commaundements instruct me continually more and more and defend me from the noisome snares of the wicked that conspire against me and intend to suppresse in mee the good blessings which thou hast lent moe At midnight will I rise to giue thankes vnto thee in commemoration of thy great kindnesse shewed vnto me and with true zeale will I frequent thy temple to praise thee for thine aboundant graces extended vnto me for thou of thy mercy hast blesseâ— me in all my dooings deliuered me out of troubles and euermore defended me from mine enemies Let me put no trust in the vngodly but let me ioyne with such as feare thee and haue a loue to thy statutes the earth O Lord is replenished with thy endlesse mercy O teach me thy lawes wherein I ought to walke 9. An acknowledgement of Gods mercy and that by affliction man is taught true wisedome GRatiously in mercie hast thou dealt with me thy poore obedient seruant according to thy worde yet further I desire thee O Lorde that thou wouldest teach mee that true and sincere knowledge ioyned with iudgement that I may discerne all thinges aright as it were by tasting a sauorie thing for vppon thy commaundements doe I depend Before I was camed by the efficacie of thy rod I wandred to and fro but now am I quickned and haue learned therby to obey thy commaundements be gratious vnto mee O Lord and teach me thy statutes The vngodly haue euer practised mischiefe against me but haue failed for that I endeuored myself to keep thy commadem rnts and they thus neglecting their callings and being puffed vp with the vaine estimation of themselues are become dull and foolish but in thy law is my whole delight and therein wil I meditate all the day long It was therefore for my commoditie that thou didst chasten me for that I zealously do learne to immitate thy statutes for the doctrine and precepts that thou hast by thine owne mouth reuealed before the face of thy people and deliuered vnto me is of more estimation then the finest pearle or greatest heapes of golde Therefore O Lord direct me thy poore seruant with thy holy spirit that this thy sacred word may be so firmely and effectually grafted in my heart that I may cleaue vnto thee for euer 10. A prayer to be strengthned in well doing GIue vnto mee that am the worke of thy hands I beseech thee O God such vnderstanding and so continue thy fauourable mercies daily towards thy seruant that I may learne thy commandements so shall it come to passe that all they which feare thee shall reioyce at my state and giue due thankes vnto thee that hast in mercie vouchsafed to preserue me who haue alwaies trusted in thee and by experience I finde that thou O Lord doest nothing vniustly in visiting my offences with thy scourges for thy iudgements are vpright and nothing repugnant to thy truth but let thy mercie be euer ready to comfort me according to thy promises let thy endlesse mercie be euer present that my spirit may be reuiued and that I neuer faint vnder thy fatherly hand séeing that thy doctrine doth euermore delight me and that therein is my continuall exercise Let the vngodly be ashamed and altogether frustrate of their intent who deale frowardly with thy seruant and pretend the ruine of my zeale and let me safely meditate on thy commaundements that all such as feare and loue thee vnfainedly may be comforted by my example Wherefore I humbly beseech thee O God increase my knowledge in thy statutes that I mny keepe the same with a pure and vpright heart to my soules health and graunt O my good God that I neuer be ashamed of thy eternall truth but that I may perseuere therin vnto the end 11. A lamentable petition for aid in meere distresse GOne is my strength O Lord and my soule fainteth because of thy saluation which I daily expect yet will I still wait for my deliuerance because of thy promise graunted vnto me out of thy sacred word yea mine eyes do faile mee for the long looking after those thinges which thou hast spoken vnto me and I doe quaile vnder my heauy burthen I am constrained often times to expresse my misery in these wordes Alas alas Why doest thou not quickely come and comfort me I am like a bottle dried in the smoake for very heauinesse and anguish of my soule yet doe I not forget thy euerlasting promises and statutes how long shall my griefe endure And when shall the sorrowfull daies of thy seruant cease Shall not thy punishments proceed against them that persecute mee The enemies of my soule digge pittes and lay snares for me contrarie to thy law All thy precepts O Lord are true though the wicked in their furie doe persecute me and goe about to séeke the decay of my zeale Wherefore O Lord in thy good time helpe me that vnworthily am oppressed and although they haue cast mee downe and almost brought me to nought yet haue I not forsaken thy precepts erect and restore me to life O my good God euen for the singular loue that thou bearest vnto thy seruants that I may obserue the thinges that thou hast appointed me out of thy holy worde and carefully keepe them for euermore Graunt this O Father for Iesus Christ his sake our onely Sauiour and redeemer Amen 12. An extolling of Gods vnspeakeable goodnesse with thanksgiuâ—ng for his mercie shewed GOod God why should I seeme to doubt of the certentie of thy promises seeing thou art altogether righteousnesse and thy word doth endure for euer in heauen Yea thy truth I know assuredly shall neuer faile in any age for the very body of the earth doth so abide as it was established by the mightie hand of thy power vpon her foundation all other things O Lord do so continue euidently stand as they were ordained with thee from the beginning both in qualitie and estate obeying theé as their Lord. Now therefore O God giue me an vnderstanding heart that I may faithfully loue and obey thee for except I had trusted in thee and had a delight in thy law I had been enuironed with destruction in my troubles being plunged in the net of calamities Let me not therefore O Lord forget thy eternal precepts for in obseruing of them I am restored to life Saue me therefore for I am thine and make me perfect in thy statutes so shall I still meditate in thy precepts and with zeale seeke and loue thy commaundements though the wicked goe about to destroy my soule yet doe I yeelde my minde to be occupied in thy statutes for I see that all thinges heere on earth be they neuer so perfect and absolute are brought to an end neuerthelesse thy precepts and holy word are prolonged without measure and endure for euer and euer worlde without end Amen 13. A worthy meditation and ioyfulnes for receiuing true vnderstanding GReat is my loue vnto the sacred words of thy
thy mercy be fauourable vnto me as thou hast euer beene for though I were driuen to seeke the farthest parts of the earth yet will I call for thy direction yea when I am tormented with cares I haue no other refuge to flie vnto but onely to thee O my God wherefore in mercy looke on me and in thy good time take me vp into the place of ioy prepared for thy elect where I may praise thee for euer for how hast thou in great mercy dealt with me in being vnto me an euerlasting tower of defence against mine enemies and though by reason of the retchlesnesse and frailty of my corrupt nature I haue eftsoones swarued from thy holy word yet I beseech thee O deare father deale fauourably with me and lay not my offences vnto my charge but shew thy selfe a louing and mercyfull God towards me and pour on me thy gifts of grace that I may be holy vnto thee and accepted in thy fight so shall my life be prolonged yea so happy indeed as it shall neuer decay and I shall resort to thy tabernacle in peace where I shall be satisfied with the fruition of thy fauour and be sustained with mercy and truth for euer direct me continually with thy holy spirit and teach me good Lord to hate the waies of the wicked erect my minde to the contemplation of thy heauenly mysteries and receiue me both now and euer into thy gratious protection for my aduocat Iesus Christ his sake Amen A prayer against the feare of death O Eternall God and mercifull father from the depth of my weake heart doe I laud and glorifie thee for all the benefits bestowed on me from the beginning of my life vnto this present especially for the blessings of my election redemption vocation iustification and sanctification in Christ Iesus Thou hast deliuered me from the cruelty of my aduersaries and made me an inheritour of thy kingdome and thy childe by adoption yet thou hast giuen me notwithstanding my vnthankfulnesse the earnest penny of my saluation and in mercie hast reconciled me in Christ whilst I was yet a grieuous enemie vnto thee thou tookest me out of the blinde dungeon of carelesse ignorance to render thankes vnto thee and to call vpon thy name in all which thou hast caused me to proceed and profit vnto this day wherein thy pleasure seemeth to incline me towards the greatest benefit that euer I yet tasted that is to free me from the extremities of this life and to bring me to that heauenly liberty where shall be no bitternesse Now therefore O deare Father for Iesus Christ his sake erect my mind towards