to slander and backbite their neighbours the poison of Adders lieth hidden vnder their lips and in fine they as thine enimies blaspheme thy holie and blessed name and contemne thy testimonies O Lord giue me thy grace to be conuersant with good and godlie men such as fauour thy glorious Gospell and doo their indeuour to practise thy precepts to the glorie of thy holie and blessed name Make me by their example to exercise my selfe in the heauenlie veritie that thereby I may be instructed in the liuelie knowledge of thy commandements and obtaine such wisdome from aboue that by faith I may cleaue to thee and the felowship of those that feare thy holie name and so auoide the companie of the wicked and vngodlie worldlings which haue laid snares to intrap mee Graunt this O most mercifull Father for thy sonne Iesus Christs sake who euer liueth and reigneth with thee and the holie Ghost to whome be all laude glorie power and praise for euer and euer Amen A praier to be said before or after the Sermon MOst mightie GOD which by thy word hast made all things whose voice the flouds and hils doo knowe whose heast both quicke and dead heauen and hell obey at whose displeasure the diuels in hell doo tremble let thy word so lighten our harts that by our good works we may testifie our profession seeing that the tree which beareth not fruit shall be cut downe throwne into the fire Grant that I may not onelie be a hearer but also a dooer of thy holie word that so finallie I may be partaker of thine euerlasting ioie and blisse O Lord grant me wisdome to knowe thee and grace to followe thee in true humilitie that as thou didst suffer to be spitted at and smitten of thine enimies so we may beare the displeasures of the world and rage of our enimies with patience Thou hast blessed the little ones and reuealed vnto them the things hidden from the wise For thou wilt haue mercie where it pleaseth thee O set thy feare alwaies before mine eies make me to vnderstand wisdome secretlie and graffe thy faith so in my hart that I may both knowe thee and loue thee and glorifie thy holie name for euer Amen A praier for faith O Blessed Sauiour Iesus sonne of the euerliuing God the vnspeakeable ioie of thy seruants most present cōfort to sinners which camest into the world to saue offenders which so louedst the world that thou sparedst not thy most pretious bloud to redeeme the losse of our first father Adam and to make vs coheires of the forfeited inheritance with thy selfe that all which beleeue in thee might be saued Good Lord which hast promised to them that knocke it shall be opened and that they which seeke shall find grant I beseech thee that I may search thy holie lawes and find the truth of thy holie word that I may alwaies constantlie confesse and shew thee and thy goodnesse as well in my words as liuing Inspire me with thy holie spirit that I may knowe thee stedfastlie trust in thee and serue thee in praiers and well-dooing all the time of my life O most mercifull Lord and Sauiour of the world for the glorie of thy name sake I beseech thee to heare my praiers My soule reioice in God my sauing health for hee hath been good to thee he hath kept thee from the snare of the hunter and blessed thee The Lord is a mercifull God let all the earth feare him let the mouths of all men sound praises vnto him God is a good Lord and dailie increaseth his good gifts to his seruants the Lord will increase my faith in him and I shall be saued So be it A praier to be said before the receiuing of the Lords Supper OMnipotent GOD and father euerlasting whose mercie is infinite and whose kingdom hath none end vouchsafe I beseech thee of thine exceeding goodnes to increse our faith that as thy ghests repaire to the table of thy sonne Iesus Christ who hath left vnto vs before he gaue his bodie to be crucified and his bloud to be shed largelie on the crosse for our redemption as a pledge of his great loue and abundant kindnesse the celebration of his glorious supper wherein as it were in a looking glasse the death of our great maister the high shepheard of our soules Iesus Christ is most liuelie set foorth vnto vs. Giue vs grace therefore from aboue rightlie to vnderstand the diuine mysteries offered vnto vs thereby and not to wrest or wring the same contrarie to thy will Let it be far from our thoughts good Lord to leaue thine eternall veritie and to build on the doctrine of men who following their owne imaginations run headlong to the gaping gulph of danger and destruction Plucke the scales of ignorance from our eies that we may cleerlie descerne and behold by the light of thy glorious Gospell how we may truelie communicate and participate the fruits of thy grace represented vnto vs in this comfortable Sacrament Indue vs plentifullie with such pure knowledge that we may not once thinke or saie after anie grosse forme or carnall maner we feede vpon or eate thy flesh reallie or carnallie but make vs alwaies constantlie to beleeue that thy glorious bodie is ascended vp into heauen and sitteth on the right hand of thy Father concerning thy humanitie and cannot be thence remooued till the time that thou shalt come with legions of Angels to iudge the quicke and the dead before whose presence shall run a consuming fire And moreouer wee doo most humblie beseech thee so to confirme vs in the truth of thy blessed testament that we may confesse thy diuine nature to be equall with the Father and the holie Ghost and to beleeue that thy power is not a power particular but a power generall and such as doth and shall gouerne in heauen and earth in the deepe and lowe waters yea and in the nethermost parts of hell Strengthen vs therefore good Lord that stand least that in falling from the true knowledge of thee we perish euerlastinglie And sith thou hast called vs by thy word as thy ghests to this blessed banket wherin y e mouths of our carnall bodies are fostered fed with bread and wine so Lord confirme our faith in thee that the mouths of our soules may feed spirituallie vpon thy sweetest flesh and drinke thy deerest blood and so be nourished to euerlasting life and heauenlie blessednesse Which reward as a dowrie due thou hast promised to all those that faithfullie build vpon thee which art the rocke and strong piller of our saluation And as these most holie mysteries must set foorth vnto vs most liuelie thy death and passion so make vs thankefull to thee for the same and thereby giue vs grace to print in our harts thy great loue and exceeding clemencie that sparedst not to giue thy bodie to the most vile shamefull and slanderous death of the Crosse and thy bloud to be shed
it is thy good will and gratious pleasure to regard the humble and lowlie man giue me such meekenesse from aboue that I may continuallie present thee with the sacrifice of a gentle meeke and contrite spirit that I may auoide the plagues and punishments which thou hast prepared for the proud and haughtie minded Graunt this good Lord for Iesus Christ his sake mine onlie mediator aduocate who liueth and reigneth with thee and the holie Ghost in glorie permanent euerlasting Amen A praier against couetousnesse or too much care of the world GOod Lord seeing that it is thy pleasure that we shall not be carefull for worldlie things if a sparowe falleth not on the ground without thy fore-sight how much more care doest thou take for vs thy children Good Lord thou feedest the birds of the aire and cloathest the lillies of the feeld which take no care Wherefore good Lord so prouide for our necessitie and sicknesse we beseech thee that we casting all our care vpon thee may cheeflie studie to please thee and serue thee which liuest and reignest king of all kings for euer Amen A praier against lieng and euill imaginations O Lord cleanse my hart I beseech thee from all vnpure wicked cogitations and thoughts and giue me a cleere conscience shamefast eies innocent hands and a tongue to tell the truth seeing that there is nothing hid that shall not be discouered Good Lord I beseech thee to search my thoughts and renew in me thy holie spirit Direct my feete in thy waies that walking after thee in the path of the righteous I may passe through this vale of miserie bearing thy banner stoutelie in my warfare and obtaine euerlasting ioie the promised hire to such as here haue patientlie borne thy crosse and valiantlie fought with the armour of faith against temptations and all euils Vouchsafe O Lord to graunt my petitions I most humblie beseech thee for thy onlie begotten sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ his sake Amen A necessarie praier in Meeter against vices O Lord my God make thou my hart repentant for to be The spirit of contrition do thou ingraffe in me Unto mine eies let there be giuen aboundant teares of wéeping And let my hands be occupied with often almes giuing O thou my King quench out of me all foule fleshlie desire And with the loue of thée alone set thou my hart on fire O my redéemer driue awaie the spirit of pride from me And graunt to me that great treasure of méeke humilitie Take from me O my Sauiour the furious rage of ire The shield of patience giue to me the which I do desire O Creator roote out of me all spitefulnesse of mind And graunt in stead thereof againe méekenes that I may find O bountifull father giue me a faith that shall endure With hope agréeing therevnto and charitie most sure O thou my guide kéepe from my lips all lieng vanitie And from my mind driue far awaie all vaine vnconstancie All wauering take thou from my hart from my mouth scoffing With all proud lookes and gluttonie backbiting slandering Couetousnes wipe cleane awaie with curiositie The fond desire of vaine-glorie with all hypocrisie Let me neuer the poore despise nor yet the weake oppresse And let me not blaspheme for then I die remedilesse O thou which didst me forme make take all rashnesse from mée And leaue me not such a mind as will not with peace agrée Take from me ydlenesse and sloth and heauie lumpishnesse Take from me disobedience and eke all stubbornesse O my God for thy déere sonnes sake I humblie beséech thée To graunt me the works of mercie with aboundance of pitie That I may thée both loue and feare and eke pitie the poore Make me good men alwaies to loue and wicked to abhor Make me so little to estéeme those things that worldlie bée With hart voice that I may craue in heauen to be with thée Amen A thankesgiuing for benefits receiued at Gods hand O Most mercifull Father I yeeld thee most humble thanks for thy great benefits bestowed vpon me a sinner of thy free mercie onlie Thou hast of thy fatherlie loue brought me vp tenderlie and instructed me in thy holie lawe Thou hast giuen me knowledge and vnderstanding Thou hast preserued me from manie dangers and euils which diuers men haue felt Thou hast blessed me with health quietnesse ioie plentie and wealth which a number doo want Thou hast taken care of me and done all things for me Lord though I can deserue nothing but punishment by thy iust displeasure yet good Lord I trust to thy goodnesse crauing mercie and not iustice And for thy mercie sake I beseech thee to continue thy grace and to increase thy good gifts towards me and haue me in thy protection till my liues end Good Lord blesse me that I may enioie the fruits of the earth and vse them to thy honour and glorie Good Lord be thou mine aid and guide in all my dooings my buckler and defence in all dangers that I may freelie and ioifullie sing praises to thee which liuest and reignest one God almightie and incomprehensible worlds without end Amen Another thankesgiuing for the goodnesse of God to vs. O Almightie God and euer-ruling King whose infinite power and maiestie our wits can not comprehend whose glorious brightnesse with our mortall eies we can not behold whose woonderous works and manifold mercies the tongs of men can not sufficientlie declare Good Lord I yeeld thee most humble thanks for thy singular great gifts and benefits bestowed vpon me a sinner Good Lord thou hast blessed me with knowledge with increase and plentie of all things thou hast giuen mee friends health and rest that I should eate my meate with ioie and praise thee in all thy gifts and works I knowe that I haue no good thing but it commeth from thee and oulie for thy mercies sake thou hast so regarded me thy seruant Wherefore good Lord I beseech thee to graunt me thy grace withall that I may vse these thy gifts to thy honour and glorie and the comfort of them that neede that vsing the talent which thou hast lent me I may become a good seruant and obtaine eternall blisse the promised hire to such as doo well Uouchsafe good Lord for thy sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ his sake to heare my praiers Almightie God refresh me with thy grace I beseech thee comfort me with thy mercie and blesse me that safe from all euils free from feare of all dangers in peace and quietnesse I may sing praises to thy holie name and reioice in thee with thine elected for euer and euer Amen A praier to be said in time of quietnesse and prosperitie GIue vs good Lord the comfortable healthfull spirit of thy grace and aboundant fauour that we may without ceasing make our continuall boast of thy praise We know and from the bottome of our harts confesse that thou hast dealt more louinglie with vs
thy poore afflicted seruant Oh how long shall I seeke comfort in my soule and be so vexed in my hart Yea how long shall mine enimies triumph ouer me Consider and heare me O Lord my God lighten mine eies that I sleepe not in death least mine enimies saie I haue preuailed against him For if I be cast downe then they that trouble me will reioice at it But my trust is in thy mercie O Lord and my hart is ioifull in thy saluation For after a storme thou makest the weather faire and still after weeping and heauinesse thou giuest great ioie Thy name O most mightie God be praised for euer and euer Amen Another praier O Lord consider my meditation and complaining Oh harken thou vnto my praiers that go not out of fained lips Let my sentence come foorth from thy presence and let thine eies looke vpon the thing that is equall O hold thou vp my goings in thy waies that my footsteps slip not I haue called vpon thee O God for thou shalt heare me incline thine eare to me and hearken vnto my words Shew thy maruellous louing kindnesse thou that art the Sauiour of all them that put their trust in thee Keepe me as the apple of an eie hide me vnder the shadowe of thy wings from the vngodlie that trouble me Mine enimies compasse me round about to take away my soule Up Lord let not man haue the vpper hand let the heathen be iudged in thy sight that they may knowe themselues to be but men Yet of thy mercie O Lord forgiue all mine enimies and turne the harts of such as hate me Who can tell how oft he offendeth Oh clense thou me from all my secret offences Keepe thy seruant also from presumptuous sinnes least they get the dominion ouer me so shall I be vndefiled and innocent from the great offence Let my mourning teares and the sorowfull sighing of my hart come before thy presence and be alwaies accepted in thy sight O Lord my strength and my redeemer let it be thy good pleasure to rid and deliuer me out of all my troubles I most humblie beseech thee and shew some token of thy fauor to me poore wretched sinner which am as a banished woman Looke vpon me O Lord I beseech thee as thou didst looke vpon Susanna and Sarai the daughter of Raguel Those holie women trusted in thee and thou didst deliuer them they hoped in thee and were not forsaken I knowe Lord thy strength is not weakened neither is thy power abated so that if it be thy good pleasure O Lord thou wilt helpe and make thy power to be knowne In the meane time O mercifull and most gratious Lord God giue me grace thankfullie and patientlie to take all whatsoeuer it shall be thy good will and pleasure to laie vpon me O Lord grant me those things which I hartilie haue praied for euer for Iesus Christs sake my Lord and my redeemer To whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour glorie and praise Amen When God hath deliuered thee out of thy troubles sing those Psalmes the 9 30 33 34 116 145 146. And euer be giuing thanks to God the almightie Lord and King saieng as followeth A thankesgiuing after trouble THe Lord is my strong rocke and my defence my Sauiour my God and my might in whom I will trust the horne also of my saluation and my refuge Yea the Lord is my shepheard therfore can I lacke nothing He hath comforted my soule and brought it out of trouble euen for his mercies sake Though I walke through the vale of the shadowe of death I will feare none euill for thou art with me thy rod and thy staffe comforteth me For in thee O Lord haue I put my trust and I feare not what flesh and bloud can doo vnto me I haue waited long and with weeping teares haue I taried the Lords leasure and now he hath of his great goodnesse deliuered me out of all my trouble Most mightie God of thine accustomed mercie preserue me from all sinne and wickednesse O Lord I feele mine owne infirmitie and weakenesse O most mercifull Lord keepe me in as it were with a bit or bridle that in this my ioifulnesse I doo not forget my dutie to thee and my neighbours For when we haue althings at our owne pleasure and nothing to trouble vs then is our dailie enimie readie to puffe vs vp with pride and vnthankfulnesse yea and with forgetfulnesse of thy lawes Wherefore most mightie Lord looke downe from thy holie heauens euen with thy fatherlie eies of pitie and strengthen my trembling soule with thy holie spirit Guide me that I swarue not frō thy truth taught in holie Scripture but that all my thoughts words and deeds may redound to the glorie honour and woorthie praise of thy most holie name This with teares I most humblie beseech thee to grant euen for Iesus Christs sake in whose name I come to thee and in none other saieng O our Father c. Another thankesgiuing after trouble O Lord I most humblie render lauds thanks and praises vnto thee For thou hast set me vp and not made my foes to triumph ouer me O Lord my God I cried vnto thee and thou hast heard me yea thou broughtest my soule out of trouble and girded me with ioie and gladnes Sing praises vnto the Lord with me Oye Saints of his let vs all giue thanks vnto him for a remembrance of his holinesse For his wrath indureth but the twinkling of an eie and in his pleasure is life euerlasting Heauinesse may endure for a night but ioie commeth in the morning Thou didst turne thy face from me O Lord and lo I was sore troubled then cried I vnto thee O Lord and praied vnto my God right humblie saieng Heare O Lord and haue mercie on me Lord be thou my helpe in all my trouble bow downe thine eare to me and make haste to deliuer me for thou art my strong rocke and deliuerer Into thy hands Lord I commit my spirit for thou hast redeemed me O Lord thou God most high Oh what reward should I giue vnto the Lord for all the maruellous benefits that he hath done vnto mee which I can not woorthilie expresse For in my trouble I called vpon the Lord and he heard me at large and in my temptation with his holie spirit he mightilie preserued me Therefore I knowe that the Lord is on my side and I will not feare what man can doo vnto me For it is better to trust in the Lord than to put anie confidence in Princes for with the Lord there is mercie and with him there is plentious redemption The earth O Lord is full of thy mercie therefore will I talke of thy praise all the daie long and sing Psalmes of thankesgiuing vnto thee It is good for me that I haue beene in trouble else should I not haue learned thy statutes If my delight had not beene in thy lawes I should
did this woman continue still in praier and said It is truth Lord that thou saiest it is not meete to cast the childrens bread vnto dogs But yet Lord the dogs doo eate of the crums which fall from the childrens table And thou Lord reioicing in hir great constancie didst saie O woman great is thy faith be it vnto thee as thou desirest Now therefore sweet and mercifull Lord Iesu as thou diddest vouchsafe to accept and heare the praier of Cornelius and of this woman of Canaan so I hartilie beseech thee to heare my humble praiers which I make daie and night before thee not onelie that thou shouldest deliuer me from bodilie oppressions but also from the spirituall power of the diuell that after this mortall life I may come to thy blessed presence in the euerlasting kingdome where thou reignest God with the Father and the holie Ghost AMEN G GIue eare Ô LORD and let all my sorrowfull complaints which go foorth of vnfeined lips come before thee that my mouth may shew foorth the woorthie praise of thy name Psalme 17. verse 1. THy praise is a great thing O Lord for it proceedeth out of the fountaine whereof no sinners drinke There is no glorious praise in the mouth of a sinner Deliuer me therefore O Lord from the waie of sinners and my tongue shall magnifie thy righteousnesse and my lips and my mouth shall shew foorth thy praise Thou hast the key of Dauid which shuttest and no man openeth and openest and no man shutteth Therefore open thou my lips as thou hast opened the mouths of infants out of whose mouths thou hast established thy praise Trulie the Prophets and Apostles and all other thy Saints praised thee despised themselues The sucklings extoll thy fame and glorie which they knowe through thy heauenlie and celestiall grace Thy friends which spreading thy glorie haue conuerted innumerable soules from sinne vnto vertue and true felicitie Thy beloued haue openlie preached thy bountious gentlenesse and mercifull fauour which thou shewest in thy deere sonne vnto all the world Now therefore mercifull God giue me true humilitie that thou maist stablish thy praise by my mouth Make me as one of the infants and sucklings that I may euer hang on the paps of thy wisdome For thy paps O Lord are better than wine and thy wisdome better than riches Make me as one of thy friends or beloued that I may constantlie abide in thee that my mouth and voice may among the sucklings extoll and set foorth thy praise saieng and singing Ozanna in the highest AMEN I I Am filthie and vncleane before thee Ô LORD If thou therefore sprinkle me with Isope I shall be cleane If thou wash me I shall be whiter than snowe Psalme 51. verse 7. I Sope Lord is a lowe herbe it is hot and of a good sauour which signifieth nothing else but thine onlie sonne Iesus Christ which humbled himselfe vnto death euen vnto the death of the Crosse which with the heate of his feruent loue loued vs and washed vs from our sinnes in his bloud which also with the redolent and sweet sauor of his beneuolence and righteousnesse hath replenished the world Therefore with this Isope shalt thou O holie Father sprinkle me when thou shalt powre vpon me the vertue and bloud of thy deere sonne Christ when he through faith shall dwell in me when through loue I am ioined with him when I shall imitate and followe his humilitie and passion then shall I be cleansed from all mine vncleannesse Then shalt thou wash me with mine owne teares which flowe out of the loue of thy sonne Christ Then shall I sigh till I be wearie then shall I water my bed euerie night with my teares so that it shall swimme in them and then Lord shalt thou wash me and I shall be whiter than snowe AMEN N NOT euerie one that saith to me Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdome of heauen but he that doth the will of my father which is in heauen Matth. 7 verse 21. THy will is O heauenlie father that we do beleeue in thy beloued sonne whome thou hast sent Thy will is that we beleeue that he whome thou hast sent is come in the flesh And thy will is that we imitate and keepe his saieng Thy will is also that we should heare him For thou spakest from heauen saieng This is my welbeloued Sonne in whome I delight heare him Giue me therefore O heauenlie father a stedfast faith a strong faith yea such a faith that no tribulation that no vexation that no persecution may cause me to denie thy Son whom thou hast sent but that I may with a pure and constant faith confesse him to be come in the flesh for the redemption of the world and that I may imitate and folowe him that I may keepe his saieng who was deliuered for my sinnes and was raised againe for my iustification Giue me also O holie father a perfect hearing and not a corrupt hearing but that I may through the teaching of the holie Ghost heare thee out of the Prophets out of the Apostles out of the pen of the Euangelists and out of the mouth of thy Spouse the Catholike Church to whome thou saiedst I will send you a comforter euen my spirit which shall leade you into all truth Grant me O Lord this spirit for there is none that can saie Iesus is the Lord but by this thy holie spirit AMEN A A Sacrifice to God is a troubled spirit a contrite and humble hart ô GOD shalt thou not despise Psalme 51. verse 17. A Broken and troubled spirit and not broken and troubled flesh pleaseth thee O Lord. For the flesh is broken and vexed because it hath not the carnall things that it desireth or else feeleth in it selfe things which it hateth The spirit is broken and vnquieted for his fault because it hath offended against God whom it loueth He soroweth that he hath sinned against his maker and redeemer and that he hath not regarded such a good and louing father This broken and sorowing spirit is vnto thee O Lord a sacrifice of most sweet sauour which notwithstanding hath his confection of most bitter spices euen of the remembrance of his sinnes For when our sinnes are gathered together into the morter of the hart and beaten with the pestle of compunction and made into powder and moistened with the water of teares therof is made an ointment and sacrifice most sweet which being offered to thee O Lord thou wilt not despise Marie Magdalen which was a great sinner made such an ointment and put it into the Alablaster boxe of hir hart She feared not to enter into the Pharises house and there humbling hir selfe at thy feete sweet Lord washed them with hir teares wiped them with hir heare and annointed them with most pretious ointment and ceassed not to kisse them Surelie Lord hir sacrifice was right acceptable and pleased thee so that thou preferredst it aboue the Pharisie which
for into thy hands I commit me Amen E ENter thy iudgements in the tables of my hart destroie mine affections with thy loue send thy wisdome from the holie heauens and from the seate of thy Maiestie that she may be with me and labour with me that I may knowe what thing is acceptable before thee and may iudge the people righteouslie and discerne betweene good and euill G GRatious Lord thou that art the most high God aboue all the earth long-suffering and of much mercie sorowing the sinnes of man and of thy great goodnesse hast promised to the penitent remission of sinnes Lord I haue sinned mine iniquitie is multiplied aboue the sands of the sea and there is no hope of life in me because I haue stirred thee to anger in multiplieng offences before thee And now O Lord trusting in thy mercie I bow the knees of my hart beseeching thee of thy goodnesse destroie me not togither with mine iniquitie For the dead whose soules are out of their bodies can neither praise nor thanke thee but the sorowfull hart and the thirstie soule ascribe praise vnto thee O Lord I powre my praiers before thee and require mercie in thy sight saue me which am vnwoorthie and reserue not eternall punishment for mee For thine owne sake I aske it and will praise thee all the daies of my life Amen I ILluminate my hart O Lord with the light of thy word leade me Lord in thy waie and I shall enter into thy truth Print thy feare in my hart that I may reioice in thee Let thy word be a lanterne vnto my feet and a lampe of light vnto my paths so shall I not erre from the right waie but walke like a pure and wise virgin with an vpright hart chaste mind and cleane conscience and single eie before thee this daie and euermore Amen N NEuer will I cease to call vpon thee most mightie God of hosts which sittest vpon the Cherubins and hast dominion ouer all the kingdoms of the earth Thou which madest the heauens all things comprehended in them bow downe thine eare and heare open thine eies and behold saue mee from the hand of mine aduersaries suffer no euill to happen vnto me that all the people may knowe that thou alone art my God Amen A ASsist mee O Lord my God with thy heauenlie grace and renew in mee a right spirit that I may receiue strength ablenesse to doo thy righteous will and to stand against all the assaults of wilie Satan that they may haue no place in mee but that the old man which I beare about in my bodie may be crucified and dailie die in me that the desire of sinne errour and of worldlie vanities may vtterlie be destroied that I may euermore be renewed in the spirit of my mind that the life of my Sauiour Christ may alwaies appeare in me to whome with the Father and the holie Ghost be all honour triumph and glorie for euer and euer Amen The versicle EUen now and euer vouchsafe O LORD for thy deere sonnes sake to heare my humble petitions The answere REceiue my praiers I saie O GOD and in thy truth and mercie pardon mine offences and grant mee thy grace The Collect. O Emanuel my Lord and my GOD Iesus Christ sonne of the pure virgin Marie thou art not onelie the sweete spouse of my soule but with God the Father a most meeke Mediatour full of mercie and truth Wash awaie my sinnes with the most pretious bloud of thy holie passion make me rich in thy mercie and my faith so strong in thee that assisted with thy grace and holie spirit to all duties and works in this life towards thee I may enioie afterwards the glorie of thy blessed kingdome with thy holie Saints and pure Uirgins in euerlasting honour and triumph Amen The Praier O Roote of Iesse my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ which hast redeemed all mankind from sinne death and hell thou which hast said I am the waie truth and life The waie in doctrine commandements and examples truth in promises life in reward I praie thee by thine ineffable loue wherewith thou hast vouchsafed wholie to bestowe thy selfe for our securitie that thou wilt not suffer me euer to straie from thee bicause thou art the waie nor at anie time to distrust thy promses which art the truth and performest whatsoeuer thou promisest neither let me rest in anie other thing bicause thou art eternall life without the which there is nothing that ought to be desired neither in heauen nor in earth By thee we learne the sure and expedient passage vnto true helth that we wander no longer in the Laberinth of this world Thou hast exactlie taught what to beleeue and what to doo what to hope for and in whom we ought to rest By thee wee learne how wee were of that first Adam vnfortunatelie borne by thee we are assured there is no hope of health but through faith in thee that thou art the onlie brightnesse which giuest light to all men trauelling the darke desarts of this world where is nothing but a profound dimnesse wherby we neither see our calamities nor frō whence we ought to seeke remedie of our euill Thou vouchsafedst to descend into the earth disdainedst not to take our nature vpon thee that by thy doctrine thou mightest shake off the dimnesse of our ignorance by thy commandements mightest direct our feete in the waie of truth peace By the examples of thy life thou hast shewed vs the waie to immortalitie and by thy steps hast restored to vs a plaine easie profitable waie out of an vneeuen and rough waie So thou art made vnto vs a waie which knoweth no error in the which least we should be wearie thou hast vouchsafed to vphold vs in thy benignitie with great sure promises For who can be wearie accounting himselfe redie through thy steps to enter thy heauenlie heritage Therefore whilest we be in this iournie thou wouldest be a sure hope vnto vs to be in steed of a staffe vnto vs wherewith we are sustained Neither was thy goodnes content with this but knowing the weaknesse of our flesh in the meane while with the comfort of thy spirit dooest so refresh our strength whereby we run cheerefullie And as thou being made vnto vs the waie dooest driue awaie all errour so being truth dooest thou take awaie all distrust Finallie being made life vnto vs dooest reuiue the dead in sinne to liue by thy spirit releeuing all things vntill in the resurrection all mortalitie vtterlie abolished we may alwaies liue with thee and in thee when Christ shall be to vs all in all For eternall life is to knowe the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost to be one true God where now thorough faith we behold onlie in a glasse and riddle And then seeing more felowlie the glorie of the Lord wee shall be transformed into the same image Therefore I beseech thee most mercifull Sauiour that
my bodie a liuing sacrifice holie and acceptable vnto thee which is a reasonable seruice gratefull obedience Both now and euerie daie Lord I commend my soule and bodie into thy hands thou hast redeemed me O God of truth Compasse me about with the watch of thine Angels which are ministring spirits sent out for their defence which are the children of saluation that they may pitch their tents about me and incounter with Satan the dragon to defend me from euill Giue thine holie Angels charge of me that they protect me in all my waies least happilie I hurt my feete against a stone so will I praise thee and magnifie thy name which liuest and reignest a true and eternall God worlds without end Amen Another praier verie effectuall to be vsed vpon the Lords Sundaie or other holie or festiuall daies SEing that the verie solemne times festiuall holidaies doo vndoubtedlie greatlie renew the reioicing of the godlie yea that more is with a certaine heape as a man would saie doo maruelouslie augment and increase their spirituall ioie in thee O most holie Lord God of Saboth and make it greater than it was For they are kept to continue and stir vs vp vnto the remembrance and recounting of thy woonderfull acts things and miracles wrought and done by thine almightie Maiestie for the conseruation and saluation of mankind and by that occasion doo exceedinglie cheere vp and fill the harts of the godlie with spirituall ioies in thee Moreouer bicause good exercises are to be renewed often but especiallie vpon the Sundaie and holie daies as though at that time we were departing out of this life and going to the euerlasting holie daies of spirituall rest and continuall ioie and therefore ought we at that time especiallie to prepare our selues with carefulnes to shew our selues more godlie and to doo thy cōmandements more straightlie as they y t shall receiue reward of our trauels at thy hand ere it be long Behold I thy sillie creature desirous to keepe the godlie rest of the new Saboth better than hitherto I haue done for which as for all other my defaults I crie thee hartilie mercie doo now therefore most humblie beseech thee O holie Father to powre plentiouslie vpon me thy blessed spirit through whose diuine power vertue and grace I may this daie be throughlie sanctified clensed dedicated and prepared both bodilie and ghostlie perfectlie to serue and worship thee according to thy will O holie God which hast commanded vs to sanctifie our selues and to be holie as thou art grant me grace with S. Iohn to be in the spirit on the Sundaie and this daie to be holie with them that be holie and altogither giuen to serue please thee in spirit and truth as becommeth the true worshippers of thee Make thou me this daie to refraine my selfe from dooing anie bodilie labour or seruile worke and vtterlie to forbeare all maner of vngodlinesse displeasant vnto thee as namelie not to abuse or mispend this holie daie in pranking packing priinting pointing frisling or vaine attiring of my selfe to be gorgious and gaie and to prance in pride neither yet in vnlawfull plaies idle sports games Ethnicall pastimes feasting banketting bellie-cheere gluttonie riot excesse chambering wantonnes nicenesse contention pride couetousnesse or in anie other fleshlie filthinesse and vaine pleasures of this transitorie world but contrariwise to occupie and giue my selfe obedientlie vnto the vertuous works and holie exercises of thy diuine precepts namelie vnto the expending of the spirituall rest and euerlasting repose of all Christian soules in heauen vnto the meditation of thy woonderfull works and vnspeakable benefits which thou O God continuallie bestowest vpon thy Church and to bee thankefull for the same to studie the Scriptures to heare and reade thy sacred word and followe the same to call vpon thee by ardent praier with hartie thankesgiuing for all thy mercies to exercise thy holie Sacraments and to comfort and giue almes gladlie according to mine abilitie to the releefe of the poore and comfort of the needie Make me I saie O Lord with holie Dauid both most willing and glad this daie to go foorth with my whole familie and the multitude into thy house and temple in the voice of praise and thankes-giuing among such as keepe it holiedaie vnto thee and at all seasons by common order appointed diligentlie to frequent the populous resort and Christian assemblie of the congregation in the Church and to be present with other thy people often in that most sacred place on earth at the most holie and alwaies to thee O God most acceptable sacrifice of praise inuocation diuine worship giuing of thanks singing of hymnes hearing of thy word vsing of thy holie Sacraments praiers intercessions and supplications which at the comming together of the whole congregation is vsed ordinarilie to be made vnto thee in the Church with verie great ceremonie and reuerence that thus being free from the trauels and drudgerie of this world and by thy grace cleansed from all mine owne carnall affections and wholie giuen ouer to serue and sanctifie thee in true rest and spirituall ease as also to bestowe consecrate and hallowe this thy sacred Sabboth or Sundaie with all other festiuall holie daies most glorious vnto thee in all holie and spirituall exercises of a faithfull and obedient Christian according to thy will I may euen heere in this vale of teares amidst all my miseries be thereby occasioned with cheerefull hart both outwardlie and inwardlie exceedinglie to reioice and trust in thee my most mercifull God and louing sauiour and after this transitorie life ended be worthie happilie to enter into thy holie Mountaine the Tabernacle of thine elect and kingdome of euerlasting blessednesse where the soules of all holie folke doo rest and there with them to be partaker of perfect holinesse and of the vnspeakable benefit of the wished wealefull rest and eternall endlesse ioie of ioies in the Paradise of God to see loue and praise thee most ioifullie in happie mirth for euer and euer through Iesus Christ our Lord to whome with thee O Father and the holie Ghost be immortall glorie infinite power euerlasting kingdome perpetuall praise and continual thanks-giuing by all creatures through all ages worlds world without end Amen See more for Sundaie afterward Meditations HEere call to mind the commandements of almightie God concerning the kéeping of the Sabboth daie holie vnto him as namelie the third commandement Remember thou keepe holie the Sabboth daie c. Exod. 20 verse 11. Call to mind also his promises touching the same who saith If thou turne awaie thy foote from the Sabboth from dooing thy will on the Sabboth daie and call the Sabboth a delight to consecrate it as glorious vnto the Lord and shalt honor him not dooing thine owne waies nor seeking thine owne will nor speaking a vaine word then shalt thou delight in the Lord and I will cause thee to mount vpon the high places of the earth
that they may speake the mysteries of Christ and manifest them as they ought to doo so shall their dooings bee profitable vnto the godlie Assist them also with thine especiall grace that they disgrace not their doctrine by impuritie of life but let their conuersation answer vnto the doctrine which they teach and preach and especiallie for the pastor of this parish and shepheard of my soule heere present from whose mouth I learne thy blessed will I hartilie praie that thou wilt keepe him in religion sincere and pure from enorme offences in outward conuersation Endue him with a long and healthfull life if it be thy good pleasure that manie a good daie and yeare he may continue in preaching the gladsome voice of thy gratious Gospell among vs without contention and strife And O sonne of God which art the Lord of all the flocke worke thou effectuallie by thy preachers speake thou within vs to our harts the blessed will of thine eternall father and confirme thy doctrine in our minds by thine holie spirit Grant that we may trulie knowe and discerne the same from the howling of woolues and from the inchanted songs of seducing hirelings And grant that we may knowe thee euen as thou knowest thine heauenlie father and to walke religiouslie and righteouslie in thy sight shewing our selues to be of that holie seede which praiseth thy name for euermore Come holie spirit open mine hart and eares that I may conceiue the profit of thy whoalesome doctrine and the sweet comforts reuealed in thy holie word by the preaching of the Gospell O Lord I acknowledge with teares my sluggishnesse and carelesnes in seeking thy truth and bewaile the wretched coldnesse and hardnesse of my hart beseeching thee to endue me with an vnfeigned longing and an ardent desire of holie Sermons Grant that in this life I may worship the feet of the preachers of peace and reuerence the true dispensers of thy mysteries thy faithfull ministers with double honor and none otherwise to obeie their godlie sermons than I would if a voice should sound from the heauens Let me not for the blemishes and imperfections of some particular men vnreuerentlie conceiue of thy whole ministerie Worke also within me that despising thy word deliuered vnto vs I neuer seeke after strange reuelations or violent rauishings both besides and contrarie to thy word but bearing alwaies in mind the order which thou hast appointed may constantlie embrace thy word manifested in thy Church Finallie impart such grace vpon vs that we may imitate and followe the good works of holie men casting off the old man by putting on the new which is created after God in righteousnesse and true holinesse Amen A praier that God would both feede and defend his Church to be vsed before the Communion O Heauenlie heardman and nursse of all things liuing which of thy meere goodnesse satisfiest all creatures that haue life suffer not thy Church to pine awaie and be famished for lacke of the food of thy blessed word but feed vs continuallie with thy goodnesse Suffer not thou O Lord which giuest sustenance to all flesh thy faithfull seruants to be depriued of perfect doctrine and most pure and sound Sacraments which are indeede the food of eternall life but feed vs continuallie with Angels food that is with thy holie word and with Christ Iesus whereby our harts may bee made righteous strong to him-ward Let vs not like the children of Israel loath this heauenlie manna which thou so mercifullie and aboundantlie powrest downe vpon vs neither let vs lust againe after the flesh-pots of Aegypt least thy wrath being kindled against vs also thou cause it not onelie to cease and to fall no more from heauen vpon vs but also thou smite vs with most greeuous plagues as thou diddest the Israelites But rather as new-borne babes remembring how it is written that man shall not liue by bread onlie but by euerie word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God let vs hartilie desire the sincere milke of thy word let our soules delight in fatnesse let vs come earelie and late to the waters to buie and eate to satisfie our hunger and thirst let vs harken diligentlie vnto thee and eate that which is good and labour continuallie without wearinesse for the meate that perisheth not O Lord let vs neuer see the daie wherein thou shalt be prouoked to send a famine in our land againe a famine I saie not of bread nor a thirst of water but of the hearing of thy word O God Far bee that famine from vs good Lord. Neither let vs anie more deserue to be cast out of our owne cities townes and houses and to wander in strange lands from Sea to Sea from the North to the South from East to West running to and fro like hunger-starued wretches to seeke the food of thy word as we sometimes haue done O Lord and yet not find it least by that meanes we doo not onelie perish in bodie but also in soule for lacke of thy word which is the verie food thereof But let thy word O God be still neere vs euen in our mouthes and in our harts the word of truth I saie which now is preached taught and receiued and feed thou vs whensoeuer the famine either of bodie or spirit vexeth vs. O our father giue vs this daie our daily bread that we may walke in the strength thereof daie and night vntill we come to the holie hill of Horeb. Behold Lord according to thy commandement we doo open our mouths wide fill thou it full of thy heauenlie dainties as thou hast promised Lord euermore giue vs the bread of life and of heauen that we may stedfastlie beleeue in thee For behold O Lord we come vnto thee as though we were famished let vs not therfore go awaie vnfed We are an hungred let vs not be sent awaie fasting Our minds alas hunger and thirst greatlie after toies and gauds of this world and we haue nothing to set afore it because wee are poore and beggerlie wretches But thou O Lord art rich in all good things and the most plentifull giuer of the dainties of heauenlie satietie O therefore we beseech thee giue vs somewhat to eate giue meate I saie vnto the wearie wandering souls yet not such as they lust after but such as is conuenient for them that being refreshed of thee which art the liuing and heauenlie bread wherewith when we are once well fed and that our strength is come to vs againe we may ascend vnto more high things and neuer heereafter hunger or thirst anie more after vanities Amen Another praier to be vsed at the Sermon before a Communion THou vsest O most mightie God to preserue those thy children whom thou hast louinglie adopted with no lesse care and diligence than if they were sheepe and the same alwaies fed led of thee being their most louing shepherd toward their owne health and perfect commoditie who so long as they haue thee
