to enlighten my mind more and more to the knowledge of thee and my selfe to inflame my heart with true charitie to preserue my senses in thy holie feare that by my will I may neither heare see nor touch any thing that is vncleane or offensiue vnto thee And if in taking of my naturall rest either thorow the suggestion of the enemy or the rebellion of mine own flesh I haue had any disordered motions or vnâ—haste representations in my slcepe now I am perfectly awake and by thy mercy returned vnto the vse of my reason I do vtterly disclaime the same denying all consent of my will and affections thereunto And now my gracious Lord God for this day being present I may by thy heauenly assistance resolue with my selfe so to liue in this World that I may both auoide all sinne and the occasion thereof and to leaue my accustomed vices and those especially to which I am most prone to fall vnto and that I may referâ—e al my actions and endeauâ—urs to the praise and honour of thy holy name so to bestâ—w my time that this day may not bee lost or passe ouer my head without some good worke tending to the true worshipping of thy holie name which laudable determinations and purpose of the amendment of my leude and loose life may accordingly take effect and giue thy blessing gracious Lord to them all O merciful God I beseech thee according to thy great mercy that thou wâ—lt bâ—ot out all mine offences for I am a wretched and a miserable sinner therefore I do heartily desire in all humility to adore and worship thee and to render vnto thee immortal praise and thanksgiuing for all thy blessings and especially for that vnspeakable goodnesse wherein thou diddest send downe thy onely begotten Sonne into this vale of miserie for the worke of our redemption whereby wee are cherished and nourished wherewith wee are cleansed and sanctified and our soules made partakers of all heauenly grace and spirituall blessings for which I yeelde vnto thee all possible thanks that a poore sinfull creature being but a handfull of dust can yeelde vnto thy diuine Maiestie being of no value without thy mercy Also thou hast vouchsafed first to wash mee with the lauer of Baptisme to the remission of that originall corruption contracted in my first Parents and afterwards thou hast brought me to the exerâ—ises acts of a right faith not ceasing daily to increase the same in mee by the light of thy grace and doctrine of thy holy Word O Lord I humbly thanke thee also that from my Cradle thou hast nourished clothed and cherished me supplying all things necessary for the reliefe and maintenance of this my feeble body for which euermore I wil magnifie thy holy name that in great mercy thâ—u hast hither to spared me albeit from my youth I haue wantonly ryoted in manifold excesses patiently expecting till by thy grace I might bee awaked from the sleepe of sinne and reâ—laimed from my vanities and wicked courses haddest thou dealt with mee according to my desarts my soule long ere this had been oppressed with innumerable sinnes and had beene plunged in perdition yea the yawning gulfe of hel had swallowed me quicke Lord in respect of all thy mercies graces and blessings which thou hast poured vpon mee I desire that my heart may be more and more enlarged to render vnto thee a more ample tribute of praise and thankesgiuing And now for those things whereof I stand in need and faine would obtaine at thy hands fiâ—st onely Lord God neuer leaue me vnto my selfe but let the bit of thy chaste feare be euer in my iawes to curbe and to keepe mee within the compasse of thy Law that I may dread nothing in the world as in the least sort to offend and displease thee for which cause let thy holy loue so temper all trials and temptations which happen vnto mee that I may profit and not lose by them thou my Creator knowest how fraile I am of my selfe and how my strength is nothing Moreouer blessed Lord â— beseeche thee that thou wouldest keepe farte from me thy seruant all pride and haughtinesse of minde all selfe-loue and vaine glory all obstinacie and disobedience all craft and hurtfull dissimulation cast downe and tread vnder my feete the spirit â—â— gluttony and letcherie the spirit of sloth and heauinesse the spirit of malice and enuie the spirit of hatred and disdaine that I may neuer despise or contemne any of thy Creatures nor preferre my selfe before others but euer little in my owne sight to think the best of my bretheren and to deeme and iudge the worst of my selfe Iâ—â—est me Holy Father with the wedding garment of thy beloued son â—he supernaturall vertue of â—ll things that I may loue â—hee my Lord God with all my heart with all my soule â—nd with all my strength â—hat neither life nor death â—rosperitie nor aduersitie â—or any thing else may feâ—arate mee from thy loue Grant that all inordinate afâ—ection to the transitorie â—hings of this World may â—ailie decay and die in mee â—hat thou alone maiest bee â—astefull pleasant and sauouâ—ie vnto my soule O my most gracious God â—iue vnto thy seruant an â—umble contrite and obediâ—nt heart an vnderstanding â—lwaies occupied in honest â—ertuous cogitations a will tractable and euer prone tâ— the better affections stayed calme moderate a watch full custody of my sensesâ— that by those windowes nâ— sin may enter into my soulâ— a perfect gouernment of mâ— tongue that no corrupt oâ— vnseemely language maâ— proceede from my lips thâ— I may neuer slander backâ— bite or speake ill of mâ— Neighbour that I may nâ— busie my selfe in the faulâ— and imperfections of other but rather attend to the â— mending of my owne leuâ— life and finallie so long aâ— am detained in this prisoâ— of my bodie and exild froâ— my heauenly Countrie lâ— this be my portion and tâ—â— comfort of my banishmenâ— that free from all seculâ— â—ares and carking solicitude of this present life whollie deuoted to thy seruice I may attend onelie to thee â— may reioice onelie in thee â— may cleaue vnto thee I may rest my soule in thee â—nd sitting in silence I may giue way and entertainment â—o the heauenlie doctrine to â—he good motions and inâ—pirations of thy holy Spirit In these sweete exercises â—et mee passe the solitarie â—oures of my tedious pilgrimage with patience expeâ—â—ing the shutting vp of my â—aies and an happie end of â—his my miserable life And â—rant ô thou louer of manâ—ind my Lord and my God â—hat when this my earthlie â—abernacle shall bee dissolâ—ed being found free from all pollution of sinne as afteâ— Baptisme I may bee râ—ckoned in the number of thosâ— blessed soules who througâ— the merites and passion oâ— thy deare Sonne are heldâ— worthy to raigne with theeâ— and to enioy the glorioâ—â— presence of the blessed Trinitie Father Soâ—ne and Holie Chost to whom of alâ— Creatures iâ—
more care of vs then we haâ—e of our selâ—es How often hath he spaâ—ed vs when wee haue fallen into sinne whereas if his lâ—â—â—â—ad not beene grâ—at to vs hee might easily â—aâ—â— thâ—â—â—ne vs downe into perpetuall destruction without giuing vs tiâ—â— of repentance Therefore let vs call to mind how dangerous a thing it is to offend so mercifull a Father let vs call to mindâ— why wee should put our soules into so great a danger considering wee see that hee strikes many tiâ—es suddenlie withoâ—t giâ—ing any repentance â—â— all If â—â—â—â—â—â—â—â— but diligently consider tâ—â— danger wâ—â—rest in by our idle and cold seruing of GOD qâ—estionlesse wee should betake our selues to a better seruing of him Say we should die and leaue this life this present night what iudgement should we look or expect or to what place should wee bee brought where should wee giue and make account for euerie idle word we speake for whatsoeuer wee thinke or doe Of what a hard and fearefull thing is this vnto vs if wee would but duly consider what wee lose in not seruing God truly Let vs giue ouer this lazie seruing of God and leaue the idle vanities of the World which luls vs asleepe in the lap of destruction It is fit that we earnestly enforce our thoughts still to be calling to GOD for mercy and remission of our sins promising from the bottome of our hearts to be more carefull and to vse greater diligence for the amendement of our wicked liues And if it please his diuine Maiesty to take our liues away this night desire him according to his infinite mercie to deale mercifully with vs not according to our deseruings which are meerely naught but according to his righteousnesse which is all good but if it please his omnipotencie to prolong our daies any further here in this world pray that he will so infuse into our hart the oile of his grace that we may magnifie him in a better fashion then we haue usually done heretofore and pray that he will giue vs grace â—o liue discreetely vprightly and godlily in this life and in the World to come to giue vs life euerlasting Amen A Prayer for the Euening O Most worthy redeemer and Sauiour of Mankind I avile and a wretched sinnâ—â— in hope of pardon and forgiuenes of my great offences doe here humbly prostrate my selfe before thy sacred fâ—ete this night confessing vnto thee and accusing my selfe of all my faults and heinous transgressions where-with vnto this houre I haue so offended