seeing that I erre as a child before such a Father which canst not but off thy Fatherly pitty and compassion but rather as thou hast bought mee vnto thee to bee an heire of thy kingdome by the bloud of thy naturall Sonne my Sauiour Iesus Christ so am I sure that thou wilt lighten mee in the end with full fruition of the bright light of thy countenance that I may see thee and know that as this thy Sonne knoweth thee yea see thee and know thee my Father face to face to know thâ—e as I am knowne Thus rest I onely in thy hands O my God crauing of thee to encrease my knowledge in thy holy word whereby I may know thy good will pleasure And knowing the same giue mee O Lord thy holy Spirit to conduct and lead mee in the same all the daies of my life that in sinceritie of faith and purenes of liuing and conuersation thy glorious Maiesty bee magnified in mee for euer Giue mee grace therefore most mercifull Father that for so high a treasure left among vs as is this thy most holy word I may be thankfull reuerently embrace accept and esteeme of the same as the most precious iewell in earth bee thereâ—n confirmed more strongly that all things therein contayned to be most certaine and vndoubtedly true not by any mortall man but by thy most holy Spirit in man penned and written to the comfort and behoofe of man that I may most humbly lowly and with most high reuerence submit my selfe thereunto as becometh thy Maiestie and thy word proceeding out of thy most blessed mouth that I may reuerently with humblenesse and obedience read heare and occupie my selfe in the same to the comfort of my soule and encrease of thy glory Lighten mine vnderstanding most deere Father with thy holy Spirit that I may learne cleerely to conceiue and vnderstand the things therein contained which no mortall man can conceiue saue those who haue learned of thee whom thou by thy holy Spirit dost lighten and instruct Guide mee deerâ— Father with thy holy Spirit that hauing the true vnderstanding of the mysteries therein contained I may be fully established and confirmed in the true knowledge of thee my deere Father of thy beloued Sonne Iesus Christ my Lord and Sauiour throughly in conscience perswaded that I haue my full and perfect saluation life euerlasting in him and through his attonement made through his death and passion that I doe not vainly abuse the knowledge of thy sacred word to satisfie vaine curiositie or bragge of knowledge but onely to the releeuing of my hungry and wounded conscience to the loosing of my fettered soule and the appeasing of my sorrowfull heart that I may to the end of my life walke in sincerity before thee my heauenly Father in the comforts of thy deere Sonne our Sauiour vpholden still by the mercifull power of the holy Ghost to thine euerlasting praise and glory world without end Amen A Thanks-giuing after the hearing or reading of the word of God O Eternall God and most mercifull Father I yeeld vnto thee most heartie thankes for all thy benefits bestowed vppon mee especially that it hath pleased thy heauenly goodnesse to shine into my heart through the light of thine holy Spirit in the Mysteries of thy holy word and that thou hast framed my heart and mind to take such vnspeakeable ioy and comfort in thy most blessed holy word and the embracing of my saluation therein offered vnto mee For these thine vnspeakable mercies I beseech thee O Lord make mee thankfull that I may acknowledge the great benefit thereof and esteeme of so inestimable a treasure aboue all earthly possessions or treasures And O Lord my God for so much as I wander in this present life among many and infinite dangers whereby I am euery moment in perill of sliding backe and falling from this feruent zeale of thy euerlasting truth which thou hast kindled in my brest if otherwise thou doe not stay mee by thy mercifull hand and for so much as I learne out of thy most blessed and holy word that it is not sufficient to haue begunne well vnlesse I continue to the end not sufficient to hold my hand to the plough and looke backe I craue at thy hands in the name of thy beloued Sonne my Lord and Sauiour Christ that this thy worke which thou hast begun in mee thou wilt in mercy encrease in me more and more and continue it euen to the end of my life that I doe not waxe cold secure dull or faint but continually encreasing in true zeale I may still more and more be delighted with reading hearing and meditating of thy holy word I may thereby also daily encrease in true knowledge of thy blessed will from faith to faith that I may euen from the bottome of my heart so sincerely professe thy true Religion that all hypocrisie vaine-glory and fained holinesse vtterly through thy holy Spirit rooted out of my heart I may onely hold my selfe contented that I may haue the eyes of thy Maiesty beholding my inward heart minde whereby I onely studying to be allowed before thy Maiesty may vtterly reiect all the vaine praise of men which might puffe mee vp or the scoffing iests taunts or reproches of the vngodly which might else driue me downe To this end O Lord my God that I may encrease and daily more and more be confirmed in thy mercies begun in mee I beseech thee stirre vp true sincere Preachers and Messengers who daily may stirre vp my minde and heart otherwise by nature dull to the ioyfull embracing of the glad tidings of peace Leaue mee not destitute O Lord my God of the meanes which thou hast appointed for the encrease of a liuely faith true zeale which meane is onely the Ministery of thy blessed and holy word but make mee alwaies carefull for the seeking of it and so prouide O Lord my God that I may alwaies haue it comfortably receiue it and sweetly digest it Keepe mee by thy holy Spirit O Lord that I neuer be seduced by erronious doctrine but that onely I may giue eare vnto thy voice that cleauing onely vnto thee I may in this present life which thou hast giuen mee so occupy my selfe and vse this good time which thou hast appointed that I may still looke for the comming of thy deere Sonne to receiue mee into the euerlasting rest prepared for all the elect and chosen whereby I shall for euer remaine together with my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ to whom with thee the holy Ghost be all honor and glory world without end Amen A Prayer before the receiuing of the Sacrament O Lord Iesus Christ which art the sweete comfort of all that call vpon thee and the sure succour of all such as sue vnto thee behold mee a most sinfull creature and foule offender which bowing the knees of my heart with all humilitie before thee confesse vnfainedly that I am
