be broken from the bones of them O mercifull God extend thy fauour vpon all widowes that at all times and in all afflictions they may trust in thee the liuing God and continue in supplications and praiers night and daie being diligent in all good works not occupied in pleasures neither wanton light idle wandering from house to house no tatlers nor busie bodies no speakers of things vncomelie nor giuers of occasion whereby thy word may be blasphemed Keepe all parents that they being taken awaie either by war or vntimelie death their wiues be not widowes and their children orphans running heere and there a begging Be thou their helper and comforter euen for Christes sake our Lord and sauiour Amen The orphane or fatherles childs praier O Lord so narowe is the mouth of charitie so consumed is the fire of Christian loue that where the foxes haue their holes and birds their nests yet haue we poore fatherles children and orphans no place to rest our heads on As pilgrims we wander from place to place and are driuen with the wind of pinching pouertie vpon the seas of this world to seeke releefe but alas and wo to the world for it The rich man deuoureth all superfluouslie or else hoordeth vp to fill his garners niggardlie so that Lazarus may not only walke amidst the streets naked but also lie begging at the gates sore and yet go without euen the crumbs that fall from the table to ease the time of his necessitie O Lord therefore doo I poore orphane flie vnto thee haue thou mercie vpon me for it is onlie thou which fillest with thy blessing euerie liuing thing I am better than a farthing sparrowe O Lord thou knowest it and I acknowledge it to my comfort feed my soule with the flesh of thy sonne and let me drinke of his bloud that seeking first thy kingdome I may in the end be crowned with glorie and sit at the table of ioie in heauen with thee O Lord grant this I beseech thee Amen The old womans praier O God of our fathers and Lord of all grace throughout all nations all ages and generations past present and to come and which powrest bountifullie vpon all flesh the treasures of thine heauenlie vertue and wisedome grant I humblie beseech thee not onlie vnto my selfe which am now become aged and full of daies but also vnto whomsoeuer thou hast giuen the blessing of long life and manie yeares to liue in this vale of miserie to be mothers of manie children to multiple vpon the earth to increase heere thy kingdome and to be as organs and instruments of thee preserued to set foorth as we ought the glorie of thy maiestie that thou wilt vouchsafe alwaies so to indue me and all sage and ancient matrones with the spirit of truth vnderstanding and knowledge with thy fatherlie wisedome will to holines deuotion granitie temperance and constancie that the vnexpert the iuniors yonger women and inferiours which through want of time the affects of youth and void of the like gifts of grace can not deale as they should for thy glorie in the common wealth of the Church may yet by our sober sound and graue conuersation followe vs as true patronesses of pietie be ruled by vs guided instructed wel trained vp and christianly counselled that vnto vs aged and graue matrones againe by such iust desert and cleere shining light of our good example our due honor worthie estimation condigne worship humble submission and reuerence may most amplie for thy glorie dailie redound towards vs so shall it come to passe that now at all times and in all ages from tender youth to verie old age through generations and all posterities thy holie name shall be magnified in righteousnes and true holines with all ioifulnes lauds thanks-giuing heere and for euer in the euerlasting world to come through thine onlie free grace in the merits most pretious of thine onlie Sonne our Lord Iesus Christ Amen Ad this Psalme or praier O Lord which woorkest woonders which cheerest my hart with remembring thee and which inlightenest my youth despise not mine old age but make my bones to reioice and my hoarie heares to waxe fresh againe as the eagle Cast me not off in the time of mine age forsake me not now when my strength faileth me but as thy mercie hath come in the beginning of my life so helpe me now in mine old age and weaknes and let it finish the end of my course to thy glorie and my comfort For thou O Lord hast beene my trust euen from my youth vpon thee haue I staid my selfe from the wombe Thou art he that tooke me out of my mothers bowels that didst helpe me in my youth and hast preserued me euer since I was borne and conceiued Thou O God hast taught me from my youth euen vntill now O therfore forsake me not now in mine old age and graie head but as thou hast begun so continue thy benefites towards me that thy liberalitie may haue perfect praise that I may tell yet of thy woonderous works and shew thy power vnto them that shall come after me Haue mercie vpon me O Lord haue mercie vpon me for behold my life is wasted my daies are spent my yeeres are past my strength faileth the marrowe in my bones is consumed for age The beautie of youth is gone the glorie of age and graie-head is come I have beene yoong and now am old full of daies am I and striken in yeres yet haue I seene nothing no nor done anie good in thy sight I haue spent my yeres as a thought or tale that is told my daies are gone like a shadowe and I am withered awaie like grasse The time of my pilgrimage is but greefe sorrowe few euill haue the daies of my life beene and I haue not attained vnto the yeres of the life of my grandmothers in the daies of their pilgrimage The time of our life is threescore yeres and ten and if we liue till fourescore yeres yet is our strength then but labour and sorowe for it is cut off quicklie and we flie awaie so soone canst thou turne man to destruction and bring the sonnes of Adam to naught One daie with thee O Lord is as a thousand yeres and a thousand yeres in thy sight are but as yesterdaie which is past and as a watch in the night and our age is nothing in respect of thee Thy yeres O Lord endure through all generations and thy daies are without end or beginning yea heauen and earth shall perish but thou shalt endure they shall all waxe old as doth a garment and as a vesture shalt thou change them and they shall be changed but thou art the same and thy yeres shall not faile But the daies of men surelie are determined which he can not passe and the number of his moneths are knowen to thee thou hast appointed him his bounds and terme of yeres which he can not go beyond Thou
this world and for euer shall praise thee might be gathered and chosen And forasmuch O Lord as a prudent a wise and a godlie man commeth from thee and is thy gift who onlie triest the harts and reines and knowest the verie secret cogitations and conditions of all men prouide I beseech thee and giue me vnto a man of vnderstanding of sound and Christian religion of wise gouernement and behauiour of a good life and vertuous disposition euen such an husband I say as may be faithfull constant gentle honest tender and louing vnto mee and godlie zealous sincere and religious in thy sight but from an vnwise irreligious vnfaithfull and wauering minded man from an hastie testie rash heddie furious bitter angrie vnthriftie and couetous husband good Lord for thy holie name sake deliuer me and grant that obteining at thy fatherlie hands a good husband euen according to mine or rather thine owne hart and being holilie coupled togither in Christian loue and puritie we may both liue togither vertuouslie and quietlie in thy feare without sinne or shame and also die in a good age godlie and Christianlie in thy faith without eternall death and condemnation through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another LOrd thou hast commanded by thine holie Apostle that wee should abstaine from fornication and that euerie one of vs should knowe how to keepe our vessell that is our bodie in holinesse chastitie and honour and not in the lusts of concupiscence and vncleannes as doo the heathen which knowe not God I beseech thee giue me grace to behaue my selfe according to this thy holie commandement that in this my single life and state of virginitie I defile not my bodie with whoredome adulterie fornication or with anie other filthinesse and vncleanenesse but so order my selfe with all honestie sobrietie chastitie and purenesse of life that I may glorifie thee my Lord God both in soule and bodie Amen Or praie thus ALbeit most mercifull Father mariage is honourable among all persons and the bed vndefiled yet forasmuch as partlie for the tendernesse of mine age I am not apt for holie wedlocke and partlie through thine exceeding and aboue naturall gift for none can liue chaste except thou giue hir that gift I liue yet free from the sweet yoke of Matrimonie I hartilie praie thee that as I haue receiued of thee the gift of continencie and virginitie so I may haue grace from thee to bridle my selfe from lusts from all foolish appetits and to frame my life in all godlie vertuous exercises both of the bodie and mind yea so go foorth I praie thee to continue and increase this thy gift of chastitie in me that I may the more freelie and quietlie in all godlie patience and sufferance serue thee and care for those things that please thee and pertaine to thy glorie and also that I passing ouer the time of this my yong age in thy feare in godlie trauels vertuous labours and maidenlie behauiour may eschew all euill lusts riotous resorts and wanton companie that when it shall please thee to call me to the holie and honourable order of blessed wedlocke I may bring with me a cleane chaste and vndefiled bodie and so be apt and fit to liue in that godlie state of Matrimonie auoiding all fornication whoredome and vncleannesse all dissention strife and debate that thou maiest blesse me and my mariage prosper my godlie trauels send me good successe in all my doings and make me a ioifull mother in seeing my childers children according to thy holie promise which liuest and reignest verie God world without end Amen For the grace of Gods holie spirit to resist all sinfull motions and keepe pure the state of single life praie OH Lord the king of glorie and God of all power and might which hast promised to powre thy spirit vpon all flesh vpon virgins maidens and yong women and to giue the holie Ghost to thy children whensoeuer they shall aske the same of thee in thy Sonnes name in their praiers and allowest none to be pure virgins and thy children indeede but such as keepe themselues vnspotted of the world and walke before thee in the rule of thy lawes and obedience of thy commandements Oh Lord thou knowest I would faine walke with thee from my virginitie in righteousnesse and holinesse My desire is to walke before thee in a pure conscience chaste mind and vndefiled bodie But alas deere God I confesse the corruption of my nature polluted in the first woman Eue in Paradise is such and my weakenesse and vnablenesse to stand in temptation is so much and the custome of sinne hath gotten such dominion ouer me that I am not able of my selfe so much as to thinke a good thought much lesse to doo anie thing that is good and acceptable in thy sight Wherefore oh most louing Father take not thy grace and holie spirit from me thine handmaid leaue me not to my selfe neither forsake me for then I am vtterlie â—ast awaie For thou seest O Lord that if thou doo but shadowe thy selfe a little and depart from me into how manie grieuous and horrible sinnes I fall how much more then Lord if thou shouldest vtterlie forsake me leaue me to my selfe and take thy grace and holie spirit vtterlie from me Therfore oh most intreatable God I beseech thee consider my manifold imperfections womanlie weakenesses miserable corruptions which dailie turne me out of the waie and drawe me from thee and powre downe thy grace and holie spirit plentifullie vpon me thine humble handmaid Yea giue vnto me also thy most holie word thy patience loue meekenesse integritie righteousnesse iustice temperaunce sobrietie chastitie peace long-suffering faith goodnesse holinesse and all other thy vertues fruites of the spirit and ordinarie meanes whereby I may be so instructed taught and guided gouerned protected and defended in this my single life and state of virginitie that I neuer offend against thy diuine Maiestie or mine owne soule and bâ— die but that I may haue power and strength from thee continuallie to stand against all the secret assaults and open temptations of mine enimies both bodilie and ghostlie yea grant O deere Father that I may through thy mightie power working in my weake vessell haue continuall victorie ouer all hellish hagges and also triumph ouer them in all their assaults and temptations as manie holie virgins and women haue done in all ages so that togither with them I may walke before thee in the purenesse of my virginitie with a good conscience in perfect righteousnesse and true holinesse acceptable in thy sight all the daies of my life according to thy will through Iesus Christ our Lord and onlie Sauiour and redeemer So be it Another praier in the behalfe of all Virgins or single women for the keeping of obedience modestie chastitie puritie and cleannesse of liuing O Diuine spirit God the holie Ghost which abhorrest despisest and fliest from all vncleannesse filthinesse and dishonestie and which dooest
