our sinnes as the haires of our heads so many our enemies as the stars in the skye and so fierce and strong the Tempter as a roaring Lyon that as the Man of God was angry with the King of Israel because when he bad him smite the earth with his dart he smote onely thrice who should haue smiten fiue or sixe times that he might haue beene assured of the ouerthrow of his enemies So GOD that bids vs continue in Prayer will be angry with vs if wee pray not againe and againe as the importunate widdow in the Gospel prosecuted her suite yea to speake of Deuotion as he doth of compassion if we pray not seuen times yea seuentie times seuen times that wee may obtaine a blessing I speake to them that haue vnderstanding iudge you what I say and I shall pray vnto the Holy One of Israel in heauen that your inspirations may be heauenly your desires holy your Prayers here feruent and frequent there acceptable before the throne of his Maiestie to the reliefe of your necessities and to the setting forth of his glory in IESVS Christ Amen The faults escaped in some copies amend thus Pag. Lin. for read 4 6 Father Trinity 103 19 hope heart 114 14 apparelled appalled 229 4 Marke Make. 327 6 be begin THE most absolute prayer and best Rule of all holy Petitions is that which our Lord Sauiour taught his Disciples A Prayer large for matter short for Phrase and sweet for order which I hauing thus paraphrased as you see thought not so good to insert it into this bundle as to place it here alone before them all as a Supplication not appropriate to any one part but apperaining giuing life to all and fit to conclude euery one A Paraphrase vpon the Lords Prayer OVR FATHER By right of Creation Merit of Mercie Gracious prouision Which art in Heauen The seate of thy Maiestie The inheritance of thy children The kingdome of blisse Hallowed be thy Name By the thoughts of our hearts By the words of our mouthes By the works of our hands Thy Kingdome come Of grace to inspire vs. Of power to defend vs. Of glory to crowne vs. Thy will be done In weale and woe In fulnesse and wane In life and death In Earth as it is in Heauen In vs as it is in thine Angels Willingly readily faithfully Without murmur Let Deceit Giue vs this day our daily Bread For the nourishing of our bodies For the feeding of our Soules The reliefe of all necessities And forgiue vs our debts Whereby thou art dishonoured Our Neighbour wronged or Our selues indangered As we forgiue our debtors That haue hurt vs in our bodies Hindred vs in our goods Wronged vs in our good Name And lead vs not into temptation Of the wicked World The entising flesh or The enuious Deuill But deliuer vs from euill Forgiue that is past Remoue that is present Preuent what is to come For thine is the Kingdom Power glorie To rule and gouerne all To command and do all In all by all All in all Now and for euer At this present In this world and In the world to come AMEN As thou say'st So it is As thou promisest So it shall be As we pray So be it Lord. PRAYERS Beginning with the letters of the name ELIZABETH E EVery day O Almighty GOD and heauenly Father will I pray vnto thee to haue mercy vpon me and to keepe me in thy grace fauour and loue Euery day will I giue thankes vnto thee ô Lord IESV the Sonne of GOD for thy gratious redemption of my body and soule from sinne death and hell Euery day will I laud thy holy Name ô holy Ghost Gods Spirit hearts ioy elects comforter beseeching thee blessed Trinitie in sacred vnitie to replenish my heart with all charitable desires and heauenly inspirations necessary to Saluation Amen L LAy too thy helping hand ô Lord strengthen my weake condition and powre thine oyle of grace into my wounded heart that I may be able to walke in the wayes of thy commandements without reproofe and receiue comfort in all my needs and necessities Amen I IT is pitie and compassion ô LORD alone which must couer mine vnworthinesse therefore renouncing all merite in my selfe I flie vnto thee for succour Leaue me not ô Lord but preuent mee with thy goodnesse now and euermore Amen Z ZEalous O LORD I am of thy truth Wherefore I pray thee sanctifie my heart to a right conuersation in this world Direct me by thy lawes that I neuer step beyond the limites of my duetie and suffer me not to enter into any action which eyther may dishonour thee or bring my life into infamie Amen A ADmit me O mercifull Lord to thy gracious fauour many are the dangers of this life and I haue no patron to defend mee but thee Heauen is thine and the earth is thine keepe me on earth as one of thine and bring mee to Heauen to raigne with thee Amen B BLessed Lord I haue sinned but my pardon is with thee If I were as sinfull as Marie Magdalen