sinnes Answere Neyther reward vs after our iniquities Let vs pray O God mercifull Father that despisest not the sighing of a contrit hart nor the desire of such as be sorrowful mercifully assist our prayers that wee make before thée in all our troubles and aduersities whensoeuer they oppresse vs and gratiously heare vs that those euills which the craft and subtlety of the Deuill or man worketh against vs be brought to nought and by the prouidence of thy goodnes they may bee dispersed that we thy seruantes being hurt by no persecutions may euermore giue thankes vnto thée in thy holy Church through Iesus Christ our Lord. O Lord arise helpe vs and deliver vs for thy Names sake O God we haue heard with our eares and our Fathers haue declarud vnto vs the noble workes that thou diddest in their dayes and in the olde time before them O Lord arise helpe vs and deliver vs for thine honour Glory be to the Father and to the Sonne c. From our enemies defend vs O Christ Gratiously looke vpon our afflictions Pittifully behold the sorrows of our hearts Mercifully forgiue the sins of thy people Fauourably with mercy hear our Prayers O Sonne of David haue mercy vpon vs. Both now euer vouchsafe to heare vs O Christ Gratiously heare vs O Christ gratiously heare vs O Lord Christ The Versicle O Lord let thy mercy bee shewed vpon vs. Answere As we doe put our trust in thée Let vs Pray VVE humbly beséeth thee O father mercifully to looke vpon our infirmities and for the glory of thy names sake turne from vs al those euils that we most righteously haue deserued graunt that in all our troubles wee may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercy and euermore serue thee in holinesse and purenes of liuing to thy honour and glory through our onely mediatour and aduocate Iesus Christ our Lord Amen ¶ A Prayer for the Kinges Maiestie O Lord our heauenly Father high and mightie King of Kings Lord of Lords the onely Ruler of Princes which doest from thy throne behold all the dwellers vpon earth most heartily wee beseech thee with thy fauour to behoid our most gratious Soueraigne Lord King Iames and so replenish him with the grace of thy holy Spirite that hee may olway encline to thy will and walke in thy way indue him plentifully with heauenly gifts grant him in health wealth long to liue strengthen him that hee may vanquish and ouercome all his enemies and finally after this life he may attaine euerlasting ioy felicity through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A Prayer for the Queene and Prince and other the King and Queenes Children ALmighty God which hast promised to be a father of all thine Elect and of their séede we humbly beséech thée to blesse our gratious Quéene Anne Prince Henrie and all the King and Quéenes Royall Progenie endue them with thy holy Spirite enrich them with thy heauenly Grace prosper them with all happines and bring them to thine euerlasting kingdome through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen ALmighty euerlasting God which onely workest great maruailes send downe vpon our Bishoppes and Curates and all Congregations cōmitted to their charge the healthfull Spirite of thy Grace and that they may truely please thée powre vpon them the continual dew of thy blessing graunt this O Lord for the honour of our Aduocate and Mediator Iesus Christ Amen A Prayer of Chrysostome ALmighty God which hast giuen vs Grace at this time with one accorde to make our common Supplications vnto thée and doest promise that when two or thrée bée gathered together in thy Name thou wilt graunt their requests fulfill now O Lord the desires and petitions of thy seruants as may be most expedient for them graunting vs in this worlde knowledge of thy truth and in the worlde to come life euerlasting Amen THe Grace of our Lorde Iesus Christ and the Loue of GOD and the Fellowshippe of the Holy Ghost be with vs al euermore Amen For Raine if the time require O God Heauenly Father which by thy Son Iesus Christ hast promised to all them that séeke thy Kingdome and the righteousnesse thereof all thinges necessarie to their bodily sustenance sēd vs we beseech thée in this our necessity such moderate raine and showres that wee may receiue the fruites of the earth to our comfort and to thy honour through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen For faire weather O Lord god which for the sin of man didst once drown all the world except eight persons and afterward of thy great mercy diddest promise neuer to destroy it so againe we humbly beseech thee that although wee for our iniquities haue worthily deserued this plague of raine and waters yet vpon our true repentance thou wilt send vs such seasonable wether wherby wee may receiue the fruits of the earth in due season and learn both by thy punishment to amend our liues and for thy clemencie to giue thee prayse and glory through Iesus Christ our Lord Amē In the time of Dearth and Famine O God heauenly Father whose gift it is that the raine doth fall the earth is fruitfull beasts increase and fishes doe multiplie behold wee beseech thée the afflictions of thy people and grant that this scarsitie and dearth which wée doe now most iustly suffer for our iniquitie may through thy goodnesse bee mereifully turned into cheapenesse and plenty for the loue of Iesus Christ our Lord to whome with thee and the holy Ghost be all honour c. Amen In the time of warre O Almighty God King of all Kinges and Gouernour of all things whose power no Creature is able to resist to whom it belongeth iustly to punish Sinners and to bee mercifull to them that truely repent saue and deliuer vs wée humbly beséech thée from the hands of our enemies abate theyr pride asswage their malice and confound their deuises that wée being armed with thy defence may bee preserued euermore from all perils to glorifie thee which art the onelie giuer of all victorie through the merites of thy onely Sonne Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen In the time of any common plague or sickenesse O Almighty God which in thy wrath in the time of King David diddest slay with the plague of pestilence threescore and tenne thousand and yet remembring thy mercy diddest saue the rest haue pitty vppon vs miserable Sinners that now are visited with greate sickenesse and mortality that like as thou diddest then cōmaund thine Angell to cease from punishing so it may now please thee to withdraw from vs this plague and grieuous sicknesse through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen O God whose nature property is euer to haue mercy and to forgiue receiue our humble Petitions and though we be tyed and bound with the chaine of our sinnes yet let the pittifulnesse of thy great mercy loose vs through Iesus Christs sake our Mediatour and Aduocate Amen A Thankesgiuing for Raine O God our heauenly Father who
