O sweete Iesus which hast vouchsafed mee this honour to come to thy Table and feed vpon thee graunt me grace I beseech thee so to performe fulfill my duty as this honour which thou hast done mee requireth lincâ—e mee vnto thee giue me power and strength to beleeue thy promises without distrust and to shew my religion by my good life and conuersation Assist me with thy grace that I may walke worthy this blessed Sacrament to loue thee and thy Law vnfeinedly and vtterly to forsake all vanitie Idolatry carnall desires and all the workes of the deuill O Lord God so moderate and order all mine affections that I may be ioyned with the brethren together in loue the bond of peace and truely fastned vnto thee my head for euer Stirre vp my minde that I may alwaies consider the bitternes of thy death the greatnes of thy loue and neuer forget to bee thankefull vnto thee O blessed Lord preserue and maintaine this ordinance amongst vs that it may be alwayes a note and badge of our publique profession and giue vs all one heart and one minde in the vnitie of the Spirit for the reuerent and worthy receiuing of the same whensoeuer we shall come to thy holy Table againe Amen A Prayer for the Fruites of the earth and other nourishments of this mortall life All waite vpon thee O Lord that thou mayest giue them their meate in due season O Eternall GOD ' which feedest with thy blessing euery liuing thing and satiffiest the lawfull desires of thy seruants with good things we beseech thee make vs to couet those things that be pleasing to thee let vs finde them easilie search them wisely know them truelie and exercise them effectually to thy glory and our saluation And we pray thee heare vs fauourably praying earnestly for the fruites of the earth the nourishments of this life that wee may though vnworthy be partakers of thy comforts therein Giue vs O Lord this day our daily bread prepare our ground and prosper our corne Blesse the seed time with the first and latter raine meete temperature of ayre Keepe our fruits while they be in the earth from haile thunder from excessiue droughts and ouermuch raine from Mildewes and all noisome wormes Send vs a ioyfull haruest and blesse that which wee shall reape that for our vnthankefulnesse it waste not away without our releefe Increase our cattell with all other our prouision which wee shall carefully labour for Blesse our Basket and our store that we may haue wherewith as to furnish our selues so to giue some releefe to others Protect our seruants and workemen that they may be strong to labour wise to forecast and faithfull in their businesse Keepe our Garners barnes and store-houses from fiery meteors boysterous winds theeues and sudden invndations Prosper our workes and trauels whether by sea or land and blesse and prosper all them that any way labor for any of those things that we shall haue occasion to vse Send remedie ô Lord for all hardnesse and miserie turne our dearth into cheapnesse and our scarcitie into plentie Open the hearts of rich-men to whom thou hast giuen much that they may haue a charitable respect of the poore at all times Helpe vs ô Lord and giue vs such things as wee stand in need of yet neither of pouertie nor riches too much but a competent store and the lawfull vse of things necessary for this life through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen ⧠A Prayer for Friends and Benefactors Charitie shall couer the multitude of sinnes O LORD which hast said that Hee that giueth vnto the poore lendeth vnto the Lord and looke what hee layeth out it shall be payd him againe wee beseech thee to be gracious and mercifull to all those for whom wee are bound to pray by Nature by desert or any other duetie whatsoeuer Of thy speciall fauour remember all our benefactors and friends aliue euen all those our parents kinsfolks and others which haue brought vs vp taught promoted or any way releeued vs. Blesse them with all blessings that haue done good either to our bodies with temporall benefits or our soules with profitable instructions Blesse their estates that in their godly disposition they may haue alwayes wherewith to relieue comfort others in their discretion Giue them the consolation of the holy Ghost to the keeping of Faith a good conscience And as they haue shewed mercie vnto vs and comforted vs so Lord helpe and comfort them in their greatest needs that both they and their Families may both haue comfort in their estate and condition here and finde mercy with thy Sonne our Sauiour Iesus at the latter day Lord let their almesdeeds and prayers be alwayes in thy sight as those of Cornelius that as they haue beene vnto vs an odour that smelleth sweete whereby wee haue receiued plentie beene filled so they may be as Sacrifices acceptable and pleasant vnto thee Vouchsafe vs this grace ô Lord that wee be not guilty of any ingratitude towards them but rather ready according to our abilities to recompence them if neede require Let not that which they haue bestowed vpon vs be cast away but make it fruitfull and vs worthy of it Graunt this O thou GOD which doest good both to the iust and vniust for Iesus Christs sake our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer in time of Warre Remember this that the enimie hath reproached O Lord and that the foolish people haue blasphemed thy Name O God mighty in battel wee beseech thee beare not in mind our vile deserts but of thy mercy pitty thy poore afflicted endangered persecuted Church Consider and beholde how they which hate thy Sanctuary are now vp in armes to root vs out for our profession Therefore ô Lord wee pray thee maintaine thine owne cause Blesse our forces by Sea and by Land and grant to the people one heart one minde and one strength Giue vnto the Counsellors and Captaines wisedome and courage wisely to foresee and