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
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
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
not blind my senses obstinate my maners sauage but let me delight in goodnesse and followe counsell and neuer loose the bridle to my tongue nor cruellie make a praie of the poore nor violentlie oppresse the weake nor vniustlie slander the innocent nor negligentlie regard inferiours committed to my charge Finallie let mee vse neither crueltie towards my seruants nor treacherie towards my friends nor violence vpon my neighbours O my God my mercifull God euen through thy beloued Sonne I beseech thee giue me grace to exercise my selfe in the works of mercie and in godlie cogitations namelie to weepe with them that weepe to instruct such as go astraie to helpe the afflicted to cherish the poore to comfort the sorowfull to releeue the oppressed to nourish the hungrie to refresh them which mourne to forgiue my debters to pardon them which haue hurt me to loue them which hate me to render for euill good to despise none but to honor all to imitate the vertuous to shun the wicked to embrace vertue to flee sinne in aduersitie to be patient in prosperitie to be continent to set a watch before my mouth and a seale of wisedome before my lips to despise earthlie and to couet after heauenlie things Thus my maker I haue asked much and yet haue deserued naught I confesse yet alas I confesse that not onlie I deserue not those blessings which I doo require but also doo deserue manie exquisit torments notwithstanding euen publicans harlots theeues who in a moment pluckt from out the iawes of the enimie are taken into the armes of the shepheard doo embolden me to doo as I doo Wherefore haue mercie vpon me O good Lord I beseech thee and vouchsafe fauourablie to heare me and grant my requests So be it A praier called ô bone Iesu necessarie to be said at all times for mercie and grace O Bountifull Lord Iesu Christ O sweet Sauiour O Christ the sonne of God haue pitie vpon me mercifullie heare me and despise not my praiers Thou hast created me of nothing thou hast redeemed mee from the bondage of sinne death and hell neither with gold nor siluer but with thy most pretious bodie once offered vpon the crosse and thine owne bloud shed once for all for my ransome Therefore cast me not awaie whome thou by thy great wisedome hast made despise me not whome thou hast redeemed with such a pretious treasure nor let my wickednesse destroie that which thy goodnesse hath builded Now whilest I liue O Iesu haue mercie vpon me For if I die out of thy fauour it will be too late afterward to call for thy mercie Whilest I haue time to repent looke vpon me with thy mercifull eies as thou didst vouchsafe to looke vpon Peter thine Apostle that I may bewaile my sinfull life and obteine thy fauour to liue and die therein I acknowledge that if thou shouldest deale with me according to thy iustice I haue deserued euerlasting death therefore I appeale to thy high throne of mercie trusting to obteine thy fauour not for my merits but for thy merits O Iesu who hast giuen thy selfe an acceptable sacrifice to the Father to appease his wrath and to bring all sinners trulie repenting and amending their euill life into his fauour againe Accept me O Lord among the number of them whome thou hast in Christ elected and chosen to saluation forgiue my sinnes giue me grace to leade a godlie and innocent life grant me the heauenlie wisedome inspire my hart with faith hope and charitie giue me grace to be humble in prosperitie patient in aduersitie obedient to my rulers faithfull vnto them that trust me dealing trulie with all men to liue chastlie in wedlocke or in this my single life to abhorre adulterie fornication and all vncleannesse to doo good after my power vnto all men to hurt no man that thy name may be glorified in me during this present life and that I afterward may atteine euerlasting life through thy mercie and the merits of thy pretious death and passion Amen A forme of praier conteining a paraphrasis of these words of Dauid in his 119. Psalme Order my steps in thy word and so shall no wickednesse haue dominion ouer me O Eternall God Father of our Lord Iesu Christ which with thine onlie begotten Sonne and the holie Ghost art the maker preseruer and helper of all creatures Upon thee doo I call in the name of Christ the Mediator Helpe and gouerne mee with thy holie spirit that with a stedfast purpose I may constantlie cleane vnto thy word that my steps my thoughts intents purposes actions and all the course of my life may be directed made conformable to thy commandements and promises and that I may euer haue thy word before mine eies to followe it as the onlie and most infallible rule of my life and lightsome lampe to my feet Order my steps in thy word that I may feare in my hart thy great wrath and threatnings against sinne and quake and tremble at the dreadfull examples of punishments which therefore from the beginning thou hast published in the world against all the wicked and vngodlie ones that haue and doo contemne thy word and that I may acknowledge those punishments to be forewarnings of thy iudgements to come in the which this most dreadfull sentence shall be pronounced against all the vngodlie Go yee cursed into euerlasting fire Order my steps in thy word that in true feare and awe of thy Maiestie I may tame my mind bridle my lusts keepe vnder mine affections rule mine imaginations restraine my thoughts represse and stop all vicious motions shun all wickednesse and kill the life of sinne in me Order my steps in thy word that in frights and feares in terrors and temptations in all astonishments troubles afflictions distresses and dangers bodilie or ghostlie with fixed eie and firme faith I may behold looke vpon thy grace and mercie which for thy sonne our Lord Iesus Christes sake is shewed and declared vnto vs in thy Gospell and neuer seeke thy will anie where else but in thy word and surelie persuade my selfe that trulie to be thy will which in thy word and promises is reuealed and set foorth Helpe me also O God I beseech thee that in all mine agonies feares I may cheere and raise vp my selfe with the heauenlie comfort of thy word and so with a constant faith in thy mercifull promises that I find there I may repose my trust and quiet my conscience in Christ my mercifull Mediator assuring my selfe vndoubtedlie that for his sake I shall be both heard receiued helped deliuered and saued Order my steps in thy word that in all this short course of my life I may be obedient vnto thee and serue thee faithfullie and diligentlie in my vocation that I may keepe my selfe within the limits of my charge and serue thee trulie in those works which thou requirest of me in my seuerall calling Order my steps in thy word that this
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
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
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
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
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
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
and righteousnesse all the daies of our life through the same thy deere sonne our Lord Iesus Christ to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all praise honour and glorie for euer and euer Amen Glorie be to God on high Another Meditation of the maruellous incarnation of the word which is Christ by whose meanes it pleased God to helpe mankind fallen from him BEhold now O almightie God the viewer and searcher of mine hart Like as with hart I beleeue which is counted righteousnesse vnto me so with mouth doo I confesse before thee which is to my saluation after what sort and maner thou didst vouchsafe in the end of the world to succour and aid mankind Thou in deed onelie O God the Father art not read at anie time or in anie place to be sent but of thy Sonne the Apostle saith When that the time was fulfilled God sent his Sonne In that he saith he sent he doth sufficientlie declare that he being sent came into this world When as he being thy Sonne O our God and a gentle and kind louer of mankind did take vpon him to be the seed of Abraham not of Angels and so taking mans nature not Angels did vouchsafe to humble himselfe to be borne a verie perfect man of blessed Marie a pure virgin and so being made like vnto vs in all things sinne onlie excepted for he was the verie lambe without spot that tooke awaie the sinnes of the world did appeare and shew himselfe in the similitude of flesh subiect to sinne that he might condemne sinne for sinne and that wee might be made the righteousnesse in him But what is that which he that is the chiefe of the Euangelists doth saie He was in the world and the world was made by him Thither trulie was he sent by his humanitie where he alwaies is and alwaie hath beene by his diuinitie The which sending or embassage I beleeue with all my hart and confesse with my mouth to be the consent worke of all the whole Trinitie I beleeue also that his manhood being in this my nature during his infancie was trobled with creeping and scrallings and was wrapt in cloths after the maner of other children and was vexed in his youth with labours and troubles I beleeue I saie that the Godhead which was sent of them did take vpon him mine humanitie and nature to the intent he the Sonne of God being made man might cure mine infirmitie and redeeme the sinnes of sinfull man Therefore doo I blesse thy name euerlastinglie and glorifie the same with all mine hart O almightie and mercifull Lord for that vnspeakable and maruellous coniunction of Godhead and manhood together in the vnitie of a person and not after this sort that the one should be God and the other man but one and the same was both God and man man and God Neuerthelesse although by thy maruellous will the word was made flesh yet neither of both the natures was changed into other substance In the mysterie of the Trinitie there is not a fourth person added For the substance of the word of God and of man was vnited and knit togither but not confused and mixt that that thing which was taken of vs should be turned into God and that which neuer had been before that time that is his flesh and manhood should be the same that had beene euer without anie beginning that is his Godhead Oh maruellous mysterie Oh vnspeakeable fellowship Oh maruellous meeknesse of the heauenlie mercifulnesse which is euer woorthie marueling and euer to be loued We were but vile seruants and behold we are made the sonnes of God yea and heires of God togither with Christ From whence came this goodnesse And who brought vs to this state But I require thee O most mercifull Father by thine inestimable pitie goodnesse and charitie to make vs woorthie of these manie and great promises of the same thy sonne our Lord Iesu Christ Send foorth thy strength O God and establish the thing that thou hast wrought in vs make perfect that which thou hast begun that we may be able to come vnto the fulnesse and perfectnesse of thy pitie Make vs through the holie Ghost to vnderstand and through thy sonne to desire and with due honour alwaie to worship this great mysterie of thy pitie in Christ his blessed natiuitie so manifest in our flesh that as thou hast giuen vs him thine onelie begotten Sonne I meane to take our nature vpon him and this daie to be borne of a pure virgin so wee being regenerate and made thy children by adoption and grace may dailie be renewed by thy holie spirit to glorifie thee from our birth through the same thy deere Sonne our souereigne Lord and sweet Sauiour Iesus to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be immortall praise and thanks-giuing now and for euer Amen A meditation concerning the true knowledge of Christes incarnation THE knowledge of the truth is first to knowe thy selfe and to endeuour to be that which thou oughtest to be and to amend that which ought to be amended And secondlie to knowe and to loue thy maker and creator for that is the whole happines of a christian man or woman See then how vnspeakable the gratious goodnesse and entire loue of God towards vs is He hath created vs of nothing and giuen vs all that we haue but alas forasmuch as we haue loued the gift more than the giuer and the creature more than the Creator therefore we are fallen into the diuels snare and become his bondslaues Neuertheles God being moued with compassion sent his most deere and onlie Sonne to redeeme vs slaues and his holie spirit to make vs his sonnes and daughters againe He hath giuen his Sonne I saie euen his best beloued child to be the price of our ransome the holie Ghost as an assurance of his loue and to be short he reserueth himselfe whole for vs to be the heritage of our adoption And so almightie God according to his exceeding gratiousnesse and mercie hath for verie loue and good will to mankind bestowed not onlie his benefits but also himselfe vpon him to recouer him againe not so much to himselfe as to him To the intent that man might bee borne of God God I saie was first borne of them O then who is so hard-harted that he will not bee softened by the tender loue of God thus preuenting wretched man with so great hartie and vnspeakable good will in that he vouchsafed to become man for mans sake Yea who can anie more find in his hart to hate man or woman whose nature and likenesse he or she so plainelie seeth in the manhood of God Doubtles he or she that hateth from hencefoorth a man or a woman hateth God and so looseth all his or hir labour whatsoeuer taken vnder pretence of Christianitie For God as is said became man for mans sake that he might be a redeemer as well as a creator and that man might
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
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
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
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
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
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
of the physician Behold Lord how I come to thee a sinner sicke and grieuouslie wounded I aske not bread but the crums that fall from the childrens table Cast me not out of thy sight although I haue deserued to be cast into hell fire If I should looke vpon my sinne and not vpon thy mercie I should despaire For in my selfe I find nothing to saue me but a dunghill of wickednesse to condemne me If I should hope by mine owne strength and power to come out of this maze of iniquitie and wickednesse wherein I haue walked so long I should be deceiued For I am so ignorant blind weake and feeble that I can not bring my selfe out of this intangled and wayward maze but the more I seeke means waies to winde my selfe out the more I am wrapped and tangled therein So that I perceiue my striuing therein to be hinderance my trauell to be labour spent in going backe It is the hand of the Lord that can and will bring me out of the endlesse maze of death For without I be preuented by the grace of the Lord I can not aske forgiuenesse nor be repentant or sorie for them There is no man can auow that Christ is the onlie Sauiour of the world but by the holie Ghost yea as S. Paule saith no man can saie The Lord Iesus but by the holie Ghost The spirit helpeth our infirmitie and maketh continuall intercession for vs with such sorowfull gronings as can not be expressed Therefore I will first require and praie the Lord to giue me his holie spirit to teach me to auow that Christ is the Sauiour of the world and to vtter these words The Lord Iesus and finallie to helpe mine infirmities and to intercede or intreate for me For I am most certaine and sure that no creature in heauen nor earth is of power or can by anie meane helpe me but God who is omnipotent almightie beneficiall and mercifull welwilling and louing to all those that call and put their whole confidence and trust in him And therefore I will seeke none other meanes nor aduocate but Christes holie spirit who is onlie the aduocate and mediatour betweene GOD and man to helpe and releeue mee The third Chapter VVhat true faith worketh in the soule of a sinner BUt now what maketh me so bold and hardie to presume to come to the Lord with such audacitie and boldnesse being so great a sinner Trulie nothing but his owne word For he saith Come to me all ye that labour and are burdened and I shall refresh you What gentle mercifull and comfortable words are these to all sinners Were he not a frantike madde beastlie and foolish man that would runne for aide helpe or refuge to anie other creature What a most gratious comfortable and gentle saieng was this with such pleasant and sweete words to allure his verie enimies to come vnto him Is there anie worldlie Prince or Magistrate that would shew such clemencie and mercie to their