be broken from the bones of them O mercifull God extend thy fauour vpon all widowes that at all times and in all afflictions they may trust in thee the liuing God and continue in supplications and praiers night and daie being diligent in all good works not occupied in pleasures neither wanton light idle wandering from house to house no tatlers nor busie bodies no speakers of things vncomelie nor giuers of occasion whereby thy word may be blasphemed Keepe all parents that they being taken awaie either by war or vntimelie death their wiues be not widowes and their children orphans running heere and there a begging Be thou their helper and comforter euen for Christes sake our Lord and sauiour Amen The orphane or fatherles childs praier O Lord so narowe is the mouth of charitie so consumed is the fire of Christian loue that where the foxes haue their holes and birds their nests yet haue we poore fatherles children and orphans no place to rest our heads on As pilgrims we wander from place to place and are driuen with the wind of pinching pouertie vpon the seas of this world to seeke releefe but alas and wo to the world for it The rich man deuoureth all superfluouslie or else hoordeth vp to fill his garners niggardlie so that Lazarus may not only walke amidst the streets naked but also lie begging at the gates sore and yet go without euen the crumbs that fall from the table to ease the time of his necessitie O Lord therefore doo I poore orphane flie vnto thee haue thou mercie vpon me for it is onlie thou which fillest with thy blessing euerie liuing thing I am better than a farthing sparrowe O Lord thou knowest it and I acknowledge it to my comfort feed my soule with the flesh of thy sonne and let me drinke of his bloud that seeking first thy kingdome I may in the end be crowned with glorie and sit at the table of ioie in heauen with thee O Lord grant this I beseech thee Amen The old womans praier O God of our fathers and Lord of all grace throughout all nations all ages and generations past present and to come and which powrest bountifullie vpon all flesh the treasures of thine heauenlie vertue and wisedome grant I humblie beseech thee not onlie vnto my selfe which am now become aged and full of daies but also vnto whomsoeuer thou hast giuen the blessing of long life and manie yeares to liue in this vale of miserie to be mothers of manie children to multiple vpon the earth to increase heere thy kingdome and to be as organs and instruments of thee preserued to set foorth as we ought the glorie of thy maiestie that thou wilt vouchsafe alwaies so to indue me and all sage and ancient matrones with the spirit of truth vnderstanding and knowledge with thy fatherlie wisedome will to holines deuotion granitie temperance and constancie that the vnexpert the iuniors yonger women and inferiours which through want of time the affects of youth and void of the like gifts of grace can not deale as they should for thy glorie in the common wealth of the Church may yet by our sober sound and graue conuersation followe vs as true patronesses of pietie be ruled by vs guided instructed wel trained vp and christianly counselled that vnto vs aged and graue matrones againe by such iust desert and cleere shining light of our good example our due honor worthie estimation condigne worship humble submission and reuerence may most amplie for thy glorie dailie redound towards vs so shall it come to passe that now at all times and in all ages from tender youth to verie old age through generations and all posterities thy holie name shall be magnified in righteousnes and true holines with all ioifulnes lauds thanks-giuing heere and for euer in the euerlasting world to come through thine onlie free grace in the merits most pretious of thine onlie Sonne our Lord Iesus Christ Amen Ad this Psalme or praier O Lord which woorkest woonders which cheerest my hart with remembring thee and which inlightenest my youth despise not mine old age but make my bones to reioice and my hoarie heares to waxe fresh againe as the eagle Cast me not off in the time of mine age forsake me not now when my strength faileth me but as thy mercie hath come in the beginning of my life so helpe me now in mine old age and weaknes and let it finish the end of my course to thy glorie and my comfort For thou O Lord hast beene my trust euen from my youth vpon thee haue I staid my selfe from the wombe Thou art he that tooke me out of my mothers bowels that didst helpe me in my youth and hast preserued me euer since I was borne and conceiued Thou O God hast taught me from my youth euen vntill now O therfore forsake me not now in mine old age and graie head but as thou hast begun so continue thy benefites towards me that thy liberalitie may haue perfect praise that I may tell yet of thy woonderous works and shew thy power vnto them that shall come after me Haue mercie vpon me O Lord haue mercie vpon me for behold my life is wasted my daies are spent my yeeres are past my strength faileth the marrowe in my bones is consumed for age The beautie of youth is gone the glorie of age and graie-head is come I have beene yoong and now am old full of daies am I and striken in yeres yet haue I seene nothing no nor done anie good in thy sight I haue spent my yeres as a thought or tale that is told my daies are gone like a shadowe and I am withered awaie like grasse The time of my pilgrimage is but greefe sorrowe few euill haue the daies of my life beene and I haue not attained vnto the yeres of the life of my grandmothers in the daies of their pilgrimage The time of our life is threescore yeres and ten and if we liue till fourescore yeres yet is our strength then but labour and sorowe for it is cut off quicklie and we flie awaie so soone canst thou turne man to destruction and bring the sonnes of Adam to naught One daie with thee O Lord is as a thousand yeres and a thousand yeres in thy sight are but as yesterdaie which is past and as a watch in the night and our age is nothing in respect of thee Thy yeres O Lord endure through all generations and thy daies are without end or beginning yea heauen and earth shall perish but thou shalt endure they shall all waxe old as doth a garment and as a vesture shalt thou change them and they shall be changed but thou art the same and thy yeres shall not faile But the daies of men surelie are determined which he can not passe and the number of his moneths are knowen to thee thou hast appointed him his bounds and terme of yeres which he can not go beyond Thou
this world and for euer shall praise thee might be gathered and chosen And forasmuch O Lord as a prudent a wise and a godlie man commeth from thee and is thy gift who onlie triest the harts and reines and knowest the verie secret cogitations and conditions of all men prouide I beseech thee and giue me vnto a man of vnderstanding of sound and Christian religion of wise gouernement and behauiour of a good life and vertuous disposition euen such an husband I say as may be faithfull constant gentle honest tender and louing vnto mee and godlie zealous sincere and religious in thy sight but from an vnwise irreligious vnfaithfull and wauering minded man from an hastie testie rash heddie furious bitter angrie vnthriftie and couetous husband good Lord for thy holie name sake deliuer me and grant that obteining at thy fatherlie hands a good husband euen according to mine or rather thine owne hart and being holilie coupled togither in Christian loue and puritie we may both liue togither vertuouslie and quietlie in thy feare without sinne or shame and also die in a good age godlie and Christianlie in thy faith without eternall death and condemnation through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another LOrd thou hast commanded by thine holie Apostle that wee should abstaine from fornication and that euerie one of vs should knowe how to keepe our vessell that is our bodie in holinesse chastitie and honour and not in the lusts of concupiscence and vncleannes as doo the heathen which knowe not God I beseech thee giue me grace to behaue my selfe according to this thy holie commandement that in this my single life and state of virginitie I defile not my bodie with whoredome adulterie fornication or with anie other filthinesse and vncleanenesse but so order my selfe with all honestie sobrietie chastitie and purenesse of life that I may glorifie thee my Lord God both in soule and bodie Amen Or praie thus ALbeit most mercifull Father mariage is honourable among all persons and the bed vndefiled yet forasmuch as partlie for the tendernesse of mine age I am not apt for holie wedlocke and partlie through thine exceeding and aboue naturall gift for none can liue chaste except thou giue hir that gift I liue yet free from the sweet yoke of Matrimonie I hartilie praie thee that as I haue receiued of thee the gift of continencie and virginitie so I may haue grace from thee to bridle my selfe from lusts from all foolish appetits and to frame my life in all godlie vertuous exercises both of the bodie and mind yea so go foorth I praie thee to continue and increase this thy gift of chastitie in me that I may the more freelie and quietlie in all godlie patience and sufferance serue thee and care for those things that please thee and pertaine to thy glorie and also that I passing ouer the time of this my yong age in thy feare in godlie trauels vertuous labours and maidenlie behauiour may eschew all euill lusts riotous resorts and wanton companie that when it shall please thee to call me to the holie and honourable order of blessed wedlocke I may bring with me a cleane chaste and vndefiled bodie and so be apt and fit to liue in that godlie state of Matrimonie auoiding all fornication whoredome and vncleannesse all dissention strife and debate that thou maiest blesse me and my mariage prosper my godlie trauels send me good successe in all my doings and make me a ioifull mother in seeing my childers children according to thy holie promise which liuest and reignest verie God world without end Amen For the grace of Gods holie spirit to resist all sinfull motions and keepe pure the state of single life praie OH Lord the king of glorie and God of all power and might which hast promised to powre thy spirit vpon all flesh vpon virgins maidens and yong women and to giue the holie Ghost to thy children whensoeuer they shall aske the same of thee in thy Sonnes name in their praiers and allowest none to be pure virgins and thy children indeede but such as keepe themselues vnspotted of the world and walke before thee in the rule of thy lawes and obedience of thy commandements Oh Lord thou knowest I would faine walke with thee from my virginitie in righteousnesse and holinesse My desire is to walke before thee in a pure conscience chaste mind and vndefiled bodie But alas deere God I confesse the corruption of my nature polluted in the first woman Eue in Paradise is such and my weakenesse and vnablenesse to stand in temptation is so much and the custome of sinne hath gotten such dominion ouer me that I am not able of my selfe so much as to thinke a good thought much lesse to doo anie thing that is good and acceptable in thy sight Wherefore oh most louing Father take not thy grace and holie spirit from me thine handmaid leaue me not to my selfe neither forsake me for then I am vtterlie â—ast awaie For thou seest O Lord that if thou doo but shadowe thy selfe a little and depart from me into how manie grieuous and horrible sinnes I fall how much more then Lord if thou shouldest vtterlie forsake me leaue me to my selfe and take thy grace and holie spirit vtterlie from me Therfore oh most intreatable God I beseech thee consider my manifold imperfections womanlie weakenesses miserable corruptions which dailie turne me out of the waie and drawe me from thee and powre downe thy grace and holie spirit plentifullie vpon me thine humble handmaid Yea giue vnto me also thy most holie word thy patience loue meekenesse integritie righteousnesse iustice temperaunce sobrietie chastitie peace long-suffering faith goodnesse holinesse and all other thy vertues fruites of the spirit and ordinarie meanes whereby I may be so instructed taught and guided gouerned protected and defended in this my single life and state of virginitie that I neuer offend against thy diuine Maiestie or mine owne soule and bâ— die but that I may haue power and strength from thee continuallie to stand against all the secret assaults and open temptations of mine enimies both bodilie and ghostlie yea grant O deere Father that I may through thy mightie power working in my weake vessell haue continuall victorie ouer all hellish hagges and also triumph ouer them in all their assaults and temptations as manie holie virgins and women haue done in all ages so that togither with them I may walke before thee in the purenesse of my virginitie with a good conscience in perfect righteousnesse and true holinesse acceptable in thy sight all the daies of my life according to thy will through Iesus Christ our Lord and onlie Sauiour and redeemer So be it Another praier in the behalfe of all Virgins or single women for the keeping of obedience modestie chastitie puritie and cleannesse of liuing O Diuine spirit God the holie Ghost which abhorrest despisest and fliest from all vncleannesse filthinesse and dishonestie and which dooest
pitie me O sathan what mischiefe hast thou wrought vnto me How hast thou pierced my brest with thy poisoned dart Thinkest thou that my ruin will auaile thee anie thing at all Thinkest thou to procure vnto thy selfe ease and rest while that I am greeuouslie tormented Who is able to signifie vnto me whither my sins be wiped and done awaie or whither I haue escaped the paines which greatlie I feared and most iustlie deserued Who is able to signifie vnto me whither I shall be yet againe coupled and made companion with the virgins and saints O thou Lamb of God Christ Iesu my sweet and onlie sauiour haue mercie vpon me sinfull woman for that I am not worthie to heare the message of them that bring such glad tidings but presuming far worse prattises haue heard the terrible threats of the Euangelists Alas O the bosome of Abraham the paradise of heauen and presence of God that I am depriued of Alas that I became partaker with the rich man of his condemnation in the horrible pit and partner of his thirst in the bitter place full of sorowe and heauinesse Alas sweet Iesu alas O bountifull Iesu alas O mine onlie mediator intreat the father for me I beseech thee that I be not cut off froÌ„ the coasts of â—ion nor debarred of y â— bosome of my father Abraham the which I haue so greatlie longed after yet not worthilie bicause of my great sinne For behold O Lord I fall down before thy mercie seate Haue mercie vpon me which mourne thus out of measure which haue horribly offended against heauen against thy maiestie against my friends against the Church and congregationâ— against mine owne soule Haue mercie vpon me the sinfullest woman aliue which haue sinned too bad in thy sight Haue mercie vpon mee the wretch of wretches which haue shed my salt and bitter teares whose miserable case euerie creature hath lamented Oh Lord why hast thou broken down my hedge stroÌ„g holds and taken away thy grace and holie spirit from me so that the wild Bore out of the wood Sathan hath destroied me and the wild beast of the field hath eaten me vp Rid me O Lord from the roaring Lion The whole Church and assemblie of saincts doth make intercession vnto thee for me which am an vnprofitable seruant and vnworthie member thereof The holie and vnspotted Lamb Christ Iesus thy deere and onlie beloued sonne doth continuallie and incessantlie intreat thee for me which haue greeuouslie offended both him and thee O blessed Trinitie that thou wilt shew mercie vnto the wandering sheepe which is subiect to the renting teeth of the rauenous woolfe Saue me O Lord out of his mouth Suffer me not to become the sacrifice of sinne but let downe vpon me thy holie