in heart and mind with the sweetenesse of thy word wherein the comfortable promises of life saluation are conteined that wee may exercise our selues therein day and night that wee may reuerently vse it as the healthfull foode of our soules that we may bring vp our children seruants in the knowledge of the same being fully perswaded that there is nothing in the world comparable thereunto for it exceedeth al treasure whē al things are consumed thy word shall continue in glory brightnesse perfection O Lord heare our praiers and for the honour of thy name heare the suites of thy poore seruants euen for thy beloued Sonne his sake Iesus Christ our Sauiour vnto whom with thee and the holy Ghost one Deitie in Trinitie be all laude honour prayse dominion power glory and maiestie both now and world without end Amen The Contemplation of a Christian. The misery of euery man Through Satans guile by sinne began But Christ vouchsaft mans thrall t' asswage His power supprest old Satans rage WHen Sinne had blemished the happy estate of our first Parents their whole race felt the smart of their punnishment and are at this day subiect vnto miserie Iniquitie made a gappe for many calamities sundry kinds of sicknesses manifold maladies infinite tribulations which we had neuer tasted if our first Parents had not offended Lamentable is our case by theire meanes for the Lord of life hath punished their sins in their posteritie by degrees of generaons throughout many ages Little hope of health is in our selues nay there is in vs no hope of saluation at all for by the subtiltie of Satan sinne got dominion ouer vs by sin death Iustly therefore are we subiect to so many miseries in that we feele the heauy hand of God laying load vpon vs it is for our offences and our disordered life According as our deserts haue beene so GOD hath dealt with vs nay he hath handled vs far better then we deserued who by nature are the children of wrath and confusion Most mercifully hath he looked vpon vs and of his plentifull compassion hee sent his boloued Sonne Christ Iesus into the world that he by his bloodshed might worke our releasement Like reprobates and condemned persons wee had been plunged into the déep pit of hell had not the death of Christ made full satisfaction for vs wrought our Redemption A Lion of the tribe of Iuda a brāch springing from the stocke of Iesse pittying vs poore desolate soules by the vertue of his power suppressed Satans rage Maruelous mightily did he vanquish the Diuel our mortall enemy who intended our destruction and vtter ouerthrow had not he in time brought our deliuerance to passe Be ioyfull therefore all nations and lift vp your heads extoll this Lambe of God whose innocencie tooke away our iniquitie and whose heauinesse was our hapinesse Euerlasting prayse and thankes be ascribed vnto his name by whose death we are receiued to life yea to eternall life O prayse his glorious name for euer Amen Death ouer vs possest such power That meanes he sought vs to deuower But Iesus Christ did set vs free To whom all prayse and thankes giue wee WEe are iustly subiect vnto death for death is the reward of sinne and iniquitie Iniquitie hath changed our order of creatiō which was perfect and Angeilcal Life vnto vs through sinne is turned vnto death and the mercy of God into iudgement Lord haue mercy vpon vs for in vs there is no hope of health for Death hath power ouer vs. Increase of new calamities doe light vpon vs dayly and we see our selues forsaken Among our enemies we walke continually euen in the face of the Flesh the World and the Diuell Miserable were wee if Iesus Christ with the shield of safetie should not ouershadow vs. Little should wee differ from the children of wrath nay our case were as comfortlesse as theirs A most mercifull Sauiour art thou O Christ A most mercifull Redeemer and Aduocate Make vs thankfull vnto thee for thy goodnesse for thou didst set vs free from all misfortune Blessed be thy name and great be thy glory through out all the world for this thy kindnesse Early late thou art to be praysed yea in the assemblies cōgregations of the faythfull righteous thou in thy greatnes O God shalt be gloryfied Amen The World is vaine and all therein Yea man is vile because of sinne Yet Iesus Christ redeemed all To Death and Hell that were in thrall WOe be to this world for it is as vaine as smoke yea it is more vaine then vanitie it selfe In riches there is shame and in pleasure there is punishment because of sinne and iniquitie Like a dreame is the life of man his dayes are but a spanne long and his time tarryeth not Like a Fansie or a May-game which hath but an houres delight recreatiō In the world there is nothing more common then wickednesse in the world there is no goodnesse Al are bent vnto mischiefe and villanie the sonnes of men haue set their heartes vpon euill Mightie men and poore slaues all haue troden the path of sinne and vanitie is in all their wayes Like Sheepe without a Shepheard they are gone astray and had beene lost if Christ had not holpen All were in the mouth of Hell gates and had sunke in their owne shame and destruction Miserably had they perished if that good shepheard of our soules had not taken vpon him our deliuerance Bring Frankinsence vnto his Altas O ye people prayse him who is prayse worthy for his power and magnificence Enter into his Temple and Sanctuary sing songs all with one consent to the honour of his name for all the benefits and goodnesse which hee hath plentifully bestowed vpon vs at all times let al the faithfull answer and say Amen Gods prouidence is wonderfull He shewes himselfe most merciful In all our wayes defending vs And by his grace amending vs. WIthout th' assistance of Gods spirit miserable were the condition of all mankind yea most miserable In sinne we are conceiued in sin we are brought vp and the whole course of our life is full of iniquitie Like a menstruous cloth so is our conuersotion in the sight of God and his holy Angels Like a filthy and loathsome Sinke so is our behauiour before the face of the faithfull Iudgment is more méete for vs then mercy yet it hath pleafed God to deale with vs in mercy And that doth daily experience testifie for we sée manifest proofes of his prouidence Meate and cloathing and whatsoeuer is necessary toward the maintenance of man he hath giuen vs. Like a Father he tendereth vs and esteemeth vs as Children begotten a new by free Grace As a Henue hoouering ouer her Chickens so doth he defend vs in all our wayes day by day Mercie is on his right hand Mercie goeth before him and vpon Mercy is the seate of his Maiestie built Be glad therefore
