THE SACRIFICE OF A CONTRITE HEART In Teares Meditations and Prayers Penned by IOHN EVANS Minister of Gods Word IAMES 5. If any be afflicted let him pray If any be merry let him sing Psalmes LONDON Printed by A. M. for Richard Hamond and are to be sold at his Shop at the vpper end of Fleete lane 1630. The Contents A Consideration of mans miseries and Gods goodnesse pag. 1 A Meditation for the morning p. 10 A morning Prayer for one alone 14 The confession of a sorrowfull sinner 23 A Prayer vnto Almighty God 28 A Prayer for Christian vertues 30 A generall confession of our sinnes 34 Another morning Meditation 35 A prayer for the morning with company 40 Precepts of Christian duties 48 Another morning prayer 53 A Meditation for the Euening 56 An Euening prayer for a priuate person 60 Another for the Euening 64 An Euening prayer for a whole Family 74 Another for the Euening pag. 81 The repentant sheweth his vnfained griefe for offending so mercifull a God 85 An Euening meditation 90 A prayer for the encrease of Faith 93 A prayer for the remission of sinnes 96 A meditation vpon the miseries of man 101 A prayer for the forgiuenesse of sinnes 103 The Repentants complaint against sin 108 A prayer for sanctificatioÌ„ of the Sabbath 110 A prayer for godly zeale 116 A meditation to gaine fauour from God 119 A prayer for Faith Hope and Charity 122 The sighes and complaint of an afflicted conscience 124 A prayer for sanctification 128 A prayer in aduersity or affiiction 131 Meditations vpon the passion of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ. 133 What to be learned by the passion 150 A prayer for patience vnder the Crosse. 164 A thanks giuing for Gods blessings 172 A meditation inciting vs to seeke God 180 A prayer before the Communion 187 A meditation before the Communion 192 Meditations vpon Gods mercies 197 Lachrim 1. Wherein the distressed prayeth for constancy and patience in his time of afflictions 205 A thanks giuing after the Communion 213 Another prayer after Communion 214 A prayer for the Catholicke Church of God 218 A prayer for the Kings Maiestie 221 Lachrim 2. Wherein the distressed expresseth his confidence in God 224 A prayer for the encrease of Christ his Kingdome 230 A prayer against Antichrist 238 Lachrim 3. Wherein the distressed prayeth that his faith and zeale may be encreased 246 The complaint of an afflicted minde 254 Lach. 4. Wherein the distressed prayeth against the dangereus sin of dispaire 264 The Merchant aduenturer his prayer 269 A prayer for the fruits of the earth 274 A thanksgiuing for benefits and Benefactors 276 Lach. 5. Wherein the distressed sheweth his desire to hold fast the promises of God 279 A generall thanksgiuing 283 Lach. 6. The distressed craueth pardon for his sinnes 295 A prayer to be vsed in the time of any contagious sicknesse 302 The prayer called O bountifull Iesu. 305 The sicke mans prayer 308 A prayer for the sicke 311 Lach. 7. The distressed detesteth the world and all worldly things 316 The young mans prayer for a vertuous wife 321 The mayds prayer for a godly husband 326 The prayer of a woman with childe 332 The 8. Lachrimae 337 A prayer for loue and charity 346 The 9. Lachrimae 351 Te Deum laudamus 352 TO AL THAT desire with faith and reuerence to call vpon the name of the Lord by the mediation of Iesus Christ Gods most holy Spirit be giuen for their inward consolation in this life and their eternall peace and glory in the life to come THe holy Prophet Dauid in a thankfull commemoration of the in numerable blessings hee had receiued from the hands of God said Quid retribuam domino what reward shall I giue vnto the Lord for all the benefits hee hath done vnto me and apprehending that God was not so well pleased with ceremoniall sacrifices as thousands of oblations or whole streames of the blood of young bullockes or goates or with riuers of oyle as with a troubled Spirit and a contrite and a broken heart resolueth therefore to humble his soule with fasting with weeping and with mourning to seeke the face and fauour of the Lord to pay his vowes to pray vnto the Lord to cal vpon his holy name to praise him for euermore assuring himselfe that the Lord would neither reiect nor despise such a sacrifice Good Christian Reader doe thou the like which art as farre indebted as euer Dauid was And seeing that Iesus Christ himselfe calleth vnto thee saying Come vnto mee all you that labour and are heauy laden with the burden of your sinnes and I will refresh you Oh â—et thy resolution be as ready as Dauids was when the Lord called seeke my face hee answered thy face O Lord will I seeke euen with my whole heart so let thy answere bee to the Sonne of God I come Lord Iesus I come I will pay my vowes promised to thee in the presence of thy people and confirmed vnder the Sacramentall Seale of Baptisme thy couenant of grace and mercy I will come and offer vnto thee my heart I will come and praise thee for all thy benefits I will come and hearken to thy voyce in thy most holy and blessed word I will abandon all secure licentious and voluptuous liuing and wholly delight in thy Testimonies and in thy Commandements which are not grieuous to thy children but more pleasing then honey or the honey combe and more inualuable then all earthly treasure I will come with reuerence repentance Charitie and Faith to receiue the cuppe of saluation at thy holy table in remembrance of thy most precious and for my sinnes sake ignominious death And forasmuch as the Spirit is willing but the flesh fraile and weake pray therefore for mortification of the flesh and that Sanctification and strengthening of thine owne inward Spirit oh pray for the presence and assistance of Gods most holy Spirit to helpe and strengthen thine infirmities whereby the diligent sighes inward groanes of thy heart may cheerefully ascend and pierce the heauens for a blessing oh stirre vp thy heart and soule to pray earnestly offer vp thyteares with watching with almes-deedes with abstinence and fasting as the repentant Niniuites as Dauid as Daniel oh breath out powerful sighes with Hannah oh streame out riuers of teares with penitent Mary Magdalen As some kinde of deuils could not bee cast out but by prayer and fasting so some sins are not eiected nor pardon for them procured without prayer and fasting and also bitter teares with repenting Peter Oh pray effectually and cheerefully and giue thy selfe continually to this diuine and holy exercise for this is the alone meanes to haue heauenly conference with thy gracious God oh pray without ceasing as the widow and as the importunate woman of Canaan pray euery where though it be in the vppenpart of thy house with Peter or in thy chamber alone with Eliseus
