hir instant desire must now being preuented with vntimelie labour and birth through perillous trauell needs drinke of the cup of Rahels and Phinees wiâ—es potion and go the waie of all flesh then O Lord thou in whose hands are the harts of all flesh arme hir we humblie beseech thee with thy perpetuall grace peace patience and perfect confidence in thee increase hir faith helpe hir vnbeleefe annoint hir with the oile of gladnes in thee ease hir of hir extreme paines be thou nigh vnto hir and driue the diuell far from hir aid hir with thy holie angels giuing hir grace so quietlie to take this thy fatherlie chastisement and visitation in good woorth that in this hir painfull life yea and in the verie end thereof she with perfect memorie sure trust commending hir selfe wholie to thee may in hart ioifullie still saie and we hir deere sisters and faithfull freends and neighbours for hir as followeth When she is departing and yeeldeth vp the ghost then adde and saie this that followeth FEtch now againe Lord God Father into thy holie hands that which thy puissant might hath shapen command thy holie angels now to aid hir and safelie to bring hir to thee and now place thou hir amongst thy chosen children and blessed heirs in thine eternall kingdome prepared for them that are written in the booke of life Fetch now againe Lord God sonne that which thou of thy meere mercie hast so wiselie gouerned and bought with thy pretious bloud now ioifullie receiue hir and saie vnto hir as thou saiedst vnto the penitent theefe This day shalt thou be with me in paradise Take againe now Lord God holie Ghost that which thou of thy onelie fauour hast louinglie kept and guided in this region of sinne and vale of miserie and now louinglie leade thou hir with Rebecca and Lazarus to eternall ioie and rest This grant hir O holie and most blessed Trinitie good Lord almightie three persons and one verie God vnto whome be all honour praise and glorie for euer and euer Amen Amen Another praier while she yeeldeth vp the ghost THE mightie God of angels and former of all things visible and inuisible in whose hands is onelie life and death light and darknes and all the motions of the soule and bodie without thee most mightie God all things had beene nothing and of nothing all things are made by thee without thy Christ and thy blessed spirit which is one coeternall Trinitie all flesh were accursed all consciences molested and all soules vtterlie damned from light into darknes from freedome into euerlasting reprobation but by Iesus Christ thine onelie sonne we thanke thee deere father of all mercie that now it hath pleased thee to take to thy mercie at this present time our deere sister S. B. whom thou hast elected consecrated and now she shall by thy mercie and pitie be sanctified vnto thee in the death of Christ to be a citizen of eternall glorie Now we perceiue that flesh and bloud doth forsake hir and all hir worldlie strength faileth hir now are the organes yeelding vp the heauenlie sound hir soule commeth now vnto thee good Lord receiue it to thy mercie into thine euerlasting glorie where as Abraham Isaac and Iacob Sara Rebecca Rahel and the blessed virgin Marie are continuallie To thee oh heauenlie Father be incessant honour glorie for euer and euer Amen After hir departure let the women kneele downe also and giue thanks as followeth ALmightie God with whom doo liue the spirits of them that depart hence in the Lord and in whom the soules of them that be elect after they be deliuered from the burden of the flesh be in ioie felicitie thou I saie O mercifull God the father of our Lord Iesus Christ who is the resurrection and the life in whom whosoeuer beleeueth shall liue though he die and whosoeuer liueth and beleeueth in him shall not die eternallie who also taught vs by his holie apostle S. Paule not to be sorie as women without hope for them that sleepe in him we giue thee hartie thanks for that it hath pleased thee to deliuer this woman our sister out of the wofull miseries of this sinfull world meekelie beseeching thee O Father to raise vs from the death of sinne vnto the life of righteousnes that when we also shal depart this life we may rest in Christ as our hope is this our sister doth and that it may please thee of thy gratious goodnes shortlie to accomplish the number of thine efect and to hasten thy kingdome that at the generall resurrection in the last daie we with this our sister and all other departed in the true faith of thy holie name being found acceptable in thy sight may haue our perfect consummation and blisse both in bodie and soule in thy eternall and euerlasting glorie and receiue that blessing which thou O Christ shalt then pronounce to all that loue feare thee saieng Come ye blessed children of my Father receiue the kingdome prepared for you from the beginning of the world Grant this we beseech thee O mercifull father through Iesus Christ our onlie mediatour redeemer and sauiour Amen A praier and thanks-giuing to be vsed of the mother or women about hir after the child is baptised ALmightie and euerlasting GOD who hast vouchsafed to regenerate this infant by water and the holie ghost and hast giuen vnto it forgiuenes of all his sinnes and receiued it into the number of thy children and heires of eternall life I thanke thee for thy gratious goodnes fauour mercie towards it And I humblie beseech thee also O Lord to strengthen it so with thy holie ghost the comforter that it may lead the rest of his life according to this good beginning Let thy fatherlie hands I praie thee be euer ouer it and blesse ti dailie increase it with thy manifold gifts of grace giue it the spirit of wisedome vnderstanding the spirit of counsell strength the spirit of knowledge and true godlines fulfill it with the spirit of thy holie feare faith and praier and so lead this child in the knowledge and obedience of thy holie word that being euer defended with thy heauenlie grace it may continue therein for euer and dailie increase in thy holie spirit more and more vntill in the end he obteine the gift of euerlasting life in thy celestiall kingdome through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen If the child or yong infant be verie sicke and lie sore pained with anie greefe or whensoeuer else it be visited with anie dreadfull diseaâ—e praie ouer it and saie as followeth Lord heare our praiers And let our crie come vnto thee Let vs praie O Mercifull Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ the onelie begotten Sonne of the liuing Father redeemer of all men through all ages whose nature is pitifull not onelie to the strong and stout but also to the weake and simple as babes infants and children we here assembled most hartilie desire and praie
this world and for euer shall praise thee might be gathered and chosen And forasmuch O Lord as a prudent a wise and a godlie man commeth from thee and is thy gift who onlie triest the harts and reines and knowest the verie secret cogitations and conditions of all men prouide I beseech thee and giue me vnto a man of vnderstanding of sound and Christian religion of wise gouernement and behauiour of a good life and vertuous disposition euen such an husband I say as may be faithfull constant gentle honest tender and louing vnto mee and godlie zealous sincere and religious in thy sight but from an vnwise irreligious vnfaithfull and wauering minded man from an hastie testie rash heddie furious bitter angrie vnthriftie and couetous husband good Lord for thy holie name sake deliuer me and grant that obteining at thy fatherlie hands a good husband euen according to mine or rather thine owne hart and being holilie coupled togither in Christian loue and puritie we may both liue togither vertuouslie and quietlie in thy feare without sinne or shame and also die in a good age godlie and Christianlie in thy faith without eternall death and condemnation through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another LOrd thou hast commanded by thine holie Apostle that wee should abstaine from fornication and that euerie one of vs should knowe how to keepe our vessell that is our bodie in holinesse chastitie and honour and not in the lusts of concupiscence and vncleannes as doo the heathen which knowe not God I beseech thee giue me grace to behaue my selfe according to this thy holie commandement that in this my single life and state of virginitie I defile not my bodie with whoredome adulterie fornication or with anie other filthinesse and vncleanenesse but so order my selfe with all honestie sobrietie chastitie and purenesse of life that I may glorifie thee my Lord God both in soule and bodie Amen Or praie thus ALbeit most mercifull Father mariage is honourable among all persons and the bed vndefiled yet forasmuch as partlie for the tendernesse of mine age I am not apt for holie wedlocke and partlie through thine exceeding and aboue naturall gift for none can liue chaste except thou giue hir that gift I liue yet free from the sweet yoke of Matrimonie I hartilie praie thee that as I haue receiued of thee the gift of continencie and virginitie so I may haue grace from thee to bridle my selfe from lusts from all foolish appetits and to frame my life in all godlie vertuous exercises both of the bodie and mind yea so go foorth I praie thee to continue and increase this thy gift of chastitie in me that I may the more freelie and quietlie in all godlie patience and sufferance serue thee and care for those things that please thee and pertaine to thy glorie and also that I passing ouer the time of this my yong age in thy feare in godlie trauels vertuous labours and maidenlie behauiour may eschew all euill lusts riotous resorts and wanton companie that when it shall please thee to call me to the holie and honourable order of blessed wedlocke I may bring with me a cleane chaste and vndefiled bodie and so be apt and fit to liue in that godlie state of Matrimonie auoiding all fornication whoredome and vncleannesse all dissention strife and debate that thou maiest blesse me and my mariage prosper my godlie trauels send me