valiantly to defeate the deuises of their enemies Keepe all the souldiers from treason and treachery the leaders from wrong plots the people from tumults and all of them from the sinnes and enormities that follow the campe Strengthen ô Lord and hold vp the hands of Moses and the weapons of the Church Preces lachrymas that our fasting and prayer may be heard and Israel may haue the victorie Put Sisera to flight in thy good time and rather then he returne to doe mischiefe bring him to his end by an hand vnlooked for Turne the weapons of him and his followers into their owne bosomes scatter breake and sincke their ships destroy their armies and confound their forces Consider ô Lord the end of our enterprises how wee fight for thy Truth and either reconcile vs and our enemies by thy Spirit to worship one God and hold one Truth or else abate their pride and confound their malice to
night at hand Blesse me I beseech thee this night and take mee into thy custodie saue me waking keepe me sleeping that I may both sleep and wake in peace and safetie Prepare me O Lord for the day following the holy sabbath the hallowed day of thy rest and my great dutie and then so vnlocke the mysteryes of thy holy word vnto mee that I may therein learne the lessons of thy glorious Maiestie and mine owne mortalitie Graunt me ô Lord such grace as I may make a right vse of all things and that the hearing of thy word the good examples of thy seruants agreeing with the rule of thy word may bee both as a bridle to restraine me from sin and a spurre to set me forward to all holinesse of life and conuersation in this world O Lord grant mee these all other good things euen for Iesus Christs sake my onely Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer for the Morning O Lord God most mightie mercifull Father I vnworthy creature acknowledge mine owne vilenes naturall corruption and abhominable sinnes many times committed against thee I beseech thee admit mee to render thee my bounden thankes for thy manifold mercies extended towards me this night past and all other times of my life for my rest and sleep my food and rayment my health peace and liberty and the hope of a better life in the merites of thy Sonnes bitter passion Now deare Father I beseech thee to continue thy mercifull fauour vnto me this day and euer hereafter Forgiue me all mine vnthankfulnes vnkindnes and prophanenes towards thee thy word and seruice or towards my Neighbour Set all my sinnes ouer to that reckoning which thy Sonne Iesus Christ my Lord hath made vp for them vpon his Crosse neuer lay any of them to my charge but freely forgiue and forget all O Lord strike my heart with thy rod that I may alway be furnished for a true and vnfained repentance that I may not be blinded in my sinnes to delight in them or to think that thou wilt not respect my vntowardnesse but that I may be weary of them grieue for them and by all means possible striue to attaine to a true mortification of the flesh and so liue holily and iustly and soberly in this present world O good God I humbly intreat thee leaue me not to my selfe mine owne lusts and desires but assist mee with thy grace to hearken vnto thee and thy word to passe my time in feare and trembling as an obedient childe of so good a Father Blesse me Lord this day and prosper all that I shall take in hand let mee haue all my directions from thy will and the successe from thy mercifull hand Giue mee a competent stay for the maintenance of this mortall life Continue may food and rayment health peace and liberty that I may with a quite minde thankefull heart passe my time in this vale of miserie doing good to all men after mine abilitie without disgrace to my selfe or harme to any one Grant these good things most mercifull God and all other needefull graces not onely vnto me but vnto all thy deere children in the world to the good of our soules and bodies for Iesus Christs sake in whose name I further call vpon thee as he hath taught vs in his Gospell saying Our Father which art in Heauen c. A Prayer for the Euening O Eternall GOD and most mercifull Father I doe confesse against my selfe that my heart and hands are full of all filthines and sinnes whatsoeuer and I am altogether vnworthy to speake vnto thee or to come neere thy presence Neuerthelesse beeing so much bound vnto thee as this day past and all other times of my life doe witnesse I offer vnto thy holines by the hands of Iesus Christ my Mediator my humble dutie of praise and thanksgiuing for my creation election redemption vocation and sanctification with all other good graces appertaining to this life or that which is to come And namely ô Lord my tongue and lippes shall glorifie thee sitting aboue the Cherubins for preseruing me this day past from so many miseries and casualties whereinto I might iustly haue fallen if thou wouldest haue entred into iudgement with mee But Lord thou art mercifull passest by my offences to winne me by thy long sufferance I beseech thee make mee thankfull for all thy mercies O Lord pardon and forgiue mee all my sinnes graunt me euery day more and more the sight and feeling of them with heartie sorrow and vnfained repentance for the same Giue mee grace to belieue all the sweet promises that thou hast made vnto mee in Christ Iesus both for the remission thereof and the hope of a better life strengthen me from aboue with thy mighty hand to walke in euery good way without feare and to bring forth the fruits of a true liuely faith in my life and conuersation all the dayes of my life Arme me O Lord with thy grace and holy spirit against all the common corruptions of the world the temptations of the Diuell and the allurements of the flesh and settle my minde to the continuall exercise of deuout prayer with the hearing of thy sacred word watching for thy