of the gift and calling neither wilt thou at any time breake thy couenant of race and mercy in Christ thy sonnes merites confirmed in vs by that seale loue token For what though wee be weake in our beleefe shal our vnbeleefe make thy promise of no effect No thou wilt alway bee founde true but all men are lyars And yet Lord thou doest most graciously behold accept bee it neuer so little a sparke of faith We say therfore cry vnto thee with one y e wept said I beleeue Lord helpe my vnbeleefe Yea that little be it neuer so little is thy meere gift also The which as thou hast begun so most merciful Lord increase the same more 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 prayse bee giuen to thee Lorde God almightie most deare Father of heauen for all thy mercies and louing kindenesse shewed vnto vs in that it hath pleased thy gracious goodnesse freelie and of thine owne accorde to elect and choose vs to saluation afore the beginning of the worlde and euen like continuall thankes bee giuen vnto thee for creating vs after thine owne image for redeeming vs with the precious bloud of thy deare Sonne when we were vtterlie lost for sanctifying vs with thy holie spirite in the reuelation and knowledge of thy sacred word for helping and succouring vs in all our neede and necessity for sauing vs from all daunger both of bodie and soule for comforting vs so fatherlie 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 wee haue receiued of thy onelie goodnesse euen so wee beseech thee for thy deere sonne Iesus Christ his sake to graunt vs alwaies thy holy spirite whereby we may continually growe in thankefulnesse towardes thee be lead in all trueth and comforted in all aduersitie Strengthen our faith O lorde kindle it more and more in feruentnesse and loue towardes shee and our neighbours for thy sake Suffer vs not most deere 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 wee may helpe to amplifie and increase thy kingdome and that whatsoeuer thou sendest we may heartily wel be content with thy good wil and pleasure Suffer vs not to lacke the thing O Father without the which wee cannot serue thee but blesse thou so all the workes of our hands that we may haue sufficient and not to bee chargeable but rather helpefull vnto other Bee 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 captayne defender in all temptations holde thou vs by thy mercifull hande that we thereby may be deliuered from al inconueniences and end our liues in the sanctifying and honouring of thy name through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen A prayer 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 deuil alas hath since by Adams fall made mee vgly monstrous and euill fauored like to him self For what are nowe Lorde mine earthly members but as thine Apostle writeth adulterie whoredome vncleanesse vnnaturall lustes euill concupiscence couetousnes which is the worshipping of Idols such other for the which thy wrath is wont to come vpon the children of vnbeleefe Neuerthelesse Lord of thy great mercy and goodnesse against this so greate a mischiefe a much greater remedy thy fatherly prouidence hath or dayned for thou hast sent Iesus Christ thy deare only natural sonne into this world the vale of miseries to loose the workes of the deuill and to take away my sinnes Therefore Sathan hath nowe nothing to brag of for through Christ al that beleeue in thee and so become thy children do ouercome the world the flesh the deuil And this is the victorie which ouercometh them al euen our faith That faith I meane which is perswaded that whosoeuer beleeueth in Christ shall not perish but haue euerlasting life That faith which beleeueth the testimony to be true which thou God the father doest testifie of thy sonne so making thee no lyar and this is y â— 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 spirit dwelling in vs. That faith which beleeueth it to bee true which thy Sonne Christe affirmed with a double oth saying Verily velily I say vnto you hee that beleeueth in mee the works that I doe the same shall hee doe and greater workes than these shall he doe because I goe to my Father And finally that faith which beleeueth that nowe Christ hath been lift vpon the crosse he shal drawe all thinges vnto him This faith I say is the victory which ouercommeth our enemies the deuil the world and our flesh Thou therfore deare father which hast promised to giue whatsoeuer I shall aske in thy deare sonne Iesus name for thy great mercie and infallâ—ble truethes sake do now in mee y e thing that he came for loose 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 merciful promises so that I assuredlie beleeuing in thee may haue as thou hast promist euerlasting life making thee deare God no â—iâ—r may beleeue feele know in my heart and conscience that the same euerlasting life is thy meere and free gift vnto mee yea all readie of thy great goodnes vndoubtedly giuen me being now traslated from death to life Of a thankfulnesse wherof Lord cause me now dailie to mortifie my earthlie members yea deare father â—â—th thy spirit which raysed vp christ from death dwelleth within me doe thou who raisedst Christ froÌ„ death quicken my mortal bodie throgh thy spirit so dwelling within me I beseech thee yea Lord Iesu according to thy promise because thou art now gone to thy father make mee worke this woÌ„derful great work that thou speakest of I meane make me being of my selfe but a lumpe of sinne and a monster most vgly as the vices whereon the members of my earthlie body are aboue declared to be compact doe proone make me I say yet through thy grace to hate abhorre flee and subdue all adultery whoredome vncleannesse vnnaturrall lusts euill concupiscence vnordinate desires wantonnesse tendernesse delicatenesse idlenesse drunkennesse gluttonie slouthfulnesse distrust despaire ignorance
benefites what is the store prepared for thy seruaunts Oh Lord If thy children find such comforts in the day of tears mourning what shall they find in the day of the mariage If with beastes men being haue y t vse of innumerable blessings Oh how many are the blessings which they shall enioye with thy Angels and with thy selfe O deare God when they shall see thee haue the fruition of thee in whom is fulnes without lothing of al good faire thinges so that nothing can be more desired that for euermore This thy children doe not see as they now beleeue it I say that euen in their bodies they shall see it for euer as Iob saide They beleeue that they shall see thee their owne eies be holde thee when these our corporall eies our bodies being raysed shal do their duties Such a knowledge of thee they beleeue to haue as shall not be onely intellectuall and by faith as now it is but euen a full sight and fruition yea a coniunction and felowship with thee Now they see but as in a glasse euen in a darke speaking but then they shall see thee face to face For faith though it bee the substaunee of things hoped for a certayne darke sight of thee yet it may not be compared to the rewarde of faith and glorious sight whâ—ch we shal see in the life to come wheÌ„ faith and hope shall cease Nowe thy children knowe that they be thy sonnes though it yet appeare not what they shall bee Wee know say they that when our christ God and man shal appeare then shal we bee like vnto him for we shall see him euen as he is Oh great prerogatiue to see Christ as he is which is not to be considered so much for y e manhead as for the Godhead it selfe as Paule doth also write that when all thinges are subiect vnto the Sonne then shal he be subiect vnto thee deare Father also that God may be all in all And therfore Christ our sauior praied for vs that we might knowe thee the onelie true God Not that our Christ thy Sonne is not with thee the true coequall and substantiall God but that we might knowe how that after the Iudgemente such a mysterie of his mediatorship shall not bee in heauen as is now in earth Then thou blessed Trinitie God the Father God the Sonne and God the holie Ghost shalt be al in al thou shalt bee the end of our desires thou shalt bee looked vpon without ende thou shalt be loued without lothing thou shalt be praysed without wearinesse Although loath somnesse bee wont to followe fulnesse yet out fulnesse in the contemplation of thy pleasures shal bring with it no kinde at all of loathsomnesse Satietie of ioyes shal be in the beholding of thee pleasures are on thy right hande foreuer We shall be satisfied when wee arise after thine Image I meane in the resurrection O deare Father shewe thy selfe vnto vs and wee aske no more Oh graunt vs with thy Saints in euerlasting life to praise with perpetuall praises thy holy name Happie then and happie againe were wee if that daie were come that wee might sing with the Angels Elders and innumerable thousands a newe song and say Thou Christ Iesu which wast slain art worthy to receiue power riches and wisedom strength and honour and glorie and blessing In this blessed life all kinde of maladies griefes sorrowes euils be farre away and all ful of al kinde of mirth ioy and pleasure Oh that wee might see now a little with saint Iohn that holy Citie new Ierusalem descending from heauen prepared of God as a bride trimmed for her husband Oh that we might nowe something heare the great voye speaking out of the throne Behold the tabernacle of God is with men and hee will dwell with them and they shall be his people and hee shall bee vnto them their GOD hee will wipe away all â—eares from their eies and death shall bee no more nor weeping nor crying nor sorrowe for the former things are gone I. B. Another meditation of the blessed state and felicitie of the life to come THis body is but a prison wherein the soule is kept and that verilie not beautifull nor bright but most foule and darke disquiet fraile and filled vp with much vermine and venemous vipers I meane it concerning our affections standing in an aire most vnwholsome prospect most loathsome if a man consider the excrementes of it by the eyes nose mouth eares hands feete and all the other partes So that no Bocardo no Little ease no Dungeon no Bishops prison no Gatehose no sinke no pit may be compared in any point to bee so euill a prison for the soule as the bodies for and of the soule wherethrough the children of God haue bin occasioned to crie lament their long being in it Oh saith Dauid How long shall I lie in this prison Oh wretch that I am saith Paule who shall deliuer mee out of this bodie of sinne Which is in heauie burden to the soule as the wise man saith And the godly cry Now let thy seruant depart in peace Oh that I were dissolued had put off this earthly fraile Tabernacle Take me vnto thee and bring my soule out of this prison that it may giue thankes vnto thee O Lord for so long as wee bee in this bodie wee cannot see the Lord yea it is as an heauie habitation and depresseth down sore the spirit from the familiaritie which it self should haue with God This word and life is an exile a vale of misery a wildernesse of it selfe being voide of all vertues and necessarie for eternall life full of enemies sorrowes sighing sobbinges gronings raiseries c. In daunger to hunger colde heate thirst sores sickenesse tentations trouble death and innumerable calamities beeing momentanie short vnstable and nothing but vaine and therefore is compared to a warfare a womans trauaile a shadowe a smoake a vapor a worde a storme a tempest in the which Gods people feele great molestations griefes and troubles nowe of sathan himselfe now of the world now of their own flesh that so wonderfully diuersly dangerously contrarily that they are inforced to cry O Lord when shal we come and appear before thee when shal this misery end when shal we be deliuered out of this vale of miserie out of this wildernesse out of these continuall afflictions and most perilous seas But where thou art Lorde and deare Father of mercy there is not onely no prison no dolours no sorrowe no sighings no teares no sicknesse no hunger no heate no colde no paine no tentations no displeasure no malice no pride no vncleannesse no contention no torments no horrour no sinne no filth no stinch no dearth no death no weeping no teares no misery no mischiefe there is I say not only no such thing or anie euill noysome or displeasant thing
worke in vs that which is acceptable in thy sight SanctifiE vs thoroughout and keepe our whole spirit soule and bodie faultlesse vnto the comming of thy dear sonne our Lord Iesus Christ Thou art faithful O Father who hast promised this who also shall bring it to passe to thee therfore be giuen euerlasting praise honour and glorie Amen A thankesgiuing after meales LEt al nations magnifie the Lord let all people reioyce in praysing and extolling his greate mercies For his fatherly kindnesse is plentifully shewing foorth vpon vs and the truth of his promise endureth for euer Wee render thankes vnto thee O Lord God for thy manifold benefits which we continually receiue at thy bountifull hand not onely for that it hath pleased thee to feede vs in this present life giuing vnto vs al things necessarie for the same but especially because thou hast of thy free mercie fashioned vs anewe into an assured hope of a farre better life the which thou hast declared vnto vs by thy holie Gospel Therefore we humbly beseech thee Oh heauenly father that thou wilt not suffer our affections to bee so intangled and roâ—ted in these earthly corruptible things but that we may alwayes haue our mindes directed to thee oâ— high continually watching for the coÌ„mming of our lord Isesus Christ what time he shal appeare for our full redemption To whom with thee and the holy Ghost bee all honor and glorie for euer and euer So bee it Another thankesgiuing after meales GLorie praise and honour be vnto thee most mercifull and omnipotent Father who hastfed and daylie doest feede of thy most bountifull goodnesse al liuing creatures we beseech thee that as thou hast nourished these our mortal bodies with corporall food so thou wouldest replenish our souls with the perfect knowledg of the liuely word of thy beloued son Iesus Christ to whom with thee the holy Ghost be praise glorie and honour for euer So be it Another MOst bountifull and gratious God which feedest all flesh and hast promised that asking of thee we shall not lacke if wee first seeke thy kingdome the righteousnes thereof we feeling presently the benefit of this thy gratious promise in feeding our bodies with this corporal foode do rendervnto thee most harty thanks for the same beseeching thee likewise to feed our soules with that heauenlie foode which perisheth not but abideth vnto euerlasting life so that we being norished by thy goodnesse both in bodie soule may be apt readie to do al good workes which thou hast prepared for vs to walke in through Iesus Christ our Lord. Vnto him that loueth vs and washed vs from our sinnes in his bloud and made vs Kings and Priestes vnto God his father be all glory power and dominion for euermore Amen Another THe God of glorie who hath created redeemed and presently fed vs be blessed for euermore Amen The God of all power who hath called from death the greate pastor of the sheepe our Lord Iesus comfort defend the flock which he hath redeemed by the bloud of the eternall Testament increase the number of true preachers represse the rage of obstinate tyrants lighten the harts of the ignorant releeue the pains of such as be afflicted but specially of those that suffer for the testimonie of thy truth and finally confound Sathan by the power of our Lord Iesus Christe So be it Prayers commonly called Lydleys prayers with certayne godly additions Before thou prayest forgiue if thou hast any thing against any man and come not to GOD with a double heart but lift vp pure handes without wrath or doubting 1. Tim. 2. AL mightie and most mercifull Father I thy poore creature work of thy hands acknowledge confes