vs so large a time of repentance These benefits O most mercifull father like as we do acknowledge that we haue receiued of thy only goodnes euen so we beseech thee for thy deare son Iesus Christ his sake to grant vs alwayes thy holy spirit whereby we may continually grow in thaÌ„kfulnes towards thee he led in all truth and comâ—orted in all aduersity Strengthen our faith O Lord kindle it more more in feruentnes and loue towards thee our neighbours for thy sake Suffer vs not most deare father to receiue thy word any more in vaine but grant vs alwaies the assistance of thy grace and holy spirit that in heart word and deed we may sanctifie and doe worship to thy holy name that wee may helpe to amplifie and increase thy kingdome and that whatsoeuer thou sendest Thy kingdome come Thy will be done Giue vs this day c. we may hartily well be content with thy good wil and pleasure Suffer vs not to lack the thing O Father without the which we cannot serue thee but blesse thou so al the workes of our hands that we may haue sufficient and not to bee chargeable but rather helpfull vnto others Be mercifull O Lord vnto our offences Forgiue vâ— c. and seeing our debt is great which thou hast forgiuen vs in Iesus Christ make vs to loue thee our neighbours so much the more Bee thou O Father our captain defender in all temptations Lead vs not into temptation hold thou vs by thy mercifull hand that we thereby may be deliuered from al inconueniences and end our liues in the sanctifying and honouring of thy name But deliuer vs from euâ—ll through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen A aier for true mortification O God my creator preseruer and euerlasting defender where first in my creation I was made like vnto thine owne likenesse the diuell alas hath since by Adams fal made me vgly monstrous and euill fauored like to himselfe For what are now Lord mine earthly members but as thine Apostle writeth adultery whoredome vncleannesse vnnaturall lusts euill concupiscence Colos 3. couetousnes which is the worshipping of Idols and such other for the which thy wrath is wont to come vpon the children of vnbeliefe Neuerthelesse Lord of thy great mercy and goodnesse against this so great a mischiefe a much greater remedy thy fatherly prouidence hath ordained for thou hast sent Iesus Christ thy dear and only naturall sonne into this world the vale of miseries to loose the works of the diuell and to take away my sinnes 1. Joh. 3. Therefore Sathan hath now nothing to brag of for through Christ all that beleeue in thee 1. Joh 5. so become thy children doe ouercome the world the flesh the diuel And this is the victory which ouer commeth them al euen our faith that faith I meane which is perswaded that whosoeuer beleeueth in Christ Ioh. 3. Ioh. 5. shall not perish but haue euerlasting life That faith which beleeueth the testimony to be true which thou God the Father dost testify of thy son so making thee no liar and this is the testimony that thou hast giuen vs eternall life that faith which beleeueth that thou Father who raisedst vp Christ froÌ„ death shalt also quicken our mortall bodies Rom. 8 through thy holy spirit dwelling in vs. That faith which beleeueth it to bee true which thy Sonne Christ affirmed with a double oath saying Verily Joh. 1. verily I say vnto you he that beleeueth in me the works that I doe the same shall he doe and greater works then these shall he doe Ioh. 15. because I goe to my Father And finally that faith which beleeueth that now Christ hath been lift vpon the crosse he shal draw al things vnto him this faith I say is the victory which ouercommeth our enemies the diuell Joh. 12. the world and our flesh Thou therfore dear father which hast promised to giue whatsoeuer I shall aske in thy dear Sonne Iesus name 1. Joh. 3â— for thy great mercy and infallible truths sake do now in me the thing that he came for loose in me the works of the diuel take away my sinnes I beseech thee make stedfast my faith and confidence in thy promised mercies and merciful promises so that I assuredly beleeuing in thee may haue as thou hast promised euerlasting life making thee deare God no lyer may beleeue feele and know in my heart and conscience that the same euerlasting life is thy meere and free gift vnto me yea already of thy great goodnes vndoubtedly giuen me being now translated from death to life Colos 3. In thankfulnesse whereof Lord cause me now daily to mortifie my earthly meÌ„bers yea dear father sith thy spirit which raised vp Christ from death dwelleth within me doe thou who raisedst Christ froÌ„ death quicken my mortal body through thy spirit so dwelling within me I beseech thee yea Lord Iesu according to thy promise because thou art now gone to thy Father make me worke the wonderful great work that thou spakest off Ioh. 6.4 I meane make me being of my selfe but a lumpe of sinne and a monster most vgly as the vices whereof the members of my earthly body are aboue declared to be compact doe proue make me I say yet through thy grace to hate abhorre flee and subdue all adultery whoredom vncleannes vnnaturall lusts euill concupiscence vnordinate desires wantonnes tendernesse delicatenes idlenesse drunkennesse gluttony slothfulnes distrust despaire ignorance weaknes wilfulnes idolatry superstition hypocrisie heresie error sects variaÌ„ce strife wrath enuy slanders lying swearing cursing vainglory pride couetousnes theft deceit flattery and whatsoeuer else O Lord fighteth or rebelleth against thy holy spirit and then O Father I will boast and make vant against mine enemy the diuell that I haue done greater works then thy deare Sonne Iesus did at what time hee spake these words amongst the Iewes because albeit he vanquished Sathan yet in as much as he himselfe was vtterly without sinne the victory seemed the more easie But I to vanquish Sathan being my self altogether sinful yea contrary to my most sinful nature to subdue sinne the Diuel and mine owne flesh it seemeth a more victory a greater worke then the other For the which neuerthelesse I will with all submission acknowledge vnto thy diuine maiesty that the whole victory Lord indeede is thine and thy holy spirit the beginner and finisher both of the wil and the worke Now therefore Lord Iesu strengthen me with thy grace and might that thou maiest by me a most sinful wretch draw all these our earthly members and horrible vices before rehearsed vnder my feet that I may not only fight against them but also subdue them so that they may all turne to the best for me as meete matter whereon I may exercise my faith powre forth my hearty praier and giue thee most hearty thanks for victory whereby
word with thy grace thou wouldest quicken our soules that both in soule and body we may please thee till this our mortall carcase shall put on immortality and wee shall need no more any further foode but thee only which then will be al in all Taste and see how good the Lord is Psal 14. Blesse the Lord O my soule which seedeth and filleth my mouth with good things Psal 103. Occasions to meditate Think a litle how great Gods power is that made vs. Also thinke how great his wisedome is to preserue vs. But most of all thinke how many things are giuen to our vse how wonderfull it is to giue vs life but most of all to propagate and aduance to immortality the life of the soule by his onely beâ—ke Last of all thinke that God by his prouidence for thy body would haue thee to confirm thy faith of his prouidence likewise for thy soule In the meane time pray O Most liberall distributer of thy gifts which giuest vs all kind of good things to vse and beeing pure giuest pure things being holy giuest holy things grant to vs grace that wee misuse not these the gracious gifts giuen to our vse and profit Let vs not delight in the things but let vs delight in thee from whom they come as necessarie for vs for a season till we come vnto thee Grant vs to be conuersant amoÌ„gst thy gifts soverly puâ—ely temperatly and holily because thou art so Then shall we not turne that so the poison of our soules which thou hast giuen for the medicine of our bodies but vsing thy benefits thankfully we shall find them profitable both in soule and body Occasions to meditate Thinke that the meats and drinke set before you are giuen you to vse and not to ab se Think that they are giuen to profit and nâ—t to hurt you Thinke that they are not giuen to you alone but vnto others al o by you In eating and drinking thinke that you doe but feed the wormeâ— Remember the poore prisoners the sick the afflicted c. as though you were in their case Thinke vpon the food of your soule Christs body broken and bloud shed desire the meat that lasteth for euer labor for it Christs meat was to doe his Fathers will After your meat pray BY corporall meates thou doest sustaine our corporall daily life ready otherwise to perish The which surely is a great worke but yet this is much greater more profitable and more holy that thy grace O Iesus Christ doth preserue vs from the death of the soule For this life wee ought much to thanke thee and because thou doest prolong it with thy good gifts we most heartily praise thee Howbeit this life is but the way to eternall life which we beseech thee for thy deaths sake that thou wilt giue vs and so shall wee not only giue thee as we may thankes for a time for temporall things but also eternall thanks for eternall things O grant to vs these our desires for thy mercies sake Amen Occasions to meditate Thinke now that God hath giueâ— thee this his blessing of food sustenance and thereto time that thou mightest repent â— so seeke his glory and the commodity of thy brethren therefore goe thereabouts but first pray for grace well to beginne Again consider now thou hast been partaker of others mens labours as of the husbandmans the Milners the