blessed Lawes and Commandments the greatnesse of my sinnes and wickednesse yea I see O Lord my God the whole course of my life to be almost nothing else but a continuall breaking of thy holy Lawes and Commandements The thoughts of my heart eyther in vanitie or else open wickednesse are in number infinite daily in the aboundance of them causing my mouth to speake and my bodie to execute and doe contrarie to thy holie will And againe O Lord I see thy heauie wrath vengeance and iudgement against sin to be intollerable that euen the least wicked thoughtes and most secret cogitations of my heart procureth thy heauy wrath and euerlasting curse the torments of hell and euerlasting fire euen although I had but once in all my life broken any of thy Commandements so much as once in thought And I know O Lord GOD that thou art true and iust and canst not abide sinne and wickednesse but will iustly punish euerie sinne euen with the selfesame torments of hell which thy iustice hath appointed This O Lord my God throweth me downe and euen amazeth me so that I know not what to doe I looke into my selfe viewing mine owne power whether I am able to ouercome this punishment of my sinne or no and I see that all euen the most exquisite punishment which I can deuise of my selfe in whipping of my body as long as I liue wearing Hair-cloth pining my selfe with fasting or any other paine I see I see O Lord that all this punishment is not sufficient for one of my least sinnes because it deserueth euen the euerlasting paines of hell I looke to Heauen I see there is no Saint nor Angell able to abide and ouercome this punishment of sinne I looke to men in this woâ—ld euen to the Popes Treasure that wicked man of sin and I see that neyther his Masse nor Purgatory Pilgrimage Pardons Pennance Satisfactions nor any of such like wicked stuffe alas I see they are nothing for the satisfying for one of my least wicked thoughts seeing the punishment is due by the iust decree and sentence of thy euerlasting cursse Wherefore I am driuen out from my selfe and all that I can doe to seeke this punishment dischargd other wher or els to quaile vnder the burden I see there is no help for me in Angels Saints nor Mortall men but onely in that perfecte man Christ Iesus thy deare Sonne in whom I see the full punishment of my sinne wholy paide satisfied discharged and ouercome death vanquished the paines of hell in victory swalowed vp the cursse satisfied and the eternity of the punishment thorough his euerlasting power ouer-reached This I see O Lord by the eyes of faith being through thy holy spirit wholy assured that all the whole punishment of sinne payd by my Sauiour Christ is not onely paide for other men but euen also for mee and my sinne This assurance of faith beeing thine onely worke in me I beseech thee in mercy to strengthen and increase for I feele it often full of wauering and doubting Grant that I may dayly more and more in my soule and conscience feele my selfe knit and ingrafted into the body of thy Sonne whereby I may be assured that whatsoeuer hee hath done pertaineth to me and is fully and wholy mine that I may through the power of his death feele sinne dayly dye in mee and thorough the power of his resurrection feele my selfe risen from sinne to haue my full ioy and comfort in those things which bee agreeable to thy holy will onely detesting hating and abhorring from my heart all things which be contrary to thy will and pleasure that euen in this life I may still looke for his endlesse ioy felicity vsing the things of this world as though I vsed them not till that good time that it shall please thee to call me to thine euerlasting kingdome of glory there to raigne with my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ for euer and euer Amen A Prayer vpon the Lords prayer The first petition Our Father which art in heauen O Most mighty Lord and eternall God who hast by thy deere sonne Chrtst Iesu our Lord and Sauiour reconciled vnto thy selfe all things in Heauen and earth and in him hast made an euerlasting bonde and Couenant with vs thy faithfull Children that thou wilt not onely be our God but also our most louing and mercyfull Father whereof as a pledge uhou hast giuen vs thy holy spirit of adoption wherby we may with boldnesse and full trust and confidence come to thee by hearty prayer as vnto our most louing and mercyfull Father being assured that thou wilt not deny ought which thou knowest shall be expedient for vs grant wee beseech thee deere Father that being fully perswaded in our hearts of this thy Fatherly loue and affection toward vs we may be stird vp to make our petitions with such an affection ardent desire loue and reuerence to thy Maiesty that our minds be not carried away with by-thoughts creeping in but without all wandring may be fully bent and attentiue to the things we aske and fully staid vppon thy mercifull and iust protection Hallowed be thy name WE then beseech thee deere Father that thou wilt strenghen our hearts with thy holy spirit that considering thou hast made al things for the glory of thy name so we may in all our doings enterprises counsels and purposes cheifely aboue all things seeke thy glory that wee may fully acknowledge thee not onely the Auther of all things but the Ruler Guider and Gouernor of all things both in heauen and earth that we neuer diminish thy incomprehensible glory by attributing vnto our selues any power strength or ability to doe will or thinke that which is good but from our hearts we may acknowledge all our goodnes to come from thee yeelding for the same continuall praise thankesgiuing to thy glorious Name that we neuer by distrusting thy mercyfuâ—l prouidence dishonour thy Name but that euen in our greatest desires we may put our full confidence in thee not looking vpon our weaknes but staying vppon thy power promises by harty prayer flying vnto thee our onely refuge that our whole life may be framed according to thy holy will in all pointes that thy glorious name in vs may be sanctified and that we be not an occasion that thy holy Name be any way blasphemed throgh our wicked life and conuersation The Second Petition Thy kingdome come LEt thy Kingdome most mercifull Father appeare and manifestly be declared in all the world but especially amongst thy Church faithfull Flocke declare thy selfe Lord and King ouer them ruling them by the scepter of thy holy word force of thy holy spirit Encrease the number of faithfull Pastors and Preachers among the people blesse their labours to the increase of this kingdome of thy deere sonne Iesus Christ and to the destruction of the kingdome of Sathan and Antichrist Suppresse the rage of the Enemies that they mâ—y
and feeling faith for we feel it oftentimes in vs very weake and troubled with many doubtes Increase it in vs O Lord that wee may through thy holy spirit bee assured that the punishment of our sinne is fully in thy Sonne discharged Make vs O Lord our God to feele the same in our soules and consciences that Iâ—sus Christ is ours and all that hee hath done that we are ingrafted into his body and made one with him and therefore fellow-heires with him of euerlasting life Let vs not onely haue these words in our mouths good Lord but through thy holy Spirit let vs feele the comfort of them in our hearts fully sealed setled in vs that we feeling our selues inwardly before thy Iudgement seate discharged and our consciences towards thee appeased may bee swallowed vp with an vnfained loue towards thy heauenly Maiesty and towards our Bretheren for thy sake Make sinne to die in vs daily more and more that wee may hate detest and vtterly abhorre all sinne and wickednesse in all men but especially in our selues that wee mâ—y strongly through thy holy Spirit sette our selues in open defiance against all sin and wickednesse that wee please not our selues in our sins but straightly examining sin by the iust rule of thy holy Lawes wee may vtterly from the bottome of our hearts condemne euen the least sinne in our selues hauing our whole ioy comfort and consolation vpon those things which bee agreeable to thy blessed will alwaies being afraide to doe any thing contrary to the same that wee may euen from the bottome of our hearts examine and try our thoughts before thy presence that they bee vpright vnfained not hypocritical in outward shew only appearance but that euen all the corners of our hearts being opned and disclosed before thee we may euen as though it were openly before the face of the whole world bring them in shew knowing that a double heart is destitute in thine eyes and that wee may walke alwayes as before thine eyes not onely before the eyes of man being more carefull to walk circumspectly in this respect that we haue thee to be a viewer of our doings a thousand fold more then the eyes of man That thus wee may walke as becommeth thy Children not onely in outward shew but also in sincerity of hart abhorring euen the least sinne in our selues striuing resisting and fighting against sinne not nourishing the same in our breast but earnestly embracing and studiously seeking after those things which bee pleasant in thine eyes that neyther the feare of man nor losse of goods life landes possessions or friends draw vs away from thee to doe anie least thing contrary vnto thy will and pleasure neither the fauour and friendship of man nor yet the flattering enticements of this World nor the vaine promotions of the same do mooue vs â—ny whit from the true and endlesse ioy delight pleasure which we ought to haue in those things which be agreeable to thy will and the constant performance of the same but that alwayes to the end of our life wee may continue in thy pathes growing and increasing from faith to faith from strength to strength till at length we shall come to thine euerlasting rest Amen ¶ A Prayer for the prosperous estate of the whole Church O Lord our God and heauenly Father forasmuch as by thy holy word we are commanded in our Prayers not onely to be mindefull of our selues but also of all other thy children yea euen of our enemies wee commend vnto thy diuine Maiestie all thy whole true and Catholicke Church and euery member thereof that as it hath pleased thy goodnesse by the bright beames of thy holy word to shine ouer the whole world whereby thou hast expelled driuen away caused to vanish the darke and misty cloudes of ignorance and superstition so thou wouldest vouchsafe by thy holy Spirit to touch the hearts of men that they may ioyfully imbrace that thine so high a Treasure sent amongst vs that through our vnthankefulnesse wee prouoke not thy Maiesty in anger to take it from vs. Crush bruise and destroy with the breth of thy mouth the mightie power of that man of sin which so proudly exalteth himselfe aboue al that is called God Let not thy simple flocke deere Father in whose consciences he so long time hath yet doth sit as God bee any longer poisoned with his sweet inticing poisons but so lighten their harts that they may perceiue his iuglings embrace the sweet and comfortable doctrine of life euerlasting reuealed in thy glorious Gospell And forasmuch as it hath pleased thee in mercy aboue all Nations of the earth to powâ—e down the sweet showers of thy heauenly graces vpon this our English Nation aboundantly in more plentifull wise watering the same with the giftes of thy holy Spirite in promoting thy Gospell and ouerthrowing Idolatrie we beseech thee continue thy fauour towards the same and vttery roote out all Remnants Reliques and Monâ—ments of Idolatrie that thy glorious name may be throughly exalted in sincere pure and holy worship And as thou hast in mercie from amongst vs in this thy Church vtterly banished all false venomous and poisonfull doctrine wherewith the soules of thy Children heretofore haue beene wounded â—o death and in place thereof hast placed the true and comfortable doctrine of life euerlasting wherewith the soules of thy children may be fedde and norished to euerlasting ioy so in like mercie and fauour we beseech thee deare Father establish in the same thy Church a true perfect and sincere regiment therof according to the prescript rule of thy blessed Word all fantasies of mans brains and dreames of humane policie vtterly abolished that thy glorious Maiesty onely may be exalted in the light of thy glorious Gospel and that thy Church may flourish increase being through thy protection aided supported maintained and defended we beseech thee â—â—thy holy Spirit guide and rule euery part and member thereof especially thy seruant Iames our King whome thy gracious fauor and mercifull prouidence hath appointed a cheefe member of the same vnder whose winges next vnto thy protection it hath a cheefe succour and support Grant vnto him O Lord a pure and perfect zeale aboue all things to promote thy glorie first cheeflie in labouring and endeuoring of himselfe earnestlie in wiping away and purging out of the Church all blots and deformities to reduce the same to a pure sincere forme of worshippe agreeing to thy blessed word vtterly to remooue all stumbling blockes which stay and hinder the course of thy Gospell Giue in like manner O Lord GOD the spitit of wisedome discretion gouerment that with equitie and iustice he may see this whole Realme which thou hast committed to his charge peaceably quietly gouerned that hee may studiouslie labour that as well through the whole Realme vertue be exalted vice abandoned as especially in his owne house and Court that all wicked