beeing made thine adopted children we may by the sanctification of thy spirit inherit the euerlasting kingdome through the same Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Or praie for the fruits of Baptisme thus MOst heauenlie and eternall father we thy humble seruants entirelie desire thy fatherlie goodnesse that as thou hast begun in vs a newe birth washed vs with the fountaine of regeneration whereby we are made members of thy bodie and elected into the number and felowship of thy Church and congregation so thou wouldest powre vpon vs the grace of thy spirit to direct our liues according to this beginning in holinesse and purenesse that we may mortifie the lusts of the flesh resist the assaults of Sathan and auoide the alurements of the wicked world remembring alwaies that Baptisme doth represent vnto vs our vocation quenching those sparks of concupiscence that we all drawe from the old Adam and quickning vs in those good fruits of Christ our Sauiour who continuallie preserue vs with his holie spirit for euer and euer Amen Or praie for the continuance of the true institution of the Sacraments thus O Most mightie and most mercifull God by whose power the heauens and earth and all things therein are created who hast placed euerie thing in a most excellent order and hast framed man after thine owne similitude and image raising him from hell to heauen from wo to ioie from damnation to saluation and hast giuen him through thy sonne Iesu Christ a most sure bond of thy promise made in the beginning to mankind for the redemption of the world sending thine onlie begotten Sonne Iesu Christ to performe the same who made one onelie oblation and sacrifice for the sinnes of the whole world and did ordaine and institute two most holie Sacraments to continue the remembrance of the same make vs euer mindfull we beseech thee of these thine inestimable treasures Continue oh Lord this thy fauour towards vs. Let not tyrants preuaile against thy Church but let thy mightie power be shewed that the sacred rites may cōtinue in thy Church that the enimies may be ouerthrowne as the Turke who would vtterlie destroie those most holie Sacraments which thou hast ordeined for our saluation as the Anabaptists which like heretikes alter thy most holie institution as the Atheists who bred in them great corruption Conuert them we beseech thee O Lord and establish vs in the truth of thy holie spirit by thy mightie power that both now and euer wee may continue in the right institution of thy Sacraments which thy Sonne our Sauiour Christ hath left most perfect vnto vs to the endlesse ioie and consolation of our soules To whome therefore with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour glorie and praise world without end Amen Prouerbes 9. verse 1. WIsedome hath built hir house and hewen out hir seauen pillers she hath killed hir victuals drawne hir wine and prepared hir table she hath sent foorth hir virgins and crieth vpon the high places of the citie saieng Who so is simple let him come hither and to him that is destitute of wisedome she saith Come and eate of my meate and drinke of my wine that I haue drawne Canti 5. I AM come saith Christ vnto his spouse the Church into my garden my sister my spouse I gathered my mirrh with my spice I ate my honie-combe with my honie I dranke my wine with my milke Eate ô freends drinke and make ye merrie ô welbeloued Reuelation 19. HAppie and blessed are they which are called vnto the Lambes supper Christian praiers to be said before at and after ye receiue the holie Communion and first An effectuall meditation of the right Christian beleefe in the holie Sacrament of the Lords supper and of the woorthie and fruitefull receiuing the same to our comfort and saluation to be diligentlie read before you receiue O My soule let vs now carefullie consider first whether we bee come namelie to the celestiall table heauenlie banket greate feast costlie repast and sumptuous supper of the most puissant glorious mightie and magnificent King of kinges and Lord of lordes Iesus Christ thy most mercifull maker righteous redeemer souereigne sauiour and deere spouse and that of necessitie as both forced therevnto by his iust commandement and also allured and inuited by his mercifull promises Secondlie O my soule let vs rightlie knowe and diligentlie marke what things are heere presentlie set before vs on this holie Table and prouided for vs in this blessed banket to taste of namelie that the deintie dishes and the refection and meate which we must in verie deede seeke for onelie in this sacred supper are no vaine ceremonies no bare signe no vntrue figure of a thing absent no earthlie bodie no carnall meate nor anie fleshlie substance but as the sacred Scripture saith and other holie men doo rightlie tearme and call them The Bread and Cup of the Lord a heauenlie refection the sweet deinties of our sauiour the nourishment of our soules an inuisible meate a spirituall foode a ghostlie substance which all are heere now most mercifullie offered and exhibited vnto vs and all other faithfull soules as the soueraigne preseruatiue against death the conseruatorie to euerlasting life the comfortable medicine of the soule the salue of immortalitie the pledge of eternall health the defence of faith the hope of the resurrection the memorie of Christ the annuntiation of his death finallie the communion of the bodie and bloud of the Lord Iesus in a maruellous incorporation which by the holie Ghost the verie bond of our perfection with Christ is through faith wrought in the soules of the faithfull whereby not onlie their soules doo liue to eternall life but also they surelie trust to win to their bodies a resurrection to immortalitie In the which also we may not onlie heare see taste and knowe the mercie of God our Creator sealed the sanctification by Christ our redeemer towards vs confirmed the remission of our sinnes through the holie Ghost our comforter and regenerator fullie satisfied and established but also most sensiblie and effectuallie to our further comfort in deed feele wrought in vs the tranquillitie of conscience the increase of faith the strengthening of hope and the long spreading abroad of brotherlie loue and kindnesse with manie other sundrie maruellous graces and benefits of God most profitable vnto vs. Which things well considered and weighed my soule O with what feruent affection and earnest zeale ought they now to inflame our hart and kindle our mind greedilie to couet and desire the participation of these most holie mysteries yea often to long and hunger after this healthsome bread and continuallie thirst for this diuine heauenlie and blessed food Thirdlie and lastlie O my soule let vs aduisedlie call to mind and well vnderstand the cause wherefore wee are now come vnto this holie table of the Lord which indeed is onlie to this end that we should now be godlie ghests not idle gazers hungrie eaters not steruing
pleased thy gratious goodnesse freelie of thine owne accord to elect and choose vs to saluation afore the beginning of the world and euen like continuall thanks be giuen vnto thee for creating vs after thine owne image for redeeming vs with the pretious bloud of thy deere Sonne when we were vtterlie lost for sanctifieng vs with thy holie spirit in the reuelation and knowledge of thy sacred word for helping and succouring vs in all our need and necessitie for sauing vs from all dangers of bodie and soule for comforting vs so fatherlie in all our troubles and afflictions for sparing vs so long and giuing vs so large time of repentance These benefits O most mercifull father like as we acknowledge to haue receiued of thine onlie goodnesse euen so we beseech thee for thy deere sonne Iesus Christes sake to grant vs alwaie thy holie spirit whereby we may continuallie growe in thankefulnesse towards thee be led into all truth and comforted in all aduersitie Strengthen our faith O Lord kindle it more and more in feruentnesse and loue towards thee and our neighbours for thy sake Suffer vs not most deere father to receiue thy word anie more in vaine but grant vs alwaie the assistance of thy grace and holie spirit that in hart word and deede we may sanctifie and doo woorship to thy holie name that we may help to amplifie thy kingdome and that whatsoeuer thou sendest we may bee hartilie well content with thy good will and pleasure Suffer vs not to lacke the thing O father without the which we can not serue thee but blesse thou so all the works of our hands that we may haue sufficient and not to be chargeable but rather helpfull vnto others Be merciful O Lord vnto our offences and seeing our debt is great which thou hast forgiuen vs in Iesus Christ make vs to loue thee and our neighbors so much the more Be thou O father our Captaine and defender in all temptations Hold thou vs by thy mercifull hand that we thereby may be deliuered from all inconuenience and end our liues in the sanctifieng and honouring of thy holie name through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen ¶ On the seuenteenth daie of Nouember commonlie called The Queenes daie Sundrie formes of Christian praiers and thanks-giuings vnto God for the preseruation of the most vertuous Ladie Elizabeth our most deare and dread souereigne Quéene of England France and Ireland defender of the faith c. verie necessarie to be vsed as generallie of all faithfull subiects continuallie so especiallie of the Mother and hir Daughter vpon the seuentéenth daie of Nouember and euerie Sabboth and holie daie in honourable remembrance of that ioifull Sabboth rest and peace from carefull mourning which that memorable seuententh daie brought to vs the banished exiles of England and persecuted members of Christ by the most happie entrance of hir most roiall and excellent Maiestie into this hir Emperiall Crowne and kingdome A Psalme Mother COme O all you that feare God come hither I praie you and giue eare a while and reherse with me y e great benefits that he the Lord hath bestowed vpon vs. Daughter For lo when the most mightie men gathered their power against vs and laie in wait for our life they conspired togither to worke our destruction as though the Lord had determined the same and exhorted one another saieng God hath forsaken them therefore persecute them now flieng awaie and take them being destitute of all helpe Moth. These men our aduersaries I saie wheresoeuer we remoued or went by sea or by land laie in wait most diligentlie for vs yea multitudes of the cruell enimies did not ceasse craftilie to enuiron and beset vs round about and ran vpon vs with gaping mouthes like raging and roring lions of malicious minds to bring vs to extremitie and to deuoure vs. Daugh. For thy sake O Lord alone were we killed euerie daie neither were we in anie better condition than sheepe appointed of butchers to the slaughter Moth. Manie of vs wandered in the waste wildernesse and sought strange cities commodious to dwell in halfe dead and killed with famine and thirst ouerwhelmed with the shadowe of death and being cast downe by the burthen of our miseries laie downe flat cleauing to the earth Daugh. The bands of death compassed vs round about and bound vs most wicked men like most raging flouds made vs afraid enuironing vs round about Moth. We were snared and cast fast bound with chaines into most darke dungeons yea we tasted the heate of the fire and the force of the water Daugh. Then we called vpon the Lord in these extremities We called vpon the Lord I saie and he heard our voice out of his high palace and receiuing into his eares the crie that we made vnto him he deliuered vs from our miseries and distresse Moth. He gathered vs home which were scattered from the East the West from the North South and brought vs from the dungeons of the prisons and darkenesse of death breaking the fetters and giues of iron in peeces Daugh. The Lord hath deliuered our life from death he staid the teares of our eies and established our feet that they did not fall he hath brought vs out of our distresse Hence haue we our light whereby he causeth vs to shine and hath driuen awaie our darkenesse Moth. Therfore will we praise thee O Lord among the nations and will sing lauds vnto thy Maiestie yea we will declare thy power and will shew foorth thy praise and mercie earlie in the morning because thou hast defended vs and wast our refuge in extreme dangers Daugh. Oh acknowledge and declare ye openlie that the Lord is good for his bountious goodnesse is for euer Let all the sincere worshippers of the Lord now confesse that his louing kindnesse is perpetuall Praise ye the Lord. Moth. Glorie be to the Father and to the c. Daug. As it was in the beginning is now c. ¶ The Versicles Mother O Lord shew thy great mercie vpon vs miserable sinners Daughter And grant thine euerlasting helth and saluation vnto vs. Moth. O Lord saue Elizabeth our gratious Queene and Gouernor Daugh. Which putteth hir onlie confidence in thee O God hir tower Moth. Oh send hir still continuall helpe from thy most holie place Daugh. And euermore from dangers all defend thou hir most roiall Grace Moth. O let not the infernall fo haue anie aduantage of hir Daugh. Nor let the wicked enimie once approch to hurt hir Moth. Indue hir ministers alwaie with righteousnesse and equitie Daugh. And make thou thy chosen seruants full ioifullie to praise thee Moth. O Lord saue thy people from all perils and dow them with thy gifts Daugh. And blesse thou thine inheritance with all thy bountious benefits Moth. In our time O Lord giue vs thy peace which passeth all vnderstanding Daugh. Bicause none other God dooth fight for vs but onelie thou our King Moth. O soften thou our hardened
rapine and murder the people killed strangled starued spoiled and mocked bound and caried awaie to be sold as beasts in the market to seruitude and slauerie there to consume their daies in miserable thrall and sorows the kingdome and inheritance transported to the possession of the destroier who raised vp in thy wrath and armed with the power of thy displeasure ministreth due punishment for the sinne and disobedience of ech reuolting nation that falleth away from thee and will not be reconciled to grace witnesse of all the states empires kingdoms tongues nations peoples and kindreds of the earth from the beginning of the world to this daie but in these latter daies speciallie of the Iewes Aegyptians Armenians Graecians Italians Hungarians Polonians and others whose seruile thrall and calamities ought neuer to be out of our remembrance which should mooue vs continuallie to behold the blessing of thy loue and the heauie sorrowes of thy displeasure Wherefore in the abundance of thy mercies and louing kindnesse and for loue of thy deere Sonne whom through the gift of thy grace we professe in the truth of his Gospell we beseech thee O mercifull Father fauourablie to looke vpon this Realme and people of England Turne not awaie thy face O Lord take not thy grace and holie spirit from vs let vs still enioie the blisse and comfort of thy louing countenance keepe vs in thy waie and couer vs vnder the shadowe of thy wings suffer vs not to be taken from thee make vs to followe and to put our whole trust and confidence in thee then shall we be safe Thy mightie hand O God giueth the victorie and in the power of thy fauour shall the enimie be vanquished and his strength brought to nothing Safe is the citie where thou O Lord art the watch-man but who so standeth out of thy tuition he is a readie praie vnto y e destroier therefore go not farre from vs O God For thine elect sake were the heauens and the earth with all their implements formed made of nothing for their preseruation maintenance was rule gouernment deuised and stablished And for their sakes are empires kingdoms countries and nations preserued saued and blessed and for iniurie and ignominie done to them and to thy truth and holie name are they changed plaged subuerted and destroied Great is thy mercie compassion O Lord long suffering ready to forgiue behold vs O Father and haue mercie vpon vs remember not our iniquities nor the iniquities of our forefathers take not iust vengeance of our sinnes neither reward thou vs after our deserts Spare vs good Lord spare vs and for thy sweet Sonnes sake Christ Iesus our Sauiour haue mercie vpon vs. Yea Lord haue mercie vpon vs and vpon our posteritie holding continuallie thy holie hand ouer vs and blesse vs. Increase our faith make our children childers childrē obedient to thy word and through holie conuersation in thy Sonne our redeemer make vs and them acceptable vnto thy selfe O GOD that being sanctified in faith and loue toward thy heauenlie will and Maiestie we and they may be deliuered from thy wrathfull displeasure for euermore Powre foorth abundance of thy grace and blessing vpon our Queene that in the fulnesse of thy gratious fauour she may haue long life in health and happie daies aided with faithfull vertuous prudent counsellers and ministers to doo all things to the nourishing and maintenance of true religion and vertue Increase the light of thy Gospell the number of faithfull and godlie preachers and ministers of thy word whose industrie and labour by the peace and tranquillitie of thy Church may largelie augment the number of thy Saints to the glorie of thy name and to the ioie and blessing of the land and people For the preseruation and continuance whereof in the bowels of thy fatherlie care and fauor remember vs O louing God Leaue neither vs nor our posteritie headlesse neither put vs ouer to the yoke of a strange nor irreligious Prince but after the blisse-full daies of this thy gratious handmaid our Queene whom O Father let it please thee to reserue in happie and ioifull state to the end giue peace and concord to thy people with a vertuous wise godlie and fortunate Prince whose constant zeale care industrie and endeuour towards the cherishing and aduancement of thy truth and glorie may purchase thy fatherlie loue and furtherance to fill the land and people with all maner of blessings as thy heauenlie wisedome knoweth necessarie where beautified with vertue and godlinesse it shall prosper and triumph in continuall peace and victorie giuing honor and gladsome thanks to thy glorious Maiestie that with thy deere Sonne our Lord and Sauiour and with the holie Ghost reignest in vnitie of power glorie and dominion praised for euer and euer Amen Another verie godlie praier meete to be said of all true subiects in time of anie priuie conspiracie or open rebellion for our gratious Souereigne Queene Elizabeth and for the present state O Almightie God King of kings Lord of lords the onelie God and gouernour of all things thou art he by whom alone kings doo reigne Thou most high bearest the rule ouer the kingdoms of men Thou in Christ thine onelie Sonne being the most gratious Father of thy chosen Church doost for the comfortable nourishing of it dispose the roiall state among men Through this thy grace it is come to passe that we the English nation now a portion of the same thy Church doo enioie the gouernement of Elizabeth our Queene whom thou hast against all practises of thine and hir aduersaris deliuered out of perils and by thy mightie hand brought to reigne ouer vs. Mercifullie guiding hir thou hast made hir to vs a mother to thine afflicted flocke a nurse in that benefit which we haue in libertie in true religion and common peace maruelouslie protecting hir thou hast kept hir to defend vs to vse and hold this benefit quietlie And euen now in thy mightie maruelous mercie thou hast discouered the practises of such craftie cruell enimies as purposed to spoile hir of vs vs of hir and both hir and vs of thy religion and of peace determining to deliuer vs ouer to the tyrannie of that shamelesse man of Rome and the bloudie sword In which purpose of mischiefe if thou haddest permitted them to preuaile we had suffered for our sinnes at thy hand O Lord most iustlie but at their hands most vnnaturallie and vniustlie For we doo offend thy Maiestie manie waies we offend not them anie waies yet such is their wickednesse that they will hate vs onelie bicause we in truth doo professe to serue thee For this cause they conspire against thee O God like hypocrites against our Queene like traitours against our Commonwelth and countrie like spoilers against vs euen as Cain did against Abel But thy great goodnesse hath deuised better for vs than they doo Thou hast spared vs whom they would haue spoiled
and righteousnesse all the daies of our life through the same thy deere sonne our Lord Iesus Christ to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all praise honour and glorie for euer and euer Amen Glorie be to God on high Another Meditation of the maruellous incarnation of the word which is Christ by whose meanes it pleased God to helpe mankind fallen from him BEhold now O almightie God the viewer and searcher of mine hart Like as with hart I beleeue which is counted righteousnesse vnto me so with mouth doo I confesse before thee which is to my saluation after what sort and maner thou didst vouchsafe in the end of the world to succour and aid mankind Thou in deed onelie O God the Father art not read at anie time or in anie place to be sent but of thy Sonne the Apostle saith When that the time was fulfilled God sent his Sonne In that he saith he sent he doth sufficientlie declare that he being sent came into this world When as he being thy Sonne O our God and a gentle and kind louer of mankind did take vpon him to be the seed of Abraham not of Angels and so taking mans nature not Angels did vouchsafe to humble himselfe to be borne a verie perfect man of blessed Marie a pure virgin and so being made like vnto vs in all things sinne onlie excepted for he was the verie lambe without spot that tooke awaie the sinnes of the world did appeare and shew himselfe in the similitude of flesh subiect to sinne that he might condemne sinne for sinne and that wee might be made the righteousnesse in him But what is that which he that is the chiefe of the Euangelists doth saie He was in the world and the world was made by him Thither trulie was he sent by his humanitie where he alwaies is and alwaie hath beene by his diuinitie The which sending or embassage I beleeue with all my hart and confesse with my mouth to be the consent worke of all the whole Trinitie I beleeue also that his manhood being in this my nature during his infancie was trobled with creeping and scrallings and was wrapt in cloths after the maner of other children and was vexed in his youth with labours and troubles I beleeue I saie that the Godhead which was sent of them did take vpon him mine humanitie and nature to the intent he the Sonne of God being made man might cure mine infirmitie and redeeme the sinnes of sinfull man Therefore doo I blesse thy name euerlastinglie and glorifie the same with all mine hart O almightie and mercifull Lord for that vnspeakable and maruellous coniunction of Godhead and manhood together in the vnitie of a person and not after this sort that the one should be God and the other man but one and the same was both God and man man and God Neuerthelesse although by thy maruellous will the word was made flesh yet neither of both the natures was changed into other substance In the mysterie of the Trinitie there is not a fourth person added For the substance of the word of God and of man was vnited and knit togither but not confused and mixt that that thing which was taken of vs should be turned into God and that which neuer had been before that time that is his flesh and manhood should be the same that had beene euer without anie beginning that is his Godhead Oh maruellous mysterie Oh vnspeakeable fellowship Oh maruellous meeknesse of the heauenlie mercifulnesse which is euer woorthie marueling and euer to be loued We were but vile seruants and behold we are made the sonnes of God yea and heires of God togither with Christ From whence came this goodnesse And who brought vs to this state But I require thee O most mercifull Father by thine inestimable pitie goodnesse and charitie to make vs woorthie of these manie and great promises of the same thy sonne our Lord Iesu Christ Send foorth thy strength O God and establish the thing that thou hast wrought in vs make perfect that which thou hast begun that we may be able to come vnto the fulnesse and perfectnesse of thy pitie Make vs through the holie Ghost to vnderstand and through thy sonne to desire and with due honour alwaie to worship this great mysterie of thy pitie in Christ his blessed natiuitie so manifest in our flesh that as thou hast giuen vs him thine onelie begotten Sonne I meane to take our nature vpon him and this daie to be borne of a pure virgin so wee being regenerate and made thy children by adoption and grace may dailie be renewed by thy holie spirit to glorifie thee from our birth through the same thy deere Sonne our souereigne Lord and sweet Sauiour Iesus to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be immortall praise and thanks-giuing now and for euer Amen A meditation concerning the true knowledge of Christes incarnation THE knowledge of the truth is first to knowe thy selfe and to endeuour to be that which thou oughtest to be and to amend that which ought to be amended And secondlie to knowe and to loue thy maker and creator for that is the whole happines of a christian man or woman See then how vnspeakable the gratious goodnesse and entire loue of God towards vs is He hath created vs of nothing and giuen vs all that we haue but alas forasmuch as we haue loued the gift more than the giuer and the creature more than the Creator therefore we are fallen into the diuels snare and become his bondslaues Neuertheles God being moued with compassion sent his most deere and onlie Sonne to redeeme vs slaues and his holie spirit to make vs his sonnes and daughters againe He hath giuen his Sonne I saie euen his best beloued child to be the price of our ransome the holie Ghost as an assurance of his loue and to be short he reserueth himselfe whole for vs to be the heritage of our adoption And so almightie God according to his exceeding gratiousnesse and mercie hath for verie loue and good will to mankind bestowed not onlie his benefits but also himselfe vpon him to recouer him againe not so much to himselfe as to him To the intent that man might bee borne of God God I saie was first borne of them O then who is so hard-harted that he will not bee softened by the tender loue of God thus preuenting wretched man with so great hartie and vnspeakable good will in that he vouchsafed to become man for mans sake Yea who can anie more find in his hart to hate man or woman whose nature and likenesse he or she so plainelie seeth in the manhood of God Doubtles he or she that hateth from hencefoorth a man or a woman hateth God and so looseth all his or hir labour whatsoeuer taken vnder pretence of Christianitie For God as is said became man for mans sake that he might be a redeemer as well as a creator and that man might
euerliuing and immortall thou art now risen from death for vs. Thou art now ascended to thy Father and our Father and sittest at the right hand in glorie grant that we also in hart and mind may thither ascend and with thee continuallie dwell Suffer vs to come neere vnto thee that we may kisse thee Yea Lord thou louer of our soules come thou rather vnto vs and kisse vs with the kisse of thy mouth that we may be glad reioice in thee Drawe vs that we may runne after the sauour of thy sweet ointments that we may behold thee in righteousnes and when thy glorie shall appeare we may be satisfied For in thy presence there is fulnes of ioie and on thy right hand there are pleasures for euermore So be it Halleluiah A Thanks-giuing WE lift vp our harts vnto thee O Lord God for it is verie meete right and our bounden dutie that we should at all times and in all places giue thanks vnto thee O Lord holie Father almightie euerlasting God through thy most deere beloued Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord who after his glorious resurrection manifestlie appeared to all his Apostles and in their sight ascended vp into heauen to prepare a place for vs that where he is thither we might also ascend to reigne with him in glorie Therefore with Angels and Archangels and with all the companie of heauen we laud and magnifie thy glorious name euermore praising thee and saieng Holie holie holie Lord God of hoasts heauen and earth are full of thy glorie Glorie be to thee O God most high So be it 11. On Whitsundaie or the feast of Pentecost Of the sending of the Comforter euen the spirit of truth The Preface THE spirit of the Lord filleth the round compasse of the world and vpholdeth all things Halleluiah The spirit of wisedome is louing and will not absolue him that blasphemeth with his lips Halleluiah The holie spirit of discipline flieth from deceipt and withdraweth himselfe from thoughts that are without vnderstanding Halleluiah This therefore is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men loue darkenesse more than light Halleluiah But O Father leaue vs not comfortlesse but come vnto vs and giue vs the Comforter euen the holie spirit of truth which the world can not receiue that he may abide with vs and dwell within vs for euer Halleluiah Come holie Ghost and teach vs in all thy waies and bring all things to our remembrance whatsoeuer God hath commanded vnto vs that we may speake with new lips and magnifie God according to his will Halleluiah Make me a cleane hart O God and renew a right spirit within me Halleluiah Cast me not awaie from thy presence and take not thy holie spirit from me Halleluiah O giue me the comfort of thy help againe and stablish me with thy free spirit Halleluiah Then shall I teach thy waies vnto the world and sinners shall be conuerted vnto thee Halleluiah Halleluiah The Praier IF ye loue me keepe my commandements and I will pray the Father and he shall giue you another Comforter that he may abide with you for euer euen the spirit of truth whom the world cannot receiue c. Oh heauenlie speech to be had in perpetuall remembrance Thou O Christ promisest such as keepe thy commandements such as in faith and a good conscience obeie thee to bee loued intirelie of thy Father and their brests to be the inhabiting place of thy diuinitie Nothing is more lamentable than to be cast from God into feare and fire vnquenchable nothing more comfortable than to haue thy fauour and to be loued of God This so excellent a benefit thou doest promise to thy disciples wherfore ingraffe vs to the blessed companie which thy Father doth loue whose sinnes are forgiuen through thy deserts and they are receiued into mercie and the inheritance of eternall life through thy death Neither is it thy will to haue vs present in loue and by the imputation of thy righteousnes onlie but also by a naturall participation and reall conformitie with God in deed Man deceiued by the diuell forsooke God his gouernour conceiued so highlie of himselfe that he would rule himselfe without God Let God defend thy life the rest seeke from thy selfe saie the wise men of this world and they commend that man whose onlie hope dependeth vpon himselfe But O lamentable darkenesse how shamefullie doth man fall without God assist How miserablie doth he perish whome God forsaketh Wherefore taking pitie on our wretched state thou restorest the ancient order interrupted through sinne and wilt that the harts of the faithfull shall againe be made y e dwelling place temple of diuinitie The God-head in deed is euerie where vpholding as long as hee thinketh good the whole frame of the world and the substance of euerie particular thing therein and againe destroieng all when he thinketh good so to doo notwithstanding he abideth onlie in the soule which receiueth Christ into it doo the Father and the word breath of their spirit and link it to themselues in like light righteousnesse and life In the Sonne the glorie of the Father doth shine and filleth that humane substance which the word through an eternall couenant coupleth to himselfe with the same spirit and powreth it into the harts of beleeuers to make them like vnto him For the word through the same spirit quickeneth both his owne and our flesh And this is the beginning of eternall life in this miserable world This spirit imprinteth the image of God which the word present in our minds doth speake in our soule kindeling a light and knowledge conformable to the Gospell turneth vs to the true seruice of GOD and stirreth vp in our wils so holie motions agreeing to the lawe of Christ as shine in that humane nature of Christ now glorified who cureth our infirmitie He commeth from the Father sent by the Sonne to renew vs according to the image of Christ He returneth to the Sonne and Father to couple vs vnto God to make intercession for vs with grones vnspeakable and to mooue the hart of eternall God vnto mercie and compassion towards vs. Such is our nature that through Gods spirit we reason christianlie and thinke godlie then how can it be but that the spirit must raise godlie cogitations good motions in our minds which is by nature a God and therefore substantiallie doth he mingle himselfe with our spirits springing in our nature but regenerated by him to imprint in vs another light and newnesse than is naturall wisdome and righteousnesse and therefore manie sighes doo we fetch euen these deepe sighes And thou word dwelling in our minds be thou present and kindle our harts by thy blast Conuert vs Lord and we shall be conuerted Turne vs to the acknowledging of our sinnes erect vs by the preaching of the Gospell and grant that through faith we may receiue the promise of the spirit Strengthen vs that we may retaine so
harts to the extinguishing of the fowle darknesse of our filthie flesh and quicken vs to the bringing out of that fruit which both may please thee and profit thy Church so shall we escape the vnquenchable fire into which they which depart from thee are cast and be sure to obtaine whatsoeuer we shall aske at thy mercifull hands in true faith and feare For thy Father is glorified through our willingnesse which is also his gift to obeie him Furthermore as thou hast instructed thy holie Church with the heauenlie doctrine of thine Euangelist S. Marke giue vs grace likewise that we be not like children caried awaie with euerie blast of vaine doctrine but firmelie to be established in the truth of thy holie Gospell And thou holie Ghost come thou incessantlie into our harts first to instruct our minds with thine heauenlie and eternall will and being instructed confirme vs in the feare of thy Maiestie that at no time we depart from the path of thy commandements For our continuance in the race of the commandements of God is a speciall argument that we loue God vnfeinedlie whom we see not And secondlie that we may find ioie and comfort in all our troubles crosses and persecutions whatsoeuer that in this life we may alwaies abide among the companie of the regenerate and in the other be made partakers of eternall happinesse ordeined for the elect before the beginning of the world Amen 11. On Saint Philip and Iames daie The heauens declare the glorie of God and the firmament sheweth his handie worke O Sonne of GOD whom truelie to knowe is euerlasting life and without whom no man commeth vnto the Father grant vs perfectlie to knowe thee to be as thou hast said of thy selfe the waie the truth and the life as thou hast taught Saint Philip other the Apostles Bring vs wandering trauellers into the waie of saluation shew vnto vs thy truth quicken vs by thy spirit lead vs to thy Father that by thee and thine humane flesh now exalted and glorified the light and life of thine heauenlie Father may be spred in vs. Make vs miserable exiles citizens of thine euerlasting kingdome prepare vs places mansions where we may drawe from thee which art the true vine of eternall life in the house and table of thy Father the new iuice of heauenlie comfort and may continuallie be there where thou art that trulie thine eternall Father may be glorified in vs Amen 12. On Saint Barnabas daie Praise the Lord O my soule and forget not all his benefits O Christ Sonne of GOD which art perfect charitie louing vs to the end and sufferedst vpon the altar of the Crosse a most shamefull death for our sakes to deliuer vs from death and damnation and to allure vs by that thine example vnto mutuall amitie and good-will we beseech thee inflame our cold harts with the burning affections of hartie loue And as thou hast indued thine holie Apostle Barnabas with singular gifts of the holie Ghost so let vs not be destitute of thy manifold gifts nor yet of grace to vse them alwaie to thine honour and glorie as he did Giue vs grace I saie first aboue all things to loue thee the true and onelie God with the Father and the holie Ghost with all our harts with all our soule and with all our strength that continuallie we may cleaue vnto thee with full purpose of hart as this thine holie Apostle exhorteth Raise vp secondlie a desire of brotherlie good-will towards our neighbours that we may helpe one another and as members of one bodie haue a mutuall compassion ech of other so that we may loue among our selues vnfeinedlie and abound in mutuall good-will that our harts may be vnblameable in holinesse before God Inflame our breasts that by thine example we may loue euen our verie enimies and blesse them which curse vs doo good to them which hate and hurt vs leauing reuengement alwaies vnto thee For he which loueth not his brother knoweth not God but abideth in death and dooeth vainelie boast against the truth Wherefore let not the Sunne go downe vpon our wrath but make vs quiet putting on tender mercie kindnesse humblenesse of mind meeknesse and aboue all charitie which is the bond of perfection the end of the cōmandements and fulfilling of the lawe so that by loue our faith may be fruitfull and we at no time seuered from thee For thou art loue and he that dwelleth in loue dwelleth in God and God in him so that we shall be no more seruants but friends in dooing the will of the heauenlie Father through the gratious good-will of thee his onelie begotten Sonne our Sauiour which hast chosen vs to bring foorth fruit whereby we shall so please his and thy sacred Maiestie that we shall be sure to obteine whatsoeuer we aske at his hands through faith in thy name Amen 13. On Saint Iohn Baptists daie I giue mine owne selfe the blame and take repentance in dust and ashes O Eternall Father of our Lord Iesu Christ wee yeeld thee most hartie thanks for gathering to thy selfe for and through thy Sonne an holie companie praising and celebrating thy goodnesse for euermore Also for sending from time to time teachers adorned with excellent gifts and warrants from heauen to spread foorth and publish the truth to mankinde among whome we knowe right well that the famous fore-runnner of thy Sonne euen the holie and reuerent Saint Iohn the Baptist excelled He by thy prouidence was woonderfullie borne and sent to prepare the way of thy Sonne our Sauiour by preaching repentance He was the first publisher of the new Testament the first purger of the Gospell from the grosse errours of the superstitious Pharises the spreader abroade of the articles of our faith and the imprinter of Iesus Christ the Sonne of God in the harts of men We humblie beseech thee gather from among vs an eternall Church Teach our harts by thine heauenlie spirit that vnfeignedlie we may listen to and loue the doctrine which Iohn soundeth to the world Make vs so to followe his doctrine and holie life I saie that we may trulie repent according to his preaching and after his example constantlie speake the truth boldlie rebuke vice and patientlie suffer for the truth sake as he did that being ingraffed into thy flocke we may become his disciples and bring foorth fruit woorthie repentance and behold the diuinitie which he sawe so shall we be deliuered from the wrath of God and admitted into the fellowship of eternall life Amen 14. On Saint Peters daie Their spéech is gone out into all lands and their words into the ends of the world O Lord Iesu Christ Sonne of God which art the word of the eternall Father and the Embassador sent frō the beginning vnto thy Church speake thou inwardlie to our harts thine heauenlie wisedome lighten our nature vnderstanding with thy newe light that being demanded in euerie anguish we may trulie acknowledge and confesse
to passe that I may be satisfied with it and glorifie thee eternallie Amen The Praier THE daie now ended men giue themselues to rest in the night and so this life finished we shall rest in death Nothing is more like this life than euerie daie nothing more like death than sleepe nothing more like to our graue than our bed O Lord our keeper and defender grant that I now laieng me downe to rest being vnable to keepe my selfe may be preserued from the crafts and assaults of the wicked enimie and grant furthermore that when I haue tunne the race of this life thou wouldest of thy mercie call me vnto thee that I may liue and watch with thee for euermore And now O gratious God giue me to take my rest in thee bring to passe that thy goodnesse may be euen in sleepe before mine eies that sleeping I be not absent from thee but may haue my dreames to drawe me vnto thee and so both in soule and bodie may be kept pure and holie for euer Amen I will laie me downe in peace and take my rest for it is thou Lord onlie that makest me dwell in safetie Psal 4. 9. Another praier to be vsed of the husband and wife so soone as they are laid in their bed O Lord our GOD our protector and defender which diddest gratiouslie preserue and keepe thy seruant holie Tobie when he laie with his wife Sara by the gard of thine holie Angel so that Sathan was bound and had no power ouer them keepe vs also O King of kings and Lord of lords this night and euermore that that subtill Serpent by no meanes haue power to vexe or greeue vs but that we may slepe this night in the remembrance of thee into whose tuition and keeping we commit vs both bodie and soule which hast bought redeemed vs with the pretious bloud of that immaculate Lambe thy deere sonne and our deere beloued Sauiour Iesus Christ to whom with the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie Amen Meditation REmember now that you be néerer your end by one daies iournie than you were in the morning Also that this troublesome daie is past and night come and ther withall rest quietnesse and pleasant sléepe which maketh most excellent princes and poore wretches all alike for the time euen so after the tumults troubles temptations and tempests of this life if we beléeue in Christ we haue prepared for vs an hauen and rest most pleasant ioifull and perpetuall VVhen you put out the candle saie THE light of the vngodlie shall be put out and the light of his candle shall not shine the light shall be darke in his dwelling and his candle shall be put out with him yea full often shall the candle of the wicked be put out and their destruction shall suddenlie come vpon them so that all shall be horror and full of darknes with them O Lord let not our candle be put out nor the light that is in vs be turned into darknesse but lighten thou our candle and make thou our darknesse to be light yea lighten thou our darknesse we beseech thee O Lord that we sleepe not in death and by thy great mercie defend vs from all perils and dangers of this darke and dredfull night and lighten illuminate thou euerie darke corner of our habitation with thy light that our candle go not out by night for the loue of thy Sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ So be it A little while after saie O God although we were in extreame darkenesse yet will we not feare and though we should walke in the midst of the shadowe of death yet will we dread none euill For thou art with vs thy rod and thy staffe doo comfort vs. Now therefore that we lie in darknesse be thou our protector bring vs to thy light and saue vs from vtter darkenesse where is weeping and gnashing of teeth that we may behold thee in that cleere light of the perpetuall morning where shall be no darknes no night nor need of anie candle or materiall light but thou Lord wilt inlighten vs with vnspekable glorie So be it VVhen you feele sleepe to be comming and dispose your selfe to rest praie O Lord Iesu Christ my watchman and keeper take me to thy care grant that my bodie sleeping my mind may watch in thee be made merie by some sight of that celestiall and heauenlie life wherein thou art the King and Prince togither with the Father the holie Ghost where thine Angels and holie spirits be most happie citizens Oh purifie my soule keepe cleane my bodie that in both I may please thee sleeping and waking for euer Amen Lord into thy hands I commend my spirit For thou hast redeemed me ô Lord thou God of truth Psal 31 6. Another praier to be said last of the husband and wife before they giue themselues to sleepe O Lord assist vs that peaceablie we may now rest and sleepe in quiet Let our eies sleepe but let our harts wake vnto thee O lighten thou our eies that we sleepe not in death that Sathan hurt vs not and our enimie saie I haue preuailed against thee but watch ouer vs O eternall sauiour least the subtill tempter ouertake vs and we sleepe a perpetuall sleepe and wake no more For thou art made our euerlasting helper and protector Giue vs this night a good sleepe that quietlie without cares and anguish of mind we may take our rest Let not troublesome dreams and vaine fantasies and apparitions of the night nor the diuell disquiet vs. Defend vs this night from vncleane and troublesome spirits let not their rushings ragings and misrule disquiet vs. Keepe vs good Lord from sights of Sathan from snares and illusions of the diuell But admonish our soules of miseries to come euen as thou didst arme the Patriarches and Prophets by dreames and visions in the night when sleepe came vpon them from dangers nigh at hand through thine heauenlie oracles so gouerne and preserue vs in sleepe that our soules come not into danger danger neither fall vpon the swoord and pit of perils Let vs not sleepe in sinne and contempt of saluation as doo the children of night and darkenesse but make vs of the number of those which sleepe in Iesus and whome thou O Lord in the resurrection of the iust comming of thy Son shalt not suffer to be preuented with sleepe but wilt bring with thine elect to meete him in the clouds that whether we wake or sleepe we may liue togither with him and obteine euerlasting saluation through the merits of his death passion In thy name O sweet Iesu will we giue sleepe to our eies and slumber to our eie lids O Sauiour of the world saue vs Lord watching and keepe vs sleeping that in peace we may both rest and wake and let our sleepe be sweet and healthfull to our bodies that waking in the morning we may rise in good health and delight in thee our
