is a most certaine rule of al iustice and vprightnes Keepe them therefore that they be not infected with false doctrine and superstitious seruice neither yet seduced from true religion through wicked and vngodlie behauior Preserue them from wicked companie and filthie felowship which as contagion and leauen ouercometh and pearceth the whole lumpe keepe them from riotousnes dronkennes from wandring concupiscence from idlenes which ministreth matter and nourishment vnto al vices Remooue awaie al shameful examples and take awaie al offences that the yonger sort beholding the multitude of sinners follow not the steps of the wicked and without feare enter into their most abhominable waies Giue vnto al yong scholers a good wit to conceiue a good capacitie to vnderstand and a good memorie to beare awaie good lessons and to learne from their infancie those things which may instruct them to saluatiō by faith which is in Christ Iesus For euerie scripture giuen by the inspiration of God is profitable to teach to reproue to correct and to instruct in righteousnes that the man of God may be absolute being instructed to al good works The entrance into thy words giueth light to the blinde and vnderstanding to the simple Grant therefore that from their youth they may exercise themselues in thy commandements For the first institution doth much good yea the whole race of their life afterward dependeth vpon the same O God the holie Ghost which workest by thy worde and sacraments and thereby gatherest vnto thy selfe a Church not onelie from the elder sort but also from the yonger wee beseech thee maintaine scholes and scholers which are the seede of thy Church and direct their studies vnto the honor of thy glorious Name Turne the harts of youth to the loue of true doctrine and virtue wherby they may come to good behauior in manners and to sounde learning of minde Maintaine the scholes wherin the tongues and sciences are taught which thou hast reuealed vnto mankinde as necessarie helpes to teach withal that so the pure sound of thine heauenlie doctrine may be heard and retained in the true and right Congregation And forasmuch as the verie cogitations of mans hart are euil euen from his youth and our nature through the fal of our first parents euen frō our yong yeares is corrupted and prone to al wickednes that easily it cānot be brought vnder the subiection of another For foolishnes is bound in the hart of a childe Giue them wisedome and learning that they doe not delight in wicked affections and so grow on in malice and stubbornes waxing wild and resisting godlie and honest admonitions and that being become vnbridled sauage vntrectable and past learning they proue not obstinate in wickednes disobedience but make them through thine instinct to learne and embrace thy commandements and to binde thy law continually about their harts and tie it about their necks that thy grace gift may encrease by grace vntil growing to mans estate they become profitable instruments of thy Church and teachers of righteousnes and abide conioined vnto thee which liuest and raignest a God worlds without ende Amen 7. A praier against the dominion of Satan O Lord IESV Christ Sonne of the almightie God great is the rage and tyrannie of the Diuel which being strong and armed keepeth his court to possesse the same in peace and to augment his kingdome of darkenes wherein reigneth horrible Idolatrie hatred of thy truth diuers abhominable worshipings with al kinde of shameful transgressions most outragious wickednes Lamentable also is the wretched blindnes and obstinate malice of those men which suffer themselues to be ruled by Satan and follow the beast vnto al kind of impietie In whom the God of this world hath blinded the mindes of Infidels that the light of thy glorious Gospel which is the image of God should not shine in them But are held captiue at the Diuels pleasure whose harts he doth possesse and is mightie in the children of darkenes so that subduing the natural powers hee carrieth them into horrible wickednes which indeede after such a beastlie rage and so furiouslie woulde not rush into al filthie and vile wickednes were they not driuen therevnto through the force of Satan which carrieth them hether thether as he list like bondslaues vntil at length they fal vnto blaspheming of thy most holie Name so that conuicted of their owne conscience they impugne and mortallie pursue thy word of purpose committing therby the sinne against the holie Ghost For when wittinglie and of purpose they denie the manifest and knowen truth of God through obstinate malice and voluntarie stubbornes and persist impenitent they become blasphemers of god Because wittinglie and maliciouslie euen against their conscience they cal good euil and euil they affirme to be good putting light for darknes and darknes for light There is none hope of the forgiuenes of this sinne Such sacriledge is not forgiuen neither in this world nor in the world to come Because they conuert the onelie remedie of saluation into deadlie poison and with an affected ignorance they continue in manifest impietie against their conscience And therefore they cannotlaie the fault of their wickednes vpon others because not against but with their wils they prostitute themselues before the Diuel and obeie the Prince of darknes with al redines of minde and studie without repentance to drawe others vnto euerlasting perdition by the example of their wicked life O Christ King of glorie which art stronger than the Diuel and hast spoiled him of al his armor wherin he trusted Thou hast brused in peeces that monstrous Leuiathan of an huge woonderful bignes and brought vnder feete the mightie strong Goliath which obraided thine host We beseech thee shewe forth thy power and bring the Diuel vnder our feete destroie his kingdome that we runne not into the sinne of blasphemie neither go about to extinguish in our selues the light of the holie Ghost nor kick against the same O thou mightie Gigant which hast cast headlong into hel the very Angels which sinned bound with the chaines of darknes so to take from them al power that they rule not ouer the faithful and holy ones take vs out of the floud of heresies and prophane opinions and suffer vs not to be drowned in the lake burning with fire and brimstone O Christ the leader vnto life which dieng diddest destroie our death and by rising againe repaire our life take vs vnto thee that being ingraffed and vnited to thy body we may be neuer separated from thee our head And quicken vs being once dead through sin wherin we walked according to the custome of this world after him which is Prince of the aire and worketh in these daies within the children of vnbeleefe among whom we our selues also walked sometime in the concupiscence of our flesh doing
sinnes nor guiltie of their condemnation neither wilt thou require their blood at mine hands Wherefore againe and againe I beseech thee assist me euermore that through an open and bold reprehending of their wickednes I may deliuer my soule in the daie of wrath and teach thy waies vnto the wicked whereby the vngodlie may repent Finallie so blesse me with thy fauor that I may walke in thy feare as it becommeth me and be an ensample of good life vnto my flock least while I preach vnto others my selfe proue a castawaie that in no case through my wicked conuersation I giue occasion to anie man of blaspheming thy worde and that in trobles and persecutions I faint not but may suffer patientlie the reproch of this world and the manifold trobles that Satan stirreth vp to disquiet thy Church Grant also to as manie as shal heare thy worde from my mouth that they may firmelie with me beleeue the same and be the followers of me as I followe thee and haue consideration of such as walke so as becommeth Christians that together we may continue in faith and patience euen for thine owne sake Amen A praier for anie hearer of Gods worde I Giue thee most hartie thanks O eternal God Father of our Lord Iesu Christ for that it hath pleased thee of thine vnspeakable