didest the Israelites of that horrible destruction which came vpon them whom thou first in mercie diddest cal to repentance by the preaching of thy worde but when no warning would serue thou diddest send them monstrous and fearefull signes and tokens to declare that thy visitatiō was not farre off But they like vnto vs at this day did always interpret these things after the imagination of their owne vaine hearts promising to themselues peace when destruction was ouer their heads Which things when we do call to minde for as much as they are written for our learning example and warning it maketh vs to tremble and quake for feare of thy iust iudgements For if thou hast thus dealt with thine owne deare and chosen children in token of thy great wrath against sinne what shall wee looke for who do no lesse deserue thy fearfull scourge for of mercie it is that thou doest thus long forbeare vs and liue as though there were no God at all to be reuenged vpon our sinnes It maketh vs to feare crye inwardly in our soules Come Lorde Iesu holy true in all thy doings shorten our daies bring this our pilgrimage to an end suffer vs not to heap sinne vpon sinne vntill the day of vengeance least we be caught vp amongst the number of the wicked and reprobate which shall neuer see thy louing countenance It maketh vs to crie to thee O Lorde Let thy kingdome come and end this our sinefull life wherein we doe nothing but prouoke thee to wrath Correct vs not O Lord in thine indignation neither chasten vs in thy heauy displeasure And though to vs belongeth nothing but shame confusion though our offences haue deserued to be visited with the rod and our sinnes with scourges yet in mercie Lorde with fatherly correctiō chasten vs and thy louing kindnesse take not away from vs. To thee we flee for succour vnder the winges of thy mercy shal be our refuge vntill thou turne thy wrathfull countenaunce from vs We know that thy mercie is aboue all thy works and euen as great as thy selfe therfore wit we say with holy Iob Though thou kill vs yet will wee put our trust in thee Thou camest to comfort pluck out of the dungeon of hell suche wretches as wee are Thou art the good Samaritan that camest to heale our deadly woundes thou art that good Physitian that camest to cure our mortall infirmities thou art the good sheepheard that camest to seeke vs wandering and lost sheepe and to bring vs to thy folde againe more then that thou art our brother flesh of our flesh and bone of our bones which hast tasted of our infirmities felt our temptations and borne the burden of our sinnes therefore at thy handes we looke for mercie against the day of vengeance And though thou punish vs yet our hope is and euer shall be that thy rodde shall no further touch vs then shal make to thy glorie our commoditie and the strengthening and increase of our faith Let this thy Preaching sundrie ways O Lord be sufficient for our warning and graunt that we may speedily from the bottome of our heartes repent endeuour to doe thy righteous and blessed will reuealed in thy worde and frame our liues according to the same that we may here liue in thy feare all the dayes of our life and after this our sinnefull course is ended may dwel with thee in thy blessed kingdome through the death merites of Iesus Christ our onely redeemer So be it Another praier for the auoiding of Gods deserued wrath hanging ouer vs for our sinnes WHen we looke backe and behold our sinful life past what a dongeon of errours vice wickednes openeth it selfe vnto vs so that there is no man but he must needes be ashamed of him selfe when he calleth to mind what he hath ben trembleth when he considereth the wickednes and sinneful course of his life to come for who shall vndertak◠that the rest of our life shall bee any better then that is past How can we thē sufficiently magnifie praise thy great mercy which hast deferred thy punishmēt so long Beholding therfore this our daungerous miserable state we come vnto thee O thou great and mightie Iudge in trembling and feare humbly beseeching thee not to heape vpon vs thy deserued vengeance but let thy tender kindnes loue thou bearest to Iesus Christ thy sonne our gratious Lord and redeemer couer our iniquites for whose sake though we deserue all extremitie thou doest pardon vs. If thou Lorde shall straitly marke our iniquities O Lord who shal be able to abide it Psal. 103. A prayer to be saide of all such as suffer any kinde of crosse ALmightie God king of al kings gouernour of al things whose power no creature is able to resist to whome it belongeth iustly to punish sinners to be mercifull vnto them that truely repent wee confesse thou doest most iustly punishe vs for wee haue greeuously sinned against thee and wee acknowledge that in punishing vs thou doest declare thy selfe to be our most mercifull father as well because thou doest not punishe vs in any thing as we haue deserued as also because by punishing vs thou doest call vs and as it were draw vs to increase in repentance in faith in prayer in contemning of the world and in heartie desiring for euerlasting life and thy blessed presence Grant vs therfore gratious Lord thankefully to acknowledge thy great mercie which hast thus fauourably dealte with vs in punishing vs not to our confusion but to our amendement And seeing thou hast sworne that thou wilt not the death of a sinner but that he turne and liue haue mercie vppon vs and turne vs vnto thee for thy dearely beloued sonne Iesus Christes sake whome thou wouldest shoulde bee made a slaine sacrifice for our sinnes thereby declaring thy great and vnspeakeable anger against sinne and thine infinite mercie towards vs sinfull wretches And for as much as the dulnesse blindnes corruption of our hearts is such that we are not able to arise vp vnto thee by faithfull and heartie prayer according to our great necessitie without thy singular grace and assistance graunt vnto vs gratious Lorde thy holy and sanctifying spirite to worke in vs this good work with grace to weigh and consider the neede and greatnesse of that wee doe desire and with an assured faith and trust that thou wilt grant vs our requestes because thou art good and gratious euen to younge Rauens calling vppon thee much more then to vs for whome thou hast made all things yea and hast not spared also thine owne deare sonne because thou hast commaunded vs to call vppon thee because thy throne whereto wee come is a throne of grace and mercie because thou hast giuen vs a mediator Christe to bring vs vnto thee being the way by whome wee come being the dore by whome wee enter
with the loue therof that I may carefully couet them and at the last by thy gratious conducting may happily attaine them through Iesus Christ our Lorde I distrusting altogether mine owne weakenesse commend and offer my selfe both soul and body into thy handes Thy louing spirite lead me foorth into the land of righteousnes Psal. 143. Cogitations meete to begin the day withall Thinke first that man consisteth of soule and body and that the soule is from heauen heauenly firme and immortall but the bodie is from the earth earthly fraile and mortal Againe thinke that though by reason of sinne wherein you are conceiued and borne the partes of the soule which doe vnderstande and desire be so corrupt that without speciall grace to both partes you can neither knowe nor loue any good thing in Gods sight much lesse then doe that is good yet this notwithstanding thinke that you are regenerate by CHRISTES resurrection which your Baptisme requireth you to beleeue and therefore haue both those partes something reformed both to knowe and to loue and therefore to do also some good in the sight of God through Christe for whose sake our poore doings are accepted for good the euill and infirmitie cleauing thervnto not beeing imputed through faith Thinke that by faith which is Gods seede for they which beleeue are borne of God and made Gods children giuen to those that be ordained to eternall life thinke I say that by faith you receiue more and more the spirite of sanctification through the vse of Gods word and sacramentes and earnest prayer to illuminate your mindes vnderstanding iudgement and reason and to bowe forme frame and inflame your affections with loue and power to doe that which is good and therefore vse you the meanes aforesaid accordingly Thinke that by this spirite you are through faith coupled to Christe as a liuely member and so to God and as it were made one with him and by loue which springeth out of this faith you are made one also with all that be of God and so you haue felowship with God and all good men that euer were or shall be in all the good that God and all his Saintes haue or shall haue Thinke that as by faith and loue through the spirite of God you are nowe entred into this communion the blessednesse whereof no tongue can expresse so after this life you shal first in soule and in the last day in bodie also enioy for euer the same societie most perfectly which nowe is but begunne in you Thinke then of your negligence that doe so little care for this your happie estate Thinke vpon your ingratitude to God for making you redeeming you calling you and so louingly adopting you Think vpon your folly in fantasing so much earthly bodily pleasures Thinke vpon your deafnesse and blindnesse which heare not God not see him he calling you so diligently by his workes word and sacraments Thinke vpō your frowardnes which will not be led of God and his spirit Thinke vpon your forgetfulnes in consideration of your heauenly estate how your body is the temple of the holy Ghost your members are the members of Christ the whole world and all things therein are your owne Therefore say vnto your soule O my soul arise follow God contemne this world purpose wel and pursue it long for the Lords comming be readie and watch that he come not vpon thee vnwares And for so much as you must liue to Gods pleasure see the vocation and state of your life wherevnto God hath called you and pray to God for grace knowledge and abilitie to take the most profitable thinges in hand well to begin better to goe on and best of all to end the same to Gods glorie and to the profit of your brethren and thinke that time lost wherein you speake not or doe not or at the least thinke not some thing to Gods glorie and the commoditie of your brethren When you go foorth of the doores pray NOwe must I walke among the snares of death stretched out of sathan and of his mischieuous ministers in the world carying with me a friende to them both and a foe to my selfe euen this body of sinne and sinnefull flesh Oh graund captaine Christ lead me and guide me I beseech thee Defend me from the plagues subtilties whereof I am in danger Graunt that I may take all things that happen as I should doe and setting mine eyes vpon thee onely I may so goe on forward in thy wayes as by nothing I be hindred but rather furthered so that all my doings may tend to thy glorie Shewe me thy wayes O Lord and teach me thy pathes Psal. 25. Occasions to Meditate Consider howe vainely the most part of men are occupied how many wayes they trouble and cumber themselues thereby much alienating their mindes from the knowledge and cogitation of that which they should most esteeme and so become a lette and an offence to others As in going abroad you will see that your apparell be seemely in the sight of men so see howe seemely you appeare in the sight of God. When you are going any iourney pray THis our life is a pilgrimage From the Lord we came and to the Lord we make our iourney howbeit through dangerous and perillous wayes which our cruell enimies haue and do prepare for vs being nowe more then starke blinde by reason of sinne O Christ which art a most true loades-man and guide and also most expert faithfull and friendly put thou out thine hande open mine eyes make thy high way knowne vnto me which thou diddest first enter into out of this corruptible life and hast prepared the same for vs to immortalitie Thou art the way leade vs vnto the father by thy selfe that all we may be one with him as thou and he together be one Shewe me the way that I should walke in for I lift vp my soule vnto thee Psal. 124. Or pray thus MErcifull father thou art wont to send to thy seruaunts men of simple hearts thine Angels to be their keepers as it were guides as elder brethren to watch vpon thy weake children So diddest thou to young Tobias to Iacob to Abrahams seruant to Iosua c. O gratious God though we be much vnlike vnto them so many are our sinnes yet for thine owne goodnesse sake send thine holie Angels to pitch their tents about vs to hide vs and defend vs from Sathan his slaues to carrie vs in their handes that we come not into further daunger then thou wilt deliuer vs out of for thine owne sake His Angels are ministers for them that are heires of saluation Heb. 1. Sathan sleepeth not but seeketh alwayes to destroy vs. 1. Pet. 5. Occasions to Meditate Thinke something howe wee are straungers from our countrie from our home from our original I meane from god Againe thinke vpon our madnesse that doe linger and loyter so gladly in this our iourney and pilgrimage Also
Lord which are taught of thee and instructed by the spirite of godly wisedome and vnderstanding which by their preaching will seeke not themselues but thee because they are godly and can so do because they are wise vnderstande Giue to the preacher of thy worde here present out of the treasures of thy wisedome that which hee may powre vpon vs to our saluation and vnto vs giue thy grace holy spirit O Lord so to heare and to receiue thy worde that the good seede whiche falleth vppon vs be not choked with thornes or withered away with heate or deuoured by the foules of the aire but may growe vp in a good grounde and fructifie with great increase A prayer to be saide after the Preaching of Gods worde ALmightie God most mercifull father wee heartily beseech thee that this seed of thy worde nowe sowen amongest vs may take suche deepe root that neither the burning heate of affliction or persecution cause it to wither neither the thornie cares of this life do choake it but that as seede sowne in good ground it may bring forth thirtie sixtie and an hundreth folde as thy heauenly wisedome hath appointed And because we haue neede continually to craue many things at thy handes we humbly beseech thee O heauenly father to graunt vs thy holy spirit so to direct our petitions that they may proceed from such a feruent minde as may be agreable to thy most blessed will. And seeing that our infirmitie is such that we are able to do nothing without thy helpe and that thou art not ignorant with howe many and great tentations we poore wretches are on euerie side compassed and inclosed let thy strength O Lorde susteine our weakenesse and assist vs with thy grace that we may be safely preserued against all the assaults of Sathan who goeth about like a roaring Lyon seeking to deuoure vs Increase our faith O mercifull Father that wee doe not swarue at anie time from thy heauenly worde Augment in vs hope and loue with a carefull keeping of all thy commandements that no hardnes of hart no hypocrisie no concupiscence of the eies nor inticements of the world doe draw vs away frō thy obedience And seeing the times are dangerous wherin we liue let thy fatherly prouidence defende vs againste the violence of all our enemies and specially againste the furious rage of that Romishe idoll enemie to thy Christ. Furthermore for as much as by thy holy Apostle we bee taught to make our prayers and supplications for all men we pray not onely for ourselues here present but beseech thee also to reduce all such as be yet ignorant