shall I tread vnderfoot that hellie dragon Yea so shall I of dutie be bound alwaie with couragious spirit to praise and hallowe thy name not onlie in the morrowe when all things shall chance to my harts desire to ascribe all to thy goodnesse without anie deseruing on my behalfe but also in the night of trouble and aduersitie when I shall call vnto mind thy most faithfull and trustie promises that I despaire not thus to praise thy meere and speciall grace and blesse thee saieng Blessed art thou O Lord God of our fathers for thou art praise and honour worthie and to be magnified for euer Blessed be the glorie of thy holie name for it is worthie to be praised aboue all to be magnified for euer Blessed art thou O father O Sonne and O holie Ghost for thou art worthie to be praised and aboue all to be magnified for euer Blessed be thou in the firmament of heauen for thou art praise-worthie for euer O giue thanks vnto the Lord all his creatures for he is kind-harted and mercifull yea his mercie endureth for euer Oh speake good of the Lord all ye works of his in all places of his dominion and let euerie thing that hath breath praise the Lord and giue him thanks for his mercie endureth for euer O that all men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodnesse and declare the wonders that he doth for the children of men Praise thou the Lord O my soule and forget not all his benefits yea and all that is within me praise his holie name for his louing mercie and for his truth which endureth for euer worlds without end Amen Glorie be to the father c. As it was in the begin c. The second Psalme MY God my God remember me forsake me not suffer me not to be lost sith both night and daie I crie to thee heare me my Lord. Our father 's trusted in thee and thou helpedst them whensoeuer they called vpon thee at no tune thou failedst them but wast alwaies at hand to assist them Come foorth father most deerelie beloued in my hart restore me from Sathans kingdome Thou drewest me foorth of my mothers wombe and hast preserued me vnto this daie Of thy benignitie and mercie which I beseech thee denie me not at this my neede go not awaie from me for anguish and pensiuenesse of hart drawe nigh vnto me and yet is there none that can helpe me but thou onlie Let me escape from these dangers through thy Christ my sauiour who for my sake hath suffered so spitefull and bitter paines who for me was sore vexed cruellie scourged wounded nailed and hanged on the crosse Let me escape I saie for his bloud sake which he so largelie shed for vs to cause vs obteine forgiuenesse of our sinnes and enioie the new and euerlasting couenant made betwixt thee and vs. Stand not farre from me O Lord my refuge and strength come neere and helpe me deliuer my life from the sword and my soule from the wood dogs from the Lions iawes restore me betweene the hornes of the Unicornes heare thou me Then shall I blowe abroade thy name with all praises vnto my brethren and in the assemblie of the holie persons I shall commend thee Despise not the praiers of the poore turne not awaie thy face heare my crie for I will record this thy goodnesse among the miserable painefull and troublesome consciences that they thereof may take hart of comfort growe in hope cleaue more feruentlie vnto thee blowe abroade thy most glorious name and giue thee euerlasting thanks for their saluation Amen Glorie be to the father c. As it was in the beginning c. The third Psalme OUT of the furthest angles of the earth on euerie side thou shalt with a mightie voice call men to iudgement Lord God omnipotent to whome nothing is hid Open our eares that we may heare this thy promise I shall be your God In thee constantlie beleeue we with thy foison we be filled Prudentlie thou dost declare and testifie that of our goods and sacrifices thou hast no need and doest not either regard or measure them for all be thine and in thee it lieth to make the things we now possesse to be ours or not ours Thou onlie requirest sacrifices of thanke sgiuing let vs therefore disclose the bottome of our harts to thee let vs knowledge thee to be our God Let vs halowe thy name in all things flowe in thy word render thanks both in weale and wo require thy succours in straits and necessities in which time thou hast promised to helpe vs then shall we so deliuered blase thy name Lord God most iust true of promise and deerest Father thee beseech I to send succours vnto me euen of thine infinite goodnesse For thy renowmes sake for Iesus Christs sake thy beloued sonne and for his pretious bloud largelie shed for vs on the crosse haue mercie vpon me so that once purged I may come againe in fauour with thee Pitie me heare me out of the straits of this sinfull flesh wherewith on euerie side I am hampered in Set me at large againe rid me from mine enimies which seeke to drawe me awaie from thy true seruice In thy comfort let me reioice and be full of spirituall ioie let me euer brute thy name not vnmindfull of thy benefits Releeue me most pitifull God according to thy word which is the truth Most tender father shew me that thy ioifull health Glorie be to the Father c. As it was in the begin c. The fourth Psalme THy clemencie and blessing most mightie God we craue and require of thee full instantlie Let thy countenance shine vpon vs haue compassion vpon vs that here in earth wee may find out the waie which leadeth vnto thee and may attaine thy saluation among the Gentils O that all people would confesse thee with louing harts for thy manifold benefits and pleasures which they haue receiued at thy hands who dost with iustice gouerne men and art their leader vpon earth Powre downe Lord thy goodnesse and continuall blessings vpon vs and then shall the earth yeeld vnto thee glorie and praise and to vs fruits for meate Thou God the father blesse vs thou God the sonne blesse vs and thou God the holie Ghost blesse vs yea thou holie blessed and glorious Trinitie grant vs thy continuall blessing O that all the coasts of the earth Lord God would feare and stand in awe of thee Would God that we also might studie to worke no man either pleasure or displeasure that should be against thy will but that we may doo all things according to thy commandements Glorie be to the father c. As it was in the begin c. A contemplation and praier exclaming of the carefull passions of the soule and bodie WO is me carefull carcase and filthie defiled flesh conceiued and borne in sinne depriued of originall iustice compared to a beast in Adam fallen as a
forgiue vs our iniquities Whosoeuer calleth on thy name shall be saued Thou hast no pleasure in the death of a sinner but rather desirest that they should liue and be conuerted Thou hast so loued the world that thou not onlie didst become man and tooke our nature vpon thee but wert content also to suffer most cruell death on the Crosse to purge our nature from mortall sinne and corruption and adorne it with immortalitie and eternall glorie not onelie in thine owne person but in vs also to satisfie the iustice of the Father for our sinnes Oh blessed shepheard thou doubtedst not to spend thy most pretious blood to saue thy beloued sheepe from rauine and spoile Good Lord so increase thy grace in me that thy holie word may take roote and flourish in me that the good seed may not be choked with thornes So order my liuing that when by course of nature I shall be dissolued from the prison of my bodie I may come to thee that when thou more bright than the sun shalt come in the midst of the legions of Angels in thy shining glorie and Maiestie to iudge the quicke the dead I may be in the number of the blessed ones whom thou shalt call to possesse the kingdome prepared for them by thy Father saieng Come ye blessed children of my Father receiue the kingdome prepared for you before the beginning of the world Thou which didst die and rise againe wilt raise and bring to life all those that are dead beleeuing in thy faith So be it A praier to liue well GOod Lord so rule the eies of my hart that they being kept simple and pure my bodie may be a cleere and shining temple of thy holie spirit So kindle in vs the loue of thy glorious sonne that we following his steps may doo that which is good and decline from the euill so that our light shining before men we may glorifie thee by our good works with thy blessed sonne our Sauiour and the holie Ghost to whose infinite Maiestie in trinitie and vnitie be all honour and glorie for euer Amen A praier for humilitie O Lord I am a sinner and sorie for mine offences I can not make satisfaction for my defaults If I haue anie good thing it commeth of thee The most acceptable sacrifice to thee is a contrite and humble hart O God let mee not be oppressed with the waues of sinne let mee not sinke into the whirlepoole and gulph of despaire Thou which liftest vp the fallen and raisest the humble and meeke clothing them with purple and settest them vp with princes in the seates of honour thou which despisest the imaginations of the proud and resistest their enterprises blesse me in all my dooings send mee happie successe in all mine affaires that I may reioice in thy goodnesse with thine elected for euer and euer Accept my humble suite good Lord I beseech thee for the glorie of thy name sake Amen A praier for the obteining of Gods grace O Almightie and mercifull God shine we beseech thee through the power of our Lord Iesus Christ and the comfortable working of thy sacred spirit the heauenlie comforter vpon our minds and harts with the glorious beames of thy heauenlie grace Giue vs such plentie of wisedome and vnderstanding from aboue that through the knowledge of thee the man of sinne that is our fraile and feeble flesh with the wicked lusts and desire of concupiscence may lie dead and buried in vs. Giue vs good Lord the feeling of thy grace that by the vertue and diuine operation of thy word the eies of our soules may be illumined and made so light that the Prince of darkenesse with all his vnrighteous ministers may be expulsed and banished from our memories So establish vs in thy truth that our harts minds and thoughts may continuallie be occupied in thy testimonies that thereby thou good Lord effectuallie shining in our harts by the vertue of thy good spirit we may learne to knowe and vnderstand what is the fulnesse of our calling and how rich thou art in the glorie of thy celestiall and heauenlie heritage of thy Saincts and that excellent greatnesse of thy power and louing kindnesse towards vs which beleeue without faining thy holie Gospell according to the might and force of thy strength which thou shewedst in Christ Iesus when thou didst raise him from the dead and didst set him on thy right hand far aboue all empire power authoritie and dominion and euerie name that is named not onlie in this world but in the world to come By whose pretious death and deerest bloud-shedding we are assured that sinne death and hell are vanquished ouercome and vtterlie destroied And if we beleeue without wauering we shall in him be able to resist all the power of hell and in Christ as conquerors to triumph with victorie ouer sinne death and Sathan and at the last to haue and enioie the fruition of his rich and glorious kingdome which he by most painefull agonie bloudie stripes greeuous and bloudie wounds and lastlie by his most painefull death purchased for his chosen and elect To whome for our sanctification iustification redemption and our saluation be rendred with his celestiall Father and the holie Ghost all laud glorie power honour and dominion for euer and euer Amen A praier against presumptuous pride and vaine-glorie WE heare O heauenlie Father and are dailie taught and instructed out of thine eternall word how greatlie the greeuous sinne of presumption pride and vaine-glorie displeaseth thy diuine maiestie We are learned that for the practise of this pestilent and heinous euill thou hast not spared the verie Angels but hast throwne them in thy displeasure for their pride vaine-glorie and presumption from beatitude to miserie from ioie without end to perdurable paine from brightnesse of thy glorious presence to vtter extreame and palpable darkenesse from the glorious fruition and participation of thine euerlasting kingdome to the bottomlesse pit of hell death damnation and endlesse flames of fire Besides this we are taught that by the transgression of Adam whose haughtie presuming through the entisement of the subtile and perillous allurement of the Serpent thought to be as thy selfe but in fine thy iustice condemned him and all his posteritie This pestiferous sinne of pride drowned him in the flouds of all dangerous euils as gluttonie luxurie and such other perils that had not thy mercie taken effect to keepe and hold plea for his and our safegard and thy sonne Christ embased the glorie and power of his diuine essence and taken vpon him our flesh and fraile nature sinne onlie except who freelie offered his innocent bodie to the death of the crosse we had perished euerlastinglie and beene vtterlie confounded Print therefore good Lord and write these examples in my memorie that I fall not from thy fauour by the exercise of this detestable sinne Make me still to consider that the proud and disdainefull are alwaies abhorred in thy sight And sith
of thee their God Notwithstanding when thou O God thereby well hadst tamed their fiercenesse and hadst brought them to this point that they could find no help in anie thou gratiouslie heardst them crieng vnto thee in their distresse and deliueredst them from their miserie and broughtst them from the dongeons of the prisons and darkenesse of death breaking their iron fetters in sunder O praise yee therefore this so great mercie of the Lord before him and declare his woonderfull actes to other mortall men who hath broken the brasen gates and hath dashed in peeces their iron barres How manie also being driuen awaie through persecution vnto that prophane Babylon euen auoiding so much as laie in you the sight of the wicked enimies did confesse with most dolefull silence euen with abundance of teares both your sinnes and sorowes at the flouds of Euphrates being mindfull of Zion And though you caried your harps euen to be your comfort in so great calamitie yet being outragiouslie mocked and derided in your miserie by the enimie that draue you awaie into most miserable captiuitie you were faine to hang them vp vpon the sallowe trees and make no noise in the sight of the persecutors as they that sawe more cause rather to mourne than sing in that time and place Notwithstanding the Lord did not forget you for euer but seeing the crueltie of the persecutors in his good time turned awaie your captiuitie mourning and restored you to libertie and ioie againe so that you liue and see the daie wherein Babylon is destroied and hir children dashed against the stones For the Lord hath giuen hir prosperitie vnto vs to deale with them againe as they haue dealt with vs. Yea the Lord hath armed his people with double edged swords in their hands wherewith they may punish the prophane Gentiles and auenge the crueltie of the oppressed also may drawe their kings and nobles bound in chaines and iron fetters euen to execute the iudgements appointed and commanded by thee O Lord. And this verelie is the dignitie and the honour of all them whome God hath receiued to his fauour Wherefore O ye glorious people vpon whome the Lord hath bestowed so manie benefits now see that yee in this your great quietnesse and rest sing triumph Praise the Lord in deede O Israel and delight thy selfe in setting foorth his praise continuallie whose worke thou art as it were newlie formed being deliuered from so manie not dangers but deaths What shall I speake Lord furthermore of them who by their owne foolishnesse going in the waie of wickednesse and being oppressed by manifold plagues and diseases doo dailie suffer the reward of their madnesse and loathing all manner of meate are at deaths dore whom notwithstanding thou O Lord diddest heare crieng vnto thee in their miserie and thou deliueredst them out of their distresse yea thou speaking but one word diddest take awaie all the cause of their deadlie disease and restoredst them to health Let these men also I saie praise this thy so great mercies O Lord and publish thy maruellous works before other mortall men Let them offer the sacrifices of praise vnto thee O God in the middle multitude of the people standing about them and let them rehearse with great ioie what he hath done for them in the assemblie of the cheefest Go to therefore O all yee people praise the Lord our God together with me who when wee were oppressed with Pharaos tyrannie was mindfull of vs and with a strong force deliuered Israel from the slauerie of Egypt and hath giuen this dominion to be possessed by ELIZABETH his handmaid for his mercie endureth for euer CAP. III. O All yee people I saie tribes kindreds and inhabitants of the earth both noble and simple rich and poore clap your hands and praise this most holie God with most ioifull voices Giue vnto the Lord the praise of all power worship and glorie giue him the honour due vnto his name and maiestie For lo he is come to gouerne the earth The Lord himselfe reigneth amongst you and gouerneth the whole world with a iust and righteous gouernement and ruleth altogether with the scepter of his iustice and truth Go to therefore O yee yong striplings and old men yong children maidens matrones and you also all other that loue feare God come I praie you praise y e name of y e Lord euen of our most mightie IEHOVA together with mee For he alone deserueth most high praise as he that is more deepe than the verie earth and more high than the heauens and far aboue all the powers and potentates of the world Go to also O ye damsels and virgins stir vp your ioie to daie with songs of praise vpon timbrell lute but voide of wantonnesse so that your ioie may tend to the glorie of God your onlie strength and celebrate this daie of your deliuerance as festiuail to the Lord our deliuerer O ye Uirgins and damsels vnmaried now reioice with me I saie and sing vnto the Lord a triumphant song Praise the Lord also O ye brides in your marriage songs with glorie and maiestie that ye liue to see my daies and that the flower of your youth is not consumed in the flame of Gods furie For the time was when you being desolate and vnmarried did remaine pensife without your marriage songs and liued solitarie sitting at home among the soote of pots but now the women that durst not come out of their houses come foorth glittering like gold and shining like dooues as white as snowe and boldlie diuide the spoile of the enimie Go to therefore O ye damsels of Iuda and multitude of Uirgins seeing ye haue so great cause to reioice shew not your selues vnthankfull in anie wise but praise the Lord together with me in Hymnes and celebrate his name with spirituall songs for his victories goodnesse and mercie towards vs. Come foorth yee daughters of Zion I saie and breake out into gladnesse with me reioice you of the iust iudgements of God vpon our enimies yea compasse you Zion round about account hir towers consider diligentlie hir wals and bulworks and set foorth the praises of hir peace and palaces so that yee may spread foorth the memorie thereof euen to all posteritie And doo you let all men to vnderstand that this is God euen our owne God for euer which hath not forsaken vs neither will leaue vs no not in the last minute of our life Go to now therefore I beseech you let vs altogether praise the Lord as we are bounden let the whole companie of vs Uirgins plaie vpon the Timbrels on euerie side and corner of the citie Zion one exhorting and answering another by course and that with new and excellent songs of praise to the glorie of God Let vs magnitie that mightie and eternal name of his for it is holie let vs continuallie come before the Lord and worship him for he is holie For what should we rather doo
wicked men whom I see or heare doo abuse their authoritie vnder me against the good and godlie will I cast downe againe but I will increase the iust with honours The subtill man will I thrust out of my house neither will I suffer those that be scoffers and speake deceiptfullie to tarrie in my sight The extortioner and cruell man which doo speedilie put in execution their wicked deuises and whose hands are full of bribes those will I vtterlie destroie from off the earth I will bridle the proud and dissolute persons I will terrifie the wicked that they shall not lift vp their hornes so high with blasphemous words against thee and thine annointed Finallie I will destroie the slanderer and false accuser I will not suffer the proud and the ambitious to dishonor thee Yea I will painefullie and without anie delaie worthilie punish whomsoeuer I shall vnderstand to be wicked and will purge the holie Citie of the Lord from all wicked persons Contrariwise I searching out on euerie side men that loue the truth will take them to be my familiar companions and counsellers and I will not vse in dooing mine affaires anie but such as are trustie and faithfull both to God and their Prince If I doo knowe anie that feareth thee and that keepeth thy statutes I will ioine him to my fellowship those I saie whome I see doo worship thee trulie and deuoutlie will I ioine my selfe as companions with me Yea all my delight Lord shall be vpon the Saincts that are in the earth with me to comfort them and to promote such as excell in vertue and godlinesse For otherwise I am able to doo little or nothing that can profit thee Neither will I suffer anie violence to bee done vnto them that be godlie by anie man but will rebuke euen the mightie Princes for their sakes None shall touch thine annointed Priests no man will I suffer to hurt anie of thy Prophets CAP. V. TO conclude I will surelie care for nothing so much now that I am set peaceablie ouer the kingdome and haue the people by thy goodnesse committed vnto me as to institute an holie and righteous gouernement And thou granting me grace when the case so standeth that the bonds of the lawes are broken and the kingdome is in anie thing disordered or confounded I will carefullie compose and set the same againe in good order and establish the pillers and foundations thereof in their places if they be remoued And this will I doo by the direction of thy reuealed will that all things may remaine safe among my people by the difference of right and wrong preserued and mainteined and that they may followe thee our God with great cheerefulnesse whosoeuer delight in righteousnesse when they see the disordered state of the Realme restored by me at the last into the ancient most right order of discipline and iustice prescribed by thy word Thus by the grace and assistance of thy holie spirit the which I beseech thee plentifullie to powre downe vpon me doo I thy seruant determine with my selfe vnfeinedlie to serue and worship thy dreadfull Maiestie O my God in feare and trembling and I will labour to preserue and to amplifie thy Church with as great care as is possible that thy pure worship may continuallie to all posteritie be exercised therein For so haue I sworne euen by an oth and make my solemne Uowes that I will doo that I will keepe thy most sacred Heasts and iust lawes inuiolable the which thing I will performe in deede Neither will I suffer my selfe at anie time to be drawne awaie from thy iudgements nor to depart one ynch from thy holie commandements O God which waie soeuer thou leadest me But trusting onelie vnto thee by whose power and conduct I haue gotten the Empire and regiment of so manie large prouinces strong cities and goodlie townes I will now set my kingdome in good order and place the throne of iudgement therein euen the tribunall seate of my father DAVID that iudgement and iustice may be ministred indifferentlie therein to euerie one and the safetie and welfare of the people that loue thee and fauour thy truth be procured and maintained For to this end O my God hast thou giuen me this kingdome the possession of so manie goodlie countries and sundrie sorts of people and caused me to obteine it with so great facilitie and ease that being thus peaceablie placed therein I should loue Ierusalem with all my hart and that I should root out all the inhabitants therein that prophane the land with filthie superstition and euill life and cause all diligentlie to obserue thy statutes and lawes giuen them of thee And so I make a Uow I will O Lord I saie according to the simplicitie of my hart both prouide faithfullie for thy people and also guide them by good counsell and continuallie defend and preserue them by my power as thou in thy heast hast commanded me And that I may the better perfourme these my Uowes vnto thee and thoroughlie discharge my dutie to the glorie of thine eternall Maiestie I beseech thee shew me thy glorie O God and let thine honour beautifie and adorne me O my KING O gouerne thou our counsels and endeuours from heauen yea all our enterprises and our counsels guide and gouerne thou from the highest heauens that thy glorie O Lord thy glorie may shine foorth in me thine humble Haudmaid to all posterities and the fame thereof fill the whole world and be perpetuallie praised of al thy creatures both in heauen and in earth visible and inuisible for euer and euer So euen so shall it be O my GOD euen so let it be Amen Amen O Lord I beseech thee let the Uowes and free promises of my mouth proceeding from an vnfeined hart be accepted of thee and teach me thy lawes more and more For vnto thee and them I confes that I owe my life Gressus meos dirige verbo tuo non dominetur in me peccatum Sic psallam nomini tuo in perpetuum persoluam vota mea per singulos dies Glorie be to GOD on high in earth peace good will towards men Halleluiah A table orderlie comprehending vnder some speciall titles all such praiers meditations and other matters whatsoeuer which conuenientlie might there vnto be referred or gathered in the first second and third Lamps or parts of this booke for the benefit of the simple reader by T. B. S. ¶ Before praier A Meditation to be vsed before priuate morning praier the second lampe pag. 105. Another to be vsed before euening praier the second lampe pag. 121. Another to be vsed before common praier in the church 2. l. pag. 158. ¶ Morning praier When one awaketh 2. l. pag. 224. At our vprising 2. lam pag. 103 104. A forme of priuate morning praier 2. l. pag. 106 107 c. An exercise of an housholder with his familie to praie in the morning 2 l. pag. 225. A fruitfull morning
by the illusion of the diuell or else by frailtie of mine owne flesh trespassing against thy godlie Maiestie either in thought consent delectation word or deede And I most hartilie thanke thee for the sweet sleepe and comfortable rest which thou hast giuen me this night and that to the innumerable benefits hitherto powred vpon my soule and bodie thou hast vouchsafed to preserue me this night past from sudden death and all other euill and mischiefe spirituall and corporall that anie person man or woman hath beene striken withall by thy permission and sufferance knowing of a suretie that the selfe-same or such like had worthilie light on my head also haddest not thou defended and preserued me and giuen me time to amend my life so that I might liue henceforth not as I will but as thou wilt And now seeing thou O almightie God and most mercifull father in the tables of the commandements deliuered to the hands of thy seruant Moses vpon the mount Sina among other precepts diddest giue charge vnto thy chosen children of Israel that in sixe daies they should doo all such works and aaffaires as they had to doo and rest from labour the seuenth daie graunt I beseech thee blessed father that siuce I haue by thy mercie happilie passed ouer this whole weeke vnder thy gratious protection I may not onelie rest this daie from my dailie trauels but that I may abstaine also from the works of sinne and iniquitie and sanctifie this daie wholie vnto thee with praiers and thankes-giuing abounding in all works of loue and charitie as thou hast commanded in thy holie word that I may be found pure without spot or blemish at that daie when thy Sonne Iesus Christ shall come to iudge the world with righteousnesse and equitie And forasmuch as thou hast ordeined this daie among the rest wherein we should meete all together with brotherlie loue and affection to yeeld thee praises for the innnumerable benefits we haue receiued at thy hand to acknowledge thy fatherlie loue and pitie towards vs from time to time and to giue thee thanks in generall for all and vniuersall thy benefits hitherto bestowed vpon vs I beseech thee to grant me thy holie spirit that I may be the more zealouslie inflamed to serue thee in true holinesse and integritie of life and by the operation of that spirit I may kill all carnall lusts vnlawfull pleasures concupiscence and all other spots of vncleannesse whereby I may be made thy child by adoption and grace and my bodie the temple of the holie Ghost being throughlie purged and purified from the dregs of iniquitie and abhomination Giue me grace most mercifull Father to spend this daie to thy pleasure in all good works of the spirit and charitie proceeding from an vndefiled faith in Christ Iesu that I fall not into anie kind of danger but that all my dooings may be ordered by thy gouernance to doo alwaies that is righteous in thy sight through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another Morning praier on the Lords daie O Almightie and mercifull God eternall Father Sonne and holie Ghost three in persons one in substance God in verie deede and from euerlasting I extoll thy sacred Maiestie I praise thine vnspeakeable mercie thy diuine truth I exceedingly commend for that of thy fatherlie and woonderfull goodnesse thou hast protected me this night vnder the shadowe of thy wings Yea thou also hast made me quietlie to take my rest notwithstanding the dangerous snares of my deadlie enimie the diuell Thou art the God which exaltest vs from the gates of the shadowe of death and from the power of darknesse thou deliuerest vs. Therefore I will acknowledge thee for thy goodnes and for the woonderfull things which thou dooest among the sonnes of men I will magnifie thee in the great congregation and among much people will I praise thee My hart is readie O my God my hart is readie I will praise thee O Lord among the people and sing to thee among the nations For thy mercie is aboue the heauens and thy truth vnto the clouds I will not hide thy mercie and truth in the great congregation bicause it is a good thing to praise the Lord and to sing to thee O thou most high to declare thy louing kindnesse in the morning and thy truth in the night Blesse the Lord O my soule and all that is within me praise his holie name Which forgiueth all thine iniquities and healeth all thine infirmities Which redeemeth thy life from destruction crowneth thee with mercie and compassion Which satisfieth thy longing with good things and protecteth thee from thy youth Which also hath kept all my bones this night not one of them is broken To the King euerlasting immortall inuisible and onlie wise God be honor and glorie for euer and euer Amen VNto thee O Lord doo I lift vp my soule O God earlie will I seeke thee my soule thirsteth for thee my flesh lusteth after thee in a barren and drie land where no water is to see thy strength and glorie O eternall God which hast brought me to the beginning of this daie defend me with thy mightie power that this daie I fall into no sinne nor run into anie kind of danger but let all my cogitations words and works tend to the setting foorth of thy righteousnesse Lighten my mind this morning with the shining and clearnesse of thy wisdome that in my hart that true daie-star may rise and shine as it were a candle in a darke place Giue me the spirit of wisdome and reuelation in the knowledge of thee and lighten the eies of mine vnderstanding that I may knowe what my hope is how great the glorie of mine inheritance and what the excellent greatnesse of thy power towards me is Fill me with thy mercie in this morning so shall I be glad and reioice all my life long Mercifull God endue me with thine holie spirit that I may neither thinke speake or doo anie thing this daie but that which may please thee and tend to the aduancement of thy glorie and health of my soule Gouerne thou mine vnderstanding and will and so direct all the cogitations of my hart that I may wholie be thine and sauour of nothing besides thee my God and redeemer Teach mee the waie of thy commandements O Lord and I will keepe it vnto the end Giue me vnderstanding to keepe thy lawes and to loue thee my Lord and God with all my hart with all my soule and with all my strength and let all thy testimonies be my delight and counsellers Comfort the soule of thy seruant for vnto thee O Lord haue I lifted vp my soule For thou Lord art good and gentle and of great kindnesse to as manie as call vpon thee Behold O God earlie now this morning I doo offer my selfe a morning sacrifice vnto thee a troubled spirit a broken and an humble hart O Lord thou wilt not despise Make me fit that I may likewise dailie offer vp
breed in vs anie carnall desire of our vaine life but to enable our bodies with all good works during the time of this present pilgrimage that so thy good creatures may be our good releefe so long as thou wilt and so much as thou knowest to be expedient for vs thy seruants to finish our daies which thou hast numbred in the edifieng of thy Saincts and glorifieng of thy holie name And because O Lord we knowe nothing of our selues but our ignorant harts are full of darkenesse therefore we beseech thee that this thy word which is thine eternall wisdome that now we haue read and wherein we haue had our conference may be in our minds a burning lampe and shining light of thine onlie truth in our harts and in our soules a fruitefull seed of a new birth so that thine owne image may be happilie againe restaured in vs that we may bee made before thee a holie and righteous people by the inward working of thy gratious spirit dailie strengthening our harts in earnest loue of thy truth and carefull obedience of thy commandements through Iesus Christ our onlie mediator who in the sacrifice of his owne bodie hath purchased vnto vs all thy fauour and hath giuen vs boldnesse to call vpon thee vnto whome O father with thee and the holie Ghost bee all honour and glorie world without end Amen Another praier after meate on the Lords daie SAnctified be thy name O eternall father who by thy Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord dooest euermore protect and prouide for thy Church both spirituall and corporall blessings bestowing most liberallie vpon vs all good things asked according to thy will Lift vp thine eies O Christ and behold thy miserable people which depend altogither vpon thy prouision and acknowledge our selues to be fed and defended miraculouslie by thee Assist vs that we also may withdrawe our eies from the consultations of flesh and bloud and looke vpon thee our Lord by whose blessing we eate and store our selues And albeit all worldlie helps do faile yet bee thou a firie wall still about vs and feed and defend thy Saincts in the feelds of comfort vntill thou begin that ioifull Passouer and euerlasting Sabboth and bring vs out of the wildernesse out of the sea and penurie into the court of ioie wealth satietie and euerlasting welfare In the meane while make vs thankfull for the benefits which we enioie Let vs gather vp the remnants or fragments cast from thy sumptuous and rich banket vnto vs. Preserue our baskets and blesse our store euen the arts and schooles of learning that by them thy doctrine may be spread abroade in the world Make vs not onlie to honour thee for these thy corporall benefits but much more for giuing thy selfe vnto vs which art the bread of life Be thou our King defending vs in this life against the power of Sathan and feed vs with thy heauenlie bread which may nourish vs to eternall life and happinesse Amen Another praier after meate that daie you haue receiued the holie Communion SEeing that of thy free grace and mercie O almightie God thou hast made vs partakers this daie of all thy riches both in spirituall and corporall things in Christ Iesu who of our selues are vnwoorthie to haue gathered the crumbs vnder thy table make vs more and more mindfull of so great mercies and continuallie thankefull to thee for so manifold benefits and to walke woorthie the honour and dignitie thou hast done vnto vs that we may receiue the full accomplishment of thy loue towards vs in the life to come through the same our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie world without end Amen Another thanks-giuing vnto God for our food to be read and meditated vpon after meate WE thanke thee O King of glorie Lord of heauen and earth because thou hast from our youth to this present houre maruellouslie nourished vs giuing vs meate drinke cloathing with all other things perteining to the sustentation of this present life Naked and bare came we out of our mothers wombs wee brought nothing into the world but whatsoeuer we haue thou gauest the same yea it was afore we were borne and in our mothers wombe didst thou ordeine things necessarie for this life and sufferedst vs to enioie all things aboundantlie Alwaie thou hast a care of vs as a father vseth his children neither art thou ignorant that we stand in need continuallie of thy blessings and dailie are destitute of new releefe all which thou giuest after thy woonted and vnspeakable goodnesse We acknowledge that whatsoeuer we haue or possesse it is thy gift and confesse thee to be the fountaine of all good things and perceiue thy fatherlie goodnesse to be spread not onlie ouer all mankind but also ouer the liuing creatures Thou giuest meate to all flesh thou giuest fodder to the cattell and feedest the yoong rauens that call vpon thee For corporall goods are not distributed among men by chance or without thy prouidence neither be they atteined by the onlie industrie and power of man Thou giuest and we gather thou openest thy hand and all liuing creatures are filled with thy blessing For without thee all our endeuours be in vaine and if thou blesse not our labours we doo but eate the wind and receiue no profit Great is thy mercie O Lord which disdainest not to prouide for sinfull flesh O Lord our God great are thy woonderous works which thou hast done for vs the which we can not so much as in thought comprehend muchlesse in words expresse When we would report and vtter them we found them more than we could recite but notwithstanding thine infinite benefits can not be comprehended of mortall man yet will we not surcease to set foorth thy praise nor hide thy goodnesse from the sonnes of men but will declare it and speake of thy truth from one generation to another Blessed art thou O our God for euer and euer all that is either aboue in the heauens or in the earth beneath is thine All things come from thee and from thine hands we receiue whatsoeuer we possesse and all these things of thy meere mercie without our merits or woorthinesse Therefore we will magnifie the Lord which doth mightie things in all corners of the earth which dooth nourish vs from our mothers wombs and giueth vs all good things Grant vs likewise quietnesse of mind and peace in our time that thy grace may abound toward vs continue and defend vs while we liue O almightie and mercifull father by thy breath we take life the which through thy blessing doth abide in vs. In thee we liue moue and haue our being For man liueth not by bread onlie or by his owne wisedome and forecast neither art thou bound with a fatall chaine of second causes but by thy decree and will we enioie life and all things created at thy becke doo continue while thou thinkest good
art also the substantiall amitie betweene the Father and the Sonne we worship thee we praise and glorifie thee and with our whole hart we thanke thee for all thy benefits especiallie for calling vs by the voice of thy Gospell vnto the Christian congregation for illuminating vs with thy gifts for sanctifieng vs with a stedfast faith and for keeping vs hitherto in the same For by the fount of the wholesome lauour that is by the water of holie Baptisme being powred into vs thou dooest continuallie worke in vs regeneration and renewing of the inward man Harken we beseech thee vnto our supplication and teach vs miserable women which by the proper strength of our onlie reason can by no meanes trust in or approch to Christ our Lord and Sauiour teach vs O our God what thy pleasure is and leade vs into all truth For without thine assistance none can saie that Iesus is the Lord. O blessed Lampe of light fill the inward parts of the faithfull with the holie oile of thy manifold heauenlie gifts and graces without the which nothing is light and pleasant in man but euerie thing darke obscure and hurtfull Wash thou that is filthie water that is drie heale that is wounded bow the obstinate cherish the frosen and reclaime them which wander Giue to the faithfull trusting in thee the reward of wel-doing the entrance into happines and euerlasting comfort Thou in thy gifts seauen-fold which art the spirit of the Lord the spirit of wisedome and vnderstanding the spirit of counsell and strength the spirit of knowledge and of the feare of the Lord inspire into vs through the preaching of the Gospell thine heauenlie wisedome about thine essence and dinine pleasure which is hid from the world Grant that we may knowe the Father and the Sonne by thee and may alwaies beleeue that thou art the spirit of them both so worship one God in Trinitie and the Trinitie in vnitie whose will is that not one should perish but be conuerted liue and that as manie as beleeue in the Sonne should haue euerlasting life For the Father sent the Sonne not to condemne the world but that the world through him might be saued O lightener of the mind powre vpon vs thy new light and purge the horrible darkenes of our minds so that we may see knowe our chiefe Father whome pure eies onlie doo behold O thou heauenlie comforter giue vnto vs a testimonie and grant vnto our minds a token of the certaintie of our beleefe so that we doubt not neither wauer about thy diuine goodnes towards vs. Make our harts quiet and secure that with a full trust and confidence we may approch to the throne of thy heauenlie grace receiuing by adoption the right of children and inflamed with spirituall ioie in all boldnesse and libertie may crie Abba Father Thou most faithfull aduocate strengthen vs against all the assaults and temptations of sathan so that we may neuer doubt of thy diuine prouidence and predestination whereby we are chosen and called in Christ vnto euerlasting life and neuer being stroken with a seruile feare and oppressed with dreadfull doubtings may in a rage flee and forsake our God O surpassing comforter leaue vs not destitute of thine aid and patronage but vouchsafe euermore to be present with vs in our crosses troubles least otherwise we faint but rather make vs to reioice in tribulations knowing that a crowne of life is laid vp for such as loue him O thou teacher of men instruct vs how and what we ought to praie for according to thy will that we may be heard and make thou intercession for vs with sighes that can not be expressed O thou cleanser of the heart giue vs the simplicitie of mind without gall and bitternes which descendedst in Iordan vpon our Lord and Sauiour Christ in the likenes of a dooue that we may be void of bitter enuie and contention in our harts and haue no roote among vs that bringeth foorth gall and woormewood O thou substantiall flame proceeding from the breast of the Father and his eternall Sonne lighten our harts with the fire of chaste and burning loue Thou which appearedst as vpon this daie at the feast of Pentecost vnto the Apostles in clouen tongs like fire see our coldnesse and comfort vs with thy quickening heate and breathings that we may receiue thy chrisme and annointment O thou ghest of the soule make thee a mansion place within the secret parts of our hearts that we may be an house for thy diuinitie which may dwell perpetuallie in our members and neuer depart from vs through our Lord Sauiour Iesus Christ Amen A thanks-giuing WE lift vp our harts vnto thee O Lord GOD. For it is verie meet right and our bounden dutie that we should at all times and in all places giue thanks vnto thee O Lord holie Father the almightie euerlasting GOD through Iesus Christ our Lord according to whose most true promise the holie Ghost came downe this daie from heauen with a sudden great sound as it had beene a mightie wind in the likenes of fierie tongues lighting vpon the Apostles to teach them and lead them to all truth giuing them both the gift of diuers languages and also boldnesse with feruent zeale constantlie to preach thy Gospell vnto all nations whereby we are brought out of darknesse and errour into the cleere light and true knowledge of thee and of thy Sonne Iesus Christ Therefore with Angels and Archangels with all the blessed cōpanie of heauen we laud and magnifie thy glorious name euermore praising thee and saieng Holie holie holie Lord God of hosts heauen and earth are full of thy glorie Glorie be to thee O Lord most high So be it 12. On Trinitie Sundaie An acknowledgement of the almightie Trinitie and his vndiuided God-head essence power and maiestie The Preface WHen Iesus was baptised in the water lo the heauens opened and the spirit of God descended like a dooue and lighted vpon him and behold there came a voice from heauen saieng This is my deerlie beloued Sonne in whom I am well pleased Holie holie holie Lord God almightie Halleluiah There are three which beare record in heauen the Father the Word and the holie Ghost and these three are one Holie holie holie Lord God of Saboth Halleluiah The Praier O Most high Trinitie one onlie power and vndefiled maiestie our God God almightie the beholder and searcher of mine hart I the abiect and hindmost of all thy seruants confesse and acknowledge thee and being the least member of thy Church I woorship thee with a due sacrifice of praise for so much as I am able and can according to that which thou hast vouchsafed to endue me withall And forasmuch as I am destitute of outward gifts to offer vnto thee those vowes of praise which I haue of the gift of thy mercie behold willinglie and gladlie I offer them vnto thee which be an vnfeigned faith and a