as outragious as the prodigall sonne and as bashfull to come neere as the Publican yet Iesus hath made satisfaction for my sinne therefore in mercy forgiue mee now and euermore Amen E ENter not into iudgement with a poore creature O LORD dust and ashes is my state here onely I am created after thine Image for a better world destroy not then the worke of thine owne hands but shew thy mercy and goodnesse vnto me this day and euermore Amen T THinke vpon me O LORD thy word neuer failed and thy compassions haue no end By the vertue of the one and the substance of the other purifie me from all iniquitie and leade me into all truth this day and euermore Amen H HAue mercy vpon mee O LORD accept my Prayers which I powre out before thee and graunt my requests Mercifully prosper the things that I take in hand saue mee from mine enemies a blessed life and a happie end good Lord send me AMEN Supplications OF SAINTS The first part Daniels deuotion DAN 6. 10. Hee kneeled vpon his knees three times a day and prayed This part containeth priuate Prayers For Morning Noone and Euening euery day in the weeke Also foure other Prayers for Morning and Euening and two Prayers vpon the Passion of our Lord Iesus Sunday Morning Prayer Psal 145. 10. All thy works prayse thee O Lord and thy Saints shal blesse thee Psal 119. 170. O let my Supplication come before thee deliuer mee according to thy word OH LORD GOD Almightie Father and thou welbeloued Sonne of the Father Iesus Christ with the holy Ghost holy blessed and glorious Trinitie eternall God Lord of the Sabbath and the fountaine of all wisdome I do not present these my Supplications before thee for my righteousnesse but for thy great mercies I trust in them truely without diffidence I trust in them only without any
other plea I trust in them alwayes without wearines therfore I beseech thee grant mee mercifull audience Mercifully heare mee O Lord mercifully heare me O Lord God First I extoll thy infinite goodnesse and mercy together with thine eternall wisedome and truth that thou hast protected me all this night past and made me to rest and sleep so quietly and securely vnder the shadow of thy wings And I beseech thee from the bottome of my heart to protect me this day with thy mighty hand from all dangers both of body and soule Giue thy holy Angels charge ouer mee to keepe mee in all my wayes driue away from mee the euill angell and deadly enemie remooue all offences of this world Mortifie and kill in me all carnall lustes vnlawfull pleasures and euill affections that they may haue no dominion or raigne in my mortall body giue me a contrite heart to bewaile my former life and let me find comfort in thy mercy for the remission of my sinnes Sanctifie me O holy Father this holy day with thine especiall grace that I may honour thee as a Creator loue thee as a redeemer expect thee as a Sauiour and that I may haue modest cariage in my behauiour true deuotion in my Prayers and reuerent attention to heare thy sacred word and so vnlocke the eares of mine vnderstanding that I may obserue learne and imbrace such things as are necessary for mee to the better confirmation of my faith in Christ Iesus and the saluation of my soule by his blood Rayse mee O Father by the power of thy sonnes resurrection from sinne and iniquitie and giue me spirituall rest in the communion of Saints that hereafter when I shal leaue this world I may keepe the euerlasting Sabbath with thee in the Kingdom of Heauen Behold O Lord I knock at the doore of thy mercy for all these graces with all the powers of my strength soule and mind beseeching thee to continue vnto mee the right vse of all the powers and faculties of the same and to send thy holy Spirit to beare witnesse to my Spirit that I am thy child and shall be heire of thy Kingdome with Christ Iesus our Lord and through his merits for whose sake I beseech thee to grant all those things all that I haue prayed for Amen Noone A prayer for the Ministers of the Word O Lord Iesus which hast coÌ„manded vs to pray for labourers to the Haruest we beseech thee send painefull Ministers into thy Church Endue them with such wisedome and speech as the aduersaries may not be able to gaine-say Open vnto them the doore of doctrine giue them the spirit of boldnesse that they may faithfully dispense thy Mysteries and speake thy Word freely Take away all contentions and differences from among them Make them examples to those that beleeue in soundnesse of Doctrine and purenesse of life And because the rule of our life depends vpon thy word in their mouthes blesse them with all graces fit for their calling that wee may giue thankes vnto thee and praise thy Name for euermore Amen Sunday Euening Prayer Gen. 18. 