boldnesse vouchsafe to graunt of thy speciall goodnesse Amen A Prayer to leade our life according to the will of God To doe thy will teach me O Lord And let my life thereto accord MOst mighty most iust most mercifull most louing most tender deare Father forsomuch as there is no way to heauen but by doing thy wil we say with humblenes of heart as Iesus â—hrist thy Sonne and my swéete Sauiour hath taught Fiat voluntas tua sicut in Coelo in Terra Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heauen And because it is thy will that we should walk in holines and righteousnes before thée all the dayes of our life we beséech thée to be the Schoolemaster of our Soules and Spirites that thy Wisedome instructing and teaching vs to make a difference betwéene good and bad we may follow the one and forsake the other considering that the doers of thy wil and not the knowers of the same shal be partakers of the promises of life and saluation For thy Sonne Iesus Christes sake my onely Sauiour and Redeemer grant this request O most gracious God both vnto mee and to all thy people Amen A Prayer to fast and abstaine from sinne To fast from Sinne is Christians ioy My heart thereto O Lord employ LOrd God maker of heauen earth Iudge of the quicke and the dead thou that by wisedome séest all things and by thy prouidence orderest all creatures wee beséech thée to cast thine eyes of care and compassion vpon vs miserable sinners who from the day of our birth haue liued in wantonnes and all kind of wickednes therby kindling thy wrath and Iustice against vs to our confusion O let vs yet at length haue our eyes opened and sée the brightnesse of thy glorie which the blindnesse of our minds will not suffer vs to behold Let vs not pamper our selues in securitie lyuing out of rule and abandoning all godlinesse which is a kinde of surfetting in iniquity and ouercharging our hearts with heapes of abominations but let vs become new Schollers in the Schoole of Christianitie walking warily redeeming the time louing light and detesting darknesse O Lord vouchsafe to be mindfull of vs thy creatures and of thine owne glory which art our Creator Teach vs to fast aright not superstitiously in abstaining from this or that kind of meate vsing a vaine order in dyet and differences of meates but as thine holy ones haue in times past fasted the true Fast which thou in thy Word requirest so grant I beséech thee that I and all people may fast after the same fashion to fast from sin wickednes that the flesh may bee brought into subiection and the spirit quickened Graunt this O Lord for thy Sons sake Iesus Christ my Redéemer and Sauiour Amen A Praier for grace to forsake euill and to follow that which is good From Heauen O God send vs thy grace Ill to forsake and good t' imbrace ALmightie God I beseech thee to giue mee true vnderstanding knowledge not onely to confesse thée a most mercifull Father but also an vpright Iudge fauouring thy children which liue within the compasse of thy Commandements and punishing offendours which run headlong into all mischiefe not once looking backe to the written Tables of the law And because it standeth not with the frailtie of man to fulfill the summe of the law vpon the breach whereof condemnation doth insue we beseech thée to inrich our harts with the treasure of thy Grace that we waxing wealthy therewith may be able to withstand all the assaults of Satan our subtile aduersarie Moreouer good GOD forsomuch as this Grace of thine is the badge of thy fatherly affection and guydeth the thoughts the words the déedes of euery Christian wée besech thée to shield vs with the same that wée may follow and stand stedfastly in that which is acceptable in thy sight renouncing the Deuill and his workes of darknesse and betaking our selues body and soule to the healthfull guiding of thy grace Amen A Prayer for the assistance of the Holy Ghost Th' assistance of the Holy Ghost Sweete Iesus spread in euery Coast. MOst comfortable Sauiour most victorious Captaine most triumphant Redéemer most mercifull Mediatour Iesus Christ thou beloued Sonne of the eternall God spread abroad the brightnesse of thy Maiestie to the consolation of all people And forsomuch as without thée the whole world is nothing else but a solitarie Wildernesse destitute of faith hope charitie loue gentlenes compassion forbearance and all other workes of Christianitie we beséech thée to be a gracious God as thou art an omnipotent God that where thy power is séene thy mercie may likewise be perceiued Let not thy creatures continue in ignorance of thée their Sauiour but so assist them with the present aide of thy comforting Spirit and the holy Ghost that they may sée in what by-wayes of destruction dangers they trauerse Let thy holy Ghost be their lodesman let the holy Ghost be their teacher let the holy Ghost be their right hand and their left let the holy Ghost be to them all in all that they being thus inspired filled with the power