conversion and thou didst differre my punishment I went astray and thou didst call mee I refused to come and still thou didst expect mee This thy goodnesse most indulgent Father I cannot extoll with sufficient prayses This thy long patience most mercifull GOD I cannot recompense with anie merits Thou didst preserue mee from manie sins whereinto the corruption of the flesh the deceat of the world and the perswasion of the devill would haue throwne mee headlong as well as others Neyther hast thou onelie kept mee from falling into sinne but also hast most graciouslie expected my conversion from sinne into which I had fallen I finde thee more mercifull than I am sinfull I sinned and thou madest as if thou didst not see it I contayned not my selfe from wickednesse and yet thou didst abstaine from punishment I did long tyme prolong my iniquitie and thou didst prolong thy pitie What were then my deserts Surelie evill and the worst of evills to wit my sinnes manie in number most grievous for weyght and detestable for varietie Therefore to thy grace and bountie alone doe I attribute it that thou hast so long expected my conversion and delivered my soule out of the sâ—ares of sinne To thee O Lord bee praise honour and glorie for ever and ever Amen PRAYER VIII Hee rendereth thankes for our conversion I Render thankes vnto thee my God for that thou hast converted my heart that was hard and knew not how to repent and for that thou hast taken from me my stonie heart and given mee an heart of flesh I had of my selfe power to sinne But I had not of my selfe power to ryse againe to repentance I could goe astray of my selfe But I could not returne againe into the way without thee For even as hee that is borne crooked from his mothers wombe cannot bee made straight by naturall meanes but onlie by divyne and supernaturall power So my soule being by nature crooked and prone to sinne and the loue of earthlie things could by no humane power but thy grace onlie bee rectified and lifted vp to the loue of thee heavenly things I could deforme my selfe by my sinnes most foullie But thou onlie couldst reforme mee As the Ethiopian cannot change his Skinne nor the Leopard his Spots So neyther can I doe that which is good beeing by nature addicted vnto the loue of that which is evill Thou my God didst convert mee and I was converted and when I was converted then I repented and when I was instructed then I smote my thigh I was dead in sinne And thou didst quicken mee As much power as a dead man hath to raise himselfe So much had I to convert my selfe Vnlesse thou hadst drawne mee I had never come vnto thee vnlesse thou hadst stirred mee vp I had never watched vnto thee vnlesse thou hadst illuminated mee I had never seene thee My sinnes were more sweete vnto mee than honey and the honey combe But I am to thanke thee that now they are sharpe and bitter vnto mee for thou hast given mee a spirituall taste The workes of vertue were more bitter vnto mee than gall and aloes But I am to thanke thee that now they are become pleasant and sweet for thou hast by thy Spirit changed the corrupt judgement of my flesh I went astray as a sheepe that is lost and declined to the way of iniquitie But thou which art the good sheepherd hast found me out and brought mee agayne vnto the flocke of thy Sayncts It was late ere I knew thee for there was a great darksome clowde of vanitie before mine eyes which would not suffer mee to see the light of the trueth It was late ere I saw the true light because I was blinde and loved blindnesse and walked through the darknesse of sinne into the darknesse of hell But thou hast illuminated mee thou soughtest me when I sought not thee thou calledst me when I called not vpon thee thou convertedst mee when I was not converted vnto thee and thou saydst with a most powerfull voyce Let there bee light in the inward parts of his heart and there was a light and I saw thy light and I knew mine owne blindnesse For this thy immense and infinite benefite I will prayse thy Name for ever and ever AMEN PRAYER IX Hee rendereth thankes for the forgivenesse of sinnes I Owe and render vnto thee eternall and mercifull GOD great thankes for that thou hast not rejected mee when I came vnto thee but diddest most readilie receaue mee and most mercifullie forgiue mee all my sinnes I was that prodigall sonne most indulgent Father I was that prodigall sonne that by living riâ—tâ—uslâ—e wasted his fathers substance For I haue defiled the gifts of nature I haue refused the gifts of grace I haue deprived my selfe of the gifts of glorie I was naked and destitute of all good thinges and thou coveredst and enrichedst mee with the robe of righteousnesse I was lost and condemned and thou of thy free grace hast bestowed vpon mee eternall salvation Thou of thyne ardent mercie didst embrace mee and kisse mee in sending thy most beloved Sonne that is in thy bosome and thy holie Spirit which is the kisse of thy mouth as ample witnesses of thyne infinite loue Thou cloathedst mee with my first robe in restoring me my former innocencie Thou gavest mee a ring for my hand by sealing mee with thy Spirit of grace Thou didst put shoes vpon my feete by arming mee with the Gospell of peace Thou killedst the fat calfe for mee by delyvering thy most deare Sonne to death for mee Thou didst cause mee to feast and make merrie by restoring the joye of heart and the true peace of conscience vnto mee I was dead and through thee I was restored to lyfe I went astray and through thee I came agayne into the way I was consumed with povertie and through thee I entred agayne into my former possession Thou mightest in thy just judgement haue rejected mee seeing that I was polluted with so manie sinnes covered with so manie offences and corrupted with so manie iniquities But thy mercie did abound aboue my sins thy goodnesse was greater thaÌ„ mine iniquitie How often haue I shut the gate of my heart when thou diddest knocke Therefore when I knocked thou mightest most justlie haue shut the doore of mercie agaynst mee How often haue I stopt mine eares that I might not heare thy voyce Therefore when I sighed vnto thee thou mightest most justlie haue stopped thyne eares and not hearkened vnto my voyce But thy grace was more aboundant than all my sinne and transgression Thou didst receaue mee with thy handes spread foorth and put away my iniquities as it were a clowde and cast all 〈◊〉 sinnes behind thy backe Thou remembrest my sinnes no more but receavest me into the most ample bosome of thy mercie For this thy inestimable benefite I will giue thankes vnto thee for
