increase the same making thy glory the marke wherat to direct all my doings and thy word the rule to kéepe me within the compasse of thy will O Christ heare me O heare me sweet Sauiour which art the Well of life whereof whosoeuer tasteth hee shall neuer see Death Heare me O gracious Redéemer and let me féele inwardly the fruits of my faithfull prayer Amen A Prayer for Loue and Vnitie with all men To liue in loue all men among Giue grace O Christ to old and young LOrd Iesus thou Patterne of true and vnfeined loue yea of loue leading to life euerlasting without whom there can bee no loue or concord amōg men I beseech thee to heare the prayer of me thy poore seruant and that which I aske in spirit vouchsafe to giue me of thy free mercy And because loue is the fulfilling of the Law and the seale of saluation to the consciences of all Christians Furthermore for so much as thou hast commaunded vs to doe good to all men which cannot be vnlesse loue be the lampe to giue vs light I beséech thée to fill my heart with that loue yea to poure that loue abundantly into the hearts of all both old and yong that we may first and principally loue Almightie God the Father thée O Christ the Sonne and the holy Ghost with such a loue as is loath to turne the fauor of God into displeasure his gentlenesse into rigour his mercy into iudgement and his forbearance into vengeance Secondly to loue my Soueraigne Prince whom I am bound in conscience to obey to loue my superiors to loue mine equals to loue mine inferiors to loue mine enemies Finally to loue all and hate none that by this meanes I may dwel in God the Fountaine of loue who of méere loue for the saluation of the soule of man sent thee O my Sauiour into the world to suffer death vp on the crosse euen in the face of his enimies and persecutors Grant this O Christ to whom with the Father and the holie Ghost be all praise and glory for euermore Amen A Prayer for the hearing and true vnderstanding of the word of God To heare thy word and liue therein Vs to renew O Lord begin LIghten my heart O Lord GOD with the lampe of thy holy and blessed word which is the weapon of euery true Christian souldier and the sword of the spirit to cut off all the temptations of the Diuell the world and the flesh if it be vsed according to thy wil O Lord which art the giuer and author of the same And for so much O Lord as thy worde is the rule whereby wée are bound to direct all our doings and the square whereat to frame the whole course of our life I beséech thée to circumcise my heart that all carnall cogitations and thoughtes expelled and driuen out I may betake my selfe wholy vnto the reading hearing studying folowing of thy word which is the food of our soules the comfortable bread which killeth hunger and the pleasant drinke which quencheth thirst not the hunger thirst of the body against the which it hath pleased thée to prouide most healthfull remedies but the hunger and thirst of the soule which are no way else asswaged but by the vertue and heauenly working of thy word This word O Lord vouchsafe to make florish and fruitifie in vs that thereby wee may bée wonne to the worshipping of thée in true feare vnfained faith and perfect holinesse of life through Iesus Christ our Sauiour Amen A Praier to God for forgiuenesse of manifold and grieuous sinnes My heart vncleane Lord circumcise And make my soule thy sacrifice IN sinne O Lord was my conception in sinne my education in sinne the whole course of my life Nothing is cleane and vnspotted in mée nothing is sound nothing perfect nothing holy nothing sanctified I am full of sinne and iniquitie my thoughts desires are attainted with sinne my labours and handy works are defiled with wickednes my words and communications are tempered with the leauen of iniquity my hart is corrupt putrified there is nothing sound in me but all mine entrails are infected and poysoned with sin the high way to euerlasting shame death and condemnation O miserable wretch that I am to whom shall I run for succour To whom shall I make my sorrowes knowne Before whom shall I powre my plaintes Art not thou the Samaritane which with the oyle of mercie souplest my festered woundes Art not thou the good Sephearde which bringest home the straying Shéepe to the shéepefold Art not thou the good Captaine which fightest in defence of thy Souldiers O yes Lord thou art euen he and doubtlesse had not the oyle of thy mercy healed my filthy Botches had not thy hand fetcht me home to the flocke had not thy loue and grace ouer shadowed me in danger I had rotted in my filthinesse I had perished in my wandering and I had béen vtterly ouerthrowne in combate O Lord my God circumcise my heart and clense it from all euill thoughts deuises imaginations consentes to sinne Sanctifie my soule renew my spirit and garnish mée with the garment of regeneration that I may become a swéete smelling sacrifice before thée a sacrifice of acceptable incense a sacrifice of holines righteousnes so shall I prayse thée in the assemblie of the iust extoll thy glorious name among thy people Amen A Prayer for to be setled in the Truth Thy Truth send downe Lord from aboue And giue me grace the same to loue ACcording to thy louing kindnesse O Christ heare the praiers of thy seruant that request which Hope inboldeneth mee to make vouchsafe in mercy to grant And because the Deuill is the father of all falshood and lying and thou the fountaine of all truth and righteousnes as thou saiest of thy selfe I am the Way the Truth and the Life therefore I beseech thee O gracious God Sauiour to plant in me the Trueth without the which all entrance into heauenly ioy is stopt vp to banish out of my heart which by nature is a nest of wickednesse all maner of sinne resisting the Truth And for so much as Truth is a pearle of price and a Iewell of great value to the godly the ornament of the faythful and the treasure of the true Christian therefore I beséech thée O Christ giue me grace to thirst after truth to hunger after the taste of that heauenly foode that my desiring soule may be succoured my longing heart refreshed euen with the fulnes of the same And wheras by nature we are bōdslaues of sinne and by that meanes vtter enemies of truth we beseech thee notwithstanding to make vs partakers of mercy and not of iudgement remembring that thy death and bloodshed paid the price of redemption for all mankinde Thou God of truth heare my prayer and let the suite of me thy poore Seruant come before thy presence and that which I haue asked with
