which is so straunge to the dulnes of our vnderstanding that we can not but meruaile that we who are nothing but corruption nothing but an heape of sinne shold doo greater thinges then thy self sweete Iesus who are onelie God onely pure onely holynes and onelie grace and power it selfe Oh Lorde make this perfectlie known vnto me make me faithfull then I know I shal rightly vnderstaÌ„d it Lord if we that are sinful ful of frailtie giue sathan the repulse dispise the world and withstande the euill motions of the fleshe wee doo that which thou dyddest not in respecte that thou beeing pure and without sinne or will to sinne were not so soone to bee wunne as wee whose strength is weaknes whose holines is meere corruption therfore was thy victorye lesse then ours Sweete Iesus giue me thy strength thine helpe and the lighte of thy grace to obteyne the victory and to auoide his tyrannie Saue me from the detestable crue of his ministers for great are the conflictes which dayly arise in our consciences betweene thy grace and sathan betweene thy soirite and our flesh betweene thy diuine will and the wicked worlde Oh what an heauy burden is it to beare the innumerable temptations which the deuill the world and the fleshe doo ofter and especially to those that take not holde by the Anâ—or of patience and who settle not themselues within the harboure of thy seate but giue the raines of their vngodlie desires scope to runne whether the force of euery vnlawful motion of the wicked fâ—end the vaine world or the corrupt flesh shal mooue and driue them Oh sweete Iesus guide the raynes of the bridle of my desires that I runne not headlong into any vngodlie action but beeing lead by the hande of faith vnder the conduct of patience I may ouercome this capitall and archenemy of mine that hee beeing once vanquished his ministers may quaile and be discomfited their craftie wilines wexe of none effect and mine hope in thee my loue towards thee and my feare of thee daily increase That the world with the desires therof may die in me I to it that the vain dissembling showes therof draw me not out of the way of truth Strengthen me sweete Iesus in my conflictes and temper them so with patience that they may rather be Medicines then maladies to my poore soule and healthfull exercises that I neeuer thinke my selfe to be secure but alwaies subiect to try all for without exercise wee remaine vnskilfull and without an enemie we prepare not weapon neither is victorie gotten without battaile nor rewarde without victorie Yet though we ouercome the victory is not ours but thine who fightest and ouercomest for vs and yet such is thy loue that thou giuest vs the rewarde crown of victory Make me strong sweete Iesus fortefye the Castell of my soule with spirituall weapons as with fayth loue hope peace long suffering gentlenes humblenes thankfulnes meekenes strength and patience and such like that I may continually withstand the prowde attemptes of these my ghostlie enemies through thee and by thee sweete Iesus mine onely sauiour and redeemer Amen Oh Lord increase my fayth A short prayer to the same effecte I â—oore and wretched sinner Oh mercifull God humbly beseeche thee to sende me from thine holy heauens strength to withsâ—and the assaultes of the wicked fiend sathan who goâ—th aboute like a roaring Lyon seeking by many meaâ—â—s to dâ—â—ourâ— me Lorde giue me like wisâ— graâ—e to resist the raging and vnâ—aciable lustes and desires of the corrupt flesh and vanities of the worlde That beeâ—â—g through thâ—ne helpe acquitted from the force of these my mortall enemies I may serue thee in holinesse and righteousnes all the dayes of my life Amen Oh Lord increase my faith A prayer for the helpe and assistance of God in all our dooâ—ngs and that wee doo nothing but in his feare and due obedience Doo nothing but see â—â—st thou craue Ayde â—â—â—m the Lord good ende to haue So â—halt thou haue suâ—â—â—â—le alwaies As thou wâ—â—t wish and happy dayes DAuid considering the frayltye of mans nature his insufficiencye of hym selfe to doo anye thing arighte wylleth vs to committe our wayes vnto the Lord Psalm 37. and to put our truste in him assuringe vs that in so doing God will brynge our matters to good effect and blesse all our godly endeuours Our forefathers trusted in God and were not confounded Eccl 2. They continued in his feare and were not â—orsaken they called vppon him were not disâ—â—sed Symâ—on feared the Lorde Lu. 2. in all his doings and the holy ghost came vpoÌ„ him reueâ—led vnto him that he should not die before he had seene the Messias eueÌ„ Christ our sauior Corneli us with his whole houshold feared the Lord Act. 10. an Angel came to him and tolde him that his prayers almes were come before the lord yea the mercie of the Lorde is from generation to generation vppon them that feare him and walke in his wayes hee taketh great delighte in the people that stande in awe of him Den 5. Iudith feared the Lord Iudith 8. and none had the power somuch as to râ—yse vp an euill reporte of her All thinges goe well with them that feare the Lord and who so craueth faithfully the assistaunce of the Lorde shall doubtles neuer dâ—o amisse for he reuealeth hys secretes vnto them Psa. 25 which feare him and maketh theÌ„ to vnderstand his couenaunt VVherefore trusting neither thine owne wisedome thine own wealth nor helpe of man seeke the assistaunce of the Lord and that faithfullye and he will rightly directe thee for his eye Psal. 33. is alwayes vppon him that feareth him and trusteth in his helpe OH God of most excellent wisedome vnspeakable mercye tender loue towardes vs meruailous foreknowledg of all thinges who hast coÌ„manded vs at al times to direct our doinges by the rule of thy lawes I humbly beseech thee to direct al my coun sails studies labors deuises determinatioÌ„s so as they may bee alwayes measured and guided by thine almighty wisdom that I take nothing in hand disagreeable to thy wil but may alwaies faith fully craue fauourably obteine thine assistaunce helpe furtheraÌ„ce therin That whatsoeuer I do it may come to such end take such effect as may be to the glory of thy name to the health benefit of my soule proâ—ite of my neighbors That I at no time rashly or vnaduised ly leudly or loosly atteÌ„pt or determine any thinge without thine especiall feare duelie considering that thou art the author of all good thinges and bringest prosperously to passe all godlie actions attemptes and purposes And whatsoeuer is doon in secrete or in intent to hide it from thy knowledge which none work he neuer so secretely can doo although for a time it haue some sweete tast namelie a fleshly delight some sauour or likelyhoode of happy successe vet is the ende thereof
same dilligentlie in following it effectually and in praying vnto thee zealously and faithfully imbracing all goodnes willingly and auoyding all euill watilie that so spending this day I may the better proceede to the execution of my calling this weeke following to the releefe of my necessitie furtheraunce of my neighbours That so continuing vnto the ende I may receiue the reward of thy celestiall kingdome which thy sonne Iesus Christe hath purchased with his bloode for all true beleeuers in thee In number of whome sweete Lorde for the merytes of him thy sonne make me that I with them and they with me may continually sing laude and prayse vnto the Trinitie eternallie which graunt for thy sonne Iesus Christ his sake Amen Oh Lord increase my faith A short prayer to the like purpose ALL possible thankes I render vnto thee most louing and moste mercifull Father that it hath pleased theâ— to bee my carefull watchman this night preseruing me from many euils vouchsafing sleepe vnto mine eyes to the vnspeakable comfort of my poore boâ—â—e Let it likewise please thee I humbly beseeche thee to giue me grace according to thine heauenly will 〈◊〉 expresse commaundement as at all times so this day especially to imploy me to the seruice of thee in all godlines and purenes of life leauing all bodily labours and exercise as to the Sanctetie which thou in the beginning gâ—uest vnto the day when thou hadâ—est sinished all thy worke dooth instly deserue Amen Oh Lord increase my fayth A confession of sinnes Confesse thy sinnes to God on hie Who pardons sinners when they cry FOr asmuch as all men by nature are sinners and none Christ excepted euer liued without man folde offences Let vs with Dameâ—l â—â—â—esse Da. 9 that we haue sinned that we delt wickedlie in trâ—sgressing the lawe of the Lord. Pro. 28. For who so hideth his sinnes shall not prosper but he that confesseth them and forsaketh them shall finde mercie For when Adam Gen. 3. had broken the coÌ„maundement of the Lorde be excused his fault was accursed But Dauid confessing his wickednes found fauour The lost sonne Lu. 15. after long going astray at last returned confessing his fault and obteyned pardon Iohn Baptist. Mat. 3 when hee first preached the gospell he baptized none but such as confessed theyr sinnes wherefore let vs faithfully and continually vpon our knees acknowledge our sinnes and prepare our selues to vnfeyned repentaunce and vndoubtedlie we shal obteine mercie at the haÌ„ds of the Lord For if we acknowledge our sinnes 1. Iohn 1. he is faithfull to forgiue them according to his promise Say with Dauid Psa. 23. I will acknowledge my sinnes vnto the Lord and will not hide mine iniquitie from him yea confesse against thy selfe and he wyll forgiue thy sinnes OH omnipotent father and euerliuing God from whose wisedome foreknowledge no secretes are or may bee hidden but doost plainely consider behold the workes wordes and thoughtes of all creatures I most huÌ„bly beseeche thee of thine infinite mercye to haue compassion vppon my sinnes which are so great and greeuous so many and they so vile and lothsome to thine heauenlie eyes that thou canst not abide to turne thy louing countenaunce towardes me Oh Lorde I doo confesse that my conception my birth yea and all my life hath beene in sin our Fathers and mothers sinfull euen from the stocke of our great Grandfather Adam whose blindnesse shoulde haue beene our light and whose sight was turned to our blindnes darknes by the deceitful most vile alurings of that enemie of ours the wilie and moste subtill serpent sathan by whose â—ntisements our forefather beeing clothed with innocencie and simplicitie in most pure vnspeakable happines was mooued to the desire of the knowledge of that that thou woldest he should haue beene ignorant of And which thou haddest vtterlie forbidden him By breking of which thy commaundement he with Eue whome thou hadst ordeyned out of hys owne flesh to be his companion and comfort where with thine Angell according to thy determinate will driuen out of Parradice a place of ioy to a pitte of sorrow from good to euill from ease to laboure and trauaile from quietnes to trouble from wealth to want from light to darknes from myrth to mourning from succoure to be succourles In so much Oh Lord as he our father purchased for vs his children none other possession or inheritaunce but the vnhappy enteraunce into sinne and corruption And we his