what is meete and expedient for vs the Lord himselfe hath sufficiently instructed vs who as he hath taught vs through the whole Scripture how and for what things we ought to pray so hath he set forth one maner of Prayer in the which he hath briefly comprehended all such things as we ought yea or in any wise may aske of GOD. Wherein he hath expressed what is due pleasing and acceptable to him what is necessary for vs and what he will grant so that there is nothing herein omitted that might be thought vpon to the praise glory of God or come into the minde of man for his profit and commodity Mar. 6 Luk. 11. And this is that prayer that our Lord Jesus Christ taught his Disciples when they asked him how they should pray Whosoeuer therefore shall aske any thing that is not contained in this prayer they presume to adde something of their owne to the wisedome of God they are not obedient to his will and they pray without faith hauing no word of God to warrant them and therefore they shall obtaine nothing This praier saith Tertullian is the doctrine of the wisedome of God wherein he hath taught whatsoeuer he willed and willed whatsoeuer was needfull Albeit we are not so bound to this forme of prayer that we should not vse any other kinde of words then the Lord himselfe heerein hath vsed For there are elsewhere set forth in the scriptures many ptayers farre differing from this in words and yet written by the same spirit and very profitably to bee vsed of vs. And many praiers also are continually vttered of the faithfull by the same spirit which varie from the same in words But this is required of vs â—hat none should looke for seek or aske any other thing at all theÌ„ that which is briefly comprehended in this prayer and which though it differ in words yet differeth not in sense substance like as it is certain that all the praiers which are found in the scriptures and which doe continually proceed from the heart of the faithfull are referred by the dâ—rection of Gods spirit vnto this praier how soeuer they differ in the varietie of words Manie good and godly men euen in our daies well exercised in praier haue left vnto vs most worthie examples testimonies hereof furnished with ample large matter to forme holy true praiers ful of power to inflame the heart to a feruent inuocation of Gods holy name whereof we haue giuen here some taste to the godly and specially to the simple not yer well exercised Reade meditate and pray and you shall find comfort in your soules A meditation concerning prayer THe minde of man hath so large roome to receiue good things that nothing indeede can fulfill it but onely God whom then the minde fully possesseth when it fully knoweth him fully loueth him and in all things is framed after his will They therefore deare Lord God that are thy children haue tasted somewhat of thy goodnesse doe perpetually sigh that is doe pray vntill they come theâ—eto in that they loue thee also aboue althings it wonderfully woundeth them that other men doe not so that is loue thee and seeke for thee with them Whereof it commeth to passe that they are inflamed with continuall praiers and desires that thy kingdome might come euerie where and thy goodnesse might be both known and also in life expressed of euerie man And because there are innumerable manie things which as well in themselues as in others be against thy glory they are kindled with continuall prayer and desire sighing vnspeakably in thy sight for the increase of thy spirit And sometimes when they see thy glorie more put backe then it was wont to bee either in themselues or in any other then are they much more disquieted and vexed But because they know that thou dost rule all things after thy good will and that none other can helpe them in their neede they oftentimes doe goe aside all businesse laid apart and giue themselues to godly cogitations and talk with thee complaining to thee as to their Father of those things that grieue them begging thereto and that most earnestly thy helpe not onely for themselues but also for others specially for those whom singularly they imbrace in thee and often doe repeate and remember thy gracious benefits both to others and to themselues also where through they are prouoked to render to thee heartie thankes thereby being inflamed as well assuredly to hope well of thy good will towards them and patiently to beare all euils as also to stude and labour to mortifiy the affections of the flesh and to order all their whole life to the seruice of their brethren and to the setting foorth of thy glory This they know is that prayer which thy Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord commanded to be made to thee in the chamber the doore being shut In this kinde of prayer hee himselfe did watch often euen all the whole night Herein was Paul frequent as all the Saints be This kinde of prayer is the true lifting vp of the mind to thee This standeth in the affections of the heart not in words and in the mouth As thy children be endued with thy spirit so frequent they this talke with thee The more thy spirit is in them the more are they in talke with thee Oh giue me plentifully thy spirit which thou hast promised to power out vpon all flesh that thus I may with thy Saints talke with thee night and dâ—y for thy onely beloued Sonnes sake Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Moreouer the Sainâ—s to prouoke them to this kind of praier do vse first their necessitie which they consider in three sorts inwardlie concerning their soules outwardly concerning their bodies and finally concerning their name and fame whereto they adde the necessitie of those that be committed to them the necessitie of thy Church and of the common wealth Secondly they vse thy commandements which require them vnder paine of sinne to pray to thee in all their need Thirdly they vse the consideratioÌ„ of thy goodnesse which art naturally mercifull to yong Rauens calling vpon thee much more then to them for whom Rauens and all things else were mâ—de for whom thou hast not spared thy deare sonne but giuen him c. Fourthly they vse thy most sweet and free promises made to heare and helpe all them that call vpon thee in Christs name Fifthly they vse examples how that thou which art the God of all and rich vnto all them that call vpon thee in Christs name hast heard and holpen others calling vpon thee Sixtly they vse the benefits giuen them before they asked thereby not onely prouoking them to aske more but also certifying their faith that if thou wast so good to grant them manie things vnaskt now thou wilt not denie them any thing they aske to thy glorie and their wealth Last of all they vse the reading and singing
in vs that which is acceptable in thy sight Sanctifie vs throughout and keep our whole spirit soule and body faulâ—ies vnâ—o the comming of thy deare sonne our Lord Iesus Christ â—hou art faithful O father who hast promised this who also shalt bring it to passe to thee therefore be giuen euerlasting praise honour and glory Amen A thanksgiuing after meales LEt al nations magnifie the Lord let all people reioice in praising and extolling his great mercies For his fatherly kindnesse is plentifuly shewed foorth vpon vs and the truth of his promise endureth for euer We render thanks vnto thee O Lord God for thy manifold benefits which we continually receiue at thy bountifull hand not only for that it hath pleased thee to feed vs in this present life giuing vnto vs al things necessary for the same but specially because thou hast of thy free mercy fashioned vs anew vnto an assured hope of a farr better life the which thou hast declared vnto vs by thy holy Gospell Therefore we humbly beseech thee Oh heauenly father that thou wilt not suffer our affections to be so entangled rooted in these earthly corruptible things but that we may alwaies haue our minds directed to thee on hic continually watching for the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ what time he shal appear for our full redemption To whom with thee and the holy Ghost be all honor and glory for euer and euer So be it Another thanksgiuing after meales GLory praise and honor be vnto thee most mercifull and omnipotent father who hast fed and daily dost feed of thy most bountiful goodnes all liuing creatures we beseech thee that as thou hast nourished these our mortall bodies with corporall food so thou wouldest replenish our soules with the perfect knowledge of thy liuely word of thy beloued sonne Iesus Christ to whom with thee the holy Ghost be praise glory and honour for euer So be it Another MOst bountifull and gracious God which feedest all flesh and hast promised that asking of thee we shal not lacke if we first seeke thy kingdom and the righteousnes therof we feeling presently the benefit of this thy gracious promise in feeding our bodies with this corporall food do render vnto thee most harty thaÌ„ks for the same beseeching thee likewis to feed our soules with that heauenly food which perisheth not but abideth vnto euerlasting life so that we being nourished by the goodnes both in body and soule may be apt ready to do al good works which thou hast prepared for vs to walke in through Iesus Christ our Lord. Vnto him that loued vs and washed vs from our sinnes in his bloud and made vs kings and Priestes vnto God his Father be all glory power and dominion for euermore Amen Another THe God of glory who hath created redeemed and presently feed vs be blessed for euermore Amen The God of all power who hath called from death the great Pastor of the sheepe our Lord Iesus comfort and defend the flocke which hee hath redeemed by the bloud of the eternall Testament increase the number of true Preachers represse the rage of obstinate tyrants lighten the harts of the ignorant relieue the paines of such as be afflicted but specially of those that suffer for the testimony of thy truth and finally confound Satan by the power of our Lord Iesus Christ So be it Prayers commonly called Lidleys praiers with certaine godly additions Before thou prayest forgiue if thou hast any thing against any man come not to GOD with a double heart but lift vp pure hands without wrath or doubting 1. Tim. 2. ALmighty and most mercifull Father I thy poor creature and worke of thy hands acknowledge and confesse vnto thee my manifolde sinnes and offences which I from my youth vp vnto this day haue committed against thee in thought word and deed beseeching thee for Iesus Christ thy dear soâ—s sake to haue mercy vpon me and to pardon the same according to thy graet mercy which hast promised that at what time souer a sinner doth repent him of his sinne from the bottome of his heart thou wilt put his wickednes out of thy remembrance O Lord I confesse that I was borne in sinne and conceiued in wickednes and am by nature a child of wrath For in my flesh dwelleth no good thing and of my selfe I am not able to think a good thought much lesse to doe that thou in thy law requirest of me saying Cursed is he that continueth not in al things that are written in the law to doe them Againe thy law is spirituall but I am carnall fold vnder sinne Therefore O Lord I come vnto thee for grace which hast said Aske only shall haue seeke ye shal find knock it shal be opened vnto you to preuent and draw my will vnto all goodnes for none can come vnto thee except he be drawn except w be borne from aboue we cannot see the kingdome of God Therefore O Lord renue in mee a right spirit that I may receiue strength and ablenesse to doe thy righteoâ—â— wilâ— Grant that I may euer desire and will that which is most pleasing acceptable to thy will Thy will be my will and my will be alwaies to follow thy will Let there be euer in me one will one desire with thee and let me neuer desire to will or not to will but as thou wilt Grant me that aboue all things I may rest in thee and fully quiet and pacifie my hart in thee for thou Lord art the true peace of the hart the perfect rest of the soule Thou knowest Lord what is most profitable and expedient for mee wherefore do with mee in al things as it shall seem best vnto thee For it may not be but well that thou dost which dost most iustly and blessedly dispose all things after thy most godly wisedome Therefore whither it be by prosperity or aduersity losse or gaine sicknes or health life or death thy will be done Cast out of my heart all vnprofitable cares of worldly things and suffer me not to be led with the vnstable desires of earthly vanities but giue me grace that all worldly and carnall affections may be mortified and dy in me Grant vnto me the strength of thy holy spirit to subdue this body of sinne with the whole lusts thereof that it may be obedient both in will mind and members to do thy holy will Assist me with thy grace O Lord that I may be strengthned in the inward man and be armed with thy holy armour which is the breast-plate of righteousnesse the shield of faith the hope of saluation for an helmet and the sword of thy spirit which is thy holy word that I may stand perfect in all that is thy will and be found worthy through Christ to receiue the crowne of life which thou hast promised to all them that loue thee Giue me grace that I may esteem all things in
