cheereful light of the day that in thine assistance they may follow their honest vocations likewise the silent night that then they may returne thanks vnto thee for thy benefits and so rest their wearied limbes and busied minds I sinnefull creature giue thee thankes for the totall summe of all this thy goodnes whereof I haue beene this day partaker through thy mercy O Lord looke not vpon mine vnworthinesse folly and wickednesse but appease thy iust anger conceiued against mee and forgiue what hath beene amisse in mee this day euen for his sake who is thy welbeloued Sonne and my deare Aduocate Root vp the thornes of mine euill inclinations and affections and in their place make the fruites of vertue spring Inflame my heart with the desire of heauenlie loue that I may keepe thy commandements with zeale as hot as fire louing thee aboue all things and mine neighbour as my selfe Giue me grace ô Lord to serue thee in true faith and holines all the dayes of my life to ouercome my mortall enemies the desires of the world the pleasures of the flesh and the suggestions of the wicked spirit remembring my promise made to thee in Baptisme for the performance whereof I depend onely vpon thy holy spirit Let thine Angels pitch their Tents round about this house for defence now in the time of this darkenesse and grant that this nights sleep may be quiet vnto me without griefe or trouble Preserue me mine both in body and soule from al dangers which may come either by foolish dreames noisome spirits or vncleannesse of corrupt Nature Waken me againe O Lord in due time and let mee behold the light of the next day prepare me to thy seruice euery day in all truth and sinceritie that when I haue run the race of this life thou mayest be pleased to call mee to be partaker of a better that so I may liue and raigne with thee euermore through Iesus Christ my onely Lord and Sauiour Amen Wednesday Morning prayer Cause mee to heare thy louing kindnesse in the Morning for in thee doe I trust cause me to know the way wherein I should walke for I lift vp my soule vnto thee O Blessed GOD and merciful father the Sun of the world neuer going downe which bringest forth nourishest and refreshest all things both in heauen and earth I most humbly thanke thee that thou hast preserued me this night and euer hitherto vnder thy protection suffering mee to liue vntill this present houre that thou hast succoured and defended me in all my needs necessities and hast prouided so graciously and mercifully for mee Now I beseech thee ô Lord not to abridge the hand of thy mercy toward mee but let the spring of thy grace flowing from the sanctuary of thy goodnes arise to all the parts of my soule in such proportion as may be for thy glory and my comfort Mortifie O my God all corrupt affections in mee and pardon my innumerable sinnes Fill me this day with thy grace that I may spend it to the honour of thy Name Set a Watch before my mouth and order my lippes that I may vtter nothing vnaduisedly either before thee or men Keepe my sences within their limits direct my will to that which is good and order my iudgement for the accomplishing of those things that appertaine to my vocation O Lord defend me from all shame and disgraces shield me from al violence and guide mee safely from all perillous dangerous wayes Make mee as thy Spouse inwardly and outwardly prepared by thy grace to bee presented a pure Virgine vnto Christ Display vpon me thy banners of loue spred abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost that with the eye of Faith I may beholde and see the Crosse of Christ and his sacred wounds the comfortable price of my redemption and stand so fast in this Christian warfare that nothing make me yeeld to the temptations of the Diuell O Lord so strengthen mee with thy grace in this vale of miserie that all my outward members may follow the direction of my heart and my heart being sincerely dedicated vnto thee I may serue thee in holinesse and Righteousnesse all the dayes of my life for Iesus Christs sake my onely Sauiour and Redeemer Amen Noone A Prayer to God the holy Ghost O Holy Spirit the Authour and giuer of life which hast guided me thus farre this day and guarded me from manifold euils I praise thee I blesse thee I glorifie thee for thy great mercie Continue thy goodnes towards me I beseech thee though I deserue it not inspire my minde with holy motions conuert me from euil confirme me in al that is good Comfort mee thou comforter when I shall haue most neede Cleare the stormes of temptation and inflame the coldnesse of my zeale with the fire of thy loue Lead me into all truth and reclayme mee when I goe astray Oh prosper the works of my hands bring mee safely from all dangers to the end of this day for Iesus Christs sake Amen Wednesday Euening Prayer Withhold not thy tender mercies from me ô Lord let thy louing kindnesse and thy truth alwaies preserue me O Lord God thou who art my life the length and strength of my dayes I most heartily thanke thee for keeping mee this day from manifold dangers both of Body and Soule which might iustly haue fallen vpon mee Nowe I humbly beseech thee bring not into iudgement what I haue done amisse this day but mercifully pardon the escapes and offences of the same Forgiue and forget O LORD all mine idle and