mercie and goodnes in al ages continuallie to sende into the worlde men wonderful in thy gifts and knowledge of thy wil to be renuers and spreaders forth of thy truth Like thankes I ascribe vnto thy sacred Maiestie for allowing vs shepherds and preachers in these our daies for the gathering together of thy Church out of al mankinde to the building of the bodie of Christ. Humblie I beseech thee gratious GOD continue alwaie among vs thy pure worde through thy ministers gather vnto thy selfe an euerlasting Congregation so instruct mine hart with thy Spirit of truth that vnfainedlie I may assent to thy wholesome worde proue a liuelie member of thy bodie and be incorporated into that societie which both in this world doth syncerelie confesse thee and euermore extol thine holie Name Keepe those Preachers which thou dost and wilt giue in the certaine knowledge of thy blessed wil that they may from time to time both open vnto vs thine intent concerning the repairing of mankinde the saluation and redemption of our soules through thy free mercie and also teach vs how to liue in new obedience and to abstaine from carnal desires which fight against the soule Inspire thy ministers and preachers of thy word with thine holie Spirit that they may vtter thy wil purelie as they haue receiued it from thine hands retaining the forme of wholesome words and sounding onlie that doctrine which is vttered by thy Sonne out of thy bosome For otherwise departing from the order of faith and the rule of thy worde they wil greatlie obscure the light of thy doctrine and obtrude vpon vs the vanitie of their owne inuentions Wherefore let them speake thy word not deceiptfullie but syncerelie euen as from thee and in thy sight Grant also that by transforming thy ministerie into policie they Lord not ouer thine elect neither contend about superioritie and primacie in thy Church but onelie to seeke the glorie of thy Name and the saluation both of themselues and vs. Giue them libertie of speech boldlie without feare to blame and rebuke al false doctrine blasphemous superstition and abuses in thy Church Open vnto them the doore of vtterance that they may speake the mysteries of Christ and manifest them as they ought to doe so shal their doings be profitable vnto the godlie Assist them also with thine especial grace that they disgrace not their doctrine by impuritie of life but let their conuersation answere vnto the doctrine which they teach and preach Especiallie for the shepherd of my soule frō whose mouth I learne thy blessed wil I hartilie praie that thou wilt keepe him in religion syncere and pure from enormous offences in outward conuersation endue him with a long and healthful life if it be thy good pleasure that manie a good daie and yeere he may continue in preaching the gladsome voice of thy gratious Gospel among vs without contention and strife And O Sonne of God which art the Lord of al the flock worke thou effectuallie by thy preachers speake thou within vs to our harts the blessed wil of thine eternal Father and confirme thy doctrine in our minds by thine holie Spirit Grant that we may truelie know and discerne the same from the houling of wolues and from the inchanted songs of seducing hirelings and grant that we may know 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 conceaue the profite of thy wholesome doctrine and the sweete comfort reuealed in thine holie word by the preaching of the Gospel O Lorde I acknowledge with teares my sluggishnes carelesnes in seeking thy truth and bewaile the wretched coldnes and hardnes of mine hart beseeching thee to endue me with an vnfained longing and an ardent desire of holie Sermons Grant that in this life I may worship the feete of the preachers of peace and reuerence the true dispensors of thy mysteries thy faithful ministers with doble honor and none otherwise to obeie their godlie sermons than I woulde if a voice should sounde from the heauens Let me not for the blemishes and imperfections of some particular men vnreuerentlie conceaue of thine 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 worde but bearing alwaies in minde the order which thou hast appointed may constantlie embrace thy word manifested in the Church Finallie impart such grace vpon vs that we may imitate and folowe the good workes of holie men casting of the old man by putting on the new which is created after God in righteousnes and true holines Amen A praier for a Prince or Magistrate BLessed art thou Lord God of Sabbaoth For to thee appertaineth al magnificence and power and glorie to thee belongeth al honor and auctoritie For whatsoeuer is either in the heauens aboue or in the earth beneath it is thine Thine O Lord is the kingdome thou art aboue al Princes Kings Riches are thine glorie is thine and thou art Lorde ouer al. In thee remaineth virtue and power greatnes and gouernement O God of my Fathers Lord of mercie which hast made al things by thy word and by thy wisedome appointed man to rule the creatures which thou hast made and to gouerne the world with equitie and iustice I praise thee and extol thy glorious Name for appointing me
but that which may please thee and tend to the aduancement of thy glorie and health of our soules Gouerne thou our vnderstanding and wil and so direct al the cogitations of our hart that we may wholie be thine and sauor of nothing besides thee our God and Redeemer Teach vs the waie of thy Commandements O Lord and we wil keepe it vnto the ende Giue vs vnderstanding to keepe thy lawes and to loue thee our Lord God with al our hart with al our soule and with al our strength and let al thy restimonies be our delight and Counselers Comfort the soules of thy seruants for vnto thee O Lord haue we lifted vp our soules For thou Lorde art good and gentle and of great kindnes to as many as cal vpon thee Behold God earelie now this Morning we doe offer our selues a Morning sacrifice vnto thee a trobled spirit a broken and an humble hart O Lorde thou wilt not despise Make vs fit that we may likewise We see the workmanship of thine hands the Moone and Stars which thou hast ordained and we wil signifie thy glorie vnto al nations and among al people wil we declare thy wonderful things For thou art mightie O Lord and worthie to be praised great is thy virtue and thy power wonderful We thanke thee holie Father God of heauen because thou hast created by thy worde of power the vniuersal worlde with al the creatures and whatsoeuer is liueth or mooueth in the same By thy wisedome thou doest gouerne and by sending of thy Spirit as yet doest vpholde and cherish the same For al woods fruteful trees stones graine flowers herbes and al the grasse of the fielde hast thou ordained for the vse of man. We magnifie thee O God most wise for creating the sea springs of water by the power of thy worde and for giuing them virtue to bring forth fishes of al kinde to be eaten of man. We blesse thee O eternal God for making the superior and lower regions of the aier with al birdes and fethered foules of sondrie kindes for the foode of man. We glorifie thee for giuing the whole frame of this earth with al the creatures in the same vnto mankind and setting man ouer the works of thine hands hast subiected al things vnder his feete Al sheepe and oxen yea and al the beastes of the field The foules of the aire and the fish of the sea which walke through the paths of the sea Especially we praise thee our Lord and maker for making vs thy creatures reasonable men according to thine owne similitude for giuing vs reason and al the senses and for preseruing vs hitherto Thou didst nourish vs that wonderfully being within our mothers wombe and out thereof hast thou brought vs sound in al parts without imperfection and yet continuest thy fauor and dost keepe vs against al dangers and deliuerest vs from al euil and al these things dost thou of thy fatherlie and diuine goodnes without any merit or desert of ours for al which we are bound to thanke thee to praise thee to serue honor and obey thee We extol thy sacred Name O God most high for