boldnesse vouchsafe to graunt of thy speciall goodnesse Amen A Prayer to leade our life according to the will of God To doe thy will teach me O Lord And let my life thereto accord MOst mighty most iust most mercifull most louing most tender deare Father forsomuch as there is no way to heauen but by doing thy wil we say with humblenes of heart as Iesus â—hrist thy Sonne and my swéete Sauiour hath taught Fiat voluntas tua sicut in Coelo in Terra Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heauen And because it is thy will that we should walk in holines and righteousnes before thée all the dayes of our life we beséech thée to be the Schoolemaster of our Soules and Spirites that thy Wisedome instructing and teaching vs to make a difference betwéene good and bad we may follow the one and forsake the other considering that the doers of thy wil and not the knowers of the same shal be partakers of the promises of life and saluation For thy Sonne Iesus Christes sake my onely Sauiour and Redeemer grant this request O most gracious God both vnto mee and to all thy people Amen A Prayer to fast and abstaine from sinne To fast from Sinne is Christians ioy My heart thereto O Lord employ LOrd God maker of heauen earth Iudge of the quicke and the dead thou that by wisedome séest all things and by thy prouidence orderest all creatures wee beséech thée to cast thine eyes of care and compassion vpon vs miserable sinners who from the day of our birth haue liued in wantonnes and all kind of wickednes therby kindling thy wrath and Iustice against vs to our confusion O let vs yet at length haue our eyes opened and sée the brightnesse of thy glorie which the blindnesse of our minds will not suffer vs to behold Let vs not pamper our selues in securitie lyuing out of rule and abandoning all godlinesse which is a kinde of surfetting in iniquity and ouercharging our hearts with heapes of abominations but let vs become new Schollers in the Schoole of Christianitie walking warily redeeming the time louing light and detesting darknesse O Lord vouchsafe to be mindfull of vs thy creatures and of thine owne glory which art our Creator Teach vs to fast aright not superstitiously in abstaining from this or that kind of meate vsing a vaine order in dyet and differences of meates but as thine holy ones haue in times past fasted the true Fast which thou in thy Word requirest so grant I beséech thee that I and all people may fast after the same fashion to fast from sin wickednes that the flesh may bee brought into subiection and the spirit quickened Graunt this O Lord for thy Sons sake Iesus Christ my Redéemer and Sauiour Amen A Praier for grace to forsake euill and to follow that which is good From Heauen O God send vs thy grace Ill to forsake and good t' imbrace ALmightie God I beseech thee to giue mee true vnderstanding knowledge not onely to confesse thée a most mercifull Father but also an vpright Iudge fauouring thy children which liue within the compasse of thy Commandements and punishing offendours which run headlong into all mischiefe not once looking backe to the written Tables of the law And because it standeth not with the frailtie of man to fulfill the summe of the law vpon the breach whereof condemnation doth insue we beseech thée to inrich our harts with the treasure of thy Grace that we waxing wealthy therewith may be able to withstand all the assaults of Satan our subtile aduersarie Moreouer good GOD forsomuch as this Grace of thine is the badge of thy fatherly affection and guydeth the thoughts the words the déedes of euery Christian wée besech thée to shield vs with the same that wée may follow and stand stedfastly in that which is acceptable in thy sight renouncing the Deuill and his workes of darknesse and betaking our selues body and soule to the healthfull guiding of thy grace Amen A Prayer for the assistance of the Holy Ghost Th' assistance of the Holy Ghost Sweete Iesus spread in euery Coast. MOst comfortable Sauiour most victorious Captaine most triumphant Redéemer most mercifull Mediatour Iesus Christ thou beloued Sonne of the eternall God spread abroad the brightnesse of thy Maiestie to the consolation of all people And forsomuch as without thée the whole world is nothing else but a solitarie Wildernesse destitute of faith hope charitie loue gentlenes compassion forbearance and all other workes of Christianitie we beséech thée to be a gracious God as thou art an omnipotent God that where thy power is séene thy mercie may likewise be perceiued Let not thy creatures continue in ignorance of thée their Sauiour but so assist them with the present aide of thy comforting Spirit and the holy Ghost that they may sée in what by-wayes of destruction dangers they trauerse Let thy holy Ghost be their lodesman let the holy Ghost be their teacher let the holy Ghost be their right hand and their left let the holy Ghost be to them all in all that they being thus inspired filled with the power of thy sanctifying Spirit may feele in