of thy sanctifying Spirit may feele in themselues a spiritual inclination working all desires of the flesh being cut off cast away and may also be receiued into thy shéepfold be reckoned among the number of the faithfull Graunt this O Christ thou tender Sauiour of our soules Amen A Prayer against Wrath and Malice From hatefull heart and fraught with ire Saue vs O Lord wee thee desire BOuntifull God which hast giuen vs commandement to loue all men and to hate none to be angry but not to sinne to be displeased a little but not to let the Sunne set vpon our wrath wée beséech thée to purge our heartes cleane from all hatred from all enuie from all malice from al vncharitablenesse from all vntowardnesse from all bitternesse from all quarrelling from all misreporting from all backbyting from all reuengement seeking sinally from al the motions of a wicked spirit Let loue banish hate let friendlines displace vnkindnes let charitie remooue ouerthwartnes let forbearance dispossesse maliciousnes al which are most shamefull sinnes and so hatefull in thy sight O God that he is no Christian but an Antichristian no child of blisse but of Baall no heire of Heauen but of Hell no vessell of election but of reprobation no partaker of ioy but of woe no souldier of the Church but of the Synagogue in whom they beare rule And therefore most gracious God root out of our hearts all such wéedes of wickednesse that we may become new griftes of righteousnesse through Iesus Christ our Sauiour Amen A Praier for obedience to the keeping of Gods Commandements To liue within the rule of Law keepe vs O Lord in feare awe EVerlasting God whose name is so glorious that it passeth the capacitie of man to giue it due aduancement we beséech thée of thine
me vile créeping worme of the earth who in comparison of thée am much woorse than stinking doung and filthy offscowring of the earth Thou dayly assistest me thou cōtinually regardest me thou euermore defendest me from dangers both bodily and ghostly for had not thy hand ouershadowed me I had sunke long since in mine owne shame and confusion And because Lord manifold are the calamities belonging to this life hurtful to the outward man noisome to the inner man I beséech thée stretch out the shield of safty in full breadth ouer me that I may walke without feare not troubled with wicked thoughtes not tempted with euill words not prouoked to deedes of darknes but keeping my feete in the path of light looking alway to the lampe of thy word which shineth vnto sinners sitting in the shadow of death and leadeth the righteous and true repentant to life euerlasting Amen A Prayer against slaunderous and euill tongues From euill Tongues which poyson spit Vouchsafe O Lord thy flocke t'acquit MOst truely spake thy seruant Saint Iames O my swéete Sauiour that the Tongue being but a little member was notwithstanding a world of wickednesse Which to be so thou knowest in thy secret counsell and thou thy selfe haddest proofe thereof whiles thou keptst thy standing in the faire of this life It pleased thée therefore to instruct and teach thine Apostles before hand what they should be subiect vnto in time to come namely to backbitings slanders acursed spéeches tauntes controlments yea to reuilings buffettings imprisonments For if they spared not the Lord and Master much lesse will it sinke into their hearts to fauour the Seruāts whom they hate vnto the death for their masters sake From euill Tongues therefore O Lord wee beseech thee to saue vs not from suffering the bitternesse which procéedeth from them for we are content to tast that which thou hast tasted before vs but from offending in our tongue which oftentimes woundeth the very soule O Lord giue vs grace to set a watch before our Tongue that we trip not in our talke hurt not onely them against whom wee are maliciously minded but also our selues whom we cānot but greatly annoy whiles we séeke either in thought word or deed to wreake our wrath vpon others considering that thou hast reserued all vengeance to thine owne selfe O Lord be gracious vnto vs and as thou art the Shepheard of our soules feeding vs in the sweete pastures of thy grace so we beséech thee to kéepe vs from all manner of spirituall diseases vs wee say which are thy people and the sheepe of thy pasture Amen A Prayer for Peace in time of Warre or other vexations In time of Warre to pray for Peace A zeale in vs O Lord increase BOuntiful Sauiour thou Sonne of the eternall God thou God of peace-vnitie and concord thou that in stead of Peace plaguest men with Warre tumultes and vprors We beseech thee to prolong peace quietnesse amongst vs not onely peace betwéene people and people but peace of Conscience that precious peace which who so wanteth he is no member of the Common-wealth of Christianitie Not onely for this peace of minde but for the other also of body we beséech thée O Lord frame our heartes aright to pray vnto thee knowing that by Prayer that thing is obtained at thine hands which is not else where to bee sought And because thou art the Author of peace without whom the whole world is set on Warre we humbly beseech thée to prosper that peace which thou hast planted in all Christian kingdomes which because thou hast for our sinnes sake taken from vs for a time sending vs in place thereof Warres and Tumults Wée giue thee thankes notwithstanding acknowledging the same to bee a punishment layd vpon vs for our sinnes and specially for abusing that Peace the benefite whereof whiles we might haue vsed to our true comfort we turned the same as we feele by due proofe at this present into bitternesse Neuerthelesse to thee we come and before thy face we fall not onely praying for the withdrawing of Warre and the restoring of our former Peace but also beséeching thée to kindle increase in vs a