from the Father of lights and from his Sonne our Lord Iesu Christ with whom thou reignest and art glorified most singularlie being of one substance coequall and coeternall with them in the essence of one and the same Trinitie I knowe thee Father Sonne and holie Ghost to be one a liuing and a verie God three I confesse in persons yet but one in essence whom I acknowledge worship and glorifie with mine whole hart being the true God the onlie God holie immortall inuisible vnchangable whom no man can either attaine vnto or find out This God I acknowledge to be one light one sunne one bread one life one happinesse one beginning one end one Creator both of heauen and earth by whom all things doo liue by whom all things subsist by whom all things are gouerned ruled and quickened both the things in heauen and the things in earth things vnder the earth besides whom there is no God neither in heauen nor in earth Thus knowe I thee O blessed Trinitie my Lord God who knowest me Thus knowe I thee through the faith which thou hast inspired to me I knowe thee O my light the sight of mine eies O Lord my GOD the hope of all the ends of the earth the ioie reioicing my youth and the good susteining mine age For in thee O Lord all my bones reioice saieng O Lord who is like to thee Among the gods who is like to thee Not that whom the hands of men haue made but thou who hast made the hands of men The idols of the nations are siluer and gold euen the works of mens hands so is not he which made man All the gods of the people are idols but the Lord made the heauens Let those gods which made not the heauens and the earth perish from the earth and from vnder these heauens but let both heauen and earth praise him which created both earth and heauen Amen A zealous praier vnto the blessed Trinitie WHerefore O Lord my faith which thou hast giuen me to my saluation calleth vnto thee For the faithfull soule liueth by faith he enioieth in hope which one daie he shall behold in thee O my God vnto thee crieth my pure conscience and the sweet loue of my faith which the darkenes of ignorance being driuen away thou hast brought vnto the knowledge of the truth which also thou hast plucked from the foolish bitternes of this world and made comfortable and pleasant to me through thy sweet loue Unto thee O blessed Trinitie doth the cleere voice and sincere loue of my faith call the which nourishing the same from the cradle thou hast inlightned alwaie by the light of thy grace confirmed mightilie in me through the instructions of our mother the Church Unto thee doo I call O happie blessed glorious and single Trinitie Father Sonne and holie Ghost God Lord and Comforter loue grace and communion the begetter the begotten the renewer the verie light of the verie light the verie illumination the spring the floud and the watering of one all through one all in one all things of whome through whome and in whome are all things The liuing life the life from the liuing the quickener of such as liue One of himselfe one of one one of two A being of himselfe a being of another a being from both The Father is true the Sonne truth and the holie Ghost truth so that the Father the Word the Comforter are one essence one power one goodnes and one blessednes of whom through whome and in whome all things be blessed whatsoeuer things are blessed I beseech thee therefore that as thou hast giuen me grace by the confession of a true faith to acknowledge the glorie of the eternall Trinitie and in the power of the diuine maiestie to worship the vnitie so grant that through the stedfastnesse of this faith I may euermore be preserued comforted defended in all my troubles aduersities which liuest and reignest three persons and one God blessed for euer Amen Another deuout praier to the holie Trinitie WIth all my hart and mouth doo I confesse praise blesse thee O God the Father vnbegotten and thee O God the Sonne onlie begotten also thee O holie Ghost Comforter to thee be glorie in the world of worlds Amen O blessed Trinitie thou three coequall and coeternall persons and one verie God the Father Sonne and holie Ghost who dwellest alone in euerlastingnes and in vnapprochable light which hast founded the earth by thy mightie power and rulest the whole world by thy wisedome Holie holie holie Lord God of hoasts dreadfull strong righteous mercifull maruellous praise-woorthie to be beloued one God three persons one being power wisedome goodnes and one vnspeakable Trinitie I crie vnto thee Open me the gates of righteousnes and when I am come in I will praise thee O Lord. Behold I poore begger knocke at thy doore O souereigne housholder command the gates to be opened at my knocking according as thou hast said Knocke yee and it shall be opened For trulie O most mercifull Father the desires of my groning hart and the cries of my weeping eies doo knocke at thy doore All my desire is before thee and my groning is not hid from thee Lord turne not thy face anie more awaie from me neither fling thou awaie from thy seruant in a fume O Father of mercies heare the howling out of thy Ward and reach hir thy singular good helping hand that it may drawe me out of the deepe waters and out of the lake of miserie and out of the mire of filthines that I perish not thy pitifull eies seeing it and the bowels of thy mercie beholding it but that I may wade out vnto thee my Lord God so as I may see the riches of thy kingdome and alwaies behold thy face and sing praises to thy holie name O Lord which workest woonders which cheerest my hart with remembring thee and which inlightenest my youth despise not mine old age but make my bones to reioice and my hoarie heares to waxe fresh againe as the Eagle A Thanks-giuing WE lift vp our harts vnto thee O Lord for it is verie meet right and our bounden duties that we should at all times and in all places giue thanks to thee O God almightie and euerlasting God which art one God one Lord not one onelie person but three persons in one substance For that which we beleeue of the glorie of the Father the same we beleeue of the Sonne and of the holie Ghost without anie difference or inequalitie Therefore with Angels and Archangels and with all the companie of heauen we laud and magnifie thy glorious name euermore praising thee and saieng Holie holie holie Lord God of hoasts heauen and earth are full of thy glorie Glorie be to thee O Lord most high and in earth peace good will towards men We praise thee we blesse thee we woorship thee we glorifie thee we giue thanks to thee for thy great glorie O
the strawe wast thou laid and among the beasts diddest thou send foorth thy crie The seed of Dauid had almost withered awaie Thy good mother that blessed virgin Marie nursed and nourished thee vp as a spring in a drie land among much troubles and in thy tender age what with the tyrannie of Sathan and the crueltie of Herod into a farre countrie thou wast exiled The good old man Ioseph thy foster-father and thy blessed mother Marie at the commandement of the Angel astonished through the feare of danger at hand in the night stole awaie with thee and tooke a long iournie euen with greefe of hart An hundred miles trauelled they through the desolate wildernesse by the craggie and solitarie places of Arabia euen through that nation which alwaie for theft robberie theeuerie and crueltie hath been most infamous and at length they brought thee into the prouince of the Emperour of Rome whom God would should bee thy protectour The watch of Angels did defend thee with thy blessed mother they were thy leaders and companions of thy banishment and draue awaie the cruell theeues alwaies from thee Hereby hast thou O Sonne of God put vs in mind both of our miserie and of thy benefits For mankind was banished out of paradise from the state of happinesse and ioie into the miseries of this life Yea thy Church in this world is in banishment and oppressed with men of might The most excellent members of thy Church most commonlie are pursued to the death but taking compassion on our miseries of thine owne accord thou becamest an exile for our sakes and an intercessor for mankind Thou madest thy selfe of no reputation thou tookest vpon thee the miserable masse and skin of our nature thou wast a pilgrime in this world thou haddest not a place to hide thine head in thou vsurpedst none authoritie without calling after a woonderfull maner did the word lurke thy flesh suffering and dieng and all to bring vs againe into our natiue countrie indeed from whence our beginning was and where our citie is Wherefore from the bottome of our hart we beseech thee Sonne of God instill into vs a true loue of that celestiall countrie kindle within vs a true desire of thy companie comfort vs in this our banishment and send thine holie Angels to protect vs to driue awaie the tyrannie of Sathan and of thine enimies Finallie when our soules shall depart out of this vale of miseries place them we beseech thee in the tower of our true countrie And as thou sauedst thy Church notwithstanding the raging tyrannie of cruell Herod when both thou with thy carefull parents tookedst thy flight into Aegypt and Iohn the Baptist was hid in the desert beyond Iordan so hence forward defend vs against the furie of diuels and men Oh Lord from the brests and imbracements of their tender mothers did the cruell and wicked seruants of bloudie Herod the tyrant as this daie plucke awaie the yoong infants And such is the outward state of thy Church manie times that of hir it may be said Rachel would not be comforted bicause hir children were not left aliue vnslaine yet maintainest thou for all that some remnant and castest thine enimies into eternall damnation Wherefore as thy praise was this daie confessed and shewed foorth not in speaking but in dieng by the yoong babes infants and innocents who washed their wounds and tender skins in the bloud of the Lambe and bare witnesse of thy comming in the flesh by their death the which are exalted into a farre better life where thou wipest all teares from their eies and at the glorifieng of thy Church wilt place before all thine elect this sweet companie in vnspeakeable glorie and rebuke to their vtter confusion the diuell and his instruments hired for their wickednesse so mortifie and kill all vice in vs that in our conuersation our life may expresse thy faith which with our tongues we doo confesse and keepe vs in the profession of thy truth Mitigate the troubles of thy Church that it perish not altogither and being deliuered from this sorowfull banishment ioine vs to the citizens of thy kingdome which folowe the Lambe whither soeuer he goeth and cheerfullie sing Glorie be to God on high Amen 6. On the daie of Saint Paules conuersion from a persecuter to an Apostle Their sound is gone out into all lands and their words into the ends of the world WE yeeld thee most hartie thanks O Lord Christ Sonne of the liuing God for gathering alwaies to thy selfe a Church out of mankind through the voice of the ministerie and especiallie at this time for sending thine elect vessell Paule thine Apostle to spread foorth the memoriall of thy benefit among the Gentiles and people whose life at that time was most filthie vnder that monster among men Nero the Emperour Great was the benefit which came by his preaching and as great was and is the commoditie which they did in foretime and we in these last daies of the world doo reape by his godlie and heauenlie writings We beseech thee euen with deepe sighes continue oh continue among vs thy light inflamed through the ministerie of this heroicall Doctor And grant that as thou hast taught all the world through the preaching of this thy blessed Apostle so we which haue his woonderfull conuersion now in remembrance may followe and fulfill the holie doctrine that he taught Grant that manie labourers mightilie may be thrust into thy vineyard and faithfull obseruers of the doctrine of Paule earnest seekers of the aduancement of thy truth right diuiders of the word of life learned in shewing the difference betweene the Lawe and the Gospell wise in comforting the troubled conscience of the wicked patternes of the faithfull in word and conuersation such as may become all in all to winne manie to the glorieng in afflictions fearing neither the hatred of men nor the ingratitude of the world shewing constancie vnto the death in the confession of the truth Blesse also the hearers of Saint Pauls preaching that they may prooue the true followers of Paule fighting a good fight keeping faith and a good conscience casting off the old man and putting on the new euen thee Iesus Christ being renewed by thy spirit vnto a true light and life trulie touched with a desire of thee trulie coueting to be dissolued and to be with thee that translated out of this darkenesse into thy woonderfull light they may see thee face to face and knowe the causes of secret things which are hid from vs in this life And forasmuch as in this world thou wilt haue the beginning of thy wisedome to be learned and biddest vs to drawe our water from thee the fountaine grant that heerein also manie may imitate the faithfulnesse and labour of thine Apostle make them as diligent in reading and preaching so in brideling and chastising their bodies painefull and constant in thy seruice till they be brought vnto thy schoole where all thy Saints
in a cleere and perfect light shall behold thee Amen 7. On the feast daie of the purification of Saint Marie the virgin and mother of Christ. The word became flesh and dwelt among vs Halleluiah O Eternall Father of thine onelie Sonne our Lord and Sauiour Christ which in the Common-wealth of Israell ordeined according to thy wisedome and adorned with excellent statutes necessarie for the state of mankind and signifieng secret and heauenlie things didst make diuers lawes concerning vncleannesse and the keeping of women with child and another for the first borne and that not onlie to put vs in mind of order in this life and thankefulnesse towards thy ministerie but also to teach that this our giltie and polluted nature like the foule and menstruous cloath of a woman is washed by the bloud of thy Sonne which is thy first borne thy substantiall image and the word sounding thy will whome from the heauens thou commandest to be harkened vnto Gouerne vs by thy first and onlie begotten Sonne Giue vs thy holie spirit that earnestlie we may bewaile our vncleannesse and pollusion aske helpe at thy mercifull hand be purified by the bloud of thy Sonne and be redeemed by him vnto true integritie and cleannesse which pleaseth thee that for his sake we may be adopted into thy children and find fauour in thine eies And as that good old man father Simeon notwithstanding that publikelie little or no talke was vsed of thy benefits by reason of the manifold sects then sproong vp and horrible tyrannie of Gouernours yet was confirmed by thy holie spirit in the truth and receiued a singular promise that he should see the Messias so by the same thy spirit kindle in vs faith whereby we may escape the palpable and curssed darkenesse of idolatrie which in the world welnigh is vsed And grant that we may apprehend thy Sonne who as this daie was presented in the Temple in substance of our flesh and in his armes depart in peace and be presented vnto thee with pure and cleane minds Assist vs that from our harts as did good father Simeon and holie Iacob we may firmelie keepe him among the feares of conscience and pangs of death Grant that he may be our light inflaming the darkenesse of our feeble minds with the brightnesse of his glorie Blot out all our doubtings heale the diseases of our soule and kindle that benefit and excellent light of true religion that being made followers in the spirituall societie of thy people Israell whose glorie is thy Sonne witnessing that among that people the promises and reuelations of the essence and will of the true God were made we may also come to thy glorie which our nature needeth and be adorned by thy Sonne with the heauenlie blessing of the forgiuenesse of our sinnes and receiuing righteousnesse and eternall life Amen 8. On Saint Matthias daie Thou hast exalted one chosen out of the people to publish thy lawe blessed be thy name O Lord. ALmightie God and most mercifull heauenlie Father who because the Scripture must needs haue beene fulfilled which the holie Ghost through the mouth of Dauid spake before of the Traitor Iudas who was guide to the Iewes that tooke Iesus thy deere Sonne our Lord and who now in reward of his iniquitie for betraieng thine innocent Sonne his Lord and Maister went hoong himselfe in the feeld of bloud called Acheldama till he burst asunder in the midst and all his guts and bowels gushed out didst afterward at the earnest praiers and petition of the rest of thy disciples choose thy faithfull seruant Matthias out of all the companie that followed thee or had their conuersation with thine Apostles to be of the number of thy twelue Apostles and ordeinedst him to be a witnesse with them of thy Sonnes resurrection as it is written in the 109. Psalme Let his habitation be void and no man be dwelling therein and his Bishoprike or charge let another take grant we beseech thee that thy Church being alwaie preserued from hirelings traitors and false Apostles may be ordered and guided by godlie faithfull and true pastors and ministers O Christ Sonne of God greatlie didst thou reioice at the gathering of the Church and high thanks didst thou yeeld to thy Father because he had chosen an holie seed out of mankind and suffered not their pains to be altogither frustrate We thanke thee also from our harts for reioicing at our well-doing and for repressing the diuell by thy power that some may be saued Gather heereafter we beseech thee from among vs a righteous people pleasing thee And although miserable and ouglie be the outward shew of thy Church and they which seeme to be the light of the world despise thy wisedome euen as neither Tiberius the Emperour with the Senate of Rome neither the Princes and Priests of the Iews would vouchsafe to heare thee wandering with thy Disciples Christian auditorie yet assist vs that these sinister iudgements of the world doo not dismaie vs but that we may bring our minds into a godlie captiuitie acknowledge thee by a true and liuelie faith to be the Sonne of thine eternall Father receiue the words from thee which from the bosome of thy Father vtterest the counsell concerning the restitution of man to whom all things both in heauen and earth are giuen for vs which are thy parteners Leade vs by thine hand by thy word and spirit before the presence of thy Father shew vs in a new light inwardlie in our soules the presence of thy Father which is pleased with vs for thy sake Abide thou among vs. Powre on vs by thy spirit the beginning of that light and righteousnes which appeareth in thee being the light of light lightning the darkenes of our nature Behold O good Samaritane and Physician of our soules to thee doo we lift vp our hands we are wounded we labour and are heauie laden thine enimie hath spoiled vs and wounded vs to the death We are so burthened with the weight and greeuousnes of sicknesse that our soule is comfortlesse readie to faint and fall into death and damnation Wherfore comfort our miserable soule with thy ioifull wine and oile with thine heauenlie and quickening balme raise vs from death vtter thy comfort to our harts and grant that our soules may find rest and gladnesse in thee Put on vs thy sweet yoke tame our flesh by thy spirit Raise vp in vs new motions and holie cogitations agreeable to thy will and word Thou art meeke in deed not desirous of reuengement Thou hast not throwne miserable man into euerlasting damnation as thou didst the diuels but hast suffered punishment for vs in thy bodie and praied for thine enimies Thou art meeke and lowlie in hart Thou flangest thy selfe vnder all angels and men thou tookest our fraile and fowle flesh vpon thee thou she wedst not the power of thy diuinitie in the time of thy passion but hidst if it might be thy diuinitie after a woonderfull
the worke of thine ineffable goodnesse Behold thine owne sweet Sonne how all his bodie was drawne and stretched foorth on the crosse Looke vpon all the parts of his bodie from the crowne of the head vnto the sole of the foote and no paine shall be found like vnto his paine Behold O louing Father the blessed head of thy deere Sonne crowned with sharpe thornes and the bloud running downe vpon his godlie visage Behold his tender bodie how it is scourged his naked brest is stricken and beaten his bloudie side is thrust through his heart panteth his sinewes bee stretched foorth his godlie eies dazell and leese their sight his princelie face is wanne and pale his pleasant tongue is inflamed for paine his inward parts waxe drie and starke his armes both blew wanne be stiffe his bones be plucked one from another his beautifull legs be feeble and weake and the streames of bloud issuing out of his bodie ranne downe apace vpon his feet Looke O my Father vpon the humilitie and gentlenesse of thy deere Sonne and pitie the infirmitie of thy weake handie-worke Behold O glorious Father the bodie of thy deere Sonne all to rent and torne and remember I beseech thee of how small substance I am Looke vpon the paine of him that is both God and man and release the miserie of man whome thou hast made Behold the greeuous suffering of the Redeemer and forgiue the sinne of hir that is redeemed Keepe me from all euill waies and teach me by thy holie spirit to choose the waie of truth I beseech thee O thou king of holinesse by him that is most holie by this my Redeemer Christ that thou bring me againe into the right waie that I may be vnited and made one with him in spirit which abhorred not to be vnited with me in flesh Make me to go perfectlie in thy paths and to hate all wicked waies Wash my hart from malice and clense me from my secret sinnes Clense me O holie Father with the bloud of the new testament of thy welbeloued Sonne which hath loued vs and washed vs with his bloud from our sinnes and hath redeemed vs from all iniquitie Purifie my heart by the sanctification of thy spirit and the sprinkling of the bloud of thy Sonne from all filthinesse of sinne and euill conscience O God almightie be mercifull vnto me a sinner for thy glorious name sake and remember my sinnes no longer For thou art God gratious and mercifull and patientlie dooest suffer vs and wouldest that no man should perish but y t all men should returne to penance Make me O Lord God to returne from mine euill waies and wicked thoughts Remember not the sinnes and abhominations of my youth according to thy mercie be mindfull of mee for thy goodnesse sake O Lord. Looke not vpon me with a grienous countenance for there is no man that dare speake for me Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant for if thou accuse me I shall neuer be quit For if thou O Lord marke my sinnes and iniquitie who shall not fall before thee This is certaine and sure that then in thy sight no man liuing shall be iustified seeing thou hast found iniquitie euen in thine Angels How much rather in man which is abhomination and filthinesse and dwelleth in the earthlie house of his bodie and drinketh iniquitie as it were water Who is cleane from filthinesse when all be corrupted trulie not one no though he haue liued but one daie on the earth and though his moneths may be easilie numbered Of a truth there is no mortall man which hath not done wickedlie nor there is anie righteous on earth which doth good and sinneth not Yet because mercie is in thy hand O Lord although thou be dreadfull my hope is in thee in whome my soule trusteth My soule looketh for thee because mercie and plentifull redemption is with thee For this I knowe assuredlie that thou wilt not cast me awaie for euer but although thou cast me awaie for my sinnes awhile yet thou wilt haue mercie vpon me againe according to the multitude of thy mercies For thou O Lord art full of pitie and mercie and wilt not turne thy face awaie from vs if we will returne to thee Thou art our God full of sweetnesse veritie and patience and disposest all things by mercie The fountaines of thy goodnesse be euer full and flowe ouer thy grace neuer decaieth All thy waies be mercie and truth to them that seeke out thy couenant and testimonies How gentle and louing the father is to his children so gentle and louing art thou O Lord to them that feare thee and for the aboundance of thy mercie thou dooest pardon our infirmities Thou knowest thine owne handie-worke thou remembrest what we are thou seest we are flesh and of no strength Thou hast not forgotten that this world is full of vnrighteousnesse and wickednesse and that it is wholie set and bent on euill Yea neuerthelesse thou art mercifull and full of grace and like a mercifull Lord forbearest to punish sinners when they repent themselues and returne from their sinnes Haue mercie vpon me O Lord God my sauiour for the glorie of thy name and deliuer me and forgiue me my sinnes for thy name sake O righteous Father looke not straitelie vpon the multitude of my sinnes but looke on the face of Iesus thy holie Sonne which being without sinne bare our sinnes in his bodie on the tree of the crosse Turne awaie thy face from my sinnes and put out all mine iniquities Make a cleane hart in mee O God and renew mee with a right spirit Cast me not awaie from thy presence and take not thine holie spirit from me Giue me againe the comfort of thy helpe and stablish me with thy mightie spirit Mollifie mine hart O Lord GOD that I may returne to thy paths for I haue wandered ouer long in the waie of errour Turne me to thee and I shall be turned for thou art my maker and I am the claie and worke of thine hands Turne not thy face awaie from me nor go not from thy seruant in thine anger Be mine helper and forsake me not despise me not O Lord which art my God and my health Amen Another Psalme for the remission of sinnes O Most mightie GOD of Angels and of men whose iudgements be vnsearchable whose wisedome is profound and deepe Neare the praiers of thy seruants and cast not awaie the humble suits of thy poore creature and handie worke For as long as I shall liue I will speake vnto thee and I will not hold my peace so long as the breth is in my bodie I doo turne my soule vnto thee and I set mine eies directlie vpon thee Let thine anger be turned awaie from me I beseech thee and grant that I may find grace and fauour in thy sight According to the greatnesse of thy mercie forgiue me all my sinnes Plucke me awaie from mine heinous offences and heale my soule which
Sunne to set bicause we expect his arising againe in the morning no more ought we as men without hope to be sorie for the death of the bodie knowing that in the morning light of the resurrection it shall eftsoones arise receiue the soule againe to ioie or paine eternall VVhen the candles or lamps be light praie THanks be giuen to thee O Lord which after daie when night commeth hast giuen vs for the remedie of darknesse this artificiall light of the candle or lampe whereby we see and discerne those things in this night of our bodies which are expedient for vs to vse But especiallie we render immortall praise vnto thine holie Maiestie for the light of thy doctrine which thy Sonne against the horrour of sinne and ignorance hath brought vnto vs for a remedie against death eternall Grant we beseech thee O Lord of light and Maister of all truth that the most thicke and obscure clouds of our minds may be so driuen awaie and expelled by the lampe of thy grace and candle of knowledge and right vnderstanding that in bodie corporallie and in soule spirituallie wee may euer see by both these lights to glorifie thee both in our liues and in our deaths Thy word ô Lord is a lampe to our feete and a light vnto our paths O light thou our candle and make our darknesse to be light that with our lamps euer burning we may still watch for thy comming Amen Meditation THinke now that as without this materiall light of the candle all would be horrour and vncouth darknesse euen so without the spirituall light of Gods diuine word and wisedome all our light is darknesse our knowledge errour and our life death and vtter confusion Thinke also that as the candle is not put vnder a bushell but set on a candlesticke to giue light to all in the house so likewise ought we to let the light of our faith shine bright before men that other séeing our good works may therefore glorifie God Euening praiers for Sundaie to be said kneeling by the bedside before you make you vnreadie ¶ Here you may saie one of the confessions for the Sabboth daie as before pag. 384 387. WE render vnto thee euerlasting praises most mercifull Father for that of thy gratious fauour and loue towards vs thou hast vouchsafed to preserue vs this daie and the rest of our life hitherto vnder the shadowe of thy most mercifull protection beseeching thee also to take vs into thy tuition this present night and euer that we be not tempted with anie suggestion of Sathan but being thoroughlie armed with the holie Ghost we may haue power and force to resist his assaults by a sure faith and confidence in the bloud of thy blessed Sonne our Lord and Sauiour Christ Iesus Giue vs grace to repent vs of our sinnes vnfeinedlie to craue remission of them vncessantlie to imbrace thy holie word and commandements sincerelie and to expresse them in our liuing effectuallie whereby we may walke vprightlie in our conuersation with sure and certaine hope of the resurrection to eternall life by the merits of Christ Iesus that with the wise virgins we may be found waking and watching for his comming when he shall come to iudge the world with equitie and to reward euerie man according to the works of his bodie Grant vs grace most mercifull Father to behaue our selues so vprightlie in this life that then we may be made partakers of thy kingdome with thine elect there to liue in eternall ioie and felicitie world without end Amen Another Euening praier on the Lords daie O Almightie and eternall God Father of our Lord Iesu Christ which togither with thy Sonne and the holie Ghost didst create man after thine owne likenesse and breath into him the breth of life the which through thy goodnes continueth at thy pleasure Thou hast made of one bloud all mankind and assigned times and length of our life in this world thou giuest life to the people on the earth and breth to the walkers therein which if thou take awaie they shall depart and be turned into dust We blesse thee heauenlie Father and with all our harts giue thee thanks not onelie for sauing vs this daie from dangers but also from our cradles for defending both our soules and bodies from death Wherefore magnifie the Lord O our soules and our spirits reioice in God our Sauiour For he hath looked vpon the basenesse and afflictions of his seruants He that is mightie hath done for vs great things and holie is his name Wherefore we will praise the Lord for euermore bicause his mercie endureth from generation to generation on such as feare him We will shew foorth his power in the euening and when we go to bed we will remember his mercie Arise now our soules in the night praise your God In the beginning of the watches powre out your harts like water before the face of the Lord. For the Saints will be ioifull with glorie sing lowd vpon their beds Wherefore we also will praise thee continuallie and will confesse thy name for euermore For thou art the God which delighteth our harts and maketh our soules merie Therefore in the night we will thinke vpon thy benefits and our spirits shall consider of thy woonderous works For thou hast commanded that thy mercie be celebrated in the daie time and thy truth in the night season O our Lord and God of mercie gentlenesse patience pitie and truth which she west mercie vnto thousands and blottest out all our offences we lift vp our soules vnto thee and from our harts we praie thee put not before thine eies the horrible confusion vncleannesse and wickednesse of our minds being replenished with loathsome darknesse and ignorance full of doubtings and errors Our harts and will are turned from thee our God and all the powers and strength both of our soules and bodies are defiled and filthilie weakened but Lord of thy great merice blot out our offences looke vpon the troubles and dolours of our harts and forgiue all our sinnes For lo our soules are wounded and can not be holpen but onelie through mercie There is no health in our flesh bicause of thine anger neither is there rest in our bones bicause of our sins For our iniquities haue gone ouer our heads and as an heauie burden haue pressed vs down Our wounds are putrified and corrupt bicause of our foolishnesse Asswage thine anger and turne from thine indignation Pardon our faults remit all punishment and restore in vs the light of thy goodnesse which was lost O Lord heare O Lord forgiue harken O our God for thine owne sake For thy name is called vpon by vs. O God of heauen and earth in this euening tide doo we call vnto thee that remitting our sinnes which this daie especiallie we haue committed against thee in breaking thy Saboth and prophaning this our holie daie with our vnholie deeds speech and cogitations thou wouldest receiue vs into thy
onelie Sauiour and redeemer For then I began and not before to perceiue and see mine owne ignorance and blindnesse the cause thereof was that I would not learne to knowe Christ my Sauiour and redeemer But when God of his meere goodnesse had thus opened mine eies and made me see and behold Christ the wisedome of God the light of the world with a supernaturall sight of faith all pleasures vanities honor riches wealth and aids of the world began to waxe bitter vnto me Then I knew it was no illusion of the diuell nor false ne humane doctrine I had receiued When such successe came thereof that I had in detestation and horrour that which I erst so much loued and esteemed being of God forbidden that we should loue the world or the vaine pleasures and shadowes in the same then began I to perceiue that Christ was my onlie Sauior and redeemer and the same doctrine to be all diuine holie heauenlie and infused by grace into the harts of the faithfull which neuer can be attained by hnmane doctrine wit nor reason although they should trauell and labour for the same to the end of the world Then began I to dwell in God by charitie knowing by the louing charitie of God in the remission of my sinnes that God is charitie as S. Iohn saith So that of my faith whereby I came to knowe God and whereby it pleased God euen bicause I trusted in him to iustifie me sprang this excellent charitie in my hart I thinke no lesse but manie will woonder and maruell at this my saieng that I neuer knewe Christ for my Sauiour and redeemer vntill this time For many haue this opinion saieng Who knoweth not there is a Christ Who being a Christian doth not confesse him his Sauiour And thus beleeuing their dead humane historicall faith and knowledge which they haue learned in their scholasticall bookes to be the true infused faith and knowledge of Christ which may be had as I said before with all sinne they vse to saie by their owne experience of themselues that their faith doth not iustifie them And true it is except they haue this faith the which I haue declared here before they shall neuer be iustified And yet it is not false that by faith onlie I am sure to be iustified Euen this is the cause that so manie impugne this office and dutie of true faith bicause so manie lacke the true faith And euen as the faithfull are forced to allow this true faith so the vnfaithfull can in no wise probablie intreate thereof the one feeling in himselfe that he saith the other hauing not in him for to saie I haue certeinlie no curious learning to defend this matter withall but a simple zeale and earnest loue to the truth inspired of God who promiseth to powre his spirit vpon all flesh which I haue by the grace of God whom I most humblie honour felt in my selfe to be true The fourth Chapter Of the great loue of God towards mankind and of the inward beholding of Christ crucified LEt vs therfore now I praie you by faith behold and consider the great charitie goodnesse of God in sending his sonne to suffer death for our redemption when we were his mortall enimies and after what sort and maner he sent him First it is to be considered yea to be vndoubtedlie and with a perfect faith beleeued that God sent him to vs freelie For he did giue him and sold him not A more noble and rich gift he could not haue giuen He sent not a seruant or a friend but his onlie sonne so deerelie beloued not in delights riches and honours but in crosses pouerties and slanders not as a Lord but as a seruant yea and in most vile and painefull passions to wash vs not with water but with his owne pretious bloud not from mire but from the puddle and filth of our iniquities He hath giuen him not to make vs poore but to enrich vs with his diuine vertues merits and graces yea and in him he hath giuen vs all good things and finallie himselfe and with such great charitie as can not be expressed Was it not a most high and abundant charitie of God to send Christ to shed his bloud to loose honour life and all for his enimies Euen in the time when he had done him most iniurie he first shewed his charitie to vs with such flames of loue that greater could not be shewed God in Christ hath opened vnto vs although we be weake and blind of our selues that we may behold in this miserable estate the great wisedome goodnesse and truth with all the other godlie perfections which be in Christ Therefore inwardlie to behold Christ crucified vpon the crosse is the best and godliest meditation that can be We may see also in Christ crucified the beautie of the soule better than in all the bookes of the world For who that with a liuelie faith seeth and feeleth in spirit that Christ the sonne of God is dead for the satisfieng and purifieng of the soule shall see that his soule is appointed for the verie tabernacle and mansion of the inestimable and incomprehensible maiestie and honour of God We see also in Christ crucified how vaine and foolish the world is and how that Christ being most wise despised the same We see also how blind it is because the same knoweth not Christ but persecuteth him We see also how vnkind the world is by the killing of Christ in the time he did shew it most fauour How hard and obstinate was it that would not be mollified with so manie teares such sweate and so much bloudshead of the sonne of God suffering with so great and high charitie Therefore he is now verie blind that seeth not how vaine foolish false ingrate cruell hard wicked and euill the world is We may also in Christ crucified weigh our sinnes as in a diuine ballance how greeuous and how weightie they be seeing they haue crucified Christ For they would neuer haue beene counterpaised but with the great and pretious weight of the bloud of the sonne of God And therefore God of his high goodnesse determined that his blessed sonne should rather suffer bloudshead thau our sinnes should haue condemned vs. We shall neuer knowe our owne miserie and wretchednesse but with the light of Christ crucified Then we shall see our owne crueltie when we feele his mercie our owne vnrighteousnesse and iniquitie when we see his righteousnes and holinesse Therefore to learne to knowe trulie our owne sinnes is to studie in the booke of the Crucifixe by continuall conuersation in faith and to haue perfect and plentifull charitie is to learne first by faith the charitie that is in God towards vs. We may see also in Christ vpon the Crosse how great the paines of hell and how blessed the ioies of heauen be and what a sharpe and painefull thing it shall be to them that of that sweet happie and glorious ioie Christ
shall be depriued Then this Crucifixe is the booke wherein God hath included all things and hath most compendiouslie written therein all truth profitable and necessarie for our saluation Therefore let vs endeuour our selues to studie this booke that we being lightened with the spirit of God may giue him thanks for so great a benefit The fift Chapter Of the glorious victories of Christ ouer all enimies IF we looke further in this booke we shall see Christs great victorie vpon the crosse which was so noble and mightie that there neuer was neither shall be such If the victorie and glorie of worldlie Princes were great because they did ouercome great hostes of men how much was Christes greater which vanquished not onelie the Prince of this world but all the enimies of God triumphing ouer persecution iniuries villanies slanders yea death the world sinne and the diuell and brought to confusion all carnall prudence The Princes of the world neuer did fight without the strength of the world Christ contrarilie went to warre euen against all the strength of the world He fought as Dauid did with Golias vnarmed of all humane wisdome and policie and without all worldlie power and strength Neuerthelesse he was fullie replenished and armed with the whole armour of the spirit And in this one battell he ouercame for euer all his enimies There was neuer so glorious a spoile neither a more rich and noble than Christ was vpon the Crosse which deliuered all his elect from such a sharpe and miserable captiuitie He had in his battell manie stripes yea and lost his life but his victorie was so much the greater Therfore when I looke vpon the sonne of God with a supernaturall faith and light so vnarmed naked giuen vp and alone with humilitie patience liberalitie modestie gentlenesse and with all other his diuine vertues beating downe to the ground all Gods enimies and making the soule of man so faire and beautifull I am forced to saie that his victorie and triumph was maruellous And therefore Christ well deserued to haue this noble title IESVS OF NAZARETH KING OF THE IEWES But if we will particularlie vnfold and see his great victories let vs first behold how he ouercame sinne with his innocencie confounded pride with his humilitie quenched all worldlie loue with his charitie appeased the wrath of his father with his meekenesse and turned hatred into loue with his so manie benefits and godlie zeale Christ hath not onlie ouercome sinne but rather he hath killed the same in asmuch as he hath satisfied for it himselfe with the most holie sacrifice and oblation of his pretious bodie in suffering most bitter and cruell death Also after another sort that is he giueth all those that loue him so much spirit grace vertue and strength that they may resist impugne and ouercome sinne and not consent neither suffer it to reigne in them He hath also vanquished sinne because he hath taken awaie the force of the same that is he hath cancelled the lawe which was in euill men the occasion of sinne Therefore sinne hath no power against them that are with the holie Ghost vnited to Christ in them there is nothing worthie of damnation And although the dregs of Adam do remaine that is our concupiscences which in deede be sinnes neuerthelesse they be not imputed for sinnes if we be trulie planted in Christ It is true that Christ might haue taken awaie all our immoderate affections but hee hath left them for the great glorie of his father and for his owne greater triumph As for example When a Prince fighteth with his enimies which sometime had the souereigntie ouer his people and subduing them may kill them if he will yet he preserueth and saueth them and whereas they were Lords ouer his people he maketh them after to serue whome they before had ruled Now in such a case the Prince doth shew himselfe a greater conquerour in that he hath made them which were rulers to obeie and the subiects to be Lords ouer them to whome they serued than if he had vtterlie destroied them vpon the conquest For now he leaueth continuall victorie to them whome he redeemed whereas otherwise the occasion of victorie was taken awaie where none were left to be the subiects Euen so in like case Christ hath left in vs these concupiscences to the intent they should serue vs to the exercise of our vertues where first they did reigne ouer vs to the exercise of our sinne And it may be plainelie seene that whereas first they were such impediments to vs that we could not moue our selues towards God now by Christ we haue so much strength that notwithstanding the force of them we may assuredlie walke to heauen And although the children of God sometime do fall by fariltie into some sinne yet that falling maketh them to humble themselues and to reknowledge the goodnesse of God and to come to him for refuge and helpe Likewise Christ by his death hath ouercome the Prince of diuels with all his hoast and hath destroied them all For as Paule saith it is verified that Christ should breake the Serpents head prophesied by God And although the diuell tempt vs yet if by faith we be planted in Christ we shall not perish but rather by his temptation take great force and might So it is euident that the triumph victorie and glorie of Christ is the greater hauing in such sort subdued the diuell that whereas he was Prince and Lord of the world holding all creatures in captiuitie now Christ vseth him as an instrument to punish the wicked and to exercise and make strong the elect of God in Christian warfare Christ likewise hath ouercome death in a more glorious manner if it be possible because he hath not taken it awaie but leauing vniuersallie all subiect to the same He hath giuen so much vertue and spirit that whereas afore we passed thereto with great feare now we be bold through the spirit for the sure hope of the resurrection that we receiue it with ioie It is now no more bitter but sweete no more feared but desired it is no death but life And also it hath pleased God that the infirmities and aduersities do remaine to the sight of the world but the children of God are by Christ made so strong righteous whole and sound that the troubles of the world be comforts of the spirit the passions of the flesh are medicines of the soule For all maner things worke to their commoditie and profite For they in spirit feele that God their father doth gouerne them and disposeth all things for their benefit therefore they feele themselues sure In persecution they are quiet and peacefull in trouble they are without weerinesse feares anxieties suspicions miseries and finallie all the good and euill of the world worketh to their commoditie Moreouer they see that the triumph of Christ hath beene so great that not onelie he hath subdued and vanquished all our enimies and the power