from the miserable captiuitie of blindnesse and errour to the pure vnderstanding of thy heauenly trueth that we all with one consent and vnitie of minde may worshippe thee our onely God and sauiour We beseech thee also most deare father for all pastors and ministers to whome thou hast committed the dispensation of thy holy worde and charge of thy chosen people that both in their life and doctrine they maye be found faithfull setting onely before their eyes thy glorie and that by them all poore sheep which wander and go astray may be sought out and brought to thy folde Againe that it would please thee to deliuer thy Church from such idle sheepeheardes wolues and hirelinges as seeke themselues and their bellies and not thy glory and the safegarde of thy flocke Moreouer because the heartes of rulers are in thy handes wee make our prayers vnto thee for all Princes and Magistrates to whome thou haste committed the administration of iustice especially O Lorde for the Queenes Maiestie that it would please thee to indue her with thy plentifull grace and principall spirite that she may with a pure faith acknowledge Iesus Christ thy onely sonne to be King of all Kinges and gouernour of all gouernours euen as thou hast giuen all power vnto him both in heauen and in earthe so work in her heart that she considering whose minister she is may hartily seeke and zealously promote thy true honour and glory carefully traueling to bring thy people committed to her charge yet remaining almoste in all partes of this realme in miserable blindnesse and darke ignorance to the true knowledge of thee ruling and guidinge them as she is taught commaunded by thy holy word Also we beseech thee to indue all such as are in any authority vnder her with thy grace and holy Spirite that they may be founde vprighte faithfull in their calling fauourers and furtherers of thy holy Gospell maintainers defenders of the true Preachers and ministers therof and such as in singlenes of heart wil seeke not themselues but thy glory and the commodity of thy people And for that we be all members of the mysticall body of Christe Iesus wee make our requestes vnto thee O heauenly father for all such as are afflicted with any kinde of crosse or tribulatiō as warre plague famine sickenes pouertie imprisonment persecution banishment or any other kinde of thy roddes whether it be griefe of body or vnquietnesse of minde that it would please thee to giue them patience and constancie till thou sende them full deliueraunce out of all their troubles Finally O Lord we most humbly beseech thee to shew thy great mercie vppon-our brethren which are persecuted cast in prison and daily condemned to death for the testimonie of thy trueth and though they be vtterly destitute of all mans aide yet let thy sweete comforte neuer depart from them but so inflame their heartes with thy holy spirite that they may boldly and cheerefully abide suche triall as thy godly wisedome shall appoint so that at length as well by their death as by their life the kingdome of thy sonne Iesus Christ may increase and shine through all the worlde In whose name we make our humble petitions vnto thee as he hath taught vs saying Our father which art c. A prayer to be saide before the receiuing of the communion O Father of mercie and God of all consolation seeing all creatures do acknowledge and confesse thee to be their gouernour and Lorde it becommeth vs the workemanship of thine owne handes at all times to reuerence and magnifie thy godly maiestie Firste for that thou hast created vs to thine owne image and similitude but chiefly because thou hast deliuered vs from that euerlasting death and damnation into the which Sathan drewe mankinde by the meanes of sinne from the bondage whereof neither man nor Angell was able to make vs free but thou O Lord rich in mercie infinite in goodnes hast prouided our redemption to stande in thine onely and welbeloued sonne whom of very loue thou diddest giue to be made man like vnto vs in all thinges sinne excepted that in his bodie he might receiue the punishment of our transgression by his death to make satisfaction to thy
thy heauenly wisedome inspire my hart with faith hope and charitie giue me grace to bee humble in prosperitie patiente in aduersitie obedient to my rulers in all my doinges faithfull dealing truely with all men to liue chastly in wedlock to abhorre adulterie fornication and all vncleanes to doe good after my power vnto all men to hurt no man that thy name may be glorified in mee during this present life and that I afterwarde may atteine euerlasting life through thy mercie and the merites of thy death and passion Amen A prayer for grace and remission of sinnes O Lorde God mercifull father I poore wretched sinner come vnto thee in the name of thy dearly beloued son Christ Iesus my sauiour beseeching thee for his sake to be mercifull vnto me and to cast all my sinnes out of thy sight euen through the merites of his bloodie death Poure vpon me O Lord thy holy spirite of grace and wisedome to gouerne and leade my bodie and soule in thy holy worde and commaundementes Shewe thy mercy vpon me and so lighten the naturall blindenesse and darkenesse of my hart through thy grace that I may dayly be renewed by thy holy spirite Open my hard hart and grosse eares to heare and reade thy worde and heauenly voyce and to beleeue and followe it in my conuersation and euer to hold fast that blessed hope of euerlasting life Mortifie and kill all vice in me that my life may expresse my faith in thee Mercifully heare the humble supplication of thy seruaunt and graunt mee thy peace all my dayes Gratiously pardon my infirmities and defende me in all dangers both outwardly in my bodie goodes and name and inwardly in my soule against all euill tentations and subtile baits of sathan that roaring lyon seeking whome he may deuour Graunt O Lord that I and euerie member of thy Church in his vocation and calling may truly and godly serue thee Grafte in my heart the loue of thy name increase in me true religion replenishe me with all goodnesse and of thy great mercy keepe me in the same vnto the end Giue vnto me the spirite of praier true humilitie perfect patience and continuall ioye in the holy ghost I commend vnto thy protection O Father my house and all that thou hast giuen me my whole familie my wife and children ayde me that I may well holily gouerne nourish and bring them vp in thy feare and seruice And forasmuch as in this worlde I must alwayes be at warre not with one sort of enimies but with an infinite number not onely with fleshe and blood but with the diuell which is the prince of darknes grant me thy grace that being armed with thy defence I may stand in this battell with an inuincible constancie against al corruption which I am incompassed with on all sides vntill such time as I hauing ended the cōbate which during this life I must susteine in the end I may atteine to thy heauenly rest which is prepared for me through Christ my Lord and Sauiour Amen A prayer taken out of the first Psalme ALmightie and moste gratious God take away from vs al euil counsel and then our sinnes suffer vs not to runne into an vngodly and wicked life and finally keepe our mindes farre from the contempt of godlynesse and scorning of vertue and in the steade of these euills graunt that we may continually bee occupied in thy law and sacred scriptures that we be not caried about like the wicked as light duste and fruitelesse chaffe with euerie blast of affection and doctrine but rather that wee as trees planted by the water brookes indewed with the life of thy spirite and faith may also bring foorth the fruites of good workes and that what so euer we take in hande may prosper and tend to the praise and glorie of thy name and furtherance of our saluation and at the last when the wicked shall fall away in thy iudgement ▪ we may stand stedfast and be made perfect through Iesus Christ our lord Amen Out of the same Psalme ALmighty God we are sufficiently taught that greeuous calamities and miserable plagues doe therefore dayly vexe and trouble thy Church because we haue not ceased to followe the counsel of the vngodly which being once knowne we ought to haue eschewed The way also of the wicked we haue not shunned yea we haue not ceased to walke their race by continual transgressing of thy commaundementes we haue also of long time contemned all godly correction and discipline and whatsoeuer hath beene taught vs out of thy word hath bin too little regarded ▪ yea without all shame neglected and scorned Wherefore it is no maruell if we in the steede of that happinesse and quiet peace which we alas haue too long abused be nowe compelled to suffer all heauie greeuous and most bitter plagues But now O God in humblenes of heart we flee vnto thee confessing our greeuous offences and we most humblie and hartilie beseech thee that those euils which we so foolishly and wretchedly haue committed thou wilte mercifully forgiue vs and frame our minds wholy to the obedience of thy lawe in such wise that our heartes may be occupied both day and night in nothing else but in the meditation of thy holy scriptures for so shall we giuing credite to thy wordes bringe foorth seasonable and pleasant fruite and shall not be spoyled of the graces of the Holy Ghost yea our doinges shal neuer be without happy successe Nowe we are tossed hither thither not vnlike to leaues and chaffe with the wind of aduersitie and affliction yet grant O most mercifull father that our life perish not with the wicked but that the cause of the iust may bee defended by thy singular prouidence and protection so that in iudgement and in the companie of the iust we may be able to stand and not to be confounded through Iesus Christ our lord Amen Out of the same Psalme ALmightie God for as much as we haue nowe learned that a great part of our felicitie so long as we liue here consisteth in this that we refraine from vngodly counsell and wicked manners and also auoyd the company of those that despise and deride all good thinges and that in the stead of these euils we giue our selues to the heauenly study of thy holy lawe to be occupied and exercised therein both daye and night whereby wee doe perceiue that wee haue verie much erred and strayed from this way of our saluation yea we haue in these thinges most wickedly offended therefore wee beseech thee euen for thy mercies sake that thou wilt pardon our offences and that hencefoorth by the continual studie and exercise of thy word thou wilt vouchsafe to make vs fruitfull plantes that we may not onely bring forth wholsome fruits in thy Church whiles we liue here but also may be able in the other worlde to stande in iudgemente before thee who best knowest the way of the iust through Iesus Christ our
is merry let him sing that is let him praise God. Moreouer the benefites and blessings of God are large and plentifull towards vs which way so euer we turne vs that we can neuer want matter and occasion of prayse and thankesgiuing And seeing wee ought to acknowledge God to be the authour and giuer of all good thinges â–ª we should alway receiue the same at his hand with thankesgiuing â–ª for to that end God continually bestoweth his good blessings and benefites vpon vs that we should continually shewe foorth his prayse and be thankfull vnto him for the same and so we render vâ—â—o him his due honour And S. Paul when he saith that they are sanctified by the worde and prayer signifieth that to vs they are not holy and cleane without the word and prayer and therefore Dauid saith when he had felt the liberalitie of the Lorde that there was put into his mouth a newe song â–ª that is a newe occasion of prayse and thankesgiuing Wherby he signifieth that it is a wicked silence if we passe ouer any of Gods benefites without praise â–ª seing that as ofâ—eÌ„ as he doth good vnto vs so often he giueth vs occasion to speake good of hâ—m We shoulde therefore continually that is as much as is possible at all times in all places and in all thinges as occasions are continually offered vnto vs lift vp our prayer vnto God in crauing helpe at his hand and confessing his praise whereby we may both obteine of him all good thingâ— also praise magnifie his name for all How this perseuerance in prayer is required of vs Christ himselfe teacheth vs by the parable of the three loaues and of the widowe and wicked Iudge wherebie wee are taught to continue in prayer with all earnestnesse and feruent supplication and neuer to faint or giue ouer vntill we be assured in our spirit that our prayer is heard The prayer of the humble saith the sonne of Sirach goeth through the cloudes it ceaseth not vntill it come neere and it vvill not departe vntill the most high God haue respect therevnto Beholde saith Dauid as the eyes of the seruants looke vnto the hande of their maisters and as the eyes of a maiden vnto the hande of her mistresse so our eyes vvaite vppon the Lord our God vntill he haue mercie vppon vs. And thus must we not cease to doe vntill we may boldly say also with Dauid The Lord hath hearde the voâ—ce of my vveeping the Lorde hath hearde my humble petition the Lord hath receiued my prayer Nowe concerning the forme and manner of praying leaste wee shoulde followe our owne fantasie being of our selues so blinde that we knowe not how to pray or what is meete and expedient for vs the Lord himselfe hath sufficiently instructed vs Who as he hath taught vs throughout the whole scripture how and for what thinges wee ought to pray so hath hee set foorth one manner of prayer in the which hee hath briefly comprehended all such thinges as wee ought yea or in any wise may aske of god Wherein hee hath expressed what is due pleasing and acceptable to him what is necessarie for vs and what hee will graunt so that there is nothing herein omitted that might be thought vppon to the prayse and glory of GOD or come into the minde of man for his profit and commoditie And this is that prayer that our Lorde Iesus Christ taught his Disciples when they asked of him how they should pray Whosoeuer therefore shal aske any thing that is not contained in this prayer they presume to adde some thing of their owne to the wisedome of God they are not obedient to his will and they pray without faith hauing no worde of God to warrante them and therefore they shall obtaine nothing This praier saith Tertullian is the doctrine of the wisedome of God wherein hee hath taught whatsoeuer hee willed willed whatsoeuer was needefull Albeit we are not so bound to this forme of prayer that we should not vse any other kinde of words then the Lorde himselfe herein hath vsed For there are elsewhere set forth in the scriptures many prayers farre differing from this in wordes and yet written by the same spirite and verie profitable to be vsed of vs And many prayers also are continually vttered of the faythfull by the same spirite which varie from the same in wordes But this is required of vs that none should looke for seeke or aske any other thing at all then that which is brieflie comprehended in this prayeâ— and which though it differ in wordes yet differeth not in sense and substance like as it is certaine that all the prayers which are founde in the scriptures and which do continually proceede froÌ„ the harts of the faithfull are referred by the direction of Gods spirite vnto this prayer howsoeuer they differ in the varietie of words Many good and godly men euen in our dayes well exercised in prayer haue left vnto vs most worthie examples and testimonies hereof furnished with ample and large matter to forme holy and true prayer and full of power to inflame the hearte to a feruent inuocation of Gods holy name whereof we haue giuen here some taste vnto the godly and especially to the simple not yet well exercised ¶ Reade them meditate and pray and ye shall finde comfort in your soules A Meditation concerning Prayer THE MINDE OF man hath so large roomthe to receiue good thinges that nothing in deed can fully fill it but only God whome then the minde fully possesseth when it fully knoweth him fully loueth him and in all thinges is framed after his will. They therefore deare Lorde God that are thy children and haue tasted somewhat of thy goodnesse doe perpetually sigh that is doe pray vntill they come thereto and in that they loue thee also aboue all thinges it wonderfully woundeth them that other men doe not so that is loue thee and seeke for thee with them Whereof it commeth to passe that they are inflamed with continuall prayers and desires that thy kingdome might come euery where and thy goodnesse might be both knowen and in life expressed of euery man. And bicause there are innumerable many things which as well in them selues as in others be against thy glorie they are kindled with continuall prayer and desire sighing vnspeakably in thy sight for the increase of thy spirit And sometimes when they see thy glorie more put backe then it was wont to be either in them selues or in any other then are they much more disquieted and vexed But bicause they knowe that thou doest rule all thinges after thy good will and that none other can helpe them in their need they oftentimes do goe aside all businesse laide apart and giue them selues to godly cogitations talke with thee complayning to thee as to their father of those thinges that grieue them begging thereto and that most earnestly thy helpe not onely for them selues but
