beseche thee to graunt that we may knowledge truely without hipocrisie bowe miserable a state of perdition we are in by nature and how worthely we procure vnto our selues euerlastinge dampnation◠heapinge vp from time to time thy greuous punishmētes towards vs through oure wicked and synfull life to the ende that seing there remayneth no sparke of goodnes in our nature and that ther is nothing in vs as touching our first creation and that which we receaue of our parentes mete to inioye the heritage of gods kingedome we may wholy render by oure selues with all oure hartes and with an assured cōfidēce vnto thy deroly beloued son Iesu Christ our lord our only sauiour redemer to the ende that he dwelling in vs may mortefy our olde man that is to say our sinneful affectiōs and that we may be regenerated into a more godly lyfe wherby thy holy name as it is worthy of all honoure may be aduaunced and magnified through oute the world and in al places so that thou hauing the tuicion and gouernaunce ouer vs we may learne dayely more and more to humble and submyt our selues vnto thy maiestie in such sort that thou maist be counted king and gouernour ouer al guiding thy people with the scepter of thy word and by the vertue of thy holy spirite to the confusion of all thine enemies through the mighte of thy truth righteousnes so that by this meanes all power and heighte which withstandeth thy glory may be continually throwen downe and abolyshed vnto suche time as the full and perfecte face of thy kingdome shall apeare when thou shalt shewe thy selfe in iudgement whereby also we with the reste of thye creatures may render vnto thee perfecte and due obedience euen as thy holy aungells do apply them selues onely to the perfourming of thy commaundementes so that onely thy will may be fulfilled without any cōtradiction that euery man may bend him selfe to serue and please thee renouncing their owne wylles with all the affections and desires of the fleshe Graunte vs also good lorde that wee thus walking in the loue and dreade of thy holye name maye be nouryshed and susteyned through thy goodnesse that we may receue at thy handes all things expediente necessary for vs and so vse thy giftes peaceably and quietly to this ende that when wee see that thou haste care of vs wee maye the more affectuousely knowledge thee to be our father lokinge for all good giftes at thy hand and withdrawynge and pullinge back al our vaine confidence from creatures may set it wholly vpon thee and so rest onely in thy most bountiful mercy And for so moch as whiles we continue here in this transitory life we are so miserable so frayle and so much inclyned vnto synne that we fall continually and swarue from the right way of thy commaundementes we beseche the pardon vs our innumerable offences whereby we are in daunger of thy iudgemente condempnation and forgeue vs so freely that deathe and synne may hereafter haue no title against vs neither lay vnto our charge that wicked rote of sinne whiche dothe euermore remaine in vs but graunt that we may forget and forgeue the wronges whiche other do vnto vs in stede of seking vengeaunce may procure the wealthe of our ennemies And for as muche as of our selues wee are so weake that we ar not able to stād vpright one minute of an houre and again so belaid assaulted euermore with such a multitude of so daūgerous ennemies that the deuyl the world synne our own cōcupicēces do neuer leaue of to fyghte against vs Let it be thy good pleasure to strengthen vs with thy holy spirit to arme vs with thy grace that therby we may be able strongly to with stand al tēptations to endure constātly in this spiritual battaile against syn vntil such time as we shal obteine the ful victory so at length may triūphātly reioyse in thy kingdome with our captain gouernour Iesus christ our lord Amē Who can tel whether the lord wil turne againe and haue compassion vpon vs and leaue a blessinge behynde him Ioel. 2. ¶ A prayer mete for this present tyme that god woulde turne away his plagues hanging ouer vs for our sinnes OH lorde God strong and mighty great and fearfull whiche dwellest in the heauens and workest great wonders we thy myserable chyldren here vpō earth do most humbly beseche thee to be mercifull vnto vs to pardon our offences forgers vs all our sinnes O Lord enter not into iudgement with thy seruauntes for if thou do there shall no fleshe be saued in thy sight O Lord we confesse and acknowledge that it is our syns that hath caused thee to be moued vnto wrathe to shewe suche tokens of thy displeasure towardes vs in these our dayes fyrfte with fire from heauen whiche did betoken thy hotte burning indignation and wrathfull displeasure for synne whiche aboundeth at this day then with such horrible and monstruous shapes against nature as was neuer sene in our daies nor in no time before vs in this miserable countrey of oures whiche all do betoken to vs none other thinge but thye plagues to come vppon vs for our degenerate and monstrous lyfe and conuersation and our wonderfull and terryble destruction and desolation vnlesse we spedely repent and turne to thee because we haue ben so longe taught oute of thy most holy and sacred worde and yet no fruites of repentaunce or christyan life will appere Woe and alas to these our daies that neyther preachinge by worde most comfortable nor preaching by fyre most terrible nor preaching by monsters moste ougly horrible wil flyrre vp our stony hartes and awake vs from our sinnes We feare oh Lorde that the turkes with all the rest of the vnbeleuing will condempne vs in the last day whiche if they had ben so longe instructed by the comfortable preaching of thy word and sweete promises of thy gospell or seene the wonders whiche we haue seene no doubt