Consider the olde generation and marke them well was there euer any confounded that put their trust in the Lord or who hath continued in his feare was sorsoken or whom did he euer despise that called vpon him And of all other that is the most notable which by the Prophet Ioel is added imediately after the prophesie of that horrible destruction that was at hand saying Whosoeuer shall call vpon the name of the Lord shal be saued Here let vs consider the order of promises which pertaine either outwardly to the body or inwardly to the soule Which part the soule I meane because it is much more pretious then the other wee must first craue such things as properly belong to the saluation thereof But first of all confessing our sinnes vnto God with most humble and penitent hearts let vs set before vs the promises of remission of the same For this sentence is true God heareth no sinners that is such as delight and continue in sin Wherfore in all other praiers yea when we be about to aske any other things whatsoeuer they be let vs first thinke of the remission of sins hauing alwaies in our sight some coÌ„fortable promises thereof as this If we confesse and acknowledge our sinnes he is faithfull and righteous to forgiue our offences to clense vs from all iniquiâ—ies And herunto let vs haue the light of the holy Ghost to kindle and confirme in vs the true knowledge of God Let vs pray for the continuance of Gods holy word and gospell among vs for the inlarging of his Kingdome and the aduancing of his glory Let vs begge the gifts of faith 1 John 12 repentance feare patience prayer hope loue ioy peace of conscience with such other fruites of the spirit and for euerlasting life And here also wee must remember that we doe not onely call our selues continually to account for our new sins crauing at Gods hand mercy and forgiuenes of the same but also for those sinnes which might seeme to haue beene so long agoe forgotten as Dauid hauing confessed an hainous offence Psal 52 by that occasion returneth euen to his mothers wombe wherein he had gathered the infection heaping together the sins of the whole life euen so in another place when he asketh another thing he saith Remember not the sinnes of my youth remember me according to thy mercy for thy goodnesse sake O Loâ—d Psal 25 Againe Looke vpon my affliction and trauel and forgiue all my sinnes When we haue thus praide for things pertaining to the soule and to the kingdome of God we must pray also for corporall benefits as well common as private as peace and tranquility of those countries which giue harborough to the true professors of the gospell and godly congregatiâ—ns bâ—ing in this life Psal 88 as Daniel in the midds of the Lions Pray for the peace of Hierusalem faith Dauid also for defence from misery deliuerance from trouble for happie successe in the works of our vocation for health liuing protection of life and goods name c. And although the Lord knoweth before we aske what we haue need of is ready to giue liberally yea doth giue oftentimes vndesired furthermore hath promised that seeking first the kingdome of Gâ—d and the righteousnesse thereof all other things shall be giuen vs yet he commandeth vs to aske corporall benefits and that for three causes First that we should know that hee is the author and giuer thereof and therefore should not onely be thankfull for the same but also stirred vp thereby to seeke loue and worship him Secondly that we should be wel perswaded of his good prouidence towards vs when we vnderstand that he doth not onely promise that he will neuer saile vs but also hath his hand alwaies stretched out to help them that call vpon him Iosua Thridly that our faith of reconciliation forgiuenes of sin shold be exercised through the asking of those corporall things And herein we must specially aboue all things seeke the glory of God and therfore we must pray for these corporall things in such sort that we may offer therewith our obedience vnto God Here of we haue example of Christ when he said Father if it be possible let this cup passe from me neuerthelesse not as J wil but as thou vvilt With this obedience to the will of God spake Dauid when he desired to be brought againe into his kingdome â— Reg. 15 saying If I shal find fauor in the sight of the lord he vvil bring me againe but if he shall say vnto me thou dost not please me I am ready let him doe as iâ— seemeth good And Job saith Iob 30 Though he kill me yet vvill I put my trust in him Therefore forasmuch as we doe know that it is the lot of Gods children to be alway vnder the crosse and therefore concerning those corporall benefits we know not how or what to aske as we ought wee must herein offer our obedience vnto God abiding his good will and pleasure so long as it shall seeme good vnto him to exercise vs in the want thereof who suffereth vs sometime to be afflicted for our chastisement and for the probation of our continuance and also that wee may receiue with great gladnesse if to his diuine wisdome it seeme expedient for vs that which with ardent desire wee long looked for 1. Cor. 15 S. Paul saith When wee are iudged we are chastened of the Lord because we should not be condemned with the world But when we pray for spirituall things we must aske them absolutely without condition for hereunto do pertain the chiefe promises of the gospell of the which God would haue vs most assured Verily verily I say vnto you saith Christ he that beleeueth in me hath euerlasting life John 6 As sure as I liue saith the Lord I will not the death of a sinner but that he returne and liue To the promise of God we must ioine examples Eze. 3.3 whereby we learne that God hath heard and holpen those that cal vpon him for all deliuerance whether they bee of other whereof the Scriptures are full â—r our selues whereof wee haue experience are examples of Gods promise Hereby did Dauid comfort himselfe in the anguish and heauinesse of his heart saying Psal 77 I will remember the works of the Lord and call to mind thy wonders of old time Thou hast mightily deliuered thy people euen the sonnes of Iacob and Joseph Psal 31 Againe I will be glad and reioyce in thy mercy for thou hast seene my trouble thou hast knowne my soule in aduersiâ—ie And thus being warned both by promises and examples let vs learn to cast our care vpon the Lord to call vpon him and to looke for helpe at his hand So shall our faith by little and little be more firme and certaine and our heart shall rest in hope and expectation of Gods helpe But forasmuch
of Psalmes and oâ—her good prayers because they know that thereby peculiarly besides the other Scriptures there is no small helpe as may appeare by Paul Ephes 5. whereby he willeth the congregation to vse Psalmes Hymnes and spirituall songs but so that in the heart wee would sing and say them Not that thy children doe not vse their tongues and words in praying to thee for they doe vse their tongues speech and words to stirre vp their inward desire and feruencie of the mind ful well knowing that else we were a plaine moâ—king of thee to pray with lips and tongues onely Oh that I might feele now thy spirit so to affect mee that both with heart and mouth I might hartily and in faith pray vnto thee Now concerning the things that are to bee prayed for thy children know that the prayer taught by thy Sonne most surely and plainly doth containe the same and therefore they often vse it first asking of thee their heaueÌ„ly father through Christ that thy name might euery where be had in holinesse and praise then that thy kingdome by regeneration and the ministery of the Gospel might come so thirdly that willingly perfectly and perpetually they might study to doe yea doe indeed thy will with thy holy and heauenly Angels and spirits These things they seeke pray for namely thy kingdome and thy righteousnesse before any worldly benefit After which petitions because all things yea euen the benefits of this present life doe come from thee they doe godly desire the same vnder the name of dayly bread being instructed of thy wisdome that after spirituall benefits to aske corporall is not vnseemely vnto thy children which know both spirituall and corporall to come from thy mercy In the other petitions they pray for things to bee taken from them beginning with forgiuenesse of sins which were impudently prayed for if that their hearts were not so broken that they could forgiue all things to all men For their part they adde their profession that is Charitie wherby they professe that they haue forgiuen all offences done to them Howbeit because it is not enough to haue pardoÌ„ of that wh ch is past except they be preserued from new offences they pray thee not to leade them into temptation by permitting them to the peruerse suggestions of Satan but rather to deliuer them from his importunitie and power vnderstanding Satan the author of all euill Oh deare God that thou wouldest endue mee with thy spirit of grace and praier with thy children accordingly to make this prayer alwaies whensoeuer I doe pray As for outward euils so long as they doe not as it were inforce thy people to sinne in that christian perfection doth account theÌ„ amongst thy benefits thy Son hath not taught thy Church to pray for the taking away of them in their praier for here he hath contained but those things for the which al Christians generally and particularly may of faith pray at all times It often commeth to passe that exterior euils because they bee not euils indeede that is they bee not against Gods grace in vs therefore they cannot of faith be praied for to be taken away for thy children that haue faith doe alwaies preferre thy iudgement before their owne The which iudgement when they know by that which hapneth to them they submit themselues therto wholy although the spirit make his vnspeakable gronings to helpe their infirmities by prayer not to haue them taken away but that they might haue strength and patience to beare the burden accordingly Which burden if it bee to heauie in the bitter sense and feeling therof they in their praiers doe complaine something rather then pray to haue it taken away as our Sauiour did in the garden wheÌ„ hee added to his complaint Not my will but thy will be done So doe thy people in al their complaints adde not as wee will but as thou wilt For they are taught by thy spirit no otherwise to pray for the taking away of corporall euils either from themselues or from others vnlesse they by the same spirit doe certainely see the same to make to thy glorie as did thine Apostles seruants when absolutelie and without condition they did aske health or miracle for any when they healed or raised the dead by praier for they knew nothing can be better then when it is according to thy will Oh that I might alwaies know thy will in all things and for euer apply my selfe thereto Hereof it commeth that thy saints and deere children which loue their neighbours as themselues doe yet notwithstaÌ„ding in their praiers aske vengeanes of some as wee may reade in the Psalmes of Dauid because in praying and talking with thee they see by thy holie spirit for without it is no true prayer sometimes thy iudgements vpon some which they perceiue to sin to death and therefore ought not to be praied for because thy glorie cannot be set forth as it should bee without their destruction Thy will is alwaies best and the thing wherto they frame all their desires Therefore when they perceiue that it is decreed with thee such such by their destruction to set foorth more mightily thy glory how should they but desire and pray for the same and write as Dauid hath done that the godly in reading and weighing such prayers might receiue coÌ„fort the vngodly be afraid else when that they perceiue not so manifestly the determined iudgement of God they in their prayers doe most heartely pray for them as Samuell did for Saul Moâ—s s for the Isralites Abraham for the Sodomites O good Father for thy mercies sake giue mee the true loue of mankind but yet so that I may loue man for thee and in thee and alwaies preferre thy glorie aboue all things through Christ our Lord. Now though thy children doe know that thy will cannot but bee done and nothing can be done but that thou of thine owne will hast determined to doe although no man should desire the same yet are they earnest and frequent in praier first to render obedience to thee which requirest prayer as a spirituall seruice to thee secondly because thou hast ordained praier to bee as an instrument and meane by the which thou workest things with thee already decreed and determined Thy children doe vse praier to offer thee their seruice if it shall please thee to vse the same and as they doe eat and drinke which is a meane ordained of thee for the conseruation of their life not looking thereby to lengthen their daies aboue their bonds which already thou hast appointed but as it becommeth them to vse the meanes which thou hast ordained to serue thy prouidence so doe they as men herein not curious to know thy prouidence further then thou reueilest it vse prayer as a mean by the which thou art accustomed to worke many of thy childrens desires that according to thy good will thou maiest vse the same They doe not thinke a
me to be thy childe so I pray thee giue me these things which bee the properties of thy children giuen from thee in thy good time Hallowed be thy name THy name is that whereby thou art knowne for names serue to discerne and know one thing from another Now though thou art knowne by creatures yet is this our corrupt estate Rom. 1 they serue but to make vs excuselesse Therefore most properly liuely and comfortably thou art knowne by thy holy word and specially by thy promise of grace Psalme 84.138 How Gods name is hallowed and freely pardoning and receiuing vs into thy fauour for Christ Iesus sake For the which goodnesse in Christ thou art praised and magâ—ified according to thy name that is so much as men know thee in Christ they magnifie thee and praise thee which here thou callest hallowing or sanctifying For that thou art the more holy not in respect of thy selfe but in respect of men who the more they know thee the more they caÌ„not but sanctifie thee that is they cannot but as in themselues by true faith loue feare spirituall seruice honour thee so also in their outward behauiour and words they cannot but liue in such sort The chiefe desire of Gods children as other seeing them may in and by their holinesse and godly conuersation bee occasioned as to know thee so to sanctifie thy name accordingly and therefore thou settest forth here vnto me what is the chiefe and principall wish and desire of thy children and people namely that â—hou in Christ mightest bee truely knowen and honoured both of themselues and of other inwardly and outwardly as by the contrary a man may easily perceiue The greatest griefe of Goâ—s people that the greatest sorrowe and griefe thy people haue is ignorance of thee false seruice or religion and wicked conuersation Against the which they pray and labour diligently after their vocation as they for the obtaining of the other both to other and to themselues doe take no small paine in prayer studie and godly exercise By reason heereof I see that I am farre from this desire and lamentation which is in thy children I see mine ignorance of the true knowledge of thee and thy name for else it had not needed thee so by thy word to haue reuealed thy selfe I see also mine owne ignorance of the excellencie of the same Our ignorance for else wouldest thou not haue told mee that the saÌ„ctifying of thy name is the chiefest thing thou requirest of euery man Againe I see my great want of holinesse Our great neede for else thou needest not to teach me to seeke and pray for that I want not Moreouer I see my great peruersity which would not seeke at thy hands for sanctification although I see my need thereof For the which thou wouldest not haue commaunded mee to pray if I seeing my want would haue prayed vnto thee for the same Last of all Gods loue I see thy wonderfull goodnesse which wilt vndoubtedly giue vnto me sanctification and holinesse for thou wouldest not that I should aske for that thing that thou wilt not giue mee So that I haue great cause to lament and reioyce To lament because I am so farre from this desire and lamentation which thy children haue also because of