other plea I trust in them alwayes without wearines therfore I beseech thee grant mee mercifull audience Mercifully heare mee O Lord mercifully heare me O Lord God First I extoll thy infinite goodnesse and mercy together with thine eternall wisedome and truth that thou hast protected me all this night past and made me to rest and sleep so quietly and securely vnder the shadow of thy wings And I beseech thee from the bottome of my heart to protect me this day with thy mighty hand from all dangers both of body and soule Giue thy holy Angels charge ouer mee to keepe mee in all my wayes driue away from mee the euill angell and deadly enemie remooue all offences of this world Mortifie and kill in me all carnall lustes vnlawfull pleasures and euill affections that they may haue no dominion or raigne in my mortall body giue me a contrite heart to bewaile my former life and let me find comfort in thy mercy for the remission of my sinnes Sanctifie me O holy Father this holy day with thine especiall grace that I may honour thee as a Creator loue thee as a redeemer expect thee as a Sauiour and that I may haue modest cariage in my behauiour true deuotion in my Prayers and reuerent attention to heare thy sacred word and so vnlocke the eares of mine vnderstanding that I may obserue learne and imbrace such things as are necessary for mee to the better confirmation of my faith in Christ Iesus and the saluation of my soule by his blood Rayse mee O Father by the power of thy sonnes resurrection from sinne and iniquitie and giue me spirituall rest in the communion of Saints that hereafter when I shal leaue this world I may keepe the euerlasting Sabbath with thee in the Kingdom of Heauen Behold O Lord I knock at the doore of thy mercy for all these graces with all the powers of my strength soule and mind beseeching thee to continue vnto mee the right vse of all the powers and faculties of the same and to send thy holy Spirit to beare witnesse to my Spirit that I am thy child and shall be heire of thy Kingdome with Christ Iesus our Lord and through his merits for whose sake I beseech thee to grant all those things all that I haue prayed for Amen Noone A prayer for the Ministers of the Word O Lord Iesus which hast coÌ„manded vs to pray for labourers to the Haruest we beseech thee send painefull Ministers into thy Church Endue them with such wisedome and speech as the aduersaries may not be able to gaine-say Open vnto them the doore of doctrine giue them the spirit of boldnesse that they may faithfully dispense thy Mysteries and speake thy Word freely Take away all contentions and differences from among them Make them examples to those that beleeue in soundnesse of Doctrine and purenesse of life And because the rule of our life depends vpon thy word in their mouthes blesse them with all graces fit for their calling that wee may giue thankes vnto thee and praise thy Name for euermore Amen Sunday Euening Prayer Gen. 18. 27. 30. Behold I haue taken vpon mee to speake vnto my Lord. Oh let not my Lord be angry and I will speake OH eternall God and merciful Father from the bottome of my heart I giue thee continuall thanks that of thy mercy thou hast nourished mee preserued me by thy power gouerned me by thy word and holy Spirit this day all this weeke yea at all other times of my life hitherto and I most humbly beseech thee in the merits of Christ Iesus my Sauiour not to respect mine vnworthines but to couer bury all my misdeeds in his graue which I haue either wittingly or ignorantly done especially O Lord those which in this weeke past I haue committed in thought word and deed against thy Diuine Maiestie Water ô Lord the seed â—f thy holy word which I â—aue receyued this day â—ith the dew of thy grace â—hat with sound iudgeâ—ent and godly deuotion â—may put in practise such â—hings as I know to be â—leasing to thy diuine Maâ—estie and that my heart â—eing alwayes obedient to â—hy Commandements â—he feare of mine enemies â—aken away from mee I â—ay passe my time in â—eace holines through â—hy gracious protection Be mercifull vnto me â—O Lord forgiue the euill â—hat I haue committed supply the good which I haue omitted restore what I haue lost heale my sores clense my filthinesse lighten my darkenesse and alter the whole state of my minde that nothing may be wanting to good purposes in mee O LORD stretch out thy hand ouer me and of thy wonted goodnesse defend me this night from all euill keepe me from fearful wicked dreams vnprofitable cares vaine cogitations and outward violence preserue my body from eternall death reserue my soule from euerlasting damnation Compasse me about on euery side with thy grace inwardly and outwardly that when I shall eyther take care for things of this life or carefully seeke for those things which appertaine vnto the Kingdome of Heauen I may heare the voyce of thy holy spirit sounding in my heart from the mouth of the Apostle My God shall fulfill all your necesstties through his riches with glory in Iesus Christ Grant O Lord these and all other graces meete for me euen for Iesus Christs sake my onely Lord and Sauiour In whose Name I further pray vnto thee saying that Prayer which thy Sonne in his Gospel hath taught vs Our Father which art in Heauen c. Munday Morning prayer Blessed be God which hath not turned away my prayer nor his mercy from me O Heauenly Father and Almightie God which beyond all measure hast vnlocked the treasures of thy fauour and blessing vnto mee from time to time I most heartily thanke thee forthe sweet sleepe and comfortable rest which I haue taken this night through thy gracious preseruation of me and now O Lord I consecrate my soule and body to thy seruice this day againe and euer hereafter desiring that my prayer earely now this Morning may haue accesse vnto thee O Lord I pray thee blesse preserue and keepe me this day by thy power from sinne shame and all euill and so direct mee with thy grace that all my thoughts words works may please thee Stand I beseech thee between me and mine enemies bodily and ghostly And as thou hast now raised vp my body from a sound and heauie sleepe so deliuer my soule from the dead sleepe of sinne and the darkenes of this world Helpe O Lord the creature which dependeth vpon thy prouidence only Further my businesse that I may truly walke without sinne and safely worke without danger in that vocation whereunto thou hast called me in this life O Lord Iesus haue mercy vpon me miserable sinner pardon and forgiue mee all my sinnes negligences and ignorances Remember not mine obstinacies and haue compassion vpon mine infirmities Set thy
night at hand Blesse me I beseech thee this night and take mee into thy custodie saue me waking keepe me sleeping that I may both sleep and wake in peace and safetie Prepare me O Lord for the day following the holy sabbath the hallowed day of thy rest and my great dutie and then so vnlocke the mysteryes of thy holy word vnto mee that I may therein learne the lessons of thy glorious Maiestie and mine owne mortalitie Graunt me ô Lord such grace as I may make a right vse of all things and that the hearing of thy word the good examples of thy seruants agreeing with the rule of thy word may bee both as a bridle to restraine me from sin and a spurre to set me forward to all holinesse of life and conuersation in this world O Lord grant mee these all other good things euen for Iesus Christs sake my onely Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer for the Morning O Lord God most mightie mercifull Father I vnworthy creature acknowledge mine owne vilenes naturall corruption and abhominable sinnes many times committed against thee I beseech thee admit mee to render thee my bounden thankes for thy manifold mercies extended towards me this night past and all other times of my life for my rest and sleep my food and rayment my health peace and liberty and the hope of a better life in the merites of thy Sonnes bitter passion Now deare Father I beseech thee to continue thy mercifull fauour vnto me this day and euer hereafter Forgiue me all mine vnthankfulnes vnkindnes and prophanenes towards thee thy word and seruice or towards my Neighbour Set all my sinnes ouer to that reckoning which thy Sonne Iesus Christ my Lord hath made vp for them vpon his Crosse neuer lay any of them to my charge but freely forgiue and forget all O Lord strike my heart with thy rod that I may alway be furnished for a true and vnfained repentance that I may not be blinded in my sinnes to delight in them or to think that thou wilt not respect my vntowardnesse but that I may be weary of them grieue for them and by all means possible striue to attaine to a true mortification of the flesh and so liue holily and iustly and soberly in this present world O good God I humbly intreat thee leaue me not to my selfe mine owne lusts and desires but assist mee with thy grace to hearken vnto thee and thy word to passe my time in feare and trembling as an obedient childe of so good a Father Blesse me Lord this day and prosper all that I shall take in hand let mee haue all my directions from thy will and the successe from thy mercifull hand Giue mee a competent stay for the maintenance of this mortall life Continue may food and rayment health peace and liberty that I may with a quite minde thankefull heart passe my time in this vale of miserie doing good to all men after mine abilitie without disgrace to my selfe or harme to any one Grant these good things most mercifull God and all other needefull graces not onely vnto me but vnto all thy deere children in the world to the good of our soules and bodies for Iesus Christs sake in whose name I further call vpon thee as he hath taught vs in his Gospell saying Our Father which art in Heauen c. A Prayer for the Euening O Eternall GOD and most mercifull Father I doe confesse against my selfe that my heart and hands are full of all filthines and sinnes whatsoeuer