the Spirit of knowledge and so wee must pray in knowledge 2. It is the Spirit of Christ that is in vs and so wee must pray in the Name of Christ by the Spirit 3. It is the Spirit of Faith and so wee must pray in Faith without doubting 4. And it is the Spirit of Patience and so we must waite in Prayer 5. It is the Spirit of Wisedome teaching vs what to pray for so we must pray in wisedom for such things as be most soueraigne and necessary For spirituall graces absolutely for temporall with condition 6 It is the Spirit of Humility teaching vs to denie our owne wisedome and not rest in our owne righteousnesse and so to submit to the will of God as not to faint in our labour although we faile in our particular desire 7 It is the Spirit of Perseuerance and so we must pray continually and perseuere therein with all thankfulnesse 8 It is a quickning powrfull Spirit working mightily in vs and so wee must pray in all zeale and feruency of the Spirit because if they bee feruent they shall preuaile 9. It is the holy and blessed Spirit and therefore whosoeuer calleth on the name of the Lord must depart from Iniquity if we regard iniquity in our harts the Lord will not heare our prayers Thus may we pray in the Spirit Neither may such prescript forme of Prayer preiudice or stint the same But we must be carefull of the sense of our particular wants and apprehension of Gods fauour in Iesus Christ to powre out our hearts vnto our GOD who is onely priuy hereunto and loueth trueth in the inward parts so shall the words of our mouths be acceptable vnto him whether wee speake by the mediate direction of holy men who are inspired by the holy Ghost or immediately by the inspiration of the holie and blessed Spirit 1 Being wise in either to auoyd formality customaries superstition as if the thing how soeuer done would preuaile 2 Labouring still to quicken vppe our hearts in the loue of Christ that so we may continue with all patience and perseuerance therein 3 Vsing carefully to search and prepare our hearts vvhen we come before the Lord. 4 Preparing our hearts by holy Meditation of the Maiesty power and goodnes of God to quicken our faith and confound carnall Wisedome 5 Renewing our Vowes and Couenants with the Lord when soeuer wee looke to speede well from him 6 And yet not building any further in the issue vppon our God then may stand vvith his good pleasure for our cheefest good in his Time and Manner which shall be fittest for vs. 7 Comforting our selues rather in the sense of that diuine assistance quickening our requests and continuing powrefully therein then in any present sensible issue concerning our selues that still wee may haue to reioyce in our God and not in our selues 8 And so quieting our harts that we haue done the vvill of our GOD that the vvill of God may bee done in vs to the satisfying of our best desires in that manner and measure as best pleaseth him for our maine and principall good Thus may we preuaile in Prayer And to this end mayest thou make vse of these helpes rather as Directions to informe thee aright in the matter and order of Prayer theÌ„ any strict bounds to confine thee to the letter therof Wishing thee in the feare of God so to make vse thereof as to make them rather meanes to stir vp the Spirit in thee then to stint or prescribe the same Which thou shalt do if that thou dost seriously meditate on each particular Model before thou vse the same to informe thine vnderstanding kindle thine affections to the loue therof then so vse the Forme as not to rest heerein but rather to propound it as a patterne for thy better direction in the like and so to sample it as neere as thou maist or rather euen to put life vnto it and better the same And so the Lord giue thee vnderstanding in all things in whom I rest Tho Cooper ¶ A Table of all the seuerall Prayers contained in this Booke A Briefe Prayer vpon the Lords prayer 64 Another Prayer more at large vpon the Lords prayer 76 A Confession of sins with Faith and repentance 101 A prayer for the prosperous estate of the whole Church 110 Morning prayer for priuate houses and Families 125 Euening prayer for the same 135 A forme of prayer daily to bee vsed of all faithfull Christians in their houses or elsewhere 144 A speciall Morning Prayer for the Sabbath 184 Euening prayer for the Sabath 205 A Prayer to be said before the hearing or reading of the holy Scriptures 222 A Thankesgiuing after the hearing or reading of the word of God 230 A Prayer before the receiuing of the Sacrament 236 A Prayer to be said after the receiuing of the Sacrament 238 A Prayer for constant perseuerance in praying when wee are dull to prayer 240 A Prayer for all times 245 A prayer for all estates 250 A Prayer to bee confirmed in the knowledge of God 255 A Prayer for the obtaining of sauing Faith 258 A Prayer to feele in heart spirituall comfort and the liuely sence of our Adoption by Faith 274 A Prayer against doubting whereby to strengthen a weake Faith and to perseuere therein 278 〈◊〉 Prayer for obtaining of Triall and cherishing of the holy Spirit of God 302 A Prayer for obtaining of a liuely Hope 322 A prayer for the obtaining and encrease of Loue. 330 A prayer to obtaine and preseruâ— the feare of God that we may bâ— kept constant thereby in holinessâ— to the end 3â—â— A prayer for the obtaining of gracâ— and wisedome 34â— A prayer to walke faithfully anâ— fruitfully in our Ciuill and personal Callings 35â— A prayer before the taking of Iourney 36â— A Thankesgiuing for good succeâ—â— therein 3â—â— A Prayer for a Woman in Trâ—uaile 3â—â— A Thankesgiuing after safe Deâ—uerance 3â—â— A prayer for those that assist a trâ—uailing woman 3â—â— A Thankesgiuing for their gâ—â— successe 3â—â— A prayer for such as in this wâ—â— bee very rich 391 A prayer for such as be poore and needy 395 A prayer to obtaine grace of God against the assaults of the world the flesh and the diuell 397 A Thankesgiuing after blessings obtained to acknowledge them as from God 409 A prayer for patience in Tribulation and that God may be glorified thereby 412 A prayer for Mortification holinesse 417 A prayer for the feeling of the sinne of Hypocrisie that we may direct our life according to the prescript rule of the Word 424 A prayer against the secret venim and great daunger of prosperitie 431 A prayer against Whoredome and Vncleannesse 439 A prayer against Couetousnesse and Ambition 443 A prayer against vsuall and common Swearing 446 A Prayer against Pride 449 A prayer against Gluttonie and Drunkennesse 455 A prayer against Idlenesse and Sloth 460 A prayer against Infidelity dispaire necessarie
good in our owne fantasie but onely that which God commandeth vs to aske of him All which things be contained in the Lords prayer Quest Rehearse the Lords prayer Answere OVr Father which art in heauen hallowed be thy name thy kingdome come thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen Giue vs this day our dayly bread And forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse against vs. And lead vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill For thine is the kingdome the power and the glory for euer and euer Amen Qu. What dost thou desire of God in this prayer An. First I desire of our heauenly Father that his name may be hallowed First in his excellent works which is when we acknowledge his mercy wisedom iustice and prouidence that he alone worketh ell things and that only the Lord God be had in honour all other set aside Secondly that his name may bee glorifyed in our godly liuing and conuersation 2 In the 2. petition wee desire that God his Kingdome may come that is that he will declare himself to be King ouer his Church in guiding and defending it in encreasing the number of the faithfull in thrusting forth Laborers into the haruest and blessing their Labours and suppressing the rage of the wicked Tyrants Secondly that he will exercise his kingdome seuerally in euery one of his killing sinne in vs and all worldlie care and renewing of vs to righteousnesse of life 3 In the third petition wee desire that Gods will may bee done that is that wee may willingly in euerie thing resigne our selues vnto Gods will without murmuring or grudging 4 In the fourth petition we pray that he wil giue vnto vs walking faithfully in our calling our daily bread that is all things needful for our liuing in this present life 5 In the fift petition we pray that our sinnes may bee forgiuen vs that he will not