mine ignorance pouerty peruersity vnthankfulnes c. But most of all because thy holy name word and religion is so blasphemed both in doctrine in liuing of many especially in this Realme To reioice I haue great cause for thy exceeding goodnes and mercie which wouldest so disclose thy selfe by thy workes word and Gospell which wouldest open these things thus vnto me and also giue vnto mee and others sanctification in thy sight by faith and in the sight of men by purenesse of life and godly conuersation But alas I doe hartely neither the one nor the other that is lament or reioice as thou father which searchest my heart dost right well know Oh be mercifull vnto me and forgiue me yea giue me for thine owne pity thy holy spirit to reueale and open to my minde effectually my miserable estate and condition my ignorance peruersity my carelesnesse for thy true honour and dishonour in such sort that I may hartily lament these euills and haue them pardoned and taken from mee through Iesus Christ our Lord. Againe good father giue mee the same thy holy spirit to reueale to me thy name word and Gospell that I may liuely know thee vnfainedly loue thee heartily obey thee and aboue all things desire and labour by all meanes lawfull that all godlines in doctrine and conuersation may bee exercised both in mee and all others for whom thou wouldest I should pray Here think vpon the state of religion the life of the professors of the Gospel that thou maist lament some pray for some and giue thankes for some Let thy kingdome come Gods kingdom in respect of his power THy kingdome is in two sorts to be considered vniuersally and particularly Vniuersally according to thy power wherwith thou gouernest all things euery where in earth Heauen hell diuels Angels men beasts fowles fishes and all other creatures Of this kingdome spake Dauid when he said This kingdome ruleth ouer all Psal 10 4. Particularly thy kingdome is to bee considered according to thy grace wherewith thou rainest only in thy Church and elect people Gods kingdom in respect of his grace ruling and gouerning all and euery member of thy Church to thy glory and their eternall comfort Not that out of this Church I exclude thy power for as therewith thou defendest thy people so thou punishest thy enemies but because thy grace is specially considered being as it were the very keeper that keepeth and guideth thy people Godâ— kingdome in respect of his glory The time will be when this kingdome of grace and power now being as distinct shall be vnited and made one kingdome of glory which will bee when Christ shall giue vp his kingdome into thyne hands that is in the resurrection when death the last enemie shal be subdued and thou shalt be all in all In the meane season How Gods kingdome is here conside ed and enlarged this kingdome of grace is miraculously and mightily propagated enlarged and gouerned by the true ministery of thy word and Sacraments through the working of thy holy spirit And this is the meane and way whereby as thou didst first plant so doest thou enlarge amplifie and preserue the same This kingdome of grace begun continued and enlarged by the true preaching of thy Gospell and ministration of thy Sacraments is the thing which Christ teacheth here thy children to pray for that it might come that is to say that thâ— Gospel might so mightily purely and plenteously bee preached maugre the head of all thine enemies that the number of thine elect might bee brought in and so the kingdome of thy glory might appeare So that as I
they which beleeue are borne of GOD and made Goâ—'s children giuâ—n to those that be ordained to eternall life thinke I say that by faith you receiue more and more the spirit of sanctification through the vse of Gods word and Sacraments and earnest praier to illuminate your mind vnderstanding iâ—dgement and reason and to bow forme frame and inflame your affections with loue and power to do that which is good and therefore vse you the meanes aforesaid accordingly Thinke that by this spirit you are through faith coupled to Christ as a liuâ—ly membâ—r and so to God as it were made one with him and by loue which springeth our of this faith you are made one also with al that be of God and so you haue fellowshippë with GOD and all good men that euer weâ—e or shall be in all the good that God and all his Saints haue or shall haue Thinke that as by faith and loue through the spirit of GOD you are now entred into his Communion the blessednes wherof no tongue can expresse to after this life you shall first in soule and in the last day in body also enioy for euer the same society most perfectly which now is but begun in you Thinke then of your negligence that do so little care for this your happy estate Thinke vpon your ingratitude to God for making you redeeming you calling you and so louingly adopting you Thinke vpon your folly in fâ—ntasing so much earthly and bodily pleasures Think vpon your deafnes blindnes which hear not God no see him hee calling you so dâ—ligently by his works word and Sacraments Think vpon your frowardnes which will not be lead of God and his spirit Think vpon your forgetfulnes and in consideration of your heauenly estate how your body is the temple of the holy Ghost your meÌ„bers are the members of Christ the whole world and all things therein are your owne Therefore lay vnto your soule O my soule arise follow God contemne this world purpose well and pursue it long for the Lords comming be ready and watch that he come not vpon thâ—e vnwares And forasmuch as you must liue to Gods pleasure see the vocation state of your life wherunto God hath called you and pray to God for grace knowledge and ability to make the most profitable things in hand wel to begin better to goe on and best of all to end the same to Gods glory to the profit of your brethren and think that time lost wherein you speâ—k not or doe not or at least think not somthing to Gods glory and the commodity of your brethren When you goe forth of the dores pray NOw must I walke among the snares of death stretched out of Satan of his mischieuous ministers in the world carrying with mee a friend to them both and a foe to my selfe euen this body of sinne and sinnefull flesh Oh graund Captaine Christ leade me and guide mee I beseech thee defend mee from the plagues subtilties whereof I am in danger Grant that I may take all things that happen as I should doe and setting mine eies vpon thee onely I may so goe on forward in thy waies as by nothing I be hindered but rather furthered so that al my doings may intend to thy glory Shew me thy waies O Lord and teach me thy paths Psal 25. Occasions to meditate Consider how vainely the most part of men are occupied how many waies they trouble and cumber theÌ„selues thereby much alienating their minds from the knowleâ—ge and cogitation of that which they should most esteeme and so become a let and an offence to others As in going abroad Ioh. 6â— Ioh. 4. you will see that your apparell be seemâ—y in the sight of men so see how seemely you appeare in the sight of God When you are going any iourny pray THis oâ—r life is a pilgrimage From the Lord we came and to the Lord wee make our iorney howbeit through dangerous and perilous waies which our cruel enemies haue and doe prepare for vs being now more then stark blinde by reason of sinne O Christ which art a most true loads-man and guide and also most expert faithfull and friendly put thou out thine hand open mine eies make thy high way knowne vnto mee which thou diddest first enter into out of this corruptible life and hast prepared the same for vs to immortality Thou art the way lead vs vnto the father by thy selfe that all we may be one with him as thou and he together be one Shew mee the way that I should walk in for I lift vp my soule vnto thee Psal 124. Or pray thus MErciful father thou art wont to send to thy seruants men of simple hearts thine Angels to bee their keepers as it were guides as elder brothers to watch vpon thy weake children so diddest thou to yong Tobias to Iacob to Abrahams seruant to Iosua c. O gracious GOD though we be much vnlike vnto them so many are our sins yet for thine owne goodnesse sake send thine holy Angels to pitch their tents about vs to hide vs and defend vs from Satan his slaues to carry vs in their hands that we come not into further danger that thou wilt deliuer vs out of for thine owne sake His Angels are ministers for them that are heires of saluation Heb. 1. Satan sleepeth not but seeketh alwaies to destroy vs. 1. Pet. 5. Occasions to meditate Thinke something how wee are strangers from our Country from our home from our originall I mean from God Againe thinke vpon our madnesse that doe linger and loiter so gladly in this our iourney and pilgrimage also how foolish we are to fantasie things which we cannot carry with vs and to condemne conscience which will alwaies be a companion to vs to our ioy if it be good but to our shame and sorrow if it be euill and corrupt Finally how vnnatural we are which so little desire to be at our home to be with our only father master fellowes and friends When you are about to receiue your meat pâ—ay thus THis is a wonderfull mistery of thy worke O maker and gouernour of the world that thou doest sustaine the liues of men and beasts with these meates Surely this pouer is neither in the bread nor food but in thy will and word by which word al things do liue haue their being Again how great a thing is it that thou art able continually to giue sustenance to so many creaturs This is spoken of by the Prophet in setting forth thy praises All things looke vp to thee Psal 55. and thou giuest them meat in due season thou openest thy hand and filâ—est with thy blessing euery liuing thing These doubtlesse are wonderfull workes of thine almightinesse I therefore heartily pray thee O most liberall Lord and faithfull Father that as thou by meate through thy word doest minister life to these our bodies euen so by the same
wee acknowledging froÌ„ the bottome of our hearts our own vnrighteousnesse may from henceforth not only mortifie our sinnefull lusts and affections but also bring forth such fruit as may bee agreeable to thy most blesses will Col. 3. Rom. 6. Eph. 4.5 1. Pet. 2. through Iesus Christ our onely Sauiour whom thou hast already giuen an oblation and an offring for our sinnes and for whose sake we are â—ertainly perswaded that thou wilt deny vs nothing that we shal aske in his name according to thy will For thy spitit doth assure our consciences that thou art our mercifull Father and so louest vs thy children through him that no thing is able to remoue thy heauenly grace and fauor from vs. To thee therefore with the sonne and the holy Ghost be all honour glory world without end So be it A Pâ—ayer to be said in the Morning O Eternall GOD and heauenly Father seeing that by thy great mercy we haue quietly passed this night grant wee beseech thee that wee may bestow this day wholy in thy seruice so that al our thoghts words and deeds may redâ—und to the glory of thy name and good example of our brethren And as it hath pleased thee to make the sunne to shine vpon the earth to giue vs bodily light euen so vouchsafe to illuminate our vnderstanding with the brightnesse of thy spirit to direct vs in the way of righteousnes so that what thing soeuer we shal apply our selues vnto our speciall care purpose may be to walk in thy fear and to serue and honor thee looking for all our wealth and prosperity to came from thy only blessing and that we may take nothing in hand which shall not be agreeable to thy most blessed will Furthermore that we may in such sort trauaile for our bodies and for this present life that we may haue alwaies a further regard that is to the heauenly life which thou hast promised to thy children and in the mane season that it may please thee to preserue and defend vs both in body and soule to strengthen vs against al the temptations of the diuel and to deliuer vs frâ—m all perils and dangers that may happen vnto vs if we be not defended by thy godly power And forasmuch as to begin well and not to continue is nothing wee beseech thee to receiue vs not onely this day into thy holy protection but also for the time of our whole life continuing and increasing in vs daily thy good grace gifts therof vntill thou shalt bring vs to that happy state where we shall fully foreuer be ioined vnto thy Sonne Iesus Christ our Sauiour which is the true light of our soules shining day and night perpetuaâ—ly And to the end that we may obtaine such grace at thy hand vouchsafe most mercifull Father to forgiue and forget all our sins which wee haue heretofore committed against thee and for thy infinite mercies sake to pardon the same as thou hast promised to those that aske of thee with vnfained heart for whom as for our selues we make our humble petitions vnto thee in the name of thy sonne our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ in such sort as he hath taught vs saying Ou Father c. Another Praier to be said in the Morning O Almighty and most gracious God we hartily thanke thee for the sweet sleepe and comfortable rest which thou hast giuen vs this night past and for as much as thou hast commanded by the holy Word that no man should bee idâ—e but all occupied in godly and vertuous exercises euery man according to his calling wee most humbly beseech thee that thine eies may attend vpon vs daily defend vs cherish comfort gouerne vs and all our counsels studies and labors in such wise that wee may spend and bestow this day according to thy most holy will setting thee alwaies before our eies liuing in thy feare working that may bee found acceptable before thy diuine maiesty through Iesus Christ our Lord. So be it Another Prayer for the Morning VVE humbly and heartily giue thankes vnto thee O heauenly Father through thy dearely beloued son Iesus Christ that to thy innumerable bene â—ts hitherto powred vpon our soules and vpon our bodies thou hast kept vs this night past from many euils both spirituall and corporall and now of thy mercy dost offer and giue vs time to repent and amend our liues so that we might liue henceforth not as we wil but as thou wilt as our bodies doe draw continually neerer neerer their end the graue I mean so our soules might aproch to their end that is heauen not hel for in one state we stand not stil but either we are neerer and neerer the happy state of life or else the vnhappy condition of death eternall Wherefore we beseech thee to be mercifull vnto vs good Father and as of thy goodnes thou giuest vs time to repent and liue godly so of the same thy goodnes in Christ wee humbly beseech thee to giue vs thy gracious gift of true holy perfect perpetuall repentance that we may more and more lament our former sinfull life trusting vnfainedly in thy rich mercy through the merits of Iesus Christ for the pardon of all our sinnes and that we may vnfainedly purpose and effectually labour to amend our liues this day so long as we haue to liue in al our doings and words and euen in our very thoughts to the praise of thy holy name and good example by all our doings and words to all our brethren And forasmuch as thou knowest our weaknes our ignorance and great vntowardnes to carry any great crosse or affliction We beseech thee our sweete Father so temper order all things towards vs this day and for euer that we be neuer further proued tempted than thou wilt make vs able to beare so to help vs in the same as may be most to thy glory our saluation through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen An Euening Praier O Lord God Father euerlasting and full of pitty wee acknowledge and confesse that wee are not worthy to lift vp our eies to heauen much lesse to present our selues before thy diuine maiesty with confidence that thou wilt heare our praiers and graunt our requests if wee consider our owne wretched deseruings For our consciences doe accuse vs and our sins witnes against vs we know that thou art an vpright Iudge which dost not iustifie the sinners and wicked men Exo. 20. but punishest the faults of such as transgresse thy commaundements Yet most mercifull Father since it hath pleased thee to commaund vs to call vpon thee in all our troubles and aduersities Psal 15. Psal 28. promising euen then to helpe vs when wee feele our selues as it were swallowed vp of death desperation we vtterly renounce all worldly confidence and trust fly to thy soueraign goodnesse as our only stay and refuge beseeching thee not to call to