and I am altogether vnworthy to speake vnto thee or to come neere thy presence Neuerthelesse beeing so much bound vnto thee as this day past and all other times of my life doe witnesse I offer vnto thy holines by the hands of Iesus Christ my Mediator my humble dutie of praise and thanksgiuing for my creation election redemption vocation and sanctification with all other good graces appertaining to this life or that which is to come And namely ô Lord my tongue and lippes shall glorifie thee sitting aboue the Cherubins for preseruing me this day past from so many miseries and casualties whereinto I might iustly haue fallen if thou wouldest haue entred into iudgement with mee But Lord thou art mercifull passest by my offences to winne me by thy long sufferance I beseech thee make mee thankfull for all thy mercies O Lord pardon and forgiue mee all my sinnes graunt me euery day more and more the sight and feeling of them with heartie sorrow and vnfained repentance for the same Giue mee grace to belieue all the sweet promises that thou hast made vnto mee in Christ Iesus both for the remission thereof and the hope of a better life strengthen me from aboue with thy mighty hand to walke in euery good way without feare and to bring forth the fruits of a true liuely faith in my life and conuersation all the dayes of my life Arme me O Lord with thy grace and holy spirit against all the common corruptions of the world the temptations of the Diuell and the allurements of the flesh and settle my minde to the continuall exercise of deuout prayer with the hearing of thy sacred word watching for thy comming both publike and priuate Continue thy goodnesse towards mee in prouiding for mee such things as are necessarie for the maintenance of this present life and blesse the same vnder my hand that the little which I haue may be increased and the increase may serue as well to furnish my necessarie vses as to minister vnto the necessities of others according to mine abilitie Keepe mee Lord this night from all euils which may happen either vnto my body or my soule Extend thy goodnesse toward all those that depend vpon me or I on them Giue me quiet sleepe and rest and when I shall awake let all my thoughts and cogitations be holy meditations on thee and thy law Blesse me O Lord all the nights and dayes of my life and at the end thereof send me a blessed departure and afterward a ioyfull resurrection vnto life eternall Graunt me these good things most mercifull father and all other needfull graces for Iesus Christs sake in whose name I further call vpon thee as hee hath taught vs in his Gospell saying Our Father c. Short Prayers for Morning and Euening by I. F. 1581. A short Prayer for the Morning GOD of Light who hast preserued mee and brought mee from the darkenesse of this night shine into my heart this day and euer by thy blessed and holy spirit that I may be enlightened and ledde into all Truth that I may walke faithfully as the childe of light before thee casting away the workes of darknesse in the place that thou hast set me doing and performing diligently those things that thou hast required of me either to the praise of thy name or to the comfort of my Brethren Graunt this good Lord I humbly beseech thee for Iesus Christs
Citie and place wherein we liue remoue the punishments due for the sinnes thereof and giue them grace with Niniue to repent in time lest they be destroyed Blesse all our friendes kinsfolkes and others for whom thy will is that wee should pray Strengthen them that suffer for thy cause and send them the Comforts of thy Spirit Comfort them that lye in anguish of conscience for remorse of sinne and conuert them that goe astray and teach vs by their example to see our owne weakenesse and to looke better to our wayes Blesse this Familie with grace and peace that the rulers children and seruants thereof may all know their seuerall duties practise the same in thy feare for Iesus Christ his sake our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen ¶ Another for the same vse I will prayse the Lord among the people and I will sing prayses vnto thee among the Nations O Lord God most heauenly and merciful father though we be vnworthy the least of thy mercies yet hast thou from time to time made vs partakers of many for which we praise and magnifie thy holie Name Beseeching thee to giue vs vnderstanding hearts to feele our euils and direction from thy spirit to auoid the same And as thou hast in great mercy kept vs this night in the time of darkenes and dangers so we beseech thee to keepe vs this day that the Sunne of righteousnes may rule in our hearts all the darkenesse that lurketh in them may be scattered to the comfort of our soules and wee may walke as thy Children in cleare light without daunger Indue vs with giftes and graces needfull for vs and grant that with a pure sincere conscience wee may vse them to the benefit of our brethren the discharge of our owne duties Keepe the watch of our tongues and the doore of our lips in such sort that no rash euill or vaine word passe thereby and so rule and gouerne our harts that we may not thinke any thing but that which shall be to thy glory Grant vs thy blessings of health peace and maintenance and thy holy spirit to instruct vs as well in the wants thereof as in the lawfull vse of them In all our Consultations words and workes let vs remember thy presence that thou seest vs wheresoeuer we doe bestow our selues and wilt iudge-vs if wee goe astray and doe amisse Chase away from vs all rancour and malice couetousnes vncharitablenesse and vnkindnesse and whatsoeuer is contrary to thy loue which is to vs ward in Iesus Christ our Lord. Take from vs all ignorances and negligences with the want of iudgement and discretion and preuent all those things that thou knowest may hinder vs in our Christian calling Increase our Faith patience and obedience Let thy blessing be vpon this whole housholde to lead vs in thy truth protect vs in our wayes and al those whom thou hast made deere vnto vs whether they bee present or absent Be good to our children seruants and friends that liue with vs that wee may liue together in the seruice of thy Gospell to grow vp in godly conuersation and soundnesse of faith Giue vs grace by thy corrections to feare thee more carefully and to sorrow for our sinnes more heartily O LORD grant these things and whatsoeuer thy knowest to bee necessary for vs for Iesus Christs sake Amen An Euening Prayer for priuate Families What shall I giue vnto the Lord for all his benefits towards me Because he hath inclined his eare vnto mee therefore will I call vpon him as long as I liue O Lord God Father of all that is called Father in Heauen and in earth wee render thee thankes in all abundance for thy mercifull preseruation of vs this day and all the times and daies of our life that thou hast brought vs safe and sound through so many dangers and powred vpon vs contrary to our deseruings so many excellent and notable blessings both Spirituall and corporall Good Lord we beseech thee keep vs euermore from day to day as thou hast done and make vs constant in the profession of thy holy name and the practise of thy law that neither the violence of man nor subtiltie of Sathan be able to make vs to turne away from 〈◊〉 LORD turne thy face from our sinnes wherein we haue so delighted alter our hearts and wash cleanse vs from all staines and corruptions in the blood of thy sonne For giue vs all that is past and grant vs the assurance of that forgiuenesse sealed vp in our consciences by thy holy Spirit Kindle thy loue so feruently in our hearts that wee may detest whatsoeuer is against thee and thy word Forgiue vs our great contempt and intollerable barrennesse in good works our foule vnthankfulnesse and the abuse of thy graces and strike our stony hearts with the rod of thy feare that we may attaine vnto a due thankfulnes for thy benefits and a most vnfained and earnest repentance for our sinnes O Lord blesse vs all this night that after our bodies haue beene refreshed with competent sleepe we may see the light of the next morning and arise safe and sound to serue thee in our seuerall vocations Sanctifie our minds that by the help of thy mercy wee may enioy the rest of a quiet conscience Blesse thy Church and her Ministers preserue our King with the Queene his wife and the noble Prince HENRY protect the Magistrates of Iustice all faithfull people reare vp the heauy hearted and turne the chastisements of thy children to their good LORD be mercifull vnto them whom thou hast made any way helpfull vnto vs and blesse euery one of vs in our place that wee may truely serue thee feare thy Maiestie and loue thy authoritie These things O Lord and all other needfull for vs wee craue at thy hands in the Name and for the righteousnesse of Iesus Christ our onely Sauiour and Redeemer saying as he hath taught vs Our Father which art in Heauen c. ¶ Another for the same vse From the rising of the Sunne vnto the going downe of the same the Lords name is to be praysed O Euer-liuing God and euer-louing Father which hast not left vs comfortlesse but hast giuen vs thy Son for a ransome thy word for a guide reserued a Kingdome for our inheritance in heauen wee giue thee thankes for these and all other thy most gracious benefits beseeching thee that we may haue the grace to make such vse of them that they may neuer be in vaine to vs. O Lord forgiue vs all our sinnes and remooue from vs those things which our consciences are afraid of Assure vs of thy gracious pardon and renew vs by thy holy Spirit that wee may vnfainedly hate detest whatsoeuer is displeasing vnto thee Lord giue vs a sincere heart to serue thee and let this be the houre of our conuersion In all tentations giue vs strength to resist in all troubles patience to beate and