rashlie vpon my neighbour Thy holie will requireth that my spirit minde soule be free from coÌ„cupiscence But how often doth my flesh solicite mee to sinne and contaminateth my spirit with wicked concupiscences As a fountayne doeth abound with continuall bubbling of water So doeth my heart alwayes swell with evill concupiscence For these and all other my sinnes and defects I offer vnto thee most holie Father the most perfect obedience of thy Sonne who loved all men with perfect loue and in whose mouth was found no guyle in whose words and deeds no aberrations no corruption in nature To this propitiation I flee with true fayth and by fayth I sucke out of his wounds as much as is sufficient to justifie mee and saue mee Haue mercie on mee my GOD and my Father Amen PRAYER VI. Hee showeth that wee often partake in other mens sinnes HOlie God and just Iudge Thou hast committed vnto mee not only the care of mine own soule but also the care of my neighbours But how often doeth my neyghbour through my negligence suffer great losse of godlinesse How often doe I neglect freelie and boldlie to chyde him when hee sinneth How often doe I being hindred eyther by favour or feare reproue him for his sinnes more slightlie than I ought In pouring out prayers for his salvation I am too remisse in reprehending his sinnes I am too-too timerous in furthering his salvation I am too sloathfull insomuch that thou mayest justly require at my hands the blood of my neyghbour that perisheth If there were in mee a perfect and sincere loue of my neyghbour surelie from thence would proceed freedome in reproving of sinne If the fire of sincere charitie did burne in my heart surelie it would breake foorth more clearlie into the spirituall incense of prayers to be made for the salvation of my neyghbours For a man to pray for himselfe it is a duetie of necessitie But to pray for the salvation of his neyghbour it is a deede of charitie As often therefore as I neglect to pray for the salvation of my neyghbour so often I condemne my selfe for the breach of the commandement of the loue of my neighbour My neighbour dieth the death of the bodie and sorrow filleth all with lamentation and mourning when as yet the death of the bodie bringeth no hurt to a godlie man but rather giveth him a passage into a celestiall countrey My neighbour dieth the death of the soule and behold I am nothing troubled at it I see him die and grieue not at all when as yet sinne is the true death of the soule and bringeth with it the losse of the inestimable grace of God eternall lyfe My neighbour delinquisheth against the king who can onlie kill the bodie and beholde I seeke by all meanes his reconciliation but hoe sinneth against the King of all kings that can cast both bodie and soule into hell-fire and yet I beholde it in securitie and consider not that this offence is an infinite evill My neighbour stumbleth at a stone and I runne presentlie to saue him from a fall or otherwise to raise him vp if hee bee fallen Hee stumbleth at the corner stone of our salvation and beholde I securelie passe by it and labour not with care and diligence to lift him vp againe Mine owne sinnes are grievous anough And yet I haue not beene afrayde to participate in other mens sinnes Bee propitious O God vnto me great sinner and overburdened To thy mercie I flee in Christ and through Christ promised vnto mee I come vnto this lyfe beeing dead in sinne I come vnto this Way having gone astray in the path of sinne I come vnto this Salvation being by reason of my sinne guiltie of damnation Quicken mee guide mee and saue mee thou which art my Life my Way and my Salvation for ever and ever Amen PRAYER VII Hee showeth that wee are manie wayes convinced of sinne HOlie God and just Iudge If I looke vp to heaven I thinke with my selfe that I haue manie wayes offended thee my GOD and Father I haue sinned against heaven and before thee I am not worthie to bee called thy sonne If I looke down vpon the earth I thinke with my selfe how I haue abused thy creatures by my sinnes I haue infinitelie abused not onlie the darknesse of the night but also the light of the day to worke workes of darknesse If I looke vpon the examples of sinners vpon whom thou in thy just judgement hast inflicted punishment I finde that the weyght of my sinnes will counterpoise theirs If I looke vpon the examples of the Sayncts I finde that I come farre short of them in my holie service of thee If I thinke vpon the Angell my keeper I finde that often I put him to flight by my sinnes If I thinke of the devills I finde that I haue often given place to their suggestions If I weygh with my selfe the rigour of thy lawe I finde that my lyfe is manie wayes irregular If I looke vpon my selfe I finde that the verie cogitatioÌ„s of my heart doe accuse mee before thy judgement If I thinke vpon the houre of death to come I finde that it is the just reward of my sinnes and vnlesse thou of thy meere mercie for Christ his sake shalt receaue mee the gate and entrance into everlasting death If I thinke vpon the judgement to come I finde my deserts such that thou mayest justlie call mee to the most exact account and punish my sinnes according to the strict severitie of thy law If I thinke vpon hell I finde that I haue deserved by my sinnes the most just punishment there If I thinke vpon eternall lyfe I finde that I haue by my sinnes justlie fallen away from all hope of attaynment All thinges therefore convince mee of my sinnes Onlie thou thou O my God bee not thou extreame against mee To Christ thy beloved Sonne my onlie mediatour I betake my selfe By him I most firmlie belieue I shall obtayne thy grace remission of my sinnes Thy creatures accuse me the booke of my conscience accuseth mee both the tables of thy divyne law accuse me Satan accuseth mee day and night But take thou vpon thee my patronage O sweet Iesus To thee the poore man is left bereft of all solace of the creatures All my refuge is placed in thy satisfaction for my sinnes and in thy inteâ—cession at the right hand of the Father for mee My soule take thou the wings of the morning and lyke a doue hide thy selfe in the clests of the rocke that is in the wounds of Christ thy Saviour Hyde thy selfe in this rocke till the anger of the LORD bee passed by and thou shalt finde rest and thou shalt finde protection and thou shalt finde deliverance therein AMEN PRAYER VIII Hee by the effects of contrition argueth vs to bee convicted of the haynousnesse of sinne HOlie God and just Iudge My heart is
thee debter and guiltie in my roome It is I that trespassed and thou makest satisfaction It is I that committed rapine and thou makest restitution It is I that sinned and thou vndergoest the passion O Iesu most benigne I acknowledge the bowels of thy mercie and the fierie heat of loue Thou seemest to loue me more than thy selfe seeing thou deliverest vp thy selfe for mee O most innocent Iesu what hast thou to doe with the sentence of death O thou most beautifull amongst the sonnes of meÌ„ what hast thou to doe with spittings vpon thee O thou most righteous what hast thou to doe with whips and bonds These thinges belong not vnto thee They are all due vnto mee But thou of thine vnspeakable loue didst descend into the prison of this world and take vpon thee the shape of a servant and most willinglie vndergoe the punishment that was due vnto mee I was for my sinnes to bee adjudged to the lake that burneth with everlasting fire But thou by the fire of loue beeing burnt vpon the altar of the crosse doest free mee from it I was to bee cast away for my sinnes from the face of my heavenlie Father And thou for my sake complainest that thou art forsaken of thy heavenly Father I was to bee tormented of the devil his angels for ever and thou of thine infinite loue dost deliver thy selfe vnto the ministers of Satan to be afflicted and crucified for me As many Instruments as I see of thy passion so manie tokens doe I see of thy loue towards mee For my sinnes are those bonds those whips and those thorns which afflicted thee al which of thine vnspeakable loue thou enduredst for mee Thy loue was not yet satisfied with taking my flesh vpon thee but thou wouldest make it as yet more manifest by that most bitter passion of thy soule and bodie Who am I most mightie Lord that for mee disobedient servant thou thy selfe wouldst become a servant so manie yeares Who am I most beautifull Brydegroome