children beeing by succession ingrossed in this detestable stocke of sinne haue hethervnto notwithstanding thy most louing and by so sundry meanes calling vs by thine holye Gospell of comfort continued therein to our vtter perdition deserued death and distruction confessing and acknowledging our selues runnagates outcastes and trewantes and of our selues altogether vnable to cast away and lay aside these workes of darknes and to obteine againe the Lanterne of light Yet for as much as I am most sorry from the very bottome of mine heart that I haue offended thee wilfully and disobedientlie strayed from the wayes of thy Lawes And doo vnfeynedly condemne al my former life to be most vile determining in heart by thy grace to forsake sinne and cleaue vnto godlines and purenes of liuing to decline from euill and to doo good I most humbly euen vpoÌ„ the knees of mine heart beseeche thine almightye Maiestie to lysten with a moste willing and attentiue eare vnto my groninges secrete sighes and vnfeyned repentance and with the eyes of thy mercye to beholde my lamenting spyrite and so vouchsafe to accept the same as it may bee vnto thee a sufficient sacrifice for all former euills That I beeing free from sinne not by any deserte or meryte of mine owne but onely by the death and passyon of thy Sonne Iesus Christe may take perfecte holde of the remission thereof and fully perswade my selfe that through the death of him thy sonne I am agayne restored to the former happines and blessed estate which oure first parent Adam was in the beginning placed in And the heade of that subtill Serpent sathan who so wylilye deceyued him by the seede of the Woman to bee altogether bruzed troden downe and vanquished and his power quite taken from him So that hee is not able anye more to lifte him selfe vppe againste the Chyldren of Fayth as hee seeketh and desyreth yea and often preuayleth againste the weake and feeble ones Vouchsafe sweete LORDE and moste loouing Iesus to consider my weakenesse and frayltye and mortefye in mee all delightes of thys miserable worlde and the corrupt fleshe And stande betwene mee and Sathan that hee preuayle no further agaynste mee then I shall bee able to resyste for wee can not stande but doo continually yeelde vnto the deceiueable showes of this worlde the false motions of the fleshe and temptations of Sathan without thy continuall ayde and assistaunce wherewith I beseeche thee both at this time and euer aâ—me me wash me with thy
ingraffe the same in mine heart that I may both nowe and euer make vnseyned confession thereof as thine Apostls haue sette downe in these wordes I beleeue in God c. Oh Lord now vouchsafe to imbrace me with the Armes of thy mercie vouchsafe to receiue me into the bosome of thy loue shaddowe me with thy winges that I may safely take my rest this night in peace in the name of thy sonne Iesus Christe in whose name I referre me wholie into thy louing protection beseeching thee that when my last sleepe shall come I may take mine euerlasting rest with thee in thy celestiall kingdome sweete God Amen Oh Lord into thine handes I commend my selfe Oh Lord increase my faith A short prayer to the like purpose OH almightie Lord God I thanke thee that this day past thou hast of thy meere mercy vouchsafed vnto me thy poore creature not enelie protection against all daungers and euills But also all thinges necessary So I humbly beseecâ—â— thee of the same thy mercy and for thy sonne Jesus Christ his sake to 〈…〉 de the like protection and fauour towardes me this night that I may enioy at thine handes safe and quiet rest to the comforte and refreshment bothe of my bodie and soule for Jesus Christes sake Amen Oh Lorde increase my fayth A prayer for the increase of Fayth If thou wilt haue what thou doest craue Pray thou in saith the Gospell sayth FAith as saith S. Paule vnto the Hebrues Heb. 11 is a sure foundation of thinges hoped for an euident feeling of the manifolde promises which God the father hath made vnto vs 1. Pet. 1 touching our saluation in his sonne Christe our sauiour and whereby also wee already inwardely taste of the vnspeakable toyes wher of wee shalbe heereafter made full pertakers Heb. 11 in Heauen without it wee can doo nothing But by it Gal. 3. wee are blessed of him and by it 1. Pet. 1 we are saued by it Eph 6 are all the fiery darts of hell and sathan quenched The iust man Aba 2. shall liue by fayth the daughter of the woman of Canaan Ma. 8. was healed by the faith of her mother Elias the Thesbyte 3 Kin. 16. 17. through fayth was fed with Rauens in his distresse and hunger hee prayed for rayne and through fayth obteyned it by his faith was the Oyle of the widdowe of Zarphat encreased Dan. 6. her child raysed from death to life The three Children were deliuered from the whot fornace by fayth and Daniell out of the Lyons denne by sayth the sinfull woman Luk. 7. obteyned pardon the Apostles by sayth Act. 3. healed sundry diseases Nowe wl at greater Iewell can there be had at the handes of God then fayth for haue fayth and all thinges foode sent from heauen defence from Lyons saftye from fire in the whott Ouen forgiuenesse of sinnes and whatsoeuer els concerneth eyther body or soule And therefore let it be a principall requeste vnto his Maiestie that he will vouchsafe that gift VVithout wauering aske it and God will giue thee it aboundantly VVithout sayth Heb. 11. it is impossible to please God Neyther can we haue accesse to Christe Eod. without it who is the Mediator betweene God the Father and vs. O Halmighty God and father of our Lord Iesus Christ by whose worde we are taught that to loue thee feare thee and serue in trueth godlines and sinceretie of life is the onely way and meane to continue thy loue and fauour towardes vs without the which wee can not but perish And beleefe and confidence in thy sonne Iesus Christe the onely meane of our redemption and attonement with thee the onely holde of our saluation whereof we can not be sufficiently assured without thine especial gift of faith which is the ancor wherevnto the cable of our saluation is fastned And beeing broken the hope also of our saluation decayeth waxeth of none effecte plant therfore most merciful God one sparcke of true faith in mine harte that I may certainlye know thee perfectly loue thee and duely feare thee and vnfeynedly acknowledge Iesus Christ to bee sent into this miserablâ— world to saue vs miserable sinneâ—s for vs by his bitter death to purchase thy fauoure and loue againe which we had loste by the fall of our Father Adam Oh Lorde graunt me to take such holde of his death passion resurrection and assention as by his death we may haue pardon by his resurrection rise to righteousnes by his assention ascende with him to celestiall glorie and finally attribute the cause and meane of our saluatioÌ„ to proceede onely by his passion Increase this faith in vs good Lord dayly more and more that it may growe by the working of thine holie spirite to full perfection accompanied with good workes and godlie behauiour without the which I caÌ„ fesse faith caÌ„not be that I may bothe in life and conuersation fulfill thy diuine will in all things with-holde not from me good Lorde that singuler gift of thine which is the stay of our happines the want therof a most certaine token of our perdition It is the strength of the weake feeble ones the staffe stay that guids the blind the onlie way that leads vnto the vnspeakable ioies of eternal blisse the meane to obteine possesse enioy the only good which is the knowledge of thy will the bande of mutuall peace the Forte the Castell and comfort of a distressed minde and the onelie harbour of a sorrowfull soule no good thing wanteth to him on whom thou vouchsafest to bestowe the same to whom all thinges are light in whom remaineth no darknes at all Banish therefore sweete Lorde all misbeleefe all wauering and doubting out of mine heart and plant insteede thereof vnfeyned fayth that applying the same to euery affliction both of bodye and minde I may vanquish and ouercome sathan with stande the delightes of the worlde and suppresse the corruptible motions of the flesh ouercome my bodely enemies and enioy at thy good pleasure health of bodie soundnes of minde perfection of limmes and all thinges els requisite for me as no thing is impossible to him that enioyeth this thy gift estecttually indeede a most precious iewell an vnspeakable good thing for thou sayst VVho so heareth thy word and beleeueth in Iesus Christe whome thou haste sent shall haue euerlasting life Then Lorde on the contrary he that beleeueth not is in daunger of euerlasting death Oh Lord increase my faith wher by I may beleeue in that thy sonne and take hold of all his promises who said That who so beleeueth in him shall want no manner of thing that is good Lord I beleeue helpe mine vnbeleefe Giue mee fayth but as the grayne of a Musterde seede and I shall be able to doo great wonders yea I shall bee able to remooue sathan out of his desired habitation expelling him and his ministers out of my minde and walke no longer according to the will of the
flesh but casting away the workes of darknes enioy the pure light of the Gospell and perseuer and abide therein enioying thy fauour loue vnto the ende without fainting in anie tribulation or vexation of Spirite going forwarde in hope in feare in loue and vnfeyned zeale towardes thee That I may obteine at thy mercifull hands whatsoeuer is necessarie in this life or for the obteyning of the life to come and after this life ended enioye thy celestiall purchased inheritaunce sweete Sauiour Amen Oh Lord increase my fayth A short prayer to the like purpose I Humbly beseeche thee Oh mercifull God for thy sonne Jesus Christes sake to powre into mine heart by the operation of thine holie spirite one sparckle of true sayth whereby I may truelie beleeue in thy Son Jesus Christe as our onelie mediatour and â—duocate through whose death and passion we are restored to our former happines wherein we were in the beginning placed which none can beleeue but through the holie ghaste Encrease therefore my faith that working by charitie I may doo that which may be acceptable vnto thée all the dayes of my life Through Jesus Christ. Amen Oh Lord increase my faith A prayer against the deuill the world and the fleshe very necessary to bee often sayde If thou these Captaine foes wilt flye Thou must craue ayde of God on hie THe deuill who is Prince of darknes Eph 6. and wbo ruleth in this world goeth about seeking whom he may deuoure and leade headlong into destruction by putting before our eyes the vaile of the vanities of this worlde that we should not see the light of the trueth but to continue in darknes in hautines and pryde as bondslaues and captiues to him whose children they are 2. Tim. 2. that continue in voluntarye blindnes whose end shalbe the fire euerlasting Ioh. 8. prepared for him and his Angells Mat. 25. Pray that the worlde ouercome you not 1. Ioh. 5. wherein resteth nothing but wickednes and sinne The whole world 2. Esd. 4. is full of vnrighteousnes and wickednes which who so loueth is an enemye to God They that are in the fleshe can