thee my Lord and Maker and that I haue not trembled to commit those execrable sinnes for which if thy mercies were not great towards me I should remaine as a lost sheepe I must needs confesse my most great ingratitude which I haue committed vnto this houre against thee my onely Lord and Redeemer so vnthankefull to thee for all thy loue graces and benefits bestowed vpon me and that thou hast so patientlie spared mee so long a time persisting in euill and continuing my wicked and vngracious courses that in mercie thou hast tollerated so great contempt of thy diuine will and Commandements yea so exceeding and great hath beene thy loue that in stead of casting mee into hell fire thou hast kept me vnder the shadow of thy wings as for these my offences I had iustly deserued thou contrariwise hast spared mee for amendemnt of life for which cause how often hast thou knockt at the doore of my heart by thy heauenlie inspirations how often hast thou preuented â—ee with blessings allured mee with comforts drawne me with fauours yea forced mee many times by crosses and afflictions to seeke vnto thee and yet neither hath my flintie heart beene mollified therewith nor my will reclaimed A wonder it is that now at last comming to finde the foulenesse of my errour my very heart doth not burst with extremitie of contrition Hath Hell it selfe sufficient torment to punish such wickednesse and to take vengeance of such exceeding ingratitude vnworthie I am to bee called thy Creature or whom the earth should beare much lesse affoorde nourishment and things necessarie for preseruation of my health nay doubtlesse had not thy mercie with-held them both Heauen and Earth the Elements and all Creatures had long ere this taken vengeance of me for such horrible contempt and abuses O how many thousands in the World by thy righteous iudgements are alreadie condemned to the neuer ending torments of hell fire who neuer came neere the measure of any mortal transgressions Yea who in comparison of me a sinfull caitiffe might rather bee Saints in Heauen then damned soules adiudged as they be vnto eternall perdition But now O mercifull Father and God of pittie and compassion in vnfeined sorrow and remorse of conscience for all my misdeeds I throw my selfe downe at thy feete this night humbly beseeching thee to be reconciled vnto mee to pardon all my offences both new and olde to looke vpon me a miserable and a wretched sinner with the eye of mercie as thou diddest the penitent Publican the â—â—nner Magdalen and the Apostle that thrice denied thee Bee pleased to admit mee again into thy grace and fauour Lord I pray thee work that speedilie in mee for which cause thou hast so long spared mee Wo is mee that I should leaue so louing and so kinde a Father who hath not ceased to procure my good that I haue refused to bestow vppon him my heart who would haue made an habitation for his owne abode therein which by keeping from him my selfe haue defiled it with much filth and corruption Yea made it a vessell of impietie a stew of vncleane thoughts and cogitations in a word I confesse my selfe to be the most vicious Creature vpon the Earth Yet the rather will I throw my selfe into the Sea of thy mercie for as my sinnes bee numberlesse so be thy mercies endlesse But most louing Father if thou wilt thou canst make mee cleane Lord heale the wounds of my soule for vnto thee doe I open the sore Remember thy selfe sweete Lord of that comfortable speech pronounced by the mouth of one of thy Prophets Thou hast committed folliâ— with many Louers yet turnâ— thee againe vnto me and I wil receiue thee Much confidence haue I Lord in this thy sweete and comfortable saying with all my heart do I returne vnto thee and to none else I am that prodigall child I am that vnfaithful seruant who haue separated my selfe from the Father of lights from whom all goodnesse doth flow I haue forsaken the fountaine of lluing wâ—ters and haue digged vnto my selfe Ciâ—â—â—rnes which will hold no water contenting my selfe with such barren comforts as the Creatures did affoord mee such momentanie sading pleasures as to the great detriment of my soule I hâ—ue â—ried to be lighter then chaâ—â—e and more vaine then vanitie itselfe But what is past gracious God let it be cancelled and forgotten and for the time to come let there be an eternall league
sinfull therefore let vs call vpon God still pray vnto him being our Sauiour and mercifull Redeemer it is no shame to bee sorrowfull or to cry to God for the forgiuenesse of our sinnes it is no reproach to beg Gods mercies or hurt to vs to pray his Maiestie to be mercifull in the remission and forgiuenesse of our sins it is no discredit to confesse our faults vnto God and to tell him we are miserable wretched sinners This is the means to quench the extremity of thirsty sinne and to obtaine a refreshing cup with a beaten breast and broken heart to cry vnto God to be a mercifull father vnto vs and to giue vs remission of all our sinnes If lamentable pictures wofull tales carry their force with them to inforce teares from the hearers and beholders eyes then cannot wee but turne prodigall in tears when wee behold this liuely counterfet of sorrow where euery colour hath a speaking griefe euery griefe a mourning tongue to extort and wring teares from the beholders eyes Iacob did Gen. 37. neuer rent his garment in so many peeces for the losse of Ioseph as the true penitent sinner doth his soule for the burthen of his sinnes laying them vpon the raâ—ke of repentance stretching them from earth to heauen from himselfe to God Agar beâ—ng turned out of her maâ—ters Gen. 21. house made her eyes â—â—e plaintifes of true contriâ—â—on to her solitary wanâ—ring but the penitent in â—eart being turned out of â—is masters fauour makes â—is hand his heart his eyes â—is tongue and all labour to â—essen the griefe of his disâ—ase with a true sorrowfull â—emorse his hands like the â—ellowes blow the fire of â—ontrition to his heart his heart like a limbecke distilleth the soueraigne water of repentance into his eyes who like full cesternes not being able to look vpward returne their streams backe vnto the heart that being ouercharged driues the floud of his affection to his tong his tongue like Aarons censer conuayes the sweet perfume of his precious distillation into the presence of God himselfe And as the Angels celebrated the birth of Christ with a ioyfull hymne so he welcomes his second birth with a sad lamentation much like to Peter when he denied his Master Mat. 26. Sicke men cannot away with any melancholy Sauls frensie could not indure Dauids 1 Sam. 18. Harpe Salomons thousand songs cannot mitigate the smart of the sinners disease that runnes altogether vpon the heart-string not the Harpe-string the spaces falles and rises of a melancholie ditty the first note being raised high to him that is aboue all the second with a temperate stop moued to a meane the third with a heauy touch fitted to the base Heauy O heauy is the note of man and therefore it calles for moderation of God O heauy too heauy is the note of sin and therfore it craues the voyce of mercy Wee may iustly obserue in the penitent sinner first his inuocation to God secondly his humble petitions thirdly his condition in his meditation by vertue whereof hee attaineth to know himselfe to bee the greatest offender and God his only Sauiour and Redeemer Dauid being in the depth of meditation his Psal 39. heart was hot the fire of his zeale was kindled and hee spake Lord teach me to number my dayes in the same precinct and streits of meditations is the penitent sinner his armes like the Phoenix wings hath set his heart on fire by that his zeale is inflamed by his zeale his tongue is inlarged and cals to God for his mercies hee speakes as Dauid in his meditation with iudgement discretion he speakes in his meditation what he wants his prayer directing to obtaine his wants at the hands of his mercifull Sauiour Lastly he speakes speaks authorised with a prouiso and respect to whom hee speakes What is it hee speakes The first regard is the reuerence of the person to whom he speakes God His second consists of a twofold property one drawen from himselfe being a miserable sinner the other from a necessity that GOD would bee mercifull to our mis-spent life The third is couched not so much in quantity of words as in quality of affection his praier is short but very sweet in regard of zeale His last regard aimes at the time for sinne like Noahs floud euery day getting strength was almost Gen. 7. 