that for mee the most filthie vassall of sinne and whore of the devill thou hast not refused to die Who am I most bountifull Creatour that for mee most vile creature thou hast not beene afrayde of the passion of the crosse I am to thee most loving Brydegroome the true spouse of blood for whom thou doest poure foorth such plentie of blood I am to thee most beautifull Lillie a thorne indeede that is full of prickles It is I that layde vpon thee a heavie and sharpe burthen with the weyght whereof thou wast so squeezed that drops of blood did distill aboundantlie from thy sacred bodie To thee Lord Iesu my alone redeemer and Mediator for this thine vnspeakable loue will I sing prayses for ever AMEN PRAYER VI. Hee rendereth thankes for our calling by the word VNto thee O Lord my God is most due all praise honour and thanksgiving for that thou wouldest by the preaching of thy word make manifest vnto vs that thy Fatherlie will and determinate counsell concerning our salvation By nature 〈◊〉 are darknesse wee sit in darknesse and in the region of the shadow of death But thou by the most cleare light of the Gospell doest dispell this darknesse In thy light doe we see light that is in the light of thy word wee see true light that lighteneth everie one that commeth into this world What vse were there of a treasure that is hid and a light that is put vnder a bushell I doe therefore declare with thankfulnesse that great benefite in that thou hast by the word of thy Gospell revealed vnto vs that treasure of benefits in thy Sonne How beautifull are the feete of those that bring good tydings and tell of salvation This peace of conscience and salvation of the soule by the preaching of the Gospell thou doest yet declare vnto vs and call vs vnto the kingdome of thy Sonne I was led into the by-paths of errours as it were a weake and miserable sheepe But thou hast called mee into the way again by the preaching of thy word I was condemned and vtterlie lost But thou in the word of thy Gospell doest offer vnto mee the benefits of Christ and in the benefits of Christ thy grace and in thy grace remission of sinnes and in remission of sinnes righteousnesse and in righteousnesse salvation and life everlasting Who can sufficientlie in words expresse those bowels of thy mercie yea who can in mynde conceaue the greatnesse and the riches of thy goodnesse The mysterie of our salvation kept secret from eternitie by the manifestation of thy Gospel thou doest lay open vnto vs. The counsels which thou hadst concerning our peace before the foundations of the world were layde thou doest reveale vnto vs by the preaching of thy word which is a lanthorne vnto our feete whiles wee goe through this darksome valley into light everlasting What had it profited vs to haue beene borne vnlesse by Christ thou hadst delivered vs when wee were captivated through sinne What had it profited vs to haue beene redeemed vnlesse thou hadst by thy word declared vnto vs the great benefit of our redemption Thou doest spread foorththy hands vnto vs all the day Thou knockest at the gaâ—â— of our heart everie day callest vs all vnto thee by thy word O Lord most benigne how manie thousand thousands of men doe liue in the blindnesse of Gentilisme and in errours and haue not seene that light of thy heavenlie word which thy bountie hath granted vs of all men most vnthankfull Alace how often through our contempt and vnthankfulnesse doe wee deserue that thou shouldest take from vs the candlesticke of thy word But thou of thy long patience doest make as if thou sawest not our sinnes of thy vnspeakable mercie doest yet continue vnto vs that most holie pledge and most precious treasure of thy word For which thy great benefite wee render vnto thee eternall thankes and wee humblie beseech thee to continue it still vnto vs. Amen PRAYER VII Hee rendereth thankes vnto God for the expectation of our conversion I Render vnto thee most mercifull Father immortall thankes for that thou wouldest with so great patience and long-suffering expect my conversion and hast brought mee out of the path of sinne vnto the fellowship of thy kingdome How great is thy long-suffering that thou hast not cast mee away from thy face and thrust mee downe into everlasting torments whereas I haue deserved it a thousand times How manie thousands hath death prevented before they could attaine vnto true repentance How manie sinners hath the devill made obstinate that they might not obtaine forgivenesse of their sinnes There was no distinction in nature betweene mee and them onelie thy goodnesse and long-suffering My offence was no lesse than theirs but thy grace did abound Thy mercie stroue with my miserie I went on in my sinne and thou didst goe on in thy mercie I differred my
ever Amen PRAYER X. Hee rendereth thankes vnto God for conserving vs in that which is good TO thee LORD bee honour and glorie and blessing and thanksgiving for that thou hast not onlie in mercie receaved mee vpon my repentance but also hast enabled mee to abstaine from sinne and liue more reformedlie What should it profit a man to bee free from his sicknesse and presentlie to fall into a worse relapse What should it profite to bee absolved from sins past vnlesse grace bee conferred to leade a godlie lyfe Thou God most faithfull hast showed all the parts and offices of a faythfull and skilfull Physician in the cure of my souls wounds My wounds were deadlie and thou didst cure them by the wounds of thy Sonne But there was cause to feare that the wounds that were healed might waxe rawe agayne And thou by the grace of thy holie Spirit as it were a fomentation hast hindred it How manie bee those that after remission of sinnes obtayned returne agayne to their former course of lyfe and reiterating their sinnes more grievouslie offende GOD Alace how manie doe we see that beeing freed from the yoke of sinne returne to their former captivitie and beeing brought out of the spirituall Aegypt looke backe agayne to the pots They haue fled from the pollutions of the world by the knowledge of CHRIST and doe wallow agayne in the same by repeating the former conversation of their most wicked lyfe They were freed out of the bonds of Satan by their conversion and agayne are held entangled in the same by the delusion of wicked spirits Surelie their latter ende is worse than the beginning And it had beene better for them never to haue knowne the way of righteousnesse than having knowne it to turne away from the path of the holie commandements which were delivered vnto them These are the dogs that returne againe to their vomite and sowes that after their washing wallow agayne in the myre Whatsoever hath happened vnto them might haue happened vnto me but that it hath pleased thee by the grace of thy power the efficacie of thy holie Spirit to enable me to continue in that which is good The same wicked spirit that vanquished them assaulted mee The same world that seduced them enticed mee The same flesh that overcame them allured mee Onlie thy grace protected mee against their assaults and furnished me with power sufficient for victorie Thy strength was powerfull in my weaknesse From thee the strength of the Spirit descended with which I was enabled to bridle the assaults of the flesh Whatsoever good there is in mee it descendeth all from thee who art the fountaine of all good For in me by nature there is nothing but sin Therefore as manie good workes as I finde in mee which notwithstanding are impure and imperfect by reason of my flesh