not please God Ro. 8. but shall die Eâ—de That is such as yeelde them selues to followe the lustes thereof shall haue the rewarde of the wicked in eternall perdition Praye therefore that ye enter not into temptation but that yee may walke godly as the seruauntes of Christe and not as the seruants of sinne OH Christ sonne of the liuing GOD who in the time of thy humanitie wheÌ„ thou walkedst heere in the vaile of this miserable worlde in the forme of a seruaunt in the substance of mankinde art not ignoraunt of the sundrye greeuous assaultes and temptations wherewith sathan that monstrous enemie to mankind tryed thee thou beeing altogether cleane and cleere from all corruption yea without all desire of sin yet hardlie assaulted by sundrie meanes to procure thee to yeelde to his allurings wherby sweet Iesus thou haddest sufficient try all and experience of his like assaultes vnto our corruptible and weake flesh who are by reason of the fall wilfull transgression of our great Graundfather Adam as thou knowest moste easie to bee ouercome who in all assaults haue none other refuge or defence but onely to flie vnto thee and to reste vnder the shaddowe of thy winges which is so sure a haâ—bour and so strong a defence as who so faithfully betaketh him vnto the same is safe froÌ„ al the raging stormes of sathan the deceites of the worlde and motions of the vnbrideled fleshe all which are vnto our soules moste monstrous mortall and most cruell enemies Oh Lorde let thine holy spirite dwell in mee let it neuer depart from the inner part of mine hearte but decking the house of my soule with the flowres of loue faith and vnfeined zeale it may please thy diuine Maiestie to settle thee and frame thy selfe therein to abide that thy presence may bee so terrible vnto his assaultes as he approching neere vnto me seeing thee and hearing thy name Oh Iesus may flye away as hee did from thee in the wildernesse as hee dyd from thee on the Penicle and in all his temptations Thou wert pure at that time without spotte of sinne I am sinfull and full of corruption He could not ouercome or preuaile against thy sanctetie but I am prone to fall therefore easie to be ouercome strengthen me therefore stande with me fyght for me that he take mee not captiue and make me a bondslaue of sinne keepe me free out of his clawes sweet Iesus let the brightnes of thy grace so shine about me that his darknes come not neere me to ouershadowe mee with the darknes of iniquitie Let thy sauour bee a wall a bulwaâ—ke and strong buckler for my defence for Lorde thou knowest that his force is so great his will so ready his doings so wily as if thou doo but pluck backe thine hande he striketh vs if thou turne thy face he winneth vs to his will and if thou depart vtterlie from vs we shall runne headlong into moste horrible destruction Wherefore Oh sweete Iesus saue me sweete Iesus keepe me sweete Iesus imbrace me holde thine holy hand ouer me conducte me and leade me in the middest of the path of truth to celestiall happines and let me not bee drawen awrye to the left hande or to the right but keepe a middle and directe course vntill I come to the place of celestiall blisse where neither sathan shall ouercome me the world deceiue me nor the fleshe procure me to sin but be in the light of thy most glorious presence with the residue of thy saints singing eternall praises vnto thee But Oh my most louing redeemer my time is not yet come my iourny is not yet at an end my daies which though they be but a span long are not yet finished And vntill this body of mine shal passe to the graue my poore soule must haue and abide continuall conflictes with the deuil the king and Emperor of this world and with as many his ministers as my tongue can not number and principally with the world who setteth before mee insteede of diuine and heauenly contemplations worldlie vanities insteede of celestial and true comfort worldly delights insteede of heauenly hope worldly and vnauailable promises to bring as much as in him lyeth my godly enterprises to wicked end Lord he labours by all meanes to drawe vs into dispayre by loding our mindes with too much doubt of the performaunce of thy most comfortable promises But sweet Iesus though his power be in show great thine is in deede greater though he be strong thou art stronger though his instigations prickings for warde to wickednes be many thy louing and father lie callinges to grace are more Thou hast promised vs thy helpe and that most meruey lous to our eyes for thou hast said that thou wilt giue vs power to doo not onelie as thou didst but more and greater
vnto our heauenly father for whatsoeuer we want as did Iacob Gene. 28. who prayed for foode and apparell and obteyned it with aboundance God seeth before wee aske what we want and yet to show our dutiful obedience to acknowledg our helpe to come from hym wee must prostrate our harts be fore him in fayth asking and he will giue knocking and he will open seeking we shall surelie finde what we want Dut. 20. For God of his meere mercy feedeth the fatherles voucbsasing vnto them al good thinges wherefore whatsoeuer thou be pray faythfully vse the giftes of God thankfully and reuerenly and thinke not that thy freendes can helpe thee thy fruites satisfie thee or laboure preuayle thee without the blessing of God Tim. 6. wherby enioying foode and apparrell be therewith content and in any case dispayre not for the prouidence of God is great to giue foode and things necessary to such as trust in him And it is not daintye feare that feedeth so much as the trust in God can releeue with a small simple dyet as doth appeare in the 1. of Daniell by theÌ„ that were so well replenished with pulse and water OH almighty God and louing father who of nothing hast created all thinges liuing whose care is so great ouer them all that thou sufferest not the moste vile or symplest of them to perishe for want of foode and thinges requisite for theÌ„ but seeking the same at thy handes thou gyuest it them in due season And by thyne vnsearchable wysedome haste appoynted to euerye liuing creature an abyding according to his kinde But such was thine vnspeakable care of man whome thou hast created to thine own image that he is as a king and gouernour ouer all the rest of thy creatures whome thou haste sette appointed vnder him beeing so farre inferiour vnto him as where thou haste planted in him reason wysedome and gouernment in them brutishnes beeing altogether vnreasonable and where they liue haue there beeing vppon the tops of cold mountaines in desartes vpon hilles on hie and in vallies below and in sundry other vncouth and vnknowne places where tempest heate hardnes and colde and other continual dangers oppresse them thou hast giuen and prouided for man houses castelles and townes to preserue them from the force of windes tempestes and stormes and from the assaultes of wilde beastes of the fielde in the night and darknes quietly to rest And although born naked thou giuest him ray ment to couer and to clothe him hearbes for his vse and oyle to make him a cheereful and glad heart and ioyfull countenaunce Besides all this of thy meere goodnes haste giuen him the beastes of the fielde the fowles of the ayre and fishes of the sea to be his foode and sustinaunce yea Lorde such is thy fauour towardes man that all the rest of thy creatures thou hast ordeyned for his vse and seruice wherfore I thy sillie creature and worke of thine handes humblie prostrate my selfe in heart beseeching thee fauourably to looke downe vpon my necessitie and graunt me whatso euer thou seest necessarie for me euen a competent and necessarie portion heere not ouermuch least I wexe prowde or disdaine mine inferiors and if it be thy will vouchsafe vnto me not ouer little least vrgent necessitie driue me to ouer much care ouer much care carry me to vnlawful means so runne headlong into thy disâ—auor But fill my Baskett blesse my store Oh Lord that I may enioy at thy mercifull handes sufficieÌ„cie for my selfe for the releefe of such as thou hast coÌ„ mitted vnto my gouernment and for as much good Lord as all mine industry carke and care great trauaile can not any thing furder me releeue or satisfie me in my necessitie vnlesse thou vouchsafe therevnto good successe for thy mercies sake blesse me in all mine affayres blesse my fruites in the field my cattell and all other thinges belonging eyther to my selfe or any other thy seruauntes as by the fruites thereof I and they may be releeued Blesse the workes of mine handes that they may prosper blesse my sences that they wexe not dull but be alwaies capable of such thinges as belong vnto my vocation effectually to execute the same both according to thy lawes and the trueth of that which I take in hand for without thy blessing and fatherly furtheraunce I can not sufficiently execute neither can that prosper where vpon the whole state of my liuing and maintenaunce dependeth VVherefore good Lorde guide mine handes and blesse mine vnderstanding to the prosperous execution of all thinges concerning my vocation that I may gett those thinges which may be sufficient for the releese and maintenaunce of me and mine to the profit of my neighbours and glory of thy blessed name And what so euer dooth happen vnto me pouertye or ritches make me good Lord of a patient contented and thankfull minde that in aduersitie I runne not headlong into such meanes as are vngodlye neither in prosperitie wexe the prowder but waight thy good pleasure in them both with thankfulnes euer more liue in thee by thee in the end raigne with thee in heauen where thou sittest as Author and giuer of all thinges graunt this for thy sonne Iesus Christes sake to whom with thee and the holie ghost be all honour for euer Amen Oh Lord increase my fayth A prayer necessarie after the hearing of the word of God Attende vnto the Ghospell bright Heare it and reade and liue vpright Consider when thou hearest the worde of God preached it dooth but as it were beat thyne eares and rendereth no further benefitt vntyll by the workyng of GODS holye spyrite it bee inwardlye reuealed vnto thee For GOD by two meanes speaketh vnto vs namely by the Preacher whome hee sendeth to teache vs. And by hys holy Spyrite wherby hys doctrine is so setled in our heartes that we inwardly enioy the true benefit therof For wythout the helpe of the holye ghost the voyce of the preacher vanisheth and the hearers profite nothing at all S. Iohn saith That he that knoweth God heareth his word 1. Iohn 4. but he that is not of God heareth it not wherby the spirite of trueth is discerned from the spirite of error For the word of God is liuelie Heb. 4. and effectuall and pearceth more then a two edged sword entring euen into the diuision of the soule the spirite c. wherefore pray that as the Lorde sendeth his messengers to showe his will So you may both heare it vnderstand it purelie liue thereafter pray for fayth For without fayth Heb. 4. the hearing of the word profiteth nothing OH heauenlye Father who hast not onely vouchsafed to make vs to thine owne image and likenes but also to sende thy sonne Iesus Christe into this worlde for our saluation and hast by him not only giuen vs knowledge of thy diuine will heere on earth and lefte it for our learning But also
