their trust in thee Be present O Lord with the Armies which are gone foorth to oppose those who labour our ouerthrow Leade O Lord their Captaine and conduct him through the midst of their enemies Giue him wisedome and discretion warily to foresee all disaduantages inuincible courage to oppose all dangers and truth and loyalty that he sell not the faith bloud of the people Be at their counsels O Lord and determine for them Blesse their stratagems that vnpreuented they may take effect and so order all the state of this Warre that they may returne with conquest and victory Giue vnto the souldiers O Lord ablenes of minde body to be willing strong to vndergoe al labours and assaults concord and vnanimity that obediently labouring for the weale of their Country they may be made fit instruments of the others ouerthrow Blesse the Season of the yeere vnto them moderate the extremitie of heate cold that they bee neither disabled by the one nor distempered by the other Let the Sunne and the Winde O Lord fight for them the aduantages and inconueniency of place be on their side that by thee through thee being made cōquerors of their enemies they may triumph in thy goodnes and boast of thy louing kindnesses which endure from generation to generation Amen 51. A Prayer to be said by a Husbandman for the fruits of the earth O All prouident and carefull Creator which hast giuen charge and influence to the heauenly Powers to apparell and adorne the earth with varified and many coloured beauties for the ornament and glory of this great All and hast likewise blessed her wombe with a fit disposition to receiue the Husbandmans seede comforting and cherishing it with her natiue vertue and the generatiue power of the Sunne till it re-deliuer it againe with great increase and profit for the refreshing and sustentation of all mankinde Powre downe wee beseech thee with thy heauenly and timely showres maturitie and fruitfulnesse into her barren and sterrill wombe Giue her O Lord a timely Conception and let the moderate fals of heate and water deliuer her of plenty and aboundance that all nations may reioyce and be glad Send farre from vs that monster Famine the abortiue issue of her vntimely labour Shut vp the Lightning O Lord and hold backe the Thunder graspe the Clouds that shee perish not with excesse of drought and stay the waters in their fall lest shee miscarry by drinking too much Keep from her vnwholesome ayres destroying Mil-dewes and the deuouring Caterpillers which carried on the wings of the vvinde eate vp the fruits of our labour Giue vs O Lord a timely Haruest that wee may with ioy and comfort carrie into our Barnes what we haue with much labour and expence carefully sowed Blesse O Lord our store like the Widdowes for that giuing out of our necessary prouision to our poore Brethren we may finde thy blessing left behinde that neither casuall fire malice of our neighbours nor the excesse of immoderate showres destroy our Garners and Store-houses but holding our wealth as thy gift to bee recalled at thy pleasure wee may receiue thy bounteous largesse here and full haruest hereafter to those promised that haue beene carefull Stewards in thy Vineyard euen for Iesus c. 52. A Prayer for the Widdowes HOw often O Lord hast thou inuited me by thy holy Word to come vnto thee How often hast thou called Come vnto me all yee that are laden and oppressed and I will ease you Behold me here O Lord a poore and desolate Widdow depriued of my Husband vnder thee giuen to bee my onely stay and comfort shut vp in my house vnuisited vncomforted vncounselled left in a sea of troubles and in a wildernesse of businesse vnskilfull how to begin and vnexperienced which way to wade thorow them my children hungrie after my goods and my kindred gaping after their Legacies my state vncertaine and litigious called by contentious and euill minded persons into question of Titles and Tryals meaning by oppression and might to teare from mee what belongeth not to them In all these my troubles and afflictions heauinesse of minde sad and continuall griefes I neither expect nor desire comfort but from thy holy Tabernacle Looke downe from thy high and holy place O Lord vpon thy carefull and comfortlesse seruant and instruct her which way to take in so many and confused miseries Touch the heart O Lord of some honest and religious man one who hath thy feare before his eyes that hee may helpe and direct me in my vncertaine and doubtfull businesses and if it be my right O Lord that they would violently pluck from mee bee neere vnto me for thy mercie sake and raise vp those that are skilfull in the Law to deale faithfully with me fasten the Iudge O Lord vnto me and open his eyes that hee may see my right and deale according vnto equitie Blesse my children and teach them obedience to thee and dutie towards me that I may be comforted in them and giue mee grace O Lord to dedicate the remainder of my dayes to thy vse and seruice strength to resist and ouercome all contrarie motions and oppositions that hauing faithfully obeyed thee in taking my husband since thou hast pleased to take him from me I may liue onely to thee so that death nor hell be able to diuorce me from so bountifull so blessed and all-pittying a Lord and Father Amen 53. A Prayer for a Wife O Lord God most mightie which hast instituted and ordained Marriage for the holy vniting and ioyning together of one soule in two bodies which should gouerne and direct all their actions to one end mutually supplying each others eare ioyntly labouring through the cumbers and aduersities of this transitorie world together bearing all troubles and discomforts together partaking of all ioyes and solaces Grant I beseech thee for the loue which thou bearest thy holy Church a type of which thou pleasest to make vs that we may together faithfully serue obey thy commandements loue thee aboue our selues and feare thee aboue all things Blesse O Lord I beseech thee my husband in all his businesse and vndertakings and giue him grace to call vpon thee for aide and counsell in all his enterprises accept his labours O Lord and prosper the workes of his hands that endeuoring painefully and honestly to earne our refreshings we may relye vpon thee for the good successe Grant vs O Lord a competent estate to maintaine our selues without ingagements to others and to bring vp our children in thy feare sanctifie vs with thy holy Spirit that a vertuous and heauenly loue may dwell betwixt vs in all sorrowes and mis-fortunes whatsoeuer it shall please thee to lay vpon vs still comforting one another Forgiue O Lord and remit all our sinnes and giue vs both grace to attend thy Diuine Will and Pleasure for the perfecting and establishing of whatsoeuer wee shall desire that being made one by thee and liuing one in thee we may vndeuided enioy thy eternall company world without end Amen 54. A Prayer for Mariners I Haue seene and beheld thy wonderfull workes and
to the blinde a staffe to the lame and a most heauenly and neuer-erring Physician to all that labour vnder any disease Come vnto mee saith our blessed Lord all yee that are oppressed and I will ease you O mercifull and generall comfort as certaine to be done as it is spoken I prostrate my selfe humbly before thee and desire thee of thy infinite mercy if such be thy will and pleasure to let this transitorie and bitter cup passe from me yet not my will but thy blessed will bee done who alone knowest what is fittest to tame my stubborne and rebellious affections and to morrifie in me all vaine and aspiring thoughts that I may wholly desire to bee dissolued and liue with thee where eternall and neuer-ending peace and piety haue their habitation 82. A Prayer to our blessed Sauiour MOST mercifully louing Lord Redeemer and Sauiour of the world I wretched and detestable sinner leprous all ouer and more spotted with sinne then the blessed Iob with sores which no Poole can euer cure all humble prostrate my selfe before thee not desiring thee to lay thy blessed and happy-making hand vpon so vlcerous a creature nor to cast thy pittying and fauourable eye vpon so displeasing and hatefull an obiect but onely O Lord if so poore and vnworthy a worme may aspire to request of so high and great a Deitie one word from thy heauenly lips to make me whole but say the word O Lord and I shall passe the Snow in whitenesse and cast my sicke and aged imperfections renewing my selfe like the strong Eagle at thy command whole Legions of sinnes which carry mee head-long to ruine and perdition shall passe from mee and I remaine praysing and gloryfying thy holy name the numnesse and deadnesse of my vncharitable hand vpon thy Word shall stretch it selfe forth and bee exercised in deeds of loue and mercy vpon thy Word my wilfull and naturall blindnesse shall bee taken away and I restored to a perfect and good sight gloriously beholding thee in thy reuealed Wil and wonderfully in thy workes vpon thy Word I shall easily heare and fully vnderstand thy Diuine and heauenly Mysteries and lay them vp in my heart for my comfort and consolation The Iewes O Lord had eares and heard not eyes and saw not hands and felt not thy apparant and astonishing miracles they saw before their eyes the blind receiue their sight the dead restored to life they heard with their eares the dumbe speake and glorifie thy holy Name they felt thy naturall and heauenly begotten Bodie and yet beleeued not Blessed are they which haue not seene and haue beleeued But say the word O Lord and I shall be made partaker of that heauenly benediction acknowledging thee the Son of the euer-liuing God borne of the blessed Virgin crucified vnder Pontius Pilate giuing ouer thy life buried and rising againe on the third day for the redemption and saluation of mankinde I shall lay hold of thy precious Passion and bury all my misdeeds in thy life-giuing wounds to bee washt away with thy vnualuable bloud for euer will I kneele for this Word for euer remaine a deuout and humble Petitioner that all these things may bee done vnto mee and I become a new creature spirited anew with thy holy Spirit for euer praysing and magnifying thy holy Name louing it aboue my selfe and adoring it to the end all generations may approoue thy power in the conquest of hell death and sinne Amen 83. A Prayer in time of Lent O Benigne and bountifull Sauiour our onely Aide Comforter and Redeemer the preseruer of all Mankinde the glorie and hope of all mortality who whilst thou wandredst here amongst vs putting on perfect Humanity sufferedst thy selfe to be carryed into the Wildernesse and tempted of the deuil gloriously ouercomming him by prayer fasting to leaue vnto vs the ordinary ready meanes to resist all his subtill suggestions prescribing the same meanes to thy Apostles for the dispossessing Satan and hast also left vs many examples in thy holy Prophets blessed Fore-runner who liued in the Woods on Locusts and wilde Hony giuing vs a liuely and perfect Patterne who didst all for our example of thy owne blessed abstinence and moderation Grant O mercifull and blessed Sauiour that wee may this blessed and holy time of Lent attend more especially the spirituall food of our soules chastising and subduing the lusts and heate of the flesh by temperate and thrifty dyet lest of a seruant hee become a Master rebelling against the Spirit Mortifie in vs O Lord all wilde and loose desires ranging and disordered appetites which sowe dissention betwixt me and thee making me fearefull to enter and vnworthy to stand in thy presence and plentifully enrich mee with thy grace that I may do thy workes seriously meditate on thy Passion and take it to heart detesting and abandoning my sinnes the onely cause so great a Lord was so meanely intreated so gentle a Sauiour so vngently vsed and so mercifull and louing a Redeemer so vnmercifully and hatefully tormented by his owne subiects and seruants in the recouerie of their inheritance and freedome And if the children of men after the decease of a louing father expresse their griefe to the world by putting on mourning garments confining themselues to their Chamber and through anguish of heart forbearing their necessarie food was euer a worthier cause or a sorrow better beseeming the sonnes of Adam or a time more conuenient then in the yeerely obseruing and celebrating the dayes of their Lord and Masters torments and funeralls who dyed and was persecuted for them Grant vs therefore O Lord we may fast and deuoutly pray bitterly lamenting our sins and misdeeds which gaue thee vp to the death of the Crosse 84. A Prayer against temptation LEade vs not into temptation O Lord but deliuer vs from all euill sinne lyeth in waite to betray vs and Satan baiteth vs with opportunity he knoweth O mercifull Father our affections and by our actions ghesseth at our thoughts our inclinations he is cunning in and in subtilty who can surpasse him He deceiued our first parents whom thou hadst endued with excellent and Angell-like vnderstanding colouring his malice with carefull pretences many of thy choysest seruants he hath beguiled and triumphed neither is his inueterate and cankred enuy mitigated his power abated his knowledge decayed or his delight in wickednesse measured or lessened He is mighty in perswasions mighty in the meanes and most cunning in applying them He hath conquered the world that world our flesh and our flesh vs Who can suspect so great offers for dissimulation or mischiefe And who so neere and inseparable a friend which tendreth them Thus are the wisest O blessed Lord and Sauiour by a seeming shew of what is good circumuented thus the strongest with their owne confidence ouerthrowne Against so powerfull an enemie so powerfully followed but by thy neuer-yeelding grace what hope of resistance Stay him O Lord in his swiftnesse and bring