of his worke or finallie by following his diâ—elish temptations and the wrath of our harts in giuing place without anie resistance to euerie thing preiudiciall and hurtfull to this our blessed state and honourable degree But giue vs grace rather good Lord we entirelie beseech thee before all things to take heed that by no meanes we giue anie occasion to our ghostlie enimie to let or hinder our praiers and holie exercises through dissention or discord and diligentlie to applie our selues stoutelie to resist euill and to weed out by little and little the noisome wâ—eds of vncomelie demeanour vnchristian behauiour rude maners churlish conditions euill dispositions and vngodlie extremities out of our hearts and minds with the wholesome precepts of thy diuine word the which giue vs grace diligentlie both to heare reade meditate and imitate day and night that in time we dooing our duties each to other as therein we be taught of thee may reape and feele the fruit thereof hourelie to both our comforts in Christ and thy glorie And because it cannot otherwise possible be but that offences shall sometimes either be giuen or taken betwixt vs by reason of the manifold discommodities that come with this commoditie suffer vs not good Lord we beseech thee to stand stiffe at anie time in our owne opinions faults or wilfulnesse or to mainteine impudentlie and incorrigiblie our errours by friuolous excuses and vngodlie reasonings neither yet busilie to find fault each with others calling each for others dutie towards our selues and in the meane time neglecting our duties both to thee our selues and others yea rather giue vs the grace of thy holie spirit to acknowledge our faults and follies each to other with charitable forgiuing one another and mutuall reconciliation that we may be well pleased and contented one with another and in all things each of vs beare and forbeare others infirmities and weakenesse Grant that either of vs may doo our best diligentlie to performe our duties one to the other as becommeth and we haue vowed and promised as namelie to praie hartilie and often one for another to labour to the vttermost of our powers to frame vse and occasion our selues to softnesse meekenesse gentlenes lenitie and long sufferance bearing well in worth such ouersights as chance and passe in our life and conuersation and still drawing during life the sweet yoke of our fellowship equallie in one concord of hart and agreement of mind so shall it come to passe that all strife and debate shall be cleane banished and pleasant loue sweet amitie and continuall concord shall be embraced of vs so shall we haue our harts staied in stable truth and comfort in all perils and necessities and most happelie passe through the dangers of the troublesome sea of this wretched world in great ioie and peaceable quietnesse to our comfort our neighbours profit and thy glorie which God grant Finallie if thus we doo godlie and christianlie vse our holie state of matrimonie we shall not onlie be armed on euerie side the better to escape the snares of the world the flesh and the diuell but also enioie the ioifull iewell and most singular benefit of a quiet conscience yea so shall all discommodities worldlie or ghostlie be taken away from vs and all things both spirituall and temporall turne to our commoditie and pleasure To conclude so shall our praiers be heard and gratiouslie granted vnto vs and God euen our owne God continuallie followe vs with his benediction and blesse vs both within and without at home and abrode and giue vnto vs all those his good gifts and benefits perteining or needfull either to our bodies or soules which he hath so often promised in his word to powre vpon all such as loue feare serue him both heere and in the life to come the which good things that they may the better be fulfilled and more effectuallie happen and come vnto vs heere present in the due time as thou seest need and we hartilie wish and desire we humblie praie thee O most excellent father who art in deed the verie authour of our marriage to be now and alwaies present with vs by thy grace and holie spirit plentifullie powred into our harts which may perpetuallie continue loue concord and charitie betweene vs and luckelie defend keepe and mainteine vs in this honourable estate that neither we be ouercome with anie temptation nor with anie aduersitie Finallie grant vs thy blessing fauour and protection in this world and in the world to come endlesse ioie and eternall felicitie through the onlie merits of our sauiour Iesus to whome with thee and the holie Ghost our maker redeemer and sanctifier be euerlasting praise honor and glorie both now and for euer Amen Another praier to be vsed of married folkes to liue chastlie and purelie in holie matrimonie and to auoid the filthie lusts of whoredâ—me FOrasmuch as O heauenlie father we trulie acknowledge thee an holie and righteous God our onelie God and maker the knower most trulie of our weakenes and infirmitie our readie and gratious helper our guide and director to holinesse and the onlie author of the blisfull state of matrimonie whereby all thy chosen children might liue in chastitie and holinesse and auoid the vnchast life of whoredome and vncleannesse Grant vnto vs we beseech thee that being called by the spirit vnto that holie state for our lawfull remedie to saiue our weakenesse to quench the raging lusts of old Adam and in holines to beget children for the increase of thy kingdome we may liue togither therein in thy faith feare and loue dutifullie louinglie and peaceablie with modestie in lowlinesse and chastitie all the daies of our liues that both our conuersations togither in all respects being coupled with feare and framed with one consent according to thine holie will and to the godlie edifieng of others representing by it in all points the mysterie figured betweene Christ and the congregation thou maist haue pleasure in our godlie behauiours Blesse vs in all our enterprises and make vs fruitfull and ioifull parents And to the increasing of our ioie O Lord in thee we humblie praie thee that thou wilt of thy great mercie giue both vnto vs and to the offspring of our bodies lawfullie begotten thine heauenlie grace that as we most christianlie endeuouring our selues to traine them vp in thine holie nourture and doctrine so they likewise by the infusion of thine heauenlie grace may haue their hearts prepared to receiue and hold sure for euer the onlie word of righteousnesse that lightneth clenseth best ruleth and most trulie directeth the soules of the righteous to the plaine and most pleasant path that leadeth to the life euerlasting through the merits of Christ Iesus thy sonne our Lord Amen Another praier to be vsed of such married couples as where the woman is not past child-bearing O Mercifull Lord and heauenlie father which by thine almightie power hast made all things of naught which also after other
things set in order didst appoint that out of man created after thine own image and similitude woman should take hir beginning and knitting ioining and sanctifieng Adam and Eue togither in marriage didst teach that it should neuer be lawfull to put asunder those whom thou by matrimonie hadst made one O gratious God which hast consecrated the state of matrimonie to such an excellent mysterie that in it is figuâ—ed and represented the spirituall marriage and vnitie betwixt Christ and his Church looke mercifullie with thy fauour from heauen vpon vs thy poore creatureâ— whome it hath pleased thee in mercie to call from single life and to ioine by free consent togither in this holie state of honourable wedlocke And as thou O eternall God the giuer of all spirituall grace and the author of euerlasting life didst send thy blessing vpon Abraham and Sara to their great comfort so vouchsafe to blesse vs O Lord and to send thy benediction vpon vs thy seruants yea so sanctifie vs twaine and powre plentifullie vpon vs the riches of thy goodnes so sowe the seeds of eternall life in our minds and fill vs with all spirituall benediction and grace that as Isaac and Rebecca liued faithfullie togither euen so we carefullie keeping thy commandements diligentlie obeieng thy holie will and pleasure and alwaies guided by thy good and gratious spirit may trulie performe and surelie keepe the vow and couenant betwixt vs made before thee and the congregation and may euer remaine persist and abide in perfect amitie stedfast peace and continuall concord vntill our liues end Grant also that we may profitablie fruitfullie learne our seuerall duties either towards other and both towards thee out of thy holie word and in deed fulfill the same to the furtherance of vertue and auoiding of all offence that so seruing and pleasing thee both in bodie and soule as those godlie men and women did to thy glorie and their perpetuall renowne we as persons highlie in thy fauour and shrowded alwaies in safetie vnder the comfortable wings of thy mercifull protection may most happilie prosperouslie and ioifullie like fruitefull parents seeing our childrens children vnto the third and fourth generation liue long togither vnto our perfect age in thy holie loue and all godlie honestie to our comfort and thy glorie and at the last rest with them in the bosome of Abraham Isaac and Iacob and be fellow-heires of the euerlasting kingdome in eternall life through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another praier for all wedded folkes generallie O Most holie God and mercifull father which of thy singular prouidence and woonderfull wisedome didst ordeine matrimonie in Paradise and that in the time of innocencie for the multiplieng and conseruation of mankinde thereby togather vnto thy selfe continuallie out of godlie families an holie Catholike Church which may rightlie acknowledge serue and celebrate thine holie name for euermore and deliuer the true vnderstanding of thee vnto posterities by one generation to another This thine institution did thy sonne God coequall with thee and coeternall confirme and adorne in Cana of Galile by turning water into good wine A notable honouring of marriage doubtlesse for Christ not onlie to be present