seeing that I erre as a child before such a Father which canst not but off thy Fatherly pitty and compassion but rather as thou hast bought mee vnto thee to bee an heire of thy kingdome by the bloud of thy naturall Sonne my Sauiour Iesus Christ so am I sure that thou wilt lighten mee in the end with full fruition of the bright light of thy countenance that I may see thee and know that as this thy Sonne knoweth thee yea see thee and know thee my Father face to face to know thâ—e as I am knowne Thus rest I onely in thy hands O my God crauing of thee to encrease my knowledge in thy holy word whereby I may know thy good will pleasure And knowing the same giue mee O Lord thy holy Spirit to conduct and lead mee in the same all the daies of my life that in sinceritie of faith and purenes of liuing and conuersation thy glorious Maiesty bee magnified in mee for euer Giue mee grace therefore most mercifull Father that for so high a treasure left among vs as is this thy most holy word I may be thankfull reuerently embrace accept and esteeme of the same as the most precious iewell in earth bee thereâ—n confirmed more strongly that all things therein contayned to be most certaine and vndoubtedly true not by any mortall man but by thy most holy Spirit in man penned and written to the comfort and behoofe of man that I may most humbly lowly and with most high reuerence submit my selfe thereunto as becometh thy Maiestie and thy word proceeding out of thy most blessed mouth that I may reuerently with humblenesse and obedience read heare and occupie my selfe in the same to the comfort of my soule and encrease of thy glory Lighten mine vnderstanding most deere Father with thy holy Spirit that I may learne cleerely to conceiue and vnderstand the things therein contained which no mortall man can conceiue saue those who haue learned of thee whom thou by thy holy Spirit dost lighten and instruct Guide mee deerâ— Father with thy holy Spirit that hauing the true vnderstanding of the mysteries therein contained I may be fully established and confirmed in the true knowledge of thee my deere Father of thy beloued Sonne Iesus Christ my Lord and Sauiour throughly in conscience perswaded that I haue my full and perfect saluation life euerlasting in him and through his attonement made through his death and passion that I doe not vainly abuse the knowledge of thy sacred word to satisfie vaine curiositie or bragge of knowledge but onely to the releeuing of my hungry and wounded conscience to the loosing of my fettered soule and the appeasing of my sorrowfull heart that I may to the end of my life walke in sincerity before thee my heauenly Father in the comforts of thy deere Sonne our Sauiour vpholden still by the mercifull power of the holy Ghost to thine euerlasting praise and glory world without end Amen A Thanks-giuing after the hearing or reading of the word of God O Eternall God and most mercifull Father I yeeld vnto thee most heartie thankes for all thy benefits bestowed vppon mee especially that it hath pleased thy heauenly goodnesse to shine into my heart through the light of thine holy Spirit in the Mysteries of thy holy word and that thou hast framed my heart and mind to take such vnspeakeable ioy and comfort in thy most blessed holy word and the embracing of my saluation therein offered vnto mee For these thine vnspeakable mercies I beseech thee O Lord make mee thankfull that I may acknowledge the great benefit thereof and esteeme of so inestimable a treasure aboue all earthly possessions or treasures And O Lord my God for so much as I wander in this present life among many and infinite dangers whereby I am euery moment in perill of sliding backe and falling from this feruent zeale of thy euerlasting truth which thou hast kindled in my brest if otherwise thou doe not stay mee by thy mercifull hand and for so much as I learne out of thy most blessed and holy word that it is not sufficient to haue begunne well vnlesse I continue to the end not sufficient to hold my hand to the plough and looke backe I craue at thy hands in the name of thy beloued Sonne my Lord and Sauiour Christ that this thy worke which thou hast begun in mee thou wilt in mercy encrease in me more and more and continue it euen to the end of my life that I doe not waxe cold secure dull or faint but continually encreasing in true zeale I may still more and more be delighted with reading hearing and meditating of thy holy word I may thereby also daily encrease in true knowledge of thy blessed will from faith to faith that I may euen from the bottome of my heart so sincerely professe thy true Religion that all hypocrisie vaine-glory and fained holinesse vtterly through thy holy Spirit rooted out of my heart I may onely hold my selfe contented that I may haue the eyes of thy Maiesty beholding my inward heart minde whereby I onely studying to be allowed before thy Maiesty may vtterly reiect all the vaine praise of men which might puffe mee vp or the scoffing iests taunts or reproches of the vngodly which might else driue me downe To this end O Lord my God that I may encrease and daily more and more be confirmed in thy mercies begun in mee I beseech thee stirre vp true sincere Preachers and Messengers who daily may stirre vp my minde and heart otherwise by nature dull to the ioyfull embracing of the glad tidings of peace Leaue mee not destitute O Lord my God of the meanes which thou hast appointed for the encrease of a liuely faith true zeale which meane is onely the Ministery of thy blessed and holy word but make mee alwaies carefull for the seeking of it and so prouide O Lord my God that I may alwaies haue it comfortably receiue it and sweetly digest it Keepe mee by thy holy Spirit O Lord that I neuer be seduced by erronious doctrine but that onely I may giue eare vnto thy voice that cleauing onely vnto thee I may in this present life which thou hast giuen mee so occupy my selfe and vse this good time which thou hast appointed that I may still looke for the comming of thy deere Sonne to receiue mee into the euerlasting rest prepared for all the elect and chosen whereby I shall for euer remaine together with my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ to whom with thee the holy Ghost be all honor and glory world without end Amen A Prayer before the receiuing of the Sacrament O Lord Iesus Christ which art the sweete comfort of all that call vpon thee and the sure succour of all such as sue vnto thee behold mee a most sinfull creature and foule offender which bowing the knees of my heart with all humilitie before thee confesse vnfainedly that I am
vnnecessary luggage and fretting cares nor setting vp my rest in any present Inne of outward happinesse or inward means therto but still casting away euery thing that presseth down and the sinne that hangeth so fast vpon me I may run with ioy the race that is set before looking vnto Christ Iesus the Authour and finisher of my Faith and so by him seeing within the rule into the glory that is set before mee I may despise the shame and waite with patience the great recompence of Reward That so neither riches may daunt my Faith by presuming too farre nor depth may quayle it by stooping too low That Principalities may not shake it by force of tentation nor Powers ouercome it by their violent impressions that neither things present may abase it by groueling thereon nor things to come may deiect it by doubtings or false feares That neither life may corrupt it by doting thereon nor death may confound it by vnpreparednesse thereto That nothing may separate me from the loue of God in Iesus Christ in whom by Faith I am more then Conqueror ouer all things Thus grant mee gracious God to walke by Faith and not by sight And that I may receiue the end of my Faith euen the saluation of my soule Oh keepe me by thy mighty power through faith vnto saluation and guide me by the word of Faith in all my wayes that I may not leane to mine owne wisdom bur to thy sure Word as to a Light shining in a dark place that so I may daily grow in knowledge and in the grace of Iesus Christ from Faith to Faith filled with all ioy and peace in beleeuing abounding in all fruits of righteousnesse and perfect holines that so I may be perfect and intyre wanting nothing waiting for the appearance of Iesus Christ that so my Conuersation being in heauen an entrance may bee thereby made vnto me into the euerlasting kingdom of thy deare Sonne euen to take possession by faith in this life therof and to see a farre off by faith into the fulnesse of that glory that so I may fight the good fight of Faith and lay hold of eternall life in full assurance of what I haue alreadie the earnest of by Faith and so in that hâ—pe daily purging my selfe of all wickednesse of the Spirit and of the Flesh that I mâ—y grow vp to perfect holinesse in thâ— fauor of GOD waiting daily by Faith the adoption of the sonnes of God and laboring to attaine the resurrection of the dead that so I may bee kept blamelesse in Soule Body and Spirit vnto the comming of my Sauiour Iesus Christ Grant these things gracious Father euen for his sake in whome thou art well pleased Iesus Christ the righteous To whome with thine owne blessed Spirite one glorious Vnitiue Trinity be glory and prayse Dominion now and for euer Amen A Prayer to feele in heart Spirituall comfort and the liuely sence of our Adoption by Faith O Lord God most mercifull Father now I fully perceiue know that the heart of man is not in his owne hand for thou hast taught mee by diminishing thy Spirit of comfort in my heart that it resteth wholie in thy power to make ioyfull the heart of man and to diminish the same ioy according to thy good pleasure and will For if O God it had beene in mine owne power and will to haue receiued comfort in thy holie word or to haue beleeued thy promises from my hart I would long since haue enioyed comfort and beene confirmed in faith but I cannot most mercifull Father it is thy meere worke I looke therefore O gracious God for thy blessed comfort strength of faith which I beseech thee O Lord send into my heart to fill the same with spirituall ioy that by the working of thy holy Spirit in mee the comfortable promises of thy mercifull protection may be throughly sealed in mine heart and sinke downe deep into my soule that I may be fully assured that thou art my strong rocke and house of defence that thou dost keepe mee as the apple of thine eye as thou hast promised in thy blessed word that thou wilt not lay more vppon mee then thou wilt giue mee strength to abide and that thou wilt assuredly at thine appointed time renew my heart the whole powers of my mind that I may fully glorifie thy holy name But in the meane time O Lord alas my heart is cleane voyde of spirituall ioy yea euen as hard as a stone so that the louing promises of thy holy word although I know them to bee true yet they cannot sinke into my hard stony heart vntill such time as thou by encreasing of thy holy Spirit to me shalt mollifie and make tender my hard heart that it may bee meete to receiue the sweet comfort of thy Spirit Thy holy Spirit O Lord in mee which is the assurance of my saluation doth continually send forth vnspeakable sighs and longings for thy full ioyfull presence I beseech thee therefore deere Father for thy Sonne Christ Iesus sake harken vnto my prayers and grant my requests make tender my hard and stony heart by thy holy Spirit that I may from the bottome of my heart acknowledge thee to bee my most mercifull God and Father and all things in thy holy word contained to be most certaine and true reuerently embrace the same and into my soule take comfort and ioy in the same that I may deere Father euen vnto my liues end walke before thy face in sinceritie of heart being assured of my saluation through that one alone sufficient sacrifice for my sinnes made by thy deere Sonne Christ Iesu to whom with thee and the holy Ghost bee all honor and glory world without end Amen A Prayer against doubting to strengthen a weake Faith and to perseuere therin GLorious and mightie Lord who by â—hy Soueraigne All-sufficient power as thou madest al things of nothing so thou callest those things which are not as if they were and dost command light to shine out of darkenesse that so wee might bee translated out of darknesse into this maruelous light Holy Father it is thine vnspeakable mercy that I thy most vnworthy seruant being once the child of hell yea darknesse it selfe am now through thy free grace illightning mine heart by Faith enabled to behold thy face in Iesus Christ and so through this light am become light in the Lord being enabled by faith to discerne the great Mystery of Christ and so by faith to lay hold thereon as to bee freely thereby discharged from the guilt of my sinne and to be inuested with the perfect righteousnesse of my Sauiour that so I might bee found acceptable vnto thee Holy Father how vnspeakable herein haue beene thy mercies to me a vilde sinner that passing by the wise and noble of the world it hath pleased thee of thy free grace to visite mee a very reprobate branch with thy sauing health and to