disobedient rebellious subiects hauing offended them I suppose they would not with such words allure them except it were to call them whome they cannot take and punish them being taken But euen as Christ is Prince of princes and Lord of lords so his charitie and mercie exceedeth and surmounteth all others Christ saith If carnall fathers do giue good gifts to their children when they aske them how much more shall your heauenlie father being in substance all holie and most highlie good giue good gifts to all them that aske him It is no small nor little gift that I now require neither thinke I my selfe worthie to receiue such a noble gift being so ingrate vnkind and wicked a child But when I behold the benignitie liberalitie mercie and goodnesse of the Lord I am encouraged boldened and stirred to aske such a noble gift The Lord is so bountifull and liberall that he will not haue vs satisfied and contented with one gift neither to aske simple and small gifts and therefore he promiseth and bindeth himselfe by his word to giue good and beneficiall gifts to all them that aske him with true faith without which nothing can be done acceptable or pleasing to God For faith is the foundation ground of all other gifts vertues and graces and therefore I will praie and saie Lord increase my faith For this is the life euerlasting Lord that I must beleeue thee to be the true God and whom thou didst send Iesus Christ By this faith I am assured and by this assurance I feele the remission of my sins This is it that maketh me bold this is it that comforteth me this is it that quencheth all despaire I knowe O my Lord thine eies looke vpon my faith S. Paule saith We be iustified by faith in Christ and not by the deeds of the lawe For if righteousnes come by the lawe then Christ died in vaine S. Paule meaneth not here a dead humane and historicall faith gotten by humane industrie but a supernall and liuelie faith which worketh by charitie as he himselfe plainlie expresseth This dignitie of faith is no derogation to good works For out of this faith spring all good works yet we may not impute to the woorthinesse of faith or works our iustification before God but ascribe and giue the woorthinesse of it wholie to the merits of Christs passion and refer and attribute the knowledge and perceiuing thereof onlie to faith whose verie true and onlie propertie it is to take apprehend and hold fast the promises of Gods mercie the which maketh vs righteous and to cause me continuallie to hope for the same mercie and in loue to worke all maner of waies allowed in the Scripture that I may be thankfull for the same Thus I feele my selfe to come as it were in a new garment before God and now by his mercie to be taken iust and righteous which of late without his mercie was sinfull and wicked and by faith to obteine his mercie the which the vnfaithfull can not enioie And although S. Iohn extolleth charitie in his Epistle saieng that God is charitie and he that dwelleth in charitie dwelleth in God Truelie charitie maketh men liue like Angels and of the most furious vnbrideled and carnall men maketh meeke lambes Yea with how feruent a spirit ought I to call crie and praie to the Lord to make his great charitie to burne and flame my hart being stonie and euill affected that it neuer would conceiue nor regard the great inestimable charitie and loue of God in sending his onlie begotten and deere beloued sonne into this vale of miserie to suffer the most cruell and sharpe death of the crosse for my redemption Yea I neuer had this vnspeakeable and most high charitie and abundant loue of God printed and fixed in my hart duelie till it pleased God of his meere grace mercie and pittie to open mine eies making me to see and behold with the eie of liuelie faith Christ crucified to be mine
onelie Sauiour and redeemer For then I began and not before to perceiue and see mine owne ignorance and blindnesse the cause thereof was that I would not learne to knowe Christ my Sauiour and redeemer But when God of his meere goodnesse had thus opened mine eies and made me see and behold Christ the wisedome of God the light of the world with a supernaturall sight of faith all pleasures vanities honor riches wealth and aids of the world began to waxe bitter vnto me Then I knew it was no illusion of the diuell nor false ne humane doctrine I had receiued When such successe came thereof that I had in detestation and horrour that which I erst so much loued and esteemed being of God forbidden that we should loue the world or the vaine pleasures and shadowes in the same then began I to perceiue that Christ was my onlie Sauior and redeemer and the same doctrine to be all diuine holie heauenlie and infused by grace into the harts of the faithfull which neuer can be attained by hnmane doctrine wit nor reason although they should trauell and labour for the same to the end of the world Then began I to dwell in God by charitie knowing by the louing charitie of God in the remission of my sinnes that God is charitie as S. Iohn saith So that of my faith whereby I came to knowe God and whereby it pleased God euen bicause I trusted in him to iustifie me sprang this excellent charitie in my hart I thinke no lesse but manie will woonder and maruell at this my saieng that I neuer knewe Christ for my Sauiour and redeemer vntill this time For many haue this opinion saieng Who knoweth not there is a Christ Who being a Christian doth not confesse him his Sauiour And thus beleeuing their dead humane historicall faith and knowledge which they haue learned in their scholasticall bookes to be the true infused faith and knowledge of Christ which may be had as I said before with all sinne they vse to saie by their owne experience of themselues that their faith doth not iustifie them And true it is except they haue this faith the which I haue declared here before they shall neuer be iustified And yet it is not false that by faith onlie I am sure to be iustified Euen this is the cause that so manie impugne this office and dutie of true faith bicause so manie lacke the true faith And euen as the faithfull are forced to allow this true faith so the vnfaithfull can in no wise probablie intreate thereof the one feeling in himselfe that he saith the other hauing not in him for to saie I haue certeinlie no curious learning to defend this matter withall but a simple zeale and earnest loue to the truth inspired of God who promiseth to powre his spirit vpon all flesh which I haue by the grace of God whom I most humblie honour felt in my selfe to be true The fourth Chapter Of the great loue of God towards mankind and of the inward beholding of Christ crucified LEt vs therfore now I praie you by faith behold and consider the great charitie goodnesse of God in sending his sonne to suffer death for our redemption when we were his mortall enimies and after what sort and maner he sent him First it is to be considered yea to be vndoubtedlie and with a perfect faith beleeued that God sent him to vs freelie For he did giue him and sold him not A more noble and rich gift he could not haue giuen He sent not a seruant or a friend but his onlie sonne so deerelie beloued not in delights riches and honours but in crosses pouerties and slanders not as a Lord but as a seruant yea and in most vile and painefull passions to wash vs not with water but with his owne pretious bloud not from mire but from the puddle and filth of our iniquities He hath giuen him not to make vs poore but to enrich vs with his diuine vertues merits and graces yea and in him he hath giuen vs all good things and finallie himselfe and with such great charitie as can not be expressed Was it not a most high and abundant charitie of God to send Christ to shed his bloud to loose honour life and all for his enimies Euen in the time when he had done him most iniurie he first shewed his charitie to vs with such flames of loue that greater could not be shewed God in Christ hath opened vnto vs although we be weake and blind of our selues that we may behold in this miserable estate the great wisedome goodnesse and truth with all the other godlie perfections which be in Christ Therefore inwardlie to behold Christ crucified vpon the crosse is the best and godliest meditation that can be We may see also in Christ crucified the beautie of the soule better than in all the bookes of the world For who that with a liuelie faith seeth and feeleth in spirit that Christ the sonne of God is dead for the satisfieng and purifieng of the soule shall see that his soule is appointed for the verie tabernacle and mansion of the inestimable and incomprehensible maiestie and honour of God We see also in Christ crucified how vaine and foolish the world is and how that Christ being most wise despised the same We see also how blind it is because the same knoweth not Christ but persecuteth him We see also how vnkind the world is by the killing of Christ in the time he did shew it most fauour How hard and obstinate was it that would not be mollified with so manie teares such sweate and so much bloudshead of the sonne of God suffering with so great and high charitie Therefore he is now verie blind that seeth not how vaine foolish false ingrate cruell hard wicked and euill the world is We may also in Christ crucified weigh our sinnes as in a diuine ballance how greeuous and how weightie they be seeing they haue crucified Christ For they would neuer haue beene counterpaised but with the great and pretious weight of the bloud of the sonne of God And therefore God of his high goodnesse determined that his blessed sonne should rather suffer bloudshead thau our sinnes should haue condemned vs. We shall neuer knowe our owne miserie and wretchednesse but with the light of Christ crucified Then we shall see our owne crueltie when we feele his mercie our owne vnrighteousnesse and iniquitie when we see his righteousnes and holinesse Therefore to learne to knowe trulie our owne sinnes is to studie in the booke of the Crucifixe by continuall conuersation in faith and to haue perfect and plentifull charitie is to learne first by faith the charitie that is in God towards vs. We may see also in Christ vpon the Crosse how great the paines of hell and how blessed the ioies of heauen be and what a sharpe and painefull thing it shall be to them that of that sweet happie and glorious ioie Christ
of them but he hath ouerthrowne and vanquished them after such a sort that all things serue to our helth He might and could haue taken them all awaie but where then should haue beene our victorie palme and crowne For we dailie haue fights in the flesh and by the succour of grace haue continuall victories ouer sinne whereby we haue cause to glorifie God that by his sonne hath weakened our enimie the diuell and by his spirit giueth vs strength to vanquish his ofspring So doo we knowledge dailie the great triumph of our Sauiour reioice in our owne fights the which we can no wise impute to anie wisdome of this world seeing sinne to increase by it And where worldlie wisedome most gouerneth there most sinne ruleth For as the world is enimie to God so also the wisdome therof is aduerse to God and therefore Christ hath declared discouered the same for foolishnesse And although he could haue taken awaie all worldlie wisedome yet he hath left it for his greater glorie and triumph of his chosen vessels For before whereas it was our ruler against God now by Christ we are serued of it for God as of a slaue in worldlie things albeit in supernaturall things the same is not to be vnderstood And further if at anie time men would impugne and gainsaie vs with the wisedome of the world yet we haue by Christ so much supernaturall light of the truth that we make a mocke of all those that repugne the truth Christ also vpon the crosse hath triumphed ouer the world First bicause he hath discouered the same to be naught that whereas it was couered with the vaile of hypocrisie and the vesture of morall vertues Christ hath shewed that in Gods sight the righteousnesse of the world is wickednesse and he hath yeelded witnes that The works of men not regenerated by him in faith are euill and so Christ hath iudged and condemned the world for naught Further more he hath giuen to all his so much light and spirit that they knowe it and dispraise the same yea and tread it vnder their feet with all vaine honours dignities pleasures not taking the faire promises neither the offers which it doth present naie they rather make a scorne of them And as for the threatnings and force of the world they nothing feare Now therefore we may see how great the victorie and triumph of Christ is who hath deliuered all those the father gaue him from the power of the diuell cancelling vpon the crosse the writing of our debts For he hath deliuered vs from the condemnation of sinne from the bondage of the lawe from the feare of death from the danger of the world and from all euils in this life and in the other to come And he hath inriched vs made vs noble and most highlie happie after such a glorious and triumphant waie as can not with tongue be expressed and therefore we are forced to saie his triumph is maruellous It is also seene and knowne that Christ is the true Messias For he hath deliuered man from all euils and by him man hath all goodnesse so that he is the true Messias Therefore all other helpers be but vaine and counterfeited sauiours seeing that by this our Messias Christ wholie and onlie we be deliuered from all euils and by him we haue all goodnesse And that this is true it is euident and cleare bicause the verie true Christian is a Christian by Christ And the true Christian feeleth inwardlie by Christ so much goodnesse of God that euen troublous life and death be sweet vnto him and miseries happie The true Christian by Christ is disburdened from the seruitude of the lawe hauing the lawe of grace grauen by the spirit inhabiting his hart and from sinne that reigned in him from the power of the infernall spirits from damnation and from euerie euill and is made a sonne of God a brother of Christ heire of heauen and Lord of the world so that in Christ and by Christ he possesseth all good things But let vs knowe that Christ yet fighteth in spirit in his elect vessels and shall fight euen to the daie of iudgment at which day shall that great enimie death be wholie destroied and shall be no more Then shall the children of God reioice on him saieng O death where is thy victorie and sting There shall be then no more trouble nor sinne naie rather none euill but heauen for the good and hell for the wicked Then shall wholie be discouered the victorie triumph of Christ who after Paule shall present vnto his father the kingdome together with his chosen saued by him It was no little fauour towards his children that Christ was chosen of God to saue vs his elect so highlie by the waie of the crosse Paule calleth it a grace and a most singular grace We may well thinke that he hauing beene to the world so valiant a captaine of God was full of light grace vertue and spirit therefore he might iustlie saie Consummatum est Wee seeing then that the triumph and victorie of our captaine Christ is so maruellous glorious and noble to the which war we be appointed let vs force our selues to folowe him with bearing our crosse that we may haue felowship with him in his kingdome The sixt Chapter That we ought to submit our selues to the schoole of the Crosse and still looke and learne in the booke of the Crucifix TRulie it may be most iustlie verified that to behold Christ crucified in spirit is the best meditation that can be I certeinlie neuer knew mine owne miseries and wretchednes so well by booke admonition or learning as I haue done by looking into the spirituall booke of the Crucifix I lament much I haue passed so manie yeeres not regarding that diuine booke but I iudged thought my selfe to be well instructed in the same wheras now I am of this opinion that if God would suffer me to liue here a thousand yeeres and should studie continuallie in the same diuine booke I should not be filled with the contemplation thereof Neither hold I my selfe contented but alwaies haue a great desire to learne and studie more therein I neuer knewe mine owne wickednes neither lamented for my sinnes trulie vntill the time God inspired me with his grace that I looked in this booke then I began to see perfectlie that mine owne power and strength could not helpe me and that I was in the Lords hand euen as the claie is in the potters hand then I began to crie and saie Alas Lord that euer I haue so wickedlie offended thee being to me from the beginning so gratious and so good a father and most speciallie now hast declared and shewed thy goodnesse vnto me when in the time I haue done thee most iniurie to call me and also to make me knowe take thee for my Sauior and redeemer Such be the wonderfull works of God to call sinners to repentance to make
