see thy children desire pray and labour that thy Gospell might bee truely preached heard and liued in themselues and in others so they lament the not preaching and refusing the not liuing and not beleeuing thy Gospell yea they lament the lingring of the comming of thy Christ for in his comming they know they shall bee like vnto him and hauing this hope they purifie themselues as hee is pure By reason heereof I see first that I am farre from this desire and lamenting which thy children haue I see my ignoraÌ„ce of thy kingdome and power euery where also of thy grace in thy Church only and of thy glory when all the enemies of thy grace shall bee cast downe and thy glory and power shall embrace each other I see my ignorance how acceptable a seruice to thee is the true preaching and the hearing of thy Gospel for else thou hadst not needed to haue placed this petition next to the petition of the sanctifying of thy name Againe I see heere mine vnablenesse to enter into thy kingdome and to attaine to it for else what neede should I haue to pray for that to come from thee which otherwise may be atchieued Thirdly I see my peruersity and contempt of thy Kingdome grace for although I see my want Our peruersity yet I would not desire thy kingdome to come if thou didest not command me so to pray and if I would haue praied for it thou wouldst not haue commaunded me Gods goodnes Last of all I see thy goodnesse which wilt bring thy kingdome and that as generally by sending foorth ministers to preach truly so particularly by regenerating me more more by giuing me as grace here so glory else where for thou wouldest not I should pray for that which thou wilt deny So that I haue great cause to lament and reioice To lament because of my miserable state and condiâ—ion because of my sinne ignorance rebellion peruersity Sathans power contempt of thy grace thy Gospell and ministery here or elsewhere To reioice because of thy goodnesse great mercie which hast brought me into thy Church keepest me in it and wilt do so still Also because of the ministery of thy word sacraments by which the holy Ghost is and will be effectuall and finally because of the great glory whereunto thou hast called mee and which now thou wilt giue vnto mee asking the same But alas how vnthankeful I am and sorrowlesse Lord thou knowest for my heart is not hid from thee Oh be mercifull vnto me and forgiue me good father and graunt me the spirit of thy children to reueale vnto mee my ignorance of thy kingdome my pouerty and peruersity that I may lament the same and dayly labour for thy helpe and thy holy Spirite to suppresse the kingdome of sinne in my selfe and others Againe grant mee that same thy holy spirit to reueale to me thy kingdome of power grace and glorie to kindle mine affections to regenerate me more and more to raigne in me as a peece of thy kingdome to giue to me to desire to pray and to labour for thy kingdome both to my selfe and to others effectually to thy glory and to assure my conscience of thy goodnesse that thou wilt giue mee grace and glorie c. Heere cal to mind the state of the ministery and ministers the light and life of Gospelers the errors heresies which men be intangled withall Thy will be done AS thy power is infinite so is thy wisdome accordingly Whereby wee may perceiue that nothing is or can bee done against thy power or otherwise then by it so is there not nor cannot bee any thing done against or otherwise thou by thy omnipotent and secret will which is alwaies as thou art good holy iust how farre soeuer it seeme otherwise to our foolish reason and iudgement and therfore heere we are taught to praie that thy will may be done heere without sinne on mans behalfe as it is on the Angels behalfe in heauen Againe for as much as thou art incomprehensible of thy selfe as well concerning thy power as concerning thy wisdome we may not according thereto search thee but rather adore and worship thy maiestie and tremble at thy iudgements and works therefore pray alwaies wee may bee content with thy wil and be buxome and obedient thereto And for as much as thou hast reuealed vnto vs so much of thy wil in thy word written as is necessary for vs in this life to know yea as wee can attaine vnto a little further wee ought to take all things done against the same as sinne and transgression although thou canst vse the same sinne to serue thy prouidence of the which prouidence we cannot nor may not iudge further then thou hast and shalt open it vnto vs. So that this petition Thy will be done is not simply to bee vnderstood concerning thy omnipotent will vnreuealed against the which nothing is nor can be done but rather concerning thy will reuealed in the lawe and Gospell the which thou heere teachest mee that wee should desire not only to know it but also to doe it and that in such perfection and willingnesse as it is in heauen The which thing I perceiue hereby that thy children doe desire dayly in for themselues and others and doe lament the contrary Psal 109. in whom soeuer it be so that often their eies gush our with riuers of teares because meâ— keepe not thy lawes By reason hereof I see that I am far from the sighs and teares of thy people Our ignorance I see my ignoraÌ„ce of thy will if thou hadst not opened the same by thine owne mouth I see my ignorance how acceptable a seruice obedience to thy will is and therfore doest thou place this petition among the first and continuall desires of thy children Againe I see my pouerty in Godlie obedience Our necessity which had need to bee taught to pray for it there by to signifie vnto me my want and vnability to attaine it but by thy gift Thirdly I see my disobedience Our disobedience for else neuer wouldest thou haue commaunded mee to haue prayer for the doing of thy holy will if I seeing my want would haue prayed so Gods goodnes Last of all I see thy goodnesse which wilt giue to me and others to obey thy will that is to loue thee with all our harts to loue our neighbor as our selues to dy to our selues to liue to thee to take vp our crosse and to follow thee to beleeue to repent c. for else thou wouldst neuer haue bidden vs to praie for a thing which wee should not looke for So that I haue great cause to lament and reioice To lament because of my miserable estate and condition because of my sin ignorance pouerty and peruersity and because thy wil is euery where either not known or contemned an Satans will the wil of the world and of the
not only the euils they doe but also the good they leaue vndone and therefore they pray thee heartily for pardon Moreouer I am here taught to see that thy children are carefull for other men for their trespasses and therefore pray that they might bee pardoned in saying our sinnes and not my sinnes Besides this I am taught heere to see how thy Children not onely forgiue all those that offend them but also pray for the pardoning of the offences of their enemies and such as offend them So farre are they from malitiousnesse pride reuengement c. Last of al I am taught to see how mercifull thou art which wiâ—t haue vs to aske pardon whereof thou wouldest that we should in no point doubt but be most assured that for Christs sake thou hearest vs and that not only for our selues but also for many others for thou doest not command vs to aske for any thing which thou wilt not giue vs. By reason whereof I haue great cause to lament and reioice To lament because of my miserable estate which am so far from these affections that are in thy children which am so ignorant and carelesse of sinne not only in leauing good vndone buâ— also in doing euill and that daily 〈◊〉 thought word and deed c. I speak not of my carelesnesse for other folkâ— sinnes as of my parents children family magistrates c. neiâ—her of the sins of them to whom I haue giuen occasion to sin To reioice I haue great cause because of thy mercy in opening to me these things in comâ—anding me to pray for pardon in promising mee pardon and commanding others to pray for me And surely I ought to be perswaded of thy mercy though my sinnes be innumerable for I see not onely in this but in euery petition how that euery one of the church praieth for mee yea Christ thy sonne who sitteth on thy right hand prayeth for me c. O deare father be mercifull vnto me and forgiue me all my sins and of thy goodnesse giue mee thy holy spirit to open mine eies that I may see sinne the better to know it the more truely to hate it and most earnestly to striue against it and that effectually both in my selfe and others Againe grant me the same thy holy spirit to reueale vnto me the remedy of sinne by Christ onely and to worke in me faith to imbrace the same by Christ and thy mercies in him that I may henceforth be endued with thy holy spirit to beginne to obey thy good will more and more and to encrease in the same for euer Here call to mind the speciall sins you haue committed heretofore Remember if you haue occasioned any to sinne to pray for them by name Remember that Gods law should be so deare vnto vs that the breaking thereof in others should be an occasion to make vs to lament with teares c. Lead vs not into temptation BEcause of our continuall great infirmities because of the great diligence and subtilties of our enemies and because thou art wont to punish sinne with sinne which of all punishments is the greatest and most to bee feared in this petition thou wouldest haue thy children to haue the same in remembrance and for a remedy hereof thou hast appoinetd praier so that the only cause why any are ouercome and led inâ—o temptation is for that they forgâ—t what they desire in the pâ—tition going before this which should neuer bee out of their memory to prouoke them to bee more thankefull to thee and more vigilant and heedy hereafter for falling into the like perils For which to bee auoided thou dost most graciouslâ— set forth a remedy in commaunding vs to pray after pardon for our sinnes past and for thy grace to guide vs so that we be not led into temptation but might be deliuered from euill And because thou wouldest haue all thy children to hang wholy vpon thee to feare thee onely and only to loue thee thou dost not teach them to pray suffer vs not to be led but lende vs not into temptation that I say theâ— might only feare thee and certainely know that Satan hath no power ouer so much as a pigge but whatsoeuer thou giuest vnto him and of thy secret but most iust iudgement doest appoint him to vse not as hee will for then wee are all lost but as thou wilt which canst will nothing but that which is most iust as to giue them to the guiding of Satan which wil not bee guided be thy grace as thou didest Saul c. Occasions to euill are in two sorts Occasions to euill in two sorts loue by prosperity and suckcesse another by aduersity and the crosse c. The euils eomming of successe commonly are vnthankfulnesse pride security and forgetting of our selues forgetting of others forgetfulnesse of God of our mortallity c. The euills comming of aduersity commonlâ— are impatiency VVhat tentationâ— are to the godly and what they are to the wicked murmuring grudging despairing conâ—entning of God slattering of man stealing lying with many other euills whereto tentations will entice a man that is left to himselfe whereas to one that is guided with Gods spirit tempâ—ations are but trialls to the glory of God comfort of the tempted and edifâ—ing of the Church But as I said if a man bee left alone temptations entice euen to the diuel himselfe and therefore thy Children pray to bee deliuered from euill vnderstanding thereby Satan himselfe the sower and supporter of all euill And this thy children doe aswell for others as for themselues So that I may learne hereby many good things First to remember often our infirmity and weakenesse the dangerous estate wee stand in in respect of our flesh of the world which is full of euill of Sathan which seeketh to fift vs and as a roaring Lion to destroy vs and of our sinnes which deserue all kind of punishments and correction that I might with thy children feare thee watch pray and desire the day of redemption and deliuerance from all euils Againe I may learne heere that to auoid all dangers and euils is not in the power of man but onely thy worke By reason whereof I should consider thy great goodnesse which hitherto hast kept me from so many euils both of soule and body yea of name goods c. as thou hast done in my infancy childhood youth middle age c. Thirdly I may learne heere that I should be carefull for others both that they might bee deliuered from their euils and that they might bee preserued from temptation and from being ouercome in the same therfore thou teachest me not to pray Deliuer me from euill simply but Dâ—liuer vs from euill Last of all I am taught hereby to see thy goodnes towards me which wilt deliuer me from euill and from being ouercome in temptations for thou wouldest not haue me aske for that which I should not certainly looke for at thy hands By reason
away Thy sunne O most wise worker is as it were a firebrand to this world Thy kingdome whereby light commeth both to the soule and body is a firebrand to the spirituall world After day when the night cometh thou hast giuen for the remedy of darknes a candle After sinne for the remedy of ignorance thou hast giuen thy doctrine which thy deare sonne hath brought vnto vs. O thou that art the author and master of al truth and the true light make vs to see that the dimnes of our minds may be driuen cleane away Lift thou vp the light of thy countenance vpon vs and send vs ioy and gladnesse into our hearts Psal 4. Thy word is a lanterne to my feet and a light vnto my pathes Psal 119. Occasions to meditate Thinke that the knowledge which God giueth vnto vs by the caÌ„dle light whereby we see those thingâ— in this night of our bodies which are expedient for vs should make vs to wish much more for this doctrine of God and spirituall light of our soules and when we get it the more to esteeme it and diligently to embrace it Again that as all would be horrour without candle light so there is nothing but meere confusion where Gods word taketh no place When you make your selfe vnready pray THis our life and weake knit body by occasion of sin by little little shall be dissolued and so shall be restoâ—ed to the earth from whence it was taken then will be an end of this vanity which by our folly wee haue wrought to our selues O most meek father so do thou vnite me for thou art he that hath knit these our weake members together that I may perceiue my selfe to bee loosed dissolued and so may remember both of whom I was made and also whither I must goe lest I bee had vnprouided vnto thy tribunall seat Put off the old man with his lusts and concupiscences Col. 3. Eph. 4. Be content with Ioseph to put off thy prison apparell that thou maiest put on new Gen. 41. Occasions to meditate Thinke that as wee doe willingly put off our garments because wee shall receiue them againe when the Night is past so we should willingly forsake our bodies when God by death shall call vs because we shall receiue them againe in the resurrection of the lust When you enter into your bed pray THe day now ended men giue themselues to rest in the night and so this life finished wee shall rest in death nothing is more like this life then euery day nothing more like to our graue then our bed O Lord our keeper and defender grant that I now laying mee downe to rest being vnable to keepe my selfe may be preserued from the crafts assaults of the wicked enemy and grant further that when I haue run the race of this life thou wouldest of thy mercy call me vnto thee that I may liue watch with thee for euermore And now gracious God giue me to take my rest in thee and bring to passe that thy goodnes may be giuen in sleep before my eies that sleeping I be not absent from thee but may haue my dreames to draw me vnto thee and so both soule and body may be kept pure and holy for euer I will lay me downe in peace and take my rest c. Psal 4. Occasions to meditate Thinke that as the troublesome day is now past and night come and so rest quietnes and pleasant sleepe which maketh most excellent princes and poore wretches alike euen so after the tumults troubles temptations tempests of this life they that beleeue in Christ haue prepared in them an heauen and rest most pleasant ioiful As you are not afraid to enter into your bed to dispose your selfe to sleepe so be not afraide to die but rather cheerfully prepare your selfe thereunto Thinke that now you are neerer your end by one daies iourney then you were in the morning When you feele sleepe to be comming pray O Lord Iesus Christ my watchman and keeper take mee into thy protection Grant that my bodie sleeping my mind may watch in thee and be made merry by some sight of that celestial and heauenly life wherein thou art the King and Prince together with the Father the holy Ghost where the Angels and holy Soules be most happie citizens Oh purifie my soule keepe cleane my body that in both I may please thee sleeping and waking for euer Amen A generall confession of sinnes with other praiers for the morning and euening to be vsed in families and publike assemblies O Most mercifull and louing father whose loue is infinit whose mercy endureth for euer we sinfull creatures trusting in thine vnspeakable goodnes and loue toward vs do appeare this morning before thy diuine maiestie most humblie confessing our manifold sinnes and innumerable transgâ—essions of thy commaundements and fatherly will Against thee only against thee O Lord haue wee sinned wee acknowledge our offences we accuse our selues vnto thee O mercifull Lord and will not hide our vnrighteousnesse We find in our selues no thing but ignorance of thy wil disobedience unstrust doubtfulnes in thy goodnes and incredulity hatred and conâ—empt of al spiritual things selfe loue confidence in our selues feruent lusting after carnall things of this world and this tree of our corrupt nature bringeth forth continually in vs none other fruits but rotten and vnsauory workes of the flesh in thoughts words and doings vnto condemnation Wherfore we humbly beseech thy fatherly goodnes euen for thy son Iesus Christs sake whome thou hast set forth for a purchaser of mercy to vs through faith in his bloud make our hearts cleane take away our stony heart and giue vnto vs a true and liuely faith working in vs vnfained repentance and amendmen of our sinnefull life Haue mercy vpon vs and forgiue vs our sinnes for thy sonnes sake certifie our consciences of the remission of the same by thy holy spirit by whose operation so mortifie in vs our old man the whole body of sin that wee continually dying vnto sinne may walke in a newnesse of life to the glory of thy holy name through Iesus Christ our Sauiour Amen Another confession of sinnes O Eternall God most merciful father we confesse and acknowledge here before thy diuine maiesty that we are miserable sinners conceiued and borne in sinne and iniquitie so that in vs there is no goodnesse for the flesh euermore rebelleth against the Spirit whereby wee continually transgresse thy holy precepts and commandements and to purchase our selues through thy iust iudgement death and damnation Notwithstanding O heauenly Father for asmuch as now we are displeased with our selues for the sins we haue coÌ„mitted against thee Gal. 5. Rom 2. Jer. 34. Esa 20. doe vnfainedly repent vs of the same we most humbly beseech thee for Iesus Christs sake to shew thy mercy vpon vs to forgiue vs all our sinnes and to increase thy holy spirit in vs that
cannot abide impiety thou searchest the hearts and triest the very thoughts and raines of all men thou hatest sinne and abhorrest iniquity For sins sake thou hast grieuously punished mankind thy most deare creature as thou hast declared by the penalty of death laid vpon all the children of Adam by the casting off Adam and his ofspring out of Paradise by the cursing of the earth by the drowning of the world by the burning of Sodom and Gomor by hardning the heart of Pharao so that no miracle could conuert him by the drowning of him and his people in the red sea by the ouerthrowing of the Israelites in the wildernesse so that of six hundred thousand there were but two that enâ—red into the land of promise by reiecting King Saul by the punishments vpon thy seruant Dauid notwithstanding his hearty repentance by grieuously afflicting Salomon in himselfe and his posterity by the captiuity of the ten tribes and by the thraldome of the Iewes wherein to this present day they continue a notable spectacle of thy wrath to the world against and for sinne But of all spectacles of thy anger against sinne the greatest and most notable is the death and bloody passion of thy dearely beloued Sonne Iesus Christ Great was thine anger against sin when in heauen and earth nothing could be found which might appease thy wrath saue the bloudshedding of thine only and most dearely beloued sonne in whom was is all thy delight Great was the sore of sin that needed such a salue mighty was the malady that needed such a medicine If in Christ in whom was no sin thy wrath was so fierce for our sinnes that he was constrained to cry My God my God why hast thou forsaken me How great importable then is thine anger against vs which are nothing but sinfull They that are thy children through the contemplation of thine anger against sinne set forth most euidently in the death of Christ doe tremble and are afraid lamenting themselues vpon him and hartily crying for mercy whereas the wicked are altogether carelesse contemptuous nothing lamenting their iniquities or crying to thee hartily for mercy and pardon Amongst whom we are rather to be placed then amongst thy children for that we are so shamelesse for our sinnes and carelesse of thy wrath heaping daily sinne vpon sinne so that the measure hath ouerflowed and ascended vp to heauen and brought thy heauy plagues vpon vs which are but ernests for greater to ensue therefore to vs pertaineth shame and nothing else is due but confusion What shall we doe what shal we say who shall giue vs penitent hearts who can open our lips that our mouthes might make acceptable confession vnto thee Alasse of our selues we cannot thinke any good much lesse wish it least of all do it As for Angels or any other creatures they haue nothing but that which they haue receiued they are made to minister vnto vs So that where it passeth the power of the master the minister must needs waÌ„t Alas then what shall we doe Thou art holy we vnholy thou art good and we nothing but euill thou art pure we altogether impure thou art light and we most darke darkenesse how then can there be any agreement betwixt vs O what now may we doe Despaire No for thou art God and therefore good thou art mercifull and therefore thou forgiuest sinnes with thee is mercy and propitiation and therefore thou art worshipped When Adam had sinned thou gauest him mercy before he desired it wilt thou deny vs mercy which now desire the same Adam excused his fault and accused thee but we accuse our selues and excuse thee and shall we be sent empty away Noah found fauour when thy wrath abouÌ„ned and shall we seeking grace bee frustrate Abraham was pulled out of Idolatry when the world was drowned therein and art thou his God only Israel in captiuity in Egypt was graciously visited and deliuered and dear God the same good Lord shal we alwaies be forgotten How often in the wildernes didst thou defer and spare thy plagues at the request of Moses when the people themselues made no petition to thee And seeing we not onely now make our petitioÌ„s vnto thee through thy goodnes but also haue a mediator for vs farre aboue Moses euen Iesus Christ shall we I say deare Lord depart ashamed So soone as Dauid said I haue sinned thou diddest forthwith answer him that he should not die thou hadst takeÌ„ away his sinnes and gracious God euen the selfe same God shall not wee which now with Dauid gladly confesse that we haue sinned shall we I say not heare by thy good spirit that our sinnes be pardoned O grant that with Manasses wee may find fauour and mercy Remember that thou hast not spared thine own only deare Sonne Iesus Christ but giuen him to die for our sinnes to rise for our righteousnes to ascend for our possessioÌ„ taking in heauen and to appear before thee for vs for euer a high priest after the order of Melchisedech that through him we might haue free accesse to come to thy throne now rather of grace then of iustice Remember that thou by him hast bidden vs ask and promised that we should receiue saying Aske and ye shall haue seeke and ye shall find knocke and it shall be opened vnto you O deare God and most meeke and mercifull father wee heartily beseech thee to bee mercifull vnto vs for this thy Christs sake for his deaths sake for thy promise truth and mercy sake Haue mercy vpon vs pardon and forgiue vs all our sinnes iniquities and trespasses whatsoeuer we haue committed against thee in thought word or deed euer or at any time hitherto by any meanes Deare father haue mercy vpon vs. Though we be poore yet our Christ is rich though we be sinners yet he is righteous though we be fooles yet he is wise though we be impure yet he is pure and holy for his sake therefore bee mercifull vnto vs. Call to mind how thou hast promised that thou wilt powre out of thy cleane waters and wash vs froÌ„ our filth and cleanse vs from our euils Forget not that thou hast promised to take from vs our stony hearts and to giue vs soft hearts new hearts and to put in the middest of vs right spirits Remember thy couenant namely that thou wilt bee our God and we shal be thy people that thou wilt put out of thy memory for euer all our vnrighteousnesse and hast promised to write in our minds and hearts thy law and testimonies Remember that thou dost straitly charge vs to haue none other Gods but thee saying that thou art the Lord our God O then declare the same to vs all we heartily now beseech thee Forgiue vs our sinnes forget our iniquities clense vs from our filthines wash vs from our wickednes powre out thy holy spirite vpon vs Take from vs our hard hearts our stony hearts our impenitent hearts