sting mee Because my conscience doth controule and saith to hell gates they will bring mee Because they doe besot my senses because they dull my Spirits quicknes Because they cause so great expenses because they cause my sad soules sicknes Because all vertue hindered is by this vile worlds accursed pleasure Because it will bereaue of blisse and of that blessed heauenly treasure And therefore earth and world farewell adue fond fancies flattering fauours Your ioyes are toyes your heauen is hell I hate your poyson'd tast and sauours And thou that art life of my life soule of my soule ô Iesus Christ Point downe the period of worlds strife thou art the Prophet Prince and Priest That wentest vp to prepare that place aboue Sunne Moone and Planets seauen O saue me by thy sauing grace and bring me to that highest heauen Where are such ioyes caelestiall as cannot be exprest by pen Bring me from things terrestriall to raigne with thee for aye Amen A Prayer vnto Almighty God to prepare and dispose our hearts rightly vnto Prayer O Louing God and Father deare I humbly thee beseech and pray For Iesus sake my prayers heare and harken what my soule shall say My heart and thoughts Lord sanctifie thine holy Spirit inspire within me Me from corruptions mundifie and let thy louing mercies win me O let me aske and haue of thee let me by Faith my suite obtaine Thy louing fauour shew to me all other fauour is but vaine Restraine my vaine imaginations preuent by Grace Sathans intrusions Let him not taint my cogitations nor â—â—â—nd mine eyes with vaine illusions Which are the enticements and the baites of that great ghostly enemy That still for worldlings seekes and waites within which rancke poore wretch am I But as my mouth and lippes haue sayd words of a faithfull seruant true So let my soule of Christ craue ayd with inward spirit to liue anewe For now my poore soule is afraid and time mispent alas I rue To thee I runne imploring aid within me doe thy Spirit renue O Lord I see the bloody wounds of thy sweete Sonne my Sauiour 〈◊〉 see thy mercies there abounds and promised by thy fauour And therefore I by sinfull deâ—…des that earst liu'd carelesse in despaire Doe flye vnto those wounds that bleedes and plucke downe grace by force of prayer Oh in that grace grant me to live and in that grace grant me to die And when I die Lord grace me giue to raigne with thee perpetuallie A Prayer for Christian vertues OH my Lord God grant that with a sincere heart I may desire thee and in desyring seeke thee and in seeking find thee and when I haue found thee grant that I may constantly loue thee and not returne to that filthinesse of sinne for which thou hatest me and I become odious loathsome in thy presence that thou art constrained to withdraw thy gracious countenance from beholding so great impuritie Giue me ô my Lord God a repentant heart a contrite Spirit eyes flowing with fountaines of penitent teares quench in me all the concupiscense of the flesh and kindle in me the fire of thy loue Oh my Redeemer take from me the Spirit of pride and most fâ—â—ourably enrich mee with the treasure oâ— thy humilitie remooue from me◠ô my Sauior the fury and distem perance of choller and graciously arme me with the shield of pati ence O my Creator roote out oâ— me all ranck or and malice and en due me with gentlenes and meekâ— nes bestow vpon mee a perfecâ— faith a right hope and constanâ— loue Preserue me ô Lord from aâ— vanitie inconstancy of minde waâ— uering of heart scossing and conâ— temptuous speaking reproches tauntes and slanders against mâ— neighbour busie curiositie hunâ— ger of riches extortion ambitiâ— on vaine-glory from the vice oâ— hypocrisie the poyson of flatte ry contempt of the weake op pression of the poore from gree dy auarice cankered enuy deadly blasphemy Deliuer me ô Lord from rasâ— boldnesse contumacy frowardnesse idlenesse negligence sloath dulnesse of wit blindnes of heart obstinacy of minde sauage conditions contempt of good things the abandoning of wholesome counsell offence of the tongue rapine of the poore malicious and false accusation against the innocent violence against the impotent neglect of inferiours cruelty towards my family impietie and infidelitie towards them that repose trust in me and from vniust and rigorous dealing with all men O my God my merciful God I beseech thee in thy beloued Sonne blesse me with the workes of mercy and zeale of godlinesse to suffer with the afflicted to minister to the needy to succour the miserable to counsell them that go astray to comfort the sorrowfull to releeue the oppressed to nourish the poore to cherish and comfort such as mourne to forgiue my debtors to pardon them that trepasse against mee to loue them that hate mee to render good for euill to despise none but to honour them to imitate the good to beware of euill things and euill vngodly societie to eschew vice and to embrace vertue in aduersitie patience humblenesse in prosperitie to guard the doore of my mouth to watch the enemies that compasse my lippes to despise worldly things and earnestly to thirst after the heauenly O Lord my God blessed be thy name for euer dispose my heart open my lippes and guide mee by thy holy Spirit to a true acknowledgement of all my sinnes and an eternall detestation renouncing and forsaking of them that my prayers may bee heard of thee in the name and for the name of thy Sonne Iesus Christ. To whom with thee and the most holy Spirit three sacred persons one mighty and immortall God bee ascribed attributed and giuen all praise all thankes all honour and glory this day and for euermore Amen Amen A generall confession of sinnes OMnipotent and gracious Father I from thy wayes haue stray'd and err'd Like a lost sheepe and followed rather mine hearts deuises and prefer'd My foolish fancies fond desires and broke the lawes set downe by thee I haue not done what thou requires but done those things that should not be No health in mee but thou ô God haue mercy on me sinfull wretch Spare me oh spare me hold thy rod that to offenders thou doest stretch I doe confesse my faults restore mee I doe repent for Iesus sake That promise euer is before thee which thou in Christ to God didst make And grant for his sake liue I may a godly right and sober life To thy names glory still for aye possessing heauen where is no strife All laude and praise be to thy name for euer and euer now and then To whom all nations sing with fame sweete Psalmes of ioy Amen Amen A Morning Meditation I Laid me downe to rest and slept and in the moring rose againe God me sustain'd and safely kept and by his grace did me maintaine His Angels pitcht me round about sleeping and waking keeping me Both comming in and going out
our feete vnto which wee are so exceeding prone And that because we are thy temples and members one of another and of thy Sonne Christ especially And for our helpe herein giue vs grace that we may euery one seriously apply and diligently minde the things thou hast this day appointed vs to doe in our seuerall rankes and callings as we are either fathers masters children or seruants that we may both gouerne and obey as becommeth thy children and seruants which feare thy holy name and giue vs grace that wee may this day and all the dayes of our life perseuere in the faith and feare of thee and of thy Sonne Iesus our most louing and blessed Sauiour And grant most louing Father that as we haue begunne in him so wheresoeuer we are at the last we may finish our mortall race in him and change this life vnto his glory and our owne eternall comforts Now hauing continued our accustomed suites for spirituall blessings and graces we returne vnto thee most humble and hearty thankes for all those fauours which as assurances of all thy loue thou hast giuen euery one of vs here present as in our births into this present world thou didst safely bring vs through the straight gates of nature which â—ike Herod in the act of birth â—hreatneth nothing but present â—eath in infancy childhood and â—outh considering our weakenes â—nd wildnes might haue befallen â—nto vs many mischances of deâ—… 〈◊〉 in our bodies so since â—e came to manhood thou hast â—ept vs from the same dangers a â—ousand manner of wayes for â—hich we thanke thee O Lord â—e thanke thee also for our daily â—ead and contiâ—…all cloathing