thy louing bridegroome to followe the filthie fleshlie pleasures of the world O sinfull soule how wretched is thy state O wicked wretch how sinfull is thy fall Oh my God whence proceede these irkesome stings of sinne Or who can make satisfaction for such heapes of iniquities O thou miserable wretch my sinfull soule why dooest thou not cast thy selfe headlong into the dungeon of griefe which of thine owne accord didst throwe thy selfe into the filthie sinks of sinne O thou polluted creature why dooest thou not burie thy selfe in the bowels of sorowe which so willinglie wallowedst in the kennell of shame O thou sinfull helhound why dooest thou not drowne thy selfe with the waues of weeping which hast so often swoome in the seas of fornication O sting of sinne O rod of sorrowe O daughter of heauines torment me scourge me plague mee crucifie mee and trample and tread me as a filthie rag vnder your feet I haue deserued it yea I haue sought it for I haue most impudentlie contemned yea and most arrogantlie prouoked you nay rather God not you and therefore now shew your authoritie in executing the giltie to death that ye may be reuenged for your God Let the sinfull fornicatrix feele the punishments she hath deserued and drinke deepe of the cup of shame she hath desired O thou my sinfull soule it is now high time for thee to shew the fruits of repentance which hast so long straid from the fold of the godlie virgins and erred from the paths of the righteous women Bath thy selfe I saie in the sweet streames of repentance which so often hast wallowed in the filthie puddles of vnrighteousnes O God of all consolation and securitie I durst not sue for anie fauour at thine hands vnlesse I had brought in my bosome a pardon for my sinnes procured by repentance in the death of Christ which heere with teares I present vnto thee desiring thee good God of consolation if again with the dog I returne to my vomit and wallowe in my sinnes as the sow in the mire then to driue me from the countrie of the godlie and to banish me like a vagabond from the court of my sauiour and spouse yea I desire of God it may be so and I hope in Christ it shall be so And although I am not woorthie to lift vp mine eies to heauen to call to my God for grace by reason of the multitude of my misdeeds which alwaies are as red as scarlet in my sight yet am I not vnworthie with continuall weeping and crieng for grace to loose them For seeing my soule is constrained through greef of conscience to powre forth praiers to my God for his mercie and grace it is meete it should be done with great contrition of heart and continuall mourning Consider therefore O my soule what thou hast done and what plagues thou hast deserued for losing thy virginitie Ponder I say lament and remember O my soule before thou end the short pilgrimage of this life how thine aduersarie the Diuell like a roring lion lies lurking in euerie corner to deuoure thee and sends out his messengers into all places to entrap thee O my God what doo I see on earth but engins to entrap me What I say can I behold but baites to entise mee Alas and out alas what doo I heare A cōfession of mourners a crashing of teeth and a great multitude of howlers Wo is me alas For me thinks I see great flames of fire huge balles of wild fire and fornaces full of boiling leade and all approching neere vnto me Alas what meanes these strange cries of monstrous woormes What diuelish spite doth thus inflame them and what firie flame doth so torment them O yee hellish hagges frieng with heate and frowning with furie why are yee so cruell to those that lie howling amongst you Is there no meane no remedie nor no end of this your punishments and are these O my God the torments which are prepared for filthie fornicators and contemners of thy commandements of which I am one yea the cheef of all sinners And must I needs abide these infernall plagues Then O my soule why art thou not afraid And thou my hart why dooest thou not rent in sunder Alas alas how suddenlie yea and how greeuouslie the serieants of sinne now seeme to arrest me Alas I saie what wicked actions mine aduersarie sinne hath found against mee But oh cruell sinne whether wilt thou carrie me And thou my God whither wilt thou leade me If I haue committed this horrible crime which deserueth death O yet remember I praie thee that thou art my Sauiour If I haue broken the bands of chastitie O yet call to mind that thou art my redeemer O my God if I haue done any thing that deserueth death and damnation yet forget not how that thou sheddest thy pretious bloud to saue me And therefore O my mercifull God be not so seuere in marking what is done amisse of me but let thy mercie preuaile and couer all my secret and open faults Remember thou saiedst by the mouth of the Prophet I will not the death of a sinner but that he should conuert and liue My God which canst not lie what meanest thou to say that thou wouldest not the death of a sinner if thou throwe him into the bottomlesse pit of hell Dooest thou meane that thou carest not for the death of a sinner when thou committest him to the slauerie of the diuell Is this thy meaning I say when thou saiedst I had rather he should turne and liue I am a sinner O my God if therefore thou haue no delight in the death of a sinner then who shall let thee to take compassion vpon mee sillie woman If thou hadst rather he should turne and liue then who shall withhold thy countenance from me sinfull wretch If the hugenesse of my sinnes deserues a wound the care of so gratious a father prepares a salue God forbid that the wickednesse of a sinner repenting hir of hir sinne from the bottome of hir heart should surmount the mercies of so bounteous a Sauiour O therefore remember me most louing father I beseech thee because thou art my redeemer and take compassion vpon thine vnwoorthie handmaid because thou art my sauiour Respect not O my God the iustice due to so greeuous a sinner but remember thy louing kindnesse towards thy creature Remember not O Lord the offences of a sore transgressor but call to mind the mercies of a louing sauiour I confesse O Lord that my sinnes both old and new deserues eternall condemnation and that no repentance is able to make satisfaction for the least of my faults and yet by faith I am assured of my saluation bicause thy mercies surpasse thy iudgements Spare me therefore O Lord for my soule appealeth from the seate of thy iustice to the throne of thy mercie O deliuer me because thou art almightie Oh saue me sinfull woman because thou art mercifull and take compassion vpon
restore in me that which my sins haue hindered and corrupted and either take from me the great labour and dangerous trauell that my sins haue deserued the feare that it hath brought me into for the same so that I shall not need such power and strength such care and industrie as my corruption now seeketh and requireth or else so qualifie mitigate and order all my throwes paines pangs and pinches of this my child-birth that the trauell thereof doo not surmount nor ouercome my strength further than thou oh father wilt make mee able to beare endure the same or else encrease my strength encourage my mind and fortifie my senses so that I may without mistrust despaire or grudging against thy maiestie beare the labour to the end For my God and deere Father I doo knowe and assuredlie beleeue that all my paines and throwes are so in thy fatherlie ordering and working that onlie so far foorth shall they be painefull and greeuous vnto mee and no further but as thy diuine prouidence doth appoint Assist mee therefore oh most deere father with thy most cheerefull present and readie helpe and comfort me with thy holie Ghost For deere father as thou didst laie this rod of correction vpon vs for our sins that we should conceiue in sorrowe and beare in perill so Lord thou of thy goodnes didst promise that we should bring foorth Therefore oh most louing and pitifull father according to this thy holie promise I beseech thee send me good deliuerance of such a child as may be to the praise of thy holie name a witnes and testimonie of thy good will and blessing to this most honourable state of matrimonie and also by thine holie institution of baptisme may be made of the number of thine elect children and heire of thine eternall kingdome by the merits and deseruings of thy deere Sonne Iesus Christ in whose name I beseech thee furthermore as he hath taught and commanded me saieng Our father which art in heauen c. The same praier more breefe THY wisedome and power shine foorth in all thy works O Lord but yet much more greater more manifest and more woonderfull are they in the shaping of man Of how small beginning dooest thou make so maruellous a liuing thing infusing a soule into it whose originall is from heauen to the intent he should long to returne thither as into his countrie And now that thou hast â—â—uchsafed to make me as it were thy worke-house wherein to fashion so singular a worke I most humblie and hartilie thanke thee beseeching thee that as thou hast giuen me abilitie to conceiue so thou wilt giue me strength to the perfecting of the thing that is in breeding that I may safelie both beare it and bring it foorth Trulie thou O mercifull father hadst of thine owne goodnes made this worke of child-bearing easie but our sinne hath made it sorrowfull and full of danger O most gratious worke-man let thy pitifulnes amend the thing which our sinfulnes hath marred and either abate my paine that I may not haue need of so great strength tendance and running or else increase my strength power and courage that I may be able to ouercome all the paines of my trauell Amen The same praier againe in Meeter THY wisedome Lord in all thy waies and power great to performe it We cease to search and onlie praise They passe so far the reach of wit And thus we muse and maruell much at all thy works and yet we find No maruell nor no wonder such as dailie forming of man-kind Of such beginning such an end and of such séed such fruit to growe With Dauid well we may contend to maze to muze and nothing knowe The matter earth the shape from heauen doth knit both soule and flesh in one Whereof such strife is them betwéene from whence they canie they would be gone And yet in all thy wonders great thy mercie Lord doth far passe all Which dooest vouchsafe to worke this feate in me poore wretch thy bond and thrall And as good Lord thou dooest me make thy shop to shape thy worke therein Thy hand-worke so doo not forsake but end the thing thou dooest begin Thy goodnes Lord did once make light this burthen now which sore doth gréeue Untill which wo did wrap each wight the wofull worke of wofull Eue. That Eue hath lost let Christ restore that guilt hath made let grace amend Why should the fault