so manie gifts they are of thy grace I must needs confesse For this thine inestimable gift conferred vpon mee I will giue thee thankes for ever Amen PRAYER XI Hee rendereth thankes for all the gifts of the soule and bodie and for externall goods I Render vnto thee eternall and mercifull God as it is most due eternall thankes for that thou hast not onelie made mee a bodie and a soule but moreover hast furnished mee with sundrie gifts of the soule and bodie and also with externall goods Thou which art wisedome it selfe teachest men all knowledge If therefore I know anie good it is a demonstration of thyne aboundant grace towards mee Without thy light my minde is darksome Without thy grace my will is captiue If there bee in mee eyther anie wit or prudence it is all to bee attributed to thy clemencie Wisedome is the eye of the soule and divyne grace is the eye of wisedome Whatsoever wee know we know eyther by the light of nature or by the revelation of thy word But from thee O thou light of eternall wisedome doeth the illumination of nature spring From thee also doeth the revelatiō of the word come Therfore whatsoever wee know descendeth vnto vs as thy gift Thou O indeficient fountayne of lyfe art my lyfe and the length of my dayes Thou O eternall health it selfe art the strength of my body and the vigour of my vertue Man liveth not by bread onelie but by everie word that proceedeth out of thy mouth So then man is not preserved in health and strength by bread onlie neither is he preserved from diseases by Physicke onlie but by everie word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God Tranquillitie of the mynde preserveth the health of the bodie And true godlinesse begetteth tranquillitie of the conscience From thee O thou chiefe good all true godlinesse all tranquillitie of the mynde without disturbance and all wished-for health of bodie doeth come Moreover whatsoever externall good I doe possesse all that I owe vnto thy liberalitie and bountie A crust of bread is not due vnto my deserts How much lesse then are all these externall goods which thou doest heap vpon mee They are called indeede the gifts of fortune But they are in deede and in trueth the gifts of thy grace There is nothing more blessed than to doe good and to bee liberall to others And thou hast made mee partaker of this blessednesse by bestowing liberallie these outward goods vpon mee Thou hast sowed in mee the seede of thy grace that from thence there may aryse to others an harvest of liberalitie and beneficencie Thou hast committed manie thinges vnto mee as vnto a steward that I might haue wherewithall to doe good to my fellow-servants From thee the fountaine of all good there descendeth vpon mee streames of goods Whatsoever I am whatsoever I possesse whatsoever I bestow dependeth all I confesse vpon thy bountie For this thine inestimable mercie I will giue thee thankes for ever Amen PRAYER XII Hee rendereth thankes for the sacrament of Baptisme TO thee O eternall and mercifull God Father Sonne and holie Ghost I render humble thanks for that thou hast washed me in the holie laver of baptisme from all my sinnes and for that thou hast receaved mee into the covenant of grace made me an heire of everlasting lyfe I acknowledge it is thy gift that I was borne of Christian parents and by them brought vnto this heavenlie fount How manie thousands of infants are borne in Gentilisme and without this sacrament doe die in their sinnes There is no difference in nature betweene mee and them Onlie thy superaboundant grace hath made a difference I was joyned with them in communion of sinne But I was separated from them by participation of thy grace How great is thy goodnesse that thou diddest finde mee when I sought thee not that thou didst heare mee before I asked that thou didst open vnto mee before I knockt This thy mercie exceedeth all prayse yea and all admiration I was baptized in thy holie Name thy Name for mee was called vpon Therefore
a Comforter to the comfortlesse a Deliverer to the captiues and a Physician to the sicke Grant that the sicknesse of their bodies may make for the good of their soules Especiallie wee beseech thee to bee present with those that are at the poynt to die Fit them for their journey before their departure Arme them with faith and patience Seale vnto them by thy holie Spirit the pardon and forgiuenesse of all their sinnes And so let thy servants depart in peace and bee translated from death to lyfe to liue with thee for evermore Heare vs wee beseech thee praying for our brethren heare our brethren for vs and Iesus Christ our elder brother for vs all Wee know O Lord that thou hearest him alwayes Heare vs lykewyse wee beseech thee for his sake and accept our THANKSGIVING Wee render most heartie thankes vnto thee for our Saviours 4 Incarnation for his 5 Passion for our 3 Redemption by his most precious blood Wee thanke thee for â— forming vs in our mothers wombe for 1â— washing vs in the laver of baptisme for 6 calling vs by thy word for 7 expecting our conversion for 8 converting vs vnto the fayth for 13 strengthening our fayth by the participation of Christs bodie and blood for 9 sealing vnto vs the pardon of our sinnes for 15 giving vs a promise of everlasting lyfe Wee thanke thee for all other thy blessings 11 corporall and spirituall internall and externall for our 10 continuance in that which is good for 14 deliverance from all evill Wee thanke thee for thy often deliverances of this Church and kingdome from forreyne invasions and homebred conspiracies â— Wee thanke thee for 2 preserving vs ever since wee were borne for defending vs this night past from all perills and dangers for the quiet rest wherewith thou hast refreshed our bodies for thy mercie renewed vnto vs this morning Let thy mercie bee continued vnto vs this day let thy Spirit direct vs in all our wayes that wee may walke before thee as children of the light doing those thinges that are pleasing in thy sight Let the dew of thy blesing descende vpon our labours for without thy blessing all our labour is but in vaine Prosper thou the workes of our handes vpon vs O prosper thou our handie worke Grant that wee may conscionablie in our callings so seeke after thinges temporall that finallie wee lose not the thinges which bee eternall Wee are vnworthie O Lord wee confesse to obtaine anie thing at thy hands eyther for our selues or anie others even for the sinfulnesse of these our prayers But thou hast promised to heare all those that call vpon thee in thy Sonnes name Make good therefore we beseech thee thy promise vnto vs now calling vpon thee in thy Sonnes name and praying as he hath taught vs in his holie Gospell Our Father which art in heaven c. An Evening prayer for a familie gathered here and there out of Gerards Meditations and Prayers MOst glorious LORD GOD whose dwelling is in the highest heavens and yet beholdest the lowlie and the humble vpon earth wee blush and are ashamed to lift vp our eyes vnto heaven because we haue sinned against thee which dwellest in the heavens But looke downe wee beseech thee from heaven thy dwelling place and beholde the humilitie of thy servants heere on earth which prostrate themselues at the foot-stooll of thy mercie confessing their owne guiltinesse and begging pardon for their sinnes Wee confesse Almightie Creatour that thou madest vs at the first after thyne owne image thou cloathedst vs with innocencie as with a garment thou seatedst vs in paradise a place of all delight and pleasure