Father making intercession for vs sounded continuallie in the eares of God Worke so that we be not found in the number of those into whome sathan hath entred which blaspheame thee despise thy benefits and destroie themselues vtterlie Increase our faith and knowledge of thee that the eternall Father through thy sacrifice being pleased may forgiue all our sinnes and receiue vs into that companie which is glorious in thine eies Under the crosse standeth thy noble but sorowfull mother hir sister and other good women with thy disciple Iohn whome thou louedst O blesse vs and of thy goodnes ioine vs to that companie In thy mother there shineth a notable light and strength of faith she beholdeth in thee hir Sonne those sights than which none could be more greeuous in this world she sawe the rage of thine enimies and thine intollerable torments yet she beleeued notwithstanding the greeuousnes of thy paine the shedding of thy pretious bloud the flight of thy disciples the crueltie of thine enimies and the odiousnes of thy death she beleeued I saie O the force of faith that thou wast God by nature and shouldest rise againe and reigne euerlastinglie ouercome death and the diuell and subdue all thine enimies O Sonne of God kindle within vs we praie thee the like sparks of faith giue vs grace with thine elect neuer to be ashamed to stand vnder thy crosse And as thou euen of an entire good will mercifullie among thy seruants didst speake vnto and comfort thy pensiue and moorning mother so speake vnto vs and thy troubled Church in miserie comfort hir with thy sweet voice and presence Thou commendedst thy mother to thine Apostle Make vs vnfeignedlie to loue the Church thy sweet and true mother and grant that euerie of vs may cherish the same louinglie and mainteine it to the vttermost of our powers Especiallie guide the Preachers that they may loue the mother nourish the vnitie of pure doctrine auoid the seed of heresies and remooue all stumbling-blockes all occasions of hindering of faith and praier in yoong Christians At thy sides hang two theeues punished for their sinnes according to the lawe and their deserts whereof one desperatelie powring out blasphemous speeches the other godlie requiring thy fauour he ended his daies All mankind Lord doo likewise hang in miseries for their sinnes whereof some are so captiued in their minds that at the point of death they scoffe blaspheme and desperatelie to their vtter condemnation finish their daies but giue vs grace we beseech thee that we may imitate the example of the gratious theefe which before his passage out of this life moued by infallible arguments of thine almightinesse and mercie required pardon of his offences and obteined the same according to his request Giue grace that we may imitate his hartie repentance his sorowe for sin his notable faith his zealous confession and other good works of his We beseech thee mercifull Lord be mindfull of vs. O Lord be mindfull of vs. Thou sittest in the kingdom of thy Father we are in the miseries of the world but be thou mindfull of vs. Begin thy kingdome in vs heere in this world and in euerie combate of our conscience especiallie at the point of death pronounce to our hearts this comfortable absolution This daie shalt thou be with me in Paradise Shew vnto vs thy paradise that departing out of this life we may find rest for our soules Open to our soules the gates of Paradise place them in the seates of immortalitie and state of blisse where thy Father togither with the blessed companie of Angels and men sheweth himselfe euen as he is In the meane while thy combate is not yet finished thou criedst in most pittifull maner My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Thy diuinitie was not then separated from thy humanitie which neuer lost that which once it tooke neither surcessedst nor dooest thou surcesse at anie time to be equall and one with thine eternall father but then was the houre of thy humiliation wherein after a woonderfull and vnspeakable maner thy diuinitie hid it selfe as it were and would haue this obedience to be showne and thought not best to destroie the Iewes thine enimies and murtherers Yea it hid it selfe that the streames of Gods displeasure against the sinnes of men should so fall vpon thee O Christ that they should wrestle with extreame torments such as for a certeine space thou perceiuedst no comfort notwithstanding thy diuinitie confirmed thine humane nature which was to suffer all the passions For thy diuinitie could not suffer anie passion at all therefore it confirmed the same that there might be a sufficient satisfaction for the sins of men For they which haue endured most greeuous torments could neuer abide these for if God comfort vs we may abide the punishment of men and then it may be said Though bodies greefe did feele Yet had their soules great ioie And vertuous hope did strengthen so That paines did naught annoie But intollerable is it for a creature to suffer the punishment of God and be saued thereby Wherefore O Sonne of God in displeasure bee mindfull of thy mercie be thou our protection that the wrath of thine eternall father doo not destroie vs. Euen a little taste of Gods displesure bursteth in peeces all the bones of men like a lion And therfore by and by after thou vtteredst the like complaint saieng I thirst thy soule languished through the greatnesse of thy paines Thy spirits were resolued through thy woonderfull greefe of hart Thy bowels dried awaie and no moisture abode in them and therefore trulie didst thou both inwardlie thirst and desire some vertue and comfort from thy Father and outwardlie to haue thy bodie refreshed O Iesu Christ which art the fountaine of eternall life giuing the water which quencheth all thirst from whose bellie springeth the well of life suffer vs not to taste such a greeuous thirst as did that merciles rich glutton in hell which neuer was quenched but with the godlie to saie My soule stucke vnto my iawes I had no quietnes in my bones Lord in thy iudgements correct me not in thy furie least I come vnto nothing If thou obseruest iniquities O Lord Lord who shall be able to abide Thus doo thy Saincts crie I saie in their troubles Wherefore kindle not thy wrath altogither against vs. Cease not to comfort our weake nature striuing against thy iudgements with the iuice of thy word and comfortable waterings of thy spirit Unto thee did thine eternall Father manifest his presence and comfort for our sakes when some while after being better quieted thou saiedst It is finished Thou gauest thanks to thine eternall father for helping thee whereby the sacrifice of welfare to the elect for euermore was fulfilled Oh most sacred Priest imprint within vs this celestiall conclusion this notable finishing of thy sacrifice that vndoubtedlie we may thinke that by this sacrifice the remission of sinnes and life eternall is purchased for vs.
may be compared to the ranke Oliues and exceeding fertile Uines and grant that a continuall ofspring of thy deere children may be multiplied in thy blessed Church and become notable in peace in praises and in puritie of life and doctrine to the renowmed honour of thy glorious name through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another praier for the preseruation of the Church O Celestiall God and Father of infinite mercie and compassion which not onelie gatherest to thy selfe an holie Church in this world out of mankind through the operation of the holie Ghost and preaching of thy word but also preseruest the same being gathered and adornest it with all kind of temporall things and which more is with eternall blisse we humblie beseech thee gratious Lord that of thy goodnesse thou wouldest vouchsafe euermore to mainteine this thy little flocke embracing preaching and professing thy word through thine especiall grace Continue thy fauour toward the same keepe it in sound doctrine constant in confessing in the lawfull vse of thy holie Sacraments and in purenesse of life that neither the gates of hell the rage of Sathan nor yet the rigorousnesse and tyrannie of this world oppresse the same Protect and keepe this thy boate and little barke tossed among manie perillous tempests and miserable surges in the raging sea of this trouble some world that it perish not being ouerwhelmed Uphold thy Church which is builded vpon a sure rocke and dependeth vpon Christ a sound and vnmoueable foundation O Lord of hostes returne looke downe from heauen and behold visit thy Uine and make it perfect which thy right hand hath planted and thou hast chosen to thy selfe Hedge the same about with thy strong defence that the branches thereof being spread out and pruned may bring foorth aboundance of fruite Raise vp thy power come O God and saue vs. Conuert vs shewe foorth thy countenance and we shall be saued Encrease thy sheepe within thy hardels so shall we be quiet from all inuasion and scatterings neither can anie drawe vs by force out of thy hands Defend vs from such as seeke the vtter ouerthrowe of pure religion and in place thereof labour to bring in the shamefull instauration of blasphemous idolatrie Suffer not thy word that most cleere and vnchangeable light to be corrupted or put out by our meanes but gather to thy selfe through the sound of the Gospell such a Church as may harken vnto thee honour and sanctifie thy name as well in word as in honest conuersation that so thou maist haue a righteous and holie generation celebrating thy goodnesse for euermore O ioine vs vnto that companie which doth worship thee continuallie that we may be citizens of thy kingdome among thy Saincts Grant that we erre not frō the foundation of wholsome doctrine answering to the rules of the sacred Scripture and that we offend not against our conscience but separate vs from the companie of the vngodlie ones and from the damned crue of the reprobate Let vs not so much as take their names into our mouths which powre out heapes of blasphemies to thy great dishonour and defacing of thy truth vnto whom thy sonne is a destruction and stone of offence For they despise his base estate and the foolish preaching of thy Gospell and the deformed shew of the Church placed in the midst of all kind of miseries they loath and abhor preferring vncertaine riches lordlie authoritie and the vaine pleasures of this transitorie world before the profession of the truth so making warre with thy sonne they doo purchase euerlasting destruction vnto themselues Keepe vs euermore that wee may abide in that Church which is trulie Catholike consisting of members of manie nations but linked vnto thee in one and the same confession Sanctifie vs with thine holie spirit that our sinnes being forgiuen vs wee may take another trade of life in acknowledging thee to be the onlie true God and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent Giue vnto thy Church resting places and nests where they may sound thy sacred Gospell purelie without corruption Suppresse the diuell which spredeth blasphemies against thy doctrine that so neither feined gods may be erected nor superstitious inuocations confirmed nor thy glorie defaced Weaken the power of thine enimies which boile in hatred against thy truth and conspire the death of thine elect so neither shall stables of woolues be made nor dennes of theeues established O Lord returne and quicken vs so shall thy people reioice in thee Let all such as trust in thee reioice and triumph for euer Dwell thou in them and let those which loue thy name reioice in thee O Lord remember not our offences Thou which wast somtime mercifull and forgauest the wickednesse of thy people and hidst all their sinnes which withdrawedst all thine anger and turnedst from the fiercenesse of thine indignation be mindfull of thy woonted mercie and receiue vs into thy fauour For we depend vpon thee alone being destitute of all worldlie aid our trust wholie is in thee and all our confidence resteth in thy stretched-out arme O Lord couer vs with thy grace as it were with a shield that so we may be blessed and abiding in the house of thy congregation may acknowledge and call vpon thee according to thy word reuealed and praise thee euermore through our Lord Iesus Christ Amen A praier for vnitie in faith and religion O Eternall God and most mercifull Father which hast called vs to the vnitie of the true Catholike faith and gathered vs by thy word into the lap of the Christian congregation that wee may be all of vs one bodie and one spirit euen as wee are called in one hope of our calling one Lord one faith one baptisme one God and Father of all which is aboue all and through all and in vs all For euen as thou O Father art in thy sonne and he in thee so should we also be one in thee our God And therefore we crie vnto thee O almightie Father and eternall God teach vs thy waies that we may walke in thy truth O knit our harts vnto thee that we may feare thy name Grant that all the faithfull may be like affected and of one mind as thou art thinking the same thing after the ensample of Christ our Sauiour and that as well in minds as with mouth we may agree among our selues both in true doctrine and in outward behauiour of conuersation For the scope of the Churches felicitie consisteth in the vnitie of true faith and religion Keepe vs in the true vnderstanding and right knowledge of thy sacred Scriptures that without strife and contention we may speake one thing Let there be no dissentions nor schismes among vs. Let nothing be done through contention or of vaine glorie but let vs be one bodie indued with one mind and iudgment according to thy word reuealed vntill we attaine to the vnitie of faith and knowledge of thy sonne into a perfect man according to the measure of the
euerliuing and immortall thou art now risen from death for vs. Thou art now ascended to thy Father and our Father and sittest at the right hand in glorie grant that we also in hart and mind may thither ascend and with thee continuallie dwell Suffer vs to come neere vnto thee that we may kisse thee Yea Lord thou louer of our soules come thou rather vnto vs and kisse vs with the kisse of thy mouth that we may be glad reioice in thee Drawe vs that we may runne after the sauour of thy sweet ointments that we may behold thee in righteousnes and when thy glorie shall appeare we may be satisfied For in thy presence there is fulnes of ioie and on thy right hand there are pleasures for euermore So be it Halleluiah A Thanks-giuing WE lift vp our harts vnto thee O Lord God for it is verie meete right and our bounden dutie that we should at all times and in all places giue thanks vnto thee O Lord holie Father almightie euerlasting God through thy most deere beloued Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord who after his glorious resurrection manifestlie appeared to all his Apostles and in their sight ascended vp into heauen to prepare a place for vs that where he is thither we might also ascend to reigne with him in glorie Therefore with Angels and Archangels and with all the companie of heauen we laud and magnifie thy glorious name euermore praising thee and saieng Holie holie holie Lord God of hoasts heauen and earth are full of thy glorie Glorie be to thee O God most high So be it 11. On Whitsundaie or the feast of Pentecost Of the sending of the Comforter euen the spirit of truth The Preface THE spirit of the Lord filleth the round compasse of the world and vpholdeth all things Halleluiah The spirit of wisedome is louing and will not absolue him that blasphemeth with his lips Halleluiah The holie spirit of discipline flieth from deceipt and withdraweth himselfe from thoughts that are without vnderstanding Halleluiah This therefore is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men loue darkenesse more than light Halleluiah But O Father leaue vs not comfortlesse but come vnto vs and giue vs the Comforter euen the holie spirit of truth which the world can not receiue that he may abide with vs and dwell within vs for euer Halleluiah Come holie Ghost and teach vs in all thy waies and bring all things to our remembrance whatsoeuer God hath commanded vnto vs that we may speake with new lips and magnifie God according to his will Halleluiah Make me a cleane hart O God and renew a right spirit within me Halleluiah Cast me not awaie from thy presence and take not thy holie spirit from me Halleluiah O giue me the comfort of thy help againe and stablish me with thy free spirit Halleluiah Then shall I teach thy waies vnto the world and sinners shall be conuerted vnto thee Halleluiah Halleluiah The Praier IF ye loue me keepe my commandements and I will pray the Father and he shall giue you another Comforter that he may abide with you for euer euen the spirit of truth whom the world cannot receiue c. Oh heauenlie speech to be had in perpetuall remembrance Thou O Christ promisest such as keepe thy commandements such as in faith and a good conscience obeie thee to bee loued intirelie of thy Father and their brests to be the inhabiting place of thy diuinitie Nothing is more lamentable than to be cast from God into feare and fire vnquenchable nothing more comfortable than to haue thy fauour and to be loued of God This so excellent a benefit thou doest promise to thy disciples wherfore ingraffe vs to the blessed companie which thy Father doth loue whose sinnes are forgiuen through thy deserts and they are receiued into mercie and the inheritance of eternall life through thy death Neither is it thy will to haue vs present in loue and by the imputation of thy righteousnes onlie but also by a naturall participation and reall conformitie with God in deed Man deceiued by the diuell forsooke God his gouernour conceiued so highlie of himselfe that he would rule himselfe without God Let God defend thy life the rest seeke from thy selfe saie the wise men of this world and they commend that man whose onlie hope dependeth vpon himselfe But O lamentable darkenesse how shamefullie doth man fall without God assist How miserablie doth he perish whome God forsaketh Wherefore taking pitie on our wretched state thou restorest the ancient order interrupted through sinne and wilt that the harts of the faithfull shall againe be made y e dwelling place temple of diuinitie The God-head in deed is euerie where vpholding as long as hee thinketh good the whole frame of the world and the substance of euerie particular thing therein and againe destroieng all when he thinketh good so to doo notwithstanding he abideth onlie in the soule which receiueth Christ into it doo the Father and the word breath of their spirit and link it to themselues in like light righteousnesse and life In the Sonne the glorie of the Father doth shine and filleth that humane substance which the word through an eternall couenant coupleth to himselfe with the same spirit and powreth it into the harts of beleeuers to make them like vnto him For the word through the same spirit quickeneth both his owne and our flesh And this is the beginning of eternall life in this miserable world This spirit imprinteth the image of God which the word present in our minds doth speake in our soule kindeling a light and knowledge conformable to the Gospell turneth vs to the true seruice of GOD and stirreth vp in our wils so holie motions agreeing to the lawe of Christ as shine in that humane nature of Christ now glorified who cureth our infirmitie He commeth from the Father sent by the Sonne to renew vs according to the image of Christ He returneth to the Sonne and Father to couple vs vnto God to make intercession for vs with grones vnspeakable and to mooue the hart of eternall God vnto mercie and compassion towards vs. Such is our nature that through Gods spirit we reason christianlie and thinke godlie then how can it be but that the spirit must raise godlie cogitations good motions in our minds which is by nature a God and therefore substantiallie doth he mingle himselfe with our spirits springing in our nature but regenerated by him to imprint in vs another light and newnesse than is naturall wisdome and righteousnesse and therefore manie sighes doo we fetch euen these deepe sighes And thou word dwelling in our minds be thou present and kindle our harts by thy blast Conuert vs Lord and we shall be conuerted Turne vs to the acknowledging of our sinnes erect vs by the preaching of the Gospell and grant that through faith we may receiue the promise of the spirit Strengthen vs that we may retaine so
in a cleere and perfect light shall behold thee Amen 7. On the feast daie of the purification of Saint Marie the virgin and mother of Christ. The word became flesh and dwelt among vs Halleluiah O Eternall Father of thine onelie Sonne our Lord and Sauiour Christ which in the Common-wealth of Israell ordeined according to thy wisedome and adorned with excellent statutes necessarie for the state of mankind and signifieng secret and heauenlie things didst make diuers lawes concerning vncleannesse and the keeping of women with child and another for the first borne and that not onlie to put vs in mind of order in this life and thankefulnesse towards thy ministerie but also to teach that this our giltie and polluted nature like the foule and menstruous cloath of a woman is washed by the bloud of thy Sonne which is thy first borne thy substantiall image and the word sounding thy will whome from the heauens thou commandest to be harkened vnto Gouerne vs by thy first and onlie begotten Sonne Giue vs thy holie spirit that earnestlie we may bewaile our vncleannesse and pollusion aske helpe at thy mercifull hand be purified by the bloud of thy Sonne and be redeemed by him vnto true integritie and cleannesse which pleaseth thee that for his sake we may be adopted into thy children and find fauour in thine eies And as that good old man father Simeon notwithstanding that publikelie little or no talke was vsed of thy benefits by reason of the manifold sects then sproong vp and horrible tyrannie of Gouernours yet was confirmed by thy holie spirit in the truth and receiued a singular promise that he should see the Messias so by the same thy spirit kindle in vs faith whereby we may escape the palpable and curssed darkenesse of idolatrie which in the world welnigh is vsed And grant that we may apprehend thy Sonne who as this daie was presented in the Temple in substance of our flesh and in his armes depart in peace and be presented vnto thee with pure and cleane minds Assist vs that from our harts as did good father Simeon and holie Iacob we may firmelie keepe him among the feares of conscience and pangs of death Grant that he may be our light inflaming the darkenesse of our feeble minds with the brightnesse of his glorie Blot out all our doubtings heale the diseases of our soule and kindle that benefit and excellent light of true religion that being made followers in the spirituall societie of thy people Israell whose glorie is thy Sonne witnessing that among that people the promises and reuelations of the essence and will of the true God were made we may also come to thy glorie which our nature needeth and be adorned by thy Sonne with the heauenlie blessing of the forgiuenesse of our sinnes and receiuing righteousnesse and eternall life Amen 8. On Saint Matthias daie Thou hast exalted one chosen out of the people to publish thy lawe blessed be thy name O Lord. ALmightie God and most mercifull heauenlie Father who because the Scripture must needs haue beene fulfilled which the holie Ghost through the mouth of Dauid spake before of the Traitor Iudas who was guide to the Iewes that tooke Iesus thy deere Sonne our Lord and who now in reward of his iniquitie for betraieng thine innocent Sonne his Lord and Maister went hoong himselfe in the feeld of bloud called Acheldama till he burst asunder in the midst and all his guts and bowels gushed out didst afterward at the earnest praiers and petition of the rest of thy disciples choose thy faithfull seruant Matthias out of all the companie that followed thee or had their conuersation with thine Apostles to be of the number of thy twelue Apostles and ordeinedst him to be a witnesse with them of thy Sonnes resurrection as it is written in the 109. Psalme Let his habitation be void and no man be dwelling therein and his Bishoprike or charge let another take grant we beseech thee that thy Church being alwaie preserued from hirelings traitors and false Apostles may be ordered and guided by godlie faithfull and true pastors and ministers O Christ Sonne of God greatlie didst thou reioice at the gathering of the Church and high thanks didst thou yeeld to thy Father because he had chosen an holie seed out of mankind and suffered not their pains to be altogither frustrate We thanke thee also from our harts for reioicing at our well-doing and for repressing the diuell by thy power that some may be saued Gather heereafter we beseech thee from among vs a righteous people pleasing thee And although miserable and ouglie be the outward shew of thy Church and they which seeme to be the light of the world despise thy wisedome euen as neither Tiberius the Emperour with the Senate of Rome neither the Princes and Priests of the Iews would vouchsafe to heare thee wandering with thy Disciples Christian auditorie yet assist vs that these sinister iudgements of the world doo not dismaie vs but that we may bring our minds into a godlie captiuitie acknowledge thee by a true and liuelie faith to be the Sonne of thine eternall Father receiue the words from thee which from the bosome of thy Father vtterest the counsell concerning the restitution of man to whom all things both in heauen and earth are giuen for vs which are thy parteners Leade vs by thine hand by thy word and spirit before the presence of thy Father shew vs in a new light inwardlie in our soules the presence of thy Father which is pleased with vs for thy sake Abide thou among vs. Powre on vs by thy spirit the beginning of that light and righteousnes which appeareth in thee being the light of light lightning the darkenes of our nature Behold O good Samaritane and Physician of our soules to thee doo we lift vp our hands we are wounded we labour and are heauie laden thine enimie hath spoiled vs and wounded vs to the death We are so burthened with the weight and greeuousnes of sicknesse that our soule is comfortlesse readie to faint and fall into death and damnation Wherfore comfort our miserable soule with thy ioifull wine and oile with thine heauenlie and quickening balme raise vs from death vtter thy comfort to our harts and grant that our soules may find rest and gladnesse in thee Put on vs thy sweet yoke tame our flesh by thy spirit Raise vp in vs new motions and holie cogitations agreeable to thy will and word Thou art meeke in deed not desirous of reuengement Thou hast not throwne miserable man into euerlasting damnation as thou didst the diuels but hast suffered punishment for vs in thy bodie and praied for thine enimies Thou art meeke and lowlie in hart Thou flangest thy selfe vnder all angels and men thou tookest our fraile and fowle flesh vpon thee thou she wedst not the power of thy diuinitie in the time of thy passion but hidst if it might be thy diuinitie after a woonderfull
precepts and examples meet for meditation instruction and imitation to all posteritie And now in most dutifull maner commending and appropriating so diuine exercises of the church vnto your Maiestie the most naturall mother and noble nursse thereof the cause of a virgine to a Virgine the works of Queenes to a Queene your owne praiers to your selfe to whom indeed the particular interest and due praise and honour thereof iustlie belongeth I here prostrate on my knees in most humble maner meekelie beseech your excellent Maiestie gratiouslie of your woonted clemencie to pardon and forgiue this my too rash and bold enterprise attempted both with bashfulnesse feare and trembling and fauourablie as in like cases you are accustomed to accept these your liege subiect his great labors and painfull trauels in good part which he not to instruct your Highnesse of whose notable learning I am not able to speake but onelie for a monument of the hartie loue he beareth both to the church his deere mother and to your Maiestie his dread Souereigne hath in a godlie zeale and conscience bestowed to the good and profit of his countrie That by your Graces good liking and princelie approbation they may be both patronized against the wicked and practised of the godlie And so manie by that means with due reuerence and great honour to so honourable works may receiue these lamps as from your bountifull hand to inlighten them by your good industrie in all vertue and to prepare them by your holie example like wise virgins to perseuerance in all good works of the spirit And that therein manie may often looke and labour mightilie for your Highnesse as they are bound in feruent praier and manie mo thanks I saie be giuen of manie faithfull harts on your Maiesties behalfe for the benefit of such and so manie needfull and readie helps ministred and afoorded by your painfull hand and princelie affabilitie to your euerlasting comfort and renowme the praise of God and glorie of his deerest sonne Iesus Christ your sweet spouse Whom now for a conclusion as I began I most entirelie beseech that as of his owne good will he first loued his church my deere mother and gaue himselfe freelie for hir to sanctifie and clense hir in the most holie fountaine of water through the word to make hir vnto himselfe a beautifull virgine and glorious spouse without spot or wrinkle that she should be holie pure perfect and without blame before him so he will vouchsafe in like mercie still both to cherish defend and maintaine the same in his continuall grace religion and holinesse that she may yet bring foorth more fruit in hir age and members to his glorie and also as your spirituall spouse to set your Maiestie a most woorthie and mightie gouernor of the same euer as a seale vpon his hart to tie you fast as a signet or bracelet vpon his arme to beare you still in his owne bosome to set his eie ouer you continuallie for your health wealth and prosperitie to bend his desires alwaies towards you to doo you good that so your Highnesse may be kept in his continuall grace peace and fauour long to reigne ouer vs and also defended and preserued euermore from all bodilie and ghostlie perils and enimies to your euerlasting comfort and the reioice of all christian harts Finallie the Lord blesse your Maiestie euen out of Sion with all his heauenlie gifts and spirituall graces that hauing the principall heroicall spirit of your holie father good king Dauid doubled yea trebled in your noble and princelie hart you may as in numbers of yeeres beyond manie ages so in singular pietie and godlines far surmount excell your most noble progenitors that the remembrance of you our good Iosias may to all posterities be like the composition of the most pretious perfume of the Apothecarie and as sweet as honie in all mouthes and as harmonicall musicke at a banket of wine that in you our zealous Hezechias I saie we may still remaine in happie peace and haue an hiding place from the wind and a refuge from storms and tempests and riuers of waters to quench our thirst and temperate shadowes to shrowd vs from parching heate in a drie land so shall the harts of manie thousand virgins in England and else-where be ioifull and thankfull to God and your Maiestie so shall the daughters of Ierusalem sing ioifullie the sweet songs of Sion in their owne land with great triumph to their celestial King reigning on high ouer all yea so shal all your faithfull and louing subiects I saie in all humble obedience and dutifull seruice both towards God your Maiestie and their countrie resound by all possible meanes to all posterities your most excellent and woorthie praises vntill the comming of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ to whom with the Father and the holie Ghost be all empire honor dominion and praise now and for euer Amen Your Maiesties humble faithfull and obedient subiect THOMAS BENTLEY Lampas Virginitatis ECce tibi lucet Princeps clarissima lampas In tenebris gressus dirigat illa tuos Siquaeris librum cur lampada virginis istum Inscribam causas dico fuisse duas Vna est quòd talem praefert ecclesia lucem Expectans sponsum virgo pudica suum Altera quòd manibus virgo reginea librum Sumit cuiverae lampadis instar erit Dum Domino litat sacris indicit honorem Nuncupat Christo vota secunda suo Anna sibi lucem sibi Debora praetulit istam Inque suis Princeps ELIZABETHA malis Sic didicit lenire suas sic fallere curas Praesentémque sui poscere regis opem Quem non plena sacris placant altaria donis Non oblatorum corpora caesaboum Ille Deus Deus ille humili libamine vocum Irae deponit iusta flagella suae Illecebras carnis vincunt mundique furores Et sathanae faciunt fulmen inane preces Afflictis illae praestant solatia rebus Illis caelestes effodiuntur opes Hoc oleo plenam Domino qui lampada praebet Ille sacrificio nobiliore litat To the Christian Reader grace and truth in Christ HAuing my selfe taken no small comfort good Christian Reader by the reading and pervsing of diuers verie godlie learned and duiine treatises of meditations and praier made by sundrie right famous Queenes noble Ladies vertuous Virgins and godlie Gentlewomen of al ages who to shew themselues woorthie paternes of all pietie godlinesse and religion to their sex and for the common benefit of their countrie haue not ceased and that with all carefull industrie and earnest indeuour most painfullie and diligentlie in great feruencie of the spirit and zeale of the truth euen from their tender maidenlie yeeres to spend their time their wits their substance and also their bodies in the studies of noble and approoued sciences and in compiling and translating of sundrie most christian and godlie bookes a tast whereof you haue here in the second Lampe as
me but by the speciall grace of God which of my selfe I can not deserue but by Christ his onelie sonne whose brightnesse giueth light to my darknesse whose power examining my fault breaketh the vaile of ignorance and giueth mee cleare vnderstanding what thing abideth in mee where I am and wherefore I labour He it is whom I haue offended he it is to whom I did obeie so seldome wherefore it is conuenient that my pride be suppressed With weeping hart and sorowfull sighs I humblie therefore confesse that I am much lesse than nothing Before my birth mire after a dunghill hauing a bodie prompt to all euill not willing other studie subiect to care sorowe and paine short of life the end vncertaine and vnder sin by Adam sold and by the lawe condemned For of my selfe I neuer had yet the power to obserue one onelie commandement of God the force of sinne was such in me and therefore is my sinne no whit the lesse to be hidden and the more I cloaked and dissembled my sinne outwardlie the more it increased within my hart For what God would that could I not will and what hee would not I oft times desired to performe which thing doth constraine mee by importable sorowe in this wearie and raging life to wish the end of this miserable bodie through a desired death Who shall he then be that shall deliuer or recouer anie good for me Alas it can be no mortall man For his power and strength is not such as can deliuer me Who then The onlie grace of the almightie GOD who neuer is slacke to helpe the penitent with his mercie Oh what a maister is that which without deseruing will shew his mercie on sinners I serued him slothfullie and without ceasing offended him euerie daie yet is he not slacke in helping me He doth see the euill that I haue what and how much it is and that I of my selfe can doo nothing that is good but with hart bodie so inclined I am to the contrarie that I feele no strength in me vnlesse it be to doo euill Yet doth he not tarie till I humblie praie him or that seeing my hell and damnation I doo crie vpon him but his spirit whurling in my hart greater than I can declare asketh for mee a gift whereof the vertue is vnknowne to my little power And this the same vnknowne gift or whurling in my hart doth bring mee a new desire shewing the good that I haue lost by my sinne and giuen me againe thorough his grace and bountie that which hath ouercome all sinne O my Lord what grace and goodnesse is this which doth put out so manie sinnes Now may I see that thou art full of all godlie loue to make me of a sinner thy seruant and child Alas my God I did not seeke thee but fled and ran awaie from thee and here beneath thou camest downe to mee which am nothing but a woorme of the earth all naked What doo I saie A woorme Naie woorse than a woorme full of pride deceit malice and treason The promise which my friends made when I was baptised is such that I alwaies thorough faith in thy passion should feele the mortification of my flesh and dwell alwaies with thee in the crosse where thou wast fast nailed as I beleeue and yeelded death dead as I also should yeeld all sinne This haue I oftentimes vntied taken downe and set at large I haue broken denied and falsified my promise and through pride I haue lifted vp my will in such maner that through sloth my dutie towards thee was forgotten and that much more is as well the profit or value which I had of thee in the daie of my baptisme as also thy sauing loue and promises folowing I haue all alike neglected What shall I saie more Albeit that oftentimes thou perceiuing mee wretched and vnhappie hast giuen me so manie warnings in faith and sacraments admonishing mee by preachings and comforted mee by the receiuing of thy blessed bodie and sacred bloud promising by the same to put me in the number of them that now are adorned with perfect innocencie yet haue I all these high benefits throwne into forgetfulnesse Oftentimes O Lord haue I with thee broken couenant partlie for that my poore soule was too much fed with the euill bread or damnable doctrine of hypocrites I despised such succour and ghostlie physicke in Gods word as would haue helped mee if I had beene willing to looke for it yet knew I at that time no teacher conuenient For there is neither man Saint nor Angel that can without thy spirit change the hart of a sinner Alas good Iesus thou beholding my blindnesse and that at my neede I could haue no succour of men didst open the waie of my saluation O how great is thy goodnesse and how inestimable the sweetenesse which thou hast shewed therein Is there anie father so naturall to the daughter or brother to the sister which would euer haue done as thou hast done For thou camest downe into hel to succour my soule where against thy will shee was intending to haue perished bicause she did not loue thee Alas sweet Lord thou hast loued hir yea euen to the verie outshedding of thy most pretious bloud O charitie feruent and incomparable Nothing slacke art thou in loue that so louedst euerie sinner yea and also thine enimies not onelie in forgiuing their offences but also in giuing thy selfe for their saluation libertie and deliuerance to the death crosse trauell paine and sufferance When I cast in mind what should be the occasion of thy loue towards mee I can see nothing else but a loue woonderfull which moueth thee to giue me that which I can not deserue Then as far foorth as I can see I ought to giue no thanks for my saluation but onlie to thee my Lord Iesu to whom I owe the praise thereof as to him which is my Sauior and Creator The second Chapter Of the soules affinitie with Christ WHat a thing is it O God that thou hast done so much for me Thou art not onelie contented to haue forgiuen me my sinnes but also hast giuen vnto mee the right fortunate gift of grace For it should suffice mee I comming out of such a danger to be like a stranger vsed But thou doest handle my soule if I durst so say it as a mother daughter sister and wife notwithstanding my Lord I am the trespasser which am not woorthie to come neere the doore of thy right high place to aske bread where thy dwelling is Oh what grace is this that so suddenlie thou vouchsafest to drawe my soule into such highnes that she feeleth hir selfe ruler of my bodie She poore ignorant and lame doth find hir selfe with thee rich wise and strong bicause thou hast written in hir hart the roote of thy spirit and holie word giuing hir true faith to receiue it which thing made hir to conceiue thy sonne in beleeuing him to be man God
Sauiour and also the true forgiuer of sinnes Therefore doest thou assure hir that shee is mother to thy Sonne of whome thou art the onlie father And furthermore O my father here is a great loue of thy well dooing that thy holie sonne hath taken on him the bodie of a man hath mingled himselfe with our ashes which thing we may not vnderstand without a most true faith It hath pleased thee to put him so neere vs that he did ioine himselfe to our flesh and I seeing him to be called man am bold to call him brother Now sith my soule may saie of hir selfe that shee is the sister of God ought she not to haue hir selfe assured in him Yes trulie For thou doest declare with great loue that hir creation was onlie of thy good wil which it pleaseth thee alwaies to haue towards hir giuing assurance that before hir first daie or time of being prouided for hir thou thorough loue hast made hir as thou of power alone canst well doo it and also didst put hir within this bodie not for to slacke with sloth but that both of them should haue none other exercise but only to thinke how to doo some seruice vnto thee Then this truth maketh hir to feele that there is in thee true paternitie O what honor what sweetnesse and what glorie hath the soule which doeth alwaies remember that she is thy daughter and that in calling thee father shee doth thy commandement What is there more Is that all No it doth please thee to giue hir another name to call hir thy wife and that she againe doo call thee husband declaring therby how thou hast freelie manifested the mariage of hir By baptisme hast thou made a promise to giue hir thy goods and riches and to take on thee hir sinnes for she hath nothing by heritage but sinne of hir first father Adam All hir treasures that she hath of nature are nothing else but sinnes which thou hast tied vpon the Crosse and paid all hir debts with thy goodes lands Thou hast made hir so rich and with so great a iointure endued hir that she knowing hir selfe to be thy wedded wife doth beleeue to be quit of all that she oweth esteeming verie little that shee hath heere beneath She forsaketh hir old father and all the goods that he giueth hir for hir husbands sake For surelie O my GOD it hurteth my soule to be fed with such good and againe releeued in leauing the pleasures of this world for that which is eternal and where peace is without warre Father alas what ought I to thinke Shall my spirit be so bold as to take vpon him to call thee father yea and also our father for so hast thou taught in the Pater noster But to call me daughter hast thou so said I praie thee tell me Alas yea Lord when with great sweetnes thou saiedst Daughter lend me thy hart and againe thou saiedst Daughter thy faith hath saued thee O my soule instead of lending my Lord is readie to giue himselfe wholie vnto thee receiue him then and do not permit that anie creature put him from thee so that for euer with faithfull stedfastnesse he may loue thee with a daughterlie loue Now my Lord if thou be my father may I thinke that I may be thy mother Indeede I can not well perceiue how I should conceiue thee that createdst me but in this matter thou diddest satisfie my doubt when in preaching and in stretching forth thy hands thou didst saie Those that shall do the will of my father they are my brethren my sister and my mother I beleue then that hearing and reading the words that thou hast taught and vttered by thy holie Prophets and Apostles the same also which through thy true Preachers thou dost dailie declare vnto men in beleeuing it and stedfastlie desiring to fulfill the same I conceiue thee and beare thee by loue Therfore without anie feare I wil take vpon me the name of a mother What Mother of Christ O sweet virgine Marie I beseech thee be not angrie that I take vp such a title I do neither steale nor vsurpe anie thing vpon thy priuiledge for thou onelie aboue all women receiuedst of him so great honour that no man can in himselfe comprehend how he hath beene willing to take in thee our flesh for thou art the mother and perfect virgine before and after and in his holie birth In thy blessed wombe thou didst beare him and nourish him thou didst followe him in his tribulations and also in his teachings Now brieflie to conclude thou hast with God found such grace as the enimie through malice and deceit had caused Adam and his posteritie to lose by Eue and him we haue lost it and by the Sonne hath it been yeelded vnto vs againe Therefore hast thou bene rightfullie called full of grace as one to whome the Lord hath shewed aboundant fauour Sith then that he which is the best among them that be good and also the spring of all goodnesse and power hath created in thee so pure innocencie endued thee with such grace exalted thee to such dignitie that he in thee of all other the example of vertue hath builded his dwelling and temple he through loue did confirme himselfe with thee and thou through grace art confirmed in him therefore no man can giue thee greater praise then God himselfe hath giuen thee for there is no such praise as is the same which commeth from God Thou also hast had so firme and constant a faith that thou by the holie Ghost wast filled with all godlinesse I will not take vpon me therefore to giue to thee greater praise than the honour which thy sonne and soueraigne Lord hath giuen thee And as thou art his corporall mother so art thou thorough faith his spirituall mother and I following thy faith with all humblenesse am his spirituall mother also Alas my God the brotherlinesse that thou hast towards me thorough thy humblenesse in calling me sister is great for thou hast broken the kindred of mine old father calling me daughter by adoption Seeing then that we haue both one father I will not feare to call thee my brother For thou hast so reported it by the wise Salomon in his Canticle saieng My sister and spouse thou hast wounded my hart with the sweete looke of one of thine eies c. Alas my brother I wish for nothing else but that in wounding thee I might finde my selfe wounded with thy loue to that would I giue ouer my selfe And likewise thou doest call mee wife speaking to me these amorous words Arise my deere doue and come hitherward my delectable spouse Wherefore I may saie with louing faith Thou art mine and I am thine bicause thou hast called me thy loue and faire spouse If I be so such hast thou made me Alas doth it please thee to giue me such names Trulie they are able to breake the hart and cause it to burne through
loue vnspeakeable when it thinketh vpon the honour that thou doest vnto the soule which is much greater than it hath deserued A mother a mother Alas but of what child is it My God my sonne O Iesus what speech is this Mother daughter sister and brother O happie kindred O what sweetnesse doth proceede out of that paternitie But what daughterlie and reuerent feare ought I to haue towards him my father yea and my creator my protector and sauiour to be my brother Alas heere is a great loue I will therfore saie with Salomon Now can my hart no longer refraine but breake in sunder to make roome for the same so sweete a brother so that none other name be written in the same but onlie the name of my brother Iesus the sonne of God None other creature will I giue place to for all the scurging and beating that can be done vnto me keepe my hart then my deere brother and loue and let not thine enimie enter into it The third Chapter Of the soules infidelitie or apostasie from GOD. O My sweete Father my child my brother and spouse with hands ioined humblie vpon my knees I yeeld thee thanks and praises that it pleaseth thee to turne thy face towards me conuerting my hart and couering me with such grace that thou doest see no more my euils and sinnes So well hast thou hidden them that it seemeth thou hast put them in forgetfulnesse yea and also they seeme to be forgotten of me which haue done and committed them For faith and loue so working in me causeth me to forget them wholie putting my trust in thee alone Then my Father in whome lieth vnfeigned loue whereof can I haue feare in my hart I confesse that I haue done all the euill that one creature can doo and that of my selfe I am naught Also I haue offended thee as did the prodigall child following the foolish trade of the flesh wherewith I haue prodigallie spent the substance and aboundance of goodes which thou heere hast giuen me to vse to thy glorie and for the mispending of them pouertie hath taken me and hath withered me awaie euen as haie and yeelded my spirit dead for hunger compelling me to eate the reliefe of swine but in such meates I found verie little sauour Then I seeing my life to be so miserable did returne to thee my father againe saieng Alas deere father I haue sinned against heauen and before thee I am therefore no more Worthie to be called thy child But O bountifull and mercifull father do thou no worsse to me than to one of thy houshold seruants Alas deere father what loue and zeale is this that thou wouldest not tarie my comming and praier but speedilie stretching foorth thy hands receiuedst me when I did thinke thou wouldest not looke on me and so receiuing me in stead to haue punished me thou didst assure me of my saluation Where is he then that shall punish me when my father shall denie him my sinne There is no Iudge that can condemne me vnlesse God himselfe will damne me the want of goodnesse I feare not for I haue my God for my father my enimie shall do me no harme for my father will take all his strength awaie from him If I owe any thing he shall paie it for me if I haue deserued death he as a King shall pardon me and deliuer me from prison and death But heere is the woorst what maner of mother haue I beene For after that I by faith had receiued the name of a true mother I became verie rude vnto thee my Sonne because that after I had conceiued and brought thee foorth I left reason and being subiect to my will not taking heed vnto thee I fell asleepe and gaue place to my great enimie the which in the night of ignorance I being asleepe did steale thee from me craftilie and in thy place she did put hir child which was dead and so I did leese thee which was a sorowfull remorse for me Thus did I loose thee my sonne by mine owne fault because I tooke no heed to keepe thee Sensualitie my neighbour I beeing in my beastlie sleepe did steale thee from me and gaue to me hir child which had no life in him named sinne whome I said I would not haue but vtterlie did forsake him She affirmed that he was mine owne but I knew him to be hirs For as soone as I came to the light of grace which thou hadst giuen me then I knewe my glorie to be changed when I saw the dead child not to be mine For the same which was aliue whom she had taken awaie was my child so apparant was the change betweene Iesus and sinne But now heere is a strange thing this old woman causeth me to keepe this dead child whome she reporteth to be mine and so will she mainteine O Salomon thou true and wise Iudge thou hast heard this lamentable processe and ordeined to content the parties that the child should be diuided in two parts The false woman agreeth it should be so but I remembring him to be mine owne sonne which was aliue was rather content to leese him than to see his bodie parted in twaine For true and perfect loue is neuer content with the one halfe of that it loueth rather I had therefore to weepe for the whole than to recouer the one halfe without life Alas noble Salomon giue her the child which is aliue For better it is for me to die than to see my sonne diuided But my Lord thou didst better looke to it than I. For thou seeing the anguish that I did suffer and how I rather did forsake my right than to behold such cruelnesse thou saiedst This is the true mother and so caused them to giue me my child againe for whome before my hart was sorowfull O sweete Iesus thus hast thou proued me how much I loued thee yea and when by sinne I had lost thee yet didst thou returne vnto me Alas how gentlie doest thou vouchsafe to come againe to hir which being let by sinne could not keepe thee my sweete child my sweete sonne my helper my nourisher of whome I am an humble creature Do not permit that euer I do leaue thee againe for I do repent the time past Now come sensualitie with thy rablement of sinnes thou hast no power to make me to receiue thy dead child For my sonne is strong and will defend me he shall not permit that thou take him anie more awaie from me his strength is greater than anie others therefore may I sleepe and take rest neere him For all things well considered he shall keepe me from thine assaults O sweete rest of the mother and the sonne together my sweete child my God onlie vnto thee be the honour and praise for that euerie creature may see how it hath pleased thee to call me lesse than nothing a mother and the more it is strange and hard to be done the more ought thy
doo so shalt thou practise with ease hauing a guide and amend with profit hauing a zeale It is easier to see these than to learne begin at the easiest to come to the harder see thou hir confession that thou maiest learne hir repentance practise hir perseuerance that thou maiest haue like amendment despise thy selfe in eschewing vice that thou maiest please God in asking grace let not shame hinder the confession which hindered not the offense Be thou sure if we knowledge our sinnes God is faithfull to forgiue vs and to clense vs from all vnrighteousnes Obeie the Prophets saieng Declare thy waies to the Lord. Thus far thou maist learne to knowe thy selfe next this be thou as diligent to releeue thy selfe in Gods mercie as thou hast beene to reueale thy selfe in thine owne repentance For God hath concluded all things vnder sinne bicause he would haue mercie vpon all who hath also borne our sinnes in his bodie vpon the tree that we should be deliuered from sinne and should liue vnto righteousnes by whose stripes we be healed Here is our anchor here is our shepheard here we be made whole here is our life our redemption our saluation and our blisse let vs therefore now feed by this gratious Queenes example be not ashamed to become in confession Publicanes since this noble Ladie will be no Pharisie And to all Ladies of estate I wish as earnest mind to followe our Queene in vertue as in honour that they might once appeare to prefer God before the world and be honourable in religion which now be honourable in vanities so shall they as in some vertuous Ladies of right high estate it is with great comfort seene taste of this freedome of remission of the euerlasting blisse which exceedeth all thoughts and vnderstandings and is prepared for the holie in spirit For the which let vs with our intercession in holines and purenes of life offer our selues to the heauenlie father an vndefiled host to whom be eternall praise and glorie throughout the earth without end Amen The Lamentation or Complaint of a sinner made by the most vertuous and right gratious Ladie Queene CATHERINE bewailing the ignorance of hir blind life led in superstition verie profitable to the amendment of our liues The first Chapter Of an humble confession of sinnes to the glorie of God WHEN I consider in the bethinking of mine euil and wretched former life mine obstinate stonie and vntractable heart to haue so much exceeded in euilnesse that it hath not onelie neglected yea contemned despised Gods holie precepts and commandements but also imbraced receiued and esteemed vaine foolish and feined trifles I am partlie by the hate I owe to sinne who hath reigned in me and partlie by the loue I owe to all Christians whom I am content to edifie euen with the example of mine owne shame forced and constrained with my hart and words to confesse and declare to the world how ingrate negligent vnkind and stubborne I haue beene to God my Creator and how beneficiall mercifull and gentle he hath been alwaies to me his creature being such a miserable and wretched sinner Trulie I haue taken no little small thing vpon me first to set foorth my whole stubbornesse and contempt in words the which is incomprehensible in thought as it is in the 12. Psalme Who vnderstandeth his faults Next this to declare the excellent beneficence mercie and goodnesse of God which is infinite and vnmeasurable Neither can all the words of Angels and men make relation thereof as apperteineth to his most high goodnesse Who is he that is not forced to confesse the same if he consider what he hath receiued of God doth dailie receiue Yea if men would not acknowledge and confesse the same the stones would crie it out Trulie I am constrained and forced to speake and write thereof to mine owne confusion and shame but to the glorie and praise of God For he as a louing father of most abundant and high goodnesse hath heaped vpon me innumerable benefits and I contrarie haue heaped manifold sinnes despising that which was good holie pleasant and acceptable in his sight and choosing that which was delicious pleasant and acceptable in my sight And no maruell it was that I so did For I would not learne to knowe the Lord and his waies but loued darknesse better than light yea darknesse seemed to me light I embraced ignorance as perfect knowledge and knowledge seemed to me superfluous and vaine I regarded little Gods word but gaue my selfe to vanities and shadowes of the world I forsooke him in whom is all truth and followed the vaine foolish imaginations of my hart I would haue couered my sinnes with the pretence of holinesse I called superstition godlie meaning and true holinesse errour The Lord did speake manie pleasant and sweet words vnto me and I would not heare he called me diuerslie but through frowardnesse I would not answere Mine euils and miseries be so manie and so great that they can accuse me euen to my face Oh how miserablie and wretchedlie am I confounded when for the multitude and greatnesse of my sinnes I am compelled to accuse my selfe Was it not a maruellous vnkindnesse when God did speake to me and also call me that I would not answere him What man so called would not haue heard Or what man hearing would not haue answered If an earthlie Prince had spoken either called I suppose there be none but would willinglie haue done both Now therefore what a wretch and caitife am I that when the Prince of princes the King of kings did speake manie pleasant and gentle words vnto me and also called me so manie and sundrie times that they can not be numbred and yet notwithstanding these great signes and tokens of loue I would not come vnto him but hid my selfe out of his sight seeking manie crooked and biwaies wherin I walked so long that I had cleane lost his sight And no maruell or woonder For I had a blind guide called Ignorance who dimmed so mine eies that I could neuer perfectlie get anie sight of the faire goodlie streight and right waies of his doctrine but continuallie trauelled vncomfortablie in foule wicked crooked and peruerse waies Yea and bicause they were so much haunted of manie I could not thinke but that I walked in the perfect and right waie hauing more regard to the number of the walkers than to the order of the walking beleeuing also most assuredly with companie to haue walked to heauen wheras I am most sure they would haue brought me down to hell I forsooke the spirituall honouring of the true liuing God and worshipped visible idols and images made of mens hands beleeuing by them to haue gotten heauen yea to saie the truth I made a great idole of my selfe For I loued my selfe better than God And certainlie looke how manie things are loued or preferred in our harts before God so manie are taken and esteemed for idols and false