them to take Christ his welbeloued sonne for their Sauior this is the gift of God of all Christians to be required and desired For except this great benefit of Christ crucified be felt and fixed surelie in mans hart there can be no good worke done acceptable before God For in Christ is all fulnesse of the Godhead and in him are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge Euen he is the water of life whereof whosoeuer shall drinke he shall neuer more thirst but it shall be in him a well of water springing vp into euerlasting life S. Paule saith There is no damnation to them that are in Christ which walke not after the flesh but after the spirit Moreouer he saith If when we were enimies we were reconciled to God by the death of his son much more seeing we are reconciled we shall be preserued by his death It is no little or small benefit we haue receiued by Christ if we consider what he hath done for vs as I haue perfectlie declared heretofore Wherefore I praie the Lord that this great benefit of Christ crucified may be stedfastlie fixed printed in all Christians harts that they may be true louers of God and worke as children for loue and not as seruants compelled with threatenings or prouoked with hire The sincere and pure louers of God doo embrace Christ with such feruencie of spirit that they reioice in hope be bold in danger suffer in aduersitie continue in praier blesse their persecutors Further they be not wise in their owne opinion neither high minded in their prosperitie neither abashed in their aduersitie but humble and gentle alwaies to all men For they knowe by their faith they are members all of one bodie and that they haue possessed all one God one faith one baptisme one ioie and one saluation If these pure and sincere louers of God were thicke sowne there should not be so much contention and strife growing on the fields of our religion as there is Well I shall praie to the Lord to take all contention and strife awaie and that the sowers of sedition may haue mind to cease their labour or to sowe it among the stones and to haue grace to sowe gratious vertues where they may both take roote and bring foorth fruit with sending also a godlie vnitie and concord amongst all Christians that we may serue the Lord in true holinesse of life The seuenth Chapter A Christian bewailing of the miserable ignorance and blindnesse of men THe example of good liuing is required of all Christians but speciallie in the Ecclesiasticall pastors and shepheards For they be called in scripture Workemen with God Disbursers of Gods secrets The light of the world The salt of the earth at whose hands all other should take comfort in working knowledge of Gods will and sight to become children of light and taste of seasonable wisdome They haue or should haue the holie spirit abundantlie to pronounce and set foorth the word of God in veritie and truth If ignorance and blindnesse reigne amongst vs they should with the truth of Gods word instruct and set vs in the truth and direct vs in the waie of the Lord. But thanks be giuen vnto the Lord that hath now sent vs such a godlie and learned King in these latter daies to reigne ouer vs that with the vertue force of Gods word hath taken awaie the vailes and mists of errours and brought vs to the knowledge of the truth by the light of Gods word which was so long hid and kept vnder that the people were nigh famished and hungred for lacke of spirituall food Such was the charitie of the spirituall curats and shepheards But our Moses and most godlie wise Gouernour and King hath deliuered vs out of the captiuitie and bondage of Pharao I meane by this Moses King Henrie the eight my most souereigne fauourable Lord and husband one if Moses had figured anie mo than Christ through the excellent grace of God meete to be an other expressed veritie of Moses conquest ouer Pharao And I meane by this Pharao the bishop of Rome who hath beene and is a greater persecutor of all true Christians than euer was Pharao of the children of Israel For he is a persecutor of the Gospell and grace a setter foorth of all superstition and counterfeit holinesse bringing manie soules to hell with his alchimie and counterfeit monie deceiuing the poore soules vnder the pretence of holinesse but so much the greater shall be his damnation bicause he deceiueth and robbeth vnder Christs mantell The Lord keepe and defend all men from his iuglings and sleits but speciallie the poore simple and vnlearned soules And this lesson I would all men had of him that when they begin to mislike his dooing then onlie begin they to like God and certeinlie not before As for the spirituall pastors and shepherds I thinke they will cleaue and sticke to the word of God euen to the death to vanquish all Gods enimies if neede shall require all respects of honour dignitie riches welth and their priuate commodities laid apart following also the examples of Christ and his chosen Apostles in preaching and teaching sincere and holesome doctrine and such things as make for peace with godly lessons wherewith they may edifie others that euerie man may walke after his vocation in holinesse of life in vnitie and concord which vnitie is to be desired of all true Christians It is much to be lamented the schismes varieties contentions and disputations that haue beene and are in the world about Christian religion no agreement nor concord of the same among the learned men Trulie the diuell hath beene the sower of the seede of sedition and shall be the mainteiner of it euen till Gods will be fulfilled There is no war so cruell and euill as this For the war with sword killeth but the bodies and this slaieth manie soules For the poore vnlearned persons remaine confused and almost euerie one beleeueth and worketh after his owne waie and yet there is but one truth of Gods word by the which we shall be saued Happie be they that receiue it and most vnhappie are they which neglect and persecute the same For it shall be more easie for Sodom and Gomor at the daie of iudgement than for them And not without iust cause if we consider the beneuolence goodnesse and mercie of God who hath declared his charitie towards vs greater and more inestimable than euer he did to the Hebrues For they liued vnder shadowes and figures and were bound to the lawe And Christ we being his greatest enimies hath deliuered vs from the bondage of the lawe and hath fulfilled all that was figured in their lawe and also in their prophesies sheading his owne pretious bloud to make vs the children of his father and his brethren and hath made vs free setting vs in a godlie libertie I meane not licence to sinne as manie be glad to interpret the same when as
Christ for this thy blessed oblation haue mercie on me now and in the houre of death that in the dreadfull daie of iudgment sinne death and hell may not preuaile against me sinfull creature but haue mercie vpon me according to thy greatest mercie which is this thy death and passion for which be praise to the holie Trinitie for euer and euer Amen The Hymne of the passion of Christ IEsus which is the liuelie well of wisdome And the heauenlie truth of the father eternall Which from heauen to this world did come To deliuer vs thrales from paines infernall Of Iudas was sold and of the Iewes taken And of his Disciples at midnight was forsaken We laud thee father for thy grace We praise the sonne which made vs free We thanke the holie spirit for our solace Which is one God and persons three In the dawning of the daie they did him fast bind And before Pilate he was then conuented False witnesse against Iesus they did then find When the cruell Seniours in iudgement him presented Beaten was his bodie defiled was his face And yet God and man the verie well of grace We laud thee father c. When thrée houres were past before Pilates throne All the people cried Kill Iesus the Iewes king His crowne was thornes in purple he made mone With a crosse ouer Cedron they did him bring And prepared his deadlie place on Galgatha hill To suffer pains for Adams gilt so was his fathers will We laud thee father c. The sirt houre approched his painefull end When on the trée his bodie they nailed In heauen was his helpe in earth he had no freud He died betwéene two théeues on him the Elders railed Then he thirsted for his elect which subiect were to thrall Unthankefullie they offred him vinegre mingled with gall We laud thee father c. This verie God Gods onlie begotten child Said to his father Why hast thou me forsaken Yet receiue this sacrifice and my spirit vndefild The heauens were darkned asunder the stones were shaken Bloud and water then sprang from this blessed lamb Then graues opened the dead aliue foorth came We laud thee father for thy grace c. The second Meditation or praier of our frailtie and miserie O Miserable wretched woman that I am how may I be compared to any of thy saints that shall dwell in thy Tabernacle or holie hill For they loue to be in holie contemplation and I in the vaine multitude forgetting thee they be meeke and I vnpatient they do not forget thee but my good Lord when do I remember thee but when affliction enforceth me or the lamentable fall of my breethren constraine me to thanke thee Thou most mightie and fearefull God of hosts thy holie name be blessed foreuer Amen What shall I saie my God Thou art most good and I euill thou holie and I miserable thou art light and I am blind thou art the blessed ioie and I am carefull and full of sorowe My Lord thou art the Physician and I the miserable patient I am nothing but vanitie and corrupt as euerie liuing man is What shall I saie O Creator but this that I am thy creature and shall I perish Thy hands haue made me and were wounded for me thy bloud was shed for me and hath washed me thy holie Ghost hath sanctified me and taught me yet Lord my daies are nothing What should I mortall creature thus talke with my selfe Lord God but that need hath no lawe Sorowe hath compelled me to seeke comfort sicknesse enforceth me to folowe the Physician conscience pricketh me to crie to thee my Lord for a heauenlie cordiall of comfort which am in great discomfort borne of a woman full of miserie and shortnesse of time and passe awaie like a shadowe neuer content with one estate but in earth remaine for euer The Hymne to God the Creator O Creator to thée thy creature I call Who made of mould do liue in paine And sicke in soule my flesh is thrall O wo is me my daies be vaine Yet vnto God I call for grace My soule in heauen to haue a place A praier to the blessed Trinitie Let vs praie O Holie blessed and glorious Trinitie three equall and coeternall persons but one God almightie haue mercie vpon me vile abiect abhominable and sinfull wretch meekelie acknowledging before thy diuine Maiestie my long continued life in sinne euen from my childhood hitherto Then good gratious Lord as thou giuest me the grace to acknowledge them so giue me grace not in word onlie but in hart also with sorowfull contrition to repent and vtterlie to forsake them Forgiue me also those sinnes through which by mine owne fault wicked affection and euill custome my reason is with sensualitie so blinded as I cannot discerne them for sinne Illuminate my hart good Lord and giue me grace to acknowledge them Forgiue me my sinnes negligentlie forgotten and bring them to my mind with grace to be throughlie repentant for them O mercifull God grant me thy grace so to despise sinne and all worldlie vanities that I may saie with the blessed Apostle Saint Paule The world is crucified to me and I to the world Christ is to me life and to die is my gaine and aduantage I desire to be loosed and to be with Christ Lord giue me thy grace to amend my life and to haue an eie to mine end without anie grudge or feare of death which to them that die in thee is the gate of eternall life Almightie God teach me to doo thy will take my right hand and leade me in the true waie from mine drawe me after thee bind my mouth with snaffle and bridle when I will not drawe vnto thee Oh gratious God all sinfull feare all sinfull sorowe and pensiuenesse all sinfull hope all sinfull mirth and gladnesse take awaie from me On the other side concerning such feare such heauinesse such comfort consolation and gladnesse as shall be profitable for my soule doo with me according to thy great goodnesse O Lord giue me grace in all my feare and agonie to haue recourse to that great feare and wonderfull agonie that thou my sauiour hadst at the Mount of Oliuet before thy most bitter passion and in the meditation thereof to conceiue ghostlie comfort and consolation profitable for my soule Almightie God take from me all vaine-glorious minds all appetites of mine owne praise all enuie couetise gluttonie sloth and lecherie all wrathfull affection all appetite of reuenging all desire of delight of other mens harmes all pleasure in prouoking anie person to wrath and anger all delight in taunting or mocking anie person in their affliction or trouble And giue vnto me O Lord an humble quiet peaceable patient charitable kind tender and pitifull mind in all my words my works and thoughts to haue a tast of thy holie and blessed spirit Giue me good Lord a full faith a firme hope a feruent charitie a loue to thee good Lord incomparable
rotten apple from a liuing tree What haue I gotten by my fall Darknes care miserie affliction sicknesse paine anguish and finallie dreadfull death And alas what shall I be hereafter A stinking carion woormes meate foode for fire dust and claie doong and forsaken rotten consumed blind poore and naked troden vnder the feete of my posteritie and forgotten of all men not knowing where my bodie is which shall vanish like a shadowe and my life shall wither like a leafe and fade as a flower O holie God the more our bodies doo increase the neerer death doth approch the clocke of our conscience doth ring euerie minute the houre of death to be at hand Death approcheth with his sharpe dart and bloudie chariot Awaie saith he to euerie liuing wight For what is he that shall not see death and come to nothing Oh vncertaine life but most assured death His net is cast ouer all flesh now I doo reioice then I lament now am I whole then sicknesse doth come now haue I friends then am I forsaken now at libertie soone after in bondage now yoong then age drawes neere And thus I neuer remaine in one state made light and proud in prosperitie desperate in aduersitie withered and old with care despised in pouertie flattered when I am in health and finally vncertaine when or where I shall die But yet I most humblie praie thee deere father for Iesu Christs sake which suffered a shamefull death for my sins to haue mercie vpon me according to thy great mercie and take not thy holie Ghost from me and lead me not into temptation but deliuer me for into thy hands I commend my soule O thou God of truth Amen An Hymne of the state of all Adams posteritie I Am the fruit of Adams hands through sin lockt in satans bands Destined to deth the child of ire a flaming brand of infernall fire Borne I was naked bare and spend my time in sorowe care And shall returne vnto the dust and be depriued of carnall lust Yet thou father didst Iesus send to pardon them that did offend We laud him in the work of might that we be blessed in his sight The second meditation of the dreadfull daie of iudgement O What feare and sorowe shall happen to the reprobates when they shall stand helpelesse before the terrible dreadfull throne of God to render accounts of all thoughts words works I saie the acts of the flesh and bloud in the extreame day when he shall come with fire and then all creatures in heauen earth and hell shall tremble at his presence Then shall all guiltie consciences be opened euils endlesse punished where that Iudge will not be corrupted That daie doth come that daie is at hand and where as pure harts shall be accepted and no bribes of vaine gifts shall be preferred but iustice without mercie vnto the vngodlie infernall torments to the wicked endlesse care and affliction to the idolater fornicator extortioner persecutour disobedient murtherer blasphemer theefe false witnesse bearer vsurer heretikes witches and malefactors and to all the vessels of reprobation Where as shall be heard wailing crieng lamenting and gnashing of teeth then they mourne that shall neuer die hell fire neuer bee quenched nor the Iudge intreated but the wicked still molested with dolor agonie dread and in his paine absent from God present with diuels monsters infernall This is the second death when both bodie and soule shall remaine in paine as long as God is which is euerlasting This daie is at hand when the elect and all the Saints Patriarchs Prophets Martyrs and all the blessed shall receiue their rewards not of themselues but onlie of Iesu before whom all the blessed shall kneele and cast off their crownes and giue honour to him that sits on the seate whose holie name is blessed of all tongues and kindreds Amen Amen This is the daie when all teares shall be wiped from the carefull eies of the seruants of God which shall neuer be molested nor of worldlings be afflicted but euerlastinglie glorified with the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost three persons and one God who of his mercie defend vs from damnation and that vnspeakeable paine which wee through sinne haue deserued euer to be punished withall but yet are through Iesus preserued by whome we are elected redeemed iustified and brought from sinne death and hell to whom be laud and praise in the world of worlds of Angels and men Amen The Hymne of the daie of iudgement SWéet Iesus of thy mercie our pitifull praiers heare That we may be on thy right hand when thou shalt appeare For thou shalt come with heauenlie power and sit on the throne None shall iudge the quicke and dead but thou Christ alone O Christ cast vs not awaie in that daie of ire When thou shalt send before thée a hot consuming fire To purge all creatures defild with Adams sinne Then a new heauen and earth O Lord thou wilt beginne Then the elect shall be blessed vpon thy holie hill But the wicked shall be damned that haue withstood thy will Thy shéepe shall be safe and defended in the fold The goats shall wander in hunger storme and cold Thy Saints shall behold thée in thy throne of light The reprobates shall euer haue fearefull things in sight Wailing in wretchednesse with euerlasting paine Yet Lord be mercifull our liues are but vaine Our flesh shall fade death hath digd our graue Yet of thy mercie Lord thy sinfull creature saue And blesse vs in the time of grace before the daie of ire When the corrupt elements shall be purgd with fire We laud thee Father c. A generall praier wherein we commend our selues and the whole state of Christs Church vnto GOD. O God thou Father and God of my life suffer me neither to haue a proud looke nor a proud thought turne awaie all voluptuousnesse from me let not the intisements of the world beguile me let not the concupiscence of the eie deceiue me let not the lusts of the flesh take hold vpon me let not rancor and malice reigne in my hart O Lord God for thy sonne our Sauiour Iesu Christs sake I beseech thee that thou wilt not giue me ouer to an vnshamefast and obstinate mind So be it Unto thee Lord almightie the King of mercie bée now and euer eternall honour glorie Unto thee the same Lord of mercie I doo commit my soule and bodie most humblie beseeching thee for thine abundant mercie sake to take the cure of me and to haue mercie on me I doo commit also vnto thy mercie my faithfull friends and well-willers liuing beseeching thee to forgiue vs all and to haue mercie vpon vs and giue vs grace to liue according to thy lawe and to the glorie of thy name that we may doo that which thou requirest of vs that it will please thee of thy mercie to saue and defend vs from all perils bodilie ghostlie this night
are giuen vs in the Supper doo represent vnto vs C They represent vnto vs that the bodie and bloud of Iesus Christ haue such vertue towards our soules as the bread and wine haue towards our bodies M Understand you that the bodie of Iesus Christ may be inclosed in the bread and his bloud in the wine C No. M Where then must we seeke Iesus Christ to enioie him C In heauen in the glorie of his father M What is the meanes to come vnto heauen there as Iesus Christ is C It is faith M It behooueth vs then to haue true faith before we can well vse this holie Sacrament C It is so M And how may we haue this faith C We haue it by the holie spirit that dwelleth in our harts and assureth vs of Gods promises which are made vnto vs in the Gospell Unto God the Father of whom and by whom and in whome are all things And vnto Iesus Christ our Lord and Redeemer of the world And vnto the holie Ghost be honour and glorie for euer So be it The true summe of all Christian Religion Mother MY child art thou a Christian Child Yea by the grace of God whereas of nature I was a child of wrath as well as others M Art thou certaine that thou art a Christian C Yea through faith and the holie spirit who giueth witnesse vnto my spirit that I am the child and heire of God M What is it to saie a Christian C It is the same which by faith in Iesus Christ hath receiued the holie spirit as a child of God dooing his dutie in time and place M What is the dutie of a Christian C It is for to knowe God for to serue him in spirit and truth according to the doctrine of Iesus Christ M In how manie points consisteth the true Christian adoration and the true seruice of God C It is faith which is the onelie foundation of Christians M The faith commeth it of vs C No for it is the gift of God M Where lieth this faith C In the hart for with the hart we beleeue to righteousnesse with the mouth we confesse to saluation M Be we then bound to render a reason of our faith and hope C Yea to all men that demand it of vs so that it be done with wisedome gentlenes reuerence and gratious words M And he that confesseth not Iesus Christ in time and place doth he not renounce him C Yea for he that is not with him is against him he that gathereth not with him scattereth abroade M Giue me then a reason of thy faith and first what confession makest thou of the Christian faith C The same that the Church holdeth being founded vpon the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles which is brieflie comprehended in our Creede M Canst thou make confession in the common language C Yea I thanke God M Saie it with an high voice and pronounce it well C I beleeue in God the Father almightie c. M Beleeuest thou that thou art saued by this faith of the Church C Yea well if I haue it in my selfe as the first word sheweth I beleeue in God For the iust shall liue by his owne faith M What is it to beleeue in God C It is a full assurance and hope to trust and commit all to him according to his promises in Iesus Christ M Can we haue this faith in perfection whiles we be in this world C No. For we haue neede with the Apostles to require augmentation of faith The Lord increase it in vs and make vs perseuere in it vnto the end Of Inuocation Mother WHat is the second part of Christian adoration and seruice of God Child It is inuocation whereby we haue all our refuge vnto our father through faith in the name of Iesus Christ M Why puttest thou inuocation after faith C Because it is one of the greatest and principall fruite of the same For whosoeuer calleth vpon the name of the Lord in faith shall be saued M Haue we commandement to call vpon God onlie and not vpon others C Yea euen as we are commanded neither to beleeue nor worship anie other but him alone M Should we not praie to the father in the name of other but of Iesus Christ C No. For the father hath giuen vs none other aduocate but him who onlie is verie God and verie man and we haue no promise to be heard in the name of anie other but in his name onlie M Yea but we knowe not what we ought to praie as apperteineth C Iesus Christ teacheth vs by his holie spirit according to the forme that he hath giuen vs. M Rehearse it in the common language to the end that we all may vnderstand it and be edified C Our father which art in heauen c. M Wherefore will he that we call him father C To declare the loue that he beareth towards vs in Iesus Christ to the end that in full assurance and boldnesse we may come to him onlie and not to be afraid of him no more than a child is of his father M What doth this word our shew C The vnitie and charitable brotherhood which ought to be heere well practised among vs according as the communion of Saints requireth M Seeing that God is euerie where and filleth heauen and earth ought not we to seeke and worship him in all his creatures C No. For he is a spirit and incomprehensible wherfore he willeth that in Iesus Christ we seeke and worship him in spirit and truth lifting vp our hearts aboue all corruptible things M What conteine the sixe petitions comprehended in this praier C The three first all y t which makes for the aduancement of the honor and glorie of God which we ought to desire with our whole hart and before all things M And the three last what doo they conteine C Our entertainement and saluation which is also the glorie of God M Why addeth he to the end For thine is the kingdome the power and the glorie for euer C To shew that the dignitie efficacie of our praiers consisteth not in vs but altogether in that good father by Iesus Christ working in vs by the holie spirit M Then is it to saie that we all will liue and die in his obedience subiection and glorie C Yea acknowledging him to be the author of all goodnesse and vnto whome onelie apperteineth the true maiestie roiall with all power and glorie for euer M What is the conclusion of this praier C It is that all our desires requests and actions of grace be addressed vnto God alone through Iesus Christ confirming vs throughlie in substance vnto that which it conteineth as vnto the perfect rule of all true godlinesse M Why is this word added to the end Amen or So be it C To assure vs that our praier made thus in truth and according to his will is trulie heard Of Obedience Mother WHat is the third point of Christian adoration and
assist me most puissant Prince of all power with thy prudent skill and heauenlie grace that I may be truelie able to aduance iustice and to hate wrong and so be found a faithfull minister ouer thy people In whom plant I beseech thee thy heauenlie grace and feare with obedience towards mee thy minister and kindle in me the loue of thy holie spirit that I may perseuere in the truth of thy word without doubt or wauering to the end Grant this oh mightie God of hosts for the merits and passion of thy deere sonne my Lord and Sauior Iesus Christ AMEN The praier of King SALOMON for Wisdome to gouerne well Wisd 9. O GOD of my fathers and Lord of mercie which hast made all things with thy word and ordeined man through thy wisdome that he should haue dominion ouer the creatures which thou hast made and gouerne the world according to equitie and righteousnesse and execute iudgement with an vpright hart Giue me wisdome which is euer sitting aboue thy seate and put me not out from among thy children For I thy seruant and handmaid am a feeble person and of a short time and yet lesse in the vnderstanding of iudgements and the lawes And though a man be neuer so perfect among the children of men yet if thy wisdome be not with him he shall be nothing regarded Thou hast chosen me to be a QVEENE vnto thy people and the Iudge of thy sonnes daughters Thou hast commanded mee to maintaine thy Church which from the beginning thou hast chosen Oh send out of thy holie heauens therefore vnto me that thy wisdome wherewith thou madest the world gouernest thy works and knowest what is acceptable in thy sight right in thy commandements Send hir I saie from the throne of thy Maiestie that shee may be with mee and labour with me that I may knowe what is acceptable in thy sight and right in thy commandements For she knoweth and vnderstandeth all things and she shall leade me soberlie in all my works and preserue mee by hir power and glorie so shall my works be acceptable and then shall I gouern thy people righteouslie and be well and woorthie to sit in my fathers throne Amen Holie Praiers and godlie Meditations desciphering in Alphabeticall forme the Roiall name of our vertuous Souereigne Queene ELIZABETH properlie to be vsed of hir Maiestie ELIZABETH E ENter not into iudgement with thy seruant O LORD for no flesh is righteous in thy sight PSALME 143 verse 2. O GOD which dwellest in light that no man can attaine O God which art hid and canst not be seene with bodilie eies nor comprehended with anie vnderstanding neither expressed with the tongue of men or Angels O my God what is it to be righteous in thy sight It is that wee should bee without sinne before thee which no man euer was since the fall of Adam For which cause the holie Prophet DAVID saith in this wise Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant O Lord for no flesh is righteous in thy sight If then no flesh be righteous in thy sight O vnhappie that I am loden and burdened with sinne who shall haue pitie or compassion on mee or whither shall I go My sinnes are euer before me mine vnrighteousnesse condemneth me What shall I doo Shall I despaire God forbid For mercifull meeke and louing is my Sauiour My refuge therfore shall be in my God for certaine I am he will not forsake his owne image neither wil he forsake the worke of his owne hands Wherfore most meeke louing and mercifull Father to thee come I all sad and sorowfull But what shall I saie vnto thee I will saie Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant O Lord for no flesh is righteous in thy sight And againe I will with the Prophet powre out before thee the words of sorrowe I will hartilie beseech thee saieng Haue mercie on me O God haue mercie on me according to thy great mercie not after the mercie of men but after thy great mercie which is incomprehensible which is vnmeasurable and which passeth all sinnes without comparison According therefore vnto that thy great mercie by the which thou hast so loued the world that thou gauest thy sonne for it by the which thou hast taken awaie all our sinnes by the which through his crosse thou hast lightened all men by the which also thou hast restored all things in heauen and in earth wash me I saie O Lord wash me in his bloud restore me in his resurrection and iustifie me by thy grace and fauour and the redemption which is in Christ AMEN L LORD looke thou no more on my sinnes but according to the multitude of thy compassions wipe awaie all mine iniquities Psal 51. verse 1. THy mercie O Lord is the abundance of pitie thy compassions are the works and processe of thy mercie by the one thou lookest gentlie on the poore and wretched by the other thou forgiuest the multitude of sinnes O sweet and mercifull Sauiour Iesus Christ the sorowfull and penitent sinner Marie Magdalen came prostrate before thy feet she washed them with hir bitter teares she wiped them with the heares of hir head thou forgauest all hir sinnes and sentest hir awaie in peace this was good Lord one of thy compassions Peter thrise denied thee and forsooke thee with an oth thou mercifullie lookedst on him and he beholding thee bitterlie wept and thou Lord forgauest him which was another of thy compassions The theefe on the Crosse was saued with one word Paule in the furious madnesse of persecution was called and by and by was filled with the holie Ghost these all Lord are thy pitifull compassions Sith therefore that thou art the same our GOD with whome is no alteration neither shadowe of change and sith there is but one Mediatour and attonement betweene God and man that is Christ Iesus which endureth for euer why doost thou not powre out thy plentious compassions vpon vs as well as thou didst vpon our forefathers Why standest thou so far O Lord and hidest thy face in the needfull tune of trouble Hast thou forsaken vs Or are all thy mercies spent and none left O Lord my God I hartilie beseech thee most humblie praie thee that thou wilt according to the multitude of thy compassions wipe awaie all mine iniquities that as thou hast drawne and receiued innumerable sinners vnto thee and hast made them righteous in thy sight euen so thou wilt vouchsafe to drawe and take me and also to make mee righteous through thy grace and so to clense and purifie my hart that after all mine iniquities and vncleannesse put out it may be as a cleane table in the which thy finger O GOD may write the lawe of thy loue and charitie AMEN I IN the daie of trouble I will call on thee ô LORD Psa 120 vers 1. Because thou hast said In what houre so euer a sinner doth repent him of his sinnes I will no more
if thou carefullie behaue thy selfe walke in the waies that I haue commanded thou shalt be woorthilie honored indeed with that name wherby mine authoritie ouer all men is declared and I thy GOD and heauenlie Father will imbrace thee with my speciall fauour as my deerelie beloued Dooue and obedient child Yea so shall the KING haue pleasure in thy fairenes and loue thy goodlie personage and it shall come to passe that thou shalt bee more and more in the high fauour of thy spirituall spouse Christ my sonne to whom onlie it is meete that thou shouldst be subiect as to thy souereigne Lord King and head and vnder whose gouernement thou shalt remaine most honourable and admirable for the singular and vnspeakeable gifts of his grace to all maner of people strangers others of whom euen the most mightie and most rich shall desire to see thee and to be linked in friendship with thee For then shalt thou come foorth of thy princelie yuorie palace and statelie roiall throne most gloriouslie adorned with gorgious garments and roiall robes that smell most fragrantlie and yeeld their sweete sauours and odoriferous odours most pleasantlie spred ouer all those men and people who to declare their ioie and good-wils towards thee shall run and presse togither by thousands to see praise and extoll thy renowmed name and Maiestie crieng alowd and saieng GOD saue the QVEENE To conclude here in my house the Church thou shalt see thy children and offspring who by publishing and promoting my Gospell thou hast borne after a maner vnto thy husband Christ flourishing and spred both abroad and at home and nothing inferiour vnto those thy most noble Elders reigning ouer the prouinces of the whole world But at home chieflie euen in heauen with mee thy Father and with thy husband Christ thou shalt sit at my right hand beautified with all my gifts and most richlie beedecked all ouer with glorious garments broidered with gold hauing a crowne of most pure gold vpon thy head Euen thus roiallie I saie shalt thou then O Uirgin ô QVEENE O deerlie beloued Daughter be set before the KING thy husband with such and so pretious apparell the Uirgins thy companions waiting vpon thee and going with thee vnto the most glorious KING of kings whilest that you altogither with most great triumph mirth ioie reioicing shall enter into the highest mansion of the heauenlie Paradise most holie palace there to enioie a most certaine vnchangeable and euerlasting kingdome glorie dignitie blisse and felicitie and to sing praises vnto the name of the holie Trinitie together with all Kings Queenes Saints Uirgins and elect people of the world that euer were are or shall bee worlds without end The Queenes Vow or selfe-talke with GOD Collected out of the Psalmes of the princelie Prophet King DAVID as they are paraphrasticallie expounded by that godlie learned man THEODORE BEZA Wherein the Queenes Maiestie after a most Christian maner euen with Dauids spirit his sweet words and diuine sentences first inciteth prepareth hir hart and mind to deuotion Secondlie acknowledgeth the omnipotent power of God ouer all kings kingdoms and creatures and after a true rehearsall of his manifold benefits bestowed vpon hir from hir birth with an acknowledgement of hir souereigntie to come onelie from the Lord she thirdlie confesseth hir vnwoorthinesse and reioiceth greatlie in his protection and mercie towards hir since hir comming to the Crowne Fourthlie hauing his wonderous works and benefits done for hir preseruation in great admiration shee not onelie yeeldeth condigne thanks for the same but exhorteth all creatures both in heauen and earth to praise God together with hir And so lastlie she bindeth hir selfe as it were by a solemne oth vow and promise to consecrate hir life wholie to the true worship and sincere seruice of God in all holie obedience to his lawes to the glorie of God and full discharge of hir dutie both in hir Court and Realme * The first part of the VOW RABBONI my hart so voileth within mee that I must needes burst foorth that which it hath conceiued euen a magnifical Uow of a QVEENE consecrated to the KING of heauen himselfe and that with such zeale and feruencie that no penne may seeme to be able to attaine vnto the voice of the speaker Therefore O my God I being now prepared with my whole hart with my whole hart and mind I saie haue great desire to speake vnto thee and in this my present most happie estate to call into my remembrance thy woonderfull works wrought and brought to passe by thine almightie power for me from my conception euen vntill this houre Neither will I doo it O Lord with my mouth onlie as hypocrites vse to doo but I will vnfeinedlie testifie thee my God to be mine onlie maker redeemer preseruer and Sauiour with praise that shall proceed euen from the deepe bottome of my hart Go to then my tongue go to my mouth I saie bee thou no longer dumbe but open thy selfe wide to speake out the most excellent praises of my God and make thy hartie Uowes and saie as followeth The second part conteining foure Chapters CAP. I. O Heauenlie Father my almightie maker my greatest King mine onlie GOD and souereigne Sauiour thou which art the King of glorie and most glorious King the Lord of hosts strong valiant and mightie whose seate is in the highest heauens and thy dominion is stretched foorth ouer all things without exception I humblie acknowledge thee to be the verie God of Angels and of men the most sacred Emperour of the most mightie spirits and holie companie of the heauenlie armies which celebrate thy truth and praise perpetuallie in the regions aboue vs yea the greatest God highest Lord and most magnificall King far aboue all Emperours Kings Lords and Princes how great soeuer Euen the God of Abraham Isaac and Iacob and of my father Dauid and his posteritie Kings and Queenes my predecessors which art higher than the heauens and the mightie Monarch of the whole world hauing of nothing made heauen and earth and all things therein by thine almightie power guiding preseruing and ruling by the same the state of kingdoms and all the creatures and people that dwell in the world reseruing in thy power and authoritie as the Lord of all both the lowe secret parts of the earth the deepe bottoms of the Sea and the high tops of the mountaines reigning euer full of Maiestie power and authoritie and that most gloriouslie and triumphantlie in an eternall and euerlasting kingdome For whereas all other kingdoms trulie are transitorie and subiect to destruction thy kingdome onlie O God I confesse is not limited in anie bounds nor subiect to anie tearme of yeares or time but alwaies endureth one and vnchangeable from all eternitie to eternitie as he whose throne is for euer and euer and which hast raised a kingdome for thy selfe among thine Angels and people both in heauen and in