spirit that with his firie countenance he may put to flight the crooked feend of the Diuell that I may be brought home againe vnto thy wisedome that the bill of sinne written against mee beâ—blotted out and cancelled that the sowe may be washed from hir filthines the dog eate of the crumbs that fall from hir maisters table and a sinner worsse than Marie Magdalen yea chiefe of all sinners be saued O let my lamentation cease in the euening and cause mee to receiue ioie in the morning Let my sackcloth of sorrowe be rent asunder gird me with ioie and gladnesse let me be receiued once againe I beseech thee into the ioie fauour of my God and father let me be yet thought worthie of his kingdome through the earnest petition and praiers of the whole Church of Saincts which soroweth ouer mee and humbleth hir selfe continuallie vnto thee yea rather through the onlie mediation and vehement intercession of my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ to whome with thee O Father and the holie Ghost be all honor glorie and dominion for euer and euer Amen Amen Another lamentation of a woman that hath lost hir virginitie and chastitie or of a Christian soule polluted with sinne O My soule wash away thy sinnes purge thee of thine iniquitie and make the rest of thy life agreeable to the word of truth O thou vnhappie soule yea thrise vnhappie woman behold I say whole mountaines couered with thy sinnes and great vallies ouerlaid with thine iniquities O my soule once purged with the pilles of grace endowed with the gifts of the holie Ghost and espoused as the most pure virgin to the faithfull louer our sauiour But out alas what haue I done or whome haue I thought of My sauiour was once my louing spouse bicause of my chastitie but now alas he is become a seueare iudge to punish mine iniquitie O vnhappie remembrance of so great a losse Why doest thou so aggrauate my greefe Or why doth both good and euill thus torment me Alas alas is it not inough for mine euill conscience iustlie to prick me and the punishments due therefore to torment mee but must the remembrance of a good conscience also and the deserts due to the same condemne me Fie vpon thee wretch that thou art to lose so rich a treasure which thou canst neuer recouer O comfortlesse creature why wert thou so vnhappie to lose that which hath made thee to be pointed at of the righteous and to be laughed at of the vngodlie O lampe of virginitie how art thou quenched Once I was a spouse but now an abiect late a souereigâ—e but now a slaue Why hast thou thus preuented me And in what a filthie puddle of iniquitie hast thou plunged me O fornication the defiler of my mind and the destroier of my soule why hast thou bewitched my mind and enchanted my soule Why hast thou cast me headlong from the throne of my sauiour and placed me amongst the condemned soules of sinners O griefe of griefes why doest thou thus sting Bicause I haue lost such a iewell O sorrowe of sorrowes why doest thou thus wound mee Because I haue lost such a treasure Behold behold alas what monsters haunt me On the right hand stands greefe to torment me and on the left sits sorrowe to condemne me but yet I confesse it is worthilie for thou O my soule hast bene a traitor to God periured to Christ and an adulteresse to thy sauiour and therefore deseruedlie thou art fallen from the tabernacle of truth to the dungeon of the diuell O thou abiect of God and slaue to Sathan nay rather the disdainer of the Deitie and embracer of iniquitie for thou O my soule lieutenant vnto sinne first refusedst the seruice of thy sauiour and of thine owne accord enthralledst thy selfe to the Diuell O miserable yea more than miserable change Alas what a pallace hast thou forsaken and what a prison hast thou chosen Alas what a sauiour hast thou sold and what a slaue doest thou serue Oh madnesse of mind oh foolishnesse of hart what hast thou done What I say hast thou done Hast thou forsaken thy sweet spouse and sauiour and embraced that rauening woolfe the Diuell Hast thou lost
the wicked world and the vnlawfull lusts of fraile flesh and so consequentlie the horrible iudgements of eternall damnation if so be that we now inseparablie liue togither according to thy holie ordinance and our promise made each to other before thee and all the Angels but also by this our happie coniunction we presentlie enioie and feele to our great comfort the ioifull iewell of a quiet conscience free from all euill delights in filthinesse of sin and occasions of offence we therefore thy humble seruants heere prostrate on our knees according to our bounden dutie with pure and thankefull minds acknowledging this great benefit to be in deed thy singular gift doo meekelie render vnto thy diuine maiestie most humble and hartie thanks euermore praising thee therefore and saieng Blessed art thou O our God and heauenlie father which art the author of our marriage and of this our coupling togither and blessed be thy most holie and glorious name for euermore yea let heauen and earth the sea and all the creatures therein praise blesse extoll woorship and magnifie thy sacred maiestie both now and hencefoorth for euermore Amen And now O mercifull father considering with our selues what need we haue to be very circumspect carefull and watching to doo our duties seeing how woonderfullie subtillie and despitefullie the diuell in these most perillous daies deludeth scorneth forbiddeth and enuieth this holie state and how few matrimonies there be without chidings brallings tantings repentings bitter curssings fightings and diuorcings which things vndoubtedlie the more is the pitie are commonlie almost euerie where committed among all estates through the instigation of the ghostlie enimie Sathan and his impes who take great delight therein forsomuch also as we are not ignorant how busie that old aduersarie of mankind is to banish the sweet loue inuiolable constancie and pleasant concord which to our continuall comfort should alwaies be betwixt vs and how in stead thereof he busilie laboureth and bendeth his principall craft to bring in horrible hatred dreadfull dissention vnpleasant strife irkesome lothsomnesse and bitter discord euermore as it were from aboue hoâ—ering in the aire assaulting our nature and condition and neuer ceasing to laie craftie traines to catch vs and still assaieng to attempt all things that may interrupt and hinder ouâ— harts desire and godlie purposes if we giue him neuer so little entrie intending by this meanes either by voluntarie separation or compulsorie diuorcement vtterlie to breake and dissolue this godly knot so fast knit by thee to most godlie vses either else at the least continuallie to encomber it with diuers displeasures great greefes and manifold miseries to our alas no little anoie and perill both of bodie and soule to others offence by euill example and most of all to thy high displeasure and great dishonour and slander of the Gospell which we O deere God professe We therefore thy humble seruants being verie desirous to auoid all these miseries and snares of Sathan our ancient enimie and to liue peaceablie holilie and comfortablie togither in this holie state of wedlocke as becommeth vs in the feare of God first confessing our owne infirmitie weakenes and vnablenes in anie thing to resist or withstand as we ought so vehement mightie and strong assaults inuasions and temptations of the diuell and secondlie knowing no other waie or meanes how to preuent the spitefull malice of so deadlie a foe but onlie in flieng by earnest and continuall praier vnto the throne of thy promised helpe and mercie euen through the hope we haue christianlie conceiued in the promise of so readie releefe and happie helpe made by thee to all that call vnfeignedlie vpon thee in the name of Iesus Christ thine onelie sonne our sauiour We I saie thy poore seruants in this faith presume and are bold to present our selues now before the sacred seate of thy most high maiestie most humblie crauing and hartilie begging of thee that for the same thy deere sonne Iesus Christes sake thou wilt vouchsafe in mercie fauourablie to behold and visit vs and by thine omnipotent power and puissant might so represse bridle and restraine thou the violent force and piercing power of our ghostlie enimie and mortall fo which thus continuallie seeketh to deuour vs and most maliciouslie endeuoureth and spitefullie practiseth by all possible meanes to banish our loues to exile our ioies to abandon our comforts yea especiallie to dissolue our vnitie to cancell our bonds and breake our concord that this our marriage thy gratious aid and readie assistance alwaie furthering the same and prospering it may happilie be free from all the wicked suggestions cruell assaults and vngodlie temptations of our deadlie aduersarie and also deliuered from all those euils mischiefes miseries inconueniences troubles and calamities which Sathan so busilie laboureth to infect fester and intangle this our holie state withall Giue vnto vs I saie O good Lord the holie helpe of thy grace and Angelicall aid of thy diuine spirit so to rule and gouerne our hearts and to knit and conioine our minds and willes togither in perfect loue vnitie and concord that we be at no time by anie diuision or bitter discord disseuered or diuorced one from another but may continuallie be vigilant and carefull both by dailie inuocating vpon thy holie name and also by all possible diligence and earnest indeuours on both parts to striue and fight valiantlie against all the temptations of Sathan and other the enormities euils mischances and miseries whatsoeuer may happen vnto vs by his pernicious instigations wicked motions and most perillous suggestions Grant O deere God that as we are now of necessitie compelled by thy holie ordinance to liue inseparablie togither being conioined by thy word in mutuall loue and felowship as one bodie one flesh so we standing in awe of thee and setting thy holie feare euer before our eies may through the working of thy grace liue togither holilie godlie chastlie purelie peaceablie quietlie louinglie agreeablie and comfortablie in all happie felicitie perfect ioie sweet amitie perpetuall charitie and continuall concord all our liues long and that good Lord we praie thee without anie hate debate chiding bralling tanting threatning disliking repeâ—ting vpbraiding irkesomnesse lothsomnesse abhorring detesting diuorcing finallie without anie deadlie dissention bitter curssing and vnnaturall fightings or other vnchristian and vncharitable behauiour because in deed it is one of the three things that so greatlie pleaseth thee a man and his wife to agree louinglie togither O Lord let not the wicked vices of stiffe stubbornenesse wilfull will froward fiercenesse comberous testinesse mallipert checkings sharpe words and selfe-loue be found to reigne in either of vs neither suffer vs we praie thee at anie time to giue place vnto the prouocation of wrath and hot hastie furies of the mind least thereby we begin vnhappilie to weaâ—e to our selues the web of all wo sorowe and calamitie as manie now adaies doo by promoting the wicked purpose of the diuell or by setting forward
of his worke or finallie by following his diâ—elish temptations and the wrath of our harts in giuing place without anie resistance to euerie thing preiudiciall and hurtfull to this our blessed state and honourable degree But giue vs grace rather good Lord we entirelie beseech thee before all things to take heed that by no meanes we giue anie occasion to our ghostlie enimie to let or hinder our praiers and holie exercises through dissention or discord and diligentlie to applie our selues stoutelie to resist euill and to weed out by little and little the noisome wâ—eds of vncomelie demeanour vnchristian behauiour rude maners churlish conditions euill dispositions and vngodlie extremities out of our hearts and minds with the wholesome precepts of thy diuine word the which giue vs grace diligentlie both to heare reade meditate and imitate day and night that in time we dooing our duties each to other as therein we be taught of thee may reape and feele the fruit thereof hourelie to both our comforts in Christ and thy glorie And because it cannot otherwise possible be but that offences shall sometimes either be giuen or taken betwixt vs by reason of the manifold discommodities that come with this commoditie suffer vs not good Lord we beseech thee to stand stiffe at anie time in our owne opinions faults or wilfulnesse or to mainteine impudentlie and incorrigiblie our errours by friuolous excuses and vngodlie reasonings neither yet busilie to find fault each with others calling each for others dutie towards our selues and in the meane time neglecting our duties both to thee our selues and others yea rather giue vs the grace of thy holie spirit to acknowledge our faults and follies each to other with charitable forgiuing one another and mutuall reconciliation that we may be well pleased and contented one with another and in all things each of vs beare and forbeare others infirmities and weakenesse Grant that either of vs may doo our best diligentlie to performe our duties one to the other as becommeth and we haue vowed and promised as namelie to praie hartilie and often one for another to labour to the vttermost of our powers to frame vse and occasion our selues to softnesse meekenesse gentlenes lenitie and long sufferance bearing well in worth such ouersights as chance and passe in our life and conuersation and still drawing during life the sweet yoke of our fellowship equallie in one concord of hart and agreement of mind so shall it come to passe that all strife and debate shall be cleane banished and pleasant loue sweet amitie and continuall concord shall be embraced of vs so shall we haue our harts staied in stable truth and comfort in all perils and necessities and most happelie passe through the dangers of the troublesome sea of this wretched world in great ioie and peaceable quietnesse to our comfort our neighbours profit and thy glorie which God grant Finallie if thus we doo godlie and christianlie vse our holie state of matrimonie we shall not onlie be armed on euerie side the better to escape the snares of the world the flesh and the diuell but also enioie the ioifull iewell and most singular benefit of a quiet conscience yea so shall all discommodities worldlie or ghostlie be taken away from vs and all things both spirituall and temporall turne to our commoditie and pleasure To conclude so shall our praiers be heard and gratiouslie granted vnto vs and God euen our owne God continuallie followe vs with his benediction and blesse vs both within and without at home and abrode and giue vnto vs all those his good gifts and benefits perteining or needfull either to our bodies or soules which he hath so often promised in his word to powre vpon all such as loue feare serue him both heere and in the life to come the which good things that they may the better be fulfilled and more effectuallie happen and come vnto vs heere present in the due time as thou seest need and we hartilie wish and desire we humblie praie thee O most excellent father who art in deed the verie authour of our marriage to be now and alwaies present with vs by thy grace and holie spirit plentifullie powred into our harts which may perpetuallie continue loue concord and charitie betweene vs and luckelie defend keepe and mainteine vs in this honourable estate that neither we be ouercome with anie temptation nor with anie aduersitie Finallie grant vs thy blessing fauour and protection in this world and in the world to come endlesse ioie and eternall felicitie through the onlie merits of our sauiour Iesus to whome with thee and the holie Ghost our maker redeemer and sanctifier be euerlasting praise honor and glorie both now and for euer Amen Another praier to be vsed of married folkes to liue chastlie and purelie in holie matrimonie and to auoid the filthie lusts of whoredâ—me FOrasmuch as O heauenlie father we trulie acknowledge thee an holie and righteous God our onelie God and maker the knower most trulie of our weakenes and infirmitie our readie and gratious helper our guide and director to holinesse and the onlie author of the blisfull state of matrimonie whereby all thy chosen children might liue in chastitie and holinesse and auoid the vnchast life of whoredome and vncleannesse Grant vnto vs we beseech thee that being called by the spirit vnto that holie state for our lawfull remedie to saiue our weakenesse to quench the raging lusts of old Adam and in holines to beget children for the increase of thy kingdome we may liue togither therein in thy faith feare and loue dutifullie louinglie and peaceablie with modestie in lowlinesse and chastitie all the daies of our liues that both our conuersations togither in all respects being coupled with feare and framed with one consent according to thine holie will and to the godlie edifieng of others representing by it in all points the mysterie figured betweene Christ and the congregation thou maist haue pleasure in our godlie behauiours Blesse vs in all our enterprises and make vs fruitfull and ioifull parents And to the increasing of our ioie O Lord in thee we humblie praie thee that thou wilt of thy great mercie giue both vnto vs and to the offspring of our bodies lawfullie begotten thine heauenlie grace that as we most christianlie endeuouring our selues to traine them vp in thine holie nourture and doctrine so they likewise by the infusion of thine heauenlie grace may haue their hearts prepared to receiue and hold sure for euer the onlie word of righteousnesse that lightneth clenseth best ruleth and most trulie directeth the soules of the righteous to the plaine and most pleasant path that leadeth to the life euerlasting through the merits of Christ Iesus thy sonne our Lord Amen Another praier to be vsed of such married couples as where the woman is not past child-bearing O Mercifull Lord and heauenlie father which by thine almightie power hast made all things of naught which also after other