comming both publike and priuate Continue thy goodnesse towards mee in prouiding for mee such things as are necessarie for the maintenance of this present life and blesse the same vnder my hand that the little which I haue may be increased and the increase may serue as well to furnish my necessarie vses as to minister vnto the necessities of others according to mine abilitie Keepe mee Lord this night from all euils which may happen either vnto my body or my soule Extend thy goodnesse toward all those that depend vpon me or I on them Giue me quiet sleepe and rest and when I shall awake let all my thoughts and cogitations be holy meditations on thee and thy law Blesse me O Lord all the nights and dayes of my life and at the end thereof send me a blessed departure and afterward a ioyfull resurrection vnto life eternall Graunt me these good things most mercifull father and all other needfull graces for Iesus Christs sake in whose name I further call vpon thee as hee hath taught vs in his Gospell saying Our Father c. Short Prayers for Morning and Euening by I. F. 1581. A short Prayer for the Morning GOD of Light who hast preserued mee and brought mee from the darkenesse of this night shine into my heart this day and euer by thy blessed and holy spirit that I may be enlightened and ledde into all Truth that I may walke faithfully as the childe of light before thee casting away the workes of darknesse in the place that thou hast set me doing and performing diligently those things that thou hast required of me either to the praise of thy name or to the comfort of my Brethren Graunt this good Lord I humbly beseech thee for Iesus Christs
cheereful light of the day that in thine assistance they may follow their honest vocations likewise the silent night that then they may returne thanks vnto thee for thy benefits and so rest their wearied limbes and busied minds I sinnefull creature giue thee thankes for the totall summe of all this thy goodnes whereof I haue beene this day partaker through thy mercy O Lord looke not vpon mine vnworthinesse folly and wickednesse but appease thy iust anger conceiued against mee and forgiue what hath beene amisse in mee this day euen for his sake who is thy welbeloued Sonne and my deare Aduocate Root vp the thornes of mine euill inclinations and affections and in their place make the fruites of vertue spring Inflame my heart with the desire of heauenlie loue that I may keepe thy commandements with zeale as hot as fire louing thee aboue all things and mine neighbour as my selfe Giue me grace ô Lord to serue thee in true faith and holines all the dayes of my life to ouercome my mortall enemies the desires of the world the pleasures of the flesh and the suggestions of the wicked spirit remembring my promise made to thee in Baptisme for the performance whereof I depend onely vpon thy holy spirit Let thine Angels pitch their Tents round about this house for defence now in the time of this darkenesse and grant that this nights sleep may be quiet vnto me without griefe or trouble Preserue me mine both in body and soule from al dangers which may come either by foolish dreames noisome spirits or vncleannesse of corrupt Nature Waken me againe O Lord in due time and let mee behold the light of the next day prepare me to thy seruice euery day in all truth and sinceritie that when I haue run the race of this life thou mayest be pleased to call mee to be partaker of a better that so I may liue and raigne with thee euermore through Iesus Christ my onely Lord and Sauiour Amen Wednesday Morning prayer Cause mee to heare thy louing kindnesse in the Morning for in thee doe I trust cause me to know the way wherein I should walke for I lift vp my soule vnto thee O Blessed GOD and merciful father the Sun of the world neuer going downe which bringest forth nourishest and refreshest all things both in heauen and earth I most humbly thanke thee that thou hast preserued me this night and euer hitherto vnder thy protection suffering mee to liue vntill this present houre that thou hast succoured and defended me in all my needs necessities and hast prouided so graciously and mercifully for mee Now I beseech thee ô Lord not to abridge the hand of thy mercy toward mee but let the spring of thy grace flowing from the sanctuary of thy goodnes arise to all the parts of my soule in such proportion as may be for thy glory and my comfort Mortifie O my God all corrupt affections in mee and pardon my innumerable sinnes Fill me this day with thy grace that I may spend it to the honour of thy Name Set a Watch before my mouth and order my lippes that I may vtter nothing vnaduisedly either before thee or men Keepe my sences within their limits direct my will to that which is good and order my iudgement for the accomplishing of those things that appertaine to my vocation O Lord defend me from all shame and disgraces shield me from al violence and guide mee safely from all perillous dangerous wayes Make mee as thy Spouse inwardly and outwardly prepared by thy grace to bee presented a pure Virgine vnto Christ Display vpon me thy banners of loue spred abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost that with the eye of Faith I may beholde and see the Crosse of Christ and his sacred wounds the comfortable price of my redemption and stand so fast in this Christian warfare that nothing make me yeeld to the temptations of the Diuell O Lord so strengthen mee with thy grace in this vale of miserie that all my outward members may follow the direction of my heart and my heart being sincerely dedicated vnto thee I may serue thee in holinesse and Righteousnesse all the dayes of my life for Iesus Christs sake my onely Sauiour and Redeemer Amen Noone A Prayer to God the holy Ghost O Holy Spirit the Authour and giuer of life which hast guided