thee and as at all times of my life hitherto thou hast nourished and preserued me so now in my last need visit and regard me O God that as the enemie will now bend his force against me so thou with thy louing protection and holy spirit wilt comfort me and with thy presence defend me that my faith still increasing with armed patience I may dispise the feare of this bodies death knowing that it is the vnauoidable way that thou hast appointed to doe away my mortalitie and to bring my soule to rest to yelde praises vnto thee in ioyes euerlasting which thy prouidence hath ordained me vnto so instruct me therefore to number my daies that I may apply my heart to thy eternall wisdome teach me sweet Lord as heretofore to liue so now to frame my end that it may redound to thy glory whereunto with a fighting heart I humbly beseech thee that my vnderstanding may alway be lightned with the feeling of my owne infirmitie and that in all perfect humilitie I may flie from the mind of all earthly stay and so not fainting in my farewell but cleaning to thy promises and apprehending thy saluation with sure hope I may expect the dissolution so beholding thee with the eyes of my faith I may grow as by degrees weaker in bodie so fuller and stronger in spirit so that when the last breath is passed my soule in the bosome of Abraham may ioyfully respire the triumphant odors of an endlesse life Amen A prayer for Chirurgians O Most merâ—ifull God and louing father we most earnestly beseech thee let the eye of thy mercie behold vs and harken to the humble sutes of thy poore seruants that with penitent hearts doe appeale before thee requiring pardon for our iniquities committed daily against thy diuine maiestie vouchsafe O Lord of thy wonted goodnesse to extend and shew thy fauourable pittie and compassion towards vs and lay not our sinnes vnto our charge but put them quite out of thy memory for Christ his sake thy dearely beloued sonne our sauiour and graunt that we may render vnto theé coÌ„tinual thanks for thy manifold benefits and eternall mercies that thou of thy tender loue dost daily bestow vpon vs. Assist vs also with thy grace that we may neuer cease to sing praises vnto thee for our election creation and redemption we beesech thee O Lord to giue vs the true knowledge of that Art whereunto thou hast called vs thereby to maintaine our selues and our families from the extremities of this sinnefull world and momentaneous life for we doe not onely depend vpon thy fatherly prouidence but doe confesse O Lord that euery good and perfect gift commeth from thee therefore be mindfull wee beseech thee of thy seruants and indue vs with thy blessings of wisdome and vnderstanding fith that thou alone hast elected and ordained vs as instruments to minister those thy rich and plentifull gifts which thou hast appointed for the health and reliefe of mankind vouchsafe to giue vs the gift of healâ—ng that we may frame our selues to doe thy will therein and be a comfort to such as lie in miserie and cruell paine by occation of bodily sicknes and externall casualties and hereunto so ioine the increase of thy grace holy spirit that all our actions may be guided according to the rule of thy deuine precepts and commaundements that our consciences be not spotted in thy sight but may remaine pure and holy euen as thou O Lord art holy alwaies reuoking to memorie our duties and necessarie vocation whereby our hearts may be continually stirred vp to call for thy assistance remooue from vs all hatefull and euill thoughts with the couetous desire of filthie lucre and incite in vs a consideration of the wofull estate of the poore and needie that we may relieue their necessitie with such good things as thy fatherly goodnesse and vnspeakeable prou dence in greater measure hath blessed vs withall Respect vs O Lord in thy mercie that those things which we goe about may prosper with us and that all our labours which we shall take in hand may be blessed and brought to good successe by thy assistance and fatherly protection to the honour and glorie of thy holy name credit of thy church comfort of our Christian brethren and our owne saluation graunt vs this O Lord
mouth O Lord yea I consume whole daies in meditating vpon the same and I doe find by experience that I haue not done this in vaine seeing that by thy precepts I haue proued to be much wiser then all my aduersaries yea and thou O my God hast giuen me an vnderstanding heart in feeling thy goodnesse towards me and euer making thy testimonies thy meditation yea thou hast quickned me and made me more skilfull then the graue men of vnderstanding because I was bent to knowe thy precepts and incitned to keepe them indeede for I held backe my feete from euery euill way that I might tread the path which thou hast now alreadie declared vnto me out of the treasures of thy eternall testament Strengthen me O Lord that I turne not from thy lawes but that I may meditate therein night and day to my incomparable comfort whereby through thy direction I may zealously perseuere in the knowledge of thee and euermore abide constant in thy truth to my eternall saluation let me be occupied continually in thy worde for I feele the same to be an euerlasting comfort to my soule and of more sweetnesse then if I had tasted of hony and by obseruation of thy precepts haue I gotten wisdome and therfore I do vtterly abhorre the entising shewes of worldly vanities which are nothing but falshood 14. A prayer for Zeale and constancy GRaunt I beseech thee most mercifull God that thy holy word opening dispersing the darksome clouds of my mind may declare such light vnto my footsteps that all my waies may be safely guided according to the sincerity of thy lawes and let this light O Lord so illuminate my heart and vnderstanding that I may by a solemne vow binde myselfe for euer vnto thee and obteine abilitie from thee with all humillitie and quietnes of life to performe the same that I haue promised vnto thee Thou seest O Lord how sore I am afflicted and vexed on euery side wherefore saue me and quicken me according to thy eternall verity accept the prayers and vowes of my mouth that I now offer vnto thee and teach me thy statutes more and more and extend thy mercies O Lord vnto my miseries for my life is laid open to all troubles and danger as though I did cary it in my hand but let not the same O God pull backe my zeale from thy law The wicked haue imagined deceit against me yet will I not wander from thy precepts Blesse me I beseéch thee O deare Father with thy grace that I make no estimation of worldly thinges but that I may accept thy testimonies as mine inheritance foreuer for they are the ioy of my heart instruct me to apply my minde for euer euen to my last gaspe to obserue thy statutes Amen 15. A prayer to flie worldly vanities and to delight in godlinesse GRant I beseech thee O God that I may hate the vaine inuentious of such as wander from thy truth and account thy doctrine most dear vnto my soule Be thou most mercifull Lord my refuge and shield whereunto in my grieuous distresse and daunger I may alwaies flie for succour Let thy word O God be my trust vnto the end and banish the wicked out of my company that I may euermore keepe thy precepts more purely Establish and quicken me O Lord according to thy promise that I may be vpholden least I perish let me not be disappointed of my expectation but strengthen me in thy good time I most entirely beseech thee and holde me vp with thy mercifull hand both now and euer that I being safe may delight continually in thy eternall statutes let the crafty practises of them that contemne thy lawe be brought to naught and take away the wicked that infect the people euen as drosse with the pure mettall that my zeale in thy testimonies may be full Thy iudgements O Lord are of such power that they not onely teach me obedience but cause me to feare considering mine owne weakenesse thereby enclining me to repentance and amendment of life for the which O Lord I thy poore seruant do render vnto theé most humble and hearty thanks beseeching thee stil to increase my knowledge in thy sacred misteries Amen 16. A prayer to deale vprightly and not to be put to shame by the vngodly GOod God in thy great mercie teach me thy lawes â—hat I oppresse no man with vnrighteous iudgement but that I may deale iustly and truely with all men in thy sight that I be not slaundered of mine enemies neither brought to open shame Assist me O Lord with thy power stand on my side against the vngodly that they triumph not ouer me for my verie eyes do faile me in waiting for my deliueraÌ„ce and my strength quaileth in expecting thy promises deale not with me thy vnworthie seruant according to my deserts but of thy endlesse mercie teach me thy statutes for thou art my eternall Lord and I am thy seruant graunt therefore that I neuer swarne from thee but that I may know thy will and faithfully imbrace thy testimonies In thy good time arise O Lord and destroy the wicked that goe about to bring thy lawes into vtter ruine and decay and pretend the confusion of my zeale for I will loue and firmely cleaue to thy