things set in order didst appoint that out of man created after thine own image and similitude woman should take hir beginning and knitting ioining and sanctifieng Adam and Eue togither in marriage didst teach that it should neuer be lawfull to put asunder those whom thou by matrimonie hadst made one O gratious God which hast consecrated the state of matrimonie to such an excellent mysterie that in it is figuâ—ed and represented the spirituall marriage and vnitie betwixt Christ and his Church looke mercifullie with thy fauour from heauen vpon vs thy poore creatureâ— whome it hath pleased thee in mercie to call from single life and to ioine by free consent togither in this holie state of honourable wedlocke And as thou O eternall God the giuer of all spirituall grace and the author of euerlasting life didst send thy blessing vpon Abraham and Sara to their great comfort so vouchsafe to blesse vs O Lord and to send thy benediction vpon vs thy seruants yea so sanctifie vs twaine and powre plentifullie vpon vs the riches of thy goodnes so sowe the seeds of eternall life in our minds and fill vs with all spirituall benediction and grace that as Isaac and Rebecca liued faithfullie togither euen so we carefullie keeping thy commandements diligentlie obeieng thy holie will and pleasure and alwaies guided by thy good and gratious spirit may trulie performe and surelie keepe the vow and couenant betwixt vs made before thee and the congregation and may euer remaine persist and abide in perfect amitie stedfast peace and continuall concord vntill our liues end Grant also that we may profitablie fruitfullie learne our seuerall duties either towards other and both towards thee out of thy holie word and in deed fulfill the same to the furtherance of vertue and auoiding of all offence that so seruing and pleasing thee both in bodie and soule as those godlie men and women did to thy glorie and their perpetuall renowne we as persons highlie in thy fauour and shrowded alwaies in safetie vnder the comfortable wings of thy mercifull protection may most happilie prosperouslie and ioifullie like fruitefull parents seeing our childrens children vnto the third and fourth generation liue long togither vnto our perfect age in thy holie loue and all godlie honestie to our comfort and thy glorie and at the last rest with them in the bosome of Abraham Isaac and Iacob and be fellow-heires of the euerlasting kingdome in eternall life through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another praier for all wedded folkes generallie O Most holie God and mercifull father which of thy singular prouidence and woonderfull wisedome didst ordeine matrimonie in Paradise and that in the time of innocencie for the multiplieng and conseruation of mankinde thereby togather vnto thy selfe continuallie out of godlie families an holie Catholike Church which may rightlie acknowledge serue and celebrate thine holie name for euermore and deliuer the true vnderstanding of thee vnto posterities by one generation to another This thine institution did thy sonne God coequall with thee and coeternall confirme and adorne in Cana of Galile by turning water into good wine A notable honouring of marriage doubtlesse for Christ not onlie to be present himselfe at the nuptiall feast but also to set out the same with the first miracle that he wrought after his natiuitie Likewise the holie spirit doth witnesse by the word deliuered vnto vs and saith that marriage is honorable among all And the same thy spirit reioiceth in three things which are commended both before God and man viz. in the concord of breethren in the loue of neighbours and in a man and his wife that agree well togither for such as be at variance can neither call vpon thee as they should nor please thee as they ought O eternall God it is sufficientlie apparant with what a rage and insatiable hatred Sathan the most deadlie enimie to all thy works doth labour and set himselfe to the breaking off and ouerthrow of this thy sacred ordinance wherefore we beseech thee impart thy fauour as vnto vs heere present so vnto all married folks else-where that both we and they may acknowledge thee to be the author and institutor of this knitting togither in wedlocke and beleeue stedfastlie that we and they are in a good estate wherein we may please thee for hauing this comfort we shall more willinglie and cheerefullie discharge the duties of our calling in true confidence and calling vpon thy name But such as doubt of their kind of life hauing their consciences wounded and minds troubled can neither call vpon thee trulie nor cheerefullie go about and finish their affaires Grant therefore vnto vs and vnto all and euerie married bodie that in true faith and confession we may retaine the indissoluble chaine of wedded state and the strong bonds of godlie felowship that we may loue one another and in the sweate of our browes eate our bread and bring vp our children which thou shalt giue vs or hast giuen vs in all godlinesse through instruction and information of the Lord and neuer feare the crosse which accompanieth this kind of life O worke thou so good Lord that Sathan by no meanes weaken and ouerthrowe this thine ordinance nor that we married folks wearied with the troubles of wedded life raise no mortall hatred among our selues and so detest and abhorre this thine holie institution and seeke vnlawfull separations and diâ—orcements for else by this engin of incredulitie and snare of mistrust being comprehended we shall easilie rush headlong into enormous offences by casting off the yoke of the Lord and be carried through dissention into horrible confusions of concupiscence to adulterie whoredome wicked forsakings so long till polluted with filthie spots defiled with most horrible staines we and they bring our selues headlong into euerlasting torments Grant therefore O most mercifull God that all being now at debate may come quicklie to amitie and be reconciled in thy name and beeing mindfull of the knot of marriage and mutuall bond made betweene them may dwell and liue from hence forward peaceablie and louinglie togither in true faith and feare of thy name Grant that husbands abusing their authoritie ouer their wiues doo not exercise tyrannie ouer their wiues but rather loue them and dwell with them according to knowledge giuing honor vnto them as vnto the weaker vessell euen as to them which are also heires of grace and life Likewise grant that matrons and wines contemne not their husbands denieng subiection but rather studie by chaste obedience and holie conuersation and lowlinesse to ouercome them Let neither hate other extreamelie and so violate the state of marriage and bring themselues out of thy fauour through their discord and contention whereby their praiers be interrupted for where neither part do their dutie there must needs ensue first pouertie subtiltie lieng and all impietie afterward a wounded conscience and last of all vtter despaire O most chast God which didst therefore institute the order of
me with thine oile of gladnes put vpon me the robes of righteousnes and couer me with the glorious purple adorne mee with the pretious stones of vertue and place vpon mine head glorie and honour that all mine ornament may be inward and that I may please thee through liuing in thy faith and â—eare and hoping in thy mercie For thou O sweet Iesu Christ art mine husband which tenderlie louest me my God whome I worship my head wherevntoâ— I am subiect and my bridegrome with whom I hope in heauen to reigne eternallie Amen Another praier to be said of anie noble woman ladie gentlewoman or modest matrone married FOrasmuch as it hath pleased thee O heauenlie father of thine inestimable mercie to bring me to this high estate of dignitie and to put me in possession of a place of honor as a matrone for other women to behold grant vnto mee I humblie beseech thee that in all my dooings I may followe the example of all vertuous and graue matrones which are specified and described for our example in the holy scripture that is to be as louing and obedient vnto my Lord and husband as Sara was to Abraham as Susanna was to Ioachim and as humble loiall and wise as Abigaell was to King Dauid Hester to King Ahesuerus or the blessed and noble virgin Marie was to Ioseph Grant also I beseech thee that I be neither proud presumptuous ambitious disdainefull of others in comparison of my selfe high-minded nor a boaster in mine owne bloud kindred beautie wit or dignitie but with the noble Queene Hester to saie Thou knowest my state O Lord and that I hate this signe of preeminence and worship which I beare vpon my head what time I must go foorth to be seene and that I abhor it as an vncleane cloth and that I weare it not when I am quiet alone by my selfe that bearing alwaies an euen mind and hauing an humble opinion of my selfe as she that knoweth hir selfe to be but dust and ashes and enâ—bled by thee from whome alone commeth the true nobilitie and gentrie to so manie as are borne of thee and made thy children through faith I may laie awaie all pompe and pride nicenes tendernes and disdaine and euer set more by others than by my selfe yea and thinke my selfe worsse than anie other in thy sight to the end I may alwaies liue vertuouslie holilie shamefastlie soberlie and chastlie in all meekenes gentle behauiour discreete conuersation prudence wisedome learning vertue and puritie both in bodie and soule both before thee and all men as becommeth a christian and faithfull woman and such a one as will be a true imitator of Rebecca Hester and the rest of those holie matrones and noble women mentioned in the scriptures that all other seeing my good example of life may praise thy name and be encouraged thereby to glorifie thee in their vertuous conuersations world without end Amen A praier to be vsed of the wife that hath a froward and bitter husband as a present remedie against the mischiefe of diâ—orcement and separation O Most wise and prouident GOD which in the beginning didst create man in thine owne image and out of him didst make the woman and didst bring hir vnto the man that she might be an helper vnto him and therefore thou causedst him to saie and confesse that she was flesh of his flesh and bone of his bones thereby teaching him not onlie the holie and indissoluble band of loue vnitie and mutuall societie that ought to be betweene man and his wife as for whose sake he ought to leaue father and mother and to cleaâ—e vnto hir but also the most sâ—cred and blessed coniunction and knitting togither of our Lord Iesus Christ his sanctified Church and people so that no man can breake or despise that bond and vnitie but he must needs be giltie of presumption against God and of the wilfull breach and contempt of his ordinance Wherefore oh Lord sith it hath pleased thee to match me in this most honourable state of marriage according to thy diuine prouidence I beseech thee to make him an head vnto me and my selfe an helper vnto him according to my creation and as thy holie institution requireth And because thy holie word is the onlie rule and ordinarie to gouerne and direct our liues I hartilie desire thee oh good God giue this mine husband thy grace and holie spirit and so open thou his wits and senses that hauing by the light of thy grace the true knowledge and vnderstanding of thy holie word in all discretion he may knowe how to walke in his vocation both towards mee his poore wife and yoke-fellowe and all others as becommeth him and thereby become vnto me not so bitter a despiser and hater but a true louer sweet freend and godlie gouernour Thou O good father seest the great lacke and necessitie that I thine handmaid haue of a wise guide graue counseller holie instructor and continuall comforter O therefore I beseech thee looke vpon my trouble which I endure consider my reproofe and reproches that I beare in my bosome pitie my miserie ease me of so great a burthen and releeue my great need and necessitie Make this my husband I saie O deere God a head a vaile and defence vnto me for my preseruation and safetie for if we thus bite and deuour one another it cannot possible be but we shall be consumed one of another Make him therefore tender carefull and comfortable vnto me thy weake creature if it be thy good pleasure and grant that according to his promise made before thee and as thou hast commanded else-where in thy holie word he may with perfect and holie loue cherish nourish and loue me as his owne flesh and as Christ loueth his Church and as she that is heire togither with him of the grace of life that our praiers and godlie exercises to the benefiting of our soules and bodies be not interrupted or hindered Grant that he forsaking all other may cleaue onlie vnto me as becommeth without separation and that he may dwell with me as a man of knowledge and christian behauiour and gouernement to thy glorie my comfort and others edifieng But alas I must needs confesse vnto thee my God that I am most vnwoorthie of so good a beâ—efit for I haue not walked in this most honorable state purelie and holilie according to thy diuine ordinance whereby I haue made my selfe much more vnworthie to haue so pretious a gift at thy fatherlie hands and if it be thy good pleasure with frowardnes bitternes and vnkindnesse yea the hatred and disdaine of my husband thus to correct me for my fault I most hartilie thanke thee for it And I beseech thee so to order me in all things in thy great mercie that I neuer murmur or grudge impatientlie against thee for the same nor doo anie thing either against thee or my husband whereby thy maiestie may be displeased my husband offended or thy Gospell