themselues a spiritual inclination working all desires of the flesh being cut off cast away and may also be receiued into thy shéepfold be reckoned among the number of the faithfull Graunt this O Christ thou tender Sauiour of our soules Amen A Prayer against Wrath and Malice From hatefull heart and fraught with ire Saue vs O Lord wee thee desire BOuntifull God which hast giuen vs commandement to loue all men and to hate none to be angry but not to sinne to be displeased a little but not to let the Sunne set vpon our wrath wée beséech thée to purge our heartes cleane from all hatred from all enuie from all malice from al vncharitablenesse from all vntowardnesse from all bitternesse from all quarrelling from all misreporting from all backbyting from all reuengement seeking sinally from al the motions of a wicked spirit Let loue banish hate let friendlines displace vnkindnes let charitie remooue ouerthwartnes let forbearance dispossesse maliciousnes al which are most shamefull sinnes and so hatefull in thy sight O God that he is no Christian but an Antichristian no child of blisse but of Baall no heire of Heauen but of Hell no vessell of election but of reprobation no partaker of ioy but of woe no souldier of the Church but of the Synagogue in whom they beare rule And therefore most gracious God root out of our hearts all such wéedes of wickednesse that we may become new griftes of righteousnesse through Iesus Christ our Sauiour Amen A Praier for obedience to the keeping of Gods Commandements To liue within the rule of Law keepe vs O Lord in feare awe EVerlasting God whose name is so glorious that it passeth the capacitie of man to giue it due aduancement we beséech thée of thine
to come to passe then looke vp and lift vp your heades for your redemption draweth neere The effect of that redemption shall appeare which Iesus Christ hath purchased Luk. 21.27.28 8. I beleeue in the holy Ghost GOe therefore and teach all nations baptising them in the name of the Father and the Sonne the holy Ghost Matth. 28.19 But the Comforter which is the holy Ghost whom the Father wil send in my name he shall teach you all things and bring all thinges to your remembrance which I haue told you Iohn 14.26 This holy Ghost is called somtime The spirit of truth proceeding from the Father because hee worketh the truth in vs. Iohn 14.17 15.26 some time the Spirit of the Father speaking in his Ministers Matth. 10.20 sometime the Spirit of the Sonne Rom. 8.9 sometime the good Spirit Psal. 143.10 sometime an holy Oyntment 1. Iohn 2.20 sometime a Comforter Iohn 14.16 15.26 16.7 sometime the earnest of our Inheritaunce The holy Ghost is the gage or pledge of our second redemption which shall be at the possession of our inheritance in heaued Ephes. 1.14 somtime the earnest of the Spirit in our heartes 2. Cor. 1.22 No man can say that Iesus is the Lord but by the holy Ghost 1. Cor. 12.3 9. The holy Catholik Church the Communion of Saints CHrist loued his Church and gaue himselfe for it that he might sanctifie it and cleanse it by the washing of water through the word Baptisme is a token of the Churches consecration that he might make it vnto himselfe a glorious Church not hauing spot or wrinckle because it is couered and clad with his righteousnesse and holinesse that it should be holie and without blame Ephes. 5.27 I am the Rose of the field and the Lillie of the vallies like a Lillie among the thornes so is my Loue among the doughters c. Christ preferreth his Church aboue all other thinges Cant. 2.1.2 For other foundation can no man lay then that which is layd which is Iesus Christ. 1. Cor. 3.11 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God that the spirit of God dwelleth in you 1. Cor. 3.16 In this Church are many members but one body in Christ Rom. 12.4.5 1 Cor. 6.15 Let vs follow the truth in loue and in al things grow vp into him which is the head that is Christ. Christ being head oâ— his Church nourisheth his members and ioyneth them togeather by ioynts c. Ephe. 4.15 Christ is the head of the body of the Church Col. 1.18 Now reioyce I in my sufferings for you or your commoditie and fulfil the rest of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for Christ suffereth dayly in his members as partaker of their infirmities and therefore a reuenger of their iniuries for his body sake which is the Church Coloss. 1.24 the edification of the Church is heere ment There are many members but one body 1. Cor. 12 20. Now ye are the body of Christ and members for your part For all Churches dispersed throughout the world are diuers members of one bodie 1. Cor. 12.27 God is not the author of confusion but of peace as we see in all the Churches of the Saints 1. Cor. 14.33 10 The forgiuenes of sinnes WHose sinnes so euer ye remit they are remitted and whose sinnes soeuer ye retaine they are retained Iohn 20.23 He that shall beleeue and be baptised shall be saued but he that will not beléeue shal be damned Luk. 16.16 It behoued Christ to suffer and to rise againe from the dead the third day and that repentance and remission of sinnes should be preached in his name among all nations Luk. 24.46.47 And GOD saw their workes that they turned from their euil wayes the fruites of their repentance proceeding of fayth planted by the Prophets preaching to the people of Niniueth and God repented of the euill that he had said that hee would doe vnto them and hee did it not Ionah 3.10 Stand in the wayes and behold and aske for the old way wherein the Patriarches and prophets walked directed by the word of God signifying that there is no true way but that which God prescribeth which is the good way and walke therein and ye shall finde rest for your soules Ierem. 