might haue bene of a corrupt iudgement and entangled with many errours loe thou of thy goodnesse as thou hast reformed my iudgement so doest thou keepe it nowe for the same iudgements sake doest vouchsafe somewhat by the crosse to trye me By all which things I should confirme my faith of this that thou alwayes hast bene art and wilt be for euer my deare father In respect whereof as I should be certaine of saluation of the inheritance of heauē for euer so should I be thankefull call my whole care on thee trust to thee and call on thee with comfort and certaine hope for all things that I want For in that thou hast giuen to me this benefite to be thy childe vndeserued and vndesired on my behalfe simplie and onely in respect of thine owne goodnesse and grace in Christ least at any time I should doubt of it howe should I but hope certainly that nothing profitable to me can be denyed in that thy power is infinite For as thy good will is declared in adopting me so nothing can be finally wanting in me which may make for my weal for then should not thy power be almightie therefore my beliefe requireth that I should beleeue in thee the father Almightie In consideration wherof I shuld in all thinges behaue my selfe as a child reioice in thee praise thee trust in thee fear thee serue thee loue thee call vpon thee c. But alas how heauie hearted am I How vnthankfull am I howe ful of vnbeliefe and doubting of this thy rich mercy how little do I loue thee feare thee call vpon thee c Oh be merciful vnto me forgiue me good Father for thine owne sake and graunt me the spirit of thy children to reueale thy selfe vnto me Iesus Christ thy deare Sonne our Lorde by whome we are made thy children that I may truely knowe thee heartily loue thee faithfully hang vpon thee in all my needes with good hope call vpon thee render faithfully this honor to thee that thou art my God and father and I thy deare childe through thy grace in Christ and so alwayes be indued with an assured hope of thy goodnesse and a faithfull obedient heart in all things to thy holie will. At thy handes and from thee as I must looke for all thinges so come I vnto thee pray thee to giue me these thinges which thy deare children haue and thou requirest of me that I may come and aske them of thee as nowe I doe through Iesus Christ our Lord. As by this worde Father I am taught to glory of thee and in thee and all that euer thou hast for thou art wholy mine my Lord my God my father so by this word Our I am taught to glorye of all the good that all and euerie of thy seruaunts that euer were are or shall be had haue or shall haue For nowe I am taught to beleeue that thou hast called me into the communion of thy Church and people whome hereby I perceiue thou hast commanded to be as carefull for me as for them selues and in all their prayers to be as mindful of me as of them selues Againe as by this word Father I am taught to remember and render my dutie I owe to thee wardes faith loue feare obedience c. so by this worde Our I am taught my dutie towards thy people to be careful of them and to take their sorrow pouertie affliction c. as mine own and therfore to labour to helpe them in heart and hand after my vocation and abilitie vtterly abhorring all pride selfeloue arrogancie and contempt of any By reason whereof I haue great cause to lament and to reioyce To lament bicause I am so farre from consideration much more from doing my dutie to thy people in thoughtes words and deeds To reioyce bicause I am called of thee and placed in the blessed societie of thy Saintes and made a member and citizen of the heauenly Ierusalem bicause thou hast giuen in commandement to all thy Church to be as carefull for me as for them selues But alas howe farre am I herefrom As I am guiltie of vnthankfulnesse for this thy calling me into the blessed communion of thy deare sonne and Church yea of thy selfe so am I guiltie of selfeloue vnmercifulnesse pride arrogancie forgetfulnesse and contempt of thy children for else I could not but be otherwise affected and otherwise labour then I doe Oh be mercifull vnto me good father forgiue me and graunt for Christes sake that as my tongue soundeth this worde Our so I may in hart feele the true ioy of thy blessed communion and the true loue and compassion which thy children haue and feele towardes their brethren that I may reioyce in al trouble in respect of that ioyful communion that I may denye my selfe to honour thy children vpon earth and endeuour my selfe to doe them good for thy sake through Iesus Christe our Lorde I come onely to thee to giue me that which I can not nor must not elsewhere haue and thou requirest it of me that therefore I should as thy childe come and craue it to thy glorie Which art in heauen AS by these wordes Our Father I am taught to glorie reioyce for the blessed cōmunion which I am called to with thee deare Father with thy Christe and with thy holie Church so also am I here taught by these wordes Which art in heauen to reioyce in respect of the place and blessed ioyes wherevnto at the length in thy good time I shall come For nowe I may perceiue that as heauen is thy home so is it mine also being as I am thy childe through Christ although here for a time I am bodily on earth and in miserie Againe by these words which art in heauen I am admonished not only to discerne thee from earthly Fathers and to knowe howe that thou art Almightie present in all places and of most puritie to confirme thereby my faith to be prouoked the more to feare thee to reuerence thee c. But also I am admonished to iudge of thy fatherly loue by heauenly benefites and not by corporal simplie and alonely for oftentimes the wicked prosper more in the world and haue more worldly benefites then thy children So that by this I see thou wouldest pull vp my minde from earth and earthly thinges to heauen and heauenly thinges and that I should see further by corporall benefites thy heauenly prouidence for me For if thou place me thus on earth and thus blesse me as thou doest and hitherto hast done from my youth vp in that thou art nothing so carefull for my body as for my soule howe should I but thinke much of thy prouidence for it is thy home where is such glorie as the eye hath not seene c. Of which thinges these corporall benefites of thine giuen me on earth should be as it were inductions the taking of them away admonitions to be more mindfull of
permanent thinges and lesse mindfull of transitorie things By reason hereof I haue great cause to lament and to reioyce To lament bicause I am so earthly minded so litle desirous of my home so vnthankefull for thy prouidence and fatherly protection here on earth To reioyce bicause of my home and the great glorie thereof bicause thou doest so prouide for me here bicause thou doest so correct and chasten me c. But alas I am altogether a wretch earthly and vnthankfull not onely for these corporall benefites health riches friends fame wisedome c. for thy fatherly correction sicknesse temptation c. but also for thy heauenly benefites for Christ Iesus for the promise of thy spirite for thy Gospell c. yea euen for heauen it self and thy whole glorie as the Israelites were for the land of Canaan and therefore neuer enioyed it but perished in the wildernesse I am proud in prosperitie and forget thee waxing secure and carelesse I am impatient in the crosse and too much consider worldly discommodities Oh deare father forgiue me for thy Christes sake all mine vnthankfulnesse loue of this world contempt and obliuion of thy heauenly benefites and graunt me thy holy spirite to illuminate the eyes of my minde with the light and liuely knowledge of thy presence power wisedome goodnesse in thy creatures but specially in Christe Iesus thy sonne so by the same spirite inflame myne affections that I may desire nothing in earth but thee and to be present with thee that my conuersation may be in heauen continually from whence graunt me still to looke for the Lorde Iesus to make this my vile bodie like vnto his owne glorious and immortall bodie according to his owne power by which he is able to doe all things As thou hast giuen me to be thy childe so I pray thee giue me these things whiche be the properties of thy children giuen from thee in thy good time Hallowed be thy name THy name is that whereby thou art knowne for names serue to discerne know one thing from an other Nowe though thou art knowne by thy creatures yet in this our corrupt state they serue but to make vs excuselesse Therefore most properly liuely and comfortably thou art knowne by thy holy worde especially by thy promise of grace and freely pardoning and receiuing vs into thy fauour for Christ Iesus sake For the which goodnesse in Christe thou art praysed and magnified according to thy name that is so much as men knowe thee in Christe they magnifie thee praise thee which here thou callest hallowing or sanctifying Not that thou art the more holy in respect of thy selfe but in respect of men who the more they knowe thee the more they cannot but sanctifie thee that is thei cannot but as in them selues by true faith loue feare spirituall seruice honour thee so also in their outward behauiour and wordes they can not but liue in such sort as other seeing them may in and by their holinesse and godly conuersation be occasioned as to knowe thee so to sanctifie thy name accordingly and therefore thou settest foorth here vnto me what is the chiefe principall wish and desire of thy children and people namely that thou in Christe mightest be truely knowne and honoured both of them selues and of other inwardly and outwardly as by the contrarie a man may easily perceiue that the greatest sorrowe and griefe thy people haue is ignorance of thee false seruice or religion and wicked conuersation Against the which they pray and labour diligently after their vocations as they for the obtaining of the other both to other and to them selues doe take no small paine in prayer studie and godly exercise By reason hereof I see that I am farre from this desire and lamentation which is in thy children I see mine ignoraunce of the true knowledge of thee and thy name for else it had not needed thee so by thy word to haue reuealed thy selfe I see also mine owne ignorance of the excellencie of the same for else wouldest thou not haue tolde me that the sanctfying of thy name is the chiefest thing thou requirest of euery man. Againe I see my great want of holinesse for else thou needest not to teach me to seeke and pray for that I want not Moreouer I see my great peruersitie which would not seeke at thy handes for sanctification although I see my neede thereof For the which thou wouldest not haue commaunded me to pray if I seeing my want would haue prayed vnto thee for the same Last of all I see thy wonderfull goodnesse which wilt vndoubtedly giue vnto me sanctification and holinesse for thou wouldest not that I should aske for that thing that thou wilt not giue me So that I haue great cause to lament and reioyce To lament bicause I am so farre from this desire and lamentation which thy children haue Also bicause of my ignorance pouertie peruersitie vnthankfulnes c. but most of all bicause thy holie name word and religion is so blasphemed both in doctrine in liuing of many especially in this realme To reioyce I haue great cause for thy exceeding goodnesse and mercie which wouldest so disclose thy selfe by thy workes word and Gospell which wouldest open these things thus vnto me and also giue vnto me and others sanctification in thy sight by faith and in the sight of men by purenesse of life and godly conuersation But alas I do heartily neither the one nor the other that is lament or reioyce as thou father whiche searchest my heart doest right well knowe Oh be merciful vnto me and forgiue me yea giue me of thine owne pitie thy holie spirite to reueale and open to my minde effectually my miserable estate and condition my ignorance peruersitie my carelesnesse for thy true honour and dishonour in such sort that I may heartily lament these euils and haue thē pardoned taken from me through Iesus Christ our Lord. Againe good Father giue me the same thy holie spirite to reueale to me thy name worde and Gospell that I may liuely know thee vnfainedly loue thee heartily obey thee and aboue all thinges desire and labour by all meanes lawfull that all godlinesse in doctrine and conuersation may be exercised both in me and in all others for whom thou wouldest I should pray Here thinke vpon the state of religiō and the life of the professors of the Gospell that thou maiest lament some pray for some and giue thankes for some Let thy kingdome come THY kingdome is in two sortes to be considered vniuersally and particularly Uniuersally according to thy power wherewith thou gouernest all things euery where in earth heauen hell diuels Angels men beastes foules fishes and all other creatures Of this kingdome spake Dauid when he said This kingdome ruleth ouer all Particularly thy kingdome is to be considered according to thy grace wherewith thou reignest