constancy to perseuer in our Faith hope and Patience vnto the end that the hope of mercy may keepe vs from the horrour of despaire and the feare of Iustice for the sinne of presumption O good God order our times in such comfortable sort that we hauing peace in thee our bodyes and mindes may be the more able to doe their seuerall offices in our vocations Instruct vs by thy word guide vs by thy spirit mollifie vs by thy grace humble vs by thy corrections and winne vs by thy benefits O Lord wee beseech thee let all things worke for the best to them that loue thee Continue thy fauour and goodnesse vnto vs this night that wee taking our natural rest and quietnesse may through thy protection be all defended from immoderate sleepe fearefull dreames and outward violence of our Enemies Touch our hearts with a desire and longing after Heauenly things that whensoeuer it shall please thee to call for vs wee may be willing to come vnto thee as Children to their Father strangers vnto their countrey and members of thy body vnto the head Graunt vs O Lord these and all other things needefull and meete for vs for Iesus Christs sake our onely Sauiour and redeemer Amen A Prayer for the Catholique Châ—â—ch and all the estates thereof Doe good O Lord vnto those that be good and to them that are vpright in their hearts O Sun of the eternall God thou sweet Spouse of the CHVRCH blesse wee beseech thee preserue and keepe thy poore CHVRCH militant here in earth the blessed company of all faithfull people Make all Kings and Princes and the supreame gouernors of euery nation carefull hâ—â—sing Fathers nursing Mothers to thy Church Let all the members thereof be of one minde and one heart that there may be such holy coÌ„cord in knowledge of thy truth and such obedience to their superiours with brotherly vnity in all matters as they may neither procure thy scourge nor the Princes sword against them Graunt the Gospell a free passage and long continuance and remooue not the Candlesticke for their vnfruitfulnesse or vnthankefulnesse Put thy principall spirit vpon the Ministers of the Word the Arch-bishops Bishops and Pastors of seuerall congregations and giue them grace to follow the steps of thy holy Apostles and blessed Martyres that being inflamed with true zeale and furninished with sufficient knowledge they may be willing able to labour in season and out of season for the feeding of thy flock Blesse their labours to the winning of Soules to thee and blesse them with boldnesse of speech and innocency of life that like sworne Souldiers to the crosse of Christ they may liue and dye vnder thy banner Cast downe the beames of thy heauenly light vpon such publike places as are appointed for the trayning vp of younger yeares in sound knowledge and commendable qualities namely our Vniuersities Oxford Cambridge the Innes of Court and all Grammer Schooles the seed-plots of the Church Sanctifie their memories to treasure vp good things purge their consciences to haue peace in thee reforme their wils to thy will and let all their affections be ordered aright their Vessels seasoned with the best liquour in the beginning and so to continue Blesse the higher powers of authoritie make them truely humble in the top of their height that their heads being lifted vp to honour their hearts may not be puffed vp nor swell with pride but so rule their hearts and mindes that all Kings Princes may truely serue thee reuerence and stand in awe of thee abette maintaine thy Church and truth and wisely foresee what is best for the aduancement of thy glory the good of the common-wealth So deale also O Lord with all subordinate authorities keepe them from factions treasons and conspiracies Let the Iudges be learned and vncorrupt and the Lawyers men of Conscience to deale sincerely vprightly in their businesse without either feare of greater Personages or vnlawful fauours to friends or desire of rewards from any Calme the Waues and quiet the stormes of all persecution represse the rage and cruelty of all Tyrants Heathen or Christian Take away all Antichristian practisers of the Church of Rome which perswade nothing but the infection of youth and the subuersion of the State Confound all Heresies and Heretikes disperse all Schismes Sects that there be no iars nor difference of opinions amongst thy seruants but that we may be like minded hauing the same loue being of one accord and of one iudgement In fine O Lord comfort them that are ouerworne with Warre wasted with exactions vexed with plagues and sicknesses consumed with famine ouerflowne with waters scattered with fearefull threatnings from the skies Conuert the simple confound the obstinate gather the dispersed heale the broken hearted supply our wants and amend all that is amisse for thy truth and for thy Names sake Amen ¶ Another for the same vse Christ loued the Church and gaue himselfe for it that hee might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word O Lord God thou iust Master of the VINEYARD and louing head of the Church send thy Spirit into the hearts of all them that preach or professe thy holy Truth all men religious and secular yea men and women Princes and subiects rich and poore euen all the people beleeuing in thy Name and depending wholy vpon thee Giue vnto them all O Lord one Law one Baptisme one Hope one Spirit that there may be but one voyce among all that professe the Catholique Faith Keepe backe the famine of thy Word and send such labourers into thy Haruest as be sound in doctrine faithfull in their worke and godly in conuersation in number many and in power wonderfull Open we beseech thee the hearts and eares of the people for the receiuing of thy word that ir may dwell in them plenteously in all wisedome and bring forth fruit against all the cares crosses and courses of this wretched world O Lord thou hast found iniquitie in thy Saints and the heauens are not cleare in thy sight Oh then correct vs in thy iudgement not in thy furie least wee should be consumed and brought to nothing Purge the garden of the Church and let no Weedes ouergrow the flowers Suffer neither sinne nor superstition to choake the good growth of faith or manners in thy people but keepe them from all euill Heresies phanaticall opinions seducing spirits and deadly contentions Keepe our neckes from the grieuous yoke of Antichristian bondage whose religion is rebellion whose faith is faction and whose practise is the murthering of soules and bodyes and represse the furiousnesse of Tyrants which labour nothing but the spoile of the Church and to abolish true Doctrine Prayer and pure religion O Lord Iesus amend all that is amisse and grant vs thy grace all the dayes of our life euen for thy truth and for thy Names sake Amen A Prayer for the Kings Maiestie his
bonds for perpetuall slauery and liue die the sacrificers of our soules for such obtained fauour Warrant deare Lord all this with thy command Amen The Housholders Prayers Cast thy burthen vpon the Lord and he shall sustaine thee he shall not suffer the righteous to be moued O MOST mightie God mercifull and louing Father I wretched sinner come vnto thee in the Name of thy dearely beloued sonne Iesus Christ my onely Sauiour and Redeemer and most humbly beseech thee to be mercifull vnto me and to cast all my sinnes out of thy sight remembrance through the merites of his bloody death and Passion Powre vpon me O Lord thy holy Spirit of wisedome and grace gouerne and leade mee by thy holy word that it may be a Lanthorne vnto my feete and a light vnto my steps Shew thy mercy vpon me and so lighten the naturall blindnesse and darknesse of my heart thorough thy grace that I may dayly be renewed by the same Spirit and grace By the which O Lord purge the grossenesse of my hearing vnderstanding that I may profitably read heare and vnderstand thy word and heauenly will beleeue and practise the same in my life and conuersation and euermore hold fast the blessed hope of eternall life Mortifie and kill all vice in me that my life may expresse my Faith in thee mercifully heare the humble sute of thy seruant and grant me thy peace all my daies graciously pardon all mine infirmities and defend mee in all dangers of body goods or name but most chiefly my soule against all assaults temptations accusations subtile sleights and baites of that old enemie of mankind Sathan that roaring Lyon euer seeking whom hee may deuoure Fauourably protect and keepe all that thou hast giuen mee as Wife Children or Seruants and aide me ô Lord with thy grace that I may be able to gouerne nourish and bring them vp in thy feare and seruice Cast a gracious eye vpon mee and lend mee thy directing hand that the labour and paines which I am to vndertake this day may prosper and let all my dealings be iust and true Blesse ô Lord thy Vniuersall Church and perfect the worke which thou hast begun amongst vs Beare out most gracious King Iames the Queene his wife their royall Sonne Prince Henry and all their Children alwaies in thine owne bosom and set thine eies alwayes vpon them for good Let the spirit of knowledge and holinesse remaine in his Ministers Blesse all his Counsell with wisedome and discretion his Nobles with fortitude courage his Iudges with iustice and mercie his Magistrates with diligence and faithfulnesse his people with feare obedience that we may all with one minde and one mouth say with the Prophet He that is mightie hath done great things for vs and Holy is his Name Amen ¶ Another of the Housholders Know that your Maister also is in Heauen neither is there respect of persons with him LEad me ô Lord in the way of thy truth and righteousnes and gouerne all mine actions to thy glory the good of thy Church and the discharge of my dutie Defend and deliuer me from all temptations from all mine enemies and from all deceits and dangers Kindle my heart and minde with a feruent zeale of thy holy word that I may vnderstand and know thy will and walke in thy wayes Strengthen mee with thy holy spirit boldly and constantly to