and make choice or ordinarie election and that thy counsell standeth not in anie mans power neither can anie man alter or diminish thy purpose Wherfore I most humblie beseech thee most mercifull father that if this coniunction of our minds and loue be thy worke and counsell that thou vouchsafe for the glorie of thy name to giue vs some token and true certificate thereof by the increasing and stedfastlie stablishing our godly loue in thee that thou wilt performe the same in vs in thy good time to thy glorie and our comfort that we may the more perfectlie loue and rightlie serue thee But if it be a false persuasion or temptation of the enimie to deceiue vs and to drawe vs from thee then good Lord for thy deere sonne Christes sake I beseech thee so to alter our loue and change our minds so order and guide vs that we may soone be certified thereof that thereby we may flie all occasions of euill and the more zealouslie cleaue vnto thee and in our trieâ—g to stand stedfast in patience so that neither selfe-will nor the lusts of our corruptions doo deceiue vs and if it be for chastening which I confesse we haue not onlie deserued but sore and greeuous punishment for our manifold and greeuous sinnes yet for thy deere sonne Iesus Christes sake oh deere God which hast said that thou delightest not in our destruction I most humblie beseech thee that we may by thy mercie come againe into thy fatherlie fauour and after our great sorrowe and heauines we may obteine perpetuall ioie and consolation and be receiued into the fellowship of thy faithfull fruitfull seruants and Saincts Grant this deere father for thy beloued sonne Iesus Christes sake our onlie peace and mediatour So be it Another praier to be vsed of anie woman before the solemnisation of hir marriage I Beseech thee O father which art neither made nor begotten marrie me now and for euer vnto thy sonne marrie mee vnto him in righteousnesse and iudgement in godlinesse in mercie and in compassion marrie me I saie vnto him in faith that I may trulie knowe thee my Lord and God which wilt not the death of a sinner but rather that he repent and liue O thou onlie begotten sonne of God ioine me now I beseech thee vnto thy bodie that ingraffed in thee I â—ay drawe from thee the iuice of life and of heauenlie wisedome Defend me O holie Ghost and thine whole Church against the rage of Sathan the world the flesh and the diuell and let all things that I doo please thee for thou O glorious Trinitie art my husband which louest me my God whom I worship and the head whervnto I am subiect To thee be glorie and praise both of men and Angels now and for euer Amen Another praier to be vsed of the man or woman a little before they be married O Eternall Father of thy welbeloued sonne our Lord and sauiour Christ which art the maker and king of all creatures we thanke thee from the bottome of our harts for that thou hast not cast mankind fallen from thy grace through sin into euerlasting destruction as thou didst the diuell but of thine vnspeakable goodnesse and secret counsell thou broughtest foorth thy sonne Iesus and madest him an husband that hauing taken our flesh vpon him he might marrie the faithfull vnto himselfe Immortall praise and glorie to thee for reuealing this thy couenant to mankind from time to time by teachers and for calling vs to his heauenlie marriage by thy ministers we beseech thee by and for the same thy sonne so to change and confirme our hearts by thy spirit that adorned with the wedding garments of righteousnesse faith holie loue chaste minds and good conscience and without all hypocrisie dissimulation and without the sinne against our owne conscience wee may approch to this honourable estate of matrimonie and be found in the number of thine elect Let vs now trulie be espoused in faith and vertue to thine heauenlie spouse and be ingraffed in his flesh Let vs be two in one flesh and so cleaue to him that we may be one spirit and so drawe the heauenlie motion of faith comfort ioie and eternall life from him that alwaies we may be though two bodies yet but one soule Finallie our troublesome race beeing finished bring vs with thine elect vnto thy visible companie that for euermore we may remaine in the spouse of the vniuersall Church in eternall companie and comfort Amen Another meditation and praier declaring how Christ adorneth the nuptiall feast with his bodilie presence O Eternall true and almightie God which at the first creation of the world after thou hadst made man an image of thy wisedome and goodnesse bearing such shape as thine eternall sonne at a time determined did take vpon him and afterward of thy secret counsell through thy word didst vtter these words It is not good for man to be alone Thy will it was that from a few euen two the whole multitude of mankind should proceed and a sacred Church honouring thy name religiouslie and sincerelie deliuering vnto posteritie to come the true knowledge of thy word should proceed Thy will it is that both our weake nature may liue purelie in the lawfull state of marriage and thy Church multiplied more and more through the generation of the godlie O gratious God which art pure from all spot of impuritie and wouldest that the cleere vnderstanding of holinesse should shine in vs that approching vnto thee in praier we might discerne thy goodnesse from the nature of incestuous and polluted gods By thy chaste and holie spirit we humblie beseech thee purge our harts that in an holie and chaste conuersation we may be coupled togither to serue thee vtterlie renouncing thine enimie the diuell which is the author of incestuous lawes contrarie to thy commandements forbidding men to marrie for none other end but that both the one by licentiousnesse of life might be forgotten and flocks of wicked men through their lewd conuersation be withdrawne from thee to eternall miserie Be it far from vs O God that so much as in thought we should either so dishonour thy sacred maiestie or hurt our selues And we beseech thee strengtheÌ„ vs weak ones with thy diuine power that we neuer be drawne from thee our God through sinfull desires of the flesh which hinder our praiers the onelie comfort of the Saincts distressed in this miserable life neither forgo the sweetnes and ioie of a godlie conscience through hardnesse of hart and horrible blindnesse wherewith lewd liuers are commonlie punished nor when the course of this mortall life shall be cut off we feele not those torments appointed for the wicked according to that terrible threat Euerie soule which shall commit these abhominations shall perish from among the people And thou O sonne of God which hast ordeined the loue of married folks to be a mysterie of a woonderfull and heauenlie thing instill into our minds and breasts
this world and for euer shall praise thee might be gathered and chosen And forasmuch O Lord as a prudent a wise and a godlie man commeth from thee and is thy gift who onlie triest the harts and reines and knowest the verie secret cogitations and conditions of all men prouide I beseech thee and giue me vnto a man of vnderstanding of sound and Christian religion of wise gouernement and behauiour of a good life and vertuous disposition euen such an husband I say as may be faithfull constant gentle honest tender and louing vnto mee and godlie zealous sincere and religious in thy sight but from an vnwise irreligious vnfaithfull and wauering minded man from an hastie testie rash heddie furious bitter angrie vnthriftie and couetous husband good Lord for thy holie name sake deliuer me and grant that obteining at thy fatherlie hands a good husband euen according to mine or rather thine owne hart and being holilie coupled togither in Christian loue and puritie we may both liue togither vertuouslie and quietlie in thy feare without sinne or shame and also die in a good age godlie and Christianlie in thy faith without eternall death and condemnation through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another LOrd thou hast commanded by thine holie Apostle that wee should abstaine from fornication and that euerie one of vs should knowe how to keepe our vessell that is our bodie in holinesse chastitie and honour and not in the lusts of concupiscence and vncleannes as doo the heathen which knowe not God I beseech thee giue me grace to behaue my selfe according to this thy holie commandement that in this my single life and state of virginitie I defile not my bodie with whoredome adulterie fornication or with anie other filthinesse and vncleanenesse but so order my selfe with all honestie sobrietie chastitie and purenesse of life that I may glorifie thee my Lord God both in soule and bodie Amen Or praie thus ALbeit most mercifull Father mariage is honourable among all persons and the bed vndefiled yet forasmuch as partlie for the tendernesse of mine age I am not apt for holie wedlocke and partlie through thine exceeding and aboue naturall gift for none can liue chaste except thou giue hir that gift I liue yet free from the sweet yoke of Matrimonie I hartilie praie thee that as I haue receiued of thee the gift of continencie and virginitie so I may haue grace from thee to bridle my selfe from lusts from all foolish appetits and to frame my life in all godlie vertuous exercises both of the bodie and mind yea so go foorth I praie thee to continue and increase this thy gift of chastitie in me that I may the more freelie and quietlie in all godlie patience and sufferance serue thee and care for those things that please thee and pertaine to thy glorie and also that I passing ouer the time of this my yong age in thy feare in godlie trauels vertuous labours and maidenlie behauiour may eschew all euill lusts riotous resorts and wanton companie that when it shall please thee to call me to the holie and honourable order of blessed wedlocke I may bring with me a cleane chaste and vndefiled bodie and so be apt and fit to liue in that godlie state of Matrimonie auoiding all fornication whoredome and vncleannesse all dissention strife and debate that thou maiest blesse me and my mariage prosper my godlie trauels send me good successe in all my doings and make me a ioifull mother in seeing my childers children according to thy holie promise which liuest and reignest verie God world without end Amen For the grace of Gods holie spirit to resist all sinfull motions and keepe pure the state of single life praie OH Lord the king of glorie and God of all power and might which hast promised to powre thy spirit vpon all flesh vpon virgins maidens and yong women and to giue the holie Ghost to thy children whensoeuer they shall aske the same of thee in thy Sonnes name in their praiers and allowest none to be pure virgins and thy children indeede but such as keepe themselues vnspotted of the world and walke before thee in the rule of thy lawes and obedience of thy commandements Oh Lord thou knowest I would faine walke with thee from my virginitie in righteousnesse and holinesse My desire is to walke before thee in a pure conscience chaste mind and vndefiled bodie But alas deere God I confesse the corruption of my nature polluted in the first woman Eue in Paradise is such and my weakenesse and vnablenesse to stand in temptation is so much and the custome of sinne hath gotten such dominion ouer me that I am not able of my selfe so much as to thinke a good thought much lesse to doo anie thing that is good and acceptable in thy sight Wherefore oh most louing Father take not thy grace and holie spirit from me thine handmaid leaue me not to my selfe neither forsake me for then I am vtterlie â—ast awaie For thou seest O Lord that if thou doo but shadowe thy selfe a little and depart from me into how manie grieuous and horrible sinnes I fall how much more then Lord if thou shouldest vtterlie forsake me leaue me to my selfe and take thy grace and holie spirit vtterlie from me Therfore oh most intreatable God I beseech thee consider my manifold imperfections womanlie weakenesses miserable corruptions which dailie turne me out of the waie and drawe me from thee and powre downe thy grace and holie spirit plentifullie vpon me thine humble handmaid Yea giue vnto me also thy most holie word thy patience loue meekenesse integritie righteousnesse iustice temperaunce sobrietie chastitie peace long-suffering faith goodnesse holinesse and all other thy vertues fruites of the spirit and ordinarie meanes whereby I may be so instructed taught and guided gouerned protected and defended in this my single life and state of virginitie that I neuer offend against thy diuine Maiestie or mine owne soule and bâ— die but that I may haue power and strength from thee continuallie to stand against all the secret assaults and open temptations of mine enimies both bodilie and ghostlie yea grant O deere Father that I may through thy mightie power working in my weake vessell haue continuall victorie ouer all hellish hagges and also triumph ouer them in all their assaults and temptations as manie holie virgins and women haue done in all ages so that togither with them I may walke before thee in the purenesse of my virginitie with a good conscience in perfect righteousnesse and true holinesse acceptable in thy sight all the daies of my life according to thy will through Iesus Christ our Lord and onlie Sauiour and redeemer So be it Another praier in the behalfe of all Virgins or single women for the keeping of obedience modestie chastitie puritie and cleannesse of liuing O Diuine spirit God the holie Ghost which abhorrest despisest and fliest from all vncleannesse filthinesse and dishonestie and which dooest
me wretched woman for thy beloued sonne Iesus Christes sake who liueth and reigneth with thee and the holie Ghost one God euer world without end Amen God the Father of all comfort and consolation blesse keepe and defend me from all the illusions and suggestions of sathan now and euermore also giue me grace to walke in thy feare Amen Reade more of this in the Quéenes meditation page 10. and 16. 17. c. in the second Lampe A praier of Marie Magdalens repentance O Good Iesu the onlie hope of the penitent person which opening the bowels of thy compassion and to declare and shew a token of thy great loue didst gratiouslie giue absolution and pardon of all hir sinnes to Marie Magdalen that greeuous sinner and sinfull woman at what time she touched with great remorse and sorrowe stood weeping before thee and powring foorth abundance of teares washed thy feete and kissing them wiped them with the heare of hir head in token of hir hartie repentance and sorrowe for hir forepassed sinfull life spent in adulterie and vncleannesse O despise not me also I beseech thee most mercifull Iesu which am a more sinfull woman and now likewise most humblie with great remorse of conscience and sorrowe for my sinfull life past doo prostrate my selfe before the feete of thy mercie washing them with the inward teares of contrition and kissing them with the lips of deuout earnest praier And vouchsafe O sweet Christ to make me meete to heare thy voice so full of loue and compassion so full of elemencie sweetnesse and mercie which the same Marie Magdalen was made woorthie to heare that as hirs so also my manifold sinnes and offences committed against thee and thy whole Church and mine owne bodie and soule may quite be forgiuen and washed awaie by thine onlie grace and merits O blessed Sauiour Iesu Amen Another praier of the woman taken in adulterie O Most tender harted Iesu which so gentlie deliueredst the woman taken in adulterie and so mercifullie sentedst hir awaie in peace and vncondemned of thee from hir accusers Behold my adulterous soule standeth heere before thee which so often hath forsaken thee hir true and faithfull spouse as she hath consented to the vile suggestions of the adoulterous and corrupt enimie Alas my conscience accuseth me yea and all my lewd works and wicked actions doo all bewraie and condemne mee But O Lord enter not thou into iudgement with them I praie thee neither doo thou remember mine old or new offences to plague them as they deserue but deliuer me also a most sinfull wretch and a woman corrupted and abused in adulterie Deliuer me I saie a woman altogither giltie of horrible iniquities from mine accusers and being fullie persuaded in my conscience that I am freelie forgiuen of thee and from this and all other my crimes and offences absolued pardoned and quitted before the tribunall seate of thy iudgement let me now depart in peace and vncondemned For it is thy propertie alwaies to haue mercie and to spare sinners that repent and turne vnto thee as I doo heare at this present vnfeignedlie yea there is no end of thy mercies and compassions to such as forsaking their old sinnes doo vnfeignedlie seeke and cleaue vnto thee to whome therefore with the Father and the holie Ghost be blessing praise power and dominion now and for euer Amen Of this matter reade more in the latter end of the sixt Lampe and in diuers places of the seuenth Lampe A praier to be said of anie damsell daughter or maiden child O Most mercifull God and heauenlie Father which hast commanded mee to honor my parents by whome I was borne and doo liue for such obedience doth please thee for thy beloued Sonne Iesus Christes sake and thou hast promised to reward the same with long life manifold benefits and heauenlie blessings I humblie beseech thee O Lord giue to my parents and all other that I am bound vnto in this world a long life and protect them from all miseries hurt and danger Also grant mee grace to obey them and all others which haue authoritie ouer me in deed and in word and in all patience that I may haue thy benediction and blessing Let mee helpe my parents in their age and neuer greeue them as long as they liue and if their vnderstanding faile let me beare with them and neuer in my lustie youth despise them Imprint in my mind the paines which my mother hath endured for my sake not onlie before I came out of hir wombe but also till I was of anie discretion for which cause be it far from me that I at anie time make hir sad or out of quiet through anie my lewd behauiour and disobedience Furthermore O mercifull God and heauenlie Father I beseech thee forgiue me the sinnes of my tender age and youth whereby I haue and do still offend both thee and my louing parents Pardon them I saie O Lord for thy mercie sake Remember not my rebellions make me both to knowe my follie and to be hartilie sorie for mine offences Place before mine eies continuallie the example of our sauiour Christ which in his childhood was obedient vnto his parents thereby both teaching and shewing to all children what their dutie is Keepe me O Lord from the wicked companie of vngodlie men and when they shall entise me let me not walke in the way with them Refraine my feete from their paths least I come into the dangerous and suspicious iudgements of other folke and hazard therby mine honestie chastitie and good name and vertue to the perill and hurt both of my selfe and my parents Increase O Lord not my yeares onelie but also my wisedome chastitie shamefastnesse sobernesse temperance and all kind of vertue and obedience requisite in a godlie child that I may growe in fauour both with thee and all good men and women through thy beloued Sonne our Lord and sauiour Iesus Christ Amen Another verie necessarie praier to be said of anie daughter or maiden child FOrasmuch as in thy holie word O almightie God and heauenlie Father it is said that a wise daughter is an heritage vnto hir husband but she that liueth dishonestlie bringeth hir father to heauinesse againe A daughter that is bold or past shame dishonoureth both hir father and hir husband and the vngodlie shall regard hir because she is not inferiour vnto them but both hir father and hir husband shall despise hir because of hir foolishnesse I beseech thee therefore take from mee a stout stomach an incorrigible hart an impudent mind an vnshamefast eie and a bold countenance with all other vices and marks of a reprobate and disobedient child and in stead thereof giue vnto mee a gentle spirit a meeke hart an humble mind a demure looke a sober countenance an affable and seruiceable bodie with all other good graces and comelie conditions of a chast virgin and godlie child towards hir parents Oh suffer me not to be of the number