separating from the rest a Sabbaoth daie that so men cessing from their handie labor the better might serue and celebrate thine honor Who is he that can recite al the power of the Lorde or declare al his workes who can number out al his praises No man can vtter al his benefits Notwithstanding although we be miserable men and wretched sinners and therefore most vnmeete to extol thee according to thy deserts yet wil we not be stil we wil praise thee euermore to the vttermost of our power We wil declare thy iustice and mercie and while we liue wil we remember thy goodnes and at no time forget thy benefits O our soules praise the Lord we wil praise the Lord during our life we wil sing to the Lorde while we haue breath We wil be mindful of our maker euen from our youth and seeke him euermore yea euen vnto our old age and graie head O God forsake vs not vntil we haue declared thy power vnto al nations that are to come Praise the Lord al ye nations praise him al ye people For his louing kindnes is great toward vs and his truth endureth for euer Praise ye the Lord in his sanctuarie praise him in the firmament of his power Praise him in his mightie actes praise him according to his excellent greatnes Let euerie thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lorde 3. A praier for the remission of sinnes RIghteous and merciful God which art cleere from spot and sin al thy waies are mercie and truth We miserable folkes and wretched sinners acknowledge the horrible corruption of our nature and with humble and sorrowful harts bewaile our filthines whereby we haue polluted that image imprinted within vs at our first creation We openlie confesse that manie and great are our sinnes our offences wonderful our transgressions are infinite euen as the sand of the Sea which cannot be numbred For al the cogitations of mans hart are prone to euil euermore O Lord who knoweth his sinnes or who can recite al the transgressions of man Behold we confesse our offences and our sinne is alwaies before vs. Against thee onelie we haue sinned and done euil in thine eies that thou maiest be iust when thou speakest and pure when thou iudgest Behold we were borne in iniquitie and in sin did our mothers conceaue vs and those our sinnes haue we multiplied in our dailie transgressions and therefore haue deserued thy iust displeasure with paines eternal Notwithstanding we appeale vnto thy mercie O Lord beseeching thee not to enter into iudgement with thy seruants for no flesh is righteous in thy sight For if thou streitlie obseruest iniquities O Lorde who shal stand If thou wilt contend with mâ—n he shal not be able to answere thee one for a thousand For what is man that he shoul be cleane and he that is borne of a woman that he should be iust Behold thou foundest no stedfastnes in thy Saints yea the heauens are not cleare in thy sight How much more is man abominable and filthie which drinketh iniquitie like water Behold Lord we are al become vncleane and al our righteousnes is like a filthie cloute Wherfore we humbly beseech thee haue mercy vpon vs O God according to thy great mercy and according to the multitude of thy compassions doe away our iniquities Wash vs throughly from our iniquities and clense vs from our sinne For thy Name sake O Lord be merciful vnto our iniquitie for it is great Remember not the sinnes of our youth nor our rebellions but according to thy kindnes remember thou vs
euen for thy goodnes sake O Lord. Remember thy tender mercies and louing kindnes which haue bin for euer Remember also that we are flesh a wind that passeth and cometh not againe Therefore leaue thy displeasure against vs be not angrie for euer neither doe thou threaten vs perpetuallie Deale not with vs according to our sinnes neither reward vs after our iniquities but conuert vs O our God of saluation and turne away thy displeasure against vs. Shewe vs thy mercie O Lord and grant vs thy saluation for thy Name sake O most merciful God we confesse in deede that it lies not in our power to put away purge our sinnes and to purchase thy fauor but onelie it is the passion and most innocent death of thy Sonne our Lorde Iesus Christ the immaculate lambe which is a sufficient recōciliation for our sins and yet not for ours alone but for the sinnes also of the whole world For his bloud which was shed for vs doth clense vs from al sinne And if we confesse our sins thou art faithful and iust to forgiue vs our sinnes and to clense vs from al vnrighteousnes Wherefore through confidence of this thy mercie promised by thy Sonne we are bold with deepe sighes from hart to crie Lord forgiue our offences remit our iniquities couer our sinnes and impute not our faults vnto vs Purge vs O Lord from our secret faults Keepe thy seruants also from presumptuous sinnes let them not raigne ouer vs so shal we be vpright purged from our greatest wickednes that tasting the sweetnes of thy benignitie we may be secure and certaine of the remission of our sinnes Giue the knowledge of saluation to thy people by the remissiō of their sinnes through the bowels of thy mercie whereby the day spring from on high hath visited vs that we may perceiue in our minds both comfort peace and gladnes of the holy Spirit which may begin a new life in vs pleasing thee quench al the motions of our minds striuing with thy diuine pleasure and restore in vs the image of thy diuine light which was lost that being deliuered out of the hands of our enimies we may serue thee in feare in holines and righteousnes al the daies of our life through Christ in whom thou art wel pleased and for whose sake al our works howsoeuer vnperfect are acceptable in thine eies Amen 4. A praier for the preseruation of the Church OCelestial God and Father of infinite mercie and compassion which not onely gatherest to thy self an holy Church in this worlde out of mankinde through the operation of the holie Ghost and preaching of thy word but also preseruest the same being gathered and adornest it with al kind of temporal things and which more is with eternal blisse We humbly beseech thee gratious Lord that of thy goodnes thou wouldest vouchsafe euermore to maintaine this thy little flock embracing preaching and professing thy word through thine especial grace continue thy fauor toward the same keepe it in sound doctrine constant confessing in the lawful vse of thine holie Sacraments and in purenes of life that neither the gates of hel the rage of Satan nor yet the rigorousnes and tyrannie of this world oppresse the same Protect and keepe this thy boatē and little Bark tossed among manie perilous tempests and miserable surges in the raging Sea of this troblesome world that it perish not being ouerwhelmed Vphold thy Church which is builded vpon a sure rock and dependeth vpon Christ a sound and vnmooueable foundation O Lord of hosts returne looke downe from heauen and behold visit thy vine make it perfect which thy right hand hath planted thou hast chosen to thy selfe Hedge the same about with thy strong defence that the branches therof being spred out and pruned may bring forth abundance of frute Raise vp thy power Come God saue vs Conuert vs shew forth thy countenance and we shal be saued Enclose thy sheepe within thine hardles so shal we be quiet from al inuasion and scatterings neither can any drawe vs by force out of thine handes Defend vs from al such as seeke the vtter ouerthrow of pure religion and in place thereof labour to bring in the shameful 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 Gospel such a Church as may harken vnto thee honor and sanctifie thy Name as wel in word as in honest conuersation that so thou maiest haue a righteous and holy generation celebrating thy goodnes for euermore Ioine vs vnto that company which doth worship thee continuallie that we may be Citizens of thy kingdome among thy Saintes Grant that we erre not from 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 vngodlie ones and from the damned crewe of the reprobate Let vs not so much as take their names into our mouthes which poure out