himselfe at the nuptiall feast but also to set out the same with the first miracle that he wrought after his natiuitie Likewise the holie spirit doth witnesse by the word deliuered vnto vs and saith that marriage is honorable among all And the same thy spirit reioiceth in three things which are commended both before God and man viz. in the concord of breethren in the loue of neighbours and in a man and his wife that agree well togither for such as be at variance can neither call vpon thee as they should nor please thee as they ought O eternall God it is sufficientlie apparant with what a rage and insatiable hatred Sathan the most deadlie enimie to all thy works doth labour and set himselfe to the breaking off and ouerthrow of this thy sacred ordinance wherefore we beseech thee impart thy fauour as vnto vs heere present so vnto all married folks else-where that both we and they may acknowledge thee to be the author and institutor of this knitting togither in wedlocke and beleeue stedfastlie that we and they are in a good estate wherein we may please thee for hauing this comfort we shall more willinglie and cheerefullie discharge the duties of our calling in true confidence and calling vpon thy name But such as doubt of their kind of life hauing their consciences wounded and minds troubled can neither call vpon thee trulie nor cheerefullie go about and finish their affaires Grant therefore vnto vs and vnto all and euerie married bodie that in true faith and confession we may retaine the indissoluble chaine of wedded state and the strong bonds of godlie felowship that we may loue one another and in the sweate of our browes eate our bread and bring vp our children which thou shalt giue vs or hast giuen vs in all godlinesse through instruction and information of the Lord and neuer feare the crosse which accompanieth this kind of life O worke thou so good Lord that Sathan by no meanes weaken and ouerthrowe this thine ordinance nor that we married folks wearied with the troubles of wedded life raise no mortall hatred among our selues and so detest and abhorre this thine holie institution and seeke vnlawfull separations and diâ—orcements for else by this engin of incredulitie and snare of mistrust being comprehended we shall easilie rush headlong into enormous offences by casting off the yoke of the Lord and be carried through dissention into horrible confusions of concupiscence to adulterie whoredome wicked forsakings so long till polluted with filthie spots defiled with most horrible staines we and they bring our selues headlong into euerlasting torments Grant therefore O most mercifull God that all being now at debate may come quicklie to amitie and be reconciled in thy name and beeing mindfull of the knot of marriage and mutuall bond made betweene them may dwell and liue from hence forward peaceablie and louinglie togither in true faith and feare of thy name Grant that husbands abusing their authoritie ouer their wiues doo not exercise tyrannie ouer their wiues but rather loue them and dwell with them according to knowledge giuing honor vnto them as vnto the weaker vessell euen as to them which are also heires of grace and life Likewise grant that matrons and wines contemne not their husbands denieng subiection but rather studie by chaste obedience and holie conuersation and lowlinesse to ouercome them Let neither hate other extreamelie and so violate the state of marriage and bring themselues out of thy fauour through their discord and contention whereby their praiers be interrupted for where neither part do their dutie there must needs ensue first pouertie subtiltie lieng and all impietie afterward a wounded conscience and last of all vtter despaire O most chast God which didst therefore institute the order of
me with thine oile of gladnes put vpon me the robes of righteousnes and couer me with the glorious purple adorne mee with the pretious stones of vertue and place vpon mine head glorie and honour that all mine ornament may be inward and that I may please thee through liuing in thy faith and â—eare and hoping in thy mercie For thou O sweet Iesu Christ art mine husband which tenderlie louest me my God whome I worship my head wherevntoâ— I am subiect and my bridegrome with whom I hope in heauen to reigne eternallie Amen Another praier to be said of anie noble woman ladie gentlewoman or modest matrone married FOrasmuch as it hath pleased thee O heauenlie father of thine inestimable mercie to bring me to this high estate of dignitie and to put me in possession of a place of honor as a matrone for other women to behold grant vnto mee I humblie beseech thee that in all my dooings I may followe the example of all vertuous and graue matrones which are specified and described for our example in the holy scripture that is to be as louing and obedient vnto my Lord and husband as Sara was to Abraham as Susanna was to Ioachim and as humble loiall and wise as Abigaell was to King Dauid Hester to King Ahesuerus or the blessed and noble virgin Marie was to Ioseph Grant also I beseech thee that I be neither proud presumptuous ambitious disdainefull of others in comparison of my selfe high-minded nor a boaster in mine owne bloud kindred beautie wit or dignitie but with the noble Queene Hester to saie Thou knowest my state O Lord and that I hate this signe of preeminence and worship which I beare vpon my head what time I must go foorth to be seene and that I abhor it as an vncleane cloth and that I weare it not when I am quiet alone by my selfe that bearing alwaies an euen mind and hauing an humble opinion of my selfe as she that knoweth hir selfe to be but dust and ashes and enâ—bled by thee from whome alone commeth the true nobilitie and gentrie to so manie as are borne of thee and made thy children through faith I may laie awaie all pompe and pride nicenes tendernes and disdaine and euer set more by others than by my selfe yea and thinke my selfe worsse than anie other in thy sight to the end I may alwaies liue vertuouslie holilie shamefastlie soberlie and chastlie in all meekenes gentle behauiour discreete conuersation prudence wisedome learning vertue and puritie both in bodie and soule both before thee and all men as becommeth a christian and faithfull woman and such a one as will be a true imitator of Rebecca Hester and the rest of those holie matrones and noble women mentioned in the scriptures that all other seeing my good example of life may praise thy name and be encouraged thereby to glorifie thee in their vertuous conuersations world without end Amen A praier to be vsed of the wife that hath a froward and bitter husband as a present remedie against the mischiefe of diâ—orcement and separation O Most wise and prouident GOD which in the beginning didst create man in thine owne image and out of him didst make the woman and didst bring hir vnto the man that she might be an helper vnto him and therefore thou causedst him to saie and confesse that she was flesh of his flesh and bone of his bones thereby teaching him not onlie the holie and indissoluble band of loue vnitie and mutuall societie that ought to be betweene man and his wife as for whose sake he ought to leaue father and mother and to cleaâ—e vnto hir but also the most sâ—cred and blessed coniunction and knitting togither of our Lord Iesus Christ his sanctified Church and people so that no man can breake or despise that bond and vnitie but he must needs be giltie of presumption against God and of the wilfull breach and contempt of his ordinance Wherefore oh Lord sith it hath pleased thee to match me in this most honourable state of marriage according to thy diuine prouidence I beseech thee to make him an head vnto me and my selfe an helper vnto him according to my creation and as thy holie institution requireth And because thy holie word is the onlie rule and ordinarie to gouerne and direct our liues I hartilie desire thee oh good God giue this mine husband thy grace and holie spirit and so open thou his wits and senses that hauing by the light of thy grace the true knowledge and vnderstanding of thy holie word in all discretion he may knowe how to walke in his vocation both towards mee his poore wife and yoke-fellowe and all others as becommeth him and thereby become vnto me not so bitter a despiser and hater but a true louer sweet freend and godlie gouernour Thou O good father seest the great lacke and necessitie that I thine handmaid haue of a wise guide graue counseller holie instructor and continuall comforter O therefore I beseech thee looke vpon my trouble which I endure consider my reproofe and reproches that I beare in my bosome pitie my miserie ease me of so great a burthen and releeue my great need and necessitie Make this my husband I saie O deere God a head a vaile and defence vnto me for my preseruation and safetie for if we thus bite and deuour one another it cannot possible be but we shall be consumed one of another Make him therefore tender carefull and comfortable vnto me thy weake creature if it be thy good pleasure and grant that according to his promise made before thee and as thou hast commanded else-where in thy holie word he may with perfect and holie loue cherish nourish and loue me as his owne flesh and as Christ loueth his Church and as she that is heire togither with him of the grace of life that our praiers and godlie exercises to the benefiting of our soules and bodies be not interrupted or hindered Grant that he forsaking all other may cleaue onlie vnto me as becommeth without separation and that he may dwell with me as a man of knowledge and christian behauiour and gouernement to thy glorie my comfort and others edifieng But alas I must needs confesse vnto thee my God that I am most vnwoorthie of so good a beâ—efit for I haue not walked in this most honorable state purelie and holilie according to thy diuine ordinance whereby I haue made my selfe much more vnworthie to haue so pretious a gift at thy fatherlie hands and if it be thy good pleasure with frowardnes bitternes and vnkindnesse yea the hatred and disdaine of my husband thus to correct me for my fault I most hartilie thanke thee for it And I beseech thee so to order me in all things in thy great mercie that I neuer murmur or grudge impatientlie against thee for the same nor doo anie thing either against thee or my husband whereby thy maiestie may be displeased my husband offended or thy Gospell
