before we vtter them going vnto him that calles come vnto me all you that trauell and are heauen loaden and I will refresh you To him therefore let vs goe to him let vs send vp these trusty embassadours our Prayers Prayer the sweet cesterne and conduite of grace by the which all the benefits and guiftes in that heauenly treasure-house are cōtinued reserued and renued vnto vs. Prayer the keye that opens where no man shuts and shuttes where no man can open that enters where no man hath passage and returnes where no man can hinder Prayer the life of the soule when being perplexed with such griefe of hart as neyther Wine nor strong drinke according to the aduise of Salomon can comfort her misery hauing no word to speake nor comfort to apply when it is day wishing for nightes approach and when it is night saying to her selfe when shall it be morning how euer the season no comfort succeeding neither by light nor darkenesse nor in any worldly felicitye wishing as often as shee openeth her lips and draweth in breath into her nostrils if God were as hasty to fulfill as she to desire O that thou wouldest hide me in the graue and keepe mee secret vntill thy wrath were past Iob. 14. yet then euen then she assumeth the winges of a doue the motion and agility of the spirit of God she flyeth by the strength of her Prayers into the bosome of Gods mercy and there like the arke vpon the mountaines of Armenia is at rest Therefore if any be afflicted let him pray let vs not presume in the height of our prosperity with Dauid to say as hee did I shall neuer be remoued thou Lord of thy goodnesse hast made my hill so strong least with him we suddainly shall see a change Thou diddest but hide thy face and I was sore troubled then cryed I vnto the Lord and prayed vnto my God saying what profit is there in my blood Psal 20. therefore let him that standes take good heed that he doe not fall let vs put our confidence in the Lord our God and pray vnto him and to none other neither let vs presume vpon our selues nor any earthly meanes beside for her was neuer contemplation exercise or any kinde study in the world so acceptable to the maiestie of God so gratious in his sight so linked and true a friend to him that makes vse of it as prayer is It waketh in the night season it restes not in the day it forsaketh vs not by land nor by sea in health nor in sicknesse in prosperity nor in aduersity in weale nor in woe liuing nor dying it is our last friend and most indissoluble companion Let vs therefore loue it and therefore let vs vse it There was neuer name in heauen or earth so worthy to bee called vpon so mighty for deliuerance so puissant for protection so gainfull for successe so compendious to abridge vnnecessary labours as the name of IEHOVAH our most mercifull Father and the image of his countenance Iesus Christ Therefore to the Lord there was neuer Sanctuary so free for Transgessors in the strongest priuiledge neuer such safety neuer holes in the rocke so open for the doues of the field the armes of any mother so open to her childe as the bowels of Gods compassion to all faithfull beleeuers Therefore to him and therefore faithfully and in that method fitnesse and propriety as Thomas hauing the obiect of his prayer before his eyes euen Christ Iesus my Lord and my God There was neuer creature liuing vnder the line of the Sun that saw not affliction in his dayes neuer was there any to whom affliction was not grieuous and irke-some yet neuer was there affliction so great but it hath beene vnder the correction of the Lord whose hand hath beene able to maister it Therefore to euery affliction as they come in seuerall kindes for our seuerall sins and transgressions so our prayers must bee seuerall and framed and fitted thereunto and powred forth both with wisedome and zeale that they come not harshly vndigested to those eares that can both sift and try the one and the other the delicasie and tendernesse whereof must bee wisely intreated and the fauour of his countenance carefully sought after the example of him that knew in his soule that a faint and dissembled prayer would returne empty into the bosome of him that sent it vp But a broken and contrite spirit the Lord would not despise neuer sent vp his petitions but with the deepest affection and zeale of his minde with the most sincere integrity and meditated zeale that might be for Euery night washt he his bed and watered his Couch with teares the bloud of the soule and the wine of Angels the pretious and significant pearles of contrition that preuaile without words and effect where words faile And therefore feruently after his example that thou mayst haue the force of two tongues in thy suit the better to speed And to auoyd the malediction which thou mayst else receiue in stead of a blessing for cursed is he that doth the worke of the Lord negligently And as we may learn precepts and draw many excellent examples from the lines of the heathē Philosophers writers so here to this wee may learne a zeale in our prayers euen of those wodden Priests K. 1. 18. of whom it is written that they called vpon the name of Baal frō morning to noone and when they had no answere they cryed aloud nay they cut themselues with kniues till the bloud flowed so they prayed not onely in teares but in bloud and shall not wee the children of the light bee as zealous in our generation And frō the agony zeale of the son of Righteousnesse that in the daies of his flesh offered vp prayers supplications with strong cryes teares to him that was able to helpe him learne to adresse our selues in our necessities of whom the Gospel further declares not only that he kneeled at the naming of whose name all knees haue bowed both in heauen earth and vnder the earth but that he fell vpon the ground the footstoole of his owne maiesty and lay vpon that face that neuer Angell beheld without reuerence and when he had prayed before hee prayed more earnestly as the Scriptures record hee once prayed and departed and a second time and yet a third time departed and departed euermore vsing the same petitions his prayer ascending by degrees like incense and perfume and not onely his lippes went but his agony and contention within was so great that an Angell was sent from heauen to comfort him and with the trouble of his soule sweat like droppes of bloud trickling downe to the ground Let vs not therefore offer vp this sacrifice but remēber this blessed example of this our blessed sauiour in our imitation that they may be blessed in their speed and we in their successe and not to vtter them remisse and carelesse as if our spirites
sinne my reputation name to perish vpon earth as salt that hath lost his sauour my temporal estate to be ruind by casualties and losse For why should any thing prosper that I take in hand being thus ouergrowne in wickednesse and wherefore shouldst thou giue good successe to that which I attribute not vnto thee how euer it fall out buâ— to the worke of mine owne hands and the pollicy of my contriuing robbing thee of thy honour and due to whom it belongs O Lord as thy mercy hath thus long preserued me sound in all these so let it worke in me that at last I may â—ee my errour and amend it see my wound and labour to cure it my finnes and repent mee of them from the bottome of my heart that thou mayst forgiue me them Turne me O Lord and I shall be turned wash me cleane with water and I shall be cleansed renue me as the Eagle her dayes and I shall bee renued gather thy thosen Flocke from thâ— mountains and desarts wherein they stray to fulfill thy fold I shall be gathered sweep thy house and find thy greate and I shall be found be gratious vnto me heareafter as thou hast bene good vnto me heretofore let not my vnworthynesse weary out thy goodnesse but continue it vnto me to the end now O Lord I giue thee harty thankes and praise for that thou hast this day preserued mée from all harmes and perilles notwithstanding all my sins and ill deserts so I beseech thee likewayes defend mee this night from all the dangers and assaults that may accompany this vncomfortable season and to this end I commend into thine hands my selfe my soule and body beseching thee my Lord and God not to suffer sathan nor