both sense of that celestiall wisedome and a true desire of our coupling to thee In thee a true and burning good will towards man whose nature thou tookedst on thee is inflamed such a comfortable affection of vnfeigned loue should the chast bridegroome beare towards his beloued wife and the bride likewise to hir husband Thou louest and makest much of thy flesh thou nourishest and dooest comfort the faithfull ingraffed into thee by true faith and so should man and wife beeing one â—â—esh loue togither hartilie without all dissimulation Behold the Church according to the auncient custome of espousals lieth before the altar beseeching thee to reconcile thine eternall father vnto vs and to receiue vs into thy societie O our spouse most heauenlie make vs partakers of that couenant which thou entredst into with our nature Blot out all the filthinesse of our sinfull flesh by thy merite transforme vs into new through thine holie spirit and make vs by the same spirit to be one with thee depending vpon thee And forasmuch as thy diuine pleasure is to haue this heauenlie marriage to be celebrated among manie troubles in this miserable life where wine is not alwaies to be had and the face of thy Church is manie times like our water pots our fraile bodies oppressed with euils filled to the full with water and teares where also we are troubled if we be not heard when we make our praiers and hardlie we can bridle our selues with patience to expect thine houre assist and strengthen vs that these fraile vessels of ours in which thy Church hath hir nest be not broken through the malice of Sathan and rage of tyrants Graunt that in crosses and troubles of this life we may constantlie depend vpon thy counsell and assistance and doo that thing onlie which thou hast commanded and gratiouslie prouide that in that ioifull houre thy seruants and ministers may powre out the sweet wine of thy voice giue comfort in our greatest needs and bring vs to thee which art the truth and the life so that when this temporall marriage shall take an end wee may drinke new wine with pleasure in the feast of thy father Amen Ecclesiasticus 15 verse 2. As a pure virgin newlie married doth friendlie entreate hir husband so shall iustice and wisedome being pure and vndefiled greatlie entertaine hir louers Or thus Wisedome as a wife married of a virgin shall receiue or entertaine him that feareth God and keepeth the lawe A praier to be vsed of a virgin newlie married togither with hir husband the first night before they ioine togither in the dutie of marriage after the godlie example of Sara and Tobias who made and vsed the same before they laie togither for the space of three daies as appeareth Tob. cap. 8. 9. A sentence out of Tob. cap. 6. verse 17. worthie to be called to memorie of all new married folkes THey that receiue marriage after such a fashion that they shut God out from them and from their hart and giue themselues to their owne lusts euen as it were in Horsse and Mule which haue no vnderstanding vpon such hath the diuell power Therefore when thou takest an husband and art come into the chamber withhold thy selfe from him awhile and giue thy diligence vnto nothing but vnto praier with him that Sathan may haue no power ouer you that ye may be receiued into the companie of the holie Patriarchs and finallie that ye may obteine the blessing and fauour of God euen holie and sound children the fruits of your bodie and knéeling on your knées saie one after another as followeth ¶ The Praier or petition Husband BLessed and praised be thou O Lord God of our fathers and blessed is thine holie and glorious name for euer Wife Let the heauens blesse thee O God yea the earth the sea the welles the flouds and all the creatures that be therin praise and magnifie thee Husband Thou madest Adam of the mould of the earth and gauest him Eua his wife for an helper and staie Wife Of them came mankind O Lord and thou hast said It is not good that a man should be alone let vs make him an aid like vnto himselfe Husband And now O Lord thou knowest I take not this my sister to wife for fornication or voluptuousnes but vprightlie in thy feare for continencie and onlie for the loue and desire of children in whome thy name may be blessed for euer Wife Thou knowest also O Lord that I thine handmaid am pure from all sin with man and that I haue consented to take this my brother whome thou hast kept for me to be mine husband not for anie pleasure or fleshlie lust but in thy feare and for the desire also of children that in the seed of Abraham I may obteine thy blessing in children Husband Therefore haue mercie on vs twaine being the deerelie beloued children of our parents and cause vs to magnifie thee more perfectlie and to offer continuallie vnto thee the sacrifice of thy praise and of our health and sweetnesse for thy mercies extended towards vs. Wife Haue mercie vpon vs O Lord haue mercie vpon vs and as thou hast put awaie from vs the enimie that persecuted vs and made vs ioifull in thee so according to thy great mercie deale mercifullie with vs still and grant that we may come whole and sound each to other and become aged togither Husband Thy blessing O God be now and euermore vpon vs and vpon both our parents and as thou O Lord of thy goodnesse hast ioined vs togither so by the vertue and power of thy holie spirit blesse vs and multiplie and increase vs that we may togither see our children and our childrens children vnto the third and fourth generation Wife Yea let our seed be blessed of thee our most high and holie God that all people may knowe that thou onlie art God reigning in all the earth and to be blessed and praised for euer Husband Heare our praiers O God and for thy holie name sake grant our request through the intercession of our onlie mediatour and sauiour Iesus Christ our Lord. Wife Amen deere God Amen God the Father blesse vs God the Sonne blesse vs God the holie Ghost blesse preserue and kéepe vs the Lord mercifullie with his fauour looke vpon vs and so fill vs with all spirituall benediction and grace that we may so liue togither in this life that in the world to come we may haue life euerlasting Amen Another verie necessarie and fruitfull praier to be often vsed of all married couples for the obteining of a godlie louing and quiet life in that honourable state of Matrimonie FOrasmuch as it hath pleased thee O almightie God the creator and anthor of all things to direct both our minds rule our hearts and call vs from single life vnto this holie state of honourable wedlock whereby through thy mercie we haue not onlie escaped the entising snares of Sathan our ancient enimie the euill example of
to helpe and deliuer vs and thy people from the crueltie of our enimies And although our sins haue instlie deserued to be punished with the sword of thy vengeance yea though we women for our abhominable pride and filthines haue merited to haue all violence vsed against vs in all vncleannesse by the enimie as our virgins to be rauished the wombe of our maidens opened and defiled the thighes of our wiues and daughters discouered and their wombs polluted and all generallie to be put to shame reproch and confusion yea to the slaughter and to haue our beds and bodies bathed in bloud yet looke mercifullie vpon vs with the eies of thy fauourable pitie who trulie and earnestlie repent vs of our sins and forget our corrupt and most filthie oâ—fences O let our contrite and sorowfull harts be a meane to mooue thee to haue pitie and compassion vpon vs our husbands and children and to vanquish thy displeasure iustlie conceiued against vs and our husbands children and families people and countrie Be thou present I saie O almightie God with vs our husbands thy souldiers in this time of our wars great necessitie and trouble fight thou their battels for them set thy hand to helpe and assist them against the enimie be present with vs I saie in this time of perill and danger Go thou foorth with our armies and hoasts and fight thou on our side then shall we be assured to preuaile Let not the multitude of our furious foes dismaie vs anie whit for victorie we doo knowe consisteth not in the power nor strength of manie men neither yet in the strength of horsses armour nor weapons but it is thou O mercifull father and mightie God that giuest the conquest where and to whome thou pleasest To thee therefore in this great perplexitie and bloudie battell doo we flie and appeale beseeching thee of thine inestimable loue and kindnes for the loue of our sauiour Iesus to looke vpon our true repentant harts and in the fulnes of thy miserations and pities to saue our liues from the sword and our goods from the spoile and deliuer vs and set vs free from the hands and power of our raging enimies abate their pride asswage their malice confound their deuises and to pardon all our sins and greeuous offences that being armed with thy defence and preserued by thee from all imminent perils we vow and dedicate our harts and minds wholie to walke in integritie and newnes of life to glorifie thee the onlie giuer of all victorie which grant good Lord through the merits of thine onlie sonne our sauiour Iesus Christ to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be attributed all praise power and dominion for euer and euer world without end Amen A praier to be said of anie wife or daughter for hir husband or father being a Merchant-venterer or otherwise making his voiage by Sea O Almightie Lord God and most mercifull father maker of all things who by thine insearchable wisedome didst create that mightie globe of the world the heauens earth sea and all things else therein conteined vouchsafe I beseech thee to be mine husbands or my fathers aid and defence in this his dangerous voiage which he hath presumed to take reposing his onlie trust and confidence in thy mightie mercie to be deliuered and preserued from all manner of dangers and ieopardies that may happen either vpon the sea or on the drie land Thou knowest O Lord and most mercifull father that all those that trauell by sea are subiect to the hazard of diuers calamities either to be tossed at the pleasure of the wind and waues either to be dashed violentlie vpon the maine rocks or to sticke in the quick-sands or to be despoiled both of life and goods by the tyrannie of pirats but yet what crosse or affliction soeuer happen vnto him grant that he may acknowledge freelie that it is but a iust punishment for his and mine offences because from the first houre of our natiuitie we haue beene more apt and prone to followe the filthie appetites of our owne desires than to exercise our selues in the true waie of thine vndefiled lawe Notwithstanding what crosse soeuer I saie thou shalt thinke good to laie vpon him yea though thou suffer him to be drowned of the waues and swallowed downe into the deapth of the whales bellie with Ionas from which good Lord deliuer hun yet let him not despaire of thy mercie for thou art the same God foreuer thy right hand is not shortened neither is the greatnes of thy power diminished When Ionas laie three daies and three nights in the whales bellie in the sea yet didst thou at last O mighties God deliuer him safe and sound and sentest him to preach thy name to the great citie of Niniue Thou art yet the same God I saie thou wast at that time neither is thy power abridged at all and therefore although my husband or father be neuer so shaken with winds turmoiled with tempests tossed with the waues yea although he were vtterlie deuoured of the whale-fish in the bottome of the sea yet I confesse and so let him acknowledge that thou art able to deliuer him from all these dangers yea from the verie iawes of death To thee therefore doo I thine vnwoorthie handmaid make my humble supplication and intercession for my husband or father T.B. now passing the seas vnto thee doo I his seelie poore wife or child S.B. powre foorth my feruent and hartie praiers in my deere husbands or fathers behalfe because thou onlie art the castell of both our comforts and his bulwarke his watchman his keeper and defender his sure rocke and hope of his salnation To thee onlie and to none other doo I commit and commend him wholie bodie and soule goods ship fraught and all that belongeth vnto him Uouchsafe I beseech thee to blesse him preserue and keepe him in health and giue him grace so to behaue himselfe in this his iournie and at all times that in no part he offend thy diuine maiestie or prouoke thee to be angrie with him Direct his course safelie vnto the hauen mart Protect him and saue him and all his from the crueltie and force of the water-flouds Leade thou him foorth and bring thou him in Be thou O God his onlie staie and defence whether he sleepe or wake liue or die sinke or swimme vpon the waters as well as vpon the land and brieflie in all places and in all times and seasons shield and preserue thou him as my trust is in thee Thou knowest O Lord that this trade is not of his deuising nor yet proceeding of anie humane inuention but thou O father of thy meere mercie didst reueale the mysterie thereof to thy seruant Noah in commanding him to frame an Arke that might fleete vpon the flouds wherein he and his familie onlie to the number but of eight persons were saued in the great deluge or floud when all the world else for the greatnes
of our spot corruption of our frailtie deadlie fall and most readie inclination to all wickednes and to crie continuallie vnto thee to attaine such strength of thine heauenlie grace through the working power of thine holie spirit that the sleights of satan may be preuented we inwardlie purged of all bitternes fiercenes lightnes inconstancie idlenes pride stoutnes and of all impuritie and wickednes and to liue in our calling with meeknes mildnes peace humblenes quietnes exercising all maner of puritie clennes sobernes godlines and holines as becommeth vnfeigned professors and the true daughters of holie Sara following hir example in all obedience and well dooing to thine honour and glorie and our eternall saluation through Iesus Christ thy sonne our euerlasting Sauiour who liueth and reigneth with thee and the holie ghost in all honour and glorie worlds without end Amen A praier to be said of all deuout women for the light of ladie Vertues lampe and recouerie of hir frends and hand-maids grace repentance faith hope and saluation lost and for the ransoming of their soules from the captiuitie of sinne O Most mightie God and heauenlie king vouchsafe to haue respect vnto vs miserable women which are so wrapped in wretchednes in this world that we are altogither vnworthie to be comprehended within the compasse of thy compassion O Lord of all flesh if it be lawfull for vs disobedient seruants to charge thee our beneficiall Lord and master with thy freendlie vndeserued promises behold then we thy hatefull hand-maids craue that thou haue no pleasure nor delight in the death of vs filthie sinners Thou art the same God thou wert when thou didst redeeme vs with the pretious sanguin oile of thy deere sonne thy grace is yet as great thy goodnes no lesse glorious thy power is inuincible thy diuine Deitie not diminished thy bountie nothing abated and that which must be our onelie helpe thy mercies as much manifold It pleased thy maiestic to send messengers into the world that they might encounter with the seruants of satan namelie thy grace ladie vertues pilote to encounter with vaine desires repetance to banish sinne ladie vertue with hir freends faith and hope to driue awaie the dread of death and desperation and finallie saluation to preuent the force of the hellish furies But alas thou seest O Lord how fraillie we haue dealt with thee with thy messengers thou knowest likewise that we haue not beene in readines willinglie to receiue or accept the light of ladie vertues lampe when it shined vpon vs to guid vs in the waie to euerlasting life but haue too retchleslie extinguished it with worldlie vanities and wilfullie shadowed it with our sinnes whereby we haue fallen from vertue not she by vs but we by wanting hir doo vade faith not by vs but we with want of faith doo faint hope not by vs but we with want of heauenlie hope doo halt they of themselues are strong but we without them are weaker than weaknes it selfe Recouer vs in them O God that we who now shame to shew our selues in thy presence may find through Christ some occasion of countenance when we come with our lamps of pure faith cleerlie burning in our hands to meete the bridegrome and implore thy fauourable sentence in the great iudgement daie of thy comming O vouchsafe yet once againe to extend thy manifold mercies for ransoming our soules from the captiuitie of sinne We without thine aid are miserable we without thy fauourable regard