Prayer O Most mercifully louing God who gatherest and keepest thy beloued vnder thy wings as the Henne doth her Chickens defending them by thy mightinesse from all the perils and misfortunes which their weakenesse and the Deuils suggestions might bring vpon them I giue thee most humble and heartie thankes that thou hast safely protected me this day from all bodily dangers and mischances from the crueltie of Fire the mercilesnesse of Water the rage of the Sword the spoyle of Sicknesse and the vnsparing hand of Death which hath suddenly and vnexpectedly ouertaken many feasting and rioting But now O Lord and aboue measure am I to glorifie and prayse thy euerlasting goodnesse that with thy assisting grace thou hast blessed me from horrible sinnes and transgressions crying vnto thee for Iudgement Incest committed with the neerest of our bloud and remotest from the bloud of our Sauiour Murther of mans bodie with the slaughter of our owne soule Rape of Virgins with the deflowring of our owne vertue and many other offences which thou vnknowingly hast taken from vs deliuering vs from the occasions which hanging ouer vs were vnperceiued readie to deuoure vs. Continue O Lord thy louing kindnesse and in the darkenesse of this Night shoot forth thy beames into our soules that wee may inwardly behold and meditate vpon thy neuer-ending mercies Ouer-shadow vs with a companie of Angels who may watch and guard our sleeping bodies lest the Deuill enter and vnawares surprize vs. Keepe from vs O Lord all wanton and lasciuious dreames vaine and idle fancies that hauing peaceably and quietly obtained an vntroubled and vnpolluted Repose wee may awake in thy feare to remember all thy kindnesses employing both soule and bodie to doe him homage and seruice by whose mightie and louing power wee haue enioyed them safe from the oppositions of all our enemies WEDNESDAY 7. Morning Prayer ALmightie and euer-liuing God the first Beginner Mouer and Creator of all things being I render thy diuine Maiestie humble and heartie thanks for the quiet Repose and Rest of the passed Night humbly entreating thee of thy fauour and goodnesse by thy holy direction and assistance to gouerne and commaund all the actions of this day that they may bring forth a Comfort and Repose of a good Conscience Giue O Lord vnto me thoughts pure and vndefiled beseeming the presence of so great and holy a Maiestie before whom I continually stand speeches sparing and modest with the consideration of an account to be made for them that my actions arising from these may be a warrane to me in the peace of a settled mind a profitable example to my weake brethren and a neuer-ending glorie and honour to thee whose workemanship I am Take from me O blessed and carefull Father the occasions of sinne and the oportunitie of committing them Let no euill companie the Nets of Satan ensnare my weake and fraile determinations seducing me by wantonnesse or the desire of vaine-glorie or what other secondarie cause soeuer to the forgetting thee and my owne dutie and saluation Giue me grace and strength O blessed and all louing Creator to labour in the vocation thou hast ordained for me and blesse O Lord the labours of my hand that I may see the comfort and encrease of them for which let thy holy and euer-comforting Spirit inflame me with a burning desire of thankfulnesse and humble acknowledgement that I may not lose thee for not praysing honouring and adoring thy holy Name to vvhich bee ascribed all honour and glorie world without end NOONE. 8. A Prayer or Meditation acknowledging Gods benefits with an humble Confession of our sinnes WHat is Man O Lord that thou doest so much respect him Or the Sonne of Man that thou giuest heed vnto him Why hast thou sent thy onely Begotten who in glorie excelleth all Creatures to be a Sacrifice for him and giuen thy Angels charge ouer him Why hath thy owne hand conducted him and Miracles made way for him Is he not O Lord slime of the Earth created of nothing and without thy mercie should be happie to returne to nothing Was he able to helpe thee when he had no being in thy great Workemanship Or when it was made vvithout thee could he distinguish it Was he not last formed and all other things for his vse and seruice And in requitall of all this thy exceeding and infinite bountie did hee not leaue thee his onely God and Creator and take part with thy enemie against thee And hast thou yet gathered him to thee and by thy reuealed Will left him thine heire of all those glorious Possessions whose Title cannot be questioned Those inestimable Riches which neither Theeues nor Moths can beguile him of or take away What excellencie is there O mercifull Father in this thy handy worke to deserue such innumerable and vn-imitable benefits What can hee O Lord repay thee for these great and vnspeakable bounties What proportion can there be of a finite vncertainetie with an euerlasting and infinite Deitie With what admirable and vnconceiuable Art doest thou fashion him in the Wombe How wonderfully and strangely doest thou bring him forth How carefully after and most louingly doest thou cherish and succour him his Parents being thy Nurses in whom thou hast inspired such Nature and Loue towards him that they account and call that Trouble a Blessing How most prouidently for this despised Clay didst thou in the beginning diuide the great Time disposing the one halfe for the Rest and Repose of this thy Creature rocking him asleepe with thy all-powerfull and fauourable hand And when he comes in progresse of time to exercise and vse that Reason and Vnderstanding in which thou hast made him lord ouer all thy Creatures what O Father of all Comforts and Blessings doth he returne thee for this thy care and blessings How does he in part and to his power answere these thy exceeding great and high benefits Doth he walke in the Way which thou hast instructed him Or is his delight in seeking after thy Commaundements Doth he not leaue the knowne Path reuealed in thy Word and wander after Vanities searching for their footsteps which lead vnto destruction O all mercifull and louing God whose Charitie and Bountie doth well expresse thy Godhead and Power since it is not in Mortalitie to loue so abundantly so feruently so causelessely graunt I beseech thee euen for the bowels of thy mercie to inflame my heart with the like desires and affections that I may loue thee aboue my selfe with all my soule with all my heart all my vnderstanding despising all things in respect of thee since there is nothing great glorious and high nothing of infinite Beautie euerlasting Maiestie vnspeakable Charitie but God alone who hath filled euery thing with his Blessing with his Being with his Presence who confines all things without being confined who is was and euer shall be of endlesse power honour and glorie Amen 9. Euening Prayer LEt me neuer be vnthankfull O Lord that
flesh infinitely desiring thee of thy grace and fauour to cleanse and sanctifie my polluted and vncleane soule knowing that no Adulterers or Fornicators shall inherite thy Kingdome Giue vnto me O Lord spotlesse and innocent Chastitie being the Lilly among all vertues whose sparkling lustre is seene a farre off Bridle with thy holy hand all wanton and loose desires which runne after their owne destruction Let the delight of mine eyes bee thy miraculous Resurrection the obiect of mine eares the story of thy Passion the subiect of my thoughts the remembrance of the Crosse the foode of my vnderstanding thy wonderfull and vnconceiueable Conception Let mee with St. Thomas thrust my fingers in thy wounds that all faculties and functions of body and soule beeing busied and employed in and about thy workes and wonders I may bee deliuered and bring foorth holy thoughts reuerent and gentle speeches pure and immaculate actions worthy the honour and glory of so pure and innocent a Lord borne of a spotlesse and immaculate Virgin Grant this O sweet Iesus the bestower of all goodnes and vertue that desiring to draw out this short and transitorie life purely and honestly wee may after we shall be warned to giue it ouer dwell with thee in thy euerlasting habitation where abideth all purity sanctitie cleannesse glory world without end Amen 26. A Prayer against Sloth WHen thou calledst thy seruants to account most mercifull gentle Sauiour what reward had he that fearing thy hardnesse and his owne weaknesse laid vp thy talent and employed it not was he not after conuiction sentenced and deliuered to the Sargeant Are wee not commaunded by thy neuer-erring Word to worke our saluation to watch and pray continually because wee know not at what houre our Lord and Master will call vpon vs which are no effects of Sloth and Idlenesse For to banish sleepe and due repose doth require a vvhole mind not a surfetted and lazy soule buried in flesh and bloud and to offer vp with humble feruencie and ardent deuotion pure and earnest prayers asketh due consideration much trouble and a great conquest ouer the outward man not to be obtained without many assaults and labour The slothfull man saith the holy Ghost shall not eate Can we not then attaine bodily foode without dayly care much shift and many times hard and extraordinarie paines and doest thou flatter thy selfe O my soule that either heauen will stoope to thee or our blessed Sauiour fetch thee without mouing or helping thy selfe thither Imitate the greedy Merchant who with vnheard-of fauours seeketh vnknown countries exposing himselfe to the certaine dangers of the Sea vncertaine sicknesses to purchase and returne laden with wealth which hee can neither keep at his pleasure nor will vse at his pleasure Quicken me O Lord with thy holy Spirit that mounted on the wings of Charitie I may flye to thee I will rise duely in the morning saith the holy King and glorifie God I will euery night wash my couch with my teares Giue mee O Lord the care and respect of this holy Prophet his vigilancie stoutnesse in labours perseuerance in good purposes and continuance to the end This life O my soule is a warfare wherein we must not stand idle but take vp our weapons and fight manfully We must preuent the day with our diligence and out-watch the Sunne with our carefulnesse lest the enemy take vs vnawares and slaughter vs We must haue our Lamps still lighted and be euer ready that wee may be taken in and made partakers for our short trauels of eternal and