them to take Christ his welbeloued sonne for their Sauior this is the gift of God of all Christians to be required and desired For except this great benefit of Christ crucified be felt and fixed surelie in mans hart there can be no good worke done acceptable before God For in Christ is all fulnesse of the Godhead and in him are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge Euen he is the water of life whereof whosoeuer shall drinke he shall neuer more thirst but it shall be in him a well of water springing vp into euerlasting life S. Paule saith There is no damnation to them that are in Christ which walke not after the flesh but after the spirit Moreouer he saith If when we were enimies we were reconciled to God by the death of his son much more seeing we are reconciled we shall be preserued by his death It is no little or small benefit we haue receiued by Christ if we consider what he hath done for vs as I haue perfectlie declared heretofore Wherefore I praie the Lord that this great benefit of Christ crucified may be stedfastlie fixed printed in all Christians harts that they may be true louers of God and worke as children for loue and not as seruants compelled with threatenings or prouoked with hire The sincere and pure louers of God doo embrace Christ with such feruencie of spirit that they reioice in hope be bold in danger suffer in aduersitie continue in praier blesse their persecutors Further they be not wise in their owne opinion neither high minded in their prosperitie neither abashed in their aduersitie but humble and gentle alwaies to all men For they knowe by their faith they are members all of one bodie and that they haue possessed all one God one faith one baptisme one ioie and one saluation If these pure and sincere louers of God were thicke sowne there should not be so much contention and strife growing on the fields of our religion as there is Well I shall praie to the Lord to take all contention and strife awaie and that the sowers of sedition may haue mind to cease their labour or to sowe it among the stones and to haue grace to sowe gratious vertues where they may both take roote and bring foorth fruit with sending also a godlie vnitie and concord amongst all Christians that we may serue the Lord in true holinesse of life The seuenth Chapter A Christian bewailing of the miserable ignorance and blindnesse of men THe example of good liuing is required of all Christians but speciallie in the Ecclesiasticall pastors and shepheards For they be called in scripture Workemen with God Disbursers of Gods secrets The light of the world The salt of the earth at whose hands all other should take comfort in working knowledge of Gods will and sight to become children of light and taste of seasonable wisdome They haue or should haue the holie spirit abundantlie to pronounce and set foorth the word of God in veritie and truth If ignorance and blindnesse reigne amongst vs they should with the truth of Gods word instruct and set vs in the truth and direct vs in the waie of the Lord. But thanks be giuen vnto the Lord that hath now sent vs such a godlie and learned King in these latter daies to reigne ouer vs that with the vertue force of Gods word hath taken awaie the vailes and mists of errours and brought vs to the knowledge of the truth by the light of Gods word which was so long hid and kept vnder that the people were nigh famished and hungred for lacke of spirituall food Such was the charitie of the spirituall curats and shepheards But our Moses and most godlie wise Gouernour and King hath deliuered vs out of the captiuitie and bondage of Pharao I meane by this Moses King Henrie the eight my most souereigne fauourable Lord and husband one if Moses had figured anie mo than Christ through the excellent grace of God meete to be an other expressed veritie of Moses conquest ouer Pharao And I meane by this Pharao the bishop of Rome who hath beene and is a greater persecutor of all true Christians than euer was Pharao of the children of Israel For he is a persecutor of the Gospell and grace a setter foorth of all superstition and counterfeit holinesse bringing manie soules to hell with his alchimie and counterfeit monie deceiuing the poore soules vnder the pretence of holinesse but so much the greater shall be his damnation bicause he deceiueth and robbeth vnder Christs mantell The Lord keepe and defend all men from his iuglings and sleits but speciallie the poore simple and vnlearned soules And this lesson I would all men had of him that when they begin to mislike his dooing then onlie begin they to like God and certeinlie not before As for the spirituall pastors and shepherds I thinke they will cleaue and sticke to the word of God euen to the death to vanquish all Gods enimies if neede shall require all respects of honour dignitie riches welth and their priuate commodities laid apart following also the examples of Christ and his chosen Apostles in preaching and teaching sincere and holesome doctrine and such things as make for peace with godly lessons wherewith they may edifie others that euerie man may walke after his vocation in holinesse of life in vnitie and concord which vnitie is to be desired of all true Christians It is much to be lamented the schismes varieties contentions and disputations that haue beene and are in the world about Christian religion no agreement nor concord of the same among the learned men Trulie the diuell hath beene the sower of the seede of sedition and shall be the mainteiner of it euen till Gods will be fulfilled There is no war so cruell and euill as this For the war with sword killeth but the bodies and this slaieth manie soules For the poore vnlearned persons remaine confused and almost euerie one beleeueth and worketh after his owne waie and yet there is but one truth of Gods word by the which we shall be saued Happie be they that receiue it and most vnhappie are they which neglect and persecute the same For it shall be more easie for Sodom and Gomor at the daie of iudgement than for them And not without iust cause if we consider the beneuolence goodnesse and mercie of God who hath declared his charitie towards vs greater and more inestimable than euer he did to the Hebrues For they liued vnder shadowes and figures and were bound to the lawe And Christ we being his greatest enimies hath deliuered vs from the bondage of the lawe and hath fulfilled all that was figured in their lawe and also in their prophesies sheading his owne pretious bloud to make vs the children of his father and his brethren and hath made vs free setting vs in a godlie libertie I meane not licence to sinne as manie be glad to interpret the same when as
forgiue vs our iniquities Whosoeuer calleth on thy name shall be saued Thou hast no pleasure in the death of a sinner but rather desirest that they should liue and be conuerted Thou hast so loued the world that thou not onlie didst become man and tooke our nature vpon thee but wert content also to suffer most cruell death on the Crosse to purge our nature from mortall sinne and corruption and adorne it with immortalitie and eternall glorie not onelie in thine owne person but in vs also to satisfie the iustice of the Father for our sinnes Oh blessed shepheard thou doubtedst not to spend thy most pretious blood to saue thy beloued sheepe from rauine and spoile Good Lord so increase thy grace in me that thy holie word may take roote and flourish in me that the good seed may not be choked with thornes So order my liuing that when by course of nature I shall be dissolued from the prison of my bodie I may come to thee that when thou more bright than the sun shalt come in the midst of the legions of Angels in thy shining glorie and Maiestie to iudge the quicke the dead I may be in the number of the blessed ones whom thou shalt call to possesse the kingdome prepared for them by thy Father saieng Come ye blessed children of my Father receiue the kingdome prepared for you before the beginning of the world Thou which didst die and rise againe wilt raise and bring to life all those that are dead beleeuing in thy faith So be it A praier to liue well GOod Lord so rule the eies of my hart that they being kept simple and pure my bodie may be a cleere and shining temple of thy holie spirit So kindle in vs the loue of thy glorious sonne that we following his steps may doo that which is good and decline from the euill so that our light shining before men we may glorifie thee by our good works with thy blessed sonne our Sauiour and the holie Ghost to whose infinite Maiestie in trinitie and vnitie be all honour and glorie for euer Amen A praier for humilitie O Lord I am a sinner and sorie for mine offences I can not make satisfaction for my defaults If I haue anie good thing it commeth of thee The most acceptable sacrifice to thee is a contrite and humble hart O God let mee not be oppressed with the waues of sinne let mee not sinke into the whirlepoole and gulph of despaire Thou which liftest vp the fallen and raisest the humble and meeke clothing them with purple and settest them vp with princes in the seates of honour thou which despisest the imaginations of the proud and resistest their enterprises blesse me in all my dooings send mee happie successe in all mine affaires that I may reioice in thy goodnesse with thine elected for euer and euer Accept my humble suite good Lord I beseech thee for the glorie of thy name sake Amen A praier for the obteining of Gods grace O Almightie and mercifull God shine we beseech thee through the power of our Lord Iesus Christ and the comfortable working of thy sacred spirit the heauenlie comforter vpon our minds and harts with the glorious beames of thy heauenlie grace Giue vs such plentie of wisedome and vnderstanding from aboue that through the knowledge of thee the man of sinne that is our fraile and feeble flesh with the wicked lusts and desire of concupiscence may lie dead and buried in vs. Giue vs good Lord the feeling of thy grace that by the vertue and diuine operation of thy word the eies of our soules may be illumined and made so light that the Prince of darkenesse with all his vnrighteous ministers may be expulsed and banished from our memories So establish vs in thy truth that our harts minds and thoughts may continuallie be occupied in thy testimonies that thereby thou good Lord effectuallie shining in our harts by the vertue of thy good spirit we may learne to knowe and vnderstand what is the fulnesse of our calling and how rich thou art in the glorie of thy celestiall and heauenlie heritage of thy Saincts and that excellent greatnesse of thy power and louing kindnesse towards vs which beleeue without faining thy holie Gospell according to the might and force of thy strength which thou shewedst in Christ Iesus when thou didst raise him from the dead and didst set him on thy right hand far aboue all empire power authoritie and dominion and euerie name that is named not onlie in this world but in the world to come By whose pretious death and deerest bloud-shedding we are assured that sinne death and hell are vanquished ouercome and vtterlie destroied And if we beleeue without wauering we shall in him be able to resist all the power of hell and in Christ as conquerors to triumph with victorie ouer sinne death and Sathan and at the last to haue and enioie the fruition of his rich and glorious kingdome which he by most painefull agonie bloudie stripes greeuous and bloudie wounds and lastlie by his most painefull death purchased for his chosen and elect To whome for our sanctification iustification redemption and our saluation be rendred with his celestiall Father and the holie Ghost all laud glorie power honour and dominion for euer and euer Amen A praier against presumptuous pride and vaine-glorie WE heare O heauenlie Father and are dailie taught and instructed out of thine eternall word how greatlie the greeuous sinne of presumption pride and vaine-glorie displeaseth thy diuine maiestie We are learned that for the practise of this pestilent and heinous euill thou hast not spared the verie Angels but hast throwne them in thy displeasure for their pride vaine-glorie and presumption from beatitude to miserie from ioie without end to perdurable paine from brightnesse of thy glorious presence to vtter extreame and palpable darkenesse from the glorious fruition and participation of thine euerlasting kingdome to the bottomlesse pit of hell death damnation and endlesse flames of fire Besides this we are taught that by the transgression of Adam whose haughtie presuming through the entisement of the subtile and perillous allurement of the Serpent thought to be as thy selfe but in fine thy iustice condemned him and all his posteritie This pestiferous sinne of pride drowned him in the flouds of all dangerous euils as gluttonie luxurie and such other perils that had not thy mercie taken effect to keepe and hold plea for his and our safegard and thy sonne Christ embased the glorie and power of his diuine essence and taken vpon him our flesh and fraile nature sinne onlie except who freelie offered his innocent bodie to the death of the crosse we had perished euerlastinglie and beene vtterlie confounded Print therefore good Lord and write these examples in my memorie that I fall not from thy fauour by the exercise of this detestable sinne Make me still to consider that the proud and disdainefull are alwaies abhorred in thy sight And sith
it is thy good will and gratious pleasure to regard the humble and lowlie man giue me such meekenesse from aboue that I may continuallie present thee with the sacrifice of a gentle meeke and contrite spirit that I may auoide the plagues and punishments which thou hast prepared for the proud and haughtie minded Graunt this good Lord for Iesus Christ his sake mine onlie mediator aduocate who liueth and reigneth with thee and the holie Ghost in glorie permanent euerlasting Amen A praier against couetousnesse or too much care of the world GOod Lord seeing that it is thy pleasure that we shall not be carefull for worldlie things if a sparowe falleth not on the ground without thy fore-sight how much more care doest thou take for vs thy children Good Lord thou feedest the birds of the aire and cloathest the lillies of the feeld which take no care Wherefore good Lord so prouide for our necessitie and sicknesse we beseech thee that we casting all our care vpon thee may cheeflie studie to please thee and serue thee which liuest and reignest king of all kings for euer Amen A praier against lieng and euill imaginations O Lord cleanse my hart I beseech thee from all vnpure wicked cogitations and thoughts and giue me a cleere conscience shamefast eies innocent hands and a tongue to tell the truth seeing that there is nothing hid that shall not be discouered Good Lord I beseech thee to search my thoughts and renew in me thy holie spirit Direct my feete in thy waies that walking after thee in the path of the righteous I may passe through this vale of miserie bearing thy banner stoutelie in my warfare and obtaine euerlasting ioie the promised hire to such as here haue patientlie borne thy crosse and valiantlie fought with the armour of faith against temptations and all euils Vouchsafe O Lord to graunt my petitions I most humblie beseech thee for thy onlie begotten sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ his sake Amen A necessarie praier in Meeter against vices O Lord my God make thou my hart repentant for to be The spirit of contrition do thou ingraffe in me Unto mine eies let there be giuen aboundant teares of wéeping And let my hands be occupied with often almes giuing O thou my King quench out of me all foule fleshlie desire And with the loue of thée alone set thou my hart on fire O my redéemer driue awaie the spirit of pride from me And graunt to me that great treasure of méeke humilitie Take from me O my Sauiour the furious rage of ire The shield of patience giue to me the which I do desire O Creator roote out of me all spitefulnesse of mind And graunt in stead thereof againe méekenes that I may find O bountifull father giue me a faith that shall endure With hope agréeing therevnto and charitie most sure O thou my guide kéepe from my lips all lieng vanitie And from my mind driue far awaie all vaine vnconstancie All wauering take thou from my hart from my mouth scoffing With all proud lookes and gluttonie backbiting slandering Couetousnes wipe cleane awaie with curiositie The fond desire of vaine-glorie with all hypocrisie Let me neuer the poore despise nor yet the weake oppresse And let me not blaspheme for then I die remedilesse O thou which didst me forme make take all rashnesse from mée And leaue me not such a mind as will not with peace agrée