But wee haue defaced thine image wee haue cast off our first covering we haue thrust our selues out of that pleasant place Wee ran away from thee and were not obedient vnto thy voyce Wee were lost and condemned before wee came into this world Our first parents sinned agaynst thee and we sinned in them They were corrupted and wee are inheriters of their corruption They were the parents of disobedience and wee are by nature the children of wrath Sinfull and vnhappie children of sinfull and vnhappie parents Thou mightest in thy displeasure after their fall haue plunged them into the bottâ—mlesse pit and made them the fewell of hell and sent their posteritie after them And neyther they nor wee could justlie haue complained Righteous O Lord art thou in thy judgements And our miserie is from our selues But great was thy mercie vnto vs. Wee came into this world in a flood of vncleannesse wallowing in our mothers blood and thou didst set open a fountayne for vs to wash in Wee were washed in the laver of baptisme and wee haue returned with the swyne to our wallowing in the myre Wee came from a place of darknesse into this world we lived as children of darknesse wee sat in darknesse and in the shadow of death Thou gavest vs thy word to bee a lanthorne vnto our feete and a light vnto our paths that in thy light wee might see light that so walking in the way of trueth wee might attayne everlasting lyfe But wee haue loved darknesse more than light haue not beene obedient vnto thy word Wee came into this world crooked even from our mothers wombe and thou gavest vs thy law to be a glasse wherein we might see our deformitie and a rule whereby to square all our actions words thoughts But wee haue shut our eyes that wee might not see and wee haue refused to bee ruled by thy law The law of sinne in our flesh doeth daylie captivate vs. The roote of originall sinne which lyeth hidden in vs doth everie day put foorth new branches All the parts and faculties of our bodies and soules are so manie instruments of vnrighteousnesse to fight agaynst thy divyne Majestie Our hearts imagine wicked things our mouthes vtter them and our handes put them in practice Thy mercies everie day are renewed vnto vs and our sinnes are everie day multiplied agaynst thee In the day of health and prosperitie we forget thee and we never thinke vpon the day of sicknesse and adversitie Thy benefits heaped vpon vs doe not allure vs to obey thee Neyther doe thy judgements infflicted vpon others make vs afrayde to offend thee What couldest thou O Lord haue done more for vs or what could wee haue done more agaynst thee Thou didst send thy Sonne in the fulnesse of time to take our nature vpon him to fulfill thy law for vs and to bee crucified for our sinnes Wee haue not followed the example of his holie lyfe but haue everie day afresh crucified him by our sinnes And now O LORD if wee shall become our own judges we cannot but confesse that wee haue deserved everlasting torments in hell-fire But there is mercie with thee O Lord therefore will wee not despare Our sins are manie in number But thy mercies are without number The weyght of our sinnes is great But the weyght
of thy Sonnes crosse was greater Our sinnes presse vs downe vnto hell But thy mercie in Christ Iesus rayseth vs vp By Satan wee are accused But by Iesus Christ wee are defended By the law wee are convicted But by Iesus Christ wee are justified By our owne conscience wee are condemned But by Iesus Christ wee are absolued In vs there is nothing but sinne death and damnation In him there is treasured vp for vs righteousnesse lyfe and salvation Wee are poore Hee is our riches Wee are naked Hee is our covering Wee are exposed to thy furie persuing vs Hee is the buckler of our defence and our refuge Hee is the rocke of our salvation in him doe we trust His wounds are the clefts of the rocke Giue vs we beseech thee the wings of a Doue that by faith wee may hide our selues in the clefts of this rocke that thyne anger waxe not hote against vs to consume vs Let not thy justice triumph in our confusion but let thy mercie rejoyce in our salvation Pardon the sinfull course of our lyfe past and guyde vs by thy holie Spirit for the tyme to come Amende what is amisse increase all gifts and graces which thou hast alreadie given and giue vnto vs what thou best knowest to bee wanting Bee gracious and favourable to thy whole Church especially to that part thereof which thou hast committed vnto the protection of thy servant our Soveraigne King CHARLES Grant that he may see it flowrishing in peace and prosperitie in the profession and practice of thy Gospell all the dayes of his lyfe and after this lyfe ended crowne him wee beseech thee with a crowne of immortall glorie Let not the sceptre of this kingdome depart from his house neyther let there bee wanting a man of his Race to sit vpon his throne so long as the sunne and moone endureth Of this thou hast giuen vs a pledge alreadie in blessing the fruit of the Queens wombe Let the Queene still bee lyke a fruitfull vyne And let the Prince grow vp lyke a plant in thyne house Let thy mercie bee extended to the Ladie Elizabeth our Kings onelie sister and her princelie issue How long Lord just and true how long shall their enemies prevaile and say There there so would wee haue it It is tyme for thee to lay to thyne hand for they haue laide waste their dwelling place Aryse O Lord and let their enemies bee scattered and let them that hate them flee before them Carrie them backe agayne into their owne countrey if it may bee for thy glorie and their good make them glad with the joy of thy countenance and let them rejoyce vnder their owne vynes Wee returne home agayne and beseech thee to bee gracious and mercifull to the Kings Councell the Nobilitie the Magistracie the Ministerie the Gentrie and the Commonalitie Giue vnto those whom thou hast vseâ— as instruments for our good rewardes temporall and eternall Forgiue those that be our enemies and turne their hearts Forget not those that groane vnder the crosse Cloath the naked feed the hungrie visite the sicke deliver the captiues defend the fatherlesse and widows relieue the oppressed confirme and strengthen those that suffer persecution for righteousnesse sake cure those that are brokeÌ„ in heart speake peace vnto their consciences that are tormented with the sense of their sinnes suffer them not to bee swallowed vp in despare Stand by those that are readie to depart out of this lyfe When their eyes shall bee darkned in the agonie of doath kindle in their hearts the light of saving fayth when their eares shall bee stopt let thy Spirit speake vnto them inwardlie and comfort them and when the house of their earthlie tabernacle shall bee dissolved them Lord receaue their souls As we haue made bold to make our prayers and supplications vnto thee for our selues and others So also wee render vnto thee all possible praise and thanksgiving for all thy benefits bestowed vpon our selues and others Wee thanke thee in speciall for our election creation redemption vocation justification for all the blessed means of our sanctification and for the assured hope of our future glorification Wee thanke thee for our health mayntenance and libertie for preserving vs ever since wee were borne for blessing vs in all that wee haue put our handes vnto this day Let thy mercie still bee continued vnto vs wee beseech thee Let the eye of thy providence which never slumbreth nor sleepeth watch over vs and let the hand of thy power protect and defende vs Cover vs this night vnder the shadow of thy wings that no evill happen vnto vs. Grant that our bodies may bee refreshed this night with such moderate rest that wee may bee the fitter for the workes of our vocation and thy service the next morning Heare vs we beseech thee for Iesus Christ his sake our Lord and onlie Saviour in whose name and words wee call vpon thee further praying Our Father c. FINIS Psal. 51. 