any of his ministers to haue power to doe me any hurt or violence this night graunt good Lord that whether I sleep or wake liue or dye it may be vnto thee the saluation of my soule which grant Lord for thy mercies sake Thy grace o Lord Iesus Christ thy loue o heauenly father thy comfort and consolation o holy and blessed spirit be with me and dwell in mee both in hart and mind in soule and body this night and all the nights and dayes of my life Amen Another mornings Prayer Eyther priuate or publicke changing but the number MOst gratious God in the name of Christ Iesus our most mercifull Sauiour and redeemer we giue thee most humble and harty thankes for the quiet rest and repose this night thou hast bestowed vpon our weary and tyred bodies to the refreshing and norishing of the same and for thy gratious prouidence and vigilancy ouer vs all the dayes and nights past euer since we were borne and came into the world for our creation redemption for thy most sacred word a lanshorue to our feet and a light vnto our steppes for thy long and vnwearied patience so long expecting our repentance and turning vnto thee that day by day haue put thee off till we haue heaped vp many yeares of iniquity by greiuous sins in tedious times ouer and vpon our owne heads able and waightie enough to pull vs downe to the pit of perdition where long since we haue deserued to haue layne in endlesse wo and mysery but that thy mercy and louing kindnesse hath preuented vs o Lord giue vs grace to be mindfull of these mercies that our tongues may speake and harts may meditate theron in exultation and ioy and Lord giue vs grace to consider and make vse thereof that as the night is past wherein our spirit and vigor is renued which brought vs into sleepe the true image of death and layd vs in our beds the representation of our graues for vt somnus mortis sic lectus imago sepulcri and that the day hath taken vs vp againe to begin our toyle with his which suddainly finds a period and conclusion and sets it selfe againe in darkenesse which afterwards must giue place to the light and that these two consumers of the world the day and night which with there easy lenghts there spannes and fadomes since the commandement was first giuen let there be day and night haue brought age and maturity the sithes and sickles that haue reaped downe whole haruestes of flesh and layd the groth of nature in the dust teach vs o Lord with this remembrance to way the instability transmutation of time and nature the incertainty of all worldly things our vnwarranted liues that hange vpon a brittle third a dials point that with the sun in the morne with strength and splendor addresse our selues like giantes to runne our course when many times we are taken vp within few minuts after and caried into the bowels of the earth in the begining of our race becomming wormes and not men guestes for the solitary tabernacles of silence and forgetfulnesse and to frame our liues and actions thereafter that whensoeuer thy good will and pleasure is to take vs out of this world of misery to bind vp our bones in peace and rest we may yeild vp our soules and bodiâ—s into thy hands with full confidence and assurance that our sins and offences are washt away in the bloud of that pure and immaculate lambe Christ Iesus and shall not condemne vs prosper vs o Lord in all our actions giue good successe to our true indeauors and graunt that this day and all the dayes of our life may be so spent by thy councell fauour and direction that we may so beare our selues through this dale of mysery that at the last we may raigne with thee in eternity and glory Amen An euening Prayer to the same MOst gratious God and mercifull father in Christ Iesus we doe heare how downe the knees of our soules and bodies in thy presence offering vp our prayer and prayse vnto thee with all possible thankes for all thy fauours towards vs namely for electing vs vnto eternall life for creating vs vnto thine owne image for redeeming vs by the bloud of thy sonne for sanctifying â—s by thy holy spirit for our health peace and liberty and all thy blessings that we reioyce in for the which we can giue no reasoÌ„ for but thy mercy and if thou shouldest withdraw them all backe againe we cannot accuse thee of iniustice not deseruing the least of them by reason of our sins which are so greuous and infinite that we cannot reckon them able to make a perpetual seperation betweene thee and vs but that thou art a mercifull patient long suffering God thou desirest not the confusion of sinners but that they should turne from there wickednesse liue and to that end thou hast forborne vs hetherto with a heauye and greeued aspect and hast not raigned downe thy punishments vpon vs therefore now o Lord giue vs a time of grace as thou hast giuen vs time of mercy that we may take a suruaye of our estate that perceiuing the danger we are in from the which none
the feild and we â—eed not only our selues but our oxen in our meadowes and stalles to feed our vnprofitable carcasses our horses in the stable to beare our vnprofitable carkasses when the poore in our streetes at our gates feed vpoÌ„ empty aire for lacke of sustenance we remeÌ„ber not theÌ„ not Christ in them the hungereth and Christ the must feed vs which is the aduocate for the poore yâ— iudge of the rich in this obliuion and height of our sins what is become of humility of repentance we are all begotten in sin and to misery are we brought forth coÌ„cupiscence hath bene the nurse whose milke wee haue sucked from time to time as we haue growne in yeares so hath corruptioÌ„ growne vp with vs as part of our owne nature what remayneth theÌ„ O Lord for vs but humility repeÌ„taÌ„ce to prostrate our selues vpon the knees of our harts and say Lord haue mercy vpoÌ„ sinners with the poore publican not with yâ— proud Pharise to say I am not like this maÌ„ or other my brethren for I doe thus and so let vs not be so mad as to forget nature so much all our imperfections the substance and mettall whereof wee are made and that we must suddenly turne to the earth vpon which now we trample with such contempt and scorne and must become chamberers and fellowes with wormes and rotlennesse and what cause haue wee then to be proud Nay what cause haue wee not to bee humble when of all the large possessions and inheritances wee possesse wee haue no more truely our own then the length and bredth of our Carkasses And againe let vs humble our selues that Christ may exalt vs and not exalt our selues lest hee throw vs downe as hee scattereth the proud in the imagination of their hearts Let vs learne of him to bee humble and meeke which although the King of heauen and earth hauing all power and preheminence and proud in subiection vnder his feet yet was not touched with this vice himselfe that chose poore Fisher-men to bee his Disciples payd tribute to his inferiours rode vpon an asse praied for his Persecutors imbraced yong children cured the halt and the lame and the blinde and regarded the low estate of his Handmaid and will regard vs if wee regard this vertue which hee so regarded if wee be imitators of his steps and examples which hee grant that hath thus led the way the God the King the Prince of humility for his own deere sake Amen The liuing words in effect of a dying man closed vp in this vertue I Vnto thy hands O Lord I commend my soule and body prostrate in all humility and obedience to thy good will and pleasure Lord Iesus haue mercy vpon thy humble and prostrate seruant The summe of the Prayer of the Lady G. at the time of her execution VVIllingly and ioyfully O Lord come I hither into thy hands to resigne my soule and body in whose protection I trust they shall bee safer and better then in this life although in the best measure they euer were giue vnto me my God thy poore and weake seruant and vessell patience constancy and strength to vndergo this my sentence of death strengthen the frailty of my sex in the act of this my suffering and though I dye for that I neuer of my selfe desired yet howsoeuer lest any sinne in the least consent or thought hath defiled my purity therein for it pardon me my God and blot it out of the booke of thy remembrance and not onely that but the whole