Take from me ydlenesse and sloth and heauie lumpishnesse Take from me disobedience and eke all stubbornesse O my God for thy déere sonnes sake I humblie beséech thée To graunt me the works of mercie with aboundance of pitie That I may thée both loue and feare and eke pitie the poore Make me good men alwaies to loue and wicked to abhor Make me so little to estéeme those things that worldlie bée With hart voice that I may craue in heauen to be with thée Amen A thankesgiuing for benefits receiued at Gods hand O Most mercifull Father I yeeld thee most humble thanks for thy great benefits bestowed vpon me a sinner of thy free mercie onlie Thou hast of thy fatherlie loue brought me vp tenderlie and instructed me in thy holie lawe Thou hast giuen me knowledge and vnderstanding Thou hast preserued me from manie dangers and euils which diuers men haue felt Thou hast blessed me with health quietnesse ioie plentie and wealth which a number doo want Thou hast taken care of me and done all things for me Lord though I can deserue nothing but punishment by thy iust displeasure yet good Lord I trust to thy goodnesse crauing mercie and not iustice And for thy mercie sake I beseech thee to continue thy grace and to increase thy good gifts towards me and haue me in thy protection till my liues end Good Lord blesse me that I may enioie the fruits of the earth and vse them to thy honour and glorie Good Lord be thou mine aid and guide in all my dooings my buckler and defence in all dangers that I may freelie and ioifullie sing praises to thee which liuest and reignest one God almightie and incomprehensible worlds without end Amen Another thankesgiuing for the goodnesse of God to vs. O Almightie God and euer-ruling King whose infinite power and maiestie our wits can not comprehend whose glorious brightnesse with our mortall eies we can not behold whose woonderous works and manifold mercies the tongs of men can not sufficientlie declare Good Lord I yeeld thee most humble thanks for thy singular great gifts and benefits bestowed vpon me a sinner Good Lord thou hast blessed me with knowledge with increase and plentie of all things thou hast giuen mee friends health and rest that I should eate my meate with ioie and praise thee in all thy gifts and works I knowe that I haue no good thing but it commeth from thee and oulie for thy mercies sake thou hast so regarded me thy seruant Wherefore good Lord I beseech thee to graunt me thy grace withall that I may vse these thy gifts to thy honour and glorie and the comfort of them that neede that vsing the talent which thou hast lent me I may become a good seruant and obtaine eternall blisse the promised hire to such as doo well Uouchsafe good Lord for thy sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ his sake to heare my praiers Almightie God refresh me with thy grace I beseech thee comfort me with thy mercie and blesse me that safe from all euils free from feare of all dangers in peace and quietnesse I may sing praises to thy holie name and reioice in thee with thine elected for euer and euer Amen A praier to be said in time of quietnesse and prosperitie GIue vs good Lord the comfortable healthfull spirit of thy grace and aboundant fauour that we may without ceasing make our continuall boast of thy praise We know and from the bottome of our harts confesse that thou hast dealt more louinglie with vs
the almightie and victorious conquerour sweete Iesus Christ we are the adopted sonnes of thy Father and made fellowe-heires with thee our perfect Emanuel In whose name with all humilitie and lowlinesse of hart and mind I come vnto thee in this great extremitie of sicknesse and danger of death beseeching thee to be present with me to forget mine offences to thinke vpon thy mercies And although I haue not deserued so much as the least drop of thy fauour by meanes of the great burden of my sinnes which are in the presence of thy diuine Maiestie most ouglie and loathsome to behold yet respect thou not O Father mine iniquitie but haue an eie I beseech thee to the merits of my Sauiour Christ Iesus to whom as my Mediator Sauiour and Redeemer I appeale who hath promised comfort and sweete consolation to all those that in his name flie vnto thee for releefe I confesse that woorthilie thou hast visited me with this sicknesse and disease and yet not according to the multitude of my sinnes but in the fulnesse of miseration and fatherlie pitie Giue me grace therefore in these bitter brunts of death who vehementlie at this present beginneth to combat with fainting and feeble life constantlie to cleaue vnto thee Let not the pleasures of this wicked world be a let or impediment for me to come vnto thee let not my fraile and feeble flesh subiect to sinne which hath through my transgression made me a bondman to death mooue me to despaire in thy great mercie neither yet let the caueling aduersarie the enimie of mankind at my last end triumph ouer me Giue me patience to suffer and gladlie to beare and abide this thy scourge and visitation and so fortifie me in soule and bodie that so long as life shall endure in me I may neuer cease to call vpon thy holie and blessed name Yea and when death is most busiest make thou me most constant yea when he seeketh most stronglie to assaile my feeble bodie giue me thy grace good Lord that I may in spirit hart mind and all the powers of my soule giue praises vnto thee that of thy grace and inestimable kindnesse hast sent thy sonne Christ Iesus to ransome me by his bloudie death and passion from the power of hell Giue me grace therfore now that thou hast appointed thy messenger death to finish the daies of my pilgrimage and to call me by his summons from out of this vale of miserie and wretchednesse to build stedfastlie vpon him and faithfullie to hope for life and saluation in alone through him Let the remembrance of my former wickednesse be no more thought vpon let mine offences be blotted out of thy glorious sight Behold my sorowfull true repentant hart which come vnto thee with teares not building on my merits but vpon thy mercies Though I be sinfull thy sonne my Sauiour is righteous though I be wicked yet he is most holie though I be full of impietie yet he is full of all goodnesse though I haue greeuouslie offended thee yet he hath fullie contented thee though I haue transgressed thy lawe yet he hath fulfilled the same and hath promised in his bloud to wash awaie their sinnes that by faith continue in him constant to the end I therefore in this my great and painfull agonie beholding death to be at the gates of my bodie come vnto thee by the vertue of a fruitfull faith beseeching thee when thou shalt see it meete and conuenient that he shall dissolue the bands of this vading life which endureth but a while for a thousand yeeres are as yesterdaie in thy sight to take my soule into thy glorious and blessed hands and so to confirme me in thy truth that at the last when it shall please thee by the sound of a trumpe to raise my bodie from the graue when and in which time bodie and soule shall vnite and come before thy presence I may by faith in thee passe ouer the mount of my corruption shake off the bands of sinne be set free from death and destruction and being by the vertue of thy righteousnesse made holie I may triumph with happie victorie ouer sinne death and all the powers of hell and enter with thee and the felowship of thy chosen Saints into euerlasting rest Grant this most louing Father for Christ Iesus sake to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be rendred all laud glorie honour and praise for euer Amen The Lord God be mercifull to me pardon and forgiue me my sinnes looke vpon me with his gratious and blessed countenance preserue me from the second death and euerlasting destruction of bodie and soule The Lord God iustifie me in his death and bloud cloath me with his euerlasting righteousnesse and register my name in the booke of life The Lord God comfort my guiltie conscience with the euerlasting light of his bountifull fauour and lot my place among his Saints in his heauenlie kingdome The Lord God for his mercies sake after this my bodilie death giue me the fruition of his presence in his rich palace of endlesse glorie to whose mercifull protection I commend with all humilitie and reuerence my soule Lord Iesus preserue me Lord Iesus comfort me Lord Iesus refresh me Lord Iesus praie for me For onlie into thy hands that hast redeemed mee O Lord God of truth I commend my soule Amen A deuout meditation to be vsed after praier REmember not O Lord God thine anger against me an offender but be mindfull of thy mercie towards me a true penitent Forget that through pride I haue prouoked thee to ire and fauourablie harken vnto my praier What is Iesus but a Sauiour Therefore O bountifull Iesu be thou my Sauiour rise vp in thine owne strength to helpe me Saie vnto my soule I am thy safegard In thy goodnesse doo I trust in thee is my helpe And forasmuch as thou hast willed that we should without ceasing seeke and sue vnto thee behold I beeing counselled and foretold by thy commandements doo now both aske seeke and knocke But thou which commandest me to aske graunt that I may receiue thou biddest me seeke make me to find thou hast taught me to knocke open vnto me that stand knocking strengthen me that am weake restore me that am lost reuiue me that am dead by sinne make me to serue thee to liue to thee to giue my selfe wholie to thee I knowe my God that because thou madest me I owe my selfe vnto thee and for that thou hast redeemed me I should owe thee more than my selfe But behold I haue no more to giue neither can I giue my selfe vnto thee vnlesse thou make me willing therevnto Take thou me draw me vnto thee that as I am thine by creation so I may be thine by following of thee which liuest and reignest for euer and euer Amen A Praier deciphering in Alphabet forme the name of the right Woorshipfull Ladie MARY FANE M MOst mightie art thou Lord in all thy deedes
seruice of God C It is to obeie the lawe of God in true charitie out of a pure hart and out of a pure conscience and of faith vnfained M What is this charitie here required C It is to loue God with all our hart soule vnderstanding and power and our neighbour as our selfe M This true obedience and charitie proceedeth it not of faith C Yea all the good works here commanded which God hath prepared that wee should walke in them M Faith then it is not an opinion vaine and fleshlie to entise vs to sinne more boldlie and to liue in all carnall libertie C No. For if we by faith be trulie graffed in Iesus Christ and call vpon God to saluation we will no more bring foorth the works of the flesh but the fruits of the spirit M Which are the works of the flesh C Adulterie fornication filthinesse outragiousnes idolatrie enimitie strife emulation anger altercation sedition sects enuie murther dronkennesse gluttonie and things like vnto the same M And which are the fruits of the spirit C Loue ioie peace patience benignitie goodnesse faith caurtesie temperance M Seeing we are all carnall euill and seruants of sinne haue we power of our selues to doo good and to keepe vs from euill C No not so much as to thinke anie good thing For it is God that worketh in vs both the will and the deed according to his good will M We must not then doo euerie one of vs what seemeth vnto him good and right what good nature inclination or free will soeuer he alledge C No. For of vs can come nothing but perdition but ail our goodnes aid saluation comneth of God onlie M Our reason wisdome and intent can the same be the rule to knowe and discerne of our works whether they be good or euill C No. For we haue all but one Lawe-giuer who hath giuen vs the true and perfect rule out of the ten commandements of the lawe M What conteine the foure commandements of the first table C How God declareth himselfe to be our God and therefore by good right he requireth of vs faith homage adoration obedience and dutie M And the six commandements in the second table what doo they conteine C Our office and dutie towards our neighbour which is to doo vnto him as we would be done vnto our selues and not to doo vnto him that which wee would not to be done vnto our selues M Go to recite now this holie lawe C Harken O Israel I am the Lord thy God which haue brought thee out of the land of Aegypt c. as Exodus 20. M And how is it that Iesus Christ accomplished in vs this lawe so perfectlie C In giuing vs his holie spirit who ingendreth in vs a continuall desire and mind to doo all that the lawe commandeth vs as neere as we can M And this obedience so vnperfect doth it please God C Yea by this that our imperfection is not imputed vnto vs bicause of Iesus Christ whose iustice and perfect obedience is ours through faith M Alas who shall giue vs the hart and the power to doo the will of God which he here hath declared vnto vs by his holie ordinances C It shall be euen he himselfe by his spirit in the name of Iesus Christ his sonne whom he hath giuen vnto the death to deliuer vs from the condemnation of the lawe and from the bondage of sinne that is to saie from eternall death Of Confession Mother WHat is the fourth point of Christian adoration and seruice of God C It is the solemne confession or acknowledging that we make in the Church through the vse of the Sacraments M What confession C Of all good things both generall and particular which we receiue in the Church through the communion that we haue with Iesus and togither among our selues one with another M Doo we not dailie make such a confession vnto God in hearing his word and calling vpon him seeking to obeie him according to the benefits which hee hath giuen vnto vs Sacraments Child YEa certainlie But we make it also through the exercise of the Sacraments in greater force and edifieng M Shew the reason C Bicause they are annexed to the preaching and promises of the Gospell to mooue our soules and bodies to praise God with greater confirmation of our faith and loue M Understandest thou not that there is one like saluation by preaching and by the Sacraments offered vnto all as well to the faithfull as to the vnfaithfull C Yea but the vnfaithfull in respecting this saluation receiue nothing but the word outward signes to their condemnation M Neuerthelesse the Sacraments doo not signifie and represent lesse to one than to the other C It is certaine For God is alwaie true and vseth not to teach lies M The Lord then hath ioined the Sacraments with the preaching and promises of the Gospell as the seales are ioined with the letters and instruments which they confirme C Yea to print seale them the more in our soules bodies to mooue all our senses vnto this confession M The Sacraments then are vnto vs great succor and comfort C Yea in our infirmities disquietnesse and temptations which come dailie vnto vs as well from the diuell and the world as from our owne flesh M Which are the Sacraments that the Lord Iesus hath instituted in his Church C Baptisme and the Supper putting end vnto Circumcision and to the Paschall Lambe M How is it that he himselfe hath authorised and sanctified them C In that he would receiue Baptisme in his owne bodie and to be the first administrator of the Supper M Where is it y t the Lord commandeth Baptisme C In S. Matthew the last Chapter And Iesus came and spake vnto them saieng All power is giuen vnto me in heauen and in earth Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holie Ghost teaching them to keepe all those things that I haue commanded you M Is Baptisme a washing of bodilie filthinesse C No. For so little water can doo nothing to vs. M From what filthinesse then are we there washed C From spirituall filthinesse which are our sinnes M We come then into the world all filthie and corrupt C If we were not conceiued in sinne and borne in iniquitie we should not haue to doo with baptisme M In whose name be we baptised C In the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holie Ghost who is our onlie and verie true God in three persons M And with what water are we washed and regenerated C With the water of life which is the holie spirit in the bloud of Iesus Christ M Baptisme then representeth vnto vs assureth vs of the full remission of our sinnes and exchanging of our wicked nature C Yea and by the same both we and our children are receiued into the Church as partakers of the couenant
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