vs so large a time of repentance These benefits O most mercifull father like as we do acknowledge that we haue receiued of thy only goodnes euen so we beseech thee for thy deare son Iesus Christ his sake to grant vs alwayes thy holy spirit whereby we may continually grow in thaÌ„kfulnes towards thee he led in all truth and comâ—orted in all aduersity Strengthen our faith O Lord kindle it more more in feruentnes and loue towards thee our neighbours for thy sake Suffer vs not most deare father to receiue thy word any more in vaine but grant vs alwaies the assistance of thy grace and holy spirit that in heart word and deed we may sanctifie and doe worship to thy holy name that wee may helpe to amplifie and increase thy kingdome and that whatsoeuer thou sendest Thy kingdome come Thy will be done Giue vs this day c. we may hartily well be content with thy good wil and pleasure Suffer vs not to lack the thing O Father without the which we cannot serue thee but blesse thou so al the workes of our hands that we may haue sufficient and not to bee chargeable but rather helpfull vnto others Be mercifull O Lord vnto our offences Forgiue vâ— c. and seeing our debt is great which thou hast forgiuen vs in Iesus Christ make vs to loue thee our neighbours so much the more Bee thou O Father our captain defender in all temptations Lead vs not into temptation hold thou vs by thy mercifull hand that we thereby may be deliuered from al inconueniences and end our liues in the sanctifying and honouring of thy name But deliuer vs from euâ—ll through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen A aier for true mortification O God my creator preseruer and euerlasting defender where first in my creation I was made like vnto thine owne likenesse the diuell alas hath since by Adams fal made me vgly monstrous and euill fauored like to himselfe For what are now Lord mine earthly members but as thine Apostle writeth adultery whoredome vncleannesse vnnaturall lusts euill concupiscence Colos 3. couetousnes which is the worshipping of Idols and such other for the which thy wrath is wont to come vpon the children of vnbeliefe Neuerthelesse Lord of thy great mercy and goodnesse against this so great a mischiefe a much greater remedy thy fatherly prouidence hath ordained for thou hast sent Iesus Christ thy dear and only naturall sonne into this world the vale of miseries to loose the works of the diuell and to take away my sinnes 1. Joh. 3. Therefore Sathan hath now nothing to brag of for through Christ all that beleeue in thee 1. Joh 5. so become thy children doe ouercome the world the flesh the diuel And this is the victory which ouer commeth them al euen our faith that faith I meane which is perswaded that whosoeuer beleeueth in Christ Ioh. 3. Ioh. 5. shall not perish but haue euerlasting life That faith which beleeueth the testimony to be true which thou God the Father dost testify of thy son so making thee no liar and this is the testimony that thou hast giuen vs eternall life that faith which beleeueth that thou Father who raisedst vp Christ froÌ„ death shalt also quicken our mortall bodies Rom. 8 through thy holy spirit dwelling in vs. That faith which beleeueth it to bee true which thy Sonne Christ affirmed with a double oath saying Verily Joh. 1. verily I say vnto you he that beleeueth in me the works that I doe the same shall he doe and greater works then these shall he doe Ioh. 15. because I goe to my Father And finally that faith which beleeueth that now Christ hath been lift vpon the crosse he shal draw al things vnto him this faith I say is the victory which ouercommeth our enemies the diuell Joh. 12. the world and our flesh Thou therfore dear father which hast promised to giue whatsoeuer I shall aske in thy dear Sonne Iesus name 1. Joh. 3â— for thy great mercy and infallible truths sake do now in me the thing that he came for loose in me the works of the diuel take away my sinnes I beseech thee make stedfast my faith and confidence in thy promised mercies and merciful promises so that I assuredly beleeuing in thee may haue as thou hast promised euerlasting life making thee deare God no lyer may beleeue feele and know in my heart and conscience that the same euerlasting life is thy meere and free gift vnto me yea already of thy great goodnes vndoubtedly giuen me being now translated from death to life Colos 3. In thankfulnesse whereof Lord cause me now daily to mortifie my earthly meÌ„bers yea dear father sith thy spirit which raised vp Christ from death dwelleth within me doe thou who raisedst Christ froÌ„ death quicken my mortal body through thy spirit so dwelling within me I beseech thee yea Lord Iesu according to thy promise because thou art now gone to thy Father make me worke the wonderful great work that thou spakest off Ioh. 6.4 I meane make me being of my selfe but a lumpe of sinne and a monster most vgly as the vices whereof the members of my earthly body are aboue declared to be compact doe proue make me I say yet through thy grace to hate abhorre flee and subdue all adultery whoredom vncleannes vnnaturall lusts euill concupiscence vnordinate desires wantonnes tendernesse delicatenes idlenesse drunkennesse gluttony slothfulnes distrust despaire ignorance weaknes wilfulnes idolatry superstition hypocrisie heresie error sects variaÌ„ce strife wrath enuy slanders lying swearing cursing vainglory pride couetousnes theft deceit flattery and whatsoeuer else O Lord fighteth or rebelleth against thy holy spirit and then O Father I will boast and make vant against mine enemy the diuell that I haue done greater works then thy deare Sonne Iesus did at what time hee spake these words amongst the Iewes because albeit he vanquished Sathan yet in as much as he himselfe was vtterly without sinne the victory seemed the more easie But I to vanquish Sathan being my self altogether sinful yea contrary to my most sinful nature to subdue sinne the Diuel and mine owne flesh it seemeth a more victory a greater worke then the other For the which neuerthelesse I will with all submission acknowledge vnto thy diuine maiesty that the whole victory Lord indeede is thine and thy holy spirit the beginner and finisher both of the wil and the worke Now therefore Lord Iesu strengthen me with thy grace and might that thou maiest by me a most sinful wretch draw all these our earthly members and horrible vices before rehearsed vnder my feet that I may not only fight against them but also subdue them so that they may all turne to the best for me as meete matter whereon I may exercise my faith powre forth my hearty praier and giue thee most hearty thanks for victory whereby
hath a desire to enter into the Courts of the Lord my heart and my soule reioyceth in the liuing God blessed are they that dwell in thy house that they may be alwaies praising thee For one day in thy Courts is better then a thousand elsewhere I had rather be a dore keeper in the houâ—e of my God then to dwell in the tents of vngodlines Psal 24. for the Lord God is a light and defence And again Like as the Hart desireth the water brooks so longeth my soule after thee O God my soule is a thirst for God yea euen for the liuing God Psal 63. when shall I come to appeare before the presence of God my soule thirsteth for thee my soule also longeth after thee in a barren drie land where no water is They thy children I meane O Lord desire the day of that their redemption Still they cry Rom. 8. Apo. 12. Phil. 3. Let thy kingdome come They cry Come Lord Iesus They lift vp their heads looking for thy appearing O Lord which wilt make their vile bodies like to thine own glorious and immortall body For when thou shalt appeare they shall be like vnto thee thy Angels will gather them together and they shall meet thee in the clouds and be alwaies with thee Mat. 24. They shall heare this ioyfull voice Come ye blessed of my father possesse the kingdome prepared for you from the beginning Then shall they be like to thy Angels Then shall they bee like vnto the Sunne in thy kingdome Mat. 13. Apo. 7. Then shall they haue crownes of glory and be induod with white garments of innocency and righteousnesse hauing palms of victory in their hands O happy is he that may but see that immortall and incorruptible inheritance which they shall enioy for euermore Amen I. B. A meditation of the presence of God THere is nothing that maketh more to true godlinesse of life then the perswasion of thy presence deare Father and that nothing is hid from thee but all to thee is open and naked euen our very thoughts which one day thou wilt reueale and open either to our praise or punishment in this life as thou diddest Dauids faults which he did secretly 2. Reg. 12. or in the life to come Math. 25. for nothing is so hid that shall not be reuealed Therfore doth the Prophet say Woe to them that keep secret their thoughts to hide their counsell from the Lord and do their works in darknes saying who seeth vs. Grant me therefore deare God mercy for all my sinnes especially my hid and close sinnes Enter not into iudgement with me I humbly beseech thee giue me to beleeue truly in thy Christ that I neuer come into iudgement for them and that with Dauid I might so reueale them vnto thee that thou wouldest in thy great mercy couer them And grant further that henceforth I may alwaies thinke my selfe continually conuersant before thee so that if I do well I need not to passe of the publishing of it as hypocrites doe if I thinke or do any euil I may forthwith know that the same shall not alwaies be hid from men Grant me that I may alway haue in mind that day wherein the hid works of darknes shall be illuminated also that sentence of thy sonne that nothing is so secret which shall not be reuealed So in trouble and wrong I shal find comfort and other wise be kept through thy grace from euill which do thou worke I humbly beseech thee for Christs sake I. B A meditation on the prouidence of God God worketh all in all maruellously iustly and holily THis ought to be vnto vs most certaine that nothing is done without thy prouidence O Lord that is that nothing is done bee it good or bad sweet or sowre but by thy knowledge that is by thy will wisedome and ordinance for knowledge doth comprehend all these in it as in thy holy word wee are taught in many places Math. 5. that euen the life of a sparrow is not without thy will nor any liberty or power vpon a porket haue all the diuels in hell but by thy appointment and will which wil we alwaies must beleeue most assuredly to be al iust and good Math. 8. howsoeuer otherwise it seeme vnto vs for thou art maruellous and not comprehensible in the waies holy in all thy works But hereunto it is necessary also for vs to know no lesse certainely that though all things bee done by thy prouidence God worketh by meanes without against meanes yet the same prouidence hath many and diuers means to worke by which meanes being contemned thy prouidence is contemned also As for example meate is a meane to serue thy prouidence for the preseruatioÌ„ of health and life here so that he which contemneth to eate because thy prouidence is certain and infallible the same contemneth thy prouidence Indeed if it were so that meate could not be had then should we not tie thy prouidence to this mean but make it free as thou art free that is that without meat thou canst helpe and giue health and life for it is not of any need that thou vsest any instrument or mean to serue thy prouidence Thy power and wisedome is infinite and therefore should wee hang on thy prouidence euen when all is clean against vs. But for our erudition infirmities sake it hath pleased thee by mean to worke and deale with vs here to exercise vs in obedience and because we cannot else so great is our corruption sustaine the naked and bare presence Grant me therefore deare father I humbly beseech thee for Christs sake that as I somthing now know these things so I may vse this knowledge to my comfort commodity in thee that is grant that in what state souer I be I may not doubt but the same doth come to me by thy most iust ordinance yea by thy mercifull ordinance for as thou art iust so art thou mercifull yea thy mercy is aboue all thy works And by this knowledge grant me that I may humble my selfe to obey thee and looke for thy helpe in time conuenient not only when I haue meanes by which thou maist worke and art accustomed so to doe but also when I haue no means but am destitute thereof yea when all means be directly and cleane against mee grant I say that I may yet still hang vpon thee and thy prouidence not doubting of a fatherly end in thy good time Againe least I should contemne thy prouidence or presume vpon it by vncoupling these things which thou hast coupled together preserue me from neglecting thy ordinary and lawfull meanes in all my needs if so be I may haue them with good conscience vse theÌ„ although I know thy prouidence be not tied to them further then pleaseth thee grant that I may with diligence reuerence and thankfulnes vse them and thereto my diligence wisedome and
may alwaies not only striue against sin but also ouercome the same daily more and more as thy children do aboue all things desiring the sanctification of thy name the comming of thy kingdome the doing of thy will here on earth as it is in heauen c. through Iesus Christ our redeemer mediator and aduocate Amen I. B. A praier against our spirituall enemies the diuell the world and the flesh O Lord God the diuell goeth about like a roaring Lion seeking whom hee may deuoure the flesh lusteth against the spirit the world perswadeth vnto vanities that we may forget thee our Lord God so for euer be damned Thus are we miserable on euery side beset and besieged of cruell vnrestfull enemies and like euery moment to perish if we be not defended with thy godly power against their tyranny Wee therefore poore and wretched sinners despairing of our owne strength which indeed is none most hartily pray thee to endue vs with strength from aboue that we may bee able through thy help with strong faith to resist Satan with feruent praier to mortifie the lusts of the flesh with continuall meditation of thy holy lawes to auoid the foolish vanities and transitory pleasures of this wicked world that through thy grace wee being set at liberty from the power of these our mortall enemies may serue thee here in true holinesse and righteousnesse after be partakers of the euerlasting ioies prepared for thy children which as they are great and vnspeakable so are there few that doe enioy them For strait is the way and narrow is the gate that leadeth therunto and few therbe that find it Notwithstanding O GOD thou hast a little flocke te whom it is thy pleasure to giue that ioyfull kingdome whose names are written in the book of life Make vs therefore of that number for Iesus Christs sake and place vs amongst those thy sheep which shall stand on thy right hand to receiue that blessed inheritance and dwell with thee for euermore A praier for present helpe in temptation DEare father to whom it is more easie to doe all things then for mee to thinke any one good thing Loe doe thou but speake a word and thy deadly sicke seruant my soule shall be made whole Helpe O Lord for thy great mercy sake for thy truths sake and for thy deare son Iesus Christs sake and let thy strength suffice against my weakenesse and thy ho y spirit against my sinfull flesh and old man Thou art faithfull O Father who hast promised that I shall not be tempted further then thou wilt make me able to beaâ—e Giue now therefore thy grace and strength vnto thy seruant that I may with a strong faith in thy vnfallible truth and promised mercy vanquish and subdue whatsoeuer rebelleth against thy most blessed will preserue and keepe holy my soule and body and let them not be defiled and made a dungeon of diuels and wicked spirits through delectation in sinne Behold deare Father the postes thereof are sprinkled with the precious bloud of thy deare son and of thy great mercy they are made the temple and tabernacle of thy holy spirit Shall now alas the diuell the world or the flesh plucke from thee that thing which presently crieth to thee with assured trust in thy promised helpe Nay further but grant that I may by thy mighty power turne all their crafts deceits and raging assaults vnto the increase of thy fatherly assistance in this my present teÌ„ptation and may with assured hope and trust in thy ready helpe and comfort ouercome my said enemies hereafter in like assaults praise thy holy name for the victory through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen My sonne if thou wilt come into the seruice of the Lord stand fast in righteousnesse and feare and prepare thy soule to tentation Eccles 2. Remedies against sinfull motions and tentations First remember that sinne is so hainous a thing that God by his iustice might worthily damne thee for the same is therfore to be abhorred as a sweet poison a flattering death and destruction of the soule which would cut thee off from God thy Sauior and make thee a bondslaue to Satan thy deadly enemy Auoid therefore euen at the fiâ—st the occasions thereof and be time squash out the braines of the children of Babilon against the hard stones whiles yet they be yong and weake lest when they be growne elder and stronger they dash thee to pieces And for a remedy against the same flie vnto God who commandeth thee to call vpon him in thy trouble and promiseth to deiluer thee and wil not suffer thee to be further tempted then he will make a way out whereby thou shalt escape and doubt not but hee that causeth thee to hate the sin which thy nature is to loue will deliuer thee also from the dangers thereof and make thee to triumph ouer Satan to his confusion to Gods glory and thy great comfort which are causes that our tender louing Father sendeth tentations vnto vs and hee that is not tempted what is he Now after thou hast obtained the victory remember two things first to giue most hearty thankes to God for his grace and assistance whereby thou hast ouercome and be not vnthankfull in any wise and then that he who continually goeth about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may deuour will not be long or farre away from thee but will attempt againe the same or as euill waies to ouercome thee Watch therefore and pray A praier for the auoiding of Gods heauy wrath and vengeance for our sins OH Lord God strong and mighty great and fearful which dwellest in the heauens workest great wonders we thy miserable children here vpon earth do most humbly beseech thee to be mercifull vnto vs to pardon our offences and to forgiue vs all our sinnes O Lord enter not into iudgement with thy seruants for if thou doe there shall no flesh bee saued in thy sight We confesse and acknowledge O Lord that it is our sinnes which haue mooued thee to wrath and to shew such fearefull tokens of thy displeasure towards vs in these our daies first with fire from heauen betokening the hot burning indignation and wrathfull displeasure for sinne which aboundeth at this day then with such horrible and monstrous shapes against natur as were neuer seen here in our daies nor in any time before vs which do betoken to vs none other thing but thy plagues to come vpon vs for our degenerate and monstrous life conuersation And now desides all this by great mortality plagues and pestilence thou hast terribly threatned vs fatherly warned vs and mercifully called vs to repentance The axe is set to the root of the tree and if we bee not as rotten members without all sense and feeling wee may perceiue our fearefull destruction and desolation to bee at hand vnlesse wee speedily repent and turne vnto thee because wee haue been so long taught out of
thy most holy and sacred word and yet no fruits of repentance or Christian life will appeare Woe and alas to these our daies that neither preaching by word most comfortable nor preaching by fire most terrible nor preaching by monsters most strange and vgly neither yet by plagues and pestilence most horrible will stir vp our stony hearts and awake vs from our sinnes Wee feare O Lord that the Turkes with all the rest of the vnbeleeuing wil condemn vs in the last day which if they had been so long instructed by the comfortable preaching of thy word and sweet promises of thy Gospell or seen the wonders which we haue seen no doubt their righteousnesse would haue shined at this day to our great shame and confusion Thou hast no lesse warned vs O Lord of thy fearefull displeasure heauy plagues at hand for our great wickednes then thou diddest the Israelits of that horrible destruction which came vpon them whom thou first in mercy diddest call to repentance by the preaching of thy word but when no warning would serue thou diddâ—st send them monstrous and fearefull signes tokens to declare that thy visitation was not far off But they like to vs at this day did alwaies interpret those things after the imaginaion of their owne vaine hearts promising to themselues peace when destruction was ouer their heads Which things when we do call to mind forasmuch as they are written for our learning example and warning it maketh vs to tremble and quake for feare of thy iust iudgements For if thou hast thus dealt with thine owne deare and chosen children in token of thy great wrath against sinne what shall we looke for who do no lesse deserue thy fearefull scourge for of mercy it is that thou dost thus long forbeare vs and liue as though there were no God at all to be reuenged vpon our sinnes It maketh vs to feare and cry inwardly in our soules Apo. 22. Come Lord Iesu holy and true in all thy doings and shorten our daies and bring this our pilgrimage to an end suffer vs not to heape sinne vpon sinne vntill the day of vengeance lest we be caught vp amongst the number of the wicked and reprobate which shall neuer see thy louing countenance It maketh vs to cry to thee O Lord Let thy kingdome come and end this our sinfull life wherein wee do nothing but prouoke thee to wrath Correct vs not O Lord in thine indignation Psal 6. neither chasten vs in thine heauy displeasure And though to vs belongeth nothing but shame confusion psal 89 though our offences haue deserued to be visited with the rod and our sinnes with scourges yet in mercy Lord with fatherly correction chasten vs and thy louing kindnesse take not away from vs. To thee we fly for succour ps vnder the wings of thy mercy shall be our refuge vntill thou turne thy wrathful countenance froâ— vs. Eccl. 23. Wee know that thy mercy iâ—â—boue all thy works and euen as â—at as thy selfe Therefore will wâ— say with holy Iob Though thou ill vs Job 13. yet will we put our whole â—rust in thee Thou camest to comfort and pluch out of the dungeon of hell such wretches as we are Thou art the good SamaritaÌ„ that camest to heal our deadly wounds thou art that good Physition that camest to cure our mortall infirmities Luk. 15. thou art the good Shepheard that camest to seek vs wandring and lost sheep to bring vs to thy fold againe Eâ—â—â— more then that thou art our brother flesh of our flesh Isa 53. bone of our bones which hast tasted of our infirmities felt our temptations and borne the burden of our sinnes therefore at thy hands â—e looke for mercy against the day of â—â—ngeance And though thou punish â—â—â—â—er our hope is and euer shall be thaâ—â—hy rodde shall no farther touch vs â—en shall make to thy glory our commâ—dity and the strengthning and increaâ— of our faith Let this thy preaching sundry waies O Lord be sufficient for our warning and grant that we may speedliy and from the bottome of our hearts repent endeuour to doe thy righteous and blessed will reuealed in thy word and frame our liues according to the same that wee may here liue in thy feare all the daies of our life after this our sinful course is ended may dwell with thee in thy blessed kingdome through the death and merits of Iesus Christ our only redeemer So be it Another praier for the auoiding of Gods deserued wrath hanging ouer vs for our sinnes VVHen we looke back and behold our sinful life past what a dungeon of errours vice and wickednesse openeth it selfe vnto vs So that there is no man but he must needs be ashamed of himselfe when he cals to mind what e hath been and tremble when he considereth the wickednesse and sinfull course of hiâ— life to come for who shall vndertake that the rest of our life shall be any better then is past How can wee then sufficiently magnifie and praise thy great mercy which hast deferred thy punishment so long Beholding therefore this our dangerous miserable state we come vnto thee O thou great and mighty Iudge in trembling and fear humbly beseeching thee not to heap vpon vs thy deserued vengeance but let thy tender kindnes and loue thou barest to Iesus Christ thy Sonne our gracious Lord and redeemer couer our iniquities for whose sake though we deserue al extreamity thou dost pardon vs. If thou Lord shalt straightly marke our iniquity O Lord who shall be able to abide it Psal 103. A praier to be said of all such as suffer any kind of crosse ALmighty God king of all kings and gouernour of all things whose power no creature is able to resist to whom it belongeth iustly to punish sinners and to be mercifulâ— vnto them that truly repent we confesse that thou dost iustly punish vs for we haue grieuously sinned against thee And we acknowledge that in punishing vs thou doest declare thy selfe to be our most mercifull father as wel because thou doest not punish vs in any thing as we haue deserued as also because by punishing vs thou doest call vs and as it were draw vs to increase in repentance in faith in praier in contemning of the world and in hearty desiring of euerlasting life and thy blessed presence Graunt vs therefore gracious Lord thankfully to acknowledge thy great mercy which hast thus fauorably dealt with vs punishing vs not to our confusion but to our amendment And seeing thou hast sworne that thou wilt not the death of a sinner but that he turn and liue haue mercy vpon vs and turne vs vnto thee for thy dearely beloued Sonne Iesus Christs sake whom thou wouldest should be made a slain sacrifice for our sinnes thereby declaring thy great and vnspeakable anger against sinne thine infinite mercy towards vs sinfull wretches And forasmuch as the dulnesse