euerlasting rest and repose 27. A Prayer against Couetousnesse SInce it is easier O Lord for a Cammel to enter the eye of a needle then for a rich man to inherite the Kingdome of Heauen Let mee O Lord wander naked and hungry cloathed with sores and botches rather then with Diues his portion to take possession of his punishment For what auayleth it to gaine the whole world and lose my owne soule Yet if it please thee bountifull Father to leaue and bequeath to me a plentifull estate and great riches giue me grace so to vse and bestow them that I come not behinde hand with thee in my account Let mee so dispose them as thou hast by expresse words appointed that my poore Brethren put not vp a Bill against me Set not my heart on them O Lord but as things without mee when either thou pleasest by fire water or any other casualtie to call them from me let mee thankefully surrender them as a Reeue not an Owner yeelding thee immortall and vnfained thanks that I haue had them so long not inwardly grudging and repining that I haue lost them so soone For who placeth al his content on them can neither possesse them long nor safely Giue me O Lord pouertie of spirit in the middest of all abundance that I may fast hauing all plenty taking the delicates from my Table and with my owne hand seruing the poore and needy who are bought at as dear a rate as the mightiest and whose soules are as precious to thee as the greatest Let me euer remember that saying of the blessed Iob Naked came I out of my mothers wombe and naked shall I returne againe Praised bee the Lord for all Leauing to my children the prayers of the poore not the curses of ill-gotten riches the praises of good men not that heauy sentence of Wo be vnto thee at my departure that at that great and terrible day when all accounts shal be examined and laid open bringing in my Bils of cloathing the naked feeding the hungry and giuing drink to the thirstie I may receiue that soule-comforting discharge of Come yee blessed and seat you on my right hand for vnto you belongeth the Kingdome of Heauen 28. A Prayer humbly acknowledging our sins with promise of amendment I Wretched sinner heere personally appearing and standing in the presence of God euerlasting of al the Court of Heauen hauing considered the exceeding mercy of his diuine goodnes toward me most vnworthy miserable caytife whō he hath created of nothing preserued sustained and deliuered from so many dangers endowed with so many benefits But aboue al considering the incōprehensible sweetnes clemency wherwith this most good God hath so bountifully tolerated me in my iniquities and so louingly inspired me inuiting mee to amendment and so patiently expected my repentance conuersion notwithstanding all my vnthankfulnesse disloyalty infidelity whereby deferring my Cōuersion despising his graces I haue so impudently offended him hauing moreouer considered that at the day of my christening I was so happy and holily vowed and dedicated vnto my God to be his child and that contrary to the profession which then was made in my name I haue so many and sundry times so execrably and detestably profaned and violated my soule imploying it and opposing it against his diuine Maiestie At length recalling my selfe and prostrating my selfe in heart and
minde before the Throne of his diuine iustice I acknowledge confesse and yeeld my selfe lawfully attached and conuicted of high Treason against his diuine Maiestie and guilty of the death and Passion of Iesus Christ by reason of the hainous sinnes which I haue committed for which he dyed and suffered the torment of the Crosse so that consequently I am worthy to be cast away and damned for euer But turning my selfe towards the Throne of the infinite mercy of the selfe-same eternall God hauing detested from the bottome of my heart and with all my force the iniquities of my life fore-passed I most humbly require and craue pardon grace and mercy with entire absolution from my cryme through vertue of the Passion and death of the same Sauiour and Redeemer of my soule vpon whom relying as vpon the onely foundation of my hope I confirme againe aduowe and renew the sacred profession of loyall seruice and fidelitie made in my name and behalfe vnto my GOD at my baptizing renouncing the Diuell the Flesh and the World abhorring the execrable suggestions vanities and concupiscence for all the time of this present life and for all eternitie and conuerting my selfe vnto my most gracious and mercifull God I desire deliberate purpose and fully resolue irreuocably to honor him serue him loue him now and for euer giuing him for this end and dedicating and consecrating my spirits with all his faculties my soule with all her functions my heart with all his affections and my body with all his sences protesting neuer more to abuse any one part of my beeing or nature against his diuine will and soueraigne Maiestie To whom I offer vp and sacrifice my selfe in spirit to be to him a loyall obedient and faithfull creature for euermore Amen 29. A Prayer to be said in Afflictions and Troubles O Eternall and euer-liuing God the Father of all Consolation and Mercies the giuer of all things good and vertuous who art vnto vs as a Nurse vnto a childe a Shepheard vnto a wandring Lambe a Guide of our wayes a Guardian of our persons a Counsellour in doubts a Comforter in troubles a Patron in our needes and an assured Friend in all afflictions graciously assist vs in all our tribulations and aduersities being an assured tryall of thy seruants For whom thou louest thou chastisest Suffer me to bee tempted O Lord not ouercome rebuked not forsaken bruised with thy rod not broken for my soule is heauy within me and my enemies haue preuailed against me yea my Spirit repineth and my flesh grudgeth that thy hand is so heauy on mee I goe like one that hath lost his way shooting my eyes into the earth as desiring to be buried in my misfortunes All my friends haue left me and my company is my owne thoughts which are displeasing vnto me My eyes are great with teares my tongue laboureth with my mis-fortunes so that I seeme to others a piece of earth wrapped in woe and calamity Comfort me O Lord and I shall be comforted shoote thy holy Spirit into me and I shall bee disburdened lighten the beames of thy mercy vpon me and I shall shine in prosperity for it is my sinnes O Lord which haue confounded mee it is the multitude of my wickednesses which haue drowned the multitude of thy ioyes it is my guilt which banisheth thy goodnesse Turne backe O Lord and mercifully looke vpon me as thou didst vpon thy holy Apostle and faithfull seruant S. Peter that I may not onely weep but bitterly lament my misdeeds and offences who haue denyed my onely Lord and Master all the dayes of my life swearing as one that knew him not and blaspheming as certainely neither beleeuing nor fearing the punishments which haue ouer-growne me But if alas through suggestion of mine enemy or through humane frailty I chance any time to transgresse in any thing whatsoeuer giue me grace O Lord by the aide of the Holy Ghost to arise againe so soone as I shall perceiue my fall and so to returne anew to the Diuine Mercy without any stay or delay whatsoeuer Let it please thee O my eternall God Almighty and all good Father Son and Holy Ghost to confirme and strengthen mee in this resolution of my amendment and to accept this Cordiall and inward Sacrifice in the odor of sweetnesse O my God thou art my God God of my heart God of my soule God of my spirit and for such doe I reuerently thankfully and louingly acknowledge honour and adore thee now and for euer 30. Another Prayer for remission of sinnes O Benigne Iesu the onely refuge of desolate and afflicted soules the comfort and succour of those that are laden and oppressed mercifully heare and pitifully receiue the prayers and supplications of one conceiued and borne in sinne who acknowledgeth and confesseth before the Throne of thy Diuine Maiesty that hee is too base and altogether vnworthy to speake nay looke and much lesse to be heard and regarded in this his extremity who in time of health hath contemned and neglected his Physicion in time of iollity and prosperity hath neither thriftily prouided nor wisely preuented the daies of horror and desolation who being cruelly accused by his owne conscience of many high and detestable treason against the King of Kings and Lord of Lords his thoughts and senses bearing witnes against him hath neither treasure to ransome him nor friend to pleade for him wealth preuaileth not with him who is infinite in Riches Titles and Honours are momentany shadowes in his presence who aduanceth and degradeth whom hee pleases Kindred and friends dare not bee seene before so pure and iust a Iudge in so foule and vniust a cause What wilt thou then doe O my soule in these straights and extremities Whither wilt thou flye for succour Heauen is his dwelling place the earth his foot-stoole the Mountaines hee will remoue and his iustice diues into the bottome of the Sea Fall then before him and all prostrate lift vp thy voyce implore his mercy desire his pardon sue vnto him kneele before him lay hold of him and let him not depart O my soule till hee hath at least granted thee a Reprieue for thy horrible and lewd transgressions which obtained whilst his wrath is a little slackened thy teares may mollifie and get betweene thee and his definitiue sentence Consider duely what friends thou canst make and due consideration will make contrition a speciall fauorite of our Sauiours pleade heartily for thee who in thy behalfe promising a detestation of thy former offences with an assured purpose and resolution of amendment ioyned with a continuance and progresse in good workes and holy exercises may for our Sauiour delights to heare him purchase thee an absolute pardon Grant me therefore most sweet and amiable Lord to imploy the remnant of my life in studying to be acquainted with these thy holy friends and fauorites Giue O Sauiour a fountaine of teares vnto my eyes that I may continually lament and bewayle
am amazed I haue considered O Lord and meditated on thy vnheard-of mercies and am astonished Thou hast giuen vs a passage in the midst of the foming waters the raging Seas haue incompassed vs on euerie side and thou hast saued vs The Rockes haue hidden themselues awaiting our destruction and the Shelfes haue prouided a graue for vs terrible and dreadfull Tempests haue snatched away our Mast from vs the deuouring Maine hath eaten vp our Anchor Darkenesse hath ouer-shadowed the heauens and taken the guide of the Starres from vs and the confusion and imminent danger so amazed our Pilot that he hath forgotten the vse of his Loadstone and yet O mercifull and all pittying Father hast thou safely conducted and brought vs to our desired Hauen Thy mightie and out-stretched Arme hath supplyed the defect of our Mast thy Mercie stands vs in stead of our Anchor thy euer-shining goodnesse made way for vs through the midst of all darknesse and thy eternall Prouidence our neuer-fayling Load-stone mercifully directed vs in the vnknowne waies of the wilde Ocean Praise the Lord all yee waters and let all the fishes of the Sea praise the LORD and all yee that haue seene his wonders in the deepe bee confounded and astonished For my part O Lord write them I beseech thee in the Table of my heart that I may continually remember them with feare and trembling euer acknowledging with praise and thankesgiuing that thou hast taken mee from the mouth of the graue and snatcht me out of the iawes of death for which I will alwaies sing There is none like vnto our God who hath saued his people in the midst of destruction hallowed be his name for euermore Amen 55. A Prayer for Children O Lord God from whom the most aged receiue their comfort and the wisest their instruction guide I humbly entreate thee my parents in the way of saluation bee a staffe O Lord vnto their weakenesse and a guide vnto their steps renew their minds in the decay of their bodies and giue them inward eyes to behold what their dim and fading sight can neuer attaine to