good successe in all my doings and make me a ioifull mother in seeing my childers children according to thy holie promise which liuest and reignest verie God world without end Amen For the grace of Gods holie spirit to resist all sinfull motions and keepe pure the state of single life praie OH Lord the king of glorie and God of all power and might which hast promised to powre thy spirit vpon all flesh vpon virgins maidens and yong women and to giue the holie Ghost to thy children whensoeuer they shall aske the same of thee in thy Sonnes name in their praiers and allowest none to be pure virgins and thy children indeede but such as keepe themselues vnspotted of the world and walke before thee in the rule of thy lawes and obedience of thy commandements Oh Lord thou knowest I would faine walke with thee from my virginitie in righteousnesse and holinesse My desire is to walke before thee in a pure conscience chaste mind and vndefiled bodie But alas deere God I confesse the corruption of my nature polluted in the first woman Eue in Paradise is such and my weakenesse and vnablenesse to stand in temptation is so much and the custome of sinne hath gotten such dominion ouer me that I am not able of my selfe so much as to thinke a good thought much lesse to doo anie thing that is good and acceptable in thy sight Wherefore oh most louing Father take not thy grace and holie spirit from me thine handmaid leaue me not to my selfe neither forsake me for then I am vtterlie â—ast awaie For thou seest O Lord that if thou doo but shadowe thy selfe a little and depart from me into how manie grieuous and horrible sinnes I fall how much more then Lord if thou shouldest vtterlie forsake me leaue me to my selfe and take thy grace and holie spirit vtterlie from me Therfore oh most intreatable God I beseech thee consider my manifold imperfections womanlie weakenesses miserable corruptions which dailie turne me out of the waie and drawe me from thee and powre downe thy grace and holie spirit plentifullie vpon me thine humble handmaid Yea giue vnto me also thy most holie word thy patience loue meekenesse integritie righteousnesse iustice temperaunce sobrietie chastitie peace long-suffering faith goodnesse holinesse and all other thy vertues fruites of the spirit and ordinarie meanes whereby I may be so instructed taught and guided gouerned protected and defended in this my single life and state of virginitie that I neuer offend against thy diuine Maiestie or mine owne soule and bâ— die but that I may haue power and strength from thee continuallie to stand against all the secret assaults and open temptations of mine enimies both bodilie and ghostlie yea grant O deere Father that I may through thy mightie power working in my weake vessell haue continuall victorie ouer all hellish hagges and also triumph ouer them in all their assaults and temptations as manie holie virgins and women haue done in all ages so that togither with them I may walke before thee in the purenesse of my virginitie with a good conscience in perfect righteousnesse and true holinesse acceptable in thy sight all the daies of my life according to thy will through Iesus Christ our Lord and onlie Sauiour and redeemer So be it Another praier in the behalfe of all Virgins or single women for the keeping of obedience modestie chastitie puritie and cleannesse of liuing O Diuine spirit God the holie Ghost which abhorrest despisest and fliest from all vncleannesse filthinesse and dishonestie and which dooest
both sense of that celestiall wisedome and a true desire of our coupling to thee In thee a true and burning good will towards man whose nature thou tookedst on thee is inflamed such a comfortable affection of vnfeigned loue should the chast bridegroome beare towards his beloued wife and the bride likewise to hir husband Thou louest and makest much of thy flesh thou nourishest and dooest comfort the faithfull ingraffed into thee by true faith and so should man and wife beeing one â—â—esh loue togither hartilie without all dissimulation Behold the Church according to the auncient custome of espousals lieth before the altar beseeching thee to reconcile thine eternall father vnto vs and to receiue vs into thy societie O our spouse most heauenlie make vs partakers of that couenant which thou entredst into with our nature Blot out all the filthinesse of our sinfull flesh by thy merite transforme vs into new through thine holie spirit and make vs by the same spirit to be one with thee depending vpon thee And forasmuch as thy diuine pleasure is to haue this heauenlie marriage to be celebrated among manie troubles in this miserable life where wine is not alwaies to be had and the face of thy Church is manie times like our water pots our fraile bodies oppressed with euils filled to the full with water and teares where also we are troubled if we be not heard when we make our praiers and hardlie we can bridle our selues with patience to expect thine houre assist and strengthen vs that these fraile vessels of ours in which thy Church hath hir nest be not broken through the malice of Sathan and rage of tyrants Graunt that in crosses and troubles of this life we may constantlie depend vpon thy counsell and assistance and doo that thing onlie which thou hast commanded and gratiouslie prouide that in that ioifull houre thy seruants and ministers may powre out the sweet wine of thy voice giue comfort in our greatest needs and bring vs to thee which art the truth and the life so that when this temporall marriage shall take an end wee may drinke new wine with pleasure in the feast of thy father Amen Ecclesiasticus 15 verse 2. As a pure virgin newlie married doth friendlie entreate hir husband so shall iustice and wisedome being pure and vndefiled greatlie entertaine hir louers Or thus Wisedome as a wife married of a virgin shall receiue or entertaine him that feareth God and keepeth the lawe A praier to be vsed of a virgin newlie married togither with hir husband the first night before they ioine togither in the dutie of marriage after the godlie example of Sara and Tobias who made and vsed the same before they laie togither for the space of three daies as appeareth Tob. cap. 8. 9. A sentence out of Tob. cap. 6. verse 17. worthie to be called to memorie of all new married folkes THey that receiue marriage after such a fashion that they shut God out from them and from their hart and giue themselues to their owne lusts euen as it were in Horsse and Mule which haue no vnderstanding vpon such hath the diuell power Therefore when thou takest an husband and art come into the chamber withhold thy selfe from him awhile and giue thy diligence vnto nothing but vnto praier with him that Sathan may haue no power ouer you that ye may be receiued into the companie of the holie Patriarchs and finallie that ye may obteine the blessing and fauour of God euen holie and sound children the fruits of your bodie and knéeling on your knées saie one after another as followeth ¶ The Praier or petition Husband BLessed and praised be thou O Lord God of our fathers and blessed is thine holie and glorious name for euer Wife Let the heauens blesse thee O God yea the earth the sea the welles the flouds and all the creatures that be therin praise and magnifie thee Husband Thou madest Adam of the mould of the earth and gauest him Eua his wife for an helper and staie Wife Of them came mankind O Lord and thou hast said It is not good that a man should be alone let vs make him an aid like vnto himselfe Husband And now O Lord thou knowest I take not this my sister to wife for fornication or voluptuousnes but vprightlie in thy feare for continencie and onlie for the loue and desire of children in whome thy name may be blessed for euer Wife Thou knowest also O Lord that I thine handmaid am pure from all sin with man and that I haue consented to take this my brother whome thou hast kept for me to be mine husband not for anie pleasure or fleshlie lust but in thy feare and for the desire also of children that in the seed of Abraham I may obteine thy blessing in children Husband Therefore haue mercie on vs twaine being the deerelie beloued children of our parents and cause vs to magnifie thee more perfectlie and to offer continuallie vnto thee the sacrifice of thy praise and of our health and sweetnesse for thy mercies extended towards vs. Wife Haue mercie vpon vs O Lord haue mercie vpon vs and as thou hast put awaie from vs the enimie that persecuted vs and made vs ioifull in thee so according to thy great mercie deale mercifullie with vs still and grant that we may come whole and sound each to other and become aged togither Husband Thy blessing O God be now and euermore vpon vs and vpon both our parents and as thou O Lord of thy goodnesse hast ioined vs togither so by the vertue and power of thy holie spirit blesse vs and multiplie and increase vs that we may togither see our children and our childrens children vnto the third and fourth generation Wife Yea let our seed be blessed of thee our most high and holie God that all people may knowe that thou onlie art God reigning in all the earth and to be blessed and praised for euer Husband Heare our praiers O God and for thy holie name sake grant our request through the intercession of our onlie mediatour and sauiour Iesus Christ our Lord. Wife Amen deere God Amen God the Father blesse vs God the Sonne blesse vs God the holie Ghost blesse preserue and kéepe vs the Lord mercifullie with his fauour looke vpon vs and so fill vs with all spirituall benediction and grace that we may so liue togither in this life that in the world to come we may haue life euerlasting Amen Another verie necessarie and fruitfull praier to be often vsed of all married couples for the obteining of a godlie louing and quiet life in that honourable state of Matrimonie FOrasmuch as it hath pleased thee O almightie God the creator and anthor of all things to direct both our minds rule our hearts and call vs from single life vnto this holie state of honourable wedlock whereby through thy mercie we haue not onlie escaped the entising snares of Sathan our ancient enimie the euill example of