remembrance our manifold sinnes and wickednesse He. 9.10 whereby we continually prouoke thy wrath and indignation against vs neither our negligeÌ„ee nor our vnkindnes which haue neither worthily esteemed nor in our liues sufficiently expressed the sweet comfort of thy holy Gospel reuealed vnto vs but rather to accept the obedience and death of thy Son Iesus Christ our Lord who by offering vp his body in sacrifice once for all Psa 107 hath made a sufficient recompence for all our sinnes Haue mercy therefore vpon vs O Lord and forgiue vs our offnces Psa 9.10 Teach vs by thy holy spirit that we may rightly weigh them and earnestly repent vs for the same and so much the rather O Lord our God because that the reprobate and such as thou hast forsaken Psal 8. Pâ—al 5. cannot praise thee nor call vpon thy name but the repenting hart the sorrowful mind the conscience oppressed hungring thirsting for thy grace shal euermore set forth thy praise and glory And albeit we be but worms and dust yet thou art our Creator we be the worke of thy hands yea thou art our father we thy childreÌ„ thou art our shepheard Psal 22. 1. Cot. 6. and we thy flocke thou art our redeemer and wee thy people whom thou hast dearely bought thou art our God and wee are thine inheritance Jer. 10. Psal 6. Correct vs not therefore in thine anger O Lord our God neither according to our deserts doe thou punish vs but mercifully chastice vs with a fatherly affection that al the world may know that at what time soeuer a sinner doth repent him of his sinne from the bottome of his heart thou wilt put away all his wickednesse out of thy remembrance as thou hast promised by thy holy Prophet Finally forasmuch as it hath pleased thee to make the night for man to rest in as thou hast ordained him the day to trauaile grant O dear father that we may so take our bodily rest that our soules may continually watch for the time that our Lord Iesus Christ shall appeare for our full deliuerance out of this mortall life and in the mean season that we be not ouercome by any fantasies dreames or other temptations but may fully set our minds vpon thee loue thee feare thee and rest in thee in such sort that our very steep also may be to the glory of thy holy name Furthermore that our sleepe bee not excessiue or ouermuch after the insaciable desire of the flesh but only sufficient to content our weake nature that we may the better be disposed to liue in all godly conuersation to the glory of thy holy name and profit of our brethren through Iesus Christ our Lord in whose name we make our humble petitioÌ„s vnto thee as he hath taught vs. Our father which art c. Almighty and euerlasting God vouchsafe we beseech thee to grant vs perfect continuance in thy liuely faith augmenting increasing the same in vs daily vntill we grow to the full measure of our perfection in Christ whereof we make our confession saying I beleeue in God the father c. The Lord blesse vs and saue vs the Lord make his face to shine vpon vs. Lord be mercifull vnto vs the Lord turne his fauourable countenance towards vs and grant vs this peace The grace of the Lord Iesus Christ the loue of God and the communion of the holy Ghost be with vs and remaine with vs for euer So be it 2. Cor. 9.13 Another Euening praier MOst mercifull God and tender Father which besides thine inestimable mercies declared giuen vnto vs in the making of the world for our sakes in the redeeming of vs by the death of thy dear Son Iesus Christ in the calling of vs to the knowledge of thy blessed word in keeping of vs hitherto in thy holy Church and in thy most gracious gouerning of vs and all things hitherto for our singular wealth and commodity hast also most fatherly cared for vs and kept vs this day from all dangers both of soule and body giuing vs health food apparell all other things necessary for the comfort and succour of this poore miserable life which many other do want for these and all other thy good gifts and gracious benefits which thou of thine owne goodnes onely and fatherly prouidence hast hitherto powred vpon vs and doest presently powre vpon vs and many other we most humbly thanke thee and praise thy holy name beseeching thee that as al things are now hidden by meanes of the darkenesse which thou hast sent ouer the earth so thou wouldest vouchsafe to hide and bury all our sinnes which this day or at any time heretofore wee haue committed against thy holy commandements and as now wee purpose to lay our bodies to rest so grant the guard of thy good Angels to keepe the same this night and for euermore and whensoeuer our last sleepe of death shal come grant that it may be in thy good fauour so that our bodies may rest both temporally and eternally to thy glory and our ioy through Iesus Christ our Lord. So be it Another Euening Praier O Eternall God and most mercifull father who this day and all the time of our life hast graciously defended nourished preserued our soules and bodies made such fatherly prouision for vs poore sinners that of thy louing kindnesse wee haue rich portions not only in the creatures of heauen and earth but also in that plentifull redemption which thy most deare Sonne Iesus Christ hath purchased for vs grant vnto vs O mercifull father the assistance of thy grace and holy spirit that as our bodies shall now take their naturall rest euen so our soules and minds at the beholding of thy goodnesse towards vs may quiet themselues in thee conceiue such inward pleasure heauenly sweetnes in thy loue that whatsoeuer we shall from henceforth either thinke speake or do it may be all to the honor of thy holy name through Iesus Christ thy deare sonne our Lord and onely Sauiour Amen Thy mighty hand and our streched arme O Lord be still our defence thy mercy and louing kindnesse in Iesus Christ thy deare sonne be our saluation thy truth and holy word our instruction thy grace and holy spirit our comfort and consolation vnto the end and in the end A praier for the remission of sinnes O Almighty and euerlasting Lord God the deare Father of our Sauiour Iesus Christ which hast made heauen and earth the sea and all that therein is which art the only ruler and gouernor conseruer and keeper of all things together with thy dearely beloued Sonne Christ Iesus our Lord and with the holy Ghost our comforter O holy righteous wise O strong terrible mighty and fearefull Lord God gouernor of the whole world Iudge of al meÌ„ O exorable patient and most gratious Father whose eies are vpon the waies of all men and are so cleane that they
our distrusting and doubtfull hearts our carnall our secure our idle hearts our impure malitious arrogaÌ„t enuious wrathfull impatient couetous hypocriticall and epicurall hearts in place therof giue vs new harts soft harts faithfull harts mercifull hearts louing obedient chast pure holy righteous true simple lowly patient hearts to feare thee to loue thee to trust in thee for euer Write thy law in our harts graft it in our minds we heartily beseech thee Giue vs the spirit of praier make vs diligent and happy in the works of our saluation take into thy custody and gouernance for euer our soules and bodies our liues and all that euer we haue Tempt vs neuer further then thou wilt make vs able to beare and whatsoeuer thou knowest we haue need of in soule and body dear God and gratious Father vouchsafe to giue vs the same in thy good time alwais as thy children guide vs so that our life may please thee and our death praise thee though Iesus Christ our Lord for whose sake we heartily pray thee to grant these things thus asked and al other things necessary for soule and body not only to vs but to all others also for whom thou wouldest that we should pray specially for thy children that bee in thraldome in exile in prison misery heauinesse pouerty sicknesse c. Be mercifull to the whole realme of England and grant vs all true repentance and turne from vs the euils that we so wickedly haue deserued pardon our enemies persecutors slanderors and if it be thy pleasure turn their hearts Be mercifull vnto our parents brethren sisters friends kinsfolkes and familiars neighbours and such as by any meanes thou hast coupled and linked to vs by loue or otherwise and vnto vs poore sinners here gathered together in thy holy name grant thy blessing and holy spirit to sanctifie vs and dwell in vs as thy deare children to keepe vs this day and for euer from all euill to thy eternall glory our euerlasting comfort and the profit of thy Church which mercifully maintaine cherish and comfort strengthning them that stand so that they neuer fall lifting vp them that be fallen and keep vs from falling from thy truth through the merits of thy dearely beloued son Iesus Christ our onely Sauiour which liueth and raigneth with thee and the holy Ghost to whom be all praise and honour both now and for euer Amen I. B. A praier for the true knowledge of the mystery of our redemption in Christ O Almighty God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ and by him also our Father the father of all mercy and God of al consolation haue mercy vpon vs and heare our praiers We most humbly beseech thee for thy deare son Iesus Christ his sake for his merits and cruell death which he suffered to deliuer vs from eternall death and the power of darknes send into our hearts the spirit of truth to worke in vs a true liuely stedfast faith that the clear light and brightnes of thy Gospell the glory of Christ may shine vnto vs and lighten our minds that wee may learn and vnderstand the wonderful and vnspeakable riches of the mystery of our redemption in Christ and by Christ O Father of glory giue vnto vs the spirit of wisedom bring vs vnto the true knowledge of this thy beloued Sonne Iesus Christ the knowledge of thy selfe Open and lighten the eyes of our minds and vnderstanding that we may know what the hope is whereunto thou hast called vs and how the rich glory of thine inheritance is vpon thy Saintes and the exceeding greatnes of thy power towards vs that by true faith by vnderstanding and knowledge of thine eternall wisedome which is Iesus Christ we may be indeed as wee are called true Christians and vnfained professors of thy holy name to worship thee in spirit and truth and to set forth the glory of thy grace giuen vnto vs in Christ Iesus our Lord Amen O deare father write in our harts loue of thy law hate to al sin thankfulnes of heart and continuall heate of thy holy spirit for thy Son Iesus Christs sake To whom with thee and thy holy spâ—rit be all honor maiesty glory thanks rule empire and dominion for euermore Amen A forme of thanksgiuing for our redemption and praier for the strength and increase of faith O Lord increase our faith Luk 17. ETernall praise and thanks bee giuen vnto thee deare God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which hast blessed vs with ali spiritual blessings Ephe. 4. in heauenly things by Christ in that thou hast chosen vs in him before the foundation of the world was laid that we should bee without blame before thee through him by whom we haue redemption through his blood euen the forgiuenesse of our sinnes in whom after we heard the word of truth the Gospel of our saluation wherein we beleeued Rom. 8. we are sealed with the holy spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance which spirit hath and doth beare witnesse vnto our spirits that we are thy children and therefore crieth in our hearts Abba Father And thus most gracious father when thou hast once giuen the earnest penny of our saluation vnto our hearts thou doest not repent of thy gift and calling neither wilt thou at any time breake thy couenant of grace and mercy in Christ thy sonnes merits confirmed in vs by that seale loue token For what though we be weake in our beliefe Rom. 3. shall our vnbeliefe make thy promise of none effect No thou wilt alway be found true but all men are lyers And yet Lord thou dost most graciously behold and accept be it neuer so little a sparke of faith Wee say therefore and cry vnto thee Mar. 9 with one that wept and said I beleeue Lord help my vnbeliefe Yea that little be it neuer so litle is thy meer gâ—ft also The which as thou hast begun so most merciful Lord increase yâ— same more and more to the peace and comfort of our conscience and the glory of thy name through Iesus Christ Amen A thanksgiuing to God for his great benefits HOnour and praise be giuen to thee Lord God Almighty most deare Father of heauen for all thy mercies and louing kindnesse shewed vnto vs in that â—t hath pleased thy gracious goodnes freely and of thine owne accord to elect and choose vs to saluation afore the beginning of the world and euen like continuall thanks bee giuen vnto thee for creating vs after thine own image for redeeming vs with the precious bloud of thy deare sonne when we were vtterly lost for sanctifying vs with thy holy spirit in the reuelation and knowledge of thy sacred word for helping and succouring vs in all our need and necessity for sauing vs from all danger both of body and soule for comforting vs so fatherly in al our troubles afflictions for sparing vs so long and giuing