17. come to the top of Ararat and had almost ouerspread the whole earth so it was high time to stay the swelling rage and fury of it and therefore hee striues to bring it back to a low ebbe and with a smooth calme of an humble petition speakes in a serious meditation to God to forgiue him his sins and to bee mercifull vnto him but helples man cannot helpe but only God in whoÌ„ and with whom is al coÌ„fort I will not runne vnto the wise man with Pharoah I call not vpon any Idols with the Priests of Baal but with Exod 7. sorrowfull Sara in the gaule of bitternesse with wrinckled Tob. 3. faced Iob smitten on the cheekes with a reproach I Iob. 16. beginne my confession vnto the Lord. I pray not for the strength of body with Samson with Elisha for my enemies Iudg. 16. blindnesse with worldly Balaam for earthly treasures but with the faithfull 2 Pet. 2. Cananitish woman once Math. 15. againe reiected I begge for crummes of thy mercy that thou wilt bee a Sauiour for my sinnes euen I the sonne of sorrow present my selfe vnto thee and as the Leaper Math. 8. intreated for his own cleansing euen so I pray that God will shew his mercy compassion vpon me being weaâ—ed a long time from the Teattes of thy loue and nourished with the corrupt milke of sinne It is euen I that haue refused thy heauenly Manna and delighted my selfe with the leauen of Aegypt now at the length strucke with the whip of repentance retire and for the â—asing of my griefe presume to solicite thee in this manner O Lord bee mercifull vnto me and forgiue me the great and hainous crimes which I haue committed against thy omnipotent Maiestie I am not of Simon Peters mind that said Lord go Lu. 5. 8. from mee for I am a sinfull man but rather Lord come to mee because I am a wret â—hed and sinfull man Neither doe I crie out with the possessed Iesus thou Sonne of God what haue I to doe Mat. 8. with thee but rather Iesus thou Sonne of God I haue to doe with thee Oh let me haue some interest in thy loue which like a veile couereth the multitude of sins and vniteth the peece-rent heart of the sorrow-beaten sinner It is not with mee as it was with Cain to say my Gen. 4. sinne is greater then can bee pardoned neither am I as yet clasped in that desperation and distrust as to equalize and compare thy mercy to my sinnes I know thy piety to
a hard matter to bee passed away from those things which doe not so neerely touch man how bitter I pray you will the separation be of soule body two such kind louing familiars who haue alwaies liued sweetly together euen from the mothers wombe surely they cannot bee separated without great griefe If the Oxe doe commonly lowe and mourne when his yoke-fellow which was wont to draw with him is taken away how will euery one of vs mourn when the soule shall be separated from the body Then will they with teares repeate their sinnes againe and againe and cry out O death bitter death doest thou 〈◊〉 separate vs And when the cogitation of so sharpe a separation is deepely setled in our minds then griefe followeth grief and sorrow commeth vpon sorrow for then it commeth presently to mind what a miserable condition the body and soule shall be in after the separation When a man beginneth to recount with himselfe that his body after a few houres shall be buried in a graue or darke tombe hee cannot cease from wondering at so abiect and miserable a condition What the body that now liueth which seeth heareth speaketh shall â—it bee made after one houre in a moment blinde deafe dumbe without spirit without life It shall haue then in stead of a large Pallace a base Sepulcher in stead of a soft bed the hard ground for delights rottennesse for sweete smels stinkes and in stead of seruants and familiar friends wormes And thus this cogitation of the graue will very sore trouble and terrifie a man in these extremities yet notwithstanding euery man feareth much more when he beginneth to consider what condition remaineth for the soule When Man beholdeth that eternitie and that new Region vnknowne to al men liuing which he then alone naked is to enter and when he vnderstandeth that there is to bee found in the same both euerlasting glory and perpetuall paine and miserie and knoweth not of which he shall take his part it cannot bee told with how great feare with what carefulnesse and with what exceeding sorrow hee shall be tormented when he perceiueth plainely that after two houres hee shall be either in eternall ioyes or in euerlasting paines Is not this a crosse very heauy surpassing all other crosses this vncertainty of a blessed or cursed estate which after a small time the sinner expecteth the remembrance of his sins and feare of the iust iudgement of God without hope of remission or faith in Christ is a hell to the mind not to be expressed For by how much the Kingdome which he desireth is of largenesse and by how much the firy furnace which he feareth is terrible by so much the greater shall this perturbation be considering also that Angels shall come to carry the faithfull vp into Heauen and infernall spirits to carry the wicked and infidels into hell But there is yet a farre greater perturbation then this namely that he shall call to mind the accouÌ„t which he is to make to God of all his words deeds and thoughts for of it self 〈◊〉 is a horrible thing to thinke vpon the day of iudgement the which horror will wonderfully and extremely vexe disquiet the Diuels themselues for as so long as we liue they set forth vnto vs the mercy of God and doe also commend the same and doe striue all that they can to keepe vs from meditating of his iustice iudgements euen so now on the contrarie they extenuate and make his mercy insufficient and doe set before our eies the greatnesse and seuerity of the Lords iustice Then will the sinner beginne to tremble and fal into desperation and will beginne to reason thus with himselfe If God for the sinnes of others spared not his onely Sonne will he spare me which am guilty of so many sinnes If this be done in the green tree what shall befall that which is seare and drie If the Prophets if the Apostles if the Martyrs after they liued godly so many yeeres entred not into the Kingdome of Heauen without tribulations what other place can bee left for mee but that of hell fire which know no good that I haue done If the Scripture be true which saith He will render to euery man according to his workes what should I which haue done so many horrible and great wickednesses looke for but eternall torments If that of the Apostle bee true as in deed it is when he saith That which a man soweth that shall he reape what shall hee reape but eternall death which hath made so cursed a so wing Iâ— no polluted thing shall enter into the Kingdome of God how shal I which am altogether filthy and vncleane haue hope to make so happy and blessed an entrance Then all his sinnes which he committed with so greater desire and facility when hee liued shall violently inuade the sinfull man like an hoast of enemies then the feare of punishment will open the eyes which sleeping security in sinne before had shut then ambition pride thefts murthers adulteries fornications gluttonies drunkennesse lying periury idle words vncleane thoughts negligent slacknesse and all that naughty is will come to remembrance O how heauy and grieuous will they then seeme to be which now seem so light and are done with so much sweetnes and pleasure How greatly will they then torment the minde of the sinner Who is able to expresse that last agonie wherein the soule fighteth with sore and painefull sicknesse with the temptations of diuels with feare of the iudgement to come and all this at one instant Then commeth that last perturbation the failing of all the senses as the fore-runner of death approaching which vehemently terrifieth At what time the breast swelleth the speech groweth hoarse faint and hollow the eyes sinke the nose beginneth to be sharpe the countenance waxeth pale the feete die and the arteries send forth a cold sweate These things which do thus appeare outwardly are grieuous and full of horror but they are without all comparison more greeuous horrible which are felt inwardâ—â— for as Saint 〈◊〉 writeth of blessed 〈◊〉 saying Though hee had many yeeres serued God yet did hee feare at the time of his departure What shall they doe who many yeeres haue serued the Diuell and their execrable wickednesses and who haue prouoked God vnto wrath whither shall they goe whose helpe shall they craue what counsell shall they take If they look vpward they shall see the drawne sword of Gods Iustice if downeward they shall see a gulfe gaping and hell fire there if the time past they shall see all things vanished away like a shadow if the time to come they shall behold the eternitie of Worlds which shall last without end Who can bee able to resist and abide the assault of the diuels who will bee then busiest in their desire to bestirre them with all their might and maine What shall then sinfull men doe which are left in this estate Returne they cannot and