Bakers the Bruers the Butchers the Cookes c. See therefore that thou be not as a drone bee but rather such a one as may helpe thâ— hiue If God haue thus fed thy body which he loueth not but for thy soules sake how can it bee then but that he will be much more ready â—o feed the soule therfore take a courage to thee and go to him for grace accordingly Cogitations for about the midday As thy body is now compassed on euâ—â—y side with light so see that thy miâ—d â—ay be also As God giueth th e thâ—s plentifully this corpo all light so pray hiâ— thâ—t he wil giue thee the spirituall light Think that as the sun is now moâ—t cleare so shall our bodies be in the day of iudgement As now the sun is come to the highest and therefore will begin to draw downeward so is there nothing in the world so perfect and glorious which when it is at the full will not decrease and so weare away When you come home againe pray THere is nothing O Lord more like to thy holy nature than a quiet mind Thou hast called vs out of the troublesome disquietnesse of the world into that thy quiet rest and peace which the world cannot give being such a peace as passeth mens vnderstanding Houses are ordained for vs that therby we might be defended from the iniury of the weather from cruelty of beasts froÌ„ disquietnes of people and rest from toiles of the world O gracious father grant that through thy great mercy my body may enter into this house from outward actions but so that it may become buxome and obedient to the soule and make no resistance against the same that in seule and body I may haue a godly quietnes and peace to praise thy holy name Amen Peace be to this house and to all that dwell in the same Matth. 10. Occasions to meditate Think what a return and how merâ—e a returne it will bee to come to our eteâ—nall most quiet and most happy home then will all griefe and sorrow cease Whatsoeuer here is pleasant and ioyfull the same is nothing but a very shadow in comparison of that which is to come At the Sunne going downe pray HOw vnhappy are they O Lord from whom thy Sunne goeth downe and giueth no light I meane thy grace which is alwaies cleare as the mid day Darke night vnto them is the mid-day which depart from thee In thee is neuer night but alwaies day light most cleare This corporall sin hath his courses now vp now downe but thou deare Lord if we loue thee art alwaies one O that this block and vaile of sin were taken away from mee that there might bee alwaies cleere day in my minde Occasions to meditate Think that as we are not sorie wheÌ„ the Sun goeth downe because wee know it shall rise againe Thiâ— is ment of the bloody time of Queene Mary euen so we should not sorrow for death where through the soule and body do part a sunder for they shal eftsoones returne and come together againe in most glorious wise So long as the Sunne is vp wilde beasts keep their dennes foxes their burrowes owles their holes c. But when the Sun is downe then come they abroad so wicked men hypocrites keepe their dennes in the time of the Gospell but it being taken away then swarm they out of their holes like bees as this day doth reach When the Candles bee light pray MOst thicke and darke cloudes doe couer our minds except thy light O Lord doe driue them
into the fire but as the good wheat that is gathered into the barne then shall they be caught vp to meet thee in the clouds then shall their corrupt body put on incorruption then shall they be endued with immortality and glory then shall they be with thee and go whither thou goest then shal they heare Come ye blessed of my Father possesse the kingdome prepared for you from the beginning c. Then shall they be set on seats of maiesty iudging the whole world then shall they raigne with thee for euer then shall god be al in al with them to them then shal they enter and inherit heauenly Ierusalem and the glorious restfull land of Canaan where is alwaies day and neuer night where is no maner of weeping tears infirmity hunger cold sicknes enuy malice nor sinne but alwaies ioy without sorrow mirth without mesure pleasure without paine heauenly harmony most pleasant melody saying and singing Holy holy holy Lord God of hosts c. Finally the eie hath not seene the eare hath not heard neither hath it entred into the heart of man what they shall inherit and most surely enioy although here they be tormēted prisoned solicited of Sathan tempted of the flesh and intangled with the world where through they are inforced to cry Thy kingdome come Come Lord Iesu c. How amiable are thy Tabernacles Like as the Hart desireth the water brookes c. Now let thy seruant depart in peace I desire to be dissolued and to be with Christ We mourn in our selues waiting for the deliuerance of our bodies c. O gracious Lord when shall I find such mercy with thee that I may repent beleeue hope and look for these things with the full fruition of those heauenly ioyes which thou hast prepared for all them that feare thee and so rest with thee for euermore A meditation of the life euerlasting the place where it is and the incomparable ioyes thereof THat there is an euerlasting life none will deny but such as will deny God For if he be true and iust which he must needs bee or else he is not God then can there not be but an eternall life That he hath both spoken and promised it in Mat. 25. 1. Cor 15. Heb. 4.11.13 1. Pet. 1. it plainely appeareth and elsewhere in very many places so that to deny an euerlasting life is to deny God to deny Christ and al that euer he did also to deny all piety and religion to condemne of foolishnesse all good men Martyrs Confessors Euangelists Prophets Patriarches Finally the denial of eternall life is nothing else but a denial of the immortality of the soule and so a plaine making of man nothing better then beasts If it be so 1. Co. 15. let vs then eat and drinke for to morrow we shall die Lord preserue vs from this Saduceall and Epicureal impiety and grant vs for thy mercies sake deare God that we may be assuredly perswaded that there is indeed an eternall life and blisse with thee for them that put their trust in thee amongst whom account me for thy mercies sake Againe this eternall life Where this eternall life is and the place appointed for them that be thy seruants all men do grant to bee with thee Albeit they do not thinke that because thou art euery where therefore eternal life is euery where For they by thy worde doe know that in as much as no man can see thee and liue which eternall life and thy blessed presence is most pleasant and had in fruition Ioh. 14. after in another world whereunto by corporal death they do depart and are translated to a place aboue them wher thou dwellest in a light whereunto no man can approch 4. Tim. 6. Abraham bosom they read was aboue as the place of the wicked was below and beneath Helias was caught vp into heauen Joh. 17. and the deare Sonne our Sauiour praied that where he is those also might be which thou hadst giuen him and might see his glory Now he deare father we learne by the spirit was ascended taken vp in his very body into heauen whither Stephen looked vp saw thy Christ standing on thy right hand to whom he praied Act 17. O Lord Iesus receiue my spirit Grant I beseech thee gratious God Father that I may haue a clean heart more and more to see thee and so in spirit to see and looke often vpon this place whither bring me at the length in body also I humbly pray thee Now what a thing this euerlasting life is no man is able to conceiue much lesse able to vtter For The peace of God which is eternall life passeth all vnderstanding 1. Cor. 6. The eie hath not seen the ear hath not heard neither can mans hart conceiue those things which thou deare God hast prepared for them that loue thee Whatsoeuer therefore can be spoken or imagined of thy kingdome of the clearnes ioy and felicity of the same is nothing in comparison as we may see by the Prophets which because they could not otherwise vnder corporal things haue shadowed the same So that the confidence of eternall life what a thing it is can in no wise be told Howbeit somewhat we may bee brought to some sight of it by earthly things to thinke on this sort What knowledge may be had in this life of the life eurelasting If GOD haue giuen here so many things in a strange place how many are the great good things that be at home If in prison are so many mercies how many are they in the pallace If the wicked haue so many benefits what is the store prepared for thy seruāts O Lord if thy children find such cōfort in the day of teares and mourning what shall they find in the day of the mariage If with beasts men being haue the vse of innumerable blessings O how many are the blessings which they shall enioy with thy Angels and with thy selfe O deare God when they shall see thee haue the fruition of thee in whom is fulnes without lothing of al good faire things so that nothing can be more desired that for euermore This thy children do not see as they now beleeue it I say that euen in their bodies they shall see it for euer as Iob said They beleeue that they shal see thee and their own eies behold thee Job 15. when these our corporall eies our bodies being raised shal doe their duties such a knowledge of thee they beleeue to haue as shal not be only intellectuall and by faith as now it is but euen a full sight and fruition yea a coniunction and fellowship with thee Now they see but as in a glasse 1. Co. 13. Heb. 11. euen in a darke speaking but then they shal see thee face to face For faith though it be the substance of things hoped for a certaine darke sight of thee yet it may