vs so large a time of repentance These benefits O most mercifull father like as we do acknowledge that we haue receiued of thy only goodnes euen so we beseech thee for thy deare son Iesus Christ his sake to grant vs alwayes thy holy spirit whereby we may continually grow in thaÌ„kfulnes towards thee he led in all truth and comâ—orted in all aduersity Strengthen our faith O Lord kindle it more more in feruentnes and loue towards thee our neighbours for thy sake Suffer vs not most deare father to receiue thy word any more in vaine but grant vs alwaies the assistance of thy grace and holy spirit that in heart word and deed we may sanctifie and doe worship to thy holy name that wee may helpe to amplifie and increase thy kingdome and that whatsoeuer thou sendest Thy kingdome come Thy will be done Giue vs this day c. we may hartily well be content with thy good wil and pleasure Suffer vs not to lack the thing O Father without the which we cannot serue thee but blesse thou so al the workes of our hands that we may haue sufficient and not to bee chargeable but rather helpfull vnto others Be mercifull O Lord vnto our offences Forgiue vâ— c. and seeing our debt is great which thou hast forgiuen vs in Iesus Christ make vs to loue thee our neighbours so much the more Bee thou O Father our captain defender in all temptations Lead vs not into temptation hold thou vs by thy mercifull hand that we thereby may be deliuered from al inconueniences and end our liues in the sanctifying and honouring of thy name But deliuer vs from euâ—ll through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen A aier for true mortification O God my creator preseruer and euerlasting defender where first in my creation I was made like vnto thine owne likenesse the diuell alas hath since by Adams fal made me vgly monstrous and euill fauored like to himselfe For what are now Lord mine earthly members but as thine Apostle writeth adultery whoredome vncleannesse vnnaturall lusts euill concupiscence Colos 3. couetousnes which is the worshipping of Idols and such other for the which thy wrath is wont to come vpon the children of vnbeliefe Neuerthelesse Lord of thy great mercy and goodnesse against this so great a mischiefe a much greater remedy thy fatherly prouidence hath ordained for thou hast sent Iesus Christ thy dear and only naturall sonne into this world the vale of miseries to loose the works of the diuell and to take away my sinnes 1. Joh. 3. Therefore Sathan hath now nothing to brag of for through Christ all that beleeue in thee 1. Joh 5. so become thy children doe ouercome the world the flesh the diuel And this is the victory which ouer commeth them al euen our faith that faith I meane which is perswaded that whosoeuer beleeueth in Christ Ioh. 3. Ioh. 5. shall not perish but haue euerlasting life That faith which beleeueth the testimony to be true which thou God the Father dost testify of thy son so making thee no liar and this is the testimony that thou hast giuen vs eternall life that faith which beleeueth that thou Father who raisedst vp Christ froÌ„ death shalt also quicken our mortall bodies Rom. 8 through thy holy spirit dwelling in vs. That faith which beleeueth it to bee true which thy Sonne Christ affirmed with a double oath saying Verily Joh. 1. verily I say vnto you he that beleeueth in me the works that I doe the same shall he doe and greater works then these shall he doe Ioh. 15. because I goe to my Father And finally that faith which beleeueth that now Christ hath been lift vpon the crosse he shal draw al things vnto him this faith I say is the victory which ouercommeth our enemies the diuell Joh. 12. the world and our flesh Thou therfore dear father which hast promised to giue whatsoeuer I shall aske in thy dear Sonne Iesus name 1. Joh. 3â— for thy great mercy and infallible truths sake do now in me the thing that he came for loose in me the works of the diuel take away my sinnes I beseech thee make stedfast my faith and confidence in thy promised mercies and merciful promises so that I assuredly beleeuing in thee may haue as thou hast promised euerlasting life making thee deare God no lyer may beleeue feele and know in my heart and conscience that the same euerlasting life is thy meere and free gift vnto me yea already of thy great goodnes vndoubtedly giuen me being now translated from death to life Colos 3. In thankfulnesse whereof Lord cause me now daily to mortifie my earthly meÌ„bers yea dear father sith thy spirit which raised vp Christ from death dwelleth within me doe thou who raisedst Christ froÌ„ death quicken my mortal body through thy spirit so dwelling within me I beseech thee yea Lord Iesu according to thy promise because thou art now gone to thy Father make me worke the wonderful great work that thou spakest off Ioh. 6.4 I meane make me being of my selfe but a lumpe of sinne and a monster most vgly as the vices whereof the members of my earthly body are aboue declared to be compact doe proue make me I say yet through thy grace to hate abhorre flee and subdue all adultery whoredom vncleannes vnnaturall lusts euill concupiscence vnordinate desires wantonnes tendernesse delicatenes idlenesse drunkennesse gluttony slothfulnes distrust despaire ignorance weaknes wilfulnes idolatry superstition hypocrisie heresie error sects variaÌ„ce strife wrath enuy slanders lying swearing cursing vainglory pride couetousnes theft deceit flattery and whatsoeuer else O Lord fighteth or rebelleth against thy holy spirit and then O Father I will boast and make vant against mine enemy the diuell that I haue done greater works then thy deare Sonne Iesus did at what time hee spake these words amongst the Iewes because albeit he vanquished Sathan yet in as much as he himselfe was vtterly without sinne the victory seemed the more easie But I to vanquish Sathan being my self altogether sinful yea contrary to my most sinful nature to subdue sinne the Diuel and mine owne flesh it seemeth a more victory a greater worke then the other For the which neuerthelesse I will with all submission acknowledge vnto thy diuine maiesty that the whole victory Lord indeede is thine and thy holy spirit the beginner and finisher both of the wil and the worke Now therefore Lord Iesu strengthen me with thy grace and might that thou maiest by me a most sinful wretch draw all these our earthly members and horrible vices before rehearsed vnder my feet that I may not only fight against them but also subdue them so that they may all turne to the best for me as meete matter whereon I may exercise my faith powre forth my hearty praier and giue thee most hearty thanks for victory whereby
may alwaies not only striue against sin but also ouercome the same daily more and more as thy children do aboue all things desiring the sanctification of thy name the comming of thy kingdome the doing of thy will here on earth as it is in heauen c. through Iesus Christ our redeemer mediator and aduocate Amen I. B. A praier against our spirituall enemies the diuell the world and the flesh O Lord God the diuell goeth about like a roaring Lion seeking whom hee may deuoure the flesh lusteth against the spirit the world perswadeth vnto vanities that we may forget thee our Lord God so for euer be damned Thus are we miserable on euery side beset and besieged of cruell vnrestfull enemies and like euery moment to perish if we be not defended with thy godly power against their tyranny Wee therefore poore and wretched sinners despairing of our owne strength which indeed is none most hartily pray thee to endue vs with strength from aboue that we may bee able through thy help with strong faith to resist Satan with feruent praier to mortifie the lusts of the flesh with continuall meditation of thy holy lawes to auoid the foolish vanities and transitory pleasures of this wicked world that through thy grace wee being set at liberty from the power of these our mortall enemies may serue thee here in true holinesse and righteousnesse after be partakers of the euerlasting ioies prepared for thy children which as they are great and vnspeakable so are there few that doe enioy them For strait is the way and narrow is the gate that leadeth therunto and few therbe that find it Notwithstanding O GOD thou hast a little flocke te whom it is thy pleasure to giue that ioyfull kingdome whose names are written in the book of life Make vs therefore of that number for Iesus Christs sake and place vs amongst those thy sheep which shall stand on thy right hand to receiue that blessed inheritance and dwell with thee for euermore A praier for present helpe in temptation DEare father to whom it is more easie to doe all things then for mee to thinke any one good thing Loe doe thou but speake a word and thy deadly sicke seruant my soule shall be made whole Helpe O Lord for thy great mercy sake for thy truths sake and for thy deare son Iesus Christs sake and let thy strength suffice against my weakenesse and thy ho y spirit against my sinfull flesh and old man Thou art faithfull O Father who hast promised that I shall not be tempted further then thou wilt make me able to beaâ—e Giue now therefore thy grace and strength vnto thy seruant that I may with a strong faith in thy vnfallible truth and promised mercy vanquish and subdue whatsoeuer rebelleth against thy most blessed will preserue and keepe holy my soule and body and let them not be defiled and made a dungeon of diuels and wicked spirits through delectation in sinne Behold deare Father the postes thereof are sprinkled with the precious bloud of thy deare son and of thy great mercy they are made the temple and tabernacle of thy holy spirit Shall now alas the diuell the world or the flesh plucke from thee that thing which presently crieth to thee with assured trust in thy promised helpe Nay further but grant that I may by thy mighty power turne all their crafts deceits and raging assaults vnto the increase of thy fatherly assistance in this my present teÌ„ptation and may with assured hope and trust in thy ready helpe and comfort ouercome my said enemies hereafter in like assaults praise thy holy name for the victory through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen My sonne if thou wilt come into the seruice of the Lord stand fast in righteousnesse and feare and prepare thy soule to tentation Eccles 2. Remedies against sinfull motions and tentations First remember that sinne is so hainous a thing that God by his iustice might worthily damne thee for the same is therfore to be abhorred as a sweet poison a flattering death and destruction of the soule which would cut thee off from God thy Sauior and make thee a bondslaue to Satan thy deadly enemy Auoid therefore euen at the fiâ—st the occasions thereof and be time squash out the braines of the children of Babilon against the hard stones whiles yet they be yong and weake lest when they be growne elder and stronger they dash thee to pieces And for a remedy against the same flie vnto God who commandeth thee to call vpon him in thy trouble and promiseth to deiluer thee and wil not suffer thee to be further tempted then he will make a way out whereby thou shalt escape and doubt not but hee that causeth thee to hate the sin which thy nature is to loue will deliuer thee also from the dangers thereof and make thee to triumph ouer Satan to his confusion to Gods glory and thy great comfort which are causes that our tender louing Father sendeth tentations vnto vs and hee that is not tempted what is he Now after thou hast obtained the victory remember two things first to giue most hearty thankes to God for his grace and assistance whereby thou hast ouercome and be not vnthankfull in any wise and then that he who continually goeth about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may deuour will not be long or farre away from thee but will attempt againe the same or as euill waies to ouercome thee Watch therefore and pray A praier for the auoiding of Gods heauy wrath and vengeance for our sins OH Lord God strong and mighty great and fearful which dwellest in the heauens workest great wonders we thy miserable children here vpon earth do most humbly beseech thee to be mercifull vnto vs to pardon our offences and to forgiue vs all our sinnes O Lord enter not into iudgement with thy seruants for if thou doe there shall no flesh bee saued in thy sight We confesse and acknowledge O Lord that it is our sinnes which haue mooued thee to wrath and to shew such fearefull tokens of thy displeasure towards vs in these our daies first with fire from heauen betokening the hot burning indignation and wrathfull displeasure for sinne which aboundeth at this day then with such horrible and monstrous shapes against natur as were neuer seen here in our daies nor in any time before vs which do betoken to vs none other thing but thy plagues to come vpon vs for our degenerate and monstrous life conuersation And now desides all this by great mortality plagues and pestilence thou hast terribly threatned vs fatherly warned vs and mercifully called vs to repentance The axe is set to the root of the tree and if we bee not as rotten members without all sense and feeling wee may perceiue our fearefull destruction and desolation to bee at hand vnlesse wee speedily repent and turne vnto thee because wee haue been so long taught out of