are more than miserable and woorse than woorst wretched Suffer not the works of thine hands which thou hast ordeined for the increase multiplieng of thy kingdome to be flames of infernall fire and to burne in the gulfe of horrible hell as we iustlie haue deserned for so be astlie abusing our selues and the gifts of nature and grace which thou hast giuen vnto vs. It is thy power not our priuiledge it is thy grace not our goodnes it is thy mercie not our merits that must stand vs in steed To vse circumstances in our sute O God what auaileth it Thou knowest our desire before we demand thou knowest our want before we wish thou knowest what we need before we aske thou knowest our sute before we seeke O vouchsafe therefore to supplie what we sue for heare vs and helpe vs make vs worthie to attaine vnto that freedome which we haue forsaken let thy mercie preserue that which thy power hath made and wisedome beautified Thy glorie O God shall be thine if anie benefite be ours thou knowest our necessitie and we hope thou dooest pitie our miserie Yet bicause it pleaseth thee to be praied vnto we therefore come vnto thee humblie in spirit though fraile in flesh It is thou not our sâ—lues that must make the flesh agreeable to the spirit It is thou not our selues that must ouer-rule our nature with thy grace our lusts with thy loue our soules with reason And although thou knowest how to bring it to passe better than can be surmised in our thoughts we craue yet Lord that thou wilt graffe in vs thy grace make vs readie to repentance let the light of ladie vertues lampe shine still on vs to guid vs in the waie to euerlasting happines Uouchsafe also to haue fauourable regard vnto those on whom the light of hir lampe hath shined and that such on whom it hath not shined may be at thy will and pleasure vnshadowed Grant I saie that wheresoeuer shee curteouslie offereth the vse of hir lightned lampe it may be freendlie accepted both in court and countrie Let manie buie it but mo vse it let manie craue it but mo hold it and when they haue it let them not shadowe or extinguish it with worldlie vanities nor quench it with the water of sinne and when they receiue it let them be in readines both to vse and preserue it with all diligence willingnes Finallie grant that all may mainteine the light thereof not onelie during their naturall liues but after to all posteritie at the disposition of thy diuine power and prouidence Moreouer frame in vs a fixed faith to the fort of thy felicitie Let hope haue onelie respect to saluation that we may supplie the place thou hast prepared for the wise virgins Let thy diuine power direct the discontinuing of our soules captiuitie Let thy pitie be prest to make thy mercie mitigate our miserie Let thy grace guide vs and thy mercie O God obteine freedome for vs that our lamps beeing replenished with the oile of thy merits we may walke in the light thereof with hartie hope to the gates of heauen now wide open to meete the great King and all the mightie multitude of angels who with vnspeakeable glorie shall come readie to receiue vs most royallie and intirelie to entertaine and accompanie vs to the celestiall palace and paradise of all pleasure there with all the holie companie of Angels Archangels Powers Patriarchs Prophets Apostles Martyrs Confessors Uirgins yea
contrariwise both reioice and hast great delight and pleasure to be resident and dwell in chaste pure cleane and virginall mindes I thine humble handmaid meekelie beseech thee both for my selfe and all other virgins and maidens that as through thy benignitie and gentlenesse we beare and carrie about in this our weake fraile and earthen vessels the same most excellent and notable treasure so through thy goodnesse and fauour we may keepe and preserue it safe and whole vnpolluted or defiled anie manner of waies as we ought Make vs gladlie to reuerence our elders and by the good motherlie admonitions and sincere honestie of the best and most godlie women to institute frame and order our trade of liuing Cause vs also to bridle our lusts and appetites and continuallie to exercise our selues with labour both of bodie and mind in patience and sufferance that we may be apt and fit both for maidenlie and husâ—ifelie affaires Let vs not giue our selues to much idlenesse deintie fare euill companie and dissolute pastime and in all the recreation of our spirits let vs beware of intemperancie and lightnesse and alwaies vse reuerence shamefastnesse and modestie Take from vs O God all nicenesse wantonnesse prodigalitie and lasciuiousnesse especiallie in the presence of our elders Let vs euer both in time and place remember our selues to be women and not beasts yea yong women and not babes and therefore to take heed that our manners and conditions exceed the manners and properties both of beasts and of babes neither let vs thinke our selues women or matrones wise enough of our selues to teach our selues but being free from all selfe-weening selfe-loue and presumption let vs rather knowe that we lacke as yet manie instructions and godlie lessons and giue vs grace to learne them at their hands whomethou doest appoint ouer vs to gouerne and teach vs that so we dailie more and more pleasing thee with pure harts and vndefiled bodies may with those wise virgins come vnto that blessed life which knoweth no corruption in the which thou togither with the Father and his Sonne my louing Spouse and heauenlie Bridegroome liuest and reignest one immortall and inuisible God blessed and praised for euer and euer Amen Another praier to the same effect MOst sweet Lord Iesu Christ my heauenlie spouse which art the glorie of the Father and the brightnesse of the euerlasting light I thine vnwoorthie handmaid beseech thee for thine incomprehensible diuine Maiestie that thou wilt giue vnto me a godlie preparation of mind puritie of hart simplicitie of spirit and cleannesse and chastitie of bodie Oh kill I beseech thee sweet Iesu and vtterlie extinguish in me all inordinate lusts pull out and plucke vp by the rootes what vice soeuer is in me and take quite awaie whatsoeuer displeaseth thee in me So rule temper and dispose all both mine outward and inward senses as also all the force and powers of my mind that through thy grace I may refraine preserue and keepe my selfe from all vniust and naughtie workes from all euill cogitations and thoughts from all wicked and peruerse purposes willes intents and affections which fight against thy holie and blessed commandements Grant moreouer that I may loue thee aboue all things that nothing may delight or please me but thou alone that I may seeke will desire and couet nothing that is contrarie and repugnant to thy heauenlie will and good pleasure Finallie grant O most gentle Iesu that heere in this world I may so godlie liue and vertuouslie behaue my selfe both in this my single life and afterward that in the last daie of my life I may be found readie with the wise virgins pure holie cleane and vndefiled and so through thee the celestiall Bridegrome most happelie enter and be caried into the celestiall countrie of ioies eternall Amen A praier to be said for all virgins and maids generallie O GOD the former of our bodies and the inspirer of our soules which neuer despisest anie age reiectest no sexe nor esteemest anie estate or condition vnwoorthie of thy grace but art the Creator and redeemer of all defend with the shield of thy protection all those thy seruants and handmaids whom it hath pleased thee to indue with the gift of continencie and virginitie that they which yet be free from the sweet yoke of matrimonie by the helpe of thy grace subduing all sinfull motions and concupiscences of the flesh and being giuen to all good works and holie exercises both of the bodie and mind may be vnseparablie vnited to the loue and obedience of thy Sonne their spouse Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ We beseech thee also O Lord minister and giue thou vnto them weapons of defence not carnall but spirituall that thou gouerning both their members and senses sinne and wickednes may neuer be able to beare rule in them nor preuaile against their bodies or soules and that they alwaie liuing in thy feare grace and fauour Satan the friend to the bad and so to the good may not be so bold to claime them as his whose vessels thou hast consecrated to glorifie thy name in puritie of life O let the dew and moisture of thy heauenlie grace quench and asswage their naturall heate and let the fire of perpetuall chastitie inflame their harts and minds Let not their modest â—nd shamefast faces be blotted with anie reproch neither let securitie or negligence at anie time be hurtfull vnto them Take from them all occasions of offence and suffer them not to endure anie open infamie but let there be in them a warie chastitie adorned and inarmed with a liuelie faith firme hope and sincere charitie that their minds by thy gift being thus prepared to continencie their vertue by the power of thy grace may be of force to incounter with the suggestions of Satan vanquish all his mightie assaults and that by despising things present and transitorie they may euer followe with desire and at the last obtaine the ioies to come Finallie make them O Lord alwaies to prefer abstinence and temperance before banketing or bellie-cheere and cause them to giue themselues to the reading of holie scripture to diuine contemplations and meditations before feasting wantonnes and excesse or riot that being fed with praieng filled with instruction and illuminated with watchings and holie exercises they may purelie performe and fulfill the office of true virginitie in this their state of single life and become meete spouses for the bridegroome And lastlie grant O gratious God that thou thus defending and shielding these thy seruants both externallie and internallie with the spirituall weapons of thy grace and holie vertues they and euerie of them may be well able to passe through the pikes of Satans host and run their race in all holinesse puritie and honestie without anie offence to thee or the world to the confusion of Satan and the exaltation of thy glorie through the same Lord Iesus Christ their euerlasting spouse and our most blessed redeemer to whom
of his worke or finallie by following his diâ—elish temptations and the wrath of our harts in giuing place without anie resistance to euerie thing preiudiciall and hurtfull to this our blessed state and honourable degree But giue vs grace rather good Lord we entirelie beseech thee before all things to take heed that by no meanes we giue anie occasion to our ghostlie enimie to let or hinder our praiers and holie exercises through dissention or discord and diligentlie to applie our selues stoutelie to resist euill and to weed out by little and little the noisome wâ—eds of vncomelie demeanour vnchristian behauiour rude maners churlish conditions euill dispositions and vngodlie extremities out of our hearts and minds with the wholesome precepts of thy diuine word the which giue vs grace diligentlie both to heare reade meditate and imitate day and night that in time we dooing our duties each to other as therein we be taught of thee may reape and feele the fruit thereof hourelie to both our comforts in Christ and thy glorie And because it cannot otherwise possible be but that offences shall sometimes either be giuen or taken betwixt vs by reason of the manifold discommodities that come with this commoditie suffer vs not good Lord we beseech thee to stand stiffe at anie time in our owne opinions faults or wilfulnesse or to mainteine impudentlie and incorrigiblie our errours by friuolous excuses and vngodlie reasonings neither yet busilie to find fault each with others calling each for others dutie towards our selues and in the meane time neglecting our duties both to thee our selues and others yea rather giue vs the grace of thy holie spirit to acknowledge our faults and follies each to other with charitable forgiuing one another and mutuall reconciliation that we may be well pleased and contented one with another and in all things each of vs beare and forbeare others infirmities and weakenesse Grant that either of vs may doo our best diligentlie to performe our duties one to the other as becommeth and we haue vowed and promised as namelie to praie hartilie and often one for another to labour to the vttermost of our powers to frame vse and occasion our selues to softnesse meekenesse gentlenes lenitie and long sufferance bearing well in worth such ouersights as chance and passe in our life and conuersation and still drawing during life the sweet yoke of our fellowship equallie in one concord of hart and agreement of mind so shall it come to passe that all strife and debate shall be cleane banished and pleasant loue sweet amitie and continuall concord shall be embraced of vs so shall we haue our harts staied in stable truth and comfort in all perils and necessities and most happelie passe through the dangers of the troublesome sea of this wretched world in great ioie and peaceable quietnesse to our comfort our neighbours profit and thy glorie which God grant Finallie if thus we doo godlie and christianlie vse our holie state of matrimonie we shall not onlie be armed on euerie side the better to escape the snares of the world the flesh and the diuell but also enioie the ioifull iewell and most singular benefit of a quiet conscience yea so shall all discommodities worldlie or ghostlie be taken away from vs and all things both spirituall and temporall turne to our commoditie and pleasure To conclude so shall our praiers be heard and gratiouslie granted vnto vs and God euen our owne God continuallie followe vs with his benediction and blesse vs both within and without at home and abrode and giue vnto vs all those his good gifts and benefits perteining or needfull either to our bodies or soules which he hath so often promised in his word to powre vpon all such as loue feare serue him both heere and in the life to come the which good things that they may the better be fulfilled and more effectuallie happen and come vnto vs heere present in the due time as thou seest need and we hartilie wish and desire we humblie praie thee O most excellent father who art in deed the verie authour of our marriage to be now and alwaies present with vs by thy grace and holie spirit plentifullie powred into our harts which may perpetuallie continue loue concord and charitie betweene vs and luckelie defend keepe and mainteine vs in this honourable estate that neither we be ouercome with anie temptation nor with anie aduersitie Finallie grant vs thy blessing fauour and protection in this world and in the world to come endlesse ioie and eternall felicitie through the onlie merits of our sauiour Iesus to whome with thee and the holie Ghost our maker redeemer and sanctifier be euerlasting praise honor and glorie both now and for euer Amen Another praier to be vsed of married folkes to liue chastlie and purelie in holie matrimonie and to auoid the filthie lusts of whoredâ—me FOrasmuch as O heauenlie father we trulie acknowledge thee an holie and righteous God our onelie God and maker the knower most trulie of our weakenes and infirmitie our readie and gratious helper our guide and director to holinesse and the onlie author of the blisfull state of matrimonie whereby all thy chosen children might liue in chastitie and holinesse and auoid the vnchast life of whoredome and vncleannesse Grant vnto vs we beseech thee that being called by the spirit vnto that holie state for our lawfull remedie to saiue our weakenesse to quench the raging lusts of old Adam and in holines to beget children for the increase of thy kingdome we may liue togither therein in thy faith feare and loue dutifullie louinglie and peaceablie with modestie in lowlinesse and chastitie all the daies of our liues that both our conuersations togither in all respects being coupled with feare and framed with one consent according to thine holie will and to the godlie edifieng of others representing by it in all points the mysterie figured betweene Christ and the congregation thou maist haue pleasure in our godlie behauiours Blesse vs in all our enterprises and make vs fruitfull and ioifull parents And to the increasing of our ioie O Lord in thee we humblie praie thee that thou wilt of thy great mercie giue both vnto vs and to the offspring of our bodies lawfullie begotten thine heauenlie grace that as we most christianlie endeuouring our selues to traine them vp in thine holie nourture and doctrine so they likewise by the infusion of thine heauenlie grace may haue their hearts prepared to receiue and hold sure for euer the onlie word of righteousnesse that lightneth clenseth best ruleth and most trulie directeth the soules of the righteous to the plaine and most pleasant path that leadeth to the life euerlasting through the merits of Christ Iesus thy sonne our Lord Amen Another praier to be vsed of such married couples as where the woman is not past child-bearing O Mercifull Lord and heauenlie father which by thine almightie power hast made all things of naught which also after other