you shall haue time thereto and by Gods good spirit shal be prouoked Forgiue vs our debts as we forgiue them that are debters vnto vs. BY Our debtes we vnderstand not onely the thinges we haue done but the omission and leauing vndone of the good things we ought to doe By Our we vnderstand not only the particular sinnes of one but also generally the sinnes of all and euery one of the Church By Forgiuenesse we vnderstand free pardon and remission of sinnes by the merites and desertes of thy deare sonne Iesus Christ who gaue him selfe a raunsome for vs. By Our forgiuing of other mens offences to vs ward we vnderstand thy good will not onely that it pleaseth thee that we should liue in loue and amitie but also that thou wouldest haue vs to be certain of thy pardoning vs of our sinnes For as certain as we are that we pardon them that offend vs so certaine should we be that thou doest pardon vs wherof the forgiuing our trespasses is as it were a sacrament vnto vs. So that by this petitioÌ„ I am taught to see that thy children although by imputation they be pure from sinne yet they acknowledge sinne to be remaine in them and therefore doe they pray for the remission and forgiuenesse of the same Againe I am taught hereby to see howe thy children doe consider and take to heart not only the euils they doe but also the good they leaue vndone and therefore they pray thee heartily for pardon Moreouer I am here taught to see that thy children are carefull for other men and for their trespasses and therefore pray that they might be pardoned in saying Our sinnes and not My sinnes Besides this I am taught here to see howe thy children not onely forgiue all those that offend them but also pray for the pardoning of the offences of their enimies and such as offend them So farre are they from maliciousnesse pride reuengement c. Last of all I am taught to see howe mercifull thou art which wilt haue vs to aske pardon whereof thou wouldest that we should in no â—oint dout but be most assured that for Christes sake thou hearest vs that not onely for our selues but also for many others for thou doest not commaund vs to aske for any thing which thou wilt not giue vs. By reason whereof I haue great cause to lament and reioyce To lament bicause of my miserable estate which am so farre from these affections that are in thy children which am so ignorant and carelesse of sinne not only in leauing good vndone but also in doing euill and that daily in thought word deede c. I speake not of my carelesnes for other folks sinnes as of my parentes children familie magistrats c. neither of the sinnes of them to whom I haue giuen occasion to sinne To reioyce I haue great cause bicause of thy mercy in opening to me these things in commanding me to pray for pardon in promising me pardon and commanding others to pray for me And surely I ought to be persuaded of thy mercy though my sinnes be innumerable for I see not onely in this but in euerie petition howe that euery one of the Church prayeth for me yea Christe thy sonne who sitteth on thy right hand prayeth for me c. Oh deare father be mercifull vnto me and forgiue me al my sinnes and of thy goodnesse giue me thy holie spirite to open mine eyes that I may see sinne the better to knowe it the more truely to hate it and most earnestly to striue against it and that effectually both in my selfe and others Againe graunt me the same thy holy spirite to reueale vnto me the remedie of sinne by Christ only and to worke in me faith to embrace the same by Christe and thy mercies in him that I may hencefoorth be indued with thy holie spirite to begin to obey thy good will more more and to increase in the same for euer Here call to minde the special sinnes you haue committed heretofore Remember if you haue occasioned any to sinne to pray for them by name Remember that Gods lawe should be so deare vnto vs that the breaking thereof in others should be an occasion to make vs to lament with teares c. Lead vs not into temptation BIcause of our continuall great infirmities bicause of the great diligence and subtilties of our enimies and bicause thou art wont to punish sinne with sinne which of all punishments is the greatest most to be feared in this petition thou wouldest haue thy children to haue the same in remembrance and for a remedie hereof thou hast appointed prayer so that the only cause why any are ouercome and led into temptation is for that they forget what they desire in the petition going before this which should neuer be out of their memorie to prouoke them to be more thankefull to thee and more vigilant and heedie hereafter for falling into the like perils For which to be auoyded thou doest most gratiously set foorth a remedie in commaunding vs to pray after pardon for our sinnes past for thy grace to guide vs so that we be not led into temptation but might be deliuered from euill And bicause y wouldest haue all thy children to hang wholy vpon thee to feare thee only only to loue thee thou doest not teach them to pray suffer vs not to be led but lead vs not into temptation that I say they might only feare thee and certainly knowe that sathan hath no power ouer so much as a pig but what so euer thou giuest vnto him and of thy secrete but most iust iudgement doest appoint him to vse not as he will for then we were all lost but as thou wilt which canst will nothing but that which is most iust as to giue them to the guiding of sathan which will not be guided by thy grace as thou diddest Saul c. Occasions to euil are in two sortes One by prosperitie and successe an other by aduersitie and the crosse c. The euils comming of successe commonly are vnthankfulnes pride securitie and forgetting of our selues forgetting of others forgetfulnesse of God of our mortalitie c The euils comming of aduersitie commonly are impatiencie murmuring grudging dispairing contemning of God flattering of men stealing lying with many other euils whereto tentations will entice a man that is left to him selfe where as to one that is guided with Gods spirite temptations are but trials to the glorie of GOD comfort of the tempted and edifying of thy Church But as I saide if a man be left alone tentations entice eueÌ„ to the diuell him selfe and therefore thy children pray to be deliuered from euill vnderstanding thereby Sathan him selfe the sower and supporter of all euill And this thy children do as wel for others as for them selues So that I may learne hereby many good thinges First to remember often our infirmitie and
it pleaseth thee to heare my prayers and assuredly wilt saue me for euer But alas howe farre am I from these lamentings and reioycings By reason whereof I deserue damnation Oh be mercifull vnto me and forgiue me and of thy goodnesse grant me thy holie spirite to reueale to me my blindenesse obliuion and contempt of thy kingdome power and glorie with the greatnesse of my doubtings that I may heartily as lament them so haue them pardoned and taken from me through the merites of Iesus Christ thy sonne Againe giue me thy holy spirit to reueale to me in such sort thy kingdom power glory and eternitie that I may always haue the same before mine eyes be moued with the admiration thereof labour effectually to set foorth the same and finally as to haue the fruition thereof after this life so to increase in an assured certaine and liuely expectation of the same that I may alwayes and in all thinges reioyce in thee through Christ and giue lauds thankes and prayses perpetually vnto thy most holy name Oh blessed Father Sonne and holy Ghost three persons and one God to whome be all honour and glorie world without end Here thinke that if the kingdome power glorie and eternitie be Gods which is our Father what our dignitie is which be his children If the power be our fathers of whome should we be afraid If the diuell be subiect to the Lordes power and kingdome as he is howe can the subiect haue power ouer vs which be sonnes and heires in that he hath not power ouer Porkets without the prouidence and permission of God Therefore full well should we pray Lead vs not into temptation rather then let vs not be lead into temptation for power is the Lords and the diuell hath none but that he hath of Gods gift No he were not able to receiue power if God did not make him able although the execution of it is rather of Gods permission Giue all thankes prayse and glorie to God our Father through Christe our Lord and Sauiour So be it Iohn Bradford PRIVATE PRAYERS for the Morning and Euening and for other times of the day When you awake out of your sleepe pray thus MOst mercifull God and father of our Sauiour Iesus Christ I most humbly thanke thee for the sweete sleepe and comfortable rest which thou hast giuen me this night past beseeching thee that like as thou hast nowe awaked my bodie from sleepe so thou wouldest awake my soule from the sleepe of sinne and darkenesse of this world and that which thou hast now awaked out of sleep thou wouldest after death whereof this sleepe is but an image restore and raise againe to life euerlasting O gratious God make my bodie I heartily pray thee such a companion or rather a minister of godlinesse to my soule this day and all the time of this present life that in the life to come it may be partaker with the same of euerlasting happinesse through Christe Iesus our Lord. Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ shall shew light vnto thee Ephe. 5. Occasions to Meditate Here call to mind the great mirth blessednes of the euerlasting resurrection Also remember to muse vpon that most cleare light that bright morning and newe clearenesse of our bodies after the long darkenesse which they haue bene in All then shall be full of vnspeakable ioy and felicitie When you behold the day-light pray O Lord God thou most glorious true light from whence this light of the day and sunne doth spring and shine vnto vs O light which lightenest euerie man y commeth into this world O light whiche knowest no night nor euening but art alway a midday most cleare and faire without whom al is most horrible darkenesse and by whom al things are most cleare and bright O thou wisedome of the eternal father of mercies lighten my minde that I may see those thinges only which please thee and may be blinded to al other things Grant me so to walke in thy wayes by the light of thy holy worde that nothing else may be light and pleasant vnto me Lighten mine eyes Oh Lorde that I sleepe not in death least mine enimies say I haue preuailed against him Psal 30. Occasions to Meditate Muse a while how much the light and eye of the minde and soule is better then of the bodie Also howe much more we ought to care for the soule that it may see well then for the bodie Moreouer that beastes haue bodily eyes as well as men but men only haue eyes of the minde and that such as are godlie wise When you arise pray OUr first parents cast downe them selues from a most excellent high honorable state into shame miserie into the deepe sea of all wickednesse and mischiefe but oh Christ thou putting forth thy hand didst raise them vp againe Euen so we except we be raised vp by thee shall lie still for euer O good Christe our most gratious redeemer as thou doest mercifully rayse vp now this my body euen so I beseech thee raise vp my minde and heart to the true knowledge loue of thee that my conuersation may be in heauen where thou art If you be risen with Christ thinke vpon those things that be aboue Col. 3. Occasions to Meditate Thinke howe foule the fall of Adam was by reason of sinne and so of euery one of vs from the height of Gods grace Againe thinke vpon the inestimable benefite of Christe by whose helpe we daily arise againe from our fallings When you apparel your selfe pray O Christe clothe me with thine owne selfe that I may be so farre from making prouision for the flesh to fulfill the lustes therof that I may cleane put off all desires and crucifie the kingdome of the flesh in me Be thou vnto me a garment to keepe me warme and to defend me from the cold of this world If thou be absent deare Lorde all things are colde weake and deade but if thou be with me all things are warme fresh and chearefull c. Graunt therefore that as I compasse this my bodie with this garment so thou wouldest cloth me wholy but specially my soule with thine owne selfe Put vpon you as the elect of God bowels of mercie meekenesse loue peace c. Col 3. Occasions to Meditate Call to minde a little howe we are incorporate into Christ. Againe howe he doth cloth vs gouerne and nourish vs and vnder his winges protection prouidence preserueth vs. When you are made readie to begin the day withall pray O Almightie God and most mercifull father thou knowest and hast taught vs also something to know that the weakenesse of man and woman is great that without thy grace they can neither doe nor thinke any good thing Haue mercie vpon me I humbly beseech thee thy most weake fraile and vnworthie childe Lighten my minde that I may with pleasure looke vpon good things only Inflame my hart
that wept and saide I beleeue Lord helpe my vnbeliefe Yea that little be it neuer so litle is thy meere gift also The which as thou begun so most mercifull Lord increase the same more and more to the peace and comfort of our conscience and the glorie of thy name through Iesus Christ. Amen A thankesgiuing to God for his great benefites HOnour and praise be giuen to thee O Lorde God almightie most deare father of heauen for all thy mercies and louing kindnesse shewed vnto vs in that it hath pleased thy gratious goodnesse freely and of thine owne accorde to elect and choose vs to saluation afore the beginning of the world and euen like continuall thankes be giuen vnto thee for creating vs after thine owne image for redeeming vs with the precious bloud of thy deare Sonne when we were vtterly lost for sanctifying vs with thy holie spirite in the reuelation and knowledge of thy sacred word for helping and succouring vs in al our neede and necessitie for sauing vs from all dangers both of bodie and soule for comforting vs so fatherly in al our troubles and afflictions for sparing vs so long and giuing vs so large a time of repentance These benefites O most mercifull father like as we do acknowledge that we haue receiued of thy onely goodnesse euen so we beseech thee for thy deare sonne Iesus Christes sake to graunt vs alwayes thy holie spirite whereby we may continually growe in thankefulnesse towardes thee be led in all trueth and comforted in all aduersitie Strengthen our faith O Lorde kindle it more and more in feruentnesse and loue towardes thee and our neighbours for thy sake Suffer vs not most deare father to receiue thy word any more in vaine but graunt vs alwaies the assistance of thy grace and holy spirite that in heart word and deede we may sanctifie and doe worship to thy holy name that we may helpe to amplifie and increase thy kingdome and that what so euer thou sendest we may be heartily wel content with thy good will and pleasure Suffer vs not to lack the thing O father without the which we can not serue thee but blesse thou so all the workes of our hands that we may haue sufficient and not to be chargeable but rather helpefull vnto other Be mercifull O Lorde vnto our offences and seeing our debt is great which thou hast forgiuen vs in Iesus Christ make vs to loue thee and our neighbors so much the more Be thou O father our captaine and defender in all temptations holde thou vs by thy mercifull hande that we thereby may be deliuered from all inconueniences and end our liues in the sanctifying and honouring of thy name through Iesus Christ our lord Amen A praier for true mortification O God my creator preseruer and euerlasting defender where first in my creation I was made like vnto thine owne likenesse the diuell alas hath since by Adams fal made me ougly monstrous and like euill fauoured to him selfe For what are nowe Lord mine earthly members but as thine Apostle writeth adulterie whoredome vncleannesse vnnaturall lustes euill concupiscence couetousnesse which is the worshipping of Idols and such other for the which thy wrath is wont to come vpon the children of vnbeliefe Neuerthelesse Lorde of thy great mercy and goodnesse against this so great a mischiefe a much greater remedie thy fatherly prouidence hath ordained for thou hast sent Iesus Christ thy deare only natural Sonne into this worlde the vale of miseries to loose the workes of the diuell and to take away my sinnes Therefore sathan hath nowe nothing to brag of for through Christ all that beleeue in thee