heapes of blasphemies to thy great dishonor and defacing of the truth vnto whom thy Sonne is a destruction and stone of offence For they despise his base estate and the foolish preaching of thy Gospel and the deformed shew of the Church placed in the middes of al kind of miseries they loath and abhor preferring vncertaine riches lordlie auctoritie and the vaine pleasures of this transitorie world before the profession of the truth and so making war with thy Sonne they doe purchase euerlasting destruction vnto themselues Keepe vs euermore that we may abide in that Church which is truelie Catholike consisting of members of many nations but linked vnto thee in one and the same confession Sanctifie vs with thine holie Spirit that our sinnes being forgiuen we may take another trade of life in acknowledging thee to be the onelie true God and Iesus Christ whome thou hast sent Giue vnto thy Church resting places and nestes where they may sound thy sacred Gospel purelie without corruption Suppresse the diuel which spreadeth 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 shal stables of woolues be made nor dennes of theeues established O Lord God returne and quicken vs so shal thy people reioice in thee Let al such as trust in thee reioice and triumph for euer dwel thou in them and let those which loue thy Name reioice in thee O Lord remember not our offences thou which wast somtimes merciful And forgauedst the wickednes of the people and hidedst al their sinnes Which with drewedst al thine anger and
turnedst from the fiercenes of thine indignation Be mindful of thy woonted mercie and receiue vs into thy fauor For we depend vpon thee alone being destitute of al worldlie aide our trust wholie is in thee and al our confidence resteth in thy stretched out arme O Lorde 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 cal vpon thee according to thy word reuealed and praise thee euermore through our Lorde Iesus Christ Amen 5. A praier for the Preachers of Gods word O Almightie and merciful GOD which through thy Sonne our Lorde and Sauior Christ hast commanded vs to praie that laborers may be thrust into thine haruest we beseech thee by the same thy Sonne that thou wilt send into thy Church faithful ministers and syncere Preachers of thy worde and those in number many and in operation woonderful Giue vnto vs such teachers as are both in thy mysteries learned and for their conuersation cōmended Direct them being illuminated with thine heauenly light that they may rightlie deliuer and diuide vnto vs the principles of true doctrine the worde of truth and the Gospel of life and open the difference betweene the Lawe and the Gospel and preach those things which are agreeable vnto the rules of faith and can strengthen vs to beware of the leauen of the Pharisies and the contagious doctrine of mans traditions Giue vnto vs euermore syncere Preachers and sounde interpreters and arme them with the gift of tongues for the propagation of thy doctrine that many through their labors and diligence may be conuerted to the true knowledge of thy diuine pleasure For how should we heare without a Preacher And how should men preach except they be sent Wherfore send into thy Church O most louing Father Byshops of thine owne instructing good shepherdes sound Preachers faithful workmen godlie ministers which may faithfullie ouersee and by thy word of saluation luckilie gouerne thy Church being deerelie bought with the precious blood of thine onely Sonne So shal the Gospel thy pure word to the praise and glorie of thy Name to the saluation and profit of many men with good successe fruitefully be declared and vniuersallie preached throughout al the world Giue vnto vs Lord eternal God teachers of righteousnes which reteining the forme of wholesome doctrine may informe vs in al spiritual wisedome of thine essence and diuine pleasure and through thy Spirit and word bring vs vnto perfection whereby we may be blameles both in Christian religion and in behauior that they may reduce sinners into the way of truth strengthen the weake in faith and comfort the afflicted and wounded consciences against al the darts of our deadlie enimie Which may be able to exhort by sound doctrine whereby the hartes of men being terrefied through the sense of Gods indignation and oppressed with cares may finde true consolation and which are able to conuince the gainesaiers of the truth and stop the mouth of the impudent which may be examples for the faithful both in speech and conuersation and may become al in al to gaine manie vnto thee our eternal God And may reioice in affliction fearing neither the hatred nor the ingratitude of this world but may persist vnto the death constantlie in the confession of the truth so shal both offences be shunned thy most holie name glorified and thy ministerie which thou hast instituted for the safetie of our soules which beleeue notablie made of mainteined Make them perfect therfore that they may proue the vessels of thy mercie and profitable instruments of thy Church let not their labors be in vaine but take good successe in the Lord. Grant likewise holie God that al the Preachers of thy word may be blameles not subiect to manifest impietie but the husbands of one wife shunning extrauagant and filthie lustes also be they watchful ouer the flock cōmitted vnto them least the Diuel priuily make a praie of thy sillie sheepe Be they sober and temperate looking to their charge with great discretion Modest and of good behauior endued with al grauitie liberal toward exiles and al such as are persecuted for the confession of thy word apt to teach no quarelers not giuen to filthie gaming patient sufferers of iniurie voide of contention and couetousnes wise gouernors of their owne houses hauing children in subiection with al reuerence Not puffed vp no giuers of occasion of offence either in worde or deede whereby any may iustly be offended and carpe at the ministerie But in al things let them shew out themselues as the ministers of God in much suffering in affliction in extremities and trobles and neuer forsake their calling either through persecution or the manifold ingratitude of the world Keepe vs louing Father from euil workmen in thy vineyard from vnfaithful hirelings which preach and feede themselues studieng to please men and to get popular credit turning religion according to the wil of men for their owne gaine making marchandise of the word by transforming the Gospel into an external pompe and meanes to liue by For these men can neuer continue constant in the confession of true doctrine but are like reedes tossed by the wind and are easelie broken through the feare of perils which accompanie the ministerie Amen 6. A praier for the hearers of the word of God. O Most gratious GOD which of thy meere compassion and diuine pittie hast purelie and plainelie deliuered vnto vs thy healthful word which is the foode of our soules For the Gospel is the power of God vnto saluation to al beleeuers euen as thy Sonne doth say Blessed are they which heare the word of God and keepe it Againe He that keepeth my word shal not die eternallie We humblie beseech thee on the behalfe of al hearers of thy word Open our harts vnlock the eares of our vnderstanding that hearing thy worde profitablie we may obserue learne and embrace such things as are necessarie to the confirming of our faith amendment of life Let thy word therefore abide plentifullie among vs in al wisdome giue vs thine holie spirit that we may heare Sermons not as the words of men but as they are in deede the word of God and walking worthie the same as becommeth the Sonnes of God may liue in al godlines and honestie vsing thy word preached vnto the edification of our consciences to our instruction to the comfort of our minds and to the kindling of good motions for the better seruing of thee in Christian patience that we be not idle hearers onely but ernest fulfillers of thy word Bring to passe we beseech thee O Lord that the word thy seede may stick in our harts and take deepe roote and that the dunging of our