world without end So be it Another praier of a woman with child before hir trauell O Almightie and mercifull God maker of heauen and earth which for sin hast enioined to me and all woman kind a greeuous paine to bring foorth children I mislike not this thy decree but I acknowledge the same to be holie irreprehensible and good for all that thou hast created and ordeined are verie good Wherefore I beseech thee in the name of Christ thy welbeloued Sonne assist me in my paines helpe me in the danger of deliuerance and conuert my mourning into mirth In the meane season keepe thou mee with the child in my wombe from all hurt and danger Grant also that my child yet vnborne may come into this world sound and perfect without deformitie Protect me likewise with thy fauour whereby I may escape all danger feare frights and vntimelie deliuerance Bring into my mind all my misdeeds and offences that vnfeignedlie I may be sorie for them and walke heereafter warelie in my calling and when the time of my deliuerance shall approch assist me with thy grace and bring out my child in good time well proportioned according to thine image and restore me to my woonted strength if it be thy good pleasure Giue also vnto my newlie borne babe togither with outward baptisme thine holie spirit whereby it may be regenerated vnto euerlasting life admitted into the societie of thy saincts and continue in thy seruice and godlie conuersation euermore O Lord God mercifull father into thine hands I commend both my selfe and my child doo with vs as it pleaseth thee thou hast made and redeemed me therefore thy will be done In thee will I trust as long as I shall liue Thou art my refuge in Christ our Lord and sauiour Amen Another praier of a woman with child before hir labour AL thy waies are iust oh deere father and thy iudgements are true altogither for worthilie doth man liue in the sweate of his face and the woman bring forth children with much paine and trauell and with great danger Yea O mercifull father this paine is not a sufficient punishment for the greeuous transgressions wherewith wee and our fore-fathers haue transgressed thy most holie will The punishment in respect of our demerits is too small but in respect of our weakenes too great for vs without thee to endure Wherefore as I acknowledge O mercifull father this trauell in child-birth which now approcheth to be a iust reward of my manifold sins so I acknowledge also thy readie arme of defence stretched out ouer me and ouer all them that call vpon thee in faith Grant therefore O deere father that I may in faith praie and wait for that time of my trauell patientlie that I may endure it when it shall be present constantlie and thankefullie knowing that although I then feele some tast of the reward of sin yet I feele not all and that little which I then feele thou dooest presentlie reward The which comfortable and glad issue grant me O Lord if it be thy good pleasure and hauing receiued such fruit of my bodie grant me moreouer wisedome and strength to bring it vp in thy feare and to trauell as it were againe with it till it be borne againe into a heauenlie life to the glorie of thy holie name and my great ioie so that it may finallie in Christ Iesus be partaker of those blessings which thou dooest plentifullie raine downe vpon the faithfull and their seed for euer And bicause I am not woorthie to present this my suite to thy heauenlie maiestie of my selfe a most wretched and sinfull woman I offer it in the name of the righteousnes and in the strength of my Lord and sauiour Iesus Christ praieng furthermore as he hath taught vs to praie Our father c. Another praier of a woman with child before hir trauell OH most deere father Lord of heauen earth which gouernest all things by thy wisedome so that nothing is done without thy prouidence Thou causest the winde to blowe the stormes and seas to arise and in their chiefest rage with a word thou stillest them againe Thou sendest fire raine and snowe from heauen threatening great destruction and yet not one of them can passe the bounds that thou appointest them so that they go and doo onlie what thine almightie word hath commanded them the bounds and measures where of they may not neither are they able to passe whereby most dâ—â—re God thine almightie wisedome and power is manifest vnto vs in all thy works but most chieflie in the woonderfull worke of the forming of man who of a maruellous small and loathsome substance is made a liuing creature and nourished within the closure intrailes of the womb and hauing a soule or mind infused into it by a heauenlie beginning is alwaie desirous to be returned againe as out of a strange countrie into his owne Therefore O heauenlie father I yeeld thee most hartie thanks that thou hast vouchsafed to count me worthie and made me the shop and receptacle of this thy most excellent worke And I beseech thee most louing father that as thou hast giuen me aptnes and power to conceiue and receiue thy creature and workemanship into my bodie so thou wouldest giue me power and strength to beare and to nourish it vntill it come to good perfection and that I may safelie bring foorth the same Thy goodnes oh gentle father did at the beginning appoint and ordeine that this thy worke of propagation and bringing foorth of man should be to vs easie pleasant and without danger But our sins alas deere God through the disobedience and breaking of thy lawe and commandements hath made it to be dangerous painefull and full of perill which thou didst laie vpon our grand-mother Eue and vpon all vs hir posteritie as a correction and punishment for sin and therefore I confesse deere God that through my manifold sins I haue not onlie deserued this thy rod of correction but far sorer and more greeuous punishment yea euen thy wrath were it not that thy mercie exceedeth all thy works and thy tender loue towards vs is such and so great that in thy iustice thou thinkest vpon mercie and hast not onlie giuen thy deerelie beloued Sonne to shed his pretious hart bloud to take awaie our sins but also hast chosen vs in him before the world began to be thy children by whome thou hast assured vs that thy fatherlie care and godlie prouidence ouer vs is so great that euen the verie heares of our heads are numbered in thy sight Wherefore oh most mercifull father I am bold to run presentlie vnto thee with all my trust hope and confidence that thou hast giuen me praieng and beseeching thee for thy great mercies sake for thine infallible promise and truth sake which neuer faile anie that put their trust in thee and for thy Sonne Iesus Christes sake oh most mild and mightie worker that thy clemency may refresh and
fashioned vs altogither With skin and bones hast thou couered vs and ioined vs togither with bones and sinews Thou hast giuen vs life and grace and thy visitation hath preserued our spirits Grant we beseech thee to all infants yet vnborne that knit togither with their due veines and members they may come foorth into this world sound and perfect without fault or deformitie and grant that they being borne vpon their mothers sides may be ioifull vpon their mothers knees and sucke the milke of comfort out of the breasts of hir loue to the reioising of the mother Staie the furiousnes of wicked spirits that they shewe not their tyrannie vpon yoong infants Keepe all women with child that no waie being terrified frighted or troubled extreemelie they be vntimelie deliuered Giue grace also to the babes newlie borne that togither with their outward baptisme they may be receiued into the congregation of the faithfull with wholesome water through the renewing and regeneration of the holie spirit which thou wilt plentiouslie powre vpon them through Iesus Christ our Sauiour that being iustified by grace they may be made heires according to the hope of eternall life and become new creatures through him Strengthen all women deliuered and lieng in child-bed that beeing restored to their woonted health they may glorifie thee their helper in the time of need and learne afterward to repose their whole confidence in thee which art nigh vnto all that call vpon thee to all we saie calling vpon thee in truth And if at anie time through thine vnsearchable iudgement an vntimelie birth or vnluckie deliuerance happen so comfort O mercifull father the mournefull and sad parents that they faint not with sorrowe but beleeue rather that the woful chance is a triall of their faith hope and patience For thou art a mercifull and gratious God forgiuing our sins Though thou art angrie with our wickednes yet in thy displeasure thou remembrest thy mercie that the troubled may take comfort and the afflicted find grace For this doo all thy seruants persuade themselues that if they be tried they shall be crowned if they be troubled they shall be deliuered and if they be chastened they shall be saued for thou hast no plesure in our damnation which bringest faire wether after stormes gladnes after teares Thy name O God be praised for euer Amen The same praier more breefe for women with child generallie O Heauenlie father and eternall God which through thine vnspeakable wisedome hast enioined woman-kind that in paine and sorrowe they should bring foorth children and replenish the earth O Lord we beseech thee giue them grace to call into mind this thy decree and pleasure and thereby patientlie to beare the greefe and groanes incident vnto them Conuert Lord their sorrowes into gladnes through a luckie deliuerance and let them remember their paines no more for ioie that a man is borne into the world Comfort them in the midst of their anguish and helpe as well the mother as the babe especiallie in the danger of deliuerance For without thine assistance they perish vndoubtedlie all the world cannot helpe them Grant to all yet vnborne that knit togither with their due veines and members they may come into this world sound and perfect without all deformitie Staie the furiousnes of wicked spirits that they shew not their malice and tyrannie vpon yoong infants Blesse all with child that no waie being terrified or troubled extreamelie they bee vntimelie deliuered Giue grace to all babes newlie borne that togither with their outward baptisme they may be receiued into the congregation of the faithfull and be made new creatures filled with the holie Ghost euen from their mothers womb Strengthen all women deliuered with thy vertue and power whereby they may receiue their woonted health and glorifie thee their helper in the time of need learning afterward to repose their whole confidence in thee which art nigh vnto all that call vpon thee euen to all that call vpon thee in truth And if at any time through thy sufferance and vnsearchable pleasure an vntimelie birth or if without offence we may saie an vnluckie deliuerance doth happen comfort O mercifull God the pensiue parents that they despaire not through sorrowe but thinke rather that the wofull chance is a triall of their faith hope and patience and so confesse thee to be alwaies as good and gratious God forgiuing sins and remembring mercie in thy great displeasure that the troubled may take comfort and the afflicted find grace For thus doo al thy seruants persuade them selues that if they be tried they shall be crowned if they be troubled they shall be deliuered if they be chastised they shall be saued through our Lord Iesus Christ Amen A praier to be said of euerie Christian midwife for hirselfe before she execute hir office O Heauenlie Father which at the beginning didst appoint woman to bee the organe instrument and vessell to receiue nourish bring foorth man through thy woonderfull workmanship without anie labour paine or helpe of flesh and blood but afterward through the sinne and disobedience of our grandmother Eue hast made that which before was easie now to become hard and painefull yea dangerous and impossible if thy helpe were not for them to be brought to passe and now as a meane hast ordeined man to be a god to man and made woman through thine vnspeakable power working togither with him to helpe ease woman which through their owne imperfection and feeblenes are not able in this case and time of their sore labour to helpe themselues For as much as it hath pleased thee among manie other more worthie to call me thy most vnworthie hand-maid to the office of a midwife among the daughters of Israel and made me an instrument and means vnder thee to comfort them in their sorrowes cherish them in their child-beds ease them in their pains and to further them in their deliuerance with all possible paines and conuenient speede that I may and can in thee and for thee I most hartilie thanke thee and praise thy holie name and maiestie beseeching thee of grace and vertue to walke worthie of this my calling in all holie obedience to thee and thy word to thy glorie others profit and mine owne saluation in Christ. And because I knowe and feele mine owne weaknes and must needs confesse how that of my selfe I am far vnable to discharge mine office with such dutie as apperteineth without the assistance and helpe of thine almightie power and holie spirit to strengthen me therein For it lieth not in the power of flesh and bloud no nor in all the helpe of the world to go through with so great a worke and weightie enterprise as this is but it onlie and alone belongeth vnto thee our creator and maker of heauen and earth Therefore blesse thou so my weake labours and further my paines that the fruit thereof may redound to the praise of thy name profit of
she still calleth vpon thy holie name and putteth hir full trust to be saued onlie in thy mercie impute not vnto hir the manifold sinnes of hir former life passed but pardon them and take hir vnto thy high fauour through the bloudie merits and deere death of thine onelie begotten sonne Iesus Christ our sauiour Amen Or praie thus O Pitifull physician and healer both of soule bodie Christ Iesu vouchsafe to cast thine eies vpon this thy poore sinnefull creature our deere sister M. B. who is here thy captiue bound with the burden of child-birth greefe vnspeakable paines in the chaine of sinne and death for our transgression in our grandmother Eue turning this hir weaknes and greefe to thy glorie hir health and safe deliuerance And vouchsafe good Lord to send hir patient sufferance that she may stedfastlie continue to the end in these extremities that she may with a true and perfect faith in thee fight now a good fight and stand manfullie against all the temptations of the diuell hir mortall enimie when she may no longer continue O Sauiour of the world saue hir which by thy crosse and precious bloud hast redeemed hir Amen Adde this blessing THE almightie Lord which is a most strong tower to all them that put their trust in him to whom all things both in heauen earth and vnder the earth doo bow and obey blesse preserue and keepe this our sister and be now and euermore hir buckler and defence against all hir enimies and make hir to knowe and feele in hir soule and conscience that there is none other name giuen vnto man in whom and through whom she may receiue ease comfort health deliuerance and saluation but onelie in the most holie blessed and venerable name of our Lord Iesus Christ Amen A praier of instruction to be vsed of the women in health attendant about the sicke and languishing woman in sore trauell for themselues O Most mercifull God and most louing Father we beseech thee haue mercie vpon vs and aid vs with thy grace holie spirit that we which be yet in good health and safetie and looke according to the condition of our nature for the like hour of adâ—ersitie but with more mercie and mitigation of our paines than as it seemeth our sister here endureth if it be thy will may learne to feare and dread thee may loue and embrace thy holie word and that we may set thee before vs as a scope and marke wherevnto we may direct all our dooings and that we boing alwaies mindfull of this thy crosse and heauie iudgement laid vpon all women in the loines of our grandmother Eue for hir and our transgression and euermore remembring the vnspeakable pangs intollerable paines and most bitter agonie of death may so prepare our harts and arme our selues that we may order all our deeds from hence-foorth in all holie and chast obedience both towards