that they may walke in truth and righteousnesse all the dayes of their life And graunt I earnestly beseech thee louing and gentle Father that I may bee obedient to their holy and iust commandements louing and carefull in performing to my power their precepts and instructions requiting their former care of me with my dutie and humblenesse Blesse me O Lord in my tender and vnexperienced yeeres from all euill and lewd company which may accustome me to idle and vnthriftie courses invre my mind to labour for the attaining learning and knowledge and graciously O Lord bestow vpon mee as the ground-worke of all other vertues the gift of humilitie being fittest for my yeeres and most conuenient for grace to build vpon euen for Iesus Christ his sake who hath commanded all little ones to come to him Amen 56. A Prayer for Seruants O Lord God which hast bought vs all with thy precious Bloud ransoming at as deare a price the Begger that feâ—deth on Almes as Kings that clothed in gold and purple fare deliciously Giue me grace O Lord to be contented with the estate thou hast placed me in and let mee not repine at the lownesse of my place but keeping heere my station and carefully watching for the time of my freedome I may at last obtaine eternall libertie Prosper O Lord of thy accustomed bountie and goodnesse my Master and Mistresse blesse them with thy feare and endue them with thy holy Spirit that they may truely obey and honour thee Humble me O Lord before them and giue me grace faithfully to execute what they shall lawfully command Let mee neuer entertaine a thought to wrong them but deale truely and vprightly in whatsoeuer they shall commit to my charge knowing that thou art a seuere and All-seeing Iudge who wilt one day call mee to account for all my offences let me be studious and diligent to dispatch what they shall appoint mee to do not mis-imploying my time to their losse and preiudice Saue me O Lord from the companie of those who delight in wickednesse and vnder whose tongues lyeth guile and deceit Preuent me O Lord by thy neuer-erring wisedome and assist me with thy grace that I may truely serue thee and them whom thou hast appointed ouer mee that I may at length be preferred to thee in thy eternall Kingdome who liuest and raignest world without end Amen 57. A Prayer for one that is sicke WIth what face O Lord shall I approach before thee How shall I dare to lift vp my voyce vnto thee What can I say for my selfe or what shall I offer Shall I entreate health of thee who in the fulnesse of it haue dedicated it to thy enemie Shall I proffer to serue thee that am vnable to helpe my selfe Shall I request thy loue and fauour who haue euer beene thy professed enemie and now come onely to beg it when I am vnder thy wrath readie to receiue damnation for my hainous and horrid transgressions I confesse eternall and euer-liuing God that I am not worthy that a thought of thy goodnesse should enter into so polluted a mansion I acknowledge my selfe to haue deserued more punishment then hell can lay vpon me who haue daily hourely nay knowingly so grieuously offended thy Diuine Maiestie now onely offering my selfe to thee when sin can make no vse of mee Yet O mercifull Father consider I beseech thee what my substance is how mightie my enemies and how fraile my owne condition Forsake me not I beseech thee though I come ouer-late vnto thee thy mercy I know O Lord is able to forgiue more then I am able to commit By that bottomelesse welspring I beseech thee haue pittie on me and comfort me lest I despaire and dye For my sinnes are terrible vnto me and appeare before me clad in their deformitie the deuill whom I haue thus long serued now puts me in minde and representeth the horrour of hell vnto mee O sweet Iesus hasten vnto me and since thou didst vouchsafe to put on Humanity for our Redemption forsake me not now a miserable and afflicted creature lying at the feet of thy mercy who determineth neuer to rise till thou say vnto him Thy sinnes are forgiuen thee Lend me O Lord if it bee thy holy pleasure a little more respit to call vpon thy Name Lengthen my daies that I may repent mee and winne thy fauour by seeking after thee But if otherwise thou determine make me O Lord readie for thee and let my humble confession hearty and true contrition with the acknowledgement of thy infinite and boundlesse Deitie as it did the Thiefe vpon the Crosse saue me from prepared ruine and destruction sweet Iesus Amen 58. A Prayer for Womens Deliuerance
VNsearchable O Lord are iudgements and wonderful the workes of thy hand thou hast made fashioned a Lump of flesh in my wombe thou hast giuen it life to grow to feed and be nourished thou hast adorned and beautified it with limbes and senses thou hast in thy mercy inspired a liuing soule into it whereby it may hereafter be capable of thy loue and euerlasting felicitie Now the period O Lord draweth neere and the time appointed for the deliuery giuing vp this burden be neer O merciful Father vnto thy seruant strengthen me in this my sore labour and trauell comfort me O Lord in my agony that I faint not vnder the throwes and dreadfull pangs of the approaching neere-ensuing birth let no vaine feares affright me or the thoughts of what I must suffer be terrible vnto me Let me be comforted O Lord in thy promise and the blessing that must proceed from my Ioynes hearten me patiently to endure my torments hasten O Lord my deliuery and giue the fruite of my womb an easie passage that with the sight of a well-formed childe I may be made a ioyfull mother grant it O Lord right shape and keepe the life which thou hast giuen vnto it that it may be borne anew of water and the holy Spirit to be made partaker and heire of thy euerlasting Kingdome But if O Lord thou in thy eternall Wisedome hast otherwise prouided for me appointing me in the neuer-againe dying birth to be restored vnto thee mercifully assist me in this my last passage that confident in thy promises made to all I may ioyfully giue my selfe as a well-pleasing sacrifice awaiting thy diuine Pleasure and commending and committing my selfe into thy hands patiently expect the blessed houre to be deliuered from the sinfull prison of this transitory world into that euerlasting Habitation where dwelleth infinite ioy world without end Amen 59. A Prayer to bee said when you goe into your bed BLesse me O Lord preserue and keepe mee from all the dangers of this night Saue and deliuer me from the ancient enemie who through immoderate sloth negligence hopeth to betray me Visite O Lord my soule though farre too meane to entertaine so royall a Guest yet sending thine owne prouision before thee holy vertues chaste and simple thoughts thy lodging may be the better prepared for thee Settle and gouerne O Lord my phantasie that it range and forme not wilde and vnlawfull apparations stay my memorie that it search not after vaine and idle pleasures fill my vnderstanding with thy goodnesse and mercy that being wholly and inwardly busied with thee I may escape the snares and nets of Satan and wake to my owne comfort and thy glorie sweete IESVS Amen 60. A Prayer against idle Talke SEt a watch O Lord before my lips that I defile not my mouth with dishonest and vnseemely speeches betraying the hearers to sinne and vncleannesse Keepe me from their companie whose delight is in wicked talke lest I perish with them Let my tongue deliuer forth thy prayses and be the Trumpet of thy neuer-ending mercies grant me a single and vnpolluted heart that I may reuerently adore thy Mysteries and bee the honorer of thy Glorie and Maiesty Keepe my eyes from wandring after the concupiscence of my desires that I bee not ouertaken and made prisoner to sinne and death Place my thoughts vpon thy bitter Passion whose mournefull acts may put away all idle delights and pleasures and fasten mee vpon thy Crosse to weepe and lament my passed offences for that sweete Name of IESVS in whose merites all flesh must be saued 61. A Thankes-giuing O God most high most mightie Creator of heauen and earth which out of Nothing hast made and formed this beautifull All createdst the glorious Firmament fretted with Starres the euer-shining Sunne to giue light by day and firest the Moone to banish the nights darkenesse giuing life to the Fowles of the Aire the Beasts feeding on the Earth and the Fishes whose dwelling is in the waters below for the vse and seruice of man making him according to thy owne Image ennobling him with Vnderstāding Will and Memorie to conceiue and apprehend the glorious workes of thy hand Redeemed him with an vnparalell'd example preserued and kept him with an vnimitable care and prouidence How shall hee render thee condigne and worthie prayses for these thy vnspeakeable and vndeserued benefites How shall hee tender to thy diuine Maiestie thankes equall and befitting such infinite and innumerable graces How many O LORD haue dyed in the womb How many neuer attained the blessed regeneration of Baptisme How many reconciled and entred into the state of grace haue through their owne corruption frailtie and the suggestion of the diuell lost it and falne away from the faith of thy neuer-erring Word How often O Lord haue I transgressed and sinned spurned at thy secret Callings and refused to entertaine them and yet O Lord hast thou patiently expected my conuersion giuen me further time to repent me of my carelesnesse and back-sliding sending thy holy grace to enable me to call vpon thee for mercy and forgiuenes Prayse God O my soule for his louing kindnes endureth frō generation vnto generation he hath not dealt so with euery man nor so aboundantly showred his fauor to all his people I wil magnifie him from the rising of the Sun vnto the going downe of the same who hath raised me from death and not suffered mee to goe downe into the Pit who hath forgotten my wickednesse and remembred himselfe of his goodnes glorie be vnto thee on high and praise vpon earth who hath giuen charge to his Angels to keepe vs in all our wayes 62. A Prayer for direction in all our affaires GIue me grace O mercifully and truely louing Lord that I may with all singlenesse of heart ardency and earnestnesse of spirit wisely and carefully search after those things which may be pleasing vnto thee Order and so dispose of me that I may faithfully and truely performe those things which thou requirest of me and giue me knowledge O Lord to doe it as it ought and is most expedient for my owne soule Grant O Lord God that I neither grow presumptuous seated in Prosperity nor be cast downe despairing with the frownes of Aduersitie Let thy fauour be my onely delight and my discontent thy displeasure Let me endeuour to please none nor be afraid to displease any but thy selfe Let all transitorie things be base in my sight and what belongeth to thee be onely acceptable and thou O God aboue all Let the paines O Lord which are for thee be aboue any pleasure and pleasure without thee seeme tedious and vnwelcome Grant me often to desire the accomplishment of good things and in my relapse to spring vp againe with full purpose of amendment Make me O Lord God obedient without grudging poore without quailing chaste without pollution patient without murmuring humble without dissembling merry without dissolutenes sad