cold and vnfruitful ground may become profitable let vs both outwardlie embrace thy doctrine with a care and inwardlie feele the operation therof in our minds and so rushing out of the bowels of the earth and deliuered from tentation bring out plentiful fruite to the glorie of thine holie Name Worke so within vs that the Diuel take not away the seede of thy word sowen in our harts let it not waxe barren neither let vs be forgetful nor like vnfruiteful hearers which heare thy word to their iudgement and greater condemnation Furthermore keepe vs in thy faith and feare that come what crosses and aduersities there can we may continually stick vnto thee in al our miseries Likewise aide vs O God of our saluation that the seede of thy word be not choaked among vs through cares riches and pleasures of this world And finallie assist vs that we be neuer found in the companie of mockers into whome the Diuel hath entered and blinded their minds and therefore make a so of at the preaching of thy word which walking after the lusts and desires of their owne flesh doe wrap themselues in the horrible confusion of their owne desires and shameful wickednes whereby like mad men they cast themselues headlong into euerlasting destruction O Christ Sonne of God fountaine of al mercie and compassion which art the Lorde of the whole flock and chiefe Byshop of our soules worke thou effectuallie by thy ministers speake within vs vnto our harts the voice of thy Father grant that we may truelie discerne the same and distinguish it from the howling of woolues For thy doctrine is pure conuerting the soules the testimonie of the Lord is sure and giueth wisedome vnto the simple Grant therefore that al of vs hearing thy word may receiue the same to our learning amendment comfort and instruction which is in righteousnes and in an honest and good conscience that hauing heard the same we may keepe it bringing forth fruit with patience and continue in the same al our life time and neuer be tossed or carried about with euerie winde of doctrine And thou holie Spirit eternal God kindle our cold harts with the fire of thy loue cherish vs with thine healthful heate and purge the filthines of our corrupted nature keepe vs in thy lap and worke within vs righteousnes and a life acceptable in thy sight Regenerate and transforme vs into newe men make vs diligent in the study of thy word beate into our minds a true feare and loue of thy name that al vncleannes and superfluitie of malice being cast off we may receiue with meekenes thy word ingrafted which is able to saue our soules in this world by inchoation hereafter in ful perfection Amen 7. A praier against false Prophets MErciful GOD louer of mankinde which hast forewarned vs of thine vnspeakeable goodnes to take heed of false Prophets comming vnto vs in sheepes clothing being for al that inwardlie rauening woolues And forasmuch as in the latter daies wherein we liue it was prophecied there should be perilous times wherein the Diuel doth transfigure himselfe into an Angel of light and false teachers with subtile workemen hauing put on the person of Christ and of his Apostles doe transforme themselues into the ministers of righteousnes carrieng the shew of godlines but denie the power therof And besides sith by thine holie Spirit thou hast foretold that the wicked man the sonne of perdition should come and carrie awaie many vnto eternal death and perpetual damnation Grant merciful God that embracing the loue of thy truth we may shun al spirits of lieng together with al errors and shew of falshood and at no time be carried away from the true sense of thy worde neither wander from the scope of our saluation but perseuering constantlie and firmelie vnto the ende in thy word may abide in the vnitie of the true catholike faith Christian religion and be neuer deceaued any waie neither by signes nor miracles nor lies neither by anie deceaueablenes of vnrighteousnes through the craft and subtiltie of men whereby they beset vs but following thy truth simplie in loue may continue salfe from al corruption and constant in the profession of the truth Keepe vs omnipotent and eternal God from al fanatical opinions from seducing spirits which sowe errors and deadly contentions in thy Church from false teachers which priuilie bring in pernitious heresies and denie euen the Lord which hath dearelie bought them By whom the waie of the Lorde is il spoken of and which make sale of their hearers through couetousnes Keepe vs from greeuous and greedie wolues which spare not the flock but cruellie deuour thy beloued sheepe through the poison of their liues and erronious doctrine From men speaking peruerse things to draw disciples after them and to engender schismes to the tearing in peeces the vnitie of the Church From men of wicked and corrupt opinions raising dissentions sondrie offences From tares which the enuious man which is the Diuel soweth and scattereth among good wheat ▪ From false Prophets which speake the visions of their own hart not from the mouth of the Lorde which preach their owne dreames and fancies seducing the people with lies From theeues and robbers of soules which kil both bodie and soule and cast them headlong into hel fire Deliuer vs from the rage of the Diuels thine enimies which in their members vtter out most horrible outcries against the truth and departing frō the rule of thy doctrine propose the fained opinions of their owne inuentions manifestlie repugnant to thy Commandements Keepe thine elect in this most wicked world that being seduced into foule errors they swarue not from the truth Shorten the euil daies of this dangerous and troblesome time Dispatch that sonne of iniquitie by the breath of thy mouth and cut him of through the brightnes of thy comming Cause thy word O God to sound in our eares purelie and syncerelie and make vs to follow the same with our whole hart true faith Christian obedience and throughlie to vnderstand the manifold precepts of thy pure word that so approuing the good we may shun the waies of strangers leading from the right waie Be thou our shepherd O eternal God so shal we want nothing put vs in the places of thy greene pasture and bring vs vnto the waters of comfort leade vs in the pathes of righteousnes for thy Name sake that we may haue hope and not be confounded in that daie when thy Sonne our Lord shal appere which liueth with thee and raigneth in the vnitie of the holie Spirit a God for euermore Amen 8. Euening praier on the Lordes daie O Almightie and eternal God Father of our Lorde Iesus Christ which together with thy Sonne and the holie Ghost didest create man after thine owne
likenes and breath into him the breath of life the which through thy goodnes continues at thy pleasure Thou hast made of one blood al mankind and assigned times and length of our life in this worlde Thou giuest life to the people on the earth and breath to the walkers therein which if thou take away they shal depart and be turned into dust We blesse thee heauenlie Father and with al our harts giue thee thanks not onelie for sauing vs this daie from dangers but also from our cradels for defending both our soules and bodies from death Wherefore magnifie the Lord O our soules and our spirits reioice in God our Sauior For he hath looked vpon the basenes and affliction of his seruants He that is mightie hath done for vs great things and holie is his Name Wherfore we wil praise the Lorde for euermore because his mercie endureth from generation to generation on such as feare him We wil shew forth his power in the euening and when we go to bed we wil remember his mercie Arise now our soules in the night praise your God In the beginning of the watches poure out your harts like water before the face of the Lord. The Saints wil be ioieful with glorie and sing loude vpon their beds We wil praise thee continuallie and wil confesse thy name for euermore for thou art the God which delighteth our harts and maketh merie our soules Therefore in the night we wil thinke vpon thy benefites and our spirits