thee and our husbands or heads as well becommeth right christian women and modest matrones to thy glorie and as doo and and haue done all godlie women which feare thee in all ages that in the end we obteine to be fellow-heires with them of euerlasting life in the kingdome of heauen through the merits of our deere Lord and sweetest Sauiour Iesus Christ the righteous Amen Another godlie and effectuall praier to be hartilie said of the women assistant if the woman in sore trauell or child-bed lie in the pangs of death and be a passing this life O Lord God almightie the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost three persons and one onlie God the Lord of life and the destroier of death with whom to be is life and from whom to be is death who as a louing father mercifull redeemer and freendlie caller to repentance hast now visited with the scourge of hard painefull and greeuous trauell or with vntimelie birth vnfortunate deliuerance and sore sicknes thy most sinfull daughter yea thy spotted creature defiled seruant and greeuous sinner S. B. to cause hir to knowe hir selfe and to confesse hir wickednes and so to come to thee at this thy calling to knowe thee and onelie to crie and call vpon thee for comfort Now thou O Lord whose propertie is euer to haue mercie and freelie to forgiue those that faithfullie come vnto thee we thine humble hand-maids with heauie harts most humblie beseech thee looke downe from heauen with thine accustomed eies of compassion vpon hir cast behind thy backe hir innumerable and greeuous sins throwe them all both old and new from hir as far as is the East from the West yea scrape the memorie of them out of thy sight quite forget them and freelie forgiue them hir as hir onlie trust is in thee O Lord be thou now vnto hir at hir most time of need a tower of strength a place of refuge and a defensible God to keepe strengthen and defend hir from the danger of the diuell now readiest to disquiet hir and destroie hir against desperation now busiest to greeue hir against death now likest to strike hir and against hell now gaping to deuoure hir Oh heauenlie father aid thou now hir Helpe hir and establish hir in the firme faith of thy truth Comfort hir now O sweet Christ and continue hir in the knowledge of thee hir onlie sauiour which art now in hir extreamenes and pangs of death readie to shew thy selfe vnto hir as hir sauiour crucified on the crosse to comfort hir Therefore now saue thou hir from sin deliuer thou hir now from eternall death hale hir from hell embrace hir hide hir in the holes of thy bloudie wounds as thy deere doue and beare hir manifold sins on thy backe And thou O holie spirit strengthen thou now hir weake fainting and sounding spirit against sathan that standeth now nigh hir to seduce hir Saie thou now to sathan Auoid sathan and command thy holie angels and blessed spirits now to aid and assist hir Let thy comfort cleaue fast vnto hir thy mercie keepe hir thy grace guide hir thy paines ease hir thy crosse releeue hir and thy death reuiue hir Oh almightie God the giuer of all health and if it be thy good will to lengthen hir daies in this life to spare hir for a season to mitigate hir pangs to ease hir of hir paines to releeue hir of all these wofull sorowes and most greeuous throwes to deliuer hir of this most dangerous trauell and send into this world out of hir wofull wombe hir child a sound and perfect creature after thine owne image and so restore hir to hir former health as thou hast done hir and manie others heeretofore in like case that she thereby may once againe visit thy temple and be purified sanctified and dedicated vnto thy honor and glorie the commoditie of hirs and comfort of vs all hir friends kindred and neighbours Weioâ—fullie saie Thy will O Lord be done and not ours But if it be not thy will so but that she according to
hir instant desire must now being preuented with vntimelie labour and birth through perillous trauell needs drinke of the cup of Rahels and Phinees wiâ—es potion and go the waie of all flesh then O Lord thou in whose hands are the harts of all flesh arme hir we humblie beseech thee with thy perpetuall grace peace patience and perfect confidence in thee increase hir faith helpe hir vnbeleefe annoint hir with the oile of gladnes in thee ease hir of hir extreme paines be thou nigh vnto hir and driue the diuell far from hir aid hir with thy holie angels giuing hir grace so quietlie to take this thy fatherlie chastisement and visitation in good woorth that in this hir painfull life yea and in the verie end thereof she with perfect memorie sure trust commending hir selfe wholie to thee may in hart ioifullie still saie and we hir deere sisters and faithfull freends and neighbours for hir as followeth When she is departing and yeeldeth vp the ghost then adde and saie this that followeth FEtch now againe Lord God Father into thy holie hands that which thy puissant might hath shapen command thy holie angels now to aid hir and safelie to bring hir to thee and now place thou hir amongst thy chosen children and blessed heirs in thine eternall kingdome prepared for them that are written in the booke of life Fetch now againe Lord God sonne that which thou of thy meere mercie hast so wiselie gouerned and bought with thy pretious bloud now ioifullie receiue hir and saie vnto hir as thou saiedst vnto the penitent theefe This day shalt thou be with me in paradise Take againe now Lord God holie Ghost that which thou of thy onelie fauour hast louinglie kept and guided in this region of sinne and vale of miserie and now louinglie leade thou hir with Rebecca and Lazarus to eternall ioie and rest This grant hir O holie and most blessed Trinitie good Lord almightie three persons and one verie God vnto whome be all honour praise and glorie for euer and euer Amen Amen Another praier while she yeeldeth vp the ghost THE mightie God of angels and former of all things visible and inuisible in whose hands is onelie life and death light and darknes and all the motions of the soule and bodie without thee most mightie God all things had beene nothing and of nothing all things are made by thee without thy Christ and thy blessed spirit which is one coeternall Trinitie all flesh were accursed all consciences molested and all soules vtterlie damned from light into darknes from freedome into euerlasting reprobation but by Iesus Christ thine onelie sonne we thanke thee deere father of all mercie that now it hath pleased thee to take to thy mercie at this present time our deere sister S. B. whom thou hast elected consecrated and now she shall by thy mercie and pitie be sanctified vnto thee in the death of Christ to be a citizen of eternall glorie Now we perceiue that flesh and bloud doth forsake hir and all hir worldlie strength faileth hir now are the organes yeelding vp the heauenlie sound hir soule commeth now vnto thee good Lord receiue it to thy mercie into thine euerlasting glorie where as Abraham Isaac and Iacob Sara Rebecca Rahel and the blessed virgin Marie are continuallie To thee oh heauenlie Father be incessant honour glorie for euer and euer Amen After hir departure let the women kneele downe also and giue thanks as followeth ALmightie God with whom doo liue the spirits of them that depart hence in the Lord and in whom the soules of them that be elect after they be deliuered from the burden of the flesh be in ioie felicitie thou I saie O mercifull God the father of our Lord Iesus Christ who is the resurrection and the life in whom whosoeuer beleeueth shall liue though he die and whosoeuer liueth and beleeueth in him shall not die eternallie who also taught vs by his holie apostle S. Paule not to be sorie as women without hope for them that sleepe in him we giue thee hartie thanks for that it hath pleased thee to deliuer this woman our sister out of the wofull miseries of this sinfull world meekelie beseeching thee O Father to raise vs from the death of sinne vnto the life of righteousnes that when we also shal depart this life we may rest in Christ as our hope is this our sister doth and that it may please thee of thy gratious goodnes shortlie to accomplish the number of thine efect and to hasten thy kingdome that at the generall resurrection in the last daie we with this our sister and all other departed in the true faith of thy holie name being found acceptable in thy sight may haue our perfect consummation and blisse both in bodie and soule in thy eternall and euerlasting glorie and receiue that blessing which thou O Christ shalt then pronounce to all that loue feare thee saieng Come ye blessed children of my Father receiue the kingdome prepared for you from the beginning of the world Grant this we beseech thee O mercifull father through Iesus Christ our onlie mediatour redeemer and sauiour Amen A praier and thanks-giuing to be vsed of the mother or women about hir after the child is baptised ALmightie and euerlasting GOD who hast vouchsafed to regenerate this infant by water and the holie ghost and hast giuen vnto it forgiuenes of all his sinnes and receiued it into the number of thy children and heires of eternall life I thanke thee for thy gratious goodnes fauour mercie towards it And I humblie beseech thee also O Lord to strengthen it so with thy holie ghost the comforter that it may lead the rest of his life according to this good beginning Let thy fatherlie hands I praie thee be euer ouer it and blesse ti dailie increase it with thy manifold gifts of grace giue it the spirit of wisedome vnderstanding the spirit of counsell strength the spirit of knowledge and true godlines fulfill it with the spirit of thy holie feare faith and praier and so lead this child in the knowledge and obedience of thy holie word that being euer defended with thy heauenlie grace it may continue therein for euer and dailie increase in thy holie spirit more and more vntill in the end he obteine the gift of euerlasting life in thy celestiall kingdome through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen If the child or yong infant be verie sicke and lie sore pained with anie greefe or whensoeuer else it be visited with anie dreadfull diseaâ—e praie ouer it and saie as followeth Lord heare our praiers And let our crie come vnto thee Let vs praie O Mercifull Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ the onelie begotten Sonne of the liuing Father redeemer of all men through all ages whose nature is pitifull not onelie to the strong and stout but also to the weake and simple as babes infants and children we here assembled most hartilie desire and praie
thy glorious maiestie for this seelie infant and child which hath not the capacitie to praie for it selfe lieng here in paines and pangs of sorrowfull sicknes beseeching thy grace that with y â— same pitie wherewith thou sufferedst the babes and children to come to thee in the Gospell and laiedst thy blessed hands vpon them thou wilt also respect with the same eies of compassion and consider this poore babe seelie child and weake infant sore greeued with sicknesse Grant we beseech thee that as it beareth and here sheweth the image of sinfull Adam by suffering for sinne so it bearing the liuelie image of thy heauenlie gift may by thy grace be deliuered and helped from that which now by nature it suffreth So that like as it is with vs partaker of thy holie baptisme so it may also with vs be partaker of thy helpe and consolation And forasmuch as the paines of the same poore child seeme greeuous and vehement we beseech thee so mitigate the vehemencie thereof that by the releeuing and easing of it we also especiallie his sorowfull parents may be comforted dealing with it according as it shall seeme good to thy diuine wisedome whether by death to call it or by life to restore it so that whether it go or tarie it may be thine and at the last with thine elect be made partaker of that blessed resurrection when thou shalt appeare In whose name we praie furthermore for it and our selues as thou in thy holie Gospell hast taugth vs saieng O our Father which art in heauen halowed be thy name thy kingdome come thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen giue vs this daie our dailie bread and forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespas against vs and leade vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill For thine is the kingdome the power and the glorie for euer and euer Amen Thanks-giuings for women after deliuerance of childe A thanks-giuing and praier to be said of the father so soone as he heareth that a child is borne vnto him and his wife safelie deliuered O Eternall God and heauenlie father the creator and preseruer of mankinde thou knowest the fraile and weake nature of man and hast in thy mercifull louing kindnes for his comfort and remedie ordeined him the most honourable state of marriage to liue and walke in commanding them to increase and multiplie and hast promised the fruit of the bodie to be a blessing and a witnes of thine eternall councell of this most honourable state to all them that loue and feare thee Wherefore oh heauenlie father I most hartilie thanke thee that it hath pleased thee to call me into this most holie and honourable state of marriage and hast vouchsafed to giue me this infant thy creature as a witnes and testimonie of thy good will towards the same and a token of thy promised blessing to thy children And that it hath pleased thee also to deliuer this thy poore hand-maid my yoke-fellowe and mother of this thy creature from the sin-plague of sorrowe and perill in bringing foorth as thou appointedst the same to our grandmother Eue. And now oh deere and most mercifull father I most humblie beseech thee to giue vnto me and to this my yoke-fellowe or wife thy seruant thy grace holie spirit and so renew the same in vs day by day that both we may liue and walke chastlie honestlie and holilie as becommeth thy children to liue and walke in so honourable a state before thee and that we may doo our duties in education and bringing vp of this thy blessing and creature in godlie nourture and discipline and in true information in thee oh Lord thy Sonne Iesus Christ and also that this thy creature may doo his dutie in harkening and obeieng so that of no part anie fault be found in vs that may giue occasion to the vngodlie to speake euill of thy truth and holie name nor of this holie and honourable state but rather that they which knowe not the truth may through the example of our good conuersation be brought to the knowledge of thy truth whereby they may be made members of thy Church and praise thee for all thy benefits through thy mercie and louing kindnes powred vpon vs. Grant this oh most mercifull father for thy deere Sonne sake Iesus Christ our onlie mercie-seate and mediatour in whose name I praie thee as he hath taught me saieng O our father c. Here may be said or soong to the glorie of God and your edifieng the 8. the 127. the 128. Psalmes of Dauid and Benedictus or the song of Zacharie which he made at the birth of his sonne Iohn the Baptist as Luke cap. 1. and in the beginning before the Psalmes in meeter Another thanks-giuing to be vsed of the mid-wife or women assistant after the safe deliuerie of a woman in child-bed O Eternall and almightie God thy power and might is to be praised and magnified for euer for in the greatest weakenes of man thy power is seene in his greatest dangers thy saluation is knowne Therefore we praise thy name and giue thee thanks for all thy great mercies and wonderfull works namelie Lord we giue thee thanks for thy mercie shewed to this our sister at this time in bringing hir through manie and great dangers of child-birth and in giuing hir the fruit of hir bodie It was thy hand O Lord that hath done it for it is a worke greater than all the wisedome power of man Deere father we beseech thee euer hereafter to deliuer the mother and the child out of all their dangers as may best make to thy glorie and their saluation in Iesus Christ our Lord. Touching vs we thanke thee for blessing our labours and furthering the works of our hands beseeching thee that we beholding thy outstretched arme and rich mercies may be drawne by them to serue thee in feare and reuerence all the daies of our liues Amen An other thanks-giuing to be said for the safe deliuerance of anie woman in child-bed or at hir churching as it is called AMong other thy benefites those innumerable which thou dailie bestowest vpon vs thy needie poore creatures this is not the least O most mercifull father that thou of thy tender goodnes doest vouchsafe for the conseruation of man-kind to preserue the women that are with child and to giue them safe deliuerance of their burden by this meanes making them glad and ioifull mothers For this thy benefite and good will towards vs we so hartilie thanke thee as hart can thinke beseeching thee to worke such thankfulnes in the hart of this thy seruant S. B. and all other women in like case by thy spirit that they being not vnmindfull of this high benefite of their safe deliuerance wrought onelie by the sauiour of all man-kind may shew themselues thankfull vnto thee for this thy goodnes and neuer forget that thy present helpe and most sweete comfort which thou