way to ouercome but to torment as assured to ouercome They come O Lord not to fight but ouer-runne not to giue battaile but destruction vnto thy seruants Preuent O Lord their malice and vndoe their subtill and well-laboured Stratagems Make them acknowledge thee the bestower and man with all his Engines but thy Minister to bee ordered as it pleaseth thee Let them see O Lord their Chariots ouer-turned vvith their owne guiders their Horses made a slaughter by the ill direction of their owne masters and the Souldiers in the day of Battell crushed with the weight of their owne Armour that they may not be able to lift vp their hands against those who put their whole trust and hope of victory in thee Grant this O Lord for the precious bloud of thy onely Sonne in whose name we are assured to obtaine all our iust petitions Amen 68. A Thanksgiuing for the ouerthrow of our Enemies S. SIng vnto the Lord a new Song for hee hath done maruellous things with his owne right hand and with his holy arme hath he gotten himselfe the victorie This is the day wherein the Lord redeemed vs and hath taken vs from the hands of our enemies let vs proclaime it to all generations and let the farthest Nations heare of his louing kindnesses When our Souldiers were amazed our Lord comforted them and in the multitude of their enemies was a stay and Bulwarke vnto them He guided their shot and gaue might and power vnto their armes to beat and disperse the growing Host which threatened in their fury to ouerwhelme them he discomfited them and tooke their heart from them returning them with greater feare then they marcht on with assurednes When our Captaines confounded with the danger of the fight and confused with the tumult of their Souldiers forgat their skill in leading he conducted brought them on againe ordered them giuing life and spirit to the fainting and fearefull troupes that they fell vpon their enemies as enraged Lyons scattered them and pursued them to a shamefull retyring and dis-honourable yeelding This is thy worke O Lord and it is wonderfull in our eyes and shall expresse thy goodnes in the confusion of those mis-beleeuing people that doe not acknowledge thee But giue vnto vs O Lord that haue receiued this blessing at thy hands to vs that haue mightily seene thy euerlastingnesse and power in our owne vnexpected safety and vnthought of ruine to our enemies humble and obedient hearts fired and inflamed with this thy high and vndeserued bounty that wee may neuer forget the Day of our Deliuerance but leaue it holy to all ages magnifying and extolling thee the giuer of all conquest Let no securitie take from our eyes the dreadfull and ouer-passed danger no lasting or confirmed peace the memory of this fierce and cruell battaile fought by thee and obtained by thee but hauing it fresh and eminent before vs continually praise and laud thee who hast preserued vs euen for thy owne honour and glory which bee euerlasting world without end So be it Amen 69. A Prayer for present necessities O Gracious and euer-louing Lord which out of thy bounty infinite fauour hast promised to heare the Petitions of those that aske in thy Sonnes name to whom our necessities are knowne and our wants manifest Grant we beseech thee most mercifull Father that we may by thy eternall prouidence be relieued and succoured miserably languishing and groning vnder the waight of our low and desperate extremities put it into the hearts of some of thy seruants to call vs to them and giue vs employment that we may by the sweat of our browes labour to maintaine and keepe our selues and children and aboue all let vs patiently endure and vndergoe what calamities shal euer fall vpon vs wel knowing they are imposed for our sinnes and farre short of their desert and due still expecting thy mercifull hand to redeem and deliuer vs from them Thou O Lord which takest care of the Flowers of the field and enrobest the Lilly aboue the ornaments of Kings wilt not I know leaue thy Children and Seruants for euer nor giue them ouer to bee an ignominie and shame to their despisers but that they shall at last reioyce and sing vnto thee Our Lord hath heard our prayers and mercifully considered the Petitions and earnest requests of his seruants he hath fulfilled his promise and graciously succoured and sustained them praised be the name of the Lord now and for euer Amen 70. Another Prayer entreating Remission of sinnes and constancie in good purposes GIue mee leaue O Lord to speake vnto thee and in thy presence to vnloade the griefe and troubles of mind which burden and disquiet mee taking away my sleepes and laying violent hands on the comfort and content I should enioy in thee Why am I O most mercifull Father forsaken and giuen vp to the wilde desires and concupiscences of my flesh Why am I left a prey to Satan and laid open to his subtill and secret temptations Why hath the multitude of sinnes as a Sea growne vpon mee and the number and dayly practice of my offences taken away almost hope of my safety and recouerie Am I O Lord markt for a vessell of dis-honour and shall thy Omnipotencie be seene in my destruction Though these things are worthy the hainousnesse of my transgressions yet are they not beseeming thy exceeding and infinite loue and mercy and though it may well accord with my rebellious and traiterous disposition daring to breake and violate thy lawes and commandements yet can they no way sute and agree with thy vnbounded and vnlimited Charitie which left'st Heauen and mingledst Humanitie with thy Deitie to saue and recall sinners and offenders In the bowels therefore of thy mercie I beseech thee by thy vnspeakable and vnexpressible bounty which gaue thee vp to death euen to the Death of the Crosse and all those fore-running spitefull and torturous agonies and abuses not to take away thy grace from me nor leaue me to my selfe who am nothing but pollution and vncleannesse vncertaine what way to take yet certaine to runne into loosenesse and deformitie without thee being O Lord taken as it were with a deadnesse or at least a forgetfulnesse of thee rather carelessely neglecting then violently drawne away from thy holy inspirations growing insensible and as it were stupid in all things which belong to thy honour and my owne saluation which of all others and is the most terrible fearefull back-sliding and Apostasie For were I carried away with other delights or onely bewitched with sensualitie I might well hope when time and sacietie had sufficiently displaied their vanity at last to retire grow weary of them but from this stupidnes cold numnes of my carelesse conscience Without thee O Lord who can reuiue me from this heauy death-like sleepinesse but thy almightie voice what can awake me To thee therefore I humbly submit my selfe and penitently prostrate my selfe before thee desiring
seruant who remembring thy promise humbly prostrates himselfe before thy diuine Maiestie confessing all his sinnes and acknowledging all his iniquities Remember not O Lord our offences nor the offences of our fore-fathers neither take thou vengeance of our sinnes for who dare abide thy Iudgements Cast me not away from thy face but say vnto my soule I am thy saluation Haue mercie vpon me O Lord haue mercie vpon me and let my crie come vnto thee for my sinnes are heauie vpon me and threaten to ouerthrow me yea they say vnto my soule Where is now thy God Turne vnto me O Lord and they shall be turned speake vnto me and they shall be scattered Be vnto me a sure Rocke in the time of my trouble that I fall not vnder it for I have hoped in thee Oh forsake not thy seruant Forgiue O Lord all the passed errors of this day pardon my irreuerence in thy companie my negligence at prayers my faintnesse in good purposes and what euill I haue committed or what good through frailetie and my owne heedlesnesse I haue omitted be pleased not to remember euen for thy owne Names sake who art God most mightie one and the same world without end Amen FRIDAY 13. Morning Prayer O Most mercifully louing Lord and Sauiour the glorie and brightnesse of thy Father who descendedst from all thy Ioyes taking on thee humane frailetie to recall and recouer the sinner and those which were diseased with the vncurable plagues of sinne and wickednesse vouchsafe of thy infinite goodnesse and vnspeakable loue to be aiding and assisting to me this day and by thy might and power defend me from all temptations which may ouerthrow my vnsettled though well-directed resolutions Preserue me O Lord from all bodily dangers which without thee continually hang ouer me threatening my ruine and destruction Make good O Lord to me my determinations and purposes which may be answerable to thy holy and blessed inspirations and graunt me patience O Lord meekely and contentedly to suffer whatsoeuer I shall faile or be hindered in referring my selfe with all humilitie and ardencie of desires to thy diuine will and pleasure which be done O Lord in Earth as it is in Heauen Take away all rancour and malicious imaginations that I may neither by reuiling defame my brother or swell and torment my selfe with any disgracings he shall lay vpon me but acknowledging my basenesse and wickednesse as worthie of all reproches and dishonours calling to mind the Seruant is not aboue his Master in the comfort of thy example who aboue the meekenesse of a Lambe vnderwentest all kind of paines and reuilings I may behold a timely Euening reioycing my anger hath not awaited the Sunnes setting euer endeuouring and labouring against my fraile concupiscences and desires euen for thy holy Names sake Which whosoeuer ardently and continually calleth on shall not faile to obtaine vnspeakable happinesse and felicitie world without end Amen AT NOONE. 14. A Prayer to our blessed Sauiour asking him forgiuenesse for our sinnes which crucified him O Bountifull Iesu O sweet Iesu O Iesu the Sonne of the liuing God how dare I wretched and detestable sinner approch before thy diuine Maiestie How can I ouercome with sinne and shame stay any longer in thy presence Did euer the murtherer and slaughterer of his Lord and Master presume to offend him with his sight whilest yet the wounds were fresh and bleeding whilest his bodie was cruelly mangled and torne and his head with an vn-vsed crueltie pained and tormented lest the smart and rage of his wounds the shame and dishonour of his vsage should take away all hope and pitie of pardon deliuering him in his furie to the Iudge and he to the Executioner to carrie him where is continuall weeping and gnashing of teeth But consider O my Soule how this mercifull and meeke Sauiour behaueth himselfe towards his bloudie and tyrannous persecutors behold him dropping with bloud buffetted by the wicked ministers scorned of the people forsaken of his Disciples hoysted into the ayre cruelly nayled on the Crosse not cursing not reuiling but praying not for himselfe but those that persecuted him Amongst whom running with the formost mayest thou in thy eternall Prouidence O glorious Patterne of all Sufferings behold me with more crueltie laying on thee with my sinnes then the stonie-hearted Iewes vvith their weapons tearing thee if it were possible peece-meale with my horrible and blaspheming Oathes my loose and lasciuious thoughts wounding thy faire Head with more spight and rigour then the sharpe-pointed Thornes my Malice Enuie Pride Drunkennesse Concupiscence with innumerable other sinnes and transgressions flaying thy reuerend Bodie All this O Lord haue I done all this committed knowing thee and confessing thee to be Iesus the eternall Sonne of God and only Redeemer of the World Pray for me most gentle and mild Lord speake for me to thy eternall Father without which most abominable and wretched sinner I shall for euer be condemned Forsake me not now O Lord goe not away from me but renew in me a cleane heart and create a right spirit within me that I may plainely see the deformitie of sinne and the ouglinesse of my misdeedes Giue me grace earnestly to seeke thee and hauing found thee ardently to loue thee ouercome with which I may imploy all my actions endeuours and labours wholly to serue thee which if I faithfully and truly doe I shall at the end of my yeeres hauing so indulgent and louing a Master be made a Free-man of Heauen and those vnconceiuable Ioyes which no eye hath seene eare hath heard or tongue can tell they onely know them that enioy them Which O benigne and mercifull Lord graunt all thy seruants to inherite for thy holy Names sake which shall be honoured and praysed world without end 15. Euening Prayer GRaunt me O Lord after the many and wild distractions of this day a holy and inward recollection that I may returne into my selfe with due care and examination how I haue spent and imployed my faculties of soule and functions of bodie which thou hast lent me for thy vse and seruice and giue vnto me a true compunction and sorrowfull feeling for all the passed errors and transgressions of this day that I may heartily lament and bewayle my sinnes and wickednesses with a full resolution and constant determination of my amendment And graunt me O Lord this Night I beseech thee by thine incomprehensible Diuinitie and Maiestie chastitie of mind cleanenesse of heart simplicitie of spirit and most sincere puritie of soule and bodie that I may earnestly seeke after thee and in thee alone take my rest since whatsoeuer is without thee is onely vexation and trouble of mind that hauing enioyed a comfortable and peaceable Repose both of soule and bodie I may awake with much alacritie and cheerefulnesse of spirit to prayse and honour thee in all my workes and labours which the following day shall call me to for his onely sake in whom wee are