blindnes corruption of our hearts is such that we are not able to arise vp vnto thee by faithfull and hearty praier according to our great necessity without thy singular grace and assistance grant vnto vs gracious Lord thy holy and sanctifying spirit to worke in vs this good worke with grace to weigh and consider the need and greatnesse of that wee doe desire and with an assured faith and trust that thou wilt grant vs our requests because thou art good and gracious euen to yong Rauens calling vpon thee much more then to vs for whom thou hast made all things yea and hast not spared also thine owne deare sonne because thou hast commanded vs to call vpon thee because thy throne wherto we come is a throne of grace and mercy because thou hast giuen vs a mediator Christ to bring vs vnto thee being the way by whom we come being the doore by whom we enter being our head on whom we hang hope that our poor petitions shal not be in vain through him for his names take We beseech thee therefore of thy rich mercy wherin thou art plentifull to all them that cal vpon thee to forgiue vs our sinnes namely our vnthankfulnes vnbeleefe selfeloue neglect of thy word security hypocrisie contempt of thy long suffering omission of prayer doubting of thy power presence mercy and good wil towards vs vnsensiblenesse of thy grace impatience c. And to this thy benefit of correcting vs and this gracious gift of repentance faith the spirit of praier the contempt of this world and hearty desiring of euerlasting life Indue vs with thy holy spirit according to thy couenant of mercy aswell to assure vs of pardon and that thou doest accept vs in thy fauour as thy deare children in Christ and for his sake as to write thy law in our hearts and so to worke in vs that wee may now begin and go forward in beleeuing louing fearing obeying praysing hoping seruing thee as thou doest require most fatherly and most iustly of vs accepting vs as perfect in thy sight through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier of the afflicted for the profession of Gods Word O Gratious God which seekest all meanes possible how to bring thy children into the feeling sure sense of thy mercy and therefore when prosperity will not serue then sendest thou aduersity graciously correcting them here whom thou wilt haue elsewhere to liue with thee for euer we poore wretches giue humble praises and thanks to thee that thou hast vouchsed vs worthy of thy correction at this present heereby to worke that which wee in prosperity and liberty did neglect For the which neglecting and many other our grieuous sinnes whereof we now accuse our selues before thee most mercifull Lord thou mightest most iustly haue giuen vs ouer and destroied vs both in soul body But such is thy goodnes towards vs in christ that thou seemest to forget all our offences and as though we were far otherwise then we bee indeed thou wilt that we should suffer this crosse now laid vpon vs for thy truth and Gospels sake and so be thy witnesses with the Prophets Apostles Martyrs Confessors yea with thy dearely beloued son Iesus Christ to whom thou dost now here begin to fashion vs like that in thiâ— glory we may be like to him also O good God what are we on whom thou shouldest shew this great mercy Oh louing Lord forgiue vs our vnthankfulnesse and sinnes Oh faithfull Father giue vs thine holy spirit now to crie in our hearts Abba dear Father to assure vs of our eternall election in Christ to reueale more and more thy truth vnto vs to confirme strengthen and stablish vs in the same that we may liue die in it as vessels of thy mercy to thy glory and to the commodity of thy Church Indue vs with the spirit of thy wisedome that with good conscience we may alwaies so answer the enemies in thy cause as may turn to their conuersion or confusion our vnspeakable consolation in Christ Iesus for whose sake we beseech thee henceforth to keepe vs to giue vs patience and to wil no otherwise our deliuerance or mitigation of our misery then may stand alwaies with thy good pleasure and mercifull will towards vs. Grant this deare Father not only to vs in this place but also to all others elsewhere afflicted for thy names sake through the death and merits of Iesus Christ our Lord Amen I.B. A praier to God the Father the Son and the holy Ghost O Almighty and euerliuing God the eternall Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which of thy vnmeasurable goodnes hast opened thy self vnto vs and with a loud voice hast said of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lord Heare him O maker and preseruer of all things with thy coeternall son our Lord Iesus Christ which raigneth with thee and was manifested in Ierusalem with thy holy spirit which was poured vpon the Apostles O wise God mercifull Iudge and mighty Lord which hast said As truely as I liue I will not the death of a sinner but rather that he shold conuert amend which also hast said Cal vpon me in the day of trouble and I will deliuer thee haue mercy vpon vp for Iesus Christs sake whom thou wouldest of thy meruellous and incomprehensible counsaile should bee made for vs a slaine sacrifice He. 6.11 mediator reconciler and peace-maker to the end that thou mightest shew thine exceeding great wrath against sin and thine inestimable mercy towards mankind Sanctifie and illuminate our hearts and soules with thy holy spirit that wee may truely beleeue in thee call vpon thee bee thankfull vnto thee and obedient to thy holy will Defend gouerne cherish thy Church as thou hast promised saying Esa 55. This is my couenant that I haue made with them My spirit which is in thee and my word which I haue put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seed for euer Preserue those kingdomes common weales which giue harboure to thy people and maintaine the ministery of thy holy word and Gospell that the kingdome of thy sonne Iesus Christ may increase and shine throughout all the world O Iesus Christ Sonne of the euerlasting God A praier to God the Son crucified for vs and raised also from the dead and now raigning at the right hand of thy father that thou maist giue gifts vnto men which hast said Come vnto me all ye that labour and are heauy loaden and I will refresh you Haue mercy vpon vs and pray for vs vnto thy eternal Father Joh. 14. sanctifie and gouerne vs with thy holy spirit helpe and succour vs in al our necessities as thou hast promised saying I will not leaue you comfortlesse O holy and blessed spirit together with the father and the son one true and euerliuing God full of maiesty and power which with thy heauenly
A praier to be said before the preaching of Gods word ALmighty God and most mercifull father whose word is a lanterne â—o our feet and a light vnto our steps we most humbly beseech thee to illuminate our mindes that we may vnderstand the mysteries contained in thy holy law and into the selfe same thing that we godly vnderstand we may be vertuously transformed so that of no part we offend thy diuine Maiesty through Iesus Christ our Lord. Another IN this great darknes of our soule O Lord thou shinest diuers waies vnto vs by the light of thy grace but in nothing so effectually as in the preaching of thy word Great is the haruest as thou thy selfe hast said and the workmen are few The greatest part of men are ignorant wrapped in miserable blindnes and few there be that teach thy word truely as they ought Wee beseech thee therefore to send foorth workmen into thy haruest Send teachers O Lord which are taught of thee and instructed by the spirit of godly wisedome and vnderstanding which by their preaching will seeke not themselues but thee because they are godly and can so doe because they are wise vnderstand Giue to the preacher of thy word here present out of the treasures of thy wisedome that which he may powre vpon vs to our saluation and vnto vs giue thy grace holy spirit O Lord so to heare and to receiue thy word that the good seed which falleth vpon vs be not choaked with thornes or withered away with heat or deuoured by the foules of the aire but may grow vp in a good ground and fructifie with great increase A praier to Be said after the preaching of Gods word 1 Pet. 4. Num. 26 Deut. 29. Iosu 7. Mat. 13. ALmighty God and most mercifull Father we hartily beseech thee that this seed of thy word now sowen amongst vs may take such deep root that neither the burning heat of affliction or persecution cause it to wither neither the thorny cares of this life do choake it but that as seed sowne in good ground it may bring foorth thirty sixty and an hundred folde as thy heauenly wisedome hath appointed And because we haue need continually to craue many things at thy hands we humbly beseech thee O heauenly Father to grant vs thy holy spirit Luke 17. Rom. 8. Iames. 5. 1 Joh. 5 Rom. 12. Wis 6. to direct our petitions that they proceed from such a feruent mind as may be agreeable to thy most blessed will And seeing that our infirmity is such that we are able to do nothing without thy helpe and that thou art not ignorant with how many and great tentations we poore wretches are on euery side compassed and inclosed 2 Cor. a9 Iohn 5. Phil. 2. Psal 303 1. Pet. 1. 1. Pet. 5. Luk. 17. let thy strength O Lord sustaine our weakenesse assist vs with thy grace that we may be safely preserued against all the assaults of Satan who goeth about like a roaring Lion seeking to deuoure vs. Increase our faith O mercifull father that we doe not swarns at any time from thy heauenly word Augment in vs hope and loue with a carefull keeping of thy commandements Psal 95 Heb 14. 2. Joh. 2. that no hardnesse of heart no hypocrisie no concupiscence of the eies nor inticements of the world doe draw vs away from thy obedience And seeing the times are dangerous wherein we liue let thy fatherly prouidence defend vs against the violence of all our enemies and specially against the furious rage of that Romish Idoll enemy to thy Christ Furthermore forasmuch as by thy Apostle we be taught to make our praiers and supplications for all men Epl. c. 13. Rom. 11. 2. Cor. 4. wee pray not onely for our selues here present but beseech thee also to reduce al such as be yet ignorant from the miserable captiuity of blindnesse and error to the pure vnderstanding of thy heauenly truth that we all with one consent and vnity of mind may worship thee our only God and Saviour We beseech thee also most deare Father for Pastors and Ministers John 21. Mat 18. John 9. Mat. 6. to whom thou hast committed the dispensation of thy holy word and charge of thy choseÌ„ people that both in their life and doctrine they may de found faithfull setting only before their eies thy glory that by them all poore sheepe which wander and goe astray may be sought out and brought to thy fold Againe that it would please thee to deliuer the Church from such idle shepheards wolues and hirelings as seeke themselues their bellies Pro 21. John 16.1 Rom. 13. Iohn 6. and not thy glory and the safegard of thy flocks Moreouer because the hearts of rulers are in thy hands we make our praiers vnto thee for all princes and magistrates to whom thou hast commited the administration of iustice especially O Lord for the Kings Maiesty that it would please thee to endue him with thy plentifull grace and principall spirit that he may with a pure faith acknowledge Iesus Christ thy only sonne to bee king of all kings and gouernour of all gouernors euen as thou hast giuen all power vnto him both in heauen and earth and so worke in his heart that he considering whose minister he is may heartily seeke and zealously promote thy true honour and glory carefully trauelling to bring thy people commited to his charge and yet remaining almost in all parts of his Realms in miserable blindnesse and darke ignorance to the true knowledge of thee ruling and guiding them as hee is taught and commanded by thy holy word Also we beseech thee to indue alâ— such as are in any authority vnder him with thy grace and holy spirit that they may be found vpright and faithfull in their calling fauourers and furtherers of thy holy Gospell maintainers defenders of the true Preachers and ministers therof and such as in singlenes of heart wil seek not themselues but thy glory and the commodity of thy people And for that wee be all members of the mysticall body of Christ Iesus wee make our requests vnto thee O heauenly father for al such as are afflicted with any kinde of crosse or tribulation as war plague 1. Cor. 2. Rom. 12. Jacob. 5. famine sicknesse pouerty imprisonment persecution banishment or any other kinde of thy roddes whether it be griefe of body or vnquietnesse of minde that it would please thee to giue them patience and constancy 2. Co. 12. Heb. 13. till thou send them full deliuerance out of all their troubles Finally O Lord we most humbly beseech thee to shew thy great mercie vpon our brethreÌ„ which are persecuted cast into prison and daily condemned to death for the testimony of thy truth Heb. 13. Rom. 8. Psal 4. John 1. and though they be vtterly destitute of all mans aid yet let thy sweet comfort neuer depart from them but so inflam their harts with
law yea that I may keep it with my whole heart Direct me in the path of thy commandements for therein is my delight Turn away mine eies that I regard not vanity and quicken me in thy way Stablish thy promise to thy seruant whereby he may be taught to feare thee Direct my steps in thy word and let not iniquity haue dominion oueâ— me Let not the foot of pride come against me and let not the hand of the wicked moue me Gather not my soule with the sinners nor my life with the blody men Let my foot stand in vprightnesse that I may praise thee O Lord in the congregation Let not the word of truth depart out of my mouth for I trust in thy iudgements Set a watch O Lord before my mouth and keepe the dore of my lips Let not my heart bee inclined to euill to worke wicked workes with them that worke iniquity Teach mee good iudgement and knowledge for I doe beleeue thy commandements Stay my steps in thy paths that my feet do not slide Stablish mee in thy promise that I may liue and let mee not be disappointed of my hope Stay thou me O Lord and I shall be safe and I will delight continually in thy statutes O God create in me a pure heart and renue a right spirit within me Psal 52. Cast mee not away from thy presence and take not thy holy spirite from me Restore to me the ioy of thy saluation and stablish mee with thy free spirit Let me heare thy louing kindnesse in the morning Psal 143. shew mee the way that I should walke in for in thee is my trust Teach mee to doe the thing that pleaseth thee for thou art my God let thy good spirit leade mee into the land of righteousnes A praier for deliuerance from sinne and to be restored to Gods grace and fauor againe OH Almighty and euerlasting Lord GOD which hast made heauen and earth and all things therein contained O incomprehensible vnity Oh alwaies to be worshipped most blessed Trinity I humbly beseech thee and pray thee by the assumption and crucified humanity of our Lord Iesus Christ that thou wouldest incline and bow down the great height of thy deity to the bottomles pit of my vtility Driue from me all kind of vice wickednes and sin Create in me a clean heart and renue in me a right spirit for thy holy names sake Oh Lord Iesu I beseech thy goodnes for the exceeding great loue which drew thee out of thy Fathers bosome into the wombe of the holy virgin and for the assumption of mans statute wherin it pleased thee to saue me and deliuer me from eternall death that thou wouldest draw me out of my selfe into thee my Lord God and grant that this my loue may recouer again to me thy grace to increase and make perfect in me that which is wanting to raise vp in me that which is fallen to restore to me that which I haue lost quicken in mee that which is dead should liue so that I may become conformable to thee in al my life and conuersation thou dwelling in me and I in thee my heart being coupled with thy grace and setled in thy faith for euer Oh my God loose and set at liberty my spirit from all inferior things gouerne my soule and worke that both in soule body I may be wholy and liue to thy glory