5 〈◊〉 24 4 Rom. 7 23 Titus â— 5 Matt. 15 19 Psal. 143. 2 Psal. 51. 1 Psal. 42. â— Isai 9. 6 1 Cor. 1. 30 Psal. 90. 8 Psal. 25. 7 â—et 31 34 Geâ— 6 5 Proâ— 24 1â— Psal. 29 12 Phil. 2. 8 Luke â— 42 Prov. 24 16 Matt. 26. 〈◊〉 Rom. 7. 1â— Isai. 6â— 6 Pâ—â—â— â—30 3 Psal. 143. 3 Iob. â— 3 Exod. 20 1 Rom. 7. â— Iohn 4. 23 Iohn 6. 5â— Isai 53. 9 Exod 20. 1â— Matt. 5 28 Isai 53 9 1 Pet 2 22 Rom 3. 28 1 Tim 2 1â— Ezek. 3 21 Matt. 10. 28 Psal. 118 22 Luke 15 1â— 19 19 Rom. 6 23 Cant. 2. 14 Psal. 18 〈◊〉 Psal. 4â— â— Rom. 5. 1 â—Iohn 3 20 Col. 2 14 Psal. 51. 17 Matt 〈◊〉 28 Psal. â—30 â— Psal. 230 1 Mic. 7 19 Psal. 38. 3 Luke 15 19 Rom. 2 4 Rom. 13. 〈◊〉 2 Cor 7. â— Psal. 5â— 7 Gen. 〈◊〉 33 Isai 53. â—5 Matt. 27. 46 Iob 10 8 9 10 11 12 Psal 1â—9 13 14 15 〈◊〉 17 18 Matt. 5. 44 Hag. 2. â— Colos 1 14 Luke 15. 8 Gal. 4 4 Prov. 8 3â— Gal. 4 4 Isai 7. 14 Heb. 2 16 1 Tim 3. 16 Isai â— 6 Ephes 5. 3â— Matt. 22. 2 Isai 49 16 Matt. â—7 46 Ephes 5. 8 Luke 1. 79 Psal 36 11 Iohn 1 9. Matt 5. 15 Isai 52 â— Nah 1. 15 Rom. 10. 15 Rom. 11. 25 Psal 119 105 â—â—ai â—5 â— Revel 3 20 Revel â— 5 Wisd 11. 1â— Rom. â— 4 Bernard in his 2 Serm. of the seaveÌ„ loâ—us Graâ—at in the 2 book of the life of Chr. cap 2 Ierm 13 23. Ierm 31. 〈◊〉 Ephes 2 â— Isai 53. â— Gâ—anat out of Augâ—â—â—ines Medications Iohn 6. 37 Luke 15. 13 Iohn 1. â—8 Câ—â—â— â— â— Ephes 6 25 Luke â—5 23 Rom. 5 21 Isai 65 â— Isai 38 〈◊〉 Reve 6. 〈◊〉 2 Pet. 2. 20 22 2 Pet 2. 21 22 2 Cor 12. 9 Psal. 94. 10 Matt. 4. 4 Matt 7. 7 Matt. â—8 19 â— Iohn 1. 7 Psal 51. 7 Hosâ—â— 2. 19 Ephes 1. 14 Matt. 3 16 Iohn 6. 54 50 Hilar. in his 8 book of the Trinitie pag. 141 Luke 23 46 Psal 32. â— Mic. 7. 19 1 Sam 25 2â— Psal 36. 9 Psal. 80. 15 â—sai 5. 2 Ephes 4 11 1 Pet 4. 11 Actes 20. 28 Iohn â—1 15 Bern. 2 Serm of the resurection Col â—34 Heb. 13. 17 Gregor â— book of pastoral Câ—â—e cap. 6 Matt. 9. last Actes 1â— 14 Iohn 〈◊〉 48 Heb. 4 2 Isai 55. 〈◊〉 1 Cor 3 7 Matt. â—3 4 Luke 8 14 13 â— Tim 5. 5 Heb. 13 4 Tobiâ— 3. 8 Gen. 2. 20 Ephes 5. 32 Ephes 6. 4 Ephes 6. 5 Matt 10 42 1 Cor 9. 11 Matt. 5. 44 Iames 4 14 Rom. 12 18 Ephes 4 4 Ephe 4 5 Actes â— 5 1 Tim 4. 10 1 Tim 2 â— Pâ—al 145 14 Psal. 68. 5 Matt. 5 10 Matt. 16. 2â—
GERARDS PRAYERS OR A DAYLIE PRACTICE OF PIETIE Divided into foure parts 1 Of Confession of Sinnes 2 Of Thanksgiving for benefits 3 Of Petitions for our selues 4 Of Supplicatiōs for our neighbours Written originally in the Latine Tongue by Iohn Gerard Doctor in Divinitie and Superintendent of Heldeburg Translated and revised By Ralph Winterton Fellow of Kinges Colledge in Cambridge Wherevnto is added a Morning and Euening Prayer for a Familie Printed in ABERDENE by Edward Raban 1638. To the Reader DIstressed soule if thou conceav'st what 't is To mount vnto the tower of endles blisse Embrace this Work It reacheth to the Skie And higher if beyond it ought doeth lie Mans dull capacitie weake humane sense Wide worlds expansion starres circumference Can not it comprehend Prayer passeth even To GODS Pavilion to th' imperiall Heaven That is the Golden Chayne fixt to Gods eare Knocke Hee 'll open Call He will heare This surelie this is blessed lakobs Ladder On which our soules climbe by CHRIST to CHRIST'S FATHER Fayth is Prayers chiefe Attendant CHRIST the Way GOD'S Sprite both moues and help vs 〈◊〉 to pray True loue admittance gayn◠humble confession Both helps Devotion and procures Remission THE FIRST PART Of Confession of Sinnes THE ARGUMENT The Meditation of our Sinnes comprehendeth in it these two heads Of originall and actuall sinnes Actuall sinnes are committed in thought word and deed By the committing of evill and by the omitting of good Agaynst GOD our neyghbour and our selues The offences of our youth are manie and our daylie infirmities many We are often tempted of the flesh and we do often yeeld vnto it Wee partake many tymes in other mens sinnes and in many things wee are defectiue our selues Wee are convicted of our sinnes by all the creatures and wee behold the sexeritie of GODS anger agaynst our sinnes in the Passion and Death of CHRIST PRAYER I. Hee weygheth and considereth the grievousnesse of originall sinne HOlie GOD and just Iudge I know that I was conceaved and borne in sinne I know that I was formed of vncleane seede in the wombe of my mother That poyson of sinne hath so corrupted and putrified my whole nature that no facultie of my soule is free from the contagion thereof That holie pledge of the divyne image which was committed vnto mee in our first father is perished in mee There is no power at all in mee to begin to come vnto the saving knowledge of thee the feare of thee confidence in thee and loue of thee There remaineth no sufficiencie in mee to performe obedience vnto thy cōmandements My will is averse from thy law And the law of sinne in my members beeing repugnant to the law of my mynde maketh my whole nature become corrupt and perverse I wretched and miserable man doe feele the power of sinne cleaving fast to my members I doe feele the yoke of wicked concupiscence grievouslie pressing me For although I am regenerate and renewed by the spirit of grace in the laver of baptisme yet am I not as yet whollie free from the yoke and captivitie of sinne For that roote of bitternesse which lyeth hidden in mee doeth alwayes desire to put forth new branches The law of sinne reygning in my flesh doeth striue to captivate mee I am full of doubts distrust and desire of myne owne honour Out of my heart proceede wicked cogitations Filthie thoughts defile mee throughout in thy sight Out of that poysoned fountaine flow foorth rivers of poyson Enter not therefore into judgement with thy servant O LORD but bee propitiou◠vnto mee according to thy great mercie The deepe of my miserie calleth vpon the deepe of thy mercie For this vncleannesse and filthinesse of my polluted nature I offer vnto thee the most sacred conceptiō of thy Sonne For mee hee was borne For mee therefore hee was conceaved For me he was made sanctificatiō righteousnes For me therefore he is become purification and cleannes Throgh him for him thy Sonne haue mercie on mee O thou most highest and set not in the light of thy countenance that hidden corruption that cleaveth to my nature but looke vpon thy beloved Sonne my Mediatour and let his most holie and immaculate conception succour my miserie Amen PRAYER II. Hee recalleth to our memorie the sinnes of our youth HOlie GOD and just Iudge Remember not the offences of my sinnes that are past How manie venemous fruits hath the vicious roote of concupiscence that is inherent in mee brought foorth In my chyldhood what an innumerable brood of actuall transgressions hath the evill of originall sinne hatched The verie thoughts of my heart are wicked and perverse even from my chyldhood yea even from my tender infancie For when I was an infant but of one day I was in no wayes innocent before thee As manie as the dayes of my lyfe are so manie offences doe burden me yea manie more by farre in number seeing that the just man falleth seaven tymes in one day But if the just fall seaven tymes in one day then I