enabled to exercise whatsoeuer is good and vertuous Amen SATVRDAY 16. Morning Prayer BE mercifull vnto me O Lord and let thy holy hand be ouer me Let my first Meditation be of thy goodnesse and my Morning thoughts imployed about thy fatherly care and protection which hath from my infancie ouershadowed me preseruing me from the vile and shamefull fires of Lust and Riotousnesse recalling me still to a feeling and dislike of my passed sinnes and offences Rectifie O Lord my sinfull will and strengthen my frailetie that with the burning wings of filiall pietie and humble deuotion for so many and those vnspeakable gifts and graces I may flye by prayers and thanks-giuing to the Throne of thy Diuinitie where fixing all my aymes and intents I may change my pronenesse and inclination to ill and wickednesse with vertuous and feruent desires of louing and honouring thee for thy selfe who art onely and all goodnesse without the respect of my dependance or being from thee that reuerencing thy greatnesse and rauished with thy goodnesse I may with a loue full of awe and feare eschew those wayes which may displease thee euer carefuller of thy anger then my owne hurt or disaduantage to which height of Charitie graunt me O Lord to attaine for the merits of thy onely Sonne who alone is able to deserue so infinite a blessing for so infinite and vile a sinner Amen AT NOONE. 17. A Prayer against Drunkennesse GIue to me the water of Life O Lord and I shall neuer thirst but say the word and I shall be satisfied Send downe thy heauenly dew to asswage and coole my disordered and vnlimitted desires whose burning heat and raging fire runnes me into sinne and excesse In vaine haue I laboured without thee to stay my intemperance in vaine opposed my selfe against my wild and lawlesse sences Strengthen O Lord my weakenesse and confirme me against the temptations of the Deuill who finding a breach in me hath entred and made prey banishing all things good and vertuous which thou hast placed to keepe me and hath peopled me with strong and sinfull thoughts mortall and well-armed Offences who dare iustifie their Rapine and Extortion Drunkennesse Whoredome readily committing more sinnes then I haue names to cloath them in Hasten O Lord and helpe me for I am wearie of their tyrannie cast them out of me and plant thy grace that they returne not and multiplie Whole Dayes haue I pleased my selfe in displeasing thee and broken many Nights to breake thy Commaundements sore longing for their companie whose feet run to Iniquitie abusing thy Creature prouided by thy care and prouidence for the refreshing and sustentation of our naturall bodies to our ruine and without thy great mercie vtter damnation Did not thy seruant Lot O Lord a iust and righteous man in his drinke abuse his owne Daughter What sinne hath Hell in store so horrid that it dare not act and glorie of the deed O most mercifully louing Lord and Father who desirest not the death of a sinner but rather that he should liue and repent I request thee by the bowels of thy Mercie thy bitter precious Passion thy glorious Resurrection and Ascension thou wilt take away from me this Monster and Hell-borne wickednesse which hath subtilly perswaded me to offend thee my Lord and Maker and stealingly surprized me and giuen me vp to all manner of sinnes and transgressions taking away all reason blinding the sences that being wholly in his power he might carrie me headlong to all perdition Preserue me O Lord by thy might and power from all occasions which may bring me to him for I am fearefull of him and dare not without thy gracious assistance and mercie endure his slye and powerfull perswasions No age is warranted from him hee adulterateth both sexes he vnsanctifieth the most religious and creepeth into the priuatest and most retired places bewitching all sorts with his cunning and alluring charmes Stand O my Redeemer at the gates of my eares and shut out all his faire-seeming treaties which would conclude a peace betweene my frailetie and the Deuill Cleare O Lord my eyes and take away the myst from them that I may plainely see and perceiue his ouglinesse and deformitie wallowing in beastlinesse and sensualitie mercifully touch my heart with thy illumining Spirit that I may hate and detest him shun his friends and companions and flye from the place of his abode and entertainement within whose Circle no soule is safe no thought pure no sence perfect Amen 18. Euening Prayer LAy thy blessed hands vpon me O Lord as thou didst on thy seruant Lot delaying his owne safetie and conduct me out of this sinfull and euerie-way polluted Sodome that I may quickly flye from it lest vnquenchable fire and brimstone ouertake me whilest I protract and refuse thy heauenly inspirations Let no day passe me without some progresse in goodnesse and vertue and euerie houre O mercifull Father graunt I may determine a full amendment and detestation of my former lewdnesse and misse-spent behauiour Let me account my selfe an vnprofitable Scholler when I haue not learnt and aspired to some higher measure of vnderstanding thee an vnthriftie and riotous worldling when I haue not gathered and laid vp somewhat to maintaine and defend me in the day of trouble Touch O Lord my heart with thy heauenly Spirit that I may esteeme this life in his full value onely a Pilgrimage and Thorow-fare to another Land where I must truly liue for euer and accordingly despising all the lets and hinderances be neither tempted with the gawdie pleasures nor terrified with the rough passages of my Iourney but in thy holy feare making way through them I may at last arriue to thee the promised Land where euer-continuing and flourishing content and happinesse abideth Amen SVNDAY 19. Morning Prayer O My most mercifull Lord and Redeemer how shall a guiltie and sinfull soule appeare in the presence of an innocent and vnspotted Deitie or what hope of Pitie or Pardon when he shall be my Iudge who may onely accuse me bearing about him wide and gastly wounds which my sinnes haue giuen him by which his most glorious Passion and admirable Resurrection he as this day finished that great and neuer to be forgotten benefit of the Redemption of Mankind which I as much as in me lyeth by my horrid and abominable lust and desire haue sought to frustrate and annihilate Who shall take me from his Iustice or rescue me from his Omnipotencie I haue sinned O Lord I haue sinned and am no more worthie to be called thine I haue risen with the Sunne to meditate on vanities and all the day long haue I followed my owne wayes at the going downe of the same I haue forgotten thy Blessings and sate in darkenesse without remembring thee the Light and Guide of those that goe astray I haue forgotten thy Lawes and thy Statutes haue beene farre from me my thoughts haue beene busied in vncleanenesse and my lippes acquainted with
one another the obedience to thee teach vs obedience in our selues that wholly submitting our selues to thy will we may labour together in this transitorie life to come to thee the life euerlasting with whom dwelleth vnspeakable loue and neuer-ending charitie world without end Amen 40. A Prayer for a Maid to be obedient to her Parents O My most mercifull Lord and Redeemer subdue and bridle my head-strong and vntamed affections who delighting in their owne wayes repine at the direction of my Superiours Let mee euer remember thy holy commandement Honour thy Father and Mother that thy dayes may be long in the land of the liuing Giue me grace to vnderstand it truely lest forgetting thy precept I be banished into that wilde and barbarous Country where to liue is terribler then death and dying the onely comfort of the liuing Let their reprehensions bee the cause of my amendment not repining their iust and lawfull precepts an vndeniable practice of all my actions Let me reuerence their age lending them my youth to help them pray for their imperfections and in them remember humane weaknesse that in my obedience I may receiue the vertue of their blessing which thou alwayes grantest to them that endeuour to fulfill the least of thy commandements 41. A Prayer before a Iourney O Almightie and euerliuing God which by the hand of thy seruāt Moses broughtst the people of Israel out of Egypt and the crueltie of Pharaoh and madest them walke ouer the Red-Sea keeping back with a mighty winde the raging waters who returning in their Furie ouer-whelmed all that great Host and after went'st before them and conducted them thorow the vast and wilde Desert feeding them in their extreme Famine with Manna showred from Heauen Be pleased O mercifull Father at this instant to accompany mee in all my iourneyes and trauailes and with thy louing and mightie protection defend me from all dangers of those that lye in awaite to murther and spoile thy Liege people Bee vnto mee O Lord a guide in my going out a safeguard and defence vpon the way a shaddow in heat a shelter in raine cold a waggon in wearinesse an helper in time of extremitie a stay in slipperie passages a Hauen in shipwracke that vnder thy safe and sure conduct we may march quietly and peaceably to our iourneyes end and vnder the couer of thy wings ioyfully and prosperously returne to our homes againe for his onely sake who was a continuall Pilgrime heere vpon earth to make all our prayers acceptable vnto thee Amen 42. Another short Prayer for the same O Almighty God which hast made this our life as it were a short Pilgrimage to visit holy places and doe penance by thee appointed for mans first transgression giuing vs as in an Inne a space to refresh our wearied bodies not to dwell and settle our selues Grant mercifully thy assistance in these my iourneys and remouings and with thy holy Spirit blesse and comfort me on the way that I be not left alone to the crueltie of those that would assaile mee but hauing thy Angell for my guide and defender I may not feare the oppression of the Wicked but happily arriue at the desired Hauen where I vvill magnifie and praise thy holy name for thy mightie ayde and protection 43. A Prayer in Afflictious WHy art thou sorrowfull my soule and why doest thou trouble mee Why doest thou hang sleepe vpon mine eye-lids and fasten heauinesse on my foot-steps Doth not God regard the prayers of the afflicted or doth he not from his high holy place looke downe to the earth that he might heare the gronings of the fettered and those that are persecuted and afflicted Can thy eye see into heauen or is thy vnderstanding of counsell with God to perceiue how neere his holy hand is to deliuer thee Euery instant is time enough for his Omnipotency and impossible occasions easie to the infinitenes of his Deitie Put thy trust in him my soule and thou shalt not be confounded Say with the Prophet Dauid Though a thousand fall on my right hand and ten thousand on my left yet I will not bee afraid because God hath beene my helper Bee comforted by the mercifull examples which he hath shewed to his people Did not Almighty God with a strong hand punishments enforce the Prophet Ionas to preach destruction to the Niniuites limiting them a short time that within three dayes their Citie should bee destroyed and yet vpon their submission humbling themselues before him with prayers fasting did he not most mercifully remit their punishment and take them into his grace and fauour Fall