their righteousenes woulde haue shined at this day to our greate shame and confusion Thou hast no lesse warned vs oh Lord of thy feareful displeasure heauie plagues at hande for our great wickednes then thou dyddest the Israelites of that horryble destructyon which came vpon them whō thou first in mercy diddest call to repentaunce by the preachinge of thy worde but when no warnynge wolde serue thou diddest send them monstrus and feareful signes and tokens to declare that thy visitation was not farre of But they like vnto vs at this daye dyd alwaies interprete these thinges after the imagination of their owne vaine hartes promysynge to them selues peace when destruction was ouer their heades Whiche thinges when we do call to minde for as muche as they are writtē for our learnynge exaumple and warnynge it maketh vs to tremble quake for feare of thy iust iudgementes For if thou hast thus dealt with thine owne dears chosen
CERTAYNE GODLY EXARCISES MEDITACIONS AND PRAYERS VERY necessary and profytable for all persons and for all times set forthe by certayne godly lerned men to be vsed dayly as you shal be godly disposed and shall feele nede thervnto And also the Letany dayly vsed in Churches annexed to the ende hereof Ephesians vi i. Timothe ii ¶ Praie alwaies euery where with all maner of praier and that in the spirite lifting vp pure hartes and handes with out wrath or doubtinge ¶ IMPRINTED London in Fletestrete at the sygne of the George neere to saincte Dunstons churche by VVyllyam Powell ¶ Vse often and hartye prayer to God knowing that it is no lesse necessary for your soule therby to liue and contynue in godlines then water is for the life of fishe or dew is for the growth of grasse and herbes but if you wyll haue youre praier accepted of god se that you accept his worde For accursed be they sayth Sallomon and their prayer that wyll not heare the worde of god If I behold with fauour any wyckednes saith Dauid in my hart god will not heare me for he heareth no such synners as retainethe styll the purpose to continewe it sinne as hee stoppethe not hys eares to heare the prayers of the pore penitents but often before they pray he graunteth them their hartes desire I B. ¶ Occations to meditate to stirre vp the harte to praier IN your praiers thinke vpon the remission of sinnes promysed by and for Chryste and let there be in your remembraunce some most euidente and playne sentence to inflame stirre vp the mind as this Aske and ye shal haue c. And verely verely I saye vnto you what soo euer you shall aske the father in my name he wyll geue it you c. Asking al spiritual gifts without condicion and all temporall vppon condicion As Christ did Father if it be thy wyl let this cuppe passe frō me c. God commaundeth vs to aske of him We breake his commandment in not askynge We do his cōmaundement in asking of hym He promiseth to vs our askinge He is debtour to vs tyll he fulfill our askinge We make god a liar if we mistrust to obteine our askynge He is glorified in his sonne by giuing vs our askynge He longeth to haue vs aske of him loketh for it at our handes If we therfore turne not oure eares from his lawe but call vpon him wyth a stronge Faythe he will moste gladly geue vs our askynge Because we are necligent in askinge he doth of his fatherly goodnesse by necessities and troubles dryue prouoke vs to aske of hym And because we are ignoraunt in askinge he teacheth vs by his holy spirite sent into our hartes and by the prayer that therfore is called the lordes praier how what we shulde aske of him Let vs therefore in our necessitie and troubles aske of god our father and he for his sonnes sake will geue vs our askinge whose very nature and propertie is to relieue suche as are in necessitie and in deede our necessities are as lowde cryinges in his merciful eares A meditation vpon the Lordes prayer QVr father which art in heauen We gloriousely formed vnto the Image of thy deuine maiestie created by thy gracyouse goodnesse vnto highest honour how be it by our own sinfulnes diffigured with vilenes deseruinge dampnation and yet by Christes death redemed and restored vnto grace to be Citizens with sainctes of the family of God Nowe altogether in Christian vnitie as members of one body we pray desyre and trust to obtayne of thee our heauenly father accordinge vnto thy gracious goodnes mighty power and faithefull promise vnto vs that aske aboundaunce of thy grace That thy name may be halowed That thy diuine power and glorious maiesty may be certainely knowne and reuerently honoured That the hartes of vs men by thy word and prayer maye be sanctified from all sinne and vanity so that we with al that we haue seruing thee in holinesse righteousenesse may so shine afore men vpon earth that they therby may be occasion to honoure thee our father which art in heauen Thy kyngdome come Thy worde be so fruitfully preached amongest vs thy peple that we may be throughly instructed taught to brydle our sensual apetites by natural reason and to submit our wyttes reasons vnto a good godly spirite and to trye our spirites by the true scriptures So that within vs may raigne the kingdome of God which is neither meate nor drink whiche is neither supersticious ceremonies voluptuous pleasures nor vayne glory but righteousnes peace comforte in the holy ghost by the which we now tasting of thy heauenly ioyes may be made frō henceforth wery of al worldly vanities continually loking prayinge for the apperance and comming of thy eternall and euerlasting kyngdom Thy wyll be done in earth as it is in heauen In heauen the angelles of reuerente loue do thy will and commaundement with comfortable courage ioyful pleasure In hel the wicked spirits through malice and enuye repininge and grudging do torment