course thereof throughout my whole life that my soule with the wings of faith in thy mercy may cheerefully ascend to thy blessed kingdome And so preparing her selfe to dye with these words rendred her life Lord Iesus receiue my Spirit A generall Thankesgiuing to God for all his benefites and mercies to man O Eternall God in Christ Iesus most gracious and mercifull for all thy blessings both temporall and spirituall bestowed vpon me the least of thy seruants and most vnworthy to cast vp mine eyes to thy heauenly Tabernacle where thou reignest in glory doe I yeild all possible hearty thanks vnto thy diuine Maiesty for all thy blessings and mercies bestowed vpon me especially for the singular benefite of my Iustification and the admirable gift of eternall saluation purchased by the righteousnesse and deerest life of thy beloued Son Christ Iesus my Sauiour My lot is fallen in a pleasant place well is me and yet woe is mee because it is and I vnderstand it not hast thou beene fauourable vnto all thy creatures in the world or hast thou neglected others and beene mindfull of me Good Lord why shouldest thou bestow thy health thy wealth thy rest and liberty aduancements friends possessions Children like the Oliue Oliue branches and their trees for me them to repose securely vnder Why shouldest thou I say bestow these blessings vpon me more then vpon others I can giue no reason for it but stand wondring and admiring thy mercy which is the cause of it and if thou shouldest take a suruey of my worthinesse to enioy all these at thy hands and finding mee so vnworthy as I am of the least shouldest withdraw them all backe againe what could I say but commend thy iustice Haue I deserued liberty and Ioseph thy seruant deserued bonds Haue I deserued rest and thy Dauid to bee tost to and fro vpon his watery couch day and night to haue the sonne of his owne loynes and the loynes of his owne body rebelling against him Hath thy Lazarus deserued to lye at the gates afflicted in body minde crauing but crums wherewithall to be refreshed and I like the rich man whose dogges more merciful theÌ„ their maister came and licked his sores sitting at my table furnished with abundance like his Haue I deserued health and thy Iob to lye full of botches and biles vpon the dung-hill Are these thy blessed seruants tried in the furnace of affliction layd in the throat of hell and am I wrapt vp into Abrahams bosome haue I their portion and do they stand at reward or sent empty Why my soule is it so well with thee mercy aboundance of mercy and why art thou so ill my soule O mercy yet most wretched sinner that I am haue I not in a Christian loue and godly nature beene moued to serue thee in a larger measure considering these thy benefites vpon mee so largely multiplyed then the poore and persecuted Children that neuer tasted thy mercy but in imitation of their misery Continue O Lord this thy goodnesse vnto me and the more to perswade thee thereunto lift my heart and spirit out of this dull and earthly Center wherein it moueth to the meditation of thée and these thy mercies with a thankfull retribution of all my thoughts and affections to thée from whence they come that I may euer serue thee from this hower with those dutyes which the world the flesh and
in thy youth and let Salomon bee thy Tutor Remember thy Creator in the daies of thy youth let it be often recited that it may be once remembred Nor no man thinke it to late least he omit and loose that which he might otherwise haue gained For at what time soeuer a sinner shall repent him of his wickednesse from the bottome of his heart the Lord will forgiue and forget it and his sins shall vanish from his sight and presence as the dew before the Sun O heauen before heauen o heauen vpon earth and the contrary perswasions on the other part o hell before hell ô hell vpon earth and damnation before the time I say againe if hee repent of his wickednesse it is not the misery of this wretched life nor terror of conscience nor malice of foes let them be men or deuils let them bee seuen in one a legion in another all the Principalities and Powers of darkenesse in the third that shall hinder the ascension and blessing of his prayer that shall â—inder the forgiuenesse of his sinne for neuer was the shadow more faithfull to the body then a blessed forgiuenesse to a faithfull repentance on the one side then good successe hath bene to a feruent prayer on the other side zealously conceiued in the brest and powerfully vttered by the voyce of the tongue and the spirit I crâ—â—d â—n â—â— afflictio◠〈…〉 to â—he Lord and hee heard mee but this successe as formerly instructed must not bee looked for if it want these necessary adiunctes these vndenayed vndelayed assistantes that blesse the company wherein they come and speed the suite wherin they are Sollicitors and Plaintiffes that beate not the aire with sounds that arise from the hollow and emptinesse of them like brookes that roare and make a noyse but shew their empty bottomes that containe nothing but grauell and filthines within them like the dissolute and fashionable prayers of vs and our times both at home and abroad in chamber Church who like hipocrites or Gentiles vtter a forme of words rather of custome then of zeale as the Parrat of Ascaniae recited the Creed flattering God with our tongues but dissembling with him in our hearts withall so full of toyes and fansies for want of faith and reuerence that when wee haue prayed wee had need to pray againe that hee would forgiue our sinnes in our prayers because we thinke least of him when we pray vnto him Neuer remembrng the Maiesty of his Person to whom wee speake nor the excellency of the worke wee take in hand neuer rowsing vp our spirits with the thoughts therof or if we stirre theÌ„ vp then to pray leauing theÌ„ againe as Christ his Disciples before we haue throughly awaked theÌ„ as if the offering of the halt and the lame body without soule or soule without deuotioÌ„ sound of our lips without the thought of our heart one part of our selues without the other or the whole without a whole intention without clamor crying aloud could please him The prayers of Dauid we may reade were not thus cast off at randome in the 55 Psalme saith he I mourne in my prayers and make a noyse euening and morning and noone will I pray and make a noyse and in the 38 Psalme before I rore for the very griefe of mine heart Lord my whole desire is befâ—re thee and my sighing is not hid from thee Cor meum palpitat my â—eâ—rt is in trauell runneth to and fro I haue no rest no quietnesse within mee Such were the pangues and prickings of Iobs heart Iâ—b chapter 3. My gronings commeth forth before I eate effundâ—ntur velut aqua rugitus mei And my roarings are powred forth and waue like waters not groning nor crying but plaine roarings with a continuall in-undation Velut vnda impellitur vnda as one waue dasheth forth another now when the soule is thus prepared to speake the eares of the Lord are euer open to heare these are wonderfull passions the hungry Lyon in the desert opprest with extremity of suffering and want neuer rored so much for his prey nor the hart braying after thâ— wâ—ter-brookes as the goodnesse of the Lord in the soule of the faithfull after him The mighty Lord of heauen and earth blessed and hallowed bee whose name for euer in earth as it is in heauen and blessed are those that are in loue with his goodnesse and trace nearest vnto his steppes to giue vs heere another example hath beene feruent and euen roared in his supplications as wee reade for Lazarus and Martha and others whom hee loued and afterwards in his owne cause when his soule was hedged in and inuironed round about with vexation euen vnto death and anguish and sorrow incompast him on euery side as also then in his greatest agony when hee cryed with a great voyce not for perticular persons as before hee wept but vndergoing the burthen and punishment of all the sinnes and sinners in the world My God my God why hast thou forsaken me ' and crying againe with a great voyce graue vp the ghost therefore that blessed Apostles mentioning the dayes of his humanity and the exercise of his sacred life and fruit of his lips and the passions of his