precepts aboue all treasure and fine gold yea and my whole delight shall be therein for euer For I know that thy commaundements are altogether equitie and truth it selfe yea and a certaine rule for me to trast vnto therefore do I abhore whatsoeuer dissenteth from the hidden priuitie of thy word beseeching thee O Father still to increase in me the desire that I haue vnto thy sacred mysteries 17 A meditation on the excellencie of Gods holy word GRatious God thy testimonies containe such high mysteries and are of such excellencie that I am mooued with admiration and reuerence when I doe thinke thereupon and therfore are they so precious vnto my soule that it greatly desireth to imbrace and keepe them aboue all earthly treasures for the entrance into thy holy word is so vnspeakeable that it giueth light to them that are indarknes and instructeth the simple in the knowledge of thy will it stirreth vp quietnes and moueth peace in conscience therefore O Lord graunt me vnderstanding and open my mouth that I may with vnfained lippes euermore praise thee and swallow thy precepts euen as the thirsty man doth earnestly desire to drinke looke on thy seruant O Lord both now and euer and be mercifull vnto me as thou vsest to doe vnto thy elect them that loue thy name Direct my pathes O God and lead me in the way wherein I ought to walke that If all not into the snares that the wicked haue laid to entrap me withall but zealously perseuer in thy commaundements and let not afflictions assault me aboue my strength but deliuer and defend me from the baites of my enemies that I may serue thee shine on me with the
prayer GOod God the creator and maker of all mankind seéing it hath pleased thee of thy deuine prouidence to ordaine the night as a meane to deliuer vs from the trauailes of the day and to minister ease and gladnes to the wearied lims of our bodies to the great comfort and refreshing of the same by the fruition of quiet sleep and rest according to humane nature wee beseech thee therfore O Lord of thy vnspeakeable goodnes and mercy to be our watchman and defender this night that we be not ouercome by fantasies dreames or other illusions but that through thy permission we may take such quiet rest and voluntarie sleepe as nature requireth and though our grosse sences are at such times stopped yet vouchsafe euer to graunt vs the assistance of thy grace and holy spirit that our soules may respect the comming of thy sonne our sauiour Iesus Christ that at what time soeuer he calleth wee may bee found watchfull and continually ready to performe his will that after this life ended we may eternally rest in glorie and as the brightnesse of the sunne doth in the morning disperse the darke cloudes and thicke mistes from the face of the earth whereby the same was before couered with darkenesse so wee humbly beseech thee vouchsafe to disperse and burie our sinnes in the blend and obedience of thy deare sonne which doe as it were shadow vs from the bright beames of thy fauourable countenance and euermore assist vs with thy gratious goodnesse that our sleepe may be so healthfull vnto vs that we with willing minds arising in the morning may vtterly shake off al maner of drowsinesse and make hast to exercise our selues in such Christian labours as thy deuine prouidence hath ordained vs vnto to the aduancement and renowne of thy holy name credit of thy Church comfort reliefe of our Christian bretheren and our euerlasting saluation In mercy graunt this O Lord we beseech thee for Iesus Christ his sake our onely redeemer and sauiour vnto whom with thee and the holy Ghost be all power and dominion for euer Amen Twentie and one godly and necessary praiers gathered out of the Cxix Psalme wherein are contained petitions crauing aid of Gods spirit against Sathan and al wickednesse complaints against the rage of the vngodly thanksgiuing f r our deliuerance and consolation in aduersitie for that God both can and will assist his people 1. A Prayer for the assistance of Gods holy spirit for to direct our mindes after his holy lawes GRatious God so blesse me I beseech thee thy poore seruant that out of the hidden treasures of thy word I may gather such fruitful delights that I may walk vprightly and lead a blamelesse life in thy sight in keeping those precepts which thou O Lord God hast therein appointed Oh how blessed are those which obserue thy statutes vnto the end seeking thee with a pure heart and carefully obeying thy eternall maiestie may it please thee therefore so to guide my waies that I quaile not in my course neither bend my selfe to follow after vnrighteousnesse but faithfully perseuer in that perfect path which thou hast enclined me vnto out of thy holy word and thou being a righteous and euerlasting God doest not command me to followe any thing which is not lawfull in thy sight nor redounding to my saluation Erect my heart continually to the contemplation of thy blessed lawes whereby my dealings may be ordered through thy gouernance that I may immitate and carefully keepe the same all the daies of my life with zeale and obedience towards thy diuine maiestie then shall all things according â—o thy will goe well with me and I shall turne mine eies to beholde that thing which is good and laudable in thy fight yea and euermore worship thee with an vpright minde in spirit and truth as becommeth thy child without all dissimulation and hipocrisie Lord I am fully purposed to keepe thy statutes euen by the direction of thy spirit for my trust resteth in thee 2. A prayer to withstand the frailty of flesh cleaue vnto the Lord. GOuerne and direct mee O Lord according to thy worde that I may order my life by the rule therof and by the direction of thy holy spirit dilligently obserue those thinges which thou hast commanded me I haue sought thee O God with my whole heart let me not therfore goe astray from thee And though by frailety of my flesh I haue vnaduisedly heretofore falleÌ„ from thee yet I beseech thée of thy endlesse mercy slay me that I be not cast downe for euer and quicken me that I wander not any longer from thy precepts vnite my minde to thy sacred misteries that I may lay vp thine euerlasting promises in my hart least through the vaine entisements of my ghostly enemies I be enforced to forget negligently for want thereof to offend thy diuine maiestie for except thou O Lord which art altogether mercy dost guide and teach mee to leade my life aright truely my weakenesse would not permit mee to ioy or preuaile in that which is good teach me therefore O Lord zealously to keepe thy statutes that I may boldly speake to the land praise of thy name and openly shewe foorth thy holy word and blessed will graunt that I may take more delight in the keeping of thy exhortations and commandments then in al maner of earthly treasures and may meditate continually in thy precepts endue me with heauenly wisedome that I may vnderstand thy lawes aright and be euermore occupied therin vnto my liues end Amen 3. A prayer to be guided in all puritie and godlinesse GIue eare I most humbly beseech thee O Lord vnto the prayers that I offer heere vnto thy deuine maiestie Continue thy fauour towards me in directing me with thy holy spirit that I may ouercome that which sauoureth of euil and imbrace those things which thou hast commanded Abandon from the eies of my soule the vale of darknesse that I may view and beholde the true light and see the wonderfull secrets which euermore shine out of thy heauenly doctrine and lead my life in quietnesse to thy honor and glorie Thou knowest that I am a stranger and vnacquainted on the earth and that I desire to be brought to another place euen to thy heauenly habitation wherfore I beseech thée O God encline thine eare towards me hide not from me thy statutes neither yet take thy holy spirit from me that should leade me to imbrace thy righteousnesse I am desirous with great care to liue acording to thy lawes and to keepe thine ordinance both in prosperitie aduersity wherfore O Lord I beseech thee let this zeale consume me Thou rebukest and destroyest the proud persons and such as stubbornely striue against thee and appointest destruction and bitternesse vnto those that refuse to keepe thy precepts Though all men enuie me and haue me in despight for the truthes sake yet thou in thy good time wilt remoue them far