and vexe them selues what so euer they be doinge And vpon earth men being subiect vnto sinne do thinke it a labour and paine to be occupied in any thing that is good and godly Wherfore we pray that the grace of thy heauenly spirite maye so worke in our earthly bodies that we being delyuered from sinne and vanitie may frely delite and take pleasure to do thye wyll and commaundement being men vpon earth as thy glorious aungels do whiche be in heauen Geue vs this day our dayly breade We hauinge great nede not hable of our selues to deserue any thing beseche the of thy fatherly goodnes to geue frely vnto all vs in general So that none be hurt nor hindered seuerally this day when as we crye constrained by present nede not craftely crauing for vayn care against to morow our dayly bread our daily and necessarie foode reliefe both bodely and ghostly And especially so that the spiritual foode of Christes flesh and his bloud by dayely preachinge of the gospell and ministracion of the sacramentes maye replenishe our hartes mindes with continual remembrance of Christes deathe and his passion dayly to be vsed for necessary and spirituall consolation Forgeue vs oure trespasses as we forgeue them that trespas against vs. Geue vnto vs that feling and knowing oure owne synfulnesse do nede and desire thy mercifull forgeuenes of oure fautes trespasses which we haue committed against thee so that we frely forgeuing all other that haue offended vs in any thyng what so euer it be may be sure that mercy springyng in thee hathe proceded vnto vs and being graciousely offred of thee hath ben thankefully receaued of vs and beinge charitably vsed of vs towardes other shal most certainly be confirmed and enlarged of thee toward vs So that by free mercy sprynging and proceding from thee al fautes maye be freely forgeuen euen as those
ye shall finde knocke and it shal be opened vnto you to preuent and drawe my will to all goodnes for none can come to thee 13. Iho. 3. ◠6 except he be drawne 13. againe excepte we be borne from aboue we cannot see the kingdome of god assiste therfore and gyde me also with thy holy spirite from time to time drawe me there fore and I shall runne after thee geue me strength and ablenes through christe our lorde to accomplyshe and fulfill the same Canti 1. lorde make me to become poore in spirite vile and lowe in my owne sight that I lift not vp my self aboue my bretherne Ihon. 1. but that I esteme my selfe to be as a seruaunt to al men to do thē good after the example of christe which came not to be ministred vnto but to minister for he hathe sayde 14. Math 5. Iames. 4. 14. Blessed are the pore in spirite againe thou resistest the 14. proud but geuest grace to the humble geue mee therefore thy grace that when so euer I be ouer taken wyth any kinde of synne and wickednes eyther in thought word or dede or that I fele my owne infirmitie or weakenesse I maye immediatly with harty repentaunce 15. 2. Timo. 2 15 which is also thy gyfte returne to thee againe and not to lie stil in the security of sin Take from me my stony vnbeleuing blynd doubtfull vnfaithfull vnthankeful hart and. 16. repose in me an hart of fleshe to bowe and encline to thy wil my carnall idle secure impenitent hart take away from me geue me an hart to feare thee to loue thee to truste in thee for euer write thy lawe in my harte graue it in my mynde that I may beleue trust and liue in thee sor euere Deliuer me frō the spirite of pryde and vaine glory all hautines of minde presumption selfe loue and selfe trust that I stand not to hye in my owne conceyt but that I may be willing rather to learne then to teach Lake from me that wicked spirite of suspicion and enuy euil gelousy vaine surmisings murmuring and grudging whispering or backbiting of any especially such as be in auctority and ministers of thy word O lord kepe me from al wrath malice and hastynesse all respecte of personnes in the faith all lying euill wordes contention flatteryng dissimulation I potresy blasphemy and vaine swering by that name of god his works or creatures from all lightnes idle wordes and all vnstablenes of hart O lord deliuer thou my hart from all filthynesse both of the flesh and spirite as heresy and errours from al vncleane thoughtes and vnlaufull desires euil concupisence and lustes of the body Lake frō me also couetousnes and mordinate care of riches all deceit and guile in my callinge and office all idlenes and slouth and geue me not ouer vnto an vnshamefast and obstinate mende Make me able and contented to beare occasions with pactence whē they be offred or geuen me and not to recompence euyll for euyll neyther to swell nor to murmure nor to be solemne nor angry Good lord make me very loth to geue occasions of euil to any man if I chaunce to geue any make me willyng to cōfesse my fault to amēd it Graunt me grace that I may be wylling and fre to geue but loth to take receaue because it is more blessed to geue thē to receiue Geue me thy grace that I neuer enuye any good mans loue or womās because they do either loue god his peple more thē I or els that they be beloued of him or his more thē I. make me to reioice in other mens gyftes not to enuy them because they be better then mine but rather to geue thankes for thē with al my hart desiring that they may be incresed in thē in me Oh lord take fro me a careful hart in al worldly thinges graunt the neyther pouerty opresse me driue me to dispatre or falsehod nether riches lift me vp to forget thee or my self but that in prosperitie I may be thankefull in aduersitie pacient humble Lord make me mery without lightnes sad without mistruste sober wythoute dulnes true withoute doublenes fearing thee with out desperation trusting in the without presumption geue me also the