professe the honour and seruice of thy holy Name least at any time through feare of worldy afflictions I fall from thee Giue mee a contented minde with my estate and such blessings as thou O LORD of thy bountifull goodnesse and mercie hast bestowed vpon mee that I may vse them be thankfull for them Graunt mee patience in all my troubles and afflictions that I neither grudge at thy fatherly corrections knowing them to be tokens of thy loue and instruments of my exercise and tryall neither seeke reuenge of my wrongs knowing vengeance to bee thine and that thou wilt reward it in due season Keepe my minde from all euill thoughts my tongue from lewd and vaine speeches my body and euery member thereof from all sinfull actions Let all my loue my faith and hope my delight and confidence only and alwaies be in thee Open my heart to haue pitty vpon the poore brethren giue mee the gift of chastitie that I may possesse my vessell with sanctification and honour and not in the lust of concupiscence euen as the Heathen doe which know not God Giue me ô Lord sorrow for my sinnes thankfullnes for thy benefites feare of thy iudgements and loue of thy mercies and teach me to bring vp my children and gouerne my seruants in good order and godly discipline according to thy holy ordinance because by thy grace I am that I am let thy demaunds be no greater then thou hast giuen mee grace to performe O Lord pardon and forgiue all my sinnes and grant me grace to liue in thy feare and die in thy fauour that I may rise to liue with my Lord Iesus euermore dwell with him in thy most glorious and ioyfull kingdome the onely thing which I desire and hope for through the merits and mercie of the same Iesus Christ thy onely Sonne and my onely Sauiour and Lord Amen The Wiues Praier for her Husband in absence or otherwise Delight thy selfe also in the Lord and he shall giue thee the desires of thy heart O Lord God which hast made euerie marryed Couple one flesh and hast ordained that they should be of one mind and one iudgement and carefull one for another as members one of another I beseech thee leade mee and my husband in the way of thy Truth and Righteousnesse Gouerne all our actions to thy glory the good of thy Church and the discharge of our duties Defend and deliuer vs ô Lord from all temptations from all our enemies and from all deceits and dangers here or elsewhere Grant my husband being abroad to prosper in his businesse send him a healthfull and happie returne home that I who without him am sorrowfull in my selfe and should be a stranger to the world if he were not may with him liue in the estate of thine honourable ordinance in peace and comfort and alwayes for thy great goodnesse and mercie towards vs prayse thy most holy Name Grant vs both grace ô Lord one to loue cherish the other one to be faithfull dutifull towards the other and giue vs both the gift of Chastitie and Sobrietie that both in body and minde wee may liue a pure life bring vp our children and gouerne our seruants with godly Discipline and good order in and according to thy holy word O LORD pardon and forgiue both of vs all our sinnes and grant vs both grace to loue honor feare and serue thee all the dayes of this our miserable and sinfull life that in this life wee may haue comfort in that which thou hast giuen vs
cheereful light of the day that in thine assistance they may follow their honest vocations likewise the silent night that then they may returne thanks vnto thee for thy benefits and so rest their wearied limbes and busied minds I sinnefull creature giue thee thankes for the totall summe of all this thy goodnes whereof I haue beene this day partaker through thy mercy O Lord looke not vpon mine vnworthinesse folly and wickednesse but appease thy iust anger conceiued against mee and forgiue what hath beene amisse in mee this day euen for his sake who is thy welbeloued Sonne and my deare Aduocate Root vp the thornes of mine euill inclinations and affections and in their place make the fruites of vertue spring Inflame my heart with the desire of heauenlie loue that I may keepe thy commandements with zeale as hot as fire louing thee aboue all things and mine neighbour as my selfe Giue me grace ô Lord to serue thee in true faith and holines all the dayes of my life to ouercome my mortall enemies the desires of the world the pleasures of the flesh and the suggestions of the wicked spirit remembring my promise made to thee in Baptisme for the performance whereof I depend onely vpon thy holy spirit Let thine Angels pitch their Tents round about this house for defence now in the time of this darkenesse and grant that this nights sleep may be quiet vnto me without griefe or trouble Preserue me mine both in body and soule from al dangers which may come either by foolish dreames noisome spirits or vncleannesse of corrupt Nature Waken me againe O Lord in due time and let mee behold the light of the next day prepare me to thy seruice euery day in all truth and sinceritie that when I haue run the race of this life thou mayest be pleased to call mee to be partaker of a better that so I may liue and raigne with thee euermore through Iesus Christ my onely Lord and Sauiour Amen Wednesday Morning prayer Cause mee to heare thy louing kindnesse in the Morning for in thee doe I trust cause me to know the way wherein I should walke for I lift vp my soule vnto thee O Blessed GOD and merciful father the Sun of the world neuer going downe which bringest forth nourishest and refreshest all things both in heauen and earth I most humbly thanke thee that thou hast preserued me this night and euer hitherto vnder thy protection suffering mee to liue vntill this present houre that thou hast succoured and defended me in all my needs necessities and hast prouided so graciously and mercifully for mee Now I beseech thee ô Lord not to abridge the hand of thy mercy toward mee but let the spring of thy grace flowing from the sanctuary of thy goodnes arise to all the parts of my soule in such proportion as may be for thy glory and my comfort Mortifie O my God all corrupt affections in mee and pardon my innumerable sinnes Fill me this day with thy grace that I may spend it to the honour of thy Name Set a Watch before my mouth and order my lippes that I may vtter nothing vnaduisedly either before thee or men Keepe my sences within their limits direct my will to that which is good and order my iudgement for the accomplishing of those things that appertaine to my vocation O Lord defend me from all shame and disgraces shield me from al violence and guide mee safely from all perillous dangerous wayes Make mee as thy Spouse inwardly and outwardly prepared by thy grace to bee presented a pure Virgine vnto Christ Display vpon me thy banners of loue spred abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost that with the eye of Faith I may beholde and see the Crosse of Christ and his sacred wounds the comfortable price of my redemption and stand so fast in this Christian warfare that nothing make me yeeld to the temptations of the Diuell O Lord so strengthen mee with thy grace in this vale of miserie that all my outward members may follow the direction of my heart and my heart being sincerely dedicated vnto thee I may serue thee in holinesse and Righteousnesse all the dayes of my life for Iesus Christs sake my onely Sauiour and Redeemer Amen Noone A Prayer to God the holy Ghost O Holy Spirit the Authour and giuer of life which hast guided me thus farre this day and guarded me from manifold euils I praise thee I blesse thee I glorifie thee for thy great mercie Continue thy goodnes towards me I beseech thee though I deserue it not inspire my minde with holy motions conuert me from euil confirme me in al that is good Comfort mee thou comforter when I shall haue most neede Cleare the stormes of temptation and inflame the coldnesse of my zeale with the fire of thy loue Lead me into all truth and reclayme mee when I goe astray Oh prosper the works of my hands bring mee safely from all dangers to the end of this day for Iesus Christs sake Amen Wednesday Euening Prayer Withhold not thy tender mercies from me ô Lord let thy louing kindnesse and thy truth alwaies preserue me O Lord God thou who art my life the length and strength of my dayes I most heartily thanke thee for keeping mee this day from manifold dangers both of Body and Soule which might iustly haue fallen vpon mee Nowe I humbly beseech thee bring not into iudgement what I haue done amisse this day but mercifully pardon the escapes and offences of the same Forgiue and forget O LORD all mine idle and vaine words and impute not my foolishnes vnto mee Destroy in me the kingdome of sinne the power of Sathan the desires of the world the vaine delights of the flesh Lord into thy hands I commend my selfe euen soule and body this night and euer Lighten my darkenesse that I sleepe not in death defend me that no euill happen vnto me Take not thy holy Spirit from mee but continue the motions thereof in my heart that when as the Tempter shall come with his assaults I may be furnished with the shield of faith to quench his fiery darts Comfort me ô Lord in all those things wherein I haue beene any wayes dismayed this day Confirme my weakenesse and grant that this nights sleepe may be sweet and healthfull to my body and a profitable memoriall of that sleepe which at my last end in that great night shall make a separation betweene my body and soule Let thine vnspeakeable mercy preserue me thy endles sweetnes reioyce mee thy heauenly truth strengthen mee thy knowledge embolden me and thy goodnes keep me now for euermore from mine enemies visible and inuisible that I may awake in the Morning in perfect sense good health and for the same be thankefull vnto thee carefully betake mee to my vocation calling for Iesus Christs sake my onely Lord and Sauiour Amen Thursday Morning Prayer The Lord