that through thy blessing doeth daily comfort vs in this present life for thee and for a thousand more of which we haue continuall experience both in body and soule wee are bound to continue and conclude these our prayers thankesgiuing and morning sacrifice vnto thee for our selues and thy holy Church as thy Sonne our Sauiour hath taught vs saying Our Father which art in heaueÌ„ c. To thee the Father the Son and the holy Ghost bee giuen all honour and glory by vs and all thine this day and for euermore Amen Amen Be mercifull ô Father of all mercies to thy Church vniuersall dispersed throughout the whole world and grant thâ—… they that dâ—e confesse thy name may agree in the truth of thy holy word liue in godly concord and vnitie More especially good Lord bee mercifull to all such as bee vnder persecution for the testimony of a good conscience and the profession of the Gospell of thy Sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ. Defend and saue ô Lord those silly soules which as sheepe are appointed to the shambles and slaughter and represse the rage and tyranny of such as are bent to blood-shed and minde nothing but murthering thy Saints and children be mercifull to this sinfull kingdome wherein wee liue and be good and gracious to thine annoynted Charles our most gracious King blesse the honourable Counsell the Reuerend â—lergie the Nobilitie and Cominalâ—ie of this Land and also blesse â—s a portion of thine inheritance the which our Lord Iesus Christ was contented to redeeme with his most precious blood the alone mediator of all mercies to whom â—ith thee and the holy Ghost beeâ—â—â—l honour and glory for and euer Amen Amen Precepts of duty HIgh mighty God of righteousnes in wrath a dread consuming fire Thou didst in perfect happinesse make man that did 'gainst thee conspire And breake thy lawes with all despight when thou hadst made him pure and holy Plac'd him in garden of delight so great and wicked was his folly That hauing leaue to take or leaue to chuse refuse or vse at pleasure He did himselfe by sinne deceiue of that diuine surpassing treasure And by his mutabilitie regardlesse of thy sacred lawes He brought in instabilitie lost his free-will by breach of lawes Thou God of Iustiâ—e must doe right man wanting grace with want of grace By grace substraction didst requite and banish him that blessed place By meanes of which we are inclin'd from thy behestes to run astray Our tongue our heart our soule our mind by sinne is carried cleane away Thou hast vs Lord by grace elected and thy free mercy to inherit Thy blisse if thy blisse be respected and seal'd vs with thy holy spirit Thou madest vs free by thy Sonnes blood to th' end thou mayest be glorifi'd In soules and bodies for our good his passion hath vs purifi'd Thou freedst vs to that end we might serue thee in holy righteousnes Thou gauest thy Sonne and he vs bought from thraldome of our sinfulnes Thou would'st he should for all men die to make him liue in thine elect And they in him to â—ructifie and with his graces hast them deckt By grace and holy inspiration rebellious nature seek'st to tame With precepts for instruction and leau'st vs lawes in thine owne name The ready way of seruing thee and profit to our neighbours bring And louing thee most zealously who art our Father Lord and King Though by thy Gospell we be free from lawes their sting and punishment Yet rules of life and pietie thou hast precrib'd and to vs lent Thereby to manage all our deeds and guide vs lest we step awrie Obseruing carefull as we needs how well to liue and well to die These lawes thou writ'st in Table two with the pure finger of thine hand Deliuering them Moses vnto that we thy will might vnderstand The first containeth precepts foure Of precepts due vnto thy feare The second sixe Commanrements more of loue we should to neighbours beare The summe and substance of them all and that fulfilleth euery part Is thee to loue on thee to call with all our soule might mind and heart To other men especially thine houshold that are firme in faith As to our selues to giue supply with all our helpe as Scripture saith But we are weake the case thus stands In this â—raile mortall life of ours No man can keepe these thy commands but breakes them at all times and houres Yet thou thy children oft doest will themstlues to comfort hopefully There is left for them some measure still to come to thee regardfully Namely when they doe bend their strength daily preuented by thy Spirit And stand in hope to attaine at length what now they want by Christ his merit Walking and daily going one by steppes thereof to Paradise Praising and lauding thee alone bewailing their infirmities The faithfull know all and beleeue with thee our father mercy is Thou with thy Sonne doest all things giue how can we then of mercy misse Therefore my God now giue to me all that thou giuest to thine elect Of thine eternall clemency good Lord doe not my soule reiect Illuminate my knowledge darke possesse my heart with perfect loue What 's done amisse Lord doe not marke the guilt of sinne from me remoue That I most constantly may walke the
summe of all thy mercies whereof I haue beene this day partaker O Lord I am vile looke not vpon mine vnworthinesse folly and wickednesse but appease thy anger iustly conceiued against me and forgiue what hath beene amisse in me this day or at any other time euen for his sake who is thy well beloued Sonne and my deare Aduocate Roote vp ô Lord the thornes of mine euill inclination and affections and in their places make the fruits of vertue to spring inflame my heart with the desire of heauenly loue that I may loue obedience to thy Gommandements with zeale as hot as fire louing thee aboue all things and my neighbour as my selfe Giue me grace ô Lord to serue thee in true faith feare and holinesse all the dayes of my life and to ouercome my mortall enemies the desires of the world the pleasures of the flesh and the suggestious of the wicked Spirit remembring my promise made to thee in Baptisme for the performance whereof I depend onely vpon thy holy Spirit O God of glorious light let thine Angels pitch their tents round about this house for our defence now in the time of this darkenesse and grant that this nights sleepe may bee quiet vnto mee without griefe or trouble preserue me and mine both in body and soule from all dangers and offences which may come either by foolish dreames noysome spirits or vncleannesse of corrupt nature waken me againe ô Lord in due time and let me behold the light of the next day to my comfort prepare my heart and minde to thy seruice euery day in all trueth and sinceritie that when I haue runne the race of this life thou mayest please to call mee to be partaker of a better Comfort mee ô Lord in all those things wherein I haue beene any wayes dismayed this day take not thy holy spirit from me but continue the motions thereof in my heart that when as the tempter shalâ— come with his assaults I may bee furnished with the shield oâ— faith to quench his fiery darts Confirme my weakenesse and grant that this nights sleepe may be sweet and healthfull for my body and a profitable memoriall of that sleepe which at my last end in that great night shall make a separation betweene my body and soule Let alwayes thine vnspeakeable mercies preserue mee thy endlesse sweetnesse reioyce mee thy heauenly trueth strengthen mee thy knowledge embolden mee and thy goodnesse keepe me now and for euermore from mine enemies visible and inuisible that