of Eue doo more than grace in Christ God it defend Oh Lord the time approcheth néere that throwes of Eue I must sustaine And that I may the same well beare increase my strength or lesse my paine Thy will this burthen on me laid thy goodnes eke will ease the same Where Christ hath once the ransome paid why should the déed of Eue bring blame Thus O Lord I me in thy will doo put eke wholie in thy hand I will not once swarue from thy skill to die or liue to fall or stand Amen Another godlie and earnest praier to be said of euerie Christian and faithfull woman in the time of hir trauell or child-birth vsed of the vertuous Ladie Frances Aburgauennie ALmightie God my heauenlie and most mercifull father I feele thy promised punishment at this present to take effect on me which for the gilt and transgression of my progenitors hath beene by thy diuine maiestie iustlie pronounced against me and the whole generation of Adam Great and intollerable are these bitter pangs and pearsing paines that in this my trauell of child-birth I endure and abide Now feele I as it were a cruell and sharpe conflict betwixt death and life now feele I O Lord the rod of thy correction according to thy iustice laid heauie vpon me for the vse and exercise of sin and iniquitie yet when it shall please thee good Lord looke vpon me with the eies of thy fatherlie compassion and pitie and according to the multitude of thy manifold mercies be thou now present with me Armâ— mee O mightie God with perfect patience ioifullie to beare thy correction and in the middest of these my sharpe and bitter brunts of greefe giue me grace still to call vpon thee Strengthen me a poor wretched woman giue mee comfort and heauenlie consolation from aboue and when thou shalt thinke it meet and conuenient send me safe deliuerance that I may enioie the fruit of my wombe the sight whereof shall adorne and decke me anew with ioie and gladnes otherwise good Lord if in this season thou determine to take mee hence vnto thy selfe by thy messenger death to whose stroke all creatures when thou thinkest it meet and expedient shall bow make me constant and faithfull in thee whose I am whether I die or liue Forget my sins and offences committed by mee against thee Let the bloud of the Lambe Iesus wash away my deformitie Let the spots of my corruption be purged and taken awaie Let my infected soule that is putrified therein be purified therein
with thee O Father and the holie Ghost be all praise honour and glorie for euer and euer Amen Of Uirginitie reade more in the beginning of the sixt Lampe A lamentation of anie woman virgin wife or widowe for hir virginitie or chastitie lost by fornication or adulterie not vnapt also to be vsed of anie Christian sinner or sinfull soule adulterated and fallen awaie by sinne from hir spirituall spouse Christ Iesus CAP. I. IN the bitter affliction griefe of minde and torment of conscience I go about to speake vnto him that sitteth vpon the tribunall seat accompanied with the Saints in heauen And how can I speake when as the tong is tied and the lips dare not once mooue or wag The tong doth not his office the throte is dammed vp all the senses and instruments are polluted with iniquitie but I will proceed on and first I will fall to the ground on my knees and make mine humble supplication vnto the blessed spirit that he will helpe me seelie wretch which dare not by reason of the horror and superfluitie of my sinne craue ought at the hands of God Yea and I beseech you also O yee Saints both holie men and women of God liuing here with watrish eies and wet cheekes soken in dolor and paine to fall downe before the mercie-seate of God to intreate and make intercession for me miserable sinner Wo is me bicause of the sorowe of mine hart Wo is me that my soule is thus afflicted Wo is me that am compassed thus on euerie side and shut vp in my sinne and that there is no health in me Wo is me O mother that euer thou broughtest me foorth a righteous woman to be conuersant in vnrighteousnes for a religious woman to fall into extreme impietie an heire of the kingdome of God but now an inheritour of the kingdome of the diuell Wo is me O mother which broughtest me foorth a perfect Christian yet a wretch found walowing in all impietie a virgin beautified with honour and dignitie yet in the end blemished with shame ignomiâ—â—â— a woman beset with manie euils choked vp with infamous dooings Wo is me O mother which broughtest me foorth as an high and loftie turret yet suddenlie turned downe to the ground as a fruitfull tree yet quicklie withered as a burning lampe yet foorthwith quenched as a running fountaine yet by and by dried vp Wo is me that euer I was bedecked with all gifts and graces and now seeme pitifullie depriued of all But who will minister moisture vnto the temples of my head And who will giue streames of teares vnto mine eies that I may bewaile my selfe in this my sorowfull plight Alas O chastitie how shall I bewaile thee Alas O virginitie how shall I lament thee O all you my friends and kindred tender my case pitie my person in that I am dangerouslie wounded Pitie me O all ye my friends and kindred in that I am now become an abiect person Pitie me O ye my friends in that I am now with sorowe come to naught Pitie me O ye my friends in that I haue now troden vnder foote the seale and cognizance of my profession and ioined in league with the diuell Pitie me O ye my friends in that I am reiected and cast awaie from the face of God and man it is for my lewd life that I am thus polluted and noted with open shame Bewaile me whome the Angels haue bewailed bewaile me whome all the Saincts haue bewailed bewaile me whome euerie woman hath bewailed Bewaile me O all ye virgins and women vnder heauen in that I am fallen from my glory and haue so wilfullie quenched the lampe of pure virginitie The Lord made and ingraffed me a fruitfull vine but in steed of pleasant clustred grapes I brought forth pricking thornes therefore bewaile me also for that in steed of grapes I brought forth brambles But let the welspring of teares be stirred vp and let my cheekes be watred let them flowe vpon the earth and moisten it for I am soken in sinne and borne in mine iniquities I see my virginitie lament ouer me I see all ioie sorowing for mee I see the spider ouer my seate building with cobweb by reason of mine absence I see and behold my selfe all sorowfull and pensiue Euerie creature sorroweth at my case for I was woont heeretofore to powre out praises vnto God for them all Alas what haue I felt and how am I fallen Alas how am I thus come to naught There is no sorrowe comparable to my sorrowe there is no affliction that exceedeth my affliction there is no bitternesse that passeth my bitternesse there is no lamentation more lamentable than mine neither is there sinne greater than my sinne and there is no salue for me CAP. II. WHere is that good shepheard of the soules Where is he that went downe from Ierusalem to Iericho which also salued and cured him that was wounded of the Iewes Where is he that came from Iudea to the Citie Sichem in Samaria which also there liuelie touched the woman of Samaria with hir faults and yet gaue hir drinke of his spirituall grace and life to hir and others conuersion Where is he that in the Temple so mercifullie deliuered hir that was taken in adulterie and would not suffer hir to be condemned to death as she had deserued Where is he I say that healed the sinfull sinner Marie Magdalen by casting out of hir seauen Diuels and forgiuing hir manie sinnes bicause she loued much to hir perpetuall fame and glorie Seeke me out also O Lord and cure my wounds deliuer me from my deserued condemnation heale me O God haue mercie vpon me and forgiue me all my sinnes which am fallen from the higher Ierusalem which haue broken the vow I made in my baptisme which haue prophaned my cognisance and polluted the holie temple my bodie in that I haue dealt too iniuriouslie with thy blessed name Alas that euer I was seduced alas that euer I fell against thy will and commandement What shall I saie Or what shall I doo most wretched caitife that I am I being defolate of so great comfort am vexed with sorowe for verie greefe of hart that I am cast out from the sight of thine eies Wo be vnto me from how great goodnesse into how great mischiefe am I fallen Whether purposed I to go and whither am I come Where am I and where am I not Whom did I studie to atteiâ—e vnto and what euils haue I obteined I went about to lighten others and behold I haue darkned my selfe I endeuoured to bring others from death to life but alas I haue brought my self from life to death I that minded to present others before God haue presented my selfe before the Diuell I that desired to be found a friend and a fauourer of godlinesse and chastitie am found a fo and a furtherer of vncleannesse and iniquitie I that should haue set my selfe against the assemblies of the wicked and reprooued
their lewd doings haue now found shame the most pestilent wound of the Diuell amongst the vngodlie I that should haue allured others to the knowledge of the Sonne of God am now become ignorant and vnskilfull in the diuers slaights of Sathan which commonlie entrap men and women Wherefore after much alluring and sifting they promised me vnhappie woman craftie conueiances to auoid the subtiltie of Sathan but afterward the Diuell in the same night transformed into an Angell of light reasoned with me saieng When thou art alone get thee vp and go vnto them and if in case they perswade or entise thee then condiscend and harken vnto them do it and cease not neither stagger thou at the matter till they be satisfied And againe the Diuell going before to prepare the waie whetted their wits to deuise mischiefe against me seelie wretch he sowed in their minds adulterie fornication dissimulation and deceit but I oh vnhappie creature skipping out of my bed at the dawning of the day could not finish my woonted deuotion neither accomplish my vsuall praier and christian exercises but following too much mine owne fleshlie affections folded and wrapped my selfe in the snares of the Diuell I got me vnto the bed of the wicked and required of them to performe the couenants in the night which we had made the day before Oh seelie soule oh blinded hart how didst thou not remember thy promise and vow made in baptisme to forsake the diuell the world and the flesh O foolish mind how didst thou not bethinke thy selfe what would followe O witlesse braine how didst thou not vnderstand so damnable a defiance O thou sense of vnderstanding I saie where didst thou sleepe in such senseles securitie O but it was the Diuell which prouoked thee so to slumber and snort that in the end he might slaie thine vnhappie and wretched soule Alas he bound my