kindnesse be such I heare present thée with a heauie heart a broken bodye a martyred mind and a sighing Soule These all appeale to thée O Lord for thy mercie and cry out with the Prodigall Son saying I haue sinned against Heauen and before thée wash me therefore with thy rich mercy not that any good in mee doth deserue it but because thou art God of all mercie and it declareth thy mightinesse to forgiue Thou diddest shew compassion vpon the woman of Canaan for her great Faith and from the beginning thou hast not reiected the effectuall praiers of a single heart Lord I giue glory to thy name with the highest thy mercy stretcheth aboue the Firmaments the sure hope and trust I haue in thy vnspeakeable truth and compassion is equall with the strong Faith of the Cananite woman I confesse my sinnes are manifold But Lord I know thy mercie and sauing health are infinite Lord sith thou art of power to forgiue aboue that I can offend for thy names sake release my sorrow cut the sacke of my sins and make mee strong in thée So shall I liue and all my thoughts acknowledge thy praise Amen H HAppy is the man that hath not fallen with the Woorde of his mouth and is not pricked with the conscience of sin that hath no heauinesse in his mind and is not falne from his Hope HOw mighty thou art oh God of Hoastes in thy precelling powre by Creating this world of nothing we are taught to know Thou doest gouern the same and puttest downe with thy hand the prowde and traiterous Tyrants thereof Thou destroyest their deuises kéepest the raging Sea within her bounds These and such like declare thy power ouer all The plentie of thy bountifull hand giueth not onely increase of things but also the encrease of euery kinde of thing shewe forth thy louing kindnesse Thou doest multiply yearly and daily these kindes how many séeds good Lord doest thou encrease of one séed Lord what manifolde springs commeth thereof These cannot but kéepe vs mindfull of thy excéeding Riches and Mercy Lord if to thy enemies as to the greatest number of the worlde which loue thée not thy condition be to deale thus bountifully what shall I déeme resteth with thée for thy frindes Truly such blisfull ioyes and rest as maketh me only desire of thée to bée dissolued from this earthlye and vncleane bodye when thy pleasur is I am the freshe Image of thy selfe and the worke of thine owne hands take mée therefore vnto thée burnish me a new frée my soule from the poysoned prison of sinne that it may giue equal thanks vnto so swéete a Lorde and guide Whilest I abide in this wretched body of Sinne I cannot sée thée oh Lord yea it is a heauy habitation and depresseth down sore my Spirit from the familiarity which it els should haue with thée my louing Father Lord this world and life is a Dungeon of Darknesse a Mountain of miserable Martirdomes a lewde Laborinth of lothsome Lustes a cankred course of chokinge Calamities being voyde of all vertues to gaine eternall Life Make mée therfore strong to walke vpright in this wretched wildernesse and arme mée with the guift of thy grace against the power of Sathan my Ghostly enemy Here is nothing where I am Lord but daily assaults of Temptations troubles torments carefull calamities contention for thy word horrible hatred and worldly ambition against which Lord perfect me in knowledge and strong fayth and with thy righte hand beat downe mine enemies that thou mayst be knowen to bée my God and Shield ¶ The Versicle FOR thy deare Sonnes sake O Lord heare and receaue my Prayers ¶ The Answere AND in thy truth and mercie pardon mine offences and graunt mee thy grace ¶ The Collect. O Lord Iesus Christ Sonne of the pure Virgin Marie thou art not onely the swéet spouse of my soules health but with God the Father a most meeke Mediator full of mercie and truth wash awaye my sins with the most precious blood of thy holie passion make mee rich in thy mercie and my faith so strong in thée that assisted with thy grace and holie Spirit to all dutie and workes in this life towards thée I may enioye afterwards the glorie of thy blessed kingdome with thy holy Saints in euerlasting honour and tryumph Amen L LOuing Father plant thy grace so surely in me oh Lord that from this day I neuer become enemie with thée againe but that I may onelie rest in thée Guide me with the cleare light of thy woord through the darke deserts of this wretched world Heere no miserie nor trouble lacketh Héere euerie place is full of snares of mortall enemies yea héere one trouble and temptation being ouerpassed an other ensueth and after the first enduring a new battaile suddainlie assaileth whereby I neuer haue peace and want wherewith to warre O Lord kéepe me helpe me saue mee regard me oh Lord Lord assist me with the power of thy holie Spirit and as thou hast commaunded I come vnto thée praying for the guift of all these my requests and speciallie Lord I require the Sword of my sauiour Christ true and firme Faith that established in thy Truth holding that for my defence I may be safelie armed against all mine enemies and strong to cut down the thornes which shall spring in my waye of passage vnto thée in whom sweet Sauiour aboue all honour glorie triumph swaye rule power and dignitie make me settle all my ioyes yea aboue all health riches beautie fame and felicitie to desire thée loue thée and magnifie thée which giuest all and therfore of all to bee beloued and sought art most worthy Amen A ARise O Lord I beséech thée and ease the paines I suffer and the troubles of my soule let the fountaines of thy grace ouerflow my barren bodie and the floudes of thy mercie strengthen my féeble Spirit let thy louing kindnesse couer mine infirmities and thy suffered drops of deaw vpon the Crosse drown mine iniquitie Thy woord is Truth and thou hast said thy delight is not in the death of a Sinner but wouldest he should conuert and liue Teach me therfore to number my daies in the loue of thy Lawes that I may alwaies thirst after thy kingdome and neuer forget thée but in this that I haue here begun may perseuer and increase setting at naught all worldlie pompe respect of persons and mans helpe and onelie cleaue to thy Omnipotent power mercie strength and goodnes wherein Lord make mee so rich that I neuer may haue power to swerue from thée nor want thy grace to resist all temptations neither yet thy strength to tread downe mine enemies and so my heart shall ioyfullie liue and giue thanks to thée my God of all truth mercie and victorie Amen D DEare God thou mercifull father of my redéemer Christ which hast promised to heare the petitions of them that aske in thy sons name giue downe thy feare into my hart conioyne thy
holy spirit to the felowship of my soule powre vpon me the blessed deawes of thy grace enritch me with thy high vnderstanding and send wisdome in her glory from thy Sacred seate to dwell in mée that shée may giude me vphold me and labour with me to the end that in all my trauelles enterprises proceedinges and studies I may preuail to thy glory Do this deare Father for the triumph of thy name Bow downe thine eares and mercifully heare and receiue the summe of all my requests graunt that all thinges which I aske according to my necessity I may effectually obtaine to thy glory and profit of my soule through Iesus Christ my only Lord Sauiour Amen I I Giue and commit into thy hands my Spirite yea rather I may say thy Spirite seeing thou hast giuen it mee linke it to my body for a season and séeing it is thy image and Figure made after thine owne likenesse séeinge thy deare Sonne did climbe the direfull steppes of death for redemption therof O moste fauorable Father and méeke God of all mercy and compassion I eftsoones commende this my Spirit into thy hand I am thine whatsoeuer I am receiue thine I beséeche thee preserue mee and comforte mée for no man can help mee besides thée Onlye thou art the sureste resister of all mischiefe thou art oh God the readiest helpe in all trouble thou art my hope strength In thée doo I put my trust let mee not bée confounded let mee neuer be rebuked thou art my strong rock and my Castle thou art my sauiour