be thou his Physitian and let thy helpe and assistance neuer faile in this his weakenesse to doe him good and strengthen him And if it be thy will O Lord restore him againe vnto that health which herâ—tofore to the comfort of himselfe and many others hee hath enioyed O Lord thou art able not onely with meanes as vnto Hezekiaâ— but without meanes as vnto Malchus eare and blinde Bartimaeus but euen against meanes as vnto the widdowes sonne going vnto his Graue and the Sunamites sonne at the Prayer of Elisha O Lord thou didst beyond all hope and expectation raise Lazarus stinking in the graue and Peters wiues mother of a burning beauer and the woman of her bloudie issue and the man that was irrecouerable of the dead Palsie onely by thy vertue and power O Lord now when all meanes seeme to faile that wee know not whither to goe but vnto
thee I beseech thee if it be thy will let thy secret and hidden power in which there is more verâ—ue then in all mineralls plants be extended forth to his comfort reliefe that he again may come into thy house and magnifie thy mercy for his renewed strength O Lord as hee hath abounded with charity and compassion vnto others in their extreamities of sicknesse so likewise as thou hast promised let this thy mercifull seruant in his languishing paines obtaine mercy from thee that art most mercifull and as hee hath heard the lamenting cries of others so Lord doe thou heare his mournefull and lamenting sighes vnto thee for thou art very pittifull and of tender mercy O Lord he humbleth himselfe in thy sight wherefore I beseech thee to raise him vp againe if any man be sicke thou hast willed vs that be well to pray one for another assuring vs that the Prayer of the righteous if it be seruent auaileth much In confidence and full assurance that thou wilt make good thy word O Lord I earnestly beseech thee to restore my sicke and weake friend N vnto his perfect health if it may bee thy good pleasure and this I aske as one not without hope for I beleeue that as Iesus died and rose againe euen so by his power shall this my sicke friend doe at the last day Yet O Lord for the perfecting of that which is wanting in his faith repentance and good works I earnestly beseech thee to adde some more vnto the number of his dayes haue mercy vpon him and restore him againe to strength his former health But most mercifull Father if thou please through this his sicknesse to finish his dayes graunt that he may in quiet minde and stedfast faith commend to thee the care of all his worldly charge because thou hast promised to be a Father vnto the widdowe and the fatherlesse And it is thy wil that wee should cast our care on thee not onely in life but in death especially O Lord when death that cruell tyrant sinne the graue the deuill and all the fries of darknesse shall assault his body and affright his soule with distrust in thee and of his part in the glorious resurrection then strengthen him by the power of thy Sonne my Sauiour that hee may no lesse triumph ouer all the terrours and feares of the graue of hell and death as all the Saints in like case haue done and then I my selfe may doe in the same houre of my departure which I beseech thee to graunt through him that hath loued vs euen Iesus Christ my most absolute and perfect Sauiour Amen Amen LACHRIM 7. Wherein the distressed detesteth the world and wouldly things and desireth heauen and heauenly things MY soule doth long and shall depend on God for euer euerliuing God shall begin and make an end that hath giuen all yet euer giuing I sigh and groane for to appeare before his gracious mercy seate As thirsteth the Hart for water cleare so long I for thy mâ—rcy great I am quite tyred with my groanes I faint vnder mine heauie loade Of miseries breaking all my bones layd on me iustly by my God O God the rocke of my whole strength Lord of mercy behold mine anguish O graunt me helpe and ease at length I faint I fall I figh I languish Why doe I daily weepe and mourne and haue no comfort helpe nor ease Why do'st not heare but from me turne why doe my woes and foes encrease Sith I doe seeke thee vnfainedly defend me Oh defend me in This dangerous time of misery layd iustly on me for my sin Preserue me from men mercilesse hard hearted bloudy minded cruell Blesse me with thine hid blessednesse giue me thy fauour my soules iâ—well The man of earth layes load on loade as on an Anuile stroke on stroke Within without at home abroad mine head to the heele bowes with the yoke I am reproach to neighbours all I am ashamed men should see me They scorne and laugh to see my fall but this mine hope doth comfort me That