mightie men and spoiled me of my knowledge he bound my mightie men and wounded me I answered but in a word and foorthwith became reprochfullie defamed I spake vnaduisedlie and felt spite The diuell raised an assemblie of wicked ones about me and when I consented to obeie their filthie lusts then pronounced he against me strait this iust sentence M.C. saith he hath plaid the harlot M. C. hath committed adulterie and defiled hir fathers house and hir husbands bed CAP. III. O Thou diuell what hast thou done vnto me O thou diuell how hast thou wounded me I bewailed somtime the fall of Dinah and Thamar but now haue I felt far woorse my selfe I bewailed heretofore the fall of Aholla and Ahollibah but now am I fallen much woorse my selfe I bewailed heretofore the fall of Cosbie Bersabe Rizpa Tamer and the Leuits wife but now haue I felt far woorse my selfe I haue bewailed heretofore the state of all sinners yet now am I plunged in them all For I haue beene more bold than Apam more impudent than Memphetica Potiphers wife more shameles than Lots two daughters more wicked than Baara or Salomen and more bloudie in persecuting than Iesabel Dinah and Thamer through violence offered them were defloured against their wils but I with all greedines haue most filthilie followed my fleshlie desires Iudith decked hir selfe brauelie of a right discretion and vertue for the safegard of hir people but I for voluptuousnes and pleasure of the flesh to allure the eies of all men and catch the soules of the simple in the net of sinne and snares of Satan Susanna being secretlie and forciblie assaulted sighed and thought it better to crie and shrich out that she might so fall into the hands of hir enimies and suffer death without the deed dooing than to sin in thy sight by consenting vnto their wicked wils but I both openly and priuilie haue followed too much the deuises and desires of mine owne hart and too soone consented to those that haue burnt in lust towards me It was Dinahs libertie that brought hir to hir fall but it is mine owne wanton eies mine owne rash tongue and mine owne wilful follie that hath brought me to this sinfull fall and great confusion And as she was the cause that manie of the Sichemites lost their earthlie possessions and liues euen so my lewdnes hath depriued me of the spirituall gifts which somtime haue flowed with heauenlie riches And euen as she being seuered from hir father and brethren and cleauing vnto strangers and forreners endured great annoie euen so I in satisfieng the lusts of notorious sinners haue brought my selfe captiue vnto captiues and made my selfe the bondslaue of sinne For alas my parents liue yet am I an Orphan and fatherlesse Alas my brethren and freends are liuing yet am I comfortlesse and freendles Alas my husband liueth yet am I a widowe Alas my children be aliue yet am I barren Alas euerie creature reioiceth and I alone am forsaken and sorrowfull Alas O house wherein I was gladsome Alas O familie wherein I sate full merrie Alas O holie Ghost thou spirit of puritie which heeretofore camest downe vpon me why hast thou forsaken me I am forsaken and become desolate because of the corruption and filth of mine iniquitie Bewaile me O all ye virgins that am defloured of all virginitie Bewaile me O all ye womenkind that am depriued of all chastitie and goodnes Bewaile me O ye blessed people of God which am banished from God Bewaile hir that is bereaued of the holie Ghost Bewaile me that like a foolish virgin am thrust out of the wedding chamber of my spouse Christ. Bewaile me who once was thought worthie the kingdome of God now altogither most vnworthie Bewaile me that am abhorred of the Angels and seuered from the Saints of God Bewaile me for that I am condemned to eternall punishment Bewaile me for that I am heere languishing on this miserable earth and thus now tormented with the prick of conscience I do feare death because I am wicked I doo feare the dreadfull daie of iudgement for that I am damned for euer I do feare the punishment for that it is eternall I doo feare the Angels which ouersee the punishment bicause they are void of mercie I doo feare out of measure all the torments and what I shall doo I wot not being thus on euerie side beset with miserie If there be anie man or woman which can I beseech them now assist me with their earnest praiers and with their sorrowfull teares For now it behooueth me to shed infinite teares for mine infinite sins Who knoweth whether the Lord will haue mercie vpon me whether he will pitie my fall whether he will tender my person whether he will be mooued with my desolation whether he will shew mercie vnto mee whether he will haue respect vnto mine humilitie and incline his tender compassion towards me as he hath done to Rahab Marie Magdalen the woman of Samaria and the woman taken in adulterie besides manie others CAP. IIII. BUT I will prostrate my selfe before the thresholds and
greeuouslie tormented for my sins Consider O Lord how I am troubled how my wombe is disquieted and my hart wambleth within me for anguish Wilt thou haue no compassion on a wretch Wilt thou cause me thus to trauell still in paines intollerable and greefe vnspeakeable Wilt thou not bring foorth that which thou hast formed that I may be deliuered of that which I haue conceiued Alas O Lord alas my God yea my deare and onelie God wilt thou not heare the lamentable cries and regard the inward teares of a wretch that trauelleth laboureth so sore with child euen the wofull voice â— mournfull lamentation of thy hand-maid and daughter I saie though vnworthie that thus all the daie long sigheth crieth and stretcheth out hir feeble hanâ—â— vnto thee in heauen calling for thy heauenlie helpe and succour Oh Lord spare me oh deare God haue mercie vpon me and my babe Shall I be the graue of my child Shall I giue death the fruit of my bodie for the sins of my soule and my first second or third 〈◊〉 for the transgressions of my youth Alas shall that perish in the wombe which is conceiued by thee or shall it die in the birth and not be borne which thou hast so mightilie fashioned Hast thou shut vp the doores of my wombe in thy displeasure and couered me with the shadowe of death that the birth may not come out Wilt thou cause that to die in the birth I saie which is the woonderfull worke of thy almightie hand God forbid oh God forbid Oh saue me and my babe I beseech thee and let it not be as a thing borne out of time either as an infant which neuer sawe the light neither let it perish or be slaine so soone as it commeth out of the wombe but open thou the wombe and bring it foorth safelie that I may set it on my knees and giue it sucke with my brests Oh finish the thing mercifullie which thou hast begun so gratiouslie in me and let me reioice rather that a man-child is borne into the world els why am I in this plight Wo is me now that euer I sinned for how shall I be able to endure all the sorowes and pangs of a trauelling woman which are now or hereafter shall be iustlie laid vpon me O Lord thou seest my hart fainteth my face looketh pale yea sounding with a sighing and gasping soule I crie out and saie Alas that euer I sinned Wo is me that euer I offended so louing a God so mercifull a Sauiour so deare a redeemer so holie and blessed a sanctifier Alas for this daie which is so dreadfull that none may be likened vnto it And out alas for the time of this perplexitiâ— of this sorowe and griefe which I now sensiblie feele and endure both in bodie and mind for it is like the daie and time of Rachel My sorowe and trouble may be compared to Phinees wiues trouble my state and condition seemeth to me and others to be not much vnlike vnto theirs I saie from the which neuerthelesse for thy great mercie sake good Lord I beseech thee deliuer me and saue me and my â—abe from the graue as my trust is in thee Amen Another O GOD make speede to saue me O Lord make hast to helpe me Make no long tarieng O my God least I be like to those that go downe into the pit How long Lord wilt thou forget me How long shall I bee plucked a sunder with these griping greefes and pinching pangs of deadlie throwes How long shall I a wretch expect thy gratious comfort and readie helpe How long wilt thou forget thy creatures O Lord for euer How long wilt thou hide thy face from thy hand-maid thus being in miserie Shall my greefe euer continue my paines neuer cease What is my power O Lord that I should endure such pangs Or what is my strength that I may abide such throwes Surelie O God thou knowest my strength is not the strength of stones neither is my flesh or bones made of brasse or iron For in troth there is in me no helpe nor in anie mortall creature anie reliefe or succour yea all strength is vtterlie taken from me and there is none that I can find to helpe me therefore without thy helpe strength and patience it is impossible for me to continue in this perplexitie Oh spare me therefore a litle that I may recouer my strength before I go hence and be no more seene O Lord cast not awaie thy seruant in thy displeasure but let it be thy good pleasure to deliuer me Make hast O Lord to helpe me Wilt thou absent thy selfe for euer or hast thou shut vp thy louing kindnes in displeasure Is thy mercie cleane gone and thy promises come vtterlie to an end for euermore Chasten me O Lord and correct me but giue me not ouer vnto death neither shut vp my soule with the wicked in the graue Let not mine enimie saie So so I haue deuoured hir For I come vnto thee with those good women in the Gospell and falling downe at thy feet in trembling and feare I humblie beseech thee saieng O sweet Iesu O sonne of Dauid O Lambe of God that taâ—e â—t awaie the sinnes of the world haue mercie vpon me O Lord haue mercie vpon me that am grieuouslie vexed with nipping throwes Lord helpe me Lord heare me and vouchsafe to grant me the thing that I long for and destre that is that thou my maker and preseruer wilt speedilie come and comfort me mitigate these griefs now after the time that thou hast plagued and tormented me with all thy stormes and in great compassion haue mercie vpon me and my seelie infant that it be not like the vntimelie fruit or like the birth that dieth and is borne togither After this night and houre of calamitie ouerpassed let the pleasant morning of comfort luckilie shine vpon me that by time I may heare and feele thy goodnes and mercie in obteining at thy hand a comfortable issue and deliuerance for in thee onelie is all my trust Quicken me O Lord for thy name sake and for thy mercie and righteousnes bring my soule and bodie out of this distres and ease me of these paines for I am thy seruant O come and comfort me thy weake creature in these mine afflictions with the presence of thy holie spirit that euen in death I may find life For vnâ—er thy protection and defence mercie and fauour doo I wholie repose my selfe Lord into thy hands I commend my spirit preserue and keep me relieue ease and speed me O Lord thou God of truth for thou hast redeemed me Thou hast beene my succour leaue me not now nor forsake me O God of my saluation What profit is there in my bloud when I go downe to the pit Shall the dust giue thanks vnto thee or shall the graue declare thy truth O therefore haue mercie on me good Father for thy holie name sake euen for thy