blindnes corruption of our hearts is such that we are not able to arise vp vnto thee by faithfull and hearty praier according to our great necessity without thy singular grace and assistance grant vnto vs gracious Lord thy holy and sanctifying spirit to worke in vs this good worke with grace to weigh and consider the need and greatnesse of that wee doe desire and with an assured faith and trust that thou wilt grant vs our requests because thou art good and gracious euen to yong Rauens calling vpon thee much more then to vs for whom thou hast made all things yea and hast not spared also thine owne deare sonne because thou hast commanded vs to call vpon thee because thy throne wherto we come is a throne of grace and mercy because thou hast giuen vs a mediator Christ to bring vs vnto thee being the way by whom we come being the doore by whom we enter being our head on whom we hang hope that our poor petitions shal not be in vain through him for his names take We beseech thee therefore of thy rich mercy wherin thou art plentifull to all them that cal vpon thee to forgiue vs our sinnes namely our vnthankfulnes vnbeleefe selfeloue neglect of thy word security hypocrisie contempt of thy long suffering omission of prayer doubting of thy power presence mercy and good wil towards vs vnsensiblenesse of thy grace impatience c. And to this thy benefit of correcting vs and this gracious gift of repentance faith the spirit of praier the contempt of this world and hearty desiring of euerlasting life Indue vs with thy holy spirit according to thy couenant of mercy aswell to assure vs of pardon and that thou doest accept vs in thy fauour as thy deare children in Christ and for his sake as to write thy law in our hearts and so to worke in vs that wee may now begin and go forward in beleeuing louing fearing obeying praysing hoping seruing thee as thou doest require most fatherly and most iustly of vs accepting vs as perfect in thy sight through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier of the afflicted for the profession of Gods Word O Gratious God which seekest all meanes possible how to bring thy children into the feeling sure sense of thy mercy and therefore when prosperity will not serue then sendest thou aduersity graciously correcting them here whom thou wilt haue elsewhere to liue with thee for euer we poore wretches giue humble praises and thanks to thee that thou hast vouchsed vs worthy of thy correction at this present heereby to worke that which wee in prosperity and liberty did neglect For the which neglecting and many other our grieuous sinnes whereof we now accuse our selues before thee most mercifull Lord thou mightest most iustly haue giuen vs ouer and destroied vs both in soul body But such is thy goodnes towards vs in christ that thou seemest to forget all our offences and as though we were far otherwise then we bee indeed thou wilt that we should suffer this crosse now laid vpon vs for thy truth and Gospels sake and so be thy witnesses with the Prophets Apostles Martyrs Confessors yea with thy dearely beloued son Iesus Christ to whom thou dost now here begin to fashion vs like that in thiâ— glory we may be like to him also O good God what are we on whom thou shouldest shew this great mercy Oh louing Lord forgiue vs our vnthankfulnesse and sinnes Oh faithfull Father giue vs thine holy spirit now to crie in our hearts Abba dear Father to assure vs of our eternall election in Christ to reueale more and more thy truth vnto vs to confirme strengthen and stablish vs in the same that we may liue die in it as vessels of thy mercy to thy glory and to the commodity of thy Church Indue vs with the spirit of thy wisedome that with good conscience we may alwaies so answer the enemies in thy cause as may turn to their conuersion or confusion our vnspeakable consolation in Christ Iesus for whose sake we beseech thee henceforth to keepe vs to giue vs patience and to wil no otherwise our deliuerance or mitigation of our misery then may stand alwaies with thy good pleasure and mercifull will towards vs. Grant this deare Father not only to vs in this place but also to all others elsewhere afflicted for thy names sake through the death and merits of Iesus Christ our Lord Amen I.B. A praier to God the Father the Son and the holy Ghost O Almighty and euerliuing God the eternall Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which of thy vnmeasurable goodnes hast opened thy self vnto vs and with a loud voice hast said of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lord Heare him O maker and preseruer of all things with thy coeternall son our Lord Iesus Christ which raigneth with thee and was manifested in Ierusalem with thy holy spirit which was poured vpon the Apostles O wise God mercifull Iudge and mighty Lord which hast said As truely as I liue I will not the death of a sinner but rather that he shold conuert amend which also hast said Cal vpon me in the day of trouble and I will deliuer thee haue mercy vpon vp for Iesus Christs sake whom thou wouldest of thy meruellous and incomprehensible counsaile should bee made for vs a slaine sacrifice He. 6.11 mediator reconciler and peace-maker to the end that thou mightest shew thine exceeding great wrath against sin and thine inestimable mercy towards mankind Sanctifie and illuminate our hearts and soules with thy holy spirit that wee may truely beleeue in thee call vpon thee bee thankfull vnto thee and obedient to thy holy will Defend gouerne cherish thy Church as thou hast promised saying Esa 55. This is my couenant that I haue made with them My spirit which is in thee and my word which I haue put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seed for euer Preserue those kingdomes common weales which giue harboure to thy people and maintaine the ministery of thy holy word and Gospell that the kingdome of thy sonne Iesus Christ may increase and shine throughout all the world O Iesus Christ Sonne of the euerlasting God A praier to God the Son crucified for vs and raised also from the dead and now raigning at the right hand of thy father that thou maist giue gifts vnto men which hast said Come vnto me all ye that labour and are heauy loaden and I will refresh you Haue mercy vpon vs and pray for vs vnto thy eternal Father Joh. 14. sanctifie and gouerne vs with thy holy spirit helpe and succour vs in al our necessities as thou hast promised saying I will not leaue you comfortlesse O holy and blessed spirit together with the father and the son one true and euerliuing God full of maiesty and power which with thy heauenly
this world as they be transitory soone vanishing away and my self also with them drawing towards mine end For nothing vnder the sunne may long abide but all is vanity and affliction of spirit Oh Lord God which art sweetnesse vnspeakable turne into bitternes vnto me al transitory and earthly delights which may draw mee from the loue of eternall things and for all worldly comforts giue me the sweet comfort of thy holy spirit for thou Lord art my ioy my hope my crowne and my glory Blessed are they that for the loue of thee set not by the pleasurs of this world but crucifie the flesh and the lusts thereof so that in a clean and pure conscience they may offer their praiers vnto thee and be accepted to haue company with thee together with the Angels heauenly spirits O euerlasting light send down the beams of thy brightnes and lighten the inward parts of my heart Open my heart that I may behold thy lawes and teach mee to walke in thy commandements Behold my weaknes O Lord consider my frailenes best knowne vnto thee Faine would I cleaue fast to heauenly things but worldly affections and temptations plucke mee backe they daily rebell and suffer not my soule to liue in rest Which although they draw me not away to consent yet neuerthelesse their assaults be very grieuous vnto me O what a life may this be called where no trouble nor misery lacketh where euery place is full of snares of mortall enemies For one trouble or temptation ouerpassed another commeth by and by the first conflict yet during a new battell suddenly ariseth Tedious it is to me to liue in such battels but I perceiue such conflicts are not vnprofitable for mee whilest I know my selfe and mine infirmities the better and am therby compelled to seek helpe at thy hand It is good for me O Lord that thou hast thus exercised and humbled me that I may learn to dread thy secret and terrible iudgements which scourgest euery child that thou receiuest which bringest down to the gates of hell bringest backe againe I yeeld thee thanks therfore that thou hast not spared my sinnes but hast punished me with scourges of loue and hast sent afflictions anguish within and without Of grace and fauor it is O Lord that thou suffered thy seruants to be troubled and afflicted in this world because they should not be condemned with the world Thou wouldest that they should here be broken with affliction that they may afâ—er rise in a new light be clarified and made glorious in thy kingdome O holy father thou hast ordained it so to be and it is done as thou hast appointed Wherefore O Lord giue me thy grace to rest in thee aboue al things and to quiet my heart in thee aboue all creatures aboue all glory and honour aboue all dignity and power aboue all health and beauty aboue all riches and treasure aboue all ioy and pleasure aboue all fame and praise aboue all mirth and consolation that mans heart may take and feele besides thee For thou Lord art most good most wise most righâ—eous most holy most iust most blessed most high most mighty most comfortable most beautifull most louing most glorious in whome all treasures of goodnes most perfectly rest And therefore whatsoeuer I haue besides thee it is nothing vnto mee for my hart may not rest nor fully be pacified but only in thee Oh Lord Iesus who shall giue mee wings of perfect loue that I may flee vp from these worldly miseries and rest with thee O Christ the king of euerlasting glory my soule crieth vnto thee with continual gronings and saith How long tarrieth my Lord God to come to me Oh when shall the end come of all these miseries When shall I cleane be deliuered from the bondage of sinne When shal I Lord haue my mind onely fâ—xed on thee and we merry in thee with perfect ioy and gladnesse When shall that blessed houre come that thou shalt visite mee and make mee glad with thy blessed presence when thou shalt be to me all in all When shall I come vp to thee and feele and enioy those sweet consolations which with thy blessed saints are alwaies present When shal I haue peace without trouble peace without peace with in and on euery side stedfast sure O Lord Iesu when shall I stand and behold thee and haue full sight and contemplation of thy glory When shall I be with thee in thy kingdom that thou hast ordained for thine elect before the beginning O blessed mansion of that heauenly City O most cleare day of eternity whom the night may neuer darken This is the day alwaies cleare and merry alwaies sure and neuer changing This day shineth clearely to thy saints in heauen O gratious God with euerlasting brightnesse but to vs here on earth so great is the darknes of sin in vs it shineth obscurely as it were a far of we set but a glimmering thereof Would to God this day might shortly appeare and shine vnto vs that these worldly vanities were at an end Thy heauenly citizens know and feele how ioyfull this day is but we the children of Eue strangers and exiles here on earth doe lament and bewaile the biâ—ter tediousnesse of this present life short and euill full of sorrow and anguish Where man is oftentimes defiled with sin disquieted with troubles oppressed with cares busied with vanities blinded with errors oueâ—charged with labours vexed with temptations ouercome with vâ—ine delights and pleasures of the world and miserably wrapped in many kinds of calamities Wherfore O Lord arise and help me comfort mine exile asswage my sorrow destroy the power of mine enemies the kingdome of sinne Satan the world and my wicked flesh which alway make battell against me and bring these conflicting daies to an end â—o shall I sing praises vnto thee O God of my saluation and magnifie thy holy name world without end Amen A confession of sins and a praier for the remission thereof O Lord God rich in mercy and of great goodnesse who of thy tender loue towards vs euen when we were thine enemies diddest send into the world thine owne deare Sonne Iesus Christ to be a slaine sacrifice for our sinnes so that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue life euerlasting haue mercy on mee according to thy great mercies and according to the multitude of thy compassions put away mine iniquities For mine iniquities are gone ouer my head Psal 38. and as a waighty burthen they presse me downe Against heauen and against thee haue I sinned O Lord I am not worthy to be called thy child I am a shamed to lift vp mine eies vnto thee Luke 15. for my sinnes are ascended vp into thy sight There is nothing sound in my flesh because of thy displeasure Psal 38. neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sinne Behold I am sould vnder sin
Bishops and Ministers of the Church ALmighty and euerliuing God which onely workest great maruels send downe vpon our Bishops and Pastors and all congregations coÌ„mitted to their charge the healthfull spirit of thy grace and that they may truely please thee powre vpon them the continuall dew of thy blessing Grant this O Lord for the honour of our aduocate and mediator Iesus Christ For raine O GOD heauenly father which by thy sonne Iesus Christ hast promised to all them that seeke thy kingdome and the righteousnesse thereof all things necessary to their bodily sustenance send vs we beseech thee in this our necessity such moderate raine showres that we may receiue the fruits of the earth to our comfort and to thine honour through Iesus Christ our Lord. For faire weather O Lord God which for the sin of man diddest once drowne all the world except eight persons and afterward of thy great mercy diddest promise neuer to destroy it so againe wee humbly beseech thee that although wee for our iniquities haue worthily deserued this plague of rain and waters yet thou wilt send vs such weather whereby wee may receiue the fruits of the earth in due season and learne both by thy punishment to amend our liues and for thy clemency to giue thee praise and glory through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen In the time of dearth and famine O Mercifull God and heauenly father whose gift it is that the raine doth fall the earth is fruitful men and beasts increase and fishes do multiply behold we beseech thee the afflictions of thy people grant that the scarsity and dearth which we doe now most iustly suffer for our iniquities may through thy goodnes be mercifully turned into cheapnes and plenty for the loue of Iesus Christ our Lord to whom with thee and the holy Ghost be praise for euer Amen In the time of warre ALmighty God King of all kâ—ngs and gouernour of all things whose power no creature is able to resist to whom it belongeth iustly to punish sinners and to be mercifull to them that truly repent saue and deliuer vs wee humbly beseech thee from the haÌ„ds of our enemies abate their pride asswage their malice confound their deuices that we being armed with thy defence may bee preserued from all perils to glorifie thee which arte the onely giuer of all victory through the merites of thy onely Son Iesus Christ our Lord So be it In the time of any common plague or sickenesse O Almighty God which in thy wrath in the time of King Dauid didst slay with the plague of pestilence threescore and ten thousand and yet remembring thy mercy didst saue the rest haue pitty vpon vs miserable sinners that now are visited with great sickenesse and mortality that like as thou didst then commaÌ„d thine Angel to cease from punishing so it may now please thee to withdraw from vs this plague and grieuous sickenesse through Iesus Christ our Lord. A praier for the strength and comfort of the holy Ghost ALmighty most mercifull God which giuest to thy elect people thine holy spirit as a sure pledge of thy heauenly kingdome wee most humbly beseech thee so to replenish our harts with the grace of thy holy spirit that he may bear witnes to our spirits that we be thy childreÌ„ heirs of thy kingdome that by thy gracious working of this thy good spirit we may kil al carnal lusts vnlawful pleasures concupiscences euil affections contrary to thy most blessed wil through our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ So be it For sure hope and sure tast of euerlasting life O Almighty God which hast prepard euerlasting life for al those that be thy faithfull seruants grant vnto vs sure hope of this life euerlasting that whiles we be here in this miserable world wee my haue some taste and feeling of it in our hearts through the merits of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ So be it For true knowledge of God and his word and a life agreeable to the same GRant vnto vs O mercifull God wee most heartily beseech thee knowledge and true vnderstanding of thy most blessed will and word that all ignorance being expelled we may know what thy will pleasure is in all things and how to do our duety and truly to walk in our vocation and that also we may expresse in our liuing those things that we doe know that wee bee not only knowers of thy will and word good Lord but also may be hearty faithful workers of the same throgh our Lord and Sauior Iesus Christ So be it A praier for the strength and increase of faith O Almighty and euerliuing God which not onely giuest euery good and perfect gift but also increasest those gifts that thou hast giuen we most humbly beseech thee to increase in vs the gift of faith that we may truly beleeue in thee and in thy promises made vnto vs in Christ Iesu our Lord that neither by our negligence nor infirmity of the flesh nor by grieuousnes of temptations neither by the subtle crafts and assaults of the diuell wee be driuen from this faith in the bloud of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ So be it For a godly life ALmighty God giue vs grace that we may cast away the workes of darknes and put on vs the armor of light now in the time of this mortall life in which thy Son Iesus Christ came to visite vs in great humilitie that in the last day when hee shall come againe in his glorious maiesty to iudge the quicke and the dead we may rise to the life immortall throgh him who liueth and raigneth with thee and the holy Ghost now and for euer So be it A praier for true perseuerance and the assured hope of eternal life BLessed God which hast caused al holy Scriptures to be written for our learning grant that we may in such wise heare theÌ„ reade them marke them inwardly print them in our hearts that by patience and coÌ„fort of thy holy word we may imbrace and euer holde fast the blessed hope of euerlasting life which thou hast giuen vs in our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ So be it A praier for the obtaining of our petitions ALmighty God which hast giuen vs grace at this time with one accord to make our coÌ„mon supplications vnto thee and doest promise that when two or three be gathered together in thy name thou wilt grant their requests fulfil now O Lord the desires and petitions of thy seruants as may be must expedient for them granting vs in this world knowledge of thy truth and in the world to come life euerlasting Amen The end of the Lateny A GODLY INSTRVCTIon containing the summe of all the Diuinity necessary for a Christian conscience Made by M. Iohn Bradford A Man that is regenerate born of God the which thing that euery one of vs bee our Baptisme the Sacrament of regeneration doth require vnder paine of damnation
Elijahs fiery-Chariot OR GLOWING-COALS Taken from GODS ALTAR Being excellent Prayers and Meditations fitted for all Persons in all Conditions Composed by divers learned Fathers and Martyrs in the Church of God The like never before extant London Printed for Thomas Rooks and are to be sold at his Shop at the sign of the Lamb at the East-end of St. Pauls Church 1659. The Epistle Reader LEt no prejudicate opinion divert or fiery passion impedeâ— thy â—erusual of this little Manuâ—l because it adventures inâ—o a litigious world without 〈◊〉 Guardian for know ussuâ—edly it is no other than a Dove sent out of the Ark Gods Church to view the frame of the children of men and amidst the various actions of contentious spirits will certainly return with the Olive branch of Peace to each faithful Soul for indulgent mercy being alwayes ready with unwearied beams of Love and Light to guide the staggering steps of the rebellious and sinful yet returning man will never permit the great Abaddon to destroy the lives of precious Souls either by devouring their Religion in the flames of pretendâ—d but ignorant zeal or devouring their devotion in the overflowing deluge of a licentious tolleration for Heavens propâ—â—ious eye is ever watchful over his own peculiar Flock taking care that his inheritance may not be destroyed by that strange fire which is daily offered up from the usurped unlawful censors of pretended gifts by the many presumptious Corahs which like the Egyptian Flyes have of late overspread the whole Land that the grand Impostors of the world may no longer prevail upon the hearts of good people It hath pleased Almighty God to inspire stir up the hearts of some they of the faithfullest and most eminent Watchmen of our Israel in this ensuing Treatise to furnish us the unlearned and ignorant with Prayers Arguments and fervent ejaculations so to cast some glowing coals into the hearts and minds of the most excellent Christians whereby the fervor of their devotions may be increased The work is short but pithy as containing in it the Elixar of all religious service the epitomy of all piety and the whole of every man furnishing them with Prayers and Meditations for all times in all conditions and upon all occasions In short it is the platform both of prayer and meditation wherein is copied out Elijahs fiery-Chariot that with speed will carry fainting Souls to the place of comfort and rest Jacobs Bethel wherein the strongest man in Christ Jesus may strive and wrestle with his maker the Key of David which if turned by the hand of Faith will open the dore of Heaven to the greatest of sinners AN INTRODVCTION to Praier FOrasmuch as of our selues we are destitute of all good things and vtterly voide of all necessary helpes to saluation the Lord our God of his owne free mercie and goodnesse offereth himselfe to vs in Christ and in him he giueth vnto vs in the stead of our misery al felicity in the stead of our pouerty the vnspeakable riches of his grace he openeth vnto vs in him the treasures of heaueÌ„ that our faith might wholy behold him and our hope bee fully fixed vpon him Jn whom it hath pleased him that the fulnesse of his grace should dwell that from thence we might all draw as out of a most plentifull fountaine the waters of eternall life This secret and great misterie is reuealed to such onely whose eies the Lord hath opened to see light in his light Therefore since we are taught by faith that whatsoeuer we haue need of is wanting in vs the same is laid vp with God for vs in Christ it remaineth that we seeke it in him Rom 10 with praier craue it of him The Apostle therefore to shew that true faith cannot be separated from the inuocation of Gods holy name hath set this order that as faith commeth by the Gospell so by the same faith our hearts are stirred vp to call vpon the name of Gâ—d and therefore he saith that the spirit of adoption which sealeth in our hearts the witnesse of the Gospell raiseth vp our spirits that they dare with boldnesse shew forth their desires it stirreth vp in vs vnspeakeable gronings and causeth vs to cry with confidence Abba Father By the benefit of prayer therefore we attaine to those riches which God hath laide vp in store for vs for thereby we haue familiar accesse to God and boldly entring into the sanctuarie of heauen we put him in mind of his promises so that now by experience wee feele and finde that to be true indeede which by the word we did before but onely beleeue now we enioy those treasures by Prayer which by faith wee did before but onely behold in the Gospell of our Lord Jesus Now how necessary and profitable this exercise of prayer is appeareth in that the Lord himselfe witnesseth our whole saluation to consist in the calling vpon his name whereby he is wholly present with vs namely by his prouidence and fatherly care by the which he vvatcheth ouer vs by his power by the which hee sustaineth and succoureth our weakenesse being euery moment ready to perish and by his goodnesse and mercy by the which he receiueth vs into fauour being miserably loaden and pressed down with sinne And hereby groweth singular rest and quietnesse to our conscience For when wee haue disclosed to him our necessity herein we finde most ioyfull and perfect quietnesse that none of our euils are hidden from him whom we are perswaded to bee both most willing and also most able to helpe vs. Now that our praier may be made in such wise as it ought to be first wee must see that we be in heart and minde no otherwise prepared then becommeth those that enter into talke with God as we are taught Eccl. 28. Before thou pray prepare thy selfe and be not as one that tempteth God We must consider therfore when we pray in whose presence wee stand to whom wee speake and what we desire We stand in the presence of the Almighty creator of heauen and earth all things therein contained to whose eternall Maiesty innumerable thousands of Angels do assist serue and obey we speake vnto him who knoweth the secrets of our harts before whom nothing is more odious then hypocrisie dissimulation we aske those things which be most for his glory the comfort of our consciences VVee must therefore diligently endeuour our selues to remoue all such things as may offend his diuine maiestie And first that wee bee free from all worldly cares and fleshly cogitations whereby our minds are carried hither thither and being drawne out of heauen from the pure beholding of God are pressed downe to the earth And here let vs call to mind how vnreuerently we abuse the great goodnesse of God calling vs into familiar talke with him when we haue not that reuerent feare of his sacred Maiestie that we would haue of an earrhly creature or