that it often happeneth wheÌ„ we think least thereon it commeth sodamly as the lightninge and taketh vs vnwares VVherefore grant Oh GOD of my life that I may haue such continuall care foresighte and dylligent respect vnto the direction of my dealinges cogitations and wordes that I loade not my poore soule so muche with the burden of scenlesse securitye sinne and iniquitye that the bodye beeing sodainly intangled with the snare of deathe it bee carryed where there is no reste no ioye no comforte or consolation but continual mourning weeping and anguishe of minde as the Glutton spoken of in thine holy Gospell who going on blindly loosly and carelesly without regarde eyther of thee or remem braunce of his ende in moste detestable couetousnes and all kinde of wickednes was sodainly taken from hys mucke wealth which he had wrongfully gotten and myserably whorded vppe and yet denying poore Lazarus the croomes that fell and were taken from his table but was carried by the deuyll and his Angells into euerlasting and moste bitter tormentes where was weeping and gnashing of teeth Oh my sweete Lord let not mine heart be so blinded with the vale of vanitie nor nouseled in the delightes of this world so intangeled in the nette of concupiscence nor clad in the weedes of wilfull forgetfulnes of mine estate that I bee taken as the ritch man who deuising within him selfe to enlarge hys Barnes wherin he might conuey his graine so much encreasing who standing in his euill conceite of couetousnes thinking himselfe most secure was taken vnawares from his aboundaunce and left hys riches he knew not to whom Oh most gratious and most louing God a most vnhappy end wherin steed of heauenly contemplations and godly cogitations which thou requirest at al times of such as are thine but especially at the houre of death there appeared a most horrible intent of couetousnes which thou vtterly abhorrest a manifest token good Lorde of forgetfulnes of his ende and an argument that hee was the childe of Sathan But thou shewest mercye to as many as conuert and turne to thee Oh my most louing father lighten mine eyes that I sleepe not in sinne nor wander in darknes according to the will of the fleshe that I fall not vnawares into the dungion of distruction death and hell but make me alwaies ready and willing to come vnto thee euen with desire when it pleaseth thee to call me by laying thy hande by any plague or sicknes vpon me let me not drawe me as it were backwarde when thou inuitest me to the sweete banquet of thine heauenly kingdome as by the worde and gospell preached and reueiled vnto vs which is an especiall calling vs or when I feele my selfe distempered greeued or vexed with any kinde of sicknes plague or disease which is another of thy callinges and an especiall warning that we must dye or when by course of time in extreame age wee may imagine our ende to be neere but Lord when I am at my dayly busines and laboure when I eate or drinke when I am in my best temperature health in childehoode and young yeeres at all times and in all places giue me grace to thinke that death standeth at mine elbowe alwayes ready to strike mee that I sleepe not in sinne and securitie till the time sodainly come of my departure and so be taken vnprouided and perish withour repentaunce who can perswade him selfe to liue long and see many daies especially in daungerous and contagious times of sicknes and seeing so many examples dayly to the contrary euen in the most temperate time of health some we see at their Mothers pappes by humaine indgement likely to liue sodainely to giue vppe the ghoste some in theyr youth some in middle yeeres yea when grauest experience aboundeth to be sodainly called away to be no more seene Al which notwithstanding Oh Lord such is the blindnes of our nature that we think this world a coÌ„tinual being for vs and couer euen with greedines to see many dayes where we heape sinne vpon sinne to the ouerburdening of our poore soules seldome or not at all thinking to dye Graunt sweete Lorde that as I desire to liue so I may haue a greater desire to liue well that I may make an happy ende abandoning all feare of death that the cogitation thereof may dwell in peace with in the mansion of mine heart and when it shall approche neere vnto me I flie not from it but may goe foorth with ioy to meete the same considering that it is a meane to ende my cares and to begin my ioy it is the finishing of sorrow and enteraunce into blisse which made thy seruaunt Paule to say That he desired to be deliuered of the burden of this life and to be with thee where is nothing but ioyes vnspeakable and contrarie heere on earth nothing but care and woe which mooued thy seruaunt Iob to call this life a warfare and this world a wildernes and vale of misery where is nothing but conflictes betweene the flesh and the spirite dayly increase of sinne and continuall care of vanities Oh good God giue vs carefull hearts to loue thee while we liue heere giue vs continual feare vnfeyned zeale perfit faith godly care to doo good to all men and earnest desire to come vnto thee who art the ende of all trouble and laboure and the beginning of ease the ende of strife and the beginning of peace the ende of all misery and the beginning of all blisse wherevnto sweete Lord graunt that with vnseyned desiâ—e we may faithfully endeuour our selues to come and to take possession of that thy most glorious kingdome where thy sonne is gonne before to direct vs the way and where thou sittest to iudge according to euerye mans desertes making all those that thou findest with the Lampe of true faith burning in their harts partakers of the euerlasting ioyes thereof In number of whome Oh sweete Lord accept me heere that I may appeare among them in the world to come through Iesus Christ our Lorde in whose name I commend my selfe into thy handes to liue for euer in thee sweete God Amen Oh Lord increase my fayth A short prayer to the like purpose OH God in whose handes consisteth the life of all mankind for thy Sonne Jesus Christes sake vouchsafe to giue me grace to sett before mine eyes as a most certaine mark where vnto this frayle body of mine must tende it selfe the Image of that which is to the faythfull the ende of payne and beginning of pleasure the ende of misery and beginning of blisse but to the secure and careles the ende of their pleasures and beginning of eternall paynes Ueuchsafe me therefore earnest desire of seruing thée and leading my life according vnto thy will that wheÌ„ so euer it pleaseth thee to call me I be not through feare striken with doubt of condemnation but euen at my laste gaspe through vnfayned faith in Jesus Christ may take
forth chollour to the dishonoring of thy name Let our conuersation be altogether modest mortefiing our own desires wholy appliing our selues not onely on the Sabaoth day but all the weeke yea all our whole life to the sreuice of thee to the honouring and glorifying of thy name to the benefit of our soules profit of our neighboures and due reuerence to our parents whom thou hast commaunded vs to honour loue and obey as the instruments of our beginning thou beeing the workman Graunt Lord that we may truly and vnfeynedly reuerence them as thou willest we should that we may long continue vpon the earth not in the number of careles and disobedient Children in whom resteth no thankfulnes for so great benefits had and receiued at the hand of their parents from whom thou hast saide thou wilt with hold thy blessings and altogether depriue them of theyr liberty and liuing But graunt that we may so order our selues by thy grace both to them and to other our Superiours as wee may bee blessed with many good giftes and length of dayes heere according to thy will And that it may please thee so to confirme theyr blessings in and vpon vs as that it may goe well with vs all the dayes of our liues Take from vs sweete Lorde all desire of reuenge all rancor malice and hatred least the deuill who redily standes to prick vs forwarde to a desperate minde procure vs to slay the innocent we beseeche the Lord let not at any time such euill imaginations enter into any parte of our heartes least we giuing our selues ouer thervnto lose the raynes of our naturall disposition which is so inclined to wrathe that vnlesse the strength thereof be subdued or the venoumous sting thereof pluckt out by vertue of thine holy spirite it wil no doubt prouoke vs to wait oportunity to wreake our mallice with violence vppon such as by slight occasions haue offended vs yea and by little and little breake out into the flame of deadly hatred and so seeke to destroy the innocent most wickedly Oh Lorde forbidde it and keepe vs from the most pernicious sinne of adultery which being so odious in thy sight thou causedst to fall in one day for the same three and twenty thousande Oh Lorde indue vs with thine holie spirite that we may keepe our bodies cleane and vndefiled members of thee beeing indued with perfect chastitie may abandon all occasions that may procure vs to offende thee reteyning a godly behauiour which thou so deerely louest and expell euill concupiscence which thou so much abhorrest Oh mercifull God vouchsafe to keepe vs from taking any thing by secrete meanes or otherwise from our neighbours whom we ought to loue as our selues The desire whereof good Lord proceedeth often by scarcitie and want by pouertye and neede which indeede thou art able and willing to releeue without any such vnlawfull meanes And therefore I beseeche thee to graunt vs a sufficient necessary portion or els constancie and vnfeyned hope in thee to be relieued in thy good time and vtterly to derest the horrible sinne of stealing for thou hast promised neither to faile vs nor forsake vs calling faithfully vpon thee And as we ought to beware of taking any thing from others by stealth so likewise vouchsafe vs grace when any occasion serueth or matter forceth to beare witnes of the truth in any controuersie betweene bretheren graunt vs heedefull mindes to depose and testifie that which is trueth according to our knowledge without respecte either of the ability freendshippe or fauoure of the one or the enuie malice or pouerty of the other And graunt that we rayse no false accusation or slander vpon any man considering that the same faulte whereof we wrongfully accuse another shalbe imputed as great vnto our selues but that wee may keepe our mouthes from speaking any thing hurtfull vnto others And like good men muse and meditate before hand what we ought to speake not letting the brydell of our lippes loose to babble out that which first commeth into our mindes and that we may content our selues with our estates whatsoeuer thou sendest without any vngodly desire of any thing that belongeth vnto our neighbours And graunt vs thine especiall grace euer more truely to obserue and faithfully to fulfill all thy most godly commaundements In the name and for the sake of thy Sonne Iesus Christ in whose name as well for grace to keepe thy lawes as also for all necessaries for body and soule I hartely pray thee by that prayer which he hath sette downe vnto vs in these wordes Our Father which are in heauen c. Oh Lord increase our faith A short prayer to the like purpose FOr as much oh God of all wisdome and mercy as thou for our direction and godly lyuing hast by the handes of thy Prophet set downe and prescribed vnto vs godly institutions for vs to followe considering our corruption and naturall declination from following thy Lawes and howe we are inclined to the thinges forbidden by thee therein I most humblye pray thee to vouchsafe me not onely dilligent care and daily endeuour but especiall grace to fulfill them according to thy blessed will in all thinges through Jesus Christ. Amen Oh Lord increase our faith A prayer for the true ordering of worldly riches very necessary for such as God hath endued with the wealth of this world Euen as thy wealth increaseth so Pray that them wel thou mayst bestow For they that haue theyr wealth at wyll Are plagued worst vsing it ill OVr Lord sauiour Iesus Christ. Ma. 19 the fountaine Mar 10. of all liberality Lu. 18. an hundred folde in this life and life euerlasting in the worlde to come to all such as for his sake◠shall forsake all worldly goods to followe him But let not sayth he againe Matth. 