not be compared to the reward of faith that glorious sight which we shall see in the life to come when faith and hope shall cease Now thy children know that they be thy sons though they yet appeare not what they shall bee Wee know say they that when our Christ God and man shal appear then shal we be like vnto him for we shall see him euen as he is O great prerogatiue to see Christ as he is which is not to be considered so much for the manhood as for the godhead it selfe as Paul doth also write that when all things are subiect vnto the Sonne theÌ„ shal he be subiect vnto thee deare Father also that God may be al in al. And therfore Christ our sauior praied for vs that we might know thee the onely true God Not that our Christ the sonne is not with thee the true coequall and substantiall God but that we might know how that after the iudgement such a mystery of his mediatorshippe shall not be in heauen as is now in earth Then thou blessed Trinity God the Father God the Sonne and God the holy ghost shal be all in al thou shalt be the end of our desires thou shalt be looked vpon without end thou shalt be loued without lothing thou shalt be praised without wearinesse although loathsomnesse be wont to follow fulnes yet our fulnes in the contemplation of thy pleasures shal bring with it no kind at all of loathsomnesse Society of ioyes shal be in the beholding of thee Pleasures are on thy right hand for euer We shal be satisfied when we arise after thine image I meane in the resurrection O deare Father shew thy selfe vnto vs and we aske no more Oh grant vs with thy Saints in euerlasting life to praise with perpetuall praises thy holy name Happy then and happy againe were we if that day were come that we might sing with the Angels Elders and innumerable thousands a new song and say Thou Christ Iesu which was slain art worthy to receiue power and riches and wisedome and strength honour and glory and blessing In this blessed life al kind of maladies griefs sorrowes and euils be farre away and all full of all kind of mirth ioy and pleasure Oh that we might see now a little with S. Iohn that holy City new Ierusalem descending from heauen prepared of God as a bride trimmed for her husband O that we might now something hear the great voice speaking out of the throne Behold the tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people and hee shall bee vnto them their God hee will wipe away all teares from their eies and death shall be no more nor weeping nor crying nor sorrow for the former things are gone I.B. Another meditation of the blessed state and felicity of this life to come THis body is but a prison where in the soule is kept and that verily not beautifull nor bright but most foule and dark disquiet fraile and filled vp with much vermin and venimous vipers I mean it concerning our affections standing in an aire most vnholesom and prospect most lothsome if a man consider the extremities of it by the eies nose mouth eares hands feet and all the other parts So that no Bocardo no Litleease no Dungeon no Bishops prison no Gatehouse no sinke no pit may be compared in any point to be so euill a prison for the soule as the body is for and of the soule wherethrough the children of God haue been occasioned to cry and lament their long being in it Oh saith Dauid How long shall I lie in this prison Oh wretch that I am saith Paul who shall deliuer me out of this body of sinne Rom. 7. which is an heauy burden to the soul as the wise man saith And the godly cry Luke 2â— Now let thy seruant depart in peace O that I were dissolued and had put off this earthly fraile tabernacle Psal 143. Take me vnto thee and bring my soule out of this prison that it may giue thanks vnto thee O Lord. For so long as wee bee in this body we cannot see the Lord yea it is an heauy habitation depresseth down sore the spirit from the familiarity which it selfe should haue with God This world and life is an exile a vale of misery a wildernes of it selfe being void of all vertues necessary for eternall life full of enemies sorrowes sighings sobbings gronings miseries c. In danger to hunger cold heat thirst sores sicknesse tentations trouble death and innumerable calamities being momentany short vnstable and nothing but vain and therfore is compared to a warfare a womans trauaile a shadow a smoke a vapor a word a storme a tempest in the which Gods people feele great molestations griefs and troubles now of satan himselfe now of the world now of their own flesh and that so wonderfully diuersly dangerously and contrarily that they are enforced to cry O Lord when shall we come appear before thee when shall this misery end when shall we be deliuered out of this vale of misery out of this wildernes out of these continuall afflictions and most perilous seas But where thou art Lord and deare father of mercy there is not onely no prison no dolours nor sorrow no sighings no tears no sicknesse no hunger no heat no colde no paine no tentations no displeasure no malice no pride no vncleannesse no contention no torments no horror no sinne no filth no stinch no bearth no death no weeping no teares no misery no mischiefe there is I say not only no such thing or any euill not some or displeasant thing but all liberty all light all pleasâ—ntnesse all ioy reioycing mirth pleasure health welth riches glory power treasure honour triumph comfort solace loue vnitie peace concord wisedome vertue melody meeknesse felicitie beatitude and all that euer can be wished or desired in most securitie eternity and perpetuity that may be thought not onely of man but of Angels and Archangels yea aboue all thoughts The eie hath not seene the like the eare hath not heard 1. Coâ— 2. nor no heart is able to conceiue in any point any part of the blissefull beatitude which is with thee most deare Lord and Sauior most gracious God and comforter Where thou art O blessed God the Archangels Angels Thrones Powers Dominions Cherubins Seraphins Patriarchs Prophets Apostles Martyrs Virgins Confessors and righteous spirits cease not to sing night and day Holy Apoc. 4. holy holy Lord God of hosts honour maiesty glory power empire and dominion be vnto thee O God the creator O Lord Iesus the redeemer O holy spirit the comforter Apoc. 5. In recordation of this O how thy children reioice How contemne they the pleasures of this world How little esteeme they any corporall griefe or shame How desire they to be with thee How amiable are thy Tabernacles O Lord God of hostes say they My soule
inspiration quicknest the mindes of them that afore were dead in sinne makest ioifull the hearts of the faithfull penitent bringest into the way of truth all such as haâ—e erred and gone astray comfortest the soules of such as hunger and thirst after righteousnesse and plenteouslie enrichest those with diuers gifts which aske them in Iesus Christs name purifie our hearts wee beseech thee and inflame them with the fire of thy loue replenish them with thy heauenly benefits and spirituall blessings that they may bee made meere temples for thee leade vs into all truth which aet the onely fountaine of truth and mortifie in vs whatsoeuer proceedeth not of thee Or else pray thus O holy spirit powred into the Apostles which hast promised vnto vs by the sonne of God our Redeemer to kindle in vs a true knowledge and inuocation of God as it is written I will powre vpon you the spirit of grace and compassion make to arise in our harts a true feare of God and faith and knowledge of thy mercy which the eternal father of our Lord Iesus Christ hath promised vnto vs for his sons sake Be our comforter in all our counsels and dangers Illuminate our vnderstanding and fill our hearts with new affections and spirituall motions and renew vs both in soule and body that we may die to sinne and liue to righteousnes and so in true obedience may praise the father of our Lord Iesus Christ and his sonne our redeemer and theâ— also our comforter euerlastingly A thanksgiuing to God the Father the Son and the holy Ghost VVE reÌ„der thanks vnto thee O Almighty and eternall God with the deare sonne our Lord Iesus Christ and with thy holy spirit for that of thin exceeding great goodnes thou hast made thy selfe knowne vnto vs by most assured and euidenâ— testimonies and for that thou hast gaâ—hered and chosen vnto thy selfe a perpetuall Church and wouldest that thy Sonne our Lord Iesus Christ should suffer death to restore vs from death to life for that thou hast giuen to vs thy Gospel and the holy Ghost for that thou forgiuest vs our sinnes deliuerest vs from the power of the diuel and from eternall death and giuest vnto vs euerlasting life finally for that thou hast visited vs with many great benefits giuing vs life food doctrine peace in such places as we haue liued in and hast diminished the pains which we haue iustly deserued We giue thankes vnto thee O Lord Iesus Christ A thanksgiuing to the Son sonne of the liuing God crucified for vs and risen againe because thou hast coupled vnto thee our humane nature and of thy inestimable loue diddest giue thy selfe to death for vs turning vpon thee the great wrath of GOD the Father conceiued against vs to reconcile vs vnto him and â—o purchase vs eternall redemption because thou hast brought vs to this grace wherin we stand and reioice in hope of the glory of GOD because thou doest preserue cherish and defend send thy Church against the Diuell and all thine enemies because thou giuest and renewest often the light of thy Gospell and maintainest the ministery of thy word because thou doest forgiue vs our sinnes and giuest vnto vs euerlasting life because thou art our mediator and makest continuall intercession for vs finally because thou doest succour preserue vs in all our necessities dangers and afflictions A thanksgiuing to God the holy Ghost We giue thanks also vnto thee O holy spirit the giuer of life which wast powred vpon the Apostles be cause thou kindlest thy light in our hearts because thou rulest instructest admonishest and helpest vs