spirit thought it not enough to giue notice to the world that he prayed to his father that he prayed with teares which distilled downe his blessed cheekes and watered the ground nor of a crye alone weakely sent out but of a vehement and strong crye which if heauen were brasse were able to pearse through it and find way into the sanctuary into the eares of the almighty such a prayer as it asceÌ„ds lightly vp borne vpoÌ„ the wings of faith so it euer comes laden heauily downe with a blessing on the head of him that first gaue it flight thus then this lanthorne of our direction and composition of humility and goodnesse this glorious neuer enough admired Lord of life who prest and opprest with the waight and buâ—then thereof groned vnder the affliction of our sins in a most perfect forme of exact obedience with his bleeding teares for them for vs shewed vs the right forme of saithfull supplications for our selues biddeth vs be importunate and feruent in our prayers that they may wrestle with God and ouercome him Was he thus greued for vs and shall not we greiue for our selues groned hee vnder the waight of our deseruings of no infirmity in himselfe but in compassion and pitty towards vs whom we continually greue and no way so much as in committing of sinne and drinking it downe the throte with gredinesse and appetite as Behemoth drinketh downe Iordan without sence or sorrow or greife for the same the consideration whereof and what it may procure vs hereafter biddeth vs be importunate and feruent in our prayers to preuent it before the dreadfull Maiesty of the omnipotent Lord of heauen and earth whom we stand before the royalty of his nature sublâ—mitie of his
in thy promise haue an assured hope to liue with thee for euer in the life to come through Iesus Christ my Lord and only Sauiour Amen A prayer to be said before the vndertaking of any iourney O Eternall wise and glorious God that foreseest the end of all things before they come to passe and blessest the indeuours of those that go forth in thy feare and direction bee present therefore O Lord and protecting in this my trauell guide thou my course and shorten thou my way by the blessed communication of thy spirit within mee giue thine holy Angels charge ouer me to keepe me in all my wayes to guide mee to and fro in this my iourney as thou diddest to Toby the yonger who by thy Angell Raphael was guyded vnto Gabaell a Citty of the Medes our whole life O Lord is as a pilgrimage and the dayes thereof are few and euill by thy appointment we soiorne vpon the face of the earth for a time and our spirit also within vs it commeth and returneth as a traueller vpon the way or bourdeth with vs as an inmate or guest or tenant at will whom we hold by no lease nor condition but thy pleasure which art the owner thereof a quarter a yeare or perhaps many yeares till thy messinger from heauen to earth knocke at our doores with a Ilinc migrate coloni slit hence my tenant and then exit de terra nostra it departeth from vs and our bodies fall downe to the earth and our pilgrimage is at an end teach mee to vse this world as in my trauayle I shall vse mine inne taking vp my rest for a night and preparing for my passage in the morning knowing there I am but a straÌ„ger and haue no abiding place for so the world is but mine inne and because it is fayre and beutious full of many goodly roomes and spatious walkes beutified with the firmament and the greater and the lesser lights thereof the Sunne the Moone and the starres yet that I seeke not to make it my habitation for euer but giue me grace to vse it as if I vsed it not prouiding me with such necessaries as may sustayne me in my trauayle not ouerburdening my conscience to clogge mee in my way euer looking vp to thee the starre of my direction whither my course is bound as the hauen from this impatient and troublesome sea where at the last I shall anker at rest whither Lord conduct me with thy right hand as in this my temporall and present iourney defended from all perils and dangers of the day I may happely accomplish my desire with thy will and all the dayes of my trauayle labour assigned ended I may there arriue where all teares shall be wipt from myne eyes and drops from my browes wearynesse from my bones sighes sobbes from my soule all dryed vp in the presence and ioy of thee and thy saintes and Angels for euermore which graunt good father for thy mercies sake Amen Another Prayer or med to be vsed before the vndertaking of any iourney or businesse eyther by sea or land GOod father the mysery and blindnesse of our nature is such and our ingratitude so great that we steale thy benifites and take them absolutely to our selues and inioy them freely to our owne vse as if they were originally the worke and labour our of our owne handes and we had them without thy knowledge and assistance that riches are the succeeders pollicy that health is eyther recouered or kept by obseruation or diet lost by disorder or abuse that successe or defect in any our proceedings sute according to our wisedome or industry in contriuing the same and so in a setled perswasion resolution hearin we goe forward in this blindfould course asking councell nor crauing successe of any but our selues or creatures of the same fâ—aylty and beeing that wee ourselues are of whereby oftentimes we faile of our purpose and know not the reason thereof Lord giue vs grace to correct this errour and giue vs light in this our blindnesse teach vs to know that we are ashamed wee are ignorant of that Except thou build the house they labour in vaine that build it For it is thou that must coÌ„mand thy blessings to be with vs in our store-houses in all that wee set our hands vnto or our labour dieth betweene our fingers like an vntimely fruit And as a sparrow falleth not to the ground without thy sufferance so there is nothing that commeth to passe without thy appoyntment and direction therefore what businesse soeuer we haue what regard soeuer we haue thereunto let vs haue so much regard thereto as to regard thee that must regard it or else all will fall to the ground let vs go out in thy name with thy assistance implored on our knees let vs loose so much time to gaine so great aduantage for it abridges the way and cuts off many tedious imperfections in whatsoeuer in thy protection let vs enter againe let vs not take our bread our daily food our sustenance without thankfulnesse to thee let vs not couch our selues in the bed of our rest but close our eyes in thy fauour and blessing for it is that that must bee vpon the building of our houses opening of our Shops and warehouses watching of our Citties tilling of our ground in feeding of our bodies in the education of our children or whatsoeuer paine industry or labour in the securest course we can deuise for without this ayd and assistance all falleth into emptinesse and vastity Lord giue vs grace to consider it and blesse this our out-going and our comming in the fruit of our bodies and the fruit of our hands our intents and purposes Bee regardfull vnto our labours whatsoeuer wee take in hand walke by vs on the land on the water as thou diddest by thy Disciples saue vs or we perish for neither the land the safer nor the sea the more dangerous can protect vs nor destroy vs till thou hast sealed thereunto thy consent nor any creature nor casualty in the world offer either violence or iniury where thy hand but takes our part and where that is opposed though all the creatures in the world the whole host of heauen and earth should ioyne with vs we goe to racke and ruine Giue vs therefore grace to be mindefull hereof and throughly perswaded herein to make our preparation therafter that we may aske and thou mayst giue thy successe and blessing vpon all that wee take in hand or enioy which grant vs Lord in this present occasion and in all occasions and times hereafter for thine owne deere sake Amen A prayer for true peace which is the peace of God in the peace of conscience and for the external peace of the body disquieted often with reuenge debate contentious going to law O Lord my God which art the author of peace and louer of concord and the hater of all those yâ— are not louers