vnto thee my manifolde sinnes and â—ffences which I froÌ„ my youth vp vnto this day haue committed against thee in thoughte word deede beseeching thee for Iesus Christ thy deere sonnes sake to haue mercie vpon mee and to pardon the same according to thy greate mercie which hast promised that At what time soeuer a sinner doth repent him of his sinne from the bottome of his heart thou wilt put his wickednesse out of thy remembrance O Lord I confesse that I was borne in sinne and conceiued in wickednesse and am by nature a childe of wrath for in my flesh dwelleth no good thing and of my selfe I am not able to thinke a good thought much lesse to doe that thou in thy lawe requirest of mee saying Cursed is he that continueth not in all thinges that are written in the lawe to doe them Againe thy lawe is spirituall but I am carnall sould vnder sinne Therefore O LORD I come vnto thee for grace which hast said Aske ye shal haue seeke ye shall find knock it shal be opened vnto you to preuent draw my will vnto all goodnesse for none can come vnto thee except he be drawn except we be borne from aboue we cannot see the kingdom of God Therefore O Lord renew in mee a right spirit that I may receiue strength and ablenes to doe thy righteous will Grant that I may euer desire and will that which is most pleasing and acceptable to doe thy will Thy will be my will and my will be alwayes to follow thy will Let there be euer in mee one will one desire with thee and let me neuer desire to will or not to will but as thou wilt Graunt mee that aboue all things I may rest in thee and fully quiet pacifie my heart in thee for thou Lord art the true peace of the heart and the perfect rest of the soule Thou knowest Lord what is most profitable expedient for me where fore doe with mee in al things as it shall seeme best vnto thee For it may not be but well that thou dost which doest most iustly and blessedly dispose al things after thy most godly wisedome Therefore whether it be by prosperitie or aduersitie losse or gain sicknesse or health life or death thy will be done Cast out of my heart al vnprofitable cares of worldly thinges and suffer me not to be lead with the vnstable desires of earthly vanities but giue me grace that all worldlye and carnal affections may bee mortified die in mee Graunt vnto mee the strength of thy holie spirite to subdue this body of sinne with the whole lustes thereof that it may be obedient both in wil minde and members to do thy holy wil Assist me with thy grace O Lord that I may be strenthened in the inwarde man and bee armed with thy holy armor which is the breast-plate of righteousnesse the shielde of faith the hope of saluation for an helmet and the sworde of the spirit which is thy holy word that I may stand perfect in all that is thy will be found worthy through Christ to receiue the crowne of life which thou hast promised to all them that loue thee Giue me grace that I may esteeme
Teach mee to doe the thing that pleaseth thee for thou art my God let thy good spirit leade me vnto the land of righteousnesse A prayer for deliuerance from sinne to be restored to Gods grace fauour againe OH Almightie and euerlasting Lorde GOG which hast male heauen and earth and all thinges therein contained O incomprehensible vnitie Oh alwaies to bee worshipped most blessed trinitie I humblie beseech thee and pray thee by the assumption and crucified humanitie of our Lorde Iesus Christ that thou wouldest incline and howe downe the great depth of thy Deitie to the bottomlesse pit of my vilitie Driue me from al kind of vice wickednes sin Create in mee a cleane heart and renue in me a right spirit for thy holy names sake Oh Lorde Iesu I beseeche thy goodnesse for the exceeding great loue which drew thee out of thy Fathers bosome into the wombe of the holie virgin and for the assumption of mans nature wherin it pleaseth thee to saue mee and to deliuer mee from eternall death that thou wouldest drawe mece out of my selfe into thee my Lord God and graunt that this my loue may recouer againe to me thy grace to increase make perfect in me y t which is wanting to raise vp in me y t which is faln to restore to me that which I haue lost and to quicken in mee that which is dead shoulde liue so that I may become comformable vnto thee in al my life conuersatioÌ„ thou dwelling in me I in thee my heart being coupled with thy grace setled in thy faith for euer Oh my God loose and set at libertie my spirit from al inferior things Gouerne my soule and so work that both in soule and body I may be holie liue to thy glorie world without end Amen I. B. A prayer necessarie to be said at all times O Bountifull lorde Iesu O sweet Sauiour O Christ the sonne of God haue pittie vppon mee mercifully heare mee and despise not my prayers Thou hast created mee of nothing thou hast redEemed mee from the bondage of sinne death hell neither with gold nor siluer but with thy most precious body once offered vpon the crosse and thine owne bloud shed once for al for a ransome Therefore cast me not away whome thou by thy greate wisedome haste made Despise mee not whome thou hast redeemed with such a precious treasure nor let my wickednesse destroye that which thy goodnesse hath buâ—lded Now whiles I liue O Iesu haâ—e mercie on mee for if I die out of thy fauour it wil be too late afterwarde to call for thy mercy Whiles I haue time to repent looke vpon mee with thy mercifull eies as thou diddest vouchsafe to looke vpon Peter thine Apostle that I may bewayle my sinful life obtayne thy fauour to liue and by therein I acknowledge that if thou shouldest deale with me according to thy iustice I haue deserued euerlasting death Therefore I appeale to thy highe throne of mercy trusting to obtayne thy fauour not for my merites but for thy desertes O Iesu who hast giuen thy selfe an acceptable sacrifice to thy father to appease his wrath to bring all finners truly repenting amending their euil life vnto his fauour againe Accept mee O Lorde among the number of them whom thou hast in Christ elected and chosen to saluation Forgiue me my sinnes giue mee grace to leade a godly and innocent life graunt mee thy heauenly wisedome inspire my hearte with faith hope and charitie giue mee grace to be humble in prosperity patient in aduersity obedient to my rulers in al my doinges faithfull dealing truly with al men to liue chastly in wed locke to abhore adultery fornication and al vncleannesse to do good after my power vnto al men to hurt no man that thy name may be glorified in me during this presentlife that I afterward may attain 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 dearely beloued sonne Christ Iesus my Sauior beseeching thee for his sake to be merciful vnto me to cast all my sinnes out of thy sight euen through the merites of his bloudie death Powre vpon mee O lorde thy holy spirite of grace and wisedome to gouerne lead my body and soule in thy holy work commandements Shew thy mercy vpon mee so lighten the natural blindnes and darkenes of my heart through thy grace that I may daily be renewed by thy holie spirite Open my heard heart 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 mee that my life may expresse my faith in thee Mercifully heare the humble supplications of thy seruaunt and graunte mee thy peace al my daies Graciously pardon my infirmities and defend mee in al daungers hath outwardlie in my bodie goods and name and inwardlye in my soule against al euil temptations and subtile baites of sathan that roaring Lyon seeking whome hee maye deuoure Graunt O Lorde that I and euery member of thy Church in his vocation and calling may trulie and godlilie serue thee Graft in my hearte the loue of thy name increase in mee true religion replenish mee with all goodnesse and of thy greate mercie keepe me in the same vnto the ende Giue vnto mee the spirite of praier true humilitie perfect patience and continuall ioy in the holy Ghost I commend vnto thy pratection O Father my house all that thou hast giuen me my whole family my wife children and mee that I may wel and holily gouerne nourish and bring them vp in thy feare seruice And forasmuch as in this worlde I must alwayes be at war not with one sort of enimies but with an infinite number not only with flesh bloud but with the diuel which is the prince of darknes grant mee thy grace that being armed with thy defence I may stand in this battaile with an inuincible constancy against all corruption which I am incompassed with on all sides vntil such time as I hauing ended the combat which during this life I must sustaine in y e end I may attaine to thy heauenly rest which is prepared for mee through Christ our Lorde and Sauiour Amen A praier taken out of the first Psalme ALmightie and moste gracious GOD take away from vs all euil counsel and then our sins sufer vs not to runne into an vngodlye and wicked life and finally keepe out mindes farre from the contempt of godlinesse and scorning of vertue 〈◊〉 in the steade of these euils grant 〈◊〉 we may continually bee occupied in thy law and sacred scriptures that we be not carried about like the wicked as like dust and fruitlesse chaffe with
gouerne and nourish vs and vnder his winges protection prouidence preserueth vs. When you are made readie to begin the day withall pray O Almighty God and most mercifull father thou knowest and hast taught vs also something to knowe that the weakenesse of man and woman is great and that with out thy grace they can neither do nor think any good thing Haue mercy vpoÌ„ me I huÌ„bly beseech thee thy most weake fraile and vnworthy Childe Lighten my mind that I may with pleasure looke vpon good things onely Inflame my hart with the therof that I may carefully court them and at the last by thy gratious conducting may happily attaine them through Iesus Christ our Lorde I distrusting altogether mine owke weakenes commend a offer my selfe both soule and body into thy hands Thy louing spirit lead me forth into the land of righteousnesse Cogitations meete to begin the daie withall Thinke first that man consisteth of soule body that the soule is from heauen heauenly firm and immortall but the body is from the earth earthly fraile and mortall Againe thinke that though by reason of sinne wherein you are conceyued and borne the partes of the soule which do vnderstande and desire bee so corrupt that without speciall grace to both partes you can neither know nor loue anie 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 some thing reformed both to knowe and to loue and therefore to doe also some good in the sight of God through Christ for whose sake our poore doings are accepted for good the euil and infirmitie cleauing therevnto not beeing imputed through faith Thinke that by faith which is Gods seede for they which beleefe we are borne of GOD and made Gods children giuen to those that bee ordayned to eternall life thinke I say that by faith you receiue more and more the spirite of sanctification through the vse of Gods worde 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 therefore vse you the meanes aforesaid accordinglie Thinke that by this spirite you are through fayth coupled to Christ as a liuelie 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 al that be of God and so you haue fellowshippe with GOD and all good men that euer were or shall be in al 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 now entred into his communion the blessednesse wherof no tongue can expresse so after this life you shall first in soule and in the last day in body also enioy for euer the same society 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 solouingly adopting you Thinke vpon your folly in fantasing so much earthly and bodily pleasures Thinke vpon your deaâ—nee blindnes which heare not God nor see him he calling you so diligently by his works word and sacraments Thinke vpon your frowardnes which will not be lead of God and his spirit Thinke vpon your forgetfulnesse and in consideration of your heauenly estate how your bodie is the temple of the holy Ghost your members are the members of Christ the whole world and all things there in are your owne Therefore say vnto your soule O my soule arise follow God contemne this world purpose well and pursue it long for the â—ords comming be readie and 〈…〉 And forsomuch 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 abilitie to take the most profitable things in hand wel to begin better to go on and best of all to ende the same to Gods glorie to the profite of your brethren and thinke that time lost wherein you speake not or do not or at the least thinke not somthing to Gods glorie and the commoditie of your brethren When you go forth of the doores pray NOw must I walke among the snares of death stretched out of Sathan and of his mischieuous ministers in the worlde carrying with mee a friende to them both a foe to myselfe euen this bodie of sinne and sinnefull flesh Oh graund captaine Christ leade me and guide me I beseech thee Defend mee from the plagues and subtilties wherof I am in daunger Graunt that I may take al things that happen as I shoulde doe and setting mine eyes vpon thee onely I may so goe on foreward in thy waies as by nothing I be hinde red but rather furthered so that all my doings may tend to thy glorie Shewe mee thy waies O Lorde and teach me thy paths Psal 25. Occasions to meditate I Consider howe vainelie the moste part of men are occupied howe many waies they trouble and cumber themselues thereby much alienating their mindes from the knowledge and cogitation of that which they shoulde most esteeme and so become a let and an offence to others As in going abroad you will see that your apparell bee seemely in the sight of men so see how seemely you appeare in the sight of God When you are going any iourney praie THis our life is a pilgrimage From the Lord we came and to the Lorde wee make our iourney howbeit through daungerous and perillous waies which our cruel the enemies hâ—ue and do prepare for vs being nowe more then starâ—â— blinde by reason of sinne O Christ which arâ— a most true loades man and guide and also most expert faithfull and friendly put thou ouâ— thine hand open mine eies make thy high waie knowen vnto mee which thou diddest first enter into out of this corruptible life and hast prepared the same for vs to immortalitie Thâ—â— art the way leade vs vnto the father by thy selfe that all wee may bee one with him as thou and hee together be one Shewe mee the way that I shoulde walk in for I lift vp my soule vnto thee Psal 124. Or praie thus MErcifull father thou art wont to send to thy seruants and men of simple heartes thine Angels to be their keepers as it were guids as elder brother to watch vpon thy weake children So diddest thou to yong Tobias to Iacob to Abrahams seruant to Iosua c. O gratious GOD though wee bee much vnlike vntothem so many are our sins yet for thine owne goodnesse sake sende thine holy angels to pitche their tentes about vs to hide vs defend 〈◊〉 from Sathan his slaues to carie vs