thy people and their posteritie Take from me all ignorance negligence slouthfulnes slacknes and disdaine yea from all vnmercifulnes rough handling hardnes of hart contempt of others falshood crueltie and bloudgiltines good Lord deliuer me and in steed thereof make me wise-harted skilfull louing gentle tender pitifull cherefull comfortable helpfull painefull watchfull strong able readie willing carefull diligent faithfull euen for thy sake onelie without respect of filthie lucre to pleasure all women at all times in my calling to the full discharge of my conscience and dutie both before thee and the world And O Lord to the end there may be found no fault in my ministerie nor anse woman or child said to be hurt or perish in their trauell by my negligence or ignorance and that I may auoid all slander and reproch I beseech thee O almightie God worke thou all my works for me and that which thou beginnest by me finish it I praie thee also by me to the glorie of thy name and giue me euer good lucke and prosperous successe through the power of thy spirit in all my womanlie and lawfull enterprises enioined of thee as a necessarie businesse to be done that they may come to a fortunate and desired end in thee as I hartilie wish and praie Finalie blesse me O God with all thy good gifts of grace vertue skill and cunning as thou didst thy holie seruants Shiphra and Puah the two graue matrons godlie women and famous midwiues of the Hebrue women in Aegypt that I fearing thee more than men as they did and being faithfull to my patients as they were may not onelie moue thee to haue mercie on me and to prosper me in making my house to increase as thou didst them but also by mine obedience and vpright dealing in mine office thy people may be multiplied and the families of thy true Israelites increased to the praise of thy glorie the exaltation of thy power renowme of thy name through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another praier to be said of the midwife when she goeth about to doo hir office OH my celestiall Father be now mercifull vnto me thy repentant handmaid and sinfull seruant fled from mine enimies vnto thy helpe and succour Impute not vnto me my sinnes for Christs sake for I haue heard thy fatherlie voice and yet it soundeth dailie in mine eares out of heauen promising mee and affirming constantlie thy selfe to be appeased pleased and at one with me for thy Sonne my sweet Sauiour Iesus sake whom thou commandest me to heare and beleeue who I am sure is made of thee my righteousnes my satisfaction my reconciliation my peace-making my mediatour and intercessour with his praiers my fulfilling of the lawe my deliuerer and the whole wholie accomplisher of all my iust desires and my sauiour Christ Iesus God and man In whose blessed and holie name at this present I attempt and take in hand to doo mine office according to my vocation for thy glorie and this womans profit ease comfort and helpe in thee desiring thy gratious goodnes most mercifull Lord and Father for thy dearly beloued sonne sake Iesus Christ who without all helpe of man was conceiued and begotten of thee his father before all worlds and who also without anie helpe of woman was borne brought foorth into this world for our sakes of his blessed mother Marie the virgin For his sake I saie vouchsafe to prosper it further it and to giue it happie increase whatsoeuer I take now in hand iustlie and fortunatelie to finish the same O holie Father worke thou all our works for vs here in secret that we may praise thy name openlie before all people O prosper thou the works of our hands vpon vs Prosper thou our handie worke and blesse all things which I take in hand with thy blessed increase and let me doo nothing in this my action hurtfull either to the mother or hir babe neither let me seeke mine owne will but euer to praie that thy will be fulfilled here now in earth of vs as it is in heauen of thine angels And lead vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from all euils present and to come Amen Amen In doing hir office let the midwife praie thus with hir selfe and saie I In the name of God Amen Preuent vs O Lord in this action and all our doings with thy most gratious fauour and further our labours with thy continuall helpe that in this and all our works begun continued and ended by thee and in thee we may glorifie thy holie name and finallie by thy mercie obteine euerlasting life through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Or else thus THE glorious maiestie of the Lord our God be vpon vs. Prosper and direct thou O God the worke of our hands vpon vs. O prosper thou our handi-worke and this womans labour that we may bring foorth more fruite in our age to flourish with praises in the Church of Saincts to glorifie thee Amen If the woman haue verie sore labour and be long in trauelling and in danger of death then let the mid-wife and all the women assistant about hir kneele downe and praie one after another hartilie and â—arnestlie as followeth Midwife O Lord remember not our offences nor the iniquities of our fore-fathers and mothers neither take thou vengeance on our sins but spare vs good Lord O spare thy people whom thou hast redeemed with thy most pretious bloud and be not angrie with vs for euer Women Correct vs O Lord and yet in thy iudgement not in thy furie least we should be consumed and brought to nothing Midwife Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Women Christ haue mercie vpon vs. Midwife Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Altogither Our Father which art in heauen halowed be thy name thy kingdome come thy will be done c. Midwife And leade vs not into temptation Women But deliuer vs from euill Amen Mid. O Lord saue this woman thy seruant and hand-maid Wo. Which putteth hir onlie trust in thee Mid. O Lord send hir present helpe from thy holie place Wo. And euermore mightilie defend hir Mid. Let the enimie haue none aduantage of hir Wo. Nor the wicked approch to hurt hir Mid. Be thou now vnto hir O Lord a strong tower Wo. From the face of all hir enimies visible and inuisible Mid. Lord heare our praiers Wo. And let our crie come vnto thee Amen Midwife Let vs praie O Most mightie God our heauenlie Father we beseech thee looke downe mercifullie from heauen behold visit releeue and ease this wofull woman thy seelie seruant which is greeued now with sore labour tedious trauell and bitter paines Looke vpon hir with the eies of thy mercie and extend thine accustomed goodnes to hir now in this hir perplexitie And for-as-much as hir pangs and paines seeme vnto vs most extreame and hir trauell verie dangerous both to hir selfe and hir babe giue hir grace we beseech thee patientlie to endure this thy crosse of griefe and
groanes incident therevnto for hir sins and be thou present with hir O blessed God to helpe both hir and hir babe in this hir sore labour O comfort and ease hir in the midst of this hir anguish and greefe for without thine assistance vndoubtedlie she must needs perish for vaine is the helpe of man we nor all the world can not helpe hir O come quicklie therefore we beseech thee good Lord and helpe thou hir in this hir great need and extremitie worke thou all our works for vs to thy glorie and hir comfort Defend hir from this imminent danger of deliuerance Keepe hir in perpetuall peace hope patience and safetie Strengthen hir faith and womanlie weakenes and visit hir O Lord according to the time of life as thou didst Sara Rebecca Thamar Hanna and Elizabeth thy holie hand-maids Blesse hir and preserue hir we beseech thee O Lord that no waie being terrified frighted or troubled extreamelie she neither murmur against thy works and saie with Rebecca Seeing my greefs are so great why am I thus with child Neither faint through sorrowe nor be vntimelie or vnluckilie deliuered but grant that in true faith and continuall inuocation of thy holie name she may be saued and now suffer thee quietlie to worke thy good will and pleasure according to thy diuine decree and secret iudgements vpon hir either for hir sins or for thy glorie and our example vntill according to thy promise in thy good time she do receiue comfort for hir sorrowe mirth for hir mourning gladnes for hir sadnes ioie for hir woe euen by mitigation of these hir miseries ease of hir anguishes release of hir labours dispatch of hir pangs deliuerance of hir burthen and speedie birth of hir babe borne into the world through the might of thy mercie and power of thy compassion to the glorie and high exaltation of thy name as both she and we most hartilie wish long for eâ—pect and desire yea and with teares and sighs doo vnfeignedlie craâ—e of thee and that through the onlie mysterie of Christ his holie incarnation blessed birth and painfull passion So be it For a woman that trauelleth before hir time and is in great perill praie as followeth ALmightie God which in thy secret iudgements diddest once strike the wife of Phinees being great with child with such a sudden fright and feare when she heard that thy arke was taken by the enimie and both hir husband and hir father slaine by thee with sudden death that thou causedst hir presentlie through grieuous pangs and bitter paines that came vpon hir in that instant to bow hir selfe and trauell before hir time wherein with great sorrowe she died We beseech thee in the name of thy deere sonne our sauiour Iesus Christ be mercifull vnto this wofull woman thy hand-maid and humble seruant whom now in thine vnsearchable iudgments thou hast visited also as it seemeth with the wofull chance of vntimelie trauell to the triall of hir faith hope and patience in thee And let not this time of hir sorrowe we praie thee be vnto hir as the time and houre of Rachel and Phinees wiues trouble was vnto them but by thy mightie power and mercie deliuer hir there-from if it be thy will as hir onelie trust is in thee And to this purpose staie we beseech thee the furiousnes of the wicked spirits that they shew not at this time their tyrannie and malice either vpon hir or hir seelie babe and so blesse preserue and keepe both hir and it that she may be no waie terrified frighted vexed or troubled either in bodie to faint or in mind to murmur and despaire through the extremitie of intollerable