27. 30. Behold I haue taken vpon mee to speake vnto my Lord. Oh let not my Lord be angry and I will speake OH eternall God and merciful Father from the bottome of my heart I giue thee continuall thanks that of thy mercy thou hast nourished mee preserued me by thy power gouerned me by thy word and holy Spirit this day all this weeke yea at all other times of my life hitherto and I most humbly beseech thee in the merits of Christ Iesus my Sauiour not to respect mine vnworthines but to couer bury all my misdeeds in his graue which I haue either wittingly or ignorantly done especially O Lord those which in this weeke past I haue committed in thought word and deed against thy Diuine Maiestie Water ô Lord the seed â—f thy holy word which I â—aue receyued this day â—ith the dew of thy grace â—hat with sound iudgeâ—ent and godly deuotion â—may put in practise such â—hings as I know to be â—leasing to thy diuine Maâ—estie and that my heart â—eing alwayes obedient to â—hy Commandements â—he feare of mine enemies â—aken away from mee I â—ay passe my time in â—eace holines through â—hy gracious protection Be mercifull vnto me â—O Lord forgiue the euill â—hat I haue committed supply the good which I haue omitted restore what I haue lost heale my sores clense my filthinesse lighten my darkenesse and alter the whole state of my minde that nothing may be wanting to good purposes in mee O LORD stretch out thy hand ouer me and of thy wonted goodnesse defend me this night from all euill keepe me from fearful wicked dreams vnprofitable cares vaine cogitations and outward violence preserue my body from eternall death reserue my soule from euerlasting damnation Compasse me about on euery side with thy grace inwardly and outwardly that when I shall eyther take care for things of this life or carefully seeke for those things which appertaine vnto the Kingdome of Heauen I may heare the voyce of thy holy spirit sounding in my heart from the mouth of the Apostle My God shall fulfill all your necesstties through his riches with glory in Iesus Christ Grant O Lord these and all other graces meete for me euen for Iesus Christs sake my onely Lord and Sauiour In whose Name I further pray vnto thee saying that Prayer which thy Sonne in his Gospel hath taught vs Our Father which art in Heauen c. Munday Morning prayer Blessed be God which hath not turned away my prayer nor his mercy from me O Heauenly Father and Almightie God which beyond all measure hast vnlocked the treasures of thy fauour and blessing vnto mee from time to time I most heartily thanke thee forthe sweet sleepe and comfortable rest which I haue taken this night through thy gracious preseruation of me and now O Lord I consecrate my soule and body to thy seruice this day againe and euer hereafter desiring that my prayer earely now this Morning may haue accesse vnto thee O Lord I pray thee blesse preserue and keepe me this day by thy power from sinne shame and all euill and so direct mee with thy grace that all my thoughts words works may please thee Stand I beseech thee between me and mine enemies bodily and ghostly And as thou hast now raised vp my body from a sound and heauie sleepe so deliuer my soule from the dead sleepe of sinne and the darkenes of this world Helpe O Lord the creature which dependeth vpon thy prouidence only Further my businesse that I may truly walke without sinne and safely worke without danger in that vocation whereunto thou hast called me in this life O Lord Iesus haue mercy vpon me miserable sinner pardon and forgiue mee all my sinnes negligences and ignorances Remember not mine obstinacies and haue compassion vpon mine infirmities Set thy
holy Passion Crosse and Death betweene thy iudgement and my Soule both now and at the houre of death Of thy mercie O Lord strengthen my weaknesse and mortifie my corrupt nature enclining to swearing wantonnesse lying or any other sinne whatsoeuer and grant that I may so walke in thy wayes by the light of thy holy word that no worldly vanitie bewitch me to sel my selfe to worke wickednesse O holy Father graunt me a sound mind and the right vse of my senses continually that knowing what I doe and practising what I know I may worthily lament the wickednesse of my life and euer vpon my vnfained repentance feele thy comforts in my soule and neuer forget the desire of the life to come O Lord blesse me in all the passages of this life and after death restore the same body and soule to life eternal Heare my prayers O Lord God for Iesus Christs sake my onely Lord and Sauiour Amen Noone A Prayer to God the Father O Merciful God and louing Father on whose prouidence we depend for all our necessaries wee