hearts to be deliuered from the same that they might serue God in the freedome of conscience This is that mourning this is that hunger and thirst that Christ speaketh of Mat. 5 Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousnesse for they shall be satisfied God for his truths sake will put the righteousnesse of Christ on them and wash their vnrighteousnes away in his blood Esay 42 The brused Reed will he not breake and the smoking Flaxe will he not quench The afflicted the heauy and broken hearted the weake and feeble will he not forsake Yea be they neuer so feeble and so fraile yet so long as this lust desire and mourning to be deliuered from their sinne and misery remaineth in them God seeth not their sinnes reckoneth them not laieth them not to their charge for his truths sake and loue of Christ hee is not a sinner in the sight of God that would be no sinner Hee that would bee deliuered hath his heart loosed already his heart sinneth not but mourneth repenteth and consenteth to the law and will of God and iustifieth God that this is hee beareth record that God which made the law is righteous and iust and such an heart trusting in Christs blood in Christs righteousnes is accepted for righteousnes his weaknes infirmity and frailty is pardoned and his sinnes not looked vpon vntill God put more strength in him the increase whereof he shal daily feele in such sort that at lengâ—h he shall in all troubles bee abâ—e to say with Dauid Psal 23 If I should go through the shadow and danger of death I will not seare what soeuer happen Now to stirre vp our hearts to consideration of our great misery and necessity to a more feruent prayer the Lord himselfe hath commaunded vs to call vpon him for helpe and succour Therefore let vs haue the commaundements of God alwaies in our sight touching Prayer and whiles wee pray let vs call them to our râ—membrance Aske seeke knocke Mat. 7 Psal 50 Eph. 6 watch pray Call vpon mee saith God in the day of trouble pray alway with all maner of praier and supplication watch thereunto with all diligence Reioice alwayes pray continualâ—y 1. Tim. 5 in all things be thankefull for this is the will of God in Christ Iesus towardes you Col. 4 Continue in praier and watch in the same vnto thanksgiuing Let your requests bee shewed vnto God in praier and supplication with giuing giuing of thankes And this wee are also no lesse bound to doe by commandement whereby wee are forbidden to take the name of God in vain For in that we are there forbidden to take the name of God in vaine we are commanded also to take it and vse it to his glory giuing vnto him the praise of al goodnes helpe and succour whiles we aske and looke for the same at his hand Wherefore except we flie to him in our trouble and necessitie except we call vpon him for reliefe and succor we prouoke his difpleasure no lesse then if wee should make vnto our selues Jdols or worship strange gods for in the contempt of euery one of the commandements we shew like contempt and disobedience to the will of God and all these sentences which command vs to call vpon God doe appertaine vnto this commandement Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine and so praier is a worke chiefe seruice belonging to his commandement Wee may not therefore thinke that there are no sinnes but idolatry murther theft whordome and such like but that it is vndoubtedly a great sinne also not to render this seruice to God that is not to pray not to aâ—ke not to looke for helpe from God in our necessities not to render thanks for the benefits we haue receiued Therefore if our vnworthines at any time do cry out against vs stop or feare vs in such sort that our consciences are astonied and flie from God if we doubt whether god hath respect to our praiers groanings and teares we must set before our eies how that we are commanded though we be neuer so vnworthy and our sinnes neuer so many and great to pray for reconciliation Gods fauour and forgiuenesse of our sinnes For else whereas God commandeth vs to abstaine from theft murther whordome c. we may in like sort excuse our selues and say that we are vnworthy to obey Gods commandements great is our iniquity and manifest is our contempt and despising of God when we neglect and delay to call for his helpe Such as fly vnto God therefore to call vpon him in their necessities obey his will and finde therein no small consolation knowing that thereby they doe vnto him most acceptable seruice forasmuch as he pronounceth that nothing is to him more acceptable then obedience to his will and commandement As we are commanded of God boldly and without all respect of our owne vnworthinesse to come vnto him as a mercifull father and one that knoweth our necessity and pittieth our misery so hath he promised very graciously to heare vs and grant our requests And hereof riseth yet a farre more comfortable and greater consolation wherein consisteth our whole confidence and trust of obtaining suâ—cour and mercy at Gods hand Mat. 7 wherefore he allureth vs with many sweete promises to call vpon him Aâ—ke saith he yee shall haue seeke and ye shall finde knocke and it shall bâ—e opened vnto you Iere. 25 Psal 50 Psal 145 ye shall crie vnto mee and I will heare you ye shall seeke me and yee shall find me Call vpon mee in the day of trouble and I will deliuer thee The Lord is nigh to all them that cal vpon him that cal vpon him in truâ—hâ— hee doth the will of them that feare him and he will heare their prayers He shal call vpon mee and J will heare him Psal 91 I will bee with him in his trouble I will deliuer him and glorifie him At the voice of thy cry he wil cerâ—ainly haue mercy on thee vvhen he heareth thee he vvil answere thee Hee that is Lord ouer all Esay 7.5 Rom 8 Psal 149 is rich bountifull towards them that call vpon him He will fulfil the desire of them that feare him he wil heare â—heir cries and will save them And God to declare his readines in hearing of sinners Esa 16.5 saith Before they cry I will answere and whiles they are yet thinking vvhat to speake J will heare Among many sweet promises of GOD though these might be sufficient to prouoke vs to feruent and hearty prayer yet there be certaine other notable comfortable promises which wee should specially haue in remembrance as these If yee which are euill can giue good gifts to your children how much more shall your heauenly Father giue the holy Ghost to them that desire him Luk 12. Eccles 2.
me to be thy childe so I pray thee giue me these things which bee the properties of thy children giuen from thee in thy good time Hallowed be thy name THy name is that whereby thou art knowne for names serue to discerne and know one thing from another Now though thou art knowne by creatures yet is this our corrupt estate Rom. 1 they serue but to make vs excuselesse Therefore most properly liuely and comfortably thou art knowne by thy holy word and specially by thy promise of grace Psalme 84.138 How Gods name is hallowed and freely pardoning and receiuing vs into thy fauour for Christ Iesus sake For the which goodnesse in Christ thou art praised and magâ—ified according to thy name that is so much as men know thee in Christ they magnifie thee and praise thee which here thou callest hallowing or sanctifying For that thou art the more holy not in respect of thy selfe but in respect of men who the more they know thee the more they caÌ„not but sanctifie thee that is they cannot but as in themselues by true faith loue feare spirituall seruice honour thee so also in their outward behauiour and words they cannot but liue in such sort The chiefe desire of Gods children as other seeing them may in and by their holinesse and godly conuersation bee occasioned as to know thee so to sanctifie thy name accordingly and therefore thou settest forth here vnto me what is the chiefe and principall wish and desire of thy children and people namely that â—hou in Christ mightest bee truely knowen and honoured both of themselues and of other inwardly and outwardly as by the contrary a man may easily perceiue The greatest griefe of Goâ—s people that the greatest sorrowe and griefe thy people haue is ignorance of thee false seruice or religion and wicked conuersation Against the which they pray and labour diligently after their vocation as they for the obtaining of the other both to other and to themselues doe take no small paine in prayer studie and godly exercise By reason heereof I see that I am farre from this desire and lamentation which is in thy children I see mine ignorance of the true knowledge of thee and thy name for else it had not needed thee so by thy word to haue reuealed thy selfe I see also mine owne ignorance of the excellencie of the same Our ignorance for else wouldest thou not haue told mee that the saÌ„ctifying of thy name is the chiefest thing thou requirest of euery man Againe I see my great want of holinesse Our great neede for else thou needest not to teach me to seeke and pray for that I want not Moreouer I see my great peruersity which would not seeke at thy hands for sanctification although I see my need thereof For the which thou wouldest not haue commaunded mee to pray if I seeing my want would haue prayed vnto thee for the same Last of all Gods loue I see thy wonderfull goodnesse which wilt vndoubtedly giue vnto me sanctification and holinesse for thou wouldest not that I should aske for that thing that thou wilt not giue mee So that I haue great cause to lament and reioyce To lament because I am so farre from this desire and lamentation which thy children haue also because of mine ignorance pouerty peruersity vnthankfulnes c. But most of all because thy holy name word and religion is so blasphemed both in doctrine in liuing of many especially in this Realme To reioice I haue great cause for thy exceeding goodnes and mercie which wouldest so disclose thy selfe by thy workes word and Gospell which wouldest open these things thus vnto me and also giue vnto mee and others sanctification in thy sight by faith and in the sight of men by purenesse of life and godly conuersation But alas I doe hartely neither the one nor the other that is lament or reioice as thou father which searchest my heart dost right well know Oh be mercifull vnto me and forgiue me yea giue me for thine owne pity thy holy spirit to reueale and open to my minde effectually my miserable estate and condition my ignorance peruersity my carelesnesse for thy true honour and dishonour in such sort that I may hartily lament these euills and haue them pardoned and taken from mee through Iesus Christ our Lord. Againe good father giue mee the same thy holy spirit to reueale to me thy name word and Gospell that I may liuely know thee vnfainedly loue thee heartily obey thee and aboue all things desire and labour by all meanes lawfull that all godlines in doctrine and conuersation may bee exercised both in mee and all others for whom thou wouldest I should pray Here think vpon the state of religion the life of the professors of the Gospel that thou maist lament some pray for some and giue thankes for some Let thy kingdome come Gods kingdom in respect of his power THy kingdome is in two sorts to be considered vniuersally and particularly Vniuersally according to thy power wherwith thou gouernest all things euery where in earth Heauen hell diuels Angels men beasts fowles fishes and all other creatures Of this kingdome spake Dauid when he said This kingdome ruleth ouer all Psal 10 4. Particularly thy kingdome is to bee considered according to thy grace wherewith thou rainest only in thy Church and elect people Gods kingdom in respect of his grace ruling and gouerning all and euery member of thy Church to thy glory and their eternall comfort Not that out of this Church I exclude thy power for as therewith thou defendest thy people so thou punishest thy enemies but because thy grace is specially considered being as it were the very keeper that keepeth and guideth thy people Godâ— kingdome in respect of his glory The time will be when this kingdome of grace and power now being as distinct shall be vnited and made one kingdome of glory which will bee when Christ shall giue vp his kingdome into thyne hands that is in the resurrection when death the last enemie shal be subdued and thou shalt be all in all In the meane season How Gods kingdome is here conside ed and enlarged this kingdome of grace is miraculously and mightily propagated enlarged and gouerned by the true ministery of thy word and Sacraments through the working of thy holy spirit And this is the meane and way whereby as thou didst first plant so doest thou enlarge amplifie and preserue the same This kingdome of grace begun continued and enlarged by the true preaching of thy Gospell and ministration of thy Sacraments is the thing which Christ teacheth here thy children to pray for that it might come that is to say that thâ— Gospel might so mightily purely and plenteously bee preached maugre the head of all thine enemies that the number of thine elect might bee brought in and so the kingdome of thy glory might appeare So that as I
flesh readily obeyed To reioyce I haue great cause for that thou hast opened thy selfe will vnto mankind for that also thou peculiarly hast taught me these things because thou wilt grant me grace to doe the same But alas how vnthankfull I am and how hard hearted thou Lord dost know Oh be mercifull vnto me and forgiue mee I beseech thee gracious God Grant mee thy holy spirit to reueale to mee my ignorance of thy will my pouerty and peruersity that I may hartyly bewaile it c and by the helpe and working of the same spirit may suppresse the will of the flesh Againe grant mee thy holy spirit to reueale to me thy will declared in thy Law and Gospel that I may truly know the same and inflame so my affections that I may will and loue the same in such sort that it may bee my meate and drinke to doe thy will Here call to mind the ten coÌ„mandements of God particularly or generally what therein hee requireth and pray for the same particularly as you see your need and that not only for your self but also for others Pray for patience to suffer what crosse soeuer God shal lay vpon you and pray for them that be vnder the crosse that they may be patient pray for spiritual wisdome in euery câ—osse peculiar or publike that you may see and loue Gods will Giue vs this day our daily bread BY Bread Bread the foode of the body are vnderstood all things necessary for this corporall life as meate drinke health successe in our vocation c By this word Giue Giue wee should vnderstand that not only spirituall things but also corporall benefites are Gods free gifts and come not for our worthines or trauel taken about the same although our trauels be often times meanes by the which God doth giue corporall things By dayly Daily we vnderstand the contented mindes of thy children with that which is sufficient for the preseÌ„t time as hauing hope in thee that they shall not want but dayly shall receiue at thy hands plenty and inough of all things By this word Our Our are as wel vnderstood publike beneâ—â—ts as peace in the common weale good Magistrates good lawes reasonable weather c. Also particular benefits namely children health succes in the workes of our vocation c. And besides this by it we should see the care euen for corporall things which thy children haue for others as well as for themselues So that heere I may learne how farre I am from that I should bee and that I see thy children are come vnto I see my ignorance also how that as spirituall things dâ—e come from thee so doe temporall things and as they come from thee so are they conserued and kept of thee and thereforâ— thy children are thankefull and looke for them as thy meer gifts notwithstanding the meanes which they vse if they haue them howbeit they vse them but as meanes for except thou worke therewith all is in vaine Againe heere I am taught to be content with that which is sufficient for the present time as thy children be which haue the shortnesse of this life alwaies before their eies and therefore they aske but for daily sustenance knowing this life to bee compared to a day yea a watch a sound a shadow c. Moreouer I may learne to see the compassion and brotherly care which thy childâ—en haue one for another Last of al heere I may see thy goodnesse which as thou wilt giue me all things necessarie for this life or else thou wouldest not bid me aske c. so thou commandest all men to pray and care for mee and that bodily much more then if they be able they are commanded to helpe mee both in body and soule By reason whereof I haue great cause to lament and reioyce To lament because I am not so affected as thy Children bee because of my ignorance my ingratitude my peruersitie and contempt of all goodnes and of the necessitie of thy people which alas be in great misery some in exile some in prison some in pouertie sicknesse c. To reioice I haue geat cause because of thy goodnesse in teaching mee these things in commaunding mee to aske whatsoeuer I want in giuing me so many thingâ— vnasked in keeping the benefits giuen me in commaunding men to care for me to pray for mee to helpe me c. But alas how far I am either froÌ„ true lamenting or reioycing Lord thou knowest Oh bee mercifull vnto me and helpe mee forgiue me and graunt mee thy holy spirit to reueale to me my neeed ignorance great ingratitude and contempt of thy mercies and thy people and that in such sort that I might heartily lament bewaile my misery and through thy goodnes be altered with thy people to mourne for the miseries of thy children as for mine owne Againe reueale to mee thy goodnesse deare father euen in corporall things that I may see thy mercy thy presence power wisedome righteousnes in euery creature and corporall benefite and that in such sort that I may bee throughly affected truly to reuerence feare loue and obey thee to hang vpon thee to bee thankfull to thee in all my neede to come vnto thee not onlie when I haue ordinary meanes by the which thou commonly workest but also when I haue none yea when all meanes and helps are cleane against me Heere remember the state of your children family also your parents neighbors kinâ—folks also your friends country magistrates c. as you shall haue time thereto and by Gods good spirit shall be prouoked Forgiue vs our debts as we forgiue them that are debtors vnto vs. BY Our debts Debts we vnderstand not onely the things wee haue done but the omission and leauing vndone of the good things wee ought to doe By Our Our wee vnderstand not only the particular sinnes of one but also generally of the sins of all and euery one of the Church By Forgiuenesse Forgiuenes we vnderstand free pardon and remission of sins by the merits and deserts of thy deare sonne Iesus Christ who gaue himselfe a ransome for vs. By Our Forgiuing Our forgiuing of other mens offences to vs ward wee vnderstand thy good will not onely that it pleaseth thee that wee should liue in loue and amitie but also that thou wouldest haue vs to be certain of thy pardoning vs of our sinnes For as certain as we are that we pardon them that offend vs so certaine should we be that thou doest pardon vs wherof the forgiuing our trespasses iâ— as it were a sacrament vnto vs. So that by this petition I am taught to see that thy children although by imputation they be pure from sin yet they acknowledge sin to be and remaine in them therfore doe they pray for the remission and forgiuenesse of the same Againe I am taught heereby to see how thy children do consider and take to heart