things set in order didst appoint that out of man created after thine own image and similitude woman should take hir beginning and knitting ioining and sanctifieng Adam and Eue togither in marriage didst teach that it should neuer be lawfull to put asunder those whom thou by matrimonie hadst made one O gratious God which hast consecrated the state of matrimonie to such an excellent mysterie that in it is figuâ—ed and represented the spirituall marriage and vnitie betwixt Christ and his Church looke mercifullie with thy fauour from heauen vpon vs thy poore creatureâ— whome it hath pleased thee in mercie to call from single life and to ioine by free consent togither in this holie state of honourable wedlocke And as thou O eternall God the giuer of all spirituall grace and the author of euerlasting life didst send thy blessing vpon Abraham and Sara to their great comfort so vouchsafe to blesse vs O Lord and to send thy benediction vpon vs thy seruants yea so sanctifie vs twaine and powre plentifullie vpon vs the riches of thy goodnes so sowe the seeds of eternall life in our minds and fill vs with all spirituall benediction and grace that as Isaac and Rebecca liued faithfullie togither euen so we carefullie keeping thy commandements diligentlie obeieng thy holie will and pleasure and alwaies guided by thy good and gratious spirit may trulie performe and surelie keepe the vow and couenant betwixt vs made before thee and the congregation and may euer remaine persist and abide in perfect amitie stedfast peace and continuall concord vntill our liues end Grant also that we may profitablie fruitfullie learne our seuerall duties either towards other and both towards thee out of thy holie word and in deed fulfill the same to the furtherance of vertue and auoiding of all offence that so seruing and pleasing thee both in bodie and soule as those godlie men and women did to thy glorie and their perpetuall renowne we as persons highlie in thy fauour and shrowded alwaies in safetie vnder the comfortable wings of thy mercifull protection may most happilie prosperouslie and ioifullie like fruitefull parents seeing our childrens children vnto the third and fourth generation liue long togither vnto our perfect age in thy holie loue and all godlie honestie to our comfort and thy glorie and at the last rest with them in the bosome of Abraham Isaac and Iacob and be fellow-heires of the euerlasting kingdome in eternall life through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another praier for all wedded folkes generallie O Most holie God and mercifull father which of thy singular prouidence and woonderfull wisedome didst ordeine matrimonie in Paradise and that in the time of innocencie for the multiplieng and conseruation of mankinde thereby togather vnto thy selfe continuallie out of godlie families an holie Catholike Church which may rightlie acknowledge serue and celebrate thine holie name for euermore and deliuer the true vnderstanding of thee vnto posterities by one generation to another This thine institution did thy sonne God coequall with thee and coeternall confirme and adorne in Cana of Galile by turning water into good wine A notable honouring of marriage doubtlesse for Christ not onlie to be present himselfe at the nuptiall feast but also to set out the same with the first miracle that he wrought after his natiuitie Likewise the holie spirit doth witnesse by the word deliuered vnto vs and saith that marriage is honorable among all And the same thy spirit reioiceth in three things which are commended both before God and man viz. in the concord of breethren in the loue of neighbours and in a man and his wife that agree well togither for such as be at variance can neither call vpon thee as they should nor please thee as they ought O eternall God it is sufficientlie apparant with what a rage and insatiable hatred Sathan the most deadlie enimie to all thy works doth labour and set himselfe to the breaking off and ouerthrow of this thy sacred ordinance wherefore we beseech thee impart thy fauour as vnto vs heere present so vnto all married folks else-where that both we and they may acknowledge thee to be the author and institutor of this knitting togither in wedlocke and beleeue stedfastlie that we and they are in a good estate wherein we may please thee for hauing this comfort we shall more willinglie and cheerefullie discharge the duties of our calling in true confidence and calling vpon thy name But such as doubt of their kind of life hauing their consciences wounded and minds troubled can neither call vpon thee trulie nor cheerefullie go about and finish their affaires Grant therefore vnto vs and vnto all and euerie married bodie that in true faith and confession we may retaine the indissoluble chaine of wedded state and the strong bonds of godlie felowship that we may loue one another and in the sweate of our browes eate our bread and bring vp our children which thou shalt giue vs or hast giuen vs in all godlinesse through instruction and information of the Lord and neuer feare the crosse which accompanieth this kind of life O worke thou so good Lord that Sathan by no meanes weaken and ouerthrowe this thine ordinance nor that we married folks wearied with the troubles of wedded life raise no mortall hatred among our selues and so detest and abhorre this thine holie institution and seeke vnlawfull separations and diâ—orcements for else by this engin of incredulitie and snare of mistrust being comprehended we shall easilie rush headlong into enormous offences by casting off the yoke of the Lord and be carried through dissention into horrible confusions of concupiscence to adulterie whoredome wicked forsakings so long till polluted with filthie spots defiled with most horrible staines we and they bring our selues headlong into euerlasting torments Grant therefore O most mercifull God that all being now at debate may come quicklie to amitie and be reconciled in thy name and beeing mindfull of the knot of marriage and mutuall bond made betweene them may dwell and liue from hence forward peaceablie and louinglie togither in true faith and feare of thy name Grant that husbands abusing their authoritie ouer their wiues doo not exercise tyrannie ouer their wiues but rather loue them and dwell with them according to knowledge giuing honor vnto them as vnto the weaker vessell euen as to them which are also heires of grace and life Likewise grant that matrons and wines contemne not their husbands denieng subiection but rather studie by chaste obedience and holie conuersation and lowlinesse to ouercome them Let neither hate other extreamelie and so violate the state of marriage and bring themselues out of thy fauour through their discord and contention whereby their praiers be interrupted for where neither part do their dutie there must needs ensue first pouertie subtiltie lieng and all impietie afterward a wounded conscience and last of all vtter despaire O most chast God which didst therefore institute the order of
she still calleth vpon thy holie name and putteth hir full trust to be saued onlie in thy mercie impute not vnto hir the manifold sinnes of hir former life passed but pardon them and take hir vnto thy high fauour through the bloudie merits and deere death of thine onelie begotten sonne Iesus Christ our sauiour Amen Or praie thus O Pitifull physician and healer both of soule bodie Christ Iesu vouchsafe to cast thine eies vpon this thy poore sinnefull creature our deere sister M. B. who is here thy captiue bound with the burden of child-birth greefe vnspeakable paines in the chaine of sinne and death for our transgression in our grandmother Eue turning this hir weaknes and greefe to thy glorie hir health and safe deliuerance And vouchsafe good Lord to send hir patient sufferance that she may stedfastlie continue to the end in these extremities that she may with a true and perfect faith in thee fight now a good fight and stand manfullie against all the temptations of the diuell hir mortall enimie when she may no longer continue O Sauiour of the world saue hir which by thy crosse and precious bloud hast redeemed hir Amen Adde this blessing THE almightie Lord which is a most strong tower to all them that put their trust in him to whom all things both in heauen earth and vnder the earth doo bow and obey blesse preserue and keepe this our sister and be now and euermore hir buckler and defence against all hir enimies and make hir to knowe and feele in hir soule and conscience that there is none other name giuen vnto man in whom and through whom she may receiue ease comfort health deliuerance and saluation but onelie in the most holie blessed and venerable name of our Lord Iesus Christ Amen A praier of instruction to be vsed of the women in health attendant about the sicke and languishing woman in sore trauell for themselues O Most mercifull God and most louing Father we beseech thee haue mercie vpon vs and aid vs with thy grace holie spirit that we which be yet in good health and safetie and looke according to the condition of our nature for the like hour of adâ—ersitie but with more mercie and mitigation of our paines than as it seemeth our sister here endureth if it be thy will may learne to feare and dread thee may loue and embrace thy holie word and that we may set thee before vs as a scope and marke wherevnto we may direct all our dooings and that we boing alwaies mindfull of this thy crosse and heauie iudgement laid vpon all women in the loines of our grandmother Eue for hir and our transgression and euermore remembring the vnspeakable pangs intollerable paines and most bitter agonie of death may so prepare our harts and arme our selues that we may order all our deeds from hence-foorth in all holie and chast obedience both towards thee and our husbands or heads as well becommeth right christian women and modest matrones to thy glorie and as doo and and haue done all godlie women which feare thee in all ages that in the end we obteine to be fellow-heires with