assist me most puissant Prince of all power with thy prudent skill and heauenlie grace that I may be truelie able to aduance iustice and to hate wrong and so be found a faithfull minister ouer thy people In whom plant I beseech thee thy heauenlie grace and feare with obedience towards mee thy minister and kindle in me the loue of thy holie spirit that I may perseuere in the truth of thy word without doubt or wauering to the end Grant this oh mightie God of hosts for the merits and passion of thy deere sonne my Lord and Sauior Iesus Christ AMEN The praier of King SALOMON for Wisdome to gouerne well Wisd 9. O GOD of my fathers and Lord of mercie which hast made all things with thy word and ordeined man through thy wisdome that he should haue dominion ouer the creatures which thou hast made and gouerne the world according to equitie and righteousnesse and execute iudgement with an vpright hart Giue me wisdome which is euer sitting aboue thy seate and put me not out from among thy children For I thy seruant and handmaid am a feeble person and of a short time and yet lesse in the vnderstanding of iudgements and the lawes And though a man be neuer so perfect among the children of men yet if thy wisdome be not with him he shall be nothing regarded Thou hast chosen me to be a QVEENE vnto thy people and the Iudge of thy sonnes daughters Thou hast commanded mee to maintaine thy Church which from the beginning thou hast chosen Oh send out of thy holie heauens therefore vnto me that thy wisdome wherewith thou madest the world gouernest thy works and knowest what is acceptable in thy sight right in thy commandements Send hir I saie from the throne of thy Maiestie that shee may be with mee and labour with me that I may knowe what is acceptable in thy sight and right in thy commandements For she knoweth and vnderstandeth all things and she shall leade me soberlie in all my works and preserue mee by hir power and glorie so shall my works be acceptable and then shall I gouern thy people righteouslie and be well and woorthie to sit in my fathers throne Amen Holie Praiers and godlie Meditations desciphering in Alphabeticall forme the Roiall name of our vertuous Souereigne Queene ELIZABETH properlie to be vsed of hir Maiestie ELIZABETH E ENter not into iudgement with thy seruant O LORD for no flesh is righteous in thy sight PSALME 143 verse 2. O GOD which dwellest in light that no man can attaine O God which art hid and canst not be seene with bodilie eies nor comprehended with anie vnderstanding neither expressed with the tongue of men or Angels O my God what is it to be righteous in thy sight It is that wee should bee without sinne before thee which no man euer was since the fall of Adam For which cause the holie Prophet DAVID saith in this wise Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant O Lord for no flesh is righteous in thy sight If then no flesh be righteous in thy sight O vnhappie that I am loden and burdened with sinne who shall haue pitie or compassion on mee or whither shall I go My sinnes are euer before me mine vnrighteousnesse condemneth me What shall I doo Shall I despaire God forbid For mercifull meeke and louing is my Sauiour My refuge therfore shall be in my God for certaine I am he will not forsake his owne image neither wil he forsake the worke of his owne hands Wherfore most meeke louing and mercifull Father to thee come I all sad and sorowfull But what shall I saie vnto thee I will saie Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant O Lord for no flesh is righteous in thy sight And againe I will with the Prophet powre out before thee the words of sorrowe I will hartilie beseech thee saieng Haue mercie on me O God haue mercie on me according to thy great mercie not after the mercie of men but after thy great mercie which is incomprehensible which is vnmeasurable and which passeth all sinnes without comparison According therefore vnto that thy great mercie by the which thou hast so loued the world that thou gauest thy sonne for it by the which thou hast taken awaie all our sinnes by the which through his crosse thou hast lightened all men by the which also thou hast restored all things in heauen and in earth wash me I saie O Lord wash me in his bloud restore me in his resurrection and iustifie me by thy grace and fauour and the redemption which is in Christ AMEN L LORD looke thou no more on my sinnes but according to the multitude of thy compassions wipe awaie all mine iniquities Psal 51. verse 1. THy mercie O Lord is the abundance of pitie thy compassions are the works and processe of thy mercie by the one thou lookest gentlie on the poore and wretched by the other thou forgiuest the multitude of sinnes O sweet and mercifull Sauiour Iesus Christ the sorowfull and penitent sinner Marie Magdalen came prostrate before thy feet she washed them with hir bitter teares she wiped them with the heares of hir head thou forgauest all hir sinnes and sentest hir awaie in peace this was good Lord one of thy compassions Peter thrise denied thee and forsooke thee with an oth thou mercifullie lookedst on him and he beholding thee bitterlie wept and thou Lord forgauest him which was another of thy compassions The theefe on the Crosse was saued with one word Paule in the furious madnesse of persecution was called and by and by was filled with the holie Ghost these all Lord are thy pitifull compassions Sith therefore that thou art the same our GOD with whome is no alteration neither shadowe of change and sith there is but one Mediatour and attonement betweene God and man that is Christ Iesus which endureth for euer why doost thou not powre out thy plentious compassions vpon vs as well as thou didst vpon our forefathers Why standest thou so far O Lord and hidest thy face in the needfull tune of trouble Hast thou forsaken vs Or are all thy mercies spent and none left O Lord my God I hartilie beseech thee most humblie praie thee that thou wilt according to the multitude of thy compassions wipe awaie all mine iniquities that as thou hast drawne and receiued innumerable sinners vnto thee and hast made them righteous in thy sight euen so thou wilt vouchsafe to drawe and take me and also to make mee righteous through thy grace and so to clense and purifie my hart that after all mine iniquities and vncleannesse put out it may be as a cleane table in the which thy finger O GOD may write the lawe of thy loue and charitie AMEN I IN the daie of trouble I will call on thee ô LORD Psa 120 vers 1. Because thou hast said In what houre so euer a sinner doth repent him of his sinnes I will no more
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
sinnes and wickednesse my great ingratitude and vnthankefulnesse towards thee for all thy mercifull benefits so aboundantlie powred vpon me through Iesus Christ which wouldest vouchsafe he being thine owne deere darling in whome was and is all thy whole pleasure and delight to giue him for me to the verie death of the Crosse yea and that when I was thine vtter enimie of mercie inestimable and loue incomprehensible Who euer sawe such a thing God became man and was crucified for me that by his death I might liue Alas that euer I should become so wicked a wretch and vnkind a creature to displease so louing kind and mercifull a God and father Oh forgiue me forgiue me for thy great mercie sake for thy truth and promise sake and I will neuer trespasse againe against thy diuine Maiestie anie more but will gladlie serue thee in true holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of my life by the grace and assistance of thy good and holie spirit the which I beseech thee to giue me also that he may gouerne me and guide my hart in thy true faith feare and loue that in all my deeds words and thoughts I may glorifie thy holie name which liuest and reignest with the sonne and the holie Ghost three persons and one God to whome be all honour glorie praise thanks power rule and dominion for euer and euer Amen Another confession of sinnes proper for the Sabaoth daie OH my most mercifull father the father of mercies and God of all consolation and comfort my God my father I most wretched sinner confesse and acknowledge my selfe vnfeinedlie with hart mind mouth now before thee to haue most greenoushe offended thy high Maiestie and goodnesse I recognise and acknowledge my selfe to be full of sinne full of vnfaithfulnesse and a seruant vnprofitable For all thy holie commandements haue I transgressed and broken First I haue not set all my whole beleefe confidence trust and hope in thee I haue not loued and honoured thee with all my hart with all my soule mind and powers of my soule Secondlie I haue diuided thine honour and worship from thee and giuen it to thy creatures and dead things imagined of mine owne fond fantasie I meane in the adoring and worshipping of images Thirdlie I haue abused thy most holie name by false and deceitfull swearing to the hinderance of my neighbour and idlelie and vainlie haue I vsed thy holie name I haue not said nor done neither thought all things to thy glorie Fourthlie in the Saboth daie I haue not giuen my selfe to hearing reading learning the holie Scriptures neither haue I giuen meate to the hungrie drinke to the thirstie lodged the harbourlesse clothed the naked visited the sicke comforted nor releeued the poore and men in prison For I haue not expended of how great weight these words of thy sonne my Sauiour Christ are neither beleeued him saieng In as much as ye haue done these things vnto one of the least of these my brethren ye haue done it vnto me Matth. 25. But I haue bestowed and spent my gold and siluer after my lewd lust and concupiscence in excesse of meat and drinke in gorgeous apparell of my bodie of my children seruants and house c. where I should not haue bestowed it or else not so largelie delicatelie nicelie and excessiuelie haue bestowed it as I haue not regarding in the meane time to suffer the deere beloued brethren of Iesu Christ to go naked and to perish for cold and hunger I haue I saie not ceased from mine owne sinfull will and lusts praieng at all times thy will and not mine to be fulfilled Furthermore I haue not honoured my father and mother I haue not so much set by them esteemed them and had them in such reuerence as thou commandest me nor obeied them neither comforted releened or helped them I haue slaine I haue broken wedlocke I haue stolne I haue sold by false weights and measures and borne false witnesse finallie I haue coueted my neighbours house I haue desired his wife his seruant his cattell his other goods vnlawfullie Thus most greeuouslie haue I sinned infinit waies O Lord omitting and leauing thy commandements Oh Father to fulfill the desire of my flesh the world and the diuell Wherefore I crie thee mercie my God most mercifull father and most humblie I desire and beseech thee for the loue which thou bearest to thy deer sonne mine onelie whole and entire Sauiour Iesu Christ to haue mercie on me and to forgiue me most miserable sinner euen in his bloud and for his pretious death sake For when I went about to seeke thee to trust vnto thee or to doo anie thing to thy glorie yet would not this lust and concupiscence that contagious originall poison and fleshlie dregges drawne of our father Adam suffer me perfectlie to doo that I would haue done Through this naturall concupiscence I striue and fight dailie against the holie Ghost in me which vnlawfull lust and desire I knowledge to be a greeuous sinne against thy highnes if thou shouldest iudge me straitlie after thy Lawe without the which concupiscence I cannot be Wherefore I being a wretched yea a most abhominable wretched sinner in my selfe cleerelie destitute of all righteousnesse of all godlinesse of all holinesse and all deseruings am come now by faith before thee vnto Christ his mercie seate and righteousnesse vnto his goodnesse deseruings and satisfactions desiring thee O most mercifull father for his deaths sake that his righteousnesse his wisedome his holinesse his goodnesse his merits and satisfactions may be mine and serue for my forgiuenesse and saluation For like as thou gauest me him to die for my sinnes euen so beleeue I that thou hast giuen me with him all his to be mine and to serue me for my saluation Wherefore glorie honor worship empire and rule be to thee oh father with the sonne and the holie ghost for euer world without end So be it Another Confession of sinnes for Sundaies to be vsed in the forenoone or afternoone O Most mercifull Lord God my tender and deere father vouchsafe I hartilie beseech thee to looke downe with thy fatherlie eies of pitie vpon me most vile and wretched sinner which lie heere prostrate in heart before the feete of thy bottomlesse mercie For I haue sinned against the throne of thy glorie and before thee O most deere Father insomuch that I am not worthie to be called thy daughter Yet neuerthelesse forasmuch as thou art the God and Father of all mercie and comfort and againe desirest not the death of a sinner but like a true Samaritan takest thought for my sillie wounded soule make me I praie thee by infunding of thy pretious oile of comfort into my wounds ioifullie to run with the lost sonne into the lap of thine euerlasting pitie For lo thou art my hope and trust in whom I onlie repose my selfe hauing in thee full confidence and faith And so I saie with a verie faithfull
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
vnitie peace and concord We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to giue vs an hart to loue and dread thee and diligentlie to liue after thy commandements We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to giue all thy people increase of grace to heare meekelie thy word and to receiue it with pure affection and to bring foorth the fruits of the spirit We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to bring into the waie of truth all such as haue erred and are deceiued We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to strengthen such as doo stand and to comfort and helpe the weake-harted and to raise vp them that fall and finallie to beate downe Sathan vnder our feete We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to succour helpe and comfort all that be in danger necessitie and tribulation We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to preserue all that trauell by land or by water all women labouring of child all sicke persons and yoong children and to shew thy pitie vpon all prisoners and captiues We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to defend and prouide for the fatherlesse children and widowes and all that bee desolate and oppressed We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to haue mercie vpon all men We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to forgiue our enimies persecutors and slanderers and to turne their harts We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to giue and preserue to our vse the kindlie fruits of the earth so as in due time we may enioie them We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to giue vs true repentance to forgiue vs all our sinnes negligences and ignorances and to endue vs with the grace of thy holie spirit to amend our liues according to thy holie word We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. Sonne of God we beseech thee to heare vs. Sonne of God we beseech thee to heare vs. O Lambe of God that takest awaie the sinnes of the world Grant vs thy peace O Lambe of God that takest awaie the sinnes of the world Haue mercie vpon vs. O Christ heare vs. O Christ heare vs. Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Christ haue mercie vpon vs. Christ haue mercie vpon vs. Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Our father which art in heauen c. The Versicle O Lord deale not with vs after our sinnes The Answere Neither reward vs after our iniquities Let vs praie O God mercifull father that despisest not the sighing of a contrite hart nor the desires of such as be sorowfull mercifullie assist our praiers that we make before thee in all our troubles and aduersities whensoeuer they oppresse vs and gratiouslie heare vs that those euils which the craft and subtiltie of the diuell or man worketh against vs be brought to naught and by the prouidence of thy goodnesse they may be dispersed that we thy seruants being hurt by no persecutions may euermore giue thanks vnto thee in thy holie Church through Iesus Christ our Lord. O Lord arise helpe vs and deliuer vs for thy name sake O God we haue heard with our eares and our fathers haue declared vnto vs the noble works that thou diddest in their daies and in the old time before them O Lord arise helpe vs and deliuer vs for thine honour Glorie be to the Father and to the Sonne c. As it was in the beginning is now and euer c. From our enimies defend vs O Christ Gratiouslie looke vpon our afflictions Pitifullie behold the sorrowes of our harts Mercifullie forgiue the sinnes of thy people Fauourablie with mercie heare our praiers O sonne of Dauid haue mercie vpon vs. Both now euer vouchsafe to heare vs O Christ Gratiouslie heare vs ô Christ Gratiouslie heare vs ô Lord Christ The Versicle O Lord let thy mercie be shewed vpon vs. The Answere As we doo put our trust in thee Let vs praie WE humblie beseech thee O Father mercifullie to looke vpon our infirmities and for the glorie of thy name sake turne from vs all those euils that we most worthilie haue deserued and grant that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercie and euermore serue thee in holinesse and purenesse of life to thy honour and glorie through our onlie mediator and aduocate Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier for the Queenes Maiestie O Lord our heauenlie father high and mightie King of kings Lord of lords the onlie ruler of princes which dooest from thy throne behold all the dwellers vpon earth most hartilie we beseech thee with thy fauour to behold our most gratious souereigne ladie Queene Elizabeth and so replenish hir with the grace of thy holie spirit that she may alwaie incline to thy will and walke in thy waie Indue hir plentifullie with heauenlie gifts graunt hir in health and wealth long to liue strengthen hir that she may vanquish and ouercome all hir enimies and finallie after this life she may attaine euerlasting ioie and felicitie through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier for Bishops and Curates ALmightie and euerlasting God which onlie workest great maruels send downe vpon our Bishops and Curates and all congregations committed to their charge the healthfull spirit of thy grace and that they may trulie please thee powre vpon them the continuall dewe of thy blessing Grant this O Lord for the honour of our Aduocate and Mediatour Iesu Christ Amen A praier of Chrysostome ALmightie God which hast giuen vs grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications vnto thee and dooest promise that when two or three be gathered together in thy name thou wilt grant their requests fulfill now O Lord the desires and petitions of thy seruants as may be most expedient for them granting vs in this world knowledge of thy truth and in the world to come life euerlasting Amen 2. Corinth 13 verse 13. THE grace of our Lord Iesus Christ and the loue of God and the fellowship of the holie Ghost bee with vs all euermore Amen ¶ Other godlie Collects and praiers to be vsed after the Letanie as occasion serueth and first In time of drought for raine O GOD heauenlie father which by thy sonne Iesus Christ hast promised to all them that seeke thy kingdome and the righteousnesse thereof all things necessarie to their bodilie sustenance send vs wee beseech thee in this our necessitie such moderate raine and showers that we may receiue the fruites of the earth to our comfort and to thy honor through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another ALmightie God mercifull Father who in thy holie word hast promised to
generall earthquake praie OH eternall mightie and most louing Father which hast no desire of the death of a sinner but that he conuert and liue and vnto whom nothing is so pleasant as the repentant contrite and sorowfull hart of a penitent person For thou art that kind father that fallest most louinglie vpon the necke of the lost sonne kissest imbracest and feastest him when he returneth from the puddle of pleasures and swill of the swine and disdainest not the repentant praier of thy poore and sinfull seruants whensoeuer with true faith they returne and call vpon thee as we haue most comfortable examples in Dauid Manasses Magdalen Peter and the theefe vpon the gibbet We most hartilie and humblie beseech thy fatherlie goodnesse to looke downe from the throne of thy mercie-seate vpon vs most miserable and sinfull slaues of Satan which with fearfull and trembling harts doo quake and shake at the strange and terrible tokens of thy wrath and indignation appearing most euidentlie vnto vs by the shaking moouing of the earth which is thy footestoole whereby if we be not vtterlie destitute of grace we be warned that thy cōming-downe amongst vs to visit our sinnes in most terrible maner can not be farre off seeing thou treadest so hard vpon this thy footestoole the earth which we most shamefullie haue polluted and defiled with our most wicked sinfull and rebellious liues notwithstanding thy continuall crieng and calling vpon vs by thy seruants the prophets and preachers by whome we haue learned thy will but haue not followed it We haue heard much and done little yea nothing at all but like most peruerse and vnthankfull children haue made a mocke of thy word derided thy ministers and accounted thy threatenings trifles and thy warnings of no weight or moment Wherefore we haue iustlie deserued to taste most deeplie of the bitter cup of thine anger and bengeance by wars famine pestilence yea and eternall death if thou shouldest not temper the rigour of thy iustice with the mildnesse of thy mercie But such is thy fatherlie affection towards vs that thou shewest thy selfe slowe to anger long suffering and of much patience and mercie yea thou art a thousand times more readie to forget and forgiue than we to aske and require forgiuenesse Therefore though we be not woorthie of the least mite of thy mercie yet gratious Lord looke not vpon vs and our sinnes but vpon thine owne selfe and thy sonne Iesus Christ the fountaine of grace the treasure of mercie the salue of all sicknesse the iewell of ioie and the onlie hauen of succour and safetie By him we come to thee in him and for him we trust to find that we haue lost and gaine that he hath got He is the scale of Iacob by whom we climbe vp to thee and thou by the Angels of thy mercie cōmest downe to vs. Him we present vnto thee and not we our selues his death and not our dooings his bloudie wounds and not our detestable deseruings whose merits are so great as thy mercie cannot be little and our ransom so rich that our beggerlie and beastlie sinnes are nothing in thy sight for the great pleasure and satisfaction that thou takest of his paines and passion Turne this late earthquake O Lord to the benefite of thine elect as thou didst when thou shookest the prison loosedst the locks fetters and chaines of thy seruants Paule and Silas and broughtst them out of prison and conuertedst their keeper so gratious Lord strike the harts of tyrants with the terrour of this thy woorke that they may knowe that they are but men and that thou art that Samson that for their mocking and spiting of thee and thy word canst shake the pillers of their palaces and throwe them vpon the furious Philistines heads Turne thy wrath oh Lord from thy children that call vpon thy name to the conuersion or confusion of thine enimies that despise and abhorre thy name and deface thy glory Thou hast knocked long at their doores but they will not open to let thee in Burst open therefore the brasen gates of their stonie harts thou that art able of stones to raise vp children to Abraham And finallie so touch our harts with the finger of thy grace that we maie deeply muse vpon our sinfull liues to amend them and call for thy mercie to forgiue and pardon them through Christ our Lord who liueth with thee and the holie Ghost three persons and one eternall God to whome be all dominion and glorie with praise and thanks-giuing for euer and euer Amen Or else praie thus O Almightie God and most mercifull Father which willest not the death of a sinner but rather that hee should returne and liue we thy seruants most humblie confesse that we haue most greeuouslie offended against thy diuine Maiestie and prouoked thy heauie wrath against vs in that we haue not beleeued and folowed thy Gospell preached vnto vs nor beene thankfull for thy manie verie great benefits bestowed vpon vs yea and being warned by the dangers of other haue beene too carelesse to serue thee oh Lord the Father of all mercie and the God of all consolation which in thy wrath remembrest mercie We acknowledge that in the late terrible earthquake which suddenly shooke vs out of our houses and dwelling places thou didst warne vs of thy iustice and that we for our great vnthankfulnesse and disobedience haue deserued most iust iudgement O Lord we thy seruants being vile earth and miserable sinners yet trembling and quaking at the remembrance of that terrible looke of thy wrathfull displeasure neuer to be forgotten most humblie craue pardon for our sinnes and grace to conuert vnto thee in time Conuert vs O Lord and we shall be conuerted Mollifie our hard harts grant vs a contrite spirit and to turne vnto thee vnfeinedlie in fasting weeping praier Enter not into iudgement with thy seruants spare thy people O Lord spare them and let not thine heritage be brought to confusion Haue mercie vpon vs for thy sonne Iesus Christs sake Giue vs grace hencefoorth to amend our liues and to serue thee in holines and righteousnesse So we acknowledging thy iustice and remembring alwaies that fearefull signe of thy furie in the memorable earthquake which thou sentest y e sixt of Aprill in the yeare one thousand fiue hundred fourescore we shall praise thee for thy mercie and glorifie thy holie name for euer through Iesus Christ our Sauiour Amen At the sight of a blasing starre or other meteors or prodigious signes of Gods iudgment in the heauens praie to preuent the euils foreshewed thereby and saie O Almightie Lord and God whose workemanship is the whole world the heauen and the earth with all the beautie and blessings of the same at the presence of whose power all things doo quake and tremble whose indignation when it threatneth vengeance vnto sinners is vnsufferable and whose promises of mercie are vnmeasurable bicause thou art euen the most high Lord ouer
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
finallie let him not defile the euangelicall function by anie meanes no not with the least suspicion of glorie or lucre neither let his mouth speake wickednesse nor his tongue set foorth deceit but as he dooth preach thy lawes and take thy couenant in his mouth so grant he himselfe also may not hate to be reformed nor at anie time cast thy holie word behind his backe And now bicause thou O Lord so mercifullie offerest vnto vs thy saluation I am to desire thee furthermore in the behalfe of this congregation present that we also for our parts may of our owne accord willinglie receiue the same saluation of the Gospell now so gratiouslie offered vs that as thy preachers for their parts doo publish thy glorious name so we as greene grasse may receiue the heauenlie dew of thy doctrine and that the barren earth of our harts may be thereby moistened with the liuelie water of thy grace and holie spirit to fructifie in the same Grant that we may receiue these holie things high mysteries and most pretious pearles not as dogs or swine to tread them contemptuouslie vnder our feete as wicked Atheists and vngodlie contemners of thy Gospell to our damnation but as thy children and those that are of God and sheepe of his fold with all meeknesse obedience christian feare and reuerence grant that we may both heare receiue and fulfill them to thy glorie and our saluation Furthermore as thou in mercie openest their mouth to speake vnto vs so giue vs grace to open our harts and eares to receiue the wholesome instructions and fatherlie admonitions which proceed thereout O giue vs grace I saie to applie our harts to instruction and our eares to the words of knowledge Let vs be still desirous of thy heauenlie kingdome Let the holie bread of thy Gospell and foode of heauenlie dainties be onlie sweet vnto vs and sauorie in our mouths that we may depart well refreshed and full fraught with the largesse and plentie of thy word and Euangelike feast Make thou vs true Conuerts and more and more to increase and growe from faith to faith vertue to vertue Let vs neuer loath this heauenlie Philosophie but let vs be as the learned that are taught of thee and made meet by this thy preacher to receiue thy doctrine to our health The preacher heere present is vndoubtedlie thy mouth and messenger whom thou hast sent O therfore let vs not dare either barbarously to misvse our selues towards him in word deed or thought or scornefullie disdaine to be taught of him but with all feare of thy Maiestie and reuerence towards him let vs with all attentiue and ghostlie greedinesse marke his words well to followe whatsoeuer shall be godlie vttered by him And finallie touch thou so our harts we beseech thee O God to beleeue thy word and to repent with speed that the preaching of thy Gospell may take place in vs to practise the works of faith and shew foorth fruits worthie the same so that we with this and all other thy preachers and they togither with vs leading a right vertuous and godlie life according to the rules prescribed in thy word may be brought in the end vnto thee the chiefe shepheard of our soules where wee may iointlie be partakers of eternall good things and most excellent felicitie thorough Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another IN this great darknesse of our soules O Lord thou shinest vnto vs with the lightsome lampe of thy grace but in nothing so effectuallie as in preaching of thy word Great is the haruest as thou thy selfe hast said and the workemen are few The most part of men are ignorant and wrapped in miserable blindnesse and few there are that teach thy word trulie and as they ought I beseech thee therefore that thou wilt send foorth workemen into thy haruest send teachers O Lord which are taught of thee and instructed by thy spirit of godlie wisdome and vnderstanding which by their preaching will seeke not themselues but thee because they are godlie and can so doo because they are wise and vnderstand Giue to the preacher of thy word heere present out of the treasures of thy wisedome that which he may powre vpon vs to our saluation And in vs open the windowes of our harts that they may receiue into them the most holie and wholsome light and that the good seede which falleth vpon vs be not choaked with thornes or withered awaie with drought nor be deuoured by the fowles of the aire but may growe vp in good ground and that fruitefullie with great increase to thy glorie and our saluation Amen Another praier to be vsed of anie hearer of Gods word I Giue thee most hartie thanks O eternall God father of our Lord Iesu Christ for that it hath pleased thee of thine vnspeakable mercie and goodnesse in all ages continuallie to send into the world men woonderfull in the gifts and knowledge of thy will to be renuers and spreaders foorth of thy truth Like thanks I ascribe vnto thy sacred Maiestie for allowing vs shepheards and preachers in these our daies for the gathering together of thy Church out of all mankinde to the building of the bodie of Christ Humblie I beseech thee gratious God continue alwaie among vs thy pure word through thy Ministers gather vnto thy selfe an euerlasting congregation and so instruct mine hart with thy spirit of truth that vnfeinedlie I may assent to thy wholesome word proue a liuelie member of thy bodie and be incorporated into that societie which both in this world doth sincerelie confesse thee and euermore extoll thy holie name Keepe those preachers which thou dooest and wilt giue in the certaine knowledge of thy blessed will that they may from time to time both open vnto vs thine intent concerning the repairing of mankind the saluation and redemption of our soules through thy free mercy and also teach vs how to liue in new obedience and to abstaine from carnall desires which fight against the soule Inspire the ministers and preachers of thy word with thine holie spirit that they may vtter thy will purelie as they haue receiued it from thy hands reteining the forme of whoalsome words and sounding onlie that doctrine which is vttered by thy sonne out of thy bosome For otherwise departing from the order of faith and the rule of thy word they will greatlie obscure the light of thy doctrine and obtrude vpon vs the vanitie of their owne inuentions Wherefore let them speake thy word not deceiptfullie but sincerelie euen as from thee and in thy sight Grant also that by transforming thy ministerie into policie they lord not ouer thine elect neither contend about superioritie and primacie in the Church but onlie to seeke the glorie of thy name and the saluation both of themselues vs. Giue them libertie of speech boldlie without feare to blame and rebuke all false doctrine blasphemous superstition and abuses in the Church Open vnto them the doore of vtterance
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