from me because I thy humble seruant doe put my trust in thee let my mind heart be euermore occupied in meditating on thy statutes for therein is my delight 4. A prayer in affliction GOod God of thy infinite mercie I beseeche thee poure vpon me the oyle of thy grace whose soule is grieuously tormented with daily afflictions for I am like one without life and fastened to the sepulchre but my trust is in thee O my good God that thou wilt assist me in my necessitie and restore me thy poore seouant vnto life againe that I may laud and praise thy holy name euen in the middest of the congregation for euer and euer Quicken mee I say according to thy word I will open vnto thee my complaints giue eare therefore vnto me and still encourage me in the way of thy truth and teach me thy statutes Enflame my heart with the loue of thy wisedome raise me vp that am now fallen for my soule melteth away for very heauinesse Exempt from me whatsoeuer may withdraw me from thy lawes and graunt that I may continue in that good way which thou hast imprinted in my heart Giue vnto me I beseech thee a willing and zealous mind to cleaue fast vnto those thinges which are approoued by thy testimonies and that I neuer shrink from thee so shall I not be confounded drawe me out of the straights of sin into the euident and broad place of righteousnes that I may finish the whole course of my life by the instinct direction of thy holy spirit and this life being ended I may foreuer enioy thy eternall saluation through my Lord and sauior Christ Iesus 5. A prayer against the assaults of Sathan GVide me O Lord in the way of thy statutes that I may euer order my life aâ—cording to the rule thereof by the prouident direction of thy holy spirit without the which my insufficiencie shall not be once able to performe the same in thy sight and euermore assist mee with the knowledge oâ— thy word that I may fully with vnderstanding obserue and keepe the same with my whole heart Instruct me daily O God that am now entred into the way of thy precepts quench in my minde the desire of filthie sucre couetousnes vsurie which would draw me to all sinne and iniquitie and incline my heart to those things that may please thee best that I imbracing the same sincerly may fructesie in good workes newnesse of life to thy glorie O my good God keepe backe mine eies that they bee not deceiued with the enticing shewes of lewd vanities that would withdraw me from the bright beames of thy incomparable maiestie â—leade me O Lord into the true life that I may zealously followe thee my guide confirme me in thy truth as thou hast promised turne away reproche and shame from me because I feare and loue thy iudgements I desire nothing more then the encrease of thy grace and the keeping of thy commaundements saue me therfore O Lord and keepe me both now and euermore that I neuer haue occasion to sin against thee but that I may still trust and euermore depend vpon thy mercies to be defended from all dangers 6. A praier for perseuerance in the right way of godlinesse GVard me on euery side O Lord with thy louing kindnes and omnipotent power and graunt mee thy saluation wherby I may be defended from al my enemies and be able to answere them in thee my sauior for I doe wholy depend vpon thy wordes let me not be assaulted with deadly iniuries neither let me in my afflictions be vnpatient let not the truth of thy holy worde be taken or estranged from me but let my mouth still set forth thy glorie quicken mee therefore in thy lawe for I doe wait for thy iudgements vpon the vngodly and I will keepe the doctrine which thou hast giuen mee for euer and euer and walke at liberty with a quiet minde because thou hast indued me with a desire to thy commandements graunt that I neuer shrinke from thy truth but with all boldenes of spirit endeuor my selfe to dispute of those thinges that concerne thy law euen before the mighty princes of the earth let my whole delight be in thy precepts O Lord which are most deare vnto me and encrease my zeale in thy worde for I haue loued it with my whole heart aboue all earthly felicity I will lift vp my hands vnto thee and before thy face will I present my selfe beseeching thée to endue me with thy grace and holy spirit that I may walke in thy fight according to the prescribed rule of thy precepts that thou hast shewed me and fiâ—e my whole delight comfort for euer in meditating vpon thy statutes O God that liuest for euer 7. A prayer for pacient abiding Gods good pleasure GRaunt that I by experience may perceiue that thou art mindeful O God of those thinges which thou hast spoken vnto me thy seruant and doest command me to trust in for in al my miseries this is my stedfast comfort that thou wilt in thy good time both helpe and succour thy seruant that trusteth in thee for though the prowd and vngodly person haue me in derision for thy names sake yet will I euer depend vpon thy holy word for thy promises haue quickned mee and when I think vpon the mercies which thou hast shewed vnto me in punishing them according to their deserts I am indued with great comfort thou knowest O God what feare incloseth me when I heare the wicked blâ—spheme thy holy name and forsake thy diuine precepts being by thy spirit enformed of the euils that hang ouer their heads Let thy statutes Lord be my delight that during the time of my wearie pilgrimage in this earthly tabernacle I may neuer cease to sound thy praises with zealous harmonie but set my whole care in the commemoration and calling vpon thy holy name and watchfully thinke how I may behaue my selfe to keepe thy lawes for at midnight haue I erected my minde vnto thee and haue not ceased at all times to poure out my praiers before thee the which thy spirit had motioned me vnto because I haue alwaies had an especiall care to keepe the precepts which thou hast appointed me 8 A consolation that God hath holpen vs and a prayer for his grace so to continue GOod God thou art my portion and the expected land of my inheritance graunt therefore that I may haue thy word to direct me and when I poure foorth my praiers before thee with speed I beseech thee giue eare vnto me vouchsafe to assist mee with thy holie spirit and according to thy promises vowed vnto thy seruants haue mercie vpon me let me not be enclined at any time to forget thy goodnes but continually quicken mee in thy truth and graunt mee O Lord God such an vnderstanding hart that I neuer swarue from thy testimonies but endeuour my selfe with all speede to the keeping of thy
euerlasting light of thy fauourable countenance and teach me thy statutes mine eyes gush out with teares when I do heare thy enemies how contemptuously they speake and intend to subuert thy law that endureth for euer 18. A prayer to beare the crosse of affliction and reproch patiently GOod God thou art altogether iust and righteous and all thy ordinances are truth and equitie grant that I may obserue thy lawes dilligently as a most iust and perfect rule of thy truth and sincere religion for thy wordes and sweete promises O Lord are so ioyful vnto me that the â—oue therof doth consume me because the vngodly doe despise thy precepts yet shall thy truth for euermore endure and flourish in puritie wherefore extend the same vnto me and quicken thy seruant therein for euer that I may imbrace it with vnderstanding and though the wicked therefore haue me in no estimation but account me an abiect yet will I not thereby be exempted from the studie of thy commaundements nor neglect my so necessary a calling for thy righteousnesse O God is an euerlasting righteousnesse though other ordinances and lawes which mans wisedome hath set downe are subiect to innumerable changes and at length come to an end and the zeale of thy word induceth such comfort vnto my soule that in afflictions when troubles and anguish oppresse me I am busily occupied in repeating the same in my songs oh how excellent is thy sweetnesse vnto them that are in miserie yea thou hast prepared a blessed and an euerlasting fountaine in heauen for them that loue thee Graunt me vnderstanding therefore especially in thy truth that I may liue with thee for euermore 19. A prayer for helpe in aduersitie GIue eare o Lord I beséech thee vnto the crie and lamentable voyce of my sorrowfull heart for I haue called vpon thee with my whole heart day and night graunt that I may dilligently obserue thy statutes and in all my dangers vouchsafe to send mee thy aide and assistance whereby I may continually be stirred vp to meditate on thy testimonies let my praiers preuent the early light of the morning and in the night-watches O Lord quicken my minde with the commemoration of thy goodnes and hearken vnto my earnest petitions acording to thy louing kindenes extended vnto thy children and as thou hast promised restore me to the inioying of thy fauour that am without life thou seest how neere they assault me which are continually giuen to iniquitie and earnestly bent to destroy thy testimonies praising thee with their lippes but in hart are farre from thee But my trust is onely in thee O Lord that thou wilt cleaue vnto thy seruant and increase my zeale more and more Teach mee I beseech thee most mercifull God the assured way of thy commaundements for I know certainely that by the obseruation of thy testimonies I shal neuer be in error neither yeâ— frustrate of my hope which I haue in thy mercy For thou hast established the same for euer and euer Heare me O Lord God I most humbly beseech thee and assist me euermore with thy grace and holy spirit that I may rest with thee eternally 20. A prayer for to be strengthned being weake GOod Lord I most humbly beséech thée regard me that am sore oppressed and in thy good time deliuer me which doe not forget the doctrine that thou hast taught me I appeale for mercie vnto thy soueraigne bountie pleade thou my cause therefore and be my Iudge and in thy good time preserue and defend me For saluation