of there ouerthrow and his determinate decree past therupon in that populous and sinfull Citty if there had bene but ten righteous persons to haue stood vp betwixt his wrath his iudgements and there sins for there sakes it had not bene destroy'd It pleaseth the eares of his maiestie right well to be longer intreated whose blessed condition nature is neuer so truly leuelled at as when we perswade ourselues our importunacy therein can neuer be burdensome vnto him as he that hath twise and ten-times together ingeminated and recited ouer and repeated againe the riches of his mercy as Ex 34. The Lord the Lord is mercifull gratious sâ—ow to anger abundant in goodnesse truth reseruing mercy for thousands forgiuing iniquity and sins and transgressions what did he meane thereby but that twise and ten-times together we should ingeminate recite and repeat ouer againe our requestes and petitions and crye for his mercy and then though he seeme deafe for a while vnto our petitions and make as though he heard them not yet through our importunity at last we shall get him to confesse an Audience if our wordes and prayers alone will not preuayle let vs then ioyne therto our teares that God may say to vs as he sayd to Ezekiah I haue sene thy teares for they are such powerfull Embassadors that they can no sooner appeare but the eye compassion of God is vpon them yea Dauid saith that God hath heard the voyce of his weeping and teares are waightie wordes texts that containe in theÌ„ large commentaries for in the eares of God a vehement desire is a strong crye a remisse and earelesse intention a silent and still voyce a teare in sorrow for our sins that with the Publican cryes Lord be mercifull vnto mee a sinner shall be more iustified and acceptable to God then all the Pharisiticall brags and ostentation of our worthines we can make therefore glorifie God with thy body and thy spirit and all the facultes of both as is most meet and requisite for all are his lift vp thy soule with Dauid lift vp thyne handes also with Moses thine eyes with S. Peter and thy voyce with Deborah and thus seeking you shall finde thus knocking it shall be opened vnto you giue but thy prayer a voyce to aske with for it must not bee dumbe and silent giue it an eye to seeke with for it must not be blind and carelesse giue it an hand to knocke with for it must not feare to molest disquiet and not only the doores but all the treasures and iewelles of the kingdome of heauen shall be open vnto you whither and to which our blessed Sauiour himselfe inuites vs come vnto me all you that labor are laden O loue without example where the king himselfe commandeth our appearance who shall keepe vs backe where he commands open yee gates of righteousnes and bee yee opened yee euerlasting doores who shall oppose them against vs what need we heare of mediators intercessors or friendes where he himselfe hath giuen his voyce calles vs to himselfe alone and yet though the francknes of his loue hath giuen vs this accesse let vs not come vnto him with the lesse respect or reuerence which doth deserue the more in a far greater degree that notwithstanding his omnipotency state that sits in glory at the right hand of his father we poore wormes creeping vpon the footstole of his earth that he will vouchsafe we should speake vnto him as it were face to face powre out our petitions with our owne voyces into his most sacred eares then to an earthly king we all know by daily experience the kings of the earth keepe theÌ„selues within strict watch wary regard and there persons are full of maiesty terror not spoken vnto but with difficulty friendship beside the infinit distraction of sutes busines more then the eares of any mortal man can receiue driue them of necessity to the deputation of subordinate ministers whose breath is in there nostrilles whose life is the life of there country there people with whom they liue therfore requisite that wary regard attendance should dwell about there persons but in God who rideth vpon the Cherubins maketh his enimies his footstoole there is neither danger in his person nor defect in his hearing for he that planted the eare doth he not heare he that standeth knocketh at our doores calleth for entrance when we knock at his wil he not graÌ„t entraÌ„ce In earthly courts amoÌ„gst which we liue we may haue many impediments few that will hardly fauour vs but many that may hinder vs before we caÌ„ deliuer our message But at these heaueÌ„ly gates at which we must alwaies call the Lord is porter alone for when the friend knocked in the parable of Luke at midnight the heauiest deadest hower of the night who was nearest the gate first awoke if he slept at all first answeared O quam dâ—re vult O how willing is he to grant that is so willing to be disquieted how glad to here thy knock that hath placed his bed so neare the gate O quaÌ„ non ad ianuam tantum sed ipsa Ianka dominus fuit and how truely may wee say that hee was not onely neere the gate but the Lord himselfe and the very gate who when his children were fast a sleepe the eares of Angels and Saints shut vp first and at very first call nay onely amongst the rest made answere vnto it the Lord is alwaies neerer vnto vs then wee are to him Psal 10. Hee heareth the desâ—re of the poore hee first prepareth the heart and setteth it on worke to pray and when he hath so done bendeth his eare vnto it giuing vnto vs both the cause and the effect both the blessing and meÌ„anes of the blessing doubtlesse the trustiest and most effectuall messenger wee haue to send is prayer if we send vp merites the starres in heauen will disdaine it that wee that dwell at the footstoole of God dare presume so farre when the purest creatures in heauen are impure in his sight if wee send vp feare and distrust the length of the way will tire them out and with the weight they will sinke to the ground before they come halfe way vpto the throne of saluation if we send vp blasphemies and curses all the creatures in heauen and earth will band themselues against vs the Sunne and the Moone will raine downe bloud the fire hot burning coales the aire thunderbolts vpon our heads but prayer is a messenger freed from all these imperfections which neither the tediousnesse of the way nor difficulties of the passage can hinder from her purpose quicke of speed faithfull of trust able to mount aboue the Eagles of the sky into the heauen of heauens as a Chariot of fire leading vs aloft into the presence of God to seeke his assistance and grace the least finger of whose
right hand is of more puissance then the whole arme either of flesh or any spirit besides yea then the whole loines whole substances whole bodies of Angels or of Men siluer gold silke purple all other creatures so it shall walke through life and death without controulement if it find Angels Principallities powers things present things to come or any other creature in the world stopping her passage and rebuking her forwardnesse shee shall cleare her way notwithstanding and clime into the presence of her God and in his eares deliuer her message Bee we in sickenesse to him the true Phâ—sition that knowes both the cause and the cure shee comes for health bee wee in imprisonment there shee sollicites a release from him the Lord of liberty bee we opprest with pouerty or want The earth is the Lords and all that dwell therein to him shee comes for the blessing of the Lord maketh rich are we afflicted aboue measure beyond the strength of man insomuch that we doubt whether we liue or no receiuing the sentence of death within our selues so as in our opinion we comprehend no deliuery no euasion but lie open to the direct accomplishment thereof yet in this exigent and extremity wee come to God in this meanes euen almost beyond hope without expectation and by his good pleasure we are deliuered therefore heerein let vs receiue comfort hee hath hee doth and will deliuer vs not onely from the death of our bodies when wormes and rottennesse haue made their long and last prey vpon them but from the death of our mindes too when the spirit is buried vnder sorrowes there is no creature found in heauen or earth to giue it comfort Therfore be our misery bee our affliction neuer so great and though in our weake immagination wee can imagine no deliuery no release when all earthly meanes and comforts forsake vs let vs not yet forsake this refuge let vs not despaire in his helpe no more then Ionas did who in the bottome of the sea within a prison within that bottome in such an affliction so great so strange as greater nor stranger could not bee nor to humane reason more without hope yet saith hee Ionas 2. 