I may awake in the morning in perfect sense and good health and for the same bee thankefull vnto thee and carefully betake mee to my vocation and calling for Iesus Christs sake my onely Sauiour Amen Amen Another for the Euening MOst glorious and sacred Trinitie the most mighty God the Father the Sonne and the holy Spirit which art the authour and originall of all things both in heauen and in earth and that hast appointed vnto euery thing his end and way in this life The eyes of all things are towards thee to finish in their courses that obedience they owe vnto thee The Sunne the Moone the Starres in most constant order extend their light heate to the comforting not onely of fowles and beasts but specially to the direction of man how to know thee and walke in thy wayes as being the bookes and characters wherein wee may reade thy power wisedome and incomprehensible glory for their sound and language as a Harold is gone foorth to proclaime vnto the Nations both Pagan Christian that thou art the Lord God Almighty and most worthy to be praised as in the Morning so in the Euening also Therefore knowing the great dependancy that all things caelestiall and terrestriall haue on thee I doe humbly intreate thee to take mee into thy custody this night knowing that if a Sparrow cannot with safetie fall to the ground but by thee that without thee so great refreshing of sleepe cannot be attained vnlesse I begge it of thee many are the visions of the night as idle dreames and fancies that would interrupt my sleepe if thou Lord by thy gracious power and presence of thy good Spirit driue them not away And Sathan would like Abiâ—hai â—nto Saul in his sleepe with fearefull darts of despaire strike 〈◊〉 dead at once as Jacl did Siseâ—… vnto eternall death in soule 〈◊〉 body Therefore vnto thee the keeper of Israel that neither slumberest nor sleepest by night nor by day doe I come beseeching thee that laying my selfe to rest in thee I may in the acustomed time which thou hast appointed wake again but if thou pleasest that this night shall bee my last and that this mortall shall bee swallowed vppe in immortallity O Lord grant though I die in body yet I may awake in soule and liue with thee for euermore and that my body so sleeping yet againe may awake at the resurrection of the iust and with those that shall not sleepe bee caught vp with soule vnited by the same power by which thou ô Sauiour didst at once rise from death to life euen as that life which thou hadst with the father before the world was And as thou art one with him so grant that after my last sleepe I may be one with thee in the presence of the Father and the holy Ghost for euermore But ô Lord if thou please to raise me vp againe to spend more dayes in this vale of teares grant that I may liue honestly in the workes of my vocation which thou hast ordained me to liue in or liue by Grant that I may set thee before mine eyes day and night and behold thee alwayes in my presence that when I am tempted to any eueill in the work of my calling or any other wayes I may not bee tickled with the profit or pleasures therein obiected and so prouoked to sinne against thee Keepe my tongue from lying lest thereby I become the child of Sathan for hee is a lyer and the Father of lyes from the beginning keepe my tongue from swearing and that I may not take thy name in vaine empty my heart of couetousnesse of pride of vaine-glory and let mee not respect worldly vanitie let me not be selfe-conceited but ô Lord giue mee to bee of humble gentle harmelesse and courteous disposition and behauiour both in my words and deeds to my superiours and inferiours O Lord giue me to be of a charitable nature and of a pittifull affection toward all men in generall but especially towards all those that are of the houshold of Faith of broken and contrite hearts which thou Lord hast promised that thou wilt not despise Grant ô heauenly Father that Christ both sleeping and waking in this life and after this life may be to me aduantage O let me not fall into a custome or habite of sinning lest therewith my heart become hardened that I cannot repent but giue mee such a conscience of sinne that I may neuer commit sin either great or
pardoned my sinne through thee in the life to come eternally to be saued Amen Amen Another Prayer after the receiuing of the holy Communion O Iesus the Sonne of God my Lord and Sauiour with all humble and hearty thanks I praise thee for suffering death vpon the Crosse for my sinnes and admitting me a miserable sinner to the participation of this blessed Sacrament the memoriall of my Redemption Let mee O Lord finde and feele in my heart the inuisible power of thy heauenly grace effectually working the transformation of mee into thee the wonderfull vnion of me with thee and the spirituall habitation and aboade in me Apply all thy merits and good things vnto my soule let me neuer doubt the forgiuenesse of my sinnes but euer open the doore of this Sanctuarie vnto me that I may runne thither in my greatest neede and apprehend thy gracious pardon ratified by this scale of thy couenant Quicken me O Lord in this life râ—â—â—ue and renue mee that I may disclaime my olde conuersation and become a new man keepe mee that I slippe not cut of this building nor become as a branch cut off and good for nothing but as thou hast seuered mee from the wicked in calling mee to the knowledge of thee so keepe mee from all their corruptions giue me a perfect loue towards thee that I may not delight in any thing but in thee nor seeke any other honour but thine O Lord Iesus I meekely beseech thee let thy holy Spirit strengthen mee against my frailty thy power and strength defend me against worldly troubles and aduersities thy merits purchase my needefull pardon and thy blood be the medicine for all my sores euen for thy truth and for thy names sake Amen O Iesus Christ the Lambe of God which hast so loued mankinde that thou hast beene contented not on ly to become one with him but also meaâ—e vnto him and to dye for him vpon the Crâ—sse graunt I beseâ—ch thee that this my receiuing of this Sacrament may be a true testimony vnto my conscience that I hauâ— through faith in thee receiued full remission of all that is past and am become as it were a new creature in thy sight O sweet Iesus which hast vouchsafed mee such fauour and honour as to come to thy Table and feede vpon thee graunt mee grace I humbly entreâ—te thee so to performe and fulfill my duty as this honour which thou hast done mee requireth Linke mee vnto thee and giue mee power and strength to beleeue thy promises without distrust and to shew my religion by my good life and conuersation Assâ—st mee with thy grace that I may walke worthy this blessed Sacrament to loue thee and thy children vnfaiâ—â—dly and vtterly to forsake all vaâ—ity idolatry carnall desires and all the workes of the deuill O Lord God so moderate and ordâ—r all my affections that I may be ioyned with the brethren together in holy loue which is the bend of peace and truly fastned vnto thee my Head for euer Stirre vp my minde that I may alwayes consider the bitternesse of thy death the greatnesse of thy loue neuer forget to be thankfull vnto thee O blessed Lord preserue and maintaine this ordinance amongst vs that it may be alwayes a note and a badge of our publique profession and giue vs all one heart and one minde in the vnity of the Spirit for the reuerent and worthy receiuing of the same whensoeuer we shall come to thy holy Table againe Amen A Prayer for