world without end Amen I. B. A praier necessary to be said at all times O Bountifull Lord Iesu O sweet Sauiour O Christ the Son of God haue pitty vpon me mercifully heare me and despise not my praiers Thou hast created me of nothing thou hast redeemed me from the bondage of sinne death and hell neither with golde nor siluer but with thy most precious body once offered vpon the Crosse and thine own blood shed once for all for a ransome Therefore cast me not away whom thou by thy great wisedome hast made Despise mee not whom thou hast redeemed with such a pretious treasure nor let my wickednesse destroy that which thy goodnesse hath builded Now while I liue O Iesu haue mercy on me for if I die out of thy fauour it will be too late afteâ—ward to call for thy mercy While I haue time to repent looke vpon mee with thy mercifull eyes as thou diddest vouchsafe to looke vpon Peter thy Apostle that I may bewayle my sinfull life and obtaine thy fauor to liue and die therein I acknowledge that if thou shouldest deale with mee according to thy iustice I haue deserued euerlasting death Therefore I appeale to thy high throne of mercy trusting to obtaine thy fauour not for my merites but for thy deserts O Iesu who hast giuen thy selfe an acceptable sacrifice to thy Father to appease his wrath and to bring all sinners truly repenting and amending their euill life vnto his fauour againe Accept me O Lord among the number of them whome thou hast in Christ elected and chosen to saluation forgiue mee my sinnes giue mee grace to leade a godly and innocent life graunt mee thy heauenly wisedome inspire my heart with faith hope and charitie giue mee grace to be humble in prosperity patient in aduersity obedient to my rulers in all my doings faithfull dealing truly with all men to liue chastly in wedlocke to abhorte adultery fornication and al vncleannes to do good after my power vnto all men to hurt no man that thy name may be glorified in me during this present life that I afterward may attaine euerlasting life through thy mercy and the merits of thy death and passion Amen A Praier for grace and remission of our sinnes O Lord God mercifull Father I poore wretched sinner come vnto thee in the name of thy dearely beloued Son Iesus Christ my sauiour beseeching thee for his sake to be mercifull vnto me to cast al my sinnes out of thy sight euen through the merits of his bloudy death Powre vpon me O Lord thy holy spirit of grace and wisedome to gouern lead my body and soule in thy holy word commandements shew thy mercy vpon me so lighten the naturall blindnes and darknes of my hart through thy grace that I may daily be renued by thy holy spirit Open my hard hart grosse eares to heare and read thy word and heauenly voice and to beleeue and follow it in my conuersation and euer to holde fast that blessed hope of euerlasting life Mortifie and kill al vice in me that my life may expresse my faith in thee Mercifully heare the humble supplications of thy seruant and grant me thy peace all my daies Graciously pardon my infirmities and defend me in all dangers both outwardly in my body goods and name and inwardly in my soule against all euil temptatioÌ„s and subtile baites of Sathan that roaring lion seeking whom hee may deuoure Grant O Lord that I and euery member of thy Church in his vocation and calling may truely and godlily
serue thee Graft in my heart the loue of thy name increase in mee true religion replenish mee with all goodnesse and of thy great mercy keepe me in the same vnto the end Giue vnto me the spirit of praier true humility perfect patience and continuall ioy in the holy Ghost I commend vnto thy protection O Father my house and all thou hast giuen me my whole family my wife and children and aide mee that I may well and holily gouerne â—orish and bring them vp in thy feare and seruiâ—e And forasmuch as in this world I must alwayes be at war not with one sort of enemies but with an infinit number not only with flesh and blood but with the diuell which is the prince of darknesse grant me thy grace that being armed with thy defence I may stand in this battel with an inuincible coÌ„stancy againsâ— all corruption which I am incompassed with on all sides vntill such time as I hauing ended the combat which during this life I must sustaine in the end I may attaine to thy heauenly rest which is prepared for me through Christ Iesus our Lord and Sauiour Amen A praier taken out of the first Psalme ALmightie and most gracious God take away from vs all euill counsell and then our sinneâ—â— suffer vs not to run into an vngodly and wickedlife and finally keep out minds farre from the contempt of godlinesse and scorning of vertue in the stead of these euils grant that we may continually be occupied in thy law and sacred scriptures that we be not carried about like the wicked like dust and fruitlesse chaffe with euery blast of affection and doctrine but rather that we as trees planted by the water brookes indued with the life of the spirit faith may also bring forth the fruits of good works and that what soeuer we take in hand may prosper and tend to the praise and glory of thy name furtherance of our saluation and at the last when the wicked shall fal away in thy iudgement we may stand stedfast and be made perfect through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Out of the same Psalme ALmighty God we are sufficieÌ„tly taught that grieuous calamities miserable plagues do therefore daily vex trouble the church because we haue not ceased to follow the counsell of the vngodly which being once known we ought to haue eschewed The way also of the wicked we haue not shunned yea wee haue not ceased to walke their race by continuall transgression of thy commandements we haue also oâ— long time contemned all godly correction and discipline and whatsoeuer hath been taught vs out of thy work hath been too little regarded yea wtout all shame neglected scorned Wherefore it is no maruell if wâ— in the stead of that happinesse and quiet peace which we alas haue to long abused be now compelled to suffer all heauy grieuous and most bitter plagues But now O God in humblenes of hart we flee vnto thee confessing our grieuous offences and wee most humbly and heartily beseech thee that those euills which we so foolishly and wretchedly haue committed thou wilt mercifully forgiue vs and frame our minds wholy to the obedience of thy Law in such wise that our hearts might be occupied both day and night in nothing else but in the meditation of thy holy Scriptures For so shall wee giuing credite to thy wordes bring forth seasonable and pleasant fruit and shal not be spoiled of the graces of the holy Ghost yea our doings shal neuer be withour happy successe Now we are tossed hither thither not vnlike to leaues and chaffe with the wind of aduersity and affliction yet grant O most merciful Fathee that our life perish not with the wicked but that the cause of the iust may be defended by thy singular prouidence and protection so that in iudgemeÌ„t and in the company of the iust we may be able to stand and not bee confounded through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Out of the same Psalme ALmighty GOD forasmuch as wee haue now learned that a great part of our felicity so long as we liue here consisteth in this that wee refraine from vngodly counsell and wicked manners and also auoid the company of those that despise deride all good things and that in the stead of these euills we giue our selues to the heauenly study of thy holy law to bee occupied and exercised therein both day and night wherby we do perceiue that we haue very much erred and straied from this way of our saluation yea wee haue in these things most wickedly offended therfore we beseech thee euen for thy mercies sake that thou wilt pardon our offences and that henceforth by continuall study and exercise of thy word thou wilt vouch safe to make vs fruitful plants that we may not only bring forth wholesome fruits in thy Church whiles we liue here but also may be able in the other world to stand in iudgement before thee who best knowest the way of the iust through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier taken out of the second Psalme VVE perceiue most mercifull and almighty God that not only Antichrist but also the power and strength of the whole world conspireth against thee and against thy Christ which thinke the gospel and the building vp again of the church to be an intollerable bondage hard yoke Wherefore they labour by all possible meanes to breake asunder the societies and congregations of the faithfull and cast away al discipline But forasmuch as thou sittest in heauen art not ignorant what the diuell or wicked flesh goeth about laugh thou to scorne their vain counsells bring their purposes to nought Let them feele thine anger to be kindled against them make them astonied at the storcenesse of thine indignations so that they may not be able to destroy the Church ouer whoÌ„ thou hast appointed Iesus Christ our only Sauior to be a gouernour that in it hee may raigne by his word and spirite with inuincible might and power Wherefore grant vnto vs although vnworthy and shrinking children such faith constancy that we may finde him also confesse him to be our only king and that we may nothing doubt but that wee may be his nation people and heritage being most assured of this that he is of such strength and power that with his sword more strong then yron he is able to destroy whom he will and breake them in peeces like earthen pots Therefore O God turne the kings and princes of the world vnto thee that they may bee wise and vnderstand whereby they may vnfainedly acknowledge imbrace and kisse his sonne lest when his wrath shall once be kindled they perish and be destroyed for euer And when it shal be thy good pleasure make them blessed for euermore which commit themselues to thy gouernance and and protection by Christ Iesus our Lord Amen Out of the same Psalme MOst mighty and merciful Lord God though
the diuel rage the powers of the world daily rise vp the flesh with all her bond slaues coÌ„spire against the kingdom of thine onely begotten son Iesus Christ our Lord yet make vs to vnderstand and with constant faith bee perswaded that thou deridest and contemnest all such whom thou canst in thine anger fierce displeasure when thou wilt suddenly destroy bring to nought In this faith seeing wee are sometimes so weak that being ouercome with sundry kindes of terrors and dread we are not so obedient to thy commandements as we ought to be wee therefore beseech thee for thy great goodnes sake to be mercifull vnto vs and grant that we may coÌ„stantly beleeue thy sonne our King and our redeemer to haue the highest power and dominion with thee in all things For seeing thou hast begotten him thou hast also deliuered to him all natioÌ„s to be ruled by his power as his owne inheritance grant therefore vnto vs that yet at length wee may be wise and vnderstand in such sort as we may serue thee with al due feare and worship that in the last day wee be not dashed in peeces as earthen vessels with the rodde of thine indignation through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier which M. Iohn Bradford said alittle before his death in Smithfield MErcifull God and Father to whom our Sauiour Christ approched in his feare need by reson of death sound comfort gracious God and most bounteous Christ on whom StepheÌ„ called in his extreame need and receiued strength most benigne holy spirit which in the midst of all crosses and death didst comfort the Apostle S. Paul with more consolations in Christ than hee felt sorrows and terrors in the world haue mercy vpon mee a most miserable vile and wretched sinner which now draw neer the gates of death deserued both in soule and body eternally by reason of my manifold horrible old and new transgressions which to thine eyes O Lord GOD are open and knowne Oh be mercifull vnto mee and forgiue mee for the bitter death and bloudshedding of thine onely Sonne Iesus Christ And though thy iustice do require in respect of my sinnes that now thou shouldest not heare mee contemning thy daily callings yet let thy mercy which is aboue all thy works and wherwith the earth is filled let thy mercy I say preuaile towards me through the merits and mediation of Christ our Sauiour for whose sake it pleaseth thee to bring me forth now as one of his witnesses and a record bearer of thy verity and truth taught by him to giue my life therefore of which dignity I doe acknowledge deare God that there was neuer any so vnworthy and vnmeete no not the thiefe that hanged with him on the crosse I humbly therefore pray thee that thou wouldest accordingly aid helpe and assisâ— mee with thy strength and heaueÌ„ly grace that with Christ thy Sonne I may finde comfort with Stephen I may see thy presence and gracious power with Paul and all other which for thy name sake haue suffered affliction and death I may find so present with me thy gracious consolation that I may by my death glorifie thy holy name set forth and ratifie thy verity comfort the harts of the heauy confirme thy Churcâ— in thy truth conuert some that are to be conuerted and so depart out of this miserable world where I doe nothing but daily heape sinne vpon sinne and enter into the fruition of thy blessed mercy whereof now giue and increase in me a liuely tast sense and feeling where through the terrour of death the tormenâ—s of fire the paines of sin the darts of Satan and the dolours of hell may neuer ouercome me but may be driuen away through the working of the most gracious spirit which now pleÌ„teously endue me withal that throgh the same spâ—rit I may offer as now I desire am ready to doe in Christ and by him my selfe wholy soule and body to a liuely sacrifice holy and acceptable in thy sight deare father whose I am and always haue been euen before the world was made to whom I commend my selfe faith name family and friends countrie all the whole Church yea euen my very enemies according to thy good pleasure beseeching thee entirely to giue once more to this Realme of England the blessing of thy word againe with godly peace to the teaching and setting forth of the same O deare father now guide mee to come vnto thee so purge and purifie me by this fire in Christs death passion through the spirite that I may bee a burnt offering of sweet smel in thy sight which liuest and raignest with the sonne and the holie Ghost now and euermore world without end The Letany O God the father of heauen haue mercy vppon vs miserable sinners O God the father of heauen c. O God the sonne redeemer of the world haue mercy vpon vs miserable sinners O God the sonne redeemer c. O God the holy ghost proceeding from the father and the sonne haue mercy vpon vs miserable sinners O God the holy Ghost c. O holy blessed and glorious Trinity three persons one God haue mercy vpon vs miserable sinners O holy blessed and glorious c. Remember not Lord our offences nor the offences of our forefathers neither take thou vengeance of our sins spate vs good Lord spate thy people whome thou hast redeemed with thy most precious bloud and be not angry with vs for euer Spate vs good Lord. From all euill and mischiefe from sinne from â—he crafts and assaults of the diuell from thy wrath and from euerlasting damnation Good Lord deliuer vs. From blindnes of heart from pride vaineglory and hypocrisie from enuy hatred and malice and al vncharitablenesse Good Lord deliuer vs. From fornication and al other deadly sinne and from all the deceits of the world the flesh and the diuell Good Lord deliuer vs. From lightning and tempest from plague pestileÌ„ce famine from battell murder from sodaine death Good Lord deliuer vs. From all sediâ—iâ—n and priuy conspiracy from all false doctrine and heresie from hardnes of heart contempt of thy word commandemeÌ„t Good Lord deliuer vs. By the mystery of thy holy incarnation by thy holy natiuity and circumcision by thy Baptisme fasting and temptation Good Lord deliuer vs. By thine agony and bloudy sweat by thy crosse and passion by thy glorious resurrection and assension and by the comming of the holy Ghost Good Lord deliuer vs. In all time of our tribulation in all time of our wealth in the houre of death and in the day of iudgement Good Lord deliuer vs. We sinners do beseech thee to heare vs O Lord God and that it may please thee to rule and gouerne thy holy church vniuersally in the right way We beseech thee to heare vâ— c. That it may please thee to keep and strengthen in the true worshipping of thee in righteousnesse holines of