paines nor at this time for anie anguish be compelled to be deliuered before hir time to hir discomfort But grant that she may yet tarrie quietlie and patientlie vntill the time be fulfilled which thou in the course of nature full wiselie hast set at which time of life and not before we beseech thee O Lord then certinlie to come againe vnto hir that she maie dulie and safelie be deliuered and hir child come to life to hir comfort and thy glorie Neuerthelesse if it shall seeme good vnto thee for all this now in thy secret iudgements either for hir sins or for thy glorie and our terrour by example to hasten through laborous pangs pinching throwes an vntimelie birth vpon hir or if it shall please thee to cause without offence be it spoken an vnluckie or vnnaturall deliuerance to happen as now vnto hir at this time as iustlie we confesse thou maist if thou respect hir and our sinnes committed against thy maiestie and not rather thy mercie promised to all that faithfullie call vpon thee as we here now doo then not our wils but thy will which is euer in all things best be now euer fulfilled done both in hir hir babe and in vs to the glorie of thy holie name Onelie we craue of thee and that in the bowels and for the tender mercie of our Sauiour Iesus Christ that thou wilt yet grant hir abundance of thy grace both patientlie to abide thy fatherlie correction faithfullie to beleeue thine infallible promises so that for no paine or extremitie of torment or anguish either in bodie or mind she may not be discouraged discomforted shrinke faint or fall from hir faith or hope in thee but thanking thee for all things that may happen vnto hir let hir feele yet in hir bodie such ease and mitigation of hir paines and in hir soule and conscience such comfort and consolation from thee that she may assure hir selfe of thy fauour and mercie in Christ to haue forgiuenes of all hir sins togither with the release of all hir miseries and so after triall this thy troubled hand-maid may take comfort hoping to be crowned and after trouble this thy afflicted seruant may find deliuerance grace health and euerlasting saluation through Iesus Christ our Lord and onelie Sauiour Amen If the woman trauelling be at the point of death praie as followeth O Most mercifull God which according to the multitude of thy mercies doest so put away the sinnes of those which truelie repent that thou remembrest them no more open thine eies of mercie vpon this thy hand-maid now in great danger of death who most earnestlie calleth vpon thee desiring pardon and forgiuenesse of all hir sinnes and offences committed against thee and thy people Renew in hir therefore O most tender harted father whatsoeuer hath beene decaied by the fraud and malice of satan or neglected by hir owne carnall will and frailenes Preserue and continue this weake and distressed member in the vnitie bosome of thy Church consider hir broken and contrite hart accept hir lamentable teares mitigate hir intollerable throwes and pangs asswage hir paines greefes and release hir vtterlie of all hir miserie and wo as shall be seene to thy heauenlie wisedome most expedient for hir and conuenient for thy Church And forasmuch as
she still calleth vpon thy holie name and putteth hir full trust to be saued onlie in thy mercie impute not vnto hir the manifold sinnes of hir former life passed but pardon them and take hir vnto thy high fauour through the bloudie merits and deere death of thine onelie begotten sonne Iesus Christ our sauiour Amen Or praie thus O Pitifull physician and healer both of soule bodie Christ Iesu vouchsafe to cast thine eies vpon this thy poore sinnefull creature our deere sister M. B. who is here thy captiue bound with the burden of child-birth greefe vnspeakable paines in the chaine of sinne and death for our transgression in our grandmother Eue turning this hir weaknes and greefe to thy glorie hir health and safe deliuerance And vouchsafe good Lord to send hir patient sufferance that she may stedfastlie continue to the end in these extremities that she may with a true and perfect faith in thee fight now a good fight and stand manfullie against all the temptations of the diuell hir mortall enimie when she may no longer continue O Sauiour of the world saue hir which by thy crosse and precious bloud hast redeemed hir Amen Adde this blessing THE almightie Lord which is a most strong tower to all them that put their trust in him to whom all things both in heauen earth and vnder the earth doo bow and obey blesse preserue and keepe this our sister and be now and euermore hir buckler and defence against all hir enimies and make hir to knowe and feele in hir soule and conscience that there is none other name giuen vnto man in whom and through whom she may receiue ease comfort health deliuerance and saluation but onelie in the most holie blessed and venerable name of our Lord Iesus Christ Amen A praier of instruction to be vsed of the women in health attendant about the sicke and languishing woman in sore trauell for themselues O Most mercifull God and most louing Father we beseech thee haue mercie vpon vs and aid vs with thy grace holie spirit that we which be yet in good health and safetie and looke according to the condition of our nature for the like hour of adâ—ersitie but with more mercie and mitigation of our paines than as it seemeth our sister here endureth if it be thy will may learne to feare and dread thee may loue and embrace thy holie word and that we may set thee before vs as a scope and marke wherevnto we may direct all our dooings and that we boing alwaies mindfull of this thy crosse and heauie iudgement laid vpon all women in the loines of our grandmother Eue for hir and our transgression and euermore remembring the vnspeakable pangs intollerable paines and most bitter agonie of death may so prepare our harts and arme our selues that we may order all our deeds from hence-foorth in all holie and chast obedience both towards thee and our husbands or heads as well becommeth right christian women and modest matrones to thy glorie and as doo and and haue done all godlie women which feare thee in all ages that in the end we obteine to be fellow-heires with them of euerlasting life in the kingdome of heauen through the merits of our deere Lord and sweetest Sauiour Iesus Christ the righteous Amen Another godlie and effectuall praier to be hartilie said of the women assistant if the woman in sore trauell or child-bed lie in the pangs of death and be a passing this life O Lord God almightie the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost three persons and one onlie God the Lord of life and the destroier of death with whom to be is life and from whom to be is death who as a louing father mercifull redeemer and freendlie caller to repentance hast now visited with the scourge of hard painefull and greeuous trauell or with vntimelie birth vnfortunate deliuerance and sore sicknes thy most sinfull daughter yea thy spotted creature defiled seruant and greeuous sinner S. B. to cause hir to knowe hir selfe and to confesse hir wickednes and so to come to thee at this thy calling to knowe thee and onelie to crie and call vpon thee for comfort Now thou O Lord whose propertie is euer to haue mercie and freelie to forgiue those that faithfullie come vnto thee we thine humble hand-maids with heauie harts most humblie beseech thee looke downe from heauen with thine accustomed eies of compassion vpon hir cast behind thy backe hir innumerable and greeuous sins throwe them all both old and new from hir as far as is the East from the West yea scrape the memorie of them out of thy sight quite forget them and freelie forgiue them hir as hir onlie trust is in thee O Lord be thou now vnto hir at hir most time of need a tower of strength a place of refuge and a defensible God to keepe strengthen and defend hir from the danger of the diuell now readiest to disquiet hir and destroie hir against desperation now busiest to greeue hir against death now likest to strike hir and against hell now gaping to deuoure hir Oh heauenlie father aid thou now hir Helpe hir and establish hir in the firme faith of thy truth Comfort hir now O sweet Christ and continue hir in the knowledge of thee hir onlie sauiour which art now in hir extreamenes and pangs of death readie to shew thy selfe vnto hir as hir sauiour crucified on the crosse to comfort hir Therefore now saue thou hir from sin deliuer thou hir now from eternall death hale hir from hell embrace hir hide hir in the holes of thy bloudie wounds as thy deere doue and beare hir manifold sins on thy backe And thou O holie spirit strengthen thou now hir weake fainting and sounding spirit against sathan that standeth now nigh hir to seduce hir Saie thou now to sathan Auoid sathan and command thy holie angels and blessed spirits now to aid and assist hir Let thy comfort cleaue fast vnto hir thy mercie keepe hir thy grace guide hir thy paines ease hir thy crosse releeue hir and thy death reuiue hir Oh almightie God the giuer of all health and if it be thy good will to lengthen hir daies in this life to spare hir for a season to mitigate hir pangs to ease hir of hir paines to releeue hir of all these wofull sorowes and most greeuous throwes to deliuer hir of this most dangerous trauell and send into this world out of hir wofull wombe hir child a sound and perfect creature after thine owne image and so restore hir to hir former health as thou hast done hir and manie others heeretofore in like case that she thereby may once againe visit thy temple and be purified sanctified and dedicated vnto thy honor and glorie the commoditie of hirs and comfort of vs all hir friends kindred and neighbours Weioâ—fullie saie Thy will O Lord be done and not ours But if it be not thy will so but that she according to