shal consider of them For thou hast commanded that thy mercie be celebrated in the day time and thy truth in the night O our Lord and God of mercie gentlenes patience pittie truth which shewest mercie vnto thousands and blottest out al our offences we lift vp our soules vnto thee and from our harts we pray put not before thine eies the horrible confusion vncleannes and wickednes of our mindes being replenished with lothsome darknes and ignorance ful of doubtings and errors our harts and wil are turned from thee our God and al the powers and strength both of our soules and bodies are defiled and filthilie weakened But Lord of thy great mercy blot out our offences looke vpon the trobles and dolor of our harts and forgiue al our sinnes For lo our soules are wounded and can not be holpen but onely through mercie There is no health in our flesh because of thine anger neither is there rest in our bones because of our sinnes For our iniquities haue gone ouer our heads and as an heauie burden haue pressed vs downe Our wounds are putrified and corrupt because of our foolishnes Asswage thine anger and turne from thine indignation pardon our faults remit al punishment and restore in vs the light of thy goodnes 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 doe we cal vnto thee that remitting our sinnes thou wouldest receiue vs into thy protection and keepe vs this night that the diuel haue no power ouer vs. Be thou watchful ouer vs O eternal Sauior least the subtil tempter apprehend vs For thou art made for vs an euerlasting protector For behold whether we sleepe or wake whether we liue or die we are thine thou art our creator and redeemer Stand therefore on our behalfe in the watch with the armie of thy celestial warriers thine Angels which being filled with perfect goodnes and perpetual integritie behold thy face alwaies in the heauens Expel from vs and our houses wicked spirits which be our mortal enimies that they damage vs in no case and deliuer vs from persecutors which laie snares for our destruction Turne not away thy mercie and truth from vs. O God assist vs that peaceably we may rest and sleepe in quiet We wil lay vs downe in peace slepe for thou Lord alone makest vs to dwel in safetie without danger Hide vs in thy Tabernacle O Lord that sitting in thy secret place and abiding vnder the shadowe of thy wings we may saie vnto thee Lorde thou art our keeper and our refuge O God we wil trust in thee and wil feare no danger And although we were in extreeme darknes yet wil we not feare Though we should walke in the mids of the shadow of death yet wil we dread none euil For thou art with vs thy rod and thy staffe they doe comfort vs. Let thy mercie O God follow vs al the daies of our life that we may dwel in thine House in longnes of daies praising thee euermore with the Sonne and holie Ghost one true God raigning worlds without ende Amen 1. On Mondaie Morning praier BLESSED be the Lorde God which alone doth woonderous things and blessed be the name of his Maiestie for euermore which hath set the Sunne to lighten the daie and ordained the Moone with the course of stars to go before the night O most hie God the day is thine and the night is thine thou hast framed the light and the Sunne By thine vnspeakeable wisedome thou hast distinguished the daie and the night and so hast thou decreed that while the world shal last this course of times and daies shal neuer haue an ende so that man in the night may rest and againe when daie comes go about his busines and labor vntil the euening O Lord thy truth endureth for euer thou laiedst the foundation of the earth and it endureth by thine appointment the daie doth last for al are thy seruants For these and al other thy benefites we praise thee greatlie giue thee thanks for thy exceeding glorie euen as it becometh vs euerie daie to preuent the Sunne rising to blesse thine holie Name and to worship thee at the appearing of the daie star We extol thine infinite goodnes in like sort for keeping vs this night past both from the power and tyrannie of Satan from the snares subtiltie of al our enimies and finallie from dangers both of soule and bodie For of thy singular goodnes and fatherlie care thou hast made vs quietlie to sleepe and rest this night againe thou hast suffered vs to awake and opened our eies giuing them power to see and behold the morning light which now appeareth Therfore we wil sing of thy power praise thy mercie in the morning for thou art our defence and refuge in the daie of our troble O our helper we wil praise thee with al our harts and glorifie thy Name for euer For great is thy mercie toward vs thou hast deliuered our soules from the lowest graue Hadest not thou bin our defence innumerable euils had ouerwhelmed vs so that we should not haue risen to praise thy Name Had not thy word bin our comfort we had without doubt perished in our
to thy worde By this shal men know that ye are my disciples if ye loue one another Which loue ought to be the rule of al our actions For al things are to be examined by the rule of charitie which being banished al other gifts are corrupt and profite nothing We besech thee by thine hote burning and abundant loue enflame our cold harts with the affection of vnfained good wil that we may loue thee the Father and the holie Spirit in one eternal and inseperable essence aboue al things with our whole hart with al our soule and with al our strength and keepe that commandement which againe peculiarlie thou didst commend vnto vs saieng A new commandement giue I vnto you that yee loue one another as I haue loued you that euen so ye loue one another Thou likewise O Sonne of God when thy death was nigh didst beg that the loue where with the eternal Father loueth thee may be in thy seruants Expresse in vs the similitude of thy good wil and turne vs into such a shape that our soules by the light and motion of the holie Spirit may be coupled with thine eternal Father and that the image of like integritie knowledge righteousnes and affections may shine in vs as doth in thee which art the brightnes of the eternal Father in the most pleasant and perpetual harmonie Raise vp in vs a desire of brotherlie and entire good wil that euery one may haue a care to helpe his brother euen as members of one bodie haue a mutual compassion ech of other so we may loue among our selues vnfainedlie and abounde in mutual friendship one towards another that our harts may be confirmed and vnblameable in holines before God. Giue grace that our loue may be perfect wanting no part due vnto the same not fained false or hypocritical not waiward tedious disdainful nor hunting after profit Grant therefore that we may abhor that which is euil and be affectioned to loue one another with brotherlie loue Make vs patient bountiful not enuious no boasters not puffed vp not proud no seekers of our owne not easie to be moued vnto anger no thinkers of euil no reioicers in wickednes but reioicers in the truth to suffer al things beleeue al things hope al things and so to loue one another mutuallie not in word and tong onlie but in deede and truth not abusing christian libertie as an occasion vnto the flesh but by loue to serue one another Inflame our brests that after thine example we may vnfeinedlie loue euen our verie enimies and blesse them that cursse vs doe good vnto them which hate and hurt vs leauing reuengement alwaies to thee O lambe of God which takest away the sinnes of the worlde take from vs al bitternes anger and wrath and crieng and euil speaking with al maliciousnes For he which loueth not his brother knoweth not God but abideth in death and doth vainlie boast against the truth Grant therefore to vs which are translated from death to life that retaining the studie of concord we may loue one another and put away bitter emulation forgiuing al men euen from the hart euen as thou hast forgiuen vs. Let not the sunne go downe vpon our wrath giuing place to the Diuel but let vs be quiet putting on tender mercie kindnes humblenes of minde meekenes and aboue al charitie