to bring foorth the fruites of the spirâ—te We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to bring in to the waie of trueth all such as haue erred and are deceiued We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to strengthen such as do stand and to comfort and helpe the weake hearted and to raise vp them that fall and finally to beate downe sathan vnder our feete We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to succour helpe and comfort al that he in daunger necessitie and tribulation We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to preserue all that trauell by lande or by water all women laboring of childe all sicke persons and yong children to shewe thy pittie vpon al prisoners and captiues We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to defende and prouide for the fatherles children and widowes and al that be desolate and oppressed We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to haue mercie vpon all men We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to forgiue our enimies persecutors and slaunderers and to turne their hearts We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to giue and preserue to out vse the kindly fruits of the earth so as in due time we may enioy them We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to giue vs true repentance to forgiue vs all our sinnes negligences and ignorances and to indue vs with thy holy spirit to amend our liues according to thy holy word We beseech thee to heare vs c. Sonne of God we beseech thee to heare vs. Sonne of God we beseech thee c. O lambe of God that takest away the sinnes of the world Graunt vs thy peace O lambe of God that takest away the sinnes of the world Haue mercie vpon vs. O Christ heare vs. O Christ heare vs. Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Christ haue mercie vpon vs Christ haue mercie vpon vs. Lord haue mercy vpon vs. Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Our father which art in heauen c. And lead vs not into temptation But deliuer vs from euil Amen The versicle O Lord deale not with vs after our sinnes The answere Neither reward vs after our iniquities Let vs pray O God mercifull father which despisest not the sighing of a contrite heart nor the desires of such as be sorrowfull mercifully assist our praiers that we make before thee in all our troubles aduersities whensoeuer they oppresse vs gratiously heare vs that those euils which the craft and subtiltie of the diuell or man worketh against vs bee brought to nought and by the prouidence of thy goodnesse they may be dispersed that me thy seruantes being hurt by no persecution â—aie euermore giue thankes vnto thee in thy holy Church through Iesus Christ our Lord. O Lord arise helpe vs and deliuer vs for thy names sake O God we haue heard with our eares and our fathers haue declared vnto vs the noble workes that thou diddest in their daies and in the olde time before them Lord arise helpe vs and deliuer vs for thine honour Glorie 〈◊〉 to the father and to the Sonne and to the holy ghost As it was in the beginning is now euer shall be worlde without end Amen From our enimies defend vs O Christ Gratiously looke vpon our afflictions Pitifully behoulde the sorrowes of our hearts Mercifully forgiue the sinnes of thy people Fauorably with mercy heare our prayers O Sonne of Dauid haue mercie vpon vs. Both nowe and euer vouchsafe to heare vs O Christ Graciously heare vs O Christ graciously he are vs O Lord Christ O Lorde let thy mercy be shewed vpon vs. As we doe put our trust in thee Let vs pray VVE humblie 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 and graunt that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercie euermore serue thee in holinesse and purenesse of liuing to thy honor and glorie through our onely mediatour aduocate Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A prayer for the Queenes Maiestie O Lord our heauenly father high and mighty king of kings Lord of Lords the onely ruler of princes which doest from thy throne beholde all the dwellers vpon the earth most hartily we beseech thee with thy faâ—our to behold our most gratious soueraine Ladie Queene Elizabeth so replenish her with thy grace of thy holy spirit that she may al waies incline to thy wil walk in thy waies endue her plentifully with heauenly gifts grant her in health welth loÌ„g to liue strengthen her that she may vâ—â—quish ouercome al her enemies finally after this life shee may attaine euerlasting ioy and felicitie through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A prayer for Bishops and Ministers of the Church ALmightie and euerliuing God which onely workest great marueiles send down vpon our Bishops and Pastours and al congregations committed to their charge the health full spirit of thy grace and that they may truely please thee powre vpon them the continual dewe of thy blessing Graunt this O Lorde for the honor 〈◊〉 aduocate and mediatour Iesus Christ For Raine O GOD heauenlie Father which by thy son Iesus Christ hast promised to all them that seeke thy kingdome and thy righteousnes thereof al things necessarie to their bodily sustenance send vs wee beeseech thee in this one 〈…〉 moderate rained showers that wee may receiue the fruits of the earth to our comfort and to thy honor thorough Iesus Christ 〈◊〉 Lorde Amen For â—aire weather O Lorde God which for the 〈◊〉 of man drodest once drowne all the worlde except eight persons afterwarde of thy great mercie diddest promise neuer to 〈◊〉 it so againe we humblâ—e 〈◊〉 if that although we for our 〈…〉 haue worthyly deserued this plague of raine and waters yet thou wilt send vs such weather whereby 〈◊〉 may receiue the fruits of the earth in due season and learne both by thy punishment to amend outlines and for thy clemencie to giue thee praise glorie through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen In the time of dearth and famine O Merciful God and heauenly father whose gift it is that y e raine dothfal the earth is fruitfull man and beastes increase and fishes doe multiply beholde we beseech thee the afflictions of thy people and graunt that the scarcitie dearth which we doe now most iustly suffer for our iniquitie may through thy goodnes bee mercifully turned into cheapnes and plenty for the loue of Iesus Christ our Lorde to whome with thee and the holy Ghost be praise for euer Amen In the time of warre ALmightie God king of al kings and
the Lorde is and are becom new creatures by the heauenlie regeneration through the doctrine of the gospell should like holie and innocent babes lay aside all such workes of the flesh which do depriue a man of the kingdome of God And Saint Paule commaundeth vs that laying aside those cursed vvorkes of darknesse vve should in the steed thereof put on euen as the elect of God holie and beloued tender mercie kindness humblenesse of minde meeknesse long suffering forbearing one another forgiuing one another if anie haue a quarrell to another as Christ forgaue vs end aboue all these things saith he put on loue vvhich is the bond of perfection let the peace oh God rule in your hearts vvhen ye shall stand and praie saith Sâ— Marke forgiue if ye haue anie thing against anie man that your Father also vvhich is in heauen maie forgiue you your trespassesâ— for if yee vvill not forgiue your father vvhich is in heauen vvill not pardon you your trespasses Moreouer we must haue such a feeling of our owne miserie and wretehednes as may worke in vs an earnest sorrowe and vexation of minde for the same Example whereof wee may see in the deare seruantes of God when they say that out of the deep deepenesse and out of the middes of the iawes of death they vtter vnto the Lord a sorrowfull voice He that desireth mercy must haue a feeling of his owne miserie And therefore saith Dauid Heale my soule O Lord for I haue sinned against thee There is nothing in my flesh saith hee because of thy displeasure neither in there any rest in my bones because of my sin This anguish and sorrowe stirreth vp in Gods children a feruent desire to obtain coÌ„fort help and succour at Gods hande and therfore such as fâ—ele themselues oppressed with great calamities hauing by the help of man no hope of deliuerance doe crie vnto God with afflicted hearts as Dauid did in his distresse My soule thirsteth for God euen for the liuing God and as the hart being vvounded braiâ—th for the riuers of vvater so panteth my soule after thee O God This is that godlie sorrow which S. Paule saith worketh in Gods children repentaunce to saluation The Lorde is nigh to them saith Dauid that are of a contrite heart and vvill saue all such as are afflicted in spirite To him vvill I looke euen vnto him saith the Lord that is afflicted and broken hearted and trembleth at my vvordes Therefore Dauid calleth the time of trouble the fit and conuenient time for the faithful to fly vnto God by prayer And albeit they be not at al times in like distresse or continuallie groning vnder the burthen of present euils yet must they needes bee euer in dread of new daungers and carefully â—ffraid of further troubles to follow As trouble and feare therfore are the verie spurs to â—ir them vp to heartie and feruent prayer â—o by occasion thereof they haue more free accesse vnto God as though he did therby call them vnto him This godly sorrow for sinne and feruent desire and longing for Gods louing mercie and fauour commeth not of our selues but of the speciall goodnesse of God for we are of our selues dul and without al lust to pray â—ea so great is our imperfection that wee know not howe to pray as wee ought and therefore the spirite helpeth our infirmities instâ—ucteth vs what is right and guideth our affections Hee maketh intercession for the Saintes saith 〈◊〉 Paule according to the vvill of God and that vvith Vighes and grâ—anings vvhich cannot be expressed that is hee stirreth vp our he arts giueth vs a desire and boldnesse to pray causeth vs to mourn when we are by any meanes hindred from it and feele not our selues moued therunto with such feruent zeale and affection as we should be Now although wee knowe that it is the only work of the holie Ghost thus to moâ—e and incline our heartes to prayer notwithstanding we may not be negligent slouthfull to dispose and stirre vp our selues therevnto but rather contrariwise so often as we feele our selues colde and not disposed to praier as we ought to be wee must make our supplication vnto the Lorde that it woulde please him to inflame vs with his holie spirit wherby we may be framed to pray with such feruencie of mind as we ought to doe When we are cast downe by the sence feeling of our owne infirmity sinne aud miserie Yet must we pray notwithstanding in sure and stedfast hope to obtaine our requests These be things in deed contrarie in shewe to ioyne with the feeling of the iust vengeance of God sure affiance of fauour which things doe yet verie wel agree in that it is the goodnesse of God onlie that raiseth vs vp being oppressed with our owne euils from the which of our selues we cannot rise For as repentance and faith are knit as companions together albeit the one driueth vs downe with feare and the other lifteh vs vp again with comfort so in praying they must needs go together And this agreement Dauid expresseth in few wordes I vvill saith he in the multitude of thy mercies enter into thy house and in the temple of thy holinesse I vvill vvâ—rship thee vvith feare Therefore when wee are once touched with true repentance and feling of our own miserie we must withall haue such a perswasion of Gods fauor and mercie towards vs in all our praiers that they shall be accepted of God so far foorth as it shall be necessary for â—s This is the assurance saith S. Iohn that vve haue in God that if vve aske anie thing according to his vvill he heareth vs. If we haue not a sure â—rust and confidence in the mercie and promises of God it is vnpossible to make our praier to him aright and whosoeuer doubteth whether God heareth his prayer that man obteineth nothing to such praiers God hath made no promise But contrariwise he saith vvhatsoeuer ye shall aâ—ke in praier if ye beleeue ye shall receiue it And againe VVhatsoeuer yee desire beleeue that yee shall obtaine it and it shal be done vnto you Ask saith Saint Iames in faith and vvauer not for hee that vvauereth is like to the vvaues of the sea vvhich are tossed of the vvind and caried avvaie And why should wee wauer or doubt seeing the holie scriptures testifie of God that he is faithful iust and true in all his wordes and promises saying The Lord is faithfull in all his vvordes hee vvill euer bee mindfull of his couenant the trueth of the Lorde endureth for euer And although our faith be not so strong and therfore our prayer so hearty and zealous as it ought to be yea though our faith be faint and cold yet let vs hold fast this principle that our praiers are not frustrate or in vaine For our comfort herein we haue an example in the father which brought his sonne first to the Apostles and
our tentations giue vs truce so that we shall not need to hasten vnto God for helpe Finallie the desire of the kingdom and glory of God ought to drawe vs whollie vnto it not by fits but continuallie that all times should be fit and conuenient for vs to pray Wherefore not without cause wee are so often commaunded to pray continuallie And though we be not driuen with like necessitie at all times to praie yet in this case S Iames teacheth vs what we ought to doe If anie man be heauy or afflicted saith he let him praie that is let him craue Gods helpe and comfort and vvho so is merrie let him sing that is let him praise God Moreouer the benefites and blessinges of God are large and plentifull towardes vs which way soeuer we turne vs that wee can neuer want matter and occasion of praise and thanksgiuing And seeing wee ought to acknowledge God to be the author and giuer of all good things we should alway receiue the same at his hande with thanksgiuing for to that end God continually bestoweth his good blessinges and benefits vpon vs that we should continuallie shew foorth his praise and be thankful vnto him for the same and so we render vnto him his due honour And S. Paul when he saith that they are sanctified by the word and praier 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 that is a new occasion of praise and thanksgiuing Whereby he signifieth that it is a wicked silence if we passe ouer anie of Gods benefits without praise seeing that as often as he doth good vnto vs so often he giueth vs occasion to speake good of him We should therefore continually that is as much as is possible at all times in all places and in things as occasions are continually offred vnto vs lift vp our prayer vnto God in crauing helpe at his hande and confessing his praise whereby we may both obtaine of him all good thinges and also praise and magnifie his name for all Howe this perseuerance in prayer is required of vs Christ himselfe teacheth vs by the parable of the three loaues and of the widdowe and wicked Iudge VVherby wee are taught to continue in peaier with all earnestnes and feruent supplication and neuer to faint or giue ouer vntill we be assured in our spirit that our praiers be heard The prayer of the humble saith the Sonne of Sirach goeth through the clouds it ceaseth not vntill it come neare and it vvill not depart vntill God the most high God haue respect thereto Beholde saith Dauid as the eyes of the seruants looke vnto the hand of their maisters and as the eies of a maiden vnto the hand of her mistresse of our eyes vvaite vpon the Lorde our God vntill he haue mercie vpon vs. And thus muste wee not cease to doe vntill wee may boldlie say also with Dauid The Lord hath heard the voyce of my vveeping the lorde hath hearde my humble petition the lorde hath receiued my praier Now concerning the forme and manner of praying least wee shoulde followe our owne fantasie being of our selues so blinde that wee knowe not howe to praye or what is meet and expedient for vs The Lord him selfe hath sufficientlie instructed vs who as he hath taught vs throughout the whole Scripture howe and for what thinges wee ought to pray so hath he set foorth one maner of prayer in the which he hath brieflie comprehended all such thinges as we ought yea or in anie wise may aske of God VVherein hee hath expressed what is due pleasing and acceptable to him what is necessarie for vs and what he will grant so that there is nothing heerein omitted that might be thought vpon to the praise glory of God or come into the mind of man for his profite and commoditie And this is that praier that our Lord Iesus Christ taught his Disciples when they asked of him how they should praie VVhosoeuer therefore shall ask any thing that is not contained in this praier 