sake Amen A short Prayer for the Euening I Thanke thee O Father for thy gracious protection of me this day I beseech thee keepe me also this night vnder thy wing that I resting in thee may finde such comfort and strength both in body and soule as may enable mee to the performance of my duty Grant this I humbly beseech thee for Iesus Christs sake my onely sauiour in whose name I further call vpon thee as he hath taught vs in his Gospell saying Our Father which art in Heauen c. A Prayer to God the Father as a Preparatiue to the Meditation ensuing O Gracious Lord almightie and euerlasting God the father of my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ who was borne at Bethlem in great pouerty Graunt me I beseech thee a roome among the wise men of the East to offer the poore talent of my weake deuotion vnto him all the dayes of my life euen a true Faith for pure Gold the perfume of deuout Praier for sweet Frankincense and hearty Sorrow with bitter Teares of Repentance for dropping Myrrhe And because hee came into this world in such humilitie yet furnished with such a measure of loue that hee was content for my sake to be laden with the burthen of all our infirmities to carry our sorrowes to vnder goe a world of iniuries and miseries and at the last in a shamefull death to offer vp himselfe in Sacrifice to thee for my redemption vouchsafe me thy Grace that I may pick vp some Crummes vnder his Table and gather vp some fruits at the foote of his Crosse that when I haue seene what Iudas sould the Iewes bought what Iudas lost and I haue gained I may bathe my soule in the purple streame of his most precious blood and then entombe him lay him vp in a beleeuing heart vntill his glorious appearance So that all the dayes of my life being washed as the Apostle saith being sanctified and being iustified in the name of the Lord Iesus and by the spirit of my God I may neuer be without sorrow for my Sinnes thankfulnes for thy Benefits feare of thy Iudgements loue of thy Mercies nor remembrance of thy presence Amen A Meditation or Prayer vpon the Life Death and Passion of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ O LORD Christ Iesus Sonne of God thou holy mighty wonderfull God and Man who art the life of the liuing and the death of Death and therefore both in life and death aduantage Whose life for my sake was feebled with naturall infirmities and death caused by violent sorrowes yet thy life milde and thy death qiuet I beseech thee giue mee a fleshie heart to weepe and shedde teares downe my cheekes if not for thy paines who didst sweat drops of blood trickling downe to the ground afterward dyedst for my sake yet for my sins which then bred thy sorrow and now worke my woe Lord I know that for me the tempest of thy Fathers anger and fire of his wrath was stirred and kindled against thee wherfore now with the wise men of the East and all the Iewes I come to seeke thee in the Stable at Bethleem and in Mount Caluarie At Bethleem where the Manger was thy Bed to be borne in in Mount Caluarie where the Crosse was thy Bed to dye on In Bethleem where a handfull of Straw was the pillow for thy sacred Head to rest on in Mount Caluary where a crowne of Thornes and a number of Nailes pierced and fastened both head and body In Bethleem where course swadling clothes were thy best Roabes and in Mount Caluarie where thou didst hang naked in much miserie I come to adore thee to prayse thee to pray thee that as in thy life time thou wast content to be bred borne brought vp in manifold infirmities to strengthen our frailtie and to demonstrate the truth of thy Humanitie and then at thy death to disarme thy selfe and to be broken with them for the discharge of our Captiuitie the assurance of our accesse to the Throne of grace So thou wilt bee pleased as a gracious King to holde out thy golden Scepter of mercy to my fearefull conscience that I may come neere to looke into thy wounds to sue for compassion and pardon to taste of thy goodnesse who am a sinnefull wretch full of corruption and manifold infirmities 2 O sweet Iesus how shall I recount the large seuerals of thine innocent passions from thy poore Natiuity to thy guiltles death From thy bloodie sweat and heauie agonie in one garden to thy strange buriall in another How can I thinke of thy labours in preaching thy wearinesse in trauailing thy watchfulnesse in Praying thy temptings in fasting thy teares in pittying and not confesse more iustly of thee then Dauid did of his Ionathan Very kinde hast thou beene vnto mee thy loue to mee was wonderfull passing the loue of women Was it not inough euen for loue to mee to be cloathed with the vaile of flesh but that thou must be compassed with the shadow of death Was it not inough to become Earth Earth Earth but thou must become also Woe Woe Woe The God of heauen to become the Sonne of Man The Lord of life to bee made the childe of death The Maister to be turned to be a Seruant and from a Seruant to be counted a bad Seruant No proofe brought and yet scourged without measure No Inditement found and yet crucified without mercie Oh the beloued of the Lord ran through Bryars of Passions Oh the holy Lambe was betrayed carried away bound condemned consorted with malefactors and Theeues and like Ionas plunged in the maine depth of sorrowes and swallowed vp of the whale of death O Lambe of God that takest away the sinnes of the world haue mercy vpon mee 3 O Lord Iesus it is the ioy of my heart that thou hast taken and borne all mine infirmities All spirituall and corporall true euidences of thy humanity but no impediments to thy Charitie All of Soule all of Body and yet neither deformed in fashion nor distempered in passion nor tainted with any guilt of sinne Thy soule heauie to the death shall bring my soule to life I should neuer haue beene heartily merry except thou hadst beene painefully sad and grieuously sorrowfull I should neuer haue beene verily satisfied except thou hadst truely hungred and thirsted I should neuer haue beene deliuered from feare and absolutely bold except thou hadst naturally feared O thou euer-glorious God the consolation of Israell and the hope of all the ends of the earth relieue my carefull Conscience that am sadde disordered and disturbed in minde for feare of thy iudgements and because I haue displeased so gracious a God and louing Father Oh neuer let my soule be ouertaken with feare so farre as to dispaire nor ouerwhelmed with the Sea of thy wrath nor apparailed with the suggestions of Sathan But let it alwayes heare the voyce of thy Blood speaking better things then the blood
regeneration hast appointed vs to receiue oft-soones the blessed Sacrament of thy Supper for confirmation of our faith haue mercy vpon mee vile wretch who for my naturall corruptions and manifolde transgressions am not worthy to approach vnto thy Table or come neere thy house Oh gracious God pardon me and disdaine not to accept mee into thy fauour but forgiue mee all my sins that I haue done said or thought in pride wrath enuy gluttony sloth couetousnesse or wantonnesse giue mee a true and liuely faith to beleeue thy word and the promise of my pardon annexed to thy Sacraments Inflame mee with loue charity towards all men to forgiue and forget to doe good to pray for them that I may follow the steps of my blessed Sauiour Open the eies of mine vnderstanding and helpe mee to examine my selfe concerning my knowledge faith and repentance Send mee the hunger and thirst after this righteousnesse satisfie me with this heauenly foode make me verily partaker of all the benefits of his Passion Oh deare Lord Iesus since thou hast suffred so many things for my sake and hast commanded mee not to dispaire nor distrust thy goodnesse graunt mee grace to eate of this bread and drinke of this Cuppe worthily that I may continually remaine in thy grace and fauour O Lord GOD the FATHER giue mee the full consolation of this misterie and commemoration that my Faith may be increased my hope confirmed my charitie inflamed my weake conscience comforted all dangers repelled and my soule assured of her saluation in the blood of Christ Let no prophanenesse enter into my heart so long as I am about this holy action but giue mee grace to receiue with puritie of heart and cleannes of soule with loue dread and stedfast Faith Haue mercy vpon mee good Lord that by vnworthy receiuing I bee not guilty of his precious body and blood who came downe from heauen liued with men swam through a red sea of blood in his agonie and passion to be my Redeemer Haue mercy vpon the whole Church and to this purpose haue mercy vpon this place and this company that they may serue and please thee in this holy seruice and all other actions of their life for Iesus Christs sake Amen ¶ Another of the same before the Communion Let a man examine himselfe and so let him eate of that Bread and drinke of that Cup. O Almightie God and merciful father I am a secret sinner and my heart is a bottomlesse pit of all corruptions wilfully and foolishly ignorantly obstinately haue I sinned against thee vnto whose eye all the secrets of my soule lie open but now I come vnto thee as a sicke man vnto the Physitian as an vncleane man to the well of mercie grace offered in the precious bloodshedding of Iesus Christ and represented vnto my soule in this blessed Sacrament Haue mercie vpon mee O Lord haue mercie vpon me and forgiue me all the euill that I am guiltie of Giue me grace that I may discerne the Lords body and so reeciue ie in this Sacrament with such chastitie of body humblenes of minde thankfulnesse of soule hearty contrition dread and reuerence as is meet for so high a mystery O Lord Iesus it is truely said of thee that thou didst receiue sinners and eate with them and I verily belieue that thou art the same still full of goodnesse and mercie wherefore I beseech thee leaue me not to my selfe reiect mee not from thy table Come into my heart and