doo through the onelie merits of our Lord and Sauiour Jesus Christ to whom be all honour glorie dominion power and praise for euer and euer Amen The praier ALmightie and most mercifull God my heauenlie Father I thy poore child and most vnwoorthie bidden ghest to this thy prepared sacrifice and celestiall feast after due examination of my former life with an humble and contrite hart with a sorowfull and repentant spirit and with a forgiuing and charitable mind heere prostrate on my knees before thy throne of mercie with most lowelie hart humblie beseech thy Maiestie euen for thy deere and onelie sonne Iesus Christs sake whom thou hast once for all euer alreadie giuen an oblation and offering for our sinnes to haue mercie pitie and compassion vpon me most vile wretched and miserable sinner and to forgiue me all mine innumerable and horrible offences both old and new committed against heauen and earth and against thee And new I praie thee sanctifie me throughlie O God and make me who hartilie desire in feare trembling to please thee in all things that I doo a woorthie communicant a godlie ghest and fit partaker heere this daie of thy heauenlie food in this great and sumptuous Supper of my Lord and my God by giuing vnto me of thine accustomed goodnesse the right knowledge and vnderstanding out thy word of the thing it selfe these holie mysteries I meane and the manifold fruits and benefites thereof and also by causing me through the working of thy mercie and grace to bring now with me a true and constant faith the roote and wel-spring of all newnesse of life as well in praising thee and louing my neighbour as purging mine owne conscience by earnest repentance and continuall contrition from dead works and filthinesse of sinne so that neither the ignorance of the thing O gratious God may cause me to contemne it nor vnfaithfulnesse make it void of fruit nor sinne and iniquitie procure me thy heauie plagues but grant that I may by faith in knowledge and amendment of life in faith be heere now so vnited to thy sonne Christ my head and most deerelie beloued spouse in these his holie and heauenlie mysteries to my comfort both in bodie and soule that afterward I may haue full fruition of him in deede to mine euerlasting ioie and saluation in eternall life through the same Iesus Christ our Lord blessed for euer Amen Another godlie praier O Iesu Christ holy and eternall God I miserable woman and wretched sinner acknowledge and confesse that I am not woorthie the least of all thy mercies and most vnwoorthie to receiue thee vnder the roofe of my soule by participating of thy most blessed bodie and bloud For horrible and infinite are the sinnes wherewith I am defiled Wo is me Lord. For I am a woman of polluted lips and dwell among people that haue vncleane lips And therefore the verie entrailes of my hart are troubled and my bones doo shake because I finde my soule a most vnworthie ghest for so heauenlie a supper And yet againe mine hart is woonderfullie lightned when I call to mind that thou the deere sonne of almightie God camest not into this world to call the righteous but sinners vnto repentance For they that be whole need not the Physician but they that are sick Besides I knowe right well and constantlie doo beleeue that notwithstanding my filthinesse thou canst make mee woorthie which alone canst make that cleane which is conceiued of vncleane seed and righteous men of sinners when thou forgiuest our sinnes of thy woonted grace thine holie spirit being powred vpon vs. Through which thy power and mercie I beseech thee graunt such grace vnto me a sinner that I may woorthilie approch to this heauenlie sacrament least otherwise by mine vnwoorthinesse I be made giltie of thy bodie and bloud and so in stead of life receiue my iudgement and condemnation Giue grace therefore that afore I presume to come vnto the participation thereof I may examine my selfe by calling my sinnes into mind searching out my waies and by vnfeigned and hartie repentance returning vnto thee my Lord least otherwise by concealing my sinnes with Iudas the traitor I eate the bread of the Lord against the Lord and by abusing thy gentlenesse heape vengeance vnto my selfe against the daie of vengeance O make me therefore I saie to confesse my sinnes and that with hartie sobs so thou being a faithfull and iust God wilt abandon all mine offences and cleanse me from my sinnes and wilt not disdaine to accept me into fauour when I doo not refraine to acknowledge my wickednesse Moreouer powre into me a true and liuelie faith that I neuer mistrust thy word annexed to the Sacraments which promiseth vnto mankind the remission of sinnes For to eate or drinke with the mouth onelie is to no purpose but faith must come therevnto and apprehend the word with the promises annexed for they are the grounds and principles of this sacrament so that whosoeuer giueth credit to these words Which was giuen and shead for you in the remission of sinnes the same man hath that which is promised by them namelie eternall life and saluation For where the remission of sinnes is there likewise righteousnes life and saluation is But he which doubteth of these words he without doubt is an vnworthie receiuer and commeth vnprepared For the doubting man neither eateth the flesh spirituallie nor yet drinketh the bloud though carnallie and to our eies he seemeth to consume the Sacrament of the bodie and bloud with his teeth and mouth but his damnation rather not bicause thy supper is poison but for that an euill man taketh a good thing naughtilie Finallie grant also that receiuing this thy Sacrament of the new Testament I may put off according to the former conuersation the old man which is corrupt according to the lusts of error and be renewed in the spirit of my mind putting on the new man which after God is shapen in righteousnesse and holinesse of truth And albeit my nature be such that I can not liue without spots of wickednesse yet so blesse me that I may neuer offend willinglie but altogether depending vpon thy goodnesse whose manner is to pardon the true penitent that sinners may boldlie approch to thine holie supper especiallie seeing we haue libertie to enter into the holie places through thy bloud by the new and liuing waie which thou hast prepared for vs through the vaile that is by thy flesh And seeing we haue an high Priest ouer the house of God make vs to drawe nigh with true harts in assurance of faith sprinkled in our minds from an euill conscience and washed in bodie with pure water Cause vs to hold fast the profession of the hope without wauering For he is faithfull that promised and let vs consider one of another to prouoke vnto loue to good works not forsaking the assemblie of the faithfull as the maner of some is but exhorting one another
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
Queenes most prosperous gouernement hitherto and praieth for the continuance thereof to Gods glorie AMongst other thy benefits great and innumerable heauenlie father our most mercifull Lord and God by thee of thine exceeding goodnesse bestowed vpon the children of men the seruants of thy houshold dispersed vpon the face of the earth it hath pleased thee that we thy people of England liuing in these daies should in abundance beyond the measure of the graces of our brethren the prosperous course of our fathers behold and perceiue thine inestimable good will in the amiablenesse of thy countenance shining vpon vs to whom thou hast giuen thy chosen handmaiden Elizabeth for souereigne Ladie and Gouernour For whatsoeuer is for the glorie of thy house O Lord for vs it is which are the issue and slime of the earth and vnwoorthie to stand and looke vp to heauen made into vessels after thine image that were not to be redeemed and borne anew after the second Adam that perisheth not in the sprinkling of the bloud of Christ and sanctification of the spirit that were vtterlie lost to stand fast in thy hands sealed according to thine eternall loue and written in the booke of life that dailie runne headlong to our owne destruction As the sense heereof reioiceth the harts of all those whome thou hast knit into this fellowship of the Saincts and called into the blessed hope of the eternall kingdome so againe how vngratefull should we be to whome thou hast dealt these benefits from thy diuine Maiestie by the person raised vp for thine instrument thereof towards vs if we should not in speciall sort shew our selues thankefull vnto thee therefore And if not to liue tearing and eating one the other like the Giants in the old world and euerie man to doo what seemeth him best in his owne eies as when there was no Iudge in Israel If that princes reigne and Gouernours giue iudgement it is thy gift and then in the woorst disposition of their thoughts for the sinnes of the people they are redoubted Thou O Lord hast appointed them they are sacred Thou O Lord hast annointed them they are feared thou changest their harts like the streames of waters they are honoured Thine owne image likenesse in guiding Angels and all creatures is pregnant and cannot deuaile in them bearing rule in earth ouer the children of men What praise is due vnto thee from those vnto whome thou leauest not an Anarchie and headlesse dissolution As to the Canibals a monstrous and mis-shapen gouernement and fanning with fire and streaming with bloud and smoking with mist and darkenesse of errour and ignorance As to the Antichristes greased in the brow with the marke of the image of the great beaste whore of Babylon not a waste and barbarous perpetuall heathen contrition as vnto the Tartarian heards of cursed Cham vnto the rustie wasted with miserie the inhabitants of Meschech or to the turbulent and rauenous swarmes and hosts of Tubal-gog or such like as those but contrariwise whome thou leadest like a flocke of sheepe by the hands of Moses and Aaron and hast chosen Dauid thy seruant whome thou hast loued to feed as the people of thine owne inheritance giuing vnto them for warre peace for inciuilitie societie for ignorance knowledge for superstition religion for error truth for hunger plentie for vnprouidence policie for dissonancie harmonie for miserie felicitie and making them to dwell in safetie as vnder the wings of thy defence and shadowe of thy protection Now such hath beene thy mercie towards vs that no tongue is able to expresse in giuing vs in thy gratious pleasure and thine vnrecountable largesse and liberalitie thy select seruant Elizabeth Queene and supreame Gouernour to vs of the legue nations and peoples of hir obeisance and regiment that as by a starre the light and influence ouer things beneath from thee the first cause and fountaine of brightnesse not to be attained vnto and as by a cleere riuer and plentifull brooke the course of the waters from thee the euerlasting head-spring euen so the shining beames and flowing streames of all those thy mercies and good gifts haue beene and are sithence the daies of hir happie and gratious gouernement from thee conuaid and deuolued vnto vs. And we that before were no people not so much in regard of the estate in which we haled when we were sauage and wood men cruell as men-deuourers terrible as spirits brutish as beasts in the old age at the first calling home of our grand ancestors to humane ciuilitie but in these daies in few yeares degenerate from the true knowledge of thee and thy Sonne Iesus Christ vnto the consuming nakednesse of idolatrie and plaieng inordinate before the golden calfe of our owne making and our Priests Now the foure and twentith Sunne most happilie inuironeth in the firmament sithence by the meanes of a poore vessell of the weaker sexe and a sillie maiden thou performing the glorious deliuerance of thy people out of the thraldome and slauerie of Pharao and Egypt didst annoint the kings daughter with an holie oile setting a crowne of pure gold vpon hir head and inuesting hir with the purple and scepter and regall diademe of the Realme sithence which time O father we owe to thee and to hir our God and our Moses the breath of our nostrels the sight of this light the vse of this aire the ease of our harts the peace of our consciences and the whole worke of our welfare By hir inspired by thee spreading hir beames at hir appearing the bloudie launces and claunching murreans and the redoubling sheelds haue beene shattered asunder in shiuers and bated and foiled into mattockes and spades the flames of our furies quenched and put out and the poole of grace flowed ouer the Realme the Lion reconciled with the Lambe the wilde Asse set to be pastured with the seelie Kid the abhomination of desolation remoued from the holie Temple and the Sonne of man exalted and lift vp on high in his owne kingdome for all that were stoong by the firie Serpent to looke vpon and be saued In admirable lenitie Babylon hath put on Zion Egypt is become our owne Rahab the harlot denizoned in Ierusalem we become of the wild oliues the true garden plants of Ismael Israel of miscreant christian of painime protesting professing of Antichristian Romanists heathen idolaters faithfull Euangelicall sincerelie beleeuing woorshippers of thee in spirit and veritie according to thy holie word Neither hath cost beene spared nor occasion foreslowed nor time ouerpassed nor trauell intermitted to raise that was fallen to win that was withholden to call that was straied to heale that was wearied to find that was lost to restore that was ruined to repaire that was decaied to make good and enable that was abandoned Preachers haue beene sent foorth plentiouslie lawes haue beene executed mercifullie orders haue beene set downe politikelie dangers haue beene declined discreetly tumults haue beene appeased victoriouslie
euill concupiscence inordinate desires wantonnes tendernes delicatenes idlenes dronkennes gluttonie slothfulnes distrust despaire ignorance weakenes wilfulnes idolatrie superstition hypocrisie heresie error sects variance strife wrath enuie slanders lieng swearing curssing vaine-glorie pride couetousnes theft deceit flatterie and whatsoeuer else O Lord fighteth or rebelleth against thy holie spirit And strengthen me so with thy might that I may not onlie drawe all these mine earthlie members and horrible vices before rehearsed vnder my feet but also fight continuallie against them subdue them so that they may all turne to the best for me as meet matter whereon I may exercise my faith powre foorth hartie praier and giue thee most hartie thanks for victorie Finallie worke in me thy blessing with all the fruits of the spirit righteousnes peace loue ioie in the holie Ghost long-suffering gentlenes goodnes faithfulnes meekenes temperance strength patience and such like Grant vs the remission of our sinnes righteousnes and life Restore in our minds thy lawe and begin such a new conformitie this new yeare in this our life and conuersation as may be perfect in the life to come Be thou our sauiour by thy power and merit that in our minds we may perceiue that thy Father is at peace with vs through thy death and find thee dwelling within vs to eternall life and happinesse Amen Halleluiah 4. On the Epiphanie or twelfe daie Of the apparition of Christ and the three Kings and their offerings to Christ The Preface GET thee vp beetimes and be bright O daughter Ierusalem For thy light commeth and the glorie of the Lord is risen vpon thee Lift vp thine eies looke round about thee For behold the Gentiles shall come to thy light and kings to the brightnesse that springeth foorth vpon thee The multitude of camels and dromedaries that bring the riches of the Gentiles shall couer thee all they of Saba Mada and Epha shall come bringing gold incense and shewing foorth the praise of the Lord. All these gather themselues and come to thee thy sonnes shall come vnto thee from farre and thy daughters shall gather themselues to thee on euerie side frō the east and from the west The isles also shall wait for me and speciallie the ships of Tharsis that they may bring thy sonnes and daughters from farre and their siluer and their gold with them vnto the name of the Lord thy God vnto the holie one of Israel that hath glorified thee Strangers shall build vp thy wals and their kings shall doo thee seruice yea kings princes and the host of the Gentils shall see and arise and worship thee For I haue made thee the light of the Gentiles that thou maist be my health vnto the end of the world Thou shalt suck the milke of the Gentils and kings brests shall feed thee kings I saie shall be thy nursing fathers and Queenes shall be thy nursing mothers And those shall come kneeling vnto thee that haue vexed thee and all they that despise thee shall fall at thy feet before thee with their faces flat vpon the earth and licke vp the dust of thy feet Yea euerie people and kingdome that serueth not thee shall perish and be destroied with vtter destruction and thou shalt knowe that I am the Lord the Sauiour and Redeemer euen the mightie one of Iacob and that whosoeuer putteth his trust in me shall not be confounded They that dwell in the wildernes I saie shall kneele before the Kings sonne his enimies shall licke the dust The king of Tharsis and of the isles shall giue presents the kings of