my portion is in thy hands Lighten thy face vppon thy Seruant and saue mee O Lord in thy mercy Amen E EVen now I sée that no brickle nor corrupt gold or Siluer hath redemed my soule O Heauenly Father but the pretious bloud issuing frō Christ as of a lambe vndefiled and without spot make mée therefore O Lorde for his sake to put on his humility patience vertue and vnspotted life rendring suche accompt of this my pligrimage as best may agrée to his merit and thy mercy Let mée not be found vnthankfull to so swéet a Lord and Sauiour what is most righteous acceptable and pleasant in thy sight let mée alwayes O God preferre in faith and workes and whatsoeuer is to approoue mée vnworthy of his tender and surmounting loue that may alter his louing kindnesse or exchang his wonted compasion towards mée Lord let mée euer fayle in strength to do it but assisted by thée I may euerlastingly be found to liue in him Amen E EVery one that sayeth Lord Lord shall not enter the Kingdom of heauen Therfore confirme my Faith strong in thée O heauenly Father and in my Sauiour Iesus Christ quiet my mind with sure hope of his promises and thy Saluation Destroy in mée the kingdome of Sinne the power of Sathan the desires of the world the delights of the flesh Guide my feete in the pathes of thy precepts bring the conflicting daies of mine enemies to an end Make me that am weak in my selfe strong in thee to cōquer the force of their armes So shal my lippes powre out continuall prayse vnto thée O god of my Saluation and magnifie thy Maiesty world without end Amen L LOoke not extremly what is done amisse in mée for no fleshe is righteous in thy sight I offer vp my selfe wholy with all my vnsauory and corrupt abuses both in will works vnto the flowing fountayn of thy mercy to be chasticed pollished and washed and made cleane euen at thine owne will and pleasure Wherefore impute not the frailty of my tender yéeres vnto my charge but that thou maist ouercom when thou art iudged Forgiue me receiue me and so arme me with thy holy Spirit that I may tread the rest of my dayes with an vpright sway a cleare conscience and a single hart to thy Glory and profite of my Soule Amen I I Liue Oh God in a most wretched Vale of mysery where continually thy creatures are stained with sinne assayled with affliction vexed with troubles choked with cares infected with ambition vexed with temptations blinded with errours ouercom with vanities of the world and miserably wrapped in all vntruth and wretchednesse wherefore O Lord arise stretch out thy hand helpe and comfort me Asswage my sorrow assist mee with thy Holy Spirit that mine owne substance ouercome mee not this glittering vaine world of infinite sorowes and fewe felicities deceaue me not that Sathan supplant me not but giue mee inuincible power to encounter them patience in suffering them in thy word constancye in perseuering to the end Amen Z ZEale anger hatred and from respect of any persons in Iudgement LORD make me free Arme me with the patience of my Sauiour Christ giue me the Breast-plate of his righteousnesse the helmet of his equitie Make mee to exercise his Mercie Truth Méekenes Faithfulnesse Temperance and Humilitie Cast out of my heart all that may offend thée and disprofit my soule Let all worldly things be vile vnto mee for thy sake let me reioyce in nothing without thée nor loue nothing but to thy glory So shall my hart kéepe thy lawes and my mouth for euer and euer speak thy praise Amen A ACcepte mée Lord in the number of thy elect behold in mée the Image of thy selfe and the worke of thine owne hands remember thou hast giuen thy deare Son to the bitter Passiō of the Crosse for my redemption Let me not be rewarded therefore according to the deepe sea of my sinnes for then I perish But for thy Truth Mercie and deare Sonnes sake correct mee strengthen mee and imbrace mee yea linck mee so surely to the loue of thy lawes that I neuer leaue thee and in the day of my trouble and houre of death Lord deliuer me so shall I liue and glorifie thee through all worlds Amen B BEhould my infirmities O Lord and consider my frailnes best known vnto thee So oft as I shall fall make me lift vp my heart agayne vnto thee seeke thee feare thee and loue thee and euer to be sorry with so stedfast a purpose of amendment that my earnest desire may rightly stire vp thy mercy and procure me the assistance of thy grace to conioyne mee to all Heauenly things and to destroy al earthly affections and temptations that dayly pluck mee backe and rebell not suffering my soule to liue in rest Against which builde thy feare in my breste true knowledg of thy word in my heart fortifie my faith with sure hope of thy Heauenly blisse enter the shining light of thy woorde so deepe in my minde that all my studies thoughts being onely occupied therein my other parts may euer want power to offend thée and my tongue and lippes euer bee singing thy laude and glory Amen E ENritch my Soule with the continual felowshippe of thy Holy Spirit whose diuine humanitie may so temper my grosse substance with trew condition that alwaies I may séeme low in mine
Spirite to remaine with mée that I may become with that good king thy chosen seale and seruant And so gouern me alwaies that I may neuer deserue further then to taste of thy rod of fauourable correction but that all my labours and studies may euer bend to the performance of thy holy will and discharge of my duetie Amen A ARise and illuminate my mind most benigne Sauiour that I sléepe not at any time in death least mine enemies say they haue preuailed against me They which trouble me will be glad if I be cast downe but I haue fixed my hope in thy mercy Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant for no liuing creature shall bee iustified in thy sight I will euer looke vpon the Lord for he shall bée on my right hand that I bée not moued for this my heart is glad and my tongue reioyceth yea moreouer my flesh shall rest in hope Amen B BE thou vnto me O lord in the day time a defender and in the night season a place of refuge that thou mayest saue me for thou art my strength and vnto thée I flie Lord God deliuer me frō the hand of sinners and from the Law-breaker the wicked doer for thou Lord art my patience thou art my hope euen from my youth in thee I am confirmed euen from my mothers wombe thou art my protector in thee shall be my song for euer and euer Amen E EVer my tongue shall bée telling of thy rich mercie and wondrous workes O Lord for thou hast caused me to passe through fire and water and hast lead mee into a fresh place thou hast giuen my Soule life and hast not suffered my féet to fall According to the multitude of my sorrowes thy comfortes haue made my soule merry My soule is like a Sparrow taken out of the fowlers snare Thou hast hitherto preserued mee that I may please thée O Lord in the light of the liuing Amen T THou art iust O Lord all thy commandements bée true and all thy wayes mercy truth and iudgement And now Lord bée mindful of mee take not reuengemēt of my sinnes remember not mine offences neither the offences of my Fathers becaus we haue not obeied thy precepts Giue mee an heart of vnderstanding set thy feare alwaies before mine eies that I may bee obedient in word deede and thought to all that is thy will Lord giue vnto me the power of thy holy Spirit to rule and gouerne my selfe in all good feare and knowledge of of thy word and that I may bee vnto all an example in all godlinesse and vertue