7 thy left hand know what thy right hand giueth Giue Luk. 6. and it shall be giuen thee and minister vnto the holye ones of God Ro. 12. and it shal be rewarded thee Breake thy breade vnto the hungry Esa. 58. giue drinke vnto the thirstie c. And take heede that when thou doost intend to giue 1. Cor 7. let it be for Gods sake who hath giuen thee store to the ende that thou shouldest extende thy liberalitye to the releefe of the necessity of his Saintes neyther grudgingly nor by compulsion nor for praise or vaine glory but with modesty zeale concealing thy good deedes and thine heauenly father shall reward thee Couet not to be rich leaste thou fall into temptations snares and into many foolish and noysome lustes which drowne men in perdition and destruction for the desire of mony is the roote of al euill and causeth men to fall from fayth to pearce themselues with many sorrowes Trust not in vncertaine riches but in the lyuing God whose hāds preserueth the poore aswell as the rich ye◠respecteth the cause of the needy that trust in him and sendeth the secure rich men
emptye away at the last Therefore to doo good and to distrybute forget not Heb. 13 for with such sacrifice God is pleased OH bountifull God and most merciful father naked came I into thys worlde bringing with mee not a clothe or ragge to couer this silly and weake body of mine wanting sustinaunce and foode without the which sweete Lorde life can not endure which I haue receiued at thy merciful hands and that most largely the one to couer keepe my naked members and weake bodye from parching heate in the soÌ„mer and extreame colde in winter and the other to feede and nourishe the same in so much as it hath by neither of these extremeties fainted or decayed to this day I thanke thee sweete lord that I haue not continued in nakednes wherein I was born but in warme and necessarye clothing not in hunger but in fulnes not in scarcety but in aboundaunce and sufficiency of all things not in want but in wealth not in labour but at ease not amonge the lowest but with the highest which blessings of thine Oh Lorde I confesse were not gotten by mine owne industry paines not by mine owne pollicie or wisedome nor bestowed on mee for mine owne sake or desertes who am borne in sinne but as sent from thee as thine owne free blessings farre passing the capasity of man by wisdome to comprehende by labour to gette or by pollicye to purchase but onely by thy blessed prouidence setting thine helpinge hande vnto the godly industrye of such as by their vocation and iuste trauaile shall endeuour to gather the same which is thine onely and bountifull gift as also where thou giuest and blessest the children with the inheritance of theyr parents which also is thine vnspeakable blessing graunt Lord that as all those thy giftes come altogether without our desertes so we neuer abuse the same but duely considering the mutability the â—lyperie hold and vnconstancie of worldly treasure and that the feare of the alteration thereof doth often loade and encombeâ— our mindes with so many sundry cares that we seldome rest without some doubte and perturbation of minde breeding also within vs diuers other great inconueniences as hawtines of minde contemning others of inferior conditions with a grudging disdaine of them in respect of ourselues puffing vp our hearts with arrogancie vaine glory excesse glutionie and finally leading a man to all kind of vices making him euen to forget himself thee beeing lead by the indirect rule of their owne proper nature which is altogether contrary to thy will wherefore forasmuch as these our worldly riches doo â—ende eyther to the winning or loosing of thy fauour and loue and thy loue the end of our happines Graunt me thy grace and assistaunce in bestowing ordering and occupying those terrestriall things that neither the loue of worldly commendation or prayse of men make me prodigall in spending them nor the care of coueâ—ousnes draw me to whorde and lay them vppe to canker and rust where it may be taken by theeues but as I haue plentifull so I may be liberall distributing according to the portion thereof vnto the necessity of others as the cause of their neede and mine hability shall require And as it pleaseth thee to increase my store so make me more and more thankfull and more and more ready to giue enduing me with the more humility gentlenes pittie stretching foorth mine hande with a glad heart to helpe the helples to feede the hungry to clothe the naked to comfort the comfortles that these thy bountifull giftes be not bestowed vpon me in vaine That I be not in the ende in case like the rich man spoken of in thine holy gospell turning mine eyes from the begging cryes of poore Lazarus but may willingly impart such thinges both of my table and store as it pleaseth thee to bestoweon me vnto the necessitie of the poore all my daies and take from me all hardnes of heart and extreame dealing to wardes such as by any light offence haue displeased me Graunt that I may consider of my self and way of my selfe as one of the lowest meanest and weakest and not to disdaine the simplest alwaies considering my beginning my present estate how it may please thee to alter it and what may befall vnto me before or in the ende as also to be mindfull of such as are of a lower estate and calling yea of the worste and poorest and to doo for them as I may and as occasion shall require without ouercharging any that for their releefe seeke any thing at mine hands That in the end I may be found a good and faithfull Stewarde of that tallant which thou hast put me in trust withall heere Oh Lorde make me willing to forgiue them that offende me acknowledging my selfe a thousande wayes offencible vnto thy maiestie pardon mee Oh God of thy mercy and giue me grace to amende mine euill and corrupt life And let me not by misponding and abusing thy gifts heere make forfeyture of so precious a dwelling place as thou by the blood of thy sonne Iesus Christ hast purchased for all such as showe themselues faithfull Stewardes heere Make mee to consider good Lorde the vanities of this wretched world and giue me thy grace dayly to contemplate and in faith to beholde the fayrenes beautie and certaintie of thine heauenly kingdome that I may dailie grow in hatred and contempt of this vale of misery and the vaine pleasures thereof and be readie at thy fatherly call to come vnto thee willingly bearing the burden which this this world continually chargeth me withall Oh almightie and mercifull God giuer of all good things and the takeâ— of them away againe at thy good pleasure make me in prosperity alwayes thankfull and if thou visite me with pouerty endue me with perfit patience that the delight of the one â—ull mee not and rocke me a sleepe in the Cradell of security not the heauines and greefe of the other waking mee with the daungerous dartes of dispayre Strengthen me good Lorde for thy sonne Iesus Christes sake and helpe me in this my great account which I haue to recken for at my last and finall ende and that before thee the Lord of our soules when and where there shall be no thing left vncharged but shall bee forst to account for those receytes actions which we little thinke on now and prooued euen then to be parcell of that whereof thou madest vs Stewards heere And therfore grant that I may not bestow my Tallaunt as to mine owne vse and behoofe onely but to the furtheraunce and helpe of them that stand in neede thereof That in the ende thou mayest with that comfortable saying receiue me saying Oh thou faythfull Stewarde seeing thou hast beene faithfull ouer a little I will make thee Steward of a great deale euen partaker of that place which thy sonne hath purchased In hope whereof I doo wholy yeelde and commende my selfe and al that I
and merciful God the onely aide stay comfort of all those that trust in thee the principall helpe of them that feare thee we giue thee most humble hearty and vâ— feâ—â—ed thankes for that thou haste vouchâ—â—fed to deliuer this wâ—â—â—aÌ„ M. thy seruant from the great paines and trauaile of childbirth which are so great so greeuous and so daungerous that eâ—en by thine owne wordes they are sayd to be moste greeuous In so much sweete Lord as wheÌ„soeuer thou settest fooâ—th in thine holy scripture any grâ—at paine or daÌ„gâ—r thou resemblest it alwaies to a Womans paine in trauaile Therfore we confesse acknowledge that wee in the behalfe of thys our Syster are so much the more bounde vnto thee so farr extending thy furtheraunce and helpe to her deliuery froÌ„ such extreamitie and anguish we fall downe eueÌ„ vppon the knees of our heartes with vnfeyned thanks for this most mercifull worke of thine but most louing and mercifull God thou knowest that although she bee deliuered of this heauy burden yet the paynes some thing continue which without thy most sweete mitugation thereof will driue her to further greefe and sorrow We humbly beseeche thee therefore to consider of the estate of this thy poore seruaunt by thy goodnes thus deliuered that thou wouldest vouchsafe to mitugate and asswage her paines and greefe that she may be able to beare the same with perfect patience and continuall thanke for her happy deliuerance And forasmuch sweete Lorde as the tendernes misery of mankinde is such that they can not of long time after their birth attaine to any meane to helpe themselues but wanting the 〈…〉 ayde and attendaunce of the mother and 〈…〉 they soone perish Wee beseeche thee to 〈…〉 gthen this little infant and tender babe nowe 〈…〉 e into this vale of misery and if it be thy good pleasure to vouchsafe it life and longer abyding heere graunt it ablenes and strength to receiue such foode and nourishment as thy prouidence hath assigned for such little infants and sucklinges And so increase within the pappes of the mother or Nurce such nuâ—riture as may