because thou gouernest and guidest the labours and works of our vocation and sanctifiest vs to eternall life A praier to God for his helpe and protection against the obstinate enemies of the truth MOst righteous Iudge God of all mercy and comfort which by thy secret iudgement and wisedome doest suffer the wicked to triumph a increase for a time for triall of the faith of thy welbeloued litle flocke and the mortifying of their lusts now at length to the vtter confusioÌ„ ot thy enemies and ioifull deliuerance of thy people look downe we beseech thee on thy dispersed sheepe out of thy holy habitation in heauen and strengthen our weaknesse against their furious rages abate their pride asswage their malice confound their deuises wherwith they lift vp themselues against Christ Iesus thy sonne our Lord and Sauiour to deface his glory and to set vp Antichrist We be not able our selues to thinke a good thought much lesse to stand against their assaults except thy vndeserued grace and mighty arme defend and deliuer vs. Performe thy promises made to Iacob stop the mouthes of the wicked Edomits Cal them to repentaÌ„ce whom thou hast appointed to saluationâ— bring home them that run astrayâ— lighten the blind and teach the ignorant forgiue all those that wilfully and obstinatly rebel against thy holy will Let thy fearefull threatnings pearce our stony hearts and make vs tremble at thy iudgements make the examples of theÌ„ whom thou hast ouerthrowne in their owne deuises as Cain Cham Nimrod Esau Pharoh Saul Aâ—chitophel Iudas and such other to be a warning for vs that we set not vp our selues against thy holy will Grantfree passage to thy holy word that it may worke effectually in vs the worke of life and blessed hope of our saluation to the eternall praise of thy maiesty through our mediator Christ Iesus to whom with thee and the holy Ghost three persons and one God be praise and thanksgiuing in all congregations world without end So be it A praier for the afflicted and persecuted vnder the tyranny of Antichrist O Mercifull Father who neuer doest forsake such as put their trust in thee stretch forth thy mighty arme to the defence of our brethren by the rage of enemies persecuted and grieuously tormented in sundry places for the true profession of the holy Gospell who in their extream necessities cry for coÌ„fort vnto thee Let not thy long suffering O Lord be an occasioÌ„ either to increase the tyranny of thy enemies or to discourage thy children but with speed O Lord consider their great miseries and afflictions Preuent the cruell deuise of Haman stay the rage of Holofernes breake off the counsell of Achitophel Let not the wicked say Where is now their God Let thy afflicted flocke feele present aid and releefe from thee O Lord looke downe vpon them with thy pitifull eie from thy holy habitation send terror and trembling among their enemies make an ende of their outragious tyranny beate backe their boldnesse in suppressing the truth in destroying thy true seruants in defacing thy glory and in setting vp Antichrist Let them not thus proudly aduance themselues against thee and thy Christ but let them vnderstand and feele that against thâ— they fight Preserue and defend the vine which thy right hand hath planted and let all Nations see the glory of thine annointed Amen
thou wilt haue mercy vpon vs. For none that trust in thee shal be confounded Tobit 8. Job 32. neither any that cal vpon thee shall be despised For thou art the onely Lord who woundest and dost heale again Oseas 6. who killest and reuinest bringest euen to hell and bringest backe againe Our Fathers hoped in thee and trusted in thee Sap. 22. and thou diddest deliuer them They called vpon thee and were helped they put their trust in thee were not confounded Psalâ— 6. O Lord rebuke vs not in thine indignation neither chasten vs in thy heauy displeasure O remember not the sinnes and offences of my youth but according to thy mercy thinke thou vpon me Psa 25. O Lord for thy goodnesse Haue mercy vpon vs O Lord for we are weake O Lord heale vs for our bones are vexed And now in the vexation of our spirits and the anguish of our soules wee remember thee and we cry vnto thee heare Lord and haue mercy â—arue Jonas â— For thine owne sake and for thy holy names sake incline thine eare and heare O mercifull Lord. For we do not powre out our praiers before thee â—â—aâ— 6. trusting in our owne righteousnes but in thy great and manifold mercies Wash vs throughly from our wickednes and clense vs from our sins Turne thy face from our sins and put out all our misdeeds Make vs cleane hearts O God and renue a right spirit within vs. Helpe vs O God of our saluation for the glory of thy name O deliuer vs and be merciful to our sinnes for thy names sake So we that be thy people sheepe of thy pasture shal giue thee thanks for euer and will alwaies be shewing forth thy praise from generation to generation Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the begâ—nning c. A Psalme of thanksgiuing for deliuerance from the plague or any other kind of sicknes trouble or affliction LOrd thou art become gracious to thy land thou hast turned away the afflictions of thy sâ—ruants Thou hast taken away al thy displeasure and turned thy selfe from thy wrathfâ—l indignation For if thou Lord hadst not helped vs it had not failed but our soules had beene put to silence But when we said our feet haue slipped thy mercy O Lord helpes vs vp In the multitude of the sorrowes that we had in our hearts thy comforts haue refreshed our soules Our soules waited still vpon the Lord our soules hanged vpon his helpe our hope was alwaâ—es in him In the Lords word wil we reioyce in Gods word did wee comfort our selues For the Lord said Call vpon mee in the time of trouble I wil heare thee and thou shalt praise me So when wee were poore needy sickly and in heauines the Lord cared for vs he was our helper our deliuer according to his word Psâ— 27. In our aduersiâ—y and distresse hee hath lifted vp our head and saued vs from vtâ—er destruction Psa 33. He hath deliuered our soules from death he hath fed vs in the time of dearth hee hath saued vs from the noisome pestilence Therefore will we offer in his holy temple the oblation of thanksgigiuing Psa 37. with great gladnesse we wil sing speake praises vnto the Lord our Sauiour Psa 106. Psa 86. Wee will giue thankes vnto the Lord for he is gracious his mercy endureth for euer Psa 103. The Lord is full of compassion mercy long suffering plenteous in goodnesse and pitty John 5.7 Psa 108. His mercy is greater then the heauens and his gracious goodnes reacheth vnto the clâ—â—ds Psa 103. Like as a father pittieth his own children euen so is the Lord merciful vnto them that feare him Psal 72. Therefore will we praise thee thy mercies O God vnto thee will we sing O thou holy one of Israell Pâ—al 98. We will sing a new song vnto thee O God we will praise the Lord with Psalmes and thanksgiuing Psal 47. O sing praises sing praises vnto our God O sing praises sing praises vnto our king For God is the king of the earth sing praises with vnderstanding We will magnifie thee O God our King Psal 145. we will praise thy name for euer and euer Euery day will we giue thankes vnto thee and praise thy name for euer and euer Our mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord let all flesh giue thanks to his holy name for euer and euer Psal 72. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for euer and blessed be the name of his maiesty world without end Amen Glory be to the father c. As it was in the beginning c. Praiers to be said before and after meales AL things depend vpon thy prouidence O Lord to receiue at thy hands due sustenance in time conuenient Thou giuest to them and they gather it thou openest thy hand and they are satisfied with all good things O heauenly father which art the fountaine full treasure of all goodnesse We beseech thee to shew thy mercy vpon vs thy children and sanctifie these thy gifts which we receiue of the mercifull liberality granting vs grace to vse them soberly purely according to thy blessed will so that thereby we may acknowledge thee to be the author and giuer of all good things and aboue all that we may remember continually to seeke the spiritual food of thy word â— Tim. 2. wherwith our soules may be nourished euerlastingly through our Sauiour Christ who is the true bread of life which came down from heauen of whom whosoeuer eateth shall liue for euer Joh â— and raigne with him in glory world without end So be it Another praier before meales WHether ye eat or drinke faith S. Paul or whatsouer ye do else let all be done to the praise and glory of God Eternal and euerlasting God father â—f our Lord Iesus Christ 1. Cor. 10 who of thy most singular loue which thou barest to mankind hast appointed to his sustenance not only the fruits of the earth but also the foâ—â—ls of the aire the beasts of the field and fishes of the sea and hast commanâ—ed thy benefits to be receiued as from thy hands with thanksgiuing assuring thy children by the mouth of thine apostle that to the cleane all things are cleane as the creatures which be sanctified by thy word and praier grant vnto vs so moderatly to vse these thy gifts present that our bodies being refreshed our soules may be more able to proceed in all good works to the praise of thy holy name through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Our father which art in heauen c Another O Eternall God the very God of peace and al consolation which broughtest againe from death our Lord Iesus the gâ—eat shepheard of the sheepâ— through the bloud of â—he euerlasting couenant make vs fruitfull in all good works to d◠〈◊〉 will and worke