to the prayse of thy holy name Amen H HEale me Lord and I shall be healed saue me and I shall bee saued My life cleaueth vnto the earth Quicken me according to thy word and according to thy mercie reléeue me and I will kéepe the testimonies of thy lippes Helpe me Lord so shall I be safe and I will from henceforth studie thy righteousnesse thy mercies are manie O Lord according to thy word restore my health Amen IOHN I. SI confiteamur Peccata nostra Deus fidelis est iustus vt remittat nobis Peccata nostra emundet nos ab omni iniquitate Si dixerimus quoniam non peccauimus Mendacem facimus eū Verbum eius non est in nobis IOSVE Fili mi da Gloriam Deo Israel confitere atque indica mihi quid feceris ne abscondas AVGVSTINVS COnfessio est salus animarum dissipatrix vitiorū restaurattix Virtutum expugnatrix Daemonum Quid plura Obstruitos Inferni Paradisi portas a perit Cassidorus super Psalm 77. OBeata Confessio quae aeternum tollit opprobrium Nam quicquid Rearū inuenerit Poenitentia perpetuis Seculis reddit absolutum An inward speech wherwith Christ doth comfort the Soule of the sinner desiring to liue better Gathered out of the works of sundry holy Writers I Loue them saith Christ that séeke mee and my delight is among the Children of men Sic dilexi mundum vt in mortem darem animam meam vt non pereat sed habeat vitam aeternam quicunque in me crediderit I haue so loued the world that I gaue my selfe vnto death that who so euer beléeued in me should not perish but haue euerlasting life O thou Soule O Daughter I haue labored hungred thirsted I haue béene despised and suffered persecution for thy sake I am wounded for thine iniquitie I am wearied through thy wickednesse I am dead for thine offences and risen againe for thy iustification the loue which I beare to thee hath forced mée to doe suffer al these things and to make choice of thée for my Child Wherefore amend thou and returne to me wash thée in the bloud of my woūds and decke thée with vertues and merites of my life All these things I willinglie giue nay rather as a most louing Father offering these things I runne to embrace thee and receiue thée with imbracing and kissing assuring thée to loue mee againe returne daughter and be clean Praebe cor tuum mihi quia praeter hoc aliud abs te non desidero Be sorrie that thou hast sinned because thou hast offended me or at the least sorrow because thou canst not perceiue thy selfe pensiue for oft it commeth to passe that it better pleaseth me and is more profitable to mā to haue a will to be contrite and denout then to perceiue contrition or deuotion Because this contrarie desire of willing and vnwilling engendreth affliction of mind Therefore bee sorie and angrie with thy self yea iudge thy selfe worthie to be damned because thou hast sinned and art not sorrie as thou oughtest This contrition although it be not sensible yet it is such although thou suffer persecution as will bring thée to helth eternall for I know your miserie your weakenesse and necessitie so that in no wise a willing mind ought to dispaire whatsoeuer oldnesse or coldnesse of conscience he feel But thou wilt say I haue committed innumerable offences how shall I particularlie sorrow euerie one of them O my daughter needest thou comfort let onelie truth comfort thée if thou hast many sinnes haue also one generall Contrition in the which thou wilt include all euery offence so that there be no sinne which although it came vnto thy minde thou wouldest exempt from thy penitencie which thou wouldest not eschew and forsake For this generall contrition extendeth it selfe to all and euerie offence yea vnto those which thou hast forgotten and canst not remember neither doe I require that you should necessarilie haue for euerie offence seuerall contritions according to the number and manner of your sinnes for thus I haue spoken of Marie Magdalene I haue forgiuen her many offences for that shee loued much I said not because she loued oftentimes neither could this Magdalene in so sodaine a compunction be otherwise sorrie then for all together Thou likewise to bee sorrie for all that there bee no sinne
night with thy mighty hand and bring mee to the light of the next day Renue in me a right spirite that I may receaue strength and abilitie to do thy righteous will and to stand against all the assaults of Satan that the old man which I beare about in my body may be crucified daily in me and the desire of sinne and errour of worldly vanities may bee destroyed and the life of my Sauior may alwaies appeare in me Lord grant me these and all other good graces euen for Iesus Christs sake my onely Lord and Sauiour in whose name I humbly begge them at thy hands saying as he hath taught me Our Father c. ¶ A Prayer for the Morning O Lord thou high and mightie whose Glorie and Maiesty may not be comprehended whose woord is true whose commandement is strong thou that ridest vppon the Cherubins and flyest with the winges of the wind Thou God of all mercie most woorthy to be sought before whome the Hoastes of Heauen stand with trembling whose Ordinance is dreadfull whose Lookes drieth vp the depthes whose hands ruleth the starrie Firmaments whose goodnesse onely giueth the fruits of the Earth whose wrath maketh the Mountaines to melte and consumeth the wicked whose truth beareth witnesse and mercie saueth the sorrowfull Sinner Thou thou incomprehensible Creator that neuer tookest beginning and wantest end Sith of nothing thou hast wrought me with the wonders of the world to thy most séemly shape and vouchsafest thy drery Death and passion to drowne the danger of my sinnefull deserts and hast as a carefull Captaine cherished my bodie with comfortable giftes vnto this present day Continue oh God such goodnesse towards me vnworthy which doe here with a contrite heart and bowed Knées appeale to the height of thy mercie and louing kindnesse to accept my vnequall thankes for the same humbly beséeching thy Fatherly goodnesse that thy holy hand may still renew in me thy former gifts plenteouslie powred vpon me from the prime of my birth vnto this present not remembring good Lord my vnworthines of the same nor frailty of my passed yeares that speaketh against me but altering the ministers of thy wrath into milde mercie Graunt I beséech thée that through the assistance of thy holy Spirit I may be led to correct what is amisse and that I may now this day and euer hereafter perseuer in setting ordering and performing all my trauailes councels and studies as best may accord with thy blessed will and cancell the handes of my heauye charge Assist me oh Lord of all power with thy prudent skill and heauenlie grace that I may bee truelie able to aduance Iustice and to hate wrong and so be found faithfull in all that I take in hand Plant I beséech thée by thy heauenlie grace and feare with obedience in mee and kindle in me the loue of thy holy spirit that I may perseuer in the truth of thy word without doubt or wauering to the end Graunt this oh mightie God of Hoastes for the Merites and Passion of thy deare Sonne my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ Amen ¶ A Prayer for the Euening O Most mercifull GOD and louing Father with feare and reuerence I approach to thy throne this night that stealeth on me like a thiefe I thanke thée for preseruing me this day past and I beséech thée suffer me not to fall into the horrours of the night Forgiue me the innumerable offences that I haue cōmitted this day those also which