lay to our charge our sinnes nor the punishment due vnto them but that he will accept the death and passion of Christ as the full satisfaction for our sins and that we may hereof haue iust assurance in our Conscience that the punishment of our sinnes is fully discharged in Christ and therefore freely forgiuen vnto vs as surely as we do forgiue others and that we may loue one another from the bottom of our hearts all desire of reuenge set aside 6. In the sixt and last petition we doe pray God that he wil not lead vs into temptation but deliuer vs that is that he will not bring vs further into that battell with our spirituall Enemies then we by his holy spirit shall be able to preuaile and ouercome Que. And why is this added For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory for euer and euer Amen An. Not onely to kindle in our hearts to desire the glory of God but also to teach vs that this Prayer is grounded vpon none other then God onely and that we should not thinke the kingdome of God to bee weake and voyd of force might Also that he is not onely to be honored praised and gloryfied and that his power is infinite perpetuall and euerlasting And in this word Amen is expressed the feruent desire to obtaine those things which wee aske of God and our hope is confirmed that those things which we aske bee granted vnto vs by which our consciences are pacified and so we end our prayers Qu. Tell mee now briefely the effect of all thou hast said An. By the tenne Comdements I see my miserable estate that I deserue death damnation and the curse of God which must needs bee paid because God is iust whereas I my selfe am not able to pay it the holy ghost through the preaching of the Gospell worketh in me Faith which assureth mee that the Sonne of God being made man for me hath euen in my nature suffered whatsoeuer my sinnes deserued and hath made me with him the childe of God and heire of euerlasting Life Whereof least I should doubt or wauer he hath appointed two Sacraments as outward signes and Tokens to be seene and felt of mee that as surely as I see my self made partaker of them outwardly so the holie Ghost inwardly bee partaker of Christ himselfe with all his benefits his ransome righteousnesse and holinesse to be mine that in him through him I shall haue life euerlasting And thus being borne anew into this liuely hope by the holy ghost my waies should be directed guided by the same Spirit to walke in holinesse and righteousnes all the daies of my life So be it A prayer containing the effect of this Catechisme O Mercifull and heauenly Father for so much as at euerie light occasion I am withdrawn from thy holy lawes to the vanities of this life vnto all sinne and wickednesse I beseech thee in mercy set before mine eyes alwaies the remembrance of thy iudgement seate and my last end whereby I may be daily stirred to consider in what great danger I stand through the horrible punishment due for my sinnes that daily groaning vnder the burthen of them I may flye for succour to thy beloued Son Iesus Christ who hath fully paid suffred and ouercome the punishment due to them and through the working of thy holy Spirite in me I may be fully assured in my soule and Conscience that the curse condemnation and death which these my sinnes deserue is fully paid suffered and ouercome in Christ that his righteousnesse obedience holines is mine and whatsoeuer he hath wrought for mans saluation is wholly mine Strengthen this faith in mee dayly more and more that I may inwardly feele comfort and consolation in this that I feele thy holye Spirit beare record vnto my spirit that I am thy Childe grafted into the body of thy Sonne and made with him fellow heire of thine euerlasting kingdome So worke in me by thy holy spirit that daily more and more I may feele sinne die in mee that I do not delight therein but daily may groane vnder the burthen therof vtterly hate detest and loath sinne set my selfe and all the powers of my soule and body against sinne and haue full delight ioy comfort and pleasure in those things which be agreeable to thy will that I may walke as becommeth the child of light looking still for that good time when it shal please thee to call mee vnto thine euerlasting kingdome for Iesus Christ his sake Amen FINIS GODLY PRIVATE Prayers for Householders to Meditate vpon and to say in their particular Families Made by Mr. Edw. Dering sometime Reader of the Diuinitie Lecture in Paules Marke 11.24 Whatsoeuer ye desire when ye pray beleeue that yee shall haue it and it shall be done vnto you LONDON Printed by Isaac Iaggard 1624. Godly priuat Prayers to bee saide at all times in Christian Families A prayer containing the effect of the Housholders Catechisme ALmighty God and most mercifull Father I see in thy
vanities of this world all licentious and inordinate life all flattering and dissimulation being vtterly banishâ—d the fâ—are of thy glorious Maiesty may so reigne in the harts of all within his Highnesse Pallace and Court that their liues and conuersation may bee agreeable to thy blessed will in sinceritie and true holinesse and integritie of life that from them as from the head may shine purity of life and conuersation as an example and patterne of true godlinesse to the whole Realme Preserue him wee beseech thee good Lord from all conspiracies and Treasons that if it bee thy good will he may haue a long quiet raigne ouer vs to the benefite of thy Church and aduancement of thy glory Indue the whole Counsell good Lord with true and perfect wisedom that in all their consultations Counsels hauing thee present before their eies they may consult of those things which principally cheefly may bee for the aduancement of thy glory and the commodity of thy Church and next for the quiet peace and gracious gouernment of this his Realme So lighten all inferior Magistrates of this Realme good Lord with brightnesse of thy holy Spirit that vnderstanding thy will they may zealously defend maintaine and further the course of the Gospell with the sword of iustice cut off the wicked and cherish the godly Defend and gouerne by thy holy Spirit the Pastours of thy Church and labourâ—rs in thy vineyard that â—hey may zealously earnestly and diligently feed thy flocke committed vnto them with the food of life thy bl ssed word wherewith their soules may bee nourished to life euerlasting Increase the number of them deare Father place ouer euery flocke a godly learned and painfull Pastor who may painfully carefully trauell euery one in his charge to bring thy people which now alasse in many parts doe wander and goe astray like lost sheepe to the true knowledge of their Lord and God and of thy deare Son Iesus Christ their Sauiour And for thy mercy wee beseech thee to take pitty vppon thy poore and simple flocke roote out all rauening woolues which haue craftily crept into thy sheepfold and doe make hauocke of the soules of thy simple Flocke Câ—st out all hirelings time-seruers dumbe Dogges which to fill their bellies onely haue thrust themselues among thy sheepe and doe pittifully suffer the Flocke of Christ thy Sonne to be deuoured and scattered of the Woolfe Stirre vp good Lord and place in their roomes faithfull Sheepeheards which diligently painefully carefully and earnestly may labour in thy Vine-yard seeke to winne the soules of thy people out of the tyranny and power of Sathan to the freedome of thy deare Sonne Christ Iesus our Lord. And that thy Church may better be furnished with godly learned Pastors wee beseech thee good