perswade his brethren to iustice and loue Act. 10. Remember how Cornelius and his houshold feared God Nowe then beloued as you loue the Lorde as you tender your owne soules and your charges as you beare naturall affection to your common safetie and happines I beseeche you in the bowels of Iesus Christ indeuour to these thinges both small and great that you may profite in the worke of your saluation so shall you be famous in the church of God common weale you shal glad the soules of vs that labor amongst you in the word you shal bring glory to God eternal happines to your selus in the day of Christ Iesus Let Gods boke be orderlie read with reuerēce daily in your families let prayer be exercised in your housholdes and vouchsafe to helpe them in this small Catechisme that they may be fitte for further instruction Giue dilligence to harken to the word of lyfe and to put in vre these fewe prayers in this little booke or other with humilitie reuerence a liuelie sence and feeling of your miserie faith thankfulnes hope and with vnfained desire of profiting in all dueties of fayth and loue towards God your brethren For I liue if you stande in the fayth and sith God hath vouchsafed the blessed tidinges of saluation vppon you in the ministrie of hys word embrace it with thankfulnes and studie for all christian peace and vnitie among your selues fearing God furthering his holye religion and all dueties of loue among men that so our Towne may flourishe and prosper in all thinges otherwise wee can hope of no blessing at the hand of God There is great cause why care should bee hadde heerein Your Towne bordering vppon the sea is in perrill to forraine inuasions and to be steyned with the corrupt manners of other Countries to drinke in iniquitie euen as water therefore the more care to be hadde ouer it Christ sawe such Townes bordering on the Seas to be in most daunger sundrie wayes and therefore frequēted them most vouchsafed his presence doctrine chiefliest amongst them This is my sute to your worshippes this is my sute to the whole company to the whole congregation yea to euery soule amongst you Phil 2 1 If ye euer receiued comfort in Christ if euer you had loue to the brethren if euer any felowship of the spirit if any compassion mercy that you fulfyll my ioy Euen in this to be of one minde in doctrine of one consent in a godly and christian life to apply all dueties of Gods worship to haue care of your families instructing teaching and calling vpon them to be catechised to reade heare the word bee your selues forward therein exercisyng prayer reading and hearing of the word in faith good conscience that so by christian exercises your faith and obedience may be increased your families reformed your Towne happily gouerned that others may take example by you God may be glorified all spirituall blessings may be heaped vpon you and continued to your posterity after you vnto many generations your selues may in the ende receiue the possession of euerlasting life with Christ Iesus in the kingdome of God to whose blessed tuition I commend you and yours praying the Lorde to multiplye all hys graces and mercies vppon you and the whole people to keepe you in safetie from the daunger of enemies to sanctify you in his trueth to blesse you in your gouernment the people in obeying and to make you perfitte in all good workes to doo his wyll working in you that which is pleasant in his sight thorough Iesus Christe To whome with the Father and the holy spirit be all prayse and honor for euer and euer Amen Your worships to vse in in the Lord hartely desirous of your good and saluation in Christ Iesus B. Andrewes An order of prayer or a preparation to the reading of the word in your families Let vs prepare and stirre vppe our mindes by prayer that we may reade the word of God with profite O Lord our God who in thy wisedome and mercy hast appointed thy holie worde as the wholesome nourishment of our soules that by reading hearing and musing thereon we might growe vppe vnto saluation Wee beseeche thee to pardon all our sinnes for Iesus Christe his sake take away the corruption of our nature purge and sanctify our harts that we may read thy word at all times with reuerent mindes so as we may daily be borne againe confyrmed in faith reformed in our manners furthered in knowledge and obedience strengthened against all temptations furnished with patience against all tryals and fynally be made fruitfull in al good workes resembling thy Image and growing vppe into full holines righteousnes in thy sight til we are perfited in the heauens with Christ Iesus our Lord. Amen Let vs harken with reuerence to the holie word of the Lord our God written in such or such a