6.16 11. The resuâ—rection of the body FOr since by Man came death by Man came also the resurrectioÌ„ of the dead 1. Cor. 15.21 Behold I shew you a secret thing We shall not all sleepe but we shall all be changed in a moment in the twinckling of an eye at the last trumpet for the trumpet shall blow and the dead shall be raysed vp incorruptible we shall be changed When the Lord commeth to iudgement some of the Saints shall be aliue whoÌ„ he will change euen as if they were dead so that this change shall be to them in stead of death 1. Cor. 15.51.52 The Lord himselfe shall descend from heauen with a shoute and with the voice of Th'archangel and with the trumpet of God the dead in Christ shal rise first Then shall we which liue remaine euen we which are aliue or shall be then found liuing be brought vp with them also in the cloudes to meete the Lord in the ayre and so shall wée be euer with the Lord. In this sodaine taking vp there shall be a kinde of change of the qualities of our body which shall be as a kind of death 1. Thes. 16.17 And he shall send his Angels with a great sound of a trumpet and they shal gather togeather his elect from the foure windes and from the one end of the heauen vnto the other c. Matth 24.31 And though after my skin Wormes destroy my body yet shall I sée God in my flesh whom I my selfe shall sée and mine eies shall behold and none other for me though my reines are consumed within mee Iobs full hope that both soule and body should enioy the presence of God in the last resurrection Iob. 19.26.27 I know that he shall rise againe in the resurrection at the last day The words of Martha to Iesus concerning dead Lazarus The errour of the Sadduces men marueilous quidditiue concerning the resurrection is here confuted Iohn 11.14 12. And the life euerlasting Amen I Am the resurrection and the life Christ restoreth vs from death to giue vs euerlasting life hée that beléeueth in me though he were dead yet shal he liue And whosoeuer liueth and beleeueth in me shall neuer die Iohn 11.25.26 I am the liuing bread which giue life to the world which came downe from heaven if any man eate of this bread hée shall liue for euer and the bread that I giue you is my flesh which I will giue for the life of the world Iohn 9.51 Thou hast the wordes of eternall life Then without Christ there is but death for his word onely leadeth vs to life Joh. 6.68 This is the will of him that sent me that euery one which séeth
passions of death I may lay fast hold vpon Iesus Christ my Sauiour hoping in him to liue who by his death purchased euerlasting life for all the faythfull O heare my prayer O God and let my cry come vnto thee for Iesus sake vnto whom with thee and the holy Ghost be all laude honour and prayse for euermore Amen A Prayer to leade our liues according to the law and will of God Giue me O Lord a mind and will To loue thy Law and it fulfill LOuing Lord and most mercifull Father thou that art righteous in thy workes iust in thy iudgements faithfull in thy words true in thy promises make me I heartily beseech thee alwayes plyant like Waxe both in mind and will to loue thy Law and to liue after the same Giue my heart the cleere light of true Christian knowledge that I hauing the eies of my soule broad waking may discerne betweene light and darknesse Christ and Beliall God and the Diuell Hell and Heauen the Flesh and the Spirit Guide thou O Lord all my goings by thy grace that all my thoughtes may rest vpon thée Gouerne thou my will and all mine affections that they may keepe within the limits of thy holie Law and Commaundements that all my endeauour may be directed to the accomplishment and fulfilling of thy Statutes and Ordinances so farre foorth as my weaknesse can wade through the rough waues of this most wicked world let thy spirit lead me to doe those things that please thy diuine maiestie that at the last day whē thou shalt sit vpon the Raine bowe treading the Cloudes of the skies vnder thy féete and compassed round about with legions of Angels Cherubim and Seraphim armies of Saintes and holy Martyres I may be receiued into the number of the elect and enter into possession of that inheritaunce which neither Gold nor Siluer but the precious Blood of thy beloued Sonne my swéete Sauiour Iesus Christ bought and purchased Grant this most mercifull Father for thy mercies sake which are vnmeasurable and for thy kindnesse sake which is vnsearchable and for thy tender loue sake which is vnspeakable Amen A Prayer to keepe our tongue from speaking ill From an ill tongue Lord make me cleane To great and small good fayrh to meane ALmighty God which canst not away with a double heart and to whom an euill tongue is fowle dishonour giue me grace I beséech thée to speake nothing but that which is true right and iust not hurting any with my tōgue which thou hast giuen mee to doe all men good and to vse as an instrument for the sounding foorth of thy prayse and glory And be cause a lying and an euill Tongue draweth the soul into death and destruction put backe I beséech thée from my lippes all guilefull speaches all deceitfull communications and al lying wordes Moreouer because thou O Lord art truth it selfe and therefore delightest in truth innocencie giue me grace alwayes to enure my tongue vnto truth abhorring all such talke as may offende thy diuine Maiestie and diminish the honour due vnto thy holy name Let thy sanctifying Spirit take charge ouer my heart that I may doe good vnto all and hurt vnto none vttering that with tongue which I meane in heart purposing as well in déede as in word nothing but good fayth true christianitie Grant this O God for Iesus Christs sake Amen A Prayer to fast and pray aright To Fast aright teach vs the way O Sauiour Christ we humbly pray MOst bountifull Iesu most sweet Iesu most louing