mercifullie shewedst vpon them in their great trauels labours and paines when they fled vnto thy holie name for succour as vnto a strong tower bulworke and holie defence Go foorth O Lord to make them the ioifull mothers of manie children endue them with long life that they may see their childers children and the children that thou giuest vnto them make thou as in age so likewise in wisedome and in the abundance of thy holy spirit to increase that they may haue fauour both with thee and with all good men vnto the glorie of thy most blessed name Amen The mothers praier for hir childrens good education O Eternall God creator and preseruer of all man-kind the giuer of all spirituall grace and the onlie author of eternall life I most hartilie thanke thee that it hath pleased thy fatherlie goodnes to giue me these thy creatures the fruit of my bodie as a witnes and testimonie of thy fatherlie fauour and good will towards this most honourable state of matrimonie Oh Lord as thou hast giuen them vnto me so I beseech thee vouchsafe to giue me thy gifts both spirituall and bodilie that I may haue competent wherwith to educate and bring them vp Haue mercie on me oh Lord and giue vnto them thy grace and holie spirit and open thou their wits and senses and giue them the true knowledge and vnderstanding of thy holie word a louing affection and obedience vnto the same and a true faith in it Giue them wisedome vnderstanding knowledge and discretion docilitie capacitie and facilitie to comprehend take and receiue doctrine learning nouriture and discipline that they may be made worthie instruments of thy glorie and profitable members of thy Church to the aduauncement of thy glorie the edifieng of thy Church and the comfort of my conscience by Iesus Christ our Sauiour Amen Another praier to be vsed of euerie godlie mother for the godlie proofe of hir child made for the Ladie Lettice O Most mercifull Lord God almightie onelie which art gratious and good as by thy diuine will power this my child was formed and made a liuing creature consisting of bodie and soule in the wombe of me his naturall mother from whom he is departed into this world by naturall birth weake and impotent of fraile and sinfull substance by his owne propertie inclined to ignorance and sinne and now inuironed with thousands of malicious mightie and subtill enimies both bodilie and ghostlie which waite for the seducing leading of him to perill death and destruction wherevnto all mankind is prone and were it not for thy mercifull grace and tuition soone ouercome So be it thy will O most graâ—ious Lord in the abundance of thy mercies and loue for Christs thy deere sonnes sake with thy fatherlie eie to looke vpon him to blesse him powring plentifullie of thy heauenlie gifts vpon him that being preserued brought vp and nourished in diuine knowledge faith feare and obedience of thee through true profession of thy sweete sonne Iesus in the sinceritie of the Gospell he may growe rich and beautifull in all godlines and vertue in all his waies and proceedings seeking the kingdome of eternall glorie through firme abundant faith and holie conuersation in Christ our sauiour working all righteousnes filled with meeknes brotherlie loue obedience cheerfull hope desire of heauenlie things contempt of the world and mightilie armed with thy grace and strengthened by thine assistance to vanquish the power of sinfull flesh and satan that hauing victorie in the end he may ioifullie triumph in thy presence O God with the rest of thy beloued saints to giue honour and continuall praise to thy most holie name in blisse euerlasting through thy deere sonne our mercifull Lord and Sauiour Amen Another praier of the mother for hir child ALmightie euerlasting God which of thine infinit mercie and goodnes hast promised vnto vs that thou wilt not onelie be our God but also the God father of our children I beseech thee that as thou hast vouchsafed to call vs to be partakers of this thy great mercie in the felowship of faith so it may please thee to sanctifie with thy spirit into the number of thy children this infant which thou hast giuen me to the end that he comming to perfect age may confesse thee onelie the true God and whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ and to serue him and be profitable vnto his Church in the whole course of his life that after this life beeing ended he may be brought as a liuelie member of his bodie vnto the full fruition of thy ioies in the highest heauens where thy sonne our sauiour Christ reigneth with thee world without end Amen Another praier to be vsed of the mother for the good education of hir youth and children OH gratious God in knowledging that thou louest all things which thou hast made of thy goodnes and that thing cannot perish which is committed to thy charge now I come vnto thee with my tender children committing them into thine hands and desiring thee to couer them vnder the wings of thy prouident mercie Hew and square the rough table of their hearts of stonie make them fleshie that being softened by the deaw of thy blessings they may beare the seales of adoption in thy Sonne Christ. O Lord guide them in this darke vale of vanitie with the light of thy fauour that escaping the dongeon of sin they may walke in newnes of life and lodge alwaies in thine holie will Imprint in their harts faith hope humilitie chastitie and charitie that following thee they may be humble and meeke holie vertuous perfect and godlie as thou art Indue them with the spirit of feare that they may kisse thee in faith liuelie obedience and thou be neuer angrie with them but louing vnto them as the mother is to hir tender sucklings Amen Another praier for the godlie and vertuous life of thy childe O Lord God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ and father of all them that beleeue which hast said by the mouth of Salomon the sonne of Dauid that an vndiscreet sonne is a greefe vnto his father and an heauines vnto his mother that bare him and that the wise sonne maketh a glad father but an vndiscreet bodie shameth his mother that it would please thee so to conduct and guide this my sonne S. in his waie that he may acknowledge and confesse that thou art the author of his life that he may serue and honor thee without feare in all truth and righteousnes and growing in age he may be mortified in spirit that he may be filled with wisedome and that thy grace be with him To conclude that by that meanes keeping thy precepts he may prolong his daies heere vpon earth obeieng vs his parents whom thou hast chosen as instruments for to place him in this world Giue vnto him O Lord such ease for the commoditie of this life that vnder colour of pouertie he doo not couet or
steale other mens goods and take thy name in vaine or trusting vpon his prosperitie he denie thee and saie What fellowe is the Lord On the other side grant him grace that he may acknowledge that he that ploweth is nothing neither he that watereth but thou Lord which giuest the increase Finallie when thou shalt depriue and take him from all the commodities of this present life giue vnto him the like constancie as thou didst giue vnto thy faithfull seruant Iob who seeing himselfe afflicted on euerie side did neuer murmur against thee but falling downe vpon the ground worshipped thy maiestie and blessed thy name for all which things we his parents praie thee in the fauour of thy welbeloued Sonne he I saie who was obedient vnto thee euen to the death of the crosse our Lord Iesus Christ to whom be glorie for euer and euer Amen A praier to be vsed of anie mother in lawe FOrasmuch O mercifull God as it is commonlie said that step-mothers be malicious towards their husbands children and hate their daughters in lawe bearing no great loue and charitie towards them I being verie desirous to falsifie this report in my selfe whom it hath pleased thee now by marriage to make a mother of so manie motherles children and that I may foreuer be free from anie least suspicion of such offence and neuer found guiltie or culpable of like malice and hatred towards the innocent doo now most humblie beseech thee of thy goodnes so to rule the fond fansies of my mind and crooked conditions of my corrupted nature with the grace of thy holie spirit that I neuer be carried awaie with passions and braids of the mind to plaie the tyrant ouer these my husbands children nor by anie meanes shew my selfe rough rigorous hard-harted or vnresonable towards them but being guided with discretion reason and good consideration let me haue compassion and pitie of their tender and weake age yea let me loue them I saie hartilie and count them euen as mine owne knowing that friendship maketh all things common among friends much more wedlocke being the highest degree not onlie of all friendship but also of all bloud and kindred doth of dutie require the same in me as also especiallie remembring that vndoubtedlie my children shall finde such fauour of others whither I die or liue as I haue shewed to other mens children For looke with what measure we meate with the same shall we be sure to be measured as saith our Sauiour Which thing well considered grant I beseech thee that I may vnfeignedlie loue these my husbands children and be vnto them that which I heare them call me so oft that is a mother not a step mother or mother in lawe after the vulgar opinion in word and outward shew onlie but a mild a gentle tender louing mother in deed and good faith comforting cherishing and instructing them euen as their owne naturall mother would O let me neuer hate or abhor them whom thou hast thus conioined vnto me in house friendship aliance and bloud and made to be brethren and sisters vnto my children Neither suffer me at anie time to wreake conceiued ire wrath and displeasure vpon these poore orphans and motherles children but make me to vse all motherlie curtesie lenitie and good behauiour towards them euen as if they were mine owne Also concerning my daughters in lawe that are maried let me not be discontent that they are bloud of their husbands more than I nor thinke my motherhood anie whit diminished thereby as she that would seeke to win loue by hating them that offend me not but take from vs good Lord I beseech thee all occasions of strife contention bralling chiding and vnnaturall fallings out and if anie discord chance betweene vs make vs also both most wiselie with all our might to auoid it and speedilie with willing minds to reconcile our selues each one to the other againe as becommeth vs that others seeing our mutuall loue concord and godlie behauiour each to other may by our good examples take occasion worthilie to glorifie thee in vsing the like Finallie grant me grace that with Naomie and other godlie women to the vtmost of my power skill and abilitie I may both loue cherish and instruct my daughters in lawe giuing them good counsell and also doo before them in my conuersation all such things as may be examples vnto them both of chastitie sobernes and all manner of godlines and vertue so shall it come to passe that I ruling mine affections modestlie and behauing my selfe curteouslie and motherlie in deed towards these my children in lawe as to mine owne shall not onelie auoid the great number of troubles and miseries which otherwise crueltie and contention would bring vpon mine head but also by that meanes obteine great loue and reuerence of these my children in lawe againe towards me and procure to my selfe a most holie delectable sweet peaceable and quiet life with my deere husband to thy glorie and our eternall felicitie Grant this O father for thy deere Sonne sake our onlie Lord and Sauiour Amen The mistresse or dames praier for hir selfe and hir familie THy commandement is by thine holie Apostle O most mercifull Lord Christ that masters and mistresses should intreat their seruants and hand-maids gentlie putting awaie threatenings and dooing that vnto them which is iust and equall forasmuch as we also haue a master in heauen with whome there is no respect of persons Grant I most hartilie praie thee I may so order my men-seruants and maid-seruants that I attempt none vnrighteousnes against them but so vse my rule and authoritie ouer them that I may alwaies remember that thou art the common Lord of vs all and we all thy seruants Againe that I may not forget that we be all brothers and sisters hauing one father which is in heauen and looke for one glorious kingdome where thou with the father and the holie ghost liuest and reignest true and euerlasting God for euer Amen Another TO haue children and seruants is thy blessing O Lord but not to order them according to thy word deserueth thy dredfull cursse Grant therefore that as thou hast blessed me with an houshold and familie so I may diligentlie watch that nothing be committed of the same that might offend thy fatherlie goodnes and be an occasion of turning thy blessing into curssing but that so manie as thou hast committed to my charge may eschew all vice imbrace all vertue liue in thy feare call vpon thy holie name learne thy blessed commandements heare thy holie word and auoiding idlenes diligentlie exercise themselues euerie one in his office according to their vocation and calling vnto the glorie of thy most honorable name Amen Another praier of dames or mistresses O Lord God almightie our heauenlie father and most merciful Lord thou art my life my soule and my bodie yea all the good which I haue and all whatsoeuer is mine al that thou hast giuen vnto me of thee