them of euerlasting life in the kingdome of heauen through the merits of our deere Lord and sweetest Sauiour Iesus Christ the righteous Amen Another godlie and effectuall praier to be hartilie said of the women assistant if the woman in sore trauell or child-bed lie in the pangs of death and be a passing this life O Lord God almightie the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost three persons and one onlie God the Lord of life and the destroier of death with whom to be is life and from whom to be is death who as a louing father mercifull redeemer and freendlie caller to repentance hast now visited with the scourge of hard painefull and greeuous trauell or with vntimelie birth vnfortunate deliuerance and sore sicknes thy most sinfull daughter yea thy spotted creature defiled seruant and greeuous sinner S. B. to cause hir to knowe hir selfe and to confesse hir wickednes and so to come to thee at this thy calling to knowe thee and onelie to crie and call vpon thee for comfort Now thou O Lord whose propertie is euer to haue mercie and freelie to forgiue those that faithfullie come vnto thee we thine humble hand-maids with heauie harts most humblie beseech thee looke downe from heauen with thine accustomed eies of compassion vpon hir cast behind thy backe hir innumerable and greeuous sins throwe them all both old and new from hir as far as is the East from the West yea scrape the memorie of them out of thy sight quite forget them and freelie forgiue them hir as hir onlie trust is in thee O Lord be thou now vnto hir at hir most time of need a tower of strength a place of refuge and a defensible God to keepe strengthen and defend hir from the danger of the diuell now readiest to disquiet hir and destroie hir against desperation now busiest to greeue hir against death now likest to strike hir and against hell now gaping to deuoure hir Oh heauenlie father aid thou now hir Helpe hir and establish hir in the firme faith of thy truth Comfort hir now O sweet Christ and continue hir in the knowledge of thee hir onlie sauiour which art now in hir extreamenes and pangs of death readie to shew thy selfe vnto hir as hir sauiour crucified on the crosse to comfort hir Therefore now saue thou hir from sin deliuer thou hir now from eternall death hale hir from hell embrace hir hide hir in the holes of thy bloudie wounds as thy deere doue and beare hir manifold sins on thy backe And thou O holie spirit strengthen thou now hir weake fainting and sounding spirit against sathan that standeth now nigh hir to seduce hir Saie thou now to sathan Auoid sathan and command thy holie angels and blessed spirits now to aid and assist hir Let thy comfort cleaue fast vnto hir thy mercie keepe hir thy grace guide hir thy paines ease hir thy crosse releeue hir and thy death reuiue hir Oh almightie God the giuer of all health and if it be thy good will to lengthen hir daies in this life to spare hir for a season to mitigate hir pangs to ease hir of hir paines to releeue hir of all these wofull sorowes and most greeuous throwes to deliuer hir of this most dangerous trauell and send into this world out of hir wofull wombe hir child a sound and perfect creature after thine owne image and so restore hir to hir former health as thou hast done hir and manie others heeretofore in like case that she thereby may once againe visit thy temple and be purified sanctified and dedicated vnto thy honor and glorie the commoditie of hirs and comfort of vs all hir friends kindred and neighbours Weioâ—fullie saie Thy will O Lord be done and not ours But if it be not thy will so but that she according to
of those shamelesse children that sticke not to reuile and cursse their father and mother to their face nor of those stubborne and wicked daughters which as the Prophet complaineth doo rise vp and rebell against their owne mothers setting their commandements at naught vtterlie refusing to be corrected by them for their amendment Yea far be it from me O Lord with Lots two daughters to make my father dronke to vncouer his shame neither with curssed Cham let me not reioice or laugh at the dishonour of my parents especiallie sith I knowe that my honor commeth by them and that their reproch is in deed my dishonour And though my parents forsake me and count me as a stranger yet giue me grace neuer to forsake them vtterlie nor to saie of them as Leah and Rahel said of Laban their father We haue no more portion or inheritance in our fathers house but rather make me through the gift of thy grace obedient and verie willing to suffer for thy sake my parents to worke thine and their willes in me yea though it be to my losse if thou thinkest it so good without anie resistance striuing grudging or deniall euen as Isaac did to his father Abraham Iepthaes onelie daughter did vnto him Lots two daughters vnto their father and the seauen children of the woman in the Machabees vnto their mother c. that with these vertuous and godlie children I may be blessed and haue mine obedience crowned and rewarded Moreouer because thou O Lord in the old law hast straightlie commanded that the daughter which looseth hir virginitie and plaieth the harlot in hir fathers house should be stoned to death yea though afterward she be married to an husband which beastlie vice of filthie whoredome fornication and vnchastitie how greatlie thy sacred maiestie doth abhor and detest by this lawe besides other examples of thy iudgements mentioned in the scriptures it may and doth easilie appeare Assist me therefore I humblie praie thee that by watching and praier temperance holie exercises moderation and abstinence from superfluous meates and drinks and ouermuch fiâ—e fare which makes the mind waxe wanton and ouerlustie I may so tame this my bodie crucifie my flesh and bring it into subiection to the spirit with all the affections and desires thereof that I may neuer with Thamar pollute my fathers house nor sin against thy maiestie my friends and mine owne soule and bodie by ouerpassing the prescribed limits and bounds of honestie and chastitie Giue me grace that I follow not the concupiscence of the flesh neither prouoke my senses by vnbrideled libertie with Dinah to abuse my selfe and trespasse against my parents and friends to their harts griefe against my selfe to mine owne publike shame and reioicing of mine enimies and against thee and my country to other euill example and ouerthrowe Sanctifie me I saie O holie father that I defile not my selfe with carnall vices riotousnesse bellie-cheere nor vnlawfull pleasures Suffer me not to cast off thine holie spirit thereby to make my bodie the house of filthie feends which carrie awaie and cast headlong all intemperat vnchast and secure or retchlesse persons into euerlasting destruction but driue far from my hart all euill thoughts from my mind all wicked concupiscence and from mine eies all vnchast lookes yea be thou euer so mercifull vnto me O Lord as to helpe me continuallie with thy diuine power that the holie spirit which thou didst powre into me at my baptisme may beare the rule in all my members and so preuaile ouer the flesh and all the mordinate affections of the same that being renewed dailie after thy holie spirit I may the better walke in the spirit and serue thee in righteousnesse obedience and true holinesse all the daies of my life to the honor of thy sonne which is the most excellent floure and crowne of all pure virginitie Finallie if heereafter it shall please thee not to continue in me the gift of virginitie or single life or that my father or friends thinking it vncomelie for me to passe the floure of mine age to auoid all other further inconueniences shall iudge it needfull for them respecting mine infirmitie to marrie me and so to performe that weightie matter and ease themselues of so great a charge care and burthen by dooing their dutie betimes and not neglecting their authoritie and office as Iudah did towards his daughter in lawe Thamar to the perill and hazard of both their good names and honestie then grant I beseech thee O deere father that I for my part not so much as desiring mariage much lesse to shew my selfe to long therefore by anie meanes may be content to leaue all the care and charge of that businesse wholie vnto my parents or friends who no doubt loue me no lesse than I loue my selfe And let me be fullie persuaded that they will prouide no lesse diligentlie for me than they would for themselues but much better that all whisperings close communication sinister practises and priuie contracts being of me vtterlie eschued as a thing most vngodlie and in deede far vnbeseeming anie Christian child yea as things abhorred euen among the Infidels I may after the good examples of Rebecca Leah Sarah and such like holie virgins obedient daughters most willinglie allow and approue the authoritie power and pruiledge of my parents and friends ouer me heerein and resigning all my will to their wils be verie well content to be ruled by them in all things they shall doo in thee as becommeth a well nurtured and obedient child labouring also by all earnest and feruent praier to further the matter that I may bring a chaste mind in a chaste bodie vnto a vertuous husband to thy glorie And grant that my parents and freends also for their parts as thou hast commanded Deuter. 7 3. may carefullie endeuour by all possible and studious diligence to prouide for me their daughter a man of vnderstanding wisedome pietie and honestie euen such an husband Lord as is no Idolater or irreligious woorshipper of God no Atheist Infidell or vngodlie man nor one that shall let or hinder me from vertuous liuing but such a one as is both wise godlie vertuous holie and religious one that serueth thee O God sincerelie and liueth in thy feare christianlie and will gladlie prouoke exhort and helpe me to liue accordinglie Finallie grant I beseech thee that my parents or freends without anie respect of their owne gaine or commoditie may seeke me an honest husband and marie me in thee O Lord neither let them with couetous Laban sell me to their seruants in recompense of their seruice as Leah and Rebecca were nor yet with that hypocrite Saule giue me vnder pretence of fauour to snare and betraie the innocent as Michal and Merab were giuen to Dauid But considering that the knot of marriage cannot be lightlie loosed or dissolued sauing onlie by death let them with great studie and deliberation with good aduisement and counsell