that he seeth not the wickednesse that hee committeth And therefore Lot being drunke perceiued not his incestuous fact committed with his two Daughters The Israelites swelling in gluttony and drunkennesse perceiued not their grieuous sinne of Idolatry which they fell into The rich glutton drunken with the aboundance of all things perceiued not his contempt of the poore nor yet their great want and therefore thou in thy great wrath tookest him away from the face of the earth By these and the like exampes of thy Iudgements grant O heauenly Father that I being admonished may bee carefull and studious neuer to bee culpable in this filthy vice least in thy wrath thou depriue mee of the vse of thy creatures in this life and in the world to come giue mee my portion with the wicked in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone that neuer shall be quenched This is the reward thou threatnest in thy holy word to all drunkards gluttons and ryotous persons saying by the mouth of the Apostle neither whoremongers adulterers gluttons drunkards nor such like shall euer enter into the kingdome of heauen Wherefore most deere Father I beseech thee to deliuer me in mercy that I neuer bee stayned therewith but may alwayes vse thy giftes to thy glory the releefe of mine owne necessities and the helpe comfort of others that doe want the same And grant that I seeking after not onely this corporal food which perisheth but also that sweet Ambrosia and heauenly Nectar the word of life which neuer decayeth may after the end of this life haue the full fruition thereof to my eternall comfort and for euer laude and praise thy blessed name through Iesus Christ our Sauiour and Redeemer Amen A Prayer against idlenesse and sloth MOst holy Fathâ—r after thou haddest created man thou placedst him in paradise commanding him for the avoyding of idlenesse to dresse and manure the same And afterward being cast out of paradise for the sinne of transgression and sent into the world thou enioynest him in the sweat of his face to eate his bread to the end he should not at any hand be idle and so minister occasion to the enemie to inuade him for man being idle and inclined to sloath the diuell he besiegeth vs with a thousand of temptations our flesh lusteth to euill our minds are inflamed to all kinde of wickednesse Wherefore most mercifull Father I most heartily beseech thee that duting the short course of my life in this world I may be alwaies godly occupied and vertuously exercised in the affayers of this life and in all manner of good workes before thee that my enemies the Diuell the World nor the Flesh preuaile not against me And considering that I must render account of all my actions whatsoeuer and of euery minute of an houre or iotte of time lent mee in this life I beseech thee giue me grace to spend my time in such godly actions as may please thee not in idlenes sloath or in any wanton lewd lasciuious or wicked exercise that being found faithfull and vigilant in my calling when the day of Tribulation commeth when euery man shall be rewarded according to his deeds I may obtaine euerlasting life And as it may please thee to keepe my body from idlenes sloath so vouchsafe I beseech thee to exercise my soule in godly contemplations and vertuous Meditations of thee and of thy holy and blessed word together with the heauenly ioyes and beatitudes prepared for all those that vnfeignedly long for thy comming In the practising whereof make mee to loue nothing but thee to honor and obey thee to feare dread and reuerence thee and to desire and couet nothing but thee that I dwelling with thee in minde onely during this life may after the dissolution of this earthly tabernacle dwell with thee both in body and soule world without end through Iesus Christ our Lord and onely Sauiour to whome with thee and thy holy Spirit bee all praise and glory now and for euermore Amen A Prayer against Infidelitie and dispaire necessarie for a troubled and wounded spirit GLorious Lord God and our most tender Father in Iesus Christ in whom thou hast elected vs before all worlds to life and glorie and in thy due time hast called vs to a liuely hope of eternall happinesse that we might walke before thee in holinesse and righteousnesse and in thine infinite wisedome hast so disposed of vs in this estate of holinesse that thou maiest haue the glory of thy free grace and therefore as thou hast discharged vs freely of the guilt of our sinne by the blood of thy Sonne and accepted vs perfectly righteous in his obedience so also thou hast left corruption in vs to be daily maistered and subdued that so being thereby daily conscious of our owne vnworthinesse and vnsufficiency and subiect in regard thereof to much distraction and infidelity wee might learne still to liue by faith in the Sonne of God denying our owne righteousnesse that still we may be found in him to the glorious praise of his free grace and so may bee keept by his mighty power through faith vnto saluation Looke graciously vpon me thine vnworthy seruant who doe here vnfeignedly acknowledge before thee that thy Foundation stands sure thou knowest who are thine yet my faith is so weake that I ofttimes am to seeke whither I am thine or no. For such is my ignorance of what I should know that I sometimes grope at the light in the noone day neither knowing the worth of my holy calling nor being able to vse the meanes which may truly informe me therein but somtimes ouer value mine estate as if it were better with mee then it is and sometimes abase my selfe to bee worse then indeed I am or should be And my corruption sometimes breaking out into grosse rebellion doth so hinder and obscure my spirituall eye of faith that I can neither truly discerne whereto I am come neither can see afarre to what I should attaine yea many times it fareth so ill with me that for want of speedie endeauour to recouer my selfe by repentance I doe not onely plunge my selfe deeper into the snare of sinne by not applying the true remedie aright or stumbling vpon vaine helpes but hereby many times am cast into such straights that I not onely question all former truth of thy grace as if I were no better then an hypocrite and had builded on the sands but also am ready to giue ouer all hope of attaining the same as if either it did not belong vnto me or else it were too late to pursue and apprehend the same as if thou hadst forgot to be mercifull because I feele my selfe so miserable as if thy compassion were cleane gone because my rebellion seemes so desperate Hence it is O my God that I turne all thy comforts to be corrasiues vnto me and esteeme all thy threatnings no better then flashes of hell and enterances to eternall vengeance
know that thou O Lord dost raigne in al ages to the behoofe of thy Church and terror of thinâ— enemies Grant these mercies good Lord not onely to a whole Church in generall but especially to euery one of vs thy Children particularly grant that we may affectually feele the force of this thy kingdome in our hearts Beat downe in vs our old Adam with all sinfull delights thoughts motions and desires and renew in vs day by day our spirituall and inward Man that we may be wholly bent to delight thinke desire doe those things which bee acceptable in thy sight The third petition Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heauen FRame our hearts good Lord with such humble obedience to thy holy will that we may be hartily well content with whatsoeuer it pleaseth thy goodnes to lay vpon vs that we neuer cease in our miseries but continually call on thee by harty prayres athough wee feele no release at all yet that still patiently we may abide and quietly wait for thy good leysure and appointed time of deliuerance when thou knowest it shall be most expedient for vs. The fourth petition Giue vs this day our dayly bread GRant vs deare Father that all our Counsels studies labours and endeauors being by thy holy spirit guided and framed we may euery one in that vocation in which thou hast placed him so fairhfully trauaile to the discharging of our Consciences and edyfying of thy Church that our account may be found acceptable before thy Throne Iudgement seate So blesse our labours and trauailes that we may haue sufficient for the preseruing of this present life and be content with those benefits which thou shalt bestow vppon vs whether they be many or few acknowledging them to be receiued of thee not greedily to care for them or vainely to delight in them and thankefully esteeme of them as thy benifits bestowed vpon vs and as faithfull Stewards moderately to vse them to the releefe of our bretheren and discharge of our consciences The fift petition Forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse aginst vs. ENcrease in vs O Lord the gifte of Faith that we may daily more more in our Soules and consciences be assured that our sins be defaced cleane blotted out and couered with the full perfect and sufficient sacrifice of thy deare sonne Christ Iesu our Lord and Sauiour once made for vs that we are vnited knit and made one body with him partakers of his righteousncs iustification and holynesse and euen fellow-heirs with him of euerlasting life that wee may vnfainedly from the bottome of our hearts loue thee for this thine vnspeakeable goodnes and mercy forgetting from our hearts our Bretheren that do offend vs pray for them loue cherish and comfort them as fellow members all of one body with perfect naturall loue and compassion linked together vnto our head Christ Iesus The sixt petition Lead vs not into temptation STrengthen vs good Lord with thy holy Spirit that we be not ouercom with the subtle suggestions and sinfull motions of Sathan the diuel hold vs vp with thy merciful hand that we sleepe not in sinne that we be not drawne away with the wicked world nor the enticâ—ments of the flesh to delight in Wickednesse but so arme vs vvith thy mightie power that wee may strongly abide all the assaults and subtile sliâ—hteâ— of our ghostly enemy and sincerely to walke befoâ—â—â—â—ces both in prosperity and aduersity to thy honour and glory the health of our souls and profite of thy Church through Iesus Christ our only Lord and Sauiour Amen The Lords Prayer more at large The first Petition Our Father which art in Heauen MOst mighty and eternall Lord God who of thine infinit loue to mankinde hast giuen vs thine owne eternal Sonne Christ Iesus our Lord to be made man for vs in the similitude of sinnefull flesh to become flesh of our flesh bone of our bones in all things like vnto vs sin onely excepted who beeing thy true and naturall Sonne hath made vs with him sons children and heyres to thee our most merciful Father giuing vs by thy grace that which is his by Nature And by his due alone once suffered sufficient Sacrifice hath payde the ransome of our sins before thy diuine Maiestie to satisfie thy iustice