and so become thy children do ouercome the world the flesh and the diuell And this is the victorie which ouercommeth thē all euen our faith That faith I meane which is persuaded that who so euer beleeueth in Christ shall not perish but haue euerlasting life That faith which beleeueth the testimonie to be true which thou God the father doest testifie of thy sonne so making thee no liar and this is the testimonie that thou hast giuen vs eternall life That faith which beleeueth that thou father who raisedst vp Christ from death shalt also quicken our mortall bodies through thy holie spirite dwelling in vs That faith which beleeueth it to be true which thy Sonne Christe affirmed with a double oth verily verily I say vnto you he that beleeueth in me the workes that I doe the same shall he doe and greater woorkes then these shall he doe bicause I goe to my father And finally that faith which beleeueth that nowe Christe hath bene lift vp on the crosse he shal draw al things vnto him This faith I say is the victorie which ouercommeth our enimies the diuell the world and our flesh Thou therfore deare father which hast promised to giue what so euer I shal aske in thy deare sonne Iesus name for thy great mercie and infallible truthes sake doe nowe in me the thing that he came for lose in me the workes of the diuel take away my sinnes I beseech thee make stedfast my faith and confidence in thy promised mercies and mercifull promises so that I assuredly beleeuing in thee may haue as thou promisest euerlasting life making thee deare God no liar may beleeue feele and knowe in my heart and conscience that the same euerlasting life is thy meere and free gift vnto me yea alreadie of thy great goodnesse vndoutedly giuen me being nowe translated from death to life Of a thankfulnesse wherof Lord cause me nowe daily to mortifie my earthly members yea deare father sith thy spirit which raised vp Christ from death dwelleth within me doe thou who raisedst Christ frō death quicken my mortall bodie through thy spirite so dwelling in me I beseech thee yea Lord Iesu according to thy promise bicause thou art now gone to thy father make me worke this wonderfull great worke that thou spakest of I meane make me being of my selfe but a lumpe of sinne and a monster most ougly as the vices whereon the members of my earthly bodie are aboue declared to be cōpact doe proue make me I say yet through thy grace to hate abhorre flee and subdue all adulterie whoredome vncleannesse vnnaturall lustes euill concupiscence vnordinate desires wantonnesse tendernesse delicatenesse idlenesse dronkennesse gluttonie slothfulnesse distrust despaire ignorance weakenesse wilfulnesse idolatrie superstition hypocrisie heresie error sects ▪ variance strife wrath enuie slaunders lying swearing cursing vainglorie pride couetousnesse theft deceit flatterie and what so euer else O Lorde fighteth or rebelleth against thy holy spirite and then O Father I will boast make vaunt against myne enimie the diuell that I haue done greater workes then thy deare sonne Iesus did at what time hee spake these wordes among the Iewes because albeit he vanquished Sathan yet in as much as hee
them In like manner it goeth with riches estimation friends learning c. yea although we be in these most temperate yet when there wanteth the spirit our regeneratour we are so drowned in them that we vtterly neglect to lift vp our mindes to the good pleasure of God to the end we might imitate and followe God our maker by yeelding our selues ouer duly to vse his gifts to the common priuate vtilitie of our neighbors But now God only is life and eternitie and can not but demaund of vs his handie worke that we should render our selues and all we haue to the ende wherefore wee were made that is to resemble for our portion his goodnesse as they which be nothing else but witnesses and instruments of his mercie So that when wee wholy doe naturally striue against that kinde of life wherevnto he hath created vs by seeking alwais our selues what other thing ought to insue but the he should againe destroie vs and take away his notable giftes wherewith he therfore indued vs that by all kind of wel doing we should resemble his image yea what other thing may ensue but that hee should leaue vs and that eternally that we might feele and by experience proue howe bitter a thing it is to leaue the Lorde in whome is all goodnes Oh that I might therefore finde such fauour in thy sight deare father that thou wouldest worke in me by thy holie spirit a true knowledge of all good things and heartie loue to the same through Christ Iesus our Lord and onelie Sauiour Amen I. B. A Meditation of death and the commodities it bringeth WHat other thing doe we daily in this present life but heape sinne vpon sinne and hoorde vp trespasse vpon trespasse so that this day is worse alwaies thē yesterday by increasing as daies so sinnes and therefore thy indignaiion good Lord against vs but when we shall be let go out of the prison of this bodie so taken into thy blessed companie then shall we be in most safetie of immortalitie and saluation then shall come vnto vs no sicknesse no need no paine no kind of euill to soule or bodie but what so euer good we can wish that shall we haue and what so euer we loath shall be farre from vs O deere father that we had faith to behold these thinges accordingly O that our hearts were persuaded thereof and our affections inflamed with the desire of them Then should we liue in longing for that which nowe we most loath Oh helpe vs and graunt that we beeing ignorant of thinges to come and of the time of our death which to thee is certain may so liue and finish our iourney here that we may be ready and then depart when our departing may make most to thy glory and our comfort through Christ. What is this life but a smoke a vapour a shadowe a warrefare a bubble of water a worde grasse a flower That thou shalt die it is most certeine but the time no man can tell when The longer in this life thou doest remaine the more thou sinnest which will turne to thy more paine By cogitation of death our mindes be often in manner oppressed with darkenesse because wee doe but remember the night of the body forgetting the light of the mind and of the resurrection Hereto remember the good things that after this life shall insue without wauering in certeintie of faith and so shall the passage of death bee more desired It is like a failing ouer the sea to thy home and countrie it is like a medicine or purgation to the health of soule bodie it is the best Physition it is like to a womans trauell For as the childe being deliuered commeth into a more large place then the wombe wherein it did lie before so thy soule beeing deliuered out of the bodie commeth into a much more large and faire place euen into heauen I. B. A meditation vpon the passion of our Sauiour Iesus Christ. OH Lord Iesus Christ the sonne of the euerliuing God by whom all thinges were made and be ruled and gouerned thou the liuely Image of the substance of the Father the eternall wisedome of God the brightnes of his glorie God of God light of light coequal coeternal and consubstantial with the Father thou which of the loue thou hadst to mankinde when he was fallen from the fellowshippe of God into the societie of Sathan and al euill didst vouchsafe for our redemption to become a mediator betweene God and man taking to thy godhead our nature as concerning the substance of it and so becamest man also the heire of all and most mercifull Messias which by the power of thy Godhead and merites of thy manhoode hast made purgation of our sinnes euen by thine own selfe whilest thou was here on earth beeing nowe set on the right hande of thy father for vs euen concerning our nature in maiestie glorie and power infinite I pray and humbly beseech thy mercie to graunt me at this present to rehearse some of thy passions and sufferinges for me the last night that thou wast here before thy death that thy good spirite might therby be effectuall to worke in me faith as well of the pardon of my sinnes by them as mortification of mine affections comfort in my crosses and patience in afflictions Amen In the middest of thy last supper with thy deare apostles these things could not but be before thee namely that they all would leaue thee the most earnest would forsweare thee and one of the twelue should most traiterously betray thee which were no smal crosses vnto thee Iudas was admonished of thee to beware but when he tooke no heede ▪ but wilfully went out to finish his worke contemning thy admonition counsell he could not but vexe thy most louing heart After supper there was contention amongest thy Disciples who should be greatest after thee yet dreaming carnally of thee and thy kingdome hauing this affection of pride and ambition busie amongest them notwithstanding thy diligence in reprouing and teaching them After thy admonition to them of the crosse that would come therby to make them more vigilant so grosse were they that they thought they coulde with their two swordes put away all perils which was no little greefe vnto thee After thy comming to Gethsemane heauinesse pressed thee and therfore thou wouldest thy disciples to pray Thou didst tell to Peter and his fellowes that thy hart was heauie to death Thou didest will them to pray being carefull for them also least they should fall into tentation After this thou wentes◠a stones cast from them and diddest pray thy selfe falling flat and groueling vpon the earth but alas thou feltest no comfort and therefore thou camest to thy disciples which of all others were moste sweete and deare vnto thee but loe to thy further discomforte they passe neither of thy perils nor of their owne therefore sleepe apace After thou hadst awaked them thou goest againe
Iuda thou coÌ„querour of hel and death euer liuing and immortall thou art nowe risen from death for vs thou art now ascended to thy father and our father and sittest at his right hand in glorie suffer vs to come neare vnto thee that wee may kisse thee yea Lorde thou louer of our soules come thou rather vnto vs and kisse vs with the kisse of thy mouth that we may bee glad and reioyce in thee drawe vs that we may runne after the sauour of thy sweete oyntmentes that wee may beholde thee in righteousnesse and when thy glorie shall appeare we may be satisfied for in thy presence there is fulnesse of ioy and in thy right hand there are pleasures for euermore A prayer for true repentance MOst gratious God mercifull Father of our Sauiour Iesus Christ because I haue sinned don wickedly and through thy goodnesse haue receiued a desire of repentaunce wherevnto this thy long suffering doth drawe my harde hart I beseech thee for thy great mercies sake in Christ to worke the same repentance in me and by thy spirite power and grace so to humble mortifie and feare my conscience for my sinnes to saluation that in thy good time thou maist comfort and quicken me again through Iesus Christ thy dearely beloued sonne So be it I. B. A prayer for the strength and increase of faith O Merciful God and deare father of our Lord and sauiour Iesus Christ in whome as thou art well pleased so hast thou commanded vs to heare him for as much as he often biddeth vs to aske of thee and also promiseth that thou wilt heare vs and grant vs that which in his name we shal aske of thee loe gratious father we are bold to begge of thy mercie through thy sonne Iesus Christ one sparkle of true faith and certaine persuasion of thy goodnesse and loue towards vs in Christ where through I being assured of the pardon of all my sinnes by the mercies of Christe thy sonne may bee thankefull to thee loue thee serue thee in holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of my life I. B. A prayer for the true sense and feeling of Gods â—auour and mercie in Christe OH Lord God and deare Father what shall I say that feele all things to be in maner with me as in the wicked Blind is my mind crooked is my will and peruerse concupiscence is in mee as a spring or stinking puddle O howe faint is faith in me How little is my loue to thee or to thy people How great is selfe loue Howe harde is my heart â–ª By the reason whereof I am moued to doubt of thy goodnes towardes me whether thou art my mercifull father and whether I be thy childe or no. In deede worthily might I doubt if that the hauing of these were the cause not the fruite rather of thy children The cause why thou art my father is thy mercie goodnes grace truth in Christe Iesus which can not but remain for euer In respect whereof thou hast borne me this goodwill to bring me into thy Church by baptisme and to accept me into the number of thy children that I might be holie faithfull obedient and innocent and to call me diuerse times by the ministerie of thy worde into thy kingdome besides thy innumerable other benefites alwayes hitherto powred vppon me All which thou hast done of this thy good will which thou of thine owne mercie barest to mee in Christ and for Christe before the worlde was made The which thing as thou requirest straitly that I should beleeue without doubting so wouldest thou that in all my needes I should come vnto thee as vnto a Father and make my mone without mistrust of beeing heard in thy good time as most shall make to my comfort Loe therefore to thee deere Father I come through thy sonne our Lord mediator and aduocate Iesus Christ who sitteth on thy right hand making intercession for me and pray thee of thy great goodnes and mercie in Christ to bee mercifull vnto me that I may feele in deede thy sweete mercie as thy childe The time Oh deare Father I appoint not but I pray thee that I may with hope still expect and looke for thy helpe I hope that as thou for a little while hast left mee so thou wilt come and visite me and that in thy great mercie whereof I haue need by reason of my great miserie Thou art wont for a little season in thine anger to hide thy face from them whome thou louest but surely O Redeemer in eternal mercies thou wilt shew thy coÌ„passions For when thou leauest vs O Lord thou doest not leaue vs verie long neyther doest thou leaue vs to our owne losse but to our iucre and aduauntage euen that thy holie spirite with bigger portion of thy power and vertue may lighten and cheare vs that the want of feeling of our sorrowe may be recompenced plentifully with the liuely sense of hauing thee to our eternall ioy and therefore thou swarest that in thine euerlasting mercie thou wilt haue compassion on vs Of which thing to the end we might be most assured thine oth is to bee marked for thou saiest As I haue sworne that I will neuer bring any more the waters to drown the world So haue I sworn that I wil neuer more be angry with thee nor reprooue thee The mountaines shal remoue and the hilles shal fall downe but my louing kindenesse shall not moue and the bonde of my peace shall not faile thee Thus saist thou the Lord our mercifull redeemer Deare father therefore I praye thee remember euen for thine owne truth and mercie sake this promise and euerlasting couenant which in thy good time I pray thee to write in my hart that I may know thee to be the onely true God and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent that I may loue thee with all my heart for euer that I may loue thy people for thy sake that I may be holie in thy sight through Christ that I may alwayes not only striue against sinne but also ouercome the same daily more and more as thy children doe aboue all thinges desiring the sanctification of thy name the comming of thy kingdome the doing of thy will here on earth as it is in heauen c. through Iesus Christ our redeemer mediatour and aduocate Amen I. B. A prayer against our spirituall enemies the diuel the worlde and the flesh O Lord God the diuell goeth about like a roaring Lion seeking whom he may deuour the flesh lusteth against the spirite the world persuadeth vnto vanities that we may forget thee our Lord God so for euer be damned Thus are we miserably on euery side beset and besieged of cruell vnrestfull enemies and like at euery moment to perish if we be not defended with thy godly power against their tyrannie We therefore poore and wretched sinners despairing of our owne strength which in deede is none most hartily