in lawe Let all contumelie despite rancor brallings tauntings curssings slanderings reuilings vpbraidings with such other like wicked and vnchristian behauiour either in thought word or deed of a reprobate and accurssed child of Sathan be far from me that so I may auoid the plagues threatned and obteine the blessings promised Take from me I saie O Lord all hardnesse of hart euill custome vaine opinion churlish conditions and disdainefull or coie behauiour neither let me willinglie greeue hir or in anie thing be offensiue vnto hir as long as we liue togither O let me not I saie through euill maners lewd disobedience and peruerse rebellion be a vexation of mind to this my mother in lawe and parents as Iudith and Bathcath the two wiues of Esau were to Isaac and Rebecca their father and mother in lawe but giue me grace after the good counsell of Raguell and the holie example of Sara his daughter to obeie this my father or mother in lawe as she did Anna and Tobit hir father and mother in lawe to honor hir in deed and in word and in all patience and to vse all gentle courteous mild meeke and sweet words yea all childlike dutie and christian behauiour vnto hir for thy sake that thereby I may win hir good will and motherlie fauour more and more towards me Grant that I knowing my father and she to be now all one flesh as my husband and I am one bodie may reckon and repute hir now also to be as mine owne mother and to take my husbands parents for my parents and so to loue cherish reuerence and obeie them in euerie condition no lesse than as mine owne naturall parents that being seruiceable alway vnto them and fulfilling in all points the roomth and dutie of a good and godlie daughter in lawe I may find them againe the more to loue cherish and prefer me as their owne daughter Let me not be displeased if my husband loue his owne mother but rather as it becommeth a good and a vertuous wife if I see he doth not behaue himselfe towards hir like a naturall sonne giue mee both grace and wisedome quietlie to exhort him and friendlie to desire him to behaue himselfe better towards hir that she seeing and well knowing my chastitie of bodie my louingnesse towards my husband and my good will and gentle nature towards hir may through these vertues if she be curst alter hir fierce mind towards me and turne it to good and be the better content with me neuer heereafter to hate me either as a daughter in lawe or as a stepdaughter Finallie grant that after the good example of vertuous Ruths obedience to Naomie hir old mother in lawe I may with great humilitie entirelie loue hir hartilie praie for hir and dutifullie honour serue cherish and obeie hir yea and to spare no painefull diligence to doo hir all the good I possiblie may or can in thee and for thee that thus obeieng nourishing and susteining my mother in lawe in hir necessities none otherwise than if she were mine owne mother and bearing patientlie at hir hands all infirmities and miseries for thy sake while I liue may to thy glorie and others good example declare my good affection and great loue that I beare towards hir as she that standeth both in awe and feare of thy commandements and gladlie endeuoureth to obeie thee and my superiours in all things according to thy word and that this my mother in lawe may also sometime worthilie saie of me to my praise and others encouragement as Naomie said of Ruth namelie that I am better in troth vnto hir than seuen of hir owne sonnes This grant O God for thine owne glorie sake and my comfort and commendation in Christ Iesus to whome with thee the holie Ghost be all honor glorie and praise for euer and euer Amen A praier to be said of anie woman when she is woed of anie man to be his wife O Lord God of our fathers creator of heauen and of earth the sea and all that in them is which workest all things according to thine owne purpose and will which rulest the harts of all men and women and disposest them after thine owne counsell as seemeth best to thy godlie pleasure Oh good God the preseruer of mankind in thy great loue by thy godlie prouidence thou didst prouide and giue vnto our first father Adam a fellow-helper not onlie like vnto himselfe but euen of his owne bodie and substance commanding them to increase and multiplie to the figuring and coniunction of thy deere sonne Iesus Christ our continuall and onlie mediator and thy holie congregation for the which blessed be thy name for euer Oh thou God of all comfort and father of all mercie when thou art angrie with vs for our sinnes then shewest thou vs mercie and in time of trouble and temptation thou forgiuest sinnes to all them that call vpon thee faithfullie To thee therefore oh deere father I turne my hart and direct mine eies as thou hast commanded vs to doo in all our needs and necessities beseeching thee to be mercifull vnto me oh deere God and heare me thy poore handmaid and worke of thy hands Thou hast made all mankind of the mould of the earth and hast wrought in me and this man that now woeth mee according to thy good pleasure Thou hast regenerated vs by thy holie spirit and new created vs in thy deere sonne Iesus Christ vnto good works that we should walke in them so that we can not nor may not come togither in marriage after the manner of the heathen which be ignorant and knowe not thee to be their God Now therefore O louing father to whome all harts are open and knowne in this beginning of our loue and coniunction of our minds I humblie beseech thee so to order our affections and rule our harts and desires that therein we seeke nothing but thy glorie and the profit of thy Church Therefore in Christes name I praie thee suffer vs not to go amisse but as a father helpe and guide vs to a right marriage in the which we may liue honestlie and prosperouslie euen as we ought to thy honour and either deliuer vs from all euill lusts and concupiscence of the flesh and defend vs from all slander and shame whereby anie offence may be giuen to thy people or else in thy good time take vs out of this earth and miserie Thou knowest O Lord that I haue not fished with poison nor endeuoured to allure him by deceipts charmes to loue me and that this coniunction of our minds is not begun in vs for voluptuousnes nor of lust but onlie in the feare of thee and for the desire of Christian societie and mutuall loue and the increase of godlie fruit to the profiting of thy holie congregation We knowe O Lord that it is thou onelie that prouidest the marriage that hast the harts of vs both in thy hand and that giuest the will to consent
according to the rule of thy holy commandements through the inspiration of thy blessed spirit to whome with thee and thy deerelie beloued Sonne Iesus Christ be all praise honor and glorie for euermore Amen Amen Praiers to be said of women with child and in child-bed and after their deliuerie A praier to be vsed of a woman with child O Almightie and mercifull Father which of thy bountifull goodnes hast fructified my wombe and of thy gratious blessing hast created in me a reasonable creature I most hartilie thanke thee not onelie for this thy gratious gift but also for that thou hast at all times sith I conceiued preserued me from all perils both of soule and bodie and hast so moderated all my nips pinches and pangs that I haue hitherto right well escaped them I acknowledge O Lord that iustlie for our â—infull transgression of thy commandements thou saiedst vnto the first woman our grand-mother Eue and in hir to vs all I will increase thy sorowe when thou art with child with paine shalt thou bring foorth thy children All our paines therefore that we suffer in this behalfe are none other thing but a woorthie crosse laid vpon vs by thy godlie ordinance to the which with hart mind I humblie submit my selfe trusting surelie and being fullie persuaded in my faith that thou callest none into perill and danger but both thou canst and wilt at conuenient season deliuer them Thou most gratious God hast commanded vs in all our trouble to call vpon thee for aid and helpe and not only hast commanded vs but also of thy mercifull goodnes hast promised to vs good deliuerance saieng Call vpon me in time of trouble and I will deliuer thee O good Lord how greatlie doo these words comfort my hart and susteine my seelie soule Who would not greatlie reioice that knoweth certainlie almightie God to be present with him in his trouble Saith not God thus Or euer they call saith he I shall answere them While they are yet but thinking how to speake I shall heare them And in the Psalme I am with him saith God in his trouble out of the which I will deliuer him What a comfortable Lord is this He is more readie to helpe than we to call for helpe He is more readie to giue grace than we to aske it There was neuer anie yet that with a pure faith asked grace of his Lord but he had it Christ saith Aske and ye shall haue Euerie one that asketh hath He that saith euerie one excepteth none Uerelie verelie I saie vnto you saith Christ whatsoeuer you shall aske my father in my name he shall giue it you Our sauiour Christ saith this and he is God and shall not I hearken to my Lord Gods commandements promises Uerelie I will sticke surelie to it for sure I am that sooner shall heauen and earth perish than Gods promises be vnperformed For albeit euerie man naturallie is a lier and deceiuer yet God is alwaies true and iust in all his words and promises I will therfore make my sute vnto him whome I need not go far to seeke for he is euerie-where present with his elect and is nigh vnto all them that call vpon him faithfullie and thus will I praie vnto him FAther of mercie and God of comfort and all consolation I thy poore hand-maid humblie beseech thee for Christ Iesus sake and