Lord to prosper and increase in all Godly knowledge all schooles of leaâ—ning especially the two Vniuersities Cambridge and Oxford Grant deare Father vnto all the students of the same that the chiefe end of all their studies may bee to the furtherance of thy Church and maintenance of the common-wealth Blesse their studies deare Father that al vaine studies set aside they may so fructifie in all profitable and godly Sciences that hereafter they may become profitable members of thy Church godly Vpholders of the Common-wealth Grant good Lord to all the whole Commons of this Realme that their hearts being touched with a sincere feare and reuerence of thy Heauenly Maiesty acknowledging thy mercy in placing ouer them a godly Religious Prince they may euery one in their callings walke in all true and humble obedience vnto him in thee and for thee without resistance tumults Insurrections conspiracies or rebellions knowâ— grâ—at to resist the higher Powers is to rebel against thy Maiesty Finally wee beseech thy goodnesse so to giude gouerne the hearts of all the whole Realme of euery degree that euery one in his calling being by thy holy wisedome supported may so occupy his Talent that thy glory in all things may be aduanced thy church inlarged this whole Realme into sincere godlines vertuously reduced Moreouer wee beseech thee O Lord our God in Mercy to behold all those which suffer persecution for thy glorious words sake whether it bee imprisonment death or banishment or whatsoeuer else strengthen them good Lord that they hauing thee alwaies before their eyes and the glory laide vp for them in the life to come may continue constant in defending thy truth without feare of man or vaine allurements of the world that whether it come by life or death they may glorifie thy holy Name in continuing in the truth to the end Preserue in like manner wee beseech thee all others thy Children whome it hath pleased thee with any kind of Crosse to chasten for their amendment whether by pestilence famine warre pouerty Imprisonment sicknesse or banishment trouble of conscience vexation of spirit vnquietnesse of minde want of spirituall comfort or whatsoeuer kinde of affliction of body or minde thou dost try them with that by thy holy spirit being fully assured that thou by this thy correction mindest to call them backe to a feeling of their sinne due consideration of their life conuersation they may patiently abide thy Fatherly tryall looking for aide helpe and comfort from thee when it seemeth most conuenient to thy holy wisedome and being by thy mercifull hand once deliuered may acknowledge thy singular power and worke giuing all laud and praise to thy glorious name and afterwards all the daies of their life study and liue before it hee in sincerity and perfect holinesse euen to their liues end This O Lord we beseech thee in Mercy to grant for thy beloued Sonnes sake Iesus Christ our Lord and onely Sauiour Amen Morning prayer for priuate Houses and Families O Gracious God and louing Father according to thy commandement wee doe here present our selues before the throne of thy mercy acknowledging and confessing from the bottome of our hearts that we be miserable sinners daily breaking thy commandements both in thought word and deed wherein wee iustly deserue euerlasting damnation and to bee vtterly throwne from thy presence yet O Lord wee see thy goodnesse againe toward vs who not suffering vs thus to perish in our sins hast sent thine owne deare Sonne Iesus Christ to take vppon him whatsoeuer is due to reconcile and make vs at one with thee againe In him therfore good Lord and through him doe wee come vnto thee beseeching thee for his sake that wee feeling the grieuousnesse of our sinnes and groaning vnder the burthen of them may feele the release ease of them in that we bee thorough thy holy Spirit assured and stedfastly beleeue that Christ hath borne the burthen of them euen for vs. Grant likewise O most mercifull Lord heauenly Father that wee being assured hereof in our consciences may through thy holy Spirit be renued in the inner man to hate detest and abhorre sinne and
send the Spirit of thy Sonne into my dead heart whereby thou hast quickned mee by faith in the merits of my Sauiour enabled mee with boldnesse to draw neere vnto thee and to crie with confidence Abba Father O how hast thou shed thy loue abroad in my heart by the holy Ghost which thou hast giuen me whereby though I haue beene in great heauines through many temptations especially with the sense and horror of my sins yet hast thou wonderfully refreshed my fainting spirit and caused mee to reioyce with ioy vnspeakable and glorious O how haue these holy rauishments taken me vp into the third heauens How hath my soule now longed to put off this corruption and to be taken vp for euer to enioy thy glorious presence How gladly would I now haue obtained the marke before I had run my race How willingly would I haue the crowne before I had finished my course O the vnspeakable riches of the wisedome and mercy of my God toward me Didst thou not put this precious treasure of faith into an earthen vessel that the glorie might bee of God and not of man didst thou not Redeeme mee out of the hands of our enemies that so I might passe the time of my pilgrimage in feare and magnifie thy power daily in mine infirmities daily denying mine owne righteousnesse that still I may be found of thee in Christ that still I might liue by faith in the Sonne of God and grow vp in him to perfect holinesse Surely blessed Lord when I consider mine owne corruption daily more and more appearing in me and rebelling against thy righteous will and casting vp daily mists to dimme the eie of my Faith that I cannot so clearly discerne the light of thy countenance yea somtimes so leading me captiue into sinne that I am many times to seeke of the sence of thy Loue I am many times put to question the truth of my faith and to distrust my selfe whether I haue any faith or no. For alas Lord I must needs confesse to thy glory that although thou commandest mee to beleeue perfectly in thy Sonne and to be strong in faith yet I find on the other side such strength of corruption preuailing ouer mee and commanding mee forcibly to giue way thereunto and so not onely interrupting the sense of thy loue vnto me but also challenging my loue vnto thee that I am forced many times to feare whether I am led by the Spirit truly of faith or no whether euer thy loue were shed abroad in my heart if euer I loued thee in truth seeing it seemes vnto me that my loue vnto sinne is not altogether quenched nay I feele the power of corruption carrying mee so violently after the lusts of my heart that as I find my selfe lesse cheerfull and constant in thy seruice so on the other side I sometimes find my selfe lesse able to resist temptations more apt and inclinable to such lusts which heretofore I haue subdued yea often more fouly ouercome and foiled by them What shall I say vnto thee O thou searcher of my heart and preseruer of my soule dost thou not see how cold somtimes I am in prayer How dull in the hearing of the word How carelesse of thy Sabbaths How vnconscionable and negligent in my calling How rebellious and inordinate in my affections O how often haue I greeued thine holy Spirit by neglecting the good motions thereof yea many times willingly crossing the same and entertaining contrary suggestions of my cruell enemie How carelesse haue I beene to examaine my heart and renew my couenant with thee How deceitfull or carelesse