husband and all such as iustlie attempt anie wars against their enimies and mightilie to defend them against their aduersaries that they may receiue through thy puissance a glorious victorie and noble triumph Sâ—nd thine holie Angell vnto him and them that he may pitch his tents among them and ouerthrow their enimie for them Giue vnto my husband and all Captaiues and souldiers thy grace so to behaue themselues in the seruice of wars with all godlines honestie and compassion that thou maisâ— haue a pleasure to be present among them to be their chiefe and grand Captaine and valiant defender Suffer not him and his felow souldiers to be discouraged for the multitude of their enimies but being armed with strong faith let him and them wholy depend on thee the most mightie conquerour with whom it is all one to helpe in few or in manie and with that prince like warriour Dauid boldlie to saie in the midst of their troubles The Lord is my light and my defence whome shall I feare The Lord is my health and the defender of my life of whom shall I be afraid Though mine enimies pitch pauillâ—ons against me yet shall not my hart feare though men of war rise against me I will trust in the Lord my God And when thou hast giuen him the victorie ouer his enimies giue him also a thankefull hart that he may confesse to haue got the victorie not by his horsse bowe nor gun nor yet by his owne strength and policie but by thine almightie power and so be encouraged for euer after to magnifie thy holie name Amen Or thus OH Lord the world is nothing else but a sea of trouble heere the diuell stormeth there the world frowneth on euerie side the flesh assaulteth vs so that our life may well be tearmed a warfare and our daies a treasure of dangers Oh Lord with the anchor of thy mercie vp-hold vs that wâ—e sinke not in the sea of this troublous time but guide vs with thy holie spirit that our liues may please thee and we in our death praise thee through Iesus Christ our Lord. Defend O Lord the righteous cause of my husband thy seruant now gone a warfare Assist him with strength against his enimies with the wisedome of thy spirit against the policie of man that being thoroughlie armed and guided by thee he may fight manfullie in thy quarrell to the building of thy Church and vtter rebuke of hir aduersaries Without thee O fountaine of goodnes and God of his estate I know he can doo nothing arme him therefore with thy grace with the buckler of thy word and complet armour that he may be able not onlie to war with but also ouer-match Sathan his deadlie foe and all his hellish band that setteth it selfe against thee and thine annointed Enrich him O God with thy mercie that he may be able to take vpon him the white raiment of faith and being clothed with it may stand sure against the foming ministers of the diuell that no storme may ouer-turne or dismaie him O Lord keepe thou him from all wrastling affections from inordinate motions defend him O God and let all discord be remoued wherby the Pellicane children desirous of bloud may be disseuerd but nourish O God of loue thy babes with the spirit of patience that he and they being of one mind may doo their duties applie their endeuours and bend their forces and whole strength to the reedifieng of our mother Sion the Church which trauelleth with sorowes and sinketh in the mists of heresies vnlesse thou pull hir out by the hand of thy mercie which doo O gratious God I beseech thee and plant the tree of peace among vs let it flourish to the gladding of our hearts that all dissention cut off we may be linked in one knot of christian vnitie gathered into one sheepfold to be guided by thee our onlie and one shepheard Let not the members of thy bodie be sundred but cherish and nourish them with a full persuasion of brotherhood in the vnitie of our sauiour and thou our onlie father to whome with the holie Ghost be euerlasting glorie praise dominion now and for euer Amen A fruitfull praier to be said with teares of all godlie women in the time of bloudie battell when they see their husbands themselues and their children and familie citie and countrie in danger of destruction and sacking by the cruell enimie O Lord our heauenlie father and euer-liuing God wee thy wretched and most miserable creatures confesse and acknowledge wee haue woorthilie deserued the rod of thy correction and punishment and doo merit manie sharpe bitter stripes that knowing thy blessed and glorious will haue of set purpose contemned thy diuine and heauenlie precepts for which cause the sentence of thy wrath is sharplie kindled against vs man woman and child euen as it hath been against thy chosen people Israell in the daies of our fore-fathers who glorieng in their wickednes as we haue done were plagued in the fulnesse of thine indignation as wee iustlie are The sword of their enimies beset them round about and he mined them â—n on euerie side The Iebusites the Ammonites the Philistines the Ammorites oppressed them diuerslie their strong holds were rased their cities were beseeged their houses were ransackt their goods confiscate and their riches were carried awaie by force of the bloud-thirstie enimie Their yong men were led awaie captiue their virgins were wofullie defloured but in fine when thou O Lord God didst behold their hartie and earnest repentance and contrition thou didst withdrawe thy frowning countenance and sent them speedie and safe deliuerance One while thou Lord sentest them Moses to bring them out of the seruitude of Pharao the stonie stubborne harted king of the Egyptians another while Iepthah set them free from the sword of the Ammonits wherwith they were greeuouslie afflicted And to make thy power and excellent glorie fullie knowne thou gauest Samson such fortitude to bridle the proud Philistines Ouer and besides these thou of thy loue and miraculous goodnes hast made feeble women mightie and victorious conquerours namelie Debora was a shield to the people Iudith comforted the distressed Bethulians and cut off the head of proud Holophernes that thou good Lord when thou beheldst their teares and hartie sorowe for their offences didst prepare thy selfe to go foorth with their hosts thou thy selfe I sate with the breath of thy nostrels didst confound and ouerthrowe their enimie Euen so good Lord thou most mightie and mercifull God which art King of glorie and Lord of hosts the gouernour of all creatures and the onlie giuer of all victories whose power no creature is able to resist and who alone art able to strengthen the weake against the mightie and to vanquish infinite multitudes of thine enimies with the countenance of a few of thy seruants calling vpon thy name and trusting in thee Be thou now present with vs in the fulnes of thy diuine power
greeuouslie tormented for my sins Consider O Lord how I am troubled how my wombe is disquieted and my hart wambleth within me for anguish Wilt thou haue no compassion on a wretch Wilt thou cause me thus to trauell still in paines intollerable and greefe vnspeakeable Wilt thou not bring foorth that which thou hast formed that I may be deliuered of that which I haue conceiued Alas O Lord alas my God yea my deare and onelie God wilt thou not heare the lamentable cries and regard the inward teares of a wretch that trauelleth laboureth so sore with child euen the wofull voice â— mournfull lamentation of thy hand-maid and daughter I saie though vnworthie that thus all the daie long sigheth crieth and stretcheth out hir feeble hanâ—â— vnto thee in heauen calling for thy heauenlie helpe and succour Oh Lord spare me oh deare God haue mercie vpon me and my babe Shall I be the graue of my child Shall I giue death the fruit of my bodie for the sins of my soule and my first second or third 〈◊〉 for the transgressions of my youth Alas shall that perish in the wombe which is conceiued by thee or shall it die in the birth and not be borne which thou hast so mightilie fashioned Hast thou shut vp the doores of my wombe in thy displeasure and couered me with the shadowe of death that the birth may not come out Wilt thou cause that to die in the birth I saie which is the woonderfull worke of thy almightie hand God forbid oh God forbid Oh saue me and my babe I beseech thee and let it not be as a thing borne out of time either as an infant which neuer sawe the light neither let it perish or be slaine so soone as it commeth out of the wombe but open thou the wombe and bring it foorth safelie that I may set it on my knees and giue it sucke with my brests Oh finish the thing mercifullie which thou hast begun so gratiouslie in me and let me reioice rather that a man-child is borne into the world els why am I in this plight Wo is me now that euer I sinned for how shall I be able to endure all the sorowes and pangs of a trauelling woman which are now or hereafter shall be iustlie laid vpon me O Lord thou seest my hart fainteth my face looketh pale yea sounding with a sighing and gasping soule I crie out and saie Alas that euer I sinned Wo is me that euer I offended so louing a God so mercifull a Sauiour so deare a redeemer so holie and blessed a sanctifier Alas for this daie which is so dreadfull that none may be likened vnto it And out alas for the time of this perplexitiâ— of this sorowe and griefe which I now sensiblie feele and endure both in bodie and mind for it is like the daie and time of Rachel My sorowe and trouble may be compared to Phinees wiues trouble my state and condition seemeth to me and others to be not much vnlike vnto theirs I saie from the which neuerthelesse for thy great mercie sake good Lord I beseech thee deliuer me and saue me and my â—abe from the graue as my trust is in thee Amen Another O GOD make speede to saue me O Lord make hast to helpe me Make no long tarieng O my God least I be like to those that go downe into the pit How long Lord wilt thou forget me How long shall I bee plucked a sunder with these griping greefes and pinching pangs of deadlie throwes How long shall I a wretch expect thy gratious comfort and readie helpe How long wilt thou forget thy creatures O Lord for euer How long wilt thou hide thy face from thy hand-maid thus being in miserie Shall my greefe euer continue my paines neuer cease What is my power O Lord that I should endure such pangs Or what is my strength that I may abide such throwes Surelie O God thou knowest my strength is not the strength of stones neither is my flesh or bones made of brasse or iron For in troth there is in me no helpe nor in anie mortall creature anie reliefe or succour yea all strength is vtterlie taken from me and there is none that I can find to helpe me therefore without thy helpe strength and patience it is impossible for me to continue in this perplexitie Oh spare me therefore a litle that I may recouer my strength before I go hence and be no more seene O Lord cast not awaie thy seruant in thy displeasure but let it be thy good pleasure to deliuer me Make hast O Lord to helpe me Wilt thou absent thy selfe for euer or hast thou shut vp thy louing kindnes in displeasure Is thy mercie cleane gone and thy promises come vtterlie to an end for euermore Chasten me O Lord and correct me but giue me not ouer vnto death neither shut vp my soule with the wicked in the graue Let not mine enimie saie So so I haue deuoured hir For I come vnto thee with those good women in the Gospell and falling downe at thy feet in trembling and feare I humblie beseech thee saieng O sweet Iesu O sonne of Dauid O Lambe of God that taâ—e â—t awaie the sinnes of the world haue mercie vpon me O Lord haue mercie vpon me that am grieuouslie vexed with nipping throwes Lord helpe me Lord heare me and vouchsafe to grant me the thing that I long for and destre that is that thou my maker and preseruer wilt speedilie come and comfort me mitigate these griefs now after the time that thou hast plagued and tormented me with all thy stormes and in great compassion haue mercie vpon me and my seelie infant that it be not like the vntimelie fruit or like the birth that dieth and is borne togither After this night and houre of calamitie ouerpassed let the pleasant morning of comfort luckilie shine vpon me that by time I may heare and feele thy goodnes and mercie in obteining at thy hand a comfortable issue and deliuerance for in thee onelie is all my trust Quicken me O Lord for thy name sake and for thy mercie and righteousnes bring my soule and bodie out of this distres and ease me of these paines for I am thy seruant O come and comfort me thy weake creature in these mine afflictions with the presence of thy holie spirit that euen in death I may find life For vnâ—er thy protection and defence mercie and fauour doo I wholie repose my selfe Lord into thy hands I commend my spirit preserue and keep me relieue ease and speed me O Lord thou God of truth for thou hast redeemed me Thou hast beene my succour leaue me not now nor forsake me O God of my saluation What profit is there in my bloud when I go downe to the pit Shall the dust giue thanks vnto thee or shall the graue declare thy truth O therefore haue mercie on me good Father for thy holie name sake euen for thy