God vntill thou which dwellest in the heauens haue mercie vpon me and the eies of thy hand-maid attend and looke diligentlie vnto the hand of hir mistresse that my soule be neuer filled with the scornfull reproofe of the wealthie nor with the despitefulnes of the proud Make me true both in word and deed vnto those whom I serue and with all possible care and industrie to declare my fidelitie and obedience by my faithfull painfull and trustie seruice and by preferring still their busines to mine owne necessitie Make thou me godlie religious and holilie giuen to all vertuous exercises Giue me grace to praie often and hartilie for my master and mistresse their children friends and all their familie and for the whole Church And let thy holie feare be alwaies before mine eies to shunne and auoid all occasion of sinne and offence both in my selfe and others that I may be worthilie accompted in the number of those godlie seruants and maids on whom thou hast promised to powre thy holie spirit and that thou also my souereigne Lord and master maist testifie for my righteous and faithfull seruice by blessing my labours and rewarding mine industrie and diligence as thou didst all the godlie seruants and hand-maids in the old time and thereby giue me ample occasion to laud and praise thee all the daies of my life Finallie whatsoeuer I shall go about to doo doo thou vouchsafe to blesse me O God let it both be begun continued and ended in thee and also tend euermore to the glorie of thy name the wealth of my master and mistresse the full discharge of my dutie and the increase of my faith and blessing in thee euer for Iesus Christs sake thy sonne and my sauiour who being verie God equall with thee laid aside his glorie and being Lord of all made himselfe of no reputation and tooke on him the forme of a seruant willinglie to submit himselfe to the most shamefull death of the crosse for our redemption to whom therfore with thee and the holie ghost three persons and one God be all honour praise power rule and dominion for euer and euer Amen The poore widowes mite conteining seuen meditations or praiers in meeter for the obteining of Gods mercie and the forgiuenes of sin against desperation to be said or soongâ— gathered by William Hunnis one of the Gentlemen of hir Highnes Chappell and maister to the children of the same AH helples wretch what shall I doo or which way shall I run The earth be wraies heauen records the sins that I haue doâ—â— The gates of hell wide open stand for to receiue me in And fearefull fâ—ends all readie be to torment me for sin Alas where shall I succour finde The earth doth me denie And to the sacred heauens aboue I dare not lift mine eie If heauen and earth shall witnes be against my soule for sin Untimelie birth alas for me much better then had bin And now despaire approcheth fast with bloudie murthering knife And willeth me to end my gréefes by shortning of my life Shall I despaire Thou God forbid for mercie more is thine Than if the sins of all the world were linked now with mine Despise not then most louing Lord the image of thy face Which thou hast wrought and déerelie bought with goodnes of thy grace And since the bloodie price is paid and bitter paines all past Receiue my plaints accept my spirit and mercie grant at last So shall my soule reioice and still for mercie crie Peccaui peccaui miserere mei The second meditation THou God that rulst reignst in light that flesh can not attain Thou God that knowst the thoghts of men are altogither vain Thou God which neither tongue of man nor angell can expresse Thou God it is that I doo séeke thou pitie my distresse Thy seate O God is euerie-where thy power all powers extend Thy wisedome cannot measured be for that it hath no end Thou art the power and wisedome too and sole felicitie But I a lumpe of sinfull flesh nursse of iniquitie Thou art by nature mercifull and mercie is thy name And I by nature miserable and thrall of sin and shame Then let thy nature O good God now worke his force in me And cleanse this nature of my sin and heale my miserie One depth good Lord another craues my depth of sinfull crime Requires thy depth of mercie great for sauing health in time Swéet Christ grant y â— the deapth of grace may swallow vp my sin That I thereby may whiter be than euer snowe hath bin So shall my soule reioice and still for mercie crie Peccaui peccaui miserere mei The third meditation BEfore thy face and in thy sight haue I deuoid of shame O Lord transgressed willinglie I doo confesse the same Yet was I loth that men should knowe or vnderstand my fall Thus feard I man much more than thée thou righteous iudge of all So blind was I and ignorant yea rather wilfull blind That suckt the combe and knew the Bée had left hir sting behind My sins O God to thée are knowne there is no secret place Where I may hide my selfe or them from presence of thy face Where shall I then my selfe bestowe Or who shall me defend None is so louing as my God thy mercies haue none end In déed I grant and doo confesse my sins so heinous be As mercie none at all deserues but yet thy propertie Is alwaie to be mercifull to sinners in distres By which thou wilt declare and shew thy great almightines Haue mercie Lord on me therefore for thy great mercies sake Which camst not righteous men to call but sinners part to take So shall my soule reioice and still for mercie crie Peccaui peccaui miserere mei The fourth meditation MOst gratious God doo not behold the number of my sin Nor yet consider with thy selfe how wicked I haue bin But rather thinke I am but dust or as the withered haie Which flourisheth to daie in féeld to morrowe shorne awaie My flesh rebels against the spirit my spirit too weake is found By sin conceiued in mothers wombe my soule first caught hir wound My flesh is fraile too weak vain to do the thing I should And what I would not that doo I contrarie that I would Thou séest O Lord how weake I am not able for to stand Without the succour helpe and aid of thy most mightie hand And what is he that will not staie the man thats like to fall Or will refuse the sicke to helpe for helpe when he doth call If thou wilt laie vnto my charge the burden of my sin O Lord the conquest is but small that thou thereby shalt win For why thy glorie and thy praise in mercie doth consist Unto the which I yéeld my selfe to doo with what thou list My soule shall trust in thée and still for mercie crie Peccaui peccaui miserere mei The fift meditation IF I demand what mercie is thou
of our spot corruption of our frailtie deadlie fall and most readie inclination to all wickednes and to crie continuallie vnto thee to attaine such strength of thine heauenlie grace through the working power of thine holie spirit that the sleights of satan may be preuented we inwardlie purged of all bitternes fiercenes lightnes inconstancie idlenes pride stoutnes and of all impuritie and wickednes and to liue in our calling with meeknes mildnes peace humblenes quietnes exercising all maner of puritie clennes sobernes godlines and holines as becommeth vnfeigned professors and the true daughters of holie Sara following hir example in all obedience and well dooing to thine honour and glorie and our eternall saluation through Iesus Christ thy sonne our euerlasting Sauiour who liueth and reigneth with thee and the holie ghost in all honour and glorie worlds without end Amen A praier to be said of all deuout women for the light of ladie Vertues lampe and recouerie of hir frends and hand-maids grace repentance faith hope and saluation lost and for the ransoming of their soules from the captiuitie of sinne O Most mightie God and heauenlie king vouchsafe to haue respect vnto vs miserable women which are so wrapped in wretchednes in this world that we are altogither vnworthie to be comprehended within the compasse of thy compassion O Lord of all flesh if it be lawfull for vs disobedient seruants to charge thee our beneficiall Lord and master with thy freendlie vndeserued promises behold then we thy hatefull hand-maids craue that thou haue no pleasure nor delight in the death of vs filthie sinners Thou art the same God thou wert when thou didst redeeme vs with the pretious sanguin oile of thy deere sonne thy grace is yet as great thy goodnes no lesse glorious thy power is inuincible thy diuine Deitie not diminished thy bountie nothing abated and that which must be our onelie helpe thy mercies as much manifold It pleased thy maiestic to send messengers into the world that they might encounter with the seruants of satan namelie thy grace ladie vertues pilote to encounter with vaine desires repetance to banish sinne ladie vertue with hir freends faith and hope to driue awaie the dread of death and desperation and finallie saluation to preuent the force of the hellish furies But alas thou seest O Lord how fraillie we haue dealt with thee with thy messengers thou knowest likewise that we haue not beene in readines willinglie to receiue or accept the light of ladie vertues lampe when it shined vpon vs to guid vs in the waie to euerlasting life but haue too retchleslie extinguished it with worldlie vanities and wilfullie shadowed it with our sinnes whereby we haue fallen from vertue not she by vs but we by wanting hir doo vade faith not by vs but we with want of faith doo faint hope not by vs but we with want of heauenlie hope doo halt they of themselues are strong but we without them are weaker than weaknes it selfe Recouer vs in them O God that we who now shame to shew our selues in thy presence may find through Christ some occasion of countenance when we come with our lamps of pure faith cleerlie burning in our hands to meete the bridegrome and implore thy fauourable sentence in the great iudgement daie of thy comming O vouchsafe yet once againe to extend thy manifold mercies for ransoming our soules from the captiuitie of sinne We without thine aid are miserable we without thy fauourable regard are more than miserable and woorse than woorst wretched Suffer not the works of thine hands which thou hast ordeined for the increase multiplieng of thy kingdome to be flames of infernall fire and to burne in the gulfe of horrible hell as we iustlie haue deserned for so be astlie abusing our selues and the gifts of nature and grace which thou hast giuen vnto vs. It is thy power not our priuiledge it is thy grace not our goodnes it is thy mercie not our merits that must stand vs in steed To vse circumstances in our sute O God what auaileth it Thou knowest our desire before we demand thou knowest our want before we wish thou knowest what we need before we aske thou knowest our sute before we seeke O vouchsafe therefore to supplie what we sue for heare vs and helpe vs make vs worthie to attaine vnto that freedome which we haue forsaken let thy mercie preserue that which thy power hath made and wisedome beautified Thy glorie O God shall be thine if anie benefite be ours thou knowest our necessitie and we hope thou dooest pitie our miserie Yet bicause it pleaseth thee to be praied vnto we therefore come vnto thee humblie in spirit though fraile in flesh It is thou not our sâ—lues that must make the flesh agreeable to the spirit It is thou not our selues that must ouer-rule our nature with thy grace our lusts with thy loue our soules with reason And although thou knowest how to bring it to passe better than can be surmised in our thoughts we craue yet Lord that thou wilt graffe in vs thy grace make vs readie to repentance let the light of ladie vertues lampe shine still on vs to guid vs in the waie to euerlasting happines Uouchsafe also to haue fauourable regard vnto those on whom the light of hir lampe hath shined and that such on whom it hath not shined may be at thy will and pleasure vnshadowed Grant I saie that wheresoeuer shee curteouslie offereth the vse of hir lightned lampe it may be freendlie accepted both in court and countrie Let manie buie it but mo vse it let manie craue it but mo hold it and when they haue it let them not shadowe or extinguish it with worldlie vanities nor quench it with the water of sinne and when they receiue it let them be in readines both to vse and preserue it with all diligence willingnes Finallie grant that all may mainteine the light thereof not onelie during their naturall liues but after to all posteritie at the disposition of thy diuine power and prouidence Moreouer frame in vs a fixed faith to the fort of thy felicitie Let hope haue onelie respect to saluation that we may supplie the place thou hast prepared for the wise virgins Let thy diuine power direct the discontinuing of our soules captiuitie Let thy pitie be prest to make thy mercie mitigate our miserie Let thy grace guide vs and thy mercie O God obteine freedome for vs that our lamps beeing replenished with the oile of thy merits we may walke in the light thereof with hartie hope to the gates of heauen now wide open to meete the great King and all the mightie multitude of angels who with vnspeakeable glorie shall come readie to receiue vs most royallie and intirelie to entertaine and accompanie vs to the celestiall palace and paradise of all pleasure there with all the holie companie of Angels Archangels Powers Patriarchs Prophets Apostles Martyrs Confessors Uirgins yea
holie ghost be all glorie and praise euerlastinglie Amen A praier for the Euening when you go to rest O Most gratious Lord and mercifull Father I thy sinfull creature and most vnworthie hand-maid prostrate in my hart before thine high maiestie most humblie beseech thee of mercie and forgiuenes of all my sinnes iniquities that I haue this day committed against thee yea and euer sith the time that I was conceiued in my mothers wombe vnto this present instant and most hartilie I thanke thee that thou hast preserued me hitherto from all such offences as I haue not fallen in and whereinto anie other person through his owne fault and thy sufferance hath fallen into the which I also without doubt should haue fallen hadst not thou with thy grace preuented me saued me supported me and susteined me That I haue fallen manie waies my great fault and blame it is for the which in most humble wise I aske mercy and forgiuenes of thee That thou hast preserued me thy great goodnes mercie and grace it is for the which with all my hart I thanke thee And now I beseech thee most mercifull father that thou wilt no more be angrie with me neither hencefoorth forsake me but that thou wilt continuallie not onelie assist fortifie and strengthen me against the assalts of the diuel but also be my succour and defence in this night and alwaies to my liues end against all sinne iniquitie And that thou wilt vouchsafe also of thine abundant bountifulnes if it be thy will to refresh my brittle bodie so with conuenient rest this night that I may the more readilie freshlie and promptlie with all diligence serue thee to morow according to that state that thou hast set me and called me vnto so that all my life may please thee and through thine assistance be so ordered and gouerned that after this vaine and transitorie life I may attaine the life euerlasting through Iesus Christ our Lord So be it Or else praie thus before you go to bed O Lord Iesus Christ whose bottomlesse goodnesse we haue to thanke for all things who hast giuen the most cleere light of the daie time as well to the good as to the euill to go about such affaires and busines as we haue to doo and hast mercifullie giuen the louelie silence of the night for the strength of our weake and feeble bodies to be refreshed with lieng at rest and to put awaie the carefulnes of our minds and for the asswaging of our harts sorrowes whereas to all them that loue thee thou thy selfe doest much better accomplish and performe all those things within in the hart to whom towards all dueties and acts of godlie conuersation thou doest for their faith sake much more cleerelie shew the lampe of thy light than the sunne shineth bright vnto the world and whom thy promises doo not suffer at anie time to waxe weerie the comfort and consolation of thy spirit doth much more effectuallie wash awaie all heauines of hart than doth the sleepe of the bodie so that the whole man doth not in anie more safelie or more sweetlie repose him selfe than in thy mercie our most gratious Redeemer I beseech thee that whatsoeuer I haue this daie committed or done through humane frailtie and negligence that hath offended thine eies thou according to thine accustomed goodnes forgiue it me And also grant thou that this night to come thou prospering it may be luckie vnto me thou being my keeper it may be pure and thou being my defender it may be safe from all mightie illusions of the wicked spirits so that this rest sleepe which I shall now take may restore both my bodie and my soule more fresh and lustie against to morrowe to ferue thee in the perfect obedience of a Christian woman And forasmuch as this life hath not so much as anie one houre of assurance vnto vs when the euentide thereof shall come and the sleepe of this bodie and flesh shall grow vpon vs out of the which we shall not awake vntil such time as at the angels trumpet euen the dead also shall be raised I beseech thee that thou wilt at that time lighten the eies of my soule so that the lampe of my faith may not then