in breaking often my vowes which I haue made vnto thee against speciall corruptions for renuwing of decayed graces O How often haue I beene ready to giue way to such curssed thoughts of blasphemie and fearefull impietie which might euen quench thy Spirit lead to the dispighting thereof How haue I sometimes bin readie to violate my Conscience by rushing on desperate euils yea how fearfully haue I wounded the same by committing grosse sinnes and to make vp the measure of my misery How haue I hardned my heart by sleeping in sinne and neglecting the sauing meanes of deepe humiliation to awaken me to repentance Alas Lord thou knowest ful wel that though thou hast followed mee with many secret and open afflictions to rouse me out of this sleepe of Security yet either it hath proued but a dreame and so I haue falne asleepe againe or if my heart hath bin awake yet it hath not bin vnto thee to make my sound peace but rather vnto my Enemie to cease his violence yea somtimes to the World to procure some temporary lenity rather to ease my present paine then to heale me thoroughly And surely righteous Lord euen thus it hath befalne that such as I haue sown I haue often reaped euen more hardnesse of heart lesse sense and remorse for sinne more boldnesse thereto and more ease therin lesse delight in holy duties lesse life in prayer lesse coÌ„science in the word more slights in my calling more distraction in my recknings and more confusion in my Spirit Yet still O Lord I heare a voice behinde me saying This is the way walke in it Yet still I finde thy hand ouer me to stay me from sinking still my better aduised heart tels me it was better with mee formerly then now when I had comfort in thy presence and conscience in thine Ordinances Still thy Spirit is readie to reuiue me with hope that I may recouer againe and my hope is confirmed heereby that the meanes are still offered me and I am capeable of them But alas Lord insted of comfort by them I reape nothing but further confusion because as I am vnable to apply them to my selfe so indeed I am not now fit for that comfort which I seeke for in thee For what peace can there be to mee while my corruptions stink before thee Or how can I look for comfort bâ—fore I be soundly healed O the vnspeakeable Riches of the wisedom and mercie of my God! how insearchable are thy Councels and thy waies past finding out As thou diddest bring light out of darkenesse in calling mee from darknes vnto light so doest thou cause thy light to shine in darkenesse that thy glorie may bee perfected in my infirmities And therefore though I am now thy Creature renewed after thine owne image yet seeing thou wilt haue the onely glory of thy worke therefore as the light of the righteous must shine more and more vnto the perfect day so the darknesse of corruptions must not bee dispelled vtterly at once but daily be banished more and more vnto the coming of Christ Therefore is it blessed Lord that though thou hast cancelled the guilt of my sin at once by faith in Christ yet hast thou wisely left the corruption of sinne to be abolished by degrees that so I might still liue by Faith in the death of Christ for the mortifying thereof that I
heart and minde bee fully assured thou by thy heauenly prouidence rulest and guidest all things in heauen and earth so that nothing in the vvhole world commeth to passe but according to thine appointment that thou guidest and framest the affâ—ires doings of men that thou hast euen their hearts and all their powers in thy mercifull hand to turn them which way soeuer it seemeth best vnto thy godly wisedome so that whether we be in prosperity or aduersity we may acknoledge both of them to be thy worke in vs and therefore be no lesse thankfull for sicknesse then for health for sorrow then for comfort for a troubled minde then for a quiet for imprisonment and banishment then for liberty especially seeing wee know that thou turnest them all seeme they neuer so sharp to the comfort and commodity of thy children which feare thee and that in all thinges which shall befall vnto vs whether they be grieuous or ioyous prosperity or aduersity life or death thy holy name may be sanctified in vs by yeilding due and continuall praise and thankesgiuing to thy eternall Maiâ—sty that we neuer cease to put our ful trust and confidence in thy mercie who hast promised to be our defender buckler and shield to keepe vs as the apple of thine eye to deliuer vs when we cal vpon thee to open when wee knocke to giue when we aske that we knowing our owne weaknes that of our selues wee haue no power or strength to do no not so much as to will that which is good we may acknowledge al our strength comfort ioy faith loue hope and confidence to be thine onely guift and worke in vs. And for the same and the increase of the same and for all thy benefites in vs whereof we feele our selues destitute we may constantly flee vnto thee by heartie prayer requiring the same at thy mercifull hand And hauing felt thy mercifull dealing towards vs we may alway to the end of our life continue thankfull vnto thy blessed name that wee neuer speake or thinke of thee O LORD GOD without high reuerence and an obedient fear vnto thy glorious Name The third Petition Thy will bee done in earth as it is in heauen ANd forasmuch O Lord God as of our selues wee bee nothing but stubbornesse and rebellion against thy holy Maiesty we beseech thee deere Father that as thine Angels in heauen doe willingly obey thy holy and most blessed will without any resistance so wee thy most vild and vnworthy Seruants and Children in earth all stubobrnesse rebellion peruesnes by thy holy Spirit in vs being vtterly extinguished and quenched we may willingly submit our selues resigne and yeeld our whole affections to thee O Lord to bee gouerned after thy blessed and heauenly will That wee may feele in our selues no other motion or desire then a meete consent to thy holy will that whatsoeuer affections in vs fight against thy holy will thou wilt vtterly make them voide That wee neuer will any thing of our selues but that thy holy Spirite in vs may gouerne our hearts by whom inwardly being taught wee may learne to loue embrace and take comfort in those things that please thee and to hate those thinges that displease thee That our hearrs minds and wills being wholy subdued to thy blessed will we may willingly bee content with that estate of life which it pleaseth thy goodnesse to excercise vs withall in this world whether it be in aduersity or prosperity in sicknes or health in ignominy or glory in quietnesse or trouble in sorrow or gladnesse Grant vs deare Father this willing and patient minde that euen in our greatest distresse wee may bee content with thy good will and not to murmure or grudge against thy Maiesty knowing that thou wilt lay nothing vppon vs but that which shall turne to our goodnâ—sse and profit And that wee may patiently abide whatsoeuer it shall please thee to lay vppon vs that we be assured in our hearts that thou wilt lay no more vnto vs then thou wilt giue vs strength to beare euen in our greatest afflictions wilt find a way for our deliuerance and that thy power and strength is more fully declared when wee feele our selues vtterly voyd of strength and see no way of deliuerance that we may in our most greeuous assaults conflicts and anguish or mind submit our selues wholy to thy blessed will and looke for our deliuerance at thy hand when thou knowest it most expedient for vs and most for thy glory leauing the time and meanes