thanke thee for our royall creation after thine owne Image and all other good graces now and euer bestowed vpon vs. Giue vs grace we pray thee so to liue as becommeth thy children in all holines and righteousnesse Incline our harts to thy law not to couetousnes open our eies that wee may behold the secret things of thy Law Make vs fruitfull in all good works forgiue vs our sinnes and wash vs in the blood of thy Sonne clense our hearts and renew our mindes to thy holy will prosper the workes of our hands and bring vs safely from all dangers to the end of this day for Iesus Christs sake Amen Munday Euening Prayer Euening and Morning and at Noone will I pray and cry aloud and hee shall heare mee ALmighty God which giuest infinite occasions vnto euery creature to prayse thy holy Name I come vnto thee with the holy Prophet that mine eyes may preuent the night-watches beseeching thee to accept this mine Euening Sacrifice of praise and thanks for the depth of thy goodnesse which I am not able to expresse and the Sea of thy mercies which haue ouer-flowed this day to my great comfort Season O Lord my senses inward and outward with the Salt of thy grace that with a sanctified heart I may make a godly vse of all those good things which I haue heard seene or read this day And further lighten mine eies that I sleepe not in death nor walke in darknesse spiritual or corporal to endanger eyther my body or my soule O Lord let mine eyes sleepe and inioy that moderate recreation which thou hast appointed for my wearisome condition but let my soule continually watch vnto thee to attend thy comming that when my sleepe hath not beene vnmeasurable to please excessiuely the ease of my flesh I may be the better disposed to thy seruice to morrow Preserue me Lord from all vncleannesse both of body and soule from all dangers that walke in the night and keep me from all temptations of him that is the prince of darknesse Forgiue me the sins and offences which I haue committed this day in thought word deed against thee or my neighbour Giue mee grace to water my Couch with teares in vnfeined repentance of my sins past so to passe the residue of my life that in regard of thy iustice I may retaine a holy feare to stand alwaies in awe of thee and in regard of thy mercy conceyue sure hope neuer to despaire O Lord keepe me this night both in body and soule that I may ioyfully rise againe be thankefull vnto thee and diligently walke in my vocation and calling to the glory of thy holy Name and the commoditie of my neighbour for Iesus Christs sake our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen Tuesday Morning Prayer Satisfie vs earely with thy mercie that we may reioyce and be glad in all our dayes O Blessed LORD GOD great in power fearefull in Iudgement and rich in mercie which bindest and no man looseth and loosest and no man bindeth I yeeld thee most humble and harty thanks for that of thy fatherly goodnesse thou hast vouchsafed me this last nights sleepe in peace and rest and again loosing the bonds wherewith I was tyed hast giuen me power to see this Morning light Now O Lord I beseech thee powre vpon me this day the dew of thy blessing that through the operation of thy gratious beames I may bud foorth and beare the fruits of true faith in my life conuersation Continue thy goodnesse and mercy towards mee and by thy power rayse mee from the deepe sleepe of all vnrighteousnesse discharge me from the workes of darkenesse and clothe me with the Armour of light that I may walke honestly as in the day and liue soberly righteously and godly in this present world Grant me ô Lord true vnderstanding and knowledge of thy word which is the Glasse of thy wil. Increase in me all godly desires together with true contrition of heart that I may vnfeinedly despise the pleasures of this world with harty repentance be conuerted vnto thee Send thy holy Angell to guide me and keepe me in all my waies and prosper the worke of my hands that I neuer faile in my vocation to doe good and eschew euill O Lord I beseech thee preserue and keepe my senses safe and sound that I be neither corrupted by prosperitie nor cast downe by aduersitie nor be too fearefull of thy iudgements or too bold vpon thy mercy But grant mee grace O mercifull Lord that I may apprehend all things that come from thee with a religious contented mind and in the end of my dayes by a liuely Fayth may ioyfully arriue in the Land of promise the Kingdome of HEAVEN through the merits of IESVS CHRIST my onely Sauiour and Redeemer Amen Noone A Prayer to God the Sonne O Blessed LORD Iesus Christ Sonne of the eternall God blessed be thy name for our redemption Great was thy loue sore was thy Passion Print