the Catholique Church and all the estates thereof O Most glorious euer liuing and euer louing Lord God the iust Master of the Vineyard and louing Head of the Church send thy holy Spirit into the hearts of all them that teach oâ— professe thy most holy truth alâ— men religious or secular Yea men and women Princes and subiects rich and poore euen all the people beleeuing in thy name and depending vpon thy grace and mercy Giue vnto them all O Lord one law one baptisme one hope one spirit that there may be but one voyce among all that professe the Catholique faith Keepe backe the famine of thy word and send such labourers into thy haruest as be sound in doctrine faithfull in their worke and godly in their conuersation that they may be in number many and in power wonderfull Open we beseech thee the hearts and eares of the people for the receiuing of thy Word that it may dwell in them plentifully in all wisedome and bring forth fruit against all the cares crosses and courses of this wrâ—tched world O Lord thou hast found iniquity in thy Saints and the heauens are not cleare in thy sight Oh then correct vs in thy iudgement not in thy fury lest wee should be consumed and brought to nothing Purge the garden of the Church and let no weedes ouergrowe the flowers suffer neither sinne nor superstition to choake the good growth of faith or manners in thy people buâ— keepe them from all heresies phanaticall opinions se â—ucing spirits deadly contentions Keepâ— our neckes from the grieuouâ— yoke of Antichristian bondageâ— whose Religion is rebelliâ—nâ— whose faith is faction and whosâ— practise is the murthering oâ— soules and bodies good Lord re presse the furâ—ousnesse of all Tyrants which labour nothing buâ— the spoile of the Church and thâ— abolishment of true doctrine prayer and true Religion O Lorâ— Iesus amend all that is amisse anâ— graunt vs thy grace all the dayeâ— of our life euen for thy truth anâ— for thy names sake Amen A Prayer for the Kings Maiestie O Almighty God King of all Kings the fountaine rule â—nd stay of all soueraignty wee most humbly thanke thee that â—hou hast not left vs vnto our â—elues to doe what seemeth best â—nto vs in our owne eyes but â—ast set ouer vs a noble wise and â—racious-King thy seruant Charles â—ame head next vnder â—hee Lord make all thy good to â—oe before him day and night â—phold his Crowne maintaine â—is estate giue him continuall â—eace long life and much happiâ—esse Endue him with such wisâ—ome and vnderstanding to doe â—ch things both in the Church â—d Câ—mmon-wealth as may be â—ceptable in thy sight profitable 〈◊〉 his Subiects and hurtfull to â—one that loue thy truth merciâ—ly heare him in all his petitions and effectually work for him in all dangers in the day of battell in his greatest consultations in the time of his recreations from all plots of Treason and in phe houre of death Make vs thankfull for all thy preseruations of him both â—t home and abroad in this Kingdome and else-where Blesse preserue and keepe his Royall Consort Queene Maryâ— Frederick the Prince Elector Paâ—atine the Lady Elizabeth his wife with all their Prinâ—… Let our noble King still embrace the truth and manfully maintaine it against all treacherous plotâ— and 〈◊〉 perswasions distastiâ—â— as he hath alwayes done both alteration of true Religion and to leration of any other Let thy po wer alwayes
Church euen so by the profits and pleasures which he profereth vs would hee cunningly steale our hearts from thee and thy worship vnto himselfe which we abhorre as most wicked and vngodly And considering how hee stirreth our vncleane hearts and wicked corruptions as a stinking puddle to breath forth many noysome and loathsome cogitations and euill actions whereby he would brand our consciences not only to doubt of our redemption by Christ but also of thy mercy which is so exceeding comfortable For all these considerations wee entreate thee to heare vs helpe vs and strengthen vs in all these seuerall temptations and as in these so in all other of what nature or kinde so euer they are or shall be in this world and that not onely in prosperity but in aduersity and in the strength of Sathans temptations especially when thou shalt haue cast vs vpon the bed of sicknesse and bring vs vnto the point of death when we are most weake and Sathan in his greatest insolencie Wherefore O Lord giue vs grace that in the time of this life we may not be negligent but most carefull in the vse of all good meanes whereby wee may finish our saluation in feare and trembling for of our selues we cannot moue one foot forward vnto thy Kingdome without thy helpe to stirre vs inwardly by the motions of thy spirit and outwardly by the hearing and reading of thy word with conference meditation and prayer Let not thy grace be absent at such times but goe on with vs in blessing helping and guiding vs till wee haue obtained full assurance euen the testimony of thy holy Spirit in our hearts witnessing vnto vs and with vs that thou art our God and wee thine adopted sonnes and children in Christ Iesus our Lord and so may bee enabled to stand fast in loue and charity as to all men in generall so especially to thy Church which are onely the houshold of faith O make me mercifull to the fatherlesse to widowes indeede to captiues bondslaues and all sorts that suffer aduersity in soule or body Hauing prayed for our selues and such things as concerne this present life as feeling members of the misticall body of thy Church militant dispersed and scattered throughout the whole world we entreate thee to haue mercy vpon it and blesse it by strengthening those that thou hast called that we may stand fast in the profession of thy Name and not bee ashamed of that inseparable yoke-fellow thy crosse vnder which thou hast caused vs as spirituall souldiers alwayes to warre And graunt that by no temptations inward or outward wee be forced to faint but enable vs that fighting against our most subtill aduersaries flesh or spirit our corrupt nature men or the deuill being Lords of the whole world that iâ— wicked carnall and vnregenerate men that are wholly led of Sathan and the power of darknesseâ— Heauenly Father I beseech thee more particularly to looke downe vpon the reformed Churches and among them more especially vpon the Churches of England Scotland and Ireland and all otheâ— our owne and neighbouring Nations that we may enioy the promises of the Gospell as long as the Sunne and Moone endureâ— And graunt that out of those Churches may be spread farre and wide among the Iewes and Heathen that are called the amiabiâ— tidings of the Gospel that thereby the Kingdome of thy Sonne may be more and more enlarged To this end blesse all Christian Kings Princes and Potentates but especially thy seruant Charleâ— our King that by thine appointment at this present doth rule and gouerne vs encrease in him â—nd them religious zealous and â—incere hearts so as hee and they â—ay goe before all other Kings â—nd Princes in mâ—st holy wise Christian life ministring iudgement and iustice without respect â—f persons O Lord make our King and all other Kings strong â—aintainers and defenders of thy â—ue ancient Catholicke and Christian faith now established 〈◊〉 these his Dominions that no â—olicie of man nor subtilty of Saâ—han may preuaile against it but â—hat his Maiestie by the tempoâ—all sword and the Ministers of â—…e Word by the spirituall sword â—…e preaching of the Word as â—…ttle Dauid may preuaile against â—…l the enemies thereof secret or