of our deliuerance to thy good will and pleasure and that in the meane time we neuer cease but call vpon thee by hearty prayers continually as thou hast commaunded vntill such time as thou shalt heare our petitions And although after many and sundry callings vpon thee thou seeme not to regard vs but rather deale more extreamly with vs yet notwithstanding strengthen vs so with perseuerance in prayer that wee faint not but still continue in prayer being assured that although we feele our selues nothing released yet we may quiet our selues herein that we as thy Children haue laide our complaints griefes and sorrows in the bosome of thee our heauenly Father who will as a louing Father when he seeth it most conuenient helpe vs. And although thou seeme nothing to grant our requests yet wee honor thee in calling vppon tâ—y name seeing thou dost accept it as a most cheefe honor to bee called vppon in the day of truble The fourth petition Giue vs this day our dayly Bread ANd forasmuch deare Father as thou dost by thy mighty power nourish feede sustaine preserue and maintaine all liuing Creatures yea euen the very young flocks and Beasts we beseech thee to send vnto vs thy Children ouer whom thou hast a more speciall care all things necessary for this our present life that we hauing sufficient may walke euery one in our calling in sincerity and pure holynes before thy face acknowledging all our benifits of riches health wealth meate drinke apparell and all our substance to be thy meere gifts bestowed vpon vs and deliuered vnto vs from thine hands that we be not drawne from thee through setting our mindes too much vppon them but so moderately vse them as thy benefits for a time bestowed vppon vs knowing that thou wilt at our hands require an account how we haue vsed them That wee doe not carefully gape or seeke after them but discreetly to thy glory vse them acknowledging in them thy goodnesse and liberality towards vs. And seeing most mercifull Father that it is not our trauell labour paines study or endeauour which is able to get vs our liuing but onely in so much as it pleaseth thy goodnesse to blesse and prosper them we beseech thee that yet through our great Trauaily and paines wee be yet still poore and in meane estate that thou wilt giue vs a contented heart knowing that thereby thou lettest vs vnderstand that it is thy good will and pleasure
so to keepe vs vnder that wee more effectually may giue our selues to serue thee Or if it bee thy will and pleasure more abundantly to blesse vs and our trauaile to send vs abundance of all things wee beseech thee deare Father giue vs a thankfull heart to acknowledge them to bee thy good giftes and frame our hearts with such liberality that wee may be contented to distribute them according to the necesity of thy children being assured that thou hast to this ende made vs Stewards ouer them that maist at his hands require much on whome thou hast bestowed much so that we hauing the due estimation of thy benefits which we ought to haue may both reuerence thy goodnesse in thy benefits and supply the want of our bretheren to the releefe of their necessity and furtherance of thy glory The fift petition Forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse against vs. AND whereas most mercifull Father thy Sonne our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ hath in our nature paide the ransome and debt of all our sinnes which wee haue from the beginning of our life committed and do dayly commit wee beseech thy gracious gooodesse that thou wilt by thy holy spirit in our hearts assure our soules and consciences with a liuely faith that by that same one onely sufficient sacrifice the punishment of our sinnes is paide thy wrath appeased and thy Iustice satisfied whereby our consciences may be quieted set at peace with thee our mercifull Father and God Let vs deare Father feele in our soules and consciences that wee are vnited to thy deare Sonne Iesus Christ and made one body with him and heires with him of euerlasting glory so coupled and ioyned with him that wee are members of his body so that whatsoeuer hee hath done in his body wee may bee assured that it is ours that his righteousnesse is our righteousnesse his sanctification and holinesse is ours the curse condemnation and death which hee suffered is the same curse condemnation and death due for our sinns that wee know that our sins bee done away and cleane forgotten and forgiuen by thy mercifull loue goodnesse declared in offeâ—ing vp thy Sonne to death for vs wee may be driuen to loue thee vnfainedly from the bottome of our hearts for this thine vnspeakable loue And considering that thou hast in mercy pardoned so many our haynous offences we may gladly bee moued to forgiue one another their offences and put out of our heart all rancour malice hatred toward ouâ— Bretheren knowing that we are all members of one body Christ our Sauiour that so surely as we haue forgiuen them that offend vs we may be so certainely assured that our mercifull Father hath forgiuen vs like as we haue forgiuen our Bretheren The sixt petition Lead vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill ANd for as much most heauenly Father as we of our selues bee feeble and fraile and weak and haue a strong and subtile Aduersarie Sathan the Diuell who goeth about continually like a roaring Lyon seeking whome hee may deuoure we beseech thee strengthen vs by thy holy Spirit that wee may withstand his subtle suggestions and motions hold thou vs by thy mercifull hand and keepe vs alwaies in thy safegard and protection that wee be not ouercome in the mighty assaults of our aduersary And forasmuch as he often vseth euer our owne flesh armed against vs to conquer vs we beseech thee deare Father mortifie subdue and kill in our flesh all subtle suggestions and sinfull motions of Sathan that we yeeld not our selues as slaues thereunto but continually fight against them and bring them into subiection of the Spirit Grant vnto vs deare Father that we may not be drawne through the subtile and sliely torments of Sathan to haue our delight pleasure in the vanities of this world but by thy grace might and power may so in the prosperity of this life bee vpholden that our minds with full ioy and comfort may be lifted vp to our perfect consolation in our Lord and Sauiour Christ and in him take our full and perfect ioy and consolation so that no vaine delight of this world put vs from the same neyther any sharpe aduersaty as pouerty misery or calamity through the malice of the diuell driue vs to dispaire of thy mercifull goodnesse towards vs but alwaies being through thy grace and assistance defended we may be fully perfectly armed against all the subtile intrappings of Sathan and rest wholy in thy mercifull defence and aide For thou hast O Lord and eternall God in thy gouernment all things in heauen and earth all power dominion ouer all creatures Angels and diuels to rule them according to thy good pleasure and will to the profit and commoditie of thy Church and euery faithfull member thereof and to thine incomprehensible glorie that in all things in all ages for euer and euer thy glorious Name may be exalted and thy faithful flocke edified thâ—ough Christ our Lord Amen A Confession of sinnes with Faith and Repentance O Mercifull and heauenly Father we thy Seruants doe humbly pâ—ostrate our selues before thy Maiesty acknowledging here in thy sight our haynous offences committed against thy Maiesty seeing and beholding thy heauie wrath against them