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 word of God to warrant them and therefore they shall obtaine nothing This praier saith Tertullian is the doctrine of the wisedome of God wherein he hath taught whatsoeuer hee willed and willed whatsoeuer was needfull Albeit wee are not so bounde to this forme of praier that wee should not vse anie other kinde of wordes then the Lord himselfe heerein hath vsed For there are elswhere set forth in the scriptures manie prayers farre differing from this in words and yet written by the same spirit and verie profitably to be vsed of vs. And many prayers also are continuallie vttred of the faithful by the same spirit which vary from the same in wordes But this is required of vs that none shuld look for seek or ask anie other thing at all then that which is brieflie cōprehended in this praier which though it differ in words yet differeth not in sense substance like as it is certaine that all the praiers which are found in the scriptures which do continually proceed from the hart of the faithful are referred by the direction of Gods spirite vnto this praier howsoeuer they differ in the varietie of words Manie good and godlie men euen in our daies well exercised in praier haue left vnto vs most worthy examples and testimonies hereof furnished with ample and large matter to forme holie and true praiers and full of power to inflame the heart to a feruent inuocation of Gods holy name whereof wee haue giuen here some taste to the Godly and specially to the simple not yet wel exercised Read them meditate and praie and ye shal find comfort in your soules A Meditation concerning prayer THe mind of men hath so large roomth to receiue good things that not king in deede can fully sit it but onely God whome thou the mind fully possesseth when it fullie knoweth him fullie loueth him and in all things in framed after his mill They therefore deare Lord God that are thy children and haue taken somewhat of thy goodnesse doe perpetually sigh that is doe may vntill they come thereto in that they loue thee also aboue all things it wonderfully woundeth them that other men doe not so that is loue thee and 〈◊〉 for thee with them Whereof it commeth to 〈◊〉 that they are inflamed with continuall praiers and desires that thy kingdome might come euerie where and thy goodnesse might bee both knowen and in life expressed of euerie man And because there are innumerable many thinges which as well in themselues as in others bee against thy glory they are kindled with continuall prayer and desire sighing vnspeakably in thy sight for
and heauenlie thinges and that I should see further by corporal benefits thy heauenly prouidence for me For if thou place mee 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 bodie as for my soule how should I but think much of thy prouidence for it is thy home where is such glorie as the eie hath not seene c. Of which thinges these corporall benefits of thine giuen mee on earth shoulde bee as it were inductions and the taking of them away admonitions to bee more mindfull of permanent thinges and lesse mindfull of transitorie thinges By reason heereof I haue greate cause to lament and to reioyce To Lament because I am so earthlie minded so little desirous of my home so vnthankefull for thy prouidence and fatherly protection heere on earth To reioyce because of thy home and the greate glorie thereof because thou dost so prouide for me heere because thou doest so cortect and chasten me c. But alas I am altogether a wretch earthly and vnthankfull not onely for these corporall benefites health riches friendes fame wisdome c. for thy fatherly correction sicknesse temptation c. but also for thy heauenly benefites for Christ Iesus for the promise of thy spirit for thy Gospel c. yea euen for heauen it selfe and thy whole glorie as the Israelites were for the lande of Canaan and therefore neuer enioyed it but perished in the wildernesse I am proude in prosperitie and forget thee waxing secure and carelesse I am impatient in thy crosse and too much consider worldly discommodities Oh deare father forgiue mee for thy Christes sake all mine vnthankfulnesse loue of this world contempt and obliuion of the heauenly benefites and grant me thy holy spirite to illuminate the eies of my minde with the light and liuely knowledge of thy presence power wisdom and goodnesse in thy creatures but specially in Christ Iesus thy sonne and so by the same spirit inflame mine effections that I may desire nothing on yarth but thee and to bee presente with thee that my conuersation may bee in heauen continuallie from whence graunt mee 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 do all things As thou hast giuen me to be thy childe so I pray thee giue me these thinges which bee 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 decerne and knowe one thing from another Nowe though thou art knowne by thy creatures yet is this our corrupt estate they serue but to make vs excuselesse Therefore most properly liuely and comfortablie thou art knowne by thy holie word and specialy by thy promise of grace and freelie pardoning and receiuing vs into thy fauour for Christ Iesus sake For the which goodnesse in Christ thou art praised and magnified according to thy name that is so much as men know thee in Christ they magnifie thee and praise thee which here thou callest hallowing or sanctifying For that thou art the more holy not in respect of thy selfe but in respect of men who the more they know thee the more they cannot but sanctifie thee that is they cannot but as in themselues by true faith loue feare and spiritual seruice honour thee so also in their outward behauiour and wordes they cannot but liue in such sort as other seeing them may in and by their holinesse and godlie conuersation be occasioned as to know thee so to sanctifie thy name accordingly and therefore thou settest forth here vnto me what is the chiefe and principall wishe and desire of thy children and people namelie that thou in Christ mightest be truelie knowne and honoured both of themselues and of other inwardly and outwardly as by the contrary a man may castlie 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 vocation as they for the obtaining of the other both to other and to themselues doe take no smale paine in prayer studie and godly exercise By reason heereof I see that I am farre from this desire lamentation which is in thy children I see mine ignorance of the true knoweledge 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 toulde mee that the sanctifiyng of thy name is the chiefest thing thou requirest of euery man Againe I see my greate want of holynesse for else thou needest not to teach mee to seek and pray for that I want not Moreouer I see my greate 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 wonderful goodnesse which wilt vndoubtedly giue vnto mee sanctification and holinesse for thou wouldest not that I should aske for that thing that thou wilt not giue me So that I haue greate cause to lament and reioyce To lament because I am so farre from this desire and lamentation which thy children haue Also because of my ignorance pouertie peruersitie vnthankfulnes c. But most of all because thy holy name worde and religion is so blasphemed both in doctrin and in liuing of many especiallie in this realme To reioyce I haue great cause for thy exceeding goodnesse and mercie which wouldest so disclose thy selfe by thy workes worde and Gospell which wouldest open these thinges thus vnto me and so giue vnto mee and others sanctification in thy sight by faith and in the sight of men by purenesse of life and godlie conuersation But alas I doe heartily neither the one nor the other that is lament or reioice as thou father which searchest my hearte doest right wel know Oh be mercifull vnto me and forgiue me yea giue me of thine owne pittie thy holie spirit to reueale and open to my mind effectually my miserable estate condition my ignorance peruersitie and my carelesnes for thy true honour and dishonour in such sort that I may heartily lament these euils and haue them pardoned and taken from me through Iesus Christ our Lord. Againe good father giue mee the same thy holie spirit to reueale to me thy name word and Gospell that I may liuely know thee vnfaynedlie â—â—oue thee heartilie obey thee and aboue all thinges desire and labour by all meanes lawfull that all godlines in doctrine and conuersation may bee exercised both in me and in all others
and that wee may vnfainedly purpose and effectually labour to amend our liues this day so long as wee haue to liue in all our doings and wordes and euen in our verie thoughtes to the prayse of thy holy name and good example of our doings and words and euen in our brethren And for as much as thou knowest our weakenesse our ignorance and great vntowardnesse to carrie anie great crosse or affliction wee beseech thee our sweete Father so temper and order all things towards vs this day and for euer that we bee neuer further proued tempted than thou wilt make vs able to beare and so to helpe vs in the same as may be most 〈◊〉 thy glorie our saluation through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An Euening prayer O Lord God Father euerlasting and full of pitie wee acknowledge and confesse that wee bee not worthy to lift vp our eies to heauen much lesse to present our selues before thy diuine maiestie with confidence that thou wilt heare out praiers and graunt our requests if wee consider our owne wretched deseruings For our consciences doe accuse vs our sinnes witnes against vs wee know that thou art an Vpright Iudge which doest not â—ustifie the sinners and wicked men but punishest the faultes of such as transgresse thy commandements Yeâ— most mercifull Father since it hath pleased thee to commaunde vs to caâ—â— vpon thee in all our troubles and aduersities promising euen then tâ— helpe vs when we feele our selueâ— as it were swallowed vp of death 〈◊〉 desperation we vtterly renounce alâ— wordly confidence and trust flie to thy soueraigne goodnes as our only stay and refuge beseeching thee not to cal to remembrance our manifold sinnes and wickednesse whereby we continually prouoke thy wrath and indignation against vs neither our negligeÌ„ce nor our vnkindnes which haue either worthelie esteemed nor in our liues sufficieÌ„tly expressed the sweet comfort of thy holy Gospel reuealed vnto vs but rather to accept the obedience and death of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lord who by offering vp his bodie in sacrifice once for all hath made a sufficient recompence for all our sinnes Haue mercie therefore vpon vs O Lorde and forgiue vs our offences Teach vs by thy holy spirit that we may rightly weigh them earnestly repent vs for the same and so much the rather O Lord our God because that the reprobate such as thou hast forsakeÌ„ caÌ„not prayse thee nor cal vpoÌ„ thy name but the repenting heart the sorrowfnl minde the conscieÌ„ce oppressed hungring thirsting for thy grace shall euermore set forth thy praise and glorie And albeit we be but wormes and dust yet thou art our creator and we be the worke of thy handes yea thou art our father we thy childreÌ„ thou art our shepheard and we thy flocke thou art our redeemer and wee thy people whome thou hast deerelie bought thou art our God and wee are thine inheritance Correct vs not therefore in thine anger O Lord our God neither according to our desertes doe thou punish vs but mercifully chastice vs with a fatherly affection that all the worlde may knowe that at what time so euer a sinner dooth repente him of his sinne from the bottom of his hart thou wilt put away all his wickednesse out of thy remembraÌ„ce as thou hast promised by thy holie Prophet Finally forasmuch as it hath pleased thee to make the night for man to rest in as thou hast ordayned him the day to trauell graunte O deare father that we may so take our bodily rest that our soules may continuallie watch for the time that our Lord Iesus Christ shall appeare for our full deliuerance out of thâ—â— mortalll life and in the meane seasoÌ„ that wee be not ouercome by anie fantasies dreames or other temptations but may fully set our mindes vpon thee loue thee feare thee and rest in thee in such sort that our very sleepe also may be to the glorie of thy holie name Furthermore that our sleepe bee not excessiue or ouermuch after the insatiable desire of the flesh but only sufficient to contente our weake nature that wee may the better be disposed to liue in all godlie conuersation to the glorie of thy holy name profit of our brethren through Iesus Christ our Lord in whose name we make our humble petitions vnto thee as he hath taught vs. Our Father which art c. Almightie and euerliuing God vouchsafe we beseech thee to graunt vs perfect continuance in thy liuelie faith augmenting and increasing y e same in vs dailie vntil we growe to the full measure of our perfection in Christ whereof wee make our confessior saying I beleeue in God the father c. The Lorde blesse vs and saue vs the Lord make his face to shine vpon vs and bee mercifull vnto vs the Lordâ— â—urne his fauorable countenaunce towards vs and graunt vs his peace The grace of the Lord Iesus Christ the loue of God and the communion of the holy Ghost bee with vs and remayne with vs for euer So bee it 2. Cor. 9. 13. An other Euening prayer MOst mercifull God and tender father which besides thine inestimable mercies declared giuen vnto vs in the making of the world for our sakes in the redeeming of vs by the death of thy deare Sonne Iesus Christ in the calling of vs to the knowledge of thy blessed worde in keeping of vs hitherto in thy holie Church and in thy most gratious gouerning of vs and all thinges hitherto for our singular wealth commoditie hast also most fatherlie cared for vs and kept vs this daye from all daungers both of soule and bodie giuing vs health foode apparell and al other things necessary for the comfort and succour of this poore and miserable life which manie other doe want for these and all other thy good giftes and gracious benefites which thou of thine own goodnesse onely and fatherly prouidence hast hitherto powred vpon vs and doest presently powre vpon vs and many other we most humbly thanke thee and praise thy holy name beseeching thee that as all things are now hidden by meanes of the darkenesse which thou hast sent ouer the earth so thou wouldest vouchsafe to hide and burie all our sinnes which this daie or at anie time heeretofore wee haue committed against thy holie commandements and as nowe wee purpose to laye our bodies to rest so graunt the gard of thy good Angels to keepe the same this night for euermore and whensoeuer our last sleepe of death shall come grant that it may be in thee good father so that our bodies may rest both temporally and eternally to thy glorie and our ioy through Iesus Christ our lorde So be it Another Euening prayer O Eternall God and most mercifull-father who this day and al the time of our life hast graciouslie defended nourished and preserued our soules and bodies