â—pen abroad or at home within â—…ese his owne Dominions Heaâ—enly Father send him wee beâ—…ech thee if it be thy will Noâ—…e and Royall issue that after him 〈◊〉 euery Age they may sit vpon â—…e Throne of this Kingdome râ—le and gouâ—rne it vnto the comming of thy deare Sonne our Sauiour vnto iudgement O Lord settle about him and them iâ— euery age and generation a god ly learned religious truly noble and wise Counsell And graunâ— that both hee and they may truly loue and aduance vnto and in gouenrnment a learned and religious Ministerie and Magistracâ—… within thy Church of great Brittaine especially And most mighâ— ty God I pray thee perpetually to looke downe vpon all men buâ— especially vpon our owne Country men that are in any aduersity by sea or land and in their seuerall trialls and crosses of this lifeâ— giue them patience to beare 〈◊〉 deliuerance in or out of them 〈◊〉 may be best vnto thy godly wise dome as may make most to thâ— glory and their comforts 〈◊〉 these and all other blessings spirituall and temporall beyond thâ— wee are able to aske and thinke we pray thee to hearâ— vs 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 onely and alone 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sonâ—e our Sauiours saâ—e 〈◊〉 â—hom with thee and thy â—…t holy Spirit be 〈◊〉 hoâ—… and glory from this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and for euermore Amen LACHRIM 6. In which the distressed craueth pardon for his sinnes the cause of all his miseries O Had I wings like to a Doue then should I from these troubles flie To wildernesse I would remoue to spend my life and there to die Mongst bushes thicke and branches tall of mighty Cedars huge and hie With sauages and wilde beasts all for to auoyde my miserie But why thus wish I Lord alas that am vaine man of flesh and blood Thou God that bring'st all things to passe doest know this sorts not for my good For were â—…in vaste wildernesse in furthest part of earth or ayre I could no whit my case redresse as being in thy power there Were I in bowells of the earth were I in sea in cloudes or skie With sorrow griefe with ioy or mirth there Lord thou art with powerfull eye There canst thou also finde me out and visite there my foule effence Thou art my pathes and bed about t is vaine to hide or feele defence Then let me at thy footestoole fall and there acknowledge mine amisse For pardon begge and mercy call and pray for griefe and heauenly blisse And that thou bridle my desires cleanse mine affections with thy spirit Inflame me with thy holy fire in nought but thee let me delight Lord can the fiercenesse of my heart râ—forme my words my mouth my speech Thou fountaine of all wisedome art therefore true wisedome
hands and liues by which wee haue this day offended thee iniured and oppressed others but that thou mightest as on Iobs children suffer the deuill by his instigation of wicked men to robbe and spoyle vs not onely of our goods and cattell and other our personall estates but also of our liues But ô our good God wee are confident that through thy mercy and loue in Christ no euill shall come vnto vs for thou hast promised that thou wilt bee a refuge and fortresse to keepe safe all those that trust in thee not onely from the arrow of the day but from the terror of the night which thou at thy will and pleasure sendest for the punishmeÌ„t and correction of our sinnes as thou â—iddest Shemâ—i with his rayling â—ongue to aâ—â—â—ict Dauid O Lord for the wâ—rthinesse of thy Sonne our Sauiour in whom onely wee lay down our bodies to rest turne backe this night and at all other times of our sleepe all the euill and wicked purposes of those that intend vs any hurt in our bodies or goods and send thy holy Angels to protect vs with their hands as they did thee our Sauiour against the prince of darkenesse when he had ended on thee his three temptations in the wildernesse And as they fought against the Assirans hoaste that proudely boasted themselues against thy seruant Hezekiah So ô Lord let thine Angels fight against all our enemies and the enemies of thy church not of flesh but of Spirit which resolue our hurt whether walking in the day or sleeping in the night And though our sinnes in which wee so much abound haue deserued that thou shouldest send those ministring Spirits as on Egypts first borne in the night to take away this our dying life or life full of death yet for thy mercies sake let them be our gardians not ouely this night but all the dayes and nights of this life for euer to further our soules and bodies in thy obedience and in and after death to conduct them to Abrahams bosome to rest in ioy and blisse with thee for euermore yea let thine Angels of light that continually behold thy face in heauen bee about our bodies night and day and with louing and kind assistance keeping euill from vs and vs from euill not onely of sinne but of temptation with which that worldly Gouernour and Prince of the Ayre neuer ceaâ—eth millions of wayes to withdraw vs from thee if he cannot through couetousnesse as Iudas â—or through the world as Deâ—as and Achan yet through pleasure as into our first mother Eue Dauid Solomon Sampson hee will a thousand to one craftely enter and seate himselfe in our hearts O Lord if by thy holy Spirit we happen to be so strong as by none of these baites to bee caught then hee laboureth by temporall crosses and afflictions of body and minde as on Iob to draw vs to distrust and dispaire in thy mercie and loue in all which assaults let thy grace and our faith keepe vs that we may not bee ouercome but as valiant souldiers in Christ and through the Armory of God in which by our holy calling we are girt we may leade captiuitie captiue and bee more then Conquerours through him that loueth vs. So that neither the feares of the day nor the terrours of the night of death and hell should separate vs from the assured guard of thee and thy Angels the conductors and furtherers of our saluation This thy great helpe and especiall assistance wee are continually enforced to craue not for our owne sakes but for thy Sonne his sake and that as hee himselfe hath taught vs in his most holy word saving Our Father which art in heauen c. To the Lord of Hoastes and God of glory our Creatour to thee ô Christ Iesus our Mediator thee most holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Sonne bee ascribed all praise and glory this night and for euermore Amen Amen Another for the Euening O Eternall God and most mercifull Father wee acknowledge and confesse against our selues that our hearts and hands are full of all filthinesse and sinnes whatsoeuer and we are altogether vnworthy to speake vnto thee or to come neere thy presence Neuertheles being so much bouÌ„d vnto thee as this day past and all other times of our liues doe witnesse we most humbly offer vnto thy holinesse by the hands of Iesus Christ our Mediatour our humble duties of praise thanksgiuing for our Creation Election Redemption Vocation and Sanctification with all other good graces appertaining to this life or that which is to come And namely ô Lord our tongues and lippes shall glorifie thee sitting aboue the Cherubims for preseruing vs this day past from so many miseries and casualties whereunto wee might iustly haue fallen if thou wouldest haue entered into iudgement with vs but Lord thou art mercifull and passest by our manifold offences to winne vs by thy long sufferance we beseech thee make vs thankefull for thy mercies and carefull to doethy will O Lord