be extinguished with the fiue foolish virgins and I sleepe in euerlasting death but contrariwise with the fiue wise virgins hauing my lampe of pure faith cleerlie burning I may be accepted and peaceablie rest in thee vnto whom euen the dead doo liue which liuest and reignest with God the father and the holie ghost for euer and euer world without end Amen Our Father which art c. Into thy hands O Lord I commit my spirit for thou hast redeemed me O Lord thou God of truth Unto him that is able to keepe vs that we fall not and to present vs faultles before the presence of his glorie with ioie that is to God onelie wise our Sauiour be all glorie and maiestie dominion and power praise and thanksgiuing both now and for euer Amen Amen A Table conteining the seuerall titles of euerie particular praier comprised in this fift Lampe whereby the reader may readilie vnderstand the right vse of the same and applie them accordinglie A Praier for silence shamefastnes and chastitie Page 1. A praier to be said of single women against all euill behauiour vice and vanitie and for the obteining of modestie chastitie and all maidenlie vertues 2. Another of the same 5. Another 6. For the grace of Gods holie spirit to resist all sinfull motions and keepe pure the state of single life 7. Another praier in the behalfe of all Virgins or single women for the keeping of obedience modestie chastitie puritie and cleannesse of liuing 9. Another praier to the same effect 10. A praier to be said for all virgins and maids generallie 11. A lamentation of anie woman virgin wife or widowe for hir virginitie or chastitie lost by fornication or adulterie not vnapt also to be vsed of anie Christian sinner or sinfull soule adulterated and fallen awaie by sinne from hir spirituall spouse Christ Iesus diuided into sixe seuerall Chapters 13 15 18 20 23 24. Another lamentation of a woman that hath lost hir virginitie and chastitie or of a Christian soule polluted with sinne 26. A praier of Marie Magdalens repentance 32. Another praier of the woman taken in adulterie 33. A praier to be said of anie damsell daughter or maiden-child 34. Another verie necessarie praier to be said of anie daughter or maiden-child 35. A praier to be said of a daughter in lawe that is married 40. Another praier to be vsed of a daughter in lawe 43. A praier to be said of anie woman when she is wooed of anie man to be his wife 46. Another praier to be vsed of anie woman before the solemnisation of hir marriage 48. Another praier to be vsed of the man or woman a little before they be married 49. Another meditation and praier
deere sonne Iesu Christs sake I saie haue compassion vpon a wretch that calleth vpon thee in his name and vouchsafe now yet at the length to shew some good token of thy fauour and mercie vpon me and that for my good and speedie deliuerance that they which hate me may be ashamed they that loue me be comforted and praise thee togither with me because thou O Lord hast had mercie on me and holpen me and sent me a speedie deliuerance of this burden and made me a ioifull and glad mother of this child to thy glorie So shall my soule magnifie thee O Lord and my spirit shall euer reioice in thee O God my Sauioue yea so shall I be ioifull in thy saluation and I will not cease to celebrate thy name among the saints and sing vnto thee the sugred songs of Sion to the perpetuall praise of thy renowmed name and erernall glorie of thy most sacred maiestie world without end Amen Amen Praiers and thanks-giuings to be vsed of women in child-bed after their trauell and deliuerance and at their churching or purifieng as they call it O My Lord God I thanke thee with all my heart wit vnderstanding and power for that thou hast vouchsafed to deliuer mee out of this my most dangerous trauell and hast sent into this world out of my wofull wombe this child a creature of thine owne fashioning forming and shape like vnto the rest of the children of thy creation for which I am not able worthilie inough of mine owne fraile nature to giue to thee condigne thanks praise honour and glorie for thy so great benefits shewed vnto me in pulling me out from the pit-brinke of death easing and releeuing all my wofull sorrowes labours pangs and most greeuous throwes bitter anguishes vnspeakeable paines which I could neuer haue escaped without out thy most singular aid helpe releefe and succour Wherefore I thy most humble hand-maid with stedfast and pure hart and hands doo powre out before thee my Lord God and onlie sauiour these my simple praiers of thanks-giuing the fruit of my faith hope trust charitie and assured confidence which I haue in thee assertaining my selfe that now thou hast preserued me for a further triall of my vocation and seruice towards thee in this vale of transitorie life wherin I may haue time by thy diuine permission and sufferance to direct all my steps in thy waies and to honour and glorifie thee in my soule and bodie with condigne thanks in reioising in thy holie name according to thy most blessed word wherein thou hast declared that a woman as long as she is in trauell of hir child-bearing she is sorrowfull heauie and full of anguish and intollerable paines but as soone as the child is borne she learneth straight-waies to forget all hir paines not remembring them anie longer and to reioice for that she hath brought foorth a child into the world Euen so O Lord fareth it with me thy poore humble and obedient seruant now reioising in that it hath pleased thee to make me a glad mother in bringing foorth this my child whome now I doo present before the face of thy diuine Maiestie with an earnest zeale of a godlie spirit and most pure affection praieng and beseeching thee O euerlasting God heere to preserue this child according to thy most holie will that it may enioie the benefit of all thy heauenlie sacraments to loue and serue thee in purenes of life as a faithfull member of the christian congregation wherein thy name by it may be glorified honoured and praised world without end Amen Another praier and thanks-giuing to be said of euerie faithfull woman in child-bed after the time of hir deliuerance vsed of the vertuous Ladie Francis Aburgauennie HOW much and how greatlie am I bound to laud praise and extoll thee O my Lord God Euen now was I assailed in my bodie being a wretched and sinfull woman with sundrie and diuers dolours and greeuous gripes of perillous pains in such sort that my agonies abounding death himselfe seemed to me to knocke at the gates of my bodie the rod of iustice laie so heauie vpon me so that I iudged my selfe a creature more meet for the graue whose clamour I thought still sounded in mine eares than to reape the benefit of life By my paines Lord God in this my trauell I am forced to confesse and acknowledge that thou art iust in thy promises and readie to punish sin and iniquitie By this my safe and sure deliuerance I am bound to acknowledge that with thy iustice thou alwaies frequeatest pitie commixing thy mercie and iustice togither in such sort that I must needs confesse thee to be most righteous and mercifull I can not O my God but protest that thou hast dealt fauourablie with me and those paines which I abode were laid vpon me for my sin and wickednes and yet hast thou not dealt seuerelie with me neither giuen sentence against me in thy furie which haue iustlie deserued the same For hadst thou O Lord respected my deserts I had perished euerlastinglie and beeue vtterlie confounded My greeuous groanes throwne foorth vnto thee pearsed the verie bowels of thine annointed sonne Iesus Christ who beholding mine agonies and bitter paines became an intercessor to thee for me through whose earnest intreatie and louing meditation thou conuertedst thy displeasure to mercie and for his sake alone that died vpon the crosse for mine offences thou hast asswaged my torments and in the fulnes of thy bountie and louing kindnes thou hast giuen me a liuing soule to glad my hart for the which I am bound of right to giue thee hartie and humble thanks humblie beseeching thee being now faint and feeble in bodie to strengthen me in soule mind and hart that my tongue may be the organe that may continuallie publish foorth thine euerlasting praise Grant this O gratious God for the loue of thine onlie begotten Sonne Iesus Christ to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be giuen all laud power and dominion for euer and euer Amen Another praier of a woman in child-bed after deliuerance OF dutie O Lord I lift vp mine eies and mind vnto thee and giue thee most humble and hartie thanks for thine infinite goodnes which hast not onelie beautified and blessed me most abundantlie with common rare and woonderfull gifts and benefites but euen now also hast vouchsafed of thy free mercie to send me safe deliuerance and to giue me this infant and child as a token of thy loue towards me the which so great a treasure and blessing though I be not able to deserue yet most louing father for Christs sake I beseech thee that thou wilt confirme thy fauour more and more towards me And take this infant into thy tuition defence whom I offer present vnto thee with hartie praier and neuer suffer him to fall into such vnkindnes wherby he should loose the force of thy grace but that he may perceiue thee continuallie to be
his mercifull Father through thine holie spirit working in his hart by whose diuine power he may so preuaile against Satan that in the end obteining the victorie he may be exalted vnto the libertie of thy kingdome Amen Heere you may saie or sing to the glorie of God and your owne edifieng the 103. the 30. and the 116. Psalmes of Dauid A praier to be vsed of a woman at hir purification or Churching O Eternall father of thine onlie sonne our Lord and sauiour Christ which in the common-weale of Israel ordeinedst according to thy wisedome adornedst with excellent statutes necessarie for the state of man-kind and signifieng secret and heauenlie things didst make diuers lawes concerning vncleannes and the keeping of women with child and an other for the first borne and that not onelie to put vs in mind of order in this life and thankfulnes towards thy Maiestie but also to teach that this our giltie and polluted nature like the fowle menstruous cloth of a woman is washed by the blood of thy sonne which is the first borne thy substantiall image and the word sounding thy will whom from the heauens thou commandest to be harkened vnto Gouerne me by thy first and onlie begotten sonne and giue vnto me thy most defiled amd polluted hand-maid thy holie spirit that earnestlie I may bewaile mine vnworthines vilenes and vncleannes aske helpe at thy mercifull hands be this day purified both bodie and soule by the blood of thy Sonne and be redeemed by him vnto true pietie holines and inâ—egritie which pleaseth thee that through him I may be presented vnto thee with a pure and cleare mind and for his sake I may be adopted into thy children find fauour in thine eies Amen Or you may giue thanks and praie as in the booke of common praier and saie to your selfe or with the Minister as followeth FOr-as-much as it hath pleased thee O almightie God of thy goodnes to giue me safe deliuerance and hast preserued mee in the great danger of child-birth I therefore heere in the Church and congregation giue hartie thanks vnto thee O God and saie Psalme 121. I Haue lifted vp mine eies vnto the hils from whence commeth my helpe My helpe commeth euen from the Lord which hath made heauen and earth He will not suffer my foote to be mooued and he that keepeth me will not sleepe Behold he that keepeth Israell shall neither slumber nor sleepe The Lord himselfe is my keeper the Lord is my defence vpon my right hand So that the sun shall not burne me by day nor the moone by night The Lord shall preserue me from all euill yea it is euen he that shall keepe my soule The Lord shall preserue my going out and my comming in from this time foorth for euermore Glorie be to the father c. As it was in the beginning c. Let vs praie Lord haue mercie vpon me Christ haue mercie vpon me Lord haue mercie vpon me Our father which art in heauen c. O Lord saue me thy sinfull seruant which put my trust in thee Be thou vnto me a strong tower from the face of mine enimie Lord heare my praier and let my crie come vnto thee Let vs praie O Almightie God which hast deliuered me thy most vnwoorthie handmaid and sinfull seruant from the great paine perill of child-birth I hartilie thanke thee and humblie praise thy holie name for euer and euer Grant me now also I beseech thee most mercifull father that I through thy helpe may both faithfullie liue and walke in my vocation according to thy will in this life present and also may be partaker of euerlasting glorie in the life to come through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Praiers to be said for women with child before or in trauell by the Mid-wife husband or anie other man or woman THou O Lord art woonderfull in all thy works and whatsoeuer thy good pleasure is that dooest thou easilie bring to passe neither is there anie thing impossible with thee that thou wilt haue done And albeit this thine almightie power sheweth it selfe abundantly in all thy works yet in the conceiuing forming and bringing foorth of man it shineth most euidentlie At the beginning O heauenlie Father when thou hadst made man and woman thou commandedst them to increase multiplie and replenish the earth if through the subtill entisements of Satan they had not transgressed thy commandements by eating of the forbidden fruit the woman whom thou hadst appointed the organe instrument and vessell to conceiue nourish and bring foorth man through thy woonderfull workmanship had without anie labour paine or trauell brought foorth hir fruit But that which thy goodnes made easie sinne and disobedience hath made hard painfull dangerous and if thy helpe were not impossible to be brought to passe so that now all women bring foorth their children in great sorrowes paines and troubles Notwithstanding thou shewest thy selfe vnto thy creatures a father of mercie and God of all consolation For that which through their owne imperfection and feeblenes they are not able of themselues to bring to passe thou thorough thine vnspeakable power makest easie in them and bringest vnto a fortunate end Wee therefore being fullie persuaded of thy bent and readie goodnes of thy present helpe of thy sweete comfort in all miseries and necessities knowing also by the testimonies of thy holy word how great and intollerable the pains of women are that trauell of child if through thy tender mercies they be not mitigated and eased most humblie praie thee for Iesu Christs sake thy sonne and our Lord to assist and helpe as all other women else-where in like case so especiallie this thy seruant S. B. here now in trauell labour that by thine almighty power both they she may safely bring foorth that by thy goodnes they or she hath conceiued and that thy louing kindnes may make that easie and tollerable which sinne hath made hard and painfull Ease O Lord the paines which thou most righteouslie hast put vpon hir and all women for the sinne and disobedience of our grand-moother Eue in whome all we haue sinned and giue both vnto thy seruant here present and vnto all such as haue conceiued and be with child strength to bring foorth that which thou woonderfullie hast wrought in hir and them Be present now with hir them in their trouble according to thy mercifull promise helpe hir and them and deliuer them Let thy power be shewed no lesse in the safe bringing foorth than in the woonderfull framing or fashioning of the child Make perfect that which thou hast so gratiouslie begun in hir them so that it may come vnto good succes Make hir and them glad and ioifull mothers that she and they through thy goodnes being safelie deliuered and restored to their old health and strengths may liue and praise thy blessed name for euer Amen Another praier for a woman with child IN the beginning of the world