2. I cryed in mine affliction vnto the Lord and hee heard mee out of the belly of hell cryed I and thou heardest my voyce Therefore I say againe in aduersity let vs not despaire but pray with hope In aduersity be it neuer so great let vs pray with confidence In our prosperity let vs pray in our prosperity neuer so flourishing let vs pray let vs pray continually In our health and prosperity let vs pray to continue it in our sickenesse and aduersity let vs pray to release it And if we consider our estate rightly we shall perceiue many reasons that may moue vs to this exercise daily to seeke his fauour and louing countenance without whose protection and care ouer vs wee are ready to fall into a thousand dangers to perish continually let vs therefore in time and season with wordes sutable to our purpose and intention either thankes-giuings for benefites receiued or with petitions and intreaties for necessities implored in the time of sickenesse in the time of our health in the time of our aduersity in the time of our prosperity let vs come before him suting our wordes in the habite of our occasions with such fitnesse and decency that they sal not harshly and from the purpose in the eares of the Almighty And to that end good Reader I haue heere compiled and set downe many formes and moulds of prayer fitting for seuerall persons occasions and times after the example of our Sauiour Christ the true patterne of all wisedome and goodnesse who hath giuen vs the first and best forme thereof himselfe who hath both taught vs to pray and taught vs how to pray and that will both heare our prayers and grant our requests as farre as seemes expedient to his vnsearchable wisedome that knowes our wants before hee heares our coÌ„plaints our necessities better then we our selues for because Prayer is so excellent a thing so ready so swift so powerful so vnseperated from vs that it cleaues vnto vs when all other meanes forsak vs therfore that wee should the more earnestly imbrace it more zealously imply it more deerely esteeme it there is great reason that it finds vs ofteÌ„times out coÌ„fort in greatest extremities that wheÌ„ we find our selues in misety our waies hedged vp as with thornes that wee cannot stirre to deliuer our selues there hence when wee are ouerflowne with the deluge of sinne as with a floud and iudgements inuiron vs on euery side this is the Doue that brings vnto our soules the Oliue branch of comfort yet because for the most part we kill the life therein through the coldnesse of our deuotion and carelesnesse of our deliuery and vnfit preparation thereunto and finde not the sweetenesse and successe that else we might expect and obtaine at the hands of God thereby Therefore I haue here drawne them out to life shewed both the excellency thereof and preparation thereunto befitting that these formes hereafter following and all other whatsoeuer in this kind may be the more powerfull blessed and comfortable to all that shall vse them without the which it is impossible that they should please God or any good successe follow thereupon The Embassadour betweene Heauen and Earth A morning Prayer for the Sabaoth day MOST mercifull God and eternall father what may we render vnto thee for all thy louing kindnesse for the which blessings and thankes-giuings for euermore be heaped vpon thy holy name in whom the treasures of mercy and louing kindnesse dwell bodily who of thine owne good will and pleasure hast bene pleased to communicat vnto vs so many of thy fauours so many seuerall ways without any manner of desert of ours to the which may it please thee to ad stil to the number by taking away those iniquities of ours that take away thy fauours and blessings from vs or as a stranger that knoweth them not passe by our transgressions retaine not thine anger against vs foreuer though wâ— retaine our sins the cause of thine anger but returne to vs by grace who returne not to thee by repentance and haue compassion vpon vs who haue not compassion on ouer owne soules subdue our raigning and raging vnrighteousnesse and drowne our offences in the bottome of the sea which else will drowne vs in the bottome of destruction raise vp our soules from the dead sleepe of sinne as thou hast raised vp our bodies from this night of darkenesse protect vs from all dangers from the which no minute we are secured of our selues but in thee brought vs to the begining of this thy blessed sabaoth of rest which good father so sanctifie vnto vs through thy blessed spirit that thy name may be hallowed thy power admired thy mercy magnified and thy loue manifested to thy glory and our euerlasting
Endlesse spring and endlesse peace Here is musicke heauen filling Sweetnesse euermore distilling Here is neither spot nor taint No defect nor no complaint No man crooked great nor small But to Christ conformed all Blessed towne diuinely graced On a Rocke so strongly placed Seated sure from feare of warre I salute thy walles from farre Thee I see and thee I long for Thee I seeke and thee I groane for O what Ioy thy dwellers tast All in pleasure first and last What full enioying blisse diuine What Iewels on thy walles do shine Ruby Iacinth Chalcedon Knowne to them within alone In this glorious Company In these streets of Syon I With Iob Moses and Eliah Will sing the heauenly Heluiah An Euery-dayes-Sacrifice or a Morning prayer for any day in the weeke or euery day in the Weeke TO thee the God of Heauen and Earth that by thy wisdome â—ast ordained all things by thy power created all things and by thy bounty and mercy as the two breasts of thy neuer dryed goodnesse preseruest and sustainest all things all the Creatures in the world that thy hands haue fashioned both man and beast both plant and flower whatsoeuer and wheresoeuer To thee alone most mercifull Father and into thy protection do I render my soule and body and the whole gouernement thereof as an vnworthy sacrifice beseeching theâ— that it may bee acceptable vnto thée preserue me O Lord this day without sinne this weeke following and all the dayes of my life and as thou hast renued this day vnto me and brought me safely to the beginning therof so giue me grace to renue my life from my former sinnes that I may now amend whatsoeuer heretofore hath beene amisse that I may be more carefull to walke in thy wayes then euer I was carelesse to run out of them I confesse O Lord that it is thy mercy that indureth for euer and thy compassion which neuer failes that is the cause that I haue not bene long ago consumed for with thee ô Lord there is mercy plenteous redemption Psal 130. 4. In the multitude therefore of thy mercyes and confidence in thy merits I intreat thee that thou wouldest not enter into iudgement with thy seruant neither be extreme to marke what hitherto I haue done amisse for if thou doest then no flesh can be iustified in thy sight I haue beene borne in sinne and in iniquity hath my mother conceiued me and in thought word and deed I haue broken all thy Commaundements and there remaines nothing for mee but shame and confusion I haue done more against thee this weeke then I haue done for thee since I was borne following the desires of mine owne will and the lusts and concupiscences of mine owne flesh not caring to be gouerned by thy holy word and Spirit and which is worse yet haue I not resolued to amend what father but thou would suffer this contempt and bee neglected still O where is my feare O where is my loue yet when I thinke vpon thy Son all my griefe is turned into ioy because his righteousnesse for me is more then my vnrighteousnesse against my selfe settle my faith in thy beloued that I may truly meditate what hee hath done for me that that sin that launced his side may also launce my soule with such effect that I may neuer againe commit that with delight that thou hast sustained