spirite of humblenes simplicitie mekenes gentlenes goodnes faithfulues and truth Braunt me O god the bowels of mercy and louing kindnes toward my bretheren longe suffering pacience to beare al things well that thy prouidēce shal se metee to lave vpon mee regenerate my hart with the spirit of grace dayly more and more geue me an inward taste and feling of thy fauoure mercy towardes me in Christ Iesu our lorde that I may know thee to be my god and father and my selfe to be thy chylde for euer more Lorde merease this my faith in thee and in christ thy sonne my redemer encrease and confyrine my hope in thy promyses touchinge my saluation Oh god make perfecte my loue toward thee and to my reademer and iustifier geue me a trewe and vnfamed loue to al vertue godlines and to all thy chosen people where so euer they be dispersed throughout all the worlde encrease in me strength and victory against all temptations and assaultes of the fleshe the worlde and the deuill 18. 1. corin 1 that accordinge to thy promise I be neuer further proued or tempted then thou wilt geue me strēgth to ouercome Geue me grace to kepe a good cōsciēce geue me a pure hart and minde and renue a right spirite within me geue me also the true vnderstandinge of thy holy worde that I maye neuer swarue from the true sense and meaning thereof and that my chefe felicitie may be in the same in hearing reading talking watching praying fasting mortifyinge and subduinge mine owne wyll and membres O gracious lord Iesus Christ sonne of the liuing god which wast 16. crucified and raysed againe for vs 10. Act. 2. 3 20. Act. 2. 7 21. Psal 68. Ephe. 4.22 1. Timo. 2 1. Ihon. 2 which now sit test and raignest on 20. the right hande of the father that thou mayste 21. gyue giftes vnto men and art apointed to be the onely 22. mediatoure and aduocate for vs vnto god haue mercy vpon me praye for me to thy eternall father and sanctify me with thy holy ghost as thou hast promised sayinge I will not leaue you 23. comfortlesse but will sende you the spiryte of truthe whyche shall abyde with you for euer 23. Ihon. 14. Kindle my mind and hart with thy holye spirite that I maye truely beleue in thee acknowledge and call vpon thee geue thankes and obeye thee for I feele my selfe so clothed and cloyed with infirmities and synne that I know not what to do but euen to offer vp my selfe wholy wyth all my croked and corrupte nature so muche as it is in wyll and workes vnto thy mercy to
do call vpon thee 11 If then thy fatherly prouidence and tender care O lorde vpon all thy creatures be so great that the very beastes foules haue this experiēce of thy goodnes in their necessities that their roringes and criynges haue the strengthe of earnest callinges and besechinges how muche rather do these syghinges groninges and desperate heuines of men but chiefely of all those whiche beleue in thee crye call loude in thine eares though they speake neuer a word at all 12 Shulde I then nowe dispeire of thy fatherly mercy whiles presently I feele thee stirre vp my soule harte to craue helpe at thy hande Psal 77. shulde I thinke that thou wilt absent thy selfe for euer that thou wylte be noo more intreated that thy mercy is cleane gone and thy promise come vtterly to an ende and that thou wilt now shut vp thy louing kindnes in displeasure 13 Nay god forbydde for all alterations are of thy right hande and turne away to the best to them that feare thee All this is no more but myne owne infirmitie Psal 77. for god is euer one his promises be vnfallible and his loue towardes his euerlastingly duringe 14 I wyll therfore in this my present temptation and greuous assault powre out my heuines of hart before thee dere father yea I will with gronynges lifte vp my soule vnto thee from whence I assuredly knowe my helpe is comming I will also for my present comforte Psal 77. cal to remembraunce O lorde my god thy tender mercies towardes me alredy shewed the multitude of thy benefites the greatnes of the same the longe continuaunce of theim euen from my conception vntyll this instante and fynally thy continuall lust and desyre to powre them vpon me 15. And moreouer sith thy goodnes is so great O lord that thou doest not only pitty misery but also callest the heuy harted and afflicted vnto the promising that thou wilt ease their misery and for as muche as Mat. 11. by the motion of thy good spirite I loth abhorre my sines I felt the greuousenes of them and thy heauy wrath towardes me for the same and finally what nede I haue of thy gracious aide and succoure therfore Lord father in thy sonne Christes name wyth sure confidence and truste in thine infallible promise in this mine anguish and trouble I come vnto thee at thy mercyfull calling and craue comfort at thy hand For this I know wel that when I loth my sinnes thou doest vtterly forget thē whē I fele the greuous burden of them thy mercy swalloweth them vp when I fele what I wante thou wylt assuredly graunt it me For sith thou mouest my harte to desire helpe how should I mistrust but thou wilt for thy truthes sake geue me mine askinge 16. Yea where I knowe not howe or what to desire as I ought thy holy spirite graciously workinge in me maketh intercession mightely for me Rom. 8. with gronings which can not be expressed ther withal certifieth my spirite that by adoption through thy great mercy and goodnes I am become thy childe and heire 17. Why should I not then be of good cōfort ioyfull in thee my God For if thou be on my side who can be againste me Rom. 8. who diddeste not spare thine owne sonne but gauest him for me euen whē I was thine enemy how shalt thou not with him nowe that by his deathe I am broughte into thy fauoure geue me all thinges with him and for his sake who shal lay any thing to the charge