Iesu which by thine example diddest teach vs to Faste aright not after the painted fashon of Pharisies and Hypocrites but according to the plaine manner of vnfeigned Christians I heartily humbly beséech thée to giue me grace to exercise my selfe in godly Fasting Prayer that the man of sinne may be subdued and brought vnder that my heart may be cleansed from all sinne and vnrighteousnesse that my thoughtes and cogitations may be scoured from corruption and filthinesse that my wordes may not smell of Heathenish vnholinesse wickednesse that my déedes may not be leauened with beastly wantonnesse but that the course of my whole life may be seasoned with the sauorie salt of sanctification that whatsoeuer I thinke whatsoeuer I say or whatsoeuer I do it may carry with it some signe of the true Fast namely the fast from sin vnto which fast whosoeuer apply themselues they are sure to be thy children and are builded vpon a stedfast hope to inherite that place of endlesse happinesse which thou boughtest with thy precious blod This fasting I beseech thee O sweete Sauiour giue me grace to exercise so shall my sinfull flesh bee kept in awe as a seruant and my Spirit shall beare rule ouer it and kéepe it in subiection This O Christ and whatsoeuer else is necessary vouchsafe of thy goodnesse to grant vnto me thy poore creature who aske it euen in zealous and hearty prayer Amen A Prayer against wilfull sins and snares of Satan From wilfull sinne Lord saue vs That Satan may not haue vs. Be vnto vs a brasen wale most mercifull Father against all the assaults of sinne specially preserue vs from wilfull offences and from transgressing of very malice which is a wheting of thy wrath against vs and a kindling of our owne confusion without hope of mercy at thy heauenly hands O Lord let vs not be so farre estranged from obedience as of set purpose to runne into contempt of thy glorious name let not our hearts become so flintie as to be void of all feeling of sorrow for sinne yea as to be emboldened to heape sinne vpon sinne to our vtter shame We know this is Satans séeking we are assured this is the Diuels drift we cannot be ignorant that this is Belsebubs intent therby to haue vs wiped in thy wrath out of the Booke of life and so he to haue full sway ouer vs as children of condemnation But thou O Lord art mercifull thou art gratious thou art carefull ouer vs defend vs therefore from all sinn and chiefely from the sin of wilfulnes and malice for the honour of thy name Amen A Prayer for the feare of the Lord and loue of his word Increase in me O Lord thy feare That to thy word I may giue eare ETernall God omnipotent Creatour whose word layd the foundation of the whole world furnished the same with all things behoofefull for the maintenance of man wee humbly beseech thee increase in vs a louing feare of thee and thy word that whatsoeuer we are inioyned and commanded to doe therein wee may rather neglect life lands goods all precious possessions then to leaue it vndone knowing that by hearing thy word wee vnderstand thy will which who so kéepeth they are assured in spirit to be thy faithfull seruants So fill vs therefore O God with this godlie feare that we stopping our eares and waxing dull against all worldly vanities may bee rauished
and clappe your hands all people for God is gratious and fauourable Euermore shall his praise bée in my mouth I will talke of his goodnesse euen among mine enemies yea without ceasing I will extoll and prayse his name Amen The holy Ghost doth sanctifie Such as in faith doth fructifie The wicked stil wax worse wors And run into Gods heauy curse WOrship and honour bee giuen vnto God the holy Ghost by whom we are sancctified vnto life euerlasting Infinite is thy working in holinesse he doth renew the flintie heart maketh it relent at Gods iudgementes Least Satan should triumph ouer vs therefore hath he vouchsafed to clense and purifie our spirit Let vs therefore ascribe vnto him all honour for through sanctification wee are made heires of saluatiō Iniquitie defiled our soules but through fayth increasing in vs we felt an inward reformation And hauing our eyes opened we saw our filthinesse and by the gift of grace became new creatures Many were the enormities which reigned in vs but the holy Ghost purged vs of all and set vs free Long wandred we in by-wayes of wickednesse but are now restored againe vnto righteousnesse As for the vngodly they haue no part of this sanctifying Spirite but dayly waxe worse and worse Much like vnto such as GOD hath cursed in his wrath and denounced sentence of death against thē Be glad O yee iust for you are they whom God loueth in whom he magnifieth his owne name Excellent wonderfull in working is God the holie Ghost who with the Father and the Sonne be praysed and magnified for euer Amen It is not wealth to haue at will That can vs keepe and saue from ill Gods grace it is which worketh that Let vs reioyce therefore thereat WHat is the Wealth of this world but Winde and what Riches but the shadow of Smoke In Wealth to trust is to trust to a broken réede and in Riches to boast is to boast in a thing of naught Lay wealth to the grace of God and what is it Euen filthy Dunge and a worse thing Lay Riches to Gods Grace and what are they Euen painted shewes of transitory vanities In Wealth therefore glory not for there is in it no power to preserue from the euill day And of Riches brag not for in them is no hope of health in the dangerous time of trouble Make the grace of God the perfect ioy of thy heart and trust thereunto as vnto a Brazen wall Looke for safetie from thence in the perilous season for the grace of God is a strong refuge Arme thy soule therewith as with Iron-plate Armour so shall the assaultes of thy aduersaries doe thee no