with such passion and heauinesse And here O Lord from the bottome of mine heart I render vnto thee thanks for all the blessings and benefites thou hast bestowed vpon me both in my soule and body for my election redemption sanctification and preseruation from my youth vntill this present day howre by thy most gratious loue and prouidence And so good Lord I further beseech thee protect me this day and all the dayes of my life from all euill that may hurt me and from falling into any grosse sinne that should offend thee be thou present and assistant to all my good indeuours and blesse thou my purposes and intentions and let thy good spirit so rule my heart that all that I shall doe thinke or speake may be to thy glory and the good of others and the peace of mine owne conscience And for the better successe therein into thine hands I commend my selfe my soule and body my wayes and actions and all that appertaine vnto me to thy gratious protection and direction bee fauourable vnto me therefore O Lord and vnto all them that feare thee be neere vnto all such as faithfully call vpon thy name and comfort all such as be sicke or comfortlesse or by any crosse or affliction that thou hast layd vpon them either outwardly in body or inwardly in minde and by daily and howerly presidences of death and mortality before mine eyes teach me to be mindfull of mine owne end to set it alwayes in my view to make my preparation by faith and repentance thereafter that I may be ready whensoeuer thou shalt call me out of this wretched life and that whether I liue or dye I may rest in thée to thy eternall glory my euerlasting saluation through Iesus Christ my only Sauiour Redeemer in the mediation of whose blessed name I conclude this my vnperfect praier in that forme modell of prayer which he that must heare our prayers haue mercy vpon vs or we perish euerlastingly hath prescribed in forme sanctified with his own lips saying Our father c. An Euening prayer for any day in the week or euery day in the weeke for a priuate person O Eternal God most mercifull Father the faithfull guardian both of our bodies and soules who art about my bed knowest my down-lying mine vprising and art neâ—e vnto all such that call vpon thee in truth and sincerity bee present therefore O Lord I wretchâ—d sinner do beseech thee and with thy mercy couer the multitude of my sins which like a leprosie haue run ouer my whole body and so defiled both the outward and inward man that but for thy word promise sake and the examples of thy mercy and forgiuenesse so frequent and vsuall to sinners of so high a degree in offending such as were Peter Mary Magdalen the Publicane the Prodigall childe the Thiefe on the Crosse and others thy praying for thine enemies thy torments thy crucifiers many such examples of my comfort thy compassion that else with Iudas in the bitternesse of heart and desperation of mercy I should cry out My sinnes are greater then can be forgiuen so bee vtterly discouraged from presuming to come into thy presence considering the hardnesse of mine heart and the vnrulinesse of mine affection and the vncleanesse of my conuersation by meanes whereof I haue transgressed all thy lawes and broken thy Commandements and deserued thereby thy heauy displeasure which in iustice might draw from thy hand some fearefull punishment vpon this wretched body of mine and my soule to languish the death of
inioyng of these that seme what they are not as we haue allready examined that make thee to desire life that thou mayst reioyce therein the forsaking whereof maketh it death vnto thee to thinke of death yet know they are all but vanity thou must die aut sero aut setius eyther soner or later for there is no preuention no resistance can hinder it therefore that which must be imbrace willingly make a vertue of necessity and though thou mightest escape it yet it were but a madnes because if we peruert not the true nature of it it is the end of all misery and sorrow and labour and trauayle the gate that opens the may vnto all true pleasure happines whereof all in this world are but counterfets and shadowes so resolue thy selfe hereof prepare thy selfe hereto that the remembrance of thy passed dayes augment not the bitternes therof at the last hower and then thy paines shall not dismay thee because thou trauellest to bring forth eternall life which for the merry-madnesse of one hower take heed that thou lose not for euer But vse thy pleasures with such moderation euer remembring they are momentary he that hath most hath not all and he that least hath some that for a moments ioy thou reap not eternity of sorrow that thou loue them not so much y◠you forget God in whose presence is fullnesse of ioy at his right hand pleasures for euermore psal 16. and who giueth vs drinke out of a whole riuer of pleasures psal 36. contemne therefore these transitory pleasures and reserue your selues for pleasures there eternally compleat where neyther enuy nor iealousy nor sickenes nor taint shall alter or distast your happinesse where your ioy shall be euer present yet you cannot be filled rather you shall be filled but cannot be satisfied or if not satisfied then there is hunger or that you may then there is a loathing I know not how to expresse it Deus habet quod exhibeat God hath somthing there to bestow which I know not but ibi beata vita in fonte there is blessednes at the head of the spring not in cisternes that thou may be sure of and could you drinke vp the pleasures of the whole world at a draught as Cleopatra drunke the valew of 5. thousand pound yet remember it is but a draught quickly downe the throat and there hath an end and therefore I say againe vse them with moderation to sweeten and allay the many anguishes that if euer perdominant would vntimely waigh vs downe to our graues and we should faint in the middest of our race euer looking vp from these to that eternall rest and peace of mind which hereafter wee shall inioy and then when death shall approach neare vnto thee his aspect shall not be fearfull which shall end all our miseries heale all our infirmities wipe away all discontents in it we shall there finde an end of sinning an end of all vncleanesse an end of all wandering thoughts and cogitations by it we be freed from this wicked and exemplary world when the soule cannot looke out at the eye as her window but a whole army of vanity is ready to sease vpon her nor vse any of her seruants whereby treason is not offered vnto her by death the soule shall bee deliuered from this thraldome and bondage and as the Apostle speaketh this corruptible body shall put on incorruption and this mortall immortality 1. Cor. 15. 53. O blessed thrise blessed bee that death that ends in the Lord which deliuers vs out of so euill a world and freeth vs from such corruption and bondage Why then should we feare that wee would not escape because our chiefest happinesse is behinde where wee cannot come but we must passe through this doore of death and if euery houre of our life we should dye a death were too little to keepe vs from thence And but that our portion and felicity is behinde and when this our shadow of life ends our true life begins and the graue shall not euer inclose vs in her wombe which if it should then woe were man aboue any other creature liuing when sencelesse and irrationall creatures as the Stagge the Rauen and the Daw Rockes and Trees and such like haue an ages date beyond man for whose vse they were all created and made but that he hath an euerlasting inheritance in heauen with that great God that created made both him and them when so we shall raine euerlastingly whil'st they vpon earth in distance of time shall moulder and rot and drop downe to nothing O let vs not then dote so much vpon these vnprofitable and fading vanities vpon our wodden cottages our tottering buildings of painted clay such as our bodies are which are but y◠tents of vngodlinesse and habitation of sinners but let vs looke and long after this heauenly Citty whose builder and maker is God whither that we may the sooner come let vs with the Apostle desire to bee dissolued and to be with Christ The Sicke-mans Prayer O Gracious God look down from heauen with y◠eyes of mercy vpon