in his blessed and holie name that thou wilt vouchsafe to forgiue me all my sins and trespasses that I haue heeretofore offended in against thy godlie maiestie either in thought consent delectation word or deed and that thou wilt heereafter during my life mercifullie preserue me from transgressing of thy commandements and dailie increase in me perfect repentance for my sins a sure purpose of amendment of my life and a diligent studie to walke in thy commandements Increase in me also a liuelie faith a sure hope and charitie Ingraffe in me humblenes of hart meekenes of mind cleannes of conscience Grant mee that I may be wise sad sober discreet circumspect and well aduised in all my saiengs and that I may stronglie ouercome all the temptations of mine enimies the diuell the world and the flesh and that whether I be sleeping or waking eating drinking or whatsoeuer I doo all may be to thine honor and glorie Grant me also that I may humblie reuerence my husband and faithfullie loue him and be obedient to all his honest lawfull and godlie requests And chieflie of all grant mee O Lord that I may feare and dread thee for well assured I am that looke how high the heauen is in comparison of the earth and so great is gods mercie towards them that feare him Looke how wide the East is from the West so far hath he set our sins from vs yea like as a father pitieth his owne children euen so is the Lord mercifull to them that feare him And as touching my deliuerance of this burthen and thy gratious gift I am right well assured that vnlesse thou prosper my trauell all womens helpe and all physicke is in vaine but my full trust is that like as thou hast created this child in me and hast breathed into it the spirit of life so at such time as shall be feene most meete to thy most godlie maiestie thou both canst and wilt prosper the childs birth and my deliuerance In consideration whereof I humblie beseech thee of thy fatherlie pitie to strengthen me in this my dangerous labour and trauell and so susteine me that I may patientlie beare all my throwes and pangs and according to thy promise suffer me not to be tempted aboue my strength but in the midst of my temptation make a way to come out that I may beare it Increase my faith O most mercifull sauiour Christ that I may constantlie beleeue thy word which saiest Ye shall be sorrowfull but your sorrowe shall be turned into ioie A woman when she trauelleth hath sorrowe for hir houre is come but when she is deliuered of the child she thinketh no more of the anguish for ioie that a man is borne into the world I be seech thee therefore in the dangerous time of my trauell grant me speedie deliuerance and ioifull beholding of my child that I being a merie and ioifull mother may render vnto thee honour laud praise and thanks for thine aboundant mercies and gratious gifts and benefits And finallie aboue all things I beseech thy gratious goodnes to endue my child with grace that it may be one of the number of thine elect baptised and regenerated in the holie Ghost and that at the yeeres of discretion it may learne to knowe thee and knowing thee may trust surelie in thy mercie trusting in thy mercie may hartilie loue thee louing thee may feare to displease thee and fearing to displease thee may bee obedient to thy commandements and finallie atteine euerlasting ioie and felicitie through our Lord Iesus Christ which liueth and reigneth with thee and the holie Ghost
his mercifull Father through thine holie spirit working in his hart by whose diuine power he may so preuaile against Satan that in the end obteining the victorie he may be exalted vnto the libertie of thy kingdome Amen Heere you may saie or sing to the glorie of God and your owne edifieng the 103. the 30. and the 116. Psalmes of Dauid A praier to be vsed of a woman at hir purification or Churching O Eternall father of thine onlie sonne our Lord and sauiour Christ which in the common-weale of Israel ordeinedst according to thy wisedome adornedst with excellent statutes necessarie for the state of man-kind and signifieng secret and heauenlie things didst make diuers lawes concerning vncleannes and the keeping of women with child and an other for the first borne and that not onelie to put vs in mind of order in this life and thankfulnes towards thy Maiestie but also to teach that this our giltie and polluted nature like the fowle menstruous cloth of a woman is washed by the blood of thy sonne which is the first borne thy substantiall image and the word sounding thy will whom from the heauens thou commandest to be harkened vnto Gouerne me by thy first and onlie begotten sonne and giue vnto me thy most defiled amd polluted hand-maid thy holie spirit that earnestlie I may bewaile mine vnworthines vilenes and vncleannes aske helpe at thy mercifull hands be this day purified both bodie and soule by the blood of thy Sonne and be redeemed by him vnto true pietie holines and inâ—egritie which pleaseth thee that through him I may be presented vnto thee with a pure and cleare mind and for his sake I may be adopted into thy children find fauour in thine eies Amen Or you may giue thanks and praie as in the booke of common praier and saie to your selfe or with the Minister as followeth FOr-as-much as it hath pleased thee O almightie God of thy goodnes to giue me safe deliuerance and hast preserued mee in the great danger of child-birth I therefore heere in the Church and congregation giue hartie thanks vnto thee O God and saie Psalme 121. I Haue lifted vp mine eies vnto the hils from whence commeth my helpe My helpe commeth euen from the Lord which hath made heauen and earth He will not suffer my foote to be mooued and he that keepeth me will not sleepe Behold he that keepeth Israell shall neither slumber nor sleepe The Lord himselfe is my keeper the Lord is my defence vpon my right hand So that the sun shall not burne me by day nor the moone by night The Lord shall preserue me from all euill yea it is euen he that shall keepe my soule The Lord shall preserue my going out and my comming in from this time foorth for euermore Glorie be to the father c. As it was in the beginning c. Let vs praie Lord haue mercie vpon me Christ haue mercie vpon me Lord haue mercie vpon me Our father which art in heauen c. O Lord saue me thy sinfull seruant which put my trust in thee Be thou vnto me a strong tower from the face of mine enimie Lord heare my praier and let my crie come vnto thee Let vs praie O Almightie God which hast deliuered me thy most vnwoorthie handmaid and sinfull seruant from the great paine perill of child-birth I hartilie thanke thee and humblie praise thy holie name for euer and euer Grant me now also I beseech thee most mercifull father that I through thy helpe may both faithfullie liue and walke in my vocation according to thy will in this life present and also may be partaker of euerlasting glorie in the life to come through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Praiers to be said for women with child before or in trauell by the Mid-wife husband or anie other man or woman THou O Lord art woonderfull in all thy works and whatsoeuer thy good pleasure is that dooest thou easilie bring to passe neither is there anie thing impossible with thee that thou wilt haue done And albeit this thine almightie power sheweth it selfe abundantly in all thy works yet in the conceiuing forming and bringing foorth of man it shineth most euidentlie At the beginning O heauenlie Father when thou hadst made man and woman thou commandedst them to increase multiplie and replenish the earth if through the subtill entisements of Satan they had not transgressed thy commandements by eating of the forbidden fruit the woman whom thou hadst appointed the organe instrument and vessell to conceiue nourish and bring foorth man through thy woonderfull workmanship had without anie labour paine or trauell brought foorth hir fruit But that which thy goodnes made easie sinne and disobedience hath made hard painfull dangerous and if thy helpe were not impossible to be brought to passe so that now all women bring foorth their children in great sorrowes paines and troubles Notwithstanding thou shewest thy selfe vnto thy creatures a father of mercie and God of all consolation For that which through their owne imperfection and feeblenes they are not able of themselues to bring to passe thou thorough thine vnspeakable power makest easie in them and bringest vnto a fortunate end Wee therefore being fullie persuaded of thy bent and readie goodnes of thy present helpe of thy sweete comfort in all miseries and necessities knowing also by the testimonies of thy holy word how great and intollerable the pains of women are that trauell of child if through thy tender mercies they be not mitigated and eased most humblie praie thee for Iesu Christs sake thy sonne and our Lord to assist and helpe as all other women else-where in like case so especiallie this thy seruant S. B. here now in trauell labour that by thine almighty power both they she may safely bring foorth that by thy goodnes they or she hath conceiued and that thy louing kindnes may make that easie and tollerable which sinne hath made hard and painfull Ease O Lord the paines which thou most righteouslie hast put vpon hir and all women for the sinne and disobedience of our grand-moother Eue in whome all we haue sinned and giue both vnto thy seruant here present and vnto all such as haue conceiued and be with child strength to bring foorth that which thou woonderfullie hast wrought in hir and them Be present now with hir them in their trouble according to thy mercifull promise helpe hir and them and deliuer them Let thy power be shewed no lesse in the safe bringing foorth than in the woonderfull framing or fashioning of the child Make perfect that which thou hast so gratiouslie begun in hir them so that it may come vnto good succes Make hir and them glad and ioifull mothers that she and they through thy goodnes being safelie deliuered and restored to their old health and strengths may liue and praise thy blessed name for euer Amen Another praier for a woman with child IN the beginning of the world