Chapiter and Booke c. A breefe and short Catechisme made for the vse of housholdes and to be learned of all those that vvill be admitted to the Lords Supper By B. A. Minister TO what ende did God make you Aunswere That I might serue him according to his worde Lu 1 74 Eph 4 24 by dooing his wil in righteousnes and true holines all my life Minister VVhere shall you learne what is thys wyll of God Answere In his word and Lawe Minister Rehearse that Law of God Aunswere God spake and said Exo. 20 I am the Lord thy God c. Aunswere VVhat cheefely doth thys lawe require of you Answere First that I shoulde acknowledge (a) Deut 6 4 one onely God serue him in all purenes (b) De. 6.5 et 10 12 Luk 10 27 Ma 22 37 with all my hart soule minde strength will and thoughts in all thinges according to his worde Secondlie that I shoulde walke in (c) Mat 22 39 Ro. 13 8 7 10 loue faithfulnes and trueth with all men dooing dueties of conscience in my calling and (d) Le. 19 8 louing my neighbour as my selfe Minister Are you able of your selfe to doo hys wyll and keepe this his Lawe Aunswer Nothing lesse Minister VVhy so Aunswere Because of my corrupt nature which (a) Ro. 5 18 with Adam is fallen from the state of innocencie (b) Ro 8 7 and so is not obedient to the law of GOD. Minister VVhat are you by nature then Aunswer The (a) Eph 2 3 childe of wrath and (b) Ro 6 20 a sinner Minister VVhat is sinne Answere Euerie (a) 1 Ioh. 3 4 breaking or (b) Neh 9 34 Heb 2 3 neglecting of anie commandement of God and (c) Neh 1 7 Gal 3.10 the not dooing of euerie duetie commanded is sin Minister VVhat is the rewarde of sinne Answere The (a) Gal. 3 10 curse of God (b) Ro. 6 23 death with (c) Mar 9 48 Mat 25 46 2 Thes 1 9 Eze 18 20 euerlasting woe
fatherlye clemencie for pardon and forgiuenes of all our sinnes whatsoeuer for the remoouing keeping backe of all thy iudgements frō vs which we by our sins haue iustlie deserued and accept of vs and our prayers wherewith we present thy maiestie in the name and mediation of thy sonne Christe Iesus preparing our harts with reuerence faith to call vpon thee And whereas wee were borne in sinne and iniquitie whereby we are altogether corrupt are more rightlie intituled to death and condemnation then to life we pray thee most merciful father to renue vs by thy holie spirite and to roote out of vs all those euil rootes of our concupiscence clensing vs from all that which sauoureth of our selues and of vncleanenes Purge our euyl thoughtes our prophane imaginations and carnall lustes Yea Lorde wee humblye pray thee scoure our harts from all hypocrisie from all contempt of thee and of thy holye word from all ignoraunce of thee false worship incredulity distrust of thy fatherlie prouidence from murmuring at thy hand in afflictiō Let vs not prophane thy most holy name eyther in worde deede or thought nor dishallow thy Sabbaothes but cleaue to al thy ordināces Throwe out of vs O Lorde all selfe-loue contempt against others pride wrath impaciencie vncharitablenes all vnnaturall affections vnmercifulnes desire of reuenge hatred and enuie all fornications vnorderly and wanton lustes intemperancie and vnchaste behauiour al worldlie mindednes couetousnes deceite and iniurie all slaunderous wordes and surmises against our brethren All these thinges wee pray thee to remooue out of vs and to sanctifie our harts to the obedience of all thy holie commaundements that we may dailie be reformed to thy Image in true holines and righteousnes expressing dueties to thee our brethren with a carefull conscience Take vppe our thoughtes and affections O lord that they may affect and long after thee day and night and that the counsels of our harts may muse on thee and thy holie wyll and dwell thou wholie in our soules and bodies directing our wyls our iudgments and vnderstanding our speeches and all our actions that in our whole manne wee may serue thee Good Lord plant in vs wee praye thee the true loue and feare of thy name increase the knowledg of thy word in vs with faith zeale and iudgment that we may reuerence obey it in our soules studying to shewe the fruite therof in our liues VVorke and increase a true liuelie faith in vs whereby wee may cleaue to thee and thine euerlasting promises in Christ Iesus and may depend vpon thy prouidence in all estates of thys mortall lyfe without murmuring or repyning at thy hand in sicknes pouerty imprisonment persecution or in any affliction eyther of bodie or minde patientlie bearing all crosses knowing that thereby thou correctest our sinnes as a father seeking our amēdment On the otherside let vs not be remisse carelesse and forgetful in our prosperitye but may in wealth woe acknowledge thy hand with thankfulnes