weakenesse wilfulnesse idolatrie superstition hypocrisie herese error sects variance strife wrath enuie slaunders lying swearing cursing vaineglory pride couetousnesse theft deceite flatterie and whatsoeuer else O Lord fighteth or reblelleth against thy holy spirit and then O Father I will boast and make vant against mine enemie the deuill that I haue done greater workes than 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 he himselfe was vtterlie without sin the victorie seemed the more easie But I to vanquish Sathan being my selfe altogether sinful pea contrary to my most sinfull nature to subdue sinne the diuell and mine owne fleshe it seemeth a more victorie a greater worke than the other For the which neuerthelesse I will with all submission acknowledge vnto thy diuine maiestie that the whole victorie Lorde inDEEDE is thine and thy holy spirit the beginner and finisher both of the will and the works Now therefore Lorde Iesu strengtheN mee with thy grace and might that thou maiest by me a most sinfull wretch drawe all these my earthlye members horrible vices before rehearsed vnder my feete that I may not onlie fight against them but also subdue them so that they may all turne to the best for mee as meete matter whereon I may exercise my faith power forth my hearty prayer giue thee most heartie thanks for victorie whereby I may learne and haue experience that thou hast in me drawn al things vnto thee insomuch as thou thus Lorde of thy diuine power drawest both the diued the sin that dwelleth in me to set foorth thy honor and glorie which thing for thy mercies sake bring to passe O God my creator preseruer and euerlasting defender A meditation for the exercise of true mortification HE that will be readie in weightie matters to denie his owne will and to be obedient to the will of God the same had neede to accustome himselfe to denie his destres in matters of lesse weight and to exercise mortification of his owne wil in trifles For if that our affections by this daily custome bee not as it were halfe slayne surely surelie when the plunge shall come wee shall finde the more to do If we cannot watch with Christ one houre as he saieth to Peter we vndoubtedlie can much lesse goe to death with him Wherefore that in great tentations we may be readie to saie with Christ Not my will but thy will be done for as much as this commonlie commeth not to passe but where the rootes of our lustes by thy grace deare father are almost rotten and rooted out by a daily deniall of that they desire I humbly beseech thee for Christs sake to helpe me herein First pardon mee my cherishing and as it were watering of mine affections obeying them in their deuises and superfluous desires where through in that they haue takeÌ„ deepe roote and are too liuely in mee I secondly doe beseech thee to pull them vp by the rootes out of my heart and so heÌ„ceforth to order mee that I may continually accustome my selfe to weaken the principall roote that by the rootes and braunches they may loose all their power Graunt mee I beseech thee that thy grace may dailie mortifie my coÌ„cupiscence of pleasure in things that is of wealth riches glorie libertie fauour of men meates drinks apparell ease yea life it selfe that the horrour and impatience of more greeuous thinges may be weakened and I made more patient in aduersitie Whereunto I further lâ—stre and pray thy goodnesse deare father that thou wilt ad this namely that I pray for euer become obedient and ready to do thy good wil in althings heartily and willingly to serue thee and doe whatsoeuer may please thee For doubtlesse although wee accustome our selues in y e pleasant things of this life to a mortification and deniall of ourselues yet we shall finde inough to doe when more bitter and weightie crosses come For if thy Sonne our Sauiour euer wont to obey thy good will praied so heartily and often Not my will but thy will be done whereby hee declareth himselfe to be verie man how can it bee but wee whose nature is corrupt not only in natiuity but in the rest of our whole life also shall finde both our handes full in greate and greeuous temptations wholie to resigne our selues vnto thee Graunt therefore deare father for thy Christes sake to me a most miserable wretch thy grace and spirit to be effectual in mee that daily I may accustome my selfe to denie my will in more easie and pleasant things of this life that when neede shall bee I may come vnto thee with a resigned wil alwaies stedfastlie expecting thy mercie and in the meane season continually obeying thee with readinesse I willingnesse dooing whatsoeuer may most please thee through Christ our Lord who liueth with thee c. A meditation of the coÌ„ming of Christ to iudgement and of the reward both of the faithfull and vnfaithfull OH Lord Iesus Christ the sonne of the euerlluing GOD by whom al things were made are ruled and gouerned as of thy loue for our redemption thou diddest not disdain to bee our mediator and to take vpon thee our nature in the wombe of a virgin purely and without sinne by the operation of thy holy spirit that both thou mightest in thine owne person wonderfully beautifie and exalt our nature and worke the same in vs also first abolishing the guiltines of sinne by remission then sinne it selfe by death and last of all death by raising vp againe these our bodies that they may bee like to thine owne glorious and immortall bodie according to the power wherewith thou art able to subiect all thinges vnto thee as I say of thy loue for our redemption thou becamest man and that most poore and afflicted vpon earth by the space of three thirtie yeeres at the least in most humilitie and paiedst the price of our ransome by thy most bitter death and passion for the which I most heartily giue thankes vnto thee so of the same thy loue towardes vs in thy good time thou wilt come againe in the clouds of heauen with power I greate glory with flaming fire with thousands of saintes with Angels of thy power with a mighty crie shout of an Archangel and blast of a trumpe sodenly as a lightening which shineth from the East c. when men thinke least euen as a theefe in the night when men be asleepe thou wilt so come I say thus sodainely in the twinckling of an eie all men that euer haue beene be or shall bee with women and children appearing before thy tribunall seate to render an account of all thinges which they haue thought spoke and doone against thy lawe openly and before all Angels Saintes and diuels and so to receiue the iust reward of thy vengeance if they haue not repented and obeyed thy Gospell and so departe from
thee to the Diuel and his Angels and all the wicked which euer haue beene be or shalbe into helfire which is vnquenchable and of pains intollerable easeles endles hopeles euen from the face of thy glorious mightie power But if they haue repented and beleeued thy Gospell if they be founde watching with their lampe and oyle in their handes if they bee founde readie apparelled with the wedding garment of innocencie if they haue not hardned their harts and hourded vp their treasure of thy vengeance in the day of wrath to bee reuealed but haue vsed the time of grace the acceptable time the time of saluation that is the time of this life in the which thou stretchest out thy hande and spreadest thine armes calling and crying vnto vs to come vnto thee which art meeke in heart and lawlie for thou wilt ease all that labour and are heauie loaden if they haue visited the â—â—â—ke prisoners comforted the comfortlesse sedde the hungrie clothed the naked lodged the harbourlesse if they haue not loaden their hearts with gluttony and surferting and carelesnesse of this life if they haue not digged and hid their talent in the grounde doing no good therewith but haue been faithfull to occupie thy giftes to thy glorie haue washed their garments in thy bloode by heartie repentance then shal thy Angels gather them together not as the wicked which shall bee collected as faggots cast into the fire but as the good wheat that is gathered into the barne then shall they bee caught vpto meete thee in the cloudes then shall their corruptible bodie put on incorruption then shall they bee endued with immortalitie and glorie then shall they be with thee and goe whither thou goest then shall they heare Come ye blessed of my father possesse the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning c. TheÌ„ shal they be set on seats of maiesty iudging the whole world then shall they raigne with thee for euer then shal God bee al in all with them to them then shall they enter and inherit heauenlie Ierusalem and the glorious restfull lande of Canaan where it is alwaies daie neuer night where is no manner of weeping teares infirmitie hunger colde sicknesse enuie malice nor sinne but alwaies ioye without sorrow mirth without measure pleasure without paine heauenly harmony most pleasant melodie saying and singing Holie holie holy Lord God of hostes c. Finallie the eie hath not seene the eare hath not hard neither hath it entred into the heart of man that they shall not inherite and most surely enioy although here they be tormented prisoned solicited of Sathan tempted of the fleshe and intangled with the world where through they are in forced to cry Thy kingdome come Come Lord Iesu c. Howe amiable are thy Tabernacles Like as the Hart desireth the water brookes c. Nowe let thy seruaunt depart in peace I desire to bee dissolued and to be with Christ We mourne in our selues waiting for the deliuerance of our bodie c. Oh gracious Lorde when shall I finde such mercie with thee that I may repent beleeue hope and looke for these things with the full fruition of those heauenlie ioyes which thou hast prepared for all them that feare thee â—â—rest with thee for euermore A meditation of the life euerlasting the place where it is the incomparable ioyes thereof THat there is an euerlasting life none will denie but such as will denie God For if hee be true and iust which he must needes be or els he is not God then can there not be but an eternall life That he hath both spoken it and promised it in Math. 25. 1. Cor. 15. Heb 4. 11. 13. 1 Pet. 1. it plainelie appeareth elsewhere in verie manie places So y â— to denie an euerlasting life is to denie God to denie Christ and all that euer he did also to denie al pietie and religion to condemne of foolishnesse all good men Martyrs confessors Euangelists Prophets Patriarches Finally the denial of eternall life is nothing else but a deniall of the immortality of the soule and so a plaine making of man nothing better then beastes If it bee so let vs then eate and drinke for to morrow we shall die Lord preserue vs from this Saduceall and Epicuriall impietie and grant vs for thy mercies sake deare God that we may be assuredly perswaded that there is indeed an eternall life and blisse with thee for them that put their trust in thee amongst whome account mee for thy mercies sake Againe this eternall life and the place appoynted for them that be thy seruauntes all men doe graunt to bee with thee Albeit they do not thinke that because thou art euery where therfore eternal life is euery where For they by thy worde doe knowe that in as much as no man can see thee and liue which eternall life and thy blessed presence is most pleasant and had in fruition after in another worlde whereunto by corporal death they do departe and are translated to a place aboue them wher thou dwellest in a light whereunto no man can approch Abrahams bosom they read was aboue as the place of the wicked was belowe and beneath Helias was caught vp into heauen and thy deare Sonne our Sauiour prayed that where he is those also might bee which thou haddest giuen him and might see his glory Nowe hee deare father we learne by thy spirite was ascended taken vp in his very body into heauen whither Stephen looked vp saw thy Christ standing on thy right hande to whome he prayed O Lord Iesu receiue my spirite Graunt I beseeeh thee gratious God and father that I may haue a cleane heart more and more to see thee and so in spirite to see and looke often vpon this place whither bring mee at the length in bodie also I humblie praie thee Nowe what a thinge this euerlasting life is no man is able to conceiue much lesse able to vtter For the peace of God which is eternall life passeth all vnderstanding The eie hath not seene the eare hath not heard neither can mans hearte conceiue those thinges which thou deare God hast prepared for them that loue thee What so euer therefore can bee spoken or imagined of thy kingdome of the cleerenesse ioye and felicitie of the same is nothing in comparison as wee may see by the Prophets which because they coulde not otherwise vnder corporall thinges haue shadowed the same So that the confidence of eternall life what a thing it is can in no wise bee tolde Howebeit somewhat wee may be brought to some sight of it by earthly things to thinke on this sorte If GOD haue giuen here so many things in a strange place how many are y e great good things y t be at home If in prison are so many mercies how manie are they in the pallace If y e wicked haue so many
vertue may lighten and cheere vs that the want of feeling of our sorrow maye to recompensed plentifully with the liue y â— senâ—e of hauing thee to our eternal ioy therefore thou swarest that in thine euerlasting mercy thou wilt haue compassion on vs. Of which thing to the ende we might bee most assured thine oth is to bee marked for thâ—n sayâ—stâ— As I haue sworne that I will neuer bring anie more the waters to drowne the world So haue I sworne that I wil neuer more bee angrie with thee nor 〈◊〉 thee The mouâ—t◠〈◊〉 shall 〈◊〉 the hilles shall fall downâ— but my louing kindnesse shall not mooue and the bond of my peace shall not faile thee Thus saiest thou the Lord our mercifull redeemer Deare Father therfore I praie thee remember euen for thine owne trueth and mercie sake this promise and euerlasting couenaunt which in thy good time I may thee to write in my hart that I may know thee to bee 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 bee holie in thy sight through Christ that I may alwaies not onely striue against sin but also ouercome the same dayly more and more as thy children do aboue al things desâ—ring the sanctification of thy name the comming of thy kingdome the doing of thy will heere on earth as it is in heauen c. throguh Iesus Christ our redeemer mediator and aduocate Amen I. B. A praier against our spirituall enemies the diuell the world and the flesh O Lorde God the diuell goeth about like a roring Lyon seeking whome hee may deuoure the flesh lusteth against the spirite the worlde perswadeth vnto vanities y â— we may forget thee our Lord God so for euer ve damned Thus are we miserably on euery 〈◊〉 befet and â—eâ—â—eged of cruell a vnrestful enemies and like euerie momente to perish if we be not defended with thy godly power against their tyrannie Wee therefore poore and wretched sinners despayring of our owne strength which indeede is none most heartily praie thee to indue vs with strength from aboue that wee may bee able through thy helpe with strong faith to resist Sathan with feruent praier to mortifie the lustes of the fleshe with continual meditation of thy holie lawe to auoide the foolish vanities and transitorie pleasures of this wicked worlde y â— through thy grace wee beeing set at libertie from the power of these our mortall enemies may serue thee heere in true holinesse and righteousnes and after be partakers of the euerlasting ioyes prepared for thy children which as they are great and vnspeakeable so are there fewe that doe inioy them For straite is the way and narrowe is the gate that leadeth therunto and few there be that find it Notwithstanding O God thou hast a litle flock to whom it is thy pleasure to giue that ioyfull kingdome whose names are written in the booke of life Make vs therefore of that nuÌ„ber for Iesus christes sake place vs amongest those thy sheepe which shal stand on thy right hande to receiue that blessed inheritaunce and dwel with thee for euermore A prayer for present helpe in tentation DEare father to whom it is more easie to doe all thinges then for mee to thinke anie one goodthing Loe doe thou but speake a worde and thy deadlie sicke seruaunte my sonle shall be made whole Helpe O Lorde for the great mercy sake for thy trueth sake and for thy deare sonne Iesus Christs sake set thy sterngth suffice against my weakenesse and the holy-spirit against my sinfull flesh and olde man Thou art faithfull O Father who hast promised that I shall not bee tempted further than thou wilt make me able to beare Giue nowe therefore thy grace and strength vnto thy seruaunt that I may with a strong faith in thy in fallible trueth promised