if thy Grace preuent me not I am like to fall into this night Pardon them oh Lord they are more in number then the sand in the Sea and more heauie to me then if Mountaines were layd vpon my breast But I beséech thée receaue me to mercie and giue me grace to be more carefull of the performance of thy holie will Suffer no vncleane thoughts to pollute my bodie and soule and whether I sléepe or wake giue thine Angels charge ouer me that at what houre soeuer thou callest me I may like a faithfull souldier be found ready to attend thée my Lord and God euen for Iesus Christs sake my onely Lord and Sauiour Amen ¶ In the multitude of thy mercies will I enter into thy house oh GOD and in thy feare lift vp my handes and heart towardes thy sacred seate and honour thy Holy name ¶ The Confession of a Sinner O Most blessed Father of euerlasting blisse and gracious giuer of all goodnes I say most precious Patron of all Princely power and God of all mercie I wretched sinner and vncleane Creature with so much humilitie as possible in me is and with full trust in thy goodnesse doe prostrate my selfe before thy Sacred seate confessing my grieuous huge and déepe offences wherewith I haue offended thee my most louing Father euen vntil this houre I haue not feared to commit those execrable wicked déeds which thy onely beloued Son my humble Lord and Sauiour by his bitter bloud-shedding hath washed and with so pinching panges purged I confesse also vnto thée most mercifull father my great and horrible ingratitude wherewith I vnwoorthy creature haue euer most vnthankefullie answered thée and thy Sonne in liew of all the loue goodnesse and fidelitie which thou hast bestowed on mee which now so long and many years hast spared my wickednesse and sinne and benignely suffred all iniurie and contempt offered thée through my disobedience and wilfulnesse Yea thou hast required mee to repentance with great gentlenesse that thereby thou mightest winne my heart to decke thy Habitation therin with the Boughs of thy Loue. And how often oh Lord GOD haste thou knocked at the Doore of my Conscience by thy inspiration wooed mee with thy benefites cheared mee with thy comforts and most mightilie put to flight my dreadfull daungers yet hast thou suffered repulse I haue alwaies turned ny backe to thée and thou notwithstanding haste méekely suffred it Oh how iustlie couldest thou haue throwen me to Hell yet mercifullie hast spared me Truelie it is maruaile most sweet Sauiour that my heart breaketh not through vehement sorrow when I recount these things Neither is Hell it selfe with all his paines of force to correct my malicious wickednesse I am vnworthy to bee called thy creature or one whome the Earth should sustaine or nourishmentes yéeld their naturall food Meruaile it is oh Lord that thy Creatures and Elements do not reuenge the iniurie and contempt which I haue made thée through my manifold iniquities But now most louing Father haue mercie I beséech thée on me and to me miserable and desolate sinner Turne the eyes of thy diuine fauour and with the winges of thy mercie couer my infirmitie Open vnto mee the Bowels of thy benignitie and receiuing me into thy fauour forgiue my slackenesse in turning to thée Open to me thy bosome of bountie and louing kindnesse and replenish me with the nourishment and solace of thy grace I beséech thée Lord God sith of thy mercie and for thy Sonnes
sake thou hast hitherto spared me confirme now that swiftly in me whervnto from the beginning I am ordained And woe to me vnhappie sinner that haue left so louing and mercifull a Father who euer tendered me Yet haue I denyed thée in my heart wherein thou hadst determined the Tabernacle of thy delight and haue defiled it and made thereof a vessell of iniquitie and a denne of vncleane Spirits I confesse my selfe oh Lord the most wicked of all that the world sustaineth But neuertheles I trust in thy goodnesse For as my sinnes be aboue number so is there no number of thy mercies O most louing Father if it séeme good to thée thou canst make me cleane Heale my soule I confesse I haue sinned Remember Lord those comfortable words which thou spakest by the Prophet saying Thou hast done wickedly with many yet turne to me and I will receiue thee Truelie most mercifull Father I trust assuredlie in these swéet words and with my whole heart turne mee to thée as though thou hadst spokē these words to me alone and wouldest call none other for I am the vncleane and vnfaithfull soule the prodigall and wandring Sonne who hath alienated my selfe from that Father of Light from whome all goodnesse springeth loosing and neglecting all thy large giftes which of thy bountifull liberalitie thou hast graunted I haue straied from thée like a wandering shéepe I haue forsaken thée the fountaine of Liuing Water and digged to my selfe muddie pittes séeking outwarde comforts which hold no water haue followed Temporall and transitorie delights which vanish swiftlie as smoake I haue left also the bread of Life and eate the dregs of Swine following mine owne sensuall appetite and beastlie affections I haue forsaken thée the chéefe most perfect and continuall good and haue enclined to terrestriall and transitorie things Therefore I am become Naked Poore Miserable and vncleane and as a Calfe tied doe festure through mine owne infirmities But I praie thée oh Father remember not the contempt and Iniurie thou hast receiued of me pardon the passed faults of my tender yeares let not the old soares of wandring youth in setled yeares breake out to new bléeding woundes Accept the pittifull passion of thy deare Sonne in satisfaction of my former heaped euils graunt Lord to mee sorrofull sinner the assistance of thy holie Spirit to continue this I haue begunne to the health of my Soule and quietnes of mind and my tongue and heart shal speake the Triumph of thy louing kindnesse and mercie both now and euer Amen Eccles 4. Deliuer him that suffreth wrong from the hands of the oppressour and be not faint-hearted when thou sittest in Iudgement decide Law with Equity and Iustice with mercy bee fauourable to the Fatherlesse and bee in steade of a Husband vnto their Mother so shalt thou bee blessed in sight of the Highest and he shall loue thee more then doth thy Father and Mother Eccles 9.12 Day and night let the broad Gates of thy bounty be open to the Discreete and Vertuous Set honour alwaies vppon the head of the lowlye But to the prowde and ambicious keepe thy selfe secret and straunge giue not thy bread vnto him least hee become mightier then thy selfe nor trust not thine Enemy at any time for like as Iron cankereth so doth his wickednesse though he humble himselfe greatly yet locke vp thy mind and beware of him set him not by thee nor on thy right hand least he turne get into thy place take thy roome and possesse thy Seat Pro. 16. The cherefull countenance of the King is Life his louing fauour is as the Euening deaw L Loue God aboue all A Accept the wise D Doe no man wrong I In mercie delight E Expect a reward E Encrease Knowledge L Let vertue guide I In Prayer persever Z Zelously aske A Acknowledge Sinne. B Beware of presumption E Enuie no man T Tender the Helpelesse H Hope for Heauen Holy briefe and comfortable Meditations or Prayers discifering in Alphabet forme the gracious name of the Ladie Elizabeth L LOath not the Prayer of one that is in trouble turne not away thy face from the needie despise not the selie sewter nor grieue the heart of the helpelesse