therefore prostrate before him and with perfect resignation of thy owne will yeeld thy selfe into his hands to do what it please him with thee entreate him of his loue and fauour who neuer absenteth himselfe to those that seeke him relye vpon his mercy who so much loued his people that he sent his onely begotten Sonne to dye for the Redemption of mankinde Aske him forgiuenesse of thy sinnes and offences by reason of whose guilt thou sufferest these light and temporary punishments which haue in iustice deserued euerlasting damnation and disburdened of which the yoke will be easie and the waight light yea thy miseries wil be pleasing like wounds honourably gotten in a glorious conquest and then maist thou ioyfully sing vnto the Lord Mine enemies that troubled me themselues are weakened and falne One thing yet I haue asked of our Lord this will I seeke for that I may dwell in the house of our Lord al the daies of my life 44. A Prayer to be said by a Merchant for the safe returne of his goods IN the time of my trouble who shall I flye vnto what power can fetch me from the bottome of the Sea or whose arme reacheth to the end of the world O most merciful and gracious Lord the Sea is thine and thou madest it and thy hands prepared the dry land with thy Word thou calmest the raging waters and with a beck layest the furie of the winde Grant of thy accustomed clemencie and goodnes such seasonable and temperate weather that they may safely arriue at the appointed Port. Bee vnto them O Lord their Pylote lest the hidden Rocks or vnknowne Sands deuoure them Be their defence and safegard lest their enemies make prey on them that relying on thy fauour aboue the vertue of their Load-stone they may ioyfully and merrily touch the desired Land acknowledging thy goodnesse and might to whom alone that mercilesse element obeyeth at thy command yeelding vp all her treasure Grant this O my sweet Lord and Sauiour euen for thy tender mercy which refuseth no Petitions that are offered with a pure and vnfained zeale Amen 45. A Prayer before Study O Vnspeakable Creatour which in the Treasure of thy Wisedome hast ordained learning as a secondary meanes to raise our declined soules wrapt by the fall of Adam in sinne and ignorance to a perfected and surer
that by the sweet assistance of thy holy Spirit wee may increase in continuall innocencie and day by day more and more bee adorned with the flowers of vertue alwaies growing vp in the knowledge of thy excellencie that wee may receiue a blessing at thy hand to spread and flourish bringing forth good fruits of a quiet conscience and sweete smelling sauours of a pure zeale and charitable deuotion euen for Iesus Christs sake Amen 78. A Prayer in Summer EVer-mouing time O mercifull Father deliuereth according to thy behests in their due seasons the foure quarters of the yeare and from thy bountie we receiue their timely fruits the Spring hath alreadie discharged and vnloaded himselfe bestowing with a full hand the small store he hath beene entrusted withall leauing great hope of plentie and aboundance Prosper it O Lord and bring it along to maturitie and ripenesse for now that blessed and great Light which thou madest to rule the day sheadeth his influence and comfort to all things mouing vpon the earth The Hills leape and are ioyfull the Flouds clap their hands and all creatures growe buxome and liuely hauing a feeling and sense of thy blessing Grant vnto vs O Father of all goodnesse that we bee not more insensible then the beasts but that wee may giue thee honour and glorie in the acknowledgement of thy innumerable and vnmatchable benefits for whose onely seruice the Earth is thus gayly apparelled the Trees thus plentifully enriched and the wombe of the earth great with assured expectation of a happie deliuerie Let not O Lord the violent burning of the Sunne ioyned with the locking vp thy heauenly Conduits parch it and dry it to nothing profitable nor the remisnesse or slackenesse ioyned with an ouer-flowe of waters leaue it raw and vnseruiceable but giue euerie fruit O Lord maturity and perfection that we may ioyfully receiue the blessing of it and prayse thee the bestower and giuer Amen 79. A Prayer to bee sayd in Autumne THou hast showred O Lord fulnesse and perfection vpon the fruites of the earth and euerie growing thing laboureth with a happie increase the rancke grasse boweth itselfe to the Mowers hand the heauie loaden Trees acknowledging homage offer themselues to be gathered and the fulnesse of the Vine yeeldeth his iuice without the wine-presse the ripe hanging eares listen for a Sythe and all the works of thy hand which thou hast planted heere for the seruice of man acknowledge thy command and are readie to bee tasted All these O Lord obedient to thy will in the course of nature answere the ends of their creation onely wee miserable creatures following our sences and the lusts of the flesh refuse thy holy inspirations and seduced by Satan oppose our selues against thy reuealed will New mould vs O Lord and breake our stubborne and stony hearts that the seeds of thy Gospell may take deepe roote in vs and bring forth the fruits of a liuely faith constant hope and burning charitie to thy Honour and our owne saluation Amen 80. A Prayer to bee said in Winter THE yeere is waxen old as a garment and all the fresh colours which beautified the face of the earth are withered and decayed the Sun with-holdeth his influence the heauens their brightnes and the day his comfort taken from him by the vncomfortable hand of desolate Night The Trees haue lost their Ornament the Fields their rayment and all beasts and cattell their vigour and liuelihood Man himselfe is discomforted in the poorenesse and barrennesse and the vnprouident man who hath not laid vp nor taken from the fruitfulnesse of Summer growes desperate certaine of nothing but perishing The Season affoording no worke nor the day any continuance the lately broad-leaued branches no shelter nor the fields any sustenance Grant vs O mercifull Father warned by the example of his extreme and vnredeemable miseries to labour in the Haruest and lay vp of our well-gotten store against the vncomfortable day of sicknesse or latest Age when weakenesse and naturall infirmities giue vs no time or thought to get in new prouision and our vncharitablenesse to our selues take from vs the charitie of others hardening their hearts against vs Giue vs grace to watch and labour continually supplying our Lamps daily with holy Oyle lest at the dead of night we be called on and being vnprouided be left behind or wander in the darkenesse astray and comming late be shut out for euer and euer from all happinesse and blessednesse confined to a place where there is nothing to be heard but perpetuall howling and gnashing of Teeth Amen 81. A Prayer in Aduersitie and Affliction LET not my enemies O Lord triumph ouer mee nor the hand of the oppressor preuaile against mee Bee neere vnto me in the day of trouble and say vnto my soule I am thy helper thou which mercifully redeemedst Ioseph from the hands of his brethren who causelesly sought his life and turnedst their hate to his glorie and promotion deliuering him from the lust of his Masters wife and her wilye accusation Thou which rescuedst thy people Israel by a mightie hand and strong arme from the tyrannie of Pharaoh and the vnequall Taxes of the hard Egyptians Thou which gauest Iacob grace in the sight of his brother Esau boyling against him and threatning fire and destruction planting a sure shield before thy beloued seruant Dauid to keepe him safe from the inuasion of the terrible Goliah and a wise guard to preuent the plots of subtill Saul proclaiming Susanna innocent contagiously spotted by the poysonous breath of the fore-sworne Elders Thou which raisedst thy glory from the three Children condemned and throwne into the Furnace whose fire and extreme heate came forth and eate vp the Feeders yet spared and against his nature sindged not the garments of thy seruants walking and singing euerlasting and glorious Hymnes of thy Deitie in the midst of it Thou which neuer forsakest any of thy seruants in their torments and persecutions giuing them either an vnconquered patience to suffer or a glorious courage to ouercome all the temptations which hell can fasten Bee pleased Almighty euer-liuing and onely powerfull Iehouah to be neere thy seruant in these his afflictions and troubles and to stand by him in this day of his tryal lest he fall confounded and sinke vnder the heauy burden of his tyrannous oppressions Want O Lord in the lowest degree hath incompassed me Shame and Ignominy in the highest degree haue set me round about Slanders oppose themselues against me and beare me downe face to face and ill tongues in secret at my back oppresse me my friends are fled my acquaintance hath forsaken me and my kindred deresting my pouerty deny my Allyance Where can I then plant my hope Where should I else seeke for refuge and harbour then of so mercifull and all-louing a Father and who vpon sub-mission disdaineth not his basest and most riotous son who came into the world to bee a Father to the fatherlesse an eye
desperate and death-like estate descended from heauen to cure vs and whereas hee might if it had pleased him haue come in all pompe and glory making himselfe King of the earth and finished our Redemption with the word of his mouth yet he to make it more auaileable to vs and tye vs with a greater obligation to lay hold of that which onely for our good was intended submitted himselfe to all kinde of torments shames and disgraces in the purchasing of our Pardon that wee might then willinglier and heartilier taken with the vnbounded loue of so excellent a Lord in our humble obedience make our selues partakers of it Behold this Man O my Soule his whole life beeing a continuall Passion the stubbornnesse and rebellion of the stiffe-necked People more wounding his noble heart then the thought of his succeeding torments which hee passionately expresses in his complaint ouer Ierusalem Oh Ierusalem Ierusalem how often would I haue gathered you vnder my wings as the Hen doth her Chickens and ye would not mildly admonishing the soft-hearted women who in the way towards his death with teares lamented the ignobly barbarous vsage the regardlesse and cruell Iewes put vpon him wishing them to weepe for themselues not for him still testifying his sorrow for them aboue his owne suffering Let this O my soule be thy continuall meditation this the obiect of thy thoughts this the subiect of thy tongue Let all thy ayme and ambition be to purchase a little holy plot neere to this blessed place which thou maist sow with penitent and heart-sorrowing thoughts watering them aboundantly with vnfained and dayly teares in considering duly how the Lord of all Maiestie and glory was here mangled and torne for the sinnes and transgression of them some of whom shall at the last day be found feasting and making merry hauing no thought of that precious and vnvaluable Bloud was here mercifully shed for them A Meditation vpon the Resurrection IF the Angels reioyce more at the Conuersion of one sinner then in the holy conuersation of all the righteous and the carefull Shepheard hauing charge of many a flocke leaueth them all and with great diligence searcheth after one that is strayed returning home if he finde him bearing him on his back accounting himselfe lesse burdened through the lightnesse of his heart then when hee went empty forth What an vniuersall ioy what a height and fulnesse of comfort and consolation replenished Heauen and Earth and all the Powers of both to behold their Lord and Creator lately so mangled and cruelly torne he scarce retained the shape of Man this day rising in all brightnesse and glory from the Graue shining aboue Angels bearing the Saluation of all the world on his Immortall shoulders If the Sunne before withdrew himselfe as ashamed to be a beholder when hee could not bee a remedier of so horrible a cruelty with a mourning vaile muffling his moueable beauty is it not to bee beleeued that hee riseth early this day