mercie vanquish and subdu whatsoeuer rebelleth against thy most blessed will Preserue and keepe holie my soule and bodie and let them not bee defiled and made a dangeon of diuels wicked spirits through delectation in sinne Behold deare Father the postes thereof are sprinkled with y e precious bloud of thy deare son and of thy great mercy that are made the temple and tabernacle of thy holy spirit Shall nowe alas the Diuell the worlde or the flesh plucke from thee that thing which presently cryeth to thee with assured trâ—st in thy promised helpe Nay father but graunt that I may by thy mightie power turne al their crafts decrits and raging assaultes vnto the increase of my faith and that by experience of thy fatherlie assistance in this my present temptation I may with assured hope and trust in thy readie helpe and comfort ouercame my saide enimies heereafter in like assaults prayse thy holy name for the victory through Iesus Christ our Lord. My sonne if thou wilt come into these rule of the Lorde stande fast in righteousnes feare and prepare thy soule to tentation Eccles 2. Remedies against sinfull motions and tentations First remember that sinne is so hainous a thing that God by his iustice might worthilie damne thee for the same and is therefore to bee abhorred as a sweete poyson a flattering death destruction of the soule which woulde cut thee off from God thy Sauiour and make thee a bondslaue to Sathan thy deadlie enemie Auoide therefore euen at the first the occasions thereof betimes quash out the braines of the childreÌ„ of Babylon against the hard stones whiles yet they bee young and weake least when they be growne elder stronger they dash thee to peeces And for remedie against the same flee vnto God who commandeth thee to call vpon him in thy troubles and promiseth to deliuer thee and wil not suffer thee to be further tempted than hee will make away out whereby thou shalt escape and doubt not but he that causeth thee to hate the sinne which thy nature is to loue will deliuer thee also from the daunger thereof and make thee to triumphouer Sathan to his confusion to Gods glorie and thy great comfort which are causes that our tender louing father sendeth tentations vnto vs he that is not tempted what is he Nowe after thou hast obtained the victory remember two thinges first to giue most heartie thankes to God for his grace and assistance whereby thou hast ouercome and bee not vnthankefull in anie wise and then that hee who continually goeth about like a roring Lion seeking whome he maie deuoure wil not be long or farre away from thee but will attempt againe the same or as euill waies to ouercome thee Watch therefore and praye A prayer for the auoiding of Gods heauie wrath and vengeance for our sins OH Lord God strong and mighty great and feareful which dwellest in the heauens and workest great wonders we thy miserable children heere vpon
â—â—omised saying This is my couenant â—â—at I haue made with them my spirite â—hich is in thee and my worde which I haue put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy feede for euer Preserue those kingdomes common weales which giue harborough to thy people and maintaine the ministerie of thy holy worde and Gospell that the kingdome of thy sonne Iesus Christ may increase and shine throughout all the world O Iesu Christ Sonne of the euerliuing God crucified for vs and raised also from the dead and nowâ— raigning at the right hand of thy father that thou maist giue giftes vnto 〈◊〉 which hast saide Come vnto mee all yee that labour are heauie loaden and I will refresh you Hauâ— mercie vpon vs praie for vs vnto thy eternall father sanctifie and gouerne vs with thy holy spirit helpâ— and succour vs in all our necessitieâ— as thou hast promised saying I willâ— not leaue you comfortlesse O holy and blessed spirite together with the father and the son one true and euerlasting 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 into the way of truth all such as haue erred and gone astray comfortest the soules of such as hunger and thirst after righteousnesse and plenteously inrichest those with diuers giftes which aske them in Iesus Christes name purifie our heartes wee beseech thee and inflame them with the fire of thy loue replenish them with thy heauenly benefites and spirituall blessinges that they may bee made meete temples for thee leade â—s into all truth which art the onely fountaine of truth and mortifie in vs whatsoeuer proceedeth not of thee Or else pray thus O Holie spirite powred vnto 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 poure vpon you the spirit of grace and of compassion make to arise in our hearts a true feare of God and faith and knowledge of thy mercie which the eternall father of our Lord Iesus Christ hath promised vnto vs for his sonnes sake Be our comforter in all our counsels and daungers Illuminate our vnderstanding and fill our herrtes with newe affections and spirituall motions and renewe vs both in soule and bodie that wee may die to sinne and liue to righteousnes and so in true obedience may praise the father of our Lord Iesus Christ and his sonne our redeemer and thee also our comforter euerlastingly A thanksgiuing to God the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost VVE render thanks vnto the O Almightie and eternall God with thy deare sonne our Lorde Iesus Christ and with thy holy spirite for that of thine exceeding great goodnes thou hast made thy selfe knowen vnto vs by most assured and euident testimonies and for that thou hast gathered and chosen vnto thy selfe a perpetuall Church and wouldest that thy Sonne our Lorde Iesus Christe shoulde suffer death to restore vs from death to life for that thou hast giuen to vs thy Ghospel the Holye Ghost for that thou forgiuest vs our sinnes deliuerest vs from the power of the deuell and from eternall death and giuest vnto vs euerlasting life finally for that thou hast visited vs with manye great benefites giuing vs life foode doctrin peace in such places as we haue liued in hast diminished the pains which we haue iustly deserued Wee 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 humaine nature and of thy inestimable loue didest giue thy selfe to death for vs turning vppon thee the greate wrath of GOD the Father conceiued against vs to reconcile vs vnto him and to purchase vs eternall redemption because thou hast brought vs to this grace wherein we stande and reioyce in hope of the glorie of GOD because thou dost preserue cherishe and defend thy church against the Diuell and all thine enemies because thou giuest and renewest often the light of thy Gospell and maintainest 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 and finally because thou dost succour and preserue vs in all our necessities dangers and afflictions Wee giue thankes also vnto thee Oh holy spirite the giuer of life which wast powred vppon the Apostles because thou kindlest thy light in our heartes because thou rulest instructest admonishest and helpest vs because thou gouernest and guidest the labours and workes of our vocation and sanctifiest vs to eternall life A prayer to God for his helpe and Protection against the obstinate enemies of the truth MOst righteous Iudge God of all mercie and comfort which by thy secret iudgment and wisedome doest suffer the wicked to triumph and increase for a time for trial of the faith of thy welbeloued little flocke and the mortifiing of their lusts but at length to the vtter confusion of thy enemies and ioyfull deliuerance of thy people looke downe wee beseech thee on thy dispersed sheepe oute of thy holy habitation in heauen and strengthen our weakenesse againste their furious rages abate their pride ass wage their malice confound their deuises wherewith they lift vp them selues against Christ Iesus thy sonne our Lorde and Sauiour to deface his glorie and to set vp Antichrist Wee be not able of our selus to thinke a good thought much lesse to stande against their assaultes except thine vndeserued grace and mightie arme defende and deliuer vs. Performe thy promises made to Iacob stoppe the mouthes of the cursed Edomites Cal them to repentance whom thou hast appointed to saluation bring home them that runne astray lighten the blinde and teach the ignorant forgiue all those that wilfully and obstinately rebell not against thy holie will Let thy fearefull threatninges pearce our stâ—nie heartes and make vs tremble at thy iudgements Make the examples of them whom thou hast ouerthrâ—wne in their owne deuises as Cain Cham Nymrod Esau Pharaoh Saul Achitophel Iudas such other to be a warning for vs that we set not vp our selues against thy holy will Grant free passage to thy holy worde that it may worke effectually in vs the worke of life and blessed hope of our saluation to the eternall praise of thy maiestie through our mediatour Christ Iesus to whome with thee and the holy ghost three persons and one God bee praise and thankesgiuing in all congregatioâ—s world without end So be it A praier for the afflicted and persecuted vnder the tyranny of Antichrist O Mercifull Father who neuer doest forsake such as put their trust in thee stretch forth thy mightie arme to the defence of our brethren by the rage of enimies persecuted and
greeuously tormented in sundry places for the true profession of thy holy Ghospel who in their extreme necessities cry for comfort vnto thee Let not thy long suffering O Lord be an occasion either to increase the tyranny of thy enimies or to discorage thy children but with speede O Lorde consider their greate miseries and afflictions Preuent the cruell deuise of Hamon stay the rage of Holophernes breake off the counsel of Achitophell Let not the wicked say Where is now their God Let thy afficted flocke feele present aide and releefe from thee O Lord looke down vpon them with thy pytiful eye from thy holy habitation sende terrour and trembling among their enemies make an ende of their outragious tyranny beate backe their boldenesse in suppressing thy truth in destroying thy true seruants in defacing thy glorie and in setting vp Antichrist Let them not thus proudly aduance themselues against thee and thy Christ but let them vnderstande and feele that against thee they fight Preserue and defend the Wine which thy right hande hath planted and let all Nations see the glorie of thine annointed Amen A prayer to be saide before the preaching of Gods worde ALmightie God and most mercifull father whose worde is a lanterne to our feete and a light vnto our steppes we most humbly beseech thee to illuminate our mindes that wee may vnderstand the misteries conteined in thy holy lawe and into the selfe same thing that wee godly vnderstand we may be vertuously transformed so that of no part wee offend thy diuine maiestie through Iesus Christ our Lord. An other IN this great darknes of our souleâ— O Lord thou shinest diuers waieâ— vnto vs by the light of thy grace but in nothinge so effectually as in the preaching of thy worde Greate is the Haruest as thou thy selfe hast saide and the workmen are few The greatest part of men are ignorant wrapped in miserable blindnesse and fewe there bee that teach thy worde truely and as they ought Wee beseech thee therefore to sende foorth woorkemen into thy haruest Sende â—eachers O Lord which are taught of thee and instructed by the spirite of godly wisdome and vnderstanding which by their preaching will â—eeke not themselues but thee because they are godly and can so doe because they are wise vnderstand â—iue to the preacher of thy worâ—e are present out of the treasures of by wisdome that which hee may â—â—wre vpon vs to our saluation and â—â—to vs giue thy grace holy spirite O Lord so to heare and to receiue thy worde that the good seede which falleth vppon vs bee not choked with thornes or withered away with heate or deuoured by the foules of the aire but may grow vp in a good-grounde and fructifie with greate increase A prayer to be sayde after the preaching of Gods worde ALmightie God and most mercifull Father wee heartely beseech thee that this seede of thy worde noâ— sowen amongest vs may take such deepe roote that neither the burning heate of affliction or persecutiâ—e cause it to wither neither the thâ—â—â—nie cares of this life doe choke it be that as seede sowen in good ground it may bring foorth thirtie sixtie 〈◊〉 an hundred folde as thy heauenâ—â— wisedome hath appointed And â—â—â—cause wee haue neede continually to craue many thinges at thy hands we humbly beseech thee O heauenly father to grant vs thy holy spirite so to direct our petitions that they may proceede from such a feruent minde is may be agreeable to thy most blessed will And seeing that our infirmitie is such that wee are able to doe nothing without thy helpe and that thou art not ignorant with howe manie and â—reate tentations wee poore wretches are on euery side compassed and inclosed let thy strength O Lorde â—ustaine our weakenesse and assist vs with thy grace that wee may be fafeâ—pre serued against all the assaultes 〈◊〉 Sathan who goeth about like a â—aring Lyon seeking to deuour vs. Increase our faith O merciful Father that wee doe not swarâ—e at aâ—etime from thy heauenly worde Augment in vs hope and loue with a carefull keeping of all thy commandements that no heardnes of heart no hypocrisie no concupiscence of the eyes nor intisements of the worlde doe drawe vs away from thy obedience And seeing the times are dangerous wherein wee liue let thy fatherly prouidence defende vs against the violence of all our enimies and specially against the furious rage of that Romish Idoll enimie to thy Christ Furthermore for as much as by thy holie Apostle wee bee taught to make our prayers and supplications for all men wee praye not only for our selues heere present but beseech thee also to reduce all such as bee yet ignorant from the miserable captiuitie of blindnesse and error to the pure vnderstanding of thy heauenly trueth that wee all with one consent and vnitie of minde map worship thee our onely God and sauiour Wee beseech thee also most decare Father for 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 may bee founde faithfull setting onely before their eyes thy glorie and that by them all poore sheepe which wander and goe astray may be sought out brought to thy fold Againe that it woulde please thee to deliuer thy church from such idle â—hâ—pe heardes wolues and hirelings â—s seeke themselues and their bellies and not thy glorie and the safegarde of thy flocke Moreouer because the heartes of â—ulers are in thy handes wee make our praers vnto thee for all Princes and Magistrates to whome thou â—ast committed the administration of iustice especially O Lord for the Queenes Maiestie that it woulde please thee to Indue her with thy plentifull grace and principall spirit that she may with a pure faith acknowledge Iesus Christ thy onely sonne to bee King of all Kinges and gouernour of all gouernours euen as thou hast giuen all power vnto him both in heauen and earth and so work in her heart that shee considering whose Minister shee is may heartely seeke and zealously promotâ— thy true honour and glorie carefully trauelling to bring thy people comemitted to her charge and yet remaining almost in all partes of this Realme in miserable blindenesse and darke ignorance to the true knowledge of thee ruling guiding them as shee is taught and commanded by thy holy worde Also wee beseech thee to indue all such as are in any authoritie vnder her with thy grace and holie spirite that they may bee found vpright and faithfull in their calling fauoureres and furtherers of thy holy Ghospell maintainers defenders of the true Preachers and Ministers thereof such as in singlenes of heart wil seeke not themselues but thy glory and the commâ—â—tie of thy people And for that wee bee all