purge me from all filthinesse of the flesh and Spirit Enter into my soule seale and sanctifie mee both within and without O Lord be not angry with mee a barren and dry tree a creature with a face of brasse and heart of flint I haue not so many teares as are sufficient to wash thy feete with Mary Magdalen but thou hast shed as much of thine own blood as sufficeth to wash away all the sinnes of mee and all the world then be not angry with me ô Lord but let thy grace supply my wants let thy mercy pardon my sins let thy holy spirit prepare my soule thy merits inrich my pouertie and thy most precious blood wash away all the spots of my life that I may worthily receiue this heauenly Sacrament so that I may be strengthened therby and throughly filled with the heauenly food of thy body and blood for the mortification of the olde man the confirmation of my faith and the finall saluation of my soule O Lord heare my prayers and grant my requests I beseech thee Amen A Prayer after the receiuing of the holy Communion Purge out therefore the old Leauen that yee may be a new Lumpe as yee are vnleauened for euen Chrst our Passeouer is sacrificed for vs. O Iesus the Sonne of GOD my Lord and Sauiour with all humble and hearty thanks I prayse thee for suffering death vpon the Crosse for my sins and admitting me a miserable sinner to the participation of this blessed Sacrament the memoriall of my redemption Let me ô Lord finde and feele in my heart the inuisible power of thy heauenly grace effectually working the transformation of mee into thee the wonderfull vnion of me with thee and thy Spirituall habitation and abode in me Apply all thy merites and good things vnto my soule Let me neuer doubt the forgiuenesse of my sins but euer open the doore of this Sanctuary vnto mee that I may runne thither in my greatest need and apprehend thy gracious pardon ratified by this Seale of thy couenant Quicken mee O Lord in this life reuiue renew mee that I may disclaime my old conuersation and beâ—ome a new man Keepe me 〈◊〉 I slippe not out of this building nor become as a branch cut off good for nothing but as thou hast seuered mee from the wicked in calling me to the knowledge of thee so keep mee from all their corruptions Giue mee a perfect loue towards thee that I may not delight in any thing but in thee nor seeke any other honour but thine O Lord Iesus I meekely beseech thee let thy holy spirit strengthen me against my frailtie thy power and strength defend me against worldly troubles aduersities thy merites purchase my needfull pardon and thy blood bee the Medicine for all my sores euen for thy truth and for thy Names sake Amen ¶ Another of the same after the Communion Greater loue hath no man then this that a man laie downe his life for his friends O Iesu CHRIST the Lambe of GOD which hast so loued MANKINDE that thou hast beene contented to become One with him meate vnto him and to die for him vpon the Crosse to take away the sinnes of mee and many grant that this my receiuing of this blessed sacrament may be a true testimonie vnto my conscience that I haue through faith in thee receiued full remission of all that is past am become as it were a new creature in thy sight
O sweete Iesus which hast vouchsafed mee this honour to come to thy Table and feed vpon thee graunt me grace I beseech thee so to performe fulfill my duty as this honour which thou hast done mee requireth lincâ—e mee vnto thee giue me power and strength to beleeue thy promises without distrust and to shew my religion by my good life and conuersation Assist me with thy grace that I may walke worthy this blessed Sacrament to loue thee and thy Law vnfeinedly and vtterly to forsake all vanitie Idolatry carnall desires and all the workes of the deuill O Lord God so moderate and order all mine affections that I may be ioyned with the brethren together in loue the bond of peace and truely fastned vnto thee my head for euer Stirre vp my minde that I may alwaies consider the bitternes of thy death the greatnes of thy loue and neuer forget to bee thankefull vnto thee O blessed Lord preserue and maintaine this ordinance amongst vs that it may be alwayes a note and badge of our publique profession and giue vs all one heart and one minde in the vnitie of the Spirit for the reuerent and worthy receiuing of the same whensoeuer we shall come to thy holy Table againe Amen A Prayer for the Fruites of the earth and other nourishments of this mortall life All waite vpon thee O Lord that thou mayest giue them their meate in due season O Eternall GOD ' which feedest with thy blessing euery liuing thing and satiffiest the lawfull desires of thy seruants with good things we beseech thee make vs to couet those things that be pleasing to thee let vs finde them easilie search them wisely know them truelie and exercise them effectually to thy glory and our saluation And we pray thee heare vs fauourably praying earnestly for the fruites of the earth the nourishments of this life that wee may though vnworthy be partakers of thy comforts therein Giue vs O Lord this day our daily bread prepare our ground and prosper our corne Blesse the seed time with the first and latter raine meete temperature of ayre Keepe our fruits while they be in the earth from haile thunder from excessiue droughts and ouermuch raine from Mildewes and all noisome wormes Send vs a ioyfull haruest and blesse that which wee shall reape that for our vnthankefulnesse it waste not away without our releefe Increase our cattell with all other our prouision which wee shall carefully labour for Blesse our Basket and our store that we may haue wherewith as to furnish our selues so to giue some releefe to others Protect our seruants and workemen that they may be strong to labour wise to forecast and faithfull in their businesse Keepe our Garners barnes and store-houses from fiery meteors boysterous winds theeues and sudden invndations Prosper our workes and trauels whether by sea or land and blesse and prosper all them that any way labor for any of those things that we shall haue occasion to vse Send remedie ô Lord for all hardnesse and miserie turne our dearth into cheapnesse and our scarcitie into plentie Open the hearts of rich-men to whom thou hast giuen much that they may haue a charitable respect of the poore at all times Helpe vs ô Lord and giue vs such things as wee stand in need of yet neither of pouertie nor riches too much but a competent store and the lawfull vse of things necessary for this life through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen ⧠A Prayer for Friends and Benefactors Charitie shall couer the multitude of sinnes O LORD which hast said that Hee that giueth vnto the poore lendeth vnto the Lord and looke what hee layeth out it shall be payd him againe wee beseech thee to be gracious and mercifull to all those for whom wee are bound to pray by Nature by desert or any other duetie whatsoeuer Of thy speciall fauour remember all our benefactors and friends aliue euen all those our parents kinsfolks and others which haue brought vs vp taught promoted or any way releeued vs. Blesse them with all blessings that haue done good either to our bodies with temporall benefits or our soules with profitable instructions Blesse their estates that in their godly disposition they may haue alwayes wherewith to relieue comfort others in their discretion Giue them the consolation of the holy Ghost to the keeping of Faith a good conscience And as they haue shewed mercie vnto vs and comforted vs so Lord helpe and comfort them in their greatest needs that both they and their Families may both haue comfort in their estate and condition here and finde mercy with thy Sonne our Sauiour Iesus at the latter day Lord let their almesdeeds and prayers be alwayes in thy sight as those of Cornelius that as they haue beene vnto vs an odour that smelleth sweete whereby wee haue receiued plentie beene filled so they may be as Sacrifices acceptable and pleasant vnto thee Vouchsafe vs this grace ô Lord that wee be not guilty of any ingratitude towards them but rather ready according to our abilities to recompence them if neede require Let not that which they haue bestowed vpon vs be cast away but make it fruitfull and vs worthy of it Graunt this O thou GOD which doest good both to the iust and vniust for Iesus Christs sake our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer in time of Warre Remember this that the enimie hath reproached O Lord and that the foolish people haue blasphemed thy Name O God mighty in battel wee beseech thee beare not in mind our vile deserts but of thy mercy pitty thy poore afflicted endangered persecuted Church Consider and beholde how they which hate thy Sanctuary are now vp in armes to root vs out for our profession Therefore ô Lord wee pray thee maintaine thine owne cause Blesse our forces by Sea and by Land and grant to the people one heart one minde and one strength Giue vnto the Counsellors and Captaines wisedome and courage wisely to foresee and valiantly to defeate the deuises of their enemies Keepe all the souldiers from treason and treachery the leaders from wrong plots the people from tumults and all of them from the sinnes and enormities that follow the campe Strengthen ô Lord and hold vp the hands of Moses and the weapons of the Church Preces lachrymas that our fasting and prayer may be heard and Israel may haue the victorie Put Sisera to flight in thy good time and rather then he returne to doe mischiefe bring him to his end by an hand vnlooked for Turne the weapons of him and his followers into their owne bosomes scatter breake and sincke their ships destroy their armies and confound their forces Consider ô Lord the end of our enterprises how wee fight for thy Truth and either reconcile vs and our enemies by thy Spirit to worship one God and hold one Truth or else abate their pride and confound their malice to