in our minds we beseech thee the continuall memory thereof that we may loue thee which so louedst vs and euermore prayse thee that hast bought vs at so deare a price Reiect not our prayers which we offer to be pesented to thy Father but mercifully helpe vs and heale all our infirmities increase our faith and teach vs obedience forgiue vs our offences and hide vs in thy wounds from thy fathers iust wrath Make good thy promises vnto vs for the world to come and enable vs with thy Grace for the performance of all thy Commandements Prosper O Lord our handy worke and bring vs safely to the end of this day for thy trueth and for thy Names sake Amen Tuesday Euening Prayer Happy is hee that hath the GOD of Iacob for his helpe whose hope is in the Lord his God O Most holy Father and gracious GOD which giuest vnto all sorts of men the
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
bonds for perpetuall slauery and liue die the sacrificers of our soules for such obtained fauour Warrant deare Lord all this with thy command Amen The Housholders Prayers Cast thy burthen vpon the Lord and he shall sustaine thee he shall not suffer the righteous to be moued O MOST mightie God mercifull and louing Father I wretched sinner come vnto thee in the Name of thy dearely beloued sonne Iesus Christ my onely Sauiour and Redeemer and most humbly beseech thee to be mercifull vnto me and to cast all my sinnes out of thy sight remembrance through the merites of his bloody death and Passion Powre vpon me O Lord thy holy Spirit of wisedome and grace gouerne and leade mee by thy holy word that it may be a Lanthorne vnto my feete and a light vnto my steps Shew thy mercy vpon me and so lighten the naturall blindnesse and darknesse of my heart thorough thy grace that I may dayly be renewed by the same Spirit and grace By the which O Lord purge the grossenesse of my hearing vnderstanding that I may profitably read heare and vnderstand thy word and heauenly will beleeue and practise the same in my life and conuersation and euermore hold fast the blessed hope of eternall life Mortifie and kill all vice in me that my life may expresse my Faith in thee mercifully heare the humble sute of thy seruant and grant me thy peace all my daies graciously pardon all mine infirmities and defend mee in all dangers of body goods or name but most chiefly my soule against all assaults temptations accusations subtile sleights and baites of that old enemie of mankind Sathan that roaring Lyon euer seeking whom hee may deuoure Fauourably protect and keepe all that thou hast giuen mee as Wife Children or Seruants and aide me ô Lord with thy grace that I may be able to gouerne nourish and bring them vp in thy feare and seruice Cast a gracious eye vpon mee and lend mee thy directing hand that the labour and paines which I am to vndertake this day may prosper and let all my dealings be iust and true Blesse ô Lord thy Vniuersall Church and perfect the worke which thou hast begun amongst vs Beare out most gracious King Iames the Queene his wife their royall Sonne Prince Henry and all their Children alwaies in thine owne bosom and set thine eies alwayes vpon them for good Let the spirit of knowledge and holinesse remaine in his Ministers Blesse all his Counsell with wisedome and discretion his Nobles with fortitude courage his Iudges with iustice and mercie his Magistrates with diligence and faithfulnesse his people with feare obedience that we may all with one minde and one mouth say with the Prophet He that is mightie hath done great things for vs and Holy is his Name Amen ¶ Another of the Housholders Know that your Maister also is in Heauen neither is there respect of persons with him LEad me ô Lord in the way of thy truth and righteousnes and gouerne all mine actions to thy glory the good of thy Church and the discharge of my dutie Defend and deliuer me from all temptations from all mine enemies and from all deceits and dangers Kindle my heart and minde with a feruent zeale of thy holy word that I may vnderstand and know thy will and walke in thy wayes Strengthen mee with thy holy spirit boldly and constantly to professe the honour and seruice of thy holy Name least at any time through feare of worldy afflictions I fall from thee Giue mee a contented minde with my estate and such blessings as thou O LORD of thy bountifull goodnesse and mercie hast bestowed vpon mee that I may vse them be thankfull for them Graunt mee patience in all my troubles and afflictions that I neither grudge at thy fatherly corrections knowing them to be tokens of thy loue and instruments of my exercise and tryall neither seeke reuenge of my wrongs knowing vengeance to bee thine and that thou