by this time haue beene like Saints among men whereas if God at this present time should call vs to iudgement it would appeare that wee had applied our hearts our minds our hands our feet our tongues yea and our whole bodies to riches and pleasures to lying deceiuing to swearing and forswearing and to all kind of sinne and wickednesse but to true vertue and wisedome wee haue not applied our hearts God of his mercy giue vs grace to see our former sinnes truely to repent vs of them and to amend our liues hereafter that wee may liue with him for euer If Man could perswade himselfe that this were his last day as it may be if God so please hee would not deserue his repentance vntill to morrow If hee could thinke that this is his last meate that euer hee shall eate he would not surfet If he could beleeue that the words which hee doth speake to day should be the last wordes that euer hee shall speake hee would not offend with his tongue in lying swearing and blaspheming If he could be perswaded that this were the last lesson the last admonition that euer GOD would affoord him to call him to repentance hee would both heare and reade it with more diligence then euer he had done before Let vs remember our selues while it is to day lest we repent our selues when it is too late Who can assure himselfe of life till to morrow or what if we should liue three foure or fiue yeeres or what if twenty yeeres Who would not liue here like a Christian twenty yeeres to liue in Heauen with CHRIST eternally Wee can be content to serue seauen yeeres apprentiship with great labour and royle to be instructed in some trade that wee may liue more easily the rest of our dayes and wee must labour notwithstanding afterwards and can we not be content to labour in the things of God a little while that wee may rest from our labors euer after CHRIST saith to his Disciples when hee found them sleeping Could not you watch 〈◊〉 boure And can we not pray can wee not first can we not suffer a little while Hee which is 〈◊〉 can 〈◊〉 little further one step more to saue his life and therefore GOD would not haue Men know when they shall die because they should make ready at all times hauing no more certainty of one houre then another Seeing therefore the case standeth thus let vs looke to our selues and let vs take counsell of him which is an Aduocate before hee will be a Iudge for no man knoweth so well what is necessary for vs against that day as hee that shall bee the Iudge of our cause Hee therefore crieth thus vnto vs Walke while ye haue the light lest the darkenesse come vpon you take heed watch and pray for ye know not when the time is bee yee like men waiting the comming of their Lord. They who thus watch and waite are sure to make a most ioyfull departure from this life and to be receiued into the Lords ioy Of which happy dissolution the Scriptures thus record I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure or dissolution is at hand I haue fought a good fight and haue finished my course I haue kept the faith henceforth there is laid vp for me the Crowne of righteousnesse 〈◊〉 Tim. 4 6. 7. 8. As the Hart brayeth for the Riuers of waters so panteth my Soule after thee O God my Soule thirsteth for God euen for the liuing God when shall I come to appeare before the presence of God Psal 42. 1. The righteous shall liue for euer their reward also is with the Lord and the 〈◊〉 High doth 〈◊〉 for them therefore shall they receiue a gracious Kingdome and beautifull Crowne at the Lords hand for with his right hand shall hee couer them and with his arme shall â—ee defeâ—â— them Wis 5. 26. Bring my soule out of prison that I may praise thy name Psal 142. 7. I desire to 〈◊〉 and to be with Christ which is best of all Phil. 1. 13. For wee know that if our earthly house of this Tabernacle be destroied wee haue a building giuen of God that is a house not made with hands but eternal in the Heauen 2 Cor. 5. 1. Iesus the son of Syrach giueth vs a verie profitable admonition to 〈◊〉 vnto God from sinne and wickednesse so speedily as possiblie wee can in these words Chap. 5. Because thy sinne is forgiuen â—ee not without feare to heape sinne vpon sinne and say not the mercy of God is great hee will forgiue my manifold sinnes for mercy and wrath come from him and his indignation cometh downe vpon sinners Make no â—arrying to turne vnto the Lord and put not off from day to day for suddenly shall the wrath of the Lord breake forth and in thy security thou shalt be destroied Salomon giueth vs most excellent counsell saying Remember now thy Creator in the daies of thy youth while the euill laies come not nor the yeeres approach wherein thou shalt say I haue no pleasure in them Hereunto agreeth the saying of Saint Augustine that is Repent while thou arâ— in health so doing wee are without danger because we haue repented at what time wee might haue sinned These diuine testimonies might satisfy a Christian man that their hope is vaine and full of perill which deferre their conuersion and repentance albeit but for one houre yet it shall bee shewed by other reasons that it may more plainely appeare how needfull a thing it is for man with all speede to repent There be diuers causes why a man cannot without great labor and great difficultie forsake sinne and follow righteousnesse The first cause is a custome in sinning the which being now made as it were another nature can verie hardly be ouercome For as Mithridates vsed to eate poyson so long that nature in the end could very well brooke and disgest it and the people called Cimmerij are so well acquainted with darkenesse wherein they liue continually that they cannot wel endure the light euen so men that liue continually in sinne and wickednesse are so in vse therewith as all things contrary vnto their custome greatly offend them by which custome as Augustine affirmeth dishonest and filthy things seeme vnto them honest and pure And as Houses and Lands and other things by long continuance of time bring to him that holdeth them a Plea of Prescription and being so prescribed cannot be recouered without a great priuiledge had from the Prince euen so sinnes and vices when they haue a long time by custome prescribed vnto themselues the soule of the sinner men striue in vain except GOD the most mighty King by a singular priviledge of his Grace doe turne a stony heart into a fleshy heart for if sinne become as it were the wife of our youth wee shall hardly leaue it O how easie saith Saint Augustine is the entrance into sinne but the comming out verie
measure beyond the streÌ„gâ—â— of man in so much that we doubt whether wee liue 〈◊〉 no receiuing the sentence 〈◊〉 dâ—ath within our selues sâ— that in our opinion we comâ—prehend no deliuery no euasion but lie open to the direct accomplishment there of Yet in this exigent anâ— extremitie we come to Goâ— by these meanes of Prayer being almost beyond hope without expectation and bâ— his gracious and mercifulâ— pleasure wee are deliuered Therefore let vs here in râ—â—â—ue comfort his Maiestic â—ut of his great clemâ—nrie â—ath and doth deliuer vs daiie not onely from the death of our bodies when wormes â—nd rottennesse haue made â—heir last and long prey vpâ—on them but from the â—eath of our minds when the spirit is buried vnder â—orrowes and no Greature â—ound in Heauen or Earth to giue it comfort Be our minds be our afflictions neuer so many and great though in our weake â—magination we can imagin â—o deliuery no release when all earthly comforts forsake â—s yet let not vs forsake thiâ—â—efuge let vs not despaire in his mercifull helpe â—o more then Iâ—â—â— did who being in the bottome of the Sea and within a prison in that bottome in such an affliction so great so strange as greater nor stranger could not be to humane reason or more without hope yet said Ioâ—â—â— 2. 2. I cried in â—inâ— affliction vnto the Lord and hee heardme◠〈◊〉 of the beâ—ty of hâ—â—â— crâ—ed I and thou heâ—r dâ—st my voice Therefore in our aduersitie and wants how great greeuous soeuer they oppresse our weakenesse yet let vs neither distrust or despaire of his mercifull helpe but let vs pray still in hope in all the anguish of minde â—â—d let our prayers bee with such a confidence and zeale of loue to GOD as the feruencie thereof may ascend vp to his Throne and there rest in his pittifull eye and armes of mercy In our prosperity be it neuer so flourishing let vs pray nay pray continuallie In our health and prosperitie let vs pray to continue it In our sicknesse and aduersity let vs pray to release vs. For if wee consider our estates rightly wee shall perceiue many reasons to the exercise of Prayer daily to feek his sauour and the long continuance thereof without whose mighty protection and care ouer vs we are ready to fall into a thousand dangers of vndoing both the body and soule and to perish continuallie And therefore let vs well consider and take heed both in time and season with words sutahle in our Petitions to our purpâ—se and intention in giuing thankes for his great benefits daily poured vpon vs with intrestie in our Petitions for necessities to bee implored by vs in the time of sicknesse in the time of our health in the time of our aduersity in the time of our prosperity Let vs come before him suting our words in the habite of our occasions with such a fitnesse and decencie that they fall not harshly from the purpose ascend into the eares of the Almighty LORD the true patterne of all wâ—sdome and goodnesse who hath giuen vs the first and best forme there of himselfe who hath both taught vs to pray and taught vs how to pray and who will both heare our petitions and grant our requests contained therein as farre as seemes expedient to his vn searchable wisedome that knowes our wants before hee heares our complaints our necessities better then we our selues And because meditation is so excellent a thing so readie so swift so powerfull so vnseparated from vs that it cleaues vnto vs when all other meanes faile and forsake vs therefore we should the more