me with thine oile of gladnes put vpon me the robes of righteousnes and couer me with the glorious purple adorne mee with the pretious stones of vertue and place vpon mine head glorie and honour that all mine ornament may be inward and that I may please thee through liuing in thy faith and â—eare and hoping in thy mercie For thou O sweet Iesu Christ art mine husband which tenderlie louest me my God whome I worship my head wherevntoâ— I am subiect and my bridegrome with whom I hope in heauen to reigne eternallie Amen Another praier to be said of anie noble woman ladie gentlewoman or modest matrone married FOrasmuch as it hath pleased thee O heauenlie father of thine inestimable mercie to bring me to this high estate of dignitie and to put me in possession of a place of honor as a matrone for other women to behold grant vnto mee I humblie beseech thee that in all my dooings I may followe the example of all vertuous and graue matrones which are specified and described for our example in the holy scripture that is to be as louing and obedient vnto my Lord and husband as Sara was to Abraham as Susanna was to Ioachim and as humble loiall and wise as Abigaell was to King Dauid Hester to King Ahesuerus or the blessed and noble virgin Marie was to Ioseph Grant also I beseech thee that I be neither proud presumptuous ambitious disdainefull of others in comparison of my selfe high-minded nor a boaster in mine owne bloud kindred beautie wit or dignitie but with the noble Queene Hester to saie Thou knowest my state O Lord and that I hate this signe of preeminence and worship which I beare vpon my head what time I must go foorth to be seene and that I abhor it as an vncleane cloth and that I weare it not when I am quiet alone by my selfe that bearing alwaies an euen mind and hauing an humble opinion of my selfe as she that knoweth hir selfe to be but dust and ashes and enâ—bled by thee from whome alone commeth the true nobilitie and gentrie to so manie as are borne of thee and made thy children through faith I may laie awaie all pompe and pride nicenes tendernes and disdaine and euer set more by others than by my selfe yea and thinke my selfe worsse than anie other in thy sight to the end I may alwaies liue vertuouslie holilie shamefastlie soberlie and chastlie in all meekenes gentle behauiour discreete conuersation prudence wisedome learning vertue and puritie both in bodie and soule both before thee and all men as becommeth a christian and faithfull woman and such a one as will be a true imitator of Rebecca Hester and the rest of those holie matrones and noble women mentioned in the scriptures that all other seeing my good example of life may praise thy name and be encouraged thereby to glorifie thee in their vertuous conuersations world without end Amen A praier to be vsed of the wife that hath a froward and bitter husband as a present remedie against the mischiefe of diâ—orcement and separation O Most wise and prouident GOD which in the beginning didst create man in thine owne image and out of him didst make the woman and didst bring hir vnto the man that she might be an helper vnto him and therefore thou causedst him to saie and confesse that she was flesh of his flesh and bone of his bones thereby teaching him not onlie the holie and indissoluble band of loue vnitie and mutuall societie that ought to be betweene man and his wife as for whose sake he ought to leaue father and mother and to cleaâ—e vnto hir but also the most sâ—cred and blessed coniunction and knitting togither of our Lord Iesus Christ his sanctified Church and people so that no man can breake or despise that bond and vnitie but he must needs be giltie of presumption against God and of the wilfull breach and contempt of his ordinance Wherefore oh Lord sith it hath pleased thee to match me in this most honourable state of marriage according to thy diuine prouidence I beseech thee to make him an head vnto me and my selfe an helper vnto him according to my creation and as thy holie institution requireth And because thy holie word is the onlie rule and ordinarie to gouerne and direct our liues I hartilie desire thee oh good God giue this mine husband thy grace and holie spirit and so open thou his wits and senses that hauing by the light of thy grace the true knowledge and vnderstanding of thy holie word in all discretion he may knowe how to walke in his vocation both towards mee his poore wife and yoke-fellowe and all others as becommeth him and thereby become vnto me not so bitter a despiser and hater but a true louer sweet freend and godlie gouernour Thou O good father seest the great lacke and necessitie that I thine handmaid haue of a wise guide graue counseller holie instructor and continuall comforter O therefore I beseech thee looke vpon my trouble which I endure consider my reproofe and reproches that I beare in my bosome pitie my miserie ease me of so great a burthen and releeue my great need and necessitie Make this my husband I saie O deere God a head a vaile and defence vnto me for my preseruation and safetie for if we thus bite and deuour one another it cannot possible be but we shall be consumed one of another Make him therefore tender carefull and comfortable vnto me thy weake creature if it be thy good pleasure and grant that according to his promise made before thee and as thou hast commanded else-where in thy holie word he may with perfect and holie loue cherish nourish and loue me as his owne flesh and as Christ loueth his Church and as she that is heire togither with him of the grace of life that our praiers and godlie exercises to the benefiting of our soules and bodies be not interrupted or hindered Grant that he forsaking all other may cleaue onlie vnto me as becommeth without separation and that he may dwell with me as a man of knowledge and christian behauiour and gouernement to thy glorie my comfort and others edifieng But alas I must needs confesse vnto thee my God that I am most vnwoorthie of so good a beâ—efit for I haue not walked in this most honorable state purelie and holilie according to thy diuine ordinance whereby I haue made my selfe much more vnworthie to haue so pretious a gift at thy fatherlie hands and if it be thy good pleasure with frowardnes bitternes and vnkindnesse yea the hatred and disdaine of my husband thus to correct me for my fault I most hartilie thanke thee for it And I beseech thee so to order me in all things in thy great mercie that I neuer murmur or grudge impatientlie against thee for the same nor doo anie thing either against thee or my husband whereby thy maiestie may be displeased my husband offended or thy Gospell
husband and all such as iustlie attempt anie wars against their enimies and mightilie to defend them against their aduersaries that they may receiue through thy puissance a glorious victorie and noble triumph Sâ—nd thine holie Angell vnto him and them that he may pitch his tents among them and ouerthrow their enimie for them Giue vnto my husband and all Captaiues and souldiers thy grace so to behaue themselues in the seruice of wars with all godlines honestie and compassion that thou maisâ— haue a pleasure to be present among them to be their chiefe and grand Captaine and valiant defender Suffer not him and his felow souldiers to be discouraged for the multitude of their enimies but being armed with strong faith let him and them wholy depend on thee the most mightie conquerour with whom it is all one to helpe in few or in manie and with that prince like warriour Dauid boldlie to saie in the midst of their troubles The Lord is my light and my defence whome shall I feare The Lord is my health and the defender of my life of whom shall I be afraid Though mine enimies pitch pauillâ—ons against me yet shall not my hart feare though men of war rise against me I will trust in the Lord my God And when thou hast giuen him the victorie ouer his enimies giue him also a thankefull hart that he may confesse to haue got the victorie not by his horsse bowe nor gun nor yet by his owne strength and policie but by thine almightie power and so be encouraged for euer after to magnifie thy holie name Amen Or thus OH Lord the world is nothing else but a sea of trouble heere the diuell stormeth there the world frowneth on euerie side the flesh assaulteth vs so that our life may well be tearmed a warfare and our daies a treasure of dangers Oh Lord with the anchor of thy mercie vp-hold vs that wâ—e sinke not in the sea of this troublous time but guide vs with thy holie spirit that our liues may please thee and we in our death praise thee through Iesus Christ our Lord. Defend O Lord the righteous cause of my husband thy seruant now gone a warfare Assist him with strength against his enimies with the wisedome of thy spirit against the policie of man that being thoroughlie armed and guided by thee he may fight manfullie in thy quarrell to the building of thy Church and vtter rebuke of hir aduersaries Without thee O fountaine of goodnes and God of his estate I know he can doo nothing arme him therefore with thy grace with the buckler of thy word and complet armour that he may be able not onlie to war with but also ouer-match Sathan his deadlie foe and all his hellish band that setteth it selfe against thee and thine annointed Enrich him O God with thy mercie that he may be able to take vpon him the white raiment of faith and being clothed with it may stand sure against the foming ministers of the diuell that no storme may ouer-turne or dismaie him O Lord keepe thou him from all wrastling affections from inordinate motions defend him O God and let all discord be remoued wherby the Pellicane children desirous of bloud may be disseuerd but nourish O God of loue thy babes with the spirit of patience that he and they being of one mind may doo their duties applie their endeuours and bend their forces and whole strength to the reedifieng of our mother Sion the Church which trauelleth with sorowes and sinketh in the mists of heresies vnlesse thou pull hir out by the hand of thy mercie which doo O gratious God I beseech thee and plant the tree of peace among vs let it flourish to the gladding of our hearts that all dissention cut off we may be linked in one knot of christian vnitie gathered into one sheepfold to be guided by thee our onlie and one shepheard Let not the members of thy bodie be sundred but cherish and nourish them with a full persuasion of brotherhood in the vnitie of our sauiour and thou our onlie father to whome with the holie Ghost be euerlasting glorie praise dominion now and for euer Amen A fruitfull praier to be said with teares of all godlie women in the time of bloudie battell when they see their husbands themselues and their children and familie citie and countrie in danger of destruction and sacking by the cruell enimie O Lord our heauenlie father and euer-liuing God wee thy wretched and most miserable creatures confesse and acknowledge wee haue woorthilie deserued the rod of thy correction and punishment and doo merit manie sharpe bitter stripes that knowing thy blessed and glorious will haue of set purpose contemned thy diuine and heauenlie precepts for which cause the sentence of thy wrath is sharplie kindled against vs man woman and child euen as it hath been against thy chosen people Israell in the daies of our fore-fathers who glorieng in their wickednes as we haue done were plagued in the fulnesse of thine indignation as wee iustlie are The sword of their enimies beset them round about and he mined them â—n on euerie side The Iebusites the Ammonites the Philistines the Ammorites oppressed them diuerslie their strong holds were rased their cities were beseeged their houses were ransackt their goods confiscate and their riches were carried awaie by force of the bloud-thirstie enimie Their yong men were led awaie captiue their virgins were wofullie defloured but in fine when thou O Lord God didst behold their hartie and earnest repentance and contrition thou didst withdrawe thy frowning countenance and sent them speedie and safe deliuerance One while thou Lord sentest them Moses to bring them out of the seruitude of Pharao the stonie stubborne harted king of the Egyptians another while Iepthah set them free from the sword of the Ammonits wherwith they were greeuouslie afflicted And to make thy power and excellent glorie fullie knowne thou gauest Samson such fortitude to bridle the proud Philistines Ouer and besides these thou of thy loue and miraculous goodnes hast made feeble women mightie and victorious conquerours namelie Debora was a shield to the people Iudith comforted the distressed Bethulians and cut off the head of proud Holophernes that thou good Lord when thou beheldst their teares and hartie sorowe for their offences didst prepare thy selfe to go foorth with their hosts thou thy selfe I sate with the breath of thy nostrels didst confound and ouerthrowe their enimie Euen so good Lord thou most mightie and mercifull God which art King of glorie and Lord of hosts the gouernour of all creatures and the onlie giuer of all victories whose power no creature is able to resist and who alone art able to strengthen the weake against the mightie and to vanquish infinite multitudes of thine enimies with the countenance of a few of thy seruants calling vpon thy name and trusting in thee Be thou now present with vs in the fulnes of thy diuine power
deere sonne Iesu Christs sake I saie haue compassion vpon a wretch that calleth vpon thee in his name and vouchsafe now yet at the length to shew some good token of thy fauour and mercie vpon me and that for my good and speedie deliuerance that they which hate me may be ashamed they that loue me be comforted and praise thee togither with me because thou O Lord hast had mercie on me and holpen me and sent me a speedie deliuerance of this burden and made me a ioifull and glad mother of this child to thy glorie So shall my soule magnifie thee O Lord and my spirit shall euer reioice in thee O God my Sauioue yea so shall I be ioifull in thy saluation and I will not cease to celebrate thy name among the saints and sing vnto thee the sugred songs of Sion to the perpetuall praise of thy renowmed name and erernall glorie of thy most sacred maiestie world without end Amen Amen Praiers and thanks-giuings to be vsed of women in child-bed after their trauell and deliuerance and at their churching or purifieng as they call it O My Lord God I thanke thee with all my heart wit vnderstanding and power for that thou hast vouchsafed to deliuer mee out of this my most dangerous trauell and hast sent into this world out of my wofull wombe this child a creature of thine owne fashioning forming and shape like vnto the rest of the children of thy creation for which I am not able worthilie inough of mine owne fraile nature to giue to thee condigne thanks praise honour and glorie for thy so great benefits shewed vnto me in pulling me out from the pit-brinke of death easing and releeuing all my wofull sorrowes labours pangs and most greeuous throwes bitter anguishes vnspeakeable paines which I could neuer haue escaped without out thy most singular aid helpe releefe and succour Wherefore I thy most humble hand-maid with stedfast and pure hart and hands doo powre out before thee my Lord God and onlie sauiour these my simple praiers of thanks-giuing the fruit of my faith hope trust charitie and assured confidence which I haue in thee assertaining my selfe that now thou hast preserued me for a further triall of my vocation and seruice towards thee in this vale of transitorie life wherin I may haue time by thy diuine permission and sufferance to direct all my steps in thy waies and to honour and glorifie thee in my soule and bodie with condigne thanks in reioising in thy holie name according to thy most blessed word wherein thou hast declared that a woman as long as she is in trauell of hir child-bearing she is sorrowfull heauie and full of anguish and intollerable paines but as soone as the child is borne she learneth straight-waies to forget all hir paines not remembring them anie longer and to reioice for that she hath brought foorth a child into the world Euen so O Lord fareth it with me thy poore humble and obedient seruant now reioising in that it hath pleased thee to make me a glad mother in bringing foorth this my child whome now I doo present before the face of thy diuine Maiestie with an earnest zeale of a godlie spirit and most pure affection praieng and beseeching thee O euerlasting God heere to preserue this child according to thy most holie will that it may enioie the benefit of all thy heauenlie sacraments to loue and serue thee in purenes of life as a faithfull member of the christian congregation wherein thy name by it may be glorified honoured and praised world without end Amen Another praier and thanks-giuing to be said of euerie faithfull woman in child-bed after the time of hir deliuerance vsed of the vertuous Ladie Francis Aburgauennie HOW much and how greatlie am I bound to laud praise and extoll thee O my Lord God Euen now was I assailed in my bodie being a wretched and sinfull woman with sundrie and diuers dolours and greeuous gripes of perillous pains in such sort that my agonies abounding death himselfe seemed to me to knocke at the gates of my bodie the rod of iustice laie so heauie vpon me so that I iudged my selfe a creature more meet for the graue whose clamour I thought still sounded in mine eares than to reape the benefit of life By my paines Lord God in this my trauell I am forced to confesse and acknowledge that thou art iust in thy promises and readie to punish sin and iniquitie By this my safe and sure deliuerance I am bound to acknowledge that with thy iustice thou alwaies frequeatest pitie commixing thy mercie and iustice togither in such sort that I must needs confesse thee to be most righteous and mercifull I can not O my God but protest that thou hast dealt fauourablie with me and those paines which I abode were laid vpon me for my sin and wickednes and yet hast thou not dealt seuerelie with me neither giuen sentence against me in thy furie which haue iustlie deserued the same For hadst thou O Lord respected my deserts I had perished euerlastinglie and beeue vtterlie confounded My greeuous groanes throwne foorth vnto thee pearsed the verie bowels of thine annointed sonne Iesus Christ who beholding mine agonies and bitter paines became an intercessor to thee for me through whose earnest intreatie and louing meditation thou conuertedst thy displeasure to mercie and for his sake alone that died vpon the crosse for mine offences thou hast asswaged my torments and in the fulnes of thy bountie and louing kindnes thou hast giuen me a liuing soule to glad my hart for the which I am bound of right to giue thee hartie and humble thanks humblie beseeching thee being now faint and feeble in bodie to strengthen me in soule mind and hart that my tongue may be the organe that may continuallie publish foorth thine euerlasting praise Grant this O gratious God for the loue of thine onlie begotten Sonne Iesus Christ to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be giuen all laud power and dominion for euer and euer Amen Another praier of a woman in child-bed after deliuerance OF dutie O Lord I lift vp mine eies and mind vnto thee and giue thee most humble and hartie thanks for thine infinite goodnes which hast not onelie beautified and blessed me most abundantlie with common rare and woonderfull gifts and benefites but euen now also hast vouchsafed of thy free mercie to send me safe deliuerance and to giue me this infant and child as a token of thy loue towards me the which so great a treasure and blessing though I be not able to deserue yet most louing father for Christs sake I beseech thee that thou wilt confirme thy fauour more and more towards me And take this infant into thy tuition defence whom I offer present vnto thee with hartie praier and neuer suffer him to fall into such vnkindnes wherby he should loose the force of thy grace but that he may perceiue thee continuallie to be