wretched and vnjust man without doubt haue fallen seaventie tymes seaven tymes As my lyfe hath increased so hath the web of my sins increased as much as hath beene added to my lyfe by thy bountie so much hath beene added to the course of my sinnes by the wickednesse of my corrupt nature I examine my lyfe that is past and what else doe I beholde but a filthie stinking cloake of sinne I attend vnto the light of thy precepts and what doe I finde in the course of my yeares that are past but darknesse and blindnesse The tender flower of my youth ought to haue beene crowned with vertues and offred to thee for a sweet savour The best part of my age past did owe it selfe vnto thee the best Creatour of nature But the dirtie filth of my sinnes hath most foullie polluted the flower of my age and the stinking mud of my offences hath in a wōderfull miserable māner defiled me The first age of man is amongst all the rest the fittest for the service of GOD But I haue spent a good part thereof in the service of the devill The memorie of many sinnes which the vnbridled loosenesse of my youth hath committed is set in my sight and yet there are manie more which I cannot call to memorie Who knoweth how oft hee offendeth cleanse thy servant from secret faults For these offences of my youth I offer vnto thee holie Father the most holie obedience and perfect innocencie of thy Sonne who was obedient to thee vnto death even the death of the crosse When hee was but a chylde of twelue yeares olde hee performed holie obedience vnto thee and began to execute thy will with great alacritie This obedience I offer vnto thee just Iudge for a pryce and satisfaction for the manifolde disobedience of my youth Amen PRAYER III. Hee reckeneth vp our
thou drye and vnhappie wood that hast alwayes served as a slaue the everlasting fire of hell What must thou feare when thou seest these things come to passe in the greene wood Christ is the greene tree In the roote of his divinitie in the loue of his humanitie in the boughes of his vertues in the leaueâ— of his holie wordes and in the fruit of his good works Hee is the cedar of chastitie the vine of joyfulnesse the palme of patience and the oliue of mercie But if the fire of the divyne anger inflameth this greene tree of lyfe How much more shall it consume the sinner lyke drye wood for his vnfruitfull workes In what capitall and bloodie letters are my sins ingraven in the bodie of Christ How conspicuous O thou most just GOD is thyne anger agaynst myne iniquities How straite must that captivitie needes bee in which my soule was held when so precious a ransome was payd for her delyverie How great must the staynes of my sinnes needs bee when rivers of blood flow downe from the bodie of Christ to wash them away O thou most just God and yet most mercifull Father consider what indignities thy Sonne hath suffered for me and forget the wicked works of me thy vnworthie servant Behold the proâ—unditie of his wounds and overwhelme my sinnes in the profound sea of thy mercie Amen THE SECOND PART Of thanksgiving for Benefits THE ARGUMENT The Meditation of Gods benefits doeth gather out of the garden of nature and of the Church sundrie those most fragrant 〈◊〉 of divine gifts and recreating it selfe with the odour thereof offereth againe to God the sâ—crifices of the lips for a savour of sweet smell Now the immense and innumerable benefits of God may be divided according to three articles of our Christian faith God hath created rédeemed and sanctified vs. Hee heapeth his benefits on vs in this life and hath promised greater vnto vs in the life that is everlasting Hee conferreth vpon vs the gift of the minde of the bodie and of fortune which wee caâ—â— externall goods He preserveth vs from evil and conserveth vs in good That which is pâ—â—t he covereth that which is to come hee governeth His privatiue blessings are more than his positiue In brieâ—e woe can neyther in word expresse nor in thoughâ— conceaue the number and dignitie of Gods benefits which will afford vnto vs hereafter in the world to come most plentifull matter of eternall praise and thanksgiving PRAYER I. Hee giveth thanks for our forming in the wombe and for our nativitie ALmightie eternal GOD Father Sonne and holie Ghost I giue thankes to thee I prayse thee I glorifie thee because thy hands haue fashioned mee and made mee whollie round about Thou formedst mee lyke clay in my mothers wombe Thou didst draw me lyke milke Thou didst curdlâ— mee lyke cheese With flesh and skinne hast thou covered mee and compacted mee together with bones and sinews Thou hast given mee lyfe and mercie and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit This thy great mercie bestowed vpon mee I will celebrate with perpetuall prayses Thy goodnesse I will sing of in continuall songs Thou didst protect mee in my mothers wombe I will confesse vnto thee For I am wonderfullie formed Marvelous are thy workes and that my soule knoweth right well My bones are not had from thee which thâ—n didst make in secret and deckedst me with divers members in the lower parts of the earth Thy eyes saw mee yet beeing imperfect and in thy booke were all my members written which day by day were fashioned when as yet there were none of them How precious vnto meâ— are thy thoughts O GOD How great iâ— the summe of them If I goe about to reckon them I finde them multiplied aboue the sands of the sea Thou didst show thy mercie vnto mee before I vnderstood it Thou didst prevent me with thy blessings before I did desire them Thy bountie did embrace mee on everie side before I could giue thankes for it Thou art hee who not onlie didst forme mee wonderfullie in the wombe but also didst take me out Thou art my hope even from my mothers breast Out of my mothers wombe I was cast vpon thee Thou art my GOD from my mothers wombe As often as I thinke vpon manie that haue beene extinct and never came to the light of this lyfe so often I admire and prayse thee for thy mercie which brought mee out of that prison into the theatre of this world safe and sound How manie yeares are past in which I was not and yet thou didst erect for mee this house of my bodie and didst bring mee out of that bottomlesse pit and the darknesse of my mothers wombe Thou gavest vnto mee a reasonable soule Thou madest mee a man not a stone or a serpent To thee O my God for this thy mercie bee honour and glorie for ever AMEN PRAYER II. Hee rendereth thankes for our sustentation I Render thanks vnto thee Almightie and mercifull God for that thou hast sustained me from the very first dayes of my life Naked I came into this world and thou coveredst mee most graciouslie Hungrie I entred into this world and thou hast hitherto fed me most bountifully In thee I liue moue haue my being Without thee I fall agayne into nothing and die Through thee I â—owe and moue my members Without thee I can neyther be partaker of life or motion Thyne is the sunne that giveth me light which I see daylie with mine eyes Thyne is the aire which I draw in with continuall breath The night is thine and the day is thine whose entercourses serue for my labour and rest Thyne is the earth whose fruits do nowrish mee most plentifullie Everie creature in heaven ayre earth and sea is thine and is appoynted for my vse and service Silver is thyne and gold is thyne Whatsoever is necessarie for the sustentation of this my present lyfe all that I receaue from thy most liberall and bountifull hands O GOD how liberall art thou to man-kinde All thinges thou createdst long agoe for the vse of man All thinges thou doest as yet preserue for the good of man Whatsoever thou of thyne infinite goodnesse affordest to the other creatures thou affordest also vnto me for as much as thou doest wonderfullie forme furnish and conserue them for my sake Some of the creatures serue to obey mee some to nowrish me some to cloathe me some to cure mee some to chastice mee But all of them to teach and informe mee Who can reckon vp those divers kindes of nutriments which thou hast created and doest as yet produce out of the earth vnto this day to nowrish vs Who can enumerate those divers species of herbs which thou doest everie yeare cause the earth to bring foorth to cure vs Who can in wordes comprehende those sundrie kindes of living creatures which were made for mans vse and