for if he complaine in the bitternesse of his soule his prayer shall be heard euen hee that made him shall heare him LIghten in mee oh God the Image of thy selfe though I looked backe from thy Lawes chastice me to amendment but suffer not the woorke of thy hands to perish Thou hast created my heart and giuen me a will to order the same so Lord I most méekelie yéeld the same again into thy hands I pray thée by thy holie spirite so direct my waies counsels and woorkes that they may be of chiefe regard with thée good God the giuer of all mercie suffer not my Soule to perish through the infirmitie of my flesh For thy Sonnes sake and thine own glorie set both now and euer his death and passion betwéene thy iust Iudgement and the perill of my soule I thirst after thée oh God and sith thou seest my heartie desire is to serue thee and liue in thy rule and to die in thy Faith and fauour allowe of mee and with thy mightie hand assist me Graunt that the Celestiall kingdome of thy grace and mercie euer occupie my heart and worthilie purchase me the sweet participation of thy glorious Throne and Maiestie Deliuer mee Lord through thy grace for in all my proper woorkes and deuises can be found no sure shield of defence for me Cast not away my sorrowfull soule Remember the pittifull Passion of thy deare Sonne and suffer it not to perish Guide my féete in the shining light of thy Veritie carrie me aloft from the snares of the vngodlie and from the traitorous trappes of the malicious saue me Suffer not thou oh Prince of all power who rulest the heauens and earth that any canckred or malicious stomacke rebell or increase against me Pardon my cursed crimes release my direfull debts giue me againe thy grace wrappe vp my woefull wounds that fester in my feeble flesh graffe mee a new with the garnishing of thy grace so shall thy glorie growe and my gained gladnesse heale my groning griefes If I deserue the fulnesse of thy furie to fall vpon me yet as a louing Sauiour rule ouer the roughnesse of thy rage and let thy most meeke mercie measure my paine as thou haste donne vnto numbers Grant most gracious God of all victorie that I may euer haue thy power and right hand to be my resident Rocke of refuge Giue gracious eare to my requests bee thou my staie in euerie storme and perill for all mans staies are vnsteadie Beate downe therefore mine enemies with thine own hand and Sword which art mine onelie aide and Protectour giue me thy grace and I shall neuer cease to giue thée glorie both with my tongue and heart shal I ioyfully sing Dominus illuminatio mea salus mea quem
thought much lesse to do well in déed Assist me therefore with thy grace that I may doe as thou hast commanded And let me comfort my selfe with thy swéet wordes by thy Prophet which are That as the house of Iuda and Israel were accurst amongst the heathen so thou doost promise to make them a blessing Am not I an Ofspringe of that séede O Lord to whome thou diddest promise this blessing Or were not these things written to put mee in mind of thée and cause me turne from my wickednesse and trust by thy mercy to obtaine fauour againe Remember then O Lord in thy Mercy Turne me and I shall be turned say to my Soule I am come vnto thée thy health and thy saluation A A Double tongued mā is to be abhorred and he that beareth hatred can nether pray rightly nor speake truly of whom beware for the malicious double tongued hath ouerthrowē high Palaices laid wast strong Cities who so harkeneth to thē shall neuer find rest nor dwell in safety neare the Prince they are more perilous then a Fistula in the breast to the health of Man AVenge not thy cause on me thou God of al Iustice forgiue mee my contempts of thy Commaundements and omission of prayer If thou giue me equall pay of my Merites I perish Forget my wickednesse I beséech thée and clothe mee with the comfort of thy compassion Purifie my Soule and Bodie wash away my wickednesse with the bloud breaking from the Woundes of my Sauiour Christ and I shall no more be vnkind Giue mee Wisdome to knowe all thy preceptes and pleasure graunt thy mercy euer to kéepe me and thy grace to guide me It yrketh mee that euer I did forsake so sweete a Lord and Sauiour my sorrowe wasteth me and my sighes ouer-whelme my heart Haue mee in remembrance therefore for I tremble and quake were not thy mercie knowen I should vtterly despaire Turne away the stroke of thy vengeance from me bring my mind out of trouble into rest Fetch now againe thou most precious Prince of all power that which thy puissant might hath shapen Restore Sonne of the Father Almighty that which thou hast so well guided and bought with terrible torments Take againe into the Sacred seate of thy blessed custodie Lord God Holy Ghost my Bodie and Soule that haue wandred Thou hast pittifully preserued them long from the violence and vtter destruction of the wicked Serpent and throwes of worldly chance Most mighty God sith thou hast aduanced thy Glory by such compassion continue in me hearty Prayer put about me the girdle of thy grace and lincke my loue in the lore of thy lawes and my heart shall be thankefull Day and night will I say blessed is the Lord. And will praise thy Name and magnifie thy mercy for euer and euer B BE ashamed of sins and vnrighteousnes be ashamed to turne thy face away frō thy friend in his need be ashamed to obbraide thy friend with thy gifts be ashamed to take not to giue but be not ashamed of the truth of god his Couenant but do thy best to fulfill it and thou shalt liue BE my comforter in al counselles and dangers oh God make cleare my vnderstanding and heape my Forte with new effects and Spirituall motions Renew my Body and spirit that all sinne fly from me and grant that I liue to righteousnesse Powre vpon me the Spirit of thy grace lead me with the True knowledge of thy worde Hold my heart alwayes in thy feare build a true faith and hope of thy promises and mercie in the Bowels of my breast The heauenly Father of our Lord Iesus Christ hath promised it vnto me for his sons sake I séeke it and for that thou mayest ouercome when thou art Iudged denye mee not Though there belong nothing to me but confusion and shame yet Lord correct mee not in thy dreadfull displeasure but with the louing fauour of thy face looke vpon my festured wounds Heale them good Lord from the bottome let them be healed Mingle thy mercy and precepts and sow the séed of them so déepe in my heart that no burning blasts of persecution make ashes thereof neither any thorny cares of this life do choke it but that it may bring forth as thou hast appointed like good ground thirty sixe and an hundred folde The fruites of my haruest Lord shall bee the flowers of thy glory my tongue shall alwaies speake of thy maruailous workes and my heart shall kéepe thy Lawes I will not denie thée my God for the power of any wicked but wil séek thy grace hope of thy mercy and saye The mightie God of Israel is to be loued feared and obayed world without end Amen E EVill seedes see thou sow not in the Purrowes of vnrighteousnesse so shalt thou not reape thee seuenfoulde labour sue not vnto man for any Lordship neither vnto the King for the Seat of Honour EStablish my heart oh Heauenly Father in league and loue with thy lawes print thy Precepts in the bowels of my breast and sequester my mind from all thoughts studies and labours that may draw mee from thée My soule consumeth in care to be with thée and my bodily eyes tremble to behold thée onely