me thus farre this day and guarded me from manifold euils I praise thee I blesse thee I glorifie thee for thy great mercie Continue thy goodnes towards me I beseech thee though I deserue it not inspire my minde with holy motions conuert me from euil confirme me in al that is good Comfort mee thou comforter when I shall haue most neede Cleare the stormes of temptation and inflame the coldnesse of my zeale with the fire of thy loue Lead me into all truth and reclayme mee when I goe astray Oh prosper the works of my hands bring mee safely from all dangers to the end of this day for Iesus Christs sake Amen Wednesday Euening Prayer Withhold not thy tender mercies from me ô Lord let thy louing kindnesse and thy truth alwaies preserue me O Lord God thou who art my life the length and strength of my dayes I most heartily thanke thee for keeping mee this day from manifold dangers both of Body and Soule which might iustly haue fallen vpon mee Nowe I humbly beseech thee bring not into iudgement what I haue done amisse this day but mercifully pardon the escapes and offences of the same Forgiue and forget O LORD all mine idle and vaine words and impute not my foolishnes vnto mee Destroy in me the kingdome of sinne the power of Sathan the desires of the world the vaine delights of the flesh Lord into thy hands I commend my selfe euen soule and body this night and euer Lighten my darkenesse that I sleepe not in death defend me that no euill happen vnto me Take not thy holy Spirit from mee but continue the motions thereof in my heart that when as the Tempter shall come with his assaults I may be furnished with the shield of faith to quench his fiery darts Comfort me ô Lord in all those things wherein I haue beene any wayes dismayed this day Confirme my weakenesse and grant that this nights sleepe may be sweet and healthfull to my body and a profitable memoriall of that sleepe which at my last end in that great night shall make a separation betweene my body and soule Let thine vnspeakeable mercy preserue me thy endles sweetnes reioyce mee thy heauenly truth strengthen mee thy knowledge embolden me and thy goodnes keep me now for euermore from mine enemies visible and inuisible that I may awake in the Morning in perfect sense good health and for the same be thankefull vnto thee carefully betake mee to my vocation calling for Iesus Christs sake my onely Lord and Sauiour Amen Thursday Morning Prayer The Lord
is nigh vnto all them that call vpon him to all that call vpon him in truth O Lord God which art the light that no man can attaine vnto and yet lightenest euery one that commeth into this world and mercifully driuest away the darknes of the night shadow of death I praise thy holy Name thanke thee that thou hast vouchsafed me this fauour to passe this night in so comfortable rest to be brought again safe sound vnto the morning light Now I beseech thee by the blessed Incarnation and holy Natiuitie of thy Sonne Iesus Christ the blessed day-star that appeared to the world let thy mercy this day arise vpon me let the day-star of thy light shine in my heart that I be not carried away through the power of darkenes to spend this day after mine owne minde and pleasure but that I may carefully follow thy fatherly will reuealed in thy holy word Increase in me O Lord the gift of faith and hope to beleeue in thee and thy promises made in Christ that neither by mine owne negligence nor the infirmitie of the flesh nor the grieuousnes of temptation I be driuen away from faith in his blood Disperse O LORD the thicke mistes and clouds of mine iniquities and wash them away in the blood of thy Sonnes passion Giue me a will to worke duely in my vocation this day that I be not idle and order my skil with the rule of thy wisedome that I bee not vnfruitfull Blesse my body and soule that none euill or harme come vnto me my memory and senses that they passe not the limites which thou hast appointed them O Lord lighten my mind to looke vpon good things onely inflame my heart with the loue of them and conduct mee by thy grace to attaine them that as thou hast awaked my body from sleepe so my Soule may bee raysed from the slumber of sinne and darknesse of this World and they both being companions and fellowes in the way of godlinesse may be made partakers of euerlasting life at the latter day through Iesus Christ our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen Noone A Prayer for Sobrietie O Lord God which hast commaunded vs to be sober and watch direct my pathes in the right way to all sobrietie spirituall and corporal Suffer me not this day nor any other to abuse thy good creatures or turne thy grace into wantonnes let mee not be ouercome with surfetting and drunkennesse but auoide all superfluity vsing all temperance and moderation both in meats and drinkes Graunt me a stayed minde and a lowly conceite of my selfe Blesse mee that I may be wise but to sobrietie that I may liue soberly righteously and godly in this present world for Iesus Christs sake Amen Thursday Euening Prayer The Lord is good to all and his tender mercies are ouer all his workes O Lord God my most louing and mercifull Father great in mercie and constant in truth I doe acknowledge my bounden dutie of thankefulnesse vnto thee for thy manifold graces and benefits imparted vnto mee this day though I bee vnable to recount them and farre more vnworthy to receiue them Neuerthelesse in full assurance and confidence of thy loue to me in Christ Iesus I commit now into thy hands again this night my soule and body and all my senses my thoughts affections wordes and deedes all within me and all without mee my faith and my continuance in the same beseeching thee of thy mercy to keepe them day night blamelesse and vndefiled against the day of thy comming Pardon I pray thee and forgiue mee all