earnestly imbrace it more zealously imploy it more dearely esteeme it It finds vs out comfort in our greatest extremities and miseries our wayes being hedged vp as with thornes that we cannot stirre to deliuer our selues therehence When we are ouer flowen with the deluge of sinne as with a floud iudgements inuiron vs on euery side this is the Dâ—ue that brings vnto our Soules the Oliue branch of comfort But alasse we kill the life thereof through the coldnesse of our deuotioâ— and carelesnesse of our deliuerie and vnfit preparation thereunto and find not the sweetnesse and successe that else wee might expect and obtaine at the hands of GOD thereby Let these things be oftentimes our meditation and study that so despising the vaine things of this transitorie life and passing our steps in the path-way to feâ—icity we may at the last obtaine the reward which our Sauiour CHRIST hath promised Come ye blessed of my Father Euen so let vs resolue with our selues that for as much as wee haue begunne our Pilgrimage in the Spirit neuer to end it in the Flesh and that if all the World would fall away from GOD and his Word yet wee and ours will serue the LORD So shall we be sure in the ende of this our Pâ—lgrimage which we haue passed with feare to enter into that spirituall Canaan which CHRIST our IEHOVA hath promised vs which LORD for thy mercy sake grant vs. Amen Come ye blessed c. Go ye cursed c. THE SOVLES Alarum-bell The Second Part. Containing diuers godly PRAYERS most fit to comfort the wounded consciences of all such penitent sinners who hope for saluation through the merits of Christ Iesus By H. Thompson At London printed by Io. Beale 1618 TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE and my very good Lord WILLIAM Lord Eurye Baron of Maâ—lton Heâ—ry Thompson wisheth all honour grace and spiritualâ— gifts by Iesus Christ our Lord. BEing willing Right Honourable and my verie good Lord in the sight of all the World to leaue some publike testimonie of my humble dâ—â—ty and vâ—fâ—ined good will towards your Honour I thought I could no better way performe it then by dedicating these poore labours of mine to bee shrowded and harboured vnder your Honours fauourable protection beseeching your Honour to accept this my humble and bounden dutie And as I dedicate it to your Honour so I humbly craue that it may bee defended for GOD hath set you in authoritie to maintaine his Word and loue his Religion which hee hath prescribed in his holy Gospell Hee hath honoured you that you should honour him and hath set you up that you should maintaine him and wholly trust in him and liâ—e to him as a sâ—ay that can neuer faile neither in this World nor tâ— the World to come All other things shall faile for all flesh is grasse and the glory of man is as the flower of the field but GOD is euerlasting his Word is euerlasting and they that are begotten to him by the iâ—â—â—rtall seede of his Word shall liue for euer and this life beginneth and groweth and increaseth in the true knowledge of GOD to the increasing of our faith and â—â—â—king in vs as the seale of our adoption that true sanctification that maketh vs to liue vnto GOD by righteousnesse purely to worship hiâ—â—ccording to his Word anâ— with brotherly
of friendship and amitie betwixt vs. Namely that thou wilt be my mercifull Father and that againe I may be thy obedient childe Lord thou soest I doe not aske of thee riches honours or long life but onelie this euen this thing alone which with all possible importunity I vrgâ— and neuer wil cease to craue that from this present houre to my liues end I may neuer more offend thy diuine Maiestie nor defile my conscience with anie mortall ofsence O Lord grant â— poore sinner this his humble suite for Christ Iesus his sake my alone Sauiour and Redeemer Come holie Spirit the sweetest comforter of Mankinde I beseech thee take the possession of my soule purge and cleanse mee of all sin sanctifie me throughout wash what is corrupted water what is dried heale what is wounded bow what is â—â—iffened warme what is cooled call home what is straied make mee â—rulie humble and resigned â—hat thou maiest bee pleased â—o stay and abide with thy seruant O most blessed light and glorious lampe illuminate my minde with the heauenâ—ie beames of thy wisdome O Paradise of pleasures â— Fountaine of purest deâ—ights my God giue me thy â—elfe In flame my soule with â—hy celestiall loue teach me â—ouerne me direct and proâ—ect mee through the whole â—ourse of my life Establish my mind against â—ll elusions and inordinate feare grant me a right faith an assured hope a siâ—cerâ— and perfect charity and that I may preferre thy blessed will pleasure before aâ—â— things in Heauen and Earth And now sweete Iesus vpon the knees of my heart I humbly craue pardon oâ— these and all other my trespasses knowne and vnknowne yea so inspire my heart with thy spirit that seriouslie I may resolue of amendement of life for the time to come That I may carefullie reforme my selfe of those vsual errors into which this day past and so often as heretofore I haue beene accustomed to fal that I may renewall my good purposes and intentions and accordinglie put them in practise that so finallie after this my short life spent in thy seruice I may at length close vp my daies in peace and happilie end in thee who art blessed for euer Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost liuest and raignest euer one God World without ende Amen A Prayer for Night O My most Soueraigne Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ Lampe of light truth I miserable wretch most humbly beseech thee to with-draw and keepe my minde from wandring thoughts distractions this night Lord heare the groâ—nings of those who vnder then of sinne and infirmitiâ—â— crie vnto thee Lord loose â—he bonds and shackles of iniquitie wherewith I haue bound my selfe and out of the darke prison of wickednesse whereinto I haue run and captiuated my selfe deliuer my sinfull soule O Lord As thou art my skilful Phisician and best knowest my diseases take me to thy cure O Soune of God my Creatour Redeemer and Sanctifier let thy vnspeakable loue remaine in my soule for euer that I may enioy thee and ioy in thy countenance Thou that leddest the Israelites thy seruants throgh the red Sea and deliueredst them from the bondage of Pharâ—ah and his cruell Ministers discharge mee of the grieuous weight of my sins where-with my soule is so heauilie laden Thou that desendedst Daniel in the Lions denne desend me this night and euermore Thou that pardonedst Dauids vnspeakable sinnes be mercifull vnto me thou Sonne of God and Sauiour of the World in whom 〈◊〉 lie is my saluation by whom I may become an Angell in Heauen and without whose mercie am a diuell in hell Good God looke graciouslie vpon mee wash me O Lord whose iniquities are as red as bloud and I shall appear before thy almighty Throne as white as snow Lord deliuer mee now this night and in the houre of my death from all the malicious temptations of the old Serpent my enemie adopt mee here thy sonne below that I may become thy seruant aboue and liue with thee and raigne with thee in those ioies which are euer during who with the Father and the Holie Ghost euer liuest raignest World without end Ameâ— O Lord looke downe from Heauen vpon mee miserable wrâ—tch that lie here prostrate at thy feete crauing mercie of thy Omnipotent Maiestie for those sinnes which I haue committed this day against thee I humblie beseech thee O Christ which aâ—â— my onelie Sauiour and Redeeâ—â—er to extend thy accustomed goodnesse to me this night that I may bee defended from the danger of the enemie and all euill which may befall mee this night good Lord take mee into thy protection of safegard that I may take safe and quiet rest this night to the end I may be the better enabled the next day to serue thee in all godlinesse holinesse of liuing whereby I may haue thy blessings powred downe plentifullie vpon me to the reliefe of me and mine and that after this painefull life ended I may dwell with thee in life euerlasting Amen A Praier to GOD for grace and to dâ—spâ—se the vanitie of the World O Gracious and Omnipotent Father haue merâ—ie on mee and forgiue me the great offences which I haue done in the sight oâ— thee Grant me grace for the loue of thee to despise sinneâ— and all worldlie vanitieâ— helpe mee to ouercome all temptations to sinne and the malice oâ— my ghostliâ— enemies and to spend my time in vertue and labouâ— acceptable to thee Repressâ— the motions of my sinfuâ—â— flesh that mine hâ—art may bee enamoured of vertue to liue to thine honour and to the comfort of my soule O Father strengthen mee in soule and bodie to execute the workes of godlinesse to the glorie of thy blessed name and profit of my Christian bretheren whereby I may come to thy euerlasting ioy and feliâ—itie Grant me a firme purpose most mercifull Lord to amend my life and to make recompence for those yeers which I haue misspent to thy displeasure in euill thoughts delectations consentings wordes workes and euill customes whereby I haue deserued damnatioÌ„ Lord make mine heart obedient to thy will comfort mee and giâ—e mee grace to haue my most ioy and pleasure in thee giue me heauenly meditations gostlie sweetenesse and zeale of thy glorie Rauish my soule with a burning desire to the heauenlie ioy where I shall euerlastinglie dwell with thee â—rant me sweet Sauiour contempt of all damnable pleasure of sinne and misery grant mee a true remembrance of my saluation with a feare of damnation and 〈◊〉 remembrance of thy goodnesse thy gifts great â—iâ—dnesse shewed to me from my creation vntill this present houre O Lord reduce into my minde my sinnes and disobedience whereby I haue offended thee Lord grant me a right spirit and perfect contrition to obtaine thy grace and from filthy sinne to purge mee O God make mee constant and stable iâ— faith hope and charity with continuance in vertue direct my will that it may not offend thee but