shall be depriued Then this Crucifixe is the booke wherein God hath included all things and hath most compendiouslie written therein all truth profitable and necessarie for our saluation Therefore let vs endeuour our selues to studie this booke that we being lightened with the spirit of God may giue him thanks for so great a benefit The fift Chapter Of the glorious victories of Christ ouer all enimies IF we looke further in this booke we shall see Christs great victorie vpon the crosse which was so noble and mightie that there neuer was neither shall be such If the victorie and glorie of worldlie Princes were great because they did ouercome great hostes of men how much was Christes greater which vanquished not onelie the Prince of this world but all the enimies of God triumphing ouer persecution iniuries villanies slanders yea death the world sinne and the diuell and brought to confusion all carnall prudence The Princes of the world neuer did fight without the strength of the world Christ contrarilie went to warre euen against all the strength of the world He fought as Dauid did with Golias vnarmed of all humane wisdome and policie and without all worldlie power and strength Neuerthelesse he was fullie replenished and armed with the whole armour of the spirit And in this one battell he ouercame for euer all his enimies There was neuer so glorious a spoile neither a more rich and noble than Christ was vpon the Crosse which deliuered all his elect from such a sharpe and miserable captiuitie He had in his battell manie stripes yea and lost his life but his victorie was so much the greater Therfore when I looke vpon the sonne of God with a supernaturall faith and light so vnarmed naked giuen vp and alone with humilitie patience liberalitie modestie gentlenesse and with all other his diuine vertues beating downe to the ground all Gods enimies and making the soule of man so faire and beautifull I am forced to saie that his victorie and triumph was maruellous And therefore Christ well deserued to haue this noble title IESVS OF NAZARETH KING OF THE IEWES But if we will particularlie vnfold and see his great victories let vs first behold how he ouercame sinne with his innocencie confounded pride with his humilitie quenched all worldlie loue with his charitie appeased the wrath of his father with his meekenesse and turned hatred into loue with his so manie benefits and godlie zeale Christ hath not onlie ouercome sinne but rather he hath killed the same in asmuch as he hath satisfied for it himselfe with the most holie sacrifice and oblation of his pretious bodie in suffering most bitter and cruell death Also after another sort that is he giueth all those that loue him so much spirit grace vertue and strength that they may resist impugne and ouercome sinne and not consent neither suffer it to reigne in them He hath also vanquished sinne because he hath taken awaie the force of the same that is he hath cancelled the lawe which was in euill men the occasion of sinne Therefore sinne hath no power against them that are with the holie Ghost vnited to Christ in them there is nothing worthie of damnation And although the dregs of Adam do remaine that is our concupiscences which in deede be sinnes neuerthelesse they be not imputed for sinnes if we be trulie planted in Christ It is true that Christ might haue taken awaie all our immoderate affections but hee hath left them for the great glorie of his father and for his owne greater triumph As for example When a Prince fighteth with his enimies which sometime had the souereigntie ouer his people and subduing them may kill them if he will yet he preserueth and saueth them and whereas they were Lords ouer his people he maketh them after to serue whome they before had ruled Now in such a case the Prince doth shew himselfe a greater conquerour in that he hath made them which were rulers to obeie and the subiects to be Lords ouer them to whome they serued than if he had vtterlie destroied them vpon the conquest For now he leaueth continuall victorie to them whome he redeemed whereas otherwise the occasion of victorie was taken awaie where none were left to be the subiects Euen so in like case Christ hath left in vs these concupiscences to the intent they should serue vs to the exercise of our vertues where first they did reigne ouer vs to the exercise of our sinne And it may be plainelie seene that whereas first they were such impediments to vs that we could not moue our selues towards God now by Christ we haue so much strength that notwithstanding the force of them we may assuredlie walke to heauen And although the children of God sometime do fall by fariltie into some sinne yet that falling maketh them to humble themselues and to reknowledge the goodnesse of God and to come to him for refuge and helpe Likewise Christ by his death hath ouercome the Prince of diuels with all his hoast and hath destroied them all For as Paule saith it is verified that Christ should breake the Serpents head prophesied by God And although the diuell tempt vs yet if by faith we be planted in Christ we shall not perish but rather by his temptation take great force and might So it is euident that the triumph victorie and glorie of Christ is the greater hauing in such sort subdued the diuell that whereas he was Prince and Lord of the world holding all creatures in captiuitie now Christ vseth him as an instrument to punish the wicked and to exercise and make strong the elect of God in Christian warfare Christ likewise hath ouercome death in a more glorious manner if it be possible because he hath not taken it awaie but leauing vniuersallie all subiect to the same He hath giuen so much vertue and spirit that whereas afore we passed thereto with great feare now we be bold through the spirit for the sure hope of the resurrection that we receiue it with ioie It is now no more bitter but sweete no more feared but desired it is no death but life And also it hath pleased God that the infirmities and aduersities do remaine to the sight of the world but the children of God are by Christ made so strong righteous whole and sound that the troubles of the world be comforts of the spirit the passions of the flesh are medicines of the soule For all maner things worke to their commoditie and profite For they in spirit feele that God their father doth gouerne them and disposeth all things for their benefit therefore they feele themselues sure In persecution they are quiet and peacefull in trouble they are without weerinesse feares anxieties suspicions miseries and finallie all the good and euill of the world worketh to their commoditie Moreouer they see that the triumph of Christ hath beene so great that not onelie he hath subdued and vanquished all our enimies and the power
Christian libertie is godlie intreated of Trulie it is no good spirit that moueth men to find fault at euerie thing and when things may be well taken to peruert them into an euill sense and meaning There be in the world manie speakers of holines and good works but verie rare and seldome is declared which be the good and holie works The works of the spirit be neuer almost spoken of and therefore verie few knowe what they be I am able to iustifie the ignorance of the people to be great not in this matter alone but in manie other the which were most necessarie for Christians to knowe Because I haue had iust proofe of the same it maketh me thus much to saie with no little sorowe and greefe in my hart for such a miserable ignorance and blindnesse amongest the people I doubt not but we can saie all Lord Lord. But I feare God may saie vnto vs This people honoureth me with their lips but their harts be far from me God desireth nothing but the hart and saith He will be worshipped in spirit and truth Christ condemned all hypocrisie and feigned holines and taught sincere pure and true godlinesse but we worsse than frantike or blinde will not followe Christs doctrine but trust to mens doctrines iudgements and saiengs which dimmeth our eies and so the blind leadeth the blind and both fall into the dich Trulie in my simple and vnlearned iudgement no mans doctrine is to be esteemed or preferred like vnto Christs and the Apostles nor to be taught as a perfect and true doctrine but euen as it doth accord agree with the doctrine of the Gospell But yet those that be called spirituall pastours although they be most carnall as it doth verie euidentlie and plainelie appeare by their fruites are so blinded with the loue of themselues and the world that they extoll mens inuentions and doctrines before the doctrine of the Gospell And when they be not able to mainteine their owne inuentions and doctrines with anie iot of the scripture then they most cruellie persecute them that be contrarie to the same Be such the louers of Christ Naie naie they be the louers of the wicked Mammon neither regarding God nor his honour For filthie lucre hath made them almost mad but frantike they be doubtlesse Is not this miserable state of spirituall men in the world much to be lamented of all good Christians But yet I cannot allowe neither praise all kind of lamentation but such as may stand with Christian charitie The eight Chapter Of the fruites and rules of true Christianitie for men to followe CHaritie suffereth long and is gentle enuieth not vpbraideth no man casteth frowardlie no faults in mens teeth but referreth all things to God being angrie without sinne reforming others without slanders carrieng euer a store-house of mild words to pearce the stonie-harted men I would all Christians that like as they haue professed Christ would so endeuour themselues to folowe him in godlie liuing For we haue not put on Christ to liue anie more to our selues in the vanities delightes and pleasures of the world and the flesh suffering the concupiscence and carnalitie of the flesh to haue his full swinge For we must walke after the spirit and not after the flesh For the spirit is spirituall and coueteth spirituall things and the flesh carnall and desireth carnall things The men regenerate by Christ despise the world and all the vanities and pleasures thereof They be no louers of themselues For they feele how euill and infirme they be not being able to do anie good thing without the helpe of God from whome they knowledge all goodnesse to proceede They flatter not themselues with thinking euerie thing which shineth to the world to be good and holie For they knowe all externe and outward works be they neuer so glorious and faire to the world may be done of the euill as well as of the good And therefore they haue in verie little estimation the outward shew of holinesse because they be all spirituall casting vp their eies vpon heauenlie things neither looking nor regarding the earthlie things for they be to them vile and abiect They haue also the simplicitie of the doue and the policie of the serpent For by simplicitie they haue a desire to do good to all men and to hurt no man no though they haue occasion giuen and by policie they giue not nor minister anie iust cause to anie man whereby their doctrine might be reproued They be not also as a reede shaken with euerie winde but when they be blasted with the tempests and stormes of the world then remaine they most firme stable and quiet feeling in spirit that God as their best father doth send and suffer all things for their benefit and commoditie Christ is to them a rule a line an example of Christian life They be neuer offended at anie thing although occasion be ministred vnto them For like as Christ when Peter would haue withdrawne him from death answered and said Go backe from me Sathan for thou offendest me that is As much as lieth in thee thou giuest me occasion with thy words to make me withdrawe my selfe from death although I yeelded not thereto For this thy procurement can not extinguish the burning desire I haue to shed my bloud for my chosen Euen so the perfect men are neuer offended at anie thing For although the world were full of sinne they would not withdrawe themselues from doing of good nor waxe cold in the loue of the Lord. And much lesse they would be moued to do euill yea rather they be so much the more moued to do good The regenerated by Christ are neuer offended at the works of God because they knowe by faith that God doth all things well and that he can not erre neither for want of power nor by ignorance nor malice For they knowe him to be almightie and that he seeth all things and is most aboundantlie good They see and feele in spirit that of that will most highlie perfect can not but proceede most perfecte works Likewise they be not offended at the works of men For if they bee good they are moued by them to take occasion to folowe them and to reknowledge the goodnes of God with giuing of thanks and praising his name dailie the more But if they be indifferent and such as may be done with good and euill intents they iudge the best part thinking they may bee done to a good purpose and so they bee edified But if they bee so euill that they can not bee taken in good part by anie meanes yet they bee not offended although occasion bee giuen naie rather they be edified in asmuch as they take occasion to be better though the contrarie bee ministred to them Then begin they to thinke and saie thus If God had not preserued me with his grace I should haue committed this sin and worsse O how much am I bound to confesse and knowledge
great benefit not to haue manie worldlie gifts whereby the laud and praise of men might blind my soule and deceiue me Lord I knowe that no man ought to be ashamed or miscontent that he is in a lowe estate in this world and lacketh the pleasures of this life but rather to be glad and reioice thereat For so much as thou hast chosen the poore and meeke persons and such as are despised in the world to be thy seruants and familiar friends Witnesse be thy blessed Apostles whome thou madest chiefe pastours and spirituall gouernours of thy flocke which departed from the counsel of the Jewes reioising that they were counted worthie to suffer rebuke for thy name Euen so O Lord grant that I thy seruant may be as well content to be taken as the least as other be to be greatest and that I be as well pleased to be in the lowest place as in the highest and as glad to be of no reputation in the world for thy sake as other are to be noble and famous Lord it is the worke of a perfect man neuer to sequester his mind from thee and among manie worldlie cares to go without care not after the maner of an idle or a dissolute person but by the prerogatiue of a free mind alwaie minding heauenlie things and not cleauing by inordinate affection to anie creature I beseech thee therefore my Lord Iesu keepe me from the superfluous cares of this world that I be not inquieted with bodilie necessities ne that I be not taken with the voluptuous pleasures of the world ne of the flesh Preserue me from all things which hinder my soule health that I be not ouerthrowne with them O Lord God which art sweetnesse vnspeakable turne into bitternesse to me all worldlie and fleshlie delights which might drawe me from the loue of eternall things to the loue of short and vile pleasures Let not flesh and bloud ouercome me ne yet the world with his vaine glorie deceiue me nor the feend with his manifold crafts supplant me but giue me ghostlie strength in resisting them patience in suffering them and constancie in perseuering to the end Giue me for all worldlie delectations the most sweet consolation of thy holie spirit and for all fleshlie loue indue my soule with feruent loue of thee Make me strong inwardlie in my soule and cast out thereof all vnprofitable cares of this world that I be not led by vnstable desires of earthlie things but that I may repute all things in this world as they be transitorie and soone vanishing awaie and my selfe also with them drawing toward mine end For nothing vnder the sunne may long abide but all is vanitie and affliction of spirit Giue me Lord therefore heauenlie wisdome that I may learne to seeke and find thee aboue all things to loue thee Giue me grace to withdrawe me from them that flatter me and patientlie to suffer them that vniustlie greeue me Lord when temptation or tribulation commeth vouchsafe to succour me that all may turne to my ghostlie comfort and patientlie to suffer and alwaie to saie Thy name be blessed Lord trouble is now at hand I am not well but I am greatlie vexed with this present affliction O most glorious father what shall I do Anguish and trouble are on euerie side helpe now I beseech thee in this houre thou shalt be lauded and praised when I am perfectlie made meeke before thee and when I am cleerelie deliuered by thee May it therefore please thee to deliuer me For what may I most sinfull wretch do Or whether may I go for succour but to thee Giue mee patience now at this time in all my troubles helpe me Lord God and I shall not feare ne dread what trouble so euer fall vpon me And now what shall I saie but that thy will be done in me I haue deserued to be troubled and greeued and therefore it behooueth that I suffer as long as it pleaseth thee But would to God that I might suffer gladlie till the furious tempests were ouerpassed and that quietnesse of hart might come againe Thy mightie hand Lord is strong ynough to take this trouble from me to asswage the cruell assaults thereof with them as thou hast oftentimes done before this time that when I am cleerelie deliuered by thee I may with gladnesse saie The right hand of him that is highest hath made this change The fourth Chapter To despise all things in the world and yeeld our selues vp to God that he may be all in all for our redemption in time of neede LOrd grant me thy singular grace that I may come thither where no creature shall let me ne keepe me from the perfect beholding of thee For as long as anie transitorie thing keepeth me backe or hath rule in me I may not freelie ascend to thee O Lord without thee nothing may long delight or please for if anie thing should be liking and sauourie it must be through helpe of thy grace seasoned with the spice of thy wisedome O euerlasting light far passing all things send downe the beames of thy brightnesse from aboue and purifie and lighten the inward parts of my hart Quicken my soule and all the powers thereof that it may cleaue fast and be ioined to thee in ioifull gladnesse and ghostlie rauishings O when shall that blessed houre come that thou shalt visit me and glad me with thy blessed presence when thou shalt be to me all in all Uerelie vntill that time come there can be no perfect ioie in me But alas mine old man that is my carnall affections liue still in me and are not crucified nor perfectlie dead For yet striueth the flesh against the spirit and moueth great battell inwardlie against me and suffereth not the kingdome of my soule to liue in peace But thou good Lord that hast the Lordship ouer all and power of the sea to asswage the rages and surges of the same arise and helpe me destroie the power of mine enimies which alwaies make battell against me shew foorth the greatnesse of thy goodnesse and let the power of thy right hand be glorified in me For there is to me none other helpe nor refuge but in thee onlie my Lord my God to thee be honour and glorie euerlasting O Lord grant me that I may wholie resigne myselfe to thee and in all things to forsake my selfe and patientlie to beare my crosse and to followe thee O Lord what is man that thou vouchsafest to haue mind of him and to visit him Thou art alwaie one alwaie good alwaie righteous and holie iustlie and blessedlie disposing all things after thy wisdome But I am a wretch and of my selfe alwaie readie and prone to euill and do neuer abide in one state but manie tunes doo varie and change Neuerthelesse it shall be better with me when it shall please thee For thou O Lord onelie art he that maiest helpe me and thou maiest so confirme and stablish me that my
intituled Miserere mei Deus Haue mercie vpon me O God which in most deuout manner she said to the verie end with these hir last words LORD into thy hands I command my spirit ¶ Morning and Euening praiers with diuers Psalmes Hymnes and Meditations made and set forth by the Ladie ELIZABETH Tyrwhit A Confession to be said before Morning praier I Doo acknowledge and confesse vnto thee O most mercifull and heauenlie father mine often and grieuous offences that I haue committed against thy diuine Maiestie from my youth hitherto in thought word and deed leauing vndone those things which I ought and should haue done and dooing those things which I ought not to haue done prouoking thy wrath and indignation against me And now lamenting this my wickednes I appeale vnto thy mercie saie with the Publicane O Lord GOD be mercifull vnto me a most wretched sinner forgiue all that is past saue and defend me from euill and confirme me in good life to the glorie of thy name So be it A praier to be said at our vprising I Doo thanke thee my most mercifull and heauenlie Father by thy deerelie beloued sonne Iesu Christ that this night thou hast giuen me sleepe and rest preseruing me from hurt and perill I crie thee mercie for mine offences and most humblie beseech thee that thou wilt likewise this daie keepe me from sinne and all euill so that all my thoughts words and works may please thee I doo commit my selfe both bodie and soule and all things that I go about into thy hands beseeching thee that thine holie spirit may abide with me least my deadlie aduersarie the diuell haue power ouer me Amen Another praier at our vprising OBlessed Iesu this daie I commend me and all my proceedings into thy hands this daie I most humbly praie thee to helpe me which hast made me to thine owne image and in thy bloud hast clensed me which art my hope in heauiuinesse my comfort in care and trust in trouble Although sweete Lord my conscience accuseth me and the lawe condemneth me yet thy pretious death and testament hath deliuered me with thee to reigne in glorie after death hath arrested me the earth consumed me yet good Lord I trust in the resnrrection to dwell with thee eternallie through thy promise made to me and to all that doo beleeue in thee and call vpon thy holie name Thy kingdome come this daie to me from Sathan deliuer me with the bread of Angels feede me from fleshlie lusts purge me from sudden death and deadlie sinne O Lord take me Giue me an hart to beleeue in thee and that all my senses may obey thee and of thy mercie accept my praiers this daie before thee which art one God in Trinitie to whom be all honour and glorie Amen The Hymne or praier to the sonne of God THe beamie sun large light doth giue chase away the night So blesse vs with thy benefits endue vs with thy spirit Swéet dews frō heuen to earth God grant of peace quiet mind That we may serue the liuing God as his statutes doo bind O mightie Lord our helpe at néed driue far awaie the féend That sinne nor hell doo vs molest when as our life shall éend Thou art the euer lasting daie which shinst in euerie place And féedest euerie liuing wight with plentious gifts of grace Into thy heauenlie hands déere God my spirit I doo commend This day from sin and Sathans power thy seruant me defend We laud thée Father for thy grace We praise the Sonne which made vs frée We thanke the holie Spirit for our solace Which is one God and persons thrée An Antheme HIs deerlie beloued sonne God did not spare but for vs all deliuered him How shall he not with him giue vs all things also A praier to God the father to be vsed before Morning praier OUr mercifull father which in teaching vs to praie by thy sonne Christ hast commanded vs to call thee father and to beleeue that we are thy beloued children who stirrest vp none of thine to praie but to the intent that thou wouldest heare them giuing vnto vs also all things more effectuallie and plentiouslie than we can either aske or thinke We do beseech thee for thy sonnes sake to giue vs grace to beleeue and knowe assuredlie that thy sonne our Sauiour Christ is giuen of thee vnto vs to be our Sauiour our righteousnesse our wisdome our holines our redemption and our satisfaction O Lord suffer vs not to trust in anie other saluation but in thy sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ So be it The Hymne of our redemption by Christ. PRaise we our father louinglie which gentlie vs preserued When we forsooke him wretchedlie death by sinne deserued His mercie was so bountious that though we from him fell Fréelie in Christ he pardoned vs and vs redéemd from hell Glorie be to the Trinitie the Father Sonne and spirit liuing Which art one God persons thrée to whom be praise without ending Amen A forme of priuate Morning Praier Our father which art in heauen c. O Lord open thou my lips that my mouth may speake and shew foorth that which is to thy glorie and praise And shut my mouth from speaking of anie thing whereby I should offend thy diuine maiestie or be hurtfull to my neighbor O God make speede to saue vs. O Lord make haste to helpe vs. Glorie be to the Father and to the Sonne and to the holie Ghost As it was in the beginning is now and euer shall be world without end Amen Praise ye the Lord. Thanks be giuen to God The first Psalme at Morning Praier O Lord heare my words marke my crieng O my King and my God for vnto thee onelie come I to praie neither doo I looke for succour anie where else than of thee O Lord I beseech thee that thou wilt gratiouslie hearken to my petitions that thy grace may spring in my hart with the morrowe light of thy comfort the night of care and perturbation being ouerpassed suffer me not to perish with the vngodlie folke whome thou cursest I come running to thee not trusting in mine owne righteousnes but to thy great and manifold mercies O Lord with the rule of thy iustice will I be directed For thy name sake make plaine thy waie before me and my waie before thee least the spirit of malice doo turne me thence Let them reioice that repose themselues and trust alwaies in thy mercie let them sing Hymnes and Psalmes which doo glorie and reioice in thee let them triumph which loue thy name Defend me O Lord with thy grace as with a shield in time of perill to the intent that when I am assaulted with them I may yet with constant cheere growe vp vnto my full perfection Glorie be to the father c. As it was in the c. The second Psalme OH Lord GOD and father I beseech thee by Christ our Lord that of thine infinite
Christ for this thy blessed oblation haue mercie on me now and in the houre of death that in the dreadfull daie of iudgment sinne death and hell may not preuaile against me sinfull creature but haue mercie vpon me according to thy greatest mercie which is this thy death and passion for which be praise to the holie Trinitie for euer and euer Amen The Hymne of the passion of Christ IEsus which is the liuelie well of wisdome And the heauenlie truth of the father eternall Which from heauen to this world did come To deliuer vs thrales from paines infernall Of Iudas was sold and of the Iewes taken And of his Disciples at midnight was forsaken We laud thee father for thy grace We praise the sonne which made vs free We thanke the holie spirit for our solace Which is one God and persons three In the dawning of the daie they did him fast bind And before Pilate he was then conuented False witnesse against Iesus they did then find When the cruell Seniours in iudgement him presented Beaten was his bodie defiled was his face And yet God and man the verie well of grace We laud thee father c. When thrée houres were past before Pilates throne All the people cried Kill Iesus the Iewes king His crowne was thornes in purple he made mone With a crosse ouer Cedron they did him bring And prepared his deadlie place on Galgatha hill To suffer pains for Adams gilt so was his fathers will We laud thee father c. The sirt houre approched his painefull end When on the trée his bodie they nailed In heauen was his helpe in earth he had no freud He died betwéene two théeues on him the Elders railed Then he thirsted for his elect which subiect were to thrall Unthankefullie they offred him vinegre mingled with gall We laud thee father c. This verie God Gods onlie begotten child Said to his father Why hast thou me forsaken Yet receiue this sacrifice and my spirit vndefild The heauens were darkned asunder the stones were shaken Bloud and water then sprang from this blessed lamb Then graues opened the dead aliue foorth came We laud thee father for thy grace c. The second Meditation or praier of our frailtie and miserie O Miserable wretched woman that I am how may I be compared to any of thy saints that shall dwell in thy Tabernacle or holie hill For they loue to be in holie contemplation and I in the vaine multitude forgetting thee they be meeke and I vnpatient they do not forget thee but my good Lord when do I remember thee but when affliction enforceth me or the lamentable fall of my breethren constraine me to thanke thee Thou most mightie and fearefull God of hosts thy holie name be blessed foreuer Amen What shall I saie my God Thou art most good and I euill thou holie and I miserable thou art light and I am blind thou art the blessed ioie and I am carefull and full of sorowe My Lord thou art the Physician and I the miserable patient I am nothing but vanitie and corrupt as euerie liuing man is What shall I saie O Creator but this that I am thy creature and shall I perish Thy hands haue made me and were wounded for me thy bloud was shed for me and hath washed me thy holie Ghost hath sanctified me and taught me yet Lord my daies are nothing What should I mortall creature thus talke with my selfe Lord God but that need hath no lawe Sorowe hath compelled me to seeke comfort sicknesse enforceth me to folowe the Physician conscience pricketh me to crie to thee my Lord for a heauenlie cordiall of comfort which am in great discomfort borne of a woman full of miserie and shortnesse of time and passe awaie like a shadowe neuer content with one estate but in earth remaine for euer The Hymne to God the Creator O Creator to thée thy creature I call Who made of mould do liue in paine And sicke in soule my flesh is thrall O wo is me my daies be vaine Yet vnto God I call for grace My soule in heauen to haue a place A praier to the blessed Trinitie Let vs praie O Holie blessed and glorious Trinitie three equall and coeternall persons but one God almightie haue mercie vpon me vile abiect abhominable and sinfull wretch meekelie acknowledging before thy diuine Maiestie my long continued life in sinne euen from my childhood hitherto Then good gratious Lord as thou giuest me the grace to acknowledge them so giue me grace not in word onlie but in hart also with sorowfull contrition to repent and vtterlie to forsake them Forgiue me also those sinnes through which by mine owne fault wicked affection and euill custome my reason is with sensualitie so blinded as I cannot discerne them for sinne Illuminate my hart good Lord and giue me grace to acknowledge them Forgiue me my sinnes negligentlie forgotten and bring them to my mind with grace to be throughlie repentant for them O mercifull God grant me thy grace so to despise sinne and all worldlie vanities that I may saie with the blessed Apostle Saint Paule The world is crucified to me and I to the world Christ is to me life and to die is my gaine and aduantage I desire to be loosed and to be with Christ Lord giue me thy grace to amend my life and to haue an eie to mine end without anie grudge or feare of death which to them that die in thee is the gate of eternall life Almightie God teach me to doo thy will take my right hand and leade me in the true waie from mine drawe me after thee bind my mouth with snaffle and bridle when I will not drawe vnto thee Oh gratious God all sinfull feare all sinfull sorowe and pensiuenesse all sinfull hope all sinfull mirth and gladnesse take awaie from me On the other side concerning such feare such heauinesse such comfort consolation and gladnesse as shall be profitable for my soule doo with me according to thy great goodnesse O Lord giue me grace in all my feare and agonie to haue recourse to that great feare and wonderfull agonie that thou my sauiour hadst at the Mount of Oliuet before thy most bitter passion and in the meditation thereof to conceiue ghostlie comfort and consolation profitable for my soule Almightie God take from me all vaine-glorious minds all appetites of mine owne praise all enuie couetise gluttonie sloth and lecherie all wrathfull affection all appetite of reuenging all desire of delight of other mens harmes all pleasure in prouoking anie person to wrath and anger all delight in taunting or mocking anie person in their affliction or trouble And giue vnto me O Lord an humble quiet peaceable patient charitable kind tender and pitifull mind in all my words my works and thoughts to haue a tast of thy holie and blessed spirit Giue me good Lord a full faith a firme hope a feruent charitie a loue to thee good Lord incomparable
the holie Ghost liueth and reigneth one God world without end Amen SAue vs O good Lord waking and keepe vs sleeping and be so mercifull to vs that with Christ we may wake and quietlie to rest in peace So be it The conclusion after Euening praier O Lord Iesu Christ that art in heauen perfect God and man heare my praiers haue mercie vpon me and praie vnto thy father for me Be thou my mercifull mediator vnto thy father that I might find mercie for my sinnes at all times and thy holie Angels to guide me this night and all the time and daies of my life and at the generall daie of iudgement that I may be partaker of that ioifull voice of thine saieng Come hither ye blessed and possesse euerlasting life Amen The Blessing GOD euen our owne GOD blesse vs and graunt vnto vs and all our faithfull and deere freends his continuall benediction and health Yea let thy mightie hand and outstretched arme O Lord be still my defence thy mercie and louing kindnesse in Iesu Christ thy deere sonne my saluation thy true and holie word my instruction thy grace and holie spirit my comfort and consolation vnto the end and in the end So be it ¶ Certaine godlie sentences written by the Ladie E. T. Vse inuocation of Gods holie name Thinke vpon the needie once a daie The life to come forget not Further the iust sute of the poore Prefer Christ his kingdome Offend not in euill doing Set little by the iudgement of man but feare the iudgement of God Be at peace with all men Vse to be acquainted with the godlie Helpe to pacifie displeasure Hastilie iudge not anie bodie Kill anger with patience VVith pitie rebuke Make much of modestie Harbour a harmelesse hart Let no good deed Speake in season He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life In being well occupied thinke not long Lose as little time as ye may Be alwaies one Fauour the friendlesse Be not vnthankefull Trust not the world Deceiue none Rather take hurt than do anie Auenge not Let once be amended Fauour not flatterie Looke cheeflie on your selfe Do not forget your charge Let your mind be occupied well Vse pleasures after a meane Once you were not heere Awaie you must and turne to dust Finis ê™ E. T. The Praiers made by the right Honourable Ladie Frances Aburgauennie and committed at the houre of hir death to the right Worshipfull Ladie MARIE Fane hir onlie daughter as a Iewell of health for the soule and a perfect path to Paradise verie profitable to be used of euerie faithfull Christian man and woman A fruitfull praier to be said in the Morning AL mightie God and most mercifull father the fountaine of all felicitie from whom onelie proceedeth all good gifts most humblie I beseech thee of thine abundant mercie exceeding kindnesse so to direct and gouern me this daie and euer with thy good guiding Spirit that all my thoughts words and deeds may onelie be occupied in thy seruice faith feare and loue and so assist and strengthen me with thy grace O most mercifull and louing father for thy sonne Iesus Christ his sake that neither sinne death hell nor Sathan haue the dominion and vpper hand of me Indue my hart with the true vnderstanding of thy true and liuelie word that I may be readie and prone manfullie to fight vnder the standard of my glorious captaine Iesus Christ against the world the flesh and that cruell Serpent the old Leuiathan which hunteth continuallie like a roring Lion seeking the vtter destruction of my soule Make me constant in time of temptation that when or at what time my rebelling and sinfull flesh shall intise me to lust after the pompes and vanities of this wicked world I may by a strong liuelie and vnspeakable faith through the bitter torments that my Sauiour Christ Iesus suffered for me and all that faithfullie beleeue and call vpon him so mortifie and subdue the old Adam that I may be dead and buried from sinne and all iniquitie and the new man Christ Iesus may continuallie dwell and reigne in me by whose meanes I shall be garnished and decked by the means of a fruitfull faith with immortalitie and heauenlie blessednesse Uouchsafe O Lord I beseech thee according to the multitude of thy mercies to looke vpon me and by thy celestiall prouidence so illuminate the eies of my soule that I may continuallie watch for the glorious comming of thine annointed son Iesus Christ Roote out O Lord in and from me the vile and corrupt branches of rapine deceit auarice luxurie concupiscence and all vngodlinesse let the motions of my mind altogether depend vpon thee prepare my tongue to publish thy praise let my lips be locked vp from all scurillitie and vncomlie talke let mine eares loath and abhor to heare thy glorious and blessed name blasphemed and thy truth to be by anie Sectarian ill spoken of slandered keepe and defend me vnder the wings of thy comfortable protection from all errours schismes and detestable heresies Make me without faining firmelie and constantlie to build vpon the truth wherein is perfectlie set forth thy great mercie and diuine iustice Let the zeale of thy promises in all distres be my chiefest ioie and consolation giue me grace from aboue that as I make my boast of thy mercies and louing kindnesse by vertue whereof I am by my Sauiour Christ Iesus quickened from death to life and in his deerest death and pretious bloud-shedding regenerated and borne anew not of water but of the spirit by faith So Lord I may with thine abundant loue shewed to me ward and the whole posteritie of Adam I may be afraid wilfullie or of a set purpose to transgresse thy commandements and so incur therby thy displeasure that the effects of thy iustice in the day of thy comming to iudgement be pronounced against me to the vtter destruction of bodie and soule Make me alwaies willing good Lord to heare thy word by the power wherof my faith is increased and there withall plant in me perfect loue and obedience and so direct my footesteps in this vale of miserie that I may tread the path that leadeth to thee with whom my soule thirsteth to rest euen as vehementlie as the Hart longeth after the water brookes Grant this O mercifull God for the honour and glorie of thy name sake Amen A fruitfull praier to be said at the going to bed of euerie Christian. MOst mercifull Father I most wretched and vnwoorthie sinner prostrate my selfe before the throne of thy heauenlie grace yeelding vnto thee most humble and hartie thanks that hast of thine exceeding loue and fauour preserued me this daie from all perill and danger humblie beseeching thy diuine Maiestie this night to preserue me for the loue of thine onlie sonne and my sweet Sauiour Iesus Christ mediatour and aduocate who continuallie pleadeth and maketh intercession to thee for me and all the rest of thy chosen children presenting his bloudie
no meanes escape but that I must needs be a praie vnto one of them Strengthen me therefore O Lord that neither the one with carnall lusts neither the other with delectable pleasures nor Sathan himselfe with all his craftie and subtile deuises get the dominion ouer me Thou hast bought me thou hast paid for me take thou me saue keepe and defend me be alwaies readie at the voice of my crieng powre into me thy grace patientlie to abide thy diuine will and pleasure in all things Make me both at this present and all the daies of my life to haue in mind and profoundlie to roote in my hart the mysteries of thy painefull passion and so to be filled with the remembrance thereof that sin may no more enter into me and that Sathan mine old enimie may well perceiue that he hath neither part nor fellowship in me but that I am both bodie and soule altogether thine to whome be all praises world without end Amen A praier vnto God the holie Ghost O Holie Ghost O blessed and holie spirit comforter of them that be afflicted thou proceeding from the Father and the Sonne art the true instructor and teacher of the diuine and heauenlie veritie Wherefore I with all humilitie praie thee to renew and make in me a cleane hart to graffe a right spirit in me to guide and gouerne me that I may thinke nothing speake nothing doo nothing but that onlie which shall please thee And whereas I haue not ceased to offend my Lord God and maker and most greeuouslie to transgresse against Iesus my redeemer and sauiour I praie thee that I may haue inward sorowe repentance and shame thereof and that euer hereafter I may performe my dutie as I ought to doo and so bring foorth the fruits of repentance that the passion of Iesus Christ may defend me from all sinne and wickednesse and bring me to the ioies of paradise So be it A godlie praier for the true worshipping of God which may be vsed in the Church before common praier STablish our harts and minds O most gratious God in the true woorshipping of thy diuine maiestie make vs to beleeue thy holie and sacred Gospell wherein we are dailie and hourelie instructed to loue feare honour and obeie thee to hate sinne and iniquitie to renounce all superstitious ceremonies whereby thy worship is defaced thy glorie prophaned and thine honour greatlie diminished Giue vs the grace to hate sinne and iniquitie to renounce and forsake the vanities and wanton pleasures of this wicked and sinfull world Arme vs we beseech thee to mortifie and bring vnder the rebellious appetites and straieng lusts of the flesh And finallie giue vs power from aboue to withstand Sathan the prince of darknesse and all his damnable ministers who by diuers temptations prouoke and allure vs from godlie puritie and perfect integritie which passeth onlie from Christ Iesus vnto vs who is the fulnesse of our perfection and holinesse to all kinds of euill impietie and vncleannesse by meanes whereof thy worship is greatlie prophaned and of a set purpose contemned Make vs constant to skirmish against the world sinne death and hell and by the power of a fruitefull faith giue vs grace to resist and bridle the concupiscence of our flesh in such sort that our soules may triumph with victorie and continue constant in woorshipping thee from whom passeth the fulnesse of our ioie Prepare our harts and minds good Lord now and euer to spread foorth the glorie of thy name Kéepe our tongues from all filthie talke and vncomelie gesture least by the exercise of such sinne we contemne thy worship and prouoke thee to displeasure and indignation Set thou a watch before the gates of my mouth that my lips by thy grace may be alwaies made open to sound foorth thy praise and euerlasting glorie Be mercifull to our offences thinke thou not on our vnrighteousnesse but vpon thy clemencie Forgiue them freelie and pardon gratiouslie our sinnes make vs faithfull in Christ Iesus Shorten the dangerous daies of iniquitie increase the number of thy chosen and peculiar Saincts Hasten thy comming O sauiour Christ that we with the felowship of the Saints heauenlie Angels and the blessed companie of Martyrs may celebrate thy praise and worship thee in thy glorious kingdome before the father our God and the holie Ghost to whome be praise for euer Amen Another praier that we may liue so vprightlie in this life that at the last we may dwell in the euerlasting tabernacle O Lord seeing that the righteous shall dwell in thy tabernacle graunt me I beseech thee a pure and vndefiled soule O what is the shape of the earth wherein Gods enimies haue abiding in comparison of the woonderfull beautie of heauen wherein righteousnesse doth dwell in comparison of that place wherein Angels Archangels all good men yea and God himselfe is abiding What are the pleasures of the world wealth honour companie of our parents and friends wherein all our pleasure and sweetenesse is mixed with sowrenesse and sorowe wherein euerie perfection hath his imperfection What is all this to the vnspeakeable ioie in the kingdome of God What is the companie of friends heere in comparison to the companie of Abraham Isaac and Iacob the Patriarches and Prophets and all the Saints of God Oh the felicitie of euerlasting life which is without all discommodities perpetuall without all perill and molestation Oh the glorious maiestie the singular mirth and passing ioies of the life to come The eie hath not seene nor the hart of man is able to conceiue in anie part the happie estate of the blessed soules in heauen Oh how amiable are thy tabernacles My soule hath a desire to enter into the courts of the Lord. My hart and my soule reioice in the liuing God blessed be they that dwell in thy house they may be alwaies praising thee One daie in thy courts is better than a thousand elsewhere I had rather be a dore-keeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of vngodlinesse The Lord God is a light and defence My soule is athirst for God euen for the liuing God When shall I come before the presence of my God My flesh longeth after thee in a barren and drie land where no water is Good Lord remember me and graunt that I may weare the white garments of innocencie with thine elected in thine euerlasting kingdome Amen A praier against the felowship of the vngodlie PRotect and defend me O heauenlie Father and most mercifull God from the felowship of the vngodlie men which dailie imagine mischiefe in their harts to harme the innocent Keepe me from the counsels of the foolish and vngodlie which speake proud things against the glorie of thy blessed name Defend me from faithlesse and deceiptfull ones whose guiltie stomaches are gorged with grudge enuie malice hatred disdaine and all vncharitablenesse For their throtes are like vnto an open sepulchre or swallowing graue their tongs are giuen
surelie haue perished in my trouble The lawe of my God is more deerer vnto me than thousands of siluer and gold yea all the riches in the world is nothing woorth in comparison of thy word For it is more comfortable than the most costliest and pretious restoratiue that anie Physician can make For it comforteth nourisheth and preserueth the soule leading it vnto life euerlasting Oh Lord God of hosts who is like vnto thee Thy truth most mightie God endureth for euermore I will alwaies giue thanks vnto thee for the great benefits that thou hast bestowed on me The righteous shall heare thereof and reioice with me yea and the vnrighteous shall feare the Lord and saie Doubtlesse there is a GOD that defendeth his seruants and he also doth punish the wrong dooers Thou art the God that dooest woonderous things O Lord who may be compared vnto thee For thou deliuerest me thy poore oppressed seruant from the hand of my strong enimie yea from such a one as was too mightie for me to deale withall Thou hast I saie mightilie defended me and now O Lord be mindfull of me and command my spirit to be receiued in grace when it is thy good pleasure Amen An instruction for Christians conteining a fruitfull and godlie exercise as well in wholsome and fruitfull praiers as in reuerend discerning of Gods holie Commandements and Sacraments translated out of French into English by a right vertuous and godlie Matrone and Gentlewoman named Mistresse DORCAS MARTIN Psalme 119. verses 37 133. From vaine desires and worldlie lusts Turne backe mine eies and sight Giue me the spirit of life and power To walke thy waies aright Direct my footesteps by thy word That I thy will may knowe And neuer let iniquitie Thy seruant ouerthrowe The Lords praier OUr Father which art in heauen halowed be thy name Thy kingdome come Thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen Giue vs this daie our dailie bread And forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse against vs. And lead vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill for thine is the kingdome the power and the glorie for euer and euer Amen The Articles of the Christian faith I Beleeue in God the father Almightie maker of heauen and earth And in Iesus Christ his onlie sonne our Lord which was conceiued by the holie Ghost Borne of the virgin Marie Suffered vnder Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried He descended into hell The third daie he rose againe from the dead He ascended into heauen and sitteth on the right hand of God the father almightie From thence shall he come to iudge the quicke and the dead I beleeue in the holie Ghost The holie Catholike Church The communion of Saints The forgiuenesse of sinnes The resurrection of the bodie And the life euerlasting Amen The ten Commandements of Almightie GOD Exod. 20. The Preface HEarken O Israel I am the Lord thy God which haue brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage The first Table _1 THou shalt haue none other gods before me 2 Thou shalt make thee no grauen image neither anie similitude of things that are in heauen aboue neither that are in the earth beneath nor that are in the waters vnder the earth Thou shalt not bow downe to them nor woorship them For I am the Lord thy God a gealous God visiting the iniquitie of the fathers vpon the children vpon the third generation and vpon the fourth of them that hate me and shewing mercie vnto thousands in them that loue me and keepe my commandements 3 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine for the Lord will not hold him giltlesse that taketh his name in vaine 4 Remember the Sabboth daie to keepe it holie Sixe daies shalt thou labour and doo all thy workes but the seauenth daie is the Sabboth of the Lord thy God In it thou shalt not doo anie worke thou nor thy sonne nor thy daughter thy man-seruant nor thy maide-seruant nor the stranger that is within thy gates For in sixe daies the Lord made the heauen and the earth the sea and all that in them is and rested the seauenth daie therfore the Lord blessed the Sabboth daie and halowed it The second Table _5 HOnour thy father and thy mother that thy daies may bee prolonged vpon the land which the Lord thy God giueth thee 6 Thou shalt not kill 7 Thou shalt not commit adulterie 8 Thou shalt not steale 9 Thou shalt not beare false witnesse against thy neighbour 10 Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours house neither shalt thou couet thy neighbours wife nor his seruant nor his maide nor his oxe nor his asse neither anie thing that is thy neighbours The Summe THou shalt loue the Lord thy God with all thine hart with all thy soule and with all thy mind This is the first and the greatest commandement And the second is like vnto this Thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe On these two commandements hangeth the whole Lawe and the Prophets Matth 7. verse 12. Whatsoeuer ye would that men should doo to you euen so doo ye to them For this is the Lawe and the Prophets Iohn 15. verse 12. This is my commandement that ye loue one another as I haue loued you Iohn 13. verse 35. Heereby shall all men knowe that you are my disciples if ye loue one another A praier to be said in the Morning when one awaketh Our helpe be in the name of the Lord who hath made heauen and earth O My God and father I most humblie praise and thanke thee for this that of thine infinite goodnesse and mercie it hath pleased thee to watch for me this night whiles I slept preseruing me from so manie kinds of dangers wherevnto this miserable life is subiect O Lord I beseech thee bring into my memorie thy other great and innumerable benefits also according as I may be able to comprehend them to the end that I may likewise render thanks for the same least I be vngratefull towards thy maiestie as thou hast done me this good not to forget that thou alone hast preserued me from all inconuenience And herewithall I beseech thee most gratious father through thy mercie to continue this thy fatherlie care which thou hast for me vntill such time as I shall rest in that happie sleepe whereof they reioice which sleepe in peace through our Lord Iesus Christ thy sonne who in the vnitie of the holie Ghost liueth and reigneth God with thee eternallie So be it The exercise of an housholder with his familie to praie in the Morning O Our God Father Sauiour seeing it hath pleased thee to giue vs grace to passe this night to come vnto this daie present vouchsafe now also to bestowe this goodnesse vpon vs that we may emploie our selues altogether to thy seruice in such wise that we neither thinke saie or doo anie thing but onlie to please thee