zeale to pray not only for Peace but for all other thy good Giftes needfull and belonging to this life to the honour and glory of thy name Amen A Prayer for deliuerance from Foes spirituall and temporall From feare and force of all our Foes Preserue vs Lord and them depose EVerlasting God whose right hand is the shield of safegard to the faythfull we beséech thée of thine vnspeakable goodnesse to looke vpon vs who are incompast round about with enemies not onely of the body but also of the soule Of the body as with swearers backbiters slaunderers fighters brawlers quarellers murtherers c Al which we that are Christians account our Foes insomuch as they are the enemies of Christ thy beloued Sonne and sworne aduersaries of thy holy Gospell Of the Soule as with Satan sinne the flesh the world the Diuell Hel death and damnation and that which we through our weakenesse cannot fulfill doe thou by thy strength supply and bring to passe that we may not onely be defended from theire force but that they and euery of them féeling the weight and greatnes of thy power may lie vanquished vnder foote cease their further assaultes for Iesus Christes sake our onely Sauiour and Redeemer Amen A prayer of a penitent soule ouerburdened with sinne A silly soule to sinne in thrall For mercy Lord to thee doe call WOunderfull wise excéeding righteous art thou in thy iudgments O God a punisher of the vngodly and a iust rewarder of the faithfull O looke vpon mée silly soule ouerwhelmed with wickednes looke vpon mée O Lord. and deliuer me For I am in thrall yea in thrall am I vnto sinne the wages whereof is death O succour me succour me Oh assist me assist me Oh saue me saue me Bitterly I complaine and am sorry for my misdeedes heauily I lament for mine iniquities vnfeignedly I repent me of my life wickedly ledde Appease thine anger O God asswage thy wrath Oh let mee be reconciled vnto thee Cast me not away whom thou hast created let not Satan triumph ouer me whom thy Son hath redeemed Be gracious O be gracious most mercifull Father and let the moystning riuer of thy Mercy quench the boyling fornace of thy Iustice that I being comforted in this life with assured taste of thy clemency may glorifie thy name with consent of heart and voice and that by mine example others may do the like Graunt this O God in Christ thy Sonne mine onely Sauiour Amen A Prayer to be freed from all Vices From Vices all defend vs Sweet Iesus and amend vs. IEsus Christ thou immaculat Lambe which wast slaine for the sinnes of the whole world that by thy death we might all be deliuered from death yea from eternall death due vnto vs by deserte of sinne And
and clappe your hands all people for God is gratious and fauourable Euermore shall his praise bée in my mouth I will talke of his goodnesse euen among mine enemies yea without ceasing I will extoll and prayse his name Amen The holy Ghost doth sanctifie Such as in faith doth fructifie The wicked stil wax worse wors And run into Gods heauy curse WOrship and honour bee giuen vnto God the holy Ghost by whom we are sancctified vnto life euerlasting Infinite is thy working in holinesse he doth renew the flintie heart maketh it relent at Gods iudgementes Least Satan should triumph ouer vs therefore hath he vouchsafed to clense and purifie our spirit Let vs therefore ascribe vnto him all honour for through sanctification wee are made heires of saluatiō Iniquitie defiled our soules but through fayth increasing in vs we felt an inward reformation And hauing our eyes opened we saw our filthinesse and by the gift of grace became new creatures Many were the enormities which reigned in vs but the holy Ghost purged vs of all and set vs free Long wandred we in by-wayes of wickednesse but are now restored againe vnto righteousnesse As for the vngodly they haue no part of this sanctifying Spirite but dayly waxe worse and worse Much like vnto such as GOD hath cursed in his wrath and denounced sentence of death against thē Be glad O yee iust for you are they whom God loueth in whom he magnifieth his owne name Excellent wonderfull in working is God the holie Ghost who with the Father and the Sonne be praysed and magnified for euer Amen It is not wealth to haue at will That can vs keepe and saue from ill Gods grace it is which worketh that Let vs reioyce therefore thereat WHat is the Wealth of this world but Winde and what Riches but the shadow of Smoke In Wealth to trust is to trust to a broken réede and in Riches to boast is to boast in a thing of naught Lay wealth to the grace of God and what is it Euen filthy Dunge and a worse thing Lay Riches to Gods Grace and what are they Euen painted shewes of transitory vanities In Wealth therefore glory not for there is in it no power to preserue from the euill day And of Riches brag not for in them is no hope of health in the dangerous time of trouble Make the grace of God the perfect ioy of thy heart and trust thereunto as vnto a Brazen wall Looke for safetie from thence in the perilous season for the grace of God is a strong refuge Arme thy soule therewith as with Iron-plate Armour so shall the assaultes of thy aduersaries doe thee no harme Make thy moue vnto the Almightie in the time of tribulation he shall furnish thee with his grace Be thankfull vnto him when thou hast receiued it and shew not thy selfe in any case vnkind Euery day prayse him for his goodnesse and extol his greatnesse among the multitude for he is good and gratious to his chosen O magnifie and prayse him all people Amen To loue to liue in peace and ease The Lord of life doth much displease Let such as lacke and comfort craue Thy helping hand in hazard haue WHen God hath blessed thée with abundaunce of Benefites so vse them as God may be well pleased In peace pamper not thy selfe for that is the way to minister