harme Make thy moue vnto the Almightie in the time of tribulation he shall furnish thee with his grace Be thankfull vnto him when thou hast receiued it and shew not thy selfe in any case vnkind Euery day prayse him for his goodnesse and extol his greatnesse among the multitude for he is good and gratious to his chosen O magnifie and prayse him all people Amen To loue to liue in peace and ease The Lord of life doth much displease Let such as lacke and comfort craue Thy helping hand in hazard haue WHen God hath blessed thée with abundaunce of Benefites so vse them as God may be well pleased In peace pamper not thy selfe for that is the way to minister cause of courage and loftinesse to the flesh Looke vnto the Lord who hath giuen thee these good giftes and become not slouthfull with ease Life commeth from the Lord and whatsoeuer belongeth therevnto it proceedeth from his goodnes In prosperitie be mindfull of aduersitie and let not the plentie of thy peace make thee proud A Father of the fatherles shew thy selfe in necessity shut not vp the sluces of mercy against the poore Make not thy Mony thy God and hoord it not vp for thine owne profit onely not regarding others need Let not the poore lie comfortlesse let not them starue and perish whom it is in thee to helpe Apply thy selfe to works of mercy and stretch out thy hand to them that are needy and succourlesse Mooue not God who gaue thee these giftes to wrath least in his anger he turne all to thy shame Beware therefore and let Wisedome rule thee in thy wayes so shalt thou not offend or doe amisse Extoll thy Creator and say that he is gracious mercifull a louing God and a most bountifull Father vnto his Children Amen Looke ere thou leape and vse thine eyes Else shalt thou shew thy selfe vnwise The simple sort with councell ayde Thus ought thy talent out be layde WIsedome is the blessing of God and it is much more excellent then Gold Siluer or precious Stones In time of necessitie it is a present remedie and a sufficient refuge in perill and ieobadie Little auayleth worldly policie where this Wisedome wanteth O happie is he whom God hath armed therewith Leaue riches forsake honor set pleasure at naught to come to the enioying of this preacious treasure Immortalitie followeth this wisdome and such as haue it are sure to grow in estimation and fame Aske it of him who is the Well of Wisedome from whom it commeth euen the Lord God Almighty Make not thy boast thereof neither apply it to thy priuate profite but extend the same to the succour of the simple Learne this lesson That it is but lent vnto thee of the Lord thou art the Steward therof but for a time Abuse it not lest it turne to thine owne cōfusion for as it is the gift of God so will be he honored therein Make it not an instrumēt of follie least God ouerthrow thée in the vanitie of thine owne mind Be a counseller to the vnlearned and teach the ideot vnderstanding so shalt thou glorifie GOD in thy wisedome Enterprise nothing vnaduisedly in all thy beginnings procéedings and endings remember God Amen If thou be poore hold thee content It is a crosse which God hath sent Remember Iob a man most iust From stately seat cast downe to dust WIth thine estate not to be contented it is to repine and murmure at the appoyntment and ordinance of God In pouertie be not desperate but fixe all thy hope vpon the rocke of Gods prouidence for he is faithfull Lament thy sin and bée sorry for the same consider also with thy selfe that pouertie is Gods chastisement Let not pouerty therfore so pull thee downe that thou shouldest thereupon mistrust the Lord God to be mercifull It is a crosse layd vpon thee in this life to keepe thee in subiection and to make thee know thine owne estate A happy child art thou that canst reforme thy selfe and amend that which is amisse in thee by his fatherly correction Marke the example of Iob a man so iust so faithfull so righteous that the Diuell of Hell could not preuaile against him Look vpon him how he was tormented how hee was brought low being sometimes placed in exceeding
most mercifull Father for thy Sonnes sake our onely Mediatour and Aduocate Amen A Prayer for a patient Minde in trouble In trouble Lord to thee we call A patient Spirit to giue vs all IN all afflictions and tribulations O GOD Father of all mercy and consolation wée beséech thee to looke vpon vs. in the bowels of compassiō to mittigate and asswage our miseries And as it hath pleased thée of thy fatherly pitty to call vs to thée the running Riuer of all refection and comfort so we beséech thée euen then specially to heare our cryes lamentations when we lie groning vnder the heauie burthen of affliction and trouble Thou hast commanded vs to make our meane vnto thée saying Call vpon me in the time of thy trouble and I will heare thee O bountifull and gracious God doe therefore with thy seruāts according to thy word and as thou art faithfull in thy promises so I humbly beséech thée that I among the rest of thy people may féele and tast the swéetnes of thy fauour and grace which is the most soueraigne succour that can be in al necessities and distresses To thee therefore which art the rich treasure of all goodnes the healthfull welspring of all perfect peace we approch submitting our selues before thy face and crauing at thy handes the spirit of patience wherwith as with an vnpeaceable target being defended we may constantly abide and weare out any kind of crosse and tribulation wayting the good time of thy pleasure for our deliuerance Amen A Prayer in time of Prosperitie or Aduersitie If Poore or Rich O Lord we bee Teach vs to know all comes from thee ALmightie GOD Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which madest Heauen and earth the sea all the wonders of the Déepe