vppon sinfull flesh Which debt being paide for vs he hath brought vs in fauor with thee so that we may now with boldnesse and trust come to thee as vnto our most mercifull and louing Father with full assurance that as thy soule is so much greater and more excellent towards vs then all loue of eatthly Parents toward their Children as thou passest all men in goodnesse and mercie so thou wilt deny vs nothing which shall be expedient for vs. So that although all the Fathers that are in earth hauing shaken off all seeing of Fatherly naturalnesse would forsake their children yet wouldest thou neuer forsake vs beecause thou canst not deny thy selfe Who promisest that if earthly Fathers being euill can giue good giftes to their Children how much more wilt thou our heauenly Father being altogether goodnes it selfe giue good things to them that aske in thy Sons name And that although a Mother should forsake her Children yet wilt thou not forsake vs thy children whoÌ„ thou hast before the beginning of the World in thy deere Sonne Iesus Christ chosen to be thy children heires with him of thine immortall Kingdome Whereof that we our selues might bee sure and certaine and out of al doubt that we are the children â—nd heyrs of euerlasting life thou hast giuen into our hearts thy holy Spirite as a true pledge and earnest of our inheritance which Spirit doth assure our spirites that we are thy children and thou therefore crieth in our hearts Abba Father Graunt this for thy deere Sonne Iesus Christ our Sauior Amen The Second Petition Hallowed bee thy Name WEe therefore as thy deere Children ransommed and bought by thy deere Sonne flye to thee our most louing â—nd merciful Father who in goodnes art infinite in mercie abundant in substance incomprehensible in immortality euerlasting who by thy mightie power and singulare prouidence rulest all things according to thy heauenly Wisedome beseeching thee for thy deere Sonne Christ Iesus his sake that as thou hast sufficiently set forth thy glorious name in making and framing the whole world heauen earth and all the things therin contained so we may in beholding viewing thy Creatures the works of thine hands may be lifted vppe to thee our Lord God the Creator and maker and in them glorifie thy holy name acknowledging in them thy singular goodnesse and loue towards man for whose vse thou hast created all thinges both in heauen and earth that we may for the same euen from the bottome of our harts yeeld due honor praise and thankesgiuing vnto thee deere Father all the daies of our life Grant most mercifull Father that wee may in
so to keepe vs vnder that wee more effectually may giue our selues to serue thee Or if it bee thy will and pleasure more abundantly to blesse vs and our trauaile to send vs abundance of all things wee beseech thee deare Father giue vs a thankfull heart to acknowledge them to bee thy good giftes and frame our hearts with such liberality that wee may be contented to distribute them according to the necesity of thy children being assured that thou hast to this ende made vs Stewards ouer them that maist at his hands require much on whome thou hast bestowed much so that we hauing the due estimation of thy benefits which we ought to haue may both reuerence thy goodnesse in thy benefits and supply the want of our bretheren to the releefe of their necessity and furtherance of thy glory The fift petition Forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse against vs. AND whereas most mercifull Father thy Sonne our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ hath in our nature paide the ransome and debt of all our sinnes which wee haue from the beginning of our life committed and do dayly commit wee beseech thy gracious gooodesse that thou wilt by thy holy spirit in our hearts assure our soules and consciences with a liuely faith that by that same one onely sufficient sacrifice the punishment of our sinnes is paide thy wrath appeased and thy Iustice satisfied whereby our consciences may be quieted set at peace with thee our mercifull Father and God Let vs deare Father feele in our soules and consciences that wee are vnited to thy deare Sonne Iesus Christ and made one body with him and heires with him of euerlasting glory so coupled and ioyned with him that wee are members of his body so that whatsoeuer hee hath done in his body wee may bee assured that it is ours that his righteousnesse is our righteousnesse his sanctification and holinesse is ours the curse condemnation and death which hee suffered is the same curse condemnation and death due for our sinns that wee know that our sins bee done away and cleane forgotten and forgiuen by thy mercifull loue goodnesse declared in offeâ—ing vp thy Sonne to death for vs wee may be driuen to loue thee vnfainedly from the bottome of our hearts for this thine vnspeakable loue And considering that thou hast in mercy pardoned so many our haynous offences we may gladly bee moued to forgiue one another their offences and put out of our heart all rancour malice hatred toward ouâ— Bretheren knowing that we are all members of one body Christ our Sauiour that so surely as we haue forgiuen them that offend vs we may be so certainely assured that our mercifull Father hath forgiuen vs like as we haue forgiuen our Bretheren The sixt petition Lead vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill ANd for as much most heauenly Father as we of our selues bee feeble and fraile and weak and haue a strong and subtile Aduersarie Sathan the Diuell who goeth about continually like a roaring Lyon seeking whome hee may deuoure we beseech thee strengthen vs by thy holy Spirit that wee may withstand his subtle suggestions and motions hold thou vs by thy mercifull hand and keepe vs alwaies in thy safegard and protection that wee be not ouercome in the mighty assaults of our aduersary And forasmuch as he often vseth euer our owne flesh armed against vs to conquer vs we beseech thee deare Father mortifie subdue and kill in our flesh all subtle suggestions and sinfull motions of Sathan that we yeeld not our selues as slaues thereunto but continually fight against them and bring them into subiection of the Spirit Grant vnto vs deare Father that we may not be drawne through the subtile and sliely torments of Sathan to haue our delight pleasure in the vanities of this world but by thy grace might and power may so in the prosperity of this life bee vpholden that our minds with full ioy and comfort may be lifted vp to our perfect consolation in our Lord and Sauiour Christ and in him take our full and perfect ioy and consolation so that no vaine delight of this world put vs from the same neyther any sharpe aduersaty as pouerty misery or calamity through the malice of the diuell driue vs to dispaire of thy mercifull goodnesse towards vs but alwaies being through thy grace and assistance defended we may be fully perfectly armed against all the subtile intrappings of Sathan and rest wholy in thy mercifull defence and aide For thou hast O Lord and eternall God in thy gouernment all things in heauen and earth all power dominion ouer all creatures Angels and diuels to rule them according to thy good pleasure and will to the profit and commoditie of thy Church and euery faithfull member thereof and to thine incomprehensible glorie that in all things in all ages for euer and euer thy glorious Name may be exalted and thy faithful flocke edified thâ—ough Christ our Lord Amen A Confession of sinnes with Faith and Repentance O Mercifull and heauenly Father we thy Seruants doe humbly pâ—ostrate our selues before thy Maiesty acknowledging here in thy sight our haynous offences committed against thy Maiesty seeing and beholding thy heauie wrath against them wee feele our selues laden O Lord our God with a huge company of horrible sins whereof the very least beeing but conceiued in thought is sufficient in iudgment to throw vs downe to the euerlasting burning lake Our owne consciences O Lord do beare witnesse against vs of our manifold transgressions of thy blessed Law of our security sencelesse blindnesse running headlong to destruction committing sinne after sin although not notorious to the world yet horrible before thine eyes The thoughts of our harts rise vp in iudgement against vs the vanity of our talke before thy Maiesty condeÌ„neth vs the wickednesse of our deeds from thy sight reiecteth vs all our wicked thoughts words and deeds with the inward corruption of our nature doe altogether as it were a whole lumpe loade of sinne lye heauy vpon vs and with their intollerable waight doe euen presse vs downe to Hell Wee doe daily groane vnder the burthen of them inwardly lamenting our owne folly too greedily running into them In heauen earth or hell wee see none able to sustaine the waight of them but euen thy dearely beloed Sonne Iesus Christ who in mercy infinite and compassion endlesse hath sustained and ouercome that endlesse punishment due vnto them in him therfore in him most mercifull Father and through him we come to thee being fully assured according to thy promise that thou wilt accept take that full recompence which hee thy deare Sonne hath made for vs as a iust ransome for the sinne of all those who with a true Faith take hold on him In him therfore we see thine anger towardes vs appeased thy wrath satisfied and our debts paide Increase in vs good Lord wee beseech thee this liuely
illustrious Prince Palatine the Lady Elizabeth with their Princely Issue Blesse the Lords of his Maiesties most honourable Priuie Counsell the Magistrates Ministers of this Land Shower downe thy blessings O Lord vpon both the Vniuersities and all Schooles of Learning Comfort all those that bee afflicted with any kind of crosse that they may profit by thy correction to newnesse of life And lastly gracious Lord God we come vnto thee for our selues heere gathered together rendering vnto thy glorious Maiesty most hearty Thankes which hast hitherto from our infancy presetued vs by thy mercy from all perils and daungers both of soule and body whereunto fraile man is subiect that thou hast sent vnto vs euerie thing necessarie for this present life as health foode apparrell and such like which many of thy deere Children do want being notwithstanding as preciouslie bought with the precious bloud of thy deere Sonne as we be yet be in misery and calamity oppressed with pouertie nakednesse imprisonment and banishment in vvhose case also deare Father thou mightest haue brought vs saue onely that thou dealest herein more fauourably with vs then with them For the which thy louing kindnesse we giue thee hearty thankes desiring thee that as thou hast hitherto thus fauorably in mercie preserued vs by thy protection and euen presently this day hast brought vs past all dangers therof so we beseech thee good Lord in like fauour to behold vs this night that we taking our naturall rest and quietnes may through thy protection bee defended that our Bodies resting our soules may bee occupied in beholding thy fauour and mercie towardes thy Children still looking for the comming of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ for our full Redemption Graunt that our sleepe bee not immoderate according to the lust of our flesh but as much as is sufficient to refresh our weake nature that being thus refreshed both the body and the mind may be more able to doe their seuerall office and Function in that Vocation wherein thou hast placed vs. Grant that we laying our bodies downe to rest mâ—y be thereby put in minde oâ— our long rest of death that as we do now lay down our bodies in bed so we may be therby admonished that heereafter they shall be layde downe in the Graue to bee consumed to dust earth ashes from whence they were taken That we hauing this before our eyes may be stirred vp in minde warily to walke in this our Pilgrimage not knowing when the time shall be of our departure but alwaies to be found readie with ouâ— Lampes of pure faith clearly burning that we may be accepted to meete the Bridegroome when our mortall earthly and corruptible Bodies shall be made like to the glorious body of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ there to reigne with him in perpetuall ioy and consolation together with all the Elect children of God continually lauding with thy Heauenly multitude the glorious Maiesty of thee our Lord God and heauenly Father in our God and Sauiour Iesus Christ For these and whatsoeuer else thou knowst to be needfull for vs and thy