cause of courage and loftinesse to the flesh Looke vnto the Lord who hath giuen thee these good giftes and become not slouthfull with ease Life commeth from the Lord and whatsoeuer belongeth therevnto it proceedeth from his goodnes In prosperitie be mindfull of aduersitie and let not the plentie of thy peace make thee proud A Father of the fatherles shew thy selfe in necessity shut not vp the sluces of mercy against the poore Make not thy Mony thy God and hoord it not vp for thine owne profit onely not regarding others need Let not the poore lie comfortlesse let not them starue and perish whom it is in thee to helpe Apply thy selfe to works of mercy and stretch out thy hand to them that are needy and succourlesse Mooue not God who gaue thee these giftes to wrath least in his anger he turne all to thy shame Beware therefore and let Wisedome rule thee in thy wayes so shalt thou not offend or doe amisse Extoll thy Creator and say that he is gracious mercifull a louing God and a most bountifull Father vnto his Children Amen Looke ere thou leape and vse thine eyes Else shalt thou shew thy selfe vnwise The simple sort with councell ayde Thus ought thy talent out be layde WIsedome is the blessing of God and it is much more excellent then Gold Siluer or precious Stones In time of necessitie it is a present remedie and a sufficient refuge in perill and ieobadie Little auayleth worldly policie where this Wisedome wanteth O happie is he whom God hath armed therewith Leaue riches forsake honor set pleasure at naught to come to the enioying of this preacious treasure Immortalitie followeth this wisdome and such as haue it are sure to grow in estimation and fame Aske it of him who is the Well of Wisedome from whom it commeth euen the Lord God Almighty Make not thy boast thereof neither apply it to thy priuate profite but extend the same to the succour of the simple Learne this lesson That it is but lent vnto thee of the Lord thou art the Steward therof but for a time Abuse it not lest it turne to thine owne cōfusion for as it is the gift of God so will be he honored therein Make it not an instrumēt of follie least God ouerthrow thée in the vanitie of thine owne mind Be a counseller to the vnlearned and teach the ideot vnderstanding so shalt thou glorifie GOD in thy wisedome Enterprise nothing vnaduisedly in all thy beginnings procéedings and endings remember God Amen If thou be poore hold thee content It is a crosse which God hath sent Remember Iob a man most iust From stately seat cast downe to dust WIth thine estate not to be contented it is to repine and murmure at the appoyntment and ordinance of God In pouertie be not desperate but fixe all thy hope vpon the rocke of Gods prouidence for he is faithfull Lament thy sin and bée sorry for the same consider also with thy selfe that pouertie is Gods chastisement Let not pouerty therfore so pull thee downe that thou shouldest thereupon mistrust the Lord God to be mercifull It is a crosse layd vpon thee in this life to keepe thee in subiection and to make thee know thine owne estate A happy child art thou that canst reforme thy selfe and amend that which is amisse in thee by his fatherly correction Marke the example of Iob a man so iust so faithfull so righteous that the Diuell of Hell could not preuaile against him Look vpon him how he was tormented how hee was brought low being sometimes placed in exceeding
increase the same making thy glory the marke wherat to direct all my doings and thy word the rule to kéepe me within the compasse of thy will O Christ heare me O heare me sweet Sauiour which art the Well of life whereof whosoeuer tasteth hee shall neuer see Death Heare me O gracious Redéemer and let me féele inwardly the fruits of my faithfull prayer Amen A Prayer for Loue and Vnitie with all men To liue in loue all men among Giue grace O Christ to old and young LOrd Iesus thou Patterne of true and vnfeined loue yea of loue leading to life euerlasting without whom there can bee no loue or concord amōg men I beseech thee to heare the prayer of me thy poore seruant and that which I aske in spirit vouchsafe to giue me of thy free mercy And because loue is the fulfilling of the Law and the seale of saluation to the consciences of all Christians Furthermore for so much as thou hast commaunded vs to doe good to all men which cannot be vnlesse loue be the lampe to giue vs light I beséech thée to fill my heart with that loue yea to poure that loue abundantly into the hearts of all both old and yong that we may first and principally loue Almightie God the Father thée O Christ the Sonne and the holy Ghost with such a loue as is loath to turne the fauor of God into displeasure his gentlenesse into rigour his mercy into iudgement and his forbearance into vengeance Secondly to loue my Soueraigne Prince whom I am bound in conscience to obey to loue my superiors to loue mine equals to loue mine inferiors to loue mine enemies Finally to loue all and hate none that by this meanes I may dwel in God the Fountaine of loue who of méere loue for the saluation of the soule of man sent thee O my Sauiour into the world to suffer death vp on the crosse euen in the face of his enimies and persecutors Grant this O Christ to whom with the Father and the holie Ghost be all praise and glory for euermore Amen A Prayer for the hearing and true vnderstanding of the word of God To heare thy word and liue therein Vs to renew O Lord begin LIghten my heart O Lord GOD with the lampe of thy holy and blessed word which is the weapon of euery true Christian souldier and the sword of the spirit to cut off all the temptations of the Diuell the world and the flesh if it be vsed according to thy wil O Lord which art the giuer and author of the same And for so much O Lord as thy worde is the rule whereby