which is the bond of perfection the ende of the commandement the fulfilling of the law so that by loue our faith may be fruitful and we at no time seuered from thee For thou art loue and he that dwelleth in loue dwelleth in thee and thou in him so that no creature can separate such a man from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesu which liuest and raignest with the Father and the holie Spirit a true and one God in the loue of the perpetual vnitie worldes without ende Amen 4. A praier for the frute of the earth O Lord God almightie King of heauen and earth which of thine aboundant goodnes dost adorne and replenish the earth with al kinde of frute and graine whereby the life both of man beast is sustained We beseech thee euen of thy free mercie that thou wouldest vouchsafe to blesse our fields and ground and to make them prosperouslie to yeelde their corne and encrease For without thy blessing and fauor neither can the earth of it selfe bring foorth any whit nor we by our paines make the same to prosper Wherefore grant to al thinges springing from the earth a meete temperature of aire that luckilie they may take and encrease Keepe our frute vpon the face of the earth from al infection of the aire from thunder haile from vntimelie showers from too great drines and ouermuch heate from wormes hurtful beasts deuouring it before their prime and from al other corruption that our lande in thine anger be not desolate and denie vs frute enioieng hir woful Sabbaoth Shut not vp the heauens in thine indignation for our sinnes that it be not as iron nor our earth as brasse whereby it cannot be tilled ploughed nor sowed and so come to a verie plaine and vtter wildernes but of thy goodnes giue vs both the earelie and latter raine that we may haue abundance of al frute and a ioieful haruest with a plentiful vintage O God send a gracious raine vpon thine inheritance and giue thy blessing that our grounde may bring forth hir frute Cause thy raine to poure downe in due season that it may be raine of blessing whereby both trees may giue their frute and the grounde yeeld forth hir graine Grant also that the aier be pure from infection our bodies free from sickenes to our whole realme peace and quietnes that safelie without troble we may enioie thy gifts Driue away and repel from vs malediction and the destroier Giue vs not in steede of raine dust and ashes but open thy good treasure and visit the land with thy blessing make it drunken and enrich it abundantlie Thy riuer O Lorde is ful of water prepare our corne dispose our earth to prosper water abundantlie the furrowes of the same and cause the raine to descend into the valleies thereof make the same soft with showers and blesse our buddes Crowne the yeare with thy goodnes and let thy clowdes drop fatnes Let them drop vpon the pastures of the wildernes and make the litle hils reioice on euerie side Let the plaines be replenished with sheepe and the valleies with corne that the inhabiters of the earth may reioice and be merie O Lorde thou causest grasse to grow for cattel and herbes for the vse of mā thou bringest forth bread out of the earth and wine to make glad the hart of man
daie O Lord our God we haue sinned we haue done wickedlie we haue behaued our selues vngodlie in al thine ordinances Turne thy wrath from vs we beseech thee for we are but a fewe left in this place O Lord God which hast promised that when either pestilence is among vs or the aire infected or any other plague or sicknes is hot thou wilt heare the praiers and grant the requests of any man among the people praieng from the bottom of his hart acknowledging his sinnes vnfainedlie and lifting vp his hands vnto thee through Iesus Christ before the throne of grace Be thou merciful giue vnto euerie man according to al his petitions For thou alone knowest the harts of al the children of men Heare thou our praiers and petitions and deliuer vs from this contagious and deadlie pestilence Commande thine Angel which striketh vs to put vp his sworde into the sheath that he strike vs not to our final and vtter destruction proceede not in thy wrath spare vs froÌ„ death and bring not our ende by the plague Let the heauens be milde our dwelling places healthful least the aire being infected poure downe the contagion thereof vpon vs to our destruction O Lord turne awaie thine hand it is sufficient let now thine hand cease that al the earth may know how that thou Lord art our God and that we doe cal vpon thy name O Lord looke downe from thine holie house vpon vs encline thine eare and heare vs. Open thine eies and beholde the affliction and mortalitie of thy people For the dead whose spirits are taken awaie giue vnto thee neither praise nor righteousnes but the â—oule that is vexed for the multitude of hir sinnes which goeth on heauilie and weakelie whose eies begin to faile yea the hungrie soule is it that ascribeth due praise and righteousnes vnto thee O Lord. For we poure out our praiers before thee and require mercie in thy sight O Lord our God not for anie worthines either of our owne or of our fathers but in the name of thy sonne Iesus Christ in whom thou art wel pleased we beseech thee be merciful vnto vs and helpe vs in necessitie Turne thee againe O Lord at the last and be merciful vnto thy seruants that this poisoned infection may be taken from vs. Notwithstanding if it be thy pleasure to visite our offences with the rod thy blessed wil be done and giue vs grace to beare thy fatherlie correction laide vpon vs pacientlie remembring alwaies that we are chastened of thee our Lorde in this world that we be not condemned with the reprobate in the world to come Amen A praier for the sicke you shal find afore pag. 153. A praier to auoide both raging tempests and vnseasonable weather O Most wise and mightie God thou art a glorious King in al the world thy woonderful maiestie doth shine and is knowen also by raine thundering lightening and other meteors ingendered in the aire thy throne is among the cloudes thou hast made darckenes thy secrete place and thy pauilion about thee euen darknes of water and cloudes of the aire At the brightnes of thy presence the cloudes doe passe awaie so doe the hailestones and fierie coles Thou dost thunder from the heauens and giuest thy voice hailestones and coales of fire Thou sendest thy arrowes and scatterest them thou encreasest lightnings and destroiest them Who is so great a God as thou our God Thou art the God which dost woonders and declarest my power among the nations Thou redeemest thy people with thine arme The waters sawe thee and were afraide the depthes trembled The cloudes poured out water the aire thundred thine arrowes went abroade The voice of thy thunder was heard round about the lightnings lightened the worlde the earth trembled and shooke The foundations of the earth were discouered at thy rebuking O Lord at the blasting of the breath of thy nostrels Therfore shal the verie heauens extol thy wonderous workes and the Saints set forth thy truth in the Congregation For who is equal to thee in heauen and who like thee among the sonnes of the Gods Thou art verie terrible in the assemblie of the saints and to be reuerenced aboue al that are about thee O Lord God of hosts who is like vnto thee which art a mighty Lord and thy truth is about thee Thou rulest the raging of the sea thou stillest the waues therof when they doe arise Thou onelie art of power to resolue into vapors the drops of the sea by the heate of the sunne thou takest the same vp being turned into airie substance and againe turnest it into meere water and makest it to come pouring downe vpon the face of the earth Whatsoeuer thou wilt thou dost in heauen and in earth and in the sea and in al deepe places With thy power thou madest the earth with thy wisedome thou hast established the world and with thy discretion stretched out the heauens Assoone as thou lettest thy voice be heard the waters in the aire waxe fierce thou drawest vp the cloudes from the ends of the earth thou turnest the lightening into raine