grant me perfect patience in all trâ—bulations and aduersitie Preserue me from pride â—re enuâ—e couetousnesse and from all offences contrarie to thy law suffer no false delight of this deceiueable life by fleshlie temptation and fraude of the â—â—end to blind mee at the houre of my death I beseech thee O Lord grant me such a light of thy ghostlie wisdome that I may doe those things which are most acceptable to thee grant mee grace to doe hurt to nobodie but to helpe those with good counsell which haue offended thee and make me to proceede in vertue vntill such time as I shall see thy Omnipotent Maiestie and let me not turne to those sinnes which I haue sorrowed for and accused my selfe of The horrible sentence of endlesse death the terrible iudgement of damnation thy wrath ire and indignation mercifull Lord let them neuer fall vppon me thy mercie and thy merites euer bee betweene them and me Lord grant mee grace inwardlie to feare and dread thee and to eschew those things whereby I might offend thee giue mee a contrite heart for that I haue offended thee good Father remoue my sinfull dispositions which dull mine heart and like lead doe suppresse me Let me not forget the riches of thy goodnesse of thy patience of thy long sufferance and benignitie let the threatning of paine and torment which shall fall vpon sinners the losse of thy loue and of thy heauenlie inheritance euer make me feare to offend thee Suffer mee not deare Father to liue and die in sinne but soone call me to repentance when I haue displeased thee and grant mee grace trulie to loue thee and when I offend thee smite mee not with thy wrathfull indignation I beseech thee but let it be thy gentle rodde of correction Let the remembrance of thy kindnesse and patience conquer the malicious wretched desire in mee draw me Lord to thee by thy holy spirit and doe with mee according to thy mercie and not after my vnthankefulnesse withdraw tâ—y sword of vengeance O Lord for thy great mercie sake and grant me to be the childe of saluation whereby I may haue glorification cleere fight and fruition of the Deitie and bee euer present to see the glorious Trinitie O sweete Sauiour Lord Iesus Christ grant me grace for to remember perfectlie the danger of death and the great account which I must then giue to thee Lord dispose so of mee then that my soule may bee acceptable in thy sight turne net thy louing face then from me but be a merciful King meeke Iudge at that dreadful houre of my visitation that I may not haue the â—igour of thy righteousnesse which is Goeâ—e câ—rsed into euerlasting fire prepared for the Diuell and his Angels but to heare that comfortable saluation which thou doest giue to thy chosen Come yee blessed of my Father and enioy the Kingdome prepared for you from the beginning of the World Let this hope of thy mercies comfort my sick weake soule that I neuer fall into desperation of thy endlesse mercie For the merites of thy Sonne Christ Iesus I beseech thee grant mee these petitions which I haue asked of thee haue mercie on me awretched sinner And I beseech thee bring me to thine euerlasting glorie there to rest in blisse World without end A Prayer to GOD to defend vs from euill company and our tongues from vttering â—ll words O Lord Iesus grant mee grace to â—lie euill companie and when I come among them for thy glorious passion I beseech thee to preserue me that no occasion of sinne ouercome me and send me comfort from thy omnipotent Maiestie to withstand al illusions of the flesh whereby thy blessed name may be dishonoured Keepe my mouth good Lord from slanders ill speaking lying false witnessebeating cursing swearing vncharitable châ—ding dissolute laughing and words of vanitie Make me blessed Lord with dread to remember that thou presentlie hearest me and that the least of my words shall iudge me Suffer not my heart to be light of credite in hearing that which is detraction obloquy rancour and ire Represse all inordinate affections of carnalitie and where I haue by euil fellowship offended thy Maiestie I beseech thee for the helpe of thy mercies in so offending thee let thy power protect me thy wisdome direct me thy fatherlie pittie correct me and send me a gracious life and a blessed ending and with thy goodnes preserue me from euerlasting damnation and terrour of mine enemie Jn my temptations I beseech thee Lord to helpe me and to keepe my soule from consent to sinne For the tender loue thou bearest to mankinde repell the power of my aduersaries which intend the damnation of mee Possesse my soule O Sauiour with all humble subâ—ection to thy law and make mee pure in spirit meeke in speaking patient in suffering to hunger after righteousnesse and to bee mercifull to all them that be in miserie Make mee peaceable in conueâ—sation cleane in heart vnto godlie meditation and ioyfull to suffer persecution for thee Let all my powers and desires bee ruled according to thy will let all my petitions be ordered by thy wisdome to the euerlasting profit of my soule Lord keepe my soule and my bodie whereby I may be patient in suffering iniuries rebukes let me leade that life which thou knowest to be most to thine honor and my eternall felicity Fill mine heart with contrition and mine eies with teares that I neuer be forsaken of thee Awake my dull soule from the sleepe of sin and send mee helpe Lord from Heauen to ouercome the olde serpent with all his crafts Deliuer me from the enemie of daâ—kenesse and his great crueltie let thy obedience recompence for mine obstinacie thy abstinence for my superfluitie thy meekenesse and thy patience for my pride irefull heart enmitie Thy charitie for my malice thy deuotion for my dulnesse thy louing heart for mine vnkindnesse thy holy death for my wretched life Lord grant mee grace in the time of prayer to fixe my minde on thee and at that time to remember the perils of bodie and soule which I haue escaped and the benefits that I haue receiued thorow thy great mercie And I thanke thee most Heauenlie Father for all the Creatures which thou hast made to helpe man and that thou hast made man after thine owne Image in glorie to honour thee The motions of my running mind the desire of mine vnstable heart in time of praier stop and stay Lord I beseech thee and represse the power of my ghostlie enemie which then doth with-draw my minde from thee and thy true seruice to many vaine imaginations Lord I beseech thee to take me into thy power and with thy goodnesse glad me Lord let my minde be so occupied in goodnesse that my prayers may bee acceptable to thee Heare now sweet Sauiour the voice of a sinner who would faine loue thee and with the heart as greatlie please thee as euer hee hath offended thee I
beseech thee saue my enemies from thy wrath and forgiue them that haue offended thee like as I would bee forgiuen in those things whereby I haue offended thee Giue mee grace to order my life O Lord and the workes of my bodie soule with resolued intent neuer to offend thee whereby I may receiue the reward of thy infinite ioy and eternall felicitie O Lord Iesus Christ grant mee whatsoeuer thy diuine wisdome knoweth most expedient for mee and that this miserable life is not worthy to obtaine Grant at the houre of my death I neuer fall from thee when as I shall bee accused for my hainous offences and sinnes committed against thy omnipotent Maiestie I beseech thee breake my froward heart and make it obedient vnto thee Lord keepe me from sudden death and preserue mee so by thine almightie hand and grant me sweete Father to haue a contempt of this World that I may with a iâ—yfull heart come into thy blessed presence Let the remembrance of thy death make mee ioifull wherby I may endure temptations tribulations and make mee so to loue thee that I may come to inherite that ioifull immortall and glorious life most excellent blisse and endlesse felicitie which is ordained in thy heauenlie Kingdome and for thy seruants prepared Lord grant me these supplications which I haue made to thee at this present grant me here in this Pilgrimage a gracious life and â— blessed ending free from debt and deadly sinne and after my death bring mee to euerlasting life there to haue an endlesse blisse and felicitie Amen A Prayer to GOD for hiâ— great goodnesse vnto Man O My Soueraigne Lord Iesu the very true Son of Almightie God that sufferedst death for my sake I beseech thee Lord haue mercie on