wilt reward it in due season Keepe my minde from all euill thoughts my tongue from lewd and vaine speeches my body and euery member thereof from all sinfull actions Let all my loue my faith and hope my delight and confidence only and alwaies be in thee Open my heart to haue pitty vpon the poore brethren giue mee the gift of chastitie that I may possesse my vessell with sanctification and honour and not in the lust of concupiscence euen as the Heathen doe which know not God Giue me ô Lord sorrow for my sinnes thankfullnes for thy benefites feare of thy iudgements and loue of thy mercies and teach me to bring vp my children and gouerne my seruants in good order and godly discipline according to thy holy ordinance because by thy grace I am that I am let thy demaunds be no greater then thou hast giuen mee grace to performe O Lord pardon and forgiue all my sinnes and grant me grace to liue in thy feare and die in thy fauour that I may rise to liue with my Lord Iesus euermore dwell with him in thy most glorious and ioyfull kingdome the onely thing which I desire and hope for through the merits and mercie of the same Iesus Christ thy onely Sonne and my onely Sauiour and Lord Amen The Wiues Praier for her Husband in absence or otherwise Delight thy selfe also in the Lord and he shall giue thee the desires of thy heart O Lord God which hast made euerie marryed Couple one flesh and hast ordained that they should be of one mind and one iudgement and carefull one for another as members one of another I beseech thee leade mee and my husband in the way of thy Truth and Righteousnesse Gouerne all our actions to thy glory the good of thy Church and the discharge of our duties Defend and deliuer vs ô Lord from all temptations from all our enemies and from all deceits and dangers here or elsewhere Grant my husband being abroad to prosper in his businesse send him a healthfull and happie returne home that I who without him am sorrowfull in my selfe and should be a stranger to the world if he were not may with him liue in the estate of thine honourable ordinance in peace and comfort and alwayes for thy great goodnesse and mercie towards vs prayse thy most holy Name Grant vs both grace ô Lord one to loue cherish the other one to be faithfull dutifull towards the other and giue vs both the gift of Chastitie and Sobrietie that both in body and minde wee may liue a pure life bring vp our children and gouerne our seruants with godly Discipline and good order in and according to thy holy word O LORD pardon and forgiue both of vs all our sinnes and grant vs both grace to loue honor feare and serue thee all the dayes of this our miserable and sinfull life that in this life wee may haue comfort in that which thou hast giuen vs
and after our death we may receiue the fruites of that hope which wee haue layde vp in thy mercies through the merites and mediation of thy Sonne Iesus Christ our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen The VViddowes Prayer The Lord doth execute the iudgement vnto the fatherlesse Widdow loueth the stranger in giuing them food and rayment O Lord God which art neerely touched with a care of the afflicted and despisest not the Widdow when she powreth out her Prayers before thee I beseech thee to haue compassion vpon mee a poore and desolate Widdow And whereas the bands of death haue made a separation between me my husband who was my head the best stay I had in this World next vnder thee I beseech thee let me not take this crosse impatiently but trust in thy goodnesse that nothing may be able to separate mee from thee which art mine onely stay the ioy of my soule Preserue me Lord from the pawes of rauenous and greedy cormorants which lye in waite to supplant the weakest and deuoure our Houses vnder the pretence of godlinesse and colour of right Grant that in the sight of all Gouernours and Iudges I may finde fauour and equall dealing in my suites and complaints against all violence and oppressors Giue vnto all men willing and ready mindes to doe mee good and open their hearts to helpe and pleasure mee in all reasonable demands Prouide for mee by ministring cloths and nourishment fit for mine estate haue pitty vpon me in all my necessities and stretch out thy hand to deliuer me Blesse mee as thou didst that poore Woman of Sarepthah that that small thing which thou hast giuen mee may serue to supply the necessarie vses of me mine Dispose the hearts of my children seruants to obedience peace and holinesse that I which am the weaker vessell depriued of him whose countenance should haue kept them in awe may by thy help bring them vp in godly Discipline Giue mee the grace of thy holy Spirit that at all times and