of thine elects it is thou lord that iustifiest me who then shall condempne me It is Christe that hath died for me yea rather that is risen againe for me who also is set on thy right hande and hathe taken possession yea and perpetually maketh there intercession for me vntil that ioyfull day be come when I shall haue full fruition of the most glorious presence of thy diuyne maiestie in that kingedome whych thou hast prepared before the beginning of the world Ephe. 1. but in time to thy gracious goodnes thoughte beste made knowen to me by geuinge thy holy spyrite into my hart wherby when I fyrste Lorde beleued thy holy worde whych is thine own power to saue al that beleue I was sealed Rom. 1. confyrmed and stablyshed in certaynty of that thyne euerlastynge kingdome and inheritaunce For the which inestimable benefite of thy rich grace Oh Lorde my God I beseche thee euen for the loue thou barest to Christ Iesu thy sonne and the mercy thou haddeste on him when he cryed on the Crosse Mat. 27. my God my God why haste thou forsaken me helpe help I say and inflame my hart with loue so plenteously towardes thee againe that I may be euē swallowed vp in the ioyful feling of the same in such sort that I may of very thankfulnesse loue thee my God alone thee I say my deare God and nothinge but thee and for thy sake Oh holy spirite whose worke this is in me increase this thy worke of thyne infinite mercy preserue me that I neuer become vnthankfull vnto thee therefore Amen deare god Amen ¶ Remedies against synfull motions and voluptuous tēptations 1. FIrst remember that sinne is so heynous a thing that god by his iustice might worthely dampne the for the same and is therfore to be abhorred as a swete poison a flattering death destruction of thy sowle which wold cutte thee of from god thy fauiour and make thee bonde slaue to Sathan thye deadly enemie 2 Auoyde therfore euen at the first the occasions thereof and betymes quashe out the braines of the children of Babylon against the hard stones Psal 137. whiles they be yet younge weake least when they be growne elder stronger they dashe thee to peeces 3 And for remedy against the same flee vnto god who cōmaundeth thee to call vpō hym in thy troubles and promiseth to delyuer thee and will not suffer thee to be further tempted then he wil make awaye out wherby thou shalte escape 1. Cor. 10. doubte not but he that causeth thee to hate the synne whiche thy nature is to loue wyl deliuer thee also frō the daunger therof and make thee to triumphe ouer Sathan to his confusion to gods glory and to thy great comforte which are the causes that our tender louynge father sendeth tēptations vnto vs and he that is not tempted what is he 1. 〈◊〉 1 4 Nowe after thou hast obteyned the victory remembre two thinges first to geue most harty thanckes to god for his grace and assistance wherby thou haste ouercome and he not vnthanckefull in any wyse and then that he who continually goeth about lyke a roaryng lyon seekyng whom he may deuoure will not be long or farre away from the but wyll attempte agayne the same or as euyll wayes to ouercome thee Watche therfore and praye ¶ A prayer for presente helpe in temptation **
and vnderstanding Comforte my soule with thy swete promyses and let thy mercies couer my infirmities For the deathe and bloudshedynge of thy Christ O Lord consider myne infirmities which are many and helpe to heale myne imperfection delyuer me from al kyndes of euilles that I do not obey vnto them as from adultery fornication vncleannesse wantonnes ydolatry good lord deliuer mee Frō witch craft lyeng hatred varyaunce zeale wrath strife sedition good lorde delyuer mee From sectes enuiyng whyspering backebityng bringing vp of euyll tumours good lorde delyuer mee From murther drunkennes gluttony and from the spirite of euyl telosie good lorde deliuer me From enuiynge of other which loue thee thy people more then I or be beloued of thee or of thye people more than I am from swelling at other mennes giftes good lorde deliuer mee From surmisynge murmuringe lowring grudging mutteringe when wordes be not spokē to my mind good lorde for thy great mercies sake deliuer mee and geue me grace that I do at no tyme enuye any good man or womaunes loue but labour to increase it that their prosperstie in worde prayse of other may be my consolation and reioysynge O lord graunt me that I may be low in myne owne syght to submit my self to beare all occasions to wrestle wyth fleshe and bloudde and get the victory Graunt me this gyfte that I maye be swyft to heare slowe to speake slowe to wrathe that my hart do not go after any euyll and wicked imaginations Geue me grace to walke soo that I geue none euill occasions and to auoid all suspitious thinges wherby euyll occasions maye growe O Lorde assist mee with thye spirite that I may labour to mainteyne peace to increase loue and to further vertue Graunte O mercifull father that I may prosper in all vertue in long suffering gentlenes goodnes faithfulnes mekenes temperaunce strength and pacience with all suche like vertues as are cōmaunded in thy holy law for mee to walke in O lorde geue me ioye in thy holy spirite that I may reioyce in thy holy scriptures that al my whole pleasure felycitie and consolation may be in thy holy woorde night and daye in readinge thinking talkinge of the same to thy glory and my edifienge Assist thy seruaūt against this world with the vaine pompe pleasure beautie thereof that it maye be vnto me as vile dust slime fylthynes and asshes that I maye vse it as thoughe I vsed it not and that it may serue me and I not it that I may take my part therof vnto my necessitie with thankesgeuing that I do not vse thy creatures voluptuousely but that I may at al tymes liue righteously soberly