If the power be our Fathers of whom should wee be afraid Let the diuell be subiect to the Lords power and kingdome as he is how can the subiect haue power ouer vs which be sonnes and heires in that he hath not power ouer porkets without the prouidence and permissioÌ„ of God Therfore full well should wee pray Lead vs not into temptatioÌ„ rather then let vs not be led into temptatioÌ„ for power is the Lords the Diuel hath none but that he hath of Gods gift No he were notable to receiue power if God did not make him able althogh the execution of it is rather of Godâ— permission Giue all thankâ—s praise and glory to God our Father through Christ our Lord and Sauiour So bee it IOHN BRADFORD Priuate prayers for the morning and Euening and for other times of the day When you awake out of your sleepe pray thus MOst mercifull God and Father of our Sauiour Iesus Christ I most humbly thanke thee for the sweet sleepe and comfortable rest which thou hast giuen mee this night past beseeching thee that like as thou hast now awaked my body from sleepe so thou wouldest awake my soule from the sleepe of sinne and darkenesse of this world and that which thou now awaked out of sleep thou wouldest after death whereof this sleepe is but an image restore and raise aga ne to life euerlasting O gratious God make my body I heartily pray thee such a companion or rather a minister of godlinesse to my soule this day and all the time of this present life that in the life â—o comit may be partaker with the same of euerlasting happines through Christ Iesus our Lord. Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ shall shew light vnto thee Ephes 5. Occasâ—ons to meditate Here call to mind the great mirth and blessednesse of the euerlasting resurrection Also remember to muse vpon that most cleer light that bright morning new clearenes of our bodies after the long darkenâ—sse which they haue been in All then shall bee full of vnspeakable ioy and felicity When you behold the day light pray O Lord God thou most glorious true light from whence this light of the day and sun doth spring and shine vnto vs O light which lightenest euery man that commeth into this world O light which knowest no night nor euening but art alway a mid day most cleare and faire without whom all is most horrible darkenes and by whom all things are most cleare and bright O thou wisedome of the eternall Father of mercies lighten my minde that I may see those things onely which please thee and may be blinded to all other things Grant mee so to walke in the waies by the light of thy holy word that nothing else may be light and pleasant vnto mee Lighten mine eies O Lord that I sleepe not in death least mine enemies say I haue preuailed against him Psal 30. Occasions to meditate Muse a while how much the light and eye of the mind and soule is better then of the body Also how much more we ought to care for the soule that it may see well thâ—n for the body Morouer that beasts haue bodily eies as well as men but men only haue the eies of the mind and that such as are godly wise When you arise pray OUR f rst parents cast downe themselues from a most excellent high anâ— honourable state into shame and misery and into the deepe sea of all wickednes and mischiefe but O Christ thou pâ—tting forth thy hand didst raise them vp againe Euen so wee except we be raised vp by thee shall he still for euer O good Christ our most gracious Redeemer as thou dost mercifully raise vp now this my body euen so I beseech thee raise vp my minde heart to the true knowledge and loue of thee that my conuersation may be in heauen where thou art If thou be ris n with Christ think vpon those things that be aboue Co. 3 Occasions to meditate Thinke how foule the faâ—l of Adam was by reason of sinne and so of euery one of vs from the height of Gods grace Again thinke vpon the inestimable benefit of Christ by whose help we daily rise again from our fallings When you apparell your selfe pray O Christ cloath mee with thine owne selfe that I may be so far from making prouision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof that I may cleane put off all desiâ—es and crucifie the king ome of the flesh in me Be thou vnto mee a gâ—rment to keepe me warme and to defend mee from the cold of this world If thou bee absent deare Lord all things are cold weake and dead but if thou be with me all tâ—ings are warme fresh and cherefull c. Grant me therfore that as I compasse this my body with this garment so thou wouldest cloth me wholy but especially my soule with thine owne selfe Put vpon you as the elect of God bowels of mercy meeknesse loue peace c. Col 3. Occasions to meditate Call to mind a little how wee are incorporate into Christ Again how he doth cloath vs gouerne and nourish vs vnder his wings protection and prouidence preserueth vs. When you are made ready to begin the day withall pray O Almighty God and most mercifull Father thou knowest and hast taught vs also something to know that the weakenesâ—e of man and woman is great and that with out thy grace they can neither doe nor think any good thing Have mercy vpon mee I humbly beseech thee thy most weake fraile vnworthie child lighten my minde that I may with pleasure look vpon good things only Inflame my loue with the heat thereof that I may carefully couet them and at the last by thy gracious conducting may happily attaine theÌ„ throgh Iesus Christ our Lord. I distrusting altogether mine owne weaknes commâ—nd offer my selfe both soule and body into thy hands Thy louing spirit lead me forth into the land of righteousnes Cogitations meet to begin the day withall Think first that man consisteth of soule body that the soule is from heauen heauenly firm immortall but the body is from the earth earthly fraile â—â—d mortall Again think that though by reason of sinne wherein ye are conceiued and borne the parts of the soule which do vnderstand and dâ—sire bâ— so corrupt that without speciall grace to both parts you can neither know nor loue any good thing in Gods sight much lesse then do that is good yet this notwithstanding think that you are regenerate by Christs resurrection which your Baptisme requireth you to beleeue and therefore haue both those parts some thing reformed both to know and to loue and therefore to doe also some good in the sight of God through Christ for whose sake our poore doings are accepted for good the euill and infirmity cleauing thereunto not being imputed throgh faith Thinke that by faith which is Gods seede for
word with thy grace thou wouldest quicken our soules that both in soule and body we may please thee till this our mortall carcase shall put on immortality and wee shall need no more any further foode but thee only which then will be al in all Taste and see how good the Lord is Psal 14. Blesse the Lord O my soule which seedeth and filleth my mouth with good things Psal 103. Occasions to meditate Think a litle how great Gods power is that made vs. Also thinke how great his wisedome is to preserue vs. But most of all thinke how many things are giuen to our vse how wonderfull it is to giue vs life but most of all to propagate and aduance to immortality the life of the soule by his onely beâ—ke Last of all thinke that God by his prouidence for thy body would haue thee to confirm thy faith of his prouidence likewise for thy soule In the meane time pray O Most liberall distributer of thy gifts which giuest vs all kind of good things to vse and beeing pure giuest pure things being holy giuest holy things grant to vs grace that wee misuse not these the gracious gifts giuen to our vse and profit Let vs not delight in the things but let vs delight in thee from whom they come as necessarie for vs for a season till we come vnto thee Grant vs to be conuersant amoÌ„gst thy gifts soverly puâ—ely temperatly and holily because thou art so Then shall we not turne that so the poison of our soules which thou hast giuen for the medicine of our bodies but vsing thy benefits thankfully we shall find them profitable both in soule and body Occasions to meditate Thinke that the meats and drinke set before you are giuen you to vse and not to ab se Think that they are giuen to profit and nâ—t to hurt you Thinke that they are not giuen to you alone but vnto others al o by you In eating and drinking thinke that you doe but feed the wormeâ— Remember the poore prisoners the sick the afflicted c. as though you were in their case Thinke vpon the food of your soule Christs body broken and bloud shed desire the meat that lasteth for euer labor for it Christs meat was to doe his Fathers will After your meat pray BY corporall meates thou doest sustaine our corporall daily life ready otherwise to perish The which surely is a great worke but yet this is much greater more profitable and more holy that thy grace O Iesus Christ doth preserue vs from the death of the soule For this life wee ought much to thanke thee and because thou doest prolong it with thy good gifts we most heartily praise thee Howbeit this life is but the way to eternall life which we beseech thee for thy deaths sake that thou wilt giue vs and so shall wee not only giue thee as we may thankes for a time for temporall things but also eternall thanks for eternall things O grant to vs these our desires for thy mercies sake Amen Occasions to meditate Thinke now that God hath giueâ— thee this his blessing of food sustenance and thereto time that thou mightest repent â— so seeke his glory and the commodity of thy brethren therefore goe thereabouts but first pray for grace well to beginne Again consider now thou hast been partaker of others mens labours as of the husbandmans the Milners the Bakers the Bruers the Butchers the Cookes c. See therefore that thou be not as a drone bee but rather such a one as may helpe thâ— hiue If God haue thus fed thy body which he loueth not but for thy soules sake how can it bee then but that he will be much more ready â—o feed the soule therfore take a courage to thee and go to him for grace accordingly Cogitations for about the midday As thy body is now compassed on euâ—â—y side with light so see that thy miâ—d â—ay be also As God giueth th e thâ—s plentifully this corpo all light so pray hiâ— thâ—t he wil giue thee the spirituall light Think that as the sun is now moâ—t cleare so shall our bodies be in the day of iudgement As now the sun is come to the highest and therefore will begin to draw downeward so is there nothing in the world so perfect and glorious which when it is at the full will not decrease and so weare away When you come home againe pray THere is nothing O Lord more like to thy holy nature than a quiet mind Thou hast called vs out of the troublesome disquietnesse of the world into that thy quiet rest and peace which the world cannot give being such a peace as passeth mens vnderstanding Houses are ordained for vs that therby we might be defended from the iniury of the weather from cruelty of beasts froÌ„ disquietnes of people and rest from toiles of the world O gracious father grant that through thy great mercy my body may enter into this house from outward actions but so that it may become buxome and obedient to the soule and make no resistance against the same that in seule and body I may haue a godly quietnes and peace to praise thy holy name Amen Peace be to this house and to all that dwell in the same Matth. 10. Occasions to meditate Think what a return and how merâ—e a returne it will bee to come to our eteâ—nall most quiet and most happy home then will all griefe and sorrow cease Whatsoeuer here is pleasant and ioyfull the same is nothing but a very shadow in comparison of that which is to come At the Sunne going downe pray HOw vnhappy are they O Lord from whom thy Sunne goeth downe and giueth no light I meane thy grace which is alwaies cleare as the mid day Darke night vnto them is the mid-day which depart from thee In thee is neuer night but alwaies day light most cleare This corporall sin hath his courses now vp now downe but thou deare Lord if we loue thee art alwaies one O that this block and vaile of sin were taken away from mee that there might bee alwaies cleere day in my minde Occasions to meditate Think that as we are not sorie wheÌ„ the Sun goeth downe because wee know it shall rise againe Thiâ— is ment of the bloody time of Queene Mary euen so we should not sorrow for death where through the soule and body do part a sunder for they shal eftsoones returne and come together againe in most glorious wise So long as the Sunne is vp wilde beasts keep their dennes foxes their burrowes owles their holes c. But when the Sun is downe then come they abroad so wicked men hypocrites keepe their dennes in the time of the Gospell but it being taken away then swarm they out of their holes like bees as this day doth reach When the Candles bee light pray MOst thicke and darke cloudes doe couer our minds except thy light O Lord doe driue them
wee acknowledging froÌ„ the bottome of our hearts our own vnrighteousnesse may from henceforth not only mortifie our sinnefull lusts and affections but also bring forth such fruit as may bee agreeable to thy most blesses will Col. 3. Rom. 6. Eph. 4.5 1. Pet. 2. through Iesus Christ our onely Sauiour whom thou hast already giuen an oblation and an offring for our sinnes and for whose sake we are â—ertainly perswaded that thou wilt deny vs nothing that we shal aske in his name according to thy will For thy spitit doth assure our consciences that thou art our mercifull Father and so louest vs thy children through him that no thing is able to remoue thy heauenly grace and fauor from vs. To thee therefore with the sonne and the holy Ghost be all honour glory world without end So be it A Pâ—ayer to be said in the Morning O Eternall GOD and heauenly Father seeing that by thy great mercy we haue quietly passed this night grant wee beseech thee that wee may bestow this day wholy in thy seruice so that al our thoghts words and deeds may redâ—und to the glory of thy name and good example of our brethren And as it hath pleased thee to make the sunne to shine vpon the earth to giue vs bodily light euen so vouchsafe to illuminate our vnderstanding with the brightnesse of thy spirit to direct vs in the way of righteousnes so that what thing soeuer we shal apply our selues vnto our speciall care purpose may be to walk in thy fear and to serue and honor thee looking for all our wealth and prosperity to came from thy only blessing and that we may take nothing in hand which shall not be agreeable to thy most blessed will Furthermore that we may in such sort trauaile for our bodies and for this present life that we may haue alwaies a further regard that is to the heauenly life which thou hast promised to thy children and in the mane season that it may please thee to preserue and defend vs both in body and soule to strengthen vs against al the temptations of the diuel and to deliuer vs frâ—m all perils and dangers that may happen vnto vs if we be not defended by thy godly power And forasmuch as to begin well and not to continue is nothing wee beseech thee to receiue vs not onely this day into thy holy protection but also for the time of our whole life continuing and increasing in vs daily thy good grace gifts therof vntill thou shalt bring vs to that happy state where we shall fully foreuer be ioined vnto thy Sonne Iesus Christ our Sauiour which is the true light of our soules shining day and night perpetuaâ—ly And to the end that we may obtaine such grace at thy hand vouchsafe most mercifull Father to forgiue and forget all our sins which wee haue heretofore committed against thee and for thy infinite mercies sake to pardon the same as thou hast promised to those that aske of thee with vnfained heart for whom as for our selues we make our humble petitions vnto thee in the name of thy sonne our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ in such sort as he hath taught vs saying Ou Father c. Another Praier to be said in the Morning O Almighty and most gracious God we hartily thanke thee for the sweet sleepe and comfortable rest which thou hast giuen vs this night past and for as much as thou hast commanded by the holy Word that no man should bee idâ—e but all occupied in godly and vertuous exercises euery man according to his calling wee most humbly beseech thee that thine eies may attend vpon vs daily defend vs cherish comfort gouerne vs and all our counsels studies and labors in such wise that wee may spend and bestow this day according to thy most holy will setting thee alwaies before our eies liuing in thy feare working that may bee found acceptable before thy diuine maiesty through Iesus Christ our Lord. So be it Another Prayer for the Morning VVE humbly and heartily giue thankes vnto thee O heauenly Father through thy dearely beloued son Iesus Christ that to thy innumerable bene â—ts hitherto powred vpon our soules and vpon our bodies thou hast kept vs this night past from many euils both spirituall and corporall and now of thy mercy dost offer and giue vs time to repent and amend our liues so that we might liue henceforth not as we wil but as thou wilt as our bodies doe draw continually neerer neerer their end the graue I mean so our soules might aproch to their end that is heauen not hel for in one state we stand not stil but either we are neerer and neerer the happy state of life or else the vnhappy condition of death eternall Wherefore we beseech thee to be mercifull vnto vs good Father and as of thy goodnes thou giuest vs time to repent and liue godly so of the same thy goodnes in Christ wee humbly beseech thee to giue vs thy gracious gift of true holy perfect perpetuall repentance that we may more and more lament our former sinfull life trusting vnfainedly in thy rich mercy through the merits of Iesus Christ for the pardon of all our sinnes and that we may vnfainedly purpose and effectually labour to amend our liues this day so long as we haue to liue in al our doings and words and euen in our very thoughts to the praise of thy holy name and good example by all our doings and words to all our brethren And forasmuch as thou knowest our weaknes our ignorance and great vntowardnes to carry any great crosse or affliction We beseech thee our sweete Father so temper order all things towards vs this day and for euer that we be neuer further proued tempted than thou wilt make vs able to beare so to help vs in the same as may be most to thy glory our saluation through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen An Euening Praier O Lord God Father euerlasting and full of pitty wee acknowledge and confesse that wee are not worthy to lift vp our eies to heauen much lesse to present our selues before thy diuine maiesty with confidence that thou wilt heare our praiers and graunt our requests if wee consider our owne wretched deseruings For our consciences doe accuse vs and our sins witnes against vs we know that thou art an vpright Iudge which dost not iustifie the sinners and wicked men Exo. 20. but punishest the faults of such as transgresse thy commaundements Yet most mercifull Father since it hath pleased thee to commaund vs to call vpon thee in all our troubles and aduersities Psal 15. Psal 28. promising euen then to helpe vs when wee feele our selues as it were swallowed vp of death desperation we vtterly renounce all worldly confidence and trust fly to thy soueraign goodnesse as our only stay and refuge beseeching thee not to call to
our distrusting and doubtfull hearts our carnall our secure our idle hearts our impure malitious arrogaÌ„t enuious wrathfull impatient couetous hypocriticall and epicurall hearts in place therof giue vs new harts soft harts faithfull harts mercifull hearts louing obedient chast pure holy righteous true simple lowly patient hearts to feare thee to loue thee to trust in thee for euer Write thy law in our harts graft it in our minds we heartily beseech thee Giue vs the spirit of praier make vs diligent and happy in the works of our saluation take into thy custody and gouernance for euer our soules and bodies our liues and all that euer we haue Tempt vs neuer further then thou wilt make vs able to beare and whatsoeuer thou knowest we haue need of in soule and body dear God and gratious Father vouchsafe to giue vs the same in thy good time alwais as thy children guide vs so that our life may please thee and our death praise thee though Iesus Christ our Lord for whose sake we heartily pray thee to grant these things thus asked and al other things necessary for soule and body not only to vs but to all others also for whom thou wouldest that we should pray specially for thy children that bee in thraldome in exile in prison misery heauinesse pouerty sicknesse c. Be mercifull to the whole realme of England and grant vs all true repentance and turne from vs the euils that we so wickedly haue deserued pardon our enemies persecutors slanderors and if it be thy pleasure turn their hearts Be mercifull vnto our parents brethren sisters friends kinsfolkes and familiars neighbours and such as by any meanes thou hast coupled and linked to vs by loue or otherwise and vnto vs poore sinners here gathered together in thy holy name grant thy blessing and holy spirit to sanctifie vs and dwell in vs as thy deare children to keepe vs this day and for euer from all euill to thy eternall glory our euerlasting comfort and the profit of thy Church which mercifully maintaine cherish and comfort strengthning them that stand so that they neuer fall lifting vp them that be fallen and keep vs from falling from thy truth through the merits of thy dearely beloued son Iesus Christ our onely Sauiour which liueth and raigneth with thee and the holy Ghost to whom be all praise and honour both now and for euer Amen I. B. A praier for the true knowledge of the mystery of our redemption in Christ O Almighty God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ and by him also our Father the father of all mercy and God of al consolation haue mercy vpon vs and heare our praiers We most humbly beseech thee for thy deare son Iesus Christ his sake for his merits and cruell death which he suffered to deliuer vs from eternall death and the power of darknes send into our hearts the spirit of truth to worke in vs a true liuely stedfast faith that the clear light and brightnes of thy Gospell the glory of Christ may shine vnto vs and lighten our minds that wee may learn and vnderstand the wonderful and vnspeakable riches of the mystery of our redemption in Christ and by Christ O Father of glory giue vnto vs the spirit of wisedom bring vs vnto the true knowledge of this thy beloued Sonne Iesus Christ the knowledge of thy selfe Open and lighten the eyes of our minds and vnderstanding that we may know what the hope is whereunto thou hast called vs and how the rich glory of thine inheritance is vpon thy Saintes and the exceeding greatnes of thy power towards vs that by true faith by vnderstanding and knowledge of thine eternall wisedome which is Iesus Christ we may be indeed as wee are called true Christians and vnfained professors of thy holy name to worship thee in spirit and truth and to set forth the glory of thy grace giuen vnto vs in Christ Iesus our Lord Amen O deare father write in our harts loue of thy law hate to al sin thankfulnes of heart and continuall heate of thy holy spirit for thy Son Iesus Christs sake To whom with thee and thy holy spâ—rit be all honor maiesty glory thanks rule empire and dominion for euermore Amen A forme of thanksgiuing for our redemption and praier for the strength and increase of faith O Lord increase our faith Luk 17. ETernall praise and thanks bee giuen vnto thee deare God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which hast blessed vs with ali spiritual blessings Ephe. 4. in heauenly things by Christ in that thou hast chosen vs in him before the foundation of the world was laid that we should bee without blame before thee through him by whom we haue redemption through his blood euen the forgiuenesse of our sinnes in whom after we heard the word of truth the Gospel of our saluation wherein we beleeued Rom. 8. we are sealed with the holy spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance which spirit hath and doth beare witnesse vnto our spirits that we are thy children and therefore crieth in our hearts Abba Father And thus most gracious father when thou hast once giuen the earnest penny of our saluation vnto our hearts thou doest not repent of thy gift and calling neither wilt thou at any time breake thy couenant of grace and mercy in Christ thy sonnes merits confirmed in vs by that seale loue token For what though we be weake in our beliefe Rom. 3. shall our vnbeliefe make thy promise of none effect No thou wilt alway be found true but all men are lyers And yet Lord thou dost most graciously behold and accept be it neuer so little a sparke of faith Wee say therefore and cry vnto thee Mar. 9 with one that wept and said I beleeue Lord help my vnbeliefe Yea that little be it neuer so litle is thy meer gâ—ft also The which as thou hast begun so most merciful Lord increase yâ— same more and more to the peace and comfort of our conscience and the glory of thy name through Iesus Christ Amen A thanksgiuing to God for his great benefits HOnour and praise be giuen to thee Lord God Almighty most deare Father of heauen for all thy mercies and louing kindnesse shewed vnto vs in that â—t hath pleased thy gracious goodnes freely and of thine owne accord to elect and choose vs to saluation afore the beginning of the world and euen like continuall thanks bee giuen vnto thee for creating vs after thine own image for redeeming vs with the precious bloud of thy deare sonne when we were vtterly lost for sanctifying vs with thy holy spirit in the reuelation and knowledge of thy sacred word for helping and succouring vs in all our need and necessity for sauing vs from all danger both of body and soule for comforting vs so fatherly in al our troubles afflictions for sparing vs so long and giuing