nature Receaue them into the everlasting tabernacles of the citie which is aboue whoÌ„ thou hast vsed as thy instruments to conferre vpon mee so manie and so liberall benefits My heart propoundeth vnto thee the infallible promise of thy word that thou wilt of thy meere free grace recompence even a cup of colde water How much more then wilt thou bee liberall and bountifull to those that with full hand bestow benefits of all kyndes vpon those that want Let not thy graces cease to runne downe vpon them that poure foorth so plentifullie vpon others Let the fountayne of thy goodnesse alwayes spring vnto them from whom such plentifull rivers of liberalitie doe flow Grant I beseech thee most mercifull GOD that they which â—ow temporall thinges so liberallie may reape with much increase things spirituall Fill their soules with joy that feede the bodies of the poore with meat Let not the fruit of their bountie perish though they show it by bestowing of the goods that perish Giue vnto them that giue vnto others thou that art the giver of everie good gift blessed for ever Amen PRAYER VI. He prayeth for enemies and persecutors LORD Iesu Christ the onelie begoten Sonne of GOD that hast prescribed vs in thy word this rule of charitie Loue your enemies blesse them that curse you doe good to them that hate you pray for them that despitefullie vse you and persecute you I beseech thee who art most gracious and most readie to forgiue to forgiue myne enemies and the persecutours of the Church Giue vnto mee the grace of thy holie Spirit that I may not onelie forgiue myne enemies from myne heart but also pray for their health and salvation even from my soule Whet not against them the sword of severe revenge but anoynt their heads with the oyle of thy mercie and compassion Extinguish the sparks of hatred and anger that are in their hearts that they breake not foorth into the infernall flames of hell Let them know and acknowledge that Our lyfe is but a vapour and a smoake that soone vanisheth away that our bodie is but ashes dust that flyeth away that they beare not immortall anger in their mortall bodies nor entertayne into this brittle tabernacle of clay their soules enemie Let them know lykewyse that inveterate hatred is their greatest enemie because it killeth the soule and excludeth them from the participation of heavenlie lyfe Illumiminate their myndes that they beholding the glasse of thy divyne mercie may see the deformitie of anger and hatred Governe their wills that beeing moved by the example of thy divyne forgiuenesse they may leaue off and cease to bee angrie and to doe harme Grant vnto mee mercifull GOD that as much as in mee lyeth I may haue peace with all men and turne the hearts of myne enemies to brotherlie reconcilement Let vs walke with vnanimitie and concord in the way of this lyfe seeing that wee hope all for a place in our celestiall countrey Let vs not disagree vpon earth seeing that wee all desire to liue together heereafter in heaven Wee call vpon thee our Lord and our God which art in heaven And it is not meet for the servants of the same Lord to fall out one with another Wee are one mysticall bodie vnder Christ our head And it is base and shamefull for the members of the same bodie to fight one with another They which haue one fayth and one baptisme ought to haue one spirit and one mynde Neyther doe I pray alone for my private enemies but also for the publike enemies and persecutoures of the Church O thou which art trueth it selfe bring them into the way of trueth O thou which art power it selfe bring to nought their bloodie endeavours and attempts Let the brightnesse of thy heavenlie trueth open their blinde eyes that the raging madnesse and desire to persecute which they haue in their myndes may heereafter cease Let them know O LORD and acknowledge that it is not onelie a vaine thing but also verie dangerous to kicke against the prickes Why doe they imitate the furie of wolues when as they know that the blâ—â—â— of Christ the immaculate Lambeâ—â— as poured out for vs Why doe they thirst to shed that innocent blood for which they know that the blood of the verie Sonne of GOD was poured foorth vpon the altar of the crosse Convert them O LORD that they may bee converted vnto thee from their heart and so obtayne the fruit of their conversion in this life and in that which is to come Amen PRAYER VII Hee supplieateth for those that are afflicted and in miserie ALmightie eternall and mercifull GOD which art the Saviour of all men especiallie of the â—â—ythfull and by the Apostle hast commanded vs to make prayers for all men I intreate thee for all those that are afflicted and in miserie that thou wouldest support them by the consolatioÌ„ of thy grace and succour them by the ayde of thy power Indue with power and strength froâ— aboue those that labour and sweâ—â— in the most grievous agonie of Satans tentations Make them partakers of thy victorie O Christ thou which didst most powerfullie overcome Satan Let the cooler of thy heavenlie comfort raise vp those whose bones are become dry with the fire of griefe and sorrow Beare vp all those that are readie to fall and raise vp those that are alreadie fallen Bee mercifull vnto those that are sicke and diseased and grant that the disease of the bodie may bee vnto them the medicine of the soule and the adversities of the flesh the remedies of the spirit Let them know that diseases are the handmaydes of sinne and the forerunners of death Giue vnto them the strength of fayth and patience O thou which art the most true Physician both of soule and bodie Restore them againe vnto their former health if it bee for the everlasting salvation of their soules Protect all those that are great with childe and those that bee in labour Thou art he that doest deliver children out of the straytes of their mothers wombe doest propagate mankinde by thy blessing be present with those that bee in labour O thou lover and giver of lyfe that they be not oppressed with an immoderate weyght of sorrows Nowrish those that are orphanes and destitute of all helpe and succour Defende the widows that are subject to the reproaches of all men thou which hast called thy selfe the Father of the fatherlesse and the Iudge and defender of the widows Let the teares of the widows which flow downe from their cheekes breake through the clowds and rest not vntill they come before thy throne Heare those that bee in danger by sea which cry to thee and sende vp their sighes vnto thee seeing before their eyes their neighbours suffer shipwracke Restore libertie vnto those that are captiue that with a thankfull heart they may sing of thy bountie Confirme those that suffer persecution