and godly in this lyfe Geue me grace to walke with a good conscience bothe before thee and towardes all men in bying and sellinge and in all other my doinges to cast away allyinge craft and disceite that I be not a reader of thy holy worde and a talker onely but that it may appere also in my lyfe and conuersation O Lorde graunte vnto thy seruaunte the strengthe of thy holy spirite to subdue this bodye of synne with the whele lustes therof that it may be made obedient both in wyll minde membres to do thy will that it may be weake vile simple and of no reputation in it selfe by the way of fastinge prayer and meditation of thy lawe that I may be low harted humble minded gentle spryted and to all vertues obedient Geue me grace O lorde to brydle my mouth from al vayne and lyght communication and geue me an vnderstāding hearte with suche discretyon that neyther fylthynes nor folishe talkinge nor iestinge whiche are not comely procede out of my mouthe but rather geuing of thankes O Lord my sauiour increase my faith in thee and in thy Christe and make it stronge to beleue thy promyses O Lorde my redemer increase in me a loue to do thy wyll and to thy ryghteous people O Lorde my iustifyer increase in me a sure hope of my saluation withoute doubt or wauering in aduersitie with out pride or presumption in prosperytie so that in aduersitie I maye be pacient and geue thankes in prosperitie serue thee with reuerence and godly feare all the dayes of my lyfe Increase in me Lord al other vertues agreable to a godly lyfe for I come vnto thee my god as vnto the wel euerlasting fountaine of health and saluation O heauenly father graunt vnto mee al other wheresoeuer they be dispersed throughout the whole world which professe thy holy worde so to lyue that we may dye to sinne and leade a godly conuersatiō walking innocētly before thee Preserue and defende thy seruaunte from all false opinions that I be not deceyued and caryed awaye in errour of the wicked but that I maye growe in grace and knoweledge of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ O Lord geue me a reuerent and pure vnderstanding of thy holy word that I may therby auoyde al rashe iudgemente and peruerse interpretations O Lorde geue me wisedome knoweledge and vnderstandinge to perceyue those false lying flatteryng spirytes whiche doe deceyue the hartes of innecentes and begyle vnstable soules O Lorde make me to be content with thys woman which thou hast geuen me to be my wyfe that we maye godly lyue together accordynge to thy holy ordynaunce Geue her an hearte of vnderstanding and set thy feare alway before her eyes that she may be obedient in word dede and thought to all that is thy wil. O Lord geue vs the power of thy holy Spirite to rule gouerne and bryng vp these our children and familie in al god lye feare and knoweledge of thy holye worde and that we maye be vnto them an example in all godlynes and vertue to the prayse of thy holy name Saue my soule oh my God whether it be throughe prosperitie or aduersitie losse or gayne sickenes or health life or deathe Ayde strengthen succour and defend thy seruaunt in all aduersitye tribulation and temptaciō and suffer not him to be tempted aboue his strength Increase my ioye that I may reioyce in persecution embrace it to my cōsolacion comfort thinke my felfe happie and blessed when I am counted worthy to suffer rebuke for thy names sake Take from my hearte the care of all worldly thinges only set before my eies the ioye of the crosse of Christe that I maye take comforte therin and despyse the shame for the great rewarde that is laide vppe in heauen for all those that with pacience suffer in aduersitie continue in well doinge vnto the ende O Lorde neither lay thou presumption vnto thy seruauntes charge nor loke not vppon my vilenes whiche am but dust earth and ashes yet lorde I haue taken vpon me am bolde to come vnto thee throughe the merites of Chrystes death and bloud shedyng to lay my prayers before thee requiringe merry pardon and forgeuenesse of all my sinnes and also the assistance of thy
and if I chaunce to fall or slip make me to thincke on thee and be sory with a stedfast purpose of amendmente O Lorde I gene ouer my selfe into thy holy hande desiryng thee for Christes sake that I maye remayne vnder thy mighty protection and strong defence of thy power and that thy holy aungel may alway pitch his tent roūde about me and compasse me alwaies Good lorde geue me ioyfulnes of harte and peace of conscience continual gladnes and consolation in thy worde promises that I may euermore be thanckefull vnto thee and prayse thy name for euer O Lorde thinke vpon all thy people which are straied here and ther from the farthest part of the earthe which be entred into couenaunte with thee and are minded to walke after thy will graunt Oh lorde that we may grow together in loue throughe the knoweledge of thy worde to keepe the vnitie of the spirite through the bonde of peace to the vtter confounding of erroure and al false opinions and to kepe vs cleane from hipocrysy and superstycyon and to make vs stronge in persecution We besech thee fauourably to heare vs good Lorde and graunt our requestes Geue prayse to god I. H. ¶ A Prayer for the forgeuenes of our fynnes and auoydinge of the plague due and at hand for the same O Lorde most mighty and feareful God to all them that hate thee and followe theyr owne waies and seke not to doe thy holy wil we thy poore creatures which labour do desire to do thy wyl do se by thy righteous Iudgemēt of thy word thy fyerce wrath and terrible indignation readye to fall vpon thys realme of Englande for despising of thy Preachers and Messangers and for the vnthanckful receauing yea treading vnderfote of thy most holy word Vnworthy were we of