into the fire but as the good wheat that is gathered into the barne then shall they be caught vp to meet thee in the clouds then shall their corrupt body put on incorruption then shall they be endued with immortality and glory then shall they be with thee and go whither thou goest then shal they heare Come ye blessed of my Father possesse the kingdome prepared for you from the beginning c. Then shall they be set on seats of maiesty iudging the whole world then shall they raigne with thee for euer then shall god be al in al with them to them then shal they enter and inherit heauenly Ierusalem and the glorious restfull land of Canaan where is alwaies day and neuer night where is no maner of weeping tears infirmity hunger cold sicknes enuy malice nor sinne but alwaies ioy without sorrow mirth without mesure pleasure without paine heauenly harmony most pleasant melody saying and singing Holy holy holy Lord God of hosts c. Finally the eie hath not seene the eare hath not heard neither hath it entred into the heart of man what they shall inherit and most surely enioy although here they be tormēted prisoned solicited of Sathan tempted of the flesh and intangled with the world where through they are inforced to cry Thy kingdome come Come Lord Iesu c. How amiable are thy Tabernacles Like as the Hart desireth the water brookes c. Now let thy seruant depart in peace I desire to be dissolued and to be with Christ We mourn in our selues waiting for the deliuerance of our bodies c. O gracious Lord when shall I find such mercy with thee that I may repent beleeue hope and look for these things with the full fruition of those heauenly ioyes which thou hast prepared for all them that feare thee and so rest with thee for euermore A meditation of the life euerlasting the place where it is and the incomparable ioyes thereof THat there is an euerlasting life none will deny but such as will deny God For if he be true and iust which he must needs bee or else he is not God then can there not be but an eternall life That he hath both spoken and promised it in Mat. 25. 1. Cor 15. Heb. 4.11.13 1. Pet. 1. it plainely appeareth and elsewhere in very many places so that to deny an euerlasting life is to deny God to deny Christ and al that euer he did also to deny all piety and religion to condemne of foolishnesse all good men Martyrs Confessors Euangelists Prophets Patriarches Finally the denial of eternall life is nothing else but a denial of the immortality of the soule and so a plaine making of man nothing better then beasts If it be so 1. Co. 15. let vs then eat and drinke for to morrow we shall die Lord preserue vs from this Saduceall and Epicureal impiety and grant vs for thy mercies sake deare God that we may be assuredly perswaded that there is indeed an eternall life and blisse with thee for them that put their trust in thee amongst whom account me for thy mercies sake Againe this eternall life Where this eternall life is and the place appointed for them that be thy seruants all men do grant to bee with thee Albeit they do not thinke that because thou art euery where therefore eternal life is euery where For they by thy worde doe know that in as much as no man can see thee and liue which eternall life and thy blessed presence is most pleasant and had in fruition Ioh. 14. after in another world whereunto by corporal death they do depart and are translated to a place aboue them wher thou dwellest in a light whereunto no man can approch 4. Tim. 6. Abraham bosom they read was aboue as the place of the wicked was below and beneath Helias was caught vp into heauen Joh. 17. and the deare Sonne our Sauiour praied that where he is those also might be which thou hadst giuen him and might see his glory Now he deare father we learne by the spirit was ascended taken vp in his very body into heauen whither Stephen looked vp saw thy Christ standing on thy right hand to whom he praied Act 17. O Lord Iesus receiue my spirit Grant I beseech thee gratious God Father that I may haue a clean heart more and more to see thee and so in spirit to see and looke often vpon this place whither bring me at the length in body also I humbly pray thee Now what a thing this euerlasting life is no man is able to conceiue much lesse able to vtter For The peace of God which is eternall life passeth all vnderstanding 1. Cor. 6. The eie hath not seen the ear hath not heard neither can mans hart conceiue those things which thou deare God hast prepared for them that loue thee Whatsoeuer therefore can be spoken or imagined of thy kingdome of the clearnes ioy and felicity of the same is nothing in comparison as we may see by the Prophets which because they could not otherwise vnder corporal things haue shadowed the same So that the confidence of eternall life what a thing it is can in no wise be told Howbeit somewhat we may bee brought to some sight of it by earthly things to thinke on this sort What knowledge may be had in this life of the life eurelasting If GOD haue giuen here so many things in a strange place how many are the great good things that be at home If in prison are so many mercies how many are they in the pallace If the wicked haue so many benefits what is the store prepared for thy seruāts O Lord if thy children find such cōfort in the day of teares and mourning what shall they find in the day of the mariage If with beasts men being haue the vse of innumerable blessings O how many are the blessings which they shall enioy with thy Angels and with thy selfe O deare God when they shall see thee haue the fruition of thee in whom is fulnes without lothing of al good faire things so that nothing can be more desired that for euermore This thy children do not see as they now beleeue it I say that euen in their bodies they shall see it for euer as Iob said They beleeue that they shal see thee and their own eies behold thee Job 15. when these our corporall eies our bodies being raised shal doe their duties such a knowledge of thee they beleeue to haue as shal not be only intellectuall and by faith as now it is but euen a full sight and fruition yea a coniunction and fellowship with thee Now they see but as in a glasse 1. Co. 13. Heb. 11. euen in a darke speaking but then they shal see thee face to face For faith though it be the substance of things hoped for a certaine darke sight of thee yet it may
industry in all things lawfull to serue thereby thy prouidence if it so please thee howbeit so that I hang in no part on the meanes or on my diligence wisedome and industry but only on thy prouidence which more and more perswade me to bee altogether fatherly and good how farre soeuer otherwise it appeare seeme yea or else is felt of me By this I being preserued from negligence on my behalfe and despair or murmuring towards thee shall become diligent and patient through thy meere and alone grace which giue and increase in me to the praise of thy holy name for euer throgh Iesus Christ our Lord and onely Sauiour Amen I.B. A meditation of Gods power beauty goodnesse c. BEcause thou Lord wouldst haue vs to loue thee not onely doest thou will entice allure and prouoke vs but also dost command vs so to doe promising thy selfe vnto such as loue thee and threatning vs with damnation if we do otherwise wherby we may see both our great corruption and naughtines also thine exceeding great mercy towards vs. First concerning our corruption and naughtinesse what a thing is it that power riches authority beauty goodnes liberality truth iustice all which thou art good Lord cannot moue vs to loue thee Whatsoeuer things we see faire good wise mighty are but eueÌ„ sparkles of that power beauty goodnes wisedome which thou art For to the end thou mightest declare thy riches beauty power wisedome goodnesse c. thou hast not onely made but still doest conserue all creatures to be as Dauid saith of the heauens declarers setters sorth of thy glory and as a book to teach vs to know thee How faire thou art the beauty of the Sunne moone starres lights flowers riuers fields hilles birds beasts men and all creatures yea the goodly shape and forme of the whole world doth declare How mighty thou art wee are taught by the creation of this world euen of nought by gouerning of the same by punishing the wicked mighty Giants thereof by ouerthrowing their deuices by repressing the rages of the Sea within her boundes by storms tempests and fires These such like declare vnto vs thy inuisible almighty terrible power wherby thou subduest al things vnto thee How rich thou art this world thy great infinit treasurehouse doth well declare What plenty is there not only of thinges but also of euery kind of things Yea how doest thou yeerely and daily multiply these kinds How many seedes dost thou make of one seed Yea what great increase dost thou bring it vnto These cannot but put vs in remembrance of the exceeding riches that thou hast For if to thine enemies which loue thee not as the most part in this world be if to them thou giuest so plentifully thy riches here what shall we thinke that with thy self thou hast laid vp for thy friends How good thou art all creatures generally and particularly do teach What creature is there in the world which thou hast not made for our commodity I will not say how that thou mightest haue made vs creatures without sense or reasoÌ„ if thou haddest would But among all things nothing doth so teach vs thy great loue towards vs as doth the death of thy most dearely beloued sonne who suffered the paines terrors thereof John 15. yea and of hell it selfe for our sakes If this thy loue had been but a small loue it would neuer haue lasted so long and Christ should neuer haue died I B. A meditation concerning the sober vsage of the body that it may be subiect and obedient to the soule THis our body which God hath made to be the tabernacle and mansion of our soule for this life if we consider it accordingly we could not but vse it otherwise then we do that is we would vse it for the souls sake being the guest thereof and not for the body it selfe and so should it be serued in things to helpe but not to hinder the soule A seruant it is therefore it ought to obey serue the soule that the soul might serue God not as the body will neither as the soule it selfe will but as God will whose wil we should learn to know behaue our selues thereafter The which thing to obserue is hard for vs now by reason of sinne which hath gotten a mansion house in our body and dwelleth in vs as doth the soule To the which sinne I mean we are altogether of our selues inclined because we naturally are siners nd borne in sinne by reason wherof we are ready as seruants to sin and to vse our bodies accordingly making the soule to fit at reward and pampering vp the seruant to our shame O therefore good Lord that it would please thee to open this gate vnto me and to giue me eyes to consider effectually this my body what it is namely a seruant lent for the soule to soiourne in and serue thee in this life yet it is by reason of sin that hath his dwelling there becom now to the soule nothing else but a prison and that most strait vile stinking filthy and therfore in danger of miseries too many in all ages times and placâ—s till death hath turned it to dust whereof it came and whither it shall return that the soule may returne to thee from whence it came vntill the day of iudgement come in the which thou wilt raise vp the body that then it may be partaker with the soule and the soule with it inseparably of weale or woe according to that is done in and by the same body here now in earth Oh that I could consider often and hartily these things then should I not pamper vp this body to obey it but bridle it that it might obey the soule then should I flie the pain it putteth my soule vnto by reason of sinne and prouocation to all euill and continually desire the dissolution of it with Paul and the deliuerance from it as much as euer did prisoner his deliuerance out of prison for as onely by it the diuell hath a dore to tempt and so to hurt me in it I am kept from thy presence and thou froÌ„ being so conuersant with me as else thou wouldest be by it I am testrained fâ—om the sense and feeling of all the ioyes and comforts in manner which are to be taken as ioyes and comforts indeed If it were dissolued and I out of it then could Sathan no more hurt me then wouldest thou speake with me face to face then the conflicting time were at an end then sorrow would cease and ioy would increase and I should enter into inestimable rest Oh that I could consider this accordingly I. B. Another meditation concerning the sober vsage of the body and pleasure of this life THe beginning of all euill in our kind of liuing springeth out of the deprauation and corruptnesse of our iudgement because our will alwaies followeth that which reasoÌ„ iudgeth to be followed Now that which
mouth and call vs vnto thee open our eares that we may heare thee so that what soeuer we do speake or thinke it may be directed vnto thee alone our redeemer mediator and aduocate If ye be risen again with Christ seek the things which are aboue where Christ setteth at the right haÌ„d of God set your affection on things that are aboue and not on things which are on earth Col. 3. Another THou Lord diddest put away Mary Magdalen from the kissing of thy feet because thy flesh was not yet exalted and she knew not yet the dignity of thy glorified body beautified with the glory of immortality but was addicted only to the bodily presence She yet sought the liuing among the dead neither was it known to her that thou wast equall with thy father Wherfore thou wouldest not suffer her so much as to kisse thy feet because it was a thing vnworthy for thy maiesty O thou mighty Lion of the Tribe of Iuda thou conqueror of hell and death euerliuing and immortall thou art now risen from death for vs thou art now asceÌ„ded to thy Father and our Father and sittest at his right hand in glorie suffer vs to come neer vnto thee that we may kisse thee yea Lord thou louer of our soules Cant. 1. come then rather vnto vs kisse vs with the kisse of thy mouth that we may bee glad and reioice in thee draw vs that we may runne after the sauour of thy sweet ointments that wee may behold thee in righteousnesse Psal 17. and when thy glory shal appeare we may be satisfied for in thy presence there is fulnesse of ioy Psal 16. and in thy right hand there are pleasures for euermore A Praier for true repentance MOst gratious God and mercifull father of our Sauiour Iesus Christ because I haue sinned and done wickedly and through thy goodnesse haue receiued a desire of repentance whereunto this thy long suffering doth draw my hard heart I beseech thee for thy great mercies sake in Christ to worke the same repentance in me and by thy spirit power and grace so to humble mortifie and feare my conscience for my sinnes to saluation that in thy good time thou maist comfort quicken me again through Iesus Christ thy dearely beloued Son So be it I.B. A praier for the strength and increase of faith O Merciful God and deare father of our Lord and Sauior Iesus Christ in whom as thou art well pleased so hast thou commanded vs to heare him forasmuch as hee often biddeth vs to aske of thee and also promiseth that thou wilâ— heare vs and granâ— vs that which in his name we shall aske of thee loâ— gracious father we are bold to beâ—â— of thy mercy through thy sonne Iesus Christ one sparkle of true faith and certaine perswasion of thy goodnesse and loue towards vs in Christ where through I being assured of the pardon of all my sinnes by the merits of Christ thy sonne may be thankfull to thee loue thee and serue thee in holinesse and righteousnes all the daies of my life I.B. A praier for the true sense and feeling of Gods fauour and mercy in Christ OH Lord God and deare Father what shall I say that feele all things to be in maner with mee as in the wicked Blind is my mind crooked is my will and peruerse concupiscence is in me as a spring or stinking puddle O how faint is faith in me How little is my loue to thee or to thy people How great is selfe loue How hard is my heart By reason whereof I am mooued to doubt of thy goodnesse towards mee whether thou art my mercifull Father and whether I be thy child or no. Indeed worthily might I doubt if that the hauing of these were the cause and not the fruit rather of thy children The cause why thou art my father is thy mercy goodnesse grace and truth in Christ Iesus which cannot but remaine for euer In respect whereof thou hast borne me this good will to bring me into thy Church by baptisme and to accept me into the number of thy children that I might bee holy faithful obedient and innocent and to call me diuers times by the ministery of thy word into thy kingdome besides thy innumerable other benefits alwaies hitherto powred vpon me All which thou hast done of this thy good will which thou of thine owne mercy barest to mee in Christ and for Christ before the world was made The which thing as thou requirest straitly that I should beleeue without doubting so wouldest thou that in all my needs I should come vnto thee as vnto a Father and make my mone without mistrust of being heard in thy good time as most shall make to my comfort Loe therefore to thee deare Father I come through thy sonne our Lord mediator and aduocate Iesus Christ who sitteth on thy right hand making intercession for me and pray thee of thy great goodnesse mercy in Christ to be mercifull vnto mee that I may feele indeed thy sweet mercy as thy child The time Oh deare father I appoint not but I pray thee that I may with hope stil expect and looke for thy helpe I hope that as thou for a litle whil hast left me so thou wilt come and visit mee and that in thy great mercy whereof I haue need by reason of my great misery Thou art wont for a little season in thine anger to hide thy face from them whom thou louest but surely O Redeemer in eternall mercies thou wilt shew thy compassions For when thou leauest vs O Lord thou dost not leaue vs very long neither dost thou leaue vs to our owne losse but to our lucre and aduantage euen that thy holy spirit with bigger portion of thy power and vertue may lighten and cheare vs that the want of feeling of our sorrow may be recompenced plentifully with the liuely sense of hauing thee to our eternall ioy and therfore thou swarest that in thine euerlasting mercy thou wilt haue compassion on vs. Of which thing to the end we might be most assured thine oath is to bee marked for thou saiest As I haue sworne that I will neuer bring any more the waters to drown the world so haue I sworne that I will neuer more be angry with thee nor reproue thee The mountaines shall remoue the hils shall fall downe but my louing kindnesse shall not moue the bond of my peace shall not faile thee Thus saiest thou the Lord our mercifull redeemer Deare Father therefore I pray thee remember euen for thine owne truth and mercy sake this promise and euerlasting couenant which in thy good time I pray thee to write in my heart that I may know thee to be the only true God and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent that I may loue thee with all my heart for euer that I may loue thy people for thy sake that I may be wholy in thy sight through Christ that I
A praier to be said before the preaching of Gods word ALmighty God and most mercifull father whose word is a lanterne â—o our feet and a light vnto our steps we most humbly beseech thee to illuminate our mindes that we may vnderstand the mysteries contained in thy holy law and into the selfe same thing that we godly vnderstand we may be vertuously transformed so that of no part we offend thy diuine Maiesty through Iesus Christ our Lord. Another IN this great darknes of our soule O Lord thou shinest diuers waies vnto vs by the light of thy grace but in nothing so effectually as in the preaching of thy word Great is the haruest as thou thy selfe hast said and the workmen are few The greatest part of men are ignorant wrapped in miserable blindnes and few there be that teach thy word truely as they ought Wee beseech thee therefore to send foorth workmen into thy haruest Send teachers O Lord which are taught of thee and instructed by the spirit of godly wisedome and vnderstanding which by their preaching will seeke not themselues but thee because they are godly and can so doe because they are wise vnderstand Giue to the preacher of thy word here present out of the treasures of thy wisedome that which he may powre vpon vs to our saluation and vnto vs giue thy grace holy spirit O Lord so to heare and to receiue thy word that the good seed which falleth vpon vs be not choaked with thornes or withered away with heat or deuoured by the foules of the aire but may grow vp in a good ground and fructifie with great increase A praier to Be said after the preaching of Gods word 1 Pet. 4. Num. 26 Deut. 29. Iosu 7. Mat. 13. ALmighty God and most mercifull Father we hartily beseech thee that this seed of thy word now sowen amongst vs may take such deep root that neither the burning heat of affliction or persecution cause it to wither neither the thorny cares of this life do choake it but that as seed sowne in good ground it may bring foorth thirty sixty and an hundred folde as thy heauenly wisedome hath appointed And because we haue need continually to craue many things at thy hands we humbly beseech thee O heauenly Father to grant vs thy holy spirit Luke 17. Rom. 8. Iames. 5. 1 Joh. 5 Rom. 12. Wis 6. to direct our petitions that they proceed from such a feruent mind as may be agreeable to thy most blessed will And seeing that our infirmity is such that we are able to do nothing without thy helpe and that thou art not ignorant with how many and great tentations we poore wretches are on euery side compassed and inclosed 2 Cor. a9 Iohn 5. Phil. 2. Psal 303 1. Pet. 1. 1. Pet. 5. Luk. 17. let thy strength O Lord sustaine our weakenesse assist vs with thy grace that we may be safely preserued against all the assaults of Satan who goeth about like a roaring Lion seeking to deuoure vs. Increase our faith O mercifull father that we doe not swarns at any time from thy heauenly word Augment in vs hope and loue with a carefull keeping of thy commandements Psal 95 Heb 14. 2. Joh. 2. that no hardnesse of heart no hypocrisie no concupiscence of the eies nor inticements of the world doe draw vs away from thy obedience And seeing the times are dangerous wherein we liue let thy fatherly prouidence defend vs against the violence of all our enemies and specially against the furious rage of that Romish Idoll enemy to thy Christ Furthermore forasmuch as by thy Apostle we be taught to make our praiers and supplications for all men Epl. c. 13. Rom. 11. 2. Cor. 4. wee pray not onely for our selues here present but beseech thee also to reduce al such as be yet ignorant from the miserable captiuity of blindnesse and error to the pure vnderstanding of thy heauenly truth that we all with one consent and vnity of mind may worship thee our only God and Saviour We beseech thee also most deare Father for Pastors and Ministers John 21. Mat 18. John 9. Mat. 6. to whom thou hast committed the dispensation of thy holy word and charge of thy choseÌ„ people that both in their life and doctrine they may de found faithfull setting only before their eies thy glory that by them all poore sheepe which wander and goe astray may be sought out and brought to thy fold Againe that it would please thee to deliuer the Church from such idle shepheards wolues and hirelings as seeke themselues their bellies Pro 21. John 16.1 Rom. 13. Iohn 6. and not thy glory and the safegard of thy flocks Moreouer because the hearts of rulers are in thy hands we make our praiers vnto thee for all princes and magistrates to whom thou hast commited the administration of iustice especially O Lord for the Kings Maiesty that it would please thee to endue him with thy plentifull grace and principall spirit that he may with a pure faith acknowledge Iesus Christ thy only sonne to bee king of all kings and gouernour of all gouernors euen as thou hast giuen all power vnto him both in heauen and earth and so worke in his heart that he considering whose minister he is may heartily seeke and zealously promote thy true honour and glory carefully trauelling to bring thy people commited to his charge and yet remaining almost in all parts of his Realms in miserable blindnesse and darke ignorance to the true knowledge of thee ruling and guiding them as hee is taught and commanded by thy holy word Also we beseech thee to indue alâ— such as are in any authority vnder him with thy grace and holy spirit that they may be found vpright and faithfull in their calling fauourers and furtherers of thy holy Gospell maintainers defenders of the true Preachers and ministers therof and such as in singlenes of heart wil seek not themselues but thy glory and the commodity of thy people And for that wee be all members of the mysticall body of Christ Iesus wee make our requests vnto thee O heauenly father for al such as are afflicted with any kinde of crosse or tribulation as war plague 1. Cor. 2. Rom. 12. Jacob. 5. famine sicknesse pouerty imprisonment persecution banishment or any other kinde of thy roddes whether it be griefe of body or vnquietnesse of minde that it would please thee to giue them patience and constancy 2. Co. 12. Heb. 13. till thou send them full deliuerance out of all their troubles Finally O Lord we most humbly beseech thee to shew thy great mercie vpon our brethreÌ„ which are persecuted cast into prison and daily condemned to death for the testimony of thy truth Heb. 13. Rom. 8. Psal 4. John 1. and though they be vtterly destitute of all mans aid yet let thy sweet comfort neuer depart from them but so inflam their harts with