is farre from the vngodly because they neither feare thee nor obserue thy statutes I expect thy mercies O Lord and not mine owne righteousnesse to helpe me Quicken me therefore according to thy iudgements and although they that vniustly persecute me are many in number and mighty yet do I incline my heart to the obseruation of thy testimonies and euermore delight in thy precepts yea I haue had such a loue to thy law that I neuer conceiued more griefe of any thing then when I did euidently perceiue these men to despise thy words and neglect thy law but let thy mercie take hold on me that haue had my felicitie in thy commaundements and accounted them most deare vnto me increase my zeale O Lord and saue me that I perish not vouchsafe to assist me with thy perpetuall graces that I may walke vprightly before thy presence seruing thee continually with feare and reuerence and esteeming the wordes of thy mouth to be the ordinary meane to bring me vnto saluation for they are infallible and thou hast ordained them to stand for euer therefore are they the eternal and vnchaungeable rule of thy iustice world without end 21. A ioyfull reckoning vp what spirituall comfort and how precious we enioy by Gods word GRatious God the threatenings and iniurious persecutions of the mightie ones of this world could not make me once to deny thee for my heart stood more in awe of thy most sacred worde then of their indignation continue still thy assistance therefore towards me thy poore seruant that by the vertue of thy holy spirit working in my heart I may enioy and take more delight and comfort in thy sacred worde which quickneth me in all troubles then in all the kingdomes and vaine treasures in this world and that I may willingly reiect abhorre all manner of deceit and wickednesse euer imbracing thy most comfortable testimonies for when I doe narrowly see into thy iudgements sacred mysteries how excellent they are I am often and sundrie times enforced to land and praise thy holy name the loue of thy heauenly lawe bringeth into great prosperitie all such as retaine the same for they doe zealously search out the secrets thereof and are in their consciences assured that they please thee therefore graunt O Lord that I may faithfully beleeue in thee and still depend vppon thy saluation giue me euer patience in my troubles and let me still obserue and keepe thy testimonies and haue a continuall loue thereunto graunt that I may haue no respect vnto men but to set thee alwaies before my eies as the iust Iudge of all my doings Amen A prayer to be kept vnder the protection of the most highest GIue eare I most humbly beseech thee O God vnto the complaints of me poore sinner and graunte mée the true vnderstanding of thy diuine precepts oh let my supplications come before thee and saue me O Lord that put my whole trust and confidence in thée according to thy promise that I may ioyfully yéeld vnto thee vncessant praises and obserue thy statutes wherein thou hast instructted me with diligence for euâ—r Let nothing cause me to quaile O God but that the words of my tongue may set forth thy vpright iuddements and glory for thou art my louing God on whome I euermore depend and my comfort consisteth in thy precepts erect thy hand to helpe me poore sinner for I haue not neglected thy statutes let my whole
with heauie countenance lift vp mine eies towards thee my heart and reines doe burne O Lord with intollerable paine and there is no part of my body free from griefe I wholly languish faint for very sorrow of my heart thou knowest my desire O God and my sighing is apparant vnto thée my heart panteth my strength decayeth and my eyesight now faileth me many there be that séeke my destruction and there is none to helpe me but thou alone wherfore on thee will I waite and abide thy good time for my succour helpe me therefore that now calleth vpoÌ„ thee lest I be brought into decay and let not my ghostly enemies triumph ouer me who desire to see my ouerthrow In thee O God haue I euer trusted forsake me not therefore but of thy gratious goodnesse send me speedie comfort O mercifull Lord be not far from me in my distresse but hast thee to help me Amen A thanksgiuing for deliuerance from sickenesse and paâ—ne EXtend thy grace and holy spirit towards thy seruant O Lord that I may daily magnifie thee for thou art my deliuerer and hast not suffered my foes with pride to triumph ouer me I cried vnto thee in my troubles and thou like a mercifull God diddest deliuer me thou hast defended me from daungers of death and renewed me alwaies with comfort therefore shall I sing praises vnto thy diuine maiestie for euer thine anger endureth but a while but thy fauour to the end of our life and though sorrow abideth in the euening yet ioy commeth in the morning and in my prosperitie I said I shall neuer be moued but so soone as thou didest restraine thy fauour from mee I was stricken then did I returne to thee O Lord praied what profit is therin my blood when I am slaine or shall my body made of dust sing praises vnto thee or declare thy truth and faithful constancie in performing thy promises O Lord heare me and receiue me to thy fauour helpe me good God I beseech thee and haue mercie vpon me and loe thou hast turned my mourning into ioy and remooued the sorrow of my heart to gird me with gladnesse yea thou hast made thy louing kindnesse so ioyfull vnto me that I do meditate of thy goodnesse all the day long therfore shal my tongue be wholly consecrate both now and euer to set foorth thy praises O Lord my God on whose mercie dependeth my saluation I will giue thankes to thee for euer and euer A prayer that God according to his mercifull promise will deliuer him from his enemies HEarken I most humbly beseech thee O God vnto my complaint and incline thy eare vnto my lameÌ„table sighs for my soule is now oppressed with troubles and grieuously wounded through sinne wherefore release my heauie burthen and mitigate my tormenting paines for there is none to helpe me but thou alone that art the God of my might mine eies cannot rest nor mine eyeliddes slumber because of my heauinesse but so soone as I record thy greate goodnesse shewed vnto me of old how is my soule comforted and how quiet is my conscience within me deliuer me therefore according to thy wonted mercies and let me neuer be vnmindefull of thee but that my spirit may still reioyce and be indued with a stedfast hope of thy promises and though the wicked seeke my decay yet let my trust be wholly fixed vpon thee giue me vnderstanding and knowledge from aboue that I may faithfully obserue thy fatherly precepts be not long absent from me O God neither let thy sweete promises faile me but in thy mercy respect me thy seruant and poure on me thy heauenly blessings grant me the direction of thy grace and holy spirit that with all humilitie and perfect patience I may stand fast in the day of my trouble and after this wretched life ended indue me O Lord with thy eternall rest to dwell with thee for euer A gratefull extolling of Gods inestimable benefits FRom the very inward part of my heart O my soule praise thou the Lord and all that resteth within me praise his holy name for all his graces mercies and manifolde benefites that he in great mercie hath bestowed vpon me for he hath couered the filthinesse of my iniquities altered my naturall wilfulnesse and healed my broken heart and the bloudie wounds of my conscience O my God thou hast redeemed my life from destruction and of thine infinite mercies doest alwaies satiffie me with good thinges thou renuest my soule like the youth of an Eagle and hast reuealed vnto mee thy way and holy word thou art altogether mercie and full of compassion slow to wrath and of great kindenesse to all such as come vnto thee thou wilt not alwaies lowre nor keep thine anger for euer neither dost thou deale with me after my sinnes nor reward me according to mine iniquicies for thou in mercie wilt set my sinnes so farre from me as the East is from the West and neuer thinke vpon them any more thou shewest thy selfe to be a most gratious father in extending thy bountiful beneuolence vnto such as honour thée for thou knowest that we are but dust and like the flower of the field alwaies ready to be carried away with light blastes of winde to all manner of vanities but thy mercie O my good God and louing kindnesse endureth for euer Let thy righteousnes hold me vp both now and euermore that I may feare thee and keepe thy commaundements in continuall remembrance to do them that after this life ended I may gaine the fruition of thy kingdome which for thy elect thou hast prepared in heauen to sing praises vnto thee with thy holy Angels and to enioy thy presence O Lord which raignest and rulest for euer Amen A praier to be deliuered from his aduersaries REgard my humble petitions and prayers most gracious God and in thy mercie giue eare vnto my requests for vnto thee alone doe I come in the time of my necessitie accept therefore I beseech thee the cryes that I hee reoffeâ— vp vnto thee rule thou my thoughts and guid my waies aright that my heart be not inclined to euill and so procure me to runne vnaduisedly to doe the workes of iniquities but let the iust man with discretion reprooue me that I by his exhortations may discerne and knowe the snares that the wicked haue laid to entrap me withall and not onely shunne them my selfe but admonish others in like manner to eschew the same who seeing the vngodly with grieuous torments to be miserably afflicted may with humble and penitent hearts returne vnto thee O Lord and acknowledge theé to be their onely stay and succour in al their actions my life O God is exposed to all miseries neuerthelesse I most earnestly beseech thee to be my protector and though my state be slipperie yet let thy right hand support me and thy louing kindenesse enclose me about and when my hands are erected to call vpon thy name being full