fashioned vs altogither With skin and bones hast thou couered vs and ioined vs togither with bones and sinews Thou hast giuen vs life and grace and thy visitation hath preserued our spirits Grant we beseech thee to all infants yet vnborne that knit togither with their due veines and members they may come foorth into this world sound and perfect without fault or deformitie and grant that they being borne vpon their mothers sides may be ioifull vpon their mothers knees and sucke the milke of comfort out of the breasts of hir loue to the reioising of the mother Staie the furiousnes of wicked spirits that they shewe not their tyrannie vpon yoong infants Keepe all women with child that no waie being terrified frighted or troubled extreemelie they be vntimelie deliuered Giue grace also to the babes newlie borne that togither with their outward baptisme they may be receiued into the congregation of the faithfull with wholesome water through the renewing and regeneration of the holie spirit which thou wilt plentiouslie powre vpon them through Iesus Christ our Sauiour that being iustified by grace they may be made heires according to the hope of eternall life and become new creatures through him Strengthen all women deliuered and lieng in child-bed that beeing restored to their woonted health they may glorifie thee their helper in the time of need and learne afterward to repose their whole confidence in thee which art nigh vnto all that call vpon thee to all we saie calling vpon thee in truth And if at anie time through thine vnsearchable iudgement an vntimelie birth or vnluckie deliuerance happen so comfort O mercifull father the mournefull and sad parents that they faint not with sorrowe but beleeue rather that the woful chance is a triall of their faith hope and patience For thou art a mercifull and gratious God forgiuing our sins Though thou art angrie with our wickednes yet in thy displeasure thou remembrest thy mercie that the troubled may take comfort and the afflicted find grace For this doo all thy seruants persuade themselues that if they be tried they shall be crowned if they be troubled they shall be deliuered and if they be chastened they shall be saued for thou hast no plesure in our damnation which bringest faire wether after stormes gladnes after teares Thy name O God be praised for euer Amen The same praier more breefe for women with child generallie O Heauenlie father and eternall God which through thine vnspeakable wisedome hast enioined woman-kind that in paine and sorrowe they should bring foorth children and replenish the earth O Lord we beseech thee giue them grace to call into mind this thy decree and pleasure and thereby patientlie to beare the greefe and groanes incident vnto them Conuert Lord their sorrowes into gladnes through a luckie deliuerance and let them remember their paines no more for ioie that a man is borne into the world Comfort them in the midst of their anguish and helpe as well the mother as the babe especiallie in the danger of deliuerance For without thine assistance they perish vndoubtedlie all the world cannot helpe them Grant to all yet vnborne that knit togither with their due veines and members they may come into this world sound and perfect without all deformitie Staie the furiousnes of wicked spirits that they shew not their malice and tyrannie vpon yoong infants Blesse all with child that no waie being terrified or troubled extreamelie they bee vntimelie deliuered Giue grace to all babes newlie borne that togither with their outward baptisme they may be receiued into the congregation of the faithfull and be made new creatures filled with the holie Ghost euen from their mothers womb Strengthen all women deliuered with thy vertue and power whereby they may receiue their woonted health and glorifie thee their helper in the time of need learning afterward to repose their whole confidence in thee which art nigh vnto all that call vpon thee euen to all that call vpon thee in truth And if at any time through thy sufferance and vnsearchable pleasure an vntimelie birth or if without offence we may saie an vnluckie deliuerance doth happen comfort O mercifull God the pensiue parents that they despaire not through sorrowe but thinke rather that the wofull chance is a triall of their faith hope and patience and so confesse thee to be alwaies as good and gratious God forgiuing sins and remembring mercie in thy great displeasure that the troubled may take comfort and the afflicted find grace For thus doo al thy seruants persuade them selues that if they be tried they shall be crowned if they be troubled they shall be deliuered if they be chastised they shall be saued through our Lord Iesus Christ Amen A praier to be said of euerie Christian midwife for hirselfe before she execute hir office O Heauenlie Father which at the beginning didst appoint woman to bee the organe instrument and vessell to receiue nourish bring foorth man through thy woonderfull workmanship without anie labour paine or helpe of flesh and blood but afterward through the sinne and disobedience of our grandmother Eue hast made that which before was easie now to become hard and painefull yea dangerous and impossible if thy helpe were not for them to be brought to passe and now as a meane hast ordeined man to be a god to man and made woman through thine vnspeakable power working togither with him to helpe ease woman which through their owne imperfection and feeblenes are not able in this case and time of their sore labour to helpe themselues For as much as it hath pleased thee among manie other more worthie to call me thy most vnworthie hand-maid to the office of a midwife among the daughters of Israel and made me an instrument and means vnder thee to comfort them in their sorrowes cherish them in their child-beds ease them in their pains and to further them in their deliuerance with all possible paines and conuenient speede that I may and can in thee and for thee I most hartilie thanke thee and praise thy holie name and maiestie beseeching thee of grace and vertue to walke worthie of this my calling in all holie obedience to thee and thy word to thy glorie others profit and mine owne saluation in Christ. And because I knowe and feele mine owne weaknes and must needs confesse how that of my selfe I am far vnable to discharge mine office with such dutie as apperteineth without the assistance and helpe of thine almightie power and holie spirit to strengthen me therein For it lieth not in the power of flesh and bloud no nor in all the helpe of the world to go through with so great a worke and weightie enterprise as this is but it onlie and alone belongeth vnto thee our creator and maker of heauen and earth Therefore blesse thou so my weake labours and further my paines that the fruit thereof may redound to the praise of thy name profit of
hir instant desire must now being preuented with vntimelie labour and birth through perillous trauell needs drinke of the cup of Rahels and Phinees wiâ—es potion and go the waie of all flesh then O Lord thou in whose hands are the harts of all flesh arme hir we humblie beseech thee with thy perpetuall grace peace patience and perfect confidence in thee increase hir faith helpe hir vnbeleefe annoint hir with the oile of gladnes in thee ease hir of hir extreme paines be thou nigh vnto hir and driue the diuell far from hir aid hir with thy holie angels giuing hir grace so quietlie to take this thy fatherlie chastisement and visitation in good woorth that in this hir painfull life yea and in the verie end thereof she with perfect memorie sure trust commending hir selfe wholie to thee may in hart ioifullie still saie and we hir deere sisters and faithfull freends and neighbours for hir as followeth When she is departing and yeeldeth vp the ghost then adde and saie this that followeth FEtch now againe Lord God Father into thy holie hands that which thy puissant might hath shapen command thy holie angels now to aid hir and safelie to bring hir to thee and now place thou hir amongst thy chosen children and blessed heirs in thine eternall kingdome prepared for them that are written in the booke of life Fetch now againe Lord God sonne that which thou of thy meere mercie hast so wiselie gouerned and bought with thy pretious bloud now ioifullie receiue hir and saie vnto hir as thou saiedst vnto the penitent theefe This day shalt thou be with me in paradise Take againe now Lord God holie Ghost that which thou of thy onelie fauour hast louinglie kept and guided in this region of sinne and vale of miserie and now louinglie leade thou hir with Rebecca and Lazarus to eternall ioie and rest This grant hir O holie and most blessed Trinitie good Lord almightie three persons and one verie God vnto whome be all honour praise and glorie for euer and euer Amen Amen Another praier while she yeeldeth vp the ghost THE mightie God of angels and former of all things visible and inuisible in whose hands is onelie life and death light and darknes and all the motions of the soule and bodie without thee most mightie God all things had beene nothing and of nothing all things are made by thee without thy Christ and thy blessed spirit which is one coeternall Trinitie all flesh were accursed all consciences molested and all soules vtterlie damned from light into darknes from freedome into euerlasting reprobation but by Iesus Christ thine onelie sonne we thanke thee deere father of all mercie that now it hath pleased thee to take to thy mercie at this present time our deere sister S. B. whom thou hast elected consecrated and now she shall by thy mercie and pitie be sanctified vnto thee in the death of Christ to be a citizen of eternall glorie Now we perceiue that flesh and bloud doth forsake hir and all hir worldlie strength faileth hir now are the organes yeelding vp the heauenlie sound hir soule commeth now vnto thee good Lord receiue it to thy mercie into thine euerlasting glorie where as Abraham Isaac and Iacob Sara Rebecca Rahel and the blessed virgin Marie are continuallie To thee oh heauenlie Father be incessant honour glorie for euer and euer Amen After hir departure let the women kneele downe also and giue thanks as followeth ALmightie God with whom doo liue the spirits of them that depart hence in the Lord and in whom the soules of them that be elect after they be deliuered from the burden of the flesh be in ioie felicitie thou I saie O mercifull God the father of our Lord Iesus Christ who is the resurrection and the life in whom whosoeuer beleeueth shall liue though he die and whosoeuer liueth and beleeueth in him shall not die eternallie who also taught vs by his holie apostle S. Paule not to be sorie as women without hope for them that sleepe in him we giue thee hartie thanks for that it hath pleased thee to deliuer this woman our sister out of the wofull miseries of this sinfull world meekelie beseeching thee O Father to raise vs from the death of sinne vnto the life of righteousnes that when we also shal depart this life we may rest in Christ as our hope is this our sister doth and that it may please thee of thy gratious goodnes shortlie to accomplish the number of thine efect and to hasten thy kingdome that at the generall resurrection in the last daie we with this our sister and all other departed in the true faith of thy holie name being found acceptable in thy sight may haue our perfect consummation and blisse both in bodie and soule in thy eternall and euerlasting glorie and receiue that blessing which thou O Christ shalt then pronounce to all that loue feare thee saieng Come ye blessed children of my Father receiue the kingdome prepared for you from the beginning of the world Grant this we beseech thee O mercifull father through Iesus Christ our onlie