and reuerence reioycing that howsoeuer thou dealest with vs in outward things yet thou art so our father in Christe that thou canst not deny vs anie thing that may bee to the benefite of our soules or to our safetie in the life to come sith that we haue interest euen vnto thy self in Christ our sauiour And sith thou hast trusted vs wyth thine owne name and glorie which in thy gospell shineth vnto vs. O giue vs grace to seeke the enlarging of thy kingdome by furthering thy Gospell in the ministrie thereof to our power being ielious ouer thy name that our speeches thoughtes or dooings may not sauour of contempt against thee nor suffer thee to be dishonoured of others if wee may anie way hinder it neyther let our life be so loose as occasion should be taken there from by men to blaspheme thy name But Lorde guyde vs so by thy grace that our godlie and sober life amongste men may be a comelines a glorie and an honour vnto thee to bring credite to our professyon For alas Lord heerein we haue beene traitors vnto thee to betray thy glorie into the reprochefull tongues of godlesse men for want of watchfulnes and guidaunce in our wayes Direct vs therefore O Lorde in thy whole worshyppe in spirite and trueth and stirre vs vp that we may approue our fayth by carefull and continuall hearing reading and musing of thy worde by exercising prayer both publiquelie with the assemblie of people and priuatelie by our selues and with our families that we may acknowledge thee to be our God in seeking vnto thee for all thinges and returning thankes vnto thee as from whom commeth euery good thing Gyue vs fayth and repentaunce in the vse of thy Sacramentes that we rightlie frequenting all holie exercises of thy worshippe may sanctifie thy Sabbaothes and increase our faith feare and loue towardes thee Furthermore we pray thee O LORD teach vs to put on al affections of loue towards our brethren being indued with meeknes humblenes of minde patience forbearing and forgiuing one another when there are quarrels euen as Christ hath forgiuen vs so as we may liue in all christian manner amongst men without warres contentions in all courteous true and iust dealing in our affayres and busines not vsing any vnlawfull artes or practises for the increase of our commodities pleasures but faith fully labouring in our callings may depende vpon thy promises approuing our faith Let the name and credite of our brethren neighbors be precious vnto vs that by no mutteringes surmisings reports or light credence wee impayre their good name and when we meete with slāders or reproches giue vs grace to beare our selues lowly hūble seeking redresse without bitternes of spirit knowing howe Christ in the like cases hath suffered And because wee can not alwaies enioye peace and libertye vnder the profession of thy Gospell O Lorde our God wee pray thee let vs not onelie nowe in these dayes of our safetye allowe and cleaue vnto thy trueth whilest others doo accompanye vs in professyon whilst Princes beare vs out freendes doo countenaunce vs whilst our wiues children landes and possessyon abide by vs and all thinges smyle vpon vs but O deere Father if euer our sinnes should procure persecution for thy trueth so as companions shoulde leaue vs freendes fayle vs the cruel lookes of Princes and their bloodye handes should be turned vppon vs when mercilesse imprisonment the glittering sword the shaking speare or fierie flame should with terror threaten death when banishment exile shal be for natiue soile when our deere wiues and tender babes with woeful cryes wringing of hands on the one side shall mooue the bowels of pittie the raging fire or other fearefull tortures of death on the otherside shall mooue terror dyscouragement Oh euen then Lord we poore wretches and wormes vnable of our selues to abide the heeresaie of death doo beseeche thee to fortifie our faith giuing vs
and perdition of soule and bodie Minister Then by euery breaking of the Lawe you dayly deserue death and procure Gods curse Answer It is verie true Minister How shall you be freed from this curse Aunswere Ga 3 13 By Iesus Christ my Sauiour and redeemer Minister VVhat did he for you Aunswer He was both (a) Ro 9 5 Col 2 9 He 1 3 perfit God that he might be able (b) He 2 14 to ouercome death for me and also he was perfect (c) Mat 1 25 Ga 4 4 man that he might (d) Heb 2 11 Col 1 22 suffer death and Gods wrath for my sinnes and so in bothe these natures together he fully satisfied the iustice of God for me and purchased my saluation Minister VVhat moued God thus to saue you Aunswer His owne meere loue fauoure and mercie without any respect of my worthines Minister How are you assured of this mercy of GOD. Aunswere By a true