prayer to be said at all times I Most heartily beseech thee O thou God of al mercy power to make strong my soule against all the troublesome and most dangerous assaults and temptations of the world the flesh and the deuill confirme my beliefe and faith in thee and make me good Lord one of the number of thy elect and graunt that all my sinnes may be cleansed in the blood of my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ O deare Father let thy graces and blessings be continually poured vpon me and shine on me with the comfortable beautie of thy cheerefull countenance and graunt me in this life the perpetuall direction of thy holy spirit and in the life to come eternall rest with my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ Amen A charitable prayer to be vsed at any time for the benefit of such as liue amisse O Lord thou hast euer bene our safe hauen and habitation and thy louing kindenesse hath beene plentifully shewed vnto vs and our elders from one generation to another thou art a God that raignest and rulest for euer without beginning or ending yea thou didst create vs of dust and slime of the earth and we being most miserable cretures so soone as thou takest thy spirit from vs are euen then immediatly dissolued into dust againe for as a watch in the night so doth our life passe away and as a tale that is told so do we vanish we grow vp like the hearb which at the rising of the sunne doth flourish but in the euening is cut downe and withereth graunt therefore O God that we neglecting all idle imaginations may account the dayes of our earthly pennance how short they are that our mindes by this cogitation beeing brought from the troublesome care and vaine hope of earthly felicitie as also called away from all those entisements whereby we wander out of the right path of thy truth may aspire to true wisedome in applying our hearts wholly vnto thy eternall testimonies be mercifull vnto vs O Lord and â—aâ—e vs from all the assaults and temptations of our ghostly enemies conduct vs with thy mighty hand we beséech thée in all our dealings that we may walke vprightly in our estate and vocation without fraud or deceit grant that after so long and innumerable troubles as we haue sustâ—ined thy goodnesse may shine vnto vs like a most pleasant light that we being satisfied with the comfortable nourishment thereof may enioy thy true and eternall consolation and like as with many miseries thou hast corrected vs so we beseech thee of thy eternall goodnesse to comfort vs againe and in the middest of all our troubles restore vs to ioy and gladnesse that from the bottome of our hearts we may yeeld continuall praises vnto thee accept vs amongst the number of thy heaâ—enly armie and let the voice of our humble petitions O God ascend vp vnto thee make vs continually thankfull for our election and let vs neuer forget that thou hast taken vs into thy family to be cared for of thee yea let this thy glory shine forth to our posteritie and let thy exceeding goodnes beautifie adorne vs gouerne thou our counsels from thy sanctuary and let our enterprises be acceptable in thy fight O God that liuest for euer Amen A prayer for the assistance of Gods power and holy spirit against our enemies and the dangers of this world ETernall God I most humbly beseech thee giue eare vnto the prayers and dolefull cries which I heere poure foorth before thee strengthen me that I may walke in thy waies and carefully auoid the path that the oppressors tread Accept the requests of thy seruants vouchsafe O Lord in mercie to relieue them that trust in thee against such as resist thy doctrine keepe me as the apple of thy eye and euermore defend me from my enemies euen vnder the shadow of thy winges for they are full of enuy and their cruelty cannot be satisfied but with my death neuerthelesse my hope dependeth only vpon thy assistance that thou wilt stand on my side whereby I may vtterly vanquish and ouerthrow their force for thou art my fortresse and strength in whome is no variety in thee will I trust O God of my saluation yea I will call vpon thee and praise thy name for euermore preserue me therefore and assist me in the day of my daunger let not the vngodly man preuaile against me but preuent their wicked deuises that intend my destruction indue me plentifully with thy graces that I may take delight in those things that may please thee and bestow such good gifts as thou hast lent me to the vse of my Christian bretheren that stand in need therof let thy spirit scale the assurance of thy election in my heart that I neuer decline from the true seruice of thee but with all constancie giue my selfe wholly to the loue of thy law and perseuere therin vnto the end for thou art my portion and the lot of mine inheritance let me not be oppressed by any earthly penury least through frailety of my flesh I be enforced to fall from thee but teach me continually by secret inspirations the right way to attaine to the fruition of thy blessings that I may at all times sing praises vnto thee be thou alwaies at my right haÌ„d O Lord that my course may be directed by thy godly assistance and deliuer me out of all troublsome daungers that I may reioyce both in body and soule for thy gratious protection shâ—w me thy fauour O God in all things that I take in hand and let the successe of my trauels fail out as my hope expecteth to the great comfort of thine elect and the exceeding ioy of all that put their trust in thee let not the cruelty of the enemy preuaile against me least he say that he hath ouercome me and they that oppresse me reioice in my fal for my trust is wholy in the truth of thy promises neither shall my heart dissent from the hope of thy mercy and defence in all my enterprises but being at the length deliuered by thee from the dreadfull daungers of earthly casualties I will not cease to land and praise thy holy name in the midest of the congregation for euer and euer Graunt this most mercifull Father I humbly beseech thee for Iesus Christ his sake my onely Sauiour and redeemer Amen A prayer to be said at all times WIth the eie of mercy most louing father beholde my care and inward griefe and hearken I humbly beseech thee to my complaint and lamentable sute my soule cryeth out to thee for mercie extend therefore thy louing countenance and fauour vnto me that am sore plunged in the gulph of calamities yet do I confesse acknowledge that I haue and doe deserue most extreame punishment for so grieuously offending thee my louing Lord but if thou shalt euer marke what is amisse in me how am I able to abide thy frowning countenance but with thee is alwaies mercy
and redemption yea thy seruants continually do and will for thy great goodnes feare and loue thy holy name my soule also knowing thy singular bountie in that it hath euer tasted of thy incompatable sweetenes shall stil trust in thee for thou diddest defend and nourish me when I was destitute of helpe therefore will I wait for thy saluation euen from the morning vnto the euening and from the euening likewise vnto the morning againe for there is no night-watcher that in greater desire longeth for the dawning of the day then dooth my soule expect the comming of thee my Lord and God for great is thy pittie vnto all such as with true repentance and hearty prayers doe come vnto thee Go too then O my soule now reioice comfort thy selfe in the Lord for euer serue him with feare and reuerence and be readie for his comming sith no varietie resteth in him but that he is good and mercifull and hath often redeemed and deliuered thee from the daunger of hell haue mercy vpon me now therfore O deare father and forgiue me my sinnes cast them from thy presence thinke vpon them no more so shall my soule reioyce and be glad in thee for euer A prayer to be vsed of all men and at all times NOw bewailing my sinfull life past most louing father I doe here in humble wise desire thy gratious fauour haue mercy on me poore sinner that cleaueth wholly vnto thee and in the multitude of thy mercies doe away the heauy burthen of my iniquities wash me from my sinnes and clense me from my offences wash me againe and againe O Lord that all my sinnes whatsoeuer lyeth hid within me may be done away at once O most merciful father against thee onely haue I sinned most grieuously and done wickedly in thy sight yea and those thinges