wée confesse that thou art the author of al things and that vpon thee the whole estate of man doth depend humbly beséeching thée of thy goodnes to guide vs so farre with thy grace that if we sée our selues blessed with the Wealth of this world which winneth worship and credit among people or oppressed with pouerty which bréedeth contempt and abasement we may notwithstanding neither by the one wax proud or insolent neither yet by the other become mistrustfull or desperate but referring all to thee which distributest thy giftes to thine owne liking vpon the tryall of thy seruants wée may learne this that as thou art able to make the rich poore the poore rich so in thée it is to giue euery man an inward knowledge and assurance of thy will whatsoeuer estate it hath pleased thée to place him or them in the which inward knowledge I beséech thee powre into my spirit that as well in pouerty as in riches I may glorifie thy name vsing my riches as thy blessing in signe of thy careful prouidence and not repining but well contenting my selfe with pouerty as thy chastisement to kéepe me vnder awe and obedience thy will and not my will O Lord be done and fulfilled Amen A praier for patience in time of losse of Goods or Landes The losse of Life of Goods and Lands O gracious God is in thy hands MOst mighty God and merciful father from whō all good things do procéed as tokens of thy kindnesse and all punishments for sinne as signes of thy displeasure which giuest life takest away the same againe at thine appoynted time which inrichest thy seruants with goods of sundry sorts and changest their condition in a moment which blessest thy creatures with Lands and Possessions and turnest all in an instant into extreame need and nakednesse as thou didst deale with Iob. that perfect paterne of patience We beséech thee to inspire vs with an vnderstanding heart that we may so liue as willing to die that we may enioy our goods as not grudging to forgoe them and that wée may hold vs to our Lands as not loth to loose them considering that as they came from thée so in thée it is to dispose them as thou wilt either to blessing or to cursing O gracious God let vs not grow in forgetfulnesse of the life to come by too much louing this present transitorie Life which is but a shadow a smoke and a dreame Let vs not bee drowned in the desires and delights of worldly goods least wee neglect the riches of Paradise which nothing can purchase but Faith in the blood and death of Christ let vs not wed our willes and witts to Landes and Possessions which are but momentany maintenances least in ouerliking them wee loose the sweet inheritance of the holy land Ierusalem not built with hands but glorious and triumphant wherto bring vs O God for his sake that bought vs Iesus Christ the righteous Amen A thankes-giuing for Meat Drinke and Clothing For Meate and Drinke and Cloth to weare Wee praise thy name O God with feare LORD Iesus the Redéemer of all mankind which vouchsafedst to shed thine owne heart Blood vpon the Crosse for the saluation of our soules which else through sinne had miserably perished we praise thée we magnifie thée we worship thée we glorifie thee wee giue thankes to thée for thy great kindnes for thy tender loue for they zealous affection and for thine excéeding goodnesse in caring for vs in louing vs in tendering vs in susteining vs in relieuing vs and in supplying all our wantes and necessities Thou numbrest all the haires of our head and without thy wil they waxe not one lesse Thou giuest vs food nourishment to comfort and strengthen our bodyes Thou giuest vs Garments of sundry wearing both for the safegard of health also for comelines Thou giuest vs Houses to harbour in whatsoeuer wee stande in need of thou of thine abundant grace pourest the same most plentifully into our bosomes Thou féedest the young Sparrowes thou cloathest the Lillies of the field thou garnishest the trées of the Forrest with gréene leaues thou inrichest the secretes of the earth and the sea with precious treasure is it like that thou wilt not haue an eye to man a creature fashiōed after thy owne image and likenesse for whom all these thinges were made and created No no thy loue is euerlasting and thy mercie excéedeth all measure They shall lacke nothing that pitch the pauilion of their pilgrimage vpon thy Prouidence which that wee may euer do and so be blessed with aboundance wee beséech thee giue vs thy Grace so shall we laude and magnifie thee with heart and voyce for euermore Amen A Prayer for ayde and helpe in all extreamities and need Helpe vs O Lord in all our needes And guide our thoughts our wordes and deedes ALl glory honor praise dominion thankes be giuen vnto thée O King euerlasting which hast made me a reasonable creature furnished mee with discretion and iudgement indued me with knowledge and vnderstanding and bestowed vpon me benefits of most singular excellencie Like glory and thankes be giuen vnto thée for thy prouidence and care for