whole Church we pray vnto thee as he himselfe hath taught vs saying Our Father c. The Lord blesse vs saue vs the Lord make his face to shine vpon vs and be mercifull vnto vs The Lord turne his fauourable countenance vnto vs and graunt vs his peace The grace of our Lord Iesu Christ the loue of God the Father and the most comfortable Fellowship of God the holy Ghost be with vs preserue and keepe vs this night forth and for euermore Amen A forme of Prayer dayly to bee vsed of all faithfull Christians in their houses or elswhere ALmighty God and mercifull Father in and thorough Iesus Christ our Lord in whom and by whom we trust that thou art our God and Father we most humbly heere prostrate our selues before the Throne of thy Maiestie beseeching thee first good Father and God to pardon all our sinnes which wee confesse and acknowledge against our selues bâ—seeching thy gracious Spirit to worke in vs the knowledge of them daily more and more that thereby we may coâ—e vntâ— true Repentance for them together therewith vnto the knowledge of the heighth bredth depth and fulnesse in all sorts of thy grace and mercie whereby through Iesus Christ thou hast forgotten them and remoued them as farre from vs as the East is from the West And althogh we know by them too well good Lord that wee haue as much as in vs lay lyeth laboured to prouoke thine anger against vs heaping sinne vpon sinne and multiplying offences and transgressions against thy high grace and Maiesty breaking thy holy word Commandements yet thou O Lord hast not beene as Man nor thy affections as the affections of the Sonnes of men but hast continued gracious and mercifull and bountiful vnto vs in pardoning our sinnes and daily renewing in vs with the morning thy graces diuers and manifold Therefore we beseech thee most mercifull Father so to giue vs thy holy Spirit that wee prouoke thee no more that thou rise not against vs to destroy vs as we haue deserued for we haue bene are dry as stubble and yet thou hast not dispersed and consumed vs we haue beene vnfruitfull and thou hast not cut vs downe yea Lord we haue brought forth wild and sower Fruite corrupt and detestable and yet thou lettest thy raine to fall and Sun to shine vpon vs. Make vs therefore wee beseech thee sorry as becometh thy Children for that wee haue disobeyed thee so mercifull and louing a Father and frame vs daily and fashion vs to the likenesse of thy wel beloued Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord that in knowledge and true holinesse wee may glorifie thee before the world and by the fruits of godlinesse and righteousnesse be assured and made certaine of thy holy Spirit and of the loue wherewith thou louest vs. Make vs thankfull deere Father for the infinite vnspeakeable benefites of our election to life and euerlasting glory before all time and for our creation redemption and sanctification in time to bring thy glorious counsell to passe Worke in vs certaine faith and assured hope in thy promises the true feare of thy Maiesty perfect hate and detestation of all disordered and sinfull affections Worke in vs eternal loue of thy trueth and Gospell sincere affection and loue towards thy Children and amongst our selues patience knowledge vertue loue compassion with all graces of thy kingdome that in all on behauiour thou O God mayest be glorified in vs. Also wee beseech thee most mercifull Father for the benefites of this life That as thou art not onely the God of our spirites and soules but also of our bodies so it would please thee notwithstanding our sinnes to grant vs thy blessings of health peace and maintenance of which by thy gracious prouidence some of vs doe feele the want and some of vs haue for long time enioyed
and vsed the same that together with them wee may haue thy Spirit to instruct vs as well in the wants as in the true lawfull vse of them that wee may more earnestly and seriously study and labour in these vocations wherein thou hast set vs through thy great mercy to the promoting and increasing of thy Kingdome to the benefite and comfort of thy Children And wee pray not onely for our selues but beseech thee make vs earnest and feruent in prayer vnto thy Maiesty euen for others also yea for all men that as thou art the Creator of all so thou wouldest mercifully regard them and continue thy gracious goodnesse mercy in adminstring ordering the world so that by no Tyrants nor wicked men that order which thou hast established be ouerthrown but the spring and haruest the raine fruitefull times and the ioy which thou shewest and giuest by them may prouoke all men continually to feare and loue thee yea to seeke thee and finde thee That not in those outward blessings alone but much more in thy Spirit they whâ—me thou hast there-unto ordayned may reioyce in thy Fatherly goodnesse by Iesus Christ And that to this end it may please thee to poure out thy graces vppon men that they may bee instructed and framed meete instrtments for the calling of all such as thou hast appointed to bee of thy Church That these builders may be cunning and expert That these Gardiners may bee wise to plant water with iudgement and discretion that these Stewards of thy mysteries may so behaue themselues in thy Church that they knowing how and wherewith to feede thy house the glory beauty thereof may appeare in the eies of all the world which thou hast before so long time promised and which to see the eyes dazell faint with looking for And although wee know well O Lord that the cause of all miserable disorders deformities and breaches nowe adaies is in our selues which shutte vp thine hand as it were bind thine armes from reaching them out vnto vs for our saluation and comfort yet let the Lord arise and be mercifull vnto Sion haue pitty on the ruines thereof For the time is come our owne Country and people are before our eies continually whose sinne and disorder whose Ignorance and stubbrnoesse whose negligence and contempt of thy word thou hast now long time punished withdrawing thy hand from doing them good For by thy iust iudgment now many yeares thou hast plagued them and vs with idle prophane vnlearned and vnskilfull Pastors Guiders thou hast giuen them but to their ruine Feeders but of themselues not of thy flocke Teachers and Doctors who haue mouthes but speake not eyes but see not neither haue they Iudgement to instruct thy people nor wisedome how to goe out and in before them and that which is most fearefull thy good hand is not wiâ—h those Prophets which are amongest them who do sowe indeed but the earth giueth not her encrease They water but thy plants rise not in any number They feede but thy flocke is poore not fat nor beautifull O let the Lord forget the sinnes of his people Why hath hee bound them vppon his hand to looke vppon them for euer Why hath he set them day and night in the sight of his countenance Wee confesse and acknowledge against our selues O Lord all our sinnes we iudge and condemne our selues yea wee testifie against our selues that we haue deserued that euen those sparkes of thy fire and heauenly light which are amongst vs shold bee quenched and put out that the smoake of thy glory which is still in thy Church amongst vs should rise vp and vanish away from amongst vs as the dew of the morning that the same building which as yet standeth were to bee throwne downe that the Lord shold mount vppon his Chariot and flee from vs. But shall the Lord deale with his people by waight and measure shall hee vse iudgement and not mercy shall our Father forget his Children although we prouoke him shall not the sighes grones of them that bewayle Syon come before him enter into his eares O Lord let the iudgement â—nd seuerity which we haue deserued bee stayed let Chariots and Horses bee loosed let the Armies of the Lord bee discharged and let the Lord vngird himselfe and forgette his counsell and turne and bee mercifull gracious vnto them acknowledge and confesse their sinnes Let the Angels that bee the destroyers goe from before thy face to ouerthrow and cast downe all that standeth to hinder thy glory and to maintaine sinne and Ignorance Pride and Vanity That thy good Angels may follow to mete out and describe all thinges that pertayne to the building of thy Temple Let them lay to it the square and plummet and let all thy people stand and showte and sing glory at the laying of this foundation Let thy Spirit guide all those good Lord that in feare and reuerence before thee walke in their vocation In the Vniuersities and in all parts of the Realme yea of the earth looking labouring for this worke encrease the little mumber as the thousands of Ephraim the tenne thousands of Manasses and those that laugh at and hinder drawe backe this worke let them bee ashamed and confounded and all thy maruelous blessiings be shewed in the successe thereof But let them haue no force nor strength to hinder it so shall Iacob reioyce in thy mercy and Israel in thy euerlasting truth So shall our eies see thy glory O Lord and wee sing perpetually to thy prayse So shall Iesus Christ delight in the beauty of his Church and his people bee a people meete to serue him decked and adorned with his guifts labouring and studying to please him that in them his loue may rest To this end good Lord shew thy mercy vppon all Princes and Magistrates of the earth that belong to thy election turning the hearts of all those that hitherto haue not knowne thy truth but lent their power and might to Sathan and Antichrist to persecute thy people to the great dishonor of thy name That yet now at the last they may bâ—e brought home into thy sheepfold and in stead of persecutors become Nurse-fathers and Nurse-mothers to thy Church But especially wee most humbly beseech thee for all such Princes and Magistrates as haue receiued thy truth And namely for our deare Soueraigne Lord the Kings Maiesty whome thou hast placed ouer vs in this Realme for his most honorable Counsel and all Magistrates therein that thou wouldst augment the graces of thy holy Spirite in him and in them especially the spirit of wisedome counsel and power that hee and they may goe forwarde in the worke of the building vp of thy Church in all obedience to thy will speedily and constantly and perseuerantly that thy people the Sheepe of thy pastours whome thou hast committed to him and their gouernment may godly and peaceably liue
might dayly grow vp in Christ to perfect holines therfore though corruption remaine in mee yet seeing it doth not raigne in mee here is my comfort that I am not vnder the Law but vnder Grace though I am sometimes as no better then lost in my selfe yet this is that I may still deny mine owne righteousnesse that I may be found of thee in Christ for the concerning of present corruption for the auesting of my person in him to bee enabled thereby to perfect holinesse Onely gracious God grant mee heere I pray thee still to iustifie thy wisedome in condemning mine owne folly and to aduance thy free and constant grace in the acknowledging of mine owne corruptions True it is holie Father that as thou madest man righteous at the first but he sought many inuentions to his owne ouerthrow so didst thou so restore me againe by thy power of Christ vnto a more durable state of holinesse that neither shall I euer fall away from thee finally neither though thou hast left corruption in mee yet seeing thy end heerein was to make mee still deny my selfe that I might stand fast in Christ in whom thou hast ingrafted mee therfore neither might I haue falne at al into such feareful distraction if I had kept me close vnto my hold neither though I haue fallen by letting goe my hold yet shall not my falling make thy truth without effect nay rather shall proue a meanes to make good the same And therefore I doe heere vnfainedly acknowledge before thee blessed Lord mine owne folly in letting goe my hold thou hast not beene wanting with all meanes to preserue me vpright but I haue beene wanting to the meanes and so I haue beene wanting vnto thee and to my selfe thou hast willed mee to liue by faith euen when I haue feeling of thy loue and my inward pride hath peruerted thy gracious feeling to make mee liue by sence and behold the Sunne when it shineth and so by peruerting the comfort of thy Spirit as an occasion to the flesh I haue iustly greiued thy Spirit and so thou with drewest thy face from mee and I haue beene troubled Troubled in my soule for the losse of thy fauour troubled of the world by seeking false remedies there from