O father of heauen after thou hadst formed man of the slime of the earth and yet prince ouer all creatures it pleased thee of thy goodnes to create a woman of his side aswell for his solace as for the continuance of his seed it was thy word vnto them Increase multiply This increase was easie but mother Eue hath made it hard by passing the bounds of thy will to all hir posteritie so that the woman conceiueth and bringeth foorth in great paine and painefull trauell the fruit of hir wombe In so great paine O Lord in such extreme pangs that vnlesse thou quench the flame of hir sorrowes with the water of comfort it it impossible for hir to beare that into this vale of miserie which thou of thy goodnes hast framed and she conceiued Wherefore thou God of woonders and father almightie of heauen as thou hast by the slaughter of thine onelie Lambe taken awaie the sinnes of the wicked world and condemned sinne in the flesh so take awaie the pangs of child-birth the fruit of sinne from all womankind especiallie from this woman that bearing ioifullie that which she hath conceiued fruitfullie and thou hast fashioned gratiouslie she may glorifie thee most carefullie and praise thee most thankfullie the onelie staie of hir estate both now and euer Amen Another O Good true harted Lord Iesu Christ like as thou didst comfort and deliuer thy disciples and all elect and chosen men and women in all their need martyrdome and paines which they suffered of the tyrants wrongfullie and didst also cure and heale them of their wounds paines and smart through hope of the crowne of euerlasting life euen so vouchsafe thou which art the helpe of all them that call on thee in trouble and need to deliuer this poore weake vessell which is heere bound with a fruit after thine owne similitude and likenes notwithstanding that she hath deserued in transgressing of thy holie commandements to bring foorth hir children in paines and wo that she may be made a glad and ioifull mother through the new creature with good speed that the child may haue name and Christendome and that the mother may be purified to thy honour and to hir health Amen Another praier for a Queene being with a child O Almightie father in whose fauour the virgin Marie was highlie blessed among women by the birth of Christ thine onlie Sonne our Sauiour who also by thine omnipotent power didst safelie deliuer both hir and hir cousin Elizabeth and also so mightilie deliueredst the Prophet Ionas out of the whales bellie amids the foming sea Defend O Lord we beseech thee likewise thy seruant R. our Queene with child conceiued and so visit hir in and with thy godlie gift of health that not onlie the child thy creature within hir conceiued may ioifullie come from hir into this world and receiue the blessed sacrament of baptisme and enioie therewith dailie increase of all princelie and gratious gifts both of bodie and soule but that also she the mother through thy speciall grace and mercie may in the time of hir trauell auoid all excessiue dolorous paine and abide perfect and sure from all perill and danger of death with long and prosperous life through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another praier for a Queene Noble woman or Ladie with child O Most righteous Lord God which for the offence of the first woman hast threatned vnto all women high and lowe a common sharpe and ineuitable malediction and hast enioined them that they should conceiue in sin and being conceiued should be subiect to manie greeuous throws and torments and finallie be deliuered with the danger and ieoperdie of their life we beseech thee for thine exceeding great goodnes and bountifull mercie to asswage and mitigate the straightnes of that lawe and to embrace into the bosome of thy fauour and mercie our most gratious souereigne Ladie Queene R or our most deere sister A. P. C of P. being now at the point of hir deliuerance so helpe hir now O Lord that without danger of hir life she may ouercome the sorrowe and paine and in due season bring forth a child in bodie beautifull and comelie in pregnant wit notable and excellent in mind noble and valiant so that afterward she forgetting the trauell may with ioie laud praise the bountifulnes of thy mercie and togither with vs praise and blesse both thee and thy holie name world without end This O Lord we desire thee we beseech thee and most hartilie craue of thee Heare vs O Lord and grant vs our petitions Amen A generall forme of praier for all women with child and in child-bed O Most wise God eternall Father of thy beloued Sonne our Lord and sauiour Christ Creator and keeper of all thy creatures which through thine excellent wisedome and counsell hast enioined to woman-kind that in paine sorrowe they should bring foorth children whereby not onlie this world is replenished but a Church which doth celebrate thy name for euer is gathered vnto thee And for-as-much as the paine of a woman in trauell is most extreame which makes the Prophets manie times to repeate the same in exaggerating the afflictions of punishments which the holie spirit doth threaten vnto the impenitent we beseech thee in the name of Christ thy Sonne be mercifull vnto all women either with child or in child-bed giue them grace to call into mind the decree and pleasure of thine heauenlie will Let them neuer striue against thee through impatience but in true faith and inuocation of thy name suffer thy crosse quietlie knowing that by the seed of the woman which hath broken the head of the old serpent they are reconciled vnto thee In this seed which is Christ the cursse is cleane taken awaie and blessing restored vnto vs that we may receiue the promise of the spirit and the inheritance of eternall life O almightie God conuert now the sorrowes of women in trauell into gladnes that they remember not their paines with mourning for ioie that a man-child is borne into the world Comfort them in the midst of their anguish and helpe as well the mother as the babe speciallie in the danger of deliuerance For if thou blessed God be not present they perish vndoubtedlie all the world can not helpe them in that extremitie O eternall God which of the seed of man framest the liuing infant in the mothers wombe and nourishest the same congealed in bloud that the flesh within the time of ten moneths may take shape drawing nourishment from the mother we are all the woorkmanship of thine hands we giue thee thanks Lord for fearefullie and wonderfullie are we made maruellous are thy works and that our soules knowe right well Our bones are not hid from thee though we were secretlie made neither our substance in the inner parts of our mothers wombe Thine eies did see our substance being vnperfect and in thy booke were all our members written Thy hands haue made vs and
fashioned vs altogither With skin and bones hast thou couered vs and ioined vs togither with bones and sinews Thou hast giuen vs life and grace and thy visitation hath preserued our spirits Grant we beseech thee to all infants yet vnborne that knit togither with their due veines and members they may come foorth into this world sound and perfect without fault or deformitie and grant that they being borne vpon their mothers sides may be ioifull vpon their mothers knees and sucke the milke of comfort out of the breasts of hir loue to the reioising of the mother Staie the furiousnes of wicked spirits that they shewe not their tyrannie vpon yoong infants Keepe all women with child that no waie being terrified frighted or troubled extreemelie they be vntimelie deliuered Giue grace also to the babes newlie borne that togither with their outward baptisme they may be receiued into the congregation of the faithfull with wholesome water through the renewing and regeneration of the holie spirit which thou wilt plentiouslie powre vpon them through Iesus Christ our Sauiour that being iustified by grace they may be made heires according to the hope of eternall life and become new creatures through him Strengthen all women deliuered and lieng in child-bed that beeing restored to their woonted health they may glorifie thee their helper in the time of need and learne afterward to repose their whole confidence in thee which art nigh vnto all that call vpon thee to all we saie calling vpon thee in truth And if at anie time through thine vnsearchable iudgement an vntimelie birth or vnluckie deliuerance happen so comfort O mercifull father the mournefull and sad parents that they faint not with sorrowe but beleeue rather that the woful chance is a triall of their faith hope and patience For thou art a mercifull and gratious God forgiuing our sins Though thou art angrie with our wickednes yet in thy displeasure thou remembrest thy mercie that the troubled may take comfort and the afflicted find grace For this doo all thy seruants persuade themselues that if they be tried they shall be crowned if they be troubled they shall be deliuered and if they be chastened they shall be saued for thou hast no plesure in our damnation which bringest faire wether after stormes gladnes after teares Thy name O God be praised for euer Amen The same praier more breefe for women with child generallie O Heauenlie father and eternall God which through thine vnspeakable wisedome hast enioined woman-kind that in paine and sorrowe they should bring foorth children and replenish the earth O Lord we beseech thee giue them grace to call into mind this thy decree and pleasure and thereby patientlie to beare the greefe and groanes incident vnto them Conuert Lord their sorrowes into gladnes through a luckie deliuerance and let them remember their paines no more for ioie that a man is borne into the world Comfort them in the midst of their anguish and helpe as well the mother as the babe especiallie in the danger of deliuerance For without thine assistance they perish vndoubtedlie all the world cannot helpe them Grant to all yet vnborne that knit togither with their due veines and members they may come into this world sound and perfect without all deformitie Staie the furiousnes of wicked spirits that they shew not their malice and tyrannie vpon yoong infants Blesse all with child that no waie being terrified or troubled extreamelie they bee vntimelie deliuered Giue grace to all babes newlie borne that togither with their outward baptisme they may be receiued into the congregation of the faithfull and be made new creatures filled with the holie Ghost euen from their mothers womb Strengthen all women deliuered with thy vertue and power whereby they may receiue their woonted health and glorifie thee their helper in the time of need learning afterward to repose their whole confidence in thee which art nigh vnto all that call vpon thee euen to all that call vpon thee in truth And if at any time through thy sufferance and vnsearchable pleasure an vntimelie birth or if without offence we may saie an vnluckie deliuerance doth happen comfort O mercifull God the pensiue parents that they despaire not through sorrowe but thinke rather that the wofull chance is a triall of their faith hope and patience and so confesse thee to be alwaies as good and gratious God forgiuing sins and remembring mercie in thy great displeasure that the troubled may take comfort and the afflicted find grace For thus doo al thy seruants persuade them selues that if they be tried they shall be crowned if they be troubled they shall be deliuered if they be chastised they shall be saued through our Lord Iesus Christ Amen A praier to be said of euerie Christian midwife for hirselfe before she execute hir office O Heauenlie Father which at the beginning didst appoint woman to bee the organe instrument and vessell to receiue nourish bring foorth man through thy woonderfull workmanship without anie labour paine or helpe of flesh and blood but afterward through the sinne and disobedience of our grandmother Eue hast made that which before was easie now to become hard and painefull yea dangerous and impossible if thy helpe were not for them to be brought to passe and now as a meane hast ordeined man to be a god to man and made woman through thine vnspeakable power working togither with him to helpe ease woman which through their owne imperfection and feeblenes are not able in this case and time of their sore labour to helpe themselues For as much as it hath pleased thee among manie other more worthie to call me thy most vnworthie hand-maid to the office of a midwife among the daughters of Israel and made me an instrument and means vnder thee to comfort them in their sorrowes cherish them in their child-beds ease them in their pains and to further them in their deliuerance with all possible paines and conuenient speede that I may and can in thee and for thee I most hartilie thanke thee and praise thy holie name and maiestie beseeching thee of grace and vertue to walke worthie of this my calling in all holie obedience to thee and thy word to thy glorie others profit and mine owne saluation in Christ. And because I knowe and feele mine owne weaknes and must needs confesse how that of my selfe I am far vnable to discharge mine office with such dutie as apperteineth without the assistance and helpe of thine almightie power and holie spirit to strengthen me therein For it lieth not in the power of flesh and bloud no nor in all the helpe of the world to go through with so great a worke and weightie enterprise as this is but it onlie and alone belongeth vnto thee our creator and maker of heauen and earth Therefore blesse thou so my weake labours and further my paines that the fruit thereof may redound to the praise of thy name profit of
hir instant desire must now being preuented with vntimelie labour and birth through perillous trauell needs drinke of the cup of Rahels and Phinees wiâ—es potion and go the waie of all flesh then O Lord thou in whose hands are the harts of all flesh arme hir we humblie beseech thee with thy perpetuall grace peace patience and perfect confidence in thee increase hir faith helpe hir vnbeleefe annoint hir with the oile of gladnes in thee ease hir of hir extreme paines be thou nigh vnto hir and driue the diuell far from hir aid hir with thy holie angels giuing hir grace so quietlie to take this thy fatherlie chastisement and visitation in good woorth that in this hir painfull life yea and in the verie end thereof she with perfect memorie sure trust commending hir selfe wholie to thee may in hart ioifullie still saie and we hir deere sisters and faithfull freends and neighbours for hir as followeth When she is departing and yeeldeth vp the ghost then adde and saie this that followeth FEtch now againe Lord God Father into thy holie hands that which thy puissant might hath shapen command thy holie angels now to aid hir and safelie to bring hir to thee and now place thou hir amongst thy chosen children and blessed heirs in thine eternall kingdome prepared for them that are written in the booke of life Fetch now againe Lord God sonne that which thou of thy meere mercie hast so wiselie gouerned and bought with thy pretious bloud now ioifullie receiue hir and saie vnto hir as thou saiedst vnto the penitent theefe This day shalt thou be with me in paradise Take againe now Lord God holie Ghost that which thou of thy onelie fauour hast louinglie kept and guided in this region of sinne and vale of miserie and now louinglie leade thou hir with Rebecca and Lazarus to eternall ioie and rest This grant hir O holie and most blessed Trinitie good Lord almightie three persons and one verie God vnto whome be all honour praise and glorie for euer and euer Amen Amen Another praier while she yeeldeth vp the ghost THE mightie God of angels and former of all things visible and inuisible in whose hands is onelie life and death light and darknes and all the motions of the soule and bodie without thee most mightie God all things had beene nothing and of nothing all things are made by thee without thy Christ and thy blessed spirit which is one coeternall Trinitie all flesh were accursed all consciences molested and all soules vtterlie damned from light into darknes from freedome into euerlasting reprobation but by Iesus Christ thine onelie sonne we thanke thee deere father of all mercie that now it hath pleased thee to take to thy mercie at this present time our deere sister S. B. whom thou hast elected consecrated and now she shall by thy mercie and pitie be sanctified vnto thee in the death of Christ to be a citizen of eternall glorie Now we perceiue that flesh and bloud doth forsake hir and all hir worldlie strength faileth hir now are the organes yeelding vp the heauenlie sound hir soule commeth now vnto thee good Lord receiue it to thy mercie into thine euerlasting glorie where as Abraham Isaac and Iacob Sara Rebecca Rahel and the blessed virgin Marie are continuallie To thee oh heauenlie Father be incessant honour glorie for euer and euer Amen After hir departure let the women kneele downe also and giue thanks as followeth ALmightie God with whom doo liue the spirits of them that depart hence in the Lord and in whom the soules of them that be elect after they be deliuered from the burden of the flesh be in ioie felicitie thou I saie O mercifull God the father of our Lord Iesus Christ who is the resurrection and the life in whom whosoeuer beleeueth shall liue though he die and whosoeuer liueth and beleeueth in him shall not die eternallie who also taught vs by his holie apostle S. Paule not to be sorie as women without hope for them that sleepe in him we giue thee hartie thanks for that it hath pleased thee to deliuer this woman our sister out of the wofull miseries of this sinfull world meekelie beseeching thee O Father to raise vs from the death of sinne vnto the life of righteousnes that when we also shal depart this life we may rest in Christ as our hope is this our sister doth and that it may please thee of thy gratious goodnes shortlie to accomplish the number of thine efect and to hasten thy kingdome that at the generall resurrection in the last daie we with this our sister and all other departed in the true faith of thy holie name being found acceptable in thy sight may haue our perfect consummation and blisse both in bodie and soule in thy eternall and euerlasting glorie and receiue that blessing which thou O Christ shalt then pronounce to all that loue feare thee saieng Come ye blessed children of my Father receiue the kingdome prepared for you from the beginning of the world Grant this we beseech thee O mercifull father through Iesus Christ our onlie mediatour redeemer and sauiour Amen A praier and thanks-giuing to be vsed of the mother or women about hir after the child is baptised ALmightie and euerlasting GOD who hast vouchsafed to regenerate this infant by water and the holie ghost and hast giuen vnto it forgiuenes of all his sinnes and receiued it into the number of thy children and heires of eternall life I thanke thee for thy gratious goodnes fauour mercie towards it And I humblie beseech thee also O Lord to strengthen it so with thy holie ghost the comforter that it may lead the rest of his life according to this good beginning Let thy fatherlie hands I praie thee be euer ouer it and blesse ti dailie increase it with thy manifold gifts of grace giue it the spirit of wisedome vnderstanding the spirit of counsell strength the spirit of knowledge and true godlines fulfill it with the spirit of thy holie feare faith and praier and so lead this child in the knowledge and obedience of thy holie word that being euer defended with thy heauenlie grace it may continue therein for euer and dailie increase in thy holie spirit more and more vntill in the end he obteine the gift of euerlasting life in thy celestiall kingdome through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen If the child or yong infant be verie sicke and lie sore pained with anie greefe or whensoeuer else it be visited with anie dreadfull diseaâ—e praie ouer it and saie as followeth Lord heare our praiers And let our crie come vnto thee Let vs praie O Mercifull Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ the onelie begotten Sonne of the liuing Father redeemer of all men through all ages whose nature is pitifull not onelie to the strong and stout but also to the weake and simple as babes infants and children we here assembled most hartilie desire and praie