wee feele our selues laden O Lord our God with a huge company of horrible sins whereof the very least beeing but conceiued in thought is sufficient in iudgment to throw vs downe to the euerlasting burning lake Our owne consciences O Lord do beare witnesse against vs of our manifold transgressions of thy blessed Law of our security sencelesse blindnesse running headlong to destruction committing sinne after sin although not notorious to the world yet horrible before thine eyes The thoughts of our harts rise vp in iudgement against vs the vanity of our talke before thy Maiesty condeÌ„neth vs the wickednesse of our deeds from thy sight reiecteth vs all our wicked thoughts words and deeds with the inward corruption of our nature doe altogether as it were a whole lumpe loade of sinne lye heauy vpon vs and with their intollerable waight doe euen presse vs downe to Hell Wee doe daily groane vnder the burthen of them inwardly lamenting our owne folly too greedily running into them In heauen earth or hell wee see none able to sustaine the waight of them but euen thy dearely beloed Sonne Iesus Christ who in mercy infinite and compassion endlesse hath sustained and ouercome that endlesse punishment due vnto them in him therfore in him most mercifull Father and through him we come to thee being fully assured according to thy promise that thou wilt accept take that full recompence which hee thy deare Sonne hath made for vs as a iust ransome for the sinne of all those who with a true Faith take hold on him In him therfore we see thine anger towardes vs appeased thy wrath satisfied and our debts paide Increase in vs good Lord wee beseech thee this liuely
increase and renew their strength giue them victorie and turne their aduersaries hearts if they pertaine to thy holy election otherwise O Lord bring vpon them the confusion that they would bring vpon others into the pit that they haue digged let them fall and neuer rise vp againe O Lord heare vs in these suites pardon our dull spirits in praier and giue vs these and all other graces needfull for vs and the Church to thy glorie for our Lord Iesus Christ in whose name wee pray as hee hath taught vs saying Our Father c. A Prayer for the feeling of the sinne of hyprocrisie that wee may direct our life according to the perscript rule of the word RIghteous Lord God and heauenly Father which art a iust â—udge to punish all them that doe continue to offend thee as thou art a Father most pittifull to receiue to mercie all those which giue ouer themselues to please thee shew mee thy grace and fauour To that I may be truely touched with inward displeasure of my sinnes and that in the place of flattering my selfe to sleepe in sinne I may be so cast downe in heart that the rather I may truely with mouth confesse most humbly to giue thee the honour glorie and prayse due vnto thy holy name and that as thou of thy great mercy dost instruct thereunto by thy holy word so for thy mercies sake make that the same may so lighten and cleere our conscience that in due examination of our life wee may truely learne to be angry and displeased with all our former and corruptible liuing O that it may please thee to draw neere vnto vs in addressing and guiding our footsteps in the true and perfect way of obedience to thy holy Lawes and Commandements Send thy holy Angell to pitch his Tents round about vs that Sathan and his infernall army neuer preuaile against vs but that alwaies with strong faith we may through Iesus Christ withstand all his crafty engines and snares knowing vndoubtedly that thou neuer forsakest them that put their trust in thee O let vs not bee led by the infirmity of our outward flesh but strengthen vs by the vertue of thy holy Spirit Suffer vs not to lie vnder thy heauy wrath and vengeance through hypocrisie but rather touch vs so inwardly that we may without ceasing sigh and grone vnto thee by true and vnfeigned repentance And although we be not alwaies so well disposed to aske and pray as we ought to doe yet good Lord for thy glorious Names sake stretch out thy mighty hand that by the gracious working of thy holy Spirit our mindes and hearts may be drawne from all earthly and corruptible things so that our prayers vnto thee may proceede of an inward earnest vehement affection so that wee neuer presume to come before the throne of thy Maiesty with a double heart knowing that whosoeuer asketh and prayeth for any thing of thee not asking in faith cannot obtaine Increase therefore sweet Lord our faith that we presently may liuely feele the benefite of remission and pardon all our sins through the merits and death of Christ Iesus our Sauiour and so worke in vs for euer heereafter to liue in thy feare and to stand in awe of thy displeasure that thou mayest continue our mercifull Father world without end Amen O Shepheard of sheepe seeke out mee thy wandring sheepe And being found lay mee vpon thy blessed shoulders and bring mee home to the very folde of thy flocke heale my sicke soule feede my hungry soule yea almost dying through hunger watch ouer the same O sweete Lord least the rauening Wolfe do inuade my soule and so slay it to vtter destruction Wherefore O most deere GOD be mercifull to mee a wretched sinner and grant pardon to him that repenteth giue not foorth the voice of thy sentence according to my demerits but like as thy mercy before hath done in the beginning of my life so let it conclude the end thereof to remaine with thee world without end Amen deere God Amen Forasmuch as in this life holy Scriptures doeth promise trouble penuries oppressions increase of griefe and aboundance of temptations vouchsafe O most louing Lord GOD to prepare my heart to all possible patience least I doe faint in thy foote-path compell my sweete Lord this stubborne and rebellious flesh of mine to bee subiect to thy holy Spirite beyond all expectation so that I may possesse my soule in patience and keepe the same continually in thy euerlasting seruice to the which purpose thou of thine infinite goodnesse and mercie hast created the same Wherefore O Lord GOD shew thine almighty power vnto mee most wretched sinner that so long as I fight in this wretched life I may obtaine victorie against mine enemies thou being my defence for there is none other that fighteth for mee but onely thou O God Now I say represse the violence of mine enemies and vouchsafe with great effect to bring into bondage my miserable flesh that tormenteth my soule So that obtaining victory I may giue praise to thee my onely deliuerer in perpetuall eternity Amen A prayer against tbe secret venim and great danger of prosperity O Lord prepare my heart to wisedom prepare it to prayer and teach my soule to feele all the dangers wherewith it is beset on euery side and grant good Father that I mâ—y not pray in wordes or in sound of speech but in Spirite and Faith I acknowledge to thee O Lord thy great mercies toward mee at this time for beside the vnspeakable graces of my redemption and of my holy calling in the Gospell which are euermore good thou hast giuen me a large measure of earthly blessings my table is richly and daintily furnished my Cup ouer-floweth mine enemies are chased away and I feele no want no affliction no sorrow My prosperitie leadeth mee as by the hand from one delight to another and from one pleasure to another In the morning peace is at my right hand and at night quietnesse at my left O Lord are not these thy blessings Hast not thou opened thy mercifull hand and filled me with all these comforts True it is O Lord that they came all from thee and for them I am indebted vnto thee and giue thee hearty thanks But alas O Lord I finde by experience that prosperitie such is our infirmitie carrieth vs too too farre away it feedeth vs from day to day and from time to time with new delights it ingendereth also secretly such peace and confidence in these things which are but as a reede to leane vpon that we are carried away wee forget not thee onely but our selues also But the day of aduersitie the day of sicknesse the day of trouble that layeth open our weakenesse it causeth much care to bee released it prouoketh many praiers for releefe O it is a happy day a day of returning to the Lord a day of repentance as in Sackcloath and Ashes O how may my soule praise the