and to obey thy good will to the end that by this means all our works may be to the praise of thy name and to the edifieng of our neighbours And as it hath pleased thee to cause thy Sunne to shine vpon the earth to lighten vs corporallie vouchsafe also by the cleerenesse of thy spirit to illuminate our vnderstandings and our hearts to direct vs vnto the streight waie of righteousnesse Euen so to what thing soeuer we may applie our selues let our chiefe end purpose be alwaies to walke in thy feare to serue and honour thee looking for all our wealth and prosperitie from out of thy holie blessing to the end we enterprise nothing which shall not be agreeable vnto thee Moreouer let vs so trauell for our bodie and for the life present that we alwaie haue a further regard namelie to the life of heauen which thou hast promised vnto thy children Neuerthelesse let it please thee to be our protector both touching the bodie and touching the soule strengthening vs against all temptations of the diuell and deliuering vs from all the dangers that may come vnto vs. And because there is nothing well begun which doth not continue vouchsafe to receiue vs into thy holie gouernance not onlie for this present daie but for our whole life continuing and increasing dailie thy grace in vs till thou hast brought vs vnto the full coniunction of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lord who is the true Sun-light of our soules shining daie and night without end perpetuallie And to the intent that we may obteine these graces of thee O vouchsafe to forget all our faults past pardoning vs them through thine infinite mercie as thou hast promised vnto all them that seeke thee with a good heart Heare vs O father of mercie for thy sonne our Lord Iesus Christ his sake So be it Out of the 143 Psalme 8 Let vs heare thy louing kindnesse in the morning for in thee is our trust O shew vs the waie that we should walke in for we haue lift vp our hart vnto thee 9 Deliuer vs O Lord from our enimies for we haue cried vnto thee 10 Teach vs to doo thy will for thou art our God A praier to saie before one begin his worke THE Lord God and Father vouchsafe to assist vs through his holie spirit and by him to gouerne and guide vs in such sort as all that we shall doo saie or thinke may be to his glorie in the name of his sonne Iesus Christ our Lord So be it Another praier to the same purpose O Our God Father and Sauiour seeing it hath pleased thee to command vs to trauell for the sustentation of our necessitie vouchsafe through thy grace so to blesse our labour that thy blessing may extend vnto vs without the which also we are not able to continue And let such fauour of thine serue vs for a testimonie of thy bountifulnesse and assistance and that we by the same may knowe the fatherlie care which thou hast for vs. Moreouer let it please thee O Lord to assist vs by thy holie spirit to the end that we may be faithfullie exercised in our estate and vocation without anie guile or deceit but that we rather regard to followe thine ordinance than to satisfie our owne desire of gaine And if it please thee to prosper our labor giue vs also a willing mind to succour those that are in necessitie according to the abilitie which thou hast granted vs so yet that we mind not to lift vp our selues aboue those which haue not receiued of thee such liberalitie And when thou wilt handle vs with greater pouertie and necessitie than our flesh shall desire let it please thee O Lord to shew vs this grace euen to knowe that thou through thy bountifulnes wilt continuallie nourish vs least we be tempted with mistrust but that we patientlie abide vntill thou replenish vs not onelie with thy corporall gifts but also with thy spirituall graces that we may still haue more ample matter and occasion to thanke thee sincerelie to staie our selues vpon thine onlie goodnesse Heare vs O Father of all mercie through thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lord So be it A praier to saie afore one begin to studie his lesson Out of the 119 Psalme verses 9 18 34. WHerewithall shall a yoong man redresse his waie Euen in taking heede therevnto according to thy word Open thou mine eies that I may see the maruellous works of thy lawe O giue me vnderstanding and I shall keepe thy lawe yea I shall keepe it with my whole hart O Lord which art the fountaine of all wisdome and knowledge seeing it hath pleased thee to giue mee the meanes to be instructed in the age of mine infancie to make mee knowe how to gouerne the whole course of my life holilie and honestlie vouchsafe also to illuminate mine vnderstanding which of it selfe is blind that it may comprehend the learning which shall be taught me O vouchsafe to confirme my memorie for to keepe it well O let it be thy pleasure to dispose my hart to receiue it willinglie and with such a desire as is conuenient that through mine ingratitude the occasion that thou offerest me be not lost For to doo this vouchsafe to powre vpon me thy holie spirit the spirit I saie of all vnderstanding veritie iudgment prudence and learning which may make me able to profit well to the end that the trauell which shall be taken to teach me be not lost And to what studie soeuer I applie my selfe make me to reduce it vnto the true end namelie to knowe thee in our Lord Iesus Christ to haue full affiance of saluation and life in thy grace and to serue thee vprightlie purelie according to thy good pleasure so as all that I shall learne may be as an instrument to aid me vnto the same And seeing thou promisest to giue wisdome vnto babes and to the humble and to confound the proud in the vanitie of their owne minds likewise to shew thy selfe vnto those that are of a right hart and contrarilie to blind the wicked peruerse vouchsafe to bring me vnto true humilitie whereby I may yeeld my selfe apt to learne and obedient first vnto thee secondlie to my superiours whom thou hast ordeined to rule and to teach me Furthermore vouchsafe to dispose my hart to seeke thee without feinednesse renouncing all carnall and euil affections and that in such sort I may prepare my selfe now to serue thee once in that estate vocation to the which it shall please thee to ordeine me when I shall come to age Heare me O Father of mercie through our Lord Iesus Christ So be it Psalme 25. verse 13. THe Lord sheweth his secrets vnto them that feare him and maketh them to knowe his couenant A praier or grace to saie afore meate ALl things wait vpon thee O Lord and thou giuest them meate in due season when thou giuest it them they gather it and
are giuen vs in the Supper doo represent vnto vs C They represent vnto vs that the bodie and bloud of Iesus Christ haue such vertue towards our soules as the bread and wine haue towards our bodies M Understand you that the bodie of Iesus Christ may be inclosed in the bread and his bloud in the wine C No. M Where then must we seeke Iesus Christ to enioie him C In heauen in the glorie of his father M What is the meanes to come vnto heauen there as Iesus Christ is C It is faith M It behooueth vs then to haue true faith before we can well vse this holie Sacrament C It is so M And how may we haue this faith C We haue it by the holie spirit that dwelleth in our harts and assureth vs of Gods promises which are made vnto vs in the Gospell Unto God the Father of whom and by whom and in whome are all things And vnto Iesus Christ our Lord and Redeemer of the world And vnto the holie Ghost be honour and glorie for euer So be it The true summe of all Christian Religion Mother MY child art thou a Christian Child Yea by the grace of God whereas of nature I was a child of wrath as well as others M Art thou certaine that thou art a Christian C Yea through faith and the holie spirit who giueth witnesse vnto my spirit that I am the child and heire of God M What is it to saie a Christian C It is the same which by faith in Iesus Christ hath receiued the holie spirit as a child of God dooing his dutie in time and place M What is the dutie of a Christian C It is for to knowe God for to serue him in spirit and truth according to the doctrine of Iesus Christ M In how manie points consisteth the true Christian adoration and the true seruice of God C It is faith which is the onelie foundation of Christians M The faith commeth it of vs C No for it is the gift of God M Where lieth this faith C In the hart for with the hart we beleeue to righteousnesse with the mouth we confesse to saluation M Be we then bound to render a reason of our faith and hope C Yea to all men that demand it of vs so that it be done with wisedome gentlenes reuerence and gratious words M And he that confesseth not Iesus Christ in time and place doth he not renounce him C Yea for he that is not with him is against him he that gathereth not with him scattereth abroade M Giue me then a reason of thy faith and first what confession makest thou of the Christian faith C The same that the Church holdeth being founded vpon the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles which is brieflie comprehended in our Creede M Canst thou make confession in the common language C Yea I thanke God M Saie it with an high voice and pronounce it well C I beleeue in God the Father almightie c. M Beleeuest thou that thou art saued by this faith of the Church C Yea well if I haue it in my selfe as the first word sheweth I beleeue in God For the iust shall liue by his owne faith M What is it to beleeue in God C It is a full assurance and hope to trust and commit all to him according to his promises in Iesus Christ M Can we haue this faith in perfection whiles we be in this world C No. For we haue neede with the Apostles to require augmentation of faith The Lord increase it in vs and make vs perseuere in it vnto the end Of Inuocation Mother WHat is the second part of Christian adoration and seruice of God Child It is inuocation whereby we haue all our refuge vnto our father through faith in the name of Iesus Christ M Why puttest thou inuocation after faith C Because it is one of the greatest and principall fruite of the same For whosoeuer calleth vpon the name of the Lord in faith shall be saued M Haue we commandement to call vpon God onlie and not vpon others C Yea euen as we are commanded neither to beleeue nor worship anie other but him alone M Should we not praie to the father in the name of other but of Iesus Christ C No. For the father hath giuen vs none other aduocate but him who onlie is verie God and verie man and we haue no promise to be heard in the name of anie other but in his name onlie M Yea but we knowe not what we ought to praie as apperteineth C Iesus Christ teacheth vs by his holie spirit according to the forme that he hath giuen vs. M Rehearse it in the common language to the end that we all may vnderstand it and be edified C Our father which art in heauen c. M Wherefore will he that we call him father C To declare the loue that he beareth towards vs in Iesus Christ to the end that in full assurance and boldnesse we may come to him onlie and not to be afraid of him no more than a child is of his father M What doth this word our shew C The vnitie and charitable brotherhood which ought to be heere well practised among vs according as the communion of Saints requireth M Seeing that God is euerie where and filleth heauen and earth ought not we to seeke and worship him in all his creatures C No. For he is a spirit and incomprehensible wherfore he willeth that in Iesus Christ we seeke and worship him in spirit and truth lifting vp our hearts aboue all corruptible things M What conteine the sixe petitions comprehended in this praier C The three first all y t which makes for the aduancement of the honor and glorie of God which we ought to desire with our whole hart and before all things M And the three last what doo they conteine C Our entertainement and saluation which is also the glorie of God M Why addeth he to the end For thine is the kingdome the power and the glorie for euer C To shew that the dignitie efficacie of our praiers consisteth not in vs but altogether in that good father by Iesus Christ working in vs by the holie spirit M Then is it to saie that we all will liue and die in his obedience subiection and glorie C Yea acknowledging him to be the author of all goodnesse and vnto whome onelie apperteineth the true maiestie roiall with all power and glorie for euer M What is the conclusion of this praier C It is that all our desires requests and actions of grace be addressed vnto God alone through Iesus Christ confirming vs throughlie in substance vnto that which it conteineth as vnto the perfect rule of all true godlinesse M Why is this word added to the end Amen or So be it C To assure vs that our praier made thus in truth and according to his will is trulie heard Of Obedience Mother WHat is the third point of Christian adoration and
propertie thereof is to wash doth signifie the washing of our soules which is done for vs through the bloud of Iesus Christ in the forgiuenes of our sins The water also is put vpon the head in signe of death neuerthelesse in that it is done but for a little time it is a figure of our resurrection The Supper was instituted of our Lord to assure vs that by the communion of his bodie of his bloud our soules are nourished in hope of life euerlasting The bread and the wine signifie vnto vs the bodie bloud of Iesus Christ which haue the same propertie towards our soules that the bread and wine haue towards our bodies namelie to nourish strengthen The right vse of cōmunicating at y e supper is chieflie a man to proue himselfe whether he haue true faith with repentance charitie towards his neighbours FINIS D. M. A godlie exhortation to mortification of our sinfull affections and to holinèsse of life written by a vertuous Gentlewoman IF yee liue after the flesh you shall die but if ye through the spirit doo mortifie the deeds of the bodie ye shall liue For as many as are led by the spirit of God they are the sonnes of God Rom. 8. This also we knowe the season that we should now awake out of sleepe For now is our saluation neere the night is passed the daie is come nie let vs put on the armor of light let vs walke honestlie as it were in the day light not in eating and drinking neither in chambering and wantonnesse neither in strife and enuieng but put yee on the Lord Iesus Christ and make no prouision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts of it Rom. 13. The reward of sinne is death but eternall life is the gift of God through Iesus Christ our Lord. Rom. 6. Deerlie beloued abstaine from fleshlie lusts which fight against the soule and see that ye haue honest conuersation among the Gentils that wheras they backbite you as euill dooers they may see your good works and glorifie God in the daie of visitation 1. Peter 2. I saie walke in the spirit and fulfill not the lusts of the flesh For the flesh lusteth contrarie to the spirit and the spirit contrarie to the flesh These are contrarie one to the other so that ye can not doo whatsoeuer ye would but and if ye be led of the spirit then are ye not vnder the lawe The deeds of the flesh are manifest which are these adulterie fornication vncleannesse wantonnes worshipping of images witchcraft hatred variance zeale wrath strife seditions sects enuieng murther dronkennesse gluttonie such like Of the which I tell yee before as I haue told you in times past that they which commit such things shall not be inheritours of the kingdome of God They trulie that are Christs haue crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof Galat. 5. Let no filthie communication proceed out of your mouth but that which is good to edifie withall as oft as neede is that it may minister grace vnto the hearers and grieue not the holie spirit of God Phil. 4. Followe not thy lusts but turne thee frō thine owne will For if thou giuest thy soule hir desires it shall make thine enimies to laugh thee to scorne Sirac 18. An adulterous woman shall be troden vnder foot as mire of euerie one that goeth by the waie Sirac 9. Ye adulterers and women that breake matrimonie knowe ye not how that the friendship of the world is enimitie to God-ward Whosoeuer will be a friend of the world is made enimie of God Submit your selues to God and resist the diuell and he will flie from you drawe nie to God and he will drawe nie to you Clense your hands ye sinners and purge your harts ye wauering minded suffer afflictions sorrowe ye and weepe let your laughter be turned to mourning and your ioie to heauinesse Cast downe your selues before the Lord and he shall lift you vp Iames. 4. For the children of adulterers they shall come to an end and the seed of an vnrighteous bed shall be rooted out And though they liue long yet shall they be nothing regarded and their last age shall be without honour If they die hastilie they haue no hope neither shall they be spoken to in the daie of knowledge For horrible is the death end of the vnrighteous Wisd 3. The children of the vngodlie are abhominable children and so are all they that accompanie with the vngodlie The inheritance of vngodlie children shall come to naught and their posteritie shall haue a perpetuall shame and confusion Wo be vnto you ye vngodlie which haue forsaken the lawe of the highest If ye doo liue ye shall be cursed if ye die the curse shall be your portion Labour to get thee a good name for it shall continue surer by thee than a thousand great treasures of gold Sirac 41. The Lord alloweth the righteous but the vngodlie and him that delighteth in wickednesse doth his soule abhor Upon the vngodlie he shall raine snares fire and brimstone storme and tempest this shall be their portion to drinke For the righteous Lord loueth righteousnesse Psal 11. As for sinners they shall be confounded out of the earth and the vngodlie shall come to an end Psal 103. Another godlie exhortation to moue vs to praier and to cause vs to be in a continuall readinesse to waite on our Maister Christ when he shall come againe to iudge both the quicke and dead written by the same godlie Gentlewoman REioice in the Lord alwaies and againe I saie reioice let your softnesse be knowne to all men The Lord is euen nie at hand be carefull for nothing but in all praier and supplication let your petitions bee manifest vnto God with giuing of thanks Be feruent in spirit applie your selues to the time reioice in hope be patient in tribulation continue in praier Rom. 22. Take heed therefore how ye walke circumspectlie not as vnwise but as wise men redeeming the time bicause the daies are euil Wherfore be ye not vnwise but vnderstand what the will of the Lord is And be not dronken with wine wherin is excesse but be filled with the spirit speaking vnto your selues in Psalmes and Hymnes and in spirituall songs singing and making melodie to the Lord in your harts giuing thanks alwaies for all things vnto God the Father in the name of our Lord Iesus Christ submitting your selues one to another in the feare of God Epes 5. Praie alwaies with all maner of praiers and supplications in the spirit and watch therevnto with all instance and supplication Ephes 6. Uerelie verelie I saie vnto you saith Christ Whatsoeuer yee aske the father in my name he will giue it you Aske and yee shall receiue that your ioie may be full And when thou praiest thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are for they loue to praie standing in the Synagogues and in the corners of the streetes because they
Lawe and sincere Religion which I professe Let backbiters together with such as are proud and those that dare shameleslie presume anie thing be vtterlie rooted out but contrariwise let there be space in especiallie for such as be verie zealous of the truth that they onlie may be conuersant with me before thee and cause me to feede them with a singular faith and innocencie and minister all things diligentlie vnto them Finallie let not the enimies of thy Gospell I beseech thee O gratious and mightie God thus despise thy grace offered them vnto repentance but those that are to be conuerted conuert and turne them O God speedilie if it be thy will Make thou Saule at the length to become a Paule and let not the persecutor persist in his errours but let them rather accompt thy long suffering and my peaceable and vnbloudie gouernement an occasion of saluation to their soules and of vnfeigned loue to thy Church Otherwise if they will needes remaine still disobedient to thy truth disloiall vnto me dangerous to the state and enimies to their Countrie and Common-wealth then O God of my saluation arise and helpe to wound the head of thine enimies and the hearie scalpe of such as go on still in their wickednesse Let thy right hand find out them that euerie daie prouoke thee and reuenge thy selfe on those blasphemous hypocrites that thus proudlie contemne thee to thy face And as thou hast discouered them and their peeuish practises against thee and thine annointed so discouer them still As thou hast preuented their diuelish purposes and execrable intents so preuent them still Yea let their firie eies waxe wearie with looking their bloudie harts and hands faint with waiting for their golden daie and that which commeth not yet neither let come O Lord I beseech thee but in thy good time and according to thy will a blessed and healthfull reigne vnto my selfe much ioie and comfort to my subiects and long peace to Zion for euermore Lastlie O most mightie God looke what remaineth yet of the happie building enlarging and finishing of thy Church and to the establishing and planting of thy Religion perfectlie therein according to the prescript rule of thy blessed word and full discharge of my dutie when I shall be called to render an accompt before the iudgement seate of Christ because that without thee I can do nothing neither is it possible to please thee do thou O father of light from whome all good gifts doo come and proceede vouchsafe to powre downe plentifullie of thy principall spirit vpon me and so rauish my hart with the flame of the loue of thee and thy people with an earnest zeale of thy house that with Ioseph I may carefullie and faithfullie prouide for thy people with Moses painefullie leade them out of the deserts of errour and oppression and with Ioshua bring thy people into the land of promise with Debora fight thy battels with Iahel knocke Sisera of Roome in the temples of his vsurped headship with Iudith cut off the head of proud Holophernes with Hezekias and Iosias roote out and destroie all superstition and relikes of idolatrie with Dauid and Salomon finish and consecrate to eternitie thy glorious Temple among thy people and with them all most earnestlie and continuallie to praie vnto thee for their saluation That heere on earth for the time after their vertuous example dooing that which is good in thy sight reigning blessedlie ruling prudentlie and like a louing mother and tender nursse giuing my fostermilke the foode of thy word and Gospell aboundantlie to all in all places of my dominion and endeuouring my selfe faithfullie to discharge the great trust committed vnto me when thy sonne to whome not onlie the sea and windes but all creatures are subiect shall come as King of kings to require an accompt of the charge committed vnto me I may be found faithfull and not faile finallie in heauen but in the purenesse of my virginitie and holinesse of mine innocencie be presented to the Lambe my souereigne Lord and onlie God my heauenlie Bridegroome and spirituall spouse my euerlasting King deere Christ and onlie sweet Sauiour Iesus there to see the Saincts and to be a Sainct and with all the holie Patriarches Iudges Kings and Queenes yea with all the Archangels Angels Saints Martyrs Confessors Uirgins and the whole companie of thy celestiall and blessed spirits to reigne with him ouer spirituall powers and principalities for euer and sing the sugred songs of my wedding-daie to my perpetuall ioie and thine eternall praise O most glorious Trinitie the Father the Son and the holie Ghost one inuisible God almightie blessed for euer and euer Amen Amen Another praier to be said of the Queenes Maiestie BLessed art thou Lord God of Sabbaoth for vnto thee apperteineth all magnificence and power and glorie to thee belongeth all honour and authoritie For whatsoeuer is either in the heauens aboue or in the earth beneath it is thine Thine O Lord is the kingdome thou art aboue all Princes Kings Riches are thine glorie is thine and thou art Lord ouer all In thee remaineth vertue and power greatnesse and gouernement O God of my fathers and Lord of mercie which hast made all things by thy word and by thy wisdome appointed man to rule the creatures which thou hast made and to gouerne the world with equitie and iustice I praise thee and extoll thy glorious name for appointing me thy seruant to rule and gouerne this thy people committed vnto my charge Now therefore gratious Lord fauourablie behold me that I may treade the path of truth righteousnesse and sinceritie of hart in thy sight Let me not abuse mine authoritie but gouerne with lenitie and gentlenesse the people vnder me that liuing a godlie and honest life mankind may enioie their desired peace Giue therefore vnto thy seruant an hart desirous of instructions that I may iudge the people and discerne betweene good and euill and neither declining to the right hand or to the left stoutelie and valiantlie mainteine the cause of the righteous Grant me counsell and assistance to doo such things as are gratefull vnto thee good for thy Church and profitable for my people and Common-weale Giue me thy wisdome and reiect me not from thy children for I thy seruant and handmaiden am a fraile woman of a short time and full weake in the vnderstanding of iudgements and the lawes Thou hast chosen me a Gouernour of thy people and a Iudge of thy sonnes and daughters send mee therefore wisdome from thy sacred heauens and from the seate of thy magnificence that it may be with me and labour with me whereby I may perceiue what is acceptable in thine eies and learne that I haue no power of my selfe but from thee which art Almightie and reignest ouer the kingdomes of men giuing them at thy pleasure Graunt that I neuer conceiue proudlie of my selfe but may receiue in patience the discipline of thy Lawe Make me wise and
remember his iniquities Ezech. 18 verse 27. BEhold good Lord now are the daies of sorowe now are the daies of calamitie and now is the time wherein I must call on thee For now feele I mine old cankered and festered sores of sinne readie to breake foorth in me to my vtter confusion Behold good Lord all my desires and all my lamentable and sorowfull sighes I powre them all before thee crieng and saieng O Lord cleanse me from my sinnes for I am vncleane and filthie before thee Increase therefore thy light in me that I may be a vessell of thy grace kindle my hart with thy loue put out all feare for perfect loue expelleth feare Let the loue of the world the loue of the flesh the loue of vaine-glorie and the loue of my selfe vtterlie depart from me that I may through thy mercie be cleansed from mine iniquities by the which I haue offended thee Cleanse me therefore O Lord with the water of thy gratious fauour of which water he that drinketh shall no more thirst but it shall be made in him a fountaine of liuing water running and flowing into eternall life Cleanse mee I saie O Lord with the water of thy weeping teares cleanse me with the comfortable waters of thy sacred Scriptures that I may be numbred among them vnto whome thou saiedst Now are yee cleane through the words that I haue spoken to you AMEN Z ZACHE was a perfect man and thou Lord saiedst vnto him when he was in the figtree ZACHE come downe for to daie I will come into thy house and he came downe and ioifullie receiued thee Luke 19 verse 5. O Mercifull God how manie sinnes haue I don in thy sight which I would in no wise haue done before mortall men I feared men more than thee because I was blind and loued blindnesse I had onlie eies of flesh therfore did I onlie feare and looke on men which are flesh O my God behold I stand before thy face that I might finde mercie I stand before thy goodnesse and benignitie looking for thy fauorable answere haue mercie therefore on me Thou saiedst to Zache This daie I will abide in thy house and he ioifullie receiuing thee said Lord the halfe of my goods I giue to the poore and if I haue done anie man wrong I will restore him fourefold But Lord Iesu I will not part halfe that I haue but I bequeath my selfe wholie vnto thee reseruing nothing from thee promising to serue thee for euer with a cleane and pure hart O sweet Lord Iesus what sawest thou in Zache euen thine owne image for he had cast off the image of the diuell which before was on him and had put on him thine image If then thou didst see in Zache by putting from him the image of the diuell that which did drawe thee to his house take then from me sweet Iesus all my sinnes and wickednesse all I praie thee that none may remaine in me which may keepe thee from me that I may put off as Zache did that euill which is in me that thou maist see in me which thou sawest in Zache that when thou shalt call me out of the figtree of this miserable world thou maist saie vnto me Come downe for this daie I will abide with thee AMEN A A Pure heart create in me ô GOD and a right spirit renew within me Psalme 51 verse 10. ALas my Lord and Sauiour my hart hath forsaken thee it is turned from thee and is gone astraie it is wandered into strange countries and ensueth vanities hir eies are in the vttermost part of the world It is lost gone and sold vnder sinne It is stonie yea harder than the Flint or Adamant stone which relented and yeelded at thy sonnes death What now Lord What shall I saie A pure hart create in me a fleshie hart a mollified and soft hart an humble hart a penitent hart a mercifull hart a deuout hart a religious and zealous hart yea and such a hart as will loue thee aboue all things Create therefore good Lord such a hart in me that it may be of such efficacie through thy grace as nature is not able to make it Giue me also a right spirit that I may loue and worship thee which art the chiefe and principall spirit For thou art a spirit and wilt be worshipped in spirit and veritie My soule good Lord is also a spirit and so made of thee that of it selfe it is right For of hir owne nature she loueth thee aboue hir selfe and desireth all things for thy glorie so that hir owne naturall loue is right because it commeth of thee Make stedfast therefore in me O Lord through thy gratious fauour this spirit that it may according to his owne nature leade and keepe me in the waie of thy commandements and that by it my heart may be so inflamed with heauenlie loue that it may cause me to sigh vnto thee to embrace thee continuallie and neuer to forsake thee but alwaies to be firme and constant in thee Giue me therefore an vpright spirit not seeking hir owne glorie but thy will and glorie Renew it in me I praie thee good Lord renew it I saie for my sins haue quenched the first that thou gauest me AMEN B BEhold LORD against thee onlie haue I sinned and done euill in thy sight that thou maist be iustified in thy words and maist ouercome when thou art iudged Psalme 51 verse 4. TO thee onlie O Lord it is proper to forgiue and to be mercifull for through mercie and forgiuenesse thou dooest declare thine almightinesse I graunt therefore Lord and confesse that against thee onlie I haue offended and haue done that which is euill in thy sight Haue mercie therefore on me O Lord haue mercie Expresse and shewe foorth thine omnipotencie in me that thou maist be iustified in thy words For it is written Thou camest not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance Graunt me therefore good Lord a true repentant hart and iustifie me according to thy words Call me receiue me and giue me thy grace so that thereby I may do the works of repentance Thou saiedst When I am lifted vp from the earth I will drawe all vnto my selfe Uerifie Lord the words on me drawe me after thee and let me run with thee in the sweetenesse of thine ointments Againe thou saiedst Come vnto me all yee that labour and are loden and I will ease you Behold my Lord and my God I a sinner do come vnto thee all loden with sinnes daie and night labouring in the sorowe of my hart for thy grace and mercie Refresh and ease me therefore good Lord that thou maist be iustified and proued when thou art iudged For there are manie which saie There is no helpe for him in his God Ouercome Lord these persons when thou art thus iudged of them and forsake not me at anie time but giue to me thy creature thy mercie and pardon and then are they vanquished which
saie There is no helpe for him in his God AMEN E EStablish me ô LORD with a free and principall spirit and restore vnto mee the ioie of thy sauing health Psalme 51 verse 12. IT is a great thing O heauenlie father that I desire of thee seeing thou art a great Lord and King aboue all gods He doth thee iniurie which asketh of thee small things and he which asketh of thee bodilie things asketh but vaine trifles He therefore that desireth spirituall things desireth great things but he that desireth thy ioie and sauing health desireth the greatest thing thou hast to giue What is thy sauing health but Iesus Christ thy onlie sonne which is verie God and euerlasting life And forsomuch as thou hast bin so louing and liberall a father as to giue him vnto the death of the crosse and there to offer him for me why should I be ashamed to aske him of thee whome thou hast giuen for me Giue me therefore thy principall spirit that I may reioice in thy sauing health And forsomuch as in thy holie word thou biddest me aske and knocke euen till I see me importunate and what can I aske that should be more wholesome to me than that thou shouldest make me reioice in thy sonne our sauing health I will therfore continuallie crie to thee saieng Make me againe to reioice in thy sauing helth and restore to me againe the thing which my sinnes haue lost Restore to me that which through my fault is perished in me Restore me I beseech thee for his mercies sake that euer sitteth on thy right hand and maketh intercession for me that by his gratious fauour I may at my last end enioie the fruitfull benefite of thy sauing health AMEN T THov euer ô LORD hast loued truth and the vnknowne things of thy wisdome hast thou reuealed vnto mee Psalme 51. verse 6. WHat meaneth it to saie Thou louest truth but that of thy gratious mercie thou makest vs promises and fulfillest them for thy truths sake Thou didst promise vnto Abraham a sonne when he was aged thou fulfilledst thy promise in old and barren Sara because thou louest truth Thou madest promise vnto Dauid thy seruant saieng Of the fruit of thy bodie will I set vpon the regall throne and it came to passe because thou louest truth Thou hast promised vnto sinners which will come vnto thee forgiuenesse and fauour and thou hast neuer defrauded anie man for thou louest truth There are other innumerable promises in the which thou hast euer bene faithfull because thou louest truth Loue therefore O father of mercies this truth in me which with repentant hart turneth to thee Behold therefore thy creature in whome thou maist keepe it and to whome thou maist forgiue manie sinnes Spare good Lord spare thy seruant and command me to be of the number of the babes that the vnknowne things of thy wisdome which thou hast opened vnto me may lead me vnto the fountaine of wisdome which is on high that thou maist be praised in the works of thy mercie which thou dooest exercise towards thy seruant O LORD which neuer forsakest them that trust in thee AMEN H HAddest thou ô LORD desired sacrifice I would haue giuen it thee but thou delightest not in burnt offerings Psalme 51. verse 16. MY mouth Lord shall shew foorth thy glorious fame For I knowe it to be most acceptable before thee seeing thou hast declared it by the mouth of the Prophet saieng The sacrifice of praise shall glorifie me by which meane saith the Lord I shall be entised to shew him my sauing health Psal 48. Therefore will I offer praise vnto thee for my sinnes euen the praise of infants and sucklings And why shall I offer praise for my sinnes rather than sacrifice Bicause thou delightest not in burnt sacrifice For if thou hadst desired sacrifice I had surelie offered them but thou delightest not in them And againe thou saiedst I require mercie and not sacrifice Ose 6. Therefore my mouth shall shew foorth thy praise bicause thereby I doo shew foorth thy honour and it sheweth me through thy grace the waie to my sauing health O Lord thou madest the bodie for the spirit therfore seekest thou spirituall things and not bodilie things For thou saiest My sonne giue thy hart vnto me Prou. 23. which is the sacrifice that pleaseth thee Let me therefore offer vnto thee O Lord a hart repenting and sorrowing for my sinnes and inflame it with a desired loue of heauenlie things and then wilt thou desire no more of me for with such sacrifices wilt thou O Lord be pleased AMEN REGINA R REbuke me not ô LORD in thine anger neither chasten thou mee in thy heauie displeasure but haue thou mercie on me for I am weake and in miserie Psalme 6 verse 1. MY sinnes O Lord are so manie that the burden of them hath weakened me My bones are so bruised my sinewes are so shrunken my strength so faileth me the rod of thy displeasure hath so chastened me that I feele no helpe in my selfe I appeale therfore O Lord to thy mercie crieng out with the prodigall and vnthriftie sonne saieng O Father I haue sinned against heauen and before thee haue mercie therefore haue mercie on me not bicause I haue deserued thy mercie but bicause thou art mercifull Sith therefore thou art mercifull what art thou but euen the verie mercie it selfe And what am I but verie miserie Behold therefore O God which art mercie behold miserie is before thee What shalt thou doo O mercie Trulie thy works Canst thou go backe from thy nature And what is thy nature Uerelie to take awaie miserie Haue mercie therefore on mee O God God which art mercie take awaie my miserie for the depth of miserie requireth the depth of mercie The depth of sinne requireth the depth of grace and fauour Greater is the depth of mercie than the depth of miserie Let therfore good Lord the one depth swallowe vp the other Let the bottomlesse depth of mercie swallowe vp the depth of miserie AMEN E EXcept LORD the praier of thy seruant as thou diddest the praier of Cornelius and cast me not confused from thy presence Acts 10 verse 6. O Sweet Iesus who euer came to thee with a pure and stedfast faith and went awaie confused Or who euer desired thy fauour and went without it Surelie thou passest in thine abundant pitie both the deseruings and also the desires of them that praie vnto thee For thou giuest more than man can desire The woman of Canaan followed thee she cried and made a pitious noise she mooued thy Disciples to compassion worshipped thee and said Lord helpe me but yet wouldest thou not answere Yet shee trusting in thy mercie praied againe saieng Lord helpe me Unto whose importunitie thou diddest answere saieng It is not good to take the childrens bread and cast it vnto dogs O Lord who would not haue beene confounded and haue gotten him awaie at these thy words And yet
did this woman continue still in praier and said It is truth Lord that thou saiest it is not meete to cast the childrens bread vnto dogs But yet Lord the dogs doo eate of the crums which fall from the childrens table And thou Lord reioicing in hir great constancie didst saie O woman great is thy faith be it vnto thee as thou desirest Now therefore sweet and mercifull Lord Iesu as thou diddest vouchsafe to accept and heare the praier of Cornelius and of this woman of Canaan so I hartilie beseech thee to heare my humble praiers which I make daie and night before thee not onelie that thou shouldest deliuer me from bodilie oppressions but also from the spirituall power of the diuell that after this mortall life I may come to thy blessed presence in the euerlasting kingdome where thou reignest God with the Father and the holie Ghost AMEN G GIue eare Ô LORD and let all my sorrowfull complaints which go foorth of vnfeined lips come before thee that my mouth may shew foorth the woorthie praise of thy name Psalme 17. verse 1. THy praise is a great thing O Lord for it proceedeth out of the fountaine whereof no sinners drinke There is no glorious praise in the mouth of a sinner Deliuer me therefore O Lord from the waie of sinners and my tongue shall magnifie thy righteousnesse and my lips and my mouth shall shew foorth thy praise Thou hast the key of Dauid which shuttest and no man openeth and openest and no man shutteth Therefore open thou my lips as thou hast opened the mouths of infants out of whose mouths thou hast established thy praise Trulie the Prophets and Apostles and all other thy Saints praised thee despised themselues The sucklings extoll thy fame and glorie which they knowe through thy heauenlie and celestiall grace Thy friends which spreading thy glorie haue conuerted innumerable soules from sinne vnto vertue and true felicitie Thy beloued haue openlie preached thy bountious gentlenesse and mercifull fauour which thou shewest in thy deere sonne vnto all the world Now therefore mercifull God giue me true humilitie that thou maist stablish thy praise by my mouth Make me as one of the infants and sucklings that I may euer hang on the paps of thy wisdome For thy paps O Lord are better than wine and thy wisdome better than riches Make me as one of thy friends or beloued that I may constantlie abide in thee that my mouth and voice may among the sucklings extoll and set foorth thy praise saieng and singing Ozanna in the highest AMEN I I Am filthie and vncleane before thee Ô LORD If thou therefore sprinkle me with Isope I shall be cleane If thou wash me I shall be whiter than snowe Psalme 51. verse 7. I Sope Lord is a lowe herbe it is hot and of a good sauour which signifieth nothing else but thine onlie sonne Iesus Christ which humbled himselfe vnto death euen vnto the death of the Crosse which with the heate of his feruent loue loued vs and washed vs from our sinnes in his bloud which also with the redolent and sweet sauor of his beneuolence and righteousnesse hath replenished the world Therefore with this Isope shalt thou O holie Father sprinkle me when thou shalt powre vpon me the vertue and bloud of thy deere sonne Christ when he through faith shall dwell in me when through loue I am ioined with him when I shall imitate and followe his humilitie and passion then shall I be cleansed from all mine vncleannesse Then shalt thou wash me with mine owne teares which flowe out of the loue of thy sonne Christ Then shall I sigh till I be wearie then shall I water my bed euerie night with my teares so that it shall swimme in them and then Lord shalt thou wash me and I shall be whiter than snowe AMEN N NOT euerie one that saith to me Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdome of heauen but he that doth the will of my father which is in heauen Matth. 7 verse 21. THy will is O heauenlie father that we do beleeue in thy beloued sonne whome thou hast sent Thy will is that we beleeue that he whome thou hast sent is come in the flesh And thy will is that we imitate and keepe his saieng Thy will is also that we should heare him For thou spakest from heauen saieng This is my welbeloued Sonne in whome I delight heare him Giue me therefore O heauenlie father a stedfast faith a strong faith yea such a faith that no tribulation that no vexation that no persecution may cause me to denie thy Son whom thou hast sent but that I may with a pure and constant faith confesse him to be come in the flesh for the redemption of the world and that I may imitate and folowe him that I may keepe his saieng who was deliuered for my sinnes and was raised againe for my iustification Giue me also O holie father a perfect hearing and not a corrupt hearing but that I may through the teaching of the holie Ghost heare thee out of the Prophets out of the Apostles out of the pen of the Euangelists and out of the mouth of thy Spouse the Catholike Church to whome thou saiedst I will send you a comforter euen my spirit which shall leade you into all truth Grant me O Lord this spirit for there is none that can saie Iesus is the Lord but by this thy holie spirit AMEN A A Sacrifice to God is a troubled spirit a contrite and humble hart ô GOD shalt thou not despise Psalme 51. verse 17. A Broken and troubled spirit and not broken and troubled flesh pleaseth thee O Lord. For the flesh is broken and vexed because it hath not the carnall things that it desireth or else feeleth in it selfe things which it hateth The spirit is broken and vnquieted for his fault because it hath offended against God whom it loueth He soroweth that he hath sinned against his maker and redeemer and that he hath not regarded such a good and louing father This broken and sorowing spirit is vnto thee O Lord a sacrifice of most sweet sauour which notwithstanding hath his confection of most bitter spices euen of the remembrance of his sinnes For when our sinnes are gathered together into the morter of the hart and beaten with the pestle of compunction and made into powder and moistened with the water of teares therof is made an ointment and sacrifice most sweet which being offered to thee O Lord thou wilt not despise Marie Magdalen which was a great sinner made such an ointment and put it into the Alablaster boxe of hir hart She feared not to enter into the Pharises house and there humbling hir selfe at thy feete sweet Lord washed them with hir teares wiped them with hir heare and annointed them with most pretious ointment and ceassed not to kisse them Surelie Lord hir sacrifice was right acceptable and pleased thee so that thou preferredst it aboue the Pharisie which
for into thy hands I commit me Amen E ENter thy iudgements in the tables of my hart destroie mine affections with thy loue send thy wisdome from the holie heauens and from the seate of thy Maiestie that she may be with me and labour with me that I may knowe what thing is acceptable before thee and may iudge the people righteouslie and discerne betweene good and euill G GRatious Lord thou that art the most high God aboue all the earth long-suffering and of much mercie sorowing the sinnes of man and of thy great goodnesse hast promised to the penitent remission of sinnes Lord I haue sinned mine iniquitie is multiplied aboue the sands of the sea and there is no hope of life in me because I haue stirred thee to anger in multiplieng offences before thee And now O Lord trusting in thy mercie I bow the knees of my hart beseeching thee of thy goodnesse destroie me not togither with mine iniquitie For the dead whose soules are out of their bodies can neither praise nor thanke thee but the sorowfull hart and the thirstie soule ascribe praise vnto thee O Lord I powre my praiers before thee and require mercie in thy sight saue me which am vnwoorthie and reserue not eternall punishment for mee For thine owne sake I aske it and will praise thee all the daies of my life Amen I ILluminate my hart O Lord with the light of thy word leade me Lord in thy waie and I shall enter into thy truth Print thy feare in my hart that I may reioice in thee Let thy word be a lanterne vnto my feet and a lampe of light vnto my paths so shall I not erre from the right waie but walke like a pure and wise virgin with an vpright hart chaste mind and cleane conscience and single eie before thee this daie and euermore Amen N NEuer will I cease to call vpon thee most mightie God of hosts which sittest vpon the Cherubins and hast dominion ouer all the kingdoms of the earth Thou which madest the heauens all things comprehended in them bow downe thine eare and heare open thine eies and behold saue mee from the hand of mine aduersaries suffer no euill to happen vnto me that all the people may knowe that thou alone art my God Amen A ASsist mee O Lord my God with thy heauenlie grace and renew in mee a right spirit that I may receiue strength ablenesse to doo thy righteous will and to stand against all the assaults of wilie Satan that they may haue no place in mee but that the old man which I beare about in my bodie may be crucified and dailie die in me that the desire of sinne errour and of worldlie vanities may vtterlie be destroied that I may euermore be renewed in the spirit of my mind that the life of my Sauiour Christ may alwaies appeare in me to whome with the Father and the holie Ghost be all honour triumph and glorie for euer and euer Amen The versicle EUen now and euer vouchsafe O LORD for thy deere sonnes sake to heare my humble petitions The answere REceiue my praiers I saie O GOD and in thy truth and mercie pardon mine offences and grant mee thy grace The Collect. O Emanuel my Lord and my GOD Iesus Christ sonne of the pure virgin Marie thou art not onelie the sweete spouse of my soule but with God the Father a most meeke Mediatour full of mercie and truth Wash awaie my sinnes with the most pretious bloud of thy holie passion make me rich in thy mercie and my faith so strong in thee that assisted with thy grace and holie spirit to all duties and works in this life towards thee I may enioie afterwards the glorie of thy blessed kingdome with thy holie Saints and pure Uirgins in euerlasting honour and triumph Amen The Praier O Roote of Iesse my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ which hast redeemed all mankind from sinne death and hell thou which hast said I am the waie truth and life The waie in doctrine commandements and examples truth in promises life in reward I praie thee by thine ineffable loue wherewith thou hast vouchsafed wholie to bestowe thy selfe for our securitie that thou wilt not suffer me euer to straie from thee bicause thou art the waie nor at anie time to distrust thy promses which art the truth and performest whatsoeuer thou promisest neither let me rest in anie other thing bicause thou art eternall life without the which there is nothing that ought to be desired neither in heauen nor in earth By thee we learne the sure and expedient passage vnto true helth that we wander no longer in the Laberinth of this world Thou hast exactlie taught what to beleeue and what to doo what to hope for and in whom we ought to rest By thee wee learne how wee were of that first Adam vnfortunatelie borne by thee we are assured there is no hope of health but through faith in thee that thou art the onlie brightnesse which giuest light to all men trauelling the darke desarts of this world where is nothing but a profound dimnesse wherby we neither see our calamities nor frō whence we ought to seeke remedie of our euill Thou vouchsafedst to descend into the earth disdainedst not to take our nature vpon thee that by thy doctrine thou mightest shake off the dimnesse of our ignorance by thy commandements mightest direct our feete in the waie of truth peace By the examples of thy life thou hast shewed vs the waie to immortalitie and by thy steps hast restored to vs a plaine easie profitable waie out of an vneeuen and rough waie So thou art made vnto vs a waie which knoweth no error in the which least we should be wearie thou hast vouchsafed to vphold vs in thy benignitie with great sure promises For who can be wearie accounting himselfe redie through thy steps to enter thy heauenlie heritage Therefore whilest we be in this iournie thou wouldest be a sure hope vnto vs to be in steed of a staffe vnto vs wherewith we are sustained Neither was thy goodnes content with this but knowing the weaknesse of our flesh in the meane while with the comfort of thy spirit dooest so refresh our strength whereby we run cheerefullie And as thou being made vnto vs the waie dooest driue awaie all errour so being truth dooest thou take awaie all distrust Finallie being made life vnto vs dooest reuiue the dead in sinne to liue by thy spirit releeuing all things vntill in the resurrection all mortalitie vtterlie abolished we may alwaies liue with thee and in thee when Christ shall be to vs all in all For eternall life is to knowe the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost to be one true God where now thorough faith we behold onlie in a glasse and riddle And then seeing more felowlie the glorie of the Lord wee shall be transformed into the same image Therefore I beseech thee most mercifull Sauiour that
if thou carefullie behaue thy selfe walke in the waies that I haue commanded thou shalt be woorthilie honored indeed with that name wherby mine authoritie ouer all men is declared and I thy GOD and heauenlie Father will imbrace thee with my speciall fauour as my deerelie beloued Dooue and obedient child Yea so shall the KING haue pleasure in thy fairenes and loue thy goodlie personage and it shall come to passe that thou shalt bee more and more in the high fauour of thy spirituall spouse Christ my sonne to whom onlie it is meete that thou shouldst be subiect as to thy souereigne Lord King and head and vnder whose gouernement thou shalt remaine most honourable and admirable for the singular and vnspeakeable gifts of his grace to all maner of people strangers others of whom euen the most mightie and most rich shall desire to see thee and to be linked in friendship with thee For then shalt thou come foorth of thy princelie yuorie palace and statelie roiall throne most gloriouslie adorned with gorgious garments and roiall robes that smell most fragrantlie and yeeld their sweete sauours and odoriferous odours most pleasantlie spred ouer all those men and people who to declare their ioie and good-wils towards thee shall run and presse togither by thousands to see praise and extoll thy renowmed name and Maiestie crieng alowd and saieng GOD saue the QVEENE To conclude here in my house the Church thou shalt see thy children and offspring who by publishing and promoting my Gospell thou hast borne after a maner vnto thy husband Christ flourishing and spred both abroad and at home and nothing inferiour vnto those thy most noble Elders reigning ouer the prouinces of the whole world But at home chieflie euen in heauen with mee thy Father and with thy husband Christ thou shalt sit at my right hand beautified with all my gifts and most richlie beedecked all ouer with glorious garments broidered with gold hauing a crowne of most pure gold vpon thy head Euen thus roiallie I saie shalt thou then O Uirgin ô QVEENE O deerlie beloued Daughter be set before the KING thy husband with such and so pretious apparell the Uirgins thy companions waiting vpon thee and going with thee vnto the most glorious KING of kings whilest that you altogither with most great triumph mirth ioie reioicing shall enter into the highest mansion of the heauenlie Paradise most holie palace there to enioie a most certaine vnchangeable and euerlasting kingdome glorie dignitie blisse and felicitie and to sing praises vnto the name of the holie Trinitie together with all Kings Queenes Saints Uirgins and elect people of the world that euer were are or shall bee worlds without end The Queenes Vow or selfe-talke with GOD Collected out of the Psalmes of the princelie Prophet King DAVID as they are paraphrasticallie expounded by that godlie learned man THEODORE BEZA Wherein the Queenes Maiestie after a most Christian maner euen with Dauids spirit his sweet words and diuine sentences first inciteth prepareth hir hart and mind to deuotion Secondlie acknowledgeth the omnipotent power of God ouer all kings kingdoms and creatures and after a true rehearsall of his manifold benefits bestowed vpon hir from hir birth with an acknowledgement of hir souereigntie to come onelie from the Lord she thirdlie confesseth hir vnwoorthinesse and reioiceth greatlie in his protection and mercie towards hir since hir comming to the Crowne Fourthlie hauing his wonderous works and benefits done for hir preseruation in great admiration shee not onelie yeeldeth condigne thanks for the same but exhorteth all creatures both in heauen and earth to praise God together with hir And so lastlie she bindeth hir selfe as it were by a solemne oth vow and promise to consecrate hir life wholie to the true worship and sincere seruice of God in all holie obedience to his lawes to the glorie of God and full discharge of hir dutie both in hir Court and Realme * The first part of the VOW RABBONI my hart so voileth within mee that I must needes burst foorth that which it hath conceiued euen a magnifical Uow of a QVEENE consecrated to the KING of heauen himselfe and that with such zeale and feruencie that no penne may seeme to be able to attaine vnto the voice of the speaker Therefore O my God I being now prepared with my whole hart with my whole hart and mind I saie haue great desire to speake vnto thee and in this my present most happie estate to call into my remembrance thy woonderfull works wrought and brought to passe by thine almightie power for me from my conception euen vntill this houre Neither will I doo it O Lord with my mouth onlie as hypocrites vse to doo but I will vnfeinedlie testifie thee my God to be mine onlie maker redeemer preseruer and Sauiour with praise that shall proceed euen from the deepe bottome of my hart Go to then my tongue go to my mouth I saie bee thou no longer dumbe but open thy selfe wide to speake out the most excellent praises of my God and make thy hartie Uowes and saie as followeth The second part conteining foure Chapters CAP. I. O Heauenlie Father my almightie maker my greatest King mine onlie GOD and souereigne Sauiour thou which art the King of glorie and most glorious King the Lord of hosts strong valiant and mightie whose seate is in the highest heauens and thy dominion is stretched foorth ouer all things without exception I humblie acknowledge thee to be the verie God of Angels and of men the most sacred Emperour of the most mightie spirits and holie companie of the heauenlie armies which celebrate thy truth and praise perpetuallie in the regions aboue vs yea the greatest God highest Lord and most magnificall King far aboue all Emperours Kings Lords and Princes how great soeuer Euen the God of Abraham Isaac and Iacob and of my father Dauid and his posteritie Kings and Queenes my predecessors which art higher than the heauens and the mightie Monarch of the whole world hauing of nothing made heauen and earth and all things therein by thine almightie power guiding preseruing and ruling by the same the state of kingdoms and all the creatures and people that dwell in the world reseruing in thy power and authoritie as the Lord of all both the lowe secret parts of the earth the deepe bottoms of the Sea and the high tops of the mountaines reigning euer full of Maiestie power and authoritie and that most gloriouslie and triumphantlie in an eternall and euerlasting kingdome For whereas all other kingdoms trulie are transitorie and subiect to destruction thy kingdome onlie O God I confesse is not limited in anie bounds nor subiect to anie tearme of yeares or time but alwaies endureth one and vnchangeable from all eternitie to eternitie as he whose throne is for euer and euer and which hast raised a kingdome for thy selfe among thine Angels and people both in heauen and in