mercifullie shewedst vpon them in their great trauels labours and paines when they fled vnto thy holie name for succour as vnto a strong tower bulworke and holie defence Go foorth O Lord to make them the ioifull mothers of manie children endue them with long life that they may see their childers children and the children that thou giuest vnto them make thou as in age so likewise in wisedome and in the abundance of thy holy spirit to increase that they may haue fauour both with thee and with all good men vnto the glorie of thy most blessed name Amen The mothers praier for hir childrens good education O Eternall God creator and preseruer of all man-kind the giuer of all spirituall grace and the onlie author of eternall life I most hartilie thanke thee that it hath pleased thy fatherlie goodnes to giue me these thy creatures the fruit of my bodie as a witnes and testimonie of thy fatherlie fauour and good will towards this most honourable state of matrimonie Oh Lord as thou hast giuen them vnto me so I beseech thee vouchsafe to giue me thy gifts both spirituall and bodilie that I may haue competent wherwith to educate and bring them vp Haue mercie on me oh Lord and giue vnto them thy grace and holie spirit and open thou their wits and senses and giue them the true knowledge and vnderstanding of thy holie word a louing affection and obedience vnto the same and a true faith in it Giue them wisedome vnderstanding knowledge and discretion docilitie capacitie and facilitie to comprehend take and receiue doctrine learning nouriture and discipline that they may be made worthie instruments of thy glorie and profitable members of thy Church to the aduauncement of thy glorie the edifieng of thy Church and the comfort of my conscience by Iesus Christ our Sauiour Amen Another praier to be vsed of euerie godlie mother for the godlie proofe of hir child made for the Ladie Lettice O Most mercifull Lord God almightie onelie which art gratious and good as by thy diuine will power this my child was formed and made a liuing creature consisting of bodie and soule in the wombe of me his naturall mother from whom he is departed into this world by naturall birth weake and impotent of fraile and sinfull substance by his owne propertie inclined to ignorance and sinne and now inuironed with thousands of malicious mightie and subtill enimies both bodilie and ghostlie which waite for the seducing leading of him to perill death and destruction wherevnto all mankind is prone and were it not for thy mercifull grace and tuition soone ouercome So be it thy will O most graâ—ious Lord in the abundance of thy mercies and loue for Christs thy deere sonnes sake with thy fatherlie eie to looke vpon him to blesse him powring plentifullie of thy heauenlie gifts vpon him that being preserued brought vp and nourished in diuine knowledge faith feare and obedience of thee through true profession of thy sweete sonne Iesus in the sinceritie of the Gospell he may growe rich and beautifull in all godlines and vertue in all his waies and proceedings seeking the kingdome of eternall glorie through firme abundant faith and holie conuersation in Christ our sauiour working all righteousnes filled with meeknes brotherlie loue obedience cheerfull hope desire of heauenlie things contempt of the world and mightilie armed with thy grace and strengthened by thine assistance to vanquish the power of sinfull flesh and satan that hauing victorie in the end he may ioifullie triumph in thy presence O God with the rest of thy beloued saints to giue honour and continuall praise to thy most holie name in blisse euerlasting through thy deere sonne our mercifull Lord and Sauiour Amen Another praier of the mother for hir child ALmightie euerlasting God which of thine infinit mercie and goodnes hast promised vnto vs that thou wilt not onelie be our God but also the God father of our children I beseech thee that as thou hast vouchsafed to call vs to be partakers of this thy great mercie in the felowship of faith so it may please thee to sanctifie with thy spirit into the number of thy children this infant which thou hast giuen me to the end that he comming to perfect age may confesse thee onelie the true God and whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ and to serue him and be profitable vnto his Church in the whole course of his life that after this life beeing ended he may be brought as a liuelie member of his bodie vnto the full fruition of thy ioies in the highest heauens where thy sonne our sauiour Christ reigneth with thee world without end Amen Another praier to be vsed of the mother for the good education of hir youth and children OH gratious God in knowledging that thou louest all things which thou hast made of thy goodnes and that thing cannot perish which is committed to thy charge now I come vnto thee with my tender children committing them into thine hands and desiring thee to couer them vnder the wings of thy prouident mercie Hew and square the rough table of their hearts of stonie make them fleshie that being softened by the deaw of thy blessings they may beare the seales of adoption in thy Sonne Christ. O Lord guide them in this darke vale of vanitie with the light of thy fauour that escaping the dongeon of sin they may walke in newnes of life and lodge alwaies in thine holie will Imprint in their harts faith hope humilitie chastitie and charitie that following thee they may be humble and meeke holie vertuous perfect and godlie as thou art Indue them with the spirit of feare that they may kisse thee in faith liuelie obedience and thou be neuer angrie with them but louing vnto them as the mother is to hir tender sucklings Amen Another praier for the godlie and vertuous life of thy childe O Lord God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ and father of all them that beleeue which hast said by the mouth of Salomon the sonne of Dauid that an vndiscreet sonne is a greefe vnto his father and an heauines vnto his mother that bare him and that the wise sonne maketh a glad father but an vndiscreet bodie shameth his mother that it would please thee so to conduct and guide this my sonne S. in his waie that he may acknowledge and confesse that thou art the author of his life that he may serue and honor thee without feare in all truth and righteousnes and growing in age he may be mortified in spirit that he may be filled with wisedome and that thy grace be with him To conclude that by that meanes keeping thy precepts he may prolong his daies heere vpon earth obeieng vs his parents whom thou hast chosen as instruments for to place him in this world Giue vnto him O Lord such ease for the commoditie of this life that vnder colour of pouertie he doo not couet or
God wilt answere me That mercie is the aboundance great of thy heauenlie pitie With which thou viewst the afflicted sort that on the earth doo lie And what is this compassion then but proofes of thy mercie Our fathers old the same haue felt and now in rest do raigne And thou art still the selfe-same God for euer to remaine Our fathers were conceiued in sin and so are we likewise Wilt thou compassion shew on them and children theirs despise One faith in Christ we all professe one God in persons thrée As thou compassion hadst on them compassion haue on me Ponder O God my harts desire most humblie doo I craue And doo awaie all my misdéeds and so compassion haue And as of sinners manie a one whose number is vnknowne Thou didst vouchsafe to drawe to thée make them all thine owne So now vouchsafe most gentle God likewise to drawe me in And make me righteous by thy grace forgiuing me my sin So shall my soule reioice and still for mercie crie Peccaui peccaui miserere mei The sixt meditation MOst mightie God I doo confesse ten thousand times more Thou hast me washed from my sin and salued still my sore But I through sin am falne againe and fowler now am made Than euer was the filthie swine with mire ouer laid How oftentimes shall we forgiue each other that offend Seuentie times seuen the scripture saith which signifieth no end If man to man such fauour shew that wretched caitiues be How much more thou O gratious God to them that call on thée It is thy nature to forgiue my nature can but fall Though thou be iust in all thy works thy mercie passeth all What time a sinner doth repent and turne to thée at last All sins foredone thou wilt forget thy promise so hath past Behold O God I turne to thée with sorrowe for my sin And do repent euen from my hart that I so lewd haue bin Now wash me Lord yet once againe with fountaine of thy grace That I among the sacred saincts with thee might haue a place So shall my soule reioice and still for mercie crie Peccaui peccaui miserere mei The seuenth and last meditation LIke as the guiltie prisoner stands before the iudge so tride With quaking breath shiuering lims his iudgement to abide Euen so O God before thy face in fearefull state I stand And guiltie crie to thée my iudge and now hold vp my hand Nothing have I to pleade for life no goodnes is in me Of sin deceipt and wickednes guiltie good Lord guiltie Thus by thy righteous doome O God and sacred lawe diuine Condemnd am I to endles paine through iust deserts of mine Alas what then is to be said or what is to be done For mercie yet will I appeale to Iesu Christ thy sonne For neuer yet hath it béene heard since first the world began That Iesu Christ did turne his face from anie sinfull man Which unto him for mercie came with sad repentant minde O Lord shall I then be the first that shall no mercie finde Shall I be she thou wilt despise that humblie commes to thée No no swéet Christ thy promise is for to deliuer mée Wherefore my soule be glad and crie incessantlie Peccaui peccaui miserere mei FINIS W. H. A praier to be said of a widowe immediatlie after the death of hir husband ETernall and mercifull God father of our Lord Iesus Christ which according to thine heauenlie pleasure hast taken now my deere and louing husband R. B. out of this world whereby I am a poore afflicted widowe and my seelie children fatherlesse vnto thee doo I crie in this my miserie O mine assured aduocate haue mercie on mee a forsaken orphane and after thy great goodnes pardon all my sinnes which I haue committed against thee Turne vnto me O Lord and take mercie on me for my soule is become a widowe and I am alone and comfortlesse looke vpon the teares of my widowhood and behold mine affliction and miserie Oh my Lord now releeue my necessitie as thou didst releeue that widowe of Sarepta whom thou didst most miraculouslie preserue by thy prophet Elias Take the like pitie on me now I saie untill thou returne ah shew thy selfe vnto me that I may be comforted assist me behold my necessitie and deliuer me out of all my troubles Grant likewise that sith thou hast taken awaie from me the vaile of mine eies mine head and deer husband with whom I was preserued from all dangers and of whom peraduenture I was vnworthie I may yet find fauour now in the sight of all gouernours and magistrates whom in thy holie word thou hast commanded to be as an husband and guid vnto me that I be not iniuried by the vngodlie contrarie to all reason and equitie In like sort let me find patrons and honest men which will haue a tender consideration of this my present estate and succour me at times with godlie counsell Protect me oh my God from all false tongues which are like rasures cutting deceitfullie and as the sharpe arowes of a mightie man Deliuer me O Lord from slander and from the obloquie of wicked men which with poisoned words haue bent their bowe to cast downe the poore and needie and to slay such as be of a right conuersation Furthermore I beseech thee giue me grace to liue in this my desolate state of widowhood chastlie and godlie shewing my selfe an example of godlines to others and trusting wholie in thy mercie at all times Let me patientlie and christianlie endure all crosses laid vpon me and continue faithfullie in making of supplications night and day Behold as the eies of a maiden are vpon hir mistresse so are mine eies bent vpon thee my Lord God vntill thou haue mercie Haue mercie on me O Lord haue mercie on me for I am full of reproch and my soule is euen as a weaned child from the mothers brests Heare me O Lord as my trust is in thee for Iesus Christs sake thy sonne our Lord and sauiour Amen Another praier of a widowe O Lord I thanke thee that thou hast scourged me thus with the death of mine husband He was deer vnto me O Lord euen bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh for whom I forlooke both father and mother to cleaue vnto him He by the couenant of matrimonie was made one bodie with me thou gauest him vnto me and thou hast taken him from me blessed be thy name for euer The bands of death haue sundred me from him for a while but I hope O Lord by the power of thy holie spirit that nothing shall be able to separate me from thee mine onelie Iesus the onelie ioie of my soule Put the axe of thy mercie to the roote of my wanton nature and cut it off that I doo not marrie the vanitie of this wicked world but put vpon me the garment of innocencie and tie about my hart the iewell of faith that
be broken from the bones of them O mercifull God extend thy fauour vpon all widowes that at all times and in all afflictions they may trust in thee the liuing God and continue in supplications and praiers night and daie being diligent in all good works not occupied in pleasures neither wanton light idle wandering from house to house no tatlers nor busie bodies no speakers of things vncomelie nor giuers of occasion whereby thy word may be blasphemed Keepe all parents that they being taken awaie either by war or vntimelie death their wiues be not widowes and their children orphans running heere and there a begging Be thou their helper and comforter euen for Christes sake our Lord and sauiour Amen The orphane or fatherles childs praier O Lord so narowe is the mouth of charitie so consumed is the fire of Christian loue that where the foxes haue their holes and birds their nests yet haue we poore fatherles children and orphans no place to rest our heads on As pilgrims we wander from place to place and are driuen with the wind of pinching pouertie vpon the seas of this world to seeke releefe but alas and wo to the world for it The rich man deuoureth all superfluouslie or else hoordeth vp to fill his garners niggardlie so that Lazarus may not only walke amidst the streets naked but also lie begging at the gates sore and yet go without euen the crumbs that fall from the table to ease the time of his necessitie O Lord therefore doo I poore orphane flie vnto thee haue thou mercie vpon me for it is onlie thou which fillest with thy blessing euerie liuing thing I am better than a farthing sparrowe O Lord thou knowest it and I acknowledge it to my comfort feed my soule with the flesh of thy sonne and let me drinke of his bloud that seeking first thy kingdome I may in the end be crowned with glorie and sit at the table of ioie in heauen with thee O Lord grant this I beseech thee Amen The old womans praier O God of our fathers and Lord of all grace throughout all nations all ages and generations past present and to come and which powrest bountifullie vpon all flesh the treasures of thine heauenlie vertue and wisedome grant I humblie beseech thee not onlie vnto my selfe which am now become aged and full of daies but also vnto whomsoeuer thou hast giuen the blessing of long life and manie yeares to liue in this vale of miserie to be mothers of manie children to multiple vpon the earth to increase heere thy kingdome and to be as organs and instruments of thee preserued to set foorth as we ought the glorie of thy maiestie that thou wilt vouchsafe alwaies so to indue me and all sage and ancient matrones with the spirit of truth vnderstanding and knowledge with thy fatherlie wisedome will to holines deuotion granitie temperance and constancie that the vnexpert the iuniors yonger women and inferiours which through want of time the affects of youth and void of the like gifts of grace can not deale as they should for thy glorie in the common wealth of the Church may yet by our sober sound and graue conuersation followe vs as true patronesses of pietie be ruled by vs guided instructed wel trained vp and christianly counselled that vnto vs aged and graue matrones againe by such iust desert and cleere shining light of our good example our due honor worthie estimation condigne worship humble submission and reuerence may most amplie for thy