vaine words and impute not my foolishnes vnto mee Destroy in me the kingdome of sinne the power of Sathan the desires of the world the vaine delights of the flesh Lord into thy hands I commend my selfe euen soule and body this night and euer Lighten my darkenesse that I sleepe not in death defend me that no euill happen vnto me Take not thy holy Spirit from mee but continue the motions thereof in my heart that when as the Tempter shall come with his assaults I may be furnished with the shield of faith to quench his fiery darts Comfort me ô Lord in all those things wherein I haue beene any wayes dismayed this day Confirme my weakenesse and grant that this nights sleepe may be sweet and healthfull to my body and a profitable memoriall of that sleepe which at my last end in that great night shall make a separation betweene my body and soule Let thine vnspeakeable mercy preserue me thy endles sweetnes reioyce mee thy heauenly truth strengthen mee thy knowledge embolden me and thy goodnes keep me now for euermore from mine enemies visible and inuisible that I may awake in the Morning in perfect sense good health and for the same be thankefull vnto thee carefully betake mee to my vocation calling for Iesus Christs sake my onely Lord and Sauiour Amen Thursday Morning Prayer The Lord
constancy to perseuer in our Faith hope and Patience vnto the end that the hope of mercy may keepe vs from the horrour of despaire and the feare of Iustice for the sinne of presumption O good God order our times in such comfortable sort that we hauing peace in thee our bodyes and mindes may be the more able to doe their seuerall offices in our vocations Instruct vs by thy word guide vs by thy spirit mollifie vs by thy grace humble vs by thy corrections and winne vs by thy benefits O Lord wee beseech thee let all things worke for the best to them that loue thee Continue thy fauour and goodnesse vnto vs this night that wee taking our natural rest and quietnesse may through thy protection be all defended from immoderate sleepe fearefull dreames and outward violence of our Enemies Touch our hearts with a desire and longing after Heauenly things that whensoeuer it shall please thee to call for vs wee may be willing to come vnto thee as Children to their Father strangers vnto their countrey and members of thy body vnto the head Graunt vs O Lord these and all other things needefull and meete for vs for Iesus Christs sake our onely Sauiour and redeemer Amen A Prayer for the Catholique Châ—â—ch and all the estates thereof Doe good O Lord vnto those that be good and to them that are vpright in their hearts O Sun of the eternall God thou sweet Spouse of the CHVRCH blesse wee beseech thee preserue and keepe thy poore CHVRCH militant here in earth the blessed company of all faithfull people Make all Kings and Princes and the supreame gouernors of euery nation carefull hâ—â—sing Fathers nursing Mothers to thy Church Let all the members thereof be of one minde and one heart that there may be such holy coÌ„cord in knowledge of thy truth and such obedience to their superiours with brotherly vnity in all matters as they may neither procure thy scourge nor the Princes sword against them Graunt the Gospell a free passage and long continuance and remooue not the Candlesticke for their vnfruitfulnesse or vnthankefulnesse Put thy principall spirit vpon the Ministers of the Word the Arch-bishops Bishops and Pastors of seuerall congregations and giue them grace to follow the steps of thy holy Apostles and blessed Martyres that being inflamed with true zeale and furninished with sufficient knowledge they may be willing able to labour in season and out of season for the feeding of thy flock Blesse their labours to the winning of Soules to thee and blesse them with boldnesse of speech and innocency of life that like sworne Souldiers to the crosse of Christ they may liue and dye vnder thy banner Cast downe the beames of thy heauenly light vpon such publike places as are appointed for the trayning vp of younger yeares in sound knowledge and commendable qualities namely our Vniuersities Oxford Cambridge the Innes of Court and all Grammer Schooles the seed-plots of the Church Sanctifie their memories to treasure vp good things purge their consciences to haue peace in thee reforme their wils to thy will and let all their affections be ordered aright their Vessels seasoned with the best liquour in the beginning and so to continue Blesse the higher powers of authoritie make them truely humble in the top of their height that their heads being lifted vp to honour their hearts may not be puffed vp nor swell with pride but so rule their hearts and mindes that all Kings Princes may truely serue thee reuerence and stand in awe of thee abette maintaine thy Church and truth and wisely foresee what is best for the aduancement of thy glory the good of the common-wealth So deale also O Lord with all subordinate authorities keepe them from factions treasons and conspiracies Let the Iudges be learned and vncorrupt and the Lawyers men of Conscience to deale sincerely vprightly in their businesse without either feare of greater Personages or vnlawful fauours to friends or desire of rewards from any Calme the Waues and quiet the stormes of all persecution represse the rage and