repentance and cease not to praie for the forgiuenesse of thy sinnes Labour perseuerantlie in thy dutie then shalt thou find mercie and righteousnesse and be made woorthie to enter in as a faithfull virgin and beautifull ghest with that ioifull bridegroome to the feast of eternall mirth and delicacie there to dwell in ioies for euer Amen Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ shall shew light vnto thee Ephes 5 verse 14. Being well wakened before you arise praie thus WIth eies hart and hands lifted vp O blessed God and glorious Trinitie I most entirelie thanke thee for all thy bountifull benefits bestowed vpon me and all mankind especiallie for that it hath pleased thee now in mercie to awake my bodie to inlighten mine eies to quicken my senses and to reuiue and renew me whole againe as it were from the death of sleepe and that by the same spirit that raised Iesus from the dead I thanke thee that thou hast not couered me with a spirit of slumber nor shut vp mine eies in obscure darknes to cause me to sleepe a perpetuall sleepe neuer to awake againe nor to rise from the euils wherein I laie as by my sinnes I haue iustlie deserued O good Father grant also I beseech thee that as thou hast awaked my body from sleepe and made mine eies to preuent the morning light so vouchsafe in like mercie thoroughlie to awaken quicken lighten and deliuer my soule from all drowsinesse sleepe of sinne securitie and darknesse of this world that from hence-foorth it neuer become emptie faint dead or irksome with longing after the vanities of this brittle life but liuelie quicke and readie to serue and glorifie thee together with my bodie with all good works of true christianitie Oh deere God that is but sleepe to thee which is death to vs I hartilie beseech thee therefore after death to restore to life that which now is awaked out of sleepe and in the meane while to make my bodie such a minister of godlinesse to my soule in this present life that at the last when in the bessed resurrection it shall be awaked vp after thy likenesse out of the long sleepe of death and called to appeare before thee and all the holie Angels it may ioifullie arise and be partaker with the same of euerlasting happinesse in the life to come and ioifullie behold thy face among the righteous that so I maie be fullie satisfied both in bodie and soule with thy glorious presence and ioies eternall through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Awake and sing ye that dwell in the dust for the deaw is as the deaw of herbes and the earth shall cast out the dead Esaie 26 verse 19. Awake I saie to liue righteouslie and sinne not 1 Cor. 15 verse 34. Meditation HEre call to mind the great mirth and blessednesse of the euerlasting resurrection and remember to muse vpon that most cléere-light bright morning and new clearnesse of our bodie after the long darknesse they haue béene in all then shall be full of ioie Hearing the clocke strike praie thus with your selfe GRant vnto me O Lord God I beseech thee both an happie healthfull houre of liuing and a ioifull and blessed houre of dieng And whatsoeuer I doo or whatsoeuer I am let the houre of thy sudden comming so runne in my mind and keepe me watching that I may euer thinke I heare this voice sounding in mine eares Arise yee dead and come to iudgement In all time of our tribulation in all time of our wealth in the houre of death and in the daie of iudgement good Lord deliuer vs Amen Let your loines be girt and your lamps burning and be ye alwaies watchfull and readie prepared For at an houre when ye thinke not will the Sonne of man come to iudge both the quicke and the dead Luke 12 verse 40. Meditation CAll oft to thy mind the houre of thy death and be carefull so to liue euerie houre in Gods fauour as though euerie houre were indéede to thée the last houre to die in his faith Remember also that as there is no houre or instant of time in all our life wherein we haue not the vse of Gods great benefits so ought there to be no moment wherein we are not bound to haue him in perpetuall remembrance before our eies to serue loue and praise his name and that to the vttermost of our power with all our hart soule and strength So soone as ye see the daie breake and light appeare in the skie praie O Day-star most bright O light most glorious and true from whence this light of the daie dooth spring O light which lightest euerie man that commeth into this world without whome all is most horrible darkenesse How is light giuen to them that are in miserie and life to a wretch that hath a heauie hart I looked for light and behold I haue found it I wished for daie and lo the starres of the twy-light doo appeere and I see I thanke thee the dawning of the daie Darkenesse dooth no longer possesse the night nor the shadowe of death staine the daie For the blacke mantell is gone and the thicke clouds are dispearsed so that the light dooth begin to shine and spread it selfe abroad to our comfort O that the night of perturbations being ouerpassed the morning light of comfort and grace might likewise spring in our hart O that darkenesse might so be expelled that light might be kindled and the daie of gladnesse and ioie luckilie shine vpon vs that beeing translated from darkenes to light from perishing into safegard from death to life from hell to heauen we might continuallie praise thee who onlie hast immortalitie and dwellest in the light that none can attaine vnto Amen Or saie thus BLessed be the Lord God of Israel which hath redeemed his people and deliuered vs out of the hands of all our enimies and giuen vs free remission of all our sinnes through the tender mercie of our God whereby also the daie spring from an high doth now visit vs to giue light to them that laie in darkenesse and in the shadowe of death and to guide our feete into the waie of peace that we might serue him without feare in holinesse and righteousnesse before him all the daies of our life Amen Ye shall doo well if ye take heed vnto the word as vnto a light that shineth in a darke place vntill the daie dawne and the daie-star appeare in your harts 2. Peter 1 verse 19. Meditation MUse a little how much the light and eie of the mind and soule is better than of the bodie And remember that we ought therefore much more to care for the soule that it may sée well than for the bodie Thinke also that beasts haue bodilie eies as well as men but men onlie haue eies of the mind and that such as are godlie wise At the Sun-rising praie O Lord Iesus Christ which art the true Sunne of the
shall or will receiue me If thou despise me and turne thy face from me who shall looke vpon me Recognise and knowledge me O Lord to be thine although vnworthie comming to thee although I bee vile and vncleane For if I be vile and vncleane as I confesse my selfe in deede to be thou canst make mee cleane If I be sicke thou canst heale me If I be dead and buried thou canst reuiue me for thy mercie is much more than mine iniquitie Thou canst forgiue me more than I can offend Therefore O Lord doo not consider nor haue respect to the number of my sinnes but according to the greatnesse of thy mercie forgiue me and haue mercie on me most wretched sinner Saie vnto my soule I am thy health which saiedst I will not the death of a sinner but rather that he liue and be conuerted and turne to thee O Lord bee not angrie with me I beseech thee but for thy great mercie sake forgiue and pardon me all my misdeeds and bring me to the blisse that neuer shall cease Amen Another forme of Confession and praier to be vsed of the Maister and Mistresse with their families in priuate houses euerie morning ALmightie God and most mercifull Father we doo not present our selues heere before thy Maiestie trusting in our owne merits or woorthinesse but in thy manifold mercies which hast promised to heare our praiers and graunt our requests which we shall make to thee in the name of thy beloued Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord who hath also commanded vs to assemble our selues together in his name with full assurance that he will not onelie be amongst vs but also be our mediator and aduocate towards thy Maiestie that we may obtaine all things which shall seeme expedient to thy blessed will for our necessities Therefore we beseech thee most mercifull father to turne thy louing countenance towards vs and impute not vnto vs our manifold sinnes and offences whereby wee iustlie deserue thy wrath and sharpe punishment but rather receiue vs to thy mercie for Iesus Christes sake accepting his death and passion as a iust recompense for all our offences in whom onlie thou art pleased and through whome thou canst not be offended with vs. And seeing of thy great mercies we haue quietlie passed this night grant O heauenlie father that we may bestowe this daie wholie in thy seruice so that all our thoughts words and deedes may redound to the glorie of thy name and good example to all men who seeing our good works may glorifie thee our heauenlie father And forasmuch as of thy meere fauour and loue thou hast not onlie created vs to thine owne similitude and likenesse but also hast chosen vs to be heires with thy deere sonne Iesus Christ of that immortall kingdome which thou preparedst for vs before the beginning of the world we beseech thee to increase our faith and knowledge and to lighten our harts with thy holie spirit that we may in the meane time liue in all godlie conuersation and integritie of life knowing that idolaters adulterers couetous men contentious persons drunkards gluttons and such like shall not inherit the kingdome of God And because thou hast commanded vs to praie one for another we doo not onlie make request O Lord for our selues and them that thou hast alreadie called to the true vnderstanding of thy heauenlie will but for all people and nations of the world who as they know by thy wonderfull works that thou art God ouer all so they may be instructed by thy holie spirit to beleeue in thee their onlie Sauiour and Redeemer But forasmuch as they can not beleeue except they heare nor cannot heare but by preaching and none can preach except they be sent therefore O Lord raise vp faithful distributers of thy mysteries who setting apart all worldlie respects may both in their life and doctrine onelie seeke thy glorie Contrariwise confound Sathan Antichrist with all hirelings whome thou hast alreadie cast off into a reprobate sense that they may not by sects schismes heresies and errors disquiet thy little flocke And because O Lord we be fallen into the latter daies and dangerous times wherein ignorance hath gotten the vpper hand and Sathan by his ministers seeke by all meanes to quench the light of thy Gospell we beseech thee to mainteine thy cause against those rauening Woolues and strengthen all thy seruants whom they keepe in prison and bondage Let not thy long-suffering be an occasion either to increase their tyrannie or to discourage thy children neither yet let our sinnes and wickednesse be an hinderance to thy mercies but with speede O Lord consider these great miseries For thy people Israel manie times by their sinnes prouoked thine anger and thou punishedst them by thy iust iudgement yet though their sinnes were neuer so greeuous if they once returned from their iniquitie thou receiuedst them to mercie We therfore most wretched sinners bewaile our manifold siunes and earnestlie repent vs for our former wickednesse and vngodlie behauiour towards thee And whereas we cannot of our selues purchase thy pardon yet we humblie beseech thee for Iesus Christes sake to shew thy mercie vpon vs and receiue vs againe to thy fauour Graunt vs deere father these our requests and all other things necessarie for vs and thy whole Church our Queene and Realme according to thy promise in Iesus Christ our Lord in whose name we beseech thee as he hath taught vs saieng Our Father c. Almightie and euerlasting God vouchsafe we beseech thee to graunt vs perfect continuance in thy liuelie faith augmenting and increasing the same in vs dailie vntill we growe to the full measure of our perfection in Christ whereof we make our confession saieng I beleeue in God the Father almightie c. Almightie God which hast promised to heare the petitions of them that aske in thy Sonnes name wee beseech thee mercifullie to incline thine eares to vs that haue now made our praiers and supplications vnto thee and graunt that those things which wee haue faithfullie asked according to thy will may effectuallie be obteined to the releefe of our necessitie and to the setting foorth of thy glorie through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen The Lord blesse vs and saue vs the Lord make his face to shine vpon vs and be mercifull vnto vs the Lord turne his fauorable countenance towards vs and graunt vs his peace Amen The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ the loue of God and the communion of the holie Ghost be with vs and remaine with vs for euer So be it A Morning praier for Sundaie AFter due examination of my former life with an humble and contrite hart with a sorowfull and repentant spirit I sue vnto thee most mercifull father beseeching thee of mercie and forgiuenesse of mine offences which in this night or at anie time heeretofore I haue committed against thy godlie will and pleasure by anie manner of vncleannesse of soule or bodie that I haue fallen into
possesse our memorie But thou wilt saie I praie continuallie and yet I see no fruit of my praier as I come vnto it so I depart none answereth or speaketh vnto me nothing is giuen me but my labour seemeth vaine This is the speech of humane follie not obseruing what truth it selfe promiseth saieng Uerelie I saie vnto you whatsoeuer ye aske in praier with faith yee shall receiue it and it shall be performed vnto you Esteeme not lightlie therfore of praier For he to whome thou praiest hath it in price and before it proceed from thy mouth commandeth it to be registred in his owne booke One of these two we may vndoubtedlie hope for that either he will giue vs our requests or better Thinke of God as highlie as thou art able and yet beleeue more of him than thou canst thinke All the time wherein thou thinkest not vpon God esteeme it lost all other things be foraigne vnto vs time onlie is our owne Attend therefore vpon God and wheresoeuer thou art be all with him Impart but giue not vp thy selfe to worldlie affaires Wheresoeuer thou art cast thy thoughts vpon God No place is vnfit for meditation Therefore with all cheerefulnesse gather vp thy spirits dwell at libertie with thy selfe and out of the largenesse of thy heart measure out a lodging for thy Lord Christ A wise mans mind is alwaie with God He ought to be alwaies in our sight by whome we haue our being life and knowledge He is the author of our being the teacher of our vnderstanding the treasure of our spirituall and ioifull happinesse Heerein we may acknowledge the diuine image of the heauenlie Trinitie For as he hath his being in excellencie of wisdome and goodnesse so we according to our creation haue our subsistence being endued also with reason and delight in knowledge as a signature and impression of the diuine Maiestie Esteeme therefore of thy selfe as of the temple of God seeing it pleased him to impart his likenesse to thee as a high renowne to adore and imitate God Thou dooest imitate him if thou be holie as he is holie For a holie mind is the temple of God and a sincere hart the most acceptable aultar Thou dooest adore God if thou be mercifull euen as he is mercifull to all For it is a pleasing sacrifice to God to gratifie all for the cause of God Doo all things as the sonne of God that thou bee not vnworthie of him that hath vouchsafed to be thy father Knowe that of all thy actions God is a witnesse Beware therefore to fixe thine eie or settle thy thought in anie vnlawfull delight neither speake nor doo anie ill though thou maist Offend not God neither in deede nor purpose For his almightinesse discouereth thy deeds Thou hast neede of a great watch discharging all the actions in the face of the Iudge yet liue thou maist without securitie if thou behaue thy selfe so as he vouchsafe thee his presence If he abide not with thee in fauour he will come vnto thee in reuenge And if he come in reuenge wo be vnto thee nay rather wo if he come not For God is most angrie with him whose sinne he leaueth vnpunished His damnation is prepared whome God reformeth not in fatherlie chasticement Another Meditation to the same effect GOod Lord bee mercifull vnto mee that offend worst where I ought most to mind the reformation of my faults Praieng in the temple oftentimes I heed not what I speak I praie but by the absence of my wandering mind it is made fruitlesse With my bodie I enter into thy temple but my hart standeth without therefore my praier vanisheth awaie For the outward sound of the voice without the inward symphonie of the hart auaileth nothing Then is it a great follie naie madnesse when by praier presuming to speake in presence of the mightie God we doo brutishlie wander in vaine thoughts and arrest our minds vpon verie trifles An heinous offence also and woorthie a greeuous punishment it is that vile dust should not vouchsafe audience to the Creator of the whole world speaking vnto him But the woorthinesse of thy heauenlie bountie is vnspeakable which euerie daie regardeth vs standing in wretchednesse and miserie turning aside our eares and hardening our harts Yet he crieth out vnto vs saieng Returne into the waie yee transgressours attend and see for I am God God speaketh to me in the Psalme and I vnto him yet in repeating the same I regard not whose it is Heerein I offer God great wrong in desiring him to harken vnto my praier which my selfe in making it doo not heare I request him to attend me and I neither intend him nor my selfe but that which worsse is I doo violate his sacred presence with vnpure and vnprofitable thoughts Haue mercie vpon me pardon mine offences and renew mee with thy holie Spirit that in all my Praiers Psalmes Songs and Hymnes I may both saie and sing to the honor and glorie of thy name Amen ¶ Heere as time will conuenientlie serue before Common praier begin make your priuate petitions vnto Almightie God and saie A salutation to God the Father or first forme of praier when yee kneele downe in the Church HAile our Father GOD Almightie full of grace mercie and comfort Thy Sonne Iesus Christ verie God and man is with thee in heauen Blessed be thy name O Father both in heauen aboue and in earth amongst all nations by thine onlie sonne our Lord Amen Another first forme of praier in the Church at Morning praier O Most high and blessed Trinitie the verie Father Sonne holie Ghost three glorious and vnseparable persons in Trinitie and but one God in Deitie vncreate incomprehensible eternall inuisible and almightie one being power wisdome goodnesse and Lord of coequall coeternall and vndefiled Maiestie who before all worlds in all worlds and by all worlds into euerlasting dooest liue and dwellest alone in vnapprochable light with all my verie hart and mouth doo I beeing the least member of thy Church fall downe lowe on my knees heere before thy footestoole and confesse praise blesse and worship thee O glorious Trinitie And now and euer with all Angels creatures and Elders both in heauen and earth I crie and saie Holie Holie Holie Lord God of hostes dreadfull strong righteous mercifull maruellous praise-worthie to be beloued Heauen and earth are full of thy glorie Glorie be to thee O God for euer Amen A praier that God would vouchsafe to heare the praiers of the Congregation afflicted and graunt their requests OH Lord my God most high most holie holie holie Lord God of Sabaoth most blessed and glorious Trinitie Father Sonne and holie Ghost three glorious persons of coequall and consubstantiall Maiestie and one almightie and incomprehensible God in Deitie alwais by all meanes of all creatures aboue all things to be woorshipped in Unitie and glorified in Deitie looke downe from thy kinglie court and princelie pallace where thou art placed in the
such things as be allowed and pleasant vnto thee least at anie time cleauing to superstition and hypocrisie I doo worship thee amisse but fill my hart with grace and stuffe it with sweetnesse of spirit euen as my bodie is stuffed with abundance of meats Lord rid me out of mine vngodlinesse plucke from me mine ignorance of thee banish my slothfulnesse of insearching thee Compell my flesh through thy spirit to his bounden dutie and obedience and bring to passe that I may now alwaies applie my selfe wholie without wearinesse and drinesse of mind vnto the right sincere worshipping and seruing of thee here in thy presence O Lord open thou my lips and then shall my mouth extoll thy renowmed name and publish thy praise not with fained lips but with a full glad hart lustie stomach and quicke spirit and saie with the congregation Our Father c. As at euening praier in the Church Another Meditation before Euening praier in the Church SEing thou hast beautified all those with a notable promise O most mightie God which are knit together in the honouring of thy blessed name so that thou wilt not onlie be present with them but also bestowest excellent gifts and benefits vpon these men whosoeuer they are that excell in sincere faith and pure godlinesse and haue an exceeding desire to be often in the blessed congregation in so much as there is nothing which they more couet or desire than to appeare diuers times in the daie before thee in the sacred assemblies yea it ought to be a most pleasant thing vnto vs to celebrate thy high praises perpetuallie and shew foorth thy maruellous works without ceasing For the performance whereof godlinesse would require that wee should not onlie doo the same in the daie time but also in the night season We will therefore lift vp pure hands in all places touching the publishing of thy glorious name and render perpetuall thankes according to our bounden dutie for thine vnspeakable goodnesse and louing kindnesse extended towards vs. But seeing that this ought to be done in the most sacred and holie assemblies our earnest request is to haue thee present heere with vs and to bestowe thy plentifull blessings vpon thy beloued Israel First deliuer vs wee humblie beseech thee from our heinous faults enorme sinnes and lewd corruptions wherewith we haue greatlie defiled our selues And then let our weake and feeble harts be strengthned in thy blessed waie and the withered powers of our mind which are dried vp watered with the holie Ghost that we being altogither repaired and wholie renewed may continuallie celebrate and praise thee and haue a great desire to direct our praiers vnto thy mercie-seate with a most holie intent as Christians ought to doo Cause vs now not constrained and brought thereto by compulsion but of a willing hart to come before thy presence and become true worshippers of thee yea and such as doo thinke it a goodlie matter to spend not onlie houres but daies and nights yea and all our yeares and life in the sincere seruice and right worshipping and honouring of thee in the sacred Church Let nothing be so deere and pretious vnto vs as to continue in the praises and commendations of thy glorious name from morning to night praieng both publikelie and priuatelie for all other as well as for our selues Graunt O excellent father that we in giuing due thanks for thy benefits may ioifullie sing double praises to thy glorious name for euermore that our minds I saie may dailie more and more bee strengthened hartilie to confesse couragiouslie to extoll and aboue all things to exalt thy wonderfull praises vncessantlie through Iesus Christ our Lord and Sauiour Amen A Psalme of exhortation to praier in the morning or euening O Come let vs worship fall downe and kneele before the Lord our maker and let vs hartilie reioice in the strength of our saluation Let our soules reioice I saie in the mercie of the Lord and not be ashamed to publish his praise Let vs doo our duties betimes both earlie and late and he will giue vs a reward in his due time For a good thing it is to giue thanks vnto the Lord and to tell of his louing kindnesse earlie in the morning O come therefore praise the Lord with me and let vs magnifie his name together Bring hither the booke take the Psalter and sing vnto the Lord a new song Let vs sing praises I saie lustilie vnto him with a good courage and shew our selues glad in him with Psalmes euen now in the time appointed and vpon our solemne feast-daie For great is the Lord and highlie to be praised in the Citie of our God euen vpon his holie hill of Zion Glorie be to the c. As it was in the c. Another Psalme exhorting all creatures to praise God O Praise the Lord of heauen yee Angels of his ye Saincts that excell in strength and fulfill his commandements yee seruants of his that harken to the voice of his words and doo his pleasure Praise him in the height ye children of Zion and be ioifull in your King with glorie For God is verie greatlie to be feared in the counsell of his Saincts and to be had in reuerence of all them that are about him Praise him all yee heauens and ye waters that bee aboue the heauens O God the verie heauens shall praise thy woonderous works and thy truth in the congregation of the Saincts Yea let heauen and earth praise thee the Sea and all that moueth therein O sing vnto the Lord all the whole earth woorship him and stand in awe of his iudgements ye multitude of Isles Praise the Lord O Ierusalem praise thy God O Zion Praise the name of the Lord O yee seruants of the Lord yee that by daie or by night stand in the house of the Lord euen in the courts of the house of our God O all yee righteous that loue and seeke the Lord and be true-harted towards him praise his holie name and magnifie him all yee seed of Israel that feare and dread his Maiestie Praise the Lord also all ye heathen and nations of the world worship you him and glorifie his name For he is great passing all praise Praise the Lord O ye Kings of the earth Princes and all Iudges of the world yea worship him all yee gods For he is higher than the heauens and far exalted aboue all gods O yee kindreds of the people ascribe vnto the Lord the worship power and honour due vnto his name bring presents and come into his courts with praise Let the people praise thee O God yea let all the people praise thee both yong men and maids old men and children let them all remember thy holie name and declare thy power from one generation to another world without end O speake good of the Lord all yee works of the Lord in all places of his dominion Let euerie thing that hath breath praise the Lord. For his
I beseech thee vouchsafe to come vnto me and to make me a meet temple for thine holinesse I doo praie the Father through the Sonne I praie the Sonne through the Father I praie the holie Spirit by the Father and the Sonne that all wickednesse may be set far awaie from me and that all the holie vertues may be implanted within me O infinite God of whom through whom and in whom are all things made both visible and inuisible which inclosest thine outward works and fillest thine inward gouernest them aboue and bearest them belowe keepe me the worke of thine hands which trust in thee and hope onlie in thy mercie Keepe me I beseech thee both here and euerie-where now and alwaie within and without before and behind aboue and beneath round about so that there be no place for the snares of the enimie against me Thou art God almightie keeper and protector of all that trust in thee without whom none is in safetie no man is free from danger Thou art God and beside thee there is none other either in heauen aboue or in earth belowe which doost great things and vnsearchable and maruellous things without number Meete it is therefore that thou be praised that thou be honored that thou be magnified with commendations To thee the whole troupe of Angels to thee the heauens and the powers doo sing and continuallie yeeld praises as creatures to their Creator seruants to their Lord souldiers to their King Euerie creature doth extoll and euerie soule doth glorifie thee the holie and vndefiled Trinitie To thee the holie and humble men of hart to thee the spirits and soules of the righteous to thee doo all the supernall citizens together with all the orders of blessed spirits yeeld humble praise and glorie and exalt thee aboue all things for euer O Lord gloriouslie and honourablie doo those heauenlie citizens adorne thee with praises Man also the most excellent among thy creatures doth magnifie thee yea and I too a miserable sinner doo exceedinglie desire to praise thee and greatlie doo I loue to loue thee aboue all things O my God my life my strength and my praise giue me grace to praise thee Put thy light in my hart and thy word into my mouth that both my hart may thinke vpon thy glorie and my tongue sing and speake out thy praises euerie daie But for as much as praise is not seemelie in the mouth of a sinner and I am a woman of polluted lips purge mine hart I beseech thee from all iniquitie sanctifie me both within and without O almightie sanctifier and make me worthie to sound foorth thy praise Receiue in good part from the hand of the hart and from the loue of the mind receiue I praie thee the sacrifice of my lips and let it be acceptable in thy sight and ascend vp vnto thee like a sweete smelling sauour Amen Another MY soule praise thou the Lord and all that is within me praise his holie name My soule praise thou the Lord and forget not all his benefits Praise the Lord all yee his works in all places of his dominion My soule praise thou the Lord. Praise we the Lord whom Angels praise dominions adore powers doo reuerence to whom the Cherubins and Seraphins continuallie doo crie Holie holie holie Ioine we therefore our voices to the voices of the holie Angels and according to our abilitie let vs praise the God which we both haue For they whose eies euermore be fixed vpon the Lord whom they behold not through a glasse darklie but face vnto face they doo most purelie and without ceasing praise the Lord. O Lord that immortall people of thine Angels doo praise thee and the celestiall powers doo magnifie thy name who haue no need either to read this our scripture or to seeke after the knowledge of thee the holie and glorious Trinitie For they alwaies behold thy face where they read without syllables of time what thine eternall pleasure is they read they choose and they loue yea alwaies they read and what they read they forget not By choosing and louing they read this constancie of thy counsell and their booke shall at no time be shut and folded bicause thy selfe art and wilt euerlastinglie be this to them O much blessed are those heauenlie powers that can religiouslie and purelie with an exceeding delight and vnspeakable ioie magnifie thee with praises Thence they praise whence they reioice forsomuch as alwaies they behold that which offereth them continuall occasion both to praise and reioice But we pressed downe with the weight of flesh and placed far awaie from thy countenance in this exile and distracted through varieties of the world we alas are not able woorthilie to praise thee through faith We praise thee not of perfect knowledge but these angelicall spirits praise thee of knowledge not through faith For our flesh is the cause why we praise thee otherwise than they doo Notwithstanding albeit we sing praises to thee after diuers sorts yet thou art but one God Creator of all things to whom is offered the sacrifice of praise both in heauen and in earth But one daie we shall come vnto their companie with whom alwaies we shall see thee and praise thee without ceasing Now then O Lord grant that whiles I doo liue in this fraile bodie both mine hart and my tongue and all my bones may glorifie thee and saie Lord who is like vnto thee Let thine holie memorie and thy blessed sweetnesse possesse my whole soule and rauish me with desire of inuisible things Let my soule I beseech thee passe from visible vnto inuisible from terrestriall vnto heauenlie from transitorie things vnto eternall let it passe I saie and see thy woonderfull vision Thou art God almightie three in persons yet but one in the substance of the Godhead whom we serue and worship namelie the Father vnbegotten the Sonne onlie begotten of the Father the holie Spirit both proceeding from and remaining in them both an holie glorious Trinitie one God almightie which when we were not didst mightilie make vs and when thorough our owne default we were lost mercifullie and maruellouslie hadst deliuered vs. Oh suffer vs not to prooue either vngratefull for so great benefits or vnwoorthie so manifold mercies Unto thee doo I praie sue and beseech increase my faith increase my hope yea and increase my loue also Through the same thy goodnesse make vs to be euermore stable in faith and fruitfull in all good works that by a right faith and works agreeable vnto faith we may come through thy mercie vnto euerlasting life where seeing thy perfect and full glorie euen as it is we may worship thy Maiestie and being made woorthie to behold thy glorie may sing Glorie to the Father who hath made vs. Glorie to the Sonne who hath redeemed vs. Glorie to the holie Ghost that hath sanctified vs. Glorie to the souereigne and blessed Trinitie whose works are vnseparable and whose kingdome hath none end Unto thee
For God there is all in all whome they doo alwaies behold and by beholding him continuallie they burne the more in loue towards him They loue and they praise him they praise and they loue him all their worke is to praise God without ending without fainting without toiling O happie yea and euermore happie shall I be if after the resolution of this mortall bodie I may heare those celestiall songs of melodie which are sung vnto the praise of the eternall King by those citizens of the supernall countrie and by the companies of the blessed spirits Happie then yea much happie should I be might I be counted woorthie to sing those sugred songs and to wait on my King my God and my Captaine to behold him in his glorie according as he hath promised saieng Father I will that they whome thou hast giuen me be with me euen where I am that they may behold my glorie which I had with thee before the foundation of the world And in another place If anie man serue me let him followe me For where I am there shall also my seruant be And againe He that loueth me shall be loued of my father and I will loue him and will shew mine owne selfe vnto him Another godlie and Christian praier for the Church and congregation presentlie assembled ALthough the holie Scriptures doo teach vs euerie where that the heauen O most good and mercifull God is thy dwelling place yet the same doth in such wise set out thine infinite goodnesse as the Church is both called and also is in deede thy sanctified house wherein thou most frequentest wherein also thy blessed name is lifted vp with high praises the faithfull instructed in thy sacred words and the holie Sacraments dulie receiued And therefore the godlie hauing an especiall regard to the honour of thy glorious name most earnestlie with a feruent mind and vehement affection doo continuallie stir vp one another to make holie assemblies with woonderfull exhortations to the intent the pure worshipping and holie inuocating of thy blessed name might onlie be therein practised Now therefore and at what time so euer we shall come together in the holie congregation our earnest request is that wee may be there with cheerefull and verie desirous minds For thou trulie hast of an exceeding liberalitie adorned thy holie Church with most flourishing right excellent gifts neither is there anie thing pretermitted that apperteineth to hir garnishing which may either belong to the spirituall decking and beautifieng thereof or to the plentious enriching of it in abundance of all heauenlie good things Which seeing they haue proceeded most fullie from thee this onlie remaineth that thou wouldest be present with vs and them which are assembled together in the name of Iesus Christ and so condescend vnto our feruent praiers who thereby doo call vpon thee as the members thereof may be annexed together with a perpetuall concord Cause all our meetings I saie good father to be in such sort as we may render due honour vnto thee Let the sacred Scriptures be heere purelie and sincerelie interpreted and let thy glorious kingdome from daie to daie be more and more inlarged making all these things to be established with thy ioious peace and the tranquillitie of thy holie spirit yea so long as we praie for the quietnesse and felicitie heereof Let vs procure substantiall and perfect good things both to our neighbours and also vnto thy blessed house and holie sanctified Church And cause that those Citizens which doo credit the sacred doctrine of thy holie Church may by thy excellent benefit become frends and faithfull brethren one to another and in the end beeing quite deliuered from thrall bring thou to passe that one daie we may altogether repose our selues in the true and most holie Ierusalem through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another praier for the increase of the Church THE Church is vnto thee O most good and mercifull GOD as a most roiall Queene espoused to the intent she may bring foorth vnto thee a most plentifull and holie seede Wherefore forasmuch as thou hast coupled hir vnto thee to be thy wife by faith and that she is reputed of the vngodlie as a barren woman because shee seemeth to haue left off child-bearing grant hir to be made vnto thee through thy sacred word and holie spirit afruitfull and ioifull mother of manie holie and vertuous children by whome thy glorious name may be exalted with perpetuall praises in thine holie house euen as it becommeth them Let hir be glad with a perfect and substantiall ioy for the great number of hir most faithfull religious sonnes and daughters Multiplie increase the issue of thy sacred Church I saie O God with a plentifull and an innumerable issue and let hir ingender godlie children vnto thee dailie more and more euen such as are worthie of such a father mother and to be partakers of thy blessed spirit Grant that we may altogether aspire vnto the loue of thee our most delectable bridegroome and that throughour labour laid together in stead of our forefathers who are now alreadie gathered vnto thee manie mo faithfull religious and holie children may be begotten vnto thee anew with whom we may alwaies in our posterities set out celebrate thy famous honour most noble praises Shine thou downe out of Zion O God euen from thine exceeding high vnapprochable light vpon the virgin thy blessed Church preserue hir from the number of perils which she is in cōtinuall danger of Let hir not fall to ruine nor be as a lampe despised in the opinion of the rich welthie men of this world but let thy mountaines glister and giue their light as lamps of fire Yea let righteousnes saluation breake forth out of zion as a shining light and burning lamp that all men may see it and glorifie thee Let the lamps of hir loue I saie O God be as coales of fire and a verie vehement flame of the Lord to dazell ouercome and consume hir enimies after a woonderfull and miraculous manner and cause the seuen lampes of the Uirgins euen all thy spirituall gifts and graces O GOD in the Saincts to burne bright and cleere without anie quenching before thy throne for euer Let thy Church be as a flourishing Uine spreading it selfe far abroade so that Antichrist with all his craft and industrie may not be of force to cut and hew it downe And euen as thou O Lord hast euerie where maruellouslie replenished the earth with thine inestimable goodnesse so in like manner be so good as to let the number of thy true and faithfull suppliants bee dailie more and more greatlie enlarged Let there bee continuall labouring in thy beloued Church by doctrine and example to nurture the blessed children so that their works may be a singular ornament thereof to thy glorie and the increase of all manner of vertue Let hir I saie be made dailie like vnto a most fruitefull woman that
for not worthilie preparing themselues and for misvsing the Sacrament of the bodie and bloud of our Sauiour Iesus Christ and manie died thereof as thine holie Apostle Saint Paule hath taught vs. Since which time O Lord as the Monuments of thy Church and other Chronicles doo declare thou hast from time to time so plagued with pestilence not onelie cities but also whole countries for these and other like causes that we may iustlie looke for the comming of our Sauiour so manie and so horrible pestilences haue beene among vs alreadie All which causes O Lord for the which thou hast so afflicted thy people are through the malice of Satan and our wilfull consenting vnto him growne so ripe in vs that were it not for the exceeding greatnes of thy mercie and compassion we should all presentlie perish and that woorthilie so horrible and outragious are our iniquities For we loath not onelie the plentifull prouision of wholesome victuals and apparell which thou hast giuen vs for our bodies more abundantlie than to manie nations trauelling by all meanes to get wherewith to pamper our flesh with wines spices silks and other vaine costlie and delighting things but the pretious Manna of our soules thy holie word and Sacraments we can not awaie with we are so full that we are glutted therewith We so little esteeme the heauenlie kingdome which our Sauiour hath so deerlie prepared and kindlie promised to vs that we abhor it and are readie to stone those few that commend it and exhort vs for our owne good to trauell thitherward better liking and crediting those false prophets the Epicures and Atheists that with their lies discourage vs therefrom What murmuring and grudging make we against the ministers of thy word which thou of thine especiall goodnesse hast in mercie giuen vs How despise wee our bishops preachers and other ministers of thy holie Sacraments whom thou hast commanded vs to reuerence and honour Did not we through our wicked liues wretchedlie leese the Arke of thy holie word and the true ministration of Sacraments not manie yeeres agone which the popish Philistines tooke from vs And now when thou through thy plagues laid vpon them hast miraculouslie sent it againe see how hold we be with the Beth-samites vnreuerentlie to receiue it For manie make of it a gazing-stocke to serue their eies and tongues rather than a lawe to obeie and followe in their liues Yea the knowledge of thy truth goodnesse and mercie breedeth in manie of vs a carelesse securitie and a contempt of thy holie ordinances For we presume vpon thy mercie and promises not regarding the conditions nor anie of thy commandements which in our baptisme we vowed to obserue Yea we make thy Gospell a cloke of our couetousnesse vnder colour whereof we seeke our owne lucre and hide all our wicked and filthie practises If the Corinthians deserued to be plagued for abusing thy holie Sacraments how much more are wee woorthie of fierce wrath that not onelie abuse it but also abhor contemne it bicause it is ministred as it ought For thou knowest O Lord what a sort there are which bewitched with the diuell and the Popes doctrine doo vtterlie abhor Christs holie communion and sauing for feare of the lawe would neuer come at it In what sort these receiue and how they be prepared is not vnknowne vnto thee How rashlie also and vnaduisedlie and vnprepared the common multitude doo frequent it partlie appeareth in that manie of them neuer forgiue old offences nor reconcile themselues nor in anie thing doo amend their old sinnes and vices Seeing then that we Lord the common sort and multitude doo thus abound in all kind of wickednesse how can it be but that thou of thy iustice must suffer our magistrates to offend also in somewhat to the end thou maist iustlie take vengeance of our sinnes For these manifold heapes of sinnes and wickednesses O Lord thou hast iustlie at this present sent this dangerous pestilence among vs as thou hast often and long time threatened by the mouthes of thy faithfull preachers who continuallie haue called vpon vs to staie thy wrath by earnest repentance amendement of life but we haue alwaies beene deafer and deafer The delight in our sinnes not onlie stopped our eares but also hardened our harts against their hartie and friendlie admonitions And in that we now O Lord doo begin to feele and acknowledge our sinnes it commeth more of thy rigour in plaguing vs than of anie good inclination of our selues Mollifie therefore O Lord our flintie harts with the suppling moisture of thy holie spirit Make vs to reuerence thee as children for loue of thy mercies and not to dread thee like slaues for feare of punishment Seruants Amen Maister or Maistres O deere Father reclaime vs thy lost children O mercifull Sauiour pitie vs thy putrified members O holie Ghost repaire vs thy decaied temples O holie and glorious Trinitie haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners Seruants Amen Maister Grant vs O Lord such true repentance as may through the bloud of our Sauiour blot out the staines of our heinous iniquities Forgiue vs our sinnes O Lord forgiue vs our sinnes for thine infinite mercies sake Seruants Amen Maister Forgiue vs our blasphemies idolatries and periuries Forget our vaine and outragious oths As thou hast by thy rigour and plagues forced vs to acknowledge thee to be our iust and righteous Lord so let vs through thy mercie and forgiuenesse feele thee to be our mild louing Father and giue vs grace for euer hereafter to reuerence this thy glorious name Seru. Amen Maister Take from vs O God the care of worldlie vanities Make vs content with necessaries Plucke awaie our harts from delighting in honours treasures and pleasures of this life And ingender in vs a desire to be with thee in thine eternall kingdome Giue vs O Lord such taste and feeling of thine vnspeake able ioies in heauen that we may alwaie long therfore saieng with thine elect Hasten thy kingdome O Lord take vs to thee Seru. Amen Maister Make vs O Lord obedient to thy will reuealed in thy holie word Make vs diligent to walke in thy commandements Forgiue vs our contempt and murmuring against the magistrates and ministers whom thou hast in thy mercie appointed make vs obedient vnto their godlie lawes doctrine Saue and preserue O Lord thine annointed our QVEENE ELIZABETH that she in thy grace and feare may long reigne amongst vs. Giue peace to all Christian nations Mooue vs by thy spirit to loue one another as the members of our bodie that we may all doo thy will in earth as it is in heauen Seru. Amen Maister Dig out of vs O Lord the venemous roots of couetousnesse and concupiscence or else so represse them with thy grace that we may be contented with thy prouision of necessaries and not to labour as we doo with toile strength guile wrong and oppression to pamper our selues with vaine superfluities Feed our soules O
Lord dailie with the true Manna of thy heauenlie word and with the grace of thy holie Sacraments Giue vs grace continuallie to read heare and meditate thy purposes iudgments promises and precepts not to the end we may curiouslie argue therof or arrogantlie presume thervpon but to frame our liues according to thy will that by keeping thy couenants we may be sure of thy promises and so make our election and vocation certaine through our constant faith vertuous and godlie liuing Seru. Amen Maister Confirme vs O Lord to the image of our Sauiour So lighten the lamps of our harts with the fire and burning flames of thy loue that no enuie rancor hatred or malice doo remaine in vs to quench it but that we may gladlie forgiue whatsoeuer wrong is or shall be either maliciouslie or ignorantlie done or said against vs. And here Lord in thy presence for thy Maiestie is euerie where we forgiue whatsoeuer hath beene by anie man or woman practised against vs beseeching thèe of thy goodnesse likewise to forgiue it And further for thy mercies sake and for our Sauiour Iesus Christs sake we beseech thee O deere Father to forgiue vs these horrible and damnable sinnes which we haue committed against thy Maiestie for which thou hast now iustlie brought the pestilence and plague vpon vs. Let the ceasing thereof we beseech thee certifie vs of thy mercie and remission Seru. Amen Maister We knowe O Lord the weakenesse of our selues and how readie we are to fall from thee Suffer not therfore Satan to shew his power and malice vpon vs. For we are not able to withstand his assalts Arme vs O Lord alwaies with thy grace and assist vs with thy holie spirit in all kinds of temptations Seruants Amen Maister Deliuer vs O deere father from all euils both bodilie and ghostlie Deliuer O Lord from trouble of conscience all that are snarled in their sins Deliuer O Lord from feare of persecution and tyrannie our brethren and sisters that are vnder the crosse for profession of thy word Deliuer O mercifull father those that for our sinnes and offences are alreadie tormented with the rage of pestilence Recouer those O Lord that are alreadie striken and saue the rest of my houshold and else-where from this greeuous infection Seruants Amen Maister Finallie O Lord God which for our innumerable sinnes dooest heere fatherlie correct vs to the end we should not feele the rigour of thy seueare iudgement in eternall condemnation we humblie submit our selues vnto thy grace and pitie beseeching thee for our Lord Iesus Christes sake that although we haue iustlie deserued this plague now laid vpon vs yet it may please thee in the multitude of thy mercies to withdrawe thy rod from vs. Grant O Lord true repentance of our sinnes which as it did in that good King Ezekias may deliuer vs from the plague laid vpon vs and cause those that be sicke heere in my house or otherwhere to recouer Or if thou haue determined to take a number of vs out of the miseries of this present euill world giue vs the comfort of thy holie spirit that may make vs glad and willing to come vnto thee Giue vs grace O Lord so to prepare our selues that we may be readie with the wise virgins to enter into life with our sauiour Christ whensoeuer it shall please thee to call vs. Seruants Amen Maister Grant this O deere father for Iesus Christes sake our onlie Mediator Aduocate Lord Redeemer and Sauiour to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honor and glorie world without end and in whose name we altogether with one hart and voice crie furthermore and praie vnto thee as he in his holie word hath taught vs saieng Maister and seruants altogether Our Father c. Other Psalmes and praiers to be said in the time of anie common plague sicknesse or other crosse and visitation of God by the Maister and Mistresse with their familie O Come let vs humble our selues fall downe before the Lord with reuerence and feare For he is the Lord our God and we are the people of his pasture and the sheepe of his hands Come therefore let vs turne againe vnto our Lord for he hath smitten vs and he shall heale vs. Let vs repent and turne from our wickednesse and our sinnes shall be forgiuen vs. Let vs turne and the Lord will turne from his heauie wrath and will pardon vs and we shall not perish For we knowledge our faults and our sinnes be euer before vs. We haue sore prouoked thine anger O Lord thy wrath is waxed hot and thy heauie displeasure is sore kindled against vs. Thou hast made vs heare of the noise of warres and hast troubled vs by the vexation of enimies Thou hast in thine indignation striken vs with greeuous sicknes and by and by we haue fallen as leaues beaten downe with a vehement wind Indeede we acknowledge that all punishments are lesse than our deseruings but yet of thy mercie Lord correct vs to amendment and plague vs not to our destruction For thy hand is not shortened that thou canst not helpe neither is thy goodnesse abated that thou wilt not heare Thou hast promised that afore we crie thou wilt heare vs and whilest we yet speake thou wilt haue mercie vpon vs. For none that trust in thee shall be confounded neither anie that call vpon thee shall be despised For thou art the onlie Lord who woundest and dooest heale againe who killest and reuiuest bringest euen to hell and bringest barke againe Our father 's hoped in thee they trusted in thee and thou didst deliuer them They called vpon thee and were helped they put their trust in thee and were not confounded O Lord rebuke vs not in thine indignation neither chasten vs in thy heauie displeasure Oh remember not the sinnes and offences of our youth but according to thy mercie thinke vpon vs O Lord for thy goodnesse Haue mercie vpon vs O Lord for we are weake O Lord heale vs for our bones are vexed And now in the vexation of our spirits and the anguish of our soules we remember thee and we crie vnto thee heare Lord and haue mercie For thine owne sake for thy holie name sake incline thine eare and heare O mercifull Lord. For we doo not powre out our praiers before thy face trusting in our owne righteousnesse but in thy great and manifold mercies Wash vs throughlie from our wickednesse and cleanse vs from our sinnes Turne thy face from our sinnes and put out all our misdeeds Make vs cleane harts O God and renew a right spirit within vs. Helpe vs O God of our saluation for the glorie of thy name O deliuer vs and be mercifull vnto our sinnes for thy name sake So we that be thy people and sheepe of thy pasture shall giue thee thanks for euer and will alwaies bee shewing foorth thy praise from generation to generation Glorie be to the Father c. As it was in the