thou from them wilt set me free And thee triumphant shall behold In shining Throne of Maiestie where 's neither hunger thirst nor cold No want nor sinne nor ignomie nor sicknesse death nor deadly paine But fulnesse mirth ioy victory with thee in glory I shall raigne And if it be thy will O Lord now after all this sturdy storme To my most troubled soule afford thy peace and pitty mee poore worme Free me from death that 's mors Gehennae giue peace ioy rest not transitorie I take it as an earnest pennie of perfect blisse and endlesse glory And I le here praise thee men among that they may see marke and consider T is thou canst onely right our wrong and from all troubles vs deliuer Thou canst and wilt vs saue and keepe though much we suffer in this life Thou art our Shepheard wee thy Sheepe saue me from hate enuie and strife So shall I also giue thee praise my mouth continually thee laude My soule and inward part alwayes thy wonderous workes shall still applaude I will be glad and ioy in thee reioyce yea and againe reioyce Abiect though I yet comfort me I le praise thee with minde heart and voyce Awake therefore in time awake preserue me that I perish not I am if thou do'st me forsake but as a dead man cleane forgot And censured a cast-away among such as see me depriu'd Of present helpe for these men say my soule can neuer be reuiu'd One sorrow doth encrease another all hope on earth turnes to distrust Of ayde from neighbour friend or brother hide not thy face my God most iust Forget not mine extreamities Lord free me from in fernall hells Of torments and of miseries which comes from thee and from none else My soule is beaten to pits brimme my heart doth faint my hands grow weeke My knees doe faile mine eyes growe dimme my tongue is dumbe and cannot speake And each part of my body vext I daily moane my miseries Looke on me Lord I am perplext O ease my griefe and heare my cries Though thou by Iustice made the wound and by correction grieu'd mine heart If thou wilt cure salue soone is found with spirituall comfort ease my smart Doe not withhold such things are good which for thy children are ordain'd Turne thou thy face with Christes blood cleanse all the spots my sinnes hath stain'd Rise vp O Lord rise vp I say with thee doth Loue and Bounty raigne I am throwne downe I thee obay therefore rise vp raise me againe Although my sinnes like swords doe cut me from thy fauour and thy grace Let righteousnesse of Christ be put to hide my sinnes before thy face Unite me vnto thee againe in such sort Lord make me so fast That I with thee may still remaine and ioy in ioyes that aye shall last The young mans Prayer for a vertuous wife O God the euerliuing and only wise the
amongst the deuills The world for disobedience didst punish and thou moughtest subuert But chiefely me for negligence mayest plague with all plagues 't is desert I am not worthy to breathe in ayre nor haue the vse of any creature Much lesse to thee to make my prayer cause 'gainst my God I am a traytour Thou worthily me do'st afflict at me thou takest iust offence All punishments thou doest inflict because thy wrath I did incense My trespasses doe more offend then I can please with my best zeale The worthinesse I best intend I not performe my soule Lord heale I shame at mine vnworthinesse yet faine would be at one with thee Thou art a ioy in heauinesse a succour in necessity To them that doe their liues reforme and rightly frame their penitence Sincerely follow and performe thy will without all negligence All this to doe I doe desire and what thou sayest I doe beleeue Thy pardon graunt me I require release and pardon Lord me giue O be with them that doe thee seeke and yeeld them helpe that hold by thee Instructing humble men and meeke that wisedome seeke by thy mercy Sith I so long to thee haue cried so long thee sought yet hope I will Though my sad soule in silence bide in constant Patience I wayte still Thou rightly hear'st my inward groanes my sorrowes fighes wants and desire And doest respect the outward moanes of men distrest that feare the fire Though in their lips they mute doe seeme and doe speake nothing with their tongues What they conspire thou doest it deeme and present art to right my wrongs But loe the time is not expir'd of mine ordained punishment Nor of that freedome I desir'd I le waite by hope in languishment My helpe my comfort and my life saluation mine depends on thee Within my conscience stint the striâ—e and giue me grace and liberty My life my comfort helpe and all saluation on Christ dependeth 'T is he doth raise me when I fall he all begins and he all endeth I will not