O father of heauen after thou hadst formed man of the slime of the earth and yet prince ouer all creatures it pleased thee of thy goodnes to create a woman of his side aswell for his solace as for the continuance of his seed it was thy word vnto them Increase multiply This increase was easie but mother Eue hath made it hard by passing the bounds of thy will to all hir posteritie so that the woman conceiueth and bringeth foorth in great paine and painefull trauell the fruit of hir wombe In so great paine O Lord in such extreme pangs that vnlesse thou quench the flame of hir sorrowes with the water of comfort it it impossible for hir to beare that into this vale of miserie which thou of thy goodnes hast framed and she conceiued Wherefore thou God of woonders and father almightie of heauen as thou hast by the slaughter of thine onelie Lambe taken awaie the sinnes of the wicked world and condemned sinne in the flesh so take awaie the pangs of child-birth the fruit of sinne from all womankind especiallie from this woman that bearing ioifullie that which she hath conceiued fruitfullie and thou hast fashioned gratiouslie she may glorifie thee most carefullie and praise thee most thankfullie the onelie staie of hir estate both now and euer Amen Another O Good true harted Lord Iesu Christ like as thou didst comfort and deliuer thy disciples and all elect and chosen men and women in all their need martyrdome and paines which they suffered of the tyrants wrongfullie and didst also cure and heale them of their wounds paines and smart through hope of the crowne of euerlasting life euen so vouchsafe thou which art the helpe of all them that call on thee in trouble and need to deliuer this poore weake vessell which is heere bound with a fruit after thine owne similitude and likenes notwithstanding that she hath deserued in transgressing of thy holie commandements to bring foorth hir children in paines and wo that she may be made a glad and ioifull mother through the new creature with good speed that the child may haue name and Christendome and that the mother may be purified to thy honour and to hir health Amen Another praier for a Queene being with a child O Almightie father in whose fauour the virgin Marie was highlie blessed among women by the birth of Christ thine onlie Sonne our Sauiour who also by thine omnipotent power didst safelie deliuer both hir and hir cousin Elizabeth and also so mightilie deliueredst the Prophet Ionas out of the whales bellie amids the foming sea Defend O Lord we beseech thee likewise thy seruant R. our Queene with child conceiued and so visit hir in and with thy godlie gift of health that not onlie the child thy creature within hir conceiued may ioifullie come from hir into this world and receiue the blessed sacrament of baptisme and enioie therewith dailie increase of all princelie and gratious gifts both of bodie and soule but that also she the mother through thy speciall grace and mercie may in the time of hir trauell auoid all excessiue dolorous paine and abide perfect and sure from all perill and danger of death with long and prosperous life through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another praier for a Queene Noble woman or Ladie with child O Most righteous Lord God which for the offence of the first woman hast threatned vnto all women high and lowe a common sharpe and ineuitable malediction and hast enioined them that they should conceiue in sin and being conceiued should be subiect to manie greeuous throws and torments and finallie be deliuered with the danger and ieoperdie of their life we beseech thee for thine exceeding great goodnes and bountifull mercie to asswage and mitigate the straightnes of that lawe and to embrace into the bosome of thy fauour and mercie our most gratious souereigne Ladie Queene R or our most deere sister A. P. C of P. being now at the point of hir deliuerance so helpe hir now O Lord that without danger of hir life she may ouercome the sorrowe and paine and in due season bring forth a child in bodie beautifull and comelie in pregnant wit notable and excellent in mind noble and valiant so that afterward she forgetting the trauell may with ioie laud praise the bountifulnes of thy mercie and togither with vs praise and blesse both thee and thy holie name world without end This O Lord we desire thee we beseech thee and most hartilie craue of thee Heare vs O Lord and grant vs our petitions Amen A generall forme of praier for all women with child and in child-bed O Most wise God eternall Father of thy beloued Sonne our Lord and sauiour Christ Creator and keeper of all thy creatures which through thine excellent wisedome and counsell hast enioined to woman-kind that in paine sorrowe they should bring foorth children whereby not onlie this world is replenished but a Church which doth celebrate thy name for euer is gathered vnto thee And for-as-much as the paine of a woman in trauell is most extreame which makes the Prophets manie times to repeate the same in exaggerating the afflictions of punishments which the holie spirit doth threaten vnto the impenitent we beseech thee in the name of Christ thy Sonne be mercifull vnto all women either with child or in child-bed giue them grace to call into mind the decree and pleasure of thine heauenlie will Let them neuer striue against thee through impatience but in true faith and inuocation of thy name suffer thy crosse quietlie knowing that by the seed of the woman which hath broken the head of the old serpent they are reconciled vnto thee In this seed which is Christ the cursse is cleane taken awaie and blessing restored vnto vs that we may receiue the promise of the spirit and the inheritance of eternall life O almightie God conuert now the sorrowes of women in trauell into gladnes that they remember not their paines with mourning for ioie that a man-child is borne into the world Comfort them in the midst of their anguish and helpe as well the mother as the babe speciallie in the danger of deliuerance For if thou blessed God be not present they perish vndoubtedlie all the world can not helpe them in that extremitie O eternall God which of the seed of man framest the liuing infant in the mothers wombe and nourishest the same congealed in bloud that the flesh within the time of ten moneths may take shape drawing nourishment from the mother we are all the woorkmanship of thine hands we giue thee thanks Lord for fearefullie and wonderfullie are we made maruellous are thy works and that our soules knowe right well Our bones are not hid from thee though we were secretlie made neither our substance in the inner parts of our mothers wombe Thine eies did see our substance being vnperfect and in thy booke were all our members written Thy hands haue made vs and
hast numbred all our daies which vade awaie suddenlie like the grasse for we are soone dispatched and easilie consumed A man in this world is euen like a vapour or shadow that quicklie vanisheth awaie For all flesh is grasse and the glorie thereof as the floure of the field which flourisheth in the morning and afterward withereth and vadeth Behold our daies are to be measured they are as it were but a spanne long and our age is nothing to speake of Our age is folden togither and taken awaie from vs like a shepheards cotage our life is cut off and our daies shortened by our sinnes like the thred of the weauer which is suddenlie broken off We are but strangers in this world soiourners as were our forefathers our daies on earth also are but a shadowe our life speedilie goeth awaie like the weauers shuttle and it abideth not We are as nothing Lord in respect of thee and verelie euerie man liuing is altogither vanitie yea infancie childhood youth middle age and old age all are but meere vanitie Wherefore O Lord teach me to number my daies that I may yet applie mine hart vnto wisedome and bring foorth more fruit euen in mine old age O let me knowe mine end and the number of my daies that I may be certified how long I haue to liue and what is yet to come Instruct me O Lord that being alwaies mindfull of my mortalitie I neuer promise to my selfe manie yeres nor long life in this pilgrimage of ours so shall I not liue securelie deferring my conuersion to thee from daie to daie nor yet put confidence in this fraile and vncertaine life as did that rich man saieng Soule thou hast much good laid vp in store for manie yeres take thine ease eate drinke and be merie whose soule notwithstanding was taken from him the same night But giue me grace that in thy feare I may dailie prepare my selfe to depart out of this prison and lothsome dungeon of my soule Now let me remember thee my Maker in the daies of my old age and in the yeres wherein I find no pleasure but paine and greefe whiles the sunne the light the moone and starres begin to waxe darke and the clouds of continuall miserie seeme to remaine after the raine to the increasing of my greefe Now let me thinke on thee my Creator whiles my hands the keepers of the house of my bodie doo tremble and the strong men my legs doo bow themselues and the grinders my teeth doo cease or stand still bicause they are few and they that looke out by the windowes mine eies I meane waxe darke and dimme Now let me remember thee my Maker whiles the doore of my lips and mouth beginneth to be shut by the base sound of the milner or grinding when my iawes I saie are scarse able to chawe my meat And I rise vp at the voice of the bird or crowing of the cocke bicause I can not sleepe And whiles all the daughters of musike euen my windpipe and eares are abased and become deafe and not able to heare singing Whiles I am afraid to climbe high bicause of my weaknes and stoope downe for feare least anie thing should hit me Whiles feare is in the waie I tremble as I go and am afraid of stumbling Whiles the almon tree my head doth florish with white heares and the verie light grashopper is a burden vnto it to beare And whiles all lust is past and driuen awaie Now I saie O Lord euen now yet let me call