troubled in my Spiâ—it by the confusion of those remedies as breeding some times hardnesse of heart and so bringing forth troubles by exposing to outward euils and hindering in the vse of spirituall remedies sometimes herevpon breeding further trouble and inward horror and anguish of spirit many times laying the axe to the very roote challenging the maine And yet in all this farre lesse then I haue deserued that so I might haue hope in thy free grace for my recouerie And in all this aduancing thy righteousnesse in abasing my folly that so I might still renounce mine owne righteousnesse and labour to bee found in Christ for my recouery and perfection Onely keepe me here holy Father from presumptuous sinne that it may not haue dominion ouer me to turne thy grace into wantonnesse and then lead mee into thy priuy Chamber stay me with thy flaggons that I may not onely not sleepe in death but also awake and sing out of the dust and out of the deepe to admire thine infinite wisdome and to see thee who art inuisible that I may bee raised vp againe O giue me therefore most mighty Lord to condemme mine owne folly for being wise in mine owne eies in turning thy fauour as an occasion to the flesh grant mee to thanke my selfe that of the flesh I haue reaped such confusion and giue thee thankes the more thou hast sustained mee in the graue Grant me out of experience of mine owne foolishnesse to giue thee the glory of thy free goodnesse and out of the experience of thy power in my weaknesse to comfort my selfe that thou wilt returne againe And that thou maist vndoubtedly returne with speed O strengthen my weake faith I humbly pray thee with thy precious promises that thy foundation stands sure whatsoeuer my building may be thou knowest who are thine O let it comfort my fainting spirit that all things shall worke together for the best to those whome thou hast chosen that so I may wisely compare one thing with another things past with things present by those things to come that so I may liue by faith in the iudging of my present estate by looking behind and before and not be cast off my hold either by present temptations or future feares O establish me with thy precious promise that thou wilt keepe me to the end that so I may liue by faith in casting my selfe vppon thy mighty power and committing my selfe in weldoing into thine holy hands Teach mee to deny mine owne wisedome that I may trust perfectly in thy mercy and grant me in things to rely vppon the wisedome of thy word which is able to make mee wise and perfect to saluation Let thy word keepe me in all my waies that I may not decline to the right hand or to the left and let my supplications be alwaies manifest at the throne of grace that so I may be carefull for nothing O let me not in any case greiue thine holy Spirit any more but grant mee to entertaine and cherrish the motions therof by turning them into feruent prayers and conscioaÌ„ble practices seasonable to the occasion weane mee from the loue of the world that I may haue fellowship in thy loue and purge my heart from secret wickednesse that it bee not stolne away from thee keepe mee alwaies close vnto thee that I may not fall into open wickednesse and giue mee grace alwaies to remember my end that I may be still prepared against the comming of my Maister Sauiour Iesus Christ And so still accept me gracious Father as I am in him and not in my selfe as I would be in thee and not what I am in corruption as I shall be with thee not what I am in this present world enabling me still to desire aboue what I can do and to beleeue aboue what I can thinke or desire and so lead mee forward by thy power through the vally of teares that though I somtimes slippe yet I may vp againe though I stray a while yet I may thereby mend my pace follow close after the marke not looking on my selfe mine owne worth or inability but still looking vnto Iesus the Authour and finisher of my faith that so I may in him bee more then Conqueorr and so fighting still the good fight of faith I may finish my course with ioy and lay hold of eternall life in due season And so fil me O God of grace with all ioy in beleeuing that so I may liue by faith that I may bee readier to die in faith and to giue vp my soule by faith into thy holy hands apprehending by faith the Resurrection from the dead that so I may bee translated from death to life
will herein Who am I that Blessed Lord that I should not reioyce that it hath seemed good vnto thee to make mee among other of thy seruants and to set mee as it were my proper taske vpon which to giue my faithfull attendance Grant mee therefore I pray thee not to repine heereat as at some vneasy burthen put vpon me but that I may contentedly and comfortably vnder goe it euen like that glorious creature the Sunne who hauing his Tabernacle set him in the heauens reioyceth like a mighty man to runne his race And seeing thou hast not placed me O Lord in this calling for mine owne pâ—â—uate good alone but also foâ— a more publike and common benefit giue mee such an honest sincere and charitable heart that I may determine with my sâ—lfe neuer to seeke no not yet willingly to receiue that gaine which cometh by the wronging or losse of others Let me euer haue in mind that golden rule whatsoeuer I would that men should do vnto mee of doing euen so vnto them Let it neuer slippe out of my mind that the wages of vnrighteousnesse is put into a broken bagge And that as the good man shall giue inheritance to his Childrens Children so the riches of vanity shall diminish and that thou wilt draw euen out of the belly of the oppressor the suâ—stance which hee hath deuoured or if it do continue with him it shall bee for his great hurt his owne ease shall slay him and his prosperity shall be his destruction Grant mee therefore I humbly pray thee rather to choose a little with thy blessing then great reuenues with thy curse vengeance accompanying the same And if it shall be thy good pleasure to blesse my basket and my store to encrease my portion by my honest industry O keepe mee I humbly pray thâ—e that I may not set my heart vppon it let not my riches bee my strong Citie or as an high wall in my Imagination so I may bee more and more afraid of my selfe lest the cares of this world and the deceitfulnes of riches should choake in mee the seeds of grace and steale away my mind from better things and therefore make it my care good Father to follow my calling with that holy wisedome as that I may not so farre ensnare my selfe into the busines of it that I should abridge and scant my selfe of conuenient opportunities for heauenly and Spirituall employments And as I shall feele thy hand to bee opened vnto mee so open my heart and hand towards others knowing that he that scattereth shall bee more encreased so he that spareth more then is right shall surely come to pouerty euer make mee to consider thy all-seeing presence that all things are naked and open before thee and that thou wilt surely bring forth to iudgment euery seceret thing That so I knowing thee to bee a witnesse to all my courses my care may be to walke as in thy presence and to approue my selfe vnto thee by an euen and vpright behauiour so walking still in my ciuill calling as that I may beginne and sanctifie the same by my spirituall so carrying my selfe therein as still to looke higher to the things aboue still to looke low to what may befall mee preparing for want in my greatest aboundance and abounding with content in my greatest wants humbling my selfe in my disappointment herein for my negligence in better things and comforting my selfe in my spirituall thrift that all shall worke for the best vsing diligence in what is set before mee and leauing the issue to thy wise prouidence not indenting with thee for what measure thou shalt bestow but still labouring to attaine to the greatest measure of grace that it may be sufficient for me in all occasions so grant mee to commit my selfe in well-doing into the hands of thee my faithfull Creator and so trie my thriuing in these outward things by my thriuing in grace and holinesse in the feare of thee our God and so hastening in all these things which can giue mee no sound comfort nor true contentment to the life of glorie wherein I shall bee fully satisfied with thy fulnesse who art all in all God blessed for euer and euer and with Iesus Christ thy Sonne our blessed Sauiour to whome with thee and God the holy Spirit bee all praise glorie and honor for euer Amen A Prayer before the taking of a Iourney ALmighty and most holy Father who hast promised to be with thy Seruant whither soeuer I goe and to atteâ—d mee with â—â—oâ—â—o ministring Spirits thine holy Angels to pitch their Tents round about mee and beare mee in their hands Vnspeâ—keable as thy goodnesse heerein O Lord vnto me whâ—â—â—â— by nature a childe of wrath and a meer slaue of Satan should be assured of so â—igh an hand of heauenly protection Make good I pray thee now at this time this thy mercy women being my necessâ—ry businesse to nauell from mine owne place Many are the perils which both by nature and desert I am subiect no man is able to number them or â—y his owne strength or policy to auoid them Compasse thou mee with thy fauour as with a shield Goe before me as thou didst of old before thy people in the wildernesse it is onely thou that canst make mee goe and come in safely Some put their â—rust in outward helpe but cause thou mee to remember thy Name and to make thy trueth to bee my shield and buckler A horse is a vaine helpe and shall not deliuer any by his great strength neither is the mighty man saued by his power it is better to trust in the Lord then to haue confidence in Princes If thou O Lord bee my sight my saluation whom shall I feare If thou bee the strength of my life of whom shall I bee afraid Let this I pray thee be the Anchor of my soule both sure and stedfast suffer no power of Satan to remoue my faith from this foundation Howbeit gracious Father if it shall be thy pleasure in this my iourney to bring some crosse vpon mee either by making me a prey to spoylers or by some other hazard I beseech thee prepare mee to it giue me patience and comfort in it and an holy assurance that no outward inconuenience can separate mee from thy loue in Iesus Christ Make mee alwaies mindfull of this that thy fauour must not be measured by these outward accidents and cause mee euer to hold fast this Rule that all things shall worke together for the best vnto thy seruants And as in my trauailes I am desirous of thy fauour so teach mee good Father I humbly pray thee to make conscience of thy Feare That as I expect and craue protection from thee so I may apply my selfe to yeild obedience vnto thee Wherfore when I am iournying on earth grant mee to mind my departure from the world and my iourney to Heauen when I am alone grant that I may possesse my heart with