faith in Christ Minister Rehearse the summe of your fayth Aunswer I beleeue in God the father almightie c. Minister VVhat breefely doo you gather out of these articles Aunswer My faith is assured heerein that God the father (a) Ioh. 3.1 of his owne good will (b) Rom 8 3 Eph. 5 2 Tit 2 14 gaue his sonne Iesus Christ very God and man to redeeme mee from sinne by hys death and passion (c) Rom. 8 9 2 Cor 5 5 1 Ioh. 4 13 sending out his holie spirite into mee to cause Christ his (d) Rom 8 10. death life to be effectuall to renue me (e) et 6 4. into a new life he hath made me of his Church and companie of beleeuers sanctifyed to doo hys will here to glorifie him in euerlasting life in the world to come Minister VVherefore dyd Christ thus suffer and dye Answere Ro. 4 25 For my sinnes Minister vvhat profite haue you by his death Answere I haue (a) Ephesi 1.7 forgiuenes of sinnes (b) Ro. 6 6 the mortification of my flesh and the (c) Col 1 20 appeasing of Gods wrath Minister vvhat meane you by his descending into hell Aunswer Not that Christ went into the place of torments with his soule or bodie but that for a time he (a) Esa 53 4 5 felt his Fathers wrath and the (b) Act 2 24. dolers of eternall death in his (c) Mat 26 38 42 Luke 22 43 Hebr 5 7 soule and conscience heere on earth for vs that hee might bee a redeemer as well of the soule as of the body Minister vvhat profit haue you by his resurrection Aunswer I haue (a) Ro. 4 15 righteousnes a gage (b) 1 Cor 15 20. of my immortality and (c) Rom 6 4 newnes of life Minister vvhat vse make you of the article concerning the holy Ghost Aunswer I learne therein that it is God the holy (a) Ioh 6 63 et 14 26 ghost only which maketh Christ his death and life profitable to me (b) Ioh 3 6 by renuing my hart to the obedience of Gods wil and working faith in me to apply the merits of Christ to my selfe and by the same spirite God gathereth a Churche to himselfe in all (c) Ioh 10.16 the world by his worde Minister How doth Gods spirite worke fayth in you Aunswer By the word of God preached Ro 10 14 Minister vvhat are the meanes to increase nourish and vphold your fayth Answere Rom. 10 17 The hearing of the word of God preached the vse of the Sacraments and of prayer Minister vvyll you then bee dilligent to heare the word to vse the Sacraments and to frequent prayer that your fayth may be increased Aunswer Yea by Gods grace Minister vvhat is a Sacrament Answere A Sacrament is an outward (a) Gen 17.11 Rom 4 11. seale ioyned vnto the word which visibly representeth vnto vs spirituall thinges and assureth our faith of Gods promises declared in his word Minister Howe many Sacraments hath God ordeyned Answere Two Baptisme and the Supper of the Lord. Minister How doth Baptisme profit your fayth Answere Fyrst by assuring mee that I am (a) Rom 6 3 5. 1 Cor 12 13 one with Christ Secondlye that I am (b) Iohn 3 3.5 begotten againe (c) Col 2 11 from sinne into a newe lyfe Thirdlie by being a pledge of d the forgiuenes of my sinnes (b) Mat 3 6 Act 2 38 for as the water clenseth the body so our soules by (e) Heb. 9 12. 1. Pet. 3 22 1. Ioh. 1.7 Apo. 1.5 the bloode of Christ are purged from sinne Minister vvhat profit hath your fayth by the Lordes Supper Answer Euen this that as outwardly I receiue the breade and wine to nourish my bodie so (a) 1 Col. 10 16 12 13 inwardlie I receiue Christ by faith euen as mine owne whose bodye (b) Cor 1 14.22 and bloode clenseth mee from sin and nourisheth mee to eternall life Minister Doo you receiue the very body blood of Christ really in the bread Answere Ioh 6 63 Nothinglesse but onelie spirituallie by faith Minister Howe shall you come worthely to the Lords supper Answere When I come with faith and repentance Minister How shall you knowe when you come to the communion with fayth Answere First if I acknowledge mine owne pouertie and wants confesse the mercies of God (a) Ps 103 1 2 1 Cor 11 24 with thanksgiuing Secondlie when I assure my selfe of the (b) Mat 26 28 forgiuenes of my sins by the death and sacrifice of Christ onely Minister How shall you know when you come with repentance Answere First if I (a) 1. Cor 11 28 examine and proue my heart and am truely (b) 2. Cor 7 10 greeued for my sinnes (c) Pro 28. 13 Mat 3 6 confessing them before God and forsaking them Secondlie if I vnfainedlie purpose to walke (d) Mat 3 8 in a newe life that is in holines to GOD and true loue to my neighbour (e) Mat 5 23 24. reconciling my selfe to them that I offende and (f) Mat 6 14 15 Col 3 13 forgiuing others that I may be forgiuen Minister vvhat doth the bread broken signifie Answere It signifieth the bodie of Christe broken for my sinnes Minister vvhat doth the wine signifie Answere The blood of Christe shed for my sinnes Minister vvhat differeth baptisme from the Lords supper sith they both betoken the remyssion of sinnes Answere Baptisme grafteth vs into Christ by regeneration in hope of remission of sinnes The Supper nourisheth vs being grafted to feele the power of death 1 Cor 22 13 and resurrectiō of Christ dailie strengthening our Faith into a newe life Minister vvhy receiue you Baptisme but once in all your life and the supper of the Lord often times Aunswer Because that as we neede but once to be borne so we neede but once to be baptised but as wee neede often to be fedde to nourish our