be sufficient for the maintenaunce of the life and health thereof working with such effect within the bowels of the tender infant as it may thereby growe more and more to the estate of man according to thy good pleasure and strengthen bothe the mother and the infant that they may bothe grow to such perfect health and ablenes as the one may giue the other take sufficient sustenaunce for the preseruation of life and increase of strength through the mighty power and working of thee For which sweete Lorde and for all thinges els necessary for them and for all other in their like case we pray vnto thee as thy sonne Iesus Christe hath himselfe taught vs saying Our Father c. Oh Lord increase our fayth And receiue this woman thy seruant and euer more mightely defend her Oh Lord blesse this little babe and receiue it into the number of thy children Oh Lord guide it euermore to the full obteyning of thy fauour mercy to the perfit fulfilling of thy wil all his daies Amen To thee be all prayse for euermore Amen A praier for wisdome As worldly wisedome seeketh nought In time of neede auayling ought So heauenly wisdome worketh still The things that please gods heauenly wil. WIsdome as sayth S. Augustine is the knowledg how to choose those things that are good and to auoyd those thinges that are euil And Aristotle defineth it to be a vertue of the mind wherby these grâ—ces are obteyned which tend to the felicity of this life and the life to come Thomas Aquâ—nus sayth that wisdom is the meane wherby we are reconciled vnto God If so then what a precious iewel is this what more excelleÌ„t gyft can wee craue at the handes of God then that whereby we may doo that onely which is good such things as are tending to eternall felicity and which reconcile vs to God our maker through Christ our redeemer and Sauiour the beginning whereof is the feare of the Lorde whose loue towardes vs is so greate that he wylleth him that wanteth wisedome I am 1 to aske at his handes and he wil giue the same most aboundauntly asking it in faith as hee gaue it vnto Salomon 1 Kin 3 so plentifully and in such sort as they came froÌ„ the fardest partes of the world to heare the same Pray therefore that thou mayst obteyne it it is better then golde or precious stones Pro. 16 and more sweeter then honny or the honny combe OH almighty and euerliuing GOD whose gift it is that babes sucklings and men of base degree haue the knowledge vnderstanding of thy will and men of profounde learning deepe study and worldly experience often want the same Oh God which expellest darknes giuest light which takest away ignoraunce plaÌ„test knowledg wisdome denying the same to none that vnfeynedly asketh it at thine handes without the which nothing can be obteyned which good is nothing auoyded which is euill nothing continue safe bee it neuer so durable nor any enterprise either rightly begun or happily ended without the same which Salomon considering hauing promise at thine handes that whatsoeuer he asked hee shoulde obteyne aboue all thinges aboue wealth or riches worldly praise renowne or glory beauty or strength yea aboue possessions or kingdoms he onely requested wisedome which thou so aboundantly bestowedst on him that they repayred and came from farre to heare the same which is none other thinge sweete Lorde but the knowledge of thy diuine wil heaueÌ„ly misteries it is the knowledge how to chose the good auoid the euill it proceedeth onely from thee and with thee it hath beene from the beginning Sende it downe from heauen where it attendeth about thy seate replenish mine hart with the knowledge thereof Giue me a newe heart and a right spirite for mans vnderstanding faileth in many thinges but thy wisedome instructeth the simple maketh the tongues of infants eloquent directing the steppes of the blinde VVherefore Oh Lorde I most humbly beseeche thee to establish the same in my spirite and wryte thy Lawes in mine heart that I walke not in the way of error but may abstaine from sinne cleaue vnto righteousnes and walke in innocencie all the dayes of my life Oh sweete Lord graunt me this thine especiall gift of heauenly wisedome that I may perfectly knowe what thy diuine will and pleasure is that I may alwaies directe my waies according vnto the same louing thee in all thinges and aboue all thinges continuing moste thankfull for all thy fatherly benefits bestowed and conferred vpon me And that prosperity ouercome me not nor in aduersity be foolishlie mooued to seeke reamedie or releefe els wher but at thine hands onely who aâ—t my God and my â—auiour and who hast promised to giue wisedome to all theÌ„ that faythfully aske it Oh Lord heare my prayer and let
are heauy loaden to come vnto thee I come I come sweete Lorde as one burdened with greefe receiue me and helpe me showe thy louing countenaunce extend the helpe of thine holy arme and I shall be safe mercifully heare me after thy wonted goodnes consider my distresse weigh mine afflictions looke vpon my troubles So shall my sorrowe be turned againe into ioye my pouerty shall bee releeued with sufficiency and all shall goe well with me for sweete Lord although when I consider mine estate wheÌ„ I viewe my present mysery and feele my want I be striken with greate sorrowe in minde and vexed with intollerable greefe yet when I consider the cause of my troubles with due consideration of thine intent therein Then can I not but comfortably resolue my selfe Then doth inwarde comfort asswage the extreamitye of my greefe and sorrowe remembring that thou hast sayde that whome thou louest thou punishest VVherfore I cannot but giue thee thanks sweet Lord for this thy fatherly correction in altering mine estate for better try all of my patience That by patience I may take hold of hope that so by hope of thy goodnes louing kindnes and fatherly promises which deceiuest no man that vnfeynedly dependeth vpon thee I may enioy a moste comfortable renuing of mine happie estate againe at thy good pleasure I cast all my burden vpon thee as thou willest all those that are heauy loaden to doo Refresh me most louing and mercifull God refresh me with the timely showers of thy fauour and loue That the ioy and gladnes of mine heart may growe vppe and choake the weedes of sorrow and anguish of mind Oh my surpassing comforter leaue me not distitute of thy defence and patronage vouchsafe euermore to be present with me in all my troubles that I faint not but may rather reioyce in tribulation knowing that a crowne of life is layde vppe in store for as many as beare thy yoke with patience Assist me therefore good Lord in all these vexations and temptations of mine that I may patiently looke for thy good deliueraunce which although it come not as I wish yet that staying thy leasure in thy good time I may bee satisfied of my godly desire which thou hast promised neuer to defraude vs off nor suffer vs to depart empty away There was neuer any confounded that trusted in thee nor any forsaken that called on thine holye name Thou raisest the simple out of the myre and dust Thou puttest downe the mighty from theyr high seate and exaltest such as are meeke and of a lowly minde Lord I cleaue vnto thee I trust in thee I depend onely on thee beeing poore thou rich I weake thou strong I blind thou giuing sight mine ayde is of thee my comfort in thee and all my ioye commeth from thee Graunt therefore sweete Lorde that I thinke not the continuaunce of this my hard estate to be long or burdensome vnto me but may willingly accept the same as most sweete light and wholsome for me and of a short time alwaies referring it to thy good pleasure whether thou wilt rayse me vppe or keepe me lowe Thou knowest what is most necessarie and expedient for me And therefore doo with me what thou wilt sende mee helpe when thou wilt and as thou wilt Loe heere I lye at the gate of thy goodnes and mercy still looking for thy stretched out arme to remooue that which not of mallice but of loue thou hast layde vpon me Good Lord for thy mercies sake giue mee not ouer leaue me not altogether helples take not thy fauour vtterly from me But as thou hast fatherly corrected me so vouchsafe louingly to embrace me againe sweete God for thy sonne Iesus Christes sake Amen Oh Lord increase our fayth A short praier to the like effect often to bee sayde WHen thou wilt Oh Lorde remooue this heauy burden from me renue my comfort and driue away the cares of mine heart by the hand of thy louing kindnes whom by my sinne I haue offended come againe vnto me Oh Lorde in loue and shewe me thy louing countenaunce take away these miseries which I haue deserued and as in loue thou punishest to the ende I shoulde conuert froÌ„ sinne So Lord I beeing sory for my sinnes hartelie pray thee to giue me grace and comfort againe through the same thy loue for Iesus Christes sake Amen Oh Lord increase my fayth A prayer to be defended from enimies If thou take God to be thy stay Thy foes shall not thy soule dismay IF it be possible as much as in thee lyeth haue peace with all men Rom. 12. And offende none but if it fall out that the worlde hate thee take it not greeuously Ioh. 15. if thou haue not deserued it but if thou haue deserued it be sorry and seeke vnity concorde quickly least sodainly thine aduersaries entrap thee in thy wayes and soâ—â— scredite thee The most iuste men haue beene wrongfully accused haue guiltles beene condeÌ„ned in many sundry thinges as Christ himselfe the patterne of all integritie the sauior of the worlde was accused of drunkennes of working by the power of deuils such like yet prayd he for his enemies so likewise pray for thine enemies do for theÌ„ what lyeth in thee as to seede theÌ„ when they bee hungry Ro. 12. giuing theÌ„ drinke when they bee thirsty clothing them harboring them Blesse them that cursse you Mat. 5. doo good to theÌ„ that hate you pray for them that hurt you so shal you haue recompence at the handes of God And in any wise seeke not to reuenge for it is the office of God Serue him he wil blesse thee will laye his â—nrsse vpon thine enemies Pro. 30. will saue thee out of theyr handes Saule could not hurt Dauid in respecte that Dauid put his trust in God although hee were his mortall enemye 1 Sam. 18. Reioyce not at thine enemyes fall nether be thou glad when hee decayeth Pro. 24. but praye for his amendment And GOD as hee hath promised will bee thy rocke thy deliuery thy shield horne of thy saluation and thy refuge from cruell enemies 2. Sam. 22. for in fearing him thine enemies shall feare thee Fyue shall chace an hundred and an hundred shall putt tenne thousande to flight Le. 26 for the Lorde hath respecte to them that loue him and keepe his couenaunt he wyll aryse and scatter theyr enemies yea as the smoak vani sheth so shall hee driue theÌ„ away Psal. 48 as waxe melteth at the fire so will he make thyne enemies to perish at his presence trust in him faithfully feare not thy foes KEEpe me Oh God from the hands of such as goe about to doo mee hurte and vndeseruedly to take away my life for manye there be that hate me seking my shame my distruction and ouerthrow in so much as without thine assistance thy protection and ayde I shall not escape theyr hands I shall not auoyde their