thy honour and glory for Iesus Christs sake our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen Another in time of Warre The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that feare him and deliuereth them O LORD GOD of Hosts that hast heretofore sundry times miraculously defended vs wee beseech thee shew thy selfe in this needfull time blesse and preserue vs who haue reposed our trust onely in thee Blesse our Armies abroad which are ioyned together for the defence of thy truth and the safety of our country sanctifie vs likewise at home to please thee that whatsoeuer they or wee doe it may prosper Be present and president at all their consultations and giue thou the casting voice in all determinations Suggest heroicall motions into the heart of their Leaders banish all heart-burnings and diuisions and assist them with the spirit of vnitie and concord that they may striue all one good way Marke them wiser then their enemies yea giue them more experience then the aged better intelligence and more sound aduertisements then their foes Lord annoint their shields blesse their swords hallow and consecrate all their weapons and engines of warre with happy successe to doe thy will Blesse the season of the yeare vnto them and sweeten the close ayre in their multitudes that neither Sunne nor Moone annoy them nor alteration of dyer or place disable them from their seruice Command the winds and Sea to fauour them and let the Land speake peace vnto them O Lord disappoint the counsels and power of thine enemies and make a ioyfull peace for thy seruants through Iesus Christ our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen ⧠A Prayer for Comfort to sicke persons Come and let vs returne vnto the Lord for hee hath torne and hee will heale vs hee hath smitten and hee will binde vs vp O Most GRACIOVS God and louing father which giuest health to make vs the better to acknowledge thee and thy liberalitie sometimes sendest sicknesse to recall vs thereby when we haue sinned against thee wee humbly beseech thee for this and all thy seruants thus afflicted not to enter into a seuere iudgement with him for his life past but in remembrance of thine owne mercie to forgiue him his sinnes and vpon the satisfaction of thy sonne to acquit him of thy iudgement O Lord grant him a true zeale and affections agreeable to thy will that he may rightly receiue the gracious offers of thy great mercy Qualifie all the troubles which either the grieuousnesse of his sinne remembred or the bitternes of his pangs susteined the subtiltie of Sathan or the feare of death may bring vpon him and lay no more vpon him ô Lord then he shall be able to beare Speake comfortably vnto him as thou hast done vnto all those that haue sought for their bodily health at thy hands Dispose and mooue his heart to receiue this fatherly correction and gracious visitation with the patience of Iob the faith of Abraham the courage of Peter and true submission to thy blessed will either for life or death and though that his outward senses the tongue and voice be not so quicke as they haue been to praise thee and pray vnto thee yet Lord we beseech thee stirre vp his heart in flame and inspire his minde to performe all such things as thou requirest and may be profitable for the soule in this combate Apply ô Lord the holy and wholesome medicines of thy Sonnes Passion death and Resurrection vnto the soule of this poore creature against the extremitie of feare faintnesse doubt and desperation Take away the extreamitie of his paine mitigate his sorrowes make his bed wipe all teares from his eyes and ease his carefull conscience Comfort him at the houre of his departure open vnto him the gates of mercie open thine armes to receiue him into thy fauour that hee may goe to the graue in peace being vpholden by thee in the assurance of a free pardon for all his sinnes and the hope of a ioyfull Resurrection In the meane time ô Lord settle his spirits that they doe not wander or flie out into any vnruly motions Continue his remembrance that hee may not forget thee but dayly and hourely haue thee in mind which art the anchor of his safety Keepe his tongue from all vaine and idle talke his heart from all feares and protect him safe vnder thy wings Be mercifull vnto vs who as feeling members of one body adore thy holy Name and implore thy diuine helpe for this thy seruant and let this example teach vs more humilitie feare reuerence towards thee now and euer Heare our prayers ô Lord for Iesus Christ sake Amen ¶ Another for comfort to the Sicke The Prayer of Faith shall saue the Sicke and the Lord shall raise him vp and if he haue committed sinnes they shall be forgiuen him OH LORD God which both in SICKNES and health hast appointed vs to pray one for another promising a blessing in greatest extreamities we poore sinners present our selues before thy Maiestie in the behalfe of this thy poore seruant that lyeth visited vnder thy hand Good Lord we beseech thee seale in his heart by thy holy spirit the forgiuenesse of all his sinnes Let the sweet feeling and taste of a liuely Faith distaste all the filthy corruptions that are in him that his body and soule may be presented pure and vndefiled vnto thee in the blood of thy Sonne LORD lay not to his charge what hee hath said or done amisse throughout all the whole course of his life but reale him vp in hope speake comfortable vnto his soule and lead him by thy Spirit vnto the treasures of thy mercy Take from him the feare and sorrow of death raise the siedge of his spirituall enemies that are round about him and giue him strength against all the assaults of the deuill that he may haue a perfect victory Let the knowledge of thee which hee hath learned since thou didst call him stand him now in stead and relieue his faith that hee may haue true repentance and yeelde vnto thee due obedience harty thanks for whatsoeuer thou shalt doe O Lord giue vnto him a taste of thy glory and those ioyes which thou hast prepared for him that in the comfort thereof hee may fight a good fight keeping the faith when the time of his departure shal come willingly forsake this present euill world and liue with thee for euer Graunt this O Lord for IESVS CHRISTS sake our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer before a Man vndertake a Iourney by Sea or land So they tooke their iourney and the Lord went before them by day in a piller of clowd to leade them the way by night in a piller of fire to them light both by day and night O Lord God thou Keeper of Israel who preseruest our going out and our comming in into thy handes I commit my selfe and all that I haue whether I be at home or abroad
and after our death we may receiue the fruites of that hope which wee haue layde vp in thy mercies through the merites and mediation of thy Sonne Iesus Christ our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen The VViddowes Prayer The Lord doth execute the iudgement vnto the fatherlesse Widdow loueth the stranger in giuing them food and rayment O Lord God which art neerely touched with a care of the afflicted and despisest not the Widdow when she powreth out her Prayers before thee I beseech thee to haue compassion vpon mee a poore and desolate Widdow And whereas the bands of death haue made a separation between me my husband who was my head the best stay I had in this World next vnder thee I beseech thee let me not take this crosse impatiently but trust in thy goodnesse that nothing may be able to separate mee from thee which art mine onely stay the ioy of my soule Preserue me Lord from the pawes of rauenous and greedy cormorants which lye in waite to supplant the weakest and deuoure our Houses vnder the pretence of godlinesse and colour of right Grant that in the sight of all Gouernours and Iudges I may finde fauour and equall dealing in my suites and complaints against all violence and oppressors Giue vnto all men willing and ready mindes to doe mee good and open their hearts to helpe and pleasure mee in all reasonable demands Prouide for mee by ministring cloths and nourishment fit for mine estate haue pitty vpon me in all my necessities and stretch out thy hand to deliuer me Blesse mee as thou didst that poore Woman of Sarepthah that that small thing which thou hast giuen mee may serue to supply the necessarie vses of me mine Dispose the hearts of my children seruants to obedience peace and holinesse that I which am the weaker vessell depriued of him whose countenance should haue kept them in awe may by thy help bring them vp in godly Discipline Giue mee the grace of thy holy Spirit that at all times and in all mine afflictions I may trust in thee and continue in Prayers and Supplications day and night not giuen to any qualitie but such as befitteth a modest matrone and the hand-maid of the Lord for Iesus Christs sake our onely Sauiour and Redeemer Amen ¶ The Prayer of Women with Child A woman when she is in trauell hath sorrow because her houre is come O Lord GOD by whose Decree for the offence of our first Parents wee beare in our wombs bring forth children in paine sorrow be mercifull vnto me that now feele the accomplishment of that sentence in my selfe and as thou hast vouchsafed me this blessing to conceiue in my wombe and to nourish that which thou hast wrought vntill this time so graunt that in due time I may see the fruit of my body safe sound and perfect without blemish or deformitie Keepe me ô Lord from an vntimely birth graunt that through Prayer faith and patience I may escape all sudden feares and vnaduised thoughts Comfort me when I shall draw neere vnto my hard labour and when I shall fall into those terrors horrors and pangs which accompany that houre shew thy mercie vpon mee and my Babe that my sinnes may be forgiuen me and that it may not be punished for my offences Giue me patience that I be not too fearefull and vnruly but that I may remember what modestie befitteth