commanded vs in thy holy word may receiue the reward of thy promise that is all things necessary for this life and in the life to come euerlasting glorie through Iesus Christ our Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer against vsuall and common swearing ETernall God and louâ—ng Father in thy holy word the word of truth thou sayest that the man who vseth to sweare much is accursed and the plague shall neuer depart from his house and in thy holy Gospell hast said that we shall render account at the day of iudgement for euery idle word that we shall speake O how much more shall we giue accounts of euery pâ—ophane blasphemous and bloody oath that wee sweare And therefore to the end wee might auoyd thy vengeance against that day thou hast commanded vs not to sweare at all but that our communication be yea yea nay nay for whatsoeuer is more then that commeth of euill Wherefore I beseech thee good Lord in the bowels of mercy so to dispose order my tongue and mouth the vse whereof thou hast giuen me aboue other creatures to glorifie thee withall that thereby I abuse nor blaspheme not thy holy name For true it is O Lord that swearers blasphemers of thy holy name as much as lyeth in them do crucifie thy Sonne afresh and are as guilty of his blood as Iudas was that betrayed him or the cursed Iewes that slewe him And seeing that to sweare by thee whose blessed name is neuer to bee thought of nor yet once called into question but with great reuerence feare and dread is most horrible blasphemy and to sweare by any creature else is most detestable Idolatry keepe me I beseech thee from all manner of vnlawfull swearing and from all wicked bloody Oaths that both my heart tongue and mouth and all parts else both of body and soule may bee instruments of praise to set forth thy glory all the daies of my life through Iesus Christ our Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer against pride HOly Lord thou hast in thy blessed Gospell commanded vs by all meanes possible to eschew the filthy vice of pride which is a certaine rebellion of the heart against thee and aboue all things to embrace and euer hold fast the anchor of humility A perfect patterne whereof wee may learne in thee O blessed Sauiour who was humble lowly curteous gentle mercifull pittifull full of compassion and all goodnesse not disdaining the vilest person or loathsomest Lazer that euer liued if hee faithfully beleeued in thee Thou humbledst thy selfe that we might bee exalted thou becamest poore to make vs rich thou camest downe to the earth to liue in humility that we might be exalted to liue in felicity Thou wast poore in estate meane in attire and base in all things before the world in respect of thy humanity but before thy heauenly Father in respect of thy Deity most magnificall and glorious And therefore not without cause thou biddest vs learne of thee saying Learne of me for I am humble lowly your Soules shall liue Thou ouerthrowest the proud in their owne imagination and giuest grace to the humble yea thou so much abhorrest pride that thou iudgest them to eternall damnation that offend therein If wee would consider with our selues our owne misery wee should haue no cause to rise vp into pride For in respect of our bodies are wee any thing else then vile dung and ashes And in respect of our soules til they be regenerate by the Spirit of God are they not bondslaues to Sathan receptacles to fiendes and subiect to euerlasting damnation What haue wee now that we haue not receiued Or whereof may we be proud Wherefore O my God I beseech thee who art the true mirrour of all humility giue me the spirit of meeknes humblenesse and lowlinesse of heart and keepe me from all filthy pride arrogancy of body or mind that I neuer lift vp my selfe into pride against thee or thinke of my selfe aboue that which I am of my selfe but that I casting downe my selfe and distrusting mine owne worthinesse may be by thee aduanced to eternall glory Grant that those things which thou gauest me for necessities sake onely as thou diddst my apparell to hide my shame withall may neuer bee abused of mee as instruments of wickednesse And those things which thou gauest me to praise and glorifie thee withall as thou diddest my heart my tongue mouth I neuer abuse to thy dishonour And as it may please thee to indue mee with this true humility of mind towards thee so I beseech thee to giue me the true humility of body and mind towards my brethren also that I be not puft vp nor aduance my selfe aboue them disdaining or contemning them though otherwise neuer so meane or contemptible before the world And whensoeuer the Enemie assaulteth me to stirre mee vp to pride I beseech thee whose power is incomprehensible to strengthen mee to with-stand his temptations and set before the eies of my minde the examples of thy Iudgement inflicted vpon the children of pride in all ages as namely how thou threwest downe Lucifer a bright Angel in heauen into hell fire how thou condemnest Adam and all his posterity How thou destroyedst Nymrod that huge Giant Goliah that fierce monster Nabuchadnezar that ambitious bloody tyrant Herod that arrogant miscreant and many others who through the sinne of pride rebelled against thee and may by these examples bee terrified from committing that great heynous sinne against thee that I humbling my selfe in this world after the consummatioÌ„ of this life may bee exalted in the kingdome of heauen there to raigne with thee for euer and euer Amen A Prayer against Gluttony and drunkennesse BLessed Lord as thou hast created man after thy owne similitude and likenesse and hast giuen him a perfect body like vnto thy Sonne Iesus Christ so thou hast ordained and prouided for him ordinary meanes as meate drinke flesh fish hearbes oyles wines what not to keepe and sustaine the same And hast commanded these thy creatures to bee moderately taken to the sustentation of the body with praise and thanksgiuing to thee accursing them to hell who by abusing not lawfully vsing these thy blâ—ssings make them instruments of sinne and so consequently of damnation to themselues Giue me grace I beseech thee that I may neuer abuse thy giftes through gluttony drunkennesse riot or excesse but that I liuing in all godly temperance and sobriety may bee thankfull vnto thee for them and also vse them for my necessity Knowing that our meates without thy blessing cannot nourish the body but destroy it rather as experience daily teacheth Make me O Lord to loath and detest this horrible vice so much the more in respect of the filthynes of the same for besides that it transformeth man into the Image of a beast or rather maketh him worse then a beast for they neither eate nor drinke without measure it also blindeth his eies of reason