all the earth full of patience forbearance pitie and repentance ouer the wickednesse of sinfull people declaring the sharpnesse of thy iudgements for their amendment and deliuerance from punishment Thou O Lord hast promised according to thy bottomlesse bountie and goodnesse a penitent spirit not to iust and righteous Abraham Isaac and Iacob which haue not offended against thy Maiestie but to those that are ouerwhelmed with the tempestuous tides of their transgressions We O Lord haue offended and our fathers haue committed sinne in thy sight We haue defiled our selues in the filthie puddle of iniquitie and therefore beholding in the verie heauens such dreadfull tokens of thy wrathfull indignation hanging ouer our heads for our monstrous and prodigious life we bow before thee the knees of our harts beseeching thee to be gratious vnto vs and to open thine eares to our praiers We haue sinned O Lord we haue sinned and we acknowledge our misdeeds humblie beseeching thee to forgiue vs our offences O forgiue vs and deliuer vs not ouer to destruction with our iniquities neither laie thou vp in store vengeance against the daie of iudgement O reserue not for vs the whip of wo and wretchednesse but in mercie pardon our misdeeds and let not the fierie flames of thy furie and wrath waxe hot against vs to burne and consume vs in our iniquities Amen In the time of warre O Almightie God King of all kings and Gouernor of all things whose power no creature is able to resist to whom it belongeth iustlie to punish sinners to be mercifull vnto them that truelie repent saue and deliuer vs we humblie beseech thee from the hands of our enimies abate their pride asswage their malice and confound their deuises that we being armed with thy defence may be preserued euermore from all perils to glorifie thee which art the onlie giuer of all victorie through the merits of thine onlie sonne Iesus Christ our Lord Amen In time of rebellion or intestine warre O Most mightie and mercifull Lord God which art King of glorie and Lord of hosts the Gouernour of all creatures the onlie giuer of all victories who alone art able to strengthen the weake against the mightie and to vanquish infinite multitudes of thine enimies with the countenance of a few of thy seruants calling vpon thy name and trusting in thee defend O good Lord thy seruants and our gouernour vnder thee our most gratious and souereigne Ladie Queene Elizabeth and all hir faithfull subiects and people committed to hir charge And especiallie at this time O Lord haue regard to those hir trustie louing and obedient subiects which be sent into the north parts of this Realme or ouer the seas to the aid of such as be persecuted for the profession of thy holie name to withstand the crueltie force and power of certaine false and vnfaithfull subiects yea rather cursed rebels and wicked traitours and all those which be common enimies as well to the truth of thine eternall word as to their owne naturall Prince and countrie and manifestlie against the Crowne and Realme of England which thou hast by thy diuine prouidence assigned in these our daies to the gouernement of thy seruant our souereigne Ladie and most gratious Queene to the great comfort of all vs hir louing subiects and faithfull commons thy most glorious name be praised therefore O Lord God of hosts which by thine Angel therevnto appointed doost minister both warre and peace and which diddest giue vnto Dauid both courage and strength being but a little one vnarmed and vnexpert in feates of warre with his sling to set vpon ouerthrowe the great huge giant Goliah our cause now being iust and being forced to enter into warre and battell we most humblie beseech thee most gratious God so to turne the harts of these rebels thine and our enimies to the desire of peace that no Christian bloud be shed or spilt Or else grant O Lord that with small effusion of bloud and to the little hurt and damage of thy seruants who doo ieopard their liues for the defence of thy holie Gospell our Queene Realme against the aduersaries thereof we may to thy glorie obteine the victorie and that the warres being ended the rebels soone put to flight and vanquished we may all with one hart and mind knit togither in godlie concord and vnitie laud praise thee which art our God O most mercifull Father if it be thy holie will make soft and tender the stonie harts of all those I saie that exalt themselues against thy truth and seeke either to trouble the quietnesse of this Realme of England or to oppresse the Crowne of the same and conuert them to the knowledge of thy sonne the onelie Sauiour of the world Iesus Christ that we and they may iointlie glorifie thy mercies Lighten we beseech thee their ignorant harts to embrace the truth of thy word or else to abate their crueltie O most mightie Lord that this our Christian Region with others that confesse thy holie Gospell may obteine by thine aid strength suertie from all our enimies without shedding of Christian and innocent bloud whereby all they which be in feare of their crueltie may be comforted and finallie that all Christian realmes and especiallie this Realme of England may by thy defence and protection continue in the truth of the Gospell and enioie perfect peace quietnesse and securitie and that we for these thy mercies iointlie all together with one consent hart and voice may thankfullie render vnto thee all laud and praise that we knit in one godlie concord and vnitie among our selues may continuallie magnifie thy glorious name And furthermore for as much as it is thy good will and pleasure to appoint vs in the number of subiects we most humblie beseech thee O heauenlie Father to giue vs faithfull and obedient harts vnto our dread souereigne Ladie the Queenes most excellent Maiestie and to the high powers and godlie rulers that are in authoritie vnder hir noble Grace that there may be found in vs no disobedience no vnfaithfulnes no treason no falsehood no dissimulation no insurrection no commotion no conspiracie nor anie kind of rebellion in deede word or thought but all faithfulnesse obedience quietnesse subiection and humilitie and whatsoeuer else becommeth faithfull subiects vnder so good and so gratious a Prince that we liuing heere in all lowlinesse of mind may at the last daie through thy fauour be lifted vp into euerlasting glorie where thou O most mercifull Father with thy sonne and the holie Ghost liuest and reignest one verie true and perfect God for euer and euer Amen A thankes-giuing for the suppression of rebellion or insurrection O Heauenlie and most mercifull Father the defender of those that put their trust in thee the sure fortresse of all them that flie to thee for succour who of thy most iust iudgements for our disobedience and rebellion against thy holie word and for our holie profession whereby we haue giuen
we be tied and bound with the chaine of our sinnes yet let the pitifulnesse of thy great mercie loose vs for the honour of Iesus Christes sake our onlie mediator and aduocate Amen The end of the Letanie Praiers to be vsed before and after the first and second lessons the Gospell and Pistle and before and after the Sermon or Homilie Before the first or second lesson praie BLessed Lord which hast caused all holie Scriptures both in the old and new Testaments to be written and red for our learning grant vs that we may now in such sort heare them reade them marke learne and inwardlie digest them that by patience and comfort of thy holie word we may embrace and euer hold fast the blessed hope of euerlasting life which thou hast giuen vs in our Sauiour Iesus Christ Amen After the first or second lesson praie GRatious God and most mercifull father which hast vouchsafed vs the rich and pretious iewell of thy holie word assist vs with thy spirit that it may be written in our harts to our euerlasting comfort to reforme vs to renew vs according to thine owne image to build vs vp and edifie vs into the perfect building of thy Christ sanctifieng and increasing in vs all heauenlie vertues Grant this O heauenlie father for Iesu Christs sake Amen Or thus THanks be vnto thee O our celestiall father through Christ our Redeemer that thou hast so cleerelie by thy Patriarchs Prophets and Apostls reuealed vnto vs these so secret mysteries of our saluation in Christ for whose sake also we beseech thee to giue vs the verie feare and faith in thee that we constantlie beleeuing thy truth and following that thou commandest vs in thy word may by no meanes hinder thy glorie or the course of thy word by our lewd conuersation but in all obedience helpe to amplifie and increase thy kingdome to the perpetuall praise of thy name through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Before the reading of the Epistle or Gospell praie ALmightie God and most mercifull Father who by thy holie spirit in thy seruants the Apostles and the Euangelists hast left vnto vs the storie of the doctrine and deedes of our Sauiour Christ that thereby as he is in deede so we might beleeue him to be thy Sonne and the Sauiour of the world put our trust in thee through him that so beleeuing we might attaine to euerlasting life grant vs we beseech thee the same most holie spirit to open our harts and lighten our minds that by the reading and hearing of the same our faith in thee through him may continuallie be strengthened till we attaine to the end thereof euen the saluation of our soules through Iesus Christ our Lord and Sauiour Amen After the reading of the Epistle or Gospell WE giue thee thanks most mercifull Father for that it hath pleased thee in great mercie towards vs to cause the holie writings and traditions of the Apostles and Euangelists to come to this our time place and eares that thou hast vouchsafed also to open reueale thy holie will vnto them to approue thy sonne so manifestlie to the world and to confirme vnto vs by them the truth of thy Gospell that in the mouth of so manie faithfull witnesses we might haue more full assurance in thy mercifull promises Helpe vs O good Father we beseech thee that by thy grace we may doo in deede that which we now by them doo vnderstand And least heerein we be through thy iustice more greeuouslie condemned and punished if that we neglect to doo thy will which through thy grace thou hast reuealed graunt vs the fruit of this thy care towards vs in the strength of faith that hauing read and heard so notable things in this his holie storie and acts and writings of the holie Apostles recorded and left vnto vs by so true and most faithfull witnesses appointed and ordeined therevnto by thee we may now by the effectuall working of thy holie spirit receiue and acknowledge him for thine onlie sonne and our onlie sauiour to the saluation of our soules and the glorious praise of thy name and so being lead from one witnesse to another we may according to thy holie word go from faith to faith till we atteine to the euerlasting life which thou hast prepared for vs in thy sonne to whome with thee O Father and the holie Ghost be all honor glorie and praise both now and for euer Amen Before the Sermon or Homilie read some of these sentences of Scripture exhorting to the attentiue hearing of the word Deuteronomie 18. THE Lord said to Moses I will raise them vp a Prophet from among their breethren like vnto thee and will put my words in his mouth and he shall speake vnto them all that I shall command him vnto him shall yee harken And whosoeuer will not harken vnto my words which he shall speake in my name I will require it of him Psalme 119. GReat is the peace they haue which loue thy lawe and they are not offended at it Prouerbs 8. BLessed is that man or woman that heareth me watching dailie at my gates and giuing attendance at the posts of my doores For he that findeth me findeth life and shall obteine fauour of the Lord but he that sinneth against me hurteth his owne soule and all that hate me loue death Prouerbs 28. HE that turneth awaie his eare from hearing the lawe euen his praiers shall be abhominable VVisdome 3. WHo so despiseth wisdome discipline is miserable and their hope is vaine and their labours are foolish and their works vnprofitable and their wiues are vndiscreet their children wicked and their of-spring is accursed Ecclesiasticus 5. BE humble to heare the word of God that thou maist vnderstand it and make a true answere with wisdome Be swift to heare good things and followe the word of peace and righteousnesse Luke 11. THE Queene of the South shall rise in iudgement with the men and women of this generation and shall condemne them For she came from the vttermost parts of the earth to heare the wisdome of Salomon and behold saith Christ of himselfe a greater than Salomon is heere speaking vnto you Iohn 8. HE that is of God heareth Gods word Yee therefore heare them not because ye are not of God Reuelation 2. LET him that hath an eare heare what the spirit saith to the Churches or congregation c. A praier for the heedfull hearing of Gods word FOR as much O most mercifull God as faith without the which it is impossible to please thee in anie thing we doo commeth by hearing and hearing by the word of God in so much as he or she that turneth awaie his eare frō hearing the lawe euen his praier shall be abhominable and turned into sinne yea bicause also it is a farre more blessed thing to heare and keepe thy word than to haue had the honour to haue borne or nursed thine owne sonne grant vs grace therefore I
that they may speake the mysteries of Christ and manifest them as they ought to doo so shall their dooings bee profitable vnto the godlie Assist them also with thine especiall grace that they disgrace not their doctrine by impuritie of life but let their conuersation answer vnto the doctrine which they teach and preach and especiallie for the pastor of this parish and shepheard of my soule heere present from whose mouth I learne thy blessed will I hartilie praie that thou wilt keepe him in religion sincere and pure from enorme offences in outward conuersation Endue him with a long and healthfull life if it be thy good pleasure that manie a good daie and yeare he may continue in preaching the gladsome voice of thy gratious Gospell among vs without contention and strife And O sonne of God which art the Lord of all the flocke worke thou effectuallie by thy preachers speake thou within vs to our harts the blessed will of thine eternall father and confirme thy doctrine in our minds by thine holie spirit Grant that we may trulie knowe and discerne the same from the howling of woolues and from the inchanted songs of seducing hirelings And grant that we may knowe thee euen as thou knowest thine heauenlie father and to walke religiouslie and righteouslie in thy sight shewing our selues to be of that holie seede which praiseth thy name for euermore Come holie spirit open mine hart and eares that I may conceiue the profit of thy whoalesome doctrine and the sweet comforts reuealed in thy holie word by the preaching of the Gospell O Lord I acknowledge with teares my sluggishnesse and carelesnes in seeking thy truth and bewaile the wretched coldnesse and hardnesse of my hart beseeching thee to endue me with an vnfeigned longing and an ardent desire of holie Sermons Grant that in this life I may worship the feet of the preachers of peace and reuerence the true dispensers of thy mysteries thy faithfull ministers with double honor and none otherwise to obeie their godlie sermons than I would if a voice should sound from the heauens Let me not for the blemishes and imperfections of some particular men vnreuerentlie conceiue of thy whole ministerie Worke also within me that despising thy word deliuered vnto vs I neuer seeke after strange reuelations or violent rauishings both besides and contrarie to thy word but bearing alwaies in mind the order which thou hast appointed may constantlie embrace thy word manifested in thy Church Finallie impart such grace vpon vs that we may imitate and followe the good works of holie men casting off the old man by putting on the new which is created after God in righteousnesse and true holinesse Amen A praier that God would both feede and defend his Church to be vsed before the Communion O Heauenlie heardman and nursse of all things liuing which of thy meere goodnesse satisfiest all creatures that haue life suffer not thy Church to pine awaie and be famished for lacke of the food of thy blessed word but feed vs continuallie with thy goodnesse Suffer not thou O Lord which giuest sustenance to all flesh thy faithfull seruants to be depriued of perfect doctrine and most pure and sound Sacraments which are indeede the food of eternall life but feed vs continuallie with Angels food that is with thy holie word and with Christ Iesus whereby our harts may bee made righteous strong to him-ward Let vs not like the children of Israel loath this heauenlie manna which thou so mercifullie and aboundantlie powrest downe vpon vs neither let vs lust againe after the flesh-pots of Aegypt least thy wrath being kindled against vs also thou cause it not onelie to cease and to fall no more from heauen vpon vs but also thou smite vs with most greeuous plagues as thou diddest the Israelites But rather as new-borne babes remembring how it is written that man shall not liue by bread onlie but by euerie word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God let vs hartilie desire the sincere milke of thy word let our soules delight in fatnesse let vs come earelie and late to the waters to buie and eate to satisfie our hunger and thirst let vs harken diligentlie vnto thee and eate that which is good and labour continuallie without wearinesse for the meate that perisheth not O Lord let vs neuer see the daie wherein thou shalt be prouoked to send a famine in our land againe a famine I saie not of bread nor a thirst of water but of the hearing of thy word O God Far bee that famine from vs good Lord. Neither let vs anie more deserue to be cast out of our owne cities townes and houses and to wander in strange lands from Sea to Sea from the North to the South from East to West running to and fro like hunger-starued wretches to seeke the food of thy word as we sometimes haue done O Lord and yet not find it least by that meanes we doo not onelie perish in bodie but also in soule for lacke of thy word which is the verie food thereof But let thy word O God be still neere vs euen in our mouthes and in our harts the word of truth I saie which now is preached taught and receiued and feed thou vs whensoeuer the famine either of bodie or spirit vexeth vs. O our father giue vs this daie our daily bread that we may walke in the strength thereof daie and night vntill we come to the holie hill of Horeb. Behold Lord according to thy commandement we doo open our mouths wide fill thou it full of thy heauenlie dainties as thou hast promised Lord euermore giue vs the bread of life and of heauen that we may stedfastlie beleeue in thee For behold O Lord we come vnto thee as though we were famished let vs not therfore go awaie vnfed We are an hungred let vs not be sent awaie fasting Our minds alas hunger and thirst greatlie after toies and gauds of this world and we haue nothing to set afore it because wee are poore and beggerlie wretches But thou O Lord art rich in all good things and the most plentifull giuer of the dainties of heauenlie satietie O therefore we beseech thee giue vs somewhat to eate giue meate I saie vnto the wearie wandering souls yet not such as they lust after but such as is conuenient for them that being refreshed of thee which art the liuing and heauenlie bread wherewith when we are once well fed and that our strength is come to vs againe we may ascend vnto more high things and neuer heereafter hunger or thirst anie more after vanities Amen Another praier to be vsed at the Sermon before a Communion THou vsest O most mightie God to preserue those thy children whom thou hast louinglie adopted with no lesse care and diligence than if they were sheepe and the same alwaies fed led of thee being their most louing shepherd toward their owne health and perfect commoditie who so long as they haue thee
and of thy free mercie that we are made heires and partakers of thy promise in Christ Iesu through the Gospell which bringeth vs tidings and full assurance of the euerlasting riches of thine infinite goodnesse and mercie Blessed be God euen the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which hath blessed vs with all spirituall blessings in heauenlie things by Christ and hath chosen vs in him before the foundations of the world that we should be holie and without blame before him in loue who hath predestinated vs to be adopted through Iesus Christ vnto himselfe according to the good pleasure of his will whereby he loueth vs by his beloued in whom we haue redemption in his bloud euen the forgiuenesse of sinnes according to the riches of his grace wherein he hath abounded towards vs in all wisdome and vnderstanding and hath opened vnto vs the mysterie of his will according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himselfe euen vntill the dispensation of the fulnesse of time that he might gather in one all things both which are in heauen and which are in earth euen in Christ by whom also we are chosen when wee were predestinated according to the purpose of him which maketh althings after the counsell of his owne will that we might be to the praise of his glorie which hoping haue beleeued in Christ when we heard the word of truth euen the Gospell of saluation And this grace thou didst extend toward vs not by the works of righteousnesse which we had done but according to thy mercie thou sauedst vs and didst call vs with an holie calling not according to our works but according to thine owne purpose grace which was giuen to vs through Christ before all times and is now made manifest by the appearing of our Sauiour Iesus Christ which hath abolished death and brought life and immortalitie vnto light through the Gospell To thee therefore which art of power to establish our harts according to the reuelation of the mysterie which was kept secret since the world began but now is opened and published among all nations by the Scriptures of the Prophets at the commandement of the euerlasting GOD for the obedience of faith to thee we saie God onelie wise be praise through Iesus Christ for euer Amen We beseech thee that according to the operation and working of thy mightie power we may continue constant in true faith and wholesome doctrine and at no time forsaking the wisedome opened in the Gospell may followe the iudgement of worldlie reason and fleshlie vnderstanding which thou hast beesotted and altogither confounded in searching thy hidden mysteries For thy spirituall wisedome dooth farre exceed all wisedome and vnderstanding of the creatures wherevnto flesh can not attaine neither can our bloud reueale nor yet the naturall man although he be indued with great sharpenesse of wit and worldlie vnderstanding perceiue the same Grant we beseech thee that we may be thy simple sheepe and little-ones receiuing from thee the word of truth without contradiction and disputation and that in the articles of faith we bring not fleshly wisedome but being made void of our proper vnderstanding may bring our minds into a godlie captiuitie Let thy Sonne which descending from aboue brought with him the eternall wisedome of the Gospell from thy bosome and was made a sacrifice on our behalfe but now exalted to thy right hand bestoweth his gifts let him we beseech thee shine in our harts Likewise cause thine holie spirit to instill into vs his diuine light and breath vpon vs the new flame of thine heauenlie knowledge till departing into the eternall life we may behold thee the onlie and true God face to face which liuest and reignest in perpetuall glorie Amen Another thankes-giuing after the Sermon WE render vnto thee O heauenlie father most hartie thanks for this spirituall heauenlie nourishment of thy blessed word wherewith our soules are not onelie well refreshed at this present but also our faith is strengthened our loue kindled and our conscience quieted Wee most humblie beseech thee to giue vs grace not onelie to be hearers of thy word but dooers also of the same not onelie to loue but also to liue thy Gospell not onlie to fauour but also to followe thy godlie doctrine not onelie to professe but also to practise thy blessed commandements that whatsoeuer we outwardlie heare and inwardlie beleeue we may shew foorth the same in our conuersation and liuing vnto the honour of thy holie name the comfort of our Christian brethren and the health of our soules Amen Another O GOD wee haue heard with our eares and our fathers and preachers haue declared vnto vs the noble works that thou hast done of old time for vs. Grant therefore we beseech thee O thou heauenlie husbandman that this seed of thy word now sowne amongst vs may take such deepe root in our harts that neither the burning heate of persecution cause it to wither neither the thornie cares of this life doo choke it but that as seed sowne in good ground it may bring foorth thirtie sixtie and an hundred fold as thy heauenlie wisedome hath appointed to the glorie of thy holie name Amen Another praier or thankes-giuing after the Sermon I Giue thee most humble thankes Lord Iesu Christ that thou hast vouchsafed euen now abundantlie to refresh and feed vs with the food of thy word And I beseech thee that the vnderstanding and knowledge of this thy word may be wholsome comfortable and effectuall in vs that this heauenlie seed now sowne doo not die or perish in vs without fruit Keepe our harts O Lord inuiron and compasse them about with the inclosure or hedge of thy grace and by thy holie Angels preserue and watch ouer the same that the infernall fowle bird Satan pull not out thy sacred word out of our harts But prepare our breast and make apt our harts vnto thee good Lord that they may firmelie keepe thy word and that they may alwaie sticke and be as new and fresh in our memories Giue vs also strength possibilitie and power that our life may answere to thy doctrine heard Giue increase also to thy word O heauenlie husbandman that in vs it may augment growe and that by thy holie speech and heauenlie eloquence it may not onlie bring vs to the knowledge of thy will but also that we may execute accomplish and fullfill that thou commandest and willest and so perseuering to the end may at the last aspire to thy celestiall kingdome Amen Another O Gratious God and most mercifull Father which hast vouchsafed vs the rich and pretious iewell of thy holie word assist vs with thy spirit that it may be written in our harts to our euerlasting comfort to reforme vs to renew vs according to thine owne image to build vs vp and edifie vs into the perfect building of thy Christ sanctifieng and increasing in vs all heauenlie vertues Grant this O heauenlie Father for Iesus
beeing made thine adopted children we may by the sanctification of thy spirit inherit the euerlasting kingdome through the same Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Or praie for the fruits of Baptisme thus MOst heauenlie and eternall father we thy humble seruants entirelie desire thy fatherlie goodnesse that as thou hast begun in vs a newe birth washed vs with the fountaine of regeneration whereby we are made members of thy bodie and elected into the number and felowship of thy Church and congregation so thou wouldest powre vpon vs the grace of thy spirit to direct our liues according to this beginning in holinesse and purenesse that we may mortifie the lusts of the flesh resist the assaults of Sathan and auoide the alurements of the wicked world remembring alwaies that Baptisme doth represent vnto vs our vocation quenching those sparks of concupiscence that we all drawe from the old Adam and quickning vs in those good fruits of Christ our Sauiour who continuallie preserue vs with his holie spirit for euer and euer Amen Or praie for the continuance of the true institution of the Sacraments thus O Most mightie and most mercifull God by whose power the heauens and earth and all things therein are created who hast placed euerie thing in a most excellent order and hast framed man after thine owne similitude and image raising him from hell to heauen from wo to ioie from damnation to saluation and hast giuen him through thy sonne Iesu Christ a most sure bond of thy promise made in the beginning to mankind for the redemption of the world sending thine onlie begotten Sonne Iesu Christ to performe the same who made one onelie oblation and sacrifice for the sinnes of the whole world and did ordaine and institute two most holie Sacraments to continue the remembrance of the same make vs euer mindfull we beseech thee of these thine inestimable treasures Continue oh Lord this thy fauour towards vs. Let not tyrants preuaile against thy Church but let thy mightie power be shewed that the sacred rites may cōtinue in thy Church that the enimies may be ouerthrowne as the Turke who would vtterlie destroie those most holie Sacraments which thou hast ordeined for our saluation as the Anabaptists which like heretikes alter thy most holie institution as the Atheists who bred in them great corruption Conuert them we beseech thee O Lord and establish vs in the truth of thy holie spirit by thy mightie power that both now and euer wee may continue in the right institution of thy Sacraments which thy Sonne our Sauiour Christ hath left most perfect vnto vs to the endlesse ioie and consolation of our soules To whome therefore with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour glorie and praise world without end Amen Prouerbes 9. verse 1. WIsedome hath built hir house and hewen out hir seauen pillers she hath killed hir victuals drawne hir wine and prepared hir table she hath sent foorth hir virgins and crieth vpon the high places of the citie saieng Who so is simple let him come hither and to him that is destitute of wisedome she saith Come and eate of my meate and drinke of my wine that I haue drawne Canti 5. I AM come saith Christ vnto his spouse the Church into my garden my sister my spouse I gathered my mirrh with my spice I ate my honie-combe with my honie I dranke my wine with my milke Eate ô freends drinke and make ye merrie ô welbeloued Reuelation 19. HAppie and blessed are they which are called vnto the Lambes supper Christian praiers to be said before at and after ye receiue the holie Communion and first An effectuall meditation of the right Christian beleefe in the holie Sacrament of the Lords supper and of the woorthie and fruitefull receiuing the same to our comfort and saluation to be diligentlie read before you receiue O My soule let vs now carefullie consider first whether we bee come namelie to the celestiall table heauenlie banket greate feast costlie repast and sumptuous supper of the most puissant glorious mightie and magnificent King of kinges and Lord of lordes Iesus Christ thy most mercifull maker righteous redeemer souereigne sauiour and deere spouse and that of necessitie as both forced therevnto by his iust commandement and also allured and inuited by his mercifull promises Secondlie O my soule let vs rightlie knowe and diligentlie marke what things are heere presentlie set before vs on this holie Table and prouided for vs in this blessed banket to taste of namelie that the deintie dishes and the refection and meate which we must in verie deede seeke for onelie in this sacred supper are no vaine ceremonies no bare signe no vntrue figure of a thing absent no earthlie bodie no carnall meate nor anie fleshlie substance but as the sacred Scripture saith and other holie men doo rightlie tearme and call them The Bread and Cup of the Lord a heauenlie refection the sweet deinties of our sauiour the nourishment of our soules an inuisible meate a spirituall foode a ghostlie substance which all are heere now most mercifullie offered and exhibited vnto vs and all other faithfull soules as the soueraigne preseruatiue against death the conseruatorie to euerlasting life the comfortable medicine of the soule the salue of immortalitie the pledge of eternall health the defence of faith the hope of the resurrection the memorie of Christ the annuntiation of his death finallie the communion of the bodie and bloud of the Lord Iesus in a maruellous incorporation which by the holie Ghost the verie bond of our perfection with Christ is through faith wrought in the soules of the faithfull whereby not onlie their soules doo liue to eternall life but also they surelie trust to win to their bodies a resurrection to immortalitie In the which also we may not onlie heare see taste and knowe the mercie of God our Creator sealed the sanctification by Christ our redeemer towards vs confirmed the remission of our sinnes through the holie Ghost our comforter and regenerator fullie satisfied and established but also most sensiblie and effectuallie to our further comfort in deed feele wrought in vs the tranquillitie of conscience the increase of faith the strengthening of hope and the long spreading abroad of brotherlie loue and kindnesse with manie other sundrie maruellous graces and benefits of God most profitable vnto vs. Which things well considered and weighed my soule O with what feruent affection and earnest zeale ought they now to inflame our hart and kindle our mind greedilie to couet and desire the participation of these most holie mysteries yea often to long and hunger after this healthsome bread and continuallie thirst for this diuine heauenlie and blessed food Thirdlie and lastlie O my soule let vs aduisedlie call to mind and well vnderstand the cause wherefore wee are now come vnto this holie table of the Lord which indeed is onlie to this end that we should now be godlie ghests not idle gazers hungrie eaters not steruing
and so much the more as we see the daie approching Amen Another most Christian and deuout praier to be said before the receiuing of the holie Communion O Christ our Lord and Sauior which before thy greeuous agonie and heapes of trouble thorough the wrath of thine almightie Father lighting vpon thee commandedst thy Disciples Peter and Iohn to prepare the passouer that together they might eate the same Thou longedst for our saluation and didst eate of the lambe which was a figure of thy selfe and expressedst the image of that banket which thy people the Israelits vnder the conduction of thy seruant Moses about to depart out of Aegypt did celebrate Hauing finished the supper of the old couenant thou begannest a new couenant testifieng of thy presence and benefits in the Church Mooue thou our harts to thankfulnesse that with like desire we may desire to come vnto thy table and seeke the nourishment to eternall life Suffer vs not to loath thine heauenlie banket as prophane and curious men doo which contend with thee contemne the order which thou hast appointed Amend all abuses and prophanings of thine holie table horriblie deformed with filthinesse for the which we are punished in all places with manifold plagues and diseases By thy wisedome thou healest our diseases and infirmities and by the visible signes of Sacraments thou confirmest our faith Thou art effectuall by them in the beleeuers according to thy promise We blesse the bread and wine as thou hast willed and beleeue that with them we receiue thee in true faith and puritie of mind Thou declarest by this thy Supper that trulie thou tookedst our flesh vpon thee for our sakes euen to ingraffe vs to thine owne flesh and bring vs to eternall life This is eternall life which is begunne in this world whereby the soule is renewed vnto eternall happinesse Moreouer this blessed meate doth witnesse and testifie that our bodies which are replenished with the sense of thy liuing flesh shall rise againe to perpetuall glorie Increase and nourish by the profitable taking of thee this light within vs. Worke that thy Sacraments taken and digested thou maist come into vs and we into thee Assist vs thy ghests O sweet housholder that woorthilie we may feed vpon thy meate Trie our soule with earnest and vnfeined conuersion Let vs not plaie the hypocrites nor prophanelie dallie with thee and thy holie Sacraments Cause vs rightlie to discerne thy bodie and bloud from other common meate Let vs neuer eate the bodie of the Lord against the Lord. Grant in true and vnfeined faith we may enter into this thy sacred couenant that we may alwaies abide in thee and thou in vs. Likewise by thine holie spirit which is the bond of loue in this publike and common banket ioine vs to thine other members of thy Church Giue grace that all which feed of this bread may be one bodie knit vnto thee which art the head working all things in all Let the diuell at no time disturbe this pleasant concord betweene thee and vs as is betweene the head and other members of the bodie Let vs gather also by the same the summe of doctrine which is preached in the Church Let it raise vs vp vnto thankfulnesse for thy benefits Increase our desire to continuall praier whereby we craue all things which we stand in need of Continue that custome euen till thou returnest gloriouslie in the clouds to iudgement Maintaine some places for preaching and godlie ceremonies and bring in at no time barbarous ignorance Furthermore the dooing herof is a ministerie of our profession against Sathan and all his instruments Confirme in our minds by thy spirit this sound and pure vnderstanding Let vs not be oppressed with idolatrous darknesse approouing horrible abuses in carrieng about in laieng vp in offring the halowed bread without any vse not so much as one sillable of all these things can be seene in thy first institution Wherefore represse the diuell blasphemouslie dealing with this thine ordinance And first consume this world vtterlie with fire before we be wrapped againe in such horrible darknesse of idolatrie and superstition Mitigate the punishments sicknesse infections warre and miseries which for the prophaning of this Supper the whole world doth endure Let thine Angel spare such as with griefe of hart bewaile these abuses Feed vs and fill vs thy ghests with thy liuelie presence Dwell thou in vs. Worke in vs. Sharpen the remembrance of thy benefits within vs. And finallie at our resurrection from the graue giue vs a place in thy seat where we shall find a new taste in the kingdome of thy Father So be it Another praier to be said before the receiuing of the blessed Communion as you kneele at Gods boord O Lord although I be not woorthie to receiue thee into the house of my soule for mine innumerable offences and sins done against thy great goodnesse yet trusting good Lord in thy great pitie and infinite mercie I come to receiue thy blessed bodie as a sicke creature to thee that art the health of life vncleane to thee that art the well of mercie blind by ignorance to thee that art the light euerlasting needie of thy grace and poore in vertue to thee that art the King of heauen and earth naked of good works to thee that art the author of grace I come as a wretch to thee my Lord and maker all desolate and comfortlesse to thee my helpe and succour For besides thee there is no consolation I come as a sinner to thee that art the mediatour and meane betwixt God and man I come as a caitife to thee my most mercifull Sauiour I come all sinfull to thee the granter of remission and pardon dead by sinne to thee that art the restorer to life euill to thee that art all goodnesse hard-harted to be releeued by the infusion of thy super-abundant grace desiring thee meekelie to heale mine infirmities and sicknesse to wash awaie my sinne and filthinesse to lighten my blindnesse to reduce me to the right waie where I am out thereof to comfort me desolate of goodnesse Haue mercie on my wretchednesse pardon my sinfulnes giue me the light of grace thus burdened in sinne that I may receiue thee the food of all Angels the King of glorie the Lord of all lords with such chastitie of bodie with such purenesse of mind and cleannesse of soule with such contrition of hart and abundance of weeping teares with such spirituall ioie and gladnesse with such dread and reuerence with such faith hope and charitie with such obedience and humilitie with such loue deuotion faithfulnesse and thankfulnesse as it is beseeming for such a Lord to be receiued and to my soule most expedient And be not displeased good Lord that I a sinner with an vncleane hart and polluted mind come hither this daie to receiue thy pretious bodie in sacramentall bread and wine but remember mercifull Lord that thou refusedst not the sinfull Marie Magdalen being
creature O Lord whome thou hast redeemed with thy pretious bloud Wo is me that euer I haue offended thee but now I purpose by thy grace to amend my life Take from me therefore O mercifull father all my sinnes and iniquities Cast out of my soule all the filthie fowle matter of the venemous contagion and infection of sinne and by thine ancient and accustomed mercies powre thy heauenlie medicine and preseruatiue of thy loue into my wounds which may refresh and restore me to my former puritie and cleannesse that being purified both in bodie and mind I may deserue and be made fit thorough Christs merits woorthilie to tast of these most holie mysteries Come this daie O Lord and minister vnto my sicke and languishing soule some heauenlie cordiall of comfort not because I am iust but a sinner because not the whole but the sicke haue neede of a Physician O verie true Charitie in which is euerlasting felicitie O the onlie hope of my soule haue mercie vpon me and blot out all my misdeeds Thee doth my hart expect and desire fulfill my lust and longing which thou hast put in me euen as thou wouldest I am thine O Christ forsake me not as vnmeete or a stranger Let thy right hand alwaie preuent me and defend me from all euill Come O Lord whome I wretch haue sore offended and forgiue and forget all mine offences for the which thou hast shead thine owne most pretious hart bloud Come sweet Lord and giue me the meate of eternall health Come O vnspotted sacrifice deliuer me from euerlasting death Come thou Physician of the weake and diseased Come thou food of the hungrie Come Lord visit this house dedicated and consecrated in thy name And behold I come to thee whome with all my hart I couet and desire towards whome with all earnest consideration of mind I aspire and studie to attaine whome with all mine entrailes I hartilie loue and embrace whose blessed bodie and bloud in these holie mysteries I earnestlie desire to receiue that thou maist alwaies abide in me and neuer forsake me or depart from me O most sweet father So be it Another ALmightie God and most mercifull Father who most louinglie callest vs to the participation of all good things in Christ Iesu giue vs also grace woorthilie to esteeme the honour thou vouchsafest vs of in bidding vs to the marriage feast of thy Sonne so that we may esteeme of nothing in comparison of it And seeing few are chosen though manie be called giue vs also O Lord a liuelie faith working by loue as a seemelie garment for so great a solemnitie that being entred by thy fauour into thy house we dishonest it not and so honourable a companie as thou hast called vnto it by our wicked conuersation that as vnwoorthie we be not cast out againe but in all our behauiour may doo honour vnto both that we may alwaies remaine with thee and enioie the happinesse thou hast prepared for vs in thy Sonne the full fruition whereof because thou hast deferred to the rising vp againe of the dead strengthen in vs O Lord the blessed hope of this resurrection that according to thy promise thou maist make vs like to thine Angels that are in heauen and the glorious estate of Iesus Christ our Lord to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and praise now and for euer Amen Another O Sonne of God Lord and Sauiour Christ which delightest in those bankets whereby men approch to the companie of thy celestiall wel-fare we beseech thee conuert vs O Lord and we shall be conuerted Graunt that with Marie Magdalen casting our selues before thy feete we may earnestlie with teares bewaile our offences and againe lifting vp our hand vnto thee we may laie hold on thee and embrace thee as she did Kisse thou vs with thine holie kisse and by thy spirit powred into vs stirre vp in vs a new life which may annoint thee by true confessing of thy goodnesse and delight thee with the sweet sauour of true inuocation and new obedience Grant also that in this life we may worship thy feet which bring tidings of peace And forasmuch as in this last age of this world the messengers of peace are vitterlie to weepe assist vs that we may be touched with the miseries of thy Church and studie to our power to mitigate them and so be made members of that companie vnto whome thou hast forgiuen much and which againe entirelie doth loue thee and againe being called out of the vale of teares may come to thy heauenlie banket which shall be without teares without grudging without greefe sinne and offences in the house of thy father where be manie ample dwelling places Amen Another praier to be said a little before you receiue the Bread O God which art rich in mercie and in all good things the most plentifull giuer and bountifull bestower of the deinties of celestiall satietie and heauenlie repast giue meate to my soule that is wearie and faint not such as it lusteth after but such as is conuenient for it For lo I a poore wretch come now vnto thee which art rich a sinner vnto thee which art mercifull O let me not returne home contemned and despised with nothing I begin an hungred let me not leaue off fasting I come vnto thee as though I were famished O let me not go awaie vnfed Although before I eate I sigh and sorowe yet good Lord I beseech thee giue mee somewhat to eate For behold with that godlie heroicall matrone of Canaan Matth. 15 verse 21. I come vnto thee and saie Lord helpe me according to thy promise for I feele the burthen of thy displeasure euen my miseries and vncleannesse and suffer not the sight of mine owne vnwoorthinesse to withdrawe me from thee Make me sweetlie and reuerentlie to reason with thee as thy holie spirit enforced that good woman to doo in these and the like words I am vnwoorthie I am giltie and vncleane I am a dog I was an outcast from thy house and courts I haue barked against the glorious maiestie of thee and thine eternall father I am defiled with the filth of idolatrie with fowlenesse of life with the spots of disobedience against thee but haue mercie vpon me O sonne of God which appearedst in the flesh and becamest a worme to wash vs from our sinnes which were vncleane beasts Haue mercie vpon me O Lord haue mercie vpon me For behold I am vnto thee euen as the little whelpe nigh famished for lacke of meate and drinke wearied with seeking about for releefe and almost dead I fall downe before thy glorious table where the sweet ypocrasse and pretious nectar of immortalitie is tasted The Fathers Prophets Confessors and Virgins most excellent lights of thy Church sit alreadie at thine heauenlie table they feede vpon the meate of eternall glorie O suffer me to eate of the crums Thou art the bread of life repell my hunger satisfie my desire
breed in vs anie carnall desire of our vaine life but to enable our bodies with all good works during the time of this present pilgrimage that so thy good creatures may be our good releefe so long as thou wilt and so much as thou knowest to be expedient for vs thy seruants to finish our daies which thou hast numbred in the edifieng of thy Saincts and glorifieng of thy holie name And because O Lord we knowe nothing of our selues but our ignorant harts are full of darkenesse therefore we beseech thee that this thy word which is thine eternall wisdome that now we haue read and wherein we haue had our conference may be in our minds a burning lampe and shining light of thine onlie truth in our harts and in our soules a fruitefull seed of a new birth so that thine owne image may be happilie againe restaured in vs that we may bee made before thee a holie and righteous people by the inward working of thy gratious spirit dailie strengthening our harts in earnest loue of thy truth and carefull obedience of thy commandements through Iesus Christ our onlie mediator who in the sacrifice of his owne bodie hath purchased vnto vs all thy fauour and hath giuen vs boldnesse to call vpon thee vnto whome O father with thee and the holie Ghost bee all honour and glorie world without end Amen Another praier after meate on the Lords daie SAnctified be thy name O eternall father who by thy Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord dooest euermore protect and prouide for thy Church both spirituall and corporall blessings bestowing most liberallie vpon vs all good things asked according to thy will Lift vp thine eies O Christ and behold thy miserable people which depend altogither vpon thy prouision and acknowledge our selues to be fed and defended miraculouslie by thee Assist vs that we also may withdrawe our eies from the consultations of flesh and bloud and looke vpon thee our Lord by whose blessing we eate and store our selues And albeit all worldlie helps do faile yet bee thou a firie wall still about vs and feed and defend thy Saincts in the feelds of comfort vntill thou begin that ioifull Passouer and euerlasting Sabboth and bring vs out of the wildernesse out of the sea and penurie into the court of ioie wealth satietie and euerlasting welfare In the meane while make vs thankfull for the benefits which we enioie Let vs gather vp the remnants or fragments cast from thy sumptuous and rich banket vnto vs. Preserue our baskets and blesse our store euen the arts and schooles of learning that by them thy doctrine may be spread abroade in the world Make vs not onlie to honour thee for these thy corporall benefits but much more for giuing thy selfe vnto vs which art the bread of life Be thou our King defending vs in this life against the power of Sathan and feed vs with thy heauenlie bread which may nourish vs to eternall life and happinesse Amen Another praier after meate that daie you haue receiued the holie Communion SEeing that of thy free grace and mercie O almightie God thou hast made vs partakers this daie of all thy riches both in spirituall and corporall things in Christ Iesu who of our selues are vnwoorthie to haue gathered the crumbs vnder thy table make vs more and more mindfull of so great mercies and continuallie thankefull to thee for so manifold benefits and to walke woorthie the honour and dignitie thou hast done vnto vs that we may receiue the full accomplishment of thy loue towards vs in the life to come through the same our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie world without end Amen Another thanks-giuing vnto God for our food to be read and meditated vpon after meate WE thanke thee O King of glorie Lord of heauen and earth because thou hast from our youth to this present houre maruellouslie nourished vs giuing vs meate drinke cloathing with all other things perteining to the sustentation of this present life Naked and bare came we out of our mothers wombs wee brought nothing into the world but whatsoeuer we haue thou gauest the same yea it was afore we were borne and in our mothers wombe didst thou ordeine things necessarie for this life and sufferedst vs to enioie all things aboundantlie Alwaie thou hast a care of vs as a father vseth his children neither art thou ignorant that we stand in need continuallie of thy blessings and dailie are destitute of new releefe all which thou giuest after thy woonted and vnspeakable goodnesse We acknowledge that whatsoeuer we haue or possesse it is thy gift and confesse thee to be the fountaine of all good things and perceiue thy fatherlie goodnesse to be spread not onlie ouer all mankind but also ouer the liuing creatures Thou giuest meate to all flesh thou giuest fodder to the cattell and feedest the yoong rauens that call vpon thee For corporall goods are not distributed among men by chance or without thy prouidence neither be they atteined by the onlie industrie and power of man Thou giuest and we gather thou openest thy hand and all liuing creatures are filled with thy blessing For without thee all our endeuours be in vaine and if thou blesse not our labours we doo but eate the wind and receiue no profit Great is thy mercie O Lord which disdainest not to prouide for sinfull flesh O Lord our God great are thy woonderous works which thou hast done for vs the which we can not so much as in thought comprehend muchlesse in words expresse When we would report and vtter them we found them more than we could recite but notwithstanding thine infinite benefits can not be comprehended of mortall man yet will we not surcease to set foorth thy praise nor hide thy goodnesse from the sonnes of men but will declare it and speake of thy truth from one generation to another Blessed art thou O our God for euer and euer all that is either aboue in the heauens or in the earth beneath is thine All things come from thee and from thine hands we receiue whatsoeuer we possesse and all these things of thy meere mercie without our merits or woorthinesse Therefore we will magnifie the Lord which doth mightie things in all corners of the earth which dooth nourish vs from our mothers wombs and giueth vs all good things Grant vs likewise quietnesse of mind and peace in our time that thy grace may abound toward vs continue and defend vs while we liue O almightie and mercifull father by thy breath we take life the which through thy blessing doth abide in vs. In thee we liue moue and haue our being For man liueth not by bread onlie or by his owne wisedome and forecast neither art thou bound with a fatall chaine of second causes but by thy decree and will we enioie life and all things created at thy becke doo continue while thou thinkest good
exceeding riches that thou hast For if to thine enimies which loue thee not as the most part of this world be if to them thou giuest so plentifullie thy riches heere what shall we thinke that with thy selfe thou hast laid vp for thy freends How good thou art all creatures generallie and particularlie do teach What creature is there in the world which thou hast not made for our commoditie I will not saie how that thou mightest haue made vs creaturs without sense or reason if thou hadst would But amongst all things none dooth so teach vs thy great loue towards vs as dooth the death of thy most deerlie beloued sonne who suffered the paines and terrors thereof yea and of hell it selfe for our sakes If this thy loue had beene but a small thing it would neuer haue lasted so long nor Christ would neuer haue died Praiers and meditations to be vsed in the foure seasons of the yeere and first In the Spring-time ALmightie renewer of all things Lord Iesu which hast made this most goodlie world for our sakes which hast garnished the heauens with so manie lights vnto the vse of the daie and the night which temperest the earth with sundrie times and seasons ordeined by thee to be the nourisher of man and beasts and now thou being restored to life all things renew and confirme to vs the hope of resurrection promised by thee The medowes afore being withered waxe greene againe with new grasse the herbs are garnished with diuers gems of flowers the corne herbeth seeds buried in holes shoote foorth trees being dead afore waxe yoong againe with new boughes and being goodlie decked with new blossoms giue vs hope of fruit The sunne it selfe increaseth the grace of his light brieflie the whole face of nature springing againe whithersoeuer we turne our eies dooth speake out and preach thy goodnesse towards mankind wherethrough with sundrie solaces thou dooest ease and mitigate to vs being through our fault driuen out of Paradise our deserued exile Grant I saie O good God that we which being borne againe through baptisme haue put off the old man made now a new creature neuer slide againe to old age but that we may be euer greene with perpetuall innocencie by the pleasant breathing on of thy spirit that we may be adorned dailie more and more with the flowers of vertues proceeding to fruit woorthie of that Gospell which with the Father and the holie Ghost reigne through all worlds Amen In the Summer MOst wise Gouernor and Ruler of all things Iesu Christ behold the yeere obeieng thy commandments waxeth hot with the feruour of the sunne preparing ripe fruits vnto the vse of thy seruants humblie we beseech thee which art our true Sunne without whom nothing is bright in our soules neither bringeth foorth anie fruit stretch the beames of thy grace into the earth of our spirits that daily they may waxe hot more more with the fire of thy gratious loue and that they may bring foorth sundrie fruits of wholesome good works For thou hast witnessed in thy holie Gospell that thou art singularlie delighted with this meate and drinke This is the raine that thy feruent loue thirsted for this is also the meate that the holie Apostle Paule hungered for euen before he vnderstood and did knowe what it meant Thou camest into the world to send fire among vs neither diddest thou desire anie thing more than that it should be kindeled except our hart be touched with the beames of thy grace Increase Lord Iesu that that thou hast giuen finish that that thou hast begun vntill we growe to perfect men vnto the measure of thy fulnesse Thou hast put off mortalitie but thou hast not put off loue towards vs but euen now fulfillest the office of a mightie and friendlie Aduocate for vs with God the Father to whom equall in power and authoritie thou reignest with the holie Ghost Amen In Haruest WE giue thanks vnto thee most mercifull Father maker of heauen and earth that by thy good prouidence the yeere is waxen ripe powring out vnto vs plentious abundance of victuals grant we humblie beseech thee that as thy bountiousnes ministreth sundrie and rich abundance of fruits to the susteining nourishment of our bodies so by the grace of thy spirit without which there is no good thing brought foorth is nourished or liueth let the affection of godlinesse waxe ripe and be made vp in our minds that abiding in the faith of thine onelie begotten Sonne through all our life wee may be fruitfull in good works and also receiue a plentifull haruest in the resurrection of the iust by the same our Lord Iesu Christ which liueth and reigneth with thee in the companie of the holie Ghost for euer Amen In Winter O God the most wise maker and gouernor of the world at whose commandement by time appointed course is changed and turned into it selfe by the same behold as it were the old age and death of the yeere Winter is come whose sadnesse and incommodities be more easie vnto vs bicause of the plesantnes of the Spring time which shall shortlie succeed According to the ensample of the yeere our inward man flourisheth in his childhood is feruent in youth waxeth ripe in mans age falleth awaie and dieth in his old age but the hope of liuing againe asswageth the houre of death which is sure vnto vs euen for this cause that thy sonne hath promised it which is the euerlasting truth which also can no more be deceiued or deceiue than hee can cease to be thy sonne Through this thy sonne our inward man knoweth no old age or death but by his gift it euer flourisheth with innocencie it is euer feruent in the studie of godlinesse it euer bringeth foorth fruit and powreth out that that she hath receiued vpon other and as much as the bodies courage faileth so much more the spirit flourisheth We beseech thee that thou wilt maintaine and increase those things which thou hast vouchsafed to giue vs through thine onelie begotten sonne which liueth and reigneth with thee for euermore Amen Another praier to be said at all times and seasons of the yeere O Euerlasting GOD Creator of all things in whose hands lieth the disposition of all times and seasons qualifie we beseech thee the inclinations of thy creatures heauen and earth with such naturall and kindlie moderation as may most serue to the commoditie health and welfare of all mankind that we may receiue the fruits of the earth to our comfortable sustentation dulie honoring and praising thy holie name therefore Mortifie within vs the old roots of our natiue iniquitie killing them as it were with the winter of a cold lust to ensue them Sowe the seeds of thy grace within vs that wee may spring vp in all godlinesse Send vs the feruencie of thy spirit that we may shew foorth the ripe fruits of a liuelie faith that when it shall be thy good pleasure to appoint thy final