euil alwaies before thee should call thee and beleeue thee this God and Father of our Lord Sauiour Iesus Christ to be in very deed my Father that is thou wouldest I should be most assured that thou of thine owne good will which thou barest to mewards before I was yea before the world was hast in Christ chosen mee to be thy childe and through him art become my most louing Father from whom I should looke for all good things be most certainly perswaded that loâ—ke how much thou art more then a man so much thy loue and fatherly prouidence towards me passeth the loue and prouidence of any Father towards his child in louing mee caâ—ing how to helpe mee prouiding for mee nurturing mee and heâ—ping me in all my needs So certaine thou wouldest haue mee to bee of this that to doubt of it doth most displease thee and dishonour thee as though either thou were not true or not able to doe these things or else becamest not my father in respect of thine owne goodnesse in Christ only but also in respect of my worthinesse and deserts Causes to comfort our f i th that God is our father And that I should not wauer or doubt of this that thou art my deare Father and I thy childe for euer through Iesus Christ it is required in the first commandement which saith I am the Lord thy God thou shalt haue none other Gods but me Againe thy sonne doth here command mee to call thee by the name of Father Moreouer in the fâ—rst article of my beleefe I professe the same in saying I beleeue in God the Father almighty Besides this there are manie other things to confirme me herein as the creation and gouernement of the world generally and of euerie creature particularly for all is made and kept for man and so for me to serue me for my commoditie necessitie and admonition Again the creation of me in that thou hast made mee after thy image hauing a reasonable soule body shape c. where thou mightest haue made me a Toad a serpent a Swine deformed franticke c. Moreouer thy wonderfull conseruation nourishing and keeping of me hitherto in my infancy childhood youth c. All these I say should confirme my faith in thy fatherly loue But of all things the opening of thy selfe by thy word and promise of grace made after mans fall fâ—rst to Adam then to Abraham Isaac Iacob and so to other being published by the Prophets from time to time and last of all accomplished by thy deare Sonne Iesus Christ in whom thy promises are yea and Amen the opening of thy selfe thus I say in and by Christ is the most chiefe and sure certificate that thou art my Father for his sake and I thy deare childe although of my selfe I am most vnworthie For thou according to thy promises hast not spared thy deare Son Iesus Christ but giuen him to the death of the Crosse for my sinnes Thou wouldest he should be made flesh of our flesh and blood of our blood in the wombe of the Virgin Maâ—y by the operation of thy holy spirit that we by the working of the same spirit through the merits of his flesh and blood might be made flesh of his flesh and blood of his blood that is as he hath the substance of our flesh and blood euen so wee might haue and for euer enioy in him and through him the qualities vertues and gifts oâ— righteousnesse holinesse innocencie immortalitie and glorie wherewith he hath endued our nature in his owne person for vs all that as now in faith and hope we haue the same so in his comming Phil. 3 wee might fully enioy them in very deede for then shall our bodies now vile bee like to his glorious bodie Heerein appeareth thy loue not that we loued thee but that thou louedst vs 1. John â— and hast giuen thy Sonne for vs. Heerein doest thou commend vnto vs thy loue that when wee were yet sinners Christ thy deare Sonne died for vs Rom. 5. so that nothing should seperate vs from the loue in Christ Iesus Rom. 8. neither affliction anguish persecution famine neither life nor deaâ—h c. For when we were enemies Rom. 5. wee were reconciled vnto thee by the death of thy Son much more we being reconciled shall bee saued in his life And that I should not doubt heereof but certainely be perswaded all this to pertaine to mee where I might haue beene boâ—ne of Turks and infidels loe thou wouldest I should bee borne of Christian Parents What Baptisme is and what it requireth brought into thy Church by Baptisme which is a Sacrament of adoption and requireth faith as well of remission of my sinnes as of sanctification and holinesse to bee wrought of thee in me by thy grace and holy spirit Where I might haue beene borne in an ignorant time Region thou wouldest I should bee borne in this time and Region wherein is more knowledge reuealed then euer was heere or many place is Where I might haue beene of a corrupt iudgement and intangled with many errors loe thou of thy goodnesse as thou hast reformed my iudgement so dost thou keepe it and now for the same iudgements sake doest vouchsafe What is the effâ—ct or fruiâ— that commeth of this certain perswasion that God is our father somewhat by the Crosse to try mee By all which things I should conâ—â—rme my faith of this that thou alwaies hast been art and wilt bee for euer my deare father In respect whereof as I should be certaine of saluation of the inheritance of heauen for euer so should I be thankefull cast my whole care on thee trust to thee and call on thee with comfort and certaine hope for all things that I want For in that thou hast giuen to me this benefit to bee thy child vndeserued and vndesired on my behalfe simply and onely in respect of thine owne goodnesse and grace in Christ least at anie time I should doubt of it how should I but hope certainely that nothing profitable to me can be denied in that thy power is infinite For as thy good will is declared in adopting me so nothing can be finally wanting in mee which may make for my weale for then should not thy power be almighty and therefore my beleefe requireth that I should beleeue in thee the father almightie In consideration wherof I should in all things behaue my selfe as a child reioice in thee praise thee trust in thee feare thee serue thee loue thee call vpon thee c. But alas how heauy hearted am I How vnthankefull am I How ful of vnbeleefe and doubting of this thy rich mercy How little do I loue thee feare thee call vpon thee c. Oh be mercifull vnto mee forgiue me good father for thine owne sake and grant mee the spirit of thy children to reueale thy selfe vnto me and Iesus Christ thy deare Sonne our Lord by
me to be thy childe so I pray thee giue me these things which bee the properties of thy children giuen from thee in thy good time Hallowed be thy name THy name is that whereby thou art knowne for names serue to discerne and know one thing from another Now though thou art knowne by creatures yet is this our corrupt estate Rom. 1 they serue but to make vs excuselesse Therefore most properly liuely and comfortably thou art knowne by thy holy word and specially by thy promise of grace Psalme 84.138 How Gods name is hallowed and freely pardoning and receiuing vs into thy fauour for Christ Iesus sake For the which goodnesse in Christ thou art praised and magâ—ified according to thy name that is so much as men know thee in Christ they magnifie thee and praise thee which here thou callest hallowing or sanctifying For that thou art the more holy not in respect of thy selfe but in respect of men who the more they know thee the more they caÌ„not but sanctifie thee that is they cannot but as in themselues by true faith loue feare spirituall seruice honour thee so also in their outward behauiour and words they cannot but liue in such sort The chiefe desire of Gods children as other seeing them may in and by their holinesse and godly conuersation bee occasioned as to know thee so to sanctifie thy name accordingly and therefore thou settest forth here vnto me what is the chiefe and principall wish and desire of thy children and people namely that â—hou in Christ mightest bee truely knowen and honoured both of themselues and of other inwardly and outwardly as by the contrary a man may easily perceiue The greatest griefe of Goâ—s people that the greatest sorrowe and griefe thy people haue is ignorance of thee false seruice or religion and wicked conuersation Against the which they pray and labour diligently after their vocation as they for the obtaining of the other both to other and to themselues doe take no small paine in prayer studie and godly exercise By reason heereof I see that I am farre from this desire and lamentation which is in thy children I see mine ignorance of the true knowledge of thee and thy name for else it had not needed thee so by thy word to haue reuealed thy selfe I see also mine owne ignorance of the excellencie of the same Our ignorance for else wouldest thou not haue told mee that the saÌ„ctifying of thy name is the chiefest thing thou requirest of euery man Againe I see my great want of holinesse Our great neede for else thou needest not to teach me to seeke and pray for that I want not Moreouer I see my great peruersity which would not seeke at thy hands for sanctification although I see my need thereof For the which thou wouldest not haue commaunded mee to pray if I seeing my want would haue prayed vnto thee for the same Last of all Gods loue I see thy wonderfull goodnesse which wilt vndoubtedly giue vnto me sanctification and holinesse for thou wouldest not that I should aske for that thing that thou wilt not giue mee So that I haue great cause to lament and reioyce To lament because I am so farre from this desire and lamentation which thy children haue also because of mine ignorance pouerty peruersity vnthankfulnes c. But most of all because thy holy name word and religion is so blasphemed both in doctrine in liuing of many especially in this Realme To reioice I haue great cause for thy exceeding goodnes and mercie which wouldest so disclose thy selfe by thy workes word and Gospell which