wée are bound to direct all our doings and the square whereat to frame the whole course of our life I beséech thée to circumcise my heart that all carnall cogitations and thoughtes expelled and driuen out I may betake my selfe wholy vnto the reading hearing studying folowing of thy word which is the food of our soules the comfortable bread which killeth hunger and the pleasant drinke which quencheth thirst not the hunger thirst of the body against the which it hath pleased thée to prouide most healthfull remedies but the hunger and thirst of the soule which are no way else asswaged but by the vertue and heauenly working of thy word This word O Lord vouchsafe to make florish and fruitifie in vs that thereby wee may bée wonne to the worshipping of thée in true feare vnfained faith and perfect holinesse of life through Iesus Christ our Sauiour Amen A Praier to God for forgiuenesse of manifold and grieuous sinnes My heart vncleane Lord circumcise And make my soule thy sacrifice IN sinne O Lord was my conception in sinne my education in sinne the whole course of my life Nothing is cleane and vnspotted in mée nothing is sound nothing perfect nothing holy nothing sanctified I am full of sinne and iniquitie my thoughts desires are attainted with sinne my labours and handy works are defiled with wickednes my words and communications are tempered with the leauen of iniquity my hart is corrupt putrified there is nothing sound in me but all mine entrails are infected and poysoned with sin the high way to euerlasting shame death and condemnation O miserable wretch that I am to whom shall I run for succour To whom shall I make my sorrowes knowne Before whom shall I powre my plaintes Art not thou the Samaritane which with the oyle of mercie souplest my festered woundes Art not thou the good Sephearde which bringest home the straying Shéepe to the shéepefold Art not thou the good Captaine which fightest in defence of thy Souldiers O yes Lord thou art euen he and doubtlesse had not the oyle of thy mercy healed my filthy Botches had not thy hand fetcht me home to the flocke had not thy loue and grace ouer shadowed me in danger I had rotted in my filthinesse I had perished in my wandering and I had béen vtterly ouerthrowne in combate O Lord my God circumcise my heart and clense it from all euill thoughts deuises imaginations consentes to sinne Sanctifie my soule renew my spirit and garnish mée with the garment of regeneration that I may become a swéete smelling sacrifice before thée a sacrifice of acceptable incense a sacrifice of holines righteousnes so shall I prayse thée in the assemblie of the iust extoll thy glorious name among thy people Amen A Prayer for to be setled in the Truth Thy Truth send downe Lord from aboue And giue me grace the same to loue ACcording to thy louing kindnesse O Christ heare the praiers of thy seruant that request which Hope inboldeneth mee to make vouchsafe in mercy to grant And because the Deuill is the father of all falshood and lying and thou the fountaine of all truth and righteousnes as thou saiest of thy selfe I am the Way the Truth and the Life therefore I beseech thee O gracious God Sauiour to plant in me the Trueth without the which all entrance into heauenly ioy is stopt vp to banish out of my heart which by nature is a nest of wickednesse all maner of sinne resisting the Truth And for so much as Truth is a pearle of price and a Iewell of great value to the godly the ornament of the faythful and the treasure of the true Christian therefore I beséech thée O Christ giue me grace to thirst after truth to hunger after the taste of that heauenly foode that my desiring soule may be succoured my longing heart refreshed euen with the fulnes of the same And wheras by nature we are bōdslaues of sinne and by that meanes vtter enemies of truth we beseech thee notwithstanding to make vs partakers of mercy and not of iudgement remembring that thy death and bloodshed paid the price of redemption for all mankinde Thou God of truth heare my prayer and let the suite of me thy poore Seruant come before thy presence and that which I haue asked with
passions of death I may lay fast hold vpon Iesus Christ my Sauiour hoping in him to liue who by his death purchased euerlasting life for all the faythfull O heare my prayer O God and let my cry come vnto thee for Iesus sake vnto whom with thee and the holy Ghost be all laude honour and prayse for euermore Amen A Prayer to leade our liues according to the law and will of God Giue me O Lord a mind and will To loue thy Law and it fulfill LOuing Lord and most mercifull Father thou that art righteous in thy workes iust in thy iudgements faithfull in thy words true in thy promises make me I heartily beseech thee alwayes plyant like Waxe both in mind and will to loue thy Law and to liue after the same Giue my heart the cleere light of true Christian knowledge that I hauing the eies of my soule broad waking may discerne betweene light and darknesse Christ and Beliall God and the Diuell Hell and Heauen the Flesh and the Spirit Guide thou O Lord all my goings by thy grace that all my thoughtes may rest vpon thée Gouerne thou my will and all mine affections that they may keepe within the limits of thy holie Law and Commaundements that all my endeauour may be directed to the accomplishment and fulfilling of thy Statutes and Ordinances so farre foorth as my weaknesse can wade through the rough waues of this most wicked world let thy spirit lead me to doe those things that please thy diuine maiestie that at the last day whē thou shalt sit vpon the Raine bowe treading the Cloudes of the skies vnder thy féete and compassed round about with legions of Angels Cherubim and Seraphim armies of Saintes and holy Martyres I may be receiued into the number of the elect