mediatour redeemer and sauiour Amen A praier and thanks-giuing to be vsed of the mother or women about hir after the child is baptised ALmightie and euerlasting GOD who hast vouchsafed to regenerate this infant by water and the holie ghost and hast giuen vnto it forgiuenes of all his sinnes and receiued it into the number of thy children and heires of eternall life I thanke thee for thy gratious goodnes fauour mercie towards it And I humblie beseech thee also O Lord to strengthen it so with thy holie ghost the comforter that it may lead the rest of his life according to this good beginning Let thy fatherlie hands I praie thee be euer ouer it and blesse ti dailie increase it with thy manifold gifts of grace giue it the spirit of wisedome vnderstanding the spirit of counsell strength the spirit of knowledge and true godlines fulfill it with the spirit of thy holie feare faith and praier and so lead this child in the knowledge and obedience of thy holie word that being euer defended with thy heauenlie grace it may continue therein for euer and dailie increase in thy holie spirit more and more vntill in the end he obteine the gift of euerlasting life in thy celestiall kingdome through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen If the child or yong infant be verie sicke and lie sore pained with anie greefe or whensoeuer else it be visited with anie dreadfull diseaâ—e praie ouer it and saie as followeth Lord heare our praiers And let our crie come vnto thee Let vs praie O Mercifull Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ the onelie begotten Sonne of the liuing Father redeemer of all men through all ages whose nature is pitifull not onelie to the strong and stout but also to the weake and simple as babes infants and children we here assembled most hartilie desire and praie
mercifullie shewedst vpon them in their great trauels labours and paines when they fled vnto thy holie name for succour as vnto a strong tower bulworke and holie defence Go foorth O Lord to make them the ioifull mothers of manie children endue them with long life that they may see their childers children and the children that thou giuest vnto them make thou as in age so likewise in wisedome and in the abundance of thy holy spirit to increase that they may haue fauour both with thee and with all good men vnto the glorie of thy most blessed name Amen The mothers praier for hir childrens good education O Eternall God creator and preseruer of all man-kind the giuer of all spirituall grace and the onlie author of eternall life I most hartilie thanke thee that it hath pleased thy fatherlie goodnes to giue me these thy creatures the fruit of my bodie as a witnes and testimonie of thy fatherlie fauour and good will towards this most honourable state of matrimonie Oh Lord as thou hast giuen them vnto me so I beseech thee vouchsafe to giue me thy gifts both spirituall and bodilie that I may haue competent wherwith to educate and bring them vp Haue mercie on me oh Lord and giue vnto them thy grace and holie spirit and open thou their wits and senses and giue them the true knowledge and vnderstanding of thy holie word a louing affection and obedience vnto the same and a true faith in it Giue them wisedome vnderstanding knowledge and discretion docilitie capacitie and facilitie to comprehend take and receiue doctrine learning nouriture and discipline that they may be made worthie instruments of thy glorie and profitable members of thy Church to the aduauncement of thy glorie the edifieng of thy Church and the comfort of my conscience by Iesus Christ our Sauiour Amen Another praier to be vsed of euerie godlie mother for the godlie proofe of hir child made for the Ladie Lettice O Most mercifull Lord God almightie onelie which art gratious and good as by thy diuine will power this my child was formed and made a liuing creature consisting of bodie and soule in the wombe of me his naturall mother from whom he is departed into this world by naturall birth weake and impotent of fraile and sinfull substance by his owne propertie inclined to ignorance and sinne and now inuironed with thousands of malicious mightie and subtill enimies both bodilie and ghostlie which waite for the seducing leading of him to perill death and destruction wherevnto all mankind is prone and were it not for thy mercifull grace and tuition soone ouercome So be it thy will O most graâ—ious Lord in the abundance of thy mercies and loue for Christs thy deere sonnes sake with thy fatherlie eie to looke vpon him to blesse him powring plentifullie of thy heauenlie gifts vpon him that being preserued brought vp and nourished in diuine knowledge faith feare and obedience of thee through true profession of thy sweete sonne Iesus in the sinceritie of the Gospell he may growe rich and beautifull in all godlines and vertue in all his waies and proceedings seeking the kingdome of eternall glorie through firme abundant faith and holie conuersation in Christ our sauiour working all righteousnes filled with meeknes brotherlie loue obedience cheerfull hope desire of heauenlie things contempt of the world and mightilie armed with thy grace and strengthened by thine assistance to vanquish the power of sinfull flesh and satan that hauing victorie in the end he may ioifullie triumph in thy presence O God with the rest of thy beloued saints to giue honour and continuall praise to thy most holie name in blisse euerlasting through thy deere sonne our mercifull Lord and Sauiour Amen Another praier of the mother for hir child ALmightie euerlasting God which of thine infinit mercie and goodnes hast promised vnto vs that thou wilt not onelie be our God but also the God father of our children I beseech thee that as thou hast vouchsafed to call vs to be partakers of this thy great mercie in the felowship of faith so it may please thee to sanctifie with thy spirit into the number of thy children this infant which thou hast giuen me to the end that he comming to perfect age may confesse thee onelie the true God and whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ and to serue him and be profitable vnto his Church in the whole course of his life that after this life beeing ended he may be brought as a liuelie member of his bodie vnto the full fruition of thy ioies in the highest heauens where thy sonne our sauiour Christ reigneth with thee world without end Amen Another praier to be vsed of the mother for the good education of hir youth and children OH gratious God in knowledging that thou louest all things which thou hast made of thy goodnes and that thing cannot perish which is committed to thy charge now I come vnto thee with my tender children committing them into thine hands and desiring thee to couer them vnder the wings of thy prouident mercie Hew and square the rough table of their hearts of stonie make them fleshie that being softened by the deaw of thy blessings they may beare the seales of adoption in thy Sonne Christ. O Lord guide them in this darke vale of vanitie with the light of thy fauour that escaping the dongeon of sin they may walke in newnes of life and lodge alwaies in thine holie will Imprint in their harts faith hope humilitie chastitie and charitie that following thee they may be humble and meeke holie vertuous perfect and godlie as thou art Indue them with the spirit of feare that they may kisse thee in faith liuelie obedience and thou be neuer angrie with them but louing vnto them as the mother is to hir tender sucklings Amen Another praier for the godlie and vertuous life of thy childe O Lord God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ and father of all them that beleeue which hast said by the mouth of Salomon the sonne of Dauid that an vndiscreet sonne is a greefe vnto his father and an heauines vnto his mother that bare him and that the wise sonne maketh a glad father but an vndiscreet bodie shameth his mother that it would please thee so to conduct and guide this my sonne S. in his waie that he may acknowledge and confesse that thou art the author of his life that he may serue and honor thee without feare in all truth and righteousnes and growing in age he may be mortified in spirit that he may be filled with wisedome and that thy grace be with him To conclude that by that meanes keeping thy precepts he may prolong his daies heere vpon earth obeieng vs his parents whom thou hast chosen as instruments for to place him in this world Giue vnto him O Lord such ease for the commoditie of this life that vnder colour of pouertie he doo not couet or
hast numbred all our daies which vade awaie suddenlie like the grasse for we are soone dispatched and easilie consumed A man in this world is euen like a vapour or shadow that quicklie vanisheth awaie For all flesh is grasse and the glorie thereof as the floure of the field which flourisheth in the morning and afterward withereth and vadeth Behold our daies are to be measured they are as it were but a spanne long and our age is nothing to speake of Our age is folden togither and taken awaie from vs like a shepheards cotage our life is cut off and our daies shortened by our sinnes like the thred of the weauer which is suddenlie broken off We are but strangers in this world soiourners as were our forefathers our daies on earth also are but a shadowe our life speedilie goeth awaie like the weauers shuttle and it abideth not We are as nothing Lord in respect of thee and verelie euerie man liuing is altogither vanitie yea infancie childhood youth middle age and old age all are but meere vanitie Wherefore O Lord teach me to number my daies that I may yet applie mine hart vnto wisedome and bring foorth more fruit euen in mine old age O let me knowe mine end and the number of my daies that I may be certified how long I haue to liue and what is yet to come Instruct me O Lord that being alwaies mindfull of my mortalitie I neuer promise to my selfe manie yeres nor long life in this pilgrimage of ours so shall I not liue securelie deferring my conuersion to thee from daie to daie nor yet put confidence in this fraile and vncertaine life as did that rich man saieng Soule thou hast much good laid vp in store for manie yeres take thine ease eate drinke and be merie whose soule notwithstanding was taken from him the same night But giue me grace that in thy feare I may dailie prepare my selfe to depart out of this prison and lothsome dungeon of my soule Now let me remember thee my Maker in the daies of my old age and in the yeres wherein I find no pleasure but paine and greefe whiles the sunne the light the moone and starres begin to waxe darke and the clouds of continuall miserie seeme to remaine after the raine to the increasing of my greefe Now let me thinke on thee my Creator whiles my hands the keepers of the house of my bodie doo tremble and the strong men my legs doo bow themselues and the grinders my teeth doo cease or stand still bicause they are few and they that looke out by the windowes mine eies I meane waxe darke and dimme Now let me remember thee my Maker whiles the doore of my lips and mouth beginneth to be shut by the base sound of the milner or grinding when my iawes I saie are scarse able to chawe my meat And I rise vp at the voice of the bird or crowing of the cocke bicause I can not sleepe And whiles all the daughters of musike euen my windpipe and eares are abased and become deafe and not able to heare singing Whiles I am afraid to climbe high bicause of my weaknes and stoope downe for feare least anie thing should hit me Whiles feare is in the waie I tremble as I go and am afraid of stumbling Whiles the almon tree my head doth florish with white heares and the verie light grashopper is a burden vnto it to beare And whiles all lust is past and driuen awaie Now I saie O