the sinnes which this day I haue either wretchedly effected or wickedly imagined against thine honour the good of my Neighbour Lay not the frailty of my younger yeares vnto my charge And for the better confirmation of thy gracious pardon I humbly intreat thee ô Lord to annexe vnto thy Graunt the power of thy grace to attend vpon me that I may this night quietly take my rest vnder the shadow of thy wings void of all feare spirituall darkenes danger and despaire Strike my heart ô Lord with thy feare that fearing I may escape those things which thou threatnest and giue mee the comfort of thy saluation that in louing thee I may obtaine those things which thou promisest and when the darkenesse of this mortall life as the darkenesse of the day now doth shal come grant mee O LORD a watchfull heart willingly disposed and throughly enabled with thy grace to abandon these transitorie nights and dayes and depart hence in the peace of a good conscience into thine euerlasting rest through Iesus Christ my onely Sauiour and Redeemer In whose name I further pray vnto thee saying that forme of prayer that he that taught vs Our Father which art in Heauen c. Friday Morning Prayer Whom haue I in heauen but thee and there is none vpon earth that I desire besides thee O Almighty Lord my most louing Creatour redeemer I thy vnworthy seruant giue thee humble and hearty thankes for thy gracious protection and preseruation of me in health wealth and safety this night past and euermore beseeching thee so to direct me by thy holy Spirit that I may liue and walke this day according to thy godly will and pleasure in all harmelesse manner to the profit of my neighbour and in all holinesse to the glory of thy blessed name Lighten my minde O Lord that I may cleerely see those things that please thee Graunt vnto me the knowledge and true vnderstanding of thy word that without all vanitie or curiositie I may know what is thy holy will and pleasure in all things and also expresse in my liuing those things which I know On bended knees O Lord I beseech thee reiect mee not vtterly for mine offences neither take thy grace and assistaunce from mee Blesse my iudgement and all my senses that no sodaine motion make me to conceiue any griefe so far as to forfeit my reasonable vnderstanding Blesse O Lord my labours and trauailes in this world that I may haue wherewithall to relieue my necessities vpon all occasions Indue mee with thy feare an humble minde godly sorrow and a good conscience that I may cary an honest vpright meaning to deale iustly and truely with all men O Lord temper and order all things vnto mee in such peaceable course that I be neuer further tempted and proued then thou wilt make me able to beare and so helpe me in the same as may be most to thy glory Giue me patience against all prouocations and faith in all temptations forgiue me all those things wherevnto I haue yeelded contrary to thy commaundement and so arme mee with thy holy Spirit that I may walke more warily more wisely all the dayes of my life for Iesus Christs sake mine onely Sauiour and Redeemer Amen Noone A Prayer for Chastitie ALmighty Lord which knowest that in our flesh dwelleth no good and yet hast made our
constancy to perseuer in our Faith hope and Patience vnto the end that the hope of mercy may keepe vs from the horrour of despaire and the feare of Iustice for the sinne of presumption O good God order our times in such comfortable sort that we hauing peace in thee our bodyes and mindes may be the more able to doe their seuerall offices in our vocations Instruct vs by thy word guide vs by thy spirit mollifie vs by thy grace humble vs by thy corrections and winne vs by thy benefits O Lord wee beseech thee let all things worke for the best to them that loue thee Continue thy fauour and goodnesse vnto vs this night that wee taking our natural rest and quietnesse may through thy protection be all defended from immoderate sleepe fearefull dreames and outward violence of our Enemies Touch our hearts with a desire and longing after Heauenly things that whensoeuer it shall please thee to call for vs wee may be willing to come vnto thee as Children to their Father strangers vnto their countrey and members of thy body vnto the head Graunt vs O Lord these and all other things needefull and meete for vs for Iesus Christs sake our onely Sauiour and redeemer Amen A Prayer for the Catholique Châ—â—ch and all the estates thereof Doe good O Lord vnto those that be good and to them that are vpright in their hearts O Sun of the eternall God thou sweet Spouse of the CHVRCH blesse wee beseech thee preserue and keepe thy poore CHVRCH militant here in earth the blessed company of all faithfull people Make all Kings and Princes and the supreame gouernors of euery nation carefull hâ—â—sing Fathers nursing Mothers to thy Church Let all the members thereof be of one minde and one heart that there may be such holy coÌ„cord in knowledge of thy truth and such obedience to their superiours with brotherly vnity in all matters as they may neither procure thy scourge nor the Princes sword against them Graunt the Gospell a free passage and long continuance and remooue not the Candlesticke for their vnfruitfulnesse or vnthankefulnesse Put thy principall spirit vpon the Ministers of the Word the Arch-bishops Bishops and Pastors of seuerall congregations and giue them grace to follow the steps of thy holy Apostles and blessed Martyres that being inflamed with true zeale and furninished with sufficient knowledge they may be willing able to labour in season and out of season for the feeding of thy flock Blesse their labours to the winning of Soules to thee and blesse them with boldnesse of speech and innocency of life that like sworne Souldiers to the crosse of Christ they may liue and dye vnder thy banner