by thine owne name and sealed me with thy blood that the remembrance of thee should be euermore with me and that he should neuer depart from my hart who for my sake shunned not the crosse Thou hast annointed me with the oile wherewith thou thy selfe wert annointed that I might be called a Christian after thy name Christ Behold thou hast registred me vpon thine hands to the end that the remembrance of mee might be alwaies present with thee yet notwithstanding so as if the remembrance of thee be alwaies present with me Thus then haue thy loue thy grace and mercie alwaies preuented me For thou hast oftentimes deliuered me from manie and great perils O my deliuerer When I went astraie thou broughtest mee backe againe when I was ignorant thou taughtest mee when I sinned thou diddest chastise me when I haue beene in heauines thou hast cheered me when I haue beene in despaire thou hast recomforted me when I haue beene fallen thou hast lifted me vp when I haue stood thou hast vpholden me when I haue gone thou hast guided me when I haue come thou hast receiued me when I haue slept thou hast watched me and when I haue cried vnto thee thou hast heard me O Lord where shall I haue words to vtter the signes of thy singular loue toward me considering thine innumerable benefits wherin thou hast brought me vp from the beginning Namelie euen from the benefit of the creation when at the first beginning thou madest me of nothing after thine owne image in honouring and aduancing me among the creatures which thou madest and innobling me with the light of thy countenance which thou imprintedst vpon the lampe of my hart thereby disseuering me as well from sensible as from senselesse creatures and abasing mee but little beneath the Angels And yet was all this but a small matter in the sight of thy Godhead For without ceassng thou hast dailie nourished this vnprofitable woorme which stinketh with sinne with all the singular and exceeding great store of thy good gifts and benefits and thou hast as it were suckled and strengthened me thy little tender babe with the teates of thy comfort For to the intent that I should wholie serue thee thou hast appointed all thy creatures to serue me These and manie other good turnes hast thou done vnto me O Lord my God the life of my soule for all which I render vnto thee againe most humble and hartie thanks-giuing beseeching thee O Lord that it may be a pleasure to me wretch that I am to be alwaies talking of them alwaies thinking vpon them and alwaies giuing thee thanks for them O my God shew me I saie how much I am bound to loue thee make it appeare to me how much I ought to please thee Open me the doore of thy light that I may enter in and both knowe acknowledge vnto thee with my whole hart that thy mercie is great toward mee and that thou hast deliuered my hart from the bottome of hell so as I might euer praise thee for all thy good gifts and loue thee with all my hart and with all my soule and with all my mind and with all my strength yea and that with the verie bowels and intrailes of my hart and of all my sinewes O Lord my God the blessed sweetnesse of all that delight in thee whose name is woonderfull and praise woorthie through heauen and earth So be it Another forme of thanks-giuing vnto God for all his benefits and praier for grace to confirme and increase the same O Most highest almightie and eternall God whose glorie replenisheth heauen and earth If thy holie and celestiall powers doo neuer cease in lauding thy most holie Maiestie how should we cease earthlie and lowlie seruants which are redeemed with the pretious bloud of thy onelie sonne And for as much as thy louing kindnesse and fauour in especiallie worketh towards vs we also ought continuallie to giue thanks for thy great goodnesse but haue mercie O mercifull father For the necessitie of this life dooth not suffer vs to thanke thee continuallie Wherefore though not continuallie as I ought I worship thee my maker with trembling feare I giue thee thanks for all thy benefits that when I was nothing thou madest mee gauest me a liuing soule quickened with thy holie spirit formed mee with thine owne image that it might be able to receiue thee which art the high God By thy prouidence thou hast brought me to those things that are expedient for me giuen to me knowledge and true faith in thee and planted a godlie mind in me and instructed me in the mysteries of thy holie word Sacraments But oh Lord how dare I recite thy benefits by number seeing thy louing kindnesse is an vnsearchable bottomlesse sea and an innumerable For I can not so soone giue thanks for thy benefits shewed of old as new haue euen ouerwhelmed me Oh Lord how great a benefit is this that I may to thee giue thanks For what fellowship hath vnrighteousnesse with righteousnesse What partaking darkenesse with light What agreement filthinesse with puritie Follie with wisedome Mortalitie with thee that art immortall Oh my vilenesse Oh thy goodnesse Yea though the spirit were readie yet is the flesh fraile but thou O Lord if thou wilt canst make me strong And so O most mercifull father vouchsafe that I may euer giue thanks and laud to thee For what good gift did I euer desire of thee but thou first willedst it to me Who better knoweth what is good for me than thou And because I need a mediator accept thine innocent Sonne Iesus Christ with his crosse and passion bloud-shed death and resurrection for me I haue not this deserued but thou father of thy mercie and truth hast by the same thy deerelie beloued Sonne promised and giuen vs thy mercie and fauour Open therefore O my mercifull Father for this thy deerelie beloued Sonnes sake euen this daie thy woonted hand of mercie and fulfill my mind and hart with a good will and let thy right hand defend me And if my sinnes which I acknowledge to be great and innumerable therefore I repent and am hartilie sorie doo let thy goodnesse O father wipe them awaie for this is thy glorie to forgiue sinnes and therefore no flesh may reioice before thee for thou Lord onlie art pure and without sinne Haue mercie vpon me thy bondseruant and vppon all people and O father bring them vnto the knowledge of thee that art onlie God and of Iesus Christ whome thou hast sent the onlie sauiour and redeemer mediator and aduocate for vs and after this present life bring vs to eternall blisse and felicitie by the deere merits of thy Sonne Iesus Christ For thine is the power kingdome and glorie for euer Amen Another to the same effect HOnour and praise be giuen to thee O Lord God almightie most deere father of heauen for all thy mercies and louing kindnesse shewed vnto vs in that it hath
pleased thy gratious goodnesse freelie of thine owne accord to elect and choose vs to saluation afore the beginning of the world and euen like continuall thanks be giuen vnto thee for creating vs after thine owne image for redeeming vs with the pretious bloud of thy deere Sonne when we were vtterlie lost for sanctifieng vs with thy holie spirit in the reuelation and knowledge of thy sacred word for helping and succouring vs in all our need and necessitie for sauing vs from all dangers of bodie and soule for comforting vs so fatherlie in all our troubles and afflictions for sparing vs so long and giuing vs so large time of repentance These benefits O most mercifull father like as we acknowledge to haue receiued of thine onlie goodnesse euen so we beseech thee for thy deere sonne Iesus Christes sake to grant vs alwaie thy holie spirit whereby we may continuallie growe in thankefulnesse towards thee be led into all truth and comforted in all aduersitie Strengthen our faith O Lord kindle it more and more in feruentnesse and loue towards thee and our neighbours for thy sake Suffer vs not most deere father to receiue thy word anie more in vaine but grant vs alwaie the assistance of thy grace and holie spirit that in hart word and deede we may sanctifie and doo woorship to thy holie name that we may help to amplifie thy kingdome and that whatsoeuer thou sendest we may bee hartilie well content with thy good will and pleasure Suffer vs not to lacke the thing O father without the which we can not serue thee but blesse thou so all the works of our hands that we may haue sufficient and not to be chargeable but rather helpfull vnto others Be merciful O Lord vnto our offences and seeing our debt is great which thou hast forgiuen vs in Iesus Christ make vs to loue thee and our neighbors so much the more Be thou O father our Captaine and defender in all temptations Hold thou vs by thy mercifull hand that we thereby may be deliuered from all inconuenience and end our liues in the sanctifieng and honouring of thy holie name through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen ¶ On the seuenteenth daie of Nouember commonlie called The Queenes daie Sundrie formes of Christian praiers and thanks-giuings vnto God for the preseruation of the most vertuous Ladie Elizabeth our most deare and dread souereigne Quéene of England France and Ireland defender of the faith c. verie necessarie to be vsed as generallie of all faithfull subiects continuallie so especiallie of the Mother and hir Daughter vpon the seuentéenth daie of Nouember and euerie Sabboth and holie daie in honourable remembrance of that ioifull Sabboth rest and peace from carefull mourning which that memorable seuententh daie brought to vs the banished exiles of England and persecuted members of Christ by the most happie entrance of hir most roiall and excellent Maiestie into this hir Emperiall Crowne and kingdome A Psalme Mother COme O all you that feare God come hither I praie you and giue eare a while and reherse with me y e great benefits that he the Lord hath bestowed vpon vs. Daughter For lo when the most mightie men gathered their power against vs and laie in wait for our life they conspired togither to worke our destruction as though the Lord had determined the same and exhorted one another saieng God hath forsaken them therefore persecute them now flieng awaie and take them being destitute of all helpe Moth. These men our aduersaries I saie wheresoeuer we remoued or went by sea or by land laie in wait most diligentlie for vs yea multitudes of the cruell enimies did not ceasse craftilie to enuiron and beset vs round about and ran vpon vs with gaping mouthes like raging and roring lions of malicious minds to bring vs to extremitie and to deuoure vs. Daugh. For thy sake O Lord alone were we killed euerie daie neither were we in anie better condition than sheepe appointed of butchers to the slaughter Moth. Manie of vs wandered in the waste wildernesse and sought strange cities commodious to dwell in halfe dead and killed with famine and thirst ouerwhelmed with the shadowe of death and being cast downe by the burthen of our miseries laie downe flat cleauing to the earth Daugh. The bands of death compassed vs round about and bound vs most wicked men like most raging flouds made vs afraid enuironing vs round about Moth. We were snared and cast fast bound with chaines into most darke dungeons yea we tasted the heate of the fire and the force of the water Daugh. Then we called vpon the Lord in these extremities We called vpon the Lord I saie and he heard our voice out of his high palace and receiuing into his eares the crie that we made vnto him he deliuered vs from our miseries and distresse Moth. He gathered vs home which were scattered from the East the West from the North South and brought vs from the dungeons of the prisons and darkenesse of death breaking the fetters and giues of iron in peeces Daugh. The Lord hath deliuered our life from death he staid the teares of our eies and established our feet that they did not fall he hath brought vs out of our distresse Hence haue we our light whereby he causeth vs to shine and hath driuen awaie our darkenesse Moth. Therfore will we praise thee O Lord among the nations and will sing lauds vnto thy Maiestie yea we will declare thy power and will shew foorth thy praise and mercie earlie in the morning because thou hast defended vs and wast our refuge in extreme dangers Daugh. Oh acknowledge and declare ye openlie that the Lord is good for his bountious goodnesse is for euer Let all the sincere worshippers of the Lord now confesse that his louing kindnesse is perpetuall Praise ye the Lord. Moth. Glorie be to the Father and to the c. Daug. As it was in the beginning is now c. ¶ The Versicles Mother O Lord shew thy great mercie vpon vs miserable sinners Daughter And grant thine euerlasting helth and saluation vnto vs. Moth. O Lord saue Elizabeth our gratious Queene and Gouernor Daugh. Which putteth hir onlie confidence in thee O God hir tower Moth. Oh send hir still continuall helpe from thy most holie place Daugh. And euermore from dangers all defend thou hir most roiall Grace Moth. O let not the infernall fo haue anie aduantage of hir Daugh. Nor let the wicked enimie once approch to hurt hir Moth. Indue hir ministers alwaie with righteousnesse and equitie Daugh. And make thou thy chosen seruants full ioifullie to praise thee Moth. O Lord saue thy people from all perils and dow them with thy gifts Daugh. And blesse thou thine inheritance with all thy bountious benefits Moth. In our time O Lord giue vs thy peace which passeth all vnderstanding Daugh. Bicause none other God dooth fight for vs but onelie thou our King Moth. O soften thou our hardened
harts and clense our filthie soules from sinne Daugh. And by thy spirit and gifts of grace make vs a holie life for to beginne The praier Mother O Lord GOD most mercifull father who as vpon this daie placing thy seruant our most deer Souereigne and most gratious Queene Elizabeth in the Empire of this kingdome diddest deliuer thy people of England from danger of war and oppression both of bodies by tyrannie of conscience by superstition restoring peace and true religion with libertie both of bodies and minds and hast continued the same thy blessings without all desert on our part now by the space of these foure and twentie yeeres We who are in memorie of these thy great benefits assembled here togither most humblie beseech thy fatherlie goodnesse to grant vs grace that we may in word deed and hart shew our selues thankfull and obedient vnto thee for the same and that Elizabeth our vertuous Queene through thy grace may in all honour goodnesse and godlinesse long and manie yeeres liue and reigne ouer vs and we obeie and enioie hir Maiestie with the continuance of thy great blessings which thou hitherto hast by hir thy blessed minister powred vpon vs hir people This we beseech thee to grant vnto vs for thy deere Son Iesus Christs sake our Lord and Sauiour Daughter Amen Or else saie thus WE yeeld vnto thee most mightie and mercifull father immortall thanks for that it hath pleased thee of thy meere mercie and fatherlie bountie after the stormes of so manie troublesome times to conduct vs as vpon this daie out of banishment and exile into the comfortable port of tranquillitie by the hand of thy most gratious seruant and our deere Souereigne Ladie Queene Elizabeth When we were as sheepe wandering astraie in the wildernesse thou ordeinedst hir Maiestie to bee our shepheard to gather vs againe into thy sheepefold When we had beene long tossed hither thither with the outrage and cruell furie of tyrannicall persecution like a poore weather-beaten barke that hath beene continuallie tormoiled and tossed on the perilous surges of the outragious and swelling seas finding no sure rode nor harborough wherein to rest but continuallie in danger either to sinke into the sands or to be ouerwhelmed with waues or violentlie to be dashed in peeces against the maine rocks Euen then I saie when we despaired vtterlie of safegard standing stil in feare of the hazard of euerlasting confusion thou cōmittedst the helme to be guided by hir Graces wisedome who at last conducted vs into the hauen of this long desired peace and tranquillitie Therefore whereas thou hast placed hir in the regal throne to be our Dauid our Iosias our Samuel yea to be our shepheard and ring-leader in the waie of true holinesse and sincere religion Inspire hir mind with the manifold blessings of thy grace that she may walke all the daies of hir life in the path of thy commandements and happilie discharge hir dutie in that stewardship and dispensation which thou hast committed to hir Maiesties hands Inflame hir mind more and more with the loue of thy holie Gospell that all hir deeds thoughts and practises may tend to the propagation and planting of thy word and Christian religion in these hir Maiesties dominions Incline the motions of hir vertuous disposition aboue all things to seeke thine honour and glorie to sowe the seeds of the Catholike faith abundantlie in all places to cut off the brood of superstition and idolatrie to constitute true preachers of thy word and stablish euerie where thine holie Gospell and true religion Preserue hir most mercifull Father as hitherto thou hast most miraculouslie done from the diuelish deuises and practises of hir enimies that she may haue a long and happie reigne among vs to the aduancement of thy glorie and ioie and comfort of all vs hir subiects Let hir naturall disposition continue to hir foes terrible to hir subiects amiable to hir offenders mercifull to the vertuous bountifull indifferent to all men and in all respects parciall in no point neither in causes ecclesiasticall nor yet in matters concerning politike gouernement Assist hir most mercifull Father with the might of thy heauenlie spirit to quaile the pride of the triple-headed Romish Cerberus to banish his beggerlie ceremonies to abridge the terme of his reigne and finallie to cut off and preuent the seeds that continuallie striue to spring vp from abhominable superstition and idolatrie Grant hir grace most mercifull Father to run the remnant of hir race in the right path of thy commandements declining neither to the right hand nor to the left but so vsing all times thy heauenlie word as the rule and compasse to direct hir course Preserue hir Grace most mercifull Father in continuall health of bodie and quietnesse of mind that she may be alwaies able to rule the bridle of hir high charge and to execute right and iustice to all sorts and degrees to the aduancement of thy glorie and the vniuersall commoditie of hir Maiesties subiects And finallie grant O most mercifull Father that when it shall please thee to end the terme of hir daies in this world thou wilt make hir partaker of the celestiall ioies which are prepared for them that feare and loue thee since the foundation of the world Grant this most mercifull Father for thy deere Sonne our Lord Iesus Christs sake to whom with thee and the holie Ghost three persons one God be all glorie honour and praise world without end Amen Another thanks-giuing and praier vnto God for the preseruation of the Queenes Maiestie and the Realme ALmightie God and most mercifull Father which in thy great mercies hast both giuen vnto vs a peaceable Prince and gratious Queene and also haft hitherto verie often and miraculouslie saued hir from sundrie great perils and imminent dangers and by hir mercifull vnbloudie and gratious gouernement hast preserued vs and the whole Realme from manifold mischiefs and dreadfull plagues wherewith nations round about vs haue beene and yet be most greeuouslie afflicted haue mercie vpon them O Lord and grant vs grace we beseech thee for these thy great benefits that wee may be hartilie thankfull and obedient vnto thee to flie from all things that may offend thee and prouoke thy wrath and indignation against vs and to order our liues in all things that may please thee that thy seruant our Souereigne Ladie Queene Elizabeth and we thy people committed to hir charge may by thy protection be continuallie preserued from all treacherous deceits and violences of enimies and from all other dangers and perils both bodilie and ghostlie and by thy goodnesse may be maintained in all peace and godlinesse Grant this O mercifull Father for thy deere sonnes sake our Sauiour Iesus Christ to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie for euer and euer Amen Another meditation to be vsed especiallie vpon the 17. daie of Nouember wherein the godlie English giueth thanks to God for the
grace of hartie repentance that as wee knowe so likewise we may acknowledge vnto thee all our vnrighteousnesse and hencefoorth labour the more busilie without anie delaie to amend those things wherein we haue hitherto offended thee We knowe O Lord that this is the onelie time of mercie in so much that if we obtaine it not during this our mortall life there remaineth nothing for vs to be looked for but a fearefull and a rigorous sentence of iudgement Grant therefore we beseech thee O mercifull God that sith we are now in a most damnable estate by the reason of our continuall disobedience out of the which we can by no meanes recouer our selues but by thy mercifull gift of repentance that we may euen now obtaine at thy hands not onlie it but all other thy graces annexed therevnto such as are most needfull for vs to the accomplishing of thy will and to the setting foorth of thy honour and glorie through Iesus Christ our Lord and sauiour who sitteth at thy right hand euen now and euer to make intercession for vs. Daughter Amen For the authoritie of discipline to be established in the Church Mother BEcause that crookednesse and disobedience haue taken so deepe roote in all estates that now adaies manie dare boldlie refuse all Ecclesiasticall censure to the great hinderance of the course of the Gospell grant therefore we beseech thee that like as thou hast dealt with other nations euen so may it please thee now at the length to extend thy like mercie vnto this Realme also and all others that are in the same necessitie that the authoritie of Ecclesiasticall censure and discipline which for our sinnes thou hast hitherto kept backe from vs may be placed in the Church to the due punishment of sinfull life and contempt of thy word in such sort that it may extend indifferentlie vnto all estates both high and lowe as well to the terror of the ill and comfort of the good as also to the speedie and perfect reformation of all such things as are yet disordered in this thy Church through the same Iesus Christ our Lord in whose name for these all things else expedient for vs we lift vp our harts vnto thee saieng as he hath taught vs Mother and Daughter altogether Our Father c. Mother Into thy hands O Lord doo we commend our selues wholie both bodie and soule vouchsafe to receiue vs Lord God of mercie Daughter Amen Mother In thee O God haue we trusted let vs neuer be confounded Daughter Amen Mother Deliuer vs we beseech thee from the power of darkenesse of this world the flesh and the diuell Daughter Amen Mother Lord let it be done vnto vs as we doo put our trust in thee Daughter Amen Mother We beleeue O Lord Lord helpe and make perfect our vnbeleefe Daughter Amen The conclusion of all things else expedient for vs. Mother THese O mercifull Father and all other thy graces such as be most agreeable to thy will to the setting foorth of thy honor and glorie and to the assurance of our saluation grant thou vnto vs we beseech thee in the name of thy sonne Iesus Christ And that we may vtterlie cast off all sinfull affections and hencefoorth leade our liues in holinesse righteousnesse and innocencie yeelding vnto thee continuall thanks for all thy benefits and mercies we beseech thee send downe into our harts thy holie spirit to prepare instruct and guide vs in all our thoughts words and works to the fulfilling of thy good will and pleasure to whome the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost three persons and one God of eternall and infinite maiestie be all praise thanks and glorie at all times in all places in all things aboue all things and euen so in vs all now and euer Daughter Amen Mother Blessed be the Lord. Daughter Thanks be to God ¶ If when we are desirous to commend the Church vnto the blessings of God which in our dailie praiers we ought to doo necessarie busines will not well impart so much time as the forme of these praiers require then after good consideration both of Gods former benefits towards vs and of the manifold infirmities of the Church we may doo it in these few words Mother O Lord heare my praier Daughter And let my crie come vnto thee Mother TO thee O heauenlie Father be all thanks honour glorie for because it hath pleased thee through the merits of Iesus Christ to deale so mercifullie with vs. For looke how high the heauen is in comparison of the earth so great hath thy mercie beene towards vs at all times and in all things much beyond that that our foolish harts could wish or desire For the which as we doo yeeld vnto thee all possible thanks from the bottome of our harts euen so doo we humblie beseech thee with thy fatherlie goodnesse to supplie all our infirmities wherewith we dailie offend thee Blesse thou therefore and be mercifull vnto thy Church vniuersallie and to all the members thereof and namelie vnto all Princes and ciuil Magistrates that by their gouernment thy name may be alwaies sanctified and thy glorious kingdome faithfullie prepared Unto all Bishops and spirituall pastors that they may diligentlie execute the charge committed vnto them Unto all subiects and inferiors that they may in thee and for thee obeie serue loue honor all superior powers Unto the ignorant and such as are not yet brought to the knowledge of thy truth that their eies may be opened to the vtter abolishing in them whatsoeuer is not of faith Unto the malicious persecutors also that either their harts may be turned or else that thou take them awaie from among vs. Unto the persecuted and afflicted that they may end their conflicts with victorie whether it be by death or deliuerance Unto thy haruest that it perish not for lacke of reapers Unto Uniuersities and Schooles that they may attaine to ripenesse of good and godlie knowledge and vse the same to the furtherance of thy kingdome Unto this our Realme that we may hartilie repent vs of all our sinnes that thou maist also repent thee of the punishment which thou hast prepared for vs and euer continue thy goodnesse towards vs as thou hast begonne Giuing vnto vs among thine other benefits such authoritie of the ecclesiasticall sword to the amendment of all things and reformation of all estates as may be most to the propagation of thy truth and true religion Finallie vnto vs all that are of the houshold of faith that all other things set apart we may onelie seeke thee and thy kingdome and euer sing praises vnto thy holie name These O Lord and all other graces agreeable to thy holie will and expedient for vs grant vnto thy seruants in the name of Iesus Christ our Lord to whom with the holie Ghost be all thanks honour and glorie now and euer Daughter Amen Christian praiers and diuine meditations as generallie to be vsed at all times so especiallie
in the order of their redemption for the infinite benefits of their saluation and for taking our fraile nature and miserable flesh subiect vnto all calamities and destruction vpon him and carieng the same and vs therewith vnto eternall life We therefore liuing in this vaile of wretchednesse lift vp our heads vnto thee O notable Silo which art the fruit of the Uirgin and separate our selues from the detestable damned crue of vnpure spirits and of men powring out blasphemous outcries against thy truth and glorie From our harts we praie thee regenerate and make vs thy children by adoption and grace and dailie renew vs by thy holie spirit to glorifie thee For of our selues we are nothing but flesh and corruption as they that are borne of flesh and can not become thy children except we be begotten and borne againe by a new birth of the holie Ghost Therfore we beseech thee renew vs I say dailie by thy mightie power from aboue that being borne of the spirit our harts and our hands our deeds and deuises and whatsoeuer is in vs may be spirituall as thou art Ioine vs to the societie of thine holie Angels which sing glorie to thee on high and make vs members of that congregation which is knit vnto thee by an indissoluble bond of euerlasting peace with gratefull minds to record and celebrate thy benefits We thanke thee for sauing mankind from eternall damnation and for making the attonement betweene thy father and vs through thine incarnation For so it was expedient according to the order of iustice that the punishment of a guiltlesse man should quit mankind guiltie and that a sufficient satisfaction might be made it was required that he which would be the mediatour should be God God I saie to abide the intollerable burthen of Gods displeasure to vanquish death and to restore vnto man life and saluation to enter into the most holie place and be an eternall Priest God to vnderstand the secret counsell of the father to be priuie vnto the cogitations of harts to heare the grones of all men to be the King of his flocke defending the same against the power of sathan and his members Finallie God to place his Church raised from death in the eternall kingdome of his most glorious father Now forasmuch as the nature of man was not able to bring these things to passe we thanke thee O our sauiour being the word the expresse image and interpretor of the father for vouchsafing to take the office of a mediatour betweene God and vs. Begin in vs we most humblie beseech thee this so great a benefit We are weake we are fowle and filthie but as thou wast brought into this miserable world borne a weake infant and that in a pinching time of the yeare swadled with wretched bands endued with the rags of a miserable nature and laid in a manger among the brutish kind being notwithstanding the verie wisedome of thine eternall father So let thy wisdome appeare in vs miserable men womē in this wofull darkenesse of ours among the blacke clouds of this doting age amongst these troubles and destructions of Common-weales Kindle in vs the sparks of that wisedome which shall be perfect in the life to come and ioine vs to the felowship of thy Saincts Grant that from the hart and ioifullie we may ascribe all glorie fame and honor vnto thee the true God which art wise righteous almightie pure liberall and mercifull according to the rule described in thy commandements which didst send thy Sonne to bring vs to that glorie whereof we were depriued and to restore vs againe to our first integritie which was lost through sinne O Sonne of God confirme thou and seale these things in our harts by thy holie spirit powred vpō vs which may worke within vs vnfeigned righteousnesse that by the same thy spirit shining in the nature which thou tookest vpon thee we may be committed to thee vpholden quickened brought by thee vnto eternall life that that league made betweene God and vs may eternallie be confirmed and we loued in the beloued and the eternall Father may loue vs with that loue wherewith he loueth thee the substantiall image of himselfe Suppresse the diuell that he breake not this woonderfull and profitable peace and suffer vs not hanging on thy necke running to thine armes seeking thy fauour to be plucked out of thy hands Keepe vs we beseech in thy lap as a louing shepheard cherisheth and beareth about his tender lambs And forasmuch as the first tidings of thy natiuitie were brought by the Angel of the Lord vnto shepheards grant that shepheards of the soules that is the ministers and teachers may faithfullie testifie thy benefits vnto mankind and publish abroad what they see knowe spreading foorth thy fame and glorifieng God for the peace which he hath eternallie concluded with vs and finallie may bring thy sheepe to thy stall that is to the congregation of the faithfull Open before vs thy swadling clouts which is thy word that in this life it may crie within vs and we thereby may feele the sense of thy most sweet promises which thine eternall Father hath vttered of thee Blessed are all they which put their trust in him Furthermore our petition is that thou wilt blesse vs and our countrie with all Common-weales Increase among vs dailie y e number of the faithfull prosper the course of the Gospell and suffer not the light thereof by the malice of Sathan to be extinguished Likewise vphold those kingdoms which minister releefe vnto thy Church Repell from the borders of thy seruants the rabblement of Turks Infidels which threaten the decaie of thy Church and destruction of kingdoms Blesse the labours of our hands keepe vs from the contagious diseases and last of all make vs and ours the vessels of mercie and profitable instruments to thy Church and Common-weale Amen Glorie be to God on high Or thus ALmightie God and most mercifull Father who according to the prophesies spoken long before hast giuen vs thine own Sonne to be conceiued of the holie Ghost and borne of the blessed virgin that in thy nature and ours he might be our holie and true Emanuel and Sauior and Sanctifier of those that trust in him Touch our harts with thy holie spirit that considering this so great loue of thine to abase thy Sonne to take vpon him the forme of a seruant to make vs sonnes and heires to thee that our soules may magnifie thee O Lord our Sauiour and blesse thee the Lord GOD of Israel for thus visiting and redeeming thy people and grant vs also the fruit of this thy mercie that by his holinesse our vncleannesse may be done awaie and our corrupt nature sanctified by his holie birth and natiuitie that we putting our trust in him may by him be deliuered both from all our sins and all our enimies and attaine to the fruit of this his infinite loue and goodnesse euen to serue him in holinesse
by the darkenes of hypocrites and idolaters or by the rage of tyrants which wage mortall battell against thee but grant that endued with new light from thee the true Sunne of righteousnesse we may reioice from our whole harts and acknowledge thee to bee our captaine which wilt gouerne thy people in truth and equitie Let the light of thy grace I saie lighten the darkenes of our conscience O mercifull Iesu our true bright loade-star of the world and by thy ioifull apparition giue vnto vs the full knowledge both of thy selfe and of our owne selues that within we may see thee and inwardlie find thee and that there we may continuallie offer vnto thy holie Maiestie the mirrh of sincere faith and inward contrition and the frankincense of deuout praier and inuocation and the gold of loue righteousnes and patience in trouble and so ascribing vnto thee the honour of a King and the seruice due vnto God may shew all true liberalitie with the godlie both vnto thee and thy poore Church and beare sufficient testimonie to the world of thy kingdome diuinitie priesthood humanitie crosse death and buriall and take hold of the manifold benefits thereof and outwardlie also may in our places office and calling helpe to mainteine thy ministerie to the vttermost of our power And grant that as thou after thou hadst reuealed and manifested thy selfe vnto the three wise men by the leading of a starre causedst them to returne another waie into their owne countrie so wee which by the waie of darkenes and offences haue retired and gone backe from the supernall countrie of blessednes thou the bright daie-star of the world beeing our guide may returne vnto the same by the waie of truth and grace and that now knowing thee by faith when we depart out of this life wee may bee brought into that kingdome where thy diuinitie shall shine without mists or mysteries and there haue the fruition of thy glorious Godhead and woorship thee and praise thee for euer and euer Amen Halleluiah 5. On Ashwednesdaie or first daie of Lent Of Christ his fasting fortie daies The Preface LEt the Bridegroome come forth of his chamber and the Bride out of hir closet and let all sinners weepe before the Lord saie Turne thou vs O good Lord and so shall we be turned Be fauorable O Lord be fauorable to thy people spare vs which rent our harts not our garments turne to thee in fasting weeping praieng For thou art a mercifull God full of compassion long suffering and of great pitie Thou sparest when we deserue punishment and in thy wrath thinkest vpon mercie Oh spare thy people good Lord spare them and let not thine heritage be brought to confusion Heare vs O Lord for thy mercie is great and after the multitude of thy mercies looke vpon vs. Haue mercie vpon vs O God haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners ¶ Heere saie the seuen penitentiall Psalmes following and other praiers for contrition and repentance as you thinke good The Praier O Lord God Iesus Christ our onlie redeemer which tookest vpon thee our sinfull flesh and liuedst therein a life most holie in all righteousnes for our example and didst through the power of thy Godhead and diuine nature most reuerentlie obeie in all things the will of thine heauenlie Father with subduing in this flesh with great triumph glorie and maiestie the power of the diuell the world and the flesh that onlie in thee the spirit of sanctification might myraculouslie appeere and beare swaie with fulnesse in the sight of all flesh during the course of this life and for euer after to remaine with power in glorie verie God with verie God in the kingdome of God the Father We beseech thee most humblie O Lord Iesu which hatest nothing that thou hast made and dooest forgiue the sinnes of all them that be penitent to haue compassion vpon vs in our weakenesse and infirmitie that as thou hast for our safetie taken upon thee our flesh and for our sakes didst fast fortie daies and fortie nights and hast diuerslie in thine owne person felt as a man the fraile state of our mortall nature and how inclinable it is without thy diuine power to fall from the obedience of thy will that is heauenlie to the suggestions of sathan the old enimie and to the allurements of things earthlie vaine and transitorie So we beseech thee O our God to grant vnto vs thine holie spirit that by the strength thereof in vs proceeding from thee we may in our weakenesse haue power that our enimie may be resisted the world defied the flesh vanquished and our spirit quickened whereby we may most gladlie obeie thy godlie will and turne vnto thee with all our hearts both in vnfeigned repentance in hartie contrition and earnest confession and also in true fasting in competent feeding in faithfull praieng in charitable dealing in chast looking in reuerent beholding in godlie hearing in fruitefull speaking in holie thinking free from flattering void of detraction slander lieng false accusation blasphemie outfacing idle talke or filthie communication and to tread steadilie in all things the steps of true holines before thee as thou hast most gratiouslie lead vs and taught vs the waie that with all simplicitie both outwardlie and inwardlie in bodie and soule and in all parts and members of them our fast this Lent and euer may not be prophane earthlie hypocritish superstitious or carnall to the view of the world but holie heauenlie and spirituall to thee Giue vs grace I saie not so much to absteine from meates as from ill manners nor from flesh as from filthie cogitations For as thou O God wilt be worshipped in spirit and truth so the spirituall fast it is which pleaseth thee Suffer vs not gratious God to abuse thy good creatures immoderatelie to the hurt both of our bodies and soules but temperatlie the better to serue thee and as soberlie to take our food so carefullie to absteine from sinne For otherwise to absteine from meate and not to refraine from pride couetousnes concupiscence lewdnes and such like vices it shall but hurt our bodies through an hypocriticall abstinence and cast awaie our soules through our exceeding impietie Assist vs with thy secret grace therefore we beseech thee to vse such abstinence that our flesh being subdued to the spirit we may euer obeie thy godlie motions in righteousnes and true holines to our reioicing with peace of conscience and that obteining of thee the God of all mercie perfect remission and forgiuenes with aboundance of thy grace we may shew foorth fruitfullie thy glorie all the daies of our liues and after this life ended reigne with thee for euer in thy glorious kingdome where all holy folke doo rest and which by thy blessed natiuitie holie circumcision fasting temptation crosse death passion thou hast alone so deerelie purchased for vs to the perpetuall praise of thine eternall name Amen I haue sinned I haue sinned
with a crowne of the more glorie for it and to the intent that thou mightest likewise ouercome sathan in thy members as thou hast afore done in thine owne person Giue thou we beseech thee vnto vs thy souldiers O Lion most victorious of the tribe of Iuda strength against the roring Lion which continuallie wandereth to and fro seeking whome he may deuour Thou being that same Serpent the true giuer of health and life that was nailed on high vpon a tree giue vnto thy little seelie ones wilinesse against the deceiptfull awaitings of the most subtil serpent Thou being a Lambe as white as snowe the vanquisher of sathans tyrannie giue vs thy little sheepe the strength and vertue of thy spirit that being in our owne selues weake and feeble and in thee strong and valiant wee may withstand and ouercome all assaults of the diuell so that our ghostlie enimie may not glorie ouer vs but being conquerours through thee we may giue thanks to thy mercie which neuer leauest them destitute that put their trust in thee who liuest and reignest God for euermore world without end Amen 7. On Thursedaie next before Easter commonlie called Maundie Thursedaie Of Christ his last feast or institution of the Sacrament of the Supper and of his great humilitie in washing his disciples feet afterward The Preface I Saith Wisedome haue killed my victuals drawne my wine and prepared my table Come now vnto me all ye poore in spirit that are emptie and an hungred come ye fat and rich also vpon earth that go astraie and faint for thirst Come I saie O freends eate of my meate woorthilie and worship me drinke of my wine purelie and glorifie me Make ye merrie at my table holilie and praise me O welbeloued For it is I that satisfie the mouth with good things and fill the hungrie soule with spirituall deinties Yea my flesh is meate in deed and my bloud is drinke in deed which I haue prouided for my people and he that eateth me euen he shall liue by me Happie and blessed therefore are they that are called to the Lambs supper for they shall eate Manna euen Angels food in the kingdome of heauen Lord bid me vnto this feast and grant that I may sup with thee and thou with me Lord wash not my feet onlie but my hands and head also for I am altogither vncleane and if thou wash me not I shall remaine filthie still O wash me therefore throughlie from my wickednes and cleanse me from my secret faults and purge me from my presumptuous sinnes For I haue sinned I haue offended oh forgiue me and haue mercie on me The Praier O Blessed Sauiour and deere Redeemer Iesu Christ which in the holie mysterie of thy last Supper with thine Apostles didst deliuer thy blessed bodie and bloud vnder the forme of bread wine and ordeinedst that as thy bodie was broken and thy bloud shead for vs so we should thankefullie celebrate and keepe a solemne memorie of thy death till thou come Grant vs we beseech thee euer stedfastlie to beleeue and kindlie to acknowledge thine infinite and almightie power thine incomprehensible loue towards vs and that we may alwaie worthilie receiue the same blessed Sacrament according to thy holie ordinance that thereby we may obtaine increase of all goodnes in vnitie of spirit with thee our head and by thee and thy spirit with all the companie of them that be trulie thine which be thy spirituall and mysticall bodie and our spirituall and Christian brethren and sisters Suffer vs not also we beseech thee to fall into anie slothfull and carelesse negligence whereby we should vnkindlie forget so inestimable a benefit but rather at all occasions with minds woorthilie prepared for so holie an action thankefullie to renew the memorie of thy so infinite loue towards vs and to receiue the grace which thereby is offered vnto vs to the ioining of vs continuallie neerer vnto thee till we be ioined without anie separation vnto thee through thee Finallie as in thine owne blessed person thou hast giuen an example of perfect loue whereby in humblenesse and meekenesse we should serue one another as thou being the Lord and maister of vs all didst vouchsafe after thy last Supper to wash the feet of thy disciples and seruants grant vs that louing and meeke spirit of thine whereby we may be far from disdaine and despising of our brethren and readie in all good things to be dutifull and seruiceable vnto them in thee and for thee that as thou hast left vs in commandement we may loue one another as thou hast loued vs and thereby be knowne to be thy disciples especiallie O Christ that we may be faithfull in our loue toward thee who for our sakes wast content to be vnfaithfullie and vnfriendlie betraied of him that had liued familiarlie with thee that thou mightest thereby assure vs of thine euerlasting loue and mercie To thee therfore with the Father and the holie Ghost be all praise honour and glorie now and for euer Amen I haue sinned I haue sinned haue mercie on me 8. On Good Fridaie Of Christ his passion and shamefull suffering for our sinnes Leuiti 23 27 c. THIS is the daie of reconciliation to make an attonement for you before the Lord your God therefore shall it be an holie conuocation vnto you And you shall humble your selues this daie in fasting and praier and offer sacrifice made by fire vnto the Lord. And whatsoeuer soule it be that thus humbleth not himselfe this daie euen he shall be cut off and destroied from among his people Let this be a lawe and ordinance in your generations and in all your dwellings for euer saith the Lord. The Preface CHrist now once in the end of the world through the eternall spirit offered himselfe a Lamb without spot to God suffered for sinnes the iust for the vniust died for all and was killed vpon the altar of the crosse as perteining to the flesh but was quickned in the spirit to put awaie sinne by the sacrifice of himselfe Wo and alas that euer I sinned Christ became sinne and a cursse for vs to redeeme vs sinners from the cursse of the lawe and to reconcile vs vnto the blessing and fauour of God his father that we should be made the righteousnes of God in him Wo and alas that euer I sinned Christ was obedient vnto the death euen vnto the most vile and shamefull death of the crosse to deliuer vs from death hell and damnation and to translate and bring vs into the kingdome of God his father Wo and alas that euer I sinned Christ being in the forme of God tooke on him the forme of a seruant and made himselfe of no reputation but for the ioie that was set before him endured such blasphemie railing euill speaking against him of shamelesse sinners and when he was reuiled reuiled not againe when he suffered threatened not but committing the vengeance to him that iudgeth righteouslie despised
Afterward being deliuered from all feares thou criedst with a great voice Father into thy hands I commend my spirit Grant that in our departure out of this world we may vtter the same words Make vs to feele the presence of thy father comforting vs being pleased through thee and may know that with our bodies our soules doo not perish let vs not iest as Epicures doo saieng O fugitiue flattering pale curst naked soule whither goest thou Thou hast prepared for vs O Sonne of God a large and a pleasant place In thy Fathers house are manie resting places We feare no torments Thou hast deliuered vs from the paines of hell There is no purgatorie Thy Father embraceth our soules in his mercifull armes laieth them in Abrahams bosome replenisheth them with quietnesse with light and ioie vnspeakable till our bodies also raised againe appeare with them in his euerlasting kingdome In this faith giue vs grace to leaue this world and to rest with thee for euer and euer Amen Amen I haue sinned I haue sinned my God my God haue mercie vpon me God forbid that I should reioice but in the crosse of Christ whereby the world is crucified to me and I vnto the world Or thus A fruitfull meditation vpon the passion of our Sauiour Iesus Christ to be read often O Lord Iesus Christ the Sonne of the euerliuing and almightie God by whome all things were made be ruled and gouerned thou the liuelie image of the substance of the Father the eternall wisedome of God the brightnesse of his glorie God of God light of light coequall coeternall and consubstantiall with the Father thou which of the loue thou haddest to mankind when hee was fallen from the fellowship of God into the societie of sathan and all euill didst vouchsafe for our redemption to become a mediatour betweene God and man taking to thy God-head our nature as concerning the substance of it and so becamest man also the heire of all and most mercifull Messias which by the power of thy God-head and merits of thy man-hood hast made purgation of our sins euen by thine owne selfe whilest thou wast heere on earth being now set on the right hand of thy Father for vs euen concerning our nature in maiestie in glorie power infinite I pray and humblie beseech thy mercie to grant me at this present to reherse some of thy passions and sufferings for me the last night that thou wast heere before thy death that thy good spirit might thereby be effectuall to worke in me faith as well for the pardon of my sinnes by them as mortification of mine affections comfort in my crosses and patience in all afflictions Amen IN the middest of thy last Supper with thy deere Apostles these things could not but be before thee namelie that they all would leaue thee the most earnest would forsweare thee one of the twelue should most traiterouslie betraie thee which were no small crosses vnto thee Iudas was admonished of thee to beware but when he tooke no heed but went out to finish his worke contemning thine admonition and counsell he could not but vexe thy most louing hart After supper there was contention amongst thy disciples who should be greatest after thee yet dreaming carnallie of thee and thy kingdome and hauing this affection of pride and ambition busie amongst them notwithstanding thy diligence in reproouing and teaching them After thine admonition to them of the crosse that would come thereby to make them more vigilant so grosse were they that they thought they could with their two swords put awaie all perils which was no little greefe vnto thee After thy comming to Gethsamane heauinesse oppressed thee and therefore thou wouldest thy disciples to praie Thou didst tell to Peter and his fellowes that thy hart was heauie to death Thou didst will them to praie being carefull for them also least they should fall into temptation After this thou wentest a stones cast from them and didst praie thy selfe falling flat and groueling vpon the earth but alas thou feltest no comfort and therefore thou camest to thy disciples which of all other were most sweet and deere vnto thee but lo to thy further discomfort they passe neither of thy perils nor of their owne and therefore sleepe apace After thou hadst awaked them thou goest againe to praie but thou foundest no comfort at all and therefore didst returne againe for some comfort at thy deerest freends hands but yet againe alas they are fast asleepe wherevpon thou art inforced to go againe to thy heauenlie Father for some sparkle of comfort in these thy wonderfull crosses and agonies Now heere thou wast so discouraged and so comfortlesse that euen streames of bloud came running from thine eies and eares and other parts of thy bodie But who is able to expresse the infinitenes of thy crosses euen at thy being in the garden All which thou sufferedst for my sake as well to satisfie thy Fathers wrath for my sinnes as also to sanctifie all my sufferings the more gladlie to be susteined of me After thy bloudie praier thou camest and yet againe foundest thy disciples asleepe and before thou canst well awake them lo Iudas commeth with a great band of weaponed men to apprehend thee as a theefe and so doth leading thee awaie bound to the high Bishops house Annas so from him to Caiphas Heere now to augment this thy miserie behold thy disciples flie from thee false witnesses be brought against thee Thou art accused condemned of blasphemie Peter euen in thy sight forsweareth thee Thou art vniustlie striken for answering lawfullie Thou art blindfeeld striken and buffeted all the whole night in the Bishop Caiphas house of their cruell seruants In the morning betimes thou art condemned againe of the Priests of blasphemie and therefore they bring thee before the secular power to Pilate by whome thou art openlie arraigned as other theeues and malefactors were And when he sawe that thou wast accused of malice and that his wife had sent a messenger vnto him saieng Haue thou nothing to doo with that iust man for I haue suffered manie things this daie in a dreame by reason of him yet he did not dismisse thee but did send thee to Herod where thou wast derided shamefullie in comming and going to him and from him all the waie wonderfullie especiallie after Herod had apparelled thee as a foole Afore Pilate againe therefore thou wast brought and accused falslie no man did take thy part or speake a good word for thee Pilate caused thee to be whipped and scourged and to be handled most pitifullie to see if anie pitie might appeare with the Prelates but no man at all pitied thee Barrabas that notable theefe and murtherer was preferred before thee all the people head and taile was against thee and cried out Crucifige hang thee vp Uniustlie to death wast thou iudged Thou wast crowned with sharpe thornes that pierced thy braines Thou wast made a mocking stocke Thou wast