hir instant desire must now being preuented with vntimelie labour and birth through perillous trauell needs drinke of the cup of Rahels and Phinees wiâ—es potion and go the waie of all flesh then O Lord thou in whose hands are the harts of all flesh arme hir we humblie beseech thee with thy perpetuall grace peace patience and perfect confidence in thee increase hir faith helpe hir vnbeleefe annoint hir with the oile of gladnes in thee ease hir of hir extreme paines be thou nigh vnto hir and driue the diuell far from hir aid hir with thy holie angels giuing hir grace so quietlie to take this thy fatherlie chastisement and visitation in good woorth that in this hir painfull life yea and in the verie end thereof she with perfect memorie sure trust commending hir selfe wholie to thee may in hart ioifullie still saie and we hir deere sisters and faithfull freends and neighbours for hir as followeth When she is departing and yeeldeth vp the ghost then adde and saie this that followeth FEtch now againe Lord God Father into thy holie hands that which thy puissant might hath shapen command thy holie angels now to aid hir and safelie to bring hir to thee and now place thou hir amongst thy chosen children and blessed heirs in thine eternall kingdome prepared for them that are written in the booke of life Fetch now againe Lord God sonne that which thou of thy meere mercie hast so wiselie gouerned and bought with thy pretious bloud now ioifullie receiue hir and saie vnto hir as thou saiedst vnto the penitent theefe This day shalt thou be with me in paradise Take againe now Lord God holie Ghost that which thou of thy onelie fauour hast louinglie kept and guided in this region of sinne and vale of miserie and now louinglie leade thou hir with Rebecca and Lazarus to eternall ioie and rest This grant hir O holie and most blessed Trinitie good Lord almightie three persons and one verie God vnto whome be all honour praise and glorie for euer and euer Amen Amen Another praier while she yeeldeth vp the ghost THE mightie God of angels and former of all things visible and inuisible in whose hands is onelie life and death light and darknes and all the motions of the soule and bodie without thee most mightie God all things had beene nothing and of nothing all things are made by thee without thy Christ and thy blessed spirit which is one coeternall Trinitie all flesh were accursed all consciences molested and all soules vtterlie damned from light into darknes from freedome into euerlasting reprobation but by Iesus Christ thine onelie sonne we thanke thee deere father of all mercie that now it hath pleased thee to take to thy mercie at this present time our deere sister S. B. whom thou hast elected consecrated and now she shall by thy mercie and pitie be sanctified vnto thee in the death of Christ to be a citizen of eternall glorie Now we perceiue that flesh and bloud doth forsake hir and all hir worldlie strength faileth hir now are the organes yeelding vp the heauenlie sound hir soule commeth now vnto thee good Lord receiue it to thy mercie into thine euerlasting glorie where as Abraham Isaac and Iacob Sara Rebecca Rahel and the blessed virgin Marie are continuallie To thee oh heauenlie Father be incessant honour glorie for euer and euer Amen After hir departure let the women kneele downe also and giue thanks as followeth ALmightie God with whom doo liue the spirits of them that depart hence in the Lord and in whom the soules of them that be elect after they be deliuered from the burden of the flesh be in ioie felicitie thou I saie O mercifull God the father of our Lord Iesus Christ who is the resurrection and the life in whom whosoeuer beleeueth shall liue though he die and whosoeuer liueth and beleeueth in him shall not die eternallie who also taught vs by his holie apostle S. Paule not to be sorie as women without hope for them that sleepe in him we giue thee hartie thanks for that it hath pleased thee to deliuer this woman our sister out of the wofull miseries of this sinfull world meekelie beseeching thee O Father to raise vs from the death of sinne vnto the life of righteousnes that when we also shal depart this life we may rest in Christ as our hope is this our sister doth and that it may please thee of thy gratious goodnes shortlie to accomplish the number of thine efect and to hasten thy kingdome that at the generall resurrection in the last daie we with this our sister and all other departed in the true faith of thy holie name being found acceptable in thy sight may haue our perfect consummation and blisse both in bodie and soule in thy eternall and euerlasting glorie and receiue that blessing which thou O Christ shalt then pronounce to all that loue feare thee saieng Come ye blessed children of my Father receiue the kingdome prepared for you from the beginning of the world Grant this we beseech thee O mercifull father through Iesus Christ our onlie mediatour redeemer and sauiour Amen A praier and thanks-giuing to be vsed of the mother or women about hir after the child is baptised ALmightie and euerlasting GOD who hast vouchsafed to regenerate this infant by water and the holie ghost and hast giuen vnto it forgiuenes of all his sinnes and receiued it into the number of thy children and heires of eternall life I thanke thee for thy gratious goodnes fauour mercie towards it And I humblie beseech thee also O Lord to strengthen it so with thy holie ghost the comforter that it may lead the rest of his life according to this good beginning Let thy fatherlie hands I praie thee be euer ouer it and blesse ti dailie increase it with thy manifold gifts of grace giue it the spirit of wisedome vnderstanding the spirit of counsell strength the spirit of knowledge and true godlines fulfill it with the spirit of thy holie feare faith and praier and so lead this child in the knowledge and obedience of thy holie word that being euer defended with thy heauenlie grace it may continue therein for euer and dailie increase in thy holie spirit more and more vntill in the end he obteine the gift of euerlasting life in thy celestiall kingdome through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen If the child or yong infant be verie sicke and lie sore pained with anie greefe or whensoeuer else it be visited with anie dreadfull diseaâ—e praie ouer it and saie as followeth Lord heare our praiers And let our crie come vnto thee Let vs praie O Mercifull Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ the onelie begotten Sonne of the liuing Father redeemer of all men through all ages whose nature is pitifull not onelie to the strong and stout but also to the weake and simple as babes infants and children we here assembled most hartilie desire and praie
in peace bicause mine eies haue seene thy saluation which thou hast prepared before the face of all people a light to be reuealed vnto the gentiles and the glorie of thy people Israell through our Lord Iesus Christ Amen Another praier to be vsed of old women OH my sweet Lord Iesus Christ my creator and reformer which wilt that no man perish neither delightest in the destruction of soules heare me wretched woman and inueterated sinner which walowe in wicked life The whole time of my pilgrimage is threescore yeres few and euill haue the daies of my life beene and I am now placed in the darke euening of my life neither looke I to attaine vnto the yeres of the life of my forefathers or mothers in the daies of their pilgrimage I am full of yeres and daies I saie O Lord but in deed more full of vices and sinnes Mine offences are not a few but an huge heape of an innumerable sort of sinnes neither are they small or veniall sinnes but great mortall and deadlie My sinfull conscience accuseth me and the large abundance of mine iniquitie beateth my hart in peeces This deceitfull world in which I dreame and loiter faileth me my forworne and withered bodie threateneth my decaie This house of claie waxeth verie ruinous in euerie part thereof The graie heares a token of my manifold afflictions for sinnes are plentifullie growen vpon me and my strength is quite gone to teach me to knowe the vanitie and brittle state of this life To conclude my life is short mine end doubtfull my destruction horrible Death now beginneth to search me out euerie where the diuell doth laie snares for me on euerie side time passeth awaie the houreglas is almost run my candle is almost burned out and thine euerlasting iudgement draweth on Alas what shall I sinfull woman doo for I haue prouoked thee my God and all other thy creatures against me bicause thou knowing my forepassed sinfull life dooest see nothing in me without spot and offence I haue shut my selfe out of thy presence when thou didst call me to euerlasting life and I haue receiued that old enimie of my grandmother Eue into my soule which persecuteth me vnto death my conscience I saie doth vexe me the damnation to come which I haue so deepelie and often deserued doth feare me which through mine owne merits or deserts I can not possiblie put awaie or auoid When I consider it with my selfe oh how intollerable is that horror vnto me When I doo well ponder and regard it in my selfe oh how ineuitable is death to be differred or put awaie from me that now am euen a figure of death it selfe and carrie him euidentlie about me in my pale face and leane lims yea so far am I from flieng awaie from death that as it seemeth I rather now post speedilie after him Moreouer to acquit my selfe before thee I cannot possiblie doo it for that I haue as manie accusers as sins as many witnesses as hoarie heares Yea thou thy selfe my sweet God who best knowest me art my iust accuser thou art the true witnes of my deeds thou art my righteous iudge and if thine euerlasting iustice refuse me then both thine enimies and also mine with whom I haue plight the troth of my friendship are my heauie accusers No holie man or woman yong or old doth speak for me or in the life euerlasting may speake for me and those that might in their dailie praiers in this life helpe me towards thee I alas with all scornefull reproch and contempt haue cast them awaie and vtterlie refused their good companie but my verie mortall aduersaries I haue too willinglie receiued euen into my bosome Now therefore being alone in secret I lie flat vpon the ground destitute of all helpe confounded and had in derision of all Now in the last age of my withered life when my glorie should be my graie head that is my wisedome and feare of God ioined with much experience my reproch alas is increased by my follie and bicause I haue not behaued my selfe iustlie and wiselie before other my iuniors old age that should be a crown of glorie when it is found in the waie of righteousnes and ioined with vertue is now turned into infamie in me and to be abhorred by reason of my manifold sins and vices For though I haue liued long yet bicause I am waxed old in wickednes I shall be nothing regarded and my last age shall be without honor through my doting defiled life To conclude there draweth on apase the daie of thy fearefull iudgements in which all my deeds shall be tried and sifted to the vttermost and innermost secret thoughts of my hart My reproofes shall be reuealed and my opprobrious and shamefull works shall be brought to light and openlie seene for that I haue beene a barren and vnfruitfull tree and being throwne into euerlasting fire I shall there burne foreuer and of those whom I haue lewdlie accompanied my selfe with shall I be vexed who also after the sentence of eternall damnation giuen vpon me shall teare me and without anie intermission or end most cruellie shall minister torments vnto me whom they shall not cease crucifieng for euermore neither will there euer at anie time