Cast downe the beames of thy heauenly light vpon such publike places as are appointed for the trayning vp of younger yeares in sound knowledge and commendable qualities namely our Vniuersities Oxford Cambridge the Innes of Court and all Grammer Schooles the seed-plots of the Church Sanctifie their memories to treasure vp good things purge their consciences to haue peace in thee reforme their wils to thy will and let all their affections be ordered aright their Vessels seasoned with the best liquour in the beginning and so to continue Blesse the higher powers of authoritie make them truely humble in the top of their height that their heads being lifted vp to honour their hearts may not be puffed vp nor swell with pride but so rule their hearts and mindes that all Kings Princes may truely serue thee reuerence and stand in awe of thee abette maintaine thy Church and truth and wisely foresee what is best for the aduancement of thy glory the good of the common-wealth So deale also O Lord with all subordinate authorities keepe them from factions treasons and conspiracies Let the Iudges be learned and vncorrupt and the Lawyers men of Conscience to deale sincerely vprightly in their businesse without either feare of greater Personages or vnlawful fauours to friends or desire of rewards from any Calme the Waues and quiet the stormes of all persecution represse the rage and cruelty of all Tyrants Heathen or Christian Take away all Antichristian practisers of the Church of Rome which perswade nothing but the infection of youth and the subuersion of the State Confound all Heresies and Heretikes disperse all Schismes Sects that there be no iars nor difference of opinions amongst thy seruants but that we may be like minded hauing the same loue being of one accord and of one iudgement In fine O Lord comfort them that are ouerworne with Warre wasted with exactions vexed with plagues and sicknesses consumed with famine ouerflowne with waters scattered with fearefull threatnings from the skies Conuert the simple confound the obstinate gather the dispersed heale the broken hearted supply our wants and amend all that is amisse for thy truth and for thy Names sake Amen ¶ Another for the same vse Christ loued the Church and gaue himselfe for it that hee might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word O Lord God thou iust Master of the VINEYARD and louing head of the Church send thy Spirit into the hearts of all them that preach or professe thy holy Truth all men religious and secular yea men and women Princes and subiects rich and poore euen all the people beleeuing in thy Name and depending wholy vpon thee Giue vnto them all O Lord one Law one Baptisme one Hope one Spirit that there may be but one voyce among all that professe the Catholique Faith Keepe backe the famine of thy Word and send such labourers into thy Haruest as be sound in doctrine faithfull in their worke and godly in conuersation in number many and in power wonderfull Open we beseech thee the hearts and eares of the people for the receiuing of thy word that ir may dwell in them plenteously in all wisedome and bring forth fruit against all the cares crosses and courses of this wretched world O Lord thou hast found iniquitie in thy Saints and the heauens are not cleare in thy sight Oh then correct vs in thy iudgement not in thy furie least wee should be consumed and brought to nothing Purge the garden of the Church and let no Weedes ouergrow the flowers Suffer neither sinne nor superstition to choake the good growth of faith or manners in thy people but keepe them from all euill Heresies phanaticall opinions seducing spirits and deadly contentions Keepe our neckes from the grieuous yoke of Antichristian bondage whose religion is rebellion whose faith is faction and whose practise is the murthering of soules and bodyes and represse the furiousnesse of Tyrants which labour nothing but the spoile of the Church and to abolish true Doctrine Prayer and pure religion O Lord Iesus amend all that is amisse and grant vs thy grace all the dayes of our life euen for thy truth and for thy Names sake Amen A Prayer for the Kings Maiestie his
vpon our distressed brethren comfort the desolate widdowes and prouide for all fatherlesse children Gather vs together againe that by these means are dispersed continue thy mercifull worke in diminishing our dead number till wee may iustly say in confidence thanks with the Prophet Wee shall not die but liue and declare the workes of the Lord. Grant this O Lord for Iesus Christs sake our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen The ancient Prayer called O bountifull IESV O BOVNTIFVLL Iesu ô sweet Iesu ô IESV the Sonne of the Virgin Mary which art full of mercy and truth ô sweet Iesu haue pittie vpon mee according to thy great mercie O benigne Iesu by the same precious blood which thou wast content to shed vpon the Altar of the Crosse for vs miserable sinners I beseech thee vouchsafe to cast all mine iniquities out of thy sight and despise not mee who thus humbly beg of thee crying and calling vpon thy holy Name Iesus This Name Iesus is a sweet Name this Name Iesus is a Name of Saluation for what is Iesus but a Sauiour O good Iesus which hast created me and redeemed me with thine owne blood suffer not mee whom thou hast made of nought to be damned O good Iesus let not my wickednesse haue power to destroy me whom thine Almightie goodnesse hath made O good IESV reknowledge that which is thine in mee and that which is not of thee take that away from mee O good Iesus euen now while the time of mercie is haue mercie vpon me and let me not be confounded at the time of thy fearefull iudgement O good IESVS although I vile sinner by thy streight Iustice haue deserued to be punished euerlastingly for my most grieuous sins yet hauing