can I feele then or certaintie of thy fauour and loue Iustly may I powre out this dolorous lamentation of Sion The Lorde hath forsaken me and my Lorde hath forgotten me Euen in the middest I say of these my former desperate assaultes mine intollerable heauines cryed to thee O my God from heauen thou heardest my gronings and thervpon first preparedst my heart to aske comfort of thee and then thou didst accept my praier and gauest me plentifully my asking Oh my soule consider well that thou art neuer able to declare the exceeding goodnes of GOD in this that hee heard the verie desires of thee beeing afflicted who is so readie fauorably to grant the requests of the afflicted that oftentimes he tarieth not vntil they doe call but or euer they call vpon him fauourably hearest them as the Psalmist sayth The desire of the afflicted thou hearest O Lord thou preparest their heartes thine eares heare them Oh Lorde my God meruailous things are these whether I consider this meruailous manner of thy hearing or else the meruelous nature propertie of thy goodnes Meruailous no doubt is that thy hearing whereby the very desires of the aflicted are heard but much more maruailous is this thy goodnes which tarrfest not vntil the afflicted do desire thy helpe but preparest first their hearts to deâ—â—re and then thou giuest them their destres Yea Lorde worthy of all praise it cannot otherwise â—e For howe shouldest thou do otherwise than thy nature and property is Art not thou verie goodnesse mercy it selfe How canst thou then but pitie and helpe miserie Art not thou both the creator and also the conseruer of all thinges In somuch as the Lyons whelpes roaring after their praye doe seeke their foode at thy handes and the Rauenes birdes lacking meate do cal vpon thee If then thy fatherly prouidence and tender care O Lorde vppon all thy creatures be so great that the verie beastes and foules haue this experience of thy goodnesse in their necessities that their roarings and cryings haue the strength of earnest calling and desires howe much rather doe these sighinges groninges and desperate heauinesse of men but chiefely of thy children crie and call lowde in thine eares though they speake neuer a word at all Should I then now despaire of thy fatherly mercie whiles presently I feele thee stirre vp my soule and heart to craue helpe at thy handeâ— Shoulde I thinke that thou wilt absent thy selfe for euer that thou wilt bee no more intreated that thy mercie is cleane gone that thy promise is come vtterly to an ende and that thou wilt now shut vp thy louing kindnesse in displeasure Nay Lorde for all alterations are of thy right hande and turne al waye to the best to them that feare thee All this is but mine owne inffrmitie for thou art euer one thy promises bee infallable and the loue towardes thine euerlastingly during I will therefore in this my present tentation greeuous assault powre â—ut the heauinesse of my heart before thee deare Father Out of the deep wil I crie and lift by my soule vnto thee from whome I assuredly knowe my helpe is comming I wil also for my present comfort call to remembrance O Lord my God thy tender mercies towards mee already shewed the multitude of thy benefits the greatnes of the same the long coÌ„tinuance of them euen from my conception vntill this instant finally thy continuall lust desire to powre them vpon me And moreouer fith thy goodnesse is so great O Lord that thou doest not onely pitie miserie but also callest the heauy hearted and afflicted unto thee promising that thou witt ease their miserie for as much as by the motion of thy good spirit I loath and abhor my sâ—nnes feele the gree uousnesse of them and thy heauie wrath towards mee for the same finally what neede I haue of thy gracious aide and succour heresore O Lorde in thy sonne Christes name with sure confidence and trust in thine infallible promise in this mine anguish and trouble I come vnto thee at thy mercifull calling craue comfort at thy hand For thou hast promised that when I loath my sinnes thou wilt vtterly forget them when I feele the greeuous burthen of them thy mercie swalloweth them vp when I seeke that I want thou wilt assuredly grant it me For â—â—th tthou moouest my heart to desire help how should I mistrust but thou wilt for thy trueths sake guie mee my asking Yea where I knowe not how or what to desire as I ought thy holy spirite gratiously working in mee maketh intercession mightily for me with gronings which cannot bee expresseth and therewith certifieth my spirite that by adoption through thy great mercie and goodnesse I am become thy childe and heire Why should I not then bee of good comfortand ioyfull in thee my God For if thou bee on my doe who can be against mee Since thou diddcst not spare thine owne sonne but gauest him for mee euen when I was thine enemie howe fhalt thou not with him nowe that by his death I am brought into thy 〈◊〉 giue mee all thinges with him and for his sake Who shall lay any thing to the charge of thine elect It is thou Lord which iustifiest mee It is Christe that hath died for mâ—e yea ratheâ— that is risen againe for mee Who also is set on thy right hand and hat taken possession yea and perpetually there maketh interrcession for mâ— vntill that ioyfull day be come whâ— I shall haue ful fruition of the most glorious presence of thy diuine maie sty in that kingdom which thou hast prepared before the begining of the world but in time to thy gratious goodnesse thought best make known to me by giuing thy holy spirit into my hearte whereby when I first Lorde beleeued thy holy worde which is thine owne power to saue al that beleeue I was sealed confirmed stablished in the certaintie of that thine euerlasting kingdom and inheritaunce For the which inestimable benesite of the rich grace Oh Lorde my God I beseech the euen for the loue thou barest to Christ Iesus thy son and thy mercie thou haddest on him when he cried on the crosse My God my God why hast thou forsaken mee Helpe help I say inflame my hart with loue so plentifully towardes thee againe that I may be euen swallowed vp in the ioyful feeling of the same in such sort that I may of very thankefulnesse loue thee my God alone thee I say my deare God and nothing but thee and for thy sake O holy spirite whose worke this is in mee increase this the work of thiue infinite mercie preserue mee that I neuer become vnthankefull vnto thee therefore Amen A praier for the sicke O Most merciful God which according to the multiude of thy mercies doest so put away the sinnes of those which truly repeÌ„t that thou rememberst them no more open thy
dies of mercy and look vpon this thy sicke seruantâ— who most earnestly destreth pardoÌ„ forgiuenesse Renue in him most louing Father whatso euer hath been decayed by the fraud and malice of the Diuell or by his owne carnal will and frailtie Preserue continue this sicke member in the vnitie of the Church Consider his contrition accept his teares asswage his paine a shall bee seene to thee most expedient for him And for as much as he putteâ—h his full trust onely in thy mercie impute not vnto him his former sinnes but take him vntoty fauour through the merits of thy most dearly beloued sonne Iesus Christ A praier to be said at the houre of death O Lorde Iesus Christ which arl the onely health of all men liuing and the euerlasting life of them that die in thee I wretched sinner doe submit my selfe wholy vnto thy most blessed will and being sure that the thing cannot perish which is committed vnto thy mercie willinglie now I leaue this fraile and sinneful flesh in sure hope that thou wilt in better wise restore it to meE againe at the lost day in the resurrection of the iust I beseech thee most mercifull Lord iesus Christ that thou wilt by thy grace make strong my soule against all tentations and defende mee with the buckler of thy mercie against all the assaultes of the diuell I see and acknowledge that there is in my selfe no hope of saluation but all 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 whom thou wilt not impute their sinnes but wilt accept and take mee for righteous and iust and to bee an inheritour of Euerlasting life Thou mercifull Lorde 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 torments for my sake Finally thou gauest thy most precious bodie and bloud to be shed on the crosse for my sake Now most merciful Sauiour let all those thinges profite mee that thou freely hast done for mee which hast giuen thy selfe also for mee Let thy blond clense and wash away the spottes and fowlnesse of my sinnes Let thy righteousnes hide and couer my righteousnesse Let the merites of thy passion and bloodshedding be the satisfaction for my sinnes Giue mee Lord thy grace that the faith of my saluation in thy blood wauer not in me but may euer be firme and constant that the hope of thy mercy and life euerlasting neuer decay in mee that loue waxe not colde in mee Finally that the weakenesse of my flesh bee not ouercome with the feate of death Graunt mee mercifull Sauiour that when death hath thut vp the eies of my body yet the eies of my soule may stil behold and looke vpon thee when death hath taken away the vse of my tongue yet my hearte may crie say Lorde into thy handes I commend my soule Lord Iesu receiue my spirite A praier for a woman with childe THou art wonderfull O Lorde in all thy workes and whatsoeuer thy good pleasure is that doest thou easily bring to passe neither is ther any thing vnpossible with thee that thou wilt haue doon And albeit this thy almightie power sheweth it selfe abundantly in all thy workes yet in conceiuing forming and bringing forth of man it shineth most euidently At the beginning O Father when thou madest man and woman thou commaundest them to increase multiplie and replenish the earth If through the subtile inticementes of Sathan they had not transgressed thy commaundement by eating the forbidden fruite the woman whome thou haddest appointed to be the instrument vessell to conceiue nourish and bring foorth man through thy woonderful workmanship had with out any labour paine or trauaile brought forth her fruite But that which thy goodnes made easie sin and disobedience hath made harde painfull daungerous and without thy speciall helpe and succour imposible to bee brought to passe so that nowe all women bring forth their childreÌ„ in great sorrows paines and troubles Notwithstanding that which through their own imperfection and feeblenes they are not able of themselues to passe thou through thine vnspeakable power makest easie in them and bringest vnto a ioyfull ende Wee therefore being fully perswaded of thy fauour and goodnesse of thy present helpe and of thy sweete comfort 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 child if through thy tender mercy they be not mittigated and eased most humbly praye thee for Iesus Christes sake thy son our Lorde to helpe and assist this thy seruant nowe in trauell and labour that by thy almightie power shee may safely bring foorth that which by thy goodnesse shee hath conceaued and that thy louing kindnesse may make that easie and tollerable vnto her which sinne hath made hard and painefull Ease O Lorde the paines which thou most righteously hast put vpon her and all women for the sinne and diso bedience of our Graundmother Eue is whome al we haue sinned Be present with her in her trouble according to thy mercifull promise Giue her strength and make perfect that which thou hast so gratiousLie begun Let thy power be shewed no lesse in the safe bringing forth than in the wonderfull forming fashioning of that shee beareth Make her a glad and ioyfull mother that shee through thy goodnes being safely deliuered and restored to health again may liue and praise thy blessed name for euer A Psalme to be saide in the time of any common plague sicknesse or other crosse and visitation of God O Come let vs humble our selues and fall downe before the Lord with reuerence and feare For he is the Lord our God and we are the people of his pasture and sheepe of his handes O come therefore let vs turne againe vnto our Lorde for he hath smitten vs and he shall heale vs. Let vs repent and turne from our wickednesse and our sinnes shall be forgiuen vs. Let vs turne and the Lorde will turne from vs his heauy wrath and will pardon vs and wee shal not perish For we acknowledge our faultes and our sinnes are euer before vs. Wee haue sore prouoked thine anger O Lorde thy wrath is waxed hote thy heauy displeasure is fore kindled against vs. Thou hast in thine indignation stricken vs with greeuous sicknesse and by and by wee haue fallen as leaues beaten downe with a vehement winde In deede wee acknowledge that our punishmentes are lesse than our deseruings but yet of thy mercy lord 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 wee crye thou wilt heare vs whilest wee yet speake thou wilt haue mercie vpon vs. For none that trust in thee shal be confounded neither any that call vppon thee shall be despised For thou art the onely Lord who woundest and dost heale againe who killest and reuiuest bringest euen to hel and bringest backe againe Our fathers hoped in thee trusted in thee and thou diddest deliuer them They called vpon thee and were helped they put their trust in thee and were not confounded O Lord rebuke vs not in thine indignation neither chasten vs in thy heauie displeasure O remember not the sinnes and offences of my youth but according to thy mercie think thou vpon vs O Lord for thy goodnesse Haue mercie vpon vs O Lord for we are weake O Lord heale vs for our bodies are vexed And nowe in the vexation of our spirites and the augnish of our souls we remember thee and we crie vnto thee heare Lord and haue mercie For thine owne sake and for thy holie names sake incline thine care heare O merciful Lord. For wee doe not powre out our praiers before thee trusting in our owne righteousnesse but in thy great and manifolde mercies Wash vs thoughly from our wickednesse and clense vs from our sins Turne thy face from our sins and put out all our misdeeds Make vs cleane heartes O God and renue aright spirite within vs. Helpe vs O God of our saluation for the glorie of thy name O deliuer vs and be mercifull to our sinnes for thy names sake So wee that bee thy people sheep of thy pasture shal giue thee thankes 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 kinde of sicknes trouble or affliction LOrde thou art become gracious to thy lande thou hast turned away the afflictions of thy seruants Thou hast taken away all thy displeasure and turned thy selfe from thy wrathfull indignation For if thou Lorde hadst not helped vs it had not failed but our soules had been put to silence But when wee said our feet haue slipped thy mercy O Lorde helped vs vp In the multitude of the sorrowes that wee had in our hearts thy comforts haue refreshed our soules Our soules waited still vpon the Lorde our soules hanged vppon his helpe our hope was alwaies in him In the Lordes word will wee reioyce in Gods worde did wee comfort onr selues For the Lord said Call vpon mee in the time of trouble I wil heare thee and thou shalt praise mee So when wee were poore needie sickly in heauines the Lord cared for vs hee was our helper â—nd our deliuerer according to his word In our aduersitie and desiresse he hath lifted vp our head and sauâ—â— vs from vtter destruction He hath deliuered our soules froâ— death hee hath fed vs in the time 〈◊〉 dearth hee hath saued vs from thâ— noysome pestilence Therefore wil wee offer in his holy temple the oblation of thankesgiuing with great gladnes wee wâ—â—sing and speake praises vnto the lorâ— our Sauiour Wee will giue thankes vnto thâ— Lord for he is gratious and his meâ—â—cie endureth for euer The Lord is ful of compassion anâ— mercie long suffering plenteous iâ— goodnesse and pitie His mercie is greater than the hâ—â—uens and his gracious goodnes reaâ—cheth vnto the cloudes Like as a father pitieth his owâ— children euen so is the Lord merciful vnto them that feare him Therefore