thy holy spirit that they may boldly and cheerefully a bid such trial as thy godly wisdome shall appoint 1. Pet. 1. Acts 2. Mat. 10. Luk 21. so that at length aswel by their death as by their life the kingdome of thy Son Iesus Christ may increase and shine throughout all the world In whose name we make our humble petitions vnto thee as he hath taught vs saiing Our father which art c. A Praier to be said before receiuing of the communion O Father of mercy and God of all consolation seeing al creatures do acknowledge and confesse thee to be their gouernor and Lord it becommeth vs the workmanship to thine owne hands at al times to reuerence a magnifie thy godly maiesty First for that thou hast created vs to thine owne imagr similitude Gen. 1. Eph. 2. Gala. 1. Gen. 3. Acts. 4. Heb. 9. Apoc. 5. John 3. Heb. 8. Heb 4. 1. Pet. 1. Esâ— 45.53 Ma. 3.17 Ier. 31. but chiefly because thou hast deliuered vs from that euerlasting death damnation into which Satan drew mankinde by the meanes of sinne from the bondage whereof neither man nor Angeli 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 welbeloued Son whom of very loue thou diddest giue to bee made man like vnto vs in all things Heb. 8. Rom. 5. Heb. 2. John 6. Gen. 3. Rom. 5. Ephe. 3. sinne excepted that in his body hee might receiue the punishment of our transgression by his death to make satisfaction to thy iustice and by his resurrection to destroy him that was the authour of death so to bring againe life to the world from which the whole of spring of Adam was most iustly exiled Eph. 2. John 6.17 Gen. 6. Rom. 3. â—sa 64. Psal 5.12 Rom. 7. Mat. 16. 2 Cor. 2. Luk. 11. Mat. 11. O Lord we acknowledge that no creature was able to comprehend the length and breadth the deepnes and height of that thy most excellent loue which mooued thee to shew mercy when none was deserued to promise and giue â—ife where death had gotten victory to receiue vs into thy grace when wee could doe nothing but rebell against thy Maiestie The blind dulnesse of our corrupt nature wil not suffer vs sufficiently to weigh these thy most ample benefits Yet neuerthelesse at the commandement of Iesus Christ our Lord Ma. 16. Luk. 11. 1. Co. 11. Joh. 8. Gala. 5. Rom. 8. 1 Pe. 1. Ephe. 5. Heb. 4. Rom. 3. Ma. 25. Phil. 3. Ephe. 1. Ephe 2. Apo. 13. wee present our selues to this thy table which he hath left to be vsed in remembrance of his death vntill his comming againe to declare and witnesse before the world that by him alone we haue receiued liberty and life that by him alone thou doest acknowledge vs to be thy children and heires that by him alone we haue entrance to the throne of thy grace that by him alone wee are possessed in our spirituall kingdome to eate and drinke at his Table and with whom wee hauour conuersation presently in Heauen and by whom our bodies shall be raised vp again from the dust and shall be placed with him in that endlesse ioy which thou O Father of mercy hast prepared for thine elect before the foundation of the world was laid And these most inestimable benefts wee acknowledge and confesse to haue receiued of thy free mercy and grace by thine only beloued son Iesus Christ For the which therefore we thy congregation moued by thy holy spirit doe render to thee all thanks praise and glory for euer and euer A thanksgiuing after the receiuing of the holy Communion MOst mercifull Father we render vnto thee all praise thanks honour glory for that it hath pleased thee of thy great mercies to graÌ„t vnto vs miserable sinners so excelleÌ„t a gift treasure as to receiue vs into the fellowship and company of thy deare son Iesus Christ our Lord whom thou hast deliuered to death for vs hast giuen him vnto vs as a necessary food and nourishment vnto euerlasting life And now we beseech thee also O heauenly father to grant vs this request that thou neuer suffer vs to become so vnkind as to forget so worthy benefits but father imprint fasten them sure in our harts Luk. 15. Gala. 5. 1. Tim. 4. â—â—h 5. 2. P t. 5. Mat. 5. 1. Pe. 1 that we may gâ—oâ—â— and increase daily more and more in true faith which continually is exercised in all maner of good workeâ— and so much the rather O Lord confirme vs in these perilous dates and rages of Satan that we may constantly stand and continue in the confession of the same to the aduancement of thy glory which art God ouer all things blessed for euer A lamentation of a sinner afflicted in conscience for his offences IN the middest of the desperate assaults of my soule the intollerable heauinesse of my mind both heertofore Lord cried as shrill in thine eare as though I had shricked and with lamentations cried out saying Helpe helpe me my GOD my creatour my most prouident keeper and euerlasting defencer for behold I perish On this occasion Lord when heauinesse of minde did heeretofore assault me I remembred that thou haddest many times set before mine eies the wonderfull greatnes of thy most tender loue towards me by the great multitude of thy benefits powred vpon me which benefits euery of thy workes as they came before mine eies gaue me iust occasion to be mindfull of Would not thought I if I had in any maner any grace at al would not such loue bring now into my heart a wonderfull delectation ioy comfort in God for the same And againe could such delight in Gods sweet mercy tender loue towards mee if I were not as euill as a cast away that were none of Gods children be without loathing of my sin and lust and desire to doe Gods holie will And these things thought I fle vpon mee vnthankfull wretch are either not at all in me or else indeed so coldly and slenderly that they being truely waighed and compared to righteousnesse are mâ—re vile then a filthy cloth starched in corrupt blood O thought I I am afraid I haue deceiued my selfe for thy seruants at all times I trow feele otherwise then I now doe the fruits of thy spirit as loue ioy peace and such like But my loue alas toward thee what is it my ioy is not once almost felt of me for my very soule within mee as Dauid in his heauinesse said refuseth comfort and fareth as though it did vtterly dispare and what peace can I feele then or certainty of thy fauour and loue Iustly I may powre out this dolorous lamentation of Sion The Lord hath forsaken me Isa 49 and my Lord hath forgotten me Euen in the middest I say of these my former desperate assaults and in
mine intollerable heauines I cried to thee O my God and from heauen thou hardest my gronings thereupon first preparedst my hart to aske comfort of thee and then thou diddest accept my praier and gauest me plentifully my asking Oh my soule consider well that thou art neuer able to declare the exceeding goodnesse of God in this that hee heard the very desires of thee being afflicted who is so redy fauourably to grant the requests of the afflicted that oftentimes hee tarrieth not vntill they do call but or euer they call vpon him fauourably heareth them as the Psalmist saith The desire of the aflicted thou hearest O Lord thou preparest their hearts Psal 77 and thine eares heare them Oh Lord my God maruellous things are these whether I consider of this maruellous maner of thy hearing or else the maruellous nature property of thy goodnesse Maruellous no doubt is that thy hearing whereby the very desires of the afflicted are heard but much more maruellous is this thy goodnesse which tarriest not vntill the afflicted do desire thy help but preparest first their harts to desire and then thou giuest them their desires Yea Lord worthy of all praise it cannot otherwise bee For how shouldest thou doe otherwise then thy nature and property is Art not thou very goodnesse and mercy it selfe How canst thou then but pitty and helpe misery Art not thou both the creator and also the conseruer of all things Insomuch as the Lyons whelpes roaring after their pray doe seeke their food at thy hands and the Rauens birds lacking meat Psal 147. Esa 94. do call vpon thee If then thy fatherly prouidence tender care O Lord vpon all thy creatures bee so great that the very beasts and foules haue this experience of thy goodnesse in their necessities that their roarings cryings haue the strength of earnest calling and desires how much rather doe these sighings groanings and desperate heauinesse of men but chiefly of thy children crie and call lowde in thine eares though they speake neuer a word at all Should I then now despaire of thy fatherly mercy whiles presently I feele thee stirre vp my soule and heart to craue help at thy hand Should I thinke that thou wilt absent thy self for euer that thou wilt be no more intreated that thy mercy is cleane gon that thy promise is come vtterly to an end that thou wilt now shut vp thy louing kindenesse in displeasure Nay Lord for all alterations are of thy right hand and turne alway to the best to them that feare thee All this is but mine owne infirmitie for thou art euer one thy promises bee infallible and thy loue towards thine euerlastingly during I will therefore in this my present tentation grieuous assault powre out the heauinesse of my heart before thee deare Father Out of the deepe will I cry and lift vp my soule vnto thee Psal 1. from whom I assuredly know my helpe is comming I will also for my present comfort call to remembrance O Lord my God thy tender mercies towards me already shewed the multitude of thy benefits the greatnesse of the saâ—e the long continuance of them euen from my onception vntill this instant and sinally thy continuall loue and desire to powre them vpon me And moreouer sith thy goodnesse is so great O Lord that thou doest not onely pitty misery but also callest the heauy hearted and afflicted vnto thee promising that thou wilt ease their misery Mat. 11. for as much as by the motion of thy good spirit I loath and abhorre my sins feele the grieuousnesse of them and thy heauy wrath towards me for the same and sinally what neede I haue of thy gracious aide and succour therfore O Lord in thy Sonne Christs name with sure confidence and trust in thine infallibe promise in this mine anguish and trouble I come vnto thee at thy mercifull calling craue comfort at thy hand For thou hast promised that when I loath my sins thou wilt vtterly forget them when I feele the grieuous but then of them thy mercy swalloweth them vp when I seeke that I want thou wilt assuredly grant it me For sith thou mouest my heart to desire help how should I mistrust but thou wilt for thy truths sake giue me my asking Yea where I know not how or what to desire as I ought thy holy spirit gratiously working in mee maketh intercession mightly for mee with groanings which caÌ„not be expresseth and therwithal certifieth my spirit that by adoption through thy great mercy and goodnesse I am become thy child and heire Why should I not then be of good comfort and ioyfull in thee my God For if thou be on my side who can bee against me Since thou diddest not spare thine owne sonne but gauest him for me euen when I was thine enimy how shalt thou not with him now that by his death I am brought into thy fauour giue me all things with him and for his sake Rom. 8. Who shal lay any thing to the charge of thine elect it is thou Lord which iustifiest mee It is Christ that hath died for mee yea rather that is risen againe for me Who also is set on thy right hand and hath taken possession yea and perpetually there maketh intercession for mee vntill that ioyfull day be come when I shall haue full fruition of the most glorious presence of thy diuine maiesty in the kingdome which thou hast prepared before the beginning of the world â—phe â— but in time to the gracious goodnesse thought best made known to mee by giuing thy holy spirit into my heart whereby when I first Lord beleeued thy holy word which is thine owne power to saue all that beleeue I was sealed Rom. 8. confirmed and stablished in the certainty of that â—hine euerlasting kingdome and inheritance For the which inestimable benefit of thy rich grace Oh Lord my God I beseech thee euen for the loue thou barest to Christ Iesus thy son and the mercy thou haddest on him when he cried on the crosse Maâ— â—7 My God my God why hast thou forsaken mee Help help I say inflame my heart with loue so plentifully towardes thee againe that I may bee euen swallowed vp in the ioyful feeling of the same in such sort that I may of very thankfulnes loue thee my God alone thee I say my deare God and nothing but thee and for thy sake O holy spirit whose work this is in me increase this work of thy inâ—uit mercy and preserue me that I neuer become vnthankfull vnto thee therfore Amen A praier for the sicke O Most mercifull God which according to the multitude of thy mercies doest so put away the sins of those which truly repeÌ„t that thou remembrest them no more open thy eies of mercy and look vpon this thy sicke seruant who most earnestly desireth pardon and forgiuenes renue in him most louing father whatsoeuer hath beene decaied by the fraud
and malice of the diuell or by his owne carnall will and frailty Preserue and continue this sick member in the vnity of thy Church Consider his contrition accept his teares asswage his paine as shall be seene to thee most expedient for him And forasmuch as hee putteth his full trust only in thy mercy impute not vnto â—im his former sinnes but take him vnto thy fauor through the merits of thy most dearly beloued sonne Iesus Christ A praier to be said at the houre of death O Lord Iesus Christ which art the onely health of all men liuing the euer lasting life of them that die in thee I wretched sinner doe submit my selfe wholly vnto thy most blessed wil and being sure that the thing caÌ„not perish which is committed vnto thy mercy willingly now I leaue this fraile and sinfull flesh in sure hope that thou wilt in better wise restore it to mee againe at the last day in the resurrection of the Iust I beseech thee most mercifull Lord Iesus Christ that thou wilt by thy grace make strong my soule against all tentations and defend mee with the buckler of thy mercy against all the assaults of the diuell I see and acknowledge that there is in my selfe no hope of saluation but all my confidence hope and trust is in thy rich mercy and goodnesse I haue no merits or good workes which I may alledge before thee of striues and euill works alasse I see a great heape but yet through thy mercy I trust to be in the number of them to whom thou wilt not impute their sinnes but wilt accept take mee for righteous and iust and to bee an inheritour of euerlasting life Thou mercifull Lord wast borne for my sake thou diddest suffer both hunger and thrst for my sake thou diddest teach pray and fast for my sake all thy holy actions and works thou wroughtest for my sake thou sufferedst most grieuous paines and torments for my sake Finally thou gauest thy most precious body and bloud to be shed on the Crosse for my sake Now most mercifull Sauiour let all those things profit mee that thou freely hast done for mee which hast giuen thy selfe also for mee Let thy bloud clense and wash away the spots and foulenesse of my sins Let thy righteousnes hide couer â—ny vnrighteousnesse let the merits of thy passion and bloud-shedding be the satisfaction for my sinnes Giue me Lord thy grace that the faith of my saluation in thy bloud maner not in me but may be euer firme constant that the hope of thy mercy life euerlasting neuer decay in mee that loue waxe not cold in me Finally that the weaknes of my flesh bee not ouercome with the feare of death Grant me merciful Sauiour that when death hath shut vp the eies of my body yet the eyes of my soule may still behold and looke vpon thee when death hath taken away the vse of my tongue yet my heart may cry and say Lord into thy hands I commend my soule Lord Iesu receiue my spirit A praier for a woman with Child THou art wonderfull O Lord in all thy workes and whatsoeuer thy good pleasure is that doest thou easily bring to passe neither is there any thing vnpossible with thee that thou wilt haue done And albeit this thy mighty power sheweth it selfe abundantly in all thy workes yet in conceiuing forming and bringing forth of man it shineth most euidently At the beginning O Father when thou madest man and woman thou commandest them to encrease multiply and replenish the earth If through the subtell enticements of Sathan they had not transgressed thy commandement by eating the forbidden fruit the woman whom thou hast appointed to be the instrument and vessell to conceiue nourish and bring forth man through thy wonderfull workmanship had without any labour paine or trauell brought forth her fruit But that which thy goodnes made easie sin disobedience hath made hard painefull dangerous and without thy speciall helpe and succour impossible to be brought to passe so that now all women bring forth their children in great sorrows paines and troubles Notwithstanding that which through their owne imperfection and feeblenesse they are not able of themselues to passe thou through thine vnspeakable power makest easie in them and bringest vnto a ioyfull end We â—herfore being fully perswaded of thy fauour and gâ—odnesse of thy present helpe and of thy sweete comfort in all miseries and necessities knowing also by the testimonies of the holâ— word how great intollerable the paines of women are that trauell of child if through thy tender mercy they be not mitigated and eased most â—umbly pray thee for Iesus Christs sake thy son our Lord to helpe and assist this thy seruant now in trauell and labour that by thâ— almighty power sâ—e may safely bring forth that which by thy goodnesse she hath conceiued that thy louing kindnesse may make that easie and tollerable vnto her which sinne hath made hard and painefull Ease O Lord the paines which thou most righteously hast put vpon her and all women for the sinne and disobedience of our Grand-mother Eue in whom all we haue sinned be present with her in her trouble according to thy mercifull promise Giue her strength and make perfect that which thou hast so graciously begun Let thy power be shewed no lesse in the safe bringing forth then in the wonderfull forming and fashioning of that she beareth Make her a glad and ioyfull mother that sâ—ee through thy goodnes being safly deliuered and restored to health againe may liue and praise thy blessed name for euer A Psalme to be said in the time of any common plague sicknes or other crosse and visitation of God O Come let vs humble our selues and fall downe before the Lord with reuerence and feare For he is the Lord our God and we are the people of his pasture and sheepe of his hands O come therefore let vs turne againe vnto our Lord for hee hath smiâ—ten vs and he shall heale vs Let vs repent and turne from our wickednes and our sinnes shall bee forgiuen vs. Let vs turne and the Lord will turne from vs his heauy wrath and will pardon vs and wee shall not perish For we acknowledge our faults ' and our sinnes are euer before vs. Wee haue sore prouoked thine anger O Lord thy wrath is waxed hoâ—e and thy heauy displeasure is sore kindled against vs. Thou hast in thine indignation stricken vs with grieuous sicknesse and by and by wee haue fallen as leaues beaten downe with a vehement winde Indeed we acknowledge that our punishments are not worse then our deseruings but yet of thy mercy Lord coâ—reâ—t vs to amendment and plague vs not to our destruction For thy hand is not shortned that thou canst not helpe neither is thy goodnes abated that thou wilt not heare Esay 65. Thou hast promised O Lord that afore we crie thou wilt heare vs and whilest we yet speak
thou wilt haue mercy vpon vs. For none that trust in thee shal be confounded Tobit 8. Job 32. neither any that cal vpon thee shall be despised For thou art the onely Lord who woundest and dost heale again Oseas 6. who killest and reuinest bringest euen to hell and bringest backe againe Our Fathers hoped in thee and trusted in thee Sap. 22. and thou diddest deliuer them They called vpon thee and were helped they put their trust in thee were not confounded Psalâ— 6. O Lord rebuke vs not in thine indignation neither chasten vs in thy heauy displeasure O remember not the sinnes and offences of my youth but according to thy mercy thinke thou vpon me Psa 25. O Lord for thy goodnesse Haue mercy vpon vs O Lord for we are weake O Lord heale vs for our bones are vexed And now in the vexation of our spirits and the anguish of our soules wee remember thee and we cry vnto thee heare Lord and haue mercy â—arue Jonas â— For thine owne sake and for thy holy names sake incline thine eare and heare O mercifull Lord. For we do not powre out our praiers before thee â—â—aâ— 6. trusting in our owne righteousnes but in thy great and manifold mercies Wash vs throughly from our wickednes and clense vs from our sins Turne thy face from our sins and put out all our misdeeds Make vs cleane hearts O God and renue a right spirit within vs. Helpe vs O God of our saluation for the glory of thy name O deliuer vs and be merciful to our sinnes for thy names sake So we that be thy people sheepe of thy pasture shal giue thee thanks for euer and will alwaies be shewing forth thy praise from generation to generation Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the begâ—nning c. A Psalme of thanksgiuing for deliuerance from the plague or any other kind of sicknes trouble or affliction LOrd thou art become gracious to thy land thou hast turned away the afflictions of thy sâ—ruants Thou hast taken away al thy displeasure and turned thy selfe from thy wrathfâ—l indignation For if thou Lord hadst not helped vs it had not failed but our soules had beene put to silence But when we said our feet haue slipped thy mercy O Lord helpes vs vp In the multitude of the sorrowes that we had in our hearts thy comforts haue refreshed our soules Our soules waited still vpon the Lord our soules hanged vpon his helpe our hope was alwaâ—es in him In the Lords word wil we reioyce in Gods word did wee comfort our selues For the Lord said Call vpon mee in the time of trouble I wil heare thee and thou shalt praise me So when wee were poore needy sickly and in heauines the Lord cared for vs he was our helper our deliuer according to his word Psâ— 27. In our aduersiâ—y and distresse hee hath lifted vp our head and saued vs from vtâ—er destruction Psa 33. He hath deliuered our soules from death he hath fed vs in the time of dearth hee hath saued vs from the noisome pestilence Therefore will we offer in his holy temple the oblation of thanksgigiuing Psa 37. with great gladnesse we wil sing speake praises vnto the Lord our Sauiour Psa 106. Psa 86. Wee will giue thankes vnto the Lord for he is gracious his mercy endureth for euer Psa 103. The Lord is full of compassion mercy long suffering plenteous in goodnesse and pitty John 5.7 Psa 108. His mercy is greater then the heauens and his gracious goodnes reacheth vnto the clâ—â—ds Psa 103. Like as a father pittieth his own children euen so is the Lord merciful vnto them that feare him Psal 72. Therefore will we praise thee thy mercies O God vnto thee will we sing O thou holy one of Israell Pâ—al 98. We will sing a new song vnto thee O God we will praise the Lord with Psalmes and thanksgiuing Psal 47. O sing praises sing praises vnto our God O sing praises sing praises vnto our king For God is the king of the earth sing praises with vnderstanding We will magnifie thee O God our King Psal 145. we will praise thy name for euer and euer Euery day will we giue thankes vnto thee and praise thy name for euer and euer Our mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord let all flesh giue thanks to his holy name for euer and euer Psal 72. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for euer and blessed be the name of his maiesty world without end Amen Glory be to the father c. As it was in the beginning c. Praiers to be said before and after meales AL things depend vpon thy prouidence O Lord to receiue at thy hands due sustenance in time conuenient Thou giuest to them and they gather it thou openest thy hand and they are satisfied with all good things O heauenly father which art the fountaine full treasure of all goodnesse We beseech thee to shew thy mercy vpon vs thy children and sanctifie these thy gifts which we receiue of the mercifull liberality granting vs grace to vse them soberly purely according to thy blessed will so that thereby we may acknowledge thee to be the author and giuer of all good things and aboue all that we may remember continually to seeke the spiritual food of thy word â— Tim. 2. wherwith our soules may be nourished euerlastingly through our Sauiour Christ who is the true bread of life which came down from heauen of whom whosoeuer eateth shall liue for euer Joh â— and raigne with him in glory world without end So be it Another praier before meales WHether ye eat or drinke faith S. Paul or whatsouer ye do else let all be done to the praise and glory of God Eternal and euerlasting God father â—f our Lord Iesus Christ 1. Cor. 10 who of thy most singular loue which thou barest to mankind hast appointed to his sustenance not only the fruits of the earth but also the foâ—â—ls of the aire the beasts of the field and fishes of the sea and hast commanâ—ed thy benefits to be receiued as from thy hands with thanksgiuing assuring thy children by the mouth of thine apostle that to the cleane all things are cleane as the creatures which be sanctified by thy word and praier grant vnto vs so moderatly to vse these thy gifts present that our bodies being refreshed our soules may be more able to proceed in all good works to the praise of thy holy name through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Our father which art in heauen c Another O Eternall God the very God of peace and al consolation which broughtest againe from death our Lord Iesus the gâ—eat shepheard of the sheepâ— through the bloud of â—he euerlasting couenant make vs fruitfull in all good works to d◠〈◊〉 will and worke