murmure neither grudge nor seare nor faint but alwayes waite He is my Sauiour and my Judge his grace decreed who can retrait Is there not an appointed time for all things that by God be wrought Iob was brought low at last did clime to wealth and honour he was brought And Ioseph was afflicted long by brethren and by false accuse He was shut vp in prison strong didst all his cause and wrongs peruse At length brought'st him to honour great and Dauid was at fiâ—st cast downe And then inthroan'd in Princely seate and long enioyed the royall Crowne Poore widdowe of Sarepta shee and hers were ready for to pine Her barrell and her Cruse by thee were blest and that Prophet thine Her meale and oyle did neuer faile thou send'st that Saint euen to that end That they in dearth should neuer quaile so didst from famine her defend Wherefore a little while I le waite I know the appointed time will come I shall be freed from sinnes deâ—eite wilt mercies send in miseries roome Thou art my portion and my strength my defence and saluation Thou seest my troubles and at length wilt giue me consolation Thou sena'st them not as ignorant of them thou know'st thou didst me make Therefore what 's needfull God me graunt good Lord dâ—â— neuer me forsake I am brought to the very pit of all confusion men suppose Thou hast decreed the time most sit of my deliuery from my foes To me vnknowne that being seene I may attribute to thee then The praise who praised ere hast beene without the ayde of mortall men Which I haue sought so long in vaine yea while I called thee vpon Let me acknowledge helpe againe to come from thee or else from none And all that the world can afford be but the effects of thy deare Loue Thy power thy prouidence thy word doe send me comfort from aboue O blessed man whom thou doest chuse and callest by crosses vnto thee Whom thou by death seem'st to refuse by secret sweetnesse liues by thee With inward consolation fed with the Manna of thy loue Who dwells in thy protection with liuely hope can neuer moue He fainteth not at mightiest frowne so I O Lord assured rest Thou art my portion and my crowne to dignifie those loue thee best Thou tendrest me as a deare sonne though thou me visite with thy rod Yet suffâ—rest not me for to runne with sinners and to fall from God Although I seeme of hope depriâ—'d and that my wented comforts past Yet I O Lord shall be reuiu'd by thee and by thy grace at last For all my long and instant cries I will not shrinke though knowing this Thy wonderous power and great mercies most infinite thy mercy is If thou mad'st the rocke a water spring thy thirsty people to refresh From mine hard hearted foes canst wring some comfort for my woes reâ—resse If thou rain'dst Manna from aboue and Rauen sent thy Saint to feede Thousands of men didst feede with loue when there was little shew of bread If to thy people thou sendest Quailes in desert where all foode was scant And since thy goodnesse neuer failes should I suppose that I should want Confirme my faith for euermore that I most constantly beleeue Thou canst and wilt encrease my store and all good things thou wilt me giue All power belongeth vnto thee who can imagine or will say Thou canst not in my neede helpe me or that thy loue is tane away Sith thou hast done such mighty things so freely for men in distresse Should not I flye with swiftest wings to thee in time of heauinesse But loe O Lord all things are thine the heauens are thine the earth also The cattell fowles the shrubs the vines all things in heauen and earth belowe All things aboue all things beneath is thine who truly then can say Thou canst not giue or them bequeath to whom thou wilt who can say nay Thou mak'st the corne to spring and grow and waterst the earth with thy sweet showres Thou causest beasts with thanks to lowe with dewes thou water'st frâ—grant flowres Since then thou art the Lord of all sith thou command'st and doest forbid The rich and poore makest proud men fall that downe canst throwe and raise at neede Sith that thou try'st and wilt reward sith thou doest what shall please thy will And in what manner wilt regard and whom thou wilt canst saue or spill No liuing man commandeth thee not all the world can thee controle O Lord I still will pray to thee for health of body and of soule Let it be thus O Father deare for Christ his sake thy dearest Sonne That dy'd and rose my soule to cleare in all things Lord thy will be done All glory to the Trinity to Father Sonne and holy Ghost Combin'd in holy vnity of power and might and glory most A Prayer for loue and charity O Almighty God the Author and giuer of all things of