Arabia Saba shall bring gifts All kings shall fall downe before him all nations shall doo him seruice He shall liue and vnto him shall be giuen the gold of Arabia Praier shall be made euer vnto him and dailie shall he be praised The Lord declared his saluation his righteousnesse hath he openlie shewed in the sight of the heathen All the world shall worship thee O God sing of thee and praise thy name most high The Lord is King the earth may be glad thereof yea the multitude of isles may reioice and bee glad thereof Bring therefore vnto the Lord O ye mightie bring presents and gifts vnto the Lord O ye kindreds and nations of the world Come I saie into his courts with praise and speake good of his name Ascribe vnto the Lord onelie the strength power kingdome and glorie worship God I saie O ye gods kings iudges and rulers of the earth worship him with an holie worship and giue him the honor due vnto his name O make his praises to be glorious in your liues and conuersation For he it is that hath exalted you and is himselfe exalted farre aboue all gods and his praise and glorie is aboue heauen and earth Halleluiah The Praier OEternall God Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which after a woonderfull maner reuealedst thy selfe at the baptisme of Christ standing in the water of Iordan at such time as thou diddest testifie of thy sonne and the holie Ghost appeared in the likenesse of a dooue gouerne vs by thine holie spirit that in true faith we may obeie thee kindle in our minds a true knowledge of thy benefits bring to passe that approching vnto thee in our praiers we may discerne thee the true God aboue all feined gods in mind turne our selues into that banke of the water into the companie of those godlie auditors and beholders before whom this noble appearing was made Speake vnto vs by thy sonne in the holie Ghost and turne vs vnto true obedience And as thou broughtest godlie auditors vnto the sight of Christ which taking our flesh vpon him became our mediatour and thou eternall Father spakest out of the cloud and the holie Ghost appeared in the likenes of a dooue so bring to passe that in this life we may depend vpon the benefit of thy soone which coupled our nature vnto his to make an eternall couenant with vs. Cause the heauens in like maner to be opened vnto vs that we may heare thy voice and thy spirit rest vpon vs. Worke in vs the beginning of eternall life vntill in thy visible presence we shall be hold thy diuinivntill in the heauens not darklie and in a cloud but face to face beeing made like thy sonne And as those Christian Magicians or Philosophers of Persia some remnants of the schoole of Daniel by the conduct and leading of a starre came from farre to see thee and gaue a notable testimonie of the birth of Christ Iesus our Sauiour so mainteine euermore for thine owne glorie sake some congregation which may set foorth and celebrate thy benefits Grant that that luckie starre the light of faith may rise vnto vs which seeketh thee in Bethlem in a manger in thy word reuealed in the ministerie that we wander not from the right waie neither seeke fained bywaies of humane opinions seruice Suffer not the lampe of thy light to be extinguished either
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
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
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
that light should be made and so not onlie bodies shining with noble light yet vnreasonable were made but besides also other spirituall natures as Angels were brought foorth into which thou powredst the beames of thy light of thy wisedome of thy righteousnesse and life and appointedst a companie of them which remained in their innocencie to euerlasting righteousnes and life that alwaies they might behold the countenance of the eternall Father being replenished with perfect goodnesse Thou hast ordeined and constituted in a woonderfull order that most excellent nature of all Angels to serue thy Church to defend the weake and feeble companie of men which in this life turne vnto thy Sonne our verie Michael Thou commandest those heroicall and valiant spirits to protect thy Church kingdoms and godlie schooles and places where thy Church doth abide calling vpon thee in feare and continuing in thy seruice We thanke thee from our harts for this great and vnspeakable benefit beseeching thee most humblie mercifullie to grant that they which alwaie doo thee seruice in heauen may by thine appointment succour and defend vs here in earth Conuert vs O Lord and we shall be conuerted teach vs to confesse this thy goodnesse and following the example of thine holie Angels to serue thee and thy congregation in true and sincere humilitie Compasse our Churches Common-weales and houses with the watch of thine Angels driue awaie from vs and our houses diuels thine enimies lieng blasphemous cruell murdering and incestuous spirits which through extreme hatred of thee and thy Sonne torment man labouring to bring it about that all flesh may blaspheme thee Represse the rage of them in their members in false teachers in the enimies of thy truth in Turks and other tyrants which persecute vs. Helpe vs in this world being ingraffed into that Church which thou dooest protect and may continue faithfull vnto the death and afterward being translated into eternall life be like the Angels yeelding immortall thanks vnto thee for thine infinite benefits Amen 19. On Saint Luke the Euangelists daie It is neither herbe nor emplaster that restoreth vs to health but thy word O Lord which healeth all things O Omnipotent almightie and euerliuing God which calledst Luke the Physician whose praise is in the Gospell to be a Physician of the soule it may please thee by the wholsome medicine of his doctrine to heale all the diseases of our soules And as by thy Sonne our Lord and Sauiour Christ thou hast commanded vs to praie that labourers may be thrust into thy haruest so grant vnto vs for the same thy sonne Bishops of thine owne instructing good shepherds sound preachers faithfull workmen and godlie ministers which may faithfullie ouersee and by thy word of saluation prosperouslie gouerne thy Church being deerlie bought with the pretious bloud of thine onelie Sonne Giue vnto vs such teachers as are both learned in thy word and commended for their good liuing direct them being illuminated with thine heauenlie light that they may rightlie deliuer and diuide vnto vs the principles of good doctrine the word of truth and the Gospell of life and open the difference betweene the lawe and the Gospell teach vs to beware of the leauen of the Pharisies and the contagious doctrine of mans traditions informe vs in all spirituall wisedome and bring vs by the operation of thine holie spirit vnto perfection both in the eies of God and sight of the world Grant that their labours may take good successe to the increase of thy celestiall haruest Giue them grace to continue constant in their profession fearing neither the hatred nor ingratitude of this world beleeuing certainlie that such as despise them are despised of thee and that thou neither wilt of thine holinesse nor wilt of thy iustice suffer such blaspemous impietie to go vnpunished Amen 20. On Simon and Iudes daie Apostles Thou hast made them princes in all lands therefore shall they remember thy name O Lord from one generation to another ALmightie God which hast builded thy congregation vpon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Iesu Christ himselfe being the head corner stone grant vs so to be ioined togither in vnitie of spirit by their doctrine that we may be made an holie temple acceptable to thee And O Lord Iesu Christ which after this maner diddest comfort thine Apostles whom the world would hate and abhorre saieng I haue chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you Separate vs we humblie beseech thee from the darknesse idolatrie and wickednesse of this world and ioine vs to that companie among which thy Godhead dooeth dwell Grant that in true loue we may be ioined vnto thine eternall Father through thy spirit which is the bond of peace Make vs nothing to dread the sinister iudgements of the world neither yet for anie perils to forsake thy truth but patientlie suffer the iniuries from which thy selfe wast not free Let vs alwaies thinke that the seruant is not greater than the maister and so togither with thee and thine Apostles suffer those troubles and crosses which of God for our sinnes and amendement shall be laid vpon vs Amen 21. On All Saints daie Let the righteous be glad and reioice before God let them also be merie and ioifull WE thanke thee O almightie God our heauenlie Father for that of thine infinite mercie through our Lord and Sauiour and working of thine holie spirit thou gatherest out of mankind an euerlasting Church hast knit togither thine elect in one communion and felowship in the mysticall bodie of the same thy Sonne Christ our Lord defendest the same mightilie against the rage of the diuels and tyrannie of his members yea and hast promised one daie by thy Sonne to raise the same from death and to adorne it with vnspeakable glorie We beseech thee haue mercie on vs for the sake of the same thy Sonne our Mediator and Sauiour and grant vs grace so to followe thy holie Saints in all vertue and godlie liuing that we may come to those vnspeakable ioies which thou hast prepared for them that vnfeinedlie loue thee And gather from among vs euermore some religious companie which may serue thee in faith and a good conscience Assist that in this life that benefit of eternall life may begin that we may in a contrite hart obeie thee patientlie suffer the troubles which accompanie thy Gospell shew our selues meeke and mercifull hungring and thirsting from our hart after thy righteousnesse and seeking for the food of our soule aboue all things Make our ioie perfect and reioice in deed looking through faith vpon that blessed companie of Angels and men which enioie thy visible presence among whom thy Sonne is whom they see face to face and filled with vnspeakable delight here discoursing of thy woonderfull wisedome both in gathering and preseruing thy Church bring vs gratious Lord vnto the blessed cōpanie of thy Saints in this world and afterward make vs citizens of thine eternall kingdome togither
stirred vp thy goodnesse to displeasure Yet when thou sawest their tribulation and their lowlie submission vnto thee Thou diddest remember thy promise and by and by hadst pitie and compassion vpon them according to the multitude of thy mercies Haue mercie vpon me O Lord God omnipotent haue mercie vpon me for I am a miserable a wretched creature Make me whole I beseech thee whom thou hast striken for my sinne and iniquitie My soule is troubled greatlie and how long O Lord wilt thou not looke towards me How long wilt thou reiect my praier thus crieng out vnto thee Wilt thou heare me at no time How long wilt thou turne awaie thy face from me Where be thine old mercies O Lord whom thou hast stablished in thy truth Wilt thou now O Lord God cease to shew mercie Or wilt thou withdrawe thy goodnesse in displeasure Hast thou cast me awaie for euer that thou wilt neuer hereafter be pleased with me Thine hand is not weakened but it may helpe and thine eares be not stopped that they refuse to heare How long shall my mind be troubled with painfull and heauie thoughts How long shall sorowe torment mine hart How long shall mine enimie haue the vpper hand of me Looke towards me Lord GOD and heare my praier Giue light to mine eies for I haue slept too long in death and my sinnes haue preuailed against me Turne againe O Lord turne againe and deliuer my soule and saue me for thy great mercie sake Lo now is the accepted time now be the daies of health and grace In death who shall remember thee In hell who shall laud or praise thee He that liueth he that liueth shall praise thee and shall make thy mercie knowne Lord rebuke me not in thine anger nor punish me in thy great displeasure Cast not thy darts at me nor laie not thy heauie hand vpon me For I haue borne thine anger a long while of the cup of thy high displeasure I haue droonke verie deepe There is no health in my flesh for feare of thy displeasure I haue no peace nor rest when I behold my sinnes Mine iniquities be gone ouer mine head and like an heauie burden they dailie presse me downe The wounds in my soule doo fester and stinke euen through mine owne follie I am a wretch cast awaie from thy fauour and presence and go moorning all the daie long My soule is full of filthinesse and no part of mee is whole and sound Wherfore mine enimies doo persecute me the more the greatnes of my paine maketh me to rore and crie My heart fainteth and trembleth within me and my strength is gone awaie O Lord thou knowest my desire and thou seest my necessitie Forgiue me all my sinnes O Lord God almightie for thine owne sake and put out of thy sight my hainous offences for according to thy goodnesse thou hast promised forgiuenesse of sinnes to them that doo pennance Haue mercie on me Lord for the glorie and honour of thy name and be no longer displeased with me and then thou shalt surelie be knowne to be iust and true in thy words shalt ouercome when thou art iudged For by this thy great grace shall be knowne that thou takest mercie on them which haue not whereof they may glorie in thy sight And all the dwellers on the earth shall learne and knowe thy goodnesse when thou shalt confer and giue thy benefits to vs for thy great name sake and not after our euill waies and wicked deeds Uerelie Lord God except thou shew vnto vs thy manifold mercies the world shall not haue life nor they that dwell therein And if thou helpe vs not with thy goodnesse how may they which haue offended be raised vp from their sinnes Haue mercie on me O good Father haue mercie on me and for thy glorious name be no longer angrie with me Take me a sinner vnto thy mercie for the name of thy holie Sonne Iesu whome thou hast sent to be the obteiner of mercie for our sinnes through faith in his bloud Behold holie Father behold thy child whome thou hast chosen behold thy welbeloued Sonne in whome thy soule delighteth vpon whome thou hast put thy holie spirit and sent him to preach the Gospell to the poore to heale them which for their sinnes be sorowfull and contrite to comfort them that mourne to preach pardon to the prisoners and sight to the blind Behold thy little one which was borne for vs behold thy Sonne which is giuen to vs whome thou hast not spared but giuen to death for vs all to be a sweet offering and sacrifice to thee Uerelie he tooke vpon him in his bodie our infirmities and he bare our paines He was made weake for our sinnes and he was wounded for our offences The correction for our peace was laid vpon him and by y e strokes that he suffered our wounds were healed All we went astraie like sheepe euerie one followeth his owne waie and thou O Lord puttest on him our iniquitie striking him for the offences of thy people He gaue his bodie to be beaten and his cheekes to be stricken he turned not awaie his face from them that scorned him Through his loue and mercie he hath redeemed them that were lost and by his bloud shead on the crosse he hath pacified all things in heauen and earth He gaue himselfe to death and made his praiers for them which were offenders Looke O mercifull Father and consider who it is that thus did suffer and remember I beseech thee for whome he hath suffered For this is that innocent whome thou gauest to death for vs euen then when we were sinners and shall we not being now iustified by his bloud much rather be saued from wrath through him If we when we were yet enimies were reconciled to thee by the death of thy Sonne shall we not being reconciled much rather be saued by his life Behold that pure and immaculate Lambe which taketh awaie the sinnes of the world by whose pretious bloud we are redeemed from our iniquities Looke vpon that most meeke innocent which like a Lambe was led to his death and being most cruellie intreated once opened not his mouth Behold thine onlie Sonne whome although thou begattest of thine almightie power substance and nature yet thou wouldest he should be partaker of mine infirmitie Which being God in nature thought it no rauine to be equall with God but made himselfe lowe taking vpon him the shape of a seruant and comming in the similitude of sinfull flesh condemned sinne in the flesh submitting himselfe vnto thee O Father euen to the death of the crosse and there put out the hand-writing that was against vs conteined in the lawe written and taking it out of the waie fastned it to his crosse on the which he spoiled potestates and powers and made a shew of them openlie and triumphed ouer them in his owne person Turne the eies of thy Maiestie O Lord God and looke vpon