to whom we should approoue our loue by all christian dueties heere Lorde wee stand deepely charged of much guiltines howe vnduetifull to our parents Princes Gouernours Teachers pastors and all our betters not carefullie praying for them nor procuring them what honour and good that wee can in our callinges nor carrying humble mindes toward our equalles or inferiors We haue beene impacient full of vnnaturall affections malicious contentious yea howe vncharitable haue we beene in iudging others in taking vnkindnes at euery occasion not forgiuing nor forbearing when quarrels haue rysen but are too readie to gyue occasion and to prouoke to displeasure we haue not laboured for peace as it became vs. Howe vnstayed vnchaste and intemperate haue our words affections been how vniust haue wee beene in our thoughtes and meaninges not studying for trueth and equity in loue but through couetous affections haue sometimes intruded into the commodities of others How haue we not spared the name of our brethren not touched with the tender regarde of their credite sometime hearing beleeuing and publyshing of slaunders and vntruethes against our neyghboures or els by reuealing the vttermost agaynste them haue russhed agaynst theyr good name Yea Lorde we haue hurte manie by our example and haue not doone that good which we myght haue doone to our brethren nor made conscience of offences against them All these thinges O deere Father argue vs guiltie and presse vs by increasing the euidence of our accusation but if we should O lord stand to rippe vpp our wants in thy seruice we should not know where to beginne nor where to ende they are so infinite In a word Lord we haue broken the holie league of our obedience neglected thy worship not fearing louing nor trusting in thee as we ought wee haue not soughte to thee in our needes nor harkened to thy word in the ministrie therof we haue dishallowed thy name transgressed al thy lawes and made hauocke of thy heauenly statuts all our life hath beene a dishonour vnto thee and nowe O Lord euen our God what remayneth for vs in thy iustice if thou shouldest measure vs by our selues but euen thy fearefull curse and banishment from thy presence so as thou mightest throwe vs downe to hell and shewe the power of thy wrath vpon vs by heaping on vs all thy fearefull plagues and curses writtē in the law against transgressors If wee shoulde looke to the heauens they can not helpe vs yf wee looked downe to the earth no comfort can be founde if we seeke for men to be our aduocates they all stand condemned with the sons of Adam if wee sue to Angels it booteth not for thou hast founde follie in them if we shoulde pleade Lawe with thee loe the sentence of death alreadie is passed against vs if wee resort to thy diuine maiestie there terror dismayeth vs thou art iust and canst not away with iniquitie and we Lorde what are wee to stand in thy sight whether then shal we flie from thy presence and wher shal we be reskued from the terrour and guilt of our sinnes and the feare of thy iudgments Beholde Lorde thy deere sonne Christe Iesus that immaculate Lambe he is our redeemer and sauiour our iustifier our aduocate who as a louing Samaritane hath salued our woundes satisfyed thy Lawe borne thy curse for vs and stepping out betweene vs thee hath payd the raunsome of all our trespasses in him wee knowe thou canst not bee displeased with vs. O Lord heauenlie father wee therefore most humblie pray thee for his sake to be mercifull vnto vs in pardoning all our sinnes and turning all these iudgements from vs which we confesse wee haue deserued to be executed vpon our soules and bodies for wee acknowledge thou mightest iustlie plague vs for that we haue not vsed the faculties and powers of our soules mindes to thy glory our wits and wisedome haue warred against thee and wee haue spent our counsels in vayne thinges so as thou mightest depriue vs of our wittes and possesse vs with follie and madnes or throw vs vppe to errors and stronge illusions because wee haue not beleeued thy trueth thou mightest also with drawe from vs the