a woman in those dangers and repose all my affyance in thee O Lord send mee help and preserue mee that I perish not Grant thee O Lord safe deliuerance in due time make me a ioyfull Mother when that hour commeth let not my sinnes so many be called in question either now or at that instant but forget O LORD and forgiue them blesse my poore infant and lodge it in the vertue of thy couenant and when thou shalt be pleased to call it into open light giue me wisedome strength to bring it vp in thy feare and as it were to trauell againe with it till it be borne againe vnto a heauenly life to thy greater glory and my further ioy through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen The Midwifes Prayer O God wonderfull art thou in thy holy places euen the God of Israel he will giue strength and power vnto his people Blessed be God O LORD GOD who onely hast power to take all children out of their mothers wombes and to bring them to the light of this world I thine vnworthy seruant whom thou hast deputed to this great Businesse for the helpe and comfort of many in their extremities doe most humbly on bended knees beseech thee to vouchsafe me thy gracious assistance in the same Haue mercy vpon mee ô Lord and in all mine actions let me haue thy feare before mine eyes that I may be carefull both for rich and poore to doe good and not hurt to saue life and not to destroy Helpe mine infirmities c imperfections that I be neither too feareful nor too violent in doing my dutie and grant me skill and iudgement happily to finish euery worke that I shall vndertake Giue mee O Lord an vnderstanding and tender heart a readie steedie and gentle hand a watchfull eye and a willing minde Mercifully looke vpon me ô Lord that whensoeuer I shal be called to doe mine office either by night or day to the sicke or to the sound I may be defended from all bodily harmes preserued from the infection of all contagious diseases by thy gracious fauour Prosper ô Lord the workes of my hands ô prosper thou my handie worke that I may doe all things to thy glory the comfort of all good women and mine owne credite through Iesus Christ our Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer in time of womens trauell Let thy worke O Lord appeare vnto thy seruants and thy glory vnto their Children O Gracious God and louing father of whom the whole familye in heauen and earth is named wee beseech thee mercifully heare the voyce of all vs thy hand-maydes heere assembled in thy name for the help of this our Sister in her Agonie now approaching Lord looke vpon her in mercie and mittigate the iudgement which thou hast laid vpon her and all Women for sin Giue her courage of heart and strength of body to beare the pangs of her labour so fearfull and vehement Sweeten them with the drops of thy mercy and qualifie them by thy gracious power pardon her offences and receaue her prayers Louing Father giue her patience and willingnesse to be aduised and ordered by her friends in so great a worke that shee may remember that as in iustice thou hast greatly increased her sorrowes and conceptions so it is thy will to haue a holy seed brought forth into the world which being sanctified by thy grace may be consecrate here to such godly seruices as thou hast appointed and afterward made partaker of thy glory in the kingdome of heauen And
bond or free LEad me ô Lord I beseech thee in the way of thy Trueth and righteousnesse Gouerne all mine actions to thy glory the good of thy Church and the discharge of my dutie Defend and deliuer me O Lord from all temptations from all mine enemies and from all deceits and dangers Blesse O Lord I beseech thee my Lord Master and Mistresse with all heauenly wisedome vnderstanding and godlynesse and with worldly health and happinesse that I who am their Seruant may by them and vnder them receiue not onely the spirituall food of my soule but also the temporall sustenance of my bodie doing my seruice not outwardly as desirous to please men but with singlenesse of minde from the heart as fearing thee O Lord my God that thereby I may receiue that reward which thou hast promised Giue me ô Lord an obedient and duti-full mind towards them that I may submit my selfe to their honest and lawfull commandements and do them true and faithfull seruice with all humblenesse and patience Grant me grace ô Lord to frame my life according to thy holy word nourish mutual loue and good wil between me my fellowes preserue me from all euill wayes from lewd company from idlenesse Keepe my minde from euill thoughts my tongue from lewd vaine speeches and my body and euery member thereof from all sinfull actions Mortifie in mee O Lord the raging lusts and follyes of youthfull affections O Lord pardon and forgiue me all my sins and grant me grace to loue honour and serue thee in holines righteousnes all my dayes that I may glorifie thee in this world and be glorified of thee in the world to come through Iesus Christ my onely Lord and Sauiour Amen The Maydes prayer Let thy hand-mayd I Pray thee speake in thy audience and heare the words of thine hand-mayd BLessed LORD which in former times hast not despised the low estate of thy Hand-mayds when they sought vnto thee vouchsafe to lend thine eares to the heartie desires of mee thy poore seruant Consider O Lord that in the labours both of body and minde I am the weaker vessel of lesse capacitie and more infirmitie and bestow vpon my youth such competent strength that I may grow in stature wisedome and fauour with God and man As I grow vp in years so Lord let me grow vp in grace Crowne my Virginitie with chaste and religious thoughts and my body and mind with godly watchfulnesse to waite for thy comming with the wise virgins Giue me grace to thinke alwayes that a good Name and honest reputation is better then any dowry to a modest Maide Make my behauiour meeke my talke sober my body chast and keep me from lewd wanton company that I partake not with them in the follies of youth Pardon my fore-past vanities and by the power of thy Spirit enable my weaknesse to auoyde all euill Defend me from slanderous and bad tongues surmising mindes and wicked temptations I beseech thee O Lord make mee faithfull and trusty wise and warie in the ordering of such goods as are committed to my custody by my Master or Mistresse father or mother Marry me vnto thee O Lord in righteousnes in iudgement in mercy and compassion and if it be thy will hereafter to call mee to the honorable estate of corporal Matrimonie make me to follow Rachel in loue Rebecca in wisedom Sara in faithfulnesse and obedience to my husband and all other worthy Matrons in modestie and honestie for Iesus Christs sake our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen The Prayer of one afflicted in conscience for sinne O Lord heare O Lord forgiue O Lord hearken and doe deferre not for thine owne sake O my God O Most mercifull God which by the sending of thy Sonne into the world hast brought to passe that where sinne abounded there grace abounded much more I forlorne wretch disquieted in mind and afflicted in conscience for feare of thy iudgements vpon my sin doe with bended knees and teares vnfeined a most humble supplyant beg craue of thee some succour and reliefe open ô open the gates of thy mercy to the greatnes of my miseries my abiect countenance witnesseth my distressed minde My spirit is sorrowfull my heart is heauie my words are stopt with sighes and my plants watered with teares to thee I hold vp my hands to thee I lift vp my heart to thee I pray requiring thee of mercie O Lord what shall I desire of thee that deserue nothing at thy hands what can I hope for that am euen heartlesse Lord if thou hast said Shall not my soule be auenged on such a one as this remember thy promise else where I will haue mercy on him that could finde no mercy and let it light vpon me if Sathan presume God hath forsaken him thinke vpon the decree for the seed of the Woman and let the power of thy Sons Passion defeate all the deuises of the deuill against me O Lord heare mee speedily if thou doe not then I am out of hope my conscience accuseth me my memory giues euidence against me my reason condemneth mee My spirit is weary of this bondage and I haue bid my life farewell My conscience is clogged when I behold the bloody wounds of my soule the voyce of ioy and mirth is gone from me I am deepely plunged in discomfort I haue neither worth to appease thy wrath nor patience to endure thy indignation I pray thee therefore send the comfort of thy holy Spirit into my heart and strengthen my faith that I be not swallowed vp with ouer much heauinesse O Lord let thy Maiestie appeare in thy mercy forgiue my sinnes the vnhappy ground of all this woe and I am recouered of all mine infirmities Trye not the lawe with mee lest I come to iudgement sanctifie all those good means vnto me wherein I seeke reliefe as Prayer Conference Reading and hearing of thy holy WORD Moderate and mitigate my vexation increase Faith establish hope graunt patience and keepe mee from despaire Take away this Cup from me if it be thy will if not suffer mee not to be tempted aboue my strength I haue an humbled and contrite heart O LORD looke vpon me I go mourning all the day long and am like vnto him that is at the point to die O Lord comfort me thou that wilt not breake a bruised Reed spare me thou that delightest not in the death of a sinner reuiue me though my heart condemne mee yet good Lord acquite me relieue me release me say vnto my soule I am thy saluation Hearken Lord vnto my Prayer and grant my requests for Iesus Christs sake Amen The Sicke-mans Prayer Naked came I out of my Mothers wombe and naked shall I returne thither O Louing LORD and most holy Father I poore wretch thy seruant feeling in this sickenesse which thou hast layd vpon mee the punishment of that corruption transgression that is in mee and all flesh doe most willingly submit