and enter into possession of that inheritaunce which neither Gold nor Siluer but the precious Blood of thy beloued Sonne my swéete Sauiour Iesus Christ bought and purchased Grant this most mercifull Father for thy mercies sake which are vnmeasurable and for thy kindnesse sake which is vnsearchable and for thy tender loue sake which is vnspeakable Amen A Prayer to keepe our tongue from speaking ill From an ill tongue Lord make me cleane To great and small good fayrh to meane ALmighty God which canst not away with a double heart and to whom an euill tongue is fowle dishonour giue me grace I beséech thée to speake nothing but that which is true right and iust not hurting any with my tōgue which thou hast giuen mee to doe all men good and to vse as an instrument for the sounding foorth of thy prayse and glory And be cause a lying and an euill Tongue draweth the soul into death and destruction put backe I beséech thée from my lippes all guilefull speaches all deceitfull communications and al lying wordes Moreouer because thou O Lord art truth it selfe and therefore delightest in truth innocencie giue me grace alwayes to enure my tongue vnto truth abhorring all such talke as may offende thy diuine Maiestie and diminish the honour due vnto thy holy name Let thy sanctifying Spirit take charge ouer my heart that I may doe good vnto all and hurt vnto none vttering that with tongue which I meane in heart purposing as well in déede as in word nothing but good fayth true christianitie Grant this O God for Iesus Christs sake Amen A Prayer to fast and pray aright To Fast aright teach vs the way O Sauiour Christ we humbly pray MOst bountifull Iesu most sweet Iesu most louing Iesu which by thine example diddest teach vs to Faste aright not after the painted fashon of Pharisies and Hypocrites but according to the plaine manner of vnfeigned Christians I heartily humbly beséech thée to giue me grace to exercise my selfe in godly Fasting Prayer that the man of sinne may be subdued and brought vnder that my heart may be cleansed from all sinne and vnrighteousnesse that my thoughtes and cogitations may be scoured from corruption and filthinesse that my wordes may not smell of Heathenish vnholinesse wickednesse that my déedes may not be leauened with beastly wantonnesse but that the course of my whole life may be seasoned with the sauorie salt of sanctification that whatsoeuer I thinke whatsoeuer I say or whatsoeuer I do it may carry with it some signe of the true Fast namely the fast from sin vnto which fast whosoeuer apply themselues they are sure to be thy children and are builded vpon a stedfast hope to inherite that place of endlesse happinesse which thou boughtest with thy precious blod This fasting I beseech thee O sweete Sauiour giue me grace to exercise so shall my sinfull flesh bee kept in awe as a seruant and my Spirit shall beare rule ouer it and kéepe it in subiection This O Christ and whatsoeuer else is necessary vouchsafe of thy goodnesse to grant vnto me thy poore creature who aske it euen in zealous and hearty prayer Amen A Prayer against wilfull sins and snares of Satan From wilfull sinne Lord saue vs That Satan may not haue vs. Be vnto vs a brasen wale most mercifull Father against all the assaults of sinne specially preserue vs from wilfull offences and from transgressing of very malice which is a wheting of thy wrath against vs and a kindling of our owne confusion without hope of mercy at thy heauenly hands O Lord let vs not be so farre estranged from obedience as of set purpose to runne into contempt of thy glorious name let not our hearts become so flintie as to be void of all feeling of sorrow for sinne yea as to be emboldened to heape sinne vpon sinne to our vtter shame We know this is Satans séeking we are assured this is the Diuels drift we cannot be ignorant that this is Belsebubs intent therby to haue vs wiped in thy wrath out of the Booke of life and so he to haue full sway ouer vs as children of condemnation But thou O Lord art mercifull thou art gratious thou art carefull ouer vs defend vs therefore from all sinn and chiefely from the sin of wilfulnes and malice for the honour of thy name Amen A Prayer for the feare of the Lord and loue of his word Increase in me O Lord thy feare That to thy word I may giue eare ETernall God omnipotent Creatour whose word layd the foundation of the whole world furnished the same with all things behoofefull for the maintenance of man wee humbly beseech thee increase in vs a louing feare of thee and thy word that whatsoeuer we are inioyned and commanded to doe therein wee may rather neglect life lands goods all precious possessions then to leaue it vndone knowing that by hearing thy word wee vnderstand thy will which who so kéepeth they are assured in spirit to be thy faithfull seruants So fill vs therefore O God with this godlie feare that we stopping our eares and waxing dull against all worldly vanities may bee rauished