sure confidence in the truth of thy righteousnesse I appeale to thine vnspeakeable mercy I am sure thou wilt haue mercy vpon mee like a louing Father and a mercifull Lord. O good IESVS what profit is there in my blood if I descend into the pit of eternall corruption For surely they that be dead shall not magnifie thee nor any that goe downe into the place of silence O most mercifull Iesu haue mercy vpon mee ô most sweet Iesus deliuer mee O most holy Iesus be mercifull vnto me a sinner O IESVS accept mee wretched sinner among the number of them whom thou hast elected to saluation O Iesus the health of all that hope in thee the life of all that beleeue in thee haue mercie vpon me O sweet Iesus the remission of all my sinnes O Iesus the Sonne of the Virgin Mary powre thy grace into my heart endue mee with wisedome charitie chastitie and humilitie and in all mine aduersitie grant me a holy inuiolable and stedfast patience that I may perfectly loue thee and haue my onely delight and affiance in thee world without end Amen Supplications OF SAINTS The Third Part. Dauid alone PSAL. 142. 1. 2. With my voyce vnto the Lord did I make my Supplication I powred out my complaint before him This Part containeth Prayers in the names of diuers parties of seuerall estates with a forme of generall thanskgiuing PSALME 112. 6. The righteous shall be had in euerlasting remembrance Queene Elizabeths Prayer of Thanksgiuing for the ouerthrow of the Spanish Nauy sent to inuade ENGLAND Anno 1588. MOst omnipotent Creator Redeemer and Conseruer When it seemed most fit time to thy worthy Prouidence to bestow the workmanship of this worlds Globe with thy rare iugdement thou didst diuide into foure singular parts the forme of all this Mold which after-time hath tearmed Elements all they seruing to continue in orderly Gouernment of all the masse Which all when of thy most singular bountie and neuer yerst seene care thou hast this yeere made serue for instruments to daunt our foes and to confound their malice I most humbly with bowed heart and bended knees doe render my humbliest acknowledgments and lowliest thanks And not the least for that the weakest Sexe hath been so fortified by thy strongest helpe that neither my people need finde lacke by my weaknesse nor Forreiners tryumph at my ruine Such hath beene thy vnwonted grace in my DAYES as though Sathan hath neuer made Holy-day in practising for my life and state yet thy mightie hand hath ouerspread both with the shade of thy wings so that neither hath beene ouerthrowen nor receiued shame but abide with blessing to thy most glory and their greatest ignominy For which Lord of thy meere goodnesse graunt vs grace to be hourely thankfull and euer mindfull And if it may please thee to pardon my request giue vs thy continuance in my dayes of like goodnesse that my yeares neuer see change of such grace to me but especially to this my kingdome which LORD graunt for thy Sonnes sake may flourish many ages after my end Amen Queene Elizabeths Prayer for the successe of her Nauie Anno Domi. 1596. MOst omnipotent MAKER and GVIDER of all Worlds Masse that onely searchest and fadomest the bottome of all hearts-conceits and in them seest the true originall of all actions intended Thou that by thy foresight doest truely discerne how no malic of reuenge nor quittance of iniurie nor desire of bloodshed nor greedines of lucre hath bred the resolution of our now set-out Armie but a heedfull care and a wary watch that no neglect of foes nor ouersuertie of harme might breed either danger to vs or glory to them These being the grounds thou that didst inspire the mind we humbly beseech thee with bended knees prosper the worke and with the best fore-windes speed the Iourney giue the victorie and make the returne the aduancement of thy glory the trump of thy Fame and suertie of thy Realme with the least losse of English blood To these deuout petitions Lord giue thy blessed graunt Amen Queene Elizabeths Prayer for her Nauie Anno Dom. 1597. O GOD All-maker Keeper and Guider Inurement of thy rare seene vnused and seeldheard-of goodnes powred in so plentifull sort vpon vs full oft breeds now this boldnes to craue with bowed knees and hearts of humilitie thy large hand of helping-power to assist with wonder our iust cause not founded on prides motion nor begun on malice-stock but as thou best knowest to whom nought is hid grounded on iust defence from wrongs hate and bloody desire of conquest For sithens means thou hast imparted to saue that thou hast giuen by inioying of such a people as scornes their blood-shed where safetie ours is none Fortifie deare GOD such hearts in such sort as their best part may be worst that to the truest part meant worst with least losse to such a Nation as despise their liues for their Countryes good That all forraine Lands may laud and admire the omnipotencie of thy worke a fact alone for thee onely to performe So shal they name be spred for wonders wrought and the faithfull encouraged to repose in thy vnfellowed grace and we that minded nought but right be in chained in thy