me a most miserable wretched sinner grieuously afflicted in body and in minde a worme no man if a man such a one that neuer any with more need lifted vp eyes nor heart to the throane of thy mercy from whence all comfort commeth looke vpon mee O Lord with y◠eyes of thy mercy giue me patience to endure this my affliction tryall and giue mee grace O Lord to make such vse thereof that it may bee to thy glory and my good put into my minde all the precepts comforts instructions I haue heard or read of al my life before as strōg meditations to comfort mee in this my extremity Be not farre from me O Lord lest Sathan preuaile ouer me make thou my bed and I shall rest in peace visite me O Lord as thou didest visite Peters wiues mother and the Captaines seruant for vnto thee belongeth health and saluation thou bringest to the doore of death and to the brinke of the graue and yet if thy good will pleasure be thou restorest to health and perfection againe And gracious and louing father seale in my heart by thy holy spirit the forgiuenesse of all my sins throughout the whole course of my life that what I haue done or said amisse may bee buried in the wounds of thy sonne so that they be neuer layd vnto my charge nor imputed against me in his bloud purge my body and soule from all their corruptions and if this my visitation bee not vnto the death may it please thee to helpe me vpon the bed of my sorrowes speake but the word and it shall bee done renue my former health vnto me that I may take vp my bed and walk and by a happy transmutation turne my whole heap of sorrow into a bundle of ioy Heale me and I shall be whole saue me
a thousand daggers at our hartes to launch and let forth that putrified corruption that returned such muddy chanâ—elles to thee the fountaine of liuing waters that but with so a high a price and deare expence could not be purified but now beeing thus purged and made cleane let vs be wary we pollute them not againe hauing receiued so pure a guest let vs not harbour with him the vncleane least to our euerlasting losse he take his flight and forsake vs when then our vncleane thoughts and cogitations which his presence expelled and kept a loofe of from vs retire themselues euery one accompanied with seauen worse then themselues and our end be worse then our beginning and so that become vnto vs the sauour of death vnto death which otherwayes had bene the sauour of life vnto life wherefore O Lord blesse vs at this time and this thy holy institution that by our vnworthinesse we turne not that to euill which was ordayned for our good make it O Lord the plaster to heale all our wounds the garment to couer our nakednes the spirituall and corporal bread to the stay of our bodies and soules let it be the cocke to remember our sins and the rocke to stay our soules vppon that we neuer fall from thée againe to that end so blesse vs most gratious God yâ— this thy sacrament now receyued may be to our euerlasting good and wellfare so conducting vs through this vale of misery with so godly a direction guide enuy contention and malice layed a side forgiuing the offences of our bretheren towards vs as we expect forgiuenesse at thy handes that so in a godly society in this world we may liue together in peace vntill we shall raigne with thee in glory which art the end of peace where we shall then behold thee with our bodily eyes as wee behold thee now with faith by the eye of the Spirit and see that body that was broken and bruised for our sinnes those hands that haue made vs and fed vs that head that was crowned now all glorified neuer to bee debaced more To which blessed vision fruition he bring vs that hath so ransomed vs for the glory of his sacred Name Amen A Thanksgiuing vnto God the Father vsed by the reuerend and learned W. Musc and fit to bee vsed of all good Christians LET all true Christians say and acknowledge with one heart and mouth say also with them O my Soule say in this mortall body without this mortall body Glory Honour and Praise bee vnto thee most mercifull God throughout all ages and Generations of the world which hast not spared thine onely Sonne but offered him vp a bleeding Sacrifice for the sins of thy people giuen him to death euen to the death of the Crosse for most wretched mankind to that end that through him we might be saued and deliuered from distruction and brought into the liberty of euerlasting life graunt vnto vs by thy spirit that we may perfect and continue in this thy grace for euer and euer Amen Mart. Luthers Prayers COnferme in vs O God that which thou hast wrought and finish the worke thou hast begunne in vs to the glory of thy name and the sauing of our soules at the dreadfull day of thy Visitation for thy mercies sake Amen Saint Aust O Deus omnium miserationum pater Abyssus misericordiae tuae absorbeat abyssum peccatorum meorum O Father of all goodnesse and mercy let the depth of thy mercy drye vp the depth of my sinnes A Prayer for a Woman with childe or in trauaile to bee said by those present with her O God most wise most iust the blessed Father of our blessed Lord and sauiour Christ Iesus creator preseruer and gouernor of all things next vnder thee vnder the subiection of man so largely intituled by thy loue extended by thy fauour created with so goodly and beautifull a perfection in the estate of Innocency that hee was the modell and figure liuely Image of thee the fountaine of all perfection and happinesse but through sinne is our image defaced our beauty and perfection darkened our whole disposition and purpose altered the earth made barren and cursed for our sake and we cursed in the curse by the sterility labour and manuring thereof that now denies the increase that before shee brought forth without the sweat and sorrow of the heart and browes of man And for yâ— woman a party in the sinne a party in the curse In paine and sorrow shalt thou bring forth And to the Serpent vpon thy belly shalt thou creepe and dust shalt thou eate all the dayes of thy life Yet to this woman O Lord as her present necessity requireth bee propitious neere vnto her let thy birth sweeten her sorrow that broke the head of the Serpent that was the cause of the breach of thy Commandement that hath sweetened the sorrowes of all mankinde Heare her O Lord and answere her fauourably and be not angry with thy seruant for presuming to cry vnto thee for the vncessant beating thine eares with her clamouâ—s for griefe compelleth her to speake and the misery shee indureth inforceth her to cry vnto thee haue mercy vpon her O fountaine of mercy and hearken to her agony that cryeth for thy helpe To her and all women with childe or in trauaile bee mercifull and giue them grace with patience to vndergoe and suffer the decree and pleasure of thy holy will let them neuer striue against thee through impatience but in true faith and inuocation of thy name suffer thy crosse contentedly which their owne originall sinne and wickednesse drew froÌ„ thy hands vnwillingly O Lord if her heauinesse induce for a night let her comfort come in yâ— morning for ioy that a child is borne into the world and to that end blessed God bee thou present and powerfull in the exigent and straite of her greatest extremity for as all thy works are wonderfull and past finding out as our soules know right well so are they not manifested in a shallow measure in the connexion creation and nourishment and preseruation of the infant in the wombe of the mother in the birth and bringing forth of their little limbes into the world all whole and perfect to the which if thy ayd and hand bee absent though all helpe beside in the world bee present they perish vndoubtedly both the one and the other Wherfore thou God of wonders and Father Almighty of heauen and earth as thou hast by the death of thine onely Sonne taken away the sinnes of the whole world and condemned sinne in the flesh so take away the anguish of Childe-birth brought forth by sin to all woman-kinde especially to this woman now in thy hands that shee may ioyfully bring forth that which by thy blessing shee hath happely conceiued that shee may bee to her Husbands and her owne comfort as the fruitfull viâ—e on the walles of his house and his children like the Oliue