whither soeuer I turne me I may behold aboue me thee crucified and whatsoeuer I see it may appeare to me ruddie with thy most pretious bloud that thus be holding I may fixe my sight in nothing but onlie in thee which liuest and reignest one God world without end So be it I haue sinned I haue offended my God my God haue merceie on me A praier wherein through commemoration of Christes passion we desire pardon of our sinnes and continuance in vertue and godlinesse BEhold O pitifull Father thy most pitifull Sonne which suffered for me being so wicked Behold O most mercifull King who suffered and remember as thou art louing and kind for whom he suffered Is not this O my Lord that innocent whō although he were thy Sonne thou didst deliuer to redeeme and ransome a seruant Is not this the author and beginner of life which being led as a sheepe to be killed and being made obedient to thee euen vnto death was not afraid to take vpon him the most cruell and sharp kind of death Call to remembrance O thou distributer of all health that this is he whome although thou didst beget him by thy power yet notwithstanding thou wouldest haue to be made partaker of thine infirmitie and weakenes Trulie this same is thy God head which did take vpon him thy nature which was hanged vpon the gibbet of torment or crosse which in the flesh which he had taken vpon him did suffer sorrowfull punishment Turne the eies of thy Maiestie O Lord my God towards the worke of thine vnspeakable pitie Looke on thy deere Sonne whose whole body is stretched foorth Marke the harmelesse hands and pure which doo drop and distill downe innocent bloud And I beseech thee be pacified and pardon the wicked deeds which my hands haue committed Consider his bare and naked side being thrust through cruellie with a speare and renew and wash me with the holie fountaine or well which I beleeue did flowe from thence Marke the vnspotted feet which haue not stood in the waie of sinners but alwaies haue walked in thy lawe how they are pierced through with sharpe nails and make perfect my steps in thy paths and make me of thy louing kindnesse to hate all waies of iniquitie Remoue from me the waies of iniquitie and make me of thy mercie to choose the waie of truth I beseech thee O King of holie men by this holie one of all holie ones and by this my redeemer to make me runne the waie of thy commandements that I may be vnited and knit vnto him in spirit which did not disdaine to be clad in my flesh Doest thou not looke vpon and marke O pittifull Father the head of thy most deerelie beloued Sonne a yong man how it leaned vpon his shoulders when it was past the most pretious death Behold O my most gentle creator the humanitie and gentlenes of thy beloued Sonne and haue compassion vpon the feeblenes of thy weake and feeble handie-worke Behold O most glorious parent the torne and rent members of thy most kind louing child and remember gentlie what substance I am of Behold the paines of him that is God and man and release and loose man which is thy creature out of miserie bondage of sinne Behold the punishment of him that did redeeme and pardon the offences of them that be redeemed This is he O Lord whome thou didst strike for the sinnes of the people although he be thy welbeloued in whome was found no guile and yet neuerthelesse was he reckoned amongst them that were full of iniquitie Looke downe therefore O Lord thou louer of labouring and laden harts with the eies of thy pittie see the altar of the crosse where thy sonne thine onlie beloued babe is slaughtered Behold O father of heauen this thy bleeding babe whom for our sakes thou hadst made vnder the lawe a curse therof in giuing him to the death euen the acursed shamefull death of the crosse that he might thereby redeeme vs wretches that were his enimies from the lawe and from the curse and condemnation of it O looke vpon him I saie which is the sauiour of the world and who in his sufferings and in his life and death hath fulfilled all the prophesies behold him that was made a castawaie of the Iewes and a scorne of the Gentiles which endured treasonable hate of his friends and deadlie terrors in his troubled soule that we might haue peace of conscience and be reconciled vnto thee And let his shame and ignominie I praie thee be our honour and triumph his wounds our medicine his curse our blisse and his death our life finallie so lighten our minds I beseech thee with thy holie spirit that we may be able to conceiue and vnderstand the height and depth the length breadth and by all meanes the infinite measure of this so exceeding loue towards vs that the sight and knowledge of so great loue may so inflame vs with the loue of thee againe that all our thoughts and deeds may wholie be set vpon thee shewing our thankfulnesse vnto thee in all obedience vnto thy word and glorieng in nothing but in thy Christ and him crucified that in the end we may inioie the full fruit of all his passions and of this thine vnspeakable loue towards vs in our euerlasting saluation through Iesus Christ our onelie Lord and redeemer to whom with thee O father and the holie Ghost be giuen all praise honour and glorie for euer and euer Amen Another godlie meditation or praier wherin we declare vnto God the Father that the passion of his Sonne before rehearsed was for our reconciliation and attonement with God BEhold O almightie God Father of my Lord Iesus Christ I beseech thee of thy benignitie and gentlenesse to haue mercie vpon me because of the most pretious thing that I could find the same I haue offered deuoutlie vnto thee the thing of most estimation that I could imagine I haue presented humblie vnto thee I haue left nothing but I haue declared it vnto thy Maiestie There is nothing remaining that I may adde more because I haue committed and betaken my whole hope vnto thee I haue sent vnto thee mine aduocate and spokes-man euen thy welbeloued Sonne Iesus I haue sent thy glorious child to be a mediator betwixt me and thee I haue sent I saie an intercessor by whome I trust to get pardon and forgiuenes of my sinnes In a word I haue sent the word which word as I haue said was sent for my misdeeds And behold I haue rehearsed vnto thee the passion of thy most holie Sonne Iesus Christ which passion I beleeue was suffered for me I beleeue that the God-head which was sent of thee did take vpon him mine humanitie and nature in the which he thought not scorne to suffer buffets bonds spittings mocks yea he tooke vpon him to suffer the crosse nailes and dart I beleeue also that his manhood being of this my nature during
excellent a gift and at no time be intangled in the snares of Sathan neither yet forgo so noble a ghest for our wickednes Make vs to walke circumspectlie not as fooles following our vaine concupiscence to shun all occasions of falling euermore to craue at thine hands that this pretious gift may from time to time continue with vs and increase And as vpon this daie thou hast taught the harts of thy people by the sending to them the light of thine holie spirit so grant vs by the same spirit to haue a right iudgment in all things and euermore to reioice in his holie comfort Let the same spirit bring into our memorie that which thou hast said make it firmelie to retaine the foundation of sound doctrine vttered from the bosome of the Father and at no time to seeke new reuelations as doo the Enthusian heretikes both without and beside the warrant of thy word Let vs neuer inuent fained gods and false worshippings but followe onelie and sincerelie that which thou hast said and taught The world followeth vaine pleasure seeketh prosperitie and hunteth after wealth and worship especiallie the last age of this world doth so it altogither doteth and is become secure but fill thou our harts with true peace wherewith we may staie our selues in the combate of conscience fighting before the iudgment of God And in our agonies when a separation shall be made both of soule and bodie then giue vs grace to be mindfull of this thy saieng Let not your harts be greeued I go and come againe vnto you Let not thy comfortable presence depart from our soule thou wilt certainlie come againe euen to raise vs from the dead to place vs in thy kingdome Wherfore we reioice at thy departure vnto thy Father For the Father is greater than thou Thou hast prepared a place and blessed mansion in the house of thy Father exalted to the right hand of the Father and hast respect of the person sent euen till the consummation of the world Cease not to applie the merits of thy sacrifice vnto vs make continuall intercession for vs. Thou abidest our King and Priest vntill thou deliuerest the kingdome to thy Father And therefore as a Mediator thou doost verelie obtaine those good things which thou hast promised to all beleeuers Thou valiantlie didst conquer Sathan to make vs parteners of thy victorie Thou willinglie gauest thy life that it might satisfie for manie Thou wast obedient to thine eternall Father in the race of thine humiliation that by thy death we might liue Wherefore seale within vs this faith and righteousnesse grant that continuallie we may retaine thy saiengs in our minds that we may enioie thy peace and keepe a place for thy diuinitie in our harts while we liue in this world through our first fruits and so hereafter in the life to come we shall attaine the tenths and be made like vnto thee beholding God face to face So be it Another meditation and thanks-giuing for the good effects that the holie Ghost worketh in vs by his comming AL possible praise and thanks I yeeld vnto thee O God heauenlie Father and vnto thy deere Sonne Iesus Christ my Sauiour for sending downe thy spirit of truth our comforter sanctifier and regenerator the holie Ghost into this world The which thing verelie I beleeue thou didst for this onelie end and purpose that bicause the grape of thy sonne our Sauiour Christs flesh was caried to the wine-presse of the Crosse and there being pressed yeelded foorth the sweet wine of his Godhead it pleased thee therefore of thy great mercie to send the same thy holie Ghost to make readie the vessels of mens harts that the new wine might be put into new vessels first to season their harts from marring of the wine that should be put into them and afterward to hoope them well for leaking when the wine was powred into them that is to saie to clense them from delighting in sinne and to bind them from delighting in vanitie For that which is good could not come in till that which is euill was first rid out Oh woonderfull worke Oh vnspeakable benefit of thy surpassing goodnesse and mercie most woorthie of all praise that man on earth or Angels in heauen may giue or render The holie name of thy sacred Maiestie be therefore blessed magnified and extolled for euer and euer Amen And now O gratious God and good Father I most humblie and intirelie beseech thee that for as much as delighting in wickednesse which is to loue sinne doth defile vs and make our vessels fowle yea leadeth to death and that the delighting in vanitie which is to be in loue with transitorie things of this world sheddeth out and maketh the vessell of our bodies full of crannies and rifts yea intiseth and deceiueth vs to our destruction it may please thee therefore of thine ancient and accustomed mercie and goodnesse to giue me grace to cast out the thing that is euill in me that I may be fit to take in and receiue the thing that is good in thee and so to powre out all sowernesse of sinne and wickednesse that I may be filled with the sweetnesse of all vertue and godlinesse Yea doo thou thy selfe O gratious Father euen with the same thy blessed finger and mightie power wherewith in times past by thy sonne Christ Jesus thou didst rebuke and throwe the diuels and vncleane spirits foorth of those that were possessed vouchsafe also I beseech thee of the same thy singular loue and pitie to cast out of me the fowle spirit of the diuell which worketh delight in wickednesse and is the occasion of faults yea so and in such sort to abandon him that he nor anie of his may euer returne into my vessell anie more to dwell therein I beseech thee furthermore to expell foorth of my vessell the spirit of this world which worketh delight in vanitie and is a fault of it selfe that I be neuer intised nor deceiued anie more therewith hereafter Finallie I humblie praie thee to throwe out of me all other euill and vncleane spirits whatsoeuer which are noisome enimies to my soule and saluation and grant that thy spirit O God euen the holie Ghost I meane with all the fruits gifts vertues and graces thereof may vouchsafe to come and enter into the tabernacle of mine hart and mind to worke in me good delights good loue whereby the loue of the world and the loue of sinne may bee vtterlie driuen awaie from me for euer and my mind be continuallie inlightened my conscience still clensed mine hart euer gladded and thou thy selfe my GOD my Sanctifier and Sauiour be more and more shewed and made manifest vnto me Amen A Thanks-giuing vnto God for our regeneration and sanctification not vnproper to be vsed also at publike Baptisme O God the holie Ghost which proceedest from the Father the Sonne and with them art woorshipped and glorified in the vnitie of the true and eternall Deitie and
art also the substantiall amitie betweene the Father and the Sonne we worship thee we praise and glorifie thee and with our whole hart we thanke thee for all thy benefits especiallie for calling vs by the voice of thy Gospell vnto the Christian congregation for illuminating vs with thy gifts for sanctifieng vs with a stedfast faith and for keeping vs hitherto in the same For by the fount of the wholesome lauour that is by the water of holie Baptisme being powred into vs thou dooest continuallie worke in vs regeneration and renewing of the inward man Harken we beseech thee vnto our supplication and teach vs miserable women which by the proper strength of our onlie reason can by no meanes trust in or approch to Christ our Lord and Sauiour teach vs O our God what thy pleasure is and leade vs into all truth For without thine assistance none can saie that Iesus is the Lord. O blessed Lampe of light fill the inward parts of the faithfull with the holie oile of thy manifold heauenlie gifts and graces without the which nothing is light and pleasant in man but euerie thing darke obscure and hurtfull Wash thou that is filthie water that is drie heale that is wounded bow the obstinate cherish the frosen and reclaime them which wander Giue to the faithfull trusting in thee the reward of wel-doing the entrance into happines and euerlasting comfort Thou in thy gifts seauen-fold which art the spirit of the Lord the spirit of wisedome and vnderstanding the spirit of counsell and strength the spirit of knowledge and of the feare of the Lord inspire into vs through the preaching of the Gospell thine heauenlie wisedome about thine essence and dinine pleasure which is hid from the world Grant that we may knowe the Father and the Sonne by thee and may alwaies beleeue that thou art the spirit of them both so worship one God in Trinitie and the Trinitie in vnitie whose will is that not one should perish but be conuerted liue and that as manie as beleeue in the Sonne should haue euerlasting life For the Father sent the Sonne not to condemne the world but that the world through him might be saued O lightener of the mind powre vpon vs thy new light and purge the horrible darkenes of our minds so that we may see knowe our chiefe Father whome pure eies onlie doo behold O thou heauenlie comforter giue vnto vs a testimonie and grant vnto our minds a token of the certaintie of our beleefe so that we doubt not neither wauer about thy diuine goodnes towards vs. Make our harts quiet and secure that with a full trust and confidence we may approch to the throne of thy heauenlie grace receiuing by adoption the right of children and inflamed with spirituall ioie in all boldnesse and libertie may crie Abba Father Thou most faithfull aduocate strengthen vs against all the assaults and temptations of sathan so that we may neuer doubt of thy diuine prouidence and predestination whereby we are chosen and called in Christ vnto euerlasting life and neuer being stroken with a seruile feare and oppressed with dreadfull doubtings may in a rage flee and forsake our God O surpassing comforter leaue vs not destitute of thine aid and patronage but vouchsafe euermore to be present with vs in our crosses troubles least otherwise we faint but rather make vs to reioice in tribulations knowing that a crowne of life is laid vp for such as loue him O thou teacher of men instruct vs how and what we ought to praie for according to thy will that we may be heard and make thou intercession for vs with sighes that can not be expressed O thou cleanser of the heart giue vs the simplicitie of mind without gall and bitternes which descendedst in Iordan vpon our Lord and Sauiour Christ in the likenes of a dooue that we may be void of bitter enuie and contention in our harts and haue no roote among vs that bringeth foorth gall and woormewood O thou substantiall flame proceeding from the breast of the Father and his eternall Sonne lighten our harts with the fire of chaste and burning loue Thou which appearedst as vpon this daie at the feast of Pentecost vnto the Apostles in clouen tongs like fire see our coldnesse and comfort vs with thy quickening heate and breathings that we may receiue thy chrisme and annointment O thou ghest of the soule make thee a mansion place within the secret parts of our hearts that we may be an house for thy diuinitie which may dwell perpetuallie in our members and neuer depart from vs through our Lord Sauiour Iesus Christ Amen A thanks-giuing WE lift vp our harts vnto thee O Lord GOD. For it is verie meet right and our bounden dutie that we should at all times and in all places giue thanks vnto thee O Lord holie Father the almightie euerlasting GOD through Iesus Christ our Lord according to whose most true promise the holie Ghost came downe this daie from heauen with a sudden great sound as it had beene a mightie wind in the likenes of fierie tongues lighting vpon the Apostles to teach them and lead them to all truth giuing them both the gift of diuers languages and also boldnesse with feruent zeale constantlie to preach thy Gospell vnto all nations whereby we are brought out of darknesse and errour into the cleere light and true knowledge of thee and of thy Sonne Iesus Christ Therefore with Angels and Archangels with all the blessed cōpanie of heauen we laud and magnifie thy glorious name euermore praising thee and saieng Holie holie holie Lord God of hosts heauen and earth are full of thy glorie Glorie be to thee O Lord most high So be it 12. On Trinitie Sundaie An acknowledgement of the almightie Trinitie and his vndiuided God-head essence power and maiestie The Preface WHen Iesus was baptised in the water lo the heauens opened and the spirit of God descended like a dooue and lighted vpon him and behold there came a voice from heauen saieng This is my deerlie beloued Sonne in whom I am well pleased Holie holie holie Lord God almightie Halleluiah There are three which beare record in heauen the Father the Word and the holie Ghost and these three are one Holie holie holie Lord God of Saboth Halleluiah The Praier O Most high Trinitie one onlie power and vndefiled maiestie our God God almightie the beholder and searcher of mine hart I the abiect and hindmost of all thy seruants confesse and acknowledge thee and being the least member of thy Church I woorship thee with a due sacrifice of praise for so much as I am able and can according to that which thou hast vouchsafed to endue me withall And forasmuch as I am destitute of outward gifts to offer vnto thee those vowes of praise which I haue of the gift of thy mercie behold willinglie and gladlie I offer them vnto thee which be an vnfeigned faith and a
agree vnto thee God the Father but the same also may fitlie be referred vnto the Sonne and holie Ghost We saie how thou the Father art naturallie God so is the Sonne naturallie God and the holie Ghost naturallie and yet not three Gods but one God naturallie the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost And therefore O God holie Trinitie in persons thou art inseparable in sense are they to be vnderstood though in sound you haue separable names For you receiue no plurall number in the nature For hereby it is declared how the persons in the holie Trinitie which is one verie God can not be diuided for that the name of euerie person respecteth alwaie another person If I say the Father I point vnto the Sonne if I name the Sonne I presuppose a Father if I mention the holie Spirit I must necessarilie vnderstand of whom he is the Spirit namelie of the Father and of the Sonne For this is the true faith proceeding from sound doctrine this vndoubtedlie is the catholike and right faith which God of his goodnesse hath taught me in the bosome of the mother Church The faith or beleefe of a true Christian concerning the blessed Trinitie most notablie described O My light I praise thee for inlightening mee whereby I knowe thee but how do I knowe thee I knowe thee to be God alone a liuing God a true God my Creator I knowe thee to be the maker both of heauen and earth of all things visible and inuisible a verie GOD almightie immortall inuisible vncompassable vnlimitable euerlasting to whom none can approch vnto nor comprehend nor find out who art vnchangable vnmeasurable infinite the beginning of all creatures be they visible or inuisible by whom all things were created through whom all the elements doo consist whose maiestie as it neuer had beginning so it shall neuer haue end I knowe thee to be one God alone the true God namelie the eternall Father Sonne and holie Ghost three persons indeed but one simple substance and vnparted nature the Father made of none the Sonne of the Father alone the holie Ghost of the Father and of the Sonne alwaies without either beginning or end A Trinitie yet but one onlie and verie God omnipotent the onelie beginning of all things maker of all creatures both visible and inuisible spirituall and temporall which by thine almightie power at the beginning diddest of nothing make togither both creatures spirituall corporall that is to saie Angelicall and worldlie and after the humane as a middle nature consisting of bodie and spirit I knowe and confesse thee GOD the Father to be vnbegotten thee God the Sonne to be begotten of the Father thee God the holie Ghost the comforter to be neither made nor begotten With mine hart I beleeue vnto righteousnesse and with my mouth I confesse vnto saluation this holie and single Trinitie in the three coequall consubstantiall and coeternall persons to be a Trinitie in vnitie and an vnitie in Trinitie I knowe thee Iesus Christ our Lord to be a true God the onlie begotten Sonne of God and the Creator Sauiour and Redeemer not of me onelie but also of all mankind whom I acknowledge to be begotten of the Father before all worlds God of GOD light of light verie God of verie God begotten not made being of one substance and coeternall with the Father and the holie Ghost by whom all things at the beginning were made stedfastlie beleeuing and trulie confessing that thou Iesus Christ the onelie begotten Sonne of God for our saluation by the consent of the whole Trinitie tookest flesh and wert conceiued by the holie Ghost of the virgin Marie and wert made verie man of a reasonable soule and humane flesh subsisting Thou for so much as in respect of thy God-head being the onlie begotten Sonne of God thou couldest neither suffer nor die through thine exceeding loue wherewith thou hast loued vs. Thou the verie same Sonne of God for all that becamest subiect to sufferings and mortalitie in respect of thy manhood and O onlie Sonne of God for the saluation of mankind didst suffer death vpon the wood of the Crosse to saue vs from euerlasting death Thou the author of light descendedst into hell and like a glorious conqueror rosest againe the third daie taking to thee againe thy sacred bodie which for our sinnes had lien in the sepulchre and quickening it according to the scripture the third daie that thou mightest place the same at the right hand of the Father For thou the verie Sonne of God taking againe vnto thy selfe the substance of our flesh that is to saie the soule and humane bodie which thou tookest of the glorious virgin art ascended vp aboue all the heauens and mounted aboue the orders of Angels where thou sittest at the right hand of God the Father and whereas the fountaine of life is the light which none can attaine vnto and the peace of God which passeth all vnderstanding There we doo worship thee there we doo beleeue thee to be the verie God and verie man confessing God to be thy Father and from thence wee looke that thou wilt come a Iudge in the end of the world to iudge both the quicke and the dead and to render to all men good and bad according to their deeds which they haue done in this life either reward or punishment according as euerie one is woorthie rest or torment For all men euen as manie as haue receiued soules in their humane flesh which they had in this world shall rise at that daie through the sound of thy power that whole man may receiue either the glorie of heauen or the paine of hell according to his deserts Thou art our resurrection and the life it selfe whom we looke for euen the Lord Iesus Christ our Sauiour who shail change our vile bodie that it may be fashioned like vnto his glorious bodie I knowe thee the holie Spirit both of the Father and of the Sonne to be one God and a verie GOD proceeding alike from them both of one substance and coeternall with the Father and the Sonne our comforter and aduocate which camest downe in the likenesse of a dooue vpon the same God and our Lord Iesus Christ and shewedst thy selfe vpon thine Apostles in fierie tongues which also euen from the beginning hast instructed with the gift of thy grace all the Saints and chosen of God and opened the mouthes of the Prophets that they might declare abroad the woonderfull mysteries of the kingdome of God who also togither with the Father and the Sonne of all the Saints of God art worshipped and glorified Among whom I thine handmaid doo glorifie thy name bicause thou hast inlightened me For thou art the verie light the true light the fire of God the maister of spirits which by thine ointment teachest vs all truth the Spirit of truth without which it is impossible to please God For thou thy selfe art God of God and light of light vnspeakablie proceeding
Lord God heauenlie King God the Father almightie O Lord the onlie begotten Sonne Iesu Christ O Lord God Lambe of God Sonne of the Father that takest awaie the sinnes of the world haue merrie vpon vs. Thou that takest awaie the sinnes of the world haue mercie vpon vs. Thou that takest awaie the sinnes of the world receiue our praiers Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father haue mercie vpon vs. For thou onlie art holie thou onlie art the Lord thou onlie O Christ with the holie Ghost art most high in the glorie of God the Father to whome be all kingdome power honor and glorie world without end Amen 13. On euerie Sundaie holidaie or weekedaie Of Christ his second and last comming to iudgement The Preface THE kingdome of heauen is neere at hand euen at the doores Take heed watch and praie The sonne of man shall come as a theefe in the night suddenlie and vnwares at an houre that ye knowe not Take heed watch and praie Euen Iesus which was taken vp from vs into heauen shall so come againe to gather vs vnto him as he was seene to haue gone into heauen Come Lord Iesu Behold he commeth with clowdes and euerie eie shall see him yea euen they which pierced him through and all kindreds of the earth shall vaile before him Come Lord Iesu Our God shall come and shall not keepe silence there shall go before him a consuming fire and burne vp his enimies on euerie side the hilles shall melt like waxe at the presence of the Lord a mightie tempest shall be stirred vp round about him Come Lord Iesu He commeth he commeth to iudge the earth and with righteousnesse to iudge the world and the people with equitie and truth Come Lord Iesu Therefore yet a verie little while O my soule take heed watch praie and he that shall come will come and will not tarrie Come Lord Iesu Surelie I come shortlie saith Christ and my reward is with me to giue to euerie one according as his works shall be either good or bad For I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end the first and the last Blessed are they that watch and keepe my commandements vnto the end Come Lord Iesu Euen so saith the spirit and the bride Come Lord Iesu come quicklie Amen Amen Halleluiah The praier to haue Christs sudden comming euen in our remembrance and that we may be in a readinesse against his most glorious appearing The Preface Vt supra Iesus The Praier BEholding O heauenlie Father the daie of accompts ouer all flesh to be euen now at hand namelie the last daie the daie of iudgement the great and notable daie of the Lord wherein the whole generation of mankind from the beginning of the world shall rise againe shall appeare both in bodie and soule before the presence of the most iust iudge thine eternall Sonne and our righteous God to receiue their owne doome for weale or wo for life or death for ioie or paine and that eternallie with the saincts in heauen or for euer with the diuels in hell we beseech thee most humblie O gratious God to haue mercie vpon all thine inheritance dispersed in these our euill and dangerous daies in the midst of this wicked most sinfull and vntoward generation vpon the face of the earth amongst whome we are most miserablie entangled contemned cruellie dealt withall and stirred to all abhominations O heauenlie Father we acknowledge before thee in our selues the greatnesse of our owne frailtie our corrupted lust to lewdnesse the fulnesse in our selues of our owne iniquitie and our accustomed inclination at all times to wickednesse O Father of mercies tender vs in our weakenes haue compassion vpon our infirmities pardon our sinfulnesse and grant vnto vs thine holie spirit to worke speedie mortification in vs to keepe lowe the pride of our flesh to humble our soules in thy sight to strengthen vs in righteousnesse to feare alwaies thy iudgements to thinke vpon thy wrathfull indignation and vpon the houre of the vengeance to come when thou for our wickednesse shalt turne awaie thy face from vs. Haue mercie vpon vs O Lord haue mercie vpon vs for Christ Iesus thy Sonne sake and so prepare all our harts soules and bodies to the necessitie of the time that we may haue therein good regard to our selues that our harts be not ouercharged with excesse of eating surfeting and dronkennesse or otherwise vexed with the cares of this wretched world to hinder vs and to drawe vs backe from our carefull attendance or diligent waiting for the Lords sudden comming to iudgement but that we may continuallie attend wait watch and praie for the speedie appeerance of his glorious Maiestie that when he shall at the rising againe of all flesh by the sound of the last trumpet come to iudge both the quicke and the dead we may be then in a readinesse to meet him aboue in the heauens and there to stand before his presence to behold the glorie of his most gratious countenance to see how in mercie he shall separate vs from the wicked as sheepe from the goates to set vs also on his right hand to giue the sentence of blessing vpon vs and to commend vs vnto the kingdome of thee his heauenlie Father which he himselfe hath prepared and so pretiouslie purchased with the price of his own bloud there with him with thee O Father and with the holie Ghost to liue in euerlasting ioie and felicitie Grant this O heauenlie Father euen for the onelie merits sake of that thy deere Sonne and our Sauiour Iesus Christ Amen Another meditation of the signes which shall appeare before the end of the world IT is thy saieng O Sonne of God that in the last and doting age of the world both greater and more greeuous miseries and confusions among men should bee than euer were and also for all that that thou which art the defender of thy Church in the midst of such calamities and crueltie of thine enimies wilt preserue some remnant of the faithfull that thy seruice be not vtterlie extinguished before the end of this world Wherefore being oppressed through the intollerable burden of miseries heaped therefore vpon vs bicause the sins of this withering world are most greeuous and lamentable but especiallie for that Sathan thine enimie seeth the daie of iudgement to be verie nigh at hand wherein his abhomination shall openlie be laid before all thy chosen creatures and he be cast hedlong into eternall torments which makes him extreamelie to rage against thy chosen flocke and to seeke by all meanes that possiblie he can to withdrawe vs from thee and to make vs blaspheme thy sacred Maiestie Wee as it standeth vs vpon flie vnto thee with all humblenesse of mind in these our extremities The whole frame of this world groaneth also with thine elect and earnestlie desireth to be renewed Therefore according to thy gratious admonition we call into mind the signes
enioie although heere they bee tormented prisoned burned solicited of Sathan tempted of the flesh and intangled with the world wherethrough they are inforced to crie Thy kingdome come Come Lord Iesu c. How amiable are thy tabernacles Like as the hart desireth the water brookes so longeth my soule after thee O God Now Lord let thy seruant depart in peace I desire to be dissolued and to be with Christ We moorne in our soules waiting for the deliuerance of our bodies c. Oh gratious Lord when shall I find such mercie with thee that I may repent beleeue hope and looke for these things with the full fruition of those heauenlie ioies which thou hast promised and prepared for all them that feare and loue thee and so rest with thee for euermore Amen 2. Peter 3 10 11 12. The daie of the Lord will come as a theefe in the night in the which the heauens shall passe awaie with a noise and the element shall melt with heate and the earth with the works that are therein shall be burnt vp Seeing therefore that all these things must be dissolued what manner persons ought yee to be in holie conuersation and good liues looking for the hastning vnto the comming of God by the which the heauens beeing on fire shall be dissolued and the elements shall melt with heate ¶ Other godlie Praiers to be vsed vpon euerie Saincts daie as they fall orderlie in the yeare And first 1. On Saint Andrewes daie My hart is readie O God my hart is readie prepared to séeke thée and to followe thy Lawe O let me not go wrong out of thy commandements WE thanke thee O Sonne of God head and keeper of thy Church for gathering to thy selfe out of the vncleane companie of men an holie Church which is knit to thee in true confession righteousnesse and life Manie times didst thou repeate thy promise touching the bringing of man fallen into thy fauour againe and by the continuall preaching of thy Ministers hast giuen vs the light thereof Thou didst in like manner appoint a tower and ordeine the Commonwealth of Moses in the middest of that part of the world inhabited from whence it might be heard of all mankinde At the length thou appearedst in the flesh brakest the bands of the old testament and entredst into a new couenant with vs and calledst thine holie Apostle Andrew and the rest to be the publishers and witnesses of thy truth and gauest them authoritie to preach and sufficient testimonie that they publish the truth Mainteine among vs this light that we may giue credit to thy Ministers and their writings as to a voice sounding from heauen that we may be citizens of that companie which is builded vpon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles in which building thou art the corner stone bearing the whole house by the word of thy power Grant that imitating the examples of Saint Andrew and the rest of the holie Doctors and Apostles who by thy grace readilie obeied the calling of thy Sonne Iesus Christ and followed him without delaie we also being called by thy holie word may likewise foorthwith giue ouer our selues obedientlie to followe thee and thy holie commandements Of them it it is said They went foorth and sowed their seed with teares but they shall returne with ioie Giue also to thy Church in all ages for euermore faithfull and holie teachers which may be fishers of men reteine the forme of sound doctrine dispense thy mysteries faithfullie and gather to thy kingdome great companies till the number of thine elect being filled the net shall be cast off and thy whole Church enioie thy visible and blessed sight for euermore Amen 2. On Saint Thomas daie I beléeue O Lord helpe mine vnbeléefe and increase my faith LOthsome is the darkenesse and horrible the streames of diffidence and mistrust euen in the elect as the Apostle Thomas albeit he had sensiblie heard the voice of the Sonne of God seene the miracles which bare testimonie that he taught and preached the truth yea albeit in mind inwardlie he beheld the presence of his Lord yet beleeued he not the resurrection of Christ which is the principall article of our faith neither gaue he credit to such as had seene the Lord liuing againe which doubting thou didst suffer in him for the more confirmation of the faith But confirme thou vs as thou didst confirme this thy weake disciple Thomas and grant vs so perfectlie and without all doubt to beleeue in thy Sonne Iesus Christ that our faith in thy sight neuer be reproued Strengthen our frailtie by thy liuelie presence Appeare to vs in the night that humane darkenesse doo not extinguish the light in vs. Bring thy gifts into houses shut vp into our poore cottages which are in great danger by reason of thine enimies Speake thou vnto vs with thy blessed voice outwardlie by thy word and inwardlie by thy spirit working thy peace within vs that filled with the sense of thy presence we may rest coupled through thee in the spirit vnto thine eternall Father Take vs vp being fraile and fallen downe in this life Shew vs thy woonders that in the fight of our conscience with the displeasure of thine eternall Father we may remember thy merits Laie vs miserable and weake ones in thy side and wounds that we may be hid and couered from the wrath of God and sucke from thy bodie the water which washeth all our vncleannesse and the liuelie nourishment of thy bloud which may strengthen vs into euerlasting life that we be not vnbeleeuers but in the number of the faithfull and from our hart may imitate that noble confession of this thine Apostle Saint Thomas and against all the blasphemous spirits and thine enimies acknowledge that thou art the Lord and our God euen that God which from the beginning hath beene present with his Church both externallie by his Ministers and inwardlie by the secret working of his holie spirit which may euermore defend his Church against the rage of his enimies and by a couenant with mankind knitteth the faithfull to his owne flesh Grant O Sonne of God and mightie Iehoua that firmelie we may beleeue this thy promise depend vpon thee hope of thine aid against hope begin our saluation from thy word reuealed that beleeuing in thee our Sauiour which art Christ our high Priest King we may find eternall life in thee Amen 3. On Saint Steeuens daie VVho was the first that was martyred and shed his bloud for Christ crucified They gather themselues togither against the soule of the righteous and condemne the innocent bloud O Christ our Lord and sauiour which with greefe of hart didst bewaile the ingratitude of the Iewish nation which both vnkindlie contemned thy benefits killed thy Prophets most cruellie we beseech thee make vs euermore to haue in mind and acknowledge the greatnesse of thy loue towards mankinde Thou art that naturall hen Thou begettest to thy selfe a
congregation by the egge and singular seed of thy first promise made in Paradise Thou gatherest such as beleeue and depend thereon vnder thy wings by thine intercession against the wrath of God which is a consuming fire and by thy liuelie heate thou nonrishest them powring vpon them thy spirit which is a substantiall fire flowing from the brest both of thee and thine eternall Father expelleth the coldnesse of our nature and quickneth such as are ingraffed in thee vnto a new life Thou encounterest with Kites rauening birds raging spirits and all the mortall infernall enimies for the safegard of thy poore chickens Wherefore keepe vs we humblie praie thee among thy chickens which with a woonderfull and entire affection acknowledge thy voice when thou callest which couer themselues vnder thy wings and drawe from thy brest most godlie comfort in their greefe of hart and strength against all enimies And O comfortable ghest of the soule leaue not our houses desolate cease not to fill vs by thy continuall presence with thy life and righteousnesse giue vs the true comfort of mind that before all worldlie things we may prefer the confession of thy truth euen as that reuerend old man Zacharie father of Iohn Baptist betweene the temple and the altar with his bloud as with a pretious burnt sacrifice did confesse thee to bee the Messias sent frō thine eternall Father Saue vs from bloud-shedding O Lord our Sauiour that we wrap not our selues in paines most intollerable wherwith thine enimies which haue defiled themselues with the innocent bloud of thy martyrs are oppressed And as thy glorious martyr and trustie Deacon of thy Church Steeuen when most heinous faults were laid vpon him as though he had proclaimed defiance both to God and his Church did continue constant in thy faith vsing a most excellent and effectuall forme of praier for his enimies thy persecutors conteining the summe of true doctrine sawe the heauens open and thee O Sonne of God standing on the right hand of thy Father to whom at the point of death he commended his soule so assist vs with thy grace that wee by his example may learne both to loue and praie for our enimies and that we feare not the peruerse opinions of the wicked world Be thou with vs in trouble according to thy promise open to vs the heauens shew vs thy liuelie countenance by thy good presence comfort our sorowfull minds make it knowne vnto vs that thine eternall Father is pacified through thee And finallie when our soules shall depart frō our bodies receiue them we hartilie beseech thee into thine almightie hands Giue grace that quietlie we may rest and fall asleepe till at the resurrection of mankind thou bringest thy Church and chosen to thy visible presence in the heauens where thou remainest and watching full tenderlie ouer thy flocke thou placest the same at the right hand of thy Father Amen 4. On Saint Iohn the Euangelists daie Being the Disciple whom Christ so deerlie loued and who at the resurrection of Christ was 22. yeeres old and liued in all eightie nine yeeres With the bread of life and vnderstanding shall the Lord féed him and giue him the water of wholsowe wisedome to drinke O Sonne of God full sixtie and seuen yeeres did thy beloued disciple Iohn among great miseries greeuous combats spread abroad thy Gospell in Asia the lesser where much idolatrous seruice curiositie and Greekish lightnesse was vsed He rested himselfe not onelie corporallie vpon thy bosome or shoulders being conuersant with thee in the earth and loued of thee as thy kinsman but spirituallie also drue from thy breast the spirit of wisdome replenishing his mind and hart with heauenlie light strength of faith and celestiall vertues He sawe the wofull destruction of his countrie and beheld the tragicall ouerthrowe of his nation He sawe the decaie of that Common-weale that was ordeined of God and of that temple which in all the world was the onelie temple of God He encountered with Ebion and Cerynthus most wretched heretikes which were the trumpets of Sathan to blowe abroad damnable opinions which as the first Cain by the prouocation of the diuell did contumeliously deale with the Sonne of God derided his promise And as afterward the nations by their monsterous multitude of feined gods did reiect Christ and his benefits so in a desperate boldnes did they set themselues against heauen and blasphemouslie detract from the Sonne of God his diuinitie But thanks be to thee O Sonne of God which art the substantiall image and word of the eternall Father thou hast by the doctrine and authoritie of this thy blessed Apostle Euangelist S. Iohn not onlie inlightned thy Church greatlie with the bright beames of thy heauenlie light of diuine knowledge but also by the testimonie of thy iudgement with horrible punishment cut off those blasphemers and heretikes that troubled thy Church and deliuered the truth of that article vnto vs. O preserue this light among vs henceforward that we may attaine thereby to thine euerlasting gifts and suffer vs not to bee wrapped anie more in idolatrous darknesse and superstition which is contrarie to thy glorie Mo enimies also Lord hath Sathan stirred vp to deface this thy truth and glorie euen the horrible power of the Turks which with brazen faces both blasphemouslie deale with thee and persecute thy Church confessing thy truth but suffer not O Sonne of God suffer not we beseech thee the true knowledge of thee by the power of Sathan and his ministers to be blotted out but keepe for thy selfe an holie seed among vs which against all the gates of hell may professe thee to be the eternal Sonne of the euerliuing God to whom the whole societie of Saints with one consent doth ascribe all power all knowledge all heauenlie vertues and willeth all praiers and supplications to bee directed to thee alone which art God alone Maintaine also among vs the true sense of the difference betweene humane righteousnesse and thine Grant that willinglie we may obeie thee leading vs vnto the exercises of true repentance vnto the crosse vnto troubles and vnto death where our will is truelie bound and obeieth altogither Giue grace likewise that we mooue not vnnecessarie strife through pride ambition and curiositie as did Samosatenus Arrius and manie mo but may followe thee and in our vocation both in teaching and learning and liuing may continue in the truth of doctrine that we may be found in that companie which thou louest intirelie and wilt prouide for vntill thou returne Amen 5. On the holie Innocents daie VVhich washed their garments in the bloud of the Lambe euen in their infancie by the crueltie of Herod The soules of the righteous are in the hands of God and there shall no torment touch them O Sonne of God in the time of thine humiliation euen from thy natiuitie and infancie trulie diddest thou taste the streame of mans miserie Poorlie thou wast borne naked and despised in
vnspeakable maner that thy humane nature might suffer and die Quench also in vs by thy spirit mercilesse fires of hatred and desire of reuenge which as worldlie men doo saie is sweeter than life it selfe with all the flames of pride Grant that acknowledging our filthines prostrate before thy face in true lowlinesse we may aske thine helpe being healed may perseuere in the imitating of thy perfect example Assist vs that while we liue in euerie trouble and temptation of ours we may drawe the water of comfort from thee which art the well of life and afterward enioie perfect ease and a ioifull sabboth and feastfull holidaies in the heauens at such time as thou wilt shew thy Father to thine elect where each shall behold the other face to face Amen 9. On the feast daie of the annuntiation of the blessed virgin Marie Shew vs thy mercie O Lord and grant vs thy saluation BY thy wisedome O eternall God are the times distinguished whereby we are certified of thy benefits and euerlasting blisse which after this life and destruction of the world is prepared for thine elect Now are there passed 5543 yeeres sith the creation of heauen and earth of thine Angels of all creatures By thy word thou madest man out of the slime of the earth thou breathedst on him the breth of life and inspiredst into him a soule adorned with perfect wisedome and righteousnesse Afterward thy Sonne did vtter a secret decree about the restoring of man fallen through sinne out of thy fauour into euerlasting death About the same time of the yeere was innocent Abel murdered which was a figure of the sacrifice to come whose bloud indeed crieth vnto thee Father in heauen and beggeth the forgiuenesse of sinnes to all beleeuers In the like time was Isaac carried to be offered and thou commandedst the people of Israell to keepe holie these daies in which thou wouldest haue thy benefits to bee spoken of Likewise on this solemne and ioifull daie of the Equinoctiall spring time which sithence is 1582 yeeres thy Sonne as the Angel Gabriel signified to Marie the virgin by the working of the holie Ghost coupled the humane nature to himselfe after a woonderfull and vnspeakable maner The same daie 1549 yeeres sithence thy Sonne redeemer of mankind in his weake and bloudie flesh hoong vpon the Crosse being the true Silo. And when the sunne going betweene Orion and the Pleiades leeseth his light he left his life through intollerable sorowe and torments And an old saieng it hath beene that about this time of the yeere our Lord and Sauiour Christ will returne in the clouds both to vanquish his enimies and to exalt his Church and chosen most gratiouslie vnto a new and eternall kingdome O Sonne of God stir vs vp vnto the consideration of those so excellent mysteries and worke thou so in our harts by thy grace that as we haue knowne thy holie incarnation by the message of an Angel so by thy crosse and passion we may be brought vnto the glorie of thy resurrection Through the protection and watch of thine Angel the holie families of chaste virgins and matrons remained safe and vnspotted among infinite dangers by thy spirit the truth was sealed in them that they could not be subdued by the errours of the Pharisies and Saduces Preserue likewise in this last age of the world some holie assemblies and suffer not the whole world before thy cōming againe to become blasphemers This shall be the wisedome of eternall life in which thou wilt open the causes why thou wouldest after this maner restore mankind and how God the word could couple our flesh to himselfe Assist vs that in this life we may learne the elements and in true faith be ioined through the holie spirit to thy bodie which thou tookest from the sanctified bodie of the sacred virgin And as thou cariest and liuest in the same flesh so make vs branches of the tree of life and fruitfull vine and replenish vs with like light life and glorie Be thou our Sauiour through thy merit and vertue Thine eternall Father hath placed thee in the throne of Dauid that thou maist be the head of the Church working all in all and the giuer of all good things and of the blessings promised to Dauid Thou reignest in this life by thy ministerie gathering to thy selfe an eternall Church and repressing thine enimies by thy mightie power Thou sittest exalted in light and incomprehensible glorie at the right hand of thy Father making alwaies intercession for vs vntill thou bring thy Church vnto thy selfe in glorie at the generail resurrection and shine in them visiblie and for euer O Sonne of God we are bone of thy bones and flesh of thy flesh Thou broughtest not thy flesh from heauen neither was the same borne of the substance of thy Father but truelie thou tookest thy flesh from the seed of Abraham out of the sanctified wombe of the holie and blessed virgin S. Marie This nature did the word couple to himselfe by an eternall couenant and adorneth the same with surpassing glorie which thou she wedst not in the time of thine humiliation Therefore in truth did blessed Marie beare God euen that person in which two natures that is to saie the word and flesh were vnited togither and that without anie confusion euen as the soule and bodie are coupled in vs men Wherefore we come vnto thee our Mediator God and man and respecting thy promise in a liuelie faith we beseech thee haue mercie vpon vs wash vs with thy bloud and make vs members of thy bodie and nature No man at anie time hath hated his owne flesh make vs to sticke vnto thee by the same spirit and to drawe from thee the iuice which may strengthen vs to eternall life Amen 10. On Saint Marks daie Thou hast made them princes in all lands therefore shall they remember thy name O Lord from one generation to another O Eternall omnipotent and euerliuing God Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which togither with the Sonne and the holie Ghost hast not onelie created the whole frame of this world with all things therein conteined but also appointed thy Sonne the word to be a Mediator for vs men and for our saluation we beseech thee most humblie from the bottome of our harts thou which art the good husbandman ingraffe vs in thy Sonne which is the true vine make vs branches of his bodie purge vs from the horrible corruption of our nature giue vs grace to continue in the vine that being deliuered from sinne we may bring foorth abundance of fruit to thy honour and glorie O Christ thou art the vine we are the branches through thy grace not of our owne goodnesse gratiouslie behold vs we beseech thee that euermore we may cleaue to thee For alas without thee what can we doo that good is Abide thou in vs that we may abide in thee giue vs of thy vertue let thy light shine in our