mee that am a wretched sinner but yet thy creature For thy tender passion keepe me from all perils bodilie and ghostlie and especiallie from all things that may turne to thy displeasure And with all my heart I thanke thee most mercifull Lord for the great mercies which thou hast shewed me in the great dangers which I haue beene in as well in soule as in bodie and that thy grace and endlesse mercie hath alway kept and saued mee since the houre of my birth vnto this day Lord I beseech thee let thy mercie be continued towards mee and for my great offences vnkindnesse wretched and sinfull life Lord â— humblie aske pardon for the same at thy Almightiâ— hands And I thanke thee moâ—â— gracious Lord for thy greâ—â— benefits and graces which thou hast so largely bestowed on me before many other Creatures who haue betteâ— deserued then I. Lord I doe here meekeliâ— prostrate my selfe in heart aâ— it becommeth thy seruant promising neuer to offenâ— thee more tendering all honour and praise to thy holiâ— name who liuest raigne one God World withoâ—â— end Amen A Prayer to GOD to deliâ—er vs from our ghostlie Enemies MOst deare Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ I beseech thee of thy benigne goodnesse and mercie to protect saue keepe and defend me against the assaults of my ghostlie enemies for I haue no other trust hope nor succour but thee alone Grant me therefore most gracious Father to dread loue thee aboue all things in this present life and after this life ended to enioy the Kingdome prepared for all true beleeuers Further I beseech thee that thou wilt vouchsafe out of thy great mercie and clemencie to shew thy bountifull goodnesse vpon me anâ— to forgiue me all my sinnes and grant that I may perseuere euerlastinglie in alâ— goodnesse and serue thee aright that after this life â— may raigne with thee in euerlasting glorie Worlâ— without end Amen A Prayer to GOD daâ—lie to be saide O My most blessed Lord the wel spring of pity and Fountaine of endlesse mercie I humbly beseech thee to giue mee grace so to spend this my transitory life in vertuous and godly exercises that when the day of my death shal come though I feele paine in my body yet I may feele comfort in my soule and with a faithfull hope of thy mercie imbrace thy messenger so contentedlie that I may wâ—llingly thorow thy grace and strength depart out of this vale of misâ—riâ— in loue towards thee and charitie towards the World that I may hasten me to that glorious Counâ—rey wherein thou hast purchased mee an inheritance for euer with thy most precious bloud O my sweete Sauiour and Lord Iesus Christ I beseech thee while thou doest suffer mee to liue in this World be so gracious a Father as to giue vnto me a contrite and cleane heart quiet and patient a bodie chaste humble and obedient to follow thy will and alwaies ready to do thee seruice To thee O God bee alâ— praise which hast â—ermitteâ— mee to accomplish thiâ— worke grant O â—ordâ— iâ— may bee to thee acâ—eptable to my soule healthfâ—l and to others profitable through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer to be vsed at all times O Heauenly Lord and Omnipotent Father the patterne of all goodnes and follower of all vertues most stoute ouerthrower of all wickednesse and sharpest rooter vp of vices mercifullie behold my frailety and pronenesse to euill Helpe me with thy superâ—al power that I may learne â—o despise all earthly pleaâ—â—res and the vanities thereâ—â— and loue all celestiall and â—eauenly things Make mee resist all sinne which stands betweene thy â—aiesty and my weake spiâ—â—t ready to ouerthrow mee â—â— thy mercies were not assiâ—â—ant to my poore soule Make me to withstand all â—â—mptations firmely to imâ—race vertue to eschew all â—orldlie honours and carâ—all delights and to bewaile â—â—ine offences committed in â—y sight I beseech thee restraine my â—â—bridled desires with thy â—â—uing hand whereby I may â—â—staine from a leude and â—ose life and accustome my selfe with goodnesse to thâ— end that by thy benefit anâ— gift of grace by the true woâ—shipping and seruing of thâ— Omnipotent Maiestie I maâ— possesse the Crowne of eueâ—lasting life in thy Kingdomeâ— prepared for thine â—leâ— World without end Amen A Prayer to bee daily saide vnto our Lord Iesus Christ O Maker of Heauen anâ— Earth King of Kingâ— Lord of Lords which of nothing diddest make mee tâ— thine Image and likenessâ— and didst redeeme mee witâ— thine owne blood when I sinner was not worthy tâ— name to call or with heâ— to thinke vpon thee Humbly I desire meekâ—ie pray thee that thou gentâ—ie wilt behold mee thy sinâ—ull and wreâ—ched seruant O haue mercie on mee thou which â—adst mercy on the woman of Canaan vpon Mary Magdalen vpon the â—ublican vpon the thiefe â—anging on the Crosse Vnto thee I confesse Lord â—y sinnes which if I would cannot hide from thee Haue mercy Lord on me or I am a wretched sinner â—hich haue sore offended â—ee in pride couetousnsse â—luttony letchery vaingloâ—â—e hatred enuie adulterie â—â—est lying backbiting â—orting dissolute and wanâ—â—n laughing idle words â—aring tasting sleeping â—orking and many more waies
I fraile man and most wretched sinner haue offended thee Therefore I most humbly pray and beseech thy gentlenesse who for my health and saluation descendedst from Heauen and diddest hold vp Dauid that hee should not fall into sinne Haue mercy vpon me O Christ who didst forgiue Peter that did forsake thee Thou art my Creatour my Helper and Maker my Redeemer my Gouernour my Father my Lord my God my King thou art my helpe my trust my strength my defence my redemption my life my health and my resurrection thou art my stedfastnesse my refuge and succour my light and my helpe I most humbly and heartily desire pray thee helpe â—nd defend mee Make mee â—â—rong comfort me make me stedfast make me soberâ—y mery giue me the light of thy spirit and visite mee reuiue me again who am dead for I am thy making and thy worke O Lord despise me not I am thy seruant thy bondman although euill vnworthy and a sinner But whatsoeuer I am whether I bee good or bad I am euer thine Therefore to whom shall I flie except I flie vnto thee If thou cast mee off who shall or wil receiue me If thou despise me and turne thy face from me who shall looke vpon mee and recognise and acknowledge me Although I be vnworthy to come to thee although I be vile and vncleane thou canst make me cleane If I be dead thou canst râ—uiuemee for thy mercy is much morethen mine iniquitie thou canst forgiue me more then I can offend Therefore O Lord doe not consider nor haue respect to the number of my sinnes but according to the greatnesse of thy mercie looke on me a most wretched sinner Lord say vnto my soule I am thy health who saidest I will not the death of any sinner but rather that he liue and be conuerted Turne me O Lord to thee and bee not angry with me I pray thee most meeke Father for thy great mercie bring mee vnto that blisse that neuer â—hall câ—â—sse so bee it Aâ—en A Prayer for the râ—missâ—â— of sinnes O Lord God if we wretched sinners had not â—y thy tender mercies and â—ouing promises in Holie Scripture the comfort of our weake consciences and sorrowfull hearts we see no other remedy so great and â—infinite are our sinnes but that wee must needes despaire But for as much as whatsoeuer things are written are written for our learning that through patience and the comfort of Scriptures wee may haue hope though our sinnes be neuer so many neuer so abhominable yet they doe not so much make vs sad as thy louing kindnesse and â—ender mercieâ— make vs glad Our sinnes we consesse are innumerable but thy mercies are also infinit thoâ— art that most gentle Lord which wilt not the death of a sinner but rather that hee turne and liue Thou for repentance sake wilt not see the sinâ—es of men thou confessest that thou camest into this World to saue sinners to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance and to seeke that which was lost Thou callest vnto thee all those that are diseased and loaden with the heauy burthen of sinne and promiseâ—t that thou wilt case them yea by thy Prophet thou saiest If wee will wash and make cleanâ— our selâ—â—s put away our euill thoughts out of thy sight cease from doing euiâ—â— and violence learne to doe right apply our selues to equitie deliuer the oppressed helpe the fatherlesse to his right and heare the widowes coâ—plaint though our sinnes were as â—ed as scarlet â—et shall they be made whiâ—â—â— then snow and though they were like purple yet they shall be made like white 〈◊〉 Yea thou saiest moreouer that for thine owne sake euen for thy mercy names sake thou wilt be good vnto vs fauour vsâ— and so cast away all our sinnes behind thy backe thaâ— thou wilt neâ—er remember them more O Lord thou art the God which cannot lie thou art the soules truth thou art faithfull in thy words and holy in all thy workes For according to these thy louing promises hast thou euer dealt with the chiâ—dren of men whensoeuer they repented and turned vnto thee when they forsooke their sinful liuing and called vpon thy holy name thou forgauest all their sâ—ns and healedst all their infirmities thou also sauedst