are most iustly decreed of thee which thou hast pronounced against me And I must needes confesse that nothing is faultie amongst thy iudgements for I was corrupt and guiltie in my mothers wombe and repleat with sinne euen from my cradle what haue I to alledge for my selfe knowing O Lord what a wretched case I stand in or what excuse can I make to thee O heauenly iudge wherefore in thy fight doe I remaine the greatest of all sinners purge me with the true Isope which in thy mercy thou hast sent vnto sinners euen the blood of thy deare sonne my Lord and Sauior Iesus Christ that al my filthinesse may vanish cleane away restore me O Lord vnto that vnspeakeable ioy wherwith they are indued that are shrowded from the bonds of sinne and death and receiued into thy fauour againe hide thy face away from my sinnes and race out of thy tables all the wickednesse that I most grieuously haue coÌ„mitted against thee let thy holy spirit so direct me that I may from hencfoorth giue my selfe to thy commaundements then shall I teach thy waies vnto the wicked and sinners shall be conuerted vnto thee deliuer me from sinne that my soule may praise thee continually open my mouth O Lord that my tongue in Psalmes and Himnes may set forth thy glorious name For thou desirest not sacrifice but a sorrowfull minde and contâ—ite heart with the true feeling of sinnes and inward repentance and vnfained turning vnto thee which oblation O Lord I now offer vnto thee humbly beseeching thee to accept thereof and incline thine eare thereunto for Iesus Christ his sake my only Sauiour and redéemer Amen A prayer very godly and necessary to be vsed at all times LOrd graunt me the assistance of thy grace and holy spirit that my soule vnto thee may yeeld continuall praises let my whole life extoll thy great kindnesse alwaies shewed vnto me for all praise belongeth vnto thee thou hast indued my heart with ioy and lifted my soule out of the mixe wherefore I will not seeke to any mortall man for their state is slippery and their life coÌ„sisteth in their breath whereof being bereaued they are resolued againe into dust but let my trust be in thee O God on whose mercie dependeth my saluation for thou O God art exceeding good and gratious vnto all such as come vnto thee great is thy power oh how wonderfull is thy handie worke in thy creatures thou bearest a great zeale vnto thy seruants and keepest promise with thine elect thou openest the eyes of the blinded soule and giâ—est vnderstanding to the simple thou diddest arme my soule when I fainted in misery wherefore giue me vnderstanding that I may diligently search to knowe thy will thou diddest defend and nourish me when I was destitute of thy helpe thou comfortest the fatherlesse and widdows but in iustice ouerthrowest the wicked O Lord I see that all flesh is grasse and the riches of this world are nothing but vanitie but thy riches are euerlasting wherefore graunt that I may be plentifull in all good workes and lead a life in this world agreeable to thy will that the same being ended I may rest with thee for euer A godly prayer vnto almightie God against all assaults of Sathan I Humbly craue and beseéch theé most mercifull God in fauour to behold my troubled heart and giue eare vnto my lamentable cries for vnto thee alone do I offer vp my prayers desiring thee in mercy to respect thy seruant that now caleth for thy direction let my pathes be guided according to thy will for thou art a God most pure and canst abide no iniquitie at all to raign in thy fight neither the vniust person to stand in thy presence wherefore O Lord endue me plentifully with thy graces that haue no spark of goodnesse in me send me knowledge from aboue and direct me with thy spirit that I be not vtterly cast away for euer but pardon my iniquitie that I may draw neare vnto thee and with reuerent feare extoll thy glorious name Let not Sathan my mortall enemy preuail against me but deliuer me froÌ„ the snares that he daily layeth for me replenish me O Lord with vnderstanding that I may safely walke in thy lawes for the enemies of thy truth and disturbers of my soule are many they dissemble in heart and with their lippes they flatter daily but my trust is in thee O Lord that thou wilt confound their deuises so shall I reioyce in thee because thy hand hath deliuered me and my tongue shall neuer cease to extol thy praises and exceeding goodnesse because thou hast defended me with the shield of thy mercy and redeemed my soule from deadly daunger Amen A prayer to be saide in any kinde of affliction RElieue me G God I most humbly beseech thee from al the tyrannous inuasions of my ghostly enemies the worlde the flesh and the deuill and behold the carefull heart of him whome thou hast stricken and visited according to thy heauenly will and because man in his owne nature is nothing but blindnesse and folly before thee and therefore cannot possibly conceiue rightly of the
not onely bringeth vs to the obedience of Gods will but to eternall happines Thus afflictions are in truth our medicines to driue vs to God to tame the pride of our nature to kill our vices to make vs know our selues loath our sinnes vnfainedly flie from our owne waies seeke strength of the Lord and so from vertue to vertue ascend to the height of our saluation Finally as to the impatient reprobate they are the fearefull comets of their destruction so to the number of Gods elect they are the infallibly pledges and sure ensignes of their continuall victory and future triumph in Iesus Christ The life and healthfull afflictions of Iob and Dauid in aboundont manner do testifie the louing end of Gods afflictions and in them may we find infinit testimonies to prooue how profitable are the fatherly chastisements of our good God who by them dooth euermore scoure vs from the rust of our naturall disposition and fineth vs like pure gold in the furnace briefely by them he violently breaketh into the heart of old Adam and there bursting the corrupt ends and coates of his veines by his wonderfull operation powreth a new spirit into his arteries which creeping through the sences with a liuely moisture as by a certaine heauenly Analogie or proportion doth in settet sort dispose vs to contemne this vile place of miserie and to eleuate our minds to God that so framed vs and so forsaking our sinfull waies and hatefull affections indeuour with all newnesse to serue worship him in righteousnesse and holinesse of life and with all patience looke for the reuelation of the elect children of God against which new birth and inuincible hope before time reserued vnto vs by the good purpose of the father in his sonne Christ and now vndoubtedly confirmed in our consciences by the badges of this fatherly handling shall nothing auaile vs for all the dartes of affliction in what kind soeuer assaulting vs shall be so farre from preuailing to ouerthrow our faith and libertie as the enemy would as that they shall flue-fold redouble the force thereof with exceeding ioy against them so that the very subtilest engines of Sathan shall make vs the more inuincible and his force the more contemptible Thus I say shall Gods fauoureble exercises intermedled with his graces worke the same effect in our soules as our meat and drinke doth to our bodies And like as all such nourishment is the right and ordinarie meane whereby our bodies in this earthly tabernacle doe daily increase and grow in strengthfull habite of health euen so by the other our soule is visited strengthened and increased and we are brought by the mercifull hand of God euen as by degrees and from step to step till at length we come to the fulnesse of our redeemer Christ Iesus to appeare before the Lord in Sion A prayer for Saylors THou God that art the Creator and maker of al things behold vs that here prostrate our selues at the footstoole of thy maiestie crauing pardon for our sinnes gouerne vs thy people O Lord that by thy permission do most daungerously trauell the boisterous seas according to the office and vocation whereunto thou hast called vs for except thy mightie hand do stay vs we shall perish yea we are alwaies in danger to be ouerwhelmed with the perillous waues of the sâ—a and to be swallâ—wed vp in the deepe gulfes thereof behold vs therefore O Lord in thy mercy that in these â—ur enterprises we may receiue the fruition of thy blessings when thou O God art angry with vs for sinne thou makest the stormes to rise and the seas to rage in such sort that they enforce vs to quake and tremble and when we cease from sinne thou causest them in like manner to cease for thou appointest to the sea his course and keepest it euer in his bounds yea thou hast ordained vs to trauell thereon to see thy maruellous workes and excellent greatnesse as also to declare thy wonders amongst the children of men thou hast oftentimes for our disobedience and inordinate liuing caused vs to feele thy wrath and grieuous scourge the dangers whereof haue almost brought vs to our wits end but when we turne vnto thee with repentance thou wilt not onely bring vs to a safe harbour to ease our weary bodies but also when our painefull daies are spent