in all mine afflictions I may trust in thee and continue in Prayers and Supplications day and night not giuen to any qualitie but such as befitteth a modest matrone and the hand-maid of the Lord for Iesus Christs sake our onely Sauiour and Redeemer Amen ¶ The Prayer of Women with Child A woman when she is in trauell hath sorrow because her houre is come O Lord GOD by whose Decree for the offence of our first Parents wee beare in our wombs bring forth children in paine sorrow be mercifull vnto me that now feele the accomplishment of that sentence in my selfe and as thou hast vouchsafed me this blessing to conceiue in my wombe and to nourish that which thou hast wrought vntill this time so graunt that in due time I may see the fruit of my body safe sound and perfect without blemish or deformitie Keepe me ô Lord from an vntimely birth graunt that through Prayer faith and patience I may escape all sudden feares and vnaduised thoughts Comfort me when I shall draw neere vnto my hard labour and when I shall fall into those terrors horrors and pangs which accompany that houre shew thy mercie vpon mee and my Babe that my sinnes may be forgiuen me and that it may not be punished for my offences Giue me patience that I be not too fearefull and vnruly but that I may remember what modestie befitteth a woman in those dangers and repose all my affyance in thee O Lord send mee help and preserue mee that I perish not Grant thee O Lord safe deliuerance in due time make me a ioyfull Mother when that hour commeth let not my sinnes so many be called in question either now or at that instant but forget O LORD and forgiue them blesse my poore infant and lodge it in the vertue of thy couenant and when thou shalt be pleased to call it into open light giue me wisedome strength to bring it vp in thy feare and as it were to trauell againe with it till it be borne againe vnto a heauenly life to thy greater glory and my further ioy through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen The Midwifes Prayer O God wonderfull art thou in thy holy places euen the God of Israel he will giue strength and power vnto his people Blessed be God O LORD GOD who onely hast power to take all children out of their mothers wombes and to bring them to the light of this world I thine vnworthy seruant whom thou hast deputed to this great Businesse for the helpe and comfort of many in their extremities doe most humbly on bended knees beseech thee to vouchsafe me thy gracious assistance in the same Haue mercy vpon mee ô Lord and in all mine actions let me haue thy feare before mine eyes that I may be carefull both for rich and poore to doe good and not hurt to saue life and not to destroy Helpe mine infirmities c imperfections that I be neither too feareful nor too violent in doing my dutie and grant me skill and iudgement happily to finish euery worke that I shall vndertake Giue mee O Lord an vnderstanding and tender heart a readie steedie and gentle hand a watchfull eye and a willing minde Mercifully looke vpon me ô Lord that whensoeuer I shal be called to doe mine office either by night or day to the sicke or to the sound I may be defended from all bodily harmes preserued from the infection of all contagious diseases by thy gracious fauour Prosper ô Lord the workes of my hands ô prosper thou my handie worke that I may doe all things to thy glory the comfort of all good women and mine owne credite through Iesus Christ our Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer in time of womens trauell Let thy worke O Lord appeare vnto thy seruants and thy glory vnto their Children O Gracious God and louing father of whom the whole familye in heauen and earth is named wee beseech thee mercifully heare the voyce of all vs thy hand-maydes heere assembled in thy name for the help of this our Sister in her Agonie now approaching Lord looke vpon her in mercie and mittigate the iudgement which thou hast laid vpon her and all Women for sin Giue her courage of heart and strength of body to beare the pangs of her labour so fearfull and vehement Sweeten them with the drops of thy mercy and qualifie them by thy gracious power pardon her offences and receaue her prayers Louing Father giue her patience and willingnesse to be aduised and ordered by her friends in so great a worke that shee may remember that as in iustice thou hast greatly increased her sorrowes and conceptions so it is thy will to haue a holy seed brought forth into the world which being sanctified by thy grace may be consecrate here to such godly seruices as thou hast appointed and afterward made partaker of thy glory in the kingdome of heauen And
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