Lord euen now yet let me call to mind thee my creator before I go to the house of mine age or long home the graue I meane and the mourners go lamenting my death about the streetes Or euer the siluer lace the sinewes and marowe of my backe bone be taken awaie and or the golden ewer or well of that litle yellow skin that couereth my braine-pan be broken or the pitcher of my two great veines be crackt at the well of my liuer or the wheele my head be broken vpon the cisterne of my hart out of the which the powers of life are drawne Euen now I saie at the least O my Creator let me remember thee before I which am but dust doo returne againe to the earth from whence I came and my spirit and soule returne to thee O God that gauest me it For all is but plaine vanitie and nothing more certaine than death though nothing more vncertaine than the houre thereof Therefore let me haue alwaies before mine eies an image and meditation of my departure the better to knowe the fleeting and vanitie of this combersome and vncertaine life that I may liue to thee my God being sound in faith and strong in hope looking with cheerefulnes for the daie of my departure and the ioifull appearing of thy sonne Iesus Christ my redeemer And as long as I abide in this tabernacle of my decaied and forworne bodie let me with all studie minister to my faith vertue to vertue knowledge to knowledge temperance to temperance patience to patience godlines vntill this tabernacle being laid awaie I shall passe ouer to my long home and dwelling place not made with hands but euerlasting in the heauens where I shall be clothed with eternall glorie and immortalitie when this my earthlie house is put off and destroied by death Grant also O God that trusting firmelie to thy promises I may be readie and glad to returne from this vale of miserie to mine euerlasting and celestiall countrie for while I am in this bodie I wander from thee my God For now I walke in faith not in the full and perfect enioieng and possessing of eternall good wherefore whether I be at home or from home let me endeuour my selfe to be acceptable in thy sight Make me a faithfull seruant and wise virgin alwaie hauing the lampe of faith readie light and with the oile of thy grace and merits prepared in my hand and still looking for the comming of the bridgrome my Lord and Sauiour Iesus for I knowe not when he will come at the euening or at midnight whether at the cocke-crowing or in the dawning of the daie least by a sudden houre of death I beeing ouertaken and as it were caught in the fowlers trap I be found vnreadie and haue a repulse among the foolish virgins but contrariwise by prudent watching in true conuersion and repentance I may continuallie couet to be dissolued and to be with Christ my redeemer Grant also deere Father that at the verie point of death hauing escaped all hardnes and temptations I may triumph like a conquerour behold the presence and power of thine holie spirit and let my last words be that which thy sonne did vtter vpon the altar of the crosse saieng Father into thy hands I commend my spirit and when my spirit is taken from me heare yet O God the grones of my hart And the houre glasse of life death being outrun and come let thy seruant and hand-maid depart
our owne parents Kindred to enter and sing psalmes of praise and songs of thanks-giuing to thine immortall Maiestie to whom with thy Sonne and holie Ghost be euerlasting laud perpetuall praise and greatest glorie both now and for euer Amen Another praier made vpon the similitude of the ten virgins Matth. 25. O Lord Iesu Christ thou good spouse and heauenlie bridegroome giue me grace like the wise virgins both with a right intention and vpright dealing to doo good works and also to perseuere and continue in the same watchfullie and diligentlie vnto the end And bicause it is not sufficient to haue once giuen my selfe to followe thee vnlesse I continue doo thou teach me wiselie to make prouision in time that hauing plentie of the oile of thy grace and gifts in the lampe of my soule I may neuer contemne thine honor nor faile in the mid-way but being found readie and watchfull I may be thought worthie to enter ioifullie with thee vnto the wedding I beseech thee also O Lord make knowne vnto mee mine end before it come and suffer me not to depart this life before I haue confessed my faults and thou haue forgiuen me my sins that in the hour of my death neither thy wrath may fall vpon me nor the power of darkenes hurt or inuiron me but let me be found such a one at the daie of examination and triall as I did appeare and shew my selfe at the day of my regeneration and baptisme through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Amen A generall Confession of sinnes with a praier for mercie and grace verie necessarie to be vsed at all times O Almightie God my heauenlie father I confesse and acknowledge that I am a miserable and wretched sinner haue manifold waies most greeuoustie transgressed thy most godlie commandements thorough wicked thoughts vngodlie lusts sinfull words and detestable deeds in my whole life In sin am I borne and conceiued and there is no goodnes in me inasmuch as if thou shouldest enter into thy narrowe iudgement with me iudging me according to the same I were neuer able to abide or suffer it but must needs perish and be damned for euer so little helpe comfort or succour is there either in me or in anie other creature Onlie this is my comfort O heauenlie father that thou didst not spare thine onlie deere beloued Sonne but didst giue him vp vnto the most bitter and most vile slanderous death of the crosse for me that he might so paie the ransome for my sins satisfie thy iudgement still and pacifie thy wrath reconcile me againe vnto thee and purchase me thy grace fauour and euerlasting life Wherefore through the merit of his most bitter death and passion and through his innocent bloud-shedding I beseech thee O heauenlie father that thou wilt vouchsafe to be gratious and mercifull vnto me to forgiue and pardon me all my sins to lighten my hart with thy holie spirit to renew confirme and strengthen me with a right and a perfect faith and to inflame me in loue towards thee and my neighbour that I may hencefoorth with a willing and glad hart walke as it becommeth me in thy most holie commandements and so glorifie and praise thee euerlastinglie And also that I may with a free conscience and quiet hart in all manner of temptations afflictions or necessities and euen in the verie pangs of death crie boldlie and faithfullie vnto thee and saie I beleeue in God the father Almightie c. But O Lord God heauenlie father to comfort my selfe in affliction and temptation with these articles of the Christian faith it is not in my power for faith is thy gift and forasmuch as thou wilt be praied vnto and called vpon for it I come vnto thee to praie and beseech thee both for that and for all other things necessarie for me and thy whole Church euen as thy deere beloued Sonne our Sauiour Christ Iesus hath himselfe taught vs and from the verie botome of my hart I crie and saie O our father which art in heauen c. A praier for the Queenes Maiestie and the Realme O God most excellent creator and preseruer of all things we cast our selues downe before the feet of thy maiestie and inwardlie feeling how vnworthie we are to haue our praiers heard of thee we dare not lift vp our eies to heauen Neuertheles whereas we are conceiued in sin and therefore as all Adams children deserued vntimelie death yet thy fatherlie hand hath brought vs foorth and caused vs to be borne yea and granted vs to liue in this blessed time of thy Gospell to the intent that dieng with Christ we should rise againe to eternall life But alas wretches that we are we haue deserued thy iust indignation by returning to our old vomit and yet thy grace surmounteth our sinne continuallie calling vs to thy sheepfold by the voice of thy gospell Blessed be thy holie name for sending vs that light when we were in darknesse that spirituall drinke when we were in deadlie thirst that heauenlie foode when we were hunger-sterued And like honour and praise be ascribed to thee onelie O Lord for giuing vs such so wise so zealous so godlie and carefull gouernours of thy chosen Church of England whom thou hast raised vp by the light of thy gospell to guid vs in the same thy light and to feed vs with the same thy heauenlie food We magnifie thy name daie and night for that inestimable benefit of thine bestowed vpon vs thy people of England in calling thy chosen creature the nurse of this thy church our Queene and Gouernour from worldlie vanities to the care of thy kingdome and into the communion of thy saints by the preaching of the Gospell when we gaue not sufficientlie attentiue and diligent eare to thy blessed word albeit thou didst correct hir and other ingratfull creatures of this our nation with thy rod yet euen in this point also thy clemencie surmounteth our double wickednes For behold when as thy iustice might haue depriued vs of hir thou of thine infinite mercie didst deliuer hir out of prison set hir free from the lions iawes crowned hir with a diadem of gold and put the roiall scepter of this realme in hir hand Moreouer O singular and most pretious treasure of treasures thou through hir meanes and ministerie hast brought againe Christ Iesus once banished out of England These most mercifull Father be the principall iewels of thine inestimable riches bestowed vpon vs which the more excellent they are the lesse are we worthie of them bicause we haue misbehaued our selues towards thy maiestie in dailie sinning more and more against thee in so much that feeling the same in our conscience we be driuen well neere to despaire But when we call to mind thy sure and sweet promises in Christs pretious blood we are thereby refreshed and recouering strength by hope approch to thy throne boldlie not offering anie thing for the satisfaction of our sinnes but onelie
husband or friend is in prison and endurance or otherwise persecuted or in trouble and affliction see that hartilie you praie for him and saie as followeth O Lord Father of mercie and God of all consolation which rulest and disposest all things after thine vnsearchable wisedome and workest in thy creatures according to thy blessed will which is alwaie good and godlie howsoeuer blind fraile flesh iudgeth of it I knowe and vnfeignedlie confesse thine omnipotencie and almightie power I knowe that thou art able to doo what thy good pleasure is I knowe that thou bringest downe to the graue and fetchest vp againe Thou punishest with pouertie and makest wealthie againe Thou throwest men into the darke dongeons and loosest them out of prison againe breaking euen the gates of brasse and smiting the bars and bolts of iron asunder Thou dooest put downe and exalt againe Thou woundest and healest yea thou O Lord killest makest aliue againe Oh woonderfullie dooest thou worke in thy creatures especiallie in them whome thou hast appointed to be vessels of mercie and inheritors of thine eternall glorie If they at anie time greeuouslie offend thy diuine maiestie as we be all sinners and readie at euerie moment to fall thou dooest neither long winke at their wickednes nor yet euer cast them off from thy fauour but like a louing phisician with some emplaister or salue although bitter to the flesh yet wholesome to the soule thou healest them and like a tender and gentle father correctest them with some temporall punishment that by this meanes they escaping euerlasting punishment may repent them of their vngodlie behauiour confesse their wickednes flie vnto thy mercie and for euer after be the more circumspect in treading the paths of thy holie lawe On this manner didst thou handle the Israelits when they