cruelty of all Tyrants Heathen or Christian Take away all Antichristian practisers of the Church of Rome which perswade nothing but the infection of youth and the subuersion of the State Confound all Heresies and Heretikes disperse all Schismes Sects that there be no iars nor difference of opinions amongst thy seruants but that we may be like minded hauing the same loue being of one accord and of one iudgement In fine O Lord comfort them that are ouerworne with Warre wasted with exactions vexed with plagues and sicknesses consumed with famine ouerflowne with waters scattered with fearefull threatnings from the skies Conuert the simple confound the obstinate gather the dispersed heale the broken hearted supply our wants and amend all that is amisse for thy truth and for thy Names sake Amen ¶ Another for the same vse Christ loued the Church and gaue himselfe for it that hee might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word O Lord God thou iust Master of the VINEYARD and louing head of the Church send thy Spirit into the hearts of all them that preach or professe thy holy Truth all men religious and secular yea men and women Princes and subiects rich and poore euen all the people beleeuing in thy Name and depending wholy vpon thee Giue vnto them all O Lord one Law one Baptisme one Hope one Spirit that there may be but one voyce among all that professe the Catholique Faith Keepe backe the famine of thy Word and send such labourers into thy Haruest as be sound in doctrine faithfull in their worke and godly in conuersation in number many and in power wonderfull Open we beseech thee the hearts and eares of the people for the receiuing of thy word that ir may dwell in them plenteously in all wisedome and bring forth fruit against all the cares crosses and courses of this wretched world O Lord thou hast found iniquitie in thy Saints and the heauens are not cleare in thy sight Oh then correct vs in thy iudgement not in thy furie least wee should be consumed and brought to nothing Purge the garden of the Church and let no Weedes ouergrow the flowers Suffer neither sinne nor superstition to choake the good growth of faith or manners in thy people but keepe them from all euill Heresies phanaticall opinions seducing spirits and deadly contentions Keepe our neckes from the grieuous yoke of Antichristian bondage whose religion is rebellion whose faith is faction and whose practise is the murthering of soules and bodyes and represse the furiousnesse of Tyrants which labour nothing but the spoile of the Church and to abolish true Doctrine Prayer and pure religion O Lord Iesus amend all that is amisse and grant vs thy grace all the dayes of our life euen for thy truth and for thy Names sake Amen A Prayer for the Kings Maiestie his
bonds for perpetuall slauery and liue die the sacrificers of our soules for such obtained fauour Warrant deare Lord all this with thy command Amen The Housholders Prayers Cast thy burthen vpon the Lord and he shall sustaine thee he shall not suffer the righteous to be moued O MOST mightie God mercifull and louing Father I wretched sinner come vnto thee in the Name of thy dearely beloued sonne Iesus Christ my onely Sauiour and Redeemer and most humbly beseech thee to be mercifull vnto me and to cast all my sinnes out of thy sight remembrance through the merites of his bloody death and Passion Powre vpon me O Lord thy holy Spirit of wisedome and grace gouerne and leade mee by thy holy word that it may be a Lanthorne vnto my feete and a light vnto my steps Shew thy mercy vpon me and so lighten the naturall blindnesse and darknesse of my heart thorough thy grace that I may dayly be renewed by the same Spirit and grace By the which O Lord purge the grossenesse of my hearing vnderstanding that I may profitably read heare and vnderstand thy word and heauenly will beleeue and practise the same in my life and conuersation and euermore hold fast the blessed hope of eternall life Mortifie and kill all vice in me that my life may expresse my Faith in thee mercifully heare the humble sute of thy seruant and grant me thy peace all my daies graciously pardon all mine infirmities and defend mee in all dangers of body goods or name but most chiefly my soule against all assaults temptations accusations subtile sleights and baites of that old enemie of mankind Sathan that roaring Lyon euer seeking whom hee may deuoure Fauourably protect and keepe all that thou hast giuen mee as Wife Children or Seruants and aide me ô Lord with thy grace that I may be able to gouerne nourish and bring them vp in thy feare and seruice Cast a gracious eye vpon mee and lend mee thy directing hand that the labour and paines which I am to vndertake this day may prosper and let all my dealings be iust and true Blesse ô Lord thy Vniuersall Church and perfect the worke which thou hast begun amongst vs Beare out most gracious King Iames the Queene his wife their royall Sonne Prince Henry and all their Children alwaies in thine owne bosom and set thine eies alwayes vpon them for good Let the spirit of knowledge and holinesse remaine in his Ministers Blesse all his Counsell with wisedome and discretion his Nobles with fortitude courage his Iudges with iustice and mercie his Magistrates with diligence and faithfulnesse his people with