and ended receiue vs into the blessed hauen of eternall rest the which O Lord graunt vs to come vnto for Iesus Christ his sake Grace before meat TO thee O Lord God we render most hearty thanks for these thy blessings of meat and drinke which thou in mercy doest now bestow vpon vs beseeching thee to graunt that we doe not abuse them immoderately by surfetting or gluttony but onely to feed thereon with sobrietie thereby to sustaine our feeble flesh and hungry desire and so frame our speeches O God that thy name therein may be glorified and our Christian brethren edified preserue most louing Lord our gratious King with thy vniuersall Church graunt vs we humbly beseech thee the continuance of thy glorious Gospell to be truely and sincerely preached amongst vs and make vs faithfull followers thereof in righteousnesse and holinesse of life vouchsafe O deare father to defend and euermore to keepe our Realme from the inuasion of forraine enemies and send vs a perpetuall peace in conscience through Iesus Christ our Lord. Grace after meat GRations God and most louing father we thy poore seruants yeild vnto thee in humilitie of heart all praise and thankes in that it hath pleased thee of thy inestimable goodnesse at this instant to refresh and relieue the appetite of our earthly bodies with this food of meat and drinke which thy diuine prouidence O Lord in plentiful measure hath bestowed vpon vs and as these thy creatures are by thy permission ordained to nourish our mortall bodies euen so in mercy vouchsafe to graunt that our soules may be fed and comforted with the diuine food of thy glorious Gospell and that it may so shine in our hearts and sences that we by the direction of thy grace and holy spirit may proceed in newnesse of life to the honour and glory of thy holy name Call vs not O deare Father to account of the vaine and idle speeches that we haue at this present as also at other times of our life vndiscreetly vsed but in fauour remit the same and graunt that we with willing minds may remember and helpe our needy brethren who feele the want of that which we haue had at full In mercy O Lord preserue thy Church our King and Realme increase the number of thy seruants and blesse vs with peace of conscience and health of body thorow Iesus Christ our Lord. Earnest and zealous meditations on the seuen petitions of the Lords prayer O Lord thou art the father of all mercies and God of all consolation behold vs that with lowly hearts come vnto thee euen as children doe to their naturall
in Christ Iesus Amen A prayer or thankesgiuing for Gods benefits bestowed vpon vs. COnduct and preserue me O Lord for in thee alone doe I trust thou art my health and the portion of my inheritance yea thou hast blessed me with increase and allotted vnto me a faire heritage graunt therefore O Lord that with reuerence I may render vnto thee due thankes for all the blessings which thou hast lent me and may imploy the same to the benefit of thy children let thy feate be euer apparant before mine eyes that I may liue vprightly in thy sight saue me O God from the daungerous euents of this trouâ—lesome and wretched life and hold thy hand continually ouer me to defend my cause against the furie of my aduersaries guide me O God in all my wayes that my course may be ruled according to thy word whereby I may faithfully perseuere with all dutifull obedience in that necessarie vocation whereunto thy onely goodnesse hath ordained me for so long as thy graces haue domâ—nion ouer me I am altogether stedfast and immouable wherefore I reioyce boâ—h in bodie and soule at thy wonderfull workes established within me thou quicknest me from the mind of earthly carefulnesse and makest me oftentimes to feele thy mercy and relieuest my conscience with the reuelation of thy word wherefore with delight shall I declare thy goodnes and praise thy name for euer and euer A prayer for aid in the time of afflictions COnsider my crie O Lord and giue eare vnto me that am oppressed helpe me O God and deliuer me against them that doe iniuriously resist me preserue thy seruant that flieth vnto thee and respect me in mercie that am continually conuersant in calling vpon thee refresh my soule which is lifted vp vnto thee for vnto thee alone doe I call and crie Thou art verily good and mercifull and vsest great clemencie vnto them that call on thee giue eare Lord vnto my prayer and hearken vnto my meditation for in the day of my trouble I will call vnto thee yea all nations shall extoll thy name because of thy wondrous workes teach me the way of thy righteousnes and I will walke therein knit my heart vnto thee that I may feare thy holy name I will praise thee O Lord my God with all my heart yea I will alwaies glorifie thy name for great is thy mercie towards me and thou hast deliuered my soule from the lowest graue O gratious God the prowd are risen against me the assembles and iniurious dealings of violent men haue sought my soule to destroy it vtterly and haue not set thee before them but thou O Lord God on whom onely I doe depend art kind and mercifull not hastie vnto anger but full of truth take care now of me therefore O Lord and helpe me for thy mercy sake graunt finally that I may manifestly know and perceiue that thou louest me that my enemies may be grieued and ashamed of themselues when they see that thou doest yeeld comfort and help vnto me so shall I be endued with greater ioy to serue thee and to yeeld vnto thee eternall praise and vncessant thankesgiuing for euer Amen A prayer crauing aid of God against all our enemies WIth speed O Lord come forth to deliuer me make hast to helpe and succour me my God let them be confounded and put to shame that pretend to doe me euil and let them be turned backward and put to endlesse confusion that desire my death let them turne home with shame as a recompence disappointed of their purpose which haue vaunted a-against me as though I had bene quite confounded and graunt thou O Lord that not I alone but all they also that haue a desire to worship thee may with a lowe voice ascribe all glorie vnto thee in reioycing and that they may delight to giue solemne and euerlasting praises vnto thee who hast in mercie deliuered thy seruant In the meane season I stand here all alone oppressed with the approach of daily sinnes and destitute of all succour yea and continually grieued with the troublesome assaults of Sathan which keepeth the soule in perpetuall bondage wherefore make hast and draw neere to helpe me O mercifull God for vpon thy gratious aid doe I onely depend O God my deliuerer O Lord. I beseech thee delay not longer but graunt me thy heauenly assistance that I feeling thy great kindnesse may henceforth applie my selfe wholy to the obseruation of thy lawes through Iesus Christ my onely Sauiour vnto whom with thee and the holy Ghost be all power and dominion for euer A prayer to be vsed of all men and at all times WIth the eye of mercy O God see into my sorrowfull soule and gratiously behold my inward cogitations and as thou hast oftentimes shewed thy selfe a most louing and mercifull Lord vnto thy seruants euen so with humble heart I earnestly beseech thee O God satisfie my mind with good things and couer my sins in the multitude of thy mercies change the frowardnes of my corrupt nature release thine anger preteÌ„ded towards me that I may worthâ—ly praise thee shew me thy mercy O deare father and grant me thy saluation instruct me continually by thy holy spirit in the reuelation of thy lawes that I may thereby perceiue thy will in all things and so lead a life acceptable in thy sight and vouchsafe O Lord euermore to graunt me thy heauenly wisdome that I may not be enclined to follie but knowing whereunto thou hast created me I may diligently â—roceed in that necessarie vocation that thy diuine prouidence hath called me vnto seruing thee in righteousnesse and holinesse of conuersation all the dayes of my life Graunt also O Lord that I may altogether imbrace thy true and a heauenly doctrine eschew all such things as are contrarie to thy will that so leading a life agreeable to my calling I may in the end attaine to the ioyes euerlasting A prayer and thankesgiuing vnto God to be vsed of euery man that hath been either troubled in body or mind TO thee O Lord doe I render continuall thankes for thou in mercie hast heard my voyce and inclined thine eare vnto the prayers and petitions of my mouth and therefore will I call vpon thee so long as I liue for when the most cruell snares of death compasseth me and when the dreadfull anguish of the graue held me being ouercome with the troubles of my sorrowfull heart then I called vpon the Lord saying O Lord I beseech thee come speedily and deliuer my soule and thou like a mercifull father didst send and and reliefe vnto me verily thou O God art mercifull and righteous full of truth and compassion for I waâ— in misery and thou didddest saue me O my soule enter now therefore into the place of rest seeing the Lord hath beene so beneficiall vnto thy safetie for he hath deliuered my life from death thou hast staied mine eyes from breaking out into teares and thou hast