wouldest open these things thus vnto me and also giue vnto mee and others sanctification in thy sight by faith and in the sight of men by purenesse of life and godly conuersation But alas I doe hartely neither the one nor the other that is lament or reioice as thou father which searchest my heart dost right well know Oh be mercifull vnto me and forgiue me yea giue me for thine owne pity thy holy spirit to reueale and open to my minde effectually my miserable estate and condition my ignorance peruersity my carelesnesse for thy true honour and dishonour in such sort that I may hartily lament these euills and haue them pardoned and taken from mee through Iesus Christ our Lord. Againe good father giue mee the same thy holy spirit to reueale to me thy name word and Gospell that I may liuely know thee vnfainedly loue thee heartily obey thee and aboue all things desire and labour by all meanes lawfull that all godlines in doctrine and conuersation may bee exercised both in mee and all others for whom thou wouldest I should pray Here think vpon the state of religion the life of the professors of the Gospel that thou maist lament some pray for some and giue thankes for some Let thy kingdome come Gods kingdom in respect of his power THy kingdome is in two sorts to be considered vniuersally and particularly Vniuersally according to thy power wherwith thou gouernest all things euery where in earth Heauen hell diuels Angels men beasts fowles fishes and all other creatures Of this kingdome spake Dauid when he said This kingdome ruleth ouer all Psal 10 4. Particularly thy kingdome is to bee considered according to thy grace wherewith thou rainest only in thy Church and elect people Gods kingdom in respect of his grace ruling and gouerning all and euery member of thy Church to thy glory and their eternall comfort Not that out of this Church I exclude thy power for as therewith thou defendest thy people so thou punishest thy enemies but because thy grace is specially considered being as it were the very keeper that keepeth and guideth thy people Godâ— kingdome in respect of his glory The time will be when this kingdome of grace and power now being as distinct shall be vnited and made one kingdome of glory which will bee when Christ shall giue vp his kingdome into thyne hands that is in the resurrection when death the last enemie shal be subdued and thou shalt be all in all In the meane season How Gods kingdome is here conside ed and enlarged this kingdome of grace is miraculously and mightily propagated enlarged and gouerned by the true ministery of thy word and Sacraments through the working of thy holy spirit And this is the meane and way whereby as thou didst first plant so doest thou enlarge amplifie and preserue the same This kingdome of grace begun continued and enlarged by the true preaching of thy Gospell and ministration of thy Sacraments is the thing which Christ teacheth here thy children to pray for that it might come that is to say that thâ— Gospel might so mightily purely and plenteously bee preached maugre the head of all thine enemies that the number of thine elect might bee brought in and so the kingdome of thy glory might appeare So that as I
our distrusting and doubtfull hearts our carnall our secure our idle hearts our impure malitious arrogaÌ„t enuious wrathfull impatient couetous hypocriticall and epicurall hearts in place therof giue vs new harts soft harts faithfull harts mercifull hearts louing obedient chast pure holy righteous true simple lowly patient hearts to feare thee to loue thee to trust in thee for euer Write thy law in our harts graft it in our minds we heartily beseech thee Giue vs the spirit of praier make vs diligent and happy in the works of our saluation take into thy custody and gouernance for euer our soules and bodies our liues and all that euer we haue Tempt vs neuer further then thou wilt make vs able to beare and whatsoeuer thou knowest we haue need of in soule and body dear God and gratious Father vouchsafe to giue vs the same in thy good time alwais as thy children guide vs so that our life may please thee and our death praise thee though Iesus Christ our Lord for whose sake we heartily pray thee to grant these things thus asked and al other things necessary for soule and body not only to vs but to all others also for whom thou wouldest that we should pray specially for thy children that bee in thraldome in exile in prison misery heauinesse pouerty sicknesse c. Be mercifull to the whole realme of England and grant vs all true repentance and turne from vs the euils that we so wickedly haue deserued pardon our enemies persecutors slanderors and if it be thy pleasure turn their hearts Be mercifull vnto our parents brethren sisters friends kinsfolkes and familiars neighbours and such as by any meanes thou hast coupled and linked to vs by loue or otherwise and vnto vs poore sinners here gathered together in thy holy name grant thy blessing and holy spirit to sanctifie vs and dwell in vs as thy deare children to keepe vs this day and for euer from all euill to thy eternall glory our euerlasting comfort and the profit of thy Church which mercifully maintaine cherish and comfort strengthning them that stand so that they neuer fall lifting vp them that be fallen and keep vs from falling from thy truth through the merits of thy dearely beloued son Iesus Christ our onely Sauiour which liueth and raigneth with thee and the holy Ghost to whom be all praise and honour both now and for euer Amen I. B. A praier for the true knowledge of the mystery of our redemption in Christ O Almighty God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ and by him also our Father the father of all mercy and God of al consolation haue mercy vpon vs and heare our praiers We most humbly beseech thee for thy deare son Iesus Christ his sake for his merits and cruell death which he suffered to deliuer vs from eternall death and the power of darknes send into our hearts the spirit of truth to worke in vs a true liuely stedfast faith that the clear light and brightnes of thy Gospell the glory of Christ may shine vnto vs and lighten our minds that wee may learn and vnderstand the wonderful and vnspeakable riches of the mystery of our redemption in Christ and by Christ O Father of glory giue vnto vs the spirit of wisedom bring vs vnto the true knowledge of this thy beloued Sonne Iesus Christ the knowledge of thy selfe Open and lighten the eyes of our minds and vnderstanding that we may know what the hope is whereunto thou hast called vs and how the rich glory of thine inheritance is vpon thy Saintes and the exceeding greatnes of thy power towards vs that by true faith by vnderstanding and knowledge of thine eternall wisedome which is Iesus Christ we may be indeed as wee are called true Christians and vnfained professors of thy holy name to worship thee in spirit and truth and to set forth the glory of thy grace giuen vnto vs in Christ Iesus our Lord Amen O deare father write in our harts loue of thy law hate to al sin thankfulnes of heart and continuall heate of thy holy spirit for thy Son Iesus Christs sake To whom with thee and thy holy spâ—rit be all honor maiesty glory thanks rule empire and dominion for euermore Amen A forme of thanksgiuing for our redemption and praier for the strength and increase of faith O Lord increase our faith Luk 17. ETernall praise and thanks bee giuen vnto thee deare God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which hast blessed vs with ali spiritual blessings Ephe. 4. in heauenly things by Christ in that thou hast chosen vs in him before the foundation of the world was laid that we should bee without blame before thee through him by whom we haue redemption through his blood euen the forgiuenesse of our sinnes in whom after we heard the word of truth the Gospel of our saluation wherein we beleeued Rom. 8. we are sealed with the holy spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance which spirit hath and doth beare witnesse vnto our spirits that we are thy children and therefore crieth in our hearts Abba Father And thus most gracious father when thou hast once giuen the earnest penny of our saluation vnto our hearts thou doest not repent of thy gift and calling neither wilt thou at any time breake thy couenant of grace and mercy in Christ thy sonnes merits confirmed in vs by that seale loue token For what though we be weake in our beliefe Rom. 3. shall our vnbeliefe make thy promise of none effect No thou wilt alway be found true but all men are lyers And yet Lord thou dost most graciously behold and accept be it neuer so little a sparke of faith Wee say therefore and cry vnto thee Mar. 9 with one that wept and said I beleeue Lord help my vnbeliefe Yea that little be it neuer so litle is thy meer gâ—ft also The which as thou hast begun so most merciful Lord increase yâ— same more and more to the peace and comfort of our conscience and the glory of thy name through Iesus Christ Amen A thanksgiuing to God for his great benefits HOnour and praise be giuen to thee Lord God Almighty most deare Father of heauen for all thy mercies and louing kindnesse shewed vnto vs in that â—t hath pleased thy gracious goodnes freely and of thine owne accord to elect and choose vs to saluation afore the beginning of the world and euen like continuall thanks bee giuen vnto thee for creating vs after thine own image for redeeming vs with the precious bloud of thy deare sonne when we were vtterly lost for sanctifying vs with thy holy spirit in the reuelation and knowledge of thy sacred word for helping and succouring vs in all our need and necessity for sauing vs from all danger both of body and soule for comforting vs so fatherly in al our troubles afflictions for sparing vs so long and giuing