offended thy fatherlie goodnes On this manner didst thou deale with King Dauid and the Prophet Ionas for their disobedience with manie other whome notwithstanding for thy mercies sake after they had acknowledged their offences and called vpon thy holie name thou woonderfullie deliueredst aâ—d broughtest againe as it were out of the perillous seas into the hauen of quietnes I therefore thy poore creature and sorrowfull hand-maid perceiuing in thy holie word so large fountaines of thy great mercies plentifullie issuing out towards all them that be of a contrite heart and broken spirit am bold notwithstanding mine vnwoorthines by reason of my manifold sins to come at this present vnto thee and that for thy promise sake most humblie he seeching thee that as thou deliueredst Ionas out of the whales bellie Ioseph and Daniel from prison Peter thine Apostle out of ward and durance Dauid from the hands of his enimies Susanna from the power of hir aduersaries with manie other so in like manner thou wilt deliuer and set at libertie thy seruant and my faithfull and deere husband T.B. and that in such sort that it may be to thy glorie to his health to the comfort of me his wofull wife and sorowfull children and friends and to the reioicing of so manie as vnfeignedlie loue thy blessed word And although O God I formine imperfection am not worthie to craue and enioie so great and comfortable a benefit at thy mercifull hands yet I doubt not but for thy deerelie beloued Sonne Iesus Christes sake thou wilt most fauourablie heare me most fatherlie pitie me and most bountifullie grant me this mine humble request and I againe receiuing this notable benefit of my deere husbands deliuerance at thy hand shall not be vnthankefull but continuallie magnifie thy holie and glorious name which dealest so fauourablie with thy seruants when they call vpon thee in the name of Iesu Christ thine onlie begotten Sonne and our alone mediator and aduocate to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all praise and honor for euer and euer Amen When your husband or other friend is deliuered out of anie trouble looke that you giue God hartie thanks therefore and saie SO often as I consider thy woonderfull works O blessed and heauenlie father which thou workest of thine owne good will for so manie as in their trouble and aduersitie flie for refuge vnto thy holie name as vnto a strong hold and mightie fortresse I cannot but confesse and acknowledge thy singular kindnes and vnspeakeable good will which thou continuallie through thy fatherlie goodnes bearest towards thy seruants and for the same not merited of anie but freelie of thy mercie giuen I render vnto thee according to my most bounden dutie most hartie praises and entire thanks in consideration whereof the children of Israell being in miserable captiuitie lamentablie lamenting before thee their too much sorrowfull state by hartie praiers after that thou hadst deliuered them from the land of seruitude brast out into exceeding great praises glorifieng thy most holie and blessed name for their sweet and comfortable deliuerance The Citizens of Bethulia likewise being in great distresse called vpon thy glorious name and thou most mercifullie deliueredst them and they againe with merie voices and more ioifull harts soong vnto thee most hartie thanks In like manner when thou hadst deliuered Ioseph Daniel Dauid Peter and manie other thy seruants from their sorowes and calamities oh who is able to expresse with how readie and glad minds they magnified thee thy holie name I therefore sinfull woman excited and stirred vp with the godlie examples of these thy seruants knowing how greatlie thou delightest in the sacrifice of praise confessing also such is my beggerie that I haue none other thing woorthie to offer vnto thy diuine maiestie at this present addressed and prepared to celebrate thy great mercies do magnifie thy blessed name and render vnto thee most humble thanks and immortall praise that it hath pleased thee of thine exceeding goodnes the rather at the contemplation of my poore praiers to shew thy fauourable mercie in the deliuerance of thy seruant and my deere husband T.B. vnto my singular ioie and great comfort For this thy benefit most beneficiall father I so hartilie thanke thee as hart can thinke most intirelie be seeching thee that thou wilt giue him and me and vs all euen so manie as loue thy blessed word neuer to be vnmindfull of this thy benefit nor to commit any thing heereafter that should offend thy fatherlie goodnes or prouoke thy wrath against vs least through our disobedience we after this feele more bitter tokens of thy heauie displeasure than hitherto we haue done but in all our enterprises so to behaue our selues according to thy blessed will that thou maist delight in vs as a father in his children And vouchsafe to blesse vs with all spirituall blessings to enrich vs with the knowledge of thy heauenlie word and to worke in vs a life conformable to the same that other seeing our godlie manners and christian conuersation may be encouraged to embrace thy blessed word to magnifie thy holie name and in all points to frame their life
according to the rule of thy holy commandements through the inspiration of thy blessed spirit to whome with thee and thy deerelie beloued Sonne Iesus Christ be all praise honor and glorie for euermore Amen Amen Praiers to be said of women with child and in child-bed and after their deliuerie A praier to be vsed of a woman with child O Almightie and mercifull Father which of thy bountifull goodnes hast fructified my wombe and of thy gratious blessing hast created in me a reasonable creature I most hartilie thanke thee not onelie for this thy gratious gift but also for that thou hast at all times sith I conceiued preserued me from all perils both of soule and bodie and hast so moderated all my nips pinches and pangs that I haue hitherto right well escaped them I acknowledge O Lord that iustlie for our â—infull transgression of thy commandements thou saiedst vnto the first woman our grand-mother Eue and in hir to vs all I will increase thy sorowe when thou art with child with paine shalt thou bring foorth thy children All our paines therefore that we suffer in this behalfe are none other thing but a woorthie crosse laid vpon vs by thy godlie ordinance to the which with hart mind I humblie submit my selfe trusting surelie and being fullie persuaded in my faith that thou callest none into perill and danger but both thou canst and wilt at conuenient season deliuer them Thou most gratious God hast commanded vs in all our trouble to call vpon thee for aid and helpe and not only hast commanded vs but also of thy mercifull goodnes hast promised to vs good deliuerance saieng Call vpon me in time of trouble and I will deliuer thee O good Lord how greatlie doo these words comfort my hart and susteine my seelie soule Who would not greatlie reioice that knoweth certainlie almightie God to be present with him in his trouble Saith not God thus Or euer they call saith he I shall answere them While they are yet but thinking how to speake I shall heare them And in the Psalme I am with him saith God in his trouble out of the which I will deliuer him What a comfortable Lord is this He is more readie to helpe than we to call for helpe He is more readie to giue grace than we to aske it There was neuer anie yet that with a pure faith asked grace of his Lord but he had it Christ saith Aske and ye shall haue Euerie one that asketh hath He that saith euerie one excepteth none Uerelie verelie I saie vnto you saith Christ whatsoeuer you shall aske my father in my name he shall giue it you Our sauiour Christ saith this and he is God and shall not I hearken to my Lord Gods commandements promises Uerelie I will sticke surelie to it for sure I am that sooner shall heauen and earth perish than Gods promises be vnperformed For albeit euerie man naturallie is a lier and deceiuer yet God is alwaies true and iust in all his words and promises I will therfore make my sute vnto him whome I need not go far to seeke for he is euerie-where present with his elect and is nigh vnto all them that call vpon him faithfullie and thus will I praie vnto him FAther of mercie and God of comfort and all consolation I thy poore hand-maid humblie beseech thee for Christ Iesus sake and in his blessed and holie name that thou wilt vouchsafe to forgiue me all my sins and trespasses that I haue heeretofore offended in against thy godlie maiestie either in thought consent delectation word or deed and that thou wilt heereafter during my life mercifullie preserue me from transgressing of thy commandements and dailie increase in me perfect repentance for my sins a sure purpose of amendment of my life and a diligent studie to walke in thy commandements Increase in me also a liuelie faith a sure hope and charitie Ingraffe in me humblenes of hart meekenes of mind cleannes of conscience Grant mee that I may be wise sad sober discreet circumspect and well aduised in all my saiengs and that I may stronglie ouercome all the temptations of mine enimies the diuell the world and the flesh and that whether I be sleeping or waking eating drinking or whatsoeuer I doo all may be to thine honor and glorie Grant me also that I may humblie reuerence my husband and faithfullie loue him and be obedient to all his honest lawfull and godlie requests And chieflie of all grant mee O Lord that I may feare and dread thee for well assured I am that looke how high the heauen is in comparison of the earth and so great is gods mercie towards them that feare him Looke how wide the East is from the West so far hath he set our sins from vs yea like as a father pitieth his owne children euen so is the Lord mercifull to them that feare him And as touching my deliuerance of this burthen and thy gratious gift I am right well assured that vnlesse thou prosper my trauell all womens helpe and all physicke is in vaine but my full trust is that like as thou hast created this child in me and hast breathed into it the spirit of life so at such time as shall be feene most meete to thy most godlie maiestie thou both canst and wilt prosper the childs birth and my deliuerance In consideration whereof I humblie beseech thee of thy fatherlie pitie to strengthen me in this my dangerous labour and trauell and so susteine me that I may patientlie beare all my throwes and pangs and according to thy promise suffer me not to be tempted aboue my strength but in the midst of my temptation make a way to come out that I may beare it Increase my faith O most mercifull sauiour Christ that I may constantlie beleeue thy word which saiest Ye shall be sorrowfull but your sorrowe shall be turned into ioie A woman when she trauelleth hath sorrowe for hir houre is come but when she is deliuered of the child she thinketh no more of the anguish for ioie that a man is borne into the world I be seech thee therefore in the dangerous time of my trauell grant me speedie deliuerance and ioifull beholding of my child that I being a merie and ioifull mother may render vnto thee honour laud praise and thanks for thine aboundant mercies and gratious gifts and benefits And finallie aboue all things I beseech thy gratious goodnes to endue my child with grace that it may be one of the number of thine elect baptised and regenerated in the holie Ghost and that at the yeeres of discretion it may learne to knowe thee and knowing thee may trust surelie in thy mercie trusting in thy mercie may hartilie loue thee louing thee may feare to displease thee and fearing to displease thee may bee obedient to thy commandements and finallie atteine euerlasting ioie and felicitie through our Lord Iesus Christ which liueth and reigneth with thee and the holie Ghost