soule in mercy preserued and thy whole Church edified now for euer Amen A Prayer for patience in tribulation and that God may bee glorified thereby GRacious and mercifull Father who hast from time to time in all ages exercised euen thy most deere children with greeuous afflictions and sharpe corrections to draw their minds from too much loue of earthly pleasures to delight in heauenly ioyes and spirituall comforts of the soule graunt I beseech thee that I euen from my heart may acknowledge this affliction which doth nowe greeuously pierce my soule to bee thy Fatherly correction and scourge of thy meere mercy and loue layd vppon mee to put mee in minde of my dutie towards thee least else with too much quietnesse I should haue beene drawne through the flattering pleasures of this vaine world from the remembrance and delight of my spirituall ioy in heauenly things to haue had my sinfull delight in this vaine world and so should haue runne headlong to euerlasting damnation with the wicked world But that thou O Father hast called me back by this thy Fatherly rod whereby thou mindest to let me see that of my selfe I haue no strength vnto goodnesse but that it was thou who by thy aboundant mercy hadst before time replenished my heart with ioy that I tooke great pleasure and comfort in reading and hearing thy holy word and receiuing other benefits which spirituall comfort and quietnesse of mind because I did not fully acknowledge to bee thy good gift in mee thou hast now taken from mee for a time that I may effectually perceiue and learne by the lacke of it that it was thy worke in me and when thou restorest the same againe I may more aboundantly glorifie thee in thy manifold mercies But while it shall be thy good will pleasure O Lord to exercise mee with this thy louing correction giue me grace that I may patientiy abide whatsoeuer it shall please thee to lay vpon me for my amendment strengthen mee O Lord that I doe not faint vnder the burthen of affliction but being vpholden by the strength of thy holy Spirit in mee I may neuer cease calling vppon thy name with full perswasion that thou wilt at thy time appointed send mee full assurance to my singular comfort and thy eternall glory And when it shall please thee O Lord fully to deliuer mee I beseech thee so worke in my heart that I may acknowledge the same to come from thee and to be thy onely worke that I may be thankfull for thy so great mercies in all the daies of my life and I neuer forget thy louing and Fatherly dealings towards mee but so to the end of my life I may liue in thy feare and loue that thy holy name in my life may be glorified and after death I may bee receiued to that full ioy which thou hast prepared for thine elect children through our onely Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ Amen A Prayer for mortification and holinesse BLessed Lord God and most mercifull Father I doe acknowledge vnto thee that I am vnworthy to appeare before thy high Maiestie to offer vp vnto thee a sacrifice of prayer being full of sinne and corruption naturally glad of euill and vnprofitable to good Yea being so miserable yet I see not my miserie I feele it not I bewaile it not as I ought to doe but multiply mine iniquities prouoking thy iust iudgement against me My zeale is cold my loue feeble my exercises of Religion faint and few and I take no way but that which leadeth from euill to worse and finally would lead me from sinne to the reward of sin All this is true deere Father yet my heart is not moued with feare all this is true yet I doe not sorrow for it but walke with ioy where I must if I continue reape affliction therefore be mercifull vnto mee and blesse me be mercifull vnto me in Christ Iesus wash away all mine iniquities be mercifull vnto me and create in me a new heart and prepare it to prayer and to thy holy seruice for thou alone O Lord art my hope and the mighty God of my saluation Thou hast giuen mee a desire to serue thee O teach me that I may doe it and the good worke which thou hast begun make it perfect in me that I may no more loue wickednes follow vanity but that my good desires in thee may be increased and all of them accomplished so shall I praise thee and magnifie thee for euer For ther is no honor but thy honor no glory but thy glory O Lord it is vaine to trust in Princes but truely to trust in the Lord bringeth plentifull saluation From age to age it hath appeared that thou O Lord God art mercifull and that in thy Courts there is nothing but truth and holinesse This world is full of vanitie full of pride full of rebellion and the flesh also The world hath many baites of destruction and the flesh doth delight in them they are sworne together to betray vs to Sathan yea wee betray our selues therefore deere Father by the crosse of Christ mortifie in vs the deeds of the flesh and crucifie in vs the deeds of the flâ—sh and crucifie both vs to the world and the world to vs that our soules may liue In our generall calling make vs obedient to serue thâ—e in holinesse and in righteousnesse all the daies of our life in our particular callings also make vs faithfull that we may neither put away a good conscience nor make ship-wracke of faith I beleeue O Lord helpe my vnbeleefe in the day of peace and prosperitie make vs sober in the day of trouble and aduersitie make vs looke vppe and cheerefuly to waite and trust in thee for our deliuerance that our enemies mouthes may bee stopped by our godly conuersation and their hearts pricked with zeale to turne vnto thee Neither do I pray O Lord for my selfe alone but for the whole body into the which I am grafted by Christ Iesus that is for thy Church O God for thine inheritance that rhou wouldest encrease it from one end of the world to another that all Nations may worship before thy foot-stoole Especially O Lord I pray for them that professe thy Gospell as for this our Nation that thou wouldest be mercifull vnto it turning our hearts to thee for our gracious Soueraign the King and for all our Councell that thou wouldest poure thy graces vpon them to discharge of their dutie and our peace for all the holy Teachers in the Church that thou wouldest blesse them and their labours for the peace and full beautie of this Church for the peace and wealth of the Common-weale Wee pray thee also for to blesse all the meanes to bring this to passe Also we pray thee for our Parents for all others to whom wee owe speciall loue or seruice but principally wee beseech thee to shew thy compassion vpon all that are in persecution for thy Gospel O Lord
increase and renew their strength giue them victorie and turne their aduersaries hearts if they pertaine to thy holy election otherwise O Lord bring vpon them the confusion that they would bring vpon others into the pit that they haue digged let them fall and neuer rise vp againe O Lord heare vs in these suites pardon our dull spirits in praier and giue vs these and all other graces needfull for vs and the Church to thy glorie for our Lord Iesus Christ in whose name wee pray as hee hath taught vs saying Our Father c. A Prayer for the feeling of the sinne of hyprocrisie that wee may direct our life according to the perscript rule of the word RIghteous Lord God and heauenly Father which art a iust â—udge to punish all them that doe continue to offend thee as thou art a Father most pittifull to receiue to mercie all those which giue ouer themselues to please thee shew mee thy grace and fauour To that I may be truely touched with inward displeasure of my sinnes and that in the place of flattering my selfe to sleepe in sinne I may be so cast downe in heart that the rather I may truely with mouth confesse most humbly to giue thee the honour glorie and prayse due vnto thy holy name and that as thou of thy great mercy dost instruct thereunto by thy holy word so for thy mercies sake make that the same may so lighten and cleere our conscience that in due examination of our life wee may truely learne to be angry and displeased with all our former and corruptible liuing O that it may please thee to draw neere vnto vs in addressing and guiding our footsteps in the true and perfect way of obedience to thy holy Lawes and Commandements Send thy holy Angell to pitch his Tents round about vs that Sathan and his infernall army neuer preuaile against vs but that alwaies with strong faith we may through Iesus Christ withstand all his crafty engines and snares knowing vndoubtedly that thou neuer forsakest them that put their trust in thee O let vs not bee led by the infirmity of our outward flesh but strengthen vs by the vertue of thy holy Spirit Suffer vs not to lie vnder thy heauy wrath and vengeance through hypocrisie but rather touch vs so inwardly that we may without ceasing sigh and grone vnto thee by true and vnfeigned repentance And although we be not alwaies so well disposed to aske and pray as we ought to doe yet good Lord for thy glorious Names sake stretch out thy mighty hand that by the gracious working of thy holy Spirit our mindes and hearts may be drawne from all earthly and corruptible things so that our prayers vnto thee may proceede of an inward earnest vehement affection so that wee neuer presume to come before the throne of thy Maiesty with a double heart knowing that whosoeuer asketh and prayeth for any thing of thee not asking in faith cannot obtaine Increase therefore sweet Lord our faith that we presently may liuely feele the benefite of remission and pardon all our sins through the merits and death of Christ Iesus our Sauiour and so worke in vs for euer heereafter to liue in thy feare and to stand in awe of thy displeasure that thou mayest continue our mercifull Father world without end Amen O Shepheard of sheepe seeke out mee thy wandring sheepe And being found lay mee vpon thy blessed shoulders and bring mee home to the very folde of thy flocke heale my sicke soule feede my hungry soule yea almost dying through hunger watch ouer the same O sweete Lord least the rauening Wolfe do inuade my soule and so slay it to vtter destruction Wherefore O most deere GOD be mercifull to mee a wretched sinner and grant pardon to him that repenteth giue not foorth the voice of thy sentence according to my demerits but like as thy mercy before hath done in the beginning of my life so let it conclude the end thereof to remaine with thee world without end Amen deere God Amen Forasmuch as in this life holy Scriptures doeth promise trouble penuries oppressions increase of griefe and aboundance of temptations vouchsafe O most louing Lord GOD to prepare my heart to all possible patience least I doe faint in thy foote-path compell my sweete Lord this stubborne and rebellious flesh of mine to bee subiect to thy holy Spirite beyond all expectation so that I may possesse my soule in patience and keepe the same continually in thy euerlasting seruice to the which purpose thou of thine infinite goodnesse and mercie hast created the same Wherefore O Lord GOD shew thine almighty power vnto mee most wretched sinner that so long as I fight in this wretched life I may obtaine victorie against mine enemies thou being my defence for there is none other that fighteth for mee but onely thou O God Now I say represse the violence of mine enemies and vouchsafe with great effect to bring into bondage my miserable flesh that tormenteth my soule So that obtaining victory I may giue praise to thee my onely deliuerer in perpetuall eternity Amen A prayer against tbe secret venim and great danger of prosperity O Lord prepare my heart to wisedom prepare it to prayer and teach my soule to feele all the dangers wherewith it is beset on euery side and grant good Father that I mâ—y not pray in wordes or in sound of speech but in Spirite and Faith I acknowledge to thee O Lord thy great mercies toward mee at this time for beside the vnspeakable graces of my redemption and of my holy calling in the Gospell which are euermore good thou hast giuen me a large measure of earthly blessings my table is richly and daintily furnished my Cup ouer-floweth mine enemies are chased away and I feele no want no affliction no sorrow My prosperitie leadeth mee as by the hand from one delight to another and from one pleasure to another In the morning peace is at my right hand and at night quietnesse at my left O Lord are not these thy blessings Hast not thou opened thy mercifull hand and filled me with all these comforts True it is O Lord that they came all from thee and for them I am indebted vnto thee and giue thee hearty thanks But alas O Lord I finde by experience that prosperitie such is our infirmitie carrieth vs too too farre away it feedeth vs from day to day and from time to time with new delights it ingendereth also secretly such peace and confidence in these things which are but as a reede to leane vpon that we are carried away wee forget not thee onely but our selues also But the day of aduersitie the day of sicknesse the day of trouble that layeth open our weakenesse it causeth much care to bee released it prouoketh many praiers for releefe O it is a happy day a day of returning to the Lord a day of repentance as in Sackcloath and Ashes O how may my soule praise the