such a iewell therfore worthely was it takē away from vs lesse worthy were wee to haue it restored to vs agayn but now least worthy of al ar we to injoy the benefite therof And now we se thy wrath is kyndled O Lorde who shall be able to quenche it For our partes we do confesse that we be worthy of al the plagues that thou haste deuised agaynste vs yet neuerthelesse we besech thee vnworthelye to be called thy chyldren looke not vpon oure desertes or worthynesse but vpon thy Chryst thy fauourable mercy which thou haddest in the olde tyme vpon thy chyldren of Israell if they repented and turned vnto thee O Lorde thou diddest preserue them kepe them from captiuitie of al other nations and dyddest euer prouide them a faythful gouernour or ruler And furthermore most merciful father although they were destroyed for their wickednes and left but a small people yet neuerthelesse when they tourned vnfaynedly to thee thou euer gauest thē the victory ouer all their enemies so that they might dwel as bretherne together peaceably in their own lande whiche thou gaueste them Thou art the same lorde and thy mercy endureth for euer And nowe O lorde we that seke to do thy wil being but a smal people do beseche the of thy great mercie for Iesus Christes sake our only Peace maker to tourne away thy great wrath and terrible indignatiō which we haue deserued in this realme of Englande shewe thy compassion vpon vs as thou dyddest vppon the children of Israell in the olde time though not for our sakes whiche haue soo wyckedly deserued thy wrath but for thy most mighty and gloryous names sake For if thou shuldest destroy vs and bringe vs vnto desolation as we haue deserued than shuld thy moste mighty name and thy holy worde be euyll spoken of through vs in al the worlde Therfore we beseche thee most mercifull father to chasten and correcte vs not as we haue deserued but accordynge to thy fauourable mercy not in thy furie but with thy fatherly pitis delyuer vs not ouer into the handes of our ennemies neyther take thy holye worde from vs O lorde thoughe of all other we do moste deserue it and haue moste vnreuerently and vnthanckefully abused the same And here we confesse vnto thee all oure iniquities the which are more in numbre thē the heares of our heades and they presse vs so downe that our hartes fayle vs and we dare scarsely presume vnto thee yet neuerthelesse through Christ which is our righteousnes hath pacified thy wrath we are bold to come vnto thee O lord being sory for our faultes euen frō our very hartes desyring thee for his death and passion sake to forgeue vs all our synnes that euer we haue committed either in thought worde or dede O lord we geue ouer oure selues into thy holy hands with al our hartes do desyre to doe what so euer thy good wyll is that wee shoulde doe besechinge thee to assist vs with the grace of thy holy spirit that we henseforth may liue accordyng to that thy most godly and blessed wyll and laboure and studye to serue thee in newenes of lyfe taking vppe thy crosse folowing thy steppes O lord Christe willingly cherefully al the days of our lyfe And furthermore O lord we beseche thee to geue vs grace to be alway thākefull both in hart in our conuersation lyuynge for al the great benefites that we haue receiued at thy hand so that we maye enioy thē to thy glory and our comforte euen as at this presente we render vnto thee moste humble thanckes fyrste for thy goodnes in the worke of our creation secōdly for that when we were fallen into euerlastinge destruction through our consentynge to the subtilte of the ennemie thou of thy great mercy through Iesus christe didst raise vs vp agayn thirdly that it hath pleased thee to suffer thy holy word the foode of our sowles to haue fre passage ones agayne amongest vs and hast geuen vs an harte and a wyl to seeke it to beleue it and to followe it in our liuing and conuersation Moreouer we render vnto thee moste harty thanckes O heauenly father for Elyzabeth oure gracious Queene and Gouernoure whom in muche mercye thou dyddest delyuer with thy myghtye arme from the handes of her ennemyes and from the lyons mouthe and we beseche thee so to worke in her harte that of a thankefulnes towards thee for this her great deliueraunce and thy syncculer blessing consideryng whose minister she is she may sincerly seke and zelously promote thy true honour and glorye buylde vppe thy house confounde thy sworne aduersaries and carefully trauell to brynge thy people committed to her charge remaynyng yet almost in al partes of this realme either in myserable blyndenes and darke ignoraunce or wylfully stubbernly kickynge against the pricke to the true knowledge of the and thy blessed word Make all that are in auctoritie vnder her vpryght faithfull in their callyng fauourers and furtherers of thy holy gospell followers practisers therof mainteyners and defenders of the Preachers and mynisters of the same and suche as in