pardon and forgiue vâ— all our sinnes and grant vs euery day more and more the sight oâ— them true vnfained sorrow anâ— repentance for the same Giue vs faith and grace to beleeue all the sweete promises that thou hast made to vs in Christ Iesus both for the remission of our sins and the hope of a better life strengtheÌ„ vs from aboue with thy mighty hand to walke in euery good way and to bring forth the fruits of a true liuely faith in our liues and conuersation all the daies of our pilgrimage here Arme vs ô Lord with thy grace and holy Spirit against all the corruptions of the world the temptations of the deuill the allurements of the flesh and settle our mindes to the continuall exercise of deuout prayer with the hearing of thy sacred word watching for thy comming both publicke and priuate Continue thy goodnes towards vs in prouiding for vs such things as are necessary for the maintenance of this present life blesse the same vnder our hands that the little which wee haue by thy goodnesse may be encreased and the encrease may serue as well to furnish our necessary vses as to minister vnto the necessitie of others according to our abilities Keepe vs Lord this night from all euils which may happen either to our bodies or soules Extend thy goodnesse towards all those that depend vpon vs or wee on them Giue vs quiet sleepe and rest and when we shall awake let all our thoughts and cogitations be holy meditations on thee and thy law Blesse vs ô Lord all the nights and dayes of our liues and at the end thereof send vs a blessed departure and afterward a ioyfull resurrection vnto life eternall grant vs these good things most mercifull Father and all other needefull graces for Iesus Christ his sake in whose name wee further call vpon thee as our Lord and Sauiour hath taught vs in his Gospell saying Our Father which are in heauen
Phineas Sampson Dauid S. Paul and Stephen and all the rest of the Prophets and holy Martyrs both ancient and late haue abounded herein I doe prostrate and cast downe my selfe before thy most high Maiestie beseeching thee to giue mee this coale from thine Altar that I may delight my soule to be talking and singing thy continuall praise and inflame my spirit like the men that trauailed to Emmaus to be astonied in admiration and contemplation of thy exceeding loue O God my Sauiour let not my zeale be headie preposterous or ignorant zeale that there with I may neither offend thee disquiet thy Church or afflict my selfe as the Scribes and Pharisees in Ierusalem and the Israelites in the absence of Moses at mount Sinah or as Saul in his Pharisaicall deuotion giue me not knowledge without zeale nor zeale without knowledge and that all my vnderstanding in thy Word may euermore bee mixed with true zeale O let not my zeale be aboue knowledge lest while I thinke to serue thee in the breath of charity by the distemper thereof I bee inforced to dishonour and blaspheme thee as the blinde Heathen ignorant Papists or vndiscreete Protestants at this day doe Graunt this O Lord for the honour of my Aduocate and Mediatour Iesus Christ. Amen A feruent Prayer vnto God that the repentant may finde fauour in Christ. ATtend vnto my teares O Lord regard my wofull moane And seeke to saue me by thy Word or I am ouerthrowne For sinne doth so oppresse my minde that I am damn'd to hell Vnlesse by Christ I fauour finde whose wounds must make me well Cure thou my soule so sicke with sinne by merits of thy Sonne Marke not the estate that I liue in but marke what he hath done Most perfect hee though I be vilde to please when I offend He sits with thee though I exilde in glory to the end My nature is inclin'd to euill though his with good accord My sences seeke to serue the deuill his will to please the Lord. Wherefore O God that art most iust in him my debts to pay In his desert my soule doth trust thy wrath for to allay O Father full of knowledge deepe thou searchest secrets of each heart Beholdst desires wee priuate keepe with hidden silence in the darke But yet thou doest thus much require thy children should know and confesse Thee for to be their lightsome fire that iudgest their workes in righteousnesse As thou hast fram'd in man a heart wherewith his Maker to beleeue A tongue and lips and euery part wherewith he glory may thee giue And thou doest chalenge at his hands free sacrifice of prayers praise And honours due throughout all lands that all men canst deiect and raise Thy Children must not in their minde be dumbe nor in their tongues be mute When they should seeke thy helpe to finde and by petition shew their suite Thy Sonne doth bid me aske and haue and finde to seeke to knock to enter What they doe want that they may craue by faith in him they may aduenture Thou still art ready to be found and helpe thine owne in their distresse That in their faith are constant found and patient in their heauinesse Therefore deare Father I beset with many miseries distrest Come vnto thee thine ayde to get and after trouble to finde rest And haue thy Grace without within but I that am of sinners chiefe Because thou hat'st in me my sinne they doubt thou wilt not giue reliefe Alas poore wretch what shall I doe to aske I am so farre vnfit Vnapt my God to aske vnto vnworthy to haue benefit Of what I craue or doe desire and yet to cry I will not linne Till thou doest send refining fire and purifie me from my sinne A Prayer for the obtaining of Faith Hope and Charity and all Christian vertues O Lord and Father of lights from whom proceedeth euery good and perfect gift I beseech thee to blesse mee with all spirituall blessings in heauenly things in Christ. Increase the little graine of my weake and feeble Faith direct it to the true obiect the merits of Christ Iesus and let it not be bare and bad but effectually working by loue Make me strong therein and constant to giue credit to thy Word without doubting and protect mee among the diuers and manifold errors sects and heresies of this world that fight against the foundation Lord let me not be disappointed of my hope which I haue in thee but make good thy promises vnto mee and so worke in my heart that I may haue courage in conflict patience in trouble and comfort in all things Keepe mee from insolencie and pride and graunt mee true humility and lowlinesse of minde that I bee not puffed vp to contemne my brethren but giue mee that due consideration of my owne vilenesse and infirmities that as dust and ashes I may tremble and stand in awe of thy Iudgements and as a sinfull man esteeme better of others then my selfe O deare Father when Sathan shall accuse mee my owne conscience beare witnesse against mee the whole world forsake mee and all things set themselues against mee for my sinnes then strengthen mee in thy Faith that I fall not from thee inflame my cold heart with the vnfained affection of heauenly loue that I may loue thee O blessed Trinity withall that I haue aboue all my neighbour as my selfe Graunt me a compassionate and a charitable minde to helpe and succour others to my ability to forbeare and forgiue them though they bee mine enemies Inflame me with loue and charity towards all men to forgiue and forget to doe good to pray for them that I may follow the steps of my Sauiour open the eyes of my vnderstanding and helpe me to examine my selfe concerning my knowledge faith and repentance send me the hunger and thirst after righteousnesse and make mee verily and fully partaker of all the benefits of that bitter passion of my Lord Sauiour Iesus Christ To whom with thee and thy most holy Spirit be all honour and glory this day and for euermore Amen Amen The sighes and meditations of an afflicted conscience O Most mercifull God which by the sending of thy Sonne into the world hast brought to passe that where sinne abounded there grace abounded much more I forlorne wretch disquieted in minde and afflicted in conscience for feare of thy Iudgements vpon my sinne doe with bended knees and teares vnfained a most humble Suppliant begge and craue of thee some succour and reliefe open open the gates of thy mercies to the greatnesse of my miseries my abiect countenance witnesseth my distressed minde My spirit is sorrowfull my heart is heauie my words are stopt with sighes and my plants watered with teares to thee I hold vp my hands to thee I lift vp my heart to thee 〈◊〉 pray requiring thee of mercie O Lord what shall I desire of â—hee that deserue nothing at thy â—ands What can I hope for that â—m euen heartlesse