great prosperity All the blessings of God belonging to this life hee had them in abundāce yet all turned into neede and beggerie Miserable was his estate yea most vile and filthy in the face of the world yet God cast vpon him a carefull eye Bee mindfull of these things for profite insueth therevpon and in thy pouerty arso learne to be patient and méeke End not thy dayes in despaire as the wicked doe seeke not by vnpatience violence to preuent Gods appoynment tarrie the time which thy Creatour hath ordeyned it is thine mine and all our duties to yeeld our willes to Gods will waite his leasure therefore whose name be praysed for euermore Amen Loue euery man owe no man grudge God sits aboue as soueraigne Iudge He seeth all thinges aboue below And euery where an eye doth throw WRath is the way to vengeance a foule and diuelish vice disallowed of God and horrible among men It is a Fire which consumeth a Canker which eateth a Mouth which fretteth the marke whereat it shooteth is Mischiefe Let not thy heart lie open therevnto least the Diuell thereby getting entraunce possesse thée and carry thée headlong into confusion Lay apart all occasions of grudge hate no man loue al men knowing this That Loue is the fulfilling of Gods law Iudge ill of none thinke well of all for God reserueth iudgement and vengeance vnto himselfe Against thine enemies vse not violence but rather in charity as thou art commaunded vse forbearance Make the best of that which is amisse for therein thou shalt shew thy selfe méeke howbeit winke not at wickednesse Looke vp vnto Heauen and thinke vpon him that sits aboue séeing and marking the thoughts déeds of all men All thinges are manifest vnto him yea whatsoeuer we doe in corners he séeth as plainly as at noone day Mocke not thy selfe therfore with thine owne imaginations neither be thou seduced in the vanitie of thine owne fantasies· Be not forgetfull of him who vttered this voyce Heauen is my seate and the Earth my footstole Euerlasting prayse be ascribed vnto his name glorie maiestie and power belongeth vnto him for euermore Amen In that we haue the world at will And take delight to follow ill Neglecting God in holy word Against our soules we whet a sword WHat doth it profit a man to be Lord ouer the whole World and yet to be the seruant and slaue of sinne It is euen as if we should mingle poyson with swéet dainties in tasting them to swellowe downe our owne death Let not thy minde therefore be drowned in the vaine delights of this world but vse them as they are made euen with modestie Lay not inwait for them to enioy them with excesse least they turne thée to destruction vtter vndoing In the Rich man view a patterne of wantonesse who forgetting mercie felt the heate of Gods heauie iudgement Amidest the scorching flames he lay crying without comfort because he abused the benefits of Gods creation Making them instrumentes to serue his beastly appetites neglecting in the meane time all deedes of Christian charitie Let not vs be so rauished with worldly pleasures that we forgetting GOD should disherite our selues of th'heauenly inheritance As the rich man did who in the midst of his banquetting viandes and pleasant melodie despised the poore Most mortall enemies to our selues are we in so doing and stopping our eares at the word of God wee weaue our owne woe Because the word of life through our default is made vnto vs the sword of death which doth strike downe to hell Eternall God and most mercifull Father illuminate our vnderstandinges inspire vs with heauenly knowledge lighten our wittes and giue vs grace to be spiritually minded that we may vse thy giftes blessinges and benefites to the glory of thy name Amen A day there is when all shall rise Out of their Graues in wonderous wise The elect of God long for that day Come come O Christ come soone we say WRetched were wee if there were not an other World besides this wicked World transitorie and corruptible In a miserable case were we if the children of God whom we hope our selues to be wayted in vaine for another world Lamentable were our lot yea accursed our condition if our happinesse were not the life to come Looke we in wast for the comming of our Christ No no he will come at the sound of the last Trumpe from Heauen In maiestie will he come to iudge the whole world and to giue generall sentence against the wicked and vnrighteous All shall rise out of their graues and shall see him with their bodily eyes the iust to their ioy the vngodly to their paine Many legions of Angels shall attent vpon him and shall shew the brightenesse of his glory maiestie and celestiall power Lord Iesus thy chosen children long to see that day yea they labour and are in trauel vntill that day of comfort come Abridge shorten these troublesome times wherein thy children are set at naught and hasten the day of their resurrection Make speed sweet Iesus come quicklie that the kingdome of Satan may be ouerthrowne and the powers infernall suppresed Be mindefull of thy faithfull flocke which wander vp and downe in this wildernesse like Lambes among venomous wolues Ende the daies of this our mortalitie and let vs heare that sweete voyce Come yee blessed possesse the Kingdome prepared for you from the beginning of the world Amen Amen The Seauen Petitions of the Lords Prayer with a briefe exposition thereof drawne out of holy Scripture Our Father which art in Heauen DOubtlesse thou art our Father Although Abraham bee ignorant of vs or would refuse vs to bee his children and Israell know vs not yet thou O Lord art our Father and our Redéemer thy name is for euer Esay 63.16 There is one Lord one Faith one Baptisme one God Father of all which is aboue all in power through all by his prouidence in vs all by his grace Ephes. 4.5.6 The Lord is in his holie palace the Lords throne is in the heauen his eies will consider the poore and his eie-lids will trie the children of men Psal. 11.4 The heaurn is my throne and the earth is my footstoole such is the greatnesse of Gods Maiestie Esaie 66.1 But our conuersation is in Heauen in minde and affection from whence also we looke for the Sauiour euen the Lord Iesus Christ. Philip. 3.22 1. Halowed be thy name OVr help is in the name of the Lord which hath made Heauen and Earth Psal. 124.8 The Lords name be praised from the rising of the Sunn to the going downe of the same Psal. 113.3 Kinges of the earth and all people Princes and all Iudges of the World Young men and Maydes also Old men and Children let them prayse the name of the Lord for his name only is to be exalted and his prayse aboue the earth the heauens Psal. 148.11.12.13 2. Thy Kingdome come THe kingdome