synglenesse of heart wyll seeke not them selues but the commoditie of thy people graunt that we maye all liue as faythefull subiectes in al godly due obedience firste to the Quene as supreme head and gouernour and then to al other according to their degree and callynge Fynally we beseche thee O lorde that we maye altogether bothe highe lowe walke in a lyfe and cōuersation worthy for our profession to thy glory the good exāple of other and the stopping of the mouthes of thy ennemies and oures for thy truthes sake that where as they slāder vs as euyll doers they maye see our good workes prayse the in thee day of visitation Amen ¶ A prayer necessary to be sayde at all tymes O Bountiful Iesu O swete Sauioure O Christe the Sonne of god haue pitie vpon me mercifully here me despyse not my prayers Thou haste created me of nothynge thou haste redemed me from the bondage of synne deathe and Hell neyther with Golde nor Siluer but with thy moste precious bodye once offered vpon the crosse and thyne owne blood shed once for al for my raunsome Therfore cast me not away whom thou by thy great wisdome hast made despise me not whome thou hast redemed with suche a precious treasure Nor lette my wickednes destroye that which thy goodnes hath builded Nowe whiles I liue O Iesu haue mercy on me for if I dye oute of thy fauour it wyll be to late afterwarde to call for thy mercy Whiles I haue time to repente looke vppon me with thy mercifull eies as thou dyddest vouchsafe to looke vpon Peter thyne Apostle that I maye bewayle my synfull life and obtaine thy fauour and die therin I acknowledge that if thou shuldest deale with me according to thy Iustice I haue deserued euerlastynge deathe Therfore I appeale to thy high throne of mercy trusting to obtaine thy fauour not for my merites but for thy merites O Iesu who hast geuen thy self an acceptable sacrifics to thy father to please his wrath and to bryng al sinners truelye repenting and amendinge their euil life vnto his fauour agayne Accept me O Lorde among the number of theym that shall be saued forgeue me my synnes geue me grace to leade a godly and innocent life graunte me thy heauenlys wisedome inspire my hart with Faith Hope and Charity geue me grace to be humble in prosperitie pacient in aduersitie obedient to my rulers faithful vnto theym that truste me dealing truclye with all men to lyue chastlye in wedlocke to abhorre adulterye fornication and all vncleanes to doo good after my power vnto al menne to hurte no man that thy name mays be glorified in me duringe this present lyfe that I afterwarde maye attayne euerlastinge lyfe through thy mercye and the merites of thy greuous Passion Amen ¶ A Prayer for true mortification and quietnes of the harte in God MOste blessed Lorde Iesu graunt me thy grace that it maye be alwaye wyth mee woorke in me and perseuere with me vnto the ende and that I maye euer desire and will that is most pleasaunt and moste acceptable to thee thy will be my will and my will alway to followe thy will be there alway in me one will and one desire with thee so that I maye haue noo power to wil or not to wil but euen as thou wilt or wilt not and graunt me that I may dye to all thinges that be in the world and for thee to loue be glad to be dyspised and to be as a man vnknowen to this worlde Graunt me also aboue al that can be desired that I may reste me in thee and fully in thee may pacify my hearte for thou lorde art the very true peace of harte and the perfect reste both of body and soule and without thee all thinges be greuous and vnquiet Wherfore let my hart finde peace and comfort in that peace that is in thee on highe one blessed and one endlesse goodnes reste therin for euermore So be it ¶ A prayer to be sayd before the hearing or readynge of goddes word ALmighty God and most mercifull father whose word is a lanterne to our fete and a lighte vnto oure steppes we most humblye besech thee to illuminate our mindes that we may vnderstand the mysteries conteyned in thy holy lawe and into the selfe same thing that we godly vnderstande we maye be vertuousely transeformed so that of no parte wee offende thy dyuine maiestye through our Sauiour Iesus Christ An prayer for remission of synnes WHen we loke backe and behold our sinfull life paste O Lorde what a dūgeon of errours vice and wickednes openeth it selfe vnto vs so that ther is no mā but he must nedes be ashamed of him self when he calleth to mind what he hath bene and tremble when he considereth the wickednes and sinfull course of his lyfe to come For who shall vndertake that the rest of our lyfe shal be any better then that is past howe can we then sufficiently magnifie and prayse thy great mercy which haste differred thy punishement so longe beholdynge therfore this our daungerous miserable state we come vnto thee O thou great mighty iudge in trēblyng feare hūbly besechig thee not to heape vpon vs thy deserued vēgeaunce but let thy tender kyndnesse and loue thou bearest to Iesus christ thy dere son our gracious lorde redemer couer our iniquities for whose sake though we deserue al extremitie thou doest pardon vs. If thou lord shalt straitly marke our iniquities O lord who shal be hable to abide it Psal 130. A prayer against our spiritual ennemies the deuyll the worlde and the fleshe O Lorde god the deuyl goeth about lyke a roaryng lyon sekyng whō he may deuoure the fleshe lusteth agaynste the spirits the worlde perswadeth vnto vanities that we maye forget thee our Lorde God and so for euer be dampned Thus are we miserablye on euery syde beset and besieged of cruell and vnrestfull ennemies and lyke at euery momēt to perish if we be not defended with thy godly power agaynste theyr tyranny We therfore poore wretched synners dispayring of our owne strength which in dede is none most hartely praye thee to endue vs with strength from aboue that we may be hable through thy helpe with stronge faith to resist Sathā with feruent prayer to mortifie the lustes of the fleshe with continual meditation of thy holy lawe to auoyd the foolyshe vanities and transitorye pleasures of this wicked worlde that through thy grace beinge set at lybertie from the power of these our mortall ennemies maye lyue and serue thee in holynesse and ryghteousnesse al the dayes of our lyfe worke this in vs O holy and blessed spirite together with the Father the sonne one true and euerliuing god ful of maiestie and power whiche with thy heauenlye inspirations quickeneste the myndes of them that afore were dead in sinne makest ioyful the hartes of the faythful penitent bringest into the waye of truthe