and being our head on whome we hang and hope that our poore petitions shall not be in vaine through him and for his names sake Wee beseech thee therefore of thy rich mercie wherein thou art plentifull to all thē that call vpon thee to forgiue vs our sinnes namely our vnthankfulnesse vnbeleefe selfeloue neglect of thy worde securitie hypocrisie contēpt of thy long suffering omission of prayer doubting of thy power presence mercy and good will towardes vs vnsensiblenesse of thy grace impaciencie c. and to this thy benefite of correcting vs adde thy gratious gift of repentaunce faith the spirite of prayer the contempte of this worlde and heartie desiring for euerlasting life Indue vs with thy holy spirit according to thy couenant mercie as well to assure vs of pardon and that thou doest accept vs into thy fauour as thy deare children in Christ and for his sake as to write thy lawe in our heartes and so to worke in vs that we may nowe begin and goe forwards in beleuing lyuing fearing obeying praying hoping and seruing thee as thou dost require most fatherly and most iustly of vs accepting vs as perfect in thy sight through Iesus Christ our lord Amen A prayer of the afflicted for the profession of Gods worde O Gratious God which seekest all meanes possible howe to bring thy children into the feeling and sure sense of thy mercie and therefore when prosperitie will not serue then sendest thou aduersitie gratiously correcting them here whō thou wilt haue elswhere to liue with thee for euer wee poore wretches giue humble prayses and thankes to thee that thou hast vouched vs worthy of thy correction at this present hereby to worke that which wee in prosperitie and libertie did neglecte For the which neglecting and many other our greeuous sinns wherof we nowe accuse our selues before thee most mercifull Lord thou mightest most iustly haue giuen vs ouer and destroied vs both in soule and body But such is thy goodnes towards vs in Christ that thou seemest to forget all our offences and as though we were farre otherwise then we be in deede thou wilt that wee should suffer this crosse nowe laide vpon vs for thy truth and gospels sake and so be thy witnesses with thy Prophets Apostles Martyrs Confessours yea with thy dearly beloued sonne Iesus Christ to whom thou doest now here beginne to fashion vs like that in his glory we may be like to him also O good God what are we on whō thou shouldest shew this great mercie Oh louing Lord forgiue vs our vnthankefulnesse and sinnes Oh faithfull father giue vs thine holy spirite nowe to crie in our heartes Abba deere father to assure vs of our eternall election in Christ to reueale more and more thy truth vnto vs to confirme strengthen and stablishe vs so in the same that we may liue and die in it as vessels of thy mercie to thy glorie and to the commoditie of thy Church Indue vs with the spirit of thy wisedome that with good conscience we may alwayes so aunswere the enemies in thy cause as may turne to their conuersion or confusion and our vnspeakeable cōsolatiō in Christ Iesus for whose sake wee beseech thee hencefoorth to keepe vs to giue vs patience and to will no otherwise for deliuerance or mitigation of our miserie then may stand alwayes with thy good plesure merciful will towards vs. Graunt this deare father not only to vs in this place but also to all others else where afflicted for thy names sake through the death and merites of Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen I. B. A prayer to God the father the Sonne and the holy Ghost O Almightie and euerliuing God the eternall father of our Lorde Iesus Christ which of thy vnmesurable goodnes hast opened thy self vnto vs and with a loude voyce hast saide of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lord Heare him O maker preseruer of all thinges with thy coeternall sonne our Lord Iesus Christ which reigneth with thee and was manifested in Ierusalem with thy holy spirite which was powred vppon the Apostles O wise God mercifull Iudge and mightie Lord which hast saide As truely as I liue I will not the death of a sinner but rather that he should conuert amend whiche also hast saide Call vppon me in the day of thy trouble I will deliuer thee haue mercie vpon vs for Iesus Christes sake whome thou wouldest of thy merueylous and incomprehensible counsell shoulde be made for vs a slaine sacrifice mediator reconciler and peacemaker to the end that thou mightest shewe thine exceeding great wrath against sinne and thine inestimable mercie towardes mankinde Sanctifie illuminate our heartes and soules with thy holy spirite that wee may truly beleeue in thee call vppon thee bee thankefull vnto thee and obedient to thy holy will. Defend gouerne and cherish thy Church as thou hast promised saying This is my couenāt that I haue made with them my spirit which is in thee and my worde which I haue put in thy mouth shall not departe out of thy mouthe nor out of the mouth of thy seede for euer Preserue those kingdomes and cōmon weales which giue harborough to the people and maintaine the ministerie of thy holy word and Gospell that the kingdom of thy sonne Iesus Christ may encrease and shine throughout all the worlde O Iesus Christ Sonne of the euerliuing God crucified for vs and raysed also from the deade and nowe reigning at the right hand of thy father that thou maiest giue gifts vnto mee which hast saide Come vnto mee all ye that labour and are heauie loden and I will refresh you haue mercie vpon vs praye for vs vnto thy eternall father sanctifie and gouerne vs with thy holy spirite helpe and succour vs in all our necessities as thou hast promised saying I will not leaue you comfortlesse O holie and blessed spirite together with the father and the son one true and euerliuing God full of maiestie and power which with thy heauenly inspiration quickenest the mindes of those that afore were dead in sinne makest ioyfull the heartes of the faithfull penitent bringest in to the way of trueth all such as haue erred and gone astraye comfortest the soules of such as hunger thirst after righteousnesse and plenteously inrichest those with diuerse giftes which aske them in Iesus Christes name purifie our heartes wee beseech thee and inflame them with the fire of thy loue replenishe them with thy heauenly benefites and spirituall blessinges that they may be made meete temples for thee leade vs into all trueth which art the onely fountaine of trueth and mortifie in vs whatsoeuer proceedeth not of thee Or else pray thus O Holy spirite powred vppon the Apostles which hast promised vnto vs by the sonne of God our Redeemer to kindle in vs a true knowledge and inuocation of God as it is written I will powre vppon you the spirite of grace of
lowde in thine eares though they speake neuer a worde at all Shoulde I then nowe despaire of thy fatherly mercie whiles presently I feele thee stirre vp my soule and hearte to craue helpe at thy hande Should I thinke that thou wilt absent thy selfe for euer that thou wilt be no more intreated that thy mercie is cleane gone that thy promise is come vtterly to an ende and that thou wilt nowe shut vp thy louing kindnesse in displeasure Nay Lorde for all alterations are of thy right hande and turne alway to the best to them that feare thee All this is but mine owne infirmitie for thou art euer one thy promises be infallible and thy loue towards thine euerlastingly during I will therefore in this my present tentation greuous assaulte powre out the heauinesse of my hearte before thee deare father Out of the deepe will I crie lift vp my soule vnto thee from whom I assuredly know my helpe is comming I will also for my present comfort cal to remembrance O Lorde my God thy tender mercies towards me already shewed the multitude of thy benefites the greatnes of the same the longe continuance of them euen frō my conception vntill this instant finally thy continuall luste desire to powre them vpon me And moreouer sith thy goodnesse is so great O Lord that thou dost not onely pitie miserie but also callest the heauie hearted and afflicted vnto thee promising that thou wilt ease their miserie for as much as by the motion of thy good spirit I loth and abhorre my sinnes feele the greuousnesse of them and thy heauie wrath towardes me for the same and finally what neede I haue of thy gratious ayde and succour therefore Oh Lorde in thy Sonne Christes name with sure confidence and trust in thine infallible promise in this mine anguish trouble I come vnto thee at thy mercifull calling and craue comfort at thy hand For thou hast promised that when I loath my sinnes thou wilt vterly forget them when I feele the greeuous burthen of them thy mercie swalloweth them vp when I seeke that I want thou wilte assuredly graunt it me For sith thou mouest my hearte to desire helpe how shoulde I mistrust but thou wilt for thy truth sake giue me my asking Yea where I knowe not howe or what to desire as I ought thy holy spirite gratiously working in mee maketh intercession mightily for me with groninges which can not bee expressed and therewithall certifieth my spirit that by adoption through thy great mercie and goodnesse I am become thy childe and heire Why should I not then be of good comfort and ioyfull in thee my God For if thou be on my side who can be against mee Since thou diddest not spare thine owne sonne but gauest him for mee euen when I was thine enemie howe shalt thou not with him nowe that by his death I am brought into thy fauour giue mee all thinges with him and for his sake Who shall lay any thing to the charg of thine elect It is thou Lord which iustifiest mee It is Christe that hath dyed for mee yea rather that is risen againe for mee who also is set on thy right hand hath taken possession yea and perpetually maketh there intercession for me vntill that ioyfull day be come when I shall haue full fruition of the moste glorious presence of thy diuine maiestie in that kingdome whiche thou hast prepared before the beginning of the world but in time to thy gratious goodnesse thought best made knowen to me by giuing thy holy spirite into my heart whereby when I first Lord beleeued thy holy worde which is thine owne power to saue all that beleeue I was sealed confirmed and stablished in the certaintie of that thine euerlasting kingdom and inheritāce For the which inestimable benefite of thy rich grace Oh Lorde my God I beseech thee euen for the loue thou bearest to Christe Iesus thy son thy mercie thou haddest on him when he cried on the crosse My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Help help I say inflame my heart with loue so plentifully towardes thee againe that I may be euen swalowed vp in the ioyfull feeling of the same in such sort that I may of verie thankefulnesse loue thee my GOD alone thee I say my deare GOD and nothing but thee and for thy sake O holy spirite whose work this is in mee increase this thy worke of thine infinite mercie and preserue mee that I neuer become vnthankefull vnto thee therefore Amen A prayer for the sicke O Most mercifull God which according to the multitude of thy mercies dost so put away the sins of those which truly repēt that thou remembrest them no more open thy eyes of mercie and looke vpon this thy sicke seruant who most earnestly desireth pardon and forgiuenesse Renue in him most louing father whatsoeuer hath beene decayed by the fraude and malice of the diuell or by his owne carnall will and frailtie Preserue and continue this sicke member in the vnitie of thy Church Consider his contrition ▪ accept his teares assuage his paine as shall bee seene to thee most expedient for him And for as much as he putteth his full trust onely in thy mercie impute not vnto him his former sinnes but take him vnto thy fauour through the merits of thy most dearly beloued sonne Iesus Christ. A prayer to be saide at the houre of death O Lord Iesus Christ which art the onely health of all men liuing and the euerlasting life of them that die in thee I wretched sinner do submit my selfe wholy vnto thy most blessed will and being sure that the thing cannot perish which is cōmitted vnto thy mercie willingly now I leaue this fraile and sinnfull fleshe in sure hope that thou wilt in better wise restore it to mee againe at the last day in the resurrection of the iust I beseech thee most mercifull Lorde Iesus Christ that thou wilt by thy grace make stronge my soule against all tentations and defende mee with the buckler of thy mercie against all the assaults of the diuell I see and acknowledge that there is in my selfe no helpe of saluation but al my confidence hope and trust is in thy rich mercie and goodnesse I haue no merites or good workes which I may alledge before thee of sinnes and euill workes alas I see a great heape but yet through thy mercie I trust to be in the number of them to whome thou wilt not impute their sinnes but wilt accept and take mee for righteous and iust and to be an inheritour of euerlastinge life Thou mercifull Lord wast borne for my sake thou diddest suffer both hunger and thirst for my sake thou diddest teach pray and fast for my sake all thy holy actions and works thou wroughtest for my sake thou sufferedst most greeuous paines and tormentes for my sake finally thou gauest thy most precious bodie and bloode to be