therefore O Lord we pray thee blesse her and the fruit of her Wombe let thy mercie be no lesse shewed in the birth then in the wonderfull forming and fashioning of that she beareth Guide all our hands that are about her and laie to thy helping hand with vs. Giue her an easie speedy deliuerance But if it be thy will to laye any greater weight of thy wrath vpon her acording to thy doome yet good Lord we beseech thee let thy holy spirit so comfort her inwardly with thy promises made to all and thy goodnes shewed to others that neither her naturall frailtie northe temptations of Sathan nor the extremities of her Throwes cause her to faint Comfort her helpe her finish thy worke in her ô thou preseruer of mankind that she being safely deliuered and her Babe preserued they may both liue to thy will and pleasure and wee altogether prayse thy holy Name through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A Prayer after the deliuerance of women Lo children are an heritage of the Lord and the fruit of the wombe is his reward O LORD God by whom all men and women are wonderfully fearefully made we giue thee most humble thankes that in thy iudgement towards this our Sister thou hast remembred mercie in giuing her safe deliuerance together with a comely fruit of her body Good Lord wee pray thee continue thy great goodnesse towardes her and keepe her from all further annoyance and dangers of Child-bed Preserue her day and night sleeping and waking that so in her time shee may be restored to her former health and strength and walke in her vocation according to thy will with thanksgiuing Giue thy blessing to the Infant now borne that it may in due time increase in wisedome and stature and fauour with God and man that it may be partaker of the sacred Seale of holy Baptisme borne anew by the power of thy Spirit liue a holy and sanctified life in this world afterward be made heire of euerlasting life O Lord blesse the mother also for the BABES good that shee may haue strength meanes to bring it vp to thy glory and vse all such good endeuours as become a carefull and naturall Mother Lord giue thy grace to all vs which haue beene eye-witnesses of this thy mercy and goodnesse and let this and all other thy workes daily put vs in minde to be thankeful vnto thee for our creation preseruation and all other thy good gifts to call vpon thee loue and feare thee walking in thy sight in all sobrietie chastitie and godlines from this day forward for euermore for IESVS Christs sake Amen ¶ The Childrens Prayer in their Parents life time A wise sonne maketh a glad Father but a foolish son is the heauinesse of his mother O HEAVENLY Father Father of our Lord Iesus Christ and all that beleeue in him endue mee I beseech thee with thy holy Spirit that I may be a babe of thy heauenly Family regenerate and made a new creature in the same Christ Iesus my Sauiour Make mee by all meanes to honour my Parents after the example of thy Sonne our Sauiour and not by any means to breed their sorrow griefe that when thou shalt see it good to make mee ancient and blesse mee with children then I may haue ioy in them by their obedience and holinesse Ioyne O Lord vnto the towardnesse of my Nature the ayde of thy grace that I be not seduced by false teachers to corruption either in Faith or manners but that all my vnderstanding and conceits may tend to the good of my soule and the bettering of my life Restraine O Lord the vntamednesse of my youth which at this time is wont to begin to shew it self that I neuer passe the limites of thy good pleasure Keepe me from wandering concupiscence and idlenes from wicked company naughtie fellowship Forgiue me all the misdemeanors which I haue at any time committed against thee my parents and giue mee abilitie and grace to help them in their weakest age and greatest neede remembring the paines which my mother endured for mee and the charges of my father Make mee obedient vnto them and all other my betters teachers and Gouernours help me in all dangers and necessities and grant mee thy fauour all the dayes of my life and thy kingdome at the end for Iesus Christs sake Amen Another Prayer of Children Commit thy way vnto the Lord trust also in him and he shall bring it to passe O LORD GOD I beseech thee to lead my Parents in the way of thy Trueth and righteousnes Gouerne all their actions to thy glory the good of thy CHVRCH and the discharge of their duties Defend and deliuer them from all their enemies and from all deceits and dangers that I who am a childe in age vnderstanding and discretion may by their godly wisedome care and painefulnesse be brought vp in all godly instructions nourture and good order and so liue and serue thee in righteousnesse and holinesse all my daâ—es Grant mee ô Lord an obedient and dutifull mind not onely towards my Parents but all such as it shall please them to make instructors and Rulers ouer mee that I may submit my selfe to their godly admonitions and gouernment Incline my heart now in my tender years to seek for wisedome and good learning with all diligence Preserue mee from all euill wayes and lewd companie Mortifie O Lord the raging lustes and follies of youthful affections O Lord pardon and forgiue mee all my sinnes that I may liue in thy feare and dye in thy fauour so receiue the inheritance of that place which thou in heauen hast prepared for mee through Iesus Christ my onely Lord and Sauiour Amen The Orphans or fatherlesse Childes prayer When my Father and my Mother forsake me then the Lord will take me vp O Lord GOD the succour of all them that are in distresse and Father of the Fatherlesse I poore Orphane by thine appointment depriued of my Parents and chiefest stay in this World beseech thee to heare my desire to set thine eyes vpon mee for good Haue pitty vpon me O Lord and in all perils necessities stretch out thine helping hand deliuer me appoint me faithfull Patrons Gardians which will be touched with an earnest care of my wel-fare that I may be brought vp in thy feare vnto euery good worke Giue mee grace to be obedient to those that haue the ouer-sight of mee to hearken to good counsell to feare thee and flye euill company Grant that I may finde fauour and vpright dealing at the handes of them that haue the ouersight of mee and before all other Gouernors Iudges whatsoeuer Let me not be oppressed by the mightie nor seduced by the craftie and subtile but deliuer me from greedie and deuouring cormorants dissembling friendes that would make a pray of me Let me not run too and fro to seeke my bread but prouide