most readie to exceeding mercie and of whome a man may almost doubt whether thou be more slowe to wrath or more prone to pardon For is there anie thing O Lord void of thy goodnesse Naie what is there in this whole world anie where which doth not testifie thy clemencie and euen of it selfe set foorth thy glorie in this point that thou dooest suffer so manie generations and ages to passe and succeede in this world that is defiled so manie and fundrie waies and that thou dooest cause thy chosen people to knowe and declare by experience what thy dominion and power is that is to saie to be publishers of thy praise and valiant acts for committing the glorie of thy kingdome to their posteritie Wherefore by good right O Lord I will giue vnto thee due and conuenient praise declare thy woonderous works euen with a sounding voice that all may heare as it becommeth me all men to whom thou grantest the vse of this life to doo both diligentlie and continuallie As for me I will still call to mind the multitude of thy miracles and woonderous works wrought for me and I will consume all my life daies in praising thee therefore so long as I shall remaine aliue It shall be my speciall care to publish thy renowne with songs of praise And would to God that my songs might be so plesant and acceptable vnto thee as I with glad hart and cheerefull mind will celebrate thy so manie and so great benefits bestowed vpon me And be it far awaie and God forbid O my soule that euer we should forget the Lord our God But let rather my right hand forget hir cunning and all plaieng of instruments and let the tongue of euerie one of vs rather cleaue to the roofe of our mouthes than that it should be once vnmindfull of him or at anie time abandon the due deserued praises belonging to his most holy glorious mightie and eternall name and Maiestie O all ye creatures in heauen and earth agree yee vnto me and saie herevnto with one hart and mouth Amen Praise ye the Lord praise thou thy God O my soule Amen Amen The fift and last part of the Vow diuided also into fiue Chapters CAP. I. AND now O Lord my God and King I thine handmaid being appointed QVEENE by thee after such a maner of bountifulnesse as neuer was heard doo consecrate this song vnto thee both of mercie and iudgement wherevnto I doo vow and bind my selfe before thee this daie to performe them in the gouernment of the kingdome as thou both fatherlie requirest of me and gratiouslie hast commanded And first I will endeuour my selfe wholie to pietie and godlinesse and will labour diligentlie to preserue and to amplifie thy Church that thy pure worship may be continuallie exercised therein with as great care deuotion and holinesse as is possible I will go I saie into thy sanctified house O Lord euen into the holie habitation of thy most true wisdome will I enter that I may there learne thy iudgements and vnderstand thy will reuealed to doo to the vttermost of my power whatsoeuer thou requirest and commandest a King to doo For I doo testifie before thee that I desire nothing more than to visite and behold thy glorious Maiestie in thy Sanctuarie and therefore will I hasten speedilie to stand in the porches thereof to taste and see those visible signes of thy power and Maiestie shewed commonlie therein For doubtlesse thy goodnesse that offereth it selfe as it were there to be handled and felt is more sweet by far than life it selfe which causeth my soule so much the more to be inflamed with earnest desire to seeke thy face to see thy glorie and to set foorth thy praises with all my power Especiallie that the people which are holie vnto thee my God might assemble together by tribes and thousands after the maner apointed of thee to powre foorth praises and praiers and to celebrate thy holie name to the safetie and preseruation of all the families of our nation that loue and fauour thy truth to all posteritie Yea euen I my selfe O God with my father DAVID will gladlie go foorth with the multitude and lead thy people as he was woont into thy holie house O God with the voice of ioifull praisings and thanksgiuings as those that obserue thy sabaoths and festiuall daies most glorious vnto thee before the face of all people I will present my selfe often before thine altar not onlie with my hands washed in water but rather purified from all wickednes that I may openlie stablish thy praise and celebrate thy woonderfull works There will I sound foorth thy renowme with lowd voice with all my hart satisfied with the fatnesse and marowe of thy most holie delicates I will lead my life therein I saie O God setting forth thy magnificence and there will I lift vp mine innocent hart and hands with others and openlie amids the whole multitude call vpon thy name wherein is my safegard For there is nothing that I loue more deerlie than that Temple wherein thou hast set thy seate of glorie euen the house of thy Maiestie and holie Citie wherein the tribunall seate of my father DAVID left to his posteritie to minister iustice indifferentlie to euerie one is firmelie placed And why should not I doo so Why should not my soule I saie he thus inflamed and the zeale of thine house euen consume mee with feruent desire and hartie longing to seeke thy face O Iacob Seeing I haue had experience so oft of thy gratious goodnesse and miraculous helpe and seeing thou O Lord my God hast set thy house in Ierusalem that thy true worship might be by my diligence holilie exercised therein Therefore O God I euen I thine handmaid to whom thou hast appointed the kingdome will reioice and praise thee in thy sacred Sanctuarie and ioine my selfe as companion with those that doo worship thee trulie and deuoutlie therein neither will I be far or long from thence if I be Lord it shall be full sore against my will through some vrgent necessitie of my calling or office in this life And though I be absent in bodie at anie time from thy house as manie times it commeth to passe by reason I change my place so often yet I make a vow I will doo that I am able to wit whersoeuer I become I will cleaue vnto thee in my hart wholie and will not cease to thinke of thee and to meditate of thy manifold benefits powred vpon me Yea Lord thou knowest that I am accustomed to rise at mid-night when other doo soundlie sleepe and setting aside all other cares as she that is euer mindfull of thy statutes I doo watchfullie thinke how I may please thee and keepe thy commandements and how I am woont to preuent the twy-light in the morning with my lowd praiers yea that I am so farre from following the example of the wicked who lie snorting in sin securitie that contrariwise
sinnes and wickednesse my great ingratitude and vnthankefulnesse towards thee for all thy mercifull benefits so aboundantlie powred vpon me through Iesus Christ which wouldest vouchsafe he being thine owne deere darling in whome was and is all thy whole pleasure and delight to giue him for me to the verie death of the Crosse yea and that when I was thine vtter enimie of mercie inestimable and loue incomprehensible Who euer sawe such a thing God became man and was crucified for me that by his death I might liue Alas that euer I should become so wicked a wretch and vnkind a creature to displease so louing kind and mercifull a God and father Oh forgiue me forgiue me for thy great mercie sake for thy truth and promise sake and I will neuer trespasse againe against thy diuine Maiestie anie more but will gladlie serue thee in true holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of my life by the grace and assistance of thy good and holie spirit the which I beseech thee to giue me also that he may gouerne me and guide my hart in thy true faith feare and loue that in all my deeds words and thoughts I may glorifie thy holie name which liuest and reignest with the sonne and the holie Ghost three persons and one God to whome be all honour glorie praise thanks power rule and dominion for euer and euer Amen Another confession of sinnes proper for the Sabaoth daie OH my most mercifull father the father of mercies and God of all consolation and comfort my God my father I most wretched sinner confesse and acknowledge my selfe vnfeinedlie with hart mind mouth now before thee to haue most greenoushe offended thy high Maiestie and goodnesse I recognise and acknowledge my selfe to be full of sinne full of vnfaithfulnesse and a seruant vnprofitable For all thy holie commandements haue I transgressed and broken First I haue not set all my whole beleefe confidence trust and hope in thee I haue not loued and honoured thee with all my hart with all my soule mind and powers of my soule Secondlie I haue diuided thine honour and worship from thee and giuen it to thy creatures and dead things imagined of mine owne fond fantasie I meane in the adoring and worshipping of images Thirdlie I haue abused thy most holie name by false and deceitfull swearing to the hinderance of my neighbour and idlelie and vainlie haue I vsed thy holie name I haue not said nor done neither thought all things to thy glorie Fourthlie in the Saboth daie I haue not giuen my selfe to hearing reading learning the holie Scriptures neither haue I giuen meate to the hungrie drinke to the thirstie lodged the harbourlesse clothed the naked visited the sicke comforted nor releeued the poore and men in prison For I haue not expended of how great weight these words of thy sonne my Sauiour Christ are neither beleeued him saieng In as much as ye haue done these things vnto one of the least of these my brethren ye haue done it vnto me Matth. 25. But I haue bestowed and spent my gold and siluer after my lewd lust and concupiscence in excesse of meat and drinke in gorgeous apparell of my bodie of my children seruants and house c. where I should not haue bestowed it or else not so largelie delicatelie nicelie and excessiuelie haue bestowed it as I haue not regarding in the meane time to suffer the deere beloued brethren of Iesu Christ to go naked and to perish for cold and hunger I haue I saie not ceased from mine owne sinfull will and lusts praieng at all times thy will and not mine to be fulfilled Furthermore I haue not honoured my father and mother I haue not so much set by them esteemed them and had them in such reuerence as thou commandest me nor obeied them neither comforted releened or helped them I haue slaine I haue broken wedlocke I haue stolne I haue sold by false weights and measures and borne false witnesse finallie I haue coueted my neighbours house I haue desired his wife his seruant his cattell his other goods vnlawfullie Thus most greeuouslie haue I sinned infinit waies O Lord omitting and leauing thy commandements Oh Father to fulfill the desire of my flesh the world and the diuell Wherefore I crie thee mercie my God most mercifull father and most humblie I desire and beseech thee for the loue which thou bearest to thy deer sonne mine onelie whole and entire Sauiour Iesu Christ to haue mercie on me and to forgiue me most miserable sinner euen in his bloud and for his pretious death sake For when I went about to seeke thee to trust vnto thee or to doo anie thing to thy glorie yet would not this lust and concupiscence that contagious originall poison and fleshlie dregges drawne of our father Adam suffer me perfectlie to doo that I would haue done Through this naturall concupiscence I striue and fight dailie against the holie Ghost in me which vnlawfull lust and desire I knowledge to be a greeuous sinne against thy highnes if thou shouldest iudge me straitlie after thy Lawe without the which concupiscence I cannot be Wherefore I being a wretched yea a most abhominable wretched sinner in my selfe cleerelie destitute of all righteousnesse of all godlinesse of all holinesse and all deseruings am come now by faith before thee vnto Christ his mercie seate and righteousnesse vnto his goodnesse deseruings and satisfactions desiring thee O most mercifull father for his deaths sake that his righteousnesse his wisedome his holinesse his goodnesse his merits and satisfactions may be mine and serue for my forgiuenesse and saluation For like as thou gauest me him to die for my sinnes euen so beleeue I that thou hast giuen me with him all his to be mine and to serue me for my saluation Wherefore glorie honor worship empire and rule be to thee oh father with the sonne and the holie ghost for euer world without end So be it Another Confession of sinnes for Sundaies to be vsed in the forenoone or afternoone O Most mercifull Lord God my tender and deere father vouchsafe I hartilie beseech thee to looke downe with thy fatherlie eies of pitie vpon me most vile and wretched sinner which lie heere prostrate in heart before the feete of thy bottomlesse mercie For I haue sinned against the throne of thy glorie and before thee O most deere Father insomuch that I am not worthie to be called thy daughter Yet neuerthelesse forasmuch as thou art the God and Father of all mercie and comfort and againe desirest not the death of a sinner but like a true Samaritan takest thought for my sillie wounded soule make me I praie thee by infunding of thy pretious oile of comfort into my wounds ioifullie to run with the lost sonne into the lap of thine euerlasting pitie For lo thou art my hope and trust in whom I onlie repose my selfe hauing in thee full confidence and faith And so I saie with a verie faithfull
might dailie more and more trace thee out yea I haue a great while sore longed with so godlie affection as I could to celebrate thee in the frequented assemblies of the godlie which trulie I will now doo accordinglie by the grace and assistance of thy holie spirit and that with a most readie and ioifull mind as it behooueth And that this mine enterprise and beginning may proceede to a further good successe and amendment of my maners and imbettering of my life doo thou finish the thing O God which thou hast begun in me and make me continuallie to increase from faith to faith Yea so renew and shape me againe in innocencie and righteousnesse O grations Lord I beseech thee that as a person new borne of thee I may insearch thee againe and againe both in the dawning of the daie morning noone euening and night Now lead me forooard O Lord I beseech thee in thy righteousnesse let thy louing spirit direct my feete and make thy waies plaine before my face bicause of my mortall and inuisible enimies And doo thou vouchsafe luckilie to conduct my bodie this daie vnto thy materiall temple and to bring my soule at the last vnto thy holie hill and blessed mountaine which thou hast purchased with thy right hand that I may rest both bodie and soule in heauen and remaine with thee foreuer Amen Or praie thus O GOD the word who art the light by whom light was made who art the waie truth and life in whom there is no darknes ouersight vanitie nor death shine foorth O Lord my light mine inlightening and my welfare whom I will reuerence my Lord whom I will honour my Father whom I will loue my Iudge whom I will feare my Bridegroome whom I will cleaue vnto and keepe my selfe an vndefiled spouse Shine foorth O euerlasting light shine foorth I saie and lighten the Lampe of my virginitie with the oile of thy diuine grace and mercie that this blind soule of mine which yet sitteth in darknesse and shadowe of death may see the light and eschew darknesse see the waie and eschew straieng see the truth and eschew leasing see the life and eschew death And guide thou my feete vnto the waie of peace that by thy mercifull protection I may see the light walke in the light and neuer stumble vpon the snares of Sathan but may now passe thereby into the palace of thy woonderfull tabernacle and be able to climbe vp euen vnto the holie house and temple with the voice of gladnesse and confession there to abide and receiue at thy hands both mercie righteousnesse health blessing and euerlasting saluation with my fellowe-citizens thy Saints and houshold menie Amen Another godlie praier to be said either going towards or being in the Church LOoke what earnest and feruent desire soeuer the old fathers had O most mightie GOD to come vnto the place wherein thou hadst appointed a tabernacle to thy selfe for that time euen the like am I kindled withall in beholding the repairing of thy sacred Church and to see therin a very great companie of godlie men women lawfullie assembled together for the aduancement of thy glorie hearing thy holie doctrine dulie receiuing of thy blessed Sacraments accordinglie Wherefore I humblie beseech thee which art my God my King that I may this daie reioice to be there For what felicitie soeuer may be attained vnto in this fraile life I doubt not but it will light vpon the sacred companie of the godlie there assembled Giue eare therefore O excellent Father vnto mine earnest praiers grant that I make none other account of thy blessed house than thy will and pleasure is I should doo For a more blessed thing it were for me to haue one daies meeting and abode therein than if I abide neuer so great a time of continuance in the congregation of the vngodlie or in such a one as is not lawfullie assembled with the aduantage and ouer-plus of all the pleasures of this transitorie world Seeing that therefore thou art our most splendent light and strong defence cause our assemblies on the earth O God so to redound to thine vnspeakable glorie that our assured hope by comming in the end vnto thee in the euerlasting tabernacles of the heauens may be augmented and verie much increased through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen VVhen you enter into the Church meditate thus with your selfe and saie LORD who shall ascend into thy high hill Or who shall rise vp in thy holie place Euen he that hath cleane hands and a pure hart and hath not lift vp his mind vnto vanitie nor sworne to deceiue his neighbour He shall receiue the blessing from the Lord and righteousnesse from the God of his saluation This is the generation of them that seeke him euen of them that seeke thy face O Iacob Lift vp your heads O ye gates and be ye lift vp ye euerlasting doores and the King of glorie shall come in euen the Lord of hosts most mightie and strong Open me the gates of righteousnesse O Lord that I with the righteous nation that keepe thy truth may go into them and giue thanks vnto thee This is the gate of the Lord the righteous shall enter into it Yea blessed are they that doo thy commandements O God For their power shall be in the tree of life and they shall enter in through the gates into the holie citie new Ierusalem But without shall be dogs and inchanters and whooremongers and murderers and idolaters yea there shall enter into it none vncleane thing neither whatsoeuer worketh abhomination or maketh lies but they onlie which are written in the Lambes booke of life Amen Or thus LOrd who shall enter into thy sanctuarie to consider thy mightie power except thou open it vnto him And who shall open it if thou shut it Trulie O Lord my God I sillie worme and claie am not able to enter into thine euerlastingnesse vnlesse thou which hast made all things of nothing doo lead me in Yea I knowe Lord I knowe and confesse that I am vnwoorthie to enter vnder thy roofe but yet I beseech thee let a blessed entrance to the house of eternall felicitie whither I haue dailie a feruent desire to come be set open and made as a free passage vnto me O God And giue mee leaue now I praie thee though a dog and an vnwoorthie wretch euen for thine owne honour sake to enter into thy holie house and to approch thy sacred presence and confound not thy seruant that seeketh thee and putteth all hir trust and confidence in thy mercie Oh suffer me not I saie good Lord to knit vp and finish my last daies with malefactors and wicked persons but grant that after my long and dailie trauell in this transitorie world I may in the end at length be permitted through thy mercie to enter the courts of thy diuine presence and with thine elect and chosen seruants for euer inhabit the hauen of eternall felicitie through
highest coasts of the heauen of heauens and sittest in the celestiall throne of eternall glorie betweene the Cherubins and Seraphins Looke downe I saie O most mightie Iehoua and haue respect now I beseech thee vnto thy sacred Sanctuarie and holie house of praier Let thine eies I saie O Lord be euer open towards thy blessed Tabernacle night and daie euen towards thy Church thy Temple and most sacred place on earth where thine honor dwelleth and whereof thou hast said My house shall be an house of praier for all people and nations and my name shall be called vpon therein that thou maist harken this daie vnto the praiers which we thy poore creatures and most vnwoorthie seruants make before thee in this place Heare thou therefore O our God euen from heauen the place of thy glorious habitation the supplications of thy seruants and also what praiers and supplications soeuer shall be made vnto thee of anie particular man or woman and of all the people Giue good eare I saie O Lord vnto all the cries praiers and petitions of thy people heere assembled or that shall be gathered together in thy name who with rent harts bowed knees and stretched out hands returne vnto thee and present themselues here this daie to confesse thee call vpon thy holie name in this place And when thou hearest pardon the sinnes of thy seruants and be mercifull vnto the offences and iniquities of thy people wherewith they haue sinned and transgressed or shall offend against thy Maiestie Heare vs I saie O Lord O holie Lord God heare vs we praie thee be mercifull vnto thine inheritance and doo and giue to euerie one of vs according vnto all and euerie thing that we call and praie for vnto thee this daie in this thy holie house according to thy will thorough Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Amen A psalme of preparation to praier in the morning I will giue thanks vnto the Lord with my whole hart secretlie among the faithfull and in the congregation and will saie O God my hart is readie my hart is readie here now now in thy holie house to paie thee my vowes which I promised with my lips and spake with my mouth when I was in trouble My voice shalt thou heare beetimes O Lord earlie in the morning will I direct my praiers vnto thee will looke vp I my selfe will awake right earlie to sing and giue praise vnto thee with the best member that I haue Unto thee my God will I lift vp my hands hart in this thy holie habitation towards the mercie-seat of thy holie temple In the voice of praise and thankes-giuing among such as keepe it holie daie For this is the daie which thou O Lord hast made I will reioice be glad in it In this daie of thy power will I offer the free-will offerings with an holie worship and magnifie thee in the congregation of the people From the ground of my hart will I reioice and giue thanks vnto thee my God in the seate of the elders for a remembrance of thy holinesse O let my mouth be filled with thy praise that I may sing of thy glorie and praise now and for euermore Glorie be to the c. As it was in the c. A Psalme to be vsed priuatelie before Euening praier in the Church IN the euening and morning and at noone daie will I praie and that instantlie he shall heare my voice My hart is fixed redie O God my hart is fixed redie I will praise thee and thy faithfulnesse yet more more with the best member that I haue euen with all my hart will I thanke thee and praise thy name for euermore My lips be faine to sing vnto thee and so is my soule whom thou hast deliuered yea my soule shall be satisfied with marowe and fatnesse when my mouth praiseth thee with ioifull lips For it is a good thing to giue thanks vnto the Lord and to sing praises vnto thy name O most high to tell of thy louing kindnesse earlie in the morning and of thy truth in the euening and night season yea a ioifull and pleasant thing it is to be thankfull vnto thee our God alwaie Therefore I will sing seuen times a daie and will praise thy mercie late in the euening bicause of thy righteous iudgements As for me I will be talking of thy worship thy glorie thy praise and woonderous works from time to time For great art thou O Lord and maruelous worthie to be praised and feared aboue all the gods yea thou canst not woorthilie be praised for there is none end of thy greatnesse nor goodnesse Behold now therfore praise the Lord all ye seruants of the Lord ye that by night stand in the house of the Lord euen in the middest of the courts of the house of our God Lift vp your hands in the sanctuarie and praise the Lord together with me For he is good and gratious and his mercie endureth for euer Yea let euerie good man and woman sing of thy praise O God and speake of thine honour in thy temple with cheerfull minds and that without ceasing for euer and saie The Lords name be praised from the rising vp of the sunne vnto the going downe of the same blessed be the Lord God of Israel from euerlasting worlds without end Amen Glorie be to the Father c. As it was in the c. Another preparation of the hart before euening praier in the Church LORD behold mine hart is at this present readie to sing praises more and more vnto thee and againe and againe to render vnto thee woorthie thanks here now in the assemblie of Saints Onelie I desire thee to hallowe vs from heauen thy dwelling place powre downe vpon vs thy holie sanctifieng spirit which may so wholie possesse our soules and preserue vs from all euill cogitations and motions of sinne and iniquitie that we may hallowe thy name this euening and euermore in all things flowe in thy word render the sacrifice of praise and thankes-giuing vnto thee and worship thee onelie in spirit and truth as our God most mightie in heauen and earth our righteous maker and the worker of all goodnesse in all such as beleeue in thee A cleane hart O God make thou in me restore in me a willing and a right spirit denie me not the holie Ghost For of my selfe I can performe nothing that is good Blesse me therefore O benigne Lord and indue me plentifullie with thy grace to the intent I may offer the acceptable euening sacrifice of thankes-giuing for nothing else verelie requirest thou and with glad semblance imbrace and celebrate thy righteousnesse espied in the releasing forgiuing of my sinnes Giue mee of thy goodnesse to this end that I may continuallie praise thy Maiestie daie and night with mysticall Psalmes spirituall songs Be thou euermore working through thy holie spirit in me which presentlie keepeth the godlie rest of the new Saboth
may be compared to the ranke Oliues and exceeding fertile Uines and grant that a continuall ofspring of thy deere children may be multiplied in thy blessed Church and become notable in peace in praises and in puritie of life and doctrine to the renowmed honour of thy glorious name through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another praier for the preseruation of the Church O Celestiall God and Father of infinite mercie and compassion which not onelie gatherest to thy selfe an holie Church in this world out of mankind through the operation of the holie Ghost and preaching of thy word but also preseruest the same being gathered and adornest it with all kind of temporall things and which more is with eternall blisse we humblie beseech thee gratious Lord that of thy goodnesse thou wouldest vouchsafe euermore to mainteine this thy little flocke embracing preaching and professing thy word through thine especiall grace Continue thy fauour toward the same keepe it in sound doctrine constant in confessing in the lawfull vse of thy holie Sacraments and in purenesse of life that neither the gates of hell the rage of Sathan nor yet the rigorousnesse and tyrannie of this world oppresse the same Protect and keepe this thy boate and little barke tossed among manie perillous tempests and miserable surges in the raging sea of this trouble some world that it perish not being ouerwhelmed Uphold thy Church which is builded vpon a sure rocke and dependeth vpon Christ a sound and vnmoueable foundation O Lord of hostes returne looke downe from heauen and behold visit thy Uine and make it perfect which thy right hand hath planted and thou hast chosen to thy selfe Hedge the same about with thy strong defence that the branches thereof being spread out and pruned may bring foorth aboundance of fruite Raise vp thy power come O God and saue vs. Conuert vs shewe foorth thy countenance and we shall be saued Encrease thy sheepe within thy hardels so shall we be quiet from all inuasion and scatterings neither can anie drawe vs by force out of thy hands Defend vs from such as seeke the vtter ouerthrowe of pure religion and in place thereof labour to bring in the shamefull instauration of blasphemous idolatrie Suffer not thy word that most cleere and vnchangeable light to be corrupted or put out by our meanes but gather to thy selfe through the sound of the Gospell such a Church as may harken vnto thee honour and sanctifie thy name as well in word as in honest conuersation that so thou maist haue a righteous and holie generation celebrating thy goodnesse for euermore O ioine vs vnto that companie which doth worship thee continuallie that we may be citizens of thy kingdome among thy Saincts Grant that we erre not frō the foundation of wholsome doctrine answering to the rules of the sacred Scripture and that we offend not against our conscience but separate vs from the companie of the vngodlie ones and from the damned crue of the reprobate Let vs not so much as take their names into our mouths which powre out heapes of blasphemies to thy great dishonour and defacing of thy truth vnto whom thy sonne is a destruction and stone of offence For they despise his base estate and the foolish preaching of thy Gospell and the deformed shew of the Church placed in the midst of all kind of miseries they loath and abhor preferring vncertaine riches lordlie authoritie and the vaine pleasures of this transitorie world before the profession of the truth so making warre with thy sonne they doo purchase euerlasting destruction vnto themselues Keepe vs euermore that wee may abide in that Church which is trulie Catholike consisting of members of manie nations but linked vnto thee in one and the same confession Sanctifie vs with thine holie spirit that our sinnes being forgiuen vs wee may take another trade of life in acknowledging thee to be the onlie true God and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent Giue vnto thy Church resting places and nests where they may sound thy sacred Gospell purelie without corruption Suppresse the diuell which spredeth blasphemies against thy doctrine that so neither feined gods may be erected nor superstitious inuocations confirmed nor thy glorie defaced Weaken the power of thine enimies which boile in hatred against thy truth and conspire the death of thine elect so neither shall stables of woolues be made nor dennes of theeues established O Lord returne and quicken vs so shall thy people reioice in thee Let all such as trust in thee reioice and triumph for euer Dwell thou in them and let those which loue thy name reioice in thee O Lord remember not our offences Thou which wast somtime mercifull and forgauest the wickednesse of thy people and hidst all their sinnes which withdrawedst all thine anger and turnedst from the fiercenesse of thine indignation be mindfull of thy woonted mercie and receiue vs into thy fauour For we depend vpon thee alone being destitute of all worldlie aid our trust wholie is in thee and all our confidence resteth in thy stretched-out arme O Lord couer vs with thy grace as it were with a shield that so we may be blessed and abiding in the house of thy congregation may acknowledge and call vpon thee according to thy word reuealed and praise thee euermore through our Lord Iesus Christ Amen A praier for vnitie in faith and religion O Eternall God and most mercifull Father which hast called vs to the vnitie of the true Catholike faith and gathered vs by thy word into the lap of the Christian congregation that wee may be all of vs one bodie and one spirit euen as wee are called in one hope of our calling one Lord one faith one baptisme one God and Father of all which is aboue all and through all and in vs all For euen as thou O Father art in thy sonne and he in thee so should we also be one in thee our God And therefore we crie vnto thee O almightie Father and eternall God teach vs thy waies that we may walke in thy truth O knit our harts vnto thee that we may feare thy name Grant that all the faithfull may be like affected and of one mind as thou art thinking the same thing after the ensample of Christ our Sauiour and that as well in minds as with mouth we may agree among our selues both in true doctrine and in outward behauiour of conuersation For the scope of the Churches felicitie consisteth in the vnitie of true faith and religion Keepe vs in the true vnderstanding and right knowledge of thy sacred Scriptures that without strife and contention we may speake one thing Let there be no dissentions nor schismes among vs. Let nothing be done through contention or of vaine glorie but let vs be one bodie indued with one mind and iudgment according to thy word reuealed vntill we attaine to the vnitie of faith and knowledge of thy sonne into a perfect man according to the measure of the
all the earth full of patience forbearance pitie and repentance ouer the wickednesse of sinfull people declaring the sharpnesse of thy iudgements for their amendment and deliuerance from punishment Thou O Lord hast promised according to thy bottomlesse bountie and goodnesse a penitent spirit not to iust and righteous Abraham Isaac and Iacob which haue not offended against thy Maiestie but to those that are ouerwhelmed with the tempestuous tides of their transgressions We O Lord haue offended and our fathers haue committed sinne in thy sight We haue defiled our selues in the filthie puddle of iniquitie and therefore beholding in the verie heauens such dreadfull tokens of thy wrathfull indignation hanging ouer our heads for our monstrous and prodigious life we bow before thee the knees of our harts beseeching thee to be gratious vnto vs and to open thine eares to our praiers We haue sinned O Lord we haue sinned and we acknowledge our misdeeds humblie beseeching thee to forgiue vs our offences O forgiue vs and deliuer vs not ouer to destruction with our iniquities neither laie thou vp in store vengeance against the daie of iudgement O reserue not for vs the whip of wo and wretchednesse but in mercie pardon our misdeeds and let not the fierie flames of thy furie and wrath waxe hot against vs to burne and consume vs in our iniquities Amen In the time of warre O Almightie God King of all kings and Gouernor of all things whose power no creature is able to resist to whom it belongeth iustlie to punish sinners to be mercifull vnto them that truelie repent saue and deliuer vs we humblie beseech thee from the hands of our enimies abate their pride asswage their malice and confound their deuises that we being armed with thy defence may be preserued euermore from all perils to glorifie thee which art the onlie giuer of all victorie through the merits of thine onlie sonne Iesus Christ our Lord Amen In time of rebellion or intestine warre O Most mightie and mercifull Lord God which art King of glorie and Lord of hosts the Gouernour of all creatures the onlie giuer of all victories who alone art able to strengthen the weake against the mightie and to vanquish infinite multitudes of thine enimies with the countenance of a few of thy seruants calling vpon thy name and trusting in thee defend O good Lord thy seruants and our gouernour vnder thee our most gratious and souereigne Ladie Queene Elizabeth and all hir faithfull subiects and people committed to hir charge And especiallie at this time O Lord haue regard to those hir trustie louing and obedient subiects which be sent into the north parts of this Realme or ouer the seas to the aid of such as be persecuted for the profession of thy holie name to withstand the crueltie force and power of certaine false and vnfaithfull subiects yea rather cursed rebels and wicked traitours and all those which be common enimies as well to the truth of thine eternall word as to their owne naturall Prince and countrie and manifestlie against the Crowne and Realme of England which thou hast by thy diuine prouidence assigned in these our daies to the gouernement of thy seruant our souereigne Ladie and most gratious Queene to the great comfort of all vs hir louing subiects and faithfull commons thy most glorious name be praised therefore O Lord God of hosts which by thine Angel therevnto appointed doost minister both warre and peace and which diddest giue vnto Dauid both courage and strength being but a little one vnarmed and vnexpert in feates of warre with his sling to set vpon ouerthrowe the great huge giant Goliah our cause now being iust and being forced to enter into warre and battell we most humblie beseech thee most gratious God so to turne the harts of these rebels thine and our enimies to the desire of peace that no Christian bloud be shed or spilt Or else grant O Lord that with small effusion of bloud and to the little hurt and damage of thy seruants who doo ieopard their liues for the defence of thy holie Gospell our Queene Realme against the aduersaries thereof we may to thy glorie obteine the victorie and that the warres being ended the rebels soone put to flight and vanquished we may all with one hart and mind knit togither in godlie concord and vnitie laud praise thee which art our God O most mercifull Father if it be thy holie will make soft and tender the stonie harts of all those I saie that exalt themselues against thy truth and seeke either to trouble the quietnesse of this Realme of England or to oppresse the Crowne of the same and conuert them to the knowledge of thy sonne the onelie Sauiour of the world Iesus Christ that we and they may iointlie glorifie thy mercies Lighten we beseech thee their ignorant harts to embrace the truth of thy word or else to abate their crueltie O most mightie Lord that this our Christian Region with others that confesse thy holie Gospell may obteine by thine aid strength suertie from all our enimies without shedding of Christian and innocent bloud whereby all they which be in feare of their crueltie may be comforted and finallie that all Christian realmes and especiallie this Realme of England may by thy defence and protection continue in the truth of the Gospell and enioie perfect peace quietnesse and securitie and that we for these thy mercies iointlie all together with one consent hart and voice may thankfullie render vnto thee all laud and praise that we knit in one godlie concord and vnitie among our selues may continuallie magnifie thy glorious name And furthermore for as much as it is thy good will and pleasure to appoint vs in the number of subiects we most humblie beseech thee O heauenlie Father to giue vs faithfull and obedient harts vnto our dread souereigne Ladie the Queenes most excellent Maiestie and to the high powers and godlie rulers that are in authoritie vnder hir noble Grace that there may be found in vs no disobedience no vnfaithfulnes no treason no falsehood no dissimulation no insurrection no commotion no conspiracie nor anie kind of rebellion in deede word or thought but all faithfulnesse obedience quietnesse subiection and humilitie and whatsoeuer else becommeth faithfull subiects vnder so good and so gratious a Prince that we liuing heere in all lowlinesse of mind may at the last daie through thy fauour be lifted vp into euerlasting glorie where thou O most mercifull Father with thy sonne and the holie Ghost liuest and reignest one verie true and perfect God for euer and euer Amen A thankes-giuing for the suppression of rebellion or insurrection O Heauenlie and most mercifull Father the defender of those that put their trust in thee the sure fortresse of all them that flie to thee for succour who of thy most iust iudgements for our disobedience and rebellion against thy holie word and for our holie profession whereby we haue giuen
we be tied and bound with the chaine of our sinnes yet let the pitifulnesse of thy great mercie loose vs for the honour of Iesus Christes sake our onlie mediator and aduocate Amen The end of the Letanie Praiers to be vsed before and after the first and second lessons the Gospell and Pistle and before and after the Sermon or Homilie Before the first or second lesson praie BLessed Lord which hast caused all holie Scriptures both in the old and new Testaments to be written and red for our learning grant vs that we may now in such sort heare them reade them marke learne and inwardlie digest them that by patience and comfort of thy holie word we may embrace and euer hold fast the blessed hope of euerlasting life which thou hast giuen vs in our Sauiour Iesus Christ Amen After the first or second lesson praie GRatious God and most mercifull father which hast vouchsafed vs the rich and pretious iewell of thy holie word assist vs with thy spirit that it may be written in our harts to our euerlasting comfort to reforme vs to renew vs according to thine owne image to build vs vp and edifie vs into the perfect building of thy Christ sanctifieng and increasing in vs all heauenlie vertues Grant this O heauenlie father for Iesu Christs sake Amen Or thus THanks be vnto thee O our celestiall father through Christ our Redeemer that thou hast so cleerelie by thy Patriarchs Prophets and Apostls reuealed vnto vs these so secret mysteries of our saluation in Christ for whose sake also we beseech thee to giue vs the verie feare and faith in thee that we constantlie beleeuing thy truth and following that thou commandest vs in thy word may by no meanes hinder thy glorie or the course of thy word by our lewd conuersation but in all obedience helpe to amplifie and increase thy kingdome to the perpetuall praise of thy name through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Before the reading of the Epistle or Gospell praie ALmightie God and most mercifull Father who by thy holie spirit in thy seruants the Apostles and the Euangelists hast left vnto vs the storie of the doctrine and deedes of our Sauiour Christ that thereby as he is in deede so we might beleeue him to be thy Sonne and the Sauiour of the world put our trust in thee through him that so beleeuing we might attaine to euerlasting life grant vs we beseech thee the same most holie spirit to open our harts and lighten our minds that by the reading and hearing of the same our faith in thee through him may continuallie be strengthened till we attaine to the end thereof euen the saluation of our soules through Iesus Christ our Lord and Sauiour Amen After the reading of the Epistle or Gospell WE giue thee thanks most mercifull Father for that it hath pleased thee in great mercie towards vs to cause the holie writings and traditions of the Apostles and Euangelists to come to this our time place and eares that thou hast vouchsafed also to open reueale thy holie will vnto them to approue thy sonne so manifestlie to the world and to confirme vnto vs by them the truth of thy Gospell that in the mouth of so manie faithfull witnesses we might haue more full assurance in thy mercifull promises Helpe vs O good Father we beseech thee that by thy grace we may doo in deede that which we now by them doo vnderstand And least heerein we be through thy iustice more greeuouslie condemned and punished if that we neglect to doo thy will which through thy grace thou hast reuealed graunt vs the fruit of this thy care towards vs in the strength of faith that hauing read and heard so notable things in this his holie storie and acts and writings of the holie Apostles recorded and left vnto vs by so true and most faithfull witnesses appointed and ordeined therevnto by thee we may now by the effectuall working of thy holie spirit receiue and acknowledge him for thine onlie sonne and our onlie sauiour to the saluation of our soules and the glorious praise of thy name and so being lead from one witnesse to another we may according to thy holie word go from faith to faith till we atteine to the euerlasting life which thou hast prepared for vs in thy sonne to whome with thee O Father and the holie Ghost be all honor glorie and praise both now and for euer Amen Before the Sermon or Homilie read some of these sentences of Scripture exhorting to the attentiue hearing of the word Deuteronomie 18. THE Lord said to Moses I will raise them vp a Prophet from among their breethren like vnto thee and will put my words in his mouth and he shall speake vnto them all that I shall command him vnto him shall yee harken And whosoeuer will not harken vnto my words which he shall speake in my name I will require it of him Psalme 119. GReat is the peace they haue which loue thy lawe and they are not offended at it Prouerbs 8. BLessed is that man or woman that heareth me watching dailie at my gates and giuing attendance at the posts of my doores For he that findeth me findeth life and shall obteine fauour of the Lord but he that sinneth against me hurteth his owne soule and all that hate me loue death Prouerbs 28. HE that turneth awaie his eare from hearing the lawe euen his praiers shall be abhominable VVisdome 3. WHo so despiseth wisdome discipline is miserable and their hope is vaine and their labours are foolish and their works vnprofitable and their wiues are vndiscreet their children wicked and their of-spring is accursed Ecclesiasticus 5. BE humble to heare the word of God that thou maist vnderstand it and make a true answere with wisdome Be swift to heare good things and followe the word of peace and righteousnesse Luke 11. THE Queene of the South shall rise in iudgement with the men and women of this generation and shall condemne them For she came from the vttermost parts of the earth to heare the wisdome of Salomon and behold saith Christ of himselfe a greater than Salomon is heere speaking vnto you Iohn 8. HE that is of God heareth Gods word Yee therefore heare them not because ye are not of God Reuelation 2. LET him that hath an eare heare what the spirit saith to the Churches or congregation c. A praier for the heedfull hearing of Gods word FOR as much O most mercifull God as faith without the which it is impossible to please thee in anie thing we doo commeth by hearing and hearing by the word of God in so much as he or she that turneth awaie his eare frō hearing the lawe euen his praier shall be abhominable and turned into sinne yea bicause also it is a farre more blessed thing to heare and keepe thy word than to haue had the honour to haue borne or nursed thine owne sonne grant vs grace therefore I