day of affliction wherein I called vpon the name of the Lord and hee heard mee and I found that his rod comforted me Neuerthelesse O good Lord consider and helpe two dayes of health take away the fruite of many dayes of sicknesse wee are as men Sea-sicke that comming on the shore presently returne to ioy and mirth and forget both dangers on the Sea and dangers on the Land So came it to passe from age to age in thy people of Israel being tied fast in miserie and iron they called vpon thee and receiued mercie being deliuered they soone turned backe like a bow and became drunken with prosperitie Then thy face was against them thy anger was kindled and they cast into affliction againe but in their miseries they renewed their prayers and thou diddest renew thy grace but new prosperitie brought new rebellion and new rebellion new punishments and new punishments new conuersation The house of mirth was to them and is to all a baite to wantonnesse but in the house of sorrow a prouocation of humilitie and prayer Prosperitie is as a Cup of wine mingled with poyson as a bed of securitie and a way to destruction Therefore O Lord with the fulnesse of earthly things giue mee also the fulnesse of spiâ—ituall thinges that I forget thee not in vanity of life or in the false delights of sinfull flesh O keepe my heart that it bee not made drunken with prosperity but grant mee in sobernesse to vse thy blessings to thy glory and to the releefe of my Brethren and when I reioyce not to reioyce in these base things for that reioycing is euill but to reioyce in thee turning my mirth from wanton Daunces from vaine Songs from other carnall delights to exercises of Religion to helpes of knowledge singing of Psalmes with melodie to thee in my heart Finally O Lord seeing that in this earthly prosperity there is so great abuse and so present danger for want of grace to abuse them O Lord teach mee the true vse of them that I may not set my heart thereon but in thee giuing thee thanks for them and labouring with all diligence through thy grace in Iesus Christ that they bee not through my wickednesse turned into curses As Salomon teacheth wisedome to take heede of an Harlot so teach mee to take heed of vaine pleasures in worldly matters that I be not bewitched with prosperity and forget thee bathing my selfe in pleasures and neuer setting thee before mine eyes O mercifull Father for thy deerely beloued Sonne Iesus Christ worke this in mee that I may bee rich in good workes that I may haue as not hauing that I may vse the world as not abusing it but vsing it to thy glory and praise through Iesus Christ our Lord and onely Sauiour to whom with thee and the holy Ghost three persons and one God bee all praise honor and glory both now and for euer Amen A Prayer against Whoredome and vncleannesse O God which by thy holy word hast commanded that for the auoyding of the filthy sinne of fornication eueâ—y man should haue his lawfull wife and euery woman enioy her lawfull husband threatning death and damnation to all such as seek to liue contrary to thy commandement herein I humbly beseech thee for Christs sake that thou wilt mortifie and kill in me all carnall concupiscence filthy motions and fleshly desires by the operation of thy holy Spirit in me that I neuer defile either my body or soule in this loathsome and stinking sinne of whoredome adultery fornication Incest or other vncleannesse of body whatsoeuer but liuing purely vnpolluted therewith all the dayes of my life I may practise to please thee in all my proceedings I know O Lord that flesh and blood the filthy vncleane workes of flesh and blood cannot enter into thy habitation nor yet possesse any portion in thine euerlasting kingdome of glory therefore whensoeuer the diuell his wicked members the world or the flesh shall tempt and prouoke mee to preparation hereto giue me power and strength to withstand their assaults and put into my minde to consider that thine eyes doe behold me and thine holy Angels looke vpon me also that the horrible company of diuels compasse me about ready to register my filthy fact in a booke of memoâ—ials against the great day of the Lord. And so by thy gracious assistance and thâ—se good considerations I may beâ— partly terrified and partly ashamed for euer to commit the same knowing that thou who sparedst not the former world but destroyedst Sodom and Gomorrha with fire brimstone from heauen the whole world with water the Citty of the Sichemites with the edge of the sword and the children of Israel at sundry times slaying infinite Millions of them for this horrible vice wilt not spare me a most wicked and abhominable sinner if I commit the like offence Wherefore blessed Father suffer mee not thy deere Child in Iesus Christ bought with thy most precious blood to bee once spotted stained or blemished either in body or mind with this filthy stinking sinne of whoredome fornication that I appearing cleane in thy sight may after this life ended liue with thee thy Sonne Iesus Christ and the holy Ghost one true and euer liuing God world without end Amen A Prayer against Couetousnes and ambition ALmighty God and most mercifull Father who hast commanded euery man to labour and trauaile in his vocation and calling thereby to releeue his necessities and to maintaine his estate and hast promised thereto thy blessing Blesse I beseech thee all my actions and laboures which I shall at any time take in hand in thy name and thereby I receiuing sufficent sustentation maintenance for mine estate and calling may be free from the insatiable desires of couetousnes ambition auarice and all desire of vnlawfull gaine knowing that those that desire to bee rich fall into diuers temâ—ptations and snares of the diuel From which coÌ„tagious infection I beseech thee so much more warily to keepe mee by how much more I finde the same forbidden in thy holy word The holy Apostle calleth it idolatry worshipping of Idols and the roote of all euill excluding them out of the kingdome of heauen that be infected therewith And thy deere Son Iesus Christ telleth vs that it shall be easier for the Camell to goe through the eye of a needle then for a rich man that is a couetous rich man whose affiance is in his riches to enter into the kingdome of heauen Wherefore good Father keepe me farre from this filthy vice of couetousnesse and ambition grant that I hauing food for my body and cloathes for my backe with all other necessaries incident to this life may bee well contented therewith not coueting or desiring any more and all the daies of my life in true simplicity of heart may giue thee praise for the same Finally grant that I seeking the kingdome of heauen and the righteousnesse thereof as thou hast
heart and minde bee fully assured thou by thy heauenly prouidence rulest and guidest all things in heauen and earth so that nothing in the vvhole world commeth to passe but according to thine appointment that thou guidest and framest the affâ—ires doings of men that thou hast euen their hearts and all their powers in thy mercifull hand to turn them which way soeuer it seemeth best vnto thy godly wisedome so that whether we be in prosperity or aduersity we may acknoledge both of them to be thy worke in vs and therefore be no lesse thankfull for sicknesse then for health for sorrow then for comfort for a troubled minde then for a quiet for imprisonment and banishment then for liberty especially seeing wee know that thou turnest them all seeme they neuer so sharp to the comfort and commodity of thy children which feare thee and that in all thinges which shall befall vnto vs whether they be grieuous or ioyous prosperity or aduersity life or death thy holy name may be sanctified in vs by yeilding due and continuall praise and thankesgiuing to thy eternall Maiâ—sty that we neuer cease to put our ful trust and confidence in thy mercie who hast promised to be our defender buckler and shield to keepe vs as the apple of thine eye to deliuer vs when we cal vpon thee to open when wee knocke to giue when we aske that we knowing our owne weaknes that of our selues wee haue no power or strength to do no not so much as to will that which is good we may acknowledge al our strength comfort ioy faith loue hope and confidence to be thine onely guift and worke in vs. And for the same and the increase of the same and for all thy benefites in vs whereof we feele our selues destitute we may constantly flee vnto thee by heartie prayer requiring the same at thy mercifull hand And hauing felt thy mercifull dealing towards vs we may alway to the end of our life continue thankfull vnto thy blessed name that wee neuer speake or thinke of thee O LORD GOD without high reuerence and an obedient fear vnto thy glorious Name The third Petition Thy will bee done in earth as it is in heauen ANd forasmuch O Lord God as of our selues wee bee nothing but stubbornesse and rebellion against thy holy Maiesty we beseech thee deere Father that as thine Angels in heauen doe willingly obey thy holy and most blessed will without any resistance so wee thy most vild and vnworthy Seruants and Children in earth all stubobrnesse rebellion peruesnes by thy holy Spirit in vs being vtterly extinguished and quenched we may willingly submit our selues resigne and yeeld our whole affections to thee O Lord to bee gouerned after thy blessed and heauenly will That wee may feele in our selues no other motion or desire then a meete consent to thy holy will that whatsoeuer affections in vs fight against thy holy will thou wilt vtterly make them voide That wee neuer will any thing of our selues but that thy holy Spirite in vs may gouerne our hearts by whom inwardly being taught wee may learne to loue embrace and take comfort in those things that please thee and to hate those thinges that displease thee That our hearrs minds and wills being wholy subdued to thy blessed will we may willingly bee content with that estate of life which it pleaseth thy goodnesse to excercise vs withall in this world whether it be in aduersity or prosperity in sicknes or health in ignominy or glory in quietnesse or trouble in sorrow or gladnesse Grant vs deare Father this willing and patient minde that euen in our greatest distresse wee may bee content with thy good will and not to murmure or grudge against thy Maiesty knowing that thou wilt lay nothing vppon vs but that which shall turne to our goodnâ—sse and profit And that wee may patiently abide whatsoeuer it shall please thee to lay vppon vs that we be assured in our hearts that thou wilt lay no more vnto vs then thou wilt giue vs strength to beare euen in our greatest afflictions wilt find a way for our deliuerance and that thy power and strength is more fully declared when wee feele our selues vtterly voyd of strength and see no way of deliuerance that we may in our most greeuous assaults conflicts and anguish or mind submit our selues wholy to thy blessed will and looke for our deliuerance at thy hand when thou knowest it most expedient for vs and most for thy glory leauing the time and meanes of our deliuerance to thy good will and pleasure and that in the meane time we neuer cease but call vpon thee by hearty prayers continually as thou hast commaunded vntill such time as thou shalt heare our petitions And although after many and sundry callings vpon thee thou seeme not to regard vs but rather deale more extreamly with vs yet notwithstanding strengthen vs so with perseuerance in prayer that wee faint not but still continue in prayer being assured that although we feele our selues nothing released yet we may quiet our selues herein that we as thy Children haue laide our complaints griefes and sorrows in the bosome of thee our heauenly Father who will as a louing Father when he seeth it most conuenient helpe vs. And although thou seeme nothing to grant our requests yet wee honor thee in calling vppon tâ—y name seeing thou dost accept it as a most cheefe honor to bee called vppon in the day of truble The fourth petition Giue vs this day our dayly Bread ANd forasmuch deare Father as thou dost by thy mighty power nourish feede sustaine preserue and maintaine all liuing Creatures yea euen the very young flocks and Beasts we beseech thee to send vnto vs thy Children ouer whom thou hast a more speciall care all things necessary for this our present life that we hauing sufficient may walke euery one in our calling in sincerity and pure holynes before thy face acknowledging all our benifits of riches health wealth meate drinke apparell and all our substance to be thy meere gifts bestowed vpon vs and deliuered vnto vs from thine hands that we be not drawne from thee through setting our mindes too much vppon them but so moderately vse them as thy benefits for a time bestowed vppon vs knowing that thou wilt at our hands require an account how we haue vsed them That wee doe not carefully gape or seeke after them but discreetly to thy glory vse them acknowledging in them thy goodnesse and liberality towards vs. And seeing most mercifull Father that it is not our trauell labour paines study or endeauour which is able to get vs our liuing but onely in so much as it pleaseth thy goodnesse to blesse and prosper them we beseech thee that yet through our great Trauaily and paines wee be yet still poore and in meane estate that thou wilt giue vs a contented heart knowing that thereby thou lettest vs vnderstand that it is thy good will and pleasure