vse of our members which wee haue too long lette out to Satan and vncleanenes and haue not serued thee in our sences and members as wee ought And whereas thou hast heaped benefites infinitelie vpon vs haste trusted vs with life health wealth prosperitie and peace wee haue beene vnthankfull for them abused them so as thou mightest Lord turne our life into death our wealth into woe our health into dangerous sicknes and diseases our prosperitie into aduersitie our peace into warre our plenty into scarcitie dearth so punish the earth for our sins as thou hast by some pettie iudgements begun oft to call vs to repentance but we haue not regarded neither bene fittes nor scourges can mooue vs to humble and tame vs except thou O Lord put to thine hand O deere Father suffer vs not to sinne in hardnesse of hart and in vnkindnes towards thy maiestie or against the meanes offers of grace but touch vs we pray thee with a true remorse of conscience for our sinnes which we heere vnfaynedlie cōfesse before thee frame our harts to true repentaunce accept this Sacrifice of our confessyon sorrow for our iniquities pardon all our sinnes burie them in the graue of thy Sonne forget and forgiue them and cause vs to turne vnto thee for we are ashamed of our selues and abhorre our selues repenting vs of all our sinnes from our harts wherfore Lord heare O Lord forgiue O Lord consider and shew mercy receiue vs vnto fauour for wyth thee onelie is mercy and compassyon thou onelie forgiuest sinnes we renounce our selues wholie and all our owne worthines wee appeale from all others to thee alone therfore accept of vs in thy beloued son Christ Iesus renue vs by thy spirit guyde vs in thy wayes sanctifie vs in thy trueth keepe vs in awe that we may spende all our time in thy seruice doing dueties to thee our brethren in our callings all our life that so we feeling of thy grace working in vs vnto sanctification and a newe life may gather assuraunce of the full forgiuenes of all our sinnes and so with comfort and ioy finish our christian course giuing good example to our brethren and glorifying thy name vppon the earth and finallie may praise thee in the heauens without all corruption in perfect holines and so be glorified with all thy saintes through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen A forme of prayer O Lorde our moste gracious good and mercifull Father we thy seruants the work manshyp of thy handes fall downe before thy high maiestie humblye acknowledging our manifolde and heynous sinnes whereby wee haue broken thy holie Lawes and iustly deserued euen eternall death condemnation at thy handes VVe doo heere most instantly vpon the knees of our harts sue vnto thy
condemnation thou hast againe redeemed vs by the precious death and bloodshedding of thy Sonne freed vs from bondage pardoned all our sinnes and restored vs into fauour euen with thy selfe inuested vs into all thy ritches and heauenly treasures hast called vs by the ministrie of thy worde into a newe life iustified vs freelie through fayth sanctifyed vs by thy grace and holie spirit and so made vs of vile and myserable cayteifes and bondmen of Satan chayned vnto euerlasting darknes and iudgment the freemen of Christ Iesus sette at liberty vnto euerlasting life hast giuen vs the earnest of our saluation thy spirite whereby thou hast in some measure furnished vs with fayth knowledge and zeale working in vs vnto repentaunce and a nevve life O Lord thou mightest haue left vs in darknes and in the shadowe of death in error ignorance with other natiōs that know the not thou myghtest haue deteyned thy grace from vs giuen vs vp to our own hartes lust into a reprobate mynde with the vngodly of the world that shall neuer taste of thy goodnes that we might fill vppe the cuppe of thy wrath thou mightest haue broken in vppon vs with thy plagues and punishmentes as thou hast doone vppon some who haue not exeeded the measure of our iniquities and mightest haue executed fearefull iudgments against vs in the midest of the dayes of our ignoraunce and contempt against thee when wee euer without remorse of conscience not knowing like poore wretches our desperate estate but yet Lorde blessed be thy name who hath spared vs hetherto and touched our hartes vnto some measure of repentaunce hast opened our eyes to see thy trueth hast freed vs from darknes and death caused vs to taste of thy word made sinne lothsome vnto vs ioyed our hearts with the tydinges of our saluation renued our harts giuen vs hope of a better life and framed our hearts to some loue of thy children and to some measure of holines in thy sight O Lord what mooued thee to al this but thine owne free mercie for which we rēder all praise