shed on the crosse for my sake Now most merciful Sauiour let all these thinges profite me that thou freely hast done for me which hast giuen thy selfe also for mee Let thy blood cleanse and wash away the spottes and fowlenesse of my sinnes Let thy righteousnes hide and couer my vnrighteousnes Let the merites of thy passion and bloudsheding be the satisfaction for my sinnes Giue me Lord thy grace that the faith of my saluation in thy bloude wauer not in mee but maie euer bee firme and constant that the hope of thy mercy and life euerlasting neuer decay in me that loue waxe not colde in me finally that the weakenesse of my fleshe be not ouercome with the feare of death Graunt me mercifull Sauiour that when death hath shut vp the eyes of my bodie yet the eyes of my soule may still beholde and looke vppon thee and when death hath taken away the vse of my tongue yet my heart may crie and say Lord into thy handes I commend my soule Lord Iesu receiue my spirite A prayer for a woman with childe THou art wonderfull O Lord in al thy workes and what so euer thy good pleasure is that doest thou easily bring to passe neither is there any thing vnpossible with thee that thou wilt haue done And albeit this thy almightie power sheweth it selfe aboundantly in al thy works yet in conceiuing forming and bringing foorth of man it shineth most euidently At the beginning O Father when thou madest man and woman thou commandedst them to increase multiplie and replenish the earth If through the subtill inticementes of Sathan they had not transgressed thy commaundement by eating the forbidden fruite the woman whome thou hast appoynted to be the instrument and vessell to conceiue nourish and bring foorth man through thy wonderful workmanship had without any labour paine or trauel brought foorth her frutie But that which thy goodnes made easie sin and disobedience hath made harde painefull daungerous and without thy speciall helpe and succour impossible to bee brought to passe so that nowe all women bring foorth their childrē in great sorowes paines and troubles Notwithstanding that which through their owne imperfection and feeblenes they are not able of thēselues to passe thou through thine vnspeakable power makest easie in them and bringest vnto a ioyfull end We therefore being fully persuaded of thy fauour and goodnesse of thy present helpe and of thy sweete comforte in all miseries and necessities knowing also by the testimonies of thy holy word how great and intollerable the paines of women are that trauell of childe if through thy tender mercie they bee not mitigated and eased most humbly pray thee for Iesus Christes sake thy son our Lorde to helpe and assist this thy seruaunt nowe in trauell and labour that by thy almightie power shee may safely bringe foorth that which by thy goodnes she hath conceiued and that thy louing kindnes may make that easie and tollerable vnto her which sinne hath made hard and painefull Ease O Lord the paines which thou most righteously hast put vpon her and all women for the sinne and disobedience of our graundmother Eue in whom al we haue sinned Be present with her in her trouble accordinge to thy mercifull promise Giue her strength and make perfect that which thou hast so gratiously begun Let thy power be shewed no lesse in the safe bringing foorth then in the wonderfull forming and fashioning of that she beareth Make her a glad and a ioyfull mother that she through thy goodnesse being safely deliuered and restored to health againe may liue and praise thy blessed name for euer A psalme to be saide in the time of any common plague sicknes or other crosse and visitation of God. O Come let vs humble our selues and fall downe before the Lorde with reuerence and feare For he is the Lord our God and we are the people of his pasture and the sheepe of his handes Come therefore let vs turne againe vnto our Lorde for he hath smiten vs and he shall heale vs. Let vs repent and turne from our wickednesse and our sinnes shal be forgiuen vs. Let vs turne and the Lorde will turne from his heauie wrath and will pardon vs and we shall not perish For we acknowledg our faultes and our sinnes are euer before vs. We haue sore prouoked thine anger O Lord thy wrath is waxed hote and thy heauie displeasure is sore kindled against vs. Thou hast in thine indignatiom striken vs with greeuous sickenesse and by and by we haue fallen as leaues beaten downe with a vehement winde In deede we acknowledge that our punishmentes are lesse then our deseruinges but yet of thy mercie Lorde correct vs to amendment and plague vs not to our destruction For thy hand is not shortned that thou canst not helpe neither is thy goodnesse abated that thou wilt not heare Thou hast promised O Lord that afore we crie thou wilt heare vs whilest we yet speake thou wilte haue mercie vpon vs. For none that trust in thee shall be confounded neither any that call vpon thee shal be despised For thou art the onely Lord who woundest and doest heale againe who killest reuiuest bringest euen to hell and bringest backe againe Our father 's hoped in thee they trusted in thee and thou diddest deliuer them They called vppon thee and were helped they put their trust in thee and were not confounded O Lorde rebuke vs not in thine indignation neither chasten vs in thy heauie displeasure O remember not the sinnes and offences of my youth but according to thy mercy thinke thou vpon vs O Lord for thy goodnes Haue mercie vpon vs O Lord for we are weake O Lord heale vs for our bones are vexed And nowe in the vexation of our spirits and the anguish of our soules we remember thee and we crie vnto thee heare Lord and haue mercie For thine owne sake and for thy holy names sake incline thine eare and heare O mercifull Lord. For we doe not powre out our prayers before thee trusting in our owne righteousnes but in thy great and manyfold mercies Wash vs throughly from our wickednes and cleanse vs from our sins Turne thy face from our sins and put out all our misdeedes Make vs cleane heartes O God and renne a right spirite within vs. Helpe vs O God of our saluation for the glorie of thy name O deliuer vs and be mercifull vnto our sinnes for thy names sake So we that be thy people sheepe of thy pasture shall giue thee thanks for euer and will alwaies be shewing foorth thy praise from generation to generation Glorie be to the father c. As it was in the beginning c. A psalme of thankesgiuing for deliuerance from the plague or any other kind of sicknes trouble or affliction LOrd thou art become gratious to thy lande thou hast turned away the afflictions of thy
spared my sinnes but hast punished mee with scourges of loue and hast sent afflictions and anguish within and without Of grace fauour it is O Lord that thou sufferest thy seruants to be troubled and afflicted in this world because they should not be condemned with the world Thou wouldest that they shoulde here be broken with affliction that they may after rise in a newe light be clarified and made glorious in thy kingdome Oh holy father thou hast ordeyned it so to be and it is done as thou hast appoynted Wherefore O Lord giue mee the grace to rest in thee aboue all thinges and to quiet my heart in thee aboue all creatures aboue all glorie and honour aboue all dignitie and power aboue all health and beutie aboue all riches and treasure aboue all ioy and pleasure aboue all fame and praise aboue all mirth and consolatioÌ„ that mans heart may take or feele besides thee For thou Lord art most good most wise most righteous most holy most iust most blessed most high most mightie most comfortable most beautifull most louing most glorious in whom all treasures of goodnesse most perfectly rest And therefore whatsoeuer I haue besides thee it is nothing vnto mee for my heart may not rest nor fullie be pacified but onely in theee Oh Lord Iesu â–ª who shal giue me winges of pefecte loue that I may flee vp from these worldly miseries and rest with thee Oh Christ the king of euerlasting glorie my soul crieth vnto thee with continual gronings saith how long â—arieth my Lord God to come to me Oh when shall the end come of all these miseries When shall I cleane be deliuered from the bondage of sinne When shal I Lord haue my mind onely fixed on thee and be merie in thee with perfect ioye and gladnesse When shal that blessed houre come that thou shalt visite me and make me glad with thy blessed presence when thou shalt be to me all in all When shall I come vnto thee and feele and enioy those sweete consolations which with thy blessed saintes are alwayes present When shall I haue peace without trouble peace without peace within on euery side stedfast and sure O Lord Iesu when shall I stand and beholde thee and haue full sight and contemplation of thy glorye When shall I be with thee in thy kingdome that thou hast ordeined for thine elect before the beginning Oh blessed mansion of that heauenly cittie Oh most cleare day of eternitie whome the night may neuer darken This is the day always cleere and merie alwaies sure and neuer changing This day shineth cleerely to thy saints in heaueÌ„ Oh gratious God with euerlasting brightnesse but to vs here on earth so great is the darknes of sin in vs it shineth obscurely and as it were a farre off we see but a glimmering thereof Woulde to God this day might shortly appeare and shine vnto vs and that these worldly vanities were at an end Thy heauenly Citizens know and feele how ioyfull this day is but we the Children of Eue strangers and exiles here on earth doe lament and bewaile the bitter tediousnes of this present life short and euil full of sorrowe and anguish Where man is oftentimes defiled with sinne disquieted with troubles oppressed with cares busied with vanities blinded with errors ouercharged with laboures vexed with tentations ouercome with vaine delightes and pleasures of the worlde miserably wrapped in many kindes of calamities Wherefore O Lord arise and help me comfort mine exile assuage my sorrowe destroy the power of mine enemies the kingdome of sinne Sathan the world and my wicked flesh which alway make battell against me and bring these conflicting dayes to an end So shal I sing praises vnto thee O God of my saluation and magnifie thy holy name world with out end Amen A confession of sinnes and a prayer for the remission thereof O Lord God rich in mercie and of great goodnesse who of thy tender loue towardes vs euen when we were thine enimies diddest send into the world thine own deare sonne Iesus Christ to be a slaine sacrifice for our sinnes so that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue life euerlasting haue mercy vpoÌ„ me according to thy great mercies and according to the multitude of thy compassions put away mine iniquities â–ª For mine iniquities are gone ouer my head and as a weightie burthen they presse me downe Against heauen and against thee haue I sinned O Lord I am not worthy to be called thy childe I am ashamed to lift vp mine eyes vnto thee for my sinnes are ascended vp into thy sight There is nothing sound in my flesh because of thy displeasure neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sinne Behold I am sold vnder sin and in my flesh ther dwelleth no good thing For the good which I would doe I doe not but the euill which I would not doe that I doe Wash me therfore O Lord froÌ„ mine iniquities clense me from my sin Purifie my heart by the sanctifying of thy holy spirite â–ª and by the sprinckling of the blood of thy deare sonne from the filth of sinne and an euill conscience Make me to heare ioy and gladnes that the bones which thou hast broken may reioyce Create in me a new heart O God and renue a right spirit within me Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thy holy spirite from me Restore to me the ioy of thy saluation and stablish me with thy free spirite For thou art good to them that trust in thee and to the soule that seeketh thee Al thy wayes are mercie and truth to them that seeke out thy couenant and thy testimonies The fountaine of thy goodnes is euer full and ouerflowing thy mercy neuer decayeth Thou woundest and healest againe thou killest and reuiuest bringest euen downe to hel and bringest backe againe Thou raisest vp those that are faln thou comfortest the broken harted Thou strengthenest the wearie handes and crooked knees and out of the gulph of hell thou deliuerest the afflicted Out of darknes thou bringest light out of death life and out of damnation thou bringest saluation Heare me therefore O Lord according to thy louing kindnes turne vnto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies Looke vpon mine affliction and my trauell and forgiue all my sinnes Remember not the offences of my youth nor my rebellioÌ„s against thee For if thou Lord shouldest marke our iniquities Lord who should be able to stande in thy sight Seeing thou hast founde iniquitie euen in thine Angels and the heaueÌ„s are not cleane in thy sight muche more is man abhominable filthy which drinketh iniquitie like water Notwithstanding thou hast said O Lord that as the righteousnes of the righteous man shall not saue him whensoeuer he offendeth so shal not the wickednesse of the wicked man hurt him whensoeuer
father and to the sonne and to the holy ghost As it was in the beginning is nowe and euer shal be world without ende Amen From our enimies defende vs O Christ. Gratiously looke vpon our afflictions Pitifully behold the sorrows of our heartes Mercifully forgiue the sinnes of thy people Fauorably with mercie heare our prayers O Sonne of Dauid â–ª haue mercie vpon vs. Both now and euer vouchsafe to heare vs O Christ. Gratiously heare vs O Christ gratiously heare vs O Lord Christ. O Lord let thy mercie be shewed vpon vs As we doe put our trust in thee â–ª Let vs pray WE humbly beseech thee O father mercifully to looke vpon our infirmities and for the glorie of thy names sake turne from vs all those euils that we most righteously haue deserued graunt that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercie and euermore serue thee in holines and purenes of liuing to thy honour and glorie through our onely Mediatour and aduocate Iesus Christ our lord Amen A prayer for the Queenes Maiestie O Lord our heauenly father high and mightie King of Kinges Lord of Lords the onely ruler of princes which doest froÌ„ thy throne beholde all the dwellers vppon the earth moste hartily we beseech thee with thy fauour to behold our most gratious soueraigne Ladie Queâ—ne Elizabeth and so replenish her with the grace of thy spirite that shee may alwayes incline to thy will and walke in thy feare indue her plentifully with heauenly giâ—es graunt her in health and welth long to liue â—â—rengthâ— her that she may vanquish and ouercome all her enimies and finally after this life she may atteine euerlasting ioy and felicitie through Iesus Christ our Lord â–ª Amen A prayer for Bishops and Ministers of the Church ALmightie and euerliuing God which onely workest great maruels send downe vpon our Bishops Curates al congregations commited to their charge the healthfull spirite of thy grace and that they may truly please thee powre vpon them the continual dewe of thy blessing Graunt this O Lord for the honour of our aduocate and mediatour Iesus Christ. For rayne O God heauenly father which by thy sonne Iesus Christ hast promised to all them that seeke thy kingdome and the righteousnes thereof all things necessarie to their bodilie sustenance sende vs we beseech thee in this our necessitie such moderate raine and showers that we may receiue the fruites of the earth to our comforte and to thy honour through Iesus Christ our lord Amen For faire weather O Lord God which for the sinne of man diddest once drowne all the world except eight persons and afterwarde of thy greate mercie diddest promise neuer to destroy it so againe we humbly beseech thee that although we for our iniquities haue worthily deserued this plague of raine and waters yet thou wilte sende vs such weather whereby we may receiue the fruites of the earth in due season and learne both by thy punishment to amend our liues and for thy clemencie to giue thee prayse and glorie through Iesus Christ our lord Amen In the time of dearth and famine O Merciful God and heauenly father whose gift it is that the raine doth fall the earth is fruitfull man and beastes increase fishes do multiplie beholde wee beseech thee the afflictions of thy people graunt that the scarcitie and dearth which we do now most iustly suffer for our iniquitie may through thy goodnes be mercifullie turned into cheapnes and plentie for the loue of Iesus Christ our Lorde to whome with thee and the holy Ghost be prayse for euer Amen In the time of Warre ALmightie God king of al kings and gouernour of all thinges â–ª whose power no creature is able to resist to whome it belongeth iustly to punishe sinners and to be mercifull to them that truly repent saue and deliuer vs we humby beseech thee from the handes of our enimies abate their pride asswage their malice and confounde their deuises that wee being armed with thy defence may be preserued from all perils to glorifie thee which art the onely giuer of all victorie through the merites of thy onely Sonne Iesus Christ our lord So be it In the time of any common plague or sickenesse O Almightie God which in thy wrath in the time of king Dauid didst slay with the plague of pestilence threescore and ten thowsand and yet remembring thy mercie didest saue the rest haue pitie vpon vs miserable