lookers on to feede our selues and not to hire others to feed for vs that so we may liue by our owne meate and not perish for hunger while other deuoure all We are come togither I saie O my soule with this congregation assembled presentlie to celebrate a sacrifice not priuatelie in one kind for the dead nor to make a mysterie a sacrifice nor of a communion to make a priuate eating nor of two parts to haue but one nor yet to applie it for the dead and so we to loose the fruit that are aliue No no my soule God forbid that we should come to celebrate this holie mysterie after anie such sort or to anie such vse or purpose For that were to declare our selues vnwoorthie of the Lord yea to be accursed of him for committing such spirituall blasphemie and robberie But knowe that we are come hither now publikely and openly at this the Lords boord to minister doo that which he himselfe a little before his death vouchsafed in his owne person most wiselie kindlie and louinglie to inuent prouide institute ordeine doo establish and command as a most necessarie waie and meane for it the better to take some place in vs and not to be frustrate of it end and purpose Yea to doo that which his holie Apostles also afterward togither with the godlie fathers in the primitiue Church both vsed practised authorised and confirmed according as it was deliuered and giuen by the first author thereof onelie that is to saie euen openlie and publikelie to celebrate in the Lords most happie commemoration and remembrance at this his holie table the heauenlie memorie of that most maruellous worke and deere bought benefit of our redemption and saluation wrought by Christ Iesus to our endlesse consolation profit commoditie and eternall saluation in his with all reuerence named most pretious death painfull crosse bloudie passion And wite thou well O my soule that like as Moses Aaron and Phinees long since did somtimes eate Manna in the wildernesse then spirituallie vnderstanding those visible things euen so now we in like maner spirituallie vnderstanding these holie mysteries for it is the spirit that quickeneth and giueth life the flesh profiteth vs nothing as saith our Sauiour must here also spirituallie hunger spirituallie taste spirituallie eate the flesh of Christ and spirituallie drinke his bloud indeed in these holie mysteries by faith onlie and assured constant beleefe that the blessed bodie of Christ was crucified and his pretious bloud shed vpon the Crosse for our saluation And so receiue this the Lords supper euen for a token badge or cognizance of this faith and saluation in Christs merits declaring therby euermore his death and passion with thanks-giuing vntill he come Neither must we now so much as once dreame of anie grosse or carnall eating or fleshlie feeding or thinke that we are come at this present to feed our senses and bellie to corruption for that were baselie to abiect and bind our selues to the elements and creatures and so to declare our selues drowned in deed in the dirtie lake of blindnesse and ignorance but onlie and in truth to nourish and feed our inward man to immortalitie and life euerlasting namelie that as our outward man is nourished by letting in this bodilie meat into the stomach that is helthsome and sound to be digested so our inward man may be spirituallie fed and satisfied by receiuing the meate thereof into our soule and hart sound and whole in faith And therfore we shall not need now at this present time in dooing these things to whet our teeth O my soule but as S. Cyprian saith with sincere faith to breake and diuide this holie bread For surelie without faith which indeed is the onelie instrument most necessarie in the right vse of all these holie mysteries it is impossible to please God heerein neither can the vnbeleeuers and faithlesse folke feed vpon the Lords pretious bodie nor enioie the eating and drinking of this so high and diuine nourishment of spirituall food Yea to haue anie other eating than spirituallie by faith onelie is plaine idolatrie It behoueth vs therfore O my soule diligentlie to ponder weigh and consider of these things that now at the last we may not onelie vnfeinedlie and thoroughlie trie prooue and examine our selues our owne consciences and liues but also humblie acknowledging our faults vnto God hartilie repenting our former sinfull life asking mercie of GOD the Father for Christs sake and gladlie forgiuing all our offenders effectuallie and carefullie there withall plucke vp euen the verie roots of heathenish infidelitie and all distrust in Gods mercifull promises to the end we may thereby in verie deed shew our selues liuelie plants of the fruitfull oliue liuing branches of the true vine and woorthie members of Christs mysticall bodie euen such as haue our life our abiding our vnion and as it were our incorporation with him Finallie O my soule we must not now like chattering Iaies so much regard or consider these earthlie elements and terrene creatures which we see with our corporall eie and still remaine so but especiallie and in deed haue respect to the heauenlie graces and benefits which our faith beholdeth in and by them Neither must we by anie meanes cleaue to these inferiour or base things which lie here beneath and are visiblie discerned but leauing them altogether wee must rather resemble and plaie the parts of the Egles who flie mount vp thither where the dead bodie lieth that is giuing credit to the words of Christ who saith The words that I speake are spirit and life And againe remembering that God willeth such as will be true worshippers of him to worship him in spirit and truth we must now so behold the bread and wine with our naturall eies that we may neuerthelesse especiallie lift vp the eies of our mind to heauen and looke vp by faith vpon the holie bodie and bloud of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ God and man as he is there sitting at the right hand of God his Father in equall glorie power and maiestie alwaies seeking it there where the sunne of righteousnesse euermore shineth continuallie holding fast and still cleauing by faith onlie to the rocke whence we may sucke in deed the sweetnes of euerlasting saluatin So shall we O my soule now repenting hartilie our former fowle life being in perfect loue and charitie with all men maruelling with reuerence and feare at these sacred things now touching these holie and fearfull mysteries with our mind receiuing them with the hand of our hart and taking them fullie with our inward man by faith onelie be sure at this holie table euen now presentlie to receiue not onlie the outward Sacrament but the spirituall thing also not the figure but the truth not the shadowe but the bodie and that not to death but to life not to our destruction but to our saluation which God euen our owne God for his mercies sake grant vs now effectuallie to
vs. We thanke thee we praise thee and we laud and magnifie thy glorious name O most meeke Lord for all thy benefits especiallie for that thou hast not thought it inough for thee to haue giuen vs the heauens and earth and all that is therin to serue vs and to instruct vs but also hast vouchsafed to send thine onlie deere beloued Sonne our Sauior Iesus Christ downe amongst vs into this vale of teares and after that he was ascended into heauen hast left vs thy holie word and sent thy holie Ghost into vs to the intent we should learne of him all truth in thy word might in deed behold more effectuallie better and cleerer thy Godhead We now also praie and humbly beseech thee O most mercifull God that thou wilt gouerne vs and driue awaie from vs all fleshlie conuersation to the intent we may hencefoorth liue a godlie and ghostlie life so that we through the flesh may not be hindered to passe our pilgrimage in such perfection as thou requirest in Christian men but that we may knowe and discerne and vse to thy glorie the vnmeasurable great good things which thy large and bountifull hand hath giuen and reached vnto vs through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A meditation of mans creation O Almightie Lord God that hast created heauen and earth and all that is therein of naught but especiallie hast made man vnto thine owne godlie image infunding and creating in him a reasonable soule not mortall nor transitorie as are the soules of vnreasonable beasts but such a soule as liueth like the spirit or ghost of God for euer By which soule man knoweth thee to be his God doth beleeue thee and shall behold thee And with soule and bodie together thou hast made man aboue all other creatures so much superiour and hast so highlie exalted him that thou hast made him prince and chiefe gouernour lord and captaine ouer all thy other creatures that be in the earth and hast cast them all vnder his feet and subiection O most mercifull Lord powre into vs thy heauenlie light through which we may euer haue in due regard the vile and lothsome stuffe or matter that thy godlie hand hath made vs of and how thou hast neuerthelesse exalted vs so mightilie of miserie Let vs knowe I saie O Lord that man is crept out of the dust and mire and the woman but out of the rib of hir husband to the end we may not by anie meanes be puffed vp with pride by vaine-glorie and presumption of the great glorie wherewith thou hast vouchsafed to endue and cloath vs but that in true humilitie we may impute and exhibit all things vnto thine onlie goodnesse clemencie grace and mercie And that we may bee drawne thereby vnto the loue of thee and to kindle the lampe of our soules which is cold in thy loue with the light of thy grace so that we may diligentlie fulfill and accomplish all that thou hast commanded vs and leaue that which thou hast forbidden vs like as it becommeth thine obedient children so that we both here in this vale of miserie and also afterward in that heauenlie paradise being vndefiled and like vnto thee may be found like as thou hast created vs like vnto thine owne similitude image likenesse through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another meditation of mans creation THine almightie hand O GOD keeping alwaies at one staie created the Angels in heauen and the feelie woormes vpon earth and yet was neither higher in the one nor lower in the other For like as none other hand could haue created an Angel so could none other hand haue created a woorme like as none other could haue created heauen so could none other haue created a leafe of a tree like as none other could haue made a bodie so could none other make a haire white or blacke but onlie thine almightie hand wherevnto all things are possible alike For it is not more possible with thee to create a woorme than an Angel nor more impossible to spread out the heauen than a leafe nor easier to fashion a haire than to fashion a bodie nor vneasier to stablish the earth vpon the waters than the waters vpon the earth but all that thou listest to doo that hast thou done According as thou listedst thou hast made all things in heauen and in earth and in the sea and in all deepe places and among all other things thou hast made me according as thou listedst couldest and knewest how to doo it Certes Lord thy hand could haue made me some stone or some bird or some serpent or some beast and it knew how to haue done it but it would not bicause of thy goodnesse Why then am I not a stone some tree or some beast Trulie bicause thy goodnesse hath so ordeined it and bicause thou louedst me first And why hast thou done so to me O maker of heauen and earth and of the bottomlesse deepe who hast no neede of me Wherevpon commeth it that thou hast thus loued me For lo I am bicause thou hast created me and the cause that thou didst create me and account me in the number of thy creatures was thy fore-ordinance from euerlasting before thou madest anie thing euen from the beginning before thou didst spread all the heauens when as yet there were no deepes neither haddest thou yet made the earth nor founded the mountaines neither were anie water-springs yet broken out Before thou madest all these things I saie which thou madest by thy word thou foresawest by the most assured prouidence of thy truth that I should be thy creature and also thou willedst that I should be thy creature And whence commeth this to me O most gentle Lord most high God most mercifull Father and alwaies most meeke What had I deserued What kindnesse had I shewed that it should like thy roiall Maiestie to create me I was not and thou diddest create me I was nothing and of nothing thou madest me somewhat And what maner of somewhat Not a drop of water not fire not a bird or fish not a serpent or some of the brute beasts not a stone or a block not of those sort of things which haue but being onelie or of those things that haue but onelie being and growing nor yet of those kind of things that haue but onlie being growing and feeling But aboue all these things it was thy will to haue me both of that sort which haue but being onlie for I am and of those that haue no more but being and growing for I am and growe also of those kind of things which haue both being growing and feeling for I am and also doo both growe and feele Yea and thou hast made small ods betweene me and the Angels For I haue receiued reason to knowe thee and thy hand as well as they But I did well to saie there was some ods betweene vs. For they haue the happie knowledge of thee alreadie in possession and I
crosse whereon his glorious bodie was broken and his pretious bloud shead a sufficient ransome a full satisfaction a iust recompense of thy iustice and lawe for all them that beleeue and embrace thy Gospell and sacred truth But O Lord our good God be mercifull vnto vs who by our infirmitie through the fall of this lordlie man our great grandfather Adam can not now liue in anie peaceable or good condition and state without Magistrates and Kings to rule and gouerne vs. We therefore most humblie and hartilie beseech thy diuine Maiestie for the loue of thine onlie Sonne Iesus Christ to looke downe with thy fatherlie compassion vpon thy seruant Elizabeth our most gratious Queene and dread souereigne Graffe in hir roiall hart by the working of thy holie spirit thy manifold good gifts and benefits as wisdome grace perseuerance in thy truth increase of faith and affiance in thee Defend hir O Lord with thy mightie hand and outstretched arme graunt vnto hir a most honourable long and prosperous reigne ouer vs. Moreouer O Lord if the seruice of golden vessels in thy Temple at Ierusalem were acceptable vnto thee vouchsafe this thy seruant to be esteemed in thy sight as a most honourable ornament in the new Ierusalem not built with monie by the labour of the seruants of the first Salomon but bought with the pretious bloud of the second Salomon thy Sonne our Sauiour Behold hir and make hir to be O Lord as the pretious stone or signet of thine owne hand as the apple of thine eie as the white lillie and sweet rose of the inclosed garden and as the deere doue of thy delights for thy truth sake to the enimies whereof make hir name most dreadfull and to the Church wheresoeuer dispersed most acceptable and ioifull Confound and put to shame O Lord all those that with or procure anie euill to hir roiall person and heroicall virginitie or diminution of hir kingdomes and imperiall dignitie ouer them And when for the multitude of our sinnes O Lord thou wilt punish vs with the wind of thy displeasure by taking from vs this our fragrant and sweet smelling flower which we beseech thee for thine own name sake long to defer then O Lord plant hir in the garden and paradise of thy presence where she may growe and dwell in felicitie incomparable which the eie hath not seene the eare hath not heard neither euer came it into the vnderstanding of man those ioies which thou hast prepared for hir and all thine elect Moreouer O Lord grant thy heauenlie wisedome and grace vnto all vs hir subiects that we may aduisedlie consider and dutifullie call to our remembrance the manifold blessings that we so long time haue enioied and doo presentlie possesse through thy mercie by hir ministerie authoritie and the execution of hir kinglie office vnder the which we doo not onlie reape and peaceablie enioie the fruits of our labours and other corporall commodities but also that which is more woorth than all this euen the freedome and libertie of conscience the preaching and hearing of thy most holie word and the administration and receiuing of thy holie Sacraments For all which and manie other thy blessings O Lord worke in vs thy grace to yeeld vnto thy diuine Maiestie all possible and continuall praises and thanksgiuing that it be not said vnto vs Are there not ten cleansed or Is not England preserued from all tyrannie enioie all these benefits But where are now their returning to giue thanks Quicken our memories therefore O Lord that we neuer be forgetfull of thy great goodnesse towards vs and make vs more and more for thy sake reuerentlie to feare hir dutifullie to obeie hir and faithfullie to loue honor and serue hir as our naturall louing prince and mother and as the meane by whome we receiue all these thy good blessings that hir Maiestie perceiuing our diligence and readinesse to obeie and serue hir may be the oftener put in mind to feare honor loue serue obeie thy diuine and incomparable Maiestie Furthermore inspire hir roiall hart O Lord with thy diuine grace that as she hath begun to set foorth and mainteine thy sacred truth so she may zealouslie and boldlie increase perseuere continue in the same whereby the filthinesse and nakednesse of Antichrist may be more and more reuealed superstition more and more abolished remoued and that old lieng serpent roring Lion sathan our ancient enimie may be more and more restrained kept backe from his malicious purpose in seeking to deuour and draw vs all in ignorance securitie Grant all this O Lord to our great comfort hir honor and immortall fame yea to the discharging of hir owne conscience kinglie dutie and euermore reward crowne these thine owne good gifts in hir O Lord not for the worke sake but for Iesus Christs sake And when thou shalt to our great sorowe and losse but to hir great ioie and profit take hir from vs crowne hir O most mercifull God with a crowne of euerlasting glorie and giue hir the full possession of that eternall kingdome purchased by the blood of that immaculate Lambe thine onlie Sonne our Sauiour and Redeemer Iesus Christ to whome with thee and the holie Ghost three persons and one immortall and euerlasting God be all honour dominion praise and thanks-giuing for euer and euer Amen Another praier for the Queenes Maiestie and for the state present and to come in our posteritie O Most gratious Lord GOD and King almightie iust euerlasting vpon whose wil dependeth the rule staie and direction of althings both in heauen and in earth giuing men power and dominion ouer the people and nations of the world to whom being obedient to thy most holie will and commandements thou giuest wise careful industrious vertuous happie and prosperous kings princes rulers and magistrates to rule and to gouerne to the peace blessing comfort and wealth of the same but the vnrighteous people lasciuious contemptuous idolatrous superstitious blasphemous and rebellious against thy word and Maiestie shall be deliuered ouer to the hands and tuition of foolish idle dissolute negligent and vnfortunate princes rulers and gouernours by whose brutish disorder loosenesse and follie the state beautie strength and bonds of peace iustice loue and gouernement shall be neglected broken disturbed spoiled and by intestine hatred and discords or else by forren vanquishments and discomfitures destroied whereby both land and people are left a praie to the inuasion spoile and rauine of the greedie and victorious destroier who in his mercilesse rage executeth the plagues of thy iust wrath O Lord so that man woman child beast foule nor fish scapeth the stripes thereof Their countries townes cities and dwellings burnt spoiled rent torne and made waste iustice lawe discipline nurture ciuill fellowship honest arts and exercises religion knowledge and feare of thee scorned banished and persecuted and the land being filled with abhomination beastlie tyrannie slaughter bloud robberie theeuerie
in the order of their redemption for the infinite benefits of their saluation and for taking our fraile nature and miserable flesh subiect vnto all calamities and destruction vpon him and carieng the same and vs therewith vnto eternall life We therefore liuing in this vaile of wretchednesse lift vp our heads vnto thee O notable Silo which art the fruit of the Uirgin and separate our selues from the detestable damned crue of vnpure spirits and of men powring out blasphemous outcries against thy truth and glorie From our harts we praie thee regenerate and make vs thy children by adoption and grace and dailie renew vs by thy holie spirit to glorifie thee For of our selues we are nothing but flesh and corruption as they that are borne of flesh and can not become thy children except we be begotten and borne againe by a new birth of the holie Ghost Therfore we beseech thee renew vs I say dailie by thy mightie power from aboue that being borne of the spirit our harts and our hands our deeds and deuises and whatsoeuer is in vs may be spirituall as thou art Ioine vs to the societie of thine holie Angels which sing glorie to thee on high and make vs members of that congregation which is knit vnto thee by an indissoluble bond of euerlasting peace with gratefull minds to record and celebrate thy benefits We thanke thee for sauing mankind from eternall damnation and for making the attonement betweene thy father and vs through thine incarnation For so it was expedient according to the order of iustice that the punishment of a guiltlesse man should quit mankind guiltie and that a sufficient satisfaction might be made it was required that he which would be the mediatour should be God God I saie to abide the intollerable burthen of Gods displeasure to vanquish death and to restore vnto man life and saluation to enter into the most holie place and be an eternall Priest God to vnderstand the secret counsell of the father to be priuie vnto the cogitations of harts to heare the grones of all men to be the King of his flocke defending the same against the power of sathan and his members Finallie God to place his Church raised from death in the eternall kingdome of his most glorious father Now forasmuch as the nature of man was not able to bring these things to passe we thanke thee O our sauiour being the word the expresse image and interpretor of the father for vouchsafing to take the office of a mediatour betweene God and vs. Begin in vs we most humblie beseech thee this so great a benefit We are weake we are fowle and filthie but as thou wast brought into this miserable world borne a weake infant and that in a pinching time of the yeare swadled with wretched bands endued with the rags of a miserable nature and laid in a manger among the brutish kind being notwithstanding the verie wisedome of thine eternall father So let thy wisdome appeare in vs miserable men womē in this wofull darkenesse of ours among the blacke clouds of this doting age amongst these troubles and destructions of Common-weales Kindle in vs the sparks of that wisedome which shall be perfect in the life to come and ioine vs to the felowship of thy Saincts Grant that from the hart and ioifullie we may ascribe all glorie fame and honor vnto thee the true God which art wise righteous almightie pure liberall and mercifull according to the rule described in thy commandements which didst send thy Sonne to bring vs to that glorie whereof we were depriued and to restore vs againe to our first integritie which was lost through sinne O Sonne of God confirme thou and seale these things in our harts by thy holie spirit powred vpō vs which may worke within vs vnfeigned righteousnesse that by the same thy spirit shining in the nature which thou tookest vpon thee we may be committed to thee vpholden quickened brought by thee vnto eternall life that that league made betweene God and vs may eternallie be confirmed and we loued in the beloued and the eternall Father may loue vs with that loue wherewith he loueth thee the substantiall image of himselfe Suppresse the diuell that he breake not this woonderfull and profitable peace and suffer vs not hanging on thy necke running to thine armes seeking thy fauour to be plucked out of thy hands Keepe vs we beseech in thy lap as a louing shepheard cherisheth and beareth about his tender lambs And forasmuch as the first tidings of thy natiuitie were brought by the Angel of the Lord vnto shepheards grant that shepheards of the soules that is the ministers and teachers may faithfullie testifie thy benefits vnto mankind and publish abroad what they see knowe spreading foorth thy fame and glorifieng God for the peace which he hath eternallie concluded with vs and finallie may bring thy sheepe to thy stall that is to the congregation of the faithfull Open before vs thy swadling clouts which is thy word that in this life it may crie within vs and we thereby may feele the sense of thy most sweet promises which thine eternall Father hath vttered of thee Blessed are all they which put their trust in him Furthermore our petition is that thou wilt blesse vs and our countrie with all Common-weales Increase among vs dailie y e number of the faithfull prosper the course of the Gospell and suffer not the light thereof by the malice of Sathan to be extinguished Likewise vphold those kingdoms which minister releefe vnto thy Church Repell from the borders of thy seruants the rabblement of Turks Infidels which threaten the decaie of thy Church and destruction of kingdoms Blesse the labours of our hands keepe vs from the contagious diseases and last of all make vs and ours the vessels of mercie and profitable instruments to thy Church and Common-weale Amen Glorie be to God on high Or thus ALmightie God and most mercifull Father who according to the prophesies spoken long before hast giuen vs thine own Sonne to be conceiued of the holie Ghost and borne of the blessed virgin that in thy nature and ours he might be our holie and true Emanuel and Sauior and Sanctifier of those that trust in him Touch our harts with thy holie spirit that considering this so great loue of thine to abase thy Sonne to take vpon him the forme of a seruant to make vs sonnes and heires to thee that our soules may magnifie thee O Lord our Sauiour and blesse thee the Lord GOD of Israel for thus visiting and redeeming thy people and grant vs also the fruit of this thy mercie that by his holinesse our vncleannesse may be done awaie and our corrupt nature sanctified by his holie birth and natiuitie that we putting our trust in him may by him be deliuered both from all our sins and all our enimies and attaine to the fruit of this his infinite loue and goodnesse euen to serue him in holinesse
by the darkenes of hypocrites and idolaters or by the rage of tyrants which wage mortall battell against thee but grant that endued with new light from thee the true Sunne of righteousnesse we may reioice from our whole harts and acknowledge thee to bee our captaine which wilt gouerne thy people in truth and equitie Let the light of thy grace I saie lighten the darkenes of our conscience O mercifull Iesu our true bright loade-star of the world and by thy ioifull apparition giue vnto vs the full knowledge both of thy selfe and of our owne selues that within we may see thee and inwardlie find thee and that there we may continuallie offer vnto thy holie Maiestie the mirrh of sincere faith and inward contrition and the frankincense of deuout praier and inuocation and the gold of loue righteousnes and patience in trouble and so ascribing vnto thee the honour of a King and the seruice due vnto God may shew all true liberalitie with the godlie both vnto thee and thy poore Church and beare sufficient testimonie to the world of thy kingdome diuinitie priesthood humanitie crosse death and buriall and take hold of the manifold benefits thereof and outwardlie also may in our places office and calling helpe to mainteine thy ministerie to the vttermost of our power And grant that as thou after thou hadst reuealed and manifested thy selfe vnto the three wise men by the leading of a starre causedst them to returne another waie into their owne countrie so wee which by the waie of darkenes and offences haue retired and gone backe from the supernall countrie of blessednes thou the bright daie-star of the world beeing our guide may returne vnto the same by the waie of truth and grace and that now knowing thee by faith when we depart out of this life wee may bee brought into that kingdome where thy diuinitie shall shine without mists or mysteries and there haue the fruition of thy glorious Godhead and woorship thee and praise thee for euer and euer Amen Halleluiah 5. On Ashwednesdaie or first daie of Lent Of Christ his fasting fortie daies The Preface LEt the Bridegroome come forth of his chamber and the Bride out of hir closet and let all sinners weepe before the Lord saie Turne thou vs O good Lord and so shall we be turned Be fauorable O Lord be fauorable to thy people spare vs which rent our harts not our garments turne to thee in fasting weeping praieng For thou art a mercifull God full of compassion long suffering and of great pitie Thou sparest when we deserue punishment and in thy wrath thinkest vpon mercie Oh spare thy people good Lord spare them and let not thine heritage be brought to confusion Heare vs O Lord for thy mercie is great and after the multitude of thy mercies looke vpon vs. Haue mercie vpon vs O God haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners ¶ Heere saie the seuen penitentiall Psalmes following and other praiers for contrition and repentance as you thinke good The Praier O Lord God Iesus Christ our onlie redeemer which tookest vpon thee our sinfull flesh and liuedst therein a life most holie in all righteousnes for our example and didst through the power of thy Godhead and diuine nature most reuerentlie obeie in all things the will of thine heauenlie Father with subduing in this flesh with great triumph glorie and maiestie the power of the diuell the world and the flesh that onlie in thee the spirit of sanctification might myraculouslie appeere and beare swaie with fulnesse in the sight of all flesh during the course of this life and for euer after to remaine with power in glorie verie God with verie God in the kingdome of God the Father We beseech thee most humblie O Lord Iesu which hatest nothing that thou hast made and dooest forgiue the sinnes of all them that be penitent to haue compassion vpon vs in our weakenesse and infirmitie that as thou hast for our safetie taken upon thee our flesh and for our sakes didst fast fortie daies and fortie nights and hast diuerslie in thine owne person felt as a man the fraile state of our mortall nature and how inclinable it is without thy diuine power to fall from the obedience of thy will that is heauenlie to the suggestions of sathan the old enimie and to the allurements of things earthlie vaine and transitorie So we beseech thee O our God to grant vnto vs thine holie spirit that by the strength thereof in vs proceeding from thee we may in our weakenesse haue power that our enimie may be resisted the world defied the flesh vanquished and our spirit quickened whereby we may most gladlie obeie thy godlie will and turne vnto thee with all our hearts both in vnfeigned repentance in hartie contrition and earnest confession and also in true fasting in competent feeding in faithfull praieng in charitable dealing in chast looking in reuerent beholding in godlie hearing in fruitefull speaking in holie thinking free from flattering void of detraction slander lieng false accusation blasphemie outfacing idle talke or filthie communication and to tread steadilie in all things the steps of true holines before thee as thou hast most gratiouslie lead vs and taught vs the waie that with all simplicitie both outwardlie and inwardlie in bodie and soule and in all parts and members of them our fast this Lent and euer may not be prophane earthlie hypocritish superstitious or carnall to the view of the world but holie heauenlie and spirituall to thee Giue vs grace I saie not so much to absteine from meates as from ill manners nor from flesh as from filthie cogitations For as thou O God wilt be worshipped in spirit and truth so the spirituall fast it is which pleaseth thee Suffer vs not gratious God to abuse thy good creatures immoderatelie to the hurt both of our bodies and soules but temperatlie the better to serue thee and as soberlie to take our food so carefullie to absteine from sinne For otherwise to absteine from meate and not to refraine from pride couetousnes concupiscence lewdnes and such like vices it shall but hurt our bodies through an hypocriticall abstinence and cast awaie our soules through our exceeding impietie Assist vs with thy secret grace therefore we beseech thee to vse such abstinence that our flesh being subdued to the spirit we may euer obeie thy godlie motions in righteousnes and true holines to our reioicing with peace of conscience and that obteining of thee the God of all mercie perfect remission and forgiuenes with aboundance of thy grace we may shew foorth fruitfullie thy glorie all the daies of our liues and after this life ended reigne with thee for euer in thy glorious kingdome where all holy folke doo rest and which by thy blessed natiuitie holie circumcision fasting temptation crosse death passion thou hast alone so deerelie purchased for vs to the perpetuall praise of thine eternall name Amen I haue sinned I haue sinned
whither soeuer I turne me I may behold aboue me thee crucified and whatsoeuer I see it may appeare to me ruddie with thy most pretious bloud that thus be holding I may fixe my sight in nothing but onlie in thee which liuest and reignest one God world without end So be it I haue sinned I haue offended my God my God haue merceie on me A praier wherein through commemoration of Christes passion we desire pardon of our sinnes and continuance in vertue and godlinesse BEhold O pitifull Father thy most pitifull Sonne which suffered for me being so wicked Behold O most mercifull King who suffered and remember as thou art louing and kind for whom he suffered Is not this O my Lord that innocent whō although he were thy Sonne thou didst deliuer to redeeme and ransome a seruant Is not this the author and beginner of life which being led as a sheepe to be killed and being made obedient to thee euen vnto death was not afraid to take vpon him the most cruell and sharp kind of death Call to remembrance O thou distributer of all health that this is he whome although thou didst beget him by thy power yet notwithstanding thou wouldest haue to be made partaker of thine infirmitie and weakenes Trulie this same is thy God head which did take vpon him thy nature which was hanged vpon the gibbet of torment or crosse which in the flesh which he had taken vpon him did suffer sorrowfull punishment Turne the eies of thy Maiestie O Lord my God towards the worke of thine vnspeakable pitie Looke on thy deere Sonne whose whole body is stretched foorth Marke the harmelesse hands and pure which doo drop and distill downe innocent bloud And I beseech thee be pacified and pardon the wicked deeds which my hands haue committed Consider his bare and naked side being thrust through cruellie with a speare and renew and wash me with the holie fountaine or well which I beleeue did flowe from thence Marke the vnspotted feet which haue not stood in the waie of sinners but alwaies haue walked in thy lawe how they are pierced through with sharpe nails and make perfect my steps in thy paths and make me of thy louing kindnesse to hate all waies of iniquitie Remoue from me the waies of iniquitie and make me of thy mercie to choose the waie of truth I beseech thee O King of holie men by this holie one of all holie ones and by this my redeemer to make me runne the waie of thy commandements that I may be vnited and knit vnto him in spirit which did not disdaine to be clad in my flesh Doest thou not looke vpon and marke O pittifull Father the head of thy most deerelie beloued Sonne a yong man how it leaned vpon his shoulders when it was past the most pretious death Behold O my most gentle creator the humanitie and gentlenes of thy beloued Sonne and haue compassion vpon the feeblenes of thy weake and feeble handie-worke Behold O most glorious parent the torne and rent members of thy most kind louing child and remember gentlie what substance I am of Behold the paines of him that is God and man and release and loose man which is thy creature out of miserie bondage of sinne Behold the punishment of him that did redeeme and pardon the offences of them that be redeemed This is he O Lord whome thou didst strike for the sinnes of the people although he be thy welbeloued in whome was found no guile and yet neuerthelesse was he reckoned amongst them that were full of iniquitie Looke downe therefore O Lord thou louer of labouring and laden harts with the eies of thy pittie see the altar of the crosse where thy sonne thine onlie beloued babe is slaughtered Behold O father of heauen this thy bleeding babe whom for our sakes thou hadst made vnder the lawe a curse therof in giuing him to the death euen the acursed shamefull death of the crosse that he might thereby redeeme vs wretches that were his enimies from the lawe and from the curse and condemnation of it O looke vpon him I saie which is the sauiour of the world and who in his sufferings and in his life and death hath fulfilled all the prophesies behold him that was made a castawaie of the Iewes and a scorne of the Gentiles which endured treasonable hate of his friends and deadlie terrors in his troubled soule that we might haue peace of conscience and be reconciled vnto thee And let his shame and ignominie I praie thee be our honour and triumph his wounds our medicine his curse our blisse and his death our life finallie so lighten our minds I beseech thee with thy holie spirit that we may be able to conceiue and vnderstand the height and depth the length breadth and by all meanes the infinite measure of this so exceeding loue towards vs that the sight and knowledge of so great loue may so inflame vs with the loue of thee againe that all our thoughts and deeds may wholie be set vpon thee shewing our thankfulnesse vnto thee in all obedience vnto thy word and glorieng in nothing but in thy Christ and him crucified that in the end we may inioie the full fruit of all his passions and of this thine vnspeakable loue towards vs in our euerlasting saluation through Iesus Christ our onelie Lord and redeemer to whom with thee O father and the holie Ghost be giuen all praise honour and glorie for euer and euer Amen Another godlie meditation or praier wherin we declare vnto God the Father that the passion of his Sonne before rehearsed was for our reconciliation and attonement with God BEhold O almightie God Father of my Lord Iesus Christ I beseech thee of thy benignitie and gentlenesse to haue mercie vpon me because of the most pretious thing that I could find the same I haue offered deuoutlie vnto thee the thing of most estimation that I could imagine I haue presented humblie vnto thee I haue left nothing but I haue declared it vnto thy Maiestie There is nothing remaining that I may adde more because I haue committed and betaken my whole hope vnto thee I haue sent vnto thee mine aduocate and spokes-man euen thy welbeloued Sonne Iesus I haue sent thy glorious child to be a mediator betwixt me and thee I haue sent I saie an intercessor by whome I trust to get pardon and forgiuenes of my sinnes In a word I haue sent the word which word as I haue said was sent for my misdeeds And behold I haue rehearsed vnto thee the passion of thy most holie Sonne Iesus Christ which passion I beleeue was suffered for me I beleeue that the God-head which was sent of thee did take vpon him mine humanitie and nature in the which he thought not scorne to suffer buffets bonds spittings mocks yea he tooke vpon him to suffer the crosse nailes and dart I beleeue also that his manhood being of this my nature during
death for our sinnes grant that thy holie spirit may worke that faith in vs whereby we may be made partakers of that righteousnes which hee hath for those that trust in him And because without the blessed hope of rising againe from the dead our faith is in vaine and we are yet in our sinnes therefore we beseech thee to confirme and strengthen it in vs that as thou hast alreadie raised vp Christ our head so we may be assured thou wilt also raise vs vp that the bodie may be ioined to the head And furthermore as thou hast left this holie storie of thy Sonne that we might beleeue in him and by faith obtaine euerlasting life so we beseech thee worke the fruit of it in vs in constant faith to the saluation of our soules and thy euerlasting glorie to whome with the Sonne and the holie Ghost be all honor praise and glorie now and for euer Amen Another ALmightie God and most mercifull heauenlie Father who according to all that had beene written before in y e lawe of Moses and in the Prophets that it behooued the Sauiour of the world to suffer death and to rise againe from the dead the third daie and that repentance and forgiuenes of sinnes should bee preached amongst all nations in his name and so from point to point hast fullie accomplished all these things in Christ Iesus thine onlie Sonne whome thou didst raise from the graue as this daie not onlie to liue againe in this world but euen to sit at thy right hand and prouiding for our infirmitie hast giuen vs a great manie of witnesses both of holie men and women vpon the earth and of Angels from heauen to confirme the truth of this matter vnto vs that we might haue strong assurance of saluation in him through faith Open our minds to vnderstand the holie Scriptures and grant vs stedfastlie to beleeue this thy Gospell that by this faith being made one with him we may receiue the forgiuenes of our sinnes and the estimation of righteous men in thy sight through him And furthermore also grant that by this his mightie conquest whereby he hath triumphed ouer the last enimie which is Death in raising himselfe againe vnto life we may both rise with him from the death of sinnes to the life of grace by leading a new conuersation and sit with him at thy right hand in hope hauing our life hid in him that when he shall appeare to come to iudgment our life also heere being led in the obedience of faith may then be made manifest and we receiue that which we now in faith possesse and in a blessed hope looke and wait for at his comming which is the saluation of our soules to the glorie of thy name to whome with the Sonne and the holie Ghost be all praise and honour now and for euer Amen A Thanks-giuing WE lift vp our harts vnto thee O Lord for it is verie meet right and our bounden dutie that we should at all times and in all places giue thanks vnto thee O Lord holie Father almightie euerlasting God but chieflie we are bound to praise thee for the glorious resurrection of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lord. For he is the verie paschall Lambe which was offered for vs and hath taken awaie the sinnes of the world who by his death hath destroied death and by his rising to life againe hath restored to vs euerlasting life Therefore with Angels and Archangels and with all the companie of heauen we laud and magnifie thy glorious name euermore praising thee and saieng Holie holie holie Lord God of hoasts heauen and earth are full of thy glorie Glorie be to thee O Lord most high So be it 10. On Ascension daie Of Christ his glorious ascending into the heauens in the sight of his Apostles The Preface GOD is gone vp with a merrie noise and the Lord with the sound of the trumpet Glorie to God on high Halleluiah He humbled himselfe vnto the death wherefore God also hath highlie exalted him and set him on his right hand in heauenlie places far aboue all powers and dominion Halleluiah God is gone vp on high and hathled captiuitie captiue and receiued gifts for men Halleluiah He that descended first into the lowe parts of the earth is euen the same also that ascended vp far aboue all heauens to fulfill all things Halleluiah God is gone vp with a merrie noise the Lord is ascended in great triumph Halleluiah Lift vp your head O ye gates and be ye lift vp ye euerlasting dores that the King of glorie may enter in Halleluiah Yea be thou exalted Lord in thine owne strength so will we praise thy power perpetuallie and euermore sing Glorie to God on high Halleluiah The praier THou O Christ sonne of God fortie daies after thy resurrection continuedst in the world to the vnspeakable comfort of thy Church which being expired thou ascendedst gloriouslie in the sight of thy Saints into the heauens We yeeld thee most hartie thanks for this thy benefit beseeching thee most humblie to number vs among the saints and souldiers which wait vpon thee triumphieng The hand-writing dependeth on the testimonie of our giltie conscience to our condemnation but by thy death the sentence of condemnation is abolished and thy bloud washeth vs from all our sins The enimies of thine elect euen the diuell and death are lead bound and the whole companie of the saints both in heauen and earth is filled with ioie speake of thy victorie and benefits Thy Saints in heauen visiblie doo behold thy glorious victorie Thy Saints in earth are saued by faith for the ornament and glorie of the kings daughter is glorious within In the sight of manie godlie auditors of thine and of thy holie mother the blessed virgin Marie thou wast carried visiblie from the earth in the clouds into heauen Thou gauest a taste of eternall life to thine Apostles wondering at thy departure and preachedst to them of thy returne into iudgement Thou hast glorified thine humane nature with vnspeakable glorie and placed the same on the right hand of thy Father vpon the throne of triumph and victorie as hauing for our sakes vanquished all our enimies But thine humane nature is not onelie aboue as be thy Saints but is exalted also to such a light as cannot be attained to by anie creature Thou reignest visible with the Father replenishing the whole celestiall congregation with righteousnes and diuine glorie Gouerne thou also in this mortall life outwardlie in thy ministerie and inwardlie in our minds Thou hast ascended on high and lead captiuitie captiue to bestowe thy benefits vpon man Before thy departure thou renewedst the institution of thy ministerie thou gauest thy disciples a commandement to preach to all nations for which thy goodnesse we giue thee most hartie thanks for therby thou hast called vs to the societie of thy Saints Assist vs with thy spirit that we may beleeue the Gospell and keepe for euermore the