anie waie of mitigation ease or mercie appeare or be found at their hands Wherefore O louing Lord and souereigne Sauiour there remaineth now no more vnto me sinfull woman worne out with miserie but thy branching mercie to reioice my hart to quicken mine appaled spirits and to renew mine age as doth the eagle for that in the same thy mercie and through the same thy compassion and fauour I almost spent wasted and consumed to dust doo yet breath and liue to call vpon thee who art gentle mild and verie mercifull both to old and yoong man woman and child and wilt not the death no not of an old and ancient sinner as I am O be mindfull therefore of me my sweet God bicause thou art my creator and I thine vnworthie creature and hand-maid Do not loose the works of thine own hands through my greeuous sins and lewd deserts Thou art my redeemer and sauiour therefore saue me sinfull woman through thy grace mercie and fauour whome through thine owne iustice thou maist worthilie cast awaie into damnation O God be mercifull vnto me a sinner and grant pardon to hir that repenteth from the bottome of hir heart O giue not foorth I beseech thee the voice of thy sentence according to my demerits but like as thy mercie before hath come in the beginning of my life when thou tookest me out of my mothers wombe so let it conclude the end thereof when thou shalt turne me againe into the mother of all things to remaine with thee for euer world without end Amen Another praier to be said of an old Woman OH God which continuest still the same and dooest remaine for euer subiect to no tearme of yeares and time whose yeares shall neuer faile
our owne parents Kindred to enter and sing psalmes of praise and songs of thanks-giuing to thine immortall Maiestie to whom with thy Sonne and holie Ghost be euerlasting laud perpetuall praise and greatest glorie both now and for euer Amen Another praier made vpon the similitude of the ten virgins Matth. 25. O Lord Iesu Christ thou good spouse and heauenlie bridegroome giue me grace like the wise virgins both with a right intention and vpright dealing to doo good works and also to perseuere and continue in the same watchfullie and diligentlie vnto the end And bicause it is not sufficient to haue once giuen my selfe to followe thee vnlesse I continue doo thou teach me wiselie to make prouision in time that hauing plentie of the oile of thy grace and gifts in the lampe of my soule I may neuer contemne thine honor nor faile in the mid-way but being found readie and watchfull I may be thought worthie to enter ioifullie with thee vnto the wedding I beseech thee also O Lord make knowne vnto mee mine end before it come and suffer me not to depart this life before I haue confessed my faults and thou haue forgiuen me my sins that in the hour of my death neither thy wrath may fall vpon me nor the power of darkenes hurt or inuiron me but let me be found such a one at the daie of examination and triall as I did appeare and shew my selfe at the day of my regeneration and baptisme through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Amen A generall Confession of sinnes with a praier for mercie and grace verie necessarie to be vsed at all times O Almightie God my heauenlie father I confesse and acknowledge that I am a miserable and wretched sinner haue manifold waies most greeuoustie transgressed thy most godlie commandements thorough wicked thoughts vngodlie lusts sinfull words and detestable deeds in my whole life In sin am I borne and conceiued and there is no goodnes in me inasmuch as if thou shouldest enter into thy narrowe iudgement with me iudging me according to the same I were neuer able to abide or suffer it but must needs perish and be damned for euer so little helpe comfort or succour is there either in me or in anie other creature Onlie this is my comfort O heauenlie father that thou didst not spare thine onlie deere beloued Sonne but didst giue him vp vnto the most bitter and most vile slanderous death of the crosse for me that he might so paie the ransome for my sins satisfie thy iudgement still and pacifie thy wrath reconcile me againe vnto thee and purchase me thy grace fauour and euerlasting life Wherefore through the merit of his most bitter death and passion and through his innocent bloud-shedding I beseech thee O heauenlie father that thou wilt vouchsafe to be gratious and mercifull vnto me to forgiue and pardon me all my sins to lighten my hart with thy holie spirit to renew confirme and strengthen me with a right and a perfect faith and to inflame me in loue towards thee and my neighbour that I may hencefoorth with a willing and glad hart walke as it becommeth me in thy most holie commandements and so glorifie and praise thee euerlastinglie And also that I may with a free conscience and quiet hart in all manner of temptations afflictions or necessities and euen in the verie pangs of death crie boldlie and faithfullie vnto thee and saie I beleeue in God the father Almightie c. But O Lord God heauenlie father to comfort my selfe in affliction and temptation with these articles of the Christian faith it is not in my power for faith is thy gift and forasmuch as thou wilt be praied vnto and called vpon for it I come vnto thee to praie and beseech thee both for that and for all other things necessarie for me and thy whole Church euen as thy deere beloued Sonne our Sauiour Christ Iesus hath himselfe taught vs and from the verie botome of my hart I crie and saie O our father which art in heauen c. A praier for the Queenes Maiestie and the Realme O God most excellent creator and preseruer of all things we cast our selues downe before the feet of thy maiestie and inwardlie feeling how vnworthie we are to haue our praiers heard of thee we dare not lift vp our eies to heauen Neuertheles whereas we are conceiued in sin and therefore as all Adams children deserued vntimelie death yet thy fatherlie hand hath brought vs foorth and caused vs to be borne yea and granted vs to liue in this blessed time of thy Gospell to the intent that dieng with Christ we should rise againe to eternall life But alas wretches that we are we haue deserued thy iust indignation by returning to our old vomit and yet thy grace surmounteth our sinne continuallie calling vs to thy sheepfold by the voice of thy gospell Blessed be thy holie name for sending vs that light when we were in darknesse that spirituall drinke when we were in deadlie thirst that heauenlie foode when we were hunger-sterued And like honour and praise be ascribed to thee onelie O Lord for giuing vs such so wise so zealous so godlie and carefull gouernours of thy chosen Church of England whom thou hast raised vp by the light of thy gospell to guid vs in the same thy light and to feed vs with the same thy heauenlie food We magnifie thy name daie and night for that inestimable benefit of thine bestowed vpon vs thy people of England in calling thy chosen creature the nurse of this thy church our Queene and Gouernour from worldlie vanities to the care of thy kingdome and into the communion of thy saints by the preaching of the Gospell when we gaue not sufficientlie attentiue and diligent eare to thy blessed word albeit thou didst correct hir and other ingratfull creatures of this our nation with thy rod yet euen in this point also thy clemencie surmounteth our double wickednes For behold when as thy iustice might haue depriued vs of hir thou of thine infinite mercie didst deliuer hir out of prison set hir free from the lions iawes crowned hir with a diadem of gold and put the roiall scepter of this realme in hir hand Moreouer O singular and most pretious treasure of treasures thou through hir meanes and ministerie hast brought againe Christ Iesus once banished out of England These most mercifull Father be the principall iewels of thine inestimable riches bestowed vpon vs which the more excellent they are the lesse are we worthie of them bicause we haue misbehaued our selues towards thy maiestie in dailie sinning more and more against thee in so much that feeling the same in our conscience we be driuen well neere to despaire But when we call to mind thy sure and sweet promises in Christs pretious blood we are thereby refreshed and recouering strength by hope approch to thy throne boldlie not offering anie thing for the satisfaction of our sinnes but onelie
crauing that the oblation of thine annointed which is the iustifier and sanctifier of all that are to be iustified and sanctified may make vs cleane and so receiue vs into thy tuition And seeing obedience pleaseth thee better than the fat of sheep and the sacrifice of our lips better than the flesh and blood of beasts grant that we may finish our mortall race in shewing foorth thy praise and keeping thy holie will And forasmuch as thou hast thought good to set vp thy seruant our Queene a woman and a fraile vessell ouer vs to gouerne this kingdome and that she must render an account thereof a hard thing so to doo before the iudgement seat of thy Sonne Christ send downe we beseech thee O Father send downe such grace from thy high throne vpon thy daughter our Queene Elizabeth as thou knowest most necessarie for the performance and execution of so great a charge Thou hast giuen hir Councellers grant that she may vse their counsell happilie indue them with godlie righteous and carefull harrs that they may be both willing and able simplie faithfullie to consult and also prouidentlie to prouide aswell for thy church as for hir and vs hir people It is thy grace O Lord that we hir people renewed with thy word doo suffer our selues to be nourished with the same send foorth therfore faithfull shepherds godlie and true teachers to feed vs and driue awaie all hirelings and rauening woolues from this flocke of thine and of thy sonne Iesus Christ. Besides this so blesse vs the sheepe of thy pasture that we may neuer denie thee the chiefe honour our Queene thy deputie hir obedience and our neighbours mutuall loue Furthermore of thy goodnes mainteine peace and tranquillitie defend our Queene hir kingdome and countrie from bloudie warres and especiallie protect hir and vs from hollowe harts from ciuill tumults and conspiracies which haue shaken the greatest part of Christendome And bicause the affliction of euerie poore creature apperteineth to hir in so much as she is thine inspire the magistrates vnder hir with thy holie spirit that they may willinglie and carefullie mainteine iustice and prouide for the releefe of Christs poore members whose treasures both she and we and all others are whom thou hast blessed with thy earthlie benefites Heare our praiers we beseech thee for the sake of thy sonne Iesus Christ our redeemer to whom with thee and thy holie spirit bee all honour and glorie for euer Amen Morning and