and malice of the diuell or by his owne carnall will and frailty Preserue and continue this sick member in the vnity of thy Church Consider his contrition accept his teares asswage his paine as shall be seene to thee most expedient for him And forasmuch as hee putteth his full trust only in thy mercy impute not vnto â—im his former sinnes but take him vnto thy fauor through the merits of thy most dearly beloued sonne Iesus Christ A praier to be said at the houre of death O Lord Iesus Christ which art the onely health of all men liuing the euer lasting life of them that die in thee I wretched sinner doe submit my selfe wholly vnto thy most blessed wil and being sure that the thing caÌ„not perish which is committed vnto thy mercy willingly now I leaue this fraile and sinfull flesh in sure hope that thou wilt in better wise restore it to mee againe at the last day in the resurrection of the Iust I beseech thee most mercifull Lord Iesus Christ that thou wilt by thy grace make strong my soule against all tentations and defend mee with the buckler of thy mercy against all the assaults of the diuell I see and acknowledge that there is in my selfe no hope of saluation but all my confidence hope and trust is in thy rich mercy and goodnesse I haue no merits or good workes which I may alledge before thee of striues and euill works alasse I see a great heape but yet through thy mercy I trust to be in the number of them to whom thou wilt not impute their sinnes but wilt accept take mee for righteous and iust and to bee an inheritour of euerlasting life Thou mercifull Lord wast borne for my sake thou diddest suffer both hunger and thrst for my sake thou diddest teach pray and fast for my sake all thy holy actions and works thou wroughtest for my sake thou sufferedst most grieuous paines and torments for my sake Finally thou gauest thy most precious body and bloud to be shed on the Crosse for my sake Now most mercifull Sauiour let all those things profit mee that thou freely hast done for mee which hast giuen thy selfe also for mee Let thy bloud clense and wash away the spots and foulenesse of my sins Let thy righteousnes hide couer â—ny vnrighteousnesse let the merits of thy passion and bloud-shedding be the satisfaction for my sinnes Giue me Lord thy grace that the faith of my saluation in thy bloud maner not in me but may be euer firme constant that the hope of thy mercy life euerlasting neuer decay in mee that loue waxe not cold in me Finally that the weaknes of my flesh bee not ouercome with the feare of death Grant me merciful Sauiour that when death hath shut vp the eies of my body yet the eyes of my soule may still behold and looke vpon thee when death hath taken away the vse of my tongue yet my heart may cry and say Lord into thy hands I commend my soule Lord Iesu receiue my spirit A praier for a woman with Child THou art wonderfull O Lord in all thy workes and whatsoeuer thy good pleasure is that doest thou easily bring to passe neither is there any thing vnpossible with thee that thou wilt haue done And albeit this thy mighty power sheweth it selfe abundantly in all thy workes yet in conceiuing forming and bringing forth of man it shineth most euidently At the beginning O Father when thou madest man and woman thou commandest them to encrease multiply and replenish the earth If through the subtell enticements of Sathan they had not transgressed thy commandement by eating the forbidden fruit the woman whom thou hast appointed to be the instrument and vessell to conceiue nourish and bring forth man through thy wonderfull workmanship had without any labour paine or trauell brought forth her fruit But that which thy goodnes made easie sin disobedience hath made hard painefull dangerous and without thy speciall helpe and succour impossible to be brought to passe so that now all women bring forth their children in great sorrows paines and troubles Notwithstanding that which through their owne imperfection and feeblenesse they are not able of themselues to passe thou through thine vnspeakable power makest easie in them and bringest vnto a ioyfull end We â—herfore being fully perswaded of thy fauour and gâ—odnesse of thy present helpe and of thy sweete comfort in all miseries and necessities knowing also by the testimonies of the holâ— word how great intollerable the paines of women are that trauell of child if through thy tender mercy they be not mitigated and eased most â—umbly pray thee for Iesus Christs sake thy son our Lord to helpe and assist this thy seruant now in trauell and labour that by thâ— almighty power sâ—e may safely bring forth that which by thy goodnesse she hath conceiued that thy louing kindnesse may make that easie and tollerable vnto her which sinne hath made hard and painefull Ease O Lord the paines which thou most righteously hast put vpon her and all women for the sinne and disobedience of our Grand-mother Eue in whom all we haue sinned be present with her in her trouble according to thy mercifull promise Giue her strength and make perfect that which thou hast so graciously begun Let thy power be shewed no lesse in the safe bringing forth then in the wonderfull forming and fashioning of that she beareth Make her a glad and ioyfull mother that sâ—ee through thy goodnes being safly deliuered and restored to health againe may liue and praise thy blessed name for euer A Psalme to be said in the time of any common plague sicknes or other crosse and visitation of God O Come let vs humble our selues and fall downe before the Lord with reuerence and feare For he is the Lord our God and we are the people of his pasture and sheepe of his hands O come therefore let vs turne againe vnto our Lord for hee hath smiâ—ten vs and he shall heale vs Let vs repent and turne from our wickednes and our sinnes shall bee forgiuen vs. Let vs turne and the Lord will turne from vs his heauy wrath and will pardon vs and wee shall not perish For we acknowledge our faults ' and our sinnes are euer before vs. Wee haue sore prouoked thine anger O Lord thy wrath is waxed hoâ—e and thy heauy displeasure is sore kindled against vs. Thou hast in thine indignation stricken vs with grieuous sicknesse and by and by wee haue fallen as leaues beaten downe with a vehement winde Indeed we acknowledge that our punishments are not worse then our deseruings but yet of thy mercy Lord coâ—reâ—t vs to amendment and plague vs not to our destruction For thy hand is not shortned that thou canst not helpe neither is thy goodnes abated that thou wilt not heare Esay 65. Thou hast promised O Lord that afore we crie thou wilt heare vs and whilest we yet speak
law yea that I may keep it with my whole heart Direct me in the path of thy commandements for therein is my delight Turn away mine eies that I regard not vanity and quicken me in thy way Stablish thy promise to thy seruant whereby he may be taught to feare thee Direct my steps in thy word and let not iniquity haue dominion oueâ— me Let not the foot of pride come against me and let not the hand of the wicked moue me Gather not my soule with the sinners nor my life with the blody men Let my foot stand in vprightnesse that I may praise thee O Lord in the congregation Let not the word of truth depart out of my mouth for I trust in thy iudgements Set a watch O Lord before my mouth and keepe the dore of my lips Let not my heart bee inclined to euill to worke wicked workes with them that worke iniquity Teach mee good iudgement and knowledge for I doe beleeue thy commandements Stay my steps in thy paths that my feet do not slide Stablish mee in thy promise that I may liue and let mee not be disappointed of my hope Stay thou me O Lord and I shall be safe and I will delight continually in thy statutes O God create in me a pure heart and renue a right spirit within me Psal 52. Cast mee not away from thy presence and take not thy holy spirite from me Restore to me the ioy of thy saluation and stablish mee with thy free spirit Let me heare thy louing kindnesse in the morning Psal 143. shew mee the way that I should walke in for in thee is my trust Teach mee to doe the thing that pleaseth thee for thou art my God let thy good spirit leade mee into the land of righteousnes A praier for deliuerance from sinne and to be restored to Gods grace and fauor againe OH Almighty and euerlasting Lord GOD which hast made heauen and earth and all things therein contained O incomprehensible vnity Oh alwaies to be worshipped most blessed Trinity I humbly beseech thee and pray thee by the assumption and crucified humanity of our Lord Iesus Christ that thou wouldest incline and bow down the great height of thy deity to the bottomles pit of my vtility Driue from me all kind of vice wickednes and sin Create in me a clean heart and renue in me a right spirit for thy holy names sake Oh Lord Iesu I beseech thy goodnes for the exceeding great loue which drew thee out of thy Fathers bosome into the wombe of the holy virgin and for the assumption of mans statute wherin it pleased thee to saue me and deliuer me from eternall death that thou wouldest draw me out of my selfe into thee my Lord God and grant that this my loue may recouer again to me thy grace to increase and make perfect in me that which is wanting to raise vp in me that which is fallen to restore to me that which I haue lost quicken in mee that which is dead should liue so that I may become conformable to thee in al my life and conuersation thou dwelling in me and I in thee my heart being coupled with thy grace and setled in thy faith for euer Oh my God loose and set at liberty my spirit from all inferior things gouerne my soule and worke that both in soule body I may be wholy and liue to thy glory world without end Amen I. B. A praier necessary to be said at all times O Bountifull Lord Iesu O sweet Sauiour O Christ the Son of