because this world is like a Wildernesse replenished with wild beasts or rather Monsters vices I meane diuelish and damnable as pride adulterie flatterie idolatrie blasphemie disobedience stubbernesse extortion vsuries hipocrisie dissimulation enuie rancour malice murther letcherie surfetting wantonnesse and an infinite number of the like hellish rable whereto we are dayly endangered insomuch that oftentimes we are ready to be deuowred Stretch out O swéete Iesus the arming sword of thy Spirit cut them off by the wast that they may haue no power to assault vs and after this conquest wrought in vs frame vs anew by the word of regeneration that our liues being amended we may like Sheaues of pure Corne be bound vp brought into thy Barne Heare our Prayers O Christ and let our cries come vnto thée for thy name sake Amen A Prayer against vaine delights and worldly pleasures From vaine delights Lord turne mine eyes And saue my soule in losse which lyes LOrd God Creator of all things illuminate my heart with the Lampe of true vnderstanding and knowledge that although mine outward eyes slumber and sléep in the shadow of death yet the eyes of my soule may he kept waking in the way of life Direct me O Lord in thy feare guid me by thy grace turne mine eies from all vaine delights of this world preserue me from al the sweet entismēts of the flattering flesh fortifie strengthen me against all the craftie temptations of Satan And wheras my soule lieth vpō losse is not like but to be lost if if be left vnto it selfe I beseech thee O Father of mercy God of all consolation to take vpon thée the safety of the same that neither Satan my subtile aduersary nor the flesh the alluring harlot nor the world that foule ill fauor'd monster may preuayle against it but by thy power may vtterly be vanquished put to shame confusion Grant this O God for thy sonnes sake Iesus Christ my Sauiour Amen A prayer of a penitent sinner lamenting his former life so ill spent My life misse-led I doe lament And of my sinnes I mee repent LOoke on mée O heauenly Father and gracious God with thy fauourable countenance and in the fulnes of thine euerlasting compassion comfort mée which am swallowed vp with heauinesse And though my Sinnes surmount in thy sight the Sandes of the Seas yet I beséech thee haue an eye to thy Son Iesus Christ whom thou didst send into the world to take vpon his shoulders the whole burden of our sinnes and by his death to make satisfaction vnto thee for the same And albeit O Lord by my deserts I am the child of wrath of death and condemnatiō yet notwithstanding I beseech thée O God giue eare vnto the voyce of my Mediatour Christ Iesus who maketh continuall intercessiō vnto thee not only for mee but also for al such as constantly beleeue in him make him the sure ground work of their saluation Looke not Lord vpon my deformities but vpon his innocencie not vpon mine iniquitie but vpon his righteousnes not vpon the multitude of my misdeedes but vpon the manifoldnesse of thy mercies Remember the bleeding stripes and woundes of thy Sonne my Sauiour in whom alone by the increasing of a liuely iustifying fayth I am a new creature regenerate and made cleane not with Water but by Grace thy Mercie O Father being the fountayne of this Heauenlie benefit O heare the praier of thy poore seruant and for thy Sonnes sake Iesus Christ grant my petition Amen A Prayer of a sorrowfull sinner laying his heart open praying for a firme fayth My heart O Lord wide ope I lay And vnto thee for Faith I pray I Beséech thée O Father of endles mercy to looke vpon me thy poore creature poore indeed and desolate naked and bare of spirituall riches I lay my heart wide open before thee which hath no good thing dwelling in it Lord I beseech thee plough it vp with the Plough of thy Spirit and sow therein the seeds of a true Christian faith such a fayth as may haue attending and wayting vpon it Hope and Charitie as handmaides Also O Lord GOD I humbly beseech thee that as thou hast made me thy Steward and put mee in trust with a Talent of thy blessing namely Riches worldly Wealth transitory Treasures so I may be furnisht with the instrument which is able to informe me how to imploy the same aright euen faith not an idle faith barren and vnfruitfull but a busie fayth flowing full of good workes that thereby I may be as a Citie builded vpon an Hill amiable and beautifull and like a Lanterne of light vnto all men who seeing my good works may glorifie thee O Father to whom all glory belongeth both in Heauen and in Earth Amen A Prayer desiring mercy and forgiuenesse Of thee O Lord Mercy I craue For Iesus sake his life which gaue AS thou art a gracious God O thou Iudg of Israel as thou art faythfull in thy promise and iust in thy word so I beseech thee deale fauourably with me poore sinner who bend the knees of my heart before thee crauing that with teares which if I obtaine not alas what shal become of me but death damnation In thee is my hope in thee my trust in thée my confidence let me not be ashamed let me not be forsaken nor confounded but for thy sonne Iesus Christ his sake who suffered a reprochfull death in the face of his sworne and deadly enemies haue mercy vpon me haue mercy vpon me vpon mee miserable soule on whom vnlesse thou haue mercy Satan with his whole power is ready to ouerrun me In time therefore O Lord helpe me in time assist me in time succour me or else I am a cast-away and the child of reprobation Let thy mercy stand betweene my sinnes and thy iudgement for Iesus sake my sweete Sauiour succour mee miserable sinner who neuer cease crying O Father which art in Heauen O our Father which art in Heauen haue mercy O haue mercy Lord in time Amen A Prayer to be prepared against the houre of death Lord at my death the iewell chiefe Which I desire is true beliefe MOst mightie God and mercifull Father as thou hast created and made me of the mould of the earth and inspired into the grosse lumpe of my body a liuing and quickning soule so O Lord I beseech thee to indue me with such knowledge and vnderstanding yea with such an earnest zeale burning desire of thy heauenly dwelling and immortall mantion that I may loath this life which is but a span long and thirst after death which is the entrance to endlesse ioy and happinesse Also O Lord I most humbly beseech thee when it shall please thee to visit me with sicknesse or otherwise to call me out of this life that I may féele working in my heart an vnfained Fayth and a true Christian Beliefe whereby euen in the nipping agonies and pinching