Euening praiers A praier to be said in the morning ALmightie and eternall God my Creator and louer I praise adore and blesse thee for that in mine offences and vngratefulnes thou hast so mercifullie and leisurelie forborne and suffered me to liue euen vnto this houre wherevnto by thy benefites thou hast brought me giuing to me thine vnworthie and reprochfull hand-maid both life and necessaries therevnto belonging appointing angels to be my keepers O good God who knoweth whether til euening my life shall be prolonged or what death is appointed for me Oh mercifull Lord God and heauenlie Father that I may with hartie repentance truelie repent my sinnes and inwardlie bewaile that euer I offended thy godlie maiestie suffer not my soule to depart this bodie before it be through thy mercie perfectlie reconciled adopted vnto thee by thy grace bedeckt with thy merits and vertues inflamed with perfect charitie and acceptable vnto thee according to thy will O mercifull Lord Iesu Christ if these things which I desire doo stand with thy pleasure grant them I beseech thee although I be not worthie to be heard Yeeld and giue I beseech thee of thine infinite mercie that by the merits of thy passion I may be purged from all my sinnes and that at the houre of my death I may be striken with true and vehement contrition and beeing knit with thee in perfect charitie I may immediatlie die vnto thee my sooeet Redeemer safelie and freelie from all damnation Neuertheles in all these my requests O best beloued Iesu I doo fullie and wholie offer and resigne my selfe vnto thee to be altogither disposed and ordered according to thy will and to suffer for thy glorious name sake desiring this one thing at thy hands that thou wilt remember my fragilitie vnworthines vnstablenes and miseries togither with thine owne goodnes and most charitable mercie praieng thee neuer to forsake or leaue me but that thou wilt alwaies possesse and gouerne me according to thy will Amen Another Morning praier OH Lord my God and most benigne Sauiour Iesus Christ who when I was not didst creat and make me capable of the souereigne and onelie good and being made a thrall and bondslaue through my forefathers trespasse didst redeeme me with thy most pretious blood and losse of thy sacred life abiding the torments due to my trespasses to acquite and rid me from the same For these O Lord and all other thine inestimable benefites namelie for hauing preserued me this night past and all the time and daies of my life hitherto I yeeld thee most humble zealous and obedient thanks offering my selfe wholie to thee as I am wholie thine beseeching thee also of thine infinite clemencie to preserue me this daie and euer from anie waies offending thee and to direct all my thoughts words and works to thine euerlasting glorie Mine estate and calling is as thou knowest O Lord inuironed with manie difficulties and dangers and through mine euill customes and wicked inclinations hardlie can I without thy speciall assistance passe this daie no not one minute thereof without offending thee in manifold sinnes Keepe vnder therefore O Lord my concupiscence and refresh my conscience with the dewes of thy diuine grace O giue me strength I praie thee to fight the good fight of faith more coragiouslie and perseuerantlie than hitherto I haue done and make thou me able to subdue all wicked suggestions of the enimie Trulie Lord heere in humilitie and sinceritie of hart I protest neuer willinglie by thy gratious fauour to offend thy lawes and commandements anie more I detest all sin and whatsoeuer may anie waies displease thy sacred maiestie I desire to loue thee feare thee and serue thee this daie and euermore and to direct all mine actions to thine honor and glorie Assist me Lord with thy grace and enrich my pouertie with the plentie of thy merits for in the vnion of that charitie wherwith thou discendedst from heauen in the blessed virgins wombe and afterward offredst vp thy selfe on the crosse in sacrifice for our sinnes in the vnion of this thy incomprehensible charitie I saie I offer vnto thee whatsoeuer I shall doo thinke or speake this day beseeching thee through thy mercifull goodnes to accept gouerne blesse and enrich me and all that I go about in such sort as thy glorie may be thereby procured my neighbours welfare occasioned and mine owne soule better fortified and prouided To thee my sweet and onlie sauiour Christ with the Father and the
Giue me grace alwaies whether I liue or die to call vpon thee continuallie Giue me power to pitch my confidence onelie and alone in the bloudie wounds of Christ Iesus to whome in this my distresse I flie and appeale for remedie and comfort Grant this O gratious God which liuest and reignest world without end Amen Another praier of a woman being in trauell LORD saue mee or else I perish Lord haue mercie vpon me a sinner Pitifull Iesu shew thy mercie vnto me and let the light of thy countenance shine vpon me that I be not swallowed vp of greefe and sorrowe Lord sweet Lord thou sendest thy seruants to call me to the marriage the fatlings and oxen are killed and dinner is readie Lord giue me grace to come vnto thee that I beeing freed from sin and eased of sorrowe the fruit of sin may marrie thee in the couenant of thy mercie and banquet with thee face to face at the table of ioie in the heauenlie Ierusalem Lord louing Lord and gratious God blesse the fruit of my wombe and take it into thy familie For I beleeue Lord that thou becamest of God the son of man to make it and all other whome thy father hath giuen thee the children of God thy heauenlie father According to my faith therefore O Lord be it vnto me Open the doore of thy mercie and lodge my child in the vertue of the couenant that being my God and the God of my seed I may glorifie thee both now and euer and offer vp the sacrifice of praise and the fruits of a ioious spirit vnto thee Lord and father of heauen it is thy will that all men should be saued thy will be done and saue me and my child by thy mercie I beseech thee Amen Another meditation in Meeter to be said of a woman with child made by W.H. In time of trouble call on mee And I will then deliuer thee THE time drawes nigh of bitter painefull throwes how long I shall the same endure God knowes O Lord my God I humblie aske of thée make haste swéet Christ and safe deliuer me As I by sin deserued haue right well such paine as this yea more than tongue can tell Yet ah my God turne not awaie thy face nor me forsake in this so sharpe a case This wombe and fruit that springeth in the same hast thou create to glorie of thy name Opprest with paine O Lord when I shall bée make lesse the same so much as pleaseth thée And grant good God thy creature may procéed safelie on liue with mercie at my néed In Christes name I will my trauell sho now holie Ghost come comfort me in wo. Come father déere and let thy power descend O Iesu Christ thy mercies great extend Ah God behold my dolour and my smart swéet holie Ghost my comforter thou art Take part with me and heare my wofull crie Exâ—uli me miserere mei Amen In long and sore labour call earnestlie vpon God and saie to your comfort the 6. 38. 51. 102. 30. and 142. Psalmes of Dauid commonlie called the seauen penitenti all Psalmes or the Psalme of a penitenâ— sinner Or else this 22. Psalme of DAVID following called The complaint of Christ on the Crosse. MY God my God why hast thou forsaken me It seemeth that I shall not obteine deliuerance though I seeke it with lowd cries My God I will crie all the daie long but thou wilt not answer and all the night long I make pitious mone without taking anie rest The meane time thou most holiest seemst to sit stil not caring for the things y â— I suffer which so oft hast helped me heeretofore hast giueÌ„ to thy people Israel sufficieÌ„t argument and matter to praise thee with songs wherwith they haue giuen thanks to thee for thy benefits Our fore-fathers and mothers were woont to put their trust in thee and as often as they did so thou didst deliuer them out of their distresse As oft as they cried for helpe to thee they were deliuered as oft as they committed themselues to thee they were not confounded nor put to anie shame But as for me I seeme rather to be a worme than a woman the doonghill of Adam and Eue the outcast of the vulgar people As manie as haue seene me laugh haue laughed me to scorne and reuiled me and shaking their heads in deriston at me haue cast me in the teeth saieng She is wont to boast and glorie that she is in great fauour with God wherefore let God now deliuer hir if he loue hir so well By thy procurement O Lord I came out of my mothers wombe and thou gauest me good comfort euen when I sucked my mothers breasts Through thy meanes I came into this world and as soone as I was borne I was left to thy tuition yea thou wast my God when I was yet in my mothers wombe Wherefore go not far awaie froÌ„ me for danger is euen now at hand so none in earth will or can help me Manie buls haue closed me in both strong and fat they haue compassed me round about They haue opened their mouth against me like vnto a lion that gapeth vpon his praie and roareth for hunger I am powred out like water and all my lims losed one from another and my hart is melted within me as it were waxe All my strength is gone and dried vp like vnto a tilestone my tongue cleaueth to the roofe of my mouth and at the last I shall be buried in the earth as the dead be woont For dogs haue compassed me round about and the most wicked haue conspired against me they wound euen my verie hart hands head and feet I was so vngentlie intreated of them that I might easilie number all my bones and after all the paine and torment that they did to me with greeuous countenance they stared and looked vpon me They diuided my cloaths among them and cast lots for my coate Wherefore Lord I beseech thee go not far from me but for-as-much as thou art my power my strength make haste to helpe me Deliuer my soule from danger of the sword and keepe my life destitute of all mortall helpe from the violence of the infernall dog Saue my soule from the mouth of the lion and take me from the hornes of the vnicornes So will I shew vnto my breethren and sisters the maiestie of thy name and when the people are most assembled togither I will praise and set foorth thy most worthie acts and deeds All that worship the Lord praise him all the posteritie of Iacob magnifie him all ye that be of the stocke of Israell with reuerence serue and honour him For he hath not despised and set at naught his poore hand-maid bicause of hir miserie nor he hath not disdainefullie turned awaie his face from hir but rather as soone as his poore hand-maid cried vnto him for helpe he heard hir by and by I will praise thee therefore with my songs