God haue pitty vpon me mercifully heare me and despise not my praiers Thou hast created me of nothing thou hast redeemed me from the bondage of sinne death and hell neither with golde nor siluer but with thy most precious body once offered vpon the Crosse and thine own blood shed once for all for a ransome Therefore cast me not away whom thou by thy great wisedome hast made Despise mee not whom thou hast redeemed with such a pretious treasure nor let my wickednesse destroy that which thy goodnesse hath builded Now while I liue O Iesu haue mercy on me for if I die out of thy fauour it will be too late afteâ—ward to call for thy mercy While I haue time to repent looke vpon mee with thy mercifull eyes as thou diddest vouchsafe to looke vpon Peter thy Apostle that I may bewayle my sinfull life and obtaine thy fauor to liue and die therein I acknowledge that if thou shouldest deale with mee according to thy iustice I haue deserued euerlasting death Therefore I appeale to thy high throne of mercy trusting to obtaine thy fauour not for my merites but for thy deserts O Iesu who hast giuen thy selfe an acceptable sacrifice to thy Father to appease his wrath and to bring all sinners truly repenting and amending their euill life vnto his fauour againe Accept me O Lord among the number of them whome thou hast in Christ elected and chosen to saluation forgiue mee my sinnes giue mee grace to leade a godly and innocent life graunt mee thy heauenly wisedome inspire my heart with faith hope and charitie giue mee grace to be humble in prosperity patient in aduersity obedient to my rulers in all my doings faithfull dealing truly with all men to liue chastly in wedlocke to abhorte adultery fornication and al vncleannes to do good after my power vnto all men to hurt no man that thy name may be glorified in me during this present life that I afterward may attaine euerlasting life through thy mercy and the merits of thy death and passion Amen A Praier for grace and remission of our sinnes O Lord God mercifull Father I poore wretched sinner come vnto thee in the name of thy dearely beloued Son Iesus Christ my sauiour beseeching thee for his sake to be mercifull vnto me to cast al my sinnes out of thy sight euen through the merits of his bloudy death Powre vpon me O Lord thy holy spirit of grace and wisedome to gouern lead my body and soule in thy holy word commandements shew thy mercy vpon me so lighten the naturall blindnes and darknes of my hart through thy grace that I may daily be renued by thy holy spirit Open my hard hart grosse eares to heare and read thy word and heauenly voice and to beleeue and follow it in my conuersation and euer to holde fast that blessed hope of euerlasting life Mortifie and kill al vice in me that my life may expresse my faith in thee Mercifully heare the humble supplications of thy seruant and grant me thy peace all my daies Graciously pardon my infirmities and defend me in all dangers both outwardly in my body goods and name and inwardly in my soule against all euil temptatioÌ„s and subtile baites of Sathan that roaring lion seeking whom hee may deuoure Grant O Lord that I and euery member of thy Church in his vocation and calling may truely and godlily
the diuel rage the powers of the world daily rise vp the flesh with all her bond slaues coÌ„spire against the kingdom of thine onely begotten son Iesus Christ our Lord yet make vs to vnderstand and with constant faith bee perswaded that thou deridest and contemnest all such whom thou canst in thine anger fierce displeasure when thou wilt suddenly destroy bring to nought In this faith seeing wee are sometimes so weak that being ouercome with sundry kindes of terrors and dread we are not so obedient to thy commandements as we ought to be wee therefore beseech thee for thy great goodnes sake to be mercifull vnto vs and grant that we may coÌ„stantly beleeue thy sonne our King and our redeemer to haue the highest power and dominion with thee in all things For seeing thou hast begotten him thou hast also deliuered to him all natioÌ„s to be ruled by his power as his owne inheritance grant therefore vnto vs that yet at length wee may be wise and vnderstand in such sort as we may serue thee with al due feare and worship that in the last day wee be not dashed in peeces as earthen vessels with the rodde of thine indignation through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier which M. Iohn Bradford said alittle before his death in Smithfield MErcifull God and Father to whom our Sauiour Christ approched in his feare need by reson of death sound comfort gracious God and most bounteous Christ on whom StepheÌ„ called in his extreame need and receiued strength most benigne holy spirit which in the midst of all crosses and death didst comfort the Apostle S. Paul with more consolations in Christ than hee felt sorrows and terrors in the world haue mercy vpon mee a most miserable vile and wretched sinner which now draw neer the gates of death deserued both in soule and body eternally by reason of my manifold horrible old and new transgressions which to thine eyes O Lord GOD are open and knowne Oh be mercifull vnto mee and forgiue mee for the bitter death and bloudshedding of thine onely Sonne Iesus Christ And though thy iustice do require in respect of my sinnes that now thou shouldest not heare mee contemning thy daily callings yet let thy mercy which is aboue all thy works and wherwith the earth is filled let thy mercy I say preuaile towards me through the merits and mediation of Christ our Sauiour for whose sake it pleaseth thee to bring me forth now as one of his witnesses and a record bearer of thy verity and truth taught by him to giue my life therefore of which dignity I doe acknowledge deare God that there was neuer any so vnworthy and vnmeete no not the thiefe that hanged with him on the crosse I humbly therefore pray thee that thou wouldest accordingly aid helpe and assisâ— mee with thy strength and heaueÌ„ly grace that with Christ thy Sonne I may finde comfort with Stephen I may see thy presence and gracious power with Paul and all other which for thy name sake haue suffered affliction and death I may find so present with me thy gracious consolation that I may by my death glorifie thy holy name set forth and ratifie thy verity comfort the harts of the heauy confirme thy Churcâ— in thy truth conuert some that are to be conuerted and so depart out of this miserable world where I doe nothing but daily heape sinne vpon sinne and enter into the fruition of thy blessed mercy whereof now giue and increase in me a liuely tast sense and feeling where through the terrour of death the tormenâ—s of fire the paines of sin the darts of Satan and the dolours of hell may neuer ouercome me but may be driuen away through the working of the most gracious spirit which now pleÌ„teously endue me withal that throgh the same spâ—rit I may offer as now I desire am ready to doe in Christ and by him my selfe wholy soule and body to a liuely sacrifice holy and acceptable in thy sight deare father whose I am and always haue been euen before the world was made to whom I commend my selfe faith name family and friends countrie all the whole Church yea euen my very enemies according to thy good pleasure beseeching thee entirely to giue once more to this Realme of England the blessing of thy word againe with godly peace to the teaching and setting forth of the same O deare father now guide mee to come vnto thee so purge and purifie me by this fire in Christs death passion through the spirite that I may bee a burnt offering of sweet smel in thy sight which liuest and raignest with the sonne and the holie Ghost now and euermore world without end The Letany O God the father of heauen haue mercy vppon vs miserable sinners O God the father of heauen c. O God the sonne redeemer of the world haue mercy vpon vs miserable sinners O God the sonne redeemer c. O God the holy ghost proceeding from the father and the sonne haue mercy vpon vs miserable sinners O God the holy Ghost c. O holy blessed and glorious Trinity three persons one God haue mercy vpon vs miserable sinners O holy blessed and glorious c. Remember not Lord our offences nor the offences of our forefathers neither take thou vengeance of our sins spate vs good Lord spate thy people whome thou hast redeemed with thy most precious bloud and be not angry with vs for euer Spate vs good Lord. From all euill and mischiefe from sinne from â—he crafts and assaults of the diuell from thy wrath and from euerlasting damnation Good Lord deliuer vs. From blindnes of heart from pride vaineglory and hypocrisie from enuy hatred and malice and al vncharitablenesse Good Lord deliuer vs. From fornication and al other deadly sinne and from all the deceits of the world the flesh and the diuell Good Lord deliuer vs. From lightning and tempest from plague pestileÌ„ce famine from battell murder from sodaine death Good Lord deliuer vs. From all sediâ—iâ—n and priuy conspiracy from all false doctrine and heresie from hardnes of heart contempt of thy word commandemeÌ„t Good Lord deliuer vs. By the mystery of thy holy incarnation by thy holy natiuity and circumcision by thy Baptisme fasting and temptation Good Lord deliuer vs. By thine agony and bloudy sweat by thy crosse and passion by thy glorious resurrection and assension and by the comming of the holy Ghost Good Lord deliuer vs. In all time of our tribulation in all time of our wealth in the houre of death and in the day of iudgement Good Lord deliuer vs. We sinners do beseech thee to heare vs O Lord God and that it may please thee to rule and gouerne thy holy church vniuersally in the right way We beseech thee to heare vâ— c. That it may please thee to keep and strengthen in the true worshipping of thee in righteousnesse holines of