their life from destruction and crownedst them with mercie and louing kindnesse For thou O Lord God aâ—â—full of compassion and mercie long suffering and of great goodnesse thou wiâ—â— not alway be chiding neither wilt thou keepe thine anger for euer neither wilt thou deale with vs after our sinnes nor yet reward vs according to our wickednesse For looke how high the Heauen is in comparison of the Earth so great is thy mercie towards them that feare thee Looke how wide the East is from the West so farâ—e dost thou set our sinnes from vs yea like as a Father pittieth his owne children euen so art thou mercifull vnto them that feare thee For thou knowest whereof we be made thou remembrest that wee are but dust that a man in his time is but grasâ—e and flourisheth as a flower of the fiâ—ld and as soone as the wind goeth ouer it is gone and the place thereof knoweth it no more but thy mercifull goodnesse O Lord endureth for euer and euer vpon them that feare thee Of these thy louing kindnesses and tender mercies who hath not tasted if hee sought it with all his heart Thou diddest forgiue Dauid both his whoredome and manslaughter when hee repented and confessed his sinne How oft diddest thou call back the plagues of thy vengeance when the Children of Israel lamented their sins and turned vnto thee How mercifull diddest thou shew thy selfe to the Nâ—nâ—â—ites when they repented humbled themselues in thy sight How louingly spakest thou to that sinfull Woman in the Gospel and forgauest her all her sinnes because shee repented and beleeued Peter thy Disciple although most cowardly denying thee after that he had bitterly wept and lamented his sinnes thou diddest behold with thy mercifull eye and fauourably receiue him againe into the number of thy holy Apostles One of them that died with thee being a thiefe after he had called vnto thee for grace thou didst place in Paradise and make him partaker of thine eternall felicity Many other notable examples of thy great mercies find wee in Holy Scripture which will not suffer vs to despaire of thy clemencie and goodnesse be our sinnes and wickednesse neuer so maâ—y but they rather encourage â—s boldly to come vnto the Throne of thy Grace that we may receiue mercie and finde grace to helpe in â—ime of neede O most gentle Sauiour thou art that most louing Shepheard who didst diligentâ—y seeke the wandering sheepe louingly laide it vppon thy shoulderâ— and tenderly brought it home againe seeke vs who haue so long run astray lay vs vpon thy mercifull shoulders and bring vs home againe vnto the companie of thy faithfull Thou art that mercifull Samaâ—â—tane who beholding the
most blissefull wisedome the Word of the Father the beginning and ending of all Creatures cast thine eyes of mercie vpon me I pray thee for I am but flesh ashes and I fully perswade my selfe that it lieth not so much in me either to will any thing or to runne but all power commeth from thee whose mercie assisteth vs all Lord consider I pray thee my weake and fraile flesh and what of my selfe I am not able to performe by reason of my sinfull flesh I beseech thee to helpe and assist mee and graciously to continue such good will as thou hast shewed mee O my merciful Lord forsake mee not ô my Refuge depart not from mee ô my deliuerer make hast to succour me in thy mercies and mortifie me to the World Saue me from all deceipts of mine enemies that neither life nor death nor no hap or chance seuer mee from thee but that my loue continue both now euer and bee nothing diminished by death it selfe Lord giue me that wisdome that attendeth on thee and put mee not away from amongst thy children for I am thy seruant and sonne of thy handmaide send downe thy wisedome from thy heauenly seate that shee may be with mee and labour with mee for I am thy seruant Therefore O Lord replenish mee with the gifts of wisedome and vnderstanding for thou art my succour and onely helper in all distresse I beseech thee for thy mercies sake to pardon those sâ—nnes which I a most vile wretched sinner haue committed keepe me from all euill acts and from all dangers direct my path to a good end whilest I am tossed in the waues of this life and grant I may come to the possession of eternall glorie I haue loued wisdome more then health or any beauty Lord come and teach me the way how to attaine to thy wisedome Heare my prayer O God and let my criâ— come vnto thee O LORD who by thy wisdome which is eternall as thou thy selfe who hast created Man who before was not and when he was lost through thy loue diddest most mercifully redeeme him againe grant I beseech thee through the inspiration of thy wisedome that I may loue thee with all my soule and let me know the way wherin I may walke for I haue life vp my heart vnto thee Deliuer me from mine enemies O Lord â—â—flie to thee for succour teach 〈◊〉 to doe thy will for thou art my God Wisedome passeth wickednesse and spreadeth from coast to coast who doth strongly sweetely place all things in order Let the brightnesse of thy eternall wisedome ilâ—uminate mine heart that it be not dimmed with the darknesse oâ— this World but that I may come to that Countrey where is perpetuall light Lord let thy Holy Spirit bring mee to that right light that leadeth to tread the path of righteousnesse Lord bring my sonle out of all miserie and in thy mercie destroy all mine enemies and them that trouble my soule for I am thy seruant and will surely reioice in thy name and patiently looke for thee O Lord thou art my helpe and refuge my heart doth reioice in thee and I doeput my trust in thy holie name Giue eare to me O merciful God and infuse the brightnes of thy wisdome into my mind that I may receiue thee and haue fruition of thee and see the light of thy wisedome that I may know thee truly and â—aithfully loue thee Thou O Lord hast sent redemption to thy people thou hast commanded thy Testament not to bee violated but kept for euer thy name is holy and terrible and ought still to be feared and serued in all reuerence for the feare of the Lord is the beginning of wisedome vnderstanding is good to all such as doe exercise it in his feare All wisdome commeth from thee O Lord who art the brightnes of euerlasting light the glasse of eternall Maiestie who art cleere without any spot O Orient brightnesse of the eternall Light and Sunne of Iustice come and lighten me that sit in darkenesse and in the shadow of death Cast me not away from thy face and take not from mee thy holy Spirit restore mee to the gladnesse of thy saluation strengthen mee with thy Spirit and lighten mine cles that I neuer sleepe in death lest mine enemie at anie time say I haue preuailed against him They that persecute me will reioice if I bee moued but I trust in thy mercie my heart shall reioice in thy saluation I will sing vnto thee O Lord who hast giuen mee good things and I will sing to the name of the Highest who teacheth sobrietie rightâ—ousnesse and vertue then the which nothing is more commodious in the life of Man O glorious King who art alwaies praised among thy chosen and yet no man can speake so worthily of thee as thy Maiestie requireth Thou Lord who art among vs and whose holy name is called vpon by vs forsake vs not but at the extreame day of iudgement vouchsafe to place me among thy chosen seruants mercifully looke vpon my frailtie and fauourably giue mee a taste of thy celestiall wisdome that when I haue tasted of the maruellous sweetnesse thereof I may despise all worldly vanitie and continuallie with a burning desire cleaue vnto thee who art the cheefest goodnesse that may be who liuest and raignest one GOD World without end Amen A Prayer for the King O Almighty GOD King of Kings Lord of Lords which by thy diuine ordinance hast appointed temporall Rulers to gouerne thy People according to equitie and Iustice and to liue among them as a louing Father among naturall Children to the aduancement of the good and punishment of the euill We most humbly beseech thee fauourably to behold IAMES thy seruant our most gracious King and Gouernour and so breathe into his heart through thy holy Spirit that wisedome that is euer about the Throne of thy Maiestie whereby hee may be prouoked moued and stirred to loue feare and serue thee to seeke thy glory to banish idolatrie superstition and hypocrifie out of this Realme and vnfeinedly to aduance thy holie and pure Religion among vs his Subiects to the example of other forraine Nations O Lord defend him from his enemies send him a long and prosâ—erous life among vs and giue him grace not only in his owne person godlilie and iustlie to rule but also to appoint such Magistrates vnder him as may bee like affected both towards thy holy Word and toward the Common-wealth that we his Subiects liuing vndâ—â— his Dominion in all godâ—â—nesse peace and wealth may passe the time of this our short Pilgrimage in thy feaâ—e and seruice to the glory of thy blessed name which alone is worthy of all honour for euer and euer Amen A deâ—oute Prayer to our LORD O Good gracious Lord most mercifull and blessed Father O sweete Sauiour â—esus Christ I wretched sinner that am vile earth and ashes doe yeeld thee most humble heartie thankes for that it hath