glorie dailie redound towards vs so shall it come to passe that now at all times and in all ages from tender youth to verie old age through generations and all posterities thy holie name shall be magnified in righteousnes and true holines with all ioifulnes lauds thanks-giuing heere and for euer in the euerlasting world to come through thine onlie free grace in the merits most pretious of thine onlie Sonne our Lord Iesus Christ Amen Ad this Psalme or praier O Lord which woorkest woonders which cheerest my hart with remembring thee and which inlightenest my youth despise not mine old age but make my bones to reioice and my hoarie heares to waxe fresh againe as the eagle Cast me not off in the time of mine age forsake me not now when my strength faileth me but as thy mercie hath come in the beginning of my life so helpe me now in mine old age and weaknes and let it finish the end of my course to thy glorie and my comfort For thou O Lord hast beene my trust euen from my youth vpon thee haue I staid my selfe from the wombe Thou art he that tooke me out of my mothers bowels that didst helpe me in my youth and hast preserued me euer since I was borne and conceiued Thou O God hast taught me from my youth euen vntill now O therfore forsake me not now in mine old age and graie head but as thou hast begun so continue thy benefites towards me that thy liberalitie may haue perfect praise that I may tell yet of thy woonderous works and shew thy power vnto them that shall come after me Haue mercie vpon me O Lord haue mercie vpon me for behold my life is wasted my daies are spent my yeeres are past my strength faileth the marrowe in my bones is consumed for age The beautie of youth is gone the glorie of age and graie-head is come I have beene yoong and now am old full of daies am I and striken in yeres yet haue I seene nothing no nor done anie good in thy sight I haue spent my yeres as a thought or tale that is told my daies are gone like a shadowe and I am withered awaie like grasse The time of my pilgrimage is but greefe sorrowe few euill haue the daies of my life beene and I haue not attained vnto the yeres of the life of my grandmothers in the daies of their pilgrimage The time of our life is threescore yeres and ten and if we liue till fourescore yeres yet is our strength then but labour and sorowe for it is cut off quicklie and we flie awaie so soone canst thou turne man to destruction and bring the sonnes of Adam to naught One daie with thee O Lord is as a thousand yeres and a thousand yeres in thy sight are but as yesterdaie which is past and as a watch in the night and our age is nothing in respect of thee Thy yeres O Lord endure through all generations and thy daies are without end or beginning yea heauen and earth shall perish but thou shalt endure they shall all waxe old as doth a garment and as a vesture shalt thou change them and they shall be changed but thou art the same and thy yeres shall not faile But the daies of men surelie are determined which he can not passe and the number of his moneths are knowen to thee thou hast appointed him his bounds and terme of yeres which he can not go beyond Thou
holie ghost be all glorie and praise euerlastinglie Amen A praier for the Euening when you go to rest O Most gratious Lord and mercifull Father I thy sinfull creature and most vnworthie hand-maid prostrate in my hart before thine high maiestie most humblie beseech thee of mercie and forgiuenes of all my sinnes iniquities that I haue this day committed against thee yea and euer sith the time that I was conceiued in my mothers wombe vnto this present instant and most hartilie I thanke thee that thou hast preserued me hitherto from all such offences as I haue not fallen in and whereinto anie other person through his owne fault and thy sufferance hath fallen into the which I also without doubt should haue fallen hadst not thou with thy grace preuented me saued me supported me and susteined me That I haue fallen manie waies my great fault and blame it is for the which in most humble wise I aske mercy and forgiuenes of thee That thou hast preserued me thy great goodnes mercie and grace it is for the which with all my hart I thanke thee And now I beseech thee most mercifull father that thou wilt no more be angrie with me neither hencefoorth forsake me but that thou wilt continuallie not onelie assist fortifie and strengthen me against the assalts of the diuel but also be my succour and defence in this night and alwaies to my liues end against all sinne iniquitie And that thou wilt vouchsafe also of thine abundant bountifulnes if it be thy will to refresh my brittle bodie so with conuenient rest this night that I may the more readilie freshlie and promptlie with all diligence serue thee to morow according to that state that thou hast set me and called me vnto so that all my life may please thee and through thine assistance be so ordered and gouerned that after this vaine and transitorie life I may attaine the life euerlasting through Iesus Christ our Lord So be it Or else praie thus before you go to bed O Lord Iesus Christ whose bottomlesse goodnesse we haue to thanke for all things who hast giuen the most cleere light of the daie time as well to the good as to the euill to go about such affaires and busines as we haue to doo and hast mercifullie giuen the louelie silence of the night for the strength of our weake and feeble bodies to be refreshed with lieng at rest and to put awaie the carefulnes of our minds and for the asswaging of our harts sorrowes whereas to all them that loue thee thou thy selfe doest much better accomplish and performe all those things within in the hart to whom towards all dueties and acts of godlie conuersation thou doest for their faith sake much more cleerelie shew the lampe of thy light than the sunne shineth bright vnto the world and whom thy promises doo not suffer at anie time to waxe weerie the comfort and consolation of thy spirit doth much more effectuallie wash awaie all heauines of hart than doth the sleepe of the bodie so that the whole man doth not in anie more safelie or more sweetlie repose him selfe than in thy mercie our most gratious Redeemer I beseech thee that whatsoeuer I haue this daie committed or done through humane frailtie and negligence that hath offended thine eies thou according to thine accustomed goodnes forgiue it me And also grant thou that this night to come thou prospering it may be luckie vnto me thou being my keeper it may be pure and thou being my defender it may be safe from all mightie illusions of the wicked spirits so that this rest sleepe which I shall now take may restore both my bodie and my soule more fresh and lustie against to morrowe to ferue thee in the perfect obedience of a Christian woman And forasmuch as this life hath not so much as anie one houre of assurance vnto vs when the euentide thereof shall come and the sleepe of this bodie and flesh shall grow vpon vs out of the which we shall not awake vntil such time as at the angels trumpet euen the dead also shall be raised I beseech thee that thou wilt at that time lighten the eies of my soule so that the lampe of my faith may not then be extinguished with the fiue foolish virgins and I sleepe in euerlasting death but contrariwise with the fiue wise virgins hauing my lampe of pure faith cleerlie burning I may be accepted and peaceablie rest in thee vnto whom euen the dead doo liue which liuest and reignest with God the father and the holie ghost for euer and euer world without end Amen Our Father which art c. Into thy hands O Lord I commit my spirit for thou hast redeemed me O Lord thou God of truth Unto him that is able to keepe vs that we fall not and to present vs faultles before the presence of his glorie with ioie that is to God onelie wise our Sauiour be all glorie and maiestie dominion and power praise and thanksgiuing both now and for euer Amen Amen A Table conteining the seuerall titles of euerie particular praier comprised in this fift Lampe whereby the reader may readilie vnderstand the right vse of the same and applie them accordinglie A Praier for silence shamefastnes and chastitie Page 1. A praier to be said of single women against all euill behauiour vice and vanitie and for the obteining of modestie chastitie and all maidenlie vertues 2. Another of the same 5. Another 6. For the grace of Gods holie spirit to resist all sinfull motions and keepe pure the state of single life 7. Another praier in the behalfe of all Virgins or single women for the keeping of obedience modestie chastitie puritie and cleannesse of liuing 9. Another praier to the same effect 10. A praier to be said for all virgins and maids generallie 11. A lamentation of anie woman virgin wife or widowe for hir virginitie or chastitie lost by fornication or adulterie not vnapt also to be vsed of anie Christian sinner or sinfull soule adulterated and fallen awaie by sinne from hir spirituall spouse Christ Iesus diuided into sixe seuerall Chapters 13 15 18 20 23 24. Another lamentation of a woman that hath lost hir virginitie and chastitie or of a Christian soule polluted with sinne 26. A praier of Marie Magdalens repentance 32. Another praier of the woman taken in adulterie 33. A praier to be said of anie damsell daughter or maiden-child 34. Another verie necessarie praier to be said of anie daughter or maiden-child 35. A praier to be said of a daughter in lawe that is married 40. Another praier to be vsed of a daughter in lawe 43. A praier to be said of anie woman when she is wooed of anie man to be his wife 46. Another praier to be vsed of anie woman before the solemnisation of hir marriage 48. Another praier to be vsed of the man or woman a little before they be married 49. Another meditation and praier
THE FIFT LAMPE of VIRGINITIE Conteining sundrie forms of christian praiers and meditations to bee vsed onlie of and for all sorts and degrees of women in their seuerall ages and callings as namelie of Virgins Wiues Women with child Midwiues Mothers Daughters Misâ—resses Maids Widowes and old women A Treatise verie needfull for this time and profitable to the Church now newlie compiled to the glorie of God comfort of al godlie women by the said T.B. Gentleman Matth. 26. verse 46. Watch and praie that ye enter not into temptation the spirit is readie but the flesh is weake Imprinted at London by H. Denham dwelling in Pater noster Rowe at the signe of the Starre being the assigne of William Seres 1582 Christian praiers and meditations to be vsed of and for all sorts and degrees of women in their seuerall ages and callings A praier for silence shamefastnes and chastitie THERE is nothing that becommeth a maid better than sobernes silence shamefastnes and chastitie both of bodie mind For these things being once lost she is no more a maid but a struÌ„pet in the sight of God howsoeuer shee disguiseth hir selfe and dissembleth with the world I therefore most humblie beseech thee O mercifull Father from whome commeth euerie good and perfect gift and without whom we are not able to doo anie thing that thou wilt so order my tongue and dispose my talke that I speake nothing but that becommeth my state age and person neither that I delight to heare anie talke that might in anie point mooue me to lewdnes or lightnes seeing that euill words corrupt good maners Giue me also such shamefastnes as may plucke me awaie from the delectation either of thinking speaking hearing seeing or dooing euill that my whole delight may be in vertue in godlines in eschewing idlenes in giuing my selfe continuallie to some godlie exercise but aboue all things in thinking and speaking of thee in reading thy blessed word and heauenlie lawe which is a lanterne to my feete and a light to my paths Moreouer suffer neither my mind to be defiled with â—uill thoughts nor my bodie to be corrupted with anie kind of vncleannes but giue me grace so to order my selfe in eschewing idlenes and wanton wicked companie that my mind being free from euill affects and my bodie cleere from all vncleannes I may be found a meete temple for the holie Ghost to inhabit And if it be thy good pleasure hereafter to call me vnto the honourable state of matrimonie that I may bring also vnto mine husband a pure and vndefiled bodie and so liue with him in thy feare vnto the praise and glorie of thy blessed name Amen A praier to be said of single women against all euill behauiour vice and vanitie and for the obtaining of modestie chastitie and all maidenlie vertues ALmightie and euerliuing GOD which art of a pure chaste vnspotted eternall essence chaste minds please thee and godlie conuersation thou likest well Wherefore I beseech thee create in mee a cleane hart O Lord and keepe mee from vncleane cogitations harlotrie whooredome and all impuritie Take from me a wanton eie and let me not gaze vpon the beautiâ— or comlie personage of anie man least I be taken in his snares but giue me grace to shun ill companie least I come to shame and reproch Turne awaie mine eies I saie good Lord from beholding a beautifull man and keepe me from immodest wanton and effeminate persons whose delight is all the daie long in chambering and wantonnes in excesse of wine vaine pleasures and all maner of wickednes and riot As for many idle words much babling filthie speech and scurillitie let them be so far from mine hart that they neuer come once into my mouth or lips Preserue me O Lord and keepe me from all the snares of Satan from all allurements intisements prouocations occasions of sin transgressing thy most holie commandements as namelie from pride nicenes sloth idlenes from pranking pricking pointing painting frisling decking of my self to appeare piked feate gorgious gaie in the eies of men from taking too much libertie to gad abroad to see and to be seene or to prance in pride arrogantlie from haunting euill companie and resorting to bankets weddings idle games heathenish sports dissolute plaies and pastimes vaine pleasures and filthie dalliance and dansings the extreame of all vices finallie from all enuie arrogancie ambition impudencie piertnes boldnes rashnes vnshamefastnes dissolute laughing excessiue feeding retchlesnes dissolutenes deliciousnes wantonnes lightnes inconstancie curiositie and from all other euill behauiour vice and vanitie good Lord for thine holie name sake deliuer me least of a member of Christ I prooue a member of the diuell by following the works of the flesh and loosing that inestimable treasure of great price mine honestie chastitie and virginitie Oh let me not I beseech thee with Dinah Dalida Salomen such like dansing damsels become equall with the vngodlie by plaieng the foolish virgin as they did and in liuing vngodlie or dishonestlie to the shame and great griefe of my friends and to mine owne infamie destruction and damnation but grant O good and gratious God that both inwardlie with a pure conscience cleane soule chaste hart and vnpolluted mind and outwardlie with an vnspotted bodie holie vessell and vndefiled members after the good example of Sara Rebecca Ruth Iudith Susanna the virgin Marie and such other godlie women I may Christianlie serue worship and glorifie thee in true faith feare and loue and in perfect chastitie shamefastnes sobernes demureâ—es modestie measure thriftinesse scarsitie diligence in house care of deuotion meeknes holines puritie and all other vertues bodilie ghostlie that when the celestiall bridegroome my Sauiour Iesus commeth I hauing my Lampe replenished with oile may with those fiue wise virgins be found readie euen at midnight to meete the bridegroome and happilie enter with him to the wedding there with thine elect virgins to taste of all the good fatnes of the pleasures of paradise And if it shall please thee hereafter to prepare me for an husband and to call mee vnto the holie state of honourable marriage assist me I beseech thee that in thy feare with honestie of bodie and good fame not of curiositie or incontinencie nor through sinister practise and priuie contracts but with chaste and holie loue with continuall praier and lawfull meanes and that with the consent and agreement of parents and friends on both sides first carefullie obteined I may euen before the flower of mine age be past if it be thy will enter thereinto and be presented of them as a pure virgin to Christ especiallie considering that thou hast therefore ordeined that state of life that the virgin which hath not the gift of single life feeling hir infirmitie and to auoid fornication might marrie and take an husband in the Lord as also that mankind in chaste wedlocke may be multiplied and that an holie Church which both in