feare obedience that we may all with one minde and one mouth say with the Prophet He that is mightie hath done great things for vs and Holy is his Name Amen ¶ Another of the Housholders Know that your Maister also is in Heauen neither is there respect of persons with him LEad me ô Lord in the way of thy truth and righteousnes and gouerne all mine actions to thy glory the good of thy Church and the discharge of my dutie Defend and deliuer me from all temptations from all mine enemies and from all deceits and dangers Kindle my heart and minde with a feruent zeale of thy holy word that I may vnderstand and know thy will and walke in thy wayes Strengthen mee with thy holy spirit boldly and constantly to professe the honour and seruice of thy holy Name least at any time through feare of worldy afflictions I fall from thee Giue mee a contented minde with my estate and such blessings as thou O LORD of thy bountifull goodnesse and mercie hast bestowed vpon mee that I may vse them be thankfull for them Graunt mee patience in all my troubles and afflictions that I neither grudge at thy fatherly corrections knowing them to be tokens of thy loue and instruments of my exercise and tryall neither seeke reuenge of my wrongs knowing vengeance to bee thine and that thou wilt reward it in due season Keepe my minde from all euill thoughts my tongue from lewd and vaine speeches my body and euery member thereof from all sinfull actions Let all my loue my faith and hope my delight and confidence only and alwaies be in thee Open my heart to haue pitty vpon the poore brethren giue mee the gift of chastitie that I may possesse my vessell with sanctification and honour and not in the lust of concupiscence euen as the Heathen doe which know not God Giue me ô Lord sorrow for my sinnes thankfullnes for thy benefites feare of thy iudgements and loue of thy mercies and teach me to bring vp my children and gouerne my seruants in good order and godly discipline according to thy holy ordinance because by thy grace I am that I am let thy demaunds be no greater then thou hast giuen mee grace to performe O Lord pardon and forgiue all my sinnes and grant me grace to liue in thy feare and die in thy fauour that I may rise to liue with my Lord Iesus euermore dwell with him in thy most glorious and ioyfull kingdome the onely thing which I desire and hope for through the merits and mercie of the same Iesus Christ thy onely Sonne and my onely Sauiour and Lord Amen The Wiues Praier for her Husband in absence or otherwise Delight thy selfe also in the Lord and he shall giue thee the desires of thy heart O Lord God which hast made euerie marryed Couple one flesh and hast ordained that they should be of one mind and one iudgement and carefull one for another as members one of another I beseech thee leade mee and my husband in the way of thy Truth and Righteousnesse Gouerne all our actions to thy glory the good of thy Church and the discharge of our duties Defend and deliuer vs ô Lord from all temptations from all our enemies and from all deceits and dangers here or elsewhere Grant my husband being abroad to prosper in his businesse send him a healthfull and happie returne home that I who without him am sorrowfull in my selfe and should be a stranger to the world if he were not may with him liue in the estate of thine honourable ordinance in peace and comfort and alwayes for thy great goodnesse and mercie towards vs prayse thy most holy Name Grant vs both grace ô Lord one to loue cherish the other one to be faithfull dutifull towards the other and giue vs both the gift of Chastitie and Sobrietie that both in body and minde wee may liue a pure life bring vp our children and gouerne our seruants with godly Discipline and good order in and according to thy holy word O LORD pardon and forgiue both of vs all our sinnes and grant vs both grace to loue honor feare and serue thee all the dayes of this our miserable and sinfull life that in this life wee may haue comfort in that which thou hast giuen vs
night at hand Blesse me I beseech thee this night and take mee into thy custodie saue me waking keepe me sleeping that I may both sleep and wake in peace and safetie Prepare me O Lord for the day following the holy sabbath the hallowed day of thy rest and my great dutie and then so vnlocke the mysteryes of thy holy word vnto mee that I may therein learne the lessons of thy glorious Maiestie and mine owne mortalitie Graunt me ô Lord such grace as I may make a right vse of all things and that the hearing of thy word the good examples of thy seruants agreeing with the rule of thy word may bee both as a bridle to restraine me from sin and a spurre to set me forward to all holinesse of life and conuersation in this world O Lord grant mee these all other good things euen for Iesus Christs sake my onely Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer for the Morning O Lord God most mightie mercifull Father I vnworthy creature acknowledge mine owne vilenes naturall corruption and abhominable sinnes many times committed against thee I beseech thee admit mee to render thee my bounden thankes for thy manifold mercies extended towards me this night past and all other times of my life for my rest and sleep my food and rayment my health peace and liberty and the hope