Iesus Christes sake Amen Oh Lord increase our fayth A short prayer to the like purpose LOrd I am a sinfull creature and haue deserued thine indignation against me yea I confesse that I haue deserued many and great punishments yet Lord for thy mercies sake turne thee vnto me and haue mercy vpon me let not mine enemies preuaile in theyr mischeuous deuises against me I am in thine hand and they are within the compasse of thy power stay theyr furye let them not take effect in theyr deuises against mee but for thy sonne Jesus sake stand betweene me and them and put them backe and as I haue offended thee by naturall blindnes so by the working of thine holy spirite I shall ryse to thee and liue in thee againe through Jesus Christ our Lord which vouchsafe to graunt that they may not onely not preuaile but be ashamed and flye swéets God Amen Oh Lord increase my faith A prayer when a man taketh a iourney Before thou take thy iourney pray That God by Christ will guide thy way FOr asmuch as the earth is replenished with many perrils and sodaine daungers haue diligent regarde that when thou takest thy iourney to desire instantly the almighty God to conduct thee as he vouchsafed to conducte Tobye by the hande of hys Angell Raphaell in his iourney to Rages Toby 5 defending him from many daungers and especially from the fishe which was like to haue deuoured him So shall hee likewise sende his Angels to take charge of thee that no kinde of danger shal preuaile against thee if thou hartely praye his ayde behauing thy selfe godly and vertuously not prouoking his anger by enterprysing that which is either vncomly or vnlawfull but be dooing good as S Paule in all his â—â—urnyes saying faithfully and often the right hand of the Lord mightely defend me Act. 1 ALmightie God most mercifull father who guidest and defendest all those that in thy name walke trauaile in this world vouchsafe to stretch forth thine hand ouer me thy poore creature leade mee and conducte me in thys my iourney which vrgent occasion forceth considering good Lord that the pathes yea euerye corner of thys wretched vale of miserye is replenished with innume rable perrils and dangers both of bodye and soule whereinto without thine assistaunce protection ayde without the helpe of thy mighty hand and out stretched arme wee can not but fall and perish walking and wandring in the troublesome and daungerous coastes of the earth where robbers theeues and euil affected persons in greate number secretely lurke violently to take not onely our proper substaunce and goods which by the great labour and sweat of our bodyes we haue gotten or otherwise by thy prouidence giuen vs but out liues also if we be not preuented and by thy good and fatherly prouidence defended Wherefore I humbly beseeche thee Oh God almighty if any such lye in wayte in my waye at this time graunt me foreknowledge thereof that of thy meere mercy I may happily auoyde theyr pretended euill either by betaking me another way or may bee defended vnder the shaddowe of thy winges and so encounter with them that by the force of thy right hand I may ouercome them beeing of mine owne selfe of no force neither lyeth it in the strength of our owne handes to put backe or ouercome such as in this wicked intent arise vppe against vs. It is not the sword good lord I confesse the speare nor strength of the Horse but thine owne power that ouercommeth for vs. Vouchsafe therefore Oh Lord thine holy Angell to goe with me let him goe before me to direct me to saue me preuenting me from all daungers as he did thy seruant Toby going into a straunge Countrey Conduct me safely sweete God in the name of thy sonne Iesus Christ that my busines may take good successe and I make a safe and prosperous returne without hurte either by the merciles and great waters by wilde Beastes of the fielde saue me from the stroke of Thunder from lightning and tempest preserue and keepe me as the apple of thine eye vnder the shaddow of thy winges from the wayes of the wicked that accomplishing the end of my iourney I may effectually finish and with happy successe ende my busines and by thine omnipotent conduction prosperously returne againe according to thy wil sweet God Amen Oh Lord increase my fayth A thankes giuing after returne At thy returne giue God the prayse Who still conducts thee in thy wayes COnsider what daungers thou hast escaped in passing the pirrilous places of this worlde no place or tyme beeing without his danger And therefore at thy returne eyther vnto thine owne home or to any other place of rest Bee not vnmindfull to giue God hartye and vnfeyned thankes for his gracious protection and fatherly conduction So shall he our heauenly protectour euermore bee mindfull to directe thee in all thy wayes I Thanke thee Oh most louing and most mercifull God that it hath pleased thee to giue mee prosperous and happye returne from thys my iourney escaping dyuers and sundrye daungers which doo abound in all corners of the earth and hast giuen mee such successe in my busines as I trust shalbe for my best and hast of thy goodnes meere mercy brought mee againe vnto myne owne home and dwelling place to recreate my wearied members Also I thank theee Oh mercifull God for protecting and sauing mee thy silly creature from all pirrills as from drowning by water from the stroake of thunder and blastes of lightning from the clawes and iawes of wilde beastes of the feelde and for defending me from theeues robbers and men of blodie conditions which and sundry other mishaps I haue in thys my iourney escaped and whereby I haue bothe seene and hearde of diuers other to haue perished acknowledging it thine onely goodnes thine vnspeakable loue and meere mercy not able sufficiently to prayse thee for the same nor to yeelde sufficient thankes for thy fauour therein To thee sweete Lord be all honoure pray se dominion and glory for euer and euermore Amen Oh Lord increase my fayth A thankes giuing to God the Father God the Sonne and God the holy ghost worthy to be often sayde Giue thankes to God who did vs make And to his sonne so deere Who did our raunsome vndertake With tho'ly Ghost so cleere ALthough we can not sufficientlye prayse God our heauenly father for his exceeding loue in making creating vs in the beginning to hys owne image likenes and that when we were not let vs yet humble our selues with dutifull obedience as good children to a louinge father praying for grace to set forth as much as in vs lyes his praises with Dauid who saide Psam 145. great is the lord meruey lous woorthy to bee praised who made heauen earth the sea al that is therein who keepeth his couenaunt fidelity for euer giuing vs for his son Iesus Christs sake al
hold of thy miracles wonders which thou so apparantly diddest worke to declare and manifest thy selfe to be our redeemer and aduocate and to confirme the same in our heartes by faith as thou diddest in the heartes of thy Disciples who notwithstanding there beeing present with thee continued yet neuerthelesse in darknes and misbeleefe without the working of thine holy spirite in them whereby they confessed thee to be very Christe son of the liuing God and onely sauiour of the world Among all which thy great benefits Oh good Iesus we yeelde thee all possible thankes for that it hath pleased thee to leaue vnto vs after thy departure vnto the right hande of thy father the Lanterne of light the Gospell of comfort the word of trueth the foode whereon our soules may continually feede at full without the which wee had beene left vnto our former darknes walking in error in our wonted ignoraunce And for that thou knowest vs from the beginning to be carryed into blindnes and error wrongfully interpreting the parrables darke sentences of thy gospel through the same thy loue hast left vs a continuall coÌ„forter euen thine holy Ghoste proceeding froÌ„ thy father thee who in the likenes of a Doue discended froÌ„ heauen vpon thee showing himselfe vpon the Apostls in fiery tongues Oh holy ghost our coÌ„forter we yeeld thee most huÌ„ble thanks that through the gift of thy grace we haue our harts prepared our vnderstaÌ„ding lightned mouthes opened to conceiue rightly thy word to declare abroad the wonderfull thinges of thy lawe and to manifest the secrete misteries of the kingdome of God Thou â—rt the true light and the light of trueth without the which it is impossible to please God the father nor haue accesse to God the Sonne who together with thee Oh holy ghost are but one God in esseÌ„ce though three in person Make our heartes pure make vs cleane sanctifye vs and seale vs among the number of the electe and chosen that when wee shall approche vnto the seate of iudgment we may receiue through the merittes of Iesus Christ not onely the stipende of seruants but the rewarde of obedient children euen the inheritaunce of the kingdome of heauen There to rest with thee Oh Father our maker with thee sweete Iesus our Sauiour and with thee Oh holy ghoste our comforter and sanctifier for euer and euer To whome bee all prayse and eternall glory world without ende Amen Oh Lord increase our fayth A praier to be saide before the receiuing of the Communion THere is sayde sufficient in a certaine exhortation set downe in the booke of coÌ„mon prayer to stirre vppe the minds of all well disposed persons willingly and zealously to come to this holy table wher vnto before we come wee ought to addresse and prepare our hearts to put of all rancor mallice wickednes and all kinde of vice with the fruites of the olde man which is disobedience and sinne and to put on the newe man which is righteousnes comming therevnto in a pure cleane hart abounding with loue peace fayth charity that wee may receiue it to our comfort Reade the 11. chap. of the firste Cor. from the 20. verse vnto the 29. and there shall you finde not onely the manner of the institution and celebration thereof but also howe to receiue it with heauenly profit the daunger in the vnreuerent and vnfaythfull receyuing of the same to the cosort of the Godly shame of the wicked SVVeete Iesus sonne of the euerliuing and omnipotent GOD vouchsafe I humblye pray and beseeche thee euen for thy death sake to instill into mine hart the gift of thy grace whereby approching vnto the sweete banquet of thine holy body blood which thou vouchfafest to giue for the redemption of vs miserable sinners I may by faith eate and drinke the same and be made a fitte and faithfull member of thy misticall body laying aside the darknes of olde Adam embracing the light of thine obedience loue and patience that that most preacious bodye of thine bee not giuen not thy blood shed for me in vaine but may direct the whole course of the residue of my life by thine holy spirite according to thine heauenly wil in all thinges that after this life ended I may appeare before the tribunall seate of his high and heauenly maiestie as a faythfull member of thine and enioy that heauenly enhearitaunce which thou our head and guide hast purchased for all true beleeuers in thee Amen Oh Lord increase my fayth At the receiuing of the breade say thus Vouchsafe oh