my defiled wicked heart Prosper and blesse mine actions lighten my knowledge grosse and darke O Wash me from impiâ—tiâ— exhilerate my sicke soules sadnessâ—… In darknesse let me light espie in midst of sorrow graunt me gladnesse On fruitfull ground Lord doe me planâ— and build me vp on surest râ—cke Annoyes to ioyes to wealth turne wâ—… from future ills me keepe and locke As trees that grow by waters side whose leaues and blossomes freshly flourish For euer let my state abide thy loue reuiue thy grace me nourish Let thy spirit daily spring and bud with faiths pure branches from my heart Let dewes and drops of Christs deere blood feede vaines of hope from sinners darâ— My store is decayed thou canst renew it my basket's empty thou canst fill it Refresh my heart againe reuiue it reuiue it Lord for thou didst kill it Thou help'st the simple poore and needie thou seest my state thou canst all mâ—nd I know thou know'st when to be speedie and knowest thy time when to defend Helpe helpe O Lord else downe I fall hold me fast by thy strong hand And lift me vp against them all that by opposing me withstand Thy promise Lord thouâ—…o st performe thy words are deedes thou 〈◊〉 and do'st A happy end thou doest returne and graunt to those that on thee trust My safety Lord thou hast ordain'd by faith my hope doth mount and â—lie And by that hope I am sustain'd if that were lost my soule would die My faith hath fixt an obiect right my will doth farre my power exceede But Lord I know that in thy sight the will is taken for the deede Then Lord for deede my will doe take and I secured shall be then O graunt me this for Christ his sake to whom be praise for aye Amen A conuenient Prayer for all times either for a priuate person or a whole family MOst mighty God Father of our Lord Iesus Christ most louing Sauiour and Redeemer and most blessed Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Sonne the eternall most glorious Trinity which in the beginning didst create the heauen and the earth with all the hoasts of them and from time to time vnto this present moment of their being vpheld and preserued them and all creatures that thou diddest then make haue euer sithence obayed thy first institution man onely for whom thou madest all things excepted which when we doe consider O Lord we cannot but be much deiected in our selues to thinke that wee whom thou hast adorned with thine owne Image should bee fallen backe in our obedience and become worse then the worst of thy creatures thou gauest vs disposition to obay thee but wee haue despised thee and cast away from vs the yoke of obedience yet so great is thy mercy that though we haue reiected thee yet thou hast not reiected vs but hast continued all thy couenants in full force vnto vs as in the beginning vnto our fore-fathers O Lord from the wombe of our Parents are we risen a rebellious seede and like the prodigall sonne haue in the vaine imaginations of our hearts wandered from thee so that thou canst take no pleasure nor delight in vs or in any thing we doe but O Lord wee cast downe our selues in thy sight and presence earnestly beâ—eeching thee as on the poore Publican to haue mercy vpon vs and pardon all our sinnes which wee from time to time haue done against thee O Lord pardon our sinnes of ignorance of omission and commission in the duties commanded forbidden which wee haue neglected and not done O Lord pardon our sins of knowledge by which wee haue often grieued thy good spirit that would haue hindered and detained vs from them if wee out of the loue to them had not too much delighted in them stopped our eares against his holy motions and directions O Lord pardon our sinnes of presumption by which wee haue most mightily offended thee and so hardned our hearts as wee could take no delight in the exercise of thy worship or seruice as by the contempt of thy most holy Word and Sacraments in our owne conscience and in the sight of thy holy Church vnto whom we are knowne is most maniâ—est yet O our most good God doe away all our transgressions at what time or place so euer they haue beene committed or done O Lord seperate them as farre from thee as the East is from the West binde them in a bundle and drowne them from thy sight as thou diddest the sinnes of the old world O Lord drowne them in the huge sea of thy mercy so as they may be cleane forgotten for wee confesse that if thou shouldest call vs to a reckoning and account for them there is not the least of them but like mill-stones tyed about our neckes in the midst of the sea would drown vs in eternall death coÌ„demnation of body soule for euermore But O Lord we beseech thee to naile our sinnes vnto the Crosse of thy deare Sonne Iesus our Sauiour and Redeemer and for his sake we onely entreate thee to be at peace with vs and thy whole Church throughout the world Wash our sinnes away in his most holy bloud which he shed for his Churches sake in his agony on the mount before and in his death on the Crosse for hee is the Lord our righteousnesse who in thy secret counsell was slaine from the beginning of the world that wee which trust in him by his stripes and wounds might of our sinnes bee healed O Lord I beseech thee heare these our petitions which much like forlorne beggers wee put vp vnto thee in thy Sonnes name being imboldened and encouraged this to dee from that promise of thine which in thy holy Gospell thou hast giuen vs saying Aske and yee shall haue seeke and yee shall finde knocke and it shall be opened vnto you Yea thou hast encouraged vs heere vnto saying Can you that are euill giue good gifts to your children when they aske and shall not I giue the holy Ghost to my children when they aske of me And thou hast said that hauing giuen thy Sonne vnto vs that thou wilt with him giue vs all things else and for his sake deny vnto vs nothing in conscience of the truth of this thy holy word wee pray thee to heare vs and to settle our hearts mindes in the knowledge loue and obedience of thy word and commandements to the end and in the end of this our fraile and weake life O Lord considering our weakenesse and how vnable wee are to stand in temptation and considering how many and how great our temptations are both in things spirituall and things temporall and how the deuill as a wandring and raging Lyon raigneth throughout the world and in the Church especially seeking whom hee may deuoure and considering how subtilly hee vseth and offereth this world vnto vs as hee did vnto thee in the beginning of thy Ministerie which thy Father had appointed thee in his