harts to the extinguishing of the fowle darknesse of our filthie flesh and quicken vs to the bringing out of that fruit which both may please thee and profit thy Church so shall we escape the vnquenchable fire into which they which depart from thee are cast and be sure to obtaine whatsoeuer we shall aske at thy mercifull hands in true faith and feare For thy Father is glorified through our willingnesse which is also his gift to obeie him Furthermore as thou hast instructed thy holie Church with the heauenlie doctrine of thine Euangelist S. Marke giue vs grace likewise that we be not like children caried awaie with euerie blast of vaine doctrine but firmelie to be established in the truth of thy holie Gospell And thou holie Ghost come thou incessantlie into our harts first to instruct our minds with thine heauenlie and eternall will and being instructed confirme vs in the feare of thy Maiestie that at no time we depart from the path of thy commandements For our continuance in the race of the commandements of God is a speciall argument that we loue God vnfeinedlie whom we see not And secondlie that we may find ioie and comfort in all our troubles crosses and persecutions whatsoeuer that in this life we may alwaies abide among the companie of the regenerate and in the other be made partakers of eternall happinesse ordeined for the elect before the beginning of the world Amen 11. On Saint Philip and Iames daie The heauens declare the glorie of God and the firmament sheweth his handie worke O Sonne of GOD whom truelie to knowe is euerlasting life and without whom no man commeth vnto the Father grant vs perfectlie to knowe thee to be as thou hast said of thy selfe the waie the truth and the life as thou hast taught Saint Philip other the Apostles Bring vs wandering trauellers into the waie of saluation shew vnto vs thy truth quicken vs by thy spirit lead vs to thy Father that by thee and thine humane flesh now exalted and glorified the light and life of thine heauenlie Father may be spred in vs. Make vs miserable exiles citizens of thine euerlasting kingdome prepare vs places mansions where we may drawe from thee which art the true vine of eternall life in the house and table of thy Father the new iuice of heauenlie comfort and may continuallie be there where thou art that trulie thine eternall Father may be glorified in vs Amen 12. On Saint Barnabas daie Praise the Lord O my soule and forget not all his benefits O Christ Sonne of GOD which art perfect charitie louing vs to the end and sufferedst vpon the altar of the Crosse a most shamefull death for our sakes to deliuer vs from death and damnation and to allure vs by that thine example vnto mutuall amitie and good-will we beseech thee inflame our cold harts with the burning affections of hartie loue And as thou hast indued thine holie Apostle Barnabas with singular gifts of the holie Ghost so let vs not be destitute of thy manifold gifts nor yet of grace to vse them alwaie to thine honour and glorie as he did Giue vs grace I saie first aboue all things to loue thee the true and onelie God with the Father and the holie Ghost with all our harts with all our soule and with all our strength that continuallie we may cleaue vnto thee with full purpose of hart as this thine holie Apostle exhorteth Raise vp secondlie a desire of brotherlie good-will towards our neighbours that we may helpe one another and as members of one bodie haue a mutuall compassion ech of other so that we may loue among our selues vnfeinedlie and abound in mutuall good-will that our harts may be vnblameable in holinesse before God Inflame our breasts that by thine example we may loue euen our verie enimies and blesse them which curse vs doo good to them which hate and hurt vs leauing reuengement alwaies vnto thee For he which loueth not his brother knoweth not God but abideth in death and dooeth vainelie boast against the truth Wherefore let not the Sunne go downe vpon our wrath but make vs quiet putting on tender mercie kindnesse humblenesse of mind meeknesse and aboue all charitie which is the bond of perfection the end of the cōmandements and fulfilling of the lawe so that by loue our faith may be fruitfull and we at no time seuered from thee For thou art loue and he that dwelleth in loue dwelleth in God and God in him so that we shall be no more seruants but friends in dooing the will of the heauenlie Father through the gratious good-will of thee his onelie begotten Sonne our Sauiour which hast chosen vs to bring foorth fruit whereby we shall so please his and thy sacred Maiestie that we shall be sure to obteine whatsoeuer we aske at his hands through faith in thy name Amen 13. On Saint Iohn Baptists daie I giue mine owne selfe the blame and take repentance in dust and ashes O Eternall Father of our Lord Iesu Christ wee yeeld thee most hartie thanks for gathering to thy selfe for and through thy Sonne an holie companie praising and celebrating thy goodnesse for euermore Also for sending from time to time teachers adorned with excellent gifts and warrants from heauen to spread foorth and publish the truth to mankinde among whome we knowe right well that the famous fore-runnner of thy Sonne euen the holie and reuerent Saint Iohn the Baptist excelled He by thy prouidence was woonderfullie borne and sent to prepare the way of thy Sonne our Sauiour by preaching repentance He was the first publisher of the new Testament the first purger of the Gospell from the grosse errours of the superstitious Pharises the spreader abroade of the articles of our faith and the imprinter of Iesus Christ the Sonne of God in the harts of men We humblie beseech thee gather from among vs an eternall Church Teach our harts by thine heauenlie spirit that vnfeignedlie we may listen to and loue the doctrine which Iohn soundeth to the world Make vs so to followe his doctrine and holie life I saie that we may trulie repent according to his preaching and after his example constantlie speake the truth boldlie rebuke vice and patientlie suffer for the truth sake as he did that being ingraffed into thy flocke we may become his disciples and bring foorth fruit woorthie repentance and behold the diuinitie which he sawe so shall we be deliuered from the wrath of God and admitted into the fellowship of eternall life Amen 14. On Saint Peters daie Their spéech is gone out into all lands and their words into the ends of the world O Lord Iesu Christ Sonne of God which art the word of the eternall Father and the Embassador sent frō the beginning vnto thy Church speake thou inwardlie to our harts thine heauenlie wisedome lighten our nature vnderstanding with thy newe light that being demanded in euerie anguish we may trulie acknowledge and confesse
health and my tongue shall sing of thy righteousnesse Thou shalt open my lips O Lord and my mouth shall shew thy praise For thou desirest no sacrifice else would I giue it thee but thou delightest not in burnt offerings The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit a broken and contrite hart O God shalt thou not despise O be fauourable and gratious to Sion build thou the walles of Hierusalem Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousnesse with the burnt offerings and oblations then shall they offer yong bullocks vpon thine altar 5. Domine exaudi Psal 102. HEare my praier O Lord and let my crieng come vnto thee Hide not thy face from me in the time of my trouble incline thine eares vnto me when I call O heare me and that right soone For my daies are consumed awaie like smoke and my bones are burnt vp as it were a firebrand My hart is smitten downe and withered like grasse so that I forget to eate my bread For the voice of my groaning my bones will scarse cleaue to my flesh I am become like a Pellicane in the wildernesse and like an Owle that is in the desert I haue watched am euen as it were a Sparowe that sitteth alone vpon the house top Mine enimies reuile me all the daie long and they that are mad vpō me are sworne togither against me For I haue eaten ashes as it were bread and mingled my drinke with weeping And that because of thine indignation and wrath for thou hast taken me vp and cast me downe My daies are gone like a shadowe and I am withered like grasse But thou O Lord shalt endure for euer and thy remembrance throughout all generations Thou shalt arise and haue mercie vpon Sion for it is time that thou haue mercie vpon hir yea the time is come And why thy seruants thinke vpon hir stones and it pitieth them to see hir in the dust The heathen shall feare thy name O Lord and all the kings of the earth thy Maiestie When the Lord shall build vp Sion and when his glorie shall appeare When he turneth him vnto the praier of the poore destitute and despiseth not their desire This shall be written for those that come after and the people which shall be borne shall praise the Lord. For he hath looked downe from his Sanctuarie out of the heauen did the Lord behold the earth That he might heare the mournings of such as bee in captiuitie and deliuer the children appointed vnto death That they may declare the name of the Lord in Sion and his woorship at Hierusalem When the people are gathered togither and the kingdomes also to serue the Lord. He brought downe my strength in my iournie and shortened my daies But I said O my God take me not awaie in the midst of mine age as for thy yeares they endure thoroughout all generations Thou Lord in the beginning hast laid the foundations of the earth and the heauens are the worke of thy hands They shall perish but thou shalt endure they shall all waxe old as doth a garment And as a vesture shalt thou change them and they shall be changed but thou art the same and thy yeares shall not faile The children of thy seruants shall continue and their seed shall stand fast in thy sight 6. De profundis Psal 130. OUt of the deepe haue I called vnto thee O Lord Lord heare my voice Oh let thine eares consider well the voice of my complaint If thou Lord wilt be extreame to marke what is done amisse oh Lord who may abide it For there is mercie with thee therefore shalt thou be feared I looked for the Lord my soule doth wait for him in his word is my trust My soule flieth vnto thee Lord before the morning watch I saie before the morning watch O Israell trust in the Lord for with the Lord there is mercie and with him is plentious redemption And he shall redeeme Israell from all his sinnes 7. Domine exaudi Psal 143. HEare my praier O Lord consider my desire hearken vnto me for thy truth and righteousnesse sake And enter not into iudgement with thy seruant for in thy sight shall no man liuing be iustified For the enimie hath persecuted my soule he hath smitten my life downe to the ground he hath laid me in the darkenesse as the men that haue beene long dead Therefore is my spirit vexed within me and my heart within me is desolate Yet doo I remember the time past I muse vpon all thy works yea I exercise my selfe in the works of thy hands I stretch foorth my hands vnto thee my soule gaspeth vnto thee as a thirstie land Heare me O Lord and that soone for my spirit wareth faint hide not thy face from me least I be like vnto them that go downe into the pit O let me heare thy louing kindnes betimes in the morning for in thee is my trust shew thou me the waie that I should walke in for I lift vp my soule vnto thee Deliuer me O Lord from mine enimies for I flee vnto thee to hide me Teach me to doo the thing that pleaseth thee for thou art my God let thy louing spirit leade me foorth into the land of righteousnesse Quicken me O Lord for thy name sake and for thy righteousnesse sake bring my soule out of trouble And of thy goodnesse slaie mine enimies and destroie all them that vexe my soule for I am thy seruant Glorie be to the Father to the Sonne and to the holie Ghost As it was in the beginning is now and euer shall be world without end Amen Heerevnto you may adde as occasion and time will serue these select and notable Psalmes of Dauid as they are at large in the Psalter that is to saie the 5 7 13 17 22 25 31 35 42 43 55 56 57 69 71 77 86 88. Other Psalmes or Praiers compiled out of holie Scriptures verie necessarie to be vsed of the afflicted soule for obteining the remission of sinnes and mitigation of miseries O Lord of lords GOD almightie great and dreadfull which by thy word hast made heauen earth the sea all things conteined in them Nothing is able to resist thy power thy mercie is ouer all thy works All things be vnder thy dominion and rule both man and beast and all liuing creatures Thou art mercifull to whome thou wilt and hast compassion on whome it pleaseth thee Thy counsell shall stand for euer and whatsoeuer thou wilt shall be done Power dominion and glorie is thine which art aboue all things and in all things and in vs all Thou art Father of mercies and God of all grace peace and comfort which wilt not the death of a sinner nor delightest in the damnation of soules O Lord God which art rich in mercie and of thine especiall loue towards vs euen when we were thine enimies didst send into the world thine onelie begotten Sonne Iesus Christ that whosoeuer beleeueth dulie in him
the worke of thine ineffable goodnesse Behold thine owne sweet Sonne how all his bodie was drawne and stretched foorth on the crosse Looke vpon all the parts of his bodie from the crowne of the head vnto the sole of the foote and no paine shall be found like vnto his paine Behold O louing Father the blessed head of thy deere Sonne crowned with sharpe thornes and the bloud running downe vpon his godlie visage Behold his tender bodie how it is scourged his naked brest is stricken and beaten his bloudie side is thrust through his heart panteth his sinewes bee stretched foorth his godlie eies dazell and leese their sight his princelie face is wanne and pale his pleasant tongue is inflamed for paine his inward parts waxe drie and starke his armes both blew wanne be stiffe his bones be plucked one from another his beautifull legs be feeble and weake and the streames of bloud issuing out of his bodie ranne downe apace vpon his feet Looke O my Father vpon the humilitie and gentlenesse of thy deere Sonne and pitie the infirmitie of thy weake handie-worke Behold O glorious Father the bodie of thy deere Sonne all to rent and torne and remember I beseech thee of how small substance I am Looke vpon the paine of him that is both God and man and release the miserie of man whome thou hast made Behold the greeuous suffering of the Redeemer and forgiue the sinne of hir that is redeemed Keepe me from all euill waies and teach me by thy holie spirit to choose the waie of truth I beseech thee O thou king of holinesse by him that is most holie by this my Redeemer Christ that thou bring me againe into the right waie that I may be vnited and made one with him in spirit which abhorred not to be vnited with me in flesh Make me to go perfectlie in thy paths and to hate all wicked waies Wash my hart from malice and clense me from my secret sinnes Clense me O holie Father with the bloud of the new testament of thy welbeloued Sonne which hath loued vs and washed vs with his bloud from our sinnes and hath redeemed vs from all iniquitie Purifie my heart by the sanctification of thy spirit and the sprinkling of the bloud of thy Sonne from all filthinesse of sinne and euill conscience O God almightie be mercifull vnto me a sinner for thy glorious name sake and remember my sinnes no longer For thou art God gratious and mercifull and patientlie dooest suffer vs and wouldest that no man should perish but y t all men should returne to penance Make me O Lord God to returne from mine euill waies and wicked thoughts Remember not the sinnes and abhominations of my youth according to thy mercie be mindfull of mee for thy goodnesse sake O Lord. Looke not vpon me with a grienous countenance for there is no man that dare speake for me Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant for if thou accuse me I shall neuer be quit For if thou O Lord marke my sinnes and iniquitie who shall not fall before thee This is certaine and sure that then in thy sight no man liuing shall be iustified seeing thou hast found iniquitie euen in thine Angels How much rather in man which is abhomination and filthinesse and dwelleth in the earthlie house of his bodie and drinketh iniquitie as it were water Who is cleane from filthinesse when all be corrupted trulie not one no though he haue liued but one daie on the earth and though his moneths may be easilie numbered Of a truth there is no mortall man which hath not done wickedlie nor there is anie righteous on earth which doth good and sinneth not Yet because mercie is in thy hand O Lord although thou be dreadfull my hope is in thee in whome my soule trusteth My soule looketh for thee because mercie and plentifull redemption is with thee For this I knowe assuredlie that thou wilt not cast me awaie for euer but although thou cast me awaie for my sinnes awhile yet thou wilt haue mercie vpon me againe according to the multitude of thy mercies For thou O Lord art full of pitie and mercie and wilt not turne thy face awaie from vs if we will returne to thee Thou art our God full of sweetnesse veritie and patience and disposest all things by mercie The fountaines of thy goodnesse be euer full and flowe ouer thy grace neuer decaieth All thy waies be mercie and truth to them that seeke out thy couenant and testimonies How gentle and louing the father is to his children so gentle and louing art thou O Lord to them that feare thee and for the aboundance of thy mercie thou dooest pardon our infirmities Thou knowest thine owne handie-worke thou remembrest what we are thou seest we are flesh and of no strength Thou hast not forgotten that this world is full of vnrighteousnesse and wickednesse and that it is wholie set and bent on euill Yea neuerthelesse thou art mercifull and full of grace and like a mercifull Lord forbearest to punish sinners when they repent themselues and returne from their sinnes Haue mercie vpon me O Lord God my sauiour for the glorie of thy name and deliuer me and forgiue me my sinnes for thy name sake O righteous Father looke not straitelie vpon the multitude of my sinnes but looke on the face of Iesus thy holie Sonne which being without sinne bare our sinnes in his bodie on the tree of the crosse Turne awaie thy face from my sinnes and put out all mine iniquities Make a cleane hart in mee O God and renew mee with a right spirit Cast me not awaie from thy presence and take not thine holie spirit from me Giue me againe the comfort of thy helpe and stablish me with thy mightie spirit Mollifie mine hart O Lord GOD that I may returne to thy paths for I haue wandered ouer long in the waie of errour Turne me to thee and I shall be turned for thou art my maker and I am the claie and worke of thine hands Turne not thy face awaie from me nor go not from thy seruant in thine anger Be mine helper and forsake me not despise me not O Lord which art my God and my health Amen Another Psalme for the remission of sinnes O Most mightie GOD of Angels and of men whose iudgements be vnsearchable whose wisedome is profound and deepe Neare the praiers of thy seruants and cast not awaie the humble suits of thy poore creature and handie worke For as long as I shall liue I will speake vnto thee and I will not hold my peace so long as the breth is in my bodie I doo turne my soule vnto thee and I set mine eies directlie vpon thee Let thine anger be turned awaie from me I beseech thee and grant that I may find grace and fauour in thy sight According to the greatnesse of thy mercie forgiue me all my sinnes Plucke me awaie from mine heinous offences and heale my soule which
pilgrimage to walke with a good conscience and pure mind both before thee and towards all men in my dooing that I be not a reader of thy holie word and a talker onlie but that it may appeare also in my life and conuersation Regenerate my hart with the spirit of grace dailie more and more giue me an inward taste and feeling of thy fauour and mercie towards me in Christ Iesu our Lord that I may knowe thee to be my God and Father and my selfe to be thy child for euermore Assist thy seruant against this world with the vaine pompe pleasures and beautie thereof that it may be vnto me as vile dust filth and slime that I may vse it as though I vsed it not and that it may serue me and I not it that I may take my part thereof vnto my necessitie with thanks-giuing that I doo not vse thy creatures voluptuouslie but that I may liue soberlie and godlie in this present life to thy glorie Preserue and defend thy seruant from all false opinions that I be not deceiued and caried awaie in the errour of the wicked but that I may growe in grace and knowledge of our Lord and sauiour Iesus Christ O Lord giue me wisedome knowledge and vnderstanding to perceiue those false lieng and flattering spirits which doo deceiue the harts of innocents and begile vnstable soules Giue me also O Lord a right a reuerent and a pure iudgement and vnderstanding of thy holie word and to auoide all rash iudgements and peruerse interpretations that I may neuer swarue from the true sense and meaning therof and grant that my cheefest felicitie may be in the same thy holie word in hearing reading and talking of it and in watching praier fasting mortifieng mine owne will and members O Lord plant in me true obedience to thy lawe and let not the cares of this world choke thy word in me Make me to lift vp my hart oftentimes to thee and if I chance to fall or slip make me to thinke on thee and to be sorie with a stedfast purpose of amendment Oh Lord I offer vp my selfe whollie with all my crooked and corrupt nature so much as it is in will and works vnto thy mercie to be corrected and reformed at thine owne will and pleasure O let not the hand of the vngodlie cast me downe but saue my soule O my Lord God whither it bee through prosperitie or aduersitie losse or gaine sickenesse or health life or death Aid strengthen succour and defend thy seruant in all aduersities tribulations and temptations and suffer me not to be tempted aboue my strength Increase my ioie and comfort in thee and thy holie spirit that I may reioice in all trouble and affliction and imbrace the same to my consolation and comfort and thinke my selfe happie when I am counted woorthie to suffer anie trouble for thy name sake Take from mine hart the thoughts of earthlie comforts onlie set before mine eies the ioie of the crosse of Christ that I may take comfort therein and despise the shame for the great reward that is laid vp in heauen for all those that with patience suffer in aduersitie and continue in well-dooing vnto the end Oh Lord take from me I saie a carefull hart in all worldlie things let them be vile vnto me for thy sake and grant that neither pouertie oppresse me and driue me to despaire or falshood neither wealth and prosperitie lift me vp to forget thee or my selfe but that in prosperitie I may be thankfull and in aduersitie patient and humble Lord let me be merie without lightnesse sad without mistrust sober without dulnesse fearing thee without desperation trusting in thee without presumption let me not be merie with the ioie that is without thee and let me desire nothing besides thee Good Lord giue me ioifulnesse of hart and peace of conscience continuall gladnesse and consolation in thy word and promises that I may euermore be thankfull vnto thee and praise thy name for euer Let thy kingdome come vnto me which is righteousnesse peace and ioie in the holie Ghost long suffering gentlenesse goodnesse faithfulnesse meekenesse temperance strength and patience with all such like vertues as are prescribed vnto me in thy holie word Grant me O God a tender louing and mercifull hart towards my brethren long amitie and perfect patience to beare all things well that thy prouidence shall see meet to laie vpon me Of thy fatherlie mercie O God leaue me not to my selfe but stand thou alwaies by me For I am too weake of mine owne power to doo anie thing that is good but my righteousnesse and strength lieth onelie in thee Therefore O Lord I come vnto thee requiring mercie in thy sight and the assistance of thy grace that I may bee strengthened with power in the inward man and be armed at all assaies with thine holie complet armour which is the breast-plate of righteousnesse the sheeld of faith the hope of saluation for an helmet and the swoord of the spirit which is thy holie word that I may stand perfect in all that is thy will and bee found woorthie through Christ to receiue a crowne of life which thou hast promised to all them that loue thee in purenesse of mind Now therefore O Lord I giue ouer my selfe into thine holie hands desiring thee for Christs sake that I thus armed may remaine vnder the protection and strong defence of thy power and that thine holie Angels may pitch their tents round about me and compasse me alwaies And I beseech thee O Lord giue vnto thy seruant the strength of thine holie spirit to subdue this bodie of sinne with the whole lusts thereof that it may bee made obedient both in will mind and members to doo thine holie will that when thou shalt appeare to reward euerie one according to their deeds I may reioice and not be ashamed of thee at thy comming Moreouer O Lord I beseech thee thinke vpon all thy people which are straied here and there from the farthest part of the earth which be entered into couenant with thee and are minded to walke after thy will Grant O Lord that we may growe togither in loue through the knowledge of thy word to keepe the vnitie of the spirit through the bond of peace to the vtter confounding of errour and all false opinions and to keepe vs cleane from all hypocrisie and superstition and to make vs strong in all trouble and affliction O heauenlie Father grant vnto me and all other I saie wheresoeuer they be dispersed throughout the vniuersall world which professe thy holie word so to liue that we may die to sinne and lead a godlie conuersation walking innocentlie before thee Rule and confirme our harts with thy spirit O Lord lighten our minds and guide vs alwaies with the lightsome lampe of thine holie Gospell Gouerne and preserue thy Church and defend those Realmes and Cities that giue succour and harbour to thy people make vs all diligent
victorie ouer all hir enimies a long prosperous and honourable life vpon earth a blessed end and life euerlasting Moreouer O Lord grant vnto hir Maiesties most honourable Counsellers and euerie other member of this thy Church of England that they we in our seuerall callings may trulie and godlie serue thee Plant in our harts true feare and honor of thy name obedience to our Prince and loue to our neighbours Increase in vs true faith and religion Replenish our minds with all goodnes and of thy great mercie keepe vs in the same till the end of our liues Giue vnto vs a godlie zeale in praier true humilitie in prosperitie perfect patience in aduersitie and continuall ioie in the holie Ghost And lastlie I commend vnto thy fatherlie protection all that thou hast giuen me as husband children and seruants Aid me O Lord that I may gouerne nourish and bring them vp in thy feare and seruice And forasmuch as in this world I must alwaies be at warre and strife not with one sort of enimies but with an infinite number not onelie with flesh and bloud but with the diuell which is the prince of darkenesse and with wicked men executors of his most damnable will grant me therefore thy grace that being armed with thy defence I may stand in this battell with an inuincible constancie against all corruption which I am compassed with on euerie side vntill such time as I hauing ended the combate which during this life I must susteine in the end I may atteine to thy heauenlie rest which is prepared for me and all thine elect through Christ our Lord and onlie sauiour Amen Another praier for mortification and holinesse O Lord our God most gratious and most mercifull I doo acknowledge before thee that I am vnwoorthie to appeare before thy high Maiestie to offer vp vnto thee a sacrifice of praier being full of sinne and corruption naturallie glad of euill and vnprofitable to good yea beeing so miserable that I see not my miserie I feele it not I bewaile it not as I ought to doo but multiplie mine iniquities prouoking thy iust iudgement against me My zeale is cold my loue feeble my exercises of religion faint and few and I take no waie but that which leadeth from euill to worsse and finallie would leade me from sinne to the reward of sinne All this is true deere Father yet my hart is not moued with feare all this true yet I doo not sorowe for it but walke with ioie where I must if I continue reape affliction Therefore be mercifull vnto me and blesse me be mercifull vnto me and in Christ Iesus wash awaie all mine iniquities be mercifull vnto me and create in me a new hart and prepare it to praier and to thy holie seruice For thou alone O Lord art my hope and the mightie God of my saluation Thou hast giuen me a desire to serue thee O teach me that I may doo it and the good worke which thou hast begun make it perfect in me that I may no more loue goodnesse and yet followe vanitie but that my good desires in thee may be increased and all of them accomplished so shall I praise thee and magnifie thee for euer For there is no honour but thy honour no glorie but thy glorie O Lord. It is in vaine to trust in princes but trulie to trust in the Lord bringeth plentifull saluation From age to age it hath appeared that thou O Lord God art mercifull and that in thy courts there is nothing but truth and holinesse This world is full of vanitie full of pride full of rebellion and the flesh also The world hath manie baits to destruction and the flesh doth delight in them they are sworne togither to betraie vs to Sathan yea we betraie our selues Therfore deere Father by the crosse of Christ mortifie in vs the deeds of the flesh and crucifie both vs to the world and the world to vs that our soules may liue In our generall calling make vs obedient to serue thee in holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of our life in our particular callings also make vs faithfull that we may neither put awaie a good conscience nor make shipwracke of faith I beleeue O Lord helpe mine vnbeleefe In the daie of peace and prosperitie make vs sober in the daie of trouble and aduersitie make vs to looke vp and cheerfullie to wait and trust in thee for our deliuerance that our enimies mouthes may be stopped by our godlie conuersation and their harts pricked with zeale to turne vnto thee Neither doo I praie O Lord for my selfe alone but for the whole bodie vnto the which I am ingraffed by Christ Iesus that is for thy Church O God for thine inheritance that thou wouldest increase it from one end of the world to another that all nations may worship before thy footstoole Especiallie O Lord I praie for them that professe thy Gospell as for this our nation that thou wouldest be mercifull vnto it turning our harts to thee for our gratious Souereigne the Queene and for all hir Counsell that thou wouldest powre thy graces vpon them to the discharge of their dutie and our peace for all the holie teachers of thy Church that thou wouldest blesse them and their labours for the peace and full beautie of this Church for the peace and wealth of the Commonwealth We praie thee also for to blesse the meanes to bring this to passe also we praie thee for our parents for all others to whom we owe especiall loue or seruice but principallie we beseech thee to shew thy compassion vpon all that are in persecution for thy Gospell O Lord increase and renew their strength giue them victorie and turne their aduersaries harts if they apperteine to thine holie election otherwise O Lord bring vpon them the cōfusion that they would bring vpon others and into the pit that they haue digged let them fall and neuer rise vp againe O Lord heare vs in these suits pardon our dull spirits in praier and giue vs these and all other graces needfull for vs and thy Church to thy glorie for our Lord Iesus Christs sake in whose name as he hath taught vs so we praie saieng Our Father c. After that you may ad anie morning or euening praier Another verie deuout praier for grace and mercie O Lord God almightie three in persons yet but one GOD who both art in all and wast before all and wilt be in all things a blessed God for euermore Now and alwaies into thine hands I doo commend both my soule my bodie my sight hearing tasting smelling and feeling with all my cogitations affections actions outward and inward things my sense and vnderstanding my memorie my faith and beleefe and perseuerance that thou maiest keepe them daie and night euerie houre and moment O sacred Trinitie heare my petition and saue mee from all euill from offending and from sinning anie maner of waie from all snares and pursuits
knowledge of thy word in me be firme constant certaine immoueable and vnchangeable that my mind wauer not nor wander to and fro neither be caried hither and thither inconstantlie with euerie blast of opinions Order my steps in thy word that in the race course of this life there be no obstacles lets or vaine strife and contention betweene flesh and bloud to burst the bonds of my vocation but let it be constant healthfull happie and prosperous to the end and helpe me therein that I may perseuere in a right course and win the goale and make me an instrument and vessell of mercie caring and ministring healthfull and good things both to my selfe and to others that I may be comforted in this thy promise which saiedst Thy labour shall not be in vaine in the Lord and all that thou dooest shall prosper But alas sinne dwelling and sticking in this our corrupt nature doth too too much trouble and hinder our steps Our vntamed lusts vncomlie affections and inordinate desires euen like furious mad men doo solicit vs vexe disquiet and torment vs and quite drawe driue and carrie our steps foorth of the true waie which thy word sheweth into the by-paths and strange waies that are most perillous dangerous pernicious and leade to destruction Yea alas such is the miserie of our corrupt nature that sinne a thing most horrible and detestable doth smile vpon vs and is become verie delightfull and pleasant vnto vs and most willinglie and gladlie we obeie and are readie to followe the flickering intisements and vaine allurements of all manner of vices Yea so great and lamentable is the weakenesse and imbecillitie of our nature thus corrupted that quicklie and easilie we suffer our selues continuallie to be more and more remooued driuen backe and distracted from the right waie that leadeth to thee Order my steps therefore in thy word O Lord I beseech thee and so rule direct gouerne helpe me that sinne neither dwell in me nor haue dominion ouer me in action nor to damnation O let not sinne reigne in mee I saie to action as it did in Dauid by forcing me to follow the sugred suggestions of Sathan the delightsome vanities of the world nor the brittle and short pleasures of the flesh nor by compelling and driuing my deeds and actions to obeie cleane contrarie to my conscience Neither let sinne reigne in me to damnation as it did in Saule by not regarding thy word by furie wrath malice and contempt of thy commandements that I be not ouerwhelmed in terrors and woonderfull great furies nor drowned in eternall damnation but helpe me that in temptations I may constantlie stand and valiantlie resist and in all dread and distresse be lifted vp and comforted with the voice of the Gospell as it is written Sinne shall not beare rule ouer you for you are not vnder the lawe but vnder grace So shall it come to passe that though this tyrant sin rob and rage neuer so cruellie yet I through faith imbracing the sweet comfort of the Gospell and beleeuing surelie that it is pardoned and the terrors of the lawe ouercome by the conquest and triumph of our mediator and Lord Iesus Christ it shall not ouercome me but I it in him through the helpe of his holie spirit power and grace which grant vnto me O Lord I beseech thee for thy holie name sake Amen Meditations after praier O Lord God heauenlie Father which to declare thy readines in hearing of sinners most mercifullie hast said that before they crie I will answer and whilest they are yet in thinking what to speake I will heare vouchsafe we beseech thee for the same thy great mercies sake fauourablie to heare our requests and gratiouslie grant all these our poore petitions which we haue asked of thee not trusting in our owne righteousnesse which we acknowledge with the Prophet to be stained and defiled but onlie in thy manifold mercies and promises And grant that at what time soeuer thy good spirit doth mooue vs to call vpon thee we may aske such things and in such sort as thou requirest to thy honor and glorie our neighbors profit and our owne soules health through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Or thus for a conclusion of the whole praiers O My good God which hast commanded all men to call vpon thee in all their troubles need and necessitie and hast promised so to heare them and deliuer them that they shall praise thee and hast promised to be prest and readie at hand to all such as feare thee and call vpon thee faithfullie and that thou wilt fulfill their desires and helpe them now I haue called vpon thee not in mine owne woorthinesse for to me belongeth nothing but wrath shame and confusion but in the name and woorthinesse of thy sweet Sonne Iesus Christ mine onlie mediator and aduocate For vnto thee belongeth mercie and forgiuenesse Oh deere God I beseech thee for his sake forgiue me all my sinnes increase my faith purge my corruption helpe mine infirmitie confirme mine hope and grant me all those things that I haue praied for and all other things that thou knowest to be most necessarie profitable and expedient for me and thy whole Church although mine infirmitie dare not and my blindnesse can not aske them so as the same may redound to thy glorie and profit of thy Church the reformation of my life and mine assured saluation and consolation in thy Sonne Iesus Christ mine onelie Lord Mediator and Sauiour in whose name I beseech thee Our Father which art c. EVENING praiers and first At the Sunne setting praie O Sunne of righteousnesse euermore arising and neuer going downe O brightnesse of perpetuall charitie euer shining and neuer darkened In this Euening now the Sunne hath run his course and is going downe and the daie being farre spent it draweth towards night I praie thee de part not thou from vs neither let the Sunne of thy grace set or cease to giue light vnto our soules but that in thee we may abide and alwaies haue daie light most cleerelie in our minds to knowe loue and praise thee perpetuallie in the vision of that light where thou the Sunne of all glorie dooest euerlastinglie shine vpon thine elect making them to shine as the Sunne before thee where the Sunne shall not go down by daie nor the Moone lie hid by night For there shall be no night neither light of the Sunne or Moone but thou O Lord our God shalt be our euerlasting light and inlighten vs with vnspeakable glorie for euer Amen Lord let not the Sunne go downe vpon our wrath but make vs to feare thee as long as the Sunne and Moone endureth Meditation THinke now of the brittle state of the world the glorie whereof like the Sunne or Moone is verie vnconstant variable and now vp now downe but the goodnesse of God onelie is permanent and endureth for euer Thinke also that as it is no gréefe for vs to sée the
protection and keepe vs and all ours this night that the diuell haue no power ouer vs. Be thou watchfull ouer vs O eternall Sauiour least the subtill tempter apprehend vs. For thou art made for vs an euerlasting protector For behold whether we sleepe or wake whether we liue or die we are thine thou art our Creator and redeemer Stand therefore on our behalfe in the watch with the armie of thy celestiall warriers thine Angels which being filled with perfect goodnesse and perpetuall integritie behold thy face alwaies in the heauens Expell from vs and our houses wicked spirits which bee our mortall enimies that they damage vs in no case and deliuer vs from persecutors which laie snares for our destruction Turne not away thy mercie and truth from vs. O God assist vs that peaceablie we may rest and sleepe in quiet We will laie vs downe in peace and sleepe For thou Lord alone makest vs to dwell in safetie without danger Hide vs in thy tabernacle O Lord that sitting in thy secret place and abiding vnder the shadowe of thy wings we may saie vnto thee Lord thou art our keeper and our refuge O God we will trust in thee and will feare no danger And although we were in extreame darknesse yet will wee not feare Though we should walke in the midst of the shadowe of death yet will we dread none euill for thou art with vs thy rod and thy staffe they doo comfort vs. Let thy mercie O God followe vs all the daies of our life that we may dwell in thy house in longnesse of daies praising thee euermore with the Sonne holie Ghost one true God reigning worlds without end Amen Another more large Euening praier with Confession O Lord God Father euerlasting and full of pitie we acknowledge and confesse that we be not woorthie to lift vp our eies to heauen much lesse to present our selues before thy Maiestie with confidence that thou wilt heare our praiers and grant our requests if we consider our owne deseruings For our consciences doo accuse vs and our sinnes beare witnesse against vs and we knowe that thou art an vpright iudge which dooest not iustifie the sinners and wicked men but punishest the faults of all such as transgresse thy commandements Yet most mercifull Father since it hath pleased thee to command vs to call on thee in all our troubles and aduersities promising euen then to helpe vs when we feele our selues as it were swallowed vp of death desperation we vtterlie renounce all worldlie confidence and flie to thy souereigne bountie as our onlie staie and refuge beseeching thee not to call to remembrance our manifold sinnes and wickednesse whereby we continuallie prouoke thy wrath and indignation against vs neither our negligence and vnkindnesse which haue neither woorthilie esteemed nor in our liues sufficientlie expressed the sweet comfort of thy Gospell reuealed vnto vs but rather to accept the obedience and death of thy Sonne who by offering vp his bodie in sacrifice once for all hath made a sufficient recompense for all our sinnes Haue mercie therefore vpon vs O Lord forgiue vs our offences Teach vs by thy holie spirit that we may rightlie way them and earnestlie repent for the same and so much the rather O Lord because that the reprobate such as thou hast forsaken can not praise thee nor call vpon thy name but the repenting hart the sorowfull mind the conscience oppressed hungering and thirsting for thy grace shall euer set forth thy praise and glorie And albeit we be but woorms dust yet thou art our Creator and we be the worke of thy hands yea thou art our Father and we thy children thou art our shepheard and we thy flocke thou art our redeemer we the people whom thou hast bought thou art our God and we thine inheritance Correct vs not therefore in thine anger O Lord neither according to our deserts punish vs but mercifullie chastise vs with a fatherlie affection that all the world may knowe that at what time soeuer a sinner doth repent him of his sins from the bottome of his hart thou wilt put awaie his wickednesse out of thy remembrance as thou hast promised by thy holie Prophet Finallie we humblie thanke thee O mercifull Father by thy deerelie beloued Sonne Iesus Christ our Sauiour for all thy benefits bestowed vpon vs from the beginning of the world to this time for our election our creation our redemption our sanctification continuall preseruation and namelie for that of thy mercie and goodnesse thou hast preserued vs this daie and all the time of our life hitherto from all misfortunes hurts and dangers bodilie ghostlie And forsomuch as it hath pleased thee to make the night for man to rest in as thou hast ordeined him the daie to trauell and that whither we sleepe or wake liue or die we are alwaies thine grant O deere Father that we may so take our bodilie rest this night that our soules and harts being kindled with the light of thy countenance may continuallie watch for the time that our Lord Iesus Christ shall appeare for our deliuerance out of this mortall life And in the meane season take thou O God care and charge of vs and all ours that we perish not in the works of darkenesse and that we not ouercome by anie fantasies dreames or other temptations may fullie set our minds vpon thee loue thee feare thee and rest in thee Furthermore that our sleepe be not excessiue or ouermuch after the insatiable desires of the flesh but onlie sufficient to content our weake nature that enioieng sweet sleepe and comfortable rest both in bodie and mind we may healthfullie and ioifullie rise againe and be the better disposed to liue in all godlie conuersation and perfect obedience of thy word to the glorie of thy holie name and profit of thy Church through Iesus Christ our Lord in whose name we furthermore make our humble petitions vnto thee not onlie for our selues but for all others whome thou wouldest we should continuallie praie for saieng as he in his holie word hath taught vs Our Father which art in heauen c. O Lord increase our faith strengthen it in thy manifold sweet promises and grant vs a perfect continuance therein to our liues end whereof we humblie make our confession saieng I beleeue in God c. Let thy mightie hand and out-stretched arme O Lord be still our defence thy mercie and louing kindnes in Iesu Christ thy deere Sonne our saluation thy true holie word our instruction thy life holie actions our imitation thy grace holie spirit our comfort consolatiō vnto the end in the end and the blessing of God almightie Father Sonne and holie Ghost be with vs and remaine with vs now euer Amen A forme of generall praier to be vsed in priuate houses and families euerie Euening O Lord prepare our harts to praier for if we praie with our lips onlie our praiers
are abhominable O teach vs therefore by thy holie spirit to praie rightlie according to thy will and giue eare gratiouslie to our calling O Gratious Lord louing Father according to thy commandement we doo heere present our selues before thy Maiestie humblie prostrating our selues before thy throne of mercie acknowledging and confessing from the bottom of our harts that we be miserable sinners dailie breaking thy commandements both in thought word and deede wherein we iustlie deserue euerlasting damnation and to be vtterlie throwne from thy presence Yet O Lord we see thy goodnesse againe towards vs who not suffering vs thus to perish in our sinnes hast sent thine owne deere Sonne Iesus Christ to take vpon him whatsoeuer is due to reconcile and make vs at one with thee againe In him therefore good Lord and through him doo we come vnto thee beseeching thee for his sake that we feeling the greeuousnesse of our sins and groaning vnder the burthen of them may feele the release and ease of them in that we be through thy holie spirit assured and stedfastlie beleeue that Christ hath borne the burthen of them euen for vs. Grant O Lord that we being assured heereof in our conscience may through thy holie spirit be renewed in the inward man to hate detest and abhorre sinne and to studie to liue acording to thy blessed will during this whole life We doo not onlie praie for our selues O Lord but also for all the whole Church especiallie such as be persecuted for thy word grant vnto them that whither it be by death or life they may glorifie thy name to their liues end Be mercifull to this Church of England and Ireland we beseech thee good Lord and preserue euerie part and member of the same especiallie thy seruant Elizabeth our gratious Queene and Gouernour Grant hir all such gifts as be needfull for so high a calling to the aduancement of thy glorie and the benefit of this Common-wealth to the establishing of a perfect gouernement of thy Church according to the prescriptrule of thy blessed word to the rooting out of all superstition idolatrie and relikes of Antichrist to the gouerning of hir subiects in all peace and tranquillitie Defend hir O Lord from all conspiracies treasons and rebellions and so worke in the harts of all hir subiects that knowing hir authoritie doth come from thy heauenlie Maiestie they may with obedient harts humblie obeie hir in thee and for thee Preserue the whole Counsell the Magistrates of the Realme that being lightened by thy holy spirit they may defend the truth suppresse wickednesse and mainteine equitie Behold all the pastors and preachers of thy word blesse their labours increase the number of them place ouer euerie Church a painefull watchman remoue all idle lubbers and confound the power of Antichrist and turne the harts of the people that they may be obedient to the truth Blesse the two Uniuersities Cambridge and Oxford and all the students of the same with all the Schooles of learning Behold all those that be afflicted with anie kinde of crosse that they may profit by thy correction in newnesse of life Lastlie for our selues heere gathered togither we render most hartie thanks to thy Maiestie O Lord which hast hitherto from our infancie preserued vs by thy mercie from all perils and dangers both of soule and bodie wherevnto fraile man is subiect that thou hast sent vnto vs all things necessarie for this present life as health food apparell and such like which manie of thy deere children doo want being notwithstanding as pretiouslie bought with the pretious bloud of thy deere Sonne as we be and yet lie in miserie and calamitie oppressed with pouertie nakednesse imprisonment and banishment in which case also deere Father thou mightest haue brought vs saue onlie that thou dealest heerein more fauourablie with vs than with them For the which thy louing kindnesse we giue thee hartie thanks desiring thee that as thou hast hitherto thus fauorablie in mercie preserued vs by thy protection and euen presentlie this daie hast brought vs past all the dangers thereof so we beseech thee good Lord in like fauour behold vs this night that we taking our naturall rest and quietnesse may through thy protection be so defended that our bodies resting our soules may be occupied in beholding thy fauour and mercie towards thy children still looking for the comming of our Lord and Sauiour Iesu Christ for our full redemption Grant that our sleepe be not immoderate according to the lusts of the flesh but as much as is sufficient to refresh our weake nature that being thus refreshed both the bodie the mind may be more able to doo their seuerall office and function in that vocation wherein thou hast placed vs. Grant that wee laieng our bodies downe to rest may be thereby put in mind of our long rest of death that as we doo laie downe our bodies in bed so we may be thereby admonished that hereafter they shall be laid down in graue to be consumed to dust earth and ashes from whence they were taken that we hauing this before our eies may be stirred vp in minde warilie to walke in this our pilgrimage not knowing when the time shall be of our departure but alwaies be found readie with our lamps of pure faith clearelie burning that we may be accepted to meet the bride groome when our mortall earthlie and corruptible bodies shall be made like to the glorious bodie of our Lord and Sauiour Christ Iesus there to reigne with him in perpetuall ioie consolation togither with all the elect children of GOD continuallie lauding with all the heauenlie multitude the glorious Maiestie of thee our Lord God and heauenlie Father in our Lord and Sauiour Iesu Christ In whose name for these thy mercies and whatsoeuer else thou knowest to be needfull for vs and thy whole Church we praie vnto thee as he himselfe hath taught vs saieng Our Father which art in heauen c. The Lord blesse vs and saue vs the Lord make his face to shine vpon vs and be mercifull vnto vs the Lord turne his fauourable countenance towards vs and grant vs his peace The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ the loue of God the Father and the most comfortable felowship of the holie Ghost be with vs preserue and keepe vs this night and euermore Amen VVhen you vncloth yourselfe and make you vnreadie to bedward praie THis our life and weake knit bodie by reason of sinne by little and little shall be dissolued and so shall be restored to the earth from whence it was taken then will be an end of this vanitie which by our foolishnes we haue wrought to our selues O most meeke Father so doo thou vntie and loose me for thou hast knit me togither that I may perceiue my selfe to be loosed and dissolued and so may remember both of whom I was made and also whither I go least I be had vnprepared vnto thy tribunali and iudgement
from the Father of lights and from his Sonne our Lord Iesu Christ with whom thou reignest and art glorified most singularlie being of one substance coequall and coeternall with them in the essence of one and the same Trinitie I knowe thee Father Sonne and holie Ghost to be one a liuing and a verie God three I confesse in persons yet but one in essence whom I acknowledge worship and glorifie with mine whole hart being the true God the onlie God holie immortall inuisible vnchangable whom no man can either attaine vnto or find out This God I acknowledge to be one light one sunne one bread one life one happinesse one beginning one end one Creator both of heauen and earth by whom all things doo liue by whom all things subsist by whom all things are gouerned ruled and quickened both the things in heauen and the things in earth things vnder the earth besides whom there is no God neither in heauen nor in earth Thus knowe I thee O blessed Trinitie my Lord God who knowest me Thus knowe I thee through the faith which thou hast inspired to me I knowe thee O my light the sight of mine eies O Lord my GOD the hope of all the ends of the earth the ioie reioicing my youth and the good susteining mine age For in thee O Lord all my bones reioice saieng O Lord who is like to thee Among the gods who is like to thee Not that whom the hands of men haue made but thou who hast made the hands of men The idols of the nations are siluer and gold euen the works of mens hands so is not he which made man All the gods of the people are idols but the Lord made the heauens Let those gods which made not the heauens and the earth perish from the earth and from vnder these heauens but let both heauen and earth praise him which created both earth and heauen Amen A zealous praier vnto the blessed Trinitie WHerefore O Lord my faith which thou hast giuen me to my saluation calleth vnto thee For the faithfull soule liueth by faith he enioieth in hope which one daie he shall behold in thee O my God vnto thee crieth my pure conscience and the sweet loue of my faith which the darkenes of ignorance being driuen away thou hast brought vnto the knowledge of the truth which also thou hast plucked from the foolish bitternes of this world and made comfortable and pleasant to me through thy sweet loue Unto thee O blessed Trinitie doth the cleere voice and sincere loue of my faith call the which nourishing the same from the cradle thou hast inlightned alwaie by the light of thy grace confirmed mightilie in me through the instructions of our mother the Church Unto thee doo I call O happie blessed glorious and single Trinitie Father Sonne and holie Ghost God Lord and Comforter loue grace and communion the begetter the begotten the renewer the verie light of the verie light the verie illumination the spring the floud and the watering of one all through one all in one all things of whome through whome and in whome are all things The liuing life the life from the liuing the quickener of such as liue One of himselfe one of one one of two A being of himselfe a being of another a being from both The Father is true the Sonne truth and the holie Ghost truth so that the Father the Word the Comforter are one essence one power one goodnes and one blessednes of whom through whome and in whome all things be blessed whatsoeuer things are blessed I beseech thee therefore that as thou hast giuen me grace by the confession of a true faith to acknowledge the glorie of the eternall Trinitie and in the power of the diuine maiestie to worship the vnitie so grant that through the stedfastnesse of this faith I may euermore be preserued comforted defended in all my troubles aduersities which liuest and reignest three persons and one God blessed for euer Amen Another deuout praier to the holie Trinitie WIth all my hart and mouth doo I confesse praise blesse thee O God the Father vnbegotten and thee O God the Sonne onlie begotten also thee O holie Ghost Comforter to thee be glorie in the world of worlds Amen O blessed Trinitie thou three coequall and coeternall persons and one verie God the Father Sonne and holie Ghost who dwellest alone in euerlastingnes and in vnapprochable light which hast founded the earth by thy mightie power and rulest the whole world by thy wisedome Holie holie holie Lord God of hoasts dreadfull strong righteous mercifull maruellous praise-woorthie to be beloued one God three persons one being power wisedome goodnes and one vnspeakable Trinitie I crie vnto thee Open me the gates of righteousnes and when I am come in I will praise thee O Lord. Behold I poore begger knocke at thy doore O souereigne housholder command the gates to be opened at my knocking according as thou hast said Knocke yee and it shall be opened For trulie O most mercifull Father the desires of my groning hart and the cries of my weeping eies doo knocke at thy doore All my desire is before thee and my groning is not hid from thee Lord turne not thy face anie more awaie from me neither fling thou awaie from thy seruant in a fume O Father of mercies heare the howling out of thy Ward and reach hir thy singular good helping hand that it may drawe me out of the deepe waters and out of the lake of miserie and out of the mire of filthines that I perish not thy pitifull eies seeing it and the bowels of thy mercie beholding it but that I may wade out vnto thee my Lord God so as I may see the riches of thy kingdome and alwaies behold thy face and sing praises to thy holie name O Lord which workest woonders which cheerest my hart with remembring thee and which inlightenest my youth despise not mine old age but make my bones to reioice and my hoarie heares to waxe fresh againe as the Eagle A Thanks-giuing WE lift vp our harts vnto thee O Lord for it is verie meet right and our bounden duties that we should at all times and in all places giue thanks to thee O God almightie and euerlasting God which art one God one Lord not one onelie person but three persons in one substance For that which we beleeue of the glorie of the Father the same we beleeue of the Sonne and of the holie Ghost without anie difference or inequalitie Therefore with Angels and Archangels and with all the companie of heauen we laud and magnifie thy glorious name euermore praising thee and saieng Holie holie holie Lord God of hoasts heauen and earth are full of thy glorie Glorie be to thee O Lord most high and in earth peace good will towards men We praise thee we blesse thee we woorship thee we glorifie thee we giue thanks to thee for thy great glorie O