the wicked world and the vnlawfull lusts of fraile flesh and so consequentlie the horrible iudgements of eternall damnation if so be that we now inseparablie liue togither according to thy holie ordinance and our promise made each to other before thee and all the Angels but also by this our happie coniunction we presentlie enioie and feele to our great comfort the ioifull iewell of a quiet conscience free from all euill delights in filthinesse of sin and occasions of offence we therefore thy humble seruants heere prostrate on our knees according to our bounden dutie with pure and thankefull minds acknowledging this great benefit to be in deed thy singular gift doo meekelie render vnto thy diuine maiestie most humble and hartie thanks euermore praising thee therefore and saieng Blessed art thou O our God and heauenlie father which art the author of our marriage and of this our coupling togither and blessed be thy most holie and glorious name for euermore yea let heauen and earth the sea and all the creatures therein praise blesse extoll woorship and magnifie thy sacred maiestie both now and hencefoorth for euermore Amen And now O mercifull father considering with our selues what need we haue to be very circumspect carefull and watching to doo our duties seeing how woonderfullie subtillie and despitefullie the diuell in these most perillous daies deludeth scorneth forbiddeth and enuieth this holie state and how few matrimonies there be without chidings brallings tantings repentings bitter curssings fightings and diuorcings which things vndoubtedlie the more is the pitie are commonlie almost euerie where committed among all estates through the instigation of the ghostlie enimie Sathan and his impes who take great delight therein forsomuch also as we are not ignorant how busie that old aduersarie of mankind is to banish the sweet loue inuiolable constancie and pleasant concord which to our continuall comfort should alwaies be betwixt vs and how in stead thereof he busilie laboureth and bendeth his principall craft to bring in horrible hatred dreadfull dissention vnpleasant strife irkesome lothsomnesse and bitter discord euermore as it were from aboue hoâ—ering in the aire assaulting our nature and condition and neuer ceasing to laie craftie traines to catch vs and still assaieng to attempt all things that may interrupt and hinder ouâ— harts desire and godlie purposes if we giue him neuer so little entrie intending by this meanes either by voluntarie separation or compulsorie diuorcement vtterlie to breake and dissolue this godly knot so fast knit by thee to most godlie vses either else at the least continuallie to encomber it with diuers displeasures great greefes and manifold miseries to our alas no little anoie and perill both of bodie and soule to others offence by euill example and most of all to thy high displeasure and great dishonour and slander of the Gospell which we O deere God professe We therefore thy humble seruants being verie desirous to auoid all these miseries and snares of Sathan our ancient enimie and to liue peaceablie holilie and comfortablie togither in this holie state of wedlocke as becommeth vs in the feare of God first confessing our owne infirmitie weakenes and vnablenes in anie thing to resist or withstand as we ought so vehement mightie and strong assaults inuasions and temptations of the diuell and secondlie knowing no other waie or meanes how to preuent the spitefull malice of so deadlie a foe but onlie in flieng by earnest and continuall praier vnto the throne of thy promised helpe and mercie euen through the hope we haue christianlie conceiued in the promise of so readie releefe and happie helpe made by thee to all that call vnfeignedlie vpon thee in the name of Iesus Christ thine onelie sonne our sauiour We I saie thy poore seruants in this faith presume and are bold to present our selues now before the sacred seate of thy most high maiestie most humblie crauing and hartilie begging of thee that for the same thy deere sonne Iesus Christes sake thou wilt vouchsafe in mercie fauourablie to behold and visit vs and by thine omnipotent power and puissant might so represse bridle and restraine thou the violent force and piercing power of our ghostlie enimie and mortall fo which thus continuallie seeketh to deuour vs and most maliciouslie endeuoureth and spitefullie practiseth by all possible meanes to banish our loues to exile our ioies to abandon our comforts yea especiallie to dissolue our vnitie to cancell our bonds and breake our concord that this our marriage thy gratious aid and readie assistance alwaie furthering the same and prospering it may happilie be free from all the wicked suggestions cruell assaults and vngodlie temptations of our deadlie aduersarie and also deliuered from all those euils mischiefes miseries inconueniences troubles and calamities which Sathan so busilie laboureth to infect fester and intangle this our holie state withall Giue vnto vs I saie O good Lord the holie helpe of thy grace and Angelicall aid of thy diuine spirit so to rule and gouerne our hearts and to knit and conioine our minds and willes togither in perfect loue vnitie and concord that we be at no time by anie diuision or bitter discord disseuered or diuorced one from another but may continuallie be vigilant and carefull both by dailie inuocating vpon thy holie name and also by all possible diligence and earnest indeuours on both parts to striue and fight valiantlie against all the temptations of Sathan and other the enormities euils mischances and miseries whatsoeuer may happen vnto vs by his pernicious instigations wicked motions and most perillous suggestions Grant O deere God that as we are now of necessitie compelled by thy holie ordinance to liue inseparablie togither being conioined by thy word in mutuall loue and felowship as one bodie one flesh so we standing in awe of thee and setting thy holie feare euer before our eies may through the working of thy grace liue togither holilie godlie chastlie purelie peaceablie quietlie louinglie agreeablie and comfortablie in all happie felicitie perfect ioie sweet amitie perpetuall charitie and continuall concord all our liues long and that good Lord we praie thee without anie hate debate chiding bralling tanting threatning disliking repeâ—ting vpbraiding irkesomnesse lothsomnesse abhorring detesting diuorcing finallie without anie deadlie dissention bitter curssing and vnnaturall fightings or other vnchristian and vncharitable behauiour because in deed it is one of the three things that so greatlie pleaseth thee a man and his wife to agree louinglie togither O Lord let not the wicked vices of stiffe stubbornenesse wilfull will froward fiercenesse comberous testinesse mallipert checkings sharpe words and selfe-loue be found to reigne in either of vs neither suffer vs we praie thee at anie time to giue place vnto the prouocation of wrath and hot hastie furies of the mind least thereby we begin vnhappilie to weaâ—e to our selues the web of all wo sorowe and calamitie as manie now adaies doo by promoting the wicked purpose of the diuell or by setting forward
according to the rule of thy holy commandements through the inspiration of thy blessed spirit to whome with thee and thy deerelie beloued Sonne Iesus Christ be all praise honor and glorie for euermore Amen Amen Praiers to be said of women with child and in child-bed and after their deliuerie A praier to be vsed of a woman with child O Almightie and mercifull Father which of thy bountifull goodnes hast fructified my wombe and of thy gratious blessing hast created in me a reasonable creature I most hartilie thanke thee not onelie for this thy gratious gift but also for that thou hast at all times sith I conceiued preserued me from all perils both of soule and bodie and hast so moderated all my nips pinches and pangs that I haue hitherto right well escaped them I acknowledge O Lord that iustlie for our â—infull transgression of thy commandements thou saiedst vnto the first woman our grand-mother Eue and in hir to vs all I will increase thy sorowe when thou art with child with paine shalt thou bring foorth thy children All our paines therefore that we suffer in this behalfe are none other thing but a woorthie crosse laid vpon vs by thy godlie ordinance to the which with hart mind I humblie submit my selfe trusting surelie and being fullie persuaded in my faith that thou callest none into perill and danger but both thou canst and wilt at conuenient season deliuer them Thou most gratious God hast commanded vs in all our trouble to call vpon thee for aid and helpe and not only hast commanded vs but also of thy mercifull goodnes hast promised to vs good deliuerance saieng Call vpon me in time of trouble and I will deliuer thee O good Lord how greatlie doo these words comfort my hart and susteine my seelie soule Who would not greatlie reioice that knoweth certainlie almightie God to be present with him in his trouble Saith not God thus Or euer they call saith he I shall answere them While they are yet but thinking how to speake I shall heare them And in the Psalme I am with him saith God in his trouble out of the which I will deliuer him What a comfortable Lord is this He is more readie to helpe than we to call for helpe He is more readie to giue grace than we to aske it There was neuer anie yet that with a pure faith asked grace of his Lord but he had it Christ saith Aske and ye shall haue Euerie one that asketh hath He that saith euerie one excepteth none Uerelie verelie I saie vnto you saith Christ whatsoeuer you shall aske my father in my name he shall giue it you Our sauiour Christ saith this and he is God and shall not I hearken to my Lord Gods commandements promises Uerelie I will sticke surelie to it for sure I am that sooner shall heauen and earth perish than Gods promises be vnperformed For albeit euerie man naturallie is a lier and deceiuer yet God is alwaies true and iust in all his words and promises I will therfore make my sute vnto him whome I need not go far to seeke for he is euerie-where present with his elect and is nigh vnto all them that call vpon him faithfullie and thus will I praie vnto him FAther of mercie and God of comfort and all consolation I thy poore hand-maid humblie beseech thee for Christ Iesus sake and in his blessed and holie name that thou wilt vouchsafe to forgiue me all my sins and trespasses that I haue heeretofore offended in against thy godlie maiestie either in thought consent delectation word or deed and that thou wilt heereafter during my life mercifullie preserue me from transgressing of thy commandements and dailie increase in me perfect repentance for my sins a sure purpose of amendment of my life and a diligent studie to walke in thy commandements Increase in me also a liuelie faith a sure hope and charitie Ingraffe in me humblenes of hart meekenes of mind cleannes of conscience Grant mee that I may be wise sad sober discreet circumspect and well aduised in all my saiengs and that I may stronglie ouercome all the temptations of mine enimies the diuell the world and the flesh and that whether I be sleeping or waking eating drinking or whatsoeuer I doo all may be to thine honor and glorie Grant me also that I may humblie reuerence my husband and faithfullie loue him and be obedient to all his honest lawfull and godlie requests And chieflie of all grant mee O Lord that I may feare and dread thee for well assured I am that looke how high the heauen is in comparison of the earth and so great is gods mercie towards them that feare him Looke how wide the East is from the West so far hath he set our sins from vs yea like as a father pitieth his owne children euen so is the Lord mercifull to them that feare him And as touching my deliuerance of this burthen and thy gratious gift I am right well assured that vnlesse thou prosper my trauell all womens helpe and all physicke is in vaine but my full trust is that like as thou hast created this child in me and hast breathed into it the spirit of life so at such time as shall be feene most meete to thy most godlie maiestie thou both canst and wilt prosper the childs birth and my deliuerance In consideration whereof I humblie beseech thee of thy fatherlie pitie to strengthen me in this my dangerous labour and trauell and so susteine me that I may patientlie beare all my throwes and pangs and according to thy promise suffer me not to be tempted aboue my strength but in the midst of my temptation make a way to come out that I may beare it Increase my faith O most mercifull sauiour Christ that I may constantlie beleeue thy word which saiest Ye shall be sorrowfull but your sorrowe shall be turned into ioie A woman when she trauelleth hath sorrowe for hir houre is come but when she is deliuered of the child she thinketh no more of the anguish for ioie that a man is borne into the world I be seech thee therefore in the dangerous time of my trauell grant me speedie deliuerance and ioifull beholding of my child that I being a merie and ioifull mother may render vnto thee honour laud praise and thanks for thine aboundant mercies and gratious gifts and benefits And finallie aboue all things I beseech thy gratious goodnes to endue my child with grace that it may be one of the number of thine elect baptised and regenerated in the holie Ghost and that at the yeeres of discretion it may learne to knowe thee and knowing thee may trust surelie in thy mercie trusting in thy mercie may hartilie loue thee louing thee may feare to displease thee and fearing to displease thee may bee obedient to thy commandements and finallie atteine euerlasting ioie and felicitie through our Lord Iesus Christ which liueth and reigneth with thee and the holie Ghost
world without end So be it Another praier of a woman with child before hir trauell O Almightie and mercifull God maker of heauen and earth which for sin hast enioined to me and all woman kind a greeuous paine to bring foorth children I mislike not this thy decree but I acknowledge the same to be holie irreprehensible and good for all that thou hast created and ordeined are verie good Wherefore I beseech thee in the name of Christ thy welbeloued Sonne assist me in my paines helpe me in the danger of deliuerance and conuert my mourning into mirth In the meane season keepe thou mee with the child in my wombe from all hurt and danger Grant also that my child yet vnborne may come into this world sound and perfect without deformitie Protect me likewise with thy fauour whereby I may escape all danger feare frights and vntimelie deliuerance Bring into my mind all my misdeeds and offences that vnfeignedlie I may be sorie for them and walke heereafter warelie in my calling and when the time of my deliuerance shall approch assist me with thy grace and bring out my child in good time well proportioned according to thine image and restore me to my woonted strength if it be thy good pleasure Giue also vnto my newlie borne babe togither with outward baptisme thine holie spirit whereby it may be regenerated vnto euerlasting life admitted into the societie of thy saincts and continue in thy seruice and godlie conuersation euermore O Lord God mercifull father into thine hands I commend both my selfe and my child doo with vs as it pleaseth thee thou hast made and redeemed me therefore thy will be done In thee will I trust as long as I shall liue Thou art my refuge in Christ our Lord and sauiour Amen Another praier of a woman with child before hir labour AL thy waies are iust oh deere father and thy iudgements are true altogither for worthilie doth man liue in the sweate of his face and the woman bring forth children with much paine and trauell and with great danger Yea O mercifull father this paine is not a sufficient punishment for the greeuous transgressions wherewith wee and our fore-fathers haue transgressed thy most holie will The punishment in respect of our demerits is too small but in respect of our weakenes too great for vs without thee to endure Wherefore as I acknowledge O mercifull father this trauell in child-birth which now approcheth to be a iust reward of my manifold sins so I acknowledge also thy readie arme of defence stretched out ouer me and ouer all them that call vpon thee in faith Grant therefore O deere father that I may in faith praie and wait for that time of my trauell patientlie that I may endure it when it shall be present constantlie and thankefullie knowing that although I then feele some tast of the reward of sin yet I feele not all and that little which I then feele thou dooest presentlie reward The which comfortable and glad issue grant me O Lord if it be thy good pleasure and hauing receiued such fruit of my bodie grant me moreouer wisedome and strength to bring it vp in thy feare and to trauell as it were againe with it till it be borne againe into a heauenlie life to the glorie of thy holie name and my great ioie so that it may finallie in Christ Iesus be partaker of those blessings which thou dooest plentifullie raine downe vpon the faithfull and their seed for euer And bicause I am not woorthie to present this my suite to thy heauenlie maiestie of my selfe a most wretched and sinfull woman I offer it in the name of the righteousnes and in the strength of my Lord and sauiour Iesus Christ praieng furthermore as he hath taught vs to praie Our father c. Another praier of a woman with child before hir trauell OH most deere father Lord of heauen earth which gouernest all things by thy wisedome so that nothing is done without thy prouidence Thou causest the winde to blowe the stormes and seas to arise and in their chiefest rage with a word thou stillest them againe Thou sendest fire raine and snowe from heauen threatening great destruction and yet not one of them can passe the bounds that thou appointest them so that they go and doo onlie what thine almightie word hath commanded them the bounds and measures where of they may not neither are they able to passe whereby most dâ—â—re God thine almightie wisedome and power is manifest vnto vs in all thy works but most chieflie in the woonderfull worke of the forming of man who of a maruellous small and loathsome substance is made a liuing creature and nourished within the closure intrailes of the womb and hauing a soule or mind infused into it by a heauenlie beginning is alwaie desirous to be returned againe as out of a strange countrie into his owne Therefore O heauenlie father I yeeld thee most hartie thanks that thou hast vouchsafed to count me worthie and made me the shop and receptacle of this thy most excellent worke And I beseech thee most louing father that as thou hast giuen me aptnes and power to conceiue and receiue thy creature and workemanship into my bodie so thou wouldest giue me power and strength to beare and to nourish it vntill it come to good perfection and that I may safelie bring foorth the same Thy goodnes oh gentle father did at the beginning appoint and ordeine that this thy worke of propagation and bringing foorth of man should be to vs easie pleasant and without danger But our sins alas deere God through the disobedience and breaking of thy lawe and commandements hath made it to be dangerous painefull and full of perill which thou didst laie vpon our grand-mother Eue and vpon all vs hir posteritie as a correction and punishment for sin and therefore I confesse deere God that through my manifold sins I haue not onlie deserued this thy rod of correction but far sorer and more greeuous punishment yea euen thy wrath were it not that thy mercie exceedeth all thy works and thy tender loue towards vs is such and so great that in thy iustice thou thinkest vpon mercie and hast not onlie giuen thy deerelie beloued Sonne to shed his pretious hart bloud to take awaie our sins but also hast chosen vs in him before the world began to be thy children by whome thou hast assured vs that thy fatherlie care and godlie prouidence ouer vs is so great that euen the verie heares of our heads are numbered in thy sight Wherefore oh most mercifull father I am bold to run presentlie vnto thee with all my trust hope and confidence that thou hast giuen me praieng and beseeching thee for thy great mercies sake for thine infallible promise and truth sake which neuer faile anie that put their trust in thee and for thy Sonne Iesus Christes sake oh most mild and mightie worker that thy clemency may refresh and