excellent a gift and at no time be intangled in the snares of Sathan neither yet forgo so noble a ghest for our wickednes Make vs to walke circumspectlie not as fooles following our vaine concupiscence to shun all occasions of falling euermore to craue at thine hands that this pretious gift may from time to time continue with vs and increase And as vpon this daie thou hast taught the harts of thy people by the sending to them the light of thine holie spirit so grant vs by the same spirit to haue a right iudgment in all things and euermore to reioice in his holie comfort Let the same spirit bring into our memorie that which thou hast said make it firmelie to retaine the foundation of sound doctrine vttered from the bosome of the Father and at no time to seeke new reuelations as doo the Enthusian heretikes both without and beside the warrant of thy word Let vs neuer inuent fained gods and false worshippings but followe onelie and sincerelie that which thou hast said and taught The world followeth vaine pleasure seeketh prosperitie and hunteth after wealth and worship especiallie the last age of this world doth so it altogither doteth and is become secure but fill thou our harts with true peace wherewith we may staie our selues in the combate of conscience fighting before the iudgment of God And in our agonies when a separation shall be made both of soule and bodie then giue vs grace to be mindfull of this thy saieng Let not your harts be greeued I go and come againe vnto you Let not thy comfortable presence depart from our soule thou wilt certainlie come againe euen to raise vs from the dead to place vs in thy kingdome Wherfore we reioice at thy departure vnto thy Father For the Father is greater than thou Thou hast prepared a place and blessed mansion in the house of thy Father exalted to the right hand of the Father and hast respect of the person sent euen till the consummation of the world Cease not to applie the merits of thy sacrifice vnto vs make continuall intercession for vs. Thou abidest our King and Priest vntill thou deliuerest the kingdome to thy Father And therefore as a Mediator thou doost verelie obtaine those good things which thou hast promised to all beleeuers Thou valiantlie didst conquer Sathan to make vs parteners of thy victorie Thou willinglie gauest thy life that it might satisfie for manie Thou wast obedient to thine eternall Father in the race of thine humiliation that by thy death we might liue Wherefore seale within vs this faith and righteousnesse grant that continuallie we may retaine thy saiengs in our minds that we may enioie thy peace and keepe a place for thy diuinitie in our harts while we liue in this world through our first fruits and so hereafter in the life to come we shall attaine the tenths and be made like vnto thee beholding God face to face So be it Another meditation and thanks-giuing for the good effects that the holie Ghost worketh in vs by his comming AL possible praise and thanks I yeeld vnto thee O God heauenlie Father and vnto thy deere Sonne Iesus Christ my Sauiour for sending downe thy spirit of truth our comforter sanctifier and regenerator the holie Ghost into this world The which thing verelie I beleeue thou didst for this onelie end and purpose that bicause the grape of thy sonne our Sauiour Christs flesh was caried to the wine-presse of the Crosse and there being pressed yeelded foorth the sweet wine of his Godhead it pleased thee therefore of thy great mercie to send the same thy holie Ghost to make readie the vessels of mens harts that the new wine might be put into new vessels first to season their harts from marring of the wine that should be put into them and afterward to hoope them well for leaking when the wine was powred into them that is to saie to clense them from delighting in sinne and to bind them from delighting in vanitie For that which is good could not come in till that which is euill was first rid out Oh woonderfull worke Oh vnspeakable benefit of thy surpassing goodnesse and mercie most woorthie of all praise that man on earth or Angels in heauen may giue or render The holie name of thy sacred Maiestie be therefore blessed magnified and extolled for euer and euer Amen And now O gratious God and good Father I most humblie and intirelie beseech thee that for as much as delighting in wickednesse which is to loue sinne doth defile vs and make our vessels fowle yea leadeth to death and that the delighting in vanitie which is to be in loue with transitorie things of this world sheddeth out and maketh the vessell of our bodies full of crannies and rifts yea intiseth and deceiueth vs to our destruction it may please thee therefore of thine ancient and accustomed mercie and goodnesse to giue me grace to cast out the thing that is euill in me that I may be fit to take in and receiue the thing that is good in thee and so to powre out all sowernesse of sinne and wickednesse that I may be filled with the sweetnesse of all vertue and godlinesse Yea doo thou thy selfe O gratious Father euen with the same thy blessed finger and mightie power wherewith in times past by thy sonne Christ Jesus thou didst rebuke and throwe the diuels and vncleane spirits foorth of those that were possessed vouchsafe also I beseech thee of the same thy singular loue and pitie to cast out of me the fowle spirit of the diuell which worketh delight in wickednesse and is the occasion of faults yea so and in such sort to abandon him that he nor anie of his may euer returne into my vessell anie more to dwell therein I beseech thee furthermore to expell foorth of my vessell the spirit of this world which worketh delight in vanitie and is a fault of it selfe that I be neuer intised nor deceiued anie more therewith hereafter Finallie I humblie praie thee to throwe out of me all other euill and vncleane spirits whatsoeuer which are noisome enimies to my soule and saluation and grant that thy spirit O God euen the holie Ghost I meane with all the fruits gifts vertues and graces thereof may vouchsafe to come and enter into the tabernacle of mine hart and mind to worke in me good delights good loue whereby the loue of the world and the loue of sinne may bee vtterlie driuen awaie from me for euer and my mind be continuallie inlightened my conscience still clensed mine hart euer gladded and thou thy selfe my GOD my Sanctifier and Sauiour be more and more shewed and made manifest vnto me Amen A Thanks-giuing vnto God for our regeneration and sanctification not vnproper to be vsed also at publike Baptisme O God the holie Ghost which proceedest from the Father the Sonne and with them art woorshipped and glorified in the vnitie of the true and eternall Deitie and
agree vnto thee God the Father but the same also may fitlie be referred vnto the Sonne and holie Ghost We saie how thou the Father art naturallie God so is the Sonne naturallie God and the holie Ghost naturallie and yet not three Gods but one God naturallie the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost And therefore O God holie Trinitie in persons thou art inseparable in sense are they to be vnderstood though in sound you haue separable names For you receiue no plurall number in the nature For hereby it is declared how the persons in the holie Trinitie which is one verie God can not be diuided for that the name of euerie person respecteth alwaie another person If I say the Father I point vnto the Sonne if I name the Sonne I presuppose a Father if I mention the holie Spirit I must necessarilie vnderstand of whom he is the Spirit namelie of the Father and of the Sonne For this is the true faith proceeding from sound doctrine this vndoubtedlie is the catholike and right faith which God of his goodnesse hath taught me in the bosome of the mother Church The faith or beleefe of a true Christian concerning the blessed Trinitie most notablie described O My light I praise thee for inlightening mee whereby I knowe thee but how do I knowe thee I knowe thee to be God alone a liuing God a true God my Creator I knowe thee to be the maker both of heauen and earth of all things visible and inuisible a verie GOD almightie immortall inuisible vncompassable vnlimitable euerlasting to whom none can approch vnto nor comprehend nor find out who art vnchangable vnmeasurable infinite the beginning of all creatures be they visible or inuisible by whom all things were created through whom all the elements doo consist whose maiestie as it neuer had beginning so it shall neuer haue end I knowe thee to be one God alone the true God namelie the eternall Father Sonne and holie Ghost three persons indeed but one simple substance and vnparted nature the Father made of none the Sonne of the Father alone the holie Ghost of the Father and of the Sonne alwaies without either beginning or end A Trinitie yet but one onlie and verie God omnipotent the onelie beginning of all things maker of all creatures both visible and inuisible spirituall and temporall which by thine almightie power at the beginning diddest of nothing make togither both creatures spirituall corporall that is to saie Angelicall and worldlie and after the humane as a middle nature consisting of bodie and spirit I knowe and confesse thee GOD the Father to be vnbegotten thee God the Sonne to be begotten of the Father thee God the holie Ghost the comforter to be neither made nor begotten With mine hart I beleeue vnto righteousnesse and with my mouth I confesse vnto saluation this holie and single Trinitie in the three coequall consubstantiall and coeternall persons to be a Trinitie in vnitie and an vnitie in Trinitie I knowe thee Iesus Christ our Lord to be a true God the onlie begotten Sonne of God and the Creator Sauiour and Redeemer not of me onelie but also of all mankind whom I acknowledge to be begotten of the Father before all worlds God of GOD light of light verie God of verie God begotten not made being of one substance and coeternall with the Father and the holie Ghost by whom all things at the beginning were made stedfastlie beleeuing and trulie confessing that thou Iesus Christ the onelie begotten Sonne of God for our saluation by the consent of the whole Trinitie tookest flesh and wert conceiued by the holie Ghost of the virgin Marie and wert made verie man of a reasonable soule and humane flesh subsisting Thou for so much as in respect of thy God-head being the onlie begotten Sonne of God thou couldest neither suffer nor die through thine exceeding loue wherewith thou hast loued vs. Thou the verie same Sonne of God for all that becamest subiect to sufferings and mortalitie in respect of thy manhood and O onlie Sonne of God for the saluation of mankind didst suffer death vpon the wood of the Crosse to saue vs from euerlasting death Thou the author of light descendedst into hell and like a glorious conqueror rosest againe the third daie taking to thee againe thy sacred bodie which for our sinnes had lien in the sepulchre and quickening it according to the scripture the third daie that thou mightest place the same at the right hand of the Father For thou the verie Sonne of God taking againe vnto thy selfe the substance of our flesh that is to saie the soule and humane bodie which thou tookest of the glorious virgin art ascended vp aboue all the heauens and mounted aboue the orders of Angels where thou sittest at the right hand of God the Father and whereas the fountaine of life is the light which none can attaine vnto and the peace of God which passeth all vnderstanding There we doo worship thee there we doo beleeue thee to be the verie God and verie man confessing God to be thy Father and from thence wee looke that thou wilt come a Iudge in the end of the world to iudge both the quicke and the dead and to render to all men good and bad according to their deeds which they haue done in this life either reward or punishment according as euerie one is woorthie rest or torment For all men euen as manie as haue receiued soules in their humane flesh which they had in this world shall rise at that daie through the sound of thy power that whole man may receiue either the glorie of heauen or the paine of hell according to his deserts Thou art our resurrection and the life it selfe whom we looke for euen the Lord Iesus Christ our Sauiour who shail change our vile bodie that it may be fashioned like vnto his glorious bodie I knowe thee the holie Spirit both of the Father and of the Sonne to be one God and a verie GOD proceeding alike from them both of one substance and coeternall with the Father and the Sonne our comforter and aduocate which camest downe in the likenesse of a dooue vpon the same God and our Lord Iesus Christ and shewedst thy selfe vpon thine Apostles in fierie tongues which also euen from the beginning hast instructed with the gift of thy grace all the Saints and chosen of God and opened the mouthes of the Prophets that they might declare abroad the woonderfull mysteries of the kingdome of God who also togither with the Father and the Sonne of all the Saints of God art worshipped and glorified Among whom I thine handmaid doo glorifie thy name bicause thou hast inlightened me For thou art the verie light the true light the fire of God the maister of spirits which by thine ointment teachest vs all truth the Spirit of truth without which it is impossible to please God For thou thy selfe art God of God and light of light vnspeakablie proceeding
enioie although heere they bee tormented prisoned burned solicited of Sathan tempted of the flesh and intangled with the world wherethrough they are inforced to crie Thy kingdome come Come Lord Iesu c. How amiable are thy tabernacles Like as the hart desireth the water brookes so longeth my soule after thee O God Now Lord let thy seruant depart in peace I desire to be dissolued and to be with Christ We moorne in our soules waiting for the deliuerance of our bodies c. Oh gratious Lord when shall I find such mercie with thee that I may repent beleeue hope and looke for these things with the full fruition of those heauenlie ioies which thou hast promised and prepared for all them that feare and loue thee and so rest with thee for euermore Amen 2. Peter 3 10 11 12. The daie of the Lord will come as a theefe in the night in the which the heauens shall passe awaie with a noise and the element shall melt with heate and the earth with the works that are therein shall be burnt vp Seeing therefore that all these things must be dissolued what manner persons ought yee to be in holie conuersation and good liues looking for the hastning vnto the comming of God by the which the heauens beeing on fire shall be dissolued and the elements shall melt with heate ¶ Other godlie Praiers to be vsed vpon euerie Saincts daie as they fall orderlie in the yeare And first 1. On Saint Andrewes daie My hart is readie O God my hart is readie prepared to séeke thée and to followe thy Lawe O let me not go wrong out of thy commandements WE thanke thee O Sonne of God head and keeper of thy Church for gathering to thy selfe out of the vncleane companie of men an holie Church which is knit to thee in true confession righteousnesse and life Manie times didst thou repeate thy promise touching the bringing of man fallen into thy fauour againe and by the continuall preaching of thy Ministers hast giuen vs the light thereof Thou didst in like manner appoint a tower and ordeine the Commonwealth of Moses in the middest of that part of the world inhabited from whence it might be heard of all mankinde At the length thou appearedst in the flesh brakest the bands of the old testament and entredst into a new couenant with vs and calledst thine holie Apostle Andrew and the rest to be the publishers and witnesses of thy truth and gauest them authoritie to preach and sufficient testimonie that they publish the truth Mainteine among vs this light that we may giue credit to thy Ministers and their writings as to a voice sounding from heauen that we may be citizens of that companie which is builded vpon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles in which building thou art the corner stone bearing the whole house by the word of thy power Grant that imitating the examples of Saint Andrew and the rest of the holie Doctors and Apostles who by thy grace readilie obeied the calling of thy Sonne Iesus Christ and followed him without delaie we also being called by thy holie word may likewise foorthwith giue ouer our selues obedientlie to followe thee and thy holie commandements Of them it it is said They went foorth and sowed their seed with teares but they shall returne with ioie Giue also to thy Church in all ages for euermore faithfull and holie teachers which may be fishers of men reteine the forme of sound doctrine dispense thy mysteries faithfullie and gather to thy kingdome great companies till the number of thine elect being filled the net shall be cast off and thy whole Church enioie thy visible and blessed sight for euermore Amen 2. On Saint Thomas daie I beléeue O Lord helpe mine vnbeléefe and increase my faith LOthsome is the darkenesse and horrible the streames of diffidence and mistrust euen in the elect as the Apostle Thomas albeit he had sensiblie heard the voice of the Sonne of God seene the miracles which bare testimonie that he taught and preached the truth yea albeit in mind inwardlie he beheld the presence of his Lord yet beleeued he not the resurrection of Christ which is the principall article of our faith neither gaue he credit to such as had seene the Lord liuing againe which doubting thou didst suffer in him for the more confirmation of the faith But confirme thou vs as thou didst confirme this thy weake disciple Thomas and grant vs so perfectlie and without all doubt to beleeue in thy Sonne Iesus Christ that our faith in thy sight neuer be reproued Strengthen our frailtie by thy liuelie presence Appeare to vs in the night that humane darkenesse doo not extinguish the light in vs. Bring thy gifts into houses shut vp into our poore cottages which are in great danger by reason of thine enimies Speake thou vnto vs with thy blessed voice outwardlie by thy word and inwardlie by thy spirit working thy peace within vs that filled with the sense of thy presence we may rest coupled through thee in the spirit vnto thine eternall Father Take vs vp being fraile and fallen downe in this life Shew vs thy woonders that in the fight of our conscience with the displeasure of thine eternall Father we may remember thy merits Laie vs miserable and weake ones in thy side and wounds that we may be hid and couered from the wrath of God and sucke from thy bodie the water which washeth all our vncleannesse and the liuelie nourishment of thy bloud which may strengthen vs into euerlasting life that we be not vnbeleeuers but in the number of the faithfull and from our hart may imitate that noble confession of this thine Apostle Saint Thomas and against all the blasphemous spirits and thine enimies acknowledge that thou art the Lord and our God euen that God which from the beginning hath beene present with his Church both externallie by his Ministers and inwardlie by the secret working of his holie spirit which may euermore defend his Church against the rage of his enimies and by a couenant with mankind knitteth the faithfull to his owne flesh Grant O Sonne of God and mightie Iehoua that firmelie we may beleeue this thy promise depend vpon thee hope of thine aid against hope begin our saluation from thy word reuealed that beleeuing in thee our Sauiour which art Christ our high Priest King we may find eternall life in thee Amen 3. On Saint Steeuens daie VVho was the first that was martyred and shed his bloud for Christ crucified They gather themselues togither against the soule of the righteous and condemne the innocent bloud O Christ our Lord and sauiour which with greefe of hart didst bewaile the ingratitude of the Iewish nation which both vnkindlie contemned thy benefits killed thy Prophets most cruellie we beseech thee make vs euermore to haue in mind and acknowledge the greatnesse of thy loue towards mankinde Thou art that naturall hen Thou begettest to thy selfe a
vnspeakable maner that thy humane nature might suffer and die Quench also in vs by thy spirit mercilesse fires of hatred and desire of reuenge which as worldlie men doo saie is sweeter than life it selfe with all the flames of pride Grant that acknowledging our filthines prostrate before thy face in true lowlinesse we may aske thine helpe being healed may perseuere in the imitating of thy perfect example Assist vs that while we liue in euerie trouble and temptation of ours we may drawe the water of comfort from thee which art the well of life and afterward enioie perfect ease and a ioifull sabboth and feastfull holidaies in the heauens at such time as thou wilt shew thy Father to thine elect where each shall behold the other face to face Amen 9. On the feast daie of the annuntiation of the blessed virgin Marie Shew vs thy mercie O Lord and grant vs thy saluation BY thy wisedome O eternall God are the times distinguished whereby we are certified of thy benefits and euerlasting blisse which after this life and destruction of the world is prepared for thine elect Now are there passed 5543 yeeres sith the creation of heauen and earth of thine Angels of all creatures By thy word thou madest man out of the slime of the earth thou breathedst on him the breth of life and inspiredst into him a soule adorned with perfect wisedome and righteousnesse Afterward thy Sonne did vtter a secret decree about the restoring of man fallen through sinne out of thy fauour into euerlasting death About the same time of the yeere was innocent Abel murdered which was a figure of the sacrifice to come whose bloud indeed crieth vnto thee Father in heauen and beggeth the forgiuenesse of sinnes to all beleeuers In the like time was Isaac carried to be offered and thou commandedst the people of Israell to keepe holie these daies in which thou wouldest haue thy benefits to bee spoken of Likewise on this solemne and ioifull daie of the Equinoctiall spring time which sithence is 1582 yeeres thy Sonne as the Angel Gabriel signified to Marie the virgin by the working of the holie Ghost coupled the humane nature to himselfe after a woonderfull and vnspeakable maner The same daie 1549 yeeres sithence thy Sonne redeemer of mankind in his weake and bloudie flesh hoong vpon the Crosse being the true Silo. And when the sunne going betweene Orion and the Pleiades leeseth his light he left his life through intollerable sorowe and torments And an old saieng it hath beene that about this time of the yeere our Lord and Sauiour Christ will returne in the clouds both to vanquish his enimies and to exalt his Church and chosen most gratiouslie vnto a new and eternall kingdome O Sonne of God stir vs vp vnto the consideration of those so excellent mysteries and worke thou so in our harts by thy grace that as we haue knowne thy holie incarnation by the message of an Angel so by thy crosse and passion we may be brought vnto the glorie of thy resurrection Through the protection and watch of thine Angel the holie families of chaste virgins and matrons remained safe and vnspotted among infinite dangers by thy spirit the truth was sealed in them that they could not be subdued by the errours of the Pharisies and Saduces Preserue likewise in this last age of the world some holie assemblies and suffer not the whole world before thy cōming againe to become blasphemers This shall be the wisedome of eternall life in which thou wilt open the causes why thou wouldest after this maner restore mankind and how God the word could couple our flesh to himselfe Assist vs that in this life we may learne the elements and in true faith be ioined through the holie spirit to thy bodie which thou tookest from the sanctified bodie of the sacred virgin And as thou cariest and liuest in the same flesh so make vs branches of the tree of life and fruitfull vine and replenish vs with like light life and glorie Be thou our Sauiour through thy merit and vertue Thine eternall Father hath placed thee in the throne of Dauid that thou maist be the head of the Church working all in all and the giuer of all good things and of the blessings promised to Dauid Thou reignest in this life by thy ministerie gathering to thy selfe an eternall Church and repressing thine enimies by thy mightie power Thou sittest exalted in light and incomprehensible glorie at the right hand of thy Father making alwaies intercession for vs vntill thou bring thy Church vnto thy selfe in glorie at the generail resurrection and shine in them visiblie and for euer O Sonne of God we are bone of thy bones and flesh of thy flesh Thou broughtest not thy flesh from heauen neither was the same borne of the substance of thy Father but truelie thou tookest thy flesh from the seed of Abraham out of the sanctified wombe of the holie and blessed virgin S. Marie This nature did the word couple to himselfe by an eternall couenant and adorneth the same with surpassing glorie which thou she wedst not in the time of thine humiliation Therefore in truth did blessed Marie beare God euen that person in which two natures that is to saie the word and flesh were vnited togither and that without anie confusion euen as the soule and bodie are coupled in vs men Wherefore we come vnto thee our Mediator God and man and respecting thy promise in a liuelie faith we beseech thee haue mercie vpon vs wash vs with thy bloud and make vs members of thy bodie and nature No man at anie time hath hated his owne flesh make vs to sticke vnto thee by the same spirit and to drawe from thee the iuice which may strengthen vs to eternall life Amen 10. On Saint Marks daie Thou hast made them princes in all lands therefore shall they remember thy name O Lord from one generation to another O Eternall omnipotent and euerliuing God Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which togither with the Sonne and the holie Ghost hast not onelie created the whole frame of this world with all things therein conteined but also appointed thy Sonne the word to be a Mediator for vs men and for our saluation we beseech thee most humblie from the bottome of our harts thou which art the good husbandman ingraffe vs in thy Sonne which is the true vine make vs branches of his bodie purge vs from the horrible corruption of our nature giue vs grace to continue in the vine that being deliuered from sinne we may bring foorth abundance of fruit to thy honour and glorie O Christ thou art the vine we are the branches through thy grace not of our owne goodnesse gratiouslie behold vs we beseech thee that euermore we may cleaue to thee For alas without thee what can we doo that good is Abide thou in vs that we may abide in thee giue vs of thy vertue let thy light shine in our
that light should be made and so not onlie bodies shining with noble light yet vnreasonable were made but besides also other spirituall natures as Angels were brought foorth into which thou powredst the beames of thy light of thy wisedome of thy righteousnesse and life and appointedst a companie of them which remained in their innocencie to euerlasting righteousnes and life that alwaies they might behold the countenance of the eternall Father being replenished with perfect goodnesse Thou hast ordeined and constituted in a woonderfull order that most excellent nature of all Angels to serue thy Church to defend the weake and feeble companie of men which in this life turne vnto thy Sonne our verie Michael Thou commandest those heroicall and valiant spirits to protect thy Church kingdoms and godlie schooles and places where thy Church doth abide calling vpon thee in feare and continuing in thy seruice We thanke thee from our harts for this great and vnspeakable benefit beseeching thee most humblie mercifullie to grant that they which alwaie doo thee seruice in heauen may by thine appointment succour and defend vs here in earth Conuert vs O Lord and we shall be conuerted teach vs to confesse this thy goodnesse and following the example of thine holie Angels to serue thee and thy congregation in true and sincere humilitie Compasse our Churches Common-weales and houses with the watch of thine Angels driue awaie from vs and our houses diuels thine enimies lieng blasphemous cruell murdering and incestuous spirits which through extreme hatred of thee and thy Sonne torment man labouring to bring it about that all flesh may blaspheme thee Represse the rage of them in their members in false teachers in the enimies of thy truth in Turks and other tyrants which persecute vs. Helpe vs in this world being ingraffed into that Church which thou dooest protect and may continue faithfull vnto the death and afterward being translated into eternall life be like the Angels yeelding immortall thanks vnto thee for thine infinite benefits Amen 19. On Saint Luke the Euangelists daie It is neither herbe nor emplaster that restoreth vs to health but thy word O Lord which healeth all things O Omnipotent almightie and euerliuing God which calledst Luke the Physician whose praise is in the Gospell to be a Physician of the soule it may please thee by the wholsome medicine of his doctrine to heale all the diseases of our soules And as by thy Sonne our Lord and Sauiour Christ thou hast commanded vs to praie that labourers may be thrust into thy haruest so grant vnto vs for the same thy sonne Bishops of thine owne instructing good shepherds sound preachers faithfull workmen and godlie ministers which may faithfullie ouersee and by thy word of saluation prosperouslie gouerne thy Church being deerlie bought with the pretious bloud of thine onelie Sonne Giue vnto vs such teachers as are both learned in thy word and commended for their good liuing direct them being illuminated with thine heauenlie light that they may rightlie deliuer and diuide vnto vs the principles of good doctrine the word of truth and the Gospell of life and open the difference betweene the lawe and the Gospell teach vs to beware of the leauen of the Pharisies and the contagious doctrine of mans traditions informe vs in all spirituall wisedome and bring vs by the operation of thine holie spirit vnto perfection both in the eies of God and sight of the world Grant that their labours may take good successe to the increase of thy celestiall haruest Giue them grace to continue constant in their profession fearing neither the hatred nor ingratitude of this world beleeuing certainlie that such as despise them are despised of thee and that thou neither wilt of thine holinesse nor wilt of thy iustice suffer such blaspemous impietie to go vnpunished Amen 20. On Simon and Iudes daie Apostles Thou hast made them princes in all lands therefore shall they remember thy name O Lord from one generation to another ALmightie God which hast builded thy congregation vpon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Iesu Christ himselfe being the head corner stone grant vs so to be ioined togither in vnitie of spirit by their doctrine that we may be made an holie temple acceptable to thee And O Lord Iesu Christ which after this maner diddest comfort thine Apostles whom the world would hate and abhorre saieng I haue chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you Separate vs we humblie beseech thee from the darknesse idolatrie and wickednesse of this world and ioine vs to that companie among which thy Godhead dooeth dwell Grant that in true loue we may be ioined vnto thine eternall Father through thy spirit which is the bond of peace Make vs nothing to dread the sinister iudgements of the world neither yet for anie perils to forsake thy truth but patientlie suffer the iniuries from which thy selfe wast not free Let vs alwaies thinke that the seruant is not greater than the maister and so togither with thee and thine Apostles suffer those troubles and crosses which of God for our sinnes and amendement shall be laid vpon vs Amen 21. On All Saints daie Let the righteous be glad and reioice before God let them also be merie and ioifull WE thanke thee O almightie God our heauenlie Father for that of thine infinite mercie through our Lord and Sauiour and working of thine holie spirit thou gatherest out of mankind an euerlasting Church hast knit togither thine elect in one communion and felowship in the mysticall bodie of the same thy Sonne Christ our Lord defendest the same mightilie against the rage of the diuels and tyrannie of his members yea and hast promised one daie by thy Sonne to raise the same from death and to adorne it with vnspeakable glorie We beseech thee haue mercie on vs for the sake of the same thy Sonne our Mediator and Sauiour and grant vs grace so to followe thy holie Saints in all vertue and godlie liuing that we may come to those vnspeakable ioies which thou hast prepared for them that vnfeinedlie loue thee And gather from among vs euermore some religious companie which may serue thee in faith and a good conscience Assist that in this life that benefit of eternall life may begin that we may in a contrite hart obeie thee patientlie suffer the troubles which accompanie thy Gospell shew our selues meeke and mercifull hungring and thirsting from our hart after thy righteousnesse and seeking for the food of our soule aboue all things Make our ioie perfect and reioice in deed looking through faith vpon that blessed companie of Angels and men which enioie thy visible presence among whom thy Sonne is whom they see face to face and filled with vnspeakable delight here discoursing of thy woonderfull wisedome both in gathering and preseruing thy Church bring vs gratious Lord vnto the blessed cōpanie of thy Saints in this world and afterward make vs citizens of thine eternall kingdome togither
are abhominable O teach vs therefore by thy holie spirit to praie rightlie according to thy will and giue eare gratiouslie to our calling O Gratious Lord louing Father according to thy commandement we doo heere present our selues before thy Maiestie humblie prostrating our selues before thy throne of mercie acknowledging and confessing from the bottom of our harts that we be miserable sinners dailie breaking thy commandements both in thought word and deede wherein we iustlie deserue euerlasting damnation and to be vtterlie throwne from thy presence Yet O Lord we see thy goodnesse againe towards vs who not suffering vs thus to perish in our sinnes hast sent thine owne deere Sonne Iesus Christ to take vpon him whatsoeuer is due to reconcile and make vs at one with thee againe In him therefore good Lord and through him doo we come vnto thee beseeching thee for his sake that we feeling the greeuousnesse of our sins and groaning vnder the burthen of them may feele the release and ease of them in that we be through thy holie spirit assured and stedfastlie beleeue that Christ hath borne the burthen of them euen for vs. Grant O Lord that we being assured heereof in our conscience may through thy holie spirit be renewed in the inward man to hate detest and abhorre sinne and to studie to liue acording to thy blessed will during this whole life We doo not onlie praie for our selues O Lord but also for all the whole Church especiallie such as be persecuted for thy word grant vnto them that whither it be by death or life they may glorifie thy name to their liues end Be mercifull to this Church of England and Ireland we beseech thee good Lord and preserue euerie part and member of the same especiallie thy seruant Elizabeth our gratious Queene and Gouernour Grant hir all such gifts as be needfull for so high a calling to the aduancement of thy glorie and the benefit of this Common-wealth to the establishing of a perfect gouernement of thy Church according to the prescriptrule of thy blessed word to the rooting out of all superstition idolatrie and relikes of Antichrist to the gouerning of hir subiects in all peace and tranquillitie Defend hir O Lord from all conspiracies treasons and rebellions and so worke in the harts of all hir subiects that knowing hir authoritie doth come from thy heauenlie Maiestie they may with obedient harts humblie obeie hir in thee and for thee Preserue the whole Counsell the Magistrates of the Realme that being lightened by thy holy spirit they may defend the truth suppresse wickednesse and mainteine equitie Behold all the pastors and preachers of thy word blesse their labours increase the number of them place ouer euerie Church a painefull watchman remoue all idle lubbers and confound the power of Antichrist and turne the harts of the people that they may be obedient to the truth Blesse the two Uniuersities Cambridge and Oxford and all the students of the same with all the Schooles of learning Behold all those that be afflicted with anie kinde of crosse that they may profit by thy correction in newnesse of life Lastlie for our selues heere gathered togither we render most hartie thanks to thy Maiestie O Lord which hast hitherto from our infancie preserued vs by thy mercie from all perils and dangers both of soule and bodie wherevnto fraile man is subiect that thou hast sent vnto vs all things necessarie for this present life as health food apparell and such like which manie of thy deere children doo want being notwithstanding as pretiouslie bought with the pretious bloud of thy deere Sonne as we be and yet lie in miserie and calamitie oppressed with pouertie nakednesse imprisonment and banishment in which case also deere Father thou mightest haue brought vs saue onlie that thou dealest heerein more fauourablie with vs than with them For the which thy louing kindnesse we giue thee hartie thanks desiring thee that as thou hast hitherto thus fauorablie in mercie preserued vs by thy protection and euen presentlie this daie hast brought vs past all the dangers thereof so we beseech thee good Lord in like fauour behold vs this night that we taking our naturall rest and quietnesse may through thy protection be so defended that our bodies resting our soules may be occupied in beholding thy fauour and mercie towards thy children still looking for the comming of our Lord and Sauiour Iesu Christ for our full redemption Grant that our sleepe be not immoderate according to the lusts of the flesh but as much as is sufficient to refresh our weake nature that being thus refreshed both the bodie the mind may be more able to doo their seuerall office and function in that vocation wherein thou hast placed vs. Grant that wee laieng our bodies downe to rest may be thereby put in mind of our long rest of death that as we doo laie downe our bodies in bed so we may be thereby admonished that hereafter they shall be laid down in graue to be consumed to dust earth and ashes from whence they were taken that we hauing this before our eies may be stirred vp in minde warilie to walke in this our pilgrimage not knowing when the time shall be of our departure but alwaies be found readie with our lamps of pure faith clearelie burning that we may be accepted to meet the bride groome when our mortall earthlie and corruptible bodies shall be made like to the glorious bodie of our Lord and Sauiour Christ Iesus there to reigne with him in perpetuall ioie consolation togither with all the elect children of GOD continuallie lauding with all the heauenlie multitude the glorious Maiestie of thee our Lord God and heauenlie Father in our Lord and Sauiour Iesu Christ In whose name for these thy mercies and whatsoeuer else thou knowest to be needfull for vs and thy whole Church we praie vnto thee as he himselfe hath taught vs saieng Our Father which art in heauen c. The Lord blesse vs and saue vs the Lord make his face to shine vpon vs and be mercifull vnto vs the Lord turne his fauourable countenance towards vs and grant vs his peace The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ the loue of God the Father and the most comfortable felowship of the holie Ghost be with vs preserue and keepe vs this night and euermore Amen VVhen you vncloth yourselfe and make you vnreadie to bedward praie THis our life and weake knit bodie by reason of sinne by little and little shall be dissolued and so shall be restored to the earth from whence it was taken then will be an end of this vanitie which by our foolishnes we haue wrought to our selues O most meeke Father so doo thou vntie and loose me for thou hast knit me togither that I may perceiue my selfe to be loosed and dissolued and so may remember both of whom I was made and also whither I go least I be had vnprepared vnto thy tribunali and iudgement
God Grant also that both being in bed asleepe and awake we may alwaies remember our death which is a passing to an immortall life and withall our ioifull resurrection to euerlasting glorie Finallie at our last gaspe when our harts pant our strength faileth our sight departeth our hearing is deafe our mouth dumbe when our feet cannot go nor our hands feele when all our senses forsake vs giue vs O blessed Trinitie some sense of eternall life that we may tast in this world the beginning of thine euerlasting ioie and at our departure out of this world behold by faith thy diuine presence and so sleepe quietlie to eternall life Amen Amen Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Christ haue mercie vpon vs. Lord into thy hands we commend our soules because thou hast redeemed vs. Lord Iesu receiue our spirits At mid-night if you happen to awake praie HAue mercie vpon me O God after thy great goodnesse according to the multitude of thy mercies doo awaie mine offenses Turne thy face from my sinnes and put out all my misdeeds Make me a cleane hart O God and renew a right spirit within me Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thy holie spirit from me I will remember thee O God in my bed and thinke vpon thee now that I am waking because thou hast beene mine helper Euen now in the night season while thou holdest mine eies waking I saie will I thinke of thee my creator and make my praiers vnto thee my redeemer and God of my life that my soule may not refuse hir comfort In my bed now by night will I seeke thee whom my soule loueth O let me find thee and my soule embrace thee For with my soule doo I desire thee now in the night season and with my spirit within me will I seeke thee in the morning Yea at mid-night I will arise vp to giue thanks vnto thee O Lord because of thy righteous iudgements and in the night watches I will lift vp my hands towards thy holie place and blesse thee and powre out my hart before thee and saie Haue mercie vpon me O God haue mercie on me a most miserable sinner From the snares of the diuell O Lord deliuer me from the mid-night euill defend me and in the houre of death helpe me Our father which art in heauen c. Meditation AT mid-night there was a crie made Behold the bridegrome commeth go out to meet him blessed are those virgins whom the Lord when he commeth shall find waking O my soule let vs therfore take héed watch and praie that wée may bée found prepared with our Lamps burning readie to enter with our spouse and Lord Iesus vnto the wedding In the night when you heare the clocke strike praie THE clocke of our conscience dooth ring euerie minute the houre of death to be at hand O mercifull God grant vnto me therefore I beseech thee a happie houre blessed departure out of this life whensoeuer it shall please thee to call me hence and cause my soule to flie out of this bodie Be mercifull vnto me O God be mercifull vnto me a most miserable sinner and deliuer me from the houre of temptation death and damnation through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Meditation HE that hath ears to heare let him heare The daie of the Lord will come as a théefe in the night Watch therefore because yée know neither the daie the time nor the houre when the sonne of man will come to iudgement VVhen you giue your selfe to sleepe againe and commend your selfe last to God Praie INto the hands of thy vnspeakable mercie O Lord I commend my wretched soule and bodie my senses speech counsell thoughts works all things belonging vnto me my lieng downe and rising vp my faith and conuersation the whole course and end of my life the daie and houre of my departure out of this world finallie my death buriall rest and resurrection beseeching thee O Lord now suffer mine eies to sleepe mine eie lids to slumber the temples of my head to take some rest that my bed may comfort me and my couch giue me some refreshing Grant that I may so sleepe gouerne and end my life that I may sleepe in peace and rest in thee Sticke thou to me O my God euen to the end that sleepe with rest and rest with quietnesse quietnesse with euerlastingnesse may receiue me For lo I giue my selfe once againe to sleepe and rest in the name of thee O Father Sonne and holie Ghost euermore crieng and saieng Haue mercie on me O glorious Deitie Haue mercie on me O triumphant humanitie Haue mercy on me O blessed Trinitie and receiue my spirit yea rather thy spirit into thy holy hands send me a ioifull resurrection with all thy Saints elect people Amen Amen The Conclusion NOt vnto vs O Alpha not vnto vs O Omega but vnto thy name O Iehoua be giuen all the glorie for thy louing mercie and for thy truths sake For thou hast directed the thoughts of our harts and prospered the works of our hands vpon vs euen thou I saie O Lord hast gouerned all our counsels enterprises from heauen hast gratiouslie wrought all our works for vs. O let our mouthes therfore be filled with thy praise and make vs continuallie thankefull that we may giue woorthie honor and glorie to thée for so great graces and manifold benefits bestowed vpon vs. And now forsomuch as thou hast giuen euerie one of vs that portion of thy graces that hath pleased thée and hast commanded vs to occupie and vse them to thy honor till thou come grant vs whether we haue receiued little or much that we doo not idelie or slothfullie neglect our dutie herein Suffer vs not I saie O swéet Christ with the rest of the world to fall asléep in the pleasant vanities of this life and to forget the waiting for thy comming but rather stirre vs vp by thy holie spirit faithfullie to vse thy gifts giuen vnto vs and in all warie watching fasting and earnest praier continuallie to prosper and go forward in our holie calling prouoking one another by good example to followe thée in true worship and due obedience and grant that all ambition vaine glorie hypocrisie and dissimulation being remooued our chéefe care may be in all our dooings studies and labours euer to séeke the increase of thine honor and the aduancement of thy kingdome and so with a single eie respecting the praise which is of thée looke and wait for the reward and recompense of our labours not of men but of thée that in that daie of thy second comming which shall be sudden and fearefull to the wicked we may with ioie and comfort méet thy sonne in the aire and when thou shalt heare our accounts we may also receiue of thée through our redéemer Iesus not onlie praise and commendation as thy good and faithfull seruants whose liues are hid in thée but also obtaine the finall