vnto thee graunt vs grace to walke worthy of these thy mercies with thankfull harts all our life VVee blesse thy name ô Lord our God for thy fatherlie care and diuine prouidence whereby thou haste alwayes watched ouer vs and protected vs graciously from our cradle deliuering vs from manie plagues punishments and daungers which our sins had iustly deserued to haue brought vpon vs and heaping many vndeserued benefites vpon vs thou haste trusted vs with health wealth liberty prosperity freendship and peace which all we haue abused yet haste thou spared vs. Thou hast set vs in a calling amongst men haste blessed our affayres prospered the workes of our hands nothing hath wanted vnto vs that might expresse thy loue eyther appartayning to our soules or our bodies the graces of thy spirite thou haste in some measure shed vppon vs the soueraigne meanes of our saluation thy word and Sacraments thou hast ritchly offred vnto vs hast giuen vs interest into al thy riches treasures yea euen into thy self so as we may with boldnes resort vnto thee in al necessities in the name of thy son O lord this is a happy benefitt that we may confer with thy maiestie by prayer in all our distresses and affaires and may powre out our cōplaints into thy bosome be regarded oh stirre vp our faith Lord to put in vre thys comfortable exercise of our fayth euen prayer in all pure manner VVe praise thy high maiesty O Lorde for all meanes of our saluation for the comfortable ministry of thy seruauntes the Preachers and for thy graces vppon them praying thee to encrease bothe the number of them and thy graces gyftes in them that theyr labours beeing blessed thy Church may flourish Like thankes praise and honour be giuen vnto thee for all Christian Princes Magistrates whom thou hast stirred vp in any place to haue a care of thy church Gospell and for thy mercie to all countries that haue imbraced thy word that blessed messuage of health and saluation and in this aboue all other wee thinke our selues beholding to thee ô Lorde that thou haste beene gratious to our Land to place vs there where thy Gospell flourisheth and for that thou hast suffred vs to lyue in this age in such a place wherin we see thy goodnes trueth in thy word when other nations yea some other places of this our owne land perrish in ignoraunce We can not forget O lorde thy louing kindnes shewed to vs in bestowing vpon vs so gracious a Princesse as our soueraigne Ladie Queene Elizabeth as also such christian wise graue and honorable counsellers nobles and magistrates louing thy trueth gospel for preseruing protecting so miraculouslie her royall personne our countrie and all estates watching ouer vs reuealing confounding the conspiracies and treasons bothe of forraine and domesticall ennimies from time to time hauing heeretofore deliuered vs from the captiuity and thraldome of the man of sinne euen the Pope restored to vs peace liberty true religion christian gouernment the preaching of thy gospell the safetie of our life finally all blessings necessarie for soule body thou hast richlie bestowed vpon vs for which we can neuer sufficientlie praise thee VVe thank thee O Lord for the safety of thys our towne and corporation where vvee dwell in preseruing vs from all forraine inuasion and incursion of enemies as also for our selues our families and charges in prouiding for vs who hast continuallie beene mercifull vnto vs haste preserued vs in the day time and watched ouer vs in the night season for all these thinges O God and whatsoeuer els that we haue receiued at thy hands eyther for our soules or bodies and for all thy graces vppon thy whole Church and vppon all nations wee offer vppe vnto thee thys our poore Sacrifice of thanksgiuing praise most hūbly praying the in the name and mediation of thy sonne Christ Iesus to pardon al our sinnes the imperfections of our prayers and thanksgiuings to accept of them for his sake in whose name onely we are bold to present thy maiestye with our suites Lastly wee most entirelie beseech thee to stirre vs vp effectuallie vnto all thankfulnes obedience in the whole course of our life quickning our faith inflaming our loue that we may with al cheerefulnes doo dueties to thee our brethren in our callinges that we all thy seruāts whatsoeuer being furthered holden out by thy grace may growe vp vnto full holines in thy feare tyll we all are fully perfited in the heauens to receiue the full measure of our saluation in that blessed inheritaunce of the Saints with Christ Iesus in the day of his glorious appearaunce to whō with thee and the holie spirit be all praise honour glorye power might and dominion for euer-more Amen A prayer for the Marriners to be vsed at the Sea O