life thy seruant Iames our most gracious king and gouernor We beseech thee c. That it may please thee to rule his hart in thy faith feare and loue and that he may euermore haue affiance in thee euer seek thy honor glory We beseech thee c. That it may please thee to be his defender and keeper giuing him the victory ouer all his enemies We beseech thee c. That it may please thee to blesse and preserue our gracious Queene Anne prince Charles and the rest of the King and Queenes royall issue We beseech thee c. That it may please thee to illuminate all bishops pastors and ministers of the church with true knowledge and vnderstaÌ„ding of thy word that both by their preaching and liuing they may set it forth and shew it accordingly We beseech c. That it may please thee to indue the Lords of the counsell and all the nobility with grace wisedome and vnderstanding We beseech c. That it may please thee to blesse keepe the Magistrates giuing them grace to execute iustice and to maintaine truth We beseech c. That it may please thee to blesse and keepe all thy people We beseech thee c. That it may please thee to giue to all nations vnity peace concord We beseech thee c. That it may please thee to giue vs an heart to loue and dread thee and diligently to liue after thy commandements We beseech thee c. That it may please thee to giue all thy people increase of grace to heare meekely thy word and to receiue it with pure affectioÌ„ and to bring forth the fruits of the spirit We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to bring into the way of trueth all such as haue erred and are deceiued We beseech thee c. That it may please thee to strengthen such as do stand and to comfort and helpe the weake hearted and to raise vp them that fal and finally to beat downe Satan vnder our feet We beseech thee c. That it may please thee to succour help and comfort all that be in danger necessity and tribulation We beseech thee c. That it may please thee to preserue all that trauell by land or by water all women labouring of childeâ— all sicke persons and young children and to shew thy pity vpon all prisoners and captiues We beseech thee to heare c. That it may please thee to defend and prouide for the fatherlesse children and widowes and all that bee desolate and oppressed We beseech thee c. That it may please thee to haue mercy vpon all men We beseech thee c. That it may please thee to forgiue our enemies persecutors and slaunderers and to turne their hearts We beseech thee c. That it may please thee to giue and preserue to our vse the kindly fruâ—ts of the earth so as in due time wee may enioy them We beseech thee c. That it may please thee to giue vs true repentance to forgiue vs al our sinnes negligences and ignorances and to indue vs with thâ— holy spirit to amend our liues according to thy holy word We beseech thee c. Sonne of God wee beseech thee to heare vs. Sonne of God we beseech c. O Lambe of God that takest away the sins of the world Grant vs thy peace O Lambe of God that takest away the sins of the world Haue mercy vpon vs. O Christ heare vs. O Christ heare vs. Lord haue mercy vpon vs. Lord haue mercy vpon vs. Christ haue mercy vpon vs. Christ haue mercy vpon vs. Lord haue mercy vpon vs. Lord haue mercy vpon vs. Our Father which c. And leade vs not c. But deliuer vs from euill Amen The Veâ—sicle O Lord deale not with vs after our sinnes The Answer Neither reward vs after our iniquities Let vs pray O God meecifull father which despisest not the sighing of a contrite heart nor the desires of such as be sorrowfull mercifully assist our praiers that we make before thee in al our troubles adurrsities whensoeuer they oppresse vs and graciously heare vs that those euills which the craft or subtlety of the Diuell or man worketh against vs be brought to nought and by the prouidence of thy goodnesse they may bee dispersed that wee thy seruants beeing hurt by no persecution may euermore giue thankes vnto thee in thy holy Church through Iesus Christ our Lord. O Lord arise helpe vs and deliuer vs for thy names sake O God we haue heard with our eares and our fathers haue declared vnto vs the noble workes that thou diddest in their daies and in the old time before them O Lord aâ—ise helpe vs and deliuer vs for thâ—ne honour Glory be to the father and to the Sonne and to the holy Ghost As it was in the beginning is now and euer shall be world without end Amen From our enemies defend vs O Christ Graciously looke vpon our afflâ—ctions Pittifully behold the sorrowes of our hearts Mercifully forgiue the sinnes of thy people Fauourably with mercy heare our praiers O Son of Dauid haue mercy vpon vs. Both now and euer vouchsafe to heare vs O Christ Gratiously heare vs O Christ gratiously heare vs O Lord Christ O Lord let thy mercy be shewed oâ— vs As we doe put ouâ— trust in thee Let vs pray VVE humbly beseech thee O Father mercifully to looke vpon our infirmities and for the glory of thy names sake turne from vs all those euils that wee most righâ—eously haue deserued and grant that in all our troubles wee may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercy euermore serue thee in holines and purenesse of liuing to thy honour and glory through our onely mediaâ—or aduocaâ—e Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier for the Kings maiesty O Lord our heauenly father high mighty King of Kings Lord of Lords the only ruler of Princes which doest from thy throne behold all the dwellers vppon earth most heartily wee beseech thee with thy fauour to behold our most gracious soueraigne Lord King Iames and so replenish him with the grace of thy holy spirit that he may alwayes incline to thy wil walk in thy ways indue him plentifully with heauenly gifts grant him in health wealth long to liue strengthen him that hee may vanquish and ouercome all his enimies and finally after this life he may attain euerlasting ioy and felicity throgh Iesus Christ our Lord. A praier for the Queen Prince and other the King and Queens children ALmighty God which hast promised to be a father of thine elect and of their seed we humbly beseech thee to blesse our gracious Queene Anne Prince Charles and all the Kings Queens royal progeny indue them with thy holy spirit inrich them with thy heauenly grace prosper them with all happines bring them to thine eutrlasting kingdome through Iesus Christ our Lord. A praier for
this world as they be transitory soone vanishing away and my self also with them drawing towards mine end For nothing vnder the sunne may long abide but all is vanity and affliction of spirit Oh Lord God which art sweetnesse vnspeakable turne into bitternes vnto me al transitory and earthly delights which may draw mee from the loue of eternall things and for all worldly comforts giue me the sweet comfort of thy holy spirit for thou Lord art my ioy my hope my crowne and my glory Blessed are they that for the loue of thee set not by the pleasurs of this world but crucifie the flesh and the lusts thereof so that in a clean and pure conscience they may offer their praiers vnto thee and be accepted to haue company with thee together with the Angels heauenly spirits O euerlasting light send down the beams of thy brightnes and lighten the inward parts of my heart Open my heart that I may behold thy lawes and teach mee to walke in thy commandements Behold my weaknes O Lord consider my frailenes best knowne vnto thee Faine would I cleaue fast to heauenly things but worldly affections and temptations plucke mee backe they daily rebell and suffer not my soule to liue in rest Which although they draw me not away to consent yet neuerthelesse their assaults be very grieuous vnto me O what a life may this be called where no trouble nor misery lacketh where euery place is full of snares of mortall enemies For one trouble or temptation ouerpassed another commeth by and by the first conflict yet during a new battell suddenly ariseth Tedious it is to me to liue in such battels but I perceiue such conflicts are not vnprofitable for mee whilest I know my selfe and mine infirmities the better and am therby compelled to seek helpe at thy hand It is good for me O Lord that thou hast thus exercised and humbled me that I may learn to dread thy secret and terrible iudgements which scourgest euery child that thou receiuest which bringest down to the gates of hell bringest backe againe I yeeld thee thanks therfore that thou hast not spared my sinnes but hast punished me with scourges of loue and hast sent afflictions anguish within and without Of grace and fauor it is O Lord that thou suffered thy seruants to be troubled and afflicted in this world because they should not be condemned with the world Thou wouldest that they should here be broken with affliction that they may afâ—er rise in a new light be clarified and made glorious in thy kingdome O holy father thou hast ordained it so to be and it is done as thou hast appointed Wherefore O Lord giue me thy grace to rest in thee aboue al things and to quiet my heart in thee aboue all creatures aboue all glory and honour aboue all dignity and power aboue all health and beauty aboue all riches and treasure aboue all ioy and pleasure aboue all fame and praise aboue all mirth and consolation that mans heart may take and feele besides thee For thou Lord art most good most wise most righâ—eous most holy most iust most blessed most high most mighty most comfortable most beautifull most louing most glorious in whome all treasures of goodnes most perfectly rest And therefore whatsoeuer I haue besides thee it is nothing vnto mee for my hart may not rest nor fully be pacified but only in thee Oh Lord Iesus who shall giue mee wings of perfect loue that I may flee vp from these worldly miseries and rest with thee O Christ the king of euerlasting glory my soule crieth vnto thee with continual gronings and saith How long tarrieth my Lord God to come to me Oh when shall the end come of all these miseries When shall I cleane be deliuered from the bondage of sinne When shal I Lord haue my mind onely fâ—xed on thee and we merry in thee with perfect ioy and gladnesse When shall that blessed houre come that thou shalt visite mee and make mee glad with thy blessed presence when thou shalt be to me all in all When shall I come vp to thee and feele and enioy those sweet consolations which with thy blessed saints are alwaies present When shal I haue peace without trouble peace without peace with in and on euery side stedfast sure O Lord Iesu when shall I stand and behold thee and haue full sight and contemplation of thy glory When shall I be with thee in thy kingdom that thou hast ordained for thine elect before the beginning O blessed mansion of that heauenly City O most cleare day of eternity whom the night may neuer darken This is the day alwaies cleare and merry alwaies sure and neuer changing This day shineth clearely to thy saints in heauen O gratious God with euerlasting brightnesse but to vs here on earth so great is the darknes of sin in vs it shineth obscurely as it were a far of we set but a glimmering thereof Would to God this day might shortly appeare and shine vnto vs that these worldly vanities were at an end Thy heauenly citizens know and feele how ioyfull this day is but we the children of Eue strangers and exiles here on earth doe lament and bewaile the biâ—ter tediousnesse of this present life short and euill full of sorrow and anguish Where man is oftentimes defiled with sin disquieted with troubles oppressed with cares busied with vanities blinded with errors oueâ—charged with labours vexed with temptations ouercome with vâ—ine delights and pleasures of the world and miserably wrapped in many kinds of calamities Wherfore O Lord arise and help me comfort mine exile asswage my sorrow destroy the power of mine enemies the kingdome of sinne Satan the world and my wicked flesh which alway make battell against me and bring these conflicting daies to an end â—o shall I sing praises vnto thee O God of my saluation and magnifie thy holy name world without end Amen A confession of sins and a praier for the remission thereof O Lord God rich in mercy and of great goodnesse who of thy tender loue towards vs euen when we were thine enemies diddest send into the world thine owne deare Sonne Iesus Christ to be a slaine sacrifice for our sinnes so that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue life euerlasting haue mercy on mee according to thy great mercies and according to the multitude of thy compassions put away mine iniquities For mine iniquities are gone ouer my head Psal 38. and as a waighty burthen they presse me downe Against heauen and against thee haue I sinned O Lord I am not worthy to be called thy child I am a shamed to lift vp mine eies vnto thee Luke 15. for my sinnes are ascended vp into thy sight There is nothing sound in my flesh because of thy displeasure Psal 38. neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sinne Behold I am sould vnder sin