sinners that nowe are visited with great sicknesse and mortalitie that like as thou didest then commaunde thinâ— Angell to cease from punishing so it may now please thee to withdraw from vs this plague greeuous sicknes through Iesus Christ our Lord. A prayer for the strength and comfort of the holy ghost ALmightie and moste mercifull God which giueth to thine elect people thy holy spirit as a sure pledge of thy heauenly kingdome we most humblie beseech thee so to replenish our heartes with the grace of thy holy spirit that he may beare witnesse to our spirites that wee be thy children and heires of thy kingdome and that by the gratious working of this thy good spirit we may kill all â—aâ—nall-lustes vnlawâ—full pleasurs concupiscences and euil affections contrarie to thy most blessed wil through our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ. So be it For sure hope and true taste of euerlasting life O Almighty God which hast prepared euerlasting life for al those that be thy faithfull seruauntes graunt vnto vs sure hope of this life euerlasting that whiles we be here in this miserable world we may haue some taste feeling of it in our harts through the merites of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ. So be it For the true knowledge of God and his worde and a life agreeable to the same GRaunt vnto vs O mercifull God wee most heartely beseech thee knowledge and true vnderstanding of thy blessed will and worde that all ignorance beeing expelled we may know what thy will and pleasure is in all thinges and how to doe our dutie and trulie to walke in our vocation and that also we may expresse in our liuing those things that we do know that we be not onely knowers of thy will and worde good Lorde but also may be hartie and faithfull workers of the same through our Lord and sauiour Iesus Christ. So be it A prayer for the strength and increase of faith O Almightie euerlasting God which not onely giuest euerie good and perfect gift but also increasest those giftes that thou hast giuen we most humbly besâ—ech thâ—e to increase in vs the gift of faith that we may tâ—â—â—ly beleeue in thee and in thy promises made vnto vs in Christ Iesu our Lord and that neither by our negligence nor infirmitie of the fleshe nor by greeuousnes of tentations neither by the subtile crafts and assaultes of the diuel we be driuen from this faith in the bloude of our Lord Sauiour Iesus
Christ. So be it For a godly life ALmightie God giue vs grace that we may cast away the works of darknes and put vpon vs the armour of light nowe in the time of this mortall life in the which thy sonne Iesus Christ came to visit vs in great humilitie that in the last day when hee shall come againe in his glorious maiestie to iudge the quick and the dead we may rise to the life immortall through him who liueth and reigneth with thee and the holy ghost now and for euer So be it A prayer for true perseuerance and assured hope of eternall life BLessed God which hast caused al holy scriptures to be written for our leaâ—â—ing graunt that we may in such wise heare them read them marke them inwardly print them in our heartes that by pacience and comfort of thy holy word we may imbrace and euer hold fast the blessed hope of euerlasting life which thou hast giuen vs in our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ. So be it A prayer for the obteining of our petitions ALmightie God which hast giuen vs grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications vnto thee doest promise that when two or three be gathered togeather in thy name thou wilt graunt their requestes fulfill now O Lord the desires and petitions of thy seruants as may be most expedient for them graunting vs in this world knowledge of thy truth and in the world to come life euerlasting Amen The ende of the Letanie ¶ A GODLY INSTRVction conteining the summe of all the diuinitie necessarie for a Christian conscience Made by Iohn Bradford A MAN that is regenerate and borne of God the which thing that euerie one of vs bee our Baptisme the sacrament of regeneration doth require vnder paine of damnation and therefore let euerie one of vs with the virgin Marie say Be it vnto me â–ª O Lorde according to thy word according to the sacrament of Baptisme wherin thou hast declared our adoption and let vs lament the doubting hereof in vs striuing against it as we shal be made able of the Lord a man I say that is regenerate consisteth of two men as a man may say namely of the old man and of the newe man The olde man is like to a mightie giant such a one as was Golyah for his birth is nowe perfecte but the newe man is like vnto a little child such a one as was Dauid for his birth is not yet perfect vntill the day of his generall resurrection The olde man therefore is more stronger lustie and stirring then is the newe man because the birth of the newe man is but begun now and the olde man is perfectly borne And as the olde man is more stirring lustie and stronger then the newe man so is the nature of him cleane contrarie to the nature of the newe man as being earthly and corrupt with Sathans seede the nature of the new man beinge heauenlye and blessed with the celestiall seede of God. So that one man in as much as he is corrupt with the seede of the serpent is an old man and in as much as he is blessed with the seede of God from aboue he is a newe man And as in as much as he is an old man he is a sinner and an enimie to God so in as much as he is regenerate he is righteous and holy and a friende to God the seede of God preseruing him from sinne so that he cannot sin as the seede of the serpent wherewith he is corrupt euen from his conception inclineth him yea inforceth him to sinne and nothing else but to sinne So that the best parte in man before regeneration in Gods sighte is not onely an enimie but enimitie it selfe One man therefore which is regenerate well may be called alwayes iust and alwayes sinnefull iust in respect of Gods seede and his regeneration sinfull in respect of Sathans seede and his first birth Betwixt these two men therefore there is continuall conflict and war most deadly The fleshe and the olde man by reason of his birth that is perfecte doth often for a time preuaile against the newe man being but a childe in comparison and that in such sort as not onely other but euen the children of God themselues thinke that they be nothing else but old and that the spirite and seede of God is lost gone away where yet notwithstanding the trueth is otherwise the spirite the seede of God at the length appearing againe and dispelling awaye the cloudes which couer the Sunne of Gods seede from shining as the cloudes in the ayre do the corporall Sunne so that sometimes a man cannot tell by any sense that there is any sunne the cloudes and windes so hiding it from our sight Euen so our cecitie or blindenes and corrupt affections doe often shadow the sight of Gods seede in Gods children as though they were plaine reprobates Whereof it commeth that they praying according to their sense but not according to the truth desire of God to giue them againe his spirite as though they had lost it and he had taken it away Which thing GOD neuer doth indeede although he make vs to thinke so for a time for alwaies he holdeth his hand vnder his children in their falles that they lie not stil as other doe which are not regenerate And this is the difference betwixt Gods children which are regenerate and electe before al times in Christ and the wicked castawayes that the elect lye not still continually in their sin as doe the wicked but at the length do returne againe by reason of Gods seede which is in them hid as a sparkle of fire in the ashes as we may see in Peter Dauid Paul Marie Magdalen and others For these I meane Gods children God hath made all thinges in Christ Iesu to whom he hath giuen this dignitie that they should be his inheritance and spouses This our inheritour Christ Iesus God with God light of light coeternall consubstantiall with the father and with the holy Ghost to the ende that he might become our husband because the husband and the wife must be one body and flesh hath taken our nature vpon him communicating with it and by it in his owne person to vs all his children his diuine maiestie as Peter sayth and so is become fleshe of our flesh and bone of our bones substantially as we are become flesh of his fleshe and bone of his bones spiritually al that euer we haue perteining to him yea euen our sinnes as all that euer he hath perteining vnto vs euen his whole glorie So that if sathan should summon vs to answere in our debtes and sinnes in that the wife is no sutable person but the husbande we may well bid him euer his action against our husband Christ and he will make him a sufficient answere For this end I meane that we might be coupled maried thus
compassion make to arise in our heartes a true feare of God and a true faith and knowledge of thy mercie which the eternall father of our Lorde Iesus Christ hath promised vnto vs for his sonnes sake Be our comforter in all our counsels and daungers Illuminate our vnderstanding fill our heartes with newe affections and spirituall motions and renewe vs both in soule and bodie that we may die to sinne and liue to righteousnesse and so in true obedience may prayse the father of our Lorde Iesus Christ his sonne our redeemer and thee also our comforter euerlastingly A thankesgiuing to God the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost WE render thanks vnto thee O almightie eternall GOD with thy deare sone our Lord Iesus Christ with thy holy spirit for that of thine exceeding great goodnesse thou hast made thy selfe knowne vnto vs by most assured and euident testimonies for that thou hast gathered and chosen vnto thy selfe a perpetuall Church wouldest that thy sonne our Lorde Iesus Christ shoulde suffer death to restore vs from death to life for that thou hast giuen to vs thy Gospel and the holy Ghost for that thou forgiuest vs our sinnes deliuerest vs from the power of the diuell and from eternall death and giuest vnto vs euerlasting life finally for that thou hast visited vs with many great benefites giuing vs life foode doctrine peace in such places as we haue liued in hast diminished the paines which we haue iustly deserued We giue thankes vnto thee O Lorde Iesus Christ sonne of the liuing God crucified for vs and risen againe because thou hast coupled vnto thee our humane nature and of thy inestimable loue diddest giue thy selfe to death for vs turning vpon thee the great wrath of God thy father conceiued against vs to recoÌ„cile vs vnto him and to purchase vs eternall redemption because thou hast brought vs to this grace wherein wee stande and reioyce in hope of the glorie of GOD because thou doest preserue cherishe and defende thy Church against the Diuell and all thine enemies because thou giuest renewest often the light of thy Gospell and mayntainest the ministerie of thy worde because thou doest forgiue vs our sinnes and giuest vnto vs euerlasting life because thou art our Mediatour and makest continuall intercession for vs finally because thou doest succour and preserue vs in all our necessities daungers and afflictions We giue thankes also vnto thee Oh holy spirit the giuer of life whiche wast powred vpon the Apostles because thou kindlest thy light in our hearts because thou rulest instructest admonishest and helpest vs because thou gouernest and guidest the labours and workes of our vocation and sanctiâ—iest vs to eternall life A prayer to God for his helpe protection against the obstinate enemies of the trueth MOst righteous Iudge God of all mercie and comfort which by thy secrete iudgement and wisedome doest suffer the wicked to triumph and increase for a time for trial of the faith of thy welbeloued litle flock and the mortifying of their lustes but at length to the vtter confusion of thy enemies and ioyfull deliuerance of thy people looke downe wee beseeche thee on thy dispersed sheep out of thy holy habitation in heauen and strengthen our weakenes against their furious rages abate their pride asswage their malice confounde their deuises wherwith they lift vp themselues against Christ Iesus thy sonne our Lord sauiour to deface his glory and to set vp Antichrist We be not able of our selues to thinke a good thought much lesse to stande against their assaults except thine vndeserued grace and mightie arme defende and deliuer vs Performe thy promises made to Iacob and stoppe the mouthes of the cursed Edomites Call them to repentaunce whome thou hast appointed to saluation bring home them that runne astray lighten the blind and teach the ignorant forgiue all those that wilfully and obstinatly rebell not against thy holy will. Let thy fearefull threatnings pearce our stonie heartes and make vs tremble at thy iudgementes Make the examples of them whome thou hast ouerthrowne in their owne deuises as Cain Cham Nimrod Esau Pharao Saul Achitophel Iudas and such other to be a warning for vs that we set not vp our selues against thy holye will. Graunt free passage to thy holie worde that it may worke effectually in vs the worke of life and blessed hope of our saluatioÌ„ to the eternall praise of thy maiestie through our mediator Christe Iâ—sus to whom with thee the holy Ghost three persons and one God be praise and thankesgiuing in all congregations world without end So be it A prayer for the afflicted and persecuted vnder the tyrannie of Antichrist O Mercifull Father who neuer doest forsake sucâ— as put their trust in thee stretch foorth thy mightie arme to the defence of our brethren by the rage of enemies persecuted and greeuously tormented in sundrie places for the true profession of thy holy Gospel who in their extrem necessities crie for comforte vnto thee Let not thy long suffering O Lord be an occasioÌ„ either to increase the tyranny of thy enemies or to discourage thy children but with speed O Lorde consider their great miseries and afflictions Preuent the cruell deuise of Haman stay the rage of Holophernes breake off the counsell of Achitophell Let not the wicked say Where is nowe their God. Let thy afflicted flocke feele present aide and releefe from thee O Lord looke downe vppon them with thy pitifull eye from thy holy habitation send terrour and trembling among their enemies make an ende of their outragious tyrannie beate backe their boldenesse in suppressing thy truth in destroying thy true seruantes in defacing thy glorie and in setting vp Antichrist Let them not thus proudly aduaunce themselues against thee and thy Christ but let them vnderstand and feele that against thee they fight Preserue and defende the Uine which thy right hande hath planted and let all Nations see the glory of thine anointed Amen A prayer to be saide before the preaching of Gods word ALmightie God and most mercifull father whose word is a lanterne to our feete and a light vnto our stepes wee most humbly beseech thee to illuminate our minds that we may vnderstand the mysteries conteined in thy holy lawe and into the selfe same thing that we godly vnderstand wee may bee vertuously transformed so that of no parte we offende thy diuine maiestie through Iesus Christe our Lorde An other IN this great darkenes of our souls O Lord thou shinest diuers ways vnto vs by the light of thy grace but in nothing so effectually as in the preaching of thy worde Great is the Haruest as thou thy selfe hast saide and the workmen are few The greatest part of men are ignorant wrapped in miserable blindnes and fewe there be that teach thy worde truely and as they ought We beseech thee therefore to sende foorth workemen into thy haruest Sende teachers O