fresh as a Bride-groome putting on all his light and glory to meete and reioyce with his Creator and Maker from whom he borroweth his splendour and brightnesse The day of his Passion the Graues sent forth their bodies who met and frighted many in the holy Citie The day of his Resurrection the heauens sent forth their Angels who with tunes of ioy and holy acclamations gladded the hearts of all the earths Inhabitants The time of his Passion Saint Peter for feare denyed him to bee his Lord. The time of his Resurrection his guard for feare confessed him to be their Lord Insensible things at his Passion witnessed against the hardnesse of the Iewes in expressing their owne sorrow and at the time of his Resurrection the same things witnessed against the misbeliefe of the Iewes in confessing his omnipotencie This day was God glorified the Angels highly pleased and Man infinitely exalted At thy Birth the earth enioyed a secure peace in it selfe But at thy Resurrection the earth enioyed peace from Heauen not man with man but God with man not for a momentarie safety but eternall happinesse not onely for sauing vs from hostilitie but for infinite and innumerable benefites certaine and lasting on his behalfe neuer to bee broken without our faithlesnesse and treason In thy life time thou vndertookest for God with men ratifying it vnder thine owne hand confirming it with many miracles and sealing it with thy bloud At thy death thou vndertookest for man with God and at thy Resurrection gauest thy selfe a Pledge for performance what liuing soule hath so past the bounds of all modestie not to bee all ouer-fired with blushes in a thought of violating this holy league what sad issue of Cain so stony and barbarously minded hath the Diuel laid vp for mischiefe to be the Actor of so horrid a Tragedy The Serpentine and Crocodile-like act of Iudas in betraying his Masters life is not so high in wickednes as their back-sliding which breake his eternall word to be Master of which hee freely laid downe his life yet Iudas despaired brought backe the pieces and hanged himselfe What calme and deathfull securitie the fore-runner of imminent ruine as Numnesse before a dying Palsey hath so possessed the bewitched sonnes of Adam not to thinke of their desperate estate What inchanting Syren hath with her cunning diuision set an euerlasting discord in our vncertaine resolutions What voluptuous Circe hath transformed our hearts in the shapes of men making vs carry the mindes of Beasts sensible of nothing but what pleaseth the sence following onely Nature yet most vnnaturall for in her lusts we bury all our disposition to goodnesse Wherein doe we employ that admirable and excelling ornament of seeing but in searching after vanities and idle pleasures returning it home loaden with voluptuousnes and sin wherin our eares but in listning after nouelties leasings stuffing them with wandring stories and lasciuious merriments Wherein our taste but in palliating gluttony and drunkennes surfeiting it with mis-called wines and meates which ryot hastning the intentiō hath yet vnnamed Wherin our feeling but in those enormities and wickednesses which take away all feeling of God and goodnes leauing no touch of a Christian hardly of a Man When do we stay our selues vnlesse gorged and then imploy all our study and care to set a quicke edge on our dulled appetites and procure fresh and new desires In this circle we wander and weary out our daies In this Labyrinth we intangle our selues carelesse of thy grace which onely can returne vs. This is our life these our actions Thus wee runne contrarie to the end of our Creation Thus we lose the inestimable benefit of our Redemption Thus are Christs torments become our tormentors and his Passion our persecution whilest wee not looking on it die for euer For as hee hath mercifully proclaimed his Pardon and sacrificed himselfe for all those rebellious subiects that will come in and take the benefit of it yeelding homage and obedience to his heauenly Father so those obstinate and runnagate traitors who cōfident in their strength confirmed by their multitude or seduced by example stand out in that wilful refusall of offred grace shall in the Day of Tryal receiue their iustly deserued Condemnation Retire therefore into thy selfe foolish mortalitie and with great and serious aduice take a suruay of thy owne estate Let neither selfe loue flatter thee that things are not so bad as they appeare or childish feare in trēbling at thy cure make thee slight thy Disease euer remembring the sore must needs be mortall wherein the remedy is so dangerous in which a little delay is eternall death Search therefore sodainely and throughly lest onely pampering vp proud flesh thy malady fester and growe incurable when euery dressing rebounds woe vpon thy heart that thou feelest an inward compunction and pricking it is an infallible Symptome of a likely amendment thou must forbeare all inflaming drinke and high foode vnquiet and distempered thoughts idle much talke vsing spare and thrifty dyet inward and continuall meditation so to abate the strengthener and feeder of thy sicknes that hauing by good and holy meanes made a perfect and lasting cure thou mayst reioyce in Spirit FINIS
may not onely endeuour well purpose good things and perhaps beginne a reformation and vertuous amendment but continue O Lord and perseuer all my life long that by the practice of a holy and religious life I may bee weaned and with-drawne from the transitory and seducing pleasures which gawdinesse and custome haue made strong in mee and awaite the subuersion and rooting out of all things good and vertuous settle firme in me O Lord an vnwearied determination of a daily progresse and going forward in thy seruice since to stand still is to expect the enemie and bridle and take from me the feeds and bloomings of vice that I deceiued with their seducing yeeld not to them but perfectly and zealously labouring to follow the steps of so good and great a Maiestie may at last receiue the hire which thou hast reserued for those that diligently employ themselues in thy Vineyard 75. A Prayer in Affliction MOST gracious Redeemer which art alwaies mercifull alwaies a preseruer whether thou send vs ioy or sadnesse for great is thy mercy which by outward afflictions as by a sharpe medicine heatest the inward man and by temporary troubles preparest vs for euerlasting ioy euen as thy selfe hast opened the way for vs to true felicitie by thy owne steps Grant that I may drinke this cup patiently and obediently as giuen of thee But these troubles O blessed and meek Sauiour fall heauy on me my proud and enuious disposition grudging and repining at them Giue me O Lord in cure the happie and heart comforting spectacle of thy precious Passion that beholding thee ouer-flowed with bloud and sweate cruelty hauing vsed seuerall torments to let it forth I may account my selfe happie in so sweet a societie and my rancour and swollen desires ambitiously puffed vp with malicious and aspiring thoughts may at this sight fall low and bee asswaged the venemous and poysoning sting of the subtill serpent bee drawne and cast from me by beholding thee the example of all patience and gentlenes Endue me O Lord with an absolute contempt of all these vaine and gawdie shadowes whose pompe and outward glorie are rated at so high an estimation Let me look inwardly onely and all my care be to be richly and sumptuously attired within Let mee aime at no peace but that of a good conscience fearing onely thy rebuke and displeasure but for thy sake highly esteeme all the contempt the world can throw vpon me the scoffes disdaine and base regard they can afflict me with the reuilings slanders imputations which enuie and ill tongues can lay vpon me since promotion and high respect are no badges of thy seruants commendation and gracefull language no titles of thy followers nor security and worldly felicitie any testimonies of thy loue and fauour to which onely O glorious example of all vertue let me ambitiously aspire thorow the burning Furnaces the Lyons Den the Axe Stones or what new crueltie soeuer Tyrants witty onely in mischieuous inuentions can for the professing thee inflict vpon mee since to lose all the world and win thee is a purchase vnualuable vnspeakeable which grant for thine owne Names sake I may happily attaine Amen 76. A Prayer in extremity of sicknesse O Iesu Christ the onely hope of them that liue and eternall life of them that die I wretched sinner submit my selfe wholly to thy Diuine Will whether it pleaseth thee my soule shall longer remaine in the prison of this my bodie to serue thee or depart out of this world I am sure what is cōmitted to thy mercy can neuer perish I wil lay down this my fraile and miserable body with a willing minde namely in hope of resurrection which renders it to me againe much more happie Strengthen O truely-mercifull and all-louing Sauiour my soule with thy grace against all temptations against all the assaults of Satan Inuiron me with the shield of thy mercy by which in times past thou restoredst thy Martyrs vnconquered against grieuous torments and cruell deaths I see nothing in my selfe which can bee a help vnto me all my hope is in thy inestimable goodnesse I haue no merits or good workes to alledge to thee but alas I behold on euerie side many wicked and sinfull offences many malicious and enuious transgressions many lewde and lasciuious acts which are here readie to accuse and condemne and as much as their exclamations can further desirous to throw me to euerlasting hell and perdition What Aduocate so mercifull as thy selfe Who so powerfull And who more willing and readie Who can better deliuer what must at this time preuaile for me being a story of thy owne loue and mercy Who can shew the skars of those honourable wounds which were gotten in the redemption of mankinde but thy Almightie selfe Who the print of those lashes which all ouer skarrified thy innocent flesh for the painting and artificiall discolouring ours Who with fortie dayes Fasting expiated our riotous and superfluous Feasts but thy most mercifull selfe Wash away O Lord with thy precious Bloud the contagious spots of my hainous offences and let thy neuer-failing Iustice answere in iudgement for my presumptuous iniustice thy great and mightie merites be an acceptable propitiatorie for the multitude of my misdeeds and grant O louing and all-gracious Lord that thy grace may increase aboue my sicknesse let not my faith faile my hope faint my charity waxe cold nor humane infirmity ioyned with the feare of death cast mee into the bottomelesse gulfe of despaire but that when the eyes of my body are shut and closed vp the euer-waking eye of my minde may looke vp and bee comforted in thee and that when the vse of my tongue shall be taken from me my soule may then incessantly and continually cry vnto thee O Lord into thy hands I commend my spirit to whom bee honour and glorie world without end 77. A Prayer in the Spring time O Almightie and euer-liuing God the powerfull Creator of heauen and earth ordaining them with their seuerall Lights and Ornaments for the necessarie vse of mankinde appointing them in their distinguisht seasons to yeeld food and sustenance for the maintenance of thy People Wee giue thee humble and heartie thankes for this moderate and timely Spring refreshing the decayed earth with the kindly heate of the Sun and temperate falls of raine and water renewing in vs a comfortable expectation of our Resurrection in beholding how thy mercifull and All-able hand hath freshly apparelled the naked and barren fields beautifying them with seuerall sorts of flowers loading the Trees disroabed and withering with new buds and blossomes the earth her selfe shooting forth her seeds long time buried in her womb with the hope of a happie and plentifull increase to the great ioy and consolation of thy seruants Grant I beseech thee that wee being renewed and borne againe by holy Baptisme and hauing cast and throwne off the old man may become new creatures neuer more to returne to our old sinnes but