will we praise thee and thy mercies O God vnto thee will wee sing O thou holy one of Israel We will sing a new song vnto thee O God wee will praise the Lorde with psalmes and thankesgiuing O sing praises sing praises vnto our God O sing praises sing praises vnto our king For God is the king of the earth sing praises with vnderstanding We will magnifie thee O God our king wee will praise thy name for euer and euer Euery daye wil wee giue thankes vnto thee and praise thy name for euer and euer Our moutn shall speake the praises of the Lord let all flesh giue thanks to hs holy name for euer and euer Blessed bee the Lorde God of Israell for euer and blessed be the name of his maiesty worlde without end Amen Glorie be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. Prayers to be said before meales and after ALL things depend vpon thy prouidence O Lord to receiue at thy hands due sustenance in time conuenient Thou giuest to them and they gather it thor openest thy hand and they are sanctified with all good things O heauenly father which art the fountaine and full treasure of all goodnesse Wee beseech thee to shewe thy mercie vpon vs thy children and sanctifie these thy giftes which we receiue of thy merciful liberalitie granting vs grace to vse them soberly and purely according to thy blessed will so that thereby we may acknowledge thee to be the author and giuer of all good thinges and aboue all that we may remember continually to seeke the spiritual foode of the world wherwith our soules may be norished euerlastingly through our Sauiour Christ who is the true breade of life which came downe from heauen of whom whosoener eateth shal liue for euer and raigne with him in glorie world withour end So be it Another prayer before meales VVHether ye eat or drinke saith S. Paule or whatsoeuer ye do else let all be done to the praise glorie of God Eternall and euerlasting God fathere of our Lord Iesus Christ who of thy most singular loue which thou barest to mankinde hast appointed to his sustenance not only the fruits of the earth but also the fouls of the aire the beastes of the field and fishes of the sea and hast commaunded thy benâ— fites to be receiued as from thy handes with thankesgiuing assuring thy children by the mouth of thine Apostle that to the cleane al things are cleane as the creatures which be sanctified by the worde and prayer grant vnto vs so moderatly to vse these thy giftes present that our bodies being refreshed our soules may be more able to proceede in all good works to the praise of the holy name through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Our father which art in heauen c. Another O Eternall God the very God of peace and al consolation which broughtest againe from death our Lorke Iesus the greate shepheard of the sheep through the bloud of the euerlasting couenante make vs fruitful in all good works to do thy wil and
the multitude of thy tender mercies Looke vpon mine affliction and my trauell and forgiue mee 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 bee able to stand in thy sight Seeing thou hast found iniquity euen in thine Angels the heauens are not clean in thy sight much more is man abhominable filthie which drinketh iniquite like water Notwithstanding thou hast said O lord that as the reghteousnes of the righteous man shal not saue him whensoeuer he offendeth so shal not the wickednesse of the wicked man hurt him whensoeuer hee forsaketh his wickednes and turneth to thee For thou knowest thine owne handie work thou remeÌ„brest what wee are thou seest that we are but weake and feeble flesh Looke not therefore vpon my sinnes O Lorde but looke vpon the face of thine annoynted For he hath borne our iniquities he hath caâ—ried our sorrowes Hee was wounded for our transgressioÌ„s he was broken for our iniquities the chastisemeÌ„t of our peace is laid vpon him He gaue his bodie to be beaten and his cheekes to bee stricken he bare y â— sinnes of manie and prayed for the offenders He came to bring glad tidings to the poore to bind vp y e broken hearted to preach liberty to the captiues to coÌ„fort them that mourne in Sion and to giue vnto them beauty for ashes the oyle of ioy for mourning the garment of gladnes for y e spirite of heauinesse that they might be called trees of righteousnes the planting of the Lord. For his sake therefore O Lorde be mercifull vnto me and saie vnto my soule behold I come to thee thy health and thy saluation A prayer for the true knowledge and vnderstanding of the worde of God LEt my praier come before thee O Lord giue mee vnderstanding according to thy worde Blessed art thou O Lord teach me thy statutes That with my lips I may declare all the iudgements of thy mouth That I may delight in the way of thy testimonies aboue all riches That I may meditate in thy precepts and consider thy waies That I may take pleasure in thy statutes and not forget thy word Be good vnto mee thy seruant O Lord y â— I may liue keep thy word Open mine eies that I maye see the wonders which are in thy lawe I am a stranger vpon earth notwithstanding hide not from mee thy commaundementes For my hart languisheth with the desire that it hath to thy iudgments Thy testimonies are my delighte and my counselles I will praise thee with an vpright â—â—art when thou hast taught mee the â—udgmentes of thy righteousnesse Shewe mee thy waies O Lorde and teach me thy paths Leade mee foorth in thy trueth and each mee for thou art my God and â—y saluation in thee doe I trust al the day long Make mee vnderstand the way of â—hy preceps and I will consider thy â—onderous workes Thy handes haue made mee and â—ashioned mee giue mee vnderstanâ—ing that I may learne thy commandementes That they which feare thee seeing mee may reioyce because I haue trusted in thy word Shewe the light of thy countenance vpon thy seruant and teach me thy ordinances Thou art good and gracious therefore according to thy goodnesse teach me thy statutes O Lorde of whose goodnesse the earth is ful teach me thy ordinances O lorde I beseech thee accept the sacrifice of my lippes and teach mee thy iudgements The righteousnesse of thy testimonies is euerlasting graunt me vnderstanding and I shall liue Deale with thy seruaunte according to thy mercies and teach me thy statutes I am thy seruant graunt mee vnderstanding that I may knowe thy testimonies My lips shall shewe foorth thy praise wheÌ„ thou hast tanght me thy statutes My tong shall talke of thy word for al thy commandements are righteous For in thee is awel of liuing waters aud euer flowing in thy light shall wee see light A prayer for the leading of a godly life I Crie vnto thee with my whole heart heare me O Lord guide â—e that I may keepe thy statutes I call vpon thee saue mee that I may keepe thy testimonies Let my prayer bee directed in thy â—â—ght as incense the lifting vp of â—y handes as an euening sacrifice I haue gone astray like a loste â—eepe seeke thy seruant for I doe not forget thy commandements Teach me thy way O Lord that I may walke in thy trueth knit my heart vnto thee that I may feare thy name Let thy louing kindnes come vnto mee O Lorde and thy saluation according to thy promise Let my heart be vpright in thy statutes that I be not confounded Oh that my waies were so directed that I might keepe thy statutes Then shall I not bee confounded when I haue regarde vnto all thy commandements I made my supplication in thy preseÌ„ce with my whole hart be mercifull vnto mee according to thy promise Guide mee O Lorde that I may consider my waies and turne my feeâ— into thy testimonies Wherewith shal a man redresse his waies In taking deed therto according to thy word Teach me O Lorde the may of thy statutes that I may keepe them to the ende Giue me vnderstanding that I may keepe thy law yea that I may keepe it with my whole heart Direct me in the path of thy commaundements for therein is my delight Turne away mine eies that I regard not vanitie quickeÌ„ me in thy waie Stablish thy promise to thy seruaunt whereby he may be taught to feare thee Direct my steppes in thy worde and let not iniquity haue dominion euer me Let not the foote of pride come against me let not the hande of the wicked moue mee Gather not my soule with the sinners nor my life with y e bloudy men Let my foote stand in vprightnes that I may praise thee O Lorde in the congregation Let not the word of trueth depart out of my mouth for I trust in thy iudgements Set a watch O Lorde before my mouth keepe the dore of my lips Let not mine heart bee inclined to euil to worke wicked workes with them that worke iniquitie Teach me good iudgment knowledge for I do beleeue thy commandements Staie my steps in thy pathes that my feete do not slide Stablish mee in thy promise that I may lâ—ue and let me not be disappoynted of my hope Staie thou me O Lord I shal be safe and I will delight continually in thy statutes O God create in me a pure heart renue a right spirit within mee Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thy holy spirite from mee Restore me to the ioy of thy saluation and stablish mee with thy free spirite Let me heare thy louing kindnes in the morning shew mee the waye that I should walke in for in thee is my trust
to resist to whom it belongeth iustly to punish sinners and to be mercifull vnto them that truly repent we confesse thou doest most iustly punish vs for vnto haue uâ—â—ously finned against thee and wee acknowledge that in punishing vs thou doest declare thy selfe to be our most merciful father aswell because thou doest not punish vs in any thing as we haue deserued as also because by punishing vs thou doestcal vs and as it were drawe vs to increase in repentance it fayth in prayer in contemâ—ing of the world and in heartie dâ—â—â—ing for euerlasting life thy blessâ—â— presence 〈…〉 therefore gracious 〈…〉 Lorde thankefully to acknowledge thy great mercy which hast thus fauourablie dealt 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 hee turne and liue haue mercie vpon vs and turne vs vnto thee for thy dearelie be oued Sonne Iesus Christs sake whom thou wouldest should be made a slayne sacrifice for our sins thereby declaring thy great and vnspeakable anger against sinne and thyne infinite mercy towardes vs sinnefull wretches And for asmuch as the dulnesse blindnes corruption of our hearts is such that we are not able to arise vp vnto thee by faithful and heartie prayer according to our great necessitie without thy singular grace and assistaunce graunt vnto vs gracious Lord thy holy and sanctifying spirite to worke in vs this good work with grace to weigh and consâ—â—r the neede and greatnesse of that we doe desire and with an assured faith trust that thou wilt graunt vs our requestes because thou are good and pracious â—ueÌ„ to young Raunes calling vpon thee much more then to before whoÌ„ thou hast made al things yea and hast not spared also thyne than deare Sonne because thou hast commaunded vs to call vppon thee because thy throne wherto we come is a throne of grace and mercie because thou hast giuen vs a mediator Christ to bring vs vnto thee beeing the way by whome we come being the doore by whom we enter and being our head on whom we hang and hope y t our poore petitions shall not be in vayne through him and for his names sake Wee beseech thee therefore of thy rich mercie wherein thau art pleÌ„tifull to al them that call vpon thee is forgiue vs our sinnes namely our vnthankefulnesse vnbeleef self loue neglect of thy worde security hypocrisie coÌ„tempt of thy long suffering omission of prayers doubting of thy power presence mercy and good 〈◊〉 towardes vs vnsensible of thy grace â—â—â—patience â—c to this thy benefit ofim correcting vs adde thy gracious gift of repentance sayth the spirit of prayer e the contempt of this worlde and heartie desiringâ— for euerlasting life In due vs with thy holy spirit according to thy couenant and mercy aâ—â—el to assure vs of pardon and that thou 〈◊〉 accept vs in thy fauour as thy 〈◊〉 children in Christ for his sake as to write thy same in our hearts 〈◊〉 to worke in vs that wee may nowe begin and go forwarde in beleeuing â—uing fearing obeying praying hoping a seruing thee as thou doest require most fatherly most iustire of vs accepting vs as perfect in thy light through Iesus Christ our lord â—men A Praier of the afflicted for the profession of Gods worde O Gracious God which seekest almeanes possible how to bring â—y children into the feeling and â—re sence of thy mercie and therfore then prosperity wil not serue then â—ndest thou aduersity graciously corâ—ting them heere whom thou wilt 〈◊〉 elsewhere to liue with thee forâ—er we poore wretches giue huÌ„ble â—aises thanks to thee y t thou hast â—â—ched vs worthy of thy correctioÌ„ at 〈◊〉 preseÌ„t hereby to worke y t which 〈◊〉 in prosperity liberty did neglect For the which neglecting and many other our greeuous sinnes whereof we now accuse our selues before thee Most mercifull Lorde thou oughtest most iustly haue giuen vs ouer and destroied vs both in soule body But such is thy goodnes towards vs in Christ that thou seekest to forget all our offences and as though we were far otherwise than we bee indeed thou wilt that we should suffer this crosse now layd vppon vs for thy trueth and Gospels sake and so be thy witnesses with thy Prophets Apostles Martyrs and Confessors yea with thy dearely beloued Sonne Iesus Christ to whome thou doest now heere beginne to fashioÌ„ vs like that in his glorie we may be like to him also O good God what are we on whâ— thou shouldest shew this great mercie Oh louing Lord forgiue vs our vnthankefulnesse and sinnes Oh faithfull Father giue vs thine holie spirite nowe to crie in our heartes Abba deare father to assure vs of our eternall election in Christ to reueale more and more thy truth vnto vs to confirme strengthen and stablish vs in the same that wee may liue die in it as vessels of thy mercy to the glorie and to the commoditie of thy Church Indue vs with the spirite of thy wisedom that with good conscience we may alwaies so aunswere the enimies in thy cause as may turn to their conuersion or confusion and our vnspeakable consolatioÌ„ in Christ Iesus for whose sake wee besâ—â—che thee hence foorth to keepe vs to giue vs patience and to will no otherwise for deliuerance or mitigation of our misery than may stand alwaies with thy good pleasure and mercifull will towards vs. Graunt this deare father not onely to vs in this place but also to all others elsewhere afflicted for thy names sake through the death and merites of Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen I. B. A praier to God the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost O Almighty and euerliuing God the eternall Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which of thy vnmeasurable goodnes hast opened thy self vnto vs and with a loude voyce hast saide of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lorde Heare him O maker and prâ—seruer of all thinges with thy coeternall sonne our Lorde Iesus christ which raigneth with thee and was manifested in Ierusalem with thy holie spirit which was powred vpon the Apostles O wise God mercifull Iudge and mightie Lorde which hast saide As truelie as I liue I will not the death of a sinner but rather that he should conuert and ameÌ„d which also haste saide Call vppon me in the day of trouble and I will deliuer thee haue mercie vpon vs for Iesus Christes sake whome thou wouldest of thy meruailous incomprehensible counsaiâ—e shoulde be made for vs a staine sacrifice mediatour reconciler and peacemaker to the ende that thou mightest shâ—we â—hine exceeding great wrath against 〈◊〉 and thine in estimable mercy towards mankind Sanctifie illuminate our hearts and soules with thy holy spirit that wee may trulie â—eleeue in thee call vpon thee bee thankeful vnto thee and obedient 〈◊〉 thy holy will Defende gouerne â—nd cherish thy church as thou hast