because thou hatest sin and abhorrest iniquity Alas there is nothing in me but vnrighteousnesse and the examples be dreadfull which declare how grieuously thou hast punished sinne Thou diddest drowne the world for sin Thou didst send fire vpon Sodome Gomorrha Thou didst cast foorth Adam and his off-spring out of Paradice for sin Thou didst grieuouslye punish thy seruant Dauid notwithstanding his hartie repentance Yea thou persecutedst Salomon in himselfe and his Posterity with many other to our example and all for shamefull sin Lord sith these examples are true and mine iniquity equall with theirs what should become of my Soule if I had not amediatour Christ whose bloudy Passion then appeased thy wrath when nothing else could By his Death I am once redéemed oh God therefore let me not now be consumed bearing thy Image but graunt the paines of his pittifull Passion may put out all mine offences With my voice I will spread thy mercies ouer all Nations my Life shall glorifie thy name and all that thou giuest mee I will acknowledge to be thine with euerlasting praise Amen T THe greater thou art the more humble thy selfe in all things and thou shalt find fauour in the sight of God for great power belongeth onelie vnto God and he is honoured of the lowly TVrne awaye thy face from mine vnrighteousnesse Lord no Creature is cleare in thy sight If thou shouldest call thine Angelles to the Barre they might not abide the Sentence of thy iust Iudgement I come vnto thée for succour Lord vnder the wings of thy mercie receiue me Thou delightest not in any Sacrifice or burnt Offerings but thy accustomed condition hath béene euer to accept a sorrowfull Spirit and a broken heart Lord if thy louing
take vpon thē a shewe of thy name remooue from vs that Spirit of Pride and vayn glory and the study of prayse and glory Graunt that in all our troubles and euilles we may call vppon thy holy name yea in the feare of our conscience and euen when death assayleth let vs not be forgetfull of thy holy name Sée that in all our successe both in woordes and déedes we may praise worship thee onely and not séeke out of these ours but the glory of thy name which alone possessest all things take frō vs O Lord that most foule vice of ingratitude Plant in vs such good workes and life that others may be allured to vs not to our but vnto thy praise and glorie Lord let not other be offended through the vices or euill workes which yet remayne in vs least thy name for our sinnes should be ill spoken of or not henceforth praised Suffer vs not to aske any thing of thee either momentary or eternall which agreeth not to the glorie of thy holy name and praise if wee do aske any such thing of thée in that heare vs not graunt vs so to liue as becommeth Gods Children that we seme not vnworthy of thy holie name Thy Kindgome come IN this miserable and wretched life all kindes of sensual apetite wickednesse beare rule in vs and the euill spirit head and fountaine fo all siin hath gouernment But in thy kingdome O Lord grace and vertue guide the sway Iesus Christ thy deare sonne true patrone of all grace and vertue holdeth empire Thou therefore deare Father fauor vs with thy grace Giue vnto vs a true and constant faith in Christ fortifie vs with a firme sure hope in thy mercy where with our weake and feble conscience may be raysed vp from the feling of sins loade vs with an earnest loue both towardes thée all other thy good Creatures Take from vs distrust desperation and hatred remoue from vs the delightes of the flesh and plant in their stéede an earnest study of chastity with perfect fayth in thée which may worthely winne the rewarde of vndefiled battaile Make vs frée O Lord from discordes ambition warre and discention and let thy kingdome come let vs leade a peaceable mutuall and quiet life Graunt that neither zeale anger or other vyces with the which dissembling hatred are nourished rayne in vs but a milde simplycitie brotherly loue all kind of duties contentment and humilitie suffer vs not to bée afflicted with immoderate sorrow and heauinesse but let vs feele the pleasantnesse of thy grace and mercy and that in fine al our sinnes may be taken away and wée abounding through grace and vertue in our good workes may bee thy kingdome I say our mind our soule with all our strength which thou hast powred on vs may obay thy commaundements and beare thy gouerment neither follow themseules the world the fleshe nor the Deuill Sée Lord that this thy kingdom happely begunne in vs may so grow be increased that wée bée not vnaduisedly oppressed of sin neither causeles do cease from good woorkes for so it may come to passe that we shall labour in vaine Giue therefore vnto vs a firme faith wanting no strength which not onely may instruct vs to a better kind of life but also in that same may happely go forward and euer amongst vs encrease as the Prophet saith Psalm 13. Illuminate mine eies that I slepe not lest whilest the Christian life is but begunne wée negligently goe forward and finally come againe into Sathans power Graunt that wee may constantly endure and thy kingdome to come may performe and consummate the rule begunne in vs. Take vs from this life which is full of sinne and daungers make vs to desire that other life and let vs beginne and continew to hate this graunt that we doe not feare death but rather wish and desire it let vs cast out of our minde the loue of this life thot thou onely maist raigne in vs. Thy Will be done IF wee should conferre our wil with thine it is alwaies naught but thy will is euer best which deserueth that we should loue and desire that Therefore haue mercy vpon vs deare Father and let not any thing be done after our will Grant if any thing happen contrarie to that wee would we may patiently bear it temper so our brickle mettall being the worke of thy hands that if any either speak or hold his peace doe or omitt any thing contrary to our will that thereby wee bee not provoked to anger and impatience Let vs not blaspheme complaine crie out iudge condemne or malitiously accuse others therfore but grant that wee may quietly giue place to those which worke contrary to our will prayse them giuing thankes as to those which stirre vp thy will which is good against ours which is ill And further assist vs that we may patiently beare all trouble need pouerty sicknesse slander imprisonment and all other discommodities and acknowledge all these to happen vnto vs by thy will that our will may be mortified let vs patientlie beare iniuries and take from vs the desire of reuengement suffer vs not to encounter one euill with another nor resist force with strong armes but graunt thy will which hath throwne vs into those euils may satisfie vs and that with thanks-giuing we may beare aduersities If any ill come contrary to that wee would graunt we beseech thee that we iudge not that calamity to proceede either of Sathan our wicked enemy or of ill men but of thy diuine will which doth minister all thinges so that it may let our wil wherby thou mightest the better raigne and beare rule in vs. Graunt that wée may patiently and with ioyfull minde die least any being ouercome with impatience or desperation we séeme lesse obedient to thy will Grant that all members of our body eies tongue heart hands and feete follow not their owne delights but ouercome and constrained may doe all things after thy will Take from vs O Lord a hardened and an vntractable heart frée vs from frowardnesse obstinate and stubborne minds grant that we may obey thy will that we commit our selfe wholy to thy iudgement in all thinges whether they pertaine to the body or the soule whether they bee momentarie or eternall take from vs these horrible vices that we impeach not the fame of any slaunder any rashlie iudge accuse or condemn thē that vice of the tongue I beséech thee amend in vs and teach that if others commit anie euill we may retaine and hide it to thée only let vs shew it and leaue it to thy iudgement that wee may remitte what is committed against vs and let vs take pittie vpon them teach vs to know that none can hurt vs but hée shall more disprofite himselfe before thee that we may bée the rather stirred to mercy then to anger in any thing let vs not reioice if they bee throwne into calamitie which