to mind thee my creator before I go to the house of mine age or long home the graue I meane and the mourners go lamenting my death about the streetes Or euer the siluer lace the sinewes and marowe of my backe bone be taken awaie and or the golden ewer or well of that litle yellow skin that couereth my braine-pan be broken or the pitcher of my two great veines be crackt at the well of my liuer or the wheele my head be broken vpon the cisterne of my hart out of the which the powers of life are drawne Euen now I saie at the least O my Creator let me remember thee before I which am but dust doo returne againe to the earth from whence I came and my spirit and soule returne to thee O God that gauest me it For all is but plaine vanitie and nothing more certaine than death though nothing more vncertaine than the houre thereof Therefore let me haue alwaies before mine eies an image and meditation of my departure the better to knowe the fleeting and vanitie of this combersome and vncertaine life that I may liue to thee my God being sound in faith and strong in hope looking with cheerefulnes for the daie of my departure and the ioifull appearing of thy sonne Iesus Christ my redeemer And as long as I abide in this tabernacle of my decaied and forworne bodie let me with all studie minister to my faith vertue to vertue knowledge to knowledge temperance to temperance patience to patience godlines vntill this tabernacle being laid awaie I shall passe ouer to my long home and dwelling place not made with hands but euerlasting in the heauens where I shall be clothed with eternall glorie and immortalitie when this my earthlie house is put off and destroied by death Grant also O God that trusting firmelie to thy promises I may be readie and glad to returne from this vale of miserie to mine euerlasting and celestiall countrie for while I am in this bodie I wander from thee my God For now I walke in faith not in the full and perfect enioieng and possessing of eternall good wherefore whether I be at home or from home let me endeuour my selfe to be acceptable in thy sight Make me a faithfull seruant and wise virgin alwaie hauing the lampe of faith readie light and with the oile of thy grace and merits prepared in my hand and still looking for the comming of the bridgrome my Lord and Sauiour Iesus for I knowe not when he will come at the euening or at midnight whether at the cocke-crowing or in the dawning of the daie least by a sudden houre of death I beeing ouertaken and as it were caught in the fowlers trap I be found vnreadie and haue a repulse among the foolish virgins but contrariwise by prudent watching in true conuersion and repentance I may continuallie couet to be dissolued and to be with Christ my redeemer Grant also deere Father that at the verie point of death hauing escaped all hardnes and temptations I may triumph like a conquerour behold the presence and power of thine holie spirit and let my last words be that which thy sonne did vtter vpon the altar of the crosse saieng Father into thy hands I commend my spirit and when my spirit is taken from me heare yet O God the grones of my hart And the houre glasse of life death being outrun and come let thy seruant and hand-maid depart
crauing that the oblation of thine annointed which is the iustifier and sanctifier of all that are to be iustified and sanctified may make vs cleane and so receiue vs into thy tuition And seeing obedience pleaseth thee better than the fat of sheep and the sacrifice of our lips better than the flesh and blood of beasts grant that we may finish our mortall race in shewing foorth thy praise and keeping thy holie will And forasmuch as thou hast thought good to set vp thy seruant our Queene a woman and a fraile vessell ouer vs to gouerne this kingdome and that she must render an account thereof a hard thing so to doo before the iudgement seat of thy Sonne Christ send downe we beseech thee O Father send downe such grace from thy high throne vpon thy daughter our Queene Elizabeth as thou knowest most necessarie for the performance and execution of so great a charge Thou hast giuen hir Councellers grant that she may vse their counsell happilie indue them with godlie righteous and carefull harrs that they may be both willing and able simplie faithfullie to consult and also prouidentlie to prouide aswell for thy church as for hir and vs hir people It is thy grace O Lord that we hir people renewed with thy word doo suffer our selues to be nourished with the same send foorth therfore faithfull shepherds godlie and true teachers to feed vs and driue awaie all hirelings and rauening woolues from this flocke of thine and of thy sonne Iesus Christ. Besides this so blesse vs the sheepe of thy pasture that we may neuer denie thee the chiefe honour our Queene thy deputie hir obedience and our neighbours mutuall loue Furthermore of thy goodnes mainteine peace and tranquillitie defend our Queene hir kingdome and countrie from bloudie warres and especiallie protect hir and vs from hollowe harts from ciuill tumults and conspiracies which haue shaken the greatest part of Christendome And bicause the affliction of euerie poore creature apperteineth to hir in so much as she is thine inspire the magistrates vnder hir with thy holie spirit that they may willinglie and carefullie mainteine iustice and prouide for the releefe of Christs poore members whose treasures both she and we and all others are whom thou hast blessed with thy earthlie benefites Heare our praiers we beseech thee for the sake of thy sonne Iesus Christ our redeemer to whom with thee and thy holie spirit bee all honour and glorie for euer Amen Morning and Euening praiers A praier to be said in the morning ALmightie and eternall God my Creator and louer I praise adore and blesse thee for that in mine offences and vngratefulnes thou hast so mercifullie and leisurelie forborne and suffered me to liue euen vnto this houre wherevnto by thy benefites thou hast brought me giuing to me thine vnworthie and reprochfull hand-maid both life and necessaries therevnto belonging appointing angels to be my keepers O good God who knoweth whether til euening my life shall be prolonged or what death is appointed for me Oh mercifull Lord God and heauenlie Father that I may with hartie repentance truelie repent my sinnes and inwardlie bewaile that euer I offended thy godlie maiestie suffer not my soule to depart this bodie before it be through thy mercie perfectlie reconciled adopted vnto thee by thy grace bedeckt with thy merits and vertues inflamed with perfect charitie and acceptable vnto thee according to thy will O mercifull Lord Iesu Christ if these things which I desire doo stand with thy pleasure grant them I beseech thee although I be not worthie to be heard Yeeld and giue I beseech thee of thine infinite mercie that by the merits of thy passion I may be purged from all my sinnes and that at the houre of my death I may be striken with true and vehement contrition and beeing knit with thee in perfect charitie I may immediatlie die vnto thee my sooeet Redeemer safelie and freelie from all damnation Neuertheles in all these my requests O best beloued Iesu I doo fullie and wholie offer and resigne my selfe vnto thee to be altogither disposed and ordered according to thy will and to suffer for thy glorious name sake desiring this one thing at thy hands that thou wilt remember my fragilitie vnworthines vnstablenes and miseries togither with thine owne goodnes and most charitable mercie praieng thee neuer to forsake or leaue me but that thou wilt alwaies possesse and gouerne me according to thy will Amen Another Morning praier OH Lord my God and most benigne Sauiour Iesus Christ who when I was not didst creat and make me capable of the souereigne and onelie good and being made a thrall and bondslaue through my forefathers trespasse didst redeeme me with thy most pretious blood and losse of thy sacred life abiding the torments due to my trespasses to acquite and rid me from the same For these O Lord and all other thine inestimable benefites namelie for hauing preserued me this night past and all the time and daies of my life hitherto I yeeld thee most humble zealous and obedient thanks offering my selfe wholie to thee as I am wholie thine beseeching thee also of thine infinite clemencie to preserue me this daie and euer from anie waies offending thee and to direct all my thoughts words and works to thine euerlasting glorie Mine estate and calling is as thou knowest O Lord inuironed with manie difficulties and dangers and through mine euill customes and wicked inclinations hardlie can I without thy speciall assistance passe this daie no not one minute thereof without offending thee in manifold sinnes Keepe vnder therefore O Lord my concupiscence and refresh my conscience with the dewes of thy diuine grace O giue me strength I praie thee to fight the good fight of faith more coragiouslie and perseuerantlie than hitherto I haue done and make thou me able to subdue all wicked suggestions of the enimie Trulie Lord heere in humilitie and sinceritie of hart I protest neuer willinglie by thy gratious fauour to offend thy lawes and commandements anie more I detest all sin and whatsoeuer may anie waies displease thy sacred maiestie I desire to loue thee feare thee and serue thee this daie and euermore and to direct all mine actions to thine honor and glorie Assist me Lord with thy grace and enrich my pouertie with the plentie of thy merits for in the vnion of that charitie wherwith thou discendedst from heauen in the blessed virgins wombe and afterward offredst vp thy selfe on the crosse in sacrifice for our sinnes in the vnion of this thy incomprehensible charitie I saie I offer vnto thee whatsoeuer I shall doo thinke or speake this day beseeching thee through thy mercifull goodnes to accept gouerne blesse and enrich me and all that I go about in such sort as thy glorie may be thereby procured my neighbours welfare occasioned and mine owne soule better fortified and prouided To thee my sweet and onlie sauiour Christ with the Father and the