and bringest foorth the winde out of thy treasures thou couerest the heauens with clouds and preparest raine for the earth thou makest the grasse to growe vpon the mountaines and prouidest herbes for the vse of man thou giuest to beasts their foode and to the yong rauens that crie Behold so great art thou that thou passest our knowledge neither can the nomber of thy yeres be searched out When thou restrainest the drops of water the raine poureth downe by the vapors thereof and falleth abundantlie vpon man. Thou bringest forth the windes out of thy treasures that is from the secret places where thou didst hide them in great abundance that they might be readie at thy commandement and come forth when thou thinkest good Thou makest the cloudes to labor to giue water to the earth and scatterest the cloude of thy light Thou turnest it about by thy gouernment that they may doe whatsoeuer thou commandest them vpon the whole world O God mine hart is trobled very sore when I beholde the immoderate showers and heare the terrible thunder yea it forsaketh his place when I heare the noise of thy voice and the speech proceeding from thy mouth O God which rulest heauen and earth I most humblie beseech thee mercifullie to driue awaie or at least to mittigate these mightie streames and most raging tempests Restraine the thunderbolts and thy fierie darts that they hurt vs not Keepe vs and our nestes that we perish not through lightenings nor be destroied by thy thunder-claps Protect our houses vs that we be neither consumed by thy firie meteor nor be drowned by any suddaine flood O
thy seruant to rule and gouerne this thy people committed vnto my charge Now therefore gratious Lord fauor ablic beholde me that I may treade the path of truth righteousnes and synceritie of hart in thy sight Let me not abuse mine auctoritie but gouerne with lenitie gentlenes the people vnder me that liuing a godlie and honest life mankind may enioy their desired peace Giue therefore vnto thy seruant an hart desirous of instructions that I may iudge the people descerne betweene good and euil and neither declining to the right hand or to the left stoutlie and valiantlie maintaine the cause of the righteous Grant me counsel and assistance to doe such things as are grateful vnto thee good for thy Church and profitable for my people and Commonweale Giue me thy wisedome and reiect me not from thy children For I thy seruant and sonne of thine handmaide am a fraile man of a short time and ful weake in the vnderstanding of iudgement and the lawes Thou hast chosen me a gouernor of thy people and a iudge of thy sonnes and daughters sende me therefore wisedome from thy sacred heauens and from the seate of thy magnificence that it may be with me and labor with me whereby I may perceiue what is acceptable in thine eies and learne that I haue no power of my selfe but from thee which art almightie raignest ouer the kingdomes of men giuing them at thy pleasure Grant that I neuer conceaue proudlie of my selfe but may receiue in patience the discipline of thy Lawe Make mee wise and circumspect that I neither offer ▪ iniurie to anie man neither suffer anie to be iniuried that so equitie may be maintained and iustice among men preserued Let me at no time vnder the shewe and color of equitie vphold or countenance a wicked cause neither yet without sufficient examination and trial of both parties giue sentence against anie Allowe me such counselers gouernors and ouerseers as are of courage fearing God dealing vprightlie hating couetousnes that by them the burden charge and care which I sustaine may be somewhat lightened Endue both me and them with thine holie Spirit that with earnest studie and watchful minds we may discerne betwene matters that no man through our negligence haue the ouerthrow in a righteous cause but that sentence be rightlie pronounced betweene a man and his brother and a stranger without respect of anie person in iudgement Let vs heare aswel the litle as the great and feare no man Because the iudgement is thine which standest in the companie of iudges and among the Gods thou plaiest the iudge For the iudgement is not of man but of the Lord and whatsoeuer we shal iudge it wil come vpon vs. Wherefore let thy feare be with vs that we may doe al things with care and circumspection that we proue not children in vnderstanding neither giue our selues to dronkennes and bellicheere but to eate our meate in due season and that for strength not for dronkennes For thou wilt make earnest and diligent enquirie of al our workes and search al our cogitations because we are thy seruants and deputies to gouerne men of a very short life and he which is to daie a King to morow may be dead For we be al mortal and subiect to one and the same corruption Besides an horrible iudgement is nigh for such as walke not after the wil of thee our god For he that is most low shal finde mercie but the mightie shal be mightilie tormented For thou which art the Lord ouer al regardest not the person of anie neither doest thou feare the greatnes of the mightie Because aswel the great as the smal are the workemanship of thine handes thy care is equal ouer al and giuest to godlie Princes eternal happines which art the Iudge both of the quicke and dead liuing and raigning with thy Sonne in the vnitie of the Spirit a God for euermore Amen A praier of Subiects for their Prince O Almightie God King of Kings and Lord of Lords in thine hande is al power both in heauen and earth thou confirmest kingdomes and againe doest alter them according to thine heauenlie pleasure c. This praier you shal finde afore pag. 7. A praier for a married man. O GOD almightie auctor and institutor of matrimonie which in the copling together of male and female dost offer vnto vs a consideration of the sacred and great mysterie of the marriage of our Lord and Sauior Christ with his spouse the Church and with al expresse the most burning affection of thy sonne towards his beloued Spouse For he offered himselfe vpon the altar of the crosse to sanctifie and clense hir by the washing of water through the word and to make hir glorious for himselfe without spot or wrincle or any such thing For euen as the husband by an inseparable bande of good wil is bound to the wife so that both prosperitie and aduersitie is common to them both so is Christ copled to his Church through suffering vpon his owne flesh the punishmēt which was due vnto hir and by making vs with him felowe heires of eternal ioie by couering our offences So that now there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Iesu which walke not after the flesh but after the Spirit Whereby we gather that man should loue his wife euen as his owne bodie For no man euer yet hated his owne flesh howsoeuer crooked old weak leane or deformed it be but so much the more carefullie doth hide couer those faults by how much they appeere the more deformed Yea he doth nourish and cherish that weake part euen as Christ doth loue his Church though foule and deformed with sinne which casteth not hir of though she seeme il fauored but healeth hir griefes dissembleth much forgiueth and wypeth awaie hir offences I beseech thee O Father which art neither made nor begotten marrie mee for euer vnto thy Sonne marrie me vnto him in righteousnes iudgement in godlines and mercie marrie me vnto him in faith that I may truelie knowe thee my Lorde and God which wilt not the death of a sinner but rather that he repent and liue O thou onlie begotten Sonne of God ioine me I beseech thee vnto thy bodie that ingraffed in thee I may drawe from thee the iuice of life and of heauenlie wisedome Defende mee and thine whole Church against the rage of Satan the world and the flesh Loue cherish and comfort such as are ingraffed to thy flesh Purge and wash me fro my sinnes filthines and spots through thy great mercie and merits Deck me with thy gifts goodnes Wash me with water purge me with thy blood Annoint me with thine oile of gladnes put vpon me thy roabes of righteousnes and couer me with thy glorious purple