sweet Iesus that as thou hast giuen thy flesh to be the breade of our eternall saluation So vouchsafe to worke in me by a liuely faith that I receiuing the same may be and euermore continue one in thee and thou in me Amen Oh Lord increase my fayth At the receiuing of the cuppe say thus Oh lorde vouchsafe that as thy blood was shed for me a sinner So graunt that it may through a liuely faith wash me from the filth of sinne and renue in mee the fruites of righteousnes that I may become a fitte member of thee liue and dye in thee for euermore Amen Oh Lord increase my fayth A prayer after the receiuing of the Communion VSe not the manner of many who in the day wherein they repayre vnto the holy table of the Lorde doo not onely lightlye esteeme the weightines of the matter but lewdly gyue themselues to wanton companyes gadding heere there to banquets tauerns loosly aboue other dayes giue theÌ„ selues to wanton behauiour but remember thy promise that thou hast made to god to become a new man to 〈…〉 all wantonnes and cleaue vnto godlines of life Be not like the dog that 〈…〉 â—o his vomit or the â—â—w to her wanted wallowing in the dyrt of sinne 〈…〉 â—e holy as your heaueÌ„ly 〈…〉 er is holy Seeke the 〈…〉 me of God and the 〈…〉 thereof and all thinges shall bee gyuen â—â—u and as the true members of Christ in the ende râ—igne with him in eternal glory OH omnipotent most mercifull father I thy silly creature praise thee not able to yeeld thee thanks sufficiently for thine vnspeakable fauour and louing kindnes in feeding mee at this time with the spiritual foode of the body blood of thy sonne our sauior Iesus Christe whom thou vouchsafest to send for our redemptioÌ„ into this miserable world and to giue him euen to the death in remembraunce whereof vntyll his second comming hee hath willed vs to eate his bodye and to drinke hys blood to thende by sayth we should be vnited and knitte vnto his body and beeing washed from all our sinnes to leade a new life vouchsafe I humbly beseeche thee for his sake to endue mee with thine holy spirit wherby heerafter casting aside the workes of darknes I may from hencefoorth walke in the light of thy Gospell in the number of thy chosen wayting faithfully when he shall come
the clowdes with most sweete wordes of comfort but such as haue seene thee euen the poore and little ones to bee sicke and comfortles and haue denyed them helpe releefe and ayde or hungrye and haue with-helde foode Thirstye and haue not giuen drinke naked and haue not clothed them Such sweete Lorde shall suffer hunger colde nakednes and thirst with vnspeakable greefe of conscience which shall neuer haue ende Oh that it woulde please thee therefore Oh mercifull God of thy greate goodnes fauour and louing kindnes to consider of these latter dayes and perrilous times wherein we liue wherein eniquitie hath gotten the vpper hand charity waxing cold and loue banisht from amongst brethren and thy selfe sweete Lorde euen thy poore and little ones the Orphanes and Widowes not onely not releeued not comforted not defended but troden vnder feete neglected and forgotten euen of such as haue aboundaunce Vouchsafe vouchsafe good Lorde according to thy promise to shorten these dayes least also thine elect be seduced with vanitie and forsake thee theyr onely comfort It is come to passe which thou hast sayde That as towardes the Summer trees and plantes of the earth doo budde so before thy comming to make vs so much the more prepared thou hast promised to sende vs foreknowledge by sundry signes and tokens bothe in the earth belowe which hath by thy passing as it were by vs quaked already at thy presence as also by the Sunne and moone other thy creatures apparantly showing thy rodde of vengeaunce to be ouer our heades ready to strike Oh Lorde wee cannot but looke for vtter distruction according to the weight and aboundance of our sins and iniquities vnles it may please thee to show thy mercy for Iesus sake in coÌ„uerting vs we haue sinned we haue gonne astray we haue wrought wickednes in yeelding to the will of the flesh but most sweete Lorde let thy light so shine into our hearts that we may now beginne to seeke onely thy kingdome leaue the darknes of sinne growe to all goodnes and be mortefied as touching the olde man which is corruption dye to the world And remooue sathan that with godly desires we may attayne vnto the perfecte feeling of thy grace that hauing obteined the pure vnderstanding of thy word we may guide our liues by the rule therof that after the finishing of this our pilgrimage we may thorow the merites of thy sonne Iesus Christ enter into thy kingdome of eternall glory there for euer and euer to raigne enioying the sight of thee and to thy name with the rest of thy saintss sing laude and prayse eternally Oh Lord increase our fayth and giue vs grace vnfeynedly to repent vs of our sinnes Amen A praier necessarie to bee sayd after and at the end of all our prayers VOuchsafe Oh Lord and mercifull Father in whose handes resteth the harts of all men who knowest what wee want before we pray what wee will aske before we speake what wee doo in al thinges Vouchsafe to forgiue mine ignorance dulnes and slacke comming vnto thee the fountaine of all health and helpe encrease my faith dayly more and more and kindle in me the perfecte gift of prayer that I may at all times serue thee in trueth and whatsoeuer I haue asked according vnto thy wyll at this time giue me and what I haue omitted vnrequested for my selfe or any for whom thou wouldest we should pray for for thy sonne Iesus Christes sake gratiously graunt for which and for al thinges els necessary for mee and theÌ„ for body or soule I pray thee as thy sonne taught vs saying OVr father which art in heauen hallowed bee thy name Thy kingdome come Thy will be doone in earth as it is in heauen Giue vs this day our daily breade And forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse agaynst vs. And leade vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from all euill Amen Oh Lord increase our fayth and continue the same effectually in me all men vnto the end Amen Great plagues remaine for the vngodly but who so putteth his trust in the Lorde mercy imbraceth him on euery syde Psal. 32. PAule before he would presume to eate gaue thanks Act. 27 35 Christ likewise before hee gaue the bread and Fyshes to them that were wyth hym in the wyldernes yea although he were Lord of all looking vppe to heauen from whence commeth all goodnes blessed it and gaue thankes and brake it vnto them Mat 14. the store beeing small replenished many thousandes and left many Baskets full wherefore take the blessings of God with thankes A prayer before meate OH bountifull GOD vouchsafe to looke downe with thy fauourable eyes of pittie vpon our weaknes and want and giue vs at this time those things which may be to our coÌ„fort sanctifie these thy gifts that our bodyes beeing replenished we may be thankfull and enioy at thy mercifull handes the bread of eternall life to the releefe of our poore soules through Iesus Christ our onely Sauiour Amen God saue and still increase thy flocke Keepe vs within thy folde Vouchsafe to heare when wee doo knocke Oh Lord our strongest holde Preserue our Queene be thou her stay This Realme of thine defend Indue vs with thy grace for aye On thee we all depend Oh Lord increase our fayth WHen God hath fedde your poore bodyes bee not therewith pust vppe with forgetfulnes what he requireth at our handes for his blessings but in a reuerent and deuout manner giue thankes that he may continue his louing kindnes to your comfort vnto the ende A thankes giuing after meate WE thanke thee most bountifull Lord for this thy fatherly feeding our hungry bodies so vouchsafe to feede our silly soules with the breade of eternall life That after this life ended we may ascend where Christ is gonne before Amen Sith God hath fedde our bodyes poore VVhich els would soone decay Remember such as lye at doore Say not their cryings nay God saue his Church our Queene defende this Realme preserue for aye And graunt vs all a godly ende And ioyfull rysing day Oh Lord increase our fayth FINIS A Table to finde out the principall Prayers conteined in this booke A Prayer to Christ. Folio 1. A prayer for the assistaunce of Gods holy spirite fol. eodem A short prayer to the like purpose fo 3 A morning prayer for the working day fol. eodem A short prayer to the like purpose fol. 5 A prayer for the Queene eodem A prayer for the Sunday morning fol. 7 A short prayer to the like purpose fol 9. A confession of sinnes eodem A short prayer to the like purpose fol. 11 A prayer for the euening fol. 12 A short prayer to the like purpose fol. 14. A prayer for the increase of fayth eodem A short prayer to the like purpose fol 17. A prayer against the deuill the world and the fleshe very necessary to be often sayd eodem A short prayer to the same effecte fol. 20. A prayer for the helpe and assistaunce of God in all our dooings and that we doo nothing but in hys feare and due obedience eodem A short prayer to the like purpose folio 23. The sorrowfull sinner afflicted in conscience by reason of his sins may say thus eodem A short prayer to the like purpose fol. 26. A prayer for a competent necessary liuing fo eod A prayer necessary after the hearing of the worde of God folio 29 A short prayer to the like purpose folio 31 A thankes giuing to God for his benefits eodem A deuout prayer or meditation that we may alwais haue consideration that we must dye which as it is good at all times so especially in the time of any common plague or sicknes a godly meditation folio 33. A short prayer to the like purpose fol. 37 A prayer vpon the Lettany or prayer for all men at all times necessary eodem A prayer for the fulfilling of the tenne commaundements fol. 40 A short prayer to the like purpose foli 44. A prayer for the true ordering of worldly titches very necessary for such as God hath endued with the wealth of this world eodem A short prayer to the like purpose foli 47 A prayer to be sayd of a woman with child fol. 48 A short and most necessary prayer alwayes to bee sayd of one with childe folio 49 A thankes giuing to God after the deliuery fol. eod A prayer for wisedome folio 51. A short prayer to the like purpose foli 53 A prayer in misery and trouble fol 54 A short prayer to the like effecte often to be sayde folio 57. A payer to be defended from enemies eodem A short prayer to the like purpose folio 60 A prayer when a man taketh a iourney folio 61. A thankes giuing after returne folio 62 A thankes giuing to God the father God the sonne and God the holy ghoste woorthy to bee often sayde folio 63 A prayer to bee sayde before the receiuing of the Communion fol. 67 A prayer after the receiuing of the communion fol. 68. A deuout meditation or confession of our sinnes with humble request vnto almighty God c. folio 69 A prayer necessary to be sayde after and at the ende of all our prayers fol. 74. A prayer before meate folio 75 A thankes giuing after meate fol. 76 FJNIS ·GOD· ·IS· ·MY· HELPER a 〈…〉 te the rest 〈…〉 Child be de 〈…〉 ying the 〈…〉 prayâ—r and 〈…〉 at the â—ude 〈…〉 prayer