in vs that which is acceptable in thy sight Sanctifie vs throughout and keep our whole spirit soule and body faulâ—ies vnâ—o the comming of thy deare sonne our Lord Iesus Christ â—hou art faithful O father who hast promised this who also shalt bring it to passe to thee therefore be giuen euerlasting praise honour and glory Amen A thanksgiuing after meales LEt al nations magnifie the Lord let all people reioice in praising and extolling his great mercies For his fatherly kindnesse is plentifuly shewed foorth vpon vs and the truth of his promise endureth for euer We render thanks vnto thee O Lord God for thy manifold benefits which we continually receiue at thy bountifull hand not only for that it hath pleased thee to feed vs in this present life giuing vnto vs al things necessary for the same but specially because thou hast of thy free mercy fashioned vs anew vnto an assured hope of a farr better life the which thou hast declared vnto vs by thy holy Gospell Therefore we humbly beseech thee Oh heauenly father that thou wilt not suffer our affections to be so entangled rooted in these earthly corruptible things but that we may alwaies haue our minds directed to thee on hic continually watching for the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ what time he shal appear for our full redemption To whom with thee and the holy Ghost be all honor and glory for euer and euer So be it Another thanksgiuing after meales GLory praise and honor be vnto thee most mercifull and omnipotent father who hast fed and daily dost feed of thy most bountiful goodnes all liuing creatures we beseech thee that as thou hast nourished these our mortall bodies with corporall food so thou wouldest replenish our soules with the perfect knowledge of thy liuely word of thy beloued sonne Iesus Christ to whom with thee the holy Ghost be praise glory and honour for euer So be it Another MOst bountifull and gracious God which feedest all flesh and hast promised that asking of thee we shal not lacke if we first seeke thy kingdom and the righteousnes therof we feeling presently the benefit of this thy gracious promise in feeding our bodies with this corporall food do render vnto thee most harty thaÌ„ks for the same beseeching thee likewis to feed our soules with that heauenly food which perisheth not but abideth vnto euerlasting life so that we being nourished by the goodnes both in body and soule may be apt ready to do al good works which thou hast prepared for vs to walke in through Iesus Christ our Lord. Vnto him that loued vs and washed vs from our sinnes in his bloud and made vs kings and Priestes vnto God his Father be all glory power and dominion for euermore Amen Another THe God of glory who hath created redeemed and presently feed vs be blessed for euermore Amen The God of all power who hath called from death the great Pastor of the sheepe our Lord Iesus comfort and defend the flocke which hee hath redeemed by the bloud of the eternall Testament increase the number of true Preachers represse the rage of obstinate tyrants lighten the harts of the ignorant relieue the paines of such as be afflicted but specially of those that suffer for the testimony of thy truth and finally confound Satan by the power of our Lord Iesus Christ So be it Prayers commonly called Lidleys praiers with certaine godly additions Before thou prayest forgiue if thou hast any thing against any man come not to GOD with a double heart but lift vp pure hands without wrath or doubting 1. Tim. 2. ALmighty and most mercifull Father I thy poor creature and worke of thy hands acknowledge and confesse vnto thee my manifolde sinnes and offences which I from my youth vp vnto this day haue committed against thee in thought word and deed beseeching thee for Iesus Christ thy dear soâ—s sake to haue mercy vpon me and to pardon the same according to thy graet mercy which hast promised that at what time souer a sinner doth repent him of his sinne from the bottome of his heart thou wilt put his wickednes out of thy remembrance O Lord I confesse that I was borne in sinne and conceiued in wickednes and am by nature a child of wrath For in my flesh dwelleth no good thing and of my selfe I am not able to think a good thought much lesse to doe that thou in thy law requirest of me saying Cursed is he that continueth not in al things that are written in the law to doe them Againe thy law is spirituall but I am carnall fold vnder sinne Therefore O Lord I come vnto thee for grace which hast said Aske only shall haue seeke ye shal find knock it shal be opened vnto you to preuent and draw my will vnto all goodnes for none can come vnto thee except he be drawn except w be borne from aboue we cannot see the kingdome of God Therefore O Lord renue in mee a right spirit that I may receiue strength and ablenesse to doe thy righteoâ—â— wilâ— Grant that I may euer desire and will that which is most pleasing acceptable to thy will Thy will be my will and my will be alwaies to follow thy will Let there be euer in me one will one desire with thee and let me neuer desire to will or not to will but as thou wilt Grant me that aboue all things I may rest in thee and fully quiet and pacifie my hart in thee for thou Lord art the true peace of the hart the perfect rest of the soule Thou knowest Lord what is most profitable and expedient for mee wherefore do with mee in al things as it shall seem best vnto thee For it may not be but well that thou dost which dost most iustly and blessedly dispose all things after thy most godly wisedome Therefore whither it be by prosperity or aduersity losse or gaine sicknes or health life or death thy will be done Cast out of my heart all vnprofitable cares of worldly things and suffer me not to be led with the vnstable desires of earthly vanities but giue me grace that all worldly and carnall affections may be mortified and dy in me Grant vnto me the strength of thy holy spirit to subdue this body of sinne with the whole lusts thereof that it may be obedient both in will mind and members to do thy holy will Assist me with thy grace O Lord that I may be strengthned in the inward man and be armed with thy holy armour which is the breast-plate of righteousnesse the shield of faith the hope of saluation for an helmet and the sword of thy spirit which is thy holy word that I may stand perfect in all that is thy will and be found worthy through Christ to receiue the crowne of life which thou hast promised to all them that loue thee Giue me grace that I may esteem all things in
law yea that I may keep it with my whole heart Direct me in the path of thy commandements for therein is my delight Turn away mine eies that I regard not vanity and quicken me in thy way Stablish thy promise to thy seruant whereby he may be taught to feare thee Direct my steps in thy word and let not iniquity haue dominion oueâ— me Let not the foot of pride come against me and let not the hand of the wicked moue me Gather not my soule with the sinners nor my life with the blody men Let my foot stand in vprightnesse that I may praise thee O Lord in the congregation Let not the word of truth depart out of my mouth for I trust in thy iudgements Set a watch O Lord before my mouth and keepe the dore of my lips Let not my heart bee inclined to euill to worke wicked workes with them that worke iniquity Teach mee good iudgement and knowledge for I doe beleeue thy commandements Stay my steps in thy paths that my feet do not slide Stablish mee in thy promise that I may liue and let mee not be disappointed of my hope Stay thou me O Lord and I shall be safe and I will delight continually in thy statutes O God create in me a pure heart and renue a right spirit within me Psal 52. Cast mee not away from thy presence and take not thy holy spirite from me Restore to me the ioy of thy saluation and stablish mee with thy free spirit Let me heare thy louing kindnesse in the morning Psal 143. shew mee the way that I should walke in for in thee is my trust Teach mee to doe the thing that pleaseth thee for thou art my God let thy good spirit leade mee into the land of righteousnes A praier for deliuerance from sinne and to be restored to Gods grace and fauor againe OH Almighty and euerlasting Lord GOD which hast made heauen and earth and all things therein contained O incomprehensible vnity Oh alwaies to be worshipped most blessed Trinity I humbly beseech thee and pray thee by the assumption and crucified humanity of our Lord Iesus Christ that thou wouldest incline and bow down the great height of thy deity to the bottomles pit of my vtility Driue from me all kind of vice wickednes and sin Create in me a clean heart and renue in me a right spirit for thy holy names sake Oh Lord Iesu I beseech thy goodnes for the exceeding great loue which drew thee out of thy Fathers bosome into the wombe of the holy virgin and for the assumption of mans statute wherin it pleased thee to saue me and deliuer me from eternall death that thou wouldest draw me out of my selfe into thee my Lord God and grant that this my loue may recouer again to me thy grace to increase and make perfect in me that which is wanting to raise vp in me that which is fallen to restore to me that which I haue lost quicken in mee that which is dead should liue so that I may become conformable to thee in al my life and conuersation thou dwelling in me and I in thee my heart being coupled with thy grace and setled in thy faith for euer Oh my God loose and set at liberty my spirit from all inferior things gouerne my soule and worke that both in soule body I may be wholy and liue to thy glory world without end Amen I. B. A praier necessary to be said at all times O Bountifull Lord Iesu O sweet Sauiour O Christ the Son of God haue pitty vpon me mercifully heare me and despise not my praiers Thou hast created me of nothing thou hast redeemed me from the bondage of sinne death and hell neither with golde nor siluer but with thy most precious body once offered vpon the Crosse and thine own blood shed once for all for a ransome Therefore cast me not away whom thou by thy great wisedome hast made Despise mee not whom thou hast redeemed with such a pretious treasure nor let my wickednesse destroy that which thy goodnesse hath builded Now while I liue O Iesu haue mercy on me for if I die out of thy fauour it will be too late afteâ—ward to call for thy mercy While I haue time to repent looke vpon mee with thy mercifull eyes as thou diddest vouchsafe to looke vpon Peter thy Apostle that I may bewayle my sinfull life and obtaine thy fauor to liue and die therein I acknowledge that if thou shouldest deale with mee according to thy iustice I haue deserued euerlasting death Therefore I appeale to thy high throne of mercy trusting to obtaine thy fauour not for my merites but for thy deserts O Iesu who hast giuen thy selfe an acceptable sacrifice to thy Father to appease his wrath and to bring all sinners truly repenting and amending their euill life vnto his fauour againe Accept me O Lord among the number of them whome thou hast in Christ elected and chosen to saluation forgiue mee my sinnes giue mee grace to leade a godly and innocent life graunt mee thy heauenly wisedome inspire my heart with faith hope and charitie giue mee grace to be humble in prosperity patient in aduersity obedient to my rulers in all my doings faithfull dealing truly with all men to liue chastly in wedlocke to abhorte adultery fornication and al vncleannes to do good after my power vnto all men to hurt no man that thy name may be glorified in me during this present life that I afterward may attaine euerlasting life through thy mercy and the merits of thy death and passion Amen A Praier for grace and remission of our sinnes O Lord God mercifull Father I poore wretched sinner come vnto thee in the name of thy dearely beloued Son Iesus Christ my sauiour beseeching thee for his sake to be mercifull vnto me to cast al my sinnes out of thy sight euen through the merits of his bloudy death Powre vpon me O Lord thy holy spirit of grace and wisedome to gouern lead my body and soule in thy holy word commandements shew thy mercy vpon me so lighten the naturall blindnes and darknes of my hart through thy grace that I may daily be renued by thy holy spirit Open my hard hart grosse eares to heare and read thy word and heauenly voice and to beleeue and follow it in my conuersation and euer to holde fast that blessed hope of euerlasting life Mortifie and kill al vice in me that my life may expresse my faith in thee Mercifully heare the humble supplications of thy seruant and grant me thy peace all my daies Graciously pardon my infirmities and defend me in all dangers both outwardly in my body goods and name and inwardly in my soule against all euil temptatioÌ„s and subtile baites of Sathan that roaring lion seeking whom hee may deuoure Grant O Lord that I and euery member of thy Church in his vocation and calling may truely and godlily
serue thee Graft in my heart the loue of thy name increase in mee true religion replenish mee with all goodnesse and of thy great mercy keepe me in the same vnto the end Giue vnto me the spirit of praier true humility perfect patience and continuall ioy in the holy Ghost I commend vnto thy protection O Father my house and all thou hast giuen me my whole family my wife and children and aide mee that I may well and holily gouerne â—orish and bring them vp in thy feare and seruiâ—e And forasmuch as in this world I must alwayes be at war not with one sort of enemies but with an infinit number not only with flesh and blood but with the diuell which is the prince of darknesse grant me thy grace that being armed with thy defence I may stand in this battel with an inuincible coÌ„stancy againsâ— all corruption which I am incompassed with on all sides vntill such time as I hauing ended the combat which during this life I must sustaine in the end I may attaine to thy heauenly rest which is prepared for me through Christ Iesus our Lord and Sauiour Amen A praier taken out of the first Psalme ALmightie and most gracious God take away from vs all euill counsell and then our sinneâ—â— suffer vs not to run into an vngodly and wickedlife and finally keep out minds farre from the contempt of godlinesse and scorning of vertue in the stead of these euils grant that we may continually be occupied in thy law and sacred scriptures that we be not carried about like the wicked like dust and fruitlesse chaffe with euery blast of affection and doctrine but rather that we as trees planted by the water brookes indued with the life of the spirit faith may also bring forth the fruits of good works and that what soeuer we take in hand may prosper and tend to the praise and glory of thy name furtherance of our saluation and at the last when the wicked shall fal away in thy iudgement we may stand stedfast and be made perfect through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Out of the same Psalme ALmighty God we are sufficieÌ„tly taught that grieuous calamities miserable plagues do therefore daily vex trouble the church because we haue not ceased to follow the counsell of the vngodly which being once known we ought to haue eschewed The way also of the wicked we haue not shunned yea wee haue not ceased to walke their race by continuall transgression of thy commandements we haue also oâ— long time contemned all godly correction and discipline and whatsoeuer hath been taught vs out of thy work hath been too little regarded yea wtout all shame neglected scorned Wherefore it is no maruell if wâ— in the stead of that happinesse and quiet peace which we alas haue to long abused be now compelled to suffer all heauy grieuous and most bitter plagues But now O God in humblenes of hart we flee vnto thee confessing our grieuous offences and wee most humbly and heartily beseech thee that those euills which we so foolishly and wretchedly haue committed thou wilt mercifully forgiue vs and frame our minds wholy to the obedience of thy Law in such wise that our hearts might be occupied both day and night in nothing else but in the meditation of thy holy Scriptures For so shall wee giuing credite to thy wordes bring forth seasonable and pleasant fruit and shal not be spoiled of the graces of the holy Ghost yea our doings shal neuer be withour happy successe Now we are tossed hither thither not vnlike to leaues and chaffe with the wind of aduersity and affliction yet grant O most merciful Fathee that our life perish not with the wicked but that the cause of the iust may be defended by thy singular prouidence and protection so that in iudgemeÌ„t and in the company of the iust we may be able to stand and not bee confounded through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Out of the same Psalme ALmighty GOD forasmuch as wee haue now learned that a great part of our felicity so long as we liue here consisteth in this that wee refraine from vngodly counsell and wicked manners and also auoid the company of those that despise deride all good things and that in the stead of these euills we giue our selues to the heauenly study of thy holy law to bee occupied and exercised therein both day and night wherby we do perceiue that we haue very much erred and straied from this way of our saluation yea wee haue in these things most wickedly offended therfore we beseech thee euen for thy mercies sake that thou wilt pardon our offences and that henceforth by continuall study and exercise of thy word thou wilt vouch safe to make vs fruitful plants that we may not only bring forth wholesome fruits in thy Church whiles we liue here but also may be able in the other world to stand in iudgement before thee who best knowest the way of the iust through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier taken out of the second Psalme VVE perceiue most mercifull and almighty God that not only Antichrist but also the power and strength of the whole world conspireth against thee and against thy Christ which thinke the gospel and the building vp again of the church to be an intollerable bondage hard yoke Wherefore they labour by all possible meanes to breake asunder the societies and congregations of the faithfull and cast away al discipline But forasmuch as thou sittest in heauen art not ignorant what the diuell or wicked flesh goeth about laugh thou to scorne their vain counsells bring their purposes to nought Let them feele thine anger to be kindled against them make them astonied at the storcenesse of thine indignations so that they may not be able to destroy the Church ouer whoÌ„ thou hast appointed Iesus Christ our only Sauior to be a gouernour that in it hee may raigne by his word and spirite with inuincible might and power Wherefore grant vnto vs although vnworthy and shrinking children such faith constancy that we may finde him also confesse him to be our only king and that we may nothing doubt but that wee may be his nation people and heritage being most assured of this that he is of such strength and power that with his sword more strong then yron he is able to destroy whom he will and breake them in peeces like earthen pots Therefore O God turne the kings and princes of the world vnto thee that they may bee wise and vnderstand whereby they may vnfainedly acknowledge imbrace and kisse his sonne lest when his wrath shall once be kindled they perish and be destroyed for euer And when it shal be thy good pleasure make them blessed for euermore which commit themselues to thy gouernance and and protection by Christ Iesus our Lord Amen Out of the same Psalme MOst mighty and merciful Lord God though
the diuel rage the powers of the world daily rise vp the flesh with all her bond slaues coÌ„spire against the kingdom of thine onely begotten son Iesus Christ our Lord yet make vs to vnderstand and with constant faith bee perswaded that thou deridest and contemnest all such whom thou canst in thine anger fierce displeasure when thou wilt suddenly destroy bring to nought In this faith seeing wee are sometimes so weak that being ouercome with sundry kindes of terrors and dread we are not so obedient to thy commandements as we ought to be wee therefore beseech thee for thy great goodnes sake to be mercifull vnto vs and grant that we may coÌ„stantly beleeue thy sonne our King and our redeemer to haue the highest power and dominion with thee in all things For seeing thou hast begotten him thou hast also deliuered to him all natioÌ„s to be ruled by his power as his owne inheritance grant therefore vnto vs that yet at length wee may be wise and vnderstand in such sort as we may serue thee with al due feare and worship that in the last day wee be not dashed in peeces as earthen vessels with the rodde of thine indignation through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier which M. Iohn Bradford said alittle before his death in Smithfield MErcifull God and Father to whom our Sauiour Christ approched in his feare need by reson of death sound comfort gracious God and most bounteous Christ on whom StepheÌ„ called in his extreame need and receiued strength most benigne holy spirit which in the midst of all crosses and death didst comfort the Apostle S. Paul with more consolations in Christ than hee felt sorrows and terrors in the world haue mercy vpon mee a most miserable vile and wretched sinner which now draw neer the gates of death deserued both in soule and body eternally by reason of my manifold horrible old and new transgressions which to thine eyes O Lord GOD are open and knowne Oh be mercifull vnto mee and forgiue mee for the bitter death and bloudshedding of thine onely Sonne Iesus Christ And though thy iustice do require in respect of my sinnes that now thou shouldest not heare mee contemning thy daily callings yet let thy mercy which is aboue all thy works and wherwith the earth is filled let thy mercy I say preuaile towards me through the merits and mediation of Christ our Sauiour for whose sake it pleaseth thee to bring me forth now as one of his witnesses and a record bearer of thy verity and truth taught by him to giue my life therefore of which dignity I doe acknowledge deare God that there was neuer any so vnworthy and vnmeete no not the thiefe that hanged with him on the crosse I humbly therefore pray thee that thou wouldest accordingly aid helpe and assisâ— mee with thy strength and heaueÌ„ly grace that with Christ thy Sonne I may finde comfort with Stephen I may see thy presence and gracious power with Paul and all other which for thy name sake haue suffered affliction and death I may find so present with me thy gracious consolation that I may by my death glorifie thy holy name set forth and ratifie thy verity comfort the harts of the heauy confirme thy Churcâ— in thy truth conuert some that are to be conuerted and so depart out of this miserable world where I doe nothing but daily heape sinne vpon sinne and enter into the fruition of thy blessed mercy whereof now giue and increase in me a liuely tast sense and feeling where through the terrour of death the tormenâ—s of fire the paines of sin the darts of Satan and the dolours of hell may neuer ouercome me but may be driuen away through the working of the most gracious spirit which now pleÌ„teously endue me withal that throgh the same spâ—rit I may offer as now I desire am ready to doe in Christ and by him my selfe wholy soule and body to a liuely sacrifice holy and acceptable in thy sight deare father whose I am and always haue been euen before the world was made to whom I commend my selfe faith name family and friends countrie all the whole Church yea euen my very enemies according to thy good pleasure beseeching thee entirely to giue once more to this Realme of England the blessing of thy word againe with godly peace to the teaching and setting forth of the same O deare father now guide mee to come vnto thee so purge and purifie me by this fire in Christs death passion through the spirite that I may bee a burnt offering of sweet smel in thy sight which liuest and raignest with the sonne and the holie Ghost now and euermore world without end The Letany O God the father of heauen haue mercy vppon vs miserable sinners O God the father of heauen c. O God the sonne redeemer of the world haue mercy vpon vs miserable sinners O God the sonne redeemer c. O God the holy ghost proceeding from the father and the sonne haue mercy vpon vs miserable sinners O God the holy Ghost c. O holy blessed and glorious Trinity three persons one God haue mercy vpon vs miserable sinners O holy blessed and glorious c. Remember not Lord our offences nor the offences of our forefathers neither take thou vengeance of our sins spate vs good Lord spate thy people whome thou hast redeemed with thy most precious bloud and be not angry with vs for euer Spate vs good Lord. From all euill and mischiefe from sinne from â—he crafts and assaults of the diuell from thy wrath and from euerlasting damnation Good Lord deliuer vs. From blindnes of heart from pride vaineglory and hypocrisie from enuy hatred and malice and al vncharitablenesse Good Lord deliuer vs. From fornication and al other deadly sinne and from all the deceits of the world the flesh and the diuell Good Lord deliuer vs. From lightning and tempest from plague pestileÌ„ce famine from battell murder from sodaine death Good Lord deliuer vs. From all sediâ—iâ—n and priuy conspiracy from all false doctrine and heresie from hardnes of heart contempt of thy word commandemeÌ„t Good Lord deliuer vs. By the mystery of thy holy incarnation by thy holy natiuity and circumcision by thy Baptisme fasting and temptation Good Lord deliuer vs. By thine agony and bloudy sweat by thy crosse and passion by thy glorious resurrection and assension and by the comming of the holy Ghost Good Lord deliuer vs. In all time of our tribulation in all time of our wealth in the houre of death and in the day of iudgement Good Lord deliuer vs. We sinners do beseech thee to heare vs O Lord God and that it may please thee to rule and gouerne thy holy church vniuersally in the right way We beseech thee to heare vâ— c. That it may please thee to keep and strengthen in the true worshipping of thee in righteousnesse holines of