of a better life in the merites of thy Sonnes bitter passion Now deare Father I beseech thee to continue thy mercifull fauour vnto me this day and euer hereafter Forgiue me all mine vnthankfulnes vnkindnes and prophanenes towards thee thy word and seruice or towards my Neighbour Set all my sinnes ouer to that reckoning which thy Sonne Iesus Christ my Lord hath made vp for them vpon his Crosse neuer lay any of them to my charge but freely forgiue and forget all O Lord strike my heart with thy rod that I may alway be furnished for a true and vnfained repentance that I may not be blinded in my sinnes to delight in them or to think that thou wilt not respect my vntowardnesse but that I may be weary of them grieue for them and by all means possible striue to attaine to a true mortification of the flesh and so liue holily and iustly and soberly in this present world O good God I humbly intreat thee leaue me not to my selfe mine owne lusts and desires but assist mee with thy grace to hearken vnto thee and thy word to passe my time in feare and trembling as an obedient childe of so good a Father Blesse me Lord this day and prosper all that I shall take in hand let mee haue all my directions from thy will and the successe from thy mercifull hand Giue mee a competent stay for the maintenance of this mortall life Continue may food and rayment health peace and liberty that I may with a quite minde thankefull heart passe my time in this vale of miserie doing good to all men after mine abilitie without disgrace to my selfe or harme to any one Grant these good things most mercifull God and all other needefull graces not onely vnto me but vnto all thy deere children in the world to the good of our soules and bodies for Iesus Christs sake in whose name I further call vpon thee as he hath taught vs in his Gospell saying Our Father which art in Heauen c. A Prayer for the Euening O Eternall GOD and most mercifull Father I doe confesse against my selfe that my heart and hands are full of all filthines and sinnes whatsoeuer and I am altogether vnworthy to speake vnto thee or to come neere thy presence Neuerthelesse beeing so much bound vnto thee as this day past and all other times of my life doe witnesse I offer vnto thy holines by the hands of Iesus Christ my Mediator my humble dutie of praise and thanksgiuing for my creation election redemption vocation and sanctification with all other good graces appertaining to this life or that which is to come And namely ô Lord my tongue and lippes shall glorifie thee sitting aboue the Cherubins for preseruing me this day past from so many miseries and casualties whereinto I might iustly haue fallen if thou wouldest haue entred into iudgement with mee But Lord thou art mercifull passest by my offences to winne me by thy long sufferance I beseech thee make mee thankfull for all thy mercies O Lord pardon and forgiue mee all my sinnes graunt me euery day more and more the sight and feeling of them with heartie sorrow and vnfained repentance for the same Giue mee grace to belieue all the sweet promises that thou hast made vnto mee in Christ Iesus both for the remission thereof and the hope of a better life strengthen me from aboue with thy mighty hand to walke in euery good way without feare and to bring forth the fruits of a true liuely faith in my life and conuersation all the dayes of my life Arme me O Lord with thy grace and holy spirit against all the common corruptions of the world the temptations of the Diuell and the allurements of the flesh and settle my minde to the continuall exercise of deuout prayer with the hearing of thy sacred word watching for thy comming both publike and priuate Continue thy goodnesse towards mee in prouiding for mee such things as are necessarie for the maintenance of this present life and blesse the same vnder my hand that the little which I haue may be increased and the increase may serue as well to furnish my necessarie vses as to minister vnto the necessities of others according to mine abilitie Keepe mee Lord this night from all euils which may happen either vnto my body or my soule Extend thy goodnesse toward all those that depend vpon me or I on them Giue me quiet sleepe and rest and when I shall awake let all my thoughts and cogitations be holy meditations on thee and thy law Blesse me O Lord all the nights and dayes of my life and at the end thereof send me a blessed departure and afterward a ioyfull resurrection vnto life eternall Graunt me these good things most mercifull father and all other needfull graces for Iesus Christs sake in whose name I further call vpon thee as hee hath taught vs in his Gospell saying Our Father c. Short Prayers for Morning and Euening by I. F. 1581. A short Prayer for the Morning GOD of Light who hast preserued mee and brought mee from the darkenesse of this night shine into my heart this day and euer by thy blessed and holy spirit that I may be enlightened and ledde into all Truth that I may walke faithfully as the childe of light before thee casting away the workes of darknesse in the place that thou hast set me doing and performing diligently those things that thou hast required of me either to the praise of thy name or to the comfort of my Brethren Graunt this good Lord I humbly beseech thee for Iesus Christs