in the death of a Sinner sayth the Lord God or rather would I not his conversion from his evill wayes that he might liue And againe hee sayeth Returne and repent you of your faults and your iniquity shall not prevaile against you Cast away evill cogitations and take you a new Spirite And why wilt thou die O house of Israel I wil not the death of a sinner returne and thou shalt liue O wretch why despayrest thou sith to this end GOD sent his Sonne into the earth that thou mightest haue comfort This is the loue of God whereof David speaketh saying We haue seene thy loving kindnesse even in the middest of thy Congregation Bée earely at the church occupied in prayer abide in the Apostolicke Faith beware of Idolatry imbrace the louing kindnesse of God who cryeth vncessantly I wil not the death of a Sinner but rather he convert and liue Harke to this swéet Oracle shake off the drowsinesse of errour and rise with Christ that thou mayest liue in him Marke how liberally hee promiseth At what hower soever a Sinner shall repent I will put all his wickednesse out of my remembrance He hath no respect to the nature of thy faults he forceth not the greatnesse or nūber of thine offences repent but as thou oughtest and hee will blot thy wickednesse out of memory That our Prayer may bée more acceptable to God the Prophet O see telleth vs how we should pray Returne vnto the Lord and say to him Lord take away mine iniquitie and receiue if I haue any my goodnesse and I wil giue thee the batlinges sacrifice of my lips Let vs reuert that haue shamefuly erred to him which taketh away the sinnes of the world and let vs say Take away from vs the evill which we haue done and accept this good What good Even the sacrifice of our Lippes Wée giue thée thanks mighty God to whome wee owe all that we haue Take from vs which is ours accept of vs that which is thine owne Returne saith Ioel to your God because he is loving gratious long suffering and of much mercy and ready to pardon mischiefe Though the weight of sin astonish thee yet let the mightinesse of Gods mercy vphold thee which the Prophet doth many wayes exaggerate God saith hee is gentle which hee addeth that wee should not despaire of pardon God saith he is gratious that we should vnderstand how he not onelie helpeth vs but that he pittieth our miseries And thinking not this sufficient he adioineth Long suffring And yet art thou doubtfull sinner Hearken then what followeth And of great mercy If thy faults be many care not great is the goodnesse of God What remayneth now but that thou turne and goe to him that inuiteth thee thou wilt say the horrible threatenings of punishment feare me Giue eare and marke And hee is ready to pardon mischiefe that God which is so often stirred to anger of his own accord mooueth thee to repentance calleth thee to forgiuenesse forgetteth his threates denyeth thee the torment of Hell in steade of punishment giueth thee his blessing not onely turneth to thee that repentest but willingly goeth to méet thée embraceth thée This is it which was promised by Zacharie Turne vnto me saith the Lord of hosts and I will be converted vnto you What meaneth hee by Returne vnto mee that is acknowledge thy weakenesse and aske mercy And what is meant by this And I will be converted vnto you That this of a reuenger I will become a helper I will assist your endeauours and looke what through your owne strength you can not bring to passe thou shalt attain to buy my fauour No man can fréely hate his owne sinne vnlesse God mollifie his stony hart and giue him a fleshly hart vnles for a defiled Conscience hee make a cleane heart vnlesse for a corrupt soule hee renue a right Spirite in him Peruse and reade the conuersation and life of Christ there thou shalt finde nothing but of his euerlasting mercy towards all men He fréely healed the sicke fedde the hungry deliuered them that were in daunger cleansed the Leapers gaue sight to the Blinde restored the Lame cast out Deuils raysed the dead to life and pardoned the wicked Search againe the vniuersall discipline of GOD what other thing contayneth it then the maruailous compassion of the Almighty doth he not inculcat into our minds by parables to the intent wée should not fal by any means To that end serueth the Parable of the lost shéepe which was brought againe on the Shéepeheards shoulders the Parable of the lost and found groate of the whole man that wanted not a Physition of the Seruant to whome his debts were forgiuen of the Publicane and the Pharisie of the broken man whom the Samaritane cured of the good Steward towardes his debtors and of the crafty Steward towards his Master of the Prodigall Child taken againe into fauour As touching the bare name of the Gospell doth it not promise mercy Yes it giueth light to the blind liberty to the Captiue health to the broken and last of all a gratefull gaine to the Lord who thirsteth nothing but the Saluation of sinners Likewise the name of Iesus that is of a Sauiour what else doth it promise to the Sinner but mercy and blissefulnesse If he had come representing the Maiesty of a Iudge there had beene some cause why euerie one might haue feared but knowing him to come as a Sauiour dost thou dispayre Saluation for the surer hope of Saluation the Sonne of God suffered death and offered vp himselfe a valiant sacrifice for the sins of man And hanging on the Crosse prayeth for his persecutors and thinkest thou that hée wil deny thée forgiuenesse of thy sinnes that dost acknowledge thy wretchednesse and craue remission Trust him that is mercifull and thou shalt find compassion A sure hope obtaineth any thing at Christes hand who so mistrusteth the Phisition hindereth his own health The woman of Canaan cryed and her daughter was cured The Centurian beléeued and his Seruant was made whole againe The Father prayed and his Sonne was cleansed of the foule spirite The Apostles cryed out Helpe Lord for we perish and they were deliuered And wée sée that in diuerse he hath not respected the prayers of the mouth but only the Faith Hee did but perceyue the faith of the people and said to the sicke of the Palsie Bee of good cheare my sonne thy sins are forgiuen thee The Mother and her companions doe but wéepe and her Sonne is raysed frō death to life Martha and Mary did